From the very start, GrimGrimoire was a strong game, and with GrimGrimoire OnceMore VanillaWare made a once niche title even more appealing to a wider audience. With visual novels more appreciated, I feel the story of Lillet and the loops she jumps through at Tower of Silver Star will be better appreciated. Not to mention the solid strategic elements feel like they flow better with the latest adjustments. Combine that with VanillaWare’s always stunning presentation, and GrimGrimoire OnceMore feels like a mandatory inclusion in the libraries of both strong story lovers and strategy enthusiasts.

I feel like Assassin’s Creed Nexus VR is one of the essential Meta Quest 3 apps now. It’s a real showcase of what the headset is capable of, and the array of accessibility options makes me feel like this is the action game that could maybe be the one anyone, even those who previously had issues with motion sickness, could easily play. The premise also makes it incredibly accessible, since you can go in with any level of familiarity with the series. It feels like a solid staple for the standalone VR headset.

I love how Metroid Prime 4: Beyond looks and plays, but it doesn’t feel as narratively satisfying or mentally stimulating as the original trilogy.

It’s hard to evaluate Gaiden as a standalone game. And that’s because it isn’t? Sega took what could have been a flashback chapter in Infinite Wealth and tacked on some extras. Remembering this context while you play is to the game’s benefit, too. A brief vacation into the old battle style, with some minigames along the way? Yeah, it’s fun for that. It’s not a destination to itself, and it genuinely couldn’t be with all its stale re-treads. But hey, it’s nice to see Kiryu again.

Lego Voyagers is a visually gorgeous game and generally pleasant, but I wish it controlled better and involved more challenging scenarios. There are some fun ideas here, and the design concepts are solid. It is absolutely cute. I’d even say it can be a relaxing way to spend an afternoon or evening. But the constant locking in while platforming, ease of difficulty, and few opportunities to really do more in the space can be discouraging.

Flock is a comfort blanket of a game. Its simplicity isn’t for everyone but it’s hard to deny its charm. If you’re looking for something cozy to kick back with at the end of a long day, Flock is exactly what you need.

The difficulty in Digital Devil Saga will certainly turn some gamers off, especially those not fond of RPGs. However, if you're a gamer into RPGs and have been waiting for something fresh check out Digital Devil Saga. Digital Devil Saga is certainly one of the best RPGs in a long time.

Samurai Warriors 5 gives you a sense of incredible herculean power as you play through it. Few other action games give you such an ability to cleave through crowds of foes that stand in your path, and it’s undeniably satisfying to be able to swat a few dozen people aside.

Anno: Mutationem is a gorgeous-looking sendup of classic cyberpunk anime, with a narrative, characters, and combat that easily backs up its stunning aesthetic and visuals.

The Mageseeker: A League of Legends Story is a bite-sized adventure and decent enough 2D action game that will keep players entertained during its short playtime. While it isn’t overly mechanically complex, mastering its magic system is rewarding. However, those looking for a more substantial story which remains consistent with Riot Games’ previous lore concerning Sylas may feel a bit underwhelmed or disappointed.

A beautiful game.

I appreciate the gimmick and the talent Sassy Chap pulled together for Date Everything. The character designs are inventive and look fantastic. It’s entertaining, especially when it discusses not-Amazon and AI. My issue is I really didn’t want to talk to all of these characters. At most, I wanted to see the full storylines for like 1/10th of them. But because it doesn’t feature typical visual novel quality of life features and basically forces you into conversations with cast members, you’ll be stuck getting to know folks even if you don’t want to. Especially when it gets into the evening in-game and things get to be difficult to see.

I love the concept behind Everdeep Aurora, as the design direction is flawless, but it can also be quite a cumbersome game. The lack of quality of life features really hurt it. If there were some tutorials or perhaps a better save system, I’d feel a lot more comfortable recommending the game. But as is, I’d really only recommend it if you enjoy savoring in-game aesthetics and really meandering through a world working out everything on your own.

Easy Delivery Co might not be for everyone, but it can be a surprisingly soothing and occasionally unsettling driving delivery diversion. It can be a very tedious game, for sure. And the way the story is told might not hook everyone. But some folks might find it relaxing, and the design choices are handled well. If it clicks with you, I bet you’ll spend a good week with it.

Tomodachi Life: Living the Dream builds on the previous entries in the series, with Nintendo crafting a simulation that goes above and beyond with customization elements. It’s as silly and joyful as past games, while letting us basically build the Mii island of our dreams. Minigames can be a hit or miss, especially when it comes to ones that keep proposals from going smoothly. Plus the walled garden nature of it makes it so difficult to share that with others. Unless you can actually manage to meet up with people for local wireless, there’s no way to swap, and it’s a shame that there are extra steps tied to sharing moments. Still, aside from it being locked down, it’s lovely.

Big Hops is a really pleasant platformer that gives players many ways to approach its challenges. It’s versatile, and the controls feel pitch perfect. The nature of it also means we get to see some pretty varied biomes. Some worlds do feel more interesting than others, sadly, and and the story could be stronger. Still, it’s quite enjoyable and worth someone’s time if they enjoyed titles like Yooka Laylee and Super Mario 64.

Slightly lumpy pacing aside, though, Eastward feels like a bright, beautifully rendered action-RPG, with a uniquely positive atmosphere. Those looking for a lighthearted experience would do well to take the trip.

Void Terrarium 2 is a solid rogue-like. The dungeon dives are plenty of fun even if there are a few underwhelming aspects, and it offers some nice side content to wind down with between runs. It’s certainly not perfect, and some parts feel more optional or redundant than anything else, but it more than kept my interest throughout.

Basically, it feels like Doinksoft really went as far as possible to ensure it makes Gunbrella feel like it is taking part in a cohesive, connected world filled with ambiance, rather than some loose arrangement of levels. It made me feel like paying attention to different characters and exploring every possible house and area mattered. Especially since it often rewarded me for doing so. It’s a novel game that seems well-supported.

Since I tossed my scale ages ago for mental health reasons, I don’t know the effect Fitness Boxing feat Hatsune Miku has on my weight or my waist line. I certainly feel better though! Compared to Ring Fit, it’s way easier to boot up, so I’m less tempted to skip a day or two out of sheer laziness. Though my review ends here, my fitness journey has only just begun.

I really think if Sympathy Kiss had given us an actual protagonist, instead of a blank slate (literally) with no lines (or face), we’d be kicking off 2024 with possibly my pick for Best Otome Game of the Year. I really like the premise. The characters are good and look amazing. The idea of picking between love or your job is novel as well. But I had trouble connecting with it, and I suspect others might too.

Mortal Kombat: Legacy Kollection feels like an educational preservation effort, but one that isn’t 100% ready at launch. The fundamentals are here. The insightful elements acting as a documentary offering insight into the series is ready. Some of the extra features work well, and there’s an admirable number of games. However online isn’t really ready yet and there are some bugs that need to be stomped out.

Blue Reflection: Second Light is pretty much exactly what I expected Blue Reflection 2 to be. It’s a very relaxed sort of RPG. Even though there are mysteries to solve and danger, I didn’t feel pressured. Rather, I felt encouraged to talk with people around me and take my time as I crafted, explored, and fought through its world. But also, I feel like I came into it with the best mindset. I played the original game and watched Blue Reflection Ray. People who aren’t as into Gust games and everything they entail—which can involve crafting, gathering, and perhaps sometimes a slower pace than other RPGs—might not be as into it. But those familiar with Gust’s work or perhaps looking for a new adventure after Atelier Ryza might want to, at the very least, check out the demo.

Mary Skelter as a series is good at surprising players. In many ways, Mary Skelter Finale is something of a grand finale that takes time to review what worked for the series. It can be difficult, punishingly so if you happen across a Nightmare as multiple characters are about to lose control. It can be incredibly dark, albeit with glimmers of hope. At the same time, it can also go overboard. The pacing issues and story direction resulted in times when Mary Skelter Finale made me believe the series peaked at Mary Skelter 2. Still, its Jail is a dungeon worth diving into.

Pokemon Legends: Z-A is a follow-up to Arceus that feels both similar and different due to its focus on living alongside Pokemon in a modern city. The two themes are Mega Evolution and embracing life alongside Pokemon, and Game Freak and Nintendo are constantly showing and telling how that works. Admittedly, I miss the more varied biomes and locations from Arceus. But I do appreciate the story, the ambiance, the attention paid to characters, and how much it feels like a real city. After over 35 hours with it, I’m quite pleased.

If otome games are your jam, then you’ll pick this one up regardless. However, this isn’t your typical otome, and you’re in for a real treat with these characters, the setting, the art (look at her dress up there!), and story full of twists and turns. Highly recommended to friends and family.

Cats may enjoy leaping into boxes, but solving this game requires you to jump out. Flexible thinking and imaginative creativity are the keys to success in Nine Noir Lives.

Minami Lane is the sort of game that is perfect for people-watchers. It’s leisurely. Meeting criteria for missions is never taxing. There are no penalties for taking your time. It’s just a short, relaxing experience that lets you feel like you’re helping to make a small town better.