This is one of those games that I’ll think about even after I finish it. As of the time of writing, I still have quite a few mysteries to uncover, as there are some puzzles that just well and truly stumped me. The world it presents is a cryptic one, reminding me of old conspiracy theories from before my time, but it keeps you coming back for more, hankering to pull back the curtains and unlock the doors to discover the secrets behind them.

Mewgenics is satisfying, and I think the development team isn’t exaggerating when they say the campaign can last over 200 hours. Review copy provided by company for testing purposes.

Dragon's Dogma 2 feels vast in a way that no other game has in a very long time. It reminds me of the best of the original Dragon's Dogma, with traces of The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind weaved into it.

A born sleeper hit. It's one of the best puzzlers in a long time, with wireless multiplayer and plenty of unlockable features to keep gamers coming back. [JPN Import]

Final Fantasy Tactics: The Ivalice Chronicles remains a fantastic strategy game, and its story feels even more relevant in 2025. It has everything. Hope. Despair. Loyalty. Betrayal. The option to take on battles that put your critical thinking skills and hours of preparation to the test. This latest release feels like a near perfect one for preparation purposes, due to it offering Classic and Enhanced options. I think if all content from the War of the Lions PSP release made it in, I might even consider it flawless. But even without it, it’s an exemplary experience.

While it’s far from perfect — its set piece moments could use some work, and its cross-generation release limits some of its ambition — Horizon: Forbidden West does more than enough right to deserve your time and attention. It’s a big enough game that you can pick and choose your favorite things to do and have a full experience, and the story it tells compels you to keep going and see more.

Square Enix has honored its intention to make the new release order work in a narrative sense. Dragon Quest III served as the original climax of the trilogy, with an exciting conclusion that tied the three games together. It’s now Dragon Quest II‘s job to see the trilogy’s story off, and things have been reworked to make it the grand conclusion it needs to be. Some of the original identity of the game is lost in that process, but I think it makes sense for this project. In a lot of ways, Dragon Quest I & II HD-2D Remake is an ideal outcome for a remake. The original games are still out there, but this release offers such different takes on both that it’s more than worthy to stand alongside them.

Upon investigating a mysterious transmission on Planet ZDR, Samus faces a mysterious foe that traps her in this dangerous world. The remote planet has been overrun by vicious alien lifeforms and murderous robots called E.M.M.I. Hunt or be hunted as you make your way through a labyrinth of enemies in Samus’ most intense side-scrolling adventure yet.

Monster Hunter Rise is without a doubt one of the best Monster Hunter games I have ever played, if not the best outright. It caters to new and veteran players effortlessly, and while some accessibility issues holding it back from outright being a perfect game, it really offers the best of both worlds.

One that every strategy game fan will love.

Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door is both the best Paper Mario entry and a Switch game everyone should own and play.

It’s hard to talk about Mouthwashing without giving away some of its more disturbing revelations and scenes. Yet those are the ones that stayed with me the most. The refrain in the game—that a person’s worst moments don’t define them or make them a monster—is something to keep in mind as the truth of what happened, along with the frayed mental states of the Tulpar crew, unravel over the course of the story.

Tempopo is another impeccable Witch Beam game. Considering what the company’s done with it, Assault Android Cactus, and Unpacking, I’m starting to wonder if the team can’t miss. It’s deceptively difficult, quite satisfying, and a wonderful way to spend a few hours. Especially when you really start getting into the more challenging stages.

The gameplay in Angeline Era is challenging and entertaining, reminiscent of Ys games, but its story feels even more important.

You sort of think that once the second and third versions of a game appear, one of those is probably the “best” version of it. Yet somehow, that isn’t the case here. I feel like Persona 3 Reload is the best version of Persona 3 so far.

Star Ocean The Second Story is among its best games in the series, and I believe the R release cements its role as the strongest entry.

I love Monster Train 2 now, and I suspect I’ll love it even more after putting 50 to 100 hours into it. Shiny Shoe did a fantastic job of keeping everything important in Monster Train, not disrespecting the original experience in any way, and implementing new Clans, card types, encounters, and mechanics that keep it challenging in a manageable way. Even the addition of a story is fascinating, considering the original only featured hints at the series’ lore. I love what the team did here, and Monster Train 2 ended up becoming as essential an entry in an roguelike library as the original.

Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance accomplished exactly what I hoped for. It took the messy base game, made it look and play better, and expanded upon every single aspect. This results in a polished and finally complete experience worth (re)visiting. Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance reaches its full potential in almost every way possible and now confidently stands toe-to-toe with its predecessors.

Still, that aside, Pikmin 4 is an extraordinary experience. It’s the coziest installment in the series, especially since some of the new features eliminate the deadline pressure and other stressors from past installments.

Final Fantasy XVI is without question a great game, but after about 45 hours with it, I can't help but think it often isn't great at being a Final Fantasy game.

Despite those small things, Uncharted: Legacy of Thieves Collection blew me away on the PS5. The breathtaking landscapes and fluid gameplay heighted by the addition of improved feedback from the DualSense controller took a fantastic experience to another level.

The Super Mario Galaxy + Super Mario Galaxy 2 remaster duo give Switch owners a chance to experience two really great games in the series. Both are still wonderful platforms that do some really fun and fantastic things when it comes to level design and playing around with gravity. However, I will say they are a bit disappointing when compared to both other companies’ recent remasters and Nintendo’s own endeavors. Plus, I do think the visual improvements and handling of the motion controls/touchscreen components are better in the second game than the first. I definitely say they are worth picking up if you never experienced either game before.

Theatrhythm Final Bar Line is a worthy successor and end to the beloved rhythm game franchise, and serves as a love letter to its OSTs.

Final Fantasy VI was an incredible game when it debuted in 1994, and the FFVI Pixel Remaster is just as wonderful. It is a fantastic JRPG. The set pieces here can still feel innovative all these years later. The game still manages to give many members of its exceptionally large playable cast attention. When you happen upon a secret, say an additional bit of storytelling, it still feels special. There are some minor quirks to this release, but it’s honestly lovely.

While I loved every second of replaying Mass Effect for the fourth and definitely not final time, I have that history and nostalgia keeping me through the outdated gameplay. I would recommend anyone jump into this series if they love BioWare RPGs, but I’d have a string of caveats. A lot has not aged well, especially from the first game, even though the first game arguably has the best story of all three. The Mass Effect Legendary Edition is an absolutely incredible walk down memory lane, but that’s really all it is. If you’re a newbie to the trilogy and you’re dying to see what all the fuss is about, better buckle in for one bumpy ride.

The Silent Hill 2 remake was surprising. It’s surprising in the way that I’m already playing it over for a second time. It’s surprising in the way that I enjoyed what the game had to offer, not being the biggest Silent Hill 2 fan myself. (Silent Hill 4 will always be my favorite, even if it isn’t the best.) Maybe that distance is what has allowed me to appreciate it more. Though I highly doubt it. The Silent Hill 2 remake shows that Konami is just as capable as it’s competitors in breathing life into their classic horror games. And I earnestly hope that other Silent Hill games will be given this treatment, or that it’s success means a certainty of more new stories in this horrible haunted town in the future.

I’m shocked at how enjoyable and well-executed LIttle Noah: Scion of Paradise is. Its a roguelike that ticks all the right boxes. It is approachable, but still challenging. You can go in knowing you’ll grow slightly stronger, but the unpredictability of which Lilliputs you’ll and randomization keeps things fresh. The enemies can be quite strong, but it is possible to learn patterns and survive through proper planning and insight. It is a fantastic game and one of 2022’s better surprises.

1000xResist is provocative in such a way that its characters, events, and lore keep tickling your brain and urging you to continue. You may put the game down for a moment, intending to do something like eat or sleep, but you won’t stop thinking about it. The themes, arguments, and history it suggests keep at you until you go back, pick up your controller, and continue Watcher’s investigation. Even then, when you uncover the truth and reach an ending, it doesn’t leave you. It pulls you back in for more. What did you maybe miss? What would you change? You need to return to the Orchard.