Norn9 Last Era is very clearly a game made for a particular audience. If you enjoyed Norn9 Var Commons, this is definitely an otome fan disc you will enjoy. All of the characters get their due. Aside from a bizarre requirement to force people through the Prelude, it’s well executed. Perhaps that love for the original game will even make it possible to overlook the formatting issues that still come up in the follow-up.

If you already own and like "Samurai Warriors," Xtreme Legends is something you will love. However, if you're expecting it to be a solid stand alone title, it doesn't have that much to offer.

If it seems like I’m struggling to find anything to really say about No Sleep for Kaname Date – From AI: The Somnium Files, that’s because I feel like there’s really not much to say. It doesn’t make the sort of substantial, storytelling strides forward as the other two installments in the series. The new Escape gameplay works fine, but it isn’t as exciting as Kotaro Uchikoshi games that fully dedicate themselves to that kind of experience and mystery. The established Investigation and Somnia segments feel about the same as they always do and don’t really reinvent the wheel. I had some fun, but not nearly as much as I did with its predecessors. It’s there and feels like a placeholder ahead of whatever is actually next for the series. Folks who really enjoy AI: The Somnium Files and are biding time waiting for the next Uchikoshi project might like No Sleep for Kaname Date, but it isn’t really for anyone else.

Lonesome Village is pleasant. The world is bright and colorful. Despite things being Very Wrong around town, there’s no sense of pressing danger. It encourages you to take in the scenery and solve puzzles at your leisure. While that means it can feel a little too rudimentary, it’s generally a good time. Especially as villagers start to return and you get a chance to interact with more (virtual) “people” again.

Umurangi Generation is a game that was never subtle about its message and always conveyed information via the experience well, but playing it in VR on a Meta Quest 3 makes everything more effective. Firsthand exploring the world and encountering both its beauty and horrors is incredible. Especially since the transition from the original game to VR worked so well and came without downsides like motion sickness. I loved the approach and feel like it’s a necessary Meta Quest experience.

Sakuna: Of Rice and Ruin is a game that grows on you. People accustomed to farming simulations like Story of Seasons or even Rune Factory will find themselves forced to suddenly pay way more attention to the process of growing crops than before, then be patient since it will be in-game years before you “get good” at growing crops. Folks coming in because the combat seems satisfying will have to understand this is a game where constantly revisiting areas and keeping up with farming will be necessary to make any sort of significant progress. And everyone will have to deal with the fact that the lighting system and fonts will sometimes make you strain your eyes as you try to get things done. It definitely builds into something enjoyable, but it takes its time getting there and makes you work for it.

While Atelier Marie Remake: The Alchemist of Salburg comes with new music, a fresh graphical redesign, and modern features like a Photo Mode, it’s the simplicity of the gameplay loop combined with the pressure of the time constraints that cause it to show its age. It feels like you’re playing a 1997 title, even though it’s been remade over 25 years later. It’s clear that Atelier Marie Remake: The Alchemist of Salburg has been made to satisfy fans of the original and doesn’t do much to draw in newcomers who are curious about where the Atelier series got its start. It feels very rooted in nostalgia, and if you don’t have that, it might be a struggle to fully enjoy everything it has to offer.

Monster Sanctuary is a game that feels satisfying and rewarding. When you earn more skill points, get a new monster, or find a new Explore Ability, it opens up more of a sufficiently large world to explore. But this is also a challenging game that requires you to experiment with teams, learn how to build combos, and invest a lot of time battling wild monsters to make sure you have the special abilities, evolutionary items, and experience you need to survive.

I’ve been playing Reynatis on the Switch, so I can’t comment on other systems, but there are a few issues. Firstly, the game crashed on me a few times, which was annoying, but luckily, there is an auto-save system, so I never lost too much progress. The main issue was the camera angle, which in some of the cramped environments is just pure bad. If I were playing in handheld mode on the Switch, this would be even worse, and sometimes I wouldn’t even be able to see the character performing their move, so I always stayed playing on the dock. To its merit, the loading times were excellent and faster than I expected on the Switch.

Maid Cafe on Electric Street feels like it is designed to recreate the experience of living in Japan, being in a maid cafe environment, and going through your day-to-day life. However, it’s done in a way where it isn’t exactly idealized, due to the fact that there are still moments that remind you that real-life isn’t always happy and fun, and being at a maid cafe wouldn’t be an easy life with everyone excited, energetic, and a perfect idol-type. I appreciated its quieter moments and simplicity, and how it let me gradually work toward a better tomorrow.

Tokoyo: The Tower of Perpetuity is a novel challenge. It forces you to get creative, consider timing and patterns, and push yourself to improve. There’s also a sense of urgency, both due to the fact that the tower layout changes daily and karma encourages you to not loiter around. Yet at the same time, there isn’t too much pressure. Tomorrow is another day. You might be better another day of the week or when using a different character. Not to mention there’s no real penalty for not being the best. It feels like the kind of game someone could devote a few weeks or months to, gradually getting better or enjoying for a brief part of every day.

Pokemon Violet and Pokemon Scarlet certainly don’t put their best feet forward. They run rough. Visual downgrades are clear. But ultimately, once you settle in, they’re certainly full Pokemon games. We’re hoping some post-launch bug-squashing will help them run better, but in the long term, The Pokemon Company might need to implement a plan that offers Game Freak longer development windows for tentpole releases.

Kirby’s Return to Dream Land, at the time, felt like a poignant throwback after installments like Kirby 64: The Crystal Shards and Kirby and the Amazing Mirror. Now in 2023, Kirby’s Return to Dream Land Deluxe’s revival results in an entry that feels like a more introductory experience to be enjoyed with a small group of newcomers to the series.

I’ve spent over twenty hours with Everholm, and I know I’ve only scratched the surface of what there is to see. I like the aesthetic vibe of Everholm, and the gameplay has an enticing daily routine cycle that will be a hit with fans of Stardew Valley. The supernatural mystery failed to hook me in, but the tasks were so enjoyable that it wasn’t as big of a deal as it should have been. But there are quite a few issues that sometimes break the immersion. That said, the developers are already addressing some of these issues, which is great to see, as Everholm definitely has the fundamental ingredients of an excellent farming sim.

Pokemon Violet and Pokemon Scarlet certainly don’t put their best feet forward. They run rough. Visual downgrades are clear. But ultimately, once you settle in, they’re certainly full Pokemon games. We’re hoping some post-launch bug-squashing will help them run better, but in the long term, The Pokemon Company might need to implement a plan that offers Game Freak longer development windows for tentpole releases.

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.

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.

I feel like Peglin is a fun roguelike game if either you miss Peggle or are okay with knowing how well you do might is completely up to RNG. It isn’t always demanding perfection in the same way as roguelikes like Hades or Dead Cells, where your skill is a big part of deciding how successful you are. It very much comes down to chance here. Which means if you’re okay with that and playing it in small doses, Peglin can be great! But since how much you can influence a run is limited, it can be very frustrating to often see yourself do everything right, but fail because you didn’t get the right orbs or relics and it ended up being unbalanced.

Specific to the Switch version, it plays at a fine pace, but its blurry characters can be hard on the eyes. That, and the lack of rollback netcode, make it the clearly inferior release out of all the platforms it’s on. It’s a solid release if you have no other choice, but if you DO have a choice, get it on anything but the Switch.

If you’re a fan of the series, Fairy Tail 2 is a great time, although technical issues on Switch hinder the experience.

Going into Gundam Breaker 4, you need to accept that it’s the type of game that will involve grinding missions for experience and parts. I felt like the ensuing Gunpla I’d create and opportunities to collect even more customization elements was worth it! Especially since the combat system is tight and it all looks really good. If you’re not up for replaying a lot of assignments and dealing with occasional hurdles in fights that might feel better balanced for multiplayer, it might be wise to look at an older entry. But it can be a really good time, especially if you love the Gundam and this spin-off series or have a crew you’ll be playing it with.

Ultimately, The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword HD is a decent enough entry point for those looking to get into the series. However, it is hindered by the inability to remap controls and the implementation of a poor secondary control scheme. That being said, it couldn’t exist any in any other form due to its original release relying so heavily on motion controls. Despite its flaws, it still offers the quintessential The Legend of Zelda experience.

Though we only get to know the characters for a little while, I found myself becoming genuinely invested in their lives, histories, and personalities. Considering that two people did virtually all the creative work in the game, I was very impressed by the writing and art. If there’s a sequel with these characters, I would jump at the chance to play it. Though short, Death Trick: Double Blind was like any performance worth its salt: sweet, riveting, and unforgettable.

Beyblade video games have a reputation for not being too great. Although there are blemishes in the gameplay and the environmental spaces, which could have been improved, I think this is the best Beyblade game out there. But by no means is this game stellar, either. Ultimately, you will find redeemable characteristics to Beyblade X: Xone if you keep up-to-date with the franchise or have nostalgic memories of earlier generations.

Pepper Grinder is an action-packed 2D adventure blending traditional platforming with an alternate drilling mode that allows you to dive in and out of the earth like a dolphin swims through water. Switch version reviewed. Review copy provided by company for testing purposes. Pepper Grinder is a game with a good idea that generally works well.

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.

I enjoyed Aeruta quite a bit, with both the battling and bakery management often feeling equally satisfying. Somehow, I feel the repetition that stemmed from handling the shop became less of an issue than facing the similar sorts of hordes over and over again when heading out to fight for ingredients. The difficulty spikes for a few bosses is also frustrating. But each part of the experience is generally solid, and the charming premise and cute characters add to its appeal.

Library of Runia is a fantastic game. The voice acting is top notch, the story is intriguing enough to entice players who otherwise may not be interested in deck building games to give it a shot, and it forces the player to engage with its systems to meet each challenge. However, this means that it won’t be for everyone. Those that have gotten tired of fiddling around with the same deck builders for hours on end may find Library of Runia enticing, especially with its heavy emphasis on story. Overall, I had a blast with the game, even if I’m still figuring out just how to optimize my deck some thirty hours in.