For both positive and negative reasons, Hakuoki: Chronicles of Wind and Blossom is a classic otome. The quality of the story and the characters are really good, and I can understand why people loved it. But playing it in 2024 after so many other otome games (and from Otomate to boot), it’s hard for me to see what made Hakuoki the special juggernaut it was at the time. Is it good? Oh yeah, if you’re big into otome or historical fantasy games. It’s great that you get both the Edo and Kyoto arcs in one convenient package without having to pay for two games like in certain releases. This is a game that stands very well on its own. But those curious about the legendary reputation of Hakuoki may come out of it scratching their head.

I still love The Legend of Legacy HD Remastered. I wished this new release could have fixed some of my gripes with the original game. While it can be an obtuse and stubborn game to learn, once you get past this you are met with a pretty and charming world, as well as a strategic combat system with some interesting ideas. The best thing going on for the remaster is that it makes accessible an 8-year-old game that was trapped on the Nintendo 3DS. For fans of the SaGa series this is a must.

There are ways in which Princess Maker 2 Regeneration does feel like a valued, fresh start and approach to the game, partially because of it also being on systems like the Switch. However, there are also times when it feels like it also isn’t quite there yet and Princess Maker 2 Refinemay be a better bet. There are some definite bugs present and in need of squashing. I also wish the localization was stronger. However, the core game is a lot of fun, especially if you appreciate stat management simulations such as this. I think it is worth the time even if it isn’t the best version of the game available, and I hope Bliss Brain fixes some of the more glaring problems after launch.

A Little to the Left is a good puzzle game to play when you need to take a moment to sort things out. It lets you take a moment to calmly organize things, perhaps tidying up your thoughts. I do wish its levels felt a bit more balanced. There are absolutely tasks that feel like rote behavior, as well as a few puzzles with solutions that might not seem to make sense. At least there’s always the option to “let it be” and move on.

The most heart-wrenching aspect of Towa and the Guardians of the Sacred Tree comes when you successfully complete a run. You’ll have to sacrifice whichever character you designated as your Kagura, and seeing your eight dear friends slowly disappear one by one actually hits hard. The theme of sacrifice is strongly woven into the narrative of this game, and it’s probably the most powerful thing about it. If more of the game’s beats hits as hard as this one, it would be easier to recommend. Ultimately, this is just another decent roguelite action game, albeit one with a couple of interesting ideas and a lot of personality.

There are certain NIS America games that sometimes end up a bit forgotten compared to other titles, like Cladun or The Guided Fate Paradox, and I really hope Monster Menu: The Scavenger’s Cookbook isn’t one of them. There are some elements that feel like they aren’t quite there yet, like pacing or effect application, but what’s here feels really different and innovative. I enjoyed my time with it way more than I expected to, and I would really love to see what could be done in a sequel.

Flare Nuinui Quest is a charming retro platformer that nails the look and feel of classic 8-bit games. Its simple mechanics, nostalgic design, and catchy soundtrack make it a joy to play, even for those with no knowledge of Hololive or Shiranui Flare. For fans of the Vtuber and the wider Hololive universe, the game is an even bigger treat, filled with familiar characters and references that add depth to the experience. While its short length and fan-service-heavy approach might limit its appeal to some players, the low price and polished gameplay make it an easy recommendation for anyone who loves retro platformers. Flare Nuinui Quest proves that even niche projects can deliver big on charm and fun.

It's more than worth giving them a try.

Milano’s Odd Job Collection is absolutely adorable and an example of an inventive import PS1 game, though it shows its age at times. It’s absolutely fantastic to see it more accessible everywhere. There are some elements that can feel a little tedious, as working at the jobs every day can blend together a bit. Especially since there are no scripted events or interactions with other characters. But the some of the minigames can be entertaining and even challenging at higher difficulty levels, and the items we can buy for her temporary home are quite cute.

Pleasant and fluffy are great ways to describe Hakuoki SSL: Sweet School Life, as it is a light otome building on the characters we know and love. This does mean that Otomate and Idea Factory go in assuming you know everyone, so some character and relationship development is omitted. But if you do know about this series, it is absolutely worth it to get this missing piece of the puzzle and get to enjoy romances with love interests knowing it isn’t going to go as tragically as the historical Shinsengumi tale did.

Cupiclaw turned out to be the type of roguelike you can pick away at in 15-30 minute intervals as a palate cleanser. It’s not too deep. It’s pretty easy to figure out the path to success. Admittedly, it can feel frustrating when many of your runs end because luck wasn’t on your side and you did everything right otherwise. But playthroughs of it tend to be quite pleasant.

The selling points of Cuddly Forest Friends are that it is cute, it is easy for someone to get into and play, and there are an array of different sorts of minigames. It succeeds on all three fronts. The pacing does force you to follow a certain sort of schedule, which might be a bit slow or restrictive for experienced players. Still, that will probably work well for beginners and younger players. For those looking for a more relaxed title or game for kids, it could feel like coming home to fluffy friends. For the sort of game that it is, it handles the concept and material very well.

I’m still conflicted with how I feel about Baldur’s Gate III, and I probably will be for a while. While it carries on the legacy of perhaps one of the most influential CRPGs of all time, I’m not sure if it’s better than the first two games that preceded it. It is a different story by a different team and, while it’s deeply connected to those first two games, it is a promising start to more new adventures set in a familiar world that I’ve always loved.

Lies of P is a game that draws inspiration from a handful of things that have remained within the popular consciousness for good reason, and at the very least attempts to set out and build upon the foundations set by those inspirations. And while it will more than likely please those looking to scratch the itch Bloodborne left behind, its lackluster localization and generally narrow playstyle may leave some wanting. Especially after the release of Armored Core VI, which is hard to hold a candle to by comparison. That said it’s a game that has a lot of ideas, some that manage to hit and others that sort of slide off. Ultimately, Lies of P is an interesting spin on an age-old fairy tale and attempts to fill the hole Bloodborne left behind, and it really tries its best to do so.

It's absolutely worth the time invested.

Fortunately, that means Legend of Mana is getting its own moment on the Switch, PS4, and PC with a remaster. While it doesn’t exactly address every issue present in the original game, it looks amazing and includes some features that might ease frustrations.

Bubble Bobble Sugar Dungeons has its moments, but the inclusion of Bubble Symphony helps it feel worth the try. The base game itself is fine, and I had fun with the castle portions. The repetitious colors and stage layouts coupled with the dungeon difficulty is a bit much.

Winter’s Wish: Spirit of Edo is one of those Switch otome games that covers a lot of different topics well. Do you like period pieces? It’s got that. Enjoy stories with supernatural elements? Each route features blightfall hazards to overcome. There for the romance? I really recommend going through Yoichi’s route! Due to playing so many routes one after another, the sense of progression felt a bit similar to me, but I think someone playing it in a more measured way as intended would have a good time.

There are times when I wish the Labyrinth of the Demon King gameplay might be a little more responsive or certain elements a little less fiddly, but the aesthetic and graphics are always on-point. It is fantastic about establishing ambiance. So even when I didn’t feel completely captivated by other elements, I felt compelled to keep playing to see what new areas and enemies might look like. One thing is for certain, and that is this game is a love letter to the fifth console generation.

Grimoire Groves offers an overall satisfying gameplay experience. With only three spell slots and great diversity in the way spells interact with enemies, there are a ton of playstyles to develop. Although it takes a bit longer than I’d like to understand what I need to do to progress and how to do it, the cute character dialogue and expanding garden still gives me a sense of accomplishment once I do. Much like gardening, Grimoire Groves requires a little patience. But once you get past that initial struggle, it’s incredibly rewarding.

Cuisineer is fun and I genuinely enjoyed my time playing it. However, it constantly reminded me of a game that you’d play on Facebook back during the mid-2000s, or something like Mabinogi. There’s no life to the town with how little you get to know everyone. Though I personally had fun with it, I enjoyed it as a de-stressing kind of game precisely because I hardly had to think while playing it. There were no consequences whatsoever to anything, so there was no need to worry about my debt or dying. Therefore, its simplicity and lack of deeper content may make Cuisineer a little dull for another’s palate.

Persona 5: The Phantom X is a difficult game to recommend. As a gacha game, it’s elevated by lifting so much from Persona 5. But the inverse is true, as the gacha elements have weakened a lot of what made the original game great. If you loved the style of Persona 5 and want something free and casual that lets you kick around in its world some more, there’s fun to be found in Persona 5: The Phantom X. But those who min-max the Fusion system or hate gachas are unlikely to be convinced.

A-Train: All Aboard! Tourism is definitely impressive. People have an extraordinary degree of control over all elements of transportation and the entire health of towns. It demands you pay attention, to be sure. There are some technical issues here, to be sure. (Patches were released as I was playing, so it seems Artdink is aware of problems.) People willing to give it a chance could find a simulation they could spend months playing. Though, I would recommend anyone interested sample the demo first to be certain it is something they can handle.

The systems are tightly interwoven in ways that make all of its items and unlocks feel relevant even if they’re not exactly what you want, and it can feel quite satisfying as a playful diversion to pick at here and there. Once you know what it is and what to expect from the game, it’s a genuinely compelling experience.

Slime Rancher 2 is an entertaining game and does offer a lot to do, but I enjoyed the more relaxed original entry more. The best comparison I can offer is that the first game felt like exploring a cozy area and taking my time collecting slimes. With the second, I feel more beholden to the inventory limitations and as though I’m playing to constantly collect resources to tick boxes. There’s nothing wrong with that kind of grind, and some folks might appreciate that increase in intensity. I do think it changes the general atmosphere and ambiance from the original experience in a way that might not make upgrading worthwhile for those who really loved the first title.

There are elements I don’t like, but I’m now officially a big Grapple Dog fan. Granted, more because I love the characters, music, and world, rather than find it to offer revolutionary platforming. It’s a good time. Just know going in that it might often demand your best, but not always help you execute things exactly.

Magical Delicacy offers a cozy and relaxing experience that you can play at a leisurely pace, which makes it inclusive to all players, regardless of skill level. The cooking aspects are done incredibly well, and it creates an enticing gameplay loop where you want to keep making new dishes. However, the game was not ambitious enough with its centralized theme about witches, which had ample opportunities to introduce some fascinating mechanics but failed to capitalize on this, ultimately holding back the experience.

Basically, with Taiko no Tatsujin: Rhythmic Adventure Pack, you are getting the game for its two RPGs. Rhythmic Adventure 1 is okay enough, I suppose. You can see it set a precedent and, insensitive depiction aside, has its moments. Rhythmic Adventure 2 is genuinely enjoyable, cool, and moves at a great pace. And of course, the standard Taiko mode is fine and has a wide selection of 130 songs. It is just definitely a collection where one part outshines the other.