It’s because of this fun gameplay and this great story that it’s such a shame Cyberpunk 2077 performs like it’s still in alpha.

It’s strange to say that I will more than likely continue to play NieR Re[in]carnation, despite already understanding that I could potentially cultivate an unhealthy relationship with the game. The story has drawn me in, in a way that no other mobile game, or even console title, has in a very long time. I love learning about these characters and I love this world, even if I’m barred from progression. However, there is no doubt in my mind that this game will become exceedingly difficult for new players to get into once the double rate up banners and experience point boosts disappear. If you’re looking into playing NieR Re[in]carnation, for better or for worse, now is your time.

And I think this is largely reflective of what the Disgaea series is now, underdeveloped and lackluster when compared to previous entries. It feels like a lot of the production costs were cut for Disgaea 6, as the game only features voice acting during specific moments and largely isn’t present for even a bulk of the story events. Disgaea 6 isn’t a bad game, but it has definitely suffered due to the waning popularity of the series.

If all this sounds very negative, let me re-clarify that I actually really like the game. Again, the paper cut-out art style is adorable and the way the dragon and its effects use a completely different style works excellently. The world of Gatherac is full of funny little guys and, despite the child-friendly nature of the game, it also contains little comments on things like labor, misinformation, and even market regulation. I can even see what I think the developers were going for with the way you explore the world with friends, doing quests and helping each other out, but it all just doesn’t come together at the end.

Alter Age makes use of its age-swapping mechanic to add some spice to its combat, but unfortunately fails to use it to make its story any more interesting. It’s a decent RPG that has some good monsters to beat up using its systems, but its trope-filled storyline doesn’t grab the imagination or stir the heart. It’s a decent RPG that I wish had done just a little bit more with its premise, but as is, it still offers a bit of light entertainment.

It’s a shame, because SteamWorld Build has such a solid foundation, but it ends up not feeling that compelling to play. I’m usually the type to spend hours in any kind of base-building game trying to make a perfect, aesthetically pleasing layout, but this is one of the few games where I haven’t felt that urge past the first few hours. That said, there’s still a lot to love from the designs to the concept, so if you like the SteamWorld setting at all it’s likely worth checking out on Game Pass.

There’s clearly a lot of passion on display here, but I can’t help but feel there is a clash due to the enormity of their ambitions. The end result is a messy, occasionally frustrating and often tedious game that fails to live up to its many influences. Moonstone Island has the potential to be genuinely great, and it’s a genuine that it isn’t.

The rare in-engine cutscenes during epic fights show promise, but they are so few and far between. This game could have been more broadly appealing and intriguing with its frenetic and exhilarating action RPG gameplay but ultimately loses itself with its lackluster presentation choices.

The Gunvolt series has fantastic music, and GUNVOLT RECORDS: Cychronicle feels like a natural spin-off. It also plays pretty well. I’m just disappointed in Inti Creates excluding so many tracks to sell separately and the final 3D model designs for the three heroines. If you enjoy the series’ songs, it’s probably a good idea to check the tracklist to see if ones you enjoy are in the base game and maybe pick it up if they are.

Raptor Boyfriend is a fairly interesting game, though the premise loses its appeal after a while as it becomes a straightforward visual novel. Its linear nature and lack of meaningful dialog options, as well as the frankly generic and trope-filled characters can make it difficult to play more than once unless you like collecting things. Overall though, it is a pretty smooth experience, albeit with some bumpy grammar and consistency. It does a good job at portraying issues like social anxiety and PTSD in a grounded light. Unfortunately, its dour mood and lack of meaningful player choice make it a forgettable experience despite its unforgettable name.

The idea behind Dosa Divas is sound and I like Amani and Samara as individuals, but the overall experience is so uneven. The narrative structure feels off, with poor pacing and an odd way of trying to tell the story and foster connections. The QTEs for combat and cooking can get demanding in some situations, though in others they sort of exist and always feel the same. By the end of it, I found myself wondering if maybe it would have all worked better as a graphic novel that could have better told the tale instead.

There are times when I really enjoyed what Ambition: A Minuet in Power was doing, or at least trying to accomplish. But I felt a bit detached while I played. This, in turn, made it difficult to really care about the influence I had and which sides I might take. It’s definitely entertaining and, if you aren’t willing to frequently save and plan carefully, might even challenge some people. But it is definitely the sort of game that really only courts its primary audience, and those are people who enjoy visual novels and managing schedules.

I love the idea behind Volontes and think the character designs are gorgeous, but it isn’t a strong otome game. The focus feels much more on the lore and mysteries surrounding Ombrelle and its Moon Witch. Combine that with a localization that sometimes reads a bit awkwardly, short paths, and an overall presentation that sometimes feels like it was thrown together in Ren’Py with little fanfare, and it is a bit disappointing.

Sonic Frontiers is a game that is made up of a thousand different interesting ideas, all threaded together in a way that should create something good. But for all it manages to accomplish and for all the great ideas that lurch just beyond the horizon, Sonic Frontiers skids to a halt as it sprints to the finish line. The result is a fragmented and sometimes disjointed mess. Paired with its performance issues, it makes this a tough game to recommend, even if it has pockets of truly enjoyable gameplay that make me excited to see what the developers will come up with next.

Still, it’s not the easiest game to recommend even if this is the best and easiest to play version. If you want to ruin friendships, Mario Party is the better option. Yes, there will be hurt feelings, but at least everyone will have a good time while it happens. With Dokapon Kingdom: Connect, the pacing and other elements mean it’ll feel like all four people are trudging through a mile-long pit of quicksand in many modes. There’s an audience for this niche game, for sure, but know going in that it is a lot.

Poison Control feels like the sort of game where lots of different elements are tossed together in a way that hopefully comes together and makes sense. Some parts are fine. Eliminating poison can make you think, though it can sometimes get to be a bit of a chore. I liked the Heart-to-Hearts with Poisonette a lot, as it let me see how the duo would grow. The shooting is sort of there. It wasn’t an attraction or anything revolutionary, but I suppose I liked seeing what sorts of equipment I’d get from new Belles. It’s an interesting idea, but some elements are executed better than others.

I love the idea behind what’s going on in Despera Drops, and the push for answers and vindication meant I really loved seeing explanations in this otome game. Unfortunately, I feel that “thriller” part and some great character designs are the only focus. It doesn’t do a good job of balancing that with the romantic elements you’d expect from the genre. Add in two routes I felt weren’t handled well and, while I do recommend parts of it, I don’t feel it’s a perfect crime.

I enjoyed Koumajou Remilia II: Stranger’s Requiem and did enjoy my time with it. It will really test you with its difficulty. It also looks gorgeous. However, this is an incredibly basic title. There are no frills to this Castlevania inspired Touhou fan game. Also, it feels like while I did see progress from the original, it didn’t build on and learn from it enough to really stand out and show major progress. It’s absolutely fine, especially if you enjoyed Koumajou Remilia: Scarlet Symphony and want more of that, but it isn’t one of the best Castlevania-likes I’ve played.

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.

I appreciate Firefly Village as an experiment into how much you can cut from a Stardew Valley or Story of Seasons style farming game while presenting a cohesive experience. It is interesting. Succinct too! It looks great as well, with some adept spritework. But at the same time, things go so quickly that I didn’t feel a sense of satisfaction and accomplishment from taking my time and watching my virtual farm and life blossom over time. It’s a charming way to pass the time, but you might not get as much out of it as one of the more robust, larger games.

When Astlibra Revision is at its best, it is an impressive action game with fun characters and a story filled with thrilling plot-twists. At its worst, the game falls for the trap of unnecessary fanservice, being too raunchy, and not taking its female characters seriously enough. I wish I could look past these moments, but in such a story heavy game the text makes a concerted effort to remind the player every so often that some characters are only there to be a sexual “joke.” If you’re able to stomach this type of tropey writing, the story has very surprising turns, and the gameplay is fun, albeit its systems can be a bit bloated at times.

Attempts to be something new and tries hard to make a genre for itself. However, it doesn't exactly succeed due to stale gameplay mechanics, cheap puzzles and sloppy graphics. [JPN Import]

The thirty plus mini games in Where do Babies Come From are great for quick plays, but this title is really designed for people who absolutely loved "Feel the Magic XX/XY." [JPN Import]

There are times when Famicom Detective Club: The Girl Who Stands Behind shows its age. It absolutely isn’t user-friendly sometimes. However, its story is surprisingly timeless, and the new presentation is stunning. It’s a gorgeous adventure with a mystery that’s more well thought out and serious than I expected. I’d even say it can be approachable in spite of itself. But more importantly, it’s an opportunity to see another side of Nintendo’s history that for years we didn’t get to see.

You also need to feel invested in the mystery. This is a narrative, through and through. You’re not going to be able to ride out the campaign with gameplay fun or cute character moments. If you’re so wrapped up in the story that you’re okay with just trying a bunch of menu items for a while? Or when you’re stuck because the language quirks aren’t so easily fixed with localization? You’ll be fine.

If you don’t already care about Shiki, Rebecca, and their journey, then the Edens Zero game isn’t going to make you, and that’s the greatest sin of all. If someone truly loves the anime and manga, they may be able to find something to enjoy about this action-RPG, but it’s a middling game. While it clearly isn’t a budget title, there are times it feels like it due to combat, performance, and the execution of its story. If at some point in your life, you owned a piece of merchandise with Happy on it or used an avatar of Shiki, Rebecca, Weisz, Homura, or Pino online, I think you may still have a good time with it! You could even love some elements like the boss fights! But it’ll be very difficult for anyone who isn’t already a fan to get into this PC RPG.

Little Corners is like an opportunity to return to the times of playing with Colorforms and sticker books to decorate a room. There aren’t customization features, in terms of things like resizing or recoloring. There aren’t tons of interactions. But it is very relaxing to go through the eight different areas and arrange things to your liking. And when you do happen upon a special combination of stickers to unlock something, it can feel pretty special. I just wish there was a little bit more to it.

Ultimately, Marvel’s Avengers makes an attempt at breaking into an already flooded market of battle passes, cosmetics, and surface-level systems that attempt to show some kind of variety. There are better options out there for players to enjoy with fewer caveats and bugs.