Attempts to blend a variety of different genres together can often feel disjointed and aimless. Certainly, Farmagia’s mix of Pokémon-like monster cultivation, real-time strategy battles, and visual novel-style storytelling isn’t faultless. But the game’s various components feed into each other agreeably, creating a compelling and occasionally inspired gameplay cycle.

Between the lack of exigency and a formulaic approach, Voidwrought is competent but rarely compelling. Sure, the game’s dark atmosphere is attractive, and the game’s delivers the fundamentals expected from an action-adventure. But I stuck with it to the end due to obligation rather than eagerness.

The Smurfs – Dreams undoubtedly passes the licensed game test. Even without the little blue folks, this is an entertaining 3D platformer that recalls the imaginative level design and approachability of Super Mario 3D World.

Ys X: Nordics makes several stimulating diversions from franchise formula. This time out, the fast, frantic fights on soil are complemented by measured marine battles. There’s also an enlarged emphasis on storytelling. These additions should please long-time Adol aficionados. But Nordics also offers an access point for anyone aching for the thrills of adventure.

Between Yakuza Kiwami’s rich settings and its hardboiled plotline, it’s easy to become absorbed in this remake of the inaugural franchise entry. But a game like this deserves to be played on a platform that captures the splendor of hand-tailored suits and Kamurocho’s rain-soaked streets. Regrettably, the Switch port isn’t always up to the task.

Shin chan: Shiro and the Coal Town is agreeable when you’re performing fetch quests and grows enjoyable with its trolly cart racing component. But the deep-seated delight arrives when there’s no obvious goal and you’re just soaking up the splendid scenery. Here, exploring the Akita prefecture and a town of hospitable folks feels like a bathtub full of warm contentment.

Peer past some forgivable anachronisms and Critical Games manages to capture the sanguine charms of early console role-playing games. Occasionally, attempts to capture retro appeal can lack authenticity, becoming the equivalent of an unexceptional ‘80s cover band. But here, Joshua Hallaran and the team hit almost all the right notes.

Darksiders II: Deathinitive Edition can’t completely shake off the look and feel of being a remaster rather than a full-fledged remake. But if you can overlook that quality, seizing control of Death is just as enjoyable as it was in 2012, thanks to Vigil Games’ deft sense of design.

RPG MAKER WITH certainly isn’t for everyone. But if you’re ever longed to craft your own adventure and have a surplus of free time, this (along with SmileBASIC 4) can turn your portable console into a robust dev kit. The benefit over RPG MAKER MV is the ability to share components WITH others.

Every missed shot develops into another hazard across Duck Paradox’s stages. Here, precision platforming and bullet-hell dodging collide in a thoroughly challenging and delightfully hectic 2D roguelike.

Pinball Spire’s fail-free approach is undoubtedly a progressive approach toward pinball. While the game’s multi-playfield campaign is varied, the title doesn’t quite measure up to the fun of a traditional score chase or the feeling of exploration suggested by the marketing.

Parcel Corps is a game with a dozen good ideas and two underdeveloped ones. Although playing as a bike courier delivers some moments, unreliable physics and using your awkward in-game phone weakens the enjoyment associated with jumping, wall-riding, and stunting through cell-shaded environments.

Confusion might affect Misa, 9 R.I.P.'s main character. But if you appreciate a capricious tone and the ability to sinuously shift genres, there's no reason for indecisiveness. Otomate's latest is a devilishly good time.

Undoubtedly, there’s an overabundance of action roguelike on Steam. But Ravenswatch’s selection of literary-based characters boast hearty arsenals that make combat absorbing. At present, fighting bosses in single-player games can feel tedious, so grab a group of buddies, if possible.

Cash Cow DX revisits the arcade era, when success required quick reflexes, a whole lot of practice, and a roll of quarters. Pixel games SARL-S’ latest is a morsel of Mappy, a bite from Pac-Man, a dash of Sonic, and a whole lot of fun - especially if you miss coin-ops.

As a collaboration between FuRyu and Natsume Atari, Reynatis is crammed with interesting ideas. But like a chef who couldn’t resist holding back on the number of ingredients, the result is a muddled mess. An action RPG starring oppressed wizards has potential, but Reynatis waters down its ambitions under a layer of ununified mechanics.

Despite the inclusion of innovations like Prestige, which offers a more sophisticated appraisal of your leadership, Ara: History Untold doesn’t outshine Civilization. Instead, it feels like a lateral deviation, where some components are restructured but others flirt with tedium by the third and final act.

Parking Garage Rally Circuit makes a solid argument for racing games reaching their peak during the ‘90s. Sure, Walaber’s latest effort is capable of cultivating nostalgia, with its Saturn-era visuals and approachable controls. But it’s also a timeless test of skill without all the fluff found in modern racers.

Commendably, The Kodansha Game Creator’s Lab pays developers 10 million yen a year to develop games. It would be great to see a program like this succeed, but if the results are as bad as Fairy Tail: Beach Volleyball Havok, the publisher should just call the program, “marketing”. This is a seven-dollar, slightly playable advertisement that would have been free a decade ago.

Like any competent sequel, Grapple Dogs: Cosmic Canines rectifies its predecessor’s wayward behaviors while showing off a few new tricks. But the most impressive feat is level design that doggedly challenges and captivates, as you chase down the game’s inventory of collectibles.

Games built around item collection often succumb to tedium or a level of challenge that’s more exasperating than engaging. Caravan SandWitch lets you roam its sunny, sandy local without the inconvenience of enemy encounters or the threat of a ‘game over’ message.

Too often, Solar Crown embodies what’s wrong with the modern racer. Sure, the cars are meticulously modeled and even have working windows. But these minutiae matter little when fundamentals like a fluid framerate and the ability to race offline are absent. Sadly, the latest entry in the Test Drive Unlimited franchise struggles to match the competency of decade-old racers.

Yars Rising delivers a notable deviation from the original Atari 2600 title. Here, Howard Scott Warshaw’s classic is imaged as a hacking mini-game placed inside a metroidvania adventure. While these transitory throwbacks and their variations are absorbing, the principal play between them is too lifeless.

Sadly, SUNSOFT is Back! Retro Game Selection includes only a single engaging title. The compilation’s other two games are unremarkable curios that might be worth a quick look, but only Firework Thrower Kantaro’s trek through Japan is likely to hold your attention.

Miku and her Piapro peers inject personality into Fitness Boxing’s workouts. But like the previous entries in Imagineer’s series, a pair of Joy-Cons can’t provide much feedback on your form. As such, Fitness Boxing feat. Hatsune Miku is diverting but probably won’t become part of your routine.

If you’re already acquainted with Date A Live’s bishojo, Ren Dystopia provides the opportunity to get into their heads, learning about their diverse desires through a wish-granting premise. It’s a playful deviation rather than indispensable chapter in the series. If you’re yearning for another romp with the cast, Ren Dystopia delivers. Just don’t expect much more.

The concept of horse girls competing in whacky mini games undoubtedly has potential as a game. But Umamusume: Pretty Derby – Party Dash’s four contests are remarkably bland, with each growing stale after a few replays. There’s fun to be had in an unlockable mini-game, dialog in the game’s story mode, and in an unlockable mini-game, but there’s not nearly enough value or vigor to recommend a full priced purchase.

Gori: Cuddly Carnage is a Frankenstein’s monster of inter-stitched game concepts. There’s everything from maniac combat, high-flying hoverboarding, hectic escape sequences, and the obligatory battles against nightmarish bosses. While every part isn’t completely healthy, developer Angry Demon Studio sutured it all together into an experience that recalls the risk-taking of the PlayStation 2 era.