As noted above, there are a few areas for improvement, but I don’t think they detract too much overall. Simply put, I highly recommend that folks pick it up.

It's an interesting game, but one whose structure is decidedly up for debate. But it is worth a download, if only because it has the greatest victory song ever. It is glorious and you have to hear it for yourself.

Reviewing Animal Crossing: Pocket Camp feels like a necessary formality more than anything else. It's a game with over a year of hype behind it, the Nintendo seal of quality stamped on it, and it's from an IP that couldn't be more beloved. I'd recommend everyone giving it a shot, as you can play for quite a long time before hitting any kind of free to play limitations... And who knows, maybe you'll fall in love with the Animal Crossing universe and be one of those people to pick up a 3DS just to play New Leaf.

Wizard with a Gun has a lot of potential. It absolutely could reach the highs I expect from a quality Devolver Digital-published game, but right now it feels like it needs more time in the oven. I love the visuals, movement, and music, but it feels a bit too grindy and lacking in other ways. It perfectly suits the Steam Deck though, and I recommend getting it to play on Deck over even PS5 if you have the option right now.

Relic Rush may not have the length or variety to propel it to the upper tier of iOS casual games, but it's still worth a shot for folks looking for a simple platformer to try.

The Knight Witch is a very well-made game that takes two very different genres and binds them together with a fair bit of success. You really have to be into both Metroidvania-style games and bullet-hell shooters to get into this one, but if you can check off both of those boxes without much thought, then this is a slam-dunk pick-up. It’s not the lengthiest of games, but it’s certainly quite satisfying thanks to its solid gameplay and charming presentation.

It’s understandable why Sherlock Holmes The Awakened isn’t as polished as some of developer Frogwares’ previous Sherlock Holmes releases on Switch, but the poor performance and various rough edges add up to make this a weak version of a decent enough mystery adventure. The horror aspects don’t land very well, but figuring out the what, where, and how of each case is still quite satisfying. Mystery fans may well be able to put up with its issues, but they’d be well-advised to grab it on another platform if possible.

There are a lot of clever ideas in this game, but the game exhausts most of its tricks well before it ends. I think it’s still worth playing, provided you enjoy RPGs to begin with. It’s just unfortunate that a game that blasts out of the gates with such vigor ends up so flat in its closing hours. Add in some technical issues specific to this version, and you have a real hit-or-miss affair.

With there seeming to be no end to the endless runner genre on iOS, it's nice to see a high quality one released every once in a while. Captain Antarctica is in no way perfect, but it's fun while it lasts, and has plenty of features to keep you hooked for a while.

There's little creativity, but there's effective design. In a genre so saturated as TD, however, it takes both to stand out.

Right now, My Time at Portia on PC is still the best version overall because of the visual and performance boost, but the mobile version is a close second thanks to its new features and up to date content.

There are a few bugs present, and some of the settings don’t work at the moment. The game also lacks any language options for the in-game text beyond the original Japanese, though a patch is apparently on the way that will add the usual set of languages. It’s an okay version of an okay game, but not much more than that.

With rhythm games, I’m really looking for two things at the end of the day. First, are the gameplay mechanics easy to pick up, but scale up in challenge well? And second, is the music good? LOUD passes both of those tests well. The rocking soundtrack is pleasing to the ears, and while the gameplay isn’t the most original thing I’ve played, it does its job the way it should. Throw in a high-quality presentation and a story that managed to hold my interest and you’ve got a pretty cool game.

It can be really annoying on the more challenging difficulty levels to have the framerate and resolution flopping all over the place. I’m still going to give this a thumbs-up, but if you are sensitive to framerate and/or resolution inconsistency, you should probably stick with the original versions.

I'd certainly recommend any Fire Emblem fan at least give Fire Emblem Heroes a shot. You might not end up sticking with it, but I bet you'll have at least a little fun with it even if you do bail out at some point. It might not be the game that some hoped for, but it at least shows that Nintendo has what it takes to make a relatively faithful, enjoyable free-to-play game out of one of their long-running franchises.

I really wish this game didn’t come in as hot as it did. Pokemon Scarlet and Violet represent an excellent new vision of what a Pokemon adventure can be, and it says a lot for how many good new ideas are in here that I still found the game incredibly enjoyable despite the severe technical problems. I understand schedules must be kept. Well, the schedule was kept. It’s too bad what it ended up costing, because something this absorbing shouldn’t come with so many provisos.

A fantastic little game that not only looks great, but also is a lot of fun.

It's a pleasant gaming experience in every way (including the price!), so if you dig great presentation and consistent, engaging gameplay, I think you'll get a lot of fun out of this one.

If the Crazy Taxi comparison is lost on you, Parcel Panic is a fun and fast paced driving game with tons of jumps, unlockables, great graphics with effects that scale depending what device you're using that I've really enjoyed since loading it on my iPhone.

It's fun for a while if you're in it for the RPG, but it's great for a lot longer if you're the sort of person who can't resist a checklist or a spreadsheet. On the whole, this game is a steal-but only for the right sort of person.

With Haunted Hollow, Firaxis have created a perfect Frankenstein, having transplanted a fun, strategic, digital board game into the body of a casual, cutesy freemium app. It is a not a perfect game and the lack of a really strong solo experience is a serious oversight.

Still, for my liking, an artistic attempt in video games is often worthy of its frustrations; especially if iOS is the only platform you have to experience it.

It feels most at home on the larger screen of the iPad, where you can set the device down and put all your fingers to work, but I was surprised at how well it works on the smaller screen of the iPhone and iPod touch using two thumbs to fire.

With a few tweaks, Vampire Rush could easily be the best action tower defense game in the App Store. As it stands now, it's still a solid and enjoyable first effort that's worth checking out, just be prepared to deal with more than a few frustrating moments.

There are lots of ways this could be a game that I'd want to recommend to others, but right now, the only thing I can truly say about my feelings on this game is that it's not worth it.

It's definitely worth checking out for gamers who appreciate a good score attack.

If you enjoy interactive fiction and want to explore a dark story about the depths of Kentucky's wilderness, Buried should be just your thing.

Armello ain't perfect, but it's worth your time to experiment and see if you like it, and then you can spend as much or as little as you want to keep enjoying it.

Sure, Years 5-7 looks good visually, but the switch to a virtual gamepad along with the issues mentioned above deter the game from being better. As it is, the Lego gameplay is intact, meaning that fans of the series should continue to enjoy it.

If you already played Amnesia: Memories before, you can safely skip this release. The Switch version is worth grabbing on sale if you’re new to this world, and I know I will be getting it eventually to go alongside my physical edition of Amnesia: Later x Crowd to complete the set, but I wish this was priced appropriately given its age and price on other platforms. Newcomers to the series will find a lot to like here, but it is definitely overpriced right now.

Warhammer Quest 2: The End Times is exactly what I wanted to see in this sequel. The game play is fun, challenging, intuitive, and compelling—pretty much the mix of adjectives you want for a video game. Perchang didn't try to reinvent the wheel here, they stuck with what worked well in the original and updated things where it made sense to do so. Whether you're a fan of Warhammer Quest, or tactical-combat games in general, picking up The End Times is an easy decision. Do it. If you're looking for more information on the game you should head to our forums where the page count for Warhammer Quest 2 is growing by the day. Perchang developers have also been active participants in the discussion there and have shared quite a bit about the game.

Sure, it does very little new in the behind-the-back-runner genre, but what it does do is amp up the spectacle and variety to a dizzying degree, proving the runner genre may still have legs yet.

Tomb Raider I-III Remastered Starring Lara Croft does exactly what it says on the tin, presenting the first three adventures of the famous heroine with some optional improvements to help them shine a little brighter. These games have a feel and logic of their own, and those wading into them for the first time might find the games hard to wrap their heads around. For better or worse, this is the original Tomb Raider trilogy, and if you’re going to play them this is the best way to do it. There are a few bugs to address and it really needs a brightness setting for the modern visuals, but otherwise I can’t find much to complain about here that isn’t endemic to the original games.

Gamers looking for a novel twist on tower defense should definitely consider checking out Human Defense. While the uneven difficulty and IAP may turn off some, I enjoyed the successful melding of puzzle and tower defense.

I think fans of the genre will find a lot to like here. WayForward has brought its usual level of production values to the genre, and its experience in making 2D action games of all sorts shines through. I’d probably recommend Blazing Chrome or even Super Cyborg over this as far as Contra-inspired games go, but I don’t think we’re so drowning in good games of that sort that we should turn up our noses at this fine specimen.

Demon Slayer -Kimetsu no Yaiba- Sweep the Board! has a lot of potential, but it is lacking for online play right now. If you have folks to play with locally and like the IP, this will be a good purchase. The team at CyberConnect2 did a great job translating Demon Slayer to this setting, but I hope there’s more added through the year and the online is improved.

Rather than judge a book by its publisher, pick this up today: it'll be a delight for your left and right brain alike.

Contra: Operation Galuga is a really good run-and-gun action game, one worthy of the name it bears even if it feels somewhat crushed under it at times. I think it’s a Contra game that Contra fans will enjoy, and we don’t see those all that often anymore. The biggest problems here are specific to this version, with an inconsistent framerate that never gets as high as you would like and input lag that makes an already tough game harder in the worst possible way. If all you have is a Switch, there is still some enjoyment to be had here, but those with literally any other option should probably exercise it.

I think those with happy memories of the original will be satisfied with what they get in Samba de Amigo: Party Central. It functions very much as a sequel should, though perhaps not in the way a sequel that arrives nearly a quarter of a century later should. If you’re looking to just have some good times shaking your controllers and your booty to some tunes, you’ll get that here. Experienced rhythm game fans will likely be turned off by its lack of precision and song selection, however. It’s tough to say whether or not this will find much of an audience here in 2023, but I’d like to believe there are at least dozens of us.

Robbery Bob isn't bad by any stretch of the imagination, it just isn't good.

Dragon Ball Z: Dokkan Battle is worth a try for fans of the franchise but is powered by fond childhood memories more so than solid content.

Manic Mechanics is aimed primarily at the multiplayer co-op experience, with support for up to four players via local or online play. As a solo affair, it’s probably not going to satisfy you. Taken as intended, as a multiplayer experience, it’s quite a lot of chaotic fun. I’d be hard-pressed to recommend it over Overcooked but if you need something similar to that game, and I mean really similar, this game checks off all the necessary boxes with sufficient level of quality to satisfy.

If you have access to a Steam Deck, especially an OLED model, Goat Simulator 3 is an easy recommendation. With how good it is here, I don’t need the Xbox or mobile versions anymore, and will be dipping into the game often to play on Steam Deck. Goat Simulator 3 on Steam Deck is not only my favorite portable version, but my favorite version of the game in general. It has a few issues like prior entries in the series, but is still worth your time regardless of if you are a fan of the series or a newcomer.

I really wish this game didn’t come in as hot as it did. Pokemon Scarlet and Violet represent an excellent new vision of what a Pokemon adventure can be, and it says a lot for how many good new ideas are in here that I still found the game incredibly enjoyable despite the severe technical problems. I understand schedules must be kept. Well, the schedule was kept. It’s too bad what it ended up costing, because something this absorbing shouldn’t come with so many provisos.

There's a lot to love with Strike Team, but I think the most important thing it nails is that simple feeling of playing a Call of Duty game.

Squid Drop won't set the App Store ablaze as the next fully featured console-like game, but it offers a good dose of simple fun if you're looking for a new high score time waster.

The Switch port of Gothic II delivers the game more or less as-is, plus the Night of the Raven expansion. There are some new motion controls here but I wouldn’t really recommend them. For better or worse, this is the game. If you enjoyed the port of the first game, you’ll like this even more. If you didn’t, you might want to step cautiously. There are a lot of things you’ll have to deal with in this game to properly enjoy it, and only some of those are due to it being a game from the turn of the millennium. If you can get used to the quirks endemic to this series, however, the rewards are many.

In the end, your likelihood of having a great time with Frontline Commando is directly proportional to your opinion of freemium elements in action games. There's nothing inherently wrong with Frontline; it's just that games based on free-to-play economies tend to become long and drawn out (if you don't pay).

A flawed experience, but the chances Oda takes make the ride invigorating. I would love to see what else he can do, and I hope he continues making many more games before... the inevitable. Sorry, this game is making me morbid.

In reality, Frontline Commando 2 isn't quite the game the first one is, and isn't even half the game D-Day is.

While Dungeon Rushers offers a lot of fun for at least a few hours, some balance issues see it turn into something of a party guest that just doesn't know when to go home. Even when it hits that point, it's not as though it becomes actively unpleasant. It's just a bit wearisome and out of new topics. If you don't mind the idea of making slow progress through a game through a ton of shorter sessions, you'll probably have a blast with Dungeon Rushers.

Really, Beyond Gravity is a ton of fun and it overcame my skepticism.

Smashing up cities and making mayhem with Zilla is great fun.

By the end of it all, Siegecraft feels like it could have been much more. While the easy to pick up and play gameplay is nice, I can't help but think there was more that could have gone into the campaign to create a better sense of progression.

Tower defense fans should be delighted by the zombie-slaughtering good times that lay ahead.

I just can't escape the feeling that I'm being nickel and dimed for upgrades, ammo, and IAP doesn't seem anywhere near as optional as it should be in a PvP-driven online game where investing real-world dollars can make such a difference, essentially making the game less about skill and more about who has either spent more money or invested more time grinding up coins.

It's hard to knock Smooth Operators for its complexity when most sims have been streamlined to the point where they're hardly interactive. Its biggest issues are early issues: there simply isn't much to do at the start, and you don't have the resources you need if things start to spiral out of control.

Personally, the engaging combat was more than enough to keep me interested through the game’s fifteen or so hours. The rest of the game around those battles is decent enough glue. Awkward and rough, but charmingly awkward and rough.

The Gap on Nintendo Switch was a fascinating experience in its structure as a walking simulator. It brings in quite a few elements you don’t see in the genre and tackles some interesting and important themes. My only complaint is that it was a bit annoying to move the cursor with the right stick to a specific location to interact with some objects. It needs a snapping option.

I absolutely recommend Tales of Kenzera: ZAU, and the Switch version was a lot better than I expected, but the Metroidvania aspect isn’t as well-realized as the rest of the game. You’re here for the narrative, music, art, and voice acting more than the Metroidvania bits that felt too linear.

This isn't innovative or the first of its kind, but Surfers does expand and evolve what we've come to know as the endless runner.

Who I really expect to sway into checking out Madden NFL (11) 12 are the casual sports fans, or people like me, who are vaguely interested in sports games but found the various technicalities of football games to generally be annoying.

Tinkering and experimenting is rewarded- it's a joy to see every moving part a half-moment from lining up. The elegance of the later levels, as each piece takes its part in a grander pattern-that's something worth experiencing. Assuming, of course, you can get that far.

If you enjoy this style of social RPG, there's certainly no harm in giving it a try and seeing if you take to it more than I did, but for me, the whole thing just feels incredibly redundant.

Despite the game's many flaws, it's still Ghosts 'n Goblins, and I doubt I'm alone in enjoying this game just because of that.

Brainnsss strategy and action feel pretty unique in a space that's been done to undeath, and they probably really pop outside of this vacuum. I can dig it, at least.

Platforming controls are thankfully solid, but the combat simply doesn’t have enough depth to it to keep things interesting across the many skirmishes you’ll engage in. The presentation of the game is quite good, though the lengthy loading times make deaths sting that extra bit more. I think if you’re patient with Blue Fire you’ll find a lot to like here, but it really could have been a lot more.

While Feed Me Oil 2 is wrapped in a rather pretty package, it's still fundamentally the same game as it predecessor, and doesn't push the puzzle genre in any way. Having said that, if you loved the original, this one is a no-brainer.

Ultimately, how much you will enjoy Across Age 2 depends on if you're okay with how little it's actually doing new.

One late-game puzzle can be a bit tricky due to relying on knowledge of a common Japanese word game called Shiritori, but otherwise Mom Hid My Game! 2 is a bit of light, silly fun. As usual for games from hap Inc., the ending is sweet in a sentimental sort of way. You probably won’t replay it often if at all, but that first go is definitely a nice slice of madcap joy.

It truly feels like a game that tries to do too many things at the expense of giving any one of those things the necessary polish. Still, everything is properly functional and the game certainly has its charms. RPGolf Legends isn’t a must-have by any means, but if you’re looking for something to tide you over while you wait for Sports Story, this will keep your belly full for a while.

If you played Cut the Rope, you're not going to be surprised by the puzzle variety.

Fans of the original will be glad to have the game in their pocket, while newcomers should have no trouble grasping the simple controls and play style.

While the average player may be better off waiting until the arrival of the Spelunky games on Switch, Spelunker HD Deluxe has charms of its own. The multiplayer modes alone add a lot of value to the game provided you can find people to play with, and pushing up the leaderboards in single-player is quite satisfying as well. Its adherence to the fussy rules of a rather early computer game will surely turn some away, but approach it on its own terms and you’ll find a challenging adventure that rewards you for your patience and investment in its mechanics.

TMNT Rooftop Run makes for a rollicking good time, especially if you enjoy runners but crave a recipe with some spice.

Even without any of this, Magnetic Shaving Derby delivers a lot of entertaining moments based on just the craziness alone.

If Snoopy's Street Fair is a game for nostalgic adults, it's not interesting enough to hold any attention. If it's a game for children, the aggressive focus on IAP is distasteful.

A solid title that's more challenging than it looks. The limited flapping mechanic sets it apart from the many similar simplistic arcade games on the App Store, and it's a good value for a dollar.

I think from a functional level, I'm not a huge fan of Potatoman Seeks the Troof. But at least it was an interesting and memorable experience, and one that has that unique Pixeljam look to it.

Maybe with a fully featured story, a world map, and multiple paths to pursue, Combo Queen could have been a really cool action-RPG hybrid. Instead it's a rather limited rhythm title that isn't going to appeal to everyone -- especially if you don't have the patience to painstakingly learn the ins and outs of the system.

It's kind of entertaining, but unspectacular.

There might be an end somewhere in sight, a time where the grind outweighs the entertainment, but the hours of fun to be had in the meantime are well worth the initial purchase. Don't miss this one.

Sure, the controls may not be as approachable as its predecessor, and the game may be a bit simplistic for even an endless runner these days, but the implementation is solid, and the look and feel is a perfect carry-over from The Last Rocket.

So while I'm not a fan of this particular mixture, perhaps there's a way to make a town-building game that incorporates creative sandbox elements. But Supernauts just doesn't have the right formula.

Prinny Presents NIS Classics Volume 3: La Pucelle: Ragnarok / Rhapsody: A Musical Adventure gets these two vintage RPGs back out there, and I think that’s a good thing on principle alone. The games themselves are decent if somewhat dated due to their positions in the history of the company, and there aren’t any added features or extras to enjoy. I’m not impressed that this was yet another launch with an unavoidable crash bug in tow, but NIS patched it pretty quickly. Fans of tactical RPGs or Nippon Ichi Software will be satisfied with what they get here, if not necessarily thrilled.

There's a really nice foundation in place here, and even in its current state Buck and the Coin of Destiny is a solid running platformer for the price.

If you want serious competition without hitting the IAP, this probably isn't the game for you. If you want an entertaining time waster with cute pixel art, go nuts. Just don't say I didn't warn you when you're desperately hunting eggs in the hope of catching up to the rest of the pack.

If you’re into the concept and come into the game fully aware that it’s very much a budget affair, I think you’ll have a good time with Metal Max Xeno Reborn. It doesn’t try to be more than it is, which is an RPG where you ride around a post-apocalyptic open world Tokyo in cool tanks and blow up weird mutated monsters. That’s either good enough for you, or it isn’t.

Knights Of Pen & Paper 2 is close enough to the first game that you won't have a bad time playing through it, but as a sequel, it's pretty disappointing

Like a top notch student handing in a rush job, Mittens sags not under the weight of what it does wrong, but all that it could have done much better.

Some games make me want to keep playing all night long, sucking hour after hour until the sun comes up. Dropchord makes me want to throw down my iPhone and dance till dawn. But that would mean I’d have to stop playing. It's a nice dilemma.

Double Fine has produced a superior freemium timer-based sim, but Middle Manger of Justice only mitigates the flaws common in it's genre, it does not eliminate them.

Those who delight in making Mii doppelgangers and watching them get into hilarious situations will have a blast with Miitopia, but if that doesn’t sound like something you’re interested in doing, you’re probably better off steering clear.

It may not be the most memorable game on the market, but it certainly holds its own as an intriguing endless runner with a unique blend of all guns blazing platforming mayhem.

Fans of the Guardians, whether the new team or the old, will certainly be pretty happy with The Universal Weapon. It's not an original game, but it is a well-crafted one, and it fits a team-based set of characters nicely.

Sir Questionnaire may not be for everyone, but that’s ok, it would be a boring world of games if we all liked exactly the same thing. However, if you’re looking for a game with a great retro feel, lots to discover and awesome replayability, it is an absolute must. If you like choose your own adventures, Zelda, or Zork, this game is for you. If, just like me, you’re just an aging gamer looking for some nostalgia in a modern gaming world, then this is the game to download.

Clockwork Aquario is a fun enough game, and it’s impressive that it was finally able to be brought together and released. I’m happy for that. But at the same time, I can see why the original publisher didn’t have a lot of confidence in it. It’s decent, but not much more than that. As a piece of history, however, it’s fascinating. If you are a fan of Westone, this era of arcade games, or just enjoy picking your way through the past, you might get some kicks out of Clockwork Aquario. Just make sure you know what you’re getting into.

Cover Orange 2 is more than a little unambitious, but the original game is certainly solid enough to weather a sequel that plays it safe.