Even in this improved form, Firegirl: Hack ‘n Splash Rescue DX has a lot of rough edges that you’ll have to learn to accept if you want to enjoy it. It has a few small technical issues, a somewhat repetitive gameplay loop that feels like it needs a bit more spice for its runtime, and very tight timers that don’t always pair well with the procedurally-generated maps. Still, those tight timers can sometimes lead to a satisfying level of tension, especially when things really start to come apart and you make a last-minute escape. There’s a real charm to Firegirl, even if you’re going to get a little roasted in pursuit of it.

Coldfire Keep isn’t going to overthrow the likes of The Quest as the premier iOS dungeon crawler, however it still offers an experience worth playing through.

Potion Permit is a great game that brings together interesting elements from franchises I love into its own charming package. The mobile version on iOS at least, should’ve been better though. Right now some interface elements don’t feel tailored to touchscreens, and the text size is too small almost across the board. I was also hoping to also see it target a higher frame rate on newer devices like the iPhone 15 Pro. Given this was done by the excellent Playdigious who have released some of the best mobile ports, I expected better. Right now Potion Permit isn’t best played on iOS, but this mobile version isn’t a bad way to play MassHive Media’s simulation RPG, especially at its low asking price compared to consoles.

The overall feel and pacing of the game -- a bit more relaxed than the typical shooter out there -- combined with the ethereal audio stylings deliver an experience that might come across as a bit of an oddity to the typical gamer as compared to most of his other iOS releases, or certainly most other shooters out there.

The energy system runs out a little too quickly and takes a little too long to recharge, and the upgrades--despite being priced reasonably well if you're willing to watch some ads here and there--take a bit too long to make a difference. But for the most part the game looks and feels awesome while you're playing it, and I suppose that's the main thing that should matter.

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.

If you’re on the hunt for a well-built 2D action game, particularly one you can play with a friend, then Grim Guardians: Demon Purge will likely satisfy. It’s a highly experienced developer working in the genre it’s best known for, and the resulting level of quality is hardly a big surprise. I think it’s more for the fans of the developer than the fans of the property it draws its themes from, and I do wish it had a little more bite to its challenge. An enjoyable romp, but nothing all that special.

Fledgling Heroes ends up in a sad state: a simple but fun game that’s all too short, and attempts to make up for its length by padding it out with pointless challenges and promoting a larger community that will never materialize.

Ultimately, Incredible Mandy is a long ways from being the game I thought it would be. Despite that, and despite the controls, the combat, the overly-taxing particle effects and bare environments, it is a fun game. While the overall experience was not what it could have been, I still enjoyed running around the varied landscapes, solving puzzles, and admiring many an expansive view. While I have a hard time recommending it, if you happen to enjoy adventures, puzzles, and have also exhausted your backlog, it’s worth a shot.

If you're in love with the Ace Combat series and don't mind a rather short campaign, then you may enjoy having a copy of the game with you at all times on your phone. If you don't have any particular ties to Ace Combat games, you're probably better off exploring the few other aerial combat games or waiting to see how Gameloft's HAWX turns out.

So yeah, there are some problems with Sleep Furiously. But the concept is so good it’s easy to recommend anyway.

There are some minor technical issues too, but nothing outside of the ordinary as far as Switch ports go. It’s worth a punt for genre fans for its creative ideas and lovely visual style alone, but the Switch may not be the best place to enjoy it.

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.

If you’re new to the world of Tales of Arise, the bundle of Tales of Arise with Beyond the Dawn is an essential. If you already have Tales of Arise and beat it back in 2021 or last year, this DLC is very good if you’re dying to spend more time in the world and with the characters. I like the cast a lot, and while this DLC feels a bit too disjointed as a part of the full package, it is still a good time. I wish the new costumes were included in the asking price though because the $30 for Beyond the Dawn was already a bit much. Having those additional paid DLC costumes included would make this an easier recommendation.

Paradigm Paradox is a shorter than expected visual novel given Otomate’s usual fare, but I enjoyed many aspects of the experience. Going against the norm is risky, and I applaud the developers for trying that here, but the pacing issues hold Paradigm Paradox back from being an easier recommendation. It isn’t the best otome visual novel I’ve read recently, but is worth checking out if the premise interests you. Just don’t expect the quality of Piofiore or Cafe Enchante here.

If you're a fan of the action-adventure genre, or if you want a fun game with a bit of old-school charm, you'll probably dig Ninja Gaiga.

Once you've played through Skyhill, you've seen basically everything you need to see. In fact, the same criticism could be levied even if you've only experienced half of it, since there just isn't much here in general to fiddle around with after you've picked up the gist of the crafting system. But since the atmosphere and gimmick are so well implemented, that alone makes this a zombie survival game worth checking out.

Whether you've played a Glass Tower game before or are new to the series and looking for a new puzzler, Glass Tower 3 should be a title worth looking into. It's taken the success from earlier games, incorporated a ton of requested features, and then fleshed it out with enough new levels to keep you busy for quite some time.

Given the lack of competition, hockey fans looking for a mobile fix have little choice but to skate up for this one, and the core gameplay makes it more than worth your time and money. Still, I'd love to see less second period slacking and more third period hustle from these boys in the future.

The developers promise us new levels in the future (called "Courses, heh), and I have to say I am looking forward to the chance to spend more time with this unique title.

Liqua Pop's base gameplay is so solid and unique that, with just a few additions, it could be one of the premiere matching games around. As it is now, it's still a novel game with plenty of enjoyable points, and although it's missing some variety, I still think it's worth checking out.

Its simplicity is what makes it work, so as long as you aren't looking for your next deep iOS gaming experience, Daddy Was A Thief should fit the bill.

SPY×ANYA: Operation Memories is a game for a specific kind of SPYxFAMILY fan, and even if you fit the bill, I’d recommend waiting on a discount for this one. It is good to see more casual anime games like SPY×ANYA: Operation Memories from Bandai Namco Entertainment for sure. Just keep in mind that you will only get the most out of SPY×ANYA: Operation Memories if you play it slowly over time soaking in the vibes daily rather than going through it in a single weekend where it will feel very repetitive.

Despite the control issues described above, the tilt controls do work -- just not as well as I'd personally like. Tread of the Dead still offers an interesting, if simple, gameplay premise buttressed by an ample amount of content.

It’s best to think of Brave Dungeon -The Meaning of Justice- as a bundle of three games from one series, each with their own stories and distinct mechanics. All three of them are fairly enjoyable as long as you’re not looking for something too deep or difficult. With cute characters, gameplay that doesn’t throw out a whole lot of obstacles to just zoning out, and just enough to chew on to keep things from getting boring, this package is every inch the follow-up to Brave Dungeon you would expect it to be.

The average player with no connection to the license who only goes for the occasional table can probably find more interesting choices, however, and veteran pinball players are likely to find it just a bit too simple to solve to be truly satisfied.

I have to commend Adore for trying something different and largely succeeding with it. Adding action to the monster-catching formula is always a fun twist, and depriving the player of a method of direct attack in an action RPG certainly freshens things up. There’s something really special at the core of this one, but it feels like it just couldn’t carry that spark all the way to the goal. If you’re intrigued by the premise, I can give it a mild recommendation.

World at War Zombies was simply revolutionary for its time and, while Black Ops Zombies certainly improves on nearly every aspect of its predecessor, our expectations of what makes a great game have certainly changed. It's not enough to simply add a new map and a better visual paintjob and call it a day.