Tsukuyomi is an odd duck of a game. As an off-brand Shin Megami Tensei card battler, it's pretty fun, despite some obvious balance flaws and a low budget. The story isn't anything great, but it was enough to bolster the gameplay, and I had a good time playing through the main story. For a game that prides itself as being the work of Kazuma Kaneko, the AI-bloated art style deeply detracts from the experience. It's a fun enough experience, but it has enough warts that it can be tough to recommend.

In the end, Cthulhu: The Cosmic Abyss is fine. The lack of combat combined with a lack of guidance creates a challenging and refreshing experience for most — and frustrating for some. The overall presentation is fine, despite the game's use of an engine intended to deliver stunning visuals. The game will appeal to those who are fascinated with the Cthulhu universe more than those looking for thrills and scares. Players won't feel compelled to stick with this title for long sessions at a time.

Sigma Star Saga DX is an interesting revival of a cool but flawed game. There's a lot I like in concept rather than in execution, but neither is it particularly bad. The combat and puzzle exploration can get a little long in the tooth by the time you reach the end of the game, but it's fun enough to be a worthwhile playthrough. It's a perfectly solid re-release that alleviates — but doesn't necessarily fix — the original version's worst flaws. If you're curious, it's well worth a shot, and if nothing else, it's a very cool experiment from a long-lived developer.

The Liar Princess and the Blind Prince is a good game burdened by some unfortunate flaws. The story is engaging from beginning to end, and it can get pretty emotional at times. The concept of changing forms to deal with different situations is good, while the presentation catches your senses. Some will lament the game's lack of challenge, while others will hate how the game sometimes feels like it's limiting your controls so you'll encounter death more often than necessary. The narrative may compel you to play it, but you'll only enjoy it if you have the patience to deal with its issues.

Like many yearly sports games, WWE 2K26 works best if you haven't played the previous title. If you skipped a year or two and decided to return, you'll find the new modes, big roster update, and further solidification of the gameplay mechanics to be big improvements over what was available before. For everyone else, the slight improvements to existing modes are far outweighed by the increase of nickel-and-diming players who've already paid money for the game. The changes to the Season Pass system make the game too grindy for anyone who won't dedicate all of their free time to this title. This isn't bad, but only die-hard fans will get excited over WWE 2K26.

My Hero Academia: All's Justice is a game where every advancement comes with some regression, locking the game in place rather than moving things forward. The use of fully animated cut scenes is a long time coming, but the inclusion of still shots remains disappointing. The expansion of modes is good, but the presence of a hub world as a replacement for a menu can feel unnecessary. The move to a full 3v3 fighting system is awesome, but the severe reduction of environments and removal of their interactivity robs the game of some spectacle that the series had been known for up to that point. In the end, the game is still good, but it's best as a complementary game to My Hero One's Justice 2 rather than a replacement.

Lost Records: Bloom & Rage is a game that's saved by its characters. Their personalities are as fleshed out as we'd expect from a Don't Nod adventure game, they're the driving force in getting you through the story. The presentation is top-notch as usual, and the tweaks to the choice system give the game enough room to feel a little different from the studio's past adventures. It's just too bad that the story isn't paced so well, and the tale feels like a setup for something bigger in a future game rather than something that is more self-contained. The game is still fairly enjoyable if you know what you're getting into, but don't expect the title to feel as complete as others, like the first Life is Strange or Tell Me Why.

In the end, Layers of Fear: The Final Masterpiece Edition is fine but nothing more than that. From a technical standpoint, seeing an Unreal Engine 5 game running on the Switch 2 still feels like magic, considering how underpowered the system is compared to other consoles. The shimmering lights and the blurring of moving elements show the engine's limitations rather clearly. From a narrative standpoint, the game starts off strongly with the story of The Painter, but it tapers off when you get to the rest of The Painter's family. The tales of the Actor, Director and Writer don't carry the same type of impact due to diminishing returns. From a gameplay perspective, the game starts off strongly, and while the later portions falter a bit, they get better if you use some of the game's built-in modifiers. While Layers of Fear may not be the best horror title in the Switch library, it remains a good one if you're a big fan of the genre.

Shadow Labyrinth is good if you set your expectations accordingly. The constant corpse eating makes the game feel darker than expected, while the mazes are a nice diversion. The overall mechanics don't stand out compared to other titles, but the basics are performed well enough that the game remains enjoyable. The presentation is good but not great, while the story and overall premise exists more as an exercise in head-scratching than something you're going to want to remember. Again, the game is better than expected but not extraordinary; Metroidvania fans will get some enjoyment out of this before moving on to stronger titles.

Groove Coaster: Future Performers is still a solid entry in the rhythm game series. The base game mechanics provide a fun rhythm game experience for a wide variety of skill levels — if you won't feel overwhelmed by the visuals. The soundtrack remains excellent, as always. The smaller song selection is disappointing, while the main story mode is fine if you can power through an uninteresting tale. Series veterans may come away a little underwhelmed, but newcomers may find this to be an enjoyable first entry before diving into the older but ultimately deeper Groove Coaster: Wai Wai Party.

Ultimately, it feels like Wreckreation tries to be too many things at once. An open-world setting allows for a lot of room for players to create events using the Live Mix tools, but driving between events gets dull quickly. As a conventional racing game, the rubber-banding AI makes me lose interest quickly, and the game doesn't emphasize the Live Mix content as strongly as it arguably should. It's a fun enough game, and it's smaller in scope since it was made by a smaller team. It lacks a defining feature of its own that it really focuses on, and it ends up making the game feel more like an imitation of other games.

A.I.L.A. is a game that has potential but fails with the follow-through. The idea of AI generating experiences meant to terrify you while also affecting you outside of the game still works. The games that represent different horror experiences do a good job of taking something familiar and making it its own. While the puzzles are fine, the combat drags down everything greatly, and the pacing means that the whole game becomes an unenjoyable roller coaster ride. There's a chance for improvement with patches, but at the moment, you'll want to wait and see if things get better before diving in.

Where Winds Meet has potential. We're starting to see RPGs in a Wuxia setting, and this is perhaps the most compelling one yet. The number of activities varies greatly, and the combat feels wonderful. The game's vastness means that there's loads of longevity, even if the experience can feel like a grind at times. The many systems at play can lead to a confusing experience, especially since the game does a poor job of teaching you the gameplay mechanics. The spotty presentation doesn't do the game any favors when coupled with the lack of translation in places. If you're willing to put up with all of these hindrances from the start, you'll find a game that does a good job of keeping you interested. Most people will be better served by waiting to see if the team can add some much-needed polish before jumping in.

Hotel Barcelona has a handful of flaws, but if you're willing to stick it out, there is a gem of a game underneath the rough surface. While I would've liked to see more polish and a few more levels to explore, the core gameplay loop is solid. I continually went back to Hotel Barcelona for "just one more run," even after I'd beaten the main story. It's also a good choice for busier gamers with limited play time, since a single run can be completed in a 15-minute setting. Hotel Barcelona is not a game for everyone, but if you're a fan of cheaper, quirky titles (like me), this is your jam.

Your feelings on the latest iteration of Painkiller will depend on several different factors. If you're looking for a title with a good story and characters or crave a true single-player experience, you'll hate it. If you're looking for something that doesn't require grinding to get the most out of the title, you'll also dislike the game. If you're looking for boomer shooter sensibilities in a co-op setting and really dig the different hellish vibes, you'll like Painkiller. Even then, unless you're a completionist, it'll take one run through all of the levels and perhaps a few attempts at the roguelike mode before you move on, making this a fleeting experience rather than something with staying power.

Star Wars: Beyond Victory is a neat experience. The Adventure mode does a good job of mixing together VR and mixed reality while telling a good story in the beloved universe. The racing is novel yet forgiving when you consider the viewpoint, while the Playset mode is pretty neat if you're into posing action figures in semi-ridiculous ways. Unfortunately, the entire experience is fun but pretty short (even by VR standards), making this feel like a fleeting experience.

All that said, the biggest compliment I can give EA Sports Madden NFL 26is that I look forward to playing it again. That wasn't always the case. But for all its shortcomings, I still like seeing my created player running around on the screen as part of a beautiful and immersive on-field presentation. I enjoy the football being played. I like having the sense of control over the fate of my team, and I like all of the options Franchise Mode presents for me to exercise that control. I enjoy Madden again, and that's a start.

There are two ways to look at Bubsy in: The Purrfect Collection. The games aren't that great. The first Bubsy game is tolerable, but each sequel has enough bad design decisions that you need the patience of a saint and a healthy helping of cheats and the rewind function to want to reach the end. As far as being an interactive historical archive, this collection is only matched by Atari 50 and the like. It's packed with enough extras and behind-the-scenes material to be fascinating — even for those who aren't fans of the series. Ultimately, it is good that this compilation exists, as even the bad games should be preserved for future generations. The chances that you'll actually want to play anything are very slim.

In the end, Dead Reset is a fun romp despite its limitations. The acting is quite good and does a good job of carrying a story that contains a few plot holes. The major branching points don't happen until the very end, but this game is enjoyable, and the experience doesn't overstay its welcome . While this isn't the type of game to change anyone's mind about the limitations of the interactive movie, it's fun enough that you'll want to complete at least one run before thinking about moving on to something else.

Everybody's Golf: Hot Shots is fine overall. The core gameplay experience remains unchanged, the performance is solid, and the modes are plentiful enough to keep you occupied for a very long time, even if that means that unlocking the roster can feel like a grind. However, the courses you play are merely fine, some of the mechanics feel dated, and the presentation lacks polish. Longtime fans may pick up this title anyway, considering how long it has been between entries. More casual fans will have a good time, but don't go in expecting the high standards of the previous titles in the franchise.

Edens Zero really is a game made for existing fans, specifically those who aren't too picky about their gameplay. The combat is serviceable enough to provide button-mashers with some fun, and the open world gives the game some legs once the story section has been completed. For those new to the series, the rushed and initially convoluted storytelling provides a terrible first impression, while the gameplay's stunted nature makes you wonder why the game was made into an action-RPG title instead of a more straightforward action title. Overall, the game can be decent, but it fares poorly when compared to many other anime-based games on the market.

By itself, Tales of the Shire: A The Lord of the Rings game is fine. The aesthetic is accurate, and the emphasis on cooking makes it feel very different from many other games of this type. However, the game feels like it is lacking in other areas that are seen as genre staples, making the game feel rather light at first glance. This is before you start to compare the game to other licensed cozy life sims and see that those games have much more to offer before the amount of stuff to do starts to dry up. Again, this game is fine, but there are better examples of the genre.

Overall, Mobile Suit Gundam SEED Battle Destiny Remastered is a pretty by-the-book update of a game that was clearly made for the limitations of the PS Vita. It's genuinely fun to play and smash your way through enemy robots as your favorite Gundam, but it's a very shallow game. You'll probably get bored of the combat loop well before you do everything the game has to offer. Fans of the franchise will have enough fun to make it worth the cash, but those looking for something with more meat on the bones will probably be better off looking elsewhere.

In the end, Tamagotchi World is fine, provided you're willing to live with a number of caveats. The premise is fine, as is the implementation of the jobs in minigame form. The lack of tutorials is odd considering the young age of the intended audience. Additionally, the slow, grindy nature of the game can only keep you occupied for so long before the whole thing becomes boring, especially since there's nothing else to do besides these minigame jobs. If you're a fan of Tamagotchis, then this may be amusing for a short while, but everyone else looking for a solid set of minigames would be better served playing a number of other similar titles from the original Switch library.

As mentioned before, your acceptance of Persona 5: The Phantom X will depend on how you feel about gacha games. If you dislike the concept, then there's nothing that will change your mind, especially since the pop-ups are pretty frequent for microtransactions. For those who are already used to the gacha game style, what you'll find is a fleshed-out JRPG that is still considered novel at a time when games like Genshin Impact and Zenless Zone Zero are still a rarity. It isn't as fleshed-out in some areas as the main game, but there's enough to satisfy the die-hard fans who are still craving Persona 5 content, even after finishing the other spin-offs.

Your enjoyment of Survival Kids is going to be heavily dependent on your appreciation of difficulty in games. If you want something breezy or you're playing alongside someone who lacks the patience for a typical survival game, then what you'll find is fine for those wanting to get some satisfaction without putting in a ton of effort. However, if you're expecting a game that builds upon the lineage of the series, prepare to be disappointed because those elements have been drastically toned down, leaving you with a very casual experience that lacks any challenge. Unless you've got young kids playing alongside you, this is a title you may want to pass on unless it is marked down.

The concept remains solid with an adventure mode that's endearing if you like silly stories and can overcome holes in the narrative logic. The modes really play around with the formulas of both games well, and the amount of content can keep a puzzle fan busy for quite some time. The lack of an upgrade path for existing owners and the marginal improvements for the Switch 2-exclusive version make it difficult to recommend a double-dip. If you never bought the game before and don't mind sticking with offline play, then you'll have a good time with this title and can give this a higher score. For everyone else, you can safely steer clear from this version.

It's all very disappointing because every facet of #DRIVE Rally is something that really could've been something special had it been thought through or fleshed out more than it was. The only strength is the game's presentation and art style, but when the remainder of the package is an arcade-style rally game that has no progression and a series of rough edges, it becomes impossible to want to keep playing for very long.

Mandragora: Whispers of the Witch Tree is a game with a ton of potential that suffers from feeling half-baked. The first five to 10 hours of the game feel fantastic, and after that, it seems to suffer from being rushed and unpolished, culminating in a particularly lackluster final area and boss. The bones of a fun game are there, but there are enough flaws that it's worth waiting to see how it looks after a few patches.

Monster Energy Supercross 25: The Official Video Game is specifically for the hardcore motocross fanatic. Those fans will love things like the ability to play a current season of the sport and the presence of tangible track deformation. For everyone else, this is a difficult game to recommend. From the high difficulty level and steep learning curve to the bare-bones campaign, there's not enough to entice interested players to give this a try. At this rate, your best bet is to wait and see if this game or older entries in the series will reach Game Pass, so you can see if you can gel with this title.

Marvel's Spider-Man 2 is a good game stuck in a package that is far from ideal. Visual artifacts and a few crashes still remain even after three patches, and the game can feel less than optimized when the frame rate drops on powerful hardware. If you're willing to wait just a little longer or are the patient and forgiving type, you'll be rewarded with a safe sequel that can still satisfy fans of the Insomniac-developed games. This title also gets fans primed for the eventual finale what is almost certainly a trilogy. However, this release serves as a warning that Sony and its studios need to do some real work to ensure future game releases are stable from day one, or else they'll lose the PC audience that is crucial to funding future endeavors.

Yu-Gi-Oh! Early Days Collection is for a very specific type of Yu-Gi-Oh! player who favors battles against the CPU instead of real people. That player also knows all of the rules of the game, wants a fixed set of cards, and doesn't want further updates from new cards. For them, most of the games in the compilation will be fine if they can get over each title's shortcomings. For everyone else, especially newcomers, the games are cumbersome and unintuitive, so only those with an immense amount of patience would want to give the titles a shot.

Tomb Raider IV-VI Remastered takes a few steps forward and a few steps backward from the previous Remastered collection. The games are a little more open, so you won't get many camera issues, but the games still haven't been retuned to handle the mechanics of the modern controls. The frame rate issue when switching between graphical modes has been fixed, and there are a few new mechanics. Some previously cut content makes the games feel like there has been some evolution. The problem is that the games don't feel as good as the trio of titles that came before it. From a preservationist perspective, it's fine to have these titles in a more accessible form. If you have some nostalgia related to these titles, then you might get a kick out of replaying them with a modern lens. Those who are discovering these games for the first time will wonder what the fuss was all about.

Star Wars Episode I: Jedi Power Battles is a good idea stuck with a mediocre execution. The various mechanics — from the platforming to the combat to the defensive inconsistencies — make what should be a simple game more laborious. While the addition of more characters should be great for fans of Episode I in particular, the fact that none of them play well makes the expanded roster even less appealing to unlock. If you're a very forgiving person, you may have some fun with this, but everyone else is better off playing either another beat-'em-up or another Star Wars game.

This iteration of Empire of the Ants is certainly an improvement over the original game released over 20 years ago. It looks absolutely gorgeous and has a fitting soundscape to boot. The lack of micromanagement makes it more accessible for most but alienates those looking for the next coming of SimAnt. The strategy elements and platforming are basic, but the game remains enjoyable in short bursts. As a whole, it's a good game that you'll only jump into if you want something that feels strategic without going too deep into what the genre offers.

Tetris Forever is a package of two halves of varying quality. Even though it hasn't been discussed much in this review, the documentary portion maintains the level of quality seen in the previous Gold Master Series titles from Digital Eclipse. There's an extensive amount of information about the game's lifetime. On the other hand, the games are fine, and some are outright brilliant, but the package can feel disappointing for many. The game selection doesn't contain many of the more memorable iterations in the series, and other versions of the same game could've been excluded. This may not be anyone's first choice when it comes to playing a few rounds of Tetris, but it's a good way to chronicle the history of this influential title.

Master Detective Archives: Rain Code+ is a neat approach at taking Danganronpa's core concept and taking it outside of the Battle Royal Death Game world. There are a lot of extremely strong concepts, and when they come together well, it's easy to see how this could've eclipsed even its ancestor. Unfortunately, things are a tad too muddled, too simple, and too divorced from one another to be a cohesive whole. If you're a fan of the Danganronpa titles, then it's worth a shot. Otherwise, I'd recommend starting with one of those before Rain Code.

Clock Tower: Rewind is a deeply interesting curiosity. It's one of the origins of the horror games that would lead to Resident Evils and Silent Hills, and it's an early attempt to convey the idea of a weak and helpless protagonist facing a stalking evil. It all happened on the SNES. It's an incredibly noteworthy experience if you're invested in the history of game genres, and it's wonderful to have it available with an official translation. However, as a game, it hasn't aged particularly well, and you need a good amount of patience to put up with its foibles to see its strengths.

There is potential with Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024, but for every positive thing the game does, there's at least one big negative to counteract it. The variety of aircraft you can pilot is more varied than before, but you'll need to brush up on the various controls to get the most out of each craft. The ability to take photos while flying and on the ground is neat, but be prepared to only be wowed in certain areas. Those hoping for some detailed shots in more populated areas on foot will be sorely disappointed (or horrified). The inclusion of actual people would've been nice if they didn't look so last generation, and while the game has an abundance of activities and a full-fledged career mode, it would have been nice if the experience had faster loading times and was more stable overall. If this follows the trajectory of the previous game, then what you'll get in time is a flight sim that will cater to the hardcore but still be accessible enough for the casual player. Unless you're dedicated enough to want to get in right now with the latest and greatest or need more variety and objectives in a campaign, you might want to stick with the 2020 edition of Microsoft Flight Simulator for a little while longer to get your casual flight fix.

Unlike the actual figures, your enjoyment of Funko Fusion isn't just going depend on whether you like the franchises or characters that made the cut. You have to be a fan of the constant backtracking and revisiting of worlds needed to unlock the better secrets. You need to be forgiving of some of the faults in the combat system. You also have to be fine with this being a strictly single-player game and patient enough to wait for the complete online-only multiplayer experience to be available. If you are, then you'll have fun with the game. Otherwise, you might want to wait to see if patches smooth out some of the existing issues.

Players are going to have mixed feelings about the Until Dawn remake. The story remains as cheesy as ever, while the characters and performances elevate the experience. The changes are mostly good, with the better camera and touched-up graphics winning out over the changing of the soundtrack. However, the game really needed more time to polish out the bugs, especially since there's still plenty of time to get things before the movie hits. It's still a good title, but it could've been so much better if it weren't for the technical issues.

A Quiet Place: The Road Ahead is a decent horror experience. The story is fine if you're a fan of the situation instead of the characters that don't give you much material to sympathize with them. The gameplay is authentic to the movies, but it can also feel ridiculous with the amount of debris that you need to be aware of. The game nails the tension necessary for a horror game, but it is also laid on so thick that it can feel tiring if you're playing in long sessions. In the end, while it could've been a tighter experience, it is still a game worth checking out if you're a fan of horror games where you can forgive some questionable game design decisions.

Parcel Corps is loads of fun in short bursts. It's one of those games that you can play in between other big titles as a palette cleanser. You have to be able to overcome a few things like the unorthodox control scheme to get the most out of it, and if you can get the game for cheap, it's worth a look.

Even after 14 years, Red Dead Redemption remains a good example of how to do a proper Western in video game form. The main adventure is more focused than the sequel due to the relatively smaller cast and scope of your travels, but there are also plenty of side-quests that make it worthwhile to divert from the main questline. Undead Nightmare remains one of the better zombie games out there, and it still feels distinct after all these years. You just wish that there was more work done to the graphics outside of adding HDR and upping the brightness, especially since they're charging $50 for a 14-year-old port. The game is still worth adding to your library, but you might want to wait for a very good discount.

If you can get past the jankiness, Slitterhead has a certain quality that makes it oddly compelling. Everything from the plot to the gameplay and the graphics is a strange combination of insanely dated and bizarrely structured. It's a bizarre, shambling mess of a game that has a flavor all its own, but it never quite manages to come together into something cohesive.

Shadows of the Damned: Hella Remastered is just as offbeat and captivating as it was when it originally came out 13 years ago. The story works partially because of how it isn't afraid to be funny and gross, and the lack of malice sells the game, even if the humor doesn't strike a chord for some people. The gameplay is fine enough that the rough edges can be ignored at times. It sounds just as good as before and looks much better, but one can't help wishing that more care had been taken to create something more than a barebones port of the original.

Life is Strange: Double Exposure feels like the definition of an unnecessary sequel. It doesn't feel like a natural continuation of Life is Strange, and in many ways, it is kind of a step backward for the characters. At the same time, it doesn't have enough of its own voice and ends up feeling weaker than True Colors or Life is Strange 2. It's nice to see Max again, but fans would've been happier if she hadn't shown up again. Taken entirely on its own merits, Double Exposure is a relatively fun little mystery, but it's too bogged down for its own good.

In the end, Kong: Survivor Instinct is a pleasant surprise when compared to the rest of the Kong-related games up to this point. The story isn't that great, but it has enough of a hook to keep players going. The platforming can be quirky, especially during the big chase sequences, but it works fine most of the time to provide some fun sections. The same can be said of the combat, which has flaws but also gives players the chance to take care of enemies in a few fun ways. The adventure isn't too long, but it is satisfying enough once the end credits roll. It isn't a sleeper hit, but it isn't a bad experience to go through for a day or two.

There's potential in Unknown 9: Awakening. The story and setting are fascinating, since so few games are set at the cusp of World War I. Haroona's powers add an enthralling wrinkle to the stealth and combat systems. The experience falls apart when you scrutinize some of these gameplay mechanics, and the bad bugs and mediocre presentation heavily reduce the game's potential. Give it a few patches, and maybe the title will end up being a guilty pleasure for those looking for a straightforward adventure game, but don't expect to uncover a hidden masterpiece.

Mechwarrior 5: Clans does a lot of relatively new things for the series, and a whole lot more effort has gone into the polish and presentation of the game. The new changes aren't all for the better, and while I can respect that the game is meant to tell its own story, it comes at the expense of effectively removing all of the player's agency in influencing it. My idea of a perfect Mechwarrior game is some sort of middle ground between Mercs and Clans.

There's potential in The Axis Unseen. The idea of an adventure game with no HUD and an emphasis on your instincts is an intriguing setup, and the use of a simple set of weapons and powers keeps you from feeling overpowered. However, the combination of laughable physics and a plethora of bugs and design issues make this a game that's difficult to love if you aren't into the heavy metal aesthetic. As it stands now, it is an interesting title, but it needs plenty of patching before it will be worth checking out.

NBA 2K25 still carries a lot of the standards for how sports games should reflect and celebrate their sport of choice. I just wish it didn't have this odd economic quandary hanging over it. If it were to somehow address that problem and leave it on the cutting room floor, we'd really be onto something.

G.I. Joe: Wrath of Cobra is a fun game, but it is also flawed in several different ways. The differences in characters provide some incentive to try out everyone, but the combat is plagued with issues in every category. The unlockables are fun, but you have to be able to stomach the grinding needed to unlock everything. The levels are nice but feel like they go on forever; the presentation is good if you can ignore some of the audio issues. Depending on the price, Wrath of Cobra might still be worth checking out for big G.I. Joe fans, but it also could've been so much better.

As mentioned in the beginning of the review, your impressions of Rugrats: Adventures in Gameland are going to depend on how you feel about a game that takes its presentation and design strictly from that 8-bit generation of gaming. The game looks and sounds absolutely gorgeous on the presentation front, and the game does a good job of applying the Super Mario Bros. 2 mechanics to its game world. You'll wish the camera issues from the HD mode were fixed and that the cheap hits from enemies and their placement weren't present in the most annoying of areas. The game is fine, but the frustration from these issues and the relatively high price for such a short experience prevent it from being an all-around great title for fans of nostalgia.

Reynatis breaks the cardinal rule of not reminding players about better games. Everything from the concept to the gameplay feels like a less engaging version of The World Ends with You, and the fact there's an in-game crossover between the two makes it not feel like a coincidence. There's very little that makes Reynatis stand out, and there are quite a few baffling game design choices. I can see players gleaning some fun from it, but only if they've already experienced its better inspirations.

There are many words that can be used to describe Squirrel with a Gun: wacky, silly, buggy, unpolished, and fun. The premise is so out there that you can't help but be hooked. The gameplay is solid and enjoyable enough that you'll want to see the journey to the end and beyond, even if you've grown tired of the joke and despite the various issues that still plague the title. The game could do with some bug cleanup, but even in its current state, it's fun enough that players who love off-the-wall concepts would be happy giving this one a shot.

Ultimately, Harry Potter: Quidditch Champions is fine. It doesn't take too long to get used to the controls, and the gameplay loop stays interesting as long as you aren't playing the Chaser role. The matches are fun and perfect for short sessions, and the presence of cross-play means that finding a match isn't going to be too difficult once you exhaust the offline content. There are still some rough patches, but with its low $30 price tag, it's enjoyable for those who want to play some Quidditch without digging up a console from three generations ago.

Monster Jam Showdown is a title for the fans who aren't so critical of their games. Performing stunts is undoubtedly fun, but the stadium events are boring even though they mimic what you'd see in a Monster Jam event. The races are enjoyable until you get stuck behind a truck or crash into a rock wall and spin around unrealistically. The number of available events makes for a lengthy single-player mode, while multiplayer is a good addition. Young players enamored with monster trucks will enjoy this title the most, while all other racing fans should approach it with the above caveats in mind.

Cygni: All Guns Blazing is a "jack of all trades" type of shooter. It isn't afraid to use as many different gameplay mechanics as possible, and it isn't fearful of creating chaotic situations almost all of the time. You'll wish that more time had been spent refining these elements or adding some quality-of-life elements and tweaks to make the mix stand out more positively. What's available is good enough that hardcore shooting fans will enjoy it, and the hope is that improvements are made to tighten up the experience either through various patches or a potential sequel.

Demon Slayer -Kimetsu no Yaiba- Sweep The Board! appeals to a very specific type of player: someone who's already a big fan of the series and also loves digital board games. The concept is fine, and the day/night cycle and demon fights make this an intriguing party game. That said, between the mediocre collection of minigames, small board selection, unfair CPU characters, and poor online performance, there's not much to keep players interested for very long. It's not a terrible party game, but you'll only be tempted to grab it if you really, really need to play a party game.

Zero Division is a game with a good amount of potential, but it still needs a few passes to get smoothed out. The core gameplay is fun and engaging, but some balance issues and bugs keep it from reaching its full potential. It's difficult to recommend right now, but it's the definition of a game to check out once it's had a little more time to bake. Despite my complaints, I am genuinely looking forward to returning and trying Zero Division again once it's more stable.

qomp2 is an interesting title that certainly isn't for everyone. The limited controls make for an equally frustrating yet rewarding experience once you master the mechanics. The difficulty starts off fine, but the quick ramp-up will throw people off guard. The infinite lives, generous checkpoints, and some of the more helpful options help mitigate the ramp-up, but don't be surprised if you get stumped often. If you have a high level of patience and a love for unusual concepts and controls, you're the perfect candidate to enjoy the qomp2 experience.

Crime Boss: Rockay City has done something that few other games have accomplished since the advent of patching. The team has taken what was a very bad game at launch and made it good enough to be enjoyable. The missions may be short, but the lack of lag and the presence of better-than-expected AI companions makes each encounter fun. The presence of the player XP system makes the tweaked campaign and online modes worth grinding through. Coming in at a cheaper base price than its Epic Games Store launch price, Rockay City is a decent purchase for those who were disappointed with Payday 3 and exhausted with Payday 2.

You have to applaud Treasure Coast Games for trying something new with Hamster Scramble. The idea of catching the colors you have available and being able to have more influence on disrupting your opponent has real merit. If you're seasoned in the puzzle genre, the unnecessary platforming — combined with tiny characters, slow speed, and some functionality bugs — makes this game more of a slog than something enjoyable. Unless you're more forgiving of the game's flaws, you can safely pass.

Senua's Saga: Hellblade II is a beautiful but ultimately hollow game. The fantastic presentation props up a story that is less personal and engaging than in the first game, and the gameplay feels like an afterthought. It was great to see Senua again and to see her outside of the grief-misery she was enveloped in during the first game, but beyond that, there's not much to Hellblade II. It's a short and less memorable experience that shows off Ninja Theory's visual craft to its fullest — but it achieves little else.

The latest incarnation of Haunted House is fine. The roguelike nature is done well enough, but the relentless enemies and your own fragility mean that some deaths can feel unfair. The same complaint can apply to your inconsistent weapons and tools, but when everything comes together right, the stealth approach can be rather satisfying. While Haunted House isn't exactly a top-tier roguelike, it is good enough that those who are curious about the title should give it a shot.

Your experience with Dynacat is heavily dependent on whether you liked Sonic 3D Blast and the other titles that inspired it. The unwavering camera viewpoint takes some getting used to, but the addition of a tether makes combat more palatable. The rough gameplay mechanics and slippery controls don't make for an enjoyable experience unless you've mastered the physics or set the game to the Easy difficulty level. Unless you're the patient type, you can skip this title until it is deeply discounted.

TopSpin 2K25 feels like a reboot of the series rather than a proper sequel. The lack of game modes really makes the title feel like it's starting from scratch and trying to nail the fundamentals before approaching more offbeat stuff. Despite the occasional missing inputs and stuttering from time to time, the game remains enjoyable enough that you'll want to master the controls and get in a few matches against others quite often. It needs work for future iterations, but for now, TopSpin 2K25 is solid enough.

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Arcade: Wrath of the Mutants isn't bad. The fighting system is quite good, and the additional stages and bosses do a good job of lengthening a very short game. It's fun, and those who were lucky enough to discover the arcade game will be pleased with this port. Those wanting to take the plunge into the title might want to hold off for a bit, unless you can find the title at a discount. The $30 sticker price for such a short experience can be off-putting, especially with only one mode available.

There's a decent base to Witch's Rhythm Puzzle. The idea of a puzzle game dictated by rhythm has merit, and it would work fine if you can dial in the timing to play the game beyond Easy mode. However, with so little content, it's a short-lived, one-and-done game. It is an inexpensive title, but don't expect a hidden gem.

Ereban: Shadow Legacy is a flawed but enjoyable game. The presentation is fine, and even though the mechanics are simplified compared to other games in the genre, the stealth mechanics create some very cool moments. The overall game length is fine, and while the collision bugs can get fixed, the lackluster story doesn't do its part when it comes to motivating people to play to the end. Ereban isn't necessarily a must-play title, but it is well worth a look if you're in the market for something new.

Taken on its own, Berzerk: Recharged isn't a bad game. The shooting is still fine, the additions of health and power-ups are neat, as is the presence of co-op. The overall high score chase remains as compelling as ever for those with a classic arcade mindset. Aside from some notable exclusions, the problem is that this title enters a market rife with other twin-stick shooters that do more and offer more to the player, so it's difficult to get excited when picking up the controller. Unless you're filled with nostalgia for the original title and willing to forgive the misses, you can push aside Berzerk in favor of the countless other twin-stick shooters on the platform.

Its ship combat is weak, and for all intents and purposes the on-foot gameplay is nonexistent. What little story the game has is threadbare at best, and it gives the player no good reason to slog through the grind. It is saddening, as the game could've been something great, especially since there aren't a ton of pirate games out there. However, there isn't much about Skull and Bones that I will remember a year from now.

Slave Zero X has a few too many rough spots to make it an easy recommendation, but it isn't a terrible game. When you get into the groove of combos, cancels and bursts, it can be incredibly satisfying to leave the forces of fascism in bloody chunks on the ground, but the effort it takes to reach that point feels like too much to be worth it. If you're in the mood for a bloody, execution-intensive beat-'em-up, then Slave Zero X might be for you, but it might be tough if you're used to playing modern beat-'em-ups.

I did have fun with Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League, but I finished the story a little relieved and exhausted, and I wasn't compelled to engage in endgame stuff because it was essentially more repetitive, conditional missions. I'd had my fill by then. I enjoyed the character and personality of the game — the banter among Task Force X is truly enjoyable, so kudos to all of the voice actors involved — and also the world that was built. Action-wise, the game gave me Crackdown vibes as I hurtled around the city and dove into its chaos. Unfortunately, it also had Crackdown depth to the point where I eventually got bored and irritated. I was not irritated enough, however, that I wish I had a bomb in my head.

It's difficult to give a score to Tomb Raider I-III Remastered. On the one hand, some of the improvements are quite good. The inclusion of extra levels for each game to make them more accessible is always welcome, and the improved modern controls are certainly welcome unless your muscle memory is attuned to the old tank-style controls. On the other hand, the very slight graphical improvements are overshadowed by the fact that the game design fails to keep modern controls in mind, and no other changes have been made to bring it up to modern standards. Considering the pedigree of the games, the result is a package that's fine but could've been much, much better.

When the credits roll on Outer Wilds: Archaeologist Edition, you'll feel sad that there's no way to experience it with fresh eyes again. You can play the main story for close to 15-20 hours, and the meaty DLC adds another 10 hours or more, but this isn't a game that you'll return to after completion because you've solved the puzzle. As cool as the little pocket galaxy is, if you have another system besides the Switch that can run Outer Wilds, I'd recommend playing the game on the other system instead. Outer Wilds simply isn't meant to be played on a handheld console.

I really wanted to love Custom Mech Builder. Earth Defense Force and customizable giant robots is everything I should want. Alas, Custom Mech Builder doesn't have much going for it. If you like creating giant anime robots to smash enemies, there are better choices. If you like over-the-top explosion-fests, there are better options. Pretty much the only thing Custom Mech Builder has going for it is how easy it is to make a bullet train with drill arms, but that amusement quickly wears out its welcome. As a budget $20 title, Custom Mech Wars might be worth the cost for the amusing builder, but mech fans can find better games that cost less.

Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora is going to appeal the most to die-hard fans of the film series. The ability to ride some of the creatures of Pandora and take in the lush surroundings of the moon are more than enough to satisfy those who want to wander around and soak in everything. For everyone else, the game is simply decent. The missions are very hit-and-miss in quality and execution, while the ability to use human and Na'vi weapons isn't as appealing as the developers may have expected. The world looks gorgeous, but navigating it isn't that intuitive due to a poor map and navigation system, and that also goes for other elements, like hunting and gathering. The game isn't terrible or as bleak as the first title, but you'll need to temper expectations to get some enjoyment out of Frontiers of Pandora.

It's a real shame that these problems are so prevalent because there's a lot to like in Born of Bread. It's a very cute and charming game, and I enjoyed myself enough when playing it that I was willing to redo chunks of the game every time I broke something. I replayed sections until I just couldn't do it anymore. There's a good chance that there will be a bunch of patches for the game that will help it rise to its full potential, but at the moment, it's a bit too raw to readily recommend. I look forward to revisiting the title sometime later, after it's been thoroughly patched and stabilized.

In the end, The Last Faith is good but not great. The weapon variety makes the combat system feel very nice, while the special moves and parrying can be safely ignored by most players. The side-quests feel like unnecessary fluff, but at least the main questline is good enough to keep players engaged. The misuse of classes and lack of the ability to re-spec your character feel like missed opportunities when more modern games in the Soulslike genre have started to adopt this. The obtuseness in various areas gives off unwarranted but pretentious vibes. While it may not be the kind of game you should immediately launch into, The Last Faith is a title that makes for a good time when you want to get into hardier fare between other titles.

To my chagrin, EA Sports UFC 5 feels like a mega-update to UFC 4 that flexes the muscles of the Frostbite engine and the PS5 for the sake of visuals and not much else. The score I 'm giving the game is out of respect for the slightly tweaked but still intricate fighting system that's flexible enough for people of all skill levels and time availability to enjoy. Also, it really does look fantastic, and would probably be a solid library addition for fans who haven't played any of the previous UFC titles and want a way in. For me, this wasn't the level change I 'd hoped for, and I can only hope there 'll be some newer pieces in the next one.

At the end of the day, Tales of Arise: Beyond the Dawn is the chance to spend more time with the Arise characters, and the experience is wrapped up in a lengthy DLC package. If you loved the cast of Arise enough that it's worthwhile to chill with them some more, then Beyond the Dawn may have its value. Beyond that, it doesn't add anything to the experience, especially with the hefty $30 price tag. If it were more tightly designed and more creative, it would've gone been more appealing, but as it stands, it's something for Arise faithful only.

The developers for EA Sports WRC have said they are working on the issue, but after so many Unreal Engine 4 and 5 games have suffered similar issues upon release, it is harder to accept this wasn't fixed before release. It's harder still with a rally game, which demands fine control from the player but undermines itself with stutters that often result in significantly punishing outcomes. There is a lot to like about EA Sports WRC, and with a future patch it may become buttery smooth. That isn't how the game was released, though, and while a smoother version of this game would be easily recommendable, it's best to avoid EA Sports WRC in its current state.

If you take it on its own merits, Robocop: Rogue City isn't exactly a great experience. The combat is simplistic, the mechanics are slapdash, and you spend as much time finding someone's lost towel as you do shooting bad guys. Despite all of that, it's oddly compelling. It's ambitious and charming enough that if you're a fan of Robocop, you'll probably find it appealing to take a trip in his robo-boots. I can't imagine it holding much appeal for anyone who isn't excited for the chance to revisit the iconic locations of the franchise, but die-hard fans will probably revel in it.

EA Sports NHL 24 adds quite a lot this year around for an NHL game. The Exhaust Engine and Vision Passing are welcome and profound additions to the gameplay, even though the overall balance doesn't feel quite right yet. Beyond that, improvements are slim, especially if you're predominantly playing offline. Be a Pro and Franchise modes see a few adjustments to the micro-transaction-powered online modes. If you've skipped NHL games for several years, you're likely going to enjoy this iteration. If not, you'd better wait another year or two. NHL 24 is a step in the right direction, albeit a small one, but it doesn't justify the full, next-gen price.

I'm not sure who's the target audience for Assassin's Creed: Mirage. It goes beyond returning to basics and is just basic. It's not terrible or unplayable, and if you enjoy the core Assassin's Creed gameplay or want a chance to run around Baghdad, it might scratch your itch. The problem is one that I've never had with an Assassin's Creed title before. They have problems, flaws, and issues aplenty, but each one felt like there was ambition behind it. Mirage feels unmemorable and bland and plays like a phoned-in Assassin's Creed title.

You really, really have to like the kind of humor in High on Knife to enjoy the DLC. You're not going to get any character from the new gun, and Knifey's psycho nature doesn't take long to become grating when compared to the rest of your living loadout. The combat is less enjoyable than before, since the pinball gun is the only weapon you can use to deal any real damage, and the act of collecting everything in the game feels more meaningless since you don't get anything from it. If you're into the rambling nature of the jokes with a sense of humor that's often crude or referential with no real payoff, then you might want to check this out, but anyone who's hoping for good gameplay to balance the humor will be disappointed.

Imitation may be the sincerest form of flattery, but when it comes to games, you have to bring some of your own improvements to the table. The Crew Motorfest is clearly trying to be very similar to its competition, but it can't help but fall short. In the many areas where its features are almost carbon copies, they aren't implemented as well and force the player into playing the game in an odd way between bouts of grinding for credits. In the areas where it tries new things, it barely commits to them and leaves them feeling like afterthoughts. If Forza Horizon could also be played on Sony hardware, The Crew Motorfest would have no reason to exist.

Infinity Strash: Dragon Quest - The Adventure of Dai is a cute game, but it's the definition of a generic anime tie-in title. It has its charms, and it doesn't play badly, but it is a very basic title that primarily exists for fans of the show. If you're a die-hard Dragon Quest fan rather than an Adventures of Dai fan, it might be better to watch the show and return to the game if you want more. Fans should have a lot of fun getting to experience the adventures of their favorites in a new form.

Layers of Fear really brings a lot of improvements that amplify the game's strongest aspect: its immersive atmosphere. Audio and visuals are almost impeccable in this release, and they're truly worth experiencing. That said, playing through all of the content on offer in this remake/remaster collection does stretch the gameplay a bit too thin over its runtime, and it slowly wears out its welcome. What remains is a repetitive and sometimes tame horror adventure game that's worth experiencing for its presentation alone.

Samba de Amigo: Party Central is a fun title that still has some faults. The use of motion controls is fine until the game misreads your movements, while the more traditional gamepad method works well because it does more in mimicking motions and being challenging in its own right. The lack of focus on more Latin-themed music is disappointing considering the nature of the maracas, but the variety of music ensures that it's trying to reach a wider audience that enjoys the likes of Just Dance. The modes are fun, but the grind in replaying certain songs multiple times to earn more currency for cosmetics can be bothersome, especially given the presence of two different currency types. Samba de Amigo remains a charming rhythm game experience that genre fans will enjoy if they can forgive those quirks.

Somerville is a game where both the new and old ideas don't work in the game's favor. The platforming is nonexistent, while the puzzles are hampered by either a lack of creativity, an uncooperative physics system, or a combination of both. The use of 3D produces situations where your objectives can become obscured due to the camera angle and distance. The shock and awe one would expect from the game's pedigree is greatly dampened, and the wordless story doesn't do much to carry a narrative that seems pedestrian and doesn't care about its characters. Some will still find fun in the various situations, and the runtime is brisk enough if everything works in your favor. If you are still interested in Somerville, wait for a sale before checking it out.

More than the game, a sport is a vibe, and the games representing the NBA, MLB and FIFA know it. Somewhere along the way, Madden lost it.

Your impression of Fort Solis is going to depend on many factors, with the biggest one being how forgiving you are of its issues. The story seems fine until you break down motivations. The graphics look good until you start looking beyond the characters. The acting is good, but the gameplay isn't as tight as it should be due to some odd design decisions. It is a game that might be fine for fans of modern story-based adventure games, but don't expect it to be anywhere near the height achieved by some of the bigger titles in the genre.

Immortals of Aveum isn't a terrible game, but it is an incredibly forgettable one. Everything it does feels like a paint-by-numbers scenario, and it doesn't feel like it captures any sense of wonder. The annoying quipping dialogue drags you out of the world, and without that, you're left with a solid, if entirely unexceptional, magic-themed FPS. There's not much to recommend Immortals beyond giving you gun-themed magic instead of guns. I could see it perhaps finding an audience once its price point is lower, but most people will probably want to wait and see — or at least watch some videos of Jak's quips and see how tolerable they find it.

Arcadian Atlas is the definition of a fine game. It isn't bad, and it isn't great; it's just perfectly passable. There are some solid moments and a nice hit of nostalgia for PS1-era RPGs, but that's about it. Other spiritual successors like Triangle Strategy and Fell Seal have proven that the genre can do a lot more on a lower budget, and Arcadian Atlas feels dated. If you're a fan of SRPGs, this might be worth a look, but it's mostly forgettable.

Atlas Fallen is fine in parts and frustrating in others. The world seems fascinating, but the characters are the least compelling part of the story. The combat can feel fluid, and the number of powers you can use makes for a good deal of build possibilities. You'll wish there were more weapons, though. Traversal is fun, but you will need to ignore Nyaal, who often calls out things that are nowhere in the proximity. The development team could've used some more time to tighten things up, but ultimately, Atlas Fallen remains a good distraction in between other, more polished action-adventure games.