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.

As was the case with the PS4 version of the game, your enjoyment of Virtua Fighter 5 R.E.V.O. is going to be dependent on what aspect of fighting games you enjoy the most. If you're more of a competitive online fighter, you'll appreciate the focus on that scene, but you will lament the lack of cross-play, as PC fighting game players tend to be a smaller community. Those who enjoy local versus play won't find any mechanical differences, while single-player fighting game enthusiasts will feel the sting the most since the game feels quite sparse in this area, but this is saved by the fact that the core fighting mechanics are so strong. As a stopgap measure to a completely new Virtua Fighter game, R.E.V.O. does a very good job in introducing PC players to the series and keeping them sharp in preparation for the new game's arrival.

Phantom Brave: The Lost Hero is a surprising sequel that does a good job of living up to its predecessor, but it doesn't exactly tread new ground for the franchise. A cute but forgettable plot, solid gameplay, and a near-infinite amount of grinding potential give the game a solid amount of value. The only thing holding it back are the unimpressive visuals and poor performance. If you're a fan of the Nippon Ichi games or the original Phantom Brave, there's a lot of fun to be had in this sequel.

Donkey Kong Country Returns HD on the Switch is by far the best way to play the game; it avoids the awkwardness of the Wii's controls and doesn't have the visual compromises of the 3DS version. It makes it difficult to be impressed with it as a remaster, especially a full-priced one. There's a lot that could've been done to improve the visuals or add more features to the game, but as it stands, you're basically getting the same game as before. It's still an absolutely fantastic game and well worth playing. If you've already played Donkey Kong Country Returns: Tropical Freeze and are hankering for more, Donkey Kong Country Returns HD is well worth picking up. If you haven't played its predecessor/sequel yet, it's better to start there.

Ultimately, Calcium Chaos: Derailed is a fine twin-stick shooter. The shooting is fun, while the roguelite elements make things interesting even if the game never fully leans into it. The ability to combine weapons is what makes the game enjoyable, especially when you find a wild combination that goes beyond your expectations. This isn't a particularly difficult title, and there are a few bugbears, but it's a good game for those who want to play something to bide their time between bigger titles.

Tales of Graces f Remastered is a strong remaster of a solid game. The plot is relatively weak but handily carried by its extremely strong combat system, which makes the game worth playing on its own. The additions to the remaster are all genuine improvements, and even the bundling of cheat-mode DLC is only a problem if you let it be. If you're a fan of action-RPGs or the Tales franchise and haven't given Graces f a gander, this is the ideal way to play it.

Dynasty Warriors: Origins is a solid addition to the franchise. It's not the newest numbered game in the series, but I enjoyed it more than Dynasty Warriors 9. It has a solid core set of mechanics and some really excellent level design. The only thing holding it back is that the focus on a single character and a relatively smaller number of weapons makes it feel empty compared to the games it will likely be compared to. If you're a fan of the franchise, there is a lot to like in Origins, and it's the ideal starting point for newcomers who want to get into the Romance of the Three Kingdoms part of the Warriors franchise.

Goodboy Galaxy is a very well-done title. Despite the number of false stopping points, the overall adventure has some very memorable characters. The gimmick of constant equipment removal makes the adventure more thought-provoking instead of a slog, while the presentation is excellent, regardless of whether you opt for the PC-specific enhancements. For both genre fans and those who love more involved platformers, Goodboy Galaxy is well worth checking out.

Ys Memoire: The Oath in Felghana is a solid but unexceptional remaster of a fun but dated game. I still love Oath, and it remains one of my favorite Ys games, but you need to feel some nostalgia for the days of simple, button-mashing RPG action to get a lot out of it. If you're curious about the older Ys games, this is absolutely at the top of the list, but it might fall short compared to some of the more recent games. Ys is still Ys, and Oath is a great example of how being simple can still be fun.

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.

Much like Bravely Default, Fantasian: Neo Dimension is functionally a Final Fantasy title that doesn't bear the Final Fantasy name. It has a very similar tone and atmosphere to the older SNES titles in the franchise, but it has enough modern elements to stand on its own merits. The story can sometimes be simplistic in a very charming way. The game's only flaws are a difficulty level that might be a touch too high for some and the lingering remnants of its mobile release heritage. If you're a fan of older Final Fantasy games, you owe it to yourself to try Fantasian.

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.

Fairy Tail 2 seems like a perfectly lovely RPG for fans of the franchise. It doesn't break any molds, and it leans heavily on fan service, but if all you want is a chance to play an RPG with your favorite cast members, it does the job. The over-the-top combat styling keeps things interesting in what would otherwise be a generic button-mashing experience, and there are enough RPG mechanics to provide the satisfaction of tricking out your favorite characters. It's not a game for people who are unfamiliar with the series, but Fairy Tail fans will be quite delighted by the experience.

The Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver 1&2 Remastered is a lovely collection of two classic titles that allows them to shine. There's still roughness that comes from age, but the areas of the game that shined the most, including its atmosphere, script and voice acting, remain as excellent as ever. Most of the adjustments to the two games make the rougher parts more palatable to modern gamers. You still need to have some patience for the PS1-era of action/adventure games, but if you do, it's well worth it to see one of the greatest cult classics in video game history.

Indiana Jones and the Great Circle is an absolutely fun but flawed experience. The full Indiana Jones vibe is present from a story and pacing perspective. The stealth is laughable, but all of the other gameplay elements make up for it. The graphics are good except for an issue or two, while the sound is good enough to elevate the overall experience. Some work needs to be done to make the game run smoothly without the fear that your experience will be abruptly cut due to instability issues. As it stands now, it's a good game and a fine way to cap off a year of big releases before the impending storm of next year's games begins.

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.

Slay the Princess: The Pristine Cut is a masterpiece from start to finish. Every element of the game fires on all cylinders, and it's a great example of how even something as simple as a choose-your-own-adventure story can be elevated by being part of an interactive multimedia medium. The writing, voice acting, artwork and general tone all create something memorable, distinctive and interesting. If that sounds like a game you're interested in, then try out Slay the Princess: The Pristine Cut.

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.

Like the first game, Nairi: Rising Tide proves to be a point-and-click adventure game full of charm. The art style and humor do a good job of contrasting with the more serious parts of the story. The puzzles can be real brain teasers, and while the hint system is cute, the ability to skip the puzzle dungeons ensures that frustrating moments remain few and far between. It's a good adventure game overall, but here's hoping that the next entry in what's supposed to be a four-part game doesn't take another six years to develop.

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.

Mario & Luigi: Brothership falls into that odd zone of being fine but not exceptional. I think it's comfortably the third best Mario & Luigi game, but it's a distant third and a far cry from the franchise's heights. I had a lot of fun, and I don't regret playing it, but it lacks that certain special something that made the first and third games in the franchise really shine. It's still a fun RPG adventure with some fantastic combat, but it's the weakest of all the Mario RPGs released this year.

Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 is an absolutely worthy sequel to the original game from Relic Entertainment. From the story to the combat system, the developers have done a good job of bringing over the strong elements of the first game and adding large hordes of enemies. The campaign's length feels good, and while the PvP aspect of the multiplayer will tickle the nostalgia bone, it is the PvE section of the multiplayer component and constant support that will keep the game installed on machines. Space Marine 2 is a great addition for anyone who's a fan of action games. Here's hoping that any potential sequel doesn't take another 13 years.

Taiko no Tatsujin: Rhythm Festival is a very good game with a solid PC port. The base mechanics are classic, and they still work well, just like they did before. The song list is meaty enough, but the presence of both DLC and a Song Pass gives everyone the chance to expand their song library. While the drums give you the more authentic experience, the PC's natural ability to use a wider variety of control methods allows for the game to be more entertaining, if only to see what other odd peripherals people will use to play the game. Provided you're not averse to the lack of Western songs, you'll have a fun time with this game.

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.

Dragon Quest III: HD-2D Remake is a charming and well-made update of one of the most classic RPGs of all time. It doesn't reinvent the mold and is too safe for its own measure, but at the same time, it's easily the most accessible and fun version of the game to date. You'll need to have some tolerance for dated design choices, but if you've ever wondered why people love the classic Dragon Quest so much, this is the game to play.

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.