As a photography simulator, Lushfoil Photography Sim shines when it allows itself to. A brilliant atmospheric decompressor is lost under the weight of mechanics that I really don't think needed to be there. This feels like a bizarre moment where I want it to be less of a "game" and lean into itself as an experience. Still, it's well worth a peek if you enjoy wandering some silent roads and seeing the sights on your own time.
Lost Records is a visually gorgeous game and proves that the team who pioneered Life is Strange still have the aesthetic nailed down. Unfortunately this and some smart adaptations of mechanics do little to hide a story that tries in vain to recapture the same energy, managing to totally lose itself by the end. I can see what they were going for here, but that vision is lost in a game that doesn't know what it wants to commit to. A deeply personal story is subsumed by what feels like an obligation to the supernatural. A story about the supernatural is lost in a story about the personal. Neither is done justice and both feel like they deserved more.
For what Indiana Jones and the Great Circle sets out to do, I think it succeeds in every aspect. This is a game made with adoration and love for the legacy of Indiana Jones; for anyone that has a history with Indy, this is essential. If you can look past some rough edges, there's a diamond in the rough.
For the myriad of things that Promise Mascot Agency sets out to do, I never felt like it was overreaching or losing its sense of self. Every aspect of this game feels tailored to a curated experience that feels equally inspired and trailblazing its own direction. Everything comes together in an almost flawless symphony that I can't help but love.
On a functional level, AI Limit fulfills what it sets out to do and does so with very few hiccups in most regards. Outside of that, it exists as a time capsule of the mechanics that the industry is explicitly moving away from. While imitation can be argued to be the strongest form of flattery, here it feels tacky and it dilutes what ambition the team had in their own right. What is here, is good enough. But there isn't much outside of that.
Every aspect of Romancing SaGa 2: Revenge of the Seven is impressive and left me feeling satisfied that this game was given the lucky treatment to be put on a new platform. This remake meaningfully builds on the foundations of the original while bringing it in line with the rest of Square Enix's pantheon, while never losing sight of what made it shine in the first place. While it might not resonate with everybody, those who want to adventure beyond the standard turn-based fare will certainly not make a mistake with this game. There's an undeniable ambition here that is totally uncompromised and laid bare for all to see, and that's wonderful.
While Ys X: Nordics might not light the world on fire by itself - and certainly has some core issues that could do with refining - I found that most of these issues slid into the back of my mind as I kept on playing. The story of Adol, Karja and the Griegr is enough to keep the game moving forward and the character moments that flesh it out were good. Ys X manages to demosntrate the key strengths of the franchise but unfortunate balance and shaky new mechanics hold it back from being a homerun.
In more ways that one, Five Nights at Freddy's: Into the Pit is a first for the series. A new direction and a return to the classic horror roots that began the series serves as a reminder that these games can actually be a tense experience if they want to be. Doing away with the fluff that has shifted the focus, I enjoyed my time exploring these dense environments, when I could do so without interruption. Despite the clear passion and direction here, the experience of playing the game was far clunkier than it should have been, with some downright tragic bugs plaguing the experience during the review process. While I can see a great survival horror experience under the hood, I have to take into the account the issues that I had with the game. I really hope the team can address these in the coming days.
Castlevania Dominus Collection almost flawlessly brings back a collection of games that were previously trapped on hardware that was tough to bring to new platforms. Extensive effort has gone into making sure that they suit the form factor of a home console and the effort is admirable to say the least. Some incredibly mild and brief frustrations with the remaining touch controls isn't enough to properly dethrone this game from being essential for Castlevania fans to invest in, especially with the deep cuts included here.
Persona 3 Reload: Episode Aigis retains the same commitment to bringing the original game to a new generation, but unfortunately ends up remaking the same mistakes that make this epilogue such a divisive experience for players across the board. There are some memorable character moments here for players looking to spend that little bit of extra time with the team, but I finished this DLC questioning if it was truly worth the tedium of the dungeon-crawling, even if the combat is fun and the production values are still off the charts. While Atlus' dedication to bringing the old game to a new audience is commendable, I think this epilogue deserved a little bit more of a rework than it got.
MARVEL vs, CAPCOM Fighting Collection: Arcade Classics is exactly what it says on the front and so much more. This collection is a triumphant return for a selection of games that many thought lost to complicated industry red tape, and it comes back with some serious bite. The 6 fighting games in this collection are almost perfectly preserved for new hardware and modern audiences, with a suite of additional features to fill out the experience into both a preservation effort and a deep-dive into Capcom's history with Marvel. While it might take a bit of work for newcomers to get to grips with these classic games, the effort is well worth it for one of the most well-realised crossovers in gaming history.
While I wouldn't say that these are my favourite entries in the series, this collection of two games marks the official full English translation of the Ace Attorney, and that's something to be excited about. The amount of extra material is a treat for fans of Edgeworth and the amount of work that's gone into visually overhauling these two adventures is almost staggering. It's clear that Capcom is aware of the passionate fanbase and this hopefully signals a very bright future for the Ace Attorney franchise. Essential for fans of the series with some great deep-cuts for lore enthusiasts.
Visions of Mana is a bold new step for the series and manages to almost totally stick the landing in the process. The DNA of the series is still here for legacy fans to enjoy, and yet it stands as a remarkably approachable and digestible RPG that can be enjoyed by those looking to dip their toes into this genre. A visually stunning, heartfelt and lovingly crafted world awaits those who jump into this new entry and I'm surprised by just how much it resonated with me in the long-term, despite some pacing issues and some small cut corners.
Tomba! Special Edition is a thorough remaster of a classic underappreciated title from PlayStation history that manages to stand out among a sea of other mascot platformers. A pioneering force in the popularisation of the 2.5D platformer, I enjoyed being given the chance to see where this subgenre began. While there are definitely relics of archaic PlayStation-era design, these are almost an expectation rather than a point of heavy critique. For those familiar with the antics of this cave boy, you'll feel right at home. And the bonus materials sweeten the deal too.
Arranger: A Role-Puzzling Adventure is a wonderfully inventive iteration of the classic tile-puzzler that manages to blend well-realised gameplay with a particularly contemporary story that will strike a chord with a great deal of people who play it. Every aspect of Arranger is bursting with personality and care, and I couldn't help but love every moment I spent with Jemma and her chaotic powers. Playing with a good pair of headphones is essential!
CYGNI: All Guns Blazing is an uneven experience that features great shoot-em-up elements wrapped in a bizarre cinematic focus that only seems to take away more than it gives. Particle effects can be disorienting and the story feels only partially realised. In the pursuit of cinematic excitement, it feels like the base experience has been compromised and damaged with a lack of focus across the board. If this was just a top-down shoot-em-up, I'd be far more positive here. If you can stick with it, you might find an enjoyable arcade-adjacent experience with cutting-edge presentation. Otherwise, maybe not.
There's a solid foundation to be found in this crossover fighter, and more than enough content to satisfy the appetite of a fighting game aficionado. Unfortunately, the exciting prospect of this crossover is somewhat watered down by a ho-hum presentation that lacks the punch and impact that it needs to really seal the deal. Despite that, fighting game fans will appreciate this re-release of a classic game that offers a solid amount of content and a variety of options to explore. Just don't expect a friendly experience for newcomers.
SCHiM is a wonderfully inventive puzzle-platformer that challenges you to explore a familiar world through a completely different lens. A distinct visual style and soundtrack marry with an effective story all about overcoming obstacles and remembering what life is all about. I found myself absolutely absorbed by the world and the satisfying loop of jumping from puddle to puddle. SCHiM is a must-play in a year already full of hits. SCHiM is a game that I will come back to time and time again when needing to unwind and relax.
Kunitsu-Gami: Path of the Goddess is a wonderfully innovative fusion of genres that managed to take me on a journey from frustration to being totally absorbed in the world that it offers. Across a lengthy campaign, everything comes together to create a story that feels well and truly realised. Some rough edges do little to diminish just how impressed I am in how quickly this game managed to turn me around. While it might take a while for it to truly soar, it soars high.
Until Then stands as a heartening example of a narrative adventure game and manages to strike a chord with its delicate balance of the supernatural and highschool drama. Managing to deftly avoid the tropes that dominate the space, every choice in Until Then feels intentional and every interaction feels far more earnest than some of its contemporaries. I very much enjoyed experiencing this story and being able to almost relive some of my own silly highschool stories through the eyes of Mark. Lying underneath the teenage awkwardness is a story about growth and acceptance, and it is one that everyone will be able to see themselves in.