Natsu-Mon: 20th Century Summer Kid is a game that delivers what it promises, bringing an experience that seeks to transport the player, banking on nostalgia above all else. However, its tactics don't go down so well here in the West when compared to Japan, so unless you want to use this game as a method of learning the language and culture, it might not go down well with the general public. Personally, I loved its constant references to Japanese culture, but for me, they are both a blessing and a curse. Personally, I thought the game was pretty cool at times, but I confess that Natsu-Mon is one of those games that doesn't innovate much in its gameplay, especially when compared to other games in its category.
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Radiant Tale -Fanfare- can be described in a single sentence: A game that promised a lot in theory, but in practice, it ended being a fandisk that practically suffers in its executions. There's barely any content compared to the amount it promised, and the translation suffers from inconsistent terminologies that also plagued the original.
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Paper Mario: The Thousand Year Door is undoubtedly the definitive way to appreciate a true gem from the Nintendo GameCube. With several subtle changes that are very welcome, it's one of the most loyal remakes to the original I've ever seen, and at the same time a remake that fixes the many problems that affected the original.
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After loving the original Cupid Parasite, I had high expectations for the Cupid Parasite fandisc: Sweet and Spicy Darling. And yes: the developers at Idea Factory have managed to deliver a very entertaining experience, full of funny moments and at the same time, fun to read.
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I had high hope for Eiyuden Chronicle ever since its Kickstarter in 2020. And yes, while the game genuinely feels like a love letter to both JRPG fans, and especially fans of the Suikoden franchise, it was not designed for the Nintendo Switch, and it shows. The various performance drops and long loading screens keep it from being the perfect experience, leaving me probably recommending that you do not get it on the Nintendo Switch.
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I absolutely loved Tengoku Struggle -Strayside-. While the story suffers from a few translation typos and an inconsistent rhythm at times, it's an otome game that can offer you a long read, but one that also manages to be comical, as you watch Rin's relationship with the prisoners deepen.
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Sympathy Kiss is a great otome game with its blend of romance and relatable experiences, with its office setting appealing especially to a more mature audience. While the faceless protagonist and rather compromised approach at some of the narrative beats are definitely its biggest gripes, it still manages to be a short and sweet story that both fans and newcomers to the genre can appreciate.
Steam Prison has a great plot, with its characters and their routes revealing details and plot twists that left me curious to know how it would all end. Although Cyrus may be a protagonist that divides opinions, I honestly don't think she's that bad. Of course, the pace of the story leaves a bit to be desired, with some plot points that end up not developing fully (or at least not as well as the characters) and the translation also suffers from some small typos.
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WarioWare Move It! is a fantastic addition to the WarioWare series, adding a fun twist to the classic microgame formula. It’s all about using your Joy-Con controllers to mimic various poses for different mini-games, which is a blast but can sometimes get a bit confusing. The game’s story mode is short but packed with humor and voice acting, and the multiplayer mode is a real highlight for social gaming. Just a couple of downsides, like missing the mission system from previous games and some voice acting that doesn’t quite match up, but overall, WarioWare Move It! keeps the franchise’s quirky spirit alive and is a must-try for anyone who loves fast and crazy microgames.
While Detective Pikachu Returns is undeniably enjoyable, its only standout feature is its somewhat decent storyline, which ties up loose ends from the original 3DS game and provides moments of laughter as Tim and Pikachu interact with each other. However, it suffers from several issues, such as somewhat dated graphics for this day and age, a short playtime, and very easy difficulty. Nevertheless, it’s a game I’d recommend during a potential sale, allowing you to comfortably unwind in bed while enjoying Pikachu and Tim’s misadventures in Ryme City.
Harvest Moon: The Winds of Anthos seems to be a step in the right direction for Natsume. The open-world approach distinguishes it as a game you can immerse yourself in, provided you can endure the lackluster prologue and the challenging early game. It stands well on its own, though I would caution against playing the Nintendo Switch version due to its poor optimization, which hampers the overall gaming experience.
Rune Factory 3 Special is a great way for both new and old fans of the series to experience this DS classic. Still, I wished it had gone a bit further with the remastered effort, as many of its systems haven’t aged well. The added features here don’t make up for the lack of quality-of-life improvements that would’ve done the title a big favor. It’s not unplayable by any means, but this remaster isn’t as “Special” as it claims.
Norn9: Last Era is a fandisk that nicely expands on the narrative. Still, if you did not enjoy Norn9: Var Commons, then you’ll find it very hard to enjoy Last Era, and it becomes clear that the targeted audience for this title is clearly those who have already consumed Norn9 in some form of medium, be it the previous game or the anime. Some of the systems in the Western release also share the same issues, such as the awkward text lines, which diminish the experience a bit. Furthermore, half of the content that’s available just isn’t up to snuff when compared to other fandisk releases from Idea Factory.
Radiant Tale was an absolute treat to play. The fantasy elements that it introduced were properly utilized, and besides a few translation issues, it had a well-paced narrative that didn’t drag itself out and properly ties the knot on its main plot points. While the romance does take a bit of a backseat, all of its characters are unique and well-written, so if you were looking for a good otome game for this Summer, then why not watch as CIRCUS perform their number for you?
Charade Maniacs has so much potential, but the cast becomes bloated, and the conclusion comes way too early without any level of fanfare to cap off the routes. The narrative ends up tripping over itself as it tries to balance all the relationships, causing Sena to be more of an everchanging object for plot progression instead of her own character. The translation also comes across as questionable due to the inconsistencies within the cast. Sadly, the few memorable routes aren’t strong enough to carry enough the flimsy plot.
Story of Seasons: A Wonderful Life is a nostalgic fever dream for longtime fans of the series to experience a title that could be the foundation of some great gaming memories. However, over the years, this series has evolved, which makes this entry more of a novelty than a modern take on a classic title. The added quality-of-life systems and events make for a nice visit to Forgotten Valley, but as the town’s name suggests, this is one forgettable experience.
Jack Jeanne is an amazing otome experience that you won’t want to put down. Still, repetition within some of the systems hurt the pacing on multiple playthroughs, and the narrative is practically begging for a sequel. However, it managed to keep me engaged, with some routes being an absolute rollercoaster of emotions. Hopefully, we see Aksys take more chances on these lesser-known otome developers in the future.
Fitness Circuit is a charming game that might be limited in its promised effectiveness but delivers on presentation. By offering total flexibility towards a player’s personal goals, perhaps the only bottleneck is the lack of overall accuracy and how it is unable to properly track your training progress, but then again, it’s doing what it can without the need for yet another weird required accessory. Your legs and closet full of Ring Cons and Balance Boards will thank you.
Xenoblade Chronicles 3 Future Redeemed pulls from key narrative moments across the series and creates a magnificent narrative that ties up loose ends. It relies heavily on series knowledge, making it the perfect expansion for fans who have stuck with the series for so many years. The unique features allow it to differentiate itself from the base game, but the lack of party variety seems like an oversite. Still, this was a fantastic conclusion to this adventure, and it has me eager to experience the next chapter.
From its charming storybook aesthetic to the beautiful presentation, Bayonetta Origins: Cereza and the Lost Demon culminated into a phenomenal experience that anyone, be they a series veteran of the Bayonetta series, or someone who has never touched the games as I did, can enjoy to its fullest. Perhaps its only sin can be attributed to its brevity. Still, I strongly feel that in this case, we’re talking quality over quantity as you learn about Cereza’s past, making for a great entry point for those who are ever so slightly interested in the series, as well as a narrative that manages to patch some of the questions fans might have in regards to some characters of the trilogy.