Enotria: The Last Song managed, in large part, to put a breath of fresh air into the Souls-like formula, thanks in no small part to its vibrant world, unique lore, and deep customization options. While not quite hitting the heights reached by titles like Elden Ring or Lies of P, it brings enough new ideas to the table to make it worth playing, especially for fans of Italian folklore or something different.
While NanoApostle might not be a must-play for everyone, it deserves at least a solid recommendation for players who want a succinct, soulslike package; its short runtime is full of challenging and rewarding boss fights. Plus, I think it would be a great game to take around on the Steam Deck or Nintendo Switch. If the urge hits for a streamlined, no-frills action game, NanoApostle is worth checking out because it is a fantastic boss rush title.
Ace Attorney Investigations Collection offers very visible and useful upgrades that make the game incredibly accessible while also offering the second game to Western audiences. The two games have their nooks and crannies that make them, [particularly the first one] suffer from many issues, and the game, while very much repayable now, is still very repetitive in its gameplay.
ASTRO BOT is a real treasure that captures the heart and soul of what makes a platformer great. With expertly crafted levels, inventive mechanics, and delightful nods to PlayStation history, it’s hard not to fall in love with every moment.
Visions of Mana does a brilliant job of rebooting the classic series for the modern age. Just enough nostalgia, innovating on previous systems with real-time battle mechanics to appeal to those who find turn-based systems a tad too dull. With a story full of sacrifice and duty, it provides an interesting backdrop to the action. While the pacing is a tad off at times and the voice acting is a little contentious, this game shines in its combat, customization, and presentation.
Bloodless provides an engaging experience with challenging and fun combat, a badass elderly protagonist, an interesting premise that I enjoyed where her determination to keep a vow is at odds with all the violence around her, and some interesting and eccentric characters who provide a bit of comic relief to the otherwise tense atmosphere.
Emio – The Smiling Man: Famicom Detective Club is a classic visual novel that hooks you right in from the beginning and comes from a very unlikely developer. Despite this, the game fits on the Nintendo Switch. With the modernized art, better pacing, more engaging characters, and fully voiced dialogue, Emio – The Smiling Man: Famicom Detective Club is easily the best entry in the series.
Star Wars Outlaws does have its strengths, though—the worlds in this game can sing. You can feel like there is life that is living and breathing in the world—the snowfall of Kijimi, the rain of Akiva; there are strong environments at times that made me feel like I was in the Star Wars universe. It's a game that made big promises, but unfortunately, it is one of the many AAA games that failed to deliver on them. The restrictive gameplay, subpar story, and uncanny valley facial animations make the game hard to recommend at full price.
Concord is a decent 5v5 hero shooter but does not offer enough to stand out from the mature competition. This game really needed some sort of hype, X-factor, for it to even catch the eyes of gamers. The aesthetic is impressive, but the character designs are nothing to write home about. The gunplay has some potential, but the move speed is too slow, and you simply have too much HP. I don't have high hopes for this game's longevity.
FromSoftware cooked up one of the best combat systems with Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice and never did anything like it again. That may be a good thing, as it makes this game one of a kind. If you are a fan of Souls games or a borderline masochist, you will, without a doubt, love Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice because it is a masterpiece. It is a must-play for all hardcore gamers.
If you're a fan of roguelike deckbuilding games and enjoy a challenge, Knock on the Coffin Lid offers plenty of depth and replayability. Just be prepared for some rough edges. You might want to temper your expectations if you value narrative depth as much as gameplay. The game shines brightest when you're fully engaged in its strategic combat and experimentation, but it's not without its frustrations. Ultimately, it's a game worth playing if you're willing to push through the challenges and have a bit of patience.
Phantom Spark is a wonderfully easy-to-pick-up racing game that draws inspiration from classics like F-Zero and Wipeout and takes you on an entrancing journey of self-improvement. The racetracks are varied and offer a welcoming difficulty curve. The game offers a lot of room for error for newbies, but there is much more room for perfecting each track while getting lost in the soundtrack. The addictive gameplay loop comes from trying to beat your own ghost. Phantom Spark is a great little racing game that is definitely worth a try as long as you are okay with retrying a lot.
In the landscape of remakes and remasters, Kunitsu-Gami: Path of the Goddess is a gorgeous experimental title that blends action and tower defense perfectly into a package that pays homage to traditional Japanese culture with its combat and presentation based on Kagura and Bunraku, made by Capcom. Play this game if you appreciate works of art and Japanese culture.
The game’s success hinges on whether the humor tickles your funny bone, so you’ll probably either be rolling on the floor laughing or scratching your head in confusion. It’s rare for a game to make me belly laugh, so I can safely say the humor struck a chord with me. I strongly recommend you check Thank Goodness You’re Here!, especially if you’re British!
Nobody Wants to Die is an excellent walking simulator that, all things considered, is checking out. After the release of Still Wakes The Deep, this is yet another narrative-heavy game that you should check out if you're a fan of detective stories, dystopian futures, or simply appreciate well-crafted storytelling.
Flintlock: The Siege of Dawn is an ambitious blend of gunpowder and mythical elements set in a world where gods and undead armies threaten humanity. While the game introduces intriguing concepts and features a well-designed companion in Enki, it ultimately falls short due to disjointed combat mechanics, inconsistent dialogue, and frustrating level design.
Bo: Path of the Teal Lotus is a beautifully crafted Metroidvania with hand-drawn animation that pops with its vibrant colors, based heavily on Japanese folklore and culture. The game has a distinct focus on platforming which sets it apart from other games in the genre, and it brings good vibes with the carefree NPCs and sidequests.
Despite its flaws, like performance issues, problematic AI, and a clunky tutorial system, the game shows promise. The developers are clearly passionate about motorsports, and with some updates and fine-tuning, Hot Lap Racing could become a top-tier racing title on the Switch and it is a respectable title created by an indie game studio. For dedicated racing fans, it's worth checking out, but be ready for some bumps along the way.
Bloodborne is a masterpiece even in 2024. The fast-paced, deep combat mechanics, varied weapons, brutal lore, and grandiose orchestral music make it such a fine package. Bloodborne should not be overlooked because of its age. As far as FromSoftware’s titles go, I think this is their finest work, and it goes hand in hand with Elden Ring as one of the best introductions to the Souls genre.
Anger Foot is a crazy, high-adrenaline First-Person Shooter that will suck you in for hours until you have finished the game. While it does not do anything revolutionary for the genre, it does what it does very well. I’m totally here for the addictive gameplay loop, the world that doesn’t take itself seriously, and that soundtrack that I can’t seem to get enough of. I highly recommend this game to anyone who appreciates high octane, toe-curling action, and satirical humor in their video games.