Daemon X Machina: Titanic Scion soars past its predecessor with a greatly enhanced scope and scale, featuring a vast open world, robust customization, and polished combat that create an exhilarating action RPG. The narrative captivates with themes of rebellion and character growth, complemented by a stellar metal-techno soundtrack. Visuals can impress but suffer from resolution dips and pop-in. The Nintendo Switch 2 version shines in handheld mode yet falters while docked with more hitches and flickering. Overall, it’s a triumphant sequel that transforms a mediocre predecessor into a triumph, winning me over with its ambition and becoming one of 2025’s biggest surprises.
Story of Seasons: Grand Bazaar on the Nintendo Switch 2 starts slow, with confusing elements and underwhelming early events that might test patience, but it blossoms into a compelling experience. The quality-of-life features aren’t fully up to modern standards, but the game’s unique mechanics shine through. The rating system’s depth, the glider’s whimsical platforming, and especially the Bazaar’s addictive progression provide hooks that set it apart. Characters, while not the series’ pinnacle, grow endearing with solid storylines, and later festivals add the variety I initially craved. As a reimagining rather than a straight remake, it feels new and vibrant, ranking among the better Story of Seasons/Harvest Moon titles. It holds its own against competition, offering cozy escapism with innovative twists that reward investment. For genre fans, it’s absolutely worth the time; newcomers might appreciate its accessible charm once past the initial fog. Ultimately, Grand Bazaar delivers a bountiful harvest that, with a bit more fertilizer in polish and quality-of-life, could have been exceptional.
No Sleep for Kaname Date: From AI The Somnium Files is a delightful treat for fans, packed with the series’ signature wit, memorable characters, and great Somnium and escape room designs that shine on the Nintendo Switch 2. Rejoining Date, Iris, and Aiba feels like catching up with old friends, while newcomers like Hina and Akemi add fresh spark. The soundtrack, capped by a catchy final track, elevates every moment. Yet, the narrative lacks the depth and impact of mainline entries, feeling like a fun but fleeting side quest. Overly helpful hints sap the challenge from Somniums and puzzles, and the Switch 2’s cumbersome Mouse Mode frustrates. Newcomers will find the lack of onboarding daunting, while veterans might wish for a weightier tale. It’s a cozy detour that captures the series’ charm but falls short of greatness, making it a worthwhile but non-essential addition.
Fantasy Life i: The Girl Who Steals Time stands as an expansive evolution of Level-5’s brilliant formula, blending an array of differing gameplay systems into a captivating whole. Though not without flaws—a combat system and narrative that lack depth, a limited character creator, and interesting Life Masters that aren't utilized enough—these are mere blemishes on an otherwise radiant gem. On the Nintendo Switch 2, with enhanced visuals and a buttery 60fps, the game shines in handheld and TV modes. After 65 hours, with Treasure Groves and village projects still calling, Fantasy Life i proves its staying power. It’s a time-stealing triumph that balances nostalgia and innovation, making it a must-play for fans and newcomers alike.
After 50 hours, I’ve barely scratched the surface of the game’s vast content. While it doesn’t excel in every area, Guardians of Azuma delivers a cozy, immersive experience that’s easy to sink hours into. This is a must-play for fans of Rune Factory or cozy life sims, as it is a step in the right direction and needs a bit more cultivating to truly flourish.
Nova Drift is a love letter to classic space shooters, modernized with rogue-lite depth and near-infinite build variety. Its tight controls, diverse enemies, robust Gear and Mod systems, and dynamic Challenge Modes—especially the game-changing Wild Metamorphosis—keep you hooked. Although the classic feel can sometimes be its downfall in some instances, with no global leaderboard curbing long-term engagement. It’s a niche game, even for a rogue-lite, but a must-play for old school fans or even gamers looking for a rogue-lite that doesn't have many comparisons. It isn't visually or sonically flashy, and it can get a bit repetitive at times, but it's a great game that knows what it wants to be and delivers a fair yet challenging experience that rewards skill and strategic build crafting.
In the end, BLADECHIMERA stands as a testament to Team Ladybug’s evolution—a departure from their traditional Metroidvania roots that is satisfyingly unique. Sure, the early ease and lighter platforming might not fully satisfy hardcore genre purists, but it builds into an excellent experience with razor-sharp combat, pixel-perfect visuals, and a narrative that sneaks up on you with surprising depth. The neon-lit streets of its cyberpunk Osaka, drenched in Japanese occult lore, brings the experience to life, accompanied by an energetic soundtrack that encapsulates it further. Lux and Shin’s bond delightfully brings together your playthrough with rewarding gameplay and narrative beats. It’s a game that is great for a quick playthrough but further rewards you if you choose to dive deeper into its side content, leaving a lasting impression either way. For fans of the studio or anyone seeking a finely crafted action platformer, BLADECHIMERA wholeheartedly proves to be a worthy investment.