If there’s one word that perfectly describes Split Fiction, it’s “fun.” The levels are amazing, the story is entertaining enough, and there’s no shortage of joy in exploring with friends what is essentially a virtual playground. It’s such a blast that I can’t help but hope Split Fiction, fingers crossed, will follow in the footsteps of its predecessor, It TakesTwo, and rake in the same well-deserved accolades.
I summon Pot of Mid to draw 14 mediocre games from Konami’s Yu-Gi-Oh! library! Sure, it’s fun to revisit some of these classic titles, even if some of them don’t quite live up to the hype. Maybe next time Konami will summon a more exciting lineup, but for now, we’re left with a handful of cards that, while decent, don’t offer much beyond a trip down memory lane.
Stories from Sol: The Gun-Dog channels the charm of the PC-98 era, not just in its appearance, but also in its spirit. It may be a brief experience, but don’t let that fool you—this Gun-Dog has plenty of bite. With echoes of classic mecha anime and space-age adventures, this game shoots for the stars and hits its mark.
Trails Through Daybreak 2 had all the right ingredients—engaging combat, deep customization, and a gorgeous presentation—but somewhere along the way, it forgot to justify its own existence. What should have been a meaningful continuation of the story instead felt like a low-stakes detour, lacking the weight and player agency needed to make its twists truly land. I wanted to believe in it, to see past the early criticisms, but in the end, it only proved them right.
Rift of the NecroDancer is a rhythm game that just refuses to play by the genre's rules. It constantly keeps you on your toes while giving you just enough room to revel in the thrill of every successful combo. Before you know it, you'll find yourself hitting replay before the song even ends—because of both its infectious soundtrack and the sheer challenge it presents.
After years of mere cameos and remasters, Phantom Brave: The Lost Hero finally gives the series the attention it deserves: a true sequel that expands on its mechanics. It takes the series into new waters with a brighter tone and streamlined storytelling, but in doing so, it drifts away from the emotional depth that made its predecessor so resonant. Yet, the very fact that this sequel exists signals something greater for the series—if this is just the beginning, then the future of Phantom Brave is brighter than ever.
Tales of Graces f Remastered proves that the “power of friendship” can still hit home when done right. While it may stumble with its well-worn plot, its characters and their interactions elevate the experience beyond typical JRPG tropes. Combine this with a combat that’s deeply satisfying and quality-of-life features that breathe new life into each playthrough, and you’ve got a remaster that’s genuinely enjoyable in its own right.
Freedom Wars Remastered is a faithful but imperfect revival of a cult classic PlayStation Vita game. While it retains the compelling dystopian premise and addictive combat that made the original standout back in 2014, it also carries over some of its shortcomings. The narrative brims with potential, yet falls short in its execution. The visual design is imaginative, but can’t break free of its Vita-era origins. For returning fans, it’s a nostalgic trip worth taking, with the same-old addictive gameplay and just enough improvements to feel fresh. For newcomers, it’s a more challenging sell; its dated structure and design may not resonate with players as strongly today. But in spite of its flaws, Freedom Wars Remastered is a welcome effort to keep its unique world alive, and it leaves hope for a future that will fully realize the potential of its setting.
Hironobu Sakaguchi is far from closing the book on his odyssey as a game developer, and I, for one, am grateful for it. FANTASIAN Neo Dimension feels like a love letter to the golden age of turn-based storytelling—a game steeped in nostalgia, yet audacious enough to try something fresh. Despite the echoes of its mobile origins, its charming characters and challenging gameplay deliver an experience as imperfectly wonderful as the heroes it portrays. It’s not Final Fantasy in name, but it might as well be in spirit, and playing it feels like rekindling a long-lost friendship.