Solo Leveling: ARISE OVERDRIVE feels like an adaptation that fixates on power-fantasy action while discarding nearly everything that made the original compelling. Its has great audiovisuals, sure, but the gameplay quickly becomes an unrewarding and repetitive checklist.
The DX edition having every DLC and a handful of unique content, regardless of how lean they are, makes it an absolute steal for newcomers, though. Unfortunately, for those who’ve already played the base game and its expansions, the value proposition drops off rather sharply.
Despite the original Ryza 2 being a strict upgrade over its predecessor in almost every way, the new DX version delivers only minor overall improvements to the base game itself. In particular, the character reintroductions and accompanying story are rather disappointing compared to the added utility of the more controversial mascot character.
If you’re searching for a mobile game to enjoy with friends, Duet Night Abyss is absolutely worth your time. While it occasionally tempts you for a “donation” or two, its real demand lies in your time and dedication. Fortunately, that investment pays off handsomely thanks to its rich content, striking audiovisuals, and the remarkable freedom it gives players to express themselves.
I’ve played more Touhou fangames than I can count, and Marisa of Liartop Mountain still stands out as one of the best in years. Its runtime may be short and its navigation a little frustrating, but the stunning visuals, immersive voice work, evolving gameplay, and surprisingly deep themes make it unforgettable. If you’re already a Touhou fan, passing on this one would be a huge mistake.
Atelier Resleriana makes up for its uneven storytelling with surprisingly deep gameplay and strong audiovisuals. But it’s also clear the game cut a few corners to cram in so many returning protagonists, and that comes at the cost of building a new world that feels fresh. What you get instead is a story that leans heavily on nostalgia, which can feel flat if you’re not here for the reunion tour.
Deep Rock Galactic: Survivor is more than just another Vampire Survivors clone—it’s a faithful spin on the co-op classic that carries over its humor, class personality, and suffocating cave atmosphere. The lack of camaraderie stings, and the grind and balance issues get rough in the endgame, but the core loop of digging, shooting, and upgrading never stops being fun. For fans of either genre, it’s an easy recommendation.
Beneath the outdated visuals, busted audio, and mechanics that seem hellbent on ruining your day, there’s still a goofy, lovable game that shines when shared with friends. It’s messy, it’s flawed, but it’s also oddly charming, as long as you snag it on sale.
On the surface, VARLET seems like it could be one of FURYU’s stronger titles, with striking visuals and solid audio design. Unfortunately, its weak story and steep price drag down what might have otherwise been a decent game, leaving it as another disappointment in the company’s mixed lineup.
Clunky though its controls and feel may be, Neptunia Game Maker R:Evolution is a strong entry in a series famous for never taking itself—or anything, really—too seriously. It’s packed with tasteful fanservice, overblown hijinks, the occasional cringe, plenty of funny punchlines, and, of course, the gorgeous character designs the series is known for. Unfortunately, its mechanical shortcomings keep it from being a good starting point for newcomers to the franchise.
With its richly developed characters, Iwakura Aria is a slow-burning, character-driven visual novel that draws strength from its emotional subtlety and refined execution. Its painterly art style and measured pacing create an atmosphere that feels both intimate and deliberately crafted, in both narrative and presentation.
The Great Villainess: Strategy of Lily is an outstanding and absurd, yet equally self-aware story with a cast of wild yet surprisingly relatable characters. Despite messy pacing, its sharp writing, stellar Japanese voice acting, and bold style make it a memorable ride.
While anthologies often struggle with inconsistent quality and clashing writing styles, Depersonalization largely avoids this. Its story arcs remain surprisingly consistent, offering a thought-provoking—if occasionally painful—narrative experience.
Mecha BREAK has tons of potential, with fast-paced gameplay, stunning visuals, and diverse mecha classes—though a few systems feel clunky and the audio underdelivers. Its biggest drawback is aggressive, overpriced monetization, but thankfully, none of it is required to enjoy the core experience.
The Alters is a survival base-builder set against the backdrop of a hauntingly desolate planet, with gameplay that mirrors that atmosphere—deliberate, reflective, and occasionally a bit unpolished. It’s not without its flaws, having traded some base-building depth to prioritize its narrative, but the experience as a whole is still thoroughly rewarding. Best of all, it’s a fantastic deal considering its visual quality and strong potential for replayability.
Etheria: Restart delivers a strong PvP-focused experience with deep mechanics and smart character design, making it a serious contender in the turn-based genre. However, its weak story mode holds it back from reaching its full potential. More concerning is the preferential treatment of a special class of heroes, which could easily disrupt game balance if left unchecked.
Sea of Stars: Throes of the Watchmaker tries to improve on the base game’s weak protagonists with a stronger character focus, but unfortunately, it does so with brute force and ultimately falls short. At the very least, its combat remains highly engaging, and even if there are far too many puzzles now, the game’s aesthetics still carry it hard.
Labyrinth of the Demon King has its flaws, sure—but it’s got a certain charm that makes it hard to put down. Its combat system is fast and reflex-heavy, but while it’s definitely rewarding if you play it straight, it doesn’t take much to break once you know what you’re doing. Still, with its tight visuals, creepy enemies, and wonderfully distorted audio, it nails the retro horror vibe in all the right ways.
Despite a weak, clumsy prologue, Wuthering Waves quickly proves itself with a sharp, emotional story driven by an active, memorable protagonist. Its core combat remains intact but has deepened through inventive boss design and content suited for all skill levels. Combined with standout visuals, polished audio, and a low-pressure gacha system, it feels more like a complete, carefully crafted RPG than a typical mobile title.
Commandos: Origins offers gameplay that hits the mark for real-time tactics fans, but everything surrounding it feels like it’s stuck in the past. The visuals and audio are functional at best, with little flair, and the story is exactly what you'd expect—and nothing more. With its $49.99 price tag, it's hard not to feel like you're paying a bit too much for something this straightforward.