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.
With its immersive visuals, fantastic audio, and surprisingly low price, AI LIMIT is an easy recommendation despite a few rough spots. It throws you into a bleak, tragic world where the struggles of its inhabitants take center stage long before your own story unfolds. Its stamina-free combat adds a fresh twist to the souls-like formula, though some mechanics—stealth in particular—could use serious improvement.
Atelier Yumia doesn’t really take big risks, but it still manages to keep things fun. The combat’s a solid step up from past games, and gathering isn’t nearly as much of a chore anymore—though you’ll still manage to trip over the tiniest rock now and then. It looks great (sometimes too great for its own good if your PC isn’t ready), and the soundtrack’s an easy win. Sure, the $70 price tag might sting a little, but with how much content there is and the replay value, it’s not a bad deal. Just be ready for some of the dialogue to get a little in-your-face at times.
Ender Magnolia: Bloom in the Mist proudly carries its predecessor’s legacy into a new era of metroidvania, with enhanced gameplay, improved audiovisuals, and refined storytelling. It’s a near-perfect action platformer that captivates with its immersive world and engrossing tale.
Visual novels often rely purely on audio and narration to draw their readers into the game. S4U: CITYPUNK 2011 AND LOVE PUNCH, however, borrows from text-driven typing games to create a physically immersive experience. Its mechanics blur the lines between you and the game, letting you fully appreciate its story and audiovisuals despite the separation between you and the protagonist.
Strinova is a truly excellent shooter with innovative mechanics like stringification and diverse character designs, delivering a fresh and tactical experience. While its visuals and audio are top-notch, the game is held back slightly by its limited content and gameplay variety, reflective of its early stage. Generous monetization policies and free-to-play accessibility make it a standout value for players.
S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl nails it with a gripping story, breathtaking visuals, and gameplay that keeps you thinking at every step—because if you don’t, you'll likely just keel over and die. Sure, it turns into a walking simulator now and then, but with audio so good it feels like the mutants are auditioning for your nightmares, who cares? At $59.99, it’s practically a steal.
Empire of the Ants offers a surprisingly fun and visually stunning journey into the daily struggles of an ant colony, from gathering resources to battling rival insects. While the story is simple, it fits the game’s purpose, and the gameplay takes creative liberties to keep things engaging, even if movement can be a bit frustrating. The visuals are breathtaking, immersing players in a larger-than-life world, while the audio adds an immersive (if sometimes repetitive) layer to the experience.
AWAKEN - Astral Blade is an excellent metroidvania that will surely turn heads upon its release. Not only does it look great, but it also plays incredibly well and has a very engaging story to boot. It’s the kind of game that’s hard to drop once you start playing, as it maintains its captivating pace consistently, leaving only very few moments to rest at very opportune moments.
Card-en-Ciel is a roguelite deckbuilder that teeters on the edge of feeling more like a rhythm game. Its audiovisuals are so peppy and animated that it’s hard to associate them with the dark tones roguelikes and roguelites usually embrace. In fact, the audio is so well-developed that there are 300 unique cards with voices that can interact with each other, as well as 50 distinct, mechanically important songs! Unfortunately, the story delivery leaves a lot to be desired, and the game can become repetitive rather quickly. It’s also rather expensive for what it offers.
Aside from decent audiovisuals, finding words beyond “average” to describe this game is almost as tough as 1cc’ing Perfect Cherry Blossom’s Phantasm stage—and trust me, I’ve done that. It’s no longer a roguelike or even a roguelite anymore, either. In many ways, it’s a direct downgrade from its predecessors, which were much better games with a lot more heart.
Diablo 4’s first major expansion, Vessel of Hatred, aims to breathe new life into the series’ latest installment. It’s packed with content, but… that’s really all there is to it. Essentially, it’s just more of the same Diablo 4, with a few tweaks arriving a couple of seasons too late. When you consider it as a DLC and weigh it against its $40 price tag, especially given that the base game already costs $70 and includes microtransactions, Vessel of Hatred falls short of providing enough value to justify its overly saturated monetization model.