Allisandra Reyes
Tormented Souls 2 is the perfect survival horror return to classic form—unflinching, tense, and unapologetically old-school. It captures what made early horror games great with its resource management, oppressive atmosphere, and puzzles that make your brain ache in the best way possible. It’s not flawless but it’s a rare case where its imperfections feel like part of the charm.
Were it not burdened by the legacy of its predecessor nor limited by its thin RPG systems, Bloodlines 2 would shine as a strong, story-driven action experience set in the haunting world of Seattle’s undead. It’s stylish, immersive, and confident in its own dark identity—flawed, yes, but captivating all the same.
Keeper is a gentle, contemplative journey that may start slow but soon unfolds into something deeply moving. It’s a game that embraces simplicity, weaving emotion through its world, puzzles, and breathtaking artistry. While a few aspects could shine brighter, what it delivers is far more lasting: a meditative experience that rewards curiosity, reflection, and heart. It’s a strange, beautiful adventure about connection and metamorphosis.
Little Nightmares 3 is a beautifully haunting continuation that captures the series’ unsettling charm but hesitates to evolve. Its atmosphere, art direction, and emotional weight are undeniable, pulling you once again into a world of quiet dread and fragile hope. While the new mechanics add layers of cooperation and tension, they’re often underused. Beyond that, several missed opportunities—like local co-op—keep the game from stepping into greatness.
Yooka-Replaylee finally feels like the game it was always meant to be—an expansive, polished platformer that celebrates the genre’s golden days. Its worlds are denser, its controls tighter, and its charm undeniable, making it a joy for both newcomers and longtime fans. But despite its many improvements, a lightweight story, overwhelming collectibles, and a handful of dated quirks keep it from true greatness. What we’re left with is a game that shines brightly, even if it never quite reaches the top of the platforming mountain.
Silent Hill f is a bold step forward for the franchise, blending its trademark psychological horror with inventive gameplay systems that push survival horror into new territory. The story grips you, the visuals unsettle you, and the music seeps into your bones. While forced combat encounters and a few glitches keep it from perfection, its depth, multiple endings, and replay value make it an unforgettable experience.
Towa and the Guardians of the Sacred Tree is a good roguelite that brushes against greatness but doesn’t quite get there. Its imaginative premise, progression systems, and guardian dynamics give it a unique identity, while inconsistent mechanics and uneven storytelling hold it back. It’s enjoyable, satisfying in bursts, and worth the price for roguelite fans who want something fresh. Just don’t expect it to reach the heights of the genre’s best.
No, I’m Not Human thrives on atmosphere, weaving paranoia and dread into every knock at the door, and its shuffled characters and multiple endings give it strong replay value. It’s not a game of polished mechanics—its testing restrictions are frustrating and its bugs are noticeable—but for $14.99 it delivers a tense horror experience that sticks with you.
Star Wars Outlaws on Switch 2 offers the full scoundrel package but it’s undeniably a step down from other platforms. Visuals take a hit, performance is capped, and smaller frustrations like restrictive saves feel more pronounced here. Still, the heart of the game remains intact: tense stealth, shootouts, dogfights, and the bond between Kay and Nix. If you have access to PC, PlayStation, or Xbox, those versions deliver a sharper and smoother experience. But for players limited to the Switch 2, this port is a serviceable—if not definitive—way to live out your outlaw dreams.
The Order of Giants expands Indy’s world in The Great Circle with care, offering strong storytelling, atmospheric design, and a polished gameplay loop. Yet uneven combat balance, weaker puzzles, and a slightly constrained setting keep it from perfection. What it does well, it does with confidence, and it makes this DLC a worthy addition that proves great expansions don’t need to reinvent the wheel to succeed.
Cronos: The New Dawn is a striking survival horror experience that excels in atmosphere, storytelling, and exploration, immersing players in a bleak yet captivating world. While combat pacing and resource frustration prevent it from reaching absolute greatness, its strengths far outweigh its flaws.
Kirby and the Forgotten Land + Star-Crossed World is familiar, cozy, and just a little shinier than before. The upgrade smooths out performance, makes those transformations pop, and wraps everything in an extra layer of polish with a bonus adventure that’s light but worth a spin. It’s not rewriting the Kirby playbook or flexing the Switch 2’s muscles in a big way, but honestly? It doesn’t need to. For anyone chasing colorful worlds, hidden goodies, and that classic Kirby charm, this is still one of the pink puffball’s best adventures.
Mafia: The Old Country isn’t the longest, flashiest, or most replayable game—but what it offers is clarity. This is a lean, linear mob drams focused on story, atmosphere, and character. It knows exactly what it wants to be, and it doesn’t waste your time getting there. If you’re after a grounded narrative with a clear creative vision, The Old Country delivers something memorable.
Death Relives is the kind of game that makes you question your life choices because of the slow drain of wasted time. Its ambition is buried under poor execution, lifeless AI integration, and half-formed mechanics. Even its better ideas, like the puzzles, are let down by clunky design. There’s simply nothing here worth your time, money, or patience.
Abiotic Factor stands out in the survival crafting genre by fusing humor, tension, and sci-fi absurdity into a deeply replayable experience. It’s clever, strange, and thoroughly satisfying, but not without its rough edges. Several mechanics are left entirely unexplained, and playing solo can feel overwhelming without companions to share the burden. Yet despite its flaws, it’s an experience that thrives on discovery, rewarding those who approach it with curiosity and a willingness to experiment.
Luto is a masterclass in psychological horror atmosphe—rerefined, personal, and haunting. It lingers not through terror, but through tension. However, immersion falters at times due to rough edges like placeholder text, untranslated lines, and puzzles that verge on the inscrutable. It's a powerful experience, just shy of perfection.
Wild Hearts S is the Switch 2 version of the original and is a solid monster-hunting game with a strong identity, thanks to its Karakuri building system. But a shaky camera, finicky combat, and a paper-thin story weigh it down. As a port, it brings little new to the table—so unless you’re a first-time player or a handheld-focused hunter, it’s hard to recommend a second purchase.
The Wandering Village marries survival and city-building atop a living creature with charm and originality, but genre quirks, flat storytelling, and a few design snags keep it from soaring. It’s a thoughtful, well-crafted game—just one that asks you to overlook some rough edges.
Eriksholm is a quiet, deliberate journey. One that grips not through spectacle, but through emotional weight and precision. Its dedication to methodical stealth, evocative storytelling, and meticulous visual design creates an experience that feels both intimate in scale and grand in intent. Yet, its unforgiving structure and limited room for experimentation may leave some players behind. What it offers is polished and poignant, but not universally inviting.
Nice Day for Fishing is a game with a charmingly absurd premise, surprisingly fun fishing-based combat, and a world that feels handcrafted for laughs and lighthearted discovery. But while the first impression is strong, the pacing falters. Progression can feel like a slow trudge, with repetitive quests and a late-arriving fast travel system that adds unnecessary friction. It’s delightful in bursts, but not consistently engaging throughout.