Clair Obscur is a genuine standout RPG, driven by courage, sacrifice, and the powerful bonds formed in the midst of tragedy. It pushes you to confront loss and hope in equal measure, resonating long after the credits roll. This is a beautifully tragic expedition that demands your emotional investment, repaying it with a story and characters that will reward the time it takes to develop the skills of not taking any damage in combat. This may be a divisive game within the community due to its skill-based combat system and a few questionable choices with the direction of the story, but all I can tell you is that this is one tragedy you’re going to want to see through.
As a point-and-click escape room game, I had fun solving the various puzzles and navigating the scenarios, but the writing encourages a deeper analysis. While overly obtuse in some moments, I enjoyed how it brings its themes together. I’m unsure if someone will have the same experience I had, but I easily recommend this nightmare.
All in Abyss: Judge the Fake is a chaotic blend of anime visual novel, investigative gameplay, and Texas Hold 'Em card battles with a sinister death game twist. Though its storytelling can be uneven and some visuals divisive, it delivers a surprisingly addictive poker experience wrapped in eerie charm and high-stakes horror.
Blue Prince stands as a puzzle adventure that balances trust in the player’s intuition with just enough guidance to prevent total disarray. Every discovered shortcut, every triumphant puzzle solution, and every unexpected twist makes your journey through the mansion feel incredibly personal. Gliding through these rooms with a mixture of awe and trepidation is a testament to the developer’s confidence in both the design and the player’s curiosity. If you’re looking for a game that thrives on your imagination and resourcefulness, Blue Prince is bound to leave a lasting impression.
South of Midnight feels like a game that wanted to soar but never really left the ground. It’s undeniably gorgeous and hints at a level of creativity that, under better direction, could have led to an unforgettable adventure. However, between the undercooked combat, stilted platforming, and a meandering story that can’t decide on its central theme, it’s tough to recommend without a few asterisks. Hazel deserved more, and so did we. For now, South of Midnight remains a curiosity—worth a glance if you’re keen on its aesthetics or folk-infused premise, but ultimately lacking the cohesion it needs to shine.
Assassin’s Creed Shadows is a breathtaking evolution of the open-world formula, blending masterful storytelling, refined stealth mechanics, and stunning visuals. With a gripping dual-protagonist narrative and meticulously crafted historical setting, Ubisoft delivers one of the most immersive Assassin’s Creed experiences to date.
Split Fiction is a wildly imaginative co-op adventure that thrives on unpredictability. Hazelight Studios masterfully blends platforming, puzzles, and genre shifts into a thrilling yet sometimes overwhelming experience. While its narrative structure can feel disjointed, the inventive gameplay and forced collaboration make it a must-play for co-op fans.
Stories from Sol: The Gun-Dog masterfully blends retro-inspired visuals with modern storytelling, delivering a gripping sci-fi narrative filled with player-driven choices and Lovecraftian tension. With its richly developed protagonist, immersive exploration, and nostalgic ‘90s anime aesthetic, the game evokes the charm of classic PC-Engine adventures while tackling mature themes like PTSD and interplanetary warfare.
Urban Myth Dissolution Center is a gripping supernatural mystery that blends high school occult investigations with immersive storytelling. While its linear gameplay and repetitive mechanics hold it back slightly, its haunting atmosphere, well-developed characters, and compelling cases make it hard to put down for fans of detective and horror narratives.
Phantom Brave: The Lost Hero offers a refreshing take on the SRPG genre with its unique gridless combat and deep customization. While the slow pacing and complex systems may deter newcomers, fans of tactical games will revel in its rewarding gameplay and intricate strategies.
Final Fantasy VII Rebirth on PC elevates the already stellar experience with exceptional optimization, quality-of-life improvements, and expanded gameplay customization. Its immersive exploration, engaging combat, and stunning visuals make it a must-play for fans of JRPGs, whether newcomers or returning players.
Dynasty Warriors Origins breathes new life into the Musou franchise, blending a gripping narrative with refined combat mechanics and expansive exploration. While the game offers engaging storytelling and strategic depth, occasional pacing issues and repetitive side quests may deter newcomers.
Freedom Wars Remastered revitalizes the 2014 PS Vita cult classic, delivering an exciting blend of narrative depth, intense combat, and community-driven gameplay. While the menus and crafting system remain a challenge, the game's unique setting and gripping gameplay loop make it a rewarding experience for fans of the hunting genre.
Legacy of Kain Soul Reaver 1 - 2 Remastered brings together two classic action-adventure games, allowing modern gamers to experience Raziel's quest for revenge with updated visuals and refined systems. The remaster preserves the rich narrative, cinematic storytelling, and intricate lore that made the originals unforgettable, while adding accessibility features like highlighted interactable items and a map. While some cryptic gameplay elements and unchanged textures may challenge newcomers, this collection is a must-play for fans of narrative-driven adventures and a brilliant way to revisit Nosgoth.
Indiana Jones and the Great Circle captures the spirit of adventure with nostalgic puzzles, richly detailed environments, and thrilling set pieces. While it stumbles with lackluster AI and clunky item management, its charm and sense of discovery make it a rewarding journey for fans of the iconic archaeologist.
Maid Cafe on Electric Street is a charming slice-of-life cafe management sim that combines nostalgic pixel-art visuals, heartfelt storytelling, and otaku culture references into a relaxing experience. Players manage the Fuwa Fuwa Cafe, build relationships with quirky maids, and explore the vibrant town of Nipponbashi. While the management gameplay and quality-of-life features could use more depth, the engaging voice acting, rich world-building, and low-stakes atmosphere make it a delightful choice for fans of visual novels and cozy games.
Threshold delivers a tense and immersive experience with resource management, branching endings, and PS1-inspired graphics. Though some elements can feel overly ambiguous, the game’s smart design and dark atmosphere make it a must-play for fans of psychological mysteries and unique storytelling.
Rogue Flight is a bold take on the shmup genre, blending classic high-intensity space shooter gameplay with a narrative that raises the stakes for every mission. Players will pilot the Arrow, a powerful yet occasionally hard-to-control ship, through challenging stages that feature branching paths, customizable upgrades, and relentless enemy swarms. Though some boss encounters can be frustrating due to tight positioning and unclear weapon stats, the game’s anime-inspired visuals and deep replayability make each victory all the more rewarding.
Slitterhead exemplifies what an indie developer with ambitious ideas can achieve within limited means. Where one system falters, another aspect of the game steps up, maintaining a balance between innovation and feasibility. While more resources could have enhanced the combat and voice acting, Slitterhead ultimately succeeds as a character-driven horror game with a focus on storytelling and atmosphere. For fans of narrative-driven horror, Slitterhead is a captivating experience that breaks the mold.
Shadows of the Damned: Hella Remastered brings Suda51’s cult classic to new life with enhanced visuals, a darkly humorous narrative, and intense demon-slaying action. The remaster preserves the original’s unique style while adding some welcome refinements. Although the combat can be repetitive, the game’s atmospheric puzzles, challenging boss encounters, and compelling underworld setting make for an unforgettable journey through hell. Garcia Hotspur’s quest to rescue his girlfriend, Paula, pushes both him and players to their limits, and the result is a devilishly entertaining experience that fans of the genre will appreciate.