Jenni Lada
The poker roguelike. Balatro is a hypnotically satisfying deckbuilder where you play illegal poker hands, discover game-changing jokers, and trigger adrenaline-pumping, outrageous combos. Switch version reviewed. Everything comes together beautifully and seamlessly in Balatro, and it is now one of my favorite deck-building games ever.
Piczle Cross: Story of Seasons is a nonogram puzzle game spin-off inspired by the series and, while not elaborate, is fine for fans.
Bandle Tale isn't for everyone, due to the grind and time it demands, but those who "get" it will have a great time reuniting the Yordle community.
It may only be February, but I'm confident Final Fantasy VII Rebirth is going to be 2024's Game of the Year.
The idea of choosing between your personal and professional life in Sympathy Kiss is interesting, but there are elements that remind me of mobile otome games.
GUNVOLT RECORDS: Cychronicle feels like a budget title that samples a handful of notable Gunvolt series tracks, but I wish there was more to it.
Mario vs Donkey Kong is totally fine on the Switch, with levels and modes for players of all difficulty levels.
While I miss the female protagonist and the dungeon-crawling element may feel a bit dated, Persona 3 Reload is a joy to play and offers everything I could want from it.
Lil Guardsman absolutely surprised me with its detail, depth, humor, and heart.
While the puzzles are a bit easy, Another Code: Recollection is a well-executed remake and it's great to see both games worldwide.
Metro Quester is one of the most unique KEMCO RPGs I've played, and it really challenges people to put together a party and survive.
Koumajou Remilia Ⅱ: Stranger's Requiem is one of the better Touhou fan games and looks great, but it's a very basic Castlevania-like.
While the Iron's Hot is an interesting take on a blacksmith simulator, but it feels like the game can be a tedious chore sometimes.
Asgard's Wrath 2 feels like the Super Mario Bros / Duck Hunt of Quest VR games, due to its range, and way it invites people to play.
A Highland Song, though occasionally a little frustrating, invites you to learn more about its heroine, her uncle, and the hills.
Lego Bricktales feels more at home in VR on the Meta Quest 3 than on other platforms, and it's really like building sets in your room.
Assassin's Creed Nexus VR feels like a solid VR experience with lots of accessibility options to make any player feel comfortable.
Backpack Hero features a novel premise that makes constantly collecting items and arranging them endlessly exciting.
Spirittea offers the same sort of satisfaction in experiencing daily chores as games like Stardew Valley and Story of Seasons.
In Stars and Time takes a unique approach to a time loop, with some QOL features to make the repetition more manageable.