Towa and the Guardians of the Sacred Tree is an ambitious entry into the roguelite space. It blends mythological storytelling with sharp, dual-character combat and wraps it in a gorgeous, folklore-inspired art style. Its world feels alive, its characters are endearing, and its hub village offers satisfying progression that makes each run meaningful.
After spending time with Class of Heroes 3 Remastered, I’m glad it finally made its way west. It’s not a game I’d recommend to everyone, it’s too niche, too old-school, and too willing to let players flounder without guidance. But if you already love this style of dungeon crawler, or if you’re a fan of series like Etrian Odyssey, there’s a lot to dig into here. The customization is top-notch, the relationship system adds depth, and once the story picks up, it becomes surprisingly engaging.
If you’re into stylish action games, there’s enough here to keep you entertained, especially the boss fights. But it also feels underbaked, like a strong first attempt that needed more time and more experience behind it. I’ll be keeping an eye on what this team does next, because the potential is definitely there.
Metal Gear Solid Δ: Snake Eater is a safe remake, but it’s a successful one. It doesn’t reinvent the wheel or take bold creative risks, but it doesn’t need to. What it does is preserve one of the greatest stealth action games of all time, bring it up to modern visual standards, and make it accessible for a new generation.
Kirby and the Forgotten Land was already a milestone for the series, bringing the pink puffball into 3D with confidence and style. The Switch 2 edition, bundled with Star-Crossed World, doesn’t reinvent the wheel, but it does polish it to a shine and add some fun new spokes.
Mafia: The Old Country is exactly what this franchise needed, a return to its roots. By focusing on story, characters, and atmosphere, it delivers an experience that feels both refreshing and classic. The combat, stealth, and driving systems all work together to create a varied, engaging gameplay loop, and the visuals make it one of the most cinematic games I’ve played this year.
Playing Triangle Strategy on PS5 was like going back in time and rediscovering why I fell in love with this genre in the first place. It nails the essentials, deeply strategic combat, a story full of political intrigue, and a cast of characters worth caring about. But it also innovates, with the Scales of Conviction system and branching choices that make your journey feel like yours alone.
Despite its flaws, Shuten Order is another fascinating entry in Tookyo Games’ growing catalog. It’s ambitious, stylish, and full of ideas. Not every route lands perfectly, but the variety of gameplay and the strength of the writing carry it through. Rei’s story is one I’ll remember, both for the mystery of her death and for the striking way it was told.
Despite the technical hiccups, The Rogue Prince of Persia on PS5 is an absolute blast. It’s the kind of game that keeps you up late telling yourself “just one more run.” Evil Empire has managed to respect the legacy of Prince of Persia while injecting it with the adrenaline of modern roguelites. The wall running, the combat, the branching progression, it all clicks together in a way that feels fresh yet faithful.
Story of Seasons: Grand Bazaar on Nintendo Switch is a fascinating blend of old and new. It takes a lesser-known DS concept, rebuilds it with modern polish, and delivers a farming sim that feels distinct from its peers. The bazaar system is the star, transforming what’s usually the dullest part of the genre, selling crops, into a lively, interactive highlight of the week.
Iwakura Aria may not be Mages’ best visual novel, but it’s still a strong, memorable entry that showcases what the studio does so well. Compelling characters, painterly art, and a story that balances grounded emotion with larger mysteries. The quality of life features make it easy to explore multiple endings, the soundtrack and voice acting elevate the writing, and at 14 hours, it’s a digestible yet substantial experience.
Demon Slayer -Kimetsu no Yaiba- The Hinokami Chronicles 2 is a textbook example of a sequel that doesn’t reinvent the wheel but makes the ride smoother and more exciting. It builds on what worked in the first game, adds more content, gives fans more characters to play with, and delivers another round of high-energy, anime-faithful action. It’s not perfect, some side content is forgettable, combat depth is limited, and the decision not to fully integrate the first game’s story stings, but when you’re in the middle of a flashy fight, pulling off a perfectly timed tag-team ultimate, those complaints fade fast. If you’re a Demon Slayer fan, this is a no-brainer. If you’re just here for a casual, visually spectacular fighter with an anime twist, you’ll have plenty to enjoy. Just don’t expect it to completely replace the anime or the first game—it’s more of a companion piece than the definitive Demon Slayer experience.
Donkey Kong Bonanza isn’t just a return to form, it’s a new benchmark for 3D platformers. It captures the spirit of the Donkey Kong Country games I grew up loving, but reimagines it with modern design and freedom. It’s endlessly rewarding, visually gorgeous, packed with things to do, and bursting with charm. Whether you’re a longtime DK fan or someone new to the franchise, this is an absolute must-play. It’s also one of the best reasons yet to own a Nintendo Switch 2. This is the kind of first-party title that justifies the hardware, it’s ambitious, creative, and full of surprises. It’s a game that feels handcrafted for all ages, where every player will find something to love.
Shadow Labyrinth is weird, bold, and incredibly compelling. It takes one of gaming’s most iconic franchises and reimagines it into something brooding, mysterious, and challenging — and somehow, it works. The moment-to-moment gameplay is satisfying, the world design is smart, and the mix of lore, mechanics, and visual storytelling is impressive.
In the end, Wuchang: Fallen Feathers surprised me in the best way. It wears its influences proudly, but it’s not just following the leader. It brings its own flavor to the genre, both mechanically and thematically, and offers a journey that’s brutal, mysterious, and rewarding. Yes, it stumbles a bit in terms of pacing and balance, and the storytelling doesn’t quite hit FromSoftware’s heights. But when it comes to combat depth, build variety, and sheer style, Wuchang absolutely delivers. If you’re a fan of Souls-likes and you’re looking for something familiar but fresh, Wuchang is worth your time. Just be ready to die. A lot.
Death Stranding 2: On the Beach is an uncompromising, creative triumph. It doesn’t care about trends. It doesn’t follow what’s popular. It dares to be strange, thoughtful, and different. In an industry obsessed with franchises and replicating proven game mechanics, this game feels like a gift, a creative’s vision executed at the highest level. It’s still not for everyone. It never wanted to be. But if you’re someone who values originality, emotion, and design that challenges the norm, there’s nothing else like it.
It may not be a giant leap forward for the Somnium Files franchise, but it doesn’t need to be. This game knows what it is: a character-focused detour that fills in the blanks between major events and gives fans more time with characters they’ve come to love. Its lighter tone, varied gameplay, and sharp writing make it a highly enjoyable experience for existing fans—though perhaps not the ideal starting point for newcomers.
Nintendo Switch Welcome Tour is an interesting, well-polished introduction to the Switch 2’s capabilities. It’s got charm, it’s got cool ideas, and some of the tech demos genuinely impressed me. But the experience is uneven. Between the padding, locked content, and awkward quizzes, the fun often gets buried under a pile of system-showcase obligations. And that price tag? Still hard to justify.
Despite its flaws, Hogwarts Legacy on the Nintendo Switch 2 is an incredible experience. It’s the definitive way to play the game on a handheld device and a must-have launch title for the new console. The technical upgrades, the seamless exploration, the richly detailed world—it all comes together to finally deliver the Harry Potter game fans have been dreaming about for decades.
Raidou Remastered: The Mystery of the Soulless Army is a fascinating, stylish, and refreshingly different take on the Shin Megami Tensei formula. For newcomers like me who missed the original, this remaster is a gift. For returning fans, the updated combat, added content, and modern polish make it worth diving into all over again.