Trails in the Sky: 1st Chapter isn’t just a remake, it’s a celebration of everything that makes the Trails series special. It’s welcoming to newcomers, rewarding for longtime fans, and filled with heart at every turn. From its faithful storytelling to its refreshed visuals and cleverly modernized combat, this remake does exactly what it should: it preserves the magic of the original while making it shine brighter than ever. If you’ve ever looked at the Trails series and thought, “I don’t know where to start,” this is your answer.
Digimon Story: Time Stranger isn’t perfect. The side quests are forgettable, and the slow pacing early on might turn off some players. But once it hits its stride, it’s one of the best Digimon RPGs to date. The expanded roster, deep customization, and improved world design make it a joy to play, and the emotional story beats land harder than I expected.
I walked away impressed, but also wishing there was a little more meat on the bone. The Emerald Rush mode is a genuinely fun and creative twist that adds surprising depth and replayability. It’s addictive, fast paced, and fits the Donkey Kong vibe perfectly while also branching out into new gameplay territory. The roguelike elements don’t feel forced, they complement DK’s moveset and the series’ rhythm of discovery and reward.
Borderlands 4 isn’t just another sequel, it’s a reinvention. It honors the series’ roots as the original looter shooter while fixing its most glaring issues. The shift to an open-world structure, the rebalanced humor, the satisfying loot system, and the excellent side missions all combine into a game that feels both modern while still distinctly Borderlands.
Cronos: The New Dawn is a brutal, atmospheric, and cleverly designed survival horror game that proves Bloober Team isn’t just capable of remaking classics, they can create them, too. Its mix of oppressive atmosphere, grotesque enemy design, scarce resources, and smart puzzle integration hit all the right notes for fans of the genre. Yes, the checkpoint system is frustrating, and the difficulty curve can be punishing, but the satisfaction of overcoming its challenges makes the struggle worthwhile.
Discounty isn’t trying to reinvent the management sim genre, but it doesn’t need to. It knows exactly what it wants to be: a cozy, addictive, and surprisingly deep game about running your own small-town discount store. From the satisfying daily routines to the playful chaos of a busy day, from the charming townsfolk to the rewarding progression, it all comes together into a package that kept me grinning the whole way through.
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.