Joel Gralton
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.
Cyberpunk 2077: Ultimate Edition on Nintendo Switch 2 is nothing short of a triumph. Not just because it runs well, or looks good, or offers a complete package of content—but because it proves what’s possible.
Date Everything! is one of those rare games that sounds like a joke until it blindsides you with how good it actually is. It’s hilarious, heartfelt, and completely committed to its absurd premise. The writing is sharp, the voice acting is elite, and the emotional beats generally land. Sure, it makes you fall in love with a stapler. But it also makes you care about that stapler’s hopes, fears, and weird poetry about office politics.
Bravely Default: Flying Fairy HD Remastered is more than just a nostalgia trip—it’s a reminder of why this game stood out in the first place. The bold battle mechanics, deep customization, memorable characters, and stellar music all hold up, and the visual upgrade breathes new life into its world without messing with what made it great.
Sonic X Shadow Generations on the Switch 2 is a confident, satisfying package. It’s equal parts nostalgia and reinvention. The Sonic stages remind us why the series earned its legacy, while the Shadow content pushes it into darker, more exciting territory. Performance-wise, it finally runs the way it was meant to, and while there are definitely a few areas that could’ve used more polish—particularly the hub world and resolution in the Shadow portion—the overall experience is undeniably worth the ride. If you’re a longtime fan, this feels like the game Shadow always deserved.
If you’ve never played a Yakuza game, Yakuza 0 Director’s Cut is your perfect entry point. If you have played it, this version gives you the excuse—and the enhancements—to revisit it in the best way possible. Between the polished visuals, new content, flawless performance, and the added portability of the Switch 2, this is more than a re-release—it’s a celebration of what made Yakuza 0 great in the first place.
Despite its issues, Elden Ring: Nightreign is an exhilarating experiment. It’s not just more Elden Ring, and it’s not trying to be. It repurposes a world we already know and remixes it into something fast, chaotic, and strangely addicting. It trims the fat, strips away the lore-heavy open world, and drops you into a fight for survival that demands tight coordination, smart planning, and adaptability.