Leftovers KO! showcases some very fun art of foodstuffs dealing with a fierce blow. It's a fine little time-killer, but otherwise doesn't have much going for it to make it stand out from the crowd of other novelty fighting games.
Techno Banter manages to balance surreal twists and turns through a gritty nightlife scene with characters that feel grounded and believable. The story is concise and well written, set against a finely constructed backdrop of trippy art, a thumping soundtrack, and quick wit.
KinnikuNeko: Super Muscle Cat is obviously designed to be silly, but manages to balance its sometimes juvenile humour with broadly solid platformer mechanics.
The Stone of Madness has all the elements required for a fantastic stealth puzzle game – a gorgeous settng, an intriguing story, vibrant characters – but is sadly let down by bugs that cause it crash consistently in one place, leaving the otherwise absorbing story incomplete.
Cuisineer combines restaurant management and dungeon crawling to create a simple but absorbing game. It is cute and relaxing in a way that makes it easy to unwind while still working towards goals that are satisfying to achieve.
Potionomics: Masterwork Edition is a charming and absorbing game that blends the day to day management of a growing business with a cute fantasy world populated by a community of wholesome and interesting characters.
While Slay the Princess – The Pristine Cut is not a particularly long or complex game, it utilises everything in its arsenal incredibly well. It is packed with finely designed details which build into a wonderfully compelling game that makes excellent use of its tortuous pathways to make you feel as if your choices make a genuine impact.
Neva is a stunningly beautiful game, with jaw-dropping artwork, a heartbreaking yet hopeful narrative, and incredibly creepy enemies that are very satisfying to destroy.
Bloomtown: A Different Story follows a number of familiar beats to fans of turn-based combat, monster taming, and wholesome community RPGs. It cleverly weaves the contrasting elements together into a game that feels rich and original, with a storyline that doesn't shy away from the dark or solemn.
Loddlenauts is one of those satisfying games that balances a clear and important message with fun gameplay and a population of adorable creatures that it is all too easy to become deeply attached to.
WitchSpring R is a cute, wholesome RPG driven by a rich, revolutionary plot, packed with challenging combat and a fun fantasy world filled with secrets to uncover.
Farewell North is a beautiful game in every way, exploring a rich and emotional story that draws you deep into the lives of its characters, woven throughout a stunning recreation of some of Scotland's most incredible natural scenery.
Elrentaros Wanderings is a well-crafted, well-designed game that is cleverly paced and set in an adorable fantasy world with great animation and movement. The combat is simple and the missions not particularly challenging, but even the elements that could be more fully realized don't take away from the overall enjoyment of the game.
Reigns: Beyond is a cute, quirky adventure with excellently designed art, music, and storytelling delivered in a simple yet engaging format that works better on the Switch than most other mobile-friendly games.
Rose and Camellia Collection offers a glimpse into an intriguing yet tragically under-developed world that has moments of great humour, but teases a much better game than it is. It is brief, inconsistent, and relies on its one unique (and undeniably fun) mechanic far too much to feel complete.
One Last Breath is an ambitious game set in an artfully creepy world, with some great ideas in its foundation that unfortunately don't shine through as well as they could in its mechanics or storytelling.
As poignant and important as its predecessor, Not Tonight 2 utilises its addictive gameplay and rich storytelling to tackle some of contemporary America's most divisive issues in a way that manages to stay fun and humorous.
Tamarak Trail follows a lot of the familiar beats of a deck-building roguelike, with enough character and unique twists to make a worthy addition to the genre. Its soundtrack and art style shine, with a world that is ripe for deeper exploration.
A very worthy addition to the Demagog repertoire, Highwater builds on the gorgeous and provocative world of the studio's other games with a story-driven escape from a flooded planet. It is a sharp critique of late stage capitalism, but it populates the devastated world with a touching story, wholesome characters, and surprisingly engaging combat.
Lil Guardsman is a delightful game that draws you into the complex and nuanced story of a well-constructed fantasy world and explores its political turmoil. The characters and dialogue are wonderfully written, with a great sense of humor and clear indication that your choices, no matter how small, make an impact.