A.J. Maciejewski
My gaming chum and I had a blast working through the intricate puzzle-filled stages of Escape Academy and I'm sure you will, too.
It may be a simple and repetitive game but SUPER UFO FIGHTER is still a ton of fun to play with a chum for as long as it lasts.
Time on Frog Island could be considered one big puzzle to unravel and for that, it's pretty cool albeit somewhat tedious at times.
Dadish 3 continues the tight 2D platforming and hilarious antics of its predecessors so I highly recommend it for fans of silly retro games.
Capcom Arcade 2nd Stadium's more eclectic offering is excellent. With a familiar presentation, array of extras, and wealth of options; it's a fitting follow-up to last year's incredible collection of arcade treasures so if you enjoyed that then definitely play this, too.
As a fantastic representation of perhaps the most underrated series in platformer history, KLONOA Phantasy Reverie Series is a must for anyone with a soft spot for lighthearted yet tricky puzzle platforming fun. I hope this means KLONOA 3 will be a thing at some point!
The amount of fun to be had in Overrogue is impressive with card combat that's deeper than it initially appears and oodles of rewarding unlockables throughout. If you enjoy these kinds of roguelikes then you'll love adventuring with Sael and his quirky chums.
I'm glad that I waited for Zorro The Chronicles to get a patch before reviewing it but even without the abundance of bugs, it's still an overall underwhelming adventure. It does show promise, though, so I'd gladly play a sequel.
Obviously, if you enjoyed Cuphead and just want more of the same then getting The Delicious Last Course should be a no-brainer. That being said, I wish that it differentiated itself more from the main game considering it released nearly 5 years ago.
Sonic Origins does an excellent job with its presentation, bonus content, and modernizations of classic games. On the other hand, I wish more games were included even if they didn't get the royal treatment that the 4 titles here did.
Redout 2 is a racer that's hard to put down as it's very satisfying to master while you gradually memorize tracks and perfect your skills. However, with some unintuitive aspects and unforgivable load times, it can also kind of be a pain in the ass.
Neon White is the 2nd best indie I've played this year so far. With a brilliant combination of genres, you're sure to spend hours upon hours mastering stage after stage as you uncover more about its very strange cast of characters.
Pocky & Rocky Reshrined is definitely the best entry in the long-running albeit sporadic KiKi KaiKai series. It may have its shortcomings but the modernized gameplay and lovely presentation make it a must-have if you enjoy classic games that are off the beaten path.
Capcom Fighting Collection features a solid collection of games; particularly, when it comes to Darkstalkers. That's actually its main issue because it could use a lot more variety but considering the package is as fun and sleek as it is, I still recommend giving it a go.
Fire Emblem Warriors: Three Hopes blends the classic Musou formula with the strategic aspect of its namesake impressively well. Throw in a story that's more immersive than you'd expect and you're left with one great Warriors spin-off.
As a Pac-Man fan, I love Pac-Man Museum+ as it features a fantastic variety of fun-filled games while also including clever challenges and a virtual arcade that you can decorate however you wish. Now, all we need is a Pac-Man World compilation.
Although Horgihugh And Friends leaves a shoddy first impression, it eventually becomes quite a good shmup after sticking with it. Unfortunately, soon after it starts getting good, you'll run out of things to see and do. It's still very cute, though!
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder's Revenge is simply the best beat 'em up released in the modern age. With gameplay that appeals to newbies and veterans alike, stellar visuals, and super-fun co-op play, there's a lot to love.
I'm amazed at how well Autonauts' many elements come together to form a simulation experience that manages to be as satisfying as it is open-ended. Throw in an adorable presentation and a well-executed campaign and you're left with one great sim game.
When it comes to Metroidvanias, Lost Ruins presents a unique inventory-based formula that's packed with challenge and oodles of fun. If you enjoy the genre and want to play something off the beaten path, definitely give this indie gem a go.