A.J. Maciejewski
Its beginning hours may not be exciting but once things start to open up, The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance Tactics becomes a fantastic SRPG that allows for a great deal of party customization and offers plenty of varied battle scenarios.
It may be my inner-hipster talking but I found Mosaic to be a phenomenal anti-game. Even though it's a tough pill to swallow, the journey within is full of stunning visuals and some of the best audio production that I've ever heard in a game.
Aviary Attorney is a funny and distinctly stylish game yet it owes Phoenix Wright a bit too much in residual cheques.
Snuffing out dragons as you run and jump through trippy over-the-top stages makes for one mind-blowing journey.
Although it features a lovely presentation and goofy humour, Skellboy's gameplay could use a lot more fine-tuning.
If you're looking for an impressively challenging Metroidvania then Bookbound Brigade is a game that you'll definitely want to play.
As far as atmospheric 2D puzzle-solving adventure games go, 7th Sector offers a mostly middle-of-the-road experience.
Even though it features nifty puzzles and a strikingly unique narrative, EQQO is held back in this non-VR console release.
Even though there are plenty of online multiplayer games out there, Hypercharge Unboxed is a solid enough offering to be worth playing. The fact that you play as toys is something that the whole family can enjoy, too.
Playing Sky Rogue is like going back in time to an era when trying your best to get as far as you can was all that mattered.
It's definitely a solid twin-stick shooter but after a while, It came from space and ate our brains becomes so monotonous that you'll eventually feel like something came from space and ate your brain. Well, they got me there, I guess.
It may be a few years old but SpeedRunners holds up fantastically and it's a must-play for any local multiplayer enthusiast.
Patapon 2 is an often overlooked classic that you should definitely play if you haven't already. With that said, it doesn't quite feel modernized or remastered enough in this iteration yet it still manages to be packed full of charm and challenge.
If you have a fondness for RPGs from the mid-'90s then I encourage you to give Monster Viator a try. Its wonderful retro aesthetic and rewarding gameplay loop are sure to entertain while providing a healthy dose of nostalgia, too.
Action RPGs don't get much simpler than Arc of Alchemist but that's a part of its charm. So, if you're looking for a basic and surprisingly rewarding hack and slash adventure then give it a go. Just don't expect it to feel like a current gen experience.
Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot may not have the deepest combat mechanics but there's no denying just how exciting it is to play. From its jaw-dropping action to its top-notch presentation, this is one epic RPG that fans and newcomers alike can easily enjoy.
Sega Ages: Columns II contains much more than its title would suggest. If you enjoy retro puzzlers, you'll sink hours into this release as it contains plenty of fantastic content that showcases the addictive core gameplay beautifully.
When it comes to chaotic mini-game fun, Ichidant-R provides such great times that I hope to see the other Puzzle & Action arcade games (Tant-R and Sand-R) get Sega Ages releases sometime soon.
It may be cute and simple but Fantasy Zone remains one of the most enjoyable shoot 'em ups with its distinctly rewarding gameplay.
The arcade version of Shinobi is very impressive considering it debuted in 1987 and this release is the ultimate way to enjoy it.