Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder’s Revenge is a must-play arcade throwback regardless of whether you are familiar with the franchise. With clean animations and the option for a party of six, it’s hard not to pass the game up, even if the adventure is short. Grab a slice of pizza and jump in. Cowabunga!
Light Fairytale Episode 1 is fun, but it feels more like a tease. This JRPG inspired title has what it takes to become a great game, but it needs more content to prove it. Those who enjoyed classic JRPGs from the ‘90s will want to visit this world. Turn your blade on and prepare for a quick battle.
Pretty Girls Rivers is one of the better puzzle games offered by EastAsiaSoft and is recommended to those who enjoy mahjong solitaire. Unfortunately, there’s not enough content to satisfy players for too long. Still, clear the pile and make room for this one, puzzle lovers.
Gal*Gun Double Peace, despite the overflow of lewdness and some frustrating rail shooting, has a nice set of interesting characters and multiple endings that offer a decent amount of replay value. It’s also just a fun little guilty pleasure, so take aim and find your true love.
Rune Factory 5 takes a big step going all 3D, but it stumbles a bit with framerate issues and uninspiring textures. However, the game’s cast of characters, inclusion of same-sex marriages, and barnful of gameplay value mean players shouldn’t pass this up. The farming life is a decent life, indeed.
The Cruel and the Great Hero is a delightful RPG to play for those looking for a relaxing, wholesome story. The game feels more like a small adventure than a large-scale epic like Final Fantasy, but that’s totally fine. Grab your twig and venture forth, soon-to-be-great hero!
Ultimately, Aztech Forgotten Gods is a decent outing with its intriguing heroine and equally intriguing world of massive boss fights. It certainly has the potential to be a great game, but its graphics and gameplay mechanics need more refinement before it can reach that level. For now, these gods risk being forgotten again.
Atelier Sophie 2 has a well-built alchemy setup and battle mechanics that make it enjoyable even if the overall game has an outdated look. Hopefully, these fun mechanics will reappear in an expanded form in future Atelier games. In the meantime, savor this good dream!
After 26 years of catching them all, Pokémon Legends: Arceus takes the foundations of Pokémon and successfully reshapes it into a new style. While the graphics need considerable improvement, Legends: Arceus makes Pokémon fun all over again. By going into the past, Pokémon has evolved for the future. Look forward to the next line of games in this new form!
Pretty Girls Panic! PLUS improves what its predecessor lacked and continues to make a cutting board puzzle game entertaining. However, the extra content only goes so far and ultimately feels unfinished. It’s a plus minus, instead of a plus plus.
Sakura Santa has its silly moments across its multiple storylines. However, the lack of content and the confusing user interfaces make it a challenge to revisit. If you enjoy harem anime and fan service, you’ll enjoy Sakura Santa, even if it’s a short festival.
Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl don’t reinvent the wheel, but it’s still an enjoyable adventure to revisit regardless of the weird quirks. Those who’ve played the classic Pokémon games will enjoy a trip down memory lane. Go out, trainer, and be the best!
Greak: Memories of Azur is fun and challenging. While it’s difficult to control all three siblings at once, they are a force to be reckoned with when players get a handle on them. Those who enjoy Metroidvania games should not pass up this unique adventure. Azur awaits!
Pretty Girls Panic! is a fun puzzle game, for a short time. The simplistic gameplay makes it easy to pick up, but there’s potential for much more. Expect a short day with these waifus.
Kitaria Fables isn’t perfect and has a handful of small issues. Still, with a good mix of adventuring, farming, and crafting, it’s a fun game whether you experience the game solo or with a partner. Grab your sword and prepare for a meowtastic adventure.
Catlateral Damage: Remeowstered lets you play as a cat. What more is there to say, really? It’s a fun and amusing game, and this updated version is the best one, even without VR support. Sharpen those claws, grab a bag of catnip, and have fun!
Super Monkey Ball Banana Mania is an entertaining game for both newcomers and veterans. It is loaded with content, fun courses and enjoyable party games but lacks online multiplayer. If you’re new to the series, this is the perfect place to start. So jump into your plastic ball and start rolling.
TOEM: A Photo Adventure is an entertaining and fun indie game with neat camera-based mechanics and quirky characters. Dozens of photos will be taken throughout the journey, but by the end, it still feels too early to put the camera away. Still, no matter how short the experience, your album of good memories awaits.
Chicory: A Colorful Tale is a unique indie game that not only lets players be the artist but also delivers a powerful message along with excellent gameplay and a whimsical soundtrack. It deserves to be on everyone’s radar to play and is a strong candidate for one of the best games of 2021.
Lost Words: Beyond the Page is an interesting tale between a little girl’s experience with life and death and the fantasy world to which she escapes. The game’s mechanics are unique but suffer some bug issues along the way. Even so, Izzy’s story is compelling enough that you’ll want to keep going in order to see how it ends.