The Pedestrian is a unique and creatively designed puzzle game that shouldn’t be missed. Even if the journey is short, travelling by signage while listening to a relaxing soundtrack is the one of the most fun ways of getting around a city (outside of pedal pubs). Sign up for this trip, puzzle fans.
With Ys IX: Monstrum NOX, Nihon Falcom continues its streak of creating fascinating worlds. Adol’s newest adventure, revolving around a mysterious prison in a single city, may sound like it’s small, but it offers layers of gameplay. With its various battle types, character abilities, collecting, and a rockin’ soundtrack, RPG fans will want to slash, fly, and scamper their way through Balduq, uncovering all its secrets. Whether you’re a veteran to the Ys series or a newcomer, the Crimson King awaits.
Kaze and the Wild Masks is an entertaining indie game that pays tribute to classic ‘90s platformers. Although it pushes players to be precise with their movements and its difficulty is inconsistent, it’s a hidden gem that shouldn’t be forgotten. Mask up, everyone!
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.
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!
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!
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!
Blossom Tales II: The Minotaur Prince is a fun, pixel adventure sequel that shouldn’t be missed, especially if you’re a fan of classic 2D Zelda games. Get ready for another exciting tale from Grandpa and save your bro!
Mario + Rabbids Sparks of Hope is a fantastic strategy game with a great roster of heroes, an impressive soundtrack, lovely animation, humor, and more. In other words, having Mario and the Rabbids come together (again!) is a delight for newcomers and veteran gamers alike. Let’s-a go to battle!
Lil Gator Game is simple but entertaining, and will suck you in for hours of delightful, heart-warming, adventuring fun. Even if it’s missing a convenient feature or two, when all is said and done, you’ll wish you could play at the playground even longer. Hail, the lil gatoring hero!
Goshzookie! With a combination of varying gameplay styles alongside beautiful designs and upbeat music, Ooblets is an adorable and entertaining game that, even with its glitches, is still worth putting your time into playing. So come make your home in Badgetown. You’ll be glad you did.
Even with the excessive loading times, New Super Lucky’s Tale is a fun, lovable game that fans of platformers should jump into. The countless improvements made are well worth it (even the cornier dialogue), easily making this the best version of Lucky and his adventure. You’ll be ready to become the next great guardian in no time, but you’re great the way you are.
Puyo Puyo Tetris 2 is clearly an upgrade over its predecessor. Newcomers have a lot to chew on as veterans, not so much. By taking what was great about the first game and adding fun, new additions such as Skill Battle mode, Sega made a puzzle game sequel well worth playing. Game clear!
Atelier Ryza 2 has most of the right pieces to make a charming RPG, from its characters and story to its gameplay mechanics. Whether you’ve played its predecessor or not, it’s well worth exploring the world of alchemy through Ryza’s eyes.
Cotton Reboot keeps the basic fundamentals of the classic arcade shoot-‘em-up intact while boosting its visuals, soundtrack, and gameplay for a well-rounded upgrade. Although more features could be added to increase replayability, this remastered title is still the best version of the original. Hopefully, additional Cotton games will make the jump to today’s consoles.
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!
Capcom Fighting Collection is a fun compilation of arcade games that any fighting fan, new or old, will want to own. Practice your Hadouken and catlike reflexes. It’s time to fight!
The Legend of Heroes: Trails from Zero may have outdated graphics, but it’s still a fun and entertaining game that role-playing fans should pick up. Grab your badge and report for duty!
Lunistice is a diamond-in-the-rough game with a great soundtrack that deserves your attention if you enjoy polygon throwbacks to the ‘90s. Seriously, it’s only $5, so pick it up and get ready for a polygonal ride.
One Punch Man: A Hero Nobody Knows takes on the highly popular anime from a different perspective and pulls it off pretty well. With its unique fighting, over-the-top moves and charm from the show, fans can enjoy watching Saitama all over again. Newcomers will have some difficulty following along, but it may be enough to interest them in the show afterward (or in doing 100 push-ups, sit-ups, and squats and a 10K run every single day). After all, it’s just a hobby.