Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance expands the base game with new content, improved performance, and deeper lore. Despite the challenging difficulty, the added quality-of-life improvements make it a rewarding experience for both returning players and newcomers.
Shadow of the Erdtree maintains the high standards set by the base game. It introduces the challenging Realm of Shadow, offering new boss fights, weapons, and progression without excessive grinding. The expansion revitalizes the sense of discovery with secrets, mini-bosses, and unique NPCs.
Sand Land is a visually stunning game with a heartfelt narrative that unfortunately stumbles in gameplay variety. Fans of Toriyama’s work will find much to love, while newcomers might find the combat repetitive. Nevertheless, it is a journey worth experiencing, especially for those who appreciate a well-crafted world and engaging story.
Unicorn Overlord blends Vanillaware's signature artistic flair with a complex combat system reminiscent of Fire Emblem and Final Fantasy Tactics, set against the backdrop of a rich high fantasy narrative. The game not only provides a deep strategic experience with its innovative combat mechanics and expansive world exploration but also excels in storytelling, offering a compelling tale of liberation and the quest for justice, making it a standout addition to the genre.
Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons Remake impresses with its visual upgrades and co-op mode, yet its unchanged gameplay and performance issues question its necessity for those familiar with the original. Best suited for newcomers, this visually enhanced journey offers little new for returning players, making it a beautiful but non-essential revisit.
Jujutsu Kaisen: Cursed Clash falls significantly short, delivering an underwhelming and superficial gaming experience that fails to leverage the rich potential of its source material.
Granblue Fantasy: Relink transitions from mobile to console and PC, offering a balanced mix of action-oriented combat and deep storytelling that competes with top RPGs like Final Fantasy. Despite minor exploration and performance issues, its compelling narrative, striking visuals, and innovative blend of single-player and live-service elements make it a standout title in the RPG genre.
All in all, Fae Farm is an excellent choice for those who enjoy farming simulation games with a touch of adventure. While it might not reach the heights of the genre, there is still plenty to offer here.
Lil' Guardsman is a standout indie game that combines humor, strategy, and point-and-click elements, presenting a compelling story of a girl guarding her town. Its gameplay is enriched with decision-making, gadgets, and a time-control feature, offering replayability and a diverse character cast set in a visually stunning world reminiscent of Disney's Gravity Rush, making it a memorable experience on portable platforms like the Steam Deck
Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown marks a significant shift from the series' traditional 3D action and platforming to a Metroidvania-style game with cell-shaded art and side-scrolling combat. Despite initial skepticism from fans, its exceptional platforming, engaging gameplay, and return to the series' roots have made it an unexpected hit, offering a fresh experience while maintaining the essence of the beloved franchise.
Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora by Ubisoft Massive is a visually stunning game with unique gameplay elements, distinct from the Far Cry series. It offers immersive exploration and narrative depth in the Avatar universe, despite some technical issues and narrative shortcomings.
Dragon Quest Monsters: The Dark Prince presents an innovative twist to the Dragon Quest spin-off series, focusing on monster collection and battling with a unique progression system, although it falls short in narrative depth and visual presentation. The game shines in its engaging monster synthesis and combat mechanics, offering depth for enthusiasts of strategy and monster recruitment, but is let down by subpar graphics and an underdeveloped story.
Tales of Arise: Beyond The Dawn plays it safe, extending its universe for devoted fans without breaking new ground. While it commendably develops characters and retains an engaging combat system, the expansion stretches a thin narrative over an extensive playtime, potentially leaving those craving a richer story unsatisfied.
Star Ocean: The Second Story R rejuvenates the classic JRPG with modern graphics and a dual protagonist system, offering a visually appealing and immersive narrative experience. Its enhanced combat system and quality-of-life improvements cater to both series veterans and newcomers.
Baby Shark: Sing & Swim Party offers a visually appealing and engaging experience for young fans of the Baby Shark phenomenon, but its limited gameplay and repetitive content may not sustain interest for long periods. While the game succeeds in capturing the essence of PinkFong's Baby Shark through its art style and animation, it falls short in providing a compelling and varied gameplay experience.
Super Bomberman R 2 excels in delivering a rich multiplayer experience, introducing innovative modes like a 64-player battle royale and Castle mode for strategic base-building. However, the game's single-player story mode falls short, offering repetitive gameplay and a forgettable narrative that doesn't quite ignite the fuse for a compelling solo adventure.
Assassin's Creed Mirage revitalizes the franchise by refocusing on stealth and assassination, set against the richly detailed backdrop of 9th-century Baghdad. While it modernizes the series' core mechanics and offers a compelling narrative, it retains some gameplay elements from its predecessor, Assassin's Creed Valhalla, which may not appeal to those seeking a completely new experience.
Separate Ways enriches the Resident Evil 4 Remake by spotlighting Ada Wong and offering distinct gameplay, all at a commendable price point. A must-buy for both newcomers and series veterans.
Disgaea 7 marks a successful revival of the franchise's core strengths, blending its signature over-the-top gameplay mechanics with a fresh Samurai-themed narrative. While staying true to its roots, the game introduces new character classes and innovative features like "Jumbification," offering both long-time fans and newcomers a rich, strategically demanding experience that feels both nostalgic and novel.
Ghostpia is a visual novel that explores the life of Sayoko in a town inhabited by unique ghosts, offering rich world-building but limited interactivity.