Plants vs. Zombies: Replanted is a faithful, nostalgic port that succeeds on the strength of its core cult classic gameplay and the excellent addition of local multiplayer and co-op support. However, the experience is hindered by repetitive late-game content and a poorly scaled, un-modernized UI that makes text nearly unreadable on a large-screen television.
Absolum brilliantly merges the slick, progression-driven feel of Hades with satisfying, visually stunning beat 'em up combat, offering a feature-rich co-op experience. Despite its gorgeous animation and responsive systems, the game suffers from noticeable enemy repetition and requires some tedious late-game grinding, slightly detracting from its otherwise stellar genre combination.
Playtonic's Yooka-Replaylee is the definitive edition, successfully eliminating the original game's flaws with polished controls, a fixed camera, an orchestrated score, and doubled content. Yet, this otherwise successful, vibrant tribute to N64-era platformers is frustratingly held back by being locked at 30 FPS and suffering from noticeable performance dips on Switch 2.
A stellar JRPG that finally challenges genre conventions, offering an addictive monster-collecting loop and a surprisingly mature, engaging story. While the opening is slow and tutorial-heavy, and the aging engine and excessive DLC slightly diminish the experience, Time Stranger is a triumphant, must-play entry for the franchise.
Atelier Resleriana is a serviceable spin-off that succeeds with its engaging combat and deep alchemy system, serving as a good entry point for newcomers. However, its mobile gacha origins result in overly simplistic dungeon design, and the paper-thin narrative, weak character development, and excessive use of anime tropes hold it back from the quality of the mainline series.
The Legend of Heroes: Trails in the Sky remake is a masterful modernization of a cult classic, with a big-budget presentation and combat that expertly balances turn-based depth with action. While the voice acting can be inconsistent and the pacing slow at first, it's a stellar entry that honors the original while providing welcome quality-of-life improvements for both veterans and newcomers.
While Shuten Order offers a bold art style and an ambitious blend of genres, its uneven execution and at-times tedious pacing prevent the promising mystery and memorable cast from consistently engaging the player.
Hello Kitty Island Adventure successfully translates Sanrio's charm into a polished life simulation that captures Animal Crossing's appeal with delightful visuals and approachable design. The friendship system and character customization provide genuine warmth, while minigames offer welcome variety. However, its mobile origins create fundamental flaws through repetitive fetch quests, time-gating mechanics, and grind-heavy progression that strips away natural rewards.
Rune Factory: Guardians of Azuma revitalizes the franchise with its breezy charm, refined combat, and vibrant seasonal world. While the farming mechanics are simplified and the amnesiac plot feels stale, the game excels in building engaging relationships, offering strategic boss fights, and delivering a cozy sense of progression. It’s a polished blend of farming sim and action RPG—ideal for newcomers, though veterans might wish for deeper systems.
RAIDOU Remastered brings new life to a cult classic with its polished action combat and demon-summoning mechanics, but its repetitive battles and shallow character development hold it back from being truly great. This unique blend of Shin Megami Tensei lore and detective noir delivers plenty of style and atmosphere, making it a treat for longtime fans of the series. However, it lacks the depth needed to win over newcomers.
Elden Ring: Nightreign offers a bold but uneven twist on Soulsborne formula, blending PvE co-op with battle royale mechanics. While its intense boss fights and improved mobility shine, the punishing solo experience, restrictive class builds, and awkward shrinking-map gimmick hold it back. Best enjoyed with a coordinated team, Nightreign caters to hardcore fans—though its experimental design may alienate those craving FromSoftware’s signature depth.
A psychological horror gem disguised as a dating sim, Cooking Companions serves up chilling twists and compelling character drama—though its generic art style and illusion of choice leave some ingredients undercooked.
A solid but uneven debut for MercurySteam’s new IP, blending satisfying weapon-crafting with God of War-inspired combat. While its enemy variety falters and pacing stumbles early on, the deep forging system and punishing boss battles carve out a niche worth exploring. Not quite a masterpiece, but a promising foundation for future installments.
A faithful but flawed remaster that polishes a PS2 cult classic without fixing its dated design. While the upscaled visuals and refined combat shine, stubborn fixed cameras and archaic progression hold it back. For fans, it's a nostalgic trip worth taking—but newcomers may find its clunkiness harder to swallow than a demon soul.
A long-awaited sequel that delivers charm, tactical depth, and heart—even if it plays it safe. The inventive Confine/Confire/Confriend mechanics shine, and Marona’s journey strikes a perfect balance between whimsy and emotional weight. While not as expansive as some Nippon Ichi epics, its accessibility and polished combat make it a worthy return to Ivoire.
A gripping fusion of Danganronpa’s twisted storytelling and tactical RPG combat, elevated by its eccentric cast and layered mysteries. While the 100-endings gimmick feels excessive and battles lack depth, the game’s dark humor, social sim elements, and Uchikoshi-style twists make it a must-play for fans—even if it doesn’t quite surpass its inspirations.
Atelier Yumia boldly reinvents the series with thrilling action combat and a vast open world, but stumbles under the weight of its own ambition. While the deeper narrative and flashy battles impress, uneven pacing, performance issues, and oversimplified mechanics keep it from reaching its full potential.
Monster Hunter Wilds is a mechanically deep entry in the franchise, offering an expansive world and thrilling hunts. However, its steep learning curve and demanding system requirements may alienate newcomers and test even high-end PCs.
Ever 17 delivers a gripping, mind-bending narrative that showcases Uchikoshi’s signature twists and sci-fi intrigue. While its slow start and repetitive routes test patience, the game’s strong character development and unforgettable payoff make it a standout in the visual novel genre.
A relic of visual novel history, Never 7 offers a glimpse into Uchikoshi’s early work with its time-loop mechanic and sci-fi undertones. However, dated visuals, uneven writing, and a lackluster cast make it feel more like a curiosity than a must-play.