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.
The Legend of Heroes: Trails Through Daybreak II attempts an ambitious multiverse narrative with refined character arcs and a seamless combat system. However, its complex storytelling and reliance on prior knowledge may alienate newcomers and overwhelm fans. While time-hopping mechanics add depth for lore enthusiasts, they slow pacing, leading to uneven payoffs. Despite narrative challenges, character development shines, making it a solid entry for dedicated fans, albeit not the series' pinnacle.
Atomic Heart - Enchantment Under The Sea is an electrifying continuation of the game's saga, delivering dynamic combat and an engaging narrative. This DLC enhances the base game's visual appeal and introduces inventive new weapons while shifting the focus from repetitive puzzles to more action-oriented gameplay.
Tales of Graces f Remastered makes a great comeback for an underrated game. This version brings back its heartfelt story and wonderful characters, showcasing the charm and depth that fans missed before. The combat system is engaging, and the nostalgic art style, similar to Tales of Vesperia, makes it special. While the older environments and common anime tropes might not appeal to everyone, the new features and smooth performance on modern platforms make it enjoyable for both long-time fans and new players.
A valiant return for the PS Vita classic, Freedom Wars Remastered transports players to a dystopian future with an engaging twist on the Monster Hunter formula. Despite the original's struggles due to the Vita's poor sales, this remaster brings back its intense resource-gathering missions and customizable characters with polished visuals for modern platforms. While the barren environments and thin story may not impress everyone, the solid combat system and intriguing multiplayer mode breathe new life into this forgotten gem.
FANTASIAN Neo Dimension masterfully revives classic JRPG elements. Originally an Apple Arcade exclusive, its transition to PC and consoles allows the game to shine. With a nostalgic yet fresh turn-based combat system, engaging narrative, and innovative Dimengeon mechanic, it's a gem for RPG fans. While the visuals may not impress, gameplay improvements like difficulty settings and voiceovers make it a must-play for the genre's enthusiasts.
Romancing SaGa 2: Revenge of the Seven revitalizes the classic SaGa series with modern accessibility and enhanced visuals. This remake of the 1993 original balances the needs of veterans and newcomers while showcasing a complex, multi-generational storyline.
Shin-chan: Shiro and the Coal Town is an enjoyable sequel that doesn’t bring much innovation, yet retains the simple charm the franchise is known for.
Ys X: Nordics effectively combines classic Ys elements with modern gameplay, offering a rewarding action RPG experience. Centered on a younger Adol Christin, the game introduces the Duo Combat System and focuses on exploration via the ship Sandras. Despite some minor drawbacks in the early naval sections, it’s a must-play for both fans and newcomers, blending action, exploration, and character development seamlessly.
Mortal Kombat 1: Khaos Reigns offers new characters and guest fighters, but the high price is hard to justify with a short story mode and limited content. The unresolved gameplay issues and lack of replay value make it feel incomplete.
Reynatis was anticipated as a standout title but ultimately disappoints. Despite an intriguing dual-mode combat system and a blend of modern and fantastical elements, the game suffers from a weak narrative, repetitive gameplay, and uninspired presentation.
Broken Sword: Shadow of the Templars – Reforged faithfully remakes the beloved point-and-click classic with improved animations, streamlined gameplay, and modernized features. The remake introduces a vibrant new art style while offering both a nostalgic Classic Mode and a newcomer-friendly Story Mode, striking a balance between honoring the original and welcoming new players.
Persona 3 Reload: Episode Aigis provides a poignant epilogue to the beloved JRPG, focusing on Aigis and delving into the aftermath of the main story. The narrative deepens character arcs and themes, but the gameplay mainly consists of tedious dungeon crawling, lacking the social elements that define the series.