Testament: Order of High Human shows the studio has a lot of ambition, but without channelling that energy, the result is this game
Everybody 1-2-Switch! offers a brief sliver of fun for a group of friends, but its lack of longevity makes this entry a forgettable affair
Scars Above offers a bold introduction that devolves into repetitiveness.
If a top-down Souls-esque experience is something you may be craving, Loot River is a great go-to. But if you're hoping for a little more reward with your risk, look elsewhere.
Monark's horror vibe is a nice touch but the needless and frustrating grinding paired with bland world design make this hard to recommend to anyone but the most hardcore JRPG fans.
Xuan Yuan Sword 7 has some interesting ideas and an exciting backdrop but it won’t be for everyone. The game's battle system has is decent but lacks the depth that makes actually playing the game memorable.
Windbound offers some great ideas but never delivers on them. It's a gorgeous video game bogged down by tedious survival mechanics and the lack of freedom to explore the open sea.
In theory, Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles Remastered should be a win for Square Enix. In execution, Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles stumbles to tell a story worth revisiting.
Reynatis has heart but feels like a previous generation relic with sometimes archaic game design elements. However, it has some good ideas, fun combat, and good music working for it.
The Plucky Squire is one of my favourite games this year. It's filled with charm, humour, and heart. All Possible Futures understands video games don't need to be complicated and bloated—the emphasis on puzzles, platforming, and combat is straightforward but done incredibly well.
Dead Rising Deluxe Remaster is another excellent game from Capcom. With tons of quality-of-life improvements, smart changes, and overhauls, seeing Frank West again feels good.
Castlevania Dominus Collection is Castlevania at its best, with three great games to sink your teeth into.
Visions of Mana is the first new Mana game in nearly two decades, bringing the series into a new generation. While some overgrown roots need a trim in the future—the various improvements to the combat, the level design, and the world are better than ever.
BAKERU is an excellent adventure platformer plucked from a previous generation and made for a modern audience.
Gestalt: Steam and Cinder is fun, engaging, and brimming with intricate details.
SteamWorld Heist 2 provides an excellent challenge to players but won't scratch any narrative itches.
Despite having little interest in the reveal, having spent over a week on Nintendo World Championships: NES Edition, I am now a convert and feel more connected to the past of Nintendo than I have in years. With a crisp and vibrant package that is a blast from the past, Nintendo continues to produce and deliver the best way to engage with the publisher's history.
Bō: Path of the Teal Lotus excels at its goal of delivering a commendable and exciting title. It is a unique title, one that I found to be charming and breathtakingly beautiful. It also wears its inspirations on its sleeve as it looks to replicate that same emotion from the player. Using Japanese folklore as a basis is clever, with the excellent levels and exploration worth a look at despite a few stumbles. In a summer when droughts were constantly occurring, the shift to game releases happening at all times of the day and months, Bō: Path of the Teal Lotus launches at a great time.
Luigi's Mansion 2 is a delightful blend of spooky adventure, clever puzzles, and charming humour. Its engaging gameplay, atmospheric design, and lovable protagonist make this a classic from the get-go and, even a decade plus later, showcases Luigi as an excellent character who can lead out of the shadows of his more famous brother.
Monster Hunter Stories is a great addition to the series and a good place to start with Monster Hunter.