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ReStory is a relaxing game that combines the laid-back sense of accomplishment from repairing things with a well-designed gameplay loop that keeps you coming back for more. It’s almost hard to believe that scrubbing down metal frames and twisting screws could be such a pleasant activity, but I can’t stop doing it to unwind. If you’re in the market for a chill game that scratches your brain in a totally unique way, you cannot miss ReStory.
Ambrosia Sky Act Two is a fitting conclusion that introduces enough new twists to set it apart from the first act. There are a couple of navigational issues, but the oddly relaxing sensation of spraying down fungus combined with the many mechanics surrounding that central conceit are certainly worth experiencing. If you want to power wash some dangerous growths in a melancholy sci-fi world, I think Ambrosia Sky: Act Two will be right up your alley.
Beast of Reincarnation is a serviceable action RPG, with a ton of depth in its abilities and skill trees. Its post-apocalyptic narrative plays a few too many familiar notes, and it's all delivered in a tone that would make it perfect for falling asleep to. I wasn't completely uninterested in Emma and Koo's adventures and relationships, but the sleepy tone and predictable story beats all make for a fine, if forgettable experience.
Splatoon Raiders tries something new with one of Nintendo’s somewhat more recent long-running series, to largely great success. Though a bit more variety in terms of missions and character customization options would have been ideal, the numerous weapon and gadget combinations and unique approach to Splatoon’s core gameplay craft an exciting spin-off that’s worth your time.
As much as I wanted to like Truck-kun is Supporting Me from Another World, the experience didn’t deliver on the premise’s fun. Shallow gameplay that doesn’t evolve paired with a bland narrative makes even this short experience feel like a drag. It’s not actively offensive, nor is the gameplay awful, but it simply doesn’t have enough to support its already simple premise.
Granblue Fantasy: Relink – Endless Ragnarok brings more of what’s in the base game, and not much else for new or returning players. As a co-op experience, I could see Endless Ragnarok as a group of up to four friends game of choice, especially with crossplay implemented, but the generic fantasy characters, repetition to a fault, and lack of any clear guidance make this hard to recommend. The accessibility features still put the responsibility in the player’s hands, making me question why this is even offered beyond as a tool for players looking to learn bosses. I don’t consider binging CBS’s Cold Case while keeping a hand on the controller to grind for hundreds of hours a peak gaming experience anymore, but maybe you need a new podcast game, and Granblue Fantasy: Relink – Endless Ragnarok might be a good fit.
Avatar Legends: The Fighting Game is a budget package, but Gameplay Group International clearly knew exactly where to target in order to make one of the best Avatar video games out there. While the more casual or novice player may not get much out of Avatar Legends, I do think even the most fly-by-night of Avatar fans should consider the game at least. On the flip side, this is one of the strongest fighting game entries this year, with some titillating ideas waiting for players to discover and exploit. While the game is in good hands, I can only hope that, along with the Year 1 DLC, they also expand it to support offline and solo options.
Final Fantasy X | X-2 HD is better than ever on the Nintendo Switch 2, and I’d be remiss to not encourage anyone who has yet to play these games to do so on the Switch 2 thanks to its helpful gameplay features and sharp visuals. Though the lack of ability to upgrade from the Switch and the inability to skip cutscenes are a bit disappointing, this is an otherwise magnificent collection of two all-timer RPGs, and I hope its extra features somehow get patched into the other versions of the remaster.
River City Saga: Journey to the West is a fun little expedition into something different for the franchise, but it never really hit the heights I was hoping for. If you need a decently priced roguelite adventure to tide you over until the next big thing, you could certainly do worse than picking this up. Franchise fans will get a bit more mileage out of it than others, I think, but I would like to see more things covered by “River City Saga,” and hopefully we get co-op then.
Turning a train into a rollercoaster that does Tony Hawk skateboarding tricks is a pitch too good to not deliver, and luckily Denshattack does just that. The balancing act of combo chaining and obstacle dodging creates a high-energy game of reaction and improvement, delivering non-stop excitement.
Disgaea Mayhem has its stumbles as it fuses Disgaea’s iconic systems with frantic hack-and-slash gameplay, but it’s a largely worthwhile venture for series fans. Jumping between the different weapon types and leveling yourself and your items to crazy heights make for a solid base, and the charm the series is known for is certainly intact, even with its short playtime. Essentially, if you like the Disgaea series and action RPGs, you’ll likely have a good time with Disgaea Mayhem – so long as you know it won’t be too long a time.
D-topia is a pleasantly laid-back puzzle game that examines the idea of an AI-made utopia in thought-provoking ways. There are a couple of small things that could be smoothed out, but the unique vibe and enjoyable puzzle-solving are enough to make it worth your time. If you’re looking for a thoughtful but relaxing smaller title to spend some time with this summer, D-topia could certainly be the perfect pick.
Even though Beatspell falls a bit short of the mark, Rhythm Heaven Groove is still a triumph through and through, offering up some of the best rhythm-based antics the series has seen to date. I can only hope that Nintendo doesn’t decide to lay it to rest for another couple of console generations before it decides to revisit this criminally underrated franchise.
I’ve come away from Assassin's Creed Black Flag Resynced remarkably impressed, as it’s a top-notch remake of an already excellent game. Though there are a few little bumps throughout on the technical side, the revamped mechanics and expanded story, supported by the updated visuals, do more than enough to validate this remake’s existence. Whether or not you’ve played the original Black Flag, Resynced is certainly worthy of your time.
Echoes of Aincrad has the potential to be a stand-out Sword Art Online game, but it struggles to bear the weight of strangely archaic mechanics and monotonous missions. The story and visuals may be enough to get series fans into the game, but anyone else will likely be hard-pressed to get much out of the game.
Star Fox may be another remake of Star Fox 64, but it’s a relentlessly enjoyable master stroke of a remake. The sharp, timelessly fluid gameplay and quick pace are a grand reminder of why the original game has remained so iconic, while the updated aesthetic and multiplayer help keep it from feeling like too much of a retread. Even if you’ve played Star Fox 64 in the past, I think you’ll get a lot of this latest (and ideally, final) remake.
The Adventures of Elliot: The Millennium Tales is an excellent game that could be a great start to a new Square Enix action-adventure series. Though I think the tools are given out a bit too quickly, the exploration, combat, and narrative all succeed at what they set out to do, crafting a breezy and exciting title that’s certainly worth your time. I hope Elliot gets to take part in more adventures going forward, as I’d be there day one.
Devil May Cry 5 Devil Hunter Edition works wonderfully on the Nintendo Switch 2, finally giving Nintendo diehards the chance to experience one of the best Capcom games of the last decade. It looks fantastic and runs incredibly well, once again impressing me with how far ahead the Switch 2 is of its predecessor. This is a great way to play Devil May Cry 5, and it’s never a bad time to revisit such a brilliant title.
Lost Castle 2 is a testament to Hunter Studio and the iteration they’ve been able to implement since the original. I play a lot of roguelites, and the worst are filled with RNG that results in nothing but wasted time. In the best, you’ll encounter cool items, become overpowered provided you play your cards right, and be offered substantive and fun choices. Whether solo or in a group, Lost Castle 2 is an experience that should fit right into your gaming time. I know the word “roguelite” can scare some people, but there’s a lot of beat ‘em up gameplay here to enjoy as well, whether you had that experience in the 90s like me or later.
Though it’s certainly rough around the edges, Gacha Capsule Shop Simulator - Akihabara has a lot going for it, even in Early Access. Selling and opening capsules can make for some very fast-paced and frantic fun, and the consistent store upgrades keep you wanting to push on. I think Gacha Capsule Shop Simulator - Akihabara is plenty fun as it is now, so long as you don’t mind a couple of little hiccups.