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Kunitsu-Gami: Path of the Goddess is a brilliant action-strategy game that once again proves Capcom’s ability to make enjoyable games in essentially any genre. The gameplay and atmosphere are top-notch and unlike anything I’ve played in a good while, making for one of this year’s most memorable games.
While incredibly gorgeous, and filled with small moments of greatness, Bō: Path of the Teal Lotus suffers from several rough edges in its combat, platforming, and level design. None of these make a bad game by themselves, but the frustrations mount over time, dragging down what could have been a special experience.
Being free-to-play, it’d be hard for me to tell you not to give The First Descendant a try. Even after forty hours, I’m still looking forward to spending more time in Ingris and unlocking more Descendants.
Luigi’s Mansion 2 HD is a great remaster of an overall enjoyable 3DS sequel. Though the price point is a bit steep, the visual upgrade and core gameplay make this a solid rerelease of a somewhat overlooked Mario spin-off.
Spy x Anya: Operation Memories is a pleasant and laid-back romp for fans of Spy x Family. Though it may wear thin a bit quickly for anyone outside of the fanbase, the varied minigames and breezy story and character interactions will make this a decent time for fans of the series.
Until Then isn’t the best narrative adventure game I’ve played but it’s definitely one I’ll remember for a long time. Don’t sleep on Until Then, it’s a worthwhile experience.
Super Monkey Ball Banana Rumble is another exhilarating platformer from Ryu ga Gotoku Studio. Though some of the later levels can be less than pleasant, the majority of the game is a blast and will have you on the edge of your seat in the best way possible.
Cryptmaster is just about vibes, specifically, the vibe of cruising around a dungeon typing words while a sardonic, Vincent Price-style narrator complains about what an idiot you are (you are) and you try to fight monsters while instantly forgetting every word you ever knew, all in glorious black and white.
Still, Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door’s remaster is an exceptional game, remaster, and tribute to a revered entry in a popular series. Sleeping on this entry, as an RPG fan, would be a big mistake.
Little Kitty Big City is the perfect way to spend a cozy afternoon with a game tailormade for cat lovers.
A decent-to-good WW2 RTS with a puzzling always online requirement
Hypercharge: Unboxed taps into your inner child and brings those dreams of your toys coming to life. It’s inherently goofy, but that’s what makes it enjoyable. Even with outdated systems in place, you’re bound to have a good time.
Duck Detective is short enough to feel a bit lacking, and some of its mystery-solving gameplay could be polished into a more satisfactory experience. However, it's cute and charming, and it has a dedicated quack button. For a bite-sized experience playing as a duck detective, it provides an entertaining couple of hours.
If you read all that…first of all, thank you, but if you went “I understood none of that, that is the most boring thing I’ve ever read,” then this probably isn’t your kind of game. If you said, “That sounds like the most amazing thing I have ever heard,” then you can do all that and more in Warno.
As for Read Only Memories: Neurodiver, it’s a very tight, focused experience that’s a lot of fun and has a great style and flair for its setting, and I loved it. I just wish there was more to it.
While I can’t recommend Slayers X: Terminal Aftermath: Vengance of the Slayer, the game is simply too novel a concept to not talk about and at the very least, deserves your attention. What you choose to do with this knowledge now is up to you.
Dread Delusion fills a specific niche that hasn’t been touched in decades. While I wouldn’t recommend this game to just anyone, Dread Delusion sets a high bar for adventure RPGs and utilizes its art style to perfectly capture the era of gaming it draws inspiration from.
Endless Ocean Luminous isn’t the most active or engrossing game, but its soothing atmosphere and relaxing gameplay do make for a unique experience.
Demon Slayer: Sweep the Board! is a straightforward but pleasant Mario Party-esque title that Demon Slayer fans will obviously get the most out of. The minigames and boards are full of neat ideas, and the unlockables give further incentive to replay boards alone or with friends. If you’re looking for a breezy board game with Demon Slayer theming, Sweep the Board! will get the job done.
Offering an incredibly fun story, lovely characters that will stick with you, a timeless art style, and a vast open world that will suck in hours of your time. Sand Land made its mark on my year and you should make room for it to make a mark on yours.