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Bayonetta 3 is a strange mix of some of the series’ best moments together with some of its worst. At its high points, Bayonetta 3 easily stands with or even surpasses its predecessors, but its glory is marred by questionable decisions and missed opportunities. How much importance you place on the story will likely determine how you feel about this entry. If the story is an afterthought for you, you’ll enjoy the high-quality combat and intense action, but if the story matters, prepare yourself for tonal differences and storytelling that raises more questions than answers.
I think the real appeal of Victoria 3 and the series overall is it’s very self-directed. Picking one game can result in a completely different experience. Managing the diplomacy and economy of the British Empire at its peak is absolutely insane, then during the next run, you are trying to do things like “figure out how to even have diplomatic relations” and “wtf how do i economy???” in some backwater nation you are gracing with your benevolent rulership.
Star Ocean: The Divine Force might not set the world on fire, but it’s well-made and thoroughly enjoyable. Everything from running around to fighting is a blast, and though it looks a bit odd and can feel a little repetitive at times, the unique premise, snazzy soundtrack, and voice acting make The Divine Force worth any JRPG fan’s time.
Soulstice is an all-around decent character action game that is weighed down by a few odd mechanics and a bit of a lack of identity. It’s fun enough to fill the hack-and-slash hole that you may have, though I’d say to wait for a sale to get the most out of it.
After all these years, the final chapter of Faith turned out to be worth the wait, and with all three chapters bundled in the Unholy Trinity release, there’s never been a better time to play. The dangerous world of Faith requires some patience, but the unsettling atmosphere and intense demonic encounters make it worthwhile for anyone who loves the horror genre.
If you like roguelike deckbuilders, 80s action movies, and synthwave, Nitro Kid is a banger.
Despite some flaws, Signalis is a delightful addition to the survival horror genre in the style of the classics. A lot of care has been put into its world, and its gameplay never outstays its welcome. If you like traditional survival horror games and want another game that fills that niche, Signalis is a worthy title to keep in mind.
Dragon Ball: The Breakers is a very peculiar game that pulls off its concept but is held back by jank and ruthless microtransactions. With some changes (likely to a free-to-play model) and additional polish, The Breakers could be the dark horse asymmetrical multiplayer game. Until then, though, it’s just a fun but flawed game for Dragon Ball megafans.
Lego Bricktales is, for the most part, a brilliantly laid-back experience. It has the occasional annoying build and some technical problems, but the majority of your time with the game will be spent just putting Lego bricks together to make a bunch of things in whatever way you desire. It’s nothing like the majority of Lego games, but will hopefully serve as a springboard for a future subseries of Lego games that aim more toward creative builds and chill evenings.
Ooblets is an immediately charming game with its whimsical cast of characters, that does enough different in the genre to help keep you wanting to check back into it when the mood strikes.
I feel like you know if you want to give a World War 1 shooter a try. This is a niche thing and you know if you’re in it. Also hi, haven’t seen you at the niche meetings.
Dome Keeper’s loop is instantly addictive and is a damn great game to play on the couch.
Made in Abyss: Binary Star Falling into Darkness has all the potential makings of a great anime game adaptation, but it, unfortunately, ends up falling short. Its frustrating mechanics and lengthy mandatory tutorial mean that you’ll have to put up with a lot in order to get to the best part. If you’re a big fan of Made in Abyss, you may be able to look past these flaws, but otherwise, I’d wait for a polished sequel.
Soul Hackers 2 is an excellent JRPG that Shin Megami Tensei fans and newcomers alike will be able to dive straight into. Though the dungeons are basic and repetitive, the gameplay, characters, and story are all more than enough to keep you riveted. Don’t let Soul Hackers 2 fly under your radar, as it’s one of the year’s best RPGs.
SD Gundam Battle Alliance is a somewhat repetitive but flashy and fanservice-filled hack-and-slash that is essentially an action-packed love letter to the Gundam franchise. The variety of units and attention to detail is impressive, to say the least, meaning Gundam fans will likely find this one to be worthwhile.
Darkest Dungeon Circus Manager 2022.
Pac-Man World Re Pac is a refreshingly straightforward remake that will appeal to fans of the original game and newcomers alike. There are some repetitive parts and it’s a bit easy, but Re Pac makes for a chill and charming platforming experience for when you just need a breezy break.
Xenoblade Chronicles 3 is one of the best JRPGs in recent years. Its characters, story, and world are all exceptional, and it’s remarkably fun to play. The fact that this game came out ahead of its original release date is wild, as it’s turned out to potentially be the best RPG on the Nintendo Switch. If you’re looking for a long, enthralling game to get lost in, grab Xenoblade Chronicles 3.
I can’t think of a game in the genre I’d recommend more right now than Fashion Police Squad.
I found it compelling. Even if you don’t like tactical combat, you have to admire something so completely insane and very much its own thing when the world is busy making roguelike soulslikes platformers. It’s also an excuse to buy a cowboy hat of your very own.