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South of Midnight feels like a game that wanted to soar but never really left the ground. It’s undeniably gorgeous and hints at a level of creativity that, under better direction, could have led to an unforgettable adventure. However, between the undercooked combat, stilted platforming, and a meandering story that can’t decide on its central theme, it’s tough to recommend without a few asterisks. Hazel deserved more, and so did we. For now, South of Midnight remains a curiosity—worth a glance if you’re keen on its aesthetics or folk-infused premise, but ultimately lacking the cohesion it needs to shine.
The First Berserker: Khazan is a masterclass in action combat, delivering thrilling boss fights, diverse level design, and tight mechanics that rival the genre’s best. While the narrative and side characters falter in depth, the fluid progression, customizable skill trees, and satisfying difficulty curve make this a standout soul-like experience—even for players unfamiliar with the Dungeon Fighter Online universe.
Dark Deity 2 is a clear improvement over its predecessor, offering streamlined, satisfying tactical combat and strong customization. While the story and presentation fall short, the engaging gameplay and replayability make it a worthwhile experience for strategy RPG fans.
Assassin’s Creed Shadows is a breathtaking evolution of the open-world formula, blending masterful storytelling, refined stealth mechanics, and stunning visuals. With a gripping dual-protagonist narrative and meticulously crafted historical setting, Ubisoft delivers one of the most immersive Assassin’s Creed experiences to date.
Atelier Yumia: The Alchemist of Memories & the Envisioned Land takes the beloved RPG series in a bold new direction, blending emotional storytelling with expansive open-world exploration. While its narrative depth and revamped synthesis system shine, underwhelming villains and uneven gameplay balance hold it back from greatness.
Angelic Chaos RE-BOOT delivers a delightful blend of romance, comedy, and soft fantasy in Yuzusoft’s latest visual novel. With an engaging cast of heroines, expressive animations, and high-quality voice acting, this moege excels in character-driven storytelling.
Wanderstop presents itself as a cozy tea shop sim, but beneath its colorful, Ghibli-esque charm lies a deeply emotional narrative about change, loss, and self-discovery. With an engaging tea-brewing system, lovable characters, and a stunningly vibrant art style, Wanderstop blends heartwarming moments with subtle, existential themes. While a few technical hiccups hold it back, its storytelling and atmosphere make it an unforgettable indie gem.
Suikoden I&II HD Remaster revives two beloved JRPG classics with enhanced visuals and quality-of-life improvements. While Suikoden I offers a solid, if rushed, introduction, Suikoden II stands out as a masterclass in storytelling, character development, and emotional depth. With strategic combat, 108 recruitable characters, and new difficulty options, this remaster reintroduces a long-lost gem to a modern audience—flaws and all.
Split Fiction is a wildly imaginative co-op adventure that thrives on unpredictability. Hazelight Studios masterfully blends platforming, puzzles, and genre shifts into a thrilling yet sometimes overwhelming experience. While its narrative structure can feel disjointed, the inventive gameplay and forced collaboration make it a must-play for co-op fans.
The Yu-Gi-Oh! Early Days Collection is a neat idea that goes a long way to preserve its fairly old titles, but on paper it's almost a novelty. There are a few games in the set that are worth digging into, but none of those feature online multiplayer at launch, and a lot of this collection is just going to be filler for most people.
The Strongest TOFU is a quirky and fast-paced platformer that delivers a surprisingly fun experience. With its simple yet effective mechanics, bite-sized levels, and hilarious tofu-themed presentation, it’s a short but memorable adventure. Add in wacky boss fights, random tofu facts, and even live-action cutscenes, and you have an indie gem that embraces its absurdity while offering solid gameplay.
Ninja Five-O makes a welcome return, reviving a cult-favorite GBA action platformer. With tight controls, satisfying ninja gameplay, and a retro aesthetic that holds up well, this re-release preserves the original’s charm while adding minor extras. However, the lack of significant visual enhancements and limited accessibility options may leave some players wanting more.
Monster Hunter Wilds proves that Capcom still owns the subgenre the series has created, by crafting a game that somehow massively improves on its already-incredible predecessor. It brings the franchise fully into the current generation with an expansive open world, gorgeous environments, and even more satisfying action combat.
Stories from Sol: The Gun-Dog masterfully blends retro-inspired visuals with modern storytelling, delivering a gripping sci-fi narrative filled with player-driven choices and Lovecraftian tension. With its richly developed protagonist, immersive exploration, and nostalgic ‘90s anime aesthetic, the game evokes the charm of classic PC-Engine adventures while tackling mature themes like PTSD and interplanetary warfare.
Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii is a hilariously absurd spin-off that leans into its over-the-top premise with chaotic combat, a vibrant Hawaiian setting, and Majima at his wildest. While it lacks the deep narrative punch of mainline entries, its sheer fun factor and pirate-themed insanity make it a must-play for fans of the series.
Urban Myth Dissolution Center is a gripping supernatural mystery that blends high school occult investigations with immersive storytelling. While its linear gameplay and repetitive mechanics hold it back slightly, its haunting atmosphere, well-developed characters, and compelling cases make it hard to put down for fans of detective and horror narratives.
The Legend of Heroes: Trails through Daybreak II is an ambitious sequel that builds on its predecessor with deeper worldbuilding, refined combat mechanics, and engaging character dynamics. However, inconsistent writing, a rushed third act, and underwhelming new features prevent it from reaching its full potential. While longtime fans will appreciate the expanded lore and combat improvements, the uneven storytelling may leave some players frustrated.
Virtua Fighter 5 R.E.V.O brings the classic 2006 fighting game into the modern era with stunning 4K graphics, 60 FPS performance, and rollback netcode for seamless online multiplayer. This definitive PC version introduces gameplay balancing adjustments, new moves, and a celebration of the series' legacy with the 30th Anniversary Edition upgrade. While it lacks new single-player content, R.E.V.O delivers the most technically proficient and visually impressive iteration of Virtua Fighter 5 yet, making it a must-play for both veterans and newcomers to the franchise.
Ninja Gaiden 2 Black is an Unreal Engine 5 revival of Ninja Gaiden 2 Sigma that arrives unexpectedly yet brings back the series’ legendary fast-paced action. While some missing features from the original Ninja Gaiden 2 and random performance stumbles keep it from being the perfect return, its wildly satisfying combat and varied arsenal make it a worthwhile visit for fans craving that classic Ninja Gaiden rush.
Hello Kitty Island Adventure brings Sanrio charm to life with a relaxing blend of friendship-building, exploration, and decorating. The game offers delightful interactions with beloved characters, a beautifully designed island, and engaging side activities. However, mobile-style wait timers slow progress, and occasional glitches pop up. Still, for fans of cozy, slice-of-life adventures, this is a delightful getaway worth visiting.