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Lost Records: Bloom is a wonderful time that explores the past and present while presenting an intriguing mystery that kept me on the edge of my seat. Don't Nod somehow managed to capture the energy of the first two Life is Strange titles while giving something new and heartfelt.
Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii is a great action game that finally lets players back into the boots of Goro Majima. This time, Majima goes on a whimsical adventure as a sea pirate in order to regain his memories and become glorious. Despite that premise, the story is great and delves into the aftermath of Infinite Wealth. The many new gameplay additions and improvements, along with sea exploration on a pirate ship, make this a one-of-a-kind experience for Like a Dragon fans.
Stories from Sol: The Gun-Dog inspired by sci-fi adventure games and anime of the 80s. Not only does it hit all the notes it goes for it excels in them. The game has a gripping narrative filled with characters I fell in love with. The Gun-Dog itself feels like a real live-in ship that I wanted to keep exploring as well. It looks beautiful as well and has a soundtrack I got lost in. The game is short but I'm already playing again to see what scenarios I missed. I can't recommend it enough, and can't wait to see what other players find on their first playthrough.
Warriors: Abyss is Omega Force's attempt at breaking into the rougelite genre. There is some fun to be had, but ultimately, the game lacks potential in a lot of cases. With poor boss battles and limited gameplay features, you're better off spending your time elsewhere unless you are a die-hard fan of Warriors.
The Legend of Heroes: Trails through Daybreak II is a near-perfect sequel that follows up the previous game with an intriguing story and premise. While shaking up the story formula, the game retains many of the redeeming qualities of its predecessor and makes improvements in the right areas, including the seamless action-to-turn-based combat system. This is a cant-miss RPG that brings everything Trails fans enjoy about the series.
Ender Magnolia: Bloom in the Mist is a 2D action RPG Metroidvania. It's able to set it self apart from other in the genre and be something great. With an intriguing mystery I felt compelled to unravel, and a fun combat system that encourages experimentation. A short but compelling adventure and I already feel like playing again. Ender Magnolia is something special, and I hope Binary Haze Interactive continues to make more.
Ninja Gaiden 2 Black is an unmissable title for fans of the genre and those seeking a true challenge in gaming. It modernizes the classic while staying true to its brutal action. It remains one of the best hack-and-slash experiences ever made, delivering relentless difficulty and rewarding mastery that few modern games can match.
Freedom Wars Remastered doesn't bring many surprises to the table, but it's great to see a Vita cult classic find its way to current platforms. While it is beginning to show its age, this still holds up as an enjoyable title to play in 2025.
Hello Kitty Island Adventure has finally landed on consoles, and it's the perfect tropical vacation for anyone searching for that next cozy adventure. While I did run into some technical issues on Nintendo Switch, they were minor enough that most players will not be phased by them. If you are looking for a new cozy game to play daily in 2025, Hello Kitty Island Adventure should be at the top of your list.
Turbo Overkill, despite its great visuals and gameplay loop, is constantly stuck in the shadow of the media that inspired it. The story is unremarkable, the references to other entries in the genre become distracting after a bit, and there are several issues with the sound, pacing, and visuals, alongside frequent crashes. As a result, you may find yourself asking why you aren't playing another boomer shooter instead, despite the game's few exciting moments.
The Stone of Madness is one of the most frustrating games I've ever played. Despite its beautiful art style, great characters, compelling narrative, and unique gameplay, the obtuse puzzles, absurd difficulty, lack of accessibility, and numerous technical glitches make this experience absolutely not worth it unless you want to feel as stressed and insane as the game's characters.
Donkey Kong Country Returns HD is a basic remaster that's just enough to bring the game to Nintendo Switch for new players. With its intricate and creative level design, fun soundtrack, and solid replayability, this is an excellent platformer that fits right in with many others on Nintendo Switch. However, if you aim to experience the game in co-op, a frustrating bug makes the experience nothing like the original game, leaving Donkey Kong Country Returns HD in desperate need of a patch.
Phantom Brave: The Lost Hero is a good sequel to a beloved series that introduces a lot of good ideas. Still, it's a game that falls flat in its storytelling, going a bit too over the top, resulting in something that is hard to get engaged with.
SYNDUALITY Echo of Ada is a third-person, mech-based PvPvE with looter and extraction shooter elements. It does have potential, but it's sadly held back by a live service format and its monetization elements. Although there's fun to be had online, the game makes it a hassle to actually play with others, and the combat and gameplay loop can become repetitive.
Dynasty Warriors: Origins is a great time, acting as an excellent entry point for newcomers and a treat for series verterans as well. There's an interesting story told across five meaty chapters, with plenty of content to see and discover. If you've yet to experience a non-spinoff in the series, Origins is the perfect place to start.
Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver 1 & 2 Remastered successfully revives a classic, bringing its rich narrative, atmospheric world, and engaging gameplay to modern audiences with improved visuals and performance. While it falls short of being a definitive edition due to missing quality-of-life updates and minor technical issues, it remains a worthy tribute to the originals.
Indiana Jones and the Great Circle is a fantastic experience set in one of the most beloved media franchises ever. The story is worthy of the series, plus the performances, especially from Troy Baker, are great. Further, the moment-to-moment gameplay of exploration, puzzle-solving, and combat is unique, varied, and fun. Plus, the use of a first-person perspective is a great choice. I hope that MachineGames does more with the franchise in the future.
Ys Memoire: The Oath in Felghana is a great action RPG that doesn't overstay its welcome with its story and content, but offers enough replay value for fans. The game's main flaws involve the lack of side content and character development due to the short story, but the fun combat, intriguing setting, and variety of features makes it a worthy Ys title nonetheless.
Marvel Rivals is one of the best multiplayer games I've played in a really long time. Thanks to varied and unique characters from one of the most beloved franchises in history, the roster is fantastic so far and filled with potential. Further, the moment-to-moment gameplay and unique approach to balance is a great change of place compared to other hero shooters. Hopefully the game manages to build on its momentum in the coming months.
Metaphor: ReFantazio is a masterful RPG that defies expectations, and it's the pinnacle of its genre. Players are plunged into an amazing and complex fantasy setting as a protagonist setting out to right the wrongs of its kingdom: the United Kingdom of Euchronia. Along the way, players meet several well-written characters, including a tremendous threat of a villain. ATLUS refined and perfected the calendar and turn-based battle systems to create an all-time classic. This is absolute brilliance.