Twisted Voxel
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A long-awaited sequel that delivers charm, tactical depth, and heart—even if it plays it safe. The inventive Confine/Confire/Confriend mechanics shine, and Marona’s journey strikes a perfect balance between whimsy and emotional weight. While not as expansive as some Nippon Ichi epics, its accessibility and polished combat make it a worthy return to Ivoire.
A gripping fusion of Danganronpa’s twisted storytelling and tactical RPG combat, elevated by its eccentric cast and layered mysteries. While the 100-endings gimmick feels excessive and battles lack depth, the game’s dark humor, social sim elements, and Uchikoshi-style twists make it a must-play for fans—even if it doesn’t quite surpass its inspirations.
A triumphant return for Fatal Fury, blending razor-sharp combat with deep mechanics—but held back by baffling guest characters and sparse single-player content. The Rev and S.P.G. systems add thrilling strategic layers, while the netcode delivers silky online play. Yet, the lack of robust tutorials, unbalanced newcomers (looking at you, Ronaldo), and a barebones story mode keep it from greatness.
A loving tribute to JRPG nostalgia, the Lunar Remastered Collection revitalizes two classics with crisp visuals and smart quality-of-life tweaks. While its turn-based combat feels dated and the PC port lacks polish, the enduring charm of its storytelling and preserved animated cutscenes make this a must-play for retro enthusiasts.
SaGa Frontier 2 Remastered revitalizes a cult classic with stunning visual preservation and crucial quality-of-life upgrades. While its uneven gameplay systems show their age, the game's breathtaking watercolor aesthetic and ambitious dual-narrative structure remain uniquely captivating.
Atelier Yumia boldly reinvents the series with thrilling action combat and a vast open world, but stumbles under the weight of its own ambition. While the deeper narrative and flashy battles impress, uneven pacing, performance issues, and oversimplified mechanics keep it from reaching its full potential.
Xenoblade Chronicles X: Definitive Edition successfully revitalizes an already ambitious RPG, refining its gameplay with worthwhile performance and quality-of-life improvements while preserving what made it special in the first place.
Expelled! is a brilliantly crafted mystery with a clever time-loop mechanic and razor-sharp writing. While its replay-driven structure may test some players' patience, the game rewards persistence with surprising depth and multiple compelling endings. A standout narrative experience that turns schoolyard drama into an unforgettable whodunit.
Assassin's Creed Shadows delivers a visually stunning and technically polished experience, with improved stealth and combat mechanics. However, its uneven narrative, repetitive side content, and lack of meaningful NPC interactions hold it back.
Two Point Museum delivers a charming and addictive simulation experience, blending quirky humor with deep management mechanics. While it occasionally feels repetitive, the addition of expeditions and diverse museum themes keeps the gameplay fresh.
Split Fiction is a co-op masterpiece, blending inventive gameplay, emotional storytelling, and stunning visuals. While its dialogue occasionally stumbles, the game’s relentless creativity and seamless teamwork mechanics make it a must-play for fans of cooperative adventures.
Rise of the Ronin delivers a visually striking and mechanically solid action-adventure experience, but its repetitive side content and unremarkable story hold it back. While the PC port offers technical improvements, performance issues and underwhelming visual upgrades dampen its potential.
Monster Hunter Wilds is a mechanically deep entry in the franchise, offering an expansive world and thrilling hunts. However, its steep learning curve and demanding system requirements may alienate newcomers and test even high-end PCs.
Ever 17 delivers a gripping, mind-bending narrative that showcases Uchikoshi’s signature twists and sci-fi intrigue. While its slow start and repetitive routes test patience, the game’s strong character development and unforgettable payoff make it a standout in the visual novel genre.
A relic of visual novel history, Never 7 offers a glimpse into Uchikoshi’s early work with its time-loop mechanic and sci-fi undertones. However, dated visuals, uneven writing, and a lackluster cast make it feel more like a curiosity than a must-play.
Urban Myth Dissolution Center offers a visually striking and intriguing mystery-solving experience with its nostalgic pixel art and modern twists. While the gameplay loop is engaging and the social media integration adds a fresh layer, the slow pacing, underdeveloped characters, and inconsistent case quality hold it back.
Donkey Kong Country Returns HD swings back into action, capturing the charm of its predecessors while introducing new difficulty modes and quality-of-life features. Though it loses some of the 3DS version's 3D magic, the jump to HD brings noticeable visual improvements. The game remains a classic platformer with rewarding collectibles and solid performance, despite longer load times. While its pricing as a full-priced game is steep, it offers enjoyable gameplay and nostalgia for fans of the series.
A swashbuckling spin-off that delivers the charm and chaos of the Like a Dragon series, Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii shines with its action-packed combat, quirky side content, and Majima’s magnetic presence.
A solid but uneven return for a classic fighter, Virtua Fighter 5 R.E.V.O. shines with its deep, technical gameplay and excellent rollback netcode but falters with stripped-down content and a lackluster tutorial. While its 3D combat remains engaging, the absence of single-player modes and controversial customization cuts leave fans wanting more. A promising yet flawed revival.
The Legend of Heroes: Trails Through Daybreak II attempts an ambitious multiverse narrative with refined character arcs and a seamless combat system. However, its complex storytelling and reliance on prior knowledge may alienate newcomers and overwhelm fans. While time-hopping mechanics add depth for lore enthusiasts, they slow pacing, leading to uneven payoffs. Despite narrative challenges, character development shines, making it a solid entry for dedicated fans, albeit not the series' pinnacle.