Qualbert.com's Reviews
Once Upon a Katamari is a gem. A bright star in the sky. A pickle atop a hamburger, begging for your teeth to unleash its crisp crunch and spread its flavour as your tongue screams in delight. It’s a poem written and performed by a madman, which might be beautiful to some and terrifying to others. And for all the weirdos out there, it’s a journey you won’t soon forget. It’s time to start rolling once again. The King demands it!
Is BALL x PIT destined to be the next roguelike addiction that will sweep the globe? Not quite. While this ball-flinging indie is a satisfying and creative genre twist, its reliance on repetition likely won’t capture players quite to the degree of other roguelike x greats. That’s not to say that BALL x PIT isn’t a well-rounded experience; in fact, it’s a game that most roguelike fans will find strangely relaxing and hypnotic. And if, like me, you’re nostalgic for the brick-breaking gameplay of yesteryear, then these balls are certainly worth grabbing.
The average Mario fan who wants something new or already has the Super Mario 3D All Stars version may be disappointed in this release. But for anyone who has never experienced Super Mario Galaxy, then this is definitely the best way to explore the stars.
Atelier Resleriana: The Red Alchemist and the White Guardian is a truly fantastic game. It simultaneously takes the game design back a step, but in doing so, comes out as a far stronger experience than it might have had if it aimed too high. The turn-based combat and tweaks to other returning systems mean that there is a lack of nuance and technique to master, and it’s satisfying to do so. While it’s a shame players likely won’t see the previous game’s story, now that it’s offline, this is a brilliant new Atelier adventure with a mature narrative and characters.
Nomada Studios follow up title has gone above and beyond it’s predecessor. With deeper gameplay, vibrant colours and a heart wrenching story to boot. Although this 5 hour journey may be shorter than some would like, it doesn’t detract from its fantastic gameplay. Neva is an engaging and emotional experience that is well worth investing your time in, even if it is only for a day or two.
Nearly three decades after its debut, Final Fantasy Tactics remains a singular achievement in the genre. With The Ivalice Chronicles, it has been given the respectful, if cautious, treatment it deserves. A game that proves once again why Ivalice continues to enthral, inspire, and challenge players to this day.
It’s clear the goal was to bridge the Digimon series into the JRPG sphere at a user-friendly entry point. The mechanics are simple enough to grasp, yet there’s plenty of customisation and challenge for seasoned veterans. The Storyline is richly detailed and the art and animation are, for the most part, fantastic. If you’re after a story-driven adventure or a Digimon-focused battle experience, Time Stranger has plenty to offer. Just be prepared for the head-spinning, dimension-hopping twists and turns and maybe switch on that 5x speed from time to time.
From it’s simple yet dynamic gameplay loop, accessible mechanics, solid roster of characters with more on the way, great selection of tracks to race, a good amount of variety added in especially when playing multiplayer and a nice chunk of unlockables. The blue hedgehog and crew have definitely earned the trophy as one of the most fun games of 2025 and one that I can definitely recommend for Sega fans, kart racer enthusiasts and those who want a game to blast out at parties (locally or online). Don’t skip a lap on this one!
Silent Hill f encapsulates the classic Japanese horror essence but falls a little flat on variety. Although it contains quite a few grotesque scenes, the conclusion doesn’t hit as hard as previous entries, which may leave long-time fans a little disappointed. With a shorter run time and plenty of alternate endings, this is the perfect spin-off to take on new fans and let older ones enjoy something new. Whilst it may not be the perfect survival horror game, there is plenty here to bash your pipe against, even if you are a little bit of a scaredy cat. All in all, this is a solid new entry, even with its few drawbacks, but that only means there is room for improvement in the potential sequel.
Is Katanaut an evolution on roguelites in general? No. But is it a good game? Absolutely! While it may not change the minds of those who want a more easier time, Katanaut manages to impress with it’s fast-pace and bloody action into the unknown corners of the dreaded space station.
Magic farming games have been a bit of a trend in the last five years, so I appreciate Spellgarden taking that and making it their own. Where the game truly shines, though, is through its personality, which is something that helps it stand out amongst the crowd. A lot of these games are devoid of an overarching narrative and let the gameplay do all the talking, but in Ritual of Raven, everything is endearing. The constructs themselves, the NPCs, the story. All of it. It truly feels like the game version of soul food: nourishing and warm.
Silksong is a flawed masterpiece. Team Cherry has raised the bar beyond every single aspect of Hollow Knight, but in doing so, overstepped the line between satisfying challenge and punishing frustration. With a truly compelling and sprawling world alongside intuitive movement and combat, Silksong has every single ingredient for perfection. But many players will be unlikely to enjoy the full experience. For those willing to endure, Silksong will entrap you in a compelling experience that’s a joy to be relieved of.
For a game that only lasts as long as the The Fellowship of the Ring extended edition, this sure left a lasting impression. The designs of the levels and basing them around one continuous scene was incredible. The narrator leads you through the story beautifully and even ends on a surprisingly bittersweet scene. Despite the fixed camera and getting stuck in rare moments, there was no performance issues or real reasons to not grab this game. Due to its shorter length, the price of $39 AUS (Introductory offer is $32) may be a little steep for some players. However, the tale of Gloomy and Nena is one that should be experienced, even if you wait for a sale.
Once again Bloober Team shows us why they are the new masters of horror on the block. If you’re a fan of survival horror and want a little bit of challenge, then I can’t recommend Cronos: The New Dawn enough!
Overall, even though the game falters a bit in its execution, I can’t help but be in love with its vision. With the state of the world, it’s always nice to engage with art that preaches positivity, optimism, and embracing what makes us different.
Ultimately, Sips and Sonnets is less about mechanics than mood. It asks players to slow down, to serve tea not just as a transaction but as a gesture of care, and to write poetry not for competition but for connection. It offers a gentle reminder that storytelling can be intimate and local, that games can find profundity in the everyday. If its final release matches the promise of its demo and previews, Sips and Sonnets may well become a small but memorable entry in the canon of cozy visual novels, a game best enjoyed with a warm cup of tea in hand. A quiet narrative that is the antidote to over-stimulation.
Tiny Witch is an adorable, but somewhat vapid game. It feels like there’s a large chunk of gameplay missing, as while the shops do get harder, it still feels quite repetitive. I’m unsure if it’s because 10 days is too long or that you’re creating the same 5 recipes over and over again. It’s not a bad game, but it’s not a great game either. It sits firmly in the good territory and refuses to budge.
In the end, Iwakura Aria succeeds most in what is easiest to praise: its visual beauty, atmospheric sound design, and incredibly strong vocal performances. These elements are undeniably evocative, and for some players, they may be enough to carry the experience. Yet the deeper flaws, predictable narrative beats, weak side characters, shallow branching structures, and a flawed localization, prevent the game from reaching its potential. Its historical setting and sapphic framing give it cultural resonance, but this resonance sometimes feels like borrowed gravitas rather than fully realized commentary.
Kirby and the Forgotten Land Nintendo Switch 2 Edition + Star-Crossed World is a banger of a package! The complete original game now with polished visuals and performance, plus the Star-Crossed World DLC, an excellent little addition to make the upgrade worth it and to give fans more of what they love. Any Kirby fan should do a celebratory dance while picking this up, as it’s not just recommended, it’s essential!
One of the main themes from the Secret Level episode that acts as a prequel to Shadow Labyrinth is ‘strength in repetition’. They took that a step too far in Shadow Labyrinth itself. At times, it almost felt like a chore to play Shadow Labyrinth. There are certainly some good elements here, so the game isn’t a total failure by any stretch. However, the highlights are so few and far between that overall, I can’t in good conscience recommend this game to anyone other than the biggest Metroidvania or Pac-Man fans.