Qualbert.com's Reviews
Heart Machine has done a stellar job in trying to make it into the Metroidvania space. Whilst the art direction and combat are enjoyable, quite a few other things lets down this demonic extravaganza. Thankfully, it doesn’t outstay its welcome despite too much pointless discourse, but its characters and ending are well worth being trapped in Sanzu City. This won’t be your favourite metroidvania, but there’s plenty here for lovers of the genre to discover.
The year of 2025 has been banger after banger for indie games, with Clair Obscur, Hades 2, and Megabonk racking up millions of players. Add Dispatch to the list of feverishly insatiable delights; it’s a masterful tale of collaboration, immersion, and the tried-and-true question of “what does it mean to be a hero?” On top of that, it’s a resurgence of Telltale greatness with a Critical Role edge this time around, making for one of the best stories to experience in narrative gaming today.
Simplicity is Dice of Kalma’s key strength. Blending approachable gameplay with stylish minimalist design, Pepperbox Studios have created a roguelike that scratches the post-Balatro itch, even if just for a moment. While its gameplay loop may only be briefly entertaining for more skilled players, the concept holds great potential for further updates, and is well worth its price point. With three games under their belt in less than a year, there’s no denying that this niche Finnish studio is rolling the dice in their favour.
It’s not perfect and there are many issues, but Legends ZA is definitely the best Pokémon game in a while. I’m hoping that Game Freak will continue to tweak parts of the Pokémon games as they continue making them. I don’t mind the day/night cycle, but I think that they need to adjust it so that the cycle pauses when people are catching Pokémon or doing a quest at least. I look forward to seeing what the DLC has to offer early next year and what changes they make.
Beyond the visual splendour and musical reverence, Dragon Quest I & II HD-2D Remake carries a subtler significance, one that reaches beyond nostalgia and into cultural memory. They are monuments to a genre that defined generations. In an age obsessed with cinematic universes and narrative complexity, Dragon Quest’s simplicity feels refreshing. It reminds players that adventure doesn’t need convolution to be meaningful, it only needs sincerity.
As a reboot of the 2004 game with the same name, this is a pretty poor entry. Changing what players loved from an emotional story to a generic multiplayer shooter doesn’t offer the best of gaming. That’s not to say this game isn’t good, it was a tonne of fun and with friends, trying to beat the missions on nightmare, I can see a lot of gamers enjoying this. Luckily, its saving grace is the amazing visuals and snappy gameplay, whilst it may feel repetitive, kept me coming back for more. Some more mission variety would have been nice but for a cheaper overall price at $60AU/$40US, this is a solid multiplayer game.
Seeing how far the roguelite genre has come over the years, it falls short of what it could have been with the combat, platforming, difficulty and level design not being up to snuff. Hotel Barcelona may be worth a stay if you’re a die-hard fan of Suda and/or Swery and can muster through the lack of polish, but only at a discount. For anyone who’s wanting a more enticing roguelite experience should find it elsewhere.
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.