Qualbert.com's Reviews
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.
There is a lot of potential to be found here, but everything just lacks something to make it stand out. Every part of the game is good, but it has just been done better before. I really wanted to like this, as action-adventure games are one of my favourite genres; however, it all just falls apart at the seams and leaves you wishing for it to contain more grandiose elements.
Fans of the originals will certainly want to pick up Patapon 1+2 Replay if they’re like me and sold their PSP eons ago. However, the PS Store’s PS4 version of the titles doesn’t stray too far from this release, and are effectively the same price (and even less during sales). Nevertheless, newcomers will likely get the best Patapon experience picking up Patapon 1+2 Replay, as the latency sync is such a benefactor that it can warrant the purchase.
Metal Eden checks a ton of boxes and makes for a great time throughout most of its ~10 hours. While it sometimes felt like the plot took a backseat and you get your ear talked off, the adrenaline rush of a toughly-won battle more than makes up for it. This is a real treat for cyberpunk and FPS fans alike, and I can foresee the possibility of a Metal Eden 2 should Deep Silver put stock in the franchise. Here’s hoping Metal Eden sells well, as it’s a banger of a shooter.
Sword of the Sea is absolutely must-play territory for fans of Journey. More than just a spiritual successor, utilizing that game’s artist/composer who both deliver some career-best work creates an entirely-new standard in the adventure/exploration genre. It might be a one-sitting game, but Sword of the Sea is bound to linger in your thoughts and perhaps beckon a new playthrough far in the future.
Mafia The Old Country is a good game that I feel is missing just a little bit to make it great. I’ve played through the previous 3 and I think this sits in the middle with the first game for how it compares to the others. Where it lacks in gameplay, it makes up for in story and cinematography (for those wondering, 2 ranks as the best in my eyes and 3 is the lowest).
Whether you’ve played the original game twenty times or are new to the franchise, this is undoubtedly the best way to start. For owners of the Ultimate Edition on Xbox, you can simply purchase an upgrade and the full edition is largely cheaper than most new release games at $49 AU. Xbox fans seem to be left out of the lurch a little bit as there is no physical release for this edition, unlike the PS5 copy, possibly due to the fact that it’s a day 1 release on Game Pass and that is their sole focus currently.