Qualbert.com's Reviews
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.
Midnight Murder Club does a lot to stand out, but feels like a fun party game with mates instead of a multiplayer game you can play for weeks on end. Although the fun modes and wacky rule changes are great, the lack of progression, customisation, unlockables and maps might be its downfall.
Even those with little time to spare should be able to fit in a playthrough of OFF in only a couple of sittings. Even so, the weirdness of the game will sit with you for much, much longer. That is the mark of true art after all. Hopefully, the resurrection of this underground classic will generate some buzz that leads to more sales and success. I hope that such success prompts Mortis Ghost to return to game development to produce a longer, and perhaps even weirder experience. Though, is it possible for a game to be weirder than OFF? Play it yourself, and let me know.
While Whimside is too attention-demanding to be an idler, it’s still a rewarding, unique take on the barely-tapped screen-sitter market on Steam. What it lacks in utility, it makes up for in charm and depth, even if the latter is a detriment to some gamers. For just a few bucks, you can start creating creatures that feature on the bottom of your monitor – even if they need your clicks more than the rest of your screen.
FBC: Firebreak has proven to be fun, if flawed, undyingly cool with it’s ties to Control which only makes it a shame as it doesn’t capitalise on it as much as expected. The minute to minute gameplay combined with the atmosphere, plotline and setting does make for a compelling time that fits nicely into its Control niche.
Bean Beasts is yet another stand-out indie that showcases the talent of a solo developer. While it doesn’t shy away from its inspirations, it manages to create a compelling and challenging strategy game that will please any fan of the tower defense genre. Packed with plenty of worthwhile content and vibrant charm, this is an indie gem that deserves a spot in your Steam library. And as the developer’s debut title, I’d be keen to see this evolve into something even bigger.
If games were hot drinks, Tiny Bookshop would be a perfectly steeped cup of chamomile tea: calming, warm, and slightly floral. It won’t jolt you awake or set your heart racing, but it will leave you feeling quietly content, and maybe, just maybe, make you want to reorganise your bookshelf in real life.
Raidou Remastered might be one of the top Atlus games and a main highlight of the Shin Megami Tensei Devil Summoner series. The setting and game design offer a really compelling experience that, honestly, nothing else really comes close to challenging. The action combat, in its much-improved remastered form, is great fun and surprisingly strategic. If any future Shin Megami games use action, they should absolutely copy Raidou’s homework. Highly recommended!