Hironobu Sakaguchi is far from closing the book on his odyssey as a game developer, and I, for one, am grateful for it. FANTASIAN Neo Dimension feels like a love letter to the golden age of turn-based storytelling—a game steeped in nostalgia, yet audacious enough to try something fresh. Despite the echoes of its mobile origins, its charming characters and challenging gameplay deliver an experience as imperfectly wonderful as the heroes it portrays. It’s not Final Fantasy in name, but it might as well be in spirit, and playing it feels like rekindling a long-lost friendship.
Freedom Wars Remastered is a faithful but imperfect revival of a cult classic PlayStation Vita game. While it retains the compelling dystopian premise and addictive combat that made the original standout back in 2014, it also carries over some of its shortcomings. The narrative brims with potential, yet falls short in its execution. The visual design is imaginative, but can’t break free of its Vita-era origins. For returning fans, it’s a nostalgic trip worth taking, with the same-old addictive gameplay and just enough improvements to feel fresh. For newcomers, it’s a more challenging sell; its dated structure and design may not resonate with players as strongly today. But in spite of its flaws, Freedom Wars Remastered is a welcome effort to keep its unique world alive, and it leaves hope for a future that will fully realize the potential of its setting.
Tales of Graces f Remastered proves that the “power of friendship” can still hit home when done right. While it may stumble with its well-worn plot, its characters and their interactions elevate the experience beyond typical JRPG tropes. Combine this with a combat that’s deeply satisfying and quality-of-life features that breathe new life into each playthrough, and you’ve got a remaster that’s genuinely enjoyable in its own right.
After years of mere cameos and remasters, Phantom Brave: The Lost Hero finally gives the series the attention it deserves: a true sequel that expands on its mechanics. It takes the series into new waters with a brighter tone and streamlined storytelling, but in doing so, it drifts away from the emotional depth that made its predecessor so resonant. Yet, the very fact that this sequel exists signals something greater for the series—if this is just the beginning, then the future of Phantom Brave is brighter than ever.
Rift of the NecroDancer is a rhythm game that just refuses to play by the genre's rules. It constantly keeps you on your toes while giving you just enough room to revel in the thrill of every successful combo. Before you know it, you'll find yourself hitting replay before the song even ends—because of both its infectious soundtrack and the sheer challenge it presents.
Trails Through Daybreak 2 had all the right ingredients—engaging combat, deep customization, and a gorgeous presentation—but somewhere along the way, it forgot to justify its own existence. What should have been a meaningful continuation of the story instead felt like a low-stakes detour, lacking the weight and player agency needed to make its twists truly land. I wanted to believe in it, to see past the early criticisms, but in the end, it only proved them right.
Stories from Sol: The Gun-Dog channels the charm of the PC-98 era, not just in its appearance, but also in its spirit. It may be a brief experience, but don’t let that fool you—this Gun-Dog has plenty of bite. With echoes of classic mecha anime and space-age adventures, this game shoots for the stars and hits its mark.
I summon Pot of Mid to draw 14 mediocre games from Konami’s Yu-Gi-Oh! library! Sure, it’s fun to revisit some of these classic titles, even if some of them don’t quite live up to the hype. Maybe next time Konami will summon a more exciting lineup, but for now, we’re left with a handful of cards that, while decent, don’t offer much beyond a trip down memory lane.
If there’s one word that perfectly describes Split Fiction, it’s “fun.” The levels are amazing, the story is entertaining enough, and there’s no shortage of joy in exploring with friends what is essentially a virtual playground. It’s such a blast that I can’t help but hope Split Fiction, fingers crossed, will follow in the footsteps of its predecessor, It TakesTwo, and rake in the same well-deserved accolades.
Xenoblade Chronicles X already proved its mettle when it was considered by many to be one of the standout titles on the Wii U, and its arrival on the Nintendo Switch only solidifies its place among the console’s best. While the pacing can feel glacial at times, the game’s rich world and new content make it an inviting experience for newcomers and a rewarding return for veterans.
Venus Vacation PRISM arrives just in time for spring break! It offers a getaway filled with sun, sand, and a strikingly polished charm. It delivers exactly what it sets out to, but beneath the glossy presentation, its lack of depth might leave some players wanting more. Still, for those willing to overlook its shortcomings, there’s enjoyment to be found here—but for everyone else, it might not be the paradise it claims to be.
All in Abyss: Judge the Fake deals with a wild hand that’s hard not to admire—even if it’s a little flawed. The boss battles and Danganronpa-style executions steal the show with thematic gimmicks that keep each match feeling unique, even when the game’s balance falters. Its visual novel elements are surface-level and the post-game content is thin, but the journey up the gambling ladder is just absurd enough to be worth the ride. It’s not the most honest game at the table, but it sure knows how to put on a show.
The Hundred Line -Last Defense Academy- feels like the love child of Kodaka's eccentric, character-driven storytelling from Danganronpa and Uchikoshi’s mind-bending twists from Zero Escape. The game pulls you in with its gripping narrative choices and fast-paced combat, all unfolding within a world brimming with mystery and high stakes.
Yes, Your Grace 2: Snowfall wears the weight of its crown with dignity, even if its footing isn’t always steady. There’s beauty in gloom and routine and the moments where the burden of leadership hits just right—but they’re often buried under bugs, shallow choices, and a story that doesn’t quite find its teeth. It’s not a fall from grace, exactly, but more like a stumble in the snow that's hard to not take notice of.
Captain Blood is a curious relic, a patchwork resurrection of an era long past, one that struggles to find relevance in the present. Its brute-force combat and nostalgic appeal might offer fleeting moments of blood-soaked joy, but the weight of its technical flaws and repetitive design quickly quashes any sense of lasting engagement. It’s a game that wants to be remembered for its swagger, but instead, it’s a reminder of how games like this were left behind for good reason.
FANTASY LIFE i: The Girl Who Steals Time is less concerned with spectacle and more with progressing cozily through its world. It stumbles in its attempt to be more, particularly in its half-hearted multiplayer, but when played alone, it becomes a game that celebrates the slow accumulation of meaning through routine. Its charm isn’t loud, but it lingers, like a warm memory you didn’t know you missed.
Mobile Suit Gundam SEED Battle Destiny Remastered arrives on international shores for the first time with a fresh coat of paint, so lovingly polished for modern eyes. Its roots are unmistakably Vita-era, with all the clunky lock-ons and sterile arenas that implies, but when you’re soaring through the stars, beam saber in hand, it’s easy to forgive the rough edges. The game trusts its audience to know the lore, feel the weight of its Mobile Suits, and embrace its mission-based grind like slipping into an old pilot suit.
Rune Factory: Guardians of Azuma is the series’ most ambitious entry yet. From its well-told story to its surprisingly deep village-building system, it’s a game that fully embraces the joy of planting turnips at dawn and saving guardian deities by night. For longtime fans and newcomers alike, Azuma is a harvest of everything Rune Factory can be when it dares to dream big.
Unlike the original Shadowverse, which was known for its free-to-play generosity, Shadowverse: Worlds Beyond currently lacks that same accessibility. Players can still get a lot out of the game, but its monetization model and the new liquefy system are different and, frankly, less player-friendly. This is especially disheartening considering how much the original's accessibility contributed to its widespread appeal. Worlds Beyond retains the core Shadowverse experience fans love, with added mechanics and the more personalized Shadowverse Park, but it feels like it's lost some of its soul to the pursuit of profit.
Survival Kids is exactly what it sounds like: a game for kids. It's not reinventing the co-op gaming, but it sails along smoothly thanks to its co-op design and low-stress puzzles. It's definitely best with a buddy or two, especially one who won't lose it when you "accidentally" toss logs off a cliff. A few clunky design choices and some repetitive bits keep it from hitting a higher score, but as a family-friendly adventure, it totally nails its target. You probably won't remember the plot, but you might just crack up thinking about the fifth time your raft went belly-up.