Reviews

Atelier Yumia: The Alchemist of Memories & the Envisioned Land is a step forward in the Atelier series, but not everyone’s going to like the direction it’s taking. It feels like it’s starting to leave certain core elements—and Nintendo hardware—behind.
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The Hungry Lamb: Traveling in the Late Ming Dynasty is a visual novel that was first released in 2023 on Steam. Now, it brings its mix of drama and intrigue …
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Dead Dragons aren’t dead. This isn’t really a spoiler because you find out the dragons aren’t dead in about the first two minutes. Besides, the whole point of the game is what you do about the dragons still running amok.
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Turbo Overkill is a first-person shooter for the Nintendo Switch. While this genre isn’t exactly in short supply, there aren’t many decent outings for Nintendo’s hybrid console. Turbo Overkill seeks …
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Kamikaze Lassplanes—thus named because the planes are the lasses and the…well, I’m not sure about the kamikaze part—leans heavily into its visual novel gameplay and ecchi art. It also serves up an engaging story and fun shoot ’em up combat throughout.
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It’s hard for me to shake the stereotype that visual novels tend to be romances. Take a look at the eShop screens for this game, and you can see why that would be the case. But believe me, the HD remake of Ever 17 – The Out of Infinity is much more than a romance.
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Described as “A classic Sci-fi visual novel,” Never 7 – The End of Infinity looks more like a dating sim, at least judging by its odd screenshots. This confused state …
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The goal of the narrative adventure Cabernet? I’m still not so sure, even after hours of playing. Whether you find a deeper meaning, the game still has much to offer and does a wonderful job of keeping you engaged.
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Accolade Sports Collection compiles five early ’90s sports titles showing their age. I’m not sure how “classic” these 30-plus-year-old games actually are, or if they make for a collection that’s …
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The first thing that struck me while playing WARRIORS: Abyss was just how fond I’ve grown of these characters. I mention that because you get over 100 characters from Dynasty Warriors and Samurai Warriors. Unfortunately, you’re not given much to do with them.
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If you’re a fan of metroidvania-style games, Ender Magnolia: Bloom in the Mist is one that might pique your interest. Most of the game takes place in a dark world …
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Is there a growing trend to combine casino games with roguelike elements? With Balatro already a smash hit, and now Luck be a Landlord making its way to the Nintendo …
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Search levels for potion ingredients, collect them while avoiding deadly enemies, and mix them in a pot to save your daughter from an evil dragon. Such is the premise of Freddy Farmer, a throwback to ’80s and ’90s gaming.
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Critter Café is a charming sim that combines café management, critter collecting, and puzzle-solving. It’s a little addictive at first, but repetitive gameplay and a lack of variety might make some players feel like closing up shop.
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Bloodless for the Nintendo Switch offers a unique action-adventure experience centering on counter-based combat. Armed only with her fists, protagonist Tomoe’s mission is to disarm enemies without taking lives…kind of like Batman.

Kind of like Batman.
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X-Out: Resurfaced is an extremely challenging, side-scrolling shoot ’em up from the Commodore 64 days, effectively polished for modern consoles. Will that polish help it appeal to modern arcade action fans? Let’s dive in to find out.
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Big Helmet Heroes is a 3D beat-’em-up where you (and a friend) play as one of many knights trying to save the princess! Playing it was a blast in both single-player and co-op, so let’s talk about it.
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The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles had a big year in 2024. They featured in two brand-new games and a new animated show. Not content to rest on their shells, the …
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