Uriel Rodriguez

“Death End re;Quest: Code Z has some strong ideas on paper and a few redeeming qualities—namely, its voice acting and character art—but when the story is a mess and the game is almost unplayable, even longtime fans are going to have a hard time justifying sticking with it.”

“Abyssus is a thrilling and addictive roguelite FPS that shines brightest when played with friends, as the chaos and challenge ramp up the deeper you venture into the ancient civilization hidden beneath the dark sea.”

“Artis Impact is a masterfully crafted, imaginative odyssey that paints its post-apocalyptic world with heart and pixel-perfect precision. Though its narrative occasionally wavers, the game’s seamless blend of cozy mechanics, nostalgic JRPG flair, and a sharp-tongued yet endearing protagonist delivers an experience as memorable as it is meaningful. Impactful Indeed.”

“Wildgate feels like what you'd get if you mixed Overwatch with Sea of Thieves—a bold, chaotic fusion of hero-based teamwork and ship-to-ship space battles. It’s not without its flaws, but at its best, it delivers fun, frantic gameplay that thrives on cooperation. Space piracy mayhem at its finest.”

“Back to the Dawn is a masterfully crafted RPG that pulls no punches—an unflinching dive into the grit and grind of prison life, where every decision carries weight and survival hinges on strategy. With a cast of brilliantly written anthropomorphic inmates, it delivers a raw, rewarding experience that lingers long after the final escape.”

“Among Us 3D wears the mask of its 2D predecessor, stepping into first-person with big ambitions. There’s still chaos and charm beneath the surface, but clunky mechanics and odd design choices ruin the overall experience. In the end, it’s more impostor than upgrade—you’re better off sticking with the classic.”

“Phantom Breaker: Battle Grounds Ultimate doesn’t just improve the original—it cranks it up to 11. With a vibrant new look and smoother combat, it’s easy to pick up but hard to put down.”

“HASTE: Broken Worlds is exactly what 3D Sonic games should strive for—blazing speed, pinpoint precision, and the rush of mastering a deceptively brutal parkour system. Gotta go fast? More like gotta go HASTE.”

“Madoka Magica Magia Exedra is casting quite the spell! Who’d have guessed this anime would get a gacha game? While the grind and content drought can be a drag, it shines with a gripping retelling, stunning character models, and a combat system that truly feels like leading a squad of Magical Girls against witches.”

“Gal Guardians: Servants of the Dark suffers from classic sequelitis—trying to go bigger, it loses what made the original special. The art and combat still shine, but messy structure and design choices ultimately drag it down.”

“Rogue: Genesia is a hypnotic bullet hell roguelite that’ll have you saying, “Just one more run…” for hours. While the challenge fades as you grow stronger, the thrill never does.”

“Beyond the Ice Palace 2 is the sequel no one expected—35 years frozen in time, now reborn with nostalgia and a heart of ice. Its stiff controls feel straight out of the ‘80s, but beneath the frost lies gothic charm, slick chain combat, and rewarding exploration.”

“Afterlove EP hits deep, like a song that lingers after the last note. Its heartfelt story and striking visuals resonate, but the barebones gameplay feels like a missed beat. Still, branching choices keep it engaging, and its manga-inspired art and soulful soundtrack ensure the experience stays with you.”

“Polaris was marketed as an extraction shooter with fully destructible environments, and while that promise holds true, it, unfortunately, extends to the overall gameplay experience as well. While there are moments of fun to be had, the game suffers from game-breaking bugs, unpolished mechanics, and a lack of key features that prevent it from reaching its full potential. The foundation has promise, but Polaris needs significant improvements before it can deliver on its ambitious vision.”

“Blade Chimera is a masterful blend of nostalgia and innovation. It channels the spirit of IGA’s legendary works while carving out its own identity with fluid combat, seamless exploration, and a striking cyberpunk Osaka brought to life in vivid pixel art. More than a love letter to the genre, it’s a bold new chapter that stands tall on its own.”

“Luma Island is an excellent starting point for anyone looking to dive into the farming sim genre. Its simplicity and rewarding gameplay loop make farming, exploration, and overall progression both engaging and relaxing. The game truly shines when played with friends, offering a calming and enjoyable experience that feels tailor-made for cozy gaming sessions. While the game isn’t without its flaws, most issues could likely be resolved with a few patches. Despite these hiccups, Luma Island stands out as a cozy game that delivers on its promise of relaxation—arguably cozier than many other titles in the genre.”

“Verily, Mirthwood doth take the cozy charm of Stardew Valley's life-simulation and grant it a darker, more ambitious twist, allowing players to delve into a vast and wondrous fantasy realm where they may explore, build, forge friendships, and carve their own tale. The game’s grand scope and rich atmosphere doth draw thee in, yet 'tis hard to disregard the pests and frequent drops in frame rate that oft break the spell of immersion. Though the life-simulation elements are merry and engaging, the combat doth leave much to be desired. Still, for a game wrought by but two humble creators, Mirthwood is a mighty feat, even with its rough-hewn edges.”

“Farmagia has so much going for it: a unique farming-action RPG combination and Hiro Mashima’s captivating art, but it doesn’t quite harness these strengths, ending up as a frustratingly mixed experience. It has all the ingredients for a great farming RPG, yet the gameplay and story feel rushed and undercooked, as if it wasn’t ready for harvest. And if a sequel ever happens, here’s hoping they retire Lookie-Loo—the ugly one-eyed fairy mascot that’s more annoying than endearing!”

“Sky Oceans: Wings for Hire takes you on an emotional flight, and while there are a few turbulence bumps along the way, it soars to a remarkable landing. A true love letter to classic JRPGs, it blends a modernized turn-based system with fun exploration and a cast of unique characters. This game really sticks the landing and takes off into the skies of nostalgia while charting a fresh course forward.”

“Copycat’s narrative follows Dawn, a cat from a shelter, adopted by Olive. Copycat touches on sensitive topics like pet adoption, rejection, and belonging, making each plot point and interaction with humans gripping and sometimes heart-wrenching. With its astounding music and scenes, the game truly captures what Dawn feels in each moment and helps players empathize with her.”