Will Silberman

“Despite its simplicity and minuteness, Lovish is an 8-bit retro platformer that gets right to the point with its retro charm. Some of its progression feels archaic, but it makes up for it with tongue-in-cheek satire and tight platforming. It's a delight of an indie gem that's best appreciated by 90s kids who are still wearing their rose-colored glasses.”

“I keep forgetting about how Super Spin Digital has produced a music game that can include music of so many different genres while incorporating novel yet natural movement in the VR space. The Indie Pack DLC features this gameplay but with some moody, ambient, and dreamy tunes. For $8, it's worth it to dance (and sing) along!”

“Possessor(s) is many things: stylized, satisfying, occasionally frustrating, and short but sweet despite its large map. It's a familiar yet solid gameplay loop with few frills, save for shirtless demon protagonists and neon stylizations.”

“I'm willing to look past my smaller form graphical quibbles of Tales of Xillia Remastered, as should you. The base Xillia content is notable for its incredible combat and emotional story, and the additional quality of life content makes the game more palatable than ever before. If you're wanting to relive Tales of Xillia or are down to experience it for the first time, Tales of Xillia Remastered will give you the nostalgia and emotional depth you need.”

“I want to live in a world where games retain their core gameplay all the while becoming more accessible to new players with minimal compromises. Paradox is making that true with Europa Universalis V. With its automation, friendlier UI, and fleshed out playstyles outside of expansion, it's a grand strategy game that is innately fun, endlessly engaging, and worth the decade's wait.”

“For Switch 2 owners who already own Kirby and the Forgotten Land and are weighing their options while new much-hyped games are being released (I'm looking at you, Silksong and Donkey Kong Bananza), Star-Crossed World is short but sweet, opting to replicate the success of the base game with a glittery new coat of paint. For Switch 2 owners who have not yet played Kirby's newest adventure, Kirby and the Forgotten Land + Star-Crossed World is undoubtedly the definitive iteration and worthy of your time.”

“The best RPGs impart lasting emotions on the player over the duration of the playthrough. In between its turn-based battles, light character building, and dark symbolism, OFF imprints guilt, horror, and confusion on the player in ways few games successfully pull off. OFF is an RPG that everyone should experience blindly, especially those who appreciate a haunting journey with blips of the bizarre. This remaster is not just a should-play of 2025, but a must-play of the decade. If you want OFF's rainbow, you must have the rain.”

“Earthion is a perfect encapsulation of the timelessness of the SEGA Genesis. Ancient and Yuzo Koshiro have set the gold standard on how to breathe life into a shoot-em-up while innovating its reach to be fun for all players. Despite it being a Genesis title emulated on PC, it's a must-have for anyone who loves retro games with just the right amount of challenge.”

“Arashi Gaiden is a great bite-sized turn-based action game set within the confines of a puzzle game. While it might be more difficult than others may expect, it will prove satisfying for those who enjoy solving puzzles with flair.”

“Everdeep Aurora is more than a cozy digging metroidvania. It's a glimpse of what simplistic platforming can and should be, thoughtfully interwoven into a gameplay loop where discovery is the win condition. Its presentation might lack directness, but I would prefer a world where I can enjoy what I've dug up rather than being pointed to the next objective where I can surmise the outcome.”

“ATLUS has outdone itself with RAIDOU Remastered: The Mystery of the Soulless Army. Middling story and wonky camera angles aside, it hits the sweet spot of monster taming and action combat without compromising on the complexities that make JRPGs captivating. Here's to hoping that ATLUS reinvents and reinvigorates the RAIDOU series, as it's a breath of fresh air for this Persona fan!”

“On its own, Yakuza 0 is a great, albeit dated, entry in the overarching Yakuza franchise. Yakuza 0: Director's Cut might not feature enough content that Yakuza fans may enjoy, but it's an excellent port for a Nintendo Switch 2 owner and an even better entry into the Yakuza series for those who have not yet played a game from Ryu Ga Gotoku.”

“You should be relieved that Nintendo has brought Super Mario Galaxy + Super Mario Galaxy 2 to the Switch 2 without too many frills. It plays just like it did on the Wii and Wii U, albeit prettier and slightly more defined than I remember. It behooves any Switch 2 owner to acquire these masterpieces, especially those who weren't around to play them in their original states.”

“I've spent several hours playing Puyo Puyo Tetris 2S and I just love it. Barring the unnecessary complexities of its Skill Battles and attempting to learn its nuances, the additional modes and Versus setup makes for satisfying, frenetic, and highly replayable puzzle gameplay. It's an excellent game to take on the road and play with friends.”

“Pipistrello and the Cursed Yoyo is a marvel of a little game that wins at being a "yoyovania." The yoyo combat and progression are superb, its level design utilizing novel traversal elements without repetitious fluff, and its charm is off the charts. It's no walk in the park, but it's worth the payoff if you want a game that is a nostalgia bomb of classic Zelda fused with a yoyo thematic.”

“DK Island and Emerald Rush is a dichotomous, albeit controversial, DLC addition to the already fantastic Donkey Kong Bananza. The former is a love letter to DK's past; it's a letter that is best appreciated by those who want that trip down memory lane. The latter, though, is a highly replayable and ever-so-engaging roguelite mode that takes things up several notches to truly test your mastery of Bananza's mechanics. You shouldn't consider this DLC unless you've completed Bananza or intend to do so.”

“Dragon is Dead has quite a bit of potential now that it has left its early access period. Its novel approach to character building, loot management, and skill trees makes for a complex and satisfying roguelike experience. On the other hand, some of its endgame combat may prove too frustrating, especially when compounded by the traditional difficulty curve that comes with the roguelike gameplay loop. Its pixel art is gorgeous, though!”

“Draknek and Friends' The Electrifying Incident: A Monster Mini-Expedition lives up to its name as a bite-sized thinky game. While it strikes the sweet spot of puzzle solving without giving too much away, it may be seen as too difficult. Don't give up, though – it's worth it for the hour-or-so it'll take to reach the end.”

“Crashlands 2 has been worth the wait, especially for those who want a simple crafting and farming game that can be played on an iPhone or PC. Its tongue-in-cheek charm, dubstep silliness, and approachability make it worth playing for hours on end…so long as you get past its initial learning sluggishness.”

“If I was to call MainFrames a proof of concept, I would be grossly overlooking its stellar presentation of byte-sized platforming as a little floppy disk. Yes, it's difficult at times, but just about anyone can reach its end credits within a few hours. Developer Assoupi has nailed the platforming formula to a T; I can't wait for more!”