Richard York

“Overall, McPixel 3 is something nice for an in-between period. It’s short and not too complicated, but plenty enjoyable with some weird hijinks. The scenarios you encounter are all pretty unique, and the gags you can find will probably give you a few laughs per round, at least. If you’re looking for a shorter but weirder adventure that would feel right at home with its own laugh track, check out McPixel 3.”

“Overall, Kamiwaza: Way of the Thief is a really fun game. Really niche, yes, but also really fun. The stealth aspect is pretty fun, and the stylish points earned through your actions are an interesting take. The gameplay loop is pretty easy to get, allowing you to hop right in to your thieving ways, and you will probably find yourself easily racking up mission after mission. While this may be a re-release of an old PS2 title, it has aged surprisingly well, if not in graphics then in gameplay. It’s fun and quirky, and I definitely suggest you give it at least a chance.”

“Overall I have to rate Chaos; Head Noah quite favorably. The story is engaging, the characters are all flawed in a relatable way, the art direction and musical style match the tone and setting, and the delusion triggers keep you engaged even during multiple playthroughs. While actually using the delusion trigger is very poorly explained, there is still a lot to enjoy here. While it does get extremely dark at some points, it really does a good job of setting the tone. If you’re interested in a science/fantasy visual novel, Chaos; Head Noah is a good starting point, either on its own or as part of the Science Adventure series.”

“Overall, I feel like NeverAwake did a really great job of encapsulating some of the best aspects of twin-stick shooters and bullet hell genres, all while wrapping it up in a nice package that tells a surprisingly meaningful yet dark story about a young girl and her troubles. The looping mechanic in the non-boss stages and the sheer amount of customization in the form of accessories is a great way to keep the game fresh all the way through. While the game may get tough at some points, there wasn’t a time where I thought the stages were particularly cheap. Even when frustration began to set in, clearing the stage made it all the more worth it in the end. Fans of twin-stick shooters and bullet hells alike are sure to get a blast out of NeverAwake.”

“Overall, Prinny Presents NIS Classics Vol. 3 is my favourite of the bunch. Rhapsody: A Musical Adventure and La Pucelle: Ragnarock have what I feel is the most heart of all the NIS classic titles. If you’re a fan of the Disgaea series, you can’t go wrong with either title, and even those new to the genre have a wonderful entry with Rhapsody. The updated graphic quality from the PS1 and PS2 era is greatly appreciated, and being able to bring these titles with me on the go with the Switch is amazing.”

“Overall, Kokoro Clover Season 1 is a game with a lot of heart, despite a few setbacks here and there. While definitely more on the easier side, it makes a good launching point for getting a younger audience into gaming, anime, or cartoons while also teaching some lessons. Kokoro Clover definitely feels like it would be more at home on the Switch, and while I wish that’s what I had played it on, the PC version worked fine for me. I highly anticipate the release of Season 2, and I hope you will too after playing Kokoro Clover Season 1.”

“Overall, I have to say that Dungeon Munchies is by far one of my favorite games I’ve played recently. I had so much fun with it, and I really enjoyed what it had to offer, especially considering the small size of the team that put it together. If you’re looking for some 2D action platforming experience, I highly recommend you give Dungeon Munchies a try.”

“Ultimately, XEL currently has way too many issues for me to seriously consider suggesting it, which is a shame considering the promise it shows. While updates are being made, at the moment it can be an absolute struggle to get through, and even when it isn’t, the little things start wearing on you pretty fast. I highly suggest to wait at least a month for some fixes to the issues before you consider picking up XEL. I really hope the issues get resolved and the developers continue making games, because I’d really like to see more refined titles from them.”

“Overall, I have to say that Azure Striker Gunvolt 3 is a great addition to the series, and is easily accessible to both new players and those who have played previous titles. Gameplay and combat is smooth, bosses and stages are interesting, and it’s super fun to collect all the skills and see the cameos from previous titles. While there are a few issues here and there, it isn’t nearly enough to truly take away from the experience. If you’ve been looking for something to meet that old Megaman / Megaman X vibe, you can’t go wrong with Gunvolt.”

“Overall, I have to say I really like Metal Max Xeno Reborn. While the gutted storyline and a few design choices are a little questionable, I found the combat system to be immensely enjoyable. Nothing quite like spotting an enemy over a hill and massacring them with a 100 ton cannon dropped by the last boss.”

“Oddly enough, despite my extreme dislike for the main character, I kept coming back for more, which is a great point towards ALICE IN DISSONANCE for their wonderful storytelling. The visuals are really impressive, character personalities are unique and actually realistic, and despite being a surprisingly fantasy reflection of real world issues, still manages to draw you in, despite how close to home some of the concepts may hit. fault-StP-Lightkravte has done a really good job of making me want to pick up the entire rest of the series, and maybe you should too.”

“TOKOYO: The Tower of Perpetuity is a neat package wrapped up in a retro like 2D art style with some catchy music to accompany you while traversing the tower. While incredibly simple in nature, complicated doesn’t always mean better, and what TOKOYO lacks in complicated controls or background mechanics, it more than makes up for in engaging stages with a ton of different options to be pieced together e very day.”

“In conclusion, Prinny Presents NIS Classics Volume 2: Makai Kingdom: Reclaimed and Rebound and ZHP: Unlosing Ranger vs. Darkdeath Evilman is a great combo of titles that give a good diversity while sharing similar writing and art styles. While the graphics could use some updating, it’s an absolute treasure that NIS has decided to bring titles from their classic collection into the forefront once more, and you can’t go wrong with either Makai Kingdom or ZHP, which just makes this union all the more sweet.”

“Overall, I have to say that Seven Pirates H has a lot of promise. There’s a solid basis for sea based exploration, the battle system is pretty fun, and the music is pretty catchy. Unfortunately, this effort seems undermined by how short the game is and how small the explorable areas are. If Seven Pirates H was more like the Moero titles in terms of dungeon length and bonus zones, I feel like Seven Pirates H would have fared much better. Even the upgrade system, where it allowed you to adjust your stat distribution, was an interesting idea, just falling flat against the backdrop of small areas with not much to them.”

“Overall, I had an absolutely wonderful time with Ocean’s Heart and loved it the whole way through. With that old-school Legend of Zelda vibe in both gameplay and art style, add in some unique twists and takes, and couple it with an immersive world, and you really have a recipe for success. While there were a few technical problems and design choices that I didn’t agree with, most of the time it wasn’t a big enough issue to truly worry about for the most part. With tons of bonus quests, caves to explore, and a secret boss, Ocean’s Heart is sure to keep you well entertained!”

“Overall, Maglam Lord had a lot of potential that it just didn’t fully capitalize on. While characters and dialogue are done really well, the combat that becomes tedious contrasting against some arbitrarily powerful or annoying bosses can be frustrating. Most enemies are simply palette swaps, including bosses that are just large normal enemies, and an annoying grind for materials at times really serve to slow the game down. Maglam Lord certainly isn’t bad, but it isn’t all it could be, either.”

“Overall, I have to say I really liked this Nep-Nep spin-off. While Dimension Tripper Neptune: TOP NEP might not be long, it’s definitely a really fun rail-shooter. It’s also pretty cheap, so it doesn’t feel like you’re losing out really either. The soundtrack is good, the gameplay is smooth, and while it is rather short, you can always aim to beat your high score on subsequent runs. Top Nep gets 8 puddings out of 10. Score: 8 / 10 puddings”

“Overall, I absolutely love Mary Skelter as a series, and the second game, while a bit different in nature, doesn’t dissuade me from the franchise at all. The characters are interesting and unique, the battle system and exploration are well mapped out, the variety of job classes make any character viable to use. While the port loses a point here or there, it’s all for fairly minor concerns, or temporary issues that soon resolved themselves. If you weren’t able to pick Mary Skelter 2 up on Switch, or you’re looking for some good dungeon crawling fun, make sure to check this out!”

“Overall, I have to say that Labyrinth Legacy is well worth its cost. While gameplay isn’t particularly innovative, it is pretty consistent and easy to get used to. It can feel sluggish and awkward at times, but never does it tip over to that “uncomfortable” range. Labyrinth Legacy is easy to pick up and has a good soundtrack to complement its stages. If you’re looking for a title to play with a partner, or if you’re looking for some decent roguelite action, be sure to give Labyrinth Legend a try!”

“Overall, Mushihimesama is a great title for both new players and veteran players alike. There's plenty of difficulty and challenge for the veterans, especially with Ultra mode, yet it's easy enough to get new players into with the combination of novice mode and infinite continues available. While the goal may be to complete the game without using a continue, you still get the full stage experience even if you can't manage it. The game is smooth, and even though the plotline is a little absent, it probably isn't what you're interested in anyway. Fans of the bullet hell genre will definitely want to add this title to their library. For newer players it's also a great introduction to the genre without putting them off too much. While the genre itself is a little niche, there's a reason Cave is a household name amongst those who enjoy bullet hells of all types, and they certainly don't disappoint here.”