Joe Morgan

“Sword of the Sea is a beautiful, almost-cozy experience that, like Giant Squid’s other titles, stands as a strong argument for games as art. The game has chill vibes and a gorgeous, atmospheric aesthetic while still delivering an eloquent narrative. If you’re looking for something short and sweet, Sword of the Sea is the low-friction adventure for you.”

“The best thing I can say about a game of this nature is that it accomplishes what it sets out to do. It creates puzzles to be solved, gives players the tools to succeed, and then makes you feel like a dextrous genius when you execute successfully. Couple that fantastic visual design and a solid soundtrack and you have something special fans will come back to time and again. Don’t sleep on this wild ride.”

“While Shujinkou isn't perfect, the fusion of Japanese language learning and turn-based combat provides a wonderful title that both educates and satisfies the gamer patient enough to learn and engage with its systems.”

“Silent Hope is a fun, mindless action RPG that mixes dungeon diving, crafting, and a variety of combat playstyle options.”

“The digital adaptation of the board game is faithful and atmospheric with some smart quality of live changes, but a nearly catatonic online community makes me want to sit down at a table with friends that much more.”

“The story of five young heroes saving their world is well-done if predictable, but the gameplay is addictive and the visuals are a treat you can enjoy without breaking the bank.”

“The Forsaken Maiden is a fun, basic JRPG that tells an great story but ultimately falters by overstaying its welcome.”

“The Cruel King and the Great Hero is a wholesome, endearing JRPG fans of all ages will find both fun and meaningful.”

“Blackwind is a beat 'em up with fun combat and progression that feels hampered by a mediocre story.”

“Shadowverse is a JRPG with a serviceable story and deep, enjoyable TCG gameplay anyone can pick up.”

“Fallen Legion Revenants is a fun action RPG with a well done story that overstays its welcome with drawn-out combat scenarios and frustrating stealth sections.”

“Wolcen is a decent action RPG with a few issues that hold it back from greatness.”

“Caravan Story is a cute, free-to-play distraction that lets you do quite a bit without having to get emotionally or monetarily invested, but comes burdened by all the standard free-to-play trappings.”

“Vasara Collection contains a couple of fun, brutal SHMUPs you'll have a blast learning to play.”

“Tiny Metal: Full Metal Rumble redeems what was missing from the original while bringing a massive, fresh campaign and some new mechanics to fans of the genre.”

“God Wars: The Complete Legend is an enjoyable strategy RPG with a lot of customization options to keep hungry fans chewing. The lore is intriguing and the voice work is great. Unfortunately, it has a few issues that hold it back from greatness. For SRPG fans, there's a lot of meat on the bone. If you're new to the genre, though, you may want to sit a while on this one.”

“Azure Reflections is a fun SHMUP that allows players of all skill levels to get a taste of the action while offering quite a few unlockables and customization options. It has a weak story and the campaign will be over quick, so staying power may be an issue for some players. There's something undeniably euphoric about nailing a difficult fight or watching others maneuver through the chaos.”

“Happy Birthdays is a neat sort of simulation God game where you terraform land to help control the world's temperature, moisture, and more. Watching life grow and flourish based on your actions is peaceful and discovering new creations that evolve over time is fun. It makes a great game anyone could pick up and enjoy, and it's easy to find that you've lost several hours to it quickly.”

“With a wide array of customization options and modes, AO International Tennis had a lot of potential. Unfortunately, buggy gameplay mechanics drag down what could've been a fantastic sports game.”

“Survive! Mr. Cube is a cute, simple rogue-lite that's safe for the whole family. The variety of weaponry and enemies keeps things interesting. Unfortunately, you can finish every task the game has to offer in only a couple of hours and there isn't much to do long-term.”