Chris Sanchez

“The Real Face of a Vtuber is a murder mystery visual novel. In it, you have to find out who murdered the CEO and founder of Lilien Entertainment, a company that manages Kuripa, a VTuber. The narrative is one I enjoyed for the most part, even if I didn't like the ending or how I got to it. The characters are a mixed bag, too, and I enjoyed half but forgot about the rest. I will have to commend the VTubing aspect, which is very well done, and I can only commend everything surrounding it, even if the game as a whole has issues.”

“The Great Villainess: Strategy of Lily is a strategy game that veterans and newcomers to the genre can enjoy, but it's one doesn't do much to stand out. While I like the mechanics it has, I can't help but feel the game is too easy at times as well. The characters are great, and even if they only appear in one story route, they still have some memorable moments in the game.”

“Return to Ash is a visual novel about being dead and being alone. It has a strong premise, but one I don't think it lives up to. My biggest issue stems from how short it is as when it finally starts to get interesting, the story is over. Still, it's a fine time, and there is one strong story route in here that shows it could be done with a little more time. I still think it's worth a try, just know you'll do everything in an afternoon.”

“Star Soraight Fantasy: Magic to Reach the Sky is a Metroidvania starring Tokino Sora. Fans of the VTuber will find much to love, but others will not so much. On the other hand, it is a serviceable Metroidvania that doesn't excel in the elements. The game doesn't overstay its welcome, and the short runtime makes it so it never really falters. Still, I can say the game is fine, and the passion on display was at least nice to see.”

“Ao Oni: The Horror of Blueberry Onsen is a horror game I have trouble recommending. While I have nostalgia for it, I don't know if someone without a connection to the series will get much out of it. It's very short and has frustrating monster spawn rates. But even after all that, I still had fun thanks to some clever puzzles, and even played it more than once thanks to the new leaderboard. My issues with the original are still here, but strangely endearing. Worth a play for fans of the series, but your mileage may vary.”

“Tetris: The Grand Master 4 -Absolute Eye- is a great way to play Tetris. It helped me rediscover a love for Tetris I once had, and for the first time, I'm trying different control schemes and modes. Sadly, the game is still in a buggy state and needs some work. The dev team is listening and communicating with players, and I do have faith these issues will get fixed, even if it might take a while. Even after all that, I can still recommend it, and this will be the version I continue to play.”

“All in Abyss: Judge the Fake is a visual novel poker RPG that only excels in one aspect. The actual poker games are a lot of fun, but the whole thing is held back by a lacking narrative. The characters are not interesting, the antagonist are not memorable, and the story falls apart the more you play. It's a shame because I really enjoyed playing Texas hold 'em when the game allowed me to, it just paired with a story I plan on forgetting.”

“The Hungry Lamb: Traveling in the Late Ming Dynasty is a dark visual novel set in ancient China. It tackles some harsh subjects, so I can't recommend it to all, but those who can stomach it will be greeted with a satisfying narrative of redemption. The pacing isn't the best in the first half, but the art and voice acting help elevate the story. What's left is a story I'm glad I experienced, problems and all.”

“Order 13 is both a horror game and a simulator. While I think it nails the horror environment for the most part, it falls short on the simulator aspect. It's still a fun time, but it has issues that become more apparent as you play, but it ends before any of them become a major issue. Even the cat, while cute, could be fleshed out a bit more too. While I was hoping it would do more, I still had fun and don't regret the hours I gave it.”

“The RIKI 8bit GAME Collection is a fine collection of homebrew titles that will make anyone nostalgic. Packed with two games that feel out the arcade, and a trilogy of albums any fan of chiptune will enjoy. The package may feel lacking for some, and it does feel like an enthusiast product, but there is still something here for any fan of retro games.”

“The Matchless Kungfu is an incredibly ambitious sandbox from HuanMos Game. The game says build your story and give you every opportunity too. You can play the game anyway you want and still have a great time. Problems come up when you encounter bugs or localization issues. The game also tries to do a lot and not all the systems work. It excels in a lot but also misses the mark in just as much. The game still needs work but with constant updates and a roadmap planned, I am optimistic for the future.”

“Hookah Haze is a short but sweet visual novel that tries to tell a lot. While it doesn't dive deep into the ideas it proposes it's still a fun time all can enjoy. All the characters stand out, and you will want to help them all. Great art and music accompany you in this story of death and life. While I wanted it to do more with its premise, I can't deny this is still a good time.”

“Natsu-Mon! 20th Century Summer Kid is an open-world life simulator I had a lot of fun with. Live summer to the fullest as you explore Yomogi Town. Go climbing, fishing, bug catching, and even treasure hunting to collect everything. Talk to the town and make friends, even solve mysteries and play with spirits. A world of limitless possibilities await you in this nostalgic adventure.”

“Metal Slug Attack Reloaded is a step up from it's original mobile form, but it doesn't fix all the issues. All the touch ups and retooling can't cover up that this was originally a gacha game that wanted you to spend money. If the core gameplay loop clicks for you though, get ready to have this game running for hours as you grind away. Not perfect by any means but something I find myself running in the background as I write this review.”

“Splodey is a fun 2D platformer that removes the jump button for momentum-based puzzles. What could be a gimmick becomes much more as the game stands on its own as a pretty fun game. Some annoying levels do hold it back from being something more, but it's still a very fun time. It boasts a high replay value for those who want it, and even now, I find myself picking it up to play through it once more.”

“Demon Slayer -Kimetsu no Yaiba- Sweep the Board is a different enough party game that stands on its own. Sadly, it doesn't do enough to recommend playing it over its contemporaries. The world of Demon Slayer does a lot to carry the game forward and fill it with charm, but the minigames don't have as much going for them and lack variety. It is fun enough to recommend playing once with friends but not enough to play more than that.”

“River City Saga: Three Kingdoms is an addictive and rewarding experience. A few quality of life adjustments can make this game even better throughout multiple playthroughs. It's not a perfect beat 'em up, but it's a worthy entry in the River City series.”

“It’s clear that Highwire put a lot into this game and wanted to make something special. The world is spectacular and I genuinely love the story this game tells. The game sounds amazing and I want nothing more that to just be able to explore this world in a more comfortable setting. Sadly all of that gets thrown out the window when you try to play.”