Noisy Pixel

“Dynasty Warriors: Origins – Visions of Four Heroes delivers a surprisingly rich and emotional expansion that reimagines iconic characters through alternate-history storylines. With four robust campaign routes, new weapons, and meaningful combat refinements, this DLC rewards long-time fans while giving returning players plenty of fresh content to explore. Although some design choices feel disconnected from the base game's systems, the narrative depth and gameplay enhancements make this a standout Musou experience for 2026.”

“Cassette Boy is a cleverly designed indie puzzle adventure that uses perspective as both a visual gimmick and a core gameplay mechanic. With a lo-fi aesthetic and cryptic progression, it invites players to experiment, explore, and interpret its world without handholding. Though its minimal storytelling and subtle design may not suit everyone, its creative puzzles and environmental twists offer a uniquely rewarding experience for those who embrace curiosity over direction.”

“Silly Polly Beast is a raw and unflinching action horror experience that blends punishing combat, narrative mystery, and bold visual shifts into one of the most daring indie titles of the year.”

“Kemono Teatime is a deceptively cozy catgirl café simulator from FuRyu’s new Studio Lalala, helmed by Fuyuki Hayashi. Beneath its cute pixel art and chill soundtrack lies a narratively rich experience that quietly tackles heavy emotional themes. With minimal gameplay depth but striking storytelling, it’s a bittersweet, thought-provoking journey that lingers well beyond its three-week runtime.”

“Roadwarden is an impressive text adventure RPG, but the Switch version is severely lacking when it comes to technical conditions. It's a shame as this should be one of the best of its kind on the platform, but it's just impossible to recommend it compared to the PC release.”

“No, I'm Not a Human is a haunting psychological horror experience that masterfully blends paranoia, morality, and surreal storytelling. Through tense decision-making, unreliable information, and eerie visual shifts, Trioskaz delivers a uniquely disturbing game that challenges your instincts and sanity, even if some mechanics frustrate.”

“Bubsy in: The Purrfect Collection is a lovingly curated yet brutally honest preservation of one of gaming’s most chaotic mascots. Packed with extras and accessibility features, it faithfully captures every quirky, frustrating, and occasionally charming moment of Bubsy’s retro reign, frustration and all.”

“Varlet is a short, stylish JRPG from FuRyu that mixes high school drama with dungeon crawling and light social sim elements. While its character chemistry and boss battles shine, predictable systems and uneven pacing hold it back from reaching its full potential.”

“Earthion is a love letter to shmup fans and SEGA enthusiasts, blending Gradius-inspired mechanics with Thunder Force-style flair, stunning 16-bit visuals, and a nostalgic Yuzo Koshiro soundtrack. While some visual clutter hampers precision play, its clever boss battles, relentless level design, and authentic retro feel make it a standout in modern and vintage shooter circles.”

“Artis Impact delivers a warm, character-driven RPG experience with charming worldbuilding and delightful side moments, but its unbalanced combat and uneven late-game pacing keep it from reaching its full potential.”

“s.p.l.i.t is a tense, minimalist hacking simulator from Buckshot Roulette creator Mike Klubnika that challenges players to navigate a terminal-driven psychological thriller. With no hand-holding and a deep sense of isolation, the game rewards persistence and experimentation, though its cryptic design may alienate those unfamiliar with command-line systems.”

“Fuga: Melodies of Steel 3 delivers an emotionally charged conclusion to CyberConnect2’s tactical RPG trilogy, blending heartfelt storytelling with refined combat mechanics. With its branching timelines, impactful choices, and upgraded strategy systems, it stands as a strong finale, though a few pacing and difficulty issues linger.”

“Mobile Suit Gundam SEED Battle Destiny Remastered revives the 2012 Vita-exclusive with upgraded visuals, broader platform availability, and a satisfying loop of suit customization and solo missions. While it won’t convert newcomers unfamiliar with the SEED universe, longtime fans will appreciate its deep Mobile Suit roster and tactical combat system.”

“Maliki: Poison of the Past blends whimsical storytelling with vibrant turn-based battles and light farming mechanics. Though its ambitious systems sometimes feel underdeveloped, its heartfelt writing, creative puzzles, and stunning soundtrack create a memorable indie adventure.”

“Phantom Breaker: Battlegrounds Ultimate combines nostalgic, retro beat-'em-up action with modern co-op multiplayer thrills. Its dynamic combat and cross-platform play deliver high-energy party moments, yet a shallow narrative and solo mode pacing issues may leave some players wanting more depth.”

“As a point-and-click escape room game, I had fun solving the various puzzles and navigating the scenarios, but the writing encourages a deeper analysis. While overly obtuse in some moments, I enjoyed how it brings its themes together. I’m unsure if someone will have the same experience I had, but I easily recommend this nightmare.”

“The Talos Principle: Reawakened breathes new life into Croteam’s philosophical puzzler with thoughtful quality-of-life upgrades, stunning visuals powered by Unreal Engine 5, and a demanding new expansion. While not all enhancements feel essential and motion sickness concerns persist, it remains a deeply rewarding experience for both returning fans and first-time players.”

“All in Abyss: Judge the Fake is a chaotic blend of anime visual novel, investigative gameplay, and Texas Hold 'Em card battles with a sinister death game twist. Though its storytelling can be uneven and some visuals divisive, it delivers a surprisingly addictive poker experience wrapped in eerie charm and high-stakes horror.”

“Venus Vacation Prism: Dead or Alive Xtreme delivers more than its fanservice exterior suggests, offering a surprisingly heartfelt blend of relationship-building, character-driven storytelling, and light simulation mechanics. While lacking in traditional gameplay variety, its emotional moments, polished visuals, and quirky charm make it a uniquely relaxing—if sometimes absurd—experience.”

“Ninja Five-O makes a welcome return, reviving a cult-favorite GBA action platformer. With tight controls, satisfying ninja gameplay, and a retro aesthetic that holds up well, this re-release preserves the original’s charm while adding minor extras. However, the lack of significant visual enhancements and limited accessibility options may leave some players wanting more.”