One of the most laid-back farming sims that has a very charming core but not much beyond that unless treated like a social gathering hub.
+ super approachable family game from any angle
+ remarkable multiplayer integration
+ significant cosmetic customization opportunities
+ cute art style and fittingly subdued soundtrack
+ quite long-lasting content for collectors
- simplistic, mostly time-gated progression
- no real relationship system for NPCs or any interesting dialogue, even
- small, procedurally generated island maps that lack points of interest
- slow and repetitive UI design everywhere (tedious inventory management and equippable tools, needless confirmations, resetting camera, and many more)

Overambitious story-focused TRPG that is far too repetitive and unintuitive gameplay-wise to warrant its length of 70+ hours.
+ 5 sequential generations with a gradually changing main cast; each facing their own struggles and having distinct virtues
+ many dialogue choices without super obvious reactions
+ nice character sprites and voice acting
+ uniquely flexible if flawed combat design
+/- steady number increments demanding consistent effort and time on any difficulty
- basic and unrewarding level-up system
- only superfluous differences between settings
- bad exploration maps (dark grey color palettes, confusing layouts, random encounters)
- numerous unimportant fights picking from a tiny array of battle arenas
- near unachievable true ending requirements without a guide
- several overcomplicated/unpredictable combat mechanics that make most battles more frustrating than fun

Drastically modernized remake of the 25-year-older second game in the franchise with good execution overall.
+ excellent gameplay presentation particularly for the clean zoom into swift battle animations
+ relatively personal storytelling that focuses on both main characters equally in their respective routes
+ clear cast separation making few units truly obsolete
+ outstanding soundtrack featuring the arguably best vocal track of the series
+ neat overworld map for free travel
+/- linear class progression for most units
- interesting but unpolished 3D dungeon crawler segments
- a lot of pointless but unavoidable battles padding out the game time

Lewd auto-battler with no real value as a game.
+ decent-looking and fast battle animations
+ small but neat 3D space station to upgrade and roleplay? in
- sexualized animated character portraits that seem AI-generated
- generic railroad tutorial showcasing an unoriginal gameplay loop
- purely numbers-driven combat and obvious pay-to-win features
- idiotic dialogue as well as grammar and spelling mistakes everywhere

A relaxing cleanup game that offers 5-10 hours of free content and would have some education value for small children.
+ smooth complexity progression in gradually stacking mechanics
+ impressive amount of unique animal and plant designs
+ colorful visuals accentuating each biome's characteristics
- unpolished from a technical standpoint, especially in movement
- slow UI responses
- somewhat irritating sound effects
- excessive backtracking in a few areas

Decently made top-down battle royale with an overreliance on crafting.
+ great number of unique characters (and only a few questionable designs)
+ fun core mechanics that allow both solo outplays and team-coordinated wins
+ cheap account unlocks and no apparent pay-to-win elements
+ functional UI with all essential settings
- unremarkable music
- a single, rather gloomy map
- too many stat-packed items to be found and combined for any half-casual person to remember

Janky stage-based shooter that has no appeal beyond its crude premise.
+ very open silliness in the characters' nonchalant behavior, unfitting soundtrack, and weird mechanics (stripping to distract zombies...)
- incompetent visuals making environments look lifeless and the girls uncanny
- drawn-out and awkwardly directed conversations before and after each mission
- terrible shooter base with super inaccurate aiming, minimal hit feedback, and enemies spawning randomly out of thin air

Classic 2D platformer that does the basics competently but not much more.
+ cute aesthetic that stays consistent across all of the many different stage themes
+ great variety of mechanics to keep gameplay from becoming stale
+ precise controls
+ a lot of content for completionists
+ well-designed if easy bosses
- most generic story possible complete with childish dialogue
- tedious collectible gates that may require backtracking to progress

Purely fun-oriented alien wave shooter that uses spectacle and scale to make up for what it lacks in depth.
+ endearingly stupid dialogue with iconic voice acting (special shoutout to all the incompetent army command transmissions)
+ constant escalating battles giving a rather authentic war impression
+ excellent mindless multiplayer experience
+ hundreds of distinct and powerful weapons
+ fittingly grand soundtrack
- barely passable graphics
- pathetic mobility for three out of four classes
- no progression sync between local and online modes
- no weapon drops for other classes preventing spontaneous switching
- significant mission bloat with repetitive enemies and forgettable objectives

Neat RPG-style rendition of a survivor shooter dragged down entirely by numbers.
+ other playable characters can be recruited as followers each run
+ clear stat sheets and indicators for item synergies
+ timed guides encouraging movement rather than stationary grinding
+ appealing world map level selection and side quests
+ well-decorated backgrounds given the mediocre pixel art
+ quick access to music selection
- very few gameplay differences between runs
- horrendous balancing with some weapons and stats (magic) vastly outperforming others regardless of investment

Technically amateurish RPG that offers few reasons to get invested early on.
+ comprehensive options menu
+ unusual story premise about two siblings setting out to save their mother
- interesting but poorly executed turn-based grid combat (at least in the beginning)
- generic-looking and inefficient UI
- large open maps without a sense of identity
- inconsistent visual style with overwhelmingly hideous assets

Well-executed return to a more arcadey version of the Monster Hunter formula after the hugely successful deviation in World.
+ super satisfying gameplay with refined movement aiblities increasing freedom and general pacing
+ welcoming eastern-themed base town supported by a beautiful vocal soundtrack
+ extensive character customization including two personal support creatures
+ good enemy variety that is introduced gradually
+ strong visual style and solid graphics fidelity considering the release platform
+/- removed tracking mechanic and less world interaction overall
- no particularly interesting map concepts
- wholly forgettable story and characters

A handful of shining moments hidden in a pretty sea of vapid gameplay.
+ culturally focused setting that has its urban open world filled with distinct items and creatures
+ immersive graphics featuring a lot of stunning visual effects particularly during linear sections
+ great soundtrack supporting horror, action, and drama alike
+ enjoyable banter between the two main characters offsetting the lack of NPCs
+ decently written narrative that may not amount to much overall but at the very least has some storytelling ambition
+ exceptional final hour highlighting the game's missed potential
+/- needlessly large map that barely gets explored during the main quest
- a lot of noticeable bugs
- low enemy variety and terrible boss fights
- basic shooting that only becomes adequate with late game abilities
- crazy oversaturation of (admittedly fitting) collectibles made worse by tedious mechanics

Disappointing sequel that still makes for an alright online ARPG considering its release on mobile platforms.
+ satisfying moment-to-moment gameplay involving quick-paced movement
+ extensive skill customization that can be reset for free until late game
+ quick and easy inventory management on the fly
+ distinct and high-quality art style featuring beautiful dialogue portraits and quite a few cutscenes
- convoluted ways of character progression (even if a good attempt at explaining is made)
- only 7 pre-made characters with rather unappealing designs
- relatively harmless but still bothersome cash shop following mobile traditions
- uninteresting story that lacks context from the start and is laden with badly written conversations