November 2025
What some might dismiss as only a lewd Yuri VN are missing out on what I consider an incredibly enjoyable and well-written story. In fact, it may be placed among my favorites thus far (others including Analogue: A Hate Story and the Fault series, for reference). It's character and world building are simply fantastic. As expected, the growth of the main characters do a lot and the relationship form feels genuine and endearing. However, the side characters are just as well written and really give the world life. They are well defined without becoming generic tropes. Characters like Effie are lovable and make me laugh, yet there are just as great antagonists that you love to hate, and characters that are somewhere in between.
The art is beautiful and befitting of the Victorian setting. Many backgrounds are given very distinct and almost noble looks while characters have a softer style yet with distinct coloring. Hearing the piano played in a classical style while reading in the befitting terminology of Victorian England did wonders to immersion. Though there are a few scenes where the author did mix some modern terminology as apparently the more accurate terms could be a bit… silly in comparison. So though they do stand out, it is understandable and very few at that. That being said, the writing is still amazing and does well with descriptions and dialogue in a digestible manner. This is to say the VN allows the reader to immerse themselves while still leaving room to read between the lines and even some mystery.
What have those particularly raunchy scenes themselves? Honestly they feel far less lewd in comparison and feel more in tune with the feelings of the characters. Though certainly spicy, they work far more as an amplification to the relationship/story rather than an out of place reward for the reader.
Recommend? Very much so. I cannot stress on how great the writing is. Dialogue, exposition, world/character building. It is all just so good. So much so that I kind of wish I knew what happened with some other characters/plot lines but maybe that mystery is part of the appeal as well.
Pros:
+Genuine Dialogue
+Great Writing Overall
+Fantastic and Distinct Art
+Music and terminology suits the Victorian England Aesthetic
+Main and side characters feel well developed and unique.
Cons:
-A few modern words were thrown in (though it is understandable and very rare)
-The fates of some characters remain a mystery
-No male PNGs (for those that may want this)
Though this game will release more content, I did finally manage to overcome a long standing achievement regarding one of the oldest challenge towers. Should be smooth sailing from here.
A kind of plain platformer but really shines due to the cultural focus it has on native tribes of Alaska. The platforming is mostly alright and, unless you have a co-op partner, has you controlling two characters. Though the AI will take control of one to follow you, you must switch between the two to overcome obstacles. The AI does it’s best but there are moments it kind of freaks out and can even cause the character to die due to poor pathing. Which leads to the sincerely awful noises the surviving character makes when the human character dies. It’s just a bit too high pitched and whiney. Though the gameplay is nothing special, the focus on the native tribes’ mythology for the story and the rewards of documentary videos really gives the game it’s charm. Despite the game using subtitles for the narrator, it really needs it for the actual documentaries as I often had trouble hearing the people talk.
Recommend? Generally yes, simply for the fact that it shines a light on an otherwise unknown tribe. Might be a good simple co-op game for those non-game adept.
Though not quite return to form, I did enjoy this much more than SW2 despite all the issues. We get a less confident Wang this time around as he recently suffered a major loss. However, back on his path for redemption we get more fast paced gameplay with a modern boomer shooter makeover. We now get grappling hooks, wall running, and a variety of weapons to cycle through. Similar to the newer DOOMs we get a glory kill mechanic. However, it’s not simply killing your enemies in style but also provides unique tools to use against your enemies. It’s my favorite part of the game and a good way to set itself apart especially since the original had an array of tools/items for you to use. Unfortunately not all tools are equal and some feel downright useless.
Enemies and arenas can be pretty hit or miss. While you get your pretty standard mobs, you can adversely get some very annoying and pace breaking adversaries that take the fun right out as you have to sit and wait for an opening. Arenas often feel too enclosed or just poorly set up. There are a fair share of bugs. The one I specifically kept running into is reloads and weapon swapping causing weapons to not fire for longer than usual. This would often get me killed and far more annoying than it has any right to be. There were also moments where enemies would stop spawning but not let me progress. I did not particularly care for a lot of the characters in the game and everything often felt kind of mushed together. It really just needed to focus on the combat and not worry about every little gimmick it has in store.
Recommend? Honestly it’s kind of fun when it lets it be and definitely think we are going in the right direction if there were to be anymore. The bugs are the straws that really move this past the non-recommended line unfortunately.
A sort of upgraded/remade version of Boris and the Dark Survival. Those not familiar with BatDS, it is a spin-off isometric procedurally generated fetch quest game. The original did not have much focus. You would go to a floor, collect the necessary items, maybe get a collectible, escape. It’s really simple, kind of unfair, and very boring. This upgrade now gives more of a progression system, some new minigames, and actual stand-alone level areas. What makes the previous iteration and this unfair is that you are constantly being hunted by the invincible ink demon (or relating boss). There are two things to note, one the layout of any level is randomly generated so you can very easily get stuck in a long hallway with a dead end and no where to hide. The second is that the moment you grab the last necessary item, you WILL be chased. Meaning, yet again, you can very easily be cornered with very little response to do. To add to the nuisance your sprint, blocks, and attacks all use an ink gauge that runs out with use. So general navigation can easily be cumbersome particularly with the random/limited ink refill stations. I’d also like to note it’s incredibly stupid you have to worry about your ink gauge when you are in your hub area. Enemies have inconsistent stun phases and fighting more than one can lead to wonky encounters. Collectibles being a random drop added to the fact that the containers they are found in are also randomly generated is just… so awful. All bosses that you can fight are the same and there is no depth to engagement.
Recommend? The Bendy series has been one disappointment after another and this is no exception.
An interesting little point-and-click adventure that has you control a bulb boy in an increasingly horrifying world. You’ll utilize your unique physiology as well as the world around you to get around, solve puzzles, and defend yourself. Most puzzles are pretty straight forward and even if they aren’t, the game makes any interactable items easily distinguishable (outside of a few exceptions). The most impressive bit about this game is how clean both the art and animations are for this game. They look really great though often it is stuck in a green scale. Note deaths can be pretty gruesome.
Recommend? A fairly enjoyable, if not quick, adventure with a simply odd game.
Remade and modernized open world game that has you experience a very classic version of the Mafia in the 1930s. First thing is first, this game looks stunning and performs just as well. Water, environment, characters, all of it looks simply fantastic. Despite being open world, the story mode is actually very to the point. Chapter starts and so does the mission. No driving around between different characters to get missions to drive all the way across the map to drive back, etc. In fact, any non-essential driving can be skipped with special options.Finish the mission, get cutscene, chapter ends, repeat. It’s great. There is an open world option after finishing the first chapter, though I don’t know if you can do any story within that mode. Characters are great, the story feels very focused, and plenty of “greatest hits” when it comes to Mafia content. Classic mode is fun with a healthy amount of challenges. Even past the great graphics, the world feels very immersive. Guns and combat feel consistently good, though melee is a bit basic.
The driving is a bit rough, which makes sense considering cars of that time probably didn’t handle well. However, this can be a problem in missions that require precise driving and your opponents get to drive perfectly. The pacing at the end does fall apart a bit as a lot of stuff just starts to happen one after another while some characters really just kind of feel underutilized.
Recommend? Yes, I haven’t played the original but there is a clear effort put into this game that just made it far better than I could have imagined. So much so that it puts later remakes to shame.
Mine, shoot, sell, get better guns/upgrades, and venture further to get the parts required to fix your ship. It’s incredibly simple and can be weirdly enjoyable at times when you're able to just speed through areas, collecting what you need and teleporting out. A lot of the good gear is drop dependent and you’ll often hit progression walls where enemies will just delete you. The overall premise is not really my thing however and the sort of endless and repeating architecture/enemies gets old and the final areas can feel insurmountable.
Recommend? Honestly, as much as it’s not my thing. It’s definitely worth the price.
Boomer Shooter turned Looter Shooter. Though my choice in difficulty likely made things unnecessarily spongy, I really just had a not very good time. There were times where even with supposedly good gear I was throwing my dead bodies at a wall until it breaks. The constant loot management was exhausting. There was just so much for every little thing. You had weapons, weapon augments, skill augments, co-op augments, etc. Just way too much for being such a sudden shift to the genre.The fast paced gameplay was nice, especially with the newly implemented dash. Instead of our demonic friend from the first, we get a new female friend stuck in our head. There is some constant back and forth that goes between the two but I found it kind of weird they made her so “catty”. With this new hub system you can now accept side missions to get rewards, money, and exp. However, you can only accept one at a time which is really annoying. Skills are often underwhelming so most skill points feel worthless. Story is a bit everywhere.
Recommend? It’s not bad for what it is and it’s probably better at a lower difficulty and with friends. The complexity of the drops and skills was just too much for me though.
Virtua Fighter 5 R.E.V.O. World Stage
A mixed review that leans positive. This is for the 30th Anniversary Edition
It's a great functioning fighter with grounded combat and a wide range of characters. The three button scheme is simple yet leaves room for incredible technicality and depth. This version includes MOST of the past costume DLCs, functional online, classic arcade, and a new World Tour mode. World Tour is a great offline mode that simulates Ranked with titles, promotion matches, and even costume unlocks. Plenty of nice extras including the ability to change music. Visually great with some blockiness.
The bad? Well, let's be real.. this is nearly a 20 year old game that, although appreciated has received updates. Unfotunately it does not include DLCs such as the Tekken costume set, nor the 30th anniversary DLCs such as Dural. World Stage can be a bit grindy. Not just to rank up but the challenges often include doing some moves over 500 times let alone the hours and and amount of characters it expects you to play.
Recommend? All in all, a solid entry in an often overlooked fighting series. Let's hope the revitalization from this game contributes to the upcoming sequel for the better
Character of choice: Brad Burns
It’s more of the same from the first one, but with new levels, challenges, and characters/outfits to play. Any other changes than that I could not say, just more of your irresponsible father having you roll up objects and make new stars/planets. There are some co-op exclusive missions which is annoying for me, but probably good for those with another set of hands.
Recommend? It’s funny, cute, and most definitely odd.
Wolfenstein: Enemy Territory
It’s a multiplayer only game though I couldn’t tell you how it relates to Wolfenstein. I tried joining a few servers but they were either these hacked xp grind fests and/or had extremely high ping and lag.
Recommend? No.
Resident Evil: Deadly Silence 
Yet another way to play the original RE game but with some new twists. Still rocking the polygon graphics, the game now features a “Rebirth Mode” which is similar to the “Arranged Mode” from the Director’s Cut where it changes up enemy and item spawns but now includes unique puzzles that utilize the DS distinct features. This includes using both the touch screen and the microphone. We even get more voice lines to accommodate the new interactions. Even combat is slightly changed with the knife now being a button press rather than an inventory slot. A change largely made for both convenience and the new first person knife minigame that can trigger when entering some doors and even some bosses. Also, new costumes! Outside of the Remake, it’s probably my favorite way to experience the original game.
Unfortunately, the flaws are with the tech of the time. Some touch screen puzzles that involve going in circles aren’t always read really well (especially if your screen is scratched) and can just be kind of clumsy in general. POV knife minigame can take some time to get used to, can be repetitive when triggered frequently, and IS required to progress. There are also no noticeable upgrades to the visuals and performance meaning the water area still struggles a bit frame wise.
RE:commend? Absolutely, though finding both the system and the game these days are probably pretty rare.
Oh wow never thought I’d see the day someone liked a ebi-hime game. It’s that right there find the ones that come with the patch, they add to the experience rather then being there to make it 18+ only.
Also wow to you for final fantasy. Thats a whole lot of hours!
I was reading some reviews when I posted mine and it sounds like Ebi-hime doesn’t have a good track record.. So, probably won’t check out their other works, but really liked this one.
Yeah, it’s been a bit of a commitment… After Kingdom Hearts stuffing their mobile games with important lore so I didn’t want to miss out on it with this.Probably going to take a break again once the Nier event is over. Save some of my sanity aha….
Oh yeah I cant even lie I made it very clear for ages that I did not like their games. My 1st one was the way we all go which was a gift, before the achievements came and I could not sit through it once let alone again for the achievements so I skipped through them. Six days of snow I hated. I could tolerate asphyxia but I also wasn’t going out of my way to retouch on it. Strawberry vinegar was another fine one but I do remember at the time being like why am I trying to date the 2 kids together? Now I’m older its like sure at least they both kids and its a wholesome all ages and I’m sure I would really enjoy it
Their beginning games aren’t great and most of them are the toxic depressing type. Their free games just never ended up clicking and like all but the 2 newer ones I frankly strongly dislike or hate. Oh I did remember sad story that one is fine, I’ve reread it its not bad but its not amazing, its safely tolerable. I did like aidol but now that’s not on their page as I learnt they just helped write it so now the original maker has their own page for it
I don’t actually know when I started reading ebi-hime and enjoying it. I’m not gonna look at them all but I think empty horizons might’ve been the earliest of the bunch that I played and enjoyed. A winters daydream and Embraced by Autumn being followed shortly after. I still got one massive hurdle to do with them as its an older game and its massive compared to the like 60-120k words there is now. 300k words is daunting for an era of games I don’t like. But yeah now I’m a huge fan, I’m looking forward to their next one as its a demon yuri and I love my yuri. Idk if its still coming out this year though (checked and date changed to next year). I do prefer their more wholesome content but I’m not against the more depressing ones when I’m in the mood for them which is why I still have 1 single new game to play with eyes of ice.