Author: Vincent Mahoney

Vincent is a game reviewer, graphic designer, illustrator and insurance agent: He wears many hats, but none of them properly cover his bald spot. His long-term goal is to publish a comic of the story he and his wife created together. He grew up playing action-platform games such as Super Mario, Metroid, Mega Man, Contra and Castlevania, but discovered his love for RPGs through Super Mario RPG and Final Fantasy VI, then embarking upon a quest to play every RPG he possibly can. At over 200 RPGs and counting the quest is not going so well, and there are buster swords, giant cats, eight virtues and personae appearing to him in his sleep. Please send help.

Circle Empires II Puts a Fresh Spin on RTS Combat

With randomly generated maps, quick-fire strategy battles and a simple but satisfying loop of expansion and conquest, Circle Empires II offers an accessible RTS that still leaves room for smart play, strategic planning and deep customization of a player’s combat forces.

Save State: GB Operator Brings Game Boy Cartridges to Modern Devices

Save State columnist Vincent Mahoney this week writes about Epilogue’s GB Operator device that made trying his old childhood Game Boy Advance favorites surprisingly seamless on modern devices.

Tales of Berseria Remastered’s Enhancements Make Velvet’s Journey More Enjoyable

Bandai Namco’s remaster for Tales of Berseria does not radically transform one of the best titles in the Tales series, but quite a few strong quality-of-life upgrades and a still-excellent core adventure makes it easy to recommend.

Save State: Going Back to the Start of the Star Ocean Series

Star Ocean First Departure R proves that developer tri-Ace had big ideas from the very start, even if some of the original version’s older design quirks still show through.

Lovecraft Meets Power Washing in Sunken Engine

Sunken Engine blends relaxing repair simulator gameplay with creeping Lovecraftian horror, creating a strange but addictive Early Access experience where cleaning ships might cost you your sanity.

Save State: Revisiting Night City and the Best Switch 2 Upgrades

A deep discount pulls columnist Vincent Mahoney back into Cyberpunk 2077, where the surprisingly strong Switch 2 port sparks a broader look at upgraded editions across Nintendo’s newest system.

The Rumble Fish 2 Proves Old School Fighters Still Pack a Punch

The Rumble Fish 2 finally makes its way to modern platforms with a Switch 2 upgrade, bringing its deep, meter-heavy combat and flashy anime style to a new audience. While newcomers may struggle without tutorials, fighting game veterans will find it an arcade classic with incredible fighting mechanics.

HGTV Meets the Occult in Wacky Haunted House Renovator Sim

Haunted House Renovator lets players explore and renovate haunted locations while allowing them to scrub stains, fix walls and banish spirits in equal measure. It’s a funny twist on the House Flipper formula, though bugs and rough edges keep it from reaching its full supernatural potential.

Save State: From Mobile JRPGs to Roguelite Mastery in Overrogue

Save State’s Vincent Mahoney writes about Kemco’s roguelite card battler Overrogue. Its smart deck synergies and tactical party rotation shine, though stingy meta progression and grinding may test a player’s patience.

Stunt Flyer Is a Lighthearted Flight Sim Built for Easy Takeoff

Stunt Flyer is a cheerful, arcade-style flight simulation game that embraces simplicity and accessibility over realism or deep systems. Stunt Flyer works best as an entry-level flying adventure for younger players or those looking for a relaxed, no-stress experience.