Adult Swim has announced that Sailor Moon will return to the programming block later today, March 9, at 5 AM EDT. Later episodes will air at the same time on weekdays.
While episodes of Sailor Moon will still air on the Toonami block on Saturdays, alongside Dragon Ball Z Kai and Naruto, the latest announcement means that you’ll still be able to watch the series even on weekdays. Sailor Moon initially aired on Adult Swim in May 2024. The series itself first premiered in the United States in 1995. Check out the video showcasing the series and announcing the return of Sailor Moon to the programming block below:
Sailor Moon returns to Adult Swim starting 3/9 | Weekdays at 5a
MyAnimeList describes the original Sailor Moon anime as follows:
Usagi Tsukino is an average student and crybaby klutz who constantly scores low on her tests. Unexpectedly, her humdrum life is turned upside down when she saves a cat with a crescent moon on its head from danger. The cat, named Luna, later reveals that their meeting was not an accident: Usagi is destined to become Sailor Moon, a planetary guardian with the power to protect the Earth. Given a special brooch that allows her to transform, she must use her new powers to save the city from evil energy-stealing monsters sent by the malevolent Queen Beryl of the Dark Kingdom.
But getting accustomed to her powers and fighting villains are not the only things she has to worry about. She must find the lost princess of the Moon Kingdom, the other Sailor Guardians, and the Legendary Silver Crystal in order to save the planet from destruction.
Aniplex, tri-Ace and Lasengle have announced OCTOPinbs, a new social deduction game that will release in spring 2026. The game will be available on PC via Steam.
The game will feature English, Japanese, Korean, Simplified Chinese, French, German, Spanish, and Brazilian Portuguese language support. Check out the first trailer for OCTOPinbs below, courtesy of Gematsu:
Each game, players are randomly assigned one of two roles: the firefighters (octopuses) trying to extinguish the flames or the artists (squid) setting even more of them. Each side must work to outwit the other as they seek to achieve certain victory conditions.
How To Play
If you reduce stage incineration to 0% or incapacitate all artists by stuffing them into Octojars, it’s mission complete! Take a peek at the rooms around you while spraying water, and keep your eyes peeled for suspicious players.
If you reduce stage incineration to 0% or incapacitate all artists by stuffing them into Octojars, it’s mission complete! Take a peek at the rooms around you while spraying water, and keep your eyes peeled for suspicious players.
Body Lost? Revive ASAP! Damage received from other players or fires can reduce your HP to zero, causing you to lose the body you’re borrowing. Make a beeline for the fire truck to grab a new one and get back to work!
Octojars Reveal All! Stuff suspicious players into Octojars to reveal their identities! If the helmeted player is an artist (squid), that’s a win for the firefighters (octopuses). If an innocent firefighter is stuffed inside, the firefighters will lose one of their comrades and need to proceed even more carefully.
The Artist’s Trump Card! Artists can choose to reveal their true colors. Their location will be revealed to the firefighters, but in exchange they’ll gain new abilities and greatly increase their mobility and HP. If you’re close to victory—or have lost all hope but want to go out swinging—this is your chance to go wild and dominate the stage!
JAKKS and SEGA have that it will collaborate to release merchandise based on the upcoming Sonic the Hedgehog 4 film as part of a new multi-year partnership. Merch for the movie will start releasing in early 2027.
Some of the products that JAKKS will release includes action figures, plush, playsets, role play, costumes, and costume accessories. In a statement, Shuji Utsumi, President and COO, Representative Director of SEGA CORPORATION, said the following about the announcement: “JAKKS Pacific has been an incredible partner, with their creativity, quality, and passion bringing Sonic the Hedgehog to life for fans around the world. As we look ahead to Sonic the Hedgehog 4, we’re excited to continue building on that success together and deliver even more innovative designs for Sonic fans of all ages.”
Previously, SEGA and Paramount announced that actress Kristen Bell will play the role of Amy Rose in Sonic the Hedgehog 4. Kristen Bell is well known for her role in Frozen as Anna. Additionally, she is also one of the main protagonists in the beloved TV series, The Good Place. Currently it is unknown who will depict the role of the other character revealed in the after-credits of Sonic the Hedgehog 3—Metal Sonic.
Sonic the Hedgehog 3 released in theaters in December 2024. It stars Ben Schwartz as Sonic, Idris Elba as Knuckles, and Colleen O’Shaughnessey as Tails. It also features Jim Carrey as Dr. Ivo and Gerald Robotnik and Keanu Reeves as Shadow the Hedgehog.The film is available now on digital storefronts.
Lastly, all JAKKS toys made with SEGA so far are available on the company’s official website or at select retailers.
Skrollcat Studio and PM Studios have announced Hoa 2, a sequel to the 2021 puzzle-platformer, which will release in 2026. It will be available on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, PC via Steam, and Nintendo Switch 2.
Michael Yum, CEO of PM Studios, describes what the announcement represents to its developers: “Hoa was a milestone for PM Studios, not just in terms of success, but how it connected to players on a deeply emotional level. It’s a unique blend of evocative storytelling, breathtaking art and intuitive gameplay that resonated strongly with players. We’re incredibly proud of the impact Hoa had and are proud to continue that journey with Hoa 2.”
The video’s description provides a further overview of the upcoming game:
Hoa 2 opens a long, long time after Hoa closed with its emotionally charged ending, leaving fans wondering what happened to the namesake little fairy. The cycle of life brings her back to a homeland reshaped by time, and her old friends have long since passed. Alone in a world both familiar and changed, Hoa must find new purpose in this gentle and heartfelt tale of change, of letting go and moving forward.
Building upon the original’s hand-painted artistry and evocative sound design, Hoa 2 expands onto new territory, lending its childlike magic to lush, playful 3D environments and mechanics. Featuring richer, multi-layered environments and curious creatures to explore with more freedom – both in space and time – time itself becomes part of the puzzles with shifting lighting, and seasonal changes reshaping the landscape, puzzles and narrative moments.
XSEED Games have announced Nihon Falcom-developed action RPG Ys Memoire: Revelations in Celceta launches on April 28 for Nintendo Switch in the west. Ys Memoire: Revelations in Celceta features the original soundtrack from Ys:Memories of Celceta and newly arranged versions, and fans can switch between the two soundtracks, just like in Ys Memoire: The Oath in Felghana.
Pre-orders for the physical Ys Memoire: Revelations in Celceta Day One Edition are available now for $59.99 at the Marvelous USA Online Store and participating retailers. Contained in an outer box, Day One Edition contents include a physical copy of the Switch game, a 3-D acrylic keychain/diorama set, a 2-CD original soundtrack with 36 tracks, a set of five art cards, and a 21” x 14” cloth map of Celceta.
Lastly, here’s an overview of the game, via XSEED Games:
About
Experience a timeless chapter in the storied RPG franchise making its debut on Nintendo Switch, filled with duplicitous schemes, treacherous geography, and secretive characters. As the adventure immediately follows the events of Ys X, and laid the groundwork for gameplay systems that would be seen in Ys VIII and beyond, Ys Memoire: Revelations in Celceta is a special opportunity to go deeper into the series’ history and see the evolution that continues to drive its remarkable longevity.
Explore and map out your way across a dangerous landscape, taking advantage of a unique tag-team party combat system that allows for creativity and strategy. Seek the truth of Adol’s past against the musical backdrop of a refreshed soundtrack. Re-awaken the spirit of adventure, exclusively on Nintendo Switch, in Ys Memoire: Revelations in Celceta.
Key Features
Exhilarating Party-based Action: Strategic party battles challenge players to change their tactics on the fly, and allies can pick up new abilities in the midst of battle that can help them gain the advantage against powerful enemies.
Dynamic Exploration of a Dangerous Land: Celceta is a vast and mysterious land, filled with interesting people and thrilling adventures. Players can take advantage of a robust mapping system as they discover all the challenges and rewards that await.
Enhanced Musical Experience: The sweeping score guiding Adol’s journey through Celceta returns, along with a newly recorded, re-interpreted version, allowing players to choose their own auditory adventure.
Two hundred years ago, a devastating civil war tore apart the nations of Azuria and Vermeil, with a mysterious ‘Crystal Encroachment’ covering the land and sealing away burgeoning life within Egg Quartz. Hope, however, hides itself in the very thing threatening to engulf everything. “Ride On!” as the only Rathalos Rider in Azuria and captain of their preservation team, the Rangers.
Can bonds and camaraderie pave a road through allegiances and division to create a better future? If humans and monsters can transcend species to become friends, surely people can do the same with each other. Hop on your favorite Monstie, and soar with me to learn what this mystery egg contains in Final Weapon’s Monster Hunter Stories 3: Twisted Reflection review!
From Hunter to Ranger
For over 20 years, Capcom’s Monster Hunter series has invited players to step into a wild world full of giant beasts covered in scales, hide, fur, and everything in between, wreaking unnecessary havoc. Various blunt or sharp implements are used in conjunction with a squad of friends to put down these threats humanely. While the Monster Hunter games do have a story, they don’t typically put that element center stage. Instead, the series uses it as the driving force behind the gameplay, which is the true bread and butter. However, 10 years ago, Monster Hunter Stories, a turn-based RPG spinoff with a focus on plot, was released and completely flipped that formula on its head.
With that ancient history out of the way, today, we’re talking about the most recent iteration of the series, the third level refinement – Monster Hunter Stories 3: Twisted Reflection. Bonds, the main theme of each Stories game, burns brighter than ever in this entry. This fact is further bolstered by the moniker of the main character – a Ranger. Like Riders, Rangers share a deep bond with their monster companions; however, the scale of responsibility and possibility is much grander. Riders are usually parts of smaller communities with strong ties to their locales, using the power of their Monstie bonds to protect their home. Rangers do much the same; however, they have a political layer, as they are a Rider group tied to the Kingdom of Azuria. Rangers feel almost like an in-between of Hunters and Riders, with their wider influence and operations being similar. This additional element trickles down throughout the entire narrative, creating a dark duality that gives this particular story its substance.
That can wait! Yes, this is a game where the story is the main course, but that does not mean that the narrative themings aren’t tied into the gameplay evolution this title provides. Since the beginning, Monster Hunter Stories has reimagined the core action gameplay of the main series into a turn-based format. Twisted Reflection, of course, continues this interpretation, retaining the rock-paper-scissors-esque attack weaknesses, classically inspired skills, and flashy Kinship Skills. These decade-old traits, however, have been tweaked to create a snappy and deeply strategic battle system.
Now, excess monsters can be released into the wild to bolster different areas’ natural population, or new monsters can be introduced into the ecosystem. Spiderwebbing out, Habitat Restoration connects to saving Endangered Monster eggs from prisons of crystal while chasing off Invasive Species. Engaging with these integrated systems offers the player not only more strategic battles with their own win conditions but a wider variety of Monsties to add to their team. Habitat Restoration is such a perfect addition to the formula that it made this particular entry incredibly addictive to me. Searching out monster dens and revisiting areas for rarer dens and eggs is integral to the Stories formula, and this extra layer really is the icing on the cake for me.
It adds further incentives for egg collecting while feeding into the combat and team-building aspects perfectly. Mutated monsters and side breeds offer more customization, along with the returning gene splicing. I could see some players getting caught up in this loop just as I did. Exploration is deepened with the optional goal of seeking out these Invasive monsters that guard the Egg Quartz! Everything feels more dynamic because of the hierarchy of goals, with Habitat Restoration threading the thematic needle through the gameplay in a fresh way. It really is what tied everything together for me
The Story Continues!
Across the board, Monster Hunter Stories 3 upgrades every aspect of the presentation, truly bringing the story to life. RE Engine powers this game under the hood, and you can tell. The cel-shaded anime-style graphics return, and pack extra detail and vibrancy. Characters are more proportionate and expressive. Cutscenes are now grounded around a defined protagonist with a place and presence in the world. This time around, the main character has their own voice and perspective to share. Story sequences are well shot, with the more significant scenes and battle animations really dialing up the bombastic and destructive power of Monsters and Riders. It really feels like the steps Monster Hunter Stories 2 took to punch up the presentation have been polished to a sheen here. In general, this third entry has done an excellent job of iterating on the Stories formula. This can especially be felt in the more tightly-knit party found in the Rangers.
With comrades aplenty, each with their own personalities and histories to discover, the main character has a vibrant cast for them to play off of and grow with, as this entry puts an even larger focus on the bonds the protagonist shares with their fellow Rangers. Personalized ‘Side Stories’ are the vehicle for this, although the main meat of their bonds is explored over the course of the main story. These optional quests involve going out on personal jobs or errands with your partners, with the journey promising additional voiced scenes, more fleshed-out character relationships, and plenty of new monsters and useful goodies as additional rewards. Sub-Quests are still here to give the player things to engage with in the world, adding to the small details and making the world feel more alive in the best cases, but not nearly to the extent of Side Stories.
Everything just symbiotically feeds into one another in a beautiful and fulfilling way, starting with the story and extending to the gameplay. The craft and care on display are heartwarming and truly end up making a game that feels complete. Monster Hunter Stories 3 is clearly a refined breed, but I assure you – it’s not just a Monster Hunter-flavored monster-collector. For better and for worse…
The Monster or the Egg?
An awesome thing that I noticed, and yes, it sounds silly, is how well classic Monster Hunter‘s combat was adapted into a different container. It’s so great seeing familiar attack animations and skill effects presented in this turn-based fashion. As I mentioned previously, all of the moving pieces of battle, from the variety of skills to the excellent enemy design, are incredibly well done. What’s neat about that, though, is how well it portrays the main games. All of the adaptive strategy is there. Except now, you have all the time in the world to plan your attack. The swift and faithful animations then all play out one after another, creating the illusion that you’re battling monsters with your friends – a very unique feeling that’s uniquely Monster Hunter.
Beyond the combat, the story also retains that identity in alternate ways. Themes of protecting the environment and humanity’s role within the ecosystem are still explored, but there’s a twist of seeing things from a new perspective. The special bond that can be formed between a Rider and Monster is continually explored throughout the sub-series, along with person-to-person relationships, which have been amped up in this entry. This deeper exploration of the characters, in turn, makes the entire universe feel more satisfying and full. Being this different and exploring the other side of the coin is mostly harmonious!
Monster Hunter Stories 3: Twisted Reflection is definitely a delight, but the thing is, not everybody likes the yolk, or eggs, for that matter. The differences on display here that make the Stories series unique from the main games shine brightly, for sure, but some things didn’t quite make the transition as gracefully – a touch of discord. I’m still a tad disappointed that overworld areas largely lack music. The ambient nature sounds create a nice soundscape that evokes the Monster Hunter series to a degree, but I feel that having starker area themes would have been nice. To be fair, though, the prior two games also made this choice. Another area that could have received some improvement was the UI. Now, it’s perfectly functional and legible, plus it contains loads of information, so I can’t really fault it on some aspects, but man. Sometimes the UI feels really claustrophobic, like it’s trying to condense as much information as possible.
I feel that having a fully nested menu with list options, rather than the quick-button-select to list menu, could have alleviated this. Where this leaves me is asking the questions, “Why did they retain these rougher edges? To retain the feeling of Monster Hunter? Or why are those parts of the identity kept when aspects of the tone are not?” There are times when I feel that the slightly grittier aesthetic, with actual monster part destruction, and blood do add to aspects of the subtle storytelling. Monster Hunter Stories 3 doesn’t shy away from darker subject matter. But I can honestly see how this dichotomy of opposing lighter presentation and heavier themes could act like oil and water to some fans or prospective players when compared against the main series. Sadly, the post-battle score has dropped a little from this, according to my criteria. Chin up, Ranger!
A Certain Kinship
So far, the Monster Hunter Stories side series has provided an interesting perspective that contrasts with its grittier and more popular parent series. Quietly, these spinoffs have been building their power and growing, and finally, at this more refined stage, Monster Hunter Stories has hit its stride with Twisted Reflection. The first game in the series established everything. Wings of Ruin brought that idea forward with more cinematic elements, and now the newest entry evolves the formula further.
Striking out as a Rider with your favorite Monstie buddies is more satisfying than ever before. Monster Hunter Stories 3: Twisted Reflection holds the main series traditions close to its heart while building on top of the already solid base of its predecessors. Egg Hunting, quelling unnatural events, monster raising, and roaming vast maps are still here, while being enhanced by some fresh, sensical, new ingredients, which fit snugly between the Environmentalist themes and Monster rearing gameplay. Systems have been refined throughout to steep you in this unique side of the coin. Battles are snappy and flashy, while asking the player to pay attention to patterns, exploit weaknesses, and work together whenever possible.
Outside of battle, the game urges the player to step further into nature’s cycle, allowing the repopulation and restoration of monster habitats. Repelling invasive species and protecting endangered monsters is the name of the game. Plus, introducing monsters into specific environments can also yield interesting and powerful variations. All of the gameplay systems weave back into one another beautifully while enhancing the themes of the story, which now branches to include deeper interpersonal relationships amongst the cast. Through and through, Monster Hunter Stories 3 is a richly detailed and gorgeous experience that any fan of Monster-Raising RPGs is sure to enjoy.
Disclaimer: Capcom provided a PlayStation 5 copy of Monster Hunter Stories 3: Twisted Reflection for review purposes.
City Hunter is a classic series. Starting as a manga in 1985, it has spawned a franchise that is active to this day. From spin-off manga to successful anime series and films, and countless live-action adaptations across the big and small screens. There’s even a musical adaptation. It can’t be understated how popular it is. Despite never having read or watched it, I instantly recognized the title when I was told about this game. It’s even weirder that this is the only video game adaptation City Hunter has gotten, and it’s a remaster of a 35-year-old game.
City Hunter is a 2D side-scrolling adventure game. Originally released in 1990 for the TurboGrafx-16/PC Engine, it is now available on modern consoles. You play Ryo, a “sweeper” who is taking a series of jobs. Shoot your way through different levels as you try to take down all sorts of criminals. Outside of that, there are plenty of modern additions and even reworks that I’ve come to expect in releases like this. The result is a game that was clearly released 35 years ago, but one I can’t help but commend for the amount of work put into this remaster.
A Relic of Shinjuku
City Hunter follows Ryo, a man who calls himself a “sweeper”. He takes on different jobs across Tokyo, dealing with criminals throughout the city. Accompanying him is his partner Kaori, the younger sister of his deceased best friend. That’s really the only story or feeling of City Hunter you get here. While each level has a short text introduction, it doesn’t add much. Honestly, the lacking narrative isn’t really my issue here; it’s more that this could be any series.
Despite it having the name, it doesn’t feel like an adaptation. It has the same characters and basic premise, but that’s about it. This could be due to the limitations of the original console release. I’m also not calling myself the biggest City Hunter fan, maybe someone who has read and watched it all can find more. But as someone with some familiarity already, I didn’t see much here for fans besides it being the only officially licensed video game.
Scrolling On
City Hunter is a 2D sidescrolling action game. You move left to right, go up and down, jump and crouch, and shoot. Levels are full of enemies and different traps for you to avoid, too. The core gameplay is quite simple, and it shouldn’t take you too long to beat all the levels. Enemies are pretty easy, and the boss encounters should only take you a couple of minutes, especially after you unlock the rocket launcher, which seems to have an unlimited amount of ammo. The game itself is pretty short and overall forgettable, except for one issue.
My biggest problem with the game is the level design. Each level is pretty small, but with a good amount of exploration, which I normally love. Sadly, it isn’t fun exploration as each level just has you backtracking for most of it. The lack of variety in backgrounds doesn’t help either. These problems are present in each level, and they only get worse in the last one. The only thing that offsets this issue is how short the game is; you can easily do a full playthrough in an hour. Normally, I would have some issues with this length, but there is some replayability, even if the levels can get annoying.
An Impressive Remaster
This is a remaster of the original City Hunter, a game that is 35 years old. While I have my issues with the game itself, I have to commend the amount of work that went into this release. You have the standard video options you expect with these releases, including aspect ratios and a CRT filter. More expected inclusions are a rewind button and save states. One of my favorite additions, though, is the multiple versions. You can play the original version, a hard difficulty, or the enhanced version. Enhanced is the remastered version that remasters the game by reworking enemies and gameplay. Each version is different enough to justify trying, and I’m glad to see them all here.
Besides the modern gameplay additions, this has some fun bonuses. You can view a model of the original game card and read the full manual that came with it. It also comes with the full soundtrack, including an unreleased track. While short, it’s still got some good tracks, and I enjoy its addition. On top of that their is even a full art gallery. You can view a collection of art from City Hunter, and it’s all great. I have nothing but praise for how much went into this remaster, even if the game could be better.
A Strong Modern Release, But Just A Fine Game
I don’t have much else to say about City Hunter. It’s a pretty short game that shows its age even in the remastered version. I also have trouble calling this City Hunter as it feels like it could be any series. It’s still a fun novelty to have, and it’s nice to see this get released. While I have issues with the game itself, I still have nothing but praise for the remaster. It has all the modern additions you want, multiple ways to play, and a great collection of bonuses to look through. While the core game has issues, I still played through it more than once and didn’t dislike my time with it. City Hunter is a fine but forgettable product of its time, but one with a strong modern release. Just one I would wait for a sale to try.
Disclaimer: SUNSOFT provided a PC (Steam) copy of City Hunter for review purposes.
I enjoy slice-of-life stories. There’s something comforting about watching someone else experience day-to-day life. I especially love them in games, and the life simulation genre is one of my favorites. When done right, the stories can feel like having a home-cooked meal. But when done wrong, they can really drag and feel like a waste of time. It’s a fine line to tow, and it’s one that I kept thinking of while playing Maid Cafe on Electric Street.
Maid Cafe on Electric Street is a story-focused game with life-simulation elements that lets you manage a maid cafe. Originally released back in 2024 for PC, it is now available on the Nintendo Switch. In it, you play as someone who quit their job and is in desperate need of a new one. You end up as the manager of a closed-down maid cafe, and it’s up to you to bring it back to its former glory. On top of that, you only have the summer to do so in this game of ghosts, love, business management, and well maids. While it seems like a lot, it’s actually very laid back and one of the more charming things I’ve experienced lately.
A New Beginning
Maid Cafe on Electric Street takes place in Nipponbashi, Osaka. You play as a man who just quit his toxic job. While quitting feels great, the job also provided you with a place to stay, so now you have to find a new one quickly. The next day is full of job hunting, but no one seems to be hiring. While walking around, a maid greets you and tells you about the cafe she works at just west. You end up walking past the cafe she told you about and find another one. It seems to be empty, but the door is open, so you walk in.
The only other person here is a girl in a maid’s dress. Her name is Shiro, and she is the only employee left here. She tells you this is Fuwa Fuwa Cafe, a once-great maid cafe that is now on the verge of closure. The previous manager left, and without a replacement, all the other maids left as well. After a cup of coffee, she offers you the manager position, and despite your hesitation, you accept when you learn it comes with an apartment. Employment and housing are good, but now you have to learn how to manage a maid cafe. The first thing you should do is probably find at least one more employee.
This is the core premise, and it’s a strong one. My interest was grabbed right away, and I wanted to see if I could save this cafe. I enjoy the story overall, especially how they tell it. The game is played over days and chapters, and the way the story unfolds feels episodic. At times, it felt like I was playing through an anime, and it was very enjoyable. Now, this also means some chapters are stronger than others and are told better. Pacing takes a real hit in the middle chapters of the game, and while there is some fun spectacle, it’s also very slow. I never wanted to stop playing, but I have to make myself speed through some of the slower parts.
The Maids of the Cafe
Now what is a maid cafe without maids? As you play, you hire more employees and are surrounded by quite a cast of characters. You eventually get up to four maids, starting with Shiro. Shiro is the last maid from Fuwa Fuwa Cafe’s previous opening, and she loves it there. She’s also a big anime and video game otaku, but what she loves more than anything is maids. Her love of maids is what got her here and is why she wants Fuwa Fuwa Cafe to succeed again, and she’ll do anything to make it happen, even if she falls along the way.
The first maid you hire is Miyu. She is also a big Otaku and is actually one of Shiro’s online friends. Unlike Shiro, Miyu is a gyaru and more adventurous. She loves to cook and eat, and wants to see the cafe for her friends she makes here. There is also Favna, a mysterious girl with gothic lolita fashion who speaks like shes in a video game. She believes in rituals and sees a prophecy with you, causing the two of you to form a pact. You don’t really understand any of this, but she’s a good help to the cafe and clearly wants it to succeed as well.
The last maid is Honoka, who is a shrine maiden. She is very shy, but she cares a lot about the shrine, you, and the cafe. On top of being a maid, she’s also great with money and quickly takes over the cafe’s finances. After the maids, there is also you. The protagonist is really a blank slate for the player to put themselves on. It’s not hard to do, especially since we play someone who just quit a toxic job and needs a new one (a position I tend to find myself in). Still, he has plenty of character, and it isn’t hard to root for him and the cafe. All the characters feel fleshed out, with complete stories I wanted to see more of. I wanted their relationships to thrive, and while you will have a favorite, there isn’t a bad choice here.
Running a Cafe
Maid Cafe of Electric Street is a story-driven adventure game with life-simulation elements. The core gameplay has you decide how you spend your days. Each day starts with working at the cafe, except on Mondays. Afterwards, you decide how you want to spend your night, unless the story says otherwise. Working at the cafe is pretty simple. You decide who you want working that day, you need at least one maid serving and one cooking. Then you serve customers as they come in, and that’s it. It’s very simple, and while I originally tried to take it seriously, I ended up just putting my Switch down during these segments while the game played itself.
There seem to be no negative repercussions at all. The maids will get tired, but honestly, nothing bad happens if you overwork them. Sometimes you get special customers who want you to make them a specific drink. When this happens, you enter a minigame where you look at your recipes and try to make them. It’s a fine distraction, but it doesn’t do much to improve cafe management. The game only gave me a goal for the cafe once, and again, it was easy to hit. I wish there were more to managing the cafe because it’s such an interesting idea, but it just isn’t utilized at all.
When not working at the cafe, you can explore the street as you please. This is where the life simulation comes in. You can work part-time jobs, go shopping, play games, eat, or spend time with the cat. There is a lot to do, and it is fun to explore the street. You can also develop relationships with the maids and get them gifts, or make decisions they will like. On your days off, you can go on dates too, and by the end of the game, see who you have bonded with the most. I got the Shiro ending on my first playthrough, but I am interested in seeing how the others go.
A Beautiful Street
My highest praise for Maid Cafe on Electric Street goes to its look. Everything in this game has stunning pixel art. From the characters to the backgrounds and environments, it’s all a delight for the eyes. It helps bring the game to life and makes the cast that much more charming. This praise carries over to the animations as well. I can’t overstate how great it all looks, and not only amplifies my earlier praise but also helps me look over some of the issues I had. When the game is slow, it doesn’t feel like a slog because it’s so nice to look at.
The town feels like a real place with real history, too. Walking through all the businesses and talking to the NPCs is a delight. This feels like a proper community, and it makes the story much more enjoyable, too. It feels nice when they come into the cafe, and I even had a few favorites by the end. An art book would be an instant buy for me, and I hope I can see more stories here in the future.
Closing the Cafe
While I enjoyed Maid Cafe on Electric Street, I have some issues. One major issue I have with the game is its slow pace. Your base speed feels very slow, and progressing through the story feels the same. There is a fast mode in settings, but it’s so fast that it makes no sense for a first playthrough. This never made me stop playing, but part of that was how nice the game looked. I also encountered one bug that wouldn’t let me continue my playthrough based on one decision I made. The game would cut to black and become unplayable, and the only fix was to reload my save and change my decision. This was the only bug I ran into, but it did annoy me a lot and halted my progress for the night.
I can still recommend Maid Cafe of Electric Street. I enjoyed the slice-of-life nature of its story, even with the pacing issues. My disappointment with the actual cafe management gameplay was offset by the characters’ charm. While the game still feels too slow, the beautiful art keeps me playing. Outside of the one bug I encountered, I enjoyed my playthrough and can see myself doing another. Maid Cafe on Electric Street is still an easy recommendation, just know you’ll have to take this one slow.
Disclaimer: PLAYISM provided a Nintendo Switch copy of Maid Cafe on Electric Street for review purposes.
To celebrate International Women’s Day on March 8, Sony Interactive Entertainment released a new editorial feature highlighting the greatest heroines on PlayStation. In this feature, Sony seems to have let some information slip through the cracks, revealing that the protagonist of Konami’s Castlevania: Belmont’s Curse is in fact Sonia Belmont, as some may have guessed from the reveal trailer. Beforehand, the protagonist was only referred to as “Trevor Belmont’s successor” on official store pages, including the PlayStation Store.
The excerpt from the feature reads, “Whenever the darkness of Dracula’s forces threatens to consume the world, a Belmont will emerge from the shadows to protect humanity. When a series of monster attacks plunges Paris into chaos, it is Sonia Belmont who takes up the holy Vampire Killer whip, ready to fulfill her family’s sacred duty.”
This is quite a notable reveal for Castlevania: Belmont’s Curse, as Sonia Belmont was once slated to be the protagonist of the canceled SEGA Dreamcast game Castlevania: Resurrection following her debut in the Castlevania Legends game on Game Boy in 1997. Due to some conflicting story elements, Sonia and the events of the Game Boy title were removed from the main series canon. However, this may be her newfound chance to cement herself in the canon of Castlevania going forward.
Previously, Konami released a special message celebrating the 40th anniversary of Castlevania, confirming that the game is “the beginning of numerous new projects” for the series. For now, Castlevania: Belmont’s Curse is slated to launch in 2026 for Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC via Steam.
G-MODE has announced that G-MODE Archives+ Digital Devil Saga: Avatar Tuner: A’s TEST Server is coming to Nintendo Switch and PC via Steam in Japan. This is a console and PC port of Digital Devil Saga: Avatar Tuner: A’s TEST Server Complete Edition, which was a feature RPG re-release on February 26, 2007 in Japan. Like previous G-MODE releases, G-MODE Archives+ Digital Devil Saga: Avatar Tuner: A’s TEST Server will be available worldwide on Steam, but there’s no English language support.
Here’s an overview of the game, via Steam:
Escape the Tower of Karma.
If you want to survive, transform into a Devil—tear your enemies apart, slaughter them, and devour them!
Digital Devil Saga: Avatar Tuner: A’s TEST Server Key Features:
A highly strategic Press Turn System, inspired by and evolved from the turn-based battles of the Shin Megami Tensei series.
Learn combat skills freely through the Mantra System.
Equip acquired skills to your characters however you like.
Parts of the dungeon are procedurally generated.
An original story set in a post-apocalyptic world.
Includes an optional 3x EXP boost feature.
First released on Japanese mobile phones; features adapted for modern platforms.
Series Overview
This title is an original entry in the Shin Megami Tensei: Digital Devil Saga series, released exclusively for Japanese flip phones (mobile phones with limited functionality, popular before the rise of smartphones).
Digital Devil Saga follows the Embryon, a tribe who fights against five other tribes in a digital world called the Junkyard.
Game Story
The story unfolds in a sealed, colossal tower known as the Tower of Karma.
The protagonist, Serph, awakens with no memories. After meeting Sera—a mysterious girl whose strange song can quell the Devil’s rampaging power—he sets out to climb toward the tower’s upper reaches.
Together, they search for the truth: why they are trapped here, and what caused Serph to lose his memory.
Gameplay Features
Progress through the game with a party of up to three characters, including the protagonist.
The battle system carries over the original’s strategic Press Turn Battles, where the number of actions you get changes based on the types of attacks you land.
The Mantra system—a program for learning combat skills—has been revamped from the original’s swappable flowchart style into a fusion system that lets you combine Mantras.
Enjoy character growth and party-building options that differ from the console versions.
The Tower of Karma, your dungeon, features partially procedurally generated floors—some layers are generated uniquely for each player.
Why are they here? What stole their memories?
Climb higher. Face the trials. Uncover the truth.
Will Serph and his companions make it out of the Tower of Karma alive…?
The Digital Devil Saga spinoffs of the Shin Megami Tensei series were released on the PlayStation 2 in Japan and the west. These cult classic turn-based RPGs have not been re-released on modern platforms, but new merchandise is on the way. A new Shin Megami Tensei: Digital Devil Saga FORM-ISM figure of Avatar Tuner Varuna will release in July 2026, and pre-orders are available now at Hobby Genki, AmiAmi, and other participating shops.
