Japan’s renowned gaming magazine, Famitsu, has published its latest round of review scores for the week of January 24, 2025.
Famitsu’s evaluations are highly regarded across the gaming industry, providing early insights into how new and upcoming titles are being received by experienced critics.
With four separate editors contributing individual scores for each game—culminating in a possible total of 40 points—Famitsu reviews are seen as a crucial barometer for gamers and industry watchers alike, especially for Nintendo Switch releases and Japanese-developed RPGs. Leading this week’s reviews is the hotly anticipated 'Romance of the Three Kingdoms 8 Remake: Destiny and Strategy Expansion Pack Bundle.' This updated take on the classic KOEI TECMO franchise for the Nintendo Switch garnered strong praise from the editorial team, earning scores of 8, 8, 9, and 8.
With a combined score of 33 out of 40 points, Famitsu highlighted the remake’s meticulously revitalized strategy mechanics and the expansive content brought in by the Destiny and Strategy Expansion Pack.
Critics commended the title for its faithful adaptation of the original's tactical depth while introducing fresh gameplay elements tailored to both newcomers and long-time fans.
According to Famitsu’s editors, the blend of accessible tutorials and strategic complexity solidified this bundle as a notable addition to the Nintendo Switch’s growing tactical RPG selection. Also reviewed was 'Kyouran Makaism,' another title making its debut on the Japanese gaming scene.
The team assigned scores of 7, 7, 8, and 7, totaling 29 out of 40 points.
Famitsu editors appreciated the game’s unique art style and inventive mechanics, with one reviewer noting that the experience provides a "refreshing twist on genre conventions." However, the assessment indicated that some elements of the gameplay loop felt repetitive over extended sessions.
Despite this, 'Kyouran Makaism' was recognized as a solid option for Nintendo Switch players seeking creative indie experiences. Rounding out the week’s reviews is 'Dark Atlas: Infernum,' which faced harsher scrutiny from the Famitsu panel.
The title earned a consistent score of 6 from all four editors, for a total of 24 points out of 40.
While praised for its atmospheric presentation, the game was marked down due to limited gameplay variety and technical shortcomings.
One editor summarized that while 'Dark Atlas: Infernum' shows potential, its execution leaves room for improvement, particularly on the Nintendo Switch platform where competition among indie and horror titles remains fierce. For industry insiders, developers, and Nintendo Switch enthusiasts, Famitsu’s weekly review scores continue to set the agenda for discerning game recommendations and highlight the rigorous evaluation standard typical of the Japanese gaming press.
For more context on prior scores and analysis, consult the Famitsu review archives.
Famitsu’s evaluations are highly regarded across the gaming industry, providing early insights into how new and upcoming titles are being received by experienced critics.
With four separate editors contributing individual scores for each game—culminating in a possible total of 40 points—Famitsu reviews are seen as a crucial barometer for gamers and industry watchers alike, especially for Nintendo Switch releases and Japanese-developed RPGs. Leading this week’s reviews is the hotly anticipated 'Romance of the Three Kingdoms 8 Remake: Destiny and Strategy Expansion Pack Bundle.' This updated take on the classic KOEI TECMO franchise for the Nintendo Switch garnered strong praise from the editorial team, earning scores of 8, 8, 9, and 8.
With a combined score of 33 out of 40 points, Famitsu highlighted the remake’s meticulously revitalized strategy mechanics and the expansive content brought in by the Destiny and Strategy Expansion Pack.
Critics commended the title for its faithful adaptation of the original's tactical depth while introducing fresh gameplay elements tailored to both newcomers and long-time fans.
According to Famitsu’s editors, the blend of accessible tutorials and strategic complexity solidified this bundle as a notable addition to the Nintendo Switch’s growing tactical RPG selection. Also reviewed was 'Kyouran Makaism,' another title making its debut on the Japanese gaming scene.
The team assigned scores of 7, 7, 8, and 7, totaling 29 out of 40 points.
Famitsu editors appreciated the game’s unique art style and inventive mechanics, with one reviewer noting that the experience provides a "refreshing twist on genre conventions." However, the assessment indicated that some elements of the gameplay loop felt repetitive over extended sessions.
Despite this, 'Kyouran Makaism' was recognized as a solid option for Nintendo Switch players seeking creative indie experiences. Rounding out the week’s reviews is 'Dark Atlas: Infernum,' which faced harsher scrutiny from the Famitsu panel.
The title earned a consistent score of 6 from all four editors, for a total of 24 points out of 40.
While praised for its atmospheric presentation, the game was marked down due to limited gameplay variety and technical shortcomings.
One editor summarized that while 'Dark Atlas: Infernum' shows potential, its execution leaves room for improvement, particularly on the Nintendo Switch platform where competition among indie and horror titles remains fierce. For industry insiders, developers, and Nintendo Switch enthusiasts, Famitsu’s weekly review scores continue to set the agenda for discerning game recommendations and highlight the rigorous evaluation standard typical of the Japanese gaming press.
For more context on prior scores and analysis, consult the Famitsu review archives.
