So this is what happens when you mix pinball mechanics with an open 2D-platformer... This is my personal arcade highlight so far this year.

Not only is the concept unique, the execution is as well. In its best moments you actually feel like you are sitting at a computer terminal in a deserted spaceship trying to navigate the drones on a basis of schematic scanner data. In its not so good moments the path-finding and some other minor flaws destroy the immersion.

If you ever wondered what would happen if you cross the minigame madness of Wario Ware with a ridiculous story and add rhythm game mechanics, this is the one to look out for.

This is arcade racing in its purest form: Controls and rules are as simple as anything. But still you need finesse to get around the bends and turns in style. Unfortunately it is rather short.

Tense, dynamic, relentless. Even though the campaigns lack a solid narrative this is a refreshingly different real time tactic game that delivers adrenaline by the bucket.

Quotation forthcoming.

If you like music games, get it. If you like the fantastic musical arrangements of the Final Fantasy series, get it. Even with slight downers like inconsistent challenge levels this is one little rhythm gem.

This is cool stuff. With Tropical Freeze Nintendo proves once again that the cult monkey still belongs to the platforming elite.

It not only looks great, but gives you high quality content: Loads of modes, a well balanced roster, a complex fighting system, accurate controls.

If it says “Klei” you’ll get quality for sure. The Canadians serve up a challenging turn based strategy gem in a comic style spy world.

This powerhouse didn’t lose much over the years and looks better than ever. Mechanically you can feel the age, but it plays as it should: The action comes hard and fast.

Enormous content, great fanservice and a lot of attention to detail: The Command & Conquer Remastered Collection is a prime example for what a remaster should offer.

When it comes to presentation this remake of Ys fourth chapter could be definitely improved. But if you love your JRPG old school, it doesn’t get much better than this.

This very unique Offroad-Simulation draws its fascination from the beautifully designed, but lifeless world and its outstanding physics simulation. Patience is a must-have, though.

Ubisoft is definitely on the right path with their newest interpretation of open world action. For a metropolis like Frisco the streets could be more crowded, but the interactions you can actually witness are giving the impression of a breathing living city. That aside the hacking action relies a little too much on too similar patterns within the main missions, although in the last third there are enough pace changes and surprises to keep you going, while the script as well as the characters keep this more light hearted and cheek-in-tongue hacker tale alive.

FIFA offers some fresh impulses that could prove fruitful in the years to come. But while presentation is as good as it gets the flow on the pitch suffers.

A well executed modernization of the third series generation. Nonetheless Gamefreak needs to come up with something new when it comes to the old fashioned basic fight mechanics. It keeps you glued to the screen as always but I found myself asking for a change of direction.

Even with the caveat that it only works for a few rounds at a time due to the uniform flow and the lack of variety, this is the best Battlefield that never was.

Wreckfest on consoles remains a steady source of destructive racing fun.

Only on the console you'll get basic explanations as well as comfortable crafting without having to read through millions of forum pages. But the pad-explored worlds are limited and not infinite like on the PC with the result of you losing a sense of freedom. It is still fascinating, though.

Superficial tuning, an unbalanced difficulty level: Aside from the visuals this as average an arcade racer can get.

A worthy finale for the reboot trilogy. In the future I could do without all the collecting nonsense and the superficial ability system.

On one hand you have the atmospheric stages on board the Queen Zenobia with constant changes between horror and terror elements. Unfortunately in latter levels the classic formula mutates to a simple action game that is average at best, even though visually Revelations is easily one of the most impressive games on the 3DS.

Inspired by Journey, Limbo and other adventures Far: Lone Sails tells its Story with low-key music and a unique art design. An emotional road trip thru a deserted apocalypse.

Superhot proves that a simple but clever executed concept can deliver tremendous fun. A challenging but short mixture of action and time puzzles.

I wish that Level 5 would take some more risks and implement some new ideas. On the other hand the series' proven qualities shine through at every corner: You'll get well conceived puzzles by the bucket, a comfortable multi-tiered help system and an interesting adventure story with charming cartoon sequences.

This creative puzzlegame is a brilliant example for great retro-feeling with simple means. As soon as you start the adventure the curtain rises and gives way to the world of retro computing including corrupt files and beeping soundfiles.

I hate it when I’m right. But games from Farsight can’t seem to show up without bugs or quirk. For example: Who had the idea to exclude worldwide leader boards?

A technically solid, if not entirely flawless, implementation of Hogwarts Legacy. As entertaining as ever, but finally looking the same on the Switch 2 as it does on the other platforms.

In terms of content this is definitely the ultimate Monster Hunter experience. The visuals can’t hide their age, though. The world still is harmonious and confronts you with truly impressive enemies, but a lot of animations and effects date back to the PS2 era. That doesn’t take away anything from the still motivating hunting and gathering that is easier to control than ever before.

The Vita incarnation of the acclaimed PSN dualstick shooter looks great on the small screen and will keep you going for the highscore again and again.

You like board games on your iPad? Then get this one. It is as simple as captivating and even though there are some usability flaws Le Havre is very well executed.

Even after more than 100 hours in Washington DC, The Division 2 is still engrossing. And despite having some minor issues with the cover system this is a great shooter in a fascinating gameworld - the best of its kind.

The mechanics would work well in a different setting without the license attached. But add to that the ridiculously well captured look, sound & feel of the tv show and you get a nasty, provocative and thoroughly enjoyable roleplaying romp.

Charming, bubbly and intelligent adventure with creative puzzles for one or two players.

Flat Heroes is “good old” platform action filled with ideas, challenge and high playability.

Classic dungeon crawling in the likes of The Bard’s Tale with puzzle elements, surprising depth and colorful visuals.

Blazing Chrome tries to take the identity of Contra 3 and stops just short of getting Konamis lawyers involved. Nonetheless you might consider getting the Contra Anniversary Collection instead, which gives you more bang for your buck.

It is challenging, motivating, and feels strangely familiar while full of fresh ideas. This is indie gaming at its best.

Charming, silly and full of cleverly placed secrets: Platonic’s 2D platformer is a worthy successor to Donkey Kong Country, but loses its grip toward the end due to the dissatisfying Tonika system.

A good remake of the best Yakuza episode in terms of storytelling.

Thoroughly entertaining turn-based tactics with visual novel appeal and some weaknesses in terms of storytelling as well as minor mechanical flaws.

This PES delivers a stability in the build-up and situative elegance – almost like in the good old PS2 era. But with an unstable online mode even a few days after release as well as a few visual shortcomings this is only one more step back to greatness. It will still take a while to get there.

Antichamber reminds me, why I love games: Because they can still surprise me. This surreal labyrinth doesn’t bend to convention, it questions it with every move. The puzzles ooze creativity and variety.

Gears Tactics offers aggressive and fast-paced turn-based tactics. It works well on console and is enriched with another companion as well as more enemy types.

This is a beautiful expansion, visually spectacular and challenging – on par with Bloodborne’s “The Old Hunters”.

Intelligent escape puzzles that are held back only by the inaccuracy that you encounter here and there with the Move controllers.

Even though I would prefer Etrian Odyssey 5 instead of walking thru dusty old dungeons: This is an exceptional remake.

Hacknet lacks the depth and freedom of the close relative TIS-100. But it gives you a sense of what goes on in the real hacking world – an interesting experience.

Challenging and forceful 2D action-adventure set within a straggly world – each and every of the many deaths will be worthwhile.

A cute farming simulation with stunning graphics and great attention to detail. Unfortunately, the mechanics are sometimes a bit lengthy, but characters and events loosen up the game again.

For the hours of expanding into one the countless galaxies, the admission is worthwhile. And even though all the new factions and abilities give you only more options but not more depth, this is a satisfying final to Ironclad's space opera.

The visceral VR action places itself somewhere between The Matrix’ Neo, Max Payne and Raiden from Metal Gear Solid, but is held back slightly by the technical limitations of PlayStation VR.

A motivating survival adventure set in a fascinating ice world.

Beautifully pixeled action, that will satisfy fans of the respective movies of the 80s just as much as the Contra generation of the 90s.

Extra content, visual improvements or bonuses are scarce, but nonetheless these are some of the most important and influential classics of 3D platforming history.

My arcade heart beats faster. Galak-Z manages to combine furturistic arcade flair with 80s cartoon style and lots of action.

Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 is one of the best action games of 2024: It crashes, it bangs and it looks fantastic too. The overall package of story campaign, PvE mode and PvP is also a content-rich board.

It is astonishing how many puzzles you can squeeze into a little area. Even though Clarc relies on well known mechanics they are kept together by a charming story.

They’re on a roll: The French team from Amplitude delivers again. In the endgame they could deliver more and more varied options as well as convincing diplomacy. But, nonetheless, this is turn based strategy you can lose yourself in.

The trilogy reaches its eventful climax. If you like tactical roleplaying games it doesn’t get much better than with this epic entertainment.

Some problems with AI are still evident, but the creative freedom you enjoy while trying to figure out ways to eliminate your targets is something else.

Quotation forthcoming.

Prettier, better framerates, more content: “Next Generation” is a stunning upgrade from No Man’s Sky on PlayStation 5.

The tactical battles against the monsters are top-notch, but are in desperate need of variety. [Early Access Score = "B"]

A beautiful game full of grace and spirit – a worthy successor to Journey. But micro-transactions, technical issues and parts of the game structure thwart the experience.

Finally someone put the concept almost perfectly to good use: A VR bullet hell with beautiful presentation and extremely thrilling.

Graphically complex action-adventure with good characters, an atmospheric setting and a strong finale - playful in too many places but pale and despondent.

Death Stranding is a masterpiece. Hideo Kojima creates a memorable adventure, that will be talked about in the years to come.

Visually it is mostly stunning and while the antagonists are highly charismatic, they are also very one-dimensional. Mechanically on the other hand the series takes a few steps in the right direction but the main story missions aside there is nothing that its predecessors or the Just Cause franchise haven’t done before. But even that could be forgiven, if there would be an ounce of either believable or challenging AI behaviour could be found.

Quotation forthcoming.

You won’t encounter any creative outbursts, but it delivers solid and entertaining old-school platform action.

If after Fallout 4 or The Witcher 3 you still have time and the need for another epic open world roleplaying game, then go ahead. This is still the great epic that it always was. But although it is visually enhanced sometimes the five year old engine foundation shines through while there are some new bugs to be found – mostly in connection with the Mods that are allowed on console.

You will need training. You need skills and lightning fast reactions. But in return you'll get magical moments that only Pro Evolution Soccer can deliver – even though the engine and overall presentation need an overhaul.

The technical flaws definitely impact the flow. But even with this in mind XCOM on Vita still is a gripping strategy experience.

Indie gem, hardcore platformer, robot fairy tale all rolled into one. This is a creative mix that also includes loads of funny retro references, puzzles and great storytelling.

This is not only a Hack & Slay with atmospheric visuals, it offers clever puzzles, interesting secrets and lethal traps behind every corner. Legend of Grimrock is a well executed homage to dungeon crawlers.

Even though comfort functions or camera work are not up-to-date, Dante and Virgil actually aged quite well and still deliver stylish action with enormous variety in terms of moves and styles.

No-holds-barred collection of the first three franchise entries – unfortunately on Switch not as playable as their original versions.

A felicitous sequel with a dark atmosphere, great puzzles and dramatic encounters. Trial & error can become quite frustrating here and there, though.

Super Mario Party Jamboree radiates colorful light from every pore. If you look closely, you can see a slight flicker in a few places. The overall lighting is still cheerful.

It may sport a new name, but still carries too many burdens of the past. The experience can be great, the build-up is pleasantly tactical. But there is way too much wasted potential.

A successful comeback. Mechanically as well as technically sophisticated brawler. For franchise fans a sure hit, but it shows its quality even without putting on rose-coloured glasses this is a great game.

Two Point Hospital was brought to consoles in a thoroughly convincing way.

Steam World Dig reminds me of good old Amiga days: It is a simple, but entertaining, platformer.

Battlefield 6 is a top-tier destruction sandbox and multiplayer shooter that brings the brand back to the Champions League.

This space adventure with a surprising amount of fresh ideas puts a fresh twist on arcade action.

Quotation forthcoming.

Tricky puzzle fast food that will keep fans of randomly generated dungeon action busy.

A simple but tough through concept makes this exhilarating cocktail of dungeon crawler, dual-stick action and bullet hell a blast.

VanillaWare did it again. Their signature visual style is more beautiful than ever and the mixture of side-scrolling brawler, item hunt and character development is as motivating as anything . If you compare this to Odin Sphere or Muramasa though, the story telling falls rather short, while the number of dungeons is very limited.

Whoever wants to dive deep into the Dark Ages will find a complex strategic simulation.

With little more than 5 hours playtime Revengeance is rather short. But I prefer a short but intense experience to a boring one that last 50+ hours. The story is surprisingly deep, the action is fast and furious.

This is a charming adventure mixing elements of platforming, roleplaying and turn based tactics. And as soon as you start to gather companions it almost feels like the Wizard of Oz.

Too often pioneering in the games industry is based on technical achievements: bigger, faster, more polygons. But true magic begins behind the obvious – when the artistic vision starts taking shape in a virtual creation. Trico for me is the most fascinating creature in video game history. The Last Guardian is the counterpoint to the loud and hectic game design that tries to show off its bling on every corner.

Transformed is one of the best fun-racers in recent months and a classy alternative to Mario Kart, whose dominance is crumbling away. Without the frame-rate problems during split-screen races the speeding hedgehog might even have outpaced the racing plumber.

Ninja Gaiden 4 offers superbly choreographed action and is more beginner-friendly than any other game before it. The brilliant game design more than makes up for the weak story.

Mists of Pandaria is an extensive expansion going further than just adding raids and dungeons. The mechanical simplifications and the ridiculous amount of standard quests are annoying though.