Back 4 Blood is a wonderful call-back to the games that have come before it. And even though it’s not a direct sequel to Left 4 Dead 2, it brings back the most important elements of the series. But it shouldn’t be seen as only a spiritual successor because it adds so many new features that make it an extremely satisfying modern-day FPS. While a few elements impede the gameplay, they can be easily overlooked when you have a great team to play with.

F1 Manager 2022 is an excellent look at what it takes to be a Formula 1 team principal. There is so much depth to the game, and the real-life statistics make the experience incredibly authentic. Everything about the game feels polished, from the look and feel of the cars and tracks to the in-depth look at the car data, and I can’t wait to see what new tricks the series will bring in future versions of the game.

Card Shark is a truly unique experience that shouldn’t be slept on. This is the game for those who don’t like card games. The developers have made a very fun experience that builds on itself fluidly in a way that many other games don’t seem to get right.

Wrath of the Druids is an excellent DLC. It does everything right in setting the new locale apart from its neighbor to the east while delivering a strong new plot and set of characters. Not every new mechanic feels fully realized, but for what they do offer, I enjoyed them and particularly enjoyed the way they played into the greater mythos and context of the game as a whole. If the remainder of Assassin’s Creed Valhall‘s major DLC—and future Assassin’s Creed stories, for that matter—follow suit, I’ll be very glad for it.

Lies of P Overture is an excellent DLC that adds more brevity and complexity to an already great game. With its new environments, Arms, and weapon changes, once beloved builds will be put to the test.

Terra Nil is one of the most beautiful and peaceful games I’ve played in quite some time. Turning the procedurally generated wastelands into paradises has been really therapeutic. Free Lives not only did a great job of creating a reverse city builder but showed us why we need to give back to nature. Even with some frustrating elements, Terra Nil is worth your time.

Out of the Blue has delivered another feast for the eyes and ears in a fun, chill puzzle game that still finds ways to balance the horrors of the beyond with the horrors of our own existence.

Life Is Strange Reunion isn’t perfect, but it hits the most important notes. Getting to see Max and Chloe together again is a phenomenally emotional experience.

Even with its few distracting flaws, almost anyone will find something worthwhile in Hi-Fi Rush. Its seamless integration of rhythm into exploration and combat is met with a harmonious and interesting soundtrack. Colorful, engaging, and funny, anybody will be able to pick up this title easily.

While not without flaws, Stellar Blade‘s PC version is the definitive version of the game, thanks to the upgrades and all the included content. The game remains fun and engaging a year later, with the experience only getting better.

Moomintroll: Winter’s Warmth is about how small acts of kindness can drive out the cold and the fear that comes with it. It’s about opening your door and asking someone how you can help. While Moomin starts the game as a scared child, he discovers the warmth and joy that community can bring, but only when brought together through kindness.

Struggling is a very creative and endearing platformer that surprised me with both how much I enjoyed its grotesque universe and how tight its physics-based gameplay is.

While some elements of the puppet aesthetics aren't necessarily original, and those who have played Bloodborne will see similarities, Lies of P is a gorgeously grim experience that offers difficulty and magic through immersive and dynamic gameplay with enough content baked in to make replayability a must.

With a variety of new friends and new ways to interact with them, “A Rift in Time” provides more of what made Disney Dreamlight Valley enjoyable: fun quests, the chance to befriend beloved Disney characters, and the chance to test your design skills.

WRATH: Aeon of Ruin welcomes new players without holding your hand all the way through.

Onimusha 2 Samurai’s Destiny doesn’t reinvent the wheel or dramatically modernize every aspect of the original game. However, with its stylish action, welcome updates, and nostalgic charm, the remaster proves that even a 20-year-old game can still cut deep.

Life is Strange: True Colors lands itself as one of the most cathartic and emotionally resonant video games I've played in a long time.

Stellar Blade is a fantastic addition to the PlayStation-exclusive library. The combat is slick and fun, the story deep and interesting, and the set pieces all bigger than the last. It's obvious why Sony scooped this one up, fitting into its story-rich third-party pedigree of titles.

Bayonetta 3 isn’t perfect, but it’s everything I wanted. Absolute nonsense with sexy demons, some dope ladies, and dynamic combat is what makes Bayonetta 3 absolutely stellar.

The Wild at Heart is a lovely game altogether. Its story and characters are just as charming as the gameplay is fun. There are a few nitpicks I can make about sound design and the Spriteling well menu having more tabs than it should need to, but they’re just nitpicks. It’s a touching and sharp game absolutely worth the dive into.

Like a Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name may not be as long as other games in the series, but it still provides a deep sandbox in which to lose yourself for hours, whether it’s in the arena, the arcade, or simply helping out around the neighborhood.

The gunplay is fantastic, the gameplay loop is satisfying, and the reward progression is consistent. Its live service plans are its biggest question moving forward, but right now, Helldivers 2 is a ton of fun.

The Cosmic Wheel Sisterhood crafts a story that encapsulates the feelings of being restricted while nudging players towards a place that may feel uncomfortable yet relatable. It is a story worth experiencing as choices begin to matter and fate rests in your hands.

Tinykin encapsulates all that is great and not-so-great about classic platformer collecathons. It’s charming, it’s witty, and it’s full of adorable creatures. Plus, the level design is superb, with each of the 6 areas feeling unique not in just design but in storytelling and exploitability. There is a lot offered here in such a small, low-stress package.

Thorn’s quest to save Leaf is exceptionally well-written, and the world of Dewr is one of the more enjoyable video game worlds I’ve explored in some time. Despite some minor quibbles with the combat and some of the world-building, No Place for Bravery is still an excellent game that players looking for a challenge are sure to enjoy.

SpiderHeck is a fun, chaotic new addition to the action indie lineup. It works as both a single-player and multiplayer experience and is certainly unlike any other games of its type in how it uses the gravity of swinging from spiderwebs and sticking to surfaces for great 360-degree action.

Powerwash Simulator 2 really has hit at the perfect time once again. Its stress-free gameplay feels so much better to use, especially in ways where you wouldn’t expect improvement.

The puzzles are challenging but satisfying, the spooks are wonderful, and the story draws you in from the very start—Fobia – St. Dinfna Hotel has all the right elements, just may need a couple of gameplay tweaks for the console. Nevertheless, if you’re looking for a horror game with all the puzzles you could ever need, look no further.

I enjoyed this new adventure in the frozen land of Colorado. The challenging combat, choice-driven narrative, and fun humor are hitting on all cylinders in Wasteland 3: The Battle of Steeltown. If you enjoyed the gameplay of the original release, I can easily recommend checking this out.

After a bit of a letdown last year, Football Manager 2024 gives new life to a storied franchise. As far as management simulators go, Football Manager 2024 remains among the absolute best of them.

The Forsaken Hollows is a great excuse to jump back into Limveld and fight gnarly bosses in beautiful arenas and feel cool doing it.

Combined with its determination to not unduly punish players by keeping systems intuitive and making crafting choices easily reversible, Biomutant keeps its fun gameplay and beautiful environments open to many gamers who otherwise might struggle with the game's many systems and combat.

Brain vs Brain is a very welcome return to a long-forgotten series. While it doesn’t offer anything quite so new besides new mini games and a strong multiplayer mode, it’s absolutely difficult to put down and full of challenging fun.

In its sound, mechanics, visuals, and narrative, Howl captures a dark fairytale and creates a gorgeous folktale without losing its way.

Shuten Order is a fantastic, incredibly unique game that stands out from the crowd. The narrative and world-building are captivating, the characters are endearing and entertaining, and the gameplay is engaging due to its variety. While not without flaws, the experience it provides is genuinely unforgettable.

NBA 2K25 radically improves gameplay and presents the most authentic NBA experience to date. It builds on systems introduced in last year’s version to give a more complete package for players to enjoy.

For Lego’s first party game, Lego Party is a strong entry, with lots of unlockable minifigures, the ability to create your own, and fun, distinct boards to play on.

OlliOlli World is a BLAST to play. Roll7 did an excellent job changing up their formula while still making this feel like an OlliOlli game. While it isn’t faultless with its difficulty, OlliOlli World is welcoming for just about anyone with any skill level.

Mario Tennis Fever is a blast, easily one of Mario’s best sports games in recent years.

Whether it’s embedding yourself in Paell or running dungeon after dungeon, you won’t want to put Cuisineer down.

But the remake more than makes up for it with all the new changes and upgrades. While far from perfect, the game still stands out as one of the best remakes. It’s a title Persona fans will be proud of.

Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown is a vibrant reimaging of ancient Persian myth... The Lost Crown is the right mix of difficult ingenuity and self-pacing that makes the Metroidvania inspiration and the franchise a perfect pairing.

Knights of the Old Republic II for the Nintendo Switch is a fantastic time. Aspyr does a great job, just as they did with the KOTOR port in 2021, and the experience of the story far outweighs the inconvenience that stems from the glitches.

Persona 5 Tactica is a great example of how to do a spin-off game right by balancing familiar components with a new approach. There is plenty to enjoy for new and old fans alike and everything is tied together in a package that is equal parts approachable and fulfilling.

Dreamscaper is a fun rouge-lite that offers hours upon hours of fun and novel gameplay. While the combat is entertaining and offers a variety that’ll never get boring, the way the game focuses on mental health is well-done and powerful because of it.

Horizon Zero Dawn Remastered is a worthy graphical update to the beloved original. The overhauled graphics are beautiful, breathing new life into a world many care about.

Harmony’s Odyssey is simple, and if you’re looking for a difficult puzzle game that will take a lot of time to work through, this isn’t it. But, if you’re looking for a cozy puzzle game with visual beauty and wonder in spades, then this is it. With appeal for a wide range of ages, a great score, and a fantastic and intelligent method of visualizing instructions Harmony’s Odyssey is a great buy, especially on the Nintendo Switch. The perfect handheld puzzler, I’m so happy it came into my life.

The Rise of the Golden Idol scratches a very specific puzzle-solving itch and provides plenty of “Eureka!” moments.

EA Sports College Football 26 is a step forward in the right direction and builds really well from where CFB 25 left off. There are plenty of quality of life additions from menus and UI to even more sliders and options for players for the various game modes.

A Space for the Unbound gently reminds us of the value and importance of human connection through our words with dream-like, mindful storytelling.

Metroid Dread is not only an excellent game and return of a beloved franchise, it’s emblematic of everything that defined the genre in the first place in a way that many modern Metroidvanias simply aren’t. Its exploration, upgrading, and re-exploration are never spoonfed to you and feel constantly like great accomplishments with great difficulty scaling and thrilling new mechanics and atmosphere.

The Ace Attorney Investigations Collection does an excellent job of bringing the spin-off titles to a new audience through great features that support both games’ stellar narratives and gameplay experiences.

Once Upon a Katamari is a fantastic new entry in the series and provides an incredibly entertaining experience in all the right ways, despite its tedious parts.

Resident Evil 4: Separate Ways elevates an already great game with a substantial new story. Its new gameplay additions are excellent while its story is gripping and full of exciting moments.

Twelve Minutes is a truly phenomenal experience hindered only by forgivable a few gameplay bumps and the immense patience it takes to succeed.

GreedFall: The Dying World leaves much to be desired. Despite offering an engaging story and a strong cast of characters, technical problems abound, making the experience far more frustrating than it’s worth.

Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver 1 and 2 Remastered is an impeccable remaster collection. While it has a few flaws, the narrative, world-building, soundtrack, and voice acting make the games a gratifying experience.

The Big Con provides some much-needed 90s nostalgia while also providing an outrageous tale smothered in wit, sarcasm, and Horm. It’s a short, casual game, with a whole lot of spunk and a whole lot of crime, and I really recommend it to anyone looking for a laugh.

NASCAR 25 is a much-needed shot in the arm for NASCAR video games, bringing an authentic and fun experience to a new generation. Players will learn to appreciate the skill it takes to be the best on track, and it should draw eyes to the real-life sport as well, thanks to the incredible presentation.

Scorn is a survival horror shooter puzzle game and it uses each of those elements in its own mold.

There are some kinks in Assassin's Creed Mirage that hold it back from perfection, but without a doubt, it is the sharpest, most succinct entry in the franchise yet. With the best elements brought together throughout the series' many games, Mirage stands out as at once completely classic and fully modern.

While the Playstation version of Deep Rock Galactic has a few downsides here and there, overall, the game is a blast to play with your friends. The procedurally-generated environments, endless variations on missions, and the customization will provide hours upon hours of fun and challenges.

I thoroughly enjoyed my hours going through Seolhwa’s story as I helped him find love from another world. While I enjoyed the bulk of what I played through, the story certainly has its bumps. While many of these can be ignored in favor of the parts I enjoyed, their presence nonetheless diminishes a strong overall experience.

Monster Hunter Stories 2: Wings of Ruin blends the essence of the Monster Hunter series with the charm of a turn-based RPG. It sports a fun story, strategic gameplay, stunning visuals, and memorable characters, resulting in an excellent experience.

Step into Planet of Lana and have a beautiful, low-stress time. Its puzzle are enough to get you thinking but simple enough to keep the game relaxing and perfectly-paced.

Children of Silentown sinks you into a world that is eerily beautiful. It holds you, not knowing what the night brings or what lurks in the forest – and that’s a good thing.

Have a Nice Death smartly utilizes a corporate setting that pairs so well with the roguelike genre.

Splatoon 3 is a well-crafted game that provides a highly enjoyable experience for both fans and newcomers to the franchise. While the campaign isn’t long at about 8-10 hours, it still sports a good amount of varied content with a multiplayer mode that’ll keep you engaged for hours on end.

Atomfall shines by not telling you anything initially and letting you choose who you trust and betray to get to the ending you feel best suits your survivor.

Afterimage is a truly beautiful experience, one worth taking the time to enjoy. There are some frustrating moments like a lack of clarity in direction or forced moments of experience grinding, but a compelling story and fascinating world kept those from ruining the experience.

Midnight has quickly set up a base that could easily be one of World of Warcraft‘s best expansions in quite some time—possibly ever.

Days Gone on the PC is a great experience that brings a stellar upgrade for graphics that take full advantage of the dynamic weather system. And, with a much smoother ride than it got on console, this is well worth the buy for PC-players looking to get in on zombie action. While it definitely plays better on a controller, the experience is still a great one.

Monster Hunter Rise: Sunbreak is a good expansion and continues the tradition of giving players a lot for their money. With events, free DLC and monsters that will get added over the game’s life, players won’t ever feel cheated when it comes to spending money on this game.

Overall, The Hinokami Chronicles is an enjoyable arena fighter with a really intriguing story. There are moments where the game feels a bit too slow or uninteresting during the exploration moments, but the combat makes up for it. Fans of Demon Slayer will love plaything through The Hinokami Chronicles, and even newcomers to the series will enjoy this well-done fighting game.

While I wish there were more to the story and a few puzzles don’t quite hit the mark, Papetura absolutely achieves what it was made to be: an atmospheric experience.

Double Dragon Gaiden: Rise of the Dragons is a super solid beat ’em up with a steep learning curve but a lot of options to adjust the difficulty and help incentivize replay.

Undeniably, Arcadegeddon is a fun experience, especially with friends. The music is phenomenal, and the game offers a good challenge…But the enemies do become stale the more you play, and there are only so many objectives to go around…Nevertheless, for the price, Arcadegeddon has so much to offer.

Melatonin delivers challenging gameplay and creative, hand-crafted visuals. Combined with a chill soundtrack, this game will relax your soul even as it tests your skills.

Granblue Fantasy Versus: Rising is a fantastic 2.5D fighting game that, despite some of its flaws, provides players an almost perfect and complete package that most Granblue fans will likely be proud of.

Darkest Dungeon 2 had me feeling mixed at first. Ultimately, this sequel feels more fleshed out, and I grew to appreciate the direction it took, giving our heroes more life by giving them backstories and how they interacted with each other in the world.

While playing Layers of Fear 2 on the go isn’t quite as scary as its console versions, it’s nevertheless creepy and thought-provoking as you explore the well-crafted scenes and lose yourself in becoming a completely different person.

Backworlds is a short and sweet game that offers up ample amounts of wholesomeness and challenge in the best way. Painting your way through the world isn’t just a gimmick; it’s an integral part of the game, which is important for niche travel mechanics. Plus, there are a few surprises in-store, including teleportation. So if you’re looking for a game to play on the go and puzzles to keep you focused, then Backworlds is definitely for you. A port from the PC, this one takes full advantage of the way you play your Switch and just works.

The Thaumaturge presents a fantastical look into history and allows players to take the wheel. With supernatural creatures, investigations spanning whole neighborhoods, and solid voice acting, there’s a lot to enjoy. It doesn’t get everything right, but it does provide enough depth and creativity to take the journey once or twice.

Nobody Saves the World is another fun-filled game by the team at Drinkbox Studios. While there were very few memorable NPCs, the forms are really what shines the most. From being able to customize them for any need to quickly switching between them, Drinkbox Studios nailed their hook of this game. I just wish they took the time to focus on the game’s villains just as much as they did the many NPCs.

Marathon has me locked in, sitting in my brain until my next run. The barrier to entry is high, but it’s rewarding, with each death being a lesson learned.

Wonderlands manages to instead fix many of those issues while injecting new ideas to make it a special entry in the franchise thanks to more than just its setting. Hopefully, the game’s season pass will only continue to polish it even more, and the developers at Gearbox will take the lessons from Wonderlands into the series’ future.

Kana Quest feels like a great game for the right kind of gamer. If puzzle-based challenges like Sudoku are things that engage you I think this game will have a lot to offer.

Rainbow Billy is truly a great kids’ RPG game. For anybody looking to hook their kid up with a fun, unique adventure with great morals and a creative “combat” system that doesn’t throw any punches, this is absolutely it.

Venba speaks on social issues people can face when placed in a society that feels adverse to acceptance and understanding.

The developers at AstralShift clearly love anime, and it comes through by virtually creating their own. While there are elements that a well-versed shoujo fan will see, Little Goody Two Shoes is something entirely original.

The Mageseeker: A League of Legends Story comes together to deliver yet another great off-shoot offering of the League of Legends brand. If an action RPG that forces you to be calculated in your approach that is married with an engrossing story about a social revolution sounds appealing to you then this is one to pick up.

SaGa Frontier 2 Remastered brings the classic RPG to modern audiences with minor tweaks that make it much more approachable and enjoyable.

As a visual novel, Necrobarista: Final Pour works hard to try to set itself apart from the genre. At times it does a really fantastic job, and even the negative aspects aren’t nearly enough to stop me from recommending the game to visual novel fans. Necrobarista: Final Pour is a unique take on a common theme, as well as a fresh approach to a genre that can feel a tad paint-by-numbers at times. I absolutely enjoyed every second of my time in Melbourne, and the way it made me think about death and my own mortality was truly fascinating.

Even with some difficulty when it comes to controls, Planet Zoo: Console Edition is still a must for any tycoon fans… And there are enough layered mechanics to keep even the most hardcore players tinkering for hours on end.

Is This Seat Taken? is a wholesome, bite-sized title that is a cozy fit for any gaming library.

Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl are incredibly faithful remakes of Diamond and Pearl, warts and all. There are some nice new additions that enhance the experience, and the visual style is unique and quite good-looking. It’s hard not to recommend these to any Pokémon fan or newcomer to the franchise. There might be a few negatives, but none of them take much away from the overall excellent experience.

Ghostbusters: Spirits Unleashed is an excellent, fun, stressful multiplayer game. If you love online gaming, this game is worth a purchase.

Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl are incredibly faithful remakes of Diamond and Pearl, warts and all. There are some nice new additions that enhance the experience, and the visual style is unique and quite good-looking. It’s hard not to recommend these to any Pokémon fan or newcomer to the franchise. There might be a few negatives, but none of them take much away from the overall excellent experience.