Bluey’s Quest for the Gold Pen doesn’t get away from its roots to focus on being a game, and that’s exactly why it works. It’s a tiny burst of playful charm that understands the vibe of the phenomenon that is Bluey.

Pioneers of Pagonia is not only one of the cutest, but also one of the most substantial city builders I have played—if you want it to be. Its endless content, ability to be as hands-on or hands-off as you’d like and its sliding difficulty make PoP one of my favourite games of 2025.

From its striking wash of chromatic aberration against the glow of the crystaline skater against the forboding hellscape of the skate park, Skate Story is a feast for the eyes and a must-play for skateboarding fans looking for a short but unforgettable indie hit.

Thief VR: Legacy of Shadow feels like a return to form for the immersive sim series. Great mechanics and immersion on a level never experienced before for Thief make this feel like the dormant series is back in full glory.

Octopath Traveller 0 masterfully transforms the once mobile game into a fully fleshed JRPG romp that feels as feature-rich and engaging as the prior console and PC releases.

ROUTINE combines a retro-futuristic aesthetic with an unnerving sense of dread to create an incredibly engaging and highly atmospheric horror experience.

While Metroid Prime 4: Beyond is incredibly fun as a straightforward shooter, its more guided nature and excessive handholding may deter hardcore fans of the series and genre.

Marvel Cosmic Invasion is a gorgeous throwback to the days of the Arcade, but one that ultimately feels a little too safe and short for its own good.

Tomb Raider: Definitive Edition is another bare minimum remaster from Aspyr, which doesn't give Lara or the Switch 2 the attention they deserve.

Disappointment is an understatement when it comes to Project Motor Racing. Vehicle control, sub-par graphics, and cost all contribute to the calamity that is PMR.

Wishblossom Ranch shakes up Disney Dreamlight Valley with its invaluable Mounts, while only addressing one or two of the overall game's major flaws.

Total Chaos is rough, strange, and stubborn in all the right ways. It’s the kind of horror game that lingers because it feels genuinely lived-in, and If you’re willing to meet it on its own terms, it gets under your skin and stays there.

A.I.L.A told a predictable yet relevant story, but flew a little too close to the sun by implementing too many good features versus narrowing on making a few outstanding moments.

Escape from Tarkov may have spawned an entire genre, yet it remains one of a kind. Its complex mechanics, visceral gunplay, and unpredictable pacing aren’t for the faint of heart, but with the release of 1.0 on Steam, there’s no reason for fans of hardcore tactical shooters not to enlist.

Demeo x Dungeons & Dragons Battlemarked is an excellent onboarding ramp for tabletop roleplaying, and is an easy recommendation for players looking to jump into a new story.

Where Winds Meet applies the action and charm of the Wuxia-style to a massive ARPG experience that’s easy to get sucking into.

My only complaint about Monsters are Coming! Rock & Road is that there isn’t more of it, and for under $10, they have already provided dozens of hours of content. Addictive and replayable, with a killer soundtrack to go with it.

Kirby Air Riders combines tight controls, excellent gameplay and a plethora of content to make the best mascot racing game on the Nintendo Switch 2.

Demonschool is a straight-A Turn-Based Strategy game. Thoughtful, stylish, innovative and incredibly fun.

While SpongeBob SquarePants: Titans of the Tide isn’t particularly challenging, it's well-written, consistently fun and fun enough to be enjoyed by Goofy Goobers, young and old.

Marvel's Deadpool VR is a surprisingly faithful interpretation of the character in a game that feels fun to play while offering enough variety to keep players engaged for its 8-10 hour run.

There is a good game somewhere here in RENNSPORT, but there is far too much that needs work to redeem it at this point in time.

Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 offers predictable but fun multiplayer, interesting additions to its zombies mode, but a single-player/co-op campaign that’s tedious and too goofy by far.

Dispatch is an incredible narrative experience wrapped around an idea so good that it could stand alone as its own game. [Full Series review]

Possessor(s) combines a compelling narrative, solid understanding of Metroid-like design and genuinely fun combat for an experience that is intensely captivating.

Lumines Arise is an accomplishment. By sticking to the base gameplay that made Lumines a staple in puzzle games for the past two decades, Enhance focused on bringing more bells and whistles to the experience while allowing the gameplay to shine on its own. With infectious audio beats and visuals that bleed off the screen, Lumines Arise beckons players to take a night off from the club to stay in. Lumines. With sharp gameplay, crisp visuals, online matches, and many modes and customization options, Lumines Arise is a puzzle gamer’s dream, and it will let you cut the line to get in each time you fire it up.

Ambrosia Sky has an interesting narrative, but squanders it with dull gameplay and amateur storytelling. [Part One review]

Though not exactly gentle on new players, Anno 117: Pax Romana is not only one of the most stunning city-builders I have ever played, but it is also extremely rewarding.

Overcooked 2 is an essential party game, now made worthwhile on the Nintendo Switch 2 with a version of the game that matches the quality of its other releases on more powerful hardware. If you’ve never experienced the popular party game, Overcooked 2 is an essential must-play for co-op gamers and those looking for a sure-fire party hit.

Arc Raiders combines deep yet accessible mechanics with S-tier sci-fi world-building to deliver the best extraction shooter yet.

Hyrule Warriors returns to form in Age of Imprisonment, borrowing from and enriching Tears of the Kingdom in the process.

Europa Universalis V ushers in what will likely be a new golden age for this grand strategy franchise, even if it currently needs some fine-tuning.

Mortal Kombat: Legacy Kollection is a triumphant return for the series that brings back the best the series has to offer.

Dragon Quest I & II HD-2D Remake completes the Erdrick trilogy, bringing with it the definitive way to experience the birth of JRPGs.

Wreckreation feels like a breath of fresh air, or rather, exhaust in a world of overly serious racers, giving player agency and fun the top priority with its robust set of tools and activities that let you tailor how you play the game.

Bounty Star is a fun mech action game with surprising systems, fun characters, and some light base-building mechanics, but a lack of polish in key places really hold it back.

The Lonesome Guild may be a bit simple in its combat and puzzles, but its world and meta-narrative are incredibly touching and deeply captivating.

The Outer Worlds 2 feels like it improves upon everything from the first game. The writing is much better, the gameplay feels tighter, and the whole game feels like a reminder of why Obsidian is loved.

Plants vs. Zombies: Replanted isn’t breaking the mould in gameplay options, and it isn’t flawless, but I have still been glued to my controller since I got it. There is tons to do, the game looks great, and it's the perfect game for families.

Once Upon A Katamari is the first true sequel in the long-rolling series since 2023, bringing with it a plethora of levels and multiplayer action to keep fans pleased while being approachable to newcomers alike.

PowerWash Simulator 2 is a sequel that tweaks or improves nearly every issue from the original game and provides another zen-like simulation experience that might just make your mind wander.

Jurassic World Evolution 3 is a fun sim with great stories, unique challenges and a sandbox that you can get lost in, all in a game that has the potential to become a favourite sim, no matter what kind of sim you are into.

The formula ain't broke, so Jackbox Party Pack 11 doesn't fix it—offering five original new multiplayer games for its tried-and-true formula.

Angry Video Game Nerd 8-Bit is both a charming love letter to the AVGN series and a challenging retro sidescroller that is immensely fun.

Ninja Gaiden 4 brings a bloodsport of epic proportions to AAA gaming, a must play title for fans of hack and slash, action, and anything ninja.

Keeper takes a straightforward puzzle-based walking sim and elevates it tenfold with an unbelievable level of interactive storytelling.

Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines 2 is a sequel in name only. A flawed but fascinating action-adventure that might satisfy World of Darkness devotees, but few others.

With very few options for variety, NASCAR 25 Just doesn’t offer enough in terms of depth.

Pokémon Legends: Z-A takes all the elements that made Arceus fun and refreshing and elevates them to new heights with the introduction of its real-time battle system.

Battlefield 6 is a fantastic follow-up to its divisive predecessor, and gets a lot of things right, while leaving room for improvement.

Absolum is a standout melding of genres and one of the best roguelikes of the year, making it a multiplayer must-play.

If you’ve watched the trailer for Bye Sweet Carole, you’ve seen the best parts of Bye Sweet Carole. The game takes a demo's worth of content and stretches it out over four painfully long hours.

Yooka-Replayee does make some improvements to the 2017 original, but fails to fix the fundamental flaws its predecessor so divisive.

Little Nightmares III is a safe entry into the series that runs into repetition issues, alongside bugs that really hold the game back. The checkpointing system is the biggest offender here, sometimes making me lose 4 or 5 minutes.

EA Sports NHL 26 is a good base game with some decent improvements in their more niche modes. Players of those modes should be happy, but players looking for a larger leap in the game as a whole shouldn’t hold their breath.

Star Wars: Beyond Victory - A Mixed Reality Playset is a fairly simple game with a good payoff for fans of narrative games or people who just want a sandbox to play in and it comes at a price that makes it a lot more enticing for people to give it a shot.

Disgaea 7 Complete takes an excellent game and polishes it up for the Nintendo Switch 2 admirably.

King of Meat thankfully doesn’t take itself seriously and provides good fun for friends that want to cooperate (or compete) in stages together. An easy recommend for a casual gamer.

Digimon Story Time Stranger is a must-play for fans of the source material that is ultimately held back on consoles due to performance issues, making it best reserved for PC players.

Super Mario Galaxy 2 heralds the return of the Nintendo Wii's best game, improved to a dazzling starry shine on the Nintendo Switch 2 platform.

Super Mario Galaxy is now readily available for all to enjoy, free from its 2020 limited compilation release, made better on Switch 2 with improved controls and graphics.

Nicktoons & The Dice of Destiny has some promise with its stacked cast of characters but never pulls the idea off. Middling gameplay, poor visuals, and mediocre writing really hold it back.

LEGO Party is a great party game for all ages. The customization, the minigames, and the way the boards are laid out all make it feel like a match made in heaven.

Alien Rogue Incursion Evolved Edition is a tepid but well-written downgrade over its otherwise atmospheric VR release, sporting minimal graphical upgrades over its 2024 counterpart.

On top of its gripping narrative, expanded weapon variety, and redefined approach to open-world game design, Ghost of Yōtei is a must-play and instant classic on PlayStation 5.

Atelier Resleriana's console outing is both a crash-course in the franchise's core tenets, and a welcome breath of cozy fresh air.

Dragon Song Tavern: Cozy & Adventurous has a few good ideas, but they’re marred significantly by some amateurish game design.

Hades II marks the first sequel done by Supergiant Games, one that takes the beloved essence of the original and betwitches it with all the right elements indicative of a stellar roguelike sequel.

Final Fantasy Tactics: The Ivalice Chronicles is a deftly rebuilt iteration of a foundational title—making the must-play strategy-RPG easier to enjoy than ever before.

Baby Steps, no pun intended, seems like a step backwards for Bennett Foddy and team. Losing the battle between fun and frustrating, frustrating and annoying, always wins when it comes to Baby Steps.

EA Sports FC 26 is a fine entry to the annual football title from EA, featuring responsive gameplay and in-depth menus, but it’s not necessarily enough to make everyone happy.

NeoBards Entertainment has taken bold risks with Silent Hill f, and the result is one of the most unsettling, personal and rewarding horror games in years.

Trails in the Sky 1st Chapter is a stunning remake that staunchly secures the series’ leading place in modern RPGs.

Dying Light: The Beast is an incredible evolution in the series by bringing back the movement and weapon feel, and evolving them to feel more brutal, which feels incredible after the overturned nature of what Dying Light 2 gave us.

Towa and the Guardians of the Sacred Tree has a lot of half-good ideas—each one marred by questionable design decisions.

Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds is a pure kart racer that feels like a return to form for the series and a fun racing experience regardless of your affinity with the blue hedgehog.

Donkey Kong Bananza’s DK Island + Emerald Rush DLC is a decent enough expansion that is NOWHERE near worth the asking price.

LEGO Voyagers is a simple game, with a big imagination, and at the end of the day, that’s what playing with LEGO is about. It’s a heartwarming, highly enjoyable experience that doesn’t ask a lot from the player, but doesn’t require a lot to have fun. I think parents will definitely enjoy playing with their kids the most, but there’s enough here for two friends to enjoy.

This is Borderlands perfected. A game that takes the foundation of the series and elevates it in every conceivable way. Funnier, smarter, richer, more thrilling, and absolutely overflowing with reasons to keep playing long after the credits roll.

Hollow Knight: Silksong takes the masterclass design of its predecessor and elevates it to set a new gold standard in Metroid-like design.

Helldivers 2 on Xbox Series X|S is a strong port that finally lets Xbox players enjoy the acclaimed co-op shooter—and a long-overdue taste of LiberTEA.

Metal Eden takes all the style and substance of Ruiner and brings to the table a fun and challenging first-person shooter.

Cronos: The New Dawn isn’t perfect, but it doesn’t need to be. It’s a beautiful, brutal survival horror game that doesn’t always land narratively but really sticks to its guns and lands where it matters most. It’s bleak, it’s relentless, and it really sticks with you.

Despite not living up to its full potential on Switch 2, Daemon X Machina is still an incredibly fast-paced and fun action RPG.

Hell Is Us is a darkly engaging adventure puzzle game that blends the uncanny character vibes of David Lynch with exploration elements found in Fromsoftware games without its punishing difficulty.

Super Robot Wars Y is another solid entry into the series that brings several exciting new properties that fans of the series will appreciate.

Story of Seasons: Grand Bazaar is not only a stellar remake of its DS counterpart, it may be the best entry in the series to date.

Kirby and the Forgotten Land's Switch 2 Edition is the best paid upgrade yet, and a worthy addition to one of the Switch's finest platformers.

Gears of War: Reloaded is a great way to experience the original Gears game with a friend if neither of you has played it before. Otherwise, it is notable to see a flagship Xbox title on PlayStation, but the gameplay feels especially clunky in 2025.

Shinobi: Art of Vengeance is an excellent 2D action platformer, and is a must play for fans of ninjas, action titles, or fans that want a great game for half price.

Metal Gear Solid Δ: Snake Eater is a safe but faithful remake and the perfect entry point for newcomers or those wanting to relive the exploits of Naked Snake in a brand new light.

The Rogue Prince of Persia is a platforming masterclass, and it’s a must play for fans of 2D action titles, Dead Cells, and pretty much everyone else.

Herdling is a captivating, albeit flawed experience that never has any low points, but never hits any genuine highs either.

Echoes of the End brought everything that a AA-title needs, narrative-driven and showed a keen attention to environmental design.

OFF isn’t for everyone, but it’s a must play if you’re not everyone, and fans of Undertale must try this game.

EA Sports Madden NFL 26 is the most complete, authentic and rewarding entry the series has seen in years.

Tiny Bookshop deftly blends slice-of-life elements, business sims, and word puzzles into a perfect game to chill with after a long day.

Drag x Drive is a novel take on wheelchair basketball, one that takes full advantage of the Joy-Con 2 controllers. While limited by an overall lack of content, the game still creates a good foundation for the future.