Danganronpa V3 unravels the series' tightly wound coil of bloody intrigue in spectacular fashion.

With the series ending its run on the 3DS, Etrian Odyssey Nexus proves itself to be the strongest entry in the franchise yet.

While not being the scariest horror game of this year by modern standards, Worse Than Death is a game that feels personal and terrifying at the same time.

Planet of Lana is a must-play for platforming fans, boasting vibrant visuals and a unique, family-friendly take on the classic action-adventure genre.

Despite a few technical shortcomings, People of Note is a truly inventive game with a real sense of charm and a BANGING soundtrack.

Whispering Willows wants you to learn its story, connect with its characters, and become engrossed in its world.

Dragon’s Dogma 2 improves upon the original in exceptional ways and is a must-play RPG for fans of the genre.

Doraemon Story of Seasons: Friends of the Great Kingdom is a great game and an even greater collaboration between iconic franchises.

Final Fantasy VI Pixel Remaster is emblematic of the whole Pixel Remaster line: an accessibly modern yet aesthetically authentic re-release of an essential RPG.

Though there are some quality-of-life improvements Hozy could benefit from, it is the perfect game to kick back, relax and get creative with.

Forza Horizon 5 truly has it all for a racing title, depth of gameplay, customization, good online presence, fun activities… and the list goes on. With the inclusion of Horizon 5 hitting GamePass day one, I consider this a must play for all gamers, racing fans or not.

Priced at a more reasonable, $50, Blood & Truth comfortably finds a middle ground between a full retail release and something more indicative of a smaller, VR experience. Owners of PSVR, especially those yearning for more, after their time with PlayStation Worlds, are wholly encouraged to check out Blood & Truth.

Short but packing a hell of a wallop, Gravity Circuit delivers on most of what fans of Mega Man X and Zero would want out of a fast, challenging 2D platformer.

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.

A Hat in Time is a short but great spiritual successor to Super Mario 64 and the best 3D platformer released on PC this year.

Even without the IP, Dex manages to be the absolute best Ghost in the Shell game we’ve ever gotten.

As long as all you’re asking for is the epic conclusion to the Kazama Kiryu saga on something other than a PlayStation and you aren’t expecting the game to fully leverage the added horsepower of an Xbox Series console, you should be in for a great time with Yakuza 6: The Song of Life.

Under Defeat (2025) is a remaster of the expertly crafted 2005 vertical shooter, offering tight gameplay, striking art, infectious music, and shmup-friendly extras that make its high difficulty rewarding and replayable.

Described as a "love letter to 8-bit" this classic platformer is just as brief and lovely as it was when it arrived years back.

Sakura Wars honors what came before it while offering a brand new experience that’s worth checking out.

From its unmatched beauty to its heartwarming tale, Lego Builder’s Journey is an experience unlike any puzzle game before it. It’s a game that lets you reconnect with your imagination.

If you weep because there are no new worlds to conquer in Stardew Valley, return to Story of Seasons: Friends of Mineral Townto (re-)experience its biggest inspiration.

Steins;Gate 0 is one of the best stories the visual novel genre has to offer, and stands as a worthy sequel to its critically-acclaimed predecessor.

Lost In Random: The Eternal Die is an intense action roguelike that blends challenge and RNG to perfectly suit its narrative and aesthetic themes.

Time will tell whether or not Space Junkies can stand the test of time, ideally maturing into a game that can live up to the games it borrows from. As of right now, Space Junkies is at the very least, is a must try for owners of the PSVR headset.

Have a Nice Death mixes fast-paced combat with roguelike elements for an experience you’ll be DYING to keep playing.

While the platforming aspect of the game doesn’t appear to be as big a selling point as the level creation, the gameplay is still tight and solid enough.

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

Beyond Sol is one of those rare games that smooshes genres together that don’t usually get along, with an end result that is incredibly rewarding.

As the most content-rich Project DIVA game yet, Future Tone has a bizarre charm that should appeal even to the most vocaloid-averse rhythm game fans.

Travis Strikes Again: No More Heroes is a great game that perfectly captures what I personally love about indie experiences.

While it is not for everyone, if you enjoy the tactical tank genre and can look past some bland maps, Armored Warfare is well worth your free-to-play hours.

While not as pretty as it’s PS4 older brother, Ni No Kuni 2: Revenant Kingdom Prince’s Edition is a delightful experience all around. All the additional DLC is just a welcome bonus.

As the most content-rich Project DIVA game yet, Future Tone has a bizarre charm that should appeal even to the most vocaloid-averse rhythm game fans.

Amerzone - The Explorer’s Legacy takes the excellent fundamentals established by its predecessor and enhances them tenfold with modern gaming sensibilities and unbelievable visual polish.

Wargroove is a deeply engaging strategy game that has the potential to continue to thrive and develop for years to come with a dedicated playerbase of creators.

Castlevania Advance Collection is a true port of four titles that offers amazing gameplay for a low price not found on eBay where these titles fetch a ransom. Every gamer should experience this collection and this is the perfect excuse to dive in a battle with creatures of the night.

And for anyone who’s only after the multiplayer, well, I could say anything I want up top, because all you need to hear is that it’s still StarCraft—but more.

Trek to Yomi is a short but sweet action game and a love letter to 1960's era Japanese cinema.

Aftercharge truly has the potential to be “the next big thing”, with all fundamentals of what makes a shooter great, but in its early days its clear there is still polish that could done to the overall experience.

Splatoon 2 delivers everything that made the original great and tosses in a few improvements for good measure. The Switch library just keeps getting better.

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

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.

Dark Deity adds enough to the Fire Emblem DNA to stand on its own legs as a classic SRPG, with a low-price tag and hours of quality Dark Deity is a must play for strategy fans and a possible entryway to first timers to the genre.

The Magic Circle is a delightful puzzler brimming with creativity.

Doki Doki Literature Club Plus! transcends its visuals and becomes its own unique entity, shattering any limitations set by previous entries in the Anime Dating sim genre, and the Horror genre. This game should be experienced by any game enthusiasts that can stomach the heavy subject matter.

Etrian Odyssey V is a digital adventure that leans analogue, with pen-and-paper sensibilities that delight far more than they frustrate.

Princess Peach: Showtime! is an easy-to-understand, incredibly fun-to-play game with a style and charm that is sure to delight.

Nintendo World Championships: NES Edition is both a loving celebration of the event's origins and a fun and exciting introduction to the world of speedrunning.

The Mega Man Battle Network Legacy Collection drags some of the best Game Boy Advance titles available and repackages them for the Nintendo Switch in a must-own fashion. An easy recommendation for almost anyone.

Lord of the Rings: Return to Moria for Xbox is a great addition offering new players to Free Range Game’s continually improving survival title.

Progression can be slow at times, while still feeling too brief in the grand scope of the game, and the combat can be a bit of a yes/no gear check, but critically, none of this mars the experience, nor can it ever upset the beauty of the game’s randomly generated worlds, the vibrant colour palettes, the stunning parallax, and the overall “feel” of the game.

World of Warships: Blitz is a mobile port that feels like a game made specifically with mobile in mind. It's one of the best looking and sounding games out there, and its tons of fun to boot.

The Last of Us Part II Remastered takes an excellent game and polishes it into a gleaming gem made brighter than ever, thanks to the inclusion of new content.

Ring Fit Adventure is one of the best attempts yet to blend fitness with gaming, even if gaming sometimes grabs the reins.

Aside from being a showcase of the tech that the PlayStation 5 is capable of, Astro’s Playroom excels in its exuding charm, with callbacks and references to many PlayStation properties sprinkled throughout the entirety of the game. Ultimately, Astro’s Playroom is a celebration of PlayStation’s legacy encapsulated in a toy-like aesthetic that delivers a fun experience that doesn’t overstay its welcome and gives all players something to dive into when they get their hands on a PlayStation 5.

UFC 5 is a must-buy for fight fans and an easy entry point for newcomers to get into the action.

CrossCode is an excellent ARPG that’s definitely worth rediscovering again.

Call of the Sea is a well-executed Adventure game that feels both familiar and distinct, with imagery evocative of both Monkey Island and H.P. Lovecraft that comes together in a fun and concise adventure game.

Super Mario Bros. Wonder feels truly complete on the Nintendo Switch 2, thanks to new bosses, though the expensive upgrade may not be for everyone.

Fantasian Neo Dimension is not only a charming adventure, but a lovingly-crafted tribute to the genre from some of its biggest pioneers.

Valkyrie Profile: Lenneth is a great port of a great port that newcomers and series fans alike will enjoy.

Darksiders II: Deathinitive Edition, despite being another re-release, shows that Darksiders II is an incredible game that deserves more attention.

Call of Duty: Black Ops 4 is a great multiplayer first-person shooter. Each of the three multiplayer modes plays in a number of unique diverse ways, but each maintains that core identity of a Call of Duty title.

The Witcher III has a compelling plot, combined with some old school, complex game systems that encourage exploration, crafting and experimentation. It has some rough spots, but when the plot and characters suck you in the way The Witcher III does, it’s worth forgiving the unrefined aspects of the game for the expansive world and engaging, morally ambiguous storytelling.

Super Galaxy Squadron feels comfortingly like an arcade cabinet I might have once slipped a quarter into at the Pizza Hut down the road.

Hypnospace Outlaw’s 90’s tinted internet exploration is spot on, but may be too specific for players who were not around to experience that particular time.

Despite technical issues, Star Wars Outlaws was an incredibly engrossing adventure from its unique story perspective and engaging gameplay. It is the scoundrel story fans have always wanted.

Mario & Luigi: Brothership is like a perfect representation of the Bros themselves: even though one might trip up here and there, everything works so well together that it makes it an unforgettable experience.

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.

It sure would be nice if the gang could clean things up on the technical side as this season marches towards what we all have to assume will be an epic finale.

The definitive way to play the best entry in the Zone of the Enders franchise.

The Talos Principle II gives you a philosophical deep dive into yourself while offering some challenging puzzles as well. A great entry in the series.

One of the most engaging and fun stealth games in years.

Night in the Woods reminds me of an old, relatively unknown PC adventure gem called The Adventures of Willy Beamish. It's unconventional, deals with a younger character, and while irreverent, has a lot of commentary on life that applies to just about everyone. I have a feeling Night in the Woods is going to benefit a lot from word of mouth the same way Undertale did, but just in case it doesn't, take my recommendation - go play it.

Kaiserpunk brings the creativity and consideration for construction of a Sim Game to the deep strategy and nuance of the 4X genre.

Torchlight II on the Switch is an excellent addition to its library of fun, multiplayer-oriented games for both new fans and those wanting to return to the world of Vilderan after an extended absence.

Shovel Knight: Pocket Dungeon is a truly delightful puzzle/rogue-lite game that is dripping with personality and fun to be had. The characters, sprite-work, music, sound effects, and overall design is stellar with a fantastic price on its head, this is a game for casual players, and serious players looking for something to master, a title worth pocketing.

It still tells a satisfyingly poignant, absorbing, and dark tale.

Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity doesn’t reinvent the wheel, but it does offer a more robust and cohesive experience that fan’s of Breath of the Wild will appreciate, even if they have never played a Warriors-style game in the past.

Crash Bandicoot 4: It’s About Time may not be the biggest upgrade over its last-generation release, but for a game that just came out a year prior, it does what it needs to do and presents the best console version of an already well-polished game for players to enjoy.

This is easily my favourite game of the year. I haven’t been this captivated by Holmes since I began reading the original works by Doyle.

Chinatown Detective Agency is a great detective game that feels rewarding when solutions are found. An easy recommendation to casual and serious gamers, but the replay value may fall short when all is said and done.

Sonic X Shadow Generations delivers two fantastic games for the price of one, capturing the best elements of the Dreamcast era.

XCOM: Chimera Squad is yet another fantastic addition to the 25-year-old franchise’s quality lineup of titles, delivering a new suite of mechanics that bring a whole new dimension of strategy to its already addictive combat.

Eight years in the making, Bayonetta 3 is an utterly ridiculous action romp from PlatinumGames that blends sublime controls with over-the-top set pieces that fans have come to love. And while pacing and technical issues hold it back, it’s a fantastic sequel that fans of the franchise will love.

For such a largescale RPG as Final Fantasy XII, it’s great being to experience the title at home and on the go with all necessary enhancements.

The Walking Dead: Saints & Sinners is a faithful VR adaptation that creatively knows what it’s like to fight walkers and stay alive.

Dragon Quest VII Reimagined rectifies one of the slower entries into the long-running series with a next-gen coat of paint and pacing to match the sensibilities of contemporary JRPG enthusiasts.

Matt Thorson succeeds once again in crafting a tight, beautiful retro experience.

Telltale’s take on the Caped Crusader has a confident storyline that captures the essence of the iconic world well, and establishes an intriguing tale for future installments to expand upon.

The reason you’ll purchase this game is because it’s still a classic, even with its flaws.

Forza Horizon 4 feels more focused and creative than its immediate predecessors, thanks to a well-designed open-world that readily encourages hijinx.

The Dark Pictures: House of Ashes is a perfectly timed release. Put yourself into a Horror movie in time for Halloween and enjoy the thrilling ride.

While it is hampered a bit by a lacking tutorial on Dual archetypes and some balancing issues, Remnant 2, none the less presents an engaging story, solid combat and great progression systems wrapped in a very well-built world.

When it comes to retro-gaming on the Xbox platform, Antstream Arcade has just usurped Xbox Game Pass as “the best deal in gaming.” It offers access to a monstrously huge and ever-evolving suite of classic titles for less than the cost of a single Starbucks latte per month, as well as new ways to rediscover those games alone or with friends through exciting, integrated challenges.

Hello Kitty Island Adventure is the perfect cozy time sink. Now that it is on Nintendo Switch and PC, its rich world and consistent updates will make it a part of my regular rotation.

Soul Hackers 2 is a worthy successor of the 1997 game, modernizing the series and putting it closer to games like Persona 5 and SMTV.