Horizon Call of the Mountain might get lost in its own exploration with less series-defining action, but makes a strong PSVR 2 launch title that looks as great as it feels. In the process, Horizon fans finally get an immersive version of the Sundom only VR can deliver.

Kirby’s Return to Dreamland Deluxe doesn’t redefine the series like Kirby & the Forgotten World, but it’s a welcome addition to the Switch library. This feast of content for players of all stripes continues the pink puffball’s reign as Nintendo’s King of Co-Op.

Coming back after over a ten-year hiatus, Company of Heroes 3 revitalized the World War II strategy genre with an enormous arsenal of playstyle focuses and choices.

Atomic Heart promises tens of hours of tense, first-person, Bioshock-style combat, a compelling, twist-filled narrative, challenging puzzles and an eccentric lead duo that will definitely grow on you.

Like a Dragon: Ishin! despite being set in the distant past, is unmistakenly bore of the same DNA of the Yakuza series proper and will be a treat for fans of the long-running series.

Octopath Traveler 2 makes a number of improvements to the original, yet it is still an extremely similar game — for better and for worse.

The world of Elderand tickled my fancy from the beginning to the end, and kept me coming back to pick it up with its fairly standard battle mechanics and replayability factors.

Wild Hearts expands on a tried and true formula with its own blend of mechanics that make it a must for fans of big game hunting and gamers who like co-op.

Returnal brings all the high-tension, arcade-inspired gameplay from the PS5 to PC while adding a whole new host of bells and whistles, making it the definitive way to experience the game.

Blanc is a beautiful-looking game that would’ve been a better movie.

Despite not living up to the character action games it clearly draws inspiration from, Wanted: Dead is a competent action game in its own right.

Theatrhythm Final Bar Line is more than a love letter to Final Fantasy and its esteemed soundtracks—it’s a robust hybrid of RPG elements and rhythm gameplay, bolstered by accessibility options and a mountain of content, building on its 3DS forefathers in every way.

Metroid Prime Remastered is a masterclass example of updating a classic title for modern audiences. Retro Studios' should be praised for their work, while both series veterans and newcomers alike are encouraged to check out one of the Gamecube's best exclusives, now made better than ever.

Life is Strange 2 on the Nintendo Switch holds true to its story-telling ability and deep dialogue choices while offering a good-enough option for those wanting to take the game on the go.

Hi-Fi RUSH is a highly enjoyable action-adventure fuses the solid, hack n’ slash combat of Devil May Cry with enthralling rhythm-based mechanics, while also blurring the lines between anime and Saturday Morning Cartoons to deliver a larger-than-life protagonist whose story is just as much fun to watch as he is to play.

The Pathless focuses on style and fast-paced movement and does it well, but leaves a bit to be desired on the Nintendo Switch.

Age of Empires 2: The Definitive Edition has made the transition to console surprisingly well, giving a new range of people a chance to play one of RTS’s most beloved classics in a new way.

Dead Space kicks off 2023’s AAA horror lineup with a seamless, masterful execution of action and frights.

Forspoken feels like a breath of fresh air for open-world adventures with its stylish engine, but is held back by pacing and other foibles.

A Space for the Unbound tries to stand on its story, but wraps it in a gameplay that is unbearably tedious.

The Nintendo Switch and Persona 4 Golden were made for each other. This classic stands the test of time and thrives with a modest, affordable remaster.

Persona 3 Portable is a must-play for ALL RPG fans, and with its inclusion on Xbox Game Pass, a MUST try for all gamers.

Monster Hunter Rise brings an already great game and improves it thanks to the power of more capable hardware, ultimately making it more accessible to a broader audience of players.

It’s refreshing to play a Fire Emblem that places such an emphasis on tactical depth as Fire Emblem Engage. Not because the series wasn’t known for it, but because recent entries have placed a stronger focus on the social aspects. Engage is, in that sense, a return to form for the series.

RE:CALL is an easy-to-recommend puzzle mystery title for those looking for a small adventure with a strong narrative focus.

One Piece Odyssey is a slog to play, with horrendous pacing and progression issues destroying what little good can be found in the story and combat.

High on Life perfectly blends tried-and-true Metroidvania and classic first-person shooter elements with Justin Roiland and Squanch Games’ distinctive brand of dark, fourth wall-breaking comedy, resulting in an action-adventure that no gamer should dare miss out on, especially when it is being offered for free to anyone with an Xbox Game Pass subscription.

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

Potion Craft: Alchemist Simulator blends puzzle, simulator, and style for an enchanting brew that’s hard to resist.

The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt is a must play title for any gamer, and the next gen upgrade is an excellent excuse to jump back into the bleak monster ridden world.

Marvel’s Midnight Suns is a both a refreshing, lighthearted take on Firaxis Games’ XCOM formula as well as a shining example of how to faithfully adapt Marvel properties to new game genres that sit outside of the typical action-adventure wheelhouse, propped up by great writing, dialogue, and stellar voice-acting befitting the source material.

The Oregon Trail has been brought to the modern day with mindfulness and a wide-breadth of enhanced gameplay.

Dragon Quest Treasures is an interesting action game that tries something new for the series in a mostly successful game.

Bendy and the Dark Revival drowns in its own basic black and white design for survival horror, but manages to amaze players with a more confident sequel to a unique nightmarish satire on all things Disney.

There was a lot of replayability factors in Floodland I loved, and a strong political message. If you love micromanagement games, this had a treasure-trove worth of content.

The Callisto Protocol is a competent survival horror game but a poor man's Dead Space, making it only worth it for those diehard fans of the genre.

If you've ever played a Final Fantasy VII title, this is an essential experience.

A great leap forward for Criteron and easily the best title in the series in years.

The Knight Witch is an easy to recommend entry in a genre loaded with fans who may want to try something different, but also a good starter title for those looking to get acquainted with 2D action games.

Pokémon Scarlet and Violet manages to be a fun adventure in spite of numerous technical issues thanks to great open world design.

Pokémon Scarlet and Violet manages to be a fun adventure in spite of numerous technical issues thanks to great open world design.

Visually, the game has a minimalistic style, a chibi style that isn’t the most original but works for something of this scale. It utilizes a wide pallet of bright colours to create an environment that is fun and inviting. I was genuinely surprised that Feritella was fully voiced, and it’s genuinely well done. There isn’t a lot of music in the game, but what’s on offer is whimsical and suits the fantasy setting.

Harvestella is a fresh take on life-sims that wears many different hats well, but doesn’t always know when to wear them.

If you loved the other Dark Pictures anthology games, The Dark Pictures: The Devil In Me contained its core essence, and continues to innovate new ways to keep players interested.

Evil West is a must play title for fans of action-adventure games that want a solid narrative with even better combat.

Weighed down by a weak and predictable revenge plot, impossible-to-miss visual glitches and gameplay bugs, and stingy restrictions that prevent players from using any their owned equipment in matches, the Bloody Ties DLC drains much of the fun out of what makes Dying Light 2 great.

Sonic Frontiers may not be the best game released this year, but it is one of the best 3D Sonic titles released in recent memory and should not be missed by fans of the series.

Pentiment is a vibrant adventure that fully embraces its time period, artistic style, and sense of mystery. It’s methodical pacing and focus on dialogue won’t appeal to everyone, but Pentiment knows what it wants to be and does it exceptionally well.

Atari 50: The Anniversary Celebration is a monument to the gaming industry, and with new titles is an easy recommend for Atari and Video Game history fans.

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

Lords and Villeins is anything but a simple sim game. Strategy is key or your town will suffer. It is an easy game to get completely lost, but its already active community speaks wonders for the longevity of the game.

Tactics Ogre: Reborn is a pilgrimage for strategy RPG enthusiasts, an outstanding update for a watershed moment in the genre.

A Little to the Left is another great indie game from Day of the Devs. With addictive puzzles and cozy charm, I really look forward to the Nintendo Switch release to play snuggled up in bed.

Potionomics is a genuinely unique take on the sim genre that blends strategy with fun, and bolsters it with lovable and engaging characters.

With vivid environments and incredible acting, God of War Ragnarök is the sequel that we have been waiting for.

The Winters’ Expansion for Resident Evil Village breathes new life into an already top-notch survival horror ride with a strong story DLC, but other improvements for replayability don’t exactly push the game to its full potential.

It Takes Two joins the Switch's growing library of excellent ports and offers players a version of the game that holds up on its own, considering the hardware limitations.

Gotham Knights tries hard to escape Batman's shadow and still delivers a compelling full-length brawler, but feels assembled by basic action-adventure with pieces that feel all too dated.

There is heart behind New Tales From The Borderlands, however in trying too hard to be like its predecessor, it really only succeeds at being an inferior imitation.

Ultra Kaiju Monster Rancher won't set the world on fire with its monster breath, but fans of the source material will surely appreciate their time taming giants.

Star Ocean: The Divine Force is a solid JRPG that straddles two worlds in more ways than one, resulting in a worthwhile yet middling adventure with decent replay potential.

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.

Sparks of Hope is a fun strategy game that, despite getting bogged down by a lack of difficulty and poorly designed menus, is a blast to play thanks to its neat little puzzles and freeform battles.

No More Heroes III for current-gen consoles addresses many of the visual performance issues of the 2021 Switch version while also preserving all the quirks, style and flash that made the original so enjoyable despite them, making it the definitive version that fans and newcomers alike should play.

Scorn is a visual atmospheric feast, but the focus on atmosphere left the title without solid gameplay and a narrative, making it as confusing as the conclusion.

Jackbox Party Pack Vol. 9 returns the series to form with an overall great selection of new games, and further refinement of the core software settings.

Shootas, Blood & Teef is a refreshingly off-brand run-and-gun experience for Warhammer 40, 000, though your mileage may vary depending on your tolerance for the Orks’ shenanigans.

Ghostbusters: Spirits Unleashed is a fun experience for friends packed with nostalgia in the form of iconic characters and imagery and its fair share of easter eggs, but there is concern that love for the game could flame out faster than if you crossed the streams. If you are a fan of the franchise, though, it brings just enough joy to make it worth the price tag no matter what.

Uncharted: Legacy of Thieves Collection takes two already great action-adventure games (A Thief's End + The Lost Legacy) and brings them to PC with a satisfying suite of visual and control tweaks to maximise the fun.

A Plague Tale: Requiem finishes the brutal and often forlorn story of the De Rune children in a sequel that feels imperative to fans of the original but adds little to those not convinced by Asobo Studio's first entry into the series.

Persona 5 Royal may be one of the best Switch-ports to date, and should absolutely be played by fans and newcomers alike.

New gameplay additions and intuitive controls make PGA TOUR 2K23 an easy to pick up and fun to play addition to the series.

EA Sports NHL 23 moves fast and hits hard with a ton of new features, a better look than ever and an overall more immersive experience. The gameplay was clean and the ability to get through games fast is ideal for every type of gamer.

Nickelodeon Kart Racers 3: Slime Speedway is a competent kart racer that fans of the source material will surely appreciate.

Brewmaster: Beer Brewing Simulator balances realism with fun game design well, creating a sufficiently cozy sandbox for craft beer enthusiasts to tinker.

NieR:Automata: The End of YoRHa Edition is an outstanding port of a must-play action-RPG, and should serve as the gold standard of Switch ports from now on.

Overwatch 2 is a worthy successor to the original Overwatch that doesn’t so much reinvent the wheel as it does improve upon it. While it does have its issues, the core gameplay and improved UI make for a fun and fully realized sequel.

Chaos;Head Noah and its sequel, Chaos;Child, are bleak and dated visual novels, probably only suited to a very niche audience.

Return to Monkey Island is a game that any fan of the series should love (regardless of its initially unorthodox art style) and one that players can tailor to their particular skill level. Having spent many hours navigating its treacherous islands, sailing its high seas, and matching wits (and swords) with an endearingly quirky cast of characters, I can easily say that this is one adventure you won’t want to miss the boat on.

Session: Skate Sim is an unforgiving skate simulator that can provide rewarding feelings, but with a massive difficulty curve that can isolate players not willing to devote hours of playtime, a skippable entry for fans of Tony Hawk.

Dragons: Legends of the Nine Realms isn’t much to write home about, but it offers young fans a slightly more substantial experience than most of its mobile peers without overwhelming them.

It’s a solid experience that feels like an extension of its ancestor, and both newcomers and old fans should check it out. However, I also fear there’s not quite enough to latch on to, and it may be lost in the shuffle of all the other games out this fall. Much like another Square Enix action-RPG this year, I do wish it had pushed itself just a little further.

Shovel Knight Dig is a worthy entry to a solid game series; fans of platforming should jump down the well with this one.

Grounded is a solid title that has massive scope and a grand adventure for anyone seeking it, with its inclusion on Xbox Game Pass everyone who subscribes to the service should give this one a try.

While Hokko Life isn’t terrible, it fails to rise above its Animal Crossing inspiration.

No Place for Bravery has a lot of heart, but its stilted combat holds it back from being great.

Potion Permit is a flawed experience, but one with a unique concept and engaging gameplay loop that will please any farming-sim fan.

Metal: Hellsinger is a scream come true for metal music FPS fans and could make anyone a fan of The Metal.

Temtem shakes up the Pokémon formula in several ways, yet is held back by poor pacing and a world that needs more things to discover and do.

Despite borrowing heavily from other life sims, Disney Dreamlight Valley feels unique and charming enough in its own right. However, the Switch version has some glaring pains at launch. [Early Access Score = 70]

The attention to customizability and accessibility of Galahad 3093 showcased how a mech-shooting game does not need to prioritize great graphics over a game playable for everyone. [Early Access Score = 70]

Splatoon 3 is as polished and fun as its predecessors, but little else.

Steelrising has bits and pieces of a successful souls-like RPG, but fails to polish its mechanics and overall visuals enough to keep players hooked.

JoJo's Bizarre Adventure: All Star Battle R is a solid port of a great licensed game that goes beyond a simple remaster and should not be missed if you're a fan of the long-running franchise.

Pac-Man World: Re-Pac should’ve stayed in the original packaging.

Naughty Dog have created a masterpiece of a remake in The Last of Us Part 1. All of the emotion and action has been brought to the PS5 in stunning fashion.

Unfortunately, the scariest thing about MADiSON on the Nintendo Switch is its poor performance which mars an otherwise adequate port of a solid horror title.

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Cowabunga Collection is how you do a proper Konami TMNT videogame anthology; all the games have been faithfully emulated to look, sound and run their best on modern consoles.