Mario Kart World is incredibly easy to fall in love with, largely due to its solid injection of nostalgia and visual upgrades that help to justify the hardware upgrade. This is the best-looking and smoothest Mario Kart has ever felt, and Knockout Tour is sure to set the world on fire as the go-to game mode for this generation. I wish there was more to strive for in its Free Roam mode, but all of the other foundational parts that have made Mario Kart a success for so long are here, and better than ever. When playing with friends, it’s still the undisputed king, making this a must-have title on your shiny new Switch 2 that will be enjoyed for years to come.

Nioh 3 has thrilling combat, character specialisation and spectacle that are the tried and true staples for both a Team Ninja game and a Nioh game in and of itself. Boss fights are grandiose, and you’ve got plenty of neat kit to feel like a ninja/samurai hybrid badass. You’re not going to be utterly disappointed with the series’ return, but thanks to its open world-ish trappings and overabundance of systems and loot that stops you from getting attached to any one thing, you’re likely not going to be over the moon about it either. It’s Soulslike junk food. It goes down well while you’re in it, but it’s not going to sit or stay well with you for long.

Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown is an incredibly pleasant surprise. Brilliant gameplay and gorgeous visuals make it utterly addictive to play, and in my time with it, I never wanted to put it down. The only fault the experience really has is the story, and while it is perfectly serviceable, it’s never sufficiently engaging, even if the gameplay itself is enough to keep you going. If you are looking for a new Metroidvania to sink your teeth into, this is one I can highly recommend, and a strong return to form for the previously long-resting franchise.

Pentiment is a remarkable achievement in storytelling. If I were to play again and make different choices I’m sure I would discover new dimensions to these characters I’ve come to know very well. Thanks to the game’s aesthetics, its meticulously researched writing, and the pedigree of its development team, the story of Andreas Maler is well worth experiencing. The game gracefully balances serious themes, soap operatic twists, and some very funny moments, revolving around a large cast of diverse, complex characters. Obsidian may have taken a risk making a game so unlike anything else they’ve made before, but the gamble has well and truly paid off. It’s not just a game for lit nerds.

Do you want more of Bayonetta 1 and 2? That's Bayonetta 3! It keeps the heart and soul of the first two games in every sense, but adds even more fun ways to pound your enemies into the dirt with style. Its chock-full of action set pieces, each more ridiculous than the last — it stays at 100% almost the whole time. Our favourite witch is back in black!

Overall the remake of Riven is an excellent effort on all fronts. The original Riven was already an exceptionally high quality title that is still playable even today. This new ground-up remake takes that epic title and introduces it to a new generation. This is definitely its final form and stands on its own as an excellent release. I highly recommend it, not just to fans of the original but to any gamer who enjoys puzzle games.

Ghost of Yotei is a confident sequel that grows from its predecessor in smart ways, with a bigger, bolder, more beautiful world to explore every nook and cranny of. Atsu is a strong lead, and her journey of vengeance takes some compelling twists and turns, while Edo Japan provides a true bounty of interesting side quests, charming characters, neat distractions, and wonderful secrets across what feels like a truly epic adventure. With entertaining combat and visuals that are among the best seen, Ghost of Yotei balances its violence and beauty delicately, offering a strong experience from the team at Sucker Punch Productions: an entirely memorable journey, and an action-packed, stunning adventure.

Mixtape is an adventure specifically for those of us who grew up in the angsty 90s. For those players, the top-tier soundtrack selection and unpacking themes you may have been avoiding for a few decades is going to hit very hard. For others, the rose-tinted glasses and hammy dialogue may feel distant or indulgent. Just like an actual mixtape someone makes for you, not every track lands. But it’s so clearly made with love, and the tracks that do will stay with you long after it’s over.

Ghost Trick: Phantom Detective now being playable on modern platforms is an incredibly exciting occasion worth celebrating. Its involved puzzle mechanics are as satisfying to unfold as ever as you glide between interaction points, moving that last piece to create a thrilling domino effect of a solution. Complimentary to this are the quirky character design and animations, along with the involved storyline that wraps up without any loose threads. Tying this all in a neat bow is the return of a fantastic soundtrack now with incredible rearrangements to further immerse you in the noir setting. Ghost Trick is back and the gaming world couldn’t be any better for it.

The Roottrees Are Dead is a triumph of investigative fiction, offering a compelling yet grounded family mystery within countless articles, websites, and archives waiting for you to uncover. The game has been much improved over its original iteration on itch.io, and the extra content “Roottreemania” adds a cool follow-up mystery to the main one. Any fan of investigation games will have a great time with The Roottrees are Dead.

It’s exciting to see such an iconic, loved horror series go in such a different direction with Silent Hill f. But while the combat has some tricks up its sleeve and the setting is distinct, it still inherently nails what makes a Silent Hill game so successful: the terror, the sense of dread, the enticing puzzles and the dark story with twists, turns and violence. Silent Hill f is a wonderful survival horror game that makes some compelling decisions about the future of the franchise, while managing to remember its past. It’s brutally bold and frighteningly great.

Total War: Warhammer III is an excellent addition to the series and forms a great conclusion to the epic Warhammer trilogy. It has intriguing mechanics and gorgeous visuals, and it comes with a great variety of units, factions, and heroes, along with plenty of engaging battles. If you enjoy the Total War franchise and go in for a bit of Warhammer lore, this is an engaging experience with a lot of variety, and is not to be missed.

Getting absorbed into the world of Indiana Jones and the Great Circle is easy, thanks to its gorgeous presentation, thrilling action-movie moments and delightfully tactile puzzle-solving. Exploring ancient temples and foraging for artefacts beneath the surface as you solve intricate conundrums gives Indy a really satisfying sense of place, as he cracks jokes almost as often as he cracks his whip, no matter what danger might lurk around the corner. While combat and stealth can be a bit clunky and forgettable, at its heart, Indiana Jones and the Great Circle is a thrilling globetrotting story with plenty of tantalising secrets to uncover. It’s yet another strong entry from MachineGames which will, hopefully, spawn a whole darn series of Indy games from here on out.

Monster Hunter Stories 3: Twisted Reflection expands the series’ horizons in some ways while remaining stubbornly traditional in others. Soaring across the sky on the back of my Rathalos felt amazing, and I’d love for Capcom to utilise more of the open world exploration elements in the main Monster Hunter series. While the more dramatic narrative and engaging cast of characters were appreciated, if you didn’t enjoy the largely luck-based combat in previous entries, then the fact that those elements have not been altered much won’t impress you. Capcom has delivered a compelling world to explore in Monster Hunter Stories 3, and if you can look past some of the combat system’s drawbacks, you’ll likely have a good time with it.

Truly a standout JRPG experience, Persona 4 Golden is easily a must-play for any self-respecting RPG fan. Great visuals, excellent music and sound production, and one of best narratives in any RPG cement Persona 4 among the greatest experiences on PS2, PS Vita, and now the modern suite of consoles. Recycled elements from previous entries in the series may annoy some players especially when played in sequence, but while it is showing its age in some other respects, this hardly detracts from the impeccable gold standard it sets for its peers.

Fantasy Life i: The Girl Who Steals Time is amazing and well worth the wait, and Level-5 bringing it to multiple platforms to experience it in all its whimsy and wonder was an incredibly smart and measured decision. I’d struggle to find anyone who wouldn’t gel with how effortlessly endearing it is, with its vibrant world and charm, dopamine-providing levelling system, a bounty of activities and things to see and do. The side-games that feel like their own games, whether that’s exploring a Breath of the Wild-like open world or creating a cute and cozy village of locals à la Animal Crossing, are substantial and meaty, adding to the fun and delight that awaits around every corner. Even the most monotonous task of chopping down a tree is suddenly super exciting. The Fantasy Life series, and The Girl Who Steals Time, are just that magical and effective in doing so. This is a level up for Level-5. Job complete.

With an innovative Pawn system by your side, delve into a so-so story in a deep world teeming with intrigue and mythical beasts. Challenge awaits at every turn, from the treacherous landscapes to the heart-pounding battles, where mastery of diverse vocations is key to victory. Though stained by visual monotony and performance woes, Dragon’s Dogma 2 with its thrilling emergent gameplay and superb combat stands as a solid return to the series.

If you loved Octopath Traveler or are just a fan of expansive JRPGs, Octopath Traveler II is for you. Its cast is appealing and varied, even if the accompanying shifts in tone and stakes between each character’s storyline can feel jarring at times. The combat is also a joy, rewarding experimentation and customisation, despite the amount of level grinding required later in the game. If you want a fun, if familiar-feeling, JRPG that will last you a while, Octopath Traveler II will absolutely do the trick.

The Legend of Heroes: Trails to Azure is nothing short of an epic RPG story. It’s not as good an onboarding point for the greater series as its predecessor Trails From Zero was, but that cost just means bigger ambition with the narrative beats and world explored. It’s worth noting it’s not as polished as it should be, showing its age with the lower visual fidelity and framerate dips. However, the priority with NIS America is clearly just getting the game out there. Frankly, what a game it is. Crossbell is as magical as ever and it was a heartfelt joy to experience the second and closing story for the SSS team. You’re not getting many experiences as special as this one. I love and will miss you, Crossbell.

Returnal comes in with some new ideas and finds a way to implement them incredibly well. The game has an attention to detail and a unique sense of style that goes beyond anything I would have expected from this comparatively small development studio. It’s a roguelike with a great deal of substance and scope and feels really good with a DualSense in your hands. Despite one decently sizable detractor in its lack of autosave functionality, Returnal proves to be a remarkably fun and satisfying experience from beginning to end.

Wax Heads makes you feel like you are part of this safe, wholesome, creative world of Repeater Records, surrounded by alternative and queer folk who just want to keep rockin’ as long as they can. Finding records for people is fun, but also challenging, so you’ll have to not only scour Repeater’s records, but watch cutscenes, search through your apps, and pay attention to the customer’s vibe. For someone who grew up in 90s indie record stores, longing to hear something that would change my teen life, Wax Heads really cultivates an atmosphere of curiosity, love and respect for musical communities, and how much better music is when it involves human connection.

Although it doesn’t bring many new elements to the Metroidvania table, ENDER LILIES: Quietus of the Knights kept me glued to my controller due to its gorgeous art style and its way of enticing players through exploration. The game is a bit of a contradiction – it’s relaxing yet challenging and damaged yet beautiful. Ultimately though, I very much enjoyed roaming the medieval fantasy world of Land’s End and seeing what spirits would join Lily and help her on her quest to cure The Blighted.

Cairn is The Game Bakers’ magnum opus. The climb is filled with superb, big and small picture character writing and themes with protagonist Aava. Every facet of the game is touched with the same level of masterful care and magical design. Each crack and pore or clearing to explore in Mount Kami feels purposeful and is designed to be equal parts challenging and restful, depending on the context. With these come these moments of beauty, both scripted and unscripted, minor or major, that stick with you. Even with its obscene difficulty and harsh challenges and teachings along the way, it’s a game that’s essential food for the soul. I’m not making a mountain out of a molehill here. When we talk about games as art, Cairn is the shining example, grabbing you, taking hold of you and changing you.

On the surface, Inscryption is described as a card game, but it hides a lot more than just cards under the bonnet. Prepare for a layered story, thrilling surprises, and terrifying yet fascinating characters that will keep you glued to your seat. The game masterfully expands on the story playthrough after playthrough, providing a fresh perspective with each run. In this sense, Inscryption is a great twist on the otherwise repetitive roguelike formula that has dominated the deckbuilder genre in the last few years. This, in addition to the strange storytelling we’ve come to expect from Daniel Mullins, makes for a gaming experience that is not to be missed for card game and narrative game fans alike.

Mario + Rabbids Sparks of Hope is probably the most approachable tactics game ever. Featuring new map navigation, dozens of abilities to tool around with and a diverse fantastical cast, it makes for an even more readable experience. The magic spark that I felt had been missing from some of Mario's more recent adventures is coincidentally back again, amongst Ubisoft's quirky mascots of all things. Yes, even when the Rabbids can be just that little bit annoying, they're as equally charming when meshed with the Nintendo cast. At times the overzealous amount of side content may also daunt the player, but never enough to take away from the clever and delightful journey. Sparks of Hope is the most exciting franchise affair we've had since Odyssey.

Timberborn has spent a long time in early access now, and all that time was clearly worth it because the game is incredibly well-crafted with only a few minor caveats. If you are looking for a city builder with a more naturalistic tone and some cute beavers to protect, this might be the one for you.

Guilty Gear Strive is a very competent modern fighting game that will appease both veterans and newcomers alike. With a gripping plot, enjoyable cast of characters, and steady learning curve the game is set to be one of the series’ most popular entries. I know for myself, I am keen to get stuck into the nitty gritty as I get deeper with the game, and will eventually take my skills online for the real test against actual human players. While I am disappointed the story side of Guilty Gear Strive is relegated to a cinematic story, the plot is rich with drama and stands toe-to-toe with actual anime productions made for TV. Some variety in the battle dialogue and narration wouldn’t have gone astray, either, but in the grand scheme of things is a minor ding against an otherwise brilliant fighter.

Master Lemon: The Quest for Iceland is a heartfelt and inventive adventure game that blends fantasy storytelling with a linguistic twist. Players step into Lemon’s shoes as he navigates a magical world where words are spells, solving puzzles and restoring lost meanings to help NPCs rediscover their identities. With emotional depth, cultural nuance, and clever mechanics rooted in real-world language, the game offers a unique experience, even if some elements feel underutilized.

Super Mario Bros. Wonder was a joy to play in 2023, and the Meetup in Bellabel Park expansion for Nintendo Switch 2 has only sweetened it. Even if you're only playing solo, the amazing new boss fights and extra challenges do a lot to inject additional variety and additional difficulty into the experience and make it worth a return to the Flower Kingdom. Once you have finished with those, Bellabel Park's minigame attractions are loads of fun if you have friends to play with, either in co-op or competitive play. While some of the features feel redundant, like the Co-Star Luma or greetings options, or gratuitously overpowered, like the Dual Badges, Super Mario Bros. Wonder + Meetup in Bellabel Park remains the definitive version of one of Nintendo's best 2D platformers.

A perfectly-paced, delightful twist on the classic 2D Zelda formula, The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom takes everything Nintendo has learned from the Switch era and condenses it into a tight adventure jam-packed with heart. Through its wonderfully magical Echoes mechanic, satisfyingly diverse dungeon design, and unique blend of modern and classic design elements, this is both a celebration of the franchise’s history and a bold first offering for Zelda as protagonist. Performance issues aside, Echoes of Wisdom is impossible not to love for newcomers and series veterans alike.

Horizon Zero Dawn Remastered is a welcome tune-up of a modern classic. If you have never played Guerrilla Games’ 2017 original, this is the definitive way to experience it. While many of the visual enhancements may be rather subtle, they are widespread, and do a lot to bring the game up to the standards of its sequel, Horizon Forbidden West. The new DualSense controller features and accessibility options are also excellent additions that serve to make Horizon Zero Dawn far more immersive and approachable. That said, Horizon Zero Dawn Remastered doesn’t deliver much more than that, and players wanting more improvements on the gameplay side of things may be left wanting.

As a franchise newcomer, I found my entry point with The Legend of Heroes: Trails From Zero utterly fascinating, tantalising, and enjoyable. Within are some of my favourite blending of mechanics and tidbits within turn-based combat I’ve seen yet. It’s a comfy RPG that you can lose plenty of time to, sinking into the moving character narrative, all set within the colourful world of Crossbell. Character models will occasionally show their age and menus are a little funky. Still, it’s easy to forgive and just hang out with Lloyd and friends, saving the better part of humanity. Team SSS forever.

With a cast of both fresh and familiar characters, an engaging story, and hours of captivating exploration across beautiful planets and biomes, this game is sure to leave fans of the franchise on the edge of their seats. Cal's incredible sense of movement and newfound lightsaber skills spur empowering battles with groups of raiders, stormtroopers, and alien creatures. Being able to personalise your experience with cosmetics, game-changing perks and optional side quests means the journey is yours to carve. Bosses might benefit from more inventiveness and there's the occasional visual bug and platforming visibility issue, yet it's all worth it for the bliss of being a Jedi in action. Whether you're a Padawan or a Jedi Master, Star Wars Jedi: Survivor is a must-play. May the Force be with you!

Starfield may not be the seamless and faultless persistent open world some may be craving. Though what it does provide is still certainly worthy of elation. Give the title some time to warm up and you’ll uncover a vastly refined and picturesque journey of otherworldly proportions. A game of size, scope, and quality all wrapped into one—the beauty of discovery is but a warp drive away.

Titanium Court possesses the spirit of the fool and the wit and insight to match. It is a joy of a game to clown around in – a hilarious, richly designed and ingeniously made roguelike that also gleefully points the finger back at us through the screen, daring us to prove that we don’t enjoy running around in circles for its own (and our) amusement. If it pleases the queen, this is a play of a game that deserves front row tickets.

Esoteric Ebb is the videogame equivalent of the best kind of cover band – one that understands, remixes, hybridises and ultimately shows great affection for its inspirations. While its immediate and constant comparisons to Disco Elysium do often do a disservice to its narration and companionship, its writing, thoughtful reflections on chance, sense of humour and largely successful melding of D&D 5e systems with Disco Elysium’s storytelling creates a flawed but otherwise accomplished foray into a richly designed world.

PARANORMASIGHT: The Seven Mysteries of Honjo is a gripping page-turner of a visual novel. It occupied my brain so much that every second not playing felt like a second wasted. It felt like I was hit with so many fitting and bending twists I was second-guessing everything I once knew, always on my toes. Immensely powerful and engaging writing in-game is bolstered with memorable and distinguished characters. Those characters and the late 20th century Japan setting are incredibly realised; a feat only possible by the industry legends at the helm. In art, music and writing, players are in for a meaningful and unforgettable experience that’s a must-play for the genre. Better yet, it even has fun with the genre tropes and traditions, creating engaging puzzles and problem-solving throughout. If there’s one visual novel game you play this year, make it this one. You won’t regret it.

DOOM: The Dark Ages swaps out space-age speed for steel-shod fury, and it works wonders. This isn’t just a prequel, but a ballad sung in blood and fire where every flail swing and shield parry feels like gospel. Sure, the dragon rides and giant Atlan mech missions are very weak, and you might need the horsepower of a car to run it at maximum settings on PC, but when most of the time you’re shredding armies of Hellspawn with a gun that grinds skulls for ammo, who cares? This is the Slayer in his knightly prime. Long live the king of ripping and tearing.

Being perhaps what you might expect, Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater is a remake that is far from an out-there reinvigoration, instead opting to refine and fine-tune elements of its past rather than offering much new. That can take away from the grandeur and excitement of the experience a little, and it’s undoubtedly not helped by the choice to favour fidelity of environments and character models rather than the stylistic filtering and other artistic decisions we know and love the original for. With Delta, there’s now ironically a bit of an oroborous situation for Snake Eater, where the cycle continues, bringing a wonderful and memorable tale to audiences old and new, but also harming itself and its image in the process. Still, a bloody good game is a bloody good game. You’re in safe hands, wading through the dense forestry with Snake, and to many, the journey to a 1960s USSR setting will feel like coming home.

Frostpunk 2 dishes up engaging strategy challenges that will have you balancing multiple resources, faction demands, and production all throughout a playthrough. While it may be challenging for first-time players for this reason, the game also makes it worth your while with an impressive level of overall depth. Frostpunk 2 feels like it’s suffused with story in every possible way, and it’s clear that the developers have made the effort to create an authentic world that comes with difficult and impactful choices. If you’re a seasoned strategy buff with a penchant for story and you’re not put off by difficult decisions in a dystopian world, Frostpunk 2 is sure to be a worthy addition to your library.

Solium Infernum finds itself perfectly situated to fill a multiplayer niche that other 4X games can’t, with its asynchronous multiplayer option allowing those without much time to play a game with their friends. That’s not to say the singleplayer is not just as good, however, with enough here for hours upon hours of fun just by yourself if you have the ambition to take it.

Though none of its individual pieces is all that original: a sci-fi setting where a tragedy has befallen a space station, a side content emphasis and a cute young companion aiding you on your journey, Pragmata is still a certifiably damn good time. Though we've seen plenty of hacking in games before, its intrinsic link within the combat makes for some juicy action-packed and tactile fights that feel satisfying to pull off. Diana, while not the deepest of characters, endears the player and is a trusty sidekick with her technological know-how that aids the protagonist's combat prowess. Less of an evolution for Capcom and more of an homage and fusion of their prior works under a new skin, Pragmata may not light the world on fire, but it is still a great success with plenty of promise should they choose to revisit its world in a sequel. A worthy space mission indeed.

TUNIC is a dense journey filled with hidden paths and puzzles that provide a remarkable sense of accomplishment. Using an in-game instruction manual is a brilliant idea that makes learning and gradually revealing how the world works more enjoyable. While the combat isn’t flawless, the rest of the exploration is. This is a game for fans of classic action adventures, cute little foxes, discovery, and secrets. However, the real secret is how wonderful TUNIC is.

Deconstructeam has created its best game yet with The Cosmic Wheel Sisterhood, further cementing itself as one of Devolver Digital’s strongest studios. Every complex theme in the narrative, whether that’s mental health, isolation, trans or human rights, is handled with grace and written so beautifully it feels like prose on screen in front of you. Magnificent and captivating too is the pixel art and animation, distinguishing each witch and highlighting charming quirks. Never have I played a game so personal and handcrafted for me and never have I felt so fostered and supported in creativity and my livelihood through the simple magical medium of a video game. Becoming my own witch, crafting away at some cards, and settling in for some comfy vibes is something special. Something special that has to be experienced. Your must-play video games of 2023 aren’t blockbuster hits. They’re titles like this, needing to be seen to be believed and never done before.

Even though Nintendo has now come out with a modern Advance Wars game of its own, Wargroove 2 stands as more than a mere homage. With a grander scale and more units, Commanders, and other gameplay features than ever, Wargroove 2 is an excellent strategy experience. The new Conquest roguelike mode feels like a complete experience packed within an already feature-rich game. Even after the campaigns are over, the Conquest mode, missed optional objectives, and future custom content will ensure plenty of reasons to stick around. If you enjoyed Wargroove or Advance Wars and want another fantastic strategy offering, Wargroove 2 is not to be missed.

Come for the time-loop mechanics and Undertale inspirations, stay for the beautiful, heartfelt and guttural story. In Stars and Time is an artful indie RPG that explores a found family’s battle with time. With this, it explores complex topics with grace and utmost reverence. Though it’s a little long in the teeth and could have been a bit tidier in how you unravel some of its mysteries, within is a magical world much worth exploring, backed by fantastic chip-tune music, a sense of place and some real good vibes. Unlike protagonist Sifrin and his problems with memory in the time labyrinth, your foray into In Stars and Time won’t soon be forgotten.

Everything that I loved about Citizen Sleeper is present here in Citizen Sleeper 2: Starward Vector. The music and art are as stunning as they ever were, the quality of the writing is exceptional and there is no shying away from complexity when it comes to the questions posed and the sometimes painful, but often beautiful conclusions drawn from them. While it doesn’t engage with its core theme as extensively as I might have liked, I found myself enjoying every moment I spent in the Starward Belt, and I was captivated by everything I saw through the Sleeper’s eyes.

A Space for the Unbound is a mesmerising adventure. Dive into people’s minds and experience so much of Indonesian youth and culture through the eyes of Atma and Raya’s clash with the end of the world. Uninspiring minigames and simple gameplay aren’t its best features. Regardless, the stunning pixel-art visuals, animations, music, likeable characters and storytelling make this a game that will have you in tears.

Death’s Door crashes onto the scene stylistically with an amazingly detailed, interconnected world full to the brim with personality and secrets. The game introduces great characters that bring with them charisma and humanity as it lovingly juggles both the morbid and the beautiful sides of its narrative. With simply phenomenal sound design that lovingly accompanies and amplifies the visuals and atmosphere, Death’s Door presents one door absolutely worth knocking on.

Skate Story is a sensory feast of crystalline visuals, psychedelic sounds and rapturous movement. Its story may get in its own way a few too many times to be a completely propelling experience, but the audacity of its meditations on vulnerability and drive through both its premise and style nonetheless make Skate Story feel like a love letter to skateboarding as a craft. This is a very special skateboarding game that, in those moments when its style, mechanics and ideas all click into place, shines brighter than a diamond under moonlight.

The Alters has taken the idea of choices and their ramifications and used it to create a world where you can only count on yourself to survive. It mixes these with literal elements of survival, such as mining for materials, keeping important items stocked, and keeping your base in working shape. All these elements made me think about my own choices in life, and what could have been if I had taken different paths. Therefore, not only was The Alters a captivating story and world to play in, but it also really made me think philosophically about life and what it really means to survive.

The Rise of the Golden Idol is a brain-breaking collection of mysteries all wrapped up in one absurd narrative and is a must-have for lovers of investigation games. While it doesn’t quite replace the original game in my heart, the puzzles are bigger and better, the plot progression is more fluid, and it’s all-around beefier. Golden Idol’s unique take on investigation and logical progression is as engrossing as it is difficult, and keeping up with its complex mysteries makes you feel like a master detective when you finally hit that “aha!” moment. I’m waiting with bated breath for those DLCs!

Enter Kirby and the Forgotten Lands with reasonable expectations and you’ll soon see one of the best refinements of a long-standing Nintendo formula yet. Cooperative play may waver in quality but does not diminish the wondrous experience ahead of you. On offer is plenty of platforming fun to sink your teeth into. Exploration, combat and the completionist itch that comes with a Kirby title are all present and strong here, and it also serves to be one of the longer adventures yet, with more to do than ever before. If you’re looking for the bright and joyous game to cosy up with on the couch this year, Kirby and the Forgotten Lands is without a doubt the one. Just maybe keep a suspicious eye on that beast pack.

A Plague Tale: Requiem is both a worthy sequel to a sleeper hit, and a brilliant game on its own. Asobo Studio have shown their knack for using believable human relationships as the basis for an unrealistic supernatural horror story. The next chapter in Amicia and Hugo's story deserves to be seen, if anything because the narrative is both unique and powerful. Despite the increasing brutality of this world and minor mechanical issues, you'll be in safe hands with this game, unlike our young heroes.

Shadow Gambit: The Cursed Crew is so close to being Mimimi’s best. There are enjoyable diverse skills that make for some of the best stealth tactics gameplay we’ve ever seen. Enjoyable too is the colourful and often humorous side stories, along with plenty of feats to seek after for completionist obsessives. It may not have the most interesting main-story quest structure or be the most stable and bug-free at the moment but when Shadow Gambit gets moving it soars and sails, providing an addictive and fun tactics adventure.

Ace Attorney Investigations Collection delivers some incredible experiences for fans of the series, with memorable characters, intriguing mysteries, twists and turns that you won’t see coming, and gorgeous remastered visuals. While the second game is undoubtedly stronger than the first, both deliver some excellent adventures. Ace Attorney fans rejoice, for Miles Edgeworth’s finest cases have finally made their way here.

Tetris Forever is best approached as a tribute to the cultural legacy of Tetris. It’s not the definitive way to play the game, but it’s an essential experience for anyone interested in gaming history. Just don’t go in expecting the perfect Tetris fix—this is a museum exhibit, not an arcade.

I am a genuine fan of Hideo Kojima's work and Death Stranding as a whole, but the lack of substantial new content to justify the additional price of entry holds back Death Stranding Director's Cut from reaching the soaring heights it potentially could. There is maybe enough new content to keep a returning player engaged for a weekend or so, but there really isn't anything in this update that couldn't have been included in a PS5 patch. However, Death Stranding itself is a modern marvel of creativity and risk-taking that I consider a "must play" for anyone who has not yet experienced it, and the upgrades in the Director’s Cut make it the optimal way to tackle this unique journey.

Blasphemous 2 is a truly stand-out Metroidvania that is an easy recommendation for fans of the original and newcomers alike. From its detailed and fluid animations to its wide assortment of gameplay improvements, Blasphemous 2 is everything a sequel to the already-strong Blasphemous should be. Although it isn’t as consistently challenging as its formidable art direction and clear Soulslike influence would suggest, the core experience of Blasphemous 2 is still something fans of 2D platformers and Metroidvania exploration are sure to greatly appreciate.

There’s a lot to love about Demon Tides. Maybe it takes some time for the uninitiated to grasp Beebz’s moveset and, sure, it’s a little lacking in its combat department, but when you’re locked into exploring, jumping around and performing sick moves, it’s a treat. It’s so easy to enter some sort of platforming flow state when Ragnar’s Rock is built like a playground for expressive movement. Lean into the chaos, chase the schmovment, and you will absolutely get swept up in the joy of styling your way across Ragnar’s Rock as the little Beebz.

A love letter to all our favourite mystery series of the past, Detective Instinct: Farewell My Beloved is easy to get engrossed in. With expressive characters and a gorgeously rendered environment, fans of mystery games will love letting the tale unravel with intuitive ‘talk and search’ gameplay. It tackles tricky societal themes with moderate success, only falling short in the later chapters with some missing emotional stakes, but otherwise wraps up its bite-sized revelation with thoughtful grace.

Two Point Museum combines the Two Point series’ charm with museums to create a simulator experience you won’t forget. Building on a museum theme and making it your own is a true delight. There’s lots of flexibility and you can always challenge yourself to reach greater heights. Creating your dream museum will take lots of time and there is some randomness to it. But the elation of creating and supporting a museum is captured perfectly within this experience.

BALL x PIT is a fun blend of old-school brick breaker and shoot ’em up games. Its creative ball fusions and frantic gameplay will sell you, but the variety will keep you engaged. It’s still a roguelite with some occasionally exhausting moments and very challenging bosses, but it’s ultimately inventive and full of personality.

Shin Megami Tensei V is sure to bring a large swath of fresh fans to the series with its beautiful graphics and complex turn-based strategy mechanics. It presents a challenge even on the easiest setting, and the demon recruitment process has been made all the better with livelier, more varied dialogue. Shin Megami Tensei V is only held back by some lacklustre storytelling in the first half, and the unfortunate performance on the Nintendo Switch, which was the wrong console to handle Shin Megami Tensei V’s powerful graphics.

Humanity greatly succeeds across audio, visuals, puzzle design and more. It’s an unusual game at heart but one that uses its abnormalities to its benefit. Practically unforgettable, this experience will test you as much as it inspires awe through delightful sensory stimulation. This beautifully complete and polished game may lose a touch of its precision in its later stages, though it still captivates through a wild ride of absurdist depictions and satisfying design.

Battlefield 6 blasts onto the scene, writing the wrongs of the past in the legendary shooter franchise and destroying everything in its path, figuratively and literally. Its All-Out Warfare multiplayer remains an utter standout, offering modes that truly feel epic in scope and scale, with excellent gunplay and a bunch of well-balanced, visually appealing maps. While its single-player offering is a bit of a yawn, Battlefield 6 still manages to offer the most exhilarating multiplayer shooter experience on the market; a fantastic, bombastic sequel that confidently delivers on its many promises for those who like to break stuff.

Dead in Antares is beautiful in art style and sound, and delivers a resource management experience that will keep any genre fan happy. Its turn-based battles might be the weakest link in the package, but in the face of everything the game does right, it’s easy to overlook a few dragged-out battles in exchange for that feeling of satisfaction you get when every crewmember is fed, happy, and working to save humanity.

Make no mistake, Forza Motorsport is a couch racer designed for a gamepad so people looking for a simulation experience need not apply. Overall, Turn 10 has got the job done, delivering a title that looks fantastic and is an enjoyable play. Unfortunately, Forza Motorsport lets itself down in a few areas, mainly the career mode which is very basic as well as (arguably) a focus on road cars which makes it feel more like a track day rather than a serious racer. Forza Motorsport is pretty good, it’s just not yet at the level of its competitors, nor is it as fun as Forza Horizon which puts it in a very difficult position. It’s just not different enough; even the menus are the same and so are the majority of the cars on offer. The online experience was a highlight, and will probably be the key part of the game that will keep me coming back for more.

Stories From Sol: the Gun-Dog would fit right into any collection of the best PC-98 titles, emulating the detailed art and bit-crushed music flawlessly while also integrating modern game design to marry the best of both worlds. It creates an exciting and dramatic sci-fi universe just like your favourite mecha anime from the 80s, while avoiding the bad tropes that are best left in the past. It’s an excellent debut into the world of Sol, and I can’t wait for whatever next instalment may come.

Impeccable vibes, a solid narrative, and strong characters make the trip to Velvet Cove more than worth it. Tape 1 of Lost Records: Bloom and Rage effortlessly transports you back to a simpler time, while telling a grounded and melancholy tale of what happens when the perfect summer, isn’t. While it’s occasionally let down by an uneven technical state, the strength of the story still stands tall. I’m more than excited to continue the story of Swann and her friends in Tape 2.

Dragon Quest I & II HD-2D Remake faithfully recreates the experience of the original titles in this iconic JRPG series, polishing their roughest edges for a modern audience without losing their unique magic. From the simple compelling grind of the original Dragon Quest to its sequel’s broad character-centric adventure, both titles are lovingly realised in a colourful, vibrant art style and brushed up with a number of quality of life enhancements. While not all changes will please the most diehard fans, this is undoubtedly the definitive way to experience these classic titles.

Keep Driving may seem just like a car management sim, but it is so much more than that. It makes you take your time and focus on the necessary things; meaning it makes you think about the importance of being mindful and taking care of yourself. It is also a charming tribute to life on the road in the early 2000s before social media made adventures like this not so freeing and exciting. It challenges you with how you must continually manage your environment and self and gives you the autonomy to decide exactly what this road trip will look like for you. But, as the game says, you’re young – you’ve got time! So, slip in a Swedish indie CD, fill your tank and get ready to experience a cosy, yet exciting road trip and if all else fails – keep driving.

INAZUMA ELEVEN: Victory Road delivers a fun sports story about football by looking at players who walk away from football in their own ways. Showing their development and how the team comes together is genuinely interesting to see. Gameplay allows every player to shine rather than letting a few star players shine. It’s not perfect as the story takes lots of time to get started, and there’s a lot to learn. Give the game a chance, and you will have an enjoyable soccer adventure on your hands.

Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake is a triumphant remake of a classic. The new visuals and sound design are beautiful and elegant, with new systems updating just enough to keep it palatable to modern audiences while still keeping systems that make this game unique. Though some elements don’t hold up to scrutiny, including some parts of the voice acting and writing, and enemy behaviour, they aren’t enough to detract from how enjoyable this game is, now made more accessible than ever. With similar remakes of the first two Dragon Quests on the way, fans and new players are going to have a good time. The quality of Dragon Quest HD-2D Remakes hopefully inspires a higher quality of classic remakes to come.

Gerda: A Flame in Winter is a must play if you’re a fan of well-thought out choices matter RPG games like Disco Elysium. Not only will you get a nail-biting story with high stakes, you’ll come out knowing a plethora of historical details and challenges of the Danish people during WW2. You will come to love or hate the cast of characters, depending on what pathway you choose, but there are endless possibilities because of the games re-playability. Persevere if your first playthrough is not everything that you imagined, because Gerda: A Flame in Winter gets better and better the more you play.

With inspirations like Ultima, Dungeons and Dragons, and other deckbuilding and roguelike titles, Gordian Quest will feel familiar to any card game fan. However, if you’re a seasoned deckbuilder looking for a hardcore strategic gameplay experience, be warned: the in-game difficulty can vary wildly from battle to battle, and at times combat feels a tad too easy. On top of this, Gordian Quest’s extra features make the overall gameplay experience a little unwieldy. With that said, if you enjoy a casual card game and are keen for some variety, Gordian Quest will likely keep you entertained with a range of enemies to defeat and story maps to explore.

With Trails Through Daybreak, The Legend of Heroes name is the best it’s ever been. With an incredible and sweeping story that pays off by the end, a vibrant cast of characters that will steal your heart, some of the best of turn-based combat, and streamlined mechanics, this is quite simply just a damn good and comfortable RPG well worth your time. It may ask a lot of you with its long runtime, breadth of content, and layered lore to wrap your head around but stick with it and you’re in for one of the best from the genre this year. Job well done.

After the too close for comfort clash with the Baker family in Louisana, Resident Evil Village attempts to match that creepy tone and do more. Much more. As a result, this tale has facets of methodical horror combined with the ridiculous action of Resident Evil 5 or 6. While some players may not enjoy one or the other, undeniably Capcom does both very well. A better mix of the survival horror and extreme action could have made this stronger overall, as the messy pacing, lacking antagonist development, and easing difficulty hurt the overall adventure. The final package is still a wonderful spectacle of a video game. It’s entertaining, it’s engrossing, and it’s Resident Evil in every aspect. With the best visual/audio design in the series’ and a satisfying Metroidvania world design, Resident Evil Village is unmissable.

It’s wonderful to play Dragon Quest VII Reimagined today, knowing the importance of the original in JRPG history more than 25 years ago. It also does exactly what it says on the tin; this is a reimagining of the original, removing some parts entirely and vastly improving its pacing and story flow. Its combat is still as fun as ever, with dual vocations allowing for more experimentation, and the puppet and diorama art style pops. Purists may struggle with or question some of the bolder changes here, but this version feels like a solid entry point and is far easier to recommend than its clunky, long-winded original, even if it may feel just a little bit less epic.

Despite some small grievances, I do think that Broken Sword: Shadow of the Templars Reforged is the best way to play the game. It makes plenty of quality-of-life improvements to the gameplay and even adds a story mode for those daunted by old-fashioned point-and-clicks. The visual nit-picks I have aren’t enough to ruin the experience, and the moments that have been fully updated are beautifully animated and full of character. Now if you’ll excuse me, I need to go figure out what to do with this dirty tissue I found in the sewer.

Bravely Default Flying Fairy HD Remaster is a wonderful return to a game previously locked behind the 3DS. With it, history is repeated: there isn’t all that much of a reason this should only be confined to the Switch 2, limiting audiences for an RPG classic once more. Yet it is. Still, A great game is a great game. My first journey with the Warriors of Light has been fantastic and magical, depicting beautiful environments full of rich tapestries, a classic fantasy story with some surprise twists and turns and an incredibly robust, creative and experimental combat system with oceans of depth. Whether returning to Luxendarc or a newcomer like me, this is one of the first no-brainer RPGs for the Switch 2.

A ridiculous and funny point and click adventure that anyone can enjoy. The style of gameplay is simple, allowing you to enjoy the art, music and especially the writing even more. It will feed you that good mix of absurd and self-aware comedy that you didn’t even know you were hungry for. I really do encourage you to give it a go, especially if you’re on the fence about point and click adventures in general. It’s a game that doesn’t need a triple-A status or heavy content to be fantastic. Just a few sentient pixels, great writing and some paranormal cases to solve.

A brutal, lightning-paced take on the point-and-click adventure, The Drifter stands confidently among the greats of Australian horror fiction. Building a uniquely unsettling atmosphere with its chilling prose and narration, it presents a compelling supernatural mystery that will satisfy any adventure game fan. With gorgeous pixel art, killer voice acting, a soundtrack full of bangers, and an engaging gameplay loop, The Drifter is a home-grown triumph.

ENDER MAGNOLIA: Bloom in the Mist offers an impressive Metroidvania experience, featuring hauntingly beautiful visuals, an evocative soundtrack, a unique story and a wonderfully genuine Homunculi cast that offers an exciting challenge for both seasoned Metroidvania fans and newcomers alike. While Lilac’s fragility and the few navigational issues may hinder your progress temporarily, stay persistent. It’s well worth seeing it through to the end to uncover the secrets of the Land of Fumes.

A short, sweet romp through a world of dreams, Lost in Play is a joyful celebration of imagination and play. Its gorgeously familiar cartoonish visuals and focus on endearingly absurd scenarios win over the frostiest of hearts. While some of its trickier puzzles may leave younger gamers stumped and even frustrate their parents, it’s impossible not to grin at the wacky antics Lost in Play loves to throw at you. Recommended as a little cosy treat for the young at heart.

Crow Country threw me back to my childhood days of sitting in front of a CRT TV with a controller in hand, while streamlining the less desirable, archaic sensibilities. Familiar elements and tropes are well-executed, and the perfect runtime of four to five hours allows it to end on a high before it overstays its welcome due to its smaller scope. Perfect for a weekend! I thoroughly enjoyed my time playing Crow Country and I am looking forward to what SFB cooks up next.

With Quartet, Something Classic Games LLC has excellently captured what made the golden age of 16-bit turn-based JRPGs great and produced something that feels both authentic to that era but also comfortably modern. With its large, well-developed cast, captivating narrative and fun combat system, I found myself strongly invested in its world and its gameplay. Quartet does enough to establish its own identity and avoids being merely a simple homage to the likes of the old Final Fantasy and Dragon Quest games. If you’re a turn-based RPG fan, Quartet shouldn’t be missed.

News Tower is a game that takes you back to a time when journalism was a bustling career. You will micromanage your newsroom to ensure you’re the best in all of New York, while also covering real-life stories, avoiding bankruptcy, lawsuits, and the mob. The automation system is pretty finicky, and restructuring the office might hinder your progress. Still, with enough practice and learning the kinks, you’re able to build a thriving, well-oiled machine newsroom that feels reminiscent of the good old days.

Maintaining what made the original so special, Super Mario RPG provides a glow-up to an absolute classic RPG experience, with smart tweaks to combat bringing it firmly into the modern era. It’s an utterly charming experience that sucks you into its gorgeous, colourful world. Still, in sticking firmly to its roots, it just doesn’t provide the challenge or open-world gameplay to elevate it to the next level. If you’re keen on a breezy nostalgic RPG with simple yet satisfying combat, the iconic Italian in a red hat has you covered.

Football Manager 2024 gives you more control over a football club’s operations than ever before. You’ll talk to players individually, plan game strategies, and snap up talent while retaining your own. Every club is different and it’s up to you to figure out the best path forward. There are a lot of systems to learn which can be intimidating if you aren’t familiar with club management. You also won’t see the outcome of your decisions until a good amount of time has passed. But nothing beats the feeling of everything coming together when your team holds the championship cup.

Fear the Spotlight is a fantastic publishing debut for Blumhouse Games and also a triumphant (re)release from Cozy Game Pals. Now with a crucial fleshed-out epilogue that only bolsters the important queer horror story it has to tell, it’s a must-play in the indie horror game scene. Especially for those who love the low-poly style where the film grain and crunchy-looking models only aid in the eerie ’90s/2000s setting provided. I could split hairs for this game’s small issues, but instead, it’s worth focusing on the well-paced and perfectly lengthened experience it is. Fear the Spotlight is an excellently moody horror venture with tactile puzzle-solving and adorable, highly likable characters in Amy and Vivian. It’s the most queer horror lovers will feel represented and seen in a long time, maybe ever. In short, it’s the indie horror event of the year.

For an independent studio’s debut game, Luto strongly delivers on Broken Bird Games’ ethos of delivering deep narrative experiences that reflect both their passion for video games but also great stories. Despite being a story about death, Luto has more on its mind than presenting melodrama. It’s incredibly unique, fantastic to look at, highly atmospheric, and poetically beautiful. Devoted to those who are no longer with us, and hoping to make a change in the world by humanising the struggles of living with mental illness, Luto stands as one of the most powerful games of the year. It’s transformative, evocative, and breaks form and conventions around how a game should be and how it should play, taking the overused trope of horror as an allegory for mental illness, and making it something truly memorable. It is a game that I cannot recommend more to those in the right headspace.

While there is a lot to keep track of in Age of Wonders 4, persistence pays off when it comes to the main gameplay experience. While it may take time to get used to the different gameplay concepts and menu screens, the level of variety when it comes to customisation, hero units, underground passages, and ancient wonders makes Age of Wonders 4 a paradise sandbox for strategy fans at all levels. No matter whether you’re a turn-based combat buff or more of a city management fan, you’ll be sure to find something to like in this whopper of a game.

If you haven’t picked up a Splatoon game before, then Splatoon 3 is a great place to start. It takes a lot of steps to make it easier to play with friends and has a variety of different modes to play, meaning everyone will have something they enjoy, even if they just want to play single player. The game is more customisable than ever and you are free to change the appearance of your character at any time if you find yourself wanting a new look. The only real problem with the game as it stands is the connection issues. When it works, the game is amazingly fun and you will find yourself playing match after match, only for the connection to drop again out of nowhere. Hopefully this gets fixed soon so I can be playing Splatoon 3 for even longer during my next session.

On offer is an absolutely wonderful amount of world, lore and story to digest and fully absorb yourself in. It’s undoubtedly a magical game also, though it’s hard to picture this venture breaking the original out of its niche. NieR is a wonderful, intriguing franchise that a select number are dearly devoted to, and rightly so. The game’s not entirely for me, especially considering all the backtracking, but it’s a weird and wonderful ride nevertheless.

Dawnfolk is a brilliant simplification of the city-building genre with satisfying, short scenarios to play through without skimping on difficulty. Even in easy mode, it does start getting tough towards the end and there are both hard and impossible modes on offer for those who want a little more spice. It’s supremely engaging visually and controls really well with an easily readable and comprehensible style. There are hours of fun to find in the darkness, so long as you are ready to illuminate it.

Two Point Campus takes its time to teach you the fundamentals of running a successful university, with free reign on how you complete your objectives. The depth of the resources given to you and the amount of customisation for each of your campuses shows great attention to detail. The game is filled with wacky, silly, and sometimes dry humour that you can’t help but laugh at. While there are annoying inconveniences, success is still in your hands. It can be hectic, but you won’t find a better university management sim than this.

I would highly recommend playing Danganronpa if you have any sort of interest in murder mystery or visual novels, either on Switch after they patch the performance issues or on another platform. The games are a lot of fun and you are sure to be sucked into them. The aesthetic and music is a step above the rest and while the story can be a little wild at times, it will always keep you engaged. It is nice that Danganronpa has returned to its portable roots, but upsetting that the ports are a little rough around the edges. I wouldn’t say this is the best way to play the series in its current state, but hopefully that will change in time.