Ultimately, Collector’s Cove is a competent but hollow entry into the life-sim genre. It is missing that indefinable “key ingredient”—the soul and density—that makes its predecessors so enduring. While it may provide a pleasant weekend of distraction for genre enthusiasts, it currently lacks the longevity and polish to swim alongside the big fish of the cozy gaming world. As it stands, the cove is a nice place to visit, but there isn’t quite enough there to make you want to stay.

John Carpenter’s Toxic Commando is a fun, over-the-top co-operative shooter. The use of Saber’s Horde Engine creates thrilling moments where you face off against hundreds of bloodthirsty zombies at once. Although the game bears Carpenter’s name, it doesn’t fully capture his signature style and instead blends in with the many zombie shooters currently available. If you’re looking to scratch that Left 4 Dead itch, this will suffice; however, it ultimately blends into the horde it’s trying to outgun.

Is Tales of Berseria Remastered worth a double dip? Absolutely not. There’s no reason to get it if you already own the regular game (unless you have completionist OCD). Bandai Namco needs to be careful they don’t lose any good will with their fans, when so many other companies are offering free PS5 upgrades to PS4 games. But Remastered is now the best version of Berseria because of its few changes. It’s an excellent action JRPG. If you don’t already own it, Tales of Berseria Remastered has a phenomenal story, and fun combat. So get it if you haven’t already.

Fatal Frame II: Crimson Butterfly is a remarkable piece of interactive horror history. The nuanced storytelling and atmosphere immerse you in its strange, haunting world, while the Camera Obscura offers a unique mechanic that adds tension to every encounter. However, although the remake remains close to the source material, it doesn’t provide the significant upgrade that other modern revivals of iconic titles have delivered. Much of the original era’s DNA remains, with some clunky controls and awkward animations hindering the experience. Regardless, this is still a remake of a classic. Despite its flaws, fans and newcomers can immerse themselves in a pillar of the survival horror genre, one that continues to haunt with its eerie village and tragic story.

My five or so hours with Chapter 5 was an enjoyable experience. There were only a couple sequences throughout the game that gave me some real challenges, including the previously mentioned chase sequence that was incredibly frustrating. The game crashed on me once. My oldest son played through the entire chapter too, and it crashed on him once as well (in a different area). However, in my time with Chapter 5, the game was updated four or so times, so clearly the developers are actively ironing out any reported issues and bugs. Chapter 5 is an excellent continuation of the Poppy Playtime saga. Even though it’s likely a year away, I’m eager to see how things play out in the next chapter.

Apopia: Sugar Coated Tale is a bit short, and some of its side characters feel underdeveloped. Even so, Quillo Entertainment Limited has crafted a game filled with heart. That passion shines through in every frame, showcasing an impressive level of artistry that’s only slightly held back by budgetary constraints. In the end, Apopia: Sugar Coated Tale is a gentle, gorgeous experience that will warm your heart while lingering in your thoughts thanks to its surprising emotional depth.

Back to the Dawn ended up being a bit of a mixed bag for me. I loved the story and aesthetics, especially the music. It works wonderfully as a choose your own adventure-style adventure game. Time management, puzzle solving, and minigames are all fantastic. But the CRPG elements felt tacked-on. Back to the Dawn was probably initially envisioned as a CRPG, but grew into something different. With a bit more polish, focus, and elegance, it could be a really fantastic experience. If everything I’ve shared sounds good to you, then definitely don’t hesitate to give Back to the Dawn a few playthroughs.

WWE 2K26 is a massive effort from the team at Visual Concepts. They’ve spent the past 12+ months refining everything about WWE 2K25 to make an even better wrestling game. Every mode has been improved upon. The games roster is absolutely massive, with over 400+ playable characters. The biggest issue for these WWE 2K games is the significant learning curve and demand for perfect timing. It can be very intimidating for new players. The new Ringside Pass has presented a significant roadblock for enjoying the game, forcing players to grind it out just to unlock many different Superstars. Despite the issues, there is still a ton to appreciate about WWE 2K26.

Planet of Lana II: Children of the Leaf is a remarkable game that builds on and develops the foundations of the original. Similar to its predecessor, it tells an emotive, personal story that instantly immerses you. The scope expands as you journey farther afield. Gameplay improvements elevate the adventure, introducing greater puzzle variety and tense cinematic sequences that complement one another perfectly. Though relatively short, it’s a stunning journey that will resonate long after the credits roll.

Despite all of these complaints, I had fun with Legacy of Kain: Defiance Remastered. Does it feel exactly the same as the original? Of course not. But it’s a fun trip back to Nosgoth, even if a few puzzles sent me scrambling for a guide.

Scott Pilgrim EX takes a beloved formula and boldly restructures it. The blend of interconnected exploration, refined brawling, and engaging RPG mechanics creates an experience that honors its roots while feeling distinctly modern.

Overall, Esoteric Ebb does a great job of applying aspects of its influences into its own splendid package. The experience is one that is full of surprises and delightful in its own way. While not for everyone, the game is sure to be memorable for those who enjoy the genre as well as those who simply put in the time to complete a playthrough. With so many variables available even at a surface level, each player’s first playthrough should be unique enough. If you are a CRPG fan at heart, Esoteric Ebb is a no-brainer to give it a shot. If you’re not, there’s still likely something for you if anything about the game resonates with you at all.

You spend a lot of time in Pokopia just messing around, but it adds up to something satisfying. Making habitats, befriending Pokémon, exploring, and cleaning up the environment all feel like little tasks at first. But they slowly turn into something more significant. It’s a smooth process that feels perfectly natural. It really sneaks up on you. I wish the map and the inventory were more robust, to be sure. And maybe I felt adrift once in a while. But that core loop was so delightful, I didn’t mind all that much. If you’re looking for a Pokémon experience that feels a little different than the usual fare, Pokémon Pokopia might be perfect for you.

City Hunter isn’t a particularly strong game. While its gorgeous opening presentation immediately grabs attention and builds excitement, the gameplay quickly becomes a series of bland, maze-like 2D shooting levels. There was great attention to detail in remastering City Hunter, and this port is obviously the best way to play it. It’s just a shame that there’s not a lot to the original City Hunter game. Regardless, I really hope that City Hunter is the beginning of many more PC Engine ports in the future.

Ys X: Proud Nordics feels like a greedy, poorly timed release. But it’s a vastly improved version of an already excellent game. Ys X: Nordics was one of the lesser Ys games, but the changes in Proud Nordics have now put it in the upper echelon of Ys games. There’s tons of new content, and the entire game has been carefully tweaked and rebalanced. If Ys X: Proud Nordics is a cash grab, it isn’t a lazy one. Ys X: Proud Nordics is one of the best action JRPGs ever, and a must-play for Ys fans.

WiZmans World Re;Try does a lot of things right. It’s aesthetically gorgeous. It has simple, tried-and-true turn-based combat, with monster catching and fusing mechanics. It has a weird world and story. But it’s also a grind-heavy linear dungeon crawl that gets monotonous way too quickly. Going through dungeons feels like a chore. And bosses are unbalanced compared to the ease of combat and lack of experience points that precede them. WiZmans World Re;Try needs to be rebalanced, but it’s already a retry.

Fans of the Reigns franchise are likely to enjoy this Witcher iteration. It retains the staples of the series while developing elements that successfully blend both worlds. However, if you’re new and looking for a deep, immersive, ‘choose your own adventure’ experience, this isn’t it. While the scenarios are interesting and there are plenty of branching paths, the experience often feels disjointed, as decisions lack real impact. Though the short runs can be addictive, the basic gameplay may ultimately leave you swiping left on this one.

Resident Evil Requiem amalgamates its two entities into a cohesive, demonic monster, resulting in one of the series’ most complete entries to date. From its tense, immersive exploration that highlights vulnerability to its visceral combat that revels in brutality, it delivers a nightmare that feels both refined and feral. A masterpiece in horror, and an early Game of the Year contender.

At a runtime of just around forty-five minutes, Dear me, I was… respects your time while demanding your full emotional attention. It is “show, don’t tell” in a nutshell. It might not offer hundreds of hours of replayability, but the beauty of its silent world and the introspective journey it prompts are well worth it. For anybody looking to cleanse their palate with a deeply artistic, evocative, and conceptually daring title. I can safely say Dear Me, I was… is a highly recommended play. Or maybe you just want to witness an artistic flex on your console. It serves as a beautiful reminder of why we engage with this medium in the first place. To feel, to reflect, and to experience something truly unique through the power of interactive art.

There’s not a lot to unpack here. The story is pretty simple, the dialogue gets kind of corny, and the premise is equally stripped down. But this game shines so bright once you actually start playing. You’ve got a host of amazing moves to master. The controls are perfectly fluid and responsive. Plus, the level design is the perfect vessel for mastering said moves. Chaining together skills feels amazing, while traversing the world is speedy and satisfying. Demon Tides is a pure 3D platformer, with little in the way of fat or gristle. All that means is you’ve got nothing between you and all that unfiltered action. Better yet, there’s so much to experience once you start. If you’re looking for the next amazing 3D platformer, Demon Tides should be at the very top of your list.

All in all, D1AL-ogue is a short, free puzzle game that’s more than worth spending a few hours on.

In the end, Mewgenics stands as a confident, content-rich tactical roguelite that rewards curiosity, patience, and perseverance. Its deep combat, endless variety, distinctive visuals, unforgettable soundtrack, and unapologetic humor combine into a game that feels uniquely itself. It won’t be for everyone, but for those willing to meet it on its own terms, Mewgenics offers an experience that can last dozens—if not hundreds—of hours without losing its sense of surprise or challenge. If you waited over a decade for Mewgenics, your patience has paid off.

Generally speaking, Styx: Blades of Greed’s move to a more open world is a good choice and plays to the title character’s strengths. Intricate level design and challenging stealth are matched by Styx’s new and returning toys. Apart from some technical misfires and my personal gripes with a few mechanics, Styx: Blades of Greed is not quite an open-armed introduction to the loveable green guy, but it should absolutely please fans of the series.

While it doesn’t have the shock value novelty of the first game, High on Life 2 makes up for it with ambitious level design, polished movement, and a more grounded, coherent narrative. All the fun of the first game’s talking guns and wicked humor remains, entertainingly voiced and paired with engaging combat and interesting environments. There are moments when High on Life 2 feels a little over-caffeinated, and it can be exhausting over long stretches. Overall, though, High on Life 2 demonstrates that the first game’s concepts and mechanics were more than one-off novelties. High on Life 2 keeps a good thing going strong.

One year later, Avowed is still an impressively polished and confidently presented game, at home in the Pillars of Eternity canon and at home in the action RPG genre. The new Anniversary Edition and 12 months of updates, tweaks, and changes have only made Avowed better. To the extent it got lost in the shuffle last year, it absolutely deserves attention from new players and PS5 owners. Players returning to Avowed will find a game that is now even better.

Paranormasight: The Mermaid’s Curse is a technical improvement over Paranormasight: The Seven Mysteries of Honjo. It still has some problems that should have been flagged during quality assurance testing. The cursor should just be dropped from all sections that aren’t point-and-click. But the narrative is fantastic, and the “Choose Your Own Adventure” chapter structure makes the experience feel more like a game, and less like a novel. The stylistic visuals mask Paranormasight: The Mermaid’s Curse’s low budget, and the music is constantly phenomenal. I’m not sure if the first game has been patched, but Paranormasight: The Mermaid’s Curse is enough of an improvement that I might give it another try.

Norse: Oath of Blood delivered more than I expected, which is always a nice surprise. I really enjoyed the story and characters and the mix of history, melodrama, and humor. The combat was challenging and offered lots of tactical flexibility. Base building and activities between combat missions were nicely streamlined and kept the overall momentum going. Like a good movie or TV series, Norse: Oath of Blood balances historical elements with entertainment, then adds engaging combat and varied side content to round out the package.

God of War: Sons of Sparta is a well-designed, albeit conventional, Metroidvania. Combat encounters are enthralling, especially as the game progresses and enemies unleash varied attacks that demand specific methods of evasion. New abilities expand your offensive arsenal, adding further layers to each encounter. While the platforming and puzzles benefit from tight, thoughtful design, the art direction is competent but uninspiring. Although a strong outing for Kratos, this entry doesn’t quite reach the mythic heights of the series.