It's hard to imagine any action game fan not being entertained by Ninja Gaiden 4. Its combat is visceral and incredibly fluid. Moving around the environment is more engaging than ever, making every battle a ballet of acrobatics and combat. Some sequences slightly overstay their welcome and there's a questionable bit of storytelling near the end. Breathe a sigh of relief. Ninja Gaiden 4 is the return to the bloody good time that fans have been hoping for.

All in all, Wander Stars is a good time for RPG fans and anyone nostalgic for older battle anime. I had fun with it and you probably will, too.

It’s almost always a relief to play a game like Keeper, where there’s no carnage or frenetic energy, and where the pace and tone are understated. Keeper is colorful, and the makers have definitely succeeded in their stated goal of making a weird, chill game. It’s also kind of a dull experience, with too little player agency, some frustrating mechanics, and a sense of discovery muted by too many restrictions and guideposts. Keeper is a generally pleasant journey through a psychedelic landscape and it isn’t too thematically heavy handed. I just wish it was a little more fun to take the trip.

Ys vs. Trails in the Sky: Alternative Saga has a lot of content, but it’s still not a very deep game. It’s made for fans of the Ys and Trails series. Its release is timed well to coincide with the release of Trails in the Sky: 1st Chapter. But Ys Seven is trapped on the PSP, and the only modern access is as a crappy PC port. It’s amazing that Nihon Falcom has released Ys vs. Trails in the Sky: Alternative Saga for their fans. But longtime Trails and Ys fans will find a lot of their favorite characters missing. Hopefully Nihon Falcom will make a proper Ys Seven modern console port soon.

Wizordum is a refreshing entry in the pixel FPS genre. It pays clear homage to legendary titles while offering unique, subtle features that make it new. The gameplay is familiar, fast, and engaging. Its presentation pops, and the visual storytelling, coupled with its plethora of puzzles, keeps you engrossed in the experience. Wizordum is a nostalgic throwback that still feels new and exciting to play. It’s a great step into high fantasy while being true to its inspirations.

Battlefield 6 is an improvement over its predecessor in many ways. The single player campaign has some impressive visuals, but the gameplay and story leaves much to be desired. The multiplayer is where Battlefield 6 shines, and should keep players engaged for the foreseeable future. I do wish the devs would have given us a console-only crossplay so Xbox and PlayStation gamers could game together. All in all, I imagine I’ll be jumping into Battlefield 6 for more often than I did Battlefield 2042. Granted, that wouldn’t take much. Battlefield 6 is a step in the right direction. But for future single player campaigns, maybe consider bringing back Battlefield: Hardline or Battlefield: Bad Company.

Yooka-Laylee was a platformer I wanted to love, but struggled with because of the controls and camera. Many also hated the backtracking and linear structure. Those issues have been addressed in Yooka Re-Playlee, making it the superior version. I actually really enjoyed unlocking abilities and levels in the original game. And feel like some of the attempts to make it more open, and to have more collectables, don’t work super well. I wish there was a choice to play Yooka Re-Playlee with just the improved visuals, camera, and controls. It would be a dream come true for me if Yooka Re-Playlee offered an in-game choice between an original version and a Replay version. Although flawed, Yooka Re-Playlee is the best version of an excellent N64-style 3D platformer.

I was disappointed that Strange Antiquities didn’t fix some of my issues with the first game, but it’s still a marked improvement in gameplay complexity and depth. A perfect pick during the Halloween season, Strange Antiquities delivers on that cozy-yet-spooky Victorian vibe with the best of them. If you love mystery games, the pull will be irresistible.

Die-hard Star Wars fans will find enough here to enjoy the game for a while. More casual fans will probably play the game for a couple of hours and then move on. Star Wars: Beyond Victory is available on the Quest 3 and 3S.

Bye Sweet Carole is a promising adventure that needs some refinement. Platforming and general movement feel slow and clunky, making traversal a chore. Each area features a range of strong puzzles, though some bugs affect your ability to complete certain tasks. Narrative inconsistencies further diminish the enjoyment of what should have been a magical adventure. Despite its stunning presentation, with beautiful hand-drawn visuals, smooth animation, and a lovely orchestral score, it ultimately struggles to deliver an experience as magical as its visuals suggest.

Pokémon Legends: Z-A isn’t afraid to make some much-needed modernizations. However, the small world and repetitive gameplay loop make it not the shiniest of the Pokémon games.

All in all, Marisa of Liartop Mountain is a cute little game that pretends to be complicated than it is. If you’re a Touhou fan who doesn’t mind restarting if necessary, you’ll have fun. Everyone else is likely to get annoyed and drop it.

Absolum enters the crowded roguelike space with a refreshing and appealing art style and classic-feeling beat-em-up mechanics. Playable solo or in 2-person co-op, each of Absolum’s characters caters to a very specific playstyle, and it’s fun to switch between them. Although character progression is a little slow, and the movement mechanics occasionally frustrate, Absolum should appeal to fans of engaging action adventures, roguelikes, and brawlers. Absolum has something for almost everyone.

Little Nightmares 3 is a worthy successor to the first two games. It may play things a little too safe, but it clearly respects the foundation upon which it’s built. The addition of co-op fits like a glove and should be standard for all future Little Nightmares games. The puzzles are clever and approachable. The audio design is stellar. Fans of the series will find a lot to love within this latest iteration. It’s a perfect game to kick off the spooky season. Don’t miss it.

Agatha Christie: Death on the Nile is a smart and thoughtful reimagining of the classic novel. The shift to the 1970s and the addition of a new protagonist breathe fresh life into a familiar tale. While the gameplay conforms to genre conventions, its mechanics are executed with care, resulting in an engaging and intriguing adventure that keeps you invested from start to finish. Despite some stiff animations and occasional pacing issues, this remains a grand journey, and one of Poirot’s finest outings in the medium.

Digimon Story: Time Stranger is one of those rare games that should appeal to both veterans of the franchise and absolute newcomers. A decent story, great music and appealing visuals are icing on the Digimon cake, a delicious and satisfying take on the turn-based JRPG battle formula. With a little more edge and deeper mechanics than its Poké-cousin, Digimon Story: Time Stranger is addictive, fun and definitely the best game in the Digimon Story series.

All in all, Super Robot Wars Y is a game that loves giant robots, and if you give it a chance, you’ll probably end up loving them too. And getting a bunch of new anime for your watchlist.

Forgive Me Father 2 is a solid, bloody, and genuinely creative retro-shooter. Its gameplay mechanics are expertly refined, its aesthetic is unmatched, and its atmosphere is perfectly pitched between grim horror and dark humor. But recommending the console version comes with a significant caveat. If you value a smooth, optimized experience above all else, you may find the technical hiccups frustratingly intrusive. If, however, you can tolerate the occasional frame rate dive to experience one of the most stylish and mechanically engaging Lovecraftian shooters released in years, then the Priest’s violent descent into madness is well worth undertaking—just be prepared for console stutters to pull you abruptly back to reality.

Disgaea games are huge. 7 was already enormous, and the Complete edition makes it bigger still. You could drop hundreds of hours into this game in pursuit of total completion, the well is practically bottomless. The extra characters, the raised stat cap, and the new final boss could have you playing forever, more or less. And yet the price point is pretty painful. Between that and the Switch 2 exclusivity (which may be temporary), I’m not quite sure who this is for, beyond the most serious of players and collectors. But for those people, for that exclusive club, Disgaea 7 Complete is a fantastic game. For everyone else, I totally understand if you pass this one up. As a hopeless Disgaea addict, I may never escape the gravity well this game created in my living room. Remember me fondly, my friends.

LEGO Voyagers is a delightful adventure that tells the story of two 1×1 blocks. Even without dialogue, it crafts a touching narrative that resonates with players. Each area is beautifully designed, inviting you to tinker with the world, build structures, and overcome the challenges that stand in your way. Puzzles emphasize communication, as you work together to control vehicles and navigate each space. The result is a truly wonderful experience that captures the spirit of the brick-based toy like no other.

If you are put off by the punishing hardcore nature of more realistic rally racing games or just want a fun change of pace, Rally Arcade Classics is definitely worth your time.

Sometimes a remaster feels insufficient because the original release is still so polished. The Mario Galaxy games are over a decade old, but they don’t feel like it by any means. The mechanics, the level design, and the crisp visuals all feel brand new. Even the controls are nearly (but not quite) perfect, a real testament to Mario’s persistent technical staying power. I’d love a little more from a collection like this, but what’s being presented is still quality stuff. If you’ve never played Super Mario Galaxy 1 and 2, this is a pretty good time to start.

I love this game. In fact, it’s got everything I loved about Hades. If you’re hoping for a sequel that reinvents the wheel, you might not find it here. Beyond the scavenger hunts and the excursions to the surface, this is a pretty familiar experience. On the other hand, you’ve got a whole new roster of spells and weapons to master, bosses to beat, and a new story to uncover. Yes, this is largely more of the same Hades we know and love. But I am totally okay with this. Hades 2 is an iterative improvement on the old formula. And the old formula was pretty much perfect. If you’ve been hoping for more Hades, you simply can’t pass up on Hades 2.

Overall, Gloomy Eyes is an engaging, enchanting experience. The complementary abilities of its two protagonists allow for interesting puzzles, and its story has a lot of heart despite the gloom. I liked the VR film, but the game is an equally enjoyable take on a haunting little tale.

Trails in the Sky: 1st Chapter blew me away. I’ve always wanted to play more of the Trails series, but, as a console preferer, have seen the PC versions of the Trails in the Sky trilogy as a barrier. This remake has a wonderful world and narrative. It’s action/ turn-based hybrid combat system is incredibly fun to play. My only major complaints are that there are so many terms specific to this game, and so many needless menus early on, that it takes way too much time to realize how familiar the systems are. Trails in the Sky: 1st Chapter is a must-play for JRPG fans. Bring on the 2nd Chapter, because I can’t wait to see where this story goes!

Pac-Man World 2 Re-Pac is a fun platformer that recalls the many great titles of its era. The introduction of new mechanics helps each region feel distinct, even if the overall design remains conventional. This remake adds thoughtful quality-of-life features that enhance the experience, though not enough to warrant its price point. Still, it’s a charming adventure that offers plenty for both newcomers and returning fans, and a nostalgic reminder of a time when the genre truly thrived.

Dying Light: The Beast is not a safe sequel. It does not attempt to simply enlarge the cityscapes or double down on familiar systems. Instead, Techland recalibrates the franchise, opting for a more intimate, tension-driven approach rooted in the original’s survival horror fundamentals. While not every risk pays off, the ambition is appreciated. For players seeking another sprawling urban parkour playground, this entry may feel narrower in scope. However, for those who want to experience atmospheric, nerve-shredding moments, The Beast delivers. It challenges you not only to endure the infected but to examine the humanity you cling to in a world intent on stripping it away.

I really wanted to love Hotel Barcelona. It has such an interesting presentation and game world. But its gameplay is just plain awful. It has a generic roguelite structure, and controlling Justine feels abysmal. The UI is also an overcluttered eyesore. I hope fans of SWERY and SUDA51 find something to love in Hotel Barcelona. But as it is, I just can’t recommend a game that plays this horribly.