Galactic Civilizations III: Crusade is not just another DLC; this feels like an expansion or maybe even a sequel to the original release. While this was one of my favorite games already, the improved depth and gameplay make the 20th or 30th hour just as fun and interesting as the first – and that is saying something. Stardock has made one of gaming’s best 4X strategy games even better, and this an essential purchase for series veterans and newcomers alike.

Hollow Knight: Silksong manages to live up to the daunting expectations surrounding the sequel. It carries the spirit of the original while introducing fresh mechanics that shape a remarkable adventure, one worthy of standing alongside its predecessor. The challenge is steep, but the true reward comes from mastering enemy patterns and finding ways to overcome them. Every element coalesces into an experience that exemplifies what’s possible when developers take the time to fully realize their vision.

This is Skyrim we’re talking about here, and this version will make any Elder Scrolls aficionados very happy.

FIFA 14 for the Xbox One is quite simply an impressive launch game. The enhanced visuals make for a game that comes alive and for the first time in recent memory I truly felt like I was “in the game”.

Regardless of how well-received their initial product was, Halcyon 6: Lightspeed Edition is an evolution of it.

Octopath Traveler is an incredible combat system, a juicy progression tree and a gorgeous setting wrapped in the trappings of a traditional RPG.

Those that have profoundly enjoyed titles like Journey or Flower, games that push the concept of what a “video game” should be, will relish in the opportunity to take the plunge in this atmospheric underwater world. Rather than ask players to challenge themselves, ABZÛ gives you the freedom to explore the mysteries of the deep at your own pace, providing an ebb and flow that offers a masterful experience.

At the end of the day I just get this sense that XCOM: Enemy Unknown is one of those sleeper hits in the latter half of 2012. The smooth interface, sharp looking visuals, and surprisingly tense tactical turn-based gameplay are simply a blast.

When it comes down to it, the game is a Metroidvania and it’s dating-sim. The Deep End Games does both pretty darn well. Just like in the reality show, no matter your flavor of weird, Romancelvania’s got something for you.

With just the right mix of nostalgia and new features, as well as beautiful, colourful graphics, and a very impressive online experience, Pokémon X and Y both offer a refreshing change to the much loved series that both newcomers and long time fans can appreciate, and these games are one of the best titles available for the 3DS system to date.

I found it to be surprisingly challenging, and while it may a bit too easy for veterans of previous games I think it’s a great.

This truly is a Skyrim expansion pack, and is a great purchase for any fan of the series who's hungry for a new adventure.

While it looks and plays differently than past Dragon Age games, Dragon Age: The Veilguard doesn't abandon either its rich trove of lore or ability to tell engaging stories. Dragon Age: The Veilguard has memorable characters and action-focused combat that contains more than enough depth to see it through to the end. Polished and confident, Dragon Age: The Veilguard feels like a return to form for the developer. Dragon Age: The Veilguard gives us a beautiful world to experience, interesting companions to explore it with, and action that grows increasingly more nuanced throughout.

Mega Man 11 brings the series to new heights. Every element of the game is glistening with polish. Yet, the core Mega Man formula remains largely unchanged. If you’re coming to this game looking for massive, sweeping shifts to the Blue Bomber’s oeuvre, you may come away disappointed. My disbelief at the growth that’s happened is tempered by the amount of growth in question. Make no mistake, these are small steps. But they still take Mega Man to a new place, one that I’m quite reluctant to leave. In spite of my constant, low-burning frustration, I've had a blast with this game. Fans can rest easy knowing that Capcom has brought the blue bomber back with a vengeance.

Thumper is easily the best game I have played on Playstation VR. It’s fresh, exciting and leaves you wanting more. It’s amazing to think that this title was created by a two-man development team of ex-Harmonix employees. If there’s one game you should show off you to your friends when they come over, it’s definitely Thumper.

In a landscape littered with lazy, poorly optimized or outright broken PC ports, Stellar Blade stands out for its attention to detail, wealth of options and strong performance. It’s a great way to experience one of the best action-adventure RPGs from 2024.

This remaster not only revamps the visuals and playability, but it also adds a whole expansion pack to the game. Priced like a large DLC, there is no reason not to get this game if you are already an Age of Empires fan. I can only hope that all remasters in the future will be as good as this.

Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves was worth the wait. Every mechanic is meticulously crafted, resulting in a deep, multilayered fighter. The systems in place encourage strategic thinking and quick adaptation, making each battle feel like a thoughtful, tactical encounter. While the single-player campaign lacks the imagination that imbues the gameplay, SNK has delivered a game that not only honors the legendary legacy of the franchise but also confidently moves it forward.

Crash is back, baby! Fans can rejoice as Toys for Bob and Activision have come together to create platforming perfection. Thanks to loads of collectibles and Tawna, levels remain fresh not only upon your first playthrough but during subsequent attempts as well. And once you’re ready to start speedrunning, it’s remarkably rewarding to master a stage. Plus, each one is gorgeous to boot. Deliciously nostalgic all the while new and teeming with life, Crash Bandicoot 4: It’s About Time is going to be the best Bandicoot-based game you’ve ever played. I’ll bet my Wumpas on it.

I had no real expectations for this game, and I still managed to be blindsided by what I discovered. Tough, tiny indie games often try to supplement their size with atmosphere, but the results are often mixed. Here, a small project from a smaller team has brewed a fabulous blend of mechanical finesse and atmospheric splendor. The game is crazy hard, and some of the puzzle elements are pretty obtuse, but I still loved it. If you’re not so impressed by the screenshots and the trailers, take my word for it: Disc Room is so much better than you’re expecting it to be.

Split Fiction is an incredible game. I was surprised how much fun I had with it, especially playing it via local co-op with my son. The Nintendo Switch seemed to handle the game quite well, aside from a minor issue with the main characters’ hair. A word of warning though, the retail version of Split Fiction does not contain a game card, but rather a full game download code. And since it’s a beefy game – around 70 gigs – it’ll take up some valuable real estate on your new Nintendo Switch 2. It’s also worth reiterating once again that this is a co-op only game. You can play locally via split screen or with GameShare, or you can play online via cross-platform play. But if you do not have someone else to play with, you can not play. Despite these minor notes, Split Fiction is an absolute gem of a game that will most definitely be in the Game of the Year conversation.

I’m giving this title full marks for gameplay, originality, engagement and variety.

If you enjoyed any other bullet hell rogue-likes, particularly Nuclear Throne or Binding of Isaac, I can’t recommend Enter the Gungeon enough. It has a few elements that some would consider design flaws, but these are easy to overlook when you step back and look at the whole picture and what is really being offered her: mayhem on a silver platter.

As far as launch titles go, Mario Kart World is a real banger. The races are more chaotic and intense, the world feels huge, and there’s a ton of racers to choose from. Also, the skill ceiling feels higher. I wish the world were as big as it feels, but we’re in pretty early days yet. I’d also love a splitscreen Free Roam mode, but that’s pure wishlist stuff. Buying a new console is always a little intimidating, to be sure. And racing games aren’t for everyone. But if you’re into Mario Kart even a tiny bit, you’d be a fool to pass on Mario Kart World.

If you loved playing MH: World you will most definitely fall in love with MH: Rise, too. All the great stuff you know and love is still in Rise with some smaller tweaks and additions. I had a good time and it was worth waiting for the graphically improved version. My only gripes are that Rise is too easy compared to World (especially the story), yet High-Rank defense missions are imbalanced for solo players, and it doesn’t look as graphically pleasing as World.

Salt & Sanctuary is a brilliant piece of work that apes the Dark Souls franchise in all the right ways while still cutting its own path.

Despite lacking the challenge of other titles in the series, fans will appreciate the nostalgic music and graphics, and enjoy playing through the new dungeons and boss battles that can be easily tackled on the go.

Although it uses the Borderlands 3 engine and reprises several characters from earlier games in the franchise, Tiny Tina's Wonderlands does a great job of separating itself from its brethren. With a focus on high fantasy and cheeky humor that constantly pokes fun at RPG traditions, Tiny Tina's Wonderlands also doesn't stray far from them, at least mechanically. Great writing, pitch perfect acting and frenetic action dominate the game, but exploring the nooks and crannies of the colorful overworld and detailed dungeons is equally satisfying. I had a blast in the Wonderlands and can't wait to see what else the irrepressible Tiny Tina has in store for us.