If I could only pick one puzzle game to bring to a desert island, I probably would not choose Riven. Fortunately, that is not the case. It’s fascinating to see this missing link of game design. It’s nice to dig into some genuinely excellent writing and art. The puzzles are as opaque as they ever were, which is what a lot of people like about them. I think we need more remakes like Riven, that capture as much as they can about how games felt back then. That’s how we move forward, that’s how games get even better.

Super Monkey Ball Banana Rumble is the return to form that fans have been waiting for. Courses develop in their complexity in order to create the best single-player campaign since the sophomore release. While the multiplayer portion includes new minigames, it struggles to maintain the same level of engagement and longevity as the originals. Despite that, the dedication to improving the franchise’s gameplay mechanics ensures it’s a significant addition for both longtime fans and newcomers alike.

What Bungie has accomplished with The Final Shape in the face of tremendous hurdles and unreasonable expectations is nothing short of remarkable. It’s a powerful and satisfying story, with the mechanics, art, design, and polish to back it up. This is Bungie’s best work in the Destiny era, and sets a lofty new bar for live service expansions. In a challenging market, Bungie have proven they’re still among the best in the business. I can’t wait to see what’s next.

For fans of the franchise, this is an easy sale. You’ve got three games to play and tons of art to sift through. New players might be more cautious. The core gameplay is well-crafted for sure. And you can’t go wrong with that high-quality sprite work. But these are still punishing offerings from a bygone era. You’ll need a lot of patience and perseverance if you want to get through this collection. The rewind function is a serious advantage, but even that system requires some practice and fine-tuning to use. Retro gaming fans new and old will appreciate the Rocket Knight Adventures collection, though maybe you’ll wanna wait for a sale.

This game feels perfect for portable play sessions. I almost never use my Switch in handheld mode, but this was an exception. I loved firing it up, getting in a day or two worth of labour, and shutting it down. The quest system, combat, and need to explore kept me coming back. I wish moonstones were a bit easier to find, but otherwise? Moonstone Island is an excellent time. I highly recommend checking it out on the Switch.

Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree is a masterful expansion that exceeds expectations, adding a vast new realm teeming with secrets, formidable bosses, and intricate world design. One of the best game expansions this generation and a must-have for Elden Ring fans.

If you are looking for a fun mystery that won’t take you ages to solve, then Retropolis 2 will fill that bill. Fans of film noir will find much to like here. So will fans of puzzle games. Will Log rescue Jenny? Only if you help him out.

#Blud is a fun adventure that carves its own niche due to its incredible art direction and presentation. Combat is straightforward but small additions that are periodically introduced help to keep it feeling fresh. Bosses are a joy and lead to some stand-out segments that are a highlight of the journey. The mission design is a little lackluster with a reliance on collectathon missions and fetch quests which can lead to some frustrating moments. While the game sticks to the conventions of the genre, it manages to deliver a charming and engaging experience that fans of classic cartoons and dungeon crawlers alike will appreciate.

There are a couple of remasters almost every year these days. At the pace they’re going, it’s a win for everyone involved. In this new revamped release, monsties, adventure and the power of friendship are the names of the game. Monster Hunter Stories is undoubtedly an epic re-release ready for a pretty and new look at a great adventure.

Astor: Blade of the Monolith is a great introduction to the Soulslike mechanics that dominate ARPGs right now. I can see it appealing to younger or novice gamers. It’s family-friendly, colorful, and pretty satisfying to play. More hardcore action fans will probably find it too familiar and not quite as polished as their favorites. Overall, Astor: Blade of the Monolith brings together a collection of tried-and-true mechanics in a pretty satisfying way.

Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance is an excellent revision of a game I already liked. It’s still more sci-fi than horror, but a delightfully cynical tale nonetheless. And Yoko is a very engaging heroine in all her bitter glory. If you liked the original Shin Megami Tensei V, or even just thought about playing it, check Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance out. You won’t regret it.

If you’ve eagerly anticipated this year’s entry into Codemasters’ popular F1 series, I hate to say that you might be better off sticking to F1 23. Time will tell if the developers can correct the issues plaguing the handling system. I anticipate they’ll have a fix released sooner rather than later, given that even professionals like Lando Norris have admitted that F1 24 feels awkward and unrealistic. If you’re committed to jumping in this year, do so with your expectations in check. Even if Codemasters fixes F1 24’s most glaring issues, the fact still remains that this is an excessively minor update.

Overall, fans of King Arthur: Knight’s Tale will enjoy this DLC expansion. Newcomers starting with Legion IX will need some onboarding. The game’s core combat remains challenging, interesting, and fun, even if the narrative and writing are disappointing. As a fan of Arthurian legends and history — and more importantly, tactical turn-based RPGs — I had a good time on the battlefields of Avalon.

Little Kitty, Big City is one of those rare games that appeal to all ages without dumbing anything down. It’s a short and relaxing romp that will make you appreciate your feline companions that much more. If you love cats you’ll enjoy this game. If you don’t, maybe Little Kitty, Big City will melt your monstrous heart.

If you like one player coop games in the style of Moss, then Mixture may be worth checking out. There are too few games of this type, be it flat or VR. Mixture may have less personality than Moss, but the gameplay is overall solid minus the throwing mechanics. Mixture provides a solid challenge and an interesting world.

After a while, I forgot I was sick of pixels. I look at Dread Delusion and I don’t see part of a trend. I see a game that set out to capture a particular tone and succeeded wildly. It’s not that playing Dread Delusion is like going back and playing those old games. Dread Delusion allows us to delude ourselves into remembering those games through magenta colored glasses.

All in all, if you don’t enjoy wandering through randomly generated dungeons and frantically managing items, Touhou Genso Wanderer -FORESIGHT- might not be for you. But if you already like dungeoncrawlers and know about Touhou Project, you might have fun. Let’s just hope the devs continue fleshing out the experience post-launch.

Bread & Fred is a novel concept that fails to deliver due to its frustrating climbing mechanics. The idea of climbing a large mountain and working with a partner to do so is appealing; however, the inconsistent physics and anger-inducing design that allows you to lose progress in an instant hinder the game. Although SandCastles Studio adds an array of assist options to address these concerns, at its core, the game struggles to balance challenge with enjoyment. The fundamental design flaws overshadow the creative premise, resulting in an experience that is more exasperating than entertaining.

When it appeared on PS4 in 2020, Ghost of Tsushima was a bit overshadowed by some other heavy hitters like The Last of Us Part 2. Since then, and especially after the update on PS5, the game has only risen in respect and popularity. Ghost of Tsushima remains a fantastic action RPG with stellar performances, art direction, and gameplay. Nixxes’ PC version is a model for success: full-featured, stable, optimized, and a pleasure to play.

I wouldn’t call RKGK mindless fun, because its mechanics and level design have depth and reward multiple playthroughs. But it does harken back to classic action platformers where the focus is on entertainment, the bad guys are cartoons and the stakes are no higher than the next jump. As long as it’s done well, that’s sometimes enough.

Many people claim that Madison VR is the scariest horror game ever. Such a claim, scientifically backed or not, still depends on you. As a veteran of many a horror game, it is certainly in the discussion. Smooth controls and an improved inventory system would make Madison VR a definite contender for the title of the scariest horror game ever.

Dark Envoy isn’t without its strengths. The class system and skill trees lend themselves to interesting character builds and adventure party variety. But Director’s Cut or not, Dark Envoy simply had too many serious technical issues and minor hiccups. They constantly intruded into whatever fun the game was trying to give me. I’ll check back later to see if things improve but for now, Malakai and Kaela are on their own.

Thousand Year Door is a remake done right. The new sound and visuals look terrific. The game's essential identity has been preserved. Plus, the original release is able to shine through with no distractions. It's exactly as wonderful as you remember it being. I'm still impressed with the writing, and the level design is mostly excellent. I still hate the tournament arc, though. And I wish some of the puzzles didn't involve scouring a dungeon until a forgotten button or door is dragged into the sunlight. Although the original release is amazing, it's also nearly impossible to play anymore. For new and old fans, Paper Mario: The Thousand Year Door is an essential addition to the Nintendo Switch library.

It has been a very long time since I played a game as assured, polished and emotionally affecting as Senua's Saga: Hellblade 2. The first game was impressive, but the sequel brings everything Ninja Theory was trying to do into sharp, unforgettable focus. Senua's new journey is epic and harrowing, told through cinematic visuals. jaw-dropping graphics and gameplay mechanics that feel at one with the story. It's a saga of sadness, courage, challenge and redemption, told by masters of their craft.

‘Braid, Anniversary Edition’ is tremendous. It takes everything the original did so well and tweaks it just enough to feel fresh while maintaining its identity. Fans of the original will have a blast discovering what all is new. Newcomers will be astounded at the quality of what is often considered one of the greatest games of all time. Whether you belong to the former or the latter, do yourself a favor and don’t miss this.

Games like Cryptmaster are rare. Not just because of a particular aesthetic or unique mechanic, but because they take a core idea and focus it. Cryptmaster is ok with not being for every gamer, but puzzle-RPG fans with a love of words, a wicked sense of humor, and a taste for the macabre will enjoy it.

Men of War 2 appears more approachable than it actually is. There’s a depth and complexity that’s rewarding to master, but getting there takes a lot of time. Fans of the original will find it to be a worthy sequel. Casual RPG players might feel a little overwhelmed at first. Although there’s plenty of content for single players, Men of War 2 really comes into its own with or against other humans on the battlefield. In that genre, it’s one of the best.

Lorelei and the Laser Eyes is a twisted puzzle adventure like no other. The high-brow approach to gameplay requires you to read pages from books to learn the fundamentals that enshroud the range of conundrums that you’ll come across. Simogo don’t underestimate your ability, leaving you to ponder clues and work out the solution. While this can halt your progress and lead to cycling around the same puzzles, it makes decryption much more satisfying. The game stubbornly sticks to its principles to the detriment of accessibility, however, losing yourself to the deep layers of intrigue makes this an unforgettable trip.