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.

Ghost of Yotei is one of the best games I've ever played. From top to bottom, beginning to end, it is the epitome of what Triple-A game developers should strive for. It completely delivers on all fronts - combat, narrative, visuals, world-building, and audio. But, most importantly, it's simply a ton of fun. Sucker Punch Productions has raised the bar to a seemingly insurmountable height. When it's all said and done, people will look back at this generation and regard Ghost of Yotei as a true magnum opus. It's games like these that remind me just how special the medium can be.

All in all, Atelier Resleriana: The Red Alchemist & the White Guardian is a slow-paced but cute JRPG with an expansive crafting system. If you like Atelier games, you’ll have fun with it. If you’ve never tried an Atelier game, it’s not a bad place to start. Just don’t expect something revolutionary from a slice of life game about grief, town development, and alchemy.

Frostpunk 2 is plagued with classic symptoms of a PC-to-console port. The text was too small. Objects on the screen were difficult to distinguish. The controls were confusing, with major UI elements were sporadically accessible to me until trial and error finally showed me the way. Sure, I wasn’t hunched over a desktop, but I discovered heretofore unknown ways of putting cricks in my neck in order to read the tiny text littered across my screen. Occasionally, I blinked and realized I had been standing directly in front of my TV for several minutes. In a possible record-breaking first, I found myself repeatedly wishing for a PlayStation Portal. I also lost reasonable amounts of progress to in-game crashes. I took it as a chance to fix mistakes I’d made, but didn’t save more frequently, though. Especially in the game’s later hours, the process just took too long. Every settlement was clearly always running in the background, slowing the whole thing down. Still, even this port can’t keep me away. I’m already ready to brave the frost again.

I really tried to note every change in both versions of Final Fantasy Tactics: The Ivalice Chronicles. There are so many quality of life improvements, while honoring the original version as much as possible. I’m so proud of Square Enix for including the classic version along with the enhanced version. It’s amazing that the sound novel sections, which have never been in any North American version of Final Fantasy Tactics, are finally officially translated. Final Fantasy Tactics: The Ivalice Chronicles is a loving remaster of the most beloved strategy JRPG of all time. If you have any love for the genre, it’s a must-play.

Claws of Awaji provides a more satisfying conclusion to Naoe’s narrative than players got in Assassin’s Creed: Shadows, though it clearly suggests that Shadows was really her story all along. Awaji is a beautifully designed playground, filled with content. The new enemies and bosses are an appropriate challenge for the high-level players that the DLC demands. It’s a bit disappointing that Yasuke gets no new weapons and that the basic mission design remains relatively unchanged. It’s also a shame that Awaji Island and its enemies are gated from all but endgame players. However, for anyone frustrated by Shadows’ inconclusive finale, Claws of Awaji will bring some much-needed closure in DLC that rewards committed players.

Baby Steps has a simple premise, but a lot of depth. You’re pushed to be patient and persistent by the mechanics. In fact, the whole game is built around punishing you for being foolish or hasty. Every character is begging you to relax, take in the scenery, and have a good time. If you listen, you just might enjoy yourself. But make no mistake, this game can be crazy frustrating. Tiny mistakes can lead to gigantic consequences, after all. If you’re patient enough to master the deranged control scheme, you’ll be shocked by what you can accomplish in Baby Steps.

Shape of Dreams does many things very well. It counters the roguelike problem of early game frustration by giving players lots of powerful and impressive tools right from the start. The flow of combat and the variety of builds have a lot of depth. The bite-sized battles are perfectly paced, though probably more satisfying for a group than a solo player. Shape of Dreams definitely has that compulsive, “just one more run” element at its core, and it’s a great scaffold for more content down the line.

EA Sports FC 26 is the epitome of marginal gains. Every aspect of play has been tweaked and refined to improve your time on the pitch. Small details, shaped by community feedback, address long-standing concerns that have followed the series for years. Splitting gameplay into different modes is a smart choice, giving players the freedom to choose the style that best fits them. However, the inability to play Authentic online is a major drawback for those who prefer that experience. And while on-pitch gameplay feels sharper than ever, the surrounding modes remain too familiar to past iterations, weighed down further by aggressive monetization through FUT’s premium season pass. EA Sports FC 26 takes meaningful steps forward on the pitch, but it still needs bolder changes off it to truly move the series ahead.

Silent Hill f is the entry fans have been waiting for since 2004’s The Room. The shift from small-town America to rural Japan gives the game a distinct identity, allowing the developers to craft a unique experience that still captures the spirit of the series. Ryukishi07’s storytelling shines, with your journal steadily filling with information and mature themes explored in subtle yet impactful ways. While combat has seen improvements over its predecessors, it still pales in comparison to the game’s atmosphere and puzzle design. After two long decades, and a remake of a genre classic, Silent Hill is finally back.

If you’re looking for a fast, frantic roguelite Donkey Kong experience, Emerald Rush is perfect for you. The core gameplay loop is focused and rewarding, with new systems turning old levels into fresh experiences. The progression system is simple yet effective. And the mechanics of the base game are given new life in the DLC. On the other hand, the whole thing feels pretty insubstantial. After a couple of hours, you feel like you’ve seen it all, more or less. While there’s a lot of potential meat on the bone, it’s all wrapped up in perfecting your runs. If you’re not in love with that arcade, roguelite style, there’s really nothing for you. Though it’s definitely not for everyone, you might end up having a lot of fun with Donkey Kong Bananza’s DK Island & Emerald Rush DLC.