Heretic + HeXen is a collection of 2 classic first-person shooters. It has both games, HeXen’s DLC, and 2 brand new campaigns. Nightdive Studios has crafted another loving remaster, with a fine attention to detail in modernizing the authentic experience of the original games. It’s a ton of content for a very low asking price. The only problem is Heretic + HeXen is two very old games that not a lot of people are going to enjoy experiencing for the first time today. But if you have any nostalgic love for the original games, then please pick this collection up for yourself, and for the sake of future Nightdive remaster projects.

Noctuary is simple yet intentional, made for players who want to sink into a story and savor it. The true stars are the storytelling, art, and music – along with that slightly corny anime flair you can’t help but love. Gorgeous combat animations and satisfying level-up moments keep things engaging between chapters. For the patient adventurer looking for something heartfelt between the sword swings, Noctuary is a little gem well worth playing.

I love games with this kind of laser focus on good mechanics. Sword of the Sea is all about how amazing it is to surf over sand, seas, and stone with liquid ease. Every subsequent mechanic, every environment, and every plot development springs from this one idea. But because of this, the game is also quite short. You can surf through the whole thing in a handful of hours. This also makes it perfect for speedruns and repeated playthroughs. Frame perfect freaks and other obsessives will be thrilled. But more than that, this is a beautiful world to explore, to simply live in. The music is chill, the vistas are fabulous, and the vibes are immaculate. If you’re looking for a short, singular gameplay experience, Sword of the Sea will be perfect for you.

Although there’s no doubt that Achilles: Survivor is built on the foundation of Achilles: Legends Untold, it has its own and very definite identity. For a bargain price of $5.59US, there’s a lot of content. The merger of tower defense and auto-shooter is a perfect match, and the game is addictive and fun. It does one thing, but does it well, and there’s nothing wrong with that.

Despite these shortcomings, World War Z is an above-average zombie shooter. The sheer number of zombies, up to two hundred, is a sight to behold. Except for Days Gone, and that is flat screen only, there has never been a VR game to tackle zombies on such a large scale. If you are a fan of zombie killing and the World War Z franchise, Saber Interactive has done a good job with this game.

Drag x Drive packs in plenty of interesting ideas, but they never quite merge into a compelling eSports experience. The mouse and motion controls are impressive in isolation, yet in the chaos of high-speed competitive play, they can become a source of frustration. With minimal offline content and few incentives to return online, it risks being overshadowed by stronger competitors. Without significant expansion to its bare-bones structure, the game may struggle to hold onto its player base.

Mafia: The Old Country is a refreshing story-driven adventure that delivers exactly what it sets out to achieve. Strong voice acting, stunning visuals, a cinematic score, and a well-paced plot come together to create a memorable experience that stands proudly alongside its predecessors. The gameplay doesn’t break new ground, but it executes its ideas expertly, even while staying firmly conventional. For anyone seeking a focused, story-driven gangster tale, it doesn’t get much better than this.

The game offers a great mix of dread laced with unknowable horror. Because there are different choices you can make, the game has many very different endings. Can you successfully complete your job? Can you make the right choices, even if they go against your morals? There’s only one way to find out.

Playing Senua’s Saga: Hellblade 2 a year later, I am still incredibly impressed by the game’s performances, visuals, and attention to detail. The treatment of Senua’s psychosis as both ally and enemy is effective and unsettling. Looked at through the lens of a Soulslike or action RPG, Senua’s Saga will feel limited, but that’s obviously not the game’s intention. Still, swordplay can feel both brutal and imprecise, and there’s repetition in both the game’s pacing and structure. Performance on PS5 wasn’t always perfect. All that being said, Senua’s Saga: Hellblade 2 is a real achievement and one I enjoyed a second time. The inclusion of insightful developer commentary and other free updates for owners of the original on PC and Xbox should tempt players into a brand new playthrough.

Writing this review exhausted me. I was hoping a new saga of Destiny 2 might get me excited for what’s next. Instead, I’m tired. The skill to make cool stuff still exists at Bungie, but it’s being catastrophically misused. Design and mechanical changes need to be more thoroughly considered, and the entire player base needs to be brought along for the ride. If Bungie leadership is reading this part: please. Give your people the time, space, and freedom to create something incredible. They have the capacity, and they need your support. This franchise can find its footing again, but Bungie needs to get out of its own way to do so.

This collection of games has a very niche audience. To that end, you already know whether Gradius Origins is for you or not. If you’re looking for a deeper dive into the early history of the Gradius games, than this is exactly what you’re looking for. It’s got tons of alternate versions, an extensive gallery to peruse, and the emulation is laser precise. But there aren’t any weird offshoots or later titles. Plus, these games are a specific brand of difficult that can be immediately offputting. If you don’t have the patience to persist, you simply won’t enjoy yourself. But for those of you in this title’s crosshairs, Gradius Origins will be an excellent time.

All in all, No Sleep For Kaname Date – From AI: THE SOMNIUM FILES is a fun return to the world of AI: The Somnium Files. I wish it were longer and had a little more substance. But it’s not too expensive and it sure is entertaining to play, so check it out if you’re already a fan.

While Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – The Hinokami Chronicles 2 doesn’t change much about the original, it fixes the massive problem of the small roster. Fans of the anime have a retelling of a large chunk of the anime’s narrative to look forward to. The game’s story mode adds light adventure and RPG elements to give the illusion that there’s more to the game than just combat and cutscenes. Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – The Hinokami Chronicles 2 is very much a sequel, so anyone curious about the story should play the original game first. If you’re just in it for the combat, then the sequel is a no-brainer best choice.

Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot is a fantastic adventure game with a deep fighting system and light JRPG mechanics. The Daima: Adventure Through the Demon Realm Part 1 DLC adds loads of new content based on the Dragon Ball: Daima anime. The DLC has the same level of depth and polish as the main game, and it’s priced very reasonably. Its only issues are that the Daima story is weak compared to most Dragon Ball narratives, and that it also feels like a de-escalation compared to the main game. But it’s more quality content to an already great game. I’m excited for Part 2 to drop in early 2026.

Ninja Garden: Ragebound is the perfect return to the franchise’s 2D roots. Each area, encounter, and boss fight is meticulously crafted to challenge players while letting them fully embrace the fantasy of being a ninja. The gameplay flows effortlessly, making every segment feel exciting and rewarding. With its gorgeous pixel art and retro-inspired soundtrack, this is a must-play for fans of the genre.

Wild Hearts S clearly takes inspiration from Capcom’s classic formula, but it puts its own spin on the genre to keep things feeling fresh. Battles are epic in scale, with the Karakuri system allowing you to adapt your approach on the fly. Whether used for offense or defense, this mechanic adds welcome variety to each encounter. However, as enemies grow more aggressive and fights become increasingly chaotic, the frame rate can noticeably dip. Combined with basic textures and a lackluster visual presentation, the presentation underwhelms. Even so, the addictive gameplay loop remains intact. While the ‘S’ version doesn’t offer enough to bring back returning players, it still delivers a compelling monster-hunting experience for newcomers.

All in all, Heartworm is a lovely journey into classic survival horror fun. Just be prepared for your heart to ache as well as freeze in fear.

I prefer my life sims with a greater degree of freedom than this, I’m learning. A blank canvas is more alluring than a perfectly crafted setting, at least to me. But I also recognize the value in a place like this. Everything is built around the hobbit ideal that is food. The writing and the aesthetics are all extremely hobbit-coded. Rather than a life sim, Tales of the Shire is a hobbit sim. If that sounds like a good time, you should definitely check out this game.

Hunter x Hunter: Nen Impact is, at its core, a phenomenal fighting game. The fighting system is near-perfect, and easily stands beside the best triple-A modern fighters. Other than that, the game is a low-budget affair. Hunter x Hunter fans are guaranteed to be disappointed by the sparse roster and awful Story Mode. But there are more characters on the way, and because the core game is so strong, Hunter x Hunter: Nen x Impact could become one of the best fighting games of this generation. Hopefully, future updates will provide plenty more content, and maybe eventually bring the Story Mode Hunter x Hunter fans deserve.

While it’s not as long as I would like, Wheel World is still an excellent time. The races are awesome, finding parts is fun, and riding around is a pretty chill time. Bike customization lost its shine for me earlier than I anticipated, but the races themselves never diminished even slightly. Depending on what you’re looking for, this short length (4-6 hours) could be just perfect for you. Regardless, you’ll have a great time in Wheel World while you’re here. Anyone looking for a chill, cool, slightly weird racing game would do well to check this one out.

Outside of the Switch 2 Welcome Tour app, Jamboree TV is the most comprehensive demonstration of the Switch 2’s capabilities we’ve seen yet. The mic, the camera, and the mouse controls are all thoroughly incorporated into the game. I had a harder time with some systems, but I can still grasp what Nintendo is reaching for here. Children and the similarly flexible/exuberant will latch onto the Bowser Live segment, while crustier gamers (such as myself) will appreciate the Carnival Coaster. Honestly, there’s a good chance you’ll love all of it, even if I didn’t. If you’re looking to dive into the latest generation of Mario Party games, the Jamboree TV Switch 2 bundle is the perfect way to do so.

As a Soulslike player with tens of thousands of hours invested in the genre, I came away from Wuchang: Fallen Feathers with a complex mix of emotions. It’s one of the best-looking of the recent Soulslikes, and when its combat feels balanced, it is a lot of fun. Wuchang: Fallen Feathers is encumbered by a few too many mechanics, sluggish animations, boss fights that need a tune up and slow progression. But it’s also a value-priced, substantial game with multiple endings and the potential for long-term play beyond the credits. It treads extremely familiar ground to be sure. Its greatest appeal might be to those devoted Soulslike players who are looking for an unadulterated old school challenge with up-to-date production values and new systems to learn.

Edens Zero is a mediocre attempt to bring a well-loved manga into the interactive medium. The combat lacks the nuance found in stronger action-RPGs. While switching between party members adds some variety, battles quickly become repetitive and tiresome. The story is messy, and its basic presentation fails to hold your attention. Although the game throws together many ideas, none are fully realized, resulting in a disjointed and unpolished experience.

All in all, Shadow Labyrinth is an ambitious reimagining of a classic franchise that works much better than it has any right to to. That said, the presentation is still a bit rusty, and it’s really difficult at times. I hope you’re prepared to spend six tries to get past almost every boss and nasty platforming section.

Tamagotchi Plaza is a mediocre experience. While the aesthetic and the mood of the game fit its target audience nicely, portions of the game are unnecessarily complex and without instructions, making it even harder to fully grasp. While Tamagotchi Plaza features some interesting and even fun mini-games, the overall package isn’t worth the headache. Would it kill them to incorporate parts of the traditional Tamagotchi experience into its video games? Whether that would help with the game or not, at least it’s worth a discussion.

College Football 26 is a triumphant, if imperfect, return to the gridiron. It successfully captures the spirit, passion, and strategic depth that make college football the beloved institution it is. The core gameplay is fantastic, and the immersive Dynasty Mode provides hundreds of hours of rewarding team-building. While marred by repetitive commentary and a smattering of intrusive bugs, the foundation here is rock-solid. For fans of college football, it’s an essential purchase. It’s still not a flawless champion just yet, but its potential to build a long-lasting dynasty is undeniable.

RoboCop: Rogue City – Unfinished Business offers a tighter, more compact take on the original. While the story remains fairly shallow, this puts the focus on gameplay, with new weapons, enemies, and executions that help elevate the experience. Returning players will know what to expect and likely enjoy what’s on offer, but if the base game didn’t win you over, there’s nothing here that will change your mind. While it doesn’t reinvent anything, Unfinished Business is a satisfying extension for those eager to jump back into RoboCop’s boots.

Bananza is pretty much the pinnacle of Donkey Kong I've been waiting for since the 90s. This game is so good, it's changed my whole outlook on DK as a character. He was always second-string, at least for me. Now, DK has been bumped up to A-rank, and it's all thanks to Bananza. This game is beautiful, with an incredible soundtrack, seamless mechanics, relentless pacing, and brand new levels of Nintendo polish. Mario Kart World was a great introduction to the Switch 2, but Donkey Kong Bananza is the first can't-miss game to come to the platform. You'd be a fool to pass on this one.