Super Mario Bros. Wonder – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition enhances an already brilliant platformer with sharp 4K visuals, smoother performance and extra content that makes the experience feel fresh again. The core gameplay remains excellent, with creative level design, clever Badge mechanics and the charm that defines Nintendo’s best work. The new Belabel Park expansion and Rosalina’s addition bring fun new ways to play, especially in multiplayer, though some reused content makes the expansion feel less essential for returning players. Even so, for newcomers this is easily the definitive version of one of the best modern platformers.

Tomodachi Life: Living the Dream is a bizarre and charming life simulator that thrives on creativity and unpredictable social interactions. Building and managing your own island full of Miis can be hilarious and surprisingly addictive, especially for players who enjoy slow-paced, relaxing experiences similar to Animal Crossing. The freedom to customize characters and influence their relationships creates a unique “virtual reality show” full of funny and unexpected moments. However, its slow rhythm, repetitive tasks and lack of Portuguese localization can hurt accessibility, especially since understanding dialogue is a big part of the experience. Even with these flaws, it remains a fun and relaxing game for those willing to invest time into their quirky little community.

Mouse: P.I. For Hire charms the player with its visuals inspired by 1930s cartoons and a charismatic noir narrative. However, the simple and repetitive gameplay prevents the game from reaching its full potential as an FPS.

Saros is Housemarque at its best, delivering an intense sci-fi roguelike with stunning visuals, strong storytelling and exceptional use of the DualSense. Its fast, tactical combat evolves the Returnal formula with color-based mechanics, high-risk encounters and rewarding permanent progression. Despite some frustrating progression bugs, Saros stands out as one of the most polished and challenging experiences on PlayStation 5.

Pragmata delivers a refreshing sci-fi experience by blending emotional storytelling with a gameplay loop focused on hacking and adaptive combat. What starts as a familiar premise evolves with strong twists, driven mainly by the relationship between Hug and Diana, which becomes the heart of the journey. Its mechanics stand out by forcing constant adaptation, with breakable weapons and an evolving hacking system that keeps combat dynamic. Progression and exploration also work well, maintaining a steady and engaging flow. It’s not perfect, but Pragmata succeeds by taking risks and delivering something different, resulting in a memorable and solid experience.

Screamer stands out as a fun and refreshing arcade racer, focusing on fast-paced gameplay and creative mechanics like its unique drift system and ability-based racing. The moment-to-moment action is engaging, rewarding skill and timing in a way that keeps races dynamic and exciting. However, the game stumbles with an unnecessary and poorly executed narrative that disrupts the pacing. Despite these issues, its strong gameplay foundation makes it a solid and enjoyable experience for fans of the genre.

Darwin’s Paradox! brings a creative premise with its octopus protagonist and a mix of puzzle, exploration and survival mechanics, but struggles to fully deliver on its potential. The gameplay has interesting ideas, especially in movement and level design, yet feels overly simple and inconsistent in progression. A weak narrative, lack of clear direction and technical issues on PC further hurt the experience. While it has charm in its concept and some clever moments, it ultimately becomes repetitive and fails to leave a lasting impression.

Marathon delivers a standout sci-fi experience with a unique visual identity, deep lore and the signature Bungie gunplay that feels precise and rewarding. Its extraction-based gameplay is intense, highly challenging and often punishing, creating moments of tension and strong payoff for dedicated players. The mysterious narrative and faction-driven progression add depth, while the atmosphere and sound design elevate immersion. However, its difficulty, pacing issues in looting and some design choices make it a very selective experience. It’s an excellent game, but one that clearly isn’t for everyone.

Life is Strange Reunion successfully reconnects the series with its roots, delivering an emotional story that fixes past narrative issues while bringing back meaningful choices and time manipulation. The return of Max and the well-integrated presence of Chloe, strengthens the experience, making the journey engaging and heartfelt. Gameplay remains familiar but benefits from improved use of time travel, adding more depth to decisions. While technical issues, reused environments and some pacing problems hold it back, the game still stands as a solid and necessary step forward for the franchise.

Crimson Desert delivers an ambitious open-world experience with impressive scale, strong visual impact and a combat system that becomes more engaging as it evolves. Exploration is one of its biggest strengths, offering verticality, variety and a sense of discovery that keeps the journey compelling. However, the game struggles with narrative execution, a lack of charismatic characters and several design issues, including inventory management, inconsistent boss fights and performance drops in intense moments. It’s a solid and often impressive adventure, but one that falls short of fully realizing its own potential.

Monster Hunter Stories 3: Twisted Reflection elevates the spin-off series to a new level with a richer narrative, deeper world exploration and a combat system that successfully translates the spirit of Monster Hunter into a turn-based JRPG. The story brings more emotional weight and political tension than expected, while the vibrant art direction and strong soundtrack reinforce the sense of adventure. Exploration remains rewarding thanks to large interconnected regions, monster abilities that influence traversal and the constant thrill of discovering rare eggs. The battle system shines through its strategic layers and monster behavior patterns, maintaining engagement across long play sessions. Although the PC version suffers from stability issues with frequent crashes, the overall experience remains highly compelling. Monster Hunter Stories 3 proves that this branch of the franchise has matured into something truly special.

John Carpenter’s Toxic Commando brings a fresh twist to cooperative zombie shooters by mixing large-scale hordes with semi-open sandbox maps and vehicle-based gameplay. The freedom to explore, gather resources and plan routes adds an interesting layer of strategy beyond simply mowing down enemies. However, the weak narrative, forgettable characters and repetitive mission structure prevent the experience from reaching the same impact as classics like Left 4 Dead. Technical performance issues on PC also hurt the overall experience. It’s a fun co-op shooter with solid ideas, but not the genre-defining return many fans were hoping for.

Fatal Frame 2: Crimson Butterfly Remake modernizes the 2003 classic with updated visuals, improved combat mechanics and a more immersive over-the-shoulder perspective. The terrifying atmosphere remains the highlight, with detailed environments and disturbing ghost designs that strengthen the game’s oppressive tone. New gameplay additions and quality-of-life improvements make the Camera Obscura system more dynamic and strategic. While the lack of Brazilian Portuguese support is disappointing, the remake successfully revitalizes one of the most iconic Japanese horror games. It stands as the definitive version of a genre classic.

Planet of Lana 2 successfully expands the universe of its predecessor with deeper puzzles, richer environments and meaningful narrative answers. The journey of Lana and Mui remains visually stunning, supported once again by a beautiful soundtrack that strengthens the game’s emotional atmosphere. New abilities and environmental interactions make the puzzle design more complex and rewarding. While frequent cinematic interruptions occasionally break immersion, the overall experience remains captivating. It may not have the same surprise factor as the original, but it stands as a worthy and creative continuation.

Resident Evil Requiem is a confident evolution of the franchise, balancing legacy and innovation with impressive precision. The dual-protagonist structure works beautifully, with Grace delivering tense, resource-driven survival horror, while Leon brings technical, high-impact action. The atmosphere, sound design and level construction reinforce the series’ identity, and performance on the PS5 base remains solid throughout. Though one narrative thread leaves room for debate and a late-game boss encounter could have added even more weight, Requiem stands as one of Capcom’s strongest recent entries. It respects the past while clearly pushing forward.

Crisol: Theater of Idols draws heavily from Spanish folklore and introduces a compelling risk-reward mechanic where ammunition costs your own health. Clearly inspired by Resident Evil 7, it succeeds in atmosphere, environmental tension and classic backtracking structure. However, the slow-paced narrative, underdeveloped characters and forgettable enemies hold it back from reaching its full potential. It’s an interesting survival horror experience, but one that lacks stronger dramatic impact.

ChromaGun 2: Dye Hard builds on its Portal-inspired foundation with clever, color-based puzzle design and strong level construction. The minimalist narrative stays out of the way, letting the mechanics take center stage, and that’s where the game truly shines. While visual variety is limited and checkpoint placement could be more forgiving, the core gameplay loop remains engaging and rewarding. For fans of first-person puzzle games, it’s an easy recommendation.

Reanimal is a bold evolution of the Little Nightmares formula, delivering a darker, more ambitious and more memorable experience. Its unsettling atmosphere, strong art direction and clever use of co-op mechanics elevate tension and immersion from start to finish. The narrative is deliberately cryptic, encouraging interpretation, multiple endings and post-credits discussion. While its runtime is relatively short, the impact it leaves is lasting. Reanimal feels like the creative freedom the team was building toward, and it absolutely pays off.

Mario Tennis Fever is a fun and polished arcade tennis game, but it plays things too safe. The gameplay is enjoyable and accessible, yet the lack of risk, low difficulty, and overly forgiving court remove much of the tension. The campaign is charming but over-tutorialized, and the visuals feel simpler than expected for a Switch 2 exclusive. With good modes and solid presentation, it works best as a casual party game, but it lacks the depth and staying power to fully justify its launch price.

Romeo is a Dead Man is pure Suda51: chaotic, stylish, self-aware and unapologetically weird. Its time-hopping narrative, genre-blending gameplay and constant mechanical surprises make it a creative joy, even when nothing fully makes sense. Combat is fun and flashy, but enemy repetition, camera issues and mission pacing hurt the experience. Technical problems on PC are the biggest drawback, at times seriously impacting progression. Even with its flaws, it’s another unmistakable Suda51 work that values creativity and personality over polish.

Japanese Drift Master delivers a stylish and surprisingly solid drift-focused experience on consoles. Its Japanese-inspired setting, manga-style story, and well-balanced handling sit nicely between arcade and simulation. Drifting feels rewarding once mastered, and the tuning system genuinely impacts gameplay. However, weak collision physics, rough map design, and lack of online modes hold it back. It is a fun, promising title that could shine brighter with better polish and continued support.

Yakuza Kiwami 3 & Dark Ties is a thoughtful remake that goes beyond simple restoration. Alongside a refined version of Yakuza 3, the new Dark Ties campaign adds meaningful narrative depth by exploring Yoshitaka Mine’s origins, offering a fresh perspective on the series’ themes. Combat improvements, massive side content, and full Brazilian Portuguese subtitles reinforce the care put into this package. While lighting issues in Okinawa hurt immersion and need patching, the overall experience delivers two dense, rewarding journeys. It stands as one of the most ambitious and generous remakes the franchise has seen.

My Hero Academia All’s Justice tries to expand the series with more content, a large roster, and a story focused on the anime’s final arc, but struggles to truly evolve. While fans will enjoy recreating iconic moments and playing as dozens of characters, the combat remains shallow and overly automated. Technical issues like stuttering and frame drops hurt the experience, especially during fights. The lack of Portuguese localization is also a significant drawback. In the end, it is a competent arena fighter that plays things too safe and feels hard to recommend at full price.

Nioh 3 refines the series by expanding its combat and structure without losing its identity. The ability to switch between Samurai and Ninja styles adds meaningful depth, changing how encounters are approached and keeping combat consistently engaging. Open-ended maps improve exploration and pacing, even though enemy and asset repetition still exists. Technical performance on PS5 shows some instability, and the visuals feel limited by an aging engine. Even so, its combat systems are the strongest the franchise has ever delivered, making Nioh 3 a confident and exciting evolution.

Dragon Quest VII Reimagined delivers a charming and visually stunning remake that captures the spirit of classic JRPG adventure. Its quality-of-life improvements make exploration and turn-based combat far more comfortable, even if the core battles can feel repetitive outside of key moments. The story grows organically, using time and consequence in engaging ways that reward curiosity. Unfortunately, the lack of Portuguese subtitles is a major accessibility flaw for a text-heavy RPG. Even with this misstep, it remains a warm, enjoyable experience that honors its legacy.

Cairn is a demanding and unconventional experience that will either frustrate you or completely win you over. Beneath its brutal climbing mechanics lies a surprisingly emotional and intimate narrative about obsession, sacrifice, and perseverance. The gameplay delivers constant tension and genuine catharsis, even when its imprecise movement physics push difficulty beyond what feels fair. Visually striking and atmospherically powerful, Cairn stands out as one of the most daring and memorable games of 2026.

Code Vein 2 tries to reinvent the franchise by embracing an open-world Souls-like structure, but the ambition backfires. While the combat system is clearly refined, deeper, and more flexible than its predecessor, the empty world design and severe technical issues undermine the experience. Performance problems on PS5 are constant, affecting both exploration and combat flow. The time-travel narrative is more engaging than before, yet becomes predictable over time. In the end, Code Vein 2 shines in combat but collapses under the weight of its own aspirations.

MIO: Memories in Orbit stands out as a visually stunning metroidvania, delivering one of the most striking art directions in recent years. Its watercolor-like aesthetic, paired with strong sound design, creates a memorable and atmospheric journey. While clearly inspired by Hollow Knight, MIO carves its own identity by being more accessible, though some combat and checkpoint design choices can frustrate. The narrative is intentionally cryptic and may not resonate with everyone, but it complements the game’s melancholic tone. Even with its flaws, MIO emerges as a confident, creative, and impressive early highlight of 2026.

Octopath Traveler 0 boldly reshapes the franchise by focusing on a single protagonist, delivering a far stronger and more emotional narrative than its predecessors. The refined combat system, now allowing eight characters in battle, adds welcome tactical depth without abandoning the series’ roots. The HD-2D visual style remains beautiful and timeless, even without major evolution. However, the lack of Portuguese localization and the persistent issue of overly frequent random encounters hurt the overall flow. Even with these flaws, it stands as the best and most mature entry in the series so far.

EA Sports FC 26 introduces solid ideas and noticeable improvements, but still carries the familiar weight of past mistakes. It evolves in small but meaningful ways, yet avoids the bold changes the franchise has needed for years. The result is a polished but safe entry that entertains without surprising. A strong foundation held back by a lack of creative courage.

A.I.L.A is an ambitious blend of psychological horror and VR-driven storytelling, delivering atmosphere, mystery and tension with impressive confidence. Its narrative pacing, clever twists and oppressive tone keep the experience engaging, while the soundtrack and sound design heighten every moment. Technical issues and rough melee combat hold it back, but its creativity and emotional impact shine through. An unpredictable and memorable journey that establishes Pulsatrix as a studio to watch.

Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 struggles to deliver a compelling campaign, offering a confusing, disjointed story with little emotional impact. The multiplayer returns fast-paced and chaotic, but lacks real identity or meaningful evolution from last year’s entry. Zombies is the clear highlight, ambitious and packed with content, proving where the game truly shines. Despite its scale and expectations, the overall package feels rushed and uneven. A divided experience that falls short of the legacy it tries to honor.

Constance delivers a heartfelt and visually expressive adventure that blends Hollow Knight inspired movement with a unique brush based mechanic tied to emotion and creativity. Its narrative stands out through playable vignettes that explore burnout, fear and self doubt with sincerity. The art direction is vibrant, the soundtrack is surprisingly powerful and performance is excellent across all modes. Exploration is engaging, boss fights are memorable and the reduced punishment system fits the game’s themes. A smaller but meaningful experience that leaves a strong impression.

Kirby Air Riders is fun, colorful and full of modes, but ultimately too shallow to leave a lasting impression. The game runs smoothly at 60 fps on Switch 2, and its cheerful art style fits the Kirby series, though it never showcases the hardware’s true potential. The soundtrack and the full Portuguese localization, including narrator voices and cutscenes, are definite highlights. With traditional races, top down stages, open arena chaos and a small story mode, the variety is impressive, but none of the modes go deep enough to keep players engaged for long. The controls mix too many actions on a single button, creating confusion, and the visual clutter in the larger arenas hurts readability. Kirby Air Riders succeeds as a casual party experience and works well for quick sessions or for playing with kids, but it lacks the depth and competitive appeal needed to stand beside Nintendo’s stronger racing titles.

Absolum combines the style and impact of a modern beat ’em up with the structure and replayability of a roguelite, delivering a fast, fluid and addictive experience. Its hand-crafted visual style stands out with detailed environments and expressive animations, while the combat is weighty, technical and satisfying in every run. The four playable characters offer distinct pacing and depth, and the progression system strikes a strong balance between permanent upgrades and volatile abilities that reshape each attempt, even if the temporary upgrades could appear more frequently. With branching paths, optional missions and a world that naturally pushes experimentation, Absolum succeeds as one of the most creative and engaging action games of the year. Despite a few small shortcomings, it remains a standout release.

After years of tired formulas and disappointing attempts within the genre, Dispatch arrives as a genuine breath of fresh air. It is captivating, tense, and surprisingly sharp in how it tells a story about heroes. Every character is written with clear motivation and emotional weight, and the narrative shines thanks to a gameplay structure that is simple on the surface yet deeply effective. The balance between watching cinematic moments, making meaningful choices, and remaining actively engaged is the best the genre has offered in a long time. In short, Dispatch is one of the strongest hero-focused experiences I have played in years and one of the most pleasant surprises of 2025.

Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines 2 abandons the depth, reactivity, and narrative weight that made the original a cult classic. Dialogue choices return, but they rarely matter, offering limited consequences and almost no meaningful divergence from the main path. What should feel like role-playing becomes a guided experience, stripped of the nuance and player agency that defined its predecessor. After a chaotic development cycle marked by delays and studio changes, the final result feels less like a true sequel and more like a soft reboot that never finds its identity. Technical issues, restricted systems, and a noticeable lack of ambition undermine what could have been a long-awaited revival of the franchise. In the end, Bloodlines 2 inherits none of the legacy that made the first game iconic, delivering a shallow and disappointing return after years of anticipation.

Tormented Souls 2 refines the formula of its predecessor while keeping its essence intact. The sequel enhances practicality and flexibility in exploration, featuring more intuitive mechanics and smoother controls without losing the weight and tension of classic survival horror. Its puzzles are cleverly designed, combining logic and atmosphere to sustain a constant sense of unease. While the visuals remain modest, the lighting and sound design effectively build dread and immersion. By balancing tradition with subtle modernization, Tormented Souls 2 stands as a confident continuation that deepens the fear and reinforces the series’ identity.

Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment revisits a pivotal era in Zelda lore with emotional weight and meaningful narrative intent. By expanding the brief glimpses seen in Tears of the Kingdom, it delivers context and dramatic moments that deepen the saga, supported by expressive performances and strong cinematic direction. Combat is flashy and satisfying, with smooth performance on Switch 2 and large-scale encounters that feel powerful, even as repetition and a gradual loss of challenge set in over time. Visuals follow the modern Zelda style convincingly, though environments are less detailed than in the mainline titles and some cutscenes appear to run at a lower resolution. Despite musou repetition and the lack of Portuguese localization, this is a rewarding, lore-rich extension of Zelda’s universe and one of the most narratively significant Warriors games to date.

Ball X Pit distills the spirit of a great roguelite into something deceptively simple and endlessly addictive. Its minimalist visuals prioritize clarity over spectacle, allowing the chaos of ricocheting shots, enemy swarms, and evolving abilities to shine. The soundtrack, with its lo-fi pulse and electronic tension, adds surprising atmosphere and energy to every run. What truly elevates it is the flow: fast attempts, meaningful upgrades, smart synergies and characters that drastically change the rhythm and style of play. Even the light base-building layer contributes to progression without dragging momentum. It never wastes the player’s time, always rewards experimentation, and consistently fuels the urge for “just one more run”. Proof that sharp design beats big budgets, Ball X Pit is a tight, creative and dangerously replayable descent into chaos.

Mortal Kombat Legacy Kollection is a heartfelt celebration of one of fighting game history’s most iconic eras, preserving classic MK with style, reverence and impressive curation. The arcade authenticity, CRT filters, museum-style Kripta and even a full documentary turn nostalgia into a premium tribute rather than a simple bundle. The classics play beautifully and the attention to detail shows real love for the franchise. Still, missing features hold it back: online launches are incomplete, with no lobbies or invite system, meaning much of the social magic is locked behind a future update. Even so, as a historical preservation effort and a love letter to longtime fans, this Kollection delivers a remarkable archive that deserves to grow into the definitive MK package once the online catches up.

Dragon Quest I & II HD-2D Remake honors the origins of the JRPG with care and restraint. The HD-2D art style remains enchanting, blending nostalgia and modern flair, while the reorchestrated soundtrack breathes new life into these timeless worlds. Yet, this remake feels content to admire the past rather than reinvent it. The first game is a humble adventure that shows its age, and the second expands beautifully but never surprises. On Switch 2, performance is smooth and the artistic direction shines, though the handheld mode suffers from a noticeably blurred image that hurts the overall clarity. Square Enix plays it safe, but in doing so, delivers a respectful and comforting journey, one that reminds us why Dragon Quest will always be the heart of Japanese RPGs.

Pokémon Legends Z-A is a fascinating mix of progress and stagnation. Its real-time combat is the most exciting evolution the series has seen in years, finally delivering action with impact and rhythm. The trainer ranking system and open battle zones add structure and purpose to the adventure, while the wild zones make exploration more dynamic than ever. Unfortunately, the visuals swing between charming and outdated, the city design feels flat, and the complete lack of voice acting drains emotion from key moments. Technically, it runs better than recent entries, but creatively, it still falls short of what Pokémon could be in 2025.

The Outer Worlds 2 refines everything that made the original special while daring to expand its universe. The writing remains sharp, full of wit, and deeply reactive to player choices, proving once again that Obsidian understands how to build worlds that feel alive. The addition of third-person view, improved gunplay, and a stronger RPG backbone make this sequel richer and more versatile. However, weak companion AI and performance drops on PC hold it back from true greatness. Even with those flaws, The Outer Worlds 2 stands as one of Obsidian’s finest works, blending humor, freedom, and consequence in ways few studios can.

Ninja Gaiden 4 honors the series where it matters most: in the edge of the blade. The combat is fast, fluid, and deeply satisfying, featuring two protagonists that complement each other through distinct playstyles. The visual presentation and performance are solid, with excellent sound design, though the soundtrack and story fall short of greatness. Some level design repetition and minor bugs keep it from reaching classic status, but as a modern hack-and-slash, it’s a sharp and rewarding return for the franchise.

Little Nightmares III is a shadow of what this series once was. Despite the atmospheric visuals and solid technical performance, the signature tension, mystery, and symbolic storytelling that defined the previous entries are gone. Under Supermassive Games, the franchise loses its identity, trading dread for dullness, and ambiguity for predictability. The lack of meaningful horror, uninspired environments, and a forgettable story make this sequel feel lifeless. It’s not terrifying; it’s just hollow.

Double Dragon Revive brings back the iconic beat ’em up with energy but also with limitations. Its combat is fun and responsive, featuring distinct characters and challenging bosses, yet the overall polish feels lacking. The visuals are serviceable but dated, the story is merely functional, and the soundtrack fails to stand out. Occasional input delays and some design options hinder the experience. Still, for long-time fans, there’s enough nostalgia and heart to make it worth. Even if it falls short of true revival.

Keeper is a visually stunning yet hollow experience. Its painterly art direction and symbolic premise show Double Fine’s artistic flair, but the gameplay lacks depth and the pacing drags. Performance issues, repetitive puzzles, and a story that never truly develops make it feel more like an experimental art project than a full-fledged game. Beautiful to look at, but short on substance.

Battlefield 6 delivers what the series does best: tight gunplay, immersive destruction, varied multiplayer modes, and outstanding audio design that raises the bar. The campaign offers variety through its class system but is short, narratively uneven, and ends without the closure it promises. Visual presentation could be sharper, and technical issues such as AI inconsistencies and occasional bugs break immersion. Still, with robust multiplayer and the franchise’s trademark scale, it remains a strong entry that shines most online.

Hades II refines and expands everything that made the first game a phenomenon. Melinoë’s journey against Chronos blends sharp roguelike design, impactful narrative, and layered progression that makes every run rewarding. Deep build variety, stellar voice acting, and an outstanding soundtrack keep the experience fresh, even after countless defeats. Visual improvements are modest, but the atmosphere and combat shine. Supergiant delivers one of the most polished and captivating roguelikes to date.

Digimon Story: Time Stranger brings an interesting time-travel premise and a deep, strategic turn-based combat system. However, its weak storytelling, mute protagonist, bland supporting cast, outdated design, and underwhelming visuals drag the experience down. The Digimon themselves and the combat system are the true highlights, but the overall package feels dated for 2025.

Super Mario Galaxy 1+2 brings both Wii classics together in a sharper, more accessible package. Galaxy 1 benefits from cleaner visuals compared to its 3D All Stars release, while Galaxy 2 finally makes its long-awaited return with native support on Switch and Switch 2. The remaster adds Portuguese subtitles, a helpful assist mode, and stable 1080p/4K performance at 60 fps, though it stops short of a full modern overhaul. The timeless level design and music still shine, and Galaxy 2 remains the highlight with its refined structure and creativity. A strong recommendation for newcomers and a worthwhile upgrade on Switch 2, though returning players may find the price high for the scope of improvements.

Ghost of Yotei delivers a cinematic samurai tale anchored by Atsu’s compelling revenge arc, a stunning world, and a revamped combat system that swaps stances for distinct weapon sets with clear color-cue reads. Smart touches like filmic presentation filters, musical abilities that summon a wolf ally, and a faster, less repetitive open world keep the pace high, while strong audio work elevates both drama and action. NPC faces can look weak, the lack of hard lock-on leads to occasional whiffs, and a couple of minor bugs popped up, but the fluid weapon switching, satisfying duels, and memorable finale make this a standout evolution from Tsushima’s template.

Dying Light: The Beast brings Kyle Crane back with a leaner, well-filled open world, satisfying parkour, and a brutal Beast Mode that injects fresh power into the series. Castor Woods looks great and runs smoothly, vehicles add a clever form of “flash travel,” and the Brazilian Portuguese dub stands out. Still, thin characters, frequent gun-heavy set pieces that clash with the survival horror core, clunky Chimera encounters, and progress bugs undercut the momentum. A spirited return that shines when it leans on parkour, scarcity, and transformation, uneven when it tries to be a shooter.

Silent Hill f relocates the series to 1960s Japan with a harrowing, emotionally charged story that tackles real-world taboos, supported by haunting UE5 art direction, oppressive sound design, and clever, lore-driven puzzles. Exploration rewards observation and note-taking, documents deepen the mystery, and strong localization helps the narrative land. Combat is tense and deliberate, its stamina tuning can frustrate, yet moments of focus-based counters and brutal payoffs keep encounters absorbing. A bold, beautiful return to form, unsettling in all the right ways.

Towa and the Guardians of the Sacred Tree** softens the roguelite formula with stage-by-stage saves, a village hub for forging and upgrades, and clear reward previews, all wrapped in an anime-inspired presentation. Hitoshi Sakimoto’s score elevates boss fights, and the partner support system adds a smart twist, yet thin character appeal, overlapping Guardian kits, modest visuals, and the absence of Brazilian Portuguese localization hold it back. Accessible for players tired of harsher roguelikes, a solid mid-scale experiment that would benefit from more variety and personality.

Sonic Racing Crossworlds is a fast, stylish kart racer that shines with addictive drift mechanics, a flexible build system, and portal segments that remix tracks mid-lap to keep races unpredictable. Clean visuals, energetic remixes from across Sonic’s history, crossplay, and stable 60 fps support a fun Grand Prix loop with a clear rival-driven goal. Item boxes are too sparse, collisions lack impact, the rival can feel overly aggressive, and online still needs ranked playlists, but the core handling and customization make this an easy recommendation for kart fans.

Metal Eden isn't shy about flaunting its inspiration from the Doom franchise. Its combat and style shine through in limited environments with no rewards for exploring them. Even so, if you're a fan of old-school FPS games, the title will satisfy you with all the frenzy and brutality, even without any innovations within the genre.

Kirby and the Forgotten Land + Star Crossed World on Switch 2 offers a cleaner, sharper presentation and a new island with 12 short stages that refine the original formula rather than reinvent it. The starries mechanic reshapes areas in playful ways and a standout final boss raises the challenge, but repeating music, recurring minibosses, and the absence of Portuguese localization dull the sparkle. A fun, focused expansion that shines in short daily sessions for existing fans, while newcomers at full price may find it solid yet less ambitious than Nintendo’s best platformers.

Cronos: The New Dawn is one of the best survival horror games made today. Its pace, setting, and combat respect the tenets of a true title in the genre, while also raising the bar for future titles. Despite the lack of enemy variety and resource-gathering balance issues, Cronos: The New Dawn marks a new era for Bloober Team, leaving no reason to doubt its potential.

Hell is Us revives old-school exploration by removing maps and handholding, rewarding observation, note-taking, and genuine discovery across a haunting, war-torn Hadea. Striking UE5 visuals, a tense soundscape, and stable performance support a Souls-inspired combat system where timing restores health and stamina, creating real momentum. Limited enemy variety and scarce boss encounters soften the difficulty, yet the world’s mysteries and powerful side stories carry the journey. A bold, content-rich adventure that stands out as one of 2025’s most memorable surprises.

Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater is a faithful remake that honors Kojima’s 2004 classic, pairing striking Unreal Engine 5 visuals with smoother controls and the option to switch between a classic isometric view and a modern third person camera. The story, performances, and presentation still hit hard, making this a strong entry point for newcomers. However, conservative design choices keep boss encounters and area transitions largely unchanged, enemy AI often feels weaker than the original, and fresh ideas are limited. As a tribute it succeeds, as a reinvention it plays it safe.

Shinobi Art of Vengeance brings Joe Musashi back with stunning art, a punchy soundtrack, and a clever Metroidvania-by-stages structure that rewards exploration and mastery. Combat is fluid and expressive, platforming flows with smart tools like the hook and glide, and optional Rift challenges push your skills while steady upgrades keep progression satisfying. A few map bugs and occasional level dips hold it back, but this is a triumphant return that honors the series and delivers modern momentum.

Mafia The Old Country paints an evocative 1902 Sicily with stellar art direction, strong performances, and competent cover shooting. Frequent performance drops, constrained mission design despite a broad map, dated stealth, and repetitive knife encounters erode the momentum, and a finale that fails to deliver undercuts the narrative. A beautiful, ambitious entry that too often frustrates, worth it for the setting, better at a discount.

Drag x Drive showcases the Switch 2’s mouse-like dual Joy-Con control with a tactile, rewarding feel once the technique clicks. Clean visuals and stable online play support the core, but thin content, limited modes, and restricted team queuing make the package feel slight. A smart, fresh idea that’s fun to learn and show friends, yet it needs deeper progression and more variety to keep you coming back.

Ninja Gaiden Ragebound delivers a sharp and thrilling platforming experience with tight gameplay, gorgeous pixel art, and a satisfying level of challenge. The ricochet mechanic adds depth to both combat and exploration, while the well-designed stages and intense boss fights showcase the skill of the developers at Game Kitchen. Backed by a strong soundtrack and smart level design, Ragebound stands as one of the best modern takes on retro action-platformers.

The Drifter stands out as a modern take on the point-and-click adventure genre, blending a gripping narrative with smart gameplay design. Its intuitive controls, immersive voice acting, and strong character development create a rich and engaging experience. While the pixel art could be more detailed and localization is limited, the game’s storytelling, atmosphere, and clever mechanics make it a must-play for fans of narrative-driven adventures.

Eriksholm: The Stolen Dream delivers a captivating experience with heartfelt storytelling, memorable atmosphere, and strategic gameplay. While it suffers from repetitive tutorials and weak AI, the overall quality is impressive, especially considering its small team and modest budget.

Super Mario Party Jamboree + Jamboree TV feels like more than just an expansion to a familiar game. It’s proof that Nintendo builds its consoles with features others may have already explored, yet only Nintendo dares to use them in ways that inspire. More than any technical detail, this experience delivers the pure joy of gaming, no matter your level of experience. Jamboree TV left me thinking about the future and smiling the entire time.

Wuchang: Fallen Feathers follows the classic Soulslike formula, offering challenging and engaging combat. However, its poor level design and underwhelming gameplay structure hold it back. While the game presents some promising ideas, weak execution keeps it from reaching its full potential, resulting in a mostly average experience.

HUNTER × HUNTER NEN × IMPACT unfortunately demonstrates low quality coming from studios known for the opposite. While it has a good overall idea, problems constantly emerge, leaving the player unsatisfied. Few characters, rollback netcode that doesn't work properly, a lackluster story mode, and the product exudes low budget. Add to that the full price, and nothing works as it should. A disaster.

Shadow Labyrinth is a bold and creative reimagining of PAC-Man, transforming the arcade classic into a Metroidvania full of personality. Set after the events of the Secret Level animated series, the story immerses the player in a sci-fi adventure with stunning visuals that blend high-tech and ancient cultures. The combat is also exciting, especially the boss fights, but it faces some control and balance issues. Still, the journey is worth it. A pleasant surprise and a brilliant new phase for PAC-Man.

Death Stranding 2 is a brilliant game in many ways and is similar to the first in ways that could be improved. The narrative is wonderful, it makes us think about life and our choices, a true work of Hideo Kojima. The performances are out of this world. However, the gameplay delivery system, even though it has been improved, ends up getting tiring after many hours of playing through the same empty places. It's definitely not a bad thing that the game is "just a sequel", but it could be as surprising as the first in many ways.

Raidou Remastered offers Shin Megami Tensei and Persona fans the chance to experience real-time combat while experiencing an aesthetic unlike anything Atlus has ever done. However, this version is the worst way to bring a classic title back to the market.

FBC: Firebreak tries to keep the Control universe alive with a cooperative proposal, but fails due to a lack of depth, variety and creativity. With repetitive missions, recycled enemies and a poorly explored narrative, the game becomes a forgettable experience from Remedy.

The Alters is an authentic and intriguing sci-fi experience. Its narrative and visuals position it as one of the best space travel games of the last decade. However, simply collecting resources and managing a base can become tiresome as the journey progresses.

Lost in Random: The Eternal Die has all the pedigree of an excellent roguelike, whether in terms of challenge or combat, combined with an innovative board system. However, its limited weapon options and variety of relics mark this experience in a negative way.

Elden Ring: Nightreign is FromSoft's love letter to its legion of fans. This new offering, which features roguelite elements with cooperative multiplayer, is addictive, fun, and a new way to challenge yourself with new and iconic characters. However, as a roguelite, there are some flaws that are not impossible to fix.

Throes of the Watchmaker improves aspects of the base game, while offering a new journey under a new theme, while the visuals are one of the big highlights.

The remastered version of Onimusha Samurai's Destiny is the confirmation of the franchise's return, which will culminate in the arrival of the new game in 2026. However, Capcom missed a great opportunity to attract new players to its cult franchise with a worthy and honorable remaster, just as it did with Dead Rising in 2024.

The 2025 edition of EA Sports F1 is packed with content aimed at the casual player, such as the return of Braking Mode, as well as other modes that engage players outside the competitive scene.

Blades of Fire presents some good ideas, especially in its strategic combat and forging system. However, the attempt to offer a 3D Metroidvania experience ends up being compromised by combats positioned in inappropriate places, making the experience frustrating and resulting in a game well below what we've seen previously from MercurySteam.

Capcom Fighting Collection 2 is a respectable collection. Even with the absence of console modes in some games and the lack of crossplay, the package delivers quality fights, plenty of behind-the-scenes content, a packed museum, and competent netcode. If you're a fan of fighting games or want to get to know titles that marked an era, this is an unmissable opportunity.

The Last of Us Part 2 is one of the best games ever made. Even if you don't like the story, it has merits in many other aspects that make a game fun, immersive and memorable. Ellie's journey (and why not Abby's) is memorable and impactful. All of this is intact, as it should be, in the PC version, but all the improvements and the excellent conversion make this version the best and definitive of this great game.

The Midnight Walk is art in the form of a game. Its intriguing narrative and claymation aesthetics, guided by a presentation that is very reminiscent of miniature theaters, as well as its entire cast, make this fantastical and macabre story something special and unique. Moon Hood has once again created interactive art.

As a game, if it were released today and as it is in the remaster, Days Gone could become even more popular with players. As a product, this remaster is questionable in several ways, showing that it can only be used by those who are big fans of Days Gone and are willing to pay full price again for a game they already own and see few new features, besides new bugs. And of course, it is a great way for new players to enter this world, perhaps the best version of the game. It is confusing, but it is the choice that Sony made.

Doom the Dark Ages evolves everything we've seen so far in the new era of Doom and adds the shield, which easily becomes a player's favorite gameplay feature very quickly. Even with some graphical glitches and repetition here and there, the gameplay remains very fun and ID Tech's performance is a big highlight. A must-play game.

Forza Horizon 5 on PS5 is the beginning of a historic change in the gaming world. What we have is the same incredible game with a complete package and a perfect conversion on Sony's console. One of the best racing games ever made, with a new audience on the horizon.

Revenge of the Savage Planet is a sequel that expands on the concepts of its predecessor with deep exploration and captivating visuals. Although I loved exploring every corner, what was handed to me with each new discovery was not that rewarding. As someone who played the first game, it lacked the boldness of the formula I experienced 5 years ago.

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is a modern RPG masterpiece. Despite coming from a new studio, it combines strong storytelling, captivating ambiance, engaging combat, and a creative progression system. Sandfall Studio surprises by delivering such an ambitious, deep, and artistically consistent project. With a spectacular soundtrack, memorable performances, charming visuals, and refined mechanics, the game easily makes it onto the list of the best of the year. If you enjoy RPGs and are open to experiences that challenge the traditional, Clair Obscur is a must-play.

Steel Seed tries to be exciting in several aspects and fails in all of them. Through a weak narrative and shallow characters, this science fiction is marked by more mistakes than successes.

Post Trauma is an ode to classic survival horror games from the PS2 era, such as Silent Hill, Haunting Ground and Rule of Rose. Its nostalgic identity offers a striking setting that represents the genre very well. However, the excessive attachment to certain outdated mechanics compromises the combat system, especially with firearms — which perhaps didn't even need to be present.

Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves represents a return to form for the franchise. With refined gameplay, expressive art direction, a striking soundtrack and charismatic characters, the title cements its place among the great fighting games of the generation. Despite minor mistakes in the menus and EOST mode, SNK demonstrates competence and boldness in modernizing the series. City of the Wolves pleases old fans and new players alike, delivering a solid and fun experience.

Mandragora: Whispers of the Witch Tree is a game that precisely blends the best of Metroidvanias and Souls-likes. With a well-told narrative, intense combat, powerful ambiance and an evolution system full of possibilities, it delivers an experience that goes far beyond expectations.

The PlayStation 5 version of Indiana Jones and the Grand Circle is a paragon of excellence. It’s visually impressive, offers solid technical performance, and provides genuine fun. It also maintains everything that was brilliant about the original release and stands out for its careful porting. A memorable game, now available to almost everyone. All that’s missing now is the Switch 2 version.

Bleach: Rebirth of Souls delivers an exciting fighting system that faithfully represents the universe created by Tite Kubo. Combat is the highlight here, offering depth, rhythm and impact. However, the game suffers from limitations in game modes, a lack of relevant competitive content and a visual presentation that is below expectations. The feeling that remains is that of a missed opportunity.

South of Midnight is a game full of potential, with stunning aesthetics, a memorable soundtrack, and a deeply engaging protagonist. However, its technical issues, flawed localization, limited combat, and disappointing ending prevent it from becoming the memorable experience it promised to be.

Atomfall bets on concepts we saw in Elden Ring with a fragmented narrative and high exploration. Its exploration is the great core of this experience that brings with it annoying problems from recent Rebellion games.