There’s nothing particularly glaring about the game, but it does have a few blemishes. It is undoubtedly a step up from CFB 25 and a must-play game for college football fans, for no other reason than hearing “Enter Sandman” blast through your speakers at a night game against Virginia Tech is essentially a religious experience.

It’s really easy to nitpick THPS 3+4, but that’s because the games it’s pulling from are so memorable. However, those issues are rather small when looking at the whole picture. Against all odds, Iron Galaxy created a solid follow-up to THPS 1+2, and one that I know I’ll be playing for hours on end. It may not be a faithful recreation of two of the best video games ever made, but whether you’re a long-time fan or newcomer, THPS 3+4 is absolutely worth playing.

Enchanted by Nature feels like a robust pack that truly delivers a lot of new stuff for Simmers to explore. I didn’t run into any new bugs that seemed pack-specific, so the added content appears to be working mostly as intended. There are some great little details, like how Fairy Sims “go for a fly” instead of a run, and how they can shrink down to play in various household items. The world really sticks to its theme, offering a magical place for Fairy Sims to hang out. This is probably one of the bigger, more involved new The Sims 4 expansion packs we’ve seen lately. If you enjoy the magical, natural living side of things, Enchanted by Nature is probably going to deliver.

Overall, Hitman is a solid game on Switch 2. It’s still the game you know and love performing as you’d hope, but with the added novelty of being on a console/portable hybrid like the Switch 2. However, its reliance on being always online, lackluster support for Switch 2’s features, and general lack of options bring it down quite a bit. If you just want to be able to play Hitman on your couch or in bed on a portable device without much care for a touch screen or gyro aiming, by all means, give this a go. It’s a showcase of the Switch 2’s power and capabilities, but not necessarily its features, for better or worse.

Although Hideo Kojima wants to make games that are somewhat divisive, I find Death Stranding 2 to be one of his most refined and enjoyable works to date. I feel confident this will be recognized as one of PS5’s defining masterpieces.

FBC: Firebreak is a perfectly serviceable cooperative first-person shooter, and Remedy hits the mark it aimed for. For players looking to periodically hop in a session for a couple of Jobs will find some fun if they have a group to play with. However, the lack of an in-game voice chat makes this hard to recommend for people who exclusively play with randoms. If you’re into Remedy’s games, have a group of gamer friends, and have PS Plus Extra or Xbox Game Pass, FBC: Firebreak could be a good departure from the normal cooperative experiences out there for a weekend. But anyone looking for a game that can provide more than that should probably look elsewhere.

As somebody who loves survival-crafting games and the world of Dune, I am still getting hours of entertainment out of Dune: Awakening. With the updates that it’s currently receiving and maybe some bigger content patches in the future, I think that it can turn into a polished homage to the world of Dune, perfect not only for fans of the franchise but also for fans who simply want to try a new survival-crafting title. It’s especially fun to play with friends, but it can feel lonely if you pick a random server without others. Like any game, your experience will vary, but I’m glad that I was able to play around in Arrakis, and I’ll be returning to be eaten by sandworms again.

Lies of P: Overture’s ability to augment and improve goes beyond the story; it’s the ideal companion to just about every part of the base game. Its wealth of new enemy types present fresh new obstacles to overcome, the stages they inhabit are intricately detailed and narratively justified, and its boss battles hit or exceed the high standard set in the original release. Even though an overture is the musical portion that comes before a symphony or performance, Overture is a remarkable note to go out on and raises the bar even higher for the upcoming sequel.

Elden Ring Nightreign already has a phenomenal foundation, and an online-focused game like Elden Ring Nightreign should be the pinnacle of FromSoftware's post-launch support, so I'm more excited for the future of Nightreign than I have been for any of FromSoftware's games before it.

Blades of Fire is a promising game, especially for a new IP. MercurySteam has laid an excellent foundation, picking and choosing the best elements from other action RPGs and combining them with new ideas to create this engaging amalgamation. The world is fleshed out and a delight to discover, and the combat is the perfect balance of challenging and rewarding. The story of Blades of Fire needed more time and attention, but it served as a fine enough vessel to propel me through the delightfully dark world.

DOOM: The Dark Ages is chronologically the first DOOM game in the most recent trilogy, but it also feels like it was developed first. While it’s got rousing gunplay that prioritizes parries and weaponized defense, it’s also got enough fluff — a less tactical Glory Kill system, merely passable vehicle sections, a campaign that meanders near the end — that’s unbecoming for a game that came after two tightly tuned installments. But even with these flaws, id has still crafted an experience that stands tall in an ever-shrinking market of single-player first-person shooters.

The Midnight Walk works its magic through its twisted visuals and captivating designs, crafting an utterly beautiful world filled with mystery. While the narrative and gameplay didn’t necessarily reach the quality seen in the rest of the game, The Midnight Walk molds itself into one incredible display of stop-motion storytelling that lets the clay do the talking. MoodHood brought the best out of claymation and knows how to handcraft something unique and heartfelt in immersive horror games.

In all, Oblivion Remastered is exactly what I hoped and wanted it to be. It feels like an authentic representation of what OG fans love about the game, with the graphics of a more modern entry. It balances between being a remake and a remaster, and for the most part, keeping the original heart of Oblivion, bugs and all, was the right choice. Though some UI elements and those bigger quest bugs certainly show the age of the original game, Oblivion Remastered is a game I know I’ll be playing for weeks, months, and years to come.

With aesthetically pleasing visuals, Tape Two hits its mark when it comes to tackling the harsh realities of life. But with an unsteady pace and lack of depth, Bloom & Rage puts a bow on a present that hasn’t arrived yet. In the attempt to continue the story afterwards, it’s hard to accept the experience of loss and regret that Don’t Nod presents within its short playtime. Scratching the surface to make way for a deeper story later on feels off-putting, even after a story that gives the impression of facing the past has fulfilled its role. Velvet Cove isn’t the same anymore, so it’s best to move on with life rather than wallow in the past.

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 wears its passion and inspiration on its sleeve and does right by it. You can tell in every inch of the game, much like last year’s Astro Bot, that the team truly cared about it and loved the games that inspired it. With phenomenal performances, great graphics, rich narrative, engaging gameplay, and beautiful soundtrack, Sandfall Interactive has solidified itself as a force to be reckoned with this year and one to definitely keep tabs on in the future. Despite some flaws, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is one of 2025’s best games and is most certainly the best RPG of the year so far.

Although it has taken decades for SNK to bring out a proper new entry in the beloved franchise, Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves is a worthy revival for the series. The overall package may be barebones, with its small selection of gameplay modes and straightforward tutorial, but its unique REV system and stylish presentation make the trip to South Town worthwhile.

South of Midnight proves itself to be a great new IP for Xbox and Compulsion Games’ best work yet. Despite some narrative-related issues and lukewarm combat, there is a lot to enjoy. If you have Xbox Game Pass, this is an absolute must-play. It exudes Southern charm throughout and doesn’t let up for a second. If this is the start of our journey with Hazel, then consider me seated and ready to go to Prospero again.

MLB The Show 25 is a promising step forward for the franchise. Even with some nitpicks across its many different modes, San Diego Studio has addressed the most glaring issues with last year’s game, particularly when it comes to Diamond Dynasty. This leads me to believe that I’ll be playing MLB The Show 25 far more throughhout 2025 than I did in past years, which speaks volumes on its own.

Bleach Rebirth of Souls excels rather well as a fighting game but less as a complete package. The story mode, most of all, feels a bit sloppy, which is a shame considering the source material. Still, this is Bleach’s best video game outing by far and a great fighting game in general. You’ll be hard-pressed to find a game that turns the tides as much as Rebirth of Souls does. While not perfect, it has what it needs to become a staple title for anime/manga fans to enjoy.

Although Assassin’s Creed Shadows has some cumbersome flaws that can’t be overlooked, including ones that have been present in the series since its inception, it is a strong action-adventure game that I will likely keep investing in for weeks to come.

The Sims 4 Businesses & Hobbies is a solid Expansion when it comes to adding new mechanics for running small businesses. These features do as intended and add a level of depth to gameplay for Simmers who enjoy this style of play. For those looking for a massive new world full of new pre-built lots and items, it may not quite live up to its price tag, but for aspiring Sim Tycoons, this pack will feel like a dream come true.

Hazelight Studios is far and away the preeminent studio for co-op storytelling. There has never been a game like Split Fiction before and, frankly, it’s hard to think of one that could match this creative quality ever again. Split Fiction is an example of director Josef Fares’ ability to capture the child-like creativity of storytelling and continue to curate the best cooperative games to date. The scale for Split Fiction is massive and there is no shortage of dullness in this colorful display of one’s imagination gone wild. Being able to play a co-op game with someone else feels right as it provides a sense of togetherness that is rare to come across these days. Split Fiction reiterates this need to tell stories that can be experienced and enjoyed alongside others.

Monster Hunter Wilds packs a lot of charm and challenge, and is poised to be one of the most robust and content-filled games of 2025.

Despite a few challenges with translating retro games to a modern audience, the Early Days Collection is a must-have for anyone who wants to revisit the earliest entries in the Yu-Gi-Oh! video game series or experience them for the first time.

If you have been a longtime fan of Don’t Nod’s repertoire of games, then Lost Records: Bloom & Rage is a great addition to the studio’s titles. However, the narrative sets up more than it answers in part one, making the experience frustrating by the time it’s over. For the start of the Lost Records universe, “Bloom” presents incredible scenery amidst a lukewarm story driven by self-discovery and mystery. In the end, the game doesn’t capture the full sunset of what is to come but sets up a story that has the potential to show its true colors.

Avowed may not be the most advanced RPG in the world and there may be games that offer unparalleled levels of depth by comparison, but that doesn’t stop Obisidan’s new fantasy game from being great. It offers a dense world bursting at the seams with beauty, compelling characters, consequential choices, and gripping combat that rewards players for being creative. It’s one of my favorite RPGs in quite some time and is one that I am going to continue enjoying for the foreseeable future. If you have Xbox Game Pass or have some money to put toward a new game on PC, I encourage you not to sleep on Avowed.

Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii is a swashbuckling adventure fans will love to dive into. Despite some hiccups with the story and graphics, there’s a lot to like with the title. RGG Studio continues its success story, putting Majima in the well-deserved spotlight for what is one of 2025’s most eccentric yet charming games so far.

It's rare to see such a player-driven RPG where your successes and shortcomings are entirely your own doing despite many modern RPGs promising just that, but Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 delivers.