One of the most fascinating things about Resident Evil, as a franchise, is how often these games take on different interpretations as the series progresses. We don’t think of Resident Evil 5 the same way as when it came out, or Resident Evil 6, or Village. This is one of the few gaming franchises that meaningfully uses the past, both narratively and from a design standpoint. These are games integrally shaped by their place in time, the world, and the larger series. And similarly, I think Requiem is a game that we’ll be talking about for years to come, reevaluating more than once.

The Legend of Heroes: Trails Beyond the Horizon comes out swinging after a largely divisive previous entry in Daybreak 2, where so much of the story was tied up in time travel shenanigans that didn’t land or advance the plot. The main narrative is interesting and intriguing from the jump, even if the pacing is a bit slow in Act 1.

Avatar: From the Ashes still gets bogged down by some "classic" open-world tropes, but this time, most of it doesn't overstay its welcome.

People of Note is a surprisingly fun and adept RPG. With its excellent use of music, endearing cast, flexible battle system, and memorable locations, it's a surprise hit.

Moomintroll: Winter’s Warmth is the coziest game I’ve played so far this year, and it never outstays its welcome by offering a short, sweet experience. It’s beautifully crafted and evokes complex emotions you’ll feel because of its incredible, likable characters. It’s got gentle puzzles, stunning atmosphere, and it’ll stick with you once you’ve wrapped up. Moomintroll: Winter’s Warmth is a magical, heartfelt adventure that glows with warmth even in the coldest moments.

Etrange Overlord is fun and short, a perfect palette cleanser for those who are looking for a shorter experience. As a character, I like Etrange being a self-serving go-getter who knows what she wants and actively seeks it out. It’s unlike any of Sohei Niikawa’s previous games but takes the best aspects of Disgaea and Rhapsody and combines them nearly seamlessly. However, not everything works; combat is pretty basic yet rarely rewarding, but its use of Lanes offers something just different enough to press onward.

Call of the Elder Gods delivers a worldwide adventure with a tinge of mystery, crafting an experience which exceeds its predecessor. Aside from some pacing issues, the puzzles, the characters, and the story are elegantly pieced together. I came away satisfied by all accounts. The attention to detail, the excellent puzzles, and strong performances elevate this Lovecraftian adventure.

Invincible VS has a ton of potential to make a splash at tournaments. It’s brutal, frenetic, and fun, and it’s clear Quarter Up made this with love. This is undeniably a sound fighting game, and it really elevates the source material by giving you an outlet for aggression.

Reanimal is both beautiful and horrifying, carving out a unique identity. The blend of co-op mechanics and atmospheric storytelling mixed with nightmarish creature design creates an experience you won't soon forget. Despite playing solo, I enjoyed my time with Reanimal but felt I would've appreciated the gameplay much more with someone I know to help me navigate the island. Ultimately, Tarsier's penchant for telling bone-chilling horror stories is why they continue to make a lasting impression.

It feels like Nintendo has no idea what to do with Star Fox. Luckily, we have talented indie developers willing to pick up the slack and deliver a solid arcade space fighter in Fur Squadron Phoenix...The game is a colourful, charming, and exciting experience that offers a decent challenge and a rewarding system. Whether you have a history with Star Fox 64 or not, if you’re looking for a short but fun action game, Fur Squadron Phoenix will give you that and more.

I Hate This Place does a great job of creating an 80's vibe with a classic action-horror atmosphere. The story is interesting and dark, the protagonist kicks ass, and the action is fun and visceral.

Scott Pilgrim EX is a wild ride that’s taking a new approach to how we play through beat ’em ups. The roster of fighters stands out as one of the best in recent memory and provides a ton of great variety, while the wild and wacky depiction of Toronto and alternate dimensions looks fantastic! This is a great way to pick up and play a game that tries out something new in the genre while bringing beloved characters to the forefront in an adventure only the Scott Pilgrim universe can provide.

The Mega Man Star Force trilogy is worth the time sink, but I'm curious if it would've been worth the development time to craft a three-game scenario combining the content of the other games definitively.

Tomodachi Life: Living the Dream is an excellent life sim I can’t put down. Nintendo clearly listened to criticism and feedback since the last Tomodachi Life and offers plenty of variety to keep people coming back. Each day brings its own challenges, thanks to the personalities you’ll cultivate and watch grow on your island, so it’s enlightening to help each Mii find what they want and pursue it. There’s quite a bit to do, too, so be ready to pull out your island design tools. Once you catch the remodel bug, all you want to do is make the perfect destination for your Miis.

Coming in fast and furious, Milestone

Under the Island wears its 2D Zelda inspiration proudly on its sleeve and pulls it off exceptionally well, with a great game and stunning modern pixel graphics that feel like Saturday-morning cartoons from the '90s.

Everything in GRIDbeat! is visually stunning. There is layer after layer of grids, enemies, neon-soaked walls and lines, and flashes of light and particles. It’s a visual feast that always looked and felt on point. Add that to the music and gameplay that always work in tandem from the get-go, and you have one of the best modern rhythm games available! GRIDbeat! strikes a solid balance of arcade action and challenge for any type of gamer. Jump in for some solid tunes, stunning visuals, and well-crafted levels, or try to master all it has to offer. Either way, you’re bound to have a blast.

Directive 8020 is the start of a new season for the Dark Pictures anthology, and it’s’s off to a good start. The massive leap from Earth to space effectively gives us a way to experience terror and mostly works. Still, it’s often undone by dreadful stealth sections that quickly scuttle the tension due to overreliance on staying quiet. However, for the things I don’t enjoy, Supermassive Games delivers a great game with a great sense of tension.

Ys Memoire: Revelations in Celceta is a great way to get newcomers into the series. It’s fast-paced, fun, and often satisfying to play as Adol and his friends, but the story falters sometimes, making it a weak aspect of this adventure. Returning fans will experience a polished remaster that doesn’t stray far from what was already great. Even with its flaws, Revelations in Celceta is lively, and it’s a blast to play.

Code Vein 2 excels at being a more accessible sequel, offering a game that fans of the original will find irresistible. However, it’s technically unpolished on consoles, and it struggles to stand out in a sea of soulslikes. What Code Vein 2 does better than the others, though, is the excellent world-building and exploration and some fun, brazen characters that’ll make you love them.

High on Life 2 might be bigger, but does that make it better? In a few ways, yes, it is fun because it has some new mechanics, like a skateboard to explore and lots of charming guns to use. Those come at the cost of clear technical mishaps, including slowdowns and glitches that often rear their ugly heads.

Darwin’s Paradox is cartoonishly great, with enough fun to satisfy anyone looking for an engaging platformer. It sometimes works against itself when exploring or dealing with enemies, but at times it comes together to be pretty coherent and exciting. However, sometimes, the controls fight against you and you even have situations where you have to attempt sections a few times to get past them. Overall, this is a short affair but it’s got some great platforming sections despite some control shortfalls.

MIO: Memories in Orbit hits all the hallmarks of a Metroidvania. Through excellent visuals and setting, you explore a place that feels alive as you restore it to functionality. Even at its most aggravating, Mio is difficult to dismiss. The game's visual identity is striking, and the spacecraft's transformation as it comes alive is excellent. There's a great sense of atmosphere that's reinforced as you keep moving forward, that eventually gives out because of uneven and frankly, unnecessary combat.

Fatal Frame 2: Crimson Butterfly Remake mostly succeeds as a remake and understands what made the original tick. It doesn’t attempt to reinvent the experience; instead, it polishes, enhances, and re‑presents a classic with reverence. The emotional weight of Mio and Mayu’s journey remains intact, now supported by modern visuals, refined mechanics, and richer atmosphere...For longtime fans, this is the definitive way to experience one of survival horror’s most iconic stories. For newcomers, it offers a rare opportunity to step into a world where fear is quiet, sorrowful, and deeply human.

Cassette Boy has an engrossing core mechanic and a great retro look and feel. Puzzles are interesting, if not convoluted at times, and the world includes lots of nooks and crannies worth exploring.

Animal Crossing: New Horizons Nintendo Switch 2 is bent on stranding you once again on an island of your own creation. And while there's a small cost for the upgrade here, you'll get challenge and some satisfying answers to previous pain points.

If you give Marathon your time, it will reward your patience. I really believe that. I also think the time commitment is a big reason this game won’t be for everyone. And maybe it doesn’t have to be. After all, a game for everyone is a game for no one. This isn’t a casual shooter that’s welcoming to new players. If you’re willing to stick with the game, learn the systems and play with friends, then there’s a good chance you will find a shooter you really enjoy. If you’re looking for something easier to jump into and understand right away, then Marathon is going to be a much tougher sell for you and your friends.

Though the core gameplay loop is a little too familiar at times, there’s no denying that this is still one of the best recent entries in a now crowded genre.