In anime-styled puzzle horror adventure High School Dirty Secrets, a student wakes trapped in a dark school where a killer and plenty of girly panties can be found, and while said school has a very good, oppressive atmosphere, the almost goofy use of fanservice, the repetitive walking-simulator gameplay and the not-that-well-handled story make this fail both as a scary ride, as well as an engrossing quest filled with mystery and riddles.

Nioh 3 modifies the series formula, producing mixed results. The game features a more varied action combat system for fights and challenges. As far as action goes, it still features some of the best mechanics in the genre, even if it's on the easier side, and regular enemies are exploitable. Storytelling and worldbuilding lack depth, but the headliner has always been getting lost and fighting for survival in these types of games. At worst, this is just another decent soulslike action RPG that doesn't break the mould. The big open world is welcome, but it does not deliver on its full potential due to uninspired level design.

Dark Auction falls into a rare spot that the plot and writing is actually pretty interesting but the story is still tough to recommend. The characters feel real, and the tension and mystery is very good, but it goes nowhere fast. There are certainly some other problems such as the auction puzzle parts being a big letdown, and the main mystery not being as big as it first seems, but mostly it is just that more needs to happen. The overall plot meanders, and it really grinds down what should have been a brisk and interesting story that could have been told in half the time or less.

Boulder Dash 40th Anniversary Edition is not everything that fans could have hoped for. What should have been a wonderful celebration of a classic series turns out to be a middling package marred by a lack of control options and default controls that don’t offer the best experience. Getting rid of the classic game progression system and failing to include a proper leaderboard system really limit the potential of what could be otherwise one of the most comprehensive collection of caves for a decent introduction to the franchise for newcomers. Thankfully, the classic Boulder Dash formula remains as addictive as ever and is executed competently here.

Attempting to channel that special The Goonies magic, indie metroidvania The Good Old Days borrows its premise and aesthetics (kind of) but stumbles in execution. The muddy level design, punishing backtracking and the especially poor controls are hard to stomach, and despite being made with multiple runs in mind, this ultimately isn’t fun or worth finishing even once.

While the audio and visual elements of Dragon Quest VII Reimagined are top-notch, those familiar with the depth of the original might not be entirely on board with the drastic changes. Although some are legitimate improvements, there is always a nagging feeling that there could have been a definitive Dragon Quest VII, and not just a "reimagined" iteration. Despite some misgivings from a long-time Dragon Warrior VII fan, this is still a righteous JRPG that delivers on most fronts. It’s easier than ever now, but thankfully not so easy that failure is impossible, and no one is likely to be stuck for long.

This is a series that has far more iterations and versions that anyone could possibly imagine. While a huge contributor to the 'grand strategy' genre, Romance of the Three Kingdoms 8, even remade and expanded, is too dense with too little payoff to highly recommend to anyone except series fans. General strategy gamers will be put off by the death-by-menu gameplay and lack of interesting things happening for what amounts to playing small hands of poker and shuffling Microsoft Excel spreadsheets.

Within about two hours one can see almost everything Super Box Delivery: Beyond the Horizon has to offer, which is a shame as, even with its severe lack of content, it manages to be quite the tasty snack - one that could easily turn into a big meal with a little more time in the oven. A wasted opportunity, really.

Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade arrives on Switch 2 with a confidence that immediately sets it apart from the competition, delivering an experience that feels both ambitious and assured from the moment the journey begins. The heart of the remake beats strongly throughout, with Midgar’s drama, intimacy, and spectacle preserved in a form that feels remarkably complete on hybrid hardware. The adaptation shows clear intent, shaping its presentation with care so the emotional weight of every scene lands exactly as it should. The world retains its grandeur, the characters retain their depth, and the adventure retains its power to sweep players into something far larger than the sum of its parts. The result is a version that feels consistently engaging, impressively cohesive, and far more polished than many would expect from such a lavish production running on a portable system. Intergrade’s additional content enriches the experience further, offering moments of charm, energy, and narrative texture that round out an already substantial adventure. This release stands as a testament to what a thoughtful adaptation can achieve, proving that scale and spectacle need not be sacrificed for accessibility. A beloved classic has been reimagined once more, and the hard work gone into it ensures that its magic remains undeniable on Switch 2.

Offering a refreshing, polished experience, Animal Crossing: New Horizons - Happy Home Paradise is an excellent DLC package to sit alongside the core Animal Crossing: New Horizons base game. Refined, flexible decorating options with a large catalogue of unlimited items mixes up the pace for creative freedom without the hording slog of the regular island. Happy Home Paradise is, quite simply, a playground of cosy fun.

A fairly by-the-book platformer where gameplay never goes to any great heights or depths. Certain small aspects regarding platforming and combat can occasionally become annoying, but these negatives aside, the art and general charm of the game is quiet compelling. The story hints at some dark sci-fi plots, and exploration is satisfying, if sometimes annoyingly difficult. The characters are especially attractive with their highly animated visual novel portraits, which gives a sense of life this genre often doesn't have. Overall, though, Kotama and Academy Citadel feels like it needed more cohesion to really come together.

Despite its occasionally tedious mechanics and uneven pacing, Atlas Wept succeeds where it matters most: in its heart. Its melancholic tone, thoughtful themes, and simple-yet-endearing cast linger long after the credits roll, elevating it above its mechanical shortcomings. Fans of narrative-driven indie RPGs, especially those drawn to EarthBound/Mother-inspired experiences, will find much to admire here. It stumbles in terms of gameplay, but its emotional resonance ensures it will be remembered fondly.

It is an excellent sign when the range of negative points of a game are so few that they are of an almost insignificant nature. Temirana: The Lucky Princess and the Tragic Knights meets that criteria. The issues discovered are minor, and the strength of narrative and difference in each romance route are genius and plentiful, making it a top-class addition to the visual novel library on Nintendo Switch. A minority might be put off by how long each romance route takes, but for VN fans the longer the better! A sequel would be very well received too, such is the desire for more adventures from the not-so-cursed royal lady.

Some gamers enjoy experiences that gamify mundane work activities. The fun is how accurately it can capture the experience of the profession. The Mortuary Assistant: Definitive Edition not only cheapens the effort put into making cadavers presentable for funerals, but it also turns into a major hassle with Paimon constantly pestering Rebecca, thinking it’s amusing to remind her of her past heroin use. This could have worked if more thought had been put into the embalming process and if the presentation had been more polished.

Syberia Remastered is an uneven revival. Its redesigned environments successfully capture the spirit and atmosphere of the original, but a couple of issues (visual and otherwise) prevent it from becoming the definitive version. For the uninitiated it’s a mostly accessible entry point into a classic story; for long-time fans, it’s an…okay reinterpretation. It's sadly one more reminder that preserving magic is sometimes harder than creating it in the first place.

Charon’s Staircase unfortunately feels like it is caught between strong ideas and weak execution. Its thematic ambition, atmospheric sound design, and willingness to explore uncomfortable subject matter make it stand out, and it feels pretty memorable even if it isn’t great. At the same time, a variety of technical shortcomings, repetitive gameplay, and puzzles that tend to vary between mindlessly boring and frustratingly esoteric hold the overall game back. Horror is a crowded genre and this feels like one most people can skip without missing out on much. For players drawn to slow, narrative-driven psychological horror, there is some value to be found. For most others, the only thing frightening about this is how much money they’ll waste.

It is easy to want to like Simon the Sorcerer Origins at first glance. The artwork is beautiful, and the puzzles are clever and creative. However, Simon sadly comes off as a murder-hobo rather than a charming rogue. Also, while the game's comedy is quite fun in itself, it needs more palate cleansers. As is, this feels like a six-hour-long slapstick show, a genre best served in 30-minute portions.

The Lord of the Rings: Return to Moria is a fantastic multiplayer survival game. The mining is fun, the fighting is serviceable, and the progression feels really nice. The fact that it brought back Gimli and is set in the Fourth Age is really cool, especially since the player has a custom character in the story. Best experienced with friends, but totally fine to play alone. This title really deserves more attention than it got! Highly recommended to all fans of Middle-earth.

When Kaku: Ancient Seal is at its best, it shows the potential of a great sandbox adventure. Many of the design choices are spot on. Great examples are the choices to focus more on horizontal progression than vertical, and to fill the world with rewarding respawning items. However, at its worst, it is filled with some of the genre's worst design choices. The main offenders are cruel invisible walls and non-existent enemy progression. In between, Kaku: Ancient Seal is depressingly textbook good. Sure, the game works, but nothing stands out, and the polish to make it memorable is lacking. However, it does leave curiosity about what future titles Bingobell will deliver with more experience under its belt.

In the end, Schildmaid MX is a game that knows exactly what it wants to be—and a little more. It’s a tightly focused, mechanically sound shooter that caters to players who enjoy precision, repetition, and self-imposed challenges. At the same time, its limited presentation, uneven difficulty spikes, and lack of variety prevent it from standing out in an increasingly crowded indie scene. For those seeking a quick-hit arcade experience to play between larger titles, Schildmaid MX offers moments of genuine satisfaction. Just don’t expect it to linger in your memory long after the final stage is cleared.

Pokémon Legends: Z-A - Mega Dimension offers a challenge for experienced trainers wanting to push those battle skills to the limits. Beyond level 100 critters for the first time? Check. It's tough and requires a fair bit of grind to get through the new Mega Evolution battles. Returning faces from the Pokédex and new forms are a joy to catch, too. Mega Dimension is ideal for battle enthusiasts and competitionists, but can fast become repetitive with little payoff to really keep pushing through once the favourites have been caught.

System Shock is an amazing remake that irons out a lot of the original's more impenetrable qualities. The original isn’t exactly user-friendly, so the remake’s smoother, more responsive design makes it the go-to way to play. This is especially true for the Nintendo Switch 2 version, which may have occasional frame rate drops but still offers the definitive console experience for anyone looking to play, thanks to its intuitive Joy-Con 2 mouse mode.

A Game About Digging a Hole is exactly what it claims to be, and nothing more. On Nintendo Switch, it works best as a low-effort, high-satisfaction time waster—something to fill small gaps in your day with meaningless progress and quiet amusement. It won’t be for everyone, but for those willing to embrace its absurd simplicity, there’s something oddly compelling about staring into the void and deciding to dig a bit deeper.

The Bug Butcher is a fun, finely-polished, Pang-inspired shooter that modernises the classic formula with sharp controls, frantic pacing and charming presentation. Its short campaign and limited modes hold it back, making it a title that’s great for short bursts but not for extended play. Think of it as a small snack between the bigger meals. A snack made out of vibrantly colourful alien insects, that is. If the price is right, it’s a solid recommendation for arcade afficionados and not only.

Vampire Survivors: Ode to Castlevania is a masterpiece of roguelike gaming. Impossible to put down, stellar soundtrack and visual design, as well as just being a load of fun. While some games have taken this formula and recontextualised it, the original does it best. Hop in and play as a vampire-killing badass. Highly recommended for Castlevania fans and anyone looking for a fun time. Perfect winter season gaming!

The title may not be that imaginative, but everything else about Cat Slide Tiles is high on the creative front. The 'just one more level' mentality makes it addictive, and the Switch's portability means it's simple to play a level while waiting for an appointment or as a form of relaxation before bed. The cat-themed puzzles are not always easy, but they are certainly enjoyable, and definitely deserve a sequel.

The cheerful design and well written humour of Alter Age make it a solid good versus evil RPG. The winning formula includes amusing team member personalities, a well-paced story and a melodious soundtrack, plus the Soul Alter age-switching skill, which remains centre stage - and for good reason. It is exciting to see what new features KEMCO will come up with next.

Whether it is to try to appeal to a broader audience or to bolster a game whose level design doesn’t match up to the original trilogy, the focus on elements that are unusual for the series leaves Metroid Prime 4: Beyond in the awkward position of being an enjoyable adventure that doesn’t stack up as a top Metroid game. There are the makings of a solid title featuring classic Prime traits, and for that reason alone Beyond can be worth experiencing, but longtime fans may need to brace themselves…and then wash away the taste by replaying Metroid Prime Remastered while praying for the same treatment for Prime 2 and 3.

The level of detail means that Garden Life: A Cozy Simulator is an idealised portrayal of having a successful green thumb. The customisation for building style and colour may be limited, but since the focus is on planting and flower care rather than architecture, dozens of options aren't needed. There are styles of tools to suit all tastes, with a mode for those who don't care for the story and want to focus on only the gardening. Let's hope a sequel is in the works with bigger gardens and new features.

As far as remakes go, Bloober Team's Silent Hill 2 is the absolute best case scenario. It's faithful where it counts, yet introduces plenty of new tricks and ideas that justify itself. The expanded content, replay value, and additional endings make it the ultimate way to reexperience a classic story. The visuals are stunning, and perhaps even a bit too ambitious, as the Xbox Series X|S version had to make a few minor compromises to hit its performance goals. The classic Silent Hill 2 is one of the best survival horror games of its time, and this remake carries on its legacy and serves as a worthy alternative for anyone who can't play the original.

A marked improvement on the first Falconeer game, Bulwark Evolution: Falconeer Chronicles is a creative and slick "city" builder, giving players all of the tools needed for complex relationships and resource management while succeeding in the goal of making a very simple control scheme. It's possible the game won't win over everyone with its basic systems, and it may not be played for a particularly long time, but for those it clicks with, it is an addictive experience. With its unique atmosphere and setting, this is the Falconeer game to get.

The premature conclusion to Lapin is disappointing, as the combination of an appealing art style, fluid gameplay, and rabbits with unique skills who solve puzzles made it a near excellent title for PlayStation 5. One can only hope the game-freezing error gets fixed in later updates, allowing discovery of what happens in the end rather than the lettuce lovers remaining in limbo for eternity.

RPG maniacs who missed out on Romancing SaGa: Minstrel Song Remastered due to the language barrier can finally check it out. International is the same remaster with identical QOL features, but now with additional language options to make it easier than ever for any Western gamer to enjoy this grossly overlooked, open-ended PlayStation 2 RPG.

Let it Die: Inferno is a gorgeous and highly stylised game that can’t stop tripping over itself. Combat is frustrating and unfair instead of challenging, exploration and item collection are made negligible by timers and resets, and certain characters and music are weakened by AI “enhancements” that don’t enhance the game in any way. Inferno itself is solid, and there aren’t many bugs or glitches, but the game on offer is one that is trying to appeal to a niche of players who certainly can find a lot of fun in its gameplay loop, but working through the design flaws and constant resets will prove as much of a challenge as the combat and exploration of a soulslike are meant to be.

Log Away aims for calm cabin-building bliss and reaches it…only to lose it minutes later. While its cosy vibes have some charm, with no pressure to do anything besides crafting the tiny retreat of your dreams, the experience is dragged down by poor optimisation, a lack of settings, and shallow, highly limited building options. With nothing to do after quick completion and no world to explore, relaxation soon turns into boredom.

Octopath Traveler 0 is a massive game, with an abundance of content and exploration available. It relies heavily on a more strategic style of turn-based combat than previous entries, with interesting stories and characters in a nostalgic graphical style. However, there are times where the story becomes a touch too cliché and predictable. It certainly doesn't lack in polish, though, with a fantastic soundtrack and delightful HD-2D visuals and, apart from a few hiccups, it runs without issue. This is the perfect title to get lost in for hours and hours.

Picross S: Capcom Classics Edition delivers what is promised: puzzles full of classic Capcom games and characters, with beautiful artwork and a soundtrack to set the scene. Thanks to the different modes, hours of gameplay await both experienced and new players. Train your brain and relive the classic Capcom era!

Baseless' main mechanic takes getting used to. There is no way around that. Anyone who plays it on its own terms and learns to harness the physics will find it rewarding. Most of the time, using a high-powered space gun to control movement feels like trying to tame a wild beast. It's understandably unwieldy, yet mastering it under one's dominion is a euphoric rush.

Dragon Ruins II neatly builds on the first game’s foundation, delivering a more varied, engaging, and refined dungeon-crawling experience. For fans of simple but addictive RPG loops, it’s one of Kemco’s stronger efforts in recent years — a sequel that respects its roots while confidently raising the bar for possible sequels.

Dispatch is an absolute whale of a time. The superhero workplace shenanigans are compelling, funny, beautifully written and brought to life by exceptional performances and some of the finest writing the medium can offer. The branching narrative and impactful choices are always felt, even if some of the outcomes are a little predictable or slightly too black and white. Still, this is a narrative adventure that Telltale fans will not want to miss — in fact, Dispatch establishes itself at the pinnacle of the genre.

While The Drifter mostly succeeds as an immersive interactive novel, the experience, although solid and well paced, never quite evolves into something more than a moody two-evening adventure. What’s really a shame with Powerhoof’s creation is that while it’s a finely crafted point-and-click with great art direction and dark atmosphere, its shift from noir character drama and tense thriller to sprawling sci-fi conspiracy pulp is ultimately a disservice to the emotional potential of its arresting opening chapters.

Playing Hitman: Absolution on Switch is a great way to replay it or give it a second chance. The gyro aiming improves the playability dramatically and may get veteran naysayers to accept the game on its own terms. It's a flawed and sometimes dumb experience with situations that make no sense, but still manages to be one of the better third-person action-adventure games, and a lot of it has to do with the gritty signature Hitman ambiance, presentation, and 47's impossibly cool dialogue and wit. He's a fun character, and getting any chance to be him is worth a few instances of sloppy design.

The move to a 3D presentation came out well for R-Type Delta, and it looks great all these years later in this revamped format. An excellent soundtrack makes every stage more exciting, and the variety of spacecraft to choose from keeps playthroughs fresh. Like most shoot ‘em ups, this is a tough game, but it is one that sits right up there in the genre. That said, more features, unlockables and screen filters could have really elevated R-Type Delta: HD Boosted.

A personal penchant for SNK’s works will be one of the biggest factors in purchasing Picross S: SNK Classics & Neo Geo Edition, but with the amount of content on offer, with hundreds of puzzles of varying difficulties crammed into one package, this latest iteration can be recommended to any Picross fan.

Cosy games really don’t get much better than PowerWash Simulator 2. The premise is perfect, the execution is simple but inspired, and the satisfaction of clearing away grime never gets old. There’s some fairly expansive level variety on offer despite the one-note formula, and the inclusion of split-screen multiplayer sweetens the deal even further. If you fancy some simple, turn-off-your-brain fun at the end of a long day (or can’t get enough of your real-life chores), PowerWash Simulator 2 is for you.

A good third-person shooter but a bad Tomb Raider game; that’s what Crystal Dynamics’ reboot for Lara Croft boils down to. When you ignore the inconsistencies between the story and gameplay, as well as the annoying characters and poor writing, Lara’s survival adventure on Yamatai is a worthwhile distraction that plays smoothly and has plenty to do. The great price that others could learn from means this is well within impulse-buy territory too.

With its boost‑and‑drift mechanics and chaotic action, the concept may take some time to fully click. Once it does, Kirby Air Riders becomes an exhilarating, stylish racer with plenty of depth. Road Trip brings real longevity, the returning modes are better than ever, and the wealth of unlockables keeps the momentum high. It’s a colourful, technically impressive showcase and a passionate revival of a cult favourite. Kirby Air Riders is a Nintendo Switch 2 essential, built with passion and unbound fun at its core.

The brilliance of Warren Spector’s dream project lies in how, despite its many issues, it works better than most modern titles that do everything “right.” Two decades later and people still reinstall it “just to check something,” only to once again experience a great level of gameplay freedom, plus some neat conspiratorial and deeply philosophical storytelling, and an immersive and prescient vision of our own - not so distant - future. Other games may look prettier and play smoother, but few dare to trust the one in control as much as this one did. In a nutshell, what is Deus Ex? It’s the only game where you can save humanity, betray your employers, merge with an AI god, and still get stuck on a ladder.

Stray Children is like a meteor blazing through the sky, meant only for those who truly appreciate the pure sincerity and childlike wonder of video games. No nonsense attached, just a game brought to life by those who understand the magic of classic RPGs, reminding all that creativity is what makes a game truly special, beyond tropes or clichés. It’s not a game for everyone. While it might seem warm and cuddly, it's unfair and unintuitive, much like life itself.

Some of the things Football Manager 26 implements are a step forward for the franchise, such as the shift to allow tactical tweaks for every moment of the match, and the match engine is also noticeably improved. However, FM26 does not feel like an upgrade on 2024’s edition and that is down to a combination of the removed features and UI decisions. Too much information is hidden away, and the gameplay loop becomes about going from one fixture to the next and ticking them off, as opposed to before, when it became impossible not to get sucked into the drama of the world. This franchise has a fantastically loyal fanbase and they are good at seeing the bigger picture. Nobody can question the work ethic of the team at Sports Interactive and they deserve the time and space to ensure FM26 can become the first step in another successful evolution for the series.

It is easy to fall in love at first glance with Lego Party. It is a game that many have unknowingly been waiting for, and its presentation and first impression are on a whole different level. It feels like a perfect match for anyone seeking an exceptional digital party game. However, once the honeymoon phase is over, all the flaws start to appear, and they become too much. Poor controls, extremely small boards, and a mix of mini-games that feel disjointed make this a challenging title to recommend. It has some wonderful ideas and a solid foundation to build upon, but it falls short in executing the details.

Spindle is a delightful little action‑adventure that wears its retro influences proudly while layering in thoughtful narrative, expressive characters, and a surprisingly weighty theme about death and what comes after. The controls are responsive, and the visuals are quite nice to behold. If you’re a fan of top‑down 2D adventures, keen on something both light and meaningful, this is a worthwhile play. If you crave groundbreaking mechanics or very long playtimes, you may find it a bit short and familiar, but there are hidden trinkets to find and side quests to help pad your play time if you want to go for the completionist route.

If craving a punishing retro-style brawler, Slave Zero X has what it takes to test your patience - in more ways than one. While it nails the tone and equal parts stylish and grotesque aesthetic of ‘90s anime action, behind its cool look, strong atmosphere and neat ideas lies a failed attempt at channelling the spirit of a Devil May Cry or Bayonetta; one so weighed down by frustration, imbalance and sloppy execution that its brilliance struggles to shine through.

The story doesn’t deliver a whole lot of entertainment outside of a couple of characters, and it ends up a shame that more curveballs aren’t thrown in that regard, but Tears of the Kingdom fans will get some satisfaction from events that play out in Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment. Flashy moves and superficial depth don’t really change the simplicity of gameplay, but it is still fun, coming alive in co-op and catering greatly to franchise regulars that appreciate mindlessly wailing on hundreds of foes using characters from their favourite Hyrulean races.

With some truly interesting ideas and story at times, it is even more of a shame that it's the “game” part of Unknown 9: Awakening that drags down the whole experience. Worth a playthrough certainly, but also lacking in some fundamental areas for the era that has ensured this will probably be the last we see of Haroona and the hooligans.

Being flawless in its execution, a purchase all boils down to if the premise appeals. If a fan of the series, Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake cannot be recommended enough, with a beautiful reimagining that is hoped will continue in future releases beyond the first three games. If a newcomer to this and the genre as a whole, take comfort in how accessible this has been made, but beware: when those visuals and score fill the screen, being hooked for life is a real possibility.

An amazing adventure story remastered in a slightly odd way, Syberia Remastered is not the definitive Syberia experience in its current form. The bugs and issues are overwhelming, but will hopefully be quickly patched up so it can function as intended. The new artwork and environments are excellent, managing to recapture the original art style and atmosphere of Syberia overall, but there are too many negative points to ignore. The core story will keep players invested, but perhaps Microids will need to go back to the drawing board on some of the ideas seen in this title before approaching Syberia 2.

Stray Children is one of those rare games that likely will be spoken about decades into the future among its cult following and in general cultural circles. Just like the game that most likely served as a foundational inspiration, EarthBound, it will likely not achieve widespread commercial success worldwide. It is like this great and now deeply recognised title used to be: too far ahead of its time. While not beneficial to the bottom line, it is probably for the better that Stray Children did not aim to be a crowdpleaser. As a game, it is great with some very odd and inconvenient choices. As a piece of art, it is masterfully and deliberately designed with atmosphere and worldbuilding in mind. All that is left to wish for is that it dared to take those final steps away from trying to be a great video game with some strange padding at the end, and instead fully embraced itself as a rebellious artistic experience, not giving a care in the world about boorish things like ”industry standards” and ”gameplay length”.

Although it preferably needs to be played as part of the Alphadia trilogy to understand all of the plot, Alphadia 3 is a solid RPG on Nintendo Switch. The combination of engaging battle powers, diverse team formation arrays and amusing group dynamics makes it an engaging experience for the ever-growing KEMCO library.

Detective Dotson would be a neat pixel-art screensaver that depicts the vibrantly coloured, densely populated world that is India. As an actual interactive experience? It’s a boring fetch quest and mini-game heavy kind of mess hiding behind a pretty face.

When in full flow, Star Overdrive gives a great sense of speed and fun from its hoverboard dynamic. It's unfortunate, then, that any reason for the exploration is missing, with similar bland puzzling and the same rinse and repeat scavenging mechanic. With the exception of some fun boss battles and hoverboard mechanics, this one doesn't stick the landing.

A visual treat in search of better gameplay, Itorah is an action-platformer that wears a metroidvania skin. The eight or so hours needed to reach the end of this journey are boring, the main heroine feels clunky to control, and the frame rate will make you nauseous. The strongest moments here will come from admiring still frames, not playing through them.

For long-time fans, Super Robot Wars Y is probably...maybe...hopefully a buffet of nostalgia. The thrill of assembling a dream team of mechs and watching them interact, however briefly, is pretty darn cool if an afficionado of the genre. As a standalone product? It never rises above its crossover gimmick and is far from a solid recommendation for those in love with tactical games. Oh, and the price tag is ridiculous.

Without riding the simulated jet ski model, much of the novelty and magic is lost. Aqua Jet's strongest assets are its audio/visual presentation and the exciting sense of speed when racing on chunky, pixelated waves. Like most arcade games, it doesn't translate to a great home console experience. It's cool to have an option to play Aqua Jet at all, and preserving it is commendable, yet it's not complete without its alluring cabinet. It may look and run better than Wave Race 64, but sometimes that isn't enough for lasting appeal.

Tiny Bookshop is faultless in its execution and a title that is really surprising in how enjoyable and addictive it is. Fun for a quick pick-up-and-play and also to while away the hours as the nights draw in. With a strong sense of community and a feeling of real purpose in your place within the little village of Bookstonbury-by-the-Sea (still a terrible name), this is sure to be a bestseller.

Rougelite attempts are divisive by nature, but if you are the kind of player who enjoys this absolutely fine, then you will have a blast here. It also showcases the best parts of Donkey Kong Bananza in small pick-up-and-play chunks. The itching feeling that the location should have been included in the base game rarely goes away, however, especially with very little to do outside of Emerald Rush mode and the rich price tag. One for completionists only.

At the surface, Randomax looks like a quite promising title, and in many regards, it might sound too good to be true. Well, in this case, it is. "Rogue-lite" here is just a fancy word for a basic durability system similar to what can be found in just about any sandbox title, and a simplified reskin of a decade-old genre feature. In addition, the gameplay is flat, and the screen is often cluttered to the point of being inconvenient. It is a somewhat fun romp, yet not that much more.

Munch Mobile won't connect with gamers due to its repetitive gameplay loop of driving and grabbing food/fuel, which lacks the depth, progression, or visual flair. Its steep difficulty, clunky joystick-based controls, and minimalist graphics and audio feel outdated compared to the polished visuals and responsive mechanics of its contemporaries like Spy Hunter or Pole Position. Slapping googly eyes on a car with big cartoon hands popping out the sides is also a poor excuse for an anthropomorphised car.

Pac-Man World 2: Re-Pac is an incredible upgrade, both over the original Pac-Man World 2 and Pac-Man World: Re-Pac. As a remake, it does everything fans would want, adding new features to the game and making tweaks to improve the parts of the original that were flawed. It improves the presentation across the board and almost doubles the content of the game, ensuring returning fans also have something new to enjoy. It’s only let-down by mediocre and generic boss battles that feel like a chore to get through, an obstacle between the fun platforming challenges.

Hyperdimension Neptunia Re;Birth1 Plus is a great remake of a remake that gets everything right and knows exactly what knobs to turn to make the perfect experience for newcomers and veterans alike, letting players do the same thanks to the remake system. While the comedy is spot on and the gameplay loop feels amazing and addictive, some random glitches cause game crashes, and the lack of an auto-save system as its accomplice prevents Re;Birth1 Plus from reaching its full potential as the perfect entry point for newcomers to the franchise. If able to see past these issues, though, this is where to start if looking to get into the vast Neptuniaverse.

Hyperdimension Neptunia Re;Birth2: Sisters Generation is a time capsule of the otaku culture of its time, and an important puzzle piece to understand the evolution of the Neptunia franchise. It took what worked with the previous game and refined it, also daring to change up the story by switching the protagonist - a move that would breathe new life into the entire series moving forward, which has become well-known for twisting a well-known formula by adding something new in each entry. That said, some jokes will come across as outdated to a modern audience, although the core of the franchise is there, and a lot of the comedy still feels spot on, especially for those who were there during the era when this title was released. It is a game that is strongly recommended to revisit for long-time fans, and to be experienced at least once by newcomers, as it is a massive part of the DNA of the Neptuniaverse.

Just like with…pretty much every instalment so far, Just Dance 2026 Edition can be described as more of the same - but it’s the good kind of same. It doesn’t reinvent the franchise (and doesn’t really have to) but it keeps the dance floor alive and booming, with the unpredictability of the new Party Mode being this year’s highlight.

Persona 3 Reload is a great remake, with improved graphics and cutscenes, new gameplay mechanics and fantastic sound. It is disappointing that the game runs only at 30fps on Switch 2, and that there is a quite a bit of stuttering at certain points. However, none of these issues are game breaking, and overall, Persona 3 Reload retells a great story on a modern console. It is definitely worth picking up and playing.

It is reassuring to see a mobile game simply being a fully fledged game, and not a microtransaction-ridden free-to-play mess. Trust Feral to come up with the goods in this handheld Hitman: Absolution port because it has transitioned very well to the touch screen format. It isn’t without problems when played this way, but the range of customisation options is a welcome surprise that means most players can have a good time sneaking around and causing chaos. Try to hook up a gamepad for the best experience, but be prepared to dedicate yourself to each level, as the unfortunate save system demands it.

Everybody’s Golf: Hot Shots is the best golfing game on Nintendo Switch, supported by fantastic gameplay that sticks to genre conventions, and a plethora of customisation options and content to experience. Unfortunately, the vast majority of this content is locked behind a poorly-paced single-player experience that forces players to repeat the same holes with the same characters over and over again, all presented with a passable but technically poor presentation.

Part dungeon crawler, part economy sim, Atelier Resleriana: The Red Alchemist & the White Guardian has a lot going on without being too complicated. The graphics and overworld controls land somewhere between nostalgic for PS2-era JRPGs and perhaps underwhelming for a modern game, but more attention has been placed on characters and enemies, which pop with energy and are given extra life by enthusiastic actors. The story and characters have a charm that reflects the laid-back but never underwhelming gameplay, which offers many different subsystems or metagames players can often choose how much or how little to focus on. Performing alchemy is a minigame itself, as is running the shop, and combining it all means The Red Alchemist & the White Guardian offers hours of content, carried by charming characters who have believable motives, often driven by their own care for each other, and making this a no-brainer for anyone who wants a dense JRPG they can pour hours into on the go.

Action roguelikes are a tough genre to screw up, yet Towa and the Guardians of the Sacred Tree manages to do that. From lacklustre in-run upgrades, to permanent progression that is boring, to perhaps the biggest problem of how utterly dry combat is, it drops the ball in many locations. The better parts, such as the banter and voice acting, are not enough to carry the woefully lacking core gameplay.

The gameplay is very standard Little Nightmares fare, and it plays it very safe. Giving the duo weapons isn't as game changing as it seems and rarely comes into play. Returning fans will notice that this entry is only four chapters long; that's two fewer than the norm for these games. The promise of two additional chapters via a season pass is a mistake since the franchise is very story-based and tends to be condensed. The core experience is very short and most won't feel like they will get their money's worth with such a meagre offering and a vague promise that more content will come sometime next year, but without knowing what it will be. The base package is a little longer than the first game, but not as long or well-paced as the amazing sequel. Marketing material for the season pass promises that future additional chapters won't be necessary, but then, why even bother? It's a bad trap that makes Little Nightmares III feel incomplete.

Game Freak once again attempts to do something different with a series that's fast approaching its 30th anniversary. Pokémon Legends: Z-A puts a refreshed battle system front and centre, offering faster, real-time combat at its core. The change may not be for everyone; especially long-time fans who remain loyal to the classic turn-based formula. It’s a shame that some aspects, like NPC interactions, haven’t evolved to the same degree and there can be some repetition in traversing the Z-A world. Pokémon Legends: Z-A feels like a well-earned holiday for the series, where there's opportunity to try something new and explore. The adorable critters truly do thrive in Lumiose City and that's ultimately the heart of what drives a Pokémon adventure.

Not much tweaking was necessary when bringing back this classic, but the addition of high-quality voice acting elevates Final Fantasy Tactics to another level entirely, with a narrative that engages from beginning to end. Coupled with some of the finest character customisation in the series, this is an essential play for fans that have fallen out of love with Final Fantasy following the latest numbered entries.

Islanders: New Shores is a wholesome experience that offers much depth for those who want it. No matter what mode or how much effort, the player ends up with a beautiful island full of charming little buildings, each placed with care. After a while, new islands feel like empty canvases, ready to be painted on with lovely tiny buildings. There is something exciting about preparing a spot for a building and then seeing the points rake in. Designing a city may never have been so fun, relaxing and pretty.

In Silent Hill f the F stands for fantastic. This unique story takes a daring stance and presents a thrilling psychological horror adventure. Gameplay hits that traditional Silent Hill design language, while also supporting a fast, difficult and interesting combat system, with puzzles in the world that require real mind bending. With multiple endings to achieve, its relatively short runtime is perfectly pitched for multiple plays. A slightly rough-edged horror gem.

The one-track, one-car options may seem weak, but spending over an hour trying to master drifting and making incremental improvements with every try is enthralling. The buttery smooth gameplay and bright visuals have kept Ridge Racer timeless, and while it lacks all the cool features and Reiko isn't around, it's hard not to be impressed by such an early 3D racing game that had such a confident vision for itself that still stays challenging with infinite credits.

Air Combat 22's biggest claim to fame is its fluidity and timeless visuals. The core mechanics are serviceable, but there isn't enough to keep it engaging past one playthrough. Without the cockpit cabinet and the booming chaos of a '90s arcade screaming in the background, there is less novelty and charm. Playing Arcade Archives: Air Combat 22 on a Nintendo Switch 2 is not the same as it would be on an original unit, but even if it were, the core experience is spread thinly, emphasising that the game was a shallow, cheap thrill.

Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds is a real triumph when it comes to kart racing and more than holds its own against the hedgehog’s main rival from Nintendo. The CrossWorlds mechanic introduces a strategic play that keeps things fresh, and the dozens of tracks do a sterling job in really providing a challenge, which also looks and sounds great. While there is maybe a bit too much grinding in order to unlock the many rewards on offer for dedicated players, even those who only want to casually commit to Sonic Racing will still get plenty of fun playing in both single-player and online, especially with a whole roadmap of additional tracks and racers being rolled out in the months ahead. Mario Kart World is an excellent game, but so too is Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds.

Gee Bee's austere visuals looked cheap next to emerging colour games in 1970s arcades. With only three-to-five-minute games with no escalation or features, after a few plays, the loop becomes mind numbing. Its core is so basic that not even modern features can do much to elevate its plainness. Most people play video games to beat boredom. Gee Bee is for people who crave monotony.

The Touryst Deluxe is a compact adventure that captures the spirit of a holiday getaway. Shin’en Multimedia has crafted a series of voxel islands that feel like miniature dioramas, each filled with puzzles, playful distractions, and a relaxed atmosphere. The deluxe edition introduces a new island and extra activities, while Switch 2 hardware elevates the experience with crisp 4K visuals, HDR lighting, and fluid performance. It is not a game driven by narrative or combat, but by curiosity and discovery. Players who enjoy atmosphere, variety, and freedom will find it enchanting. The Touryst Deluxe is a reminder that small, carefully made adventures can leave a lasting impression.

Creativity flows throughout two of gaming’s best adventures, finally available on modern hardware and looking wonderful on Switch systems. There is so much sublime platforming here when considering the amount inventiveness spread across both Super Mario Galaxy titles, with each offering something for absolutely everyone. There are some niggles here and there, but when the moment-to-moment gameplay is so consistently enjoyable, it is easy to brush over minor grievances. This is a collection every Nintendo fan needs to own.

Yakuza 0: Director’s Cut on Switch 2 proves that SEGA and RGG Studio deliver more than a simple port. Performance is strong, the content is complete, and the absurd, heartfelt energy of the series translates beautifully to handheld play. Minor compromises in handheld performance, storage demands, and the lack of new gameplay content keep it from perfection, but they don’t diminish what is still one of the finest entries in the series. For newcomers, this is the perfect entry point: a prequel that requires no prior knowledge, yet sets the stage for everything that follows. For veterans, it’s a chance to revisit one of the series’ best entries with added story context and the freedom to play anywhere. This is the definitive way to experience SEGA’s crime epic, as it shines very brightly indeed on Switch 2.

EA Sports FC 26 makes some big changes to its systems, modes and gameplay. The most obvious of these are quite effective, and even those that aren’t seen are surely felt. The fresh additions to Career Mode are a step in the right direction, while the on-field adjustments and introduction of Authentic and Competitive modes serves to freshen things up just enough for another year. Long-time players will likely still have some recurring gripes, but the best compliment that can be paid to FC 26 is that it’s fun. If this was developer EA Sports’ sole aim, then mission accomplished.

Meteorfall: Krumit's Tale takes the huge task of evolving a well-established genre and putting its own twist on proceedings, and it does so with flying colours! The game balance is wonderful, the gameplay is stimulating all the way through a run, and most importantly, it's really fun and full of opportunities for player agency throughout. Never has it felt like a loss was inevitable because of "bad luck", but rather because poor choices were made. That is something rare to say about games in this genre, and even rarer for one that took great risks and experimented with the formula. Besides the fact that the Switch has to be taken out of docked mode, there are few negative remarks to be said about Meteorfall: Krumit's Tale. It is simply a great digital deckbuilder that any fan of the genre or puzzle games should give a try!

A rough early game and poor first impression hide a true gem filled with clever level designs. It would be a true pity to judge Candy Rangers by its first hour of gameplay, but due to how brutal the first hour is with required hidden collectibles and a steep learning curve, anyone but a full-blooded masochist would not be blamed for putting it down before getting to the good part. However, if there is one message that should be remembered from this review, it is this: the good part is coming soon, and it is truly worth the rough journey there. Give Candy Rangers a try; it is one of the more innovative games in its genre, and once mastered, the foreign controls will become second nature.

Past all of the cringe dialogue and turgid gameplay, perhaps Dustborn’s biggest sin is feeling more like vacuous agitprop than an actual story. Whatever fight against fascism Pax – and by extension Red Thread Games – had in mind, it's an unintentionally hilarious one since her words feel as plastic as her bat.

Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3 + 4 makes some great improvements to what came before and provides the same great gameplay experience. Where it bails is the nostalgia factor for fans of these in their original format. That nostalgia isn't here personally but it's still hard to ignore. A remaster should maintain all the things that made the original great and for not doing that, should probably have another point taken off. If looked at objectively, however, this is another excellent addition to pick up and play. Maybe just leave the rest before we have to buy another USB board.

Even after several updates, Star Wars: Hunters can’t capture the verve nor engagement of other Hero shooter/brawler hybrids. The end result is a surplus of characters, modes, and cosmetics that’s swamped by lacklustre design, aesthetics, and mechanics. For this sub-genre, calling it mediocre feels too generous. For a new-ish Star Wars game, it ranks among the weakest efforts since Disney took over.

There are so few games for those who love really deep character customisation, and that is for a good reason. They usually tend to lock out less system-oriented players, as it is difficult to create a game with such depth without making the system mandatory or feel truly pointless. However, Cladun X3 manages to do this in a wonderful way, and in the process, creates a JRPG that can be enjoyed by all fans of the genre, regardless of how many systems they want to delve into. In the niche Cladun X3 occupies, it is among the best the industry has to offer and does not force its systems upon players until they are ready for them. This is a title that developers of non-linear RPGs should take a look at when designing their games, as Nippon Ichi Software really is onto something here!

Folly of the Wizards looks like a beautiful and competent roguelike at first glance. The first couple of playthroughs promise a fun title that will offer hours of entertainment and surprises to come. However, after a few hours, none of those promises feel fulfilled; rather, it gives the feeling that players have spent hours with a demo or early access for an okay roguelike instead of a full game. Bugs, poor descriptions of items, and menus that feel unfinished are all that are to be found under the pretty cover, and it feels like folly to have ever expected anything else. Even for fans of the genre, this is an easy pass.

It's not perfect, but what Cronos: The New Dawn does right is done so incredibly well. Across the runtime of the game, the battle arenas can be a little tiring, but the bread and butter of the exploration and moment-to-moment combat carry it through easily. This is a very competent, scary and exciting horror title with some amazing, unique visuals. Get on it, horror fans!