Even while sharing much of its DNA with its predecessor, there’s nothing quite like it. SAROS is a one-of-a-kind gaming experience that absolutely can’t be passed up, though it might be best waiting a few weeks for some kinks to be ironed out.

Tomodachi is back, and it’s never been better. While the character creation is so nearly perfect, Living the Dream is a welcome trip down memory lane for fans of the original. It builds upon everything that made the 3DS original so special, creating an upgraded adventure that’s filled with even more odd interactions, silly situations, and laugh-out-loud lines that will have you coming back to view this microcosm of the weird and wonderful for countless hours to come.

Pragmata is a ridiculously fun sci-fi shooter with a warm, gooey center that feels like a long-lost gem from a bygone era of action games.

Pokemon Champions has a fantastic onboarding process for players unfamiliar with the ins and outs of competitive battling, but it still feels like it needs work. It would massively benefit from smoother performance, a review of its puzzling monetization, and a toning down of its grind, which, while more straightforward than the mainline games, requires sizable time investment just to unlock everything.

Marathon is a wildy inconsistent game that reaches blood-pumping highs, in between rounds of pure frustration. There's a great shooter hiding in there, but players will jump off before they find it.

So far, it’s a good game with the potential to be great. If these bosses and puzzles were more user-friendly, allowing you to spend more time enjoying the open world, it’d be a lot better for it.

If you’re a fan of Silent Hill f, PS2 J-horror classics, or want another butt-clenching horror experience to fill the shotgun-sized hole left behind by Resident Evil Requiem, then Crimson Butterfly Remake is a must-play for survival horror fans. While not every new mechanic sticks the landing, the upgraded graphics, unnerving environments, and enhanced combat let Crimson Butterfly Remake successfully spread its wings and soar above the original. If this is what we can expect from future titles, then Fatal Frame fans are in for a frightfully good future.

WWE 2K26 is like a star that is ready for a push. It’s put in the work and has a great foundation. The roster is pretty stellar, the game modes are all there, and so many systems are in place. Now, it’s just about bringing them all together and taking that next step. No more Showcase, no more new match types. Focus on what you have and enhance it significantly.

Pokemon Pokopia reimagines what it means to be a Pokemon, blending cozy building systems with open-ended creativity to deliver one of the most addictive gameplay loops the series has ever seen.

Resident Evil Requiem keeps Capcom’s winning streak going, even if, at times, it does buckle under the weight of its own ambition. The overriding feeling after seeing the credits roll after the 10-hour mark was surprise that the adventure was over so soon...I wanted more, especially for Leon, whose sections felt like they weren’t afforded enough opportunities to shine. While post-game weapon and difficulty unlocks provide replay value, Requiem feels like it could have benefited from extra time in the oven...For as long as it lasts, however, Requiem is fantastic. It feels like the culmination of Capcom’s learnings from years of indecision over whether the series should be full-on horror or action, delivering the best of both worlds.

High on Life 2 is everything you could want from a sequel to the first High on Life. It’s bigger, better, and funnier, finally delivering on what the original promised – a fantastic, over-the-top FPS where the jokes are as sharp as your knife. New companions like Sheath and Travis prove that the talking guns shtick that worked so well the first time was no fluke, and they constantly leave you in stitches and your enemies needing them. If you can give in to the weirdness, this is a goofy shooter that’s genuinely hilarious and a hell of a lot of fun to play. With smoother skateboarding and more varied boss battles, it would be perfection, but there’s a lot of life left in this emergent series – we wouldn’t say no to a threequel.

Every match is chock-full of hilarious and surprisingly strategic moments, and it’s what makes Mario Tennis Fever shine through its many distinct game modes. You’re always in for a DK-stamped barrel of laughs.

Nioh 3 nails the marriage between RPG and hack-and-slash from a gameplay perspective. I’m excited to jump back in to leave no stone unturned in its open world, too, but not without compromise.

Wishblossom Ranch is the best Disney Dreamlight Valley expansion to date. The introduction of horses and the beautiful world make this worth the entry price alone, and it’s hard to think of a single Disney fan who wouldn’t enjoy riding these magnificent beasts.

Black Ops 7 has the worst Call of Duty campaign of all time, but another solid multiplayer with great maps and an addictive Zombies mode means there's still plenty of fun to be had.

All of this adds up to a great multiplayer that will no doubt keep players hooked for months to come. But while it’s a lot of fun to play, there’s nothing new here to get excited about. [Review in Progress]

ARC Raiders is truly special. Every run is an emotional rollercoaster as you go from rags to riches and back again, but the highs are so high that the next run is impossible to resist. If there’s any justice in the world, ARC Raiders is the next world-conquering shooter.

Football Manager 26 marks the iconic management sim’s return after two years off, but longtime FM players are going to struggle as it is a bit of a confusing mess.

After waiting six years for another crack at The Outer Worlds, it feels disappointing to be met with a sequel that is so promising but marred by a poor first half and frustrating Flaws. But the game isn’t a total flop, saved by its whimsical charm, vivid dystopian subject matter, and the classic, slower, and more explorative design that Obsidian games have perfected.

Ninja Gaiden 4's biggest achievement isn't executing a new gimmick or risqué idea. It's the result of two studios famed for their action-adventure chops delivering a game with incredible polish and best-in-class gameplay that hits the sweet spot between accessibility and depth with god-tier precision.

Bloodlines 2 isn’t your typical RPG. It tells a great and complex story while taking you on an adventure where every choice you make affects the narrative, inside a city that feels alive with lovable and hateable characters. However, it could have done so much more to live up to it's predecessor and TTRPG inspiration.

Pokemon Legends Z-A delivers fast, polished battles in Lumiose City, but limited exploration and shallow side content hold it back from being truly great.

After years spent circling the drain, Battlefield 6 gets the series back on track. The mission statement was clear as EA delivers classic, class-based multiplayer, a thrilling yet brief singleplayer campaign, and a creative toolset bound to drive countless hours of fun in community-made experiences. We finally remembered how to make a proper Battlefield.

Adventure Awaits isn’t just a pack for outdoorsy Sims; it also fleshes out the Child lifestate with elements that follow Sims throughout their lives. Packing in the series’ usual whimsicality in the form of unique Imaginary Friends and a ton of new skills and hobbies to partake in, Adventure Awaits has exactly the sort of depth and creativity a DLC should have. If we can get more Packs like this and Life & Death, The Sims 4 still has an incredibly bright future 10 years after its initial launch.

Digimon Story Time Stranger should be the strongest RPG the series has produced. The evolution system is endlessly replayable, the story delivers big twists, and the presentation shows real care. Unfortunately, it narrowly misses the top spot thanks to its small maps, tedious training, and mechanics that never live up to their promise...It’s a fantastic monster-catching game at its core, but the world around it feels too restricted and the side content too shallow to match that depth.

EA Sports FC 26 is the best the series has been in years, thanks to a host of gameplay changes that deliver Ballon d’Or-worthy football. Like Arteta’s Arsenal, you could accuse it of lacking ambition with some modes in need of an overhaul, but it proves that stability off the pitch brings success on it.

While Ghost of Yotei’s tale of revenge may not cut as deep as its predecessor, Sucker Punch’s blade is still deadly. The environments of Ezo are begging to be explored, and the melee combat has never been sharper, delivering more weapons, blood, and adrenaline-fueled duels worthy of the Kurosawa films that inspired it. Whether you’re a fan of Ghost of Tsushima or a newcomer to the series, Ghost of Yotei is a must-play. Atsu’s adventure sets a new gold standard for samurai action games and marks an exciting new chapter in the Ghost saga – one that will hopefully shape the series for years to come.

Hades 2 is an unbelievable triumph for more reasons than a pair of human hands can count. Supergiant Games' sequel is a bold evolution of the original that flawlessly executes new ideas to deliver the best roguelike of this generation.

Silent Hill f is a bold new direction for Konami’s iconic survival horror series. While it may put a heavier emphasis on combat, NeoBards has expertly concocted a nightmarish cocktail oozing with enough stomach-churning monsters, disgustingly beautiful environments, and psychological dread to be just as good, if not better than, Silent Hill 2…Hinako’s world is suffocating and compelling, and I can’t wait to delve even further into the dark, damp town of Ebisugaoka to uncover more endings. If this is the quality we can expect from Silent Hill going forward, then I have never been more excited to step into its fog-filled future.

Borderlands 4 could have been great. Its storyline and gameplay are the strongest they’ve ever been, but it's plagued by performance issues, missing features, and outdated UI's that almost drag it down to the murky depths of its predecessor.

Dying Light: The Beast has great parkour and melee combat, but a bland story and an uninteresting Beast Mode mechanic leave it fun, but ultimately forgettable.

Silksong is a technical feat. So densely packed is its world that maintaining a laser focus on forward momentum is borderline impossible. At every opportunity, I found myself pausing the main campaign just to prolong my time in Pharloom...Little did I know that pacing myself wasn’t necessary. Mechanically, Silksong is just as expansive. Superior fluidity of movement and a less obtuse approach to building the perfect bug warrior made traversal and combat feel like a treat to be savored at every opportunity...Ultimately, games like these live and die based on how well their worlds are built, and Pharloom is one of the best from an architectural and visual perspective. It’s a shame that its fierce difficulty spike and pacing issues in the early game will absolutely turn less hardcore audiences away, because it’s clear that Silksong is seven years of love, care, and dedication splashed on a screen. Equal parts breathtaking and brutal, Hollow Knight: Silksong proves it was worth the wait but won’t go easy on anyone.

Gears of War: Reloaded brings a nearly 20-year-old classic back to life in stunning fashion. The remaster sharpens the action and polishes the visuals, but while the gunplay is timeless, clunky AI and a barebones story remind you this is still a product of its time.

Mafia: The Old Country drastically improves on its predecessor, delivering a gripping mob tale that hits harder than a punch from Tony Montana. It’s just a shame that it’s a much better movie than it is a game.

Dead Take is a sublime horror game filled with some phenomenal performances expertly heightened by the live-action nature. It's unique, fun, and fantastically paced.

Tales of the Shire offers a cute cozy adventure that perfects its fishing and cooking, but fails to succeed in any other area synonymous with the genre.

Wuchang: Fallen Feathers is yet another great Soulslike with an entertaining and satisfying combat system that's impossible to put down. I wish its boss fights would break the mould a little more, but the depth of the Madness feature makes even the more irritating areas worth the pain…This is the next challenge that fans of Elden Ring, Dark Souls, and Black Myth: Wukong need to face. You’ll probably end up using swear words you didn’t even realize you knew, but if you can stomach the difficulty, you’ll be rewarded with the standout Soulslike of 2025.

From start to finish, Donkey Kong Bananza is a riot. I wrapped up my journey to Bananza's credits in a little over 20 hours. Your mileage will vary wildly depending on how much optional content you decide to invest time in, but that's the beauty of it. If you're not big on collectathons, there's still plenty of game here for platforming purists to enjoy. I can't recommend enough taking on the various trials – think Shrines from Breath of the Wild – littered throughout the world, though, especially if you're a fan of 2D Donkey Kong. While performance issues were largely nonexistent in handheld mode, quite severe frame rate drops were commonplace when docked, especially during certain boss battles. This doesn't take into account any day one patches that may or may not arrive on release, and not egregious enough that your enjoyment will be hampered.

College Football 26 is a step up from last year, there is no doubt about that. The game looks stunning and plays differently enough from Madden to justify sinking hundreds of hours into it.

Enchanted by Nature kicks The Sims 4’s wackiness up a notch in all aspects while not feeling too overbearing, and even though Fairies and the new world are perfectly fine additions to the game, they might not blow Simmers away. Where the pack really shines is in its new Natural Living skill, enchanted Gnomes, and new items like the Living Houseplants. They’re all standouts of the pack, and while it’s not going to be worth getting this DLC for one of those alone, there’s a big chunk of content on offer here that has something for every Simmer.

Death Stranding 2 is a phenomenal offering. It's among Kojima's very best work not just for its narrative, but for the near-limitless variability in its gameplay opportunities.

Rematch has the juice to be the next big multiplayer phenomenon, and the game you'll be screaming at your friends in for years to come. Move over Rocket League – this is the arcade football game we’ve been waiting for.

Date Everything’s main draw is its crazy premise, but thanks to its storylines that are brought to life by seasoned voice actors, it is more than just a silly idea. It is a surprisingly heartfelt experience that expertly blends silly and sentiment.

It’s such a shame that the key selling point of the Mario Kart Switch 2 game, its open world, falls a bit flat, because pretty much everything else is so, so good. Ok, the lack of kart customization bothers me a little, but with a crazier cast of characters, fun items, and incredibly imaginative tracks, the racing is as good as it has ever been...And in Knockout Tour’s hectic 24-player battle royale-style matches, it’s even better, proving that Nintendo can still deliver surprises that completely change the way we play its iconic games. I never thought I needed or wanted a BR-style mode in Mario Kart, and now I’m sitting here questioning why it’s never been added before. If only it had been called Mario Kart Knockout, eh?

F1 25 hits all the same notes as F1 24, but it isn’t just a reskin; it is a stylish upgrade that will punish you at a moment's notice if you get out of line. You may have dreams of becoming Max Verstappen, but it will quickly turn you into Lance Stroll.

After Elden Ring set the bar impossibly high for what's expected of open-world RPGs, Nightreign delivers a fantastic accompaniment to FromSoftware's core portfolio. It's unafraid to turn the established Souls formula on its head and ask if it can mesh well with other genres. While the answer is a resounding yes, Nightreign won't be for everyone. For series veteran fans with no interest in multiplayer, it's a hard sell. Solo play is an officially supported mode, but it feels much like an afterthought. Played with the intended group size, however, Nightreign is an irresistible co-op experience with far more depth than I expected.

Above all else, Doom: The Dark Ages has utterly fantastic combat. Moment-to-moment action is among the best in series history. But ultimately, in a desire to expand on a winning formula, id Software has fallen short of the high bar it set with Doom 2016 and Doom Eternal.

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 gets it right in all the areas that matter. Its storytelling carries emotional depth, and the characterization makes you care about everyone you meet on your journey through this beautifully imagined world. Throw in a combat system that puts mastery above grinding, and you’ve got a classic RPG that, like Baldur’s Gate 3 before it, should appeal beyond its target audience, so much so that a game of the year nomination feels inevitable.

Dragonwilds’ core gameplay doesn’t reinvent the wheel, but it ticks all the boxes of what makes survival games so addictive while bringing fresh ideas to the table that work wonders in minimizing genre fatigue. Jagex’s roadmap promises core updates to every facet of the game, and with a foundation as solid as this, there’s every chance it could become a leader among its peers. The biggest issue, by a country mile, is an overreliance on unfun, semi-scripted events that, right now, only serve to cause frustration.

Stygian: Outer Gods is a game that diehard Cthulhu fans will enjoy. But is it polished enough for those less familiar in its early access state to appreciate? Not really. It’s unsatisfying to play as an RPG fan, and while its atmosphere is stellar, as a survival horror lover, I was expecting more scares. However, as a Keeper for Call of Cthulhu, it struck a chord and embodied that unsettling design every good eldritch game needs. Ultimately, if you’re looking for a short adventure that’s bound to improve, then Stygian: Outer Gods is a great choice.

While the adventure borrows heavily from Bloodborne, Dark Souls, and Stellar Blade, it never quite manages to match them. This is because it feels like more of a tribute act rather than a game that drives the genre forward. As fun as AI Limit is, we’ve seen it all before. However, if you’re craving more of that classic Soulslike gameplay in a slick anime art style that’s always rewarding to play, then there’s still lots of fun to be had in AI Limit.

Atomfall is a totally gripping nuclear mystery that rises above the Fallout comparisons to become its own brutal beast.

Assassin's Creed has been fighting to find its identity for over a decade, and thanks to Shadows it's finally rediscovered it. Sure, its combat can be clunky and some story beats felt oddly placed (particularly Yasuke's backstory), but Shadows is exactly what Assassin's Creed needed to prove it still has a beating heart. Whether you’re looking to explore the stunning world of feudal Japan, storm the gates of an enemy castle, or fall in love with the many NPCs that populate its world, Assassin's Creed Shadows is an immersive treat that cements itself as the best Assassin's Creed game since Black Flag.

MLB The Show 25 doesn’t make any massive changes, but it didn’t need to. If you are a baseball fan, I highly recommend picking up MLB The Show 25, and if you are a sports fan who hasn’t tried this series yet, it’s the perfect year to do so.

Mechanically, 2K25 is a very similar game to 2K24, just as 23 was before that… Normally, it would be hard to get that thrilled about an annual update, but this definitely captures the excitement of the new Triple H era with its Showcase mode, and that is enough to make it the best WWE game since 2K started developing them. So, even if you have 2K24, you won’t want to miss wrestling with Roman Reigns this year.

Businesses & Hobbies is a conundrum of an Expansion Pack. While it offers some fantastic cross-pack functionality with other DLC, it’s let down in other areas by only featuring two new skills, an underbaked candy creation system, and a small world with interactable set dressing I’ve been speaking about since My Wedding Stories. If you’re someone who loves Rags to Riches playthroughs, familial play, and legacies, this is the pack for you, but the sour aftertaste of something that feels all too familiar to Get To Work in some ways keeps it from being something truly great.

What makes these dichotomous chapters so engrossing, however, is their sheer scope. Where throughout It Takes Two you were largely traversing smaller, indoor areas and keeping to confined spaces, Split Fiction feels like a bold statement of what Hazelight can really do with an expanded budget. Some areas are bewildering in size, while others pack in so much detail you can’t help but ponder where all the loading screens have been hidden.

Two Point Museum is so much more than just a grind to build the best possible museum, it also offers plenty of exciting features, a great deal of customization, and it's all complemented by a good sense of humor that adds an extra layer of depth to the game.

Monster Hunter Wilds is a giant stomp towards a bigger and brighter future for the beast-slaying series. Despite the sluggish pace of its story and a few muddy textures on base PS5, it's clear Capcom hasn’t bitten off more than it can chew. Wilds is a triumphant culmination of mechanics, monsters, and ideas that have been masterfully forged from 21 years of collective knowledge and experience. The result is nothing short of a carefully honed blade that manages to slice its own path and stand proudly amongst Monster Hunter greats. If Monster Hunter World was the appetizer, then Wilds is the full-blown main course. Now, if you don’t mind, I have a date with Rathalos and a new Great Sword to make.

PGA Tour 2K25 is a great step up from its predecessor with some beautiful graphics upgrades and challenging mechanic tweaks. Having the option to create numerous MyPlayers with different archetypes will have you grinding the new upgrade system for hours on end too. You won’t feel shortchanged whatever route you decide to go down. The only downside? While the custom courses are fun – and often rage-inducing – we’d just love to see more official PGA Tour courses, especially outside of the United States. Otherwise, we’ll catch you the greens, sinking birdies, and winning Majors.

While the pacing did pull the momentum to a halt on occasion, Pirate Yakuza is a fantastic action-adventure game and a worthy addition to this iconic franchise...The bond between Majima and Noah gives it a surprising amount of heart, and the time you spend with the Goro Pirates is utterly joyous. Whether you’ve played every Yakuza entry or are just looking for something a little different, this over-the-top adventure is certainly a success.

It may not be groundbreaking, but Avowed certainly leaves one hell of a mark on the RPG genre. The game's fun, challenging, and extremely enjoyable to play from start to finish, even when you're being hounded by giant mechanical undead creatures.

It’s obvious a lot of love has been poured into every facet of Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2. If you found combat in the first game too difficult or the survival mechanics tedious, then the sequel’s streamlined gameplay might not be enough to change your mind. However, if you were a fan of the first game, there’s so much to enjoy here. It’s clearly the game Warhorse wanted to make back in 2018, and it’s been improved in so many small ways. Bigger and better, it’s a must-play. Aside from some clunkiness and the odd tedious mission, it’s hard to find another game that so expertly combines realism and fun, with tough but satisfying combat, a morally ambiguous but grand story, and a faithfully recreated medieval world brimming with stuff to do. It’s the sequel fans wanted, and I feel quite hungry for more.

Sniper Elite: Resistance doesn’t rip up the rule book, it sticks to what it does best and delivers another set of stunning sandboxes to poke around in. The sniping and hilariously detailed X-ray kills are just as satisfying as ever, and the new Propaganda missions are perfect for those looking to test their mettle away from the campaign.

Sure, massed enemies can be a little glitchy and the story can err towards the convoluted at times, but it’s nothing that keeps the game from being enjoyable. Whether you’re a long-time fan of the series or tempted to jump in for the first time, Dynasty Warriors: Origins is a very early contender for hack-and-slash game of the year, and you could do far worse than spending your time working through its epic tale.

Although Alien: Rogue Incursion does little to push the Virtual Reality space beyond what we’ve already grown familiar with, it’s another well-rounded experience that all owners should strongly consider, especially if you’re a lifelong fan of the IP.

While let down by some performance issues, Indiana Jones and the Great Circle captures the essence of its titular hero, nailing the story, characters, and visuals. For action-adventure lovers or Indiana Jones enthusiasts, this game is a must-play.

Stalker 2 is brutal, unforgiving, and not for the faint-hearted. While its storyline is poised for new players, its gameplay feels the opposite, providing a hardcore experience for anyone looking to dive into the Zone. Nevertheless, Stalker 2 is the kind of game that ages like a fine wine, getting better, richer, and slightly bolder as you push through its 35-hour campaign. That being said, the performance issues and missing features do leave a somewhat bitter taste.

Now having attained the Platinum, I can say with certainty the game is in no way, shape or form worth the price of a new AAA release. From its technical issues to the confounding game-design choices, it’s a bizarre spinoff that won’t leave Horizon fans overjoyed and won’t do much to turn fresh heads to the mainline entries.

Life is Strange: Double Exposure struggles to deliver the touching narrative and direction of its predecessors, feeling more like a side story than a worthy sequel for Max Caulfield's second outing.

Dragon Age: The Veilguard is a stellar achievement that ends a decade-long dry spell. It tells one of the best stories in the series fuelled by some of its most memorable characters. It’s not a flawless journey but the minor imperfections don’t detract from one of 2024’s best RPGs.

The game’s held back by a poor selection of maps, which are some of the worst launch maps we’ve seen to date, but overall, this is a fantastic return to form, especially through the Zombies mode and campaign. Black Ops 6 gives players exactly what they want, while also laying the groundwork for the future.

Despite the pressure, Bandai Namco has delivered once again, with Sparking Zero striking the perfect balance between paying homage to the elements of the franchise that made it so popular. In addition, Sparking Zero is also filled with new features, mechanics, game modes and more that will even have the most dedicated Bukoai Tenkaichi fans on their toes and blown away.

Metaphor: ReFantazio is the ultimate culmination of everything Atlus has learned from its best games and is a huge step forward for the future of its JRPGs. The delightful combat, incredible cast of characters, and intricate fantasy setting all make for a brilliant experience that no Shin Megami Tensei or Persona fan should miss out on. It’s certainly a game-of-the-year-worthy title and a smash hit for Atlus to end the year with.

Diablo 4’s Vessel of Hatred expansion offers a compelling new narrative for fans looking to continue the base game’s story. The new Spiritborn class is a joy to behold, and new features like Mercenaries and Runewords are a welcome addition, adding elements from older games that fans have missed.

EA FC 25 might not be the giant leap forward that many fans were hoping for, but its best-in-class visuals and realistic matches still comfortably make it the best football sim on the market. While it’s disappointing that some of its biggest and best additions haven’t been fully capitalized on, it still sets a strong foundation for EA SPORTS to build on in the coming years.

While Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom successfully brought exciting new concepts to Nintendo's iconic series and helped revolutionize open-world games – Echoes of Wisdom feels like a big step forward for classic Zelda. The game is a punchy cocktail of old school Zelda, expertly blended with modern mechanics from the series’ two open-world giants. As a result, Nintendo has created something that feels both nostalgic and uniquely fresh…It may have taken 38 years for the series's titular princess to finally get her own game, but boy was it worth waiting for. Echoes of Wisdom not only demonstrates that Nintendo is capable of wowing Zelda fans, but it can breathe new life into its legendary series. Echoes of Wisdom is a resounding success, a masterclass in creativity, and a worthy debut title for the series’ legendary princess.

While it doesn’t always nail pacing, it makes up for it with false security, tricky choices, and enough elements to keep you fully invested in the storyline or the well-being of the city’s patrons. Ultimately, whether you’re a Frostpunk veteran or new to the chilly city-builder, this sequel will prove how ill-equipped we actually are if a winter like this one comes along.

The Plucky Squire is an absolute blast from start to finish and one of the more well-rounded indie games we’ve seen in some time. While we have our nitpicks, it’s a worthwhile adventure for fans of all ages.

Dead Rising’s gameplay was revolutionary back in 2006 and Deluxe Remaster proves that two generations later, the series still has a leg to stand on. With some modest improvements and an overhaul to the visuals, Capcom has effortlessly revived a cult classic in a way that feels like it never left. It just feels so damn good to be back in Willamette.

From start to finish, from top to bottom, no matter how you look at it, Astro Bot is simply sublime. A genuine treat the likes of which we haven’t seen from any first-party PlayStation studio in far too long. Not only has Sony found a new franchise that absolutely needs to continue with new iterations every few years, but in Astro Bot, the company now has a new icon it can rely on for generations to come.

For Warhammer 40K fans, this truly is the game they’ve been waiting for, the issue is that it can feel slightly too similar to Gears of War in terms of gameplay, and Halo in terms of setting. Obviously, 40K has existed a lot longer than either of those two franchises, but that’s not going to stop some players from feeling a sense of déjà vu or that they’ve seen it all before. 40K may have inspired those sci-fi settings in part, but there’s no denying the opposite is true here. While we have concerns that Space Marine 2 could eventually become a fans-only game after its initial hype has died down, there’s no denying that this is the 40K game that many of us have spent decades waiting for. Those who’ve ever felt like a modern multiplayer game set in this universe would be a blast, were not only right, they owe it to themselves to check it out.

Similar to how I felt with the Age of Empires remasters, the quality-of-life changes to Age of Mythology Retold are welcome and help refresh it for modern gamers, even if it still does feel like a game stuck in 2002. In reality, I’d love to see a new Mythology game that builds upon the original in the same way Age of Empires 4 did. For now, the new 4k visuals, enhanced sounds, and improved AI make for an incredible reimagining of an old classic.

While Star Wars: Outlaws soars thanks to its spectacular open-world design, letting you loose across multiple gargantuan planets all brought to life with immense attention to detail, a safe and rather by-the-books narrative brings the package down from being an all-time great.

Black Myth: Wukong isn’t quite Games Science’s masterpiece. But it’s easy to see how it could be a strong foundation to get there.

Shadow of the Erdtree is a fitting tribute to Elden Ring and a stunning finale that manages to surprise and shock us all over again. Those who enjoyed the base game will find much more to get their teeth into. This signs off the Elden Ring chapter of FromSoftware’s journey so conclusively and impressively, that it invokes questions about how they will ever top it again.

For fans of horror video games, Still Wakes the Deep is one of 2024’s safer bets. It doesn’t have the perpetual terror of a game like Outlast, but that isn’t what it’s going for either. The peaks and troughs between genuine fear and relief turn the game into a rollercoaster of anxiety, but one that lets the player breathe. Though it isn’t hugely long or particularly demanding, it’s a welcome break from the formula of so many mechanics-focused games, making this a welcome return from The Chinese Room. This puts you in the shoes of a protagonist in a movie, with a curated story. Just be aware that what starts as a Ken Loach film quickly turns into something John Carpenter would be proud of.

It should come as no surprise that Vengeance is still, at its core, Shin Megami Tensei V. Its new storyline, characters, and quality-of-life improvements will be refreshing for returning players, though likely not enough to sway anyone who didn’t care for the original release. For those who weren’t able to play the initial Nintendo Switch release, though, Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance is a step up and the ideal way to experience the Nahobino’s story.

The Final Shape is a sentimental love letter to the social and community aspects of gaming... It’s not just the culmination of the expansions and seasons of the last 10 years, but the people we met along the way. It’s so rare for games to get to this moment and it’s practically unheard of to have it end so satisfyingly. Bungie did what seemed impossible with The Final Shape – they nailed it.

If you’re looking for a cool and fairly unique experience and you’ve got Game Pass, then Hellblade 2 could be worth your time. Its visual splendor and highlight moments are worth experiencing. But, if you haven’t played the original Hellblade yet? Do yourself a favor and go play that instead. In all ways except visual, it’s a better game.

Solo Leveling: Arise is a near-perfect homage to the original manhwa. Its sublime storytelling is its standout feature, which combined with its rich visuals, fluid gameplay, and addicting Genshin-esque features, make it a must-play for any Solo Leveling or gacha fan...Only time will tell if the late-game progression system issues will eventually harm its longevity and drive its promising playerbase away.

Rusty’s Retirement is an affordable cozy adventure that does everything it sets out to do. While it’s certainly a calming experience filled with visual beauty, its cramped style doesn’t do its gameplay any favors, forcing some busy space management into an already limited visual window. Nevertheless, it’s one of those games that will regularly be returned to, overlaying any boring tasks or simply adding a little more beauty to a screen. With such a small price tag and so much beauty, it’s hard to deny how lovely this game is.

Stellar Blade has landed a critical hit, successfully slicing through the crowd of well-established action-adventure game giants. If you’re a fan of sleek and stylish combat, with sprinklings of Soulsborne and Nier Automata vibes, you’ll feel right at home when playing Shift Up’s triumphant console debut.

EA Originals has a knack for spotlighting indie projects for publication and it’s very easy to understand why they chose this one. Given its very accessible pricepoint and day-one addition to the PlayStation Plus Extra catalog, the game has tremendous value and it’s impossible not to recommend it.

Harold Halibut is a remarkable accomplishment from a visual standpoint, its breathtaking stop-motion presentation a glorious sight to marvel at. Though in its pursuit of innovative design, it all but overlooks everything else it takes to piece together a worthwhile video game. Lacking in interactivity, it certainly isn’t an experience everyone will enjoy.

Open Roads’ gameplay may not stun and its visuals are not exactly the most groundbreaking. However, it at least dares to bring something new to the canon of video games by telling a humanistic story in the gaming medium, a brief tale historically conveyed through literature. Perhaps Open Roads would’ve worked better if it was part of an anthology of short games with the same theme, but somehow despite its flaws, it still remains a valiant attempt at telling a short story through a game.

South Park Snow Day feels like a step in the wrong direction for the franchise. With fantastic RPGs that nailed the vibe of the show so well, it’s hard to understand why they would instead move the games in such a misguided direction...With an uninteresting gameplay loop that relies on other players for its fun, the release just simply doesn’t hold up when put against other heavy hitters of a similar genre. And even when the game does feel good, it seldom feels like a South Park project, leaving players wondering what could have been.

Rise of the Ronin doesn’t offer the photo-realistic visuals of those seen in Ghost of Tsushima, nor does it provide the nail-biting difficulty of Sekiro. Instead, Team Ninja’s samurai epic successfully forges a new path – blending adrenaline-fueled combat, fun traversal mechanics, and a loveable cast of characters, wrapping them all together in a world ripe for exploration. Just like the ronin themselves, Team Ninja’s open-world game is not bound by the old masters of the past – instead, it rises to the challenge set by Sucker Punch and FromSoftware, forging its own path to stand firmly amongst them.