Black Myth: Wukong is living proof that developers other than FromSoftware can create top-tier action RPGs. Its exploration and character customization are more restrictive than I'd have liked, but its combat and boss fights are second to none.

A nuanced journey that plays it too safe.

My grievances with Road to the Show and Franchise aren’t enough to detract from an otherwise brilliant installment in a series I’ve truly grown to appreciate over the past few years. MLB The Show 24 is a project made by and for community members, expertly curated by the team at San Diego Studio that has found its stride and, in my opinion, set a new gold standard for sports simulation games.

Though it far from reinvents the wheel, College Football 25 does enough to deliver on the expectations of a passionate fan base to spark new life into the series and develop a serious rival for Madden.

Xbox exclusives have been a swing and a miss recently, with even the likes of Starfield splitting fanbases. But Avowed has changed the tune—perhaps benefiting from reduced expectations after those that came before. I admittedly overlooked Avowed on the release calendar, with my eyes firmly set on other upcoming titles. Having dived headfirst into the adventure across the Living Lands, though, it’s safe to say I’ll be sticking around for the foreseeable future.

It has everything that made the original game so great, with layers lovingly added on top alongside new content that make it a fighting game you definitely shouldn’t overlook if you want to give something freshly baked a try ahead of its Evo 2024 showcase.

Civ 7 has elements that fans of previous titles will know and love, but its core gameplay loop is unique. While it may be a sticking point for players who’ve been with the series from the start, it’s exactly what the Civ world needed to keep things exciting.

EA Sports FC 26 is a step forward, and the series desperately needed it. The backbone has never been more customizable, and Career Mode feels truly rewarding with Authentic gameplay this year. If only the issue of microtransactions and Ultimate Team’s focus on money didn’t hang over the game so heavily. That said, FC 26 truly delivers for both fans of realistic, tactical football and those who enjoy fast, arcade-style matches. Whether you want a deep and thoughtful game or play a quick and exciting online match, it offers both. Just be aware that the game will keep finding ways to encourage you to spend extra money along the way.

While Another Crab’s Treasure doesn’t push the status quo of the Soulslike genre, what it hides beneath its shell is an utterly gorgeous world worth exploring, one with charm, creative level designs, and a captivating central gameplay mechanic that even the most hardened Dark Souls veterans can appreciate.

Pepper Grinder offers players so much more than simplistic gameplay, despite centering around an incredibly simple mechanic.

Fans of the original looking for a nostalgia fix and loyal Nintendo completists won’t be disappointed. But Luigi’s Mansion 2 HD definitely isn’t Nintendo at its inventive best. If it were, it would have Mario’s name on the front.

Late-game frustrations aside, Mario vs. Donkey Kong is mostly a high-quality experience. I can’t recommend it as a must-play—as it doesn’t do anything especially ambitious or revolutionary and doesn’t feel like great value for money—but it does what it does extremely well. Fans of the original who really want to play it again won’t be disappointed, and anyone who loves pure, refined puzzle design will also find a lot to appreciate and enjoy here.

Dragon Age: The Veilguard is an action-filled game that is fluid, crisp, and exciting. The missions are well-written and enjoyable, and the dialogue between companions is delightful. There’s a lot to like about The Veilguard, but there are a few bumps in the road. For older Dragon Age fans, it might feel odd to be planted in this mostly dungeon-based mission corridor, but the experience never feels like a grind and is mostly BioWare playing it safe.

Outlaws doesn't quite fit the role it was supposedly created for. Had the developer fully ironed out all the gameplay kinks and filled the environments with interesting things to do, it may have been able to go toe-to-toe with Jedi Survivor. Instead, it leaves behind little more than a few fond memories.

While I don’t think Ronin reinvents the wheel, it has enough style and substance to make me feel like a slick samurai, and if that sounds fun to you, then it’s worth a go.

Bandle Tale is a grindfest that demands a huge time investment. While initially compelling, it quickly becomes frustrating and lacks the polish needed for long-term fun.

If you can get past the frustrating crashing issues and performance drops, there is a great basketball sim with plenty to discover for all kinds of NBA fans.

Homeworld 3 will arrive almost 21 years after the previous installment, Homeworld 2, and after you plunge into this deep space strategy, you’ll soon realize it was worth the wait.

Whether you dig Sand Land’s vibes and want to go full Mad Max with its combat or experience one of Akira Toriyama’s classic stories told in a fresh package, Bandai Namco and ILCA sold me on this world and its characters, and if you give it a try, you might just get sucked in like quicksand.

The Career Mode revamp is a breath of fresh air, but F1 24 still feels stale.

Princess Peach: Showtime! has so much to offer, but the overall length makes it feel like it’s not reached its full potential. Given its $60 price tag, you would expect more content. If the short playtime doesn’t concern you, though, Princess Peach: Showtime! is a fun and memorable little adventure that is absolutely worth your time.

Still Wakes the Deep tries to dig beneath the surface of Caz and his crewmates, but doesn’t go far enough. Without a sufficiently riveting story, we’re left with a horror premise that feels like it’s been done before and more questions than answers at the end of the slog.

CYGNI: All Guns Blazing is a functional arcade shooter that’s pretty to look at and pleasant to listen to, but it's an average experience with uninspired ideas that add nothing to the genre.

STALKER 2 can be a fun experience as you work your way through the game. The initial area will feel like the toughest because of how much it can take you by surprise. Still, as you gradually expand to other locations, find new gear, and embrace the thought of being prepared, it’s rewarding in all the right ways, even if getting there feels like climbing an irradiated mountain.

You’ll be disappointed if you expect a big playground to explore or deep action mechanics. But if you want to experience one of the most emotional mob stories in games, a tale of love and betrayal set against the beautiful, cruel backdrop of early 1900s Sicily, this is the ride you should take. Be ready with tissues, though, as The Old Country is a tragedy. It doesn’t pull its punches and leaves scars that last long after the credits roll.

Although far from perfect, Flintlock is an explosively fun experience that beautifully blends the action-adventure and Soulslike genres—all while dabbling with a bit of 3D platforming. It will appeal to those who love going the extra mile to see what hidden items they can find in hard-to-reach nooks and crannies. If you can wade through Flintlock’s performance issues, you’re in for a gorgeous ride.

Madden 25 isn't a terrible game, but it falls massively short compared to College Football 25 and is nowhere near different enough from last year's title to make it worthwhile.

There’s a special balance between horror and humor that runs like a sick and twisted thread through every inch of The Outlast Trials.