Ultimately, these games were the result of Game Freak and Nintendo taking a risk and giving the fans something they've been begging for over a long while. It tries to mix Legends: Arceus with the main series, and it half-succeeds. Some things brought innovative and fun changes, while we learned others were better off they way they were before. If Pokémon fans can look past the obvious flaws and limitations, there's so much to appreciate here.

Despite its flaws, I can’t deny that I had a great time walking in the shoes of Kiryu. I enjoyed the story, the exciting combat, and the thrilling action. While I may have finished the main story, I’ll be going back for more side content to see what I may have missed along the way. While the combat may not demand a high investment from its players, there’s no denying that the deeper you dig, the more you get. This is a game that rewards its players for high levels of engagement but doesn’t punish the casual player just along for the ride. Whether you’re a true blue fan or a newcomer to the series, there’s a lot to enjoy about Like A Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name.

As a PC player of Rimworld, I’ll be returning to the more bespoke experience I’ve turned the game into on its home platform, but I’m also delighted that games like this are coming to consoles, and being ported with this much care and attention. This is one of the best management sims and story generators around, brought to console in almost all its glory. The quality of this console implementation should be a guiding light for other games in this traditionally PC-only genre to do the same.

Call of Duty: Mobile is a surprisingly great first-person shooter with buttery smooth controls that has me addicted.

If you’re new to the series, Redux‘s difficulty options and overall presentation are an excellent starting point for entering the deep, dark world of Shin Megami Tensei.

Semblance is a unique platformer whose minimalistic environment is the perfect background to the satisfyingly challenging puzzles that must be solved in order to save the adorable little squish's world.

Supermassive has an incredible talent for creating gripping narratives of a horror persuasion, and despite some technical bumps in the sand, my retrospective opinion on House of Ashes still remains the same: It’s a bloody good creature feature.

Even though its online multiplayer isn’t perfect, and the Switch version specifically can occasionally suffer from a lack of precision when using a controller, Sushi Striker: The Way of Sushido wound up being one of the most original and entertaining puzzle games I have played in years.

Nidhogg 2 is an exemplary symbol of how to create a gratifying multiplayer game.

This niche of the RTS genre isn’t often catered-to outside of the Pikmin series, so it’s nice to see these developers branch out and be successful.

A narrative game that makes you reflect on the real world and your place in it is always a blessing, and in my view, Frank and Drake accomplishes what it sets out to do. It's a game with a lot of heart.

The Town of Light is an experience with the power to enlighten many to the anguish of those few still lost in the dark.

While some aspects of the game's presentation are surprisingly lackluster for the lauded series' triumphant return, Mega Man 11 still provides the satisfying and well-designed platforming that put Capcom on the map in the 80s.

Infinity Nikki is a delightful dress-up experience worth checking out on a whim. Its creative gameplay provides countless opportunities to create a perfect look for Nikki with near-limitless clothing options and accessories. While the open world may sometimes feel bland, the various activities and puzzles you discover pull the engagement levels back. Even during its uninteresting story beats, it'll surprise you with an awe-inspiring set-piece that'll make you adore the quality and effort put into its details. If it continues to expand the charming world of Mira even further with new story arcs and events, it'll surely be a top-notch adventure title that isn't too dependent on the controversial Gacha elements.

To the Moon has its quirks, but is still remembered fondly as one of the standout indie titles from the early 2010s. The core experience still holds up and has visually been recreated well by X.D. Network, and I hope they end up giving other RPG Maker classics like Yume Nikki a similar treatment. The jump to Unity did cause some unfortunate niggles, like the more noticeable loading times and control issues, and some of the slight visual alterations made me uneasy at first, but I still enjoyed playing To the Moon on Nintendo Switch almost as much as I did on PC 8 years ago. If you’re a fan of narrative-focused games, walking simulators, or whatever you want to call them and still haven’t played To the Moon, it’s definitely worth checking out.

Camper Van: Make it Home shares a main principle overarching in all video games: losing yourself in something. But the no-stress approach means that although it still requires concentration and effort, it's something you really want to do rather than something you have to do. In that context, the visual design is excellent, and the audio is almost perfection. Have a go, and like me, you might be surprised how quickly the outside world drowns out - and thus, in its own context, how fantastic of a game it is.

While not as challenging as its predecessors, the newest addition to the Bayonetta canon establishes itself as a playful and worthy entry.

While I wasn’t moved by the narrative in Persona Q2: New Cinema Labyrinth, the game does do its job at incorporating the series’ long history of characters into a cohesive and fun story. Paired with the familiar and new mechanics, this is a great title for Persona fans on the go. As one of, if not the last major title coming to the Nintendo 3DS, Persona Q2: New Cinema Labyrinth is one of the best RPGs on the handheld.

It would have been neat if all of the games in this collection could feature online multiplayer, but even without it, the titles still manage to be entertaining in single player or local co-op.

MotoGP 25 is a great entry point into the series for any new players and makes a great alternative to four-wheel racing games. Returning players who have a lot of experience in the series may find the incremental changes aren't dramatic enough, but the arrival of additional new race types and the full junior seasons is nothing to frown at. In terms of gameplay and visuals, MotoGP 25 does pull a gap on its predecessors even if it doesn't lap them entirely. Though it's not without its faults, MotoGP 25 is easily the definitive motorcycle racing title out there today and brings with it the high levels of authenticity that we have come to expect from its developer.

REANIMAL stands as both a confident continuation of Tarsier Studios’ haunting design philosophy and a cautious step into new territory. While its ambitious scope occasionally exposes cracks through rushed narrative beats and safe puzzle design, its oppressive atmosphere, striking visuals, and linked-up co-op gameplay carry the experience from beginning to end. For some, it may not reach the same tightly crafted heights as Little Nightmares, but it successfully captures that same uneasy magic that made those games special. It isn’t perfect, much like all things in this vast expanse of the medium or the horror genre, but it’s a bold and unsettling co-op journey that shows Tarsier’s signature style is still very much alive.

Revolgear Zero is an enjoyable and satisfying retro shmup experience that will undoubtedly satisfy the genre's biggest fans. It's nowhere near as challenging as some of the genre's juggernauts, nor is it as impressive, but there's still plenty to enjoy here, especially at a discounted price tag. I just wish there were more to see and do in Revolgear Zero to attract those who aren't hardcore shump fans.

I really do love it when games manage to reach beyond the screen and into the living room, and that’s something Kirby’s Dream Buffet does really well.

Little Nightmares 3 is a solid addition to the beloved franchise, and Supermassive did a fine job with the project. The atmosphere is on point as it does a great job at telling a story, creating a sense of dread, and is genuinely exciting to venture through. Unfortunately, the game has minimal horror, and I wouldn’t go into it expecting to be scared. As for the gameplay itself, it’s really basic to its benefit and detriment. It’s a great game to pick up and play in a weekend, especially due to its short runtime, but it won’t offer any challenge or thought-provoking puzzles. Still, Little Nightmares 3 feels right at home in the franchise and I wouldn't mind seeing Supermassive Games take another crack at a sequel, especially if they learn from their mistakes on this one.

I feel that the developers and designers are making a strange effort to make the solutions for Baba is You even more perplexing, and possibly less accessible to players.

Psychonauts in the Rhombus of Ruin may not be Psychonauts 2, but it provides enough substance and allows fans to sink their teeth into something new.

Sonic Team has never been afraid to take risks and Sonic Frontiers is a good example of one that has paid off. There are some areas where it is lacking, such as the minimal number of Cyberspace settings and the Titan fights, but Sonic Frontiers is the best 3D Sonic games in a long time, with its open-world foundation offering something for the series to build on in years to come.

NBA 2K22 is a great game in pretty much every facet, over than the overbearing VC issues that have been present for years now. Combining MyCareer with The City was a genius decision and the introduction of Seasons across multiple game modes will keep NBA 2K22 fresh moving forward throughout the next year while waiting on the next annual entry.