As it is, I appreciate Claws of Awaji for the eerily beautiful atmosphere, the Bou staff, and the boss fight against Nowaki. Without the technical issues, this DLC could have been the highlight of the entire game for me.

Silksong spins yarns of pain and freedom into a breathtaking Metroidvania fill of surprise and secrets.

If you're tired of Mario Kart World, Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds is nothing less than the best possible alternative you can currently buy... Overall, CrossWorlds is truly on par with a strong package here, positioning itself as a serious competitor that doesn't just copy Nintendo.

Techland’s latest dive into zombie parkour chaos is at times pure gold and at others wearying routine, a tightrope walk between adrenaline rush and monotony.

The latest installment proves that the series still has a lot of potential. The open world, which feels totally natural, looks truly beautiful, and stimulates the urge to explore, while the parkour elements enrich the experience even further. Overall, I think it's one of the best Borderlands games.

Great DLC with largely the same quality as last years’ best game, featuring great attention to detail and some stunning environments. Its only major flaw is that Machine Games somehow had to fit it into the Great Circle.

Cronos: The New Dawn hurls you into a shattered sci-fi wasteland where ammo is scarce and monsters are plenty. The pacing may sag in places, but its relentless challenge and gripping atmosphere keep the tension razor-sharp.

As eye-catching as the adventure may be: Its writing, platforming, exploration and combat aren't compelling enough to carry the Origami hero through the game.

Brilliant idea, solid framework—and yet an adventure that falls short of its potential: much of the detective work in Hell is Us is more tiresome than engaging.

Not for one second, the game's controls feel right, and the botched level structure does not help. Only dedicated Cobra fans need this one and they should get a physical copy. That way it looks good on the shelf, and they don’t have to actually play it.

A flashy and demanding character action game with challenging boss fights and plenty of combo freedom, but undermined by a generic story, shallow characters, and uneven polish. Fans of precise, skill-driven combat may enjoy its encounters — everyone else will likely struggle to look past its flaws.

Here, you'll find a few nice new levels with new challenges. None of this transforms the game in any way; it's simply more of the same. You can have a few hours of fun with it and enjoy the noticeably improved technology, perhaps even on a completely new playthrough. Nevertheless, I'm ultimately left with the impression that, despite the quality of the content, I think €20 is a bit too much, especially since other Nintendo games have received a free technical upgrade on the Switch 2.

Deep Sleep: Labyrinth of the Forsaken is raw, intense, and haunting. No gloss, no spectacle – just indie pixel horror that hits harder than many AAA titles.

Colorful action and rewarding exploration make for an excellent platformer: Sega's silent ninja returns in an inspired adventure.

Comprehensive modernizations, useful QoL features, and a spectacular graphics update: While not entirely free of some grating gameplay anachronisms, this is still the best possible version of Kojima's legendary classic.

Charming adventure that's a little too similar to Journey and somewhat lacking in depth - but unique in how it has you herding fantastical beasts on a wordless trip into the mountains.

Not only is Sword of the Sea fun, but it feels like something that's actually good for you. It's wonderfully uncomplicated and relaxing, while always being engaging. While AAA productions pile up mountains of features to simulate “added value,” this game focuses on a single idea—and develops it so clearly and consistently that it entertains for hours.

In Whispers from the Star, you speak to an AI astronaut via microphone to ensure her survival - an exciting experiment that quickly turns to the banal - and collects a lot of your data.

Everything is here, and as with the other franchises Konami tackled before, Gradius Origins is the ultimate fan package. This is how you remaster and present old games. This is the way, no question about it.

Beautiful in its presentation and with a powerful protagonist: Hellblade 2 is a landmark in fantastic storytelling.

Wuchang: Fallen Feathers is certainly not the pinnacle of Soulslike gaming. But it is a solid entry and I loved its fabulously staged game world and feminine grace. The game is hard, but never unfair, and with the huge skill tree there is still plenty for me to do (...) If you are looking for a Soulslike with East Asian flair, a stylish protagonist and some cool, crazy bosses, I can definitely recommend Wuchang: Fallen Feathers.

The Old Country is definitely old school, but I would never call it stale. It's sheer genre purism: familiar mafia tropes, no experiments - and that's exactly why, fans of classic Cosa Nostra material will immediately feel at home. If you'd rather treat yourself to Francis Ford Coppola's The Godfather for the twentieth time than give Barry Levinson's The Alto Knights a chance, you've come to the right place.

Overall, Daima does a lot right. The main story and fights in particular are well staged and always fun, with the mass battles standing out in a particularly positive way. The game also scores points for its sense of progression. The experience only falls apart when you stop focusing on the main story or battles and start looking for entertainment outside of them.

Rarely did I enjoy getting to know the numerous facets of a vivid world as much as I did here. And rarely did I miss in-depth systems as little as in this cleverly constructed stealth puzzler - in which sneaking, puzzling and quiet exploration come together in pleasingly varied situations.

Gripping, no-frills action with annoying rough edges - but so spot-on in terms of content that the big shooters should take a leaf out of their book.

So there are minor limitations, but there's hardly a better way to overhaul two games that are almost 15 years old. After all, Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3+4 plays as smoothly as a current title would and looks the part too.

In principle, the Switch 2 upgrade has a lot to offer, but little of it leaves a lasting impression. It feels more like a technology showcase than a focus on new content that fans really want.

Heartworm is a likeable homage to Silent Hill in particular. As a game, however, this declaration of love remains far too superficial.

Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound is a fast-paced and pleasantly challenging, but also very straightforward and short-lived adventure.

Pac-Man really wanted to go dark and chose a genre in which the bar had been set very high over the last decade. In the end, Shadow Labyrinth is a generally solid experience, but of little relevance to Metroidvanias overall.

The Drifter combines everything we love about point-and-click adventure games with modern storytelling, clever controls and the kind of style and character that few adventure games have had since the Lucas Arts classics. This is more than just life support for a genre that has long been said to be dead, it's a highlight for anyone who loves captivating stories.

A game that almost only Nintendo can make. Colorful, entertaining, and always a little crazy. Bananza is bursting with creativity and ideas.

With a humorous script, lovingly designed characters and a goofy story, Date Everything turns out to be a really cool dating sim.

Easily the best version of the classic sci-fi thriller, which leaves a bit to be desired, though, in terms of transferring controls to modern gamepad standards.

Luffy and the Riverside feels like stepping into a children's book and letting your imagination run wild. Turning trees into water? Sure, no problem. Turning the pond with the annoying shark into lava to fry it? Of course. The flip is a wonderful game mechanic that breathes fresh air into the platformer genre.

The result is a game I didn't know I needed or even wanted. Death Stranding 2 is huge, pompous, moving, shocking, inspiring, confusing - and ultimately, and above all, concerned with what connects us and makes us human. Even if that thing is just the sheer joy of an insanely long zipline ride through snow-covered mountains.

If you're a fan of turn-based strategy, you're can't go wrong getting Songs of Conquest on your Nintendo Switch. The port is a success, and the game still is a lot of fun on Nintendo's console, reminding you of the "good old days" of the genre while enjoying a modern version of it at the same time. It's just a shame that there are no optimizations for the Switch 2 yet - I hope these are still to come.

Ultimately, Cyberpunk 2077 is one of the most remarkable games you can buy for the launch of the Switch 2. Firsty, because the port proves what Nintendo's console is technically capable of. And secondly because this is just a massive, excellent RPG that has matured nicely, indeed.

As I was still far from finished with Tears of the Kingdom, I was delighted to be able to do so with improved technology. If you feel the same way, or if you haven't played the title yet, you should definitely go for the Switch 2 version. As with BotW, it's a bit of a shame that the Zelda Notes features are only accessible via an app.

Fast Fusion plays just as excellent as its predecessors. This game is all about fast, precise driving and perfect utilization of the boost ... You might not put as many hours into this that you will into Mario Kart World, but at just 15 bucks you cannot go wrong with this, no matter if you play solo or with friends.

The resource management is pleasantly challenging, and the story poses interesting questions. However, the emotional component is crushed by inconsistent, far too pragmatic dialogue and decisions.

What remains is a solid new edition. Is that enough to fork out 40 bucks? As already mentioned, this is still a long way from a real "Master Crafted Edition" for me. It looks prettier, yes, it also plays better than the original on the Xbox 360, but overall it could have been even better.

A spotless conversion of this top-of-class action-adventure, which shines with excellent boss fights, an exciting scenario, engaging exploration and many entertaining ideas.

A nice technical upgrade of the modern classic, but nothing more. The Zelda Notes functions should have been in the game rather than on smartphones.

You should definitely treat yourself to the upgrade if you picked up Hogwarts on Switch back then, only to put it aside after an hour or two in frustration. Or you can start fresh now because you already thought it wouldn't work back then. Either way, now is the time to catch up on a wonderful game in a version that does it justice.

So yeah, short speech, long test, Street Fighter IV 3D be damned, and the same conclusion as 18 months ago: Street Fighter 6 is a great brawler that beginners can tackle without getting too frustrated and pros will find enough depth to really get into it.

Sonic has rarely been in such good form as in Generations, Shadow has never been as good as here and the fact that I enjoy his 3D stages almost more than Sonic Classic speaks volumes.

Lies of P: Overture adds a beautiful chapter to a fantastic game. The only criticism you could levy against it, is that it's not as essential to this game's world as it should be.

If you get involved with No Man's Sky, you can expect a phenomenal space adventure. Something I certainly wouldn't have said with such enthusiasm about the game that was released under this name in 2016. I'm sure it can be said often enough how much Hello Games put into this to take you into space the way they imagined it. But I haven't said it often enough yet, so I do it once more.

Even though I know the original well and know what's coming in the next hours, I might still stay a little longer with Bravely Default than I wanted to. If a game can do that after all these years, it must have done a lot right in the first place.

A small but charming pixel adventure built around an entertaining fishing minigame - a bit short on the parody that made Epic NPC Man yet full of charming characters from the series.

Emotionally strong story told through a shallow game neglecting its own puzzle and world-building logic twice too often.

As with every annual game series, the question arises with F1 25 as to whether the new acquisition is worthwhile. Sure, we have the new licenses, which is enough for some. For others, Braking Point is an incentive. The fact is that F1 25 is a very good racing game in its own right, offering the joy of virtual driving. There are many modes and options, a high level of flexibility, and all in all, it's an excellent representation of racing.

You've got big, varied stages, some really nice bosses, intelligently hidden collectible items and rewarding bonuses to unlock. This isn't a quick or mass-produced game, it's a thoroughly enjoyable romp that should appeal to anyone for whom the missing link between Crash Bandicoot and Donkey Kong Country sounds like a good time.

Although struggling with some disappointing shortcomings JDM: Japanese Drift Master lets you drift swiftly through a fictional, yet painstakingly detailed area of Japan like no other racing game does.

Even for just under three bucks, Frog Legs doesn't offer enough in terms of a game to play, let alone being an entertaining ride.

I've never felt such an urge to try out different types of weapons as in Blades of Fire. If a game manages to lure someone as stoically pig-headed as me out of their sword-and-shield-comfort zone, it definitely did something right. Which brings us back to the beginning: I didn't know what Blade of Fire was until very recently, and I can’t be the only one. Pretty sure that’s about to change drastically.

The simulation might not be as deep as others, but working the heavy machinery is quite entertaining most of the time.

Technically sound and quite varied collection of eight classics, most of them aged gracefully. Could do with a bit more meaningful curation, but offers a lot of options to be enjoyed even by today's standards.

Open-world arcade racer with a few rough edges, but deep customization and excellent car handling that allows for some smooth drifting.

Convincing simulation at its core, but graphically extremely demanding game with a number of annoying technical issues as well as shortcomings in terms of gameplay design.

The Dark Ages wanted to be the most forceful Doom, and it succeeded. Did it take the series any further? No, not really. And as much as I love the fact that there Doom: The Dark Ages exists and as much as I wouldn't want to miss it - the world certainly doesn't need a second one any time soon.

Stylish adventure game with mostly simple puzzles. Unfortunately, important points of the actual interesting story are dealt with too briefly.

New content might be lacking, but the simulation is still excellent and accessible even to newcomers as Milestone double down on their smart, optional driving aids.

Before the release of this remaster, I wasn't convinced that it would be a good idea to revisit Oblivion. Wouldn't it be better to remember it the way we experienced it ages ago? But now that I've collected plenty of new memories with the game: Oblivion is well worth your time in its Remastered version, almost 20 years after its original release.

The best JRPG in years - despite coming from France. Hard-hitting, well thought-out and utterly rewarding, Clair Obscur is a beautiful reminder of what truly matters.

The Hundred Line: Last Defense Academy knows how to impress with its refreshingly intricate story that is very well distributed across game elements and characters. Turn-based strategy and daily activities are also captivating. Only the slow pacing can at times become a little tiresome. Overall, still a great mystery game.

Deep gameplay and a wealth of content make this late successor a successful continuation that targets mostly experts of the genre.

This truly is the new Command & Conquer that Electronic Arts doesn't want to give us. One could accuse the game of being a bit too inspired by the original. But if you look past that, you get a really well-made real-time strategy game. While Tempest Rising doesn't rely solely on its nostalgia and fan appeal, it's also an excellently executed real-time strategy game in its own right. For just €40, you can't go wrong with it. Unless you value a lot of multiplayer options, because Tempest Rising is rather sparse in that regard.

Extensive re-release of an excellent game. Croteam not only improved technical aspects in terms of graphics and controls but also added a whole new chapter as well as compelling audio-commentary.

Commandos: Origins still seems a bit rough around the edges in some places, but at its core, it represents a truly successful comeback for the series. Each mission presents a tough challenge, full of various tricky puzzles that you must solve with your limited resources. Try things out and see if they work. You don't always have to get it right the first time, which is precisely why games like this encourage experimentation. Ultimately, Commandos: Origins is a lot of fun, challenges your brain cells, and makes me confident that Claymore could fill the stealth gap left by Mimimi Games' demise.

The reworked Unreal Engine 5 outing feels like an untamed beast that’s neither sim nor arcade as a lack of driving aids makes it hard to enjoy its convincing physics including dynamic ruts.

In terms of action, it is in a class of its own, while in terms of substance it is ahead of almost everything else that video games have to tell. Few others reach a similar level in their own way. In my opinion, none is better.

I appreciated South of Midnight for its world, characters, and story. It's just a shame that its outdated and formulaic action-adventure ideas can't keep up with its powerful audiovisual and narrative imagination.

The First Berserker: Khazan is a perfect opportunity for players who've always wanted to dip their toes into soulslike waters. With its beautiful, bloody fantasy anime flair, it's something special – but the combat system is what really got me hooked. However, it's a piece of cake for veterans of the Soulslike genre.

Atomfall combines English provincial idyll and open gameplay with a solid, if not necessarily exciting, first-person action RPG. However, the combat, stealth and progression are not incredibly elegant and there's issues with player guidance that should be worked on urgently.

This nice trip down memory lane to the golden days of Yu-Gi-Oh! includes 16 games ranging from Game Boy to GBA. They are a fun companion to kill time, also the new collection provides some nice extra options but won't ignite the same type pf hype that was surrounding Yu-Gi-Oh! back in the days.

Assassin's Creed finally arrives where it has always belonged: firmly into the stealth genre, where a mistake is just as deadly as your famous blade. The division into two characters, each with their own weaknesses instead of one superhero finally allows for new, successful impulses for the series. And old Japan is simply gorgeous.

And yet I spent quite a bit of time with this, because when things are going well, Knights in Tight Spaces feels just as satisfying as its cool predecessor ... I just hope developer Ground Shatter will streamline the concept a little to ensure quicker battles, speed up the start a little and make the game a little less restrictive on the meta level.

A surprisingly atmospheric mystery novel about urban legends, with an engaging story, a unique pixel art style, and a wonderful soundtrack. Although the gameplay loop becomes repetitive towards the end, the plot and characters remain intriguing throughout.

A well-made, if slightly bare bones double feature of two overlooked classics. It's gameplay hasn't aged all that well, but it's easy to look past that for the gripping narrative and host of immensely likeable characters.

Split Fiction starts strong and gets better and better, only to leads to an unexpectedly profound story. Hazelight's new co-op game shines with terrific, inventive gameplay, and really ups the ante in an epic finale.

Once again, Two Point Studios succeeds in combining their mix of quite complex, demanding management, which requires a lot of thought, with humor and the usual silliness that you know from the series.

Monster Hunter Wilds has a lot to offer, has been optimized in all the right places and comprehensive post-launch support has already been promised. For fans, there is no reason not to pick it up, while everyone else will certainly find it one of the best starting points to get into the series.

Do you need to have played these games? No. But it's nice that Aspyr offers the opportunity to do it on modern systems with a few improvements. As always with Aspyr's releases, it could have been taken even further. In summary, more could have been done, but it's good entertainment and a chance to reminisce. As long as you don't expect miracles from it and know what you're getting yourself into.

Although beautiful and rich with story, the Living Lands is not the most believable role-playing world – yet compelling to explore thanks to parkour-heavy movement and satisfyingly physical as well as tactical combat.

Ender Magnolia is an excellent Metroidvania, that is definitely worth your time. Sure, you need a certain level of stress resistance when you come to the boss fights, but then again, who plays games because they’re cozy.

Well-made homage to the early days of gaming with an unfortunate use of AI art. Moreover, its physics system hampers movement while AI behavior can be erratic, making a lot of the puzzling a frustrating experience.

If it wouldn’t be for the name “Ys”, this release wouldn’t exist, but since it’s here: it’s okay, you can play this. Or not. Lots of better action-RPGs out there. Many of them are also called Ys.

It‘s a solid expansion pack that somehow got inflated to full-game dimensions. Resistance is anything but essential, and it brings the series‘ qualities and (age-related) faults into sharp focus.

A slow and difficult start, but well worth the effort: Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 delivers a grand medieval world and fills it with many quests, exciting NPCs and, above all, endless role-playing systems that are very reminiscent of this genre's long forgotten ambitions.

In the end, Civilization 7 remains a Civilization game at its core. BUT: The new gameplay mechanic with changing ages is a double-edged sword. I'm honestly still not sure what to make of it after all this time with the review version. I see Civilization 7 as a solid foundation for what's to come in the future. In a year's time, this game could look completely different, let alone in three or four. But whether you're ready to embark on this adventure right now is up to you. You might love it. You could hate it. Or, like me, you could be caught between the two.

Controlling the game with mouse and keyboard doesn’t quite hit the mark, but with better lighting and frame rates as well as more consistent and crisper detail Rebirth looks best on PC.

This new edition is largely based on the original, in both positive and negative respects. Aspyr has also added some new content and technical optimizations, but again leaves a lot of potential untapped. This makes it more of a nostalgia-soaked experience or a history lesson in Star Wars video games for all those who played it back then or for those who didn't.

Dexterity, nerves, observational skills - Snow Riders loves to see all of this from you, both solo and in multiplayer. But this game is also fine with you wanting some peace and quiet or a little vacation feeling in the mountains. To me, this vibe is a revelation.

It's a game you can sink your teeth into and master. Even today, it's still a wonderful platformer that I can recommend to anyone who has missed out on it before. However, you should think carefully about whether you are prepared to pay the price if you already own the original.

Koei should have kept the story more compact and focused more on the mysterious protagonist instead of a quarreling China. My recommendation: If you love the Warriors series, get the game - there's a lot to like. But if you don't have a clue about Chinese history, don't play it. There are games in the Warriors series that are much easier to get into.

If you can muster the will and the motivation, Fitness Boxing 3 can help you burn calories (...) It's definitely fun.