Crass horror fare by way of fast, gripping stealth action. The Outlast Trials especially shines co-op.

It's got heart and charme. But strange narrative pacing, patchy writing and weak presentation slow down this original and pretty RPG considerably. Fans of historical fantasy are treated to a pleasantly sinister Warsaw excursion with a clever combat system.

A thoroughly successful remaster of the classic shooter, which has never been more beautiful than it is today. Plays perfectly on PC and console.

Like its predecessors, Expeditions strikes a brain-bendingly perfect balance between relaxation and tension.

While it does get a tad monotonous and predictable by the end, this remains an atmospherically dense survival adventure in an extremely vivid world. Its controls and variety of options deserve a prize.

Ultros demands a lot from you. If you engage with it, you may not get the best Metroidvania of recent years, but you will certainly get one of the most memorable.

If you are looking for an XCOM-like experience in the Warhammer 40K universe that also allows you to take a more aggressive approach, then Warhammer 40K: Chaos Gate - Daemonhunters is the game for you.

Its core mechanics are solid and there's undoubtedly great moments, but these are watered down time and again by repetitive run-of-the-mill missions and tasks. Suicide Squad often simply becomes too mechanical due to its nature, instead of giving players some breathing room.

Rebirth is a successful remake between nostalgic memory and sequel with a strong combat system. An extensive adventure with small flaws, but also many lovely little things.

If you've got the time for it, this is a cute and engaging crafting-rpg.

A good port of the classics to modern systems, with a decent visual overall and more modern controls - but also outdated mechanics which make these a bit tough to enjoy.

The sailing and explosive battles are as enjoyable as this game's attractive backdrop. A shame that most of it is driven by dry resource collection to upgrade your ship.

The Inquisitor has a lot of interesting things going for it, but its shoddy execution makes it hard to recommend.

Helldivers 2, then: It's blunt, but very, very good, combining moments of unbridled panic with epochal triumphs. It's simply an exercise in barely controlled chaos. Arrowhead knows how to bring you dangerously close to the threshold of being overwhelmed every few meters and then give you a friendly pat on the back.

Don't Nod has arrived among the greats: Banishers combines a huge, enthralling world and a engaging narrative with good technology and effortlessly entertaining Kratos-style action-adventure combat.

Relink presents an exciting world and well-developed characters and will send you into ecstasy with its fluid combat system. Unfortunately, the fantasy story lacks depth and originality to be completely convincing. The lack of cross-play is also annoying.

The bottom line is that Go Mecha Ball is an arcade snack that you won't spend dozens of hours playing, but which fits perfectly into short breaks when you just want to have a quick game. For this purpose, the imaginative mix of pinball and two-stick shooter is actually really good. It's just a shame that it lacks an equally strong level design and more options for experimenting with different play styles.

At times, Infinite Wealth feels a little unfocused in terms of plot and progression, with all its little mini-games and time-wasters in a positive sense. Then again, maybe that's the wrong way to look at this game. These distractions an essential part of this Hawaiian excursion and a big reason why you're doing it all in the first place. It gives these characters and the world life and vigor - you're here to take a vacation. If you embrace that and let yourself drift through Hawaii instead of running from one quest marker to the next, you'll find this the most positively sunny game of the winter.

With clever puzzles, likeable characters and a polished, modern reworking, the two Another Code games look great on the Switch. Lengths in the story or the lack of bonus material only amonut to minor drawbacks.

With the Apollo Justice Trilogy, Capcom has released what is probably the most successful Ace Attorney collection for the current console generation. Both the design of the 2D and 3D models in the RE engine and the bonus material are impressive. An excellent example of how to bring back aged games in a successful fan package for the current generation.

Not only does Tekken 8 give its spirited martial arts show additional momentum by using the heat energy as a call for a stronger offense. It also looks great after the graphical redesign and is packed with game variants and training options as well as clever ideas.

Given the state of our world today, a game about the mechanisms by which violence reproduces itself uncontrollably is even more difficult to digest, but arguably all the more important. It's an ugly, mean game in all the right ways: a blockbuster that has no desire to pander, putting its message above the will to please. Daring.

Astlibra does everything, and it doesn't always get everything quite right. But as an overall construct, running pretty much alongside our timeline, it's as unusual a genre mixer as it is fantastic.

Great performance, but visually and stylistically a bit lacklustre. In terms of gameplay, however, The Lost Crown is beyond reproach: Precise, challenging platforming, cool puzzles and multi-faceted combat make this new Prince of Persia a treat for Metroidvania fans.

The fact that you can't skip a single cutscene and that some save points are far apart are also relics of previous Telltale adventures that I'm not particularly stoked about. You could therefore say that the new old studio is still very much the old one, despite the closure, takeover and new start. Which also means, maybe most importantly, that it captures the essence of the source material very skillfully, which is why I can recommend The Expanse: A Telltale Series to fans of the series despite the criticisms.

As much fun as the central gameplay loop is, the graphics and performance unfortunately make the comeback of Dragon Quest Monsters look like a relic from the past.

I love the visual style of the game, so as an Asterix fan I can forgive it for not having a huge amount of depth to offer. In this respect, Asterix & Obelix: Slap Them All 2 should particularly appeal to fans, but it is also interesting for anyone who doesn't want to be overwhelmed by a wealth of game options or movesets.

Ready or Not is incredibly exciting, especially in co-op. The gunplay is excellent, the missions are exhilarating and if you don't pay attention to the smallest details, you might get into trouble. Tactics and teamwork are crucial, as is your choice of equipment. If you are looking for your new co-op obsession, Ready or Not is a very good choice. Solo players wait for the Commander mode becoming more fleshed-out.

An arduous train journey, but one that is convincing and demanding in terms of gameplay and challenges you with tactical planning.

The predictable, mechanical side of Frontiers of Pandora pervades every aspect of this visually impressive experience and stands in stark contrast to the wonderfully organic and vibrant environment. It's two sides that don't fit well with each other, don't belong together - the movies made this part of their central message.

I was actually surprised that it still plays reasonably well, although of course it still shows its age. In this respect, it's a piece of history to replay if you like.

Immersive gameplay, but only few interaction options. Winter Warrior delivers more of the same, but in a good way. If you don't set your expectations too high, you'll be well entertained for the 15 bucks.

In the end, Warhammer 40,000: Rogue Trader delivers exactly what fans want from it. Owlcat Games has succeeded in creating a very good, albeit text-heavy CRPG conversion, which is only held back by the remaining technical shortcomings.

Entertaining, but not quite perfect: Gangs of Sherwood has interesting heroes, but bland opposition dulls their potential.

If you've loved these titles back in the day, this collection might be right for you. There's a lot here to get nostalgic about. Everyone else will just find most of these too frustrating.

Successful VR version of Assassin's Creed, which works well except for the open battles and offers immersive sneaking and parkour fun.

A competent, entertaining strategy realisation of Age of Sigmar, let down only by its penchant for micromanagement and some monotonous mission design.

Little Goody Two Shoes offers a nice short horror adventure with neat puzzles and a great sense of style. Unfortunately, the game becomes very unbalanced and monotonous towards the end.

Steamworld Build is an interesting and skillful mix of different genres you never knew you needed.

Beautiful Metroidvania with a clever combat system that sparks curiosity about discovering a magical world.

For less than 10 bucks, you can't go wrong with this DLC. Anyone who loves Remnant 2 will enjoy this massively.

As wonderful as it was, our past, with great games like the first Flashback, we'd better think about the future of this medium. Flashbacks like these are the last thing we need.

The new fighting game in the universe created by Masashi Kishimoto offers the biggest fan package to date with a decent amount of content and some new approaches. However, if you take a closer look, you quickly realise that Connections focuses on quantity rather than quality.

So I'm disappointed - but I still love roaming the streets with Kazuma again. No other game offers this kind of escapism; the opportunity to get to know a city in such a way that you are familiar with every corner instead of just speeding past it in a car. As much as I would like to see new impulses in the mini-games, as well as the outdated presentation, locations and game mechanics, I'm still not fed up Sega's rehashing of the formula year after year.

Enormously varied and wonderfully lively mixture of rhythm and party game for up to four friends. Unfortunately annoying technical weaknesses hold it back.

Largely successful implementation on Xbox and PlayStation with only slight weak points that do not diminish the quality of an excellent game.

As always, a very detailed and successful football management simulation that you can spend hundreds of hours playing.

Stronghold has its very own charm. Things have been improved, supplemented and even though not everything may be perfect, for just 15 bucks you get a lot of content, a game that still works well today and you can see for yourself what the Stronghold series is all about.

Tactica is a solid turn-based tactics affair with a static meta game and long speech bubble conversations, which ultimately isn't as stylishly sure-footed as the main title in the series.

Enjoyable, flashy remake of the first Mario RPG that makes up for its battle's lack of bite with buckets of charming nonsense and revives one of Bowser's best appearances.

Acoustically great, visually partly enchanting, but playfully terribly boring loop of the same twelve short levels.

All in all, it feels like one of the weakest Call of Dutys I've ever played. It's not that it doesn't work, there are no serious bugs, glitches or anything like that, it's just the way MW3 was delivered. It gives the impression of a quickly put together, run-of-the-mill installment rather than a worthy, well-thought-out sequel.

A short, cosy adventure in the icy Freljord that touched me with its enchanting story. Technically not flawless, but atmospherically a great cosy game.

EA Sports WRC presents itself as a challenging but rarely frustrating racing game. Codemasters strikes the perfect balance and makes driving fun for beginners and pros alike.

Serious issues notwithstanding, I have to say that Teyon captures the original amazingly well in terms of style and, in many respects, content. The developers don't just take RoboCop seriously as a cool action toy, but also as Alex Murphy and even tell a story that could easily have been told in the cinema at the time... In this respect, Rogue City works surprisingly well. Just be aware of what the game really has to offer.

With Beyond the Dawn, you can easily dive back into the world of Tales of Arise and experience the engaging dynamics between Alphen, Shionne, Rinwell, Law, Kisara and Dohalim. The world has been enriched with new monsters, dungeons and other small elements that encourage exploration and promise a good time.

Ghostrunner 2 boasts unique boss situations, clever puzzles and a surprisingly entertaining cyberpunk tale that is narratively more interesting than it should have been for this game.

For me, The Talos Principle 2 is more than just a puzzle game. It is a game that makes you think in every respect. One with which gets your gray matter firing in the best possible way.

The new edition of the JRPG is convincing to the end thanks to a technical overhaul, an unusual combat system and a dramatic story. The combat system seems refreshing, but some elements of world exploration are outdated. Numerous characters and endings ensure a high replay value.

As melancholic as the mood of Jusant is, the game itself is a blessing. I've been wondering for a long time how climbing in video games could be made a little less trivial, and here Don't nods Jusant comes along, with a patent-ready solution. The result is a sleek, elegant explorational adventure, its gaze fixed on the clouds. Jusant should make a strong impression on fans of Ico or Journey. A short experience, but as impressive as the first glance up the stone pillar whose unseen roof represents this journey's uncertain destination.

And that's just what it is: incomparable. A confusing, but incredibly fascinating mess of a game. It knows the power of having you question your senses and the timing of a well-placed floorboard creak as well as the lure of a question without an answer or the rush of spine-tingling ghostly shootouts. Whatever the Remedy-verse has in store for us after Alan Wake 2, I'm insanely looking forward to it.

Coming straight from the predecessor with several DLCs, it feels much emptier in comparison and because of the existing problems, it feels unfinished to a certain extent. Not the best way to release a game. I'm sure there will be more to come, but in the here and now, Cities Skylines 2 just isn't yet the evolutionary leap that makes me want to switch.

Better than the predecessor in terms of gameplay, lots of content and - finally - without loot boxes. Only the story and boss fights don't really inspire.

Once again, Sonic Superstars is a case of 'could have been great'. The playability is basically there, especially Amy's double jump is a blessing... And yet, in the end, nothing really fits together all that well.

The name is a good fit in more than one way. For one thing, because it seeks a justified closeness to Super Mario World, which the game itself has long since found. For another, because you're constantly 'wondering if...', filled with wonder and marvelling at wonderful effects is the predominant emotion while playing.

Overall, though, some of its fights dragged on a bit and I found the plot stronger in the first two-thirds than towards the end. But all in all, Insomniac continues its run of immensely entertaining and impressively robust games in formidable fashion with Spider-Man 2. Few Studios mix cinematic spectacle and systemically satisfying freedom so deftly.

On the whole, Feral Interactive has done an excellent job porting Company of Heroes to the Nintendo Switch. The game runs smoothly, has good controls and comes with a whole lot of content. For real-time strategy fans on the Switch, it is therefore an absolute must. No matter if you've never played it or want to relive this classic on the Switch.

The combat is pleasantly versatile, while you have to deal with strong enemies that face you in interesting configurations. The further you progress and the better you understand the world and its connections, the more motivating it is to tackle them - Lords of the Fallen gets this familiar rhythm just right. So if you're still in the mood for Soulslike, then go for it! In cooperation with Lies of P, Lords of the Fallen ensures that From Software can take its time with its next title.

Star Trek Infinite is basically exactly what I wanted. And yet, I am not entirely happy with it. You could criticize the game for being too reminiscent of Stellaris, but then again the price of 30 euros is quite fair What bothers me more than that is that it feels like there's still a lot to come in DLC form. But well, it's a bit annoying, but it doesn't ruin the fun of the game for me. And I had a lot of that with Star Trek Infinite and regularly forgot the time while exploring and conquering the galaxy.

I am having a lot of fun with The Lamplighters League, which is mainly due to the fact that it designed its rules around highly individual characters that create great room for synergy effects. This results in maximally satisfying combat scenarios in which you feel really clever when you have once again taken out five or six enemies in just one round.

If you get into it, you can spend a few entertaining hours with Master Detective Pikachu Returns, even as an adult. Think of it as a kind of meditative experience that is more about entertainment and less about cracking difficult cases. These are set up very simply, and will only have children do a bit of mulling. On the whole, it's not a very long game, but it shows that the Pokémon world has more to offer than just the same pattern as in the main games.

Creative project with both playful and narratively imaginative ideas, which, however, remains too superficial and is over all too quickly.

I was really looking forward to this more compact experience in Mirage and was not disappointed. Of course, there are still collectibles here and there, but again it feels more like a fun pastime than a life's work. That's one important point. The other is that Mirage simply feels good to play, at least where it matters.

Yes, Forza Motorsport looks and feels great and offers a lot of content. Unfortunately, there is a lack of variety here and there, which ultimately doesn't detract from the fun on the track. For me, there is still a lack of a certain something that really rounds everything off. So, for the time being, you are left with the impression that you are already getting a very good launch version, but that its full potential will only unfold at some point when all the DLCs and other content have been released.

Purely in terms of quality and the amount of licenses, however, EA Sports FC 24 once again offers a very well-functioning, comprehensive package. Definitely not a bad game, just one that might feel a tad too familiar if you've been playing FIFA 23 for very long.

Payday 3 expands on the familiar concept, but doesn't go far enough to completely inspire. There's equal parts light and shadow here.

You can't meaningfully see Phantom Liberty without Cyberpunk 2077. Both together are like a director's cut of an already outstanding game. And together they are more than the mere sum of their parts. The new story fits seamlessly into the saga of V and Johnny in a way that makes you truly admire CD Projekt's artistry. Tugging at the interconnected threads of a game as artfully convoluted as Cyberpunk 2077 and incorporating this new episode meaningfully into everything is quite a feat.

For me, The Crew Motorfest is clearly the best part of the series so far. This is not only due to the beautiful setting, but also the much improved handling of the cars, which keeps me much more glued to the screen than the two predecessors. It's not quite perfected yet, but with the more manageable setting this time around, the improved handling as well of the abundance of variety, Ubisoft Ivory Tower is on a very good path.

In terms of content there's little to complain about. But the technical shortcomings that already plagued Pokémon Crimson and Purple have by no means been fixed.

Mortal Kombat 1 is perhaps not the most tactically demanding game of its kind, but it's presented in a superb way and you'll find yourself sinking countless hours into it.

The deeper I delved into Krat, to the source of the puppet uprising, the more I realized that the adventure was slowly captivating me.

Chants of Sennaar is a strikingly stylish and, above all, playfully addictive puzzler, where you have to decipher foreign languages to understand the puzzles and their world. For me, it's a big hit, which certainly didn't come out at the most opportune time of the year. But ambitious tinkerers should not lose sight of it despite everything.

Ultimately, I am completely satisfied with the Xbox implementation of Age of Empires 4. What already worked well in part two continues seamlessly here. The title is perfectly playable with the controller, and those who don't feel like 'sticking' it out can also use the mouse and keyboard.

The familiar mix of puzzles, jumping, fighting and co-op hasn't lost any of its appeal in part five. Trine 5 has a decent playtime, as well, isn't too expensive and treats your eyes and ears to an atmospheric audiovisual presentation. Real fun, both alone and in co-op.

Samba de Amigo: Party Central is a flashy, entertaining game. The different modes are fun, and the Joy-Con work well as pretend-maracas. Alas, the mediocre music selection keeps my enthusiasm at bay.

Even though I like Starfield more than Fallout 4, it's just 'the next one of these', instead of the big new beginning that some might have hoped for. If that's not enough for you, I understand. In the end, however, I have to say that these old bones are still robust enough to carry heaps of fun through this fresh and technically as well as visually appealing scenario. Here's hoping for a 'Starfield: New Vega' from Obsidian.

Armored Core 6: Fires of Rubicon definitely carries around some legacy issues. These and a couple of other annoyances aside, the game clearly shows how much From Software has grown over the past ten years. Because in its best moments, Fires of Rubicon is a furious action fest that requires skill, quick reactions and a spirited tactical approach.

Despite the slight problems in the second installment, we still have two excellent twin-stick games here. I loved these games back then and still do today because they play just so wonderfully and offer a great mix of shooting, puzzling and platforming. I wish there had been more of them afterwards.

A strong narrative with charming characters and the relatively free creation as well as interpretation of tarot-like cards distinguish this stylish adventure game.

I really hope Immortals of Aveum doesn't get ground down between Diablo, Baldur's Gate, Starfield and all the big games of the year yet to come, but finds its fans. It has at least one, and I'm sure there are more people out there who have a heart for a slightly out of time, quirky shooter with a lot of action-adventure charm.

Turns out, I like Atlas Fallen quite a bit. There's love and good ideas on display that deserve to be seen. Throughout long stretches, this is a wonderfully flexible hack-and-slash with neat bells and whistles. It's just that a few of the basics are somewhat lacking.

The Atelier Marie remake is the surprisingly strong return of a game that could have too easily been lost among the 24 other instalments. This might be one of the coziest 'cozy games' in years. It's nice to see especially the origin of the Atelier series stand out in such a positive way, and with an excellent revamp on the Switch that the West is thankfully no longer deprived of.

Shadow Gambit shines with its well thought-out systems, the multitude of characters and possibilities, and offers you significantly more options and even more reasons to seriously think about your approach and experiment. That's exactly what such games are all about, and it's outstandingly implemented here. If you liked Shadow Tactics and / or Desperados 3, don't think twice and get Shadow Gambit, you won't regret it.

Very entertaining action adventure with extremely likeable characters. However, its launch on the PC is not flawless.

Rarely have I experienced such a thrilling rush of action and acrobatics, and if you're even remotely in the mood for that, don't miss Turbo Overkill.

Moving Out might lack Overcooked's distinct charm and character. But fulfilling the various challenges and time goals is definitely incentive enough to plunge into the levels several times. If you feel like new co-op adventures or are looking for the next party fun, Moving Out 2 is definitely a suitable candidate for that.

Larian promised a game experience like at the role-playing table that would not be inferior to the old classics. Surprisingly, the only promise they didn't keep is a release on Stadia. Well, we'll get over it.

Improved and expanded compared to its predecessor. In some areas not yet the absolute top class that it could be.