Authentic and competitive playstyles bring flexibility to this year's version, but also limitations. Otherwise, EA Sports FC 26 offers some nice new features and sensible gameplay optimizations, while FUT continues to utilize pay-to-win mechanics.

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.

It's a valiant little game, then. One you won't begrudge for its final monologue about honor, homeland, and freedom -- words that usually have my eyes rolling whenever lesser games dare to utter them.

In light of the fact that both series got strong new entries over the last year, this unlikely meeting of heroes is quite impressive. The pace regularly changes enjoyably between these two distinct kinds of gaming. That they never really mesh is probably the games biggest singular issue. But, as we surely can all agree, there's way worse problems to have.

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

It sure took its sweet time, but in the end, Blackguards managed to really enthrall me. If the Hamburg-based developer continues in this manner, The Dark Eye fans have a lot to look forward to.

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

After the first episode I´ve got a good feeling that in August we might talk about the complete series as one of the most engaging and successful outlines for episodic gaming so far.

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.

Wanted: Dead has an anachronistic flair that I am incredibly fond of… So, if you don’t exactly hate that Wanted: Dead seems like a game wholly out of time, I wholeheartedly recommend Hannah Stone’s B-Movie shenanigans.

Surely, this one’s not the ‘farthest frontier’ of what this genre is capable of. But Crate managed something arguably better: presenting you with a city-builder that feels like coming home.

The Séance of Blake Manor spices up the classic whodunit formula with Irish folk horror and colonial guilt, sprinkles in a touch of Lovecraft, and serves it all as an interactive unease that creeps under your skin slowly but effectively.

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

Give the AI more bite, make the end game a bit better and focus the skill tree and Firaxis will be in trouble when the next 'Endless' game comes around.

LittleBigPlanet 3 doesn't care if you just want to experience the steady stream of community creations or strive to become a creator yourself. It's just a fantastic, welcoming place where you can have fun with the simplest of things.

If such an arcade-cabinet had existed near my home 20 years ago, my parents would still be paying off the debts I would have accumulated by feeding it quarters. Even if you take into account the shortcomings, The Simpsons Arcade is along Turtles in Time as one of the best Beat 'em ups out there.

Wo Long is a good start into soulslikes. The first boss may seem too difficult at first, but will turn out to be a great teacher. Wo Long has lots of well balanced action and has an interesting tempo. The new moral system offers a clear structure that helps beginners get into the genre.

It says Pokemon on the box and that's what you get: A loving rework of 2003's GBA game that beats Pokemon X and Y in technical terms. Some issues of the originals are still present here, but don’t do much to lessen the package.

Just like in the books and on TV, the story manages to dangle a carrot of hope in front of you, just out of arms' reach. In contrast to a world beyond repair – like in The Walking Dead, where every death is more of a salvation, really – Game of Thrones' rays of hope turn all its facets of demise into emotional shrapnel that hits you all the harder. It's going to be a cold, hard Winter.

Happy Action Theatre is not so much a videogame as it is a virtual toy. Like the LEGOs in the basement, it can be taken out at any time... For all you parents out there this is simply a must-have.

Battlefield 6 plays it safe – but in this case, that's okay! Like an unstoppable wrecking ball, the pendulum swings back and forth between attritional battles of destruction and stirring, triumphant battle scenes. The question about the future of this series remains unanswered, but for now, the developers have done right by the players.

Even in the original game I liked Kazuma's story in Okinawa but only now that Kiwami 3 strengthens his relationships and ties to the place and its people did I build a strong emotional bond to one of the best locations in the entire series.

Cute, charming, flexible: Pikmin 4 skillfully combines the qualities of its predecessors into a varied, elegant package, and I'm quite taken with Ochin. It's a bit of a pity that it doesn't reveal its best tricks a tad earlier.

If you're the exploratory type, you'd do best to direct that particular urge unto Transistor's elegant and stimulating combat system. Just smile past its empty corridors and thinner-than-you'd-like fiction and Red will glowingly smile right back at you.

On the whole, I like the changes to this year's game; FC IQ and the player roles fit into the game well - with the exception of a few lapses - and it simply feels good in your hands. I also really like the new Rush mode, much better than the overly cool Volta, which never really kept me hooked for more than few minutes.

Modernizes the original X-COM's challenging tactical battles with a varied campaign and more charm than screenshots will let you know.

Don't expect wonders, but, by all means, do expect a great deal of polish and quite a few entertaining evenings of truly thundering shooter action that harkens back to the olden days.

When the moment comes and you find the solution to a problem that's been bugging you all these hours, you can get awfully narcissistic and self congratulatory. You know, just like any old island dictator probably would.

Escape from Ever After is far more than a simple Paper Mario clone. It blends sharp corporate satire with challenging turn-based battles and the exploration of a diverse, puzzle-filled world.

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.

While Ghost of Yotei’s gameplay and structure are fairly conventional, it’s still home to a gripping revenge story, a great combat system, and one of the most beautiful game worlds in a long time.

Granted, gameplay-wise it's just more of the same in different drapes, and it is kind of short as well. But yet again, Irrational manages to surprise you in a manner that's worth the entry fee alone. But you can't shake the feeling that, ultimately, this DLC will be judged by how its second episode will fill in the gaps that this episode's narrative so tantalizingly leaves.

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.

Playful and with a spatial openness previously unknown in the isometric Hyrule, Zelda celebrates her grand entrance, but also proves that the Switch is technically at the end of the line even when it comes to in-house productions. ... The approach of omitting iconic tools works because the heroine is able to shake a bouquet of alternatives from her staff in return - and thus builds up more than a sword could ever tear down.

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.

Pandora´s Tower is a game that takes its time to reveal its own charm and qualities.

On the PC the shortcomings stay the same. The campaign and some missions can feel a bit padded and for the next entry in the series. I'd like Project Aces to return to the more fantastical scenario of old. The controversial "Dog Fight Mode" might not be the best means to remove the overly simple skeet shooting-like dogfight mechanics of older games, but its probably the prettiest one they could have thought up. It might have been better to make it optional, though, instead of mandatory. Still, it's a fast and in its best moments pretty exciting and spectacular ride. If more Ace Combat sounds like a good idea for you, you should give this one a chance, as the fair asking price even makes up for the only-competent port.

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.

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.

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.

Sonic X Shadow Generations is far more than just a remaster with bonus levels. Shadow is very convincing in his part of this excellent double pack, while Sonic Generations has held up far better than I would have thought.

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.

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.

1000xRESIST tells a surprisingly deep and compelling story. What at times it lacks in terms of pacing and production value, it makes up with an abundance of creativity and unique storytelling.

A great port of an incredibly strong sequel – an experience quite unlike anything else. The only question is whether Kojima’s idiosyncratic post-apocalypse can hold the PC community's attention, with Crimson Desert out on the same day. Regardless of its commercial fate: if this is the final nail in the coffin for PlayStation games on PC, at least it’s a really pretty one.

This is not the game that would have single-handedly saved THQ, but we're still lucky to be able to experience it now. Metro is quite unique in varying its pace, showing you its world and its inhabitants in between the action. All in all, this is an atmospheric, modern and utterly compelling journey.

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

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

It plays super-slick, is easy to learn, all the while still offering enough depth to take on the competition. Just like with all the other Beat 'em' Ups, though, you can't help but wonder when the genre will take its next evolutionary step.

An exciting horror-game with strong borrowings from Alien: Isolation, where you explore a convincing setting in a physically believable way.

One of the tactics greats finally found its way to people who understand what the series was all about. Despite the weak onboarding and the cliché laden narrative, an engaging, exciting strategy game that challenges on many levels. Good news, seems you can finally uninstall Jagged Alliance 2!

It's the unquestionable high point of a season that did not really know where it should to go. But maybe that's only apt, considering the bleak backdrop of a world where no one ever is safe.

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

Sure, more game modes would have been nice, but this is still an entertaining, funny and likably stylized multiplayer romp for a rather inexpensive price.

Even though the Old Iron King's gameplay twist isn't as meaningful as the one in the first DLC, and one of the bosses a mere copy, this is still a restless, disturbing march into the deepest of depths.

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.

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.

Its tactics and strategy layers might not be the deepest in the genre. But The Banner Saga is still the sort of adventure that has seasoned warriors burst into sombre campfire song. Sing along, if you dare!

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.

In its rousing finale, without a single word, Cairn makes me understand what was always inscrutable to me. I realize what Aava feels when looking up at Mount Kami from below. Not a grave, not even a threat, but a gateway to eternity. Powerful.

Even though these are painfully dull games, at the start, that may not engage you quite the way the best games in the genre do it is definitely worth sticking with.

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

Assassin's Creed 3 is a fitting end for the series and - to an extent - this generation of consoles as a whole. The characters and story are the strongest yet, but at the same time the game comes with all of the franchise's well-known strengths and weaknesses. So, even though this might just be the perfect finale, the next generation of assassins definitely will have to be more willing to refine the series' systems from the ground up. Then we'll happily listen to their brilliant stories some more.

Whoever picks up a Vita these days, should also get Rayman Origins along with it. Do it for yourself. Do it for Michel Ancel, who put his heart into this one. And most important of all: Do it for that strange sausage creature in world three.

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.

Chivalry: Medieval Warfare is up to a better start than War of the Roses. Torn Banner Studios have shunned any historical accuracy or character editing options, but their fighting system is easier to learn, while at the same time offering a surprising amount of depth. Dynamic rather than authentic, these skirmishes are much easier to enjoy.

Some rallies can become a bit sluggish, but all in all, Top Spin 2K25 is a versatile and accessible simulation with a successful career for solo players and numerous opportunities to play online and offline.

A thriller that is somewhat limited in terms of gameplay and a tad overloaded when it comes to the narrative, but stylistically creates a fascinating world with impressive backdrops.

Entertaining tennis action with exciting Fever special attacks. Strong in multiplayer, weak in solo mode.

A well made The special thing about the latest collection is undoubtedly that it brings us in the West a brand new game. One that is a good deal better than the first part of the series. For this reason alone - and for the sake of completion - it is worth buying the collection for fans of the series.

With its fresh setting Zerzura offers exactly the kind of more serious point & click adventure I´d like to see more often. An inspired, well crafted expedition into the underrepresented realm of the historically inspired adventures.

Limited in terms of gameplay, but incredibly intense, grueling and artistically and creatively breathtaking, it is somewhat of a miracle that this game exists.

There's a good four years of development time on display in Battleblock Theater and even though the light-hearted but mischievous brand of carnage tries its best to ensure you that you are only partaking in a boatload of puerile nonsense, you really notice every hour The Behemoth has put into this. The fighting might not be up to scratch, but the measured level design shows a degree of polish worthy of this genre's masters. So, it's up to you to decide, if the style and its over-sugared, over-caffeinated Saturday morning cartoon sensibilities float your boat. What you can't do anything about, though, is the fact that The Behemoth has mastered three different genres with only three games.

Successful conversion of the excellent strategy game for the consoles, only the quality mode doesn't quite run smoothly yet.

Tiger Woods bids this generation of consoles its farewell as a well-rounded, expertly balanced and matured game. It's a worthy swan song for this era of the series.

Animated movie, point and click adventure and puzzle game meet halfway. Adorable, odd and as much a breath of fresh air as only a game about trees and those who live on them could be.

A true remake bringing back the tense atmosphere and thrilling fights using the Camera Obscura. The new Fatal Frame 2 is one of the scariest games you'll get to play these days.

Sure, the combat is a bit more static than it should be in this day and age and the paper-thin story is as simple as the characters are free from the burdens of personality. But still, the atmosphere of this idealized Caribbean with all of the Bruckheimer-Disney-innuendos always manages to drag you back in. Hardly a contender against Witcher 2 or Skyrim, Risen 2 still manages to cater to its own niche with ease.

This is still a special game. Other worldly, offbeat and weird – few games have ever been so true to their name.

World of Warcraft: Midnight is a worthy continuation of the Worldsoul saga, thrillingly continuing the story of Xal'atath in a beautiful setting. It features many improvements and new features that can now be crossed off the community's wish list.

Hiding behind walls and corners with 40 other dudes, while in the thickest of crossfires, helping each other out with health and ammunition, providing covering fire and fighting for every inch of this vast battleground is just unbelievably compelling. And then there's even a case to be made for this game as a metaphor for the pointlessness of war. Planetside 2 is meaningful on so many more levels than other typical free-to-play titles.

The hunt for the crown is a great addition with lots of secrets and puzzles to uncover.

A rather classical JRPG with an outstanding character, lots of lovingly designed details, modernizations in the right places and a special pinch of magic.

Defiance does more things right than you might initially think. The MMO shooter does take its sweet time until it gets going, but the collecting of weapons and the massive battles kept me engaged even when not doing some quest. It's a surprisingly eclectic title, that managed to do away with my skepticism and that still holds my attention, even after many hours of play. If the team behind this one doesn't let up, Defiance could realize its immense potential – even without a TV show to back it up.

Fans of the Duke get quite a few hours of enjoyable and varied gameplay, new bossfights and more. But if you didn´t like Duke Nukem: Forever, then the Doctor won´t change your opinion.

Somewhat straightforward, but exciting and elegantly presented urban development against the constant scarcity of resources.

Nintendo gives you a very clever mixture of classic 2D-jump´n´run and Pikmin. Who could say no to such a combination?

With Stadium, TrackMania 2 still holds true to the core tenets of the series, catering first and foremost to those, who'd do everything to shave that elusive hundredth off their time to beat the competition.At only 10 Euros, it's also a great place to start, if this games sounds like your kind of deal and you haven't gotten around to trying the series out.

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.

You´ll get an excellent Jump'n'Run featuring this special, distinct look of the early 90s and a few almost brilliant and some otherwise still great stages. If it weren´t for Sonic & Knuckles, this would be Sonic´s crowning achievement of the past.

In the end, Ultra is a game growing old with grace and dignity, going in for one more round before retirement, signified by the inevitable arrival of SFV. Nothing more, nothing less.

As a sandbox full of enormous building blocks, that you can cut and position at your own liking, Tiiny & Big leaves a very well-rounded impression.

Even after a year Joe Danger is still well worth your time. (...) Hello Games gave an excellent debut that doesn't have to dread comparisons to the style, look and feel of classic Nintendo titles.

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.

Trine 2 has heart, brains and a drive that will absorb you until you´ve seen the ending credits. After that, this goodbye might well be one for forever, but it still was a great time.

You can certainly read a lot more from Indika, and even see some things substantially differently than I did. In particular, if you have a closer cultural connection to the region, you might pick up on details that slipped right by my western eyes. But I was completely captivated by this cool, blunt reckoning with the weaponization of religion. At the end, you can't help but feel great regret for and sympathy with Ilia and Indika (...) Odd Meter has no answer to what's next for them. It's bitter, but it rings true.

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.

If you think, that Street Fighter 4 is too polygon-ish, BlazBlue too wild and Marvel vs. Capcom too chaotic, then the new King of Fighters is perfect for you. (...) It lives up to the standards and merits of its early predecessors.