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.