I hope Ys Memoire: The Oath in Felghana can help open the floodgates for more Ys Memoire-like remasters or even remakes. Specifically, a remaster or remake of Ys V: Lost Kefin, Kingdom of Sand, which happens right after Ys Memoire: The Oath in Felghana. Only time will tell if this is coming or not, but I’d hope this release can bring us one step closer to that possibility.

I may not be a Dynasty Warriors aficionado, but I’m confident enough to say that Origins may just be what the hardcore fans were waiting for. It also serves as a friendly beginner’s point if you’re getting into the series from playing all of its spinoffs. While it may have some minor issues, they’re all addressable with a patch, and I hope that Omega Force can take all the positives from this game and provide the much-needed boost in recognition that the series deserves.

Don’t get me wrong. This sequel truly experiments a lot, with many elements you’d not usually see in a typical SRPG. Still, perhaps because I was looking for an exciting story with twists and turns, and what I got was a Sunday morning cartoon full of villains I’m unable to take seriously, then it’s very hard for me to recommend this game to the average person.

I’m not ready to write off SYNDUALITY Echo of Ada yet. The developers want to continue working on this game, and there’s already been emergency maintenance with updates from the producers in response to the players. Post-raid payouts have already been adjusted at the time of writing this, and I expect many more updates to come. I will continue to check in on the game during its first season to see what other changes are made. Although it is repetitive, the untapped potential of SYNDUALITY Echo of Ada makes me come back for more.

Donkey Kong Country Returns HD is a basic remaster that's just enough to bring the game to Nintendo Switch for new players. With its intricate and creative level design, fun soundtrack, and solid replayability, this is an excellent platformer that fits right in with many others on Nintendo Switch. However, if you aim to experience the game in co-op, a frustrating bug makes the experience nothing like the original game, leaving Donkey Kong Country Returns HD in desperate need of a patch.

The Stone of Madness is one of the most frustrating games I've ever played. Despite its beautiful art style, great characters, compelling narrative, and unique gameplay, the obtuse puzzles, absurd difficulty, lack of accessibility, and numerous technical glitches make this experience absolutely not worth it unless you want to feel as stressed and insane as the game's characters.

Final Fantasy VII Rebirth is a dream come true on PC, offering gorgeous visuals, vastly improved frame rates, and more. Square Enix has put together its best PC port yet, despite some room to grow in the future with areas like Ultrawide support. Simply put, this is one of the best RPGs ever created, and it's an instant must-own title for any RPG fan on PC.

Turbo Overkill, despite its great visuals and gameplay loop, is constantly stuck in the shadow of the media that inspired it. The story is unremarkable, the references to other entries in the genre become distracting after a bit, and there are several issues with the sound, pacing, and visuals, alongside frequent crashes. As a result, you may find yourself asking why you aren't playing another boomer shooter instead, despite the game's few exciting moments.

At the end of the day, though, Hello Kitty Island Adventure is a tropical vacation worth taking. It’s the ultimate Sanrio celebration packed with all kinds of fun for people of all ages. Sunblink has provided countless free updates since the game launched in 2023, and I’m interested to see how the team evolves these with the game out now on PC and Switch. Even if it’s Winter, now’s the perfect time to jump in and kick off your island adventure.

Overall, Ninja Gaiden 2 Black is a title any action fan won’t want to miss. It offers a real challenge with its combat and gameplay mechanics, bringing new features to the iconic game while still retaining that challenge it’s beloved for. This enhanced, definitive version of Ninja Gaiden II offers gorgeous visuals, a flashy combat system, and a great story featuring many fun characters. With Ninja Gaiden 4 due out later this year, there’s never been a better time to jump in and experience the world of Ninja Gaiden for the very first time.

Freedom Wars Remastered doesn't bring many surprises to the table, but it's great to see a Vita cult classic find its way to current platforms. While it is beginning to show its age, this still holds up as an enjoyable title to play in 2025.

Ender Magnolia: Bloom in the Mist is a 2D action RPG Metroidvania. It's able to set it self apart from other in the genre and be something great. With an intriguing mystery I felt compelled to unravel, and a fun combat system that encourages experimentation. A short but compelling adventure and I already feel like playing again. Ender Magnolia is something special, and I hope Binary Haze Interactive continues to make more.

The Legend of Heroes: Trails through Daybreak II is a near-perfect sequel that follows up the previous game with an intriguing story and premise. While shaking up the story formula, the game retains many of the redeeming qualities of its predecessor and makes improvements in the right areas, including the seamless action-to-turn-based combat system. This is a cant-miss RPG that brings everything Trails fans enjoy about the series.

If you’re a fan of the Warriors series and rougelite genre, and you want to try out Omega Force’s own rendition of both, you’ll definitely get your money’s worth here. After all, Warriors: Abyss only costs $24.99, which isn’t as expensive as many would expect. Personally, though, I feel your time could be better spent playing other, much more fleshed-out rougelites that exist in this day and age.

Lost Records: Bloom is a wonderful time that explores the past and present while presenting an intriguing mystery that kept me on the edge of my seat. Don't Nod somehow managed to capture the energy of the first two Life is Strange titles while giving something new and heartfelt.

I’m impressed with what RGG Studio created here, since Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii experiments with ideas I never thought would be considered for a Like a Dragon game, most notably pirate ships and sea exploration. A 60-year-old Majima still has a lot of tricks up his sleeves, and this game does well to respect his character, too. If this is the send-off to Honolulu before the next Like a Dragon game eventually comes, then this was a great one at that.

I loved my time with Stories from Sol: The Gun-Dog. It nails every note it’s going for and then some. There is so much to love, from the characters to the story to the visuals and music. It tells a sci-fi story reminiscent of adventure games and anime of the past anyone can enjoy. While short, I’m already playing it again and getting new scenarios I missed. I’m already looking forward to seeing what other players experience, and I can’t wait to see it thrive. Stories from Sol: The Gun-Dog is a promising start to a successful series—one that I can’t wait to see more of.

Monster Hunter Wilds is a worthy follow-up to Capcom's most successful game ever. The revamped gameplay is the best Monster Hunter has ever been, especially with additions like the Focus Mode. Beyond performance issues, Capcom went above and beyond in creating a game I find myself unable to stop playing. With a legitimate story mode and numerous tweaks, there has never been a better time to jump into Monster Hunter for the very first time.

Never 7: The End of Infinity still has some charm all these years later, but perhaps it hasn't aged so gracefully. Messy pacing makes what would be a relaxing experience an often tedious one. Fans of classic visual novels and anime who don't mind the older aesthetic and simplistic story could have a great time, however.

Ever 17: The Out of Infinity is a great improvement over its predecessor, Never 7, making for a much more memorable experience. It's still nowhere near perfect, but it should still be an enjoyable read for most visual novel fans.

Overall, Everhood 2 is just okay. If more visual options are added in an update, alongside fixes for the input delay, then this will absolutely be a worthwhile game if you’re a fan of rhythm games, the original Everhood, or you’re feeling like broadening your indie RPG horizons. At the end of the day though, going back to the question posed at the beginning of this review, Everhood 2 doesn’t do enough with either its style or its substance to truly distinguish itself from similar titles.

Rise of the Ronin is far from a perfect game, but it proves that Team Ninja still knows how to craft a thrilling action experience. If you’re looking for an engaging story or beautiful graphics, you won’t find those here. However, if you need an action RPG to keep you occupied for the next few weeks, Rise of the Ronin should do the trick.

Sorry We’re Closed is a game that I will think about for a long time. It’s an experience I can’t recommend enough, whether you’re a hardcore fan of the horror genre or a passive admirer. Regardless of your interest in the genre, you will take away something vital from your time spent with this game. As for me, I cannot wait to replay Sorry We’re Closed one more time to see more of what the game has to say about the concept of love.

I have mixed thoughts on ORDER 13. On one hand, it falls short of its premise and sometimes feels repetitive. But I also enjoyed exploring the warehouse and even had tense moments. Having the cat is nice, but they need to do more with it. The game is short but the right length, and I enjoyed playing it. After everything, I can still call this an enjoyable experience, even if it falls short. ORDER 13 is a fun time, even if I wish it did more, and I’ll keep an eye on whatever the developer decides to do next.

In an industry filled with games that look to grab every dollar possible from you or ones littered with bugs, Hazelight shines bright as a studio focused on the only thing that matters — having fun. Split Fiction is a must-play game of 2025 for that reason alone.

The Hungry Lamb is not a long visual novel, and I was able to finish it in close to 10 hours. The game has some issues, but it’s still a satisfying read worth experiencing. If you aren’t sensitive to the subject matter, you will be greeted with a compelling narrative about survival and redemption. The art is a treat, even if I wish there were more. It’s not perfect; the story has some serious pacing issues, and it made me take a couple of breaks. With all that, I’m glad I finished The Hungry Lamb: Traveling in the Late Ming Dynasty and can still recommend it, faults and all.

Admittedly, there are a couple rough creases here that need some addressing, with the lightning issue and some systems definitely needing a bit more polish, but overall, this is the best chance you’ll get if you want to get into the Atelier series of games. If you’re a fan of the open world genre, this will definitely appeal to you that much more.

Assault Suit Leynos 2 Saturn Tribute emulates the game well enough but doesn’t add anything extra as other similar remasters provide. If you are a fan of the Assault Suit series, this will be an instant buy. However, newer fans may find that this release isn’t what they would expect, especially from a re-release.

If you’re a fan of role-playing games of all shapes and sizes, Avowed will not be the experience you are looking for. As much as it pains me to say it, if you’re looking for a game that has great characters, story, and gameplay, you may be better off looking at Obsidian’s previous titles such as Fallout: New Vegas.

That being said, Chrono Gear: Warden of Time will be an easy game for experienced action game players. Chrono Gear: Warden of Time doesn’t innovate or bring anything new to the table either, but I don’t think it has to in order to be a fun game. It’s clear that GalaxyTrail and the other talent involved wanted to make a game that celebrates hololive and everything that makes it appealing. They’ve certainly achieved that in Chrono Gear: Warden of Time and made me laugh in joy more than a few times, too.

The First Berserker: Khazan is a truly great hardcore action RPG that fans of the genre owe it to themselves to play. While I did feel some fatigue after fighting many spiders, skeletons, and zombies, I still kept coming back for more. Some fantastic boss fights, a satisfying sense of progression, an intriguing story, and a stellar soundtrack make this an easy recommendation.

The puzzles may be obtuse at times, and even the help that we do get might not be what we expect. However, that makes everything more true to life. Many times, I felt like I was Debbie in her predicament, getting frustrated over a puzzle I was close to solving. Despite that, I wouldn’t have it any other way. Your House and Debbie will stick with me for a long time.

Koira is a magical adventure that I adored from beginning to end. While the game’s bugs did detract somewhat from the overall experience, if you’re looking for a cozy experience that you can beat within a few hours, then this is the game for you. If you need more convincing, you can also pet the dog, which is always a plus. I can’t wait to see what other games Studio Tolima has planned because this is a fantastic start.

The battles may feel slow at times, and the leveling system can take some time to learn. However, SaGa Frontier 2 manages to reward you no matter your skill level. This is a gem that I hope any RPG fan will check out, as it truly is worth your time. The world of SaGa is ever-expanding, and I’m just glad to have yet another entry available on modern platforms.

All in Abyss: Judge the Fake delivers on one aspect but sadly falters on the other. While I enjoyed the poker aspect, the other half of the game holds it back. A shallow narrative and the roster of forgettable characters leave something to be desired. I have trouble recommending All in Abyss for this reason, which is a shame because there is a good poker game here. I just wish I could play it on its own.

Perhaps if you like games that combine platforming with a retro run-and-gun loop, you may enjoy it. Unfortunately, all of Snow Bros. 2 Special‘s negative attributes, combined with the fact that it is only three hours long at a price of $30, make it an experience that I cannot recommend.

Finding Frankie has plenty of good ideas and charm, but it falls flat on execution in areas. Regardless, if you're interested in a new game to speedrun, look no further.

I would recommend this title to anyone who wants a new game to pass the time. While the concept sounds frustrating, there was never a point that I wanted to quit. Instead, I would keep going, and that marks a game that is addicting in all the right ways.

If you’re a fan of retro RPGs, you may find some enjoyment in Lunar Remastered Collection, thanks to the great story, characters, and visuals. However, if these issues seem too daunting, especially if you’re a newcomer to the genre, you may be better off trying another game instead.

Blue Prince is a game that you can easily get yourself engrossed with. What appeared to be a simple game turned out to be one full of surprises around the corner, making it a must-play game for puzzle and roguelike fans alike.

Nikoderiko: The Magical World Director's Cut is a good time for new fans, but those who have already played the original may debate on whether or not they want to return. With quality gameplay, an excellent soundtrack by David Wise, and pretty visuals, Nikoderiko is a platformer worth your time despite its lackluster narrative.

Xenoblade Chronicles X is bigger and better than ever on Nintendo Switch. The numerous quality-of-life upgrades and additions make the experience even more satisfying, and there simply is nothing like roaming the world of Mira inside your Skell. Jump in, get in that robot, pump up that music, and have a heck of a time doing it.

After 26 years, Fatal Fury is finally back—and City of the Wolves hits! It makes a bold return with deep story content, solid offline/online modes, and ambitious mechanics. While I'm not a fan of how SNK implemented the Smart Style control scheme, and the online experience has some issues, this is undoubtedly SNK’s strongest modern fighter yet!

The Hundred Line: Last Defense Academy is an excellent strategy RPG that follows the same aesthetics and themes of the Danganronpa series while being an entirely different game and IP. The game offers a straightforward combat system that's easy to pick up and play while offering some challenging battles. In addition, The Hundred Line: Last Defense Academy brings an intriguing and eccentric cast of characters with a compelling narrative and shock value at some points of the story.

Tetris: The Grand Master 4 -Absolute Eye- is a great way to play Tetris. It helped me rediscover a love for Tetris I once had and for the first time I'm trying different control schemes and modes. Sadly the game is still in a buggy state and needs some work. The dev team is listening and communicating with the player, and I do have faith these issues will get fixed even if it might take a while. Even after all that I can still recommend it and this will be the version I continue to play.

Dead Take is a unique glimpse into the indie horror genre through the lens of an actor desperate to stay relevant in the ever-changing landscape of the film industry. Its use of atmosphere and film craft drives home a narrative that is both captivating and compelling. However, the combination of poorly lit environments and heavy shadows can make certain puzzles feel cheap, and the lack of clear direction may be too much for some players to overcome.

Super Mario Party Jamboree: Nintendo Switch 2 Edition + Jamboree TV combines one of the best Mario Party games ever with a mediocre collection of updates that feel like gimmicks for the most part. The puzzling decision to split updates across the Switch and Switch 2 content only adds to the overall feeling that this is a channel I can't recommend tuning into unless you're the biggest of Mario Party fans.

Static Dread: The Lighthouse might wear its influences on its sleeve, but it delivers a unique horror experience that is worth checking out if you like ethical dilemmas and Cthulhu mythology. This very well may be the next hit indie horror game.

Hello Kitty Island Adventure is charming for both fans of the characters and newcomers alike. While a mobile-style system and frustrating narrative progression roadblocks exist, these are mostly eased by the story itself and the plethora of content that can keep kids and adults entertained alike.

It has a slow start, but soon after, it picks up. The world can feel hollow and monotonous, but it can also be a delight to explore. The visual identity starts to fade away, but it’s able to give love to the game it’s based on. When the difficulty spikes, it can be annoying, but also extremely rewarding. I died a lot, I got lost a lot, I got stuck a lot, but I also couldn’t stop playing. Shadow Labyrinth may be rough around the edges, but it is also one of the most interesting Metroidvanias I have played in a while—one I know I will keep playing for quite a while.

Demon Slayer -Kimetsu no Yaiba- The Hinokami Chronicles 2 is a good game that covers recent arcs of the Demon Slayer anime with action-packed elements that CyberConnect2 is known for. Although the combat is repetitive, there's a lot of replay value thanks to the included story modes and Training Paths mode. The Hinokami Chronicles 2 isn't a departure from anything CyberConnect2 has developed in the anime gaming space, but the game's beautiful visuals and great voice acting should keep a lot of fans happy.

Time Flies is a short, whimsical monochrome adventure toward death. Like life itself, it’s what you do with the time you’re given that defines you. This fleeting, fly-sized exploration of mortality is not for everyone, but it's likely to at least charm and bring a few laughs to players.

Once you get past the bug regarding saving your photos, Lushfoil Photography Sim can be a wonderful time. Exploring the locations and looking for the objective photospots was the best part I had. I feel that I have a new appreciation for photography overall, and I’m already starting to notice things in environments I might not have previously. So, you can throw on some music and start looking for your next photo shoot. After all, you may decide that the only way to express yourself is with a camera.

It is seriously incredible to see what Playground Games put together in Forza Horizon 5, all in one package. I could not imagine a stronger series debut for any game on a platform, as you can easily spend hundreds of hours in this game without getting bored for even a second. While Forza Horizon 5 doesn’t necessarily innovate much from its predecessors, it is absolutely a must-own title on PlayStation 5. It may be the best racing game available on the platform.

While the game isn't perfect, it settles into the themes of consequences and emotion that surpass both Life is Strange and Bloom.

I’m hoping that Bandai Namco and Tamsoft continue to update Bleach Rebirth of Souls and make the online modes more engaging. I’m also curious to see the four DLC characters from Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War bring to the table as well, but I’m not counting on any new TYBW-related story content coming to this game. If anything, a sequel with this content and more improvements could be the right move.

The Horror at Highrook is a look at eldritch horror through the lens of a TTRPG. While the game can have a lot of text, the management style of gameplay sets it apart from other horror titles and will ensure you lose hours of time before it's done.

South of Midnight is a fantastic representation of the deep south and its folklore. It has great visuals, engaging characters, a charming story, and music that will leave your jaw on the floor. While there are certainly flaws with the repetition of the combat, the frustrating platforming, and the lack of development of certain characters, these issues pale in the face of just how well Compulsion Games managed to execute this great work of art.

With many new additions and full voice-over, this is the best version of Noctuary. If you're into something of a unique genre-mix with fast fights and visual novel storytelling, this might be for you.

Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound offers some of the best 2D combat and movement I've ever experienced in an action platformer. Almost every level is designed to maximize your abilities in combat and platforming, and test your reflexes in all the best ways. There are maybe a few too many auto-scroll levels for my liking, and I wish the bosses were a little more varied, but those are minor problems in an overall fantastic package. Ninja Gaiden is back.

Elden Ring Nightreign is a game that understands its own identity and hones in on that. The returning bosses are a treat for older FromSoft players, and the new mechanics are fun yet challenging to wrap your head around. With future content planned, I see myself returning to Nightreign with each new boss drop for years to come.

Assassin's Creed Shadows is a small, yet flawed, step in the right direction for the series. While the story, characters, visuals, music, and main gameplay mechanics shine, the lack of development for the protagonists, the boring side quests, the continued emphasis on combat instead of stealth, and the frustrating action RPG mechanics severely hinder the experience. Unfortunately, it's not the evolution of the series that many fans were hoping for, and it pales in comparison to other games that have handled its formula far better.

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is a graphically beautiful game, but despite its glowing reputation, it does little to innovate within the RPG genre. The lack of navigation tools makes exploring its world incredibly frustrating, and the story only starts to get interesting near the very end.

Cash Cleaner Simulator is an attempt at the simulator genre that revolves around money and packing it. However, there is so much in this genre that it's hard to stick out, and Cash Cleaner doesn't do anything different to stick out in an already dominated landscape.

Creature Keeper is a promising attempt and the monster collecting genre. Unfortunately, combat and rather shallow collection mechanics keep this game from reaching the true potential promised by the premise.

The Midnight Walk is an astounding achievement of artistic vision that triumphantly tells both a heart-warming and terrifying story of perseverance and finding light in the darkest of times. It is an impressive labor of love that hopefully will find the audience it deserves and be at the top of game of the year lists come Winter.

Capcom Fighting Collection 2 is a fantastic revival of classic fighting games with modern training tools and online features, but it falls just short of perfection due to the controversial CvS2 EO ranked standard and lack of cross-play.

Ao Oni The Horror of Blueberry Onsen is a horror game I have trouble recommending. While I have nostalgia for it I don't know if someone without a connection to the series will get much out of it. It's very short and has frustrating monster spawn rates. But even after all that I still had fun thanks to some clever puzzles and even played it more than once thanks to the new leaderboard. My issues with the original are still here but strangely endearing. Worth a play for fans of the series but your mileage may vary.

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Splintered Fate is a fantastic entry in the broader Ninja Turtles universe. The story, despite its simplicity, does a great job of paying tribute to the history of the franchise. Plus the gameplay is extremely fun and filled with great opportunities for experimentation. While the glitches, forgettable soundtrack, small cast of playable characters, and lack of any unique qualities that separate it from other entries in the genre, it's still a great game if you're a fan of the iconic heroes in a half-shell.

Throes of the Watchmaker looks to improve on the issues that some had with Sea of Stars, but fails to move the needle one way or the other. Those who enjoyed their time with the base game will probably have a great time with this free DLC, while those who didn't gel with the original release won't find much to win them over.

Onimusha 2: Samurai's Destiny is a good follow-up to the original Onimusha and improves on it in almost every way and this remaster is the definitive way to play it. The combat feels great, the upscaled pre-rendered background are gorgeous and the colorful cast of characters helps propel the story above the first game in the series. Some half-baked systems and mechanics hold it back from being truly great, but I still recommend this to those who love the original release and to those who may have never played the series before.

There is nothing like this game out there. The roguelite elements are accompanied by components from the deckbuilder and tower defense genres in a combination that really shouldn’t work as well as it does. The story, while slightly formulaic, is filled with charm and great designs that will keep you engaged from beginning to end. If you aren’t engaged by the narrative, you will certainly be hooked by the gameplay with its exciting encounters and great opportunity for experimentation with different strategies while working towards unlocking more factions, units, and spell cards.

DOOM: The Dark Ages is a fantastic new beginning for the prolific franchise. While the sound mixing is lackluster and the soundtrack fails to reach the same heights as previous entries, the narrative and gameplay makes up for it. The story is a thrilling blockbuster that will have you grinning and at the edge of your seat from beginning to end and the gameplay, while more grounded than DOOM Eternal, is extremely fun due to the great gunplay, new weapons, unique mech and dragon segments, open levels, and melee focus. Id Software have delivered once again, and I can't wait to see where the franchise goes next.

This would be one of the best examples of a remaster done right if it weren't the severe technical issues plaguing this release. Nevertheless, Oblivion still holds up as an amazingly engaging role-playing experience all these years later. I simply can't get enough.

POPUCOM surprised me by giving a well-crafted cooperative adventure that has just enough curveballs to keep you on your toes. Anyone looking for their next co-op adventure would be hard pressed to find a better option, especially at only $20.

Star Soraight Fantasy: Magic to Reach the Sky is a Metroidvania staring Tokino Sora. Fans of the Vtuber will find much to love but others not so much. On the other side it is a serviceable Metroidvania that doesn't excel in the elements. The game doesn't overstay it's welcome and the short runtime makes it so it never really falters. Still I can say the game is fine and the passion on display was at least nice to see.

Super Technos World is a collection of 12 games from the arcade and SNES era of gaming. While the actual emulation and settings of the games elevates this as a collection, the choice of games feel lacking. Along with inconsistent translations that turns this from a must-buy into a mixed bag.

to a T is an extremely charming adventure from beginning to end. The story, visuals, sound design, and music is filled with so much heart and evokes the sort of cartoons you'd see on Nick Jr. or Disney Junior. While there are some issues here and there, namely with the repetition of the gameplay loop, the camera, and a few major glitches, if you're looking for an affordable family/child friendly game, then to a T is the title for you.

Game of Thrones: Kingsroad is a promising free-to-play open-world action RPG that still needs more work before its potential is fully realized. The game has a fun and satisfying combat system and an interesting story, but Game of Thrones: Kingsroad's monetization practices and progression-slowing Momentum walls hold back what could be one of 2025's hidden gems.

Sonic X Shadow Generations is an excellent entry point into the series, and for Nintendo fans, it honestly doesn’t get any better than the Nintendo Switch 2 version. SEGA was able to craft an excellent port here that leaves the original Switch version behind, for better or worse if you’re a physical collector. Not only does the game run at 60 FPS without issues, but Sonic X Shadow Generations takes advantage of the Nintendo Switch 2 hardware and delivers great visuals worthy of a remaster. This port bodes well for future Sonic titles on the platform, and I do hope SEGA optimizes Sonic Frontiers to make that another solid game to play on Switch 2.

Nobunaga's Ambition: Awakening was released three years ago and was a hit for fans. The release of the Switch 2 has shown that older experiences are better on it. However, a new price tag and the inability to upgrade the Switch 1 version of the game will turn returning fans away.

The Gex Trilogy is a mostly great re-release of the 90s cult classic. The series has been lovingly preserved for modern audiences, maintaining the gameplay, humor, dialogue, and style of Gex, Gex: Enter the Gecko, and Gex: Deep Cover Gecko. However, while the new bonus features are a great touch, the lack of vital quality-of-life additions and certain features from the PAL version for instance, make it a hard game to justify purchasing for $40.

FBC: Firebreak is a game that lacks a proper identity. It’s really hard to recommend this title if you’re a fan of Remedy’s previous games or the multiplayer co-op genre, let alone if you happen to like both. This is, unfortunately, one of the rare instances where Remedy’s desire to experiment with new genres has not paid off. Maybe the game’s quality will improve as more updates are released, but as it is now, I can confidently say that this is probably my least favorite game from Remedy Entertainment.

While the lack of dialogue and storytelling style might be a turn-off for some, I found that it was part of its charm, and even now, I want to go back and play more. Yes, Kunitsu-Gami is a 2024 game that was absent from the Switch during its initial launch, but it is more than worthy of being a Nintendo Switch 2 launch title – it has found its home here.

Battle Train has a fun cast of characters, a solid story, and a lot of love put into it. The core gameplay is strong, but the lack of build variety leaves a lot to be desired. Hopefully, some future updates will add some more deck themes down the line, because I would gladly return to Battle Train if they play their cards right.

The Yakuza franchise makes a great debut on Nintendo Switch 2 with Yakuza 0: Director's Cut, the definitive version of the 2015 Yakuza prequel from the PlayStation 4. Yakuza 0: Director's Cut offers several new cutscenes, the new Red Light Raid multiplayer mode and English voice-overs, which are all on top of an already great action game with a captivating story. Although the cutscenes can be hit or miss, and players who already own Yakuza 0 may have already had their fill, the game is a great time on Switch 2, thanks to its solid 4K and 1080p 60 FPS performance.

Lies of P: Overture largely retains the quality of the base game, if not improving upon it in some aspects. While it isn't particularly experimental, it is more Lies of P, and it proves why that isn't a bad thing in the slightest.

Fantasy Life i: The Girl Who Steals Time is a good revival of a series that delivers as much content as possible to its fans. However, this can be a detriment as parts feel unfocused or too disparate to work together. Regardless, the charming nature of the title shines above all else, and with so much here, there is something for everyone to fall in love with.

Ruffy and the Riverside is a 3D platformer from Zockrates Lab. It is inspired by platformers of the late 90s and early 2000s and wears that inspiration on its sleeve. It wears that inspiration well, though, and offers not only a game that fits on the shelf with its inspirations but one that is able to stand out as well. A short but fun time that is a must-play for any fan of the genre, or anyone that grew up with it.

Cyberpunk 2077 for Nintendo Switch 2 is arguably the definitive way to play this incredible game. Despite some issues with the controls and textures looking odd at a distance, I was very impressed with how CD Projekt Red managed to fit this massive title into a 64 GB game cartridge with very few compromises and visuals that sometimes look as impressive as the PlayStation 5 version. If you have a Switch 2 and have been looking to play Cyberpunk 2077, you now have the best possible way to do so.

Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour is packed with practically everything you would ever need to know about the ins and outs of the Nintendo Switch 2. The tech demos are a fun novelty, but they don’t go beyond that — a novelty. The minigames aren’t great, and the quizzes get old quickly, leading to a repetitive experience that is hard to recommend to anyone outside of die-hard Nintendo fans or tech enthusiasts.

Split Fiction is one of the best games of 2025, and it's a joy to play on Nintendo Switch 2. While there are some compromises with the frame rate and resolution, this is still the same great experience found on PC and consoles. If you're looking for a new and unforgettable co-op experience, look no further.

A love letter to the world of Frank Herbert, Dune: Awakening has some of the most immersive survival gameplay in recent years as well as an intriguing entry in the Dune lore. However, the game expects a lot from the player and has a very slow grind to get to the best parts of the game. As it stands, Dune: Awakening is a strong foundation for Funcom to build off of and I can't wait to see where the game goes next.

Tamagotchi Plaza is a charming game with characters that are cute enough to hold their own. However, the mini-games leave much to be desired due to repetition, and the time it takes to complete shop upgrades can leave you drained. Unfortunately, this is a disappointing title for the beloved Tamagotchi series.

Street Fighter 6 is an absolute delight on Nintendo Switch 2, acting as a wonderful launch title that has an almost infinite amount of fun to offer. With near-flawless performance despite some frame rate shortcomings in World Tour, this is an easy recommendation to any Switch 2 owner, fighting game fan or not.

Umamusume: Pretty Derby has finally launched in the West to strong fan acclaim. While it remains a gacha game at its core, the content speaks for itself, and you do not need to rely on the gacha systems to enjoy it. With its engaging gameplay, heartfelt storytelling, and charming cast of characters, it’s a game that can easily keep you hooked for hours on end.

Peak is a chaotic, fun time with friends that will have you cheering with joy one moment upon reaching the top, and screaming in agony the next after falling back down. While it's possible to play solo, this is clearly a co-op–designed experience that needs to be played with friends to get the most out of it. A few bugs and crashes still take away from the experience, but Peak is a game that's worth your time in a very busy 2025.

Patapon 1+2 Replay is a nostalgic blast from the past and features many upgrades from the original titles, including difficulty and latency sliders. While the story is light and the timing can be strict, this re-release manages to capture the charm of the originals while updating the games to stand alongside other modern titles, making Patapon 1+2 Replay a must-own for fans of the series.