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.

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.

REANIMAL is a beautiful horror journey that uses subtlety to its advantage. The lack of dialogue and cutscenes is traded for worldbuilding, while the gameplay highlights more thrilling chases rather than action-packed combat. Both are used to great effect, even in spite of some major issues with exploration and a few glitches here and there. If you're a fan of the horror genre, Little Nightmares, or have a friend to play with, though, REANIMAL is a must-buy.

I went into DAMON and BABY with almost no experience in twin-stick shooters, but it ended up being a genuinely fun and charming surprise that kept me coming back. While the story and some mechanics feel undercooked, and losing progress can be frustrating, the combat, customization, and overall journey easily carry the experience. It’s not perfect, but it left me smiling by the end and excited to see where Arc System Works goes next.

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.

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.

As a bullet hell first-person shooter, Luna Abyss might not achieve its full potential, but it accomplishes everything it sets out to do well enough. A haunting world and an evasive combat dance results in one of the most creatively bold shooters in recent years.

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.

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.

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.

If you’ve never had a chance to check out the Yakuza series, the Nintendo Switch 2 has opened the door to one of the best ways to experience it. The first three entries are all excellent on the console, and you can immediately be prepared for Kiwami 3. Playing handheld is a blast, and the ability to quickly throw the Kamurocho brawls on the big screen is hard to beat. Even as a longtime fan, I’ve found a reason to go back and replay these fantastic games thanks to these rereleases. Keep them coming, SEGA.

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.

Marvel Cosmic Invasion is not perfect, but as a huge fan of the Marvel universe, I was certainly not disappointed by the finished product. The use of fan-service and both obscure and iconic characters in the narrative is so well done, the gameplay mechanics are extremely fun to play around with, and the art style is a treat to look at. While there are problems with the game's difficulty spikes, limited replayability, short runtime, and lacking soundtrack, the strengths of the overall experience far outweigh its weaknesses.

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.

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.

KuloNiku: Bowl Up! is a charming cooking game blending anime-inspired 2D art with 3D visuals, offering fun gameplay and memorable characters. Its one real weakness is difficulty, as cooking challenges are forgiving to a fault, but this is nowhere near enough to dull what's otherwise a genuinely enjoyable experience.

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.

With a captivating political plot, an excellent combat system, and beautiful HD-2D visuals, Triangle Strategy has all the hallmarks of being a hit with newcomers and veterans of the tactical RPG genre.

Despite these challenges, the core experience remains strong, and the remaster successfully preserves the essence of the originals. However, addressing these issues would have elevated the collection from a solid nostalgia trip to a truly definitive edition.

While the price may be a hard ask for some, I highly recommend giving Scott Pilgrim EX, especially if you’re a fan of Scott Pilgrim or the beat-em-up genre. I can only hope that, considering the way the game ends, we get a follow-up at a later date. Whether if its with DLC, a sequel, a new anime, a new film, or even a new comic, I will be there no matter what to see how Scott Pilgrim’s “precious little life” continues.

Old School Rally is a great arcade-style racing game that has a pleasing PlayStation 1-era aesthetic and fun, addicting gameplay that's easy to pick up and play. The game pays homage to the sport of rally with several unlicensed cars that strongly resemble their real-life counterparts, so players aren't missing out on car variety. Although it's not innovative, Old School Rally is a joy to play for racing game fans.

FATAL FRAME II: Crimson Butterfly REMAKE is a triumphant return for the series. It maintains the gameplay core and narrative of the original game, while adding exciting new features like a new over-the-shoulder perspective and new mechanics. There are some major issues, such as with pacing, the lackluster side stories, and the abundance of technical glitches. Still, the Crimson Butterfly REMAKE is a great time, regardless if you're a long-time fan or a newcomer to the series. Though, you may want to wait till some of the issues are fixed.

If you’re a fan of classic Final Fantasy games or classic turn-based RPGs, Bravely Default Flying Fairy HD Remaster is an easy recommendation. This is an excellent game with a fantastic soundtrack, a well-rounded cast, and an engaging combat system. Fans who already played the original game will fail to find any substantial new content to discover, but the world of Luxendarc has never looked better. While I wish that more effort had been put into bringing this remaster up to 2025 standards, it’s still Bravely Default on a modern platform—and it’s hard to complain about that.

Yoshi and the Mysterious Book is a cute experience that I had a lot of fun playing. Discovering and naming new creatures, solving puzzles, and playing a game centered around Yoshi since the 3DS days was just my idea of a fun week. And when I thought I was done analyzing the creatures that lived inside of Mr. E’s pages, the game finds a way to drag you in even further. While some stages do have some rather obtuse solutions to their puzzles, it’s still a cute and fun experience that I enjoyed from start to finish.

People of Note is a delightful experience from beginning to end. The story captures the vibe of 2000s Disney Channel musicals alongside some charming characters and nods to pop culture. Further, the gameplay combines the rhythm and RPG genres excellently, and throws in some extra strategy for you to master while you're having fun exploring. While there are some glitches and issues with the musical sequences, these aren't enough to completely detract from just how great this game is.

Although it arrived rather late, the Nintendo Switch 2 port of Dynasty Warriors: Origins provides a solid experience for those who have yet to try out the title and want a convenient way to play on the go. Though I have some minor gripes, none of them came close to completely soiling the experience.

Blood: Refreshed Supply is an amazing remaster of a classic FPS. The original experience is here but better, along with all the modern additions you would want. It’s still an old-fashioned FPS, so I had some issues with the level design and difficulty balancing. Even with my issues, I still had a great time, especially with how much is here. The expansions, fan levels, and vaulted content add so much to an already great release. This really feels like the definitive way to play Blood, and any fan of the genre needs to play it at least once.

Borderlands 4 is a fantastic return to form for the divisive franchise. The narrative is a great change of pace from previous entries, immediately separating itself with a far darker tone, higher stakes, and a great cast of both new and familiar characters. Furthermore, the gameplay represents a significant evolution from what one'd expect from the franchise, offering new customization options, features, and a balance of fun both solo and with a friend. While there are some issues, such as bugs and the game's monotonous traversal, I look forward to seeing how Gearbox continues to develop the franchise in the future.