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.

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.

Gears of War makes its PlayStation debut with a new remaster of the first game in the series, Gears of War: Reloaded. I'll admit, there is something surreal about seeing Marcus Fenix and Cole Train chainsawing through locusts on a Sony console. However, once the novelty of playing a Gears game on PlayStation wears off, it quickly becomes apparent that you are playing a nearly two-decade-old game with very few visual updates or new upgrades. I was left wanting much more, especially considering this is the second remaster we've seen for Gears of War.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Considering how long ROUTINE took to make and how this is Lunar Software’s first game, the overall game is an absolute marvel. It isn’t perfect, but I was enamored from beginning to end with its beautiful aesthetic, terrifying setpieces, and unnerving narrative. I can’t wait to see how Lunar Software progresses its craft with its next game.

In creating a game that won’t appeal to everyone, Sakurai has created an experience that never fails to be entertaining if you choose to challenge yourself with something beyond your comfort zone. Personally, I loved Kirby Air Riders and immensely respect the courage it took to make a game like this. While I’ll always wish that there was more content, as a completed game, Air Riders stands as a contender for my favorite Nintendo game released this year and my favorite of the major racing games that have launched recently.

TAMASHIKA isn't an experience for everyone. The visuals are often too abrasive, and the lack of any story or unlockables means that you're paying for a game without any progression to speak of. However, the gameplay is so delightfully fun, the little hints of secrets are intriguing, and the soundtrack helped me reach the flow state that it expected of me. Overall, this may not be an experience you are drawn to, but if you're a fan of movement shooters, then TAMASHIKA may click with you more than you think.

LEGO Voyagers is a creative co-op adventure that is fun for all ages. The visuals and atmosphere are a real treat, and the gameplay has a lot to offer. A relatively short runtime leaves much to be desired, but this is still a good co-op game that is worth your time.

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.

No Sleep For Kaname Date – From AI: THE SOMNIUM FILES is a great game that bridges the gap between the first game and its sequel, nirvanA Initiative, while delivering a compelling story and new gameplay via the newly introduced Escape sections. The game doesn't take any risks with its narrative and features, but it offers a lot of content that AI fans will certainly appreciate.

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.

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.

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.

Arknights: Endfield is undeniably a visual masterclass with an easy to learn but fun to master combat system and world to explore. However, it struggles with pacing by throwing tutorial after tutorial at you with its overly complicated base-building and factory mechanics.

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.

When the credits finally rolled, I found myself wanting not just to play the game again, but with the desire to play through more entries in the franchise. I’ve officially fallen in love with the Metroid franchise, and regardless of what the future brings, whether it’s a new 2D game or a new entry in the Prime series, I will be there no matter what. Regardless of whether you’re a fan or on the fence about the new additions to the Prime formula, or if you’ve never played a Metroid game before, Metroid Prime 4: Beyond is an absolute must-play.

Tomodachi Life: Living the Dream is one of the funniest games Nintendo has shipped in years, and the most expressive Mii sandbox Nintendo has ever produced. I had so much fun and struggled so much to put the game down whenever I had free time. At the same time, it’s also a sequel that often feels held back by its own publisher, considering the 3DS-era cuts, the locked-down sharing model, and systems that don’t quite honor what they ask of you. Living the Dream could have been even better, and it’s a bit frustrating to think about where Nintendo could have elevated this game further. Still, none of those flaws changes what this is. Even with everything Nintendo holds back from it, this is the most fun I’ve had with a Switch first-party game in a long time, and there’s nothing else on the system that scratches quite the same itch.

The Great Villainess: Strategy of Lily is a fun strategy game at its core, despite lacking some features or elements that really make it stand out. Either route you pick will be a fun time, but I did prefer one over the other. While combat was fun, it was rarely a challenge, and I wanted it to do more. That being said, The Great Villainess: Strategy of Lily is a solid strategy game that I believe both veterans and newcomers to the genre will enjoy.

This is all to say that Yunyun Syndrome!? Rhythm Psychosis is a great rhythm game that I keep coming back to, and its story is really interesting due to its two main characters and how the internet-centric aesthetic brings everything together. The psychological elements make the denpa subgenre more understandable to players who might not be too familiar with it, as I’ve discovered while playing through the game. If you’ve played rhythm games before and need something new to play, it’s hard to go wrong with Yunyun Syndrome!? Rhythm Psychosis. The game respects your time too, so there’s also that for those not wanting a massive time sink in their backlogs.

If you have a Switch 2 and have been looking for a great-looking action-adventure game to keep you occupied until the next mainline Legend of Zelda game, then Kena: Bridge of Spirits is a must-buy. After playing it for myself, I’m now even more excited for the upcoming sequel, Kena: Scars of Kosmora.

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.

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.

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.