Finding its footing among the giants of the genre, MIO: Memories in Orbit manages to be a great piece of interactive art. Its somewhat floaty controls might take a moment to get used to, but any awkwardness quickly fades in the face of the game’s many strengths. The hand-painted Vessel is gorgeous; its narrative, haunting. Even with a few quirks, it’s impossible not to get swept up in its orbit.

Atelier Yumia doesn’t really take big risks, but it still manages to keep things fun. The combat’s a solid step up from past games, and gathering isn’t nearly as much of a chore anymore—though you’ll still manage to trip over the tiniest rock now and then. It looks great (sometimes too great for its own good if your PC isn’t ready), and the soundtrack’s an easy win. Sure, the $70 price tag might sting a little, but with how much content there is and the replay value, it’s not a bad deal. Just be ready for some of the dialogue to get a little in-your-face at times.

Raccoin: Coin Pusher Roguelike proves that anything can become a hit roguelike if designed well enough. Not content to just slap some roguelike mechanics on an existing idea, Raccoin presents something uniquely addicting across a complex, layered gameplay progression that goes beyond comparative description. All that for much less than an arcade trip would cost. Forget breaking a dollar for the coin pusher, take all of mine for Raccoin.

A decent remaster of two great JRPGs that is undoubtedly the best way to play both beloved cult classics if you can look past the cracks.

Juggling escape rooms, dream dives, and alien conspiracies while wearing a scanty bunny suit sounds like it shouldn't work, but No Sleep for Kaname Date somehow makes it all come together in a way that's equal parts ridiculous and compelling. The puzzles are clever, the cast is endearing, and the story—while occasionally overstuffed—remains hard to look away from. Even when the visuals lag and the exposition gets heavy, it will definitely keep you up late into the night to find out what happens next.

NTE is a game that feels like it’s constantly pulling you in different directions, yet somehow still holds together as a cohesive experience. It wants to be a gacha RPG, a city life simulator, a driving game, a management sandbox, and a narrative-driven anomaly hunter all at once. And instead of collapsing under that weight, it actually becomes a strong foundation to support how its systems interact and flow with each other. Of course, that ambition isn’t perfectly refined yet. Some systems still lean a bit too simple and story pacing can break immersion when level locks interrupt momentum. But even with those rough edges, the important part is that NTE never feels aimless. It commits to what it is trying to be—a multi-layered city RPG where everyday life and anomaly-driven chaos coexist.

REANIMAL is a game that takes everything Tarsier perfected in Little Nightmares and sharpens it into something darker, more relentless, and emotionally punishing. It rewards patience, observation, and careful thinking, but it doesn’t coddle you—the world is cruel and the horror lingers long after each encounter. It’s a more ruthless evolution of the formula, delivering a tense, interconnected journey that stands on its own while building on Tarsier’s legacy.

Arknights: Endfield has the makings to be one of 2026's standout titles—a decent story that has potential, multiple engaging gameplay mechanics, a vibrant world to explore, and solid audio and visual design. Aside from the gacha system that not many people may be used to, it deserves high marks everywhere else. Its future is bright, and they can only keep going up from here.

Ahoy, me hearties! All aboard the hype ship, for RGG be chartin’ a course to pure treasure with Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza! This be a tale as grand as the seven seas, tellin’ the legend of an ex-Yakuza turned swashbucklin’ scallywag! With a story and adventure ye won’t soon forget, this be a voyage filled with plunderin’, brawlin’, and enough high-seas hijinks to make even the saltiest sea dog grin! Yo-ho!

Stories from Sol: The Gun-Dog channels the charm of the PC-98 era, not just in its appearance, but also in its spirit. It may be a brief experience, but don’t let that fool you—this Gun-Dog has plenty of bite. With echoes of classic mecha anime and space-age adventures, this game shoots for the stars and hits its mark.

Mafia: The Old Country isn’t the longest, flashiest, or most replayable game—but what it offers is clarity. This is a lean, linear mob drams focused on story, atmosphere, and character. It knows exactly what it wants to be, and it doesn’t waste your time getting there. If you’re after a grounded narrative with a clear creative vision, The Old Country delivers something memorable.

If I can only give you one reason to buy this game, it would have to be its musical score. Each scene is elevated by a masterful orchestral soundtrack that transforms puzzles, exploration, and emotional beats into something cinematic and unforgettable. While the core gameplay of Lana and Mui navigating puzzles remains familiar, Planet of Lana 2 shines in how it builds and evolves the storytelling.

Finally coming out of early access after a year, The Rogue Prince of Persia arrives just in time to show off its vastly improved visuals, catchy music, and fluid gameplay. Oozing with style, this is a roguelite that has improved in almost all of its aspects.

Tempest Rising blends old-school RTS brilliance with the power of modern technology, delivering a nostalgic yet fresh experience for everyone. Built in Unreal Engine 5, it looks great, plays even better, and hits all the right notes—gameplay, troop variety, quality-of-life, and sound. The multiplayer mode’s still catching up to the campaign, but with more content on the way, this game could easily surpass the classics it pays homage to.

Rome wasn’t built in a day, and neither was Pax Romana. Every hour of craftsmanship shows in its design, every detail polished to perfection, creating a monument to the genre, crowned with a golden eagle and a banner to match. Flaws remain, of course, with minor bugs serving as reminders that no edifice is perfect. Yet the game still stands tall, and unlike the empire, your own Rome can rise much faster. Some may even expect it in a day.

F1 25 strikes a strong balance between convenience for casual players and depth for racing enthusiasts. It refines the gameplay and storytelling from previous entries while introducing enough new features to keep the experience fresh, though it doesn't radically reinvent the series. Minor frustrations like repeated engineer messages and a sense of annual iteration prevent it from scoring higher, but overall it delivers a polished and engaging motorsport simulation.

Ghost of Yotei: Legends is a must-try DLC for owners of the base game, as they’re quite literally just improving on what was offered before. With top-notch presentation and the same engaging gameplay loop, it’s one of the more underrated multiplayer experiences out right now.

Demonschool is a quirky tactics RPG that is sure to entertain players in many different aspects. From odd but lovable characters, stunning visuals, an interesting plot that transcends the human and the demon world, and engaging strategy gameplay with unique mechanics, there’s a lot to like about it. Its complex tactical mechanics may not be for everyone and may not be the best tactical RPG for a newbie, but it’s got charm.

2XKO is, without a doubt, the best fighting game on the market right now. Not only does it look amazing with its cel-shaded animated style, but it also has that tag-fighter satisfaction that’s been sorely missed throughout the absence of the subgenre. And the best part about it all is that the game is completely free to play and enjoy, with everything you need to learn included.

Despite the original Ryza 2 being a strict upgrade over its predecessor in almost every way, the new DX version delivers only minor overall improvements to the base game itself. In particular, the character reintroductions and accompanying story are rather disappointing compared to the added utility of the more controversial mascot character.

This 2025 remake of Trails in the Sky serves as a strong introduction to the Trails series. It has a more focused story and a cast you’ll quickly grow to love, and that smaller scale makes Liberl feel incredibly cozy and vibrant. This results, though, to a much slower narrative, and many side quests can feel trivial in the grand scheme of things. Regardless, as a starting point for Zemuria’s larger story, it succeeds at pulling you in and making you want to see what comes next.

Paranormasight: The Mermaid's Curse delivers a much more intimate mystery by focusing on personal emotional arcs and a cast of characters that feel really well-developed. The experience, though, is occasionally weighed down by a lot of expository lore dumps. Nevertheless, it is a clever mystery game that manages to stay interesting until the very end.

You don’t need flashy gimmicks or extravagant animations to craft a great RPG. What truly matters is whether the experience is fun and engaging, and Quartet nails that perfectly. It’s easily one of the best traditional pixel RPGs to release this year.

Deep Rock Galactic: Survivor is more than just another Vampire Survivors clone—it’s a faithful spin on the co-op classic that carries over its humor, class personality, and suffocating cave atmosphere. The lack of camaraderie stings, and the grind and balance issues get rough in the endgame, but the core loop of digging, shooting, and upgrading never stops being fun. For fans of either genre, it’s an easy recommendation.

Artis Impact is a masterfully crafted, imaginative odyssey that paints its post-apocalyptic world with heart and pixel-perfect precision. Though its narrative occasionally wavers, the game’s seamless blend of cozy mechanics, nostalgic JRPG flair, and a sharp-tongued yet endearing protagonist delivers an experience as memorable as it is meaningful. Impactful Indeed.

Strange Antiquities is a charming and cozy occult puzzle game that is surely a treat for budding detectives and puzzle-lovers. With its simple point-and-click gameplay that complements a variety of complex challenges and riddles that require extra brainpower, this puzzle game will surely take you on a spooky but intriguing text adventure through the town of Undermere and the secrets that lie within.

Abiotic Factor stands out in the survival crafting genre by fusing humor, tension, and sci-fi absurdity into a deeply replayable experience. It’s clever, strange, and thoroughly satisfying, but not without its rough edges. Several mechanics are left entirely unexplained, and playing solo can feel overwhelming without companions to share the burden. Yet despite its flaws, it’s an experience that thrives on discovery, rewarding those who approach it with curiosity and a willingness to experiment.

The First Berserker: Khazan may be the best non-FromSoftware soulslike yet. Its anime-inspired visuals, soaring orchestration, and frenetic combat make for an unforgettable experience. With a brutal, personal story and rich world-building, every battle carries weight. The skill floor and price may be steep for newbies, but greatness comes at a cost—and this one’s worth every blood drop and penny.