EA Sports UFC 6 puts the franchise back on track, offering great gameplay and a good range of modes for fans of the sport. The only downside would be a revamp of the ground fighting, making submissions more dynamic and precise instead of just pushing the analog stick back and forth. The vast roster is also a great draw for old-school fans, although some older fighters aren't 100% faithful to their physique. However, the graphical precision and fluidity of the strikes compensate for this flaw, creating a feeling almost like watching a major event.

Dark Scrolls presents an intriguing concept by blending platforming, shoot ’em up, and roguelite elements within a charming retro-inspired aesthetic. Its diverse cast of characters, enjoyable co-op gameplay, excellent pixel art, and fast-paced action stand out as key strengths. However, the execution falls short of its potential, with imprecise controls, frustratingly unfair moments, uninspired level design, and repetition setting in too early. While there is some fun to be found, these shortcomings ultimately prevent the game from maintaining its appeal from start to finish.

In spite of its own efforts, Solarpunk winds up smaller than the sum of its parts. A little bit more TLC in the construction of this beautiful world would’ve made it an excellent addition to the genre; in its current state, however, it’s a game only worth it to those seeking an experience that’s (almost) totally devoid of friction.

Gothic 1 Remake honors the classic by maintaining and improving its core elements. The slow progression is compensated by a clear evolution of the hero, while the challenging combat and dark setting shine in the new graphics engine. However, Unreal Engine 5 introduced bugs and performance drops that await correction. Furthermore, the chest-cracking minigame is excessively complex for the title's purpose.

The Adventures of Elliot: The Millennium Tales is a charming and fun title whose greatest merits lie in its world-building, the charisma of its cast, and its strong focus on dungeon exploration and puzzle-solving. Despite some reservations regarding the depth of its customization systems, the journey through the different eras of Philabieldia is quite satisfying.

Truck Driver: The American Dream had a cool idea in bringing a backstory to a truck simulator, but it failed in several technical and aesthetic aspects. The feeling I got was that it was a title from a few generations ago that had been reheated and re-released for the current one. Compared to many current simulators, this game falls far short of the dream its name suggests.

Psyvariar 3 is a good title that continues another franchise that remained confined to the Eastern world for quite some time. However, the variety of games in the same niche makes it somewhat overshadowed, even with its unique aspects. The cluttered HUD also contributes to this, as there are several titles that offer the same chaos, but in a cleaner and more understandable way. Perhaps, in a new, bolder and less nostalgic opportunity, the series will manage to position itself among the classics of the genre.

Swordhaven: Iron Conspiracy is a high-quality RPG that offers plenty of variety and autonomy to the player. The classless character system is a bold decision that sticks the landing, the combat works really well in both modes and the missions are mostly fun and engaging. All of that is not enough to forge an identity, and the game fails to do so due to a remarkable lack of personality in aesthetics, music and writing.

Xanthiom 2 stands out for including another game as a bonus: Xanthiom Zero Resimulated, accessible right from the start. It's a duo heavily inspired by the Metroid series and, despite its modest production values, it also has its highs. On the positive side, there's the varied shooting modifier system, as well as distinct exploration structures with well-applied mechanics and resources, avoiding the feeling of mere repetition from one game to the other. On the negative side, however, the art in Xanthiom 2 isn't appealing, and the bosses in Resimulated are too easy for those playing on medium difficulty (it can’t be changed on the fly). The final result is favorable, and the package has everything to entertain those who enjoy donning their space armor to explore the depths of alien planets in search of new abilities and upgrades.

Map Map - A Game About Maps is an honest proposition that finds its niche by focusing on something few games explore: teaching something real in an organic way, without sacrificing entertainment. It's not a game that will surprise you with its scale or complexity. Its strength lies precisely in the opposite: the simplicity with which it presents genuine mechanics, the lightness of the progression, and the welcoming atmosphere that transforms each island into a small invitation to exploration.

Unrailed 2: Back on Track is the evolution of the first title in the best possible way, enhancing the original chaos with a layer of challenge that can even be somewhat punishing for those playing alone, but is perfect for gathering a group of friends to take your train as far as possible… or let it catch fire while arguing about who should grab the bucket.

Crashout Crew: Stack, Don't Freak Out competently fulfills its purpose: to deliver a chaotic, fun, and absurd cooperative experience that transforms a simple warehouse into a logistical battlefield. The absence of public matchmaking or open lobbies is a gap that limits the experience's reach and excludes those who don't have friends available for an impromptu session. In solo mode, the game is still fun, but clearly operates below its potential.

Alruna: End of History takes some steps forward compared to its predecessor and others backward. There are points where it truly shines, especially in its dense, non-linear level design and the versatility of its traversal. However, it repeats many visual elements from the previous game and still offers disappointing boss fights. Furthermore, the shift to a religious theme feels disconnected from the world's context, failing to capitalize on the symbolic depth this new subject carries. In the end, it's just a good game that doesn't develop the clear potential it had to be much more.

In order to appreciate Realm of Ink, you need patience to look beyond its initial appearance, which may seem like a mere cheap copy. As you discover its unique shapes and colors, you will find a fun, fast-paced roguelike with interesting challenges. Its unique visual style and enviable amount of customization make the title addictive. Some minor smudges here and there slightly detract from the overall quality, but the final product is more than worthy of its place in your gallery.

Company of Heroes 3: Dare & Destroy works very well for multiplayer mode, delivering new ways to approach combat. Mechanically, the additions are fun and varied, but the DLC fails to justify its price for the casual player, and shows that Relic still has a lot of work ahead to achieve the ideal balance of units.

Finally officially arriving on current-generation consoles, Darksiders Warmastered Edition is a good action-adventure game. Fighting as the powerful War against the armies of Heaven and Hell on a destroyed Earth provides epic battles and moments. Even if somewhat out of date, the challenges are well-constructed, as are the characters and other elements of the game. A great option for long-time fans or anyone wanting to discover a new, high-quality franchise..

The Seven Deadly Sins: Origin delivers an experience that will please existing fans of the anime and has the potential to create new ones. Thanks to its intuitive and versatile gameplay, with plenty of build possibilities, and its vibrant, cartoonish open world with various activities available, some of these tasks can become quite repetitive. However, some of these activities can be quite repetitive.

FZ: Formation Z captures the essence of the original title very well, but this may only appeal to older players who experienced that era. Compared to more recent titles, the lack of options and game modes, coupled with the increased difficulty, ultimately affects the overall experience and alienates younger audiences from a game that, in addition to having a great legacy, has excellent elements for the genre.

The Remake of the End of the Greatest RPG of All Time is more intriguing on paper than as a practical experience, even if its brilliance lies in the fact that it is, in essence, a puzzle. There's a genuine fondness for classic RPGs and all the mythology surrounding them, but, like in Tenacious D's music, the game tries hard to discuss them, but it's just a tribute, one that gets lost in its own idea to the point of becoming just another example of what it mocks.

Ultimately, Will: Follow the Light has good ideas and great puzzles, but suffers from pacing issues, unrewarding exploration, and a structure that makes much of the experience more tedious than engaging.

For those who appreciate roguelites with mechanical depth and are willing to invest time learning their nuances, Rune Dice offers hours of content with consistent replayability. It's a title that rewards patience and experimentation — and, with a few key adjustments, has everything it takes to establish itself as something exceptional within the genre.

In a year where major releases often arrive broken or soulless, 007 First Light stands out for doing the basics extraordinarily well: telling a good story, introducing characters that matter, and leaving the player wanting more. If this is the beginning of a new era for Bond in games, the future looks very promising.

Prime Monster delivers a different and challenging experience, underpinned by good ideas and a charismatic theme. Although some balancing and accessibility adjustments would be welcome, the game manages to offer engaging matches for those willing to face its complex nature and learn to survive in this chaotic monstrous parliament.

Moonsigil Atlas stands out in a crowded genre by introducing a creative, shape-fitting board mechanic that adds a compelling layer of strategy, further enhanced by high build variety and distinct character playstyles that significantly alter each run. While the game faces some hurdles with structural repetition and a somewhat generic setting, the core experience remains highly engaging. If future updates successfully expand content variety and refine its existing systems, Moonsigil Atlas has all the potential to evolve into an even more memorable experience.

Despite its horror appearance, Schrödinger's Call is a kindhearted story with a lot to say about human nature. Armed with a beautiful visual aesthetic, the game plays around with conventions and audience expectations to deliver a story that's short, heartfelt and hard to forget. It's highly recommended to those who like visual novels and narrative games with a more austere presentation.

LEGO Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight is a spectacular celebration of the Caped Crusader, masterfully blending the charm of plastic bricks with the thrill of Arkham-inspired combat. Driven by a breathtaking maximalist Gotham City and a deep respect for Batman's history, it delivers an immensely rewarding odyssey for fans of all generations.

Mina the Hollower delivers expansive exploration, a world full of personality, and a constant sense of discovery through its varied situations and inventive systems. While the journey occasionally stumbles with cumbersome backtracking, some combat limitations, and minor frustrating moments, these issues never overshadow the overall experience. Few games manage to turn seemingly simple mechanics into something this creative and engaging, and with memorable encounters, secrets hidden everywhere, and an island that always feels ready to reveal something new, the game proves there is far more beneath its retro-inspired surface than first appears.

Unambitious, but complete in what it sets out to do, Grumpy Jack is a minivania with good pacing and content appropriate to its short duration. Although it doesn't take full advantage of its sword and magical shots combat, it's fun, humorous, and encourages us to explore every corner of its map, ideal for a couple of light gaming session over a weekend.