Outbound is a game with a sincere execution, but one that doesn't fully follow through on its ideas. By playing it safe to avoid gameplay that might be too demanding for players, it misses out on a potential that could have made it a true must-have in the cozy gaming scene. Still, it remains a contemplative pleasure for lovers of virtual exploration… one you’ll play through from start to finish before tucking it away in the back of your collection, unsure if you’ll ever pull it out again to relive the same journey.

Iridium Studios makes a striking comeback with People of Note. While the game isn’t quite perfect and could do with a little more spice in its gameplay, it shows real boldness and completely captivates with an art style that fully embraces its concept. The combat system could have used even more polish to make it more engaging. On the other hand, we’re treated to a heartfelt adventure—somewhat clichéd, but well worth checking out.

Invincible VS is the refreshing fighting game we have been waiting for, both in terms of its art direction and its gameplay, inevitably frustrating for the one taking the hits, but hugely satisfying and enjoyable for the one dishing them out. The attack-defense balance is fairly well-tuned, with a slight lean toward aggressive play nonetheless, and the faithfulness to the source material is spot-on, with original content thrown in as a bonus. That content will need to be judged over time, and one can't help feeling that it would have been more compelling to tell stories from within the Invincible universe, letting some players relive the series' defining moments, rather than delivering a brand-new, standalone narrative.

It’s hard to hide our disappointment with Aphelion, which stands as the very definition of an average game. While there’s nothing fundamentally bad or failed about Don’t Nod’s title, there’s still plenty of room for improvement on many levels, which inevitably leaves us with a bitter aftertaste once the adventure is over. We’re left with the feeling that we’ve missed out on what could have been a great adventure, one whose good ideas, though present, weren’t properly developed by the studio.

As expected, SAROS stands out as a worthy spiritual successor to Returnal, and even more so. Far from resting on its laurels, Housemarque has successfully built upon the solid foundation of its previous title to deliver an epic adventure, enhanced by new features that make it accessible to a wider audience. While more accessible, SAROS remains a challenging yet exhilarating experience that delivers incredible thrills. This makes it a new must-have in the PS5 catalog, which once again boasts one of its best exclusives thanks to the Finnish studio.

Tomodachi Life: A Dream Life is sure to be one of this spring’s must-have releases. By reviving this unique franchise on the Nintendo Switch, Big N reminds us just how powerful and unmatched the Mii characters’ comedic appeal is. Moreover, Nintendo offers us a true respite of lighthearted fun that, like Animal Crossing: New Horizons in its day, allows us to escape a particularly anxiety-inducing reality. While the game’s distinct identity means it won’t appeal to everyone, it will be the perfect choice for anyone looking to treat themselves to short, stress-free gaming sessions full of surprises.

Besides its delightful art style, brilliantly blending inspirations from Cuphead, early Mickey Mouse cartoons, and 1930s film noir, Mouse PI For Hire is from a gameplay standpoint a classic boomer shooter, but very effective and enjoyable to play. Even if its "detective" aspect is largely inconsequential, we generally enjoyed following this frenetic adventure as Troy Baker... Jack Pepper, despite a somewhat tedious final section that leaves a slightly underripe aftertaste for an overall appetizing cheese. Perhaps the upcoming DLC ​​will be the final clue to wrap up the investigation in style?

After years of anticipation and numerous previews, we can finally confirm it: Pragmata is indeed the surprise we’ve been waiting for. With refreshing gameplay and a pair of highly endearing protagonists, Capcom’s new franchise plunges us into the heart of a fabulous world that we enjoy roaming from start to finish, despite a few minor flaws here and there. And while these flaws may prevent the game from having as significant impact as we originally hoped for, it remains a resounding success for the studio, which continues to deliver new, original games that are a breath of fresh air.

A year after its release, Tiny Bookshop is still a breath of fresh air in the gaming world. The proposition is modest but satisfying in many ways. Neoludic proves that you don’t need big effects or ultra-complex mechanics to be effective. Even though several aspects of the gameplay could stand to be a tad more refined to captivate us even further, the game is truly what you might call a gem to be savored in small doses—one you’ll happily return to whenever you need a peaceful escape.

Beyond the chance to catch up with iconic heroines, Life is Strange Reunion brings fans full circle with a duo they’ve grown up with—and, potentially, with the entire franchise. This fifth installment thus oscillates between emotion and frustration. Deck Nine takes great care to give Max and Chloe the most satisfying conclusion possible for fans, but unfortunately gets lost in a branching storyline it never quite manages to fully control. We’re left with pacing issues and unbalanced storylines, weighed down by ever-present visual glitches. It’s hard, however, to deny the joy as a fan, as the chemistry between the heroines remains as strong as ever. Despite a few missteps, we dive in with pleasure and excitement into a chapter that reignites the experience that moved us 11 years ago.

As refreshing and innovative as ever, Super Mario Bros. Wonder makes a triumphant return on Nintendo Switch 2. The brilliant recipe from 2023 remains intact, enhanced by visual improvements and new bonus content. Players will delight in exploring Bellabel Park, its mini-games, and its hidden secrets. Even though this brand-new area can only be experienced in multiplayer mode, the single-player adventure remains just as flawless and now boasts additional characters to help out the Flower Kingdom. This new version is aimed primarily at those who have never played the original or at fans who love multiplayer experiences.

WWE 2K26 plays it safe and it shows. This year's entry feels, in many ways, like a close relative of its predecessor. It tinkers with certain aspects of the gameplay and content with mixed results, stopping well short of anything that could be called a reinvention or even a meaningful leap forward. And yet, there's something about a WWE 2K game that keeps you coming back

In the same vein as recent PS5 exclusive ports, Nixxes delivers an excellent PC version of Death Stranding 2. Graphically and technically almost flawless, aside from a few minor glitches, enjoyable to play with both keyboard/mouse and controllers, especially the DualSense, and with some welcome additions via a free update, this is clearly the definitive version of Kojima Productions' latest BB. A port of this quality makes it all the more regrettable that Sony has apparently decided to stop adapting other single-player PS5 exclusives for PC in the future. This one, therefore, has a very unique flavour and, whether we like it or not, represents a beautiful swan song for this chapter of PlayStation history, which closes on the Beach.

Despite its rather delicate first hours, its shortcomings, and the frustrations that the experience can bring, Crimson Desert is undeniably a unique adventure in the video game landscape. Rarely has a game so convincingly blended epic combat, exploration open to experimentation, and life simulation within such a massive yet coherent and addictive medieval fantasy open world. Pearl Abyss's title isn't for everyone and is likely to be divisive, but it will captivate the most dedicated players for hundreds of hours of pure enjoyment as they lose themselves in its breathtaking abundance. It however needs a little polish to truly shine and take its rightful place among the greatest open-world sandbox games of all time.

With this new port, Capcom reminds us just how pivotal Resident Evil 7 is in its now thirty-year-old saga. The claustrophobic setting of a dysfunctional family and the switch to a first-person perspective create an oppressive atmosphere that is just as compelling on Nintendo Switch 2. Furthermore, the hybrid hardware delivers impressive technical performance that perfectly preserves the original experience, with masterful pacing and meticulous level design. All in all, this is a nightmarish new version that we're delighted to dive back into.

Monster Hunter Stories 3 breaks free from the constraints of a simple spin-off to finally create its own mythology. Fans will say they didn't need this third installment to appreciate the series, but the fact remains that this is the most successful, generous, and mature entry of them all. A true entry point for both fans and newcomers, it's interesting in many ways, from its skillful and polished gameplay to its blend of exploration and monster collecting. Even its deeply ecological message becomes a reason to offer incredibly addictive gameplay mechanics. It's hard not to enjoy it, even if you wince at certain difficulty spikes, a technical aspect that doesn't always do justice to the art direction, and some entirely unnecessary side quests. Nevertheless, Monster Hunter Stories 3 remains utterly monstrous.

Like a fine wine, Stardew Valley improves with age. Even after 10 years, the title remains an essential reference in cozy farm games. Beneath its unpretentious retro indie game exterior, it actually hides an incredible amount of generosity. Supported by a community that is more active than ever today, its creator, Eric Barone, keeps expanding the range of possibilities with free extra content in each update. But above all, it works because the world it offers is as solid as it is immersive. The residents of Pelican Town are all characters worth getting to know, while the sense of freedom given to the player is reinforced by constant discoveries. Whether it's your first or tenth adventure, it's always worth returning to the valley for another visit.

Reigns The Witcher finds itself at a crossroads. On the one hand, it's a rather skillful adaptation of Nerial's license formula to the famous universe of Andrzej Sapkowski's books and, above all, CD Projekt RED's The Wild Hunt, which will certainly make fans smile. On the other hand, the experience unfortunately suffers from a rather frustrating contradiction between its punishing rogue-lite elements and its inspiration system, which often puts us in inextricable situations. Nevertheless, the title offers a generally enjoyable and generous experience for its price, provided you listen to Jaskier's ramblings in small doses.

Resident Evil 9 Requiem is certainly one of the best games in the franchise, and for a very simple reason : it is the ultimate mutation of a formula that has evolved over many years of research, experimentation, successes, and failures. It is the synthesis of an entire series, from its main titles to its many offshoots spread across nearly 30 years of existence. Two experiences in one that come together to form a whole that will keep us on the edge of our seats from start to finish, despite some pacing issues and a few missteps along the way, though these are quickly offset by well-executed fan service and brilliant execution.

As a current-gen upgrade rather than a remaster/remake, this PS5/Xbox Series version of Kingdom Come: Deliverance does its job well. It effectively utilizes the capabilities of the latest consoles to display the 2018 title smoothly in up to 4K resolution, complete with high-definition textures, even if these don't entirely mask the fact that it's an eight-year-old game. Thanks to its impeccable performance, this is clearly the best console iteration of Warhorse Studios' first title, despite the controls being generally less intuitive with a gamepad than with the PC keyboard/mouse combo.

REANIMAL follows directly in the footsteps of the studio's previous titles. Far from trying to reinvent the wheel, Tarsier simply does what it does best: immersing us in a dark and unsettling experience, driven by an uncompromising minimalism. Of course, this doesn't prevent the creators of Little Nightmares from refining their formula, with welcome additions and adjustments here and there. But beware of the feeling of déjà vu that is slowly but surely starting to creep in…

Mario Tennis Fever marks the franchise's triumphant return on the Nintendo Switch 2. Camelot and Nintendo deliver a fun, family-friendly installment designed for short, accessible play sessions for all ages. From the matches and mini-games to the animation and the integration of the frenetic tennis rackets, everything is geared towards simple entertainment. However, this casual approach comes at the expense of a genuine challenge. The overly forgiving AI and the lack of real difficulty in any game mode will push players more towards multiplayer. But even then, the title will appeal more to those seeking fun and social experiences than to hardcore competitors.

Nioh 3 is the culmination of a decade spent exploring different approaches across several games in the same franchise, as well as attempts to create new ones. One might have thought that the transition to an open world would have caused it to lose its identity, but this is not the case. Team Ninja delivers a solid and very demanding action game here, and sometimes even somewhat punishing. Our salvation lies in the gameplay, which is unparalleled in its richness and depth. Two play styles, a vast array of weapons, and a hundred skills allow us to create a personalized gameplay experience that suits our individual preferences. Ultimately, everything culminates in a frenetic dance of blades with what is arguably the most dynamic combat system ever seen in a souls-like game. The legacy of Ninja Gaiden and FromSoftware games is ever-present, but so is the classic open-world formula. Fortunately, the execution is impeccable and engaging enough to completely immerse us in its world. We'll only be pulled out of this immersion by getting lost in the overwhelming amount of loot and an avalanche of statistics that will only appeal to theorycrafting enthusiasts.

Slightly above average – that's ultimately what My Hero Academia: All's Justice deserves in our opinion. We did have a good time playing it, being fans of the anime, and the game does it justice, even if it's not perfect. It's a far cry from the disaster that was Jujutsu Kaisen: Cursed Clash. But to recapture the brilliance and popularity of the Ninja Storm series, they'll need to deliver something much better in the future.

On paper, The Game Bakers' latest game might be simplistically labeled a “climbing simulator,” but in practice, it is far more than that. Beyond offering a challenge to both Aava and the player, CAIRN delivers an epic adventure rarely seen in video games. It is a work capable of inspiring wonder, frustration, anger, and moments of calm. Yet, what lingers most is the extraordinary sense of elation when we finally overcome our repeated failures. CAIRN is yet another reminder of the talent flourishing in French studios, and of the pride we can justifiably take in them.

On paper, Code Vein 2 takes what made the first game unique and expands upon the formula in an Elden Ring-style open world to tell a brand new, ambitious story about time travel to save the world. However, the reality is far less appealing, from the dated graphics and clunky technical aspects to the frustratingly sluggish combat. If you truly loved its predecessor, you might be able to overlook its significant flaws and play for dozens of hours. Otherwise, we strongly advise you to wait for at least performance patches, or even a price reduction.

If Eternal Strands somehow slipped under your radar amidst a truly insane previous year for video games, it deserves your full attention if you love magic, have a creative mind, and enjoy the epic feel of facing titanic monsters that Monster Hunter or Shadow of the Colossus wouldn't disown. This first game from a new studio composed of BioWare and Ubisoft veterans certainly offers a very solid foundation for a franchise as original as it is convincing. As it stands, however, one might regret a slight lack of risk-taking, which translates into an arsenal of weapons and spells, as well as a bestiary that, unfortunately, becomes repetitive rather quickly. We therefore hope that this successful first attempt has achieved well-deserved success, so that its creators can push the boundaries even further in a potential sequel.

MIO Memories in Orbit is undoubtedly a wonderful surprise and an invitation to feast your eyes and ears. It's a game of rare artistic intensity that exudes genuine poetry throughout. You'll enjoy losing yourself in it for dozens of hours and exploring the sometimes sprawling depths of its inspired environments. Beneath its more than charming visuals lies a highly effective Metroidvania that borrows good ideas from various sources and applies them flawlessly with great precision. The execution is excellent, but the gameplay lacks personality, which truly contrasts with everything else. While you'll discover a profoundly unique world, you'll also have the feeling of having played it before. But it's hard to fault it for that, especially if you're a fan of the genre, as the journey is well worth experiencing.