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.

Between its update and its Nintendo Switch 2 Edition, Animal Crossing New Horizons has been significantly polished up. Nintendo has finally taken fan feedback into account to greatly improve the gaming experience. For those who have played the game before 2026, all the quality-of-life improvements will be a real relief. Additionally, the new modes further enrich the range of activities already available at launch. This has significantly extended the game's length, making it worth restarting or even starting a new game today. A true timeless classic. It has once again established itself as a must-have title that is more enjoyable than ever on the new Big N console.

Graphically, the Nintendo Switch 2 version of FF7 Remake sits closer to the PS5 than the PS4 Pro, despite having a lower resolution on paper, and it commands respect. With a few minor concessions, the game runs smoothly in almost every situation and never compromises in portable mode. Everything feels carefully crafted to let players enjoy Midgar both on the go and on the big screen. Too bad it's locked at 30 fps. Whether Square Enix can maintain this level of performance with FF7 Rebirth and its more demanding open world remains to be seen. For now, though, the Switch 2 version stands out as one of the most enjoyable and versatile ways to (re)experience the legend of this iconic JRPG.

Syberia Remastered is definitely faithful to the spirit of the original version. Although this new version includes some welcome modernizations, it builds on the foundations of the 2002 title to bring players today a cult French point-and-click adventure story. However, it's a shame that Microids didn't take the step of remaking the game to push the concept further and perhaps avoid some of the clunky mechanics and technical flaws. Nevertheless, the game remains sincere and offers a nostalgic journey that is still worth checking out in 2025.

The talented French indie creators at DotEmu and Guard Crush have gifted us once again with Absolum, an excellent game that skillfully blends old-school and modern gameplay. In this instance, we're treated to a truly magical and ingenious blend of beat 'em up and roguelite, all set in a vibrant world that delights the eyes and ears thanks to its stunning art direction and soundtrack. A true gem of late 2025, unfortunately somewhat lost in a sea of ​​other excellent games released throughout the year, due in part to a rather timid marketing campaign and a fairly steep difficulty curve that might deter newcomers.

The World Ends With You Solo Remix combines two wonderful qualities. Firstly, the original is a near-spotless success. Secondly, this is a quality port, one that has been reworked deeply to blend well with the devices it's on, even enhancing some aspects in the process.

Metroid Prime 4 Beyond is undeniably a strong entry in the series. It captures the core elements that made the franchise a classic 18 years ago, while adding a few new twists. The joy of revisiting those nostalgic sensations in a fresh adventure is undeniable, but it also works against the game. Unlike Metroid Dread, which successfully modernized the series' formula, Metroid Prime 4 Beyond plays it safe, sticking to the familiar without taking bold risks. Beyond a few new abilities, features like the desert setting and the motorcycle feel lackluster, and its more linear, guided design feels like a step back compared to previous titles. However, Metroid Prime 4 still stands out as a highly enjoyable adventure, and arguably one of the most visually impressive games on the Nintendo Switch 2. Its stunning visuals and hauntingly beautiful soundtrack are sure to leave a lasting impression.

Thanks to Dispatch, AdHoc and the Telltale veterans who comprise it brought back the episodic narrative game format that made this legendary studio famous with flying colors. The story of Robert and the Z-Team is a constant delight, driven by incredibly endearing characters, phenomenal voice acting, and stunning art direction, all within a fast-paced narrative entirely dictated by our choices. The game also shines with its incredibly addictive and intuitive management mechanics, which perfectly put us in the shoes of a team leader of rookies who will eventually become true superheroes, though this aspect loses some of its appeal once the initial surprise of the first playthrough wears off. This clever mix is, in any case, the indie gem we anticipated, and we now cannot wait to see the Z-Team for a potential second season ! We are nevertheless following the upcoming projects of this promising young studio with great interest.

Kirby Air Riders is like a strawberry sorbet: sweet, refreshing, but not exactly essential. Yet, in the quieter stretch of the year, it might just catch you off guard. It’s a simple game, but one that offers a surprising amount of depth, both in its content and gameplay. And it does justice to the Nintendo Switch 2, delivering smooth performance and solid graphics that make it a worthy addition to the system.

Call of Duty Black Ops 7 certainly aimed for an easy victory, but this year's competition is fierce. While it offers abundant content and diverse experiences, excelling at player retention through extensive progression, quantity isn't everything, and its shortcomings are significant. The campaign is poor, the endgame is dull, and the multiplayer mode is conventional. It lacks soul and authenticity. Only the Zombies mode is noteworthy, significantly raising the bar. Overall, it's an average Call of Duty game that will struggle to maintain interest until next year.

Arc Raiders is undoubtedly a must-have in the genre. Extremely enjoyable and addictive, the game grabs you by the gut and allows any player to find themselves in it. Its only drawback? The frustration, inherent to the genre, if you get eliminated before you have time to escape. Beyond that and a few menus that are a bit difficult to navigate, Arc Raiders is an experience that would be a real shame to miss. The immersion is incredible, driven by a stunning sound design and a surprising AI that serves not only the gameplay but also the narrative. A rich universe, top-notch art direction and technical prowess, an accessible yet unforgiving game, incredible sensations… the list goes on. Arc Raiders is certainly one of the best multiplayer surprises of 2025 with a very promising future, all for around forty euros.

With Anno 117: Pax Romana, Ubisoft Mainz proves it is possible to evolve a beloved formula without losing its identity. The move to Antiquity is more than a new setting. It reshapes building, trade, resource hierarchy, cultural balance and even city planning thanks to diagonal roads and more uneven terrain. It is not as disruptive as Anno 1800 was at the time, but it improves several essential systems. Flexible needs make each run smoother. The Roman and Celtic coexistence gives regions a stronger personality. The huge research tree adds long-term strategic depth. The visual direction is stunning and brings a rare elegance to the whole experience. Some parts still need work, such as land battles or certain UI details, but these limits never overshadow the core experience. Anno 117 remains a rich and captivating city-builder. It is more than a simple return to the past. It stands as a solid and promising new chapter for one of the strongest management series of the last decades.

Hyrule Warriors Age of Imprisonment is more than just a spin-off, it’s an integral part of the main timeline, even if it takes a few creative liberties. It’s also an excellent and generous action game for the Nintendo Switch 2. The combat is highly dynamic, with hundreds of enemies swarming the screen amidst stunning visual effects, and it boasts a deep gameplay system that requires time to fully master. Despite its menus, some awkward game design choices, and repetitiveness, Hyrule Warriors Age of Imprisonment is well worth the time and effort. Its gameplay, surprises, and significance within the Zelda universe make it a game worth experiencing.

King of Meat is undeniably one of the pleasant surprises of 2025. The game glows with contagious cheerfulness, so essential to party games. It offers a cooperative experience in a crazy setting, promising great runs with friends. The bold artistic direction is quite appealing, while its TV show concept has real long-term potential, as long as both the audience and the studio are invested. Despite gameplay that could be improved and an imaginative richness that struggles to fully translate into the environments, the challenge for Glowmade will be to offer content that is captivating enough to interest players and convince them to make the purchase, despite a price that is likely to be a barrier to entry, even for the curious.

With Jurassic World Evolution 3, Frontier Developments delivers the most complete and polished entry in the series so far. The studio didn’t reinvent the formula but refined it in almost every way. Natural breeding, modular building, improved animations, and global park management finally bring the depth and cohesion the previous games lacked. It’s not perfect, micromanagement is still light, AI can be clumsy, and systems like finances or faction contracts could use more bite. But despite these flaws, the game remains a joy to play. You can easily lose hours building, tweaking, and simply admiring the prehistoric world you’ve brought back to life.

Ninja Gaiden 4 definitely breathes new life into the iconic franchise, thanks in large part to a dream partnership with action game masters Platinum Games. The result is a game with truly frantic, exhilarating gameplay that's also very intuitive and offers just the right amount of challenge to appeal to both veterans and newcomers. However, the combat can at times be a little chaotic, the visuals are not groundbreaking, and the somewhat clumsy recycling of assets to justify Ryu Hayabusa's return is a bit of a letdown. Nevertheless, we can then reunite with the legendary hero in all his glory thanks to generous endgame content, after completing a relatively short but undeniably intense main story. Pure adrenaline for fans of challenges and ninjas, and one of the best pure action games of a year 2025 already brimming with excellent titles.

Europa Universalis 5 isn’t just an evolution, it’s a true rebirth. Paradox has modernized its classic without losing its soul, delivering a deeper and more dynamic historical simulation than ever before. The game feels more alive, clearer, and more coherent, with reworked systems for population, trade, and warfare that add incredible depth. Sure, it’s still complex and can slow down in the late game, but the journey is worth it. Every decision matters, every century tells a new story, and when you finally close the map after dozens of hours, it truly feels like you’ve shaped history.

There are no surprises with the Dragon Quest 1 & 2 Remake compilation. The two games retain all the charm of the originals, enhanced by the ever-delightful HD-2D graphics, and are enriched with new stories, activities and events. While the two games are not exactly equal, the gameplay adjustments and new features modernise two episodes that were in dire need of an update. It's impossible not to succumb immediately to the charm of this duo, which is as addictive as a delicious treat.

Despite its age, FF Tactics remains timeless. This masterpiece has stood the test of time, and now returns in one of its best versions yet. Although it lacks the content from the PSP version, The War of the Lions, this remaster introduces enough new features to appeal to those who missed out on what is widely regarded as one of the best Final Fantasy games to date. Both the English and Japanese voice-overs add depth to one of the most memorable stories in video gaming. While it is regrettable that, after 30 years, we have to settle for a remaster with so little work done on the visuals, it is also this old-school feel that gives the game its charm. Final Fantasy Tactics The Ivalice Chronicles honours the legend.

The Outer Worlds 2 ticks all the boxes of a successful sequel, building on the solid foundation of its predecessor to offer an even more ambitious and complete RPG. We are therefore treated with a true "role-playing game" in a video game format, which offers enormous freedom in the way we approach its universe of impressive coherence and fine writing, very beautiful to contemplate, and always with the caustic humor of the franchise. It also offers pleasant and modern gameplay that does not stand out against pure FPS / TPS. However, we will have to deal with a staging that seriously lacks spice, a very perfectible artificial intelligence, and the fact of limiting ourselves to the specialization of a part of the available skills. At the risk of finding ourselves greatly handicapped over the course of a main quest that is ultimately less exciting than the side missions that punctuate the adventure. One way like any other to make us want to start a new game, if finishing the adventure in one go with a very generous lifespan was not enough. An Obsidian game as we like them, in short.

Hades 2 is a masterful sequel. Melinoe's adventure surpasses Zagreus's in absolutely every way: more robust and enjoyable gameplay; more diverse progression that offers an infinite number of ways to complete a run, each as satisfying as the next; titanic content literally doubled compared to the original title; divine artistic direction, Supergiant Games offers us yet another Boon worthy of the gods. The title has everything it needs to be included in the pantheon of the best rogue-lites of all time, or even to win the GOTY 2025 title. Such generosity, however, is to its detriment when it comes to the true ending of the game, which is unnecessarily long to unlock, and terribly disappointing given the time spent to reach it. However, this will only concern the most dedicated players, and ultimately does not detract so much from the immense qualities of a title that has everything of a true masterpiece.