Will Saros appeal to everyone? Probably not—and if you didn’t enjoy the gameplay of Returnal, this one won’t hook you any more, as it relies on the same core foundation. That said, Housemarque has done such a thorough job with difficulty tuning that one can only commend such a precise response to the criticisms previously aimed at the studio. In terms of gameplay, Saros holds up admirably despite its tiny flaws, and the whole experience feels perfectly cohesive—whether in its enemies, its biomes and their variations, or the many mechanics and weapons that keep enriching the experience throughout the adventure. Add to that a gripping story, with an allegory that is far less cryptic—and therefore far more engaging—and you’re looking at the very top tier of the PlayStation 5. As far as I’m concerned, it’s the console’s best exclusive, and it’s never leaving my system.

Pragmata truly shines through its gameplay, and that is undoubtedly what matters most. Not only does its blend of TPS and puzzles work very well, but the game also features a finely tuned progression curve and constantly renews itself, keeping us engaged from start to finish without difficulty. Faced with such mastery, its few flaws—such as level design that can sometimes feel a bit conventional, or a very predictable story despite the touching relationship between Hugh and Diana—are entirely forgivable. Pragmata is, above all, a game from the school of gameplay, and it stands among the top of the class.

Not a revolution, either in terms of plot or mechanics, but simply an evolution of the "narrative RPG" à la Disco Elysium, which has thoroughly absorbed the rules—and especially the possibilities—of Dungeons & Dragons to deliver a profoundly fun adventure. Following the Cleric on his journey is a real treat (provided you're a fluent English speaker), and the scenario gradually unveils the infinite complexity of this deceptively familiar universe, where a roll of the dice can whisk us away into a gigantic, multi-hour interlude, reveal a metaphysical secret, or allow us to skip ahead in the investigation in the name of good gameplay and freedom of action. For a game written solo, it's a real tour de force, suffering only from bugs to fix and some fairly minor writing issues. Given the post-credits scene, a sequel is definitely possible, and it would be a real pleasure to return to Norvik for a second investigation.

Despite a story lacking cohesion (due to its more scattered structure), Monster Hunter Stories 3: Twisted Reflection easily holds the player's interest throughout its adventure. Its key strengths—generous exploration that encourages discovering every nook and cranny of the various areas, deep, strategic, and challenging combat that avoids feeling unfair, and visual quality far superior to that usually seen in these spin-offs—deliver an engaging experience from beginning to end. There's absolutely no doubt that, despite the stubbornness of some players perhaps blinded by nostalgia, this is one of the very best monster-taming games of recent years.

We very easily forgive High on Life 2 its few flaws. The combat remains dynamic enough and the levels well designed enough for its weaknesses to feel secondary when set against the festival of stupidity it delivers. The game draws us in above all for its comedic proposition, and on that front it is a great success. Whether in the writing of its characters, the dialogue, or in certain offbeat situations—both in terms of gameplay and visually—the studio has spared no effort in bringing to life the wildest and most ridiculous ideas that crossed their minds. How can one not respect such dedication in elevating stupidity to the status of a true art form?

Mewgenics is the definitive coming of age title for McMillen and Glaiel. It is a monstrous piece of work - at times repulsive due to its punishing difficulty or its imagery - but it possesses a level of game design intelligence that commands respect. By fusing the controlled randomness of a roguelite, the depth of a tactical RPG, and the obsessive management of a life sim, the duo has birthed an absolute must-play, even if it suffers from some infuriating flaws (seriously, that pathfinding). Why? Because once again, McMillen and Glaiel prove one essential point: regardless of the subject matter, the tone, or the presence of humor, when you pour your guts into a game and refuse to treat players like idiots, greatness happens. It’s filthy, it’s long, it’s hard, and it’s essential for anyone still looking for a game that actually bites back. It is already one of the standout titles of 2026...But be warned: all ye who enter here, go buy some hemorrhoid cream.

You don’t change a winning team, as they say. Except that you absolutely can replace a winning team with an even stronger one. These 60 hours spent with Nioh 3 have done more than dispel our doubts—they’ve shown us that every change introduced by Koei Tecmo was conceived with exceptional care and relevance. Nioh 3 has become an exploration game, and it feels like this was its calling from the very beginning…Smartly reconfigured around the complementarity between samurai and ninja, enhanced by well-judged new mechanics, and boasting unshakeable nervousness, versatility, and depth, Nioh 3’s combat system reaches remarkable heights of intensity and enjoyment. The few flaws that can be pointed out—such as a weak story and recycled enemies—won’t prevent Team Ninja’s game from taking its crown.

With its rock-solid controls, DeadCore Redux refreshes the original game and enhances its art direction without reinventing the wheel – a compliment and a welcome display of restraint, especially considering that other studios might have been tempted to alter the gameplay in the name of a perceived need for novelty. It's up to you to decide whether an extra level and a fresh coat of paint are enough to justify another purchase, of course, but the final result is very successful, warranting a slightly higher score. If you've never played the original, even better: a little gem of a speedrun-oriented platformer awaits you.

Despite a small-ish roster of characters at launch, 2XKO already offers a rich fighting game experience with deep systems, a sharp art direction and an extremely fun "coop mode". There's no doubt Riot Games will keep build on these strong fundamentals and 2XKO deserves to be supported as a strong alternative to more established fighting franchises.

Dogpile fulfills its purpose wonderfully: providing us with a small, addictive game that cleverly blends Suika Game with roguelite elements. Plus, it features cute dogs and charming art direction, so what more could you ask for? Perhaps some meta-progression to take the concept even further, but the game already works very well as is.

No words can accurately transcribe the primal terror I felt during Routine's short runtime. Many players will bounce away because of the purposefully heavy and slow gameplay, yet the journey is unforgettable and oh so special. Floored.

Far from being the pointless rehabilitation of a gacha game lost in the chaotic mess of mobile app stores that any discerning observer might have expected, Octopath Traveler 0 actually stands out as the most accomplished entry in the series to date. By unifying its narrative, expanding its storylines, and embracing even more poignant thematic ambitions than those explored in Octopath Traveler II, this prequel distinguishes itself through the (admittedly belated) realization by the team behind the OT series that an RPG is, above all, the art of storytelling. Unfortunately, its combat system remains imperfect, its balancing questionable, and the lack of a French translation will undoubtedly be a source of frustration (and rightly so). However, while these flaws are real, they fail to overshadow the fact that this is a truly unexpected success.

With Anno 117: Pax Romana, Ubisoft Mainz manages to push the series to a new height, bringing in small yet meaningful innovations and a duality between its two regions that works well — both in their aesthetics and in their gameplay. The military component remains as uninteresting as ever compared to the city-building aspect, which is, without a doubt, some of the very best the genre has to offer.

Dispatch now stands as the benchmark episodic narrative game — a new reference point for what the genre can do best. A superb art direction, dynamic staging, and a strong cast elevate the experience, delivering a superhero story that may be fairly classic, but is filled with heart. What truly stands out, however, is its ability to add a management gameplay layer that blends seamlessly and meaningfully into the adventure.

Arc Raiders is an excellent game and a new benchmark for the extraction shooter genre. Its few flaws, particularly its somewhat conventional art direction, won't diminish its appeal. More than the gameplay itself, it's the interactions with other players, both hostile and peaceful, that linger in the memory, making Arc Raiders a truly memorable game.

With Goodnight Universe, Nice Dream takes the concept explored in Before Your Eyes to new heights. A more refined and nuanced use of the camera complements a denser, well-crafted storyline that captivates us thanks to an effective cast. It's a shame that some ideas are still explored a little too tentatively, and that the game is released on some platforms without the option to play with a camera, which significantly diminishes its appeal.

Let’s just say we didn’t set out with high hopes after the somewhat lackluster experience of Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake. However, in a welcome burst of clarity, Square Enix has this time taken the task of remaking the game seriously, paying due tribute to the original content while also enriching it with a wealth of new features that make the experience both enjoyable and surprising for newcomers and veterans alike. As it stands, this attempt proves far more satisfying than last year’s predecessor and can easily be recommended to any budding archaeologist eager to explore the origins of a genre and a legendary franchise, without suffering the main pitfalls of the era.

Funny, cruel, and painfully perceptive, The Outer Worlds 2 marks Obsidian’s triumphant return to the top of the RPG genre. Beneath a few minor technical blemishes lies a work of remarkable coherence and freedom, where every choice matters and every laugh stings. A brilliant, deeply humanist, and unmissable RPG that constantly reminds us why we love video games. And once it’s over, there’s only one thing you want to do: start all over again. Isn’t that the mark of a truly great game?

It's hard to find a single real flaw in PowerWash Simulator 2's shining armor. It's the perfect lo-fi game to chill out after a hard day's work. While new mechanics are sparsely used, post-launch content will continue to bring on the good times, to be sure.

Keeper effortlessly stands out as one of the most visually striking artistic directions of the year. We can only applaud Double Fine’s work for delivering something both captivating and sublime, as well as for its storytelling — subtle yet effective — and its surprising ability to humanize a lighthouse. While we’ll keep the surprises awaiting within the lighthouse to ourselves — as those twists do refresh the experience nicely — it’s hard not to feel a hint of disappointment at how simple the game remains in terms of overall challenge.

In an already crowded 2025, Absolum still manages to climb onto the podium as an obvious standout. Guard Crush Games, Dotemu, and Supamonks deliver a masterful experience where missteps are few and far between. From the sublime soundtrack to the perfectly handled visuals, from the finely tuned roguelite loop to the premium quality of the combat mechanics, only the narrative feels somewhat left aside — which, in the end, is hardly an issue in a beat ’em up. Suffice to say, we really had to struggle to find flaws worth mentioning. After Streets of Rage 4, Dotemu raises the bar even higher, pulling off with rare brilliance the launch of its very first in-house franchise. Will this spark a new resurgence for the genre? If so, the next five years are going to be absolutely wild — in the best possible way.

The trauma inflicted by Baby Steps makes me want to give it a 1/10 to get revenge for what it did to me. Luckily for him, I'm a very pragmatic person and behind this continuous torture, this hostility and hatred towards its player, it remains an extremely funny proposition in many ways, with gameplay that is nevertheless mastered. There you go, take your 8/10 and leave me alone, I never want to hear from you again.

With Hades 2, the studio didn’t just meet expectations, they absolutely obliterated them. Bigger in scope, sharper in writing, and deeper in its mechanics, the game surpasses its predecessor on every level. Where many sequels merely pile on content, this one completely reshuffles the roguelite formula with fearless ambition, while remaining incredibly accessible. It’s a rare tour de force, a masterclass in game design that proves excellence can be pushed even further, run after run. Hades 2 isn’t just a successful sequel. It’s a lesson in design, a celebration of the roguelite genre, and a living hymn to mythology. By managing to elevate a formula already considered perfect, Supergiant has delivered one of the most brilliant sequels in video game history. It’s also a powerful reminder that a game can be demanding, generous, and profoundly human all at once. You don’t come out of it unscathed, and more importantly, you never want to leave.

Incredible but true, Konami managed to come back with an actual new Silent Hill game - and it's good ! Ryukishi07 weaves a toxic web of intrigue between mysoginistic social practices, religious hallucinations and disturbing allegories. Kera honors Masahiro Ito's legacy as the resident monster master. While gameplay still falters here and there with boring puzzles and so-so level design in the first half, the atmosphere really comes together and keeps increasing the pressure until a suffocating finale.

Between early access and this definitive release, it's night and day for The Rogue Prince of Persia. We have here an enjoyable game, which relies heavily on the studio's strengths acquired on Dead Cells, but with an artistic direction and gameplay specificities that do honor to the Prince of Persia. If the overall result is perhaps a little too easy and fast, it's not unpleasant to have a roguelite capable of offering a contained experience, notably thanks to an effective story system.

This is a high-quality artistic and visual offering that has been made possible by flawless technical execution. It's hard not to be fascinated by our first transformation of the desert into a lush oasis teeming with fish, and when you add to that easy-to-learn and instantly rewarding surfing mechanics, you get a little gem that you'll forgive for its minor flaws.

Hell is Us still stands as a genuine piece of boldness, a gamble that Rogue Factor has mastered from start to finish. A cry of love for those who no longer wish to let their instincts be numbed on the altar of autopilot offered by most action-adventure games, Hell is Us empowers the player without mistreating them. It rekindles the taste for exploration, observation, and deduction, without ever tipping into elitism. Between those games that hold our hand without ever letting go and those that abandon us at the bottom of the pit, Rogue Factor has found a remarkable middle ground—both rewarding and accessible. Supported by a production quality well above the AA average and, above all, by writing that shines just as much when depicting human tragedies in times of war as when exploring the historical subtleties of a fictional country, Hell is Us has far too much merit for its combat limitations to be held against it.

Time Flies is the kind of game with an absolutely absurd pitch that you start for fun, and which turns out to be much deeper than it appears. The game accurately deals with the passing of time, with our desire to accomplish a certain number of things before our death. It's not enough to go to bed at night with insomnia wondering what we're doing with our lives, but this little fly has the merit of making us laugh about the fleeting nature of life and, as its first trailer so aptly put it: "Make the most of the time you have because we're all going to die."