It is truly gratifying to see that The Seven Mysteries of Honjo was neither a flash in the pan nor a stroke of luck, but rather the result of a alignment of talents who have shown the very same inspiration to deliver a successor that is just as thrilling and thought-provoking, all while successfully shifting to a completely different atmosphere and theme. A formidable and highly effective visual novel that keeps us awake and on edge until its thoroughly satisfying conclusion, The Mermaid's Curse only falters on a few rare occasions, when it gets a bit too carried away by its secondary role as a history and geography teacher. But as long as writer Takanari Ishiyama, illustrator Gen Kobayashi, and composer Hidenori Iwasaki display this much passion and inspiration for storytelling and keeping us so deeply engaged, it's safe to say we'll keep coming back for more.

Does Zero Parades occasionally feel like a "bootleg" version of Disco Elysium ? Yes. But one can easily argue that it's the entire point. An engrossing spy thriller in a brand-new universe, Zero Parades makes salient points about culture, its staunchest and most unsufferable guardians, or the industrial elites who seek to weaponize mass entertainment for their own nebulous, sometimes borderline-religious purposes. While the writing does falter in places, the new gameplay systems are strong enough to compensate, and the overall presentation remains astoundingly beautiful.

Mina The Hollower is a curious experience : despite the development team's obvious overall mastery in areas as significant as level design, game systems, and art direction, Yacht Club Games occasionally loses its way with a handful of design decisions that border on sadism, ultimately undermining the overall pacing of the experience. That said, this zealous streak of mischief hardly warrants too harsh a verdict, as the attempt radiates both the passion and the artistry of a team generous in sharing its craft. Mina, much like Shovel Knight before it, certainly has what it takes to push the boundaries of the genre it seeks to emulate or, at the very least, to deliver a remarkable twenty-or-so hours of fun, outbursts of frustration, and scattered moments of wonder.

With 007 First Light, IO Interactive won't exactly satisfy the hunger of Hitman fans, and even less so those of Uncharted, as its nods to these series ultimately turn out to be quite superficial. However, the studio brilliantly pulls off its double wager: delivering a blockbuster capable of making waves in 2026, and bringing James Bond back to the forefront of the gaming scene after an unprecedented hiatus, all while being self-published, mind you. While the alchemy of the formula might remain a tad too cautious and predictable, the way the Danish studio has seamlessly mastered every convention of the modern AAA title commands respect, and reminds us once again why the world will never grow tired of the James Bond mythos. We missed you, James.

Battlestar Galactica : Scattered Hopes makes no compromises on its gameplay to stay true to the TV series' core vision. It is a brutal fight for the survival of humanity that keeps us under constant pressure—both during combat and management phases—offering absolutely no respite in our flight. It is a wonderful achievement in capturing the essence of the original work and brilliantly translating it into a game, though it does require a specific mindset given how difficult and oppressive it is. The main regret lies in the user interface, which would have benefited from being sleeker to offer some relief from the impossible task of leading our small fleet.

A wonderful game and interactive toy in the same package, Yoshi and the Mysterious Book is one of the best Nintendo exclusives in a long time. Good-Feel finally finds a real hook after a few serviceable (but ultimately one-note) platform games with its discovery-first formula, giving younger kids a wonderful playground to run around and older players a good dose of childlike wonder. It also helps that the soundtrack is filled with bangers.

Forza Horizon 6 is the absolute apex of the formula. If you’re already resistant to the Playground Games model, this entry won’t be the one to change your mind. But for everyone else—for anyone with even the slightest appetite for arcade racers, Japan, or open-world driving—it is an absolute must-have. It is, without question, the best game in the Forza saga. It buries the competition (which, let’s be honest, has been mediocre for years) through its sheer generosity, tramples over the corpse of monotony, and finally delivers the Japan of our dreams with insolent technical mastery. The king is back, and he’s got a mecha in his rearview mirror.

More than a reductive slot machine, Vampire Crawlers is a true roguelike deckbuilder and requires wits, reflexes, game knowledge and a taste for taking calculated risks. Building the perfect deck to wipe out skeletons by the dozen in a single turn is an absolute delight. The endless onslaught of colors, garish visual effects, loud noises and unlockables has all the pros and cons of an all-you-can-eat buffet, leaving the player satisfied and ready to burst at the seams for a very sharp price, yet also slightly nauseous after long sessions. Won't keep you from coming back for seconds, though.

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.