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.

Perfectly sized for young children and the parties with all the family, Kirby's Epic Yarn is undeniably one of the titles that everyone can conclude without real effort, especially with two players, but still keeps some surprises in store for those who want to unlock everything.

Despite an amazing sound design and some gorgeous 8-bits stylized visuals, Superbrothers: Sword & Sworcery is less an enthusiastic and challenging videogame than an interactive story, sometimes too repetitive and flawed.

Very smooth but pretty much deja-vu, God of War : Ghost of Sparta is undoubtedly superior to its predecessor Chains of Olympus. Though, it still suffers the comparison with the Kratos' domestic adventures, in particular because it borrows a lot from the latter and doesn't manage to make its own way.

Despite all the criticisms that have been made about its open world, Mario Kart World remains a leading social game and still knows how to easily bring players from all walks of life into its wake. The more fortunate will even indulge in the luxury of the camera that allows you to display your friend's face in a vignette when he overtakes you for maximum provocation. Despite its flaws, we are still on a sure bet that will occupy many evenings and we trust Nintendo to offer it a follow-up worthy of Mario Kart 8 Deluxe.

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.

Quotation forthcoming.

Quotation forthcoming.

Ghost of Yotei has clearly refined its formula on quite a few points, exploration and the construction of its open world being foremost, delivering a far greater sense of discovery than the previous installment. Stealth has been sharpened and combat gets a few small tweaks, but the game also neglects other aspects that should have been addressed. It is still a visually stunning game to wander through, but the story struggles to stand out and to offer us something as strong, narratively speaking, as Ghost of Tsushima.

Quotation forthcoming.

Quotation forthcoming.

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.

Quotation forthcoming.

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.

Quotation forthcoming.

Quotation forthcoming.

Quotation forthcoming.

For their first solo outing, Lizardcube delivers a slick comeback for Joe Musashi, with sharp attacks and ninja techniques, somewhat brought down by inconsistent level design and a few technical issues. The studio's unbeatable visual flair beautifully enhances the adventure. A sequel would certainly improve on these excellent core features to really soar above the competition.

Still efficient, this second episode offers a good tracklist, full of electro, dance and hip hop mixes, and a technical gameplay, but easier to grip than it seems for newcomers.

It would be sad to ignore this new Splinter Cell for its small flaws, because the game is unquestionably fun.

With UFC 2010 Undisputed, THQ delivers a strong second round, but without any surprises.

Quotation forthcoming.

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.

Quotation forthcoming.

Despite a repetitive soundtrack and some down-tempo phases, DOOM : The Dark Ages remains the best demon-slaughtering simulator on the market with a stupendous gallery of guns and a deep reinvention of the basic mechanics. The Doom Slayer's weighty movements, along with his shield and the Lovecraft-inspired sequences, give an unique tone to this fresh outing. Beware veterans : to get a real adrenaline rush, you need to play on « Ultraviolence » from the get-go, since the regular difficulty is quite error-friendly. Adjust seasoning to your preference.

Metal Gear Solid Delta doesn’t change the game; it rather does the bare minimum to bring itself up to date. Fortunately for it, MGS 3 is a fantastic game, with undeniable charm and rich creativity, even today. It’s an adventure you finish with pleasure and enjoy replaying over and over to master every aspect of it, making it a worthwhile investment. On the other hand, one can’t help but feel that Metal Gear Solid 3 deserved better. The result here is that MGS 3 is still a highly effective soldier, strong as ever, but trapped in a body whose only youth lies in its aesthetics. It’s up to you to decide what you truly expect from it.

Amnesia: The Dark Descent sublimates the gameplay made by Frictional Games in the Penumbra saga […] Sure we know a few ways way less interesting to spend 15 bucks.

For any attempt at a sequel, Citizen Sleeper 2 now stands as a benchmark. It passionately builds upon the elements that made its predecessor a success—sharp storytelling, dice-based gameplay, and a unique audiovisual atmosphere—while introducing numerous innovations that expand its scope. Filled with tension and tough choices, thanks to a narrative driven by brilliant writing, Citizen Sleeper 2 particularly excels in its gameplay, which is deeper, bolder, and less forgiving. So much so that, beyond its well-earned status as a narrative RPG, we might be tempted to label it with a touch of survival, which suits it well. The meticulous mind might regret a certain lack of clarity regarding the potential consequences of some decisions and a slight overload of simultaneous quests. However, these minor flaws are far from enough to prevent Citizen Sleeper 2: Starward Vector from being a great experience for discerning players who enjoy a bit of reading—provided you understand English (at least for now).

While Marvel vs Capcom 3 fulfills its ambition to bring a fun crossover on the table, enforced by its gameplay largely inspired from Tatsunoko vs Capcom, it fails in too many fields of solo and online to be more than just a good fan-boy game.

Quotation forthcoming.

Quotation forthcoming.

Quotation forthcoming.

It's difficult to adequately rate Skate Story, as the game constantly oscillates between wonderful musical moments and incredibly generic, open-world sections, creating a yo-yo effect on the overall quality graph. But since a rating is necessary, 7/10 seems to reasonably reflect my overall impression. Sam Eng offers controls that are both simple and comprehensive, with a well-designed tutorial system that constantly introduces new moves to master, allowing you to skip the less engaging moments and focus on the best parts. It's a visually striking game that's worth checking out.

A beautiful and lengthy game with incredibly smart game mechanisms, it's never denied, especially when it bears the Castlevania mark.

Tiger Woods does not really change year after year, but PGA Tour 12 is still the best golf simulation on the Wii.

The RPG aspect is so dominant that we forgive the technical issues and the lack of artistic ambition […] Deep but ugly, the sign of games that last.

A very simple and addictive concept […] but we really would have liked more new features.

Tiger Woods is still the king of golf. More than ever, the strength of this episode on Wii is its ability, year after year, to fit to any player, from casual to hardcore.

Quotation forthcoming.

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.

Do not play Ball x Pit expecting a solid roguelite experience — because you won’t find one. What you will find, however, is an interesting reinterpretation of Vampire Survivors in a brick-breaker format: dynamic enough, with a generous arsenal and a small town-management mechanic that adds a bit of freshness to the formula. Despite the gameplay variations introduced by certain characters, it doesn’t take long before a sense of repetitiveness settles in, as you start chaining runs without thinking too much about it.

With its inventive gameplay, its enhanced graphics and the new online multiplayer mode, this HD version of Might & Magic: Clash of Heroes is greater than the original. Let's just ignore the bad storyline and the poor characters.

Quotation forthcoming.

Quotation forthcoming.

With F1 2010, Codemasters fulfilled its contract and managed to offer not only an exhaustive content of the 2010 season of Formula One, but also a great single player career mode which look like a VIP pass to the F1 paddock.

Quotation forthcoming.

Quotation forthcoming.

We've played too many sports games those last years to be wrong: Top Spin 4 is one of those masterpieces, a milestone in the sports gaming genre.

With UFC 2010 Undisputed, THQ delivers a strong second round, but without any surprises.

Monster Hunter Tri is certainly an archaic game full of small imperfections, but its unique ambiance and approach successfully make up for it.

Outland mixes many many influences together. It may not be as surprising as you could expect but it does a great job though and all in all this is an adventure worth playing.

Quotation forthcoming.

A really great game, excessive and wild.

Less striking than the previous installment, Killzone 3 is a nevertheless solid experience, delivering everything we're entitled to expect from a modern FPS. Amazing graphics, good multiplayer and compatibility with the hot PlayStation features (Move, 3D), makes it the perfect match for PS3 fans looking for exclusives. This being said, it's a shame it does not live on its promises on a more consistent solo mode, along with a more innovative gameplay and a compelling story.

Quotation forthcoming.

Quotation forthcoming.

Mortal Kombat emphasises both the atmosphere and the gameplay of the famous fighting game serie. It is not perfect, but 2D fans should really give this reboot a chance.

Sharp as a katana and pointed as a kunai, Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound is a delightful butchery that will definitely appeal to fans of old-school 16-bit action, somewhere between the agility of Shinobi III and the explosiveness of Contra: Hard Corps. While it's possible to finish it at full speed and get a poor time-to-value ratio, the savvy player will understand that it's all about achieving the best score and pushing your limits, even if it means hurting yourself to feel better.

Quotation forthcoming.

Quotation forthcoming.

Quotation forthcoming.

In its eagerness to move beyond meritocracy, Dragon Quest VII Reimagined forgets the value of hard work. Absolutely charming in its polished and highly successful graphics and its writing, which remains relevant despite its age, this remake-that-isn't-quite-a-remake suffers from an excess of leniency, to the point of neglecting game balance, which is fundamental to the enjoyment of the game. The challenges of modernization are sometimes difficult to overcome, and while we commend the work done on the combat and job systems for this return to the spotlight, the iconic DQ7 would have benefited from retaining at least some of its original rough edges.

Started in 2008 with Gran Turismo 5 Prologue, the High Definition corner for Gran Turismo ends in a somewhat chaotic way with a Gran Turismo 5 disappointing at almost every level, moreover proving that Polyphony Digital didn't put itself in question.

Despite some minor flaws, Madden NFL 11 doesn't disappoint.

Quotation forthcoming.

With its inventive gameplay, its enhanced graphics and the new online multiplayer mode, this HD version of Might & Magic: Clash of Heroes is greater than the original. Let's just ignore the bad storyline and the poor characters.

Quotation forthcoming.

Quotation forthcoming.

Vanquish is to TPS what Bayonetta was to the beat'em all gender : a great kick in the ass […] But inevitably it comes to whether PlatinumGames not again privileged form over substance.

With F1 2010, Codemasters fulfilled its contract and managed to offer not only an exhaustive content of the 2010 season of Formula One, but also a great single player career mode which look like a VIP pass to the F1 paddock.

Quotation forthcoming.

With F1 2010, Codemasters fulfilled its contract and managed to offer not only an exhaustive content of the 2010 season of Formula One, but also a great single player career mode which look like a VIP pass to the F1 paddock.

Quotation forthcoming.

Quotation forthcoming.

Technically superb, the game quickly enough, however, shows its limitations as a "ghost simulator".

Quotation forthcoming.

Despite some minor flaws, Madden NFL 11 doesn't disappoint.

Compared to what they had to bear during the last decade, the PC owners and soccer fans at last now got the choice between Pro Evolution Soccer and FIFA on their machine.

Quotation forthcoming.

Quotation forthcoming.

One of the best - if not simply the best - episode to date.

Darksiders doesn't reinvent the wheel, but it learns from many of the greatest references in videogames to make gamers live a clever, epic and violent experience.

Quotation forthcoming.

A beautiful and lengthy game with incredibly smart game mechanisms, it's never denied, especially when it bears the Castlevania mark.

Quotation forthcoming.

Quotation forthcoming.

With its polished gameplay and outstanding graphics, 2010 FIFA World Cup is truly brilliant […] but its price tag, 70€, is a bitter pill to swallow.

It would be sad to ignore this new Splinter Cell for its small flaws, because the game is unquestionably fun.

Quotation forthcoming.

Remedy surpassed itself in the fields of production, storytelling and atmosphere, all of which serve this psychological thriller well.

Quotation forthcoming.

Despite a certain generosity and explosive sword fights, The First Berserker : Khazan stretches so far and wide that its strings end up fraying after thirty-five hours of play. Between a retrograde avalanche of color-coded loot, damage-sponge bosses and plain level designs, Nexon has clearly studied the genre in depth yet lacks the necessary spark to coalesce varied designs into a radical proposition. In the end, you'll just find an okay action game.

Cairn is a good game that masters its subject matter and mechanics, as well as its raw emotions and the authenticity of its narrative. For some, it will even certainly serve as a pretext for self-reflection. But there's a catch that leaves a bitter taste: it could have been excellent. The Game Bakers had all the ingredients to cook up an exceptional dish, but the whole thing is undercooked, and a few clunky bugs and other missteps spoil the mountain adventure. This is the strange feeling that Cairn leaves you with. After this exhausting climb on every level, it gives the impression of being both on top of the world and utterly defeated. And to think we were just a pickaxe swing away from becoming one with the mountain.

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.

With its strong art direction, cohesive world, and well-balanced difficulty, MIO: Memories in Orbit proves to be a very satisfying experience. Its deliberately slow gameplay won't appeal to everyone, especially the combat, but it's justified and becomes quite engaging, making you want to invest the ten or so hours needed to complete it. It's a solid little Metroidvania that has a lot to offer, despite a few flaws and a finale that we had hoped would be more spectacular.

Quotation forthcoming.

Quotation forthcoming.

Wario Ware : Do It Yourself is a true little digital drug, so addictive that you will easily miss its little flaws.