With Red Dead Redemption, Rockstar simply took the best from GTA and put it in the far west universe.

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.

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.

Quotation forthcoming.

Quotation forthcoming.

Quotation forthcoming.

Quotation forthcoming.

Polished to the core with freshness and excellence, Total War : Shogun 2 is a mastered lecture of design of every kind, reinforced by a fully renewed multiplayer. Better and deeper than we could expect, this episode sits on the very top of the franchise, by far.

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.

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.

Just like its predecessor, Death Stranding 2 will divide opinion. As long as you were receptive to the initial proposition, this second installment picks up all the foundations to enrich them—whether in terms of story, with Kojima's so characteristic touch (even if it means reusing the same narrative structures), or in terms of gameplay with more tools available, smoother driving, and combat that has gained a lot in dynamism. It is also a visually and technically flawless game, and the theme of connection with others remains an incredible driving force, making us interact with other players we will never see. It is a journey that we will remember for a long time and one that fits into a kind of continuity for Kojima.

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?

Those who expected some kind of a revolution in the StarCraft gameplay with this sequel will probably be disappointed, but the argument doesn't stand for long in front of this tour de force, making StarCraft II the new reference of RTS on PC, and certainly for a long time.

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.

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.

With Red Dead Redemption, Rockstar simply took the best from GTA and put it in the far west universe.

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.

Quotation forthcoming.

Quotation forthcoming.

Quotation forthcoming.

Nearly flawless storytelling, high-quality art direction, superb music... There are plenty of reasons to love The Midnight Walk, and Moon Hood does an excellent job of showing off its stop-motion expertise. Its few flaws are easily forgiven, as the offering is superb, and while the gameplay is relatively basic on PC and PlayStation, without being a hindrance to the enjoyment of the game, it is truly in its VR version that this title is magnified and truly takes off.

Quotation forthcoming.

Quotation forthcoming.

Quotation forthcoming.

Quotation forthcoming.

It might not be the most memorable platformer of your life, but Bionic Bay remains a very high-quality experience in its offering, with an unusual artistic direction. We’ll also remember this instantly enjoyable gameplay, whether through the wacky situations created by the wobbly physics, the levels with just the right amount of sadism to make it fun, and above all, the satisfaction of clumsily overcoming obstacles with the tools at our disposal. A light little interlude that is quite pleasant despite its small flaws, all in all.

Quotation forthcoming.

Even if this new episode feels less surprising and astonishing than its predecessors, it's still very strong and sharpened like its hero's blade.