For all the beautiful moments of art direction and atmosphere it offers, the charm of Fatal Frame 2: Crimson Butterfly Remake is too often broken by combat hampered by arbitrary new mechanics that drag on and make the experience frustrating and tedious, without the player's skill being able to do anything about it. Aside from the less-than-optimal fluidity (we'd forgotten what 30 frames per second was like), Koei Tecmo has clearly spared no effort in modernizing this installment in both substance and style, giving it a new depth that is reflected in its genuinely solid length. The side quests and new exploration mechanics are among these worthwhile additions that tip the scales in its favor. But despite its 25 years of existence, Fatal Frame still seems to have some work to do before finding the balance that will allow it to join the ranks of the great names in horror games.

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.

With its consistently sublime art direction, Wishfully needed to focus primarily on its gameplay. And so it did; the studio delivers greater variety and depth in its gameplay, and we even wished for more sequences in this vein, as they effectively break up the very linear structure of the first game. The story greatly enriches a universe that was still quite cryptic, but the ending, which takes the form of a "to be continued," leaves players wanting more and even a little frustrated.

Pokémon Pokopia met our expectations, even if it's not perfect. It does have a repetitive aspect inherent to the genre, which won't appeal to everyone, and some technical issues that can become annoying over time. However, if you enjoy relaxing atmospheres and don't want to overthink things, there's a good chance this game will satisfy you if you're willing to pay the price, because in terms of playtime, you'll definitely get your money's worth.

For the very last (?) ride in Raccoon City, Resident Evil Requiem delivers a healthy blend of survival-horror tropes and references from almost every main episode of the franchise. Alas, this does also mean its edge is sometimes dulled by an avalanche of cameos, winks at the camera, and even more ridiculous twists than usual. While the Rhodes Hill center is one of the best Resident Evil locations ever put to screen with gorgeously detailed zombies and a tried-and-true approach to level design, the game does suffer from "Resident Evil syndrome" as quality, care and precision start waning as the adventure progresses. Still an essential buy for survival-horror enthusiasts.

Neither sacrilegious nor godly, God of War: Sons of Sparta is a pretty decent metroidvania romp. Mega Cat Studios wears its Blasphemous influence on its sleeve with enchanting pixel art landscapes, crunchy combat and secrets galore, yet, at launch, the game is brought down by bugs and performance issues. Wait for a few patches.

Styx: Blades of Greed is a real moral dilemma. It’s the quintessential example of a game you desperately want to love, yet it constantly gives you reasons to hate it. On one hand, Cyanide is making the most of a fantastic character and a "pure stealth" philosophy that we want to support with all our heart. On the other, the finished product feels rushed and unpolished, riddled with game-breaking bugs and technical performance that is simply unacceptable for 2026…We’d love to be lenient with this AA budget title, but when a game physically prevents the player from progressing, love just isn't enough. Styx deserved better than such a technical train wreck. So, can we recommend it? No. Can we suggest you wait for a massive amount of polishing before diving in? Probably.

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?

Despite a scuffed and unbalanced story, repetitive solo "open world" missions and numerous gameplay issues, My Hero Academia : All's Justice remains a pretty fun romp for anime fans when played with friends. Buy on sale?

“A mature work” is probably a phrase you’re tired of hearing. Yet, Reanimal certainly gives that impression at first glance. Despite its characters, the game isn’t childish at all. With its monstrously disturbing atmosphere, deeply meta gameplay, and art direction worthy of the most terrifying nightmares, Reanimal has something special and does exactly what you’d expect. That said, it remains a game that hasn’t quite matured in terms of its execution. Conventional and rarely transcendent, Reanimal’s gameplay lacks that little something extra to elevate it to the top. So, while it’s certainly a game that’s mature for its age, it still has a few things to learn to truly join the ranks of the greats.

Code Vein 2 is a textbook example. It's a testament to a glaring lack of inspiration, revealing, if any further proof were needed, the utter emptiness of a work that merely copies without ever daring to be original. Uninspired assemblage is the hallmark of a creative who doesn't know how to create. And one is led to wonder how Code Vein 2 even exists: limited in its narrative (as abstruse as can be), in its gameplay (completely devoid of any real feeling), in its structure (why open up a world only to close it off in its possibilities?), and even in its art direction (all the clichés are there), it's nothing more than a collection of ideas that sound good but struggle to generate interest from the very first minutes. And this continues right up to its inevitable conclusion, which, in the context of this review, proved to offer a far greater sense of liberation than that of having defeated a challenging enemy.

Playing Romeo is a Dead Man feels like seeing an aging rockstar on stage : you respect them and you see the vision, but the execution isn't quite there anymore. Suda51 and Grasshopper Manufacture's latest adventure is a hodge-podge fusion of visual styles and ideas, which never coalesce into a coherent experience. The action gameplay starts off strong, but stagnates, as frequent framerate drops and damage-sponge enemies turn the highest difficulties into a real slog. Romeo is a Dead Man even concedes defeat in the final stretch as the story is clarified through a bunch of written notes. Ultimately feels like a borderline self-parody in its worst moments.

If Yakuza 3 Remastered was kept readily accessible, then Yakuza Kiwami 3's mistakes wouldn't be such a big issue. But RGG Studio has decided to erase the original version in favor of a weaker, less inspired remake, with an outright stupid twist ending and watered-down gameplay (despite a few enjoyable side activities along the way). The Dark Ties gaiden game offers an interesting look into Mine's backstory and would be enjoyable as a budget title on its own, but the overall package is found lacking, to say nothing of Teruyuki Kagawa's involvement and RGG Studio's silence on that matter. Yakuza feels like a headless cash cow now. Let's hope Stranger Than Heaven strikes gold.

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.

City Tales: Medieval Era is likely a pleasant proposition for newcomers to the city-builder genre—but that also turns out to be its biggest flaw. By removing any form of penalties or constraints in the expansion of our city, the entire game can be played on autopilot without the slightest concern. This is all the more regrettable since some of its gameplay mechanics, such as companions, are actually quite enjoyable.

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.

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.

If reading this review gives you hives, it's no coincidence: that's exactly the feeling the author experienced for much of the time spent playing Trails Beyond The Horizon. It's high time for Falcom to have a wake-up call regarding its flagship series: by constantly offering the same structure (whether narrative, gameplay, or even exploration), even the most dedicated players will inevitably sigh at the inherent redundancy of this new installment, which simply rehashes an already worn-out formula. Boredom prevails over excitement, at least during the first long half of the game, and the multitude of characters paraded for the sake of fan service won't be enough (even for seasoned fans) to maintain interest in the long run. If you manage to get past the thirty-hour mark, a good game is hidden somewhere within. But this is a recurring issue that we wish we didn't have to point out anymore: once again, yet again, another Trails game only truly takes off after dozens of hours of gameplay. Perhaps it's time to return to the fundamentals: streamline this world and refocus the plot, and you'll have something worthwhile. As it stands, however, on the horizon of the Trails series, this is once again a bit of a slog, despite a story that is far more satisfying than that of its predecessor.

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.

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.

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.

Terminator 2D : No Fate is a splendid 16/32-bits throwback, no doubt, but the very short runtime and lack of T-800 sequences are baffling while advertised modes and alternate scenarios end up very limited in scope. As a result, the 29,99€ price tag is tough to swallow in this economy and roster of regular releases.

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.

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.

It’s obvious: Metroid Prime 4: Beyond is the weakest entry in the Prime series. Is the full restart from scratch to blame? We will probably never know, but this central desert that impoverishes the overall level design is a major flaw one simply cannot overlook, as its harmful influence can be felt throughout the entire game. Add to that an omnipresent and irritating hand-holding, a story that handles its antagonist and secondary characters very clumsily — not outright terrible, but of questionable interest — and we end up with an experience that does not live up to our high expectations… Even so, it’s hard not to enjoy a proposal that is technically very solid, with a dynamism and freedom in combat that feel genuinely pleasant and are supported by plenty of good little ideas.