Star Fox on Nintendo Switch 2 is a faithful reboot that modernizes the classic formula with gorgeous presentation and excellent voice acting. It plays things a little too safe at times, but the added challenges and polished gameplay make this the best Star Fox yet. Whether you're a longtime fan or a newcomer to the Lylat System, this is an easy recommendation, especially at its reasonable price point.

Deer & Boy is a beautiful cinematic adventure built around the growing bond between a boy and a deer. Its evolving gameplay, clever puzzles, strong pacing, and emotional presentation make it feel like a playable animated film. Some stiff controls occasionally disrupt the flow, but this remains a moving and visually impressive wordless journey.

In theory, I should like Dark Scrolls a lot more. However, the cozy atmosphere and strong audiovisual presentation can’t save this auto-scrolling platformer from the simple fact that it just isn’t much fun to play: while there’s plenty of variety on offer, doinksoft expects a significant time investment before you get to it, and the unrewarding progression, floaty controls, dull roguelite elements, and frustrating bugs make that a journey you’d rather avoid. If the developers push through a substantial number of updates in the coming months, it may be worth a look (especially given its modest price tag) but until then, just keep scrolling.

UFC 6 delivers where it matters most: the fights. The action is intense, satisfying, and backed by the strongest presentation the series has seen to date. Some new additions, like The Gym and Flow State, feel unnecessary and can disrupt the pace. Still, with its refined gameplay and robust career offerings, UFC 6 earns its place as the best entry in the franchise so far, even though it doesn’t win by knockout.

Square Enix has another successful JRPG on its hands with The Adventures of Elliot: The Millenium Tales. This charming HD-2D time-travel adventure may not reinvent the genre, but its entertaining story, beautiful visuals, and rewarding exploration make for a cozy and enjoyable journey. The action-based combat is somewhat simplistic and occasionally imprecise, yet players who can overlook those flaws will find a highly recommendable adventure.

With MOLE, Off Black Creations has managed to find a way to dig deep into the player's core by presenting it with something seemingly simple as a repair sim and then cranking up the psychological horror. Once the metaphors start to make sense, MOLE hits you right in the feels, while simultaniously making you run around in circles to keep it together in every sense of the word. There's only a few minor flaws that can halt the progress, but you'll really need to dig for them to find them a grievance.

NBA The Run has the DNA of a true NBA Jam or NBA Street successor, but fumbles too often to truly shine. The gameplay loop is fun at its core, yet frustrating mechanics and always-online requirements constantly get in the way. With its grindy structure and questionable longevity, it’s hard to recommend at launch, especially if you’re looking for a lasting arcade basketball experience.

Gothic 1 Remake stays remarkably faithful to the original, perhaps even a little too faithful, offering a demanding journey that refuses to hold your hand and makes every bit of progress feel earned. The challenge remains rewarding throughout, but the combat continues to feel stiff and cumbersome even after significant advancement, which undermines the action-RPG experience. Audiovisually, the remake is largely impressive aside from its often lifeless NPCs, making it an easy recommendation for longtime fans but a game newcomers should approach with caution.

The first few hours deliver a standard survival experience, with tree chopping and attention to thirst and hunger. After that, progression slows down due to excessive grinding for too little reward. While it may appeal to players focused on building, exploration-driven gameplay feels underdeveloped in Solarpunk.

Schrödinger’s Call is a hidden gem that proves powerful storytelling can leave a lasting impact without reinventing gameplay. Its emotional, relatable stories and creative character building make for a memorable eight-hour journey. The heavy themes and intense visual effects won’t be for everyone, but those who can handle them will discover one of the more unique indie experiences in recent memory.

Voidling Bound boasts a fantastic premise, blending creature collecting, evolution, breeding, and third-person shooter combat into a uniquely engaging experience that often feels like a mix of Spore, Risk of Rain, and Pokémon. Discovering new evolution paths, collecting parts, and experimenting with gene splicing provides plenty of creative enjoyment, but the game's potential is held back by uneven balance, simplistic combat, and an endgame that lacks meaningful challenge.

How you'll experience your return to Stauf's mansion will depend on your last visit. If that visit was 33 years ago, you'll be happy to see what Vertigo Games has done with the place. If you were there in 2023 - wearing a VR headset as you were puzzling your way out - you'll be dealing with the exact same place, minus some previous annoyances. Either way, Stauf is thrilled to taunt you again, no matter how long it has been since you last payed him a visit.

Crushed In Time is one of those games that just 'clicks', even if it has some minor but annoying flaws. Thanks to the immeasurable amount of creativity at Draw Me A Pixel, Crushed In Time overcomes the repetitiveness that comes with relying on a single gameplay mechanic of picking at stuff to make it move, bounce or fling. Fair warning though: certain scenes might turn you rabbid #IYKWIM.

Bluey’s Quest for the Gold Pen is a charming collectathon that perfectly suits younger players, with simple puzzles, colorful levels, and plenty of Bluey magic. The lack of Dutch localization and co-op feels like a missed opportunity, though. Currently it is a bit pricey at full retail, but for the right price, it’s an easy recommendation for young Bluey fans.

007 First Light captures the spirit of James Bond brilliantly, blending espionage, action, and player freedom into a package that feels distinctly its own. IO Interactive has delivered a confident start for its take on 007, with only a few minor blemishes holding it back. We can't wait to see what IO Interactive does next with an already stellar IP.

Coffee Talk charmingly builds on its predecessor with engaging stories, a beautiful art style, soothing lo-fi music, and light drink-mixing mechanics that create a relaxing atmosphere. At the same time, the limited gameplay, lack of meaningful interaction, and minimal impact on the narrative can make the experience feel repetitive over time. Ultimately, it is a game about listening, atmosphere, and small moments rather than deep gameplay; making it a comforting retreat for those seeking a cozy story rather than a truly interactive experience.

Echo Generation 2 is, for better or worse, quintessential Cococucumber: the closer you look at its aspiring RPG mechanics, the more its weak story, unfocused themes, and unnecessary gameplay systems begin to stand out. Thankfully, the developer’s talent still shines through in its gorgeous presentation, strong visual design, exotic locations, and entertaining mix of boss fights and deckbuilding possibilities despite the simple gameplay loop. Those qualities save Echo Generation 2 from falling into a deeper disappointment, and if you treat it as a casual in-between game, there’s just enough satisfaction to be found.

Mina the Hollower combines strong exploration, tight combat, and a fantastic retro presentation into an atmospheric action-adventure game packed with secrets and personality. Thanks to its smart gameplay systems, memorable boss fights, and a world that constantly encourages discovery, Yacht Club Games delivers one of the strongest retro-inspired games in recent years.

While the oscillator concept is innovative, the story is the game’s true standout. I was completely absorbed in the narrative and eager to discover what new twists would unfold after each completed level, but unfortunately the road to those moments often felt more like a chore than something I genuinely looked forward to. Some puzzles were enjoyable enough, yet the levels eventually started to feel repetitive, and more often than not I was simply relieved to be done with them; the name “Yerba Buena” is slightly misleading, as this herb is mediocre at best.

Thick As Thieves is a charming co-op stealth experience with clear caveats, that despite its flaws leaves you hungry for the bigger, bolder heist it could become.

Lumentale: Memories of Trey is an enjoyable monster-collection game with a charming world, strong art style, and memorable Animon designs. The story offers enough mystery to keep you engaged, but the catching system can feel unclear and the game lacks some polish. For genre fans, it’s worth trying, though it doesn’t reinvent the formula.

Warhammer 40,000: Mechanicus II smartly builds on the strengths of the first game, delivering a tactical experience with a dark atmosphere, strong combat, and an engaging dual campaign. The initiative system during battles, fully voiced dialogue, and varied Leaders add plenty of tactical depth and keep the progression satisfying throughout the game. Although the two playable factions feel less distinct than expected and some targeting issues can be frustrating, it remains a strong turn-based strategy game that will provide many enjoyable hours for fans of Warhammer 40,000 and tactical combat.

Burden Street Station kicks off with an intriguing premise and a handful of original ideas, but quickly derails thanks to frustrating navigation, unlikeable characters, and a messy clash of styles. The soundtrack and emotion-based mechanics keep things somewhat on track, yet in the end this train ride mostly ends in disappointment.

Bubsy 4D works fine as mindless platforming fun, but that’s about where it stops. Speedrunning is the only real highlight, while combat, story, and level design barely hold up. Fabraz fixes many of the issues from Bubsy 3D, but forgets to replace them with something truly engaging.

Luna Abyss is weird, chaotic and completely unafraid to do its own thing. Beneath the vague story lies a fascinating world that keeps pulling you deeper, while the fast-paced gunplay and slick platforming rarely give you a moment to breathe. It’s not flawless thanks to the clunky lock-on system and repetitive environments, but if you’re into relentless action with a bizarre edge, this is one to keep on your radar.

Call of the Elder Gods succeeds as an entertaining puzzle game, but falls short of becoming truly memorable. The puzzles are satisfying to unravel and the charming presentation makes it a pleasant world to spend time in, yet the unengaging story and sluggish pacing (an issue that already plagued the previous entry) continue to drag the experience down. If you’re mainly here for the brainteasers, you’ll find not a divine but certainly enjoyable puzzle adventure here, though you may want to bring earplugs for the endless barrage of uninteresting dialogue.

Yoshi and the Mysterious Book left me with a big smile and a fully satisfied puzzle brain by the time the credits rolled. While the game clearly aims at a younger audience, its clever puzzles, colorful worlds, and constant gameplay variety make it just as enjoyable for adults who love poking around every corner for secrets. If you’re looking for a straightforward platformer this won’t be your jam, but puzzle fans searching for a charming adventure packed with discoveries will absolutely feel at home here.

LEGO Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight is the most complete LEGO Batman yet, packed with fan service, gorgeous visuals, and plenty to collect. Its darker open-world approach won’t appeal to everyone, but Batman and LEGO fans will still have a blast exploring Gotham together.