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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

At its core, The Caribou Trail does a pretty good job telling a less mentioned WW1 history story regarding the Gallipoli campaign and the hardship of the Royal Newfoundland Regiment. Unfortunately though, developer Unreliable Narrators seems to have missed the mark with its action-driven marketing, reeling recruits in with images of trench warfare and eventually serving them a walking/soup stirring sim. The Caribou Trail shows flashes of greatness, but you might already have had your fill before you get to watch those unfold.

Duck Side of the Moon is a charming and quirky space adventure that shines brightest through Doug himself and its relaxed, well-paced exploration. While the humor can feel a bit forced at times and the difficulty leans on the easy side, it remains an enjoyable five-hour ride filled with variety, charm, and plenty of duck-powered personality.

Directive 8020 continues the trend of the earlier Dark Anthology games: entertaining B-horror where you constantly make decisions (sometimes under pressure) that determine whether your characters live or die. At its core, this is still a successful game, with plenty of fun moments, while the clear timeline and the option to rewind to earlier scenes are welcome additions. Yet for me, this is the least memorable entry in the series, as weak dialogue, mediocre performances, and overly frequent stealth sections often undermined the tension and made the formula start to feel worn out.

In a society where mascot horror seems to be the latest YouTube fad, Dark Pals: The 1st Floor follows suit with a potentially promising, but for now predictable take on the genre. While the mascots themselves show Skunx Games' creativity, the puzzles unfortunately don't. At the moment 'The Only Way Is Up' for the Dark Pals series.

Everything is Crab is a charming roguelite with a strong visual identity and entertaining early hours, centered around building your own bizarre creature. The mix of evolution, combat, and time pressure creates exciting runs, but is held back by limited variety and strict RNG. Fun in short bursts, but it lacks the depth and freedom to stay engaging long-term.

NTE: Neverness to Everness delivers a stylish and surprisingly varied gacha experience, packed with activities and strong presentation. While none of its systems truly stand out, the mix of vibes and accessible progression make it easy to sink hours into. The real test will be its long-term support, but for now, NTE has all the ingredients to become a lasting hit.

Wax Heads is a unique game with a strong love for music and community, where a touching story unfolds slowly and the original gameplay eventually becomes repetitive. Its characters and soundtrack elevate the experience, making it worthwhile for those drawn to atmosphere, music, and storytelling despite some uneven elements.

Motorslice shines when it leans into its strengths. Climbing massive machines and slick freerunning feel genuinely great. Unfortunately, clunky combat, unclear design choices and the weird interaction between its main characters drag the experience down. If you can look past the rough edges, there’s a rewarding adventure here, but it’s not without frustration.

Kiln sparks curiosity with its creative concept, unique systems, and that unmistakable Double Fine charm, backed by solid gameplay and appealing visuals. Yet beyond the surface, it quickly loses its grip due to imbalance, a lack of meaningful content, and a focus on live-service over cooperative play. It’s a fine pick for a quick Game Pass try, but ultimately fails to leave a lasting impression.

Adorable Adventures charms with its adorable protagonist Boris and its unique scent-based gameplay, though it becomes somewhat repetitive and suffers from technical hiccups. Still, it’s an easy recommendation for fans of exploration and anything irresistibly cute.

Moomintroll: Winter’s Warmth is a charming and atmospheric cozy adventure that beautifully fits the warm, dreamy world of the Moomins. Building on Snufkin: Melody of Moominvalley, it offers improved controls, more gameplay variety, and a stronger story that helps Moomintroll grow as a character. Its wintery atmosphere, gentle humor, and soothing soundtrack make it a delightful escape, while staying true to the franchise’s cozy identity. Though the puzzles are simple and the adventure is fairly short, its charm easily outweighs those minor drawbacks, making it a lovely recommendation for cozy game and Moomin fans alike.

All Will Fall offers a solid foundation for construction fans but feels like an Early Access game due to issues like AI pathing, a clunky camera, and repetitive events. Due to unlockable scenario’s there is progression. However, while there is enough content, the concept lacks depth, with little world-building. Overall, the game can be enjoyable for those who love building but falls short in terms of overall experience.

Milestone delivers another solid entry in the franchise with MotoGP 26, though the Italian developer still misses the mark in places. The new rider-based handling system looks more realistic, but barely feels different from previous years. Thanks to all official licenses, this remains the most authentic way to experience a MotoGP season, despite a career mode that still lacks depth.

Aphelion turned out to be one of those games that I really wanted to love, but unfortunately started to dislike more as time progressed. DON'T NOD's marvelous UE5 showcase and its excellent Interstellar-like soundtrack can only do so much to disguise the flawed climbing and stealth gameplay mechanics.

Tides of Tomorrow has a strong and original concept that also serves a social purpose. The Story-Link system creates unique moments and gives the sense that you’re part of something bigger, where actions have consequences, even if the impact of your own choices sometimes feels limited and technical flaws and a sparse presentation hold it back from truly excelling. Still, it’s a game that lingers with you, precisely because of the question it leaves behind.

Last Flag delivers a fresh multiplayer twist with tense matches and a solid presentation, though balance issues linger. Its longevity hinges on the playerbase, and in a 2026 free-to-play landscape, that price tag makes it a risky bet.

REPLACED is pixel-perfect for players who want to immerse themselves in a rich, atmospheric cyberpunk world, yet Sad Cat Studios pushes it to the brink of being enjoyable. It’s a bit of a shame; REPLACED is only a few tweaks away from greatness, but right now it doesn’t quite get there, with slow pacing, sluggish gameplay, and a narrative that doesn’t always hold up. Add to that a fair number of bugs, from gameplay glitches to progression blockers, and it’s best to wait a few more months before diving into this visually stunning but not yet fully cohesive sidescroller.

Dosa Divas has a strong heart and delivers a flavorful story, even if the execution doesn’t always land. Its systems work but lack depth, and at around nine hours, it feels a bit short. It's a game that sticks with you for what it aims to be, not for how well it achieves it.

Minos is an engaging game, offering both accessibility and challenge, with cleverly designed levels that encourage experimentation. Strategically laying paths and equipping them with traps is something to behold. However, the narrative falls flat, some scenarios feel repetitive, and the roguelite system does hurt the overal experience—but if you can overlook these, Minos is a solid Taurus Defense experience.

Super Mario Bros. Wonder + Meetup in Bellabel Park lands somewhere in the middle. The minigames are fun and polished, but the lack of meaningful singleplayer content makes it feel a bit light. The game is great for co-op chaos on the couch, but solo players may come to find that the offering here is a little too thin.

DALOAR's The Occultist feels like a typical debut project: filled to the brim with a lot of ideas of which a fair amount unfortunately fail to hit the mark. While checking boxes of stereotypical creepy locations and ghoulish encounters, The Occultist rarely impresses in storytelling and character development. The pendulum also feels like it could have done so much more for the gameplay. But hey, at least we got Doug Cockle to grunt you through this 6-hour long experience.

What should’ve been a triumphant return for a long-dormant franchise ends up as a disappointing misfire. Legacy of Kain Ascendance shows flashes of promise—strong voice acting, a killer soundtrack, and some fun levels here and there, but they’re buried under clunky controls, odd design choices, and annoying difficulty spikes. Fans deserved better, and the series deserves another shot.

The core question is whether Super Meat Boy works in 3D, and the short answer is: more often not than it does. While Edmund McMillen’s cult classic spirit isn’t entirely lost, much of what made the original shine fades away, from its blistering pace and tight controls to its compact level design, with 3D proving a poor fit for the formula. In the end, Super Meat Boy 3D isn’t a bad game but an inferior one.

I appreciate Konami for taking risks on diverse indie projects, but Darwin's Paradox still needs significant work before it becomes truly worthwhile. Its charm and expressive animation can’t mask a shallow, low-impact story, and while flashes of creative mechanics shine through, they’re dragged down by tedious, dull, and occasionally frustrating sections. Ironically, despite its clear potential, Darwin's Paradox ends up feeling like a contradiction of what makes a puzzle platformer genuinely engaging.

The Seven Deadly Sins: Origin has all the ingredients for a strong anime game, with an engaging story, familiar characters, and an inviting world to explore, especially for fans of the franchise. However, its potential is currently held back by technical issues, clunky mobile-style controls, an unclear UI, and frequent glitches. The gacha system may also not appeal to everyone. As it stands, it’s a promising but rough experience that could grow into something great with updates, making it mainly worth it for dedicated fans for now.

Mega Man Star Force Legacy Collection is a solid bundle for fans, with enough extras to dive into. Newcomers get a decent introduction, but the repetitive battles and limited variety make it feel monotonous fairly quickly. Enjoyable, but it doesn’t reach the heights of the classic Mega Man(-X) titles.

Etrange Overlord is a weird one: light on depth, heavy on chaotic fun. Its quirky humor, colorful style, and absurd Japanese flavor carry the experience. Not for everyone, but if you

If Project Songbird sets out to do one thing, it's pointing out how hard it can be for a developer to please everybody and ultimately end up with a passion project bogged down by undercooked concepts. Conner Rush's love child often teeters between artistically brilliant and genuinely creepy, and mildly disappointing due to frustrating combat/stealth sequences. In the end, going with less could have resulted in so much more.

MLB The Show 26 only improves on a few fronts, while most of the experience remains largely unchanged from last year. The aging visuals are starting to show, though the gameplay still feels great and the soundtrack once again hits the right notes. Veterans may find little reason to return, but newcomers will still discover a solid baseball sim.

Homura Hime delivers where it matters most: tight combat, challenging boss fights and a satisfying gameplay loop for action fans. Sadly, everything around it feels underwhelming, with flat characters and uninspired level design. If gameplay is your main draw, there’s still plenty here to enjoy.

Greedfall 2: The Dying World offers an interesting story and meaningful player choices that encourage multiple playthroughs, though visually it doesn’t quite feel like a true PS5 title. The RPG systems are solid, but the dull and repetitive combat takes away much of the shine. Despite that flaw, there’s still plenty here that will appeal to fans of the first game.

While John Carpenter's Toxic Commando makes some interesting choices, it never quite stands out as a strong entry in the zombie shooter genre. Drawing on systems familiar from Saber Interactive, the varied arsenal, skill trees, and co-op gameplay can be enjoyable with a full squad, but a dull story, awkward characters, repetitive mission design, and an uninspired semi-open-world structure drag the experience down. There is still some fun to be found, though the genre offers better alternatives with more venom.

Tribute Games delivers another solid brawler with Scott Pilgrim EX, boasting great music, slick visuals, and satisfying combat. Unfortunately, a weak mission structure and a very short runtime keep it from reaching the heights of TMNT: Shredder’s Revenge. The open-world idea is fun but underused, making the €30 price tag feel a bit steep.

Tales of Berseria Remastered remains a fantastic JRPG, driven by its gripping revenge story and rock-solid real-time combat. The remaster adds smoother performance and visual upgrades, but little in the way of actual new content. If you’ve never played it, this is the best version to jump in. Veterans, however, may notice that there’s little reason to return.

Given that RoadCaft left me in the dirt, I honestly believed that Saber's simulation ship had sailed on me for good. Fortunately, Docked has managed to reel me back in, providing a seriously entertaining casual simulation with tons of tasks to keep the enthusiast (un)loading for hours. The only things ruining the immersion are graphical issues, QTE-minigames that just don't land the way they should, and Port Wake that isn't as hustling and bustling as you'd expect from a major transport harbor.

Planet of Lana II delivers another contemplative, emotionally resonant, and visually stunning journey, choosing careful refinement over daring reinvention. While that restraint preserves the spirit of the original, it also carries over its sluggish pacing, occasionally convoluted puzzles, and moments of frustration, resulting in a gorgeous but overly safe sequel that echoes rather than elevates its predecessor.

Gear.Club Unlimited 3 leans almost entirely on its Story Mode, yet even that fails to truly pull you in. Beyond that, frustrations stack up – clunky handling, technical hiccups and rubber banding – though the hub, duels and traffic-filled circuits offer brief flashes of promise. In the end, it falls short of must-have status, and you’re better off firing up GRID Legends instead.

With Legend of Kain: Defiance Remastered, the final chapter of the saga gets a modern-day polish: great news for preserving this legendary series. The story, lore and atmosphere still shine, and the visual upgrade plus a few neat extras will please longtime fans. Just don’t expect miracles: clunky controls, a rebellious camera and repetitive combat remind you this is very much a product of its time, even if the ride remains entertaining.

My enthusiasm for Laysara: Summit Kingdom has dropped, which is disappointing given its strong mountain setting and promising city-builder concept. The gameplay focuses heavily on fulfilling population needs, with limited production chains and objectives, making it feel more like a puzzle game than a strategic builder. The inability to rotate or upgrade buildings, combined with small building radii and no planning system, restricts creativity and player freedom. Although the game is visually appealing and accessible, it quickly becomes repetitive and fails to maintain long-term engagement.

Clue: Murder by Death oozes charm and nails the whodunnit vibe, with clever companion mechanics and a ticking clock that keeps the tension high. Sadly, the bloated mansion, limited inventory, and forced repetition drag the experience down. The game is brilliant in concept, yet flawed in execution. However, for under twenty bucks, mystery fans might still find it worth the sleuth.

Demon Tides is packed with strong ideas, but the execution doesn’t always stick the landing. Movement and level design entertain, though they occasionally lack finesse and inspiration. A solid, accessible platformer with clever touches, yet not without its frustrations.

NORSE: Oath of Blood has kept me engaged with its well-utilized Norwegian setting and linear storytelling that integrates well with the gameplay. The combat is fun, offering freedom in positioning and combos, though it lacks challenge. Building and managing your settlement provides a nice break from the combat. Despite enjoying the missions, numerous bugs and issues prevent the game from being fully successful, but I remain hopeful the developers will address them soon, as it has rekindled my interest in turn-based combat games.

Styx: Blades of Greed starts slow but grows into a satisfying stealth game with detailed maps and plenty to explore. The world is full of challenges and creative freedom, though environmental interactions could be expanded. Despite some technical hiccups, it’s a fun and rewarding ride with our cynical goblin.

Ys X: Proud Nordics is a great game for JRPG enthusiasts: flashy combat, a breezy but entertaining story, likeable characters, and the definitive package with sharper visuals and tighter controls. But if you’ve already sailed through the base game, this “Proud” upgrade feels hard to justify at full price: fun extras, sure, yet more DLC-sized than full re-release worthy.

Is God of War Sons of Sparta a good God of War game? Absolutely. It offers meaningful insight into Kratos’ past, backed by a stellar performance from T.C. Carson and rock-solid technical execution. As a Metroidvania, though, it’s good, but not great. It does the job well, but for €30 there are stronger contenders in the genre.

I’ve used the word fanservice a lot here, and that’s because My Hero Academia: All’s Justice truly excels at it. As a casual fan, I enjoyed both the recognizable anime moments and the new original content, but judged purely as a game it has some drawbacks, like underwhelming visuals, a few control issues, and unbalanced characters. Die-hard fans shouldn’t miss it, while others may want to wait for a price drop.

Cairn is a bold and demanding climbing experience that constantly requires your full attention, leaving a strong impression through its freedom, atmosphere, and protagonist Aava. At the same time, rough controls, technical issues, and questionable design choices create noticeable friction. For fans of slow, challenging simulations, this is a climb worth attempting—but it’s not a mountain everyone will want to conquer.

I Hate This Place is one of those projects that leaves me in the camp of "not hating it, but not loving it either". The campy '80s vibe is definitely there and I Hate This Place is easily one of the most accessible isometric survival horror games I've played in a long time, but the apparent lack of optimization and real narrative depth (and quirky bugs) are holding Rock Square Thunder's title back from being a real contender.

Quarantine Zone: The Last Check has an original concept that offers solid entertainment, but lacks the depth to truly keep you hooked. It shines most in short sessions, as monotony and technical issues start to creep in over time. With future patches in mind, it remains a fun experience but best enjoyed in moderation.

MIO: Memories in Orbit is a strikingly stylish Metroidvania with the potential to rival the genre’s heavyweights, were it not for one nagging flaw: its pacing. Fans of the subgenre will find much to admire in its beautiful presentation, richly realized world, mysterious narrative, and clever level design, which offer plenty for veterans to sink their teeth into, even if the combat and platforming are more competent than exceptional. I admire the game’s deliberate, contemplative approach, but its frequent sluggishness can sap momentum and demand real effort to push forward. Despite some missteps, MIO: Memories in Orbit remains a memorable experience.

Big Hops features excellently designed core systems, but ultimately doesn’t do enough to truly motivate players to keep going. If you’re here purely for flashy 3D platforming, you’ll have a great time hopping through cozy, colorful environments, but those seeking tight level design, a compelling narrative, or long-term depth will hear a less pleasant croak. In the end, it’s a very typical debut 3D platformer, brimming with potential and clear learning moments for Luckshot Games.

Cozy Caravan is a warm and charming cozy game that shines through its atmosphere and accessibility. Playing as a cute animal, running your market stall, and helping villagers feels relaxing and welcoming, just as the genre promises. While repetitive NPCs, limited dialogue, and little musical variety can wear down the experience over longer sessions, the core remains strong. It may not be perfect, but it’s a very enjoyable cozy game.

DuneCrawl is an ambitious indie with a striking concept and stylish presentation, but it struggles to stay engaging due to repetitive gameplay and uneven execution. The chaotic co-op shines when played with a full group of friends, yet solo or duo play quickly exposes sluggish AI and design friction. At its price point it’s a fair deal, but only if you can convince others to join the crawl.

If you enjoyed playing Digital Cybercherries' survival-horror walking sim Don't Scream but also wished you wouldn't have to endure the countless jumpscares alone, Don't Scream Together might be your go-to project. The 90's found footage vibe is strong as ever and the unease is still very palpable, for which Digital Cybercherries should take full credit. Just make sure that you have at least one very gullible and jumpscare sensitive friend in your expedition, unless you're fine with failing because of uncontrollable, fart/burp induced laughing sprees.

Does Death Howl successfully merge soulslike and deckbuilder mechanics? Absolutely. It’s a weird combo that somehow works. The game is challenging, original, and surprisingly fun once the loop clicks. RNG can frustrate, but if you're after something truly different, Death Howl delivers.

Thief's long awaited re-emergence turns out to be a mixed bag. While developer Maze Theory nails the concept of what made Thief great in the past, bugs and standard VR control tropes tend to steal the thunder of what could have been a decent Thief instalment. The experience could have been solid gold, but for now it's merely silver plated.

A.I.L.A. shows that reality can be harsh and the virtual kind even harsher. Even with a solid foundation at their disposal, Pulsatrix unfortunately squanders an otherwise compelling psychological horror experience by dragging it to a sub-par level due to cumbersome combat controls, unintuitive inventory management and infuriating boss levels. A.I.L.A. carries with it the potential to be a decent, good looking psychological horror tale, but the current reality unfortunately tells us otherwise.

Captain Wayne – Vacation Desperation is a breezy blast to play, but it looks rough as hell and lacks even a shred — truly any shred — of professionalism. The gunplay delivers and you can blitz through levels like a bona fide boomer-shooter veteran, yet sparse level design, bargain-bin visuals, and an amateurish story keep your eyebrows raised for all the wrong reasons. There’s clear potential in Ciaran Games, but they may need a stint swabbing the deck before they’re ready to captain a fully realized, cartoon-fueled shooter.

Project Motor Racing is a visually impressive, no-nonsense sim designed for the hardcore crowd. It's punishing and demanding, yet deeply rewarding for those willing to master its steep learning curve. That said, the game lacks flair and the absence of mechanical damage is a missed opportunity.

UMAMI delivers a charming, stress-free puzzle experience with its hand-painted style and warm atmosphere. Its low difficulty keeps it accessible but predictable, making it a cozy pick for casual puzzlers.

Escape from Tarkov delivers unmatched realism and punchy audio, but it’s still a ruthless, cluttered challenge with big technical problems. If you’re after an ultra-realistic shooter, this is the one — just be ready to treat it more like a lifestyle than a quick gaming session.

Monsters are Coming! Rock & Road is an easy recommendation for gamers seeking a light, quirky experience built for short play sessions. It’s cheap, runs well across platforms, and offers solid, simple gameplay—though its repetition, awkward meta-progression, and lack of standout strengths keep it from knighting itself as the castle’s noble defender. Still, it’s fort-tastic fun if you jump in with the right mindset and a bit of time management.

Demonschool serves up a delightfully random story full of dry humor and tight combat, though the overall package can feel a bit stretched at times. The technical execution lacks some polish, but if you can look past that, a devilishly entertaining time awaits.

Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 feels like four games in one. Very ambitious, but uneven to say the least. The co-op story and PvE mode miss the mark pretty bad, while Zombies and multiplayer carry the experience. Not a classic, but there’s fun to be had if you know what you’re here for.

Placed alongside Battle for Bikini Bottom Rehydrated and The Cosmic Shake, Titans of the Tide shows just how far Purple Lamp has come - delivering the strongest, most lovingly crafted SpongeBob 3D platformer to date with slick duo-gameplay and deeper level design, even if lingering issues, like stiff animations, performance hiccups, missing QoL features, and Day One DLC keep this otherwise great trip from reaching a true Best Day Ever.

Winter Burrow presents a charming idea with a cute story about a mouse returning home and helping forest animals. Its beautiful hand-drawn art adds appeal, but the lack of maps and quest markers makes exploration confusing. The quest-based structure limits freedom and can lead to frustration despite well-executed survival elements. Overall, it’s a cozy yet uneven experience that balances moments of joy with bouts of irritation.

Service with a Shotgun delivers its charm with a smile, but one tinged with disappointment. While the premise is clever, its visual novel elements fall short — the writing lacks the emotional depth and pacing found in stronger titles. The attempt to mix multiple gameplay systems gives it a unique flavor, yet most of these mechanics are underdeveloped. Still, the personal vision of solo creator Nolyn Vansyckle keeps the game from collapsing entirely; like a quirky shop at the end of the street, it’s pleasant to browse, but ultimately offers little lasting reward.

Tales of Xillia Remastered brings classic JRPG charm to modern platforms, with heartfelt characters and rock-solid combat. It shows its age in pacing and visuals, but fans and newcomers alike will find a rewarding adventure beneath the old-school sheen.

Ironically, it pains me to say that Anshar Studios Painkiller has turned out to be one of those co-op shooters that just doesn't hit the mark the way you hoped it would. Devoid of a decent Painkiller-worthy backstory, 2025's Painkiller primary focus seems to be to just be punishing in hyperchaotic ways that drain the fun out of the combat loop. Adding the fact that most guns don't really feel punchy and the disappointing prospect of a meager nine repetitive levels at launch, Painkiller could be compared to over-the-counter Paracetamol: works for some, but not too long.

The Séance of Blake Manor captivates with its atmosphere and story but stumbles over time pressure and imbalance. An intriguing mystery that never fully comes to life, beautiful to visit, but hard to stay in for long.

Wreckreation feels like a well-intentioned clone of Burnout: Paradise. The foundation is familiar and fun, but without the soul of the original, it ends up feeling empty. Great for an afternoon of racing, but the shine wears off quickly.

The Lonesome Guild is a charming but shallow and simplistic game. While the story and world blend well with the gameplay, much of its potential goes unused, with limited world-building and childish dialogue. The game is visually appealing, but repetitive fetch quests and poorly marked side missions hinder exploration. While the combat has smooth mechanics it lacks challenge. Features like character switching and the relationship-based skill tree add depth, but their impact is diminished by the overall simplicity.

Whether Tormented Souls should be considered an old-school Resident Evil clone or not, Dual Effects has spared no expense to prove that Tormented Souls 2 deserves its own place in the retro-style survival horror genre. Improved in almost every thinkable aspect, Tormented Souls 2 supersedes its predecessor with flying colors. The only thing putting a damper on this feat is the sub-par combat mechanics and the poor enemy AI that make every combat encounter a tedious chore.

Godbreakers bursts with potential through flashy action and memorable bosses, but stumbles over shallow systems and weak levels. Co-op brings chaotic fun, though frustrations aren’t far behind. An entertaining roguelike, but far from a new benchmark.

Keeper by Double Fine Productions is a visually stunning experience, with exceptional artistic direction and beautifully designed environments and creatures. The game frequently impresses with its visuals, making it worth experiencing for the art alone. However, it struggles as a game due to its short length, predictable moments, and limited emotional impact beyond wonder. Inconsistent music and a fixed camera system further hinder gameplay, sometimes making exploration and puzzles less enjoyable.

Pokémon Legends: Z-A dares to reinvent itself with action-driven battles and a lively world, but stumbles over its own ambitions. The ideas are strong, the execution less so. A step forward, but far from a revolution.

EA Sports FC 26 still delivers the best football sim around - partly because there’s no real competition. EA uses that gap to squeeze players’ wallets even more, while the new authentic style shows promise but feels too close to the usual competitive mode.

King of Meat serves up a colorful and chaotic dose of fun, especially with friends at the table. But beneath its cheerful façade lies shallow gameplay and repetitive dungeons, making the flavor fade all too quickly.

Little Nightmares III is a bit of a mixed bag. One thing is certain, Supermassive Games managed to keep Tarsier's legacy going by creating a sequel worthy of the name. Then again, Supermassive might have played it a bit too safe, resulting in a game that never really wows and occasionally feels like a step back. Little Nightmares III might be right up your alley if you're craving a Little Nightmares experience with online co-op gameplay, but if you're looking for a sequal that finally deals with the nightmarish controls from previous instalments... dream on.

Pac-Man World 2 Re-Pac is a colorful trip down memory lane, but lacks the variety to truly keep you hooked. Fun for kids and nostalgic fans, but too simple for the seasoned gamer.

Techland delivers a solid new entry with *Dying Light: The Beast*. While it falls short in innovation and balance at times, its strong story, improved visuals, and generous content offer plenty of zombie-slaying fun.

LEGO Party is a charming digital celebration with that signature LEGO magic and some fun boards to compete on. It could use more content and polish, but as a party game it’s a solid pick, especially if you don’t own a Switch.

Nicktoons & The Dice of Destiny charms with its nostalgic cast, familiar worlds, and original voice actors, but doesn’t fully deliver on its potential. The lighthearted story works, yet shallow gameplay and technical hiccups hold it back. Fun for younger players or fans eager to revisit favorite characters, but those seeking a deep dungeon crawler or real challenge may be left wanting.