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.