Dispatch stands out as one of the year’s stronger games, with well-written dialogue, excellent voice acting, and a simple but well-executed story. While the narrative stays solid throughout its eight episodes, some romance elements and swearing feel unnecessarily forced. A second playthrough reveals that many events are fixed, making player choices less impactful than expected. Despite these drawbacks, the game remains a high-quality experience with impressive visuals and enjoyable gameplay.

ANTONBLAST is a chaotic retro platformer that pays homage to classic 2D platformers with unique levels, fast-paced gameplay, and its own quirky twist. Despite minor frustrations, it's a must-play for fans of nostalgic action.

Xenoblade Chronicles X: Definitive Edition brings a cult classic to the Switch with improved graphics, smooth gameplay, and smart tweaks. The world of Mira remains impressive, though some aspects still feel outdated. A must-play for open-world RPG fans.

Arco is a challenging yet emotionally resonant game that draws you in with its captivating atmosphere. The gameplay tests your skills, but it’s the rich storytelling and immersive environment that leave a lasting impression. It’s a journey that’s as rewarding as it is demanding.

OPUS: Prism Peak stands out as a strong narrative adventure driven by its characters, atmosphere, and unique gameplay. Photography feels like a meaningful core mechanic, enhancing both the story and immersion, especially once the plot truly unfolds. While its many systems and lack of guidance can feel overwhelming at times, these issues don’t detract much from the overall experience. A memorable and emotional journey, highly recommended for fans of story-driven games with a unique twist.

Mario Kart World is a worthy follow-up that expands the formula without losing its charm. The open world ties everything together brilliantly, and new mechanics like wallrides and charged jumps keep the racing fresh. Pure fun for every generation.

Nioh 3 is a worthy addition to the franchise: the story engages, the world invites exploration, and the combat system constantly challenges you. Technically solid, though the graphics could be sharper, it’s a game that both fans and newcomers will enjoy for hours.

Riven (2024) is a beautifully crafted remake that stays true to the original’s mystique while enhancing the visuals and experience for a new generation. The game’s intricate puzzles and immersive world-building remain as compelling as ever, making it a must-play for both longtime fans and newcomers. It’s a nostalgic yet refreshing return to a classic, capturing the essence of what made the original so beloved.

Ghost of Yōtei refines rather than reinvents, delivering a stunning, atmospheric experience that builds beautifully on Tsushima’s legacy. Some outdated mechanics hold it back, but the passion behind it shines through. If you loved the original, this one’s a no-brainer.

Indiana Jones and the Great Circle delivers a thrilling adventure with stunning locations, engaging puzzles, and plenty of mystery, perfectly capturing the spirit of Indy. While the AI leaves much to be desired, the focus on exploration and puzzle-solving makes it a standout experience. MachineGames and Bethesda have crafted a fantastic game that leaves us excited for Indy’s next adventure.

Monster Hunter Stories 3: Twisted Reflection is by far the strongest entry in the spin-off series thanks to its gorgeous presentation, full voice acting, and plenty of welcome additions. The classic rock-paper-scissors combat still works, though it starts to become repetitive over time. That said; JRPG- and Monster Hunter lovers will find a colorful, content-packed adventure with the potential to sink dozens of hours into.

The MARVEL vs. CAPCOM Fighting Collection: Arcade Classics is pure nostalgia wrapped in a modern package. Fast, accessible combat with enough depth, but the hefty price tag and dated feel make it mainly a treat for longtime fans. Newcomers might hesitate.

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.

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.

Timberborn is a standout survival city-builder that combines creativity and strategy with the unique power of beavers. The game offers extensive freedom with vertical building, dam systems, and a focus on managing future challenges like droughts and badtide events. With diverse maps, two factions, and strong mod support, it promises hundreds of hours of engaging gameplay without feeling repetitive.

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.

Zelda: Echoes of wisdom is difficult to put down and offers a lot of freedom and creativity due to the echoes. Exploring the colourful world of Hyrule is rewarding as you unlock new items and echoes, while you encounter plenty of weird minigames and sidequests. The story itself focuses on the gameplay and the old school dungeons. Although the long menu of echoes can be cumbersome, the game’s overall experience is fantastic, and it sets a high bar for future 2D Zelda games.

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.

Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater respects the original but enhances it with modern QoL upgrades and stunning visuals. Thanks to the choice between Legacy and New Style, it plays smoothly for both veterans and newcomers.

Frostpunk 2 offers a solid survival city-building experience, with a strong focus on social and political elements. Newcomers and fans can enjoy it as a standalone game, but longtime Frostpunk players may have mixed feelings about it's larger scale. As the game moves away from the personal connection with individual citizens which reduces the emotional impact.

DOOM: The Dark Ages is a fierce and fresh take that nails the franchise’s core, delivering a brutal first-person experience wrapped in stunning audiovisual design. The campaign’s combat loop is as gripping as ever, though the narrative feels undercooked and fails to fully capitalize on the game's cinematic ambitions. While weapon switching can feel clunky, and the soundtrack doesn’t quite reach the iconic highs of its predecessors, id Software still delivers a bold and commendable entry that just falls short of topping its legendary forerunners.

Capcom takes a bold swing with Pragmata, and it pays off: a gripping moonbound journey, strong character dynamics, and slick, addictive combat. Not everything sticks, though: the story plays it safe and floaty controls can frustrate but it never stops being a wildly entertaining space ride.

Symphonia is an accessible and precise platformer without combat, where the challenge lies in collecting all collectibles and secrets. The story, conveyed through a classical soundtrack and stunning art style, revolves around music and is presented in an impressive way. With simple controls and a playtime of four to eight hours, Symphonia offers a short impressive platforming adventure.

Is Silent Hill f worthy of the name or just a cheap Konami cash grab? Only the ones who can separate the name from that town in our restless dreams, will be able to acknowledge NeoBards' extraordinary attempt to plunge the player in an authentic 1960's Japan Silent Hill experience, woven together by thought-provoking metaphors and brutal melee action. The only things holding Silent Hill f back are the occasional graphical mishaps and the obscurity of some puzzles. But if you manage to look past those indiscretions and are able to avoid constant comparison to previous namesakes, there's a beautiful but tragic Silent Hill experience to be had.

Citizen Sleeper 2: Starward Vector is a narrative RPG full of choices, risks, and survival. The dice and stress mechanic add tension, while the strong writing and layered choices enhance the story. Not for everyone, but fans of narrative RPGs will feel right at home.

For fans of challenging puzzles, Dungeons of Dreadrock 2 is a great choice. The game features solid visuals, an engaging story, and a fitting soundtrack. Unfortunately, the enemy AI can be uncooperative, and the hints are sometimes too vague to be truly helpful.

Those who are thinking of embarking on the expedition that is The Alters, should first ask themselves what their prime objective is. If the answer is 'standard sci-fi management game', disembark ASAP, because The Alters is anything but standard. While management is a core aspect of The Alters, dealing with complex personalities becomes more prominent as your precious time ticks away. Just remember that failing is human and therefore inevitable, and it will suck, so ask all your alter ego's if you're up for all that trial & error.

The Hundred Line: -Last Defense Academy- isn’t the next Danganronpa, but it delivers solid strategic battles and an intriguing setting. Slow pacing and uneven structure make it a game best suited for genre enthusiasts.