Outbound is slow, cosy and a good reset from the action-packed games I normally play. No big challenges to overcome, but a satisfying gameplay loop, nice visuals and music makes it a good, albeit repetitive experience.

For all its effort, Aphelion severely lacks the ingenuity, polish and emotional impact of Dontnod's other titles. It is simply OK, a fairly decent action adventure. One that might as well have been made 15 years ago.

Cthulhu: The Cosmic Abyss is a tense, dark and deliciously atmospheric tale of horror, that is marred with technical issues you'd be best to see fixed before you play.

MOUSE: P.I. For Hire is a slick, hand-drawn shooter full of personality and style. Repetitive at times, but hard not to like.

Made for the dedicated fans of the genre, not your first factory game.

Replaced is a visually stunning cyberpunk thriller that impresses with its detailed pixel art, fluid animations, and cinematic presentation, but is held back by repetitive combat and puzzles.

Quotation forthcoming.

Enormous depth with an unpleasant aftertaste. Pokémon Champions is perfect for a very small audience.

Quotation forthcoming.

John Carpenter's Toxic Commando is a decent zombie shooter, but it quickly gets old, and doesn't have the staying power of other games in the genre.

World of Warcraft: Midnight is more of the same in a game well into its 20s. Bright spots such as the Prey mechanic and housing just aren't enough to carry an experience that's saturated with endless perks for logging in daily and churning out world quests and Delves as the numbers go up, up, up.

Marathon delivers a plethora of deep mechanics, engaging gunplay and a truly unique look, but there's simply too much tedium and way too much busywork between fights.

The setting is great, the characters are solid, and the missions provide just enough variety to keep the experience engaging all the way to the finish line. However, the game still shows its age, clearly bearing the marks of being a decade old.

An engaging city builder with a novel concept centering water power and possibilities in industrialisation and giga-projects. But the daily lives of the inhabitants suffer from monotony

I'm sure this will be something very special for those who already love Pokémon and games like Animal Crossing and Dragon Quest Builders 2. But once the initial wow feeling is gone, there's little that makes me want to return to Pokopia.

A beautiful and atmospheric walking sim that lacks meat on its bones.

Styx: Shards of Darkness is an entertaining adventure that offers challenging stealth in vertical environments packed with obstacles. While there are plenty of possibilities and Styx has many tricks to avoid being spotted by guards, it’s hard to shake the feeling that this could have been so much better.

High on Life 2 is a breath of fresh air in a gaming landscape that, let’s face it, has a tendency to take itself way too seriously these days.

The air runs out of the balloon long before the game’s end, and by comparison, Romeo is a Dead Man feels like exactly what came before: a game trapped 20 years back in time.

An improvement on its predecessor, in terms of both combat and setting, but the choppy framerate and ridiculous outfits ensure that the Code Vein II experience remains an underwhelming one.

Contre Jour ends up being -- despite some small flaws -- a good physics based iOS game. A well thought out game mechanic revolving around manipulating the terrain lies as a solid foundation, and every level completed feels like a small triumph.

Square Enix has worked wonders in porting this gorgeous game over to the Switch 2, with the lower resolution and frame rate the only noticeable downgrade. If you've been waiting to play this game on the go, now's the time to jump in and explore Midgar.

This year's Call of Duty gives you a lot of bang for your buck. Black Ops 7 might not stray very far from the franchise's usual offerings, but makes up for it with clever design choices throughout the campaign, multiplayer and zombies.

Syberia is a classic adventure game that truly deserved more than this pretty, but lacking remaster. The story is thankfully as wonderful as ever.

Jurassic World Evolution 3 gives you the tools to build the dinosaur park of your dreams. There are still annoyances with difficult dinosaurs, but overall this is the best game in the series.

This roman take on the Anno-series scratches all the itches for the dedicated Anno-player, though your life as a roman governor could have been more smooth with some player-friendly interface-options.

Legends: Z-A still has a way to go in terms of graphics and story, but unique gameplay, great monster designs and a truly colorful world makes this a very fun new outing for the franchise nonetheless.

Little Nightmares III has a few truly great moments and as a co-op experience it certainly has its charm. The game is however sorely lacking a lot of the atmosphere, creepiness and general quality that made its predecessors so sensational.

Dying Light: The Beast is fine, and that's about it. The parkour is fine. The combat is fine. The exploration is fine. The level design is … actually some of the best in the series. Maybe it would've been better off as just a DLC though.

Trails in the Sky 1st Chapter might well prove to be the start of something great, but it's a pretty slow start. If you do have the patience to sit through the game's endless exposition, there's a colorful and charming world to explore and plenty of entertaining battles to be fought.

Atelier Resleriana: The Red Alchemist & the White Guardian is enjoyable enough, without ever reaching for the upper echelons of the RPG genre. I do wish the developers had given us a little bit more of a challenge in terms of gameplay and a storyline that's a little more grounded.

Ghost of Yōtei is big, beautiful and bloody, with a world that's very fun to explore. This doesn't however make up for tiresome combat and a story that ultimately feels quite hollow. The game is shockingly similar to its predecessor, and while the formula still works, it's hard not to be disappointed in the lack of any meaningful changes.

Echoes of the End is at times great fun, but it is sadly brought down by wonky controls, dull combat, and an endgame that drones on too long.

Beautiful colors can’t cover up game design that wastes your time.

Fans of side scrolling roguelites will find plenty to sink their teeth into here. Though The Rogue Prince of Persia lacks the challenge and platforming precision of a game like Dead Cells, hitting that free flowing sweet spot of both parkour and combat is a joy.

Shines with its story, atmosphere, and thorough research, but far too often feels empty and unfinished.

Achilles: Survivor is an entertaining and well crafted addition to the bullet heaven genre. The tower defense element adds a level of strategy, which is enough to make this game stand out against the likes of Vampire Survivors.

A dazzling dose of ninja nostalgia, with a soundtrack so good it could be the best of the year.

Shadow Labyrinth never rises above being an occasionally exciting metroidvania. Between the likes of Hollow Knight, Ori and others, there are just far too many better options available.

Patapon 1+2 Replay lets a new generation experience these cute and warmongering weridos. There's hardly anything new, but if you have yet to experience these games, now's your chance.

Quotation forthcoming.

A charming game that collapses under its own premise.

Truly iconic levels and fun goals contribute to make the first ten or so hours something quite special. It's only too bad that the nostalgia wears thin all too quickly, especially with Pro Skater 4 being a shadow of its former self.

Star Overdrive is like surfing through the forgotten corners of Hyrule with a keytar in hand – part Zelda, part Journey, part Tony Hawk, and all wrapped in a dreamy, synth-soaked world that’s equal parts thrilling and tranquil.

This remake delivers a solid tactical experience with a gripping story, but it lacks the atmosphere and impact of the PlayStation original – a good game wrapped in a disappointingly lifeless presentation.

An impressive package on Switch 2 – especially in handheld mode – but inconsistent performance in TV mode holds it back from being the definitive portable experience it could have been.

A charming yet utterly predictable RPG that blends cozy life simulation with repetitive fetch quests, perfect for fans of laid-back gameplay but offering little innovation.

Blades of Fire lets you be both the hero and the blacksmith, crafting unique weapons that drive the game’s progression. While the story feels a bit disjointed, the game offers a solid combat system and an engaging world that rewards exploration.

The Precinct is a fun police simulator with solid gameplay, but it lacks an engaging story to keep you going.

Quotation forthcoming.

Quotation forthcoming.

South of Midnight impresses with its unique Southern Gothic setting and stunning visuals, but falls short due to repetitive gameplay, shallow storytelling, and lackluster combat.

Quotation forthcoming.

Assassin’s Creed Shadows is not a bad game, nor is it fantastic. It follows the same recipe as the series’ installments have done for a few years now, where we’re served a story full of intrigue, power struggles, and a revenge motif. The main characters, Naoe, a nimble ninja, and Yasuke, a powerful samurai, provide varied gameplay experiences, but does not quite let the player live out the full fantasy of being either. It’s unfortunate that Ubisoft does not unleash the full potential of finally having an Assassin’s Creed game set in Japan.

Quotation forthcoming.

Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii masterfully wastes the player's time with endless menial tasks and boring dialogue, while completely failing to tell the great stories the series is known for.

Avowed offers a strong atmosphere, colorful personalities, and a gameplay loop that is entirely serviceable. However, it fails to excel in any particular area, including the character-driven narratives that Obsidian are known for. And so, Avowed fails to fully deliver on its potential.

Sniper Elite: Resistance might be worth a look if you love the series and want more of the same. Unfortunately that's all you get, and the formula has grown rather stale.

However, once you find your flow – and the right path – it's fun to sweep through the world, whether you're chasing the game's big bad or poking around the many, many secrets that lurk around every corner of the spaceship Atromitos.

Orcs Must Die! Deathtrap is a mixed bag with a high emphasis on third person multiplayer action that never quite reaches the heights of previous entries.

Dragon Quest III: HD-2D Remake is enjoyable to explore, but the endless random battles get tiring after a while.

Mario & Luigi: Brothership could have been great, but the wonderful presentation and level design can't save it from ceaseless conversations and the repetitive combat.

Quotation forthcoming.

Quotation forthcoming.

Despite its incredibly beautiful characters, the unique puzzles, and weaving the tale of a truly engaging murder mystery, Double Exposure severely misses the landing and falls completely flat in its final act.

Fruitbus combines the cosy atmosphere of Animal Crossing with the detailed oriented work of Overcooked, as you’re tasked with serving customers tasty, fruit-based treats from a healthier version of an ice cream van.

With so little newfound charm added to what sometimes comes across as a tech demo for the new age, yet somehow still lacks proper animations and a world and characters that feel alive, this saga ends up as more of a curiosity than a truly memorable RPG experience.

The Jamboree mechanics and pro rules are both great new additions, and the series is probably at its most charming ever. There is, however, a distinct lack of outstanding minigames, with a lot of creativity being withheld for the passable online modes.

Despite its outdated and confounding design choices, there's something deeply engaging about Metaphor: ReFantazio. The story pulls you in and the combat is excellent, making for an experience that's highly enjoyable - though at times incredibly frustrating.

Despite being only a small game, Europa has a whole lot on its mind. The developers expertly combine heavy themes of climate change and existential dread with an absolutely stunning world, and it's only a shame we don't get to freely explore it more.

It is a bit difficult to rate this game. Mechanically, this is a good game. The football fits like a shot, but if you bought last year's edition, I'm not quite sure if I can in good conscience recommend you buy this...EA Sports FC 25 is the best soccer game on the market, but primarily because there are no real alternatives.

Quidditch Champions is a solid continuation of the franchise, delivering fast-paced, free-form flying in fun, bite-sized matches.

Black Myth: Wukong is great fun from start to finish, but lacks depth in its storytelling, combat and level design.

Playing as a scoundrel equipped only with cleverness and a laser gun is fun, and opens up a more charming role gallery than what we often encounter among the slightly more pompous Jedi Knights. However, this is not a game that reinvents the wheel. It builds on many familiar formulas, and seems to take a lot of inspiration from the Uncharted games in the way it plays.

Uneven dialogue and somewhat trivial activities drag down an otherwise great experience, but Dustborn's strength still lies in the quiet moments around the campfire and the interpersonal stories that unfold there.

Cat Quest III is a simple yet effective RPG, delivering plenty of great side quests and unique moments across the colorful Purribean.

The graphics are good, the matches are very good, the variation in play style is impeccable and there is plenty to do at any time. Even though there are obvious weaknesses and a slightly greedy shop.

As long as you are prepared for some sluggish movement, Thalassa is a story-driven game that delivers where it counts most, with mysteries, characters and themes that make an impression.

All in all, this is another successful revamp from Nintendo, even if this isn't my personal favorite of the series. Luigi is charming as he shivers his way through the haunted houses while nervously humming the game's theme song. However, I miss a little more variety in the battles against the ghosts. It becomes a bit monotonous in the long run to simply flash them with the flashlight and then drag them in with the vacuum cleaner. This, combined with the fact that the flow of the game is interrupted by being taken out of the houses every fifteen minutes, puts a dampener on the engagement. However, this can be a matter of taste and preference. Otherwise, this is a good mix of low-key and child-friendly horror and slapstick humor that can probably entertain most people.

Anger Foot promises and delivers shooting/kicking action at a furious pace. You don't have to sprint through each level, but the experience feels both more alive and more rewarding with the music at full blast and max pressure on the W key. If you are a fan of "speedrunning" and shooting games, this could be right up your alley. Lots of trial and error to sweep through levels as quickly and perfectly as you can. For those who don't like doing the same things over and over again, Anger Foot can quickly become tiresome. There are just a bit too many levels and far too many hopeless boss fights here. The convoluted solution for changing shoes - which gives you various advantages - is also extremely frustrating, but perhaps the developer can do something about that eventually.

A well-composed horror experience that will perhaps be primarily remembered for its unique and compelling setting.

MultiVersus' current cast of characters is something truly special, and it's impossible to not be excited for what comes next. The fighting is less immediately appealing — though there is quite a lot of fun to be had here, the game simply doesn't come close to the explosive pace and superb feel of its main competitor.

Intriguing puzzles, breathtaking music and a heart-warming story makes Hauntii one of those indie games you can't miss — even if the gameplay and resolution of the adventure doesn't quite live up to the opening hours.

XDefiant throws out its own advantages in favor of the shooting mechanisms from Call of Duty and the class system from the same series, which results in an unbalanced mess.

Tales of Kenzera: Zau does a lot of what many other good games have done in the past, without excelling in any areas. The platforming is mostly solid - with a few glitches here and there - and the combat system is entertaining enough. Admittedly, there is not a lot of variety, and the game never quite reaches the same heights as the sources of inspiration Ori, Super Metroid and Hollow Knight.

Rise of Ronin is not a bad game, but a mediocre one. Everything it does, from world building to combat system, story and mechanics both in and out of combat is well made and works. But there's nothing here that hasn't been done better in other games, or that you won't find a better version of elsewhere.

There's a lot that could have been better with this revamped version of Mario vs. Donkey Kong. Some of the shortcuts taken could certainly have been embellished with a slightly bigger budget. The lesson is probably that Game Boy Advance games, and all the limitations they had, don't hold up very well when translated to modern consoles.

Arrowhead has put together a playful and chaotic shooter experience that doesn't take itself too seriously. It's just a bit too hectic for you to be able to keep track of the matches, but I feel that's part of the point. Sometimes you'll struggle through hordes of bugs until the mission is almost done, only to fail because someone botched a missile attack. It can be frustrating, but mostly that's just part of the charm.

Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League showcases the best of one world, and the worst of another; a unification of best-in-class cut scenes and cinematics, with a boring looter-shooter mounted beneath. It is the anti-Destiny, a game where the love of the developers shine through the soul-crushing monotony of the loot grind.

Quotation forthcoming.

Ikonei Island is still easy to play and cozy enough to make it well worth a look, especially for families with children and the younger generation. But after about ten hours behind I already feel that I'm getting my fill of most of what the game has to offer.

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III does exactly what it needs to in the multiplayer to catch on, and the Call of Duty formula is undeniably addictive when it all clicks. But the single-player campaign hits a new low.

Among all the tactics games I've enjoyed in recent years, Persona 5 Tactica stands out as the least interesting. It has the potential to become something more, and the idea behind being able to knock down enemies to get new attacks is a good one. However, there is too little else here. The game quickly becomes repetitive, and the campaigns offer far too little variety.

Like a Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name may not be the best game in the series, but it is still a fantastic introduction to a series that it may be difficult to understand how to get started on.

The formula for a game like this is well established, and while Return to Moria doesn't add anything new to the genre, it works just fine. It may seem strange, but it's boring in a somewhat safe and relaxing way – when the technical aspects works.

Lords of the Fallen is a really good action RPG. The combat system is good, the music and visual style are good, and the world we find ourselves in is both interesting and tempting to explore. Without the technical problems, this would have been another notch up on the points scale.

Assassin's Creed Mirage is a solid adventure with an entertaining story and many engaging challenges. Sneaking in the shadows and picking off one guard after another is and will be great entertainment, and that's one reason why there are still new chapters in the series.

I'm absolutely sure that with a few extra doses of content, this could be a dream game for racing fans. As it stands, I'm sadly just missing a bit more gameplay here to hold it all together.