Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii is a carefree and spirited island adventure. Whether you're navigating your pirate ship between islands in search of treasure, recruiting eccentric crew members from the streets of Honolulu, or battling enemy ships in the perilous pirate arenas, the game keeps you engaged at every turn.

Monster Hunter Wilds marks the series' first real foray into story-driven, cinematic storytelling. The more open and fluid exploration breaks away from the rigid task-based structure of previous entries, bringing the series a significant step closer to becoming a true open-world experience. The seamless flow from mission to battle to post-hunt creates an impressively cohesive gameplay experience. On the downside, however, the core appeal of the series seems to have been left behind in this modernization. The lack of monster variety and the resulting homogenization of the hunting experience remain notable shortcomings.

In an era where Japanese detective games have become increasingly rare, Urban Myth Dissolution Center stands out despite some questionable case quality. Its creativity, premise, and excellent final twist make it a title worth recommending. As long as you're willing to overlook its somewhat sluggish investigation segments and the lack of challenging deductions, the game ultimately delivers a satisfying experience.

Avowed is a solid title, though its appearance leans towards the conventional. It doesn't introduce particularly innovative mechanics or standout concepts, but it consistently delivers quality gameplay across all aspects-story, combat, and exploration-ranging from decent to excellent, without any major flaws. If you're a fan of traditional sword-and-magic (with a hint of firearms) settings, immersive storytelling, and the freedom to shape your own destiny, particularly in the style of Obsidian's atmospheric narratives, Avowed is definitely worth a look.

Sniper Elite: Resistance may win you over with its solid level design, but beyond extending the experience of Sniper Elite 5, it struggles to offer any compelling reasons for recommendation. The game ends quicker than expected and doesn't leave much of a lasting impression—aside from some potential laughs in the invasion mode.

Kingdom Come: Deliverance II takes another step forward on its unique path. It can be seen as an enhanced version of the original, with many of its life-simulation designs still providing a strong sense of immersion. The game offers plenty of freedom, allowing you to approach tasks in different ways. The swordplay system remains the main source of enjoyment throughout the game. However, the lack of clear direction in many quests, combined with some frustrating design choices, can be a challenge for players trying to get into the game and truly appreciate it.

NINJA GAIDEN 2 Black is the perfect appetizer before the release of NINJA GAIDEN 4 and a fantastic New Year's gift from Koei Tecmo to action game fans.

Sid Meier's Civilization VII stands as a testament to the enduring strength of its franchise, much like a civilization that continues to thrive through the ages. Rather than resting on its laurels, it has evolved, constantly integrating innovation and the best elements from its predecessors to further solidify its place in gaming history. Its ability to embrace change while maintaining its core essence proves that this legendary series is still capable of standing the test of time. Civilization VII reaffirms that the series remains as relevant and compelling as ever.

On the one hand, Lunacid is riddled with outdated design, a deliberately crude retro aesthetic, and traps that often feel unfair. On the other hand, it offers a deeply unique experience that masterfully captures the essence of classic dungeon ARPGs from decades past and evokes the enigmatic charm of early FromSoftware titles. It's a game that thrives on its imperfections, delivering a nostalgic yet fresh take on a genre that feels like a lost relic rediscovered.

Dynasty Warriors: Origins takes a bold step towards RPG elements while retaining the classic core that has defined this long-running franchise. It breaks new ground for the series, offering a storyline that masterfully balances historical accuracy with dramatic flair. Even if you're well versed in the Romance of the Three Kingdoms, this game offers a fresh perspective, evoking new emotions and insights. The combat system retains the franchise's trademark excitement while incorporating modern innovations to deliver the most immersive battlefield atmosphere in the series to date.

Where Winds Meet feels like a jack-of-all-trades in the martial arts world, dabbling in swords, spears and staffs, but never truly mastering any of them. The game's strengths are often undermined by its weaker elements, leaving it as a competent but unremarkable martial artist. There's no denying its skill, but that makes its shortcomings all the more disappointing.

Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 is undeniably ambitious, but its execution feels more like a modest upgrade than a revolutionary sequel. In many ways, it feels like a tweaked, cloud-streamed version of Flight Simulator 2020, with only minor changes to the core gameplay. That said, the addition of casual-friendly features such as entertainment-focused modes and a structured career system provide a welcome sense of direction for lighter players. At the very least, these updates save newcomers from the common dilemma of aimlessly taking off from their local airport with no clear idea of what to do next.

Marvel Rivals takes on the bold challenge of building upon the foundation laid by Overwatch and adding its own unique spin--and it largely succeeds. With solid overall quality, accessible mechanics, and a wealth of content, the game feels primed for long-term success and has already captured the attention of a massive audience. Its enduring popularity is a testament to its strong design and engaging gameplay. However, hero balancing remains a noticeable issue that will require ongoing fine-tuning--something that won't be resolved in just a few patches.

For me, the key word of Infinite Nikki is "surprise". I didn't expect that dressing up and the open world would have much chemistry together, but the result is that even if it doesn't seem possible, if both sides are done well enough, then it can be done! Whether it is the unforgettable story performance in the game or enjoying the jump level while exploring the world, these contents are interesting enough to make me willing to dress up my "daughter" first, and then finish everything elegantly.

Indiana Jones and the Great Circle is far from flawless. Problems with waypoint navigation and a lackluster finale keep it from reaching true greatness. However, it still delivers a solid and engaging adventure. The game does an excellent job of immersing you in the role of legendary archaeologist Indiana Jones, bringing to life the thrill and mystery of his iconic exploits. For fans of action-adventure games - especially those who prefer exploration and adventure over pure action - Indiana Jones and the Great Circle is well worth playing.

S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl remains true to its core philosophy: to create an immersive and unforgiving Zone that feels as alive as it is hostile. Every would-be explorer must endure harsh conditions and relentless challenges, testing their resolve until they either give up or fully embrace the Zone's brutal logic and become a part of it. This experience closely mirrors the spirit of the original trilogy, making S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2 feel authentic to its roots. However, some of its hardcore and overly rigid systems may prove too alienating for a broader audience, potentially limiting its appeal.

As a roguelike tactics game, Metal Slug Tactics delivers a solid overall experience, capturing much of what fans loved about the original series while introducing a fresh framework. However, a lack of player guidance, some awkward UI choices hold it back from reaching its full potential, leaving the experience feeling less polished than it could be.

If you're new to the beloved Dragon Quest series, Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake could be the perfect introduction. Staying true to the original gameplay and combat system, this remake adds a few new touches, each of which is thoughtful and commendable. However, the core of the game remains rooted in its 30-year-old origins. Whether that feels 'a little too dated' depends entirely on your point of view.

LEGO Horizon Adventure has room for improvement, but as a fan or casual title it holds up well enough. It's fun and accessible, but with a fairly limited appeal - those outside its target audience may find less to keep them engaged.

Slitterhead is a unique blend of horror, action-adventure and time-loop mechanics, showcasing some intriguing concepts. However, it struggles to fully realise its potential due to various limitations. The creativity is commendable, but the execution is poor.

For theme park lovers, Planet Coaster 2 is truly a dream come true. The addition of water parks opens up new ways to expand on the core roller coaster mechanics, while the introduction of new systems greatly enhances the gameplay experience. Whether you're building thrilling rides or managing park operations, this sequel offers a wealth of creative possibilities.

Life is Strange: Double Exposure impresses with its stunning visuals and exceptional soundtrack, featuring detailed environments and rich expressions that significantly enhance immersion. The game excels in world-building, suspense, and narrative pacing, offering an engaging and unpredictable experience. However, the early segments struggle with their connection to the original, and the emotional arcs feel somewhat underdeveloped, lacking the depth seen in the first installment's character relationships.

Dragon Age: The Veilguard is undoubtedly a competent ARPG, with some commendable elements in its combat and exploration. However, it's disappointing that, aside from the impressive art design and nostalgic appearances of certain characters from previous entries, it feels like BioWare has strayed from the series' original essence. The familiarity is there, but it lacks the deeper connection that longtime fans might have hoped for.

Romance of the Three Kingdoms 8 Remake captures the essence of its predecessor but ultimately feels hollow. While it incorporates mechanics from other entries in the series and introduces new systems like relationships and historical narratives, these elements are overly simplified, seemingly catering to new players. As a result, the game loses much of its depth and enjoyment, leaving longtime fans wanting more from this classic.

Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 may lack the innovative gameplay and changeable pace that the Modern Warfare series is known for, but in an era where developers big and small chase novelty and change, it stands out for its commitment to stability and tradition. Ultimately, it delivers a solid entry in the Call of Duty franchise that fans will appreciate.

To review Sonic x Shadow Generations, you have to look at it in two parts. Sonic Generations feels a little dated, with an outdated design and rough visuals that drag down the collection as a whole. However, Shadow Generations makes up for this with modern tweaks that cater to today's gamers, leaving the collection in a passable and moderately satisfying state.

Just Dance 2025 delivers a fresh dancing experience with plenty of trending hits from today's streaming charts. However, the rest of the game feels like more of the same — a predictable outcome for a series that has fully embraced the Games as a Service.

Neva certainly offers a touching emotional experience, though it may fall short of the standard set by Gris. However, if you're an animal lover, you might find even greater emotional value in this game. The white wolf companion is incredibly lifelike, and the process of nurturing it leaves a deep and lasting impression.

I fully support Konami's decision to entrust Bloober Team with the development of the Silent Hill 2 remake. Using the latest technology, they have faithfully recreated the haunting, fog-shrouded story, allowing both new and long-time players to experience and re-evaluate this masterpiece from over two decades ago through a modern lens.

Building upon the concepts of Persona and Shin Megami Tensei, and refining them further, Metaphor: ReFantazio delivers a highly satisfying experience. In terms of story, it offers excellent character development, while its gameplay system introduces a wide range of class combinations, adding depth to the mechanics. That said, the overall story quality of Metaphor is not particularly groundbreaking, and it feels more like a refined take on traditional dungeon-crawling RPGs rather than an innovative or revolutionary creation.

EA Sports FC 25 has stumbled through another year in a lackluster fashion. If last year's conservative approach could be attributed to the series' rebranding, this year's lack of ambition is inexcusable. Moreover, the widespread controller bugs and various other issues at launch make it hard not to question EA's commitment to the franchise.

Enotria:The Last Song is not without creativity or design potential. However, for an inexperienced development team, creating such a large-scale Souls-like game may have been overly ambitious. Poor balance, a wildly inconsistent difficulty curve, and the overwhelmingly negative combat experience overshadow the game's more impressive features, such as elemental statuses, skill build slots, and gear-switching mechanics.

The Plucky Squire might be the most imaginative indie game you'll play this year. What if a character could step out of their storybook and change their world? The game answers this question through a delightful journey. Although the story and combat feel somewhat simplistic and don't fully live up to the creative premise, the overall experience remains enjoyable.

When faction conflicts become the central theme of the era, the narrative focus of Frostpunk 2 also shifts. You will witness how societal changes affect the lives of ordinary people as humanity seeks progress to stave off decline. The relatively simplified building system allows players to focus more on legislation and balancing relationships between factions, ultimately guiding the city toward prosperity under your leadership. However, while the system is good, it lacks the depth and modes that would allow players to fully flex their strategic skills. The story ends somewhat abruptly, and the sandbox mode offers limited replayability. Since there are clearly optimal solutions in terms of decrees and research, your experience won't vary much across playthroughs. If Frostpunk 2 continues to offer more content to players, as its predecessor did, it has the potential to become an even more remarkable game than it already is.

After five years of refinement, the official release of Satisfactory has earned its place among the best in its genre. It boasts the most impressive visuals for this type of game, and its well-designed milestone system provides players with a steady stream of goals and motivation. The deep, meticulous mechanics constantly push me to optimize the chaotic factories I've painstakingly built.

For fans of classic stealth games, Evotinction is definitely worth a try. Its various systems, including hacking, tasers, and environmental interaction, greatly expand your stealth options, providing plenty of room for creative gameplay. However, in the later stages, freedom is somewhat restricted due to resource limitations and enemy design. While the story and narrative aren't particularly outstanding, they do offer some unique touches.

While Age of Mythology: Retold still has a few flaws in its details, it doesn't stop the game from showcasing the unique charm of this classic RTS in a fresh new way, even 20 years later.

Star Wars: Outlaws is so monotonous that it fails to leave any lasting impression. In 2024, a merely mediocre game is unlikely to satisfy players, especially one with as many flaws as this. Despite focusing on stealth gameplay, the issues with the levels, combat, and mechanics make it hard to truly enjoy the experience. Ironically, the only saving grace is the strong and well-established Star Wars setting, which serves as the game's last shred of dignity.

As a Warhammer 40K game featuring the Space Marines as protagonists, Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 excels in both detail and visual impact, catering perfectly to the tastes of 40K fans. Additionally, it inherits the refined gameplay mechanics from World War Z, making this game impressive not only in its quality but also in its faithful representation of the Warhammer 40K universe.

In Astro Bot, behind the hundreds of adorable little robots, I see a team of creators who truly love video games. They've harnessed the power of the PS5 and the exceptional haptic feedback of the DualSense controller to deliver an unforgettable platforming adventure. During this cosmic journey, I believe you'll rediscover, just like I did, the purest and most joyful moments of playing video games. Forget about those disappointing live-service games, in-game purchases, and microtransactions. We genuinely need more games like Astro Bot.

Hunt: Showdown has a level of complexity that surpasses many other titles, allowing it to excel in areas such as tactics and gunplay.

Despite Black Myth: WuKong achieving world-class standards in art and presentation, with solid and engaging gameplay, rich content, and a narrative and artistic expression that is uniquely meaningful for East Asian players—especially those who grew up with Journey to the West—the game is not without its flaws. The inexperience in level design and the drawbacks of excessive resource allocation have indeed impacted the overall experience…As a Chinese player who grew up watching the Journey to the West cartoons and TV series, playing Black Myth: WuKong is an experience that deeply resonates with me. I appreciate the developers' unreserved presentation of Journey to the West culture, and I am in awe of the game's artistic presentation. This profound cultural empathy has already made up for any shortcomings.

SteamWorld Heist II is a big step up from the first game. With different classes, weapons and skills to choose from, it introduces new strategic possibilities to the gameplay. The non-linear exploration of a large open world adds depth to the experience outside of the intense turn-based strategy.

While staying true to its small-scale, casual approach, Cat Quest 3 avoids the trap of overloading content to create an open world. Instead, it offers a highly flexible exploration experience. In addition, the game further enhances the equipment system, allowing for clearer role specialisation when playing in co-op mode.

The arrival of Stormgate has reignited the RTS genre. However, as an Early Access title, the game still has some issues in terms of its art direction and pricing, which significantly impact the overall experience. [Early Access Provisional Score = 80]

Let's School has introduced several impressive updates, making investment and growth the main focus of the current version. The addition of club and activity systems also brings a lot of new content to the game. However, playing Let's School on the Switch may not be as great an experience as on the PC, as the font appears too small on the screen.

Soulmask is a game that integrates different gameplay elements within the survival crafting genre, offering a refreshing experience for someone like me who has grown tired of traditional survival crafting games. While it shares the slow and complex nature of the genre, the help of NPC tribesmen and customisable settings allow players to quickly immerse themselves in an addictive survival and exploration loop. You can experience almost all the core pleasures of survival crafting in this game. The current content is already rich enough to support long-term play for Survival Crafting enthusiasts, surpassing many similar games that have been in Early Access for years. [Early Access Provisional Score = 78]

Kunitsu-Gami: Path of the Goddess is a unique work in its own right. Capcom has seamlessly blended action and tower defense - two seemingly unrelated genres - using an astonishing art style and the niche, mysterious theme of Shintoism, making the game look more like a piece of art emerging from a rural shrine. However, like many games that attempt to merge different gameplay styles, this fusion brings a fresh experience but also weakens the depth of both genres.

The most enjoyable aspect of Dungeons of Hinterberg is its puzzles, which consistently present a variety of appropriately challenging and innovative problems, interspersed with a series of battles to keep the gameplay engaging.

Anger Foot initially impresses with its creativity, gameplay, and stylization, but these positive impressions gradually fade due to mediocre level design. While the fast-paced combat is enjoyable and the variety of sneakers that provide abilities is a clever idea, along with multiple ways to solve optional side objectives, the game's levels lack standout features. This leads to a quick loss of novelty and interest after a short time of playing.

As another masterpiece from miHoYo, Zenless Zone Zero is definitely an action RPG worth experiencing. The distinct art style and high production quality make playing the game as enjoyable as watching a favorite anime series. Its low entry barrier and stylish, smooth controls, along with a combat system that is simple yet sophisticated, provide continuous positive feedback.

While Fate Seeker stayed on a steady course within the traditional wuxia open-world genre, Fate Seeker 2 undoubtedly takes a more unconventional approach. The smooth 4K graphics on PS5 and a more immersive gameplay atmosphere provide an opportunity to rediscover Fate Seeker 2. After all, in recent years, it might be considered one of the best wuxia games out there.

Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance is a bold overhaul and upgrade of the original. It greatly enhances the depth and playability of the core Demon Companion system, providing opportunities for up-close interaction with these "digital collectibles". While maintaining the atmosphere and quality of the original story, it nearly doubles the game's content. Although there is a lot of overlap with the original, it offers enough new experiences to keep veteran players coming back for more. If you enjoy hardcore JRPGs with deep party-building mechanics and a focus on strategic gameplay, this is undoubtedly an exceptional title for you.

Shadow of the Erdtree perfectly accomplishes everything it sets out to do. It makes the story of Elden Ring more complete and breathes new life into this addictive masterpiece. Shadow of the Erdtree can also remind Tarnished why they embarked on their journey to the Lands Between in the first place. So, even though the guidance has been shattered, please enjoy this final adventure of the Elden Lord.

F1 24 is another installment that fits the mold of an annual update, without introducing many significant changes to the series. The new features in the career mode bring minimal impact to the overall experience, and the updates to handling and physics are somewhat subjective.

Compared to other FPS games, XDefiant offers limited initial content and significant balance issues, and even its most distinctive skill designs aren't particularly innovative. As a result, after a few hours of exploring different factions, game modes and maps, players may find it hard to stay motivated to grind for characters and weapons once the novelty wears off, leaving only a sense of endless fatigue.

Accessible yet full of mystery, Isles of Sea and Sky is undoubtedly a retro gem that puzzle fans shouldn't miss. The game's puzzles allow you to fully enjoy the thrill of experimentation, while the constant introduction of new mechanics keeps the experience varied. The open-world design is full of incentives, motivating you to keep trying new puzzles. One potential drawback, however, is that the pacing of the game can be somewhat compromised when certain Metroidvania-style abilities are combined with weaker guidance elements.

Senua's Saga: Hellblade II remains a maverick in the gaming world. While its gameplay has not evolved from the first game, it has expanded on the aspects that set it apart from mainstream games: more realistic graphics, more moving performances, and an even more immersive depiction of psychosis that resonates deeply with players. This interactive film style game is very niche and I don't think everyone will appreciate it. However, there must be creators who make such games, and these games must exist. They allow those who live in a different reality every day to be seen and understood by more people.

As a sequel to a classic RTS, Homeworld 3 retains the core experience while streamlining the series and introducing a new, highly satisfying and replayable co-op mode. However, the game's sparse content and poor network conditions hinder a smooth and enjoyable experience. All of these factors suggest that Homeworld 3 has a lot of room for improvement. Homeworld 3 still has a long way to go in order to win over gamers and become a worthy successor.

If you enjoy turn-based gameplay and get a kick out of dodging attacks and outmanoeuvring enemies, The Land Beneath Us might be worth a try. Its innovative design, with a four-weapon system mapped to directional keys and Helldiver-esque command combinations, is both creative and quite engaging. Unfortunately, the levels are rather monotonous, with few surprises throughout the game, and the overall content is relatively sparse.

After nearly two years of updates, V Rising has evolved into a content-rich survival builder. It not only faithfully recreates the various characteristics of vampires in its gameplay, but also creates a unique combat experience, making it a remarkably solid survival building game.

Another Crab's Treasure is an excellent souls-like game disguised as a cute game, although it still has room for optimization, the overall experience is unique. The interesting shell-switching mechanism runs throughout, and the solid combat is addictively engaging.

You can sense the real potential and exceptional quality of Manor Lords, but what's more common is the disappointment of the lack of content. It has a unique medieval atmosphere, a first-person perspective that can immerse players, and a distinctive 'backyard economy' system that combines the fun of building supply chains and managing labour in the production process. While warfare isn't at the heart of Manor Lords, it's done quite well and evokes a sense of familiarity with the Total War series. [Early Access Provisional Score = 75]

No Rest for the Wicked is a game that truly deserves the label 'promising'. There is no denying the exceptional quality of its art and the quality of its action gameplay, but the negative experience caused by errors in numerical balance and system design completely undermine the excellent impression left by its other aspects. [Early Access Provisional Score = 75]

Stellar Blade is undoubtedly one of the most compelling games of the year, and what's even more pleasing is that it excels in every way. The combat system is both exhilarating and deep enough to give players, regardless of their action game experience, a great deal of enjoyment. The game has created a world similar to Nier: Automata, striking a perfect balance between the bleakness of a post-apocalyptic setting and a sense of hope. In addition, Stellar Blade offers players a degree of freedom that allows them to fully immerse themselves in the thrill of exploration and helping others.

Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes is sure to satisfy long-awaited fans of the series, but whether it will win over casual gamers is another story. It boasts a quality script and a large, unique ensemble cast, but its dated design and lack of side-quest guidance will detract significantly from your experience.

Children of the Son ingeniously combines sandbox levels, tactical planning, and puzzle-solving within the scope of a single sniper rifle to create a unique little gem of a game. However, it is limited to being a good concept and a short experience, struggling to sustain replayability or deeper exploration of its mechanics.

For fans of detective games, Between Horizons is well worth a look. It builds a solid sci-fi world, offers a flexible story and many different endings, making it a unique and replayable detective game. However, the adventure part of Between Horizons seems to lack highlights.

A tower defence game with a mix of gameplay elements, Outpost: Infinity Siege definitely stands out. However, a deeper dive into the game reveals a disconnect. The main problems stem from a design approach that's too limited and doesn't meet the actual needs of the player.

Playing Hi-Fi RUSH is still an amazing experience. On the PS5, the smooth 4K 60fps graphics and use of the DualSense controller make the game even more enjoyable. This rhythm-based action game feels more immersive.

Rise of the Ronin is undoubtedly Team Ninja's most ambitious, detailed and mature work to date. With its rich maps, compelling storyline and exhilarating combat, it creates an unforgettable tale of the Bakumatsu period. As Team Ninja explores new design concepts, this is definitely a title not to be missed by Team Ninja fans.

Dragon's Dogma 2 might divide opinions, but its originality and dedication are captivating for those who get into it. Its open world, where you walk with talking pawns guiding you, offers a unique sense of being there. These features and the detailed map encourage you to make your own fantasy tale. Combat is key to the adventure, with many job options making fights diverse from beginning to end.

Unicorn Overlord is probably one of the best SRPGs of recent times. It blends real-time strategy with tactical RPG gameplay, adding many unique features from other SRPGs to make for very engaging combat. Even if its open world can be a little repetitive, it's still a great innovation.

Playing The Thaumaturge is like travelling back in time to Warsaw in 1905. It captures not only the look of the city, but also the unrest of the time and the way the people of Warsaw lived. The Polish team behind the game has created a very compelling story. Although the game's mechanics have some flaws, Fool's Theory's beautiful design makes these minor flaws easy to overlook.

Last Epoch's few flaws come from it being the first project by an indie team. These include long loading times for maps, server overloads causing wait times to log in, and missing translations and some bugs. But beyond these issues, the game is very rich and extremely fun, reminding me of the excitement of playing Diablo-like games for the first time.

Final Fantasy VII Rebirth is a rich and immersive experience. It offers an excellent adaptation of the original story, blending flashbacks and mini-games into the story smoothly. As the party grows, the game smartly avoids overcrowding by splitting the team into two, allowing each character to stand out. The ATB combat system is more action-focused with detailed improvements, new cooperative moves, and team members making fights more dynamic and fun. The only minor issues are the game's somewhat predictable open world and the awkward movement across the map. However, these don't spoil the overall great experience.

Banishers: Ghosts of New Eden is a great adventure game that tells a love story mixed with life and death, set in the colonial era. It looks at remembering the sacrifices and bloody history.

Even though it changed from top-down to third-person view,, Helldivers 2 remains an engaging and unique game. It keeps almost all the good things from the first game and puts them into a new way of playing, making it even more enjoyable than before. However, unstable network connections are still a stumbling block in your fight for Super Earth. Helldivers 2 has a good start. The big question is if the developers can keep adding new stuff to keep players interested.

Tekken 8 is a great fighting game. Players of all skill levels can enjoy it, and as with all fighting games, practice and effort pay off.

Enshrouded is an ambitious open-world survival game. Its large world and freedom make it fun to explore. It has cool features like voxel building that work really well. But too much repetitive travel and dull combat can be frustrating, which doesn't match its great overall design. [Early Access Provisional Score = 78]

For JRPG fans, Persona 3 Reload is a great way to start the year. It has more independent episodes in the story than the original and uses more cinematic scenes with lots of CGs. The new daily activities on the artificial island and other improvements make the 70-80 hours of school life more enjoyable and well thought out. Although the Tartarus dungeon is much better than before, it is still too close to the original game, which means that its repetitive nature remains.

In the first 20 hours, Granblue Fantasy: Relink is an Action RPG with exciting combat, lots of characters, and a straight to the point story. After 20 hours, it turns into an anime co-op game with MMORPG-like combat, unlike Monster Hunter. It has deep character growth and tough dungeons that take time to master, offering lots of fun.

Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth was expected to be a grand finale for Kazuma Kiryu, but it didn't deliver a satisfying ending. Even with improved combat, new minigames, and a Hawaiian setting, the story doesn't live up to expectations.

Palworld isn't perfect or complete yet. But its many flaws don't take away from the fun and success it offers. It mixes different game genres, giving players a new experience unlike traditional games. Palworld is likely to be a game remembered in history. [Early Access Provisional Score = 81]

Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown is a bold step for Ubisoft. Not only does it show their great skill in making platform action games, but it also deserves praise for successfully creating a great Metroidvania game at the first attempt. The clever rewind action and memory fragment marking system are also good ideas for the future of Metroidvania games.

Ready or Not is a huge hit and offers a unique experience unlike most FPS games. It allows players new to CQB to enjoy playing with friends.

At the end of God of War: Ragnarok Valhalla, I saw that Santa Monica Studios knew exactly how to end the story - Kratos, the aging hero, needed to step out of the shadows of his past and face the future.

Granblue Fantasy Versus: Rising once again shows Arc System Works' skill in making fighting games. Its new features are sure to please Granblue Fantasy fans.

Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora has great graphics. The game world is full of things to do, but after a few hours it becomes repetitive and lacks new ideas.

The fast-paced bullet-hell boss battles in TEVI are satisfying, but its Metroidvania design is just okay. The levels are too similar and have some problems that detract from the fun. Despite these flaws, the overall quality of the game is still impressive.

Risk of Rain Returns partly reflects the progress made in the Roguelite genre a decade ago. However, compared to many modern Roguelite games that have kept up with the times, it still shows some clear flaws and areas that need improvement.

The team behind Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III seemed uninspired and directionless, which probably led to the release of a game in 2023 that perhaps shouldn't have been released at all.

Adapted from Lem's works, The Invincible uses stunning art and intricate interactive gameplay to make the journey of alien exploration feel incredibly realistic and immersive.

For the King 2 has really stepped up from the first game, offering enough quality to keep players hooked for hours with many different scenarios.

If one day we were facing extinction and I had to choose something to save, I would definitely save The Talos Principle 2, because it's really worth it.

Football Manager 2024 may look a little like its predecessor, but it's only when you get hands-on with it that you realise how the changes it has made to various aspects of the game have completely changed the world of football.

Alan Wake 2 seems more like a triumph of technology. Remedy has put immense resources and assets at its disposal and used those strengths to earn widespread acclaim for Alan Wake 2. However, I wish the game would shine from the perspective in which it originally excelled, allowing Alan Wake to receive the praise he deserves for the story he penned.

Ghostrunner 2 is a near flawless sequel that retains all the outstanding aspects of its predecessor, while making significant improvements to the level design and gameplay. Even more satisfying are the two non-linear, sandbox-style levels that expand the world both inside and outside of Dharma City.