Nioh 3 refines its formula with a dual combat style system—Samurai and Ninja—that adds a new strategic layer while improving upon established mechanics. The action shifts to 'Open Fields,' offering larger maps packed with activities. Ultimately, it is an improved experience, though its steep difficulty remains a high barrier for newcomers.

Dragon Quest VII Reimagined transforms the franchise's most infamous classic entry into a title much closer to what genre fans want. It sheds the filler content and trades a plodding pace for a more dynamic flow. On the gameplay front, it introduces modern mechanics that make the experience more accessible. Technically, it is a beautiful title, and its soundtrack remains sublime.

Animal Crossing: New Horizons – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition does not seek to reinvent the original; rather, it aims to provide a smoother experience for Switch 2 owners looking to play under the best possible conditions. Moreover, it serves as a great excuse for those wanting to return to a highly entertaining virtual life.

Code Vein II vastly surpasses its predecessor with the implementation of interesting new mechanics, an expansive open world, and deep customization. However, it does suffer from some graphical issues typical of the genre—while not severe, they are very noticeable. That aside, it delivers memorable moments and hours of fun.

Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade on Xbox Series X is one of the most polished versions of the game, featuring additional improvements and modern refinements. While it remains fundamentally the same title released in 2020, it is still a must-play for RPG fans.

Yakuza Kiwami 1 & 2 receive a much-needed update that brings them closer to a definitive edition. While some quirks from the original releases remain, this package stands as an excellent entry point into the world of the Japanese crime saga. For those looking to play the best available versions, this bundle is the way to go.

Yakuza 0 Director’s Cut is a well-deserved update to one of the franchise’s highest-rated entries. While the added content is fairly modest, it remains the perfect entry point for anyone looking to dive into the world of the “Dragon of Dojima.”

Marvel Cosmic Invasion brings together several of Marvel’s most iconic heroes and delivers one of the most fun and varied beat ’em ups of the past year. It’s a highly replayable experience, offering a wide range of entertaining scenarios across its levels. Fans of the genre and Marvel comics alike will feel right at home here.

Assassin’s Creed Shadows is a very stable port that fits the capabilities of the Switch 2 remarkably well. While it does come with some technical compromises, it still delivers a version well-suited for anyone looking for a solid open-world experience.

Despite its flaws, Metroid Prime 4: Beyond stands as a worthy entry in the series, with solid systems and mechanics that still hold up today. Its gameplay is intuitive and fun, though it sometimes guides the player a bit too much. Retro Studios isn’t trying to redefine the genre and instead plays it safe, but the result is still a highly recommendable title—as long as you know what to expect from it.

Red Dead Redemption receives a much-needed update that significantly enhances the classic Western experience. With a steady 60fps, sharper textures, and improved lighting, the game now feels smoother and more visually detailed. It’s the same beloved adventure—just presented with much better clarity and polish.

Bubble Bobble Sugar Dungeons, even with its strengths, falls somewhere between tribute and reinvention due to a handful of clunky gameplay decisions. The series’ signature charm is still there, but not enough to fully carry the experience over the long run, even with the added roguelike elements.

One Piece: Pirate Warriors 4 finally gets the update it needed to become the game fans were hoping for back in 2020. Beyond the DLC and upcoming content, it’s a solid musou experience with more than 40 playable characters. The gameplay holds up well, but the rushed, watered-down story—trying to cram hundreds of chapters into just a few hours—does drag it down a bit. Still, from a gameplay standpoint, it’s a very enjoyable experience.

Octopath Traveler 0, as a prequel to the franchise, keeps everything fans already love—an engaging story, strategic and deep gameplay with a cast of charming characters. While a few elements could be more polished, it still stands out as a JRPG worth keeping on your radar for the rest of the year.

Kirby Air Riders is a quirky and unique racing game packed with odd but genuinely fun ideas. It offers plenty of content and several enjoyable modes, though some don’t fully reach their potential. Each race feels different, full of memorable moments, making it an ideal pick to play with friends.

Black Ops 7 marks a clear downturn for the franchise, with a shallow campaign, uninspired multiplayer, and a Zombies mode that can’t hold the experience together. It’s a release that highlights just how badly Call of Duty needs a break and a full creative reset.

Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment is a strong entry in the musou genre, built around a shared-narrative take on The Legend of Zelda. In terms of gameplay, it’s one of the genre’s highlights, offering well-executed mechanics that feel consistently satisfying. It blends classic Hack & Slash action with signature Zelda elements in a way that works smoothly, all while staying true to its roots.

Titans of the Tide doesn’t reinvent the formula, but it delivers a solid and fun 3D platforming adventure that fans of SpongeBob —and the genre— will enjoy. Its level design is smart and varied, making great use of each character’s abilities. It does suffer from some serious visual issues, but overall, it’s still an enjoyable ride.

Yakuza Kiwami 2 for Nintendo Switch 2 stands as the best version of one of the franchise’s greatest entries, letting players enjoy it both on TV and in handheld mode. With optimized visuals, full Spanish text support, dynamic combat, and the unmistakable storytelling style of Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio. While the portable mode doesn’t fully showcase its graphical potential, it remains an excellent way to continue the saga on the go.

Yakuza Kiwami for Nintendo Switch 2 has been updated so fans can enjoy one of its best versions yet. The game runs smoothly in both handheld and docked modes, delivering one of the finest action experiences in the genre. While there’s still room for improvement, the ability to play it on the go gives it an extra edge that makes it even more enjoyable.

Mortal Kombat: Legacy Kollection is a love letter to longtime fans of the franchise and a great entry point for newcomers who’ve only experienced the recent titles. Digital Eclipse has delivered a series of upgrades across most versions, including online multiplayer and new accessibility options for executing moves and fatalities—making the experience smoother and more enjoyable for all players.

Tales of Xillia is a well-deserved remaster that brings back one of the most beloved action RPGs of its time, now with substantial upgrades. Despite a few minor areas that could use improvement and a noticeable touch of AI implementation, it remains an engaging experience that keeps players hooked right up to the final credits.

Arc Raiders stands out for its remarkable optimization and stunning visuals, delivering a highly entertaining and visually striking co-op experience. While some mechanics still need fine-tuning, the game shows great potential and could become one of the best extraction shooters if it manages to stay fresh over time. Embark Studios presents an ambitious project here—one that perfectly balances action, humor, and just the right amount of challenge.

Revive marks the return of a classic with refreshed and well-executed mechanics, though it stumbles with a weak story and outdated visuals. Its combat system is fun and full of potential, but the lack of post-game content makes it more of a short-term experience—best enjoyed casually with friends.

Virtua Fighter 5 R.E.V.O. World Stage brings the iconic fighting franchise to a new generation of players, now featuring rollback netcode, crossplay, and several modern additions. Gameplay-wise, it’s the same deep, technical fighter fans have loved for years, though new learning tools make it more welcoming for newcomers. Visually, it’s the best version yet—but it’s also a clear reminder that the series is overdue for a full-scale evolution.

Dragon Quest I & II HD-2D Remake is the perfect example of how to properly bring two timeless classics back to life. With modernized mechanics, a beautifully reorchestrated soundtrack, and a stunning visual style that pays homage to old-school JRPGs, it’s a faithful yet fresh experience. While the stories still reflect the era they were born in, the new additions make this remake an absolute must-buy for fans of the genre.

Pokémon Legends: Z-A stays true to the classic Pokémon spirit while introducing meaningful gameplay changes. However, it still carries over many of the same issues the series hasn’t managed to overcome. It’s far from a bad game, but it’s clear that Game Freak needs to start giving the franchise the technical and narrative care it truly deserves.

Ninja Gaiden 4 delivers on its promise to be the high-quality action game fans have been waiting for, setting a new benchmark for the series. With its impressive visuals, fast-paced and intense combat, and the addition of a new playable protagonist, it stands out as one of the best modern hack-and-slash experiences.