Rayman: 30th Anniversary Edition is a fantastic way to catch up on a pivotal piece of platforming history across various, well-emulated retro platforms, all enhanced by numerous handy quality-of-life features. While these features aren't available in every version (the MS-DOS release, for instance, lacks the rewind function) they make progressing through the supported games significantly easier. The interactive documentary also deserves praise for offering interesting insight into the game's development. The biggest drawbacks remain the absence of the original soundtrack (the replacement is fine though) and the fact that not every edition of the original game is included; Rayman Classic is missing, as is the level editor from Rayman Designer.

With the release of and Roger on the Switch 2, the charming and devastating interactive novel can reach even more interested players. Even though the overall experience is a short one, the emotional resonance is deep. We would recommend everyone to go into it with as little of the story spoiled as possible to experience this gem organically. And Roger still is a little gem of a game and should be experienced by everyone at least once.

33 Immortals has a fascinating concept that it delivers in a fun and engaging way. The MMO-lite approach paired with a neat setting make for a couple of very entertaining hours of gameplay. Unfortunately there isn’t too much overall content and the progression of your character as a whole almost comes to a complete stop after those first few hours. If you always wanted to kill bosses with up to 32 other players without the time investment of an MMO then this is the perfect game for a relatively cheap price.

Even if Junkster doesn't break new ground, the endearing 3D platformer successfully blends a modern building mechanic with retro-feeling platforming. It unfortunately doesn't quite feel like it reaches the full potential of any of its level ideas, but instead often chooses to play things a little more safely and predictably. Because of that it remains very accessible, but less appealing for a more mature audience. It's perfect for families and thanks to cleverly designed levels offers replay value for collection enthusiasts.

Team Asano has done it again: their blend of 2D HD graphics and retro gameplay creates an irresistible treasure trove that you won’t be able to put down until you’ve played through every last bit. Any minor quirks are easily overlooked.

Copa City stands out with its original concept and detailed micro-management, but a clunky interface and awkward controls often get in the way. Some mechanics also feel too shallow, especially when it comes to satisfying fan needs. Still, the combination of stadium operations, marketing, logistics and fan-zone planning can be rewarding. Fans of complex management games should give it a look, while those expecting a traditional football manager may be disappointed.

EA Sports UFC 6 delivers an authentic and highly entertaining MMA experience. Its deep combat system rewards skill and strategy, while new accessibility options help newcomers find their footing. Although the career mode remains somewhat repetitive and veterans may miss bigger innovations, UFC 6 successfully captures the intensity and spectacle of the sport.

On the one hand, R-Type Tactics 1&2 Cosmos impresses with a wide variety of units and scenarios, an interesting story – which even branches out in the second installment – solid English voice acting, a visually appealing graphical overhaul, three playable factions, and the addition of the Cosmos campaign. On the other hand, the overall package feels somewhat dated in certain areas. The interface has seen only marginal modernization, there is still no tutorial meaningfully integrated into the gameplay, key quality-of-life features like an "undo move" function are missing, and the AI’s behavior isn't always logical – at times, it even attacks its own units. Furthermore, the multiplayer modes from the original games are absent. Nevertheless, those willing to overlook these flaws will experience many challenging battles set against a truly iconic backdrop.

Voidling Bound manages to blend a retro feel with elements of modern game design. The gameplay systems have surprising depth, which isn't really taken advantage of in fairly simplistic combat encounters. It's a game that's highly entertaining for a few hours, but fizzles out after the novelty wears off.

Crushed in Time is a charming meta point-and-click adventure sending Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson on a hilarious journey through time and game development. With clever puzzles, a solid hint system and a fully voiced cast in delightful British English, it balances accessibility and challenge well. A save-game bug slightly dampens the experience, but the witty humour and elastic gameplay make it well worth the trip.

Unrailed 2: Back on Track is even more fun than the already very entertaining first part. The gameplay is simple and very approachable but almost always ends up in complete and utter chaos (which we mean in the absolute best way possible). The many new, small and big, improvements to the gameplay itself as well as the overall progression through the game are very welcome and make Back on Track a super exciting game to play with friends either locally or online. If you are going to play this by yourself then you will have a better time than you had with “Unrailed” cause the singleplayer mode was also improved but this will never reach the always great chaos of playing with friends.

Terrinoth - Heroes of Descent is an all-round good tactical strategy game with diverse characters and gameplay depth. The 20 dungeons have replay value on various difficulties, which change the gameplay enough to provide new challenges. Unfortunately, the story is very light, so role-playing gamers won’t find much here. For everyone else, Terrinoth - Heroes of Descent provides short and sweet dungeon crawling missions, which can be enjoyed alone or with friends.

Gothic 1 Remake is one of the most confident games of the year. It does not compromise on the 2001 vision of giving the reigns to the player and has next to no guidance through a merciless and unforgiving world. This leads to a gameplay experience that is perfect for some, but off-putting for others, but the promise of making the original Gothic accessible through large and small changes, most notably the presentation of the game, is thoroughly fulfilled.

The game is a heavyweight even on the Switch 2. It doesn’t disappoint in terms of content or gameplay, and the noticeable downgrade in graphics is made up for by the ability to embark on adventures on the go with Cloud and friends. Even those who already own the PS5 version will find a good reason to pick up the new edition for the Nintendo console.

Mina the Hollower achieves the impossible by picking up the mantle of one of the most beloved independent games in recent history, while also being brave enough to diverge from the familiar path. The excellent blend of modern and retro, packed tightly with secrets and rounded off with obvious and sincere love for all of gaming's history makes for a game that everyone should at least give a try.

Overall Echo Generation 2 is a very interesting and well made follow-up. The gameplay offers a nice blend of RPG and deckbuilder that doesn’t leave story or style behind for the pure mechanics. The often switching characters you are in control of are both a strength and a weakness though. On one hand it offers many different gameplay styles and mechanics in a very compact package. On the other hand, it makes the game seem less focused overall. The almost complete lack of tutorials or hints also make this a very hard sell for people who mostly wanna play for the story or the vibes because despite its looks the game offers a lot of customisation and depth.

If you are looking for a pixel RPG that focuses more on story and less on gameplay, Meg's Monster is a captivating option, a game that strives from the usual narrative path to great effect.

With its constantly changing game mechanics, Gambonanza ensures that even chess veterans regularly encounter situations that feel fresh because they just cannot happen in a regular game of chess. If you have any love for the game of kings, this chess roguelike is definitely worth checking out.

007 First Light is a confident and stylish debut for IO Interactive’s take on James Bond. Strong stealth gameplay, varied missions and a compelling origin story capture the spirit of 007 beautifully. While some combat and driving sections feel less polished, the overall package delivers exactly what a Bond adventure should: cinematic, thrilling and effortlessly cool.

Thick as Thieves raises an interesting question about the worth of games. Because simply measured by the hours you can play and the craftsmanship that’s on display, Thick as Thieves is worth its small asking price. Yet it does not feel like a good deal, because after the first two hours you’ll have seen most of what the game has to offer. The few additional ideas the game hermetically seals behind grinding away at repetitive missions. It’s got the potential to bloom into something interesting, but right now it’s a proof of concept that’s unfortunately marketed to a very saturated co-op gaming market.

Battlestar Galactica: Scattered Hopes is a love letter to a franchise that’s been criminally underrepresented in the gaming world. This roguelike blends together the moral dilemmas that make the series so memorable with nail-biting RTS battles. While not all elements land equally, the whole package is well worth it for both fans of the franchise as well as those looking for their next rogue-like itch.

Schrodinger's Cat Burglar is a charming fusion of the cuteness of Stray and the cerebral puzzling of Portal. It blends those elements seamlessly together into a charming and very accessible package without compromising the thoughtful design of its puzzle rooms. The addition of a local cooperative mode makes it an easy recommendation for any families or couples wanting to spend a few rainy afternoons.

Yoshi and the Mysterious Book has turned out to be an exceptionally relaxed platformer with a creative, exploration-focused approach. The graphics are lovely, the levels are varied, and there is plenty of optional content to discover. However, those looking for a gameplay challenge will find little to satisfy them here.

Legacy of the Dark Knight skillfully blends the signature style and humor of the Lego games with numerous gameplay elements borrowed from Rocksteady's Batman: Arkham series. The result is a truly excellent action-adventure – and so far one of the best Lego titles released by TT Games.

A gorgeous and content-packed open-world racer that perfectly captures the spirit of Japan. Forza Horizon 6 may not reinvent the series, but Playground Games once again delivers one of the best arcade racing experiences on the market.

Outbound successfully blends cozy exploration, light survival mechanics and creative base-building into a relaxing road-trip adventure. While the overwhelming amount of crafting stations and the slow early-game pacing can occasionally hurt the flow, the beautiful art style, satisfying progression loop and charming camper customization create a unique and atmospheric experience for fans of the genre.

Directive 8020 delivers entertaining sci-fi horror with strong atmosphere, improved gameplay flow and impressive presentation. However, its predictable story, simplistic mechanics and weak German voice acting prevent Supermassive Games from reaching the heights of its best interactive horror experiences.

Mixtape absolutely nails what it's trying to do. It is a nostalgic but timeless story about growing up, what music can mean to us and how life usually finds a way to throw a wrench into our best laid plans. The game might not be challenging and offers virtually no replay value but instead is best played in one or two big sessions to be immersed into its world and characters.

The makers of the Max Payne and Alan Wake franchises have done it again with Control. Now also available on iPhone and iPad, the Ultimate Edition offers AAA gaming in your hands that is an absolute must-play.

While there are many failed crowd-funding efforts, Sea of Stars is quite the opposite. If you were around in the 90s and loved the console RPGs of that era, you won't want to miss this gem.

Invincible VS delivers a fast-paced and surprisingly accessible 3v3 fighting experience with satisfying combo depth and strong source-material authenticity. Its brutal presentation captures the tone of the comics and animated series exceptionally well. While the core gameplay feels polished and responsive, the multiplayer modes remain fairly traditional for the genre. Overall, it’s a compelling fighter for fans of the franchise and a solid contender for FGC players looking for something fresh.

MotoGP 26 delivers refined handling and a solid racing experience, but lacks meaningful innovation. A good entry for newcomers, yet only a modest upgrade for returning players. The core is strong, but progression and career depth still feel underdeveloped.

Saros is one of the strongest Game of the Year contenders of 2026. While it features typical roguelite frustrations, it never feels unfair and instead rewards persistence. Housemarque refines what made Returnal great while making the experience more accessible. The result is an intense, atmospheric shooter that stands out in the genre.

Quotation forthcoming.

Little Nightmares VR: Altered Echoes successfully brings the series’ signature horror atmosphere into an immersive first-person VR experience. Its chapter-based structure keeps gameplay varied with stealth, climbing, and chase sequences. However, the snap-turn camera system can break immersion during tense moments. Overall, it’s a strong VR entry for fans, though its dark visuals and controls have minor drawbacks.

Sudden Strike 5 seems to develop the storied franchise into different directions. On the one side, the new card system for commanders allows for more flexibility and some of the new mission designs lean towards faster, more accessible action. Yet the almost complete lack of handholding or explanation of deeper game systems makes it extremely hard to get started for newer players. However, despite these flaws, the core game is excellent, even if it leans towards learning through failure.

Thanks to its exciting post-apocalyptic setting, varied gameplay, and innovative follower system that allows for indirect cooperation between players, developer DixiArt has significantly improved upon its previous offerings with "Tides of Tomorrow." While the action elements are mechanically mediocre and technical flaws become more frequent later on, these shortcomings are easily overlooked given the game's other strengths.

While it can't quite live up to the cult status of its older sibling, Vampire Crawlers is a surprisingly robust adaptation of the visuals, charme and gameplay feel of its predecessor. Especially the twist of trying to build your deck around seamlessly flowing cheap cards into expensive cards is both original and enough to carry the weight of the otherwise very familiar experience.

Cralon is an atmospheric indie dungeon crawler that blends classic RPG elements with an old-school design. While exploration and crafting are engaging, combat feels imprecise and sometimes frustrating. Despite its flaws, it’s a charming debut with clear potential.

Tomodachi Life: Living the Dream is a humorous, ultra-relaxed life simulation with some creative freedom but low gameplay demands. It's fun to connect the Mii villagers, dress them up, feed them, and play with them. However, you're essentially doing the same things over and over again, which is why some will quickly lose interest, while others won't be able to get enough even after weeks.

After many years we finally get to play “Replaced” and if you care about the story, the setting and its impeccable atmosphere you will have a tremendous time. The combat mostly flows excellently and looks amazing, the platforming feels nice and fluid if it doesn’t get annoying by the weird checkpoints and odd camera positions and the story offers a lot of depth if you are willing to read a lot of text. If all of those mentioned “buts” seem like a dealbreaker to you then you probably will be frustrated by all of it. If you manage to look past them and just immerse yourself in this gameworld you will be thoroughly entertained though.

The Occultist is a relatively short, but very varied haunted castle ride through almost every horror cliché you can imagine. It enough earnest effort and atmosphere to make the journey worthwhile, even if neither the stealth nor the puzzles really live up to their potential.

Fortunately, multitasking gameplay in Pragmata doesn't really mean you have to do everything at once. It's enough to constantly shift your focus between shooting, dye dodging, and hacking. And that's fun! Even better than the combat and the spectacular graphics are the story and atmosphere, which, despite the other strengths, are the absolute highlight.

A new protagonist, a new environment, but the same engaging gameplay loop that players loved so much about the original game returns in this standalone expansion. If you have any interest at all in exploring and crafting, then Subnautica: Below Zero will absolutely scratch that itch.

While it builds on the games that came before, Oceanhorn 3 also changes things up a bit for the franchise in terms of gameplay mechanics as well as character development. But at the end of the day, it still offers the charm the franchise is known for, making for a really fun third entry into the series.

Raccoin adds a delightfully physical element to the booming gambling rogue-like genre. Where games like Balatro are mostly cerebral, Raccoin finds a new and addictive mix between strategy, skill and luck. With a treasure trove of special coins, all interacting with each other in unique ways, we can't help but lose all of our hard earned money to the charming virtual raccoon.

During its strongest moments Darwin’s Paradox! is an absolute joy. No matter if you have to solve simple puzzles, escape from danger at high speed or just jump through complex platforming sections, Darwin feels great to control and offers fun and varied gameplay. On top of that he is a lovely and great looking protagonist and the design of other creatures and the world itself is topnotch. The game suffers from issues with the camera, dips in the framerate and some traps and dangers during the gameplay are just too well hidden to spot on a first playthrough. Ultimately these things don’t matter too much as “Darwin’s Paradox!” is just a blast to play.

Life is Strange: Reunion does a good job narratively and atmospherically. Gameplay-wise, it's quite varied, but typical of the series, it's not particularly challenging. Fans clearly benefit from their prior knowledge and love for the heroines. However, newcomers to the series will noticeably miss out on something because of this.

Super Mario Bros. Wonder remains an excellent platformer on the Switch 2, only even more visually appealing. The additions to the Bellabel Park expansion are primarily worthwhile for multiplayer enthusiasts, as only the numerous versus and co-op minigames offer long-term enjoyment. Those who prefer to play entirely solo will have completed the suitable additions within two to five hours depending on skill level.

Screamer offers good, lightning-fast arcade racing that, despite all the speed and (potential) chaos, also possesses tactical depth. However, the sometimes severe balance issues in story mode result in significant deductions in the overall score. Narratively, the game is only okay, but anime fans will definitely get much more out of the presentation and the deliberately exaggerated characters than everyone else.

Marathon is polarizing. On one hand you have some of the best aspects that the FPS genre has to offer. Fantastic feeling guns, absolutely smooth movement and distinct but mostly balanced characters. It is just a joy to play. Marathon also offers more story and lore than most other competitors which can easily be skipped as well. It offers so much if you are willing to take the time to learn all the ins and outs. Because on the negative side Marathon also offers barely any help if you want to learn all of the mechanics it has to offer. You either have to have outside help or invest a ton of time. It is a game that isn’t too inviting to newcomers but that is something that is perfectly fine if you are in for the ride.

Crimson Desert is a beautiful and technologically impressive collection of various gameplay and simulation ideas that struggle to find together into a cohesive whole. Over dozens of hours the game meanders, only to hit you with a moment where every obtuse element suddenly clicks together, offering a truly groundbreaking experience. Though immediately after you're tasked with something so odd, such as cleaning chimneys that you can't help but wonder if this is all an elaborate social experiment.

Once again, developer Spiders' game falls short of being a must-have RPG, primarily due to questionable game balance. However, Greedfall: The Dying World is ultimately a decent role playing game that fans of the genre, and especially those who have previously enjoyed the work of the French studio, shouldn't miss.

Toxic Commando is a fun cooperative zombie shooter that shines when played with friends. Its large maps, brutal zombie hordes and flexible class system provide plenty of chaotic action, even if the pacing occasionally suffers from the open level design. Vehicles and progression add variety, but sometimes slow the flow of combat. While it doesn’t quite reach the heights of genre classics like Left 4 Dead, it’s still an entertaining co-op experience for players looking for their next zombie-slaying session.

Even after more than 20 years Fatal Frame 2 still offers a surprisingly fresh take on combat as well as a very creepy and dense atmosphere. This is paired with a very strong and emotional story about twin sisters that are lost in a forsaken village deep in the Japanese woods. Unfortunately this remake runs at only 30FPS on every console it will be available on which gets in the way of having fun. Pair that with a lack of genuine horror moments, a lot of predictable jump scares and obnoxious film grain and Fatal Frame 2: Crimson Butterfly REMAKE becomes a diamond in the rough for fans of the genre only.

Star Trek: Voyager - Across the Unknown is a love letter to the iconic TV series through and through. Fans in particular will love feeling the weight of Captain Janeway's responsibility on their shoulders throughout. However, newcomers to Star Trek may find it quite difficult to get into due to the unspectacular presentation.

Monster Stories 3: Twisted Reflection doesn't reinvent the wheel, but with improved gameplay, early access to large monsters, and numerous other detailed enhancements, it still surpasses its neat predecessor. Anyone who enjoys cool monsters and remarkably dynamic turn-based combat will find plenty to like here.

WWE 2K26 still delivers entertaining wrestling action with plenty of content and familiar strengths inside the ring. However, the game is increasingly overshadowed by aggressive monetization, a slow progression system, and only minor gameplay improvements. While fans of the series will still find moments to enjoy, the lack of meaningful innovation and the heavy focus on microtransactions make this year's entry difficult to fully recommend.

If you haven't played the Tomb Raider reboot yet, you now have one less excuse. Even though it is well over a decade old at this point, the mixture of puzzles, action and exploration holds up well and is still absolutely worth playing today.

Reigns: The Witcher neatly combines the two Franchises and delivers another worthy entry in the now decade-old Reigns franchise. With plenty of Witcher source material to work with, this entertains for hours, as the formula works as good as we have come to expect.

Planet of Lana 2 succeeds exactly where it matters most. It keeps building of a solid foundation laid by the first game, but expands the scope of both the puzzles and the story without leaving behind the uniquely meditative atmosphere. It’s an absolute must for fans of the first game and those who are looking for a more positive spin on genre favourites like Inside or Reanimal.

For fans of the genre or Scott Pilgrim Scott Pilgrim EX is basically a must have. It sounds awesome, looks gorgeous and mostly plays excellently. Thanks to its broad roster of characters and a ton of items to equip it offers great replayability for both solo or multiplayers. While the characters are written in a lovely way the overall story is lacking and sometimes it’s hard to keep track of everything on the screen in big fights it is still an incredibly fun and engaging game.

Esoteric Ebb is just great. It’s not only clever regarding its gameplay but also its fantastically written dialogue. If you’re into a narrative roleplaying game in the vein of Dungeons & Dragons then Esoteric Ebb is an absolute must play.

In some areas, the progression system could benefit from a bit more transparency, allowing players to work towards specific goals more effectively. However, thanks to its charming atmosphere, numerous freedoms, a completely stress-free and accessible gameplay, and of course, the Pokémon themselves, Pokémon Pokopia has become a wonderful cozy game – perhaps even one of the best ever.

Tales of Berseria Remastered is a successful re-release of the acclaimed action RPG hit, offering welcome modernizations. Although some old weaknesses remain, this is still a dark fantasy adventure that will stay with you for a long time.

Reigns: The Witcher is a smart and charming crossover that captures the strengths of both franchises. Strong writing and replayable systems keep it engaging, even if the added combat feels slightly out of place.

Resident Evil Requiem is technically impressive, but above all, the ninth installment in the series essentially delivers two games in one: a classic survival horror adventure with Grace and gripping survival action with Leon. The story is pure fan service. It's different from the last two installments, but clearly a strong contender for the top spot in the series.

A god of war in training, still far from his later primal power and visual impact. Even limited to two dimensions, Kratos performs quite well overall. However, a certain lack of clarity, little innovation, and a difficulty level that is not always balanced could have been avoided, which would have significantly enhanced this appetizer until the next regular “God of War” release.

Demon Tides is a masterclass in movement. Chaining jumps, glides and wallruns together with such ease is exemplary and deserves recognition. The only downside is that there's often stretches of more empty feeling "open world" between the highlights of platforming excellence. However, as a complete package, there's no doubt Demon Tides is a must for platformer fans.

If you have never played a Visual Novel and were always curious about the genre then PARANORMASIGHT: The Mermaid’s Curse and its predecessor are as good a place as any to start. Combining a fantastic cast of lovable characters with a grounded but very paranormal story is a joy to play through. Added on top are great visuals and a lovely soundtrack. Smaller issues with the controls for controllers or sometimes greatly exaggerated sound effects hamper the fun only very slightly.

With Styx: Blades of Greed, developer Cyanide continues the series at a decent level. However, there are no innovations that significantly improve the gameplay experience. Improvements such as the even more open areas are offset by drawbacks such as the largely consequence-free temporary escape from enemies.

Heart of the Forest might be very interesting if you don’t mind low-budget horror flicks. It often feels a bit dull and meandering with a ton of scenes just showing one or several of the protagonists stumbling through the gorgeous Black Forest. For an FMV game you also do not get a lot of choices, especially choices that have a lot of meaning. But from the first to the last second it is very obvious how much love and passion has been put into this project which makes it stand above a lot of other similar projects in this space.

Disciples: Domination is a well-rounded, slow-paced strategy RPG with a strong dark-fantasy atmosphere and plenty of content. Its mix of turn-based combat and kingdom management offers depth, but simple battles, weak AI, and minor technical issues hold it back. A good, but not outstanding, entry for patient strategy fans.

Reanimal is a stylistically and atmospherically excellent, varied horror platformer. You can also experience it across platforms in local and cross-platform co-op. The puzzles are somewhat lacking, but the action is particularly intense. However, this doesn't detract from a gripping horror experience, as good as Little Nightmares 3 should have been.

Mario Tennis Fever offers good and, thanks to its many game modes, varied fun sports entertainment. However, this spectacular, sometimes very chaotic arcade tennis game doesn't quite reach the thrill and scope of Mario Kart World.

If you have never played Yakuza 3 before and want to experience it for yourself then Yakuza 3 Kiwami & Dark Ties is probably the way to go now. It feels modern and the newly added things and story beats fit perfectly fine into the game for the most part. Unfortunately the games engine starts to really show its cracks by now and the amount of reused “new” content is starting to reach a critical point.

Ride 6 delivers a solid evolution of Milestone’s motorcycle series, with improved visuals, flexible handling options, and a more engaging career structure. The AI can feel overly aggressive at times, and the presentation isn’t always top tier, but overall it stands as the most complete and accessible entry so far.

Mewgenics is surprisingly difficult to unpack. Not because it reinvents the rogue-like genre, but because it finds new twists on the formula repeatedly within its own playtime. There's new discoveries, new combinations and new ways to horrifyingly lose your cats around every corner. It strikes an unusual balance of frustration and motivation, where you always feel like fighting an unfair fight, but have just enough agency to blame yourself instead of the game.

My Hero Academia: All's Justice offers fans of the anime series in particular an exciting gaming experience that impresses with its fantastic presentation. Unlike Deku & Co., however, the gameplay fails to transcend its limitations.

Nioh 3 is the best installment in the series so far! The dual character system, with its two completely different fighting styles (Samurai and Ninja), makes for thrilling and varied action. The sheer number of spectacular bosses adds to the appeal. But the richly detailed and highly motivating semi-open world also makes the third installment of Team Ninja's action RPG stand out within the series and the Soulslike genre in general.

The 9th Charnel starts with promising atmosphere and a solid sense of slow-burning horror, but quickly falls apart due to severe technical issues, clumsy gameplay design, and extremely poor enemy AI. While its sound design and a few environmental details manage to create tension at times, weak animations, repetitive mechanics, and immersion-breaking stealth sequences ultimately undermine the experience. An ambitious concept that, unfortunately, never comes together.

A successfully pimped up classic with a speed boost that may appear a little too modern for retro fans and a little too old-fashioned for contemporary players. Nevertheless, the short story structure, fantastic soundtrack, and meaningful gameplay innovations are sure to impress.

Cairn is an outstanding game. The realistic climbing system doesn’t only feel great but lets you connect to the protagonist in unexpected ways. Climbing difficult passages requires you and Aava working in tandem which feels exciting and unique. It can feel frustrating and requires a lot of patience but rewards the player with almost complete freedom and exhilarating moments of success. Accessibility options allow you to tweak the experience for an easier time but also lessens the overall experience.

Code Vein 2 delivers a more accessible take on the Soulslike formula, combining decent anime visuals with a forgiving combat system and a story-driven time-travel twist. While the game offers solid boss fights and deep character customization, technical issues and uneven level design hold it back from greatness. It may not redefine the genre, but it remains an enjoyable experience for Soulslike fans with a taste for anime aesthetics.

If you haven’t had a chance to jump into the new Final Fantasy VII trilogy then Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade is the perfect starting point. It includes not only everything that has been released so far, is now available for all modern platforms but also benefits from the fantastic Streamline Progressions (which will be available everywhere) that offer more accessibility than ever for the title.

In a world where the genre of simulators is as broad as jobs are in the real world“Quarantine Zone: The Last Check manages to stand out. The core gameplay loop of checking for symptoms and getting rid of infected as well as managing your checkpoint is fun, engaging and addictive. Unfortunately the rest of the game suffers from rather weak graphics and sounds as well as hard to navigate menus that dull the general enjoyment of the game.

Animal Crossing: New Horizons has already been a great game at its release in 2020, but with the free update to version 3.0 it's even better. Including 12 instead of 8 players online, little better graphics and shorter loading times the Switch 2 has a small extra plus over the also updated Switch 1.

MIO: Memories in Orbit is a beautifully crafted and atmospheric Metroidvania that rewards exploration, patience, and skill. Its strong visual style, fair challenge, and smart progression systems make it a standout indie title. Fans of Hollow Knight: Silksong in particular will find a compelling and memorable sci-fi adventure here.

Even though it does not quite offer the detailed world and feature depth of the second game, the original Red Dead Redemption is still an amazing game that hooks you with its story and characters from the beginning and never lets up.

The fun roguelike mechanics combined with the ressource management aspects make Cult of the Lamb an absolutely worthwhile game for anyone with an interest in the genre.

While Rogue Trader is a brilliant roleplaying game with incredible depth both in player expression and a gripping world, the Switch 2 version is unfortunately inferior to all other plattforms due to the restrictions of the console’s hardware and poor optimisation. This either needs steep discounts, numerous patches or both.

In the aspects where it counts, Skate Story absolutely rules. It’s a joy to play once you get used to the controls, it oozes style, the vibes are tremendous and the soundtrack is out of this world. It suffers from the aforementioned control issues and its enormous weirdness might be a turn some people off but overall it’s just a genuine blast to play.

Men in Black: Most Wanted is pretty much what’s on the cover. A fairly generic VR shooter with a pretty well done MIB coat of paint. It’s far from a disappointing VR cash grab, but falls short in terms of new ideas and technical prowess. For fans, it’s safe to grab, but everyone else can wait for a sale.

Farming Simulator: Signature Edition offers virtually the same content as Farming Simulator 25 on PC, PS5, and Xbox Series, with mostly the same strengths and weaknesses. However, the visual downgrade on the Switch 2 is already too noticeable. Furthermore, there are serious performance issues that severely impact both playability and enjoyment.

If you like slow and deliberate horror then Routine is an absolute must. It’s positively dripping in atmosphere and does a tremendous job of immersing you on this seemingly lost place on the moon. It looks great and offers incredible music and even better sound design. When it comes to the gameplay it is unfortunately rather bland. It does what it does pretty alright but it never reaches the heights it offers in its other elements.

Octopath Traveler 0 delivers one of the most polished and engaging pixel RPG experiences of the year. Its tactical combat, rich cast of characters, and emotionally grounded village-rebuilding system create a deeply satisfying adventure. The lack of German localisation is a major drawback, but anyone willing to read a lot of English will find a beautifully crafted and surprisingly dark journey worth every hour.

Metroid Prime 4: Beyond is a worthy successor to the classic first-person adventures of Samus Aran. The blend of shooter, puzzles, platforming, and exploration works well, although the core gameplay is somewhat linear. What most of the regular combat lacks in style, the superbly designed bosses more than make up for.

If you ever wanted to learn more about the city of Berlin and its history or if you just want to enjoy a short but smart and emotional narrative game then you should look no further than The Berlin Apartment. While the gameplay is too simplistic and doesn’t really elevate the stories that are told it rarely gets in the way of enjoying the story of Berlin and the people that lived there during several times of human and political turmoil.