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.

Monster Hunter Rise: Sunbreak offers just more of the same at first glance. New monsters, a new difficulty, new maps and a new campaign to follow. Those who dare to sink their teeth into this behemoth of a game will quickly notice however, that there have been tweaks and changes to not only empower the players even further by reducing busywork and introducing new, flashy skills, but more critically empower the monsters. This adds some much-needed challenge to the game, even if the overall difficulty is still on the lower end of what fans of the series have come to expect. The follower quests need to be especially highlighted as a clever and fun replacements for the unpopular rampage quests.

As a child, did you also like building towers and houses out of wooden blocks - only to tear them down with catapults and battering rams? "Abriss - Build to Destroy" serves exactly this feeling, adding the challenge of having to construct the destruction devices first. A game with brutalist architecture, spectacular graphics and an awesome electronic soundtrack.

Sons of the Forest does pretty much everything better than its already very successful predecessor The Forest: The game world is bigger and more beautiful, the enemies are more varied and act more flexibly, the crafting options have been massively expanded - all of which makes this survival horror game one of the best in its genre.

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.

With Granblue Fantasy Versus: Rising, the fighting game professionals at Arc System Works have achieved the feat of making an already excellent game even better. Thanks to more characters and refined gameplay, this is a great entry point for newcomers and veterans alike.

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.

If you wanted to know how the future of the Pokémon series could look, play and feel, you will find the answer in Pokémon Legends Arceus. It is a modern 3D action RPG with open and free deployment areas, immersive real-time catching, active stealth mechanic and seamless gameplay even between exploring and combat. Arceus feels fresh and great in nearly any aspect. And don't be afraid as a fan: Game Freak simultaneously succeeds in brilliantly retaining the core elements of Pokémon games.

Monster Hunter Rise: Sunbreak offers just more of the same at first glance. New monsters, a new difficulty, new maps and a new campaign to follow. Those who dare to sink their teeth into this behemoth of a game will quickly notice however, that there have been tweaks and changes to not only empower the players even further by reducing busywork and introducing new, flashy skills, but more critically empower the monsters. This adds some much-needed challenge to the game, even if the overall difficulty is still on the lower end of what fans of the series have come to expect. The follower quests need to be especially highlighted as a clever and fun replacements for the unpopular rampage quests.

Bowser's Fury is much more than just a bonus. Despite the fact that it is relatively short, it still feels like a fully fleshed Mario jump and run. Packed with the great main game including the long missed online co-op mode Super Mario 3D World + Bowers's Fury is a must have for every Switch user.

On Playstation 5, Tony Hawk continues where we left him last autumn. Thanks to improved loading times, we can now also enjoy the fluid frame rate, grippy controls and great music faster than ever.

Thanks to the brand new heat system, Tekken 8 impresses with even more heated and aggressive duels and thus hits exactly the right mark. Tekken has simply never played so well. A fantastic start to the video game year 2024 for all fighting game fans.

With the best story so far, that's a well done tribute to Japanese culture as well, and with its two widely different main heroes, Assassin's Creed Shadows is just one of the best parts of the series so far. Story, gameplay and dye atmosphere generate a great synergy making the game a must buy for action fans, especially for those who love Japan and want to experience the most groundbreaking part of the country's history.

An undeniable classic refined with modern graphics and controls, as well as a bevy of accessibility options. While it's still an amazing gaming experience, it does raise the question where the two sequels remain. The re-release on the Wii already showed the games' agelessness, even if the new graphical enhancements are welcome. Either an even lower retail price or more substancial changes would have been welcome, but what we got is still enough to make Metroid fans rejoice.

Ghost of Yōtei is just one of the best PS5 games so far and even better than its predecessor. The varied combat and stealth mechanics are fun. The open world feels much more open and organic than in Ghost of Tsushima. But, beside the fantastic soundtrack and gorgeous graphics, the best thing might be the intriguing plot that delivers much more depth and surprises than you would expect from a game that starts like a simple revenge story.

Walkabout Mini Golf is a veritable VR hit for a reason: The game offers intuitive, motivating gameplay and varied courses with quite a few challenges. At the same time, it proves that VR doesn't have to be hectic and exhausting at all - but can be a truly relaxing place to return to again and again.

A peaceful, minimalistic, and calming puzzle game that stands as something truly unique in the city-builder genre. You cannot fail, there’s no pressure - just enjoyment for those who want to switch off and forget about the outside world for 15 blessed minutes.

Final Fantasy XVI is a great RPG in nearly any aspect, concerning atmosphere, graphics including spectacular effects, twistful story or the fantastic soundtrack and voiceover. But the real star of this epic adventure is the combat system with its fast, fluid and diverse action, inspired by Hack-and-Slash dye games. Any fight is fun peaking in overwhelming bosses and mind-blowing Esper battles.

The creators manage to maintain the common story thread, but always adapt it so that the result feels fresh and interesting even for dye connoisseurs. This was already the case with the first part of the remake, but in our opinion it works even better here - also due to the open areas that hold many surprises and the excellent reinterpretation of key moments from back then. At the same time, what is on offer is told in such a way that even players without any prior knowledge of the series can find their way in easily.

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.

Starfield may not reinvent the wheel when it comes to Bethesda’s formula for role-playing games, but it cleverly combines the best elements of past games in a very appealing sci-fi setting. The highlights are no doubt the many well-written and well-designed quests that you’ll encounter throughout your journey through the settled systems. No matter what appeals to you as a player, be it nail-biting gunfights, the quiet construction of your own base or the thrills of laser-dodging dye dogfighting, Starfield has hours upon hours of content for you to lose yourself in.

Death Stranding 2 is looking better, increases comfort and reduces annoying gameplay aspects of part one. But although the story is better and there is (potentially) more spectacular combat, the appeal of something totally new that the first game could have claimed for itself is mostly gone.

Better graphics, great 3D sound, nice Dual Sense optimizations and noticeably improved loading times - the Uncharted: Legacy of Thieves Collection is currently the technically best way to again enjoy "Uncharted 4" and "Uncharted: The Lost Legacy". It’s just a shame that the multiplayer complex wasn’t remastered too, that the developers did not add any new content extras and that the upgrade concept does not work out for everyone.

Overall, the PlayStation 5 version of Baldur’s Gate 3 is well done. Some sacrifices in gameplay, graphics, and combat reduce the gameplay experience, especially for players who have already played the PC version.

Ghost of Tsushima – Director’s Cut is the best way to play Sucker Punch’s samurai-adventure. Especially PS5-gamers receive to full Next-Generation-experience, enjoying a visual masterpiece supported by great features for the dualsense-controller. The “Island Iki”-expansion on the other hand doesn’t deliver too much new stuff, but feels like a “Best of” of Ghost of Tsushima and fits well into the game.

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.

EA Sports F1 22 is another great outing for the series. Codemasters delivers on the track. Thanks to the changes in Formula 1, the game feels and plays different than last year. Adding Supercars and Pirelli Hotlaps fits the series well.

With the HD-remake Donkey Kong Country Returns remains an excellent platformer that still shines related to its gameplay and its (improved) visuals. If you already played the versions on Wii or 3DS, the new version on Switch seems a little bit too expensive despite the mostly visual upgrades. But if you love the genre and did not play the original game yet, Donkey Kong Country Returns HD is a must buy.