Yakuza Kiwami 3 is a bold remake of the series' most divisive entry, which, instead of cutting the mocked segments, puts them on display. A modernized combat system and a mountain of side content keep pace with today's standards, even if the innovations are minimal. As a whole, it is an accessible and more dramatic version of the third game, and simultaneously one of the most personal chapters of Kiryu's story, which is well worth playing to understand the later entries.

An unconventional action game that chaotically dances to the bizarre rhythm of Goichi Suda’s drum. It is flawed, incoherent, and narratively disjointed, offering little emotional payoff, but also undeniably great and refreshingly different.

A compact horror experience filled with the essence that made the original Little Nightmares so memorable. Its cryptic, nightmare-like narrative resonates and maintains tension until the very end, leaving lingering questions. Every scene—from camera work to lighting and sound—is meticulously crafted. While not striving for radical innovation, Tarsier Studios demonstrates clear growth in what it does best.

A city-builder unlike any other. Limited space creates a constant challenge, while the visual presentation and interconnected mountain systems impress. The lack of user tools is disappointing, and the game lacks deeper complexity, but it doesn’t necessarily need it, given its focus on rapid early expansion. Growth becomes more of a logical puzzle, and settling one mountain after another remains consistently engaging, offering a campaign of around 20 hours and dozens more in scenarios and challenges.

A solid remaster that improves the camera and navigation while preserving everything that worked and some of the original’s rough edges. The combat system feels somewhat dated by modern standards, but remains enjoyable. The game is still carried by its excellent voice acting, music, and story, which delivers a satisfying conclusion that unifies the events of Soul Reaver and the original Legacy of Kain into a cohesive whole.

A fantastic combination of Pokémon, a building sandbox, and a cozy life simulator that can absorb you for dozens of hours. It can feel slightly overwhelming at times, but ultimately stands as a dream come true for fans of Pokémon and Animal Crossing, and one of the best reasons to own a Nintendo Switch 2.

A confident and stylish extraction shooter that stands out through its atmosphere, richly developed world, and the signature gunplay Bungie is known for. It offers surprisingly accessible progression and a strong identity that sets it apart from trend-chasing competitors. A weak tutorial, cluttered UI, fast-paced combat, and high skill demands make it less approachable, but those who push through the rough start will find an intense and addictive experience among the better entries in the genre.

The third Stories entry finally lives up to its name, driven by a strong narrative that keeps it engaging throughout. Giving the protagonist a voice and clear motivation proves beneficial, as do the stronger bonds within the party. Combat is more varied and enjoyable, and the restored ecosystems make hunting for the ultimate monster especially rewarding. The open world and side quests may feel underwhelming, but they represent only a small portion of the overall content.

This Switch 2 upgrade is exactly what it appears to be: big, playful, imaginative, and somewhat unnecessary addition. The foundation of one of the best 2D Mario games remains extremely solid, and the new content adds interesting challenges, though somewhat puzzlingly focuses primarily on multiplayer.

A captivatingly poetic and wildly unrestrained journey that this time also delivers more refined gameplay. The PC version is an excellent port with nothing to worry about.

An impressive sci-fi action game that stands out with its inventive fusion of shooting and hacking, a strong duo of likable characters, and top-tier audiovisual presentation that showcases Capcom’s flair for innovation and craftsmanship. An opulent blockbuster that, despite its relatively compact scope, never feels lacking in content or fun. Pragmata easily ranks among the most striking games in recent years.

An intriguing blend built on the core of classic cooperative zombie action, enhanced by well-made vehicle traversal across challenging terrain. Randomized map layouts boost replayability, though greater variety would help. John Carpenter’s name isn't there for nothing; the epic visuals combined with a bombastic soundtrack do justice to the horror master’s legacy.

A grand return of a horror legend that balances survival horror and action, not all ideas landing equally well. As a whole, however, it is a superbly crafted, audiovisually stunning, and highly entertaining blockbuster that confirms Capcom’s firm grasp on its flagship series. Despite minor issues, it stands as a fantastic horror ride that only narrowly misses the absolute peak of the franchise.

Pathologic 3 channels the spirit of classic Russian literature in a more accessible form. It is an intensely oppressive experience that approaches the story of a plague-stricken town in unconventional ways. Its masterfully constructed narrative and singular atmosphere consistently subvert expectations, framed within a surprisingly compelling gameplay (time) loop whose repetition only begins to wear thin in the later stages. At the same time, it demands significantly less discomfort and hardship than either of its predecessors.

Octopath Traveler 0 is not a bad game, but the silent protagonist and somewhat impersonal party diminish some of its narrative impact. The individual storylines compete in their darkness and at times push the drama unnecessarily far. However, new features such as village building and the addition of two combat rows refresh the proven formula, resulting in an addictive and entertaining JRPG that can easily provide dozens of hours of enjoyment.

MIO: Memories in Orbit is an outstanding metroidvania that easily stands alongside genre giants like Ori and the Blind Forest and Hollow Knight. Its watercolor visuals and captivating, vibrant world full of hazards and secrets kept me glued to the screen for dozens of hours without a single dull moment. The only minor drawback lies in the less engaging classic combat encounters during exploration, though this can be somewhat mitigated through settings.

Cairn is a first-rate climbing simulator that goes far beyond its genre. It captivates with its environment and vistas, soothes with its melodic tones, moves with stories grounded in basic human experiences, prompts reflection on one’s own motivation, and rewards effort of any kind: Significant or small. A profound experience that lingers long after playing, and even when the summit is reached, its repeated call continues to resonate within.

Nioh 3 is not without flaws: It could be more expansive, offer a wider variety of weapons, and feature a more diverse bestiary. Even so, it stands as the most entertaining soulslike since Elden Ring. The ability to switch between samurai and ninja adds new depth to combat, while the option to tailor a fighting style to personal preference works exceptionally well. The thoughtfully designed open world encourages exploration without compromising the game’s tough but fair difficulty. For fans of the series and the genre alike, it represents a clear high point of the trilogy.

Mewgenics is a tactical RPG that only appears cute on the surface, hiding beneath its layer of meows an unprecedentedly deep, brutally addictive, and creatively unrestrained system that rewards experimentation, tolerates failure, and joyfully breaks its own rules. It offers an almost endless number of combinations, constant surprises, and the sense of playing something that refuses to repeat itself or pander. It can easily consume hundreds of hours without ever feeling exhausted or self-indulgent, while confidently pushing the entire genre forward. If a modern gold standard for tactical roguelite RPGs exists, its name is Mewgenics.

Terminator 2D: NO FATE is an honest excursion into the nineties, which does not deny the short footage, repetitive structure or uncompromising difficulty, but balances all this with a genuine love for the golden era of action films and games. Bitmap Bureau, with respect for the original, serves up a brisk, imaginative and surprisingly atmospheric retro arcade that not only evokes nostalgia from the Terminator, but also offers solid gameplay and several pleasant ideas. If you enjoy the smell of the nineties, brutal fights and beautiful pixel art, Terminator 2D works as a great nostalgic ride.

Mysteria Ecclesiae serves as a dignified final chapter to Kingdom Come: Deliverance. It offers a tightly focused story about faith and guilt that draws the player in and holds attention until the very end. The Sedlec Monastery captivates with its atmosphere and perfectly complements the melancholic tone of Jindřich’s farewell. Mysteria Ecclesiae does not strive for grandeur, but for beauty in the details, and in that, it truly succeeds.

Dispatch, the superhero title from AdHoc, builds on the early roots of Telltale and delivers one of the finest games in its genre. It features an excellent story that blends humor, action, and interpersonal drama. Choices are not merely cosmetic and genuinely alter the course of scenes and even the characters who appear in them. Thanks to engaging hacking mechanics and, above all, the core simulation of a superhero dispatcher, it also plays well and never feels like just a movie with the occasional dialogue option. Superb voice acting and music are simply the icing on the cake.

A massive, expansive, and highly distinctive expansion for Crusader Kings III. Though it occasionally suffers from the developers’ overambition, it significantly enriches the base game and offers a truly unique experience set in East Asia.

Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment delivers a stylish, action-packed spectacle that proves even a Zelda spin-off can offer a full-fledged experience. Koei Tecmo successfully combines massive battles, a surprisingly strong narrative, and well-crafted gameplay systems into a game that rewards every button press with a rush of dopamine. While some repetition inevitably sets in and the base difficulty could be higher, it remains an entertaining and technically polished title that will satisfy both Zelda fans and lovers of pure, unfiltered action.

Europa Universalis V has a bright future ahead and the potential to become the ruler of grand strategy games. Its complexity serves as both its greatest challenge and its strongest asset. It’s unlikely to win over newcomers to the genre, but devoted map painters will undoubtedly fall in love with it. This is Paradox Interactive’s most ambitious project to date, and if the studio maintains its long-term support, it will stand without equal.

A highly competent return to the era when action games were fast, precise, and demanding without constantly reminding how hard they were. More importantly, it recalls a time when such games were still plentiful. Ninja Gaiden 4 is an excellent title for fans of the genre, though a few shortcomings may keep others at bay.

Pokémon Legends: Z-A brings a fresh, action-oriented take on the series, breathing new life into the world of Kalos with dynamic real-time battles. Lumiose City feels alive, a richly explorable environment full of secrets and meaningful interactions. While the game occasionally stumbles over minor technical issues and slight control imprecision, it ultimately delivers a captivating and thoroughly enjoyable spin-off.

ARC Raiders is an unexpected triumph of the extraction genre, combining breathtaking audiovisual design with accessible and captivating gameplay. Embark Studios has created a world that not only dazzles visually but also surprises with the warmth of its community. With a well-thought-out progression system, meaningful expeditions, excellent map design, and impressive sound work, it’s a game that entertains far beyond the usual limits of its genre. Despite minor shortcomings in weapon variety and occasional confusion in the loot system, ARC Raiders stands as proof that an extraction shooter can be welcoming, stylish, and exceptionally fun.