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.

Although set fifteen years after Liberation, it feels almost identical in gameplay. Fans of the first entry in the rebooted series will enjoy this one as well. Combat can become somewhat repetitive over time, though it remains engaging. The story is decent but not exceptional. While it does nothing particularly wrong, it also does little to stand out, but for those seeking a dark fantasy RPG with tactical combat, it might be worth the time investment.

An improvement over its predecessor in nearly every way. Still a colorful, vulgar, and talkative sci-fi hallucination, but now built around a genuinely strong shooter with good pacing, ideas, and fun movement enhanced by a skateboard. Despite overly long dialogue sequences and humor that may not appeal to everyone, it remains an entertaining experience throughout its roughly fourteen-hour runtime.

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.

The definition of mediocrity. An inoffensive but overly cautious spin-off that sticks rigidly to metroidvania conventions without stepping out of the shadow of its iconic name. In strong competition, it feels interchangeable and lacks the courage to innovate. Competent but unremarkable.

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 fun and highly accessible tennis arcade game that works best as a chaotic party experience. Its well-balanced mix of classic tennis and over-the-top abilities creates exciting matches full of tense moments. However, a weaker single-player mode and lack of long-term motivation mean the fun quickly fades without other players.

A short medieval tale that aims high but falls short. This debut from Sedleo Games attempts to evoke the simpler, linear experiences of seventh-generation titles, but lacks both the budget and ideas to succeed. Combat is unremarkable, puzzles uninspired, the story fragmented, and the technical state poor. What remains are sympathetic performances from the leads.

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.

A conflicted return of a cult horror classic that excels in atmosphere, story, and audiovisual presentation, but falters significantly in gameplay. While the eerie Japanese village and its gradually uncovered dark past rank among the genre’s highlights, frustrating and unbalanced combat, confusing navigation, and technical issues heavily undermine the experience. A game with immense potential and a strong core, but one that can only be recommended to the most dedicated horror fans.

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.

Styx returns in his biggest adventure yet. At its core, it remains the same game, but it is more enjoyable thanks to three large, brilliantly designed maps that encourage exploration and reward revisits with metroidvania-inspired elements. The series’ trademark B-movie charm is still present, but should not deter stealth fans from what works well.

A light, playful spin-off on The Witcher universe that works best in short sessions. Its catchy concept is undermined by repetition and a strange decision-making system. An ideal bite-sized mobile experience. Nothing more, nothing less.

A successful sci-fi take on the classic Heroes of Might and Magic formula, firmly rooted in familiar foundations while introducing enough new ideas to feel fresh and relevant. It excels in unit variety and interesting mechanics, but is held back by weaker balance, lengthy AI turns, limited faction diversity, and an unremarkable campaign. Still, it is an easy recommendation for fans of a genre with few modern entries.

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.

Starfield feels like a game that has come a long way but never quite reached its intended destination. The Free Lanes update significantly improves pacing, the technical state on PS5 is excellent, and some systems rank among Bethesda’s best work. Yet it never shakes the feeling that beneath layers of unnecessary activities lies a game that could (and should) have been something more.

In the end, Greedfall 2 is just another Spiders‘ game. With its great concept that struggles to deliver on many fronts. An average combat system is paired with equally average RPG mechanics, while the attractive world feels lifeless despite its limited number of locations and frequent revisits. The only element lifting it above mediocrity is a well-crafted story driven by companions and intriguing factions. Visual glitches further reinforce the sense of a game whose ambitions exceed its budget, which lacks the self-awareness to realize it.

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.

A massive game with a beautiful, engaging, and highly interactive world that is a joy to explore. It impresses with sheer content, compelling puzzles, numerous systems, and dynamic combat. However, weak boss fights, a bland story, uninspired quests, and clunky controls and UI leave noticeable blemishes on the overall experience.

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.

If crude humor appeals, and a road trip with friends full of situational comedy, swearing, and bizarre physics antics sounds enticing, this title delivers all of that, plus a charming visual style. Technically it could use some polish, but otherwise it is a more entertaining cooperative romp than expected. There’s no chance of boredom on this journey.

Warhammer 40,000: Rogue Trader remains an exceptional, superbly written RPG capable of captivating both long-time fans and newcomers, drawing them into the grim darkness of the 41st millennium for hundreds of hours. However, the Switch 2 port severely undermines the experience with poor performance, frequent technical issues, awkward control implementation, a noticeable graphical downgrade, and the absence of key DLC. Until substantial patches and the full content lineup arrive, this is a version best avoided.

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.

Of Ash and Steel is a conflicted RPG that stands out thanks to its grounded exploration of a distinctly European-flavored fantasy world and a functional character progression system. At its best, it feels like a return to older-school RPG design, though this impression is repeatedly undermined by frequent technical issues, broken quests, and illogical quality-of-life decisions. The game’s ambitions clearly exceed its execution.

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.

Tormented Souls 2 builds on nostalgia for classic survival horror with tank controls. It succeeds in creating a strong atmosphere despite overwrought dialogue and poorly executed animations in the story cutscenes. It will primarily satisfy fans of B-movie horror, as well as those who once trembled through the early Resident Evil games. Some may even forgive the missteps in combat difficulty tuning, as high-quality puzzles and well-designed levels ultimately reward those who persevere.

Sacred 2 Remaster is a textbook example of how a remaster should not be made. The result feels like half-finished work that not only fails to deliver any meaningful improvements, but is in many respects even worse than the original game. Technical issues, unattractive visuals, an outdated combat system, and poor optimization undermine even the few elements that might have worked. Sacred 2 was once a likeable action RPG with an original world, but the remaster turns it into little more than a relic of the past that should never have been revived. Those struck by nostalgia are far better off returning to the original game with community patches. It will be a much more rewarding experience.

Wreckreation is a hybrid of Burnout and Trackmania, but it falls well short of the qualities of either. The driving model is initially punishing in an unengaging way, and once it finally begins to make sense, it becomes clear that the game itself is largely empty and expects players to create their own fun. And that simply is not fun. The dream of a true Burnout successor therefore remains unfulfilled even 17 years after the last entry, as Wreckreation fails to deliver it.

Syberia returns after 23 years and shines only in part. The world of automatons looks wonderful in its new visuals, and the story remains faithful to the original. If nothing else had been changed, this would have been a dream come true. Unfortunately, the developers could not resist altering certain systems in illogical ways, seemingly neglected proper testing, and outright undermined their own work by leaving several sections in the original visuals, which completely breaks the carefully built immersion. The result is a game that is ultimately neither for newcomers nor for veterans, although the latter may manage to enjoy it through nostalgia, squinting past the flaws, and gritting their teeth.

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.

Escape from Tarkov offers a unique and extremely intense gameplay experience driven by its atmosphere and the constant tension of every shootout. However, this potentially outstanding experience is systematically undermined by a catastrophic technical state, unstable servers, cheaters, and a design that too often confuses “hardcore” with outright hostility toward the player. The result is a game that comes close to legendary status more because of its reputation than the actual quality of its 1.0 version.

Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 delivers a finely tuned multiplayer and a solid Zombies mode, but is dragged down by one of the weakest campaigns in the history of the series. The evolution of movement, perks, and shared progression is welcome, yet the futuristic setting diminishes the cinematic atmosphere, and the cooperative campaign fails both narratively and in terms of design. The result is a highly uneven entry that excels in PvP but disappoints everywhere else.

Metroid Prime 4: Beyond is a meticulously crafted sequel with a fantastic soundtrack, excellent boss fights, and impressive enclosed locations that prove Retro Studios has not lost its craftsmanship. However, just as strongly as the game can amaze, it can also disappoint: the open desert with the motorcycle stretches the pacing in an unwelcome way, backtracking feels more exhausting than it used to, and after a seventeen-year wait, the amount of new ideas is noticeably smaller than the series deserves. Beyond therefore remains most appealing to long-time fans.

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.

Escape from Duckov isn’t just a funny parody, nor is it a true hardcore extraction shooter, as it sits somewhere in between. It’s fun, but also a bit repetitive, sometimes overly random, and could use deeper mechanics. In the end, though, it remains an entertaining game that even those who dislike being shot at by real players can thoroughly enjoy.

Football Manager 26 is a disaster few could have imagined. An overwhelming number of bugs combined with a downright atrocious user interface turns this supposed new beginning into a barely playable mess. Amid the chaos, there are brilliant and irreplaceable innovations that make returning to previous installments unthinkable – which only makes the whole thing all the more tragic.

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.

The Outer Worlds 2 is a textbook example of a sequel that loses what once made the original compelling. Obsidian drowns in its own satire, trading sharp wit for an endless barrage of shallow quips about evil capitalism and bad fascism. The story feels dull, the world lifeless, and the technical side lags behind by at least two generations. What remains enjoyable is the brisk action, satisfying gunplay, solid soundtrack, and creative character progression.

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.

Anno 117: Pax Romana sends the city-building series into the Roman era with elegance, meticulous attention to detail, and stunning audiovisual design. The captivating rhythm of construction is only occasionally disrupted by technical issues and overly aggressive AI. Even so, it stands as a worthy successor – one that makes it easy to lose track of time.

Jotunnslayer is, first and foremost, perhaps the most visually striking Vampire Survivors clone, set against an appealing Nordic backdrop. Unfortunately, the game as a whole lacks the polish it deserves. Individual abilities are so powerful that they rarely demand strategic thought. Still, the title guides players through worlds that differ mechanically and feature engaging boss encounters. Once these worlds are completed, however, the experience loses momentum, as the endless mode barely functions.

A worthy successor to the delightfully unexpected detective hit Strange Horticulture. It boasts excellent writing, a strong audiovisual identity, a generous variety of puzzle types and a wonderfully bizarre catalogue of curious items. For the next installment, the narrative could use a more confident structure, a slightly shorter runtime would likely strengthen the pacing, and one unnecessary minigame should have been left on the cutting-room floor. Still, for anyone who delights in inventive deduction, and reading both between and beyond the lines, this is an adventure worth entertaining.

The blue hedgehog returns in full force with a hefty stack of aces up its sleeve. A generous selection of tracks, seamless world-to-world transitions mid-race, an energetic soundtrack, and a roster of familiar faces make for a highly enjoyable casual racing experience, while a solid pool of mechanics ensures that the competitive online component more than holds its own. With entertaining on-track boosts and weapons, plus the option to tailor driving style to personal preference, the result ranks among the best arcade racers available today, regardless of prior affinity for Sonic as a franchise.

It’s clear that Deep Rock Galactic managed to transfer its charisma even into this genre detour. Survivor, however, achieves far more than a simple spin-off. Beneath the familiar façade of space dwarves lies a cleverly designed game unafraid to demand precision and persistence. A well-built progression system and meaningful upgrades make it strikingly hard to put down. Forget the vampires: the age of stone and rubble has arrived. The king is dead; long live the king.

Super Mario Galaxy 1+2 serve as proof that true classics never age, while the gameplay, creativity and charm of both titles remain fully intact. The port runs smoothly, benefits greatly from 4K resolution and the controls translate surprisingly well. However, it is ultimately just a visual polish without any meaningful improvements, which makes the steep price feel a bit too self-assured.

The fact that EA Sports FC 26 remains the best football game on the market says more about the state of the competition than about the game itself. Nothing substantial has changed this year: old issues persist, and the systems that worked before still work reasonably well. In the end, it feels less like a triumph and more like a quiet acceptance of whatever the hegemon chooses to serve.

A moody return to a world shaped by childhood nightmares. Although the pacing occasionally dips due to less imaginative puzzles and some repetitive design choices, the experience still delivers an unsettling, wordless kind of storytelling that gets under the skin. It offers exactly what long-time fans of the series expect: another dark fable unafraid to be uncomfortable, both in themes and the way it plays.

Battlefield 6 delivers exactly what it set out to do: a polished, accessible, and satisfying modern military shooter aimed squarely at a mainstream audience. By steering clear of the pop-culture mashup trend currently engulfing many long-running shooters, it preserves a more grounded sense of identity. However, the experience is still held back by a lackluster campaign and the noticeable absence of truly large-scale maps that once defined the series.

Once Upon a Katamari is a delightfully bizarre and captivating experience that thrives on absurdity. Rolling up everything from dancing cockroaches and mermaids to entire ships or orcas creates a strangely hypnotic rhythm that grows more satisfying over time. For completionists, it serves as a treasure trove of challenges and oddities; for others, it offers a blend of laughter, bewilderment, and gentle confusion. It may not resonate with everyone, but its unapologetically eccentric charm is precisely what makes it special – every piece of joyful madness eventually finds its devoted audience.

Absolum is a fantastic fusion of a 90s-style beat 'em up and roguelite mechanics. The story drags a bit, but the gameplay loop will keep you hooked for dozens of hours before you even notice. A wide roster of playable characters and the option to tackle the run in co-op make the whole experience downright irresistible, and the soundtrack easily rivals the best of the year. Another hidden gem of 2025.

A meditative, visually enchanting adventure that draws you into a surreal world brought to life through a lonely lighthouse and its avian companion. It thrives on gentle exploration, interaction through light, and a softly implied narrative, with each location unfolding like a living work of art. While the puzzles are simple and the fixed camera can occasionally hinder navigation, these small shortcomings never overshadow its unique atmosphere and poetic charm.

An unexpected blend of modern vampire drama and noir detective fiction. The combat is serviceable, but any excitement it offers gets buried under repetitive city wandering and dull quest design. Bloodlines 2 isn’t the catastrophic failure some feared, yet it falls far short of the legend many had been waiting for.

Lego Voyagers is a charming co-op adventure that builds a surprisingly moving experience out of simple mechanics and a wordless story. While the camera and a few frustrating jumps can break the flow, and the playtime may feel a bit too short, the result is a compact, intense experience that shines brightest with two players sharing one couch. Light Brick Studio once again proves that even small bricks can carry big emotions.

Borderlands has found its identity again with the latest installment. The humor has been toned down, but the sheer fun of the gameplay has taken its place. The story could be stronger, though it’s far from the lows of the third entry, and the open world would benefit from more varied activities. On the other hand, it serves its purpose well as a playground for hunting top-tier loot, cosmetic trinkets, and mountains of gear. With every hour, I had more fun, and in the end, I’m left with the feeling that the series is finally back on the right track.

Kyle Crane is back – and so is his darker self. What started as a planned expansion has grown into a full-fledged game, offering more brutal action and a more appealing setting. Unfortunately, it’s once again packed with recycled activities and an utterly unnecessary story. Fans of the first game will find plenty to enjoy, with dozens of hours of content to sink into, but it still feels like something essential is missing – and something unnecessary is weighing it down.

Hades II is a worthy successor to a modern legend – bigger, darker, and more complex than its predecessor. It may not reach the absolute flawlessness of the first game, but still stands as one of the most remarkable roguelites in recent years, once again cementing Supergiant Games’ place atop the gaming Olympus.

Thrilling combat, captivating sound, and a breathtaking art style—these alone make Ghost of Yōtei well worth experiencing. The rest of the game, however, is harder to praise without reservations, and next time the developers would do well to embrace more experiments, rework the climbing segments, and bring in new writers.

Silent Hill f takes a bold step outside the titular town without losing its way, proving that the series can preserve its identity even on another continent. The powerful, symbolism-laden story of high school student Hinako, the fantastic monster design, and the chilling atmosphere elevated by top-notch sound and music rank among the very best the franchise has ever offered.

Hollow Knight: Silksong proves that patience pays off. Although not revolutionary, it managed to distill the very best of the metroidvania genre into an experience that will take your breath away. A beautiful world, cleverly designed challenges, and uncompromising difficulty make for an adventure you won’t soon forget. The wait was worth it.

The remake of The House of the Dead 2 isn’t outright broken and still delivers a nostalgic ride of on-rails shooting that’s all but vanished today. Its biggest issue, however, is that most of the new additions make the game worse rather than better, be it the gamepad controls, changes to the hitboxes, or the atrocious voice acting.

Originally a solo project by Yang Bing, this game has grown over the years into something far larger. So large, in fact, that it now buckles under its own weight. While the combat system is often fun and brings a few neat ideas, it can’t make up for the muddled story, dull setting, uneven pacing, and generic execution. The result is a title that doesn’t warrant outright dismissal, but still falls well short of true satisfaction.

The debut from Iceland doesn’t try to reinvent the wheel of the action-adventure genre. Instead, it looks back, stripping away modern hybridizations and leaning on the classic pillars of platforming, puzzles, and combat. None of these elements stand out as exceptional, but none fall flat either. Its true strength lies in a heartfelt story, a likable duo of protagonists who grow over the course of their journey, and the stunning Icelandic landscapes that bring flavor to an otherwise grounded fantasy. With a runtime of around ten hours, it never outstays its welcome, even if it’s a game you’ll likely forget soon after finishing.

Titanic Scion is riddled with flaws, from its empty open world to a story weighed down by anime clichés, but its heart lies in the superb building and fine-tuning of mech suits. The boss battles deliver thrilling action, and its B-movie stylization ultimately feels more like charm than weakness. If you can tune into its over-the-top anime wavelength, it rewards you with heaps of fun and plenty of room for experimentation.

The Bazaar gracefully blends auto-battling, card game, and roguelite elements with a competitive twist, as the bosses you face are actually other players. The combination of hundreds of cards, distinct hero profiles, and just the right dose of randomness you can manipulate results in an incredibly fun, well-balanced experience - one where you could easily sink hundreds of hours, with hardly any two matches ever feeling the same.

Gears of War: Reloaded is a beautiful reminder of simpler times and macho fantasies. It could have used a bit more polish in some areas, but if you want to revisit the beginnings of the Locust war or you’ve been missing a straightforward, high-octane slaughterfest that’s extremely linear but instantly engaging, the money spent will be well worth it.

Cronos: The New Dawn proves that Bloober Team has finally found its stride. The studio has crafted a survival horror with striking aesthetics, original monsters, and clever manipulation of time that nostalgically recalls Dead Space and Silent Hill, while still maintaining its own identity. Atmosphere, visuals, and storytelling drive the experience forward, and though it occasionally stumbles on minor design missteps, it stands as one of the best genre entries in recent years.

Legacy of the Forge shows Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 from a different, more personal angle, where battles give way to the zen of medieval household life. A clever prestige system and smaller quests create a compelling loop that nicely contrasts with the game’s epic foundation. If you’ve been looking for a reason to return to Kutná Hora, look no more.

The Order of Giants adds a pinch to the base game’s story without significantly changing its meaning. You’ll explore new corners of Rome, though most of the time you’ll be wandering underground and through interiors. The fact that it can be finished in under four hours and doesn’t really offer anything new is its main drawback. Still, the fresh puzzles and well-made story animations help make up for the short playtime.

Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater is exactly the kind of return the legendary third installment deserves. Its visuals and attention to detail are breathtaking, from weather effects and mud clinging to your gear to the gradual wear on camouflage and scars on the protagonist’s body. Delta stands as the ultimate version of one of the greatest games ever made and the current pinnacle of stealth-action.

Hell is Us is a bold and original adventure game that refuses to hold players' hands and relies on their intelligence, memory, and willingness to immerse themselves in a raw story full of real-life war horrors. While the adventure and puzzle elements are excellent and the story is very suggestive, the action feels more like unimaginative boredom.

Super Mario Party Jamboree for Switch 2 is a missed opportunity. While the core game remains a fantastic party classic, the new Jamboree TV expansion undermines the experience. Instead of one cohesive package, you're left with two separate apps that don't communicate with each other. If you already own Jamboree, there's little reason to upgrade – and if you don't, you're better off grabbing the cheaper original version.

Unfinished Business plays it safe, delivering a solid dose of bloody action, gritty one-liners, and stylish destruction. The main storyline impresses with its atmosphere and presentation, while fans will appreciate the new weapons, enemies, and the nostalgic return of Peter Weller. Unfortunately, the side content feels like unnecessary filler that breaks the pacing and undermines Robo's authority and impact. For die-hard fans, it's a welcome expansion, for everyone else, a slightly above-average action snack.

Killing Floor 3 turned out to be a better game than I expected. If mindlessly mowing down zombies is your thing and you enjoy watching limbs fly through the air, there’s really not much to think about. On top of that, you get a fun layer of weapon customization and class upgrades. Just don’t expect anything more – and be ready for a fair share of compromises along the way to its action.

A clever mix of survival and RPG with an immersive world that’s more than just a tribute to Half-Life. Driven forward with a story full of sharp satire, action, and horror, while overflowing with ideas, surprises, and new inventions. Whether you’re battling alien scum with a launcher of razor-sharp discs or just racing down hallways on office chairs with a silly grin, you’re in for a great ride.

Wuchang: Fallen Feathers is a thoughtful, stylish, and confident soulslike that knows exactly what it wants to be. With excellent level design, an atmospheric world rooted in Chinese mythology, and plenty of original ideas, it feels like far more than just a cheap Dark Souls imitation. While technical issues and a few unfortunate design choices hold it back from true greatness, it still stands out as one of the strongest entries in the genre – sure to satisfy both seasoned veterans and newcomers to challenging action RPGs.

Mecha Break is ultimately a mixed bag. On one hand, it delivers excellent action gameplay, countless customization options for both your avatar and mechs, and brilliantly designed combat machines. On the other hand, it shoots itself in the foot by splitting core features across three unrelated game modes, offering abysmal navigation outside of battles, and aggressively pushing premium purchases.

Eriksholm trades freedom for thoughtful storytelling, where each scene unfolds like a puzzle. What I enjoyed most was simply immersing myself in the beautiful early-20th-century Scandinavian setting, carried forward by the music, dialogue, and gameplay itself, proving that even bite-sized games with just a few mechanics can be pretty good when they do exactly what they’re supposed to.

Cyberpunk 2077: Ultimate Edition for the Switch 2 is a technically impressive port that delivers the full experience in a portable form without major compromises. Despite a few weaker spots in visuals and battery life, it offers a surprisingly smooth and visually striking ride. Thanks to smart adjustments, it plays excellently even in handheld mode. And at its core, it’s still one of the best RPGs of recent years, now simply available to take with you anywhere.

Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3 + 4 isn’t quite the love letter its predecessor was. It struggles to capture the rebellious, nostalgic vibe of the originals, and a lot of content is either missing or implemented in a clunky way. On the flip side, the new maps rank among the best the series has ever seen, and the arcade-style flow of chaining together both insane and impossible tricks remains so entertaining that once you hit your first million-point combo, you might just stop caring about the rest.

Mafia: The Old Country is a return to the roots, banking on a strong narrative, believable characters, and the breathtaking atmosphere of Sicily. While the core gameplay doesn’t break new ground and the action sequences occasionally lose momentum, its audiovisual execution, cinematic flair, and storytelling focus make it a standout experience. A solid gangster tale you shouldn’t miss.

Dead Take isn’t a perfect horror game, but it’s a solid interactive drama full of ideas, atmosphere, and – most importantly – great acting. If you’re looking to experience a short, cinematically styled psychological thriller with a touch of experimental flair and escape-room gameplay mechanics, this is definitely the right place to be.

Donkey Kong Bananza occasionally slips on its own banana peel, but thankfully has enough charm to recover with a smile. This inventive platformer leans into playfulness, destruction, and enjoyable co-op, supported by great physics, vibrant visuals, and a big heart, outshining most of its technical and design stumbles.

A solid tribute to a classic, Stronghold Crusader: Definitive Edition mainly shines through improved visuals and audio. The new campaigns and scenarios are a welcome bonus, adding a massive amount of content. It’s a shame, though, that some quality-of-life improvements expected in modern strategy games are missing. Still, if you loved the original Stronghold, this nostalgic return is a well-executed one.

Peak is a fun climbing arcade game that you can enjoy solo or with friends. Its gameplay loop isn’t meant to frustrate, just entertain – and it succeeds. The climbing itself, with its animations and sound design, is genuinely satisfying. However, the climbing gear could use a bit more attention, and overall, this is more of a casual, one-evening treat than a multiplayer staple you'll keep coming back to for months.