Despite all the changes that have been made, Yakuza: Like a Dragon feels very much like a Yakuza game. The combat may now be turn-based, and the scenery might be different, but this is still a game full of drama, thrilling battles, and a huge amount of side content, all smothered with an ample amount of humour. And I never thought I’d say this, but I didn’t miss Kazuma Kiryu one jot while playing it; Ichiban Kasuga is simply a more likeable fellow with more depth. So, if you like the Yakuza series, consider Yakuza: Like a Dragon a must-have.

As long as players know what they’re getting into With Neon White, chances are they’ll have a brilliant time. It’s got a clean visual style, a brilliant soundtrack, and gameplay that’s challenging but moreish. Add in a story that will keep you interested in uncovering the fate of Neon White and his acquaintances, and you have one of the most interesting releases of the year so far.

Xenoblade Chronicles: Definitive Edition isn’t going to blow anyone away, but it’s undoubtedly the best version of a very good JRPG. Those unacquainted with the Wii and 3DS versions of the game will get the most out of it, but thanks to Future Connected, the introduction of many quality of life improvements, and considerably enhanced visuals, fans aren’t likely to be disappointed either. The Switch has just got another mighty fine addition to its library, and anyone in search of a meaty game that will eat up tens of hours of their time should definitely consider picking Xenoblade Chronicles: Definitive Edition up.

Its framework is supported so strongly by Dark Souls I that at times I sensed the game desperately wished to recapture the sacred “something” of its predecessor. Having to stand on the shoulders of such a giant is a tough task that Dark Souls III does tremendously well and it provides a fitting conclusion to such a decorated series.

For F1 fans, the improvements and new content found in F1 2019 make it an absolute must-buy. It’ll feel familiar in many ways, but everything is just so polished and refined that it won’t bother you all that much.

Playable with or without PSVR, Rez Infinite is a fantastic game that deserves a spot in your PS4 game collection regardless of whether or not you’ve played a previous version of it.

Already one of the best JRPGs available, Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade is truly impressive on Switch 2. The visuals are astounding whether you play handheld or docked, and while it's not flawless, performance is solid. Throw in new Streamlined Progression features which make the game more accessible than ever, and you have a must-play, especially for newcomers.

By adding a truly surprising and impeccably designed single-player campaign that is consistently fun to play, as a package Titanfall 2 is the most pure, minute-to-minute fun I’ve had with any game this year.

Aside from some repetition between the two titles, Super Mario 3D World + Bowser’s Fury is a joy from start to finish. Super Mario 3D World is the perfect balance between Old Mario and New Mario, and its huge variety of levels ensures it’s nothing but entertaining from start to finish. Bowser’s Fury, on the other hand, leans more into modern, open world design, but the thrill of fighting against a giant version of Bowser is unrivalled. If you’re a Mario fan – hell, if you’re just a fan of having fun – Super Mario 3D World + Bowser’s Fury is an absolute no-brainer.

Made by solo developer and ex-Housemarque programmer Kimmo Lahtinen, Sektori is the closest thing you're going to get to the sweet rush of the likes of Resogun without revisiting Housemarque's back catalogue. It's tough as nails, but with eye-melting visuals and fast-paced twin-stick shooter action, you simply won't be able to get enough of it.

I’ve always kind of enjoyed Lumines, but it always lacked a certain hook. While its music and changing colour palette was endlessly exciting, its gameplay just didn’t have the same long-lasting grab. With Tetris, though, that enticing gameplay is there. And when you couple Tetris‘ classic gameplay with enticing sound and visuals, you get something pretty special indeed.

Dead Space is an accomplished remake that not only brings new life to a classic, but hopefully paves the path for more entries in the series in the future. While much of the game will be familiar to those who have played the original, the meaningful updates and additions go a long way to keep the experience feeling fresh, modern and unpredictable. So, whether you’re already a Dead Space fan or new to the series, this is well worth your time and money – as long as you have the nerves for it. For some, it’s even likely to be an early game of the year contender.

Without a doubt one of my favourite experiences of 2025, The Séance of Blake Manor is a rich and beautiful narrative puzzle game where you're fully in charge of your own detective work. Blending together stellar storytelling with Irish folklore and spooky mysteries, it's a game that's going to stay with me for a long time to come.

For shoot ’em up fans, Rolling Gunner + Overpower truly is a treat. Everything about it – from visuals to gameplay – is top-notch, ensuring that you have a big grin on your face from the moment you boot it up until you decide to turn it off. But the amount of difficulty options here, and the features introduced by the Overpower DLC, make this accessible to newcomers, too. We reckon this will be remembered as a classic in years to come.

If you have a Switch and haven’t played NieR Automata yet, you should jump in immediately if you have any love for the action RPG or character action genres. The End of YoRHa Edition is such an accomplished port that ardent fans wishing to play the game on the move might want to dive into it too. It might not look or play quite as good as it does elsewhere, but it’s impressive in its own right.

Death Stranding 2: On the Beach is a brilliant sequel, taking the best aspects of the original game and adding more gameplay variety, lots more entertaining tools to play with, and a new, more emotionally-driven story. Giving you lots of freedom with regards to how you complete your goals, Death Stranding 2 is worth considering even if, like me, you didn't rate the first game all that highly. It's overall a much more frictionless and enjoyable affair.

The biggest Yakuza game to date, Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth certainly doesn’t disappoint. While its story is somewhat hampered by frequent diversions to introduce new mechanics or side-content, there’s still plenty to keep you gripped. And while we have to admit that we enjoy the combat more when it’s action-based, the turn-based system here is entertaining. In any case, Infinite Wealth delivers exactly what you’d expect by now: a lengthy story full of surprising twists and turns that manage to elicit a wide range of emotions, and a ridiculous volume of side content that will keep you playing long after the credits have rolled – or simply delay that from happening.

If you’ve been longing for more Cuphead, then The Delicious Last Course is for you. But if you were, for whatever reason, hoping for a big shake-up in terms of gameplay or difficulty, you’re not going to find it here. Brutal but beautiful, this is simply more Cuphead, be that for better or for worse.

With its dual-protagonist setup, Resident Evil Requiem caters to both those who love traditional survival horror as well as action horror. Throw in a fantastic range of truly terrifying enemies, including zombies that feel freakier than ever thanks to their unique behaviours, and you have one of the best Resident Evil games yet, especially for those who can appreciate both of its distinct gameplay styles.

With its stunning presentation, brilliant writing and engaging gameplay, Dispatch is one of the best interactive narrative games ever made. It's impossible to play this without growing to love its characters.

When played in VR mode, Rez Infinite soon becomes one of the most compelling arguments for the existence of the format. And Area X? Well, it just gives us hope that a sequel will eventually be made that well and truly blows our tiny minds.

Whether you're a long time fan or a newcomer, this remaster of the classic Broken Sword: The Shadow of the Templars is likely to have you enraptured from start to finish. Its visuals have been lovingly updated, and while there are some issues with the game's audio, this is undoubtedly the best way to experience George Stobbart's debut adventure. It's just a shame there aren't any extras.

This is Remedy’s most ambitious and imaginative game yet, with some truly outstanding scenes that will stick with you for a long time to come. We’re overjoyed that Alan is back, and we couldn’t have ever anticipated where his story would go. One of the best games of the year, Alan Wake 2 is utterly mesmerising and truly unique. It’s a work of art that blends videogame and film like never before.

Bundling together three classic metroidvania format Castlevania titles originally released on the Nintendo DS, the Castlevania Dominus Collection presents excellent value for money. And with various extras thrown into the mix including art and music galleries and a remake of arcade game Haunted Castle, it's a must-have for series fans.

With a large, beautiful, varied open world, a compelling central mystery, interesting side-quests and top of the field gameplay, Horizon Zero Dawn is easily Guerilla Games’ best effort yet and by far one of the best games this generation so far.

I have been seriously charmed by Stardew Valley; there certainly isn’t much about it that I dislike. I like its subtle tactical elements and time management that thread through all of the activities you can do. It’s without a doubt currently my favourite game this year, and I feel it might take something pretty incredible to knock it off.

Devil May Cry 5 Special Edition is the ultimate version of Devil May Cry 5. Including all of the additional content released for the original version and more, it makes a great game even better, it’s as simple as that. It’s a shame that ray tracing comes at such a cost when playing at 4K, but it still looks glorious without it, and if you want to make use of Turbo or Legendary Dark Knight Modes they can’t be used in conjunction with it anyway. The real draw for most, though, will be the chance to once again take control of Vergil, and he doesn’t disappoint. If you’ve been itching for more of the high-octane action that only the Devil May Cry series provides, you’d be mad to let Devil May Cry 5 Special Edition pass you by.

With this remake, Naughty Dog has made one of the best games of all time even better. While you may look at screenshots or snippets of video footage and think that it looks and plays just like you remember it, go back to an older version and you'll realise just how much work has been done here. Yes, The Last of Us Remastered still holds up well, and you can stick with it if you like, but for newcomers and ardent fans The Last of Us Part I is a treat that's worth every penny. It would be one thing if this emotional rollercoaster was just as captivating now as it was nine years ago. But in fact, it's even more so. And that's an impressive achievement.