If you’re looking for low-stakes escapism, Moomintroll: Winter's Warmth is an easy recommendation. It’s everything you could want in a cosy game, blending just enough player agency with what is, without a doubt, an incredibly relaxing and playful experience.

We’ve been spoiled with what could be the best year for gaming since 2023, and now Saros is the latest banger of 2026. It plays like a dream, has a fun gameplay loop, looks stunning, has a superb voice cast and a mysterious story that will keep you hooked from start to finish. Saros is a game that I can’t stop thinking about, and it’s so good that it’s made me want to give Returnal another chance. We’ve said this a lot already this year, but Saros is yet another strong game of the year contender.

This all culminates in an experience that does an effective job at emphasising the connection between people, achieved in a way that feels particularly clever and responsive to how your own actions affect others, as theirs do unto you. Tides of Tomorrow delivers on making you feel like you’re part of a greater whole, while also providing a story that is wholly individual and intimate.

Cthulhu: The Cosmic Abyss is an interesting AA detective game, with fun investigation mechanics and a gripping premise, but quickly falls apart in the second half of the story. It’s disappointing, because there are occasional sparks of ingenuity in some of the game’s later chapters, and it’s a shame to see the final quality so inconsistent.

Pragmata truly is a triumph. The mix of hacking and shooting forces you to find a rhythm in combat and depending on what enemies are on the field and what equipment you have, the tempo can vary significantly. Combat never felt like it was outstaying its welcome nor did it feel repetitive. The Cradle is an excellent setting both in terms of story and environment variety so while backtracking for collectibles felt like a pain at times, it was still rewarding to revisit those areas to see what I originally missed. Hugh and Diana really are a dynamic duo and it was a pleasure to see their friendship develop; the humanity both of these characters bring to the plot is essential for the narrative to work and it was refreshing to have protagonists that aren’t carrying the weight of the world on their shoulders at all times. It made for higher stakes when the pair were in genuine danger and levity during the story’s quieter moments.

A Storied Life: Tabitha offers a formula that unfortunately should work better than it does in practice. Players become stuck between creatively crafting Tabitha’s life only to end up with a nonsensical outcome or adhering to a rigid, predetermined path, resulting in a better ending but less joyous experience. Even still, there are some delightful puzzling elements within this short, bite-sized experience that is really exquisitely presented. I enjoyed A Storied Life: Tabitha despite its shortcomings, but it didn’t tug on the heartstrings as I perhaps expected it might.

After many hours playing Screamer

Crimson Desert is by no means a perfect game. It’s an amalgamation of perhaps slightly too many ideas, and that makes for a weirdly paced experience that demands a lot of the player without offering much in the way of help. And yet, it left me in awe more times than anything else I’ve played in recent memory with its dazzling open-world. Crimson Desert may not be the best game you'll ever play, but it’ll certainly be up there as perhaps the most memorable.

It does sadden me that the game turned out this way, as I fear a certain dark corner of the internet will use the game’s negative reception to push an unwarranted agenda, namely that the game’s failure is tied to the assumed relationship of the two female leads which, of course, is not the case. It’s difficult to overlook 1348 Ex Voto’s flaws though. While there are some charming performances on display, it’s ultimately let down by a dull and problematic combat system and poor optimisation that doesn’t really give you any incentive to push on with what is, sadly, a slog.

I tip my hat to the developers for how they are continually able to improve every year. Sure, it’s not a perfect game, but objectively, I believe that WWE 2K26 is the best wrestling game ever made, and that’s the bottom line, because I said so.

Planet of Lana II: Children of the Leaf is a new all-time favourite of mine. It’s a near-perfect package, offering a moving and captivating adventure infused with solid platforming and smart, varied puzzle design. Its cliffhanger ending may have us all holding our breaths for yet another instalment, but returning players won’t be disappointed by what’s on offer here. Reuniting with Lana and Mui is a treat, and I hope we all get the chance to do it again.

There’s no one reason why Pokémon Pokopia is so special; this game is a sum of its parts, without a single weak link in the chain. It’s a title that offers a unique spin on the cosy formula, made all the more magical by the familiarity of this wonderful franchise. Pokémon Pokopia is a true adventure that boasts a refreshing sense of freedom. Totally devoid of grind, this experience rewards the curious with heaps of content on offer. You’ll be hard pressed to put it down, and it's certainly a title that we’ll all be discussing when this year’s GOTY discussion rolls around.

As a horror game in its own right, Resident Evil Requiem is a very solid nine out of 10, but as a passionate fan of the series, it earns an additional bonus point thanks to the attention to detail and craft that’s gone into every pore of this game.

Reanimal is a game that I sense may be divisive. Its confusing world and short runtime don’t exactly set it up for universal success, but it’s hard not to come away from the game feeling entertained and impressed. It’s a jarring adventure but one that is held together by some utterly brilliant set pieces that make it a worthwhile co-op experience. I sense that Tarsier Studios has something fascinating to say with this one. I just wish I could work out what it was.

Mario Tennis Fever kicks off Mario’s 40th anniversary year in triumphant style. It’s a sports entry that delivers enough variety to be of appeal to all fans of the famed plumber, no matter their genre of preference. With its surprisingly charming Adventure Mode and more match variations than you could possibly imagine, Mario Tennis Fever is a bountifully delightful release that conjures up the pure, whimsical escapism that only Nintendo so wonderfully nails.

Starsand Island is exactly what I’ve claimed it to be in previous previews. It’s the very best of Animal Crossing, Stardew Valley, and The Sims, with a flavouring of Studio Ghibli thrown in, but it’s also something completely original. Starsand Island’s depth of offering places it leagues above its competitors making it, for me, the new poster child of the cosy gaming space. I’ll be championing it until the rest of the world catches on, but I have a feeling that won’t take very long. [Early Access Score = 100]

Yakuza Kiwami 3 is a worthwhile remake that follows on from the great work achieved in the original Kiwami and Kiwami 2. The game feels fresh in all areas that it needs to be, without losing the identity of what made this game popular in 2009. The combat is fluid and fun, the graphics are sharp, the camera is not restrictive, and there are some new elements, such as cut-scenes, modes, and mini-games that help make the game feel somewhat fresh. Simply put, if you’re already in love with the Yakuza series, then you’re gonna love Yakuza Kiwami 3 & Dark Ties.

Cairn has now become one of my favourite games of all time. I absolutely love the game’s reactive climbing mechanics, the tough-but-fair difficulty, and its entire presentation is simply gorgeous. Even though there aren’t really any changes between playthroughs, this is a game I’ll be regularly coming back to, if only to continue experiencing the thrill of the climb over and over again.

All of this is to say that I think Inkle is on to another banger here. Narrative has always been one of the studio’s strongest points, but I absolutely love the way it unfolds here, where much of the backstory can only be pieced together by you. It’s a great method to tell a story in a way that only video games can, by emphasising the interaction between the player and the game, and is now one of the finest examples of doing this.

It doesn’t do much to reinvent the wheel, there’s nothing massive here that separates it from a game like Hollow Knight, but it doesn’t need to, either. I liked that it kept its features and ideas down to the simple fundamentals of the Metroidvania genre, where its appeal rides by on vibes alone. Even after reaching the end of the game, I’m excited to go back and see what I’ve missed, because I’ll bet there’s quite a lot of content I’ve still not seen yet.

Platforming fans will be hard-pressed to come away from Big Hops though with anything other than a smile on their face. It shows a strong sense of vision. Here is an end product that pays homage to the greats of the genre whilst carving out its own identity. With several varied worlds, creative gameplay, and a respectable 10 to 12 hour runtime, there’s very little else I could ask for from the title. Big Hops is a ribbiting, sorry, riveting adventure that’ll kickstart your 2026 in the best way possible.

Death Howl has been a fantastic time for me, and it’s been a wonder to slowly piece together how The Outer Zone managed to fit two rather opposing genres in a way that feels tangible and engaging.

Perhaps Thief VR: Legacy of Shadow isn’t the triumphant return the series needed, even if the game itself is somewhat fine. In essence, virtual reality fans may enjoy it, while long-time fans hoping for a comeback in the vein of the original series may be disappointed. I hope whoever at Eidos is in charge of the Thief brand doesn’t shelve it for another decade, because I’m still holding out hope that the franchise will have a decent revival worthy of the Looking Glass Studios titles.

With Disco Elysium being one of my all-time favourite games, I was eager to check out Rue Valley with all of its similarities and although it does not stand side-by-side with it, it does have its own merits. As such, I encourage you to give it a go and see how you can make your 47-minute time-loops make a difference in a town filled with drama, looming corporations, family feuds, and even a possible alien or two.

As the biggest Metroid Prime game to date yet it’s fallen into the trap that many open-world games succumb to, an overwhelmingly feeling of emptiness. The actual levels themselves are good, look great, but are dragged down by interfering NPCs and linear layouts that defeat the point of a metroidvania entirely.

With a RRP of £11.99, All Hands on Deck is an easy recommendation. It’s far from the strongest co-op title released within 2025 but with a respectable runtime, well-considered platforming and puzzler action, and a charming premise, you won’t be left feeling disappointed by what this indie gem has to offer.

By the time the game came to its conclusion, I was left with an overwhelming yearning for a better future, and a feeling that that is something wholly achievable. Duskpunk is the kind of game that makes me feel hope.

My gripes with Little Corners are mild. It’s a really simple title but what it sets out to do, it does largely pretty well. I’d have liked some more options when it comes to sticker placement and organisation, and I do feel it suffers slightly from being a game that begins to feel a tad repetitive after a while. Yet despite all of this, I’d say Little Corners is more than worth its meagre asking price of £5.99. It’s the type of game that you can dip in and out of, leaving behind your worldly woes for a whimsical sense of fun.

Kirby Air Riders may fall short in terms of track selection compared to Mario Kart World, but I’ll be damned if it isn’t the best racing game released this year, and one of the best first-party Nintendo games to launch on the Nintendo Switch 2.

Overall, The August Before offers a quick, yet impactful look at the changes that come with teenage life, the pain that comes with heartbreak and moving on, but most importantly, the strength and excitement of moving on.

Call of Duty deserves so much better, and if there’s anything that I’ve learned from Black Ops 7, it's that the annual releases need to come to an end ASAP, so that the developers can have more time to ensure that each new release lives up to the legacy of this series that has been built over the last two decades. Hopefully, the next entry will get the series back on track.

SpongeBob SquarePants: Titans of the Tide gets so much right. Its instantaneous character switching system is brilliant, and Purple Lamp has once again cooked up an entertaining story, whisking players through several fun new locations. It could be longer and there are a few bugs present, albeit harmless ones. It’s hard, though, to deem the title as anything other than a thrilling 3D platformer that’s a blast to play through.

The Berlin Apartment does, as I said, undoubtedly offer an engaging narrative, even if you will have to endure several half-baked gameplay elements. It’s a beautifully considered look into the human experience, offering players a concept that is creative and engaging, even if it might not quite unlock its full potential. At the end of the day, the world needs more empathy and The Berlin Apartment, I feel, succeeds in promoting that, and that fact alone should be reason enough to give it a go.

If you’re after a cosy evening’s entertainment, I can’t imagine you’ll be disappointed by Undusted: Letters From The Past. Its gameplay is incredibly moreish, pulling you right through to the credits in a single sitting. It’s a brief journey but one that packs an emotional punch and teaches you a couple of important lessons along the way.

Winter Burrow is a game all about perseverance, and I do feel that won’t appeal to all. But if you are someone looking for a game that is undoubtedly cosy with an added layer of challenge, you’ll perhaps find something quite enjoyable here. Winter Burrow’s formula may be a little repetitive and that doesn’t hugely change, but it’s so easy to be swept up by the game's charming 2D animation and mysterious story. With a roughly 10-hour runtime, Winter Burrow doesn’t outstay its welcome. It’s a charming little experience I warmed to returning to, night after cold night.

What Hyrule Warriors continues to do exceptionally well is offer a fun, accessible entry point into the hack-and-slash genre. For that reason I’d likely say Age Of Imprisonment is better suited to those who don’t usually play Warrors games, but there’s still plenty of appeal for those familiar with Koei Tecmo’s other games.

If you liked any of the previous games in the series, then it’s difficult to see how you won’t love this one. It takes some big steps forward and improves on all of the big systems that have been carried across from the previous entry. The map is beautiful and more detailed than ever, with the new population systems informing how it takes shape, something it does very naturally as the game progresses. It’s absolutely the standout in the genre for the time period it covers, and if we have to go another twelve years before we get another one, then at the very least we’ve got a great strategy game to play in the meantime.

Happily, the good times for Dragon Quest fans are very much continuing with the release of the Dragon Quest I & II HD-2D Remake. It looks great, it plays well and it’s solid value for money with the amount of playtime you get across both games. Almost every system has been carefully crafted and improved, and it’s tough to point out areas where major flaws really let the game down. Though it perhaps doesn’t quite reach the near-perfect levels of III, it might actually just come down to a matter of taste, over which aesthetic you like more, or which story you’re most into.

As Long As You’re Here is a heartfelt and emotional reminder of both the fragility and the resilience of the human mind, the importance of family, and the stories we are capable of telling through the medium of art. Coming in at just around an hour of playtime, this is one which you can easily finish in one sitting and yet it will stay with you long afterwards.

It’s immersive, delightful fun and it’s packed with little moments that should see it resonate with a big audience. Whatever Obsidian decides to do next, they should look back on this release as one where they really got all the big calls right.

I think Plants vs. Zombies: Replanted is an excellent remaster that respects what makes the original game fun without adding anything too contrary to that experience. The new content is excellent and doesn’t feel too out of place with the rest of the game. Meanwhile, the conversion to HD and new controller support is excellent for PC players, and it’s also great that this will be available on platforms such as Nintendo Switch. Having played most of my hours on Steam Deck, I see this as being a great on-the-go game.

If you didn’t enjoy PowerWash Simulator, then PowerWash Simulator 2 is unlikely to win you over. What I find relaxing, you may find laborious. But if you’re someone who enjoys the quiet and meditative experience that the PowerWash Simulator franchise has to offer, you’ll find endless satisfaction here. With the improved missions, streamlined graphics, and various new features, FuturLab has finally perfected its original vision, offering a wonderfully fun gameplay loop that you'll struggle to tear yourself away from.

Dispatch is an all-time great, and I hope we’ll see it contend for GOTY. After an incredibly successful season, Adhoc’s developers totally deserve to put their feet up and luxuriate within all of this success … not for too long though. I’d quite like a second season please.

Jurassic World Evolution 3 is, without a doubt, the best game in the series yet. It gives you more tools to create the best parks possible, and that’s without the added content that the community will eventually produce. The sim management genre might not be everyone’s cup of tea, but if you love the Jurassic Park and World movies, I have no doubt you’ll love this game. If you give it a chance, Jurassic World Evolution 3 might just be your surprise hit of the year.

While Keeper won’t offer you a fully fledged sense of closure, it’s most definitely an experience I’d recommend to anyone looking to unwind. It’s a slow, meditative game that’ll take you out of your own world and into one that is equal parts intoxicatingly beautiful and utterly baffling. The simple yet compelling gameplay is surprisingly engrossing. I may have rolled credits feeling baffled, but Keeper isn’t a game I’ll forget any time soon.

It’s a huge shame that after so many years in development, Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines 2 has ended up not quite living up to its potential. The RPG features have been drained away, leaving behind a husk of an action-adventure title that sometimes passes as interesting. Set your expectations accordingly for this one, as it doesn’t live up to the series’ name, no matter how much it uses its compelling setting.

A fantastic Pokémon game. The new battle mechanics are a stellar addition to the formula and it was great to see Mega Evolutions return in such bombastic fashion. It feels like the continuation Pokémon X & Y needed but never got, as it’s always felt like those games never truly got the love, respect and time they deserved...Unfortunately the Pokémon series continues to be held back by the same old problems, and while graphics aren’t the be all and end all I do think it’s about time we got a fully-voiced Pokémon game, we’ve waited long enough.

Little Nightmares 3 feels like a sequel in name alone. As a co-operative experience with either a friend, family member or partner, it’s a good time and should give you sufficient spooks and scares as well as a few laughs here and there. Visually, the game is on point with some gorgeous and intriguing settings, but they lack depth and get moved along too quickly. The story is the biggest drawback though, and if you’re expecting a story on par with the first game’s, look somewhere else.

Ultimately though I think Yooka-Re-Playlee more than proves itself to be the definitive version of the game, and I hope it can find enough success for a sequel. It captures and reinterprets the vibes of old-school platformers well and really is the closest we’ve gotten to a Banjo-Kazooie successor, at least in my opinion...While it’s not perfect it’s definitely worth your time, whether you played the original version or not.

Overall, it’s the multiplayer that remains as Battlefield 6’s greatest strength, as it always has for this series. Well-designed maps and strong teamplay features make for interesting online rounds. This bleeds out into other aspects of the game; the gunplay, the weapon customisation, and the destruction mechanics. It’s punchy, direct, and exciting. It all feels carefully tuned to how players have wanted the game to be like since the golden era of the series.

By the time I rolled credits, which I did so across two sessions in around three hours, I was left wondering where I could re-add colour into my own life. I can’t transform into an object like Henry can, but it’s quite illuminating to look at the objects in my home like I could. I felt compelled to pick up my guitar, to finally use that pretty notebook to journal some ideas. Henry Halfhead is unlike any game I’ve played, and it’s not one that’ll appeal to all. But for the sentimental amongst us, those with a penchant for the poetic, it’s a cathartic experience I’d heartily recommend.

Super Mario Galaxy 1 + 2 are effectively the perfect package: two of the greatest video games of all time, just as you remember them, with only a few minor touchups here and there. This is, for my money, the best way to play two of the greatest video games ever made.

Ultimately, LEGO Party has a lot going for it. It was never going to be the superior party game, Nintendo and its red plumber have thrown far too many epic shindigs to be overtaken in that regard, but what LEGO Party offers is an alternative with a different aesthetic and overall vibe, as well as one playable on all platforms, not just Nintendo ones.

Ghost of Yōtei is pure cinematic brilliance, and Sucker Punch Productions deserves to be commended once more for knocking it out of the park and, in some ways, topping its predecessor. I’m somewhat torn between this and Death Stranding 2: On The Beach, but without question, Ghost of Yōtei is one of the absolute best games of 2025.

Hades 2 is the perfect addition to the roguelike RPG genre and it offers something for everyone: challenging combat for more seasoned gamers, unique and diverse characters and designs, excellent acting, stunning world and level design and it feels as though it was made with heart and soul, especially for the Greek mythology nerds such as myself.

Dying Light: The Beast is a must-play game if you’re a fan of the series, and gives a hero’s welcome to the protagonist that started it all. The new beast powers are a great addition to your arsenal and make combat more interesting, and the parkour is as fun now as it was all the way back in 2015. The game is only held back by a map with too much open space, and janky parkour that halts your momentum at the worst possible moments.

Despite being dragged down by the combat I was thoroughly invested and on the edge of my seat for the majority of the game, and despite the horrors I witnessed it hasn’t swayed me from seeing every available ending, for the full and complete story.

A fantastic racing game. It's tough to say if it's better or worse than Mario Kart World because both games offer completely different experiences, and will appeal to different types of players. If you're looking for a competitive racer that'll keep you engaged, and possibly enrage, this is it.

It’s always frustrating marking a game down due to very simple, but easily fixable flaws. Arctic Awakening has been receiving frequent patches during the review period, so it’s entirely likely that a lot of these bugs have been squashed. Nevertheless, this was still my experience of the game after playing through to completion. I enjoyed the narrative, and quite liked seeing the mystery unravel over the course of the story. I just found it to be a frustrating experience on the technical side.

Strange Antiquities is a game I’ll look back on as one of my firm unexpected highlights of 2025. Its intoxicating formula is incredibly moreish and as the cool, autumn nights draw in, there’s no place I’d rather be than assisting the residents of Undermere with their strange and unsettling conundrums.

LEGO Voyagers is undoubtedly one of the standout games of 2025. It’s quite unlike anything else I’ve played, combining clever co-op puzzling with a beautiful narrative - all contained within a perfectly presented package. It’s a joy to play and a true feast for the eyes.

Silksong is a game that refuses to be anything other than what it is, an unflinchingly robust and brutal sequel that will push you to your limits. Persevere, and you’ll be able to see past its more frustrating choices to experience one of the greatest games of the year, and a testament to giving developers the time and freedom to realise their visions.

Small issues aside, Borderlands 4 should give fans of the series most, if not all, of the experiences they were looking for. It's bombastic, spectacular fun that puts the emphasis on the player to go out and have a brilliant time. Playing through the story for the first time is one aspect (and again, an enjoyable one), but it's what you do after all that's said and done that really drives home what this game is meant to be. Whether taking on a raid boss with other players or free roaming the world in search of adventure, I sat there with a big, stupid grin stuck on my face for literal hours afterwards. Any game that delivers out-and-out fun at the rate of Borderlands 4 deserves its flowers, and it lives up to the reputation that the previous games so carefully built.

Cronos: The New Dawn is no walk in the park, and it will not hold your hand, and that’s exactly how survival horror games should be. This is the best original IP from Bloober Team to date, and if this is a sign of things to come, aside from the upcoming Silent Hill remake, I can’t wait to see what new terrifying delights the studio has in store for us next. Despite some occasional stuttering framerates, this is Bloober Team’s best original work yet, and Cronos: The New Dawn may go down as the best horror game this year.

It falls short with the combat unfortunately, which is a shame because it’s such a huge part of the game that you can’t really avoid it. Like I alluded to before, the final boss was a slog to get through and not the kind of finale I was hoping for, but it’s clear a lot of love went into the game so I’m trying not to judge it too harshly. I’d still recommend trying it for yourself, but don’t be surprised if the delightful visuals don’t keep you invested till the end credits, it needed a little more.

Overall, Hell Is Us has all the makings of an incredible game but is let down by clunky combat, a meandering main quest and lack of direction. However, it must be praised for its environmental storytelling and attention to detail when it comes to art direction and world building. If you don’t need direction and objectives to enjoy a game, this could still be the one for you as curiosity will always be rewarded in Hell is Us.

There are 12 Starry Stages to tackle in total set across all of the base game’s main zones, each level boasting up to 10 Starries to save. While I don’t have my exact completion time, you’re getting quite a number of hours worth of content here and for £16.99 for the upgrade, my firm assertion is that Star-Crossed World offers plenty of bang for your buck. Kirby and the Forgotten Land - Nintendo Switch 2 Edition + Star-Crossed World takes an already stellar experience and expands upon almost every aspect that you know and love. A tad more enemy variety would have been nice but it’s hard to see Star-Crossed World as anything other than a must-play experience.

Konami has improved on near-perfection by leaving all the original story beats, cutscene direction and dialogue alone, and instead, focused all of its attention on improving the visuals and gameplay experience. Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater is a masterpiece reborn. I envy those who are new to this series, who are going to experience this game for the very first time, but for those returning, they will have a long-lost love rekindled.

Given its relatively small scope but simple and fun premise, I can’t find much to fault about Kill the Brickman. If you’re aching for a new roguelike to play, and you’re on board with Poncle’s whole shtick by now, it’s a genuinely fun time that can easily fill the time you spend on your afternoon breaks.

In having a minimalist approach to its storytelling and game mechanics, Herdling is able to bring closer attention to its overarching message about hardship and found families within nomadic, unhoused groups. It does an excellent job at balancing these themes in a digestible way, leaving you room to sit back and really take in what it’s trying to say. That it also manages to be an interesting survival game is just the cherry on top.

All things considered, Abyssus is a good game with a solid foundation, that could easily be a great game come future patches. Even now, it’s great fun to dive in and blow enemies away, particularly with a squad of friends, even if that does inordinately ramp up the difficulty. At the introductory offer price being offered in the Steam store until August 19, I’d feel more than comfortable recommending it to a friend, and it has the potential to be a staple evening’s enjoyment if it can get over the biggest hurdles discussed in this review.

There is no other way to describe Tiny Bookshop than delightfully cosy and a game which you can spend hours getting lost in, much like the very books the game is based around. With beautiful colours, smooth gameplay and relatable characters, you will feel at home in Bookstonbury-by-the-Sea and the magical world that Neoludic Games has managed to create.

With Magic Inn receiving regular patches in an attempt to fix the teething problems that launched with the game, I would still recommend giving it a shot as players will find a cosy, life simulator with that touch of magic. It may not be as polished as others in the genre but, issues aside, it still offers an enjoyable experience with heaps of replayability.

Some small annoyances aside, Mafia: The Old Country is a great entry to the long-running series, and it’s done a fine job at adapting the formula to a brand new historical context. It does run the risk of alienating long-time fans, as the jump back in time makes it quite an adjustment. However, if you just let it tell the story it wants to, you’ll find it can match the quality you've come to expect from this series.

I would certainly recommend this to horror fans, particularly those who love a good creepy atmosphere and prefer it when scary things are implied rather than shown. The few shortcomings it does have feel antithetical to the story Solarsuit is trying to tell, but it’s by no means an immersion-ruining experience.

Dear Me, I Was is certainly not a ‘game’ that’ll appeal to everyone, especially if you’re unwilling to challenge your notions of what a game can be. For those willing to succumb to what Dear Me, I Was has to offer though, it’s an unforgettable experience and one of the most beautiful games I’ve ever had the privilege of playing. Director Maho Taguchi has crafted a masterpiece, evoking similar feelings to those I had when I first watched Isao Takahata's 1991 triumph Only Yesterday. I cried; I smiled. This game won’t be leaving me anytime soon.

If you want to see some stellar performances, or experience some chilling horror, or simply find solutions to fiendish puzzles, then do it with Dead Take, and do it in one sitting. Because the four hours I spent wandering the darkened halls of this mansion will haunt me for some time yet.

On the whole, I got a lot of joy from Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound, and perhaps in different hands, more skilled hands, the opinion would be even more positive. Perhaps those who will play this, yearning for the days of TMNT in a grotty arcade will get a kick out of the quirks and eccentricities here. I have my complaints, but I’d still recommend this game to everyone I know who likes a challenge or appreciates the retro style.

In many ways, Grounded 2 is more of the same but I don’t think anyone came away from that first outing asking for anything different. Feedback has been taken on board with this sequel offering a larger map, new bugs, a mount system, alongside other refined and retuned features that make for an experience that is more seamless, more immersive, and an undeniable improvement over what came before. Obsidian Entertainment came into this project with great foundations. Grounded 2 may be in early access, but it’s already the definitive way to experience this franchise. [Early Access Score = 90]

Tales of the Shire: A Lord of the Rings game doesn’t reinvent the cosy formula, despite several promising glimmers of originality. Any sign of promise is, unfortunately, cancelled out by mediocrity and an experience that is dominated by untapped potential. The game, despite these issues, has undeniable charm but it’s difficult to claim that it’ll resonate and land with the masses.

I can’t help but love Hell Clock, because it exemplifies the reason I love indie gaming so much. This space offers unique, personal stories paired with enigmatic gameplay that refuses to let me go. It impresses at every turn, constantly surprising me. Even though I opened this game feeling like I’d seen everything within, several times before, I felt that glee of seeing something fresh, and I put my controller down having experienced something built out of passion.

I’m finding it apt to compare Killing Floor 3 to Payday 3’s launch, which is another series I absolutely adore. Fans will remember Payday 3 launched with a lot of problems, many of which seem to have been repeated here. Tripwire Interactive has a long road ahead to persuade fans that making the jump to the third game will be worth it. And I truly believe there’s an excellent foundation here to turn it into something great, but I’m not convinced this is what that game is right now.

As I came to the end of my time in Tamagotchi Plaza, it became an insipid place to roam - an existential nightmare where everyone is constantly happy, living in a cycle of benign pleasantries. The constant repetition only serving to chip away at my sanity, much like when I owned my first Tamagotchi as a kid, hearing it chirrup for attention until I shoved it in a drawer to die.

Is Super Mario Party Jamboree - Nintendo Switch 2 Edition + Jamboree TV worth the cost of the upgrade? Sure, if you can afford it. Without the camera you’ll be missing out on some fun features and minigames, and if you’re playing with a group of four then you’ll need an extra pair of Switch 2 Joy-Cons instead of using your old pair for the original Switch. Otherwise, expect to be missing out on a large chunk of content.

While I don’t think Wuchang: Fallen Feathers is going to become the sudden favourite of soulslike fans, I can see it getting plenty of time in the sun. The issues I felt are, in the grand scheme of things, relatively minor and can all be worked around, or even patched out by the developers. Which leaves me with an utterly engaging world, filled with sheer beauty, and plenty of fresh ideas.

All in all Donkey Kong Bananza is another splendid technical playground from the Super Mario Odyssey team. It's redesigned and reinvigorated Donkey Kong to marvellous effect, and that's coming from someone who was a big fan of Rare's version of the character. I'm not exaggerating when I say the last third of the game had me standing up in joyful disbelief, and by the time the credits rolled I was more than happy to dive back in and look for the collectibles I'd missed along the way. Donkey Kong Bananza is the second first-party Nintendo game to release for the Nintendo Switch 2, and combined with Mario Kart World I'd argue it's more than a good reason to get yourself Nintendo’s new console if you haven't already.

When the writing works, it really works. And when it doesn’t, it painstakingly doesn’t. From the looks of it, it seems as though Metal Head Games is planning for further expansions later down the line. I hope this gives the developer an opportunity to build on what makes the game good, while improving upon some of its more unsteady aspects.

These new additions are seamless and, I hope, can be used as proof of concept for a potential Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 5. I’m aware there is already a fifth game, of course, but Iron Galaxy — and you — would do better to forget about that one...Throw in a slew of secret characters, gameplay mods, multiplayer modes, and customisation options that weren’t in the original games, and you have yourself a little slice of skateboarding heaven in Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3 + 4 Remastered. The birdman has done it again.

Eriksholm: The Stolen Dream has it all. Between its thoughtful gameplay and enrapturing world, like the light-footed Hanna, River End Games hasn’t put a step wrong. It’s easily one of the most enjoyable games I’ve played this year and a welcomed reminder that creativity and talent can still find a platform to shine within our troubled industry.

For all the gorgeous visuals, and flashy, beautiful effects that spark and burn from abilities, there’s nothing offering any real bite. There’s no hook, and if a roguelike needs one thing, it’s a hook; give me an excuse to stay up until 2am figuring out new builds and synergies to slay your, admittedly, brilliant, bullet hell enemies. And so, I walked away from Dragon is Dead, which is a very odd title, by the way, feeling underwhelmed.

I think if I was more invested in the TRON world, or had a passion for the narratives that have already been told, I would have enjoyed TRON: Catalyst much more. With the lack of drive to see this world unfurl before me, it really felt like a simple action game, moving from point-to-point, with decent combat. It’s dripping with gorgeous design, and I could walk around in the world happily, or zoom around on my bike, all day, but the isometric view does remove some immersion. There’s a spark here, and a high level of polish, but I think it just wasn't really for me in the end.

Death Stranding 2: On the Beach deserves to be in the Game of the Year conversation. It’s hands down one of my favourite games in recent years, and I can’t wait to see what Sam and friends deliver next.

If you do decide to get Yakuza 0: Director’s Cut you’ll be getting one of the greatest games ever made, enhanced, on your shiny new Nintendo Switch 2, the decision will come down to whether you’ve played it before and fancy playing it again but via the definitive version.

Still Wakes The Deep: Siren’s Rest won’t convince anyone who found flaws in the original—as the same issues persist here, but it’s a good recommendation to anyone who enjoyed the original game’s twisted body horror extravaganza.

It is impressive that Funcom has managed to make a world feel so alive despite being set in the sands of Arrakis so other than a few small annoyances, Dune: Awakening is an utter success story.

Although the constant need to be connected to the internet feels at odds with the Switch 2’s nature, when you manage to stay connected to Hitman: World of Assassination, it can be just as enjoyable here as it was before. With it now in its fifth year of regular content roadmaps and monthly updates, it’s got me excited for IO Interactive’s upcoming 007: First Light, which will be a perfect fit for the studio.

Mario Kart World might not be quite as easy to recommend as Mario Kart 8 Deluxe yet, but it’s still an absolutely fantastic kart racer that’s just as chaotic, imaginative, and vibrant as its predecessors. Knockout Tour alone has ensured I’ll be playing for a long-old time yet, even if it does have me swearing like a sailor who just stubbed his toe. Savour the rage of second place, it’s how you know you’re alive.

I desperately want to be able to recommend this game to fans of the genre, and when it worked properly, it felt wonderful to play. Even now, I kind of miss the world within this game because it evokes a great sense of place and time through genuinely lush pixel visuals. In the state that it’s currently in, I can’t do this. There were too many moments when I walked away from the game in frustration, not because of my skill level, but because the controls of the Sandfox weren’t responsive enough, or traipsing back through old areas created tedium.