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.

Sure, at times To a T feels like a kid's game, and that could put off some players, but for me, while dipping in and out of it over a few days, it felt like a welcome distraction. The visuals have that bold innocence so typical of cartoons of our youth, and playing simple mini-games allowed me to revel in the silliness while also respecting the story of acceptance. To a T is not a Takahashi classic, however, it’s a welcome distraction from a unique mind that can’t help but make you smile.

All in all, I did enjoy my time with Elden Ring: Nightreign and I’m looking forward to seeing it grow and flourish with some post-launch updates. It’s not perfect, and it nowhere near has the level of polish that Elden Ring did, but you can tell it’s not really trying to be what that game was. It’s a different animal entirely and I can admire FromSoftware for trying something new while still holding onto what’s worked for it in the past.

Cattle Country defies the odds and certainly manages to make its mark on the life sim genre. It’s charming, fun, and packed with unexpected surprises and a thrilling sense of adventure that sets it apart from many of its competitors. The only question mark surrounding the title concerns its longevity. Post-launch content is key if Cattle Country is to become a titan of the genre, but if developers deliver on that front, this one could really go the distance.

Onimusha 2: Samurai’s Destiny is a delightful time capsule that harkens back to a much simpler time when linear games still had a magical feeling of worlds feeling much bigger than they were. It’s an absolute joy to revisit for retro purists who appreciate a few modernised tweaks. So what are you waiting for? Go play it already.

Blades of Fire isn’t for everyone, and that’s fine. Losing your best weapon only to be transported right back to the beginning of a segment with only degraded and broken remaining weapons can be a truly painful experience, but if you persevere and push on, you’ll soon discover that Blades of Fire is a real gem. Its original focus on weapon building is refreshing, and there’s something about it that feels modern and yet so distinctly old-school. Blades of Fire is challenging and punishing, it’s true, but as Taylor Swift once said, “Nothing safe is worth the drive.” Prevail through the peril, and Blades of Fire will reward you.

Filled with Scottish folklore and just begging you to replay at any opportunity, Into the Restless Ruins is a game that you will keep returning to, even if it is to beat your very own high score. I would recommend this to beginners and veterans of the genre alike.

Capcom Fighting Collection Vol. 2 boasts an impressive roster of games and pairs well with the first collection for a varied, comprehensive trip through Capcom’s fighting game history, and even then, it doesn’t feel like the journey through time is over yet.

DOOM: The Dark Ages is an action-packed, cinematic, glorious delight, and with the bonus of it being a prequel, it could be an ideal entry point for those new to the series. Depending on how 2025 continues to play out, it wouldn't surprise me if DOOM: The Dark Ages is a topic of hot discussion as a Game of the Year contender.

RuneScape: Dragonwilds is a perfectly fine entry to the survival genre as it has all the hallmarks of what makes these types of games so enjoyable. However, due to its lack of originality and some frustrating features, Dragonwilds struggles to stand amongst the greats and as a result, could easily be cast aside by fans of the genre. [Early Access Score = 70]

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is, thankfully, more wonderful than it is disappointing. It whisks the player away into a truly impactful world, with a powerful and emotional story bubbling away, enhanced by some stellar acting. There were moments I was brought to spilling a couple of tears, alongside some that had me laughing riotously. The battles, which can so often feel stagnant in a bustling genre, are refreshing, tactical, and delightful. This is a wonderfully imaginative game, bursting with identity, and it has a lot to say about important topics. Yes, the path is a bit muddy and cumbersome, but the destination is worth it, and the journey is magical.

Lost Records: Bloom & Rage comprises two parts and yet I’d argue that the collective release feels like one part of a larger whole. Rage does little to conclude the events of Bloom, instead providing unsatisfying answers while withholding larger mysteries for a sequel that could take years to manifest, and that’s if it’s given the green light. I retain the opinion that there’s something very special about what Don’t Nod has conceived here; I just find myself struggling to find any sense of closure within the events of Rage. I’ll be there day one for a sequel. I just wish my satisfaction regarding this game didn’t rely on another that’s yet to exist.

Indiana Jones and The Great Circle is, quite frankly, one of the best action-adventure games I’ve ever played. Microsoft’s multi-platform strategy may have initially appeared quite jarring to some, but it should be seen as a gift. MachineGames have crafted a first rate experience here. From its riveting puzzles to its sprawling exploration, Indiana Jones and the Great Circle is a treat to experience, and one that has been wonderfully enhanced with added immersion for the PlayStation audience. The more people that play this exceptional title, the better - and that’s exactly what’s now been made possible.

What frustrates me the most, is I really wanted to love Star Overdrive. I wrote about it for a little news story, highlighting how good it looked - honestly, the visual design is simply lush. The trailers sold me on a joyous adventure balancing combat and exploration, and I ended up wishing for more, and feeling sadly disappointed.

This is a story of love, learning to love yourself, and owning your identity. It's a welcome message in a world that so often feels filled with hate and obstructions to people who just want to be themselves. It’s not an overly pushed political or social point, but you can’t help but smile as you see underdogs get their chance to overcome and thrive. Weirdos make the best people, after all.

It’s an endlessly captivating labyrinth of twists and turns, with a world that will crawl inside your head and refuse to leave until you’ve finally wrestled its final secrets into submission. And believe me: it’ll take you a while to do that.

Leila is a game I fear not enough people will hear about, so I’m taking it upon myself to share the good word. It’s not as long as I’d like and its slice-of-life storytelling isn’t going to suit everybody but that aside, it offers such an incredible examination of not just the female experience, but the human experience. Leila deals with life’s messy emotions and feelings, ones that very few people actually discuss. It brings an emotional truth to video gaming that you simply won’t find in the AAA space. It’s challenging but through confrontation, Leila unearths liberation and happiness; I sense players will do the same.

Did The Last of Us Part II need a remaster just five years on from its release? If you ask me, the answer is no. I believe that other games (not naming names) deserve a remaster or remake even more and there is no denying that TLOU II was already stunning despite first being released on an old-gen console. However, I can appreciate what I have in front of me and you cannot deny that this remaster breathes even more life into the game and even if you are not too involved in graphics and enhancements, you can appreciate the brand-new modes that have been introduced.

South of Midnight is, for me, an unmissable experience despite playing it safe in a couple of key areas. This is an exceptional adventure that I simply couldn’t put down and I truly hope it’s not the last journey I’ll venture on with Hazel. While the combat and traversal is both entertaining and proficient, it does lack development as the game progresses creating somewhat of a repetitive feeling. But I couldn’t help but find myself partially overlooking that as South of Midnight offers such a remarkable story and what could be the year’s best soundtrack. Just like Hazel, South of Midnight occasionally stumbles, but it’s most definitely still a journey worth venturing on.

Croc: Legend of the Gobbos (2025) is a near perfect remaster, keeping the integrity of the original release whilst still somehow allowing the game to feel modern. It’s a must-play glimpse into the origins of the platforming genre, made accessible to the current generation of gamers with wonderfully enhanced graphics and renewed gameplay controls.

Ultimately, Koira is a game for the cosy-genre lovers as it may not offer intense combat, engaging voice acting or a bustling open-world, but it does provide a heartwarming narrative adventure that explores the bonds we are capable of and showcases the beauty of the world we find ourselves a part of for a limited time.