A product of its time, revamped for the present, Syberia Remastered offers a sleeker look at the start of Kate Walker's adventures but loses a bit of the original's magic in the process.

Bandai Namco's effort to bring back a classic does just about enough to preserve the original experience's magic while making it more fun for new and returning players.

Whether it's with teams and battling other players or running solo and measuring each encounter, Embark Studios has struck gold.

Despite some issues, Mortal Kombat: Legacy Kollection may appeal to longtime fans; for everyone else, there are better options on the market.

Once Upon A Katamari delivers an amazingly fun time. It may be derivative with its graphics and story, but the impressive level variety across nine eras and sheer wealth of content ensure fans and newcomers will be rolling until they're sick of smiling.

Dragon Quest 1 and 2 HD2D are not must-play RPGs in 2025, but both are still very good examples of the genre that most fans will get something out of.

The new battle royale isn't without its missteps or annoyances, but it's a solid start that feeds your appetite for destruction.

Football Manager 26 lays down a solid new foundation for the series’ next era with engaging tactical systems and addictive management simulation, even if it stumbles with UI issues.

There's a lot to love about Wreckreation but its issues, both major and minor, hold it back from being a brilliant sandbox that has you spending hours of unadulterated fun on its streets.

A dull reboot of a legendary franchise, Double Dragon Revive mixes tedium with wonky movement, boring stages and annoying bosses for an ultimately unfulfilling experience.

The Wild West setting, intriguing lore and mech combat feel promising at first, but Bounty Star wastes them with a repetitive gameplay loop and dull story.

Tormented Souls 2 excels in polished visuals, haunting atmosphere and classic survival horror mechanics.

Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines 2 is probably going to be among the year's most notable failures.

A refined, feature-rich sequel that deepens park management while honoring Jurassic magic.

Plants Vs. Zombies Replanted is a faithful recreation of the original game that brings every bit of its charm and fun gameplay loop to modern platforms.

The Outer Worlds 2 is a more expansive, more choice-heavy, and more satisfying western RPG that stands above most of its recent peers.

Ninja Gaiden 4 has its missteps, especially during the story and with Ryu's sections, but it's still a triumphant comeback for the franchise.

Pokémon Legends: Z-A may not surpass Arceus in innovation, but it delivers an exciting adventure with plenty of nostalgic charm that make it a worthy follow-up in the series.

NASCAR 25 is a solid racing game but doesn't do enough as a racing simulator to make it stand out. If you like an authentic, challenging on-track experience, this one is easy to recommend. However, anybody other than a NASCAR enthusiast isn't likely to derive enough value from the game to justify picking it up at launch.

Keeper is another unique Double Fine creation, excellently executed with incredible art direction and fun puzzles, even if it doesn't push the envelope.

Blue Prince blends puzzles and roguelike exploration into something refreshingly original, clever, calm, and unlike anything else you’ve played.

Color me surprised but the newest Battlefield is genuinely good.

Absolum is absolutely recommended for beat 'em up fans thanks to the pedigree of its developers. It's also a surprisingly deep rogue-lite with a well-developed world, bolstered all the more by its incredible presentation.

Little Nightmares III is definitely worth a try, bringing a unique brand of horror and platforming puzzle action to the table in an instalment that builds on the franchise's best features.

Playtonic's remaster of its 2017 platformer offers a litany of improvements, but its level design still barely passes muster.

Super Mario Galaxy 1+2 return in stunning 4K, proving that nearly two decades later, Mario’s greatest adventures remain unmatched.

Tokyo Xtreme Racer feels like an absolute blast from the past in terms of its gameplay mechanics, overall structure, and how it tells its campy story.

The newest title in the Digimon Story series offers an awkwardly told story with underwhelming characters but solid combat.

Alien: Rogue Incursion is a decent game, but it feels like one that should have launched alongside its sequel to deliver a more cohesive and fleshed-out experience.

Slime Rancher 2 not only feels like a great sequel that builds on foundations laid with the original, but also a great game in its own right.

Nearly three decades later, Final Fantasy Tactics still stands tall as the pinnacle of tactical RPG design. The Ivalice Chronicles refines its strengths with modern updates, even if a few minor flaws hold it back from perfection.

Atelier Resleriana: The Red Alchemist and the White Guardian isn't a revolutionary addition to the RPG genre, but nails down its execution well enough to be an entertaining game in its own right.

While fans of the original may initially find it more iterative than evolutionary, Atsu's quest for vengeance is an incredible new tale from Sucker Punch that expands on Tsushima in all the best ways.

Improving and expanding on everything that made the first game so memorable, Hades 2 is an even more epic rogue-lite journey and Supergiant's best work yet.

A fine addition to a young genre, Survivor adds smart twists, most notably its level-based structure; however, unlike the mainline Deep Rock Galactic, it’s single-player only.

Trails in the Sky 1st Chapter is a great remake, but it's truly elevated by almost perfectly channeling the original's charm.

Despite its simplistic combat and clunky combat animations, Silent Hill f still delivers one of 2025’s quintessential horror experiences.

Helldivers 2 is an increasingly rare live service success story that leans into what it does best on the ground and makes quick missions fun and easy to play.

EA Sports FC 26 refines the formula with Authentic mode and better defending, making it a strong entry for fans. Still, it’s an iterative release with limited appeal for newcomers or those seeking major changes.

Atomfall: The Red Strain matches the base game’s quality but still misses crucial quality-of-life improvements.

At its core, Endless Legend 2 not only satisfies that itch for one more turn but also for proper set-up and preparation for what future turns could hold. [Early Access Review]

CrossWorlds is a thrilling, chaotic, and endlessly replayable racer that finally gives Sonic a karting identity of his own.

A solid title that brings the best of the franchise to the table while offering more than enough to stand on its own merits.

Assassin’s Creed Shadow: Claws of Awaji feels like an excellent refinement of the base game with a small but dense new island, more focused story, and most of the fat from the base game trimmed out.

Lego Voyagers is a simple yet charming game built around dedicated co-op play. There’s no dialogue, no quests, and no tutorials. Just you, your partner, and the Lego-built environment. It could certainly have been better, but as it stands, this is a highly accessible experience offered at an attractive price point.

The latest DLC for Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 takes a more concentrated approach, centering on crafting while telling its own story.

Indy is back for another adventure and while this new chapter does a lot of things very well, it could have been so much more.

Gearbox's latest is a return to form and a reminder of everything that made its looter shooter so unique, nagging issues aside.

NBA 2K26 delivers sharper on-court gameplay that shines despite the weight of heavy microtransactions holding it back.

There's a lot to love about this year's NHL game. From the redesigned Be A Pro mode to the enhanced NHL EDGE authenticity, it's a notable step up from previous years. NHL 26 has perhaps the best 'superstar' mode of EA's current sports lineup, which is shocking considering how stuck in the mud it's been prior to now. If you've been on the fence about EA's pro hockey series, now's the time to jump in.

Challenging, frustrating, invigorating, and oh-so fulfilling, Silksong is simply a masterpiece in almost every way.

Forgotten Land gets the polish it always deserved, plus Star Crossed World as a sweet extra.

A bigger and bolder sequel that ups the spectacle and ambition, though a few lingering flaws keep it from achieving true mechanical perfection.

The Bloober Team's latest outing is a trip to places of the past you might not choose to visit. But duty calls, and the Travellers must answer.

Metal Eden's fast-paced gameplay loop and harrowing sci-fi setting serve as a solid backdrop for arena combat, but be prepared for a whole lot of talking.

Rogue Factor's action-adventure succeeds in leading players through its brutal world without any guidance, despite some rough edges.

Lost Soul Aside has the foundations of a great action game with strong combat, but those strengths are buried beneath an inconsequential story and noticeable polish issues.

A decent action platformer bursting with nostalgia and charm, Space Adventure Cobra: The Awakening delivers a stylish retro ride.

Between Dead Cells and other rogue-lites, The Rogue Prince of Persia may not hold hardcore fans over in the very long run. Nevertheless, its premise is incredibly solid, backed by strong gameplay that channels the essence of its gameplay in all the right ways.

Gears of War: Reloaded is a great trip to the past for franchise veterans while newcomers will certainly enjoy its current-gen take on the adventure that started it all.

Drag X Drive offers clever wheelchair basketball motion controls on Switch 2, but bland style and thin content keep it from being a true classic.

Black Myth: Wukong works well on the Xbox, and is well worth the effort that Game Science has put into bringing it to the console. It's a game that has continued to remain relevant in the year since its release, and is probably going to be back in the news as soon as its rumored DLC becomes available to its players. It's worth every penny you pay for it, and it is definitely an experience that could remain among your favorites for a long time to come.

While Midnight Murder Club has some clever ideas and decent core gameplay, the lack of a player base makes it more likely that the game will be killed off before it can recover.

Channeling everything that made the classics great while enhancing with new mechanics, stunning visuals, and sublime controls, Shinobi: Art of Vengeance is an incredible revival and stellar action side-scroller in its own right.

Herdling continues Okamotive's reputation for unorthodox titles that resonate in unique ways. Desolate and survival-driven, yet warm and freeing, it's an adventure unlike any other despite the occasional hiccups.

Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater is a faithful, gorgeous remake with modern polish, tighter gameplay, and fun extras.

Sengoku Dynasty is a game that could have, and dare I say should have, been so much more than it is. There's an inherent simplicity to its gameplay loop that lends it a sort of relaxing charm, but ultimately leads it to being an uninspiring take on an era in Japanese history that brings a lot of potential to the table.

Sword of the Sea is like a siren - beautiful, inviting and great to listen to. Despite cutting through with an impeccable sense of style, the lack of a cohesive narrative and short runtime feels like you're treading water.

Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War - Definitive Edition lives up to its title, delivering the best way to experience the classic RTS, even if it could use a bit more polish.

Every mode, except Ultimate Team, has been enhanced with more engaging systems and streamlined features. The presentation feels livelier and more dynamic, with a welcome dose of college football DNA. Unfortunately, sluggish load times and a few poor interface choices continue to plague the yearly series.

Echoes of the End offers an engaging couple of days of play, thanks to its well-paced mix of combat and puzzles.

Demon Slayer: The Hinokami Chronicles 2 delivers a faithful, accessible, and polished adaptation that expands the first game’s formula with improved exploration, side quests, and refined combat.

Senua's PS5 debut brings a lot of nifty improvements over the original release but suffers from the same limitations that held Hellblade II back from true greatness back in 2024.

Although lacking replay value, The Old Country is well worth your time thanks to its storytelling chops, decent gameplay and excellent production values.

Paying homage to the classics while simultaneously serving as a breath of fresh air, Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound masterfully builds on the side-scrolling format of the older titles while adding its own twists.

While fans of Tolkien’s works might find the gameplay to be interesting, there isn’t much to chew on when it comes to the story.

If you can deal with its current optimization hiccups, Grounded 2 is an easy recommendation for those new to survival crafting sandbox. [Early Access Review]

Despite a delay and several improvements, Tripwire Interactive's latest is a significant downgrade from its predecessor in many ways.

The amount of content, some presentation elements, performances and raid may provide enough sustenance for some, but for others, it only just edges above average.

While it doesn’t reinvent the Soulslike formula, Wuchang: Fallen Feathers executes the fundamentals with confidence.

A staggering triumph of design, creativity, and expression, Donkey Kong Bananza may just be this generation's finest 3D platformer.

Teyon’s standalone chapter builds on Rogue City’s excellent gameplay loop with a well-paced story, excellent writing, and a polished experience that could have been longer but still delivers on all fronts.

Shadow Labyrinth is a very polished and well-balanced experience that is well worth the effort you will put into learning its mechanics.

The Enhanced Edition isn’t a major overhaul, some original issues like the clunky UI and awkward camera still persist. In return, you get improved visuals and high-resolution textures. But even with its flaws, Neverwinter Nights 2 and its Mask of the Betrayer expansion continue to offer exceptional storytelling that holds up remarkably well. Play it for the nostalgia.

While it may not overtake its inspiration, Ready or Not offers an unflinching tactical shooter experience with tense missions and brutal circumstances.

Eriksholm: The Stolen Dream won't offer anything that stealth aficionados haven't seen before, but its world-building and gameplay execution make it worth a look.

An easy recommendation for fans of the series, Patapon 1 + 2 Replay still carries much of the same charm - and annoyances - of the original releases.

A strong outing for the rebooted college football series, with revamped coaching systems and a polished presentation that elevate the experience.

Amazing Seasun's multiplayer shooter offers sleek combat and mecha designs, though it still needs a fair bit more fine-tuning.

Retaining everything that made the original great while enhancing its presentation, System Shock 2: 25th Anniversary Remaster is well worth it for newcomers and longtime fans.

Still Wakes the Deep presented an intriguing tale to build off of, but Siren's Rest isn't it, wasting its lead's impressive performance and failing to provide any real - or interesting - answers.

Rematch does a good job of providing a bite-sized arcade football experience that's backed by smooth performance and simple controls, making it easy to pick up and play.

Death Stranding 2 delivers stunning visuals, refined stealth-focused gameplay, and a richly detailed world brought to life by excellent audio and a memorable cast. It meaningfully evolves the original’s mechanics, though its unique style will still divide fans.

Final Fantasy XVI is a genre-defining character action game that combines an ambitious dark fantasy setting with a masterfully-crafted gameplay system that rewards experimentation and optimization, amplified by an incredible visual spectacle.

One of the most immersive and refined ways to experience Hogwarts Legacy.

Hitman: World of Assassination – Signature Edition delivers a robust stealth-sandbox experience on the Switch 2, packed with content and fully portable. However, the absence of docked VRR support and missing Switch-specific features like gyro aiming or mouse compatibility is a letdown. Still, for fans or those without access to other platforms, it remains a compelling option.

TRON: Catalyst leverages the mythos of its long-running setting for an intriguing premise, one hampered by middling combat and objectives.

As Remedy's first co-op shooter, FBC: Firebreak is a successful experiment, and while it doesn't quite match up to the best in the genre, the Oldest House is still a good stage for some creepy, frenetic action.