As it currently stands, STARSEEKER: Astroneer Expeditions is a difficult game to recommend. While the core loop can certainly be fun, especially if you jump into an expedition with a full party of friends, it currently lacks the gameplay depth or variety to be worth more than an evening of entertainment. [Early Access Review]

While this is an Early Access game, and developer MONTE GALLO has noted plans to add an entirely new game mode that will be a “larger extension” of the core experience, in its current state, you won’t really get much more than an evening’s playtime out of it. [Early Access Review]

NBA: The Run succeeds as a focused arcade alternative to sports sims, even if some rough edges hold it back from greatness.

BrokenLore: FOLLOW is a great addition to the horror genre, and a fairly entertaining game, provided you can ignore its flaws that could derail your experience.

Gothic 1 Remake definitely deserves praise for preserving everything good about the original release and for its revamped visuals. However, that isn't enough to excuse its poor performance and dated combat, facets crucial to the experience that actively prevent it from being easy to recommend.

EA Sports UFC 6 does many things right, delivering what you’d expect from it. But as a title meant to advance the franchise, it stumbles too often to truly stand out.

Cloud and co.’s sophomore Switch 2 outing comes with some obvious technical cutbacks, but manages to retain its charms nonetheless.

The 7th Guest Remake is a fantastic way to experience the 1993 classic without having to worry about the original’s absurd puzzle design. Its engaging story, fun characters, and compelling gameplay loop will also keep you stuck to the screen.

F1 25: 2026 Season Pack is a well-executed evolution which mirrors the sport’s real-life regulation changes, improving the experience but not radically changing it.

Fatekeeper certainly has potential, and despite how utterly railroaded the traversal can be, the environmental aesthetics really do stand out for their atmosphere and fidelity. [Early Access Review]

Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth does justice to its Xbox version, bringing everything we’ve loved about it since its original release while remaining a strong performer to boot.

Yoshi and the Mysterious Book is a lovely, very unique, very delightful platformer, and I sincerely hope it represents the future direction for the series.

Ultimately, as far as Early Access releases go Dark Light: Survivor is one of the better ones out there. [Early Access Review]

Riven thrives on nostalgia and intrigue in equal measure, and it could prove highly addictive for anyone who enjoys puzzle-heavy experiences. However, if you're expecting more from it beyond that core appeal, you may come away disappointed. Even so, it remains a timeless classic, and its latest version is well worth considering if you can pick it up at a good price.

Myst gives a familiar experience a fresh coat of paint, one that has managed to retain its unique appeal across many years and multiple iterations. However, it is still likely to resonate most strongly with a niche audience that will fully embrace what it offers. Others may admire its legacy, but might not feel compelled to see it through the way it was intended.

Mina the Hollower isn't perfect or even close to it, and given expectations following Shovel Knight, that's kind of disappointing for me. Nevertheless, it's still a very good old-school action-adventure with strong combat fundamentals and undeniable charm.

While Thick as Thieves is a short game lacking in many basic features like rebindable controls, it's an easy game to recommend thanks to its compelling gameplay loop, emphasis on replayability, and a co-op mode.

Bubsy 4D isn't the best 3D platformer out this year, and probably doesn't even rank in the top ten, but it is a solid return for the character, if you can stomach the various issues.

James Bond is back, bringing all his signature style, spy skills, and one-liners to the table. It goes without saying that we love this new outing for the super spy.

As it stands, you’re either going to like Deep Rock Galactic: Rogue Core because of its tension or ultimately reject it for the same reason. The rogue-lite elements, REPD upgrade nags, timer, and whatnot can all be adjusted accordingly as early access proceeds, and there’s a pretty hefty amount of content to be had. But unless you’re on board with the core gameplay, it may be hard to really embrace. If nothing else, you have to credit Ghost Ship Games for attempting something new – even if its biggest hit is most notable for the exact opposite gameplay flow. Here’s hoping it can hone a strong identity for Rogue Core throughout early access because while “rogue-lite DRG” sounds intriguing, the execution may leave some wanting. [Early Access Review]

Far from offering the best bullet hell or first-person shooter experience, Luna Abyss instead sticks to its own quirky formula, stubbornly so at times, and mostly succeeds.

ZERO PARADES: For Dead Spies is a fantastic RPG with great writing, a phenomenal cast of characters, and an interesting setting.

While a little too eager to spill its narrative guts, Unknown Worlds retains the same endearing exploration (with some twists). [Early Access Review]

As we wait for the Dark Knight's next big game, LEGO Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight steps in and delivers a lovingly crafted, satisfying entry. It pulls from the best Batman entries while going beyond expectations in every aspect. This one’s by the fans, for the fans.

Motorslice is a classic example of a developer taking influences, wearing them on their sleeve, and building on that foundation with a unique and engaging experience.

Mixtape nails its presentation and story, making it a music-focused adventure that takes you back to simpler times.

WILL: Follow the Light tells a simple story of a man trying to look for his son after a massive storm, and along the way, has to confront the mysteries of his own life. The intimate nature of the core premise is compelling enough to carry this walking simulator throughout its entire runtime.

Directive 8020 imbues every interaction in trust and paranoia, delivering emotional turbulence and atmospheric dread that’s only overshadowed by inconsistent mechanics.

Playground Games delivers yet another spectacular open-world racing adventure with Forza Horizon’s long-awaited visit to Japan.

NTE: Neverness to Everness won't set the free-to-play world on fire, but it's still a surprisingly strong debut effort with a solid foundation.

By the time Dead as Disco exits early access, it should be one for the ages. For now, however, it’s an excellent early access offering that masterfully blends 3D beat ’em up combat with some sick beats. [Early Access Review]

Industria 2 has a great premise and fun gameplay, but it’s in dire need of better optimization.

Invincible VS will be immediately satisfying for the casual crowd, but it also brings genuine competitive potential through its hidden mechanical complexity.

Double Fine's latest sees creativity and destruction collide in an awkward, barebones competitive multiplayer experience.

MotoGP 26 doesn’t meaningfully upgrade much of its catalog, but its large amount of content and wide range of accessibility options allow it to remain the definitive experience for MotoGP fans of all skill levels.

DarkSwitch represents a new, fresh take on a genre that largely focuses on a flat 2-dimensional axis. Fans of the city-building genre, as well as newcomers, will find plenty to enjoy here.

Skull and Bones left pirate game fans with an itch it couldn’t quite scratch, leading many to wonder if Windrose might be the solution. [Early Access Review]

Housemarque strikes gold once more, building on Returnal's foundation to deliver a rogue-lite/bullet hell title unlike any other.

The DLC is plagued by poor pacing and repetitive combat; its only saving graces are its fantastic boss fights and short runtime.

Spark in the Dark is a new twist on the old-school dungeon crawling formula, melding Soulslike combat with elements of horror.

Road to Vostok may be a solo-developed indie game, but its future looks extremely bright, and the foundations already in place give it enormous potential. [Early Access Review]

The Cosmic Abyss has enough variety to make the runtime never feel overly long, and the optionality within each chapter provides a significant amount of replay value.

You'll want to take in Replaced's retrofuturistic version of dystopian USA as much as possible, but the phenomenal visuals can only do so much to make up for the above-average combat and puzzle-platforming.

Cliches and homages abound in MOUSE: P.I. For Hire, and it gleefully embraces them while offering a compelling detective mystery wrought with over-the-top violence and a cast that's having the time of their lives.

For those who enjoyed the first game but always felt it could have been so much more, Regions of Ruin: Runegate is an improvement on every single level, and a compelling game in its own right.

The Occultist gets enough of its world right to be an interesting game but it drops the ball on its gameplay.

It has been a long time coming, yes, but it’s fair to say that Pragmata is worth the wait.

SCREEN JUICE's debut has solid foundations and a killer aesthetic, and could become something truly spectacular over time. [Early Access Review]

Starfield lands on PS5 close to three years on from its original release, and delivers its most polished and packed version to date. Though it’s unlikely to convert past skeptics, for sci-fi RPG fans on PS5, it’s well worth a look nonetheless.

Translating an octopus’ natural brainpower into gameplay mechanics, Darwin’s Paradox! engages this plucky cephalopod in tentacle espionage action.

Clover Bite is back with a bang, and Grime 2 is a worthy sequel to the original title thanks to some great gameplay and excellent designs.

Mega Man Star Force Legacy Collection is a faithful and feature-complete revival of the original games, but its appeal leans heavily on nostalgia. The quality-of-life additions are welcome, yet they do little to elevate a gameplay loop that now feels overly simple and repetitive.

Project Songbird is a short psychological horror experience that focuses on telling a personal story rather than throwing jumpscares your way.

Unorthodox controls, surprising mechanical depth, and on-track carnage underscore this narrative-heavy racer out of Milestone’s leftfield.

Death Stranding 2: On the Beach continues to be a phenomenal game that is easy to recommend to anyone regardless of their preferred platform.

From a suite of real-world data to on-field animation expansions, MLB The Show 26 promises authenticity on stat screens and in stadiums alike.

Crimson Desert is as expansive as promised, dwarfing pretty much every other open world currently with its scale. Its content doesn't always stick the landing, but the combat shines, and the sense of discovery is hard to deny, even with the lackluster story.

Ghost of Yōtei: Legends doesn't significantly reinvent the gameplay loop present in Tsushima: Legends, instead offering new mechanics and mission types to go with a familiar gear grind. Despite some difficulty pains, it works very well and serves as a strong foundation for what's to come.

GreedFall: The Dying World is a worthy successor to the first game and an effective prequel to that adventure. However, with combat emerging as a major weak point, it may be a tougher sell for players expecting thrilling enemy encounters. Even so, it remains an impressive game that deserves credit for everything it does well.

Monster Hunter Stories 3 isn’t exactly where I’d want the series to be just yet - but it’s very nearly there, and I think, for many, this will be one of the most satisfying monster collection RPGs on the market at the moment.

There are some games that are conceptually perfect, at which point, once they exist, the only thing standing in the way of them and impeccable perfection is their execution of their pitch. Pokopia is the rare game that has a perfect concept, and then nearly pitch-perfect execution and follow-through on that concept.

John Carpenter's Toxic Commando doesn't break out so much as cater to the Left4Dead-leaning, even with its more open-ended approach and use of vehicles. It works more often than not - just don't expect it to aspire to much more.

Bungie delivers a compelling extraction shooter in a trippy new setting, though whether that will be enough remains to be seen.

World of Warcraft: Midnight is off to a fantastic start, with a campaign that, while uneven in places, ends on a strong note. Paired with an excellent new casual gameplay pillar in player housing, as well as more dungeons, delves, and class options, it already feels like a strong expansion.

Fatal Frame II: Crimson Butterfly Remake does a lot of things right in its effort to modernize a classic for a new generation of gamers. Its story is a highlight, while the revamped visuals and sound design really help sell the experience. It's a pity, then, that the revamped combat system feels so wildly imbalanced that it makes a crucial chunk of the game feel tedious rather than engaging. We'd recommend waiting for a few patches before taking this one on.

Though the studio has worked on simulation games before, Docked focuses entirely on one type of machine: cranes.

WWE 2K26 nails the theatrical chaos of wrestling inside the ring, even if many of its surrounding modes still feel sluggish and awkward.

Looking back once more on Scott Pilgrim vs The World: The Game, it's still incredible how it managed to deliver a great beat 'em up experience within the confines of its property. Scott Pilgrim EX can be fun, but it lacks that additional level of oomph that could see it stand side by side with the original, and that's without getting into all the ways it simply falls short as a video game.

While retaining the same fundamental gameplay, Wishfully's gorgeous sequel improves on the original in almost every single way.

Tales of Berseria Remastered makes this harrowing adventure much easier to experience, but it still doesn’t do enough to fix the issues that plagued the original release.

Despite some strong new content, Falcom's enhanced version of the 2024 action RPG still falls short of the series' best.

For survival horror fanatics who own a Nintendo Switch 2, Resident Evil 7 is incredibly easy to recommend.

Resident Evil Village is an essential Switch 2 pick for anyone who wants survival horror tension with blockbuster action.

Kingdom Come: Deliverance has finally escaped the shackles of being restricted to last-generation console performance thanks to its new upgrades.

With potent scares and thrilling action, Resident Evil Requiem delivers a memorable experience that successfully combines the series’ action and horror sides, while also telling a compelling story that expands the Resident Evil mythos in fascinating ways.

Styx is back, as tenacious as ever, and his latest adventure aims to build on the best elements of the franchise’s predecessors.

Sons of Sparta delivers tight platforming and genuinely satisfying combat.

Avowed isn't trying to be the next big Obsidian title as much as an action RPG set in the Pillars universe - so it was a year ago, and it remains true today. You could do worse, especially on PS5 at this price, but think twice if story-telling and memorable characters are essential to the experience.

Fresh challenge systems and a slick new story make 91Act's rogue-lite that much more compelling, even if some aspects could be better.

Reanimal is exactly what you might expect from the original Little Nightmares team, and yet, wondrous in its own right. Like venturing down the rabbit hole of unrelenting terror, it's an experience that will stay with you long after the credits roll.

RIDE 6 is the motorcycling series at its most complete, where worthwhile onboarding, progression with momentum, and an overall passion for two-wheel machinery outshines uneven presentation and a festival setting which misses the mark.

Skip The 9th Charnel. It never does enough to feel genuinely fun, engaging, or immersive.

Romeo is a Dead Man has many fundamental issues, which is a shame because its sense of style and allure make for a uniquely surreal adventure.

Yakuza Kiwami 3 is a great way to experience one of the more fun stories in the series thanks to the new and improved gameplay.

In its current state, The Midnight Walkers also feels quite repetitive. Once you’ve gotten your hands on some decent enough gear, there just isn’t much incentive to keep playing, at least for the time being. [Early Access Review]

Nioh 3 doesn’t settle for iterative improvements. Instead, it pulls together Team Ninja’s best mechanics from past entries, folds in welcome touches from its other games, and backs it all up with genuinely strong new additions that feel mechanically sound and consistently engaging.

Vampires: Bloodlord Rising promises survival crafting with a complete story and a strong focus on social interaction, but does it deliver? [Early Access Review]

By rebuilding and streamlining the classic adventure, Reimagined stands as one of the series’ strongest entries.

From the presentation and controls to the core gameplay focus, The Game Bakers' survival climbing game is absolutely incredible.

2XKO is a phenomenal free-to-play fighting game that balances impressive depth with accessible tutorials that ease newcomers in rather than overwhelm them.

If you want to revisit the glory days on the PS1 with a cult classic tactical title, you can't go wrong with Front Mission 3 remake.

The Avalanche crew heads to the Nintendo Switch 2 with excellent results.

Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade on Xbox is every bit as good as it was on PS5.

Hypergryph's action RPG foray falls short in several places, but the unorthodox systems, exploration and visuals make it worth a try.

Serafini Productions’ take on bullying and the impact of social media on troubled minds is not just relevant, but quite the entertainer when its systems manage to come together.

A solid Metroidvania in its own right with a uniquely gorgeous aesthetic, MIO: Memories in Orbit is marked by bizarre design choices and a lack of variety to combat.

Whatever this game attempts to do, others have already done, and done better. It would be a disappointing addition to the gaming libraries of most players, and it’s hard to believe a title could fall this flat in 2026. I wouldn’t recommend this even to someone who’s completely out of options; being bored with nothing to play is honestly preferable to experiencing this mess.

Ice-Pick Lodge's time-bending adventure of overcoming an outbreak is its most involving, deftly written and compelling adventure yet.