Where Winds Meet is a massive, gorgeous wuxia adventure that’s fun whether you want to play solo or engage with the community. Combat is fun, the world is beautifully realized, and the storytelling is engaging. Some of the systems can feel a little clunky, but not in a way that would turn players away. Where Winds Meet tells a huge, sweeping story that’ll keep you busy for 150+ hours or more, and with weapons ranging from swords and rope darts to umbrellas and fans, this has all the trappings to let you live out your fantasy as the hero in your own martial arts epic.

Kingdom Come: Deliverance II’s last hurrah is a stellar one. Mysteria Ecclesiae is a detective-like tale featuring a lot of great dialogue and even more stealth. While it may be more fun to fans of that character build, the story is worth taking another trip to 1400s Bohemia.

Painkiller is a fast and frenetic arena shooter that evokes the best elements of its predecessors. Gunplay is tight, movement is quick and fun, encounters are well-designed, and the weapon upgrade mechanics are fun to explore. While the raids are an enjoyable ride and Rogue Angel offers some variety in replay value, it’s kind of disappointing that there wasn’t a cohesive story to be told. Couple that with matchmaking already showing signs of distress, and I have to wonder if this wouldn’t have been better served as a narrative single-player experience. Still, what’s here is a blast, especially if you have a couple of friends to play with.

After spending some time in the Rust Belt, I can say with certainty that ARC Raiders is a great step for the extraction shooter genre. Beyond the incredible atmosphere of the maps lies in-depth systems to explore. Although simple to pick up, some may find it frustrating along the way. But, if you put in the effort, the mechanics ARC Raiders has available can make for a stellar time topside. That said there's still a whole lot left to explore in the Rust Belt – I've only played a smidgeon of the content for this live-service extraction shooter. If I had to score it today, based on initial impressions, I'd be at an 80/100. I'd also recommend ARC Raiders to all fans of the genre and gamers interested in starting their extraction shooter journey.

Dragon Quest I & II HD-2D Remake isn’t what I expected in the best possible way. The remake of Dragon Quest I is great, if frustrating at times, as it fleshes out the characters and combat of Alefgard. Dragon Quest II is the real highlight here, though, transforming the black sheep of the series into one of the best entries with delightful characters, a gripping story, and fun, strategic battles. Both games are gorgeous, with fantastic pixel art and orchestrated music, so they’re both well worth your time.

Bounty Star is a title of interesting ideas that never fully realizes any of them. The narrative foundation is strong, the setting is unique, and the ambition to blend mech warfare with homestead management deserves praise. But the execution fumbles with its overly repetitive design and shallow systems.

Space Adventure Cobra - The Awakening is a stylish and enjoyable revival of the iconic action hero. Blending some anime nostalgia with modern platforming, it's a solid outing and even better tribute to Buichi Terasawa.

Pokémon Legends Z-A gives us an amazing, fresh take on Pokémon battles, but that’s about all it does. Difficult fights are a highlight, but they can feel few and far between in a game that really overstays its welcome. When it works, it’s an absolute blast, but since there’s nothing else to do it’s a very one note game.

Consume Me is a pure delight to indulge in with a style that makes the mundane life of a teenager look exciting and like something straight out of a manga, but with messaging that hits home and touches on very real topics that harm a lot of teenage girls. It’s interactive storytelling at its best with RPG elements and a management system that had me scratching my head and even resetting a few times, which added a layer of challenge that made me want to master its mechanics. This is a true gem that has definitely come from the heart of its devs but with comedy that had me in hysterics, I can’t wait to see what they do next.

Easy Delivery Co. doesn’t need to say or do a lot to show you what the game is all about. It’s vibes with sprinklings of mystery, horror, and cozy that you can infer into as much as you want. It’s simplistic in gameplay and pretty much everything else, so manage your expectations. Once I did this, I wholeheartedly enjoyed Easy Delivery Co. in my evenings, where I just wanted to empty my mind and coast through low-poly snowy mountains. I just wish it had a bit more substance to keep me coming back, like optional challenges and maybe some mini questlines for NPCs.

Keeper is a fascinating tale full of moments that will make you think — not just about the game, but life and our place in the world. The visuals are intriguing, and the on-screen action is supported by a solid soundtrack. The mechanics are simple and can become a little monotonous at times, but there’s always something new around the next bend. While Keeper may not be a game that appeals to everyone, the nature of the story ensures that it’s certainly a game that’s for everyone.

PowerWash Simulator 2 is more of the same, but it doesn’t need to be anything else. With a meaty campaign, DLC offerings in the future, and an ever-addictive feedback loop, things are only looking up for Muckingham’s local hero. Watch out for the “one more game” trap!

FC 26 is fine for a while, but the longer I played, the more I became annoyed with the control scheme. The AI was a big fun killing factor, and no matter how many times I changed the game's difficulty, it never got better. Still, I had fun with a few of the game modes and love the training games.

Jurassic World Evolution 3 is a triumph for the Jurassic World Evolution series of games. Every inch of this game is oozing with quality-of-life improvements. I am seriously chomping at the bit to get my hands on free updates and further DLC.

If you craved a sprawling space opera with weighty choices and layered systems, The Outer Worlds 2 achieves that vision. Obsidian succeeds in expanding the scope, immaculate vibes, and mechanical depth of the first game whilst keeping the sharp writing and player choice they’re known for.

If you and a couple of friends are into a quick hack-and-slash adventure, Godbreakers has a quick fix for you. What it lacks, however, is robust combat systems and replayability. While there is fun to be had as you steal abilities from your foes, the highs wear off fast.

Ninja Gaiden 4 answers the call for a Ninja Gaiden successor. The gameplay offers plenty to enjoy for series veterans and newcomers alike, although the elements surrounding the combat don't put up as good of a fight.

Nothing in Varlet’s gameplay or narrative is outright terrible, with even the worst aspects being non-intrusive. Despite this, repetition is what makes the whole package less than the sum of its mediocre parts. My heart sank realizing how its promising foundation within the first few hours is all the game has to offer. Worst of all, as someone often moved by FuRyu’s flawed, but heartfelt games, Varlet commits the biggest sin of all. It made me feel next to nothing.

One Military Camp is filled with good ideas that have subpar execution.

Little Nightmares III is a solid yet unspectacular entry that translates the series' core appeal into a cooperative format but fails to fully justify the developer change or the price tag. It’s good, but not great, making it more of a recommendation for spooky season rather than a must-play horror title.

Yooka-Replaylee oozes with charm and color, yet much as its visuals endear, its lack of cohesion still can’t match the heights of its 64-bit ancestors. While filled to the gills with collectibles, those nostalgic for Rare’s golden age may well be better off revisiting their classics via Nintendo Switch Online or digging out their old Banjo cartridges.

Super Mario Galaxy + Super Mario Galaxy 2 feels less like a simple rerelease and something closer to a remaster, especially when played on Switch 2. While not as polished and fully featured as they could be for the price tag, these are still phenomenal games and absolutely worth blasting off in again and again.

Battlefield 6 is an iconic and outstanding Battlefield experience, from every step in the campaign to every battle in multiplayer. The game stands tall with the return of the class system, intense vehicular and infantry combat, and a thrilling story. Battlefield 6 is the complete package that fans have been waiting for, and the vision for the future of Battlefield is on beautiful display.

Absolum aims for immortality with its roguelike systems and progression systems. While its attempts at eternal life shine in its world map and strong combat design, its attempts to force you to keep coming back fall flat.

Story of Seasons: Grand Bazaar for the Nintendo Switch 2 is the best that the series has looked, while also adding voice acting to the major plotlines. With creative progression, interesting townspeople, lovely romances, and a fascinating Bazaar system, Grand Bazaar is a great opportunity for new and returning players of the franchise to enjoy a great game in the series. If you’re looking for a great cozy game for the Nintendo Switch 2, look no further than Story of Seasons: Grand Bazaar.

For all its missteps, Pac-Man World 2 Re-Pac is an agreeable 3D platformer from yesteryear. While hardly in the same league as Mario, Crash, or Astro Bot, it's served at just the right price for those pursuing a nostalgic diet. Approach accordingly, and you may just walk away from this classic meal with a full stomach.

No, I’m Not a Human is the kind of game that makes for an excellent demo, but fails to capitalize on what’s established in its opening hour. The crushingly grim mood and uncanny visuals are worth experiencing, but its opaque mechanics are better at creating confusion than intrigue. With a narrower scope and a more specific narrative, No I’m Not a Human could have been a prime candidate for a cult classic.

King of Meat’s intro is a reflection of how the game feels — disjointed, confusing, and self-indulgent — yet it exhibits undeniable fun and high-quality production value. But for every awesome feature King of Meat has, there are just as many design decisions that undermine those features, making it difficult for King of Meat's strengths to shine.

Nicktoons & The Dice of Destiny is a stellar entry in the Nicktoons franchise. While the story is only alright and the game sways to the easy side, I found myself having loads of fun with this entry. Newcomers to the genre are sure to have a blast with the characters and themes presented.

Everybody's Golf: Hot Shots is ultimately worthy of your investment, but this Switch version has to settle for a Double Bogey. While it is competent and enjoyable, it’s also grind-heavy, the Switch’s performance is jittery, and the series could do with a big and exciting evolution because this isn’t it.

LEGO Party! is an amazingly fun party game for fans of all ages. The game is full of LEGO charm, from the set pieces to the minifigs to the in-game commentary from the game show hosts. There are some concerns regarding performance in minigames and a lack of LEGO properties being represented, but overall, this is a must-have for anyone looking to add to their LEGO collection.

Hotel Barcellona has a plethora of interesting concepts, but the majority of them are executed so poorly it almost ruins even the merits of the ideas. Simply, the game just isn’t enjoyable outside of some dialogue.

Out of Time’s unique take on the rogue-like genre is fun and engaging, but the game suffers from a lack of polish in a few areas. Still, if you love grinding for game-changing gear with friends, then check this game out.

A worthy successor, this new legend in the Ghost saga stands on its own, and as tall as Mount Yōtei itself. Ghost of Yōtei takes the foundation of Ghost of Tsushima and builds something even better on it. Atsu’s journey to take on the Yōtei Six is magnificent, and backed by some of the best mechanics, visuals, sound, and immersive elements Sucker Punch has ever crafted.

More Slime Rancher is always a good thing. Slime AI has been improved, Slime personalities stand out more and are better designed, and Rainbow Island is gorgeous. However, a distinct lack of progression and a tiresome gameplay loop make Slime Rancher 2 feel more like DLC than a distinct sequel.

While Titanic Scion’s narrative trods familiar sci-fi anime territory, it’s delivered well enough. Characters are bombastic and overacted, but it creates a fun narrative environment. Outfitting your Arsenal gives you a ton of customization options, and the open world creates plenty of opportunities to explore and spread your wings. Unfortunately, technical issues are problematic across the platforms we played on. That said, anyone jonesin’ for a mech game fix will still find a good time here.

Hades II is an absolute blast from moment one, and only gets better from there. Everything from the dialogue to the music, visuals, combat, and build possibilities feels polished to a mirror sheen. It’s going to take you a long time to even reach the depths of Hades or the peak of Olympus, but when you finally do you’ll get hooked all over again.

Final Fantasy Tactics: The Ivalice Chronicles improves upon the original in nearly every way. It truly is the ultimate version of Final Fantasy Tactics, and an amazing adventure from start to finish.

Brutally frustrating, exasperating, and exhilarating, Baby Steps is a journey befitting the legacy of its creators. While the humor may be a bit too crass for some, there’s a surprisingly poignant narrative wrapped around a fairy tale in the bizarre, uncomfortable world Nate finds himself…and a constant reminder to get back up every time you fall, to continue putting one foot in front of the other. Hooroo.

Trails in the Sky 1st Chapter, despite being a remake of a 21 year old game, feels like a breath of fresh air. It masterfully combines action and turn-based combat using some in-depth character customization and weaves an intricate tale of love, empathy, political strife, and redemption. It’s a game that is almost always firing on all cylinders, keeping you engaged on this road and those beyond.

The game never feels like it's trying too hard to scare you. The horror emerges naturally from character development, environmental design, and pacing. When the game finally reveals its sick imagery and body horror, it feels earned rather than cheap. The exploration of female adolescence through a horror lens is handled with remarkable sensitivity and insight. And with multiple endings to achieve and New Game Plus at launch, there’s plenty of lore to dive into.

Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds sets itself apart from other cart racers with its speed of gameplay, amount of customization, brilliant soundtrack, and great cast of characters that will expand more and more with DLC. With many different game-types, carts, and items to collect, there will be something for any Sonic the Hedgehog fan. With the announcement of Hatsune Miku, Joker from Persona 5, and Ichiban Kasuga from Like A Dragon all coming in the next months, followed by a Minecraft and Spongebob DLC, we’ll have plenty to look forward to, plus some unannounced DLC as well! Sonic Team blew my expectations for the full game out of this “Cross”World.

Dying Light: The Beast is a bloody great time. Kyle Crane's return is a highlight, and while the pieces around him don't always fit, there's enough heartfelt interactions involved to make it enjoyable. The best part is the gameplay – an astoundingly brutal and adventurous romp through a gorgeous and well crafted world. It's a beast of an effort by Techland, and it pays off handsomely.

Hunter x Hunter: Nen Impact knows its place in the fighting game food chain, and thrives within it. With a fun and crazy battle system, Nen Impact offers plenty of fun for fighting game fans looking for something fresh in the current market.

With fantastic visuals, top-tier voice acting, excellent comedic writing, and an addictive gameplay loop, Borderlands 4 is just freaking fun. While not groundbreaking, the story of Kairos and the Timekeeper is well-done and engaging. Despite some technical issues that will hopefully be resolved quickly, Gearbox’s latest is a game fans won’t want to miss. It’s good to have Borderlands back.

While Drag x Drive breeds little contempt with its inspired concept, it fumbles the ball not merely with its paltry offerings but its demanding, and even frustrating, motion controls. An interesting novelty, but ultimately a clumsy showcase for Switch 2's mouse controls.

Is This Seat Taken? is puzzling at its finest, with a basic concept that is transformed into something intuitive and provides a lot of challenge for those seeking it. The world created is small yet cute and lively, and it actually had me remembering the storylines of some of their main characters. The team didn’t need to do this, but it sure added a level of depth to a gameplay-focused game. I just hope that this will be the type of game that gets more and more DLC, so I can find an excuse to do more puzzles!

For a first game, Spilled ticks every box with not much room for error. You are looking at about 1-2 hours of gameplay, which can put some people off, as there isn’t much reason to hang around after a cleanup, but you have to expect that going in. You can jump in and out, feeling much better about yourself by taking the time to clean up the oceans and make a difference to this small, pixelated world.

NBA2K26 is a blast to play. The physics feel tight when needed and quickly swap to feeling fluid when needed. The city is awesome, and playing your character as he moves through his career is a blast.

Overall, Hirogami is a visually stunning adventure taking place in a beautifully folded world. There’s a lot to get out of each level with many different challenges to sink your teeth into, but unfortunately, it’s all let down by a lack of polish in gameplay. Platforming feels clunky, and gameplay feels undercooked; it made my time with Hirogami a mixture of being in awe of my surroundings and dismay when I launched myself off the map.

METAL EDEN is a satisfyingly fast paced slaughter as you glide through the air and tear out the hearts of your enemies. With the varied weaponry at the Hyper Unit’s disposal, you’ll certainly have a blast rescuing the citizens of Moebius from the cryptic engineers, even if the conclusion comes quickly.

Cronos: The New Dawn is Bloober Team’s attempt to prove they're more than just remake specialists. Did they succeed? You betcha.

Lost Soul Aside is a flawed but occasionally brilliant action game that represents both the potential and the pitfalls of passion-driven game development. What Yang Bing and his team at Ultizero Games have accomplished is nothing short of extraordinary, because the core combat system genuinely delivers the kind of stylish, skill-based action that genre fans crave. However, another year of development to smooth out the rough edges might have allowed this game to live up to its sky-high expectations.

Hell is Us is an experience that won't appeal to everyone, particularly those who prefer clear objectives. You will spend a lot of your time figuring out what to do next, piecing together what clues you might have missed. But, the game also represents something increasingly rare in modern gaming: a title that respects your intelligence and isn't afraid to make bold design choices. Now, get ready to take some notes.

Even after a week of finishing Shuten Order, I am still pondering how I feel. It's an excellent experience I overall enjoyed, yet left a tad bit unsatisfied at where the adventure ended. Strangely, I feel this is its own unique merit. A destination that invites you to reflect back on the journey, wishing to see more of the path forward, but content with the distance that has been trekked. Kodaka, Nakazawa, and the writing team’s simultaneous celebration and critique of religion is one I found thoughtfully uplifting just as much as it is deeply disturbing. A take that plays on familiarity to craft something subversive. Shuten Order may not reach the peaks present in their other works (thankfully it also avoids the pitfalls), but it is a deeply introspective murder mystery that left me lost in thought about the nature of my own existence past its conclusion.

Abiotic Factor is a gorgeous survival game about pushing the boundaries of reality as we know it. You won’t be stranded on an island; this time, you have to survive a facility teeming with creatures, objects, and other humans who want you dead. How far are you willing to go to escape?

Once Alive is a two-ish hour walking sim with a narratively rich story to tell. It might have some rough edges, but the love the developer put into it shines through. If you love games with a compelling story and atmosphere a-plenty, then pick this one up.

Shantae Advance: Risky Revolution is novel in that it’s a lost GBA game finally being finished and released, but that’s about all it has going for it. The adventure itself feels like just another day in the life of the half-genie heroine, with nothing really interesting to see or do. It has some bright spots, like the puzzles and transformations, but is incredibly forgettable, bland, and inconsistent.

Shinobi: Art of Vengeance doesn’t settle for redoing the past. Instead, it brings the series forward with a distinct art style and bold new ideas. Art of Vengeance captures the spirit of Sega with a well-designed game that as an overly concerned Shinobi fanatic, I can muster only minor gripes about. It's good, it's fresh, and it's fun.

Mastering the manipulation of time, traversing a dreamlike cosmos, and solving immersive puzzles showcases why Hidden Memories of the Gardens Between is an adorable VR title that you shouldn’t let go under the radar.

Metal Gear Solid Δ: Snake Eater wants to have its cake and eat it too by remaining incredibly faithful to the original while also updating some key aspects like the controls and visuals. To die-hard fans of the PS2 classic, this is less of a definitive remake of the game and more just another way to play a fantastic game. Newcomers are certainly in for a treat, however, as Δ smooths over the original’s rougher edges for a more modern experience. It loses a lot in the translation, like some of the nuance in stealth and combat, but remains a thoroughly enjoyable experience.

Among the Whispers - Provocation takes the formula that Conrad Stevenson’s Paranormal PI introduced, streamlines the pacing, and adds a strong story with a killer setting. Any fan of single-player ghost-hunting games should consider this one a buy.

The Rogue Prince of Persia excels in 2D side scrolling combat by infusing a buttery smooth parkour system into the mix. Retaking Ctesiphon from the Huns using the immortal powers of the Prince works so well for the roguelite formula, and each run had me wanting to jump right back in.

Liminal Exit is a game that knows its inspiration and executes on it well, from the eerie anomalies to the uncertainty of progress. While the game will probably only take you around an hour to beat, it leaves a lasting impression.

Overall, OFF is definitely worth the purchase just for the experience you have whilst playing it. It’s wholly unique and has you contemplating your actions and its world throughout and way after the credits roll. Whilst it may just have a basic battle system and puzzles, OFF is a masterclass in feeling and atmosphere, and this new remaster makes it even more accessible to a modern audience.

Sword of the Sea is a beautiful, almost-cozy experience that, like Giant Squid’s other titles, stands as a strong argument for games as art. The game has chill vibes and a gorgeous, atmospheric aesthetic while still delivering an eloquent narrative. If you’re looking for something short and sweet, Sword of the Sea is the low-friction adventure for you.

After tons of time squinting at my monitor trying to solve whodunits and twisting my iPad around to see if my puzzle will cooperate, The Drifter has been the refreshing and innovative experience I’ve been looking for. You’ll find me hard-pressed to find any glaring flaws, as it excels in its characters, writing, puzzling, and everything else. It’s a thrill ride from start to finish that I’d recommend to anyone.

EA Sports Madden NFL 26 has a lot going for it this year with major updates to Madden Franchise Mode and a great new start to a refresh for NFL Superstar, all the while keeping MUT and online play steady as always. Franchise mode feels the most cinematic it’s ever felt with Rich Eisen and Scott Hanson bringing a new level of immersion into the game and adding all sorts of weekly reports and planning. The gameplay itself feels updated with the inclusion of the wear & tear system coming from College Football to Madden and multiple choices when it comes to passing mechanics. While bugs are a’plenty right now, this is a major step in the right direction for the Madden franchise that really needed a strong showing this year. If you’ve not played Madden in a while, this is where you’ll want to jump in again, especially Franchise Mode fans.

Echoes of the End may be one of 2025’s best surprises. While it has a bit of jank that leads to occasional frustration, it’s easily offset by gorgeous visuals, a great story, fascinating lore, engaging combat, smart puzzles, and excellent traversal mechanics. I desperately hope Myrkur Games continues to build and grow what has the potential to be an incredible franchise.

Disney Illusion Island feels a little shallow. With a lack of combat and a slow introduction to your abilities in-game, things can quickly become stale. However, playing with a few friends makes the game blossom into a much better experience.

Dungeon’s Hinterberg takes dungeon crawling, makes it a capitalist venture, and results in a personal story about the benefits and downfalls of tourism in our small towns. It’s a heartfelt story that charms you straight off the bat. The dungeons themselves are fun and feel more like a sightseeing holiday than terribly complex combat-fueled ventures, but if you’re looking for a chill time with hacking and slashing and hanging out with friends whilst saving the town from magic, then Dungeons of Hinterberg is a perfect holiday.

Hellblade II: Senua’s Saga is a test of frustration. It’s rarely fun to play and the sagging story never merits giving it a shot. It may look jaw-droppingly stunning but don’t be fooled - there’s not all that much going on beneath the surface. If you’re a PS5 owner who loved the original game and have been waiting forever to get your hands on the sequel, you’d best do yourself a favour and play the first game again instead.

Mafia: The Old Country harkens back to the old days in more ways than one. While the gameplay is more of a standard third-person action affair, it’s refreshing to play a game that doesn’t require you to wade through padding to find the good stuff. With a stirring narrative that commands your attention and visuals that fully capture your gaze, The Old Country is exactly the place to holiday as the summer comes to a close.

For 15 nights you'll need to hold back the darkness or embrace it as the sole lifeline of those on the sea. Even if the scares aren't that high, Static Dread still manages to tell the eldritch story it wants to in a reasonably fun way.

We already knew we had a long-lasting gem when Two Point Museum hit our screens in March. However, what is a surprise is how they hit it out of the park straight away with their first paid DLC expansion. Fantasy Finds is unique and adds refreshing new gameplay mechanics and decorations so you can fall in love with creating a museum all over again. For such a small price, you’re guaranteed many more hours to indulge in this masterpiece of a management sim.

Dune:Awakening does a phenomenal job of making Arrakis come to life, from the oppressing heat and sand as far as the eye can see, to the terrifying encounters with Shai Halud. Once you get your feet under you, the game has dozens of hours of exploration and content to work through, making it a very enjoyable experience. The combat leaves a lot to be desired, but classes, weapons, and gadgets feel fun. Took some points off for lack of housing decoration options and mods, and for the lack of real end game content. Would love to see raids, or overworld bosses, and better boss encounters in Testing Stations. Over all Dune:Awakening is a unique and fun experience that will suck you in right away.

Ragebound shows a great deal of respect to Ninja Gaiden’s legacy while being unafraid to try out some new ideas. It looks great, sounds great, and plays great. I just wish it respected the player on the same level as its predecessors, as its low difficulty and high player dictation is somewhat offputting for a longtime fan like myself.

Dead Take succeeds in harnessing terror by means of anticipation and stellar environmental horror. The performances of the cast are on point, delivering interesting themes, but that aren’t always tied up in the end. Even with a bit shallow of a narrative, Dead Take kept me on my toes from beginning to end, a commendable effort from Surgent Studios.

Street Fighter 6 on Switch 2 is a surprisingly good port and is hopefully emblematic of what we can expect with future Switch 2 ports. Yes, World Tour is far from perfect and could use a 30 fps cap or 40 in portable mode, but the majority of most players' time with the game will be spent either online or in the more traditional single-player modes. It also supports cross-play, so you’ll be able to fight against anyone else on any other platform.

The Edge of Fate is the most whelming Destiny 2 expansion of all time. There are additions, sure, but there aren’t any real innovations that deepen the D2 experience the way The Final Shape, or even Lightfall, did. Unless you like turning into a little ball and rolling around, of course.

In short, Tales of the Shire is a genuinely exceptional game. It is a cozy Hobbit life sim with unique characters, a quaint art style and gameplay mechanics that feel engaging, fun and sometimes surprisingly intricate. An absolute treat for all who partake, whether diehard fans of Tolkien or the cozy genre, or those with even a passing knowledge of either.

Luto is a bone-chilling and deeply layered game that, when playing to its strengths, provides an enthralling, emotional and creepy experience that goes above and beyond its initial exploration of death. Despite some stumbles in the form of some frustrating puzzles and a strangely dissonant meta nature, it is undeniable that Broken Bird Games have made a stunning debut here, and are absolutely a studio worth watching.

Eriksholm: The Stolen Dream is a brilliant testament to what a small team of dedicated individuals can accomplish, with River End Games releasing one of the best narrative-driven stealth adventures in a long while. Eriksholm features a moving, tragic, and ultimately hopeful story, mixed with fun stealth gameplay, and increasingly difficult scenarios to navigate. From its humble beginnings to its epic end, Eriksholm delivers in spades.

Wuchang: Fallen Feathers wears its inspirations a little too proudly on its sleeves, not to the point of the original plagiarism claims, but enough to fail to stand out in an increasingly saturated market. The game’s cultural authenticity is commendable, but it leans too heavily on familiar tropes. The middling technical performance is just the cherry on top.

Donkey Kong Bananza takes everything you expect from a Donkey Kong game and polishes it with such a fine coat that almost any type of player can find something to have fun with. If it’s collecting every Banana, mastering the Bananza’s, completing side quests, or just playing through a fun story, there is something fun for all ages. With plenty of easter eggs for players familiar with the franchise, Bonanza doesn’t rely purely on nostalgia to make it enjoyable. If you’ve missed collectathons or just want to experience a DK game with your kids, Bananza is a great time.

Shadow Labyrinth earns the right to have its darker version of Pac-Man be taken seriously. Its solid exploration and combat mechanics make for an excellent game that gets further elevated by its fun integration and celebration of Namco history into its design. While at times the game can feel a little too bloated with ideas, it’s okay to overeat during a celebration.

Believe it when Uchikoshi says No Sleep For Kaname Date is a game made by fans, for fans. Kazuya Yamada delivers a heartfelt epilogue to the first Somnium Files’s self contained story. While the pacing feels a bit listless thanks to the narrative structure, and the escape rooms are straight up miss, those ended up being small blemishes in the grand scheme. What I'll remember is seeing characters new and old grieve and heal together. I laughed, I cried, and most importantly I was moved seeing the chaotic duo of a cuckoldry obsessed detective and his AI eyeball partner get no sleep because of the friends they made along the way.

While it starts slow, RoboCop: Rogue City – Unfinished Business finds its groove and keeps going. The gameplay is as ferocious as ever, with some great character work balancing it out with several heartfelt moments. If you liked Rogue City, you have no excuse not to grab Unfinished Business, and if you’re new to Teyon’s take, prepare to have a heck of a time.

College Football takes everything from last year and moves it forward a little bit, with the stadium atmosphere, lighting, and quality of life updates taking the star position. Dynasty and Road to Glory have both gotten much-needed tweaks from last year and much-needed attention to detail, especially in the menus. While there are many upgrades from College Football 25, College Football 26 suffers from a lot of little issues, which create frustrating moments in multiple areas. Time seems to have put a damper on making this game as polished as it could have been.

I have to wonder who this game is for. Other than raw nostalgia for this specific title, I can’t really think of a reason to recommend anyone play this. If you want to be a Space Marine, Space Marine 2 is amazing.

Despelote was a bit of a personal one for me, and I can see why some players may not love it due to it being a walking simulator where you kick a ball around. But for anyone willing to give it a chance, you’ll find a snippet of pure sentiment to engage with as you put on the shoes of its developer. You see Ecuador for its authentic self as a child and witness a moment that you probably never batted an eye at before. But you leave with a fuzzy feeling, wanting to reminisce about your own memories you had as a child.

Enchanted by Nature is special in how it finally introduces Fairies to the Sims 4. You easily step into the wondrous world of Innisgreen which is full of things to do, lore to uncover and nature to wander around in. You really feel like you’re a part of a Fairy community, surrounded by mysticism and an outstanding build-mode and Create A Sim. However, this pack falls flat in a lot of other areas too, mainly its gameplay, which feels all too lackluster and may risk becoming really annoying in the long term. I feel like a lot of potential was lost here, but overall, I’m satisfied.

The Arbites class embodies the Lex with a powerful new arsenal and unyielding dedication to enforcing justice. Whether you're shrugging off a hail of lead while your dog devours your foes or toppling crushers with the word of the law, the skill tree is flexible enough to offer a plethora of build diversity to fit your playstyle. While the Arbitrator may not fit the existing narrative perfectly, the fun factor alone is enough to look way beyond this small grievance.

GORN 2, at its core, is pure bloody gladiator fun. Outrageous doesn’t begin to describe the experience of its humor, gore, and cartoonish brutality. This is absolutely one that VR owners need to check out.

Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3 + 4 lands somewhere between remake and reimagining. It doesn’t land either perfectly, but it's still a ton of fun. There’s a lot to see and do, but I’ll always come back to just skating around, pulling off tricks just for the fun of it.

Lies of P: Overture is a fantastic, albeit slightly short, addition to the already incredible Lies of P base game. Clocking in somewhere between six to eight hours, Overture is an incredibly well-made expansion which does an impressive job of fleshing out the lore of Krat while providing impressive new set pieces to explore, weapons to master, Legion Arms to forge, and challenging bosses to defeat.

Bravely Default Flying Fairy is a great game, and while this HD Remaster cleans things up a bit its efforts often feel lacking. It looks better in some ways, but the same in others and plays better in some ways but worse in others. If you enjoy experimenting with character builds, it’s a great time, but it’s still going to take some grinding to get there. If you can persist through the grind, you’ll find the same diamond in the rough that the game was on the 3DS.

It’s so hard to score Palia when I look at my playtime of 75 hours and think of all the amazing things this game has to offer, from its in-depth characters, activities to indulge in, and endless possibilities in decoration. However, all of this is sprinkled with bugs, a ridiculously broken climbing mechanic and the fact that it seems far from being finished. It’s definitely come a long way since its launch in 2023, but we still seem to be so far away from its full potential.