Banana Rumble shows the value of adding a new spin on a tried-and-true formula. This series has wallowed in its past for a long time, so I’m glad to see the new Spin Dash mechanic propel it into new and exciting places. As far as Super Monkey Ball sequels go, this one is easily the top banana.

Where some teams would stay safe in their additional downloadable offerings, building on the foundation laid by the full game, Remedy has gone wild. This is exactly the kind of episodic content I’m looking for. While I’m sure the upcoming Lake House DLC will further our connections to Control, I’m glad Remedy took the time to make something wholly unique, which is what that studio is.

Destiny 2 is back, baby. The Final Shape’s exhilarating and heart wrenching main story quest, beautiful and twisted new destination, terrifying new enemy faction, and plethora of insanely powerful gear solidify this as the new peak of the Destiny experience.

Star Wars: Hunters does a great job of creating fast paced matches with unique and balanced characters. Each level is well thought out and keeps the games moving at a steady pace. The game modes, while straightforward, are interesting and full of detail for Star Wars fans. If you like Star Wars, you’ll love this free game with new characters and plenty of explosions.

I’m both happy and sad that Shadow of the Erdtree is the first and last expansion for Elden Ring. On one hand, it’s a masterfully woven experience that expands on the contents of the base game, whereas on the other it leaves much more to be desired with its disappointing final boss. That being said, it’s still very much worth your time if you’re craving some more Elden Ring.

It’s about time Monster Hunter Stories 2: Wings of Ruin made its way onto PlayStation. I’m a bit sad that there isn’t a native PlayStation 5 port, but the current PS4 one is solid through and through. The smooth and high frame rates are a treat but the long load times leave more to be desired. If you’re looking for a party turn-based JRPG as your next game on your PlayStation, then Wings of Ruin is definitely worth checking out.

Monster Hunter Stories may be the lesser game compared to its sequel, but that doesn’t mean it’s not worth playing. It’s a fun, lighthearted take on the monster collecting genre with a deep battle system and tons of Monsties to befriend. This version is better than ever, with gorgeous visuals and hammy voice acting, and is worth a try for any RPG fan.

Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance is the definitive way to experience SMTV. The new story is much more interesting and makes a perfect entry point for Persona fans, though it does miss out on some important plot points. The tweaks to combat make things feel that much tighter and strategic. With new bosses that even veterans will struggle with, Vengeance feels like an entirely new game.

I want to love El Shaddai: Ascension of the Metatron, but the HD Remaster on Switch is not the place to do so. It runs so poorly you can’t even navigate menus properly. Even besides those problems, the action and platforming are incredibly bland and the story is nigh incomprehensible, even as someone who loves artsy titles.The visuals are drop dead gorgeous and the voice acting is good, but that’s not enough to carry a game.

Paper Mario: The Thousand Year Door on Switch shows why the game is considered one of the best in the first place. It’s a magical, fun, and hilarious adventure with some dark turns that give a new perspective on Mario’s world. Additions and changes are sometimes small, yet very significant, but this remake doesn’t quite make the game a painless experience. Even so, it’s well worth playing again and again for a reminder of why we fell in love with Paper Mario in the first place.

While it doesn’t rewrite the history books of gaming, Astor: Blade of the Monolith is a solid first outing for C2 Game Studio. The combination of a great combat loop with fantastic visuals is a winner, and although the story is a bit devoid of substance, is still an entertaining tale. This is certainly a game the devs can build upon, with potential shining through.

Digital Eclipse has made this journey as earnest and effortless as possible. For those who want to forge a deeper bond with the medium (you know who you are), Wizardry 2.0's worth your time and money.

One of the best PlayStation games gets a port worthy of its reputation. Nixxes has provided an excellent port, one properly optimized with all the bells and whistles. Not to mention, there is so much you can engage with between Ghost of Tsushima, Tales of Iki Island, and Legends. Don’t delay, grab your katana and play this game.

MLB The Show 24 is the ace of the sports sim industry. Building upon last year’s impeccable Storylines mode and adding small improvements to existing game modes, San Diego Studio have built a complete experience that makes it hard to find anything negative to say.

Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II is a stunning and immersive storytelling experience that really puts the player into the mind of its titular character. It’s even more narratively-focused than the first game (not to its detriment), with a bigger emphasis on how Senua sees and interacts with the world around her. The whole experience from start to finish has been beyond memorable.

1000xResist is one of those special games from a team of individuals laser focused on creating their masterpiece. It’s story is meaningful, gripping, and heartfelt. This is a work of art you absolutely need to play.

Endless Ocean Luminous’ highs come early, with a relaxing atmosphere and excitement of seeing new sea creatures and learning about them. Those highs quickly drop off and what you’re left with is an often frustrating, bland game that completely abandoned what made the series special in the first place.

Cyber Citizen Shockman 3 is fun at times, mainly thanks to its goofy sense of humor and fun cutscenes and characters, though the basic hack and slash combat paired with inconsistent and often brutal difficulty grows stale quickly. Still, the levels are varied, ranging from city skylines and industrial buildings to demonic underground lairs, and the ever-changing enemies help keep the player’s attention throughout its seven short levels. Cheats and bonuses help provide a bit more bang for the buck, but for only $6, there’s enough here to justify picking this game up and killing an hour or two.

Homeworld 3 is everything I hoped it could be. It improves on its predecessors in every conceivable way, and adds meaningful new features including a cooperative War Games mode. I never thought it would happen again, but I’m happy to report…the mothership has cleared the scaffold...we are away once again.

Little Kitty, Big City gets the assignment, but doesn’t completely land on all four paws. The exploration is a blast, the world is delightful, and the side characters can steal the spotlight. I just felt like my time here was too short, and without much going on during it.

Sea of Thieves on PS5 is another great way to play a good multiplayer game. There’s a lot more content now than at launch, with tons of things to do either solo or with a crew. With cross-play and save, a wealth of convenience options, and even more coming down the pirate pipeline, this may be the perfect time to brave the Sea of Thieves.

Even though Another Crab’s Treasure doesn’t break the mold of your typical Souls-like game, it’s a charming one thanks to its funny and not-so-serious mood. The hilarious yet practical accessibility features along with a colorful cast of characters make this one of the best indie Souls-likes to date. Who knew that one of my favorite indie games of this year would involve a hermit crab setting off on a deep sea adventure to take back his shell?

While not every gambit succeeds, Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes delivers us the spiritual successor we all dared to hope for, but never expected to get. While things like the War Mode and some balance issues and bugs will require additional attention, there’s a great JRPG here worth playing.

The Rising Tide may not offer anything new or novel to Final Fantasy XVI, but it does continue its streak of incredibly polished and fun gameplay. The story is a nice cherry on top of the main adventure, and the Karios Gate mode will keep you coming back for more.

Sand Land is not just another adventure, it's a thrilling journey through the creative landscapes of Toriyama's imagination. It's an oasis of content ready to be explored form one grain of sand to the next. With Beelzebub leading the charge, this game promises a haven of juicy content and vibrant character development amidst the dry, vacant desert setting. All I want to say is that fans should eagerly anticipate the release, it's clear that Toriyama's legacy continues to captivate audiences that will draw you into worlds where even deserts are brimming with life. So, grab your favorite juice and prepare for an RPG experience that'll leave you parched for more!

Despite not vibing too well with the demo, we were utterly in love with Stellar Blade by the time the credits rolled. Shift Up has done a tremendous job with their first triple A project and sets a high bar for modern action role playing games. There are some pacing issues, and the narrative's delivery stumbles, but the game as a whole is near perfect: the themes, the visuals, the music, the combat, the exploration, the world, and the technical performance. A modern masterpiece.

SaGa Emerald Beyond is a fun experience with new mechanics and many ways to play. With five different characters with their own stories, it’s a fun time to run around fighting a flurry of monsters, demons, and more. While things might get a bit repetitive at times, many will find it a blast trying out the different formations, United Attacks, and more.

TMNT: Wrath of the Mutants puts you on a roller coaster ride through the world of the 2012 cartoon. The ride proves amusing, but digging any deeper into its game design reveals the game to be a rather sloppy bout of sewer surfin’.

Sucker for Love: Date to Die For is a surprisingly heartfelt, wholesome dating sim between a girl from a small town and a goat from beyond the stars. The comedy takes a backseat here in favor of some very tense horror and incredibly cute romance, though there are still jokes and gags a plenty. It’s a short and sweet experience that will shock you, terrify you, and warm your heart.

Phantom Fury is an unapologetic boomer-shooter that can definitely talk the talk, but fails to walk the same walk that its inspirations did some 25 years ago. Countless technical problems, obscure level design, and a sad excuse for a story unfortunately make what could have been a good game a middling one.

Providing a short but semi-sweet experience, Buckshot Roulette ups the stakes and the fire power of Russian roulette. While the opportunities for deeper strategies often become muddled by the core mechanic of luck, there are still some worthwhile white-knuckled moments that will test your mettle.

Freedom Planet 2 suffers from many of the same problems that plagued the original game, with the additional problem of having way too much combat, but remains a delightful speed platformer at its core and is worth running through for any fans of the genre.

Tales of Kenzera: ZAU rests on a solid foundation, yet prioritizes its narrative at the expense of its game design. Rather than allowing its gameplay and narrative to support each other, it discards some of the medium’s unique strengths for a competent if bland experience that fails to give full weight to its subject matter.

Jimmy and the Pulsating Mass is a gift. Its at first simplistic presentation belies a work of thought, care, and empathy. It satisfies those looking for quality in exploration, combat, and writing, while tying all elements together to focus the experience on communicating its message.

This highly addicting definitive edition of The Last Case of Benedict Fox was a blast to explore! The improvements to existing game mechanics as well as the additions of new story content, puzzles, and the arena complete the package, resulting in one of the best Metroidvanias I’ve played to date.

My Next Life as a Villainess: All Routes Lead to Doom! -Pirates of the Disturbance- feels like a few episodes of the anime put together into a well made visual novel package. The writing can feel clunky, but the charm of the characters shines through. Fans of the show, manga, or light novel will find something to like here, and otome game fans will find a game with a ton of options and robust ease of play.

Transcending the line between video game and interactive art piece, Harold Halibut explores the meaning of home on an isolated alien water world. While some pacing issues exist within the larger story, the handcrafted visuals that consistently charm alongside an extravagant cast make this a treat for fans of narrative adventures.

Despite Parry Nightmare’s short runtime, it makes the most of every action-packed second by flawlessly combining addictive, high-tempo, parry-based combat and attention-grabbing visual storytelling baked directly into the enemies’ sprite art and level design.

Call of Duty: Warzone Mobile is Warzone, but on the go. The visuals suffer, but the game plays just like you remember and it works. If future updates can address that and some settings, along with continuing the fantastic content pipeline, Warzone Mobile can grow the scene further.

Anglerfish feels like it caters to a very specific patron and ends up poisoning the rest. The strange environments and peculiar denizens within the Anglerfish bar are a high note, but one that becomes drowned out by the frustrating design of its gameplay elements. After each death the game beckoned for another round, but I ultimately left feeling hungover.

Horizon Forbidden West Complete Edition is an incredibly polished PC port with all the bells and whistles you could possibly ask for. It looks and runs incredibly, with the ability to tweak visuals and performance to suit your device. Nixxes continues their perfect streak of ports, and this is a fantastic way to experience Aloy’s second adventure.

Highwater is certainly a looker (and a sounder(?)), but its predictable combat and uninteresting story make it difficult to drudge all the way through.

Pepper Grinder offers plenty of fun during a surface level playthrough. Once you drill into the depths of its game mechanics, however, you’ll find an overly forgiving “casual” game and a relatively frustrating “time attack” game. That said, you can collect stickers and that’s pretty cool.

Open Roads takes you on a delightful road trip as you seek out the truth behind granny’s secrets, even if it’s over quite quickly. Exploring abandoned summer homes and enjoying late night motel chats was pleasant, even if rather simple in premise. It’s a nice diversion if you’re looking for a relaxing narrative-focused game, but it's one that doesn’t do much to make you deeply invested in the story.

Unicorn Overlord has some of the best and most enjoyable strategy gameplay out there. It’s gorgeous and engaging, and will have you wanting to uncover every inch of Fevrith before you put it down.

If you love South Park, this will be the best $30 you could spend to have another adventure with all your favorite characters. With a completely different game style than the most recent South Park games, Snow Day! gives you five chapters of the main story totaling 5-6 hours, side quests that can be done more than once on multiple difficulties, and plenty of cosmetics for you to unlock. Solo play gets a little difficult during the ending of the story, but with friends, it should be an enjoyable time for all.

Rise of the Ronin is nothing if not ambitious, and though that ambition leads to the game not being as polished as you may expect from a PS5 release, it still manages to tell an enthralling story in which your actions truly matter, while also utilizing a unique bond mechanic, an in-depth -albeit slightly repetitive - combat system, and so much to do you’ll find yourself losing sleep in an effort to complete just one more task. Those approaching Rise of the Ronin like the next Nioh will likely leave disappointed, but those who approach Team Ninja’s latest effort with an open mind and patience will find a gem that just happens to have a few rough edges.

Dragon’s Dogma II is a masterfully refined take on the original game. It’s easy to get lost in its massive world for hours on end and truly immerse yourself into the role of the Arisen. There are a ton of technical problems and oddities throughout the game, but somehow those didn’t stop us from having a blast. In an age where the limitations of video games are a known quantity, Dragon's Dogma II transcends them to become a game that truly feels real.

Alone in the Dark plays more of a moody psychological thriller with a heavy emphasis on puzzles rather than a traditional survival horror experience. That combined with the plethora of technical issues hold another remake of an original masterpiece back from reaching its true heights.

Hi-Fi Rush comes back to the stage in a pitch-perfect port that may well be the best version of the game. It looks gorgeous and runs flawlessly, with the DualSense features being a great addition to the game.

PowerWash Simulator is a perfect fit for VR, and incredibly relaxing. It has more than a few flaws, like difficult to read text and some minor movement issues, once you get in the zone you’ll be there until you take the headset off. [Meta Quest]

If you remember playing the original Battlefront I and II, you’ll love playing them again on new generation consoles. They’ve added Kit Fisto and Asajj Ventress as well as multiple new maps that never made it into the originals. This definitely makes it worth it for any fan of these games or those wanting to see what all the fuss was about back in 2004/2005. Plus, with the ability to play multiplayer with friends and randoms, it’s going to be just like the simulations once again!

This retelling of the 2013 game stays largely faithful to the source material and adds some valuable improvements. If you’ve already experienced the original I think you can sit this one out; but newcomers should experience this remake at least once.

If you like cute and fun, you’ll enjoy Bandle Tale: A League of Legends Story. Nothing is too complicated to understand while gameplay gives you enough challenge you want to keep going. The plot is nothing too heavy but still pushes you to move forward at all times. Some of the side tasks can feel like a time waster or repetitive, but if you enjoy the style, those things become less of an annoyance and more of a time to work on time management. Make some tea, put on some cozy socks, and play Bandle Tale.

Berserk Boy bursts onto a crowded market of platformers in a strong flash of inspiration. With its literally game-changing form system, energetic soundtrack, and impactful visual design, it’s a game well worth playing to the end. It just doesn’t make as strong of an argument for you to stick around after the credits in its current state.

Pacific Drive toes the line between “challenging fun take on the survival-horror genre” and “too complicated for its own good.” The game is full of interesting lore, hardcore crafting mechanics, and a world of driving with plenty to explore. While the driving can feel repetitive at times, if you can get a hold of the system, you’ll have plenty of fun in the Pacific Northwest.

Splatoon 3: Side Order can be a fun and interesting take on the rogue-lite genre, but there’s simply not enough here to sustain everything the game wants you to do. There’s too much repetition here, and as a result the DLC leaves me feeling unsatisfied.

A compelling game lies at the heart of Penny's Big Breakaway. If you're willing to give it the proper staging and some time to practice, it will put on a great show as a speedy platformer with a fun learning curve. However, getting to that point requires seeing past its many distracting elements. I enjoyed my time with Penny, but if we're being honest, I think she needs to polish her act.

Skull & Bones exists in the space between GaaS and MMO-lite at launch. There’s fun to be had, as long as you recognize that this is a looter shooter more than a pirate game.

Momodora: Moonlit Farewell displays a quiet confidence that’s easy to appreciate. It executes on its straightforward design sense effectively and without deviation. As a finale that goal may come across as a little complacent, but it still makes for a perfectly pleasant Spring day.

If you’re into side scroller beat ‘em ups, then look no further. Anomaly Agent supplies you with a plethora of weapons and moves to deal with combatants in style. The story isn’t a masterpiece, but it definitely has compelling moments, usually fueled by the garish and lively characters.

Mario vs. Donkey Kong is a great looking remake of an already fun game, which is made better by the inclusion of two new worlds to complete. Unfortunately, the game is quite easy, and the entire experience ends too quickly, which may hamper replayability. Still, it is well worth grabbing a friend or family member and dedicating a weekend to completing the game.

Arzette: The Jewel of Faramore revels in the absurd animation of the Zelda CDI games while avoiding most of their pitfalls. The princess’ romp through Faramore is wacky and fun, with secrets to find around every corner and a new NPC with a hilarious cutscene just over the horizon.

Final Fantasy VII Rebirth is not only a worthy successor to Remake, but to the original title. With an incredible and multi-layered open-world, outstanding combat, and a heartfelt story that takes you on a beautiful scenic route, Rebirth reaches heights you’d need one wing to touch. Rebirth is special; First-Class in a way only the best Soldiers can be.

Ultros sows some fascinating seeds into a familiar framework. Although those seeds bloomed into a visually striking game, some poor soil hinders its ability to fully develop.

While the idea of a poker roguelike might sound like a niche game, the flair and fun found within Balatro makes it an absolute must-play for fans of the genre. Breaking the rules of poker to score millions of chips in a single hand was a rush, and I was always chasing ways to push it even further beyond. While there are a few times you can feel snubbed by the luck of the draw, these are wildly overshadowed by the moments where you hit it big.

Another Code: Recollection brings together puzzle-solving, fun stories with twists and turns, and very interesting characters and lore all in one place. This is a wonderful remake of the games that came out in 2005 and 2009. While the games aren’t too long, together, they make for a fun time by yourself or solving the mysteries with friends.

While Helldivers 2 may look like a tropey action game on the surface, what lies underneath is one of the most fun co-op shooters I’ve played in recent memory. Endless explosions and unyielding foes makes for heart-pounding gameplay as you spread democracy across the galaxy one dead bug and bot at a time.

Not for Broadcast VR is an often hilarious and surprisingly well-acted game, made better by its excellent use of VR and the sheer creativity on screen during every news segment. I found myself drawn into the story and gameplay from the very first moment, and it held my attention throughout its ten-hour duration. I highly recommend those looking for a unique VR experience to check out Not for Broadcast VR.

Foamstars can be a blast under the right conditions. It’s colorful, fast, fluid, and has a great party atmosphere. It’s also disgustingly over monetized, has terrible voice acting, and a boring single player mode. When you’re in a match with players of a similar skill level playing as your main, it’s a ton of fun. But with only three main modes the fun can run out fairly quickly. Who knows how long Foamstars will last, but even with the negatives it’s still worth giving it a shot.

The iconic Lara Croft returns in a series of lovingly crafted remasters of her first three adventures. Tomb Raider I-III Remastered features not only the base version of all three games, but also the full expansions which were previously unavailable on the PS1, providing an incredible amount of content for a bargain price. Upgraded character models and lighting, a photo mode, and optional quality-of-life improvements help round out a collection which would have been worthwhile without the graphical upgrade. Unfortunately, a few control, lighting, and camera issues do occasionally arise, dampening what is otherwise a great collection.

Under Night In-Birth II [Sys:Celes] does not reinvent the wheel so much as it refines it to its most effective form yet. That takes more effort than you’d expect – UNI2 is the culmination of a decade’s worth of thoughtful design and carefully considered changes. Despite this, it effortlessly demonstrates why it’s one of the strongest competitors on the fighting game market right now.

Banishers: Ghost of New Eden is a grim and gripping tale of two lovers coming to terms with love and sacrifice. Don’t Nod have built another beautiful world to enjoy.

After waiting and waiting and waiting, Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League's brilliant movement mechanics can't save an unfortunately short campaign that "ends" relying on the game being live-service to add story as they go through the different seasons. While playing as each of the Suicide Squad feels unique to each character, the reveal of Joker coming to the game in Spring with more playable characters on the way, I'd say wait for a deal because it's not worth $70 in its current state.

Tekken 8 blew us away with its excellent, engaging features that are fine-tuned to fit every fighting game fan's preference. It also offers a battle system that new and veteran players can enjoy...as long as you can take the Heat.

While the Iron’s Hot provides an authentic crafting experience for players looking to not engage with enemy combatants, survival aspects, or other variables that come with so many crafting games. With the game’s story, characters, and gameplay repetitive and forgetful to the end, the visuals and soundtrack ignite a spark that regrettably ends up burned out.

The Inquisitor fumbles what could have been the premiere mystery game of 2024. Despite the strong setting and cast, the mystery rapidly unravels into nothing but noise, and the gameplay is bereft of difficulty. The never-ending stream of bugs means that whatever joy you can find in the game will most certainly be derailed.

Jujutsu Kaisen: Cursed Clash feels like nothing more than a soulless cash grab that likely exists only to fleece money from unsuspecting fans of the series. With lackluster combat, bare-bones modes, janky controls and an overall sense of unrefined gameplay, there is almost no reason I can recommend this game, even to JJK super-fans.

Risk of Rain Returns shines thanks to a fantastic roster of classes, sublimely chaotic gameplay, and fever-dream like presentation. When firing on all cylinders, it's rare for a game to make the player feel as powerful as this one does, even if some runs take a little too long to get going.

Grotto is certainly a unique narrative experience, but one that may not be appreciated by all audiences. Communicating through constellations creates a particularly refreshing experience of branching conversational paths, but one that is ultimately housed within a slow and repetitive gameplay loop.

Granblue Fantasy: Relink is yet another bold leap for the franchise and it lands gracefully. The combat is a ton of fun with a massive and unique roster of characters. The game could have introduced characters much better and given them more quiet moments, but the story is nice to watch play out, and it all leads into a massive post-game that will keep you playing for a long time.

Persona 3 Reload is the best Persona game to date. It reimagines a fan favorite to be the best it can be, even if it does stumble in some ways. There are a few Social Links that could have used overhauling, and the game is a bit too faithful to the original in these ways. However, the overall experience is transcendent and took me straight back to hanging out with my virtual friends in high school, getting to know them and slicing up Shadows. There really is nothing out there like Persona.

Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth is a triumph, and a worthy continuation of the Like a Dragon franchise. RGG Studio has managed to improve on the gameplay mechanics and features of the previous title in virtually every way whilst upholding the narrative quality and goofy nature of the series. The game is not without its flaws, but they are overshadowed by its strengths, and the game deserves praise for its ambition and innovation. Infinite Wealth is undoubtedly an early game of the year contender, and a must play for RPG lovers and Yakuza enthusiasts alike.

Bulletstorm VR unfortunately fumbles where it matters most – the gameplay. For a game originally based around fast-paced and easy to execute stylish kills, Bulletstorm’s jump to VR does the title no favors, making it much harder to pull off anything aside from straightforward shooting. There’s still a fun game hidden within Bulletstorm VR, but there’s little reason to pick up the VR version instead of the much better Full Clip console release.

Apollo Justice: Ace Attorney Trilogy only makes minor improvements to the three games it compiles, but the extras are well worth it for any fan to see. Some textures are still low resolution and the game is still capped at 30 fps across the board, but these are three fantastic games full of humor, drama, and heart.

One thing is for certain, Asgard’s Wrath 2 is a pinnacle for VR and should be praised. Not all games are worth the cost of admission, especially in virtual reality, but Asgard’s Wrath 2 transcends those stereotypes and blazes a fresh trail for the medium.

Turnip Boy Robs A Bank understood what it wanted to be, an extension of the Turnip Boy world with refreshing new roguelite elements to spice up the combat. Everything from the bank setting, to the soundtrack, to the characters both new and old, hold up to the excellence that was the first game. However, some points have to be shaved off for the game’s ending, which feels drawn out and tedious.

The Cub is a functional platformer, but not a flashy one. Movement can feel stiff at times, but the colorful landscapes and levels will still carry the experience. If you’re a big fan of platformers, you’ll certainly find some enjoyment within the approximately four hour experience, even if it can feel less than ambitious at times.

The Last of Us Part II Remastered is an almost perfect package for both new players and returning fans looking to replay the game but with a new experience.

Elegance, finesse, style – whatever you want to call it, Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown has it. It sets the stage with familiar Prince of Persia elements while performing them in new ways. The production comes with a few stumbles, yet The Lost Crown always recovers with style, proving itself as a worthy heir to the elegance that this series represents.

For better and worse, Pokémon Scarlet & Pokémon Violet: The Hidden Treasure of Area Zero Part 2: The Indego Disk is more Pokémon Scarlet & Pokémon Violet. Your enjoyment of it will largely depend on how much jank you can still tolerate, but this DLC does some interesting things to spice up the game. Trainers will actually put up a fight, there are cool optional areas to explore, and there’s of course a ton of returning Pokémon to catch. It’s a very small step back to where we fell in love with the series, but still far from its heights.

Gangs of Sherwood offers an enjoyable and silly co-op action experience that mostly gets things right.

The Finals is the kind of game that you play when you want to live an action film. You’ll most definitely find a playstyle you like in one or more of the three classes. While there are too many factors outside of player control to consider this a truly high-level competitive game, it sure is a fun time. That being said, if you’ve been disappointed by recent FPS titles, then try The Finals for some high octane gameplay.

The Invincible is a beautiful visual representation of the novel of the same name written by Stanislaw Lem decades ago. You are immersed in the world through game mechanics and design that allow you to interact in unique ways. Unfortunately, the game still suffers from performance and technical issues that should have already been addressed in the time since the game launched.

Even though there is fun to be had in this server-snatching raid, there’s more errors found here than just syntax. The heist itself may be short and fairly linear, but it’s still an enjoyable addition to the main game with the cosmetics and weapons being a bitter-sweet cherry on top. It’s always great to add to my crime-closet and upgrade my arsenal, but the extra cost does make it feel like maybe I’m the one getting robbed.

Hot Wheels Turbocharged: Unleashed 2 leans well on tweaks and not transformations. It is a great game that has recharged its predecessor and taken it to a new level. Graphics are visually stunning and gameplay is satisfying. The pocket-sized miniature mayhem title does well to burn rubber on the tracks and race its way into one of the most fun toy-racing games in the industry.

Moonstone Island's world is a feast for the eyes, offering stunning pixelated visuals reminiscent of the world of Studio Ghibli. It does an amazing job fusing together Stardew Valley aspects with the likes of Pokémon and its new-age retro style compliments the game well. With the art and gameplay comes the unique and strategic deck-building battle system that is arguably the most distinguishing factor of Moonstone Island. Despite the bugs, Moonstone Island is a perfect game for those who enjoy a farm-and-fight adventure with a unique spin on combat!

Torn Away mixes beautiful hand-drawn aesthetics with the grim story of a little girl trying to survive a war and make it home. The game excels at establishing tone and getting the player to feel a sense of connection to the main character, Asya, through heartfelt character interactions and mini-games. While the brutal story beats hit hard at the beginning of the game, they lose some of their steam towards the end when you begin to expect them.