Forza Horizon 6 is magnificent. It’s everything we could have hoped for, finally bringing the open world racing experience of Forza Horizon to the Asian setting.

Call of the Elder Gods is a fantastic Lovecraftian adventure with a unique setting, compelling story and mostly intuitive puzzles, except for one that feels like it makes no sense. Thanks to the Request Hint menu, even players who aren’t very familiar or have a hard time with the genre will be able to advance through the game, but finding solutions by yourself is a fascinating experience. While anyone may enjoy the game, it’s especially recommended for those who have already played Call of the Sea for a further dive into the universe’s lore.

Mixtape is an impressive take on what it feels to be a music-obsessed young person trying to come to terms with growing up and moving away from something they took for granted for years. The bittersweet feeling of having regrets and “big hits” stays as a lingering to a life that will never come back. It’s an emotionally powerful adventure in a way that's definitely worth giving a try.

MotoGP 26 is the technical racing king in the current market space. The amount of details that have gone into the physics model cannot be overlooked, but it has gone back to having a steep learning curve to get good. The AI is inconsistent, which actually makes it feel brutal because you will feel like you're making ground. You can turn off Dynamic AI as this may be the culprit as it pushes the difficulty to the extreme every other lap. The Arcade Mode is back for those looking for something not as challenging. The updates to Career Mode are more than just subtle changes. These are solid enough to modify the experience, including the new Rider Ratings. The introduction of Production Bikes is a nice addition to go along with the already established other Rideoff bikes to try. There remains a lot to be played in MotoGP 26, it is just going to take some dedication to get good.

After a period of expansions that were often average at best, World of Warcraft: Midnight delivers what now feels like a consistent quality following The War Within. It's not perfect, but it's a solid expansion that continues to show that World of Warcraft is heading in the right direction and understands what its current playerbase wants to see. World of Warcraft is in a good spot, and that's only being improved with the addition of features like Prey that keep players wanting to log on regularly, even if they don't have the time available. It's now accessible for players who want a more intense experience, as well as those who play casually, and that shift is what WoW needed.

Shapez 2 is an automation game with just about all the rough edges sanded off, built to make creating what look like incredibly complicated layouts as simple as possible. It may take a little effort to sort out the best way to, for example, create a platform that maximizes stacking two items, completely handling two sets of four belts with no backing up, but then you save it as a blueprint and the tangle of conveyors and stackers is now another tool in the menu that can be laid down with a mouse click. White paint needs three different paints mixed together, two at a time, but create a single paint-mixing platform handling two fluids running at top speed, copy it to let the output of the first combine with the third color, then copy both platforms together and stack them three high, save as blueprint, and done! Handy as that is, though, the randomness of the shape deposits means you'll probably need to poke around hand-crafting solutions every bit as often as relying on your blueprints, and there's always a new challenge that requires retooling what you know. And then building bigger, as the little factory clustered around the entrance to the void grows to meet its ever-escalating needs.

Opus: Prism Peak is an impressive adventure game that manages to provide an emotional experience that feels deeply relatable and well-executed. Its beautiful art style is accompanied by an involved gameplay with photography mechanics and a world that grows if the player decides to explore it as much as possible. It’s an inspired testament to the powerful experiences the genre has to offer and one of 2026’s must-play games.

After over a decade, Ys Memoire: Revelations in Celceta proves itself just as good as it once was under the moniker of Memories of Celceta. Its only major caveat is that it really doesn’t bring much to the table as a new edition. On the other hand, for anyone who hasn’t given it a try, it’s pretty much a must-play.

Life is Strange: Reunion manages to succeed despite being given the near-impossible task of closing up a branching story told across several development teams. The plot can be a bit convoluted with the different timelines and mergers, but at its core, Reunion delivers a compelling story across the board, and it's hard to ask for much more of a narrative-centric game. Longtime fans will find an enjoyable experience, while lapsed fans or newcomers can be caught up to speed quickly.

Gecko Gods is a bold puzzle experience that knows what it’s striving for: a pilgrimage that truly encourages players to explore. In this awe-inspiring world, attention to detail is key to progressing and puzzles are a rewarding challenge. It’s one of those journeys worth immersing yourself into for a long time and just seeing where your curiosity leads you.

Pragmata is a heartfelt experience not only about the human experience, but also parenthood. While we never truly see Hugh grow into anything more than he already is, it’s his genuine interactions with Diana and teaching her all about the amazing things Earth has to offer that really defines him as a character. His interactions with the curious and childish Diana are the best parts of Pragmata, and while the story is somewhat predictable, it will pull on your heartstrings from time to time. On top of that, the combat is pleasantly varied, with the numerous types of weapons at Hugh’s disposal and a decent number of enemies, ramping up as the story progresses. Diana’s hacking mini-game mid-combat is also a breath of fresh air as it adds a layer of strategy needed in a somewhat traditional third-person shooter. While Pragmata has its issues, it’s a solid, highly engaging adventure that’s difficult to replicate.

KuloNiku: Bowl Up! is an enjoyable experience of becoming a chef in an area filled with passion for food and quirky characters. It’s expressive and charming in all the right ways and the experience of giving it your all can be both comfortable and challenging. Players looking for a cozy game with some meat to it are likely to come out fulfilled from giving it a taste test.

People of Note is a great RPG in a charismatic world of music that plays with real-life aspects of genres and a huge ton of puns. With a deeply strategic system, the game lets players use a variety of abilities to come out on top. It’s remarkable in pretty much every aspect it brings to the table and a game worth exploring.

There's a deeply satisfying flow to Modulus, whether it be solving the layout of a new shape or debugging the system for an older one that isn't delivering like it should, and the game pleasantly eats time with a series of stress-free challenges that you've always got the tools to solve. It's a peaceful world on the plateaus jutting into the sky, even when covered by an ever-more-tangled factory that only its creator can see the logic and beauty in.

Super Meat Boy 3D is exactly what you'd expect from Super Meat Boy, except in 3D. The controls are mostly identical, the challenge level uncompromising, the levels short and snappy, and every time you reach Bandage Girl, there's Doctor Fetus to kick you in the face. Each level feels distinct from the others, with plenty of creativity in the layout plus new hazards and toys in each new area to keep you on your toes. Do well enough poking around and the rewards start piling up, opening up new bonuses and goodies you can use to do better with on familiar levels or new ones. There's always a way to play a little better in Super Meat Boy 3D, and the game encourages this at every opportunity to drag you as a willing victim into the most vicious challenges it can devise.

While not for everyone due to its twin-stick controls, Screamer still delivers a memorable racing experience. It takes some getting used to and hurts the pick up and play nature of what would normally be an arcade-style racer, but the end result is a fantastic racing game that hits on all cylinders more often than not. Once getting in the groove with it, it's tough to put down outside of issues with rubberband AI hurting the more-important campaign races, and the inability to have single-stick controls does hurt the potential playerbase a bit. Still, Screamer has a killer soundtrack with a lot of effort put into its anime-infused storyline and voice work. There's a lot to enjoy for racing fans starving for some arcade-inspired action.

Mega Man Star Force Legacy Collection is a great example of how a remaster should be, making three unique DS titles accessible once again on modern devices. Although Star Force comes as one possible evolution to what the Battle Network series proposed, the titles are still unlike anything else on the market in its combination of deckbuilding and action. The new collection is a complete pack that anyone interested in exploring the games for the first time or coming back to them should get.

Etrange Overlord is a funny and unique title that has a simple base but manages to offer variety in its stage construction. At the core of the experience, there’s a villainess main character whose single-minded nature is endearing and cleverly explored to give her depth and unpredictability in a quirky world. There are elements here and there that could have been better planned to offer more fluid and enjoyable combat, but it’s a good first step for SuperNiche.

Crimson Desert is one of a kind. It’s a spectacular adventure that has a phenomenally crafted open world to explore and an immense number of systems at play.

Pokémon Pokopia is a huge new direction for Pokémon, much bigger than might be expected for a spin-off. It retains the heart of Pokémon with literally hundreds of different monsters to chat with, and it's always a lot of fun to see who's showing up next. The different areas are nicely designed, frequently with interesting secret areas, although it can feel overwhelming arriving at a new island and seeing just how much there is to do to bring it back from the edge of ruin. There's a long way to go to discover how the world got broken and then fixing it, but as the days roll by and the islands come back to life, the hope that maybe a Ditto and its trainer might eventually be reunited grows with the health and comfort of the reappearing Pokémon.

Just like both of its predecessors, Monster Hunter Stories 3: Twisted Reflection is a fantastic turn-based RPG with monster-raising elements. With satisfying challenges and depth to its mechanics, it’s an impressive new entry to its franchise, rewarding fans with an epic experience.

Esoteric Ebb is a fantastic RPG with a gripping narrative and plenty of options to explore. There’s so much to do and so many threads to explore that it can be a little overwhelming at first, especially with the lack of a simpler list of potential tasks or other guidance. For those that insist on it, what you get is a full-course meal into a mesmerizing fantasy world.

Resident Evil Requiem is a game for new and old fans alike. It contains the identity of both the recent entries in the franchise and some of the remakes, meshing both horror and action that works most of the time.

Demon Tides is an excellent 3D platformer, easily one of the best in years thanks to its expansive, colorful worlds, variety of challenges that require putting its extensive moveset to full use, bonuses and extras, and even an incredibly likeable cast. Beebz seems like she could be a '90s mascot-with-attitude refugee, but she knows when to turn it off, and the fact that it's clear she actually likes and appreciates her friends makes her attitude fun rather than obnoxious. Cutscenes are never long enough to feel like an interruption to the gameplay, letting them be rewards between one stretch of platforming and the next. There's even a button dedicated to pointing out the nearest collectible, meaning you can focus on the challenge of acquiring it rather than scouring every inch of the level for that one last pickup. Like all Demon Turf's tools, how you use it is up to you, so if you want a vicious challenge or a guided tour, that's your call. There are enough movement modifiers that even the most difficult sections can be made possible with a little perseverance, putting Beebz and her crew that much closer to successfully platforming their way through their newest adventure.

While Revolgear Zero takes a minute to learn, it's a big fun shooter that's more interested in being played than punishing the player. Beating it on the normal difficulty isn't that hard, which I discovered when the gameplay systems clicked and I blew through it with double-digit lives left over, but harder difficulty levels and unlocking Boost Mode (same levels, faster energy regeneration) give the game plenty of replay. Arcade shooters tend to be known for their difficulty, like the excellent Sektori, but approachable games like Revolgear Zero are perfect for introducing new players to the genre while having enough depth to its systems to make the harder difficulties worth exploring and repeatedly dying in for more experienced fans.

Dragon Quest VII Reimagined has been remade with excellent precision. The developers have done a phenomenal job recreating what made the original so special, all while retaining its artistic integrity. There are also some fantastic quality-of-life improvements implemented, such as auto-battle and custom difficulty adjustments. This is a massive game, taking upwards of 100 hours to complete, but with it comes some slumps. The story’s pacing can be a bit awkward at times, and several of the plots have been modified. Kiefer’s newest model also stands out comically bad and the chatter that comes from the party outside of battle feels useless half of the time. Regardless, Dragon Quest VII Reimagined is a memorable and ambitious remake that does far more right than it does wrong.

For those looking for something akin to Gran Turismo or Forza but with motorcycles, RIDE 6 is the closest thing you're going to get. A plethora of bikes, tracks and a deep Career Mode will have players engaged in a single-player experience that doesn't force a grind. Bikes are fully upgradeable with licensed parts that provide different performance increases. The racing is fun with an AI that's uniquely unpredictable, but enjoyable at times. The Bridgestone Racing School will get you ready for the in-game and real-world riding. RIDE 6 suffers in the technical areas with inconsistent visuals and bike sounds, along with a good bit of random, yet quick loading times. With more content coming in the future, this is the game that squids and twisty riders have been waiting for.

Nioh 3's gameplay still excels, but there are some noticeable issues. Ninja style is a fantastic, fun new way to play the game and build characters around, but Team Ninja doubled legacy inventory management issues from previous games. Samurai style remains enjoyable and refined yet also feels a bit too tame when compared to the speedy new Ninja style. Nioh 3's balancing also feels off, swinging back and forth between easy to difficult, and then very easy in co-op. It's a lot of fun to play, but the experience can vary wildly. Still, Nioh 3 is the culmination of Team Ninja's continued work on refining the Nioh experience. Nioh 3's ambition has yielded the most enjoyable and accessible entry in the franchise yet.

Arknights: Endfield is a huge sprawling mass of a game that goes in a million directions all at once, and which direction is the right one always feels like it's at the player's discretion.

The Legend of Heroes: Trails Beyond the Horizon encapsulates what the heart of the series has always been about. Its engrossing story combines finally bringing forth some of the huge bombshells that the Calvard arc had in store while also not forgetting the importance of fostering the vast world where even the most mundane NPC truly matters for those who have been following the tale so far. Meanwhile, the gameplay is truly remarkable in its customization and strategic elements while finally showcasing, along with last year’s Trails in the Sky 1st Chapter, that Falcom has found a great balance between the action-oriented and turn-based formats.

Inazuma Eleven: Victory Road is a comprehensive experience in the soccer RPG franchise. It’s a fascinating take on the genre that provides a slow build for the story mode and a lengthy look at the franchise’s past. The emotional heights of the main narrative and the compelling way it turns the fundamentals of soccer into RPG disputes is a remarkably strong reminder of what makes the Inazuma Eleven franchise unique.

Metroid Prime 4: Beyond is a nostalgic-filled romp with a lot of heart. It features a decently sized campaign filled with well-designed areas, metroidvania mechanics and compelling boss encounters. It helps that the presentation is beautifully done, with the score having rocking tracks and the visuals being some of the best on the Nintendo Switch 2. With that said, Metroid Prime 4: Beyond does have strange design decisions. For starters, having a rather empty and lifeless open world that mainly just facilitates the need for the motorcycle. It wouldn’t have been so bad if there was teleportation, but even then, the open world feels unnecessary. On top of that, scanning objects in the world breaks up the gameplay and the controls can be finicky at times. Even with these faults, Metroid Prime 4: Beyond remains a memorable and highly engaging entry that will leave its mark on new and hardcore fans alike.

While there are minimal downsides to the game, like the overall setup of the puzzles and how to get through later areas, it does create something quite special and intense for horror games. It most certainly won’t be for everyone, as many players are affected by different types of horror themes and genres. Cheap jump scares are few and far between, and your brain is left to run rampant and fill in the blanks. Psychological horror might not be that scary for a large portion of players, and this is something that the game leans heavily into. But if you do prefer the psychological aspect, this might just be the perfect game to pick up and dive right into.

Marvel Cosmic Invasion is a great beat’em up that shows significant love towards the Marvel universe, its stories and the lively worlds it presents. It has a great variety of playable options, each with significant differences to their movesets, and the attention to detail in its stages is remarkable. For anyone who loves the genre or Marvel itself, it’s an easy recommendation and guaranteed fun.

Octopath Traveler 0 has fantastic quality-of-life improvements and base-building elements, although it’s not a huge step-up in the formula. Square Enix perfectly takes advantage of their nostalgic 2D-HD art style, all while incorporating a shocking amount of voiced dialogue. The ability to have all eight party members on the field, half of whom are sidelined and can be pulled into battle at any time, is a phenomenal addition, although it does reduce a good chunk of the challenge, especially considering most of the characters can be recruited early on. Regardless, the story will have players engaged enough to keep them playing for the immensely lengthy storyline. If there’s one long JRPG to get for the holiday season, it’s this.

No matter which mode you gravitate towards, Sektori offers a fantastic experience from start to finish. The enemies range from familiar to unique in their behaviors, with the bosses in particular being impressive, while the controls and shooting are perfectly tuned so that every hit feels like it could have been avoided or eliminated. There are a good amount of unlocks, ranging from different powerup options to ship appearances and even ship types, although earning that last one will take a little practice to earn. If I have to go reaching for a complaint, it's that the Challenge difficulty level in the Campaign mode, which calls itself "Sektori as designed to be experienced by default," is tuned maybe a notch or two too high. Explorer, on the other hand, is a great time right off the bat even if it does bill itself as more a learning experience, so there's options for those who want to play rather than be ground into neon-pyrotechnic dust. Plus that's only one mode out of seven, so a minor grumble at best. Sektori is top-notch twin-stick shooting with a simple setup and scoring depths for those who want to go looking, and a wonderfully destructive light show even for those who just want to dominate the endless swarms of an arena that never stops pouring on the enemies.

Dispatch is an impressive hero story, a compelling tale of flawed humans who can become something more when given a new chance to shine. The game combines a compelling emotional aspect of building bonds with them and the strategic element of managing a group of heroes to save a big city from many simultaneous problems. With an inspired direction, this is a great start for AdHoc Studio and signals that they are a group of developers to keep an eye on for future experiences as well.

Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 shouldn't work. Coming a year after the controversial Call of Duty: Black Ops 6, six years of pent-up resentment towards an irksome matchmaking system and years of increasingly abhorrent monetization, Black Ops 7 had a massive hill to climb. Despite all this, Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 not only works, but vastly outshines recent Call of Duty releases. Treyarch's focus on refining the mechanics of Black Ops 6, rolling back many of the franchise's controversial systems of years past and building fun spaces to play in has paid dividends. The campaign is a mixed bag thanks to a weak overarching plot and terrible Avalon missions that are offset thanks to strong character moments and the brilliant Endgame mode. Multiplayer launches in the best state it's been in years thanks to movement tweaks that put more emphasis on gunplay skill over sliding, open matchmaking and the best set of launch maps in years. Zombies also gets a glow-up thanks to the brilliant Ashes of the Damned and Dead Ops Arcade 4. Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 doesn't break the mold or make meaningful changes to the formula, but it does refine the current formula into the best launch experience a Call of Duty has had in years. Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 is the win the franchise has been looking for.

Atelier Ryza Secret Trilogy Deluxe Pack puts three expansive and high-quality Japanese RPGs in a new package. For anyone who hasn’t played them yet, it’s worth going for this version instead of the old ones to get a more complete experience. Nonetheless, this pack doesn’t offer anything too substantial to make it essential for those who bought the original games, especially when there’s no way to simply get a Deluxe Upgrade pack with the new additions instead of buying it all again at full price.

Possessor(s) is a compelling metroidvania game that's worth digging at to get to experience its flashy and enjoyable combat. The relationship between Luca and Rhem, as well as the general plot, is also remarkable in how it creates flawed, relatable characters in a messed-up situation. Though the game could have gone an extra mile to provide a more comfortable experience for players during exploration, it’s not enough of an issue to keep it from shining.

Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment proves that the series can still go on and stay strong in its own way of storytelling. It has been created with the intention of tying in Tears of the Kingdom in a way that only improves and fills in the gaps that had previously been unexplored in detail. We gain a new perspective on all the characters involved in this war with Ganon and how everything came to lead up to the showdown with Link and the Demon King. It is a fantastic game to play if you’re a huge fan of The Legend of Zelda and are waiting for the next iteration of the series. While it may not be for everyone, it does the best it can to create a meaningful and fun experience set in the same world that we all know and love.

Lumines Arise is an expressive, compelling puzzle game that manages to provide a carefully created experience that merges together sound, visuals and gameplay. It’s a spectacle of lights, colors and sounds that continues to be enthralling for long bursts. There are very few projects like it on the market, and it’s an easy recommendation for anyone who loves puzzles and contemporary music.

No extraction shooter stands out as much as ARC Raiders. The game can seem overwhelming at first as there isn't much direction, and the user interface feels like it's meant for a mouse and keyboard and not a controller. Once you leave Speranza and hop into the world, experience the atmosphere and the gunplay while meeting some people along the way, however, the experience quickly gets up to speed. If you're going solo, it's worth matchmaking and finding someone to lean on for certain things. The user interface offers small font with no direction and you'll miss key elements. The game runs and looks spectacular and offers a soundtrack that isn't from this universe. If you haven't tried an extraction adventure/shooter before and missed the boat on Helldivers 2, this is the one to get into.

Dragon Quest I & II HD-2D Remake is an incredible reimagining of the original two games that keeps the core of what they were in the limelight. You have a stunning world redone and put together with the utmost care and respect for the fans. It's the perfect way to hop into the series if you have missed these games the first time around or have been on the fence about giving them a shot. They maintain their challenging nature from the original release, with a nice amount of quality-of-life changes that seem minor, but add to the experience, bringing them to another level, feeling more like a modern release due to these changes. From the first game, forcing you to be the lone hero, taking on the role to protect the land he holds dear. To the second game, where your party looks to take on the role of their ancestors and protect their people from the threats terrorizing the populace. These are incredible games, filled with character, charm and challenging gameplay, and they're absolutely worth playing in this new and enhanced release.

The Outer Worlds 2 is an entertaining game that’s incredibly fun to play through. There may be flaws, as most RPGs possess, but they don’t trigger any ill will. There’s plenty of polish that shows how much the team has advanced in bringing this game to another level that the first title lacked.

Keeper is an unusual game and one clearly made for a specific audience. This is the type of game specifically created for those who can stop, smell the flowers and let the experience of walking itself entertain them. The game might have an incredibly strange concept, but Double Fine knocked it out of the park with Keeper, and it deserves to stand alongside the other great games by this developer.

Dying Light: The Beast may have begun life as a DLC, but it's released as a full-fledged game that can proudly stand on its own.

Thankfully, Battlefield 6 is exactly what the Battlefield franchise needed. Setting aside the terrible campaign, which fails to tell anything resembling an actual story, Battlefield 6 is a return to form for Battlefield.

Absolum is a remarkable beat’em-up experience in which perfectly crafted combos and 2D visual delight drive a compelling journey through the fantasy land. While the experience can get repetitive early, this is a minor slight in what is otherwise an impressive, compelling experience throughout its entire run. The game is easily recommended for any fans of 2D action games and does what it sets out to do strikingly well.

Super Mario Galaxy remains one of the franchise’s shining points in the 3D era. While one can question the pricing structure for two 15+ year old games, there’s no doubt Nintendo has done a good amount of work adapting the beloved games to 2025. The visuals have been updated, with textures being reworked in a big way, there's a smooth framerate, and most importantly, a 4K resolution for those on a Switch 2. It’s how Super Mario Galaxy and its successor should be remembered. That’s on top of the Gyro controls being properly implemented to mimic the Wii Remote IR motion controls. If you somehow missed Super Mario Galaxy and Super Mario Galaxy 2 all those years ago, this is the ideal and most complete way to experience it.

Little Rocket Lab is about as cozy an introduction to automation as could be imagined, with a lovely pixel-art style and likable characters in a run-down but charming town. There's no pressure to rush anything, with major events coming to your door and minor ones popping up while running around the town. The automation makes for a nice change of focus for this type of life-sim setting, and it just keeps growing with new complications and machines to handle them at a nice, steady pace. The town of St. Ambroise isn't all that large, comprised of six major areas and a few indoors sections, but it's a lively place with room for the townspeople and all the machinery you build, if you plan it right. There's a lot of enjoyable work involved in bringing St. Ambroise back from the edge of ruin, from supplying rocket components to chasing after lost kids mad at their family, and while Morgan didn't ask for the latter, she's going to deal with every challenge and automation problem in her way to engineer her mother's dream into reality.

Cladun X3 is the kind of game that hides its complexity and depth of content behind a deceptively straightforward concept. Run through dungeons, beat up monsters, reach the exit. It's basically Gauntlet right up until the customization and character-growth options kick in, at which point it becomes Gauntlet with a PhD. What makes it work is the complexity of each run, balancing beating up monsters, figuring out the trap layout to catch them in the crossfire, looking for secrets in the hand-built levels or attacking a random dungeon to see how much loot you can bring back from its depths, etc. The game is huge and the grind can go on as long as you'd like it to, especially seeing as you can make your own maps and then upload them for others to play. There's a ton of great dungeon-crawling in Cladun X3's depths, with endless tweaks to the dungeon themes and ways to build characters to keep the repetition at bay.

Atelier Resleriana: The Red Alchemist & The White Guardian is a stellar entry in the series as it provides a solid gameplay loop, a fun battle system and gorgeous visuals to boot. Despite the cameo characters from past entries being present, the main storyline is still engaging and focuses on the two protagonists well. While Slade is one-note, Rias is a delightful hero to follow once you get used to her higher pitch in tone. The lack of English voice acting is disappointing, but the Japanese performances are great and fit the characters well. While there are a few issues, like the ridiculous boss battle in Chapter 6 and the lack of important information in some aspects of the game, it's an experience that will keep you hooked for hours upon hours.

Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds is a fantastic and beautiful kart racer that any fan of the Sonic franchise will enjoy. The fast-paced gameplay has a tight learning curve, but with practice both children and adults can find plenty to enjoy. If you're feeling an itch for a good racing game, Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds is your best option this year.

Slime Rancher 2 is a game, like the original Slime Rancher, where much of your enjoyment is going to be driven by how enamored you are by its world and the silly creatures that inhabit it. Luckily, that's a hard charm to resist; it's easy to feel driven to explore and build and ranch just to hear beautiful music, see new locales, and hopefully meet yet another strange slime with its own little quirks. At the same time, the game expects you to grind out large amounts of materials for some later recipes, some materials for which (such as Strange Diamonds) can be difficult to get consistently. There are at least two devices in the latter half of the game you seem to be expected to build quite a few of and place semi-permanently, but most players are instead likely to place them down, use as needed and pick up again to avoid grinding to create extras. The game also has a few areas that are relatively easy to miss without thorough combing, but are either story critical or clearly expected to be found by the majority of players. Despite these issues and despite the fact Slime Rancher 2 perhaps isn't as different from its predecessor as some might hope, however, it remains a deeply charming experience with a wonderfully colorful aesthetic.

Each stage in Kirby and the Forgotten Land – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition + Star-Crossed World is fun and engaging, giving everyone who enjoyed the original version even more to love. There are plenty of things to love about this game: amazing music, great gameplay and stellar art. Kirby and the Forgotten Land + Star-Crossed World is a wonderful addition to the Nintendo Switch 2. It won’t be the most challenging game, with the difficulty being easy, but it's still incredibly fun to play. While it may have been a late addition to the lineup of updated games on the console's launch, it still shows that it can hold its place as one of the best Kirby games.

EA SPORTS FC 26 is extremely fun to play and you don't have to be a fan of the sport to enjoy it. The changes to the gameplay from community feedback not only add variety, but provide some of the best results in the series. While there's slight AI logic issues, the responsiveness of the gameplay plus the option to slow it down with Authentic Gameplay shows just how well the strategy element works. Besides some touchups on the game modes, there really isn't anything new here, but there's still an abundant amount of ways to play. Clubs Rush is still fantastic to play and the game remains beautiful and authentic. The presentation elements bring out the greatness that drives this sport. The portion off the field just feels too familiar.

Hades 2 is one of those games that perfectly encapsulates the best traits of its genre and manages to cleverly work around its harshest weaknesses. It’s the kind of project that has so much passion to all of its details that it’s worth coming back for more every single time. Whether struggling against the odds or acing it quickly, the experience will stay with you as long as you don’t give up and pay attention to everything it has to offer.

Each game in the Final Fantasy series introduces something new, continually seeking to provide an engaging experience for fans to enjoy. In the case of this remaster, fans can now play it on modern hardware, with new features that make the game feel brand new again. The voice acting brings new personalities to characters we might not have expected or seen before, while the improved visuals bring out so much charm that makes the game look exactly how you might have remembered it. This enhanced version of Final Fantasy Tactics is a perfect remaster that not only offers a new coat of paint for the game, but also preserves the original game, allowing you to play either version you prefer. This is a reminder of what makes the series truly special and it's a joy to play through the adventure in the land of Ivalice once again.

While not the best in the franchise, Silent Hill f is a true Silent Hill experience. It's just a great horror game even if you don't want to judge it against other Silent Hill titles. This is the second AAA horror game released in the same month, so Halloween is looking very competitive this year. The technical aspects involving both the audio and the visuals showcase what the PlayStation 5 Pro can do, albeit one bad section. The other world gameplay elements do stray a bit too far, not to mention the relatively short campaign — although it does have some replayability thanks to the five different endings, each feeling like director's cuts. Still, the core ideas of Silent Hill are here, with a unique cultural setting with a story that has very dark endings. Both horror and Silent Hill fans need to experience Silent Hill f.

Moros Protocol is a fun and satisfying run into the alien-infested depths of a mission that's completely spiraled out of control, dismantling everything in your path with every weapon you can scrounge to get answers as to how it all went so completely and thoroughly wrong.

Hyke: Northern Light(s) is a vibrant 2D action game with a good variety of playable witches and stages to explore. Though its repetitive story beats and easy boss battles are underwhelming, the general feeling of journeying along with Hyke and the girls is positive and an experience worth giving a try.

Despite issues here and there, Hollow Knight: Silksong is a game for the ages, focusing on engaging combat along with a world brimming with adventure. In true Metroidvania fashion, Hollow Knight: Silksong will have you coming back for more.

Turning the intense Dragon Ball formula and series into a strategic MOBA sounded like a wild idea before playing Gekishin Squadra, but it truly works. You have to work as a team to heal, attack and support your group with buffs. The anime-style action is replicated in this MOBA with fast-paced animations and cinematics that take you by surprise when you first play it. Seeing your foe fly into the air after the last hit feels so satisfying. Going into the main menu can be frustrating, however, as the characters frequently yell and scream as you're trying to talk to your friends on voice chat. Gekishin Squadra is a MOBA is worth trying out, especially if you're a fan of the Dragon Ball series.

A new planet, a bigger focus on new characters over returning favorites, a new tone set between the dry humor of Borderlands and the humor of The Pre-Sequel, and a stronger focus on worldbuilding and gameplay mechanics results in a refined game that delivers hours of fun on the back of excellent gameplay, levels and boss design.

Daemon X Machina: Titanic Scion is a terrific mecha action game in a vast world where exploration is rewarding, customization gives players various resources and combat is exhilarating. Even with an interesting scientific fiction universe that feels like it could have been more fleshed out in a compelling fashion after the initial explosive events, the story never truly forgets its appeal. As a complete package, this is an experience that is worth diving into.

Hell is Us isn’t something you see every day. It’s a thought-provoking adventure that dives deep into the barbaric nature of humans, all while putting together a compelling mystery behind the supernatural elements. On top of that, it’s as much of a puzzle game as it is an adventure, truly testing a player’s will and patience as nothing is guided. There are no waymarkers pointing Rémi in the right direction or a map that shows him where he is. Instead, we have to find everything on our own and remember it, be it putting it in our memory bank or recording it. With that said, Hell is Us isn’t perfect. As enjoyable and surprisingly well-varied the combat is, it mainly boils down to the same formula through most of the lengthy journey. It’s the incredibly detailed and elegantly put-together world and lore that will have everyone immersed. At the end of the day, even with a couple of quirks, Hell is Us is a memorable and rewarding experience that’s a breath of fresh air.

Classic survival horror fans will thoroughly enjoy the gameplay and design of Cronos: The New Dawn. The extremely grounded and heavy feel to movement and aiming mixed with puzzle solving and ammo/resource conservation is masterfully executed. The world and the atmosphere mix dreariness with vibrancy and the game offers unique dynamics for puzzle solving that haven't been seen in other titles. It plays like a Souls-like and involves a lot of trial and error, but you continue to want to push on. The console experience is solid enough with performance, but if the option for PC is available for you, this would be preferable. In terms of replayability, the story is solid and its portrayal is great, but you'll mainly be playing through at a faster pace on a playthrough. It's definitely more than sixteen hours in its first playthrough. Cronos: The New Dawn offers a fascinating story, but the classic survival horror elements blended with new ideas make it essential for fans of the genre.

Shuten Order is a fantastic text adventure that truly sets itself apart from the crowd with its brilliant use of multiple routes to create the complete story. Other than some technical issues that hold the game back, it’s an impressive feat that shows how the Too Kyo team knows very well how to tell compelling stories.

Even if the gameplay of Super Robot Wars Y merely follows in the footsteps of the franchise's past successes, it still provides a fantastic SRPG experience that any fan of mecha, whether they be hardcore or casual, can find enjoyment in. It's always great to see that the franchise is continuing to experiment with its visuals, roster and how the story is told. One can only hope that the future of the franchise continues down this path.

Shinobi: Art of Vengeance is a fantastic experience from start to finish and a brilliant comeback for the classic franchise. The gameplay is stylish and will make players feel cool from start to finish. While it does suffer from a repetitive gameplay loop, players who want a 2D action game that brings out the best of modern and classic game design will not be disappointed.

Metal Gear Solid Delta is as good, if not better, than the original, thanks to the myriad of quality-of-life improvements that make it more up to modern functional standards. There are pacing issues near the middle of the campaign, but otherwise, this is something the Metal Gear Solid veterans will remember fondly and new players will appreciate.

Transitioning over to Superstar Mode sees the best iteration of this mode in some time with the addition of Wear & Tear and the introduction of the Sphere of Influence. Everything off the field goes above and beyond what most have expected from the franchise in a while, but on the field is where the frustrations sit. The QB DNA and Coach DNA are incorporated well, but issues with blocking and the AI create baffling results that you hope to get past but never truly can. Hopefully some patches can see this alleviated, but otherwise it's safe to say that Franchise and Superstar Mode are officially back.

Killing Floor 3 is extremely fun in its initial stages, but will this wear off over time? Tripwire Interactive has done a good job at updating the previous games, and judging by the Helldivers-like progression system here, the staying power should be there to keep players engaged. Adding six-player crossplay and cross voice will assure the best online multiplayer experience that the series has ever had. Offline single player is more difficult, but the game is designed for online multiplayer. The visuals do a good job of showcasing the Unreal Engine 5 with Lumen Lighting, but stutters and hiccups happen a fair amount. Using Frame Gen on PC works well to compensate. The Specialists and Perk Systems help to add longevity, but you have to dig through the menu to see the other Specialists. In the end at launch, however, Killing Floor III is a bloody fun time.

With challenging stages of frantic combat and an epic style in both visuals and soundtrack, Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound is a masterful example of 2D platforming action. It’s a strong experience throughout its full length, and both old-time fans and those new to the series are highly likely to enjoy it if they give it a try.

Fans of Donkey Kong have long waited for the hairy primate to get a Mario or Link style glow-up. One where he gets to star in his own 3D platforming adventure on the same level as a 3D Mario or The Legend of Zelda. Donkey Kong Bananza delivers on that, giving DK his first 3D adventure in decades and solidifying him as one of Nintendo's top stars, even if the final product is too derivative of Super Mario Odyssey. The narrative is a step in the right direction by focusing on the relationship between the two leads and delivering a truly stellar final act. There's a lot of Odyssey in Bananza's world design, but that does mean there's a lot to see and do across the beautifully rendered layers. Gameplay isn't refined with a lot of issues surrounding the destruction mechanics and the underutilization of the Bananza transformations, but there's still a lot of fun to be had exploring the layers and seeing what you can discover. Donkey Kong Bananza might not reach the same heights as a 3D Mario or The Legend of Zelda, but it remains fun and lays a solid foundation for future 3D Donkey Kong titles. It's alright to go bananas for Donkey Kong Bananza.

Mario Kart World is a surprising step forward for the Mario Kart franchise. The introduction of the rail and wall riding systems are welcome additions, adding even more skill-based racing to the already beloved formula. That’s on top of Nintendo putting the World in the Mario Kart World name. Nintendo has crafted an impressive interconnected lobby system, allowing you to explore the vast world while in-between matches. This Free Roam feature could be better improved, though, with a better map system and potentially cooperative play in the future. All in all, Mario Kart World is one of very few Switch 2 exclusives to truly speak about, offering an immense amount of value at the console’s launch. It’s highly addictive and will leave a lasting impression on fans and newcomers.

Everything in No Sleep For Kaname Date - From AI: THE SOMNIUM FILES is tailored to provide a new and unique experience in a world that's beloved by fans. Puzzles and trials are all new and fresh, making you think of new ways to solve the wild scenarios our characters have found themselves in. The writing isn’t perfect, but it remains in the same vein as the previous games, staying true to its roots by being serious when needed and lighthearted in between those more intense moments. While it isn’t recommended to play this as your first game in the series, it does avoid spoiling the games that take place before and after it, respecting players who may not have completed the first game yet. This won’t be the best starting point for the story, but it may be enough to get those new players interested in exploring the prior games as well.

Shadow Labyrinth is a simple and solid game that feels more like a thank you than anything else. Fans of the genre it now calls home, as well as fans of Pac-Man, get to enjoy a whole new take on the series and the world they belong to. The visuals add to the nostalgic feeling while still adding a new world and experience for players to fight their way through. There's satisfying Metroidvania combat and exploration, a new story to experience and a ton of references to games that we all know and love within this universe.

Everything that sold everyone on College Football 25 is bigger and better in College Football 26. The game simply can't be put down and the game modes are more encompassing than they were last year. Road to Glory will have you making multiple characters and Dynasty Mode will have you hooked on the updated aspects with recruiting and crossplay with your friends online. 300 coaches, multiple playbooks, 136 teams and the updated Team Builder with a better online process makes College Football 26 an unprecedented experience. The elephant in the room is the physics-based gameplay as the extremely upbeat and snappy gameplay from last year takes a slight dip in favor of more realism and that's truly felt. Bugs that weren't nearly this apparent last year are here at launch. The physics-based gameplay starts to shift the franchise towards Madden, and a big selling point to many on this series is that it isn't Madden. In the end, however, there's an impeccable College Football replication in EA Sports College Football 26.

Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3 and 4 are excellent games and maintain their arcade feel, compelling players to go all out on combos and pull off insane tricks while chasing high scores. One of the downsides to the remaster is that a significant portion of the previously unlockable characters are missing, as are iconic tracks from the soundtrack. While understandable, it's still a letdown for fans of the additional characters who appreciate the goofy nature these games can offer. Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3 + 4 is a fantastic remaster of an experience people know and love, with updated visuals, music and gameplay that keep the skating fresh and special.

Patapon 1+2 Replay brings back a classic Sony IP to modern devices, even allowing it to reach audiences beyond PlayStation. It’s just as good a time to enjoy these two games as it ever was, as they prove unique and capable of standing against the trying passage of time.

There's no denying the Gex games have more than a few rough edges by today's standards, but that's also a major part of the charm. Gex Trilogy is a great collection of '90s gaming, reviving a set of minor classics that had a real impact in gaming history.

Tron: Catalyst is an enjoyable action adventure experience that allows a deep dive into a compelling futuristic world that’s an alternate look at the Disney-owned universe. While some issues keep it from being a masterpiece, the writing and fun combat experience are worth giving a try, possibly acting as an entry point into the sci-fi franchise.

Bravely Default: Flying Fairy HD Remaster is a good remaster that might not do much to freshen up the original experience, but it does make an already good game available to a new generation of RPG fans.

Date Everything! is a charming dating sim, but as the hours go by, it'll start to become monotonous, especially towards the end, as you talk to characters you're not particularly interested in to gain S.P.E.C.S points. For the most part, however, this is a wonderful game with immaculate character artwork, well-thought-out writing and surprisingly nuanced performances from the voice cast. It would be fun if we could get a sequel of some kind in a different house. You could have all new objects, themed to another person's life. Nevertheless, this game features tons of content that will keep you playing for days on end.

The Alters delivers such a high-quality experience in gameplay, graphics and storytelling that it’s easy to forget that this isn’t an AAA game (or priced like one, either). Exploration and survival-management gameplay pair perfectly with the themes of death, purpose and trauma that recur throughout the plot, making for a memorable and unique adventure that keeps you on your toes at all times.

Like the new DOOM games, Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine - Master Crafted Edition is pure, violent fun that focuses on gameplay and graphics. The revamp maintains what made the original fantastic, without sacrificing its identity and love for the Warhammer 40K franchise. There’s enough to keep longtime fans and new fans satisfied with the overall game, so if players are willing to overlook the minuscule issues and the unfortunately short campaign, they’re in for a blast. Now, grab a weapon and get out there, Space Marines. For the Emperor.

Yakuza 0 is completely the same at its core, which will please many returning players to the game. This will also prove to be a great place to start for anyone looking to start the series from the chronological start. You’ve got an amazing port of an amazing game ready for you to jump into once again. Yakuza 0 Director’s Cut is a fantastic version of the game that does nothing but add to the experience that fans of the series adore, making it a great game to check out and play once again. If you’re new to Yakuza games, there isn’t a better starting point than this entry here and it's easily worth your time.

Codemasters gets it right with the handling in F1 25, allowing for challenging physics no matter the assist options or the controller. Using a racing wheel with no assists brings one of the more realistic interpretations of the sport the series has ever seen. Every bit of this is fixed over last year's outing. It's addictive and challenging while allowing those with a greater skill to showcase how much faster they can be than those with less skill. Outside of this, the experience is familiar. Having LIDAR circuits and reverse circuits are good additions, but there just aren't many that take advantage. Braking Point 3 offers a darker story for those that are looking for a story mode in an F1 game. My Team 2.0 adding more depth is a welcome addition for those that understand the managerial portion of the sport. Most importantly, for those who are simply wanting to race, F1 25 offers an excellent experience.

Elden Ring: Nightreign is a drastically different game from Elden Ring, meshing some of the mechanics we’ve become used to in the award-winning RPG with a rougelike adventure. It’s a fantastic and highly engaging side of Elden Ring we didn’t think we needed, and yet it somehow works perfectly. Putting the player on a timer and having to quickly think on their feet is rewarding, at least until you wipe at the end of a long run. There’s a significant difficulty spike playing Nightreign as it’s a borderline randomizer. On some runs, it will hand out equipment that will be helpful for your character, while other times give you the short end of the stick. And because each match can take upwards of 45 minutes, getting to the final boss and wiping almost immediately feels discouraging. With that said, the highs outweigh the lows as FromSoftware has created a fantastic template we hope they will expand upon in the future.

GSC Game World should be proud that their once-PC-exclusive trilogy from the early 2000s has come so far. In terms of atmosphere, tension and challenge, S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Legends of the Zone Trilogy - Enhanced Edition is a triumph of survival gaming. The new textures and enhancements add to the grim visuals of the inhospitable Zone without detracting from the horror that made the games into cult classics. Sure, the lingering bugs can get frustrating, but never to the point where you want to stop playing. Players willing to overlook the present issues will come to enjoy the feeling of roaming and surviving in the world of S.T.A.L.K.E.R., with its plentiful variety of weapons and enemies, as well as the brutal combat and exploration. So, get out there, Stalker.

Disaster struck and the world is broken, but RoadCraft lets you rebuild it one satisfying step at a time.

If you’re new and love challenging hack-and-slash adventures, Onimusha 2: Samurai's Destiny is worth a look -- it’ll just take time to acclimate to the controls and combat. With a little luck, players might be seeing more from the Onimusha series soon.

As a piece of history, Capcom Fighting Collection 2 is a must-play for anyone who missed out on the late '90s/early '00s era of fighting games and especially those who lived through it. It combines so many kinds of games together within a single genre that its breadth is impressive even if its scope is "just fighting games." The archival images and soundtracks are also fascinating and having access to so much high-quality artwork is a treat for the eyes and makes this another must-buy for fans of that aspect of the industry. Not every game here is going to be to everyone's liking, and it's a shame console-exclusive modes weren't put in for everything, but it's still an incredible collection of titles executed very well.

Doom: The Dark Ages is AAA gaming at its best, with huge set pieces and memorable moments around every corner of the beautiful environments that only add to the highly-polished and heavily-addicting gameplay. Id Software hasn't held back any punches in creating one of the most grandiose and large-scale games in recent memory, utilizing their big-budget funding to create a 100% user-focused experience that makes the player feel immensely powerful without forgoing a sense of challenge or difficulty. The classic Doom formula has been deconstructed and reformed into a techno-medieval bloodbath, with gaming's original one-man army going on an unbridled rampage of demon-slaying destruction that somehow tops the scale of the iconic franchise yet again.

In the end, The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered is well worth experiencing for veterans of the title and hopefully the rest will see what all the commotion is about.

Milestone doesn't have to continue to innovate its MotoGP series, but it simply desires to. The Career Mode shines once again with its implementation and engagement. The racing now offers an arcade physics engine to go along with the simulation engine, which allows anyone to jump on and race. It's fun for veterans as well. The new racing disciplines are a welcome change that requires more tracks and implementation. The Career Mode should start by competing in championships in these disciplines, then progressing through the three MotoGP classes. Being able to start wherever you want is both a positive and a negative, but the experience is good either way. The jump to Unreal Engine 5 isn't a massive change, but there are noticeable changes. The overall lack of modes still hurts, but the Live GP should help keep players online along with crossplay. The AI issues are the only real thing hurting the on-track experience, but otherwise this is still another stellar racer from Milestone.