Metaphor: ReFantazio brings out the best of ATLUS's JRPG style, blending a medieval atmosphere with elements of the Persona series and a deeper, more serious fantasy narrative. The result is one of the best JRPGs of the year, impressive in nearly every aspect.

Bananza isn’t just another Donkey Kong game leaning on nostalgia - it’s a reinvention of the iconic character, delivering one of the most creative and refreshing 3D platformers we’ve seen since Donkey Kong 64.

All the legendary games from the Marvel vs. Capcom Fighting Collection remain endlessly fun and show no signs of aging, even decades later. The compilation itself is of the high quality we've come to expect from Capcom in recent years.

Dragon Quest I & II HD-2D Remake is a beautifully crafted revival of two JRPG cornerstones that still hold up remarkably well, now enhanced with modern presentation and a few smart quality-of-life improvements. If you want to explore the true origins of the genre and see where Final Fantasy and other giants first took shape, this collection is an absolute must.

EA Sports UFC 5 is a substantial improvement to the greatest MMA simulation out there, and while it doesn't include many new features, everything that needed to be tightened and perfected in the previous four games is now finally where it should be.

Grand Bazaar brings the beloved farming charm of Harvest Moon/Story of Seasons, enhanced by a unique market dynamics system. With a few subtle improvements, this refreshed edition of an older title shows no signs of age and easily competes with - and even surpasses - today’s indie cozy game scene.

Cronos: The New Dawn will entertain horror genre fans, but it will also remind them of how effectively the old Dead Space series managed to combine elements of action, horror, and eerie atmosphere into a package that blew everyone away. This is another solid horror game from Bloober Team and, we hope, a springboard to even more impressive games.

Soul Hackers 2 is a true full-blooded Atlus experience, there is no doubt about that, but it does not stand out in any way compared to other JRPG titles of this publisher, so it may be the most interesting to the new fans.

With solid visuals, dark music, and an often hair-raising atmosphere, this game holds its own quite solidly with its contemporaries. It doesn't excel graphically, but the experience is there! The game's pacing stands the test of time and shows why System Shock is the daddy of the Bioshock series.

This is a game that stays true to the source material. It adds something fresh to the table that has long been desired. Danger lurks at every turn as you balance alien danger and marine mental condition. A sequel to Aliens Dark Descent is in order! I say we take off and nuke the entire site from orbit. It’s the only way to be sure.

Luigi’s Mansion 2 HD brings the 3DS sequel back to life with improved graphics, though it retains the original content unchanged. While it misses the chance to update mechanics to align with the latest installment, it still guarantees fun for those new to Luigi's ghost-catching adventures.

Rebirth of Souls is a solid step in the right direction for bringing Bleach back into the world of anime games. While it features some repetitive elements and introduces slightly different mechanics, it still manages to deliver hours of fun that fans are sure to enjoy.

If you're a fan of the Call of Duty franchise, you've already bought the game. But for those who are still undecided, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II is a non-stop action-packed, first-person shooter that grabs you by the hand and drags you on a crazy adventure until the very end.

End of Dragons is a high quality addition to the Guild Wars 2 corpus. However, unless you're a returning player, it probably won't inspire to hop on the Guild Wars 2 just now.

While the last year’s game was a transitional release, this year’s sequel brings a spectacle-filed singleplayer campaign and ambitious focus on more live service challenges and professional league racing. While it does not master all aspects of its driving and presentation, it is another in the line of very solid racing titles from Codemasters that can satisfy both longtime fans and newcomers alike.

A unique story about life and death told from the point of view of a detective duo whose love knows no bounds. An impressive evolution of the game style from a studio previously known for smaller-scale branching adventures.

Unpolished gem with some space for improvement. If you like this type of games, sit back and relax and it will take you to some new and dark places that you will enjoy.

Transitional game - that is the easiest way to describe the state of the latest F1 game where Codemasters either didn't want to take the risk of adding a more ambitious game modes or they just didn't have time to prepare something like that in a year when the whole sport switched to a totally new form. Despite the lack of central campaign, F1 22 is still a game that can satisfy both newcomers and veterans alike with its still superb driving simulation and attractive presentation style.

An all-new Horizon experience that, with the help of the powerful PSVR 2, will transport you directly into this unique world full of mechanical animals, with never more opportunities to interact in one solid-length adventure for a VR title.

While it hasn’t changed much from the original 2011 game, Persona 3 Reload managed to hook us and keep us glued to our screens for almost 100 hours. It may be a long and repetitive game at times, but it’s still a fun and funky experience.

Eliminating armies of bugs and robots with a ton of weapons and gear definitely sounds tempting, but it will be a quickly mastered routine that won't keep people glued to the screen for a very long time. Helldivers 2 is a game that still lacks that crucial "ideal" aspect of fun that is stifled by an extremely hard grind for beginners and an unrealistically high difficulty if you're playing alone or with random players.

Octopath Traveler 0 is a huge and highly enjoyable return to the classic JRPG formula, featuring excellent turn-based combat and a smartly refined mobile DNA. That said, it doesn’t bring anything fundamentally new to the table - just another 100 hours of pure HD-2D JRPG indulgence, which genre fans certainly won’t mind.

EA FC 25 plays it safe with solid football, avoiding too much risk or complexity, which makes sense from a business perspective. However, many players are starting to lose patience with the lack of innovation in sports games year after year. The new FC isn’t a complete copy-paste of its predecessor and does bring improvements with certain new features. It’s definitely the best football game on the market right now and one of the top sports games overall, but there’s certainly room for improvement.

Wo Long Fallen Dynasty is the latest Team Ninja game and it is a good counterpart to Nioh games even if its more Sekiro than Dark Souls. Brutal combat and good level design are there but some caveats are going to be thorn in the eye for the veterans of the genre.

THPS 3 + 4 Remake is a nostalgic and technically impressive return to the legendary skateboarding games, managing to retain the spirit of the originals despite a few compromises. While THPS 4 feels slightly stripped down due to its reworked format, the overall package remains rich, fun, and true to the series. For longtime fans - it was worth the wait.

Although the Sonic Origins Collection is aimed at those who are nostalgic for early days of Blue Blur, we believe that new players will also enjoy these improved versions of the beloved 2D games that graced a beautiful period of the 90s. Game Gear games are just cherry on the top!

Romeo is a Deadman is chaotic, unpredictable, pure creative madness that won’t appeal to everyone, but those willing to embrace it will find one of the most original gaming experiences of the year, despite its technical flaws.

Lords of the Fallen may not be a game that will reinvent the wheel, but it is definitely a great Soulslike title that any fan of the genre will appreciate. Aside from minor flaws related to poor mapping and other easily fixable blemishes, this game still gets a high rating and our warm recommendation.

Legends Z-A is finally a successfully realized modern Pokémon game that works the way it should - focused, stable, and very fun - but it still needs a bit more to achieve the true “mega evolution” of this legendary franchise.

The same endearing adventure from 2020 worthy of mention, and even more so of playing, is now on PC.

GRID Legends is a hell of a fun arcade ride with a serious pedigree that continues the evolution started in the reboot from 2019. However, the FMV story mode is something we could easily do without.

LEGO Horizon Adventures offers a fresh take with a visually impressive world built from LEGO bricks and a fun parody of the Horizon story, though it leaves you wishing for more meaningful content and a stronger connection to the original games.

In video games, there are two kinds of sequels: those that play it safe, and those that go completely off the rails. High on Life 2 firmly belongs to the latter. As the follow-up to one of the strangest FPS titles in recent years, it feels like a deliberately chaotic shooter that makes you wonder what kind of substances were in play during the writing process.

Although it doesn’t reinvent the formula, The Beast delivers bloodier horror, a more dangerous atmosphere, and enough new elements to justify its existence as a standalone game.

When the legendary authors of the classic arcade games completely ignore reality for the sake of crazy, over the top entertainment, we get something really extraordinary.

An excellently crafted action roguelike that directly aims to entertain fans of Dead Cells and Hades with a wide spectrum of new challenges. A vast selection of combat options, platforming sections that require a lot of attention, and an excellent movement system elevate this title above most of its competitors.

When we take a deeper look at Unicorn Overlord, as a new product of Vanillaware, the aspect of kinda generic and predictable mediocre story is drastically saved by incredibly interesting action and tactics which can be considered as one of best in JRPG genre.

To be honest, the FF pixel remaster collection will not appeal to everyone, but fans of old-school JRPGs will eagerly welcome this nostalgic trip down memory lane while enjoying titles that defined the genre as well as the Final Fantasy franchise, which continues to win the hearts of many gamers around the world.

Marvel Cosmic Invasion might not reach the full magic of Capcom's classics, but it delivers enough nostalgia combined with a solid dose of modern ideas to easily stand as Dotemu’s best release yet. If you love old-school 2D side-scrolling beat ’em ups and cosmic Marvel chaos, this game was made just for you.

If you’re tired of the usual mascot kart racers and want something a bit different, Kirby Air Riders offers a fresh take - a racing game unlike anything else out there, aside from its decades-old predecessor. Its fast, chaotic races are a lot of fun, but the unusual control scheme might take some getting used to and could be a sticking point for some players.

This year FIFA brings bigger updates that many expected long before. However, as it is the final game in the series, there is still the feeling that something is missing, although without a doubt FIFA 23 is the best EA Sport's release in the last few years.

WWE 2K26 continues to maintain its streak of quality, and with its largest roster yet alongside meaningful additions to existing modes, it will undoubtedly keep players glued to their screens until the next installment. With that in mind, we’ll be expecting more fundamental changes and innovations next time around — and perhaps fewer elements like this year’s Ringside Pass system.

The new-old Kirby feels right at home on the Switch, with beautiful graphics, lots of new content that feels like it's always been there, and of course the traditional lighthearted and fun Kirby experience that we love.

Actraiser Renaissance remains true to the cult original with plenty of novelties that do not disturb the essence of this strange title from the very beginning of a completely crazy story called Quintet studio.

Atomfall feels like a constant struggle for survival, where any mistake can cost you dearly. If you are a fan of STALKER and Metro 2033, this game will be a real treat for you.

Jurassic World Evolution 2 brings many good novelties to the tried and tested formula of the original, but still represents a title only for the most patient fans of dinosaurs and managerial simulations. If those even exist.

With small technical problems, Riders Republic has a story that shouldn't exist. If you ignore the ''overbloating'' of some of its elements as it happens in every Ubisoft title, it is still a great game.

Football Manager is definitely showing signs of improvement and it is obvious that the development team is paying attention to the suggestions from the fans. No major objections here, and I hope that the sequel will be an even better game, because this franchise really has immense potential.

Although it seems like "My Fist XCOM" with Nintendo and Ubisoft mascots, Sparks of Hope is far from it, bringing many pleasant innovations to the genre of turn-based tactical games with systems and depth that will surprise you.

It's very nice to get back to Abe, especially now after Enhanced Edition and all of its improvements. If you missed this one in April - even better, now's the right time to play the new Oddworld the way it should have been.

The fourth and sixth instalments are most often cited as the highlights of the 2D series, while five was always considered a weird Japanese game with a job system that few have played. However, from today's point of view, especially after playing the great Pixel Remaster version, I can say that Final Fantasy V is perhaps the purest classic JRPG experience in the series and a collection of all the best ideas from the 2D era. If you like this series and the genre in general, don’t skip on this one. Thank me later!

Another Assassin's Creed quality fix for insatiable fans of Ubisoft's content-bloated games, but this time with additional magical powers. It is indeed the best expansion for Valhalla so far, but basically still one big deja vu.

The remastered Horizon Zero Dawn offers an enhanced visual presentation, but its flaws remain apparent, especially in comparison to Forbidden West. Nevertheless, this is still the best way for new players to get acquainted with the franchise.

Sonic x Shadow Generations brings back one of the best compilations of reimagined classic Sonic levels, while also delivering a completely new, massive section dedicated to Shadow, featuring some of the best 3D levels in the long history of this franchise.

I can imagine countless real-life situations where the skills acquired in this game would really help or at least make your life easier. Your brain is at stake here - you carry it everywhere you go (I guess) and use it every day! In the end, I can only applaud Nintendo again for managing to make something creative and fun from the simplest ideas, and in this case, actually useful.

Even though it’s not too friendly with newcomers, it’s hard to deny the value that Apollo Justice: Ace Attorney Trilogy brings. For one price, you get three excellent visual novels filled with memorable characters, interesting plot twists, and plenty of humor.

If you have already played Final Fantasy VII Remake on the PlayStation, then we can hardly recommend this port, the only exception being if you are a “PC purist” that also loves a good JRPG along the way. If that is the case, you will finally have the opportunity to try this achievement of a game and see for yourself why fans of the seventh instalment of the long-running JRPG series were so thrilled with this remake a few years ago.

Even though it has a few flaws, we had a blast going through Black Myth: Wukong on PS5. The mix of gorgeous graphics, Chinese culture, adrenaline-pumping battles and cut-scenes really spiced up this souls-lite. There were hardships along the way but we don’t regret taking this journey to the west.

Square Enix takes us back to the distant past but also to many other periods with a very detailed remaster of the JRPG cult hit that was not available outside of Japan until now. For hardcore fans only.

The huge community of farmers/players gathered around this series does not need any special recommendations, suffice it to say that the game now looks better and brings a couple of new possibilities to the old tried and tested formula. Better graphics, new maps, seasons, and new farming "disciplines" will be more than enough reason to re-enter your favorite farming simulation. And if you are new to the series, the 2022. version undoubtedly represents a very good starting position thanks to tutorials that have also matured well from season to season.

Borderlands 4 delivers everything fans love - humor, loot, and action, but technical issues and a lack of innovation hold it back from becoming a true milestone for the series.

Crimson Desert is a visually impressive and highly ambitious open-world RPG with thrilling, adrenaline-fueled combat. While its complexity can occasionally feel more like a drawback than a strength, for fans of RPGs and open-world games, this is a title that always has something more to offer.

Despite its slightly dated graphics and occasional frame rate issues, Dragon's Dogma II emerges as a standout action RPG, offering a unique style and refreshing gameplay formula that captivates players. While it may struggle on modern consoles, its compelling experience makes it a must-play for fans of the genre.

If you like soulslike games and are not allergic to feathers - Wuchang is a must-play.

You shouldn’t judge a book by its cover - nor EA by its microtransactions. But if you manage to look past that, FC 26 delivers the best football experience of the modern gaming era. There’s still room for improvement, but it finally feels like we’re on the right track.

A very competent action game that puts a large focus on exploration and a satisfying science-fiction story. Great first showing from a brand new game dev team from Serbia.

Set aboard a familiar alien-infested spaceship setting, this solid branching adventure from Supermassive Games captures the atmosphere and tension of the very best moments from the cult horror classic Alien.

One of the most popular games of all time has finally arrived on PC after 14 years, where it can easily be played on any modern hardware configuration. Its exceptional storyline, strong performances, and diverse array of in-game activities ensure that it remains a must-play for anyone who enjoys open-world games and Western films.

Syberia: The World Before is a perfectly refreshing point & click adventure that, except for a couple negligible control problems, manages to give you a significant experience.

Although it’s still not the ultimate version of Ninja Gaiden 2, Black brings back the brutal action and challenge that the genre has been missing for years. With enhanced graphics and ultra-fast technical performance, this classic doesn’t feel outdated even today and serves as the perfect warm-up for the series' return with its fourth installment later this year.

Tormented Souls 2 isn’t a rip-off - it’s a rebellion. It boldly and successfully reminds us that true horror doesn’t come from endless obstacles, but from relentless tension, puzzles that demand real thought, and the unsettling feeling of being alone in the dark with something you’re not supposed to see.

With plenty of additional refinements, Gears of War Reloaded hardly feels like a game that’s nearly 20 years old - the action and co-op remain fantastic, even though the original grit has been replaced with a more colorful layer of modern graphics.

Marvel's Midnight Suns is a robust and very fun tactical RPG adventure with beautiful visuals, fantastic characters, a complex but fun combat system, excellent social gameplay and overall, despite the stale feel the game gives off, it looks and sounds fantastic.

Another Code: Recollection is a light adventure with a fantastic atmosphere and an interesting story that will immerse you into its world much better than the original games. Very easy puzzles make the challenge almost non-existent here, but due to the overall quality of the story and experience, it's hard to say much negative about this unique title.

Boltgun is a great blend of old and new and of a Dark SciFi franchise thats widely beloved. It has its flaws and minor issues concerning gun balancing and map design but it is a great game for boomer shooter lovers and Warhammer fans alike. It bathes in Emperor's light!

If it works, don't change it. However, given the price, fans have the right to expect bigger changes. NBA 2K25 brings refined gameplay, improved MyNBA and MyGM modes, and minor updates in The City mode. The quality has improved compared to last year, and it remains a top-tier basketball simulation.

The third horror game from Tarsier Studios is easily their best, unlocking a whole new levels of fear and tension that are clearly enhanced by the presence of co-op play.

Super Meatboy 3D is a game that truly deserves to be the follow-up to the legendary original. With its new 3D approach, it delivers plenty of fresh challenges while retaining the familiar, frustrating difficulty that will keep drawing you back.

The Ace Attorney Investigations Collection is yet another fantastic compilation of quirky visual novels that we still can't get enough of. While Miles Edgeworth is a much more serious protagonist, his adventures are filled with humor, occasional suspense, and unforgettable moments. Despite the recurring issues shared by the entire series, this spin-off sometimes even outshines the original.

The new Fire Emblem Warriors title brings even greater musou integration with this classic JRPG, while also being a great spin-off for Three Houses and a clear evolution of this long-standing genre. However, due to its specificity, it will be interesting only to a very narrow audience.

With its charming world, imaginative characters, and plenty of new additions, the Director’s Cut proves that Nikoderiko deserves its place among modern indie gems.

If you want to continue your Kakarot adventure with higher framerate support and even better graphics, or start all over, the Kakarot Legendary Edition brings all the DLC released for the original game in 2020 and continues to add new content through the Season Pass 2. Overall this turns into one gigantic Dragon Ball Z package that true fans should not miss.

Terminator 2D: No Fate is a modern retro title that truly understands the essence of classic 2D action games, delivering pure, fast, and addictive fun without any unnecessary padding.

Company of Heroes 3: Console Edition brings the glory of the real-time strategy genre to the consoles in a spectacular way. Featuring two different campaigns and a freshened-up design, it will give you hours of good fun sitting in front of your big screen.

A solid blend of Destiny-style action and striking Star Wars elements, the Renegades expansion delivers many hours of excellent fun, giving fans plenty to enjoy while waiting for Bungie to finally confirm work on a full-fledged sequel.

Capcom brings us back, once again, to the golden age of arcades with another collection of authentic old-school coin-op games that delivers more than we expected.

Lies of P, blew us away… both with its gameplay and difficulty. Souls-like fans shouldn’t sleep on this retelling of a classic Italian tale complete with killer robotic puppets, deadly weapons, and a beautifully depressing world.

Vampire Survivors on Switch is a well-matured indie-darling game right from the start that comes with a better engine and an insane amount of fun and content for an incredibly low price.

For WWE 2K24, all the stars have aligned to finally deliver a WWE title that can be recommended to players beyond the wrestling fandom without any reservations. While it may not represent a leap of faith from the Hell in a Cell for series veterans, it brings enough changes to make this edition undoubtedly the best of this generation so far.

If you're a Final Fantasy super-fan and can name the most famous theme songs from each mainline sequel, you'll enjoy listening to these iconic tunes with a bit of interaction - provided you don't get bored of all this before you grind your way to your favorite JRPG music.

Battlefield 6 returns to the heart of the series - from its raw, fast-paced, and minimalist single-player action to chaotic, tactically demanding multiplayer, where teamwork perfectly recaptures the classic feeling of war on screen.

MLB The Show 22 is a slight improvement over the last year's edition with a couple of novelties that fans will know how to appreciate, but it still leaves a lot of room for future adjustments, especially when it comes to the new online co-op mode.

Although Mario's return to the soccer field does not reinvent the wheel... or should we say soccer ball, there are no auto-goals this time, so we have another fantastic Switch title in the row.

The complete Skywalker Saga in LEGO form is the biggest LEGO game so far, although some new systems may not be implemented the best, this is still one giant entertainment package in which every Star Wars fan will be able to invest hundreds of hours.

Reunion finally gives fans what they’ve been asking for - a return of Max and Chloe in a form that captures the very essence of the series. It’s rare for a final chapter to correct past missteps and deliver a satisfying conclusion to a story we’ve followed for over a decade, which makes Reunion essential for all fans, even those turned away by Double Exposure. It may not be perfect, but it’s effective and emotional enough to remind us why we fell in love with Life is Strange in the first place.

Assassin’s Creed Shadows delivers a stunning and content-rich open world set in feudal Japan, featuring a diverse stealth and combat system with two distinct playstyles. While Ubisoft sticks to its familiar formulas, Shadows successfully offers one of the most impressive AC experiences to date.

An excellent package for Resident Evil fans that brings the continuation of the story and a couple of features that should have been there at the time of the release. Village is now a slightly more complete title, and the good future of the series is slowly becoming more certain.

Although it’s not the strongest entry in the series narratively, Xenoblade Chronicles X delivers a fantastic sense of exploration and a truly original mecha dimension to this unique single-player MMO-like JRPG world. The remaster doesn’t change much, but it ensures that the game finally gets the attention it deserves.