The Outer Worlds 2 is an RPG that retains the strengths of the original but presents them on a larger scale, with more variety and a more direct impact on gameplay and choices. For both fans of the first game and newcomers, The Outer Worlds 2 offers a challenging, clever, and humorous sci-fi experience that, despite minor imperfections, is well worth exploring - and revisiting in a potential next playthrough.

Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3+4 is a fresh hit of nostalgia, though it doesn’t land quite as hard as the first remake. Iron Galaxy has clearly put in a solid effort to bring the games into the modern era, but a few things still slip through the cracks.

NBA 2K26 is once again a decent installment of the annual basketball series. In terms of gameplay, it feels noticeably smoother, especially on the offensive side of the court. On the flip side, defenders seem less effective. The story mode in MyCareer is surprisingly entertaining and comes with an original European twist. Still, certain aspects of the various game modes could have been fleshed out much better, and in many ways, it feels almost identical to last year’s game. On top of that, in-game purchases still take far too central a role in NBA 2K.

With Midnight, World of Warcraft once again delivers a fantastic expansion, featuring a beautiful new version of Silvermoon and the surrounding areas, a highly entertaining story, and new systems that can keep the game going strong for years to come.

PEAK starts off simple but evolves into a hilarious and strategic co-op game packed with clever mechanics, dynamic biomes, and surprisingly deep gameplay. A charming, fresh must-play at a ridiculously low price.

Despite a few caveats, Against the Storm remains a game that grabs you and doesn’t let go. It’s challenging, tactical, and consistently fresh. The combination of city-building and roguelite elements works surprisingly well, and it feels like the developers have chosen depth over spectacle. The balance between threat and reward, control and chaos, makes every run exciting. You have to think, plan, and endure – and if you fail, you fail with a lesson in your back pocket.

Super Mario Party Jamboree combines nostalgia and innovation with five new boards, 110 minigames, and a competitive ruleset that rewards skill over luck. While the partner system can add extra strategy, you are quite dependent on where this partner is placed on the board. The CPU doesn't always behave optimally and sometimes makes frustrating choices. The additional modes feel a bit unnecessary, with the unbeatable Party mode standing out as the clear favorite. Despite the lack of major innovations, the game remains perfect for fun evenings with friends and offers enough enjoyment to justify the purchase.

Sonic Racing Crossworld brings back everything its predecessor was missing and delivers a packed, solid racer.

Dragon Quest III HD-2D is a masterclass in how to give an old game a modern update. The stunning graphics, combined with the captivating music, create an impressive audiovisual experience. But it's mainly the gameplay improvements, the new story segments with Ortega, and the delightful feeling of exploring the world that make Dragon Quest III HD-2D capable of providing you with many dozens of hours of gameplay enjoyment. Bring on the remakes of parts one and two.

Dozens of hours later, I have to conclude that The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remaster is—and remains—a fantastic game. The frustration from crashes or poor performance quickly gives way to nostalgic enjoyment. That feeling of wanting to complete just one more quest or self-imposed task still holds strong after all these years. Oblivion might not be the best game of 2025, but it will probably be the one I spend the most time with this year.

Ninja Gaiden 4 has turned out to be a very strong action game. The gameplay is rock solid, and those who love games where you can decapitate, dismember, and brutally tear into your enemies will definitely find plenty of enjoyment here. Still, I would’ve preferred to see PlatinumGames and Team Ninja balance the focus more evenly between Ryu and Yakumo. Ninja Gaiden 4 falls a bit short in polish here and there, and Ryu in particular doesn’t always feel like the Super Ninja the game constantly claims he is.

Marathon is a game that is truly unmatched, especially in terms of style and gunplay. Beneath its visual presentation and incredibly strong soundtrack lies a game that is remarkably special, though it will not immediately appeal to everyone because it is so hardcore. For me, it is one of the best first-person shooters ever made. In terms of level design, Marathon is even better than Destiny, and the release of its most recent level, Cryo Archive, only reinforced that even further. It takes a little while to get into at first, but once you push through that initial barrier, you are in for an unforgettable experience.

Assassin’s Creed Shadows presents a beautifully crafted world that is definitely worth exploring. The various activities you encounter in the world are enjoyable but could offer more variety. The story of Assassin’s Creed Shadows revolves largely around revenge and doesn’t have much depth, and in the case of Naoe, her adventure even feels incomplete by the time the credits roll. Fortunately, that doesn’t take away from the fact that Assassin’s Creed Shadows has a lot to offer. A massive number of missions, plenty of despicable people to take down, and, of course, the stunning setting more than make up for its weaker aspects. However, this Assassin’s Creed is anything but groundbreaking.

Borderlands 4 is a rock-solid co-op game that will keep you busy for dozens of hours. The story isn’t its strength, but the hunt for the best loot is pure fun.

The music, voiceovers, and bizarre weapons do a great job of masking the shortcomings of Mouse. Mouse P.I. For Hire won't be the game of the year, but in my opinion, it's the most stylish one.

Rune Factory: Guardians of Azuma introduces unusually major changes to the Rune Factory series. At the same time, it keeps the core largely intact: you’re still doing mostly the same things as in previous titles, only this time most of the repetitive tasks are delegated to your villagers. As a result, the game can focus more on story, action, and adventure — and it works out well. It respects the player’s time better, and the improved combat systems and interesting environments do not disappoint. Not every Rune Factory fan will appreciate this direction, but as far as I’m concerned, it’s exactly what the series needed.

The Ace Attorney: Apollo Justice Trilogy merges three good games with a unique slant, colorful characters and interesting stories. The set features quality of life improvements such as autoplay, being able to choose any section of each chapter and has a well-stocked museum section full of artwork and music. The three titles look good, sound even better and managed to keep me enthralled, albeit with a bit too much filler in the middle. Sifting through the testimonies and demonstrating contradictions remains cool and makes you feel insanely clever at times - even when the gameplay is minimalistic.

Stellar Blade is a great game that entertained me for a good twenty hours. Unfortunately, there are some minor issues. More could have been made of the open world areas, and the acting could have been a bit more convincing. However, these concerns disappear completely when I step back into a fight because the combat is just really enjoyable. It really gives a sense of satisfaction when I parry correctly and can retaliate with an even harder hit. The boss fights were also in a class of their own for me.

All in all, Senua's Saga: Hellblade II is one of the most unique experiences I have encountered in a game in recent years. The way the psychoses that Senua undergoes are depicted in the game is an excellent way to help people understand these mental issues. Additionally, Hellblade II is also a fantastic game to play, though I would recommend playing in shorter sessions due to the challenging subject matter. The story is beautiful and is enhanced by a stunning landscape featuring impressive puzzles.

Suikoden I & II HD Remaster: Gate Rune and Dunan Unification Wars finally gives players access to two of the most beloved RPGs of all time once again. It’s definitely a shame that more hasn’t been done to enhance both titles, but there’s a reason why fans still regularly revisit the original games. Both games continue to impress, and every JRPG fan should have played them at least once. Fortunately, that’s now easier than ever. I can only hope that the renewed attention for the series will finally lead to a new game (and no, a mobile gacha title doesn’t count).

Black Myth: Wukong is a visual masterpiece that brings the rich Chinese culture and mythology to life in an impressive way. The combat is satisfying, and the variety in environments and bosses keeps the experience fresh. Despite some frustrations with invisible walls, occasionally inconsistent difficulty, and performance issues, Black Myth: Wukong offers a unique and immersive experience. For those who crave a deep cultural immersion and challenging action, Black Myth: Wukong is definitely worth it.

F1 25 offers a very complete package this year. The new features are all focused on the sport itself, and Braking Point is once again exceptionally entertaining. Codemasters hasn’t changed a great deal compared to last season, but every tweak hits the mark. It’s a shame that PSVR2 owners are still being left out. With the major 2026 changes on the horizon, F1 25 is an excellent way to say goodbye to the current generation of cars.

With Sonic X Shadow Generations, Shadow brings his own set of levels that can easily match the quality of Sonic's. Thanks to Shadow's many interesting superpowers, some of these levels even manage to surpass that level of quality. However, it also exposes a bigger problem within the franchise. Even the best-designed levels in the series don’t always shine due to inherently imprecise controls and mediocre camera work. As such, Sonic X Shadow Generations is an excellent celebration of everything Sonic has achieved over the years—but it also highlights what needs improvement in the future.

Skate Story seemingly captures the freedom and bite of skating with ease, while also showing just how difficult it was for developer Sam Eng to reach that point.

Amerzone – The Explorer’s Legacy offers a nostalgic and immersive experience. Despite some technical shortcomings and a lack of significant innovation, the game remains a visual and narrative gem. It's highly recommended for new players and fans of narrative-driven puzzle games. However, seasoned players familiar with the original might expect a bit more innovation.

REANIMAL feels in every way like the natural successor to the first two Little Nightmares games, yet it manages to establish enough of its own identity to avoid feeling like a simple retread. Tarsier Studios proves they still perfectly master the DNA of this formula, elevating the experience in subtle but meaningful ways through a more intense atmosphere, new gameplay elements, and a more cohesive world.

FAST Fusion is a delightful racer with lightning-fast gameplay and some cool new mechanics. The game doesn’t offer a huge amount of content, but that’s perfectly fine for a price of 15 euros. Once again, FAST proves to be the ideal racer to alternate with Mario Kart. Visually, the game runs incredibly smoothly, although I do hope the image quality in handheld mode gets a bit of an upgrade through a patch.

Keeper is absolutely unique, with a beautiful Tim Burton-like art style, stunning music, and an intriguing world. I solved light puzzles, but the core of the game is mainly about movement and experience. The way it tries to guide you organically without any UI or hints is bold and admirable. But despite the variety, real tension is missing, and I couldn’t shake the question of whether I was actually enjoying what I was doing.