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.

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is a fantastic game that everyone should play. The combat is a unique combination of turn-based and real-time, while the game completely captivates you with an immersive story and interesting characters. The focus on exploration is special, but occasionally ensures that you as a player can get lost. Still, this is only a small downside in an otherwise excellent game. For me, it is the best game I have played this year so far and there is a good chance that this will not change in the coming months.

With how skeptical and disappointed I was at the announcement, I never expected to be so impressed by Arkham Shadow. It flawlessly translates the atmosphere and gameplay of the ‘flat screen’ games to the standalone VR headset. If you own a Meta Quest 3 or 3S, this is truly a must-play.

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).

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.

As a 'cozy game,' Wanderstop has little to offer: it's simple, shallow, and gives you little to work toward. But that’s exactly the point. Wanderstop forces both you and the burnout-recovering Alta to slow down and reflect on yourself and the life you lead. That may not sound very cozy and might even seem depressing. Yet, well-written characters and Wreden’s signature humor add a cheerful touch.

Split Fiction is a really cool co-op experience, but where I could recommend It Takes Two without hesitation, the latest game from Hazelight Studios comes with some reservations. The concept of two completely different worlds is brilliant, and the game bombards you with gameplay ideas that follow each other in quick succession. However, when you add it all up, the whole experience quickly becomes chaotic.

The foundation of Monster Hunter Wilds is rock solid. The game is smoother and more streamlined than ever. It’s also more beautiful and spectacular than any of its predecessors. On top of that, it’s incredibly accessible for new players. However, at least in its current state, it offers little resistance, meaning you’ll breeze through it – especially as a Monster Hunter veteran.

Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii isn’t as creative as its subtitle suggests. Nearly all environments and activities feel familiar. This is often the case with Yakuza games—especially now that it’s become an annual franchise. Other entries in the series at least make up for it with a compelling plot, but Pirate Yakuza stumbles in that regard. The only things it can rely on are the usual Yakuza systems, the pirate setting, and the main character. Admittedly, all of those elements are fantastic. I sincerely hope that Majima gets another chance to set sail in a better-written adventure.

Don’t Nod has once again managed to deliver a captivating story, subtly and realistically portraying the struggles and highlights of teenage life. The switch between the two timelines adds dynamic gameplay, where your choices truly impact both the present and the past. While there are occasional awkward moments in the game, the atmosphere and experiences create a beautiful game that truly tugs at your emotions. I’m curious to see what the second part has in store for us and whether it can surpass the first.

Obsidian Entertainment has once again crafted a stunning RPG with Avowed, featuring a dynamic world that feels incredibly alive and combat that flows smoothly. Meaningful decisions are at the heart of the game, with everything reacting to your choices – whether it’s NPCs or the way the world evolves. Every aspect of the game feels carefully thought out. While the story wasn’t always equally compelling, it remained engaging enough thanks to exciting twists and tough moral choices. As a result, Avowed is a fantastic example of how a great modern open-world RPG should be designed.

Fans of the original will get more of what they know, but newcomers can also pick up Kingdom Come: Deliverance II effortlessly. It’s a wonderfully realistic RPG where countless systems seamlessly intertwine within a beautifully designed open world.

Civilization 7 is a true innovation for the 4X genre. And while many of the improvements and additions aren’t new—such as changing cultures per Age—Firaxis has perfected them. Thanks to the shorter gameplay loop and quest-based progression, the notorious late-game slog is a thing of the past. Military units have been streamlined, and city-building offers more freedom, with complex systems from previous entries wisely simplified. The biggest drawback, however, lies in the presentation: in many aspects, it falls short—so much so that it detracts from the overall experience, which is a real shame.

The fact that the bosses in Eternal Strands already feel like a chore to get through says it all. The game has grand ideas and even grander sources of inspiration. For a team of around 70 people, it’s quite impressive what they’ve accomplished. But when you choose to take cues from Monster Hunter, Shadow of the Colossus, and Breath of the Wild, you inevitably invite the associated expectations. Those games then become not just your inspirations but also your competition. And Eternal Strands doesn’t come close to these games.

Nintendo has finally brought a graphically enhanced version of Donkey Kong Country Returns HD from the Wii and 3DS consoles to the Switch. The game remains of high quality even today, and the levels are still just as entertaining. This is indeed the best version of the game currently available to play. It's just unfortunate that the game is being sold at the same price as a new Nintendo game, while, apart from the graphical enhancements, it's essentially the same game that appeared on the 3DS more than ten years ago. Additionally, Tropical Freeze remains the superior Donkey Kong game available on the Switch. However, if you've never played Donkey Kong Country Returns or even tried the version on the 3DS, it can certainly be worth it.

Purists may feel let down by Dynasty Warriors Origins. Admittedly, the focus on a single character, the limited number of weapon types, and the lack of multiplayer are significant drawbacks. However, the final result more than justifies these sacrifices. With Origins, the series is finally taking steps back in the right direction (and into modernity). It boasts the most competently told story in the franchise, significantly improved gameplay, and an unprecedented sense of scale. If this is the new direction for the series as a whole, it could easily thrive for another 25 years.

Indiana Jones and the Great Circle does full justice to the franchise. The game is truly packed to the brim with humor, mysteries to solve, fistfights fitting for the series, and fantastic locations to explore while unraveling the mystery of the Great Circle. For me, 2024 started with a bang with Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth, and with Indiana Jones and the Great Circle, Microsoft, Bethesda, and MachineGames are closing the year with another great game.

For a 1.0 release, Ravenswatch has just barely gotten the basics right. Fortunately, those basics are incredibly solid. The gameplay is unique for a roguelike, successfully capturing the feel of a full playthrough of an ARPG like Diablo in runs lasting just under an hour. Each of the nine playable characters features a completely different playstyle, and all of them are immensely satisfying to play. The limited number of levels and the lack of variety within them are disappointing. However, the core gameplay is so strong that it keeps you coming back—especially when playing with a group of friends.

S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl is a remarkable game, even though it has its flaws. The game is challenging and stays true to the core of the series, including its gritty survival mechanics. Despite some rough edges and technical issues, it offers an immersive experience, with a vast amount of content and an impressive open world.

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.

With Life is Strange: Double Exposure, Deck Nine delivers a worthy successor to Max Caulfield's story. Despite the absence of a recap and the sometimes directive nature, the story manages to captivate and surprise. This is largely thanks to the strong acting, emotional music, and cinematic scenes.

Mario & Luigi Brothership feels like the series never left. AlphaDream may no longer be at the helm, but Acquire respectfully takes up the mantle. The lighthearted humor, interesting characters, world-building, and recognizable gameplay all feel as familiar as ever. Yet, despite the enjoyment I had throughout the lengthy storyline, the poor performance leaves a bitter aftertaste that will stay with me.

With high hopes, I embarked on Haroona’s adventure, longing for a nostalgic single-player experience like the ones we used to have. However, in my experience, that "back in the day" feeling felt more like a memory. In many ways, the game has that distinct last-gen bargain-bin vibe. The influences of titles like Uncharted and Tomb Raider are unmistakable, but the repetitive combat and uninspired platforming leave much to be desired. The game is somewhat saved by its set pieces, story, and the strong performance of Anya Chalotra.

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.

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.

All in all, Metaphor is a different game than I expected. In a way, that's a shame: I was quite curious about what the Persona developers could achieve with an entirely new set of systems. Still, it's certainly not a bad thing. Metaphor does everything Persona did, and in many areas just that little bit better. The visual style is stunning, the battles and everything around them are more streamlined, and although it takes place in a fantasy world, it has just as much to say about our reality as its socially engaged predecessors – for games, at least. I'm very much looking forward to Persona 6, but perhaps I'm even more excited about the future of Metaphor.

Where Link’s Awakening already looked fantastic and sounded even better, The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom has all of that, but with a unique gameplay concept on top. The ability to learn and copy objects and enemies adds so much more depth than you might expect at first glance. It seems like multiple solutions are possible for everything, and you might have a completely different approach to most of the game than I do. Selecting the Echoes is somewhat awkward, and this user interface is the biggest criticism I have of the game. By limiting direct combat, you’re forced to think differently, and in most cases, this works out well, though it can be frustrating at times. Beyond that, you’ll find a wonderfully traditional Zelda adventure full of secrets, great dungeons, and boss fights, but filled with small environment-based puzzles and challenges.

EA Sports FC 25 is an excellent improvement over its predecessor in many areas. Rush mode – especially when played with friends – is brilliant at times and brings back the fun of EA’s football game. However, the game has too many issues to truly impress us. The gameplay and FC IQ are well-designed, but the servers are often so poor that everything feels sluggish. Both the menus and the online gameplay feel very slow, although that still doesn't stop us from enjoying FC 25 quite a bit.