Invincible VS is a visceral, mechanically intriguing 3v3 tag fighter that rewards creative problem-solving over rote memorization. While it lacks the ultimate strategic depth and frame-data nuance of the genre's titans, its sandbox approach, satisfying hit feedback, and rock-solid rollback netcode make it a standout entry and a genuine recommendation for both fans and FGC enthusiasts willing to experiment.

The plot of Altered Echoes is a fever dream, and I mean that in a good way. Even after the credits roll, I still don’t quite understand what just happened, but that’s pretty much how it has to be in a Little Nightmares game. It expands on the lore, picks up on creepy nightmare motifs, and presents an unreal world where you can never be sure what’s coming next. That’s exactly what I expect from a game in this universe, which is why I’m very satisfied with the experience despite the lack of a coherent narrative. It’s just a shame that the technical shortcomings noticeably dampen the fun.

Saros is a fiercely focused hybrid of bullet-hell, roguelite, platformer, and horror sci-fi whose demanding but fair combat and aggressive risk-reward loop easily outweigh its flat supporting cast and static hub.

An asynchronous multiplayer experiment with a great atmosphere, but some weaknesses in the core gameplay.

Technically shaky, lacking in gameplay and atmosphere. Recommended only for particularly nostalgic gothic veterans with an unconditional longing for more Ruhr Valley fantasy—and with enough patience to make it work, provided you approach it with enough goodwill and sympathy for the small team. Everyone else should be advised against visiting this shaft: the charm of the mine doesn’t bridge every chasm.

While the great cartoon aesthetics are the obvious shining star, Mouse: P.I. For Hire is also a great first person shooter with impeccable level design. While the combat is solid and shows some good ideas, most fights are brought down by poor weapon balancing.

Replaced is much more than it initially appears to be: namely, a pixel-art spectacle with an incomparably rich atmosphere. It quickly becomes clear that the passionately told story and the varied gameplay contribute just as much to the overall experience as the stunning graphics. Yes, not every one of these elements is perfect, and every now and then there’s a bit too much text and repetitive gameplay. Nevertheless, Replaced is already one of the indie highlights of the year.

Capcom once again proving why they are the masters of the action genre. Pragmata enhances great fundamentals with fresh ideas and even manages to create a heartwarming friendship between its heroes.

In its current early-access state, Morbid Metal looks very promising to me: a stylish, uncompromisingly combat-focused roguelite that treats its shape-shifting system not as a gimmick but as a genuine core design element, and manages to translate the elegance of a character-action game into the loop of a run-based game. The Japanese-inspired sci-fi robots, the powerful soundtrack and the precise hit feedback ensure that every battle feels like a little metallic dance, into which you slip deeper with every run. At the same time, there’s still work to be done: the numerous gameplay systems seem hard to grasp at first, the story remains more of an atmospheric backdrop, and the technical aspects still need optimising. But that’s exactly what Early Access is for – and for me, Morbid Metal is one of those rare cases where the foundation is already so compelling that I’m genuinely looking forward to this collaborative community fine-tuning with every subsequent patch. [Early Access Score = 70]

Super Meat Boy 3D is a faithful translation of the indie classic into the third dimension while infusion it with great ideas from other platformers

Darwin's Paradox is a wacky platformer-stealth adventure packed with details and featuring a protagonist whose eight arms you just can't help but love.

Screamer is a mechanically brilliant arcade racer that successfully blends 90s nostalgia with a deep, technical twin-stick control scheme and a striking 80s anime aesthetic. While the ambitious 70-chapter story campaign suffers from uneven pacing and melodramatic writing, the actual racing feels incredibly visceral and rewarding, delivering one of the most intense and addictive driving experiences in recent years.

Crimson Desert is an entertaining open-world action RPG that offers a unique gameplay experience and, thanks to its vast scale, keeps you occupied for a long time, but fails to truly impress in almost every respect. In this case, less would have been more.

John Carpenter's Toxic Commando delivers a loud, chaotic co-op bloodbath with a healthy dose of 80s kitsch. While other multiplayer competitors strive for polished, strategic gameplay, the trash team crashes the party here, roaring and behaving like complete hooligans. More splatter, monsters and non-stop action could hardly fit into a multiplayer shooter, and this is achieved here in a technically impressive way. Oh, and pigs like to roll around in the mud. That fits, because the Mudrunner influences and the poison slick monsters are on top of that. Nevertheless, the game suffers from a very tough progression system and a pacing that can hardly be improved upon after the furious start. Nevertheless, if you're in the mood for technically impressive mass battles with an immensely high enemy density and whimsical off-road excursions with three friends, you'll find a unique shooter package here that will make fans of World War Z particularly happy.

As a fan of the first two games, Monster Hunter Stories 3 immediately grabbed me. This isn't just a small, "nice to have" spin-off, but a lavish and richly complex RPG that doesn't need to hide behind the beloved main series. On the contrary: Twisted Reflection once again successfully translates the strengths of Monster Hunter into the turn-based RPG genre, surpassing its predecessors in both presentation and game design. The latter, however, requires a willingness to persevere through an overloaded tutorial and a whole host of question marks until everything clicks and the pieces fall into place. Then there's not much standing in the way of a great RPG experience.

If you're looking for a cleverly balanced puzzle platformer with a great atmosphere and memorable characters, Planet of Lana II is the perfect choice. The rather subtle depiction of violence also makes the game interesting for families. However, Planet of Lana II doesn't offer any real challenges for hardcore puzzlers.

Esoteric Ebb is a charming and clever role-playing game that combines D&D virtues with a strong focus on story and contemporary themes. Even though the graphics and fantasy setting speak a different language, it almost feels like Disco Elysium 2.

Resident Evil Requiem delivers one of the series’ best survival‑horror campaigns with Grace Ashcroft and a brutal, visually impressive action romp with Leon in ruined Raccoon City. However, its generous resources economy, the action-focus in the second half and split identity keep this ambitious anniversary entry just shy of true masterpiece status.

Reanimal is a captivating horror adventure with an intense creepy atmosphere and a cinematic look. It provides variety in terms of gameplay, but leaves a lot of narrative potential untapped.

Great visual concepts and wacky characters don't make up for the underlying issues of its repetitive encounters and tedious level design.

In the roughly 60 hours I spent with Nioh 3, I often only reluctantly put the controller down for breaks. The enhanced gameplay structure and clever, new elements reliably prevent you from getting frustrated and losing your temper on a boss, without sacrificing the series' signature edge. Nioh 3's more open approach reliably motivates you to keep at it and consistently creates an exemplary, captivating flow. If you've only ever tentatively eyed the Nioh games from afar, this latest installment offers the best opportunity yet to jump into the series.

Dragon Quest VII: Reimagined is a much tighter experience compared to the original, even though it over-corrects in some places.

It's a little strange: although I have very little connection to real climbing, Cairn immediately captivated me. Over time, I have developed something like “para-expertise,” which would be of limited use in real climbing, but opens up undreamt-of possibilities in Cairn. “What, we're supposed to climb this smooth, hundred-meter-high rock face?” you ask yourself at first – only to later scan the rock with an expert eye and figure out a possible route. The game may become a bit too challenging in places from the medium difficulty level onwards – but if you have patience and frustration tolerance, you will be rewarded all the more by your sense of achievement. Even for those unfamiliar with mountaineering, Cairn offers an unforgettable adventure that combines flow and natural beauty with well-paced drama. The mountain is calling, definitely.

Code Vein II fundamentally fails to understand that true Souls-like difficulty comes from skill testing, not stat gating. There are also minor but noticeable flaws, such as the sometimes poor readability of attacks, which could be remedied with better visual highlighting and reduced effect chaos. Overall, Code Vein II moves further away from its Souls-like roots, which I find bold and independent. This gives the game a new identity of its own, which in its flow and combat rhythm is more reminiscent of dungeon crawlers and action JRPGs than Dark Souls and the like. The only annoying thing is that many aspects seem to have not been thought through to the end. This results in the aforementioned lack of appeal of the open world, the incoherence between story and gameplay, and the unpolished technical execution. Nevertheless, there is a good game in here somewhere. If Bandai Namco makes adjustments with patches, you can still have fun despite these criticisms.

A strong Metroidvania in both audiovisual and gameplay aspects, featuring appealing level design, a dense atmosphere, convincing scope, a tactically interesting upgrade system, nerve-wracking boss battles, and clever features to balance the challenging difficulty level.

Two years after its release, Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora still offers one of the most beautifully breath-taking worlds we have ever experienced in a video game. The gameplay mix of stealth, shooting, hunting, gathering and crafting is entertaining in short bursts. However, it feels a little too shallow and repetitive for lengthy trips to Pandora. The story presentation is weak, NPCs are walking tropes and the plot offers zero nuance or grey area. The DLC From the Ashes offers better pacing and fast-paced action, whilst also delivering noticeably better cutscenes and story moments. The DLC feels better and more entertaining than the base game, however, it's also a lot shorter than Frontiers of Pandora.

Terminator 2D: No Fate plays like some of the best, most beaufitul 16 bit run 'n gun titles of days gone by. Its varied gameplay, amazing pixel art and insanely good soundtrack make for roughly 40 minutes of brilliant fun - and then you're done. You can now do it all over again on higher difficulty levels or in the no continues arcade mode, a boss rush mode or an infinite survival mode, or even unlock some dubious alternative story moments. If and how much you enjoy this depends on whether or not you have the time and motivation to master this game to perfection. Otherwise, you'll be getting a very entertaining, albeit also very short gameplay experience for your money.

All in all, Thief VR is a game that emphasizes curiosity and experimentation. Some characters remain relatively bland in terms of narrative, but Thief VR thrives in other directions. The replay value is high, and it's incredibly tempting to try a mission again with a completely different playing style. Certain gameplay elements (lockpicking, hoarding treasures, knocking out guards, etc.) become a bit monotonous over time. But the limitation to a fixed set of tools ensures that you become increasingly skilled at using precisely these tools – instead of being overwhelmed and distracted by ever new possibilities.

Routine is an acoustic and atmospheric masterpiece that excels in environmental storytelling and psychological horror through liminal spaces. However, its narrow appeal, demanding navigation without maps, and reliance on specific phobias make it a polarizing experience. Essential for horror enthusiasts with patience; potentially frustrating for others seeking traditional gameplay mechanics.

Kirby Air Riders suffers from the difficult task of outwardly conveying its true nature. Those hoping for a fun-racer in the vein of Mario Kart World might be quite disappointed. While the comparison is obvious and superficially accurate, Air Riders relies heavily on a unique gameplay experience. It rewards players who overcome the challenging initial hurdle and have the enthusiasm to delve into the mostly simple, yet complex, systems and mechanics. There's no doubt that casual gamers can enjoy the title. However, if you want to take a few relaxed spins, you'd be better off with the plumber's latest racing adventure.

The label ‘okay’ was invented for games like SpongeBob SquarePants: Tides of Giants. It's a solid game for a younger target audience, which represents its brand well and offers some funny ideas. However, there is little that is truly compelling here, especially since many of the mechanics have already been implemented better elsewhere. So, while you'll have a nice time in Bikini Bottom, you won't feel any real excitement.

The campaign in Black Ops 7 changes everything, for better and for worse. You face psychological horror on your own or cooperatively with friends, fight humongous bosses and move through crazy, surreal levels using grappling hooks and super jumps. Some enemies are annoyingly spongy, some boss mechanics more frustrating than entertaining. The story is unbelievably nonsensical, even for Call of Duty. Multiplayer is chock-full of the usual competitive modes for teams of 6 or 20 players, Warzone and Zombies are present, as well, as is Endgame, a new cooperative Warzone mode against AI enemies. Multiplayer is solid, the Gunsmith feature allows for lots of exciting possibilities, but weapon-balancing could use a little more fine-tuning.

Rue Valley shows how depression, grief and mental health problems affect us and those around us. It also the various ways people deal with these issues, how one can learn to live with them and how to find hope in a seemingly hopeless situation. The story looks at these issues without the use of rose-tinted glasses and creates a fascinating experience through its unusual character creation and very well-written and very-acted dialogue, if you're open to this kind of subject matter. However, a certain amount of patience for a few lengths in both gameplay and storytelling, as well some tolerance for small technical issues and limitations are a requirement for your journey to Rue Valley.

Nothing new, but the familiar gameplay in near-perfect quality: With Anno 117, Ubisoft is playing it safe—and delivering high quality.

Like its predecessor, Age of Imprisonment serves up highly enjoyable power-fantasy action against a competently translated “Zelda“-backdrop. While the title avoids major innovations (too much so), it tweaks the right elements and improves greatly on the performance and visuals. If you only bring a love for the underlying franchise, the repetitive gameplay might tire you rather quickly. However, for genre enthusiasts, and especially fans of the first game, this title is a no-brainer.

Wreckreation is a flawed but charming arcade racer that successfully resurrects Burnout's spirit. The innovative LiveMix editor offers creative freedom rarely seen in racing games, while solid destruction physics and exhilarating speed deliver memorable moments. However, a lifeless open world, unfair AI difficulty balancing, and numerous technical bugs prevent it from reaching greatness. For players hungry for arcade racing thrills and willing to overlook its rough edges, it's a worthwhile investment. The small ten-person team deserves credit for coming this close to recapturing the magic of 2008.

A sci-fi role-playing game designed with a lot of passion, featuring a great narrative universe, flamboyant characters, many solutions for individual missions and a consistently successful presentation.

Tormented Souls 2 is a love letter to the heyday of classic survival horror. It's not a game that attempts to reinvent the wheel. Instead, it takes a tried-and-true formula, understands its strengths down to the smallest detail, and refines them with the precision of a craftsman. The result is an experience that feels both nostalgic and modern. And it fits well with the current renaissance of horror games that are springing up in all shapes and sizes. My recommendation is therefore clear and specific: If you're looking for a modern action-horror game with fluid controls and cinematic staging, you might not be happy here. But if you miss the days of color ribbons, fixed camera angles, and slow, methodical exploration, Tormented Souls 2 is a definite recommendation. Dual Effect has not only created a worthy successor but also set a high standard for the neo-retro horror genre.

A fantastic combat system and memorable bosses are held back by tedious level design. Nearly every stage is double the length it should be and gets visually stale even before then.

Keeper is a unique puzzle adventure that combines atmospheric exploration with clever puzzles and a touching story without the need for words. At its core is the unique journey of two unlikely friends, which warms my heart with its powerful emotions.

Battlefield is back! With an exciting scenario, excellent multiplayer and an entertaining campaign, Battlefield 6 impresses across the board in our preliminary test. Minor weaknesses and shortcomings do little to detract from the overall experience. Now all that's left is for the servers to hold up and for EA/DICE to continuously maintain and balance the game with an ear to the community. Then nothing will stand in the way of an excellent multiplayer title that even Call of Duty has to fear.

Supermassive Games successfully translates the macabre aesthetic, delivering superb monster design and visual highlights. However, the experience is hindered by padding, inconsistent pacing, and an underutilized, online-only co-op feature, preventing Little Nightmares 3 from reaching the compact brilliance of its predecessors.

Digimon Story Time Stranger certainly doesn't push the boundaries of the genre, but it captivates as a competently executed JRPG until the credits roll – especially with its exemplary complex focus on collecting and training the titular monsters. If you also have a connection to the original, Time Stranger is sure to make you more than happy, as Media.Vision and Bandai Namco deliver what is probably the most well-rounded game of the franchise to date.

Ghost of Yōtei is a masterful lesson in refining an established formula, demonstrating how a new theme can lead to a cascade of improvements that elevate an already beloved concept to new heights. Sucker Punch has not only retained the best elements of Tsushima, but has also boldly broken new ground, taking the experience to a new level. The central conflict shifts from Jin Sakai's internal struggle for honour and cunning to Atsus' personal quest for revenge and her potential healing. I felt that this thematic shift is the driving force behind all of the game's profound mechanical innovations. The Western theme runs like a thread through every aspect of the gameplay, from the bounty hunter system to the non-linear narrative. It kept me hooked until the very end. Truly a revenge story with enormous gravitational pull.

Hotel Barcelona is the result of a creative synergy between Suda51 and SWERY. The game does not position itself as a highly polished product, but rather as a deliberately unconventional experience. It scores points with its chaotic ‘slasher phantom’ mechanics and dirty aesthetics, which will appeal especially to fans of classic horror films. Although the (more or less deliberate) messy style and technical quirks will be a hurdle for many, these elements are part of the artistic vision for die-hard fans. Hotel Barcelona is far from a perfect game, but it is perfect for its very narrow target audience.

Silent Hill f is a very special game. Rarely have I seen a video game narrative told this well while taking advantage of the medium's unique strengths. Even after several playthroughs, my perspective on the story keeps changing through uncovering new aspects of its mystery.

Dying Light: The Beast is an action-packed open-world game with powerful and brutal combat and a high paced parkour system allowing me to glide elegantly across rooftops. Even though quests and storylines quickly become routine, the smooth gameplay keeps me hooked with constant new challenges and noticeable improvements.

Sonic Racing Crossworlds is a game of extremes, initially causing frustration with its chaotic races, sensory overload, and often unfair item system. However, players who push through the steep learning curve will be rewarded with an uncompromisingly fast and rewarding racer that brilliantly captures the feel of classic 3D Sonic turbo stages. Despite the flawed item balancing, its fantastic track design, motivating tuning options, and the dynamic Crossworlds mechanic make it a challenging and ultimately satisfying experience for dedicated Sonic fans who value pure, unfiltered speed above all else.

Hollow Knight: Silksong improves on nearly everything Team Cherry established eight years ago and I hope other games will learn from its excellent enemy design. A true success that somehow managed to meet the high expectations.

Borderlands 4 offers - who woulda thunk - more Borderlands. Frantic gunplay with improved movement, entertaining weapons, spectacular boss battles and a crude sense of humor, which doesn't always hit the mark and takes turns with the comparatively serious, dark main storyline. During our review, the game lacked polish and took a few rough hours before it started to pick up its pace. The large, open world has almost zero transitions or load screens. Powered by Unreal Engine 5, it also requires somewhat up to date hardware. The endgame is meant to entertain users for many weeks and months via events and increasing challenges for bigger and better loot. That sounds promising in theory - release will show how it works out in practice.

A challenging survival horror game that impresses above all with its consistently dark, slowly unfolding atmosphere set in post-apocalyptic Krakow. The difficulty level and consistent gloom are a treat for fans of the genre, but a test of endurance for everyone else.

Hirogami creatively uses origami folding techniques in its levels and battles, creating a unique platforming experience. Not only do we explore beautifully designed levels full of secrets, but we also have to constantly find new ways to use our powers and transformations.

A bold and uncompromising action-adventure that strips away modern hand-holding like maps and quest markers, forcing players to rely on pure instinct and observation. Hell is Us masterfully blends the grim reality of a 90s-inspired civil war with surreal, 'New Weird' horror, creating a deeply immersive and rewarding experience for those willing to embrace its demanding, yet brilliant, design philosophy.

Shinobi: Art of Vengeance is an audiovisual marvel and feels magical to play. Sadly, it is held back by its bloated structure and repetitive fights that never quite manage to challenge you up until the very end.

I would have liked a little more courage: Metal Gear Solid Δ: Snake Eater plays the “remake game” as safely as possible so as not to scare off old fans. However, this overlooks the fact that not everything about the original was perfect for a long time - especially from a modern perspective. But Konami's luck is that the original game was still pretty great then as it is now, and so it remains so in this version.

InZoi is a life simulation game with impressive graphics that is getting a new setting with numerous new features and improvements in the Island Getaway update. In addition to new furniture, building functions, outfits, hairstyles, and even pools, new features such as snorkeling, gardening, mining, and crafting provide you with new opportunities to give your Zoi a personality and shape their everyday life. A lot of the time, however, variety still prevails over depth. [Early Access Score = 70]

Sword of the Sea focuses entirely on exploration and flow and does it really well. If you're looking for a truly relaxing game, you won't find a better one right now. Overall, Sword of the Sea didn't move me as much as Journey did at the time: yes, there is loneliness and vastness here too, but the pilgrimage on the Hoversword just doesn't feel as destiny-fueled as that of the Journey protagonist. Nevertheless, Sword of the Sea enchants with its incredibly dense atmosphere, pointed cutscenes and wonderfully animated landscape.

Mafia: The Old Country is a classic case of ‘more than the sum of its parts’. The individual game elements may not be outstanding, but when taken together and framed by this beautiful ‘faux open world’, they still make for a fantastic game. Yes, it does carry some baggage, but if you're in the mood for great characters, competent gameplay and some spectacular staging (with beautiful landscapes!), you simply owe yourself a trip to Sicily.

Dead Take is a bold game that tells a relevant story about abuse of power in the entertainment industry that is worth hearing. Its greatest triumph is the outstandingly acted and staged FMV sequences, which create an oppressive, voyeuristic tension that lingers long after the game is over. Here, the game unfolds its full, uncomfortable force and becomes a powerful indictment. Unfortunately, the gameplay framework cannot always support this brilliant core. The puzzle mechanics are often too conventional and seem disconnected from the psychological depth of the narrative. Especially in the first half, the game relies too heavily on worn-out horror clichés and slow pacing, which weakens the otherwise dense, surreal atmosphere. Despite these weaknesses, Dead Take is recommended for players looking for a horror experience with substance and a provocative message. Can Dead Take spark discussion despite its weaknesses? Absolutely!

Anyone looking for a true challenge wrapped in a nice retro look will find it in Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound. The 2D game breathes the spirit of its predecessors, but doesn't shy away from well-implemented modernizations.

In its best moments, Killing Floor 3 delivers absolute shooter fever dreams. The rest is standard stuff that squanders any potential.

This social simulation will disappoint more than just Lord of the Rings fans. It could have used some fine-tuning.

No, Wuchang: Fallen Feathers certainly does not reinvent the wheel. Leenzee clearly draws inspiration–in many aspects, even meticulously–from the acclaimed works of genre pioneers FromSoftware. However, Wuchang implements its obvious inspirations extremely competently, enriching them with a handful of interesting ideas of their own, thus keeping genre fans thoroughly entertained for 30 to 40 hours.

Donkey Kong Bananza delivers tons of creative fun and is the first compelling reason to buy Nintendo's new hybrid console.

Eriksholm: The Stolen Dream is a thrilling stealth game in which you creatively combine the abilities of up to three active characters. Fair puzzles and a great story make this game a real insider tip.

Islanders: New Shores is a simple but creative city builder in which you score points by placing buildings mindfully, while allowing you to construct beautiful cities without restrictions in sandbox mode. With subtle building interactions, powerful advantages and more challenging island variations, the simple strategy game offers a surprising amount of depth.

As a unique 3D platformer in both visual presentation and gameplay systems, Ruffy and the Riverside doesn't quite reach its full potential.

Death Stranding 2: On the Beach is just as controversial and masterful as its predecessor. The tough challenge has given way to a tough story. A change of focus that won't pick everyone up, but will definitely make everyone think.

Expectations for Rematch may have been somewhat exaggerated in the run-up to its launch – the hype was evident in the high registration numbers for the open beta. However, Sloclap has actually succeeded in breathing new life into the football simulation genre. After years of homeopathic FIFA ‘upgrades’ at best, we should be grateful that a development studio has dared to try something new. The game may still be a little rough around the edges, but it's a lot of fun right from the start. The skill-based system provides plenty of motivation to learn the different moves in the matches. (The name ‘Rematch’ is therefore very apt.) It remains to be seen whether Sloclap has a game here that offers enough depth in the medium term. First, the studio should get the glitches under control – and add the much-desired cross-play mode.

Tron: Catalyst expands the popular sci-fi universe with an exciting story. However, in many areas, the game remains nothing more than average.

Successful, skilful and gripping. These three adjectives summarise Fast Fusion well, the adrenaline rush for the launch of the Switch 2. If you're in the mood for high-speed racing, you can't really get past this game. Despite all its strengths, however, it is not without its weak points: The fluctuating picture quality due to aggressive DLSS upscaling could annoy purists. Particularly in handheld mode, you have to make compromises. However, I can't really be mad at the game for this, precisely because Shin'en offers an otherwise flawless arcade experience despite its small team size, of which there are unfortunately not that many today.

Splitgate 2 offers solid, fast-paced gameplay and intelligently encourages team play. The portal mechanic rewards intelligent play and opens up possibilities not seen in other shooters. The large selection of game modes might spread its community a little too thin in the long run, and may dilute the game's identity too much. In order to keep players engaged for the long haul, there need to be more unlockables, upgrades, some form of measurable progress. The upcoming ranked mode is a step in the right direction, but it likely won't appeal to less-competitive users.

Mario Kart World on Switch 2 is a blast, especially the Knockout Tour with friends! The cow character is already iconic, and the animations are top-notch. However, the open world feels a bit like a sticker hunt, the costume unlock system via "Dash Food" is confusing with unequal outfits per character (some get none!), and it disappoints regarding the single-player focus. Some tracks are too wide, and no 200cc at launch is a bummer. Still, it's charming, chaotic fun with potential to be the GOAT - albeit with updates.

For dating sim fans with a sense of humor, Date Everything is a real home run, full of exciting characters and quirky stories. The excellent writing in particular helps to overcome a few longueurs in the design and makes the dating simulation an entertaining adventure.

I am deeply impressed by The Alters. With its clever story, emotional depth and addictive gameplay loop, the game held me firmly in its grip - until the early morning hours. The bold blend of so many genres has been pulled off with flying colours, creating a unique, unforgettable whole. The Alters is also an invitation to self-reflection. It asks the big philosophical questions about identity, destiny and the impact of technology on the human condition - exactly what outstanding science fiction should do. Despite minor technical flaws, this is a masterpiece that will resonate for a long time to come. Definitely one of the very best games of this year.

A wonderfully atmospheric adaptation of the Dune license. The survival mechanics are motivating, while the combat system offers solid standard fare. The framework for future expansions is built on solid foundations, while the genre, like the desert sand, remains in flux.

Wicked Isle is a successful story DLC for Atomfall. Rebellion builds on the strengths of its genre mix without greatly changing the player experience. The strengths (freedom, scenario) and weaknesses (AI and endings) remain the same.

Galactic Glitch is a physics-based twin-stick shooter with roguelike progression that impresses above all with its straightforward and fluid gameplay. Even though a lot depends on luck, the fast-paced arcade shooting is captivating thanks to the wide variety of exciting weapons and upgrades.

The story of King Arthur in the dark suffers from the poor execution despite its great atmosphere.

FromSoftware steps out of its comfort zone and impresses with an exciting genre mix that weaves together time-tested systems and mechanics of the original with a refreshingly new and captivating gameplay experience.

Oddsparks is a strategic automation game that relies on well thought-out production chains. You use buildings, paths and connecting elements to guide your Sparks towards working all by themselves. A complex task - despite the cute and innocent look - that requires you to think a lot and get creative.

Even 23 years after its initial release, Onimusha 2 still lives up to its name. Improved visuals and numerous quality-of-life improvements make the game a truly immersive experience.

Charming destruction madness with retro flair, absurdly creative missions and an anything-goes mentality that works unexpectedly well.

The Precinct is a police simulator that quickly runs out of steam. Too much monotony meets a world that can't tell good from evil.

Doom: The Dark Ages returns to the uncompromising action roots of the series without overloading it with unnecessary game systems, as was the case in its predecessor. It still feels like work at times, but the new melee combat system in particular makes up for the occasional hiccups.

The horror adventure The Midnight Walk impresses with its dark, grotesque atmosphere and exciting stories – but don't expect any tough brain teasers.

Spirit of the North 2 is a scenic open-world adventure with an incredibly dense atmosphere that transports me to a world of Nordic legends. Even if some of the game mechanics seem bloated or not fully developed, the story and the urge to explore keep me going.

While Post Trauma creates excellent horror through its environments, camera work and sound design, it sadly misses the survival part of the survival horror genre. Great puzzle design alone isn't enough when you still have to endure the clunky combat without real item management.

The Oblivion remaster could be so good if it didn't bring the same bugs with it as all Bethesda games. Again and again, the foundation shines through the new facade, and unfortunately, it's just as dilapidated as it was almost 20 years ago. The remaster is playable, but a little more love and especially time would have done the new edition of Oblivion good. Not to say that it would have been necessary.

If Clair Obscur - Expedition 33 doesn't appear in all the best lists of the year despite its strange title at first glance, you still have a great year of new releases ahead of you, but I don't think that will happen. Because this game is almost perfect. A fantastic story in the truest sense of the word, great gameplay, constantly challenging battles, an incredibly intense atmosphere and visuals that you've almost certainly never seen before. The fact that Sandfall is reportedly already negotiating with a Hollywood studio for the film rights will come as no surprise to you by the end of the game. Thank you for this game!

The fighting game community is currently plagued by a problem: the game mechanics are being softened to appeal to casual players. But neither pros nor casuals want that. The latter would be more than happy with more solo game modes. Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves doesn't offer these in a satisfactory form, but that aside, it feels like an alternative at this point. It is a challenging option that will delight hardcore fans in particular with its high learning curve and in-depth game mechanics. Despite audiovisual restraint and uninspired solo content, the pugilist impresses with great playability and tactical variety. A bold game that deliberately goes against current trends in the genre.

In the 15 hours I spent in the world of Promise Mascot Agency, I got to know and love every corner, every shrine, and every strange, tongue-in-cheek shop in Kaso-Machi. Not everyone will enjoy scouring the entire island for trash bags, corrupt politicians' election posters, and washed-up mascots as much as I did. But if you love exploring smaller open worlds more than huge maps full of question marks, and if you're looking for a moving yakuza story about betrayal and found families, Promise Mascot Agency is the place for you. And if you appreciate the Twin Peaks-esque charm of decaying industrial towns, supernatural beings, and strange mysteries, you'll also get your money's worth here.

Forever Skies is essentially a cozy survival game for anyone who values exploration and a dense atmosphere more than a tough and complex survival experience.

Lots of light, little shadow! The new Commandos adventures are every bit as good as the old games and, naturally, even better than they were back then in technical terms. The test version was already in perfect condition, with no crashes or stuttering whatsoever. However, Claymore Games must be criticized for not breaking any new ground in terms of innovation and relying entirely on the old warhorses who liked the gameplay back in 1998 and have no desire for major changes. Because there's nothing really new here. So if you like the gameplay and first got to know it through a game like Shadow Tactics, then we highly recommend taking a trip to the mother of the sub-genre. However, if you were actually expecting something new in the realm of real-time tactics, you might be slightly disappointed. The origins are also reflected in the game design – this is a return to the roots, not a move towards new branches.

A brilliant puzzle and strategy game that constantly surprises with new challenges and revelations.

Classic gameplay with lots of variety. Captivating stories to think about. An insider tip that we luckily didn't miss.

Karma: The Dark World is not a classic survival horror - but an audiovisual experiment with a political undertone that feels like a fever dream. A project that should rather be understood as an interactive work of art, possibly even as a critical statement. Atmospherically, it is brilliant, its content deep - but playfully often too slow and stiff to reach a wide audience. For anyone interested in symbolic narratives, dystopian systems and artistic forms of fear, it's a game that will stay with you for a long time.

The Darkest Files is a touching crime adventure with a real historical background and an important take on the Nazi era. Even with some of the conclusions seeming a little far fetched, the mesmerizing feeling of slowly unraveling a real mystery prevails.