Dynasty Warriors: Origins brings the series’ concept of beating up hordes of enemies to a new level due to more varied and better-paced gameplay. While the way characters interact with each other and the protagonist’s own story can feel a bit awkward, experiencing China’s Romance of the Three Kingdoms period as a nameless warrior is extremely satisfying.

Far Cry 5 does not come with any groundbreaking innovations, but solid updates make for a big step forward nonetheless. The game’s story will create hot discussions for sure.

With a much higher visual quality compared to previous entries in the series, Yokai Watch 4 makes you feel like you are walking through a gorgeous anime. While the wide variety does add a somewhat cumbersome feeling to the gameplay, as an overall experience, Yokai Watch 4 is a great new direction for the series.

Orthodox yet sophisticated action, a wacky art style, a crazy score and events that make great use of these characteristics make Ape Out a thrilling experience throughout.

While some of its new story feels unnecessary, and players who have already beaten the original will have to go through the dungeons all over again to access the new content, this is still one of the best RPGs of the current generation.

Continually evolving with each new iteration, F1 2018 is still the definitive F1 racing game. Just don’t expect any new game-changing mechanics or additions.

Never before has a game felt and played like Dragon Ball to this extent. Both hardcore fighting-game fans and casual players are in for a treat.

Borderlands 3 does not only have an amazing story, it’s also close to being the definitive looter-shooter... So close.

This Taiwanese indie title is so much more than just another horror game. It takes on ambitious themes in a rich point and click adventure.The creepy artwork and soundtrack will feel divine and beautiful once you reach the end of the game.

The fun driving mechanics and astounding graphics show a lot of potential, but due to missing online features and a lack of volume this game is still very much a diamond in the rough.

Obviously inspired by Vanillaware’s games such as Dragon’s Crown, The Vagrant’s graphics are impressive, and the game comes with a ton of replay value, making it well worth your money. However, while its game mechanics are interesting, The Vagrant struggles in finding its own identity.

Hardcore Mecha wonderfully pays homage to the Super Robot Wars series, and comes with cutscenes of high quality. Stages have been cleverly designed to prevent the game from becoming tedious, and the voluminous scenario and deep gameplay make it easy to get lost in Hardcore Mecha’s anime world. It’s too bad that with the exception of your character’s arch rival, other enemies don’t leave a lasting impression.

Octopath Traveler modernizes the golden formula of Square’s RPGs from the SNES era, and by doing so delivers a traditional yet fresh JRPG.

Breath of the Wild's latest DLC The Champions' Ballad has some problems that cannot be ignored, but its best parts exceed even those of the main game.

Developed by Bombservice, Minoria not only implements many mechanics from the studio’s previous titles, but also delivers a tense experience packed with smooth action gameplay. More aggressive gameplay is a great new direction for the developer, and has us excited for what comes next.

While keeping the series’ essence intact, the newly introduced Wild Area makes Pokémon Sword/Shield feel significantly different, switching up how battles and party formation work. Pokémon Sword/Shield is an enjoyable game, and even if it doesn’t include every single Pokémon ever made, its changes could very well mark a new start for the series.

While keeping the series’ essence intact, the newly introduced Wild Area makes Pokémon Sword/Shield feel significantly different, switching up how battles and party formation work. Pokémon Sword/Shield is an enjoyable game, and even if it doesn’t include every single Pokémon ever made, its changes could very well mark a new start for the series.

While keeping the series’ essence intact, the newly introduced Wild Area makes Pokémon Sword/Shield feel significantly different, switching up how battles and party formation work. Pokémon Sword/Shield is an enjoyable game, and even if it doesn’t include every single Pokémon ever made, its changes could very well mark a new start for the series.

Working together or trying to hinder each other in Overcooked! 2’s kitchen will bring out the kid in you for sure. Its busy co-op action reminds how fun it can be to fight over a video game.

From stage design to game systems, Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night is a dream package for Castlevania fans, yet at the same time manages to be interesting for newcomers as well. While story-wise things can sometimes get a little bit too familiar, the new protagonist does add a fresh touch to the formula.

Due to the fact that this is a prequel, the storyline and characters of Life is Strange: Before the Storm feel a bit contrived. Nevertheless, despite these inconsistencies, fans of the original Life is Strange will still be moved by Chloe’s adventure.

Last Labyrinth is a VR puzzle adventure with a wide array of interesting gimmicks and unique presentation. If you want to truly understand the story, be ready for a lot of repetition, but in the end that effort will be well worth it.

While most of the new features don’t really enhance the experience, the remaster looks stunning, and you will be surprised by how well the gameplay of this classic has aged.

With a minimalistic approach, Tokyo Chronos succeeds in bringing the player into a VR world that feels like a real place. While the shortage of player choices and interaction hold it back a little, Tokyo Chronos shows the potential of a VR adventure game done right.

While Far Cry New Dawn is visually similar to Far Cry 5, its gameplay has been somewhat boiled down. Nonetheless, its open world is still packed with interesting ideas, resulting in a game that gives you just the right amount of thrill. The story centered around family is not what one might expect from a Far Cry game, and the sarcastic banter of previous entries is not present here. A Far Cry game that supports rather than scolds the player feels new indeed, and its courage to be different should be praised.

Team Sonic Racing is not just a kart game with tight mechanics. By introducing teamwork as the core element of its gameplay, it becomes a racing game with its own unique appeal. Its lengthy and diverse adventure mode could teach Mario Kart a few lessons too.

While the Nintendo Switch version of rhythm game Cytus could have had more additional content, it has been cleverly customized for the system. With many tracks from a wide arrange of artists, Cytus a is a game that is definitely worth its budget price.

With an utterly simple control scheme, One Finger Death Punch 2 still manages to create a sense of player improvement. One Death Finger Punch was the king of two-button action games, and the sequel is here to inherit the throne. From better UI to new effects and tuned modes, One Finger Death Punch 2 is made just a little bit better on every single aspect. While it lacks new additions, it more than makes up for this by majorly polishing what was already there.

If you take the time and effort and have the strength to hold onto that controller long after your fingers start hurting, you will be rewarded with a magnificent piece of art.

While being a sequel, the 6th entry in Toho Project's fighting series by doujin developer Twilight Frontier is easy to grasp for newcomers. The lack of online multiplayer opponents is a problem, but if you are looking for a unique fighting game that is easy to pick up, look no further.

Playing Catherine: Full Body reminded me how amazing the original Catherine was. The exciting puzzles and unique adventure gameplay come with a stylish, mature tone and extremely well written dialogue. With a remixed music score and online multiplayer, Catherine: Full Body does somewhat enrich that original experience. However, the addition of a third heroine can easily be seen as a negative feature. Altogether, Catherine: Full Body is a great game because of the timeless classic it is based on, rather than because of the new features.

With eFootball in its title, this year’s PES comes with visual enhancements that make it even more realistic, while keeping the exhilarating soccer gameplay intact. The new finesse dribble mechanic allows the player to make slight adjustments with the right analog stick, which feels like you are directly in control. With legendary coaches and derby match scenarios, Master League is now more addictive than ever before.

A loving tribute to robots. Though its presentation might be simple, the campaign is extremely rewarding. As you improve, the high-speed action gets even faster. If you are into robots or are just looking for a good action game, look no further.

The concept of an infinite loop has been masterfully visualized in this first-person puzzle game, creating a visually mesmerizing experience. It’s definitely worth playing, but keep in mind that the puzzles are of a high difficulty level, and some players might get motion sickness, too.

A fox traveling through a fairy-tale-like world alone is charming enough, but it is how the tale of this fox and a man come together that makes The First Tree so special. This is one of those games you must play before having it spoiled at all costs.

At launch, Black Ops 4 is a great package to go and have fun with, but it’s hard to say how it will play out in the long term. It might become a 7 or a 9, or maybe even something higher or lower than that.

Soulcalibur VI is a fun and robust fighting game. More user-friendly tutorials would have made the game even more accessible, but with a wide variety of online modes and a deep character creator, this is already a fighting game anyone can pick up and have a great time with.

While action elements feel forced in, and the game’s system often feels like it doesn’t match the characters, Concrete Genie’s heartfelt story and dreamy visuals still make for a short but unforgettable experience.

Crypt of the NecroDancer brings randomly generated dungeons and rhythm-based gameplay to the exploration and adventure of The Legend of Zelda. While it doesn’t feel like total chemistry, Hyrule is faithfully represented, and Zelda fans will be able to enjoy a different type of gameplay. It’s not a masterpiece, but if you can catch the beat, there’s a lot of fun to be had.

By combining endless-runner elements to what is at its core a rhythm game, Muse Dash becomes an exhilarating experience. Its pop visuals make it look more appealing to casual gamers, while the included tracks are tuned towards the a more traditional rhythm game audience.

While using a similar format as 2012’s Journey, developer Thatgamecompany manages to deliver an experience that feels genuinely new by implementing more communication mechanics and adding more diversity in its gameplay. At launch, the more complex package does make Sky feel less refined and not as pure as Journey, but we are excited to see how this online experience evolves from here.

While exciting new monsters and more freedom in equipment are definitely welcome additions, the Guiding Lands endgame content’s poorly balanced level design will make players feel uncomfortable.

The city of Neo San Francisco in 2064 feels like a future directly connected to the world we live in today. As always, there are plenty of social issues, yet of course, there is also always hope.

Steam World Dig 2 is one of the very best side-scrolling games on the Nintendo Switch, and it is the perfect game to play in between the system’s masterpieces.

When at its best, My Friend Pedro’s smooth and stylish gameplay is a dream come true for any shooting action fan. However, its design forces the player to go through a lot of trial and error, which makes the gameplay feel less catchy, and the often clunky controls don’t help its case.

Gris is a 2D adventure game that has the player travel through a beautiful world at a relaxing pace. There is an impactful scene waiting for you near the climax, but after that the experience loses its power and delicateness, making the ending feel like a wasted opportunity.

This game comes with loads of great fan service, including a full voiced cast. Sadly, when you look at it as a hack and slash action game, the game has little depth. Still, if you can live with average gameplay there is plenty to enjoy here.

The MMA scene has gotten a lot more refined over the years, with strikes combined with footwork and bodywork becoming more important than ever. EA UFC SPORTS 3 seems to go along with that shift, as the strike-based gameplay has gained a lot of depth while the ground game takes a backseat compared with previous MMA games.

Infinity Nikki is an ambitious title that combines dress-up elements with open world gameplay. While it succeeds in creating an open world that feels unique and fresh, it comes with flaws such as an underdeveloped combat system.

S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl is a unique gameplay experience in which stress is part of the fun. While a multitude of bugs and other issues stand in its way, the game’s appeal is strong enough to overcome these shortcomings. While difficult to understand for newcomers, the story is a perfect culmination of the series and the ultimate love letter to its fans.

With beautiful visuals and new scenes in its story, this remake successfully translates the original’s charm and storytelling that allows the player to imagine the world and story in their own way. However, the essence of this adventure is diluted by the many modern quality of life improvements, resulting in a remake that takes a direction that can be questionable for fans of the original.

Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice comes with some obvious flaws: Enemy types repeat too often, and we would have liked more variety in the maps. Having to defeat a boss in order to upgrade your character can become a big problem, too. However, as a stealth game, it offers plenty of routes to explore and ways to assassinate your targets. But above all, the sword fighting system comes with genuinely new ideas, including posture gauge and deflecting attacks, making Sekiro’s battles feel like an art in themselves. While the simplified levelling system and increased reliance on exploration make Sekiro feel even more difficult than FromSoftware’s Dark Souls series and Bloodborne, close combat battles have never been this good.

inKONBINI successfully combines a gameplay experience that has you working the late-night shift at a convenience store with strong storytelling that connects you to fellow staff members and customers alike. From a Japanese standpoint, there are certainly moments that feel a bit inauthentic, and it’s unfortunate that the Japanese localization leaves room for improvement. Even so, by blending a VA-11 Hall-A: Cyberpunk Bartender Action-like narrative style with a commitment to realism that was inspired by Shenmue, inKONBINI ultimately delivers a one-of-a-kind experience that is well worth your time.

If you enjoyed the original game, you will have a lot of fun with Snipperclips Plus - Cut it out, together! It doesn't go beyond expectations, but succeeds in delivering that same type of pure joy that made Snipperclips great in the first place.

Forager is a game that gives you joy from the minute you start playing, and from there just continues delivering. With fun responses for the player’s actions, simple tasks feel a lot more engaging. Improvement in crafting efficiency keeps the gameplay feeling fresh, which prevents Forager from becoming tedious. By depicting the joy and sorrow of finding new material, Forager creates a story around the crafting gameplay itself. Forager can be enjoyed for as long as the player wants to. Finding your own way to solve problems might feel tough at first, but that’s what makes it so addictive in the end.

Tomodachi Life: Living the Dream feels like a kind of chemical experiment, where the player’s imagination collides with the game’s unpredictable interpretations to create laugh-out-loud, emergent moments. New systems like Little Quirks and the island’s shared lingo undeniably elevate the series’ core appeal. However, the experience of grinding into that loop ultimately works against it. While the limitations placed on sharing features are disappointing, its distinct identity still stands out—even in 2026, a year filled with rich and varied slow-life games.

Marathon is an ambitious effort from veteran FPS developer Bungie, channeling its expertise into the extraction shooter genre. The act of firing its weapons feels undeniably satisfying, and the loop grows more addictive with each run. That said, the roughness of its UI and task design is hard to overlook. Still, the rapid rollout of quality-of-life patches within just two weeks of launch clearly shows Bungie’s commitment to seriously supporting and improving the game.

God Eater 3, the latest entry in the fast-paced hunting action series, offers a fresh location as well as a new set of characters. While introducing new elements, the snappy core gameplay remains intact, and the difficulty is well balanced. However, the story develops in a rather clichéd way, and some characters would have benefited from a little more depth.

While it definitely has its flaws, XCOM: Chimera Squad’s problems are outweighed by the positives. The breach mode brings the player right into the action, and a timeline is available during battle. These new features make the battle system of XCOM: Chimera Squad feel like a distillation of what makes the gameplay of the series so great. Skills and dialogue both do a great job in showing the unique personalities of your squad members, and choosing from these members and weapons to create your team is a lot of fun. The publisher promised a new story and play experience, and Chimera Squad delivers.

FAR: Changing Tides has the player traverse through a submerged post-apocalyptic world, which is an experience that feels like a playable documentary. While definitely a fascinating journey to take, you won’t be able to fully appreciate it if you haven’t played its predecessor.

Gran Turismo is back with better visuals than ever, offering a wide array of content for both die-hard fans and newcomers. While the GT Cafe does a great job at guiding the player through the game, for old fans used to more freedom it might feel a bit too constrained. On top of change of weather and time of day, small details such as smoke coming off the tires go a long way in creating a more realistic racing scene. It’s great to have the classic GT Simulation Mode back, but I can’t deny the game left me with a thirst for more innovation.

Fatal Frame II: Crimson Butterfly Remake faithfully preserves the haunting charm of its story, where sadness, beauty, and eeriness coexist, while vividly reimagining the classic horror experience. Combat with the Camera Obscura can occasionally lack a sense of punch, which is a minor drawback, but the enhanced presentation gives the village an even more oppressive and unsettling atmosphere, and the gameplay now holds up well by modern standards. Though some aspects of its progression remain old-school, the game’s meticulous structure is still exceptional, making this remake in large part a welcome revival of a horror classic.

As a prequel to one of gaming’s most beloved classics, Crisis Core did a great job of enriching the original game’s world as an action RPG on the PSP. This remaster not only enhances the visuals but also improves on many of the original’s shortcomings. While there still are some inconveniences, altogether Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII Reunion is an exhilarating experience from start to finish.

Due to an increase in mobility, Mario + Rabbids Sparks of Hopes is a deep and unique strategy game that is also easy to pick up. That being said, the story requires knowledge of both its predecessor and Super Mario Galaxy, and even if you do know them, it still lacks depth.

Scoring by delivering a through pass to a sprinting player is a great feeling, but with too many options for the attacking player, it can become difficult to defend against so many different attack patterns. This results in too many goals for a realistic soccer game.

As the first mainline entry to depict a school-life story, Pokémon Scarlet and Violet has appealing characters, mysterious twists and a well prepared ending, making it one of the best stories the series has ever had. While it struggles as an open world, the game approaches multiplayer in a new way and is full of elements that can be enjoyed for a long time.

As the first mainline entry to depict a school-life story, Pokémon Scarlet and Violet has appealing characters, mysterious twists and a well prepared ending, making it one of the best stories the series has ever had. While it struggles as an open world, the game approaches multiplayer in a new way and is full of elements that can be enjoyed for a long time.

Not only is Romancing SaGa -Minstrel Song- Remastered more playable than the original version, its added content also does a great job in making the game’s nonlinear “free scenario” system more fun. The new UI isn’t much of an improvement, and the experience has aged in some parts, but this remaster is definitely the best way to experience Minstrel Song.

A compact yet intricately crafted original third-person shooter. Its blend of hacking and gunplay successfully creates a unique sense of satisfaction, though it can occasionally feel a bit unfocused, leaving you wishing for greater weapon variety and more diverse combat styles. While the overall story leaves a somewhat muted impression, the lighthearted, everyday banter between the two main characters offers a charm unlike anything found in other games.

Vigil: The Longest Night is a Soulsborne 2D Metroidvania action-RPG. While the game is a bit rough around the edges and has a lackluster story, both exploration and battles are full of surprises, creating a satisfying experience.

Ghostwire: Tokyo is an FPS that could have only been delivered by a Japanese studio. From the main story and side missions to the detailed environments and appealing characters, for those who have been craving a game set in modern Japan, Ghostwire: Tokyo is an extremely satisfying experience. While the battle system can become a bit tedious and controls for healing feel inconvenient, the game deserves credit for delivering action that feels exhilarating without relying on grotesque visuals.

Life is Strange: Double Exposure successfully course-corrects after its predecessor lost sight of the series’ direction. By toning down the more grim elements and refocusing on the relationship between Max and Chloe, as well as the dual-protagonist system, it recaptures the brilliance of its core appeal as a coming-of-age mystery. Its highly satisfying choices and conclusion provide a fitting and impressive landing as a final chapter.

Super Mario RPG is a great remake that manages to keep what made the original so memorable intact while refining it as well. Not only are the visuals and sound greatly improved, but the tweaked battle system makes it genuinely more fun to play. That being said, this is still fundamentally the same game, and Super Mario RPG does show its age at times.

Vivid Knight is a dungeon RPG inspired by Auto Chess in which luck is necessary to obtain the unit you need the most in each situation. The reliance on chance as the key to victory means this game is not for everyone, but it sure feels great when luck is on your side.

Legend of Mana is unique within the Mana series, providing an immense amount of freedom in its gameplay. The therapeutic sandplay feel of the Land Make system allows the player to experience a unique and refreshing world. The newly arranged music allows the player to appreciate the environment and atmosphere to an even deeper extent than before. That being said, it’s too bad that issues of the original such as the confusing map display and story progression weren’t addressed.

The maps in Cindered Shadows feel different from the main game in a good way, and with enjoyable character dialogue and an interesting setting, this DLC is a treat for players who enjoyed the original game.

While Final Fantasy XVI is a focused game that has no hesitation in eliminating the unnecessary, the breathtaking realm of Valisthea feels polished like a true AAA title. It is a high-quality experience that can be cherished through its many details. That being said, the series’ more traditional tropes don’t always match Final Fantasy XVI’s modern production standards, which can at times stand in the way of the player’s enjoyment.

to a T is the strangest game I have ever played. It starts out as a life simulator of a teen whose body is stuck in a T-pose, but it becomes even weirder as the game progresses. It’s a fascinating story-driven adventure that makes clever use of interaction, but its sandbox exploration is average at best. The message it tries to deliver toward the end felt conventional and shallow, but the journey was so crazy and funny it hardly mattered.

Epic Battle Fantasy 5 is an otaku JRPG, made by a JRPG otaku – made for every JRPG otaku. The game is packed with parodies: You will see huge damage points during the epic battles, treasure chests are fun to hunt, and the dialogue keeps the story interesting. All these factors blend together to create a new landmark for a non-Japanese developed JRPG.

Wargroove might not surprise, but it does a good job in reviving and refreshing a classic genre. If you’re curious about strategy games, this one has all the answers.

Granblue Fantasy: Relink does a great job of incorporating elements from the original game at a high standard of quality. The story could have been introduced better, unlockable characters would have benefited from a bit more care and the lack of a map or mini-map is baffling. That being said, Granblue Fantasy: Relink’s exhilarating action and gorgeous visuals more than make up for its shortcomings.

In the super violent world of Bloodroots, everything becomes either a weapon or something to kill. Every time you die there’s something new to learn, and while it’s definitely a flawed experience, becoming better and stylishly killing everything coming your way is a thrilling experience nonetheless.

Improved lighting makes PES look even more stunning than last year. Dribbling and shooting motions are more varied and feel more authentic, resulting in a more exhilarating soccer match.

Pokémon Mystery Dungeon’s atmosphere is faithful to the series, and your favorite critters are as cute as ever. The visuals will remind you of the picture books from your childhood, creating a sweet and lovely experience. While gameplay-wise there may be few new surprises, this remake is a great entry point in the spinoff series for anyone.

Metallic Child is a roguelike action game with the unique twist of temporary upgrades. While definitely a game of high quality, the lack of new enemy types in later stages of the game makes the gradation of difficulty feel unbalanced.

Lost in Random is a 3D action game with a focus on deck-building with magical cards. By having the player roll a dice, the game brings an interesting factor of chance to the table, but it can not be denied that this element can also work against itself.

The reactions of Pokémon when items are used can be a little underwhelming, and the photography scoring system feels a bit off, but each of the Pokémon and the detailed world they inhabit are so well crafted that it all really comes to life. While the premise of replaying the same course over and over to take pictures may sound a bit too simple, the different Pokémon you encounter and the stories they provide prevent the experience from becoming tedious. New Pokémon Snap has us hoping that future installments in the Pokémon series will learn from its stellar world building.

Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown has everything you would want from a Metroidvania game: Both its combat and platforming are quality. However, it doesn’t really bring anything new to the genre, and the story isn’t anything to write home about either.

Dungeon Encounters is a pared-back RPG focused purely on battles and exploration. By gaining knowledge and experience, the player needs to learn how to overcome traps and enemies, resulting in a satisfying experience. Although the game kind of loses momentum in the second half, it’s still well worth a look.

Resident Evil Village is a game of unquestionably high quality, but sometimes its parts do not fit together. It’s hard to tell whether the developers were aiming for a terrifying horror game or an action-packed shooting experience: There are elements of both, along with the story, the new game plus systems and the inclusion of The Mercenaries, and sometimes these various elements do not work in harmony with each other. Village is a great game that you can enjoy with confidence, but with a little more synergy it could have been even better.

With great battle mechanics and karakuri crafting, Wild Hearts stands out as a unique hunting game. When playing alone it can feel a bit intimidating, but the difficulty becomes just right during multiplayer, which allows for interesting ways to chain different karakuri devices. While as a new IP there are certain elements of the game that could be improved upon and while there are some technical issues that hold it back, Wild Hearts is a game without any real major flaws.

With beloved characters from throughout the series, the remake of Like a Dragon: Ishin is an all-star game that fans of the Yakuza/Like a Dragon series will appreciate. It makes you feel like you are watching an epic drama series about the Meiji Ishin period with your favorite characters starring as historical figures. While this remake does bring new elements such as a change in its cast and special skills becoming available during normal battles, compared to the series’ other remakes it feels a bit lacking in novelty.

Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – The Hinokami Chronicles faithfully recreates popular anime Demon Slayer as a competitive 3D action fighting game. While the amount of playable characters and the exploration part leave room for improvement, there’s a lot to love here for fans of the source material.

Not just the wide range of new weapons and magic, but also challenging yet well-designed boss battles make Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree an experience well worth your time. However, the lack in variety of new regular enemies and an open world that feels too big for its own good make this DLC feel less polished than the original game.

The Ascent is an ambitious game that incorporates body modification, heavy weaponry and corporate war. While playing it can be stressful, stellar gunfights and beautifully crafted maps are enough to make you forgive the game’s shortcomings. If you’re a fan of violent games set in a cyberpunk world, look no further.

From its setting to world building and especially the battles with monsters, this is truly an RPG that stays true to what Monster Hunter is all about. While the story is definitely on the light side, exploring the beautiful world with your favorite Monsties is an experience packed with content that any Monster Hunter fan will love.

There’s a lot of fun to be had with Stellar Blade’s combat, which is exhilarating and also offers a sense of accomplishment. The unique visuals and soundtrack are of high quality as well. While its game design might not shine with originality, Stellar Blade is a well made videogame overall. That being said, while taking a story-focused approach, Stellar Blade’s scenario and world-building felt clichéd and left us disappointed. With some boss battles being reused and tedious side quests, the experience started to drag a bit during the latter half.

Scarlet Nexus’ stylish psychokinesis-based action is tons of fun. That being said, the player’s attacks tend to leave big openings for the opponent, and with many enemies that have a specific weakness you need to strike, it can become quite stressful. While I had some issues on the story side as well, the well realized characters and great pacing were enough to make me overlook its shortcomings.