Mario easily jumps high above all expectations. Even if you think that Super Mario Odyssey is not for you, you'll be shouting out "YAHOO!" like a kid once Cappy is done with you.

While boasting an overwhelming amount of content, not once did the world of Elden Ring feel tedious. The game’s level design is simply astounding and its map is filled not with chores but with a magnificent sense of adventure. While the fundamentals of the battle mechanics are borrowed from Dark Souls, the speedier flow of action and additional freedom in customization of equipment, items and magic allow you to fight your own way. The story is more dramatic and easier to follow than in previous FromSoftware titles. This and many more features make Elden Ring a marvel of a game that could become a serious threat to the balance of your daily life.

Breath of the Wild’s concept was described by Nintendo as “creating a game through multiplication”, but after playing The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, its predecessor almost feels like a prototype. Not only are the amount of possibilities that Tears of the Kingdom’s level of multiplication offers so much more diverse, its field was designed to put those into practice to a much greater extent. Never before was the vast land of Hyrule packed with this amount of well-designed gameplay. Without a doubt, this is the best game in the series.

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.

Astro Bot is a fantastic 3D platformer that does not disappoint. Astro and the other bots are always endearing, stages are full of variety and creativity, and the incorporation of the DualSense controller and classic PlayStation characters offer plenty of new gameplay. While the game isn’t very long, top-notch quality shines throughout.

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.

With gorgeous visuals and well-thought-out level design, God of War Ragnarok’s magnificent tale has the potential to reach out to many people. It utilizes next-gen hardware to the maximum to create an experience that only a videogame can offer.

The Last of Us Part II tries too hard to differentiate itself from its predecessor. While astonishing cityscapes and more varied combat options are great evolutions, Part II lacks the poetic serenity that made the original road-movie-like epic such a masterpiece. On top of that, uninteresting new characters burden the story, making Ellie's journey feel conventional and not nearly as captivating as the original.

As with previous titles from Supergiant Games, Hades features stellar artwork and music, masterfully creating a world of Greek mythology. The fast-paced action feels great, and the roguelike elements create a synergy with the game’s story, resulting in a truly addictive experience.

Resident Evil 4 is simply one of the best remakes out there. It doesn’t only modernize the original game, but also gives the player more ways to tackle combat. The updated knife combat in particular adds a whole new layer of fun. The graphics and sound are of high quality, and even the story moments and characters that were lacking in the original have been improved. That being said, in 2023, Resident Evil 4 doesn’t leave quite the same impact as the original did back in 2005.

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 mixes JRPG-like turn-based battles with real-time action. While I was hooked to this combat system, the story’s sudden plot twist felt forced. Although this was hard to ignore, it is undeniable that Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is an appealing game that delivers a strong message.

Final Fantasy VII Rebirth is packed with well-crafted content, and unlike its predecessor, none of it feels like filler. While Cloud’s new and unknown journey isn’t finished just yet, Rebirth already delivers an emotional story that could have only been achieved with a remake. While a small amount of the minigames can be tedious, from exploration to battle, Final Fantasy VII Rebirth is a top-notch experience. It delivers a surprising amount of quality, quantity and diversity in its content, to the extent that there pretty much isn’t anything like it.

Super Mario Bros. Wonder implements the recent trend of adding adventure elements to the 2D action genre. The Wonder Flowers cause surprising twists and the new multiplayer contributes to making a new 2D Mario adventure feel fresh again. That being said, we would have wanted Super Mario Bros. Wonder to feel even more wondrous.

Street Fighter 6includes everything you could want from a modern fighting game, and the mechanics at the game’s core are complete at the time of release. The World Tour campaign suffers from an uninteresting story and battles that feel like a slog, but overall, Street Fighter 6 will satisfy a wide range of fighting game fans.

While the balance between punishment and reward feels a bit extreme, the satisfaction you get when finally beating a difficult boss is unmatched. Even so many years after its original release, this “theme park of death” is still as great as it always was. While faithful to the original, sudden invasions from other players can interrupt the flow of the game, which is something I had hoped to see the remake improve on.

Forza Horizon 6 is an ambitious new entry in the Forza Horizon series, brought to life with tremendous passion by Playground Games. Cruising through its vast open world while familiar J-pop songs play in the background, taking in famous landmarks like a tourist on a road trip, delivers a truly exceptional driving experience. Dynamic set pieces—such as racing against giant robots and fighter jets—add plenty of spectacle, while the game’s occasional use of stylized exaggeration makes both Japan’s landmarks and the gameplay itself even more captivating. On the other hand, the limited selection of objects available in the build mode, the inability to visit Mount Fuji directly, and the lack of massive, jaw-dropping sequences like those seen in previous entries leave some room for disappointment.

Dragon Quest XI on Switch is a richer and more convenient experience than the original Japanese PS4 version. That being said, the additional scenarios have a slightly negative effect on the story as a whole, and it can not be denied that the Switch version is visually less impressive. While that makes it hard to call this the definitive version of Dragon Quest XI, it's still an amazing experience.

It may be only a remake, but Resident Evil 2 is amazing – a remake that is close to flawless.

While its core stays true to the Monster Hunter series, the newest installment gets rid of all the unnecessarily troublesome and complicated mechanics. The result is a game that marks a new start for the series.

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.

Super Mario 64 showed us the possibilities of 3D platform gaming more than 20 years ago. Now, Astro Bot: Rescue Mission is finally here to do the same for VR.

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.

As a turn-based RPG, Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth is an absolute banger. By allowing the player to freely move each character in their party during battles, combat is both more strategic and more exhilarating than the series’ previous turn-based installment. The Hawaii setting is both expansive and dense, with almost too much going on. The story features both protagonists Ichiban Kasuga and Kazuma Kiryu, resulting in a tale that culminates the series as a whole.

It Takes Two is simply an amazing co-op game. When played together with a good friend, it will become an experience you won’t soon forget.

As one of the best 2D action games to date, Dead Cells is a game people will be talking about for a long time. A true masterpiece.

Xenoblade 3 has high-quality cutscenes, a world worth exploring and a deep combat system. It also fixes some of the issues of previous titles in the series, making this an RPG that both fans and newcomers can enjoy for many hours. It’s too bad that the story ends without giving answers to many of our questions.

While drawing heavily from the lineage of Dragon Quest Builders, Pokémon Pokopia successfully translates the inherently complex creatures and systems of Pokémon into a cohesive gameplay loop, reconstructing the overall experience into something with the relaxed, leisurely pacing reminiscent of Animal Crossing. The Pokémon models are charmingly rendered, and the distant scenery showcases the capabilities of the Nintendo Switch 2. With the potential to become a long-beloved staple title for the platform, it also represents a breakthrough in how the Pokémon IP can be approached, resulting in a game with a uniquely impressive level of polish and accomplishment.

With a fantastic story, interesting lore, and great graphics and presentation, Phantom Liberty succeeds in expanding Cyberpunk 2077’s already rich world even further. While some of the individual side quests can come off as weak, they do a good job in contributing to Cyberpunk 2077’s world. With this DLC and patch 2.0, Cyberpunk 2077 has become a complete and pretty much flawless package.

Tetsuya Mizuguchi's signature synesthesia approach turns Tetris – a game based on pure mathematics – into a moving tale about the Earth. However, the nature of Tetris demands constant focus, which sometimes makes it difficult to enjoy the game's spectacular artistic effects along the way.

Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade doesn't just add on to last year’s Final Fantasy VII Remake, but brings it to new heights. Playing the game one year later made us rediscover the overall quality of the battle system as well. Yuffie’s story is much more than just a new standalone chapter, as it enriches the game’s lore and story by depicting the Avalanche headquarters and their members in more detail than before. On new-gen hardware, the game has become even more immersive, resulting in an experience that’s worth going back to even if you’ve already beaten the original remake version.

Fire Emblem: Three Houses is a masterful game that maintains the story and drama of previous entries, but allows you to train and grow your characters on a much larger scale than before. While the graphics, UI and level design are far from perfect, the addictive gameplay loop and dynamic story are of very high quality.

Death Stranding 2 boasts stunning visuals and refined gameplay that builds upon the strengths of its predecessor. Additionally, the story, consistently developed around the central theme of connection, is truly impressive. On the other hand, the introduction of new gameplay elements is limited, resulting in a somewhat lacking sense of freshness. The storytelling also feels underwhelming for much of the game, with little development until the final stages. Overall, while the game achieves a high level of polish, it fails to deliver much in the way of further innovation.

Resident Evil Requiem fuses the horror sensibilities of the Resident Evil 2 remake with the exhilarating action of Resident Evil 4’s remake, rearticulating the series’ fundamental appeal in what feels like a definitive culmination. While its level design and gimmicks—heavily indebted to the legacy of past entries—occasionally verge on repetition, the game nevertheless delivers a sense of closure to Leon’s harrowing journey and stands as a remarkable realization of the franchise’s long-gestating ambitions. It is, without question, a requiem worthy of the series’ history—an elegy to the memories it has built over the years, and an experience well worth seeing through to the very end.

A unique graphic style, an exotic theme, and a story that is well suited to being told through a unique game system make Return of the Obra Dinn a detective game unlike any other.

The main changes to The Last of Us Part 1 are in the character’s facial expressions and accessibility options, while the rest can be summed up as “extra features”. Compared with the original game, some scenes have actually decreased in quality and I came across bugs as well, which makes it a remake that comes with both advantages and disadvantages. While a conservative remake indeed, in the end the appeal of the original shines through.

The vast and detailed world of Monster Hunter Wilds is spectacular. Although I have some minor complaints, Capcom has managed to expand the game's scale while also making it easier to play, which is quite an achievement. The Focus Mode mechanic that allows players to target their prey's weak points is another welcome improvement. Although the story becomes a little frustrating towards the end, Wilds is carefully crafted to allow you to concentrate on the narrative and enjoy it.

The classic action that has been a hallmark of the Ratchet and Clank series is alive and well. In addition, the central dimensional warp mechanic is a real joy, packing even more surprises than I’d expected. The various weapons are fun to use, while the excellent level design, exhilarating gameplay and thrilling festival spirit combine to result in an action game that has been honed to the limits. Newcomers to the series may wish for a little more explanation of the story and the controls in places, but Ratchet and Clank: Rift Apart is a game I would recommend to anyone.

It is easy to tell that the developers studied the history of the genre through and through, delivering a stellar run and gun experience brought to life with unique old fashioned cartoon graphics. It may have it flaws, but when a game is this appealing it is easy to forgive.

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.

Although the online functions could have been better, the unique and satisfying combat styles of Nero, Dante and V greatly contribute in evolving Devil May Cry 5 to the next level. While gaining a more photorealistic look thanks to Capcom’s RE engine, the stylish action we have come to love from the series is better than ever.

While the essential component of repeatedly hunting monsters remains the same, the action elements have been refined with the introduction of the Wirebug and Switch Skill systems, and even monsters from previous games offer a fresh hunting challenge. The new Rampage mode, where the player must battle multiple large monsters at once, offers a stunning balance of difficulty and variety.

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.

Final Fantasy VII Remake is a reconstruction on an almost unprecedented scale. Midgar feels like a real place, and strong character development sucks you into its fascinating world. The battle system is a great mix between real-time action and turn-based strategic elements, but with many consecutive lengthy fights in linear dungeon-like areas, it can sometimes become too stressful for the casual player, and the slow story progression won’t be for everyone either.

This strategy game offers survival and business simulation in one package. With the player learning from trial and error, numerous unpredictable events bring additional challenges to solve, while enriching the story at the same time.

Oatchi – a cute dog that learns new abilities throughout the game – was all that the Pikmin series needed to become more approachable. The series’ wide array of gameplay elements are implemented in the story, and some of them are tough enough to make even fans of the series feel challenged. Pikmin 4 is a great game that can satisfy both fans and newcomers alike.

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.

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.

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.

It’s no surprise that brand new visuals and sound make the alluring world and ephemeral story of Link’s Awakening all the more endearing, but I did not expect to fall in love with its 26-year-old game design all over again.

Similar to Dinosaur Polo Club’s previous game Mini Metro, not only the game mechanics but also the visuals and sound contribute in making Mini Motorways a fun and polished game. Its game design allows players to enjoy the essence of a city-builder by simply laying roads, and the game offers interesting tactical challenges depending on your skill.

Insomniac Games’ take on Spider-Man is not only packed with fan service and love for this iconic character, it’s also one of the best superhero videogames to date.

OlliOlli World does a perfect job in bringing the coolness of skateboarding culture to the videogame format. Fair course design and a limitless scoring system make the gameplay appealing to both hardcore and casual gamers. The deep character customization is great too. OlliOlli World is just so good that even falling feels fun.

Hi-Fi Rush is a rock-themed masterpiece rhythm-action game. Its combat makes you feel like you’re performing on stage, and its wholesome story is exhilarating throughout. In 2023, there is simply no rhythm-action game that we could recommend more.

The fact that it’s a casual game allows Iconoclasts’ story to unfold at a good pace. It is without a doubt a story-driven action-adventure game, and as such you should take your time thinking about what it all means as you go along. For those who experienced Super Nintendo games in their prime, this game may be reminiscent of some of your best childhood memories.

The Messenger's game design may originate from NES and SNES classics, but it functions as an ancient scroll that passes pixel-perfect gameplay on to a new generation in the best possible way.

Whenever the protagonist of Unpacking moves to a new home, it is the player's task to open cardboard boxes and decide where her belongings should be placed. While this can be a tedious experience when you’re just putting socks into a drawer, whenever an item that conveys something about her life comes out of the box, Unpacking becomes a unique storytelling experience.

With anime sequences added to the original game, Steins;Gate Elite combines the best of the game and anime, making this the definitive way to experience a modern classic.

This remake pays the utmost respect to the original, and successfully brings a classic story that depicts human weakness into the modern era. It also brings back the fun of classic survival horror with a nerve-wracking over-the-shoulder combat system. It is a masterpiece that should serve as a benchmark for future installments in the Silent Hill series.

Ghost of Yotei excels in design that speaks through experience rather than spectacle, with its flashback system seamlessly connecting story and exploration as it shifts between past and present. The field prioritizes density over sheer size, making even detours feel like an integral part of the world. The narrative, while framed as a single tale of revenge, gains depth from the presence of factions such as the Matsumae clan, the Ainu and the Six of Yotei, giving the stage more weight than the previous installment. While combat is still centered on the sword, Yotei introduces a wider variety of weapons, with mastery sequences that heighten its polish. Rather than finding flaws, one is overwhelmed by its craftsmanship and overall quality.

CrossCode is a stellar game that mimics an MMO, but solves the repetitive nature of that genre by turning it into a single-player action game, utilizing the genre’s lyricism in a magnificent way.

In Silent Hill f, scenario writer Ryukishi07 has crafted an overwhelming story, yet the repetitive gameplay required to reach its conclusion diminishes the overall experience. The game's ambitious narrative structure – designed to overturn the player’s perception with each playthrough – clashes with game design that cannot fully support it, while its awkward distance from the traditional motifs of the series further complicates its evaluation. And yet, the story and characters themselves are undeniably genuine, carrying a value that deserves to be remembered and retold for generations to come.

After delivering the cult-hit Detention, Taiwanese developer Red Candle Games presents its next psychological horror adventure, Devotion. While making the jump from 2D to 3D, the superb presentation and storytelling remain intact. A 1980s Taiwanese condo is faithfully recreated in 3D to the extent that you can almost detect the odour. And while bringing together various art styles in one game, Devotion manages to tell a consistent story as well.

In this real-time tactics adventure set in the Wild West, you will engage in various missions with your main five eccentric units. The missions offer a wide variety of situations typical of Western movies, and it’s up to you whether to use stealth or go loud. But whatever play style you choose, the gameplay always perfectly complements the Western setting.

While the combos and the Shinobi Execution special attack may not be particularly unique, Shinobi's battle system is well crafted and delivers a strong sense of exhilaration. The consistently challenging level design and boss fights expand the classical appeal of 2D action into a modern context, offering something fresh for players tired of Soulslikes and Metroidvanias. That said, the story and worldbuilding remain stuck in the kind of B-grade sensibility often found in retro games, leaving something to be desired by the standards of contemporary videogames.

Anyone can play and look cool with this instant-classic VR rhythm game. The PS4 version is great, but the PSVR exclusive content does not offer that much appeal.

Armored Core 6 has a true sense of speed and exhilaration, its robot design is everything a mech fan could wish for, and it even has an outstanding storyline. For fans of the series, some elements might feel lacking or different, but there is no doubt that this is the pinnacle of robot action.

Dragon Quest XI is almost like a NES game developed with modern technology. Turn-based battles and retro sound effects make clear it is proud of being a classic JRPG. Yet at the same time, monster mounts and real-time escape sequences indicate that Dragon Quest XI is also a forward-thinking game. The overworld is full of joy and wonder, its design integral to telling a compelling story.

While the story can feel childish, altogether Octopath Traveler II takes what was great about its predecessor and makes it even better, resulting in a great sequel.

Sumire is an adventure game with beautiful light-colored art and an acoustic music soundtrack. You play as a young girl who experiences a slightly special day in a somewhat mysterious setting, but that’s about it. You won’t find any deep settings and themes or an intriguing story here. If you like to enjoy admiring beautiful scenery on the way through a game without thinking too much, Sumire’s world might be one for you.

Ender Lilies is a game that might not have any revolutionary mechanics, but its graphics, music, battles, exploration and worldbuilding all contribute to an experience that has more polish than almost any other game in the action RPG genre. While the leap in difficulty near the end can definitely be overwhelming, the beautiful graphics and stellar presentation provide multiple fantastic moments and heart-pounding fights you won’t forget any time soon.

Cyberpunk 2077’s biggest achievement is Night City, the most fascinating city in videogame history so far. While the combat outside of the main story does sometimes feel a little repetitive, the way it encourages the player to interact with the everyday lives of the inhabitants of this bustling city results in a roleplaying experience in the truest sense of the word. The game towers like a skyscraper in the Western RPG genre skyline.

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.

Incsryption is a deck-building roguelike game with a great metafiction scenario. Even the deck-building and roguelike elements are just part of what this game makes you think it is, as the game’s structure keeps changing as you progress. This continuous change of style makes you feel like you're playing a very special game, and it will keep you excited throughout the experience.

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.

Starfield’s vast universe is home to unique planets, factions and characters and offers a wide array of choices. It allows you to become whoever you want to be, and savor both the light and dark sides of the universe the way you want to. Starfield doesn’t only improve on Bethesda’s previous games, but gives birth to an entirely new universe that is the company’s best open-world RPG yet.

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.

Easy Come Easy Golf comes with a wide range of brand new courses of stable quality. Its video tutorials make it an accessible game for newcomers to the genre as well. Easy Come Easy Golf could have the potential to create a new generation of golf game fans.

Meg’s Monster is a great story game with clever twists, and even its battles contribute to the narrative. The relationship between Meg and her monster companion Roy is well written and deeply touching.

While unfair enemy-placement gets irritating, Nioh 2’s new Yokai powers make this an action game with almost infinite possibilities. And with a huge amount of content, Nioh 2 is simply one of the best Souls-like games to date.

While Nioh 3 offers a much greater sense of challenge and depth, there are lingering concerns about hitting a ceiling in terms of mastery, as well as balance issues—particularly the Ninja playstyle which seems to be overly powerful. Although the benefits of the open-field approach are strongly felt on the first map thanks to the satisfying loop of combat, exploration, and progression, the experience loses its shine from the midpoint onward for a variety of reasons. Even so, as a loot-driven action game, Nioh 3 retains a uniquely compelling presence, and its ability to keep players coming back for more remains firmly intact.

While A Space for the Unbound has a sweet and nostalgic playfeel, its deeper themes are heavier. The dragging storyline and lack of challenge in its puzzles can sometimes make it feel too long for its own good, but in the end it all comes together with a shocking reveal.

The Kirby series has always offered fun with a wide array of copy abilities, which proves to be a great match for 3D. The newly implemented Mouthful Mode that allows Kirby to swallow large-scale objects and the ability to level up your copy abilities are great fun. While the extra stages that unlock after beating the main game are a bit of a disappointment, as a whole Kirby and the Forgotten Land is an extraordinarily well made 3D action game that celebrates our pink friend’s 30th anniversary in the best way possible.

Much like The Witcher 3, Thronebreaker: The Witcher Tales is a single-player RPG with a high emphasis on player choice. If the world of The Witcher and its lore have captivated you before, there’s no excuse for skipping on this one. The card battle system might take a while to get used to, but friendly tutorials help smooth the way.

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.

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.

While being a new entry to the series, Crash Bandicoot 4’s stages are full of references to the first two games. And while it is without a doubt the hardest game in the series, amusing animations and a great score will make you want to keep going.

Ni no Kuni II: Revenant Kingdom improves upon its predecessor in almost every regard, yet somehow its magic is lost along the way.

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.

Using the PSP version as its base, Tactics Ogre: Reborn is a remake close to perfection. While the visuals might not be of the highest quality, combat and story will satisfy both fans and newcomers alike.

Pokemon Ultra Sun/Ultra Moon is not a bad game by any means, and those that skipped on Sun and Moon should definitely give it a try. However, it doesn’t have anything ultra surprising in store for its players.

Yakuza: Like a Dragon’s turn-based battle system has a serious lack of depth and pacing issues so crucial that it’s dangerously close to simply falling apart. However, RPG-like elements such as a wide array of equipable items, charisma parameters and interesting job classes do create a customizability that is new to the series. In addition, bizarre side quests and well-crafted mini games make this an experience that is still unmistakably Yakuza. The story of new protagonist Ichiban Kasuga and his friends is simply one of the best in the series, and the communication between those characters is a breath of fresh air. While Yakuza 7 is pretty much a disastrous RPG in terms of its battle system, everything else is nothing short of amazing, which makes it a hard game to score.

The HD-2D edition of Dragon Quest I & II is a masterful package that builds on the recent similar version of Dragon Quest III, overcoming that game's shortcomings while clearly positioning itself as a “sequel” to III. In particular, Dragon Quest I reconstructs the original game's exploration, combat and story with impressive quality. Dragon Quest II still has issues in areas like exploration and storytelling, but overall it shows a deep understanding of – and strong respect for – the original versions, making it a memorable remake.

Frostpunk is a city-building simulation game that puts an emphasis not just on efficiency, but also the moral qualities of the player as a leader. Even if you normally don’t play simulation games, you will definitely be able to appreciate its uniqueness on a lower difficulty setting.

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.

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.

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.

Fuga: Melodies of Steel’s story and gameplay are built around the bond between children, and teach the preciousness of life. The tutorial is well done, and the simple yet tactical battle system is fun to play. It’s too bad that the controls and UI make the game harder to play than it should be.

Hogwarts Legacy is a detailed open world game focused around magic. It completely fulfills the dream of enrolling in the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. While the game has its fair share of problems in terms of UI and performance, it isn’t just for Harry Potter fans: Its casual nature also makes it a great game for newcomers to open world games.