MotoGP 22 keeps Milestone's Series in the lead when it comes to motocycling simulation. It falters for not risking enough, despite introducing the nostalgic Nine Season 2009 mode. Career Mode is as solid as ever and the driving is as solid as it has ever been, although the graphical quality leaves a bit to be desired. On the track, however, it's yet another victory lap.

Forza Motorsport is back. The driving is muscular, the emotion is very present and the visuals are capable of giving us a truly fun, accessible and complete experience on the asphalt. Whether you're using a controller or a steering wheel and pedals, Forza is ready to take you trough high speed, well-designed and modeled circuits. Despite a meager single-player experience, the multiplayer mode has grown in size and strength and is capable of providing hours of fierce competition. There are several aspects that can be improved, but this title strikes an interesting balance between casualness, simulation and competition that builds a solid foundation for an excellent racing platform in video games.

Dying Light: The Beast refines the best elements of Dying Light, with a more concise, frightening, immersive and challenging world, without the chaff we saw in the previous one. The combat is visceral and bloody, and even with a monster inside Kyle Crane, you never feel invincible, thus maintaining a palpable tension from start to finish.

Kirby's Return to Dream Land Deluxe is undeniably an improvement over the Wii original. The new features in the remaster may not be enough to convince veterans, but it's still a fantastic and fun experience for those who like to play in the company of the young and inexperienced.

Mario Golf: Super Rush is another Nintendo title that promotes fun, specially when enjoyed with friends. This is not a game to be played for many hours daily, nor can you expect an experience like Odyssey. Instead, Nintendo churns out a sport in simple practice with all that's charming about the Mario universe, creative mechanics that extend it’s entertainment element.

Born in truly independent fashion, Out of Line gained its space and collected accolades throughout its development cycle. The result of this project (which was started by college students) is a great puzzle-platform experience, with a distinct art style and a story open to interpretation. The short campaign doesn’t stop the emotional attachment with protagonist San and the fellow adventurers we find along the way. The Portuguese studio made something out of very little, intelligently using the game mechanics it introduces throughout the campaign

Amnesia: The Bunker is the best horror experience in the entire franchise. Frictional Games has fixed some issues with previous games, and wanted to leave the "free horror" label behind. The Bunker has the ability to blend the real terror experienced throughout WW1, and adds the fantasy of the monstrous creature that we used to in Amnesia storylines. The Bunker will, from now on, be the model to be followed by all those who base the terror gameplay experience in “walking simulators”, showing that there are more survival resources than just the legs to run.

Biomutant conquers a prominent place in the ever-expanding universe of open world games. While it doesn't innovate in the mechanics it employs, it implements them intelligently, giving us plenty of reasons to explore a vibrant and gaudy world filled with adorable creatures.

Ubisoft delivered what it promised. Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora is another beautiful canonical piece for the stunning Avatar universe. With a new storyline and characters on a yet unseen continent, the open world game offers a unique experience in terms of exploration and combat, giving the player the exciting experience of becoming a true Na'vi.

Obsidian already has its name established in the market, but Pentiment came to present a new talent from the producer. The game explores an impossible-to-ignore narrative and a progression scheme that captures the attention of any player, even those who are not fans of the genre. This is an invitation to Celtic music, rural landscapes, medieval habits and ancient arts such as illuminations and woodcuts. The story of a murder becomes the perfect excuse to explore the disturbing streets of Tassing, a city full of secrets to be revealed.

EA SPORTS WRC is a notable improvement in the saga of World Rally Championship games. The introduction of the builder mode, along with a well-structured career mode, makes the single-player experience fun, motivating and immersive. The driving system caters for all types of players, from those who play with controllers and in a more casual way to those who prefer a simulation environment. Codemasters presents a robust game, with a few rough edges but a truly fun driving experience. Now it's time to get behind the wheel and tear up the gravel.

Riders Republic comes with a lot to give, and one might argue that it may give too much. The Ranking and Item Unlocking systems distract from an experience that, at its core, gives us the best radical sports game since the SSX franchise. Ubisoft presented us with one of the most earnestly fun titles of the year, despite some unfortunately typical choice from the company. The biome diversity and the sheer amount of events, with Mass Races being the standout, culminate in one of the most pleasant gameplays in this genre.

After several Home Runs and Strike Outs, I can say that I am as big of a baseball fan as I ever was, having even looked up some games during the weekend - which is probably the biggest compliment I can give to MLB The Show 22. It walks that fine line between pleasing veterans with deep, hardcore gameplay and leaving space for newcomers to understand the basic mechanics of the game and the sport itself. Despite little differences to last year's version, it still offers a solid experiences for baseball and sports fans alike - who knows, other sports simulator may even get some tips from what PlayStation Studios are doing.

Overall, F1 23 is in good health and is recommended to all fans of the sport. It positions itself on both the arcade and sim racing sides as a competent and improved game over its predecessors. With the ability to provide a more authentic and immersive experience for players, as well as a unique perspective through Breaking Point 2. It might be far from perfect, but it's a big step in the right direction. We look forward to the future of the franchise.

Mario Party is the Monopoly of videogames, we don't always dedicate many hours to it, but it's important to always have one "on hand". I believe that the main stage for this Super Mario Party Jamboree will be the living room with groups of friends jostling for scraps of digital glory, the pinnacle of the social gaming experience, but investing in the online element makes sense in order to increase its relevance and longevity. It's already the third in the franchise on the Nintendo Switch, a console that continues to enrich its catalogue for this Christmas. Regardless of the rumours, if you don't have one yet, this should be the best option.

The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom has a lot of merit and begs to be played, especially by fans who have been clamouring for something new in the series. It's also a proof of concept, courtesy of a new studio, showing that Nintendo intends to explore new avenues of gameplay, which in the future may result in iterations that further separate Link and Zelda as playable characters. Maybe with another character who shall not be named, you know, to complete the Triforce.

Assassin's Creed Mirage is a return to the past in more ways than one. More focused and cohesive than its recent predecessors, it leaves the chaff aside to focus on what's really fun. The reduced size suits it perfectly and anyone who missed the classic Assassin's Creed action will feel right at home in the city of Baghdad, which is possibly one of Ubisoft's most captivating recreations.

Even if it loses some of its lustre in its final stretch, it's impossible to deny the magic and charm of The Plucky Squire. Full of surprises, charming moments and homages to classics, it goes beyond a simple tribute to the games that inspired it and still manages to be genuinely funny, for adults and children alike.

You will not be disappointed with Kirby and the Forgotten Land, as it is so surprising and original in the variety of challenges whilst being surprisingly fun. Sadly, it is not particularly competent in co-op but has various secondary objectives and repetition value because you will be incentivized to repeat the challenges in order to save all the Waddle Dee. Just avoid the obsession to pursue all the collectible figurines, it’s a trap!

Football Manager 2024 doesn't revolutionise the franchise, at a time when Sports Interactive is probably thinking more about the next iteration, which will introduce women's football. Even so, the improvement to the game engine is the most significant in the last three years, the new negotiation system makes squad management more attractive and the creation of dead-ball tactics has never been so intuitive. FM 24 has a 1-0 lead, but is already thinking ahead to the big clash in the next fixture.

Dragon Age: The Veilguard is a return to form for BioWare. Assuming itself to be more of an action game, some RPG elements have been pushed into the background as a result. The history of the world of Thedas mixes with the history of Solas and our companions, in a plot that seems unappealing at first, but blossoms in the middle of the game. With breathtaking scenery and a very competent combat system, Dragon Age: The Veilguard is yet another fantastic RPG in a big year for fans of the genre.

In short, Age of Empires IV is first and foremost a throwback to the past, for a history lesson that we already know well. Anchored to the classic formulas and mechanics of the franchise that defined the genre, it bets on presentation quality to convince a new generation of real-time strategy game lovers. Veterans, on the other hand, have here a new battleground where they will certainly feel at home.

Curse of The Dead Gods stands out for its combat system, phenomenally supported by a set of mechanisms that will have you constantly second-guessing your decisions. The curses' randomness gives it a lot of flexibility and transforms every attempt into a frenetic head-scratcher. The sum of all parts of the game results in an experience that will keep you playing just because you want to beat it again and again.

The Winters Family saga has come to an end with Shadows of Rose, a DLC that is a sort of epilogue to Resident Evil Village. The new content is brilliant and gives to Village a full gameplay experience. It's a perfect third person game for all fans of the franchise and also for all those that are waiting for Resident Evil 4 remake.

Persona 5 Strikers is a wonderful spinoff for fans of the saga and far too appealing for Musou's fans to write it off. The mechanics of the genre are perfectly implemented in the concept of the Persona franchise, and although they haven't added anything new, they do promise intense, challenging and captivating combats. The narrative component is exactly what you'd expect from a Persona game, dealing with such important topics and so current in a light tone that is easily understood. A pity there's no social component, which was implemented so well in its predecessor.

Any way you look at it, Bravely Default 2 is a fantastic launch for fans of classic JRPGs, a genre that hasn't had it easy, even in the portable model. There's still a lot for me to find out, especially in terms of the systems and the interconnection of the abilities in the Jobs that are unlocked as you play. I'm more susceptible to the extrinsic values associated with the progression and micromanagement of games like this, which invariably ends up pushing the story into the background. I'm certainly going to keep on playing it; it will continue to deserve commitment and a place between the cat and me, and that's perhaps the highest praise I can give it.

Xenoblade Chronicles X: Definitive Edition has made a splash among the must-have games on the Nintendo Switch, bringing back a sleeping giant from the Wii U era with various technical and gameplay improvements. It's the ideal RPG for lovers of good micromanagement, it really encourages exploration of a gigantic open world and it knows how to guide the moments of reward with real amazement, either through the dramatic development of the narrative, with surprise attacks and unexpected heroic acts, or through the spectacular combat and the gigantic Skells.

The slight graphical improvements and the addition of a few modes, weapons and characters provide a plausible excuse to pick up Team Ninja's vigorous games, neglecting the multiplayer of the past. The base of the problems is not found in the texture and resolution update, but in the origin of this trilogy, with the negative points of the Sigma versions making themselves felt in some moments. However, there are several moments in which we experience memorable challenges and a frenzy of blows that make us stick to the screen, just like what happened 10 years ago, reanimating a series that seemed forgotten, in the hands of a new generation of players.

The exclusive Microsoft - The Medium is yet another significant milestone in the catalogue of psychological horror games from Bloober Team, which is increasingly becoming one of the best studios in this area. Without hiding where it comes from, it's an experience horror fans won't want to miss, no matter how short. The duality approach is interesting and has enormous potential. I hope that the Bloober Team will get to work on it again and develop it more in-depth.

New Pokémon Snap offers dynamic environments and memorable meetings in a winning journey that brings back the best from the past, and restructures it to the current generation. Bandai Namco delivers us a respectful reinvention of the 99 classic, brimmed with multiple secrets to discover throughout delightful expeditions, while giving the player all the necessary tools to capture every moment. The weird scoring system and some auxiliary problems are not enough to spoil the moments of calm, beauty and surprise.

Sifu will age us as the main character ages, but it also gives us some of the best martial arts moments in video games, which make us say, like Neo in the Matrix, "I know Kung-Fu".

Overwhelming at first, but incredibly enjoyable throughout each hunt, Monster Hunter: Wilds is a fantastic action RPG. The gameplay is great and relies on various finely crafted elements by the Capcom team, from the monsters to the weapons, not forgetting the game world, which is as big a protagonist as the former. The PC version only suffers from a few noticeable performance issues, but these aren't enough to affect the fun of Wilds, at least in my experience.

Kirby and the Forgotten Land Nintendo Switch 2 Edition + Star-Crossed World is a good addition to the Nintendo Switch 2 catalog and meets different requirements. It gives Nintendo gamers the chance to revisit one of the good games from the previous console in a more muscular format and with new content, it's a good chance for those with younger offspring at home to enjoy a good cooperative adventure that's light on commitment and it still works beautifully for those looking for a new experience on the Switch 2 and who don't know Kirby yet. Get used to the pink ball, he's coming back into our lives soon, and at great speed.

Don't let Battlefield 6's single-player campaign put you off: the multiplayer action is absolutely phenomenal, from the first shot to the last. Chaos and destruction are the watchwords, intensity is guaranteed and each map offers a fantastic stage for varied and dynamic combat, with no dull moments. Even with a few bugs and hiccups here and there, none of this has affected the tremendous fun I've experienced over the last few days in Battlefield 6, which celebrates a return in a big way.

The Outer Worlds 2 is a fantastic RPG and a good example of what a sequel should be. It learns from its past, builds on its strengths, and confidently forges its own path, establishing a very strong identity. It is the game that the original promised to be, although far from perfect, because in correcting the past, it has uncovered other challenges, which I hope will be corrected in the future.

The latest entry in the historic Mario Tennis series features an adventure mode with varied challenges, a key online mode to test your persistence, and 30 fever rackets with different effects.

If we divided a videogame by stages, we could say that Tour de France 2022 is the leader in almost every sector, but seriously slows down in the graphics sector. The tactical depth will please most fans of the sport, the variety of game modes is impressive and gameplay is responsive, with a refined AI. It stumbles when it comes to visuals, which stops from being a true feat within such a niche genre.

Last Epoch is a fantastic ARPG that cleverly introduces interesting new features to a genre that tends to get stuck in its roots. Deep and at the same time accessible to less experienced players, it has a surprising diversity of gameplay, anchored in ingenious gameplay loops that will keep you hooked for days.

Sonic Frontiers has finally figured out how to evolve the franchise in the 3D era, with gameplay mechanics that break away from the usual on-rails hyper-velocity of past editions, ironically giving a sense of speed like very few video games have managed. It's fun, deep and full of little surprises. You can shout to the heavens: Sonic is back! But don't shout too far, or the game won't render.

Disguised as a simple space sim, Everspace 2 hides an engine full of solid and very well accomplished ARPG systems. The story leaves something to be desired, but there is no shortage of options when it comes to the variety of builds possible. Combat is a real pleasure at every stage of the game, propelled by systems that are easy to understand and deep enough to let your skill and imagination run wild.

Although derivative in its approach to the Soulslike formula, Lies of P stands out from so many other games in the genre thanks to a captivating world setting, satisfying combat and an in-depth weapon and customization system that lets you let your imagination run wild.

Telltale has delivered yet another thrilling experience, but this time they've gone all out with the choice system. The player's decisions carry a very fine line between life and death, and every stage of the story can be altered depending on the actions of the player. The Expanse: A Telltale Series not only serves as a testament to the evolution of Telltale's game design, but also boasts stunning visuals that keep the pace with constant technological development.

A The Sims 4 expansion always seems to suffer from the base game limitations, and they are a lot. But Cottage Living goes where few expansions from this edition have gone before. Beside the return of the lore and some dear characters, it also seems to symbolize a change in the way EA and Maxis look at this game, with more and more attentiveness to player feedback.

Alan Wake Remastered is an example of what can be a good remaster of a videogame without an abusive price, it fixes some of the main issues that prevented a good game to make sense in today’s standards. Its ideals and the writer’s story would easily fit in any period of the gaming history so if you haven’t played it, this is an ideal opportunity to do it and the best way to fuel the hope for a potential sequel.

With Diablo IV, Blizzard opens the gates of Hell to all players, from the most casual ones to the most hardcore. Being impossible to please them both at the same time, the former risk hitting a wall when they reach the endgame, while the latter may not find the challenge interesting enough. Still, Diablo IV is a highly recommendable experience for all players, with a solid, addictive foundation and a tremendous potential to evolve in the coming seasons, especially when played with friends.

If, on the one hand, Stardew Valley has become the ultimate farming sim, Fae Farm has the potential to become the ultimate cozy cooperative farming sim. Fae Farm's philosophy is just one: to make the experience of a farming simulator as relaxing as possible by removing everything that might get in the way. To do this, it takes the complex and diverse systems and mechanics of farming simulators and strips them of responsibilities, dull repetition, the most time-consuming grind, punishments and frustrations, then covers it with a cozy environment, full of relaxing tasks, with music and visuals that, on the whole, work in its favor.

With Outriders, People Can Fly managed to craft an extremely fun game, with mechanics that subvert the idea of a cover shooter, while maintaining a loot system that is delightfully mesmerizing. The frantic and aggressive combat system is so addictive that it helps to cover up the game’s weaknesses, such as the history or repeatability, since we are too busy dispatching endless hordes of enemies.

EA Sports F1 22 is simply the best possible virtual experience of Formula 1. From Free Practices to the Chequered Flag, it remains as responsive and balanced as the last few entries, nailing down the authenticity through additions such as the manual warm-up lap and new graphics and cutscenes. What stops it from being a truly great game is the awkward inclusion of F1 Life and some technical issues that require urgent fixing.

Kena: Bridge of Spirits is the game that was missing to end 2021 in the best way possible. This title pictures a reality not far from ours, where the corruption is imminent and the salvation of the land demands a path that challenge us and makes us grow into a better version of ourselves. As a Spirit Guide, Kena took the compromise of freeing every soul that needed her. She felt fear, failed to have decisions but with the help of her Rot friends she was able to accomplish her mission, in which is the perfect balance between duty and passion.

Rollerdrome is an experience deeply focused on its action. With no tricks to unlock, no passive abilities, a story that we can ignore, we are placed directly in the heart of the action. Rollerdrome knows precisely what it wants to offer players and doesn't waste a single second in getting them into the arena. The action is glorious, incredibly stylish, and tremendously addictive. Though short, countless hours of gameplay are assured in the pursuit for the highest score.

The King of Fighters XV doesn't try to appeal to a wider audience, giving us interesting and complex mechanics which aren't really presented in an accessible manner. Long-time fans of the franchise will find some genuine enjoyment and improvements, especially regarding the graphical upgrade, which truly gives new life to these 3D models. It's just about enough to keep SNK's franchise competing for the title.

Martha Is Dead proves that an independent studio has the ability to develop a video game with the same graphics as a AAA with an excellent detail line. This is an intense journey while Giulia navigates through the topic of mental health, putting everything in perspective during an extremely heavy psychological drama. Martha Is Dead is not a game for those looking for a horror experience focused on jump scares, massacres or horror/spiritual activities; nor is it for those who want to see a finite outcome. Martha Is Dead requires an open mind, a strong stomach and a mighty power of reflection.

Warhammer 40,0000: Space Marine 2 is a brilliant third-person shooter and although it doesn't break the mould of the genre, the combat is a visceral delight. The campaign is short, but it doesn't lack epic moments and impressive landscapes, mired in both violence and beauty. The PvE and PvP modes aren't particularly deep at the moment, but mechanically, they're fun enough to keep me up to my knees in Xenos and heretic guts.

The proof of concept is approved, as it serves on an emotional connection that we have with a galaxy far far away, it's a cheap shot, but it reaffirms a so long asked modernization of all TT Games' titles by the fans that we can only guess will be honed on the years to come. LEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga is in that fashion a fun charm trap that holds on to us thanks to the constant changes in gameplay, snowy AT-AT encounters, and spectacular lightsaber battles where the dramatic flare is replaced by the adorable and unpredictable reactions of the main figures of the saga.

Wartales offers a fantastic sandbox to explore. The nature of this system implies a rather insipid storyline and uneven pace, but in the end, the real treasure is the mercenaries you meet along the way. For those looking for a strategy sandbox with good depth in which to invest many hours, this is a choice that is hard to ignore.

Blanc immerses us in a beautiful and exciting journey through a black and white hand-drawn world. This interactive narrative, without life or mana bars, without battles or complex mechanics, whose adversity is based on the circumstances dictated by a natural disaster and paths that always seem to have no exit, proves to be relaxing and fresh. Each puzzle solved is an achievement that opens the way for the little Wolf and the young Deer, deepening the unlikely relationship between these two and finally shortening the distance until the potential reunion with their respective families.

MLB The Show 21 is the king of the market when it comes to baseball. It has all the weapons to please newcomers as well as the most demanding players, with multiple accessibility and game mode options, although with very scarce updates in relation to its predecessor. Even though the version used for this analysis was the Playstation 4 one, visually it becomes identical to what we have seen in the past, maybe having the next generation “at fault”, but it is still a very enjoyable experience.

Pokémon Scarlet and Violet takes two steps forward and one step back, much to blame for its performance on Nintendo Switch. Still, the new formula is solid and could very well serve as the basis for the next games in the franchise, with plenty of room to grow. With a whole new generation of Pokémons to meet and novel mechanics to master, Pokémon Scarlet and Violet will please new and old fans, casual or competitive alike.

Pokémon Scarlet and Violet takes two steps forward and one step back, much to blame for its performance on Nintendo Switch. Still, the new formula is solid and could very well serve as the basis for the next games in the franchise, with plenty of room to grow. With a whole new generation of Pokémons to meet and novel mechanics to master, Pokémon Scarlet and Violet will please new and old fans, casual or competitive alike.

Crimson Desert is an ambitious game that tries to be (almost) everything at once, only to ultimately buckle under the weight of its own complexity. Although its story is disjointed and uninteresting, the game is ultimately saved by a complex and almost always entertaining combat system, which rewards us as we master it better. Added to this is an overwhelming and visually stunning world, which only needed a bit more narrative coherence to become memorable.

Anno 117: Pax Romana is a fantastic strategy game that can swallow you up for hours on end. The simplicity and ease of the construction system allows you to create beautiful cities and hides a complex system of production and trade. Even for a newcomer to the franchise, it is quite welcoming, with a campaign that, while not brilliant, teaches you everything you need to know to start building your empire.

S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl is a testament to the perseverance of its creators in the face of extreme adversity. The technical problems are undeniable, but the unique atmosphere, tense combat and deep immersion it offers are unrivalled. It's a game that demands patience and understanding, both of its mechanics and its development context, but rewards the player with one of the most distinctive and memorable experiences of recent years. With the promised updates and fixes, including the full implementation of the A-Life 2.0 system, it has the potential to become something transcendental. For now, it remains like a diamond in the rough - hard around the edges, but brilliant at its core. For those willing to accept its imperfections and fully immerse themselves in its hostile and fascinating world, Heart of Chornobyl offers something that few modern games can.

Fundamentally, Jagged Alliance 3 aims to please the fans of the franchise. They are the ones who will have the most fun with the game, full of references to previous titles, and systems that quite frankly, didn't need to be so stuck in the past, especially the user interface. With a great mod compatibility, it's quite possible that this problem will be solved in the near future, because as a starting point, Jagged Alliance 3 offers a pretty solid, competent and fun base for any turn-based tactics fan, as long as they're willing to endure its initial period. There's a lot of granularity in the various gameplay systems, from weapon crafting to squad management, and a respectable dose of randomness that helps make each run unique and interesting, especially if you play it with friends.

Nintendo Switch Sports is about the friend that smacks his hand on the corner of the table as he prepares a Serve in Tennis. It's mom and dad running to catch the shuttlecock in Badminton (nobody told them that the character runs automatically). It's the younger brother flailing the controller in the air because his safety strap isn't properly attached. In this regard, Nintendo Switch Sports honors that unique spirit that Wii Sports gave us way back in 2006. It will surely be a great addition to any group dinner.

It’s hard to say anything against not one but two Uncharted games in a single volume, specially if they have been visually and technically enhanced by the capabilities of Sony’s new console. This collection is mainly directed at those who never played the games, although veterans will still take pleasure in revisiting the protagonists on the PS5 before going to the movies and see Tom Holland but of course, the console has many colossus coming already in the beginning of the year and not all pockets are deep enough for every possibility.

Simple, fun and recommended above all for younger players or those with little contact with the Super Mario franchise. Unfortunately, some of its most notable flaws are still present, such as unchallenging levels, again running the risk of putting off the more experienced players. To compensate, and perhaps unintentionally, the remake has a lure for these players: the addition of a robust co-operative mode that makes Mario vs. Donkey Kong more fun and even challenging when played with a friend, making us forget about its imperfections.

With charm to spare, Cult of Lamb blends various unlikely elements in an exquisite way without ever becoming complicated. The result is a fresh, addictive and tremendously fun 'Roguelike/Life Sim' experience.

Starfield isn't everything the developer promised, but it's a very good RPG, worthy of a Game of the Year nomination. Bethesda's new space RPG tells an absolutely intriguing story, treating each main mission like an unmissable episode in a memorable series. Although the game has a few bugs and glitches, the experience isn't traumatizing. It's not Skyrim in space, nor a galactic Fallout, but a new name that assumes its authenticity and dispenses with comparisons. Starfield isn't technically perfect, but it fits in perfectly with the best games of 2023.

Even with its wrinkles of age, Skyward Sword is a mandatory title to all its fans, with the HD version becoming the best version of the game and an excellent excuse to adventure in the skies of Skyloft, a different perspective from the standard in the franchise while we wait for a certain sequel. The celebrated bosses, unforgettable dungeons and a glorious original soundtrack allow you to forget all the problems that the game has, which are polished in this new iteration of the 2011 classic and is representative of a real turning point on the iconic series from Nintendo.

Wo Long: The Fallen Dynasty is a truly gritty challenge. Team Ninja's game puts players' skill, patience, and sadomasochism to the test, rolling out a red carpet for aggression while harshly punishing all and every mistake. The combat systems are complex but work quite well with each other, with the exception of the loot, which is unnecessarily complicated and not very impactful. Wo Long: The Fallen Dynasty will not convince newcomers to the genre, but it will certainly please fans.

Donkey Kong Country Returns HD is a fine addition to the Nintendo Switch catalog, the second port of the main series after Tropical Freeze. It's true that it includes very few new features apart from the resolution to justify replaying it if you've played some of the previous versions, but it's also a great experience if you like the genre and are looking for a different, more raw challenge within the platform universe. It has another merit, probably the most important, which is that it reminds Nintendo, especially as we approach a new era, that the world deserves a new Donkey Kong.

Super Mario Galaxy and Super Mario Galaxy 2 return on Nintendo Switch as two historic giants of video game design. These are works that not only withstood the test of time but remain perfectly relevant today, still capable of raising the eyebrows of even the most veteran players. They took risks, played with gravity, reinvented the power-up catalogue, and delivered characters and moments forever cemented in the plumber’s history. Eternal extras may be missing, but the essential is here: games that still feel like they came from the future. Do they hint at a third entry to complete a trilogy on Switch 2? We don’t know, but they fit perfectly into the anniversary celebrations.

Dynasty Warriors: Origins gives us back the strongest and most basic premise in videogames: it's a kind of fun that makes you want to pick up the controller and invest hours in it. On top of that, it fulfils one of the promises made by Koei Tecmo, to present something new from a series that was already well known for a formula that became more boring and stagnant with each iteration. It does, however, fail to deliver on some quality elements for players, and the pace of the game is often overwhelmed by a slow story that takes its time to develop. But make no mistake, once you've finished the campaign, there’s enjoyment to be had as many times as you have enemies to face.

After a game that captivated a healthy community of fans, but that was largely ignored by the mainstream, Gunfire Games returned to the fray with Remnant 2, a sequel that doubles down on first game's strength, while improving it's rough edges. The result is an unlikely soulslike looter shooter that wastes no time in showing what it's made of. Fun and addictive, it's full of well-conceived systems that make for a fun experience that takes on new dimensions with friends.

Judgment is a Yakuza spin-off game that presents a captivating thriller investigation narrative. The slow start and less-than-stellar detective gameplay don’t keep the game from being a solid option for anyone who wants to take their first steps into the Yakuza universe.

A must for fans and recommended for newcomers, Halo Infinite may not be the epic experience everyone's been waiting for, but there's no doubt about it - it's an incredibly solid foundation for the future of Master Chief. 343 Industries assembled the canvas and painted the outlines. Now all that's left is to fill in the painting.

Borderlands 4's new approach to the franchise's classic formula is expertly crafted. Unexpectedly, the open world fits like a glove into the shooter's irresistible dopamine-fuelled loop. There's always exciting loot to discover, builds to create and enemies to vanquish, in an endless gale of violence, with exponentially greater numbers crushing anyone who dares to stand up to us. A positive point also goes to the tone of Borderlands 4, much more serious and restrained than its predecessor, but without losing its trademark humour. I never thought I'd say it, but even Claptrap is bearable this time around.

Assassin's Creed Valhalla isn't a light, fast and pragmatic Viking ship. It's a Titanic, magnificent, massive, and majestic, made to lead players through a 9th-century epic. With enough content to keep players busy for hours and hours, it's not threatened by any iceberg but rather by the weight of its own size. For the most dedicated, this can be a treat, but for many others, it could be a game they'll leave unfinished, living forever in the backlog.

Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War ends up mirroring what the Call of Duty franchise offered last year, with some new additions that are also welcome, especially for long-term fans. While being set during a very intense period, the campaign ends up erring for its disappointing longevity, even though the value of repetition is intrinsic to it. Zombies are back in style, while multiplayer gains an excellent new mode, but here it errs again for the arsenal's lack of variety.

Alone or with friends, Chivalry 2 is one of the most fun experiences that I had in recent times. It’s incredibly accessible, and brilliantly blends the theatrics of an epic Hollywood movie with humour, while not taking itself too seriously. Even though it has few maps, at least for now, the ones it has are enough to guarantee you countless hours of fun.

Made up of highs and lows, great moments and dull ones, Eternal Strands is a real rollercoaster. Still, even its less successful moments aren't enough to drown out the tremendous fun of taking down giant foes, armed with a pocket full of spells and a whole lot of creativity. The pace of the narrative isn't always constant and enjoyable, but the amazing work of the voice cast gives it a lot of vivacity, and fortunately, Eternal Strands doesn't stretch too far to the point of losing its magic.

South of Midnight is a game with a very strong identity of its own, which prioritizes its artistic and narrative vision above all else. Its moderate length (around 10-12 hours) prevents the repetitive elements of combat from becoming tiresome. Although the narrative doesn't reach the emotional depths that its themes suggest, it makes up for it with a stunning world, a magnificent soundtrack and enjoyable movement mechanics. It's like an illustrated storybook: maybe the story isn't revolutionary, but the pages are visual delights and a window into a fascinating world. For fans of adventure games with a strong narrative and visual component, South of Midnight offers an enchanting experience through a journey full of magic. Its distinct and coherent identity makes it a good addition to any gamer's library.

Although it has some flaws, Stellar Blade is nonetheless a remarkable effort by Shift Up, which has had its biggest challenge to date here. Fundamentally, Stellar Blade is well realised in its core elements, with the only flaw being its inconsistent execution, which translates into boring open-world areas and an uninteresting story. The studio promises that Eve's story won't end here and I personally look forward to seeing what she can achieve in the future.

The Dark Pictures Anthology: House of Ashes has come to revolutionize the series with the gifts their predecessors gave them. Not only does it fill in the imperative requirements for a good horror game, it spreads the implicit message that it's only in reach of the bravest to conquer fear, in authentic tests of pressure and choices. In a scenario completely obscure, where you can see nothing but feel everything, the decisions must be made and the course of history changed... forever. House of Ashes is, without a doubt, the best game of the series so far.

Evil West fulfills its purpose with dignity and offers us a world full of hideous creatures, the kind that any fan of games like God of War or Devil May Cry will love. Although Flying Wild Hog has left room for improvement in the future of the game, it already has the formula for success: a good narrative and well-structured gameplay. Despite its simplicity, the producer's good taste is reflected in the artistic direction, design and gameplay structure that offers a pure and challenging combat system, as well as cinematics that make us follow another story about saving the world, in 2022.

The Smurfs: Mission Vileaf is a surprisingly solid platform game, with fun and varied mechanics, which always avoid being repetitive. Brainy, Chef, Smurfette and Hefty's adventure are sure to captivate a lot of kids, and please the adults that grew up watching the little blue beings. The true Gargamel of this title is its bad optimization for PS4 and the clear temporal (perhaps financial) limitations.

The PC version of Days Gone manages to be a superior experience. More polished and better performing than the original on PS4. It doesn't escape its sins however – a story with an uneven pace associated with repetitive and sometimes unnecessary mechanics. The game would benefit if some mechanics were simplified, but it is still a very solid option for those who like open worlds, motorcycles and zombies.

Rainbow Six Extraction aims to breach the co-op shooter genre without much fanfarre. Supported by the excellent gunplay of Rainbow Six Siege and its range of characters, it has some interesting mechanics, but they are not enough to make it stand out above its peers. Although somewhat repetitive, it is a solid game that guarantees a good amount of hours of fun among friends.

Despite all its technical limitations, there is something undeniably satisfactory in Farming Simulator 22. The stress of managing crops, inconsistent workers and visual glitches is mitigated by the pleasant pauses to watch the sunset, as we gazer upon a 2 hectar terrain that we sowed and are ready to harvest.

EA FC 26 presents remarkable improvements in terms of gameplay. Once again, it doesn't revolutionise football, but smarter goalkeepers, fluid movements, better ball control and more precise passing - all these small improvements help establish one of the best on the pitch gameplay of the series. However, with one exception or another, the changes to the other modes are conservative and don't change much, although it is clear that monetisation is becoming more aggressive.

All things considered, Crisol: Theater of Idols is a pretty competent horror game. Its AA budget means it can't escape a certain lack of polish (or "jank" in more endearing terms), but that doesn't stop it from demonstrating enormous ambition and a very distinct identity. The gloomy atmosphere of Tormentosa Island is very appealing and interesting, the combat is satisfying, and the game's story is enough to grab us, making it a fantastic proposition for fans of the genre, especially since it has an incredibly competitive price that is rarely seen nowadays: €17.49.

Elden Ring: Nightreign swaps the expansive and striking world of Lands Between for a shorter, more intense experience designed with multiplayer in mind. While the combat remains as incredible as you'd expect, the roguelike nature upsets the balance of Elden Ring, not always in the best way, thanks to an underwhelming meta progression. Some performance problems affect the PC version, but when you're in the company of friends, it's hard to resist the Limveld's appeal, even when you taste defeat.

Battlefield 2042 is the result of an attempted offensive on multiple fronts. All-out War is the major victim of this strategy with several questionable design issues that detract from the experience. Hazard Zone is a solid mode that plays it safe, without risking the formula established by other games, while Portal shines by bringing back the best moments of the old Battlefield games. Made with longevity in mind, Dice has an uphill battle with Battlefield 2042.

With Devolver Digital's seal of quality, Wizard With a Gun cleverly combines the gunplay of Twin-Stick Shooters with the mechanics of survival games. The result is a fun isometric adventure with a double-edged sword in its simplicity - although addictive, it ends up being too easy, which shortens its duration and limits the challenge. Even so, it has enough creative possibilities for a few brave forays to save the world, five minutes at a time.

Dying Light 2 gives us a fantastic world to explore and it's a delight to run around Villedor's rooftops and terraces. The game's plot is not able to keep up with the speed and quality of its acrobatic action, which, even marred by countless bugs, is still an incredibly fun and addictive experience.

Tchia is the living proof that it's possible to make a good game without complex plots or challenging gameplay features. The simple story of the people from New Caledonia is beautiful enough to contemplate and contrasts with our daily life, which is so busy and destructive. Tchia teaches us to stop and smell the flowers, admiring what we really need and valuing the things we take for granted.

Wild Hearts updates the hunting videogame catalog and proves that it is possible to create new franchises inspired by existing IPs. The only thing that separates success is the ability to create something with its own identity, and that's what Koei Tecmo did by delivering this new franchise to fans of the subgenre. Wild Hearts opts for a spiritualist theme that, properly contextualized, enriches the game world and gives a different purpose to the monsters, as well as to the playable character who has the trivial mission of saving the world. Despite the graphical and performance issues, it is always possible to contemplate the grandeur of everything, like weapons, creatures, buildings or even sights.

In short, Ghosts 'n Goblins Resurrection is a glamorous reimagining of a 1985 classic, which is why lots of owners of the Nintendo Entertainment System fell in love with it. The visuals are renewed and it's a challenging experience that will put the patience of any player to the test. Sir Arthur is back in a way that will make you think of the possibility of seeing new things popping up for the future.