Shadow Labyrinth is a sold Metrovania experience but fails a little on its execution.

If you’re hoping that Tamagotchi Plaza has something worth playing on your new Nintendo Switch 2, you’ll be royally disappointed. All you’re subjected to here are a series of minigames that don’t offer fun, rather they’re more likely to offer disappointed sighs because there’s no challenge here, and more criminally than that there’s no juicy meat on its bones, just dissatisfying morsels. Tamagotchi Plaza would be forgiven if there was more going on and if it didn’t feel so unrewarding to play. There is some charm to the characters and the dialogue, and you might find the rap battle to be a tad cool, but everything else is so workmanlike that it seems to peel itself away from the audience it is most-likely to entertain-children. You might come into Tamagotchi Plaza feeling like you’ll be lightly entertained, but all too soon you’ll reach the conclusion that there’s barely anything here that’ll keep your attention for long.

CRPGs are a difficult genre to do well, and are often clunky. Neverwinter Nights 2 is both clunky and old, making it hard to enjoy today. This version has not made meaningful updates to the game, so it remains a pain to play for all but the most hardcore CRPG fans.

A deck building, pixel art, turn based RPG, where Guitar Hero meets Pokémon that absolutely shreds.

College Football 2026 is sport gaming perfection, a marriage made in heaven on the PS5 Pro. Amazingly, EA improved in every way on an already outstanding title.

Essentially, if you enjoyed RoboCop: Rogue City, then grab RoboCop: Rogue City – Unfinished Business, as it’s essentially more of the same but with some tweaks here and there. If you haven’t played the original but you’d like to play a game in which you get to be RoboCop, either is fine, but certainly grab a copy, as it’s a lot of fun!

Somber Echoes is a myth-infused 2D Metroidvania where you play as Adrestia, a fallen tribune navigating a haunting sci-fi world to stop her sister from unraveling reality. With fluid traversal, deliberate swordplay, and striking visuals, it offers a focused and stylish experience. While the combat and story can feel a bit thin, it’s a memorable, atmospheric journey worth taking.

Eriksholm is a visually stunning, narrative-driven stealth game that impresses with its atmospheric world, expressive animations, and grounded mechanics. While the story and level design occasionally lack depth, the game excels in immersion, strategic gameplay, and voice acting, particularly through its lead character Hanna. Despite some technical hiccups and a relatively short runtime, Eriksholm stands out as one of the most memorable and promising games of the year.

Gorn 2 is a decent sequel that takes the simple fun from the original Gorn and tweaks the formula just enough with even more traps, power-ups, and a decent cast of fleshed-out foes to battle. Fans of the original are bound to eat it up, while those new to the series will find a compelling comedy brawler with buckets of charm and chum to spare.

A solid remake that doesn't quite stick the landing thanks to some bewildering soundtrack choices.

It’s harder to recommend Irem Collection Volume 3 to all but the most ardent and slightly masochistic shooter fans.

Klaus Lee - Thunderballs is a fast-paced 2D action-platformer that combines tight jetpack mechanics, tricky puzzles, and explosive charm in a retro-inspired package. With over 100 challenging levels, precise controls, and a powerful level editor with cross-platform sharing, it delivers both a tough but fair main campaign and endless replayability through user-created stages. Its bold style, witty tone, and rewarding gameplay make it a standout for players who love old-school difficulty with modern polish.

It’s impressive that, considering its mix of two very different genres, Crown Gambit very rarely missteps. Through the ten or so hours I spent with Crown Gambit, there were very few moments were I wasn’t completely invested in the fate of Meodred. With fast-paced storytelling and a unique card system, this is a fascinating addition to your tactical combat collection, provided you can survive all that backstabbing.

The Smurfs - Flower Defense is a VR tower defense game where you build, battle, and strategize to protect the Smurf village from Gargamel’s attacks. With hands-on gameplay, character abilities, and mixed reality integration, it offers a fun, fast-paced experience that feels both magical and refreshingly challenging.

An ambitious open world crafting game that ends up feeling grindy and awkward.

An Impressive looking port with disappointing performance on the Switch 2 and an always online requirement, which takes away from what otherwise would have been a must recommend.

Definitely one for fans of JRPG, particularly if you're seeking to maximise your new gaming console.

Build, survive, repeat. Against the Storm is a dark fantasy city-builder that blends roguelike structure with deep strategy and addictive resource management. Every settlement you build is temporary, but the knowledge and upgrades you carry forward make each run feel meaningful. With dynamic weather, unique factions, and smart progression, it’s a game that constantly evolves and it’s finally on Nintendo Switch, where its pick-up-and-play loop shines.

Void Sails started its journey strong, but snail-slow combat and movement took the wind out my sails. An impressive effort by a small develop team, that I wish had the chance to squeeze more juice from the lemon and deliver on what ultimately felt like grand ambition that was unable to be realised.

The Gex Trilogy on Xbox Series X is a lovingly crafted remaster that delivers exactly what it promises: three quirky, nostalgic platformers with just enough modern polish to make them playable in 2025. It’s not a reinvention, and it doesn’t need to be. It’s a celebration of a character who never quite reached the heights of Mario or Sonic, but who carved out a unique, sarcastic niche in gaming’s pantheon.

A sensational remaster of one of the greatest games ever made.

Lovely combination of base builder and tactics, have fun getting lost in a corrupted national park as you scavenge and rebuild.

A lack of an upgrade path for Puyo Puyo Tetris 2 players puts a downer on this otherwise feature packed puzzler.

A bright and bombastic remaster of a cult classic that modern SMT fans need to play.

If you are a fan of Dune, there’s a lot here to enjoy, the interplay between houses, the war of assassins, and of course the fear of being pursued by a worm and only just escaping, or perhaps not escaping. Despite the glitches, I have still found myself returning time and time again, and though some tasks can be frustrating or repetitive, it’s such a beautifully realised world that I don’t really mind. Even when I shut it down to take a break for a while, inevitably I will be firing it up again before long to see just how much further I can get, or what I can manage to get the resources together to build next. I’m so close to being able to build my ornithopter. Definitely jump in and explore!

Kojima Productions have done it again, producing a game that is as engaging as it is strange while improving on the mechanics of its predecessor.

The Alters is 11 bit studio's most ambitious, and possibly best game yet. Combining all their experiences in base building, crew management, resource gathering and survival, they try to pull off something they haven't done before. Create an engaging, huge, sci-fi narrative adventure. And they succeed. From it's themes, to it's music, acting, visuals, survival gameplay loop, basebuilding, and so much more, The Alters is a triumph that exceeds expectations and an unforgettable, deep adventure.

Rooftops & Alleys: The Parkour Game is a rare example of a focused vision executed with precision. It understands the appeal of movement not just as a means of traversal, but as a form of expression. It’s fluid, skillful, and deeply rewarding. While there’s room for growth in content and social features, what’s here already delivers an impressive foundation for the genre. With its complex moveset, robust customization, and adrenaline-fueled design, it simulates parkour perfectly and captures its spirit.

Soulstone Survivors is a razor-sharp, endlessly replayable power fantasy wrapped in smart systems, slick controls, and relentless style. With its deep build customization, satisfying progression, and chaotic yet strategic gameplay, it doesn’t just survive the arena roguelite genre, it masters it.

The S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Legends of the Zone Trilogy - Enhanced Edition modernizes the classic series with upgraded lighting, textures, 3D models, and expanded modding support. Console optimization brings the trilogy to a new audience with multiple performance modes and improved visuals. However, uneven frame pacing, jarring audio levels, and dated mechanics like manual saving and stiff controls remind players this is still a product of its time; polished, but not fully modernized.

One of the best glow ups on Switch 2 brings the magic of the wizarding world to Nintendo's new handheld with aplomb.

Offering a good weekend of binge play, or several days of casual pace, there are a lot of hours of genuine thrilling game play. The DLC is not intended to be the equivalent of the main story line, but it does offer a captivating story and purposeful gameplay, with genuine usable rewards. The ending felt a little predictable, but by no means less satisfying than expected. More precisely, it was so good that you actually are disappointed it finishes.

This is VR done exceptionally well! The visuals are crisp and high quality which draws you into the world to start with. The audio compliments those visuals perfectly by giving you a great mix of atmospheric noises along with fantastic voice acting and compelling music. The puzzles are challenging enough to make you think but not so obscure that you get frustrated. You can actually feel empathy for the spirits you save and seeing their stories play out in front of you is quite moving at times. An absolute must buy if you like a bit of paranormal puzzling.

Nostalgic to a point, yet inviting and accommodating to those new to the genre, Bravely Default remains one of the best RPGs ever created. Though the transition to Switch 2 isn’t perfect, it is still a welcome one, and as one of the cheapest launch titles for Nintendo’s new console, an absolute bargain to boot.

Cyberpunk 2077 Ultimate Edition is a true achievement for Nintendo’s new Switch 2 that will pave the path for more next-gen AAA titles on this console. The game not only looks great but plays exceptionally well and being able to play Cyberpunk 2077 on the go is worth the admission price of Night City!

TRON: Catalyst is a lot of fun. The mechanics of it mean you don’t have to fear being derezzed (though depending on your difficulty setting it might get frustrating) and the fact that starting again (though not exactly from scratch)… adds a nice twist to what might otherwise be a fairly standard isometric action game. Certainly if you are a fan of TRON and like the idea of the wider TRON universe, give it a look.

Considering Battlesector has just celebrated its fourth birthday, Deeds of the Fallen makes it clear that there’s still some life left in the old strategy yet. Deeds of the Fallen was released alongside a brand new game mode, Crusade, further expanding the options available to solo players, and there’s still more content promised on the horizon. Lost in the endless sea of Warhammer games? If you want all the thrills of the tabletop experience, Battlesector, and in particular, Deeds of the Fallen, is the best place to start.

Street Fighter 6: Years 1-2 Fighter’s Edition provides gamers with a very sturdy fighting experience on this new console from Nintendo. It does suffer from a couple of graphical stumbles, and Joy-Con mini-games are more filler than content, but it’s nice that Capcom has provided a great way to showcase the capabilities of this console with their hit game.

Brutal combat, irreverent humour, and a smorgasbord of content make Yakuza 0: Director’s Cut one of the best launch titles on the Switch 2, and also the best way to play one of the best entries in the long-running series. If you haven’t visited the weird and wonderful world of Yakuza before, and a need to play something on it other than Mario Kart World, you have no excuse.

Mario Kart World on Nintendo Switch 2 is pure next-gen karting at its best!

Bringing the best of past Sonic games into the modern gaming world with familiar yet fresh and striking levels.

Above all, Split Fiction is a love letter to storytelling, a reminder of why stories matter and why protecting creative voices is more crucial than ever.

A relatively generic entry into the turn-based, tactical RPG genre, that doesn't do anything especially interesting, but doesn't do anything particularly wrong, either.

Stellar Blade on PC is just as good it not better than the PS5 version and a must play for fans of this genre.

A family friendly VR adventure that is fun while it lasts but ultimately leaves you wanting more.

Badminton Time! is a lively and entertaining VR sports game that blends simulation, arcade action, and party-style fun, making it especially enjoyable with friends. While its movement and swing mechanics can be a bit clunky, its vibrant visuals, creative mini-games, and energetic atmosphere make it a worthwhile experience for casual and social players.

The Phoenix Gene is a bold and stylish VR rail shooter that blends fast-paced gameplay, multidimensional mechanics, and an ambitious sci-fi narrative. It’s an ambitious VR experiment full of potential, hampered by occasional design friction but buoyed by rich ideas and immersive storytelling. While its execution can feel a bit uneven, the game's creativity, replayability, and visual flair make it a compelling experience for fans of action-heavy VR titles.

Gore Doctor is a short, atmospheric horror game with a strong environmental presence and an intriguing premise that blends medical horror with occult themes. While its exploration and mood are engaging, the experience is held back by stiff controls, repetitive audio, technical issues, and a narrative that never fully develops. It’s an uneven but occasionally compelling experience best suited for fans of low-budget horror, ideally at a discounted price.

Whether you've come for a good yarn, intense drama or intriguing puzzles, American Arcadia has you covered nicely without ever overstaying its welcome. Experiencing Trevor's story and the interplay between Trevor and Angela is engaging and high-quality entertainment. It's brief and the characters aren't particularly interesting, but American Arcadia is a game with plenty to say and it's inspired and a brief but pleasurable title that deserves attention.

A true JDM lovers heaven, even a few noticeable bugs couldn't stop me having a blast with JDM. With even more content and improvement, these guys will be unstoppable!

Onimusha 2: Samurai’s Destiny is a fantastic follow-up to a bona fide classic, that handily also doesn’t require you to have played the original to enjoy. The fixed perspective may have felt antiquated even in 2002, but its flamboyant cast, penchant for melodrama, and fantastic combat and boss battles more than make up for Onmiusha 2’s shortcomings. Though a Remaster, in many ways it’s closer to a solid port as it’s been touched up with a deft hand that understands that sometimes it’s the quirks of a game that make it so engaging in the first place.

Old Skies is a surprisingly touching cyberpunk adventure with some great performances and neat time-hopping twists to the standard point-and-click formula.

Cattle Country is a farming sim that presents a rare sense of adventure in the genre. Part cosy farming sim, part survivalist fairytale, part baby’s first Red Dead. It’s a delightful romp that fans of Stardew and Story of Seasons looking for a new twist on the well-worn genre should wrangle as soon as they can.

While the indie market is no stranger to artistic and emotionally resonant games, Copycat on PlayStation 5 stands out as a truly special experience.

AFL 26 is a commendable iteration that refines its predecessors’ foundation while introducing meaningful improvements. The enhanced marking system, deeper tactical options and more challenging goalkicking contribute to a more engaging experience, despite the persistence of some long-standing issues. While the PlayStation 5 version is fast for load times and performance, it doesn’t represent a groundbreaking leap forward for next-gen hardware. Nevertheless, AFL 26 is a significant step in the right direction for Australian Rules Football gaming and fans of the sport will undoubtedly appreciate the considerable effort put into this title.

Deliver At All Costs is a chaotic, heartfelt, and refreshingly creative adventure, worth checking out for anyone tired of formulaic design.

Ultimately, RoadCraft succeeds by doing something rare in today’s crowded gaming market—it delivers a unique, heartfelt experience grounded in tactile realism and purposeful gameplay. It offers a refreshing break from high-octane shooters and competitive multiplayer arenas, asking instead: “What will you build, and how will you get there?” Whether you’re a fan of simulation games, a lover of heavy machinery, or someone simply looking for a unique and immersive co-op experience, RoadCraft delivers in spades. It may not be flashy or fast-paced, but it’s thoughtful, deeply rewarding, and unlike anything else currently available on Xbox Series X.

A strangely, but ultimately fun and interesting spin-off from Elden Ring that works surprisingly well despite its odd choice of mechanics and lingering issues.

F1 25 takes everything the series has been doing over the last few years and tweaks it to improve the experience. A must for fans and newcomers alike.

Overall I enjoyed my time with Chasmal Fear, and whilst I probably won’t return to it in the near future I think it’s good ol’ fashioned video game in how it leans into what it does well without trying to be precious about where it is influenced.

It’s difficult to be negative about Age of Empires 2 DLC these days – the game has simply never felt this good. The DLC benefits from Age of Empires 2’s vast amount of improvements, not least the hefty patch that dropped alongside the Three Kingdoms DLC. With a recent focus on quality of life and making the game feel modern (despite its years) the Three Kingdoms DLC is testament that there’s life in the old dog yet.

Wield a sword/dagger/spear etc of your own construction in this entertaining action adventure with a captivating story.

A beautiful, bittersweet adventure that's best played in VR.

I’m always keen to dive into an RPG, and open-world RPGs provide a satisfying level of freedom. However, if the storytelling isn’t there, interest can fade quickly. Tainted Grail: The Fall Of Avalon doesn’t just hold that interest; it keeps piquing it. When you build your world upon an established legend, it can be tempting to let the existing elements do all the heavy lifting. Here, that legend is simply the starting point and helps color the world, but the new lore is what truly brings it to life! If you are a fan of the Arthurian legend, you might well enjoy this furthering of the stories. If you enjoy open-world RPG games, then definitely grab a copy!

A pointed satire of the human cost of corporate shenanigans, Revenge is a solid sequel that almost didn't exist but I'm sure glad it does.

Some people enjoy the hard slog of grinding away at combat to progress others like to have a bit of challenge but ultimately be able to progress without feeling like they are just locked in a combat Groundhog day. If you enjoy the tough grind then Empyreal may well be right up your alley. If you believe that the easy setting on a game should mean just that and not seemingly be completely ignored when the game starts perhaps give it a miss.

With 8 varied and worthwhile titles to check out from several of Capcom's best series, this is a proper celebration of a bygone but ever-lasting era of fighting games.

Gorn 2 is a decent sequel that takes the simple fun from the first and evolves the formula with even more traps, power-ups, and a cast of crazy gods to battle against. Fans of the original are bound to eat it up, while those new to the series will find a compelling comedy brawler with buckets of charm and chum to spare.

Overall my impression is that Creature Keeper has a lot of potential, and is an impressive accomplishment for a sole developer – and needs more time. However I was left disappointed by how significantly the bugs I experienced impacted on my gameplay, which is such a pity given how much Fervir has managed to achieve already. I would not recommend this in its current state and instead suggest we all wait and see.

Carmen Sandiego, is a good educational adventure game that targets a younger audience (especially those that have watched the animated tv series on Netflix) but still pays homage to the original version. Especially in regard to the cold case files that have a retro feel in terms of the graphics. The mini puzzles are not hard, but they are repetitive, so it would be nice to see more layers of difficulty and variety. The same goes with the options of cities to travel to. I found myself revisiting the same ones over and over and would have liked more options available to provide more exploration. Having to replay capers or solving the cold cases (just to gain more XP) took some fun out of the game because it felt limiting (and more like a chore), but I liked how it was easy to just pick up and play, then put down when I wanted a break.

Please, Touch The Artwork 2 is a playful and poignant journey through the surreal world of James Ensor, inviting players to explore and interact with iconic paintings in surprising, meaningful ways. With its charming skeleton protagonist and clever object-finding mechanics, the game transforms fine art into an accessible, emotionally resonant experience.

Captain Blood is an action adventure game that fails in its attempt of vindication after already struggling to stay above water. It doesn’t do anything new, exciting, or fun being released in this modern era of gaming and even it’s archaic style and influential takeaways can’t keep it afloat with issues such as audio inconsistencies, bland level structure, vexing enemy A.I., graphical hiccups, and pure negligible combat and upgrade systems. Captain Blood should have been a great comeback story, but has sadly been released with no substance, style, or grace.

A devilishly silly shooter that is the very definition of easy to pick up difficult to master.

SteamWorld Heist 2 doesn’t reinvent itself, but it doesn’t need to as it takes what worked in the original, refines it and adds just enough new elements to make it feel fresh.

FH5 brings stunning Mexico, vast content, and thrilling races to PS5 – a truly rewarding and long-awaited open-world triumph.

In the end, Spirit of the North 2 successfully builds upon its predecessor, offering a more expansive world, deeper mechanics plus a richer narrative. With its visual beauty, atmospheric storytelling and engaging puzzles, this is a must play for fans of the original or for those looking for similar games such as Journey and Abzû, this mystical fox’s journey is one worth embarking on.

DOOM: The Dark Ages is a fantastic experience from start to finish. Mixing up the gameplay of its predecessors drastically, while still feeling like DOOM.

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is a phenomenal game in almost every aspect. It is engaging, exciting, dramatic, emotional, thought-provoking, and incredibly memorable.

A unique Metroidvania with a charming hand drawn art style and a fun body snatching mechanic.

Hitman World of Assassination: VR Access on PSVR2 is well worth the price of admission for both fans of Hitman and those looking for their next VR fix. The shift from third person to VR is a small change that makes a huge difference to the game’s flow and feel, offering a level of immediacy and immersion not seen in the series before. While the PSVR patch for Hitman 3 was little more than a curio, the generational leap in both graphical fidelity and control offered by the PSVR2 makes it not only a legitimately fun alternative way to play, an already superb collection, but a must-have addition to any PSVR2 library.

Though definitely hampered by questionable controls and sometimes obscure puzzles and movement… the overall satisfaction of solving a puzzle and seeing what new contraption was revealed kept me going. If you enjoy puzzle games, certainly give it a look.

Yes, the characters aren’t remarkable, and it treads the same tarmac as The Last of Us, but Days Gone Remastered feels like a complete game that irons out many of the aesthetic kinks, while adding more meat in the process. Nobody should feel dissatisfied with the remastering job done here, especially seeing as you now get more for your money.

Fatal Fury City of the Wolves make a nice albeit non-triumphant return to the fighting game arena. Full crossplay compatibility and robust online modes are best of breed.

A bold update to the physics and move to Unreal Engine 5 in this years title introduces more problems than it solves.

A remaster can only make a 20-year old game so modern without becoming a remake. Oblivion Remastered makes the old game beautiful, far less clunky, but it's still the old game at its core.

The Talos Principle: Reawakened is a triumph. Croteam has successfully revitalized a beloved classic, delivering a visually stunning and intellectually stimulating experience. Whether you’re a newcomer to the series or a seasoned veteran, “Reawakened” offers a compelling and unforgettable journey into the depths of philosophical puzzle-solving. The combination of its excellent puzzle design, it’s deep narrative or it’s graphical updates, make this a must play game for fans of the puzzle genre.

Many Nights a Whisper is a unique and emotionally resonant game that explores themes of pressure, expectation and destiny. With its meditative gameplay, philosophical storytelling, and stunning atmosphere, it promises to be a memorable experience for players who appreciate thoughtful, narrative-driven games. If you’re looking for something different, reflective and beautifully crafted, this is one to keep an eye on but just be warned, it does become intense, particularly with that final shot.

A no nonsense survival game about finding a new home for Humanity. It's a daunting task, with life threatening twists and turns around every corner. But the fate of humanity rests on your shoulders!

I was actually quite surprised by just how sweet some of the interactions and stories are. As mentioned, the story with your BFF is quite engaging and seems lovely and innocent. But for those who like a bit more danger or adventure in their stories… there are options for that as well. If visual novels are your thing… definitely check out Renai Bakudan (but only if you don’t mind some “Adult” content).

Rusty Rabbit is a side-scrolling action-adventure game that follows Stamp, a tough, aging rabbit who uses his mech to dig, fight, and explore a sprawling underground world. While it overall mostly feels watered-down with elements of it's gameplay being underutilized and everything being a bit too simple, the game blends fast-paced combat, customizable mech upgrades, and intriguing storytelling in a successful way, creating a rich experience about family, resilience, and rediscovery.

Amerzone: The Explorer's Legacy is a remake of a point-and-click classic that heavily focuses on its intense story through completing environmental puzzles in surreal beautiful landscapes. This version of the game carefully expands and crafts a newly designed world to explore and successfully impresses on all fronts.

Finding Frankie is an original take on the horror genre that sees you sprinting and platforming towards the finish line and away from menacing mascots. Who knew combining the games of Fall Guys and the terror of Five Nights At Freddy’s would create such an ambitious, engaging, parkour inducing time? While the challenge is primitive and the ambition overall leaves some aspects of the game not feeling as fleshed out, Finding Frankie is definitely a game that everyone should at least try.

Shadow of the Damned: Hella Remastered keeps the original’s charm but fails as a proper PC remaster due to minimal effort and outdated design.

A cute and cozy puzzle game that meshes elements of farming and life sims with interesting results.

A Hades clone with a lot of spunk and gritty action to satisfy the cravings of anarchy!

Inayah: Life after Gods has all the makings of a great Metroidvania game, there are definitely areas where the game could be improved and frightened up. The UI could be a lot less clunky to use and Inayah could do with an off switch for her quips; But overall the artstyle and controls make this game well worth playing and I would be keen to try any other games that this studio produces.

Hello Kitty Island Adventure may be one for the fans, however it is also quite welcoming to newbies or those seeking a fun life simulator in building this engaging experience from start to finish.

Space Venture definitely scratches some of the itches but also falls a little far of the mark. It’s not overly long (even with some frustrating late game problems to solve)… but the pop culture references and easter eggs plus the overall vibe do make it worth considering for fans of the original Space Quest games. It is still technically in Early Access so there’s a chance some of the issues will actually be fixed before it is officially released. As it is, given it’s not overly expensive… it might still be worth a look for fans of the original games.