Vampire Crawlers is both a spin-off of the developer’s previous title Vampire Survivors and a game that belongs to an entirely different genre. Even so, it faithfully carries over the core formula that made the original so compelling, delivering the same highly addictive gameplay and extended playtime experience.

Pragmata is a masterfully crafted experience that centers its entire rhythm on the captivating duo of Hugh and Diana. While the core plot may be simple, it is elevated into a beautifully atmospheric story through deep characterization and exceptional presentation. The game perfectly balances their unique traits—shooting and hacking—within a framework of exceptional level design and meticulously tight combat encounters.

Tomodachi Life is all about those cozy, 'small talk' vibes. It’s not a big party game, but there’s a quiet charm in crafting things and watching your island grow bit by bit through your Miis—all at your own pace.

Life is Strange: Reunion feels like a gift to fans, built around Max and Chloe’s long-awaited reunion. Yet that focus comes at a cost—supporting characters, world-building, and even the final choice feel diminished. Still, the two leads retain their bittersweet charm.

A hardcore 3D platformer where countless deaths and failures serve as the foundation for a single, perfect run. The transition to a 3D environment brings Z-axis depth and camera issues that occasionally cause unfair falls, leaving some room for improvement. However, the series' signature ultra-responsive controls and exquisite level design miraculously turn the pain of failure into a clear sense of accomplishment, delivering a brilliantly punishing challenge.

A game built on what could be considered the most powerful IP in existence, it carries an almost sacred and reverent tone. Presented from a first-person perspective that follows the life of Jesus Christ, the game falls short of fully encompassing the breadth of the Bible, with a relatively short playtime and some rough edges in its execution. However, it succeeds in conveying the kind of world Jesus sought to create, as well as the core of his teachings.

Fighting game legend Daisuke Ishiwatari has made his debut in the top-down shooter adventure genre. While clunky enemy AI, hitbox issues, and lackluster sound are disappointing, the game successfully blends top-down shooting with the deep exploration of classic JRPGs and the fun of platformer adventures. I look forward to seeing further improvements through the announced update roadmap.

The eleventh expansion of World of Warcraft introduces a range of new content, including housing and additional features, along with new talents. However, the most significant change is that addons are no longer supported in the game. Blizzard prepared various measures to prevent the resulting disruption, but not all side effects could be avoided, making this an expansion defined by what feels like an “inevitable chaos.” That said, there is clearly room for improvement, and the future still holds promise.

Crimson Desert unfolds in a vast open world filled with an enormous amount of content, but there are simply too many gameplay elements scattered without order, clashing with one another. There is room for improvement, but as it stands now, it falls somewhat short of being a truly great game.

Pokémon Pokopia prompts deep reflection on an age-old question: can Pokémon truly be happy in a world without trainers? The game suggests they're most at peace on their own — yet they still depend on a Ditto taking on a human role, which complicates that very notion. These thematic layers, however, only land because the game itself is genuinely fun. Deep systems, heartfelt bonds with adorable Pokémon, freeform base building, a relaxed pace, and thoughtful design that trims the tedium all come together to make for a thoroughly enjoyable experience.

Monster Hunter Stories3 sheds the juvenile tone of its predecessors, delivering a profound narrative and deep progression through its new 'Rewilding' system. By adding strategic depth to the classic rock-paper-scissors combat, it has finally transcended its spin-off roots to fully realize its identity. For fans of monster-taming RPGs and hunters seeking a fresh take on the hunt, this is the definitive choice.

From classic survival horror to brisk action, there is nothing about Resident Evil Requiem that feels out of place for the series. Bringing together three decades of history is no small task, doing so in a way that feels genuinely fun is even harder. Yet Resident Evil Requiem pulls off this seemingly reckless ambition with remarkable confidence.

A standout title that successfully balances both roguelike elements and SRPG depth. Its rough-edged visuals, offbeat black humor, and somewhat predictable early turn-based exchanges may pose an initial hurdle. Push past that, however, and you’ll find a rich playground of builds and combinations, where genetics, roguelike progression, and class systems intertwine to offer remarkable variety and replay value.

Sons of Sparta ends up as an uneven effort that falls short in both story and gameplay. Neither a compelling spin-off nor a satisfying side-scrolling action title, it struggles under the weight of the God of War name and never quite lives up to it.

Tarsier Studios' new title, REANIMAL, overwhelms players with its grotesque atmosphere and direction. Its strengths lie in the immersion created by a UI-free interface, proactive action, and AI cooperation. While the short playtime and the easing of tension in the latter half are regrettable, Tarsier's unique horror formula is excellent.

Kiwami 3, burdened with the series’ greatest expectations and doubts, set out to preserve the original story while filling its gaps. Though not flawless, it ultimately overcomes its limits, coming closest yet to the “Kiwami” ideal.

Dragon Quest VII Reimagined wraps 40 years of tradition in charming, modern puppet-theater visuals. Its story and art shine, but dated combat and reduced depth may divide players. Lacking flashy thrills, it rewards those who appreciate a slow, subtle richness.

An open field and two distinct battle styles mark Nioh 3’s key changes, blending well with the series’ trademark difficulty. While enemy variety remains limited, it is well suited to test your skills and kick off the year with intensity.

Dynasty Warriors: Origins – Visions of Four Heroes feels like a somewhat half-hearted DLC when compared to the excellent main game. Each individual story is interesting, and the newly added content doesn’t look bad at first glance, but the price is far too high for the amount of content on offer, and the game’s balance has become oddly skewed. Even so, because the base game itself is so strong, the experience remains enjoyable to play.

Cairn goes beyond a simple climbing game, turning the human drive to endure pain in pursuit of a summit into play. Its meticulous physics give weight to the question of why we keep moving forward, delivering a thoughtful take on struggle and achievement.

Arknights: Endfield is an anime-style RPG that skillfully blends adventure, action, and factory simulation into a cohesive whole. Its distinctive art direction balances realistic textures with stylized characters, while strategic combat, well-structured building and production systems, and solid optimization come together without any obvious weak points.

MIO experiments with a range of ideas within the Metroidvania framework. Some of these changes stand out, while others fail to push beyond boundaries already explored by the genre. Still, its dreamlike world and the sense of mystery that holds it together give these efforts—and their limitations—a distinctive charm.

Metroid Prime 4 isn’t the perfect answer to 18 years of anticipation, nor does it always match the brilliance of the earlier entries often hailed as masterpieces. Still, that doesn’t mean it falls short where it counts. It may not hit every note fans hoped for, but both longtime players and newcomers will find plenty to enjoy—and enough moments that remind them why this series endured in the first place.

The essence of a true B-grade game returns. Beneath its off-kilter weirdness lies combat that strikes at the core of action itself—distance control and psychological pressure. The title may insist you should ‘let it die,’ but ironically, it’s a descent into hell that makes you fight to live more desperately than ever.

My Little Puppy is a heartfelt digital tribute that gently comforts those facing pet loss. Its charming Corgi details shine, though the clunky controls are a drawback. Still, the story of a departed companion coming to meet you transcends its technical limits, offering a warm, resonant experience for anyone grieving a beloved pet.

“Life is a tragedy when seen in close-up, but a comedy in long-shot.” Charlie Chaplin’s words capture Black Ops 7 in a single stroke. The campaign disappoints when viewed as a traditional Call of Duty experience, but if you set your expectations aside and view it simply as a co-op experience, it goes down a bit easier. Meanwhile, its multiplayer endures, drawing players back with reliable run-and-gun pacing and solid gunplay.

ANNO 117: PAX ROMANA is not a typical city builder; it is a simulator that requires balancing supply and demand within a detailed economic system while also considering diplomacy. The result is a deeply engaging experience, though the high level of concentration it demands can be somewhat exhausting.

The two-year wait for the new FM entry proves to be half worth it. The remaining half will depend on how well future patches refine the experience after launch.