Kudos to SEGA! The Murder of Sonic the Hedgehog really shows what the developers are capable of. This inspired and creative game has already captured the hearts of many fans, and it captured mine alike. With its vibrant and immersive gameplay, this adventure is perfect to fill an afternoon with. Here's to hoping that SEGA sees the positive reception and makes more Sonic content like this. I already can't wait.

With a gripping, haunting narrative that isn't afraid to tackle darker themes, one of the best turn-based battle systems in RPG history, a gorgeous world to lose yourself in, and some of the best music and performances in years, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 feels like a miracle game. How Sandfall Interactive managed something this amazing on their first go around is a genuine Herculean achievement. This game is a love letter to the rich history of RPGs while also being the blueprint for the next step forward. This is my current Game of the Year frontrunner for 2025 and I can almost guarantee that if you love RPGs - whether you prefer turn-based or action - this game will blow you away.

Mario + Rabbids: Sparks of Hope is a masterfully made Tactical-RPG which brings both color and flair. If you are looking for a light hearted adventure carrying the spirit of the Mario + Luigi series look no further than this game. It features visually stunning environments and incredible music all meshed together alongside amazing gameplay that never gets old. What it lacks in challenge Sparks of Hope makes up for in pure fun that will keep you coming back to play. The amount of polish and effort here is astounding and makes the game worth your time.

Laugh Track is a game that broke me. I played it live on stream for this review, and I literally had to stop. I cried. I cursed. I walked away from it. And I can’t recommend it enough. It is hard—not from a difficulty standpoint, not like the visual novel equivalent of Hollow Knight—but in how heavy it can be. I have no doubts this is a divisive title. You’ll either be touched by it or think it’s pointless, and I don’t think many will land in between. And you know what? That’s okay. This game isn’t for everyone. But for those who need this game right now, at this moment in our history… it’s here. It sees you. Because of course it does—did you see how many eyes it has?!

Part rhythm game, part platformer, part boss rush, No Straight Roads takes the best parts of these genres and forms a fun, groovy whole that'll have your ears tingling, heart pumping, fingers twitching, and feet tapping. For Metronomik’s first game, you wouldn’t think it given how much of a blast No Straight Roads is. In fact, in this author’s opinion, the only major downside to it is that it feels too short. But even if that’s the case, the game doesn’t drag on to the point of fatigue, each little collectible or side mission or story beat sitting comfortably where it needs to be. I picked this game up for the premise alone, but the bosses and music definitely helped me stay.

Overall, Slay The Princess is a groundbreaking indie horror game. Choose-your-adventures often share the flaw of pointless choices and straight storylines, but Slay The Princess offers a unique story in a way that a choice-driven narrative should be played. With great characters and stunning visuals, it's important to detail how Black Tabby Games ensures a captivating narrative as well. This is a game you could play for hours and still discovers new scenes. A game that deserves to be played.

To call Baldur's Gate 3 a great game would be an understatement. Overlooking a handful visual glitches, every moment of Baldur's Gate 3 is dripping in fantasy goodness. Flawlessly succeeding in what most choice-based narrative games seem to fall short of perfecting, the freedom of choice is endless. The D&D based gameplay sticks close to its roots, with a blend of genres and lore as well as the implementation of the ever-present dice roll and turn-based combat. After "only" 80 hours of gameplay, every moment of my playthrough has engulfed me in a sense of childlike wonder which comes from a well crafted piece of fantasy. No game is perfect, but with Larian Studios staying committed to player experience and releasing quality of life patches since launch, Baldur's Gate 3 is not far from it.

This game is a masterpiece. It feels good to play, looks absolutely gorgeous and runs like a dream. The setting and story are similarly top tier, and I would have to dig deep to fault CONTROL: Ultimate Edition. It hasn't won a boatload of awards for nothing.

Do not pick up the game if you are looking for a fast-paced adventure heavy on whipping out six-shooters. Fans of real-time tactics should give it a look though because the gameplay here is top-notch. With Mimimi still improving the game with the Bounty Hunters update and level editor, Desperados III is a game you will want holstered when riding off into the sunset.

The biggest problem with trying to score a good game is figuring out what it deserves. Eastward has its issues, and as I've been saying, I don't think everyone would enjoy it as much as I have. However, I believe the best way to determine if a piece of art is good or not is based on how it engages you. I couldn't put Eastward down for three days straight. Nearly everyone I talked to about it commented on how they haven't seen me this excited about something in a long time. Maybe it was just in the right place at the right time, but I loved it! Give it a try! Maybe you'll love it as much as I do!

Pragmata is the experience of raising a child disguised as an action-adventure shooter with ADHD-fueled mechanics. From the moment you meet Diana, she’s integral - at first because you literally need her to progress, but very quickly because the game does something magical: it makes you want her there simply because she’s her. You watch her grow. Evolve. You bond with her. You give her presents and sit there while she plays. Moving through the world of Pragmata becomes a heart-wrenching journey, packed with so many twists you’ll wonder if you ever have time to breathe - and in a small, quiet way, that is parenthood. That’s the experience this game wants to share. And that’s what elevates Pragmata beyond just another space shooter where you kill robots. It makes it something more. It makes it an experience.

Steelrising is a masterclass on creating mechanics and controls that work in perfect harmony. It reinvigorates a genre that's quickly becoming over-populated, and stands out as an example of extraordinary game design. Steelrising will go down as one of the best releases of 2022.

Crimson Desert is one of the most expansive RPGs I have played. It is a bold open-world experience with rich lore, atmospheric immersion, and dynamic gameplay. Despite the vastness of the world that overshadows the whole story and narrative, it still grips you and keeps you engaged with pursuing new mysteries. It is an addictive game, especially due to its scale. I am still finding new things to this date, and every time I feel amazed. One of the great reasons that I recommend this game to every RPG enjoyer is the care from the Devs. The devs are still hard at work pushing out patches and working on further improvements and features requested by the players.

While a great addition to the We Were Here Series, Expeditions: The FriendShip is not likely to blow your mind. If you are ok with a slower-paced, purely puzzle-based game that runs on the shorter side when you have an hour or two to kill with your friend online, this is a worthy title to look at. It's also a great way to introduce yourself into the series as a whole and help you decide if you want to sink your teeth into one of the other, longer, games. While I do personally prefer couch co-op, this is one title I'm sure to get back into time and time again for my online co-op needs, which are more and more common these days.

Aliens: Dark Descent is a heart-pounding game that stays true to the franchise's roots, bringing action-packed sequences paired with horrifying atmosphere where dangers lurk around every moment. From the terrifying enemy AI to the Unique Quirks that define every soldier at your disposal, Aliens: Dark Descent is the perfect recipe for those who seek a definitive Aliens experience.

9 Monkeys of Shaolin should be on every GOTY list for the excellent package the team has put together. The combat feels great, the art style and graphics look fantastic, and the voice acting and storyline were executed wonderfully. If beat 'em ups are your jam, or if you just want to have fun with a game, this should be a must-buy. Do yourself a favor and get into this incredible title.

3 Out of 10 is an outstanding mixture of cartoon and game, which gives an ironic look at the video game industry. It's a genuinely funny title, which at the same time makes use of all of the power of Unreal Engine 4 and manages to handle serious subjects. The season ends with a huge cliffhanger, which isn't bad at all. But there's a flip side to that coin, though, since I cannot wait a year to see more misadventures of my beloved characters.

Whether you're a long-time fan revisiting Nosgoth or a newcomer discovering it for the first time, the new versions of these two classics offer a fascinating experience that honors the legacy of the originals while incorporating modern enhancements. With their captivating storytelling and polished gameplay, Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver 1 & 2 Remastered is a shining example of how classic games can be modernized for a new generation.

Insomniac once again delivers an authentic Spider-Man experience with Spider-Man 2. With improvements across the board from previous installments and an expanded New York City to explore, any Spidey fan will enjoy this game. Even if you are not a fan or haven't played the previous games, Spider-Man 2 brings an amazing open-world experience that can make anyone a fan of Peter and Miles.

Dynasty Warriors: Origins revitalizes the Musou franchise with a fresh story centered on an amnesiac Protagonist, innovative gameplay mechanics like Bravery and Squad Tactics, and breathtaking visuals. Combining classic 1 vs. 1000 battles with new systems and perspectives, it offers an engaging experience for both fans and newcomers. Omega Force and Koei Tecmo has delivered a promising and polished entry that redefines the series' potential.

Xenoblade Chronicles: Definitive Edition perfects and fine-tunes one of the most venerated RPGs of the last decade. While the English voice acting and the occasional resolution dip is disappointing, they made such a meaningless difference that it didn't matter in the end. The gorgeous visual upgrade, the wide and varied locations, the deeply entertaining battle system, and the exquisite soundtrack all add together to one of the best RPG experiences possible.

Simply put, Undusted: Letters from the Past is one of those games that feels close to perfection. It has a beautiful story that sucks you into the life of Adora and her parents, addictive gameplay that feels satisfying, a realistic art style that oozes nostalgia, and a haunting soundtrack to soothe your soul. Although this game only takes a few short hours to complete, there's no doubt it will touch your heart strings and make you feel nostalgic yourself - and want to go through your own old stuff to see what stories and memories they uncover.

God Of War Ragnarok is an instant addition to the collection of PlayStation classics, standing as one of the best games of all time. It manages to outdo its predecessor in every way possible and despite some of its issues with its ending and a few plot points feeling rushed, it does not take anything away from the masterpiece this title is. Santa Monica Studio continues to produce excellent and masterful experiences with Kratos, and the door is most certainly open for more.

Jetpack Joyride 2 is a great and wonderful addition to any gamer's collection. The concept is solid, and the gameplay is a blast to enjoy by those that decide to give this video game a try. Once the player initially gets the hang of it, Jetpack Joyride 2 will fly on by with complete addiction. If you haven't tried this game, then you should.

Hogwarts Legacy provides an expansive world of magic and mystery. With a main story that is both whimsical and gritty, and over a hundred side quests, there are countless reasons to ply out an enchanting life in the game. Occasional graphical issues are noticeable but overall negligible to the abundant sense of wonder. Hogwarts Legacy is a spellbinding and enchanting experience not to be missed.

For those who enjoy an old skool FPS and want a great time, this can’t be recommended highly enough. Bounding Box have nailed that run & gun feeling with excellent graphic & audio presentation throughout, accompanied by a cathartic soundtrack which propels you through an excellent campaign full of well-designed set pieces. This features some of the best gameplay since DOOM(2016) and for an indie title, that is high praise. Get it played.

All in all, this is a great game! It is jam-packed with story and lore, features classic 2D pixel art and 8-bit music too. It has brought classic genres to a new light in fun and interesting mashups that vary in difficulty especially with the 'glitches'. My only complaint about this game is the mislabeled controls on the PC version.

CrossCode is one of the greatest games of all time. It manages to combine varied top-down combat with ingenious puzzles in a focused and purposeful way. Its beautiful graphics, gorgeous music, heartwarming story, and topical message make this a game you cannot miss.