Final Fantasy is one of those game series' that I consider to be part of the general education of the gaming world. I can now breathe a sigh of relief that I finally got to experience the magic of Final Fantasy. I'm already eagerly awaiting the release of the next installment on Switch 2.

Fatal Frame II: Crimson Butterfly REMAKE is a completely new version of the game initially made for Playstation 2 and later on Wii. The story revolves around twins Mio and Mayu who find themselves trapped in a village shrouded in eternal night.

R-Type Delta: HD Boosted revitalizes the 1998 PlayStation classic, staying true to the franchise's reputation for grueling difficulty where even the "Kids" setting offers a formidable challenge. As a faithful modernization of the series' first foray into 3D graphics, the game demands precision and memorization from players, punishing mistakes with one-hit deaths and a strict game-over structure that rejects modern hand-holding. Despite its modest audiovisual updates, the gameplay remains deep thanks to three distinct ships and tactical mechanics like the Force unit and the screen-clearing Delta Weapon. Ultimately, it serves as a nostalgic, unforgiving, yet highly rewarding "shmup" experience designed for genre veterans and those willing to endure its trial-and-error nature.

Despite its short length, Terminator 2D: NO FATE is an excellent retro shooter that emulates the '90s gameplay so faithfully that it doesn’t really introduce any particularly fresh ideas of its own. However, as a cultural piece of art, Bitmap Bureau’s latest work is such a spot-on achievement that its minor shortcomings hardly detract from the experience at all.

The wacky and murderous feast gets even better when the universes last hero gains access to a skateboard, a host of new weapons, and an even more diverse playground to wreak havoc in, among other things. High on Life 2 is a sequel that improves virtually every aspect compared to its predecessor, including writing and the jokes. Hopefully the occasional technical issues can still be ironed out – luckily the updates that have been released so far show that things are heading in the right direction.

Aphelion is a fascinating and visually stunning adventure that has some of the best audio work that I've ever witnessed. Gameplay-wise it is quite simplistic – and that may drive some people away.

Without a Dawn feels down-to-earth, even small-scale compared to Makkonen's previous games, but at the same time it's a truly heavy experience. The visual novel takes you straight into darkness, both literally and figuratively.

Reanimal is an audiovisual masterpiece and in many ways more interesting than its twin game, Little Nightmares 3, but it doesn't quite reach the level of a classic status like the opening part of Little Nightmares.

STORY OF SEASONS: Grand Bazaar brings a breath of fresh air to the world of farm life simulations. The adventure breaks the traditional formula just enough to stand out from other representatives of the genre. The game loop is simply addictive and the atmosphere is relaxing – what more could you wish from a wholesome game?

Mario Tennis Fever is a lively and inventive entry that shines brightest in multiplayer, thanks to its creative Fever rackets, varied modes, and accessible controls. The biggest downside is the sluggish story mode, but other than that there is plenty on fun to be had.

The latest installment in the Anno series refines a working concept, even if it doesn't offer any major breakthroughs.

Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds is fast, chaotic and surprisingly deep alternative for Mario Kart World – especially for Sega and Sonic fans. It's like a great rollercoaster ride that just keeps on giving with its inventive cross-world mechanics and wonderful track design.

Death Stranding 2: On the Beach is, in my book, a near-perfect sequel. Many of the criticisms aimed at the first game have been addressed with smart changes that make it significantly more approachable. Visually and aurally, it’s even more stunning than its predecessor, and the new plot twists are truly gripping. Only the masochists who loved the utter bleakness of the first game might not appreciate the improvements that Kojima Productions has made.

A strongly performing sequel brings a long-awaited character back to the books of the living.

A few pacing issues and action scenes take the best edge off the overall experience, but Goodnight Universe is still worth experiencing – on PSVR2 if such a rarity is still available – but even as a traditional game it's a pleasant experience.

Escape from Ever After is a refreshing surprise in this year’s lineup of games and therefore a strong candidate for my personal Game of the Year list. Its whimsical premise, satirical tone, and overall humorous writing – combined with quirky gameplay mechanics and sufficient variety – carry the experience wonderfully throughout the entire adventure. Best of all, it offers entertainment for all ages: cutesy and fairy-taleish' elements for children, and an engaging script for adults that brings a smile on my face time and time again, enhanced by enjoyable gameplay mechanics. The end credits even left a slight sense of wistfulness in the air, as this is the kind of game one would have gladly kept playing for longer.

The ninth entry in the long running main series doesn't quite live up to the perhaps overly grandiose promises of the ultimate Resident Evil experience. The hybrid between survival horror and more straightforward action is still a definite success by the standards of the series.

I have some mixed feelings, but as a video game, Spider-Man 2 works really well. Hopefully Nixxes can fix the random crash issues. I'd still say that the first part worked better for me.

Simon the Sorcerer Origins is a finely crafted and gorgeous throwback to the heyday of the genre. It is witty, fun, and wholesome in a way that should delight gamers of all ages. I loved it more than I could have anticipated.

The Roottrees are Dead focuses on solving the family tree of the rich Roottree family in an interesting and addictive way. The detective-like concept challenges in many ways and rewards attentiveness, quick wits and good reasoning skills.

F1 25 is once again an excellent driving game, but at the same time provides very modest evolution from previous installments. Braking Point storymode is fun but short lived appetite like always. My Team, Career Mode and F1 World can offer nearly endless hours worth of content for hardcore F1 enthusiasts, if their stomachs aren't already full from previous years.

For those with open mind, the long-awaited return of Metroid Prime offers a successful package of action, light puzzle-solving, and above all, a lot of excitement.

Hitman World of Assassination is a rich and highly entertaining package with dozens of hours of content. However, the Switch 2 version suffers from technical limitations and a constant online requirement, which significantly hinders the experience when playing on the go.

The Horror at Highrook is a great pastime for fans of Lovecraft's stories and card & board games. The simple and fairly consistent gameplay loop from start to finish may not be the ultimate challenge for players who crave it. However, if you're looking for a relaxing card game in a horror-themed setting, The Horror at Highrook is a great choice for those sleepless summer nights.

Mario Kart World is an excellent addition to the series – beautiful, fun and imaginative – but it could have been even better, more diverse and worthy of its name. The open world is under used, and Nintendo continues with the familiar and safe line of starting races from the menu and ending them in the menu. Despite its flaws, it's pure fun, whether you're playing alone or with friends and family. And thanks to the new console hardware, it looks better than ever!

Probably the wackiest Suda51 game ever. Fans will love it, others... Well, you just have to try it. As an action-adventure game, it is solid for the most part.

The newest Hyrule Warriors sticks to the tried-and-true Musou formula, blending hack-and-slash chaos with Zelda’s iconic world. While the action is fun and technically solid, the story feels thin and overly familiar, leaving fans wanting more depth despite its canonical promise. I was still thoroughly entertained from start to finish.

It's hard to avoid Skyrim-comparisons when talking about this game, but Awaken Realms still manages to craft their own distinctive dark fantasy world around the familiar bones.