What can you do: SHINOBI: Art of Vengeance is an absolutely brilliant action blast, oozing with style. Gamers in their thirties and forties will certainly notice various Sega references, but on the other hand Lizardcube has found such a timeless style for the game that even complete newcomers are bound to enjoy it.

It's still hard to find anything bad to say about the game itself. Of course, re-releasing a title that already worked perfectly fine in first place is somewhat pointless. On the other hand, if the great source material gets a new audience this way, so be it. Especially first-time platforming fans, go shopping.

The most beautiful and versatile UFO strategy game since 1994's UFO: Enemy Unknown.

An unexpected delight, Octopath Traveler 0 isn't just a superbly polished addition to the franchise, it's one of the best RPGs of the year.

Earthion is an amazing shoot 'em up, that by no means revolutionizes the world, and those who are already lukewarm toward the genre may not find a new favorite here either. But it’s impossible not to appreciate how everything that Ancient and Bitwave have done radiates love and passion for the genre as well as for the Sega’s old hardware. Since the final product is simply a thoroughly well-designed and polished game with awesome soundtrack, why not reward it with five stars?

Little Nightmares Enhanced Edition is the best way to experience the series' first installment. It's still a great game, even if it's a bit frustrating at times due to the difficulty spikes.

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is a masterpiece that clearly draws inspiration from other RPG's, but does so with such elegance and skill that it stands firmly on its own in an overcrowded genre – thanks in part, of course, to its own unique tricks. In an age of cynicism and uncertainty, it's wonderful to get our hands on something this magical.

I enjoyed every second of playing Wanderstop. The music is charming and the tea making process – and the various steps involved – are all incredibly cleverly constructed.

Joyful co-op adventure Split Fiction has some minor faults, but in the end it is filled with so many unforgettable "whoa!" moments, it would feel wrong to give this anything else than full five stars.

If you’re not yet tired of Japan filled with samurais, Assassin’s Creed Shadows is highly recommended and a triumphant return to more open-worldy formula. Scratching the surface reveals an experience that feels very familiar and safe in many ways. However, that’s not a negative thing. Sometimes it’s simply really enjoyable to return to familiar video game series that you can almost guarantee it works well. With AC Shadows, it is also noticeable that every aspect in the game has improved since Valhalla.

Action doesn't usually integrate well to point-and-click titles, but The Drifter is an exception. It holds its own with both its calm sections and its hectic moments. It feels like an interactive audiobook that you don't want to put down. A captivating summer paperback.

Kirby and the Forgotten Land – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition + Star-Crossed World offers a visually enhanced version of the original game along with a short but enjoyable set of new levels and abilities. While the added content isn’t extensive, it’s a fun expansion that complements an already excellent platforming experience.

Mixtape is a great game in every way, both audiovisually and narratively. Realistic yet magical. Funny yet melancholic. A short, meaningful story about friendship and life.

Minishoot' Adventures was stumbled upon on Game Pass by total coincidence, but it immediately charmed a bit sour game journalist, maybe forever.

Despite its difficulty, Sektori is pretty much a perfect arcade-style twin-stick shooter and has fully earned its score. Even after hours of gameplay, I still don’t feel particularly skilled, but that is by no means the game’s fault – quite the opposite. I’m aware that I’m only at the beginning of my journey and nowhere near satisfied yet, and I intend to continue my “studies” with the game so that I can climb as high as possible on the global rankings. Sektori is a modern work of art that justifies every one of its gameplay design choices with style and craftsmanship. Instead of mocking the player, it rewards improvement fairly as skill grows.

While the early-2000s humor is often grating and dated, there's no denying that everything else about Mewgenics is nothing short of magnificent. This is a wildly inventive and deeply compelling hybrid of genres that will keep you occupied for years.

Hades II is a sequel to one of the best games ever made, and it just might be even better than its predecessor. This is a wild, imaginative, and thoroughly captivating ride that will mesmerize for years to come.

Ghost of Yōtei is a great, but still somehow safe sequel, a little bit like Horizon Forbidden West was. Then again, it's been years since the previous entry so yes, this is certain to please fans of Tsushima too.

Overall, Tales of Xillia Remastered is a really enjoyable experience. If you haven't played the Tales of games before but are interested in them, Xillia is a great place to start, as it's story and mechanics are so fluid.

Sword of the Sea is a gorgeous and hypnotic arthouse epic full of incredible set pieces and stunning visuals that sets another high bar for studio Giant Squid as the premiere destination for meditative gameplay.

Millennia is a grand and demanding 4X strategy game that caters to players who crave complexity beyond Civilization. Its deep resource management, alternate historical ages, and massive scope create a rewarding experience for dedicated strategists. While AI shortcomings and shallow diplomacy remain issues, a year of updates has turned it into a polished and engaging title.

The Alters is an excellent narrative survival adventure from 11 bit studios, combining base-building, resource management, and story-driven gameplay. Players control Jan Dolski, the sole survivor of a botched space mission, who uses clone "alters" with modified life paths to aid his survival. The game masterfully blends exploration (à la Satisfactory) with personal dilemmas, as Dolski navigates not only a dangerous planet but also the emotional complexities of his cloned companions. Balancing immediate survival with the psychological weight of these choices, The Alters delivers a gripping experience deserving top marks.

Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 ends on a brilliant and melancholy high. This is a near-perfect expansion that highlights everything great about Henry's adventures. I will miss this world and these characters dearly.

I can’t say how much fans of the original work may be irritated by the changes made to gameplay or graphics, but from a personal perspective, Dragon Quest VII Reimagined completely won my heart. The diorama-style presentation, charming visual design, successful changes to pacing, masterful music, and of course the safe yet great gameplay made this "bloke" long for simpler times. At every turn, the game radiates a warm, cinnamon-roll-scented coziness – as if I was returning to my own lovely home after a long journey.

A delicious puzzle-roguelike charms, but suffers from lack of save options.

Gorgeously crafted and with an impeccable balance between arcade thrills and meticulous simulation, Forza Horizon 6 is the best racing game on the market.

The end result is a top notch when gameplay, entertainment value, and difficulty level are perfectly tuned to the same pitch.

Donkey Kong Bananza is probably the game that will be best remembered as the main attraction within Switch 2 launch window. As with most Nintendo titles, the main focus is providing as much fun as possible.