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.

The strategy classic has been transformed into a modern version that carries with it the joys and sins of the original game.

Playing an endless loop was a very fascinating experience in the DEATHLOOP release, but P1: Anchor Light gets on your nerves after just a few plays.

The metagame-like hero motivation game feels fun, but lukewarm.

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.

Although Kirby Air Riders will hardly be remembered as a true classic in years to come, it does offer a lot of fun, especially in good company.

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.

The first Outer Worlds was a decent, if a bit soulless experience. Known for it's strong sequels, Obsidian once again succeeds in making the second one a better product.

PowerWash Simulator 2 follows in the footsteps of its predecessor, giving players exactly what they've always wanted: more dirt.

Jurassic World Evolution 3 is a perfectly fine building and business sim that struggles with a lack of evolution in its genre. It's the best dinosaur park simulator out there, I just wish it didn't feel like so much busywork.

RENNSPORT promises much but delivers very little. A competent driving experience is ultimately ruined by several technical problems and general lack of passion towards racing.

What kind of experience is the new Just Dance from the perspective of a dance newbie? Well, first of all, everything is cheerful, lively, and colorful – which isn’t necessarily my cup of tea, but you get used to it. On the other hand, everything runs smoothly (at least on Switch 2), and the experience has been pleasant enough that I definitely plan to keep sweating it out on the "home dance floor". What bothers me more, however, is the lack of imagination, especially regarding the game modes. It all feels a bit too safe for my taste, even though there’s so much potential to do more.

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.

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

Wreckreation tries to bring Burnout back to life, but it lacks the things that made Burnout fun in the first place.

Syberia - Remastered is successful re-release (especially visually) that remains faithful to the original, though it could perhaps have been refined a bit more towards a modern gameplay experience. However, in my book, the points of criticism are so minor that they don’t spoil the experience at all. On the contrary: even in its remastered form, Syberia remains one of the finest works of its genre from the 2000s. Hopefully the sequel will receive an equally polished treatment in the future, as the first game famously ends on quite a cliffhanger.

The sequel to the legendary Bloodlines disappoints expectations, even though it constitutes a functional, narrative action game.

Ninja Gaiden 4 restores faith in the long-running series after a rather mediocre third entry. The nineteen-chapter adventure is just the right length for this kind of action, especially if you’re eager to hunt down every collectible and fight your way through every (devilish) Purgatory stage.

Dragon Quest returns with a gorgeous set of remakes that make this the best possible way to experience the iconic adventures today.

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.

Even with a few rough edges here and there, Yooka-Replaylee totally earns its spot as a re-release. Playtonic has clearly been listening to fan feedback, and it really shows. Thanks to the solid foundation of the original, the game now feels properly on par with the big names – a genuinely fun (if pretty chill regarding the difficulty) ‘90s-style platformer full of dad jokes, babbling characters, and googly eyes on just about everything. I caught myself grinning more than once, even though that Banjo-style character mumbling might not be for everyone. Don’t worry though – you can turn it off in the settings! And if Yooka-Laylee ever gets a proper sequel, I’d love to see Playtonic go for something even closer to Banjo-Kazooie – more worlds, a tighter structure, and that classic collect-a-thon magic turned up to eleven.

Keeper is a visually stunning game from Double Fine that trades traditional gameplay for a surreal, art-like experience. You guide a mysterious lighthouse and its bird companion through a silent world filled with puzzles, pulsing light, and painterly landscapes. While the gameplay remains simple and occasionally dull, the atmosphere and aesthetic elevate Keeper into something more visually enjoyable than playable.

One of the most positive surprises of the year is here: Digimon Story Time Stranger manages to impress even those who are unfamiliar with Digimon, despite some minor hiccups. It’s a solid turn-based role-playing adventure that even Pokémon fans shouldn’t pass.

Bye Sweet Carole is a very frustrating gaming experience. The adventure is really beautiful, but the impressive appearance alone cannot save the game. The clumsy controls, the back and forth trotting and running away from monsters cause ultimate irritation, so it doesn't matter how beautiful the adventure looks. The thing would work better as a movie: Bye Sweet Carole is nice to watch, but not to play.

The annual hockey update arrived a little earlier this year, but it still feels very much the same.

Little Nightmares III is an atmospheric title that continues the series' typical twisted horror with a too-unsurprising approach. The two-player element doesn't add enough to the package, and many of the levels don't offer enough to explore to make the adventure rewarding. The level set at a carnival comes closest to the atmosphere of the original series, but many other sections lag behind. The Little Nightmares Enhanced Edition, released at the same time, is definitely the best way to immerse yourself in the Tarsier universe; the sequels haven't achieved the same excellence.

It feels a bit tiring to give the same summary every year, but it’s true: despite its shortcomings, EA Sports FC 26 is once again the best football game on the market. That said, there still isn’t much real competition. Aside from Konami’s wonky eFootball (formerly known as Pro Evolution Soccer), there are only a few smaller titles, such as the 5-on-5 game Rematch and the excellent, emotional, story-driven football tale Despelote. However, in terms of style, these play in a completely different league compared to EA Sports FC.

Mario Galaxy 1 + 2 collection mostly just polishes up the surfaces rather than completely overhauls the two classics, but the games themselves are still pretty much the best the platforming genre has seen.