Dawntrail may not be as much of a reinvention of the wheel as it was made out to be. However, it also proves that this formula is still capable of featuring incredible stories and taking us to places that can surprise and challenge our understanding of the world, both in and out of the game. It represents a huge step forward in the worldbuilding of Final Fantasy XIV and its gameplay, giving the player appropriate challenges for the hundreds of hours they likely poured into it to get to this point. If this is any indication of what’s to come, then FFXIV’s next decade is looking as bright as dawn.

Berserk Boy emerges as a standout 2D platformer that beautifully marries fast-paced action with deep narrative elements and vibrant visuals. The game excels in creating a dynamic and engaging gameplay experience through the introduction of Berserk Orbs, offering players a variety of elemental suits with unique abilities. While it excels in presentation and the initial gameplay experience, some aspects, like the underutilized elemental suits and challenging navigation, indicate areas for growth in future entries.

The Land Beneath Us is a fun Rougelike adventure with an excellent theme in Welsh mythology while also well with keeping players on their toes and think in a strategic way to the point that I felt more like playing a dangerous game of chess at various points. Though some characters, like Sven's PC Companion may get on player's nerves, the game's replayability is high and it's story and finding out more about Sven's past keeps the player on board and makes them want to clear each area of Annwn and get every ending the game has to offer.

Marvel’s Spider-Man: Miles Morales expands this series with the addition of a new protagonist. There are some excellent moments of storytelling here as we watch Miles become adjusted to the superhero lifestyle, which is something a bit overplayed through the eyes of Peter Parker. While some moments seem to resemble more of an expansion than a true sequel, the advanced systems, unique battle system, and beautiful environment make this a must-own for any PS5 owner.

Octopath Traveler II is an evolution of this series that doesn’t change the formula of its predecessor but enhances it in almost every way. The characters have their own adventure ahead of them, which eventually becomes a more centralized plot; the battle system highlights strategy through deep character customization and job classes, and exploration and discovery are at the core of the entire experience. There are a few stumbles along the way, but this is an adventure like none other and one I won’t soon forget.

Between Capcom Arcade 2nd Stadium and its predecessor, you’ve got nearly all of Capcom’s most celebrated titles across two epic volumes, both featuring plenty of long-lost rarities too. Sure, a lot of these titles are present in other collections, and you’re basically going to be playing local couch multiplayer, but if you’re after some of the best gaming experiences from the ’90s, then you simply cannot go wrong here. Besides, even the full price of admission is far less than what you would pay for a SEGA Saturn copy of Three Wonders.

Minoria brings an excellent action game to consoles. It plays it safe with its Metroidvania design, but it excels when it comes to immersive world-building and environmental layout. There’s so much to discover here, but expect to die many times doing so. Thankfully, there’s an evolving and competent battle system to rely on.

Phoenotopia: Awakening is a grand adventure with a heart just as large. It wears its influences on the sleeve, but the team’s passion is consistently visible and unabashed. There are some gameplay hiccups, and balance for newcomers is more on the unfriendly side. Still, it’s no doubt a must-play adventure for any seeking a classic action-adventure game experience.

What works so well for Before Your Eyes is the sheer amount of quality and effort put into its creation. It is a simple narrative that’s completely fleshed out thanks to a great cast of characters, pleasant aesthetics, and innovative gameplay. Though it had a small share of technical issues, the game provides the player with a memorable journey of love, happiness, and mystery.

As a free-to-play mobile game, Illusion Connect checks all the right boxes for a quality gacha experience. There’s no pay-to-win systems that I can see and no shortage of content in sight for new scenarios and characters. If you’re trying to spend a lot of time in a mobile RPG, this is one game that you should check out.

Langrisser I & II is a faithful remaster that brings together two of the most important titles in the history of tactic RPGs. The updated visuals and illustrations of the collection make it accessible for new players, but the mechanics stay loyal to the originals for long time fans. Still, I would have enjoyed more differentiation between the two games because the similarities can be jarring at times. Regardless, this is a great game that offers hours of fun with unique characters and story that is affected by player-choice to dictate the tide of war. I could easily recommend it to anyone looking to scratch the retro SRPG itch.

Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds is a fast, stylish return to form for Sega’s kart-racing efforts, blending tight controls with deep customization and a surprisingly generous amount of content. While the core gameplay shines and rival interactions add flair, the overuse of its Travel Rings gimmick and a cautious character roster hold it back from true greatness. It’s a solid, replayable racer that’s fun solo or with friends, just don’t expect it to fully reinvent the wheel.

Olija is a game that thrives in its Asian fantasy atmosphere and well-realized gameplay. The story and soundtrack are artistic and evoke special moods, while the combat and exploration are a neat and interesting package. The journey is short and sweet and only held back by a few stumbles in its narrative delivery.

Natsuki Chronicles is a great shmup that was clearly developed by shmup fans. The game has a refinement to it that eases any pain points someone might have had with other titles in the genre. The accessibility of the systems and constant rewards creates a challenging but approachable experience. The only setback is a few hard-to-spot enemies and a frame drops, but you’ll probably be having too much fun to notice.

Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity excels at being both a lively and addictive Warriors title while also being a competent prequel to Breath of the Wild. The action highlights each playable character’s skills wonderfully while weaving in a strategy item system against bosses. Sure, some environments didn’t translate well to the action genre, but I can see myself returning to Hyrule again and again in this adventure.

Necrobarista’s focus on death is approached in such a unique way that you can’t help but immerse yourself in its setting. You begin to feel as if you are a part of the group, which makes the idea of letting go so much harder. This is a visual novel experience that transcends traditional systems within the medium and is definitely worth your time. Some of the dialogue might go over your head, but this is an easy recommendation from me.

Ace Attorney Investigations Collection is the fittingly excellent final collection for this franchise, bringing over two spinoffs, including one that was never officially localized. That alone deserves celebration, but this sequel is at the franchise's heights, while its predecessor doesn't particularly stand out by comparison. Still, Ace Attorney Investigations Collection is an undeniable must-play for franchise fans as we all await the series' future.

Lost Epic enthralled me for many hours as I explored the vast areas. The fights are fun and fast, the bosses interesting, and the world beautiful. There are a few hiccups in terms of overall quality, but I enjoyed my time with it and strongly suggested that anyone who enjoys Metroid-souls-like games give it a try.

F1 2020 is by far the most accessible simulation racer available, without sacrificing what genre fans love. There are dozens of menus to get lost in with customizable options, but also just as many accessibility features for newcomers. Sadly, the differences between My Team and My Career aren’t as vast as I’d have liked, but nothing really takes away from the fact that this is a damn good racer.

Code:Realize Guardian of Rebirth is full of beautiful set pieces and fantastic characters. The writing paired with the extremely impressive visual style will give any visual novel fan an immersive fantasy experience. It helps that the adventure is filled with great writing for the large cast of public domain characters as the fuel for the entire story.

Persona 3 Reload is a highly-anticipated remake that doesn't deliver on all fronts. Still, it tries to do so with plenty of meticulous care. The added character scenes and new activities make the experience even more compelling, while the modernized visuals and new English voice cast live up to this classic's legacy. However, some of the new gameplay features make the experience too easy and forgiving. Additionally, the exclusion of some elements, like The Answer from Persona 3 FES, make this launch less definitive than it could have been.

Immortals Fenyx Rising is an entertaining open-world title with tons of explorative depth, combative choice, and gorgeous visuals. The writing’s urgency to be as funny as possible is a bit of a turn-off, but beyond that, this is a standout adventure. While not a genre revolutionizer, Immortals Fenyx Rising plays to the genre’s strengths and can easily grant players dozens upon dozens of hours of great fun.

MIO: Memories In Orbit is a visually striking and mechanically rich metroidvania that rewards patient, experienced players with its challenging combat and vertical mobility. Set aboard a derelict spaceship with a hauntingly beautiful hand-drawn aesthetic, the game delivers a memorable sci-fi journey bolstered by fluid movement and smart encounter design. While some systems fall short of their potential and the storytelling remains minimalistic, MIO offers a distinct experience for fans seeking depth and atmosphere in their exploration.

Sniper Elite VR is an immersive FPS VR experience that combines arcade mission types with a simulation level of interactivity. Each mission objective varies, and while the sniper class steals the show, there’s a large variety of weapon types that each feels comfortable and fun to use. Item interaction and limited enemy AI can cause frustration, but after playing, I don’t think I can play this series any other way.

Punishing Gray Raven joins the pantheon of high-quality gacha greats where only so few reside. Following a rocky launch, this game offers intense action gameplay, deep customization, great characters, and highly detailed designs wrapped in a decent free-to-play model. Even though the game doesn’t break ground in the genre, every feature creates a great mobile experience. I feel communication on future events is key to the survival of this western version, but everything I’ve played so far has me hooked.

Harmonic Reflections is a poignant, visually striking visual novel from Laplacian that explores trauma, memory, and emotional growth through the lens of music and personal connection. With a retranslation that elevates its narrative depth, the game offers a short but impactful experience focused on a small, well-developed cast. While its route structure may feel limiting for genre veterans, the emotional storytelling and artistic presentation deliver a memorable summer tale of healing and self-discovery.

Mouthwashing delivers an unsettling, cinematic spacewreck horror experience with a unique narrative exploring leadership and mental exhaustion. While the puzzles offer little challenge, the gripping storyline and atmospheric PS1-inspired visuals create an unforgettable psychological horror. Ideal for fans of walking simulators with a twist, this game explores disturbing themes that you won't easily forget.

It’s honestly great to see a series that was once an expensive import hobby reach such a wide audience. Cotton Fantasy is a culmination of gameplay ideas into one generous package that is feature and content-heavy. If you’re going to buy one game from this cute-’em-up series, make it this one.