The Jackbox Party Pack 11 delivers a lively mix of five all-new party games, showcasing Jackbox Games' continued creativity and understanding of group dynamics. From the collaborative fantasy trivia of Legends of Trivia to the absurd audio fun of Hear Say, this pack leans into originality and variety. While some technical hiccups and niche design choices hold a few games back, the overall experience is built for laughs, competition, and replayability.

Morbid: The Seven Acolytes is a challenging game which generally incorporates both the good and annoying elements of a Souls-like experience. Still, it manages to stand out thanks to its strong dark fantasy presentation, rich Lovecraftian lore, and gameplay systems that offer methodical combat and plenty of features to make the adventure satisfying. It’s a difficult game, for sure, but it doesn’t forego quality-of-life features for the sake of being difficult, and so in this sense, many players outside of the Souls fandom can get something out of it.

The challenge I described at the beginning of this review is capably met by Homeworld 3, even if its story felt a little simplistic. Its lightweight story did not stop me from being captivated by its depiction of the endless, beautiful void of space. The frustrating, difficult-to-master control scheme has been both modernized and preserved for those who crave the classic experience. It's easily beautiful and satisfying enough to meet the standards of classic players and entice a brand-new crowd of interstellar heroes.

Kingdom Hearts: Memory of Melody is an incredibly charming game that finally brings the stellar array of music from the series into the spotlight. Its various options and modes allow any Kingdom Hearts fan to enjoy, but it doesn’t completely make up for some of the missing tracks. Still, the memories that these songs hold are represented brilliantly by a competent and addictive rhythm system that you’d be hard-pressed not to love.

Mistonia’s Hope -The Lost Delight- offers a rich narrative that blends cold revenge with emotional character development, set against a fantasy backdrop of noble intrigue and slow-burn romance. Though the romance unfolds gradually, the emotional payoff is significant for those patient enough to follow Aprose’s journey to healing.

Ever17: The Out of Infinity is a legendary visual novel that blends gripping storytelling, intricate character routes, and mind-bending twists. Originally released in 2002, this HD rerelease modernizes the experience while preserving the atmospheric tension that made it a cult classic. With its multi-protagonist perspective, immersive soundtrack, and layered narrative, Ever17 remains a must-play for visual novel fans—even if some script changes and added content may divide purists.

Fuga: Melodies of Steel 2 is a remarkable sequel that borrows many gameplay elements and assets from its predecessor while introducing new systems that improve the experience. Regardless, the emotional impact of the story weighs differently on the cast this time as we explore Malt’s mental capability and how he struggles with leadership. It’s a genuinely addictive and heartwrenching experience that delivers during every moment of gameplay.

Tails of Iron borrows inspiration from other challenging games, but its beautifully crafted world and thought-provoking narrative definitely deserve your attention. Every new area offers more to explore and tests your skills to see this rodent’s adventure through until the end. Tails of Iron is an under-rat-ed gem that will make a mighty fine addition to your indie game collection this year despite some rare bugs and needed updates to the combat systems.

Zool Redimensioned takes a classic game and makes it so much better. It’s an easy recommendation for platforming fans, even with so many other great games available in the genre. Sure, it carries some baggage from a bygone era where far too many games were trying to be Sonic, but this new release gives some measure of identity to a cult classic. Whether you’re a fan from the old days or simply after a well-designed platformer, Zool Redimensioned is quite literally the student textbook on genre fundamentals.

Rising Hell is a standout roguelite that isn’t trying to break your budget. Those new to the genre and diehards alike will find plenty of depth to this challenging skill-based experienced. Its lasting power is yet to be seen, but bursts of gameplay provide enough to warrant multiple playthroughs as you try to get further. Rising Hell delivers a unique spin on the roguelite formula and creates a balanced experience for any who plays.

Streets of Rage 4: Mr. X Nightmare DLC exceeded my expectations, adding to an already fantastic game. The new characters and weapons deliver a unique experience, and the survival mode can keep you playing for hours. On top of that, the price is exceptionally reasonable for what you get. If you are a fan of beat ’em ups, this is one DLC that shouldn’t be passed up.

Rubato is a wildly unpredictable physics-based platformer that thrives on chaos, blending fast-paced traversal, absurd humor, and constant mechanical shifts into an experience that defies easy explanation. What begins as a seemingly simple 2D adventure quickly evolves into a genre-hopping, idea-dense journey filled with strange characters, unexpected gameplay twists, and a surprisingly compelling underlying narrative. While its early pacing and tonal randomness may alienate some players, those who embrace its unconventional structure will find a deeply engaging and rewarding experience that stands out in the indie space.

Metal Max Xeno: Reborn not only feels like a far more complete and polished game than its immediate predecessor, but it’s also true to the Metal Max experience. There’s no JRPG quite like this desert-punk vehicular combat RPG, thanks to its rich post-apocalyptic setting brimming with content and deep customization options. The best part is, that you get to save humanity from extinction at your own pace.

Dirt 5 provides a more approachable racer that acts as a decent successor to Dirt 4 and Dirt Rally while taking on the series in a few different ways. Diehard series fans might miss some of the more simulation aspects from the series, but Codemasters definitely found a healthy balance of the two offerings. Sure, you might not be blown away by the graphics, but you won’t go wrong adding this fun racer to you next-gen launch catalog.

Legal Dungeon will be a standout in my mind for an unidentifiable but significant amount of time. I’d highly recommend it for fans of detective dramas, unorthodox adventure titles, and puzzle game players who like their stories with extra intrigue.

Dogworld is a charming retro-inspired 2D Metroidvania that provides a unique gameplay experience through its aesthetic, story, and mechanics. However, the game suffers from mirroring its retro-inspirations too closely. Still, my general first impressions didn’t fail me, and I found a lot to love about this quirky adventure.

Picross S SNK Classics & NeoGeo Edition brings nostalgic charm to Jupiter’s beloved puzzle series with pixel art tributes to SNK’s legendary arcade catalog. Featuring content from The King of Fighters, Metal Slug, and Samurai Shodown, it combines polished mechanics with SNK flair. While the presentation delights longtime fans, the lack of deeper historical context holds it back from being a definitive celebration.

The Switch is a good home for Ultimate Ninja Storm 4 Road to Boruto. I didn’t have an issue with online gameplay or any of the single-player modes, and other than a few frame drops, fights were fluid and responsive. If you’re a Naruto fan and have somehow not played this game yet, this is probably the perfect way to.

Synergia is excellent for any fans of cyberpunk thrillers. Getting to understand the nuances of this world and the clash of humanity and AI as the lines blur between their differences was a great experience. The illustrations and supporting cast only complement the joy of following the relationship of the main protagonists. There’s a few moments of overwhelming exposition and confusing plot points, but it all leads up to a satisfying conclusion.

The Walking Dead Onslaught is an awesome VR experience that centers around these characters that mean so much to fans of the show. The developer did a great job adapting the narrative of the show with an original story that feels like it could be its own episode. Killing Walkers has never been more fun, and I would happily go on another supply run again, even if it means encountering some random glitches.

I set my expectations for The DioField Chronicle relatively high, which is a recipe for disaster. However, I’m pleased to report that I enjoyed this game at every turn. This ambitious cast star in a narrative that is running a contest for how much wool they can pull over each other’s eyes, and I am here for it every step of the way. I’d like some more, please too. A sequel or something in the same world with more political mayhem sounds fantastic. And more Waltaquin.

Ninja Gaiden 4 marks a significant evolution for the iconic action series, blending the punishing precision fans expect and putting that on the shoulders of a new protagonist with some of the most stylish action systems to date. While its narrative stumbles and some enemy encounters repeat, the fluidity of its systems and incredible pacing make it one of the most thrilling action games in recent memory.

There’s no doubt that the F1 series feels like a yearly iterative experience, but Codemasters has done an outstanding job with F1 23 because it improves upon last year’s title in almost every way. The increased accessibility options, enhanced driving mechanics, and welcome return of the Braking Point story mode are all steps in the right direction for the Formula 1 gaming community.

The lore-heavy narrative also becomes increasingly compelling thanks to a multi-faceted and charming cast. When throwing in a new game plus and even a brand-new difficulty into the mix, Visions of Mana is a refreshing modern classic that can hook you for a gripping 60-70 hours without relenting.

A clever narrative adventure, The Posthumous Investigation transforms the works of Machado de Assis into a noir-inspired mystery set in a stylized Rio de Janeiro, blending literary homage with investigative gameplay. Its looping structure and character-driven intrigue create a compelling puzzle, even if rigid progression and limited interaction occasionally disrupt the flow. The result is a thoughtful, atmospheric experience that rewards patience and curiosity while introducing players to a rich cultural legacy.

Diablo II: Resurrected is a faithful remaster of the original that defined the gold standard for the action role-playing genre. With 4K graphics, a higher frame-rate, fully remade cinematics, and a vast array of quality of life changes, this is an experience that serves as a love letter for nostalgic and veteran players and an enticing invitation for newcomers.

Stranger of Paradise Final Fantasy Origin is an undeniably stellar action game boasting addictive mechanics that will cater to a myriad of crowds. Even when accounting for a few minor critiques, the combat is some of the best the franchise has to offer. Further, its clever writing choices and conclusion will undoubtedly be lasting and impressionable for those engaged by the narrative.

There was a lot of meticulousness shown in the creation of a story-based game like South of the Circle. Though it’s not perfect, and the gameplay may not be to your liking, the level of interactivity and immersion that emanates from Peter’s life is impressive. Just like a cinematic film, it left me thinking about the experience. the characters, and what I had just witnessed. I felt like I had left a movie theater with a satisfied grin on my face.