Ara: History Untold does a fantastic job at giving players the freedom to shape their Nation how they see fit, whilst keeping everyone in a toothy race. The Nations themselves could be more distinct, but the game mechanics more than make up for that.

The Plucky Squire is a gorgeous, entertaining adventure that will keep you hooked until the final page. While lacking in challenge, the creative set-pieces, beautiful visuals, and mini-games do the heavy lifting.

NBA 2K25 shows yet again why Visual Concepts' basketball game is leagues ahead of other titles in the genre, but the usual monetization woes hold it back like they do every year.

Space Marine 2 is a masterful game with a captivating, gorgeous, and action-packed campaign. The multiplayer systems are impressive, expansive, yet slightly disappointing given the disparity between the modes. Regardless, it's a must-play.

Age of Mythology: Retold is brimming with contrasts, and yet the game's most important asset, the combat and myth units, aren't as interesting or exciting past their legendary visages.

Madden NFL 25 is a step in the right direction for the franchise and we hope EA keeps this momentum going to make the next entry even better.

SteamWorld Heist II is a captivating blend of strategy and action that delivers a truly solid experience. The game's turn-based combat is a highlight, offering a satisfying mix of planning and execution, and the job system adds to character progression and customization. Mission rewards and necessary backtracking can detract from the overall enjoyment and pacing, but if you don't mind a bit of a grind, then SteamWorld Heist II is definitely worth checking out.

EA Sports College Football 25 is a triumphant return for the NCAA, and the excellent framework makes us incredibly excited for the road ahead.

Kunitsu-Gami: Path of the Goddess manages to pull two genres together in a way that captures the best of both worlds, and wraps them up in beautiful traditional artstyles with a soundtrack to match.

Elden Ring Shadow of the Erdtree is an outstanding addition to one of the greatest games of all time.

Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance is exactly what the series needed, adding on a ton of much-appreciated quality-of-life features and a wealth of new content to the already stellar skeleton that SMT is known for.

Senua's Saga: Hellblade 2 is a brutal and mind-bending journey through Senua's eyes and ears once again, but this time through Viking Iceland. With new puzzles, tense combat scenarios, and evocative visuals, Hellblade 2's only downfall is it's occasional slow pacing and its technical problems.

The PC port of Ghost of Tsushima Director's Cut is the definitive way to experience the game.

A brutal RTS game that will not let you catch a breath, Men of War 2 is a great gameplay experience that needs its other aspects to be on par with how complex and thought out its core is designed.

Mullet Mad Jack is a hyper stylized shooter with a lot under the hood. The simple yet addicting gameplay loop is more than enough to keep players engaged for the long term.

Another Crab's Treasure is a colorful and lively platformer that's also a tough action RPG with Soulslike combat. They juxtapose each other perfectly, and I had a fun time discovering shells, collecting microplastics, and defeating grueling bosses.

Botany Manor is a colorful exploration game with clever puzzles to solve and an intriguing narrative to back it up. With each problem solved I felt gratified and smart for putting together the right clues and reading between the lines. The environmental storytelling and the relaxing atmosphere made me want to explore every nook and cranny of the manor.

With its previous visual and gameplay quality vastly improved, Horizon Forbidden West's PC port not only is the ultimate Horizon experience but is also an accomplishment in porting and video game development.

While not exempt from some unpolished elements, MLB The Show 24 manages to bring forth a great baseball experience with the potential of bringing new players to the table with addicting gameplay and a variety of modes.

Dragon's Dogma 2 is an incredible fantasy RPG that immerses you into a living and breathing world full of memorable NPCs and terrifying monsters. It often starts to feel old-fashioned in its gameplay design, but you can find the charm in it after many hours of gameplay.

WWE 2K24 is a huge win for the series. If you look past the technical issues, you can see a full packaged game. However, the premier mode WrestleMania may leave you unsatisfied with how empty it can be.

With a wonderful setting in 20th century Warsaw, The Thaumaturge combines perfectly the fantasy of magic and the rawness of human nature.

Last Epoch delivers an innovative ARPG experience with exceptional build customization and accessible crafting, bolstered by its refreshing time travel mechanic. However, a weak narrative, limited character customization, and repetitive endgame loop somewhat hold it back.

Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth is a spectacular adventure with best in class combat and visuals that remind you why this world is so beloved to begin with. Rebirth's greatest strength is not how it reimagines the original game for a modern audience, but rather, how it inspires a modern audience to appreciate the original game.

With a variety of smart enhancements that keep the player experience firmly in mind, Persona 3 Reload reminds everyone why the original game was one of the finest of its era.

A game that has more bugs than it intended but still produces a standout experience. Helldivers 2 gives scale and gravitas to alien warfare in good old-fashioned multiplayer fun.

Most gameplay elements in Banishers: Ghosts of New Eden have been done before, but they're pulled off way better in this title. The choices you make carry the already gripping story. Missing out on this experience may haunt you for years to come.

Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League is actually a good game. The good found in gameplay, cutscenes, and level design far outweigh the bad found in the campaign's pacing and some grisly missions and boss fights. Overall, I am pleasantly surprised with Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League, flaws and all, and will definitely be sticking around.

Tekken 8 is a stellar entry to the series with something for everyone. Whether you're a grizzled veteran or just want to play as the guy who looks like Bruce Lee, there's never been a better time to enjoy the King of Iron Fist tournament.

Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth builds on everything that came before it to provide one of the medium's most essential RPGs, filled to bursting with an unrivaled bounty.

While Sovereign Syndicate offered a rich world with colorful characters and an enticing story, I left it feeling like there was more to see. Luckily, its unique Tarot system and detailed dialogue kept me intrigued.

While Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown's story doesn't match the immersion of the gameplay, it does its best to hold everything together during its second half. However, with solid but challenging combat and platforming, it seems like the Prince is using his strengths to deliver what may be the franchise's most compelling adventure yet. It's not perfect, but it's far from subpar.

Avatar Frontiers of Pandora soars to new heights with its innovative gameplay mechanics and gorgeous world design. But I constantly found myself hitting walls and fighting against the game's combat instead of working with it. There were moments that I dreaded partaking in, and others that I reveled in.

House Flipper 2 rewards creativity and puts out a relaxing vibe that can be downright addictive.

Star Ocean The Second Story R is a fantastic remake with a gorgeous visual style. The specialty and item creation systems create a beautiful harmony with the gameplay to make this one of the most satisfying gaming experiences of the year.

Knuckle Sandwich revives a lost genre while sparking a whole new one. It's uniquely clever and effortlessly funny.

KarmaZoo is a lovely co-op adventure that has some outstanding visuals, alongside tremendous platforming. But it may get repetitive fast due to a lack of game modes.

Persona 5 Tactica seamlessly blends the SRPG genre with Persona 5. With combat mechanics that elevate the game and a story that ramps up to be enrapturing and heart-wrenching, Persona 5 Tactica is easily my favorite Persona spin-off, and I hope Atlus makes more SRPGs with this style of gameplay.

Alan Wake 2 is survival horror at its best, runs and looks stunning, and consistently left me enticed. It's a mystery-solving and ghost-fighting narrative experience that'll leave you wanting more.

With a compelling, troubling, and disturbing story and art style, Little Goody Two Shoes is a must for anyone that is familiar with or new to the genre - in this case, a multitude of genres. Creepy, beautiful, dramatic, and memorable.

The Invincible sets out to make you think about what if "not everything, everywhere is for us," and it does not disappoint in the slightest. With cutting-edge graphics and a compelling storyline, the only things holding this game back are its occasionally confusing objectives and relatively mediocre NPC design.

Original and imaginative experience for a puzzle game that delivers on what it is.

While slightly let down by the gameplay, it's still nice to see a refreshing take on the genre. If Outerloop can look back and improve its offerings with each release, I’d say this is one studio to watch out for in the future.

Lord of the Rings: Return to Moria blends survival adventure and sandbox together fantastically. A very satisfying and rewarding experience all around.

World of Horror gets its art direction and gameplay mechanics right. But it comes with a learning curve, and can eventually feel stale after doing the same mysteries multiple times.

Mostly lives up to the promises and hype built around the game. An all at once engaging, intriguing, funny, satisfying, and deep experience.

Lords of the Fallen sets a new benchmark for all Soulslikes out there. It masters what we love about the genre, and adds to it in many ways. It won't get better than this for a while.

Disgaea 7: Vows of the Virtueless mostly feels like business as usual, which is good news for long-time fans and newcomers alike. Some rough edges have been smoothed, though, and the polish works alongside a few smart new features to produce one of the finest entries in the series to date.

A callback to what made Assassin's Creed a hit for many over the years. While the main character and the movement fall somewhat short, the world and reintroduction of classic mechanics make up for that in a big way.

Forza Motorsport is another fantastic entry into the series. Bringing some fantastic tracks, visuals, and elevating the already stellar driving.

High on Knife is as perfect as a High on LIfe DLC can get. It builds upon the mechanics of the first game, providing a funny and fresh experience.

Moonstone Island refreshes my love for games like Stardew Valley and Pokémon, but still exerts its own unique identity. But sometimes with an amalgamation of genres, the details can get a little blurry, and there are certain aspects that sour the experience. Overall though, this was, and continues to be, a very adorable and compelling game.

You'd be missing out on a ton of amazing content if you don't play Separate Ways. This RE4 Remake DLC brings you back to some stellar combat and an engaging story, while also giving Ada the spotlight she deserves.

With the responsibility of becoming the next great Mortal Kombat game, Mortal Kombat 1 is a masterclass in gaming achievement. While not perfect, it surely brings the ultimate Mortal Kombat experience to the table.

Party Animals is a blast and a half! The music slaps, the animals are adorable, and the maps are magnificent — all of it works to create an addicting game that I want to keep coming back to, especially as more is added.

Though Starfield is an ambitious sci-fi adventure that's incredibly fun, beautifully nostalgic, and will age like fine wine, there are several fundamental decisions that Bethesda sticks to that makes Starfield feel like it's stuck in 2011... for better and worse. Ultimately though, Starfield is yet another Bethesda classic.

Baldur's Gate 3 rolls a natural 20 in all aspects. From the characters and story, to the gameplay and graphics, I highly enjoyed my time with Larian Studios' latest title, and I'm still playing and discovering things to do. Despite the few criticisms, none of them overshadow the incredible things this game achieves.

Armored Core 6 is rocket power — high-octane action, adrenaline-pumping propulsion, riveting ramifications all retrofitted to a world and a story that set the stage for greed and humanity to fight to the brink of total annihilation... and see what lies beyond. It's a fast-paced thrill ride that has a few bumps when it comes to consistent boss difficulty, viable builds, and clear storytelling, but when you're blazing at breakneck speed, you hover right over the divots.

If you've been praying for a good Metroidvania, then Blasphemous 2 has come to offer you salvation. Strange cutscenes aside, this is an exceptional game full of tight combat, satisfying secrets, and incredible bosses.

The Texas Chain Saw Massacre game does not just use the horror franchise as an aesthetic but builds its core mechanics around the film's essence. The cinematography, music, and tone have been studied with religious fervor to recreate the macabre world Tobe Hooper created almost 50 years ago. Moreover, the gameplay and character progression give it the "just one more" feeling that is severely missing from other asymmetrical horror titles. The Texas Chain Saw Massacre game transforms the iconic franchise into a terrifying experience that will haunt players for a long time.

Atlas Fallen may not have the most captivating storyline or impressive sound design, but it more than makes up for these shortcomings with its outstanding combat system, level design, and traversal mechanics. Fans of collect-a-thons will be pleased to know that Atlas Fallen offers plenty of hidden treasures to uncover, ensuring hours of gameplay. While it may be overlooked by some, Atlas Fallen is a true sleeper hit of the year that should not be missed by any gaming enthusiast. Overall, it's a must-play for those looking for a thrilling and action-packed gaming experience.

Lisa: Definitive Edition tells a story that's just as relevant now as it was in 2014. A prescient, necessary revival.

Marvelous Inc. recreated a great remake of the 20-year-old Story of Seasons: A Wonderful Life. While there are some things that make it feel outdated, there are also plenty of quality-of-life changes that make this a worthwhile farming game.

Diablo 4 may not be perfect, but it remains a rock-solid dungeon crawler with a lot of promise for the future.

Street Fighter 6 is the complete package and offers heaps of content, whether you're competitive or casual. World Tour is a surprisingly strong addition to the single-player experience, and the series has never been more approachable. If you ever wanted to 'get good' at a fighting game but never felt you had the tools, now is the time.

Darkest Dungeon 2 doubles down on what made the original so special, presenting a roguelike adventure where swings in mood carry just as much weight as swings of the sword.

The warm drinks you brew are as warm and satisfying as the atmosphere this game induces. Coffee Talk Episode 2 continues to be a relaxing and enjoyable drink-making game, while also having intriguing stories and interesting characters.

Dredge delivers fish and fear in equal measure, providing an atmospheric escape, and a world you'll want to thoroughly rinse for all it's worth.

Beautiful, complex, and captivating, Terra Nil is a delightful strategy game only held back by a smaller amount of content and some difficult-to-fulfill objectives.

Breezy and cute, Plantera 2 has more of what made the original so charming.

Lovely and captivating even if it's a bit lacking in substance overall. But you can fly around a gorgeous open word as a bird and freely play a ukulele, so this one's a win in my book.

A high-quality translation and port that builds on the wonderful work done by a passionate community. Trails to Azure's story is impactful, but issues with its pacing can make it feel longer than it needs to be. Even so, this is still a great JRPG that fans of the genre would be silly to pass on.

Capcom knows how to nail a remake, with Resident Evil 4 being a intricate mix of scares, humor, and fast-paced combat. Although I had a few complaints, I extensively enjoyed my time playing this third-person shooter.

Filled with solid level design, exciting combat, and challenging platforming, Vernal Edge is a worthwhile Metroid-like that very much has its own identity.

Octopath Traveler 2 is one of the best JRPGs ever made. It continues to deliver on what made the original so good while improving on its weaknesses. Its only true flaw is that the new Crossed Paths stories are treated as a side act rather than the main selling point. Despite this shortcoming, when all is said and done Octopath Traveler 2 will be remembered as an all-time great.

Wild Hearts apes Capcom's monster-hunting series, and does so well while introducing new elements that enhance the genre.

While the game is an excellent spiritual successor to the Castlevania series, it also does enough on its own to help it stand out from the crowd.

An ambitious and mostly fun shooter that delivers a satisfying BioShock-inspired story, but Atomic Heart falls short of greatness due to evident feature creep, frustrating platforming segments, and silly oversights in terms of its accessibility.

Like a Dragon: Ishin! is another strong Yakuza game that fans won't want to miss, finally localized for English speakers. The improved visuals often put the package in line with more recent fare, but the uneven results prevent it from finding the true greatness that was nearly within its grasp.

It lacks ambition and doesn't have much to differentiate it from its peers, but the design is so solid and the world is fun enough to explore that there's certainly a good time to be had in Elderand.

Although the writing and characters aren't all great across the board, Ten Dates is a surprisingly engaging experience filled with lots of fantastic acting, plenty of content, and some tight editing.

Hogwarts Legacy sets a new benchmark for video game adaptations of novels and films. Although it has some notable flaws, it has numerous moments that leave you spellbound.

Despite the occasional bug, Dead Space is a faithful, fantastic remake of a beloved game.

Hi-Fi Rush swings for the fences and hits a home run with its incredible rhythm-based gameplay and combat mechanics that are more complex than you might initially assume.

Forspoken isn't perfect, owing to a middling campaign and a need for more optimization. Still, its spell combat system and parkour mechanics are top-notch, with landscapes and abilities that can truly amaze.

Second Front is not literally a PC adaptation of ASL, but it is as much we could hope for under these socioeconomical conditions.

While fairly short and easy, SpongeBob SquarePants: The Cosmic Shake does a good job of bringing the cartoon world to life with good writing, fun platforming, and colorful, varied levels.

Season: A Letter to the Future might not last long, but it's a lovely experience for anyone who enjoys taking their time, piecing together lore, and photographing everything they see.

This isn't the definitive version of Persona 3 that it could have been, but it's hard to deny that the game is still highly enjoyable all the same.

Vengeful Guardian: Moonrider has a lot of heart and very strong level design, but its weakened by a low level of challenge.

As far as games in the series go, One Piece Odyssey is one of the best if you don't mind the narrative issues. I wasn't expecting it, but it ticks all the boxes that a solid JRPG needs.

Unity of Command II: Desert Fox DLC gives the glory and the grime of Western Desert campaign as well as plenty of what-if scenarios.

Wavetale is only four hours long and can be too one-note for its own good, but a captivating world and resonant story make it worth playing all the same.

High On Life is a hilarious piece of comedy that also makes for an enjoyable first-person shooter, especially if you're into Justin Roiland's brand of humor.

Marvel's Midnight Suns offers a surprisingly complete experience, going above and beyond what you're used to in XCOM-esque tactics games. From the dynamic card combat system, robust customization options, and hilarious banter with teammates to the fact that you've got a fully explorable hub with secrets, it's got everything you could ever want and then some.

Crisis Core is still a favorite of mine after all these years and it's even better with greatly improved combat. The character models aren't necessarily an improvement and the price is too high, but this is a reunion that's well worth attending.

Knights of Honor II: Sovereign does quite a few things right, though it could use more polish for many aspects of the game, starting with the voice lines that generals get.

An excellent action game with terrific combat and spot-on controls. The campaign is at a decent length, but there should have been more to do after clearing it.