If you love experimental genres, tower defence games, high-quality Japanese 2D art and are into weird, tangled stories – congratulations! You are one of the selected few to this game can be easily recommended to. For the rest of you, it’s a gamble. Either you will love it or simply detest it.

To put it simply, Contraband Police is an FPS version of Papers, Please. As a ‘’border patrol sim’’, it offers a great experience and adds some interesting fresh elements to the genre, but is let down by its low replay value.

As long as you like the genre, it doesn’t matter if you’ve played the originals - this game is a true gem. With its impeccable charm and infinite replayability, chances are you'll never remove it from your Switch library.

Strayed Lights is a wonderful game similar to an arthouse film in its presentation. It is an interesting addition to the rhythm genre with its color-matching parry system, which makes the game unique. You can complete the whole game without attacking even once!

Burning Shores is just more of the original game, yet prettier, with more breathtaking views. While it’s an essential addition to the franchise, it will hardly attract any new fans.

The remake of one of the most iconic games of all time finally got its PC version. Unfortunately, it is plagued with bugs and glitches, and the optimization is extremely poor. If you are not in a rush, wait for a more substantial update that will hopefully solve most of these problems. In the meantime, give it a try on the PlayStation 5 if you have the chance.

Dead Island 2 is a great sequel. This provides an easy choice when looking for reasons to play it. If you know what to expect, you will find plenty and more. Don’t ask for too much, and you will surely have a blast. A genuinely bloody blast indeed.

Goblin and Coins II is a great nod to old-school platformers. It adds some fresh elements to the well-established formula, giving the already challenging (and sometimes frustrating) gameplay more depth and making it more enjoyable. If you're a fan of games such as Disney's Aladdin or The Lion King, try this one.

Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty is a lovechild between Sekiro and Nioh games with some Chinese mythos and history sprinkled on the top. It is a truly great combat experience that is drawn back by somewhat convoluted storytelling, lackluster decisions to simplify magic and attributes and severe optimization problems. With that said, it is a really fun experience that any fan of the genre will surely love.

Tchia is a great game to get you acquainted with New Caledonia, but even more to get you relaxed. Charming graphics and some really strong atmospheric moments make this world a joy to explore. The lack of strong story direction may put you off from playing it, but if you are the laid-back kind, it is an experience you surely will remember for a long time.

It’s been so long since I’ve played the original, but I still can’t believe it was this good way back then. An amazing atmosphere, extremely fun combat, locations brimming with charm and the very essence of the survival horror genre make this one of the best Resident Evils ever created. Regardless of the direction the franchise took with this sequel, there’s really plenty to enjoy here.

Otherwar is a hidden gem for any fan of Tower Defense or Bullet Hell games. Its unique blend of genres makes it stand out from other games on the market. Its retro graphics are well designed, the gameplay is smooth, and the soundtrack is great. On top of that, it has a lot of replayability, which is always a plus.

Octopath Traveler II is amazing in every way, yet tarnished by the fact that it is a sequel to an excellent title, which brings next to no improvements to the table. Charming graphics, stunning music and great stories still make this a great experience. Just one bit less surprising than the original was five years ago.

Mato Anomalies is an interesting mix of multiple different JRPG styles and their respective gameplay mechanics, as well as some visual novel elements. Sadly, it falls down to the PS2 era with its lacklustre voice acting and visuals but is still an ambitious and very enjoyable game.

You could call Elderand a safe bet. If you are craving a good quality metroidvania game where you know what to expect, look no further. This is a solid adventure that brings nothing new to the table, but what it does serve, is unmistakably good. Just don’t forget to keep your expectations in check.

BROK the InvestiGator is a definite surprise in the point-and-click genre. On top of its surprisingly good story, world design and accessibility options, the addition of beat ‘em up mechanics really takes the cake in the best way possible. A great spin on the classic point-and-click gameplay.

This game blows all expectations out of the water. Bayonetta Origins: Cereza and the Lost Demon is a phenomenal experience with its interesting character control mechanics, beautiful world, superb voice acting, and music. If you are a fan of the main Bayonetta series, you need to add this game to your collection.

The first Atelier series to follow a singular character throughout its trilogy is coming to an end. The gameplay is still the same at its core and still very enjoyable, but it features some refreshing new mechanics. Overall, Alchemist of the End & the Secret Key is a worthy finale for such an iconic series.

Wanted: Dead had great potential but was utterly bogged down by poor gameplay choices and bad technical design. It crashed twice on PS5 in a two-hour play session. All in all, you are better off playing any Ninja Gaiden game until this goes on sale.

The Settlers: New Allies is a basic and easy RTS. Unfortunately, the game has no complexity for an RTS which hinders advanced strategies and even “cheese” mechanics. The campaign is forgettable, and the skirmish mode offers little in variety, not to mention the horrible multiplayer stability. I was very hopeful for a new Settlers game but got a “Babies first RTS” instead.

Returnal is a fast-paced third person action roguelite that will test your skills and reflexes. However, the PC port is an unoptimized mess that will deter skilled players from playing due to the abundance of frame stuttering and constant crashes. A beautiful and fun game, hindered by lazy optimization.

Metroid Prime Remastered is not only an amazing upgrade to the original game but also one of the nicest-looking titles on the Switch platform. An experience that not only aged greatly when it comes to its gameplay but also one that shines with new life through a modernized control scheme. If you ever wanted to play a Metroid Prime game, there is no doubt that this is its definitive edition.

Like a Dragon: Ishin! is a delightful remake of a Yakuza spin-off that genuinely does the original justice, expanding on the combat and making it even more fun. It offers an exciting murder mystery story and crazy side activities that may be a bit more serious this time (just a tad, though).

When the greatest flaw of a game is the amount of dedication it requires from the player, you know you are diving into something special. Not every player is going to enjoy the uninviting limitations of the genre, but those that do manage to stay around are in for a treat. One of the most charming anime-styled games of this type and has a story worth seeing through.

Hogwarts Legacy brings the world of Harry Potter to life, more than we could ever hope for. A weaker main story and some unpolished elements can’t dent the armour of a mind-blowing atmosphere built through a world that feels truly alive. When it comes to world-building, this game is a true monster - a beast that will engulf you until every last corner of it is explored, and every story brought to its end. Undoubtedly a masterful experience.

Elderand is an excellent mix of Metroidvania and hack 'n' slash gameplay. It feels like a dark fantasy medieval Mega Man with some fresh touches. If you are a genre fan, you will surely have a blast playing it.

Atomic Heart is a love letter to retro-futuristic soviet aesthetic incorporated in an intriguing story and decent combat that will put you in a genuinely immersive and exciting world that does not overstay its welcome. It comes with its flaws, but it is such an audio-visual spectacle that tends to become better as you give it more time to open up, and it will surely stay in your memory as an original and fun experience.

Scars Above remind us how a high budget and piles of content don’t necessarily make a great game. Yet, simplicity and balance between all the elements may raise the fun factor to its limits. Initially unoriginal but more intriguing as you progress through the game, this one truly is a short but sweet experience that brings back "fun“ to the “interactive fun“ - something we don’t see on the market that often anymore.

If you want to scratch that retro Doom FPS itch, Prodeus could be just the game to do it for you. The Switch version is inferior to other platforms hence even more retro, but the true magic lies within its fast-paced gameplay and lots of enemies to cut through with a flashy arsenal. If you like games like these, give Prodeus a chance.

One Piece Odyssey surprisingly captures the charm of the show. The world is great, and the action looks superb. Even though the story is shallow and predictable, with too much backtracking, and the battles are far too easy, this is one of the best One Piece video games ever made. If you like the show, don’t miss out on grabbing this treasure.

Knights of Honor II: Sovereign is a medieval real-time grand strategy that does something to perfection, but also fails to deliver in some other important aspects. While the game does feel fresh, it's also far too similar to its predecessor, that got released almost 20 years ago. As an older player, it feels good to play the game again, but it’s also disappointing that the studio didn't add many new features that were, and still are, missing.

Forspoken is an absolute disappointment with ridiculously cringe storytelling, a dead open world and lacklustre AI that prevents the creative combat system from really reaching its potential. With obnoxiously bad optimization for both PC and consoles, this is a game that just tries to be an average open-world experience with some assumed original twist but fails even to meet its mediocre expectations.

Fire Emblem Engage combines some of the renowned elements of older titles and pushes them through a more modern presentation. It looks great, plays even better, and a few additional modes are a nice bonus. While the essence of the series remains to be improved in the future, especially when it comes to a fair way to level up characters or navigate through somewhat clunky menus, Fire Emblem Engage has to be one of the best instalments the series has to offer.

Pushing out new content and cosmetics kept this game fresh and of unwavering quality all these years. If you are into Dragon Ball, this definitive next-gen edition of Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot is the way to go, no doubt about it.

Dead Space remake improves the original in terms of visuals and audio vastly, yet gameplay remains mostly the same. It may not have aged that great, but for fans that just want a major graphical overhaul and some new content, this is a dream come true.

Blacktail is a true hidden gem that is just a perfect window into an Alice in Wonderland-like world full of Slavic myths and masterfully written characters with a lot of lore and care written into them. The combat doesn’t revolutionize the genre, but it poses a beautiful atmospheric experience that many people will enjoy.

MH: Rise is an excellent addition to the franchise, and it worked flawlessly as one of the best Nintendo Switch titles. This next-gen port lives up to the expectations and provides great new gameplay inclusions and mechanics. However, but still fails to come up with the masterpiece that was MH: World due to its hardware limitations in level design, difficulty and overall graphics and atmosphere.

Somerville begins with a promise and ends… It ends wherever you end it, for not all players will endure its 6-8 hours-long run. It is a far cry from the previous „Playdead“ experiences, yet it still holds enough charm to be recommended to fans of this unique genre.

Santa's Gifts is a Christmas-themed, physics-based puzzle game. With only 15 levels to play, the experience is concise but is still a fun way to spend a few snowy, tea-sipping evenings, especially if you’re in a festive mood.

A great and refreshing spin on the FPS genre. Out of Bounds is a puzzle shooter in which you are tasked with creating a game and fixing bugs in a very novel way. The game is pretty short but has excellent replayability potential, which finds a balance.

Need for Speed Unbound is the best modern NFS to date. It is still riddled with issues like rubberbanding and weird drifting physics, but it still provides its players with the best handling system in years, with grip racing finally back. With the best visual design NFS has ever had and some interesting campaign decisions, it gives hope that the series is back on track to becoming something great.

Regarding recent games in the Marvel universe, we had a rollercoaster of various qualities. This one is a gem in the rough, and it can be polished to a fantastic shine with a complete and patched edition down the line.

Maybe not as impressive as the original was 15 years ago, but Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII Reunion remasters almost everything possible to remaster without entering the area of remakes. Some elements still smell of an old design made for a portable console, but it does not change the fact that this is the definitive way to experience Crisis Core, one of the best PSP games of all time.

If you are a horror fan who has never played a Yomawari game, Lost in the Dark will offer you a unique horror experience. But if you are an old fan, this feels like a recycling of the first two titles. Either way, it is an excellent game if you are into an unusual mix of creepy and cute.

If I had to put it simply, Valkyrie Elysium is a great classic action RPG. With great art direction, inspiring music and very fluid and agile action, it’s a spicy cocktail for players that enjoy some fast-paced gameplay.

There is absolutely nothing to complain about the final appearance of Nathan Drake, this time finally on PC. It plays remarkably, it looks even better, and now with a keyboard and mouse, you can have the most enjoyable shooting experience. An immaculate must-play for action-adventure fans and anyone who owns a PC.

Triangle Strategy is an excellent addition to the genre, but it might be a disappointment for fans who were expecting a FFT or a Tactics Ogre Clone. The story is great, the replayability is high, and the gameplay is almost completely devoid of grind, but it still might be a turn-off for some players because of its steep price.

The Dark Pictures Anthology continues to deliver intriguing stories told through a well-written narrative. Only this time, it feels like we have even less control over the flow of the story. Whether the controls are to blame, weird choices or an even more present army of bugs and glitches, The Devil in Me remains an excellent addition to the franchise, but the next one should be better.

The Chant tries hard to convey certain spooky vibes with its occult exploration of the human psyche and emotions but ultimately fails to impress with mediocre combat, forgettable story and lacklustre enemy design. It has some great ideas, acting and visuals, especially for an indie game, but it never uses them to the fullest and is drawn back by many of its flaws.

This is an amazing nostalgic collection for any TMNT fan, but also for anyone who wants to experience a bit of gaming ancient history, especially the difficulty.

Soul Hackers 2 is a surprising sequel. But another surprising thing is its accessibility and openness to the new players of the whole Shin Megami Tensei franchise. If this is to be your first one, it’s an excellent step to take.

Sonic Frontiers starts slow and puts you in a state of confusion. But as the game unravels further, it turns out to be an unforgettable and highly entertaining experience. It lacks a lot of polish, but even that does not manage to diminish the skyrocketing fun factor that will surely keep you hooked for hours.

Rabbids: Party of Legends is a great party game with varied and exciting game modes that are unfortunately locked behind an XP progression. However you will still have a lot of fun playing with friends, but when it comes to the solo mode, results may vary. The biggest downfall of this game is the lack of online multiplayer, which would have been a great addition since people are still reluctant to have big gatherings or for people that have friends and family that are not living close by. It is still a fantastic party game that will give you lots of content and fun at a bit of a steep price.

Persona 5 Royal is the ultimate way to experience the renowned game. It may be worth a lower price upgrade if you already have it on the PlayStation 4, but for newcomers, it is hands down the best edition to get. And you should.

While the game is called Overwatch 2, this all seems more like a transition to a full new game. The biggest changes are dropping the 6v6 gameplay in favour of a much more exciting 5v5 format. Three new heroes are also available, along with a new game mode, but for a final and real verdict, everyone should wait for the upcoming PvE segment.

New Tales from the Borderlands is so overblown with all sorts of different kinds of humour that it is choking the comedic timing it could have had - most of the funny moments involve side characters and not the main ones. The story is good, but the choices don’t feel that important compared to the other games in the genre.

Miles Morales has finally gotten its PC port, and it is a similar experience to the original Spider-Man, but packaged into a much better and denser story experience with slight improvements to movement and additional combat moves that pose it to be the best Spidey on PC to date.

Sparks of Hope improves on the original in almost every aspect. Great characters, a well-designed mysterious world, enjoyable combat and loads of puzzles to solve make this one of the best collab games we’ve seen in a long time.

This remaster will consolidate Jojo fans under one fighting game, as it poses with its great fighting system and absurd roster of 51 characters. Sadly, it lacks a good net code, making it a hellish online experience and regretfully leaves the story mode out and replaces it with a lacklustre all-star battle mode.

Gotham Knights is a prime example of mediocrity and lack of direction. With some useful and interesting ideas, it starts promising but is drawn back fast by its repetitive and clunky combat systems that fail to differ much, with a lack of enemy variety, empty-ish world and weak mission design.

Even though it only brings a few new features, making it very similar to the last game, Football Manager 2023 is still the best football management game that delivers the best experience.

If better hair physics is what you were hoping for when it comes to the new edition of FIFA – you’re in luck! The hair looks gorgeous now. But as for the other, more important things we need, it is the same as always. It takes a bit of improvement and a lot to pay for it.

Evil West is a nostalgic throwback to the 7th generation of consoles where the story was corny, the environments were bland, the protagonists were manly men, and everything was cheezy and glorious – and I like this very, very much. The fun combat is only hindered but a plethora of bugs and a pretty linear level design.

It seems like this year’s edition of eFootball needed to take more risks. There is too much invested in licenses and petty makeup and next to nothing to improve the core and the heart of this beloved game. It may be free to play, but it is also free to pass. EFootball fans deserve more than this.

Destroy All Humans! 2: Reprobed is another great remake-sequel, and it is a sign that we need to support THQ Nordic more. Who knows, we might even get a full-on sequel in time!

CoD MW 2 is a refreshing single-player experience, providing players with some of the best action-packed moments and great characters, but riddled with multiplayer balancing issues and extreme performance and technical problems. It still is CoD and is fun for anyone who finds its casual shooting gameplay compelling, but it plays safely and doesn’t present itself as something revolutionary for the franchise.

Bayonetta 3 once again manages to amaze new and returning players alike with its fast pace and new wild combat options. If you are here for some spectacular action, you have come to the right place.

If you are on a quest to find a video game that could make you cry, may your quest end right here. A continuation of a story that was fine on its own, Requiem delivers one of the most powerful stories ever conceived in a video game. But be wary of the framerate drops on the PlayStation 5 console, which bring their own set of unforeseen despair.

It’s God of War 2018, only bigger, prettier, more detailed, more open, more complete and much more intense. It’s more of everything from the sequel that both revived and killed the old franchise at the same time. If you loved the new God of War, this game has nothing but means to blow you away this time around.

Two Point Campus is a great experience that learns from its predecessor and makes the game a bit less micromanagey, fun, and vividly fresh with every new campus and game you play. You can be the principal not only of a generic university but a lot more, including schools of magic, espionage and knighthood. If that is not fun, then what is!?

The original The Last of Us will always be my favourite PlayStation game. The narrative is amazing, the relationship between Joel and Ellie is wholesome and it all culminates into a satisfying story that will bring tears to your eyes. However, I do not recommend the remake. Even though there are extensive graphical enhancements, 60FPS support, DualSense support and a variety of accessibility options, none of this justifies the admission price. And, above all, there was really no need for this remake, the original is perfect as it is and available on PS Plus. Skip it and wait for a fat discount if you are keen to try it.

If you are allergic to cats, hate mystery, exploration and a good atmosphere in video games, don’t play Stray. Otherwise, you’ve probably already beaten it. It’s a rare occasion to get a title such as this. And if it looks like something you might enjoy, that’s likely because you most surely would.

Outriders Worldslayer is an expansion in word only. It provides players with some new options for builds and a few fun loot, but its 3-hour story and overall really small amount of content make it look like an incremental free update that tries to scam its players by paying full price for it.

If you’ve finished Rise through and through, this expansion is something you will deeply cherish. A continuation of the adventure, filled with new challenges and content. Even old material is not simply recycled but given a new life. If only it was a bit cheaper…

PC players have long awaited Spidey to come to their platform, and Insomniac with Nixxes delivers with this port completely and even expands on the audio-visual experience this game has to offer, with Spider-Man looking the best possible so far, despite some of its original problems and few performance issues.

Lost Ruins takes a perfect spin on the standard Metroidvania formula and adds some strategy into the mix. Beautiful visuals, great atmosphere and clever action design make this a game no fan of the genre should ever miss.

Live A Live not only brings a decades-old Japan exclusive to the west, but it also vastly improves it in the audio and visual sense. Flaws of the original are still present, but as a refreshed gem from the past, Live A Live is something every fan of the genre should give a chance to.

Another year, another F1, this time with almost no major changes, microtransactions, dysfunctional VR support and ridiculously bad supercars modes and additions. Yeah, the first EA-published Codemasters game had some of their notoriously bad practices inside of it, and even though it is no surprise, it is a sad day, since last year's edition was one of the best F1 experiences ever made.

This is a solid sequel but it tries to mess with the original recipe a bit too much. If you didn’t play the first one or were expecting to blast through waves of beat em up opponents, you will be confused and a bit disappointed. Check it out on a sale or if you really enjoyed the first game in the series.

Not a bad successor to the previous title, Capcom Arcade 2nd Stadium delivers yet another batch of renowned classic arcade games. It delivers perfect emulation and a number of modern-day improvements. Maybe a couple of fighting games could have been left out in favour of something different, but there is no doubt anyone can find at least a few games up their alley in this collection.

Eight years in the making, Scorn is a tremendous, grotesque and terrifying experience that encapsulates true horror with something alien and unknown, masterfully translating it into a first-person action puzzler. It doesn’t relish itself with its rudimentary mechanics, but it adds upon them with carefully synergized environmental design.

While the release of this and the anniversary collection at the same time (where this one makes for a lesser package) is an absolute mystery, the Wonder Boy Collection is a great pack of gaming history. Not only can you witness the way the series was shaped throughout the years, but its games remain fun to play even today.

The Quarry does a fine job as a spiritual successor to the renowned Until Dawn, yet takes a few steps forward when it comes to character development and atmosphere building. Unfortunately, it sacrifices a few elements in the process which makes it a not so scary interactive movie more than a video game. Still, for lovers of the genre and Supermassive Games legacy – it’s a treat you should not miss.

The High Isle chapter provides players with some great new story content and a beautiful new region, but with its lack of quality side content, low amount of new items, and underwhelming card game, it is hard to recommend to anyone who isn’t a story buff of TES series and is a more of a hardcore MMO player.

Even though it’s a relatively short game that doesn't bring anything new to the table, Starship Troopers: Terran Command is a joy to play. If you're a fan of the movies, you definitely shouldn't miss this game, and the same goes for all RTS fans.

Sonic Origins is a great and refreshed Sonic collection – that could've been even better. The different ways that you can now play these classic games in, surely will bring a smile to your face. But the lack of new content and DLC that should’ve been implemented in the game right from the start, make us wonder – was this even necessary?

Redout 2 appeals to the fans of arcade racing games with a twist on precision racing and high speeds. It has great gameplay followed by impressive visuals and music, but the learning curve is a bit steep.

Recursive Ruin is an impressive game with an awesome combination of visuals and puzzle mechanics. It can be divided into two parts - puzzle and story. Story is worth following, but the puzzles give an immense sense of satisfaction when solved.

It may not be all that much different to the previous two games in the series, but Mario Strikers: Battle League still manages to be an extremely fun game, especially when playing with multiple friends. The lack of content steals its potential shine, but for what it is – it does a great job at making you have some quality fun.

Dorfromantik is a gorgeous indie gem that presents its player with the tranquility of building a romantic German village. It is a truly relaxing experience, where its simplicity truly shines. Chasing that high score with its tile placement gameplay can be utter fun, even though it may not be for everyone, it is truly a masterful experience that presents much needed respite in these times.

Citizen Sleeper is an amazing piece of sci-fi media and an even better TTRPG game that will have you glued to your seat to the early hours of the morning, reading and trying to figure out how this world and its colorful characters work. If you love adventure and story in games you mustn’t pass on this one.

We Were Here Forever is the fourth instalment in a nicely progressing series that just continues to add more interesting and fun co-op puzzles. If you like escape rooms, co-op play and puzzles, grab this game right now.

Swansong will be compared to Bloodlines, and that’s inevitable even though this is not the same kind of game. Unfortunately, Swansong wants itself to be compared to Bloodlines and doesn’t really make a stand against its older sire. A mess of RPG and adventure mechanics boil down to luck, and with weak voice acting and not very Camarilla vampire models, Swansong leaves a lot to be desired. If you’re looking for an adventure akin to Life is Strange, you’ll surely find it here. But if you’re looking for a World of Darkness RPG with deep and charismatic characters, better hope Bloodlines 2 comes out soon.

If you would call Trek to Yomi a poor man’s Ghost of Tsushima, you’d be gravely mistaken. This game „emulates“ an old-style Japanese samurai movie to perfection. While the combat is a bit clunky and the game is not that long, the overall experience is excellent and easy to recommend to anyone interested in such a theme.

The Stanley Parable is still an excellent, provocative and unique experience that any fan of narrative adventures and out-of-the-box game design must play. With great new content that adapts to modern gaming culture and industry, it is certainly a cult classic expanded and built upon in the greatest manner possible.

Shijima Story is a great narrative experience for any crime story and mystery fan. Even though there are some hand-holding and some limitations, it's qualitative writing. Great pacing and characters are enough to hold you through this great live-action experience that provides a feeling like you are watching an excellent TV show with its remarkable cast, great costumes and vivid story points.

With the fifth edition of SE, Rebellion makes a few steps forward, as well as a few steps back, due to its great focus on sandbox level design, riddled with problems with arena-like level segments, and bad implementation of Invasion mode with weird design choices when the UI is in question.

Nintendo Switch Sports reignites that old fun factor of the original Wii sports games. While some are not that great, some are amazing, and some will be added in the future for free; starting 6 disciplines will surely give you and your friends a great time around the TV. Just don’t forget to strap on your JoyCons.