Code Alkonost: Awakening of Evil is a short yet enjoyable survival horror game inspired by Slavic mythology. It starts off as atmospheric and immersive but is ultimately undermined by poor audio design and overall jankiness.

Slice & Dice is a roguelike gem that brilliantly combines strategy and RNG that’s actually fair! With a huge variety of heroes, items, game modes and other content, every run feels fresh and challenging. The retro pixel art style is charming, and the well-balanced difficulty keeps you coming back for more.

Yumia marks a bold new chapter for the Atelier series—not just with its true open-world design, but through a noticeable shift toward classic JRPG mechanics and a step back from the series’ traditional alchemy-focused systems. It also takes a more serious and darker narrative turn, setting it apart from the lighthearted and whimsical tone of previous entries.

The Bazaar is an interesting and very addictive blend of auto-battler and deck-building mechanics, wrapped in a unique PvE/PvP hybrid format. With hundreds of unique cards and a satisfying progression system, each match feels like a fresh challenge. After a rocky early access phase, the game has turned into a true gem and one of the most compelling strategy experiences of the year.

Spellcaster University makes a smooth transition to PS5 with improved performance, but its core remains a laid-back, slightly clunky management sim that feels more at home on PC.

If you have younger family members, Shopenkraft’s Magic Goods is a fantastic choice as an introduction to the world of VR. But even if you’re not in that age group — let’s be honest, we all enjoy escaping reality every now and then into a magical world. And what better place to do that than in the role of a shopkeeper in an enchanted store full of potions, secret ingredients, and extraordinary customers?

Skopje ’83 blends comic-book style visuals with FPS roguelite survival, offering plenty of weapons and a wide-open approach to exploration. While its atmosphere and Balkan-inspired world stand out, unclear progression and a myriad of questionable game design choices hold it back.

Forgotlings is a strong prequel to the already excellent and charming Forgotton Anne. While it occasionally stumbles due to a few technical issues, these do little to overshadow its core strengths. Once those problems are addressed, it stands as a fine and ambitious fairy-tale adventure that places its story, visuals, and music at the forefront rather than relying on complex or demanding gameplay systems.

If you’re a fan of classic old-school point-and-click adventures, and especially if you enjoy Lovecraftian lore, stories, and settings, this is a game you should absolutely pick up this year. It isn’t perfect and lacks many of the quality-of-life features modern games tend to offer, but it more than makes up for it with atmosphere and charm, delivering a memorable and delightfully spooky ride.