Metroid Prime 4 delivers polished combat and stunning visuals, but its linear open structure, diluted atmosphere and lack of bold innovation will probably disappoint long-time fans after a long wait.

Chronicles of the Wolf is a treat for fans of classic 2D Castlevania games, offering a richly detailed world and a strong sense of old-school atmosphere. While its exploration and presentation shine, the game keeps the challenge level relatively low and brings few innovations compared to modern metroidvanias. A nostalgic experience best suited for longtime genre devotees rather than players seeking fast-paced or experimental design.

ARC Raiders blends careful pacing, immersive audio, and high-risk extraction gameplay into a consistently engaging multiplayer experience. The mix of hostile machines and unpredictable player encounters keeps every raid tense and fun, whether played solo or with a squad.

Where Winds Meet is a casserole of gameplay genres that blend very nicely with each other. This gorgeous game invites exploration and is supplemented by a fun combat system that doesn’t get old. So far there are no P2W mechanics in this F2P game, only cosmetics and a bunch of mats that are easily farmed in game. The amazing experience is only trumped by awful voice acting and overuse of AI chat and voiceovers with bad localization. These are all fixable issues, and I think Where Winds Meet is here to stay.

Tormented Souls 2 delivers a tense, retro-inspired survival horror experience that successfully builds on its predecessor. Fast-paced combat, clever boss encounters, and a larger, more varied world elevate the series, while resource scarcity and strategic inventory management keep the tension high. Balance issues, occasional bugs, and a few pacing problems prevent it from being flawless, but fans of classic survival horror and the first game will find plenty to enjoy.

Even though we now get to explore Syberia’s beautiful world in full 3D, some of the game’s old charm has been lost in the process. The original voice lines remain intact, but the classic note-taking system—an important part of the experience—is sadly gone.

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.

Rue Valley delivers a striking blend of time-loop mystery, small-town drama, and a heartfelt look at mental health. Its strong writing and atmosphere shine, but shallow choice systems and repetitive loop mechanics hold it back. It’s a compelling premise that ultimately feels uneven.

FM26 delivers meaningful tactical upgrades and smoother on-pitch action, but sacrifices too many beloved features in the transition to a new engine, leaving the game feeling promising yet noticeably incomplete.

The Dragon Quest I & II HD-2D remakes shine with retro simplicity and modern visuals. Added mechanics and accessibility options make the games approachable, though grind and slow-paced storytelling can drag. Still, the package delivers a nostalgic and enjoyable adventure for both new and longtime fans.

Dispatch is a wonderfully pleasant surprise—from its excellent voice cast and its fresh take on the overplayed superhero theme, to gameplay mechanics that blend Telltale-style storytelling with innovative systems. Most importantly, it delivers a beautiful, fun, emotional, and thoroughly entertaining story that’s hard to put down until the very end—and even then, it leaves you wanting more.

Demeo x Dungeons & Dragons: Battlemarked delivers an accessible, charming and tactically engaging D&D-lite experience, even if its simplified structure and progression flaws keep it from reaching true depth. It’s fun, clever, and welcoming, which is perfect for players who are just starting their D&D journey.

Another year, another Call of Duty, but worse. The campaign is an insult, the multiplayer additions are minimal and the removal of SBMM is not impacting anything of significance. Sure, the zombies are back and are fun, but does one mode justify the high price of this entry? I think not. This is a barebones, uninspired yearly iteration that does not deserve to be in competition with BF6 and Arc Raider who clearly are going for the win and did not just give up like BLOPS7 did.

Bye Sweet Carole dazzles with its beautiful visuals and imaginative charm, but stumbles when it comes to gameplay polish. Despite its blend of platforming and point-and-click mechanics, it ultimately feels like a project that needed at least a few more months of development.

Little Nighmares III keeps the eerie charm of its predecessors, adding co-op play and great visuals, but limited multiplayer options and mild innovation hold it back from true greatness.

With FINAL FANTASY TACTICS – The Ivalice Chronicles, Square Enix once again proves that a great remaster can both modernize and honor an original’s legacy. It’s a careful balance of fresh updates and deep respect for longtime fans and newcomers alike. The addition of full voice acting alone makes The Ivalice Chronicles worth revisiting — even for those who’ve already experienced every previous entry.

Despite the massive marketing push and promises of a “revolution,” EA FC 26 ends up feeling all too familiar — a shiny coat of paint over the same arcade-style gameplay. The new “Authentic” mode offers a touch of realism, but online matches are still a chaotic mess. EA’s continued obsession with microtransactions and the clumsy integration of women’s players into FUT only reinforce the impression that, once again, style has triumphed over substance.

Dying Light: The Beast marks the return of Kyle Crane in a thrilling sequel that breathes new life into the series. With ferocious beast powers, adrenaline-pumping Chimera boss battles, and parkour that’s as exhilarating as ever, the game delivers plenty of standout moments. The open world can feel a bit too sprawling, and the controls occasionally slip into clunky territory, but the fast-paced combat and richly designed side missions more than make up for it. This is an excellent return to form — one that blends fresh ideas with the spirit of the original in a way fans won’t want to miss.

Time Stranger marks an exciting new chapter in the Digimon Story series, packed with fresh and refined features that every monster-taming and battle enthusiast will appreciate. Once the story gains momentum, it proves to be engaging and well-written — but even before that, there’s so much to explore and do with your Digimon that you’ll hardly know where to begin.

Battlefield 6 feels like a return to form for the series, blending chaotic, fast-paced battles with moments of real tactical depth. The maps are fun but often smaller than expected, pushing a faster, more aggressive style of play. Vehicles feel satisfying, each class has a clear role, and the new tactical hammer adds creative ways to interact with the environment. Portal mode is a joy, letting you remix old favorites and craft your own mayhem. Despite some balance quirks, it’s an energetic, highly enjoyable shooter — and I can’t wait to see how the game evolves in the future.

Keeper is an atmospheric, meditative adventure that blends minimalist storytelling with visual poetry in true Double Fine fashion. While its environmental puzzles are simple and its mechanics somewhat underused, it offers a cozy experience for players seeking pure relaxation rather than a tough challenge.

Despite repetitive environments, long loading times, and a clunky narrative, Ninja Gaiden 4 is a worthy homage to the late Tomonobu Itagaki. It offers perhaps the most refined combat mechanics the series has ever seen. And it’s undeniably the bloodiest entry — a true ninja gore-fest.

The movement is fluid, the combat exhilarating, and it’s great to see the Prince back in action. Meta progression works well, giving a steady sense of unlocking new abilities and rewarding starting bonuses. However, some difficulty spikes can feel downright punishing, breaking the flow of an otherwise thrilling experience.

Space Adventure Cobra – The Awakening is based on the classic ’80s anime, capturing all the nostalgia and tone of that era. It even includes sequences from the original series as you play through the first 12 episodes of the show. However, while the retro charm is undeniable and the action sequences are solid, lingering gameplay issues hold it back in the long run.

SHINOBI: Art of Vengeance doesn’t aim to reinvent the genre — instead, it focuses on perfecting what’s already there. And in that, it’s successful. The combat is sharp and stylish, the platforming offers a satisfying challenge, and the ability to revisit sections of a level adds great replay value while giving players a chance to collect anything they may have missed. Art of Vengeance is also a great nod to the old-school Shinobi titles and the franchise as a whole, which is a nice plus for longtime fans.

NBA 2K26 delivers the most polished basketball simulation yet, with smoother player movement, an improved shooting meter, and a stronger MyCareer narrative. However, persistent pay-to-win mechanics, heavy reliance on microtransactions, and occasional bugs hold it back. For die-hard fans, especially those invested in premium editions like Leave No Doubt, it’s still a must-play, but casual players may find the experience less rewarding without spending extra.

Lost Soul Aside is a linear action RPG that began as a solo project and finally arrived after nearly a decade. It delivers much of the promised spectacle with its fast, flashy, combat-driven combat and superb soundtrack. But uneven presentation, occasional bugs and inconsistencies make it best for players who can overlook rough edges.

Was the wait worth it? Absolutely. This is Hollow Knight — and then some. Playing as Hornet feels like an entirely new experience, offering a level of speed and finesse the Knight never had. Add in the wealth of new skills, tools, and traversal options, and the gameplay reaches incredible new heights. And once again, the world is as breathtakingly beautiful as it is haunting.