A fun-filled adventure that not only features one of the best turn-based combat systems I've experienced for some time, but also a narrative that old and new fans alike can appreciate.

The Mageseeker is a confident and immensely satisfying action game with a great mixture of physical attacks and a huge arsenal of magical abilities to steal and equip. I love the multiple ways to improve your moveset and your home base, and even as a Fairweather League of Legends fan, I’m now obsessed with Sylus’s character and the world at large. Digital Sun has crafted a fantastic title for League fans, but anyone with an interest in the genre will find something to love.

Fire Emblem Warriors: Three Hopes is the best musou spin-off to date, offering an unbelievable amount of storytelling that any fan will delight in. Swirling around all this is a cacophony of mechanics that may at first overwhelm, but once they make sense, the game is harmonious and hard to put down. It feels like a mainline Fire Emblem game with more action, which might actually be music to the ears of anyone who’s not tried the series before.

Fire Emblem Engage has so much to love, yet feels a little empty. With tight and tricky combat, gorgeous graphics and art, and vibrant character designs, its first impression is a good one. But as the story progresses, things feel a little soulless. It’s good and it’s bad, and how much you like it just depends on what you want from it.

A charming action game stacked full of great dungeons and unique puzzles that never seems to run out of smart ideas. Dungeons of Dreadrock brings the best elements of classic dungeon exploration to the Nintendo Switch and does a lot with only a few pieces.

Bayonetta Origins shows you the umbra witch in a whole new way, and while you may feel skeptical about her going from heavy action to puzzles, Platinum Games nailed the transition flawlessly. While different to the trilogy, the gameplay is engaging, the world is stunning, and the story of Cereza and Cheshire is precious. I can’t recommend this game enough.

Atelier Sophie 2: The Alchemist of the Mysterious Dream is a joy from start to finish. It improves on certain elements from the series, has a charming new story with some familiar faces, and even adds intriguing new features for you to enjoy

With a true-to-life Tokyo and a vibrant, color-saturated Digital World full of life to explore, this is the Digimon game I’ve desperately wanted for the last ten years, and it definitely doesn’t disappoint. Unless my perfect game shadow drops soon, Digimon Story: Time Stranger is shaping up to be my GOTY for 2025.

Assassin’s Creed Shadows performs really well on the Nintendo Switch 2, making it an excellent way to experience an interesting story, vibrant world, and two of the best protagonists the series has to offer.

Nuclear Blaze arrives on Switch with extra content and provides a Metroidvania-like experience that gets immersion right. While the game world nearly makes up for what the story lacks, and the gameplay offers up the odd moment of frustration, this one easily finds itself in the better half of Switch titles of the genre.

Stray is a gorgeous open-world platformer that works fantastically on the Switch, despite some understandable graphical limitations. It features a wealth of exploration and verticality only fitting for a sure-footed feline protagonist, as well as a sense of coziness despite the harsh, robotic dystopia.

This fast-paced retro-inspired FPS is a treat for fans of the genre, though there’s little to pull in those who don’t fancy a shoot-off. Despite some annoying platforming sections, Fashion Police Squad offers an alternative to the norm while providing all of the running and gunning fun, looking like a million dollars while it does it.

Sakuna: Of Rice and Ruin can be confusing to start with, but getting past the initial hardships opens up beautiful levels and satisfying gameplay.

Dripping with style and absolutely stuffed with incredible combat, Boomerang X offers a rewarding blast of action with every moment of gameplay. It somewhat lacks replayability, but what's already there is staggeringly well executed. Boomerang X is one of the best action games of the year.

The Switch port of Doom Eternal is as good as it possibly can be, with portability making up for a drop in visual fidelity and framerate.

Outside of these control niggles, Battle Academy 2 makes a strong case for itself. A solid AI showcase to bolster and balance the online experience, though you’re likely to never be too long without an asynchronous foe given the cross-play antics and established community.

MicRogue is a game where, even if you fail seven times in a row, chances are you’ll have failed each time on the eighth or ninth stages. Even when you’re losing it doesn’t feel like you’ve lost much at all.

Even with these flaws, Titan Quest is still a great hack ‘n slash.

More than just a piece of RPG history, Jade Empire deserves to be experienced for its worldbuilding and memorable characters despite some shortcomings in core gameplay.

The Escapists is an open-world sandbox game, except for the mandatory roll call and random cell tossings, that is surprisingly deep and plenty entertaining.

A fascinating ‘anti-platformer’ that feels at home on mobile; proving all things should be turned up to 11.

Beholder is pithy, with small sketches of character and darkness. Sadly, submission to the game's mechanics means much is lost in the God of efficiency.

Darkest Dungeon visits fresh horrors upon unseasoned newcomers, but behind its grim facade is a fascinating dungeon crawler.

With a gripping story, fantastic visuals, and smart card play, Thronebreaker has finally found its true home.

Tails of Iron is a thoughtful and detailed little game, with a brilliant visual style and an intuitive take on soulslike combat. Though it has its shortcomings, it's a strong and unique entry into the genre that serves up a great story and plenty of bug-slashing, frog-bashing fun.

A roaring cosmic escapade that would make Bowie proud, The Artful Escape tells a beautiful story of artistic integrity and brings it to life with show-stopping visuals that never relent. It’s a slightly better story than a game, however, and I hope the Switch version gets a tune-up down the line.

Gerda: A Flame in Winter is an important narrative adventure that stands shoulder-to-shoulder with publisher Don’t Nod’s stable of similar titles. Just don’t expect to be smiling your way through this slow-paced and sombre experience.

Puyo Puyo Tetris 2 surpasses the original with a fun light-hearted story. Though slightly repetitive at times, returning fans will find more of the same casual puzzling fun.