For a game so concerned with artists and their creations, and with the importance of light and sound, the sheer artistry on display feels not just impressive, but meaningful, too.

Metal Gear Delta - using the Greek letter that signifies change or difference in mathematics - takes the inner-core of the Snake Eater from two decades ago and acts as a new shell around it, largely superficially with some mechanical adjustments. It is a new wrapper for an old candy bar, a new doll with an extraneous new hat, a dusting of makeup before taking the stage, and despite all of those caveats, it’s still a new coat of paint for one of the most incredible gaming experiences of all time.

Mouse: P.I. For Hire is one of those titles that works better than you think it would. Nailing the Doom-like gunplay and rubber-hose art style, it’s just as enjoyable to play as it is to look at. Plus, with a stellar cast, especially Troy Baker, it’s one of the most memorable shooters you can play. There are a few holes in it, like various glitches and repetitive elements, but it's a cheese worth taking a bite of.

Ultimately I’m of two minds about Dynasty Warriors: Origins. On one hand, it’s a re-evaluation of the Musou formula that’s persisted, and in many ways stagnated, over the years. The changes made to how Omega Force’s winning action formula are presented and executed are stunning. On the other hand, sacrificing multiplayer and a character roster are dramatic compromises for this series, and are impossible to just brush aside. It feels like, in the pursuit of trying something different, something crucial was sacrificed. Origins is a fantastic action game by almost any measure, which will soak up dozens of gameplay hours with ease. But if multiplayer is part of your core concept of what Dynasty Warriors is, or the reason you show up, then you’re going to have to sit this one out. Or try it anyway, because it’s really good.

Borderlands 4 feels a lot like the original Xbox 360 game I played in high school, but it finally grew up and got out of its hometown to see the world. Coming back with a new perspective and some fresh ideas. I'm curious to see how the end game strategies turn out over time, and what the franchise has in store next.

By embracing it's stranger side, Kirby Air Riders delivers a refreshing racer that mixes in party game antics to create an encompassing and engaging collection of modes.

Yakuza Kiwami 3 & Dark Ties brings quite a lot to the table in terms of a remake, with its refined combat mechanics along with new story content and mini-games. While the pacing and visual changes might be offputting to veteran fans, this is a sleek and modernized way to play this entry.

I walk away from Elden Ring Nightreign with an admiration for the weird thing the team at FromSofware has crafted. Something that doesn't feel like a cheap cash-in of the namesake but an idea that the team wanted to explore. It doesn't get everything perfect, but I'd rather see developers take big swings than stay stagnant. Much like Nightreign's speedy pace, FromSoftware once again proves it's not standing still.

While it may not satisfy those looking for more of a classic survival horror experience, I absolutely loved the heart-wrenching and vibrantly inventive journey that was Silent Hill f. Each finished playthrough beckoned me back into the gloom to start another, even though the hairs on the back of my neck stood on end. Because I still had more questions, and Silent Hill f still had more answers. I'll be thinking about this one for a long time, and it may just become an instant horror classic.

Family is complicated, messy, and growing up isn't a linear path. Parental expectations can drag you down like cement boots if not managed accordingly. Despite it all, the fights, the miscommunications, and the people we've left behind, Goodnight Universe's greatest message lies in learning to tell people how you feel, however you can, while you're still here.

Ghost of Yotei is more of what made Ghost of Tsushima so compelling; terrific combat, a memorable protagonist, and a gorgeous world playing host to it all. It's not perfect, there are a few edges to this sword that could have been sharpened, but there are not enough to take away from an incredible experience. I cannot recommend it enough.

Game Freak succeeds in taking the strengths from Pokemon Legends: Arceus and Pokemon Scarlet and Violet to create what felt like its freshest take on Pokemon’s battle system and exploration yet. I especially recommend it to both newbies and longtime fans who enjoy exploration, experimenting with Pokemon teams, and customizing their outfits.

Considering the hours you will get from Vampire Crawlers, it's hard to give it anything more than an enthusiastic recommendation. As a dungeon crawler, it is both competent and fun, but as an experience, you will likely find yourself enraptured. If you, like me, are the type of person to spend an entire weekend in a hotel room just playing Vampire Survivors on a Steam Deck, the exact same thing will happen with Vampire Crawlers...For the time you spend playing it, it will likely swallow you entirely, and whether that’s a good thing or a bad thing is up to you and your loved ones.

The best life sims make it fun to hang around in their worlds long after your main objectives are done, and while I can’t say for sure this one will pass that test just yet, Guardians of Azuma is easily the best game of its kind I’ve played in years. I can see myself passing time in its vibrant world for a long time to come.

Dragon Quest VII: Reimagined is a strong remake and one that does a lot to improve upon its predecessor. An RPG that revels in nostalgia and the warmness you feel after a night out with friends, even if it's that one friend who doesn't realize last call at the bar was hours ago.

I enjoyed most of my time with Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3 + 4. It's a reminder of my younger years, and even though I can't see the scrapes and bruises anymore, I'm still fond of every bail off a skateboard I've had in my years. It's still just as fun to get back on the virtual board and see a world filled with familiar faces and the sounds of those tensor trucks hitting the pavement.

Forza Horizon 6 is a great game if you want more Forza Horizon. The setting of Japan and culture that is infused into every inch of the game makes for a worthwhile experience, even if some parts of the experience leave you feeling out of gas.

Regardless of little annoyances, I did thoroughly enjoy Absolum, and feel kind of bummed it has the misfortune of releasing so close to Hades II as a competitor action-roguelite. There’s room for both, but it is hard - having reviewed both games in close proximity - not to compare the both of them. For people who played Streets of Rage 4’s roguelite DLC and wanted more, Absolum scratches that itch and then some. For traditionalists, it might not be your cup of tea because of the structure, but it makes a valiant effort to get there and endear itself to all. Just be sure you know exactly what you're biting off.

The game has numerous layers and requires considerable thought and strategy, but once you’ve conquered the learning curve, it truly begins to shine.

Consume Me is funny, it’s emotional, and it got me thinking about some of the things people in my life went through to get to where they are today. If the purpose of art is to provoke thought and introspection, Consume Me accomplishes that goal. Just don’t go in expecting a fun roller coaster ride.

Battlefield 6 gets all the core basics right. Shooting, movement, driving, and piloting all feel stellar. The format delivers regular moments of movie-worthy, ostentatious action, while also allowing humble players to spend a whole game just repairing tanks, if that’s more their style. What remains to be seen is if it can deliver the sustained support, balance tweaks, and additions that a fine foundation like this deserves. And as a returning fan, I seriously hope it manages the feat.

After a swift 30 hours with the game, I will happily tell you how Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 exceeded my expectations and left me curious for more.

The narrative’s final fumble feels representative of Directive 8020 as a whole. I’m glad to see Supermassive giving itself time to experiment and adapt. Pivotal choices and interactions feel relevant, and reward you for paying attention. There are modes and mechanics here I’d love to see taken forward or even ported back into older entries. But many of those additions don’t quite yet feel finalized, and their inclusion comes at the reduction of other, enjoyable elements. For fans of the Dark Pictures series, the cast and setting make Directive 8020 well worth enlisting with the Cassiopeia. But sadly, it doesn’t quite reach the stellar heights I was hoping for.

Saros is a game I'll be chewing on for the rest of the year. It's a game that has a lot of flaws, but makes up for them in showcasing the complicated and messy dynamics that humans find themselves in. An easy recommendation for those looking for a bullet hell with a deep mythos around it. A game that isn't perfect, and is messy, much like all of us.

The game has a fantastic premise and offers legitimate moments of joy, but it feels like it could be so much more with additional content added to the mix. More hairstyles. More facial hair options. More conversation templates for our lingo to be slotted into. The ability to encourage a Mii to confess their love or propose, rather than just waiting for them to figure it out. More “toys” for them to play with. Just… more. As it stands, I don’t think Living the Dream will have as much longevity for me as something like Animal Crossing: New Horizons or Pokemon Pokopia (two other life simulation games on Nintendo Switch), but I’m still enjoying checking on my Miis multiple times per day, at least for now.

Tiny Bookshop has that familiar stickiness that makes me want to continue playing for “just one more day,” but that drive is less about selling books and more about unlocking the next part of a character’s story or a new place in town to sell my products. It’s a shame there isn’t more variety to the core concept of buying and selling books to keep the game feeling fresh after a few weeks of in-game time.

It is difficult to tell if I am judging Unbeatable harshly because of how good it should be or I’m being too forgiving over how good I want it to be. At the end of the day, it’s a moot point. Unbeatable, as an experience, is not where it needs to be.

I did actually enjoy my time with Monster Hunter Stories 3 despite having a list of issues with it, and I suspect the reason is because it reminded me of those unsung RPGs from the late 90s and early 2000s. It feels like the kind of game you had heard someone talk about glowingly on a message board years ago and when you look it up on eBay it’s inexplicably hundreds of dollars now. The bits of the game that did tickle my brain were tied to its myriad of systems and, while it can be overwhelming, I think the game would be lesser without them. Go ahead and give it a shot if you’re both a fan of Monster Hunter’s designs and world and also want to whittle away time making numbers go up.