Donkey Kong Bananza is one of the most joyful games I’ve played this year. It’s a solid 3D platformer that won’t disappoint genre fans, and a reminder of just how delightful video games can be.

In some ways, I suppose Mixtape's short length is reflective of its thesis, too. Life moves pretty fast. If you don't stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it.

Trails in the Sky 1st Chapter ends, somewhat infamously, on a notorious cliffhanger to end all cliffhangers. In any other game, I would've called this a cheap tactic to get me to buy the second installment. But with how masterfully Trails has managed to weave its characters and plot points together, that ending feels earned, and I'm more than ready to experience its second chapter.

Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade's Switch 2 port is a technical marvel on all fronts, and it serves as a stellar showcase of what Nintendo's new console is truly capable of.

BALL x PIT checks off everything I want in a roguelite game I can take on the go (I played on Switch with no performance issues whatsoever). The numbers get big, the chaotic nature of the levels, with skeletons and other eldritch horrors exploding in piles of goo, blood, and tar lit up parts of my lizard brain I never even knew existed. BALL x PIT‘s depth and simplicity make it one of the most compelling roguelite games I’ve played this year, holding its own against the likes of Loop Hero and Balatro in this increasingly competitive genre.

From the blazingly fast load times to the impressive graphical fidelity and some late-game awesomeness that happens in real-time, Death Stranding 2 is hands down the most beautiful game I’ve played on the PS5.

Resident Evil Requiem is the culmination of everything Capcom has been working towards since the release of RE7 in 2017, and the team's efforts have paid off in dividends. This is the most confident mainline entry the series has seen in the past decade, and with the tragedy of Raccoon City finally behind us, I'm looking forward to seeing what the dawn of the new age will bring.

Mewgenics is an unflinchingly and unapologetically off-putting game that isn't afraid to roll around and play in the muck. Look past its comically unappealing veneer, however, and you'll find that there's plenty for tactical RPG fans to love here. From the endless customization to the genius design of the bosses and levels, Mewgenics is a must-play for fans of both tactical RPGs and roguelikes.

Ramza and Delita's stories go in vastly different directions against this political backdrop, reflecting two key perspectives. One is the story of a boy whom we all hope we'd emulate in the face of hardship, while the other is the story of how most of us will likely end up: caught in the very cycle of injustice we'd sought out to break because we found a way to make it serve our interests. In many ways, Tactics is a reflection not only of today's political landscape, but also our humanity.

Set against a dystopian AI backdrop, Pragmata highlights the contrast between the soulless perfectionism of machines and the miraculous flaws of humanity.

Saros lives up to its name of being a bullet ballet in every sense of the word. It's a fast-paced, frenetic shooter adventure that never lets up from start to finish. While the story leaves a lot to be desired, learning the intricacies of each deathly dance with Saros' bosses is some of the most fun I've had in a video game in ages.

As it stands, however, Dispatch is the culmination of all the lessons AdHoc's developers have learned from their time at Telltale Games and Night School Studio. This is a game that knows exactly what kind of story it wants to tell, and it tells it confidently, self-assuredly, even in a genre that was once considered to be overcrowded and overdone.

While my gripes with the series as a whole persist in this third entry, Team Ninja also makes great strides in refining and innovating upon its strong points. Nioh 3 is a confident step forward for Team Ninja, and the strongest entry in the series yet.

It’s clear that Level-5 has learned a lot from the original release and knows its audience well. As a result, Fantasy Life i: The Girl Who Steals Time is a straight upgrade and improvement over everything its predecessor did the first time around.

Silent Hill f expertly weaves elements of Japanese mythology and folklore into the history of Ebisugaoka, creating a truly disturbing backdrop against which our tale of adolescence and the unfortunate realities of Showa Era customs is told. Despite the occasional missteps in the gameplay department, Konami and Ryukishi07 have created the most unique and fresh mainline Silent Hill game we've seen since Silent Hill 2.

Dragon Quest I & II HD-2D Remake is undoubtedly the best way to experience these games, but while I appreciated its new accessibility features, there are still some archaic elements and new design decisions that keep me from coming back for more.

Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater is a callback to one of the most exciting time periods in gaming history. A time where games weren't afraid to take big swings and miss, but it's only thanks to that fearlessness that we're able to experience true innovation and creativity. Delta doesn't do anything new, but it doesn't need to. Sometimes, all a masterpiece needs is a fresh coat of paint.

Batman: Arkham Shadow was the best introduction into the VR world I could’ve asked for. I’d recommend newcomers like myself to start on the easier difficulties to get acquainted with the controls, then ramp things up slowly as you get into a groove. The plot enthusiasts may find themselves disappointed by the story, but look, this is the closest you’ll ever get to actually feeling you’re Batman. That’s gotta count for something.

The Alters is hands down 11 Bit Studios’ strongest outing yet. The developers have proven that they’re not just a one-trick pony that specializes in resource management and city-builders. They’re capable of crafting truly moving stories that will keep you hooked from start to finish.

Despite the short runtime, there's plenty of reason to go back to it. Your completion time is scored, there are tougher optional challenges to take on even after the credits roll, and there's even a hard mode for all the masochists out there. Now that I've played through my first ever Ninja Gaiden game to completion, I've accepted that it may not necessarily be my thing, but I can certainly appreciate its unapologetic commitment to its bloody, glorious vision.

The Drifter is brimming with potential. It’s clear that a lot of love and care went into making this game. It’s especially evident in the voice performances and beautiful 2D environments, but it’s ultimately held back by weird design decisions and some unintuitive puzzles.

Overall, Quartet is an easy recommendation for RPG sickos who can't get enough of turn-based combat. The story and characters may not necessarily land for everyone, but if gameplay is king, then Quartet certainly won't disappoint.

Paranormasight: The Mermaid's Curse deftly weaves together fiction and legend to create a dramatic mystery that hooks you in from the very start. The Mermaid's Curse nails the payoff with aplomb, while delivering on the most compelling and morbid summer vacation you'll ever experience.

Story of Seasons: Grand Bazaar checked every box I had for a typical farming sim game. It doesn’t do anything new or groundbreaking, but it doesn’t need to. What’s on offer here, is an incredibly polished title that knows exactly what you want, and how to give it to you in the most enjoyable way possible. The relationships could use some work, but for the most part, genre fans or folks just looking for something cozy to play will find a lot to love here.

At the end of the day, I was glad to have experienced Kodaka and Uchikoshi’s latest work. While The Hundred Line: Last Defense Academy feels more Danganronpa-lite at times and doesn’t leave nearly enough room for Uchikoshi’s brilliant writing to shine, it’s still a stellar reminder of what made both creators’ signature games so special in the first place. Hundred Line serves as a strong baseline of what’s possible when two creative writers get together, and I’m certainly looking forward to whatever they cook up next.

As fun as RACCOIN is, you do need to be ready to accept that there’s likely going to be a huge amount of variance between runs. That being said, RACCOIN more than makes up for the RNG grind by rewarding you with huge shots of dopamine when things do get going. There’s nothing more satisfying than watching all the coins on your platform form a huge tower stack before getting knocked over by the sweeping long neck of a well-placed giraffe coin, after all.

Octopath Traveler 0's boldness in changing up the formula should be commended, even if some of those changes can feel like a step backward, especially when it comes to the characters and writing. Still, this game is proof that with a powerful soundtrack and an innovative combat system that has you making interesting decisions at every turn, you can be forgiven for just about anything.

Whether you decide to invest in Guardians of Azuma will ultimately come down to what you’re looking for in your life sim games. If you just want a breezy and casual farming/romance experience and you’re not bothered by mediocre environments and combat, then this will serve your purposes just fine.