Floodland is a very strong strategic game with solid gameplay mechanics. The world is fascinating to explore and the narrative campaign introduces new layers of complexity. Defects are few and far between with little impact on the overall experience. Kudos to Vile Monarch.

Yakuza Kiwami 3 is a thoughtful reinterpretation of a historically divisive chapter, finally able to showcase its strengths without being hampered by the structural limitations of the original. The Dragon Engine, the revised pacing, and a deeply refreshed combat system restore dignity to a story that never lost its merit, but which for years remained trapped in an unappealing form. The much-hyped Dark Ties content proves to be more for fans than newcomers, but the overall balance is finally right. Yakuza Kiwami 3 doesn't rewrite the history of the series, but it gives it a much-needed facelift that makes it enjoyable to experience again. And that's exactly what this chapter needed.

Kirby Star Allies remains faithful to the vision of Sakurai, though it's much easier and very funny at the same time. The journey will be anything but challenging (and there are a couple of interesting extra game modes), but it will be an entertaining one. Definitely recommended for a younger audience, or if you have children.

While a terrible murder is what sets the events of Martha is Dead in motion, the real focus of the game is Giulia’s psyche and how it was affected by past and present thraumas. LKA’s new adventure might not be suited for everyone due to the brutality of certain scenes, but it is certainly courageous and competent.

A great "quality" DLC, but afflicted by a poor longevity, even looking at the new PVP modes.

The Switch version of The Escapists 2 is the best way to experience the new title from Mouldy Toof Studios. The game is basically the same as the one already released on PC and console, but it better suits the idea of a "touch and go" approach. There are some small smudges here and there, but the online multiplayer is a real treat.

The epitome of fan service: Project x Zone 2 is a must have for all fans of the series. Everyone else should carefully ponder the purchase of a game that's too easy, and incapable of shaking off some of its well-known flaws.

First time in Europe for the Chinese-folklore inspired ARPG series, Sword and Fairy: Together Forever has a charming personality and world-building, but it fails in delivering a strong experience due to balance and optimization issues.

From a certain point of view, Pokémon Brilliant Diamond is a remake that doesn't like to take too many risks, improving on the original experience without making any major changes. Yet this is also its greatest strength, especially for those who never played the original chapters on DS. The result is an authentic recreation of a historical title, polished and cleaned up from outdated game design elements.

The game developed by Rain Games is basically the same, but this time a lot of the bugs of the other versions have been fixed, and that improved the overall experience. In addition, the Switch version is definitely more fitting to the core of the gameplay, best suited to a snatch and grab experience.

Milestone has the reins of motorcycle racing in hand, which it manages with enviable confidence, raising the level of the motocross sub-genre like never before but at the same time not being particularly interested in pushing the franchise in a new direction.

Outriders Worldslayer follows in the same vein of Outriders, quite literally: one year later, both its strengths (tight gameplay, loot management) and flaws (poor enemy variety, lackluster boss design, weak plot) have stayed exactly the same. Very likely you’ll enjoy this expansion if you liked the base game, but if you didn’t this won’t make you change your mind.

There is nothing wrong with Limerick: Cadence Mansion. No bugs to report, no glaring gameplay problems, no frame rate drops, nothing. The entire production does, however, flaw in experience, from the complicated graphics setup menu that made me desist from playing with the settings, to the banality of many puzzles, more appropriate to a Professor Layton series than a survival horror. Textures, 3D models, and lighting are close to amateurish, which should not necessarily be seen as a negative aspect, but unfortunately in this kind of games atmosphere is everything, so it would have deserved more polish.

Wizardry Proving Grounds of the Mad Overlord is yet another masterstroke from Digital Eclipse, a developer capable of breathing new life into classics with incredible talent. Apart from its fundamental historical value, however, Wizardry is a game that is now rather limited in its mechanics and cadence, classifying itself as an artefact suitable mainly for digital archaeologists eager to rediscover it. It would have been great if it had been accompanied by the wealth of historical notions to which Digital Eclipse has now accustomed us.

Tyrant's Realm is a roguelite with a – rather intangible – soulslike feel that aims to combine high difficulty with progression tied exclusively to equipment. Combat is essential: no jumping, only slow or fast attacks, dodges and parries by splitting milliseconds. The procedurally generated levels offer little variation, but all in all they are compelling, as are the boss battles. There is no storyline worth following, and the entire production is simplified compared to the major representatives of the genres from which it is derived. If you're looking for an immediate, no-frills experience, you might enjoy it; otherwise, it is likely to prove repetitive.

X-Out Resurfaced is a faithful remake of the 1990 classic, preserving its challenging gameplay, retro visuals, and customization system, but missing opportunities to modernize key mechanics.

If you've always wanted to emulate a kung-fu action movie actor and have a few pounds to lose, you've come to the right place. There's a bit of repetition and an anachronistic rail setup to digest, but beating one bad guy after another relentlessly is a challenge that will test you both physically and mentally. Just like the real kung-fu masters admired in the movies, yes.

Fun, varied, and packed with different game modes, MLB The Show 26 offers a complete experience that leaves little to be desired, easily catering to baseball fans of all kinds. While this year’s changes don’t make a major impact — mostly refining what was already an excellent gameplay foundation — the core experience remains as strong as ever. For those ready to dive back in for another season of pitching duels, strikeouts, and towering home runs, the game delivers a well-rounded package that suits both a more casual playstyle and those looking for a true Major League-level challenge.

Nintendo World Championships: NES Edition is a game tailor-made for speedrunners, and played alone it risks losing its appeal in a short time. It's a creature made for a well-thought-out competitive ecosystem, which with online challenges could keep the interest of its select audience high for a long time, or at least until the arrival of an eventual SNES Edition. Perhaps not for everyone, but intriguing if the challenge doesn't scare you.

An adventure that blends platforming with puzzle-solving, featuring an extremely likable and versatile protagonist alongside an excellent variety of environments and situations. The special powers of Darwin the octopus inject flair into gameplay that builds upon established conventions, while offering a few creative sparks of its own. Limited longevity—coupled with some control issues and certain gameplay segments that aren't perfectly balanced—ultimately detracts from a final result that, with a little more polish, could have stood toe-to-toe with the very best titles in the genre.

This Nintendo Switch 2 version of Puyo Puyo Tetris 2 is as excellent as the original game and brings a few new features: support for mouse mode, which is useful in navigating menus but a little awkward in the actual game, GameShare, and an extremely chaotic and fun multiplayer mode. The offering is excellent and plentiful but not particularly appealing to those who have already played the original title.

LEGO Marvel Super Heroes 2 is simply huge, with an engaging story, an incredibly rich roster of characters - including some obscure (mini)figures - and an enormous world to play with. That is, unless you've had enough of the usual Traveller's Tales formula, basically unaltered from all the previous LEGO games.

Tomb Raider I-III Remastered is a careful, respectful and well-handled re-proposal of three masterpieces now available for new and past generation consoles. It is a great proof of preservation in a landscape that, at times, cannot keep up with the times. Returning to the role of Lara Croft is always an absolute thrill, exactly like the first time, which for me was with Tomb Raider: Legend.

Disgaea 6: Defiance of Destiny follows closely in the steps of the excellent Disgaea 5 – perhaps too closely, considering it shows a distinct lack of interest into innovating its formula. The new stylistic approach also fails to convince.

Rocket Arena has potential, it’s colorful and way more fast paced than its competitors, but at the moment the overall experience is flawed by balancing issues. Recommended if you love to be constantly under pressure and willing to forgive some game design mistakes common to every PvP in the earliest stages . Demanding players may want to wait for future updates but be careful: the more you wait, the more experienced players you will find when you get in the arena.

Dead Island 2 is a first person slasher that focuses on gore and gore, and wins. The FLESH engine takes fractures and mutilations to a level never seen before, with an extremely realistic aesthetic that also impacts the zombies' ability to move. The not particularly large maps and the rigidity in following the story are functional to the continuous massacre, and I have never had so much the feeling of really hurting my victims. A B-Movie about zombies that will delight those who love ultra-violence, with old school gameplay enhanced by new technologies.

Eagle Flight is a fun game, even if, at certain times, it's too trial & error oriented and might be frustrating for someone.

Under normal circumstances, Beyond Light would have been a somewhat decent expansion with little new content, despite an engaging plot. However, the vaulting of much of the old content – most of which paid in hard cash by the users – represents an unforgivable sin since all the new activities and equipment of Beyond Light fail to come close to the amount of content removed. If Bungie continues to walk on this self-destructive path, it risks to irreparably compromise the future of Destiny 2.