Little Nightmare 3 is a commissioned work and could have been decidedly less inspired. The co-op mechanics work, even in single-player thanks to the companion AI, but they somehow make the scenarios easier to read and decipher. The saga's strong point, however, remains its atmosphere, and here Supermassive has hit the mark by creating a horror anthology in which Low and Alone move under the guidance of solid virtual direction. Perhaps the formula itself has reached its limit in terms of mechanics, but in terms of inspiration, Little Nightmares 3 always manages to convey something to the player.

At its core, Sworn isn't bad and has all the makings of a fun game to keep you entertained for several hours. Beyond that, however, it stops offering any real enjoyment or gameplay depth. Compared to other behemoths, it's the one that sits closest to its comfort zone, also benefiting from a co-op system for up to four players that could make the difference. Varied in the progression of the four heroes, the biggest obstacle is the pace of the game, which alternates between really slow and fast moments, where, however, the slow pace of our heroes never manages to respond to the game world with any real responsiveness. It takes a bit of practice, at least in the first few hours, which feature a rather steep difficulty curve.

Chaotic, crazy, rich, explosive. Sonic Racing CrossWorlds is the best kart game outside the Nintendo universe and, in some ways, it is even more compelling than Mario Kart World. The only thing missing is that final spark that would allow it to definitively emerge from the shadow of its rival.

Atelier Resleriana: The Red Alchemist & The White Guardian marks a return to the series’ roots, abandoning recent experiments in favor of a more traditional, alchemy-focused approach. With a solid and relaxing crafting system, a charming cast of familiar faces, and a light yet engaging story, it delivers a comforting and enjoyable experience for long-time fans. However, a very low difficulty level, outdated exploration design, and uninspired dungeon layouts keep it from standing out, making this a solid but non-essential entry in Gust’s beloved franchise.

Dreams of Another mixes action and adventure in a dreamlike world where you destroy bokeh-like globes of light to reveal environments and objects with souls. The protagonist, Man in Pajamas, guided by Wandering Soldier, alternates between exploration, simple puzzles, and shooting sections. The mechanics revolve around the concept of “No Creation Without Destruction”: you can create only after destroying. The levels, however, are small and fragmented, interrupted by frequent returns to the main menu. Enemies and bosses are harmless, and the dialogue is slow and repetitive. Artistic and original, but suffering from a static pace and lackluster gameplay.

Pac-Man World 2 Re-Pac is a fun and light-hearted action platformer full of little surprises and mini-challenges that will delight fans of Namco's popular mascot. The excessive ease and speed with which the main adventure concludes are its most notable flaws, which could deter players looking for a real challenge.

We're looking at a solid and engaging sequel that expands on the Hades universe without any major revolutions. A conservative second installment, therefore, that builds on the successful formula of its predecessor without overhauling it. Supergiant changes the protagonist, introduces new biomes, deities, and supporting mechanics, but remains faithful to the action roguelite gameplay that was already highly appreciated in 2020. Despite its lack of flaws, however, Hades II fails to shake off the feeling of being "just" a major expansion, rather than a truly new video game.

Digimon Story Time Stranger is finally a great Digimon-themed JRPG. While it looks a generation older, it makes up for it with a really well-crafted battle and evolution system and a huge catalog of Digimon.

If you're a fan of the broad "bullet heaven" genre, Deep Rock Galactic: Survivor is undoubtedly one of the best games in this category, thanks to its breadth of offerings and overall well-thought-out gameplay. It's a shame there are a few minor stumbles overall, but nothing that seriously compromises the quality of the final offering. And it's all at a truly competitive price.

Super Mario Galaxy and Galaxy 2 are coming to Switch (and Switch 2) without major extra content compared to the originals, but with graphical improvements above expectations.

Trails in the Sky: First Chapter confirms why The Legend of Heroes saga is considered a benchmark in the world of JRPGs: a long but never boring adventure, with a memorable cast and a world crafted down to the smallest detail. The combination of solid writing, deep combat systems, and customization options makes the experience compelling from start to finish. Even small imperfections—often predictable side quests or more frenetic combat—don't detract from the overall quality. It's a title that entertains, excites, and makes you feel part of a coherent and living universe, perfect for both veterans and those new to the saga. With a remake of the second chapter already in the works and scheduled for release next year, there's no better time to dive into the Kiseki universe.

Ghost of Yōtei is an ambitious project, capable of capitalising on the success of Ghost of Tsushima while building its own identity, rooted in the cultural context of the Ainu and 17th-century Hokkaidō. The protagonist, Atsu, is a highly successful character: strong, consistent and driven by clear motivation, she carries the narrative forward with intensity without ever seeming like Jin's female counterpart. The combat system evolves the formula of its predecessor, adding variety and a faster pace, while the game world is rich and dense, rewarding exploration with both concrete upgrades and narrative ideas such as the bond with the Wolf, one of the best-realised ideas. Aesthetically and sonically, the title reaches one of the peaks of the current generation: from visual filters with great personality to an inspired soundtrack, to consistently theatrical art direction, Ghost of Yōtei knows how to enchant with continuity. However, there are still limitations that betray the legacy of the past, including stealth that is still lacklustre and outdated exploration mechanics. Overall, it is a game that is entertaining and engaging, greater than the sum of its parts, but one that prefers caution over revolution.

This second DLC isn't for those dreaming of epic battles, frenetic pace, or pitched warfare across the lands of medieval Bohemia. There's a more intimate nuance to what happens in the forge; between working at the anvil and filing, there's time to delve into a part of Henry that deserves to be explored. The same way the brave young man devotes himself to his father's trade, a craft he must learn to honor his late parent's memory, but also to build a genuine fortune, as well as a refuge for his weary limbs and tormented soul.

Final Fantasy Tactics: The Ivalice Chronicles is, ultimately, a valuable and respectful return to a work that marked the history of Japanese tactical role-playing games. Despite some questionable localization decisions and the lack of an Italian translation, this re-release offers the best possible opportunity to (re)discover a timeless classic, still capable of surprising us with its depth and narrative intensity. Square Enix has chosen not to distort the soul of the title, instead offering a bridge between past and present that will appeal to both nostalgic and new players: a faithful tribute and an invitation to immerse yourself once again, or for the first time, in the dark events of Ivalice.

Featuring a relaxed and accessible gameplay, Hammer & Ravens' Ale Abbey stands out for its serene atmosphere and the care and detail in translating the artisanal brewing process. The charming fermenters, the variety of ingredients, and the ability to customize the monastery make the experience engaging and soothing, despite a certain underlying repetitiveness.

Kyle Crane returns, the nightmarish nights return, and the sensations that Dying Light, more so than Dying Light 2, Stay Human, gave us return, albeit transposed into a very different setting design. The Beast may not be perfect and is a more contained experience than its predecessors, but it will certainly delight fans of the first installment because it recalls it where it matters most. The hunt for the Baron isn't for those looking for elaborate narratives; after all, it's just a pretext to get back out there and dance from rooftop to rooftop with Techland-style agility, among the most "beautiful" infected ever, nervously checking the clock to avoid finding hordes of horrors of the night on your heels... until the Beast makes his monstrous appearance. With this intense installment, peace is officially made between those who were disappointed by the direction the franchise has taken and Techland.

We had high expectations for this new instalment in the Konami series, and for once we can say that they were not disappointed. Silent Hill f is one of the best “classic” horror titles ever made. It manages to revamp the original formula by enriching gameplay that has very few flaws and delivering a deep, multifaceted, painful, unfiltered story that is worth experiencing more than once.

EA SPORTS FC 26 marks a step forward from its predecessor. Balanced gameplay and a fluid structure that's incredibly fun, it also brings some changes to Ultimate Team and Career modes (both player and manager), always hitting the mark. We hope this holds true throughout the year, and we're keeping our fingers crossed for any patches that, in the past, have brought about some unwelcome changes.

Towa and the Guardians of the Sacred Tree is an isometric hack-and-slash roguelite that combines frenetic combat with strategic party management. The nine selectable characters have different styles that recall RPG archetypes such as tanks, rangers, or AoE mages, although the latter have a significant advantage. The weapon system relies on two interchangeable blades, subject to wear, and the Fury attack, a special attack unlocked by charging mana. Common enemies serve as a prelude to imposing bosses, while between runs, you can spend time in the village on activities that offer permanent buffs and encourage a constant growth cycle.

NHL 26 delivers a mixed experience. The game shows flashes of brilliance, thanks to a solid gameplay rhythm and a fair amount of on-ice spectacle, but it's still weighed down by a range of persistent issues. These flaws, while sometimes minor, can become increasingly frustrating over the course of a full season, especially for dedicated players. The revamped Be a Pro career mode is a welcome improvement, addressing several weaknesses from previous iterations. However, the rest of the game modes offer little evolution, largely recycling content and features from last year without introducing meaningful innovations.

While it isn’t perfect, with optimization especially leaving something to be desired, Borderlands 4 is a very clear improvement over its predecessor, with a far better paced story, a convincing set of characters, and a gameplay that benefited greatly from the newly added movement mechanics.

Katanaut is an action roguelite that focuses heavily on the katana: quick and brutal slashes deliver great impact, with the ability to reload your firearm only by striking in melee, creating an aggressive and satisfying gameplay cycle. Melee weapons are complemented by laser rifles, railguns, and grenade launchers that diversify the runs. The extensive perk and power-up system offers spectacular synergies, but some cooldowns are too short, making certain builds overly powerful. The experience is penalized by procedural generation, which offers linear corridors or empty areas, aggravated by enemy AI. Visually polished, it's fun but remains imperfect.

Hollow Knight: Silksong elevates the Metroidvania experience with a vast and intricate world, filled with unique biomes, hidden secrets, and clever backtracking that turns every step into discovery. Hornet, agile and versatile, tackles her ascent to Pharloom with dashes, diagonal pogos, and abilities that make for fluid and creative platforming. Exploration intertwines with intense combat against over 200 enemies and 40 bosses, each with deadly patterns that require study and precision due to their high difficulty. With hand-drawn environments that resemble living paintings and Christopher Larkin's soundtrack, capable of shifting from melancholic whisper to orchestral explosion, Silksong transforms every screen into a visual and aural spectacle of rare intensity.

Daemon X Machina: Titanic Scion is particularly impressive when it comes to gameplay: the combat system is varied and creative, the exoskeleton customization is extensive, and the boss fights, when they work, offer spectacular moments. Multiplayer is also solid, thanks to cross-play that expands the possibilities for cooperation. The rest, however, isn't quite as impressive: the plot is weak, the cast forgettable, the filler missions slow down the pace, and the game world, while vast, feels empty and repetitive. Last but not least, on a technical level, the Switch 2 version reviewed here shows clear limitations, with slow loading times and an unstable frame rate. This is a game that will entertain fans of mechs and gear optimization who are willing to overlook the objective problems, but it's unlikely to satisfy those looking for an engaging story or a world to enjoy exploring.

Everybody's Golf returns to its roots, leaving the pseudo open-world of previous instalment for a more traditional structure. The new dev team has worked to give fans an accessible but appropriately challenging title, full of classic and new challenges, but it should have worked harder to offer something truly new that went beyond mini golf-style modes and, above all, a title that was technically and aesthetically on par with current platforms.

Super Robot Wars Y is an ode to nostalgia and a passion for Japanese robots: every animated sequence, every opening credit, every battle is a small celebration of the cartoons that shaped our childhoods. The roster combines old and new series to please fans of all ages, while the overly simple strategic action almost becomes a pause between one breathtaking sequence and the next. Here too, the series shows the weight of tradition: few innovations, long dialogues, and a conservative approach that limits risk and surprise, keeping it prisoner to its formula. You have to know what you're getting into. Those who love Japanese robots and jump out of their seats at the sight of Tetsuya incinerating assorted monsters with gamma rays, screaming like a maniac, will find this an almost essential experience. Those who know the series inside out and are looking for freshness and boldness will inevitably be disappointed.

NBA 2K26 confirms its position as the undisputed champion of basketball games in a largely uncompetitive market, sticking with its familiar formula and improving it in a few ways. We really enjoyed the improved fluidity of the match action and the new shooting mode, as well as the structure of the career mode, although the reward system and the myriad of repetitive tasks don't always live up to expectations. As always, we're not particularly fond of in-game transactions, but they're no longer a novelty. The king is back, long live the king! But so many taxes...

Lost Soul Aside is one of those titles that, once you've played it, makes you realize the difference between knowing a video game series well and developing one. There are several elements worth saving, but they're not helped at all by the context in which they were inserted. And the idea of ​​launching everything at a premium price also lowers the appeal of the offering.