EA SPORTS FC 26 provides, without doubt, the best and most authentic gameplay experience in franchise history, even though it’s not quite perfect. The improvements and revamps across many modes offer refreshing play options that enhance replayability more than ever before. It’s just a shame that Player Career Mode didn’t receive the same level of care and attention. Ultimately, EA FC 26 is an easy recommendation and has given me the best experience I’ve had with the franchise in over a decade.

Final Fantasy Tactics - The Ivalice Chronicles proves that the original game is still a strong video game. Adding voice acting makes it almost a whole different experience.

Silent Hill f does what the developers intended to do: Capture the soul and spirit of the first three Silent Hill games and put it into an unapologetically Japanese package. However, after playing the game, I walked away feeling like this was more like Forbidden Siren or Fatal Frame than a Silent Hill. The removal of the town itself is a big loss, but this game is one hell of a horror game that would have done really well even if it didn't have the Silent Hill brand attached to it.

Wander Stars is a quirky RPG that uses vocabulary to fight. It’s old school anime art style and soundtrack will transport you back to the 90’s and will live up to the expectations of those who grew up watching Saturday morning cartoons.

Trails in the Sky 1st Chapter is the definitive way to start the Trails series. It is an amazing game, and the story and themes are just as relevant today as they were 20 years ago.

Cladun X3 is a pixel game that has a lot of charm and creativity. It can feel like it throws a lot at you, but at the end of the day, it is a fun and adventurous time.

Dying Light: The Beast is everything I wanted from Techland’s return to the series. The combat is brutal and fun, the sandbox world is massive and rewarding to explore, and Beast Mode is an absolute highlight. I feel that this is the best entry in the franchise and a must-play for fans of Dying Light.

Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds is a return to form for the Sonic kart-racing series, while adding exciting mechanics like portals that shift your race mid-race. The tracks are creative and colorful, the visuals shine. On the downside, handling can feel loose in tighter turns, rubber-banding and item chaos sometimes detract from competitive racing. Still, if you're looking for a fun, fast-paced kart racing, then Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds delivers.

2K has done an amazing job with this years instalment, adding new things and improving other’s. Shooting feels amazing but Defence does need some tweaking. Also adding WNBA players to MyTeam, we come one step closer to Woman in MyCareer. Something that I think is more of a sooner then later addition.

Jotunnslayer: Hordes of Hel doesn’t break the mold when it comes to swarm survivor games, but it doesn’t have to. It offers plenty of replayability, and addictive gameplay that will keep you coming back for more. Plus, if you love norse mythology, then this game is steeped in it.

Varlet brings a lot to the table in its systems and mechanics. It also adds a lot of self-discovery to the gameplay with the ruler and leader systems. The SSS requests are monotonous and definitely feel more like busy work than anything, but it doesn’t hold the game down too much.

If Anthem actually had BioWare stick the landing, it would be something similar to what Daemon X Machina: Titanic Scion has put out. Titanic Scion‘s story and gameplay does the job to somewhat get over the itch that Armored Core 6 came and went with. However, it feels as though it’s going the Vanquish route with how quick the pacing is. Titanic Scion delivers on giving players that freedom some mech games sorrowly need with a sequel that keeps you glued to your Arsenal.

For those who can’t get enough Indy, The Order of Giants whips up an engaging Indiana Jones mini-adventure. What it lacks in scope it more than makes up for with some of the best puzzles in the entire game. And its standalone Rome story feels like a movie unto itself, filled with rich lore and moments of wonder.

Chip n’ Claws vs. The Brainioids is a fun mashup of RTS and action gameplay. It does have a fun gameplay loop, though it can be a bit overwhelming.

Cronos: The New Dawn is a superb new IP from Bloober Team, taking inspiration from survival horror greats such as Dead Space and Resident Evil. With an eerie atmosphere throughout and excellent art direction helping to provide top-class environmental storytelling, all while being supported by weighty, impactful combat, Cronos: The New Dawn proves that the space of sci-fi survival horror isn't dead yet.

Kill the Brickman is simple to pick up, but complex to master… but don’t worry, because a lot of it depends on luck with your build. One thing is for certain, despite the game overwhelming you up-front with its systems, it is highly addictive, and it will keep you playing for hours.

A phenomenal Visual Novel experience.

Popucom is an entertaining Co-op Puzzle Platformer that has a very simple and charming aesthetic. It may not be a perfect entry into the genre, but it is a fun one.

Elden Ring Nightreign is the “greatest hits” album of FromSoftware games. With bosses from Dark Souls, builds inspired by Bloodborne and Sekiro, and the world of Elden Ring, it has something for every Soulslike fan. And it’s multiplayer. It throws a lot into one pot and ends up as more of a cracked pot. But patches may fix it over time. No, not that Patches.

All in Abyss: Judge the Fake is a fun combination of Yu-Gi-Oh! and Danganronpa that is much more fun getting to and fighting the bosses than it is for the rest of the game.

Nice Day For Fishing is an enjoyable game that’s best played in short spurts. The battles keep you on your toes with a consistent challenge throughout. There’s always deeper areas to explore and plenty of resource gathering available. However, it does tend to drag out with the repetitive tasks. But aside from that minor quibble, anyone that’s been looking for a Fishing RPG can’t go wrong here, especially if you are a major fan of Epic NPC Man.

You might be left feeling like F1 25 is playing things a bit too safe and not taking any risks. BUT who can blame Codemasters for coasting behind a safety car when they have no direct competition.

Wrap House Simulator is just another one of those meme games that streamers play when they want to have a chill night, which is why it can be recommended. But if you don’t like the idea of working a virtual job after coming home from your real job, then this might not be for you.

Mario Kart World feels like a true expansion of the franchise in many ways. The Nintendo Switch 2’s abilities allow for grander courses, more intense races, and experiences that’ll appeal to both hardcore racers and those who just want to roam around and see everything with their friends.

FBC: Firebreak is a fun fast-paced three player co-op shooter which offers a new perspective on the world of Remedy Entertainment’s Control thus separating itself from the competition. Progression could be streamlined but the core gameplay experience combined with the difficulty and clearance systems make this game an easy recommendation.

Rune Factory: Guardians of Azuma is a solid direction for the series to make the already deep building elements as set dressing for a more narrative-focused Rune Factory experience. It can be jarring for long-time players of the series, though.

Yaoling Mythical Journey is a fun creature-collector with a battle system that is centered on party building.

Death Stranding 2: On the Beach continues the same gameplay from the original without any meaningful innovations or ideas. That said, the brilliant story and unparalleled music and performances make this worth a look.

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Splintered Fate is a cool roguelike that may stand on its own within the legacy of the brand. While it does its homework for what the Turtles are, Splintered Fate delivers a challenging step for a roguelike, whether it’s solo or even with others. If Hades is your stitch, the turtle boys’ new foray might be something to definitely check out.

Atomfall Wicked Isle starts off promising with a trip to an eerie island inhabited by cults and creepy fish people. But the call of the mainland proves too much as it segues back to the base game in many ways. It’s a fine diversion, but doesn’t do much to differentiate itself from what’s already in the game.

Palia is a great example of what a cozy game can be. It expands the genre and adds a lot of new features that some other cozy games don’t offer. However, it does fall short when compared to cozy game classics like Stardew Valley and the My Time At series. I really enjoyed my time with the game and plan to keep playing, hoping future updates bring even more great content.

Bravely Default Flying Fairy HD Remaster is a very authentic remaster of the original title, but doesn’t offer much reason to play it if you haven’t played it already. Great recommendation for those who haven’t played it on 3DS.

Thrive: Heavy Lies The Crown is not a bad game it’s just a game that is chasing the greats and constantly falling short. However, falling short in this genre tends to mean you are still a decent game.

Stronghold Crusader Definitive Edition is without a doubt the best way to play this classic RTS game. It’s more than just a simple remaster with improved visuals and audio. Those upgrades are here, sure, but there’s also a multitude of new content that will keep you entertained for hours.

An Audio and Visual Upgrade but some parts fall flat, This is the nature of yearly sport games unfortunately. But the ability to play from High School all the way to the NFL is a reason I would get both College Football & Madden this year.

No Sleep For Kaname Date – From AI: The Somnium Files is a fun experience with tons of wacky times with Kaname Date. It also has some great storytelling.

Mecha Break delivers what it sets out to do with a sweet entry point into a Hero Shooter. With the potential to continue its dominance with more strikers and modes, for what Mecha Break provides is addicting all on its’ own from the start. While some hurdles can be avoided, such as microtransactions, the rest of the action is smooth enough to set a path for a bright future.

MADO MONOGATARI: Fia and the Wondrous Academy is an entertaining experience that has a lot to offer for those wanting a fun and humorous time. These characters are hilarious, but the gameplay can get a bit repetitive.

I’ve enjoyed my time with the game, even though it kicked my ass way more than other Soulslikes that I’ve played in quite some time.

Edens Zero is a weird mesh of older beat ’em ups, Musou, and Action combat that turns out to be quite fun. It can feel outdated with its accessibility and lack of PC options, but it is still really engaging.

Ninja Gaiden Ragebound is a fun, action-packed homage to the classic series that blends retro charm with a few modern twists. While it doesn’t reinvent the formula, it delivers a solid experience that longtime fans will appreciate and newcomers can still enjoy; punishing difficulty, with a bit of cheapness and all.

Donkey Kong Bananza is nothing short of a revelation and revolution about what DK can be as a character and how his games can be different from Mario’s, Kirby’s, and others of his platforming ilk. He and Pauline are the epic “dynamic duo” that Nintendo can rally around to start the Switch 2 age, and you’ll love this game from start to finish…then go back for even more.

Hello Kitty Island Adventure is an easy-going, cozy game. It can feel a bit overbearing with all that you can do.

Chained Echoes: Ashes of Elrant may have its flaws with its execution, but if you liked the combat and the characters, then it is worth a look.

Fallen City Brawl is a fun beat ’em up experience, but it doesn’t have any replay value. I also wish there was a bit more substance to the story in levels.

EA Sports Madden NFL 26 marks one of the franchise’s biggest leaps in years, especially in Franchise Mode, which finally gets meaningful depth and realism. On-field gameplay feels smoother and more fluid, with better animations, more responsive passing, and smarter AI. Overall this instalment breathes new life into the series, especially for Franchise fans, delivering smarter design choices, improved gameplay flow, and a more immersive presentation that make it the most exciting entry in over a decade.

Killing Floor 3 must be doing something right as the game series is well into it’s third game, but I can’t understand how a very generic horde-shooter can last this long. With under 2000 players on the game a couple of weeks after launch, it shows that people don’t see much in this game anymore, which hurts it more than anything else. Killing Floor 3 is a good game at it’s core, but without players, there is no appeal to a game that is made for online co-op play.

In the end, Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater proves that there is nothing quite like Metal Gear Solid on offer today. Konami has proven that it still has what it takes, while staying true to the original effort, and modernising in all the right places. Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater sits alongside Silent Hill 2 as one of the best remakes in gaming.

Particle Hearts is a pretty interesting experience. It has a sense of loneliness that feels inspired by Shadow of the Colossus. It also had some fun ping ponging of emotions in the environment that reminded me of Flower when I played that game for the first time. It is a game that asks you to stay aware of your surroundings, and you don’t need to finish the game quickly. Take your time to find the best route and find all the little collectibles. Sure, rest under that mushroom. Explore and enjoy the world. If you are interested in adventure platforming titles and a world where you can explore in a unique way, this is the one to look out for.

After waiting for decades, Shinobi and Joe Musashi have not just made a proper return, but are a shining example of what SEGA can do with its older titles, should it want to. It’s simply flawless, full of enjoyable combat, tricky sections, and plenty to keep ninja gaming fans happy from start to finish.

Story of Seasons: Grand Bazaar is a fantastic first Story of Seasons game on the Nintendo Switch 2. It has a cute art style, and it is very cozy.