Crisol: Theater of Idols is a unique take on survival horror that has swiftly became one of my favourite games in a long while. It takes classics like Resident Evil 4 and Bioshock and fuses them into a brand new nightmare. The twisting narrative, the mix of gameplay mechanics, and the sheer visceral thrill of the game once it gets its claws into you all combine to make this perhaps my happiest gaming surprise in years. If this glowing review wasn’t enough to convince you, it’s even priced incredibly competitively and puts many far more expensive titles to shame. Crisol truly deserves to become more than just a cult classic and will be in the conversation for horror game of the year, even with some obvious competition on the horizon.

Just like with its bizarre setting and over-the-top visuals, the overall experience of Aerial Knight’s Dropshot is uneven. There’s complete brilliance in places, such as the thrilling races, but they come alongside some rather uninspired and borderline frustrating combat. If I could just have a game full of the rival chases, and get rid of the fighting, this would be terrific. As it is, it’s alright.

There are moments where Gear.Club Unlimited 3 nearly comes together, but when other games like JDM and Tokyo Xtreme Racer exist, it becomes clear just how much of a poor facsimile it is.

Don't Stop, Girlypop! is a yassified delight and the kind of unabashedly girl-power game I love to see. I just wish that as much energy went into the polish and game design as it went into the art, vibes, and killer soundtrack.

You really should play Dispatch. This funny and surprisingly touching superhero adventure is something to be savoured. Just don’t play it on Nintendo Switch, the clumsy censorship renders a terrific game a rather mediocre one instead.

Clue: Murder By Death fully immerses the player in a thoroughly realised 1930’s era country estate murder mystery with the welcome addition of cute, cartoony visuals. Sadly, the game is somewhat let down by a frustrating two-hour real-time playthrough limit that collides with tedious character walking speeds and frequent clunky load screens.

I like Hordes of Hunger, but I don't love it, and in a field of games that are a lot like this, it's hard to recommend. That being said, if you're someone who wants to indulge in a grimdark fantasy world and hit things a lot, this could be a good chance to do so.

Reanimal is bold and uncompromising evolution of Tarsier’s signature style, darker, stranger, and far less forgiving than anything that came before. I was repulsed, I was unsettled, and I loved it.

We’ve still got the bulk of the game to go, but it already feels pretty clear where this game will land for people. If you enjoyed the first game and still adore Rick and Morty’s ad-libbed humour, then this is absolutely for you. This brings plenty more of that same tone, but there’s a sprinkling of new ideas and fun diversions that could make it appeal more broadly. [Review in Progress]

Citadelum is a great city builder, and it absolutely sings on Switch 2 thanks to the console’s mouse controls. After this, console city builders will never be the same again.

The overall experience of Dark Auction is quite the contradiction, just like its genre-breaking story. There are moments of superb 2D-driven visual novel-style dialogue, conflicting with dull, clunky and unnecessary 3D exploration. Overall, I’d say the former still trumps the latter, and when you experience the next shocking over-the-top theatrical plot revelation during an auction, Dark Auction proves well worth the effort.

Mario Tennis Fever is another highly polished and enjoyable entry in the series that is well worth picking up for fans and newcomers. I’m not sure it renders its Switch predecessor Aces completely redundant, given the Switch 2's backward compatibility, but anyone who is after a new approach will find much to enjoy here. Assuming that the netcode is solid post-launch, then you should have a lot of fun with Mario and his friends.

Romeo is a Dead Man is exactly what you're expecting it to be if you're familiar with Suda51, which means you are expecting the unexpected. It's as weird as possible from the very beginning and features a collection of influences that combine into a unique and surreal journey. Actually fighting stuff is the least interesting part of the game, which is good because I find the combat a bit weak, but if you can see through that – and maybe start of the lower difficulty so it's less of a burden – this is a rollercoaster of the peculiar that you'll want to stick with to the end.

Aces of Thunder feels like it's missing some basics, like tutorials, feedback on hits, and an informative HUD. I know it's a sim, but what's the point of simulating me being in a plane and not knowing where to go? What kind of commander says there's enemies incoming, but with no further details, like direction? That, along with some frustrating issues with the controls and fiddly use of a DualSense while in VR just leaves me coming away from the game more frustrated than elated. If you've got the patience to get through the trial and error, you might enjoy this very realistic flight combat sim, but the multiplayer still won't be well populated without crossplay.

Yakuza Kiwami 3 & Dark Ties is a combo of action adventures that longtime fans of the series will have hours of fun with. The added gameplay features and altered visuals, unfortunately, contrast with the story experience in a way that doesn't feel as authentic to the original experience as I would have liked.

Dynasty Warriors: Origins - Visions of Four Heroes galvanises the rebirth of a fan favourite franchise that had started to show signs of fatigue. The expansion helps to further expand the story through additional character perspectives while supercharging the hack n’ slash gameplay with new features. However, with the DLC costing almost as much as the core game on some platforms, it's a tough sell, only suitable for those die-hard DW heads who simply can’t wait for a sequel.

Speedball is a tremendous reboot of the iconic back-and-forth violence of the original games. Eye wateringly fast and explosively violent, playing against a pal in local mode is as good as it ever was. It’s just a shame that the single-player league and online modes haven’t been lavished with as much care and attention as the core gameplay. I hope that Rebellion stick with Speedball and keep developing it with new content, as this has the raw potential to be an exceptional sports game.

I absolutely adore Nioh 3. It's one of the best Soulslikes I've played in ages, quite possibly since Elden Ring itself, and while it's not as large (thankfully), the way it breaks everything down and gives you endless flexibility means that it's just fun to play. There are layers upon layers of systems to master and learn about, but the fact that this game is a blast to play never goes away. Do not miss out on this.

Dragon Quest VII Reimagined is a very, very impressive remake. 26 years after its original release, this modernised edition of the game is everything I want from an RPG, and I can imagine it landing very well with people who grew up partying with Kiefer and Maribel. It’s held back from a perfect score by only the smallest of gripes around pacing.

Cairn is a unique, slow, and surprisingly relaxing game where you occasionally lose your grip and fall to your death. There's a heartfelt story running through the ascent to the top of the mountain, survival elements as you manage limited resources, and accurate feeling climbing, but soaking in the gorgeous environments, making discoveries and mastering the climbing are a joy. Cairn is a unique game that stands out from all the rest.

On a platform that's fundamentally starved of more serious racers, GRID Legends is a great addition to the Switch 2's library. It absolutely deserves reassessment in 2026, and within this new context, with a drama-filled storyline and blockbuster presentation, it feels more of-the-moment than ever before.

Code Vein II is a haunting, thrilling, and unforgettable action adventure. It's so much more than the sum of its parts or the games that have clearly inspired it. It has a personality of its own that shoots beyond the soulslike genre tag, and never compromises on that unique vision.

It’s amazing to drop back into Cult of the Lamb with the Woolhaven DLC, and the harsh new reality it imposes on your cult. I just wish it came a few years sooner, so I hadn’t forgotten everything from my last run in 2022! If you’re new to the game, this won’t be a problem, but if you’re old hat, it may be better to start New Game+ and get back to speed, rather than jumping in late, low on resources and struggling more than you need to through your first few winters.

The Legend of Heroes: Trails Beyond the Horizon isn't the most gripping narrative, in part due to how much it relies on knowledge of so many other games to fully understand. What it does do right, though, is that it's an incredibly fun and addictive JRPG experience that I couldn't get enough of.

There’s something very compelling at work in Bladesong. The sense of desperation, danger and destitution run through the opening hours of the Campaign with alarming force, and in some ways the smithing and swordmaking is simply the means to explore and experience more of this world. I love the writing, and the classic adventure threads that run through each moment really help to pull you onwards. [Early Access Review]

A welcome and massively enjoyable return to Pandora, From The Ashes is an ideal accompaniment to Avatar: Fire and Ash, and one which should further cement the series in sci-fi fans’ hearts.

The Nintendo Switch 2 version of Final Fantasy VII Remake Integrade arrives in stunning form, with very few compromises made bringing it across to Nintendo’s newest hardware. It’s an essential purchase for RPG fans who haven’t had the chance to play this reimagined saga.

MIO: Memories In Orbit is an early contender for one of the most memorable games of 2026. It is an incredibly challenging game to play, with combat being a highlight, even if some platforming section can be frustrating. It looks fantastic, though, and the story is well told. MIO: Memories In Orbit draws you in, and does not let go easily. It is hard game but the journey is worth experiencing.