The Alters has been one of the most interesting and thought-provoking games I’ve played this year. Its sublime survival aspects are only surpassed by its interactions with Jan and his Alters. It’s a beautiful game on the visual front, but even more so in the fact that it makes you come to grips with yourself. When the time comes, do you think you could depend on yourself? [Highly Recommended]

With post-launch content updates, I could see The Eternal Die winning over even more fans. It’s very charming and has a lot to love. I could even see this becoming the type of game to win over fans who don’t like roguelikes all that much. At this point, if I could choose? I’d love to see Stormteller Games continue to innovate on the Lost in Random franchise. Maybe the next game could be an action RPG, or something completely different. The world is interesting and unique, and they have the potential to truly make it sing. [Highly Recommended]

If you loved Warhammer 40K Space Marine when it first released? I won’t have to do much convincing to check this out. It’s tighter, smoother, and looks better than ever. The remastered audio and visuals make this a treat, even if it does suffer from that seventh-generation brown hue. It’s an incredibly solid remaster across the board, and one that brought me far more joy than I could have expected. Coming back to where it all began after playing countless hours of Space Marine 2 was slightly jarring. But any chance I have to revisit a childhood favorite? I’m always on board. Don’t worry, SPACE MUHREENS wasn’t affected by the audio remaster. It’s still here in all its glory. [Recommended]

So, coming into this game as a relative newbie, I’m sure there are longstanding gripes with the series that longtime fans have. Having only put any time into one game in the series prior to this, I can’t speak to an overall evolution from past entries to this one. What I can say, though, is that for those who are on the fence about this style of game, as I was, or those who are just looking for a great entry point, F1 25 is perfect for you. If you’re willing to really lean into how races actually work and the management that goes on during them, you’ll have a great time. [Highly Recommended]

The Life and Suffering of Sir Brante is everything that timeless art should aspire to be: a mirror into the soul of the beholder. In a land of hard-hitting, brutal, narrative-heavy RPGs, The Life and Suffering of Sir Brante is an uncontested deity. Whatever life you choose for your Brante, know this. It’ll be devastating. It’ll be unrelenting. But it’ll be one of the best damn lives you’ll ever live. [Best In Its Class]

If you’ve been itching for something that’s more in-depth than most cozy games, while still offering plenty of moments to relax? Guardians of Azuma is the game for you. No matter if you’ve never had the experience of a Rune Factory game before, or the idea of mundane and repetitious work is intimidating, there’s plenty here to keep you happy. [Highly Recommended]

Don’t get me wrong. There are some creepy moments here. But Office After Hours is a fun, albeit simple, spot-the-difference horror game. But the things that they’ve added, the collectibles to find, and the progression system make it far more interesting than many others out there. Give it a try, and see if you may be able to survive. Pro tip? Hit the blue button. Trust me. [Highly Recommended]

Sure, some parts of the original game aren’t here, but it’s easy to see why people are loving the newest entry. It’s incredibly unique, features fantastic music, and looks stunning to boot. I hope Level-5 keeps the content coming, because I don’t want to put down Fantasy Life i any time soon. [Highly Recommended]

It throws so much at you, but you really do have everything you need to get the highest score possible. I’m fully engaged in unlocking every perk and ship I can to keep getting better. It’s a game that tests your skills and willingness to get better. [Highly Recommended]

Every aspect of The Midnight Walk is mind-blowing, from its gameplay to its character designs and worldbuilding. I truly believe this is one of the most underrated games of the year so far and should be a must-play for anyone. [Best In Its Class]

For me? This is art. Surrealism encroaching on the cusp of perfection. A concept that could only be accomplished through the medium of video games. While I would watch a big-budget RATSHAKER film adaptation with Chris Pratt as The Rat, I don’t know how many other folks would be in the same boat. If you’ve been eagerly searching for something that will scare you, make you laugh, all while being one of the most outlandish concepts imaginable? There’s no better way to spend $3.49.

But a fun story, witty dialogue, fantastic visuals and controls, and a great premise make SEDAP! A Culinary Adventure one of my new favorite multiplayer games to play. Chaos rules in this kitchen, but it’s not as overwhelmingly terrifying as something like Overcooked. Katie tends to lose her cool quickly in stressful situations, but she was always on top of her duties in SEDAP!. Having a game that fully dives into the more chaotic elements of multiplayer gaming, while also still being easy enough to digest for newcomers, is a blessing. [Highly Recommended]

Palia is one of those games that puts fun and joy above everything else. It features an in-depth building and crafting system. There are plenty of quests to lose yourself in, and the world is big, bold, and beautiful. It’s the perfect way to introduce someone to the world of MMOs, and has a massive community of lovely fans. You can’t help but smile whenever you boot up Palia, and you’ll likely find your new favorite thing after trying it out for just a little while. [Highly Recommended]

StarVaders is an interesting and engaging take on deckbuilding roguelikes. I know we’ve been getting a lot of these recently, but this is a game that stands near the top of the genre and is a worthwhile addition to your library. [Highly Recommended]

POPUCOM is such a unique concept, and it’s executed to near perfection. If there’s one thing that I could raise a flag about, it’s the lack of a sprint button. Beyond that? POPUCOM is incredibly polished, pure fun, and just a blast to experience. Grab your friend or significant other, sit down, and prepare for some of the best puzzle/platformer/shooter action you’ll experience this year. [Best in its Class]

Spray Paint Simulator has its heart in the right place, and with a few updates, it could be something special. If you’ve been searching for something to keep you occupied, you could do much worse than this one. It succeeds at what it tries to do, offering a unique take on the “Cleaning” and “Podcast Games” genres. Hopefully, as time goes on, the development team continues to add new scenarios, multiplayer options, and more to keep players interested. I would happily return once again if I could play the full story in co-op.

The magic of Elden Ring: Nightreign lies in how it slowly evolves the more you play. The Nightfarer you chose in Hour 1 won’t be the same by Hour 20. Thanks to relics and unlockable items, your character can improve dramatically over time. In that sense, the spirit of Elden Ring allowing players to shape their own unique gameplay style is still alive. Just be ready to play by the multiplayer’s rules during those early hours as you slowly claw your way through its progression. But, like any FromSoftware game, the reward is worth it. Finally, if you’re a big fan of Soulsborne combat, Elden Ring: Nightreign was made for you. It’s an all-thriller, no-filler combat experience—and it’s incredibly fun.

Those who never got a chance to experience the Game Boy Advance in all its glory? Look no further than Pipistrello and the Cursed Yoyo. It’s a wonderful blend of both old and new, and is one of the best adventures I’ve been on this year. I can’t wait to come back to this one when I’m even older and look at it just as fondly as I remember my childhood, as it evoked those same exact feelings.

Capcom Fighting Collection 2 is a solid collection of mostly good fighters. Capcom did a great job of modernizing certain aspects, like having rollback netcode in all of the games, and allowing you to save at any point. With the resurgence of Capcom over the last few years, this is a great way to continue that upward trajectory and set themselves up for the future, should they recognize that there is a certain series in there that we want back. [Highly Recommended]

But seriously, if you’re looking for a new platforming obsession? Shotgun Cop Man is your man. It’s weird, quirky, and plays like a dream. Plus, trying to precision platform while only having shotguns available to propel you forward is a nightmare in all of the right ways. I don’t think anything can match this madcap energy quite as well as Deadtoast Entertainment did, and I’ll be in line for their next weird project. [Highly Recommended]

It’s hard not to argue in favor of this being the new Gold Standard for Remasters. The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered, Metroid Prime Remastered, and only a few other games can hold this title. Paying respect to the original game, while improving the more aged parts of it. Like a fine wine, the tale of Oblivion is retold for a new audience. All while retaining everything that made it feel just as special as it did in 2006. [Best in Class]

But it’s also a story of perseverance. Of pushing forward even when it feels impossible. Of carrying the weight of sorrow without letting it define you. And daring to believe in a future no one has ever seen – simply because someone has to. And that’s what makes Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 so quietly powerful, and such a stroke of brilliance in this medium. [Best in Class]

Controversy aside, Schedule 1 is a much more charming game to play [than "Drug Dealer Simulator"]. On a fundamental level, it’s much more accessible and enjoyable. [Early Access Impressions]

Underneath a few blemishes and missteps, Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves offers an undeniably rich and technical fighting game experience. It’s a big step forward for SNK — in my book, at least. Both visually (we don’t talk about King of Fighters XV) and from a mechanical standpoint. While its single-player content and onboarding process leave much to be desired? Those looking for a deep, competitive, and rewarding 2D fighter to sink hundreds of hours into need look no further. [Highly Recommended]

Bionic Bay is a great time and a pretty solid 10-to-12-hour platforming adventure. [Strongly Recommended]

If NetEase can iron out some of the platforming woes, Rusty Rabbit can become something of a household name. But right now, it’s a game that is going to require patience for anybody jumping into it. It has that AA charm and jank, so if you’re comfortable with that? You’ll find a game unlike anything else you’ve played. It borrows a lot from the industry giants, but it’s still unique enough to feel like its own personal self. [Recommended]

Blue Prince is, hands down, one of the best games I’ve ever played. And that’s indie or AAA. It’s a triumph in environmental storytelling, as well as game and puzzle design. It’s a game that you need to play. The only thing it asks of you is to truly engage with its world. I still can’t say enough about what Tonda Ros and his team have put together. There is nothing like this game. Blue Prince should be front and center in contention for 2025’s Game of the Year award. [Class Of Its Own]

Its budget-friendly price tag, paired with the wealth of content within the world of AI Limit, makes it a no-brainer for fans of this frantic type of combat experience. Even if you’ve never played a game like this before, this is the perfect stepping stone toward “getting gud”, even if the punishment isn’t as harsh as some other games. [Recommended]