If you prefer something more complex, there may be some elements here that can bother you, but nothing so serious that it takes away the fun. At the end of the day, DOOM: The Dark Ages is still Doom and it's simply very hard not to have a blast ripping apart dozens of demons with the music at full volume.

Spirit of the North 2 builds on what already worked in its predecessor while adding new ideas—not necessarily original, but ones that shone in other introspective works, such as its grand open world. It’s the perfect sequel, bigger and better in every aspect, with several emotionally resonant moments with the world and its characters. Infuse Studio has finally achieved what seemed to be its goal from the very first game: to create poetry in the form of a video game.

Reigning supreme on the Xbox Series X, Forza Horizon 5 maintains its crown on the PlayStation 5 with hundreds of hours of content and impressive technical features, especially on the PS5 Pro. Surprisingly, PlayStation now houses the best console version of a major Xbox game. In a win-win deal for both companies, Sony is grateful – and Microsoft, with its deep pockets, is smiling from ear to ear.

Mandragora: Whispers of the Witch Tree is an honest soulsvania that respects the genre's conventions and understands what makes the combination of these styles so special, even if it has an uninspired character design. Combat and exploration flow in harmony and are the elements that drive the experience from beginning to end. The story, however, is relegated to a supporting role.

One of the most debated topics in the gaming industry in the past few years is whether video games can be considered art. While I don’t have the academic background necessary to provide a definitive answer to such a question, Clair Obscur Expedition 33, with its story, art, and music, evoked feelings in me that only the most memorable works of art can: pain, joy, sadness, and grief. All of this, combined with one of the finest turn-based RPG experiences of the last decade, makes this game not only one of the best of 2025, but one of the greatest offerings of this generation.

Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves is the “new” SNK at its best. Although the single-player content leaves something to be desired and the cast is divisive for including real-world personalities, the game preserves the legacy of the franchise with well-rounded, responsive and addictive gameplay. The art style and soundtrack are also a great success and remind us that this is, indeed, the same developer that marked our childhood in the arcades.

South of Midnight is one of those games that are very easy to recommend because it will be available day one on Game Pass. For those considering purchasing it, I’d say it’s worth evaluating whether this action-adventure style—so reminiscent of what we saw about 15 years ago and highly linear—aligns with your preferences. I believe the story, characters, soundtrack, and simpler gameplay can greatly appeal to players looking for something lighter that doesn’t demand dozens of hours of their attention, yet still delivers a fun and deeply moving experience.

The First Berserker: Khazan is a game built on an exceptionally solid foundation, featuring excellent gameplay, impressive visuals, and challenging, meticulously designed bosses. This strong base demonstrates immense potential, but unfortunately, it falls short due to its repetitive and lackluster sidequests. As a result, what could have been one of the standout games of the year becomes instead a solid recommendation primarily for fans of challenging action games.

If the excellent core of Xenoblade Chronicles X that didn't need to be renewed wasn't enough, such as its vast and excellent combat and RPG mechanics, a living and highly explorable world, and an excellent and addictive soundtrack, Monolith Software's remaster also manages to get the right improvements to revitalize the game for the Nintendo Switch. Whether you're a veteran of the game or, like me, a newcomer wanting to explore the world of Mira for the first time, Xenoblade Chronicles X Definitive Edition truly lives up to its name as the ultimate version to experience what can easily be considered one of the best JRPGs available for the Nintendo Switch.

Assassin's Creed Shadows brings back the franchise's fun with an engaging adventure in Feudal Japan, standing out for its rich narrative, well-integrated characters, and stunning visuals enhanced by the seasonal system. However, the game falters by overreaching in scale, featuring a lengthy storyline and a vast map with empty areas that contribute to visual and gameplay bugs. Even so, it’s a breath of fresh air for Ubisoft, signaling a return to its former glory.

Suikoden I&II HD Remaster is a gift for fans of the franchise or the RPG games that dominated the consoles of the 32-bit era. The package maintains the traditional elements of the games, such as free exploration, turn-based combat and, most importantly, hundreds of characters to add to your group, but now with a modern look that mixes nostalgia with modernity.

If you've played and enjoyed A Way Out or It Takes Two, there's no doubt that Hazelight's new game will become one of your favorites from the studio. The other thing I'm certain of is that Split Fiction isn't just an excellent game, it's a true celebration of what games should be and represent: creativity, fun, and the rare element of continuing to surprise you and put a smile on your face after hours of gameplay, when you thought you'd seen it all.

Just like the first title in the franchise, Path of Exile 2 could become a success thanks to the care and attention of its developer. Even though we haven't seen all the content the game has to offer yet, this short period of early access has already shown itself to be extremely promising, both for what we already have available to play and for GGG's philosophy and quick action in addressing the flaws reported by players. [Review in Progress]

A game like Two Point Museum is a very easy recommendation for those who like management games and enjoyed the last two titles in the series. Considering what the project has to offer in both campaign and sandbox modes, I would say that the price on PC and consoles is also very reasonable compared to other games of this type. However, it may be worth waiting for a sale if you are in doubt or have a tighter budget.

Monster Hunter Wilds offers an enjoyable experience, even if it has its fair share of rough patches. While it may not excel in every aspect its predecessors did, it's an adventure that deserves your attention. The only question is whether its current offerings would be enough for your preferences and play style, or if it's worth waiting for new monsters and more challenging content in the future.

Lost Records: Bloom & Rage is a beautiful, sentimental experience with a very dense narrative. Taking players back to the 90s, the game really digs into nostalgia by bringing back aspects that made the first Life is Strange a huge success, from cringe-inducing teenagers to multiple narrative paths.

Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii follows the series' motto of not being afraid to be a video game, something that should be a priority in the industry again. The title takes the best of the franchise's formula, building a solid and familiar base, and then spends its efforts on delivering very well-structured and engaging combat and maritime exploration systems.

There are enough good ideas in Avowed for it to be a fun adventure for Obsidian fans or those who like more casual RPGs, but there isn't enough depth in its mechanics, characters or plot for it to go much further than that. The overall experience is positive, but it definitely doesn't leave a memorable mark after the end credits roll.

With a stronger plot, better character development and a captivating dynamic between Henry and Hans, the game becomes essential for veteran fans and newcomers alike. Improved in every way possible, Kingdom Come Deliverance 2 definitely delivers the experience that Warhorse Studios always had in mind for the franchise.

After almost 15 years, I really think that Donkey Kong Country Returns HD is worth it. Its design has proven to be very strong over the years and I think the game has aged very well, as it remains as challenging, charismatic and fun as it was in 2010.

Dynasty Warriors: Origins is still a game about beating up an obscene amount of opponents, now with a personal motivation behind it all. With new tools that diversify combat, the Dynasty Warriors franchise seems to have finally found the ideal path to continue cultivating the genre it created.

With about 20 hours of campaign, Enigma of Fear was a good surprise in 2024 and brought that "Brazilian sauce" to a very competitive genre. Despite having some negative points, I'm sure they are all aspects that can be improved in the future.

As might be imagined, UFL is not ready to displace EA FC and eFootball, but there are elements that could upset the hegemony of both very soon.

Flight Simulator 2024 is the most inclusive version of the franchise, allowing players who always have difficulty playing it to finally find an accessible game. And for the experienced, it is never too realistic, both in the visual part and in its gameplay.

Even with some small problems, it is easy to say that Indiana Jones and the Big Circle is one of the best games of 2024, even though it has been released too late to participate in big awards.

My overall impression so far is that S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart Of Chornobyl has a lot of potential and could be a very fun game for fans of the series or even Fallout fans, as there are many similarities in mechanics and gameplay between the franchises. Leaving the bugs and issues aside, I have really enjoyed many aspects of S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2, but I can also see some points that could be improved over time. We will just have to wait for updates from the developers.

Overall, I think the changes and new features were enough to make the game much more enjoyable today, not to mention the incredible visuals provided by HD-2D and the unforgettable art by Akira Toriyama. Other than that, I think if you give Dragon Quest III HD-2D a chance, you'll be really surprised by how innovative it was and everything it was able to deliver as a small NES game in 1988 and, now, again in 2024.

For the LEGO fans, the game is worth it, especially for those who have never tried any game from the original series, or who simply love the casual and fun gameplay that is the hallmark of LEGO games. For Horizon fans, the game feels like a parody that doesn't add much in terms of content, other than seeing gameplay adapted for a wider audience, and that includes a split-screen mode.

Metal Slug Tactics is, above all, a tactics game with excellent gameplay and strategic variability that lives up to the legacy left by the franchise, which has already been forgotten by younger generations.

Black Ops 6 revitalizes the Call of Duty franchise with a remarkable campaign, sharp gameplay, and extra modes packed with content.

While it's great to see Max back with beautiful graphics and decent gameplay, Life is Strange Double Exposure's narrative may disappoint both Chloe fans and lovers of a good story. The game clearly sets a path that Square Enix wants to take with the franchise, and it involves more superpowers and less exciting stories.

Even with its flaws, Dragon Age The Veilguard is definitely worth giving a chance. And if you let go of the weight of expectations created over the last 10 years, you might actually be surprised by what the game and its characters have to offer. Of course, as with Dragon Age: The Veilguard, the decision is entirely in your hands.

REDACTED arrives with one of the best roguelikes of the year. The idea of ​​exploring the rich universe of The Callisto Protocol fits perfectly to place players in varied scenarios full of creatures. Its frenetic gameplay is a good choice for those looking for a challenge, and the reward system makes dying not so bad.

A Quiet Place: The Road Ahead is one of the most fun and immersive horror games I've played in recent times, and is a must-have for fans of the genre. The game uses audio so well that it's worth playing with a headset or a microphone activated.

Even though the games in the Mario Party franchise don't change that much overall, there are always factors that can make them boring or memorable. In the case of Jamboree, I think the variety of boards, modes, and ways to play could be the big difference in attracting those who haven't yet purchased a game in the franchise on the Nintendo Switch, or even convincing those who have already purchased the two predecessors in recent years.

Better than 99% of current RPGs, the remake of Romancing SaGa 2 does well in every area it dares to invest in. Thanks to the dedication of the Xeen studio, the visual and quality of life improvements make the game more enjoyable and rejuvenate its age. I say with a smile on my face that Revenge of the Seven is, without a doubt, the best entry point the franchise has had in over three decades.

In essence, Sonic X Shadow Generations is two games in one. The new content, starring Shadow the Hedgehog, continues the good momentum of modern games about the hedgehog and meets expectations with fun and diverse gameplay. However, the short length may disappoint fans.

For boxing fans, Undisputed is a promising franchise, but it still has a long way to go. Although the game impresses with its visual realism and the presence of sports stars, the gameplay is a direct hit to the chin, proving to be somewhat poor and full of flaws.

Neva represents a slight change of direction for Nomada Studio, moving away from subjective art and embracing a clearer style without leaving emotion aside. The addition of more complex parkour and combat shows the developer's commitment to improving and evolving its content, seeking to present its works to a larger player base.

Magnum Opus. The Latin expression is used to express a work of excellence in all aspects, usually being the pinnacle of an author or artist. If the composition of a team of renowned names from Studio P was already a clue that Metaphor was destined for great things, now with its release it is impossible not to have the feeling that this is the greatest work produced by Atlus yet. Absorbing everything that is best in the already historic Persona and Shin Megami Tensei franchises, Metaphor: ReFantazio is not only the best RPG of the year, but is also one of the big favorites for game of the year 2024.

Dragon Ball: Sparking Zero is so faithful to the original PlayStation 2 games that it serves as a reminder that they may not have been as good as they used to be. While this may not be a problem for some, those expecting a more interesting and diverse combat system may be disappointed. In practice, it's a bloated game that can easily become boring.

The new edition of Until Dawn has a clear purpose: to reach new audiences, both on PS5 and PC, and test the waters to see if the title has the potential to become a franchise. However, for those who already know the story or played the original, the changes definitely aren't worth the extra money.

Even though some adjustments may be necessary, this expansion will be essential for those who want to get the most out of future seasons. There are simply too many exclusive elements that will make a difference and, combined with update 2.0, Vessel of Hatred has the chance to transform the Diablo 4 we know into the game that many have wanted since its launch.

Packed with homages to the original, Silent Hill 2 Remake faithfully modernizes the gameplay of a classic for new audiences, while still delivering enough surprises to justify its existence. It’s a love letter to longtime fans, and the definitive version for newcomers.

EA FC 25 doesn't live up to its launch price. The game has limited improvements, especially in terms of gameplay, which make it only worth it for those who play competitive mode, or for those who can't live without Ultimate Team.

Ara History Untold could be a great competitor to other strategy games, such as Civilization. It relies on an efficient turn-based system, which helps you plan your next steps, and a progressive storyline that makes it a pleasure to see everything evolve into the most modern world.

After taking 11 hours to solve the mystery of Emio - The Smiling Man, my biggest problem is that it left me wanting more, leading me to believe that the franchise would benefit greatly from games with more cases in a single package, similar to Ace Attorney. This would also help justify its hefty price tag and tell a more complex story across multiple acts.

Frostpunk 2 brings excellent gameplay additions and also elevates its predecessor visually and in terms of immersion, although this is expected due to the migration to Unreal Engine 5. Overall, 11 Bit Studios does an excellent job with the new entry in the franchise, taking everything that brought it success six years ago and expanding it to new heights.

The Plucky Squire is a light-hearted experience that always manages to put a smile on the player's face with its surprises. Although it is more linear than desired, the game constantly plays with our expectations and reinvents its mechanics in an ingenious and fun way.

Enotria: The Last Song is a charming soulslike with such an attractive setting that it will win over even those who are not fans of the genre. It is impossible not to be impressed by the very well-constructed scenarios, on top of a bold theme, which culminated in a perfect match.

Marvel Vs. Capcom Fighting Collection: Arcade Classics promises a satisfying experience for beginners and veterans alike. Fighting games from this era are known for being challenging, but there are several conveniences here that allow all types of players to have fun without headaches.

Astro Bot is a game full of passion, quality and competence, consolidating Team Asobi as the best and most creative studio under the PlayStation Studios umbrella. It delivers an enchanting experience from start to finish, with fun and varied mechanics enough that the player doesn't notice the time passing. It is also worth praising the excellent localization into Brazilian Portuguese.

Castlevania Dominus Collection is a great release from Konami, even with the lack of subtitles in Brazilian Portuguese. There is a clear care with the preservation of the legacy, combined with a good set of extra content without the need for DLCs.

Raw as it should be and honest in its set of modes, Space Marine 2 inherits the simplistic spirit of the productions of the late 2010s, when we were happier and less discerning, but presents itself as a reference for the current generation. What we have here is video games in their purest essence.

In one of the trailers for Concord, the character Lennox says an interesting phrase: "Coming close to death is the best way to learn how not to die." In its release week, the game has clearly reached the "near death" stage. Now it's up to the Firewalk team to fulfill their prophecy, or suffer like so many other games in the hero shooter genre.

Monster Jam Showdown is a game that embraces the genre's fan bubble and doesn't seem to mind breaking it to expand its popularity.

With its improved graphics, renewed gameplay and good changes, Age of Mythology: Retold brings the legendary game to the level we expect from an RTS in the modern era.

Visions of Mana is a short action RPG, with about 25 hours of gameplay, that delivers a bloated and repetitive experience. The exploration mechanics are tedious and its world doesn't take advantage of a fraction of its full potential.

If you like the exploration of Uncharted, the mechanics of Splinter Cell and the entire Star Wars universe, there is no doubt that this game was made just for you and puts a galaxy of possibilities in the palm of your hand.

Mika and the Witch's Mountain delivers a simple and relaxing gameplay experience, with great graphics and soundtrack. While the lack of content may be a turn-off at the early access launch, the game delivers solid gameplay and has a promising future. [Early Access Score =75]

Fields of Mistria doesn't hide its inspirations and brings together favorite elements of farming simulator enthusiasts, combined with conveniences that were previously only possible with community modifications. It's a gem yet to be polished, but it already shows high quality in its development version. [Early Access Review Score = 90]]

Black Myth: Wukong is not only a beautiful demonstration of the graphical power that we can expect from Unreal Engine 5, but it is also an excellent action game and a possible candidate for the Game of the Year race in 2024.

Deathbound manages to bring innovations to a consolidated genre, mixing elements that make it ideal for those who want to venture into a soulslike without going through any hardships.

Flintlock breaks the expectations of those expecting a game based on the souls formula and proves to be satisfactory overall. However, the game also suffers from budget and polish issues.

Luigi's Mansion 2 HD is in the middle ground between port and remake. It's the bread and butter of Nintendo's re-releases, which perhaps doesn't justify its full price, even considering that the answer to the question “is it worth it” is subjective and very particular to each person.

Beyond Good and Evil: 20th Anniversary Edition misses the opportunity to update dated mechanics and deliver a more satisfying experience for a new audience. It gives the impression of being a rushed launch, just to remember that the brand still exists in the Ubisoft catalog.

Kunitsu-Gami: Path of the Goddess is a reminder that video games go far beyond old recycled formulas that, in the end, only serve to please shareholders. It is a strategy and action game full of charm and competence in a gameplay that seems simple, but delivers enough depth to enhance the replayability factor.

Zenless Zone Zero is a reflection of HoYoverse's excellent momentum, which once again demonstrates its potential in creating immersive worlds. The title pleases not only aesthetically, but also in its gameplay, the most satisfying ever designed by the developer.

FromSoftware revives the concept of “expansion” and maintains its tradition of quality with Shadow of the Erdtree. The DLC adds dozens of hours of gameplay to the already rich Elden Ring and serves as an example in such a complex moment in the gaming industry.

Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door brings visual and quality of life improvements, but its true purpose is simply to rescue a game that was trapped in the GameCube library.

If you like Japanese RPGs and have never played them, I would say that Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance is a must-buy.

Although well-intentioned, Rakugaki (RKGK) gets lost in its design choices and sends the player into a free fall: it starts very well, but ends very badly.

Senua's Saga: Hellblade II excels in technical quality, story, and characters — with particular emphasis on the protagonist and her voices. However, the obsession with cinematography ends up sidelining its gameplay mechanics, which hardly have any new features compared to the previous game.

Mullet Madjack is a true love letter to '90s pop culture enthusiasts. The visuals are very appealing, the theme is well-developed, and the references are a treasure trove of surprises. Not to mention the soundtrack, which evokes nostalgic feelings of the good old arcade days.

INDIKA is a very out-of-the-box game that promises more than it delivers. The game has a good and immersive story, but makes mistakes in other elements, such as simple puzzles and gameplay without any major new features.

The new Top Spin has many options in career mode, robust character creation, cross-platform support and the presence of big stars. However, microtransactions and lack of balance take the game away from perfection in the genre.

With a realistic and addictive execution, Manor Lords brings a complexity never before seen to its genre. However, this is precisely a cutoff point for players who are not interested in worrying about so many details during gameplay. [Early Access Review Score = 80]

What if Hidetaka Miyazaki had directed a special episode of SpongeBob SquarePants? That's what Another Crab's Treasure is like. Even though it's an unexpected combination, I can say: it just works.

If you're a big fan of Akira Toriyama's work, perhaps it's worth taking a chance on the world of Sand Land. Otherwise, it might be better to stick with the manga or the animated series.

Stellar Blade is shallow in terms of narrative and has a problematic protagonist, but it has great graphics, soundtrack and action gameplay. The package delivers less than promised, but it is possible to have fun with the game.

Princess Peach: Showtime is a very interesting, fun and creative game. It's great that Nintendo did something original for the princess, who was one of the only main characters in the franchise who didn't already have her own niche.

Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons Remake is not a bad game, but it never manages to justify its existence or even why the player should buy this version instead of the original.

Dragon's Dogma 2 is worth your attention, whether you're an old fan or someone who's never touched Dark Arisen. You just need to be aware that this is a more difficult game, in which it is not possible to reverse your actions and that focuses heavily on exploration and intense battles.

Rise of the Ronin may not be the most original or beautiful game, but it has solid combat and a captivating cast of characters. While the gameplay tends to be easy most of the time, I had an overall experience with fun confrontations and a balanced challenge.

Suicide Squad is a project with so many flaws that it is difficult to list them. Despite being beautiful and having funny dialogues, the game is soulless, generic, empty and… mediocre, in the meaning of the word.

Alone in the Dark has several problems, but I still had fun playing it. However, a classic that practically established the way survival horror is today deserved a remake done with more caution and care.

Contra: Operation Galuga is ruthlessly authentic to its roots. In the right hands, the simple gameplay loop should satisfy and bring a much-welcomed dose of nostalgia. However, the fun shouldn't last many hours, and will yield more for players who are keen on challenges and the "replay factor".

Unicorn Overlord presents a healthy and balanced mix between combat and exploration, naturally integrating these two crucial aspects of gameplay. Generous in content, the game can easily take a hundred hours, depending on how engaged you are with the optional challenges.

Final Fantasy VII Rebirth is like a dream come true. The immensity of the universe of this work deserved a game that was technically up to the task of portraying its settings, characters and stories with the technology of current consoles. Fortunately, the result delivered by Square Enix exceeds expectations.

While the story can be confusing, Pacific Drive shines in terms of immersion. It manages to transport you to a unique atmosphere of loneliness, melancholy and nostalgia, bringing back memories of classic TV shows and movies from the 90s.

Helldivers 2 gets “games as a service” right, promoting a gameplay cycle that encourages collective play. The space adventure exceeds expectations and could set a new standard for third-person shooters and co-op games.

Skull and Bones is a very unusual game that will have its own niche and will be a classic "love it or hate it" title. This happens due to the complexity of its gameplay, which can alienate newcomers, and the bugs that, at least on the PS5, appeared constantly.

Mario vs. Donkey Kong is a faithful remake with a few new features that mix in well with the original content. Aside from its high price and short duration, this is the kind of game that's so harmless and fun that it's hard not to recommend to puzzle-platformer fans.

Tomb Raider I-III Remastered presents a generous package, bundling three of Lara's iconic adventures alongside their expansions. While it showcases updated graphics derived from the original source code of the three games and incorporates modern controls, the lack of quality of life improvements may hinder its appeal to a newer audience.

Banishers: Ghosts of New Eden definitely doesn't want to be a revolutionary game. Instead, it plays it safe to deliver a solid and fun experience, with an original story and gameplay that should please fans of The Witcher 3 and God of War (2018).

Ultros has its share of problems and imperfections. Still, I had a great time playing it. The visuals won me over, the exploration entertained me and the whole theme made me question my own life.

Granblue Fantasy: Relink makes small mistakes, but it is practically a perfect game within its proposal. It's a clear example of how mobile franchises, with sufficiently engaging worlds, can be successful in genres that are more appealing to a wide audience.

Persona 3 Reload is a very faithful remake of the original, and also brings completely new elements that came to modernize the experience and make the gameplay and plot even more engaging. With a few stumbles, Persona 3 Reload might not be the most complete, but it is the definitive version of the game that marked the franchise's path to success.