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.

Crimson Desert is an experience that won’t appeal to everyone, but it can be unforgettable for those who embrace what others might see as flaws. Blending combat, survival, and exploration, the game offers over 100 hours of content that may feel superficial to some yet captivating to others. Despite issues like confusing menus and a clunky inventory system, it remains fun and worthy of attention in 2026. Ultimately, the key question is whether you have the time and willingness to dive into its expansive design, which could shine even brighter if it focused less on quantity and more on personality.

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.

Chronos: The New Dawn delivers a haunting atmosphere and intriguing story, but its lack of surprises and uneven gameplay hold it back from reaching its full potential.

Wuchang: Fallen Feathers has qualities that are both appealing and well-executed. With solid art direction and an excellent progression and customization system—for both the protagonist and her equipment—it's clear that Leenzee Games paid close attention to the details surrounding the gameplay. Unfortunately, it’s the gameplay itself that ends up holding the title back when compared to recent competitors like Lies of P or The First Berserker: Khazan. Overall, Wuchang is a good recommendation only for those who, like me, are die-hard fans of the souls-like genre and are willing to overlook some frustrations with its combat and boss encounters—or for those curious enough to try it out via Game Pass.

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.

Baby Steps is, without a doubt, the quirkiest game of 2025 and one of the wildest experiences I've ever had. With an utterly unbearable protagonist and gameplay that makes you want to throw the controller against the wall, I still found myself coming back every day, determined to push Nate forward.

Without much fanfare, Screamer is a classic arcade racing game. Authentic and with a vibrant 1980s anime aesthetic, the reboot didn't need to adapt to genre trends to deliver a fun, drift-focused experience. Essentially, the game draws inspiration from its own past to show that arcade-style races are still going strong in 2026.

Call of the Elder Gods is a game that should please a wide range of fans: fans of Lovecraft, of challenging puzzles, and of the first game. Out of the Blue isn’t trying to make a conventional horror game, but rather capture the essence of what made H. P. Lovecraft so unsettling on paper: the idea that the universe is ancient, vast, and may hide secrets humanity cannot even begin to understand.

Mario Tennis Fever wins without a tie-break and becomes the definitive sports experience for Nintendo's plumber. Going beyond simply keeping what worked in Mario Tennis Aces, the title refines its gameplay with new tricks and introduces a variety of fun ways to compete in tennis, making it a great crossover of sports, beat 'em ups, and minigames. It's the kind of game we'll all keep playing until the end of the Switch 2 generation, at least.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

With Rematch, it’s a clean hit: refined visuals, addictive gameplay, and an original concept make it a standout. It’s proof that there’s still room for innovation in the gaming industry—even when it feels like everything revolves around the same tired themes and formulas.

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.

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 problems that can easily be removed or changed after a few updates, High on Life 2 stands out not for its gameplay (which, even though frantic, is still a bit generic) nor for its story, but for its creativity. Memorable and creative boss battles and sharp dialogue without much exaggeration make High on Life 2 excel in its main objective: delivering fun.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Yakuza Kiwami 3 & Dark Ties makes controversial decisions, but, looking closely, overall it gets more right than wrong. Analyzing it from the perspective of someone who isn't a purist of the franchise, we have experiences that complement each other and, in the end, fulfill the purpose of entertaining with mafia dramas and great incentives in its "open neighborhood" structure.

For those seeking an out-of-the-box FPS with nostalgic elements, a challenging gameplay experience, and a short playtime, Crisol: Theater of Idols is an excellent choice.

Despite its unbalanced and sometimes frustrating combat, Fatal Frame II: Crimson Butterfly Remake still tells an excellent story that deserves recognition. Outside of the narrative, however, its visual presentation is inconsistent, especially by the modern standards expected from a remake. For players who do not rely on Portuguese subtitles, the title can still be enjoyable and serve as a good entry point to the franchise.