Silent Hill F is not just a return — it’s a reinvention. Neobards and Konami have managed to bring the series back into relevance without relying on recycled formulas, opting instead for a fresh Japanese setting, a complex protagonist, and a combat system that defies expectations. It’s an approach that surprises while still respecting the franchise’s DNA.

Overflowing with charisma, Sonic Racing: Crossworlds is the racing game the blue blur always deserved—a true tribute with that unmistakable arcade vibe that honors his legacy in gaming. With gameplay as smooth and satisfying as driving in real life, and a wealth of content built to entertain for generations, the game reignites the friendly rivalry between SEGA and Nintendo. This time, though, the race is neck and neck.

Dying Light: The Beast is a game that will resonate most with longtime fans of the franchise. Choosing to focus on targeted improvements while preserving much of what worked in previous entries is a bold move. And while this approach has backfired in many other games, here it pays off—making this the most enjoyable title in the series yet.

Hell is Us bet on being an “out of the box” game—and it nailed it. Its bold choice to present wide, open environments without a map or any straightforward navigation system adds a nostalgic feel, even flirting with the essence of classic soulslike experiences from the Souls series. However, the combat makes a point of showing it’s something entirely different, introducing a system that may seem complex at first but gradually turns into a secondary element as the game progresses.

Lost Soul Aside is a hack and slash that harks back to the golden age of the genre, with its excellent combat — at times technical, at others mindless — serving as the backbone of the experience. Still, it ends up being one of those games filled with striking highs and discouraging lows. If it weren’t for the anachronistic concept it carries, the title could easily stand among the pantheon of great action games.

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.

Gears of War Reloaded is a masterclass in how to bring a classic game into the modern era. The title comes packed with an impressive suite of new technologies and removes all the barriers in its PC version. On top of that, the game runs smoothly on the Steam Deck, showcasing its impressive scalability. It’s practically a development handbook that more studios should follow when it comes to preserving legendary franchises.

Shinobi: Art of Vengeance joins this year’s pantheon of ninja games, proving itself as a true metroidvania with deep exploration, stunning hand-drawn art, and fast-paced combat. Musashi shows he hasn’t aged a bit in nearly 40 years, seamlessly reinventing himself as a modern-day shinobi while never losing the essence that once made him a SEGA icon.

With more hits than misses, Killing Floor 3 is a solid co-op shooter that thrives on relentless action and stands out thanks to its addictive progression loop. While it’s true the game still lacks enough content to feel fully fleshed out, it serves as a strong entry point for newcomers to the series. Its touch of horror, drenched in blood and gore, gives the experience a unique finishing touch.

Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater may not be the remake new players expected, but it is a love letter to longtime fans. It is a respectful modernization of Kojima's legacy and his history with Konami.

Honestly? If you’ve got any kind of emotional attachment to the series, Salamander 3 alone makes the collection worth it. Gradius Origins doesn’t just bring back the golden age of shmups—it celebrates 40 years of the most influential and prolific franchise in the genre. Even if this style of game doesn’t carry the same appeal it once did, at least Konami made the effort to keep it alive in our memories.

Stick it to the Stickman is definitely worth every cent it asks for on Steam. It still needs some polishing here and there, but it absolutely deserves the attention of anyone looking for a fun, lighthearted experience — or who’s ever wanted to smack their boss or that annoying coworker without risking a lawsuit. [Early Access Review]

I really enjoyed playing Drag x Drive, but it’s pretty noticeable that it can get tiring after a while — either because of the physical effort or simply from playing the same mode over and over. I think a bit more variety and some new modes could really benefit the game in the future. It all comes down to whether Nintendo is willing to invest more development time into it.

Earthion is a gift for fans of classic shoot ’em ups and a passionate tribute to the 16-bit era, complete with all the charms and quirks that come with it. Its soundtrack is a standout on its own, the visuals are gorgeous within its style, and the difficulty will delight veterans seeking a real challenge.

Ninja Gaiden Ragebound hits like a shot of espresso to the brain — sharpens your senses with its pixel-perfect jumps and gets your heart pounding through the acrobatic carnage delivered by the two excellent protagonists, Kenji and Kumori. Still, the absence of Ryu Hayabusa is definitely felt.

Demon Slayer: The Hinokami Chronicles 2 is a very competent arena fighting game, making full use of CyberConnect2’s expertise in the genre. Beyond that, it delivers top-notch visuals that are on par with the original work, which became popular largely due to this very trait. It's just unfortunate that its need to follow the anime’s release schedule harms the playable content — which can only be described in one way: it's unfinished.

The animations are excellent, combat feels satisfying, and the offline modes offer solid content. But all of that is overshadowed by the lack of balance, a limited character roster, and—most notably—a problematic multiplayer experience (which, to be fair, is expected to improve over time). In the end, Nen x Impact is a decent adaptation, but one riddled with flaws, still far from capturing the depth of Togashi’s manga.

I definitely recommend Grounded 2 — whether you enjoyed the first game or just love survival titles with deep crafting systems. Even if you're not usually into this kind of game, I believe it's well worth a try for its unique concept — unless, of course, you’re terrified of giant ladybugs. [Early Access Review]

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.

Despite its clear structural issues and a level design that falls well short of other games in the genre — including some with smaller scope and budget — Shadow Labyrinth meets nearly all the expectations of a good Metroidvania. With bursts of comforting nostalgia reminiscent of the ghost-eating classic, rewarding exploration, and tight combat, the experience isn’t without its stumbles (some of which I’d consider amateurish), but it’s the kind of passion project we’d like to see more studios of Bandai Namco’s caliber investing in.

Gaúcho and The Grassland offers a rich cultural experience paired with fun and engaging gameplay. For those who are Gaúchos like myself, it's an unmissable journey that can be deeply emotional. Even for players who simply enjoy farm-themed games, Epopeia Games’ title brings an interesting gameplay experience that can be quite enjoyable, despite a few limitations. If you're curious about the culture of Rio Grande do Sul and want to explore it in a cute and interactive way, this adventure is highly recommended.

Aware of its limitations, Edens Zero is not only a faithful adaptation designed to win fans' approval, but also a good action RPG that even serves the purpose of winning over fans of the genre, whether you like Hiro Mashima's work or not. In other words, Edens Zero is, surprisingly, more than a standard anime game and makes do with its features.

With only a few technical flaws, Donkey Kong Bananza is a game that gets almost everything right in what it set out to do and deliver to fans of the gorilla. It's refreshing to see the character getting a brand-new game—especially in a different formula from what we’ve been used to seeing since the 1990s.

Eriksholm: The Stolen Dream is a competent game in its simplicity. It's not particularly innovative in its gameplay or narrative, but its mechanics are good enough to entertain and please fans who are missing out on stealth games.

Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3+4 isn't a perfect remake, nor a revolutionary reimagining. But it's, above all, a fun game, respectful of its heritage, and incredibly addictive. Arcade skateboarding is doing just fine, thank you.

Cyberpunk 2077: Ultimate Edition is more than just a competent adaptation—it's a true stress test for the Switch 2’s hardware. Thanks to CD Projekt Red’s technical “sorcery” in making the port happen, the game showcases what Nintendo’s hybrid console is capable of in this generation. More importantly, it offers a glimpse into the kind of relationship the Japanese company hopes to build with third-party developers. If firepower was what the Switch 2 needed, there's nothing quite like Cyberpunk to prove its combat potential.

Mario Kart World is the perfect game to pick up if you're a big fan of the series or if you get the chance to buy the Switch 2 bundle that includes it. Otherwise, I think it's totally fine to wait a bit longer and keep enjoying Mario Kart 8 Deluxe—for now, at least—until you find the new game on sale. Either way, once you do get your hands on it, I can assure you that Mario Kart World will be one of those titles that stays with you throughout the entire lifespan of the Switch 2.

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.