Pokémon Legends: Z-A gives more meaning to Mega Evolutions and is, above all, a game about combat — this time unrestrained and unafraid to break away from sameness. Lumiose City is the perfect stage for this Pokémon battle playground: its charm and historical depth highlight just how underrated the X and Y generation truly was.

The new Battlefield 6 is a true successor to the classics Battlefield 3 and Battlefield 4 — fan favorites and milestones in the industry. It stays true to the core mechanics and systems that matter most to the franchise, showing a clear attention to what players actually love. It’s a solid, back-to-basics Battlefield done right.

Pac-Man World 2 Re-Pac takes a retrospective look at the qualities of the famous yellow hero in a 3D platformer that proves to be ahead of its time. As a remake, it meets all the expectations of a modern update and goes even further: it adds more content and gives a beautiful polish to everything that worked in the already charming original title, without losing its essence.

Silksong is a game made with great care and quality, and it can appeal to almost any fan of genres like Metroidvania and Soulslike. Outside of that bubble, however, it might be a harder title to recommend than its predecessor, even though it improves on practically every element. I believe it’s less accessible, as it demands better reflexes, more skill in platforming sections, and a stronger sense of how to deal with regular enemies and bosses.

Digimon Story Time Stranger left me with a case of Stockholm Syndrome. While the turn-based gameplay and nostalgia captivated me, some structural issues made me feel like I was in a toxic relationship with the game. Fortunately, most of the bugs that bothered me are present in the game's free demo, which is available on PC, PS5, and Xbox Series S/X. With that in mind, it's worth downloading the content and seeing if you're willing to make some compromises during gameplay to enter this magical digital world.

The Super Mario Galaxy 1 + 2 collection carries on its shoulders the two best 3D platformers ever starring Mario. Both games feel frozen in time, showing absolutely no signs of aging — quite the opposite, in fact: they highlight Nintendo’s sorcery in crafting magical, timeless experiences. Some minor tweaks were added to make them more accessible for new players, but honestly, they didn’t even need it. Mario Galaxy 1 and 2 deserve to be listed in the dictionary as synonyms for perfection in gaming. Only those who embark on this journey truly understand how far the mustachioed hero went (to space, literally) to outdo himself in creativity.

Once again, EA FC 26 arrives with specific updates that don't justify the high price of its annual edition. As promised, the game listened to its players' complaints and tried to address many of them, but in some cases, the sheets were pulled to one side of the bed, leaving the other side exposed. The two distinct gameplay styles aim to appeal to a wider audience, but there are still positioning bugs that the game's AI can't handle, which are likely to generate new complaints.

There’s no better way to put it: Ghost of Yotei is more Ghost of Tsushima. It’s a sequel that sticks closely to what worked in the original game, with an emphasis on its engaging open world and even more stunning visuals. The narrative quality leaves a bit to be desired, and the combat—though more versatile—also has its repetitive moments, but the experience remains one of the best gaming has to offer when it comes to samurai games.

I’m a huge fan—not just of Hades, but of the entire catalog of titles released by Supergiant Games to date. So it came as no surprise that Hades II turned out to be one of the best games I played in 2025. While writing this review, I found myself restless—not because I struggled to talk about the game, but because every minute at the keyboard was a minute spent away from Tartarus or Olympus. Its only shortcoming lies in the somewhat limited strategic variety offered by Melinoë’s weapon aspects. Beyond that, Hades II elevates every element that made Hades the breakout hit of 2020, delivering once again one of the finest roguelikes ever made—packed with content and crafted with a quality worthy of a true Greek epic.

This is the best way for newcomers to experience the game for the first time, or for longtime fans to enjoy it all over again. It’s worth noting that the War of the Lions version is still available on PS Vita as well as on Android and iOS devices. Unfortunately, the price is still quite steep on those platforms, so waiting for a discount on The Ivalice Chronicles might be the best way to play Tactics nowadays.

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.

Towa and the Guardians of the Sacred Tree is a roguelite designed for players who, deep down, aren’t exactly fans of the endless repetition the genre usually demands—and especially for those who couldn’t care less about storylines in video games. Fair warning: most of your playtime will likely be spent skipping dialogue without a second thought.

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.