The Shadow of the Erdtree expansion is undeniably a good experience to have as an Elden Ring player. Whether you are a die-hard fan of FromSoftware's games, or you discovered them (as many did) with Elden Ring, we would strongly advise you to get this DLC. With its incredibly enchanting settings, but sometimes weakened by its lack of renewal, this expansion is, in our opinion, clearly not the best of all time. We were entitled to expect more from it in terms of narrative, which was too scarce. It is a magnificent visual slap in the face in every aspect of its artistic direction, but slightly embarrassing in its uneven content, which we think will objectively divide long-time fans.

Hades finally opens the gates of Hell and swallows us – not without pleasure – in its fiery limbo. Gorgeous, intense and offering a tremendous amount of content that could almost be labelled as indecent, it is with great excitement that we return blow for blow to the infernal demons without being able to put down the controller. More than just a typical rogue-like game, Hades brilliantly manages to string together good ideas such as its social hub or its many customisable weapons. The soundtrack and the dubbing were not overlooked; on the contrary, they make for an unforgettable experience. Hell has never tasted sweeter.

Split Fiction fully deserves to see its name appear on the list of the best cooperative video game titles. The multiple science fiction and fantasy stories are fascinating to follow, thanks in particular to some sublime immersive levels. Moreover, the adventure is led by an endearing female duo, who slide from one crazy scene to another at an intense pace. Behind their screen, the two players will surely be constantly surprised by the different actions to be carried out in a coordinated manner. However, those who have already tried their hand at previous Hazelight productions are likely to quickly notice all the studio’s know-how and signature movesets, and thus engage in some comparative analyses. There are indeed a few things missing for the title to be perfect, such as more mini-games within the explorable areas, but be snoopy and give a chance to this marvellous fairytale work!

With Resident Evil Requiem, Capcom makes a sensational comeback! Players are drawn in by the sumptuous art direction, a chilling horror universe that stays true to its roots, and a perfectly mastered duality of gameplay and storytelling. The storyline keeps you on the edge of your seat with new mysteries, the photorealistic graphics are striking, and the monstrously effective sound design plunges you into an intense, fast-paced nightmare. Some interesting new features such as the blood collector and the various mutations, breathe new life into a saga that refuses to die, much to our delight! Without being revolutionary, and even if everything isn't perfect (some camera movements can be a bit erratic at times), Requiem is one of the most accomplished episodes: epic, spectacular, modern, respectful of its origins and resolutely forward-looking. We recommend it without hesitation!

Even if RimWorld is not presently the best CMS game on console, it is not far from it. With its unfettered freedom, infinite replayability and constantly evolving story, it is a time-consuming title intertwining rich content with a well-designed gameplay. The port is quite brilliant and offers us all the features available on PC without the slightest compromise, except maybe for a handling that is a little complex to grasp at first.

Is Forza Horizon 5 a good Forza Horizon? Of course, it’s even the best episode until the next one as the license shamelessly reiterates its successes and adds minor tweaks here and there. This results in a game as addictive as ever allowing for a great deal of pleasure. In this respect, the Mexico map is a devilishly efficient playground, both for the variety of its landscapes and for the tracks that have been devised on it. We drive, we explore, we marvel while time passes quickly, as quickly as the scenery passes by at an improbable pace without anything really slowing us down. This pretty much embodies what the series has become for the Xbox brand since this opus will undoubtedly be praised by the public and reviewers. Hopefully, it’ll go down that road.

"Like a Dragon: Inifinite Wealth" is one of the biggest titles of 2024. Anticipated by an ever-growing community, it is sure to delight both long-time fans and those who will be discovering the series on the 26th of January. Worthy of its predecessors, it continues the excellent storytelling that this saga has gifted us with for almost 20 years, and knows how to renew itself and skilfully fine-tune all its gameplay. More than just a video game, it has everything we need to travel, have fun and enjoy an experience worthy of a work of the 7th art. The immersion into the Japanese culture, even when the parody reaches its climax, is simply exquisite. We highly recommend it!

Cuphead is a demanding game, and the Last Delicious Course is just as tortuous. The new gameplay, courtesy of Ms Chalice's arrival, provides the opportunity to encounter new and even more fearsome bosses. The addition of new weapons and charms also gives the base game a second breath. The art direction and soundtrack are as effective as ever. The developers at MDHR brilliantly took advantage of this long break to gift us with a true gem. Like a fine wine, this DLC has taken its time to age and give us its best and last delicious course.

Could we do even better than Persona 5 Royale? While the latter remains the best piece of writing we've ever played regarding adolescence, it has to be said that Metaphor: ReFantazio has taken Atlus' successful saga formula and turned it into a game that's even stronger, more immersive, more mature and, in some ways, crazier. Its minor flaws are quickly forgiven, as its gameplay is a real pleasure and its combat a real challenge. Far from being just another Persona in a fantasy world, the title can even take the time to dabble in topics such as politics, religion and discrimination, without getting bogged down in these sensitive subjects like many others before it. There's no doubt about it, this is a serious contender for the title of GOTY 2024.

With Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, Sandfall Interactive came up with a masterpiece. Beautiful, powerful, original, captivating... this turn-based adventure RPG has brilliantly modernised the classics that inspired it and surprises the player where you least expect it. Seeing a small independent team come up with such an ambitious title is a real breath of fresh air for a video game industry that seems to have been going round in circles for several years between niche games that never find their audience and big productions that are becoming increasingly uniform in order to reach as many players as possible. "To say goodbye is to die a little", and that is the issue when you love something like this game: you eventually have to say goodbye. When it is time to put down the controller, one thing remains clear in our head: is not creating a true masterpiece out of a game dealing with art the most beautiful mise en abyme there is?

Blizzard Entertainment sure took its time with this. But it was for a good cause. Diablo IV has clearly given itself the means to achieve its ambitions: to become the benchmark for hack 'n slash for years to come by bringing together old and new players under the same banner. The game system reveals its riches quite gradually, and the available content from launch is already pantagruelic. The question of the title's lifespan does not even arise, given that the Seasons system will periodically bring new exploits to complete. Whatever version of the game you choose, one thing is certain: Lilith will suck out your soul and bend you to her will.

With this, Capcom presents its best do-over yet. Never has the term “remake” been better suited for describing what is Resident Evil 4. The story benefits from a reorchestration that erases the narrative defects of the original work. Offering a modern gameplay without forgetting its original DNA, the title manages to keep the right balance between action and survival horror. If Capcom's wizards manage to do the same magic trick with the two subsequent episodes shunned by purists of the license, all will be forgiven.

There are plenty of vehement opinions about Death Stranding! While some gamers consider the game to be a pure masterpiece, others feel that you have to be completely insane to appreciate this singular experience. And yet, putting aside the repetitive nature of the missions, it is impossible not to succumb to the charm of this title, which dares to break away from all the codes of today's big videogame productions. Kojima Productions delivers a profound story with a fascinating mise-en-scène. The immense environments that can be explored add an extra dimension to the journey through a desolate America. With this Director's Cut, the Xbox community becomes the lucky beneficiary of a more accessible ultimate version. There is nothing more to say, except that we heartily recommend this veritable love letter to the tenth art!

We had to wait patiently for a sequel to the excellent first Alan Wake, but every second that passed of that wait was worth it. Driving its narrative and gameplay into a horrific thriller, Remedy delivers a work at the height of their creativity, seamlessly fusing the best elements of their previous productions. This sequel shines with its gripping atmosphere, captivating dual storyline and impressive direction, positioning it among the very best of single-player experiences. Rarely has a story bedazzled us like this, and the attention to detail is simply breathtaking. Admittedly, there are a few minor flaws, but nothing that detracts from the overall coherence.

Similarly to its predecessor, Rogue Legacy 2 promptly joins the closed circle of roguelite classics such as The Binding of Isaac (2011), Dead Cells (2017), Hades (2018) or the more recent Returnal (2021). Although we already know the mechanics it proposes, it is hard to criticise the title’s foundations as its gameplay seems to be bountiful and mastered. Thanks to quick succession of games and numerous surprises, one quickly ends up piling up dozens of hours, which is truly and undoubtedly the mark of the greats and tokens of a delightful gaming experience.

Sitting proudly at the top of the list when it comes to the topic of video game remakes, this new Dead Space version has everything to please. Beautiful, fluid, generous in content: the list goes on. Although it faithfully adapts the original game, it indulges in a few more than welcome novelties that modernise and improve the overall experience, topping its original model and offering one of the best survival horror games today. We can only hope that it will find the commercial success it deserves and that the sequel to the trilogy will also be remade. An (almost) faultless take.

The console adaptation of Microsoft Flight Simulator is as good as it could be. Few concessions were observed to make it run on Xbox Series. Obviously, some of the interfaces are quite difficult to apprehend with a controller, but one has to acknowledge that it would’ve been difficult to do otherwise even if we still secretly hope that a few updates will enhance that aspect. As it is, the game is an exceptional experience of fullness for whoever enjoys watching gorgeous sceneries while the others can train and hone their piloting skills with a controller or with other devices. As it is included in the Xbox Game Pass, you simply have to try it at least once to discover the amazing features of this flight simulator.

Street Fighter 6 is a real masterclass, and we have rarely seen so much care taken with a versus fighting game, whether in terms of the amount of content and the quality on display. The cast is varied, the atmosphere is bonkers and the modernised and punchy gameplay makes it all worthwhile. It remains to be seen whether the follow-up will be as excellent as the source material, but there is no doubt that Capcom intends to make this the ultimate reference for fighting games: something that is well on the way.

Monster Hunter Wilds marks a growth for the saga with the combination of a more immersive narrative, enriched gameplay and increasingly vivid world. By expanding its mechanics while making the experience more fluid and dynamic, Capcom brilliantly manages to renew the licence without betraying its DNA. Thanks to an ecosystem constantly changing and an intriguing storyline, this instalment is a must for hunters in search of adventure and challenges.

In a galaxy not so far away…How could one refuse to discover or play again entirely what is considered to be one of today’s greatest sci-fi saga in the history of video games? Despite its shortcomings, the Mass Effect trilogy has tremendous qualities and enough of them to have made an impression on a whole generation of gamers. Mass Effect Legendary Edition is not only a nostalgic pleasure for the original players, but also for all of those who never had the chance to discover its epicness. More than just an outstanding trilogy, the latter carries within itself the whole background of the Bioware studio as well as the stigmas of an ambitious project that was overwhelmed by the players’ expectations. Playing Mass Effect Legendary Edition enables us to partake in one amazing science fiction story as well as having a glimpse of the background behind the entertainment industry that we adore so much: the one of gaming.

Borderlands 4 builds on the foundations that made the franchise so successful in the first place, while seeking to broaden its horizons. With a darker narrative approach and more ambitious staging, it attempts to fuse its fidelity to the saga's essence with modernised gameplay. The pace of the quests, exploration and activities on this new planet, as well as the character development, add real richness, but some mechanics remain rigid and the repetitiveness inherent to the genre is still present. Oscillating between artistic ambition and a few technical limitations, the title stands out as a solid instalment, without revolutionising the formula.

Even one year after its initial release, Deathloop still is a one of a kind videogame that must be played. One needs to experience it first-hand to truly understand the ingenuity behind its intense gameplay with many different approaches, its exemplary level design and its spectacular art direction. Deathloop is not only an original concept (one that is assumed from start to finish), it is above all one of the best narrative FPS of the last few years. The concept “made in Arkane” is pushed to its paroxysm and it is probably one of the best immersive sim we ever played. Its arrival in the Game Pass will undoubtedly give it extra visibility and we hope it will receive the credit it deserves for all of its content and not just for what it could have been. We have waited a year for it, and now it is here: Deathloop is finally back home.

Sea of Stars is one of the finest tributes to the great J-RPG era we've seen in recent years. Sabotage Studio has captured the quintessence of the genre and adapted it perfectly to today's standards, without betraying it or falling into the trap of simply copying it for a limited audience of die-hard nostalgics. Following the adventures of Zale, Valere, Garl and their companions is a constant source of delight, with every plot twist, every new setting and every hard-fought battle keeping us eager for more. With all these qualities, there's no reason to resist the appeal.

Much to our delight, the King of Iron First Tournament is back for another round. The game offers a huge amount of content that will enchant fans of the licence, while being perfectly accessible to newcomers. The few offensive additions make for dynamic confrontations, all enhanced by a brand-new Unreal Engine 5. A successful return for Tekken 8, which is comfortably installed on this ninth-generation console.

Cyberpunk 2077 has come a long way, and so has CD Projekt. Even if some technical weaknesses persist despite three years of updates/patches, the Phantom Liberty expansion rekindles V's adventures in a wonderful way. We were carried away by the storyline, worthy of a James Bond film. Between gunfights, political betrayals and lies at every corner, we enjoyed every minute of it. With a lifespan that can easily reach twenty to twenty-five hours, depending on the player, this expansion is well worth buying.

Promenade strikes a delicate balance between being a demanding platformer and a highly accessible one. Its brilliant level design and multifaceted mechanics make it a veritable Swiss Army knife of the genre. While those fussier may criticise its almost non-existent storyline, there is no denying that it offers a highly enjoyable experience, as well as bringing a breath of fresh air to the genre. After a success like this, there is no doubt that we will be keeping a close eye on the next productions from the French team at Holy Cap.

We were pleasantly surprised by Sonic Racing Crossworld. We were expecting yet another Mario Kart-like game, but that's not the case at all. Although it uses the same formula, the game brings a certain originality thanks to its varied and entertaining game modes. The Crossworld system brings a freshness to the game with some breathtaking tracks; it's a real success. Whether playing solo or multiplayer, the customisation, accessible content and multi-platform support mean that everyone can have fun. However, we did find it a bit repetitive after a few hours and some parts of the races were a bit messy.

Arc Raiders succeeds in a daring gamble: breathing a human fiber in the extraction shooter genre. Where most games of this genre cultivate mistrust, Embark Studios goes the other way with cooperation and joy. Backed by sumptuous art direction, exemplary sound design and precise gameplay, the title offers moments of unexpected grace. Admittedly, the clunky interface and a few bugs slightly tarnish the overall picture. But what stands out most is that, in a genre that is often brutal and punishing, Arc Raiders exudes life and camaraderie. Each mission becomes a memory and each encounter a calculated risk. It indeed encompasses everything an extraction-shooter entails, but it remains first and foremost a rare experience of humanity.