Let’s wrap it up with Jack: It should have been an ordinary evening; I hadn’t planned on spending so much time in Mouseburg. There’s a special, unique atmosphere there, sometimes gloomy or, on the contrary, blinding, as if someone had forgotten to switch off the spotlights. I’d been tipped off by the Herald’s pen-pusher, to whom I’d occasionally pass on some information. This ‘minor’ disappearance case should never have taken me this far. I just had to fill in a few gaps to solve the case. I never imagined I’d be criss-crossing the city for this. I stumbled upon some colourful characters: the sinister face of the politician Cornelius Stilton, the pretty doll—too pretty to be honest—Miss McCarthy, and a whole string of blokes who would have made a viper’s nest look like a summer camp. And then there was the gunpowder. Far too much gunpowder. It's as if Mouseburg had decided to set off a personal fireworks display for me. All things considered, I came out of it without a scratch – either a feat of skill or just plain luck. Either way, case closed.

Pragmata is one of those games which, despite their flaws, pushes you to cross the finish line no matter what. It offers something different, with a distinct identity and a gameplay approach that clearly stands out. Not everything is perfectly polished; some mechanics lack variety, a few sections can seem confusing, and the whole experience would have benefited from a bit more polishing. But these limitations don’t stop the game from working. On the contrary, everything feels streamlined and coherent. The partnership between Hugh and Diana, the atmosphere, the blend of action and strategy… all of this creates an experience that hooks you and makes you want to come back for seconds. You progress with curiosity, sometimes with a few hiccups, but always with a desire to see what else the game cooks. That is undoubtedly the key point: Pragmata may not be flawless, but it succeeds in offering a unique adventure that is clearly worth your precious time.

It’s so nostalgic to be reunited with our two friends, Max and Chloe, for an emotionally charged epilogue. Although not without its flaws, the story kept us on the edge of our seats as we waited to discover the final outcome, which focused mainly on saving the campus. It’s a shame there weren’t more key moments between the two soulmates, long separated by fate. Finally, despite a few texture glitches that break the immersion, Life Is Strange: Reunion delivers a satisfying conclusion and skilfully brings this timeless trilogy to a close.

It’s hard not to be left with a lasting impression of Crimson Desert. The game impresses with its generosity, the sheer scale of its world, and its constant commitment to delivering a comprehensive, rich and varied adventure. Throughout the experience, there are genuine moments of discovery, moments when exploration takes centre stage and you simply let yourself be carried away by what the game has to offer. But, at the same time, this boundless ambition ultimately becomes its main weakness. In its quest to introduce a multitude of systems, ideas and approaches, the game sometimes loses coherence and clarity. The narrative struggles to take hold, certain mechanics lack clarity, and the whole thing regularly gives the impression of lacking structure. This does not, however, prevent the game from remaining captivating over time. Quite the contrary, it is one of those experiences where you keep coming back for seconds despite its flaws, drawn in by its world and its potential. But it also leaves a sense of incompleteness, as if some of its good ideas had never been fully realised. Ultimately, we are left with an imperfect, sometimes disjointed work, yet one that is ambitious and memorable enough to leave mark on us. A game that doesn’t get everything right… but which attempts a great deal.

Whilst Bravely Default plays the nostalgia card, it is no less (and just as) demanding. Those completely unfamiliar with this spin-off franchise from Square will be surprised by its mechanics, but will discover a game with enormous potential. Be warned, however: the game is long, its characters are rather conventional, and it occasionally suffers from an uneven pace. Nevertheless, it remains an essential classic for fans of the genre, and one we thoroughly enjoyed revisiting.

Setting aside its visual style—which you’ll either love or hate—Bungie completes its Marathon after a long period of development. The end result is a solid title, though its formula is imperfect and it hasn’t yet managed to strike that subtle balance that allows for moments of pure brilliance to occur regularly. Marathon does offer a few memorable moments, but struggles to maintain a constant sense of tension or that sense of chaos inherent in unexpected encounters—the very essence extraction-shooters. So it’s by no means a bad apple, far from it, but the game will need some rebalancing, in both its PvP and PvE encounters. Aside from taming frustration, the addition of extra content to breathe life into such a promising universe really needs to happen fast. Bungie is, in any case, very attentive to feedback and is rolling out a series of announcements to retain and/or boost engagement: a two-player mode, an additional map, a ranked mode… Let's keep the pace with them.

Fatal Frame II: Crimson Butterfly successfully manages to modernise a classic without betraying its essence. The game is elevated by meticulous art direction, chilling sound design, optimised controls and a more immersive presentation, all of which emphasize the emotional and horrifying intensity of Mio and Mayu’s journey. Nevertheless, the game remains haunted by its old demons, with a persistent stiffness and sluggishness, battles that sometimes drag on and a camera work that can be a bit unpredictable. Despite these flaws, this remake offers an experience with a unique atmosphere, both melancholic and spellbinding. However, as respectful as it is of its heritage, you can still feel that many years have passed since the inception of it. For long-time fans, it’s a wonderful rediscovery. For newcomers, it’s an introduction to one of the most distinctive survival horror games, provided you can accept a certain rigidity inherited from its era. All in all, it's an imperfect but undeniably captivating horror journey that will delight thrill-seekers despite its flaws.

Toxic Commando delivers an effective cooperative stress-reliever, driven by an unapologetic B-movie vibe, spectacular hordes, complementary classes and vehicles that make for memorable road trip sequences. That said, a flimsy narrative, repetitive objectives, slow progression and shaky technical performance (particularly on Xbox Series X with dynamic resolution) limit its longevity and impact. When played as a team, the game hits its stride and offers genuinely exhilarating moments of chaos, but it reveals its shortcomings over time in single-player. If you’re looking for a cooperative shooter that’s immediately accessible and packed with enemies to blast, you’ll find plenty to enjoy, provided you can accept a fairly repetitive gameplay loop and uneven visual quality on Xbox.

GreedFall: The Dying World is an ambitious RPG that pulls off a daring narrative gamble: reversing the perspective to offer a first-hand experience of displacement and colonial domination. This choice lends the game an undeniable intensity and uniqueness. The writing is solid, the themes are relevant, and the character progression offers welcome freedom. However, the fragmented structure of the quests, the excessive back-and-forth, and the labyrinthine level design regularly slow the narrative momentum. Technical issues on Xbox, notably stuttering and overly noticeable dynamic resolution, further accentuate this sense of incompleteness. GreedFall remains a brave and rich work with strong intentions. But its uneven execution still prevents it from fully achieving the scale that its narrative ambition foreshadowed.

Monster Hunter Stories 3: Twisted Reflection is both a refreshing new instalment in the series for fans, and the most comprehensive introduction to the universe for newcomers. While the latter may find it a little difficult to grasp certain subtleties in the storyline (such as the difference between riders and rangers, which is very poorly explained here) and may not feel the same joy at the return of certain familiar characters from the saga, they will nonetheless have the most accomplished, complete and varied version of the Stories games. Among monster hunting and capture titles, MHS has clearly managed to stand out from the big names to build its own identity, which is an excellent thing.

Neva Prologue offers enjoyable additional content that manages to rekindle the emotion and prolong the magic for a lovely moment suspended in time. It features the beauty, melancholy, poetry and intensity of a touching encounter in watercolour-style settings, which is what Neva is recognized for. The whole thing is sublimated by a soundtrack that is as magnificent as ever, but the challenges here are more demanding. However, the lack of gameplay evolution and, above all, the short lifespan leave us with a feeling of missing out, similarly to a book ending abruptly. It's certainly a decent prologue for a few quid, but this adventure is too short and deserved to be fleshed out more to leave a lasting impression: what a shame.

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!

With Reanimal, Tarsier Studios has created an experience that builds on the formula that made Little Nightmares I and II such a success: immersive art direction, fragmented storytelling, and a chilling atmosphere in an imaginary world that is as gloomy and creepy as ever. But the studio goes beyond just replicating thanks to a gameplay that is more varied and fluid. What's more, the cooperative mode adds a dynamic element that heightens the emotion and mutual support. With its polished production, improved graphics and animations, and remarkable sound design, Reanimal is faster-paced, more intense and more beastly than ever. Newcomers will discover a horror tale that is as oppressive as it is confusing, while regulars will find familiar mechanics enhanced by a more assertive ambition. Reanimal is not just the legacy of Little Nightmares: it is a true transformation, an evolution that opens the way to new perspectives for the franchise. And suffice to say that we will be following this transformation with interest.

Code Vein 2 perfectly embodies the idea of a missed opportunity. The game is full of good ideas: a rich universe, a strong narrative concept, a flexible progression system and pleasant anime-style art direction. However, in its quest to make the experience more accessible, its very essence is being diluted. The overly low difficulty, overpowered companions, excessive recycling, and technical issues prevent the title from reaching the minimum standard at times. The result is an experience that is sometimes enjoyable, but often frustrating and rarely memorable. Code Vein 2 remains a solid game at its core, but it lacks the rigour, tension, and boldness necessary to make a lasting impression in the landscape of recently released souls-like games.

Like its story, Dragon Quest brings together past and present in a high-quality remake. The work still bears the marks of its age, whether in its narrative structure that still paces itself, its resolutely classic combat system, or certain exploration options that may startle players. In its desire to be accessible at all costs, the game perhaps loses some of its consistency with its original premise. However, while this seventh instalment may not really surprise, it remains a great JRPG that respects the codes of the genre. The work done by Square Enix to bring it up to date is obvious and clearly deserves to be praised.

Final Fantasy VII Remake remains a deeply ambitious work, torn between homage and reinvention. It shines in its combat system, artistic direction and character development, but stumbles in its pacing, narrative filler and technical choices that are now showing their age. In this Xbox Series X version, the game is neither a failure nor outdated, but it is clearly not aligned with 2026's standards. If you've already completed the game on PlayStation or PC, there's no real reason to start the adventure again on Xbox. However, for those discovering this Remake, FF7 remains a must-play, even in 2026.

Embarking on an adventure with MIO is a journey into the unknown. The latter has been enhanced by unique artistic direction, offering a proper feast for the eyes and ears. Exploration is engaging and natural, gameplay is fluid and airy, and battles are very intense. Be warned, however, that the experience can also be abrupt and frustrating at times. The ingredients used are all familiar, but even though the formula is classic and simple, Douze Dixièmes has nevertheless gifted us with a high-quality Metroidvania game for its second release.

With Silent Hill 2 Remake, Bloober Team has succeeded in breathing new life into a survival horror classic, while preserving the essence that traumatised generations of players. Driven by a suffocating atmosphere, captivating storytelling and a vulnerable but deeply human James, the title has been revived thanks to the studio, which has created an immersive, poignant and gut-wrenching work. The updated gameplay, meticulous art direction and chillingly effective sound design reinforce this dive into the depths of the human psyche. It's a feat that makes us want to stay in the fog, especially with the remake of the very first episode already in the works. Fear has never been so intense... or so irresistible!

We enjoyed discovering each game mode in Call of Duty Black Ops 7. Thanks to its fun campaign one can play with others and that acts as a real stress reliever with crazy, well-designed bosses (or more like missions interspersed with cutscenes), Activision is taking the risk of disappointing some players looking for a solo experience. The multiplayer mode remains very classic in terms of what we expect from a Call of Duty game, and the omni-movement, introduced in Black Ops 6, comes into its own with its dynamic and rather successful maps. The Zombie mode will appeal to fans of the genre with its content, which is traditional but eagerly awaited. Finally, the return of Dead Ops adds a welcome touch of nostalgia to the title.

Satisfactory remains one of the most captivating industrial management games on the market: a powerhouse for logical thinking, taking on challenges and a captivating building experience. Its transition to console confirms this mastery. Far from being yet another adaptation, it cleverly rethinks its controls, ensures clear navigation and preserves the pleasure of building colossal complexes without frustration. Behind the apparent coldness of its industrial theme, the game reveals an addictive rhythm where every improvement, every optimisation and every expansion tells a story of tangible progress. Admittedly, certain repetitive tasks and the manual management of connections remind us that efficiency is often earned through hard work. But when, after dozens of hours, you see your factory stretching as far as the eye can see, Satisfactory is quite a sight to behold: a world where every cog falls into place neatly. It is a solid, masterful and ever-fascinating achievement.

Syberia Remastered elegantly reconciles the past and the present, successfully preserving the soul of a classic while making it accessible. The graphical overhaul, improved interface, free movement and ever-captivating art direction provide a beautiful, melancholic escape into the world of Benoît Sokal, where emotion triumphs over technique. Despite a few hiccups and the lack of reworking of the original cutscenes, the essentials are there: a timeless adventure faithful to the original work, which will appeal to both the nostalgic and the curious.

Ninja Gaiden has nothing to be ashamed of when it comes to its legacy. Thanks to its gameplay and technique, the blade in this episode is as sharp as it is fine, and the school of skill is on a roll. Quite simply, it's been a long time since we've had so much fun with a title of this genre. However, the overall presentation is far from the most stylish. In terms of its structure and ambition, it is not as spectacular as expected and does not deliver the slash we were hoping for. What remains nonetheless is the pleasure of quite a virtuous game.

Can't wait for Hades 2? Your buddy tells you it's this year's GOTY ? You could retort that Sworn can be played with others... We may have complained about this ‘failed’ Hades clone, but Sworn does have its good points: a universe with potential, effective gameplay even if there are no real surprises, a multiplayer component (at least online) and, needless to say, it's included in Game Pass.

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.

Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines 2 is a paradoxical work, captivating in its atmosphere and rich in lore, but faltering in its execution. Its story is compelling, its narrative choices intriguing, and its gloomy universe fascinating, yet it frustrates the player with its technical shortcomings and dated gameplay. Seattle struggles to come alive, while the AI sorely lacks bite, leaving a mixed impression overall. This is a title to be savoured like an old wine: with patience and indulgence, reserved for fans of the genre who are able to appreciate its aromas despite its bitter notes. Others will no doubt prefer to wait for it to settle... or for the price to drop, which is what we recommend.

Keeper offers an appealing concept, a truly unique, beautiful and varied universe, in which we recognise the famous ‘touch’ of the Double Fine studio, but it sometimes runs out of steam over the course of its – albeit short – lifespan. The game can be appreciated as a beautiful work of art, an original experience that allows you to enjoy a dreamlike adventure for an afternoon. It's worth discovering, if only to escape for a while.

The Outer Worlds 2 is not an untouchable masterpiece, but it is an excellent RPG that successfully combines narrative depth, gameplay freedom and biting humour. Its flaws – a slow start, a limited variety of enemies, a few bugs – are offset by its strengths: captivating side quests, a bold skill and penalty system, unforgettable companions and spot-on social satire. Ultimately, The Outer Worlds 2 is a game that deserves to be discovered and, above all, replayed, because it is in its multiple possibilities, different endings and surprising mechanics that it reveals the full scope of its treasures. An old-school RPG, but one that has evolved to offer a modern, challenging and deeply satisfying experience.

Simon the Sorcerer Origins successfully revives the spirit of a cult point-and-click franchise, while giving it a fresh twist. Its charm comes from its polished art direction, quintessentially British humour, 90s vibe and modernised gameplay that respects the conventions of the genre. But behind this magical world, not everything is perfect. The pace is uneven, and the lack of a help system for the most complex puzzles may slow down some players. Whether you're a veteran of the genre or a long-time fan, you'll enjoy reuniting with Simon in this quirky adventure, as long as you accept his slapstick humour and minor flaws, because, ultimately, that's also part of Simon's magic: a touch of chaos, a lot of sarcasm, and a healthy dose of imagination!