Despite some hiccups here and there, People of Note deliver’s a rockin’ performance. There is a fun and engaging combat system here and a story that has no shortage of musical style puns. But I feel like the game is held back by the performance and rhythm aspects of its gameplay. I would have loved to see the attacks and abilities be more on beat with the background music. But despite those flaws People of Note delivers a solid game that has a lot of heart and soul.

It wasn’t all a flowery trip to Pottery Barn though; at launch there was some issues with matchmaking, but it was corrected pretty quick. Kiln actually performs quite well, aside from some longer loading times; I had really no issues with the gameplay or anything. In fact, my only real gripe is the lone game mode that is currently available. Not that there is anything wrong with quench because it is a lot of fun, but there is no variety outside of it and we all know that gamers get bored of things quicker than a babysitter’s boyfriend when a car pulls up. And even though the Kiln is on Game Pass I worry about the longevity of the game, especially since it’s multiplayer only. But I guess that’s tomorrow’s problem, for today we smash pots.

Monster Crown: Sin Eater nails the feeling of a more mature and darker, Pokémon game. With its story of revenge for a brother slain it comes out you hard and fast with an evil faction that feels genuinely terrifying instead of just a cartoon threat. The overall story is hit or miss and the overall freeform nature of the game wasn’t really for me, but if you are someone who loves less handholding in your games, well come get revenge with Asur.

Darwin’s Paradox is a quirky puzzle platformer that harkens back to classic games and I loved it. The goofy cartoon art style is its biggest selling point, and the nods to classic Konami games are fun. The price matches the experience, and it is easy to recommend. I had a great time digging through it and we don’t get a ton of these types of games anymore, so it is always great to see a new one.

Mouse P.I. For Hire is one enjoyable and visually stunning video game. While it stumbles like a drunk on Tuesday night when it comes to enemy variety; it more than makes up for it with a stellar voice cast, some fun combat and genuinely laugh-out-loud side quest missions. The game may be on the easy side but don’t let that dissuade you, this is one case worth taking on gumshoe.

I thoroughly enjoyed my time with Grime 2, for those that are fans of the genre this is a weirdly, beautiful game. The move from the more horror focus of the original to the artistic surrealism that developer Clover Bite has embraced is really a sight to behold and one I think helps make Grime 2 stand out. While I would have preferred a more, straight forward narrative the combat, creatures and world presented here are all interesting enough but the game is held back by some technical issues and a lot of repetitive backtracking.

Overall, Saros is a fantastic experience that should not be missed. Housemarque has taken what worked for them previously and made it better. More importantly, they’ve taken the negatives from previous releases and assessed them honestly, allowing them to turn said negatives into positives.

John Carpenter’s Toxic Commando is my type of game, a horde shooter that I can play co-op with my wife and friends. But look; Toxic Commando isn’t the second coming of Left 4 Dead and honestly, we have got to stop thinking that every game in this genre has to be. L4D came out at a special time and introduced us to something that has persevered over the years, those memories and experiences will never be taken away. We do not need to retread those games but instead forge new paths from the undead roots that they laid before. I think John Carpenter’s Toxic Commando does just that through its absurdly 80’s story to its explosive gunplay and addition of vehicles. It takes the zombie/horde baton and treads its own path, one that I thoroughly enjoyed.

I have been waiting two decades for a new game in the series, and this is what we got. Combat is just devoid of fun, the levels are uninspired and repetitive, and the story, while supremely voiced, just doesn’t land like the previous games. Kain deserves more, and I hope this doesn’t deter them from revisiting it. Give the game to an established team with a larger budget and restore the legacy the series left behind. For now, I simply cannot recommend this game, even to hardest of hardcore fans.

Replaced didn’t turn out to be what I thought it was, nevertheless, I enjoyed its narrative and the things it had to say about A.I; given where we are in 2026 it felt pretty timely. I did have some small graphical issues on PC but the fact that the Xbox version is not capable of telling players what buttons to press in order to be successful is just crazy to me. I should not have to spend 10 minutes of trial and error to figure out a mechanic that the game should display in the tutorial. For a game that has been delayed so many times it’s these kinds of bugs that are just simply a bad look for the developer. There is some fun to be had with Replaced on Series X but I would wait for a patch or two before I began to go looking for it.

As a relative noob to Cthulhu’s lore, I really loved Cthulhu: The Cosmic Abyss because of its more psychological horror nature. It would be easy to make this into a monster blasting, shooter type but the choice to slow things down, and tell a more methodical story was a great thing. As a fan of the investigative type games this was a joy to play despite the issues with performance I had on Series X.

As someone who missed the original release of Tales of Berseria, I really enjoyed this remastered version. They story is about revenge, and is much darker than the typical JRPG but to me it also felt more earnest in its approach. While the developers made things prettier with the remaster, I do wish this was a full-fledged remake; but what’s here is a lot of fun.

As a fan of the beat ‘em up genre I am glad I was introduced to RUSHING BEAT X: Return of Brawl Brothers. It’s a very quirky type of game, one that prioritizes over the top fun rather than deliver a cohesive story. And with quite a few playable characters to choose from, I guarantee there is someone here for every playstyle. I was pleasantly surprised by this one, sure it has some flaws but it delivers in fun.

Pragmata is an interesting game that sometimes overcomplicates or oversimplifies its mechanics and setting. I really enjoyed my time with the game, but I’m not sure it will stick with me over time. There were moments where I thought it was outstanding, while other times it was just another space shooter. That is probably its biggest flaw. The pacing of the fun is too uneven and could have benefitted from better pacing.

When Icarus originally launched on PC, it was session-based with time-sensitive missions where once your objective was reached, you would be extracted. Hence the roguelite feeling, as anything you built on the surface would be lost. Luckily the developers added the more traditional open survival mode later and if you are playing on console, you get everything all at once, you lucky player you. But as much as I love the more open mode, I do feel like the underlying structure of the session-based mode translates well to console users; especially for those that want to play these games without it feeling like a demanding second job.

If it’s a more modern-day superhero experience akin to what you get from Rocksteady or Insomniac Games players are seeking; well then, you are going to be soooo mad. On the other hand, if you are someone like me, who grew up with these games then you will enjoy this collection simply for nostalgia of it all. Reliving those memories of having friends spending the night, a large Pizza-Hut pizza, two-litter of soda and superhero video games. Yea, that’s what this package is best at, reliving some of the fun of those days; and for me it’s a blast.

Pokopia is great and it’s going to easily be in my top 10 games of 2026. It’s just a nice experience to see kindness in the face of tragedy which the plot of Pokopia explores. None of the Pokémon fight, they are kind and simply enjoy playing (something that The Pokémon Company has always said in the face of animal abuse allegations but never fully explored in game). I think Pokopia is going to force a lot of games in the cozy genre to reevaluate what they are doing because there’s both freedom and structure for the player and it does an amazing job balancing both. It’s just good vibes.

Screamer is one of Milestone’s most interesting games for sure, but it has a laundry list of issues that hold it back. These could all be addressed with patches, and some have shortly after launch. I just wonder if players will stick around long enough to see them all. I will definitely keep my eye on it over time, as I do adore a great arcade racing game. Where it stands, Screamer is an interesting game with a few setbacks. Definitely recommend waiting for a sale before diving in.

There have been a few Walking Dead games that have come out, a lot of them are bad, but I can say that this DLC really made me feel like I was *IN* the world of the Walking Dead; as awful as that world is. World War Z is already a phenomenal game, made that much better with the addition of this bargain priced DLC, fans of the Walking Dead can have the opportunity to slay some zombies with Rick and his friends one more time.

After many, many hours in Marathon I have come away with an overall positive impression. The game is held together by the tight shooting that Bungie is known for, but it oozes a style all its on which helps it stand out from the pack. For those that love the chase of loot and the thrill of a PvP fight then Marathon is probably for you. It feels like it’s a more hardcore version of the extraction shooter, at least in comparison to Arc Raiders. Don’t expect to have our hand held in this game, which is what a good hardcore experience should offer its players. If you like that type of experience, then Marathon is waiting for you.

Basketball Classics is a wonderful experience at a perfect price that anyone can enjoy. Players don’t have to have knowledge of the sport to have a good time, and there is enough content here to keep players hooked for a while. The lack of online hurts it a little, but I still recommend this to just about anyone who enjoys fun. Get past the nostalgic visuals and you will discover one of the most addictive experiences I have had in a long time.

Fatal Frame II Remake is a solid update to one of, if not the scariest game ever created. The new features are a welcome addition, even with its drawbacks. I still want the same treatment for the first and third games respectively, but this is a good start. Just make sure to tone down the reaching mechanic and please make them 60fps out of the gate. This series was the best sleeper horror series during the PS2 era, and I would love for players today to experience the original trilogy in all of its glory.

BlazBlue Entropy Effect isn’t a bad game at all; the story is confusing and has seemingly no connection at all to the BlazBlue games but its gameplay is what you come for. Overall presentation isn’t bad but like all games of the genre, it gets repetitive in the end. But I must say that I was hooked on its gameplay loop but I still don’t know anything about any of these BlazBlue characters but sometimes a great gameplay loop is all you really need anyway.

City Hunter is a hard game to recommend unless you specifically fit into that crossover I mentioned earlier. You need to be a massive fan of the franchise and have some sort of nostalgia for this particularly mediocre side-scrolling action title. Otherwise, it just falls flat. I wanted to love it, TurboGrafx 16 games are normally hidden gems, but this one just exists. I am glad it is available, but there is just not enough here to make it a forgotten classic.

The Legacy of Kain series is still one of the richest worlds in all of gaming. It is great to have it back, and for the price of admission, this remaster is worth diving in for fans. Newcomers will balk at the archaic game play, but no one can deny the impact of the narrative. Here is hoping we can get the original Blood Omen remake/remaster at some point. This series deserves to return, and I am all for the resurrection of Kain.

Star Trek Voyager – Across the Universe isn’t going to win any awards for presentation or technical polish. But what it does do right is capture the feeling of commanding a lone Starfleet ship far from home, help and allies. It makes players struggle with if the needs of the many, do in fact outweigh the needs of the few. And honestly, for a lifelong Star Trek fan who never quite fell head over heels with Voyager… that might be the biggest compliment I can give it.

Dragonkin: The Banished is a good ARPG that occasionally hints at being a great one. Its progression systems show genuine creativity, and the combat is satisfying enough to keep players pushing forward. At the same time, the game struggles to fully distinguish itself from the heavy hitters that dominate the genre. That being said though, I really think this is one dragon hunt worth undertaking.

For players looking for an action adventure/RPG that blends style, substance, and a healthy sense of humor, this is an easy recommendation. It may wear a fairy tale costume, but underneath that bright cloak is a sharp, confident experience that knows how to fight, how to entertain, and how to keep you turning the page.

Greedfall: The Dying World feels like a giant leap backwards for the developers at Spiders. I was over the moon when I had heard that Greedfall was getting a sequel, and while this game delivers in its writing and narrative in parts, it pretty much fails in everything else. Lackluster combat, glacial pacing at the onset and bugs galore spoil what should have been a triumphant return for the studio, especially after the greatness that was their last game; Steelrising. With a little energon and a lot of luck the team can probably right this ship, but I’d wait for a sale before heading off for this one.

The Raiden Fighters Remix Collection is fantastic. The Raiden games have always been top-tier vertical shooters, and revisiting these three has been a blast. This collection is one of the better Raiden collections released, and if you enjoy these games, it is a no-brainer.

Resident Evil Requiem is easily my favorite game so far in 2026. It is very high on my list of Resident Evil games, only fighting with RE2 as the best of all time. This is an easy recommendation. This game is one of the best I have played in years, and I cannot recommend it enough. Do not hesitate, play this game. Capcom continues to hit on all cylinders, and I cannot wait to see what they do next.

With the downfall of Mimimi Games, I feared that the real-time genre was all but lost. It’s still a crying shame that their final game, Shadow Gambit: The Cursed Crew didn’t get more attention because it had a fantastic story and excellent gameplay. But the developer may be gone but their legacy is strong with Artificer games; Sumerian Six is a triumph in the genre with its immensely replayable levels, forgiving stealth approach and its quirky characters. Made so much better now that I can play it on my Xbox. Artificer has crafted an enjoyable game that blends the occult and science in an interesting story AND lets you knock out some Nazis, what’s not to love here?

High on Life 2 capitalizes on what made the original interesting with its guns and boss fights and falls apart on almost everything else. It feels like it isn’t quite finished when it comes to performance and image quality, and a lot of the humor falls flat. I really loved the original game, but the sequel is much harder to recommend. Thankfully it is on Game Pass, so if you subscribe the barrier to entry is low. Otherwise, I have a hard time recommending this one at full price.

Sons of Sparta should have been a slam dunk, but it just has too much holding it back to be a classic. I loved the idea; it was the execution that disappointed me. I want to know more about the Greek era of Kratos, really looking forward to the remakes, but this origin story falls flat at times and the simplified Metroid aspects are not tailored to the character or the game.

Ultimately this “remaster” feels pointless, but due to the glaring issues this release has I’m not interested in playing further. I was going to hook up my 360 to compare to the original console release as well but I’m not very much interested in making my short time spent with this remaster feel worse. If this is the only way one can play Sacred 2 it may be worth it, but for people like myself who have any other option this is still a pass nearly 4 months later. Oof.

Under the Island succeeds because it understands exactly what it wants to be. It focuses on building a world that feels worth exploring and lets the player discover it at their own pace. It is confident in its identity, and that confidence shows in almost every part of the experience. The game itself feels like a love letter to RPGs of the 90’s. Under the Island isn’t trying to redefine the genre. It’s just trying to make a memorable experience and in that I think it mostly succeeds.

The Prisoning is an interesting and unique game and really goes a long way to justifying the return of Acclaim. It feels familiar enough, yet sprinkling in a host of flavor to make it stand out. I really enjoyed playing through the game. The boss fights are the highlight for sure, and I wish it was a bit more fleshed out, but this is a novel title that breaks the standard on several levels. Definitely worth checking out.

The Super Bomberman Collection is a fantastic snapshot of those games from that time period. I would love to see this continue with the really awkward N64 entries, and of course the greatest Bomberman game of all-time, Saturn Bomberman. But, as a starting point, this collection nails what makes these games special and deserves a spot in your collection.

I’m still not sure if I should attribute the DLC’s quality to Microsoft’s leadership or the work of a passionate development team; perhaps it is a mixture of both, but Reign of the Warlock is a truly outstanding update for Diablo II. It’s easy to see that the warlock was crafted by people who have a fundamental understanding of the game’s tone and mechanics, allowing for a fun and creative experience that manages to breathe new life into a classic. If Blizzard manages to uphold this standard of quality in the future, then I wish the best of luck to all other ARPG developers.

What stands out most as a newcomer is how confident Styx: Blades of Greed feels. It is not chasing broader appeal. It is building on a specific stealth identity and trusting players who want that experience to meet it there. Players looking for power fantasy stealth or action-heavy combat will probably bounce off quickly. The game expects patience and attention, and it does not bend much to meet players halfway. For stealth fans, that is a strength. For everyone else, it might be a barrier.

This collection is hard to recommend unless you have an extremely strong nostalgia for any of the titles included. Even then revisiting these titles has been a challenge. With the exception of Rocko, there isn’t a ton of fun to be had here. The limited options and upgrades are glaring, and I wish Limited Run would go back to spending more time with these. As of now they just feel like an assembly line of rom dumps, which is hugely disappointing.

Tavern Manager Simulator isn’t a bad game, but it is an uneven one. The late-game systems show real promise and deliver on the tavern-running fantasy, but the slow early progression and frequent crashes on Xbox Series X make the journey harder to recommend. If you’re patient, persistent, and willing to power through the rough opening hours, there’s fun to be found here. Just know that this tavern doesn’t really come alive until long after the doors first open.

This is by far one of the most obscure collections I have experienced to date. Earnest Evans is niche and the other two included games will only be recognized by the hardest of the hardcore. It is also not a lot of fun to play these games, so the nostalgia wears off fairly quickly. It was cool to check out, but I did not find myself coming back for more after a couple hours. This will likely sit in my collection as an oddity, which I guess is fitting as the original games likely suffered the same fate.

There’s a strong identity here, a clear vision, and a combat system that has depth if you’re willing to invest the time. As a newcomer to the series though, I was constantly bombarded with terms, weird items and new systems that felt overwhelming, especially since there is no pause in the game. And then there is the story; if I was asked to explain this game I would have nothing other than “it’s hard, and has anime vampire girl” Code Vein 2 is stylish, punishing, and unapologetically dense. It just might also be a little too closed-off for its own good, and I think a lot of returning fans will be upset with some of the changes, especially the removal of co-op.

In the end the Fighting Force Collection is more of a curiosity than a compilation of classics. Some people have nostalgia for the first game, it was decent. The second game, however, should have remained forgotten. Core Design started strong and ended with a whimper and I would rather remember them for titles like Tomb Raider and Soulstar, and not the travesty that is Fighting Force 2.

Romeo is a Dead Man is experimental in all the right ways when it comes to its aesthetic and visuals but forgets to try anything new when it comes to its gameplay.

In the end, I Hate This Place is a strong survival-horror experience that knows exactly what it wants to be. It’s tense, stylish, and unapologetically hostile, but it’s also fair more often than not. The rough spots are noticeable, but they don’t overshadow the game’s strengths. If you enjoy survival-focused gameplay, atmospheric horror, and a visual style that stands out from the crowd, this is absolutely worth your time.

Despite the lack of innovation, Nioh’s blend of character action and soulslike still manages to entertain, with its combat being undeniably polished to near perfection.

I really enjoyed my time with Dragon Quest 7: Reimagined. Even as a hardened DQ veteran I appreciated the streamlined changes that were made to bring the game’s substantial run-time down a notch. I completed the game with about 47 hours on the clock and polished off the post-game content at about 57 hours. I’ve got 1 achievement to go (find all items) but the in-game checklist for that one isn’t great, so it will likely wait until someone produces a guide. That feels to me like the right length of time for this game. Long enough that you feel like you’re getting a full experience, but not so long that it overstays it’s welcome. That said, if you’re a veteran of the franchise, I would definitely consider adjusting some of the difficulty settings. If I hadn’t been playing for review, I certainly would have bumped a couple of them up a notch. I can see where some folks who love the original might be disappointed in the changes (especially the cut content) but I think this version serves the story of the game well and will undoubtedly allow for more players to enjoy both the game and the series.

By the time the dust settles, Haunted House Renovator is far from flawless, yet it remains an oddly engaging detour that leans heavily on its personality. Anyone looking for a straightforward, turn-your-brain-off decorating sim may come away disappointed. Honestly though I think those that come for the haunted bits might be more disappointed. While a really neat idea, the half-baked ‘ghost busting’ brings the whole house down.

For those willing to meet it on its own terms, Rue Valley is something special. It is thoughtful without being pretentious, somber without being hopeless, and confident enough to let its themes speak for themselves. And while Rue Valley certainly has some issues with pacing, its story is one that is worth exploring.

As a follow up to a divisive entry and as the penultimate release to the end of the Calvard Arc, Trails Beyond the Horizon had to pull out all the stops and luckily, despite a few flaws, they managed to craft an incredible build up that has me on the edge of my seat, eager to find out what happens next.

At the end of the day, Dynasty Warriors thrives when it comes to offering fanservice in the form of large-scale confrontations, and Visions of Four Heroes does that very well, be it through brutally dominating the battlefield alongside Dong Zhuo or by challenging the whole world alongside Lu Bu. It’s also refreshing to see a game in the series flesh out its characters this much, partly because it allows itself a different perspective, anchoring the player as a single protagonist rather than a whole faction, and the fact that the DLC chooses to focus even more on this specific aspect of storytelling is quite satisfying.

Despite the slow start and my lack of interest in the sport itself, I ended up enjoying the experience far more than expected. It’s a stylish, character-driven RPG that just happens to revolve around football, and once it gets going, it’s hard not to get swept up in its enthusiasm. Just be prepared to wait a while before you actually hit the pitch. For those willing to stick it out, the journey is worth it.

Tomba! 2 Remaster isn’t trying to reinvent itself, and that’s both its strength and its limitation. For fans, this is the best way to revisit a cult classic without fighting outdated hardware or muddy visuals. For newcomers, it’s a fascinating snapshot of a time when developers weren’t afraid to make games this strange and unapologetically playful. It may not convert everyone, but for those who missed it or loved it the first time around, this remaster proves that Tomba! 2 is still as loud, bizarre, and lovable as ever.

In the end, Taxi Chaos 2 is exactly what it appears to be. A fast, loud, chaotic driving game that exists to fill a very specific void. It may not be the return of Crazy Taxi that fans have been begging for, but it comes close enough to scratch that itch. This really is Crazy Taxi we have at home, and for fans of arcade chaos, that is not a bad thing at all.

Blood: Refreshed Supply is yet another outstanding port of a classic shooter from Nightdive. I continue to be impressed with how much love and care they put into their releases and am always anticipating what comes next. This is definitely worth a look as it is one of those games that has a certain mystery around it. Lots of people talk about it, but it isn’t as well-known as titles like Duke Nukem and Doom. Now you can discover one of the most unique and fun shooters from the late 90s.

Bee Simulator: The Hive isn’t deep, and it isn’t flashy, but it’s surprisingly earnest and occasionally endearing. It expands on the original concept just enough to feel like a genuine sequel rather than a reskin. Kids will get a kick out of it, and adults might find it a pleasant palate cleanser between heavier games. The repetition and simple mission structure keep it from greatness, but the charm carries it farther than you’d expect.

Gripes aside, Routine is exactly what I wanted it to be. I want more. I would love to see these mechanics and this world taken further, especially if they can somehow make this more immersive with different ways to solve puzzles and the like. Extremely impressed. I simply cannot believe I finally got Routine let alone that it was this bloody good.

As the follow up to the worst game in this long running series, D7 had a lot of work cut out for it. Thankfully, the team at NIS was up to the task and addressed most of the issues, putting together a welcome package to remind me why I loved the series in the first place. While there are still some improvements to be made, I’m more than happy to report this is certainly a much needed course correction for the series at large.

Crime Simulator on Xbox is far from polished, and the jank is noticeable, but the heart of the game; planning a heist, sweating through the tension, pulling it off against the odds; is genuinely satisfying if you are playing with friends. And while Co-op elevates it, solo play tests your patience, and the whole thing feels like a deliciously unstable tower of theft, luck, and questionable decisions.

Outlaws is not a household name, but that doesn’t mean you should skip it. If you enjoy the kind of games that Nightdive has been bringing back, then this one is a must. The extras are great and the theme is not something we get a lot of in shooters. Definitely worth checking out and I hope Nightdive continues to bring back the classics of my childhood.

The balance of slow-burn inspection work and sudden chaos gives the game a pulse that a lot of sims completely miss. When you’re marking down discrepancies like a stern librarian one minute and trying not to get shot in a forest the next, it leaves an impression. Contraband Police isn’t polished, but it doesn’t need to be. It’s engaging, tense in all the right moments, and strangely absorbing once you settle into the rhythm. The rough edges in combat and driving hold it back, and the repetition eventually starts to rub, but the core loop is strong enough to earn its stripes on console.

Inferno could have been a solid title if Supetrick put any sort of effort into actually improving the original game’s formula, but it instead comically doubles down on every single aspect that made it a chore to play, except now you have to pay an entry fee (which doesn’t mean microtransactions are gone, by the way). Inferno is a weird amalgamation of the first Let it Die and Deathverse, attempting to merge them into a PvPvE experience that ends up being for nobody. Maybe it’s time we simply Let it Die.

Revisiting these games has been a treat. I loved them back in the day, and while they haven’t all aged gracefully, I appreciate them for what they are. Nostalgia is a heck of a drug, and I love that we can now play these games on modern consoles. The omission of the Saturn and PlayStation versions is its biggest flaw though and I wish we could have had a complete collection.

Saborus is a unique concept that simply fails in its execution. This could have been a gem but instead remains forgettable. I wanted to love it more than I did, but it kept fighting me the entire way through. While the novelty is there, I cannot recommend this game outside of a curiosity on something like Game Pass.

Octopath Traveler 0 is a curious game- as a sequel to Octopath 2, it’s more steps down than it is up but considering its origins as a mobile game, I’m very glad they decided to give it the single player game reimagining as the story is one well worth experiencing and the system of fielding all eight characters at once is something I’d like to see explored further in the true sequel.

Pigeon Simulator has a premise you want to root for. It aims for goofy, chaotic fun, and there are moments when you can see the spark of what it could’ve been. But the repetitive mission design, underwhelming flight controls, weak progression, and lack of comedic punch make it difficult to recommend. If you’re looking for a quick laugh and don’t mind the rough edges, you might get a brief kick out of it. But for me, this pigeon never quite spreads its wings.

Tormented Souls 2 is the rare kind of sequel that doesn’t try to reinvent itself. It refines, sharpens, and honors the formula that worked before. Dual Effect clearly knows its audience and delivers a polished, confident love letter to old-school horror. It’s atmospheric, unsettling, and just challenging enough to keep you hooked from start to finish. If you grew up with fixed cameras, ink ribbons, and limited shotgun shells, you’ll feel right at home. But if you are like me and have outgrown tank controls and fixed cameras, then this is one mystery that is better left unsolved.

Dying Light: The Best is a return to form. I loved revisiting this world after the disappointment that I had with the second game. It knows what it wants to be and never apologizes for it. If you loved the first game, this is a must-have.

I am happy this game exists and I can now play it on a modern console. I wish there was more though. The price tag is a bit steep for a port of one original PlayStation game with a lack of extras and features. The quality of life stuff is nice, and the updated visuals help with those warping polygons, but I might recommend waiting on a sale for this one. It is a fantastic game that is slightly overpriced.

In the literal sea of fantastic games that have come out in 2025, Marvel Cosmic Invasion shouldn’t be missed. Now, truthfully speaking mileage may vary on how much fun you have depending on how you feel about the brand. As a huge comic fan, I loved this game and can’t wait to play with friends when the online multiplayer goes live. But some folks may be turned off by the lack of enemy variety and the shorter length of the campaign which can be finished in about 3-5 hours; completionist will get about 20 hours to see everything. With its inclusion in Game Pass Ultimate (a shame we have to differentiate) it’s definitely worth checking out.

PowerWash Simulator 2 doesn’t need to shake things up to earn its spot. It’s a warm, relaxing escape that’s all about small wins and satisfying progress. On Xbox Series X, it looks cleaner, plays smoother, and offers just enough new content to keep both veterans and newcomers happy. Whether you’re playing solo or spraying away grime with friends, this is one of the most oddly comforting experiences on Xbox right now. It’s gaming at its most zen and sometimes, that’s exactly what we need.

Reus 2 is a rare gem; a god-game that encourages creativity and patience instead of chaos and destruction. It’s a strategy title that rewards thoughtfulness, experimentation, and curiosity. Abbey Games clearly learned from the first outing and refined it into something both deeper and more approachable. The Xbox version looks great, runs smooth, the only real wrinkle is the controls feel clumsy with a controller. Hopefully we can see a patch or two that will address this, but even with that issue players on Xbox will find more to love than hate with Reus 2.

For someone who’s never been on board with extraction shooters, ARC Raiders didn’t just surprise me; it has fully converted me. It balances tension and reward with a deft touch, makes solo play genuinely compelling, and wraps everything in a world that’s fun to exist in, even when it’s trying to tear you apart. If you’ve bounced off extraction shooters before, this might be the one that clicks. It certainly was for me.

Titans of the Tide is a very competent platformer that is further enhanced if you are a fan of SpongeBob and his cohorts. I had a great time even without in-depth knowledge of the show. It plays well, looks great, and is genuinely hilarious at times. We need these types of games, and I am glad SpongeBob continues to carry that torch. For the price, this is more than worth your time.

Jurassic World Evolution 3 is exactly what you’d expect if you’ve played the series before. It’s enjoyable, visually pleasing, and satisfying to manage, but it doesn’t reinvent the wheel. For fans of dinosaur park simulators, there’s enough here to keep you entertained, but the lack of innovation keeps the experience from feeling truly fresh.

At the top of this I posed a question, does all this content equate to a better Call of Duty game, and I think the truthful answer is no. No doubt the team took some really big swings this year with the campaign, but I feel like they missed more than they hit with it. The lack of checkpoints and being always online is rough, especially when there are tons of fans who only play single-player and loves these games. If you are returning to Black Ops for the multiplayer or zombies then you are in for a great time, of course mileage may vary depending on which mode and if players vibe with it or not. But ultimately this year’s Call of Duty just feels like a big bag of melted candy, sure it will taste good but is the mess you got to work through to enjoy it worth it in the end?

Neon Inferno stands out amongst the sea of other pixel-art 2D shooters. It leans into what makes these kinds of games good and doesn’t rely on nostalgia. It brings unique mechanics and a great presentation to round out the package. If you are like me and roll your eyes when another “one of those” is announced, this deserves your attention. The developers have done a great job of mixing the right amount of nostalgia with a core experience worth diving into.

Despite tripping over the finish line with a somewhat rushed ending, Dispatch still feels like a good adaptation of the Telltale format, winning me over with its genuinely fantastic voice acting and lovable cast of characters. It’s undeniable that the game relies on quite a bit of padding to hit its 8-hour runtime, but what is there is extremely engaging and well-made, scratching the itch for episodic gaming much better than Deck Nine or Supermassive could, although players used to the standard Telltale formula will most likely be disappointed by the infrequency of dialogue options, as well as the lack of more bombastic choices. Regardless, I firmly believe that the developers at AdHoc are pretty much only competing with their past work at Telltale, as bigger studios like Quantic Dream still fail to match their writing quality despite having ten times the budget. I’m quite excited to see what a season 2 for the game will look like, alongside any other titles AdHoc creates in the future, hopefully suffering from fewer growing pains and with a much higher budget considering how well Dispatch has been received.

The Anima games are unique in almost every aspect, and in a world where everything seems to want to be the same thing, it is a breath of fresh air. I loved these games when they came out originally, and I loved revisiting them for this review. If you never got a chance to check these out, I cannot recommend them enough. Sure, they have hard edges, but once you get past those, both games are some of the most interesting and unique action RPGs I have played. Definitely worth checking out.

Atelier Resleriana: The Red Alchemist & The White Guardian features a fun combat engine and many fanservice cameos that long term fans of the series will surely appreciate. However, as a direct sequel to a now defunct mobile game, it can’t quite shake the feeling like it was created just to try and salvage some money from the failed predecessor by reusing models, music and boring randomly generated dungeons. For those die-hard fans of the series like myself, there is definitely fun to be had here but for everyone else, perhaps I could recommend another title in the series instead.

When it’s firing on all cylinders, Silly Polly Beast can be a blast. The combat feels good, the world is fascinating enough, and the overall tone sticks with you. It’s the kind of game that rewards curiosity the type that you keep pushing forward just to see what bizarre thing it throws at you next. That being said though the experience feels uneven. A few segments drag, while others frustrate, and a few just feel unfinished. Even with those hiccups, I can’t deny I had fun. Not consistent fun, but enough of it to make me glad I gave it a shot.

Forestrike’s ability to turn mechanical knowledge into meta progression creates a very addictive and enjoyable gameplay loop, allowing you to slowly get better at solving each encounter with grace rather than through brute force. While it does unfortunately fail to provide much when it comes to randomization, the combat system does a great job at carrying the experience, even if the game is overly punishing at points. There are still a couple of rough spots that need to be polished, like the hitstop being way too long, something that can completely throw off your timing when parrying, as well as the RNG for techniques being rough, but Forestrike is bound to please those interested in brutally difficult titles.

Fast and Furious: Arcade Edition is fun for a little while but wears out its welcome far too soon. You can unlock everything there is to see in an hour, and the unfair AI makes replaying it not all that much fun. I loved the romp, but at $30 this is a hard one to recommend. It just lacks content, and the brutal AI kills any replayability. Combine that with no online mode and this title falls short of a must-have.

Plants vs. Zombies: Replanted is a good time, just not a great remake. It captures the heart of the original perfectly, but doesn’t do enough to justify itself as the “ultimate edition.” If you’ve never played Plants vs. Zombies before, this is absolutely worth jumping into. For returning players, though, it’s more of a comfortable rerun than a revitalized revival.

Double Dragon Revive is a love letter to the franchise, but one that occasionally forgets to stamp it properly. It’s not bad game per say, there are flashes of brilliance where it all comes together, and for those moments, it feels like the return I hoped for. But just as often, it reminds you that sometimes, bringing back the past isn’t enough. If you grew up with the Lee brothers and just want to relive the glory days with a friend, you’ll probably have fun as long as they can come over your house. If you’re new to the series, though, this isn’t going to make you a believer.

It’s a throwback to when shooters were about reflexes, not morality meters. It doesn’t care about narrative twists or prestige storytelling it just wants to entertain you for a few hours, and in that sense, it mostly succeeds. If you’ve got friends to play with, this is a good weekend pick. You’ll have a blast tearing through demons, laughing at the ridiculous story, and remembering why simple, over-the-top shooters still have a place in 2025. If you’re playing solo, though… your mileage may vary.

The game is ambitious to say the least and I hope it flourishes. We are still early though, so who knows how long it will last. I imagine I will continue to revisit this game for the next few months to see how it is evolved. There isn’t much like this and that is exciting. I love a good arcade racing game, and mixing elements of Burnout, Trackmania, and Forza Horizon is a recipe for fun. Just how long that fun lasts though remains to be seen.

Digimon Story: Time Stranger is easily the strongest Digimon Story entry to date. It’s a confident, feature-rich RPG that respects the player’s time and intelligence. The 30 FPS cap on consoles is a real blemish though, and a few pacing issues keep it from greatness, but those are manageable annoyances in an otherwise standout experience. This game doesn’t just want to compete with Pokémon; it wants to carve its own path. And for the first time in a long time, Digimon fans can hold their heads high knowing their franchise has something genuinely special on its hands.

I paid over $100 Canadian for this game, and it was worth every penny. I wasn’t sure what to expect with Sonic Team taking over but I’m extremely impressed. I wish there were more courses (especially ones based on other SEGA properties) but there’s still 5 more DLC courses to be released and I’ll be there every time one launches to take part in the accompanying event. My hope is that once this season pass is done, they won’t simply drop the game because their only real competition is still Mario Kart 8 and with the effort this could definitely surpass it as the best kart racer. A lot of love and detail went into every inch of this game, and it shows… It’s just really blurry because I’m moving so fast.

AVGN 8-Bit is a great retro title and a great AVGN game. He seems to understand how to license out his work to the right people. I highly recommend it if you loved those old NES games or are a fan of his work. Others with a sensitivity to offensive humor should probably stay away, but for everyone else this is a retro must-have. I loved every minute of it, just expect to die…a LOT.

While the Dragon Quest 1 remake on offer here is a great reimagining of the revolutionary but somewhat limited progenitor of this massive series, I cannot sufficiently express how much of an improvement the Dragon Quest 2 remake is. For the first time, it feels like a worthy and critical entry in the arc of the series and not just a steppingstone technologically between 1 and 3. Dragon Quest I & II: HD-2D Remake is an absolute must play for anyone who loves this series or the genre of RPG’s as a whole.

The MK Legacy Kollection is a dream come true for me. Growing up with MK from the beginning this hit all the right nostalgia notes. MK is easily one of my favorite gaming franchises and have been a fan for over 30 years and will likely be playing it until my hands no longer work. Digital Eclipse understood the assignment and aced it. I cannot wait to see what they add to this over time, and now I can finally play my beloved MK2 in various forms in one place. If you have ever had any interest in the series this is a must-have.

Bounty Star: The Morose Tale of Graveyard Clem is one of those games that sounds incredible on paper but stumbles in execution. The story and atmosphere show flashes of something special, but the gameplay simply doesn’t hold up its end. The combat feels slow and awkward, the mission structure grows repetitive, and the homestead systems never evolve past the basics. Bounty Star wants to be a redemption story; both for its protagonist and for the mech genre’s quieter side. Unfortunately, much like Clem herself, it never quite outruns its flaws.

Kaku: Ancient Seal is one of those games that reminds me why I love discovering smaller projects. It’s ambitious, heartfelt, and fun, even when it stumbles. The team at BINGOBELL clearly poured their hearts into this world, and it shows. If you can forgive some rough edges, you’ll find a charming adventure that scratches that open-world itch. Kaku: Ancient Seal won’t dethrone Zelda or Elden Ring, but it’s not trying to. It’s a confident, creative, and surprisingly polished debut from a small studio with big ideas. It delivers a solid adventure full of charm and discovery, and it left me excited to see what these developers do next.

Trails in the Sky 1st Chapter is an impressive achievement and a near perfect remake. It manages to capture the charm of the original while improving on nearly all areas including visuals, combat, accessibility and more. It also has laid to rest a question that has been asked time and time again. “Which game should I play to get into the Trails series?”. You start with Trails in the Sky 1st Chapter, end of discussion.

Full Metal Schoolgirl falls flat as a roguelike, failing to deliver on randomization, synergies, equipment variation, and interesting upgrades. Every attempt feels about the same in terms of structure, and it wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say that the office floors might as well be static due to how little they change every time you start a new climb. D3’s earnest attempt at making an original roguelike does not go unnoticed, but as charming as it is, Full Metal Schoolgirl is still a subpar game, and the fact that it nears the price of an AAA title in some regions makes it even harder to recommend.