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.

Sworn won’t dethrone the giants of the roguelite space, but it’s a strong, enjoyable entry with a clear identity. If you love games built around progression, combat experimentation, and dark fantasy settings, this one is worth your time; especially if you have a few friends ready to dive into Camelot’s ruins with you.

Pac-Man World 2 Re-Pac on Xbox Series X is not a flawless remake—but it’s a surprisingly heartwarming one. It enhances visuals, smooths out rough edges in control, and layers in replay value without losing the core DNA of the original.

Ninja Gaiden 4 is a great return for the series. Sure, it deviates from the first two entries, but has its own appeal.

Silent Hill f is a solid entry in the series even if it bucks all the reason to be a Silent Hill game. I still feel like this would have been a great original title. The combat is its biggest weakness and the chasm of fun between the real world and the Shrine Realm really drives that home. I am glad Silent Hill is back, but I do wish they had made the combat a bit more fun and interesting.

Death on the Nile may not be a big-budget spectacle, but it’s a well-crafted mystery with charm and ambition. If you enjoy piecing together clues, catching liars in their contradictions, and unraveling classic stories in new ways, this is a cruise worth boarding.

Thanks to these significant improvements to gameplay, its easy to recommend NBA 2K26 to both newcomers to the franchise and longtime fans. It’s the best playing basketball game we’ve gotten in years, at least 2K23. With that being said, it’s hard not to be frustrated with the things that are still holding the series back. The game would be well served by a firm split between MyCareer and The City, with a Career mode and progression system more akin to MLB: The Show and an online multiplayer component that emphasizes parity rather than pay to win (or in most cases pay to simply be competitive). Feels like this is a pipedream based on the revenue that the series brings in, but it would definitely improve the overall experience.

What can I say, Battlefield 6 feels like a return to form for one of gaming’s most diverse and explosive first-person shooters. The team delivered a gripping campaign full of political intrigue, great characters and enough “only in Battlefield” moments to last us until the next one.

As a beat ’em up, Absolum comes quite close to a perfect 10; the enemies are responsive, the characters are incredibly fun to master, the bosses are unapologetically brutal, and the gorgeous 2D art brings everything together perfectly, creating a game that is beautiful to see in motion. Sadly, some of Absolum’s roguelike mechanics feel alienated from the rest of the game, failing to connect properly in a satisfying way. Modern roguelikes follow an unfortunate trend of only providing players with the most boring, safe tools possible, and it feels like the genre as a whole is now used as a crutch by developers to enforce repetition...Regardless of its issues, Absolum is still a fantastic beat ‘em up developed by some of the most talented people to have touched the genre. Roguelike veterans might find Absolum’s early progression a little grating, but the solid foundation laid out by Guard Crush and Dotemu manages to hold the game together until it hits its stride.

Earthion is a stellar shooter that not only captures the heart of Genesis shooters, but brings the genre forward with stellar visuals, interesting mechanics, and a soundtrack that I could blast on repeat. I love that we live in a world where a game like this can exist. If you grew up loving titles like Hellfire, Truxton, and Musha, this is definitely a game for you. I cannot recommend it enough.

Arctic Awakening is a solid mid-tier narrative adventure that doesn’t overstay its welcome. It nails atmosphere, gives you a memorable companion, and packages everything into a format that’s easy to pick up and finish. It won’t wow you with innovation, and it’s not going to become a genre-defining classic, but it doesn’t need to. If you’re craving the loneliness and mystery of Firewatch but with a colder, stranger backdrop, this is a good pick. If you admire The Long Dark but bounced off its punishing survival mechanics, Arctic Awakening might hit the sweet spot. It’s a game that feels like spending a weekend in the cold; you won’t stay forever, but while you’re there, it’s an experience worth having.

This is an entirely fine sequel for those who want a cute and casual creature collector, as it provides enough busy work to keep you entertained for a minimum 25 hours or so. The exploration and graphics are some of the new game’s highlights, also bringing in new slime species and a higher focus on gadgets. If you liked playing the previous game, then Slime Rancher 2 is more of it, for better or for worse.

If you’re a shmup fan, this is an easy recommendation. If you’re curious but hesitant, prepare for pain—but maybe the good kind. And if you just want something flashy to show off your Series X, well… this ain’t it.

Everybody’s Golf Hot Shots is a great return to form for the series. There are some quirks to clean up, but the base is great. It is sad that the online is basically barren at this time, and I am disappointed there is not an Xbox version, but I loved my time here. I wish Sony cared more about their classic IPs. These games are what made me love the platform.

Nicktoons & The Dice of Destiny more than likely won’t compete with the likes of Diablo or Path of Exile, but it doesn’t need to. Its goal is smaller and more focused: to give Nickelodeon characters a new stage to play on while delivering a lighthearted RPG that works for both kids and nostalgic adults. On that front, it rolls a nat’ 20!

Will you get your money’s worth? Probably yes, especially if you enjoy roguelites, mech combat, and alternate history settings. It doesn’t reinvent the genre, but it doesn’t need to; it leans into its strengths. If you want something with deeper tactical complexity or huge narrative ambition, this won’t be your “forever game,” but for what it sets out to do, eh it does it well.

Ghost of Yōtei is another outstanding achievement by the team at Sucker Punch. While I didn’t love it as much as its predecessor, it is still one of the best games to launch this year. Sony continues to push the envelope when it comes to single player experiences.

Echoes of the End won’t be for everyone. If you need endless sidequests, checklists, or high-octane action around every corner, this might feel too subdued. But if you appreciate a more deliberate pace, strong presentation, and a story that respects your time, it’s worth diving into. At the end of the day, it’s not a perfect package, but it’s a memorable one. And during a time where there are more games than we have hours in a day; that may be Echoes of the End greatest strength.

Firefighting Simulator: Ignite isn’t going to be for everyone. If you come looking for high-octane action, you’ll probably bounce off quickly. But if you’re patient and willing to embrace its deliberate pacing, there’s a rewarding experience here. It’s niche, no doubt, but it’s a niche worth exploring.

Madden 26 is the biggest upgrade in years. The revamped franchise mode is great, the on-field mechanics are a welcome change, and it just feels good to play. I ran into several glitches early on, that seem to have been ironed out over the weeks after release. The game continues to chug along and I am enjoying the new stuff, but I do really hope it sees competition again someday. I feel like we go 4-5 years between meaningful upgrades, and even those usually come at a cost. Still if you are an NFL fan the game is solid. The changes are welcome, but how on Earth are we still not able to replicate a halftime show that was created 20 years ago in a $20 game. Something that continues to boggle my mind to this day…

Abiotic Factor is ambitious and often fun, but it’s also clunky and uneven. When it clicks, it really feels like what would happen if Gordon Freeman never picked up a crowbar and only used science. When it doesn’t, you’ll feel the grind, the jank, and the imbalance drag things down. It’s still easy to recommend to survival fans looking for something fresh and cooperative, and the fact that it’s on Game Pass but know going in: this feels like more of a brilliant experiment than polished product.