Julio La Pine's Reviews
Little Nightmares 3 stands out thanks to its memorable plot and terrifying levels, but some AI bugs and slow pacing during the final act stain what could have been an excellent horror experience.
Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds is the most accessible and engaging kart racing game of the year, and one that has significantly raised the bar for the genre.
Digimon Story Time Stranger is the pinnacle of Digimon games. It is the most approachable adventure yet, but also maintains the depth that has made the series so beloved by many.
Final Fantasy Tactics: The Ivalice Chronicles is the ultimate way to experience the cult classic. While it lacks the War of the Lions content, it remains an excellent tactical RPG and one of the best Final Fantasy games ever made.
Atelier Resleriana: The Red Alchemist & The White Guardian is one of the most approachable Atelier experiences for new fans, while also bringing back what made the series so iconic.
Towa and the Guardians of the Sacred Tree is a top-notch roguelite with a memorable storyline that may feel bloated at times, but it is, undoubtedly, one of the most unique games in the genre due to how packed it is with things to do.
Dying Light: The Beast is the promised sequel we were all waiting for. Its new combat additions make fighting more enjoyable and visceral, while Castor Woods provides not only the best setting of the franchise but also the ultimate post-apocalyptic parkour sandbox.
LEGO Voyagers is one of the most heartwarming experiences of the year, offering engaging co-op aspects and the purest essence of LEGO building.
Cronos: The New Dawn is one of the most refreshing survival horror experiences of recent memory, thanks to its emphasis on player choices and split-second decisions, which shine even further due to its harrowing setting and gripping narrative.
Daemon X Machina: Titanic Scion is an outstanding dark sci-fi experience thanks to its memorable plot and cast, highly customizable armored suits, in-depth combat, and addictive exploration.
Hell Is Us is one of the most unique gaming experiences of the year, bringing some of the most intricate and memorable puzzles in recent memory, accompanied by superb exploration mechanics.
While Gears of War: Ultimate Edition launched a decade ago, Gears of War: Reloaded feels like the actual ultimate way to experience this timeless classic that has aged well and looks on par with many modern games due to its visual and gameplay enhancements.
Shinobi: Art of Vengeance is the ultimate 2D ninja experience and one of the best action platformer experiences of recent memory due to its impactful combat with ample customization options and an unforgettable art style.
Abyssus is a terrific first-person shooter, boasting one of the smoothest and most engaging gunplay mechanics with impactful gun customization. However, it falls short as a roguelite due to how uninspiring and unrewarding its gameplay loop is.
Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound is the best 2D platformer of the year and one of the greatest Ninja Gaiden titles out there. While it isn't the longest, it is highly replayable and packed with depth.
Destiny 2: The Edge of Fate is a rough start to the Year of Prophecy, but one that still shows signs of promise below some of its disappointing features. The overhaul to some systems is excellent, and the combat remains top-notch, but many issues hold back what could've been a great new beginning.
Wuchang: Fallen Feathers is one of the best non-FromSoftware soulslike games out there, that brings engaging mechanics and embraces player freedom above all. Even with some minor performance issues, it stands out as the biggest soulslike surprise of 2025.
Death Stranding 2: On the Beach is Kojima's best work to date. It brings an engaging gameplay loop that encourages player experimentation at every turn. Furthermore, it shows the true power of the PS5, making it the best game of this console generation.
Yakuza 0: Director's Cut is an excellent launch title for the Nintendo Switch 2 that showcases its technical capabilities. However, some of the new additions make it feel like the inferior version of this legendary entry.
FBC: Firebreak is an excellent online co-op experience made by the creative minds behind Control. It is an approachable game with no FOMO systems that also includes a highly engaging gameplay loop with unique objectives and mechanics.