The Relic: First Guardian is not only one of the worst Soulslikes I have ever played, but a prime candidate for the worst game of 2026. It's a game that crumbles under the weight of its own ambition, aiming to be the next Elden Ring and missing the target wildly. Not one aspect of this game warrants praise, and in its current state, it is an affront to the Souls genre as a whole. It's time I will never get back, but hopefully through my suffering, you won't suffer the same fate.
Corsair Cove is a very welcome and unique slant on the colony builder format, offering a satisfying pirate fantasy with a lot of neat ideas. However, due to a rather lackluster card-based combat system that underpins all naval combat, and a rather predictable and linear progression system, Corsair Cove rides the waves and navigates the storm. But doesn't come out completely unscathed.
Halo Campaign Evolved offers a new, definitive way to enjoy the initial Halo Campaign. Complete with staggeringly crisp visuals, smooth gunplay, and welcome QoL changes. But critically, leaves pretty much everything else about the glorious campaign alone, making for a nostalgic affair that transports you right back to 2001.
The Mound: Omen Of Cthulhu has the bones of a Lovecraftian nightmare worth enduring. But sadly, when examined closely, there's very little meat on those bones. Some sanity system mechanics create memorable multiplayer moments, but due to a lack of substance, half-baked mechanics, and the fact that it inexplicably sets out its stall as an extraction game, The Mound: Omen Of Cthulhu will go down as a great idea executed haphazardly.
The biggest compliment we can pay Assassin's Creed Black Flag Resynced is that it feels like the definitive way to play this swashbuckling adventure. A gorgeous, refined and expanded version that changes a lot for the better, while leaving things that made the original great well enough alone. Not all changes are for the better, but overall, this is a successful remake, and one that truly feels like an Assassin's Creed game of old, with a modern facelift.
Moonlight Peaks is one of the few Stardew Valley-likes which truly feels like its own thing, daring to lean into new ideas, Themes and mechanics. While it doesn't re-invent the wheel entirely, the ability to shape shift, brew potions, cast spells and generally lean into the life of a supernatural monster is very welcome. This is a game well worth checking out for all cozy game obsessives.
Mina the Hollower is a glorious modern-meets retro affair with oodles of amazing ideas, almost all of which coming together to offer a fluid and fun experience focused on freedom. Admittedly, some of the limitations of the retro-inspired top-down 2D approach do lead to clunky, imprecise platforming and cheap deaths. But all in all, this is a glorious continuation of indie excellence from the Shovel Knight Devs.
Despite some filler Game Boy titles bulking up the collection, it's fair to say that this Nickelodeon time capsule is a joy to behold. Search for Reptar is a cult classic for a reason and carries the collection. But there are also little nuggets of excellence to be found within the other baby-fueled titles. Fair warning, the controls are clunky, the camera is cumbersome, and the gameplay is often shallow. But despite it all, these games are a lot of fun, and it's a collection I feel blessed to have access to on modern systems
"Lightning rarely strikes twice, but against all odds, Zero Parades is a spiritual successor worthy of taking the torch from Disco Elysium and running with it. This spy thriller is a slow burn, but one that slowly blossoms over time. It's rich in detail, abundant with memorable moments, and elevates the rudimentary RPG systems of old. It may have some minor tweaks to make for the inevitable 'final cut'. But, no matter how you feel about this new iteration of Za/Um, their new IP is every bit as captivating as that which came before."
Tides of Tomorrow is a bold 'choices matter' experiment that mostly pays off. The multiplayer setup that affects how your story will play out is excellently handled and intriguing, largely making up for the rather middling storyline. However, it is the thin gameplay throughout that stops Tides of Tomorrow from being a truly amazing experience.
"Dosa Divas is yet another game from Outerloop Games that has a lot of charm, and a lot of heart. The narrative is goofy yet sincere, the map design, setting and art style is eye-catching and new additions to turn-based combat and exploration add a lot to the experience. But sadly, everything feels a little repetitive, clunky and half-baked in execution. It, much like it's predecessor Thirsty Suitors, is a flawed gem. So mileage may vary, but it could just be a tasty morsel worth nibbling on."
What's commendable about this 3D iteration of Super Meat Boy is just how similar it feels to the 2D original. It's addictive, visually appealing, and the leap to 3D offers new ways to approach levels that the original could never. But, this comes with some drawbacks like cheap deaths, less precise movement, and levels that feel far less challenging overall. That said, this is still easily the best SMB game outside the original, and well worth checking out for newcomers and SMB veterans alike.
Crimson Desert isn't a perfect game. It's not a game for everyone, and it's got as many good ideas as it does poorly implemented ones. However, what cannot be denied is that this game is a generational game and an open-world experience like no other. It's visually outstanding, mechanically dense, and immersive beyond compare. Yet, it's also one of the most laborious games to get to grips with in recent memory, meaning a lot of players may bounce off this title. However, what I would say is 'stick with it'. As Crimson Desert is a game that doesn't respect your time, but certainly deserves it.
"Mewgenics is a superb turn-based spiritual successor to The Binding of Issac, offering Ed McMillen's signature brand of crude chaos and roguelike excellence. Combat, presentation, and kitty gene splicing all come together to create one of the most engaging and addictive gameplay loops in recent memory. We do wish there was more control over breeding, and the game perhaps lacks the same punchy narrative undercurrent as Issac. But overall, this is a triumph, and could just be the sleeper indie hit of the year."
"Cairn is one of the most outlandish and experimental Platformers in recent memory, and that big swing pays off. The deep and nuanced climbing mechanics are engrossing and addictive to engage with, and the supplementary survival angle adds more stakes to this already grueling ascent. Some may not click with the methodical traversal, but all in all, Cairn is the best possible version of what it attempts to be. An authentic mountaineering epic that pulls no punches."
"I can wholeheartedly say that Skate Story is not what I thought it would be. But I'm glad, as what I got was so much more unique and surreal. With an abstract art style, a wonderfully weird story, and one of the finest soundtracks I've ever treated my ears to, Skate Story is truly an experience I would recommend to anyone. I struggle to recommend it as a gaming experience as the pacing, quest design, and skate mechanics all leave a lot to be desired. But all in all, Skate Story is well worth checking out, and a hell of a time."
“Marvel Cosmic Invasion is another modern meets retro classic under the Dotemu umbrella. It offers classic comic-book violence with an arcade feel, and a bucket-load of fan service for Marvel fans to look out for as they attempt to save the cosmos. However, above all, the hero tag-team feature feels like a revolution, making even single player runs feel like co-op chaos, which is also an option if you fancy it. It lacks a truly spectacular narrative, and could do with bespoke difficulty settings, but all in all, this is a superb Beat-em-up that does Stan Lee's band of freaks proud.”
The Outer Worlds 2 is an almost perfect sequel, building on the brilliance of its predecessor and addressing all the issues fans had with the original. The scope and scale of this sequel is the biggest win for fans, as there's oodles of content.
The high-octane action, the blistering speeds, and the open-world freedom all come together to offer a format that I adore. However, I can't in good conscience attribute much of this to this game, as it's about as blatant a copy I have ever seen, lifting Burnout Paradise's mechanics, UI, race types, and progression almost note for note
It's a hands-on and involved version of its contemporaries, and a truly unique option for anyone who loves the genre. Don't expect jaw-dropping visuals or a tearjerker of a story. But the trade-off of epic gameplay is more than worth it here. In short, you'll have a ball. In fact, you'll have tonnes of them."