Overall, Captured 2 does what it sets out to, which is to offer a scary observational horror experience. A solid variety of anomalies and entities keeps you on your toes, while the realistic graphics add to that uncanny feeling throughout. However, some clunky controls do slightly hurt the experience.
Overall, The Shore is carried over the line by its beautifully oppressive atmosphere and striking art direction. However, its tacked-on combat and the many unanswered questions left by its narrative hold it back from feeling like a truly complete experience. It’s a game with strong ideas and memorable moments, but one that doesn’t quite realise its full potential.
Overall, Pragmata is a massive win. Innovative puzzle-based combat, great art direction and a touching story that is carried by the father/daughter-like relationship of Hugh & Diana. It continues to prove that between Resident Evil: Requiem and Pragmata, Capcom continues to fire on all cylinders in 2026.
Overall, 2nd Eve is a miss. Slow combat, a bland story and potential use of AI assets really take away from any enjoyment that may be had within these pretty backdrops. The game being in early access hopefully means a lot can be learned and fixed to make this a worthwhile experience.
Monster Train 2: Destiny of the Railforged is a great way to get a new experience out of what is already a fantastic roguelike. It’s tough, but fantastic new systems and the brilliant new Railforged clan make it so fun to experiment with. I can’t wait to see what else they can do.
Overall, UFOPHILIA has some fun ideas and genuinely strong sound design, but it feels mislabelled as a horror game. As scary as staring at a screen trying to figure out which alien you’re hunting can be, the aliens themselves simply aren’t scary enough to support that label.
Overall, Code Vein II improves on the first game with more in-depth combat, better voice acting, and fun characters. However, a world that feels a little empty and some minor bugs hold it back from being the perfect sequel. Still, this is a fun way to start 2026 and should be on your radar if you’re a fan of the soulslike genre.
Overall, Labyrinthine isn’t aiming to be the next massive horror-defining game, falling short in multiple areas; however, if you would like to get lost in a maze, mess around with your friends while escaping a nice variety of monsters, there is some occasional fun to be found here.
Overall, Baby Steps is another excellent entry in the “Foddian” genre. One that is intentionally infuriating, hilarious, yet endlessly compelling thanks to Nate’s charm. It’s the kind of game I know I’ll keep coming back to in hopes of conquering it. It’s a game not afraid to take risks and is yet another big win for Australian indie developers.
Set on a desolate ship drifting through space, you awaken in a pod as a faceless suit, accompanied by a floating voice that urges you onward. Death is inevitable, as you’ll no doubt learn. When it happens, a mind transfer courtesy of the system resets you to try again, such is the nature of a roguelike. I won’t spoil too much, but before long, you’ll realise many creatures, including a mysterious busty figure, are hunting you. Trust me, this will make a lot of sense if you play.
Overall, Lost Soul Aside is packed with fantastic ideas, though not all of them land. Its bombastic boss fights, beautiful character designs, and exhilarating combat make it well worth experiencing. Still, a forgettable narrative and some repetitive design keep it from fully reaching the heights it aspires to.
In conclusion, Heretic + Hexen are games I missed the first time around. However, three decades later, thanks to Nightdive Studios thoughtful quality-of-life improvements and impressive new expansions, I can still enjoy titles that have held up remarkably well. With dark fantasy charm, fast-paced combat, and seriously excellent level design, this collection is a must-play.
At the end of the day, if you enjoy simulator games, you’ll find something to like here. The unique Wild West setting gives it some much-needed character. That being said, there’s no escaping the fact that underneath the surface, it’s essentially a copy-and-paste experience that won’t surprise seasoned players.
In conclusion, the best parts of the game can feel like a product of a bygone era, almost akin to an old Game Boy title. Unfortunately, it also comes off as a cheap attempt at a Metroidvania with some occasional fun moments. And while I can appreciate the effort to do something different with Pac-Man, I think it’s better off sticking to the arcade.
Soma still stands as a perfect example of what great horror can be, a decade later. Its story is heavy, both emotionally and thematically, ironically mirroring the crushing isolation of being trapped beneath the ocean, while the monster encounters can be hit or miss, the ones that land are truly terrifying, and that’s more than enough for me. If you’ve ever been on the fence about playing it, there’s no better time than now.
In conclusion, Death Stranding 2: On the Beach is everything I ever could’ve wanted from a sequel. It brings back the same satisfying gameplay loop, delivers an improved and emotionally charged narrative, and showcases the best recreation of Australia I’ve ever seen in a video game. I’m not exaggerating when I say this could very well be Hideo Kojima’s magnum opus.
Overall, The Alters is a personal sci-fi survival game that is as much a character study as a base management sim. It weaves storytelling with a satisfying gameplay loop in which your decisions and choices have actual consequences for the mission’s outcome. It’s an indie game that should not be slept on in 2025.
Overall, the Legends of the Zone trilogy is a great bundle and is the best way to experience the original trilogy. While the games haven’t been brought back into the modern era in every aspect, they still retain the same key ingredients, such as gritty charm, dark atmosphere, and tough survival mechanics, which is what made them cult classics in the first place. Whether you’re a newcomer to the Zone or a returning veteran, this bundle is a haunting, rewarding journey through one of the best post-apocalyptic settings you’ll find in any medium.
In conclusion, Rune Factory: Guardians of Azuma is a refreshing take on the genres it challenges, successfully blending farming, adventuring, and romance against a beautifully reimagined setting. While it may stumble slightly in areas like early-game pacing, it more than makes up for it with its characters, satisfying progression, and ‘one more day’ gameplay loop.
Overall, Elden Ring: Nightreign isn’t just a spin-off; it’s a massive triumph. With more direct storytelling, mindblowing boss fights, including a final boss that is one of the best they’ve ever crafted and a brilliantly tense gameplay loop, it stands tall as a worthy standalone game. FromSoftware has once again delivered a haunting, unforgettable world that challenges and rewards you.