Jon Scarr's Reviews
Pokémon Legends Z-A delivers fast, real-time battles and a focused story set entirely in Lumiose City. The new combat system feels fresh, and performance on Nintendo Switch 2 is rock solid. While early fights are a bit easy, its style, polish, and city detail make this one of the best Pokémon experiences in years.
Digimon Story Time Stranger builds on what Cyber Sleuth did best, with sharper visuals, smoother evolution gameplay, and a solid mix of Tokyo and Digital World exploration. The slow start and repetitive fights drag things down, but raising and evolving your team stays addictive. After dozens of hours, it feels like a familiar return that finally gives Digimon fans something bigger to dive into.
Just Dance 2026 Edition refines Ubisoft’s dance formula with sharper visuals, smoother menus, and flexible control options. The new camera mode brings back Kinect-style freedom, while songs like the Bluey medley make it easier for everyone to join in. Subscription limits still sting, but strong choreography and a polished presentation keep the rhythm going for fans old and new.
Yooka-Replaylee rebuilds the 2017 original from the ground up with smoother controls, sharper visuals, and a tighter world design. It keeps the lighthearted humour and classic collect-a-thon spirit while fixing the rough edges that once held it back. The orchestral soundtrack and cleaner performance make it feel like a proper modern platformer that still respects its roots. It’s not revolutionary, but it finally delivers the fun fans were hoping for the first time around.
Sonic Racing CrossWorlds mixes fast-paced racing, world-hopping tracks, and Sonic flair into one wild kart racer. The CrossWorlds gameplay mechanic keeps races unpredictable, and the mix of cars, planes, and hoverboards gives each lap its own rhythm. The game looks great and its energetic soundtrack makes it easy to stay hooked, even when a few tracks feel too familiar.
LEGO Party! mixes colourful boards, fun mini-games, and LEGO humour into a party game that works both online and on the couch. Customization and crossplay make it easy to enjoy with friends or family, and the chaos never feels stale. It’s light on boards and modes, and announcer lines repeat quickly, but the laughs and competition carry it through. If you’re after a party game that’s fast, funny, and family-friendly, this one delivers.
Final Fantasy Tactics: The Ivalice Chronicles brings back a legend with smoother battles, smarter story tools, and the same brutal fights. The job system still rocks, the new tweaks save time, and the voice acting gives cutscenes more punch. Not every visual lands and some extras are missing, but this is the one I’d recommend every time.
Pac-Man World 2: Re-Pac gives the 2002 platformer a sharp refresh with smoother controls, upgraded visuals, and added features. The mix of collectibles, power-ups, and varied stages keeps the gameplay loop fun, even if some missions feel repetitive. Boss battles and the short runtime hold it back, but the remake still balances nostalgia with modern polish.
Ghost of Yotei takes what made Ghost of Tsushima great and cranks it up. Atsu’s survival story hits harder, combat feels sharper with more weapons to mess around with, and Ezo is just fun to explore. The pacing can drag and some moves repeat too much, but when you are chasing bounties or testing new gear, you barely notice. This one feels like its own thing, and that is what makes it worth playing.
Forgive Me Father 2 takes the first game’s foundation and cranks it up. The shooting feels better, the levels pull you in, and the weapons are pure chaos. The story’s light and the checkpoints can sting, but the nonstop momentum kept me hooked. If you’re into old-school shooters that thrive on speed and madness, this one’s an easy pick.
Hades II takes everything great about the first game and dials it up. Combat feels faster, progression runs deeper, and Melinoë proves herself as a strong lead with her own voice and style. The mix of flashy Omega moves, meaningful upgrades, and story beats keeps every run interesting, even when you crash out early. Add in killer art, a wild soundtrack, and smooth performance, and you’ve got a roguelite that’s tough to put down. There are a few rough spots with Magick and menus, but nothing that stops this from being one of this year’s best games.
Silent Hill f pulls the series into 1960s Japan with a story that feels personal and unsettling. Combat has weight, puzzles hit hard, and exploration keeps you on edge, even if the sanity system doesn’t fully deliver. The atmosphere is the real star, with grotesque enemies, creeping flora, and a soundtrack that sticks. Silent Hill f isn’t perfect, but it reminded me why this series still matters.
EA Sports FC 26 feels like the step forward last year’s game should have been. Authentic mode makes matches play out more like real football, and Career Mode finally has features that keep you hooked. Ultimate Team and Clubs got smaller tweaks that help, even if FUT’s monetization still drags. It’s not a huge leap, but it plays better, looks sharper, and is a clear upgrade over FC 25.
Towa and the Guardians of the Sacred Tree mixes roguelite action with downtime in Shinju Village, giving it a rhythm that feels fresh. Combat has neat ideas, but repetition and sharp difficulty spikes stop it from always landing. Towa and the Guardians of the Sacred Tree isn’t perfect, but if you’re into roguelites with a twist, it’s worth checking out.
Metal Eden delivers sharp, fast-paced combat with smooth movement and a clever core-ripping system. The weapons feel great, upgrades add variety, and the action never slows down. On the downside, the campaign is short, the story gets buried under endless chatter, and performance stumbles pull it back. It’s a blast while it lasts, but it ends before reaching its full potential.
Hollow Knight: Silksong finally arrives and makes the wait worth it. Hornet’s fast combat, sharper movement, and voiced dialogue give the sequel its own edge. The world of Pharloom shines with stunning visuals and a powerful soundtrack that makes every area memorable. It’s a demanding but rewarding Metroidvania that stands tall on its own.
Indiana Jones and the Great Circle: The Order of Giants is a short but fun trip back into Indy’s world. The puzzles steal the show, combat leans more on stealth, and exploring Rome has plenty of little secrets to find. It’s missing the big setpieces of the main game, and the last fight is a bit clunky, but it’s still a solid Indy side story worth checking out.
Everybody’s Golf Hot Shots sticks with the classic three-button swing, and it’s still a blast. Wacky Golf and Boom Golf add fun chaos, while Challenge and World Tour give you plenty to do. The visuals look dated, the dialogue wears thin, and stutters show up, but none of that overshadows the solid gameplay. If you’re after lighthearted golf you can relax with, this one’s worth a look at.
Cronos: The New Dawn nails the survival horror vibe with scarce resources, relentless enemies, and an oppressive setting. The audio design in Cronos is one of the game’s highlights, turning every step through ruined Poland into a nerve-wracking moment. Combat can get clunky, checkpoints are harsh, and the story doesn’t always flow well, but pulling through tough fights with just enough left is satisfying. If you’re into survival horror that rewards planning over nonstop action, Cronos is worth checking out.
NHL 26 feels sharper on the ice with smarter goalies, smoother stick handling, and stars that actually stand out. Be A Pro finally shakes things up with draft pressure and career consequences, while Hockey Ultimate Team adds Cup Chase and a salary cap to keep things balanced. Franchise Mode and presentation still feel behind, but the gameplay and mode updates make this a step forward. It isn’t a huge overhaul, but hockey fans will find plenty to dig into this year.