Jon Scarr's Reviews
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.
NBA 2K26 steps up with smoother gameplay, smarter AI, and a new shot system that makes every possession count. MyCareer, MyTeam, and The City all see meaningful updates, while presentation improvements bring the atmosphere closer to a live broadcast. VC reliance and balance issues still drag it down, but this year’s release feels like the most complete basketball experience the series has offered in years.
Lost Soul Aside finally arrives after years of waiting, and the combat makes it worth a look. Swapping weapons, nailing perfect blocks, and teaming up with Arena makes fights a blast. The problem is everything else can feel rough, from the story to the polish. It’s fun, just not the complete package many were hoping for.
Hell is Us takes a different path from most action-adventures. Instead of guiding you with waypoints, it leaves you to figure things out on your own. I found the mix of exploration, puzzles, and story really satisfying, even if I did get stuck more than once. Combat isn’t the strongest part, with only a handful of enemy types, but it’s serviceable. It’s not for everyone, but if you enjoy games that make you slow down, take notes, and work things out, Hell is Us is worth your time.
Kirby and the Forgotten Land: Nintendo Switch 2 Edition + Star-Crossed World brings the full original adventure with sharper visuals and smoother performance on Nintendo Switch 2. The Star-Crossed World expansion adds 12 remixed levels, new Mouthful transformations, and tougher bosses that give returning fans plenty to enjoy. Some recycled content holds it back from feeling brand new, but the mix of upgrades and fresh challenges makes it rewarding for those who already loved Kirby’s 3D debut.
Gears of War Reloaded brings back the original with sharper visuals, smoother performance, and cross-play. The campaign still delivers big moments, and co-op or multiplayer make it even better. A few rough edges remain, but it’s an easy reminder of why Gears is still fun to play nearly twenty years later.
Shinobi: Art of Vengeance brings Joe Musashi back with fast combat, smooth platforming, and a sharp visual style. The story keeps things light but still adds personality, thanks to Joe’s silence and the over-the-top villains. Extra modes like boss rush and challenge stages give you plenty to do once the credits roll. A few small hiccups don’t change the fact that this is one of Sega’s best revivals in years.
Midnight Murder Club is all about flashlight duels and laughs in the dark. It’s a blast with friends, especially using proximity chat, but the single map and shaky matchmaking keep it from lasting too long. The sound design steals the show, while Graveyard Shift doesn’t add much. Still, at a budget price, it’s the kind of game you’ll want to break out for late-night chaos with your crew.
Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater is a faithful remake that sharpens the look and feel of a classic without changing its core. The story of loyalty and betrayal still hits just as hard, and the stealth gameplay remains rewarding with a few helpful tweaks. Some stiff animations and performance dips hold it back, but the strong audio, boss battles, and extras make it worth revisiting. Delta proves Snake Eater still matters twenty years later.