ARC Raiders is shaping up to be one of the most exciting extraction games in years. It's a mix of smart AI and dynamic PvPvE, combined with beautiful visuals, polished gunplay, and meaningful progression systems
Silly Polly Beast is a great indie game that might really be a candidate for horror game of the year. Its tale is morally ambiguous and has story beats that aren't always clear. And the gameplay is so good that it keeps the tension high all the time, and I mean all the time.
Slots & Daggers is a deceptively simple but deeply engaging slot machine roguelite that succeeds by blending chance-driven gameplay with strategic depth and satisfying progression.
Painkiller's reimagining is a complicated beast. It's not a perfect homage to the original, nor is it meant to be. Painkiller is still worth checking out if you take nostalgia out of the equation, and I will recommend it even if I can't particularly say it with a clear conscience.
Hot Wheels Let's Race: Ultimate Speed isn't a complex or difficult racing simulation, but it doesn't have to be. Its accessibility and outrageous songs are what make it so appealing. It is a lighthearted homage to the Netflix series and the Hot Wheels brand.
Keeper is a short but strikingly imaginative adventure that delivers surreal world-building and gentle puzzle-driven exploration. It’s a heartfelt journey full of laughter as you literally get to play as a lighthouse that rewards going in blind and experiencing its surprises without expectations.
Dispatch is ambitious without going too far, polished without seeming dull, and most importantly, it's a "dispatch" that's worth every cent you spend on it (sorry for making that pun again). AdHoc has created something that pays tribute to Telltale while still making its own way. The game is both fun and emotionally moving.
Nicktoons & The Dice of Destiny isn’t perfect, but it’s the pinnacle of Nicktoons gaming. If you’ve ever wanted to see SpongeBob, Jimmy Neutron, Timmy Turner, and Danny Phantom team up and basically be the Avengers, but for Nickelodeon instead of Marvel, then play this game. It’s a reminder of why we loved these shows in the first place.
NASCAR 25 is a thrilling console racing experience with excellent AI, fun driving, and Super Speedway action. Career mode and pit strategy need work, but overall, it's highly enjoyable, and I recommend it to all racing fans.
Yooka-Replaylee is a heartfelt revival that refines everything fans loved about the original. With clever level design and charming personality, it finally delivers on Playtonic’s promise. It’s a joyful 3D platformer that honors its roots while standing confidently on its own.
Battlefield 6 is a successful entry for the Battlefield series, offering engaging gameplay and a stable experience on current-gen hardware. Battlefield 6 is, at its best, a reminder of why we fell in love (in October) with this franchise in the first place. It's relentlessly fun when everything clicks. Even with its few rough edges and some missing pieces, it's hard not to be impressed by how well this entry captures the spirit of Battlefield's golden era.
Absolum is an ode to the history of beat-'em-ups and also modern in its own way, with roguelike progression. The high difficulty and strategic depth make you have that "just one more run" feeling that defined arcades in the "ancient" times.
Ghost of Yōtei is a one-of-a-kind experience that masterfully blends a rich open world with deep combat and storytelling. While some elements feel like a redo of Tsushima, the game still does more than enough to be in a league of its own. For AAA fans, Ghost of Yōtei is a must-play.
ASKA doesn't reinvent the wheel, but it adds enough twists to stand apart from the copy-and-paste survival gimmick you see these days. The blend of survival and management, along with Norse myth, creates a loop that you enjoy despite the flaws that come with the game. Sand Sailor Studio's ambition shines through, but I hope they've taken notes on what they can do better.
HOTEL BARCELONA is a chaotic roguelite sidescroller that blends dark humor and inventive mechanics. With challenging combat and high replay value, it rewards persistence and creativity. Fans of VHS-inspired horror will find it endlessly entertaining.
CULTIC: Chapter Two is worth your time. If you've got even a shred of love for the boomer shooter genre, this is the one. It's creepy, it's brutal, and it's stylish as hell, a perfect homage to the RE franchise. Three years was a long wait, but it was worth every second.
Moros Protocol delivers a fun, messy, and surprisingly deep experience that rewards both careful planning and chaotic improvisation. It's a game that doesn't hold your hand, but every risk taken makes you feel godly. For y'all boomer shooter lovers, it's a game that I heavily recommend.
LEGO Voyagers is a reminder of how special shared play can be. It doesn't need flashy combat or huge worlds to make its point. Instead, it leans into teamwork. For LEGO fans, the theme alone will feel nostalgic. For everyone else, it's still a heartwarming co-op.
Shape of Dreams succeeds because it doesn't just copy what other roguelikes have done. The ability to constantly rewrite your character mid-run makes experimentation the heart of the game. With good fighting and a progression system that makes you feel good about yourself, this roguelike is great even when it's still warm from the oven. There is always a fresh way to explore the dreamy yet scary world, whether you are playing alone or with pals in four-player co-op.
Everybody’s Golf Hot Shots is a game you can jump into casually or sink hours into refining your play. It may not surpass the PS4 edition in scope, but it delivers fun, just what we associate with the series.