Replaced is a seamless experience that grabs your attention from the outset and doesn’t let go. The seamless platforming and combat make you feel like an action star in one of your favorite blockbusters, a sensation enhanced by the excellent 2.5D visual style, which sometimes uses camera angles inspired by movies to heighten the action. There’s no doubt that REPLACED will become a go-to reference for anyone wanting to show that pixel graphics can be just as beautiful as realistic 3D. This modern-day classic has already made its way to the top of my Game of the Year list, and it will be hard to dethrone.
Screamer is a unique racing game that makes bold promises about its gameplay and storyline. The twin-stick approach to drifting and driving makes the cars feel like no other, and you can sometimes feel the adrenaline pumping through your veins during races. However, the story has a slow build-up, and while it is unique to have every character speak in their native language, it can also be tiring. A smaller selection of languages would have been a better choice. It’s also strange to include offensive driving and leave it out of most of the story mode. This wouldn’t matter much if it weren’t for the difficulty spikes in the opponent AI, which made me want to see them crash and burn in a fiery explosion. But when it’s just me and my car on the asphalt, the high-octane action even manages to bring a smile to my sometimes frustrated face.
Super Meat Boy 3D is a return to form for the cube of meat brought to life. The levels are exactly what you’d expect: challenging platforming sequences that demand your maximum effort as a gamer. The gameplay is smooth, and Meat Boy himself is a joy to control, with the addition of a dash being particularly notable, while the wall run feels somewhat underwhelming. The transition to 3D works well, supported by a vibrant visual style and strong level design, despite a lack of musical variety. If you enjoy demanding platformers, Super Meat Boy 3D might be the perfect torture device.
The gaming landscape rarely sees a PvP first-person extraction shooter like Bungie’s new Marathon. It blends fun, engaging gameplay with fast-paced matches and smartly chosen mission structures. Tao Ceti IV feels like a vision of the future that we haven’t already encountered in sci-fi, boasting a unique visual design and a futuristic soundtrack that shapes the atmosphere like no other. I really hope this game finds a consistent player base, because I want Marathon to stick around and show me more of its world for years to come!
Hermit and Pig is a whimsical adventure RPG that kept me engaged throughout. The unique take on turn-based combat creates a sense of urgency, and I can only praise the decision to make conversation look like a battle. Even though combat became a bit repetitive for me after the halfway point, the story kept me engaged and made me laugh out loud. If you’ve ever thought about searching for magic mushrooms yourself, don’t! Stay inside and play this game instead!
Monster Hunter Stories 3: Twisted Reflection demonstrates that the series has really come into its own in recent years. With its engaging story, strong visuals, and excellent soundtrack, it immerses you in a wonderful world filled with unique creatures. The Monsterpedia offers a great mix of classic monsters and newer additions from more recent titles. Combat can feel a bit random at first during clashes, but once you unlock the Rite of Channeling, you can customize your Monsties to your heart’s content. If you’re looking to dive into this vibrant world and push back against the encroaching threat, this is an easy recommendation.
Ys X: Proud Nordics is an enhanced version of a good JRPG that could have elevated it to greatness, but it left me wanting more on some of the promises made. The story remains the game’s highlight, with intriguing plot development, great new characters and locations, and a dungeon as icing on the cake. However, the combat feels repetitive and button-mashy at times, so some new mechanics would have been welcome alongside the further skill mastery and mana hold. The graphics are also a mixed bag: the character design and cutscenes are great, but the muddy textures sometimes made me wonder if this was a current-gen game. This may be limited to the Switch 2 version that I played, but I think Ys X: Proud Nordics would have benefited from more development time and a longer break after the first game, which is still fresh in the minds of most fans.
In Dragon Quest VII Reimagined, Square Enix once again proves its ability to do a remake justice. The new orchestral soundtrack and handcrafted visual style not only elevate the immersion, but also make the game more enjoyable. The changes that streamline both story and gameplay also make the transition to newer hardware much more enjoyable. Combined with the deep accessibility options that let you adjust the difficulty and the episodic structure of the separate islands, this makes for a long RPG that even the busiest players will be able to enjoy at their own pace. If the quality of recent Dragon Quest games sets a new standard, I can’t wait to see what the teams at Square Enix will show us next.
2XKO is a fun arcade fighter and a great introduction to the genre for newcomers. The Fuse tag-team mechanics offer a fresh take on the existing formula and provide plenty of strategic depth, whether you're playing alone or with a friend. Match and lobby creation is seamless, even when playing cross-platform. The free-to-play model doesn't restrict access to major content. Everything can be unlocked by playing; it just takes longer to unlock characters this way. However, if you enjoy playing it as much as I do, spending time on it won't be an issue. If you want to try out 2XKO, it's available on PC, PS5 and Xbox Series X/S.
Hollow Knight: Silksong is the perfect sequel. It’s bigger and better in every way imaginable. The world of Pharloom is a joy to explore, despite the added challenges of boss fights and platforming. The split currency can be frustrating at times, but patches have mostly fixed the problem, and resolving this imbalance wouldn’t make sense in the context of the story. The addition of a voiced protagonist in the form of Hornet also enhances the immersion in this world, and once Pharloom has its hooks in you, it won’t let go. The game may be difficult to master, but with enough practice, you can work your way through and even slay gods.
Dragon Quest I+II HD-2D Remake is a tribute to the two iconic games released forty years ago. It is a museum piece that showcases the origins of the Fantasy JRPG series to modern and returning audiences. The stunning visuals and musical score will sweep you away, while new additions to the gameplay and storyline will ensure this classic formula remains engaging.