Elden Ring Nightreign is an unusual yet well-executed effort by FromSoftware, blending rogue-like progression and battle royale mechanics into a fun co-op experience despite some nagging issues.
There's certainly potential and creativity brimming in JDM: Japanese Drift Master. It's the execution needs some work, and the missions and open world do it no favors.
Brushes With Death is a low-stakes start to Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2's post-launch paid DLCs; non-essential but a decent side dish for first-time players.
Capturing the feel of old-school Grand Theft Auto, especially from a law enforcement perspective, isn't easy, but The Precinct's core gameplay only barely passes muster.
Spirit of the North 2 isn't a complete lost cause, but it feels too rough and unpolished to qualify as anything more than wishful meandering.
Raccoon Logic knows its target audience and delivers exactly what you would expect with Revenge of the Savage Planet, grating humor and all.
The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion Remastered is everything a fan could want and an excellent primer on what makes the series so magical.
Paying homage to those that came before yet bursting with its own creativity, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is a must-play title for RPG fans.
While it may not reside in the upper echelons of Metroid-style games or Souls-likes, Mandragora: Whispers of the Witch Tree is built on competent foundations and could grow into something special with more fine-tuning.
Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves is a worthwhile follow-up to Garou with its fighting system and gorgeous visuals, but there are plenty of rough edges to address.
Even with revamped visuals and combat, Crashlands 2's take on the genre sits comfortably next to its predecessor. It doesn't particularly innovate, and some elements feel rough, but it can offer a less intense sandbox experience.
Indiana Jones and the Great Circle is an essential experience for any action-adventure fan, regardless of platform.
The First Berserker: Khazan nails its combat and presentation fundamentals but skimps on the narrative, loot and Khazan himself. Not terrible, but it could have been so much more.
MLB The Show 25 may not impress hardcore fans expecting deeper changes and better visuals, but it's still a polished effort and the definitive baseball game.
Atelier Yumia: The Alchemist of Memories and the Enlightened Land is far from the best entry in the series for newcomers, but it's certainly the largest and most accessible.
If you want a break from Valorant, Bad Guitar Studio's FragPunk is an entertaining distraction. Just don't count on the same level of tactical depth.
Even if I can't fully piece together what kind of an experience Everhood 2 wants to be, it's a rhythmic odyssey of bizarre proportions.
PGA Tour 2K25 is a strong return to form for the franchise, even when it's hamstrung by terrible progression.
Monster Hunter Wilds is a fresh start for the franchise, even as it channels a respectable chunk of Monster Hunter World. The endgame could use a lot more, but it's still a top-tier action RPG with some incredible moments.
Even if Tape 1 won't immediately grab you, Lost Records: Bloom and Rage is off to a decent start, thanks to its intriguing characters and plot.