Ace Combat 8: Wings Of Theve: Ace Combat 8: Wings Of Theve delivers excellent aerial combat, varied missions, intense dogfights and spectacular boss encounters, while its improved presentation and outstanding soundtrack further strengthen the overall experience. The story and some of its characters have their weaknesses, but it is difficult not to get caught up in the action when you are in the middle of a massive aerial battle trying to outmaneuver an enemy ace. Project Aces has delivered one of the strongest arcade flight shooters in the series and a very successful return after a long wait. – NikolaOtasevic
Endless Rails has a great and distinctive idea that gives the bullet heaven formula a fresh identity. Its train-building and train-car merging systems are the game's strongest features, while the short and fast-paced runs create a very satisfying “just one more run” feeling. The main problem is that there is not enough content or depth to keep the experience fresh for a long time, but for shorter sessions and its price, it is an enjoyable and focused package.
Midnight Moments never tries to be a big or complex game. Instead, it offers a small creative space where you can build your own cyberpunk scenes and simply enjoy the atmosphere. The rain, neon lights and small details work together beautifully, although the limited space and selection of elements can eventually become noticeable. If you enjoy games like Townscaper and Dystopika, there is plenty to like here, as long as you are looking for relaxation rather than depth or traditional progression.
Ved: Recure successfully combines action combat and roguelite progression through its interesting Buff Chain system, while its large selection of buffs, playable characters and boss fights provide plenty of room for experimentation. However, some repetition and technical issues prevent the game from reaching its full potential. Even so, its solid combat and several genuinely interesting ideas make it a worthwhile option for fans of the genre.
Trails in the Sky 2nd Chapter successfully modernizes a beloved JRPG without losing what made the original special. Its excellent combat system, refreshed 3D presentation, memorable characters and emotional story make it a fantastic return to Liberl, even if the huge amount of dialogue and slow opening demand some patience.
Mortal Shell II is a more ambitious and mature sequel that keeps the strongest ideas from the original while expanding its world, combat and Shell system. While some issues remain, particularly when fighting multiple enemies and in the audio department, its dark atmosphere, striking visuals and satisfying combat make it one of the more interesting Souls-like games of the year.
TCG Card Shop Simulator turns a simple idea into a surprisingly addictive management experience. Stocking shelves, working the register, opening packs, paying bills, expanding the shop and organizing tournaments all make it feel like you are actually running a small business. The loop eventually becomes repetitive, but if you enjoy management and TCG games, there is plenty here to keep you busy.
Donutal is an engaging sci-fi visual novel that successfully combines investigation, interviews and decision-making under time pressure. The ability to pair different aliens during interrogations and use their unique traits adds extra depth to the gameplay, while the story and multiple outcomes provide the main reason to return. It won't be for everyone, but fans of mystery games and visual novels have plenty of reasons to give it a chance.
The Blood of Dawnwalker is an ambitious vampire RPG that stands out thanks to its 30-day time limit, the tension between humanity and vampirism, and systems that attempt to make your choices matter. Unfortunately, repetitive combat, camera issues, limited enemy variety and an inconsistent open-world design prevent the game from reaching its full potential. Still, there is a genuinely interesting RPG underneath those problems, especially for players who enjoy games that force them to accept that they cannot see and complete everything in a single playthrough.
Brigador Killers is a highly promising Early Access title with excellent combat, satisfying destruction, and a striking cyberpunk atmosphere. Its UI and inventory systems still need some work, but the core gameplay is already in a very strong place.