Dominic Leighton's Reviews
If you're a fan of old-school 2D gaming, but you hanker to see what a truly modern take on it would be, look no further than Neon Inferno.
Though it doesn't totally get away from its 2011 origins, Skyrim Anniversary Edition on Switch 2 is definitely a better-looking rendition of Bethesda's classic for the handheld. Sadly it's stuck to 30fps, and you'll be hoping for an update to improve the input lag, both of which bring those 14 years much closer than they should be.
Skate Story is a perfect indie game, beautiful, off-kilter and unreal, with an absolutely killer soundtrack. Sam Eng can forget about eating the moon; he's achieved something incredible down here on Earth.
Octopath 0 maintains the series' gorgeous pixel-art aesthetic, while its adapted and evolved take on Champions of the Continent's gameplay ensures that it feels like a worthy console release.
Kirby Air Riders is a charming addition to the racing genre. Its unique outlook might not appeal to everyone, but it's still liable to find it a raft of fans, just like its GameCube predecessor.
Lumines Arise is the culmination of Mizuguchi's works, returning to his original creation and perfecting it. For fans of puzzle games, fans of Tetris Effect, or, indeed, fans of pure and evocative gaming experiences, this is essential.
This is a playful and enjoyable piece of Legend of Zelda lore, and one that will be essential for fans of the series, but it doesn't break the same ground as Breath of the Wild, Tears of the Kingdom, or even Age of Calamity.
Lost Eidolons: Veil of the Witch offers up compelling tactics and enjoyable storytelling, while the Roguelike elements work startlingly well. If you're a fan of the genre, this is one of the year's essential entries.
NASCAR 25 has proven to be a very welcome surprise, giving you a rendition of the sport that absolutely shines on track. Some of the supporting elements could do with a tune-up, but if you're looking for heart-pounding racing action, NASCAR 25 delivers.
Jurassic World Evolution 3 is exactly what you'd want from a JWE sequel. More dinosaurs, enhanced options and new systems that make your stunning dinosaur menagerie more realistic than ever before. Life finds a way, and you have a direct hand in it.
Ball X Pit carries the spirit of an arcade classic, while imbuing it with modern roguelike ideas. It's immediately one of the best indie games of the year.
Little Nightmares 3 is a gorgeously crafted collection of grim visuals, memorable creatures and fear-inducing horror. The co-op play is a natural and understandable evolution for the series, but it does alter the overarching atmosphere, albeit it subtly.
Formula Legends is a love letter to F1, and for fans of the sport, you can't help but fall for its charms. However, it is a small-scale arcade racer, and you need to temper your expectations when getting into the driver's cockpit.
While it gets plenty of the fundamentals of right, the dimension hopping, character roster and some of the extra modes don't quite stick the landing. Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds isn't the best karting game out there, and thirteen years on from Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed, it's not even the best karting game with a blue hedgehog in it.
Frostpunk 2 remains one of the most compelling city builders and survival games in recent memory, and it's survived the transition to console in remarkably strong form. That said, if you have the option of playing on PC, that remains the best place to play.
Grit and Valor 1949 is an enjoyable roguelite experience, offering compelling mech tactics with punchy gameplay and a cool aesthetic, though repetition does eventually set in.
If you've had a couple of years off, or even if you haven't, this is an ideal time to return to Madden. This is a great entry in the series, and being able to take it on the go with Switch 2 and having the game in its fullest form is what NFL fans have been waiting years for.
Daemon X Machina: Titanic Scion is a sci-fi blast. While it wears its influences on its sleeve, it comes out the other side as a unique and enjoyable mech-based action-RPG.
The Knightling is one of the most characterful adventures of the year, with Twirlbound crafting a large, bright, engaging fantasy world, and giving you the tools to truly enjoy it. You won't regret picking this one up.
Gears of War: Reloaded is a blast of 2000s-era sci-fi, appearing here in better shape than ever before. It's not particularly smart or clever through a modern lens, but it remains a hell of a lot of good old-fashioned fun.