Your opinion of EA Sports FC 27 will be entirely dependent on several factors. If you're a newcomer to the series, this game is a blast. You'll get smoked by the computer, but the gameplay is fairly easy to understand, and the gorgeous presentation and different gameplay modes give you compelling reasons to go beyond the usual local versus modes. If you're a veteran, the gameplay remains fine, and while the tweaks are nice, they aren't so transformative that it makes FC 26 feel obsolete. The presence of another mode with a soft expiration date that encourages heavy microtransaction use may actually dissuade potential players from making the yearly update.
Code Vein II is a competent but unremarkable sequel. Its combat is solid, even if the cluttered interface makes key meters initially difficult to find, and its AI partners add welcome co-op elements while making encounters unintentionally easier. The open levels offer enough to explore but still feel restrictive, while the story starts with an intriguing premise before stumbling over its pacing. Ultimately, the game lacks the appeal to captivate either genre fans or players of the original. It's a decent effort, but it fails to capture the interest that made the first game stand out.
The Crew Motorfest is a game that is surprising all around. The marriage of playlists and an open world really make the game fun to play, but the open world itself doesn't match up with some of its contemporaries as far as having loads of stuff to do and discover outside of events. The presence of multiple vehicle types is nice, but you'll only use the planes and boats for travel to other islands. The presentation is also good, but it can stand to be better in some areas. The main selling point for Switch 2 users is that the system has nothing like it until now, and unless Microsoft decides to bring the Forza Horizon series to Nintendo's console, The Crew Motorsport does a great job of being a better-than-expected substitute.
Gear.Club Unlimited 3 comes across as a middle-of-the-road arcade racing game. The arcade style handling and tracks are fine, while the car selection is good albeit tiny when compared to the competition. The story and focus on events are great, but the pacing really wants you to play this game in short spurts versus extended sessions. The circumstances create a game that works fine as an in-between title but not as your main racing game, especially when the platform has a ton of better racing titles.
Despite the time that has elapsed and the patches applied on other platforms, The Relic: First Guardian remains a mess that can't address some of its shortcomings on the technically weaker platform it is running on. The combat seems decent until you reach one of the game's numerous boss fights, where the fighting suddenly feels messy. The story isn't that engaging, and it's actually made worse by the side stories, whose endings and constant repetition of facts overshadow some of the fairly intriguing narratives you would've found along the way. The presentation is also quite terrible in parts, especially the voice acting, which makes the game's long length all the more agonizing. There is still a kernel of a good game, and there is a chance that enough patching can make this a decent title, but with so many Souls-like games already on the system, even if you discount the ones created for the original Switch, there's not much reason to give this title a look.
Resident Evil 3 is best seen as a complementary title to Resident Evil 2 rather than something more essential. Its short run time and significant trimming of the original game's content ensures that it won't keep you occupied longer than any other entry in the series. The ride itself is compelling enough that you'll have a good time for the brief time that you're there, making it more of a game for Resident Evil die-hards and less essential for the more casual survival-horror fan.
Agent 64: Spies Never Die is made for a particular type of FPS fan who enjoys the specific FPS experience from the Nintendo 64 era.
Kingdom Hearts Collection [I~III] is a very good correction for a host of games that suffered from the initial cloud gaming incarnation. The Switch 2 has once again proven that it can handle games of this caliber without having to sacrifice a great deal, and while Nintendo-only fans will benefit the most from this package, those who mostly play on the go will also enjoy these quality ports. Unless you've already played these games to death or already own them in any of their various forms, this collection is well worth owning.
As a complete package, Gears of War: E-Day is very good. The campaign may not be all that exciting, but it works fine and is elevated by the solid gunplay, especially if you play with real people rather than AI teammates. The adversarial multiplayer is fine if you can adapt to sticking with the one accepted play style. It is the PvE that really breathes life into the game and makes it a solid multiplier contender for a good while. While the game can be brutal for newcomers, it fits fan expectations well enough that they'd be happy to see this title in their libraries.
Minecraft Dungeons II improves on the original without abandoning what made it appealing. The open world provides plenty of opportunities for exploration, secrets, and loot, while the expanded equipment and enchantment systems offer greater flexibility without becoming overwhelming. The shops have improved as well, and combat can be chaotic when playing solo without ever feeling unfair. Players looking for a deeper action-RPG may still find the experience lacking, but those who want a straightforward adventure with a lengthy campaign will find Minecraft Dungeons II to be a satisfying sequel.
Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve is a very good flight-combat game. Its story has surprising depth while still delivering the series' signature dose of action. The arcade-focused controls remain approachable, and additions such as wingman commands, midair refueling, and takeoff and landing sequences give simulation fans a few more mechanics to appreciate without making the game significantly more intimidating. The lengthy campaign is complemented by a multiplayer mode with plenty of staying power, even if its rotating game types can be frustrating. Add in the excellent presentation, strong audio, and impressive visuals, and Wings of Theve delivers an experience that should keep Ace Combat fans occupied until the next entry arrives.
Like the duo's previous games, Well Dweller is a polished take on the genre that understands what makes Metroidvanias enjoyable without overcomplicating the formula. Fans of the genre should find plenty to like, and the Thompson brothers have once again delivered a strong entry in their growing catalog.
The biggest obstacle is the combat's difficulty, particularly when enemies attack from outside your view or provide unclear tells. You can either adapt to the game's demanding combat or use the extensive assist options to tailor the experience to your preferences. Either way, Resonant successfully expands what a Control game can be while retaining the strange atmosphere that made the original stand out.
Your opinion of Captain Tsubasa II: World Fighters depends on whether you played the first game. If this is your first time with the series, then the on-screen action can initially feel overwhelming, but you'll come to enjoy the over-the-top arcade action when you come to grips with the systems at play. If you've played the first game, then you'll like the gameplay changes but hate the fact that the game's modes feel pared back. In the end, the game is good for those looking for a simpler experience, but it's a little disappointing for those wanting some of the depth from the first game.
Your opinion of Aliens: Fireteam Elite 2 will largely depend on whether you've played the first game. Newcomers will find a straightforward co-op shooter that captures the spirit of Aliens, albeit with technical issues, repetitive combat, and little reason to continue after the campaign unless they're completionists or simply love blasting xenomorphs. For returning players, the fourth fireteam slot is welcome, but it doesn't make up for the lack of meaningful changes elsewhere. After five years, Fireteam Elite 2 feels more like an expanded version of its predecessor than a true sequel. It's not a bad game, but more substantial gameplay changes, technical fixes, and a sale would make it much easier to recommend.
The only good thing about Agefield High: Rock The School is that the developers have been working on patches for the game. There is a slim chance that a constant flow of patches can turn around this game's fortunes and give it a comeback story similar to what happened with Crime Boss: Rockay City. However, that is a big mountain to climb. With a weak story, terrible characters, poor gameplay mechanics, an awful presentation, and a heap of technical issues, there is currently no reason to give Agefield High a look, even if you've been aching for something similar to Bully.
Resonance: A Plague Tale Legacy is a very good addition to the series, provided you don't mind how much it differs from its predecessors. Exploration is rewarding, particularly with the new grappling hook, while the puzzles remain clever without becoming obtuse. Stealth has been heavily reduced, but the expanded combat more than makes up for it, creating an experience that feels faster and more satisfying. As before, though, the story is the real star. It's exciting and gut-wrenching even when you already know its ultimate outcome. Series fans should find plenty to enjoy, while adventure game fans have another compelling reason to give it a look.
In the end, LEGO Party is a solid companion to Mario Party. Its rule customization can reduce some of the genre's randomness, while its minigames provide accessible, straightforward fun despite a few overly difficult or awkwardly controlled entries. The boards offer enough variety that several playthroughs can feel different, even if four boards aren't enough to sustain the game indefinitely. Presentation is strong across the board, and cross-platform play is a welcome addition despite the small online community. For party-game fans looking to spend some time away from the Mushroom Kingdom, LEGO Party is a worthwhile alternative.
Metal Gear Solid: Master Collection Vol. 2 is a good compilation overall. The games vary somewhat in their execution and porting quality, but they remain engaging titles in a series that isn't afraid to get weird or experiment. It is also nice to finally have a way to play the majority of these games on one platform at a time when some franchises still leave their biggest titles scattered across multiple inaccessible systems. Fans won't need much coaxing to pick up this compilation, but it is reassuring to know that some care went into putting it together rather than simply treating it as a quick-and-dirty ROM dump.
Ultimately, Mexican Ninja is a fascinating curio. Its setting is interesting, and its humor lands in both good and bad ways. The beat-'em-up mechanics are solid and fun, even if some enemy tactics can make the game feel unfair at times. The roguelike elements give the experience some legs while also feeling like a natural fit for a genre traditionally built around games that can be completed in an hour or two. The presentation is solid, and while the lack of co-op may turn off players who expect beat-'em-ups to be multiplayer experiences, those willing to go it alone will find plenty to enjoy.