While it doesn't quite escape some of the issues of its inspirations, Splatoon Raiders is a novel spin-off of one of Nintendo's most creative franchises. This is a no-brainer recommendation for fans of Salmon Run, and is one of the best co-op experiences on the Switch 2 thus far.
DOOM: The Dark Ages | Revelations continues to preserve the identity of The Dark Ages while ratcheting up the intensity of combat to the nth degree. It's relentless, absurdly fun to play, and is begging any DOOM player worth their salt to get into the weeds and master it. I don't know how, but id Software have done it again.
Assassin's Creed Black Flag Resynced is a refreshing reminder of the franchise's glory days. Charged with an infectious love for the original, Resynced is the best way to play the best Assassin's Creed game. If the Ezio trilogy is soon to get the same remaking, we can only hope it's treated in the same fashion.
Star Fox is without a doubt the best version of Star Fox 64. Long time fans are sure to love its smart inclusions from both a narrative and gameplay perspective, while newcomers will get to experience one of Nintendo's most important games on hardware that truly brings it to life. It's another massive win for the Switch 2, and I hope it paves the way for a new Star Fox title some day in the future.
Despite being disappointed by The Adventures of Elliot: The Millennium Tales in its opening hours, the experience gave way to something far more engaging in its second and third acts. Its shallow narrative deepened as it unravelled the grand tapestry of time in Philabieldia, its combat more fleshed out by greater enemy variety and buildcrafting potential with magicite, all accompanied by a presentation and art direction that Square Enix have nailed at this point.
IO Interactive delivers a confident Bond origin story with 007 First Light, which balances social stealth, cinematic action, and improvisational combat, even if weak driving, forgiving AI, and slow early pacing stop it from reaching true elite-agent status.
While Yoshi and the Mysterious Book won't be for everyone, the people that is is made for will adore it. It's entirely focused and uncompromising in its vision - it isn't trying to be something it's not. That, at the very least, is admirable in the broader landscape of the industry.
Monster Hunter Stories 3: Twisted Reflection is the crown jewel of this spin-off series. It builds on the best elements of Stories that make all of its core systems even more appealing, creating more depth and complexity that'll keep you coming back till the credits roll, and perhaps even beyond.
Simply put, Pokémon Pokopia is one of Pokémon's best spin-offs yet. It effortlessly combines the charm of Animal Crossing and Minecraft while imbuing the end result with all the best elements of monster catching. Regardless of whether you're a fan of Animal Crossing, Pokémon, Dragon Quest Builders, or are just looking to jump into something new, Pokopia will hook you in and keep you coming back for weeks.
While I wish I could recommend Yakuza Kiwami 3 & Dark Ties, there's too many odd choices and caveats here to list. While it's always been a black sheep, the identity that feeds its reputation feels lost in this remaking, and it's new content additions feel out of place and in some cases, undermine what came before it.
If Avowed didn't scratch the RPG itch for you earlier this year, The Outer Worlds 2 surely will. This is a confident and ambitious sequel that feels like Obsidian's vision has been fully-realised. It isn't without many of the issues that plague modern RPGs today, but ultimately makes for an experience that's all too easy to sink many an hour into.
Like so many other modern Pokémon games, Pokémon Legends: Z-A paints a promising picture of what the future of Pokémon could look like. It's an enjoyable return an underappreciated region in Pokémon that fans are sure to appreciate.
While I don't think Ghost of Yotei quite reaches the heights of its predecessor, it is another worthwhile trip to a lawless Japan. It sports a tonally distinct and cinematic story, a visually diverse open world chock full of activities, and is another fantastic showcase for the power of the PlayStation 5.
Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds far exceeded the expectations I had for it. After feeling like Team Sonic Racing was taking Sonic racing games in the wrong direction, CrossWorlds is a confident showcase of what makes these games so appealing to begin with.
Between the Ninja Gaiden: Master Collection, Ninja Gaiden 2 Black, the upcoming Ninja Gaiden 4, and now Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound, Ninja Gaiden fans have been eating good recently. This is a true labour of love from The Game Kitchen, one that timelessly revitalises classic Ninja Gaiden. If Ragebound is an indication of where the series is going in the future, things are looking sharp as a kunai for the seminal action franchise.
I don’t think it’s entirely fair to compare Mario Kart World to Mario Kart 8. It’s a different beast with unique design philosophies and ideas. How much enjoyment you get out of it is really going to depend on how much you gel with what it’s trying to achieve. Even if it isn’t your cup of tea, Mario Kart World is still a great kart racer with the potential to evolve into something excellent if this formula is built on further.
Bravely Default Flying Fairy HD Remaster is the best way to experience one of the best modern JRPGs of our time. It's a timeless experience bolstered further by uplifted production values that simply must be experienced by anyone who is a fan of the genre.
Though it doesn't reach the heights of FromSoftware's recent titles, Elden Ring Nightreign makes it seem as though the developer could try their hand at anything and find success. Deliciously punishing and addictively moreish, Nightreign is worth the price of admission and then some.
There are many parts of Blades of Fire that I admire or had fun with. It’s unique and inventive in ways that so many games aren’t nowadays. Unfortunately, its many moving parts fail to come together and create a cohesive whole. It’s far from being an outright terrible game, but it doesn’t come close to the highs that MercurySteam have been able to achieve with their other titles in recent years.
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is one of those double A titles that blurs the lines between it and the industry's biggest hitters. It isn't without issues, but as a debut title for Sandfall Interactive, it's an incredibly impressive showing that's well worth checking out.