Sugardew Island does a lot of things right: it offers some clever convenience features, charming graphics and a relaxed atmosphere. But despite these strengths, the game lacks long-term motivation. The sales system drags on unnecessarily, there are hardly any side activities, and the technical quirks disrupt the flow of the game in some places. The basic idea is nice, but the gameplay simply doesn't offer enough in the long run. Those looking for a purely farming-focused experience may be happy here - everyone else will long for more variety after a short time.
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Survive the Fall isn't a blockbuster, but it's a small, ambitious survival adventure with soul. The mix of base building, exploration, and atmospheric world works well. The creative camp building and open world are particularly appealing. However, the game sometimes gets in its own way: too much loot, too little voice, too little focus. But if you're willing to embark on the adventure and have patience, you'll find an atmospheric representative of the genre and maybe even a new home at the end of the world.
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Dog Man: Mission Impawsible is a charming game that perfectly captures the essence of the book series. With its humorous style, varied level design and lovable characters, it is aimed primarily at fans of the comics and younger players. However, adults looking for an easily accessible and entertaining adventure will also find what they are looking for here. Despite minor weaknesses - such as the occasional camera problems, the somewhat simple story or the sluggishness of the movements - the game impresses with its fresh approach and lovingly designed comic style.
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Pivot of Hearts is a quiet, thoughtful story about love, self-discovery, and the uncertainties that arise when you get to know yourself anew. With a lot of heart, it tells the story of Wén Xiàn's journey through memories, new friendships, and the bittersweet realization that not every story needs a clear happy ending. It shines with authentic characters, an emotional story, and loving design, but stumbles over technical weaknesses and repetitive background music. Those who are patient, willing to engage with the quiet tones, and ready to immerse themselves in a complex, realistic narrative will find a game here that will resonate for a long time.
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Astral Flux cleverly combines the nostalgia of classic pixel platformers with modern roguelite mechanics to create an intense gaming experience. The procedural structure and the new submerged update provide variety and a unique atmosphere that will definitely appeal to fans of the genre. The pixel art visuals and the matching soundtrack round off the interstellar adventure and make the game a strong choice for anyone who wants to embark on a cosmic voyage of discovery. However, be warned of the somewhat higher level of difficulty.
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Plants vs. Zombies Replanted is an excellent opportunity to catch up on the cult game or indulge in nostalgia. With its unique charm and simple but addictive gameplay, the epic duel between the undead and greenery is still compelling today. The colorful comic graphics in HD are also perfect for the Switch 2, but compared to the original, they're not a huge revelation. The water, for example, looks quite washed out. The Replanted version also adds some nice extras to the original game and lets us play together or against each other on the Switch with two Joy Cons, the former even within the campaign. The whole thing is a lot of fun, but it doesn't always feel like it's been thought through 100%, as it can get a bit chaotic and confusing. Replanted also introduces a permadeath mode after completing the campaign, as well as a new weather condition, Cloudy Day, which moves between day and night – both useful additions for those who already know the game and want new aspects. All in all, the re-released debut of the Plants vs. Zombies series really won us over and proved once again that there are simply some games that are just as much fun now as they were years ago.
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Sensei! I Like You So Much! is a little love letter to fan culture – colorful, playful, and astonishingly detailed. Those who indulge in the dominant visual novel element will find a charming blend of storytelling, creative self-realization, and easy management. The mechanics surrounding fanzines, conventions, and merchandise are motivating, even if they serve more as a spice and don't reach the depth of classic business simulations. Technically, there's little to complain about: The look is coherent, the music underscores the feel-good setting, and the countless collectible and decorative elements invite experimentation. Weaknesses like the bumpy translation and the sometimes lengthy VN passages should be taken into account, but they don't take away the game's soul. The end result is a title aimed primarily at players who enjoy immersing themselves in fandom worlds, being creative, and expanding their little virtual fan existence. Anyone who wants to crunch hard numbers and fill out Excel spreadsheets is out of place here. However, anyone who enjoys sweetening their digital life with pins, fanzines, and blogs should feel perfectly at home.
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Ritual of Raven is perfect for anyone who wants to run their farm with a touch of magic and a generous dash of convenience. It impresses with its charming setting, unusual core mechanics, and a calm, almost meditative gameplay style. Technically solid on PC, visually appealing, and pleasant to listen to, it invites you to play at your own pace. It's not perfect; complex economic systems and extreme gameplay variety are missing. But the mix of automation, exploration, and character interaction has its own charm. And sometimes that's all you need for a successful evening.
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Commandos: Origins is a declaration of love to an almost forgotten genre - and at the same time proof that classic real-time tactics can still be fun in 2025. The game is clearly aimed at fans of the series (and people with patience). Newcomers might be put off by the level of difficulty at first, but those who dig in will get a rewarding, challenging gaming experience. The biggest strengths are the clever level design, the tactical depth and the co-op mode. The biggest weaknesses? Small technical glitches and a limited choice of characters.
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Guidus Zero is not a game for hectic mouse clickers or spontaneous after-work runs where you just want to whizz through. It requires concentration, planning and a certain amount of frustration tolerance. But it rewards everyone who gets involved - with intense battles, a clever progression system and a surprisingly dense dungeon flair. The boss battles challenge us, but they also motivate us. The grid movement feels strange at first, but becomes a pleasant rhythm over time. And the small design decisions - notes instead of walls of text, random stores, portable resources - make Guidus Zero a game that doesn't try to be bigger or more epic than it is. But simply: damn good. Of course, there are weaknesses. The automatic dialog navigation feels like an unnecessary stumbling block. The lack of a hint to “reset run” after saving almost borders on sabotage. But these are annoyances, not deal-breakers.
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Infinity Nikki is an enchanting journey into a world filled with fantasy and color. With its mix of fashionable challenges, open-ended exploration and magical elements, the game offers an experience that is both relaxing and creative. The story starts strong with an engaging opening, but loses some depth as the game progresses. The world of Miraland is beautifully designed and invites us to immerse ourselves in its magic, even if it sometimes lacks interactivity and vivid details. The gameplay shines thanks to the variety of outfits and their creative uses. The magical abilities in particular make for exciting puzzles and varied exploration. However, the constant changing of outfits and the sometimes empty passages in the open world can slow down the flow of the game. The atmosphere is excellently supported by the music, the soundscape and the lovingly animated characters. Momo, our companion, also plays a central and charming role. The in-game store remains an element worth discussing: it is purely cosmetic, but makes it easier to complete collections, which some players may find an incentive to spend money. Infinity Nikki is not a perfect game, but one with a big heart. It is aimed primarily at fans of relaxed, creative adventures and those who enjoy strolling through a fairytale world while being enchanted by outfits and magic.
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Sengoku Dynasty is an ambitious title that attempts to combine several genres in one game - with sometimes impressive, sometimes mixed results. The combination of survival, city-building and role-playing creates a unique gaming experience that particularly shines with its atmospheric depiction of the Sengoku era. The focus on authenticity in the design of landscapes and buildings as well as the clever use of sound and atmosphere make immersing yourself in the game a real experience. On the other hand, however, there are some weaknesses that cloud the overall picture. Technical problems such as performance drops and graphical glitches repeatedly slow down the flow of the game. The battles are solid, but could have done with more depth and variety. It is a particular shame that there is no voice acting, which could have made the game even more immersive. The simple presentation of the text boxes also seems rather unkind in comparison to the otherwise impressive game world. Despite these shortcomings, Sengoku Dynasty offers something that many games fail to do: A world that invites us to discover and shape it. If you are patient and don't mind the technical problems, you will have many hours of fun building your own dynasty - whether alone or with friends in co-op mode.
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Empire of the Ants is a successful adaptation of the original by Bernard Werber and scores particularly well with its photorealistic presentation and sensitive gameplay. The mixture of RTS and platforming gameplay creates variety and challenges the player both tactically and in terms of skill. Anyone who has a soft spot for nature and likes to explore the world from a completely new perspective will get their money's worth with this game. The small weaknesses in the camera work and the simple menu design are noticeable, but do not detract significantly from the experience. For RTS fans looking for a new experience and anyone who wants to experience the microcosm up close, Empire of the Ants is an absolute recommendation. It combines strategy, nature and graphic beauty to create a unique experience that shows just how much life and drama can be found in the smallest of creatures.
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The Casting of Frank Stone is a game that skillfully showcases both its strengths and weaknesses. The story, which revolves around the mysterious serial killer Frank Stone, creates a lot of suspense through different time levels and a dense atmosphere. The cinematic staging, which alternates between dark, oppressive locations and surreal dream sequences, is particularly impressive. Supermassive Games manages to perfectly capture the creepy atmosphere of a classic slasher film. Unfortunately, the title character Frank Stone himself remains rather pale. Despite his central place in the story, we learn very little about his background and motives. As a result, he remains rather one-dimensional as an antagonist, which takes away some of the story's depth. Anyone hoping for psychological insights may therefore be disappointed. In terms of gameplay, The Casting of Frank Stone offers some interesting approaches, but they quickly become repetitive. The mechanics around stopping Frank with the camera or repairing generators are strongly reminiscent of Dead by Daylight and are a nice homage, but lose their appeal as the game progresses. In many moments, the gameplay feels more like a chore than a way to build up the suspense. Graphically, the game scores with impressive lighting and strong cinematic camera work that perfectly captures the creepy atmosphere. Unfortunately, however, this immersion is severely impaired by technical shortcomings. Performance problems such as frame rate drops and long loading times are common throughout the game and significantly disrupt the flow of the game. This is particularly annoying in a game that relies so heavily on its atmosphere. All in all, The Casting of Frank Stone remains an interesting, albeit flawed, horror experience. Those who can get involved with the story and the surreal atmosphere will experience exciting moments, but will also have to put up with technical problems. With a patch, however, the game could become a much more rounded experience.
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Hell is Us is a game that doesn't try to appeal to everyone. No map, no quest markers, no help systems – anyone who plays this game has to be prepared to get involved. And that's exactly what makes it so appealing: we stumble, wander around, doubt our decisions, and feel more drawn into this mysterious, torn world as a result. The story relies on hints rather than clear answers, sometimes seeming almost brittle, but that's what makes it intriguing. I have to say, though, that I found the first few hours of gameplay difficult in terms of narrative. Until about the second hour, I had trouble really getting into the story because I lacked context. Only gradually did the game grab me, as the fragments began to fit together more clearly. The gameplay, on the other hand, impresses with a powerful combat system that forces us to use weapons selectively, manage resources wisely, and understand the Lymbic system with its glyphs. Those who get involved will discover depth and tactical diversity, even if the whole thing can seem overwhelming at first. The game's greatest strength is its atmosphere: the mixture of silence, strangeness, and subtle menace creates a mood that is not easily forgotten. Whether we are following a baby's cry into a menacing basement or simply roaming through deserted landscapes, Hell is Us knows how to give us goosebumps. Of course, there are also weaknesses: technically, the game is solid, but not outstanding. Textures, animations, and depth of detail cannot compete with the big names. The narrative restraint will not convince every player either – those who expect a clear story with lots of cutscenes will be rather disappointed. In the end, Hell is Us remains a bold experiment: an adventure that deliberately eschews convention and forces us to really look, listen, and question. For players who embark on this journey, an intense experience awaits that will not be easily forgotten.
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Mario & Luigi: Brothership is a worthy successor and at the same time an attempt to modernize the series. The new mechanics such as the “Luigi Logic” and the “Battle Plug System” add interesting levels, while the proven gameplay of the predecessors is retained. There is criticism mainly on the technical side: performance problems on the Nintendo Switch and occasional backtracking tarnish the overall impression a little. Nevertheless, the strengths outweigh the drawbacks - especially the charming narrative, the creative characters and the captivating battles. Fans of the series and newcomers alike can look forward to an adventure that will leave them with a big smile on their face.
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With Sonic x Shadow Generations, Sonic Team has made an impressive comeback, taking the best elements of Sonic Generations and combining them with the drama and intensity of Shadow's storyline. The switch between styles and the different abilities of the two heroes bring a breath of fresh air to the Sonic formula without neglecting the roots of the series. The visual overhaul and the smooth presentation in performance mode round off the gaming experience. Nevertheless, a little more fine-tuning could have been done in some places, especially when it comes to long-term motivation in White Space - a more dynamic soundtrack and smaller mini-games would have made the exploration more varied. But that's criticism on a high level: all in all, Sonic x Shadow Generations is a thrilling adventure that offers plenty of fun for both long-time Sonic fans and newcomers alike.
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Shin chan: Shiro and the Coal Town is not a game that comes with great bombast. It is a calm, almost meditative experience that impresses above all with its charming atmosphere and variety of small activities. Fans of the series will love Shin chan and his adventures, but players looking for a relaxed adventure will also find a welcome change of pace here. The coal town with its many secrets and nostalgic atmosphere will go down particularly well with players who have a fondness for Japanese culture and life simulations.
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The Until Dawn remake on the PS5 is a successful horror trip that should appeal to old fans and newcomers alike. The visual and atmospheric improvements allow the story about the tragic events on Blackwood Mountain to shine in new splendor, even if technical shortcomings such as the frame rate limited to 30 FPS and occasional bugs detract from the experience somewhat. Anyone who missed out on the horror classic or is in the mood for a modernized version will be thoroughly entertained despite some minor weaknesses.
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Kirby and the Forgotten Land – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition + The Star Fragment World is more than just a spruced-up remaster. It's a successful blend of technical rejuvenation and genuine new content that will lure even veterans back to the console. The basic framework remains unchanged: an accessible, charming adventure full of cute animations, clever abilities, and fun boss battles. But the Star Fragment World makes all the difference. It expands the gameplay with new level structures, collection mechanics, and challenging enemies, ensuring that the trip feels like a real upgrade rather than a simple reunion. The performance on the Switch 2 is flawless, the soundtrack is still a treat for the ears, and the mixture of childlike lightness and adventurous excitement remains fresh even after hours of play. Sure, there are a few points of criticism: the co-op mode could have been expanded more boldly, and the story remains typically simple for Kirby. But let's be honest: if you're looking for Shakespeare in a pink dumpling, you're playing the wrong game anyway. The end result is an adventure that appeals to fans and newcomers alike. Kirby remains the walking bundle of good cheer, and on the Switch 2, he shines brighter than ever before.
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