EA SPORTS FC 27 is a really solid sports game with numerous gameplay additions, new modes, and improvements for single-player and multiplayer-oriented gamers alike. However, the game's technical drawbacks on Switch 2 and similarities with past releases in the series will make it feel like an incremental upgrade for returning players.
Trails in the Sky 2nd Chapter is an incredible remake that adapts the original sequel into a vibrant and refreshing game. With an improved combat system, superb English and Japanese voice acting, and a colorful and vast world, 2nd Chapter expands the scope of the original Trails in the Sky SC to captivate new and returning players.
Brigandine Abyss is a solid strategy RPG with a vast roster of colorful characters with a tried-and-true combat system, full voice acting, and intriguing management systems in its campaigns. However, the game's overall presentation and lack of engaging story beats and variation in content might leave you wanting more from the game.
Beast of Reincarnation is an impressive new action RPG from Fictions and Game Freak that shows that the Pokémon developers are capable of creating great and memorable RPGs outside the world-renowned franchise. The game's soul-searching narrative, challenging but rewarding combat system, and optimized PC performance make it a standout title for the year.
The Relic: First Guardian is an engaging new action game that takes cues from the Soulslike genre while incorporating medieval and Korean folklore into the mix. With its enjoyable combat mechanics and difficult but fair boss fights, The Relic: First Guardian offers many systems that will make Souls fans happy. However, its technical issues take away from the beautiful vision that the game sets out to achieve.
Disgaea Mayhem is a fun new Disgaea action RPG spin-off with Musou-like gameplay qualities. Despite the change in genre from Disgaea's strategy RPG roots, Disgaea Mayhem retains many of the core features that Disgaea fans know and love, including the grindy Item World and leveling and gear systems. However, the short story runtime may leave gamers wanting more here.
Culdcept BEGINS marks the Culdcept franchise's return after a 10-year hiatus, and it comes packed with an engaging story, enjoyable card- and board-game inspired mechanics, and plenty of unlockables. Serving as a prequel to the original Culdcept, Culdcept BEGINS is the onboarding point for newcomers while still offering the challenge and systems that returning fans know and appreciate.
Dead or Alive 6 Last Round is a really good fighting game with plenty of single-player content and online features to keep newcomers and returning fans happy. The game's optimizations and improvements are welcome, but the lack of rollback netcode and cross-play at launch holds Dead or Alive 6 Last Round back.
EA Sports UFC 6 is a great sports-fighting game that brings a slew of single-player content that new and returning UFC fans will enjoy. With well over 100 playable fighters on the base roster, there's a legend or current-day superstar to test out with the improved gameplay mechanics and new features, including the all-new and intuitive Flow State. The game's assist and difficulty options also give you control and ease you into what's new in EA Sports UFC 6.
Forza Horizon 6 is an excellent, high-quality racing game that finally gives players the chance to explore Japan with their favorite cars. Playground Games crafted an amazing open world full of fun content and exciting gameplay, all of which is backed by a stellar soundtrack and incredible direction on sound design. Forza Horizon 6 is a reminder that open-world racing games are still capable of greatness.
STARBITES is a new sci-fi turn-based RPG that puts players in the shoes of Lukida, a young salvager wanting to make her dream of exploring the cosmos a reality. Players are treated to a fun turn-based combat system with some unique twists, a compelling story with an emotive cast of characters, and worldbuilding that makes players want to learn more about the setting of Bitter. The performance drawbacks on Switch and the repetitive overworld exploration hold STARBITES back from its full potential, however.
The Nintendo Switch 2 version of Warframe gives Nintendo fans an optimized and smooth upgrade to one of the best sci-fi shooters available today. Although you won't be spending too much time playing Warframe on Switch 2's short battery life, it offers a mostly steady 60 FPS experience with crisp visuals. Warframe is full of action and content for free, and those who get hooked can spend hundreds of hours locked in with their Warframes.
Ys Memoire: Revelations in Celceta renews the original Ys: Memories in Celceta for Nintendo Switch, allowing fans to experience one of the best entry points in the franchise. The renewed port brings a newly recorded soundtrack that Falcom and RPG fans will surely enjoy while giving players an option to play the original soundtrack whenever they wish. Although there's no new voice-acting, Ys Memoire: Revelations in Celceta retains the original game's great story, gameplay, characters, and content in one package that can be taken and enjoyed on the go once more.
Yunyun Syndrome!? Rhythm Psychosis is a great rhythm game with a robust soundtrack of indie Japanese artists and composers and a story that lets players revel in the unsettling undertones of the denpa subgenre. With multiple difficulty options, several unlockable tracks, and a story that stars a hikikomori and a strange character she's grown to love, Yunyun Syndrome!? Rhythm Psychosis is unlike any other rhythm game yet.
Etrange Overlord is a "sushi lane musical action adventure" game full of comedy and anime tropes that captivates anime watchers and gamers alike. The game takes some cues from the tower-defense genre to make for a compelling combat system, and despite some gameplay setbacks, Etrange Overlord manages to keep you hooked with its colorful cast of characters and an engaging story.
Fallout 4: Anniversary Edition arrives on Nintendo Switch 2 as a fantastic port that feels right at home on the platform. With all previously released DLC and over 150 Creation Club items included, Fallout 4: Anniversary Edition is rich in engaging content for RPG and FPS fans. Despite the muddy visuals in the Switch 2 version's 60 FPS mode, Fallout 4: Anniversary Edition is a standout port that shows Bethesda is listening and acting on feedback.
Yakuza Kiwami 3 & Dark Ties is a remake and new side story that both improves and subtracts from the original Yakuza 3, making it a mixed bag of a title for those who wanted a definitive and improved version of the PS3 game. Although the new content additions and improved combat system bring joy, the game's new ending may sour fans who've been following the Yakuza series. The missing substories from the original leave a hole where the new content tries to fill, but it doesn't completely patch up what's sorely missed.
The Liar Princess and the Blind Prince is a short and wholesome 2D puzzle-platforming adventure game that puts players in the shoes of a wolf-turned-princess who wants to right the wrongs for a prince she accidentally blinded. This title's gameplay is simplistic, but it makes way for a beautiful storybook aesthetic and story that will uplift anyone's spirit.
WiZmans World Re;Try is a really good remaster of the 2010 Jaleco-developed RPG with quality of life changes and features for modern consoles and PC. The game's turn-based combat system and intriguing story are clear highlights, but the lack of voice acting and auto saves make the remaster feel just a cut below being great. Despite that, RPG fans will have a really fun time, thanks to the balance between fun turn-based gameplay and tough challenges with its daunting boss fights.
Gear.Club Unlimited 3 is a great racing game that takes advantage of the Switch 2 hardware to deliver a compelling, immersive, and satisfying experience with smooth gameplay. With a roster of more than 40 car models with 50 tracks across France and Japan, Gear.Club Unlimited 3 gives racing game fans a lot to play with in its content-rich story mode. Although there are a few graphical issues and some missing fan-favorite cars, the game is a great foundation for developer Eden Games to build off of.