DuneCrawl is a unique, creative start to 2026. It’s not flawless, and some players may find the controls and difficulty inconsistencies a bit fiddly. But what it offers is a sandbox adventure that feels fresh, inventive, and willing to take risks. Driving a giant crab across a hostile desert while upgrading your gear and reclaiming territory is as enjoyable as it sounds. For players looking for something different, especially with friends, DuneCrawl is well worth your time. It’s a game I can easily see myself returning to, just to wander the sands and see what trouble my crab can get into next.
The Legend of Heroes: Trails Beyond the Horizon is another confident entry in a series. It offers a deep, flexible battle system, a massive amount of content, and a story that rewards long-time fans with meaningful payoffs and familiar faces. It’s not the best place to start your Trails journey, and newcomers may feel lost despite the helpful recaps. Consider jumping on Trails in the Sky also available on Switch 2 first. For existing fans, or players who already know they enjoy this style of RPG, there’s a lot to appreciate here. Personally, I’m far from a complete Trails expert, but every entry I’ve played has won me over through its combat systems and world-building. The Legend of Heroes: Trails Beyond the Horizon continues that trend. It may not surprise you, but it delivers exactly what it promises.
Sniffin For Bones won’t impress with innovation, and that’s ok. What it offers instead is a calm, accessible platform adventure that’s easy to pick up and easy to enjoy. It’s not a game that will surprise seasoned players, but it does provide a pleasant slice of casual fun. This feels especially well-suited to younger players, people new to gaming, or anyone looking for something gentle and low-stimulus. At its low price, it delivers exactly what it promises: a short, friendly experience about exploring levels and collecting bones as a dog. It won’t be for everyone, but for the audience it’s aiming at, Sniffin For Bones does its job well. It gives the dog a bone if you will
Kinsfolk is a short, thoughtful experience. It doesn’t stretch itself too thin or attempt to add features it doesn’t need. Instead, it focuses on telling a small, meaningful story about family, memory, and the way our past shapes our future. It won’t resonate with everyone in the same way, and that’s okay. But if you’re looking for a calm, emotionally driven game you can complete in a single evening, Kinsfolk is well worth your time. And if you are a Dad, it might really punch you in the feels, especially at its conclusion.
Sol Cesto isn’t a game that holds your hand, and it’s not one that immediately shows its best side. The opening hours can feel unforgiving, and I wouldn’t blame anyone for bouncing off it early. But for players willing to stick with it, there’s something very special here. Impressive, still: the game is still only in Early Access. It offers a fresh take on the roguelite formula by stripping controls down to their simplest form and focusing entirely on choice, probability, and consequence. You don’t need fast reactions or complex strategies. You just need the courage to make a decision and accept what follows. This is exactly the kind of experimentation I love seeing from indie developers. Sol Cesto may not be welcoming at first (or ever, depending on how you view it), but once it gets under your skin, it’s very hard to forget.
Öoo is a reminder that innovation doesn’t always come from adding more systems or mechanics. Sometimes, it comes from committing fully to one strong idea and exploring it from every possible angle. Players who dislike puzzle-solving or experimentation may find it less appealing, but for those who enjoy discovering solutions organically, this is a special experience. It’s accessible, thoughtful, and full of creative surprises, all wrapped in a neat package. This is exactly the kind of game that highlights why indie development remains such a vital space for new ideas. Öoo takes simplicity and turns it into strength.
StarVaders is another great example of indie developers finding new ways to combine familiar genres. By blending grid-based tactics with deckbuilding and wrapping it in a roguelike structure, it creates an experience that’s easy to pick up but full of depth for those who stick with it. If you enjoy thoughtful strategy, experimenting with builds, and games that respect both your time and your curiosity, StarVaders is well worth checking out. It may not be driven by heavy narrative, but its systems will have you coming back to the stars and back. StarVaders is quite simply out of this world great.
Months after launch, Mario Kart World still earns its place as a must-have Switch 2 title. It doesn’t try to shout about its changes, but instead quietly layers them into a formula that already works. The result is a racer that’s easy to enjoy, flexible in how you play, and packed with content. If you own a Switch 2, chances are you’ve already played it. If not, this is still an easy recommendation. It’s a game that doesn’t demand much from you, but gives plenty back in return. An easy go-to for game nights with friends, local or online.
Goodnight Universe is something special. It’s a narrative adventure that trusts its audience, respects their time, and isn’t afraid to be sincere. The optional webcam integration is one of the most thoughtful uses of technology I’ve seen in a game, and it adds real emotional weight rather than novelty. This won’t be for players looking for challenge, action, or traditional progression systems. But if you value storytelling, emotional depth, and inventive design, this is an experience you shouldn’t miss. It surprised me, moved me, and reminded me why indie games continue to push the medium forward in ways bigger productions often won’t.
Die in the Dungeon stands out in a crowded roguelike space by doing something genuinely different with its core mechanics. Using dice instead of cards isn’t just a novelty; it’s a thoughtful design choice that reshapes how you think about combat, builds, and strategy. Even in early access, it offers a polished and engaging experience that rewards curiosity and experimentation. If you enjoy deck-builders but want something that feels fresh, or if you’re looking for a roguelike that values planning over speed, this is well worth your time. Failure is there, but it always encourages you to roll again. And I was more than happy to have another roll with this gem.
genuinely pains me to say this, but The Bee Hive doesn’t feel ready for release. Beneath the bugs and awkward design choices, there’s the outline of a family-friendly 3D platformer that could have worked with more time and refinement. As it stands, though, it’s difficult to recommend to anyone, including kids, as frustration sets in very quickly. With extensive updates, this might one day become something worthwhile. Right now, however, The Bee Hive feels unfinished, unrewarding and just unplayable
Traveler’s Refrain offers a focused, emotionally grounded experience built around music, reflection, and discovery. Combat can feel slightly stiff at times, and navigation isn’t always as clear as it could be, but these issues don’t overshadow what the game does well. If you’re looking for something thoughtful to round off the year, a game that values mood and meaning as much as mechanics, Traveler’s Refrain is well worth downloading. It’s a gentle reminder that games don’t always need to be loud to leave an impression. And it may just inspire those who gave up on a dream to try again.
It’s genuinely nice to see Tomba! 2 get another chance on modern platforms. For players who missed it the first time around, there’s a lot of retro joy to be found here, from its quirky world design to its mission-heavy structure. That said, this re-release does feel like it delivers the minimum required to bring the game forward. If you’ve already played the original or picked it up on earlier digital platforms (PSN), there’s little reason to return. But if Tomba! 2 passed you by back in the PS1 era and you have a soft spot for retro platformers, this is still a worthwhile adventure, just one that deserved a bit more care the second time around.
Trouble Witches Final: Episode 1 – Daughters of Amalgam (stops to breathe) delivers exactly what its name hints at, a big, spirited, magical burst of arcade action with witches, spells, noise, and enough modes to keep you dipping back in regularly. It’s fun in short bursts, easy to revisit, and colourful enough to brighten even the gloomiest afternoon. For anyone looking for a lively arcade shooter this December or any time of year, this feels like a great fit.
Metroid Prime 4: Beyond ended up being pretty brilliant as far as I’m concerned. I went in slightly wary because early impressions from others seemed mixed, but I walked away genuinely impressed. This isn’t a seismic reimagining of Metroid. It’s a confident, atmospheric, well-crafted adventure that honours the Prime legacy while giving Samus a few new tools and a shiny new bike to play with. There really aren’t a lot of first-person games that are able to pull off the Metroid formula well. 2D, however, is a different beast If you love the Prime series, or simply want a thoughtful first-person adventure with exploration at its core, Metroid Prime 4: Beyond is an easy recommendation. A strong late-year release from Nintendo, and for me, the lesson I took from the game was that no matter how far away we travel from home, we can always find our way back despite the challenges. Maybe it’s just the place I am in life currently, but Metroid 4 just clicked with me.
Keep the Heroes Out brings board-game energy to the screen with personality and a generous helping of creativity. If you love tabletop nights but don’t always have the space or people on hand, this digital version is a great alternative, and even better when you can round up friends. With colourful animations and levels that keep you guessing, it scratches that “game night” itch in a fun and energetic way. It won’t be for everyone, especially if you aren’t fond of strategy or managing decks, but if the idea of protecting your hoard with a team of monsters makes you grin, this is absolutely worth a look.
Nightmare: The Lunatic is another solid entry in the roguelite space. Energetic, replayable, and consistently fun. Yes, the genre is packed. Yes, you’ve probably seen elements of this before. But the three-weapon system, the snappy combat, and the surprisingly friendly parry mechanic give it its own identity. If you’re already tired of roguelites, this won’t convert you. But if you still enjoy the adventure-style structure and want something punchy and satisfying to close out the year, Nightmare: The Lunatic absolutely earns a thumbs-up from me
Old School Rally is a brilliant throwback made with genuine affection for the classics. It doesn’t modernise the formula much, and that’s both its biggest strength and its biggest limitation. If you want a simple, skill-first rally racer straight out of the PS1 era, this absolutely delivers. If you were never into these sorts of games, this won’t be the one to change your mind. But for me? It’s a nostalgic blast that drives well, looks great in its retro way, and reminds me why I enjoyed these games in the first place. There’s even a free demo, so if you’re unsure, definitely strap in and give it a try.
Romancing SaGa – Minstrel Song – Remastered International is an awesome revival of a classic RPG, brought into the present with thoughtful improvements and a far more inclusive localisation effort. While the difficulty and hands-off design may put off newcomers, the game offers a deeply rewarding adventure for anyone willing to embrace its retro philosophy. If you’ve never played it before, this is unquestionably the version to try. If you already own the earlier release, the upgrades may not justify a double dip, but for first-time RPG players, it comes highly recommended.
More Sushi! knows exactly what it wants to be, and it doesn’t pretend otherwise. It’s small, silly, and strangely addictive, the kind of game you open “just for five minutes” and then somehow keep around for much longer than planned. It isn’t deep, it isn’t ambitious, and it isn’t meant to be; it’s simply a fun way to zone out and make a growing pile of cartoon sushi. For the low price, the gentle pacing, and the easygoing loop, I walked away enjoying it more than expected. It absolutely gets the job done.