Sorry We’re Closed is a decent, surprisingly little gem. Story is interesting, the visuals are a nice homage to classic PS1/N64 era of gaming, and Third Eye power is a a fun mechanic to mix things up a bit. This unique experience, however, is dumbed down by the clunky combat and questionable camera views makes this game more frustrating than it should be. If they improve the camera work and fine tune the combat, a sequel could even be more special. I can easily recommend this game, however it will take sometime to master the combat.
Mullet MadJack is an absolute blast to play. It’s high intense action, fast paced and adrenaline pumping. The health vs timer system does take a bit of time to adapt to, but once you get a grasp of it, you’ll have a blast. But again, it’s not for everyone because at the same time, the timer can feel like a strict method of playing. Thankfully, if you just want to enjoy a balls to the walls shooter, disable the timer and just go nuts. If you’re looking for a unique FPS experience, Mullet MadJack is highly recommended. And it’s on Gamepass! (as of this writing).
If you’ve played the last 2-3 entries in the WWE2K series, you know what to expect, except better. More wrestlers, more features (new and returning), and a plethora of gameplay value. If you’ve been on the fence, whether since the disastrous 2K20 or a previous era of wrestling gaming, WWE 2K25 is the best game to pick up if you’re looking to step back into the virtual squared circle. Yes, there are some annoyances like DLC (I wish New Jack and Guilia would’ve been available from the start), lack of accessibility features, and questionable character/render design, but the core game is jampacked with content that will keep you hooked until next year. Question is: How can they improve on a near perfect formula? Highly recommended.
Street Fighter 6 is definitely a step up and vast improvement from the PS4/PC exclusive Street Fighter V; more content, slightly bigger roster, more gameplay variety. It’s also more stylish and gameplay is addictive. But the thin launch roster of character (17; compared to Tekken 8‘s 32), overly complex online hub, tedious World Tour mode does impact the overall quality of the game. As with most games with DLC/Seasonal content, it feels incomplete and having favorites left out from launch is a bit irritating. That being said, the core gameplay is as perfect as could be and SFVI can easily be an entry point for newcomers to the series and the genre. If you’re looking for a diverse experience, you can’t go wrong with Street Fighter VI.
Tomb Raider IV-VI Remastered is a nice nostalgia package for those who grew up with the original Tomb Raider games. Aspyr added a few interesting perks here and there across all three games, especially for Angel of Darkness where they added cut content and improved the story telling; among other perks. While these are more approachable than the previous remastered trilogy, they still show their age. Players with the patience and curious about exploring Lara Croft’s past, Tomb Raider IV-VI Remastered is a good option.
If you’re looking for a proverbial nostalgia shot in the arm, Accolade Sports Collection is a great way to go. All five games’ gameplay mechanics hold up surprisingly well by today’s standards. Sure, there are a few events that in both Olympic games that require a bit of adapting, but other than that, this is an addictive collection. Sure, I wish there would’ve been a bit more variety, but whether it be solo or with friends, this guarantees a few hours of fun. Highly recommended.
For a remaster of a 30+ year old game, the developer did a surprisingly good job with X-Out: Resurfaced. The controls and overall gameplay is solid and holds up pretty well. Being able to customize one of the four submarines to tailor your playstyle is a nice twist. But it doesn’t make it any easier. Lack of continues and extra lives (unless you have enough to buy additional(s) subs) makes for a frustrating and repetitive experience as dying boots you back to the main menu. If you’re looking for a hard as nail shmup experience, this is one of the best. If you’re looking to dip your toes in the genre, this ain’t it.
System Shock is another remastered hit from NightDive Studios. They did an overall great job bringing back this classic from the dead. While they did an impressive job in terms of visuals and presentation, unfortunately, under the hood, i.e. the core gameplay, is still incredibly archaic and might put off the Call of Duty crowds. If you can tolerate the confusing navigation and lack of handholding, System Shock is an enjoyable experience. However, if you enjoy a more streamlined experience, System Shock might irritate you more than anything else.
Cycle Chaster H-5 is one of the most enjoyable, easy to pick up and fairly challenging shmup I’ve had the chance to play in quite sometime. It’s simple and there’s nothing to complicated; you have all weapons at your disposal from the get-go, controls are solid and it has a distinct unique style. While this is a great shmup for those looking to dip their toes in the often overly challenging genre, it might be a too easy for those looking for something more substantial to chew on. Definitely worth your time.
Grapple Dogs: Cosmic Canines is a great mix of action, platforming and exploration. Each level almost feel like a mini-Metroidvania like game where players are encouraged to explore every inch of every level to find all gems, treasures and collect as many (if not all) fruits. But Luna’s twin-stick shooting mechanic takes a while to get used to in a 2D environments and the “forced” exploration can feel like a chore. However, if you can get past these quirks, you’ll discover an addictive little gem and one of the best games of the last 12 months. Highly recommended.
Turbo Overkill starts off great. The fast paced movement, shooting, exploration works well as a whole, but the deeper you get in the game, the more platforming rear its ugly head and ruins the complete experience. I had flashbacks of DOOM Eternal’s overabundance of platforming, except worst because if you don’t position yourself perfectly on the walls to wall run, you’re screwed. Missing the wall jump augment? Well expect to be screwed later in the game. It starts off well, but the platforming killed it for me. Great shooter where its paced is ruined by monotonous platforming. Unless you’re a die hard FPS fan or looking to experience a new “old school” type experience, I cannot recommend Turbo Overkill.
Dreamcore is one of the best, most unique gaming experiences in this still early year. The unneasyness and creepyness relies on atmosphere instead of cheap and predictable scares. While you do know that nothing will jump up out of nowhere, your mind still thinks something is coming. But as you’d expect, it’s very light on gameplay, this is all about the overall experience and it does feel cheap to have only two levels out of the box. If you’re looking for something different than the typical horror games, Dreamcore is absolute must play.
Dynasty Warriors Origins is one of the best gaming experiences of this very young year. The combat is surprisingly deep, there’s an enjoyable variety of weapon where you’re sure to find a favorite, yet the game still encourages you to mix and match a bit. The special attacks are fun to use and the amount of enemies on screen is very impressive; despite some generic features. While it can get repetitve during long play sessions, it remains one of the more enjoyable games to play after a long day of work or school. If you’ve been hesitant to jump into the series, unironically, Dynasty Warriors Origins is great entry point. Highly recommended.
Sniper Elite Resistance is another worthy entry in the franchise. While the game engine is starting to show its age, it still plays very well and the gameplay is solid; aside from slightly wobbly controls when requiring precise positioning. If you’re played any previous entry in the series, you know what to expect whereas if you never played a Sniper Elite game, Resistance is as a good as any to jump into the series. Fans of shooters should definitely pick up Sniper Elite Resistance; it’s a consistent entry in a solid franchise of shooters.
Unfortunately, Star Wars: Episode I: Jedi Power Battles is the prime example why not every game should be remastered, let alone considered for the remaster treatment. The combat is archaic and clunky. While I can understand that back in 2000, this was passable and borderline revolutionary, this doesn’t cut it in 2025. This game is clearly for those who hold a fond place in their heart for it. If like me, this would be your first attempt at this game, highly recommend skipping it. There are a bevvy of better beat’em ups available. Never thought playing as Darth Maul would make him such a pathetic weakling.
Swords & Bones 2 is fun and nice diversion from more complex gaming experiences. All you have to do is run through simplistic 50 bite sized levels, earn coins and level up your character. Nothing really complex here. If you played the first game, it’s just more of the same, except level design is slightly less irritating. If you haven’t and looking for a short time killer for some quick Achievements, Swords & Bones 2 is worth the investment.
Candle Knight is a decent Metroidvania style game. It doesn’t reinvent the wheel, the unique combat adds a unique layer of strategy, albeit it does feel like it holds the game back and it’s a lazy way to avoid opting for a deeper combat system. If you’re a fan of the genre, I’d definitely recommend Candle Knight. If you’re looking to dabble in the genre however, I wouldn’t recommend this as your first experience.
Stunt Paradise is a fun, easy to pick up and play and addictive racer. Races get progressively harder as you progress and some of them even require a bit of back and forth in order to complete the track. My only complaint is that unlockable vehicles feel the same. Other than, if you’re looking for some variety and an easy 3000Gs(!), Stunt Paradise is a must play.
Even if you’re a die hard fan of the genre or classic RE-like experiences, do not waste your money or time with Outbreak: Contagious Memories. While I can certainly appreciate the effort because I’m still a huge fan of the classic survival horror games (the Resident Evils, the Silent Hills and any other similar one offs), but Outbreak: Contagious Memories is borderline unplayable. I’m baffled anyone would find this appropriate to release in this state; it feels like an alpha version. Lots of potential wasted. Easy pass.
While I’m personally getting bored with the remaster/remake fad, Legacy of Kain Soul Reaver 1&2 Remastered is how a remaster should be done. Aspyr did a great job giving these games a beautiful visual update while keeping the core of the game intact. The combat is solid, the realms navigation adds a unique layer of gameplay. But despite Aspyr’s visual work, lots of areas still remain way too dark; making these levels unplayable if there’s light in the room. Legacy of Kain Soul Reaver 1&2 Remastered is highly recommended for some 3D action good time. But newcomers, be warned, a guide (if you can find it online) or an online walkthrough is borderline necessary to progress.