Tales of Graces f Remastered is an excellent remaster that offers some worthwhile improvements and saves another game from console purgatory. While the combat system is one of the best in the series, the story is sometimes predictable, and the score doesn't invoke any lasting memories.
Donkey Kong Country Returns HD is a challenging platformer that will test you at every level as it holds up even by today's standards.
Dynasty Warriors: Origins contains many significant improvements in gameplay, giving us an excellent return to the series after an extended absence.
Ys Memoire: The Oath in Felghana is a look to the past for the series, updating one of Adol's best adventures with bells and whistles like Turbo Mode, new voiced lines, and more. If you're curious about the series, The Oath in Felghana is a great place to start, but be warned that there is a challenging game ahead of you. Thankfully, it doesn't overstay its welcome and has a straightforward story that'll keep you invested to the end (and onward to more adventures).
With an engaging dub, thoughtful combat, and a commendable cast, Fantasian Neo Dimension is one of this year's best — and one of Mistwalker's finest titles.
In a love letter to the character, Indiana Jones and the Great Circle proposes that the series' future isn't in film but in video games.
Undoubtedly, Antonblast is one of those few platformers you'll remember for ages.
LEGO Horizon Adventures is a great way to experience Horizon Zero Dawn, but it isn't the best way. That's what the recent remaster is for. Either way, you can't go wrong here, as Guerrilla Games and Studio Gobo deliver an excellent title that'll resonate with younger players and fans of the series.
Dragon Quest 3 HD-2D is an excellent remake. Despite some cumbersome traditional gameplay mechanics the series holds onto, like item and party management, the classical turn-based combat is well-paced and offers a fair challenge to everyone.
Mario & Luigi: Brothership may not reinvent the series but it's yet another excellent adventure filled with over the top humour featuring the iconic Mario brothers.
Romancing SaGa 2: Revenge of the Seven is an eclectic, brilliant remake. The presentation, art direction, battle system, and music deliver an all-time classic for a new generation. You can see how much love and attention the developers put into celebrating the original.
Fear the Spotlight delivers chills thanks to a moody atmosphere and great use of silence. Together, these elements work with the narrative to tell a thrilling story with shocking revelations.
Super Mario Party Jamboree is easily the biggest game in the Mario Party series. It's brimming with charm and packed with characters, boards, oodles of minigames, and humour.
Ys X: Nordics showcases many outstanding elements the series excels at — combat, skills, music, and characters are on-point and some of the best we've seen in the nearly 40 years the series has existed.
While EA Sports FC 25 features welcome improvements to player movements, reactions, and overall pacing, staples like Career Mode continue to saddle the bench.
Test Drive Unlimited Solar Crown isn't a modern racer filled with archaic systems and always-online requirements, further gatekeeping an otherwise fun racer.
Reynatis has heart but feels like a previous generation relic with sometimes archaic game design elements. However, it has some good ideas, fun combat, and good music working for it.
Dead Rising Deluxe Remaster is another excellent game from Capcom. With tons of quality-of-life improvements, smart changes, and overhauls, seeing Frank West again feels good.
The Plucky Squire is one of my favourite games this year. It's filled with charm, humour, and heart. All Possible Futures understands video games don't need to be complicated and bloated—the emphasis on puzzles, platforming, and combat is straightforward but done incredibly well.
Castlevania Dominus Collection is Castlevania at its best, with three great games to sink your teeth into.