Metroid Prime 4: Beyond might not be a total reinvention of the famed series, but it's refined and faster than ever. Despite the prolonged development period, the campaign comes together to deliver an excellent outing for Samus as she explores an expansive world with new psychic powers that imbue the core of the game in fun, innovative ways.
Kirby Air Riders shares a lot of the same DNA as its predecessor, and it's a sequel that belongs in this era. The simplistic controls might not be for everyone, but if you can look past that, you've got a competent racer that does its own thing instead of attempting to battle it out against Mario Kart World.
Lumines Arise is sensational in every sense. It will wow you with its audio-visual cues and dance across your screen in a way that'll make you feel emotions. It feels almost otherworldly, and yet, it's one of the most calming and memorable experiences I've had with video games this year.
Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment's ability to flesh out the past of the latest branch in the The Legend of Zelda series is immediately noticeable. Being canon in the existing Breath of the Wild/Tears of the Kingdom timeline makes Zelda's journey into the past a worthwhile experience.
Dragon Quest 1 & 2 HD-2D is a testament to the enduring appeal of the Dragon Quest series' early roots. It combines familiar elements with refreshed lighting, expanded worlds, and improved user experience to deliver thoughtful quality-of-life updates while preserving the core game mechanics of the originals. You might ask why the Erdrick trilogy is the focus of the series over the last few years, and I can tell you it's worth sticking through to the end.
The Outer Worlds 2 is an odd game. It's bigger than its predecessor, more absurd, and fires on all cylinders, but it's also a game developed by a studio now run by a megacorporation. For all its inherent themes, it's bizarre seeing them transposed with the ongoing issues at Microsoft over the last several months. This is a game that is made by some of the best in the business, but you can deliver hit after hit and still face the chopping block. If The Outer Worlds 2 is Obsidian's swan song (which I doubt it is), then know that it's easily the studio's best game since Fallout: New Vegas and one of this year's best video games.
The world of Talamh was created with thoughtfulness and feels like a character of its own volition. You've got an interesting premise that lets you explore a pretty incredible place, and it's filled with dangers, treasures, and a whole lot of enemies to defeat. Without a doubt, if there's one beat 'em up this year that's got the rizz, it's Absolum.
Little Nightmares 3 is, for better or worse, more of the same. Supermassive Games understands what makes the series work, and it effectively translates to the third entry. The formula works after three games. However, the combat is such a distraction from what makes these games work: the tense exploration of a world filled with dread and horror, as well as the environmental puzzles.
Dying Light: The Beast brings back Kyle Crane for a revenge-driven, contrived story that mostly works. Having access to newfound powers means you can step toe-to-toe with these creatures, but the magic of the series is and always will be the parkour, the cities, and the exploration. I like being able to rip the heads off enemies, but I love being able to climb and ascend to the rooftops even more. Sure, the abilities are fun, but the formula doesn't deviate much outside of that. Ultimately, that parkour and melee combo from previous games is what makes Dying Light: The Beast fun.
Super Mario Galaxy 1 and 2 are cosmic masterpieces. Both hold a special place in the hearts of many, and for good reason, they're an inventive and excellent duology.
Atelier Resleriana: The Red Alchemist & the White Guardian is a good starting point for newcomers. It has some growing pains, but those can be addressed in a sequel. But for a new entry, it's got some fun characters to play around with and tons of heart to match their energy.
Silent Hill f is vastly different from most of its games in the series, but it's one of my favourites because it's so different. It steps away from the status quo and delivers a unique story in a unique time period. You'll never feel at ease exploring the village, and around every corner lurk some of the most twisted enemies that will stop at nothing to get to you.
While a bit uneven, Hotel Barcelona is a blast to play. It starts a bit rough, but as more upgrades and abilities become available, the creativity behind the game really shines through.
EA Sports FC 26 feels better to play than ever before. The new Authentic and Competitive choices allow players to set the tone for how they want to play, and the improved AI is noticeable during matches. FC 26 is the beautiful game we all love.
Final Fantasy Tactics - The Ivalice Chronicles is remarkable in all aspects. From its inherently timely story to its standout characters and reworked script, this is a special game.
For all the guffaw that Death Stranding gets for being a walking simulator, Baby Steps is the literal definition of one. It has a simple premise that appears tedious but blossoms into one of the most unique experiences I've had in recent months.
Towa and the Guardians of the Sacred Tree features an excellent hook for a roguelike, but it has too much exposition to wade through that doesn't do enough to warrant its existence.
LEGO Voyagers is brief, yet despite that, it leaves a long-lasting impression. Even as the credits rolled, I knew I wasn't done with it; I needed more, wanted more from the game. The puzzles are equally charming, the music is a highlight, and the cute little LEGO bricks are emotive figures that will win you over. The building mechanics are fun, the puzzles are inventive, and the experience comes together beautifully.
Summary Hirogami is fun, but it would be better if it were a pure platformer with a focus on origami. Despite the combat being a bit basic, the other elements, like exploration and abilities, help flesh out this story to stop the blight from taking over. It's a beautiful game that does a great job of showcasing the impressive art of origami, and it's paired with a great soundtrack that I adored listening to while playing.
Cronos: The New Dawn is a culmination of over a decade of experience from Bloober Team. Through the years, the studio has risen to the challenge, and this trend continues with its newest franchise, which is a mix of some of the biggest survival horror games to exist. The campaign is brutal and challenges you to survive in a bleak, failed world where a virus has wreaked havoc in Eastern Europe, and the sci-fi elements present a fun twist on the formula.