There's little doubt that Octopath Traveler 0 is one of the best JRPGs of the year, if not the best entry in the series. Its novel additions alongside the series' staples elevate it to new heights. Despite having enough content for a hundred or so hours, it respects players' time more than any other JRPG I have played.
If you've ever been wanting the bite-sized Vampire Survivors in VR form, Poncle has delivered in ways that makes it the most optimal and fun way to play the game. I never thought I would get Vampire Survivors VR on my Quest 3, but it's become my favorite Quest game yet. It may lack some of the features and content updates from its flatscreen counterparts, but here's to hoping that it gets additional support to bring the VR port to parity.
I keep forgetting about how Super Spin Digital has produced a music game that can include music of so many different genres while incorporating novel yet natural movement in the VR space. The Indie Pack DLC features this gameplay but with some moody, ambient, and dreamy tunes. For $8, it's worth it to dance (and sing) along!
Possessor(s) is many things: stylized, satisfying, occasionally frustrating, and short but sweet despite its large map. It's a familiar yet solid gameplay loop with few frills, save for shirtless demon protagonists and neon stylizations.
I'm willing to look past my smaller form graphical quibbles of Tales of Xillia Remastered, as should you. The base Xillia content is notable for its incredible combat and emotional story, and the additional quality of life content makes the game more palatable than ever before. If you're wanting to relive Tales of Xillia or are down to experience it for the first time, Tales of Xillia Remastered will give you the nostalgia and emotional depth you need.
I want to live in a world where games retain their core gameplay all the while becoming more accessible to new players with minimal compromises. Paradox is making that true with Europa Universalis V. With its automation, friendlier UI, and fleshed out playstyles outside of expansion, it's a grand strategy game that is innately fun, endlessly engaging, and worth the decade's wait.
Once Upon a KATAMARI is a Katamari game at its best, rolling, rolling, and rolling through time collecting items and constructing new planets. The 10+ year wait has been worth it, as it introduces just enough novelty all the while preserving the best bits of the series. Its uniqueness aside, it's the most approachable Katamari yet.
Dotemu, Guard Crush, and Supamonks have knocked it out of the park with Absolum. Its combat is satisfyingly stylish, encapsulating traditional side-scrolling beat 'em up combat with the variability of endlessly fun roguelike gameplay. Punishing difficulty aside, it's worth taking the time to explore the depths of its world and creatively defeat enemies in more ways than one. Absolum pushes the envelope of beat 'em up game design to new heights, worthy of your consideration as we enter this holiday season.
For Switch 2 owners who already own Kirby and the Forgotten Land and are weighing their options while new much-hyped games are being released (I'm looking at you, Silksong and Donkey Kong Bananza), Star-Crossed World is short but sweet, opting to replicate the success of the base game with a glittery new coat of paint. For Switch 2 owners who have not yet played Kirby's newest adventure, Kirby and the Forgotten Land + Star-Crossed World is undoubtedly the definitive iteration and worthy of your time.
Metal Gear Solid Δ: Snake Eater respects its source material in ways that other games should follow suit. The story is retained, each emotional gutpunch hits home just as hard (if not harder), and the core stealth gameplay that you and I grew to love in our adolescence is preserved. While it's hard to ignore that this MGS lacks Kojima and the segmented maps are archaic, it's just as hard to ignore that this iteration of MGS3 is the faithful modernization you and I deserve.
The best RPGs impart lasting emotions on the player over the duration of the playthrough. In between its turn-based battles, light character building, and dark symbolism, OFF imprints guilt, horror, and confusion on the player in ways few games successfully pull off. OFF is an RPG that everyone should experience blindly, especially those who appreciate a haunting journey with blips of the bizarre. This remaster is not just a should-play of 2025, but a must-play of the decade. If you want OFF's rainbow, you must have the rain.
Earthion is a perfect encapsulation of the timelessness of the SEGA Genesis. Ancient and Yuzo Koshiro have set the gold standard on how to breathe life into a shoot-em-up while innovating its reach to be fun for all players. Despite it being a Genesis title emulated on PC, it's a must-have for anyone who loves retro games with just the right amount of challenge.
Arashi Gaiden is a great bite-sized turn-based action game set within the confines of a puzzle game. While it might be more difficult than others may expect, it will prove satisfying for those who enjoy solving puzzles with flair.
Everdeep Aurora is more than a cozy digging metroidvania. It's a glimpse of what simplistic platforming can and should be, thoughtfully interwoven into a gameplay loop where discovery is the win condition. Its presentation might lack directness, but I would prefer a world where I can enjoy what I've dug up rather than being pointed to the next objective where I can surmise the outcome.
ATLUS has outdone itself with RAIDOU Remastered: The Mystery of the Soulless Army. Middling story and wonky camera angles aside, it hits the sweet spot of monster taming and action combat without compromising on the complexities that make JRPGs captivating. Here's to hoping that ATLUS reinvents and reinvigorates the RAIDOU series, as it's a breath of fresh air for this Persona fan!
On its own, Yakuza 0 is a great, albeit dated, entry in the overarching Yakuza franchise. Yakuza 0: Director's Cut might not feature enough content that Yakuza fans may enjoy, but it's an excellent port for a Nintendo Switch 2 owner and an even better entry into the Yakuza series for those who have not yet played a game from Ryu Ga Gotoku.
I've spent several hours playing Puyo Puyo Tetris 2S and I just love it. Barring the unnecessary complexities of its Skill Battles and attempting to learn its nuances, the additional modes and Versus setup makes for satisfying, frenetic, and highly replayable puzzle gameplay. It's an excellent game to take on the road and play with friends.
You should be relieved that Nintendo has brought Super Mario Galaxy + Super Mario Galaxy 2 to the Switch 2 without too many frills. It plays just like it did on the Wii and Wii U, albeit prettier and slightly more defined than I remember. It behooves any Switch 2 owner to acquire these masterpieces, especially those who weren't around to play them in their original states.
Pipistrello and the Cursed Yoyo is a marvel of a little game that wins at being a "yoyovania." The yoyo combat and progression are superb, its level design utilizing novel traversal elements without repetitious fluff, and its charm is off the charts. It's no walk in the park, but it's worth the payoff if you want a game that is a nostalgia bomb of classic Zelda fused with a yoyo thematic.
Dragon is Dead has quite a bit of potential now that it has left its early access period. Its novel approach to character building, loot management, and skill trees makes for a complex and satisfying roguelike experience. On the other hand, some of its endgame combat may prove too frustrating, especially when compounded by the traditional difficulty curve that comes with the roguelike gameplay loop. Its pixel art is gorgeous, though!