Final Fantasy Resonance builds on the foundation of Final Fantasy: Brave Exvius, transforming its source material into a fully realized console RPG while adding enough new ideas to stand on its own. The Vision system and Stagger Battle System add meaningful depth to both combat and progression, strengthening the connection between the game's narrative themes and its gameplay mechanics. Ultimately, Final Fantasy Resonance is both a celebration of Final Fantasy's storied legacy and a compelling RPG in its own right. With its engaging combat, expansive world, memorable cast, and stunning presentation, it delivers an adventure that feels both nostalgic and refreshingly modern.
Overall, Forever Ago is a brief yet rewarding experience that invites players to reflect on Alfred's journey as both a participant and an observer. Beneath its quiet premise lies a thoughtful examination of a life well lived, one shaped not by extraordinary events, but by everyday routines, enduring relationships, and cherished memories preserved through time. Through its intimate storytelling, Forever Ago finds meaning in the ordinary, reminding players that life's most significant moments are often found in its simplest ones.
Star Wars: Galactic Racer delivers impressive long-term value through its progression systems, vehicle customization, racer archetypes, and wealth of unlockable content, blending accessible racing mechanics with an inventive runs-based structure and delivering an experience that can appeal to both newcomers and longtime fans of Star Wars and racing games alike. Simply put, Star Wars: Galactic Racer is a must-play title that deserves to be experienced firsthand.
Control Resonant is a bold and ambitious open‑world action‑horror experience that builds on the foundation of Control and expands it in every direction. Its sprawling Manhattan sandbox, layered combat systems, and dense lore crack open the series’ paranatural universe and let it spill freely across a chaotic New York, leaving players to explore, survive, and master it.
The Blood of Dawnwalker is an amazing first effort from Rebel Wolves, proving that open‑world RPGs can still surprise us. By stripping away genre bloat and focusing on meaningful mechanics such as the use of the day and night cycle, a gripping narrative, and morally complex characters, the developers have delivered a dark fantasy experience that feels both familiar and refreshingly new, making it a must-play for fans of the genre.
Duskfade is a standout platformer that consistently plays to its strengths from beginning to end. It’s challenging in all the right ways, emotionally resonant, and refreshingly original, which is a welcome break from sequels and familiar franchises. If you’re looking for something new that delivers both heart and solid gameplay, Duskfade deserves a spot on your radar.
Starsand Island is an accessible and engaging cozy simulator that blends familiar life‑sim elements into hours of relaxing gameplay. It embraces the fantasy of retreating to island life, where players can farm, fish, and ranch freely while cultivating meaningful relationships with residents and tourists alike.
Granblue Fantasy Relink – Endless Ragnarok is a massive and fantastic expansion, adding more value and content to an already massive world introduced by its predecessor. With additional story content and new Chaos Levels, returning players are given a treat to continue their skyfaring adventures to a whole new level, despite some boss recycling.
While Mixtape embraces familiar conventions of narrative adventures, it stands out as one of 2026’s must‑play titles. Its nostalgic atmosphere and emotional highs are woven through a meticulously curated musical journey, capturing a vivid snapshot of youth and memory. The result is a masterfully crafted experience that pushes the boundaries of how games can tell stories within this genre.
SAROS stands as a strong successor to Returnal, carving out its own identity with a more approachable experience while retaining Housemarque’s signature bullet ballet combat. It remains challenging, though its accessibility may feel less punishing than that of its predecessor. For fans seeking the same relentless difficulty, SAROS might seem lighter, but its appeal extends far beyond mechanics. Beneath the frenetic action lies a story of obsession, regret, and redemption, told through a fragmented narrative that grips players with its unsettling mystery right up to the climactic finale. This layered storytelling, paired with its cosmic-horror atmosphere, ensures that SAROS resonates on both emotional and thematic levels.
Screamer is a distinctive arcade racer that blends anime-inspired storytelling with inventive mechanics, offering a quirky world for fans of the genre. Its ambitious scope, however, is weighed down by an overly long story mode, unpredictable difficulty spikes, and AI tricks that can frustrate newcomers. Despite these shortcomings, there’s still enjoyment to be found, particularly in its Arcade and Multiplayer modes. While not essential as a Day 1 purchase, Screamer demonstrates Milestone’s willingness to experiment, leaving us curious to see how the studio will refine its approach in future racing titles.
Fatal Frame 2: Crimson Butterfly Remake delivers an uneven experience because, just as its atmospheric horror is superb, the combat mechanics remain frustrating. With so much of the gameplay hinging on the Camera Obscura's unwieldy controls, the tension and dread carefully built by the remake are often undermined.
WWE 2K26 is a true celebration of wrestling fandom, packed with an impressive list of features, from its massive roster to immersive storylines featuring custom-created superstars. The sheer amount of content can feel overwhelming at first, but it’s a definite strength and provides hours and hours of fun. With its focus on realism and refined controls, WWE 2K26 asks players to invest time in learning the mechanics before stepping confidently into the ring. That initial effort pays off as newcomers and returning fans alike will find that the extra practice transforms into a rewarding experience, making every match feel authentic and hard-earned.
If given a chance, God of War: Sons of Sparta proves itself to be a capable metroidvania, offering a layered combat system, an engaging quest line, and a rewarding narrative. That said, it demands patience from players, as the experience takes several hours to fully hit its stride. Once it does, the depth becomes clear, but those seeking instant gratification may find the slower build-up discouraging.
Resident Evil Requiem blends the atmospheric, harrowing survival-horror elements of Resident Evil VII with the refined gameplay of the recent Resident Evil 2 and Resident Evil 4 remakes. It is a fantastic addition to the series, making it an unquestionable must-play day-one purchase for fans and newcomers. While the villains may not reach the heights of past antagonists, the overall package is undeniably fantastic. With strong performances, rewarding gameplay variety, and extras that encourage replayability, Resident Evil Requiem could be a Game of the Year contender and possibly one of the best games of 2026.
Yakuza Kiwami 3 & Dark Ties is a welcome surprise from a title that many long-time fans, myself included, once considered the weakest entry in the Like A Dragon series. Where the original often felt overshadowed by its more explosive predecessors, the Kiwami remake breathes new life into this quieter chapter, elevating it into something far more memorable. Playing through Yakuza Kiwami 3 & Dark Ties was a genuine joy, and it now feels like a worthy addition to the Kiwami brand of remakes.
My Hero Academia: All’s Justice is an essential experience for fans of the franchise and for enthusiasts of anime-inspired fighting games. The game is easy to get into, the default controls are accessible, and the roster offers a vast array of character combinations to explore. For solo players, the game offers plenty of variety without requiring multiplayer. You can relive the series’ storyline, tackle newly introduced mission modes, and even uncover original adventures that expand beyond the manga and anime, which is perfect for those seeking additional content.
Octopath Traveler 0 builds upon the familiar foundation of its predecessors while introducing meaningful refinements that make this entry a must-play. The shift to a solo protagonist who embodies the destinies of the eight, along with streamlined mechanics, enriches both the narrative and gameplay, offering a more profound and cohesive experience. That said, the prequel remains firmly rooted in the series’ established formula. Longtime fans will recognize both the strengths and the recurring frustrations that have defined earlier entries. While a more linear approach to certain storylines might have provided smoother pacing, the branching paths ultimately preserve the distinctive charm that sets the series apart.
Even with a few compromises, the collection offers tremendous value. Featuring two complete adventures reimagined with stunning HD-2D pixel art and fully voiced storytelling, it breathes new life into the origins of the series. Dragon Quest I & II HD-2D Remake is the definitive way to experience the beginning of the saga, bringing the Erdrick Trilogy to a fitting conclusion.
1998 The Toll Keeper Story is a compelling narrative simulator that invites players to experience the grounded struggles of an ordinary citizen caught in extraordinary circumstances. With its thoughtful premise and morally driven gameplay, the title delivers a relevant message through the lens of personal survival and societal pressure. In a time when global political tensions continue to rise, 1998 The Toll Keeper Story offers a timely reflection on civil unrest and the human cost of systemic instability. GameChanger Studio has crafted an evocative experience, one that makes you think after you've put the title down.