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All of that is minor in the grand scheme of Forza Horizon 6, which continues the series' dominance in this casual, arcade-esque style of racing. The tools are there if you want to perfectly tune every aspect of your vehicle, and the difficulty and realism can be bumped through the roof if you so choose. But if you're like me, the satisfaction of drifting around turns, speeding down highways, and barreling through a forest with no regard for anyone's safety comes from the approachability offered by the best Forza Horizon game yet.
Kiln looks great and has a creative idea at its base, but it gets old fairly quickly and doesn’t seem, like it’ll have the longest shelf life. Making pottery is incredibly well-realized and satisfying, and the team-based matches have their moments, but the main gameplay loop gets tiresome, and the lack of stages and content beyond Quench mode makes the game feel more empty than you’d expect.
As the debut title from developer Nobody Crown, there’s a lot to like with Feline Forensics and the Meowseum Mystery. Sure, its bloated menus and decidedly uncomplicated approach to crime solving might not scratch the itch of the most diehard genre fans, but its laid-back atmosphere and cozy aesthetic help to smooth out the rough patches, even if they don’t completely eliminate them.
Directive 8020 explores enthralling themes and serves up some aesthetically pleasing scares, but its overreliance on bland stealth sections and janky pacing hold the game back. I’m certainly interested in seeing more of the story routes thanks to the cohesive and quick rewind mechanic, but I think I’ll wait a bit before diving back into all those stealth sections.
There’s solid gameplay, but it’s a grind to find anything encouraging when everything is going wrong all the time, which does fit the IP and experience. And life in general, I suppose. So say we all.
Mixtape is a fantastic game that celebrates how a specific period of time can intertwine with music to craft a memorable and touching story. The gameplay is constantly surprising and satisfying, the characters are delightful, and the aesthetic is second to none. I’m really impressed with how much this game has tunneled its way into my heart, and it’s got me feeling nostalgic in a more substantive way than most things do. I can see people the same age as the characters really latching onto this story, but even if you’re past that era, it’s a wonderful look back at the messy but unforgettable twilight of youth.
Invincible VS is quite similar to the series’ protagonist, Invincible. He’s often conflicted, and as an alien, human, and superhero, he has much to live up to. In Invincible VS’ case, I’m not sure that it does live up to expectations. Quarter Up’s first effort should be applauded for developing a fighting game that could be a hit with both casuals and high-level players, but it could just as easily not find an audience with its conflicting decisions. Competition is tough in fighting games, and that remains true for…Invincible VS.
inKonbini: One Store. Many Stories is a beautifully chill and heartfelt game that really teleports you to a whole different time and place. The many small stories that customers pull you into are wonderful, while the gameplay is as satisfying as it gets. Outside of some typos and grammatical issues that are spread throughout, this is easily one of my favorite games of 2026 so far.
While I appreciate the smaller scale of Dosa Divas, the experience feels unpolished and unrefined. The combat is shallow, even for a 12-hour experience, and the story holds too many cards for the climax, so the moments leading up to it don't really resonate. The cooking mini-game is a highlight, and the themes about how important cooking is to both culture and community do hit, but the specific story ultimately feels flat.
Moomintroll: Winter's Warmth is a comfy and surprisingly mature adventure game that combines the satisfaction of exploration with a cast of weird but likable characters. The fetch quests get to be a bit much by the end of the eight-or-so-hour runtime, but it’s not enough to put a hamper on how delightful the game is overall. Whether you’re a fan of Moomintroll or not, you’ll likely have a pretty chill time with Moomintroll: Winter's Warmth.
Ys Memoire: Revelations in Celceta is the same game it's always been, brought to a new and popular platform, with a new soundtrack that’s not up to snuff. I’m glad Switch owners will be able to play Memories in Celceta; it’s just difficult to recommend the game, considering the PC version is five dollars cheaper and doesn’t have a worse soundtrack. I hope Falcom has bigger plans for its future remasters because this was a little disappointing.
For better or worse, Kumitantei: Old-School Slaughter Episode 1 wears its Danganronpa inspiration on its sleeve, which is a great thing for someone like me who loves that sort of story and gameplay. Despite some flaws and a lack of tutorial, it’s a fun murder mystery with odd-yet-likeable characters and intriguing hints for what the future will hold.
Tomodachi Life: Living the Dream is one of the most ridiculous and customizable social sims around. It’s absolutely chock-full of silly features and a surprisingly rich breadth of content, meaning pretty much anybody will be able to have a laugh playing the game.
Cthulhu: The Cosmic Abyss is an interesting take on the Cthulhu Mythos, even if its overall narrative doesn't stand out. Slow-paced, frustrating at times because its puzzles can be opaque, and very dedicated to gathering and understanding clues, it's an experience that should appeal to players who enjoy the detective-like approach of studying every clue they come across.
Legacy of Kain: Ascendance allows players to experience the events of previous games through a different lens in an entirely different genre than they’re accustomed to. Unfortunately, the combat is boring, and the story is winding and doesn’t pay off. As the game ends, we’re shown Raziel being thrown into the void, leading into the Soul Reaver games, left wondering why this game was even necessary.
Ground Zero is a fantastic example of how to take the things that inspire you, make something great, while maintaining the core DNA, and add your own twist.
There’s a lot to love with Mouse: P.I. For Hire, from its frenetic gunfights to its endearing characters and wonderful rubber hose animation. If you’re looking for a shooter that’s likely to entertain, I can’t recommend this one enough.
Town of Zoz’s combat feels a bit jumbled, but the presentation, general gameplay, and music are excellent and make for a pretty unique title. If you don’t see potentially bumpy combat as a dealbreaker, I think there’s a lot to really dig about this game, as it juggles a number of concepts in a distinct and mostly enjoyable way.
I think Pragmata has the most engaging third-person shooting I've experienced in the last twenty years. The balancing act of hacking, dodging, and shooting, all while managing finite resources, creates a satisfying loop that builds in complexity throughout. Hugh and Diana have a tender and well-rendered relationship, one that isn't undercut by Hugh's insecurities or unnecessary conflict, but instead is elevated by its focus on what it means to show the world to someone experiencing the beauty of life for the first time.
KuloNiku: Bowl Up! is a grand fusion of anime-inspired melodrama and a quick, exciting gameplay loop that feels entirely fresh. Though there’s a little bit of stuttering at times, the endearing story, loveable characters, and delightful aesthetic make this game more than worth playing if you have even a slight interest in the concept.