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The Adventures of Elliot: The Millennium Tales is Team Asano’s take on the action RPG genre. Their signature 2.5D art style brings this vibrant world to life. This is especially clear in the attention to detail in both the art and the vocal performances. Although the combat is button-mashy, it feels responsive and fun. This is especially true after augmenting your weapons with Magicite. Dungeons are quick and snappy, offering loot without becoming stale, and exploring off the beaten track is highly rewarding. However, the talkative companions and the reuse of enemies for long parts of the game sometimes hinder immersion. The story may lack depth, but the gameplay always keeps me coming back for more. Is there a better feeling than the satisfaction you get from finding a new artefact in the depths of an ancient cave?
Mina the Hollower succeeds because it understands that nostalgia is only valuable when paired with innovation. It borrows inspiration from Zelda, Castlevania, Bloodborne, and countless retro classics, but never loses its own identity in the process. The Hollowing mechanic is brilliant, the world is endlessly rewarding to explore, the bosses are unforgettable, and the presentation perfectly balances retro authenticity with modern craftsmanship. More importantly, it captures the magical feeling of discovery that defined gaming’s earlier generations while remaining unmistakably contemporary. Yacht Club Games built its reputation with Shovel Knight, and with Mina the Hollower, the studio proves that lightning can strike twice.
SnowRunner on Nintendo Switch 2 isn’t a new game, but it’s a great upgrade compared to the original version on Nintendo Swich. Sure, the game remains slow, stubborn, and definitely not for everyone, but the improved hardware makes a real difference. It’s clearer, more comfortable, and much easier to enjoy as a hybrid experience. This is still a game about mud, trucks, and plans that almost always go wrong. But that’s also where its charm is. If you enjoy slow progress, heavy vehicles, and small victories, SnowRunner on Switch 2 is finally a Nintendo version worth taking seriously.
R-Type Dimensions III is an undeniably faithful restoration of one of gaming’s most influential shoot-’em-ups. The ability to switch between classic and modern visuals is a genuinely cool feature, the presentation is polished, and longtime fans will likely appreciate the preservation effort. But faithfulness can be both a blessing and a curse. For all its historical significance, R-Type remains trapped in design philosophies that have aged poorly. The difficulty frequently crosses the line from demanding to exhausting, progression relies heavily on memorization, and the overall experience feels more punishing than rewarding. I genuinely wanted to enjoy this, and I gave it chance after chance, hoping that persistence would reveal the magic that made R-Type a legend. Instead, I came away with respect for its legacy but little desire to ever return. For hardcore retro enthusiasts, this may represent a nostalgic trip back to arcade glory days. For everyone else, it’s a reminder that not every classic benefits from being preserved exactly as it was.
Swan Song is a masterfully composed puzzle game. The level design, with its fun and engaging mechanics, is a masterclass in game design because the concepts are gradually introduced and made more challenging. These concepts synergise beautifully and never overstay their welcome. The emotional story of grief and loss presented between puzzles brought tears to my eyes. Although it is a difficult subject, the subtle way it is presented through family artefacts and the excellent voice acting will ensure that Swan Song will stick with me for years to come.
Final Fantasy VII Rebirth accomplishes something extraordinarily difficult. It takes a beloved story that many considered impossible to improve upon and expands it in ways that feel meaningful, ambitious, and surprisingly respectful. It transforms a focused remake into a sprawling adventure, deepens an already exceptional cast, and delivers one of the most content-rich RPG experiences available today. More importantly, it validates everything Square Enix set out to achieve with this trilogy. For Nintendo Switch 2 owners, the achievement becomes even more remarkable. Rebirth isn’t merely another major third-party release arriving on Nintendo hardware. It’s proof that the platform can host modern blockbuster RPGs without sacrificing their identities. Just a few months ago, Remake Intergrade demonstrated what was possible, and now Rebirth demonstrates what is achievable. The fact that one of the most ambitious role-playing games of the decade can be played both on a television and in handheld form without losing the essence of what makes it special is nothing short of impressive. For longtime fans, this is an easy recommendation. For newcomers willing to start with Intergrade first, it represents one of the finest RPG journeys currently available. And for Nintendo Switch 2 itself? This may very well be one of its defining showcase titles (for now).
Zero Parades: For Dead Spies is a great, character-driven narrative RPG. The city-state of Portofiro is a well-fleshed-out place offering deep characters and a plethora of interesting quest lines. The systems at play might seem complex, but if you play this game like a tabletop RPG, letting the dice and the story guide you, you’ll get lost in the story and become Cascade yourself. You will need to set aside plenty of time because there are so many people to talk to and places to explore, but if you can put aside hours for long gaming sessions, this might be the game for you.
SUMMERHOUSE works best as a small creative toy you pick up for short building sessions. It has charm and enough freedom to create some lovely little scenes, but the lack of guidance and awkward Switch 2 controls really hold it back. It can be relaxing, especially at its lower price, but there are better alternatives in the genre.
In many ways, Tales of Arise feels perfect for Nintendo’s hybrid. The structure naturally lends itself to portable play, the performance holds up remarkably well, and the complete package offers absurd value for JRPG fans who somehow missed it the first time around. More importantly, this isn’t one of those compromised handheld ports that constantly remind you what you’re missing elsewhere. The soul of Tales of Arise remains completely intact on Switch 2. The emotional story still land. Combat still feels fantastic. The world still begs to be explored. That’s what matters most. For newcomers, this is an easy recommendation. For returning fans, the portability alone might justify a second journey through Dahna.
Yoshi and the Mysterious Book is not the traditional Yoshi platformer some players might expect, but that’s also what makes it interesting. Its cosy exploration, strange creatures, and hidden layers make it a charming adventure that rewards curiosity more than skill.
Still, depth alone doesn’t completely save the experience, which clocks out after a good five or six hours of story-driven gameplay. Why? Because ultimately, Bubsy 4D remains trapped between reinvention and nostalgia. It wants to modernize Bubsy while simultaneously preserving everything people remember about him, including many of the frustrating parts. The game constantly brushes against greatness without ever fully committing to it. You can see glimpses of an incredible platformer buried underneath the noise, but those glimpses never fully stabilize into something consistently excellent. And maybe that’s the most fitting outcome possible for Bubsy. Because, against all odds, Bubsy 4D actually succeeds in making Bubsy relevant again. Not purely as a meme, but as a legitimately entertaining, occasionally brilliant platformer revival with genuine mechanical ambition behind it. That alone feels borderline impossible. Unfortunately, even breathing new life into the franchise couldn’t fully save Bubsy from the same issues that have haunted him for decades. The uneven pacing, the frustrating design decisions, the technical roughness, and the overreliance on repetitive collect-a-thon structure keep dragging the experience back down whenever it threatens to truly evolve. Bubsy 4D is fascinating. It’s weird, it’s ambitious, and it’s messy. Sometimes it’s even genuinely great. But in the end, it still feels like Bubsy, and maybe that’s exactly the problem.
Possessor(s) is a beautiful metroidvania with a compelling story and world design. However, it doesn’t introduce any particularly game-changing features. The combat is perfected, but it’s what we’ve come to expect as the standard for Metroidvanias, with familiar weapons and abilities in clever reskins. I was left wanting more and expecting to see a gameplay hook that would set it apart from other games in the genre, but this never materialised. It’s a game that I would recommend to people who are curious about Metroidvanias and are looking for a place to start. After playing it, you will understand the genre’s language. Because if there is something especially strong in Possessor(s), it’s the foundations.
Thick as Thieves annoyed me more than I wanted it to, because the good parts are easy to see. The atmosphere is strong, some escapes really do get tense, and the idea of learning a location piece by piece fits the thief fantasy well. But the game keeps getting in its own way. Too many objectives are vague, too many systems are left half-explained, and solo runs start to feel like you are wasting time rather than pulling off a clever heist. Co-op might help with that, but it was not available in the review build, so I can only judge what I played. And as a solo stealth game, Thick as Thieves has promise, but not enough direction or variety to make that promise pay off.
LEGO Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight brings the spirit of the Arkham games into the LEGO universe in a way that clicks. Gotham is a joy to explore, the combat feels great, and the humor keeps the darker Batman lore light without losing its charm. The lack of online co-op is a shame, but this is easily one of the strongest LEGO games in years.
Wardrum ultimately succeeds because it understands both halves of its identity equally well. It isn’t a strategy game awkwardly stapled onto rhythm mechanics, nor is it a rhythm game pretending to have tactical depth. It fully commits to being both at once, and that gives the experience a freshness that’s genuinely hard to find right now. Even in a crowded indie landscape overflowing with roguelites, Wardrum manages to carve out something distinctly its own. And it’s not always approachable, and the difficulty curve will absolutely frustrate some players. There are moments where runs collapse spectacularly because your rhythm faltered for only a few seconds, and the game can occasionally feel overwhelming when several mechanics collide simultaneously. Yet those frustrations are overshadowed by the incredible satisfaction that comes from finally mastering a difficult encounter, perfectly syncing your warband’s abilities, and watching an impossible fight unravel exactly as planned. For fans of tactical RPGs, rhythm games, or simply inventive indie projects willing to take risks, Wardrum is one of the most interesting releases of the year. It takes familiar ideas, smashes them together, and somehow creates something that feels genuinely original.
Overall, Legacy of Kain: Defiance Remastered is a faithful and visually improved return to a cult classic that shines because of its storytelling and atmosphere rather than its gameplay. It is a remaster made for fans first, not a reinvention for a new generation.
Forza Horizon 6 makes Japan feel like the perfect playground for the series. The racing is still as satisfying as ever, the map is beautiful, and I often found myself ignoring objectives just to keep driving. It’s familiar in structure, but once you’re on the road, that barely matters.
While excelling in some parts with lots of customization and unlockables and great sound design, the game’s UI and in-menu storytelling reveal its mobile origin. You’ll spend quite some time racing, breeding perfect foals, and upgrading your homestead. But you’ll spend an equal amount in tedious stylised menus. If you’re really into equestrian games and able to look over its shortcomings, you’ll be able to see this as a cosy game with lots of upgrades and unlocks if you’re willing to spend the time.
Indiana Jones and the Great Circle was already an excellent adventure game, and this Nintendo Switch 2 version does it justice. Handheld mode comes with a few expected compromises, but MachineGames has delivered a remarkably polished port that makes Indy’s latest adventure feel right at home on Nintendo’s hybrid console.
Directive 8020 is a major step forward for The Dark Pictures Anthology. The story is engaging, the production values are excellent, and the added gameplay mechanics make this the most interactive entry in the series so far. The stealth sections can become a bit repetitive, but they never get in the way of what is still a tense and highly entertaining sci-fi horror survival adventure.