Use a Potion
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Aphelion could have been something truly special, because on one side, you have a beautiful, atmospheric world and a phenomenal, character-driven story that sinks its hooks into you. However, on the other side, you have clunky platforming, annoying checkpoints, and late-game stealth sequences that are guilty of outstaying their welcome. If you can look past the flaws and some of the more annoying moments when playing as Ariane, the narrative payoff and gorgeous cinematic presentation make Aphelion absolutely worth your time. Just be prepared for a few annoyances as you make your way to the end of the journey.
Motorslice is a blast to play and makes for some exciting platforming action, though some occasional missteps prevent it from achieving greatness. Don’t get me wrong, the mix of chainsaws and parkour is absolutely a winning combination, whilst the boss battles are a true spectacle. It just lacks the modern polish needed to smooth over its rough edges, mostly with the sometimes janky controls that can make for some frustrating moments. Believe me, there’s a lot more good than bad here and I’d absolutely recommend Motorslice to those who loved the classic 3D platformers of yesteryear… it’s just more of a flawed gem than a must-play experience.
It has some flaws, but Little Nightmares VR: Altered Echoes still stands out as an impressive release, using the immersive power of virtual reality to make you feel completely vulnerable in a hostile and terrifying world. The harrowing chase scenes, impeccable visual and sound design, and oppressive atmosphere make it a must-play for long-time Little Nightmares fans. Sure, it might play things a little safe mechanically, whilst the rigid movement options and short run-time can let it down, but Little Nightmares VR: Altered Echoes still stands out as an impressive VR release that’s worth your attention.
Tomodachi Life: Living the Dream provides a wonderfully goofy foundation, but what you get out of it depends entirely on how much creativity you pour into it. If you take the time to build a diverse cast of characters, design custom gear, and lean into the sheer nonsense of it all, you will be rewarded with one of the funniest, most charming games of the year. And sure, the novelty might fade a bit as time goes on and it won’t be for everyone, but so far for me? It’s been an absolute joy.
Replaced is brilliant, with the visually spectacular adventure offering engaging storytelling, rewarding combat and satisfying platforming that’ll keep players hooked in from start to end. Sure, it has some rough edges here and there, but with the core experience proving tantalising throughout, it’s easy to find yourself wholly invested in this brilliantly crafted dystopian world.
With Pragmata, Capcom has delivered a stunningly original combat system, a gorgeous world that rewards curiosity, and two endearing protagonists you will absolutely root for. It is easily one of the most exciting new action games in recent memory, and whilst it has the occasional misstep with the platforming or the somewhat predictable storytelling, it still stands out as yet another brilliant release for the company.
The Adventure Time DLC offers exactly what I was looking for: more stuff to clean in PowerWash Simulator 2. It might not reinvent the wheel when it comes to gameplay, but the wonderfully vibrant visuals and the cool little twist on your cleaning equipment ensure that it’s a treat to play through. And if you’re a fan of Adventure Time? That’s the cherry on top, even IF it isn’t a necessity to be familiar with it to have a good time with the DLC.
Evil Empire has crafted something special with The Rogue Prince of Persia, and by marrying the acrobatic identity of a beloved series with an engaging narrative and incredibly polished (and highly replayable) roguelike loop, they have delivered an essential action platformer that is an absolute blast to play from start to end. We might not be getting the 3D return of the iconic Prince any time soon, but if we keep getting top notch releases like this, the legacy will certainly live on.
Mouse: P.I. For Hire is a triumphant love letter to classic animation and old–school shooters, and believe me, it’s not only one of the best-looking releases this year but also an absolute blast to play. It commits fully to its unique identity of old-school cartoons and gritty noir detective work, and despite a few repetitive enemies and restrictive level boundaries, it’s an incredibly fun mystery that’s definitely not a case of style over substance.
Despite a few dated design flaws and some missed opportunities with the multiplayer, the Mega Man Star Force Legacy Collection is an absolute treat. It breathes new life into a forgotten gem, offering a heartfelt story and addictive tactical combat that’s easy to lose hours with. Whether you are a nostalgic fan or a newcomer looking for a meaty RPG series to sink your teeth into, Mega Man Star Force Legacy Collection is well worth your time.
The sheer emotional weight of the narrative ensures that Life is Strange: Reunion offers a conclusion that will absolutely live up to fans’ expectations. It is a tender and deeply engaging experience that respects the history of its characters and the fans who have followed them for over a decade, and whilst it still has some flaws in its storytelling (most notably with the occasional illusion of choice), it hits all the right emotional notes across its mystery to give these two iconic characters the memorable send-off that they thoroughly deserve.
Raccoin is a highly entertaining title that successfully brings the penny falls experience into the roguelike space in a creative and deceptively strategic manner. It might be riding the coattails of recent genre giants (and it has some frustrations by doubling down on RNG), but the core loop is undeniably absorbing. It’s chaotic, charming, and a brilliant way to accidentally waste a morning, afternoon, or late evening (I’d know, I’ve done it across all three).
Legacy of Kain: Ascendance is a game that is hard to fully recommend, even to the most hardcore devotees. It is obvious that the developers have a lot of love for the franchise, and those fleeting moments where the lore lines up and the gameplay comes together do feel good. But it’s buried under clunky platforming and repetitive combat that aren’t so easy to forgive when similar titles in the genre are shining right now. It is not the triumphant return to form we have been waiting decades for, but rather a wobbly, albeit nostalgic, stepping stone. Hopefully, it shows the powers that be that there is still an audience hungry for Nosgoth, but this specific outing just misses the mark.
South of Midnight’s blend of unique Southern vibes and satisfying manoeuvrability make it a real treat to play on the PlayStation 5. Sure, the combat is a little uninspired, but the sheer creativity on display across the world, the stunning aesthetic, and the brilliant soundtrack make it an adventure well worth taking.
Taking a beloved, precision-heavy 2D classic and transforming it into a 3D experience was a bit of a gamble, but damn, Super Meat Boy 3D pulls it off with some seriously satisfying style. It easily lives up to the original’s legendary status – it’s packed with a staggering amount of content, fluid movement that perfectly captures the action of the original game, and, perhaps most importantly, it’s just as satisfyingly challenging as before. Whether you’re a long-time Super Meat Boy fan chasing milliseconds on a speedrun or a glutton for punishment facing the grinder for the first time, Super Meat Boy 3D is a bloody brilliant platformer that you absolutely need to play.
Nutmeg offers its own wonderful (and very nostalgic) take on football management by successfully mixing up old-school stat surveying with the fast-paced thrill of a card-battler, and it just works. Yes, navigating that retro office takes a little getting used to, but once the mechanics click, the ‘just one more match’ (which quickly turns into ‘one more season’) pull is absolutely irresistible. If you’re looking for a fun, addictive trip down memory lane that respects your time while still testing your tactical football management chops, Nutmeg is an absolute must-play.
Easy Delivery Co. is an atmospheric, low–stakes adventure that perfectly marries its eerie nostalgia with a cozy gaming loop. It can get a bit repetitive and there is a late–game grind, but there’s also a lot of charm to be found that ensures it’s well worth a look – especially if the idea of delivering packages in a town that feels both like Silent Hill and an Animal Crossing island at the same time sounds like your idea of a good time.
Despite the occasional punishing dice roll, Esoteric Ebb is a stunning achievement in narrative and gameplay design that is a sheer joy to play from start to end. It takes a familiar framework and brings it to life with a world that reacts wonderfully to every chaotic choice you make. And sure, it does borrow some ideas from the greats of the genre, but with Esoteric Ebb adding its own unique ideas and sense of flair to the mix, it stands out perfectly alongside them as another must–play release.
Screamer is one of the most exciting and unique arcade racers that we’ve had in years, and I’ve loved every minute I’ve spent playing it. The storytelling of the campaign won’t be for everyone and your hands might ache after a tough session, but honestly, the sheer thrill of the driving mechanics makes these small flaws feel insignificant. Whether you are blasting through the varied arcade challenges, digging into the anime-infused story, or simply mastering the unique yet intuitive control scheme, you’re going to have a SERIOUSLY good time with Screamer… it’s pretty damn special.
Pokémon Pokopia is the ultimate childhood fantasy brought to life, with it stripping away the traditional combat and gym badges and replacing them with pure wonder, creativity, and a heartwarming sense of community. It is a brilliant, funny, and deeply engaging sandbox that respects the franchise’s legacy and the nostalgia that players have for the world. It’s just a really special game, and doesn’t only stand out as arguably the best game on the Nintendo Switch 2 right now, but also one of the best games in the Pokémon series.