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Mina the Hollower does for Zelda what Shovel Knight did for Mega Man. It's a revival of a classic franchise in spirit while having enough of its own flavor and style to avoid coming across as a simple clone or copy. It's clever, creative, and an absolute delight to play from start to finish, while having enough bonus content and modifiers to keep the game exciting even after you complete its roughly 20-hour playtime. In a year that's already filled with amazing games, Mina still shines.
007 First Light shows that the Hitman developers have a good handle on how to make a James Bond game work within their wheelhouse. The emphasis on less flashy espionage alongside multiple avenues to accomplish your given goal works to this game's favor in helping to differentiate it from past 007 games. There's still enough action to prevent the game from feeling like a complete tonal shift from common expectations. The quality of the stealth helps compensate for the combat, which is good but can feel lacking in areas. The adventure remains fun but familiar, while the presentation is top-notch. The game is another good example of how to do a licensed game well, and the hope is that we'll see IO Interactive do more in this universe, whether that's DLC or a full-on sequel.
Yerba Buena is a flawed but fun puzzle platformer. The gun is fun to use, and while the puzzles in the latter half can get maddeningly difficult in levels that can start to feel like they run for too long, those puzzles can also feel satisfying to solve. The story can be a little bonkers at times, but it is compelling despite some issues that can mar the experience. With a solid presentation, Yerba Buena ends up being a fun experience for those craving a puzzle platformer that feels both different and familiar.
Zero Parades: For Dead Spies lives in the shadow of something bigger, and it never quite manages to escape it. Its biggest flaws come from a lack of confidence in itself, and when it speaks with its own voice, Zero Parades is truly special and memorable.
As stated before, Thick as Thieves is a good game if you are OK with a more simplified stealth experience. It is a title that's easy to get into for stealth novices but provides some challenge for genre veterans if you do some real grinding to unlock higher difficulty levels. It would be nice to see a timetable for when new scenarios and levels would arrive, but what's available is good enough for those who want a quick stealth experience before moving on to bigger titles and returning once a big update drops.
Forza Horizon 6 delivers exactly what it promises, but it doesn't really innovate on the franchise. This is basically comfort food gaming. It's fun and familiar, but it doesn't break new ground. If you're a fan of the franchise, you won't be disappointed. If you're new to racing games, Forza Horizon 6 is a fantastic entry point, but if you're on a budget, you may want to pick up a copy of Forza Horizon 5 instead, as it's often on sale.
Like many ports of current generation titles, Indiana Jones and the Great Circle is a solid iteration of an excellent title. The game absolutely nails the feeling of a classic Indiana Jones adventure with a great balance of puzzle-solving and action. The dialogue and humor are spot-on, the places you visit are as varied as can be, and the presentation is still incredible on such a seemingly underpowered device. It would've been nice if the DLC were included in the package, and there are still some gameplay elements that don't feel fully fleshed out, but this remains a title that is well worth playing - no matter where you're playing it.
Jay and Silent Bob: Chronic Blunt Punch is fine. The combat is good, especially after the week's worth of patches that have fixed things, like missing invincibility frames and toned down the strength of the enemy hits. The game clocks in at a decent length, and the difficulty is fine if you're OK with only having one life per character and fairly long levels with no checkpoints. There's just nothing that elevates the title into being more than a game you play once. Fans of the duo might dig it, but genre fans will find this to be a filler game that briefly satisfies a craving before moving on to more substantial fare.
Invincible Vs. ends up being a very solid 3v3 tag team fighting game. The fighting system is familiar but solid, and even though it doesn't offer anything revolutionary over other tag fighters, its accessibility ensures that players of all skill levels will immediately be able to have fun. The mode selection is small but provides a good amount of entertainment thanks to the brutality of each fight and the number of unlockables. With a solid presentation behind it, Invincible Vs. is a very enjoyable fighting game for fans of the show and genre alike.
Monster Crown: Sin Eater is a big improvement over the original game. It feels more polished and fleshed out, and thankfully, far less buggy. It's a bit too rough around the edges to make it an easy recommendation, but if you're willing to work past some of the awkward segments, there is a solid monster trainer with a very fun combat system. The story is a bit hit-and-miss, and the freeform nature of the game isn't for everyone, but if you're looking for Pokemon with fewer guardrails, Sin Eater is for you.
Aphelion does well in both providing a good story with emotional pull, while also providing an experience that differs from the studio's previous works. The investigative portions may feel light, but they also provide a nice break from the stealth and climbing sections. The investigation, stealth, and climbing make the game feel more involved than what some may expect for a genre that can border on being walking simulators or Western versions of the visual novel. The presentation is great, and the runtime feels just right, making Aphelion an experience that's well worth checking out.
Saros has become one of my favorite shooters of the past few years, honestly since Returnal. I appreciate Housemarque for giving both the more hardcore and the less hardcore among us the chance to see the world it's crafted in its entirely. My hands hurt a little, and I'll probably need a new controller sometimes soon, but it's a cycle I'm willing to be stuck in for a bit longer.
Tsukuyomi is an odd duck of a game. As an off-brand Shin Megami Tensei card battler, it's pretty fun, despite some obvious balance flaws and a low budget. The story isn't anything great, but it was enough to bolster the gameplay, and I had a good time playing through the main story. For a game that prides itself as being the work of Kazuma Kaneko, the AI-bloated art style deeply detracts from the experience. It's a fun enough experience, but it has enough warts that it can be tough to recommend.
Pragmata was a genuine delight from start to finish. In some ways, it reminds me of the weird experimental games Capcom put out during the PS2 and GameCube era; it feels weird, fresh and experimental. It also largely nails everything it is trying to do, and I plowed through the game and went back for more. It's even an incredibly solid Switch 2 port. The only real barrier to enjoyment is if the disjointed hacking and gunplay grows too disorienting, but I think the gameplay is more than solid enough to overcome that.
In the end, Cthulhu: The Cosmic Abyss is fine. The lack of combat combined with a lack of guidance creates a challenging and refreshing experience for most - and frustrating for some. The overall presentation is fine, despite the game's use of an engine intended to deliver stunning visuals. The game will appeal to those who are fascinated with the Cthulhu universe more than those looking for thrills and scares. Players won't feel compelled to stick with this title for long sessions at a time.
Mouse: P.I. for Hire is absolutely excellent. The presentation is stellar, with graphics that accomplish their goal of creating an interactive version of a 1930s cartoon. The soundtrack is good enough to convert players into fans of big band jazz. The shooting and platforming feel right, while the game clocks in at the right length. For fans of both shooting and action in general, Mouse: P.I. for Hire is a must-have title.
Mega Man Star Force Legacy Collection is an excellent package and a fantastic way to play what is probably the most overlooked of the various Mega Man sub-franchises. The games have their rough spots, but they're still darn fun action-RPGs that continue the legacy of the Battle Network games. If you enjoyed those games and want more or if you think the concept looks enjoyable, there's no better way to play the Star Force games than this collection.
Pokémon Pokopia is a delight. If you're fond of Pokémon for anything besides combat, you'll almost certainly find something to like. It's freeform enough that anyone can pick up and play without feeling confined, but it's structured enough that even those who bounce off crafting games like Minecraft might find something to like. Even if you're a newcomer to the franchise, this may be one of the best ways to introduce yourself to Nintendo's collectible monster behemoth.
By and large, Rayman: 30th Anniversary Edition is a very nice bundle if you loved the original Rayman and would like a nice, concise package of its history. You are effectively only getting mostly slightly remixed versions of the same game, so it depends on whether the price tag is worth it for essentially one platformer. The lack of the original soundtrack is probably the big blemish on the collection, but it's still a solid package for those who want to see where the weird, limbless hero began his adventures.
Paranormasight: The Mermaid's Curse is a sequel that is firing on all cylinders. While not as overtly horrific as the first game, it nonetheless shows that the developers have a clear understanding of what did and didn't work in The Seven Mysteries and still have plenty of ideas about how to make things compelling. An excellent game for those who've played the original and those who are new to the series, The Mermaid's Curse is well worth a shot.