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Donkey Kong Country Returns HD isn't a bad game. The diverse and wonderful level design, David Wise's soundtrack, and the variety of secrets make up a lot of it. But it's also "just" the HD release of the 3DS version, with better graphics and otherwise no changes. And that's honestly not enough to warrant the full price.

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Anyone who liked the previous Sniper Elite games will definitely like Sniper Elite Resistance and get their money's worth. More of the same, you could say, although the engine is starting to lose a bit of ground. If you're looking for a criticism, it would probably be that there is hardly any discernible improvement over Sniper Elite 5, neither technically nor in terms of gameplay and mission flow. If the scope were smaller, it could almost pass as DLC. Game Pass owners run the least risk, as the game is included day one, meaning you hardly have to pay a penny for it. In the end, Sniper Elite Resistance offers familiar and tried-and-tested fare on new territory, but nothing more. Personally, despite this weakness, I'm enjoying every map and every minute.

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I liked Mario & Luigi: Brothership. It has a certain charm that the previous Mario & Luigi games also had. It has variety and a lot of good ideas. Graphically, it's good, but the difficulty isn't particularly challenging, especially at the beginning. And as for the story, don't expect an epic adventure; just plenty of humor.

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Essentially, Life is Strange – Double Exposure is more of the same. But that's exactly what I expect from the series. The story is really great and captivates the player from the very beginning. With numerous twists and turns, it remains exciting and varied, and the well-written characters immediately draw you into the game's atmosphere. Only the ending is a bit too hectic for my personal taste and could have done with a bit of the calm of the first two chapters. The game also suffers from occasional stuttering in quality mode and a lack of lip sync in the German dubbing. Despite all this, the German voice actors do a really good job. Fans of the series shouldn't be disappointed and can look forward to another must-have title, even if it doesn't quite match the quality of the first games.

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Mission Accomplished, I'd say. Dragon Age: The Veilguard may not be the high-flyer you'd once associate with the Bioware name. But after the disappointments of recent years, it's a step in the right direction. The changes are well-considered, the character editor is fantastic, and the bugs aren't designed to drag the game down mercilessly. I had fun, and that's the main thing.

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Today, many of SNK vs. Capcom's problems are certainly easier to overlook than they were back in 2003, when people were hoping for a new premium fighting game with the quality of Garou, Street Fighter III, or at least Capcom vs. SNK 2. Above all, the clear positioning of the dark style and the powerful gameplay element Guard Cancel Front Step, as well as the uniquely dark atmosphere, make SvC particularly interesting today. Anyone who wants to play mature and perfectly balanced games will probably turn to recent releases like KoF XV, Samurai Shodown 2019, Guilty Gear Strive, Street Fighter 6, or similar. However, you'll probably find more character and thrills here.

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The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom is no Tears of the Kingdom. But it still enjoys experimenting with the game formula, this time in the form of the titular echoes. It's less of an action-adventure and more of a successful action-puzzler. Unfortunately, the enemy AI leaves a lot to be desired, the echo bar quickly becomes confusing, and blending smoothies isn't exactly exciting. Nevertheless, I highly recommend the game.

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The Silent Hill 2 remake was initially met with skepticism, and even the first teaser didn't exactly generate a storm of enthusiasm. However, I was confident that Bloober Team wouldn't let themselves down with this title, as they know what matters in well-told horror games. And what can I say? The end result is convincing across the board. Clever puzzles, a consistently exciting story, and challenging battles grab the player from the very first minute and don't let go. This is also ensured by the final resolution of the story, which even back then had a lasting impact on storytelling in video games. For me, it's nothing less than Game of the Year, and I'm curious to see if Konami might have other titles in the series in mind. Personally, I wouldn't be averse to this.

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At first, the game had a hard time grabbing my attention. Due to the complete lack of voice acting (okay, Astro doesn't have any either, but the music kept you going from the start), The Smurfs game felt like something was missing. This is only compensated for as you progress and discover more "big" constellations, which look even prettier and have simply better songs. The larger proportion of "perceived challenge levels" can't keep up here and is probably more for players who like to grit their teeth and reach the goal. The Smurfs can't compete with its current competitors. On the other hand, the price isn't quite as high, staying just under the €50 mark. In the end, the Smurfs and their adventure in Dreamland leave me with mixed feelings, some very good, some rather mixed. For some younger players, it might be frustrating at times - but okay, Astro has that too with its special challenge levels. However, these were clearly an “extra” and not felt like a gap filler.

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As a video gamer who has witnessed a great deal of development and even more titles over the past 40 years, I'm absolutely thrilled with Astro Bot. It combines perfect technology with perfect controls, perfect feel and sound, and tons of fun. Yes, there will never be a "perfect game," but Astro Bot is certainly pretty close! I wouldn't be surprised if it won Game of the Year. But a place on the podium is already clearly guaranteed.

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I like Star Wars: Outlaws. It's an interesting game that dares to explore new concepts. The atmosphere is unparalleled. But the gameplay has its flaws. The stealth sections are annoying, and the hacking is sometimes a hit and miss. Likewise, Nix's controls have become very fiddly in certain situations. But other than that, it offers many good approaches. It's not a standout, but it's turned out well.

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Bread & Fred is a bit like a carrot and stick game: It can be extremely frustrating when you get stuck in the same spot for minutes, but you're all the more euphoric when you finally manage to master it. However, you realize that you've only climbed another 5 meters out of a total of 500. Numerous side quests are waiting to be discovered and completed. But very few will see them without help. However, anyone who enjoys the challenging game concept will certainly find something to enjoy here.

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For me, Visions of Mana is a prime candidate for Game of the Year. It's magnificent and fantastic. The story draws you in and has many surprises. The world invites exploration, and there are many details familiar from Secret of Mana. It's just a shame that there are sometimes discrepancies between the spoken words and the corresponding animations. Or that not as much effort was put into the secondary characters as into the main ones.

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Nintendo has spoiled Switch owners for years with expanded remakes and remasters. It's a shame that Luigi's Mansion 2 HD is "just" a simple graphics update and hasn't changed much in terms of scope. Especially because, apart from that, the game is still a lot of fun, even today. The gameplay is good, and the levels are designed with variety.

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Sand Land has a lot of potential. It offers variety, a good story, and charming characters. Add to that Akira Toriyama's distinctive design. However, the title falters when it comes to getting from point A to point B in the desert. Upgrading vehicles can be fiddly, and the decision to make individual vehicle components appear crudely disassembled is extremely distracting. Nevertheless, this is a game that worthy represents the legacy of the renowned artist.

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Tales of Kenzera: Zau is a solid platforming game. It doesn't quite reach the level of Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown, but its African setting offers enough to stand on its own. The story and music motivate you to keep playing, as do the numerous rewarding secrets you discover.

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Trail Out is once again a blast of fun on the current generation thanks to its refreshed visuals, even greater destruction, and even bigger explosions. It offers plenty of variety both solo and in split-screen co-op, and at first glance, it's unlikely to be recognized as an "indie title." Plus, the price of just under €30 is absolutely fair for what it offers! So, if you're looking for a few great hours of destruction and fun racing, Trail Out is currently a great choice :)

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Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes has its weaknesses, I won't hide that. Some minigames aren't that great, and the visuals are a bit disappointing, as are the reloading and lifeless overworld. But I had fun. Collecting the heroes, each one unique, expanding the base, the music, and the story... All of this makes this game a true highlight of the year for me!

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With Princess Peach Showtime, Nintendo has succeeded in capturing the blue-blooded princess beautifully. The game has a lot of charm and easily captivates you. The levels are varied and innovatively designed, and if you want to collect all the stars, you sometimes have to work hard. It's just a shame that the game is on the shorter side and the loading times are long. This unfortunately shows how outdated the platform has become.

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On the Series X, Contra: Operation Galuga is definitely a fun title. While the game's story is run-of-the-mill, and the static cutscenes and clunky narrative ensure that the game isn't a standout. But if you like run-'n-gun action, you can't go wrong with this title.

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