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Any game that lets you execute a bus, or stamp on windows to direct a cat to attack a woman called Sandra is a winner in my books. Remedy should be credited for taking their time and making a very different sequel, rather than more of the same, and also for throwing a lot of ideas into the game. However, for me, it's a little too unfocused and padded.
The Relic: First Guardian feels like a case of a smaller developer overextending itself. It brings an aggressive twist to combat and features a host of bosses to battle, but that's not enough to overcome the game's flaws and weaknesses. A flurry of patches have arrived since launch, but you're currently still better off waiting to see if they can address more of the core issues.
A multi-stranded strategy RPG masterclass, Fire Emblem: Fortune's Weave is absolutely a part of the conversation for being the very best game in this venerable series.
A fun, breezy open-world racer that does a great job of capturing the magic of the toys, Hot Wheels Infinite Rush is likely to fill plenty of hours with car-ramming delight for younger players. For everyone over the age of 12, there's Forza Horizon.
Moonlight Peaks is a fantastic cozy game experience that focuses on farming and relationships, but minimises mechanical challenge and possible penalties. If that's what you're looking for in a farming game and the supernatural trappings appeal then there is a lot to enjoy here. The lack of more involved mechanics makes this a perfect game to play alongside more demanding titles and there is always something to do to push things along.
For Switch 2 owners, this edition of Crisis Core - Final Fantasy VII - Reunion is the perfect addition to Remake, Rebirth and Retribution, and I'd argue that it's essential for fans that have yet to experience it. However, Square Enix once again put consumers last, and with no upgrade path beyond buying the game for a second time, this is simply not worth your money if you own the Switch version.
Star Wars Zero Company is a solid take on the turn-based tactics genre that's really elevated by its Star Wars story and characters. Unfortunately it's let down by bugs and quirks that directly impact the gameplay and will need further updates to reach its potential.
Marvel's Wolverine carves out its slot in a packed year for single-player adventures. The comparisons back to Insomniac's previous work are inevitable, and it's true that Wolverine's blood-soaked combat can feel more restrained and limited, but this globetrotting odyssey never outstays its welcome and sets the foundation for what could be a stone cold killer of a sequel.
Mortal Shell II is a fun and action-packed Souls-like RPG, and in terms of gameplay and battles it's a delight. It's just a shame that the style, visuals, and overall aesthetic aren't nearly as impressive.
Onimusha: Way of the Sword is effectively a 30fps game on Switch 2, which naturally lowers the appeal of this action game compared to other platforms, but if you can adapt then it's still a great game. The underlying visuals are another showcase for what the Switch 2 is capable of, and its katana-fuelled action surviving the transition to handheld in remarkably good form.
Serious Sam: Shatterverse is an incredible pitch which should be a genuine joy to play. However, it's not. The progression is awful, the moment-to-moment gameplay is okay at best, and it's got more than it's fair share of bugs as well. It's just not what it could have been. This is a game that could be saved by patches, and I hope it is, but on release, it's just not fun.
Stunningly beautiful in its recreation of 80s and 90s anime, Orbitals is a fun co-op adventure that doesn't quite match the best of the genre thanks to its more constrained gameplay.
After two decades, Onimusha Way of the Sword is a turning point for the franchise. It's a genuinely engaging and engrossing story that sets up for a sequel I'm already itching to play, but is unfortunately held back by a cloud of annoying - and avoidable - pitfalls.
The Blood of Dawnwalker is excellent, if not quite successful in everything it tries. It's fun to teleport around in a cloud of smoke and bats or walk on ceilings, but the story is also fantastic. It's probably even darker and grimmer than you're expecting, and it gripped me throughout and was complimented by equally fascinating side quest stories that I had to choose between. If you like RPGs, vampires, or great stories, you won't want to miss The Blood of Dawnwalker.
Switch 2 owners are about to discover the world of Elden Ring. If they've never experienced it elsewhere, then the magic that stretches through every fibre of the game remains intact, and in handheld especially, offers a thoroughly enjoyable version of the game. If you've played elsewhere, however, the performance downgrades may be too much to take.
Resonance: A Plague Tale Legacy is a great game with a compelling and excellently performed story. There are still ties back to the original series for fans, and still plenty of tense stealth section, but this is more action adventure with combat that offers a decent challenge. A new way to adapt the mythology of the Minotaur is the cherry that tops this experience.
Gallipoli is the strongest entry in the WW1 Game Series so far. It's hardcore in its moment-to-moment gameplay but is still fairly accessible overall, giving players a wealth of class roles to choose from to help their side to victory. No two battles ever feel the same yet some will be left wanting more than a single game mode at launch, even if there is more content on the way.
Montabi is a pretty good creature battler. The monsters themselves are varied and a bit wild in their designs - I mean, one of them seems to be a washing machine, and they mostly handle differently to each other. With some more synergies between creatures and some rebalancing tfor some of the weaker ones would help a bit, but what's here is good if you're looking for some tactical creature combat.
Lou's Lagoon is a cosy game and it can feel chill just flying around, collecting resources, and carrying out the requests of the people you meet. The story is fine and the world has a nice and colourful layout to it, but the general platforming needs improvement to avoid getting stuck in the environment so much, and a bug that appeared after completing the story put a stop to me playing much further.
Looking for Fael is an enjoyable puzzle adventure game, though it wilts in comparison to its most notable peers. The range of puzzles and the complexity of the layers of the game make for an absorbing experience that rewards your thought and engagement. It's definitely a game to take at your own pace and the satisfaction gained from finally solving a complicated puzzle is always enjoyable.