NextGen Player
HomepageNextGen Player's Reviews
Returning to Xenoblade Chronicles 2 reminded me why I enjoyed it so much on Nintendo Switch. The strong cast carries the long journey with plenty of personality, while the refined combat still rewards timing and understanding how its systems connect. The Nintendo Switch 2 Edition makes that foundation even better with its enhanced visuals, smoother exploration, and quality-of-life additions longtime fans are sure to appreciate.
Splatoon Raiders places Deep Cut at the centre of a fantastic adventure and gives the series’ ink combat a rewarding campaign structure that can be played solo or cooperative multiplayer. I loved following the group across the Spirhalite Islands, improving my ink arsenal, and taking on increasingly-challenging Raids with higher stats and better loadouts. The colourful setting and energetic soundtrack exude Splatoon’s personality, and it's one of the best presentations yet for a Nintendo Switch 2 game.
Halo: Campaign Evolved is a fantastic PS5 introduction to Master Chief and a rewarding return for longtime fans. I loved its focused science-fiction story with expanded content, pulse-pounding firefights, all-new gameplay, and detailed Unreal Engine 5 presentation. Halo Studios has created an excellent way to revisit the series' origin, and PlayStation gamers now have a strong reason to finally join up with Master Chief on the ring.
Rhythm Heaven Groove is a wonderful return for Nintendo’s rhythm series. Its short minigames reward careful listening, multiplayer creates memorable group sessions, and Beatspell adds a rewarding campaign with post-game content.
Star Fox brings Fox McCloud and the Arwing back in a fast-paced arcade shooter that gets better the more you replay it. The campaign is brief, but medals, hidden exits, alternate routes, teammate rescues, and better stage outcomes gave me a reason to keep improving instead of stopping at the credits. Joy-Con 2 mouse controls are interesting, though I preferred traditional controls because the Arwing felt better from the third-person view. Star Fox fans who enjoy short replayable missions should have a blast with it, and for newcomers this is a fantastic first flight in the Star Fox world.
Monopoly: Star Wars Heroes vs. Villains is a fantastic group game that reshapes familiar Monopoly rules around thrilling faction play. I loved the shared planning, dramatic GO Events, and interactive dice battles, while the Cantina tabletop setting puts you into the Star Wars mood right at the onset. Local and online options make gathering a group straightforward, and the huge character roster means everybody's favourite is on board.
The Adventures of Elliot: The Millennium Tales is an excellent PS5 action RPG that gives Team Asano’s HD-2D style a fresh real-time direction. I loved the heartfelt adventure, Elliot and Faie’s bond, the many different types of weapons, and the magicite build system. For gamers who enjoy action, fantasy, storytelling, and discovery, Elliot delivers in a big way.
Gothic 1 Remake is a great reminder that old-school RPG design still has its place in gaming. I loved how The Colony makes you listen, make careful decisions, earn each step forward, and accept any setbacks. The remake respects the original’s identity while giving its prison-fantasy setting a much stronger presentation using Unreal Engine 5. For gamers who miss RPGs with danger, consequence, and real growth, this version delivers a fantastic adventure that stayed with me after long after the story concluded.
BrokenLore: FOLLOW is a fantastic PS5 psychological horror follow-up that elevates Anne’s story and makes you genuinely care about her grief and suffering. I loved the personal narrative, clever puzzles, constant tension, and excellent audio design. For gamers who enjoy story-first horror with real emotional meaning, FOLLOW is another great entry in the BrokenLore universe.
Yoshi and the Mysterious Book is a wonderful Nintendo Switch 2 exclusive that gives Yoshi one of his boldest adventures in years. I loved how creature studying and Mr. E.’s missing knowledge all support the same goal of turning every page into a small discovery hunt.
Forza Horizon 6 is Playground Games firing on all cylinders. Japan is the perfect setting for its love of cars, scenic beauty, open world freedom, and pure road-trip fun. I loved how you can seamlessly move from intense racing to casual cruising across the largest map in Forza Horizon history.
Darksiders Warmastered Edition is a killer PS5 revisit for anyone who loves retro action-adventure games with attitude. I had a blast with War’s story, the heavy combat, the dungeon-based progression, and the detailed comic-book apocalypse art style that makes the series stand apart. Native 4K rendering, smooth and stable 60fps gameplay, Photo Mode, DualSense support, and Activities support make this the definitive edition of this classic.
Kiln is a fun and welcoming online game to keep coming back to. The pottery wheel is one of the most creative systems I've ever seen in a multiplayer game, and the charming presentation is exactly what you expect from Double Fine. There is only one mode at launch and the content is lean, but the post-launch roadmap includes free new maps, new Decoration and Sticker packs, the Mission Criti-Bowl feature update in summer adding Missions and a Pot Journal, and Photo Mode arriving in fall.
Aphelion is a great sci-fi adventure that delivers on all fronts. The story, atmosphere, traversal, stealth, and visuals are all great. Ariane and Thomas give the mission a strong emotional centre, while Persephone gives the journey scale, danger, and mystery.
Living the Dream is the best the Tomodachi series has ever been. The inclusive relationship overhaul is a landmark addition, and the Island Builder and Palette House give creative tools that go well beyond anything in the 3DS original.
Saros takes everything great about Returnal and builds something more ambitious, more accessible, and more human around it. The bullet hell action is easily the best yet on PS5 and the permanent unlocks makes every run feel meaningful. The visuals, audio, and performance all hit the high standard you'd expect from a top-tier Sony PS5 exclusive.
Tides of Tomorrow is one of the most original narrative adventures I've played in years. The Story-Link asynchronous multiplayer concept is unlike anything else I've seen before, building real human connection into a single-player framework, which you can then pass along your own choices to the next player.
Minos is an excellent PC roguelite with a strong story and deep maze-building gameplay. The presentation is also a major strength, with an overhead view that keeps the labyrinth clear and brutal trap effects that make every successful setup satisfying to watch. This is a great pick for tower defense fans who want something clever, bloody, and different.
ChainStaff is an easy recommendation. The titular weapon is one of the most creative tools I have used in a run-and-gun in years. The throwback sci-fi art direction is wild and original. Deon van Heerden's heavy metal soundtrack keeps the energy high from the opening level to the last boss, and six possible endings along with New Game+ give reasons to go back for another run.
The Occultist is a great PS5 horror adventure with a strong mystery, fun pendulum-based puzzles, and a setting I enjoyed exploring from start to finish. I loved that it asks you to investigate and pay attention instead of handing you combat as the answer to everything.