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Vampire Crawlers is exactly the kind of follow-up you hope for from a studio like poncle. Taking everything that made Vampire Survivors so addictive and making it work in an entirely new genre is no small feat. Yet, they pull it off here with the same knack for excellent game design that made the original a phenomenon. The visual effects and soundtrack are tantalizing, the dungeon crawling adds a fun element in between the action, and the deck-building depth and addictive progression system will keep you locked in. The shared Evolution combinations from Survivors take some discovery away for veterans, but it’s a minor drawback for an otherwise outstanding experience. Between Xbox Game Pass and the $9.99 price point, Vampire Crawlers is the easiest recommendation of the year.
Kiln is one of the most frustrating disappointments I've experienced this year because everything surrounding the multiplayer is good to great. The pottery wheel is a delight, the art direction is gorgeous, and Celadon's a charming character even in her limited capacity. But Double Fine built a beautiful frame around a hollow center. Quench is shallow, combat lacks impact, and there isn't enough content to keep me in it for the long haul. If you've got friends, a few free hours, and you love the idea of throwing virtual clay, there's a good time waiting here. If you're looking for a multiplayer mainstay, this isn't it—at least not yet. With more modes and meaningful updates, Kiln could grow into the game its premise deserves. Right now, it's a charming idea that needs another year on the wheel.
Replaced respects your time, rewards your patience, and delivers a world that feels as good to move through as it does to look at. Once its systems click, it becomes an experience that’s easy to appreciate and hard to put down.
As someone who has been following this Feperd Game’s work over the years, it’s beautiful to see the evolution of Spark as a series. Originating as a simple ability that Sonic utilized in Sonic After the Sequel, evolving into the unique speedy platformer of Spark 1, and making the successful grand leap into 3D with Spark 2, it’s amazing seeing the quality on display in Spark the Electric Jester 3. It’s a master class in speedy 3D platforming, taking the best elements from Sonic’s past and combining them with fresh ideas and concepts. And with the game feeling great to play on both Nintendo Switch platforms, Spark 3 is a speedy adventure I can easily recommend to anyone who loves running under sparkly blue skies.
Pokémon Pokopia is far more than Animal Crossing meets Minecraft with a Pokémon skin. It’s the most personal, heartfelt Pokémon experience the franchise has ever delivered, where all 300 Pokémon feel like living, breathing characters rather than stat blocks. The cozy presentation, expressive animations, serene soundtrack and robust narrative work in perfect harmony with genuinely deep gameplay systems. A minor inventory gripe and some frustrating multiplayer restrictions are the only real marks against what is otherwise a fantastic Pokémon adventure. Koei Tecmo and Game Freak have built something special here, and I came away loving Pokémon more than I have in years. More than that, Pokopia feels like the reset button the franchise needed after the struggles of the Switch generation. Here’s hoping Pokémon Winds & Waves can capitalize on this momentum when it lands in 2027.
When innovating a genre known for pick-up-and-play fun, it has to make that work for a multiple-hour-long adventure. And the difficulty spikes and lack of accessibility options harm the bold ambition of Caromble's core game design. It's wild, inventive levels that continually mix things up, combined with new abilities in each world, that keep things fresh and engaging. So even though I had fun with my time with Caromble, my frustrations with the game's great difficulty soured the experience.
Pokemon Champions succeeds in doing something the series has struggled with for years: making competitive Pokemon accessible without stripping away its depth. Between the streamlined systems, balanced design choices, and strong progression, it creates an experience that feels welcoming to newcomers while still challenging veterans to adapt. While issues like the Replica Team system and lack of a replay feature hold it back slightly, the overall package is incredibly strong. After 30 hours of play and plenty of time in ranked battles, it’s clear this is a game built to last and one that I’ll continue playing well beyond this review.
Saint Slayer: Spear of Sacrilege is more than just a love letter to the NES games of yesteryear. It is a tight action platformer that stands on its own two feet. Between the gorgeous pixel art, the banging chiptune soundtrack, and a move set that truly rewards mastery. Saint Slayer is a gritty and rewarding experience that captures retro nostalgia while also creating a potential new lane for Lillymo. If you love old-school side-scrolling adventures, do not let this game pass you by.
Mouse: P.I. For Hire is a fun, visually exciting ride that you won't want to end. Lumi Games put their heart and soul into putting this game together, which shows in the attention to detail present throughout. The amount of pop culture easter eggs, both visually and in the dialogue, shows that they did their homework. Even with the minor issues I experienced, I would recommend this game to anyone.
To say Super Mario Bros Wonder is the greatest 2D Mario platformer since Super Mario World or Yoshi’s Island would be an understatement. It takes the best aspects of the New Super Mario Bros games and combines them with high-quality presentation, creative level design, and gameplay decisions one would expect from the mainline 3D Mario platformers. All that, combined with a wide slate of new multiplayer modes and welcomed inclusions to the main adventure with this Switch 2 Edition release, and even at the high price tag of $80 for the physical release, this is an easy recommendation for anyone looking for an amazing platforming adventure.
Kirby Air Riders vindicates the original Kirby Air Ride‘s vision completely. What critics dismissed as a failed experiment now stands revealed as an ahead-of-its-time gem that needed refinement to fully blossom. This isn’t a game that clicks immediately with everyone. It demands patience, practice, and willingness to engage with unconventional systems. Expecting Mario Kart with a Kirby coat of paint guarantees disappointment. But meet the game on its own terms, and you’ll unlock one of the most rewarding and distinctive racing experiences available.
Revisiting these classics, more so after enjoying The Super Mario Galaxy Movie, has been a wonderful treat. They hold up beautifully on Nintendo Switch & Switch 2, retaining the high quality that they had on the original Nintendo Wii. Lack of accessibility options for motion controls and somewhat dated textures do little to sour what are stone-cold Nintendo classics. Stunning visuals, intuitive platforming that keeps you on your toes, and some of the best presentation in any 3D Mario adventure make this double pack a must-own for any Mario fan.
Overall, the SpongeBob SquarePants DLC pack for Sonic Racing CrossWorlds is the weakest release thus far. While the race course is fun to race on and many aspects of the show are well-realized for both the track and the racers, the lack of voice acting for SpongeBob and Patrick drags things down a little. They are a fun addition to the world of Sonic Racing, but their inclusion could’ve been better.
As the latest DLC release for Sonic Racing CrossWorlds, this pack offers great value for fans of the Mega Man series. The iconic blue bomber’s animation work is stellar, the race course is a blast with a unique gimmick, and even his Rush Chaser car is a great inclusion. I highly recommend this DLC pack if you love all things Mega Man!
After spending well over three hours with this DLC content, I loved my time with it. It reminded me why Art of Vengeance is one of 2025’s best games, and that quality continues with this lengthy DLC. For $10, this is a must-own for those longing for a real challenge.
The game successfully mixes old-school and modern elements. As Leon S. Kennedy, you get witty one-liners and over-the-top action sequences. As Grace Ashcroft, the experience shifts to slower, more psychological horror. You solve complex puzzles and face enemies you can’t always defeat until later in the game. If you’re a fan of the Resident Evil series—or even just curious—Resident Evil Requiem is an easy recommendation.
The Marvel Maximum Collection brings back old classics that have never been re-released in well over 30 years. Nifty quality of life and customization features really help make these games more accessible than ever before. In fact, the QoL features themselves will definitely drop the blood pressure a notch or two, given how difficult some of these classic games were. All in all, the Marvel Maximum Collection is another fine trip down nostalgia lane that doubles as a preservation effort as well.
Grind Survivors isn’t reinventing the wheel, but it does try its own spin on the ever-popular survivor-like titles. It offers a compelling loop of loot, infusing and improving weapons cycles that are built around robust meta-progression and varied character abilities. While the initial onboarding could be clearer, the Forge system is unduly stressful at first. But the constant flow of unlocks and escalating difficulty provides the necessary "just one more run" hook characteristic of the genre.
In many ways, Keeper feels like a palette cleanser in between deeper gaming experiences. It ultimately stands out as a surreal journey that values your time, offering a focused, emotionally resonant experience without unnecessary complexity. It’s not a game for people looking for complex mechanics or intense challenges. But if you want a short, beautiful experience that feels like walking through a surreal painting, Keeper is absolutely worth your time.
Mario Tennis Fever is what happens when a developer takes criticism seriously and responds to all of it. Fever is content-rich, mechanically deep, and designed for every type of player without compromising any of them. It's a complete 180 from Aces and other Switch-era Mario Sports games. The Adventure Mode is fun in parts, but still needs improvements overall, and the soundtrack is a missed opportunity to celebrate Mario's musical legacy. But those are the only cracks in an otherwise stellar package. Mario Tennis Fever isn't just the best Mario Tennis game in years—it should be the baseline template for every Mario Sports title going forward.