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Rue Valley is a fantastic time loop adventure, with a gripping narrative, great writing, and gorgeous graphics, despite some technical issues on Steam Deck.
Possessor(s)' gameplay is challenging, the environments are stunning, and the story is superb. You can't go wrong with this intense and interesting sci-fi action game.
Lumines Arise is sensational in every sense. It will wow you with its audio-visual cues and dance across your screen in a way that'll make you feel emotions. It feels almost otherworldly, and yet, it's one of the most calming and memorable experiences I've had with video games this year.
Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment's ability to flesh out the past of the latest branch in the The Legend of Zelda series is immediately noticeable. Being canon in the existing Breath of the Wild/Tears of the Kingdom timeline makes Zelda's journey into the past a worthwhile experience.
Dragon Quest 1 & 2 HD-2D is a testament to the enduring appeal of the Dragon Quest series' early roots. It combines familiar elements with refreshed lighting, expanded worlds, and improved user experience to deliver thoughtful quality-of-life updates while preserving the core game mechanics of the originals. You might ask why the Erdrick trilogy is the focus of the series over the last few years, and I can tell you it's worth sticking through to the end.
Shrine's Legacy won't change how you view games, but it's a nod to an era of video games that left a significant impact.
The Outer Worlds 2 is an odd game. It's bigger than its predecessor, more absurd, and fires on all cylinders, but it's also a game developed by a studio now run by a megacorporation. For all its inherent themes, it's bizarre seeing them transposed with the ongoing issues at Microsoft over the last several months. This is a game that is made by some of the best in the business, but you can deliver hit after hit and still face the chopping block. If The Outer Worlds 2 is Obsidian's swan song (which I doubt it is), then know that it's easily the studio's best game since Fallout: New Vegas and one of this year's best video games.
Ball x Pit is easy to understand, tough to master, and includes some great RPG-like mechanics that give it depth and a very satisfying gameplay loop.
PowerWash Simulator 2 isn't really hiding that much about itself. You know precisely what you are getting into, aside from its subtle story for those who wish to invest in it.
Overall, Plants vs. Zombies: Replanted is a solid way to revisit a classic. The new visuals look great overall, the bonus levels are fun little experiments, and co-op is engaging. Versus mode clearly needs some balancing, and there are enough technical issues that hinder the fun. Hopefully, these issues will be resolved with some patches, as Plants vs. Zombies: Replanted really feels at home on the Switch 2.
Ninja Gaiden 4 returns with a vengeance. With PlatinumGames at the helm, Combat is the best Ninja Gaiden has ever been, bringing back the challenging but satisfying gameplay that was missing from vanilla Ninja Gaiden 3, with blazing fast combat which includes dozens of heads and limbs that go flying as you slash through enemies in oh so satisfying ways with the variety of Devil May Cry-like weapons at your disposal. It’s not all good. In a medium where Ichiban Kasuga can carry the Like a Dragon torch just as well, Ninja Gaiden 4’s new protagonist, Yakumo, feels like a downgrade to Ryu and feels shoehorned into the spotlight. This is somewhat compensated for by Yakumo’s cast of characters, with whom he interacts throughout the story, but he still feels like an uninteresting character whose uncaring edginess serves as a crutch for his character development. Overall, Ninja Gaiden 4 is still a great game to play, and I hope this new Ninja Gaiden connection for Team Ninja and PlatinumGames is the start of a new trilogy.
Reach is an uneven adventure. While it has some highlights, it's hampered by technical issues and forgettable gameplay.
With impeccable art and sound design, great music, and a wonderfully realized and strange world, Keeper is in fact a keeper. It's an eccentric title that feels like it can only come from the creativity that Double Fine is known for. With its shorter play time and touching story, along with numerous surprises, this makes for an easy recommendation.
Battlefield 6's multiplayer is exciting, despite some launch pains, including just nine maps, close-quarter maps that don't require classes, and the rest being impeccably great. I'm having the best time playing with actual people over the bots I mowed down over the review period. It's abundantly clear that the developers knew how much was on the line, and they delivered a game that's incredibly enjoyable to play with others. Watching as an apartment complex gets levelled by a tank or well-placed explosive is hard to match in other shooters, and the tactical elements the series provides are why I've been drawn to it in recent years.
The world of Talamh was created with thoughtfulness and feels like a character of its own volition. You've got an interesting premise that lets you explore a pretty incredible place, and it's filled with dangers, treasures, and a whole lot of enemies to defeat. Without a doubt, if there's one beat 'em up this year that's got the rizz, it's Absolum.
Little Nightmares 3 is, for better or worse, more of the same. Supermassive Games understands what makes the series work, and it effectively translates to the third entry. The formula works after three games. However, the combat is such a distraction from what makes these games work: the tense exploration of a world filled with dread and horror, as well as the environmental puzzles.
Dying Light: The Beast brings back Kyle Crane for a revenge-driven, contrived story that mostly works. Having access to newfound powers means you can step toe-to-toe with these creatures, but the magic of the series is and always will be the parkour, the cities, and the exploration. I like being able to rip the heads off enemies, but I love being able to climb and ascend to the rooftops even more. Sure, the abilities are fun, but the formula doesn't deviate much outside of that. Ultimately, that parkour and melee combo from previous games is what makes Dying Light: The Beast fun.
By all accounts, what you get in gameplay and story in Hades 2 is exceptional. With a new and swift hero at the helm, great weapons to play with, new systems, and a much larger world to uncover, Hades 2 is a must-play.
Digimon Story Time Stranger is above and beyond its predecessors and a game that Digimon fans deserve. This adventure through the Digital World is a fantastic journey that nails the unique magic of the series.
Super Mario Galaxy 1 and 2 are cosmic masterpieces. Both hold a special place in the hearts of many, and for good reason, they're an inventive and excellent duology.