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Pinching out a candle, literally whistling to distract a nearby goon, chucking objects to manipulate patrol patterns, and sifting through drawers for loot are all actions that are more immersive than simply holding down a button (especially when the occasionally wonky yet mostly effective “Immersive” setting that turns on the headset’s microphone is flipped on). Interactions like these take common stealth tropes and benefit from the novelty of having to pantomime them in VR.
Developer Tribute Games, which accomplished a similar feat with Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder’s Revenge in 2023, has brought that classic approach beautifully into the modern gaming space in a way that feels authentic to the past without being beholden to it.
After having played Kirby Air Riders for myself, though, I’ve come to realize that I don’t think I missed very much from this series. While it features stellar presentation, gorgeous maps, and a simplistic control scheme that just about anyone can pick up and play, Air Riders often feels shallow and gets stale after playing for only a few hours.
However, as a fan, I recognize there have been some low points in this series, but those cycles are typically ended with awesome new innovative ideas. I hope Call of Duty 2026 is like a defibrillator and not only gives the series a second wind, but also revitalizes my love and enthusiasm for this franchise that I have been playing since I was 5 years old.
A hodgepodge of VR action-game mechanics spread out across a cartoony and crass tour of the Marvel Universe, Marvel’s Deadpool VR is never boring. It can get aggravating at times, especially when Deadpool needs to fill the time during a cutscene by babbling nonstop.
While it might not be the most in-depth experience, Pine Creek Games has found a winning formula with their riff on a family-friendly survival/cozy life-sim. Exploring the woods and repairing a family home in a tree is perfectly sweet and makes for a charming experience. Winter Burrow is the perfect game to cuddle up next to the fire with.
“Experience” is an apt descriptor because it’s impossible to separate Arise’s presentation from how intricately it’s linked to the moment-to-moment block dropping. Of course, said mechanics are wonderfully accessible, yet incredibly deep.
Arc Raiders is tighter, more deliberate, and much more rewarding — but it is not without its flaws, minor though they may be. Shooter fans are doing themselves a disservice if they do not check out Embark Studios’ latest title.
A game like this is absolutely made for handheld gaming, and now, Nintendo fans can experience the museum management sim on the go. Though the UI can be a bit counterintuitive at first, the Switch 2 release feels like the definitive edition of Two Point Museum.
A great pick for genres fans and newbies curious about the franchise, Ninja Gaiden 4 has a few stumbles that keep it from reaching the level of effectiveness that previous entries achieved.
Double Fine’s Keeper is one of the best arguments for gaming as an art form in recent memory, a nature walk with puzzles that make up for their lack of challenge with a sense of bittersweet whimsy and colorful decay. While it might not be for everyone, Keeper is a good reminder about the artistic core of Double Fine as a studio and what gaming can do when it’s willing to experiment with style and form.
Even with an uneven grind that loses purpose in the home stretch, Ball x Pit is still a mesmerizing mix of the brick breaker genre and auto-scrolling shooters. It doesn’t solely lean on one pillar, though, and greatly benefits from this hybrid approach. Stacking a screen-filling amount of upgrades and witnessing their destructive capabilities is empowering and being able to bounce balls with precision means it’s more than dopamine slop to passively consume. Ball x Pit certainly traffics in that space but does so intelligently and without feeling like a guilty pleasure. It’s just a pleasure, full stop.
Although the campaign brings Battlefield 6 down a peg and some improvements can be made to the game’s progression system, Battlefield Studios has delivered a triumphant return to one of gaming’s greatest shooter franchises. EA needed a win here to safely secure this franchise’s future. It couldn’t just be okay, it had to be great… and it is. With a promising post-launch roadmap already in place and a battle royale on the horizon, I think Battlefield 6 is only going to get better with time and age like a fine wine.
Overall, Digimon Story: Time Stranger is the best Digimon game we’ve had. The graphics and nuance are absolutely stunning, and the game offers a solid turn-based JRPG experience. But with its pricetag, it feels like it’s missing just a bit of polish. For Digimon fans, though, Time Stranger is a must-play that will truly take you into the Digital World.
But how does this new competitor for Mario Party stack up? It’s a solidly good party game that’s well worth its price, with a few minor snags.
Even with a few shortcomings, Ghost of Yotei is an exceptionally captivating experience. The combat is dynamic and uniquely cinematic, the story is thrilling and emotionally rewarding, and the world is unbelievably breathtaking despite eventually devolving into typical open-world fodder. Ultimately, Sucker Punch has managed to find beauty and catharsis in such a violent revenge saga.
In all, Hades 2 is truly an impressive feat in gaming. It delivers on nearly every level, from gameplay to voice acting to visuals and beyond. I was already impressed in Early Access, but the final polish that Supergiant put on the game for its full launch really adds a whole other level to Hades 2. In the 1.0 release, new features like the Journal, polished artwork for character portraits and the Arcana, and more, make an already great game feel as close to perfect as I’ve experienced in recent memory.
While it may not have the tightest combat, that’s reflective of a tone that values ambiance and thematic weight over the quick thrills of other games. Silent Hill f is the meditative, gorgeous, and absolutely terrifying entry that fans have been waiting for.
The game was fun in Early Access, but 1.0 definitely delivers some impressive upgrades. The new gear, added classes, and an incredibly satisfying list of over 300 achievements ensure there’s plenty new to uncover with the game’s full launch. Even if you don’t think you’re a Deep Rock Galactic fan overall, I can almost guarantee that this game will change your mind.
It’s a game brimming with positivity without being sentimental, and one that highlights creativity and communication without requiring excessive brain power. We’re lucky to have several cooperative-focused video games of high quality to choose from, and LEGO Voyagers is undoubtedly the most pleasant and delightful one out there.