Evilgamerz

After quite a few hours, Winter Burrow feels like a second home. I keep returning to gather more wood, decorate a new part of my house, or just sit by the fire and let my mouse knit a sweater. Not everyone will appreciate the slow pace, and the frequent backtracking can be frustrating. But the price is small, the atmosphere is wonderful, and the world, however small, feels wonderfully warm despite the cold.

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With the return of land combat, warfare takes a somewhat larger role, but never takes over. For players who like to build their empires slowly and optimize every production chain, Pax Romana offers exactly what you expect, and more. The addition of mouse and keyboard, in particular, also allows console players to experience the Anno series as they do on PC. The visual presentation is impressive, the music atmospheric, and the systems well-balanced. At times, the game feels a bit safe, as if Ubisoft Mainz didn't want to take any major risks, but what it does offer is of high quality.

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This remaster does what it's supposed to do. It frees the original from the clutches of the PlayStation 3 and gives new fans the option to play it without too much effort. It's not the best installment in the franchise (in my opinion), partly due to the somewhat mediocre gimmickry of several main characters and because the game feels a bit unfinished in places. However, it's currently the best way to play it for both new and old fans.

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Painkiller's concept is far better than its execution. The concept of raiding and earning upgrades and tarot cards is fine in itself, but it defeats the purpose if you have no idea why you're doing it. After completing nine levels, you're done. The gameplay is so monotonous and there are no ranking features, so you basically have to entertain and satisfy yourself with customizations you can purchase. In terms of content, the game offers a decent amount of gameplay, around six hours, but you're pretty much done after two levels. The chaotic gameplay has little real skill; it's mainly shooting and more shooting. The light platforming elements and interactions you can perform in the levels don't make this any better. This doesn't make Painkiller the reintroduction we were truly hoping for, but it is a mindless shooter that plays simply and easily, but nothing more.

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After four episodes, I can confidently say that Dispatch is the best Telltale-esque game ever. With Dispatch, AdHoc Studio proves that the episodic format still has a place. It combines the strong narrative tradition of its predecessors with modern presentation, excellent voice acting, and a surprisingly fun mini-game that ties into the story. The superhero world feels fresh and believable, despite the genre being a bit too common these days. The episodic model demands patience, and the structure is a bit too familiar, but these are minor drawbacks compared to the overall quality. You can also get the game in a month, so you can play through everything straight away.

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Tormented Souls 2 is definitely not an entry-level game for someone expecting a horror game like Resident Evil or something similar. You really need to like the puzzles, gameplay, and atmosphere, but if you do, this is a winner. The gameplay, UI, and graphics are a bit clunky here and there and certainly aren't high-quality, but the game still feels very atmospheric and frightening. Distant screams, footsteps that seem to be walking towards you, and all sorts of bloody scenes regularly terrify you, and that was certainly the developer's goal. Personally, the game's patience and puzzle-solving tested me quite a bit, and that sometimes worked against me, partly due to the clunky mechanics. But all in all, the target audience will undoubtedly have a great time with this adventure puzzle game.

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Slots & Daggers is an unexpected surprise. It's a fantastic roguelite that combines chance, tactics, and addiction into a wonderfully fluid whole. The balance between luck and strategy is cleverly struck. Every run feels worthwhile, and every reward earned. The presentation is delightfully spectacular. There are a few minor flaws; the enemies could have used a bit more animation, but that's a minor detail. Ultimately, Slots & Daggers is a perfect snack game: light, fast-paced, yet with enough depth to keep you coming back for another gamble.

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Despite minor shortcomings, these are two delightful remakes that are slightly limited by their origins. The stories of both games have been further developed and are therefore better than they were. Part two, in particular, does much more in this regard. It does, however, become a bit tedious after a while, as the core remains the same. This is one of the few times it can be said that there are complete versions of a Square-Enix game. Both are interesting remakes for newcomers and those already familiar with the series, allowing them to (re)acquaint themselves with the franchise, and I see no reason to recommend any other version of either game.

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Simon the Sorcerer Origins is a delightful return to a nostalgic series. It's a loving prequel to a classic that never quite lost its magic. The beautiful 2D style, Chris Barrie's returning voice, the sharp humor, the strong writing, and the old-fashioned, challenging puzzles make this an absolute must-have. There are a few minor flaws, but you'll quickly forget them. After fifteen years, it feels like Simon never really left.

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Chicken Run: Eggstraction feels and plays like a solid top-down adventure game. The story isn't particularly special, but the cinematics are quite cool. Gameplay-wise, it's easy to play, but the interesting level design makes the puzzles here and there quite enjoyable. The game plays best in co-op, as it allows for better teamwork. The AI ​​isn't as engaging and interactive in single-player, as you feel like you're on your own too much. With about five hours of gameplay, and a bit of extra co-op content, the game isn't exceptionally long, but ultimately, I had a great time. Unfortunately, it's not much more than that.

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Once Upon a Jester certainly isn't a groundbreaking game or an action-packed title whose gameplay will blow you away with originality, but it does offer a unique concept that truly shines. Think of it a bit like a musical; some will love it, while others won't be able to fathom the fun aspects. Here and there, you'll see some slightly amateurish aspects emerge, and the quality is lacking, especially in the audio department. The distinctly Dutch elements that have been deliberately incorporated are especially appealing to us Dutch, and I really appreciate them. Graphically, the game looks very stylish and sharp, though it does have its rough edges here and there. If you're looking for a game to relax in and experience something different, then this PlayStation 5 port is highly recommended.

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Battlefield 6 isn't a revolution, but it is a clear recovery. DICE has brought the series back to its roots and to what players always wanted: large-scale battles, teamwork, and the return of beloved classes. The single-player is unfortunately very weak and quickly forgotten, but the multiplayer almost makes up for everything. The game is technically stable, plays smoothly, and offers plenty of freedom for the future via the Portal. There are still issues with balance, bugs, and the slow progression system, but the foundation is rock solid. Battlefield 6 finally feels like Battlefield again, and it would be a real shame if this didn't become the shooter of the coming years.

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Just Dance 2026 is a logical, safe continuation of the Just Dance series. This year, the game clearly prioritizes stability and accessibility over innovation. It's a version aimed primarily at families and casual players, less at avid dancers. The setlist is excellent, the Bluey track is an unexpected highlight, and dancing on the Switch 2 is a huge plus thanks to the two included controllers. Party Mode lacks some depth, and the internet connection remains an annoying limitation, but ultimately, Just Dance 2026 is exactly what you expect: more Just Dance. So, fans can dance for another year without worry.

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Dreams of Another is a game I unfortunately can't recommend. It has an idea that would have been better realized in a different game. The technology is interesting, the visual style colorful, but everything else works against it. It's a game with one interesting gameplay element that I would have liked to see in a different story. As it stands, it's nothing more than a strange dream that lasts too long, says too little, and repeats itself too often.

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Rarely does a roguelite truly surprise me after the violence of Hades. This game comes out of nowhere and shatters those expectations. Guard Crush and Dotemu simply do it again. I haven't even mentioned the art style yet, but it's fantastic. The animations look incredibly good, and the whole game has an immersive, somewhat black-paint-like atmosphere. This game hits all the right nerves. Hades II just came out of Early Access, and as far as I'm concerned, Absolum can join them.

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It's not often that games get almost everything perfect, but Little Nightmares III comes incredibly close in my opinion. The gameplay feels fantastic—although the mechanics can sometimes be a bit of a drag—the bosses are incredibly intimidating, the level design is impressive in both 2D and 3D, the chemistry between the two protagonists, the graphic quality, and the audio—it all comes together to create this fantastic mix you can't get enough of. The fact that the game feels a bit short with its four chapters is probably more due to the enjoyment I had, as I still managed to clock up a good number of hours before finishing the game (I'm guessing 6 hours, as Sony's tracker is completely inaccurate). Thankfully, there's more to come in 2026, but please, please add offline co-op soon so you can also enjoy some spooky moments in one room. What’s more, the game doesn’t even cost the full price, so you get a lot of bang for your buck.

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Yooka-Replaylee isn't a revolutionary new title, but it is a lovingly crafted, well-made remake of a charming platformer. The colorful worlds, smooth controls, and generous amount of collectibles provide hours of enjoyment. The technical improvements, such as ultrawide support and the smooth framerate, make this the best version to play. However, the camerawork remains a bit of a nuisance at times, and those who have already mastered the older games will have less to explore. The adjustment, which makes all abilities available from the start, and the visual upgrades make this revision feel refreshingly fresh. And you really have no excuse not to play this game again.

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Sucker Punch had the choice of sticking as closely as possible to the beloved first installment with the necessary improvements, or deviating from this successful formula at the risk of disappointing Tsushima fans. Fortunately, Sucker Punch chose the former. Because while Ghost of Yotei is largely the same as Tsushima, it's far better executed than its predecessor in every way, and highly recommended.

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Candy Rangers is a textbook example of how a classic genre can be revived. The combination of a clever color system, creative enemies, and small bits of freedom makes it a fun experience. At the same time, the feeling that there could have been more lingers. The quick introduction of all the mechanics and the lack of real progression mean the game is already over after twenty levels. But perhaps that's the best compliment you can give a short-lived game like this: I want to see more. More levels, more enemies, more crazy twists. And if a game leaves you with that feeling, it's done its job well.

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As a platformer, PAC-MAN never really delivers anything special. The game plays smoothly and the gameplay is solid, but it never becomes anything special. The classic arcade games are a nice addition, and the bosses offer a bit more variety, but the levels themselves are often a copy-paste of a new platforming element squeezed into a single level. This certainly doesn't make it a bad or good game, but rather mediocre, and whether that's really what you're looking for is debatable.

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