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Almost a full decade on from Shovel Knight, Yacht Club Games has returned in full form. Mina the Hollower is a joyously ambitious modern take on classic action-adventure games, blending carefully executed mechanics with a world that isn’t afraid to bite back, making for an experience that continuously empowers the player and rewards curiosity at every turn.
Despite the missteps, Echo Generation 2 is a bold, imaginative follow up that fans of the original – and fans of quirky sci fi RPGs in general – will find plenty they enjoy in. Just be prepared: the final duel might test your patience more than your deck building skills.
Lumentale: Memories of Trey is a wonderful blend of the fresh and the familiar that offers a fully fleshed-out experience on both the RPG and the creature-collector fronts. I think it is a game that will appeal to and satisfy new, returning, and veteran players of the genre, which is a feat unto itself. With stellar visuals, an excellent soundtrack, loads of content, and a nearly flawless combat system, this is a game you want to have in your collection. With a few tweaks, I firmly believe that Lumentale: Memories of Trey has the potential to become one of the best, like only a few have ever been!
Causal Loop is a game that occasionally loses itself in its own systems but still delivers memorable puzzle design and an intriguing sci-fi mystery along the way. For players who enjoy puzzle games that reward experimentation, patience, and careful planning, there’s a lot to appreciate.
Well… I guess persistence pays off. While Bubsy 4D may be over too soon, it’s still an overall very fun platformer and Bubsy is finally a likeable protagonist. If this is what the future holds for the bobcat, What could possibly go wrong?
If you are looking for a cozy, no-consequence shop management game that features a robust amount of customizability in terms of decorations, then I highly recommend Thrifty Business. But if you are looking for something deeper, in terms of strategy, then…I might suggest looking elsewhere. That isn’t to fault the game – it just provides a very calm, surface level of gameplay with some interesting character stories. You might need to strategize. You won’t need to optimize. You’ll just play. And I enjoyed it for a time. But after a certain point, I found myself wondering “When is this going to wrap up?”
Perfect for a single afternoon of gaming, or even a daily commute, Echo Isle is a short, nostalgic experience that looks and feels like the titles it is clearly inspired by, but ultimately offers little more. Aside from the deliberate time/size limitations, Echo Isle doesn’t iterate on what came before, making it difficult to even call it an homage. Charming, polished, and very familiar, I enjoyed my single hour playing Echo Isle, but I wish I had seen some new ideas brought to this little world.
Coffee Talk Tokyo is a wonderful narrative in a short and sweet packaged form. While narrative driven stories are not for everyone, those who enjoy a good glimpse into different characters will enjoy their time with Coffee Talk Tokyo. One full playthrough will only take about 6-7 hours which allows players to squeeze this into their busy schedule. Does Coffee Talk Tokyo do anything overly new and original? No. However what it does, it does exceedingly well.
Overall, I had a fun time with Clockwork Ambrosia and its heavily moddifiable gun-based combat, stunning pixel art visuals, and vibrant soundscape. However, a lacklustre narrative and signposting, unsolvable tech issues, as well as missing quality-of-life and fundamental design elements, led to frustration, confusion, and left me feeling somewhat deflated by the end of my 16-hour playthrough.
An exceptional, breathtaking world that players will be kept busy in for years, Forza Horizon 6 is one of 2026s best games and one of the best racing games ever created.
Saros is a triumph for Housemarque and a reminder that some of the most exciting games being made today don’t need to rely on cinematic spectacle to leave a lasting impression. It takes everything that made Returnal special and builds upon it in meaningful ways, from its improved progression systems to its breathtaking world design and its roster of unforgettable boss encounters. The story is heavy, the gameplay is addictive, and the world of Carcosa will stick with you long after the credits roll. If Returnal was Housemarque announcing themselves to the world, Saros is them planting their flag. Don’t sleep on it.
Supermassive has stayed true to themselves while adding some meaningful new features. The new stealth sections and the new Turning Points system fit the game and its impressive narrative well. While other game play additions are fine, they don’t move the needle quite as much and the omission of some older mechanics is a disappointment. Still Directive 8020 is a great cinematic experience with more gameplay than ever before and fans of the genre and studio will find plenty to love. It might not be a groundbreaking experience, but Directive 8020 delivers as one of the Supermassive’s best games.
I enjoyed my 5 hour playthrough of Call of the Elder Gods. The puzzles, environments, and voice acting were all fantastic and that’s all you really need for a fun weekend chomp of a title. However, the move from one island to jet setting across the globe in those five hours didn’t do the pacing of the story any favours. There’s a lot going on, and the game rattles through some of it’s reveals at a fair clip, losing a lot of the intrigue that made the first game so compelling. When it comes to facing the Cosmic Entities at the end of the world; I think I’d have preferred a little less movie conspiracy, and a little more actual mystery.
Outbound is a game that, if given enough time, could be good in the future. It has a wonderful world that can be filled with things and people to interact with. A wonderful building system that can be improved with better delivery of blueprints. And a road-trip experience that can be improved with sound. Unfortunately, much like its world, right now it’s a game with a shallow gameplay loop that is difficult to stay interested in. Maybe it’s more fun with friends?
WILL: Follow the Light, without the few negative hiccups I noted, is a 10 out of 10 game. But as it stands right now, the few nits that exist within the game pull away from that score slightly - but only slightly. That being said though, if these updates and needed fixes are made, I can easily see this being a can’t-miss game. The beautiful, yet heart-wrenching story, coupled with the intriguing puzzles and environment of the game itself make for an unforgettable digital experience.
Mixtape is fun, fantastical and heartfelt. It may be fleeting, but I expect it will stick with you for a long while. Especially when you’re inevitably playing one of the game’s songs in one of your playlists and someone asks you “where this song is from?”.
The Terran Armada could have been a bigger threat, or at least I wanted them to be. While I highly enjoyed the story, the new weapons, new companion and other features, I wanted just a little more from the Terrans. During the last mission, it comes to point where I wish the story would have given you a different opportunity, maybe even the ability to join the Terrans as a new faction. I would have loved to see the Terrans utilized a little more because they felt like a big threat.
Aphelion is a fine action-adventure game. I use “action” loosely here as there isn’t that much action, but there is more than we are used to in a Don’t Nod title. With a solid enough story there is enough to get invested in here. But with game play mechanics that faulter more than they work, and a final third of the game that drags on far too long, it’s hard to recommend Aphelion to anyone other than the die hard Don’t Nod fans.
Wax Heads is one of the best games I have played this year. It’s full of cozy stories, amazing music, and wonderful characters. I think anyone who is craving meaningful human connection could learn something from Wax Heads. Now I want to go and watch Empire Records.
Even in early access, Dead as Disco is an exciting addition to the rhythm action genre. Brain Jar Games has not only crafted a strong combat system that already has enough depth to carry the game, but a set of levels that are continuously rewarding with each replay. I’m excited to watch as the game progresses to a full release, especially as some of the rougher edges get ironed out and new content is introduced.