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Mario & Luigi: Brothership is a worthy successor and at the same time an attempt to modernize the series. The new mechanics such as the “Luigi Logic” and the “Battle Plug System” add interesting levels, while the proven gameplay of the predecessors is retained. There is criticism mainly on the technical side: performance problems on the Nintendo Switch and occasional backtracking tarnish the overall impression a little. Nevertheless, the strengths outweigh the drawbacks - especially the charming narrative, the creative characters and the captivating battles. Fans of the series and newcomers alike can look forward to an adventure that will leave them with a big smile on their face.

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LEGO Horizon Adventures is a new installment in the series of block games that is well worth seeing. The Sony masterpiece has been adapted and shortened for children and impresses at first glance with an impressively detailed game world with razor-sharp textures. We can look forward to great lighting effects, vivid environments and a convincing atmosphere that definitely captures the Horizon flair. The battles, sneaking elements and climbing sections are also really fun, but have of course been greatly simplified to appeal to younger players. The implementation of the giant robot dinosaurs is also convincing all round, as is the design of the familiar locations. However, these are a little too linear for our taste, even if we welcome the fact that there is no open world. The overall variety in the gameplay is also typical of LEGO, but the latest spin-off once again shines with its humor and the local and online co-op features. All in all, LEGO Horizon Adventures is a successful block game - graphically even one of the best. However, you shouldn't expect any great innovations or real challenges and the fact that the world is so beautiful, but the areas are very limited, unfortunately leaves the potential for more unused.

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Astral Flux cleverly combines the nostalgia of classic pixel platformers with modern roguelite mechanics to create an intense gaming experience. The procedural structure and the new submerged update provide variety and a unique atmosphere that will definitely appeal to fans of the genre. The pixel art visuals and the matching soundtrack round off the interstellar adventure and make the game a strong choice for anyone who wants to embark on a cosmic voyage of discovery. However, be warned of the somewhat higher level of difficulty.

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Metro Awakening brings the Metro universe to virtual reality. The game impresses with an excellently realized end-time atmosphere in the Moscow subway, which is in no way inferior to the main series. The story, the characters and, above all, the typical VR mechanics such as climbing, opening doors and turning valves also impressed us throughout, as did the truly outstanding implementation of the shooting system. If you ignore the somewhat poorly detailed creatures, the sometimes somewhat awkward motion controls (e.g. when loading the lamp) or the repeatedly wildly placed subtitles, you definitely get a high-quality VR experience in twelve chapters, which is a worthy representative of the main series.

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Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 manages to get the series back on track and proves that even an annual shooter can once again offer captivating quality if the right accents are set (and the necessary development time is given). After the mixed Modern Warfare 3, the weaknesses have been addressed and the focus has been placed on what Call of Duty is all about: pure action, a gripping atmosphere and a large portion of fun. All in all, Black Ops 6 is a strong overall package that provides many hours of excitement and appeals to both series fans and newcomers. The mixture of varied campaign, fast-paced multiplayer and challenging zombie mode proves that the series can still inspire with a return to old strengths and attention to detail. However, it is clear that Activision will have to balance the path after the game's release with seasons and in-game purchases in order not to undermine the long-term fun. This will show whether the new upswing that the series has experienced with Black Ops 6 will continue in the long term.

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I was skeptical when I read the announcement of The Sims 4 Life & Death, because for me the melancholy theme doesn't really fit in with the very humorous Sims. But when I played it, the pack really won me over. The neighborhood is varied and you can discover a lot here. I was impressed by the look of the new objects and items of clothing and the introduction of a bucket list is also a successful new feature. Although the profession of mortician is unfortunately only a simple job, the reaper career has been implemented well. There is no sense of melancholy here thanks to the pleasant humor, because who hasn't always wanted to ask Death himself for fashion tips? Nevertheless, there are a few drawbacks for me, such as the obligatory rabbit holes and the bugs in the career. In addition, the ability to tend graves, hold funerals and write wills is a bit too much of a good thing for me. But that is of course a matter of taste. In any case, the pack proves to me that it's good for the Sims when the packs are a bit braver and step out of line. I certainly had fun with my morbid Sim playing tarot cards under the full moon.

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With Sonic x Shadow Generations, Sonic Team has made an impressive comeback, taking the best elements of Sonic Generations and combining them with the drama and intensity of Shadow's storyline. The switch between styles and the different abilities of the two heroes bring a breath of fresh air to the Sonic formula without neglecting the roots of the series. The visual overhaul and the smooth presentation in performance mode round off the gaming experience. Nevertheless, a little more fine-tuning could have been done in some places, especially when it comes to long-term motivation in White Space - a more dynamic soundtrack and smaller mini-games would have made the exploration more varied. But that's criticism on a high level: all in all, Sonic x Shadow Generations is a thrilling adventure that offers plenty of fun for both long-time Sonic fans and newcomers alike.

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Empire of the Ants is a successful adaptation of the original by Bernard Werber and scores particularly well with its photorealistic presentation and sensitive gameplay. The mixture of RTS and platforming gameplay creates variety and challenges the player both tactically and in terms of skill. Anyone who has a soft spot for nature and likes to explore the world from a completely new perspective will get their money's worth with this game. The small weaknesses in the camera work and the simple menu design are noticeable, but do not detract significantly from the experience. For RTS fans looking for a new experience and anyone who wants to experience the microcosm up close, Empire of the Ants is an absolute recommendation. It combines strategy, nature and graphic beauty to create a unique experience that shows just how much life and drama can be found in the smallest of creatures.

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With Dragon Age: The Veilguard, what we no longer thought possible after Anthem has actually happened: the good old BioWare RPG is back. Veilguard offers us classic trademarks of the studio such as atmospheric locations, strong characters, an elaborately staged story and numerous decisions that shape our relationship with other characters and thus also our character. Graphically, the role-playing game definitely takes some getting used to and is far from a modern photorealistic representation, but the sometimes more or less limited areas shine with atmosphere, attention to detail and a strong mission focus. In terms of sound, on the other hand, The Veilguard plays in the very top league and offers us not only flawless synchronization but also a great orchestral soundtrack at film score level. The very action-oriented combat system, which we really enjoyed, will probably not appeal to everyone, however, as it has already developed strongly in the direction of an action-adventure game, and elements such as rope-sliding, slithering and climbing interludes soften the classic role-playing game framework noticeably. Whether this is a good thing or a bad thing is ultimately up to each player to decide. In any case, we really enjoyed Dragon Age: The Veilguard and once again proved the truth of the proverb “The dead live longer”. With this in mind: Welcome back, BioWare!

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Unsurprisingly, Super Mario Party Jamboree has not reinvented the series. However, there are enough new elements to keep you entertained for a while. This is also the first time that the Switch's online functions are used in a big way - of course, this is only interesting if you have a Nintendo Switch online account or would like to get one. Some unbalanced game elements, such as the character-specific dice, are no longer to be found in the game and each player must rely solely on their skill in the mini-games for the time being. However, I would have liked the customization options for the game modes to be a little more extensive. Although many external factors (such as the number of rounds) can be adjusted, there are no options for special fields or boards. Those who enjoy party games of the usual high Nintendo quality - with slight modifications - will not be disappointed by Super Mario Party Jamboree.

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As you can see, I didn't really have anything negative to say about Metaphor: ReFantazio. The new work from the Persona makers carries the DNA of the main series, but presents it in a very fresh guise that is independent enough to stand out from Persona. Particularly noteworthy are the exciting story, the atmospheric game world, the many creative ideas of the developers, the great soundtrack and the all-round successful battle system, in which the lack of Persona is definitely compensated for by the archetypes. I would call the option of eliminating weak enemies directly in the dungeon with a single blow absolutely groundbreaking. This simply makes for even smoother and more fluid gameplay and can also be adopted by other turn-based representatives. If there is anything to criticize, then perhaps a few tiny technical imperfections, which are hardly significant considering the size of the game. All in all, Atlus establishes a new heavyweight in the role-playing game cosmos with Metaphor: ReFantazio, deserves unconditional recognition for having created a completely new brand and delivers an all-round successful JRPG with a whole host of fresh ideas. Rating: Outstanding!

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I'm a huge fan of the series, but unfortunately Life is Strange: Double Exposure didn't quite hit the spot for me. On the one hand, too little has happened for me in terms of gameplay. Secondly, Max's powers and their development seem too forced and exaggerated. The parallel timelines are a good approach, but the repetitive patterns quickly lead to impatience and confusion. On the other hand, the sequel convinces me again with many of the things I love about Life is Strange: a great soundtrack, intense atmosphere, beautiful locations and a certain melancholy. Because of this Life is Strange feeling, I can overlook the weaknesses, even though I think there have been stronger sequels in recent times.

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Shin chan: Shiro and the Coal Town is not a game that comes with great bombast. It is a calm, almost meditative experience that impresses above all with its charming atmosphere and variety of small activities. Fans of the series will love Shin chan and his adventures, but players looking for a relaxed adventure will also find a welcome change of pace here. The coal town with its many secrets and nostalgic atmosphere will go down particularly well with players who have a fondness for Japanese culture and life simulations.

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The Until Dawn remake on the PS5 is a successful horror trip that should appeal to old fans and newcomers alike. The visual and atmospheric improvements allow the story about the tragic events on Blackwood Mountain to shine in new splendor, even if technical shortcomings such as the frame rate limited to 30 FPS and occasional bugs detract from the experience somewhat. Anyone who missed out on the horror classic or is in the mood for a modernized version will be thoroughly entertained despite some minor weaknesses.

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The Plucky Squire combines a wide variety of genres in an innovative narrative. The story is deliberately based on classic plot threads, but not without changing them again and again in surprising ways. Unfortunately, some passages drag on for too long, in which the same sequence of events is repeated over and over again. Sometimes it seems as if Plucky Squire wants to depict too much in order to fulfill everything “perfectly”, which leads to minor flaws in some of the mechanics. Overall, however, these are so minor that they don't really detract from the enjoyment of the game. Anyone looking for an unusual title that surprises more than once will be well served by The Plucky Squire.

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The fifth version of Train Sim World from Dovetail Games impresses with many small and large improvements. The simulator has been made even more user-friendly, especially for beginners and casual gamers who just want to get a taste of the world of trains. It is also nice to see that the update is now free for owners of Train Sim World 4 and that the included routes can be purchased separately.

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Episode Aigis: The Answer adds another chapter to Persona 3 Reload, which keeps us entertained after the end of the main game. In terms of the story, it is almost essential to complete the actual story first before venturing into the DLC, even if we start at a very low level and are therefore introduced to the game mechanics once again. New theurgies and Metis as a new character also expand our repertoire with fresh elements to explore, even if the android as a character can be a little tiring at times. If we look at Persona 3 Reload with the DLC as a whole, Episode Aigis: The Answer offers a nice continuation of the story, which raises just enough new questions to not completely confuse, but brings the story itself to a well-rounded conclusion. Instead of Tartarus, the Abyss of Time now awaits us, which offers much more frequent changes of environment, but still can't shine with excessive variety in the long run. Due to the significantly higher proportion of combat and the almost complete absence of everyday life, the DLC also becomes much more of a chore over the course of the 20 to 30 hours of gameplay than was the case in the main game. Nevertheless, Episode Aigis: The Answer is of course a great opportunity to reunite with the beloved characters of S.E.E.S. and a very good addition to the main game due to the fundamentally fun gameplay and the large scope.

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In summary, it can be said that both platforms have their strengths. The PS5 version is perfectly optimized for console gamers and offers an incredibly stable, visually stunning experience. The DualSense feature takes immersion to another level, and with 60 FPS in performance mode, the PS5 also delivers enough power for action-packed battles. The PC version of God of War Ragnarök, on the other hand, scores with a wider range of customization options. Players with powerful hardware experience higher frame rates, native 4K graphics and even ultra widescreen. There are small technical stumbling blocks, but for the hardcore PC gamer, the version offers the maximum in freedom and flexibility.

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With NHL 25, EA Sports delivers a really solid ice hockey game this year, which has made noticeable progress in some important areas. It's not just the much better structured franchise career, which is now also more interactive thanks to the player conversations. The visual presentation has also improved by more than just one percentage point and is finally closing the gap on other sports simulations from EA, such as EA Sports FC or Madden NFL. There are also noticeable improvements on the ice, which are due to the new ICE-Q AI system and ensure that the games simply feel more dynamic and human, as the CPU players position themselves better or move more realistically thanks to new animations. We also liked the rival system with its special presentation, as well as the optimized display of replays. Apart from the franchise, however, little to nothing has happened in the other game modes, meaning that the game is largely the same as last year. Unfortunately, nothing has changed in the sequences in Be-a-Pro mode, some of which still have no sound. Nonetheless, NHL 25 is a very good sports game overall, which scores particularly well in the core element, namely the performance on the ice.

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World of Warcraft: The War Within retains the good quality and proven principles from the last expansion and still brings a few unique new features. However, it remains to be seen whether these will remain the same. At this point in time, it can be said that the game has apparently not become any worse, but on the contrary has even improved in some areas. For example, the crafting system has been further refined and there are numerous short dialogs from the protagonists that you can listen to between quests in the campaign. This makes the story a little more accessible. This is because it often feels like working through and is less inviting to be experienced and discovered. In this respect, the game lacks mystery and mystery. The campaign is sometimes told too obviously and there are not enough exciting twists and turns. Furthermore, the side quests are unfortunately still not set to music and we have no choice but to read the texts. This is a shame, because a soundtrack would be entirely appropriate and, in my opinion, would do a lot to help players experience a little more of the story. I think there are a lot of exciting stories in WoW, it's just the way they are told that could be improved overall.

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