Mashable's Reviews
'Directive 8020' is a perfectly competent entry in a franchise that has always been more fun in concept than in practice. The story has enough paranoia and intrigue to keep you invested, and the rewind feature is a genuine improvement on the formula — but a decade in, Supermassive still hasn't figured out how to make the stretches between story beats worth playing through. If you're already a Dark Pictures devotee, it's worth the ride.
Bungie's first-person shooter Marathon (2026) is a worthy new entry in a franchise that goes back to 1994. Top-tier aesthetics keep your eyes glued to the screen.
'Tomodachi Life: Living the Dream' is a delightful Nintendo-fied take on 'The Sims' that's overflowing with character, even if actually sharing your experiences with friends is more painful than it should be.
'Pragmata' is another in a long line of recent heaters from Capcom, and it might be my personal favorite of the bunch, thanks to inventive combat and an adorable pair of protagonists.
'Fatal Frame II: Crimson Butterfly REMAKE' is a masterclass in Japanese horror that stumbles just enough in its combat to keep it from being a perfect game, but not nearly enough to stop it from being an essential one. Team Ninja built something genuinely beautiful and genuinely terrifying here, and the fact that I'll never touch it again is probably the most honest four-and-a-half stars I've ever given anything.
'Resident Evil Requiem' is a polished, fun entry that nails the mechanics but leans too heavily on nostalgia and padding. It’s stronger than 'Village' though not as bold as 'RE7' — and absolutely worth playing if you’re already invested in the series.
Cairn is an ambitious, systems-driven game that turns climbing into something methodical, tense, and deeply satisfying. Its technical shortcomings and slow pacing won’t work for everyone, but for players willing to embrace its deliberate design and occasional frustration, it delivers a uniquely rewarding experience that lingers long after the summit is reached.
'Football Manager 26' is a bold step forward, albeit one that's marred by a frustrating interface. The underlying simulation — the tactics, the depth, the data — remains as addictive as ever, and the move to Unity gives the series its first real visual upgrade in years. But the new UI design undercuts much of that progress, making the game feel flatter and less personal.
'Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment' is enjoyable for a while, but its overly dry tone and lack of depth (even by genre standards) mean it probably won't be anyone's favorite early Switch 2 game.
While The Outer Worlds 2 doesn’t reinvent the formula, its deep role-playing systems and engaging companions offer strong replay value. The witty, if sometimes heavy-handed, writing and player-driven choices make it a worthwhile RPG despite weak combat.
Ninja Gaiden 4 marks a bold return, with fast-paced and bloody action alongside the new protagonist, Yakumo. It has fluid combat, varied weapons, and an electrifying cyberpunk Tokyo setting. While the rehashed Ryu levels and some frustrating platforming sections detract from the experience, its stylish visuals, satisfying gameplay, and solid replay value make it a standout action game in 2025.
'Pokémon Legends: Z-A' is a fascinating and mostly successful experiment with the Pokémon formula, thanks to its fresh combat and quick pacing.
Ghost of Yōtei shows exactly why the PS5 is still king of the consoles. Unless you're tired of ninja and samurai-themed stories, Ghost of Yotei is a must-play. The beautiful open-world game rewards deep exploration and features engaging, cinematic storytelling. Undoubtedly, it's one of the best games of the year.
Sandfall Interactive has absolutely delivered a polished RPG with memorable characters and a unique world. Even with some pacing and polish issues, the experience sticks. If you’re into narrative-heavy games with strong vibes and can tolerate a few annoyances, it’s well worth it.
'Bionic Bay' is a beautiful, precision-heavy platformer that wears its inspirations on its sleeve but twists them into something uniquely its own. It’s smart, stylish, and occasionally frustrating in all the right ways. For $20, it’s a no-brainer for fans of moody puzzle games, speedrunners, and anyone who likes breaking the rules just to see if the game lets them.
If you’re looking for an RPG-lite survival experience with immersive exploration, tense combat, and a uniquely British setting, then Atomfall offers enough to be enjoyable — especially if you go in knowing its limitations. However, if you’re expecting deep RPG mechanics, intricate storytelling, or a truly open-ended experience, you may walk away underwhelmed.
The Switch port of 'Xenoblade Chronicles X' was entirely worth the wait, as developer Monolith Soft has done everything in its power to make the best possible version of the last Wii U classic.
I think this is the best Assassin’s Creed game in a while, probably at least since 2016’s 'Origins.' After a little more than 30 hours with this gargantuan stabbing simulator, my only real problem with 'Shadows' is that it often feels like a giant boulder being held delicately in place by a single plank of wood.
'Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii' doesn't go all the way with its nautical ambitions, but its infectious energy and oddball premise are big swings that I wish every big-budget game series would take with their spin-off titles.
‘Sonic x Shadow Generations’ is a solid remaster with an awesome tie-in that shows a bright future for the Sonic franchise. It fixes the original game's performance problems, while the new Shadow content is fun and exciting to play.