Mashable's Reviews
'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.
‘Life is Strange: Double Exposure’ is a direct sequel to the first game that continues Max’s personal growth while providing a solid cast of new characters. However, the pacing feels rushed towards the latter half of the game and gameplay mechanics aren’t as interesting as previous entries.
That Veilguard exists at all is something of a miracle, and that it’s the first good BioWare game in more than a decade feels nearly impossible. It may not be a new standard-bearer for the genre, but merely being pretty good feels like something of a triumph.
From the unsettling atmosphere to the visceral combat and psychological depth, the game excels at drawing you into its twisted world. The storytelling is gripping, with characters like James Sunderland and the cast of disturbing personalities he meets adding layers of complexity that go beyond typical horror fare. The remake respects the source material while modernizing it for today’s audience, and even if you’ve never played the 2001 original, it still stands as a deeply unsettling and rewarding journey.
Its endearing cast of characters populate a fascinating fantasy world with fictional layers that I just want to peel back until I see everything there is to see. Enhanced turn-based combat with real-time elements, combined with wholesome friendship mechanics and great road trip vibes, all work to seal the deal for me.
Everything else about 'Echoes of Wisdom' rules. Its aesthetic and music are endearing, the echo system creates tons of really clever puzzle solutions, and it harkens back to old Zelda games without abandoning what makes the newer ones special. There are a couple of areas in which Echoes of Wisdom is a slight disappointment, but it is a mostly delectable late-in-life treat for Switch owners.
The Plucky Squire is a clear appeal to adults who wistfully recall their days of crayons and cardboard, before the world seemed to get so dark and complicated.References to childhood classics sit alongside cheeky nods to the capitalist mechanisms underpinning children's media, finding joy in the same way Jot's friends continue to despite knowing the true nature of their world.
If you’re a fan of Warhammer 40K or enjoyed the original Space Marine, then Space Marine 2 is absolutely worth your time. The game is a clear evolution of its predecessor, with combat that feels more impactful, smoother, and downright visceral.