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The House of the Dead 2 Remake is a disappointing reinterpretation that fails — and badly — to capture the spirit of the original. While it retains the classic gameplay, it presents an inconsistent aesthetic and a level of polish inferior to Megapixel’s previous remakes. The company’s lack of investment and care results in generic graphics, stiff animations, and an art direction that shows no understanding of what made the original such a classic and fun experience. Despite some accessibility options and the nostalgic appeal of the original content, the remake tarnishes the franchise, standing out as yet another lazy and disrespectful effort toward a beloved classic — something that has sadly become a pattern for Megapixel.

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Ghost of Yōtei is a jaw-dropping visual and auditory experience, featuring elegant combat and an atmosphere that borders on the poetic. Despite stumbling over repetition, uneven difficulty, and a few questionable design choices, Sucker Punch’s new game preserves the charm and emotional depth that made its predecessor a classic. Some side missions recycle familiar formulas, and the more introspective pacing may alienate those seeking constant action. Ghost of Yōtei is, without a doubt, one of the generation’s standout titles — a work that blends contemplation, technique, and emotion with rare elegance.

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Even without words, Keeper delivers a memorable and introspective experience, masterfully exploring the friendship between a lighthouse and a seabird on their journey to rid the world of Wither. With clever puzzles that make excellent use of the environment and breathtaking visuals — albeit with some optimization issues — Keeper once again showcases Double Fine’s trademark quality and creativity, which I sincerely hope will continue to thrive under Microsoft’s wing.

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Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds is a game that effectively blends accessible and dynamic gameplay, capturing the best elements from Sonic’s racing titles of the past 15 years while maintaining the expected chaos of the kart racing genre. The online modes, with active events and crossplay, create a sense of ongoing celebration, while the customization options and the variety of characters and tracks—along with the dynamic lap-switching mechanic—keep the experience fresh and encourage players to constantly rethink their playstyle. Although it lacks a more robust offline mode with additional activities, it stands as one of the best kart racers today and the best entry in the franchise, with great potential for long-term appeal.

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Absolum is a pleasant surprise within the modern beat 'em up genre, showing how it's possible to combine intense action, deep combat mechanics, and roguelike elements in a cohesive and intelligent way. Despite some limitations — such as the limited number of blessings and abilities, and a certain imbalance between builds — the game makes up for it with outstanding art direction, a masterful soundtrack, and a combat system that, while easy to learn, demands dedication to truly master.

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Chickenhare and the Treasure of Spiking-Beard ends up being just a simple platformer designed to draw attention to the new film in the franchise. Nothing really stands out here—the plot is shallow, the gameplay lacks depth, and there are some technical issues. If you're a fan of Chickenhare, it might be worth checking out, but for those looking for a fun platformer experience, there are infinitely better options on the market.

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Formula Legends is a game made with passion, and it shows. It understands the charm of old-school racing and translates that nostalgia into an accessible, colorful, and fun experience. It's the kind of title that makes you want to go "just one more lap"—and that brings smiles to the faces of those who grew up watching Alonso, Hamilton, Prost, Senna, Schumacher, and Vettel on those magical race days. But, like a small team trying to compete with giants, the game stumbles on technical limitations and strange decisions, such as the complete absence of multiplayer. It still lacks polish and consistency to achieve a podium finish. Ultimately, Formula Legends doesn't even come close to the title, but it deserves respect for reminding us all why motorsports is so captivating.

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In short, Hirogami is a 3D platformer that stands out for its creative visual design and original concept of transforming origami into a gameplay mechanic. The artistic identity is strong, but stumbles on crucial points: an unengaging narrative, uncharismatic characters, and a camera that compromises the experience at various points. Even so, the level design and the variety of forms Hiro can assume keep the game functional and engaging throughout much of the campaign. Like origami, Hirogami is impressive from afar for its aesthetics, but when handled, it reveals structural weaknesses.

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The Alters is a resource management and choice game that explores different versions of oneself through clones created by a substance called Rapidium. The protagonist, Jan, must navigate survival on an inhospitable planet, managing his ship and the alters, alternate versions of his life. Combining third-person exploration and management, the game challenges the player to make decisions that shape the fate of Jan and his clones. Its narrative explores identity, choices, and the consequences of our actions throughout life. With multiple endings, the game offers an addictive and reflective experience.

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Date Everything! may seem like a silly dating sim at first, but it goes much further. Sassy Chap Games' title plays with the absurd to speak of something human: the need for connection. Behind every joke lies a sensitive game, capable of generating not only laughter but also moments of reflection. Its pacing issues and unremarkable characters aren't enough to overshadow the merit of offering a bold, fun, and unique experience. For those seeking an unusual dating sim, Date Everything! stands out as one of the most original experiences in the genre.

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For those who missed it, Indiana Jones and the Order of the Giants delivers exactly that: more Indiana Jones. The expansion maintains the hallmarks of the base game: paced combat, challenging puzzles, and mysteries to investigate. However, it offers few new features, adds little to the main narrative, and can be a bit pricey, considering the relatively short campaign. Reliving one of my favorite games of 2024 was fun, but the expansion isn't exactly memorable.

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Lost Soul Aside is a clear example of wasted potential. The game had everything it needed to stand out among the great hack 'n' slash games, but it ended up feeling generic and lacking in identity. The fast-paced combat provides moments of fun, and the soundtrack even stands out in some scenes, but these positives are quickly overshadowed by serious issues with progression, performance, and narrative. The title constantly tries to draw inspiration from industry hits, but the end result lacks any personality, delivering a soulless and characterless experience.

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Hell Is Us excels in its atmosphere, story, and mystery-solving and puzzle-solving, although the repetitive enemies can make combat a bit tiresome. The story, combined with investigation and exploration, makes for an engaging experience. Hell Is Us isn't for everyone, and those seeking intense combat may be disappointed. Those seeking something different can find a good experience here.

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Killing Floor 3 is intense, bloody, and addictive, but it still feels incomplete. It's a great start, but it doesn't quite deliver the expected leap forward for the franchise. If you have friends to play regularly, you'll have fun—the visceral gunplay remains some of the most satisfying in the genre. But if you're planning on playing solo, or if you're hoping for the same variety Killing Floor 2 had after years of content, you might want to wait. The foundation is solid. It remains to be seen whether Tripwire will consistently update to make Killing Floor 3 the successor fans truly expect.

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Abyssus is quite competent in its approach, especially considering it was developed by a smaller studio. The game combines the dark maritime Brinepunk look with Cyberpunk elements, delivering an immersive setting that keeps the player engaged with each expedition. The combat is fast-paced and satisfying, offering fluidity in both confrontations against hordes of enemies and boss battles. The title stands out for its high replayability, thanks to the wide range of blessings, amulets, and weapons that allow for different playstyles and strategies in each match. Furthermore, the cooperative mechanics add an extra layer of fun, making Abyssus a great option for weekend gaming sessions with friends.

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Eriksholm: The Stolen Dream is a pleasant surprise from start to finish, offering an isometric stealth experience reminiscent of '90s classics, but with modern visuals and narrative. The game stands out for its engaging story of protagonist Hanna, who must rescue her brother in an Art Nouveau-inspired city, and for its gameplay that prioritizes stealth and clever use of the environment. Despite its linear gameplay and challenges, the progressive difficulty and richly detailed environment make it a highly recommended experience.

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Shadow Labyrinth stands out as a bold experiment, fusing the arcade style of Pac-Man with the complexity of a metroidvania. Its hybrid mechanics, polished visuals, and adrenaline-pumping moments guarantee a satisfying experience, but it's ultimately hampered by confusing level design and unbalanced difficulty. Still, for fans of the genre, it's a worthwhile journey, albeit one that isn't memorable.

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NINJA GAIDEN: Ragebound embraces its essence and delivers a quality experience beyond expectations, with extremely well-crafted pixel art and a heavy, nostalgic soundtrack. The game captures the essence of the NINJA GAIDEN series for a new generation. Ragebound is simple in its premise and reminds us that, ultimately, video games are about having fun.

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Signalis stands out for its immersive soundscape, ambiguous characters, and narrative steeped in cosmic horror symbolism. With a tense soundtrack, immersive sounds, and gameplay that balances action and stealth, the game captivates both retro gamers and a new generation of players.

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Hell Clock presents a different approach than the usual ARPGs, incorporating roguelite elements into its formula—and yet still manages to be equally captivating. The game captivates from the very first moments thanks to the careful localization of the dialogue, replete with slang and expressions typical of the Northeast, and is a true gift for those who value Brazilian culture in gaming. Its art direction is impeccable, with striking visuals that dialogue with both comic book and folk art styles, while the soundtrack animates the journey with the familiar Northeastern musicality. Hell Clock is a sure bet, my friend—for both veterans and newcomers to the ARPG universe. With a fictional narrative inspired by real events, the game also offers a robust build and relic system, capable of captivating for hours, encouraging experimentation and the use of different strategies.

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