GAMINGbible
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Cairn has now become one of my favourite games of all time. I absolutely love the game’s reactive climbing mechanics, the tough-but-fair difficulty, and its entire presentation is simply gorgeous. Even though there aren’t really any changes between playthroughs, this is a game I’ll be regularly coming back to, if only to continue experiencing the thrill of the climb over and over again.
All of this is to say that I think Inkle is on to another banger here. Narrative has always been one of the studio’s strongest points, but I absolutely love the way it unfolds here, where much of the backstory can only be pieced together by you. It’s a great method to tell a story in a way that only video games can, by emphasising the interaction between the player and the game, and is now one of the finest examples of doing this.
It doesn’t do much to reinvent the wheel, there’s nothing massive here that separates it from a game like Hollow Knight, but it doesn’t need to, either. I liked that it kept its features and ideas down to the simple fundamentals of the Metroidvania genre, where its appeal rides by on vibes alone. Even after reaching the end of the game, I’m excited to go back and see what I’ve missed, because I’ll bet there’s quite a lot of content I’ve still not seen yet.
Platforming fans will be hard-pressed to come away from Big Hops though with anything other than a smile on their face. It shows a strong sense of vision. Here is an end product that pays homage to the greats of the genre whilst carving out its own identity. With several varied worlds, creative gameplay, and a respectable 10 to 12 hour runtime, there’s very little else I could ask for from the title. Big Hops is a ribbiting, sorry, riveting adventure that’ll kickstart your 2026 in the best way possible.
Death Howl has been a fantastic time for me, and it’s been a wonder to slowly piece together how The Outer Zone managed to fit two rather opposing genres in a way that feels tangible and engaging.
So, perhaps Thief VR: Legacy of Shadow isn’t the triumphant return the series needed, even if the game itself is somewhat fine. In essence, virtual reality fans may enjoy it, while long-time fans hoping for a comeback in the vein of the original series may be disappointed. I hope whoever at Eidos is in charge of the Thief brand doesn’t shelve it for another decade, because I’m still holding out hope that the franchise will have a decent revival worthy of the Looking Glass Studios titles.
With Disco Elysium being one of my all-time favourite games, I was eager to check out Rue Valley with all of its similarities and although it does not stand side-by-side with it, it does have its own merits. As such, I encourage you to give it a go and see how you can make your 47-minute time-loops make a difference in a town filled with drama, looming corporations, family feuds, and even a possible alien or two.
Metroid Prime 4: Beyond has been eight years in the making and yet it unfortunately misses the mark in several ways.
All Hands on Deck is an easy recommendation. It’s far from the strongest co-op title released within 2025 but with a respectable runtime, well-considered platforming and puzzler action, and a charming premise, you won’t be left feeling disappointed by what this indie gem has to offer.
By the time the game came to its conclusion, I was left with an overwhelming yearning for a better future, and a feeling that that is something wholly achievable. Duskpunk is the kind of game that makes me feel hope.
It’s the type of game that you can dip in and out of, leaving behind your worldly woes for a whimsical sense of fun.
Kirby Air Riders may fall short in terms of track selection compared to Mario Kart World, but I’ll be damned if it isn’t the best racing game released this year, and one of the best first-party Nintendo games to launch on the Nintendo Switch 2.
Call of Duty deserves so much better, and if there’s anything that I’ve learned from Black Ops 7, it's that the annual releases need to come to an end ASAP, so that the developers can have more time to ensure that each new release lives up to the legacy of this series that has been built over the last two decades. Hopefully, the next entry will get the series back on track.
SpongeBob SquarePants: Titans of the Tide gets so much right. Its instantaneous character switching system is brilliant, and Purple Lamp has once again cooked up an entertaining story, whisking players through several fun new locations. It could be longer and there are a few bugs present, albeit harmless ones. It’s hard, though, to deem the title as anything other than a thrilling 3D platformer that’s a blast to play through.
The Berlin Apartment does, as I said, undoubtedly offer an engaging narrative, even if you will have to endure several half-baked gameplay elements. It’s a beautifully considered look into the human experience, offering players a concept that is creative and engaging, even if it might not quite unlock its full potential.
With a roughly 10-hour runtime, Winter Burrow doesn’t outstay its welcome. It’s a charming little experience I warmed to returning to, night after cold night.
If you’re after a cosy evening’s entertainment, I can’t imagine you’ll be disappointed by Undusted: Letters From The Past. Its gameplay is incredibly moreish, pulling you right through to the credits in a single sitting. It’s a brief journey but one that packs an emotional punch and teaches you a couple of important lessons along the way.
We don’t know Nintendo’s plan for the next Legend Of Zelda game, and whether we’ll be saying goodbye to this part of the Zelda timeline anytime soon. If the series is heading in a different direction I think Age Of Imprisonment is a fine send-off to this era of the Zelda series, but if not I’ll be looking forward to the next entry.
If you liked any of the previous games in the series, then it’s difficult to see how you won’t love this one.
Happily, the good times for Dragon Quest fans are very much continuing with the release of the Dragon Quest I & II HD-2D Remake. It looks great, it plays well and it’s solid value for money with the amount of playtime you get across both games.