Pragalicious

Aphelion is yet another typical Don’t Nod game. Either you’ll devour the story with gusto, or you won’t give a hoot about it. Personally, I quite like their approach and enjoyed the game, and the story in particular. When it comes to gameplay, I’m torn. On the one hand, Ari’s climbing eventually started to bore me (even though it was fun and challenging at times), and on the other hand, I found Thomas’s gameplay more enjoyable. But by switching between the two characters at the right moments, it never became frustrating. In short: if you like short, linear single-player games with a good story and a healthy dose of sci-fi, then Aphelion is for you. If you don’t like that sort of thing, then steer well clear of Aphelion.

Review in Dutch | Read full review

Invincible VS is fun for fans of the series but too generic for others. This is a fighting game that doesn’t do anything special, but doesn’t do much wrong either. Each character fights largely the same way but has their own flair. The story mode is a nice addition (though rather short); couch co-op and online battles add more longevity. The graphic style could have been more authentic and the finish isn’t quite up to scratch either. The 3v3 battles add a nice tactical element without going overboard. Still, this Invincible VS will be largely invisible within a few months.

Review in Dutch | Read full review

I’d been hoping for a solid comeback for this series, but Sudden Strike 5 goes above and beyond. It perfectly captures why classic PC strategy games were once so beloved, and modernises just enough without losing its identity. This isn’t a game for everyone, and it doesn’t need to be. For players who love tactical battles, tension and a victory you really have to earn, this is a must-play. Sudden Strike 5 is old-school in exactly the right ways.

Review in Dutch | Read full review

Just like its spiritual predecessor Returnal, Saros is an unparalleled experience. Saros is a game that has kept me on the edge of my seat for 35 hours so far. During that time, I didn’t find a single thing that bothered me. I enjoyed every second of the spectacle conjured up on my screen. Housemarque has also taken a brilliantly clever approach to accessibility, ensuring that players familiar with this genre can still find their own way. The fact that I’ve been living in a cocoon for the past few days to write this review of Saros says it all. This is an unrivalled masterpiece and, at the moment, my Game of the Year.

Review in Dutch | Read full review

Little Nightmares VR: Altered Echoes is a short but intense nightmare. All in all, this foray into VR doesn’t feel like an experiment. To me, it’s a successful evolution that reinforces the core of the franchise: vulnerability, tension and grotesque beauty. Despite the short playtime, a few pacing issues and some control problems, this is a highly immersive experience. Fans of the series and horror enthusiasts get exactly what they’re looking for: an intense, physical and beautifully crafted plunge into an unsafe nightmare.

Review in Dutch | Read full review

Mouse P.I. For Hire is a game that managed to charm me because it does something no one else dares to do. The rubberhose style, the jazz, the noir vibe and the fluid combat combine to create a unique experience. But beneath that beautiful façade lies a shooter that sometimes relies too much on style and too little on substance. Still, it remains a ride you won’t soon forget. Mouseburg is a place where I enjoyed spending my time. Mouse P.I. For Hire isn’t perfect, but it is memorable. And sometimes that’s worth more.

Review in Dutch | Read full review

Starfield on PlayStation 5 (Pro) is a graphical gem that gets tangled up in its own galaxy of systems. If you play this game on the PlayStation 5 Pro, you’ll be treated to the best console version available. But anyone hoping that Sony’s most powerful console will transform the game into a masterpiece will soon realise that even this hardware cannot resolve its fundamental issues. Starfield remains a fascinating, ambitious, but ultimately unbalanced RPG.

Review in Dutch | Read full review

For players who never bought the 2023 version and/or only own a Nintendo Switch 2 console, purchasing Super Mario Bros. Wonder – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition + Together to Bellabel Park is almost a must. It’s the best 2D platformer you can get your hands on right now. It doesn’t matter whether you’re young or old, or whether you’re a fan of platform games or not. On the other hand, the €19.99 upgrade for players who did buy the 2023 game isn’t worth it, in my opinion. Even though the Switch 2 version looks a lot sharper and you get an extra playable character in Rosalina, the Together to Bellabel Park expansion is mainly focused on local or online multiplayer, something for which few players will buy this fantastic game.

Review in Dutch | Read full review

Cthulhu: The Cosmic Abyss is a game that uses your brain as a playground. The Vault, the gameplay and the way everything is intertwined make it a unique experience. But it also asks a lot of you. Time. Attention. Patience. And a certain willingness to feel comfortable with the idea that you may not understand everything. For the right player, this is a masterpiece of mysterious gameplay and psychological tension. For the wrong player, it's a complicated tangle of systems in which you mainly think: “Why did I connect this to that... and why does it feel like it's looking at me now?” Who expects Dead Space to come back, who wants to play a puzzler: be welcome!

Review in Dutch | Read full review

After playing out Pragmata I can't help but give this game the maximum score. It's one of the best single player games I've played in recent years. Apart from the nitpicking about backtracking and the slightly too easy enemies, I really can't say anything negative about this game. What started as a mysterious game that I had many question marks about has ended in an unforgettable, poignant and extremely surprising experience. With Pragmata, Capcom proves that in 2026 it is perfectly possible to bring new IPs to the market and that occasionally taking a risk is part of developing video games.

Review in Dutch | Read full review

Death Stranding 2: On the Beach on PC is an audiovisual spectacle that really presses everything out of your hardware on a technical level. The images are so sharp and the actors play their roles so magnificently that sometimes you forget that you are playing a game. Although Kojima searches for the action faster this time and makes vehicles available to you more easily, the core of the game is not for everyone. The biggest stumbling block remains that slow start: you have to invest hours again before the whole thing really grabs you, and that brings down the fun. Add to that the fact that the controls during hectic battles often feel clumsy and frustrating, and you have a game that is beautiful to watch, but sometimes tiring to play. An impressive piece of technology, but the long-windedness ensures that the spark never skips completely with me.

Review in Dutch | Read full review

Crimson Desert is a typical game that doesn't have a golden middle ground. Either the game is fantastic or you don't like it. It is clear that I am a fan of Crimson Desert and of course there are several reasons for that. Especially since it's been a while since I played a game of this caliber. You will be treated to a wonderful world of Pywell, where the atmosphere makes you gasp for breath. There is also a lot to do in Crimson Desert, and that will also provoke different reactions here. However, if you can get used to the here and there some downsides of the game and you take your time for Crimson Desert, then you will experience an adventure that will undoubtedly be engraved in the memory for a long time.

Review in Dutch | Read full review

Meanwhile, the Monster Hunter Stories series can place itself neatly next to its bigger brother with Twisted Reflection and manages to deliver a beautiful story with in-depth gameplay.

Review in Dutch | Read full review

With Life is Strange: Reunion, Deck Nine and Square Enix deliver another beautiful story for the franchise. The reunion between Max and Chloe is an ideal building block for the unfolding of the story and which side roads are possible. Although it was another rollercoaster of mystery and emotion, I felt that the focus was more on Max, and certain locations gave less shine to the game. Still, this episode is another must-play in the Life is Strange universe and I went from one plot twist to another. Deck Nine and Square Enix, start the next episode!

Review in Dutch | Read full review

Milestone throws it over a different bow and delivers a strong performance with Screamer as far as we are concerned.

Review in Dutch | Read full review

Bungie proves with Marathon that postponement pays off. Despite the rough start and the chaotic menus, there will be a visually overwhelming extraction shooter with an unprecedented atmosphere in 2026. The bold art style and phenomenal sound design draw you mercilessly into a grim world where every step counts. The greatest asset is the narrative depth; the mysterious lore also keeps you busy outside the runs. Although the learning curve is steep and the first map looks a bit less, the strategic depth of the seven Shells and the nerve-wracking weekend events in the Cryo Archive make up for it. For fans of tactical extraction shooters and deep mysteries, this is an absolute must-play, provided you're willing to bite through the sour apple of the menus for the first few hours.

Review in Dutch | Read full review

The remake of Fatal Frame II: Crimson Butterfly is exactly what a good remake should be: respectful to the original, but modern enough to work today. However, not everything feels equally fresh. The gameplay can sometimes feel old-fashioned and the controls could have been a bit tighter here and there. Yet the core of the game remains solid. The atmosphere is fantastic, the story is surprisingly emotional and the camera system remains one of the most original ideas in the horror genre. This is not a horror that flushes you with action. This is horror that slowly creeps under your skin. And by the time you notice it... it's usually too late.

Review in Dutch | Read full review

Mario Tennis Fever is an energetic, visually impressive and particularly accessible sports game that works perfectly as a multiplayer title. The new Fever Rackets bring fun and chaos, but at the expense of technical depth. If you are looking for an airy, colorful tennis experience with friends, this is the right place for you. However, if you expect a competitive, strategic sports game with a solid single player, Fever stays just below the bar.

Review in Dutch | Read full review

At the beginning I was a bit doubtful whether I would find Pokémon Pokopia a cool game. After a few hours of play, that doubt was completely gone. Pokémon Pokopia is without a doubt the most comfy game you can currently play. For Pokémon fans, this is an absolute must-play game. The game can keep players sweet for countless hours without any kind of pressure. You can perfectly play this game for a while, leave it for a while and then pick it up again. With Pokémon Pokopia, Nintendo and Game Freak have managed to try something different with a Pokémon game. And whether this has succeeded.

Review in Dutch | Read full review

Order 13 is a striking title within the contemporary indie horror genre. By choosing a distribution center as a location and basing the gameplay on everyday warehouse tasks, the game creates a unique combination of routine and threat. The creepy atmosphere, the good sound design and the subtle build-up of tension make it an interesting experience for lovers of indie horror and cats.

Review in Dutch | Read full review