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The actual puzzle design is effective and leans into that sense of natural exploration, giving players more reason to take in the creepy sights and sounds. Composer Christian Björklund does a great job enhancing the narrative through subtle touches and effective musical stings. While the game itself suffers from some control issues, it’s never so distracting that it can fully undo the effective moments of immersion that Altered Echoes delivers. While the purposefully ambiguous and thematically heavy story might be a tad opaque for some players, there’s enough craft and tension in Little Nightmares VR: Altered Echoes to make it a must-play game for horror fans.

It’s impossible to tell if Invincible Vs as a whole will stick around since quality fighting games don’t always get the attention they deserve, but it has the potential to. Its combo-heavy, tag-centric combat is quite the spectacle that also has enough depth to be more than a glitzy explosion of blood and expletives. Not everything surrounding that crucial core is as robust, but just like Invincible himself, it’s strong enough to overcome its weaknesses and become a great fighter in its own right.

What I played left a strong impression overall. First Light already has the foundation of something confident, stylish, and occasionally very clever, even when it is still adjusting its tie in the mirror. It’s Hitman roots are clear as day, but the strong narrative pivot First Light is really diving into really kept things feel fresh throughout my session. I think fans of both Hitman and James Bond are really going to like what First Light showcases, and it could become something genuinely memorable. [4-Hour Hands-On Impressions]

Between the stunning pixel art, compelling story, and satisfying management gameplay loop, The Last Gas Station is a must-play for fans of the genre. It offers a unique twist on the management sim while still delivering the core components you want to see in this kind of game. And of course, there’s a mystery to solve, which adds another layer to keep you clocking in day after day.

Despite my hesitation, Heroes of Might & Magic: Olden Era feels like a dream come true. It captures what made the series special while leaving space to grow into something even better. If the developers continue refining and expanding it, this could finally be the game that brings the franchise back to the top of the strategy genre. Combat, exploration, army management, and the story are exactly what I wanted from a new Heroes of Might & Magic game, and if the only issues are minor ones, I am beyond happy. Longtime fans will not want to pass on this one. It may never reach the same heights as Heroes of Might & Magic III, but it is well on its way to making that attempt. [Early Access Score = 90]

Saros’ story remains an overall disappointment and is another reason why the game is an unsatisfactory follow-up to Returnal. Not only does Saros fail to build on what that 2021 title started, it takes massive leaps backward by having an unstable and frustrating difficulty curve, a less cohesive story, and shallower roguelike systems. Devoid of the context given by release dates, it would seem as though Saros came well before Returnal with how much less confident and taut it is in comparison. While fiery suns define Saros and play an ever-present role in it, it is Returnal that is the shining star here, one that cleanly eclipses its spiritual successor.

Lord of Hatred leaves Diablo 4 in a stronger place than it found it. It doesn’t fix every issue, and it doesn’t try to, but it builds on what works and pushes it just far enough to matter. There’s a confidence to it now, a sense that the game understands itself better than it did before. That clarity shows up in every part of the experience, from the narrative to the gameplay to the presentation. It’s not perfect, but it’s focused, and that focus makes it memorable. For fans, it’s an easy recommendation. For everyone else, it’s a very clear statement of what Diablo 4 is and what it intends to be.

Valorborn feels like it was born into Early Access a little too early, like it got pushed out of the oven while the center was still deciding what temperature it believes in. The potential is not theoretical, it is visible in motion, and anyone who spends real time with this game can see the shape of something much stronger trying to push through the cracks. But right now, even as an Early Access purchase, it feels like a step taken before the ground finished forming beneath it. [Early Access Score = 50]

Those who love a truly challenging game will no doubt enjoy Lucky Tower Ultimate. But don’t expect “Peasant Mode” to make it much easier to survive the Tower, because starting with clothes and a weapon is a small boon in a world that’s determined to kill you. To truly see what this game has to offer, you’ll need the patience to get good and outsmart the Tower without much help. If that sounds like your kind of game, go forth. As for me? The challenge proved a bit more infuriating than fun.

As part of its gameplay loop, Living the Dream incorporates real-time elements, with shops refreshing daily. That does make you want to keep coming back to see what new items you’ll unlock. And checking in on the Miis is pretty entertaining at first, too. But as I mentioned, many of the requests and cutscenes start to repeat, which unfortunately made this game grow a bit stale for me far sooner than I would’ve liked. I enjoyed Tomodachi Life: Living the Dream very much for the first several hours I played it, but after the novelty wore off, I found myself wishing for a bit more.