DualShockers

Witchspire has plenty of charm but not enough substance to fully capitalize on it just yet. The cozy witch fantasy and the delightful Familiars accompanying you give it a foundation that's easy to appreciate, especially when shared with friends. However, frustrating progression, poor onboarding, and a lack of meaningful guidance constantly get in the way of that enjoyment. I just know Envar Games clearly has a vision worth rooting for, but right now, Witchspire feels less like a magical adventure to me and more like an early prototype. If you're willing to embrace the rough edges and growing pains of it in Early Access, there's some fun to be found here, but anyone hoping for a polished, spellbinding experience? Yeah, you may want to wait until they add a few more ingredients to the cauldron.

Voidling Bound is a phenomenal game with a lot of great parts that culminate in something truly unique. While it certainly isn't perfect and suffers from the same afflictions as similar games, what is there will keep players engaged and wanting more. If I could levy one major complaint against the game, it's that I want so much more of this game. Fantastic combat and a colorful world make Voidling Bound a game that's very much worthwhile.

Gothic 1 Remake reinvents a timeless PC classic from the 2000s, and does so in a way that's bound to be controversial. The original Gothic was already a game that aged rather poorly, so remaking it in such a faithful way is admirable, but leaves the game without the ability to become what it could be. The core concept of Gothic is brilliant in its potential, but it was always held back by hardware limitations. The remake makes it look and sound nicer, but didn't go as far as it should have to take advantage of what it has.

Terrinoth: Heroes of Descent is a very middling RPG that does some things right but most things wrong. Making a game that can be consumed in bite-sized chunks so you can easily play with your friends has a lot of merit, but it seems like, along the way, things got a little lost. You can't get attached to your team because you're not spending time with them outside the missions. Most of the game revolves around combat, which is fantastic and very enjoyable, but past that, things feel very dull. The writing is serviceable, but the game just isn't set up well enough to give you something to invest in beyond individual missions.

Schrödinger’s Call asks what you would do if you could make only one more phone call before the world ends, and you're the person who picks up when that phone rings. Mary's journey as the last confidant takes place in a single room, but you get to watch the world form through the memories of souls who need to be saved from their lingering regrets. This process helps Mary recover her own memories in an emotional—and devastating—narrative that I can't stop thinking about even days after finishing the game. If you've never tried a visual novel before, this is a powerful place to start, and Schrödinger’s Call is definitely one of the best indies released in 2026 so far.

There are a lot of features that I'd want included in the game before picking it up if I wasn't previewing its current state, such as seasons and pets, but both of those are in the current roadmap. While I might not get as many hours in-game as I have with The Sims just yet, I can see a future where a version of Paralives that's out of Early Access absorbs countless hours of my life.

With Mina the Hollower, Yacht Club Games managed to beautifully pay homage to some of the absolute greatest classics in gaming history, all while carving out their own entirely fresh identity with an irresistible experience. It’s like a gothic Zelda with touches of Castlevania and Dark Souls that I never knew I needed. If you have a passing love for classic adventures, gothic atmospheres, or tightly-knit game design, do yourself a favor and fully dive into this world.

With superb writing, top-notch acting, beautiful cinematography, and expressive gameplay, 007 First Light is as sleek as it is engaging. James Bond is back, baby, and he’s never been this cool.

Yoshi and the Mysterious Book continues the tradition of cute platformers that Nintendo's iconic green dinosaur has made his calling card. Unfortunately, Yoshi and the Mysterious Book is less a platformer and more a bloated, drawn-out homework assignment. The critters are cute, and Yoshi is as adorable as ever, but there's almost nothing to do and too much of it at once. It's easily one of 2026's most disappointing games.

Warhammer 40,000: Mechanicus II is a slick, compelling tactical action RPG that focuses on hectic, chaotic combat and building out a world with genuine conflict. Each faction has its own unique feel to it, and you'll certainly want to experience both of them. There's not a ton that Mechanicus II is doing to stand out in a crowded genre, but the compelling world of Warhammer and smooth combat more than make up for that. Warhammer fans absolutely must check it out immediately, but newcomers to the franchise are also going to have a great time.