Gamereactor UK

Kusan: City of Wolves is a gameplay-focused game in the best sense of the word, built by four people who clearly understand exactly what 'flow' means. The story could have done with the same care as the combat, and the economy runs out of steam towards the end, but that doesn't detract from the excellent gameplay.

Lies of P for Nintendo Switch 2 isn't the best version of the game, however, it's considerably better than I dared to hope for. The developers have streamlined the experience to suit the Switch 2's hardware capabilities. A few graphical compromises have been necessary, but the core of the game remains intact, including the atmosphere, the combat, and the distinctive take on Pinocchio, which still delivers an experience ranking among the genre's stronger modern titles. If you own a Nintendo Switch 2 and have been waiting for a reason to wander through Krat's dark streets, there's little reason to hesitate.

It may come across as a bit of a patchwork of different sources of inspiration, but the combination of Japanese RPG charm and intense action is a formula that leaves you wanting more after ten, twenty, or even thirty hours. The main character may well be heartless and incapable of feeling emotions, but Beast of Reincarnation exudes passion and commitment by contrast, and although there are a few technical glitches here and there, it’s easy to recommend this to anyone who enjoys Japanese action RPGs.

The enemies are iconic, the weapons feel consistently good, the vehicles in this game are still better than virtually anything else in the genre, the graphics are superb, and the adventure and variety are top-class. Experiencing "The Silent Cartographer" the way I remember the level, through rose-tinted retro glasses, almost brought a tear to my eye. In short, this is a game that's easy to recommend to Halo fans, but also to those of you who haven't yet had the chance to experience Master Chief's first, and perhaps still finest, moment.

Verho: Curse of Faces is a game that dares to go its own way. It captures the same melancholic loneliness as Hollow Knight and combines it with an exploratory element clearly inspired by King's Field. The result is a world that constantly draws me in and a story that keeps me wanting to see what lies around the next corner. At the same time, a few recurring annoyances hold the overall experience back.

When every race quite quickly starts to feel like a pale rehash of the previous one, it really doesn't matter how many new special stages the developers throw at me. Motivation is replaced by sheer routine, and routine is the last thing I want to associate with a racing game.

The puzzles are great, the environments are stunning, and the mouse gives you hugs, high-fives, and dances. What more could you want?

It takes a classic approach to the genre, including the visuals, and spices it up with rhythmic modern touches. It's no revolution, it's no evolution - it's good old fun and classic carnage, seen through the eyes and passion of a devoted fan of the genre.

Splatoon Raiders is a lot of fun. The gameplay loop is addictive and it becomes more fun the harder it gets and the more powerful you become; with very deep customization options, from the character, the weapons, the gadgets and upgrades that truly make you feel that your decisions mattered; it looks decent and runs super smoothly; and is equally fun even if you play solo or with friends.

Long-winded narrative complaints and lack of RPG elements aside, Fading Echo is a fun, fast-paced adventure that makes an incredible use of its core mechanics. Its combat is satisfying without relying on upping the difficulty through massive health bars and enemy swarms. Its puzzles are always a fantastic excuse to show off its elemental mechanics, and the world is one I'd have gladly explored for double the time it took me to roll credits. A game that is more focused on being the best version of itself than attracting you with the buzzy genres of today, Fading Echo is well worth your time.