Gamereactor UK

If you've never enjoyed a Fire Emblem game, I can promise you'll love Fortune's Weave. It offers the tactical battles of yesteryear mixed with modern options and expanded possibilities, and if it wasn't already obvious that you needed a Switch 2, it will become increasingly clear as Fire Emblem: Fortune's Weave hits the shelves around the world. For this is undeniably one of the best titles of the year, and it's also a must-have for all Nintendo Switch 2 owners.

It's a treat to play, runs smoothly, and is thoroughly entertaining. It captures Wolverine as a character both mechanically and narratively, making it truly satisfying to step into his shoes. But it's also a tad unambitious. I wish Insomniac had pushed themselves a bit further when it comes to combat scenarios, set pieces and level design, and let their imagination run wild with the platforming. That would have made Marvel's Wolverine a top-class action game. As it stands, it has to settle for being a really good one of its kind.

If you've ever wondered what it would be like to command a titanic war machine in Warhammer 40K or similar games, this comes quite close, even though they aren't related. With good gameplay elements, a solid introduction and calculations that aren't overly complex, you can confidently don the captain's cap and command this colossus in battle. It sounds great and offers plenty of immersion. The game won't be the longest, but you'll be left wanting more once you've fully completed the campaign and the two different modes in skirmish mode.

NBA 2K27 is a sports game that gets almost everything right when it comes to the basketball itself, but there are a few issues. Visually, the game hasn't progressed in a few years, and whilst it isn't ugly by any means, it feels like an upgrade is needed soon. There's also still a sense this is the most money-grabbing of the major sports games, with currency dominating several game modes. Although there are some pleasant additions, particularly in the MyNBA Franchise mode, it unfortunately feels as though the series has lost a bit of its momentum and has fallen into a sort of lull.

It isn't entirely perfect, and certain elements still feel clearly rooted in a different era, yet it manages the feat of evoking a strong longing for a bygone gaming era. For me, who doesn't share the same personal connection to the original as many Amiga gamers, that is perhaps the highest praise of all.

Hot Wheels: Infinite Rush captures the playful spirit of the toys surprisingly well, but its smaller maps, limited customisation, and occasionally awkward driving prevent it from reaching its full potential. There is a solid foundation here, and the online mode could add plenty, but for now, Infinite Rush feels a little empty.

NHL 27 feels like the NHL. That's actually both the game's greatest strength and its biggest problem. It works, it's fun, things happen, and I can get caught up in a match and suddenly realise I've been sitting there longer than I intended. When an attack goes perfectly and the puck ends up in the top corner after a neatly constructed move, it's still a very satisfying hockey experience. At the same time, I'm left with the feeling EA could have done more. I'd have liked to see smarter teammates, I'd have liked to see a greater distinction between the tactics, I'd have liked the control scheme to be more user-friendly, and above all, I'd have liked to feel that little sense of "blimey, this really is something new." That feeling rarely strikes.

Orbitals' overall identity is closely tied to its aesthetics, and that's fine. Fortunately, the studio has designed a range of solid puzzles, a series of satisfying mechanics and versatile level design, which keep it entertaining right through to the end. I would have liked to see a bit more effort put into the overarching narrative, but we were smiling all the way through, and that's saying something.

The game goes a step beyond merely being a homage, and perhaps borrows a few too many gameplay elements from the legendary The Witcher 3, but it's hard not to be quite considerably impressed by what Rebel Wolves has achieved here. The Blood of Dawnwalker offers innovative solutions to well-established design challenges that far larger, more experienced studios have been unable to resolve, and it does so with flair, character, and enthusiasm.

Servant of the Lake is quite simply another very good Rusty Lake game. It doesn't revolutionise the series, and perhaps that's not the intention either. Instead, it takes what has worked for over a decade and packages it into a slightly more accessible adventure with clever puzzles, a wonderfully unsettling atmosphere, and just the right amount of narrative. For anyone who already loves Rusty Lake, this is practically a must-play.