One Piece: Pirate Warriors 4 finally gets the update it needed to become the game fans were hoping for back in 2020. Beyond the DLC and upcoming content, it’s a solid musou experience with more than 40 playable characters. The gameplay holds up well, but the rushed, watered-down story—trying to cram hundreds of chapters into just a few hours—does drag it down a bit. Still, from a gameplay standpoint, it’s a very enjoyable experience.
Bubble Bobble Sugar Dungeons, even with its strengths, falls somewhere between tribute and reinvention due to a handful of clunky gameplay decisions. The series’ signature charm is still there, but not enough to fully carry the experience over the long run, even with the added roguelike elements.
Octopath Traveler 0, as a prequel to the franchise, keeps everything fans already love—an engaging story, strategic and deep gameplay with a cast of charming characters. While a few elements could be more polished, it still stands out as a JRPG worth keeping on your radar for the rest of the year.
Kirby Air Riders is a quirky and unique racing game packed with odd but genuinely fun ideas. It offers plenty of content and several enjoyable modes, though some don’t fully reach their potential. Each race feels different, full of memorable moments, making it an ideal pick to play with friends.
Black Ops 7 marks a clear downturn for the franchise, with a shallow campaign, uninspired multiplayer, and a Zombies mode that can’t hold the experience together. It’s a release that highlights just how badly Call of Duty needs a break and a full creative reset.
Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment is a strong entry in the musou genre, built around a shared-narrative take on The Legend of Zelda. In terms of gameplay, it’s one of the genre’s highlights, offering well-executed mechanics that feel consistently satisfying. It blends classic Hack & Slash action with signature Zelda elements in a way that works smoothly, all while staying true to its roots.
Titans of the Tide doesn’t reinvent the formula, but it delivers a solid and fun 3D platforming adventure that fans of SpongeBob —and the genre— will enjoy. Its level design is smart and varied, making great use of each character’s abilities. It does suffer from some serious visual issues, but overall, it’s still an enjoyable ride.
Yakuza Kiwami 2 for Nintendo Switch 2 stands as the best version of one of the franchise’s greatest entries, letting players enjoy it both on TV and in handheld mode. With optimized visuals, full Spanish text support, dynamic combat, and the unmistakable storytelling style of Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio. While the portable mode doesn’t fully showcase its graphical potential, it remains an excellent way to continue the saga on the go.
Yakuza Kiwami for Nintendo Switch 2 has been updated so fans can enjoy one of its best versions yet. The game runs smoothly in both handheld and docked modes, delivering one of the finest action experiences in the genre. While there’s still room for improvement, the ability to play it on the go gives it an extra edge that makes it even more enjoyable.
Mortal Kombat: Legacy Kollection is a love letter to longtime fans of the franchise and a great entry point for newcomers who’ve only experienced the recent titles. Digital Eclipse has delivered a series of upgrades across most versions, including online multiplayer and new accessibility options for executing moves and fatalities—making the experience smoother and more enjoyable for all players.
