Toxic Commando is an interesting mix with the core of good old cooperative zombie action, on which it layers excellently crafted vehicle movement in difficult terrain. The random layout of the maps helps the replayability, although it would have deserved a little more variety. John Carpenter's name is not in the title for nothing, and the epic visuals combined with the bombastic soundtrack do not disgrace the name of the horror master at all.
Resident Evil Requiem is a magnificent return of the horror legend, balancing between pure survival and action, and not all of its ideas work equally well, but as a whole it represents a superbly crafted, audiovisually stunning and extremely entertaining blockbuster that confirms that Capcom has its flagship series firmly in hand. Despite minor reservations, it is a fantastic horror ride that only narrowly misses the absolute peak of the series.
Mewgenics is a tactical RPG that only appears cute on the surface, hiding beneath its layer of meows an unprecedentedly deep, brutally addictive, and creatively unrestrained system that rewards experimentation, tolerates failure, and joyfully breaks its own rules. It offers an almost endless number of combinations, constant surprises, and the sense of playing something that refuses to repeat itself or pander. It can easily consume hundreds of hours without ever feeling exhausted or self-indulgent, while confidently pushing the entire genre forward. If a modern gold standard for tactical roguelite RPGs exists, its name is Mewgenics.
Nioh 3 is not without flaws: It could be more expansive, offer a wider variety of weapons, and feature a more diverse bestiary. Even so, it stands as the most entertaining soulslike since Elden Ring. The ability to switch between samurai and ninja adds new depth to combat, while the option to tailor a fighting style to personal preference works exceptionally well. The thoughtfully designed open world encourages exploration without compromising the game’s tough but fair difficulty. For fans of the series and the genre alike, it represents a clear high point of the trilogy.
Cairn is a first-rate climbing simulator that goes far beyond its genre. It captivates with its environment and vistas, soothes with its melodic tones, moves with stories grounded in basic human experiences, prompts reflection on one’s own motivation, and rewards effort of any kind: Significant or small. A profound experience that lingers long after playing, and even when the summit is reached, its repeated call continues to resonate within.
MIO: Memories in Orbit is an outstanding metroidvania that easily stands alongside genre giants like Ori and the Blind Forest and Hollow Knight. Its watercolor visuals and captivating, vibrant world full of hazards and secrets kept me glued to the screen for dozens of hours without a single dull moment. The only minor drawback lies in the less engaging classic combat encounters during exploration, though this can be somewhat mitigated through settings.
Pathologic 3 channels the spirit of classic Russian literature in a more accessible form. It is an intensely oppressive experience that approaches the story of a plague-stricken town in unconventional ways. Its masterfully constructed narrative and singular atmosphere consistently subvert expectations, framed within a surprisingly compelling gameplay (time) loop whose repetition only begins to wear thin in the later stages. At the same time, it demands significantly less discomfort and hardship than either of its predecessors.
Octopath Traveler 0 is not a bad game, but the silent protagonist and somewhat impersonal party diminish some of its narrative impact. The individual storylines compete in their darkness and at times push the drama unnecessarily far. However, new features such as village building and the addition of two combat rows refresh the proven formula, resulting in an addictive and entertaining JRPG that can easily provide dozens of hours of enjoyment.
If crude humor appeals, and a road trip with friends full of situational comedy, swearing, and bizarre physics antics sounds enticing, this title delivers all of that, plus a charming visual style. Technically it could use some polish, but otherwise it is a more entertaining cooperative romp than expected. There’s no chance of boredom on this journey.
Of Ash and Steel is a conflicted RPG that stands out thanks to its grounded exploration of a distinctly European-flavored fantasy world and a functional character progression system. At its best, it feels like a return to older-school RPG design, though this impression is repeatedly undermined by frequent technical issues, broken quests, and illogical quality-of-life decisions. The game’s ambitions clearly exceed its execution.
