Marathon is off to an exceptional start, offering an intense shooter that thrives in PvP and stealthy infiltrations. The potency of Bungie's vision is to be applauded here, and I don't see myself putting Marathon down any time soon. [Review in Progress]
1348 Ex Voto starts with a wealth of potential, and unfortunately manages to squander it at every turn, creating a hollow, rage-inducing, and disappointing experience, with its beautiful depiction of Italy and talented performers being its only saving graces.
What Toxic Commando does, it does very well – but most of it has already been seen elsewhere. Carving through zombies is fun, but by failing to leverage the idea of superpowered protagonists, the threat of fatigue after completing the story for the first time looms large, which isn't ideal for an online game like this.
Monster Hunter Stories 3: Twisted Reflection may not supersede the thrills of an action-packed hunt, while other JRPGs have made more significant evolutions in comparison. Nonetheless, it's still an improvement for this sub-series with production values, mechanical depth, and challenge that makes it a worthy companion piece to its mainline apex.
A firm improvement on its predecessor even at this early stage, Slay the Spire 2's slight twist on its deckbuilding philosophy might not appeal to everyone, but makes for a rewardingly complex alternative. [Early Access Review]
World of Warcraft: Midnight is a smart expansion that builds upon The War Within and improves on strong MMORPG foundations. As before, this is an evolution rather than revolution, but I'm excited to see this icon still has room to grow. Small improvements really add up, making me want to spend far more time returning to this world than I expected.
WWE 2K26 is a brilliant wrestling game where it counts – but I recommend waiting a couple of months to purchase, to see how MyFaction and Ringside Pass rewards play out in the medium-term. For now, action in the ring is solid, and some of the best in the series, but it can sting when rewards feel so miserly and centered on monetization over skill.
Scott Pilgrim EX has all of the makings of another great brawler on Tribute Games' resume, gorgeous art, charming dialogue, and great soundtrack make it worth a run through. But, despite the fantastic varied roster of fighting-game inspired characters, there really isn't too much to do with them in the game's weak quest design and open world.
Pokemon Pokopia is like a brilliantly bizarre blend of Pokemon, Animal Crossing, Dragon Quest Builders, and Viva Piñata, and despite its many influences, manages to be a unique spin-off for the Pokemon series that's also an accomplished life sim.
Resident Evil Requiem is the most cinematic, bloody, surprisingly emotional moment for the franchise to-date. Its two protagonists complement one another for a balanced experience that feels more narrativized than ever before, with bombastic combat and strong set pieces amping up the nostalgia without feeling gimmicky. Requiem sees Capcom drawing from 30 years of terror to expand its lore, chart a path forward, and pay homage to a gilded survival horror legacy – one with plenty of life left in it.
