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Halo: Campaign Evolved is a faithful remake of the 2001 classic that highlights exactly why the original Halo holds up so well 25 years later. Bullet-spewing combat feels satisfyingly simple, while a handful of modernizations keep action slick. But, largely insignificant changes and superfluous bonus missions make me wonder why anyone other than PS5 players should care.

If you've had a hankering for a solo twist on the loot shooter genre, you'll love this, as it does that extremely well. A successful non-PvP outing for the series, Splatoon Raiders has room for improvement, but nonetheless offers a fun adventure that's not quite like anything else.

Assassin's Creed Black Flag Resynced isn't smooth sailing. Strong pirate adventure foundations and roguish charm keep this remake afloat, but it splashes between wanting to be faithful, and wanting to make adjustments, not quite able to find an elegant middleground between the two. Combined with bugs and other annoyances, this isn't the bold, confident swing its predecessor was, but still a fun outing.

Infectiously charming, Rhythm Heaven Groove's simple musical mini-games are buoyed by smart game design that becomes more than the sum of its parts, inviting you onto the stage to master its odd-ball antics. Loaded with side-modes, Beatspell is a surprise RPG triumph that deserves more investment, but is a great first step.

Star Fox soars on the Nintendo Switch 2, with the remake's complementary scope uplifting one of Nintendo's greatest action games. Improved visuals and added cutscenes make the Lylat System feel far fuller, and with the game's on-rails action proving timeless, this is now the definitive way to play Star Fox 64.

There are so many more cool things in Galactic Racer, like the tactile little minigame where you start up your vehicle, or the paddock where you can chill out between races and chat with NPCs. It all feels like a complete package, and out of everything I played at Summer Game Fest, this is the one I'm most looking forward to. [Hands-On Impressions]

Expansive without being intimidating, varied without being overwhelming, familiar without being tired; Elliot's adventures are wonderfully designed, consistently enjoyable, and utterly compelling. While The Adventures of Elliot: The MilleNnium Tales' writing may be more Mid than Middle-earth, the rest of the game compensates by being powerfully strong.

Brilliant, bizarre, and a bit too obnoxious for its own good, Gothic 1 Remake is a solid remake of a hugely influential RPG. Dedicated to keeping the deeply unique and unfriendly spirit of the original alive, this still feels like little else, though I can't help but wish it was willing to add more polish.

Mina the Hollower is one of the best indie games I've played in a long, long time. It borrows familiar ideas from Zelda, Dark Souls, and a million others to make its own, and offers endless choice and variety in how you carve your way through its world. It's an uncommon tribute to classic games that often surpasses the quality of the titles that inspired it.

007 First Light is Bond's best game yet thanks to smart design decisions that make this a well-rounded spy thriller. Merging together moments of blockbuster spectacle with slower-paced stealth, this understands the appeal of spycraft and is able to deliver the fantasy in ways no other game can. Starring a young James Bond, this origin story can sometimes feel like just a beginning – but what a way for this spy's career to kick off.