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The Adventures of Elliot: The Millennium Tales is an adventure that wins players over with its old-school gameplay, but above all with the strength of its story, which becomes increasingly engaging before bursting into a twist-filled second half and culminating in a truly epic finale. The stunning HD-2D presentation, an intelligent combat system, the highly successful Ages mechanic, and several memorable boss battles all contribute to making the journey consistently rewarding. It's a shame, however, that the game suffers from a lack of enemy variety, an approach that at times feels a little too derivative of the great classics of the past, and side quests and optional dungeons that fall noticeably short of the quality of the main adventure. That said, there's no denying that this is one of the most fascinating and surprising adventures that Square Enix has delivered in recent years.

Rise of the Tomb Raider on Nintendo Switch 2 proves to be a good port that entertains in the right way, even if not always perfectly. There's room for improvement, especially regarding moments where some input lag is noticeable and a mouse mode that isn't always flawless. For everything else, what you'll have in your hands is a truly fantastic game that every action/adventure-loving gamer should try at least once. Moreover, if you've never played it before and want to enjoy its portability, then this Switch 2 version could really be the right fit for you. Rise of the Tomb Raider takes everything Crystal Dynamics did well with the first reboot and elevates it to the next level. The edition in question also includes new stories, additional costumes, and modes that will put players' skills to the test. With a few small compromises, Lara is reborn (once again) on Nintendo's flagship console, perhaps awaiting Shadow of the Tomb Raider, the concluding chapter of the Survivor trilogy.

Nothing new under the sun, but anyone craving their yearly dose of virtual Formula 1 is unlikely to be disappointed. The absence of a couple of features is hard to ignore, and the pricing remains open to debate: it's certainly more appealing than a full-priced annual release, though perhaps a little steep for what is essentially an extensive season update. Still, if you enjoyed F1 25 and prefer tackling Career Mode solo, the 2026 Season Pack is well worth considering.

Replaying Xenoblade Chronicles in 2026 serves as a reminder of why this title is frequently cited as one of the greatest JRPGs of all time. The story remains moving, the cast unforgettable, and the combat system retains all its depth; meanwhile, the game world still manages to convey that sense of discovery that many modern titles have lost. The new features introduced in this Nintendo Switch 2 Edition do not revolutionize the original structure, but they tangibly enhance the experience in every respect. For those who have never played Xenoblade Chronicles, this is quite simply the best possible version. For those already familiar with it, it offers the perfect opportunity to revisit one of the finest journeys ever told in a video game.

Terrinoth: Heroes of Descent works best as a digital board game session: tactical, readable, focused, and easy to approach. Its combat system is clever and party synergies are satisfying, but narrative depth, character progression, and online co-op stability hold it back. A solid adaptation of Descent, though not a definitive one.

We could spend time debating whether the gameplay system of Gothic 1 has aged well or poorly, but we would end up stuck in the usual divide between those who love its classic gameplay and those who would have preferred a more modern overhaul. The key point is that, knowing you are approaching a no-compromise gaming experience with deliberately clunky mechanics, Gothic 1 Remake offers an experience that is, at least in theory, just as enjoyable today as it was in 2001. In practice, however, Gothic 1 Remake is held back by its technical performance, with an abundance of bugs, inaccuracies, and even the occasional crash, making it difficult to fully enjoy everything the game has to offer. It is a real shame that a title with such a dedicated fanbase—and the potential to gain new ones—suffers from such a problematic state. Even after several patches, the situation does not appear to have improved significantly. Gothic 1 Remake could be a solid action RPG, capable of bringing back an excellent blend of exploration and gameplay systems, but at the moment the technical side acts as a bottleneck. Perhaps, with a major code overhaul, the team at Alkimia Interactive could manage to resolve at least part of the issues, but for now the undeniable strengths of the project struggle to outweigh its weaknesses. That said, with a healthy and generous dose of patience, it is still possible to experience this original adventure—revived (but not fully refined)—which remains, even today, full of charm.

A love letter to classic arcade racers, featuring solid driving mechanics, a respectable selection of cars and tracks, and a challenge level that is both accessible and engaging without ever feeling overly old-school. It may not have enough content to keep players busy for weeks, but for a quick pick-up-and-play session, especially in local multiplayer, it's hard to ask for more.

There is a wide range of activities available, and the formula devised by the Cyberwave team works well without ever becoming overly frustrating—save for a few moments where you are forced to "grind" more than necessary. There are some minor pacing issues, and the threats are virtually non-existent, aside from the occasional lightning bolt that might chip away at your health. All in all, we believe Solarpunk makes for a great pastime—offering just the right level of challenge while being incredibly relaxing—which is no small feat for a video game.

Unfortunately, Konami’s new football-focused project fails to impress. In the name of extreme accessibility, eFootball Kick-Off! leaves behind many of the elements that made the old PES series successful and that could still have made the game more engaging today. While the arcade-style gameplay is decent, it is also heavily simplified and cannot carry on its own a package that feels thin and offers very little variety. The single-player content is limited, featuring a World Cup mode (without an official license), friendly matches, a stripped-down Master League, and a couple of minigames. Multiplayer provides more reasons to keep playing, but even there players will encounter technical limitations and a lack of variety. The idea of having a PES experience both at home and on the go is certainly appealing, but it feels as though Konami approached the project on a tight budget. The game’s accessibility and very low price point are welcome, yet it is hard not to feel that a few additional features and modes could have been included. eFootball Kick-Off! struggles to maintain interest over the long term, but it may still be the right choice for those looking for a few quick matches, whether relaxing on the couch or playing under a beach umbrella. Perhaps this time, Italy might not only qualify for the World Cup—but actually win it.

If Echo Generation 2 manages to consolidate the groundwork laid by its predecessor, it doesn't fully succeed in daring to explore new territory. It undeniably hints at a potential that is only partially realized, especially in terms of situational variety and character development. It remains a title capable of drawing players in through atmosphere and style, though less convincing when it comes to delivering surprises over the long haul.