Ys X: Proud Nordics is the definitive way to experience Adol and Karja's maritime adventure. The massive quality-of-life improvements to ship navigation and the rock-solid performance on current hardware elevate the already excellent Cross Action System to new heights. While a slow opening and a somewhat grind-heavy rune progression system keep it from sheer perfection, the thrilling combat, phenomenal soundtrack, and stellar character dynamics make it a must-play action RPG. A truly epic voyage that respects the legacy of the franchise.
Despite its fascinating 14th-century Italian setting and a combat system inspired by real historical martial arts, 1348 Ex Voto collapses under the weight of its own ambition. The rushed narrative, clunky and repetitive gameplay loop, jarringly empty environments, and a severe lack of technical polish overshadow the undeniable passion of the small development team. It's a game with great potential that sadly bites off much more than it can chew, leaving players with a frustratingly unrefined and buggy experience.
John Carpenter’s Toxic Commando doesn’t reinvent much within the cooperative shooter genre, but it’s fun to play and the addition of vehicles proves to be a winning feature.
Simply one of the best monster collectors ever made: Capcom's title features an excellent and challenging combat system, and an addictive Monstie capture system.
Fatal Frame II: Crimson Butterfly Remake successfully resurrects the absolute masterpiece of the franchise. The visual overhaul, the suffocating sound design, and the new side stories deepen an already tragic and unforgettable narrative. While the updated combat system is mostly a step forward, questionable additions like 'enraged' spirits and a slightly unbalanced upgrade economy can artificially slow down the pacing, especially during the first playthrough. Still, these flaws cannot overshadow what remains a phenomenal, chilling, and emotionally devastating J-Horror experience that every genre fan should play.
Cairn is a brave, tactile, and often mesmerizing climbing experience that tries to capture the raw friction of mountaineering. However, its brilliant "independent limb" system is frequently undermined by invasive survival mechanics that break the immersion and a frustrating camera that struggles in tight spaces. It’s a game of high peaks and deep valleys: when it works, it’s a visceral triumph; when it doesn’t, it’s a fight against the interface rather than the mountain.
WWE 2K26 is loud, excessive, and delightfully crazy. Visual Concepts has chosen chaos as its mantra—certified by the presence of CM Punk—and the result is a game packed with content and new features. The problem is that beneath all this spectacle, the engine creaks, and some gameplay systems feel very old.
Reanimal is a disturbing and visually meticulous déjà-vu, where gameplay lacks courage and co-op isn't fully exploited. Still, better to play it in two than alone.
