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Aether & Iron is a stylish and ambitious narrative RPG set in a retrofuturistic 1930s New York. Its strongest elements are its rich worldbuilding, sharp social themes, and noir-inspired storytelling, driven by meaningful choices and an introspective protagonist. While its tactical combat and RPG systems take a back seat, the game excels where it matters most, delivering a cohesive, immersive experience that feels fresh and distinct.

A triumphant yet imperfect return, World of Warcraft: Midnight delivers one of the MMO’s strongest modern expansions. Blizzard shines in world design, progression systems, and especially its rich side stories, which often outclass the main narrative. However, the central story stumbles with uneven pacing, underused legacy characters, and a lack of real stakes, leaving its ambitious themes underdeveloped. Even so, Midnight succeeds where it matters most: it feels fresh, accessible, and genuinely fun, marking a confident step forward for a 20-year-old MMO.

Tomodachi Life: Living the Dream is a surprisingly addictive and creative social simulator that constantly delivers bizarre and funny moments. What starts as a simple concept quickly turns into a chaotic and engaging experience, driven by its deep Mii creator and the freedom to shape your island. Its humor, personality, and unexpected emotional moments make it stand out. It’s a great choice for players who enjoy creativity and lighthearted chaos, offering a unique and very enjoyable experience.

PRAGMATA has the potential to be the new star franchise of Capcom; it has a frenetic style of combat, excellent level design, a lot of items to find, a deep variety of personalization and two protagonists that work perfectly together. It is a marvelous action and adventure game that always maintains itself interesting and exciting.

Marathon finds itself in a difficult position. On one hand, it is a title unafraid to make you eat dirt and learn from your mistakes, all while delivering an experience with few apparent downsides—at least on paper—and featuring a presentation that stands out amidst the endless array of hyper-realistic offerings currently flooding the market. On the other hand, it is a tough sell to an audience whose sheer fatigue with "games as a service" keeps them at a safe distance from the blast zone.

Screamer delivers a bold take on arcade racing, blending high-speed action with layered combat mechanics and an unexpectedly deep narrative. Its innovative dual-stick driving system and interconnected gameplay systems add strategic depth, but also come with a steep learning curve and occasional pacing issues. While not the most accessible racer, those willing to master its complexity will find a stylish and rewarding experience with a strong sense of identity.

Fatal Frame II: Crimson Butterfly Remake is a strong return for a beloved horror classic. While its controls and learning curve can be challenging at first, the game delivers an outstanding atmosphere, tense combat, and a compelling story. It’s a must-play for horror fans looking for a truly immersive experience.

Crimson Desert is one of the most ambitious games in a long time. It’s an expansive, and deeply detailed fantasy world that constantly invites exploration and rewards curiosity. Its fluid, skill-based combat and sheer scale are genuinely impressive, but that same ambition often works against it. A lack of focus, overly complex systems, and a slow, demanding progression can make the experience feel overwhelming and, at times, exhausting. It’s a game of extremes: deeply immersive and rewarding for those willing to invest the time, but far from accessible for everyone.

Monster Hunter Stories 3: Twisted Reflection refines the formula established by its predecessors with a deeper turn-based combat system, a charming cast of characters, and a striking anime-inspired presentation. The game successfully adapts the spirit of Monster Hunter into a strategic RPG experience where planning, equipment, and Monstie management play a central role. While its world is larger and more ambitious than before, exploration can feel somewhat empty, making the adventure feel less dynamic than it initially promises. Even so, Twisted Reflection stands as a polished and engaging evolution of the spin-off series.

WWE 2K26 has a nice balance between adding new elements and tweaking its formula while respecting what has worked for years. Each year, it demonstrates why the series is the best wrestling simulator on the market, and this time it gets so close to realism that there are even a couple of annoying things. Clearly, it's an imperfect title, but the elements that work fine are pure quality.