While there’s plenty of content on offer, Black Ops 7’s well-executed (if not overly familiar) multiplayer and Zombies modes are eclipsed by a truly baffling, nonsensical campaign. Here’s hoping that 2026’s Call of Duty manages to find its footing again and, hopefully, stick the landing.
Lumines Arise takes Tetsuya Mizuguchi’s puzzle game masterpiece to a new level. With plenty of mesmerizing stages and gameplay that is as entrancing as ever, this is one of the best puzzle games ever made.
While it’s difficult to adapt a story that people already know so well, Microids has done a great job of making sure that it feels fresh with new characters, plot beats, and an updated setting. Whether you know the original Agatha Christie story or not, detective game fans will be in for a treat with Death on the Nile. Let’s hope Microids continues its Agatha Christie adaptations as it clearly has a winning formula on its hands.
Biped 2 can be fun to play with friends, but you really have to be committed to get through the more difficult levels. Featuring solo and four-player modes, there are more ways to enjoy the action than ever before, with each feeling like a unique experience. If you’ve already gotten through Split Fiction and other great co-op games, then this is a great way to continue the challenge, but it wouldn’t be my first recommendation.
Once Upon a Katamari gets what has made the series such a long-lasting and beloved gaming franchise. The latest Katamari game is simply a joy to experience, as it gives the Prince plenty of wacky objects to roll up and is a worthy sequel. Both newcomers and series veterans will have a blast with Bandai Namco’s latest, as it’s hard to imagine anyone not smiling while playing.
Ninja Gaiden 4 is a true return to form for Team Ninja’s signature series. Featuring the best action you’ll find in a game this year and a great new character in Yakumo, this is a worthy successor to Ninja Gaiden II and avoids the many missteps that plagued 3. Placed well among Team Ninja and PlatinumGames’ best efforts, Ninja Gaiden 4 fully lives up to the hype and is a total blast.
Battlefield 6 is one of the PlayStation 5’s best shooters. Featuring a replayable and rewarding campaign, plus some of the most satisfying multiplayer that players have come to expect, this is the full package. This is a game I can’t wait to continue playing for years, and I can’t wait to see how it evolves and how the Portal helps mold the future of the series.
While it’ll never be optimal playing a dense city-building game on a console, Frostpunk 2 is the latest example that it can be done well. The survival game is still thrilling to play with a controller, even if it might take a while for the controls to become second nature. With proper UI scaling and PSSR support, 11 Bit Studios has done a great job with this port.
A lovingly crafted remaster of an all-time great classic, Final Fantasy Tactics – The Ivalice Chronicles is the update that the seminal tactical RPG game deserves. The new controls and difficulty options make it the most accessible version of the game, while the gameplay and presentation tweaks are undeniable upgrades. While completists will still miss some of the War of the Lions content, this classic has stood the test of time and is a must-buy for RPG fans.
Sometimes half a head is all you need, as Henry Halfhead is an imaginative and fun time for gamers of all ages. With a surprisingly impactful narrative and some creative puzzles, this goes beyond a simple sandbox and winds up being a PS5 game with a lot of heart that you should check out.
