Worth Playing

The Adventures of Elliot: The Millennium Tales feels like it gets about three-quarters of the way toward being a fantastic game, but its final stretch drags it down. When it's firing on all cylinders, it's a great deal of fun and comes very close to capturing the energy and spirit of a classic Zelda title. When it isn't, it feels slow, meandering, and unfocused. A strong soundtrack and beautiful visuals help elevate the experience, but ultimately, Adventures of Elliot lands as a good game that could have been great with a bit more polish and focus.

In the end, this port of Rise of the Tomb Raider is as good as the game itself. The scope of the environments and presence of side tombs make the world feel ripe for exploration. The combination of stealth and combat works well, but shooting still feels a tad off. The inclusion of different extra modes and content gives you enough of a reason to return to the game after finishing the main campaign. The presentation is very solid, even if it falls a step below the original Xbox One iteration. If you've somehow never experienced this title before, the Switch 2 version is a good way to do so. Here's hoping that it doesn't take a new console release before Shadow of the Tomb Raider makes its way to a Nintendo platform.

LEGO Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight is both a very good LEGO Batman game and a very good overall Batman game. The focus on a small set of characters makes everyone feel like they're more than just a skin swap. The use of an open world is well done, since it actually feels like a living place. The combat is more fluid but feels natural, while the kid-friendly humor is retained to keep the game feeling light-hearted, even during the more serious scenes. This is a game meant for every kind of Batman fan, and it is a title well worth playing.

Psyvariar 3 proves that the series' core formula can evolve without sacrificing what made it memorable in the first place. The signature buzz system remains intact; it works exceptionally well once you understand its mechanics. The addition of multiple ships with meaningful differences adds considerable depth, while the varied difficulty settings and game modes give the experience lasting appeal. For shoot-'em-up fans, Psyvariar 3 is well worth a look, especially if you're seeking something that stands apart from the genre's usual conventions.

Terrinoth: Heroes of Descent succeeds by embracing simplicity. Its accessible combat system and short, self-contained missions make it an appealing choice for newcomers to the Descent universe and for players who don't have hours to dedicate to a single gaming session. While the experience can feel uneven at times, its strengths ultimately outweigh its flaws. Once players become familiar with its systems, they'll find a casual RPG that delivers enjoyable adventures without demanding a major time commitment. Even veterans of larger, more complex RPGs may appreciate Terrinoth's lighter, more relaxed approach.

Bubsy 4D comes remarkably close to being a fantastic platformer. The foundation is excellent, and the game remains enjoyable from start to finish thanks to its outstanding movement and solid level design. Unfortunately, nearly everything beyond those fundamentals feels underdeveloped, while the constant self-deprecating humor often makes the game seem embarrassed by its own existence. If you're looking for great movement and satisfying platforming, Bubsy 4D delivers. I just wish it had a little more confidence and substance beyond that.

Still, MLB The Show 26 comes down to playing ball, and in that sense, it still remains capable of draining away chunks of your day (or week). Few sports games have done as well in mastering the soul of its sport. The pacing, tension, and strategy of the game translate wonderfully, and it's still the best day at the gaming ballpark you can find.

Final Fantasy VII Rebirth remains as strong now as it was at launch. Its compelling, carefully crafted story and best-in-class combat system make it an essential experience for anyone who enjoyed the first entry in the trilogy. A slight overreliance on minigames can occasionally slow the pacing, but it rarely undermines the overall experience. While the Switch 2 version does come with some clear technical compromises, none of them meaningfully diminish how consistently fun and engaging the game is.

Mina the Hollower does for Zelda what Shovel Knight did for Mega Man. It's a revival of a classic franchise in spirit while having enough of its own flavor and style to avoid coming across as a simple clone or copy. It's clever, creative, and an absolute delight to play from start to finish, while having enough bonus content and modifiers to keep the game exciting even after you complete its roughly 20-hour playtime. In a year that's already filled with amazing games, Mina still shines.

007 First Light shows that the Hitman developers have a good handle on how to make a James Bond game work within their wheelhouse. The emphasis on less flashy espionage alongside multiple avenues to accomplish your given goal works to this game's favor in helping to differentiate it from past 007 games. There's still enough action to prevent the game from feeling like a complete tonal shift from common expectations. The quality of the stealth helps compensate for the combat, which is good but can feel lacking in areas. The adventure remains fun but familiar, while the presentation is top-notch. The game is another good example of how to do a licensed game well, and the hope is that we'll see IO Interactive do more in this universe, whether that's DLC or a full-on sequel.