RikkuESP

The Alters: The Last Variable is a fantastic DLC. It's noticeably simpler than the base game, but it keeps everything I loved about The Alters. It feels less like a highly replayable expansion and more like a great standalone story that gives a proper conclusion to one of the most charismatic Alters: the Scientist. I enjoyed every minute of it. It also offers much more content than I expected. Getting everything to 100%—all research completed and everything fully upgraded—took me around 15 hours, which I think is a great value for a DLC. It may not be as mechanically demanding in terms of colony management, but it still delivers meaningful decisions, a strong narrative, and an important new scenario. A must-play if you enjoyed the base game. Full review once I finish digesting everything, but for now I can wholeheartedly recommend it.

Duncrush is a lot shorter than I expected. The idea itself is good, but it feels like it needed a lot more QoL. You can't move with WASD or the arrow keys, you can't access the settings while playing to lower the volume, and there's no easy way to know which levels drop the items that some achievements require you to max out. On top of that, a large part of the skill tree feels completely useless. By the end, most of my playtime was spent trying to get the last three achievements with nothing really pushing me forward besides getting the trophy itself. Not a bad game, but it never fully develops its ideas and I wouldn't necessarily recommend it.

Berry Bury Berry is a decent little game with a surprisingly unique horror twist. It’s not anything particularly amazing as an incremental game, but the atmosphere and theme help it stand out from the crowd and make it memorable enough. Its biggest issue is that it becomes very repetitive, and not in the satisfying way that many incremental games do. A lot of the gameplay remains quite manual from start to finish, which eventually starts to wear thin. Still, the horror elements give it enough personality to make it worth a look if the premise interests you.

I watched the TV series before finally playing The Last of Us Part I, and I had already seen much of the story years ago on YouTube, so some of its biggest moments didn't hit me as hard as they probably would have otherwise. Even then, it was easy to see why this game became such a classic. The story is incredibly well told, the characters are memorable, and many parts of the journey managed to keep me genuinely tense. The gameplay does a fantastic job of making every resource feel valuable and every encounter feel dangerous, exactly as a situation like this should. The atmosphere, pacing, and attention to detail all come together to create something special. A very good game and a classic that absolutely deserves its reputation.

Pragmata is honestly one of the best games I’ve played all year. It was an incredible surprise. I barely followed it during development and wasn’t especially interested before release, but once I started seeing more gameplay and reviews, it completely caught my attention — and after playing it, I understand why. The gameplay is executed amazingly well. The mix of hacking and shooting feels unlike anything else I’ve played, or at least never implemented this well before. Everything in this game feels intentional. It feels crafted with genuine care and attention, like somebody truly thought about every detail. The game feel, the movement, the flow of combat… it all feels incredible. And the story is beautiful. I don’t want to say much more because I genuinely think this is a game best experienced with as little information as possible, but it’s without a doubt one of my biggest recommendations and one of the very best games of 2026 — maybe even the best for me.

Frostpunk is, honestly, a really, really great game. It reminds me a lot of The Alters, which makes sense since both come from 11 bit studios — a studio I’m liking more and more, and I’m genuinely excited to see what they do next. It also shares some ideas with colony simulators like Oxygen Not Included, but in a more focused and somewhat lighter way mechanically. That said, the difference in theme and weight is everything. You’re not a duplicant in space, not an astronaut dealing with clones and identity dilemmas. Here, you are leading people — real people, with names, thoughts, discontent, and hope — trying to survive in a frozen wasteland. And sooner than you expect, the game puts you in situations you never thought you would even consider. At first, it might just be sending children to help in the kitchens or gather basic materials — simpler tasks, easier to justify. But then you find yourself signing laws that allow them to work everywhere, and eventually sending them to mine coal in extended shifts. That’s when it hits you. When you realize that if they don’t do it, your generator might shut down — and with it, your people’s hope, the health of the sick, and the lives of your citizens — that’s when morality and necessity truly start to weigh on you. You might find a shipment out in the wild, full of resources you desperately need, while knowing it belongs to a nearby settlement. If you take it, they may not survive the next couple of days. What matters more? Their lives, or the lives of your people? Is that selfishness… or leadership? It depends on where you stand. It’s a difficult game — not just mechanically (even if its colony management is more approachable), but because of everything it represents. You will be forced to make decisions you don’t want to make, because the alternative is death. This isn’t a game where you casually pick one of four dialogue options and get a “they will remember this” message. Here, decisions have consequences the game won’t warn you about — just like real life. Every step matters, and you have to move forward with both confidence and caution. A powerful, tense, and deeply human experience. A great game, and an easy recommendation.

Pokémon Pokopia has been one of the most surprising and genuinely inspiring games I’ve played this year. I always knew I’d end up buying it — the mix of Pokémon with this kind of gameplay sounded way too appealing — but I expected something much smaller, maybe just a lighter (or even worse) version of Animal Crossing. I’m really glad I was completely wrong. This game feels like the perfect blend of Animal Crossing and Minecraft. Having your “villagers” as Pokémon is such a great idea, and discovering new ones and their habitats keeps feeling exciting even after 40 hours and finishing the main story. The freedom to reshape the world from early on is just as impressive — it really encourages creativity, even if you’re not usually into building or decorating. It’s surprisingly deep despite its simple mechanics, and everything it tries to do, it does extremely well. One of the best Pokémon spin-offs I’ve played, and a clear step in the right direction for the series.

Warhammer 40,000: Rogue Trader is a really, really vast game. After more than 20 hours you start to feel confident, like you understand what’s going on — and then it keeps expanding. New systems, new layers, new information… and that feeling still happens even after 100 hours. If you enjoy this kind of experience — heavy on text and classic CRPG gameplay like Baldur's Gate 3 or Divinity: Original Sin 2 — and you have even a slight interest in Warhammer 40K, you’re going to love this. I went in knowing almost nothing about the lore, and came out understanding a lot more. The game teaches you its universe naturally, without ever feeling like a lecture — it makes you feel part of it. That said, it can be overwhelming at times. There’s so much going on that stepping away for a few days can make it hard to jump back in. It’s not a flaw, but it’s something you should be aware of — and you’re definitely not alone if it happens. With all that said… Abelard, close this review with a solid 90 after 112 hours of gameplay, and show these readers why I am the Rogue Trader.

Satisfactory is, without a shadow of a doubt, one of the best factory games of all time. It shares the number one spot with Factorio for me. Both are outstanding, similar in some ways, but different enough in how they approach automation that they don’t compete — they complement each other and shine in their own way. I will definitely come back someday to fulfill my duty to Humanity, FICSIT, puppies, and kittens. Do not hesitate about this purchase. FICSIT is waiting.

Execute is a decent and somewhat curious incremental game with a darker, more gore-leaning theme. The interface isn’t really my favorite, but it does the job and works well enough. It’s a short experience — in under three hours you’ll likely have almost all achievements — but for a quick session it’s fine, especially if you grab it on a good sale.

Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 looks absolutely incredible — visually, it’s stunning. On the gameplay side there are a few small things that could be improved, like the aiming, but overall it nails the fantasy perfectly. You truly feel like a Space Marine, whether you know the Warhammer 40K universe or not. The game does a great job of pulling you into the setting and making you want to learn more about the lore. The campaign alone is worth playing, and the multiplayer is also quite fun. A very strong and satisfying experience.

Supermarket Together is a supermarket simulator that’s way more fun and addictive than it has any right to be — especially when played with friends. Honestly, it feels like a steal that this game is free. I even bought the cosmetic DLC for myself and my friends just to support the developer, because the experience is that good. Very well made, ridiculously enjoyable, and absolutely deserving of more content in the future.

Tower Wizard is a very enjoyable incremental game that lasted me around six hours. It never feels too short or too dragged out — the pacing is just right. A fun, well-balanced experience that knows exactly how long it needs to be.

Orcs Must Die! Deathtrap is a solid and fun tower defense game. Some of the changes made me miss elements from previous Orcs Must Die! entries, but overall it still works well and remains enjoyable. It really shines when played with friends, though it’s also perfectly fine solo. Not the best in the series, but still a good time.

Metal Gear Solid V: Ground Zeroes is a compact but demanding experience. I did everything needed to unlock all the rewards for The Phantom Pain, and while the main mission is quite short, it can be tough — especially on higher difficulties and during the first runs. As someone who hadn’t played every Metal Gear before, it wasn’t always easy to understand at first. That said, once you push through the initial confusion and complete a few side missions, the game really opens up. There’s a strong sense of progression, and slowly you start to understand how all the systems interact. A solid introduction that rewards patience and mastery.

Dispatch feels like watching an animated series in the vein of Invincible or The Boys — but with the added weight of making decisions that feel important, whether they truly change everything or not. The story is engaging, well written, and leaves you with a great aftertaste once it’s over, along with an immediate urge to replay it and see other outcomes. It was one of my biggest surprises this year and easily one of the best games I’ve played recently — especially coming from someone who isn’t usually a fan of Telltale-style games. A fantastic discovery.

Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain is an absolute masterpiece in terms of gameplay. A work of art when it comes to player freedom, controls, and systemic design. The story, like many Metal Gear games, doesn’t quite reach the heights of some of its predecessors and feels weaker in comparison — but the gameplay more than makes up for it. This is, without a doubt, the Metal Gear I’ve enjoyed playing the most. Its approach to stealth is unmatched and feels like the purest expression of what the series has always aimed to be. A remaster or proper extension to fully polish the narrative would make it truly perfect — but even as it is, it stands as something exceptional.

A Game About Digging a Hole is an incremental game that just didn’t fully click with me. I didn’t find it especially engaging, and overall it felt a bit dull. I wasn’t even motivated to go for the 100%, especially since most achievements are hidden behind the main one. It’s not terrible, but it didn’t leave much of an impression either. I wouldn’t strongly recommend it.

(the) Gnorp Apologue made me realize, after 16 hours, that there’s actually an option to close the game. That should tell you everything. Amazing game, even better rock. One of the most fun and charming incremental games I’ve played. It looks great, feels great to play, and completely nailed that addictive “just one more minute” loop. I loved pretty much everything about it. A standout in the genre.

A Game About Feeding A Black Hole is extremely short and holds your hand far too much. As an incremental game, it’s honestly quite weak. There’s barely any player freedom, no real choices, no replayability, and no prestige system — all the things that usually define and elevate the genre. As a very passive experience where you sit, move the mouse, and watch decisions being made for you, it’s… fine, I guess. It looks nice and the idea is well intentioned, but as an incremental game, it completely misses the mark. I wouldn’t recommend it for fans of the genre — though it might still be worth picking up just to support the developer and encourage future projects.

RATSHAKER has an interesting concept, especially considering it was made in just 48 hours. That said, the execution is uneven. At times it feels confusing, and overall it didn’t really manage to keep me engaged — I found myself getting bored more often than not. Not a bad idea on paper, but the experience itself is fairly average.

Military Incremental Complex isn’t boring at all — it’s a solid incremental game, and I even went for the 100%. That said, the final stretch becomes noticeably grindy and less engaging. Still, the core loop is well designed and enjoyable, especially if you like seeing numbers grow and systems slowly unfold and discover more mini-games. A good incremental game overall, and an easy recommendation for fans of the genre like myself.

Widget Inc is a pretty solid incremental game, leaning much closer to Factorio than to a traditional cookie-clicker — and honestly, that’s its greatest strength. It builds a satisfying loop of automation, progression, and small discoveries that quickly becomes addictive. My 110 hours (idling included, which definitely adds up) were genuinely enjoyable. A well-crafted incremental experience that stands out in its genre.

The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild is one of the best games I’ve ever played. Even as someone who isn’t a Zelda fan, this game completely won me over. I’m still missing the DLCs, and I never went for the full 100% because the endgame can get a bit tiring without a true postgame — especially with Tears of the Kingdom waiting for me. But none of that changes what this is. If someone asked me what a “video game” truly is, I would show them this. It’s the perfect definition of the medium. An extraordinary experience from start to finish, and possibly the greatest game I’ve ever played.

The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild is one of the best games I’ve ever played. Even as someone who isn’t a Zelda fan, this game completely won me over. I’m still missing the DLCs, and I never went for the full 100% because the endgame can get a bit tiring without a true postgame — especially with Tears of the Kingdom waiting for me. But none of that changes what this is. If someone asked me what a “video game” truly is, I would show them this. It’s the perfect definition of the medium. An extraordinary experience from start to finish, and possibly the greatest game I’ve ever played.

The Alters is a very good mix of story-driven adventure and light colony management. Its base-building systems aren’t especially deep — maybe challenging for someone new to the genre, but nothing close to the complexity of something like Oxygen Not Included. Where the game truly stands out is in its personal side: the relationships you build with different versions of yourself, each one shaped by a different path you could have taken. It’s a game best experienced knowing as little as possible, letting its ideas and characters unfold naturally. And it’s one that invites replaying, exploring every variation and possibility. A memorable, thoughtful experience.

Split Fiction feels like a genuine step forward for this type of co-op game — a much bigger improvement over A Way Out than I expected. The story isn’t really what stands out here: it’s predictable, and I never felt particularly connected to it. But the gameplay more than makes up for that. It constantly tries new ideas, switching mechanics and reinventing itself in ways that keep surprising you in a good way. It’s the kind of game that becomes a lot more special when played with the right friend and the right company, which was exactly my case. A fun, inventive co-op experience that earns its score.

Oxygen Not Included is the best colony-management game I’ve ever played. It was the one that pulled me head-first into the genre, and even after 800 hours I keep coming back for more—with the same excitement as the first time. It’s genuinely addictive in the best possible way. Its systems are deep, complex, and incredibly fair, rewarding you every time you understand a new piece of its logic. There’s always something new to learn, always another challenge to solve, and that’s what makes it so endlessly engaging. A perfect score, and a game I’ll keep returning to for years.

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is one of the best games I’ve played in my life. It’s a rare and unique experience—something truly special. The music doesn’t just accompany the story; it feels alive, like another companion walking beside you through every high and low. A friend of mine described it that way, and honestly, I can’t think of anything more accurate. The world, the characters, the atmosphere, the combat… everything comes together in a way that feels unforgettable. It’s possibly the best JRPG I’ve ever played, and one of those games that leaves a permanent mark on you as a player. A wholehearted, absolute recommendation.

Pokémon Legends ZA feels like a real breath of fresh air for the series. The gameplay is fast, fluid, and genuinely fun, and the level of detail in the Pokémon themselves is fantastic. I’m loving pretty much everything about it. It finally feels like the series is moving forward instead of holding onto old habits. It’s not perfect, but it’s bold, refreshing, and full of great ideas — exactly the kind of evolution I want to see from Pokémon. A truly exciting step for the franchise.

A great remake, stays faithful to the limit with the original game, improves on graphics and controls, and allow you to play the game however you want. A magnificent experience for new players and the definitive way to play MGS3 from now on. "My snake is pretty solid, Boss." - probably in the game