Julio La Pine
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Writing For
The Nerd Stash Latest Reviews
Mafia: The Old Country had the potential to be a video game standout of 2025, but its dull gameplay, full of repetitive segments and weak design, brings down this crime family drama.
Madden NFL 26 is the best Madden entry we've had in years. While it suffers from some lackluster modes and long loading times when navigating menus, it also offers an immersive and engaging football experience, and one that surpasses its college counterpart.
Abyssus is a terrific first-person shooter, boasting one of the smoothest and most engaging gunplay mechanics with impactful gun customization. However, it falls short as a roguelite due to how uninspiring and unrewarding its gameplay loop is.
Killing Floor 3 has all the staples of a good FPS co-op shooter on the surface. Unfortunately, it also has many pressing problems, such as technical issues, a lack of enemy balance, and a gameplay loop that lacks the strength to hook players for a long period.
Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound is the best 2D platformer of the year and one of the greatest Ninja Gaiden titles out there. While it isn't the longest, it is highly replayable and it will keep you occupied until Ninja Gaiden 4 launches.
Destiny 2: The Edge of Fate is a rough start to the Year of Prophecy, but one that still shows signs of promise below some of its disappointing features. The overhaul to some systems is excellent, and the combat remains top-notch, but many issues hold back what could've been a great new beginning.
Wuchang: Fallen Feathers is one of the best non-FromSoftware soulslike games out there, that brings engaging mechanics and embraces player freedom above all. Even with some minor performance issues, it stands out as the biggest soulslike surprise of 2025.
EA Sports College Football 26 is a clear improvement upon its predecessor and delivers the best sports gaming experience of the year. While one of its modes falls short, the whole package is terrific and a must-play for football fans.
Death Stranding 2: On the Beach is Kojima's best work to date. It brings an engaging gameplay loop that encourages player experimentation at every turn. Furthermore, it shows the true power of the PS5, making it the best game of this console generation.
Mario Kart World is the most visually impressive entry of the series, and its Knockout Tour mode is the best addition to the franchise. However, its open-world component feels shallow and doesn't encourage players to pursue it.