Bobby Pashalidis
Game industry critic and reviewer
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Lumines Arise is sensational in every sense. It will wow you with its audio-visual cues and dance across your screen in a way that'll make you feel emotions. It feels almost otherworldly, and yet, it's one of the most calming and memorable experiences I've had with video games this year.
Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment’s ability to flesh out the past of the latest branch in the The Legend of Zelda series is immediately noticeable. Being canon in the existing Breath of the Wild/Tears of the Kingdom timeline makes Zelda’s journey into the past a worthwhile experience. As much as I liked Age of Calamity, the more I sat with it, the less I liked it, because it’s set in a separate timeline. Giving these characters the space to show their personality ultimately leads you to connect to them better than the other Hyrule Warriors games ever could because we know what happens here is key to the future of this timeline, rather than a what-if situation with no stakes.
Summary Bounty Star has some interesting moments, but it needed more time to cook. There are polish issues that really take you out of the experience. Clem, though, is an interesting character dealing with the backwater dealings of a bounty hunter. The repetitive loop wanes on you by the end of a playthrough, but there's just enough here to experience this story. Ultimately, I love the genre mash-up, but it doesn't have enough content to provide a memorable experience.
Dragon Quest 1 & 2 HD-2D is a tribute to the enduring appeal of the Dragon Quest series’ early roots. It combines familiar elements with refreshed lighting, expanded worlds, and improved user experience.
The Outer Worlds 2 is Obsidian firing on all cylinders, and its refined combat, storytelling, and builds will lead to multiple playthroughs.
Part roguelike and all beat 'em up, Absolum is confident in its skin, and it shows. The world of Talamh was created with thoughtfulness and feels like a character of its own volition. You've got an interesting premise that lets you explore a pretty incredible place, and it's filled with dangers, treasures, and a whole lot of enemies to defeat. Without a doubt, if there's one beat 'em up this year that's got the rizz, it's Absolum.
Little Nightmares 3 is, for better or worse, more of the same. Supermassive Games understands what makes the series work, and it effectively translates to the third entry. The formula works after three games. However, the combat is such a distraction from what makes these games work: the tense exploration of a world filled with dread and horror, as well as the environmental puzzles.
Dying Light: The Beast brings back Kyle Crane for a revenge-driven, contrived story that mostly works. Having access to newfound powers means you can step toe-to-toe with these creatures, but the magic of the series is and always will be the parkour, the cities, and the exploration. I like being able to rip the heads off enemies, but I love being able to climb and ascend to the rooftops even more. Sure, the abilities are fun, but the formula doesn't deviate much outside of that. Ultimately, that parkour and melee combo from previous games is what makes Dying Light: The Beast fun.
Silent Hill f is vastly different from most of its games in the series, but it's one of my favourites because it's so different. It steps away from the status quo and delivers a unique story in a unique time period. You'll never feel at ease exploring the village, and around every corner lurk some of the most twisted enemies that will stop at nothing to get to you.
Final Fantasy Tactics - The Ivalice Chronicles is remarkable in all aspects. From its inherently timely story to its standout characters and reworked script, this is a special game. There's a reason Ivalice is highly regarded as one of the best worlds Square Enix has brought to life, and it begins with a fight to restore balance to a world ripe with class warfare and oppression. Human history shows that we often fail to learn from our mistakes, and that messages from the past ring true in a time when we're witnessing the very struggles Ramza fights for unfold once again. Make no mistake, Final Fantasy Tactics might be the best game Square Enix has ever put out.