Bobby Pashalidis
Game industry critic and reviewer
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Metroid Prime 4: Beyond might not be a total reinvention of the famed series, but it's refined and faster than ever. Despite the prolonged development period, the campaign comes together to deliver an excellent outing for Samus as she explores an expansive world with new psychic powers that imbue the core of the game in fun, innovative ways.
Kirby Air Riders shares a lot of the same DNA as its predecessor, and it's a sequel that belongs in this era. The simplistic controls might not be for everyone, but if you can look past that, you've got a competent racer that does its own thing instead of attempting to battle it out against Mario Kart World.
Where Winds Meet dazzles with its breathtaking landscapes and authentic wuxia feel, but struggles under technical hiccups and uneven combat. Fans of martial arts epics will find moments of true magic, yet the game’s pacing and bloated systems may test patience. A visually stunning adventure that excites as much as it frustrates.
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.