Game review stories
The sequel's faster, stamina-free combat and tougher runbacks will test soulslike fans on PS5, even as its eerie visuals impress.
Fans of Pokémon Pokopia get 50 new creatures and underwater building, though access requires the game's pricey Expansion Pass.
A 30-day deadline and a split human-vampire combat system give Rebel Wolves' medieval RPG real stakes for players.
The remake drops multiplayer but adds four-player co-op and a new prequel, while Unreal Engine 5 gives Halo a sharper next-gen look.
A timed 30-day quest adds pressure to this vampire action-adventure, but its fair combat and rich setting keep it compelling.
A strong squad-based campaign and permadeath stakes give this Clone Wars-era strategy game more tension than most Star Wars tie-ins.
Switch 2 owners get Elden Ring and its acclaimed DLC, but the handheld port is capped at 30fps and can still dip below that.
Hardcore fans may enjoy the punishing challenge, but this short expansion feels steeply priced for three hours of reused content.
Game Freak's new action RPG stands out with slick parries, but repeated enemies and bosses may test PS5 players' patience.
Arc System Works' 4v4 Marvel brawler runs at 4K and 60fps on PS5, while welcoming beginners with simple inputs and deep modes.
Switch 2 owners can now train in 4K with faster loading, sharper visuals and a new Boost Up Mode, if they pay the upgrade fee.
Old-school arcade fans get a fresh vertical shooter with co-op, score attack and punishing bosses, though beginners may struggle.
A long, strategic board-and-card hybrid, Culdcept Begins could appeal to newcomers, though matches can run 40 minutes or more.
Stiff level gating and repetitive dungeon fights hold this Xbox Series X JRPG back, despite a gripping death-permadeath premise.
Replay value and new battle modes soften concerns over a two-hour campaign in Nintendo's latest Star Fox remake for Switch 2.
Real-time combat and time-travel exploration set Square Enix's 2D-HD RPG apart from its turn-based peers, with boss fights the main snag.
Better visuals, steadier frame rates and free DLC fighters make the re-release more appealing, though online play still suffers.
Switch 2 players can finally play the acclaimed JRPG, though the port runs at 30fps and with noticeably softer visuals than on PS5.
A shift to more conventional survival horror may widen the audience, but it also slightly dilutes the series' branching, cinematic appeal.
Players may find the Switch 2 exclusive too easy, but its hand-drawn look and animal abilities make exploration the main draw.
