Nintendo and GREZZO's The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom is my favorite Zelda game in eighteen years. I don't think that will be true for everyone, especially people who first started the series with BOTW or TOTK, but for people who missed the more linear approach, and for those players who have stuck with the series through decades, Echoes of Wisdom feels like fan service in the best way possible - and it does this without losing the creativity that made these most recent titles so popular. 3fj49

Returning to the voices in Senua's head in Senua's Saga: Hellblade 2 after playing the original is like riding on a roller coaster the second time — it may be scary, but boy, was it fun. Developed by Ninja Theory, the epic adventure of Senua continues in the second game, picking up where the original takes off and plunging players into a new, dark, and macabre story where the bleak realities of 10th-century Iceland and untreated psychosis take center stage.

Unicorn Overlord, developed by Vanillaware (13 Sentinels: Aegis Rim) and published by Atlus & Sega, is a tactics RPG that will no doubt draw comparisons to Fire Emblem from even those casually acquainted with the genre. Aesthetic, gameplay design, character interactions and story all appear at least vaguely reminiscent to the storied FE franchise - but what's present in this game is much more than just an imitation. Through its own complex and engrossing systems, Unicorn Overlord is a legitimate competitor in a space that's been dominated by one entity (at least in the mainstream) for far too long.

The new Mario Vs. Donkey Kong remake is a perfect example of what a remake should be by not only updating the graphics but also adding all-new levels, quality-of-life features, and so much more to the experience. The original game, of the same name, was released in 2004 for the Game Boy Advance as a spin-off from both the Super Mario series of games and the 1994 game, Donkey Kong. Blending the two together, it introduced fun puzzle mechanics and transformed many familiar Super Mario enemies into wind-up toy versions of themselves.

Helldivers 2 excels in a wildly entertaining duality, frequently swinging between incredible power fantasy and chaotic hilarity. Arrowhead Game Studios' third-person co-op shooter, playable with up to four people online, comes nearly a decade after the first Helldivers, a top-down shooter which was released in 2015. While the original garnered a small, dedicated player base, Helldivers 2 is already off to a blistering start, having so many concurrent players in its first weekend that the game's maximum server capacity was hit. It only takes a handful of missions to see the innate brilliance of Helldivers 2, and a couple dozen hours have revealed a satisfying depth in its gameplay synergies, but the game's longevity remains to be seen, despite genuinely fascinating use of its always-online, live-service nature.

The Sarcophagus drifts through space, a thrumming celestial ark with a mysterious deity at its thunderous center. Fighting the creatures in Hadoque’s gorgeous debut Ultros feels recognizable in generalized metroidvania genre , but this eventually takes a backseat to a most unusual gameplay core: landscaping and nurturing the curious flora within the massive spacecraft. It’s a sizable twist in a genre which often prioritizes combat, but it’s a compelling and encoming experiment; once the game’s intricate narrative and expectations become apparent, players may find that they don’t even need a sword to succeed.

Eighteen years after the original title's release, Persona 3 Reload is giving players an exciting new revamp that mirrors the look and feel of Atlus’ crown jewel, Persona 5. Though this is not the first re-release of Persona 3 (Persona 3 FES in 2007 and P3 Portable in 2009), it is the first major overhaul the game has seen. With a deeply detailed narrative, exquisite soundtrack, and showstopping combat, Persona 3 Reload goes well beyond simply meeting expectations.

With Tekken 8 comes yet another King of Iron Fist tournament, earth-shaking family drama, and incredibly complex mechanics that are easier to enjoy than ever. Many popular fighting game franchises have seen a resurgence with arguably their best entries. While Bandai Namco Studios has taken steps to make Tekken 8 the best entry for new fans to try, it's still one of the most intricate fighters in gaming.

House Flipper 2 is one of those game sequels that players dream about, combining everything that worked from the first game and adding even more. When the original House Flipper was released on Steam back in 2018, it quickly received an Overwhelmingly Positive review score as thousands of potential Flippers jumped in to clean, paint, decorate, and resell houses. The gameplay loop was addicting; as time ed more content was released through official DLCs and player-created Steam Workshop assets. The game was simple, fun, and let players be creative in their own space.

In an increasingly crowded genre where heroes must befriend and recruit monsters for battle, Dragon Quest Monsters: The Dark Prince is a standout. The latest entry in this spin-off series, which recently celebrated its 25th anniversary, features the iconic monsters of Dragon Quest and more than a few recognizable faces from past DQ titles. It's a game for longtime fans and newcomers alike, one that's accessible as a first-time entry or one that works as a trek down memory lane celebrating the series' past.