Ghost of Yotei is less of an upgrade but a clear testament to Sucker Punch’s true specialty, and a reminder of how powerful an open-world samurai adventure can be. It’s gorgeous, tightly crafted, endlessly absorbing, and a must-play for anyone with a PS5.

Sonic Racing: Crossworlds delivered far beyond my expectations. It races ahead of the competition with dozens of game-changing Gadgets, many multiplayer modes, an expansive roster of characters and circuits, and the potential for endless mayhem thanks to all-platform crossplay. If you’ve ever enjoyed the Sonic Racing series, this is one title you’re not gonna want to sit out.

Herdling boasts an excellent soundtrack and a completely unique shepherding premise, but only delivers upon the more surface-level aspects of its promise.

The core concept of Lost Soul Aside is solid, and there’s fun to be had in its combat, but it’s not something I can comfortably recommend. It’s a stylish action game that is capable of delivering high-octane encounters that would bring a smile to your face. But everything else puts too much pressure on the little good it has going for it.

Shinobi: Art of Vengeance sports a unique hand-drawn look, Joe will journey through stylistic stages while executing ninja arts and attacks with surprising precision, making for some very satisfying exploration and combat encounters.

This type of game design just doesn’t appeal to everyone, so while I can’t give this collection a perfect score, it is a must-buy for fans of old-school shooters.

My time with Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3 + 4 made me realize how overdue we are for a brand-new entry. This is a franchise that doesn’t need to reinvent itself to stay relevant. Sometimes, being fun is enough, and this remake delivers just that.

Death Stranding 2: On the Beach delivers higher visual fidelity, consistent performance across the board, and a few new tricks that make gameplay more accessible, challenging, and fun. If you have the patience and come in with an open mind, you’ll be in an exclusive group of people who will struggle to describe this experience to anyone else.

Mario Kart World is far from a standard upgrade. It's an exceptional new entry for the long-running series, thanks to its track designs, dynamic online play, the intense 24-player races, and a deeper challenge found in the new Knockout Tour mode.

Elden Ring Nightreign is clearly built for fans expecting the same but with a nice co-op twist, as the team responsible for Nightreign was able to compress the Elden Ring experience into these 20-minute skirmishes, complete with adrenaline-pumping encounters, discovery, and challenge. And that I’m okay with.

Despite some lingering quirks, The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered is a solid reintroduction to one of the most influential RPGs of its era. Virtuos and Bethesda have delivered a remaster that respects the original while adding just enough polish to make it worth playing in 2025.

Doom: The Dark Ages is a brutal, strategic, and satisfying shooter that dares to try something new without abandoning what fans love. It’s another classic in the making, and a clear sign that the series has a lot of room to grow.