Matthew Carmosino

“If you want to revisit the glory days on the PS1 with a cult classic tactical title, you can't go wrong with Front Mission 3 remake.”

“Once Upon A Katamari delivers an amazingly fun time. It may be derivative with its graphics and story, but the impressive level variety across nine eras and sheer wealth of content ensure fans and newcomers will be rolling until they're sick of smiling. This is easily one of the best games in the series and one of the most charming games of the year.”

“There's a lot to love about this year's NHL game. From the redesigned Be A Pro mode to the enhanced NHL EDGE authenticity, it's a notable step up from previous years. NHL 26 has perhaps the best 'superstar' mode of EA's current sports lineup, which is shocking considering how stuck in the mud it's been prior to now. If you've been on the fence about EA's pro hockey series, now's the time to jump in.”

“The framework of an excellent mech game is here, but the execution is flawed in several areas. This sequel introduces an open world that feels lifeless and looks two console generations old. Mechanically, Titanic Scion fires on all cylinders. All the mech customization you could want is here. But with a lopsided difficulty curve and floaty movement, there's only so much fun that can be had before frustration kicks in.”

“A fine action platformer all around, with a few small hang-ups. While not a Metroidvania, this shoot-em-up revels in its backtracking and light puzzle gameplay. Lots of nostalgic scenes from they classic anime are woven seamlessly throughout the adventure. Should prove a pleasurable experience to both fans of the anime and action-platformer aficionados.”

“EA hasn't reinvented the wheel, but their latest NFL outing still managed to impress me. Every mode, except Ultimate Team, has been enhanced with more engaging systems and streamlined features. The presentation feels livelier and more dynamic, with a welcome dose of college football DNA. Unfortunately, sluggish load times and a few poor interface choices continue to plague the yearly series.”

“If you're a college football fan, this year's EA offering is a no-brainer. Even for newcomers, it's worth checking out thanks to the impressive customization and depth packed into the game. Coaches now have realistic counterparts, while new archetypes and a revamped transfer portal add meaningful layers to Dynasty mode. There are some hiccups, like persistent online lag, but overall, the series is clearly on a winning trajectory.”

“Hitman: World of Assassination – Signature Edition delivers a robust stealth-sandbox experience on the Switch 2, packed with content and fully portable. However, the absence of docked VRR support and missing Switch-specific features like gyro aiming or mouse compatibility is a letdown. Still, for fans or those without access to other platforms, it remains a compelling option.”

“What do you get when you combine Halo and Portal? Splitgate. What do you get when you inject an imbalanced battle royale mode and classes on top of that? Splitgate 2. The PvP portal slinging FPS has a sequel and it plays well with a sleek new slide and an Unreal Engine 5 graphical boost. I wish I enjoyed the color-spotched aesthetic and blown-up stages here, but I prefer the first game's intricate corridors and Halo-derived stage design better. Still, Splitgate 2 is a PvP shooter that plays brilliantly and has the makings of a fantastic game; it just needs some updates to address some balance issues and refinements to its battle royale mode to hit its stride.”

“Wicked Isle takes players to a disconnected island haunted by vestiges of the past. The story is well told and worth exploring, but the copious backtracking and lack of new and interesting enemies leaves one wanting for more. It's a decent story DLC, but there's flaws here that didn't plague the base game which is a shame.”

“Deliver At All Costs is a perfect example of an average game with above average potential. What could have been a hit indie game with zany destructive environments and fun delivery gameplay turns out to be a tad too ambitious in the wrong directions. The game aspires to great narrative heights but severely lacks the graphical presentation to meet such lofty standards. Thankfully, a majority of the writing is earnest and intriguing, even if it isn't followed through in a satisfying way. Deliver At All Costs supplies some fun mission design, especially if you're a fan of 2D GTA titles, but its charm only brings it so far until the desire to play something more polished comes along.”

“This is a wonderful collection of early 2000s fighting game era touched up with quality of life features and tons of artwork to peruse. The standout attractions this time are the team-based crossover classics Capcom vs. SNK 1 and 2, along with the beloved 3D arena brawlers Power Stone 1 and 2. Unfortunately the two Power Stones don't come with their story modes, and being stuck with one save state across all games is incredibly restrictive when continuing single-player. Still, a majority of the eight games here are absolute gems, and are arguably a better value than Capcom Fighting Collection 1.”

“It's not a lengthy game by any means, but The Midnight Walk will stay with you for a while after rolling the credits. The claymation aesthetic is consistently impressive to behold, so much so that I'm hoping I don't see some of the nightmarish creatures in my dreams. The stealth sequences contain some of the most effective horror moments I've encountered in a very long time. The Midnight Walk is a short but sweet (and terrifying) journey worth taking.”

“The paper-thin melee combat doesn't take away from the polished and satisfying stealth that Steel Seed so brilliantly excels at. Thanks to snappy controls and intricately crafted level design featuring an array of mechanical obstacles, the 3D platforming is very fun and varied throughout this post-cataclysmic indie title. The narrative is surprisingly decent too, especially with how it encourages exploration through the collection of various data logs hidden about. If you're up for some fun platforming, well designed stealth, and sci-fi vibes, Steel Seed is well worth diving into.”

“Bionic Bay is one of those surprise indie gems that happens to excel in not just its art style, but gameplay as well. As a mix of physics-based puzzles and precision platforming, Bionic Bay has a dynamic platforming identity that is easy to love.”

“Commandos Origins does an admirable job bringing the real-time-tactics gameplay to a modern era. There's a lot to love in the level design and tactical toolkit afforded. I just wish some of the bugs and performance issues were ironed out so I could enjoy them more. Unless you're a patient gamer who enjoys real-time-tactics games, or a long-time Commandos aficionado, you might want to wait for one or two updates from now to try this out.”

“This latest entry in the niche Supercross series is being billed as a reboot-thanks largely to its Unreal Engine 5 overhaul-but it hardly feels like one. Despite the visual upgrades, the same stiff rider animations and shallow Career mode make it feel more like a seasonal refresh than a true reinvention. I came in hoping for another fun, adrenaline-fueled bike game, but inconsistent physics and underwhelming features left me cold, especially considering the franchise's rich heritage and unique concept.”

“This unapologetic soulslike punches well above its price tag in the areas that matter most, providing a deep and satisfying combat system that sustains through its 30 hour runtime. While AI Limit certainly supplies ample value, its limited budget shows in several less crucial areas.”

“A pretty straightforward remaster of an excellent 90s shoot-em-up set in the depths of the ocean. The enhanced visuals of the deep sea stages look vibrant and faithful, though a classic graphic toggle would've been nice. A new mirror mode, some added cheats, and a preconfigured submarine loadout screen are nice additions and all, but the lack of save options or online co-op is a missed opportunity. Still, what's here is solid stuff, especially if you like a well-earned challenge. This is a strong recommendation for fans of the game or shoot-em-up enthusiasts, but the $20 price tag might be too much to swallow for others.”

“Tomb Raider IV-VI Remastered is just about everything fans could have wanted. All the great quality of life features from I-III return here in addition to new restored content for Tomb Raider VI. While this remaster doesn't completely fix the problems with the black sheep of the series, Tomb Raider VI, it does make the experience much better. Like the first collection, IV-VI Remastered is a huge value for what you get and is a must-buy for fans of the series or classic games.”