The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom came out way back in May, but from the first time I glued a sword to another sword, I knew it would be one of my favorite games of the year. It manages to be so many things at the same time, from a physics sandbox to a puzzle-lover’s playground to a shockingly detailed engineering simulation. Oh, and it also happens to be a phenomenal Zelda game. Most games are filled with boundaries and restrictions, but in Tears of the Kingdom, you can do just about anything you want to do if you can find a way to make it work. Sure, you can’t walk up to dogs and pet them, but

PLAY IT OR SKIP IT? Play it. Disney Illusion Island is a charming, cartoony platformer starring iconic characters like Mickey Mouse and Donald Duck. This enchanting Metroidvania only falls slightly short due to its lack of difficulty and lightly repetitive gameplay. Regardless of those issues, it’s one of my favorite games to play with friends right now and one of the best platformer titles I’ve encountered this year.

SHOULD I PLAY GRANBLUE FANTASY: RELINK? Absolutely check out Granblue Fantasy: Relink if you even remotely enjoy Japanese-style RPGs or just games with great action RPG combat systems. As a spin-off of the Granblue Fantasy mobile game that’s been running for almost a decade now, getting thrown right into the middle of this story might feel a little confusing at first. But developer Cygames uses this history to its advantage, presenting a world that feels complex and interesting to explore. Plus it’s populated by massive, godlike monsters in need of being hacked and slashed to death. Bonus!

[Music credits: "Plains of Illeyneth" by Dragon Tamer -  "Orchestral Fantasy Fairy Village" by Frequently Asked Music]

Embark on a heartfelt journey with Domino, the young and introverted hero, in "DOMINO: The Little One." This immersive interactive narrative experience delves into the dreamscape, intertwining personal struggles with the looming challenges of environmental issues. GAME PRESENTATION The game's narratives are a standout feature, weaving a compelling story that explores Domino's inner world alongside

Despite being made by the same team that created the beloved Warhammer: End Times - Vermintide and Warhammer: Vermintide 2, players were very lukewarm on last year's Warhammer 40,000: Darktide. The mixed reviews on Steam pointed to tons of bugs, a lack of content, and unrewarding progression as major problems contributing to the lack of excitement. Well, developer Fatshark has been working away at Darktide for a year now, improving on those issues with patches adding new content, balancing classes and abilities, and squashing legions of bugs. That all culminates in the just-launched Patch 13, which completely overhauls how classes and leveling work in the game.

I've never known a game like this before: Fancade, it's quite fun because it has games inspired by Mario bros even Tetris is included but in modern version.  Dino bros, I love them because they make an amazing duo, even though they have to be together in every level, based on mental skill games because you have to be careful if one dies or the other falls into the water. You can also create your own game but make it: interesting, fun and with a touch of logic. 

We're always looking for the perfect game for the Halloween season, and it doesn't get much more perfect than World of Horror. In the works for years now, World of Horror is like a love letter to everything about the horror genre—but with a special focus on the unsettling body horror of manga artist Junji Ito and the unspeakable cosmic horror of author H.P. Lovecraft. What's most amazing about World of Horror is what it accomplishes with so little, though. The visuals are extremely lo-fi—in fact, the game's black-and-white art was literally created using MS Paint! Despite those humble tools, though, solo developer Panstasz has created some memorable and truly disturbing imagery.

PLAY IT OR SKIP IT? If you’ve got any appreciation for the Metroidvania style of game at all, then you owe it to yourself to play Afterimage. Coming off a successful Kickstarter campaign just a year ago, developer Aurogon Shanghai has released the next masterpiece in a masterpiece-heavy genre. With tight controls, compelling progression and exploration, and especially a stunning hand-drawn art style, Afterimage pays homage to the classics while also undeniably forging its own strong identity via a fascinating and diverse fantasy world. It’s really good.

The biggest console and PC release of this week appears to be something of a mess. Redfall is a co-op-centric looter-shooter that just launched for PC and Xbox Series S and X. It’s the latest game from Microsoft- and Bethesda-owned Arkane Studios, a developer that has created some truly great games such as Prey and the Dishonored series, so it’s understandable why some gamers were hyped for this one.

SHOULD I PLAY PRINCE OF PERSIA: THE LOST CROWN? Yes! As a long-time fan of the Prince of Persia franchise, I was excited to see it coming back, but even gamers who are totally unfamiliar with previous games should be able to find plenty to love in Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown. This reboot puts players into the role of Sargon, a warrior of Persia who must venture into the dangerous region of Mount Qaf after the prince is kidnapped. In gameplay terms, that means exploring a fascinating region in the form of a tightly designed 2D Metroidvania-style adventure.

UnHoly Neighborhood emerges as a distinctive entry in the realm of point-and-click adventure puzzle mystery games, offering players a captivating journey through a gloomy neighborhood teeming with surreal elements. Background Story: The narrative centers around Peter Grim, the protagonist on a quest to solve the mysterious kidnapping of his wife, confront a strange storm, and navigate a city overrun by giant rats. The dark riddles of the neighborhood serve as the backdrop to this intriguing storyline.

[Music credits: "Fantasy Orchestra 3 BGM 86" by Nico - "Fantasy Orchestra 2 BGM 112" by Nico]

It may not be as big or well-known as some other franchises launching new games this week—looking at you, Mario and Spider-Man—but Amplitude Studios' Endless series has been proving itself incredibly versatile ever since 2012's Endless Space. From fantasy to sci-fi, from strategy to tower defense, an Endless game can be whatever the developers want it to be. And this time? This time it's an action-packed roguelite with stylish visuals and an endless supply of firepower.

Step into a mesmerizing pixel-art realm with Unreal Life, an indie masterpiece that has claimed the prestigious "New Faces Award" at the Japan Media Arts Festival. Developed by the visionary indie game label "Yokaze," this title beckons players to immerse themselves in a world where mystery, emotion, and adventure seamlessly intertwine. Background Story: Unreal Life weaves a poignant tale around Hal, a girl who grapples with amnesia, armed only with the haunting memory of "Miss Sakura." Guided by a talking traffic light and an extraordinary ability to extract memories from touched objects, players accompany Hal on her quest to rediscover her past.

Lost Echo presents an immersive sci-fi mystery adventure that captivates players from the first click. As Greg embarks on a desperate quest to find his vanished girlfriend, Chloe, the game promises a visually stunning and emotionally engaging experience. Background Story: The narrative unfolds in the near future, blending suspense and sci-fi elements seamlessly. Greg's search for Chloe sets the stage for a thrilling journey filled with twists and turns, keeping players hooked with each revelation.

PLAY IT OR SKIP IT? Play it as soon as you’re able to. Wuthering Waves is still only in a limited-release closed beta, and it may be a while yet until it’s more widely available. As soon as you’re able to get into the game, though, I strongly recommend it. This stylish action-RPG brings a unique world to life on PC and mobile devices, with a blend of fantasy and sci-fi that focuses on the mystical properties of soundwaves. Even in this early state, I’m already sold on continuing to explore this strange new world.

SHOULD I PLAY CRYSTAL OF ATLAN? Absolutely play it once you get the chance! If the ongoing technical beta test is anything to go by, Crystal of Atlan may be the strongest action-RPG competition Genshin Impact has faced since Tower of Fantasy. While it’s too early to say whether Atlan can actually surpass Genshin, I feel confident that it’s well-designed enough to deserve your time and consideration.

SHOULD I PLAY FORT SOLIS? Fort Solis is absolutely worth playing, as long as you know the type of game you’re getting into. And that is, to be clear, a one hundred percent narrative game. Virtually all of the “gameplay” in Fort Solis is made up of walking around the titular creepy abandoned base on Mars, with a small handful of very simple puzzles and quick time events. That said, if you’re down for a creepy, suspenseful story, this one will get under your skin in all the best ways.

The Wolf Among Us" takes you on a gripping journey through the gritty streets of Fabletown, where fairy tales turn dark and the Big Bad Wolf is the sheriff. From the creators of The Walking Dead, this game plunges you into a noir-infused narrative that's as captivating as it is chilling. GAME PRESENTATION Narratives and Mysteries:   The storytelling prowess of "The Wolf Among Us" is nothing short of stellar.