Indika
11 bit studios
Indika is ostensibly an adventure game about an eponymous Russian Orthodox nun delivering a letter to her bishop in the early 20th century. But that’s just window dressing for its subversive game design. It’ll task you to collect items, for example, only to explicitly tell you that it’s pointless to do so. It then ties that futility to deeper musings about faith and good deeds. Indika’s brief journey ends on an open-ended question about what goodness really looks and sounds like, and it’s easily one of the smartest scenes in any game I’ve played. — Josh Broadwell, contributor
Another Crab's Treasure
Aggro Crab
This cartoony Soulslike from aptly named developer Aggro Crab is a delight. Armed with a rusty cocktail fork, you play a hermit crab who can use the flotsam littering the ocean floor as makeshift armor — tin cans, coconuts and so much more — with each temporary “shell” granting different perks. Think Spongebob Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice, but also an anti-capitalist fable about power, pollution and the dangers of complacency. It’s impressive how many hats (ahem, shells) the game manages to wear while delivering a tightly executed vision. — Justin Lucas, senior director, Communications
Cryptmaster
Akupara Games
Zap! Boot! Jostle! Murder! Those are just some of the hundreds of words you’ll collect as you venture through the black-and-white dungeons of Cryptmaster, an RPG that lands somewhere between Wordle and Mavis Beacon Teaches Typing. Your party of hapless undead will identify objects, solve riddles and fight improbably named monsters — all by deducing and typing the right word for the occasion. Ghoulishly narrated by the titular Cryptmaster himself, the game is perfect for anyone who delights in a fiendish word puzzle. — James Mastromarino, NPR Gaming lead and Here & Now producer
Flock
Annapurna Interactive
Flock is a serene co-op experience. You ride around on a giant bird, helping your aunt Jane, a zoology professor, fill the pages of her book of exotic creatures. Fun as it is to glide at high speeds, the true joy of the game comes from deducing species and using tools such as whistles to charm them into joining your aerial entourage. If you ever wanted to fly around a cozy open world and vibe with fantastical wildlife, Flock is the game for you. — Kahwit Tela, contributor
Lorelei and the Laser Eyes
Annapurna Interactive
Lorelei and the Laser Eyes is the apotheosis of your favorite hand-drawn Flash adventure game from the early 2000s. With cryptic puzzles and chilling black-and-white graphics, the game begins with very little context — just a variety of codecs and rooms to explore. Though its mind-bending challenges are not for casual puzzle players, it will have you feeling like a real detective stumbling on the supernatural. — Allen Walden, senior production operations specialist
Astra
Astrea
Astra, a new mixed-reality title for the Meta Quest headset, begins by enveloping your play space in glass. It was mind-bending when my living room began to ascend into the stars. Once I reached Jupiter, I teleported down to the surface in an enclosed observation tube. Using hand gestures, I collected and analyzed elements from the planet. While it’s certainly more of an experience than a game, it’s fascinating and exactly the sort of thing I dreamed about as a kid. — Will Mitchell, senior manager, Digital Content Operations
Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree
Bandai Namco
Diving back into Elden Ring has been such a treat. I’d forgotten how much I adore this world of menacing monsters and derelict dungeons. While I don’t love how maddening it can be to navigate certain areas (looking at you, Ancient Ruins of Rauh), it’s still a triumph that feels more like a true sequel than an expansion. Bursting with new weapons, spells, lore and boss fights, I guess we can call it Elden Ring 1.5? Great game. Go play it. — Keller Gordon, contributor
Tekken 8
Bandai Namco
As a veteran of 2D fighting games like Street Fighter and Mortal Kombat, Tekken’s 3D battles have always daunted me. Thankfully, this eighth installment is more approachable than ever. The new “special style” feature simplifies the controls so just one button can engage your most damaging attacks — allowing you to choose whatever character looks coolest and explore their abilities painlessly. Along with spectacular new mechanics and diverse game modes, Tekken 8 often sucked me into play sessions lasting several hours. — Lindsay Totty, producer, Morning Edition
Berserk Boy
BerserkBoy Games
Mashing together the high-speed platforming of classic Sonic games and the combat of classic Mega Man titles, Berserk Boy succeeds thanks to its eclectic inspirations and clever stage design. Most of the gameplay is as fun as old-school platforming gets, demanding that the player use different powers to overcome puzzles and combat encounters. Some late game design choices hinder the experience — but not enough to stop me from recommending this great retro-style platformer, available for less than $20 and spearheaded by an exciting new solo developer. — Vincent Acovino, producer, All Things Considered
Animal Well
Bigmode
Meticulously designed by solo developer Billy Basso, Animal Well is a play-what-you-want game. It can be an intensely layered puzzle box with seemingly endless riddles and clues. Or if you’re just looking for a quick, clever game with creative challenges, it can be that too. Figuring out how environments and items work together (often through trial and error) is a true joy — just take care: Animal Well’s secrets are so deep you could easily fall into them and never come out. — Graham Rebhun, software engineer, Publishing
Destiny 2: The Final Shape
Bungie
After last year’s disappointing Lightfall DLC, Bungie’s eighth Destiny 2 expansion is a return to form and then some — capping off the game’s 10-year “Light and Darkness” saga with a final boss fit for any Guardian. The dope exotic toys we get to play with — I’m looking at you, Still Hunt — and the introduction of Prismatic powers completely refreshed the game. The Final Shape easily rivals series heights like The Witch Queen and The Taken King. — Jamal Michel, contributor
Read Only Memories: Neurodiver
Chorus Worldwide Games
Read Only Memories: Neurodiver isn’t lengthy, but it quickly hooked me with its rich storytelling and cyberpunk style (reminiscent to me of VA-11 Hall-A, a game I loved). Taking place after the events of 2064: Read Only Memories, Neurodiver follows the cat-and-mouse game between ES88, an “esper” obsessed with magical girl media, and Golden Butterfly, the main villain. The startling conclusion left me eager for a sequel. I just hope we don’t have to wait nine years to play it! — Rakiesha Chase-Jackson, project manager, Member Partnership
Ultimate Swing Golf
Clap Hanz Limited
Look no further for the definitive VR golf game. This arcade-y title comes from the maker of Hot Shots Golf (aka Everybody’s Golf) and features the franchise’s trademark anime-esque graphics and beautiful courses. Customizable weather, a mixed-reality putting mode and a giant mode that lets you see the course from above all add to the game’s charm and replayability. Plus, you can compete online against friends — just remember to stretch your arms before you play! — Will Mitchell, senior manager, Digital Content Operations
Stardew Valley
Concerned Ape
Beloved farming sim Stardew Valley came out eight years ago and has been constantly upgraded since. This year, its developer released a huge, free and possibly final update. It adds eight-person multiplayer, new festivals, late-game content and the ability to keep more than one dog as a pet. Plus, dogs can now wear hats! Even the most attentive companies usually stop updating a game after a few years, but Stardew Valley’s commitment to perfecting itself keeps me coming back again and again. — Kaity Kline, assistant producer, Morning Edition
Granblue Fantasy: Relink
Cygames Inc.
The sprawling Granblue Fantasy franchise started with a hit Japanese mobile game a decade ago. This year, Relink — an entirely new RPG — came to PlayStation and PC, delivering dazzling animation, powerful writing and more than 20 playable characters — each with different playstyles befitting their diverse personalities. Yet it’s the postgame that truly stands out. Its cooperative, Monster Hunter-esque structure offers so much depth that the initial 15-hour story feels like a tutorial for the varied missions to follow. Welcome to the skies — a world of fantasy awaits. — Alicia Haddick, contributor
Anger Foot
Devolver Digital
Have you ever played GoldenEye 007? Do you wish that instead of James Bond you were a raging frog with a kick powerful enough to smash through organized crime? Are you a sneakerhead? Then Anger Foot is the game for you. Clearly inspired by the neon-drenched madness of Hotline Miami, this game is as colorful and intense as its throbbing soundtrack. Despite being fairly repetitive, it’ll make you want nothing more than to continue kicking and shooting your way to greatness. — Allen Walden, senior production operations specialist
Llamasoft: The Jeff Minter Story
Digital Eclipse
Part documentary, part interactive museum, Llamasoft: The Jeff Minter Story dives deep into the biography of one of Britain’s most influential and stubbornly independent game designers. It includes playable versions of dozens of Minter’s games — from Gridrunner to Llamatron to Psychedelia to Tempest 2000. This symphony of camelids, beasties, arcade shooters and light synthesizers is as wild and revelatory today as it was in the 1980s. Look to the past to see the future — say yes to neon llamas! — Luis Aguasvivas, contributor
Minami Lane
Doot
Minami Lane is the quintessential cozy game, complete with an adorable mascot, chill soundtrack and calming color palette. But it’s also a light city builder, where you’ll unlock customizable homes and buildings to add to your street. As you vibe out to the bubbly music, you’ll be busy petting cats, cleaning up litter and monitoring your residents’ feedback to make your shops and neighborhood the happiest place on Earth. — Rakiesha Chase-Jackson, project manager, Member Partnership
Little Kitty, Big City
Double Dagger Studio
This game’s got a simple premise — you’re a kitten who tumbled from your cozy perch at the top of your high-rise apartment and you need to get home. Lacking street smarts but making up for it in adorableness, you’ll solve puzzles to navigate city streets flooded with impassable puddles, pedestrians and guard dogs. Thankfully, this big city is also full of cute side quests, tiny hats to collect and friendly strays willing to help. — Rakiesha Chase-Jackson, project manager, Member Partnership
Dread Delusion
DreadXP
You wake up in a cult prison cell. After killing its own god, this “Apostatic Union” is bent on eradicating heretics across the floating Oneiric Isles. Charged with hunting down the leader of a fearsome mercenary band, you’re let loose into a psychedelic world evoking early 3D classics — with a grimdark flair all its own. Quests often end in cruel twists of fate, as the game pits a mechanized empire against fickle gods. Dread Delusion’s eerie locales and abstract soundscapes cast a weird spell unlike any RPG this year. — Alec Stutson, reporter, North State Public Radio
Arkham Horror LCG — The Feast of Hemlock Vale
Fantasy Flight Games
I was thrilled by this Midsommar-esque card game and its fresh day/night campaign structure. Each morning, your investigators get to know the residents of the idyllic Hemlock Vale before setting out to survey an area of the isle, returning each evening for a spooky postlude. The new format breaks up the long reading sections in the last campaign, The Scarlet Keys, by giving players more chances to interact with NPCs, making story payoffs immediate and tangible. Put on your cult robes and plunge into this latest, greatest Lovecraftian conspiracy. — Vanessa McGinnis, digital campaign manager
1000xRESIST
Fellow Traveller
1000xRESIST expertly weaves together a cyberpunk aesthetic and the apocalyptic anxieties that come with it. The plot revolves around reliving the memories of ALLMOTHER, society’s immortal and beloved overseer who used to be a normal girl named Iris. As an immigrant, I resonated with Iris’ story of shouldering the burden of generations that came before and after her. And while this sci-fi genre often appropriates and exoticizes Asian culture, 1000xRESIST authentically shines through its depiction of Hong Kong and use of Mandarin Chinese dialogue. — George Yang, contributor
The Plum Island Horror
GMT Games
At first glance, The Plum Island Horror resembles other zombie games, as you face hordes while worrying about rations. But instead of saving nameless survivors, you can play as the Islanders Athletic Club rushing to evacuate a country music star across town. Or maybe you’re the Neighborhood Watch, bursting into a school to find not the supplies you need, but a zombified Sasquatch. That charm is paired with forgiving mechanics, from powerful combat dice to an exploration deck replete with useful surprises, making the game easy to recommend to pulp horror fans interested in a co-op challenge. — Vanessa McGinnis, digital campaign manager
Manor Lords Early Access
Hooded Horse
Is it a city-builder? Or is it real-time strategy? Or perhaps a medieval life simulator? Manor Lords defies easy categorization because it gives you near-complete freedom. There aren’t grids or snap lines: You can place that dirt road anywhere you want — and it actually looks photorealistic! The only constraints are the handful of features still in development, like basic diplomacy. But it took solo developer Greg Styczeń over seven years to get to this point — I think we can forgive him. — Alex Curley, product manager, Distribution
Bō: Path of the Teal Lotus
Humble Games
Bō: Path of the Teal Lotus stands out from 2D platformers (like Hollow Knight and the Ori series) by focusing on aerial movement and combos. The game’s cute fox hero can hit lanterns and enemies to build momentum and fly through the air. It’s also gorgeous. With the game inspired by Japanese folklore, soft blue colors bathe the game’s interconnected world by night, red hues warming it by day. Small yokai and epic bosses alike have memorable designs that keep your attention throughout the game’s roughly 10-hour runtime. — George Yang, contributor
Ultros
Kepler Interactive
I struggle to fit Ultros into a neat genre box. It begins as a typical platformer or Metroidvania game but introduces mechanics that break the rules and challenge your understanding of the world. Planting gardens takes entire life cycles but allows you to permanently alter the environment itself. New tools help you access new areas but also reset your progress in significant ways. Ultros often felt like a playable, psychedelic art piece focused more on experimentation than typical gameplay — a unique experience I thoroughly enjoyed. — Graham Rebhun, software engineer, Publishing
Pacific Drive
Kepler Interactive
Pacific Drive sounds like a leisurely driving simulator, but it’s actually a survival game involving cars and fringe science. Set in 1998, it thrusts you into an eerie exclusion zone in the Pacific Northwest and tasks you to collect car parts and discover secrets as you attempt to escape. With retro futuristic tech that made me think of Back to the Future and Ghostbusters, I adored the game’s unique blend of cozy nostalgia and heart-pounding dread. — Daniel Morgan, systems engineer
Picky Eaters: Ultimate Collection
Le Fou
You’re having a dinner party — but some of your guests aren’t cooperative. They can’t eat something, or they don’t like something — and you have to make things work! In games lasting roughly a half hour to an hour, you’ll go to the grocery store, make a recipe and stir in special ingredients. Picky Eaters has fun food illustrations and just enough strategy to keep things interesting. Plus, it packs up well, so it’s easy to travel with it. Just don’t play it hungry! — Elissa Nadworny, correspondent
Solium Infernum
League of Geeks
With an intriguing evolution of board game principles applied to video game design, Solium Infernum takes the backstabbing social dynamics of tabletop games like Diplomacy and puts them into a setting they truly suit: Hell itself. As players spread across the map to battle for supremacy, they manipulate the politics and economics of Pandemonium toward one of many different avenues of victory. Delightfully cutthroat and great to play with pals, Solium Infernum should tempt old-school wargamers and modern strategy fans alike. — Jonathan Bolding, contributor
Arcs: Conflict and Collapse in the Reach
Leder Games
From the team behind beloved strategy games Root and Oath, Arcs lets two to four players fight galactic battles by chucking dice and playing cards of different suits. Lavishly illustrated by Kyle Ferrin and set in a universe inspired by Star Wars and Dune, a game of Arcs rarely lasts longer than a trim two hours — and Arcs boasts a campaign expansion should you wish to knit your games into a grand space opera. — Luis Aguasvivas, contributor
Until Then
Maximum Entertainment
Filipino-inspired games are few and far between, which is why Until Then, a visual novel from Polychroma Games, surprised me. Its relatable cast of high school students, its numerous minigames and its references to Filipino culture brought a smile to my face given that I’ve lived in the Philippines my entire life. Furthermore, the game’s central themes of love, tragedy and resilience assemble into a compelling overarching mystery. One playthrough isn’t enough to fully comprehend Until Then — be sure to stay after the end credits! — Jason Rodriguez, contributor
Timberborn Early Access
Mechanistry
Beavers building apartments. Beavers cloning beavers. Beavers surviving ecological disasters caused by an atomic event of yore. There’s nothing about Mechanistry’s survival city-builder Timberborn that should make any sense. But it does. The hours floated by like logs down a river during my first playthrough as I crafted my utopic beaver society. Natural disasters — gradually increasing in intensity — would often ruin my perfectly rationed crops and resources, but that’s OK. We rebuilt. Such is the way of the beaver. — Alex Curley, product manager, Distribution
Sons of the Forest
Newnight
Have you ever driven a golf cart over cannibals only to be T-boned by a grotesque naked man out for blood? The variety of ways in which you can kill or be killed in this open-world horror game is bested only by the beauty of its natural landscape. Finally released off early access, Sons of the Forest builds upon its predecessor with more vehicles, enemies, weapons and points of interest. It’s sometimes mysterious, sometimes terrifying and constantly brutal — but it’s a roaring good time if you’re into that sort of thing. — Will Mitchell, senior manager, Digital Content Operations
Home Safety Hotline
Night Signal Entertainment
It’s 1996 and I’m a new call-center employee. Cockroaches, ants, rats, bees, moles, fires, mold — phone me about any hazards to your home, and I can assess your issue! But after my first day, my electronic database starts to gain uncanny entries. Callers report strange phenomena, and my supervisor goes from friendly to cryptic to cultish. Home Safety Hotline is easily one of the most imaginative and unsettling indie games I’ve encountered — and best of all, it’s short enough to play over a weekend! — James Mastromarino, NPR Gaming lead and Here & Now producer
Splatoon 3: Side Order
Nintendo
Splatoon by route of Supergiant Games’ Hades, Side Order’s roguelike spin on Nintendo’s ink-shooting megafranchise offers far more than extra levels for dedicated players. Randomly generated challenges, bosses and power enhancements ensure that no two runs are alike. This new expansion is a unique genre blend and genuine evolution for a still-revolutionary shooter, with a soundtrack and final battle song that never get old. — Alicia Haddick, contributor
Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door
Nintendo
While I don’t play many games, this year’s remake of Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door had me scrambling for my Nintendo Switch. I grew up with the GameCube version and adored its clever writing, goofy animation and quirky sidekicks — Goombella was a childhood favorite! I also love the combat, which rewards good timing and tactics over twitch reflexes. Plus, you even get brief, hilarious opportunities to play as Princess Peach and Bowser. — Eliza Redway, people systems specialist
Princess Peach: Showtime!
Nintendo
Princess Peach shines in this long-overdue starring role. I reviewed Showtime! in March, but in the following months I discovered its real magic lies in its replayability. New hidden challenges and unlockables introduced after the main boss give you much more to do than just run through the stages again. My elementary-age kid has now given Showtime! a go too, and it’s kept them entertained through the summer break. — Rakiesha Chase-Jackson, project manager, Member Partnership
Balatro
Playstack
Balatro is a deceptively addictive cross between solitaire and five-card stud. Your goal: to create poker hands that will score enough points to win each round. In between, you’ll spend your earnings on extra cards or jokers that give persistent bonuses. But then the pace picks up. The blind amounts get higher, the restrictions tighter — you have to find increasingly absurd combos to stay ahead. But what I’m writing can’t describe how deeply the game can grab you. At my most obsessed, I started dreaming in Balatro. — Regina G. Barber, host and reporter, Short Wave
Helldivers 2
PlayStation Publishing LLC
Liberally inspired by the Starship Troopers movie, this cooperative game combines third-person shooter chaos with outrageous satire to create a delightfully challenging game that will have you laughing with and screaming at your friends in equal measure. Navigate missions across an ever-changing galaxy that shifts based on how the whole community is playing, and work together to protect Super Earth from any and all threats to democracy … all while “accidentally” calling in airstrikes on your teammate’s position — FOR DEMOCRACY! — Ben Cart, senior marketing manager, NPR
Penny's Big Breakaway
Private Division
After her audition to perform at a royal gala goes awry, Penny and her trusty yo-yo have to run from Eddie the Emperor and his army of penguins through dozens of fanciful levels. The game’s mechanics are just as wonderfully zany as its plot, with a bright Dreamcast-era aesthetic and bouncy soundtrack to boot. Fans of colorful 1990s platformers like Sonic the Hedgehog and Spyro the Dragon should absolutely zip-line, spin and race to play Penny’s Big Breakaway. — Kahwit Tela, contributor
Snufkin: Melody of Moominvalley
Raw Fury
Adorable wanderer Snufkin has been befriending forest critters since the 1940s. This year, he finally got his own video game, with whimsical art based on Tove Jansson’s original books. In Snufkin: Melody of Moominvalley, you return to the titular valley only to find it transformed into a series of stifling parks. You set things right by solving musical puzzles to rescue Moomin from the misguided Park Keeper. Warm and sumptuous, the game does a great job celebrating all things Moomin while also opening the door to new fans. — Rakiesha Chase-Jackson, project manager, Member Partnership
Bandle Tale: A League of Legends Story
Riot Forge
Bandle Tale is a crafting RPG loosely set in the world of esports sensation, League of Legends. You play as a knitting-obsessed yordle (imagine a cute, furry gnome). After interconnected portals are destroyed at a party gone awry, you have to repair them by collecting ingredients and making friends around Bandle City. I enjoyed the game’s charming visuals and catchy music and can’t wait to get down with my yordle friends at the next (hopefully less catastrophic) party I invite them to. — Nina Fill, project coordinator, Training Team
Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth
SEGA
Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth is the second turn-based RPG in a long-running series that used be action-based — featuring both Ichiban and Kiryu, the new and old protagonists. While the game is weakest when trying to be a tribute to Kiryu, it shines when committing to Ichiban’s story of family, found family and cults. It’s also just absurd enough to draw you in before it tears your heart out. Infinite Wealth is sincerity wrapped in a slugfest and a pivotal moment for the franchise as a whole. — Danny Lore, contributor
Persona 3 Reload
SEGA
Persona 3 Reload isn’t just a sleek overhaul of the original game, it also deepens its combat and expands its party dynamics. You play a transfer student who falls in with the Specialized Extracurricular Execution Squad. These high schoolers fight shadows arising out of a “Dark Hour” that only they and a few others experience. It’s up to you to find the meaning behind the sinister anomaly. We’ve got a while to wait until Persona 6, so in the meantime give Persona 3 Reload your best shot. — Kahwit Tela, contributor
Crow Country
SFB Games
Southern Gothic video games are surprisingly rare. That’s why Crow Country, set in 1990s Atlanta, is so refreshing for a semi-lifelong Southerner such as myself. You play Special Agent Mara Forest, tasked to look for the elusive Edward Crow at the abandoned amusement park he owned. With an enchantingly eerie atmosphere, stark sound design and retro visuals reminiscent of PS1/N64 survival horror games like Resident Evil and Silent Hill, Crow Country is an indie treasure that shouldn’t be overlooked. — Kahwit Tela, contributor
Stellar Blade
Sony Interactive Entertainment
In yet another intergalactic, post-apocalyptic adventure, Stellar Blade manages to dazzle PS5 players with its alluring visuals and captivating music. The hack-and-slash gameplay is engaging from the start. But I’d be starry-eyed to believe that the plot or voice acting evoked any lasting emotions for players, with forgettable side-plots and a wince-worthy main story. Instead, Stellar Blade shines in its tough combat and adaptable talent system, even if its character designs indulge in blatant fan service. — Bryant Denton, digital services specialist, Vermont Public
Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth
Square Enix
This second part of this planned Final Fantasy 7 trilogy hits incredible heights when it builds on what made the 1997 original and 2020 Remake so compelling — taking every memorable moment and turning it up to 11. The game bursts with spectacular combat, fun banter, gorgeous cutscenes and 30+ minigames — most of which are worth your time! Even as it’s weighed down by formulaic open-world tropes, Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth’s music, setting and characters combine into an unparalleled experience that often left me in tears. — Andy Bickerton, contributor
Final Fantasy 14: Dawntrail
Square Enix
Dawntrail had a lot to live up to after the acclaimed 2021 Endwalker expansion, which concluded a story 11 years in the making. While this new adventure has polarized fans and is slow to start, it ultimately delivers satisfying payoffs. New jobs, like the dual-blade Viper and the paintbrush-wielding Pictomancer, feel gratifyingly powerful, and I delighted in new role quests that had me track down comically devious villains intent on wreaking havoc. Best of all, Dawntrail’s dungeons and raids are my favorites among those the game has ever released. — Vanessa McGinnis, digital campaign manager
Wyrmspan
Stonemeier Games
Wyrmspan is the (super)natural evolution of its avian predecessor, Wingspan. Instead of enticing real birds to your board, you’ll explore, place dragons and dig through caverns to activate abilities. New features like guild bonuses and cave excavation cards add fresh synergies and deepen the game’s replayability. Like many tabletop enthusiasts, I wondered whether Wyrmspan would be different enough from Wingspan to justify a purchase. I’ve happily landed on an enthusiastic yes. — Izzy Rode, donor communications manager
Hades 2 Early Access
Supergiant Games
Hades 2 is hell-bent on defying expectations. Where the original game’s Zagreus had to battle out of the underworld, his little sister Melinoë now has to fight to the bottom of it to seek vengeance against Chronos, the god of time itself. Areas are bigger, combat is more complex, and there’s even a second path toward the surface to explore. You should play Hades 2 in Early Access, not because of its already remarkable feats, but for the chance to witness a myth in the making. — Diego Argüello, contributor
Rise of the Ronin
Team Ninja
Rise of the Ronin answers the question “What if Team Ninja made Ghost of Tsushima, but set in the 19th century and with guns?” You get a fun action-RPG with solid combat, respectable co-op and a reverence for historic details. You also get the developer’s trademark bloat, maddening abundance of junk loot and bewildering range of mechanics cribbed from other popular games. While more focus and restraint could have taken this from good to great, there’s still quite a lot to like here. — Justin Lucas, senior director, Communications
Lil’ Guardsman
tinyBuild
With her dad slacking off at the local pub, it’s up to 12-year-old Lil to cover his shift at the guard shed. You’ll help her determine which visitors should be admitted into the kingdom of Sprawl and which should be turned away. All is not as it may seem, so you’ll have to rely on tools ranging from truth spray to a decoder ring before making the big decision. If you’re a fan of Papers Please and looking for a lighthearted spin on its tense gameplay, go ahead and knock on Lil’ Guardsman’s door. — Kahwit Tela, contributor
Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown
Ubisoft
Few legacy franchises have slid from acclaim to indifference quite like Prince of Persia. But its latest entry, The Lost Crown, managed to catapult the series back into relevance. It’s not earth-shatteringly original; it instead brilliantly synthesizes past designs into refined combat, rapid movement and intuitive navigation. Put simply — it prioritizes fun beyond all else. Recommended for fans of games like Hollow Knight and Metroid. — Vincent Acovino, producer, All Things Considered
Botany Manor
Whitethorn Games
A game for any and all plant lovers, Botany Manor has you play as a retired botanist researching “forgotten flora.” Over the course of five chapters, you’ll solve puzzles to grow the plants and fill out protagonist Arabella Greene’s field book. You’ll have to track down hidden clues and figure out how they align with different plants. Beautifully illustrated and fresh, Botany Manor is a perfectly paced game for a lazy Sunday. — Katie Kloppenburg, digital content coordinator, Boise State Public Radio
SteamWorld Heist 2
Thunderful
The original SteamWorld Heist took the squad tactics of XCOM, threw out the dice rolls and added a system to ricochet bullets off walls billiards-style to hit enemies behind cover. This ingenious twist perfectly matched the swashbuckling story about robot pirates in space. The sequel improves on everything fun about the first game and tops it off with a surprisingly entertaining real-time ship fighting minigame. You’ll also get plenty of bang for your buck: It took me 60 hours to fully clear the story on the hardest difficulty. — Theo Peck-Suzuki, reporter, WOUB Public Media
Silent Hill 2
Konami
Silent Hill 2 is one of the best stories ever told in a horror video game. When I finally played the 2001 original, I discovered it’s also absolutely terrifying. Expectations for this year’s remake were low, but it managed to nail the uncanny terror, psychological scares and memorable weirdness of the original. I have a few gripes, such as slow pacing that nearly doubled its runtime. But this new version stands on its own and, hopefully, will revive a series that once ruled the survival horror genre. — Vincent Acovino, producer, All Things Considered
Thank Goodness You're Here!
Panic
In this self-described “comedy slapformer,” you play as an improbably tiny salesman dispatched to Barnsworth, a fictional town in northern England. Equipped with unnerving animations and rustic dialects, Barnsworth’s residents take turns politely insisting on your help, from cutting a lawn and its talking flowers to baking a ludicrously large pie. You’ll circle around the village as it spirals further into Monty Python-esque absurdity. Blessed by Matt Berry’s vocal talents, Thank Goodness You’re Here! may be the funniest game ever made. It’s certainly one of the weirdest. — Kahwit Tela, contributor
Lego Horizon Adventures
Sony Interactive Entertainment
Horizon Adventures unites the beautiful world of the Horizon games with the charming, family-friendly storytelling that Lego is known for. While the heavier storyline of the original Zero Dawn is downplayed for younger audiences, the game is still a challenging and entertaining romp through Aloy’s journey of discovery. Playing through Horizon Adventures is like browsing through a wish list of future builds, and it even includes tie-ins to other products like Ninjago and Lego City. — Rakiesha Chase-Jackson, project manager, Member Partnership
Caves of Qud
Kitfox Games
Do you dream of a sci-fi transhumanist roguelike set in a salt basin so dry that trade is conducted in drams of fresh water? Do you crave an extra set of arms, tank treads for legs, projectile quills, or precognition? Well, good, because you’ll need any advantage to defeat (or befriend?) goat swarms, sentient trees, laser turrets and evil clones of yourself. Caves of Qud draws me in, death after death, to build a mutant that reaches the end of its enigmatic story in the long-dead Sultanate’s shadow. — Becky Brown, audio engineer
Dune: War for Arrakis
Vanessa McGinnis/CMON
In this board game for up to four players, you’ll ride sandworms, harvest spice and fight for control of Dune. One team plays House Atreides, and the other is the villainous Harkonnen. Team Atreides has to complete quests (for example, drinking the water of life) to win. Team Harkonnen has to extract enough spice to mollify their off-world allies while conquering Atreides’ settlements. Faster than most war games, War for Arrakis doesn’t cut any corners on tension and asymmetry. — Vanessa McGinnis, digital campaign manager
Neva
Devolver Digital
Neva follows a young heroine and her wolf companion across watercolor landscapes and Escher-esque puzzles as they persevere through grief and confront the demonic forces responsible for ravaging their world. Contemplative but never dull, the game resembles Nomada Studio’s previous tear-jerking platformer, Gris, while adding stylistic and thematic influences from Hayao Miyazaki’s Princess Mononoke. Don’t let its tight four-hour runtime fool you: Neva will linger in your heart long after the credits roll. — Gabe Rosenberg, audience editor, KCUR
EA Sports College Football 25
Electronic Arts
In 2013,
Mouthwashing
Critical Reflex
Mouthwashing is cursed. It tells the tale of a wrecked freighter marooned in space due to the actions of its intrepid Captain Curly. Now mutilated and reduced to gurgled groans and pained sobs, Curly can only stare in abject horror, his one bloodshot eye darting about frantically, as he’s force-fed painkillers that barely stave off his impending death. Through time skips and flashbacks, Mouthwashing peels back layers of treachery and deceit until only the raw, palpitating truth is exposed. No amount of mouthwash will cleanse that sour, nauseating aftertaste. — Khee Hoon Chan, contributor
Mexico, 1921: A Deep Slumber
Mácula Interactive
Mexico, 1921: A Deep Slumber begins with a murder, and you’re the investigative reporter on the case. You’ll take photographs and interview famous figures in post-revolution Mexico to uncover the conspiracy behind the assassination of Mexican President Álvaro Obregón Salido. Developer Mácula Interactive collaborated with prominent museums in Mexico City to represent this cultural history, and the game’s cartonería (papier-mâché) aesthetic adds an ornate style to this harrowing adventure that places us in the middle of an event that shocked a nation. — Luis Aguasvivas, contributor
The Plucky Squire
Devolver Digital
From Paper Mario to Sonic Generations, many games have juggled 2D and 3D perspectives. None has used the technique so effortlessly as The Plucky Squire. When our hero, Jot, gets kicked out of his own story by the evil wizard Humgrump, he has to jump between his own 2D book and the outside 3D world to restore its happy ending. This meta adventure is filled with charm and creativity that kept me turning its pages (literally) until the end. — George Yang, contributor
UFO 50
Mossmouth
You’ve discovered a time capsule of games created by the mysterious (and fictitious) game developer UFO Soft. As you blow the dust off each game cartridge, you appreciate how this fictional company evolved with each new title. I’ve spent hours with my partner playing a shuffleboard army simulator (Lords of Diskonia), a deck builder about curating the most rad party (Party House), and an addictive version of Pong with samurai (Bushido Ball). Those three games alone are worth the price of admission — and there are 47 more! — Liz Metzger, associate producer, Pop Culture Happy Hour
Tactical Breach Wizards
Suspicious Developments
Hurling evil traffic wardens out of windows — Tactical Breach Wizards’ preferred method of dealing with foes — only became more enjoyable as I blazed through its puzzling levels. Developer Suspicious Developments deserves praise for the game’s snappy writing, clever stage design and remarkable openness. You can approach every stage however you like and take as many turns as needed to complete objectives. Tactical Breach Wizards sets a new standard in flexibility that more strategy games should follow. — Josh Broadwell, contributor
Crime Scene Cleaner
President Studio
Crime Scene Cleaner offers a surprisingly enjoyable blend of dark humor and strategic gameplay. You play as Mr. Kovalsky, a professional cleaner tasked with erasing evidence for mob boss Big Jim before heading home to your dog, Dexter, the goodest boy. While the mechanics feel similar to other cleaning simulators, the game adds an engaging storyline that excels at creating immersive, challenging scenarios and gritty, atmospheric visuals. 10/10. I would clean for Big Jim again. — Natalia Fidelholtz, talent development manager
Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2
Focus Entertainment
Have you ever smashed through Halo co-op campaigns on the couch with your friends? Space Marine 2, with its gothic aesthetic and brutal sci-fi universe, captures that same magic. This grim setting will draw you in and the Doom Eternal meets Mass Effect gameplay will keep you in. Whether you like Warhammer 40,000, third-person action games, or just want a fun time with friends, you’ll never get tired of fending off Tyranid swarms or quashing heretical Chaos in the name of God-Emperor. — Allen Walden, senior production operations specialist
Vendetta Forever
nDreams
Vendetta Forever pays homage to VR staples like Superhot and Pistol Whip, but it treads new ground by having you advance through each level by “teleport-snatching” your enemies’ weapons. After acquainting myself with this disorienting movement style, I felt like X-Men’s Nightcrawler flying through the stage, snatching a pistol, then a knife, then a shotgun, then a ninja star, and so on until I destroyed the last enemy to reach the end. Adversaries never stop firing at you, so you’ll be dodging bullets and knives like Neo to avoid them. The constant ducking, juking and squatting is a blast and a real workout! — Will Mitchell, senior manager, Digital Content Operations
Batman: Arkham Shadow
Oculus Studios
After some recent misses, the Arkham franchise is back. This new virtual reality game from developer Camouflaj lets you embody the caped crusader: solving crimes using keen detective skills and maneuvering from precipice to precipice with a cape and grappling hook. You’re encouraged to stealthily take out enemies one by one. Sometimes, your only option is to fight; luckily, the game’s methodical combat shines. Complete with superb music and atmosphere, Batman has swooped in as a top contender for VR Game of the Year. — Will Mitchell, senior manager, Digital Content Operations
Black Myth: Wukong
Game Science
A masterful adaptation of the classic novel Journey to the West, Black Myth: Wukong tasks you with fighting through stunning locations while gathering relics left behind by the Monkey King. As a Filipino, I marveled at the art design’s incredible showcase of East Asian and Chinese culture. I loved the challenges presented by 80 bosses and countless other enemies. The most memorable moments, however, came from discovering secret areas, side quests and even new endings buried in seemingly linear levels. — Jason Rodriguez, contributor
Metaphor: ReFantazio
SEGA
A new RPG from the developers behind the beloved Persona series, Metaphor: ReFantazio’s aesthetic, inspired by 1960s fashion and the unsettling art of Hieronymus Bosch, creates a dreamlike experience that’s hard to put down. Democracy is on the line as you vie for the throne alongside dozens of other candidates. Metaphor weaves intimate dramas and political intrigue into a sprawling tale that occasionally feels unwieldy. Despite its bloated runtime and overstuffed combat, Metaphor is still an imaginative, original synthesis that pushes storytelling boundaries. — Keller Gordon, contributor
The Rise of the Golden Idol
Playstack
The follow-up to one of my favorite games of 2022, The Rise of the Golden Idol packs intricate mysteries into a timeline many years after the events of the first game. Brilliant callbacks and new “big picture” puzzles test your understanding of the overarching narrative. An overhauled interface makes navigating the text-heavy sequences smoother and quicker. I’m always wary of video game sequels, so I’m ecstatic to report that the Golden Idol has made a triumphant return. — Graham Rebhun, software engineer, Publishing
Life Is Strange: Double Exposure
Square Enix
The first Life Is Strange game wrapped up Max Caulfield’s story so nicely in 2015 that nobody expected the beloved character to return, but seeing her in Double Exposure is like seeing an old friend. Max is now a 28-year-old grad student instead of an insecure high schooler. She lost her time-rewinding powers but gained the ability to live in two separate timelines at once: one where her bestie Safi is mysteriously killed and one where she still lives. It’s hard to follow up on the first game, but this new story kept me hooked with characters and dialogue that always felt relatable. — Kaity Kline, assistant producer, Morning Edition
Minishoot' Adventures
SoulGame Studio
Swoop around as a tiny spacecraft, zap other ships, and uncover secrets. Minishoot’ Adventures emulates the top-down Legend of Zelda formula, but swaps out its typical sword and shield for a minigun and jet engine. While the game offered little guidance as I blazed through its ruined world, its flexible levelling system empowered me to conquer each intimidating boss and their swarming projectiles. Intricate, concise and cartoony, it’s a game I’d heartily recommend to fans of Metroidvanias, twin-stick shooters or old-school Zelda titles. — James Mastromarino, NPR Gaming lead and Here & Now producer
Astro Bot
Sony Interactive Entertainment
I blasted through Astro Bot in 16 hours strewn over four delirious days. While occasionally sadistic challenges stifled my attempt at 100% completion, no game delighted me more this year. Every facet sparkles — the bubbly sound design, the pristine visuals, the imaginative levels and, of course, the collectible robots that often cosplay as characters from PlayStation’s three-decade history. Step aside, Mario, there’s a new mascot platformer in town! — James Mastromarino, NPR Gaming lead and Here & Now producer
The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom
Nintendo
This year, Zelda finally starred in the series that’s borne her name since 1986. While Echoes of Wisdom doesn’t truly break with narrative conventions, it experiments nearly as much as last year’s Tears of the Kingdom. Defeat the usual enemies — moblins, keese, darknuts, lizalfos, even lynels — to summon them anew as allies. Conjure boulders, trampolines and rickety beds to reach new areas. Tether yourself to roving spiders and floating platforms to clamber up trees and mountains. As frustrating as its selection interface may be, few Zelda games enable such open puzzle-solving as Echoes of Wisdom. — James Mastromarino, NPR Gaming lead and Here & Now producer
Nine Sols
Red Candle Games
In this 2D action game, Taiwanese developer Red Candle deftly weaves Taoist philosophy with a sci-fi fable about unscrupulous leaders seeking immortality at any cost. Nine Sols explores how the privileged few manipulate cultural traditions to maintain their status — and how passive obedience from everyone else makes it possible. Between these narrative beats, the game defines itself with parry-based combat drawn from Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice and exploration that rivals classics like Hollow Knight. Standing out in the flooded Metroidvania genre is no easy task, but Nine Sols manages it with impeccable style and a genuinely deep story. — Josh Broadwell, contributor
Tiny Glade
Pounce Light
As a longtime lover of the Sims and Cities: Skylines, I’ve found much-needed solace in Tiny Glade. The game’s an absolutely beautiful escape where players can build freeform cottages, bridges, castles and more without any pressures or grid constraints. Tiny Glade’s easy-to-use tools are perfect for beginners, complete with stunning visuals and pleasant sound design. My favorite part: sheep friends! They’ll wander around your meadow and navigate the real-time edits you make with safety measures like umbrellas to slow a sudden fall or floaties to swim in your ponds! — Carleigh Strange, technical director, Morning Edition