Not on this list, Enshrouded is a lot of fun. I recommend that fans of Zeldas BotW and TotK check it out. Not just a clone, though.

That song ... ouch.

Just did a quick search:

Early Milestones in VR Gaming

• The Sensorama (1962): Created by Morton Heilig, this arcade-style cabinet combined 3D visuals, motion, wind, and smells for immersive short films, serving as an early sensory ancestor to modern VR.
• Nintendo Power Glove (1989): Released as a consumer accessory for the NES, this glove attempted to bring gesture-based control to gaming but struggled commercially due to poor tracking accuracy.
• Virtuality Arcade Systems (1991): Developed by Virtuality Group, these systems featured stereoscopic headsets, real-time 3D polygon graphics, and networked multiplayer action in entertainment arcades, making them the first functional and widely experienced VR gaming platforms.
• Nintendo Virtual Boy (1995): A portable tabletop console that attempted red-monochrome 3D gaming, though it was a commercial failure and caused significant eye strain.

64 years later and VR is still struggling to find a viable audience.

Although not a hardcore fan, I have played and enjoyed several Castlevania games over the years.

In the last year or so I did enjoy the Castlevania vibes of Mandragora.

After playing this Belmont's Curse demo up to the first save point, I was impressed. If the full game reviews well and isn't brutally difficult, I plan to purchase.

I've been gaming a long time, and the only Pokemon game I have ever played is Pokopia, which I enjoyed for a good while.

I had heard about the Palworld legal issues, but didn't really know anything about the game. When 1.0 came out, I researched the game and decided to take a chance. Been playing for about a week and may be addicted. Fun game.

I'm an older gamer who chose to buy a Digital Edition PS5. And I've been digital only on Switch, and now Switch 2, for several years. It doesn't bother me, but everyone has the right to their opinions. Sony will survive, and I expect most existing gamers will roll with this.

Being maybe 6-8 hours in, I am enjoying the game.

Having lost interest in turn-based RPGs (for the most part), I haven't played either Octopath, and probably won't. However, my first impressions of HD-2D were good.

However, although the graphics in AoE work, between the pixelation and the general color palette, they are not my favorite. I much prefer the look of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom.

But not a deal breaker by any stretch, and I plan to continue.

One (unpopular?) alternative is to not play it or care. JOMO.

I don't have an internal SSD upgrade. However, since I do own a half dozen or so 100GB+ games, I recently formatted a 1TB external SSD as USB Extended Storage. So far moving games off and on is a breeze.

After playing some of the demo when it came out, I didn't really get it, so I didn't finish the demo.

However, the review scores motivated me to go for it anyway. It took a few play sessions, but by my third session, the light bulb went on.

Although not perfect (some dialog a bit cheesy IMO), it is one of my favorite games ever.

After finishing my first play through, I ended up starting my second later that evening. Not sure if that has happened ever, and I have been gaming for decades.

Being around 15 hours in, I think that it is a good and accessible DQ game (haven't played most DQs), and I like the graphics, combat, and most of the dialogue and VA.

However, I am reminded of why I don't play JRPGs much anymore. The combat is starting to feel repetitive.

I plan to continue, but probably an hour or two here and there. I give it a 7.

I remember when he saved Christmas.

Enjoyed Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night for the most part a while after it was released, and see PushSquare gave it a 9/10.

Currently playing Mandragora: Whispers of the Witch Tree, and to me it is a better game than fellow 'Castlevania Clone' BRotN.

@get2sammyb Mandragora is worthy of a review as much as Bloodstained, even if it is belated.

If I have to look at the smirking douche bag the whole game, gonna be a tough sell.

Graphics are good, but at this point, just another game that looks like this. But hey, if the market will support it ...

Since this is all about money, it seems that they could come up with a win-win financial arrangement. TBD if LoM will even be a good game and sell.

As someone who played 'Enslaved: Odyssey to the West' back when it was new, I think that Tencent has a point.
To me it is just two C......S... corporations with fragile egos.
Having enjoyed both Horizons, I am personally interested in playing Horizon 3 and Motiram. Maybe it could be in both of their interests to quit wasting time and money arguing about whose is bigger, and reach a financial agreement so that consumers can enjoy both games.

This game is too gory for me, so I won't be playing it anyway. But it's difficult to decide what is more brutal: the combat or the English dub.

The voice acting and dialog sound like they came out of a cheese factory. But if the gameplay rocks, I'll roll with it.

I feel like I have seen this movie before.

That guy looks like he moonlights in a Japanese Three Stooges tribute act.

I use to play turn based JRPGs regularly back in the day, but the appeal has waned in recent years.

However, this looks good IMO. If it reviews well, and isn't a slog, will probably consider it.

After finally taking a chance on Final Fantasy XVI a few weeks ago (on sale), I'm pleasantly surprised how much I am enjoying it, 80 hours and counting. I don't generally play M rated games, but FF16 could almost be T rated IMO.

I mentioned that since Lost Soul Aside (which I hadn't been following) has been compared to FF16. Depending on how it reviews, and why it deserves an (assumed) M rating, could see myself playing it at some point.

I am also interested in The Knightling if it reviews well.

Never played this game, and don't ever plan to, but it definitely seems to have nine lives.

Played them back in the day, and just watched the new trailer. Not my thing anymore, but I think a lot of players will enjoy these.

May be too 'over stimulating' at my age, but looks kind of fun.

Plods or 'plops' onto PS5?

After the review, you may want to remove 'Tales of the Shire' from the subtitle. Or at least remove the exclamation point.

I enjoyed both Horizon games and wouldn't mind a 'spiritual successor'. Maybe they can reach an amicable, mutually beneficial settlement.

I used to be a programmer and then web developer, but not a game developer.

Given the cyclical nature of software projects (be they games, accounting packages, or whatever), plus the uncertainty of predicting sales, I imagine that cycles of hiring, release, and layoffs will just be a standard part of the industry moving forward.

Many developers in this cycle are probably already taking this into consideration when financial planning.

@Marquez I didn't say 'only', you did. Fortunately, we are both entitled to our own opinions.

@ShogunRok With so many people, including a lot of young people, struggling with their mental health, when you and/or your colleagues are preparing your next article on games and mental health, do you ever thing about the impact of your ongoing marketing of intensely violent, gory games? Pick a lane.

I guess no one told Kojima that Tom Cruise's brushes with death in the Mission Impossible movies aren't real.

This game piqued my interest more than any other game at the recent game showcase.

I highly recommend Fantasy Life i. Although I enjoyed Zelda BotW and TotK for the most part, I think that I am enjoying this more (been a few years since the Zeldas).

I'm warming up to the Indiana Jones game, but will probably wait for a deeper discount.

Have never played Dead Cells, but may take the plunge for 10 bucks.

And I recommend Yoku's Island Express. Took a chance on it a few years ago on sale (Switch maybe), and really enjoyed it.

As someone who enjoyed Hades, but hasn't played a ton of roguelites, I'm definitely interested. Hopefully it plays as good as it looks.

Is K-Pop related to K-Rap?

I actually started the Star Wars Outlaws demo when it was released in the last few months, after the early stealth frustrations had been patched (according to the press). Although it looked and controlled OK, I was already starting to waiver early on when I hit a 'mini-game' that, if I remember, involved a rhythm game to open a lock. After several frustrating attempts, I stopped and deleted the demo. No where near the same league as Star Wars: Jedi Survivor, which I enjoyed a lot.

Never played the original, but my tastes in gaming have changed since then, so this is more appealing now. Glad that it reviewed so well, and looking forward to playing it.

Whether we like it or not, physical games are going the way of the horse and buggy. I'm an older gamer, and I actually prefer digital now, having opted for the PS5 Digital Edition.

@Nalim I noticed Fantasy Life i missing from list as well. Plan to play if it reviews well.

Would probably enjoy the game if it wasn't for the built in and seemingly unnecessary frustrations, which were mentioned in other reviews as well. Won't be spending my money on this one.

Played this on Switch. Although IMO the Emil character is unnecessary and annoying, a solid Picross game overall.

Have never played a MH game, but may give this a try at some point. Have read a few reviews, and it sounds more accessible to average gamers, which appeals to me.

As some other comments have eluded to (IMO), I don't see it as a competition. The console producers and media play that up, but not sure if many gamers really care.

I'm not saying it was aliens but ...

The only Atelier game that I have played is Ryza 1. But I may give this demo a try.

Getting more into cozy games. Never played the original, but just searched and found it for $1.49 on Playstation Store, so will probably give it a try. This followup looks appealing as well.

I was playing and enjoying Ravenswatch single player quite a bit recently, but may have finally hit the wall. Having to restart each run at square one finally wore me down. Well done game overall IMO.