Umair Khalid's Reviews
With a beautiful art style, simple puzzle-solving, and an emotional story, The Day I Became a Bird is a bite-sized story with a big heart, and everyone who loves playing cozy games or games with emotional narratives should definitely give it a chance.
Swan Song captures your attention from its opening moments and never lets go. Every element works in harmony to create an emotional, rewarding, and remarkable experience. As each puzzle springs to life and the swan gracefully navigates the music box, the payoff feels incredibly satisfying. The game never relies on repetition, with each chapter introducing fresh ideas and mechanics that keep the experience engaging from beginning to end. From its heartfelt narrative and stunning visuals to its exceptional puzzle design and beautiful soundtrack, Swan Song excels in every area. Whether you are a puzzle enthusiast or simply appreciate thoughtfully crafted games, Swan Song is an experience that should not be missed.
JDM: Japanese Drift Master is an excellent addition to the PS5 lineup and easily ranks among the platform’s best racing games. It makes smart use of the DualSense’s adaptive triggers to deliver a satisfying simcade experience set across a visually striking world. The drift mechanics are intuitive yet rewarding, allowing newcomers to get up to speed quickly while still offering depth for experienced players. Strong world design, a well-presented narrative, and robust customization options further elevate the experience. Combined with a solid mix of licensed and unlicensed vehicles, JDM: Japanese Drift Master offers hours of engaging racing action and is a must-play for fans of drifting and high-speed competition.
Directive 8020 stands as the strongest entry yet in The Dark Pictures Anthology, delivering a clear evolution in both gameplay and presentation. The introduction of the Turning Points system adds meaningful flexibility, allowing players to revisit key moments and experience the narrative from different perspectives without friction. Combined with striking visuals, a well-executed narrative, and a consistently unsettling atmosphere, Directive 8020 is an easy recommendation for horror fans and one of the best horror releases of the year so far.
Orbyss is one of those puzzle games that reel you in with its simplistic visuals and easy gameplay mechanics, but you quickly start to realize the logical aspects of its puzzles. Orbyss starts simple but gradually increases the puzzle difficulty while unlocking more mechanics for you to play around, and it looks beautiful while doing it. The visuals are simple yet impressive and feature just the right amount of colors and aesthetics to keep you interested. It does not overwork in visuals to counter its simple gameplay design, and that is what really sets Orbyss apart. If you love playing puzzle games that not only look great but offer puzzles that tickle your brain in the right places, you are going to love Orbyss. Highly recommended for players who love simplistic puzzle games where gameplay and logic go side-by-side.
Not only does Ruffy and the Riverside offer a charming story that is fun to experience up to its very end, but it also offers a beautifully designed world that is full of quirky characters and fun activities to do even after the completion of the main story. Ruffy and the Riverside manages to bring back the charm of the early PS1 and Xbox platforming action games back to life with its own unique mechanics and nostalgic visuals. The Swap mechanic is flawless, and the 2D characters in a 3D world bring out a vibe that no modern platformer has managed to deliver in a long time. It is easily one of the best platformers of this generation and will serve as a foundation for all future platformers to follow. Ruffy and the Riverside is a crown jewel for both Zockrates Laboratories UG and Phiphen Games, and one that should be on every player’s must-play list.
Nice Day For Fishing is a highly addictive pixel-art RPG that will keep you busy for hours. With its charming cast of characters, beautiful world, and satisfying fishing mechanics, it does justice to the franchise that inspires it. Despite some backtracking and repetitive quests, the game does not feel like a tedious chore, thanks to its simplistic approach to humor and straightforward quests. It is rare for a video game to have a perfect balance of humor, solid gameplay, and great design in one package these days, but Nice Day For Fishing manages to do it flawlessly. If you love playing cozy RPGs with solid gameplay mechanics or if you are a fan of games that offer a little twist on known genres, Nice Day For Fishing will be a great title for you to try out. Highly recommended for RPG and fishing game fans.
X-Out: Resurfaced marks the return of the classic Commodore 64 shmup back to life in its best form possible. It not only keeps the spirit of the original title alive with its retro visuals and hard difficulty but also brings some added features for the new players, like some cheat codes and 2-player multiplayer. Intense boss battles, the challenge of surviving, plenty of customization options, and the threat of constantly returning to the main menu screen make it an intense shmup of modern times. If you loved playing the original Amiga release or, in general, love playing shmup titles, X-Out: Resurfaced is a gorgeous title to try out. It will keep you busy for hours as you try to master its levels and challenging boss battles. Highly recommended for all shmup fans out there, whether casual or hardcore.
With Split Fiction, Hazelight Studios has continued its streak of delivering yet another Game of the Year contender. It is very hard to find something negative about Split Fiction. It features gorgeous levels, excellent gameplay design, and a co-op experience that only Hazelight Studios can deliver. It is baffling to see how Split Fiction delivers specific genre experiences better than AAA titles that are specifically built for those genres. It not only shows how dedicated the developer is to promote healthier gaming activities but also manages to create experiences that just show the entire industry how it is done. With a free Friend Pass, Split Fiction is a no-brainer for every fan of co-op games, whether they love action games, shooter games, wacky games, or everything else.
Lost Records: Bloom & Rage is DON’T NOD’s finest release to date, and the level of mystery, voice acting, 90s aesthetics, and suspense just keeps you on your toes. The game does an exceptional job at hiding its best-kept secrets, and this sparks an interest that just wants you to experience the whole game in one sitting. It surely touches on some sensitive topics, but it never goes too deep into them to make it uncomfortable for anyone to play it, and this makes it one of the best releases by DON’T NOD so far. Tape 1 sets the perfect premise for Tape 2 and even beyond the first title in the series. If you love playing DON’T NOD’s signature choice-based narrative releases, you will love playing Lost Records: Bloom & Rage, and even if you are just starting their lineup with it, it is a strong title to kick things off.
SCHiM is one of the best puzzle platforming games that I have played this year so far, and believe me, I have played a lot of them. What I like about SCHiM the most is that while it masquerades as a puzzle platformer, it is not always about puzzles. Sure, you have to figure out a way to reach the end goal, but the path is not always a tricky one, even in late sections of the game. While you may be tempted to just make a dash for the exit, the little details here and there make you want to explore the entire level before you complete it. I love the level designs, and I also adore the art style of the game. The color palette might not be for everyone, but you can even customize it if you want to. If you are looking for a beautiful and simplistic platforming game with tons of character, you must go for SCHiM, and even if you are not a big fan of platforming games, I can still easily recommend it to you. Give it a shot.
Quadroids is truly a challenging platformer, not because the levels are designed to kill you again and again, but because you need to be extremely good with your motor skills. Controlling multiple Quadroids across four different screens requires skills that I never thought I would need while playing a video game. The challenge only ramps up as you progress in the game, and if you are looking for a platformer that really tests your mettle across every level, you must get your hands on Quadroids and try to beat every level perfectly. This is where the real challenge lies. With its simple yet extremely tough gameplay mechanics, Quadroids is certainly our best strategy platformer of this year so far because not only does it feel tight and responsive, but it also really tests your skills in different ways.
Bang-On Balls: Chronicles is a must-have game for all PS5 owners because it takes you back to the PS1 era when we used to have simple platforming games with open sandbox worlds like Ratchet & Clank, Spyro the Dragon, and similar titles. It offers a charmful world, combined with solid gameplay mechanics and no-brainer puzzles that suit players of every age and skill level. You do not need to think about playing this game, and anyone can just pick up a controller and join in the fun. If you miss the nostalgic open-world sandbox gameplay of those early PS1 titles, Bang-On Balls: Chronicles is here with its gorgeous level design and visuals and stellar gameplay mechanics to keep you entertained for hours. If you own a PS5, you must give this game a shot because, with the next-gen upgrade, you can now watch the destruction in silky smooth frames in the best possible resolution.
Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown is a breath of fresh air for this long-forgotten franchise, and if the 2D visuals and the Metroidvania game design are not looking appealing, you should first try it out at least. Good thing it comes with a free demo, and I am sure that if you love classic titles such as Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time, Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown will deliver the same experience with a brand-new look and feel. The gameplay mechanics are solid, and the world design is gorgeous. Whether you are a fan of Metroidvania titles or just want to get back into the Prince of Persia franchise, The Lost Crown is a brilliant title that satisfies both niches and will be considered one of the best titles in the franchise.
DAVE THE DIVER is an astonishingly addictive game, and the best bit is that every time you think that you have seen everything from the game, it comes out and throws something new your way to experience. The subtle mix of RPG mechanics with deep-diving and restaurant management sim is really good, and it keeps the gameplay loop fresh. While playing DAVE THE DIVER, it feels like you are in a completely new world as it has lovable characters, a fully functional social media platform, an underground environment that feels alive, and a thriving restaurant that looks really cool. DAVE THE DIVER is literally the best single-player experience for me since the beginning of this year, and I am sure that you are going to love it as well. If you are looking for a casual yet highly addictive game to burn off hours of your time, and you have a PC, look no further than DAVE THE DIVER on Steam.
Homura Hime is an interesting blend of bullet-hell, hack and slash, and soulslike genres. It does not try to excel in any of these genres, but instead it manages to deliver a satisfying experience by offering a toned-down version of each. It is an excellent title for players who love playing bullet-hell and action games that feature impressive combat and point-blank accuracy for survival. The visuals are cool, and the level design is fairly decent as well. You do not have to be a master of any of these specific genres to enjoy your time in Homura Hime.
Because all of these games were released on Nintendo consoles back in the late ‘80s and early ‘90s, seeing them re-released on Nintendo Switch is nothing short of pure nostalgia. While some of the titles in this collection, like TaleSpin, have not aged well, the overall quality of this assortment of classics is excellent, and players can invest a decent amount of their time in it. For Nintendo’s modern consoles, The Disney Afternoon Collection is an excellent addition for players looking to relive the early glory days of sidescrolling platformers set in the iconic worlds of Disney.
MIO: Memories in Orbit features a beautiful and artistic world, inspired by paintings, comics, and sci-fi, that is rewarding to explore, and the combat is satisfying. It ticks all the green signals of a brilliant Metroidvania and is the perfect game to start your 2026 list of great games to complete. The levels are brilliantly designed, and the enemies are challenging and look cool. It also features an excellent soundtrack with a brilliant audio design that completes an amazing Metroidvania experience. It is still an indie game, and some elements do tend to show that. Still, I loved playing it, and if you like playing Metroidvania titles, MIO: Memories in Orbit is the perfect game for you to jump into.
Roadwarden deserves a perfect score, but the Nintendo Switch version is not well-optimized for the console. The UI feels a little clunky, and there is a weird lag, whether you are using the touchscreen or the controls for playing the game. Still, if you ignore its laggy UI, Roadwarden is the definition of a true RPG. It shows that you do not need fancy visuals and a 100 GB game size to deliver the true experience of an RPG. The stellar writing and the immersive visuals, although simple, will get you hooked right from the first five minutes, and it makes it very hard to put the console down. At the Nintendo Switch, Roadwarden feels right at home because you can take it everywhere you go, and it will keep you engaged for hours to come. If you own a Nintendo Switch and you love RPGs, no matter what type, Roadwarden should be on your list and installed on your console at all times. It will not disappoint you in any capacity.
The Alters is a gorgeous-looking sci-fi space survival game that offers high replayability thanks to its diverse choice system. It ditches the micromanagement aspects of a base-builder survival game and simplifies mechanics to offer a more focused gameplay on the narrative and the choices that you must make to shape your journey. Featuring amazing gameplay, beautiful locations, a solid sound design, and plenty of choices to make, The Alters is simply one of the best sci-fi survival games to launch this year so far. It caters to a diverse range of players, ranging from sci-fi lovers to base-building fans or players who love making tough moral choices. If you love playing games that offer them, The Alters should be on your must-play list.