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With a new engine and a slightly revised career mode, MotoGP 25 attempts to take the series a step forward. In parts, this actually succeeds. The career mode is fun as usual and brings new possibilities in the area of bike development, which are very well integrated into the gameplay. The transfer mode is once again well implemented, providing a breath of fresh air in every season. The three new disciplines of Minibikes, Motard and Flat Track also provide a pleasant change of pace and a little more scope. And the driving experience, which we can customize with a wide range of settings options, is as successful as ever, but also challenging. Despite all this, the presentation remains dusty after the engine change, which is once again due to the same old animations, especially in the Grid and Parc Fermé. The character models, especially the faces, are also unconvincing and really need an urgent makeover to finally leave the PS3 level behind. This would definitely be our biggest point of criticism. Thanks to the new disciplines, MotoGP 25 still earns a slightly better rating than its predecessor.

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Lushfoil Photography Sim is a really successful indie game that looks breathtakingly beautiful in places and is bursting with atmosphere thanks to the melancholy soundtrack and the grandiose lighting mood. The collecting tasks fit in well and offer a bit of a break from just taking photos, which is very well done in itself. Thanks to the time of day changes, the mood of the areas changes permanently, which makes for a very good scope. On the negative side, however, there are frequent reload stutters, the rather functional photo inventory including annoying micromanagement as well as minor errors and bugs. The collection tasks sometimes turn into a chore when certain locations or objects simply won't be found. However, this is only a problem for players who really want to collect everything. This is not essential for progressing through the game. As with a good photo, we have light, but also shadows. Why do I give it such a high rating despite the certainly avoidable mistakes? Because Lushfoil Photography Sim is simply a great, extraordinary one-man project that definitely deserves it!

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South of Midnight is not a game for everyone - and that is its biggest advantage. Those looking for fast-paced combat, open level design and complex gameplay will not find what they are looking for here. However, those who want to embark on an emotional adventure that combines cultural depth, creative imagery and a touching story will be offered a special experience here. And the visual style is worth at least taking a look at.

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With the success of The Last of Us Part I, Naughty Dog bought themselves a fool's license, which they used for this awkward, beautiful, tragic and upsetting sequel. There are few titles that sound this good, look this good and serve us a storyline that meets its protagonists and us as players with a certain maturity - unfortunately, nothing in this world is perfect. The gameplay of The Last of Us Part II is sometimes a little slow and the PC version could have done with a stability patch or two before launch. In the end, however, we are still glad to have embarked on the journey with Ellie again. Anyone interested in story-driven video games will find this title hard to pass up sooner or later.

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Forza Horizon 5 has now landed on the PlayStation and is certainly one of the best open world racers ever. Regardless of whether you look at the atmospheric and varied game world in Mexico, which leaves nothing to be desired in terms of atmosphere and scenic splendor, or whether you take a closer look at the diverse range of different racing events - Horizon 5 scores on all levels. In any case, the graphics are absolutely breathtaking and allow us to forget about the races during our exploration tours, as there are so many beautiful places to discover that we are also more than sufficiently occupied away from the race tracks. The driving experience, which strikes the perfect balance between accessibility and challenge, is also a great strength of the game, which is taken to a new level by the possibilities of DualSense that Xbox players are denied. If you want to criticize the racing game for something, then perhaps the very tame damage model of the vehicles or the more than interchangeable and actually superfluous story staging around the eponymous festival, which cannot keep up with the actual game world both in terms of presentation and atmosphere. Nevertheless, Forza Horizon 5 is a paradise for car fans, not least because of the almost 900 collectable vehicles and the numerous tuning options. Nobody who is even remotely interested in car racing can go wrong with this great open world racing game, which we can now fortunately enjoy on all major platforms.

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Sometimes a two-year break is certainly good for one or other of the annual racing game series. This also applies in part to Monster Energy Supercross 25 - The Official Video Game. The switch to the latest Unreal engine brings improvements to the graphics, while the rest of the gameplay is definitely convincing, as in the previous parts. The AI in particular often does a good job and allows for exciting chases or shoulder-to-shoulder duels over several rounds. Thanks to various editors, there are plenty of customization options. The very good track editor should also be mentioned here, which is ultimately quite rudimentary, but still more than fulfills its purpose. And the Rhythm Attack mode, especially in the career mode, provides a nice break and surprisingly exciting duels right up to the finish line. All in all, Monster Energy Supercross 25 - The Official Video Game delivers a lot of tried and tested features and, apart from a few minor details, presents itself as a well-rounded package.

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Commandos: Origins is a declaration of love to an almost forgotten genre - and at the same time proof that classic real-time tactics can still be fun in 2025. The game is clearly aimed at fans of the series (and people with patience). Newcomers might be put off by the level of difficulty at first, but those who dig in will get a rewarding, challenging gaming experience. The biggest strengths are the clever level design, the tactical depth and the co-op mode. The biggest weaknesses? Small technical glitches and a limited choice of characters.

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In the test, Gal Guardians: Servants of the Dark scored first of all with its story, which doesn't take itself too seriously. The atmospheric pixel look triggers pleasant retro vibes, and the unlock system for the bones and souls of the servants is also motivating. The game is given a special twist by the two different fighting styles of the main characters, which satisfy both close-range and long-range fighters. Gal Guardians: Servants of the Dark can be a lot of fun, especially in co-op mode. Options such as resurrecting a character and the ability to switch from two to one player at short notice add to the gameplay experience. Unfortunately, however, the servants are tripping themselves up. Long walking distances in combination with the inadequate fast travel system dampen motivation, as do the sometimes unclear effects of items, especially when it comes to healing. A cluttered and unfinished inventory and secondary weapon system should also be mentioned. For Metroidvania fans, Gal Guardians: Servants of the Dark offers a lot of fun, especially in co-op mode, but unfortunately the concept doesn't run completely smoothly. There are certainly better alternatives on the market.

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Meier's Civilization VII offers a great gaming experience and is already a worthy successor to Civilization VI in many parts. Nevertheless, appearances are slightly deceptive, as the game does not seem to be fully developed in some areas. There is still a lot of room for improvement and, as with its predecessors or many other games today, it will probably only really be as it should be with a large DLC. You have to give the developers credit for the fact that they are already releasing regular updates at very short intervals, but at the same time they are already releasing the first paid DLCs. The fact that this includes England has rightly upset many fans. It also remains questionable whether things like artwork and music will make it back into the game once they have been removed. I would buy Civilization VII, as many of the new gameplay features are really fun and the game leaves quite a good overall impression. On the other hand, I think spending at least 100 euros to get all the available content is quite a lot of money for the fact that some parts of the game are still unfinished.

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Guidus Zero is not a game for hectic mouse clickers or spontaneous after-work runs where you just want to whizz through. It requires concentration, planning and a certain amount of frustration tolerance. But it rewards everyone who gets involved - with intense battles, a clever progression system and a surprisingly dense dungeon flair. The boss battles challenge us, but they also motivate us. The grid movement feels strange at first, but becomes a pleasant rhythm over time. And the small design decisions - notes instead of walls of text, random stores, portable resources - make Guidus Zero a game that doesn't try to be bigger or more epic than it is. But simply: damn good. Of course, there are weaknesses. The automatic dialog navigation feels like an unnecessary stumbling block. The lack of a hint to “reset run” after saving almost borders on sabotage. But these are annoyances, not deal-breakers.

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Atomfall is a game with ambition - atmospherically dense, narratively unusual and stylistically independent. The game world in particular impresses with its attention to detail and invites exploration. The idea of using clues instead of classic quests offers exciting narrative freedom, but also demands a lot of patience and attention from players. Unfortunately, these strengths are offset by some noticeable weaknesses: The gameplay seems immature in many areas - from the error-prone AI to the frustratingly small inventory to the sluggish progress in the skill system. The lack of fast travel can also significantly disrupt the flow of the game. Atomfall is not a technical highlight, but scores points with its atmospheric visuals and stable performance. Those who can get involved with the slow pace and immersive world will be rewarded with an unusual gaming experience. However, those expecting structured quests, comfortable game design and modern gameplay may be disappointed.

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Sniper Elite: Resistance offers us exactly what we expect from a Sniper Elite title - no more and no less. We can look forward to varied gameplay with a combination of stealth elements, extremely authentic sniper action and successful third-person shooting. The game leaves it almost entirely up to us to decide when to act loudly and when to act quietly. The very extensive areas with a convincing selection of settings can impress with their atmosphere and well-captured scenery, but you shouldn't expect photorealism when it comes to the graphics. The skill tree is also not really an innovative product and the facial animations also have to be compromised. All in all, however, Sniper Elite: Resistance convinces with a solid performance on all levels, just as we know it from the past. Nevertheless, we hope that part 6 will perhaps bring one or two interesting new features with it. Of the two DLCs available so far, we particularly remember the movie studio expansion, which has a spectacular location to offer. However, the second DLC Vercors Vendetta is also impressive with its spectacular scenery and challenging gameplay. To summarize, we can recommend the main game and DLCs to all those who love Sniper Elite for what it is. On the other hand, anyone expecting big leaps should wait and see what Part 6 has to offer.

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The Sims 4 Fashion Street set takes us to India and is characterized by cheerful colors, lots of eye-catching embellishments, multi-layered cuts and flowing fabrics. We can combine the unusual outfits with stylish accessories that give the rather traditional look a modern component. I liked the items in the fashion set, but there is one small point of criticism from my side, as the selection is not quite so versatile to combine with the very specific style and is particularly suitable for anyone who wants more exoticism in their Sims' closet.

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Split Fiction is another prime example of how Hazelight Studios is revolutionizing the co-op genre. With a captivating story, innovative gameplay mechanics and stunning visual design, the game sets new standards for cooperative experiences. Despite minor weaknesses in narrative structure and playtime, Split Fiction is an absolute must-play for fans of co-op games and those looking for a deep, emotional experience.

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With Atelier Yumia: The Alchemist of Memories and the Dreamed Land, the Japanese company Gust opens the next chapter in their long-running JRPG series. The game scores points with its great exploration gameplay, which lets us enjoy exploring the large and atmospherically designed game world. Thanks to our heroine's swift movement options, there is hardly an obstacle that cannot be overcome unless the game forces us to wait. The fantastic world is supported by the sometimes beautiful graphics including dynamic day/night changes and the atmospheric soundtrack, even if only Japanese voice output is available. Both the combat and alchemy systems are accessible in principle, but with considerable depth. Atelier Yumia: The Alchemist of Memories and the Dreamed Land offers something for every player thanks to four difficulty levels that can be changed at any time. This means that hardcore JRPG enthusiasts and casual gamers are equally well catered for. Also worth mentioning is the great building system, which allows us to create our own outposts relatively quickly and easily. As we are constantly finding new blueprints and resources in the world, this option in particular motivates us to continue exploring the game world. Unfortunately, however, the otherwise successful game falls short in the area of story. The main story takes a long time to tell and, especially at the beginning of the game, seems unnecessarily tedious. The numerous side quests are also hardly convincing, as they are just generic standard fare with collecting or combat tasks. There could definitely have been more in this area. Of course, this sounds very negative. Nevertheless, I had a lot of fun with Atelier Yumia: The Alchemist of Memories and the Dreamed Land, which for me was mainly due to the great exploration premise and the building mode. For a second part of a possible trilogy, however, I would primarily like to see a somewhat better story.

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The Sims 4 From Hobby to Business has some strengths, but also a few weaknesses. The new objects and skills as well as the extensive tattoo design are definitely a big plus of the set, just like the beautiful and atmospheric neighborhood and the almost limitless freedom when it comes to your own small business. On the other hand, you have to make sacrifices elsewhere. The terminals with which the Sims pay for entry to a store didn't really convince me, as they take away the individuality of the stores. The old weaknesses also remain. For example, there are once again far too few plots of land available for building and the Nordhaven neighborhood remains scenic despite its great design. On the other hand, the furniture, clothing and accessories, which are very well done with their details, impressed me across the board. It's also nice that our Sims can teach and give lectures themselves.

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Assassin's Creed Shadows is exactly the masterpiece the series needed. Here, a beautiful and extremely atmospheric game world merges with a beautifully realized emotional story and a very successful combat system with two focal points. The decision to have two different protagonists, who represent different approaches to the Assassin series and largely leave it up to us to decide how to proceed in the end, is really good for the familiar storyline. Both heroes are also beautifully drawn and play really individually. There is also a respectful approach to nature and Japanese culture, as well as a vibrant environment that feels like Assassin's Creed, but isn't so packed with activities that it overwhelms us. There's not much that the developers could have done better, so slight inaccuracies in the course and riding and the somewhat wooden faces in the in-game presentation are the highest of feelings. As a fan of the first hour, who has experienced all the highs and lows of the franchise, I am in any case completely thrilled with this beautiful Japanese spin-off, which has been realized with the utmost love and care and leaves nothing to be desired for me. Assassin's Creed Shadows even achieves what I always thought was impossible: it surpasses the almost unattainable pirate classic Black Flag and, for me, ranks right at the top of the Assassin's adventure list.

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MLB The Show 25 is a visually impressive baseball simulation with accessible gameplay and a high degree of realism, which has been further enhanced by numerous optimizations. The technical implementation impresses with detailed animations, authentic stadiums and an all-round successful, atmospheric presentation. Particularly noteworthy is the Road to the Show mode with its high school and college approach, which differs from the extensive Franchise mode primarily due to its story-driven production. However, the lack of soundtracks for the sequences is a little annoying here and the heavily menu-heavy sequences in the franchise are also not entirely inspiring. The real highlights, on the other hand, are the immersive controls, which have been optimized in some places and were easy to understand and implement at all times, even for baseball newcomers like me, as well as the extensive customization options with control mechanics for every taste. For baseball fans and sports game lovers, the game offers a successful mix of authenticity and entertainment combined with extremely high-quality visuals on the current generation of consoles.

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I never really warmed to its predecessor, Two Point Campus, and was delighted that the gameplay and humor are so much better suited to Two Point Museum. Even though the title is not very challenging in terms of strategy and management, you never get bored, as the combination of expedition and museum construction goes really well together and offers a lot of variety with the different art facilities. I also really liked the freedom to build and decorate, as well as the loving and funny portrayal of the museum visitors. Two Point County can go on like this.

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Monster Hunter Wilds brings a breath of fresh air to the Monster Hunter universe. The game stays true to the formula, but introduces exciting new ideas and mechanics that deepen and expand the gameplay experience. In particular, the open world and dynamic ecosystem bring a new excitement to hunts, while the expanded team interactions add depth to battles. With its many quality-of-life features, it allows new players a good introduction to the series without robbing the series of its core mechanics. However, there are also a few stumbling blocks. The open world can sometimes feel a little too empty if players are not familiar with the new mechanics. And performance is currently the biggest point of criticism. Nevertheless, Monster Hunter Wilds is a successful evolution of the series that will captivate old fans and newcomers alike. Anyone who loves hunting is guaranteed to have fun with this new chapter.

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