Matt Sowinski
Game industry critic and reviewer
Writing For
But Why Tho
CGMagazine
Console CreaturesLatest Reviews
Opus: Prism Peak is a beautiful story that stays with you long after the credits roll. Between the gorgeous art style, amazing music, and a narrative that hits hard. It's a must play.
Tomodachi Life: Living the Dream is a chaotic breath of fresh air, even if it doesn’t offer a ton of things to do.
Saros
Saros is Housemarque at its best. It nails the roguelike formula, with each run feeling completely different than what came before thanks to changing areas and a variety of weapons. The story grips you and doesn’t let go, with Rahul Kohli’s fantastic performance at the heart of it.
Damon and Baby
There is a solid idea and foundation here that needs to be massaged more in future attempts. DAMON and BABY has some cool ideas, but ultimately, is not a fun trip to heaven.
Pokémon Pokopia is a massive love letter to the series, one that fittingly hits in the 30th year. It’s the gold standard of Pokémon spin-offs, letting you live in a Pokémon playground.
Marathon (2026) has me locked in, sitting in my brain until my next run. The barrier to entry is high, but it’s rewarding, with each death being a lesson learned.
Mario Tennis Fever is a blast, easily one of Mario’s best sports games in recent years.
Big Hops
Big Hops is an enjoyable platformer that nails level design, creativity, and a sense of momentum.
Pokémon Legends: Z-A Mega Dimension is a solid add-on, albeit costly, for fans of the core game looking for more, but it isn’t a must-play due to the repetition, grind, and price.
Metroid Prime 4: Beyond is just fine—a whiplash of an experience that has some really memorable moments and others that are just grating.
Skate Story is a brilliant skateboarding game unlike any other. Tight skateboarding, heady narratives, gorgeous graphics, and a banger soundtrack make it one of this year's best experiences.
Kirby Air Riders is a fantastic follow-up to a GameCube classic. The racing is deceptively complex with a high skill ceiling.
