Game 48: Call of Duty 2

Developer: Infinity Ward
Played on: Series X
Release: 2005

Playtime: 9 hours 33 minutes
Rating: 8
Thoughts: While first-person shooters have long grown past it, Call of Duty 2's fundamentals easily hold up 20 years later.

Game 47: Neva

Developer: Nomada Studio
Played on: Switch
Release: 2024

Playtime: 3 hours 40 minutes
Rating: 8.5
Thoughts: While not as strong as its predecessor, Neva's impeccable presentation, emotional story, and tight gameplay make it an easy recommendation.

Game 45: Hades II

Developer: Supergiant Games
Played on: Switch
Release: 2025

Playtime: 42 hours 16 minutes
Rating: 9.5
Thoughts: While the story may stumble in places, Hades II polishes most of its predecessor's strengths to a near-perfect sheen.

Game 45: Ninja Gaiden 4

Developers: Team Ninja and PlatinumGames
Played on: PC via Game Pass
Release: 2025

Playtime: 12 hours 27 minutes
Rating: 8
Thoughts: Platinum does a great job of adapting Ninja Gaiden to their style of action. However, Ryu's inclusion derails the game's momentum.

Game 44: Marvel Cosmic Invasion

Developers: Tribute Games
Played on: PC via Game Pass
Release: 2025

Playtime: 5 hours 31 minutes
Rating: 6.5
Thoughts: While fun with others, Marvel Cosmic Invasion is a slog to play solo.

Game 43: Tom Clancy’s Splinter Cell: Conviction

Developers: Ubisoft Montreal
Played on: Series X
Release: 2010

Rating: 8.5
Thoughts: If you can get past the big departure in gameplay, Conviction is a tight action game that always keeps you on your toes.

Game 42: Sound Shapes

Developers: Queasy Games and Wholesale Algorithms
Played on: PS5
Release: 2013

Playtime: 2 hours 22 minutes
Rating: 7.5
Thoughts: Sound Shapes is a delightful platformer that, unfortunately, can never reach its full potential again due to Sony shutting down its servers.

Game 41: Tom Clancy’s Splinter Cell: Double Agent

Developers: Ubisoft Milan and Shanghai
Played on: Series X
Release: 2006

Playtime: 12 hours 55 minutes
Rating: 6.5
Thoughts: Double Agent weighs down its polished stealth mechanics with annoying minigames and an inconsequential choice system.

1) Sonic the Hedgehog 2
2) Metroid Prime
3) Fire Emblem Awakening
4) Persona 5 Royal
5) Metroid Dread
6) Celeste
7) Xenoblade Chronicles
8) Super Mario Galaxy 2
9) Pokémon SoulSilver
10) The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess

Game 40: Absolum

Developers: Guard Crush Games and Supamonks
Played on: Switch
Release: 2025

Playtime: 21 hours 58 minutes
Rating: 8.5
Thoughts: Absolum does a great job of using the inherent replayability of the beat 'em up genre to fuel a unique and incredibly fun roguelike.

1) Cocoon
2) Advance Wars: Dual Strike
3) Rayman Legends
4) The Great Ace Attorney Chronicles
5) Astral Chain
6) The Legend of Heroes: Trails of Cold Steel III
7) Super Mario RPG
8) TMNT: Shredder's Revenge
9) Gris
10) Tetris Effect

Game 39: Disney Illusion Island

Developers: Dlala Studios
Played on: Switch via NSO Game Trial
Release: 2023

Playtime: 7 hours 25 minutes
Rating: 6.5
Thoughts: DII does a good job of introducing younger players to search action games. However, it lacks the depth to keep veterans engaged.

Game 38: Tom Clancy’s Splinter Cell: Chaos Theory

Developers: Ubisoft Montreal
Played on: Series X
Release: 2005

Playtime: 14 hours 33 minutes
Rating: 8
Thoughts: While there are still a few annoyances, Chaos Theory is a highly approachable and fun stealth game that stands up to the test of time.

1) Cocoon
2) Alan Wake 2
3) TMNT: Shredder's Revenge
4) Tetris Effect: Connected
5) Gris
6) Ys X: Nordics
7) Tekken 8
8) Record of Lodoss War: Deedlit in Wonder Labyrinth
9) Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown
10) Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance