Every week brings a fresh batch of new video games fighting for your attention, and it’s impossible to keep up with every new release worth attention. Decision paralysis is alive and well for gamers with varied tastes. Whether you’re looking for something cinematic and story-driven, a massive open-world adventure, a nostalgic remake, or pure arcade-style chaos, this week’s lineup delivers something for everyone. These releases span genres from sci-fi shooters to retro RPGs and brutal fighting collections, marking the kind of variety that makes gaming weekends feel endless.
If you’ve been searching for the best new games to play right now, this list has you covered. Each pick offers a different kind of thrill, proving just how diverse and exciting the latest wave of titles has become. This has been a tremendous year for video games, and there are still two entire months left to go.
Arc Raiders is a New Extraction Shooter With Mainstream Appeal
Arc Raiders finally delivers on its long-hyped promise of large-scale, cooperative meets competitive sci-fi action. From Embark Studios, this brand-new third-person shooter immerses players in a war-torn future where scavengers and survivors must either work together or fight against one another during the relentless invasion of mechanized adversaries known as the Arc. What makes it stand out this weekend is how stunningly fluid and tactical its gunplay feels. Every encounter demands quick thinking, precise teamwork, and creative use of verticality as players dismantle towering enemy machines in dynamic open environments. It can be a very daunting game for new players, but it’s well worth the effort to learn how to play Arc Raiders.
Beyond its mechanical polish, Arc Raiders thrives on atmosphere. Its retro-futurist design and synth-heavy soundtrack evoke an 80s-inspired world of rebellion and resilience. The game’s balance between intense combat and thoughtful scavenging keeps sessions varied, while its PvPvE premise offers something for both cooperative teams and competitive thrill-seekers. Unlike most extraction shooters, there are lots of mechanics like the free loadout system that let you jump in with little risk, and players are always progressing via the deep skill trees and leveling system. For anyone craving something that feels both cinematic and unpredictable, Arc Raiders is a huge adrenaline rush.
Dragon Quest 1 & 2 HD-2D is Like JRPG Comfort Food
Square Enix’s Dragon Quest I & II HD-2D Remake is a love letter to one of gaming’s most influential RPG series, bringing two genre-defining classics into the modern era with the studio’s signature blend of pixel art and dynamic lighting. The remastered duology keeps every ounce of its nostalgic charm while layering in beautifully orchestrated music, smoother pacing, and full voice acting. The result feels less like a museum piece and more like a timeless fairy tale reborn, offering longtime fans and new adventurers a chance to experience the roots of the JRPG genre in a modern, inviting package.
While the original Dragon Quest titles laid the foundation for countless RPG systems, this remake enhances every aspect without compromising their spirit. The dungeons feel more alive thanks to vivid lighting effects, and the turn-based combat flows briskly, avoiding the grind-heavy pacing of their NES origins. For players who loved Octopath Traveler or Live A Live, this collection is both a history lesson and a beautifully crafted adventure that reminds us why Dragon Quest remains at the heart of Japanese RPG design.
Mortal Kombat: Legacy Kollection is a Dream Come True for Retro Enthusiasts
The Mortal Kombat: Legacy Kollection brings together the franchise’s most iconic entries in a single brutal package under one modern banner. Everything from the original trilogy of arcade games, their home console ports, various spin-offs, and even handheld versions for Game Boy and more, is all included. It’s a comprehensive anthology that showcases how the series began and ushered in a new era of violent, competitive video games. This bloody walk down memory lane is a must-play collection for both returning fans and new kombatants.
Beyond the fighting, this collection also serves as a reminder of Mortal Kombat’s massive influence in the video game industry. On top of the remastered games, training modes, online multiplayer, and more that enhance each game, this collection also doubles as a digital museum. Featuring all-new documentary footage, exclusive developer interviews, design documents, development notes, never-before-seen artwork, and more, all presented in an interactive timeline, this is one of the most lovingly prepared archival projects in game history.
Silly Polly Beast is a Surprising Standout of Genre Combinations
In Silly Polly Beast, players step into the fog-shrouded world of Polly, a young girl trapped in a supernatural abyss after fleeing her orphanage. In a pact for freedom, she must unravel ancient demons and hone forbidden powers in a game that merges side-scroll and top-down combat, delivering a narrative-heavy shooter infused with horror, myth, and teenage rebellion. If that sounds like a wild combination of genres, that’s because it is, just like many of the best indie games.
What causes Silly Polly Beast to stand out is its bold interplay of mood and mechanics. Exploration unfolds through eerie environments and shifting perspectives, while combat pushes players to react fast. Bullets recharge in light, a skateboard doubles as both a melee weapon and a skateboard, and stamina stays tight, demanding judicious resource use. Whether you’re drawn by the haunted aesthetic, the punishing combat, or the twisted mythos underfoot, Silly Polly Beast delivers a singular indie journey. It rewards exploration, punishes hesitation, and invites players who value the story, style, and survival-horror edge in equal measure.
The Outer Worlds 2 is a Bigger and Better Sequel in Every Way
Obsidian Entertainment’s The Other Worlds 2 takes the satirical sci-fi tone of the original and pushes it further into both chaos and consequence. Players once again dive into a corporate-dominated galaxy full of strange factions, eccentric characters, and razor-sharp humor. The sequel boasts deeper RPG systems, improved gunplay, and branching narratives that adapt dynamically to every decision. It’s bigger and bolder, with new worlds to explore and a reworked companion system that makes every interaction feel more personal and reactive.
What sets The Other Worlds 2 apart is how it balances biting social commentary with genuinely enjoyable RPG exploration. The dialogue remains Obsidian’s signature strength, packed with witty banter and meaningful moral dilemmas. Meanwhile, its sleek visuals and refined combat loop ensure that even players who missed the first game can jump in and immediately feel at home. With its mix of dark comedy, space-age rebellion, and endless player freedom, The Other Worlds 2 is the weekend’s most polished engaging world to lose yourself in.
