Green light for the new Batman: Arkham Shadow, a title that keeps its promises by bringing one of the most popular franchises in the traditional video game landscape to Meta viewers. Our experience with Meta Quest 3 was fun and at times very satisfying, with a dynamic and lively combat system and stimulating gameplay even in the more static phases of investigations or the study of areas to be tackled stealthily. The graphics department is good, but the high ambitions of the development team must clash with limited hardware for the standalone execution of a game of this kind. The test is generally good with some stumbles, for one of the best VR games of the year.

The goals of Clock Tower Rewind are clear: to allow anyone to experience one of the most significant horror adventures of its time and to offer bonus content that is as interesting as it is valuable from a historical point of view. Even though it is an experience of its time, Clock Tower proves that it can still exert a certain charm, also thanks to its atmosphere.

Slitterhead is a set of fascinating ideas, which with a better application from a technical point of view and with a larger budget would probably have taken flight. Unfortunately, Toyama fails to package a product that is completely enjoyable to play. There are extremely original aspects, Alex and Julee are the most interesting Unicum available and appreciating their skills will be the first thing you will do in the almost 15 hours of gameplay necessary to reach the conclusion. However, too many anachronistic elements push Slitterhead away from the modern needs of video games.

Empire of the Ants is the work of a small studio that was inspired by the famous novel by Bernard Werber to give a touch of originality to a complex genre like RTS: although the narrative suffers from the "reduced" ways of expressing its protagonists, the excellent visuals manage to give great complexity to a game world that can be appreciated for the care taken in modeling every detail. From a strategic point of view, the title is based on a simple and well-oiled structure, which unfortunately suffers from a basic redundancy caused by the lack of variety and the lack of depth inherent in the game situations, while the exploratory side is often plagued by problematic collision management that sometimes prevents you from fully enjoying the splendid scenarios.

Mario & Luigi: Charged Brothers enriches the already rich Nintendo Switch offering with an adventure that has its roots in the brand's role-playing tradition, but manages to modernize it in practically every aspect. Despite some uncertainties on the technical side and an unbalanced level of challenge, this is a great event for all Mario Brothers fans that could also be a great surprise for those simply looking for a role-playing game to spend a few dozen hours of lighthearted fun.

Overall, Call of Duty Black Ops 6 is a great example of the series and even considering the contents of the package as a whole, we can only continue to believe that the result of the work done by Treyarch is the best among those that have arrived on the market in recent times. The campaign knows how to entertain throughout its duration with well-timed missions, the Zombies mode has all the right features to please long-time fans and the multiplayer is as fun as it is frenetic thanks to the introduction of the Omnimovement, the absolute protagonist of this chapter.

Horizon Zero Dawn Remastered is a visual modernization conducted with skill, which in graphic terms brings the experience closer to that offered by the sumptuous Horizon Forbidden West. From the appearance of the protagonist, to the rendering of the dialogues with the characters, to the lighting and vegetation, the developers have kept their promises. In other words, those who already wanted to replay Aloy's adventure can spend the 10 euros of the upgrade without problems, while those who want to approach the series for the first time would do well to consider this version of the title. That said, aspects of the gameplay recipe already critical in the original - especially the melee combat and the clashes with humans - clearly show the signs of time. Not at the cost of the enjoyability of the whole, mind you, but they are there in plain sight.

Life is Strange: Double Exposure is a work that welcomes the most nostalgic players in a vortex of reassuring and melancholic atmospheres, and at the same time tries to shake up the status quo of the saga with ambitious narrative choices. Re-embracing the iconic Max Caulfield represents a pleasant dip into the past, especially because the guys at Deck Nine have managed to respect the traditional elements - narrative and artistic - of the first Life is Strange. But the return of "Super Max" did not entirely convince us, with subplots that were not particularly brilliant and twists that at times seemed exaggerated. Although the gameplay formula is interesting, the game framework then stumbles into some naivety. The best Life is Strange by Deck Nine is still the one that takes place before the storm.

Dragon Age: The Veilguard arrives at its launch with a proposal that unfortunately shows signs of a development that is, to say the least, troubled, which over the years has seen the project repeatedly change shape and prerogatives. Although Bioware's work has all the pieces of a great role-playing epic, these compose a ludonarrative mosaic that is at times disorganized, to the point of undermining the power of the story and the solidity of the gameplay. When the game shifts into gear, and it does, it is easy to recognize in The Veilguard the best traits of the Dragon Age saga, but it is still difficult to overlook all those asides that, on the other hand, consistently dilute the overall effectiveness of the offering. Even on the gameplay side, we have detected some significant dissonance, although the action "turn" orchestrated by Bioware proves to be functional overall. This play of light and shadow extends to every aspect of the experience, although it is ultimately the positive elements of the whole that triumph. In essence, The Veilguard is certainly not the best chapter in the Bioware saga, but this does not mean it deserves to be labeled as a role-playing game of little value. It is a work that knows how to be satisfying, however we are convinced that, with a more coherent overall vision, it could have given much more.

Mutants Unleashed is a dull game, from every point of view. It is not fun in single player and it is not fun in multiplayer. Outright Games deals with games aimed at a young audience and, given that children are perhaps twice as eager to play as us adults, standing still watching cutscenes, identical and silent, seems like a contradiction. In short, if you are a fan of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, rewatch Mutant Chaos or Tales of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles on Paramount, read The Last Ronin or play Shredder Revenge, but save Mutants Unleashed. If you are not a fan, this is really not the product to get closer to the franchise.

We are happy that Shadows of the Damned Hella Remastered exists. A video game that is edgy, sharp, with a recognizable soul thanks to the style of its creators and that has aged, yes, but in the right way...most of the time. There are obviously gameplay elements that are less digestible for users accustomed to new degrees of gameplay variety and fluidity of action, lacking in Shadows since 2011. However, the game is absolutely worth the candle even just to live or relive an experience filled with irreverent comedy, gratuitous vulgarity and humor "à la Suda 51". Which for true fans of the Japanese creative is worth at least half a point more on the vote below. For everyone else, one less (sorry maestro!).

A Quiet Place: The Road Ahead is not a production without rough edges, but at the same time it is a welcome surprise of this 2024. The work of Stormind and Saber Interactive proves to be worthy of the prestigious name it bears printed on the cover, successfully completing the difficult task of adapting this film franchise into video game form. If you are a fan of digital horror, you have loved the films of the saga or you are simply looking for a title to dedicate a few thrilling hours to in the scariest period of the year, we strongly recommend you give it a chance, especially in light of the highly competitive price at which it is proposed.

Already the author of the appreciated remake of Trials of Mana, the Xeen studio has subjected Romancing SaGa 2 to a targeted rejuvenation work limited almost exclusively to the technical component, making just a couple of adjustments to the gameplay and the plot. Overall, the final result is more than satisfactory, however this could and should have been the right opportunity to enrich the characterization of the characters, who today as then continue to be insufficiently cared for. If on the one hand we suggest its recovery to all lovers of the genre and to anyone who has not yet tried their hand at the Inheritance System, a mechanic that is always tasty and truly unique in its genre, on the other we are well aware that the lack of localization of the texts in Italian could cause more than a few headaches to non-users of English.

The result of a troubled development that lasted much longer than expected, Unknown 9: Awakening is the “victim” of the exaggerated ambitions of a very young Reflector Entertainment, which chose to immediately dive headfirst into the creation of a complex transmedia universe. Despite all its burdensome technical and gameplay limitations, the narrative adventure offered to us by Bandai Namco is intriguing and fun, especially if tackled in stealth at the highest difficulty levels. The crossmedia imagery of Unknown 9 may ultimately not have started off on the right foot in the videogame field, but its potential - which remains largely unexpressed - is undeniable.

Sonic x Shadow Generations confirms itself as one of the most successful incarnations of the IP and is preparing to hit the market in its definitive edition. The portion dedicated to the blue hedgehog is still quite enjoyable today, but it is the Shadow spin-off that plays the lion's share: the dark anti-hero from SEGA shows up to the appointment with fans in dazzling form. If you have never had the chance to experience the original adventure or if you are curious to find out in which direction the unpublished Shadow story will move, we can advise you to make the title yours without further ado.

Until Dawn Remake is a rather lazy remake of the now iconic PS4-era video game cult: the narrative additions appear superfluous and even anticlimactic, while the graphic modernization operation leaves itself open to too many qualitative oscillations, between excessively loaded facial expressions and still stiff animations. Playing Until Dawn today, for fans of the "teen horror" genre, still represents an interesting rediscovery, for a title that still manages to entertain thanks to the unpredictability of its narrative twists.

Super Mario Party Jamboree succeeds in its main goal: offering a varied selection of mini-games and modes capable of providing hours of entertainment for the whole family. Needless to say, as has always been the case for the series, the title is at its best when used in local multiplayer. However, the fun is significantly reduced when a single player is taking on the Nintendo challenges. The numerous customization options of the experience allow you to modulate the relevance of chance and luck within the boards, whose dynamic structure is still capable of constantly destabilizing the progress of the matches. Coming exclusively to Nintendo Switch on October 17, 2024, Super Mario Party Jamboree is a candidate to become an excellent ally for autumn evenings, both for families looking for an activity to do in company and for groups of friends ready to organize parties and parties based on a fun form of video game competition.

Between a blanket of fog and a field of wildflowers, Neva's aesthetics are imbued with great poetry. An artistic inspiration that unfortunately is partly obscured by excessive quotationism, which calls into question in particular the imagery outlined by Studio Ghibli in Princess Mononoke and Spirited Away. A soundtrack of rare beauty accompanies the growth of Neva's two protagonists on screen, a little girl and a wolf cub. Through the alternation of the seasons, Nomada Studios tells us about the relationship of trust between a human being and an animal, but also the cyclical nature of existence. Despite a narrative component that is perhaps excessively hermetic, Neva manages to move in many moments, generating a sincere wave of affection for its main characters.

Sumerian Six is ​​a passionate and well-crafted homage to classic stealth tactics games, enriched by a fascinating fusion of mad science and the paranormal. Artificer's title manages to capture the essence of the pioneers of the genre, with the unique abilities of the characters and the variety of the missions that contribute to enriching the gameplay, which is engaging but not without some rough edges. While Sumerian Six performs well from a visual point of view, thanks to a distinctive graphic style, the plot and characterization of the characters would have benefited from greater depth. Overall, we are talking about a stimulating strategic adventure capable of offering surprises.

Overall, Undisputed is a worthy product, which manages to bring “great boxing” back to the market in video games, a good fifteen years after the release of the last Fight Night. The core of the proposal is represented by an excellent assortment of mechanics, which grants ample room for maneuver both to those looking for a more technical experience, and to novices in the art of digital boxing. The balance between these two aspects of the offer, however, is not yet calibrated to perfection, and it is easy to notice a group of rough edges that, put together, hold the game back from expressing its full potential.

Despite starting from truly intriguing premises, Shattered Space is a content that moves - with the brakes on - between light and shadow, failing to add a piece of great value to the Starfield content mosaic. Net of its qualitative fluctuations, Bethesda's DLC is not unpleasant in any way, but it is difficult not to attribute to the package the characteristics of an operation carried out, at least in part, on autopilot. A direction that makes one turn up one's nose also in relation to the list price, too high in relation to the scope and quality of the offer.

Dragon Ball Sparking Zero is a worthy heir to the Budokai Tenkaichi genre, because it offers spectacular battles, based on a "manageable depth" and suitable for players of all abilities. Battle Episode has some shortcomings and simplifications, but it also offers alternative events that are sometimes surprising, which can encourage the enthusiast to discover every secret of the mode, which could also be enriched with additional content in the future. From the little we tried it, the online dimension proved to be free of particular uncertainties, and the same can be said for the dear old split screen battles. The opponents' AI does its job, without reaching excellence, but on the other hand the roster of fighters is immense and strong with a 360-degree characterization of the individual fighters that is truly remarkable. Despite its qualitative declines, Sparking Zero's audiovisual department constantly reminds us why we love the Saiyans and their opponents, and overall Spike Chunsoft's production is one of the most beautiful titles based on Toriyama-sensei's world, a triumph for any Dragon Ball gamer fan.

Metaphor: ReFantazio has undoubtedly carved out a place for itself among the best proposals from ATLUS, which this time has finally found the courage to break out of its usual patterns and propose something vaguely different, especially in terms of setting and narrative structure. With a brand new job system, the combat system halfway between Persona and Shin Megami Tensei is one of the most successful elements of the package, as it offers a level of customization never seen before in an ATLUS game. Unfortunately, the eight years of development weigh like a millstone on the visual rendering of the product, which however defends itself with a valuable artistic direction and a musical accompaniment of the highest level. It will not be the authentic revolution that many expected, nevertheless Metaphor: ReFantazio remains a must-see for anyone who professes to be a lover of the JRPG genre.

Just a To The Moon Series Beach Episode reconfirms the indisputable narrative and compositional talent of Kan Gao, an author who over the years has demonstrated how video games are capable of tackling themes that are anything but obvious. Those who have been following this narrative universe since 2011 will find familiar faces, protagonists of a short story that is able to strike the right chords. If you have not followed Kan Gao's productions, it will be difficult to fully enjoy this title: stories, characters, quotes and references to the past abound, making it more of an arrival experience than a departure. Given their short duration, our advice is to recover the previous chapters, so that you can appreciate Beach Episode in all its aspects.

Vessel of Hatred confirms the trend already established in the most recent seasons of Diablo 4, adding a lot of density to the fights, facilitating the leveling system and introducing a new and very fun class. Fans of the dark and oppressive atmosphere of the first chapters are destined to be disappointed, but players who want to dedicate themselves to the unconditional massacre of hordes of demons will find in this expansion a refined and organic progression system, new mechanics and new endgame content capable of entertaining them for several hours. The length of the campaign and the way in which it concludes the game events did not satisfy us, but there will be time with the next patches to correct the shot.

Ultimately, the Silent Hill 2 remake has managed to dispel any doubts we had in our hearts, delivering a product that is respectful of the original and capable of preserving its powerful message. Today, like twenty years ago, we are in the presence of a work capable of crossing the boundaries of the traditional narrative of the medium, touching delicate chords in the souls of the spectators while an unprecedented horror unfolds inexorably before their eyes. If you are a fan of the genre, you have no excuses. The city is waiting for you.

Despite a single player campaign that is decidedly forgettable, Khaos Reigns is a step in the right direction from Netherrealm in terms of balance and roster choices. Cyrax, Sektor, and Noob Saibot are spectacular, dynamic, and deep, and the balance changes are timely and not excessive. We are not faced with an absolute excellence in the fighting genre, but it would be unfair to rate this expansion lower than the base title, of which it is still a notable evolution.

Far from being the disaster prophesied by the genre's detractors, but the miracle desired by fans of the great artists involved this time by FuRyu, REYNATIS is a practical demonstration of how, many times, it is not enough to put together brilliant minds to give life to an authentic masterpiece. Indeed, the superficial screenplay by Kazushige Nojima and the repetitive soundtrack composed by Yoko Shimomura almost seem to suggest that not even they fully believed in the goodness of the project, whose most successful elements are hands down the artwork created by Yasutaka Kaburagi. Although limited by an extremely dated technical sector and an almost non-existent level of difficulty, the combat system of REYNATIS is quite intriguing, even if some mechanics could have been implemented with greater conviction. All things considered, REYNATIS takes home a passing grade, however the advice is to wait for the first discount before pouring into the streets of this dystopian reinterpretation of Shibuya.

EA Sports FC 25 confirms the solidity of Electronic Arts' modern gaming and content proposal, in a chapter that is starting to show signs of a long-desired revolution. The main game modes do not offer any particular innovations, but are still more integrated with each other thanks to a unified progression system and Rush, which acts as a minimum common denominator integrating equally between Career, Ultimate Team and Club. Volta's replacement is in fact more effective and focused than its predecessor, although in cooperative matches it turns out to be quite confusing and frenetic. In any case, the substantial difference this year is in the gameplay, which maximizes the technological achievements obtained thanks to HypermotionV, FC IQ and Cranium for a more realistic, immersive and engaging digital football experience than ever before: finally, thanks above all to the improvement of Team Tactics and Player Roles, FC 25 embraces a more strategic idea of ​​football and less focused on full-throttle speed. Another small and significant step forward towards the definitive leap in quality.

Ultimately, The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom can be considered a successful experiment. Playing as the princess is not only genuinely fun, but it offers a new perspective on the entire imaginary of the kingdom of Hyrule. The mechanics of the replicas interact perfectly with the possibility of seeing Zelda in the role of swordswoman, while the ideas related to physical principles further enrich the gameplay. In Echoes of Wisdom, male and female players can adopt the approach they prefer, favoring exploration, use of ingenuity or use of bizarre weapons, equipment and accessories. An excellent adventure, which with a more refined artistic sector and a greater refinement of interfaces and technical aspects could have been a complete masterpiece. If you have a Nintendo Switch on your home table, however, The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom is a very valid reason to grab the joy-con and enjoy the genuine fun offered by the kingdom of Hyrule.

Ara: History Untold boldly launches into the 4X landscape, bringing with it some intriguing innovations. Although the game introduces the prestige system and non-hex maps, it remains faithful to the basic structure of many other congeners. In this sense, the production by Oxide Games is more of a refined restyling than a Copernican revolution. Its new mechanics undoubtedly offer fresh ideas and compelling challenges and the attention to the smallest details further elevates the value of Ara. However, the complexity in resource management and a war component that does not hold up to comparison with the rest of the experience are less brilliant aspects of the package. In any case, we are faced with a valuable production, capable of intriguing fans of the reference genre.

We welcome the return of the most famous mouse in the world with joy, albeit with a hint of bitterness: the game created by the now defunct Junction Point oozes originality from every brush stroke, and who knows, maybe one day Warren Spector and his colleagues will be able to give us a third chapter. The certainty remains that we are faced with one of the highest creative peaks reached in those years, and what better occasion than a graphic remake to rediscover its beauty?

Akimbot's adventure isn't unpleasant, but its shortcomings are evident. The potential of the combat has remained partly unexpressed, either because of some weapons that are too standard, or because of the limitations of the more particular and powerful ones. Then there's the platforming, which has its moments of brilliance, but is accompanied by phases that are far less successful and with an inconsistent pace. The gameplay structure rests on a story with "forecast" developments, which fails to enhance the game's most interesting characters. That said, if you remember the golden age of action platformers with nostalgia, you could still give Evil Raptor's title a chance.

Aside from a couple of hitches that don’t significantly alter the quality of the production, the PC version of God of War Ragnarok shows up to the gamers’ appointment in great shape, ready to drag the masses through the snows of Fimbulwinter. From a performance point of view, we’re talking about a product capable of adapting very well to a wide range of configurations, thanks to the precautions taken by Santa Monica already at the time of the first release. Although the gap between the PS5 and PC versions isn’t exceptionally wide, the overall performance of the porting pushes us to confirm without hesitation the evaluation given a couple of years ago, the same one also attributed to the porting of the previous chapter.

All things considered, Jyamma Games' Italian soulslike gave us mixed feelings: the bright side of the coin is made up of a pleasant plot, a first-rate artistic component and a quality soundtrack, while the darker side is made up of design issues related to the bosses and a gameplay formula that is not always well-balanced. Even leaving aside the technical uncertainties that could be resolved with a series of targeted updates, Enotria: The Last Song seemed to us to be a half-successful project, but between the lines it is still easy to glimpse the development team's potential.

Test Drive Unlimited Solar Crown gives up what had distinguished the previous chapters to try to resemble experiences that have been successful in recent years, but unfortunately it has some obvious shortcomings. The production life cycle has just begun and the offer is destined to enrich and evolve significantly in the coming months. To date, however, we can only photograph the state of things, between a progression based on interesting ideas and not ideal in practice, a barely sufficient customization of the cars and a driving model that has not been able to fully satisfy us. In any case, part of the production potential is still unexpressed and we hope that post-launch support can improve the situation.

Frostpunk 2 is a great experience, with solid graphics, interface improvements and an enviable strategic depth. The transition from the role of Captain to that of Steward introduces a completely new dimension in the management of the city, where power is no longer unilateral, but distributed, which calls the player to face crises, challenges and political games. However, the situations in which you have to deal with a myriad of emergencies at the same time, which are created in ways that are sometimes artificial, end up being oppressive, to the detriment of a feeling of healthy involvement that fortunately the production of 11 Bit Studios knows how to generate very well.

When the credits rolled, the writer immediately thought: if I had a daughter or a son, I would recommend them to play The Plucky Squire with me. While not a brilliant production in every aspect, we are faced with a title aware of its potential, and for this very reason it wisely decides to focus on what it does best. The 3D sections, undoubtedly the weakest of the game, seem almost disfigured when compared to the 2D ones; a real shame, especially if we consider their playful potential.

Dead Rising Deluxe Remaster is an excellent job. Every aspect of this classic has been improved, with brand new graphics, more voiced dialogues and an impressive number of "quality of life" improvements that streamline and make the entire experience much more enjoyable. The slightly dull color palette and some rather clunky animations are not enough to tarnish the excellent work done by Capcom in making one of the most iconic zombie killers of all time current. Absolutely worth recovering for both veterans and newcomers to the series.

Harry Potter: Quidditch Champions is a fun game, but it's not enough. We appreciate the effort to adapt a sport that was based on other rules to a video game content that must come to terms with the needs of the gameplay. However, we reiterate, that today the content is really too little: the single player challenges are limited and the multiplayer can satisfy you for a few games, but nothing more. More modes, more proposals and a more varied offer were needed, especially in the customization of the team, which instead has few skills to improve. Fans will have their share of satisfaction in whizzing around with their brooms, but the difficulty of the gameplay risks raising the accessibility bar a lot and keeping out all that more casual audience that instead in Hogwarts Legacy had made the fortune of Portkey Games.

World of Warcraft isn't overturned or revolutionized by The War Within, but that's okay. The Activision Blizzard MMORPG lives in a world of its own, with loyal players who see it as a second home and appreciate the timely innovations, the increase in quality of life and certain simplifications of old mechanics, but without exaggerating. The simple and colorful aesthetics are untouched, as are the cornerstones, missions, and many other gameplay elements that now distinguish the title from its competitors. The War Within doesn't want to eradicate these elements: sometimes it evolves them, like with Dynamic Flight and the consequent vertical layering of the maps. Or like with the Delves, minor dungeons suitable for hit-and-run sessions and perfect for leveling up in peace. Other times, however, it indulges them even if it modifies them, like with the Heroic Talents that deepen the builds without changing them completely. As we wait for the next expansions of the Worldsoul Saga, the future of World of Warcraft seems increasingly bright and inviting, even if it will unfold in the underground depths of Azeroth.

All things considered, NBA 2K25 continues to improve what was already a top-notch sports simulation last year, mitigating the issues raised by the community and continuing to beef up an already substantial package. The structural innovations in both the offensive and defensive phases have fully convinced us and the new Era dedicated to Steph Curry and KD's Warriors has genuinely excited us. There are still some problems related to microtransactions (admittedly less pressing than last year) and to the Career mode dedicated to women's basketball, significantly less nourished than the men's one, but overall we are talking about a success almost across the board. 2K and Visual Concepts' basketball is in dazzling shape.

Marvel Fighting Collection is the package that all fans of the saga have been waiting for for many years. Each chapter of the series is re-proposed with a modern netcode, interesting interventions in the quality of life field and a Museum mode full of surprises and goodies. However, the cumbersome presence of Marvel vs Capcom 2 risks overshadowing almost all of the other products in the collection, characterized by a certain physiological redundancy but capable of effectively representing the evolution of one of the most iconic franchises in the history of video games. Too bad for the absence of crossplay and combo challenges for the various characters.

Episode Aigis is a necessary product to complete this remake of one of the cornerstones of JRPG history. Die-hard fans of the title will certainly be thrilled to return to the shoes of the SEES, but the repetitive dungeons and the limited number of activities offered risk quickly giving way to monotony. Fans of the turn-based gameplay of Persona 3 will however be happy to be able to enjoy a gaming experience without interruptions, strong in an accelerated progression and in the name of dungeon crawling.

Squirrel with a Gun tries its best to be as fun and lighthearted as Goat Simulator and the like, but perhaps that's why it fails. For a short time after the first start, it's interesting to try to understand what we can do with our character, how destructive he can be, and how vast his arsenal is. However, this initial charge soon runs out due to unresponsive controls, the repetitiveness of the proposed situations, and some obvious gameplay limitations, such as the small size of the magazines. In short, with or without weapons, goats remain the undisputed masters of video game nonsense, once again.

On one hand we have a team that has always sacrificed interactivity in the name of a cinematic experience, on the other hand there is an online video game that has never made an effort to tell a real story: the meeting between these two extreme visions of the medium has given life to a strange hybrid with a fully Supermassive gameplay structure, chock-full of references to Behaviour's work but narratively lean and devoid of the fun thrills that we would have expected from the team of Until Dawn and The Quarry. Completely devoted to exploring the lore of Dead by Daylight, The Casting of Frank Stone forgets to lay out a plot that can intrigue its audience, bringing on stage a narration castrated by serious problems of pacing and a horror factor that is slow to arrive, despite the short duration of the experience.

Astro Bot never stops, it plays with the player and is played continuously. It alternates commitment and simplicity, nostalgia and joy, with even a touch of unexpected epicness at the end. It is a videogame amusement park where a smiling treasure hunt has been organized. What treasure? The videogame itself.

Warhammer 40K: Space Marine 2 is certainly not a perfect game, but it is a product that knows how to conquer the audience of fans of the Games Workshop brand. With a story characterized by epic moments and a successful gameplay especially regarding melee combat, the Saber Interactive game is a simply essential purchase for fans of the Ultramarines, also given the richness of the package, which also includes a series of post-launch contents that will arrive completely free.

Ace Attorney Investigations Collection allows us to relive two interesting spin-offs that, without distorting anything of the typical setting of the series, can provide healthy entertainment for several dozen hours, each thanks to intriguing stories, well-characterized characters, investigations and exciting verbal confrontations. The massive presence of dialogues risks weighing down the pace of progress in some moments but fans of the genre would do well to consider the idea of ​​​​taking on the prosecutor's shoes.

All things considered, Monster Jam Showdown is a simple and straightforward game that does what it promises: it delivers a series of detailed and well-modeled Monster Trucks, placing them in (a few) circuits and stadiums on which to test their capabilities. Immediate controls and high maneuverability make them suitable for many different players, especially those who do not like more complicated simulation driving systems. However, the arcade and carefree soul of the title is not enough to completely mitigate the limitations of the management of physics or the collision system, to which we must add a content offering that has not always satisfied us.

Age of Mythology Retold is the dream of all fans of the old title by Ensemble Studios: it allows you to play what is basically a remake with a visibly improved technical department and many small new features on the gameplay front. It is therefore an opportunity to discover or rediscover this real-time strategy, perhaps taking advantage of its presence in the Game Pass console and PC catalog.

Despite presenting the same structural conformation of the episodes published 30 years ago and without trying to correct the slight congenital distortions, Emio, the Smiling Man, offers a story robust and flowing enough to keep players glued for its entire duration, provided that you compromise with an old gameplay concept in which the player's agency is reduced to the minimum terms, and which often results in a banal cycle of trial and error. In any case, this new chapter has once again proven Sakamoto's talent in the narrative field, so if you are passionate about the genre and do not disdain a classic-style visual novel, this is a horror story that you absolutely cannot miss. Who knows, it might even give you an eternal smile.

Although the new class system has undoubtedly helped to rejuvenate the product formula a little, Square Enix's new "vision" continues to be too anchored to the traditions of the long-running Japanese saga, which this year celebrated its thirty-third anniversary. It is above all on the narrative level that Visions of Mana struggles to convince, as the title only gets into gear in the very advanced stages of the adventure and which we fear may only reach the most nostalgic fans of the series. Finally, everything is aggravated by a series of technical imperfections that we hope will be filed down through specific patches.

Star Wars Outlaws is a production that pays homage to the source material in the best possible way. Despite a few imperfections, the gameplay mix between action and stealth works, and the credit for this is also to be found in the beauty of the settings that form the backdrop to the high-risk missions faced by Kay and Nix. The reputation system is interesting and well-crafted, and gives the idea of ​​being a scoundrel trying to survive in a world of unscrupulous criminals. A less empty open world that offered more satisfying activities would have made Outlaws shine even more, but in any case we are talking about a game that fans of the saga should not miss out on. In the seedy slums, where the help of the Jedi is absent and the law of the smartest prevails, with a sharp tongue and a "quick-legged" friend you can carve out a place for yourself in the great Star Wars universe.

Concord is a hero shooter with effective graphics and really fun gunplay, features that fail to stand out due to the presence of significant issues, both in terms of roster balance and the characterization of individual fighters. The functioning of the round mode needs to be reviewed and the progression system seemed to us to lack bite, due to rewards that are not worthy of attention. In short, the situation of the title by Firewalk Studios is not rosy at all at the moment.

Black Myth Wukong is an original and satisfying experience. Game Science's product is a title that makes the splendid setting and a functional and convincing combat system its strong points, breaking away from comparisons with other illustrious exponents of the "hardcore" genre and carving out a space of its own with personality and competence. Some doubts remain about the balance of some encounters and the not always accurate registration of hits, but if - as it seems - Wukong will only be the first piece in the mosaic of the Black Myth saga, we can't wait to see what wonders this team will have in store for us in the future.

Dustborn may not be one of the most memorable releases of the year, yet there is some good in the work done by Red Thread Games. The on-the-road story does not always travel on the right tracks and some characters are out of focus, contributing to weakening a title with undoubted potential. That said, it remains without a doubt a title to keep an eye on, and who knows that that journey from West to East may not be to your liking, despite the critical issues.

CYGNI All Guns Blazing is not your typical "shmup" but, despite a convincing visual system and some successful gameplay ideas, it is a product that is unlikely to become the new point of reference for purists of the genre and will struggle to engage that segment of the public not accustomed to vertical scrolling shooters, due to intricate menus and a poorly calibrated and poorly customizable difficulty level. In any case, the news of the game's arrival as a free download on the Epic Games Store for a limited period of time came like a bolt from the blue, allowing curious people to add it to their collection and give it a chance regardless.

The conversion for Nintendo Switch does not do full justice to ONE PIECE ODYSSEY, which won over audiences and critics last year (albeit with some reservations). Bandai Namco Entertainment's decision to directly market the Deluxe Edition of the product, which at this time therefore includes all the DLC previously sold separately, does not at all compensate for the serious technical compromises that the ILCA team had to make in order to run the title on the hybrid car from the Kyoto company. Between interminable loading times and a very poor visual performance, not even the possibility of using it on portability could push you to prefer this version to the previous ones. Get it on Switch only if you are unable to play it elsewhere.

Once Human is certainly not a highly original production and has a forgettable story. Luckily it's also a really enjoyable survival game, which can be played completely free of charge. Unlike many other free to play productions, the NetEase one has no in-app purchases that speed up progression or make it easier for the user, putting everyone on the same level. This factor, the accessibility of the experience and the absence of elements capable of generating frustration, make it one of the most interesting exponents of the genre seen in recent times. It will now be up to the developers to work hard to fix the problems and support Once Human with new content, even despite some questionable choices.

Critical Hit Games' debut title is a graphic adventure capable of building a fascinating setting, certainly indebted to the imagery linked to the cornerstones of the genre, but with a unique personality thanks to the aesthetic and musical references to the United States of the 1990s 40. Nobody Wants to Die reduces the possibilities of its gameplay to the bare minimum, forcing the player to simply reach for the different indicators on the screen, to focus everything on a story that unfortunately does not develop in an orderly manner. A verbose exposition tends to dampen interest in a setting that would have worked better by leaving something to the imagination, while the plot finds complete meaning only through one of the four available endings, while the other three fail to fill several gaps in a slightly confusing script.

F1 Manager is a brand that moves with reasoned steps. After having laid the foundations in 2022 with the debut chapter, it seems that Frontier wants to continue working on the foundations, without making real changes to the formula, but adding one piece at a time, following a slow development plan. In our opinion, a little more courage wouldn't have gone amiss, but let's be clear: the graphics have been improved, the "Create a team" mode was clamored for by fans, there are several refinements to the gaming experience and everything this will delight those who have spent dozens of hours on F1 Manager 2023.

Nintendo Championships NES Edition presents itself to the fans as an authentic love letter to the history of the Japanese giant, with an eye on the phenomenon of speedrunning which on the iconic 8-bit home console has its most archaic roots. It is a title capable of challenging even the most experienced players but at the same time incredibly accessible thanks to a control system that is rather simple to master and a user interface that is always clear and legible. It is certainly a product designed for multiplayer use which perhaps loses some of its undeniable charm if played solo but we are sure that it will delight anyone who wants to give it a chance.

A fresh setting and effective dialogue writing combine with the mechanics of a fast, physical action RPG, with numerous offensive possibilities. The combat system based on blades, magic and projectiles is immediate and fun, above all because the challenge level forces you to face each battle carefully without reaching the heights of difficulty of a classic soulslike, while it is pleasant to explore this large but not dispersive with the aerial maneuvers of its protagonist. If one-on-one battles allow us to admire real dances of death, we do not find the same good sensations in battles against multiple enemies. The sense of progression remains satisfying until the end of the campaign despite the limited variety of weapons, armor and rivals to defeat, while the few boss fights do not differ much from the conflicts with the classic enemies of the open world. However, the currency system based on a multiplier is absolutely promoted: this is the real idea that makes the game enjoyable until the end credits, minus its rough edges.

Net of a less than impeccable artistic direction and a menu structure that absolutely needs to be reviewed, Honor of Kings is among the best MOBAs available on mobile devices today. With its impeccable control system and an incredible amount of content, it is certainly capable of making those who appreciate this type of experience happy.

Kunitsu-Gami: Path of the Goddess, as we were saying, is a nice breath of fresh air for its ability to create a mix between different genres which, in a very simple and linear way, puts us in the shoes of a warrior called to defeat hordes of demons. The union between tower defense and action is rewarded when it seems like you are living two experiences in the same context, with the troops called to follow your orders and you intent on performing a real dance of combat, almost wanting to emulate the movements of Sekiro. In a typically Japanese setting, among demonic creatures that have the aftertaste of Nioh, Capcom manages to create a Mount Kafuku steeped in Japanese tradition, in which all fans of a world that fascinates and continues to surprise will get lost. With greater attention to the narrative component and a greater variety of the environments created we would have truly had a pearl in our hands ready to shine.

Zenless Zone Zero is an immediate and fun game, which manages to capture the user with a perfect aesthetic profile and its fights full of spectacularity. Of course, some will not appreciate the presence of puzzles or the absence of a component linked to the exploration of more open maps, but in any case we are talking about a solid production, perfect to pair with free to play games which require much more perseverance and commitment like Genshin Impact.

You are almost fascinated by the pounding rhythm of Anger Foot, a shooter that looks to the past without disdaining the present. It's a shame that Free Lives has decided to implement poorly structured boss fights, which are completely out of place in the general context of the game. Having said that, fans of the genre will certainly find what they want. And for their feet.

Dawntrail marks the beginning of a major new story arc for the Warrior of Light and his band of heroes. An often didactic story with a sometimes staid rhythm is accompanied by some of the best gameplay innovations introduced in the saga. The two new classes are fun and perform at the right point, but the older jobs have not yet been balanced at their best. In any case, we look forward to hearing about the future evolution of this exciting new epic.

Despite a forgettable story and a mixed artistic direction, The First Descendant is a solid and fun looter shooter, whose contents are accessible to everyone, even those who don't intend to spend a single penny. The current version of the Nexon game therefore represents an excellent starting point, on which the development team will have to work to make this live service an experience capable of competing with the big names from which it draws inspiration.

Thanks to a very pleasant visual and sound component (with some hesitations during the more challenging mini games, especially those in the company of Yor), Operation Memories knows well which audience to address and hits the target overall, but it should be played in small doses. In this sense, the Nintendo Switch version is the one most suitable for hit-and-run games: on the other hand, repetitiveness arises quickly if you don't experience the daily life of the Forgers little by little. The idea of ​​immersing ourselves in the lightness of the slice of life aspect of Spy x Family is a winning one, and in this respect Bandai-Namco's work is a constant hymn to good humor, where fan service reigns supreme. However, the somewhat invasive internal currency system and a gameplay loop that quickly tends towards redundancy do not allow Operation Memories to express its maximum potential. With greater care it could have been much more "elegant".

While not equaling the epic nature of Trails of Cold Steel IV, which for its part had the advantage of being the final chapter of a painful and well-oiled tetralogy, The Legend of Heroes: Trails through Daybreak stands out as one of the best recent productions of Nihon Falcom. In addition to telling a story with more mature tones than usual, this time the Japanese developer wanted to take a few more risks, completely revolutionizing its historic and already profound combat system to create a formula capable of mixing turn-based strategy to the frenzy of action. The result is astonishing and, as demonstrated in the past by Square Enix with the first two chapters of the Final Fantasy VII Remake trilogy, it really says a lot about the incredible potential of the hybridization between the two "currents". Everything is finally framed by the powerful steps forward offered by the new Nihon Falcom engine, thanks to which the universe of The Legend of Heroes appears more lush and colorful than ever. If we add to this that the product marks the beginning of a new narrative arc and is therefore perfect for approaching the series, you no longer have any excuses to continue avoiding one of the best JRPG sagas around.

Ultimately, Luigi's Mansion 2 HD presents itself to fans with an aesthetic appearance of undoubted quality and with the usual, brilliant gameplay of the series. Some structural defects, borrowed directly from the original version, return to make their cumbersome presence felt and the mere existence of the wonderful third chapter ends up dampening the enthusiasm a bit about this iteration of the franchise which, in any case, remains a recommended purchase for anyone who wants to dive into the spooky atmospheres typical of the series, or is looking for a good action/adventure to take their mind off the summer heat.

Ultimately, Super Monkey Ball Banan Rumble is the classic hit-and-run game that will give great satisfaction especially to those who love playing multiplayer, whether with friends at home or online. Perhaps dedicating yourself only to the single player mode is not enough to fully enjoy the experience, but the quantity of stages and the vast range of customization could satisfy even those who only want to try their hand at the Adventure. The strong point of the production is certainly the gameplay, which offers a mix of simplicity, immediacy and depth capable of satisfying both casual players and those looking for a higher level of challenge.

The great quality of the narrative, as well as the artistic and gaming sectors of Gold Road demonstrate that the development team really cares a lot about the MMO and Tamriel itself. West Wald is a beautiful, varied location full of quests, loot and secrets suitable, as always, for everyone: from level 1 up to the maximum allowed in TESO. However, even if this update had only contained the Scribing mechanic it would still have been worth grabbing, as it is so important and fun to use it in both PVE and PVP dynamics. What else can we say? It's truly a perfect time to start an adventure in Tamriel, or to return to visit after being away for a while: the past is the past, the present is "golden", and the future is exciting.

For better or worse, there is nothing like Destiny 2 and The Ultimate Forme has done nothing but remind us of this with great vehemence. Of course, this long journey was full of ups and downs, but it certainly cannot be said that it didn't have a worthy conclusion. The final expansion of the Bungie shooter is the best ever made to date and contains everything a fan desires: an unforgettable campaign, a whole new power, lots of new equipment and a really high amount of activities, especially if we add those that have just arrived with Episode 1, Echoes, which is proving to be more interesting than expected. In this regard, we ask you to apologize, but Failsafe draws our attention to Nessus, where we must return to fulfill our Guardian duties against the Vex.

While we find the policy of re-releases questionable, we must recognize that this time Atlus has shaped what will surely go down in history as the definitive version of Shin Megami Tensei V, a title that on Switch was too limited by the lack of hardware power. That said, while in the eyes of the players at their first rodeo Vengeance will appear as a tasty opportunity to recover a fascinating RPG which until now had been the exclusive prerogative of owners of the Nintendo console, the numerous adjustments made to the gaming component, the presence of a narrative path semi-unreleased, and last but not least an improved technical sector, may not be as attractive as to push even those who have already stepped into the shoes of the Nahobino to dive into the Beyond a second time.

Shadow of the Erdtree will be available from June 21st and whether you are an experienced Senzaluce or an aspiring god exterminator, you can't miss this appointment. The relationship between vastness of the experience and density of content makes this expansion a very valid product that literally kept us glued to the screen for dozens and dozens of hours. The new weapons, spells and sorceries also greatly enrich the already vast list of tools at your disposal and, in any new game plus, it will be impossible for you to do without them. The level we would recommend to face this experience with relative peace of mind is 150, which should allow you to fight against Mohg, the Lord of Blood without suffering too much.

Still Wakes The Deep is a work plagued by numerous problems. The coherence between story and gameplay often leaves something to be desired, with serious consequences on the effectiveness of the narrative and the horror phases. Once the game is finished, you get the feeling that something during development didn't go right, or that the team failed to realize their vision. Rejecting The Chinese Room's game would be unfair, yet there remains regret for a title that could have given much more, especially considering the history of the studio.

Also considering the very low price at which it is offered, the re-release of Monster Hunter Stories is certainly an unmissable opportunity to catch up on the first episode of the spin-off series and finally step into the shoes of Hakum's Rider. That said, the restoration work carried out by Capcom seems very listless and defeatist, as not only did the Japanese studio not intervene in the slightest on the gameplay of the product, but it didn't even improve the visual performance much. We recommend its purchase to owners of Nintendo Switch, which through portability somehow manages to disguise the origins of the title that originally debuted on Nintendo 3DS.

If you are still wondering, the answer is no: XDefiant is not the COD killer that many expected. The new free to play from Ubisoft is a good shooter, which certainly has the ability to entertain for a few hours, but which will hardly be able to establish itself on the market due to some problems related to balance and progression. The current version of the game represents only a fair starting point, which will require constant commitment from the developers to improve on all fronts. In any case, this is not an impossible situation, given the precedents of the French software house.

Despite a technical sector that is not cutting edge and a gameplay structure that is at times repetitive, V Rising works and is the perfect mix between survival and action RPG. Whether you play alone or in the company of some friends, it's really fun to dedicate yourself to hunting powerful targets that make the protagonist stronger, as well as trying your hand at building a base, which step by step becomes bigger and fuller of comforts. In short, it is a product that all fans of the genre should give a chance.

F1 24 does not represent the evolutionary step that, for example, F1 23 had been compared to its predecessor, but it is undoubtedly a valid product that will entertain Formula 1 lovers for dozens of hours thanks to a simple and satisfying driving system and a large content package and varied.

All things considered, what you find in front of you when you start the remake of Paper Mario - The Thousand-Year Portal is an even more refined and pleasant to look at version of the title that appeared on the GameCube two decades ago. Regardless of whether you played it or not at the time, if you are passionate about the world of Nintendo, Mario or role-playing games in general, this is the proverbial experience that cannot be missing from any gamer's baggage.

There isn't the enchantment of the first whisper in Hellblade 2. There is no astonishment of the first revelation. You shouldn't even have expected them. However, there is the dismay of an unparalleled visual and sound framework. There is a witty mix of psychosis, superstition, reality and imagination. There is a wisely different story, perhaps not as powerful as that of Senua's Sacrifice, yet driven strongly by its overwhelming uniqueness. Intimately epic, Hellblade 2 wears out quickly, perhaps too quickly, and once again prevents its playful personality from reaching full maturation. However, it remains a giant of its kind. Listen to him.

Lorelei and the Laser Eyes is undoubtedly one of the best puzzle games of this generation. Recommending it to fans of similar works would be extremely banal, which is why we suggest you put aside your prejudices about the genre and give an opportunity to an experience as crazy as it is ingenious for narrative, artistic and metatextual solutions. Although days have passed since our final session, the specter of Lorelei and the Laser Eyes will continue to haunt our thoughts for a long time.

Solo Leveling: ARISE is a nice diamond in the rough, an action RPG with live-service elements with interesting potential. In the hope that the development team adequately supports the project with updates and content worthy of the name, the initial package of the Netmarble game offers a very respectable experience, even if undermined by some limitations: an enthralling but never invasive gameplay loop and a combat system that is as simple as it is fun and spectacular alongside missions that are a little too repetitive and simple. All that remains is to hope that Sung Jinwoo's videogame adventure respects the premises of the previous one, and that it establishes itself as a worthy adaptation of the appreciated paper and animated franchise.

Animal Well is a unique experience that will appeal both to lovers of platformers with metroidvania elements and to those who appreciate creative puzzles and mysterious atmospheres. The fascinating visual style, combined with a very solid game system that is easy to learn and difficult to master, make it an unmissable title for those looking for an original, fun and highly replayable journey.

This new incarnation of MotoGP presents itself in great shape at the annual meeting with enthusiasts. The neural aid system appears extremely scalable and effective, the campaign is full-bodied and highly customizable and the technical sector has also made some perceptible, although not earth-shattering, steps forward. If you want to get closer to the universe of the world championship or, simply, you are looking for a highly simulation title dedicated to the world of two wheels, MotoGP 24 is an excellent entry point.

There are few games that have had the courage to tackle religious themes with such sensitivity, and Indika is certainly one of them. It is a peculiar title that may struggle to make itself known to the general public, but we believe that those who are lucky enough to try it will retain good memories of it. For better or for worse.

Top Spin 2K25 will delight all sports enthusiasts thanks to satisfying gameplay and, thanks to an excellent training mode, it is also accessible to those who are only recently approaching the discipline. The animations that immerse you on the numerous and variable playing fields are very good, but the general graphics are not the most modern and much more could have been done to expand a very small roster. The game modes are objectively few, yet the games are so exciting that they remove the specter of boredom. In short, we are faced with a great return for the series.

SaGa is a niche series and Emerald Beyond does nothing to prove the opposite: the combat system deepens those JRPG mechanics that had already emerged in previous chapters and which are consolidated here, thanks to a strategic component that makes the clashes more fascinating . It's a shame that some battles appear unnecessarily verbose at times. Also valuable is the extravagance of some characters, which manages to stand out in a context in which many of the supporting characters end up being poorly characterised. The problems lie in the limited exploration, in a universe that is too bare and also in a very angular progression system. Fans of the brand will be satisfied with the high rate of replayability, but Square Enix will not be able to expand the community of the series. It's not necessarily a problem. The important thing is to be aware of the type of audience Emerald Beyond is aimed at.

Sand Land is therefore a tie-in that is not fully successful on the gaming and content front, but it is a video game adaptation that expresses a lot of affection towards the work from which it is based. A fun and varied management of the arsenal of vehicles and a cast of charismatic characters contrast with a lackluster open world and a rather cumbersome combat system. For everything else, nostalgia reigns supreme, in an adventure aimed mainly at fans of the adorable Beelzebub.

Since the action RPG borrows many mechanics from games belonging to very different genres, the risk that Stellar Blade would turn out to be a soulless "map" was very high. Paradoxically, however, the aspect of the product that more than any other has been able to convince us is to be found precisely in its solid combat system, which even without reinventing the wheel has given us great satisfaction. On the downside, the same cannot be said of the plot, which is insipid and affected by very predictable twists, and of the exploratory component, which reuses anachronistic and not at all stimulating environmental puzzles to the point of exhaustion. To the aforementioned problems must be added the frequent recycling of bosses carried out mostly by sidequests, a difficulty level that is not always electrifying and a questionable management of saves. In our opinion, these rough edges are attributable to the naivety and above all the inexperience of the SHIFT UP team, which until now had almost exclusively created titles for mobile devices. If nothing else, Stellar Blade gave us a substantial taste of the great potential of the Korean studio, which if it were to take advantage of the feedback could really surprise us starting from its next project.

Tales of Kenzera: Zau is yet more proof that the metroidvania genre can offer great satisfaction, whatever story you try to tell. The one written by Surgent is a story of loss and revenge which, also thanks to the immense charm of the chosen setting, will remain seared in your memory for a long time. Not all the playful elements of the combat system seemed equally effective to us, and we would have liked more depth into Zuberi's character. That said, if you're a fan of the genre or just want to enjoy a good story, then you shouldn't miss it.

“To JRPG lovers” is the first sentence we read when starting Eiyuden Chronicle Hundred Heroes, testifying to the intentions that moved the developers of Rabbit&Bear Studios Inc.. In fact, the game is an impeccable collection of quotes, ideas, mechanics and plots dating back to various sacred monsters of the genre, also staged with careful artistic direction and truly "in love" with its sources of inspiration. However, despite knowing this, it cannot be denied that even with the same addends a derivative sum was obtained, which does not have the same expressive force and lacks some basic attention to the quality of life, which certainly would not have distorted the product, while making it digestible. to the modern audience. Nonetheless, enthusiasts looking for a nostalgic and deliberately taken-from-another-era experience will have what they want.

The mechanics and interface of Headquarters: World War II recall old wargames from the 2000s, such as Battle Academy, while the visual spectacularity and wide environmental destructibility refer to contemporary RTS approaches. This combination ensures a compelling gaming experience, perfect for lovers of historical strategy games. There are some rough edges on both the technical and gaming fronts, yet the Starni Games formula is able to satisfy those looking for a challenge set during the Second World War.

With a development that lasted a good twelve years, it is legitimate to ask whether Harold Halibut is a fully successful operation: what we can tell you is that the work of the German studio has convinced us, thanks to a mature and engaging narrative capable of tackling all sorts of themes. 'nothing but obvious. The hope is that the launch on Game Pass can give the right boost to what is still a niche title, and who knows, Slow Bros. might find itself in its hands with a little gem destined to leave its mark. In a market like that of video games, there is a need more than ever for works like Harold Halibut.