Half Minute Hero is a great autoironic RPG with a simple but so functional gameplay structure.

This is a generous re-proposal, in which functional filings intersect in the management of playful mechanics and an important aesthetic modernization.

Better try before buy. It's a classic platform, but split in two, between a too easy beginning and a hardcore second half.

Albion Prelude is perfect to wait "Rebirth" the new episode of the X universe. The war between corporations and the innovation of the stock exchange give something new to an excellent title.

With free updates adding the more interesting stuff, this second map pack doesn't deliver the wow effect we were expecting. Maps are well designed from a strategic standpoint, but they miss personality.

The Mega Man Star Force Legacy Collection offers a way to discover—or rediscover—a trilogy lost to time. These are lighthearted, colorful, and breezy titles that appeal primarily to fans of old-school RPGs, yet still manage to carve out a niche for themselves today thanks to a combat system that is enjoyable in its own right, and a pacing that never demands too much of the player. It is especially gratifying to see how Capcom is taking steps to preserve—and, ultimately, lend dignity to—productions that would otherwise risk remaining confined to the past. Nevertheless, this remains a collection that carries with it all the limitations of the original trilogy, including a certain underlying repetitiveness and a structure that, today, struggles to surprise those seeking something deeper or more layered. However, for those willing to embrace its simpler, more childlike nature, the *Star Force* saga remains a sincere adventure.

Bloober Team has paid homage to its series with an updated and extended package, both from a playful point of view and in terms of visual presentation. Thanks to Unreal Engine 5 we have faced an even more immersive thrill journey, strengthened by some new gameplay solutions. The defects of the second chapter have remained more or less unchanged, and we believe that the developers could have tried to file them with more conviction. Having said that, the work of the Polish collective convinced us, so we can only recommend the experience to fans of the genre.

Warhammer 40,000: Boltgun is an inspired production, fully consistent with the intention of bringing the brutality of the miniatures game imagery into a lead and blood boomer shooter. Dispensing death is the thing that works the most, thanks to a satisfying gameplay when it comes to pulling the trigger, regardless of the weapon in hand and the quantity and variety of enemies faced. The exploratory dimension weighs down the playful experience a bit, but when the time comes to reduce the enemies to shapeless red pulp, we think less about it.

The reality is that Suda51's new work for Nintendo Switch is the shadow of the No More Heroes it once was, where brilliant ideas, follies, memorable moments and the heinous combat system itself are watered down in a mediocre techno-playful context - and devoid of rhythm.

Troy is, in short, a solid addition to the Saga series, ideal for both veterans and those who are only now approaching the Creative Assembly series.

Beatbuddy reveals a passion and dedication worthy of note, the result of which will repay the player.

Silver Lining is an episode that reconciles the story of this mini trilogy without major flashes: it remains on the qualitative track traced by the first two episodes, points the spotlight on a very well-characterized female co-star, leverage a showmanship from manual and unfortunately hurries the times of the story, momentarily bringing down the curtain on the various characters with little elegance.

The two remasters are done pretty well, they work and do not upset some or all of the originals, but the return of games like these had to be accompanied in another way: with extras, interviews, documentation that would help in a fun and informative way to understand what for many years, among other things, was the most expensive game ever, a big commercial flop, and one of the most fundamental titles for the modern videogame.

Still a good DLC, capable of offering players in abstinence from chaos a valid reason to return to grip the pad.

The No Code space odyssey will delight those in the genre and those looking for a playful experience that only a great indie could offer.

The rhythm videogames are not dead and the software house Empty Clip is here to prove it, with an incredible and adrenalinic shoot'em up. Symphony is a must buy for all music games lovers.

The strengths of Iron Harvest are its style and its imagery.

The Outlast Trials is a half-successful product. The title by Red Barrels hits the target and offers truly convincing characters and settings, which allow it to come pleasantly close in atmosphere to film productions such as Hostel and Saw. At the same time, the developers have not made the most of the potential of the experience, which tends to lose bite over time without encouraging the player, alone or in company, to undergo the same experiments over and over again.

Although it is difficult to turn a blind eye to the defects of the technical sector, whose use of the Unreal Engine 4 seems really naive, the production of Revolution is still distinguished by a grandiose, inspired and suggestive artistic direction, as well as a narrative fluency that will satisfy even the finest palates.

Blade & Glory is a shameless reproduction of Infinity Blade set in an indefinite arena. It has really good graphic, many items to collect and the proven logic of his elder brother. But if you want to see some blood that it's not yours, you have to pay despite of the apparent free nature of the game.

A very respectable tie-in.

Wisely blending the exuberance of battle royale with the dictates of the most famous platformer on the face of the earth, the title shows off the potential typical of memorable experiences, which from ideal "hit and run" pastimes are soon transformed into real videogame magnets, which the closer you get, the harder it becomes to break away.

Undoubtedly one of the best versions of the product.

The Stretchers is yet another little gem for Switch born from the collaboration between Nintendo and Western independent studios.

The basics are indeed simple to understand, but digging into the gameplay you'll find deep and interesting mechanics. It's a shame that some of the missions are really too easy to complete, and the lack of an online 1vs1 mode is indeed unforgivable, but it's still an interesting strategic experience on Wii U.

Drakensang is one of the best classic-rpg adventure released this year. Perfect for D&D lovers, even if a little bit too difficult for new gamers.

A good action game, one of the best Tie-in of this year. A real funny and various gameplay with a fair graphics compartment.

NBA Jam gives the player the 90's style of gameplay that fascinated a lot of gamers in the past. Unfortunately 360/PS3 gamepads did not work like Wii Mote, decreasing the funny component of the experience. There are also lot of issues with the AI.

DC Universe Online is a title in its own way unique, not only because it is now one of the few MMORPGs available on consoles, but also because it is perhaps the only exponent of the superhero genre to have discrete character.

In the end, the four episodes speak of two different experiences. Barry's campaign has its moments, but Moira's is always trying to keep up, with small success. It's still a Resident Evil experience that might please some of the fanbase (and not even the most nostalgic part, because of the almost action gameplay), but not a great return for the historic saga.

Reus tries to give back dignity to the "God Game" genre, landing on console three years from the original release on PC. A certain repetitiveness and the absence of incentives to keep high the player's attention undermine the - still fascinating - experience.

Event 0 starts with original ideas, but lacks the courage to tell the story of an Artificial intelligence and its relationship with the player.

Project Winter is a fun, well thought out and pleasant survival-cooperative also from an aesthetic point of view.

It's a package filled with content, to the point that even fans of the original could consider this last round. Considering the lack of fighting games on the current gen, it's a solid offer, even if gameplay and some aspects of the graphics can feel dated.

Sonic The Hedgehog 4 delivers a thrilling experience: it is a pleasant return to the past. Unfortunately, players will complete this chapter in a couple of hours, and the price is a little bit high.

The experience is always pleasant and gratifying.

An old style beat'em up, with nice graphics and interesting cooperative mechanics.

Except for the minor problems encountered, if you want a metroidvania with innovative solutions, head into the distorted world of Sundered, thus supporting a software house that we'll hear about for a long time.

Railway Empire is a good combination of simulation and managerial that, unfortunately, falls on "important" aspects such as the ability to view the game data in the way most congenial to us.

A good new edition with many options and great attention to details which fails completely in its technical side. A cranky engine makes the player cry for frustration.

An exercise in style developed by those who have a steady hand and certainly know how to shape a good genre title, enhanced by artists who have managed to impress an artistic direction capable, at times, of really piercing the Switch screen.

If you played Guardian of Light then what you'll find here is more of the same but that's not such a bad thing.

Epistory is a zelda-like adventure in a universe made of paper and words. It has its own style (even if it can't compete with the fascinating inventions of Tearaway), and elegantly mixes combat and exploration. Is a short and compelling experience, but it would have been nice to see more variety in the structure of the dungeons.

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.

Time of Heroes is hard to learn because every unit has tons of "numbers" which need a good effort to learn. If you are searching a good challenge you may like it.

Warner Bros. Games Batman: Arkham Origins is the best prequel that could be desired and certainly the most beautiful episode of Batman: Arkham.

Batman Arkham VR is the first experiment of Rocksteady in the field of virtual reality, a successful attempt to get closer to this technology and to explore its expressive possibilities. The experience is really short, but the game has many other qualities. The graphics are among the best in the launch line-up of PlayStation VR, and the game shows excellent gameplay ideas, and a dynamic storytelling stitched around the player's movements.

A great edition for a great game. Dead Nation is still one of the most interesting scrolling shooter available on the market, and the new broadcast + game mode is pure genius.

Far from the standard established by the first two chapters.

The more the soul shatters, the more difficult it will be to put the pieces together again.

The end result is a feast for the eyes and goes perfectly with an excellent soundtrack that has beautifully resisted the passage of time.

Get Tannen is the classic second episode of sagas made in Telltale. Compared to its predecessor, both the plot and the gameplay suffer a slight deterioration. Fortunately the situation is less serious than one might expect: this second episode is still funny enough to push you to complete it.

If you love arcade shooters and if you do not mind the idea of ​​repeating the same twenty levels for dozens of times, run to buy Sky Force Reloaded.

The usual, hilarious comic verve meets an excellent representation of the universe of reference, making the production a true apotheosis of fan service, which in some situations will send fans into raptures. The game, however, suffers from the usual problems that have afflicted the franchise for some years, including a decisive repetition of the fund in the revival of the puzzles.

With the Bigger & Better forumla, Prototype 2 expands the structure of the first game, giving players a lot more to do and to experiment with god-like powers of the main characther.

Eclipse is way better than the previous DLC Awakening: an expansion pack with four original maps and new monstrosities for the acclaimed Zombie mode. The price is still high, but hardcore fans of Call of Duty will be delighted by the design of the new playgrounds.

Characters and plot are not as good as we expected, and once more there's no online multiplayer. Gameplay, on the other hand, is finely crafted, so if you're a fan, you'll probably enjoy it.

Everybody's Golf VR has managed to exploit the potential of virtual reality to establish itself as the most immersive and engaging golf game around, becoming at the same time one of the best 1: 1 sports simulators available on PlayStation VR, all without neglecting the accessibility that has always characterized the Clap Hanz series

A solid FPS, but not the masterpiece that EA promised to the gamers.

An interesting 2D moba, full of content and characters even if not as deep as the great masterpieces of the genre.

It's really nostalgic, good for those who miss the old classics.

Quotation forthcoming.

The second chapter of Osmotic Studios's conspiratorial saga closes with an episode that adds - finally - to the experience genuinely new game mechanics.

An undoubtedly solid product that can offer many hours of fun in the hope that technical deficits will be corrected as soon as possible.

Virtually identical to its predecessor, Inazuma Eleven 2 will entertain and enthrall the same gamers who have already appreciated the original.

Overload comes out of that school of thought that, in the 90s, made the FPS great: a fast-paced, fast, punitive and very particular shooter in its movement system. A title that carries that philosophy to the present day, but carries with it a loyalty to the past that structurally feels the weight of time.

Patapon 3, unfortunately, isn't the chapter that is finally able to evolve the brand. Recommended only to fans of Patapon or who are intrigued by the saga.

The expectations on Majin and The Forsaken Kingdom have to be redimensioned. The storytelling is "only" good despite the potential. On the other side gameplay works really well and, despite a lack in challenge, the game is really interesting.

Edge is one of the best modern mobile games and was ported with the same passion on the PC. Simple and intuitive, it can challange both casual and hardcore players, for its depth, addictive gameplay and constant support by the developers.

Venture Towns is the natural evolution of all the Kairosoft games. If you love strategy games, buy it straight away. If you loved their previous games, buy it straight away too.

The Castlevania Anniversary Collection has great historical value, and it would be a mortal sin to ignore it. Unfortunately Konami pursues the philosophy of "maximum results with minimum effort", setting up a collection that is so rich but also not very refined.

One of the most beautiful surprises of this 2021.

It is difficult to judge Into the Pit: the game starts really strong and seems to have what it takes to bewitch the player until the end. Unfortunately, the Nullpointer Games title tends to get repetitive after a few hours and interest wanes over time. What Into the Pit lacks is a little more variety (from enemy behaviors to levels, which are a little too much alike) while the procedural generation typical of the roguelite / roguelike genre leaves something to be desired in this one. interpretation. A greater difficulty in the clashes was desirable: overall, Into the Pit remains a title to try for lovers of the genre, especially if you are a subscriber to the Game Pass.

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.

A classic action game, bestowed with a solid gameplay. It will be a challenge even for hardcore gamers, but it's a ride definitely worth taking.

A Vampyre Story is a good game that combines a classic gameplay with an interesting storyline and an accurate character design. Despite that it presents a lot of bugs and an awful translation from English to Italian.

Shattered Dimension is an old style action/adventure, solid and -most of all- varied. Too bad that a splendid level design meets a clumsy engine. Some camera issues and bad collision spoils a pleasant experience.

There's much to be played here, but there's also repetition, and the tower defense mechanics don't feel as new as they should. Still, a good deal for every Far Cry 4 hardcore fan.

While never reaching particularly high quality peaks, Alien: Rogue Incursion confirms itself as a good action game in virtual reality, which sacrifices the horror element typical of the film saga in favor of a more direct and brutal approach. Although not intrinsically lacking, the formula chosen by the developers shows its side with a certain basic repetitiveness, closely linked to the reduction of the threat represented by the xenomorphs. While a little more variety would certainly have benefited the production of Survios, Rogue Incursion remains an enjoyable title, especially if you are a fan of the imagery created by Dan O'Bannon and Ronald Shusett.

Loopmancer is pure action at the service of a player who wants to exalt himself in violence. It is a game that revels in its viscerality and its bizarre and does not care about its imperfections: but whoever has the pad in their hand realizes it! And it's a bit of a shame, because if certain gameplay elements had been weighed with the slingbar and not cut with the cleaver, it would have been practically indispensable. At present it is only for those looking for an experience with few frills and a voluntarily kitschy (in?) Identity. And that's not necessarily enough, on the contrary.

It's a good choice if you missed the original release, but whoever has already played the game won't find here any good reason to buy again.

A certain repetitiveness in solving the riddles and some hesitation during programming and level design make it a missed opportunity, although fully enjoyable for fans of the genre.

The Thaumaturge is an ambitious isometric RPG with an interesting story, which the player can lead to ever-changing and unexpected situations with well-considered moral choices. The artistic direction is inspired and does justice to the historical setting represented. As for the salutors, we would have only liked to see more of them, which is an indication of the good quality and characterization of those present in the game. A somewhat repetitive combat system and the technical sector with too many uncertainties, unfortunately, partially slow down the enthusiasm, but all in all we would still like to say that The Thaumaturge is a recommended role-playing experience; if nothing else, to lovers of the genre who are always eager for narrative crossroads and well-written dialogues.

Our hope is that Starlink can really become an ever-expanding game. Like the universe.

Resident Evil 6 is not a classic Resident Evil. It's not a Survival Horror: it's a Third Person Shooter with his own peculiar pace. This will prevent many old-school fans from considering it a decent installment in the series. Anyhow, the formula works in the long run, and this new chapter provides more than 20 hours of thrilling action.

It's a crazy DLC that will please Trials fans. It's a shame that the gameplay remains so classic, and doesn't dare going a bit further from what we've seen in the main game.

Quotation forthcoming.

Dissidia Final Fantasy Opera Omnia is a game that works well in the panorama of mobile applications, but there is no purpose other than to entertain the average user for a few hours.

Virtually identical to its predecessor, Inazuma Eleven 2 will entertain and enthrall the same gamers who have already appreciated the original.

Precision in the motion tracking is everything for a game like this, and it works most of the time. One of the best of its genre.

It's an explosive all-you-can-shoot fest. The absolute freedom will amaze you in the beginning, but it's still a mostly empty, albeit beautiful, box. If you love action for the sake of action and 90's action movies, you will just feel at home.

A very solid action game.

Total War: Pharaoh truly represents a grand return for the famous saga of real-time strategy games. The attention dedicated to a purer form of story is evident, in a distillation of mechanics that evoke the greatness of previous titles without neglecting the necessary improvements that a series with over 20 years of history requires. The abandonment of myths, legends and fantasy elements is an appreciable move that will make historical fans of the saga happy, allowing them to completely immerse themselves in historical settings with an authentic feeling. In Total War: Pharaoh, you can recognize numerous familiar elements now cemented in Total War lore, alongside new additions that enhance historical immersion and bring freshness to Creative Assembly's catalog. The surprising optimization of the game guarantees the stability necessary to make an experience free from hitches or slowdowns shine, capable of effectively immersing the player with respectable views.

The first episode of Jacob Jones and the Mystery Bigfoot is fun and challenging. The only flaw of the game is its extreme similarity to the saga of Professor Layton. But those who love the genre, will also appreciate this.

A good example of the well-balanced encounter between causality and mechanics, procedurality and systemicity.

In short, an experience that can briefly satisfy fans of the genre: not incomplete or badly realized, yet absolutely anonymous and forgettable.

A well-built puzzle game, certainly appreciated by fans of the genre, but unable to rival the sacred monsters of the category in terms of inspiration, originality and the power of the story.

It's a niche game, no doubt about that. On the other hand, the contemplation it offers is sometimes really unique.