Charts of Sennaar is an interesting puzzle game made with great care. The graphic and artistic sector is perfect for representing the symbolism contained in the "biblical" plot that unfolds between the floors of the novel Tower of Babel which is the backdrop to the gameplay. In the gaming field, then, the cycle of research, translation of the mysterious languages spoken by the natives, and finally the resolution of the resulting puzzles, offers great satisfaction, even in the face of a little too much backtracking and a pinch of repetitiveness in the long term which concerns the structure of the puzzles.

Charts of Sennaar is an interesting puzzle game made with great care. The graphic and artistic sector is perfect for representing the symbolisms contained in the "biblical" plot that unfolds between the floors of the novel Tower of Babel which is the backdrop to the gameplay. In the gaming field, then, the cycle of research, translation of the mysterious languages spoken by the natives, and finally the resolution of the resulting puzzles, offers great satisfaction, even in the face of a little too much backtracking and a pinch of repetitiveness in the long term which concerns the structure of the puzzles.

The first work of a small independent studio, Eternights is exactly what we expected: a title that is anything but ambitious and limited in more or less every aspect, which overall is still entertaining, witty and intriguing. A product whose value is, in short, greater than the simple sum of its parts. Bearing in mind that the entrance ticket (equal to €30) is more than affordable, we recommend it to RPG lovers and especially to connoisseurs of the waifu factor.

EA Sports FC 24 is a football chapter halfway between revolution and tradition. Not the impressive step forward that one could expect from the heir to FIFA 23, but a simulator that entertains and pleases despite some recent and historical defects of the brand persisting. The obsessive search for realism, between increasingly realistic animations and a breathtaking glance, clashes with the usual approach to gameplay devoted entirely to speed and frenzy, in which it is very easy to dart into the penalty area but it is far too complicated to defend with clarity and constancy. However, EA Sports remains the only truly valid offer in terms of video game football in this generational parenthesis. Ultimately, thanks to a richer and more stratified range of modes than ever, we can say that Electronic Arts has brought home the result also for the 2023/2024 season.

Fate/Samurai Remnant surprised us. The stories of the swordsman Iori and the cryptic Saber struggling with the Waxing Moon Ritual are entertaining on both a playful and narrative level. Remnant is not satisfied with being "just" a product for fans, even if there would have been nothing wrong with it, on the contrary. The more experienced will have a world of details to discover in the maps, and familiar characters to meet again. Samurai Remnant carefully chooses the key elements of the saga to borrow, motivates them and explains them to novices in understandable terms. The title is therefore first and foremost a lively anime-style action video game, perhaps just a little too diluted at times, with a mysterious plot that branches into multiple endings, charismatic protagonists and an excellent artistic sector. For this reason we are almost sure that, once the adventure is over, many will want to deepen the links with the long-lived and tangled history of which it is part.

Cocoon offers solid gameplay, which develops along a well-thought-out and stimulating learning curve. A system capable of quickly gaining the player's attention, who ends up effortlessly entangled in this unusual tangle of worlds. However, a commendable game design is counterbalanced by a narrative section that fails to captivate the public with equal force. The protagonist's motivations and the epilogue of his adventure struggle to leave their mark at the end of the journey proposed by Cocoon. A dichotomy that will find admirers in lovers of deliberately cryptic stories, but which could generate slight disappointment in players looking for intense emotions. At its core, we would like to reiterate, it remains in any case a gaming experience of absolute value.

Payday 3 is the natural evolution of the second chapter and offers a solid and fun experience, although not without its edges and questionable choices, think for example of the progression structure. The feeling you get when playing the Starbreeze title is that of being in front of an Early Access that starts off very well, but on which there is still work to be done so that it can express itself at its best. It is therefore likely that production will be improved and expanded over time, just like the previous one, through the already confirmed free and paid content updates.

Trinity Team takes advantage of the experience accumulated with the first episode and creates a sequel that is richer and more refined in every aspect. Bud Spencer & Terence Hill: Slaps and Beans 2 is a heartfelt homage to a duo who wrote the history of Italian cinema, with music, references and quotes capable of honoring the legend of Carlo Pedersoli and Mario Girotti. In general, we are faced with a solid beat 'em up, varied at the right point thanks also to the presence of numerous minigames, splendid to see as well as to listen to. Between some hitbox problems and sudden spikes in difficulty, there are some rough edges, yet the title has what it takes to intrigue fans of the genre. If Bud and Terence have played an important role in your life, then we can't tell you anything other than: make it yours immediately, otherwise we'll get angry!

Synced is a free to play shooter characterized by solid gameplay and interesting roguelite mechanics, which however give way to some problems related to the progression system and the underlying repetitiveness of the proposed activities. Despite all the defects, however, the Level Infinite title offers a pleasant experience to play in the company of a group of friends, also thanks to the lack of aggressiveness of the in-app purchases.

It was reasonable to expect more from Firewall Ultra. The legacy of Zero Hour is only partially taken up, given that the production alternates steps forward with inexplicable steps backwards on the interactivity front. The new tactical shooter from First Contact Entertainment keeps its playful qualities intact, starting from the strong emphasis placed on team play, but has to deal with long matchmaking times and a progression system that is not stimulating enough. Then there is the problem of the lack of variety in terms of game modes, which we hope will be expanded in the future.

Larger and more ambitious than the content from which it originated, Strade Diverse is the perfect excuse to return to the world of the Resident Evil 4 remake. Whether it is to discover the new plot implications, or the way in which Capcom has given more value to the grappling hook and reinterpreted some prominent creatures, any fan of the series should experience this thrill ride, also given an absolutely accessible ticket price. Grab your grappling hook and dust off your crossbow: Ada Wong is waiting for you!

By adapting Monster Hunter's playful formula to the Niantic model, which this time around has been revised to meet the needs of the most isolated players, the Californian studio has created its most frenetic and fun application this time. Presenting only thirteen large monsters and six categories of weapons, at present the content offering appears a little lacking, but knowing Niantic and its already confirmed intention to support the product with seasonal events that will introduce new stories, creatures, equipment and so on other, Monster Hunter Now seems to be traveling towards an overall rosy future.

Final Fantasy VII: Ever Crisis could and should have been the most convenient and immediate solution to review the entire Compilation of Final Fantasy VII, especially given what Square Enix is trying to achieve with the disputed Remake Trilogy. Unfortunately, however, the Japanese giant has bet on a damn confusing structure and a gacha component that risk resulting in the detestable phenomenon of pay-to-win. It's a real shame because, despite the limits imposed by the poor customization of the units, which during battles limits the feasible strategies and opens the door to monotony, the combat system of Final Fantasy VII: Ever Crisis is very valid and what's more the product can count on a truly delightful artistic direction. If for our part we feel like not recommending it to newbies, who due to the episodic formula would understand little or nothing about the Compilation of Final Fantasy VII, historical fans could instead find it a pleasant pastime and, between one mission and another, discover some new details on their favorites.

NBA 2K24 is one of those titles that is difficult to judge and above all to assign a numerical value that can balance its great gaming achievements and disappointing greed. On the one hand there is in fact one of the most beautiful basketball simulations ever made, on the other an online sector that in no way hides the excessive importance of microtransactions. The Mamba Moments and the Eras (with LeBron) are two splendid additions to a content offering with few equals in the sports sector, while ProPLAY technology on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series . In short, NBA 2K24 is one of the best sports games of this generation, and it is a shame that the intrusiveness of microtransactions inevitably ends up weakening the excellent work done on the gameplay.

Phantom Liberty arrives on the market at the same time as the publication of Update 2.0, another important milestone for the Polish company which is literally infusing new lifeblood into the Cyberpunk 2077 project. We are in the presence of a rich expansion with a plot that suddenly turns towards atmospheric typical of political thrillers, whose excellent writing is supported by the excellent performances of the new cast of characters among which, naturally, the star of Idris Elba stands out. It is a risky journey full of dramatic twists in which every decision will have a significant specific weight in the ride that leads up to the end credits. CD Projekt RED has created a product aimed at those who loved the basic adventure and want to continue exploring a new corner of the world of Night City, embellished with multiple content contributions that can multiply the number of hours to be spent on the streets of the city. What price does freedom have? Well, you'll just have to find out...

The Crew Motorfest exudes passion for motors and everything that surrounds them. Not just mechanisms, sticky oil and metal, but also emotions, history, engineering and pilots. The title does not abandon the arcade nature of its predecessors, on the contrary, it strengthens it with a driving system that is easy to approach but more refined and interesting to master, convincing even if not realistic physics and a very respectable graphics sector. Furthermore, on PS5, Dualsense is a very high added value. It's a shame that to have fun even as a solo player you need to always be connected to the Internet, especially because so close to the launch it's difficult to get an idea about the long-term validity of the online game, which for now is promising but less interesting than the solo component. It's also disappointing for the lower recreational impact of vehicles other than four-wheelers and for the rather derivative soul. Certainly, Ubisoft seems to have revived the fortunes of an IP that risked being forgotten and which has now, instead, stepped on the accelerator.

Mortal Kombat 1 presents one of the best combat systems in the saga, creative, rich in variations, deep and complex. The Kameo system and the aerial combos are integrated naturally with the historical gameplay of the saga and provide a new and very interesting perspective on the bloody clashes between the members of the roster. However, the feeling is that NetherRealm has rushed the release, with a rather poor online component and a balance that is not always impeccable. However, it is a very solid episode, and an excellent starting point for anyone who wants to approach the saga.

The Texas Chain Saw Massacre not only does justice to the film it is inspired by, but is also a good exponent of the genre it belongs to. Unfortunately, however, the experience is characterized by a repetitiveness that becomes apparent rather quickly due not only to the serious lack of content available at launch, but also to a fairly rigid gameplay setting, which makes all the games similar to each other. While waiting to find out if and how the offer will be expanded with the reveal of the roadmap by the developers, we can say that we are faced with a product that still deserves to be tried by fans of games of this type, especially by those who can dive into the game via Xbox Game Pass.

All things considered, Lies of P is a product that has managed to convince us from practically every point of view. Neowiz's new work, although it plays very defensively and doesn't do anything truly new for the category to which it belongs, is a title with a living and breathing soul that reveals all the passion lavished by the studio during development. An exciting plot combined with the perfect artistic direction are the flagship of a robust and exhilarating play structure that will delight all fans of the genre. Are you ready to discover the darkness that lies in the depths of Krat?

Sea of Stars rejects the abundance of content at all costs and offers a memorable journey, which could have dared a little more on the narrative front, but experienced by characters we couldn't help but appreciate. Through a series of well-thought-out solutions, the combat system proved to be more dynamic than expected and the accompanying activities offered gave us some pleasant moments of pause. Closing the circle is a high-quality audiovisual presentation, thanks to the excellent pixel art and an always guessed sound sector. A title like this, which is also available at launch on Game Pass and PlayStation Plus, shouldn't escape you.

Monochrome Mobius: Rights and Wrongs Forgotten is an experiment that is only partially successful, as Aquaplus's inexperience in the JRPG field and the limited budget have influenced almost all aspects of the product, starting with the obsolete graphics sector and a combat system not quite in focus. In short, the strong point of the package is represented by the convincing plot and the writing of the characters, which with their travails will fascinate Utawarerumono fans and newcomers alike. Being an excellent entry point for those who still don't know the saga, we recommend it to JRPG enthusiasts, perhaps in a less crowded period of important releases and in any case in times of discounts.

Starfield is a mammoth and enveloping title, which in some ways represents the absolute pinnacle of Bethesda's production. In fact, in terms of quality and sizing, the playful narrative baggage of the work is a cut above the previous role-playing adventures of the US team, from which, however, the title also inherits some of its less convincing features. Aftermaths that certainly have something to do with the structure of a universe as broad as it is fragmentary, which due to its structural characteristics ends up weakening the call for exploration, which has always been one of the main ingredients of the Bethesda formula. Net of its limitations, however, the stellar epic proves to be an extraordinary crossroads of memorable stories and adventures, pieces of a proposal that is at times all-encompassing, capable of offering dozens - if not hundreds - of hours of entertainment.

Ultimately, Fae Farm looks like a fairy-tale microworld, in which adventure and life and farming simulator dynamics merge. Net of an extremely accessible gameplay for the reference genre and a modest narrative frame, the Phoenix Labs title presents itself on the market as a coherent and well-packaged product. In wanting to offer a fantastic setting in which to seek first of all lightness and relaxation, Fae Farm has a clear focus and manages to decline it in a pleasant way. For the more experienced user and lover of the more articulated expressions of the genre, the PC and Nintendo Switch title will hardly be able to offer something new, but the IP remains - in our opinion - a valid alternative for younger players or for those who is looking for an undemanding experience, but at the same time cared for.

Samba de Amigo: Party Central does not require impeccable execution and perfect pitch, nor highly developed reflexes (more or less). The word "Party" in the name is a real declaration of intent, a message to revelers who can go wild with their friends, training alone or, even better, in online mode. Regardless of the length of post-launch support reserved for the title, SEGA has created a light experience, with some sagging in the recording phase of low notes and in terms of frame rate, but absolutely capable of giving hours of entertainment.

Ultimately, with Daymare 1994 Invader Studios has taken a step forward, treasuring the experience accumulated during the development of the progenitor of the series. Some perplexities remain relating to the script, which starts from solid foundations and then gets lost in the final stages, as well as some ingenuity in the gameplay formula, which in any case has managed to demonstrate the validity of the Frost Grip on several occasions. With a greater variety of threats and instruments of death, this visually striking nightmare journey could have gone even further: however the Roman team has shown us his talent, once again.

Mediterranea Inferno offers an effective blend of history, artistic direction and characterization, accompanied by a valuable sound sector. This visual novel - essential to say the least on the playful front - is able to tell the exciting story of three friends, in which it is difficult not to identify. Also for this reason, going beyond the end of the first run and dedicating ourselves to discovering the various endings of this journey seemed to us a natural choice, as proof of the talent shown by the insiders.

The emerging narrative of Under the Waves will accompany you while you are underwater and then will make you desire to re-embrace the surface: Stan is a man who hides his past, he wanted to bury it, but he has to deal with it, especially at night . The title of Parallel Studio certainly does not offer a layered playful component, but its engaging story - linked to a credible and multifaceted protagonist - will certainly push you to fully experience this journey consisting of 7 chapters.

Agatha Christie - Hercule Poirot: The London Case tells a good story starring the detective Hercule Poirot, who although younger than his moustached and experienced version is equally shrewd, intelligent and charismatic. The supporting actors and the plot work, brought to life in various and detailed locations by a valuable visual and artistic presentation, net of cutscenes that are not as well cared for. Unfortunately it is precisely in the playful dimension and in the rhythm that the experience loses some points, because sometimes it dilutes the progress too much with lots of backtracking and puzzles with a not exactly intuitive solution. In any case, the title of Blazin Griffin has what it takes to make the fans of the iconic character born from the beloved mystery writer happy.

Armored Core VI: Fires of Rubicon is an excellent starting point for the series, which after so many not very successful chapters had been missing from the scene for an entire decade. At first glance, the well above average difficulty rate may seem excessive, but the study of the opponent and the guessed tweaks that the FromSoftware guys have made to the playful formula, without neglecting the unparalleled level of customization that has always been offered by franchise, this time they know how to give a stimulating and revolutionary experience. However, the great replayability of the product is counterbalanced by a narrative framework that is anything but memorable and too conservative from a structural point of view. The future of the saga, whose return was by no means obvious, therefore appears promising and bright.

Fort Solis offers a cinematic experience that unfortunately creaks due to a writing without particular flashes. Exploring the space station in search of recordings and documents that shed light on the events of the story proves to be not very exciting. However, the developers of Fallen Leaf have built an admirable graphic framework in Unreal Engine 5, with richly detailed scenarios and realistic lighting (there is no shortage of frame rate fluctuations). To counterbalance, at least in part, the uncertainties of the narrative we find the excellent interpretations of Troy Baker, Roger Clark and Julia Brown, who make every exchange plausible with a variety of expressions worthy of much larger productions than this first work, which in any case should have dared a little more.

Net of a series of technical problems that we sincerely hope can be mitigated by the next patches, Immortals of Aveum is a convincing first-person magic shooter, which can be played with transport from start to finish. Although belonging to the shooter genre, the Ascendant Studio title is profoundly different from its colleagues and the predominant action component, combined with the presence of many tools to counter the opponents, makes every single battle exciting and spectacular. The complex lore at the base of the experience accompanies a valid plot, not without some less effective junctures, but sometimes capable of surprising the player, and certainly able to push him to complete Jak's journey.

Ride 5 is the first episode designed and developed for current generation consoles: a few kilometers on the track are enough to appreciate its simulation cut and commitment to accessibility (the neural aids work). Compared to Ride 4, the differences are not so marked: Milestone worked above all with a chisel to clean up and refine his most ambitious work. In terms of content, there is nothing to complain about: the proposed virtual dealership offers everything a two-wheel enthusiast could wish for. On the visual front, the volumetric clouds are a welcome addition, the bikes remain beautiful, the circuit park is truly extensive. The career mode has made some steps forward compared to the previous iteration, but has not reached the levels we had hoped for. In short, the team has not failed to further improve the gaming experience but has chosen the path of continuity for this fifth episode: we expected a little more.

Blasphemous 2 presents itself to players as a significant step forward in almost all aspects already appreciated in the original chapter. It is not a sequel that reinvents the mechanics of the saga but is more the result of the team's precise desire to give fans a level metroidvania experience. Some uncertainties regarding collisions and the boss fights not always able to provide the challenge we were looking for, don't be deceived: the layered playful recipe and the excellent artistic direction manage to keep the player glued to the screen for the duration of the countryside. If you are looking for a peculiar title, thanks to its themes that travel on the border between the sacred and the profane, you should give it a chance: the second crusade of the Penitent is an experience you will not forget.

Ultimately Baldur's Gate 3 is, in no uncertain terms, a shining jewel of design and programming, so deep, layered and sumptuous that it can be considered the new golden standard of the genre: a benchmark of prodigious magnitude that will be a real nightmare for anyone want to embark, in the future, on the development of titles belonging to the same category. Where many would have crashed to the ground by replicating the myth of Icarus and the Sun, Larian Studios triumphs and brings a sequel to PC that in many ways even surpasses its illustrious predecessors. In short, the throne of the best RPG of the generation has just been claimed.

Gord is a fascinating product, both thanks to its imagination and thanks to the playful elements that characterize it. What initially might appear as a rather basic real-time strategy game is actually a sort of colony simulator, which calls for you to face adverse events decisively and to use the available resources wisely. The leading role reserved for micromanagement could be very intriguing for those more accustomed to the genre, less so for newbies. Gord can be exhausting at times, but he certainly offers a unique experience.

Atlas Fallen manages to mix its constituent elements with a certain harmony. Its sandy world is pleasant to explore and contains a secondary offering that - while not straying from what we have seen in other exponents of the open world genre - expands the hour count in an uncontrived way. The clashes at the center of the experience are satisfying, thanks to the well-constructed combat system. Together with the ups and downs of performance and in terms of artistic direction, the narrative scaffolding is the most sore point of the production, which, net of its rough edges, however, is capable of genuinely entertaining.

F1 Manager 2023 is definitely a good product, but the improvements compared to the previous chapter have been more timid than we would have hoped. After laying the foundations with the debut chapter, Frontier has dedicated itself above all to polishing the edges, improving the general quality of life of the experience. The result is a solid title, similar to its predecessor, for better or for worse. The Race Replay and Scenario modes offer an interesting career alternative, but a "my team" mode, a multiplayer sector and the minor playable categories are still missing. That said, the management simulation of F1 Manager 2023 is deep enough and is easily able to give dozens and dozens of hours of fun to all aspiring team principals.

Unfortunately, Unholy is a video game that just doesn't work. The plot is short and underdeveloped, focused on an uninteresting protagonist and told in poor quality footage. The gameplay is dated and repetitive, a simple alternation of bland exploration, very simple puzzles and stealth where hiding is useless, because the pursuers never represent a danger. At least on the artistic front, the title is more inspired and technically it is quite stable, but it is not enough. Perhaps out of inexperience, Duality Games debuts with insipid horror action, difficult to recommend even to the most indulgent fans of the genre since it's not even scary.

While lacking its own personality in aesthetics and game mechanics, Arena Breakout is an extraction shooter that offers enough content to keep the user busy for dozens of hours. The only real problem of Tencent's free to play is its being trapped in that cage which is the mobile platform, where for trivial technical reasons it is unable to express itself at its best. We hope that in the future the control system will benefit from the necessary interventions, because at that point the gaming experience would be much more attractive.

Noob: The Factionless is a production afflicted by too many problems for it to be valid entertainment even for the young audience to which it is addressed. Under its surface of appreciable simplicity, which partially forgives a little challenging and little wriggling gameplay, it hides a banality and even discouraging neglect. The operation of trying to take intellectual property outside its borders through a video game certainly made sense, but it crashes loudly on the rocks of mediocrity.

Disney Illusion Island is a good family entertainment title, with the addition of up to four player co-op making the experience even more immersive. On the other hand, the basic repetitiveness is very evident in the first part of the adventure, except to recover in the second part, at the end of the entire journey. The playful flatness of the four characters, net of the pleasant visual differentiations, weakens the inventiveness of a smooth and pleasant gameplay. With a little forethought and added depth, Disney Illusion Island could have been so much more magical.

On balance, Double Dragon Gaiden: Rise of the Dragons captured us with its playful system halfway between tradition and innovation and was able to give us several hours of carefree fun. It is not a perfect title and perhaps it will not reach the heights reached by the fourth chapter of Streets of Rage but it is still nice to see such an important series rise from its ashes offering both newbies and historical fans the opportunity to return to impersonate the Lee brothers and their companions. If you are a fan of the scrolling beat 'em up genre, you should definitely give it a shot.

With Remnant 2 the developers have not yet found the perfect formula, but they have certainly made good steps forward. Net of a fluctuating artistic direction and some technical defects, this shooter with procedural elements offers a level of replayability that only very few exponents of the genre can boast, to the point of being able to amaze even after several completed games. If you love big challenges, especially in co-op, make it yours.

Exoprimal is a cooperative shooter characterized by a great gameplay, but which desperately needs more content due to excessive repetitiveness of the matches. It takes very little to see everything that Capcom production has to offer. In other words, at the moment it is perfect for playing a few matches in the company of friends, especially if you are an Xbox Game Pass subscriber. Those who, on the other hand, hoped to invest hours and hours to watch the final video of the campaign, may find themselves faced with an insufficiently stimulating package.

In the same interview quoted at the beginning, Shigeru Miyamoto guaranteed: "The Pikmin teams are always busy with the next chapter". We hope that with this fourth episode, the Nintendo series will finally reach a large audience in Europe as well. Obviously, the genre it belongs to makes Pikmin an IP far from the commercial potential of other Kyoto giants, such as Mario or The Legend of Zelda, but for our part we can't wait to find out what Pikmin 5 will come up with.

Viewfinder thrives on games of perspectives, encounters between photographs and three dimensions, and does not disappoint. The lively graphic style and its playful recipe designed to tease our creativity make it a valid production, perfect for indulging in a not too demanding leisure. The difficulty of the experience is calibrated downwards, yet the four or five hours offered by the exploration of his scenarios - thanks to the joys of the Polaroid - manage to fascinate and surprise.

With its vibrant pops of color and excellent use of eye tracking in managing telekinesis, Synapse stands out as one of the productions that make the most of the potential and unique features of PlayStation VR 2. Despite the general lack of variety, the nDreams game remains a roguelite shooter with explosive gameplay and an excellently calibrated progression system, able to keep the user's interest alive thanks to a good level of challenge and the possibility of experimenting with different fighting styles. The presence of famous voice actors such as David Hayter and Jennifer Hale adds a special touch, not so much for the quality of the plot, but for the care and attention with which the entire experience has been packaged, comparable to what one might to expect from a first party title.

The long test to which we subjected Atelier Marie Remake: The Alchemist of Salburg unfortunately confirmed the reservations we had towards the product. The one created by Gust Corporation is a mere 1:1 scale remake of the title originally published in 1997 and only renews its graphic design, leaving its serious playful and narrative gaps unchanged. Although the introduction of the Unlimited Mode removes the annoying temporal limitations of the original Atelier Marie, today as then the story is in fact weak and far from engaging, and the side characters are mere archetypes. Bearing in mind that even the longevity is really insufficient by the standards of the genre, we suggest the purchase only to the most die-hard fans of the series, who in order to discover its origins may be willing to pass over its many flaws and the expensive ticket admission (€50). We are therefore of the opinion that producing a 1:1 scale remake of such an obsolete title was not the most sensible way to feed the progenitor of the saga to the new generations, which on the contrary deserved to be re-imagined in almost every aspect .

Testament The Order of High Human is an experience with ups and downs. The plot never really manages to intrigue but the game world offers several interesting settings and exploration remains pleasant thanks to the fun parkour sections. The combat system is quite simple, yet it does not fail to give magical blows worthy of the name and various ways to make the protagonist more lethal. At the same time, and unfortunately also applies to the bosses, the movements of the enemies turned out to be a bit spartan and unable to match the quality of what has been confirmed as a good visual presentation. If you are looking for an adventure that is not too long, focused on challenging gameplay and made by people with an obvious passion for action RPGs, you will overlook the flaws and enjoy yourself.

The hours spent trying to end the civil war in Grand Chien have only confirmed how much the guys at Haemimont Games have listened to the players. In Jagged Alliance 3 we found many of the ingredients that made the brand legendary 25 years ago, showcased by the undisputed technical and artistic skills of the developers. The major criticalities are found in the monotony of a rather cumbersome management phase, which clashes with the excellent beating heart of the experience: its engaging and unpredictable fights. Some courageous game design choices could divide fans, but anyone looking for a valid turn-based strategy game will find bread for their teeth in the immense replay value of a title that does not forgive mistakes of a tactical nature.

Oxenfree II: Lost Signals is a well-crafted graphic adventure that we would like to recommend to anyone, especially to those who have had the opportunity to appreciate the first chapter. Trapped in a story with mysterious and paranormal connotations, the protagonists of the game are credible and multifaceted, to the advantage of the effectiveness of the story and the dialogues with the supporting actors. The title does not have the innovative charge of the progenitor and perhaps does not exploit some good ideas as it could have but offers an exciting experience with a well-chosen setting, which you should not miss.

Everybody 1-2 Switch is a simple, immediate party game that does not claim to overly engage the players, designed to spend a few hours in the company of friends or to spice up family lunches and dinners. However, the product is aimed at a purely casual audience and - in terms of stratification of the proposal and gameplay - fails to reach the qualitative peaks of other exponents of the segment such as Mario Party. The risk of being dusted off only for special occasions, just like that boardgame that we like so much but never play, is just around the corner. The competitive price, however, is a point in its favor.

Ultimately, Crime o' Clock is a title that works, fulfills and entertains. Furthermore, the excellent artistic direction, full of homages and pop culture references, greatly enhances the experience and is already worth the price of admission alone. You will never feel the risk of running into possible mishaps during the investigations, but if you are looking for a relaxing and carefree point and click, which can keep you company in these sultry summer days with a mystery that unfolds over the centuries, this could be the right game.

Without a shadow of a doubt Tindalos Interactive has managed to pack an interesting horror-tinged adventure. What is most intriguing is the set of action, tactics and stealth proposed by the experience, which manages to competently return the atmospheres and tension of the Alien films. Basically, if you are a fan of xenomorphs you could give the game a chance but RTS fans will have to deal with a not very developed strategic dimension, a sometimes lame soldier AI and a series of bugs that in our test have caused some setbacks that are hard to ignore.

Harry Potter Magic Awakened is a good mobile game that allows any fan of the brand to take a trip to Hogwarts and experience an adventure with a familiar flavor. Some edges related to the repetitiveness of the activities, the microtransactions and the technical sector take it away from perfection, yet the free to play of Portkey Games has the numbers to give a few hours of fun to fans of the bespectacled wizard.

If we could extrapolate the sole essence of the narrative sector of Master Detective Archives: RAIN CODE, our judgment on the production would be much more flattering. Unfortunately, the new creation of the authors of Danganronpa is plagued by some problems related to the rhythm of the story. A technical sector that is not too dusty and gameplay elements that are not fully developed help to limit the great potential of Too Kyo Games' work. Master Detective Archives: RAIN CODE remains in any case a title capable of being appreciated by lovers of investigative adventures with disturbing atmospheres.

Crash Team Rumble left us with mixed feelings. Although it is able to entertain for a few hours, with its frenetic games that see the confrontation between the beloved protagonists and villains of the saga, it is impossible not to notice worrying lack of content and a balance that would require a lot of additional work. If we add to this a non-optimal server population, it is really difficult to foresee a bright future for the new work of Toys for Bob, especially if we consider how rich and qualitatively surprising the market for free to play competitive games is.

Despite the involvement of outstanding artists, the star of Trinity Trigger does not shine as much as one would expect. As engaging as it is, the plot faithfully follows the topoi of the playful genre to which it belongs without ever proposing even vaguely original developments, while from a graphic point of view it seems to have in your hands a production intended for the now defunct Nintendo 3DS. Net of an almost non-existent challenge rate, the frenetic real-time combat system is the most successful aspect of the action RPG, which if played in local multiplayer together with two friends shows much of its great unexpressed potential. Maybe it won't end up in the annals of the JRPG, but overall Trinity Trigger remains a more than decent title. Our advice is to recover it on Nintendo Switch during the discount period.

The reissue of the collection that delighted all Sonic nostalgics last year fleshes out its offer with a handful of titles with fluctuating quality: devoid of those small modernization processes that had characterized the first chapters of the series in the last edition , Sonic Origins Plus games originally released on the Game Gear are more distinguished by their historical value. The addition of Amy as a playable character is an important step for the entire saga, but her moveset does not revolutionize the approach to those levels that we have now learned by heart. Basically, if you missed the 2022 appointment, you absolutely must make this expanded edition yours. Die-hard fans of the pet with base experience might think seriously about upgrading, everyone else should think twice.

Greyhill Incident is, by no means, a disaster on all fronts. The product packaged by Refugium Games leaks from all sides. From the disappointing technical sector to the cumbersome gameplay, every single aspect of the production leaves a lot to be desired. The poor general quality does not even allow this adventure to be counted among the so-called 'so bad, it's good'. Even lovers of trashy games will probably be dissatisfied with it.

All things considered, Park Beyond is an experience that we would like to recommend to you if you are a lover of management based on theme parks. If, like us, you have been lovers of RollerCoaster Tycoon and all the subsequent heirs of that winning formula, the new work by Limbic Entertainment and Bandai Namco could enrapture you for dozens and dozens of hours, while not consistently altering the most tried-and-true canons of the genre and net of an evident uncertainty on the technical and artistic side.

The Elder Scrolls Online Necrom is the expansion that was needed for a game that was beginning to feel the weight of the years. The new maps are fun to explore and unique, full of points of interest and charismatic enemies to face. Furthermore, the lore in which Zenimax Online has sunk his hands to write the plot is dark and mysterious: we can't wait to discover its future developments for the world of Tamriel. Finally, the class that signs the DLC, the Arcanist, is fun to use and flexible, as well as the one with the most rewarding learning curve and the most "explosive" rotations. Seeing is believing.

Final Fantasy XVI is an excellent starting point for the Square Enix saga, which after several missteps seems to have found the right balance between the tradition of the franchise and a blatantly more mature new ethic. By focusing everything on a complex narrative and dedicating maniacal care to the construction of the world, Yoshida's dream team has however neglected the rhythm of the story, which in addition to reserving some less inspired moments, even slows down the growth of the character.

Trepang2 is not a perfect title and suffers from some problems that often afflict the productions of smaller teams that aim too high. Net of some flaws in the gameplay and a campaign that runs out too quickly, the work signed by Trepang Studios is damned fun to play, why launch yourself to the massacre of the soldiers, between the use of powers and the activation of the bullet time , is nothing short of satisfying.

Convergence offers a playful offer supported by well-made gameplay - net of some roughness - and by a structured progression system, which over the hours enriches a formula that starts a bit with the brake on. Despite everything, having reached the end of the adventure, one gets the clear impression that the team has not managed to best express the potential of its creative vision, thanks to an uninspired and much less effective story than that seen in The Mageseeker. Net of its weaknesses, however, the title represents another good test by Riot Forge, waiting to see the third and final chapter of the League of Legends spin-offs.

Torchlight Infinite reaches the sufficiency by virtue of the good ideas that characterize the combat system and the classes. But it doesn't go further, due to a rather anonymous design of scenarios and enemies and too confusing menus. We are therefore faced with a product that is enjoyable but which, unfortunately, cannot keep up with Diablo Immortal and other exponents of the genre.

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.

The setting based on Korean folklore of the Chosun era is wonderful, represented with great detail and a necessary, but respectful, charge of imagination. Obviously, given its massively multiplayer nature, the success of the DLC will depend on how new and returning players perceive the changes.

Accessibility is the watchword of F1 23. Codemasters has not limited itself to the homework and has rearranged the driving model to make it less unpredictable and, above all, more suitable for those who do not compete with the wheel and pedals. The return of the Braking Point mode and the renewed F1 World hub add even more substance to an excellent content offer. The graphics/physics engine is starting to show some signs of aging but is still valid. The ups and downs of the AI ​​are unfortunately still part of the experience, but on the other hand the multiplayer sector has been redesigned and should satisfy all players a little. This incarnation is ultimately good: in the future, however, we expect Codemasters to take more clear steps forward for the series.

Dordogne is a half-successful experiment. The excellent artistic direction is accompanied by a simple but functional gameplay, which also finds some inspired solutions in the completion of Mimi's diary. Unfortunately, in our opinion, the narrative sector moves on the same tracks only for the first half of the story. After effectively outlining the relationship between the protagonist and her missing grandmother, Dordogne in fact shifts the attention to other issues, which she however fails to address with the same attention.

If for wines there are memorable vintages and others less so, the same can also be said for the annual sports simulations. MotoGP 23 proves to be a perfect game for those approaching the world championship for the first time or for those who have skipped a couple of editions of the Milestone series. The neural aids and AI in general work, the new career has more bite and depth than previous incarnations and the dynamic weather conditions (including Flag to Flag) give a new dimension to the racing. Those who have played the 2022 edition, however, will find very few differences in the driving model (however improved) or on the graphics front. With the launch of RIDE 5 in a few months and a possible new chapter dedicated to SBK, Milestone has played it safe with a conservative approach, a bit too much for our tastes.

Rich in lore and full of interesting characters, the world of Shattered Heaven pushes the player to explore it, net of an overwhelming amount of information at times, which is a bit heavy especially in the second part of the adventure. The excellent artistic direction and the multifaceted combat system, thanks to the guessed card game structure, manage to keep the pleasantness of the experience high, net of some balancing problems, clearly evident especially during the boss fights. In any case, the title developed by Leonardo Production offers an interesting mix of playful elements, which fans of role-playing adventures with cards in hand should not underestimate.

ONE PIECE ODYSSEY - Reunion of Memories is an appendix to say the least listless. Net of interesting narrative premises at first glance, the DLC proved to be disappointing in every respect: an already superfluous and forgettable plot is in this case aggravated by the total removal of the exploratory component, which on balance translates into an extremely linear experience and boring, and from the exasperating recycling of settings and bosses already proposed by the main game. Except for a single semi-unpublished mechanic, which at least in theory should have increased the challenge rate, but which in practice does not greatly influence the overall difficulty of the expansion, the combat system does not offer anything new. Bearing in mind that the longevity barely settles on about five hours, the €25 required to be able to face the extra episode of the tie-in seem excessive and unjustifiable to us.

The playful formula of Amnesia: The Bunker is configured as the most articulated and varied in the entire history of the brand. The introduction of weapons proved to be pleasant, because it was far from a risky action drift. Even the fascinating setting chosen for this new iteration confirms the indisputable talent of Frictional Games in crafting digital nightmares. Ultimately, if you are a fan of the series or are simply looking for a horror that thrives on tension, characterized by a valuable level design and well-crafted gameplay, you have come to the right place: the Amnesia bunker is a place you will never forget easily.

Forspoken: In Tanta We Trust is a strange and half-successful experiment. Stripped of the crafting and all the secondary activities that characterized the vast world of Athia, the DLC focuses everything on the narrative, revealing an apparently essential background in order to continue exploring Frey's adventure. Without detracting from the quality of the plot, which in its final stages manages to reserve even unsettling twists, the downloadable content basically acts as a glue between Forspoken and its possible sequel, which at this point could really be part of the plans for the future of Square Enix. If we greatly appreciated the changes made to the combat system and the great focus placed on the cooperation between the two protagonists, we declare ourselves dissatisfied with the overall longevity of the DLC, in our opinion not exactly suitable for the entrance ticket (€ 12.50). With good reason, the purchase of In Tanta We Trust is recommended only for those few who loved the main game and would like to continue digging into the ever-rich mythology of Athia.

Etrian Odyssey Origins Collection is an excellent collection of three titles that have made the history of their genre. The gaming experience may be anachronistic for the youngest, but it is a nostalgia operation that works very well: beyond some aspects penalized by the console, such as the need to get a stylus not supplied to better map the dungeons, we are facing a return of a piece of history of the Nintendo DS. Among other things, the amount of content within the package is remarkable, to the delight of fans of the series.

The first version of Diablo 4 is a canvas on which the developers could, over the months, paint a true masterpiece. The equipment and progression system is extremely robust and lends itself well to the significant innovations that the team plans to implement in the production lifecycle, through patches and expansions. If Blizzard manages to keep the attention high on the title and make the right changes, we could be faced with a new milestone in the action RPG genre.

Street Fighter 6 is the new milestone of the genre. A mass of content never seen in fighting games, two distinct single player modes and an experimental and innovative online component. All seasoned with a dry and harmonious combat system, perfectly balanced in every part. Capcom's latest effort is an essential purchase for anyone who wants to approach fighting games. So it's time to put on your kimono and step back into the ring: the King of fighting games is back!

System Shock is back in a version that is a love letter to the original and to its fans, but which can also be an opportunity to rediscover an authentic video game classic for a new audience of enthusiasts. We have to overcome the obstacle represented by a gameplay that has remained anchored in the past, but - once this is done - we find ourselves faced with a memorable cyberpunk imagery, the same one that made an entire generation fall in love in the 90s. SHODAN awaits you in the Citadel: will you have the courage to face his evil machinations?

We were very sorry not to give at least the sufficiency to The Lord of the Rings: Gollum. But the limits are too many. The unpublished portion of the story is not up to Tolkien's saga and the playful phases are imprecise and obsolete. A thicker graphic rendering would have at least allowed fans to better enjoy some flashes of the pleasant artistic direction. In short, we hope that future patches will solve, if nothing else, the technical stumbling blocks. In any case, even if the stability of the game will improve in the future, Daedalic Entertainment's one is unfortunately not the treasure we wanted it to be.

The extensive possibilities for customizing the difficulty and fighting style make the production interesting for both veterans and newcomers to the genre, who will be able to find the right degree of challenge to accompany Elvis and Diggs on their journey to save the world.

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.

Ultimately, the new Piccolo Studio game, after the excellent Arise: A Simple Story, is another little gem that could delight fans of platform adventures, especially if sensitive to the passionate environmental message that the title tries to convey for the approximately 6/7 hours necessary to complete it. While generally solid, the gameplay shows its side to some critical issues, especially in the combat phases, but the breathtaking artistic direction alone is reason enough to embark on this bittersweet epic.

Artistically delightful and with a soundtrack signed by Takeshi Furukawa, Planet of Lana confirms itself as a narrative-driven adventure of excellent quality. The symbiotic relationship between little Lana and the tender Mui represents the fulcrum around which the authors of Wishfully build gameplay with puzzle and stealth elements. The result is a splendid journey of about six hours, which with a little more creativity could have reached even higher peaks.

We had a lot of fun playing LEGO 2K Drive. It is an interesting experiment, with a lot of potential, but also with some limitations. The light-hearted tone and the not exactly prohibitive level of challenge make it a title suitable for all ages and ideal for playing in company (also given the support for local multiplayer). The vehicle editor is the real extra gear of an imperfect and at times chaotic production, but full of style, which manages to position itself more than dignifiedly in a slice of the market where competition is ruthless.

With Honkai Star Rail, Hoyoverse has shown that its luck is not simple and that the success of its productions is due to the ability of the teams to create experiences that are open to all, able to involve thanks to well-characterized characters and gameplay that keeps glued to the screen. Despite the unoriginal plot and maps with a very rigid structure, the free to play from the creators of Genshin Impact boasts a turn-based combat system that proved to be spot on and some endgame modes that convinced us. It is therefore an excellent starting point that we hope will be supported consistently through the publication of events, characters and missions that keep users interested in the long term.

Net of some imperfections, Hunt the Night is a product that manages to entertain for its entire duration and beyond, given the presence of extra modes that offer bread for the teeth of fans of soulslike and the like. The simple and fast combat system, the well-studied puzzles and the goodness of the boss fights make the work signed by Moonlight Games an event not to be missed for fans of the genre, both on Nintendo Switch and on PC.

One of the best adventure games ever made. A playful and artistic titan, who gulps down the hours in a single bite, in a sumptuous banquet of possibilities, creativity, imagination. The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom may not have the disruptive impact that Breath of the Wild had because it grows from its roots, given the direct sequel nature. However, it bears new fruit. He possesses - and it is a great conquest - the courage to implement another type of revolution, enlarging, refining and ennobling every virtue of his predecessor. The legacy of the first Link epic on Nintendo Switch is still felt, both for better and for worse. With the legacy of a glorious past, Tears of the Kingdom builds a magnificent present, and opens wide the horizons for the future of the series. In fact, it has the power to stay connected to memory. Like a memory. Beyond the time.

Peridot is a very different title from other Niantic-branded productions. Without the competition offered by Ingress, the capture and above all the collectible aspect that allowed Pokémon GO to marry such an experience perfectly, the new mobile game of the Californian company presents itself at the moment as a rather meager and limiting Tamagotchi, seen that its main - not to say only - objective involves a substantial outlay of real money. If we add to this the numerous bugs and technological malfunctions found during our tests, without underestimating the exaggerated energy expenditure imposed on the batteries of mobile devices, we struggle to imagine a prosperous future for Niantic's albeit very sweet Peridots.

In conclusion, Darkest Dungeon II has taken a different path than its predecessor but its hardcore soul is intact and clearly visible. It is a ruthless, violent roguelite and embellished with a combat system of rare complexity which, after a few hours of experience and attempts, shows an incredible depth. Net of some problems mainly related to the excessive randomness of some mechanics, we are talking about a title that should not be missing in the luggage of any fan of the genre.

Xenoblade Chronicles 3: Future Redeemed is the answer to fans' dreams, as well as a solid bridge that inextricably links the first two numbered chapters of the franchise to the third. Indeed, to be completely precise, Tetsuya Takahashi has seized the opportunity to bring order to the continuity of "Xeno" and establish once and for all what is or is not part of it. Whether it's the end of the long narrative arc that began on Wii way back in 2010 or just the beginning of a new (Xeno) saga, Xenoblade Chronicles 3: Future Redeemed is undoubtedly an obligatory stop for any fan of the brand, who after years of doubts and speculations will find more or less all the coveted answers. A passionate love letter that we had hoped to read last year and which despite the delay has finally reached our homes.

Although not without flaws, Afterimage manages to stand out in the panorama of 2D adventures in metroidvania sauce, thanks to its wonderful backdrops, good level design and playful structure. Augoron Shanghai's efforts to make the journey interesting from start to finish are evident, and we believe that fans of intricate stories, labyrinthine maps and important boss fights should not miss the opportunity to step into the shoes of young Renee.

Redfall would have needed a more extensive development cycle, and a pinch of courage in building the structure. It is an imperfect product, but one that knows how to entertain when one finds oneself burying vampires in the company of friends, also given the presence of protagonists with unique abilities and an arsenal equipped with various types of death tools. For these reasons, Game Pass subscribers looking for a few hours of co-op leisure could give it a chance, but keeping one thing in mind: we are not at all facing the next evolutionary step of Arkane-branded productions.

Ultimately, our encounter with The Last Case of Benedict Fox gave us mixed feelings. On the one hand we find an interesting plot, embellished with some tasty twists and framed by an extremely fascinating setting. On the other side of the fence, however, we find an approximate technical realization and a general lack of refinement in the gameplay, defects that end up compromising the overall enjoyment of the work. The new Plot Twist project has been part of the Game Pass catalog since day one: for this reason we still feel like recommending it, at least to a certain extent, to fans of the genre who subscribe to the service. To all the others, however, despite the title being offered at a budget price, we suggest waiting for any patches that can at least solve the most obvious problems. In its properly finished form, The Last Case of Benedict Fox could in fact aspire to much higher qualitative peaks.

Star Wars Jedi: Survivor is a sequel worthy of the name. Respawn has expanded and improved everything that he had convinced us of his predecessor, starting with a well-written story and not without significant twists near the end credits. As far as the playful mix is ​​concerned, Cal Kestis' new journey has proved to be an excellent action adventure, with a rich and layered combat system and a truly satisfying exploratory component. Net of an underdeveloped bestiary and some oscillations in the field of animations, the Force flows powerfully in this space odyssey by EA, which also offers a show on the visual front.

The Mageseeker is a concentrate of speed and action, penalized only by a monotony of the stages and a scarce variety of contents offered in the exploration. Thankfully, the very deep and properly layered battle system manages to counter this issue. In the 15 hours needed to finish the adventure, The Mageseeker will certainly not encourage replayability or backtracking, but will be able to put your skills to the test even in secondary missions. In short, the sum of the parts makes this League of Legends spin-off worthy of being played even by those who are not a strict connoisseur of the Riot universe.

Another Fisherman's Tale proved to be a sequel that lived up to expectations. The duration of the adventure finally does justice to the production value, while the new mechanics based on the ability to manipulate the protagonist's body guarantee a fresh and original approach to solving puzzles. Net of some flaws in the control system, we appreciated the greater physical involvement required of the player during the experience. The narrative sector pushes us to want to know more about Bob and his daughter Nina, accompanied by a narrative voice that skilfully mixes lightness and poetry.

Stray Blade finds its ideal dimension among soulslikes for novices. The learning curve of the satisfying perfect parry and dodge mechanics isn't very steep and one way or another, escaping if necessary, you get to the credits in fifteen hours or so. The lore of the articulated world of Acrea is fascinating, the artistic direction that tells it panorama after panorama even more. Too bad that the fight animations are not the basis of an equally physical and engaging gameplay, which after a few hours begins to repeat itself in a very unattractive loop. If you are looking for a colorful and cartoonish action adventure, which soulslike only has the basic setting, however, you will not be disappointed. But don't expect anything else.