Advance Wars 1+2 Re-Boot Camp brings back to life a series that made the history of the genre and which the most loyal players missed. The title brings together the first two chapters of the saga, offering two pleasant campaigns and other modes that help increase the longevity of the experience, especially thanks to the online multiplayer component that opens the door to competitive challenge. Net of its light-hearted tones, we are talking about a package with layered gameplay and characterized by a large number of variables, with what it takes to satisfy even the most expert users. In short, the "old school" of turn-based strategy shines again on Nintendo Switch.

Despite the qualities of its best ingredients, including a valuable technical sector, Dead Island 2 presents itself at the launch appointment with a few too many sags, although the experience is still able to offer players twenty hours of brutal pleasure , especially in co-op.

Meet Your Maker is a particularly fun title thanks to the combination of shooting, exploration and construction of the fort. The playful recipe has proved to be fairly varied and never excessively monotonous, although the players' choices are still rather limited. In other words, insiders will have to continue to support the project so that the community can indulge in creating ever more ingenious bunkers and outposts but, more than anything else, capable of claiming countless victims.

Due to the IP on which it is based, Mighty Doom could attract loyal fans for some hit and run sessions, even capable of genuinely entertaining. As sometimes happens in the mobile dimension, however, at a certain point in the Slayer's death campaign, production limits also begin to emerge, linked to the low drop rate of equipment and excessive randomness in the generation of perks, which we remember to be very important for continuing the journey.

With Minecraft Legends, Mojang has hit the bull's-eye again. The attempt to overturn a usually complex genre to make it perfectly accessible to gamers of all ages has been successful, without however renouncing a layered gameplay, capable of giving satisfaction even to those who want to invest time in online modes. Of course, we would have liked some more content at launch and a greater variety in terms of both the single player and online components, but we are confident in post-launch support, usually one of the studio's flagships.

Capcom aims to make a new generation of players appreciate the work done by Inafune two decades ago. Mega Man Battle Network Legacy Collection proposes a dozen well-maintained titles embellished by an online sector, a mode that makes the fights less harsh and a couple of goodies (patch cards, for example) that veterans of the Game Boy Advance/ Nintendo DS will appreciate. Someone will complain about the lack of some famous spin-offs, but the package offered puts more than 200 hours of gameplay on the plate (to really complete everything you will have to invest twice as much). In short, Mega Man Battle Network Legacy Collection is an unmissable opportunity to rediscover/recover one of the most underrated Game Boy Advance series. The only doubt concerns the price of the collection which is definitely not cheap (59.

EA Sports returns to the virtual links in a big way, with a PGA Tour with a pleasant visual impact. Unfortunately, EA Tiburon's simulation isn't perfect: despite a refined game physics, the control system is still a bit immature (a three-click version is about to arrive), the customization of your alter-ego can still be improved and some choice of game design appears questionable, think for example of the lack of tutorial. The thirty routes proposed are welcome, while the roster lacks an icon like Tiger Woods, although the offer of the package remains satisfactory overall.

The cosmic deity imagined by H.P. Lovecraft remains immersed in his eternal sleep, because in the interesting video game concocted by Frogwares it is above all the influence of Arthur Conan Doyle that drives a narrative made up of investigations and common crimes, while the horrors of the astral planes remain hidden and can only be touched in short bursts. The plot of the work - which we remember to have been packaged in a very difficult context for its creators - maintains a good rhythm which leads us to overlook the excessive pathos of some exchanges and, although it does not propose anything original within the vast panorama dedicated to Sherlock Holmes, entertains for the approximately seven hours necessary to complete the adventure.

Helvetii is an action roguelike that doesn't feature any vaguely original ideas. Characterized by a below average longevity, it must however be recognized that the product partially compensates for its shortcomings with a high challenge rate and an artistic system that gives a nod to the sensational Vanillaware productions, without however fully equaling its visual rendering.

Except for the fascinating artistic component, which starting from that distant 2007 would become Vanillaware's trademark, GrimGrimoire OnceMore is an imperfect product and not quite worthy of the fame that the Japanese developer enjoys today, also because the reissue has retained most of the defects found in the original. However, since this is one of his very first works, we recommend its recovery not so much for RTS enthusiasts, who may find it too short and shallow, but for fans of George Kamitani and his incredible team of artists.

The Murder of Sonic the Hedgehog has many merits, above all the ability to once again decline the character of Sonic in another genre. By giving the right depth to each member of the cast, SEGA continues its worthy commitment to provide more layering to its universe. However, while the solution to the mystery is quite simple, the interlude minigame ends up - in the final stages - also being quite frustrating. In short, net of the short duration, the work appears a bit unbalanced in its playful components. In any case, it's about dedicating 2 hours to an excellent SEGA experiment, totally free, to spend an evening of fun with Sonic. It will be worth it.

Prequel to Road 96 and - at the same time - spiritual successor to Lost in Harmony, the new DigixArt title contains a multifaceted experience, in the name of hybrid gameplay and a story yet to be written. The system of moral choices and the racing phases inherited from the 2016 title manage to give shape to an engaging story and to transmit important messages on sensitive issues. On the other hand, it is clear how the desire to create a work of limited size has sometimes made the narration too frenetic and the races on the track too hasty. In short, we would have liked to see something more, but net of this Road 96: Mile 0 is confirmed as a good prequel, appreciable both by those who have played its sequel and by newcomers.

While confirming itself as the best baseball simulation on the planet, MLB The Show 23 has been experiencing the same problem for several years: the graphics sector. The next-gen seems to be a mirage for SDS which continues to bring back the same dated engine. It may be fine for PlayStation 4, Xbox One and Nintendo Switch but on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X / S (available on Game Pass) it is reasonable to expect more. While on the gameplay front the lack of implementation of the new MLB rules is perplexing, in terms of content World Baseball Classic and The Negro League are two excellent additions.

Even if it is not a full-blown sequel and does not do much to revolutionize the saga, The Walking Dead Saints & Sinners Chapter 2: Retribution remains that formidable mix of survival horror and action that focuses on immersion and physical involvement, fully centering the objective. The new weapons, faster pace and stealth mechanics introduced with the night missions are interesting enough additions to justify returning to spooky New Orleans. The quality bar rises significantly on PlayStation VR 2, thanks to a port that significantly improves the performance and graphics of the version originally released on Meta Quest 2.

Ravenbound is clear proof that having a good idea isn't enough to make a successful video game. While offering a decent combat system, the Systemic Reaction title is plagued by a number of hitches that cannot be overlooked. The presence of an open and freely explorable world has turned out to be a double-edged sword for production, given the low concentration of points of interest that makes moving around boring. Equally problematic are the camera and some enemy behaviors, which negatively affect what is good in the combat system. In short, just like in our first contact with the game, the feeling we had was that the product was not ready to debut on the shelves and still needed more or less marked interventions.

If the developers keep their promise to publish new free content and solve some problems, the first work of the Brno-based studio could carve out a small space in the gaming landscape, also thanks to its affordable cost.

The Gust Corporation team managed to surprise us again, completing the phenomenal evolution process to which its IP had undergone starting from the first Atelier Ryza. Despite having inherited most of the mechanics from the second episode, the last fundamental piece of the trilogy has the merit of having speeded up and streamlined every single aspect of the production, giving the player a decidedly more engaging rhythm. Both the narrative and the gameplay boast a depth never touched before by the Atelier series, which however continues to sin from a graphic point of view. Although the title is the result of cross-generational development, at least on PlayStation 5 we would have expected something more. Overall, however, Ryza's last summer is confirmed as a fun JRPG capable of giving rather strong emotions.

Net of a compelling story and well-characterized characters, Gomorrah presents a series of critical issues that are difficult not to take into consideration. Greater attention to the aesthetic side and to the management phases would certainly have helped to give the project an edge. Having said that, if the idea of playing a visual novel inspired by Saviano's novel interests you, you could still give this product a chance, also given its absolutely affordable price.

Tchia isn't an experience for everyone, but it's perfect for those who want to take a break from the frenzy and incessant fighting. At the same time, however, the proposed features are not as captivating as we expected, and the task of keeping the playful scaffolding up is up to the leap of the soul. Between sometimes exhausting explorations and somewhat repetitive clashes, such a peculiar and colorful setting could have been better exploited and managed in a more competent way, although it manages to constitute a perfect theater to host the narrated events, which instead we appreciated more than expected.

Instead of launching them individually, perhaps it would have been wiser for the publisher NIS America to offer the two episodes of Crossbell through a single pack.

There are several aspects of Mato Anomalies that don't work as we would have liked. As interesting and engaging as it is, the narrative scaffolding is in fact slowed down by the presence of verbose dialogues (moreover not dubbed) in the visual novel style, while the play system does not offer particularly original solutions. Nonetheless, we don't feel at all rejecting the creature of the independent studio Arrowiz, which, net of an obviously tight budget, has still been able to shape a fun, accessible JRPG supported by a good strategic component.

WWE 2K23 takes everything that was good in WWE 2K22 and improves it in every respect, eliminating some rough edges in the gameplay and adding substance to some modes that were beginning to feel the weight of the years.

Exciting, recognizable and modern, Resident Evil 4 is the example of how to make a remake. The team directed by Yasuhiro Anpo has managed to preserve the spirit of the source material, reintroducing memorable sections, spine-chilling settings and an iconic bestiary with few rivals. However, the whole adventure has undergone changes of various nature and extent, sometimes more showy, sometimes more subtle, but not insignificant for this. Leon's investigation in Europe pushes the accelerator on the action dynamics but without betraying the survival horror cornerstones of the series, also thanks to the work previously done by Capcom on the second chapter. Thanks to these attentions, the comparisons with the abominations of the Illuminados have maintained the right amount of tension and the lugubrious atmospheres of some scenarios have been further enhanced. Always in line with the world of B-movies, even the plot now enjoys greater solidity, testifying to a process of updating the experience that has left nothing to chance. A missed opportunity and small imperfections, therefore, have in no way managed to reduce the pleasantness of what has been confirmed as an unmissable appointment for fans of the series and the reference genre.

Have a Nice Death is a great Roguelite. The gameplay satisfies the discerning palate, as well as those accustomed to less than forgiving challenges. What the work lacks to really make the leap in definitive quality is greater structural diversification, with a few fewer concessions to redundancy. Only applause instead for the magnificent art direction and for the deadly funny writing. In short, dying has never been so pleasant as in the improbable Death Inc.

Being extremely close to the original concept, which at least in Japan was designed for the unfortunate PlayStation Vita, the hybrid nature of Nintendo Switch has returned to the product a portability that keeps boredom away and is well suited to its Pet Simulator mechanics. Among other things, since the "normal" difficulty proposed by the original version was unbalanced, in this round the developer B.B. Studio has introduced a new level of challenge that winks at anyone who is not particularly accustomed to the repetitive mechanics of the World series. If we add to this the possibility of running, overall Digimon World: Next Order appears more enjoyable than ever. Too bad only for Bandai Namco's decision, in our opinion unjustifiable, to offer the title for 60 euros: a truly exaggerated admission ticket for a product that has already been circulating since 2016 and which from a graphic point of view has not received the slightest tweak .

Destiny 2 The Eclipse is certainly not the worst content of the Bungie shooter, but at the same time it marks a drop in quality compared to last year's splendid expansion. Net of a visually impactful conclusion and the introduction of a spectacular subclass that alone is worth the ticket price, the penultimate DLC of the Light and Darkness saga fails in its objective of fomenting the Guardians and fully involving them in anticipation of the next move of the Witness, which will probably only show itself again in the Ultimate Form.

A truly unforgettable adventure.

There's a great way to enjoy the video game version of Blood Bowl: buy the second chapter, which sadly surpasses its successor in every possible way. Blood Bowl 3 manages to give some satisfaction in multiplayer mode but in general we are talking about an unstable experience, plagued by significant bugs and equipped with a single player component that we just can't recommend to fans of the series.

After the Fall is ultimately a fun co-op shooter with very solid gunplay, penalized along the way by a general lack of variety. Net of a sustained pace, which winks at the classic arcade light gun shooter, the Vertigo Games title can also be enjoyable for the players more sensitive to motion sickness, thanks to the numerous options available for comfort. The polished Complete Edition for PSVR 2 can also benefit from the technical upgrades of the viewer, starting from the exceptional haptic feedback of the Sense controllers which manages to restore an even more visceral feeling to the use of weapons. Having a focus on multiplayer, the lifecycle of the game will largely depend on post-launch support and user traffic on the servers, which we hope thanks to cross play will remain good, at least in the medium term. If you've ever wondered what it would be like to play a Left 4 Dead emulator in virtual reality, After the Fall is simply the right choice.

A pleasant and light-hearted game, which should be taken for what it wants to be: a love letter to younger DC fans, also capable of winking at the more mature ones. From the gameplay point of view, we are faced with a product without too many ambitions, with recycled assets and a very soft challenge curve, yet the whole adventure flows with ease. Even net of the structural repetitiveness, Cosmic Chaos remains an ideal game for novice users, who will be able to enjoy a light and genuine experience with their beloved superheroes.

The judgment on SX6 does not differ much from that of the previous episode: Milestone continued on the path traced last year, focusing on an even more accessible and customizable driving model to satisfy a wider audience. In terms of content there is not much to complain about: the spectacular "Rhythm Attack" has been added, cross-play has been implemented in multiplayer and some tweaks have been given to the other game modes. A refinement work that involved a bit of the entire Milestone simulation, in particular the AI and the physics engine. Despite the addition of a mentor like Jeremy McGrath, Career fails to be at the level of other motor productions. The same goes for the technical sector which still does not excite. And it's a pity: with graphics fully in step with the times and a Career mode of much greater depth, Milestone's racing would have been a little gem.

Fatal Frame Mask of the Lunar Eclipse proves to be too conservative, characterized by slow and anachronistic game rhythms. It is true, in any case, that structural changes could not be expected from a purely aesthetic remastering. For sure, historical fans will greatly appreciate the improved graphics, more realistic lighting, controls adapted to a traditional pad and the alternative costume compartment. Instead, those who have never tried a Fatal Frame will hardly digest a visibly dated play system.

Drawing on the soundtracks of all the main chapters of Final Fantasy and a good part of its increasingly numerous spin-offs, the Japanese partnership made up of Square Enix and indieszero has once again been able to give shape to an exciting rhythm game, which sees in the content component its main advantage. With its 385 tracks and an avalanche of collectibles to unlock, Theatrhythm Final Bar Line is in fact a must have for anyone who professes to be a fan of Final Fantasy, as well as an unmissable opportunity for newbies to taste the extraordinary musical accompaniments for the first time of the saga.

Return To Castlevania integrates into Dead Cells without distorting it, proving to be a heartfelt tribute and well placed within the flow of the main game. Fans of the Motion Twin title will find in the DLC the dynamism that has always distinguished the basic experience, plus new stages and exciting boss fights to overcome with equipment never seen before. However, given its harmony with the original adventure, Return To Castlevania is also a good starting point for those who, perhaps fans of the Belmont saga, want to get closer to Dead Cells: they will thus find themselves faced with the most complete version of one of the most magnetic , fun and challenging Rogue-Lite on the market.

Deliver Us Mars is a strongly story-driven adventure, which places great emphasis on the touching narrative sector, capable of making the player think continuously, and on the exploration of a planet full of mysteries: climbing the rocky walls of Mars works but it is the variety in terms of environmental puzzles to be lacking. The visual presentation is solid and, net of some imperfections and some drop in frame rate, embellishes this journey certainly suitable for lovers of the reference genre.

Wo Long Fallen Dynasty looks like a star that shines at times, suspended between bright peaks of gameplay and technical hiccups. In general, for those who want to test themselves, Team Ninja's latest effort is unmissable, also thanks to its debut on Xbox Game Pass, which will appeal to all subscribers. We are sure that the epic clashes staged in this epic will be able to stimulate you for hours, rewarding your efforts with a solid playful sector, held back only by a few choices born of a conservative mentality. We hope that in the future the collective will decide to abandon some of the stylistic features that distinguish the titles of this genre, so as to be able to take it to the next level definitively, also thanks to the power of the current generation consoles.

The inspired settings and the tactical element at the base of the gunplay are certainly appreciable but fail to make Scars Above go beyond the boundaries of sufficiency. Many of the errors and lightness are due to the youth of the development studio, which was still able to define a credible and in-depth lore and a complete but not fully satisfactory plot. If you have an immoderate passion for space and science fiction cinema, you might consider the idea of ​​accompanying Kate on her journey but, if not, the reasons that should push you to try it are considerably reduced.

Octopath Traveler II is basically a "more of the same". Although the Acquire guys have made various adjustments to the original formula, implementing interesting innovations such as the day / night cycle or the latent powers, none of them can be defined as truly impactful.

Those who keep a special memory of it since the days of the Wii will appreciate the myriad new features of this Deluxe Edition. Kirby Returns is therefore an excellent platformer and a fun party game; it remains only a bit of disappointment for the absence of online multiplayer especially if we consider the efforts that have been made to expand the multiplayer offer.

Company of Heroes 3 is certainly a solid production, whose path follows the path left by its two predecessors without particular deviations. But it's not a big problem that the gameplay has remained substantially unchanged, because that mixture between classic strategy (in greater doses) and simulation continues to work, offering a delicious depth that never leads to more rigorous complexity. The dynamic campaign is the most welcome novelty, and although it is not comparable in terms of richness of options to other congeners or to the 4X, it is an introduction to be fully appreciated. In short, Relic Entertainment's game will not be the bravest of the RTS, but it offers an experience of undeniable quality.

Atomic Heart tries to do everything it can and wants: in fact, it offers a combat system that mixes firearms and powers, and then lowers everything into an open world that is a bit of an end in itself. The possibility of building custom builds is not lacking, just as there is a very detailed crafting system. Yet the gameplay ends up stumbling when the extreme dynamism of the droids is contrasted by the heavy movements of P-3 (and the use of Polymers is not enough to change the cards on the table). In terms of artistic direction, on the other hand, the title of Mundfish finds its maximum expression, also thanks to the good lighting system. We would have just preferred a greater balance between the various playful components underlying the experience.

OddBallers presents itself as a potentially very fun title, but with an all too simplistic realization, which would certainly have benefited from greater care both in the expression of one's cheeky style and in the polishing phase. Since the idea behind the gameplay is so simple, we expect that in the future, with the right support, the Ubisoft title will be able to expand its already decent content offer, coming to constitute a good alternative in the field of party games.

Like a Dragon Ishin is a must-attend event for longtime fans of Kiryu Kazuma and other yakuza legends. It is in fact an adventure full of fanservice, both in the purely playful (with the Trooper Cards) and narrative fields, restored in Unreal Engine 4 to be even more pleasant from a visual point of view. At the same time, however, various aspects of the combat system and the very structure of the game world clearly indicate the true age of production, which has its roots in an era prior to the advent of the Dragon Engine, with everything that follows. Furthermore, as pleasant as it is to explore the mid-19th century Kyo, the events narrated have some imperfections, both in terms of effectiveness and rhythm, and fail to reach the same emotional peaks of the saga's cornerstones, such as the never forgotten Yakuza Zero.

Horizon: Call of the Mountain is a virtual reality game with an ordinary and "basic" gameplay formula when compared to the action adventures that make up the main saga. The difference, however, lies in the technology supporting the innovative features of PlayStation VR2, which enrich the sense of immersion thanks to excellent management of physics and movement sensors. All of this is enriched by a breathtaking visual frame that easily exploits the computing power of PlayStation 5 and that loudly thunders the gigantic production scope of an unmissable launch exclusive for PSVR2 owners.

While on the one hand we understand and appreciate Bandai Namco's decision to bring Tales of Symphonia to as many platforms as possible, in order to allow new generations to (re)discover one of the most important chapters of the franchise, on the other hand we strongly believe that such a lazy remastering is not the most effective (nor the most respectful) method to re-propose a great classic of the past and celebrate its twentieth anniversary. Except for the Switch version, which for its part can leverage portability, if you have a PlayStation 3 or in any case a gaming PC there is not a single reason why you could prefer the new remastered to the package entitled Tales of Symphonia Chronicles, which in addition to the base game also included its direct sequel. In short, this second remasterd is indicated only to anyone who does not have the aforementioned platforms and to those who wish to use them in handheld.

Arrived like a bolt from the blue, Valiant Hearts: Coming Home can only embellish the Netflix Games portfolio, even if we would have expected something more from the sequel to a rare pearl like The Great War. It's not about creative gaps, because what Old Skull Games did with the supervision of Ubisoft is in all respects a deferential recovery of that stylistic figure, updated and integrated also with the deepening of new themes. It is the excessive debasement of the playful component that sometimes makes it difficult to fully immerse yourself in an otherwise visceral and well-constructed story. In short, this "homecoming" is bittersweet just like the story - or rather, the stories - it wants to tell us: pungent and imperfect.

Evaluating Wanted: Dead means coming to terms with the past of the action genre. We repeat: we had a lot of fun during the most excited moments, fighting against some of the more particular bosses, or noticing the constant references to pop, cyberpunk and the history of video games from the 2000s. Unfortunately, however, the weight of technical inaccuracies and the The inconsistency of the plot, the slowness of the interludes between one explosion of violence and the next, are evidently out of tune and condition the charm of an experience which in any case is capable of entertaining the most irredeemable action fans.

Tomb Raider Reloaded is a simple and fun product that can keep you entertained for a few hours. After that, the problems that distinguish most of these free to play productions begin to emerge. The flow of gameplay is abruptly interrupted upon completion of the third location, a moment in which an insurmountable barrier is revealed that requires hours and hours of grinding or the use of a credit card to be able to be circumvented. The title of Emerald City Games is also less generous than other of its more illustrious colleagues and the lack of mechanics such as the automatic completion of the levels makes progression even less easy. In short, it is a perfect experience for a game every now and then, but which in the long run shows all its limits.

In these 20 years that separate us from Samus' three-dimensional debut, the videogame medium has evolved enormously and yet, while not presenting radical upheavals at the heart of the experience, Metroid Prime Remastered offers a fiercely current experience, which fits among the most important titles (and convincing on the graphic front) of the Switch library.

Hogwarts Legacy can be a manifesto of the heart that wins over reason. The one concocted by Avalanche Software is in fact an open world RPG that is not very stimulating in the dynamics of exploration and with a not entirely impactful role-playing formula, which could tire the most demanding players. However we believe that the flaws are well balanced by a good combat system, a great attention to detail and an impeccable art direction, which represents a true love letter to the Wizarding World and its fans.

Hi-Fi Rush is a gamble won hands down by Tango Gameworks. Venturing into unknown terrain, the software house behind The Evil Within and Ghostwire: Tokyo brings a light-hearted, stylish and addictive experience to the Microsoft ecosystem. One combo after another, the songs that accompany the crazy mission of Chai and his companions have conquered us, for a new IP that we hope represents only the first in a series of unexpected experiments for the Bethesda team. Hi-Fi Rush - available on Xbox Game Pass or in standalone format for 29.99 euros - is in short a thick action game, capable of giving gamers the most important thing: hours and hours of fun.

Today, as and more than then, Dead Space is an unmissable appointment for fans of the genre of reference and not only for those who loved the 2008 classic. Through careful interventions in every area of the experience, from the plot to the characters, up to specific playful elements and the pleasure of exploration, the guys from EA Motive have given us the best version of this cornerstone of videogame horror, further embellishing it with an audiovisual frame not without some uncertainty but of great value, which makes it even more disturbing the theater of horrors of USG Ishimura.

There was a moment in which we really feared for the success of Fospoken, which, due to a not exactly crystal clear communication from the publisher, often ended up making us feel mixed sensations. Confirming the impressions gained on the occasion of previous direct contacts with the product, however, the new creature of Luminous Productions convinces in every respect, without excelling in any field. While the staid pace of the isekai matrix plot is counterbalanced by surprising twists and turns that leave a love flavor, the albeit chaotic combat system and the exorbitant number of optional activities offered by an open world that is anything but empty compensate for a surrender visual not quite state of the art.

OmegaBot is a very basic action platform, certainly enjoyable, even in its brevity but without real distinctive elements. The mechanics linked to the shooting are not enough to characterize it, nor does a certainly appreciable level design enhance it enough, but which suffers from two important problems: the excessive simplicity in the first hour of play, the lack of gimmicks capable of varying the action in the subsequent.

Despite the initial misgivings, Fire Emblem Engage has proven to be a solid and articulated strategy, which mixes the fundamental characteristics of the saga with great attention to a rich slew of functional and inspired innovations. With the introduction of the Breach and the numerous mechanics related to synchronization, the guys from Intelligent Systems have indeed added new layers of depth to an already sublime strategic component and to the customization of the party, offering an always adequate and pressing level of difficulty . However, the proverbial - and somewhat unexpected - icing on the cake is represented by a visual system of great impact and more than satisfactory technical performances, which represent a surprising step forward compared to what was seen in Three Houses. Whether or not you know the various heroes recalled from the past, we suggest you make it your own and let yourself be enchanted by a brilliant and varied combat system.

The route traced by the guys from ILCA is undoubtedly the right one, which is why we hope that the studio will continue to work on the license in the years to come and that it can therefore perfect the shot with a hypothetical sequel.

Ultimately, Matthias Linda's video game is a must for fans of the genre as well as for those who want to approach JRPGs in an accessible way, in the name of absolute excellence.

Vampire Survivors is a surprising and well-packaged title, supported by a formula capable of kidnapping the user to drag him into a continuous succession of high-intensity pyrotechnic battles. By putting a simple but effective gameplay loop at the center of the proposal, Poncle has built an experience full of reward mechanics, expertly administered to push the user into a tunnel made of addiction and fun. Son of a talent for game design that we hope will continue to amaze us in the years to come, Vampire Survivors is therefore a title that is absolutely worth trying, especially considering the negligible cost of Luca Galante's work.

Crossfire Legion marks a misstep for BlackBird Interactive, a software house that has its fair share of experience in the field of RTS. Precisely for this reason we were negatively surprised to experience a product of this kind, all in all valid from a technical or artistic point of view, but rather monotonous and uninspired in the tactical-strategic components. Ours is not a complete rejection, but in essence we find it difficult to recommend the purchase of Crossfire Legion to anyone who is not already a diehard fan of the franchise.

Vibrant and colorful, Dragon Quest Treasures is a fun and entertaining action RPG, which we recommend to both newbies and experts of the genre. Due to the excessive backtracking and the expected cyclical routine of the gameplay, it may not be the classic title to devote entire days to, but on the other hand, the spin-off lends itself very well to fleeting sessions, perhaps aimed at interspersing much more demanding activities. The most successful elements of the package are the combat system, satisfying and intuitive, and the amount of content, which we are convinced will be able to give you many hours of entertainment in the always fascinating Dragon Quest universe.

Signalis is a survival horror characterized by ingenious and truly stimulating puzzles: solving even just one can give great satisfaction and pushes us to continue the journey of the frightened protagonist, based on a well-finished and fascinating plot. Some game design choices certainly had a negative impact on the pleasure of the second part of the adventure but net of these critical issues Signalis is a good survival horror, which fans of the genre - especially if you subscribe to Xbox Game Pass - should definitely else try.

Master of Magic, a remake of the 1994 strategy classic, brings back to life a perhaps unjustly forgotten title, but responsible as much as colleagues with the most high-sounding names for having contributed to the success of the 4X genre. The work of the development team seeks and obtains fidelity to the original material but also presents unexpected simplifications. In any case, longtime enthusiasts would do well to prepare themselves for a long, very long journey to become sorcerer supreme, but this time in a mostly effectively modernized experience.

Just the indomitable creativity of the development team, which also shines on the aesthetic side, makes High on Life a production worthy of the attention of the public, especially of that large audience of players who recognize Rick and Morty as one of the most brilliant animated series of the last years.

The good work done in giving a new form to the myth of Baba Yaga, updating the legendary witch of Slavic folklore through a plot whose ending will be decided by us, is too frequently overshadowed by the structural naiveties of a perhaps overly ambitious production.

The impact of the new textures and a revised lighting system in almost every part allows you to appreciate the adventures of the Witcher par excellence like never before, with a cinematic cut made even more effective by the addition of Ray Tracing and with unprecedented fluidity choosing to opt for the performance mode. Wisely selected the mods produced by the community, and equally effective those created from scratch to rejuvenate the most obsolete mechanics of the original game, which now benefits from a fresher and more dynamic interaction system and a close-up view that favors immersion in the exploration and combat.

Arkanoid: Eternal Battle saves itself in the corner thanks to a series of ancillary methods which, between classicism and modernity, know how to pay homage in an at least dignified way to a work that has made the history of the medium. As for its battle royale heart, unfortunately, it must be noted that it has a certain difficulty in pulsating, too inconsistent and frequented by the community to justify, on its own, a ticket price that is not so low.

Warhammer 40,000 Darktide is a title that needs more content and some tweaking. Graphically it is excellent and the play of light and shadow, in particular, make some moments even memorable. However, the balance between the classes needs to be reviewed, as well as the in-game economy and the cost of aesthetic elements. In any case, when lived with a handful of connected players, Darktide manages to be appreciated at its best but in some hours the shadow of repetitiveness makes itself felt. As for the Warhammer 40,000 lore, the game is steeped in it, but an audible and non-influential background radiation remains. The launch on Game Pass can help support the experience in the short term, when the novelty effect is still hot but it is clear that the production will need worthy support from the developers to continue to entertain the public.

Between HD remastering and complete remake, Crisis Core -Final Fantasy VII- Reunion is a thick reissue that keeps the valuable narrative component of the original unchanged, today more than ever essential to fully understand the increasingly complex mythology of the seventh fantasy the final. By intervening on the fluidity of the combat system and even reworking the infamous OMD system, Square Enix has managed to rejuvenate and improve a still valid play system. On the flip side, however, the graphic restoration was only partially successful, as the landscapes and polygonal models of the secondary characters would have needed touch-ups of a much different entity. While waiting for Final Fantasy VII Rebirth to reach the launch pad, Crisis Core still represents an obligatory stop for fans of the saga, perhaps even more than it was fifteen years ago.

Our test of Harvestella took place on Nintendo Switch, but the JRPG is also available on PC. With a playful soul in constant balance between Action RPG and life-simulator, the JRPG alternates real-time battles, cultivation of the fields and socializing activities with your travel companions. A pleasant narrative, even if not excessively original, relaxed rhythms and an interesting artistic sector are combined with not too in-depth gameplay dynamics. For players looking for a relaxing adventure, which alternates between clashes and agricultural simulation without putting too many variables on fire, Harvestella still represents a valid and long-lived option.

Among Us VR is a well-crafted game that is fun in company and, at times, capable of generating tension. The underlying experience remains almost the same as the title for smartphones, tablets, consoles and PCs, but it has mini-games designed specifically for virtual reality, trivial but effective. Experiencing the investigations in space with a helmet constitutes an encounter with the countless memes seen from 2020 to today, and perhaps this is the factor that will initially drive the VR version of the game, which in all probability will continue to ensnare only the community of aficionados.

It's ironic how a product called "Unbound" is, in contrast, still so harnessed by the canons of traditional open world racing games, resulting all too similar to its direct predecessor. Need For Speed Unbound is a solid title overall , provided, however, that you approach it without too many pretensions. Net of some structural problems that can make you turn up your nose, the game manages to entertain, thanks to a deep customization of the vehicles and a multiplayer that works properly. The original sin, however, lies in the wanting to insist on a slightly lazy playful formula. production that unfortunately does not deviate from the trend that starts from Burnout Paradise and links all the Need For Speed released in the last decade, son of a repeated life a little indolent. There is therefore a need for Electronic Arts to get back on track and engage the turbo as soon as possible, if it wants to return to excel in the panorama of arcade driving games.

On the scenic front, The Callisto Protocol hits the bull's-eye with a first-rate, forward-looking visual presentation, and with a long series of intense encounters with horrific monstrosities, which react credibly to the electric baton blasts that hit them. Alternating body to body shooting or the use of the gravitational glove can give real adrenaline rushes but not the tension that many expected. From the progression at times not very stimulating, up to some playful imbalances, which emerge above all in the course of specific boss fights, this horror-tinged action is certainly a "good first" for Striking Distance Studios but, also thanks to a problematic narrative sector, it failed to express - sadly - its full potential.

Marvel's Midnight Suns kept us glued to the screen for hours, making the most of each of its playful components.

Overall, Call of Duty Warzone 2.0 is a better product than its predecessor in almost every respect. The gameplay takes advantage of the small additions of the latest Modern Warfare 2, the positioning of the loot is finally believable and the DMZ mode, despite being in Beta, already looks promising right now. At present, Warzone 2.0 has some gameplay imperfections and numerous technical problems that affect the experience both when navigating the menus and within the game itself. We hope that the situation will improve in the coming weeks, so as not to overshadow the excellent work done by the Activision teams in packaging this experience of absolute importance for Call of Duty.

The resurrection of a saga that already failed to win the hearts of players twenty years ago turns out to be a bit empty, like the coffin that Grave carries on his shoulders: the developers of Iggymob offer an extremely simple experience through a shooter third-person shooter with basic mechanics, fixated on repeating shooting to mow down wave after wave of helpless enemies. The long and always identical corridors that form the backdrop to the carnage of the resurrected gunslinger frame an all too meager playful recipe, weakened by a spartan technical realization and by a basic repetitiveness that is revealed within a few hours. The artistic direction of Yasuhiro Nightow is evident in a character design very close to the lines admired in Trigun, but it is not enough to elevate what remains an unambitious product.

OlliOlli World Finding the Flowzone is certainly the most successful expansion of the two that make up the Season Pass of the Roll7 game. Thanks to a considerable variety of stages and the introduction of even more complex paths than those we have been used to in recent months, it is impossible that this content does not meet the tastes of players who have loved the title and who are looking for an excuse to get back on the skateboard and put into practice all the tricks learned. The only flaws of this DLC concern the limited amount of time required to reach the credits and the presence of bugs, which could annoy the most competitive players and make it difficult for them to climb the global rankings.

Evil West is not a cornerstone of the action genre, but it is a product supported by a solid and fun combat system. Facing hordes of monstrous creatures with a vast and customizable arsenal through numerous upgrades is rewarding enough to overshadow the not excellent technical realization, as well as a narrative that is not without flaws. Not to be negligible is also the inclusion in the package of an online cooperative mode which could be the perfect excuse to relive Jesse Reinter's epic alongside a friend, perhaps to unlock every single secret and make the slaughters even more fun. monsters.

Ghost Song left a slight bitterness in our mouth when we consider its remarkable potential. The story conquers, the maps and in general the level design of the game are well built, while the variety of the clashes and the role-playing component work (initially) very well. Unfortunately, the average difficulty does not grow with the passing of the hours and on the contrary turns downwards, thanks to some devastating power ups and a general repetition of the enemies. Despite these critical issues, Ghost Song has amused and fascinated us, which is why we still recommend you try it, especially if you are an Xbox Game Pass subscriber.

Goat Simulator 3 is an ode to unbridled fun, a jumble of easter eggs, absurd and "deliberate idiocy", capable of giving healthy entertainment to all those who choose to play the sheep once again. Thanks to simple but fun multiplayer activities and a pool of weapons and cosmetic items to be collected, clearly to wreak havoc on the town at the center of the experience, the game of Coffee Stain knows how to give smiles and surprise, with its repetitive missions but guess what and the catastrophic consequences of the actions of this bleating goat and a little Dragonborn.

More long-lived, rich and experimental than the other episodes, The Devil in Me concludes the first season in a somewhat discontinuous way. What on the one hand adds to the playful formula, on the other subtracts it in terms of narrative rhythm. Thanks to the usual multiplayer modes, and the possibility of collecting special coins along the hotel to unlock some extras in the main menu, the last piece of the tetralogy is the most dense but also the most bulimic: it always remains disturbing and refined on the side of the atmosphere, however, takes a step backwards in terms of cohesion between its parts. For now, the curtain falls on the Supermassive anthology, with a fairly positive overall balance, if only for the team's ability to have shown us, from time to time, the many shades of horror.

Summing up the new Pokémon game always means triggering a conflict between heart and head. By heart, among other things, Scarlet and Violet have plenty to sell. Although very diluted and with a very staid pace, the plot entertains and surprises especially at the end, and the many supporting actors of this new epic are among the funniest and most intriguing of the entire franchise. Overall, Game Freak packs a fun and content-rich adventure, despite some of the new features not fully convincing. The open world works but at the same time is limited by a great underlying repetitiveness, while some of the most interesting achievements achieved by the spin-off on Arceus have been revised and adapted - not always positively - for the new formula. Unfortunately, to weigh on the final judgment are the many technical problems on which it is now really impossible to postpone. In the hope that the development team, sooner or later, will be able to align their productions with current generational standards, we can still assert that the new pair of Pokémon games is interesting.

Summing up the new Pokémon game always means triggering a conflict between heart and head. By heart, among other things, Scarlet and Violet have plenty to sell. Although very diluted and with a very staid pace, the plot entertains and surprises especially at the end, and the many supporting actors of this new epic are among the funniest and most intriguing of the entire franchise. Overall, Game Freak packs a fun and content-rich adventure, despite some of the new features not fully convincing. The open world works but at the same time is limited by a great underlying repetitiveness, while some of the most interesting achievements achieved by the spin-off on Arceus have been revised and adapted - not always positively - for the new formula. Unfortunately, to weigh on the final judgment are the many technical problems on which it is now really impossible to postpone. In the hope that the development team, sooner or later, will be able to align their productions with current generational standards, we can still assert that the new pair of Pokémon games is interesting.

Vile Monarch packs an experience that manages to stand out in the panorama of post-apocalyptic themed city builders, at least on the aesthetic front. From the point of view of the gameplay we would have preferred to see carried forward that vein of innovation that distinguishes the management side of relations between clans. Unfortunately, on the whole, the game has been able to capture the most successful aspects of other exponents of the genre to which it refers, without daring to detach itself from playful elements already repeatedly proposed over the last few years. In any case, city builder fans may appreciate Floodland for the solidity of the mechanics implemented and for its vision of a future that is anything but surreal.

While not reaching the expressive heights of Limbo or Inside, Somerville is placed in the wake of Playdead's videogame experiments. Jumpship's first work offers intriguing suggestions on the artistic and thematic front, but fails to translate the amount of stimuli proposed into a truly concrete narrative message. An unsettled contrast between level design, direction and game mechanics is unfortunately the background to the entire experience, which thus fails to fully express its potential. With a total duration of about 4-6 hours and several endings - all equally hermetic - to be gutted, Somerville could still conquer fans of the reference genre, even without representing one of the best exponents.

The availability of Pentiment from the launch on Game Pass will encourage even those who do not normally love narrative adventures to give a chance to the excellent work signed by Josh Sawyer and Obsidian Entertainment, which adds a gem of great value to the crown of Xbox Game Studios and his bright career.

Although several decades have passed since its debut on the market, Tactics Ogre continues to be one of the best exponents of the strategic genre and the new re-edition packaged by Square Enix has been able to greatly increase the smoothness of the experience. Although with some exceptions, the tricks made to the playful dough have been able to rejuvenate the title with an old-school flavor, making it palatable even in the eyes of the new generations. On the flip side, however, the technical sector does not defend itself as well. Our advice is therefore to use it on the small screen of the Nintendo Switch, which thanks to portability will be able to partially mask the age of a milestone like Tactics Ogre.

At the time of landing on the planet Star Ocean: The Divine Force we had many reservations, mostly due to the disappointment reserved for us by the previous episode. Putting aside the technical sector, which appears unfortunately dated even by the standards of the last generation, the new game packaged by the tri-Ace guys has progressively won our sympathy with an engaging story and suitably rejuvenated gameplay. Not everything convinced us fully, but overall Star Ocean: The Divine Force can be seen as a good starting point for a series that we believed was now doomed, and which on the contrary has strongly shown that it still has something to say.

Too little remains to save The Ram from Hibernia from the abyss of mediocrity that pervades the horizon by tackling the story alone, a sign of how the game is limited only to exploiting a famous license to attract attention by putting little or nothing of its own.

An imperfect yet amusing title, capable of showing us the potential face of the hedgehog's future.

Football Manager 2023 is the natural evolution of last year's edition, and brings with it some innovations aimed at making the gaming experience more comfortable and immediate. The section called the Squad Plan is that tool you don't realize you need until you have it available and when you become familiar with it it is hard to do without it. UEFA licenses add atmosphere to cup matches and market dynamics are increasingly realistic, although still perfectible. Once again, the smallest progress concerns the technical sector, which instead was - and unfortunately remains - the area with the widest room for improvement, but overall this does not undermine an overall judgment, because Football Manager is above all tactics and transfer market and from these points of view continues to be the number one managerial for all fans of the sport to which it is dedicated.

Honey, I Joined a Cult uses the same cynicism already seen in Cult of the Lamb to decline it in a totally managerial sauce, and it does so with great success. In the face of some aesthetic choices that are not exactly inspired and of options in the missions at times with a somewhat obscure outcome, the title developed by Sole Survivor Games fully convinces, also thanks to the wide range of options. And now you will have to apologize, but we must return to venerate the supreme Parasaurolophus: it will also be a herbivorous dinosaur, but it is better not to make it angry ...

The Chant is a horror movie with some interesting ideas. The narrative intrigues the user and encourages him to venture into the darkest corners of Glory Island. The story, however, loses its bite at the end, failing to keep up with what was shown in the first hours of the game. The combat, the survival component and the vital parameters of Jess, are elements well amalgamated with each other, although they do not manage to affect the gameplay in a fully effective way. In short, we are talking about a first discreet test for Brass Token, which we hope can return with a more refined and scary horror in the future.

We certainly appreciated both the expansion of the explorable scenarios, as well as that of the environmental enigmas that mark the progression, among the meshes of a world capable of kidnapping the senses in a continuous succession of breathtaking views. In short, net of some small roughness, the latest work by Santa Monica Studio has given us an extraordinary experience, destined to leave an indelible mark in the collective memory of the videogame audience. we certainly appreciated both the expansion of the explorable scenarios, as well as that of the environmental enigmas that mark the progression, among the meshes of a world capable of kidnapping the senses in a continuous succession of breathtaking views. In short, net of some small roughness, the latest work by Santa Monica Studio has given us an extraordinary experience, destined to leave an indelible mark in the collective memory of the videogame audience.

Call of Duty Modern Warfare 2 lays the foundations for the future of the series and does so with solid gameplay and a wide and varied play offer, since in a single package you can find a good campaign, a not too rich cooperative mode of content but still fun and a multiplayer that will probably be able to entertain for months thanks to the post-launch support. The critical issues are not lacking but on the whole we can be satisfied with what Infinity Ward and the teams involved have managed to offer us.

Crossing the borders of the RPD or Casa Baker and fighting to the death - only to come back to life as a biological weapon and follow up on the fight - is as fun as it sounds, even without characters more effective than others and of the luck factor, which certainly characterizes what is an experience characterized by lightness. Unfortunately, however, Resident Evil Re: Verse has reached the launch poor in content, with only two maps, a single game mode and an uninteresting support apparatus. The cost of celebrations, skins and secondary elements, in fact, is high and the Battle Pass paths, even the Premium one, have failed to arouse our interest as long-time fans. In the future, things could change but in the current state of things the title of Neobards Entertainment does not have the back to entertain fans for more than a few hours.

NHL 23 is an improved and refined version of last year's edition. EA Vancouver had declared that it had taken advantage of all the criticisms raised by its passionate community: so it was. Too bad that to improve the playing experience on ice and offer greater realism, the team sacrificed everything else. It is not enough to have cleaned up the audiovisual sector, improved the AI, retouched the Franchise mode or added the possibility of playing with the IIHF girls: everything else is more or less the same as seen in NHL 22 and given the premises it was it is reasonable to expect more.

Asterigos: Curse of the Stars does everything discreetly, but nothing really well. It is a full-bodied production in practice, because it combines an extended narrative with a playful system full of interesting features. However, his very appreciable desire to be easily usable is not able to combine a good underlying complexity. The simplicity and immediacy of the individual game elements often represent more of a limit than an added value, with the adventure that just can't shake off that feeling of enjoyable but inconsistent lightness.

Fun in single and fabulous in company, Gunfire Reborn is an adrenaline-fueled, frenetic roguelite shooter (if you are not a Game Pass subscriber, it must be said that the purchase cost of the product is still quite low) and capable of giving hours and hours of healthy and carefree shootings. To the solid gunplay, Duoyi Network has added a well-layered RPG component able to make every game session unique and heart-pounding.