It's a great tactical experience per se, and also a nostalgic homage to a masterpiece of old, one that will really please fans of the genre.

Assassin’s Creed Origins is a clever chapter, able to renew the spirit of the saga without changing it. Some RPG elements, a beautiful art design and a quite solid combat system allow Origins to become a new starting point for the series.

Worms Crazy Golf, thanks to challenging game mechanics, gives the player a mix of generes that is fresh and really funny.

The added value of the collection lies in its encyclopedic nature. You can examine detailed scans of the original packaging, cartridges and manuals in the US, EU and JAP editions, discovering precious details about the lore and world of the game. A gallery of illustrations, development documents and a compilation of all the soundtracks complete a truly rich package that demonstrates attention and love for the medium. Technically the porting is fluid and impeccable, although I recommend abandoning the analog sticks in favor of the directional cross to have greater control and precision in movements. Furthermore, remaining in the Playstation ecosystem, I found it perfect to play on Portal (both streaming and in the cloud). Ultimately, this is not a lazy emulation but a true operation of historical memory, restoring dignity to a series that contributed to defining the canons of a genre that continues to inspire modern titles. Super Bomberman Collection is not just a gift to the nostalgic to recover a glory of the past, but a bridge for the new generations, so that they can discover how a simple bomb could have laid the foundations of the video game.

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

In Batman Armored Edition the GamePad is not working perfectly, banalizing the experience and forcing some features that feels unnecessary.

After the last chapters, the official third episode of the series manage to renew some gameplay mechanics, thanks to the amazing beauty of the Frontier and to the well designed naval battles.

The PC version of Dark Souls is one of the poorest console portings of the last five years. The charm of the game remains unchanged, but the low resolution and the bad optimization for keyboard controls are clearly visible.

NBA 2K13 on Wii U remains the best sports simulation available.

Tunic is an unmissable adventure for all those who love to immerse themselves in an enveloping, mysterious world full of secrets to discover. Artistically delightful and with a satisfying and fun combat system, the Indie signed by Andrew Shouldice knows how to turn into an addictive challenge, whose puzzles end up populating the minds of the players even when they don't have the pad in their hands.

Shadow Tactics: Blades of the Shogun is a brilliant revival of the "hardcore stealth tactical games" formula. The german developer Mimimi Productions overcome the tradition by offering some new features that surely modernizes the original gameplay. Shadow Tactics: Blades of the Shogun is fun and challenging, with some technical issues.

It's not the best Super Smash Bros so far, but it perfectly fits on the handheld and has an impressive amount of content.

DMC: Devil May Cry sublimates the best of the genre and conquest PC user with a fast-paced and eye-catching title, made of pure action.

This HD Remaster edition has an impressive amount of redesigned and unpublished contents, and a compelling graphics update.

Shovel Night brought us back to a time where platform was the bedrock of gaming and dying didn't use to scare the players.

Quotation forthcoming.

It's a great DLC, adding two game modes that actually expand on the original experience in a successful way.

A new, interesting and fun-filled adventure for Hearthstone. Fans of the game will spend some great time with the PVE content, and the new cards will surely impact the meta in still unpredictable ways.

PES 2017 is on the right path. The team assembled a less frenetic gameplay, and peppered the game with interesting features, improving a solid structure that continues to consolidate over time. Too bad for the usual licenses issue, even if the premium partner is a good solution that will bear its fruit in the coming years.

Holedown risks being overwhelmed by the gigantic offer of puzzle games for smartphones and tablets.

Citizen Sleeper 2 doesn't overturn the formula of its predecessor, but it improves it in every way. The story is better paced and broader in scope, thanks to the possibility of exploring the Starward Belt far and wide. The cast is larger and the characterization of the characters is deeper, so much so that it is impossible not to develop a deep empathy with all the supporting characters, starting with Serafin. The game mechanics are more immediate, thanks to the purging of the less effective elements of the predecessor and a cleaner interface. The constant sense of having someone on your tail, of being stuck in a ruined body and of not having time and resources, provides further pathos, gluing you to the screen for hours and amplifying the emotions felt. If all this were not enough to make Citizen Sleeper 2 a small masterpiece, we can add a harsh and subtle social criticism, deep and sharp, but not without shades of optimism.

Marvel VS Capcom 3 comes with a lot of fun and fine game mechanichs that gives to expert players the opportunity to chain unbelivable combinations.

Ultimately, Lies of P: Overture is configured as a further testimony to the crystalline talent of the Korean developers of Neowiz and Round 8 who, after having hit like a hurricane in a seemingly saturated market such as that of soulslike action/RPGs, replicate the winning scheme by declining it in an adventure with even darker tones, supported by a powerful imagery and an exciting story. Net of some qualitative contraction in some moments and a not exactly stellar duration, the expansion of Lies of P will certainly delight those who loved the epic of Geppetto's favorite son. Are you ready to return to tread the streets of Krat?

We did not expect Lacrimosa of Dana to be so deep, hectic, and fun.

The adventure in the world of Machinarium is an exciting discovery of beautifully designed details and strange machines, which will entangle the player in an alien world made of weird laws, defining a new way for the point and click genre.

Nioh 2 remains an obligatory purchase for fans of the most hardcore recreational experiences, although we cannot help but hope that a possible sequel will bring much more ambitious ideas into play.

One of the most interesting Indie Game of the year. Frozen Synapse offers a different kind of warfare strategy, and all the fans of the genre should try it.

Junk Jack is the most near example of Terraria porting with Minecraft crafting system. But its major flaw it's the fact that it does run on a 3,5'' screen, which make you feel disoriented and limited. It's a pity, because its crafting system is great and it could guarantee a long life to itself.

A bittersweet compromise, a conversion that heavily sacrifices resolution, general and textures, to preserve all its essence.

As anticipated in the introduction, Monster Hunter Rise: Sunbreak is a great DLC, an ambitious expansion that greatly enriches the base experience. The product significantly improves and expands the combat system, the movement system and even introduces a new offline mode based on the use of companions controlled by artificial intelligence, so as to further enhance the gaming experience. On the bestiary front, the new entries of the DLC are fewer than those of Iceborne and concentrated in the final phase of the main campaign. The already announced post-launch support, which apparently will last until 2023, will further expand Sunbreak's offer, so as to make it even more mammoth than it is today.

The visual refresh does its duty, modernizes without overdoing it, and gives a sufficiently fluid and clean glance. For its part, Vanquish does not retain the same immortal charm as Bayonetta, but remains - even after ten years - a noisy and electrifying third-person shooter, rejuvenated by a graphic brush that enhances its most spectacular soul.

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.

Sine Mora is a must have for fans of scrolling shooters and owners of a Playstation Vita.

The feeling is that Sports Interactive wanted to perfect everything that was already working, trying to put a nice patch on what was wrong and postponing the innovations / revolutions to the post pandemic. It remains, however, the best football managerial simulation on the planet.

Quotation forthcoming.

Yakuza 0 is probably the best episode of the series. A gaming experience which you should try once in your lifetime. A great crime-story which will not disappoint you.

Quotation forthcoming.

Turning a blind eye to the graphics and taking into account the limits of Joy-Con with such a technical title, Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 1 + 2 remains a gem even on Nintendo Switch, albeit much less brilliant.

It is a product devoted primarily to its (resilient) community, in continuity with its predecessor, determined to recover its structure and philosophy. But it is also a much more welcoming title for newbies.

Mario Kart 7 is the same incredibily funny Mario Kart. The balance between driving ability and item usage is not perfect, but the formula still works.

If you take into consideration the single player campaigns and those alone, then what you get is a wonderful remaster, one of the best ever done on a famous brand. On the other side, if you're interested in the online (as you probably will be), just know that the current issues won't let you enjoy any of it,and that's not just an enormous issue, but an unforgivable misstep as well.

Gesundheit offers an original gameplay formula, and is one of the most interesting games on the portable market.

It's a great twin stick shooter, one that delivers some great moments of pure fun.

Darksiders 2 on Wii U is more or less the same as on other "current gen" consoles. However the game suffers bad optimization in graphics.

Pikmin 3 Deluxe is the definitive re-edition of a jewel that arrived at the wrong time in 2013, on the wrong console.

In The Alters many souls coexist. It is a strategy game, a third-person survival game and an action game. It is a title with a strong narrative imprint, with an exciting plot and characters of great charisma, but it also has an effective gameplay formula and solid gameplay loops. Almost everything in the game makes sense: the story, which also takes up the classic themes of Western science fiction, is enjoyable and keeps you in suspense until the end; the management phases within the base are satisfying and push you to carefully manage the (little) time and (many) available resources, to be wisely divided between main objectives and pleasant secondary quests. Only the external exploration phases leave a bitter taste in the mouth, in which 11 Bit pays for its more than ten-year specialization in genres where adventure and action are only side elements - when not completely non-existent.

Rogue Legacy is a true masterpiece, backed by a meticulous balancing.

BattleBlock Theater amazes thanks to a captivating art direction, a tantalizing plot and gameplay embellished with an always stimulating level design.

Castlevania: Lords of Shadow is one of the best action game of this generation. A mature and deep storytelling and a variegated gameplay figures out a solid structure that blends with a good graphic design. The game offers 15+ hours of unique gameplay and a great replay value. The only issue is a steady camera that results in a lot of problems during combat stages and explorative sections.

We have a cast of stellar characters, the best graphics ever sported by the series, one of the most balanced combat systems, among the best side-stories ever and many new and old minigames - it will be very difficult to say no to this game.

The adjective that better than any other could describe Blue Prince is "immense". A procedural puzzle game, roguelite in nature, reinvented starting from the mechanics of board games and transformed into a videogame with an exciting exploratory factor, which invites you to take pen and paper to always have the clues needed to solve the puzzles. The challenges posed on the chessboard of the mansion of Mt. Holly are revealed naturally, allowing you to admire not only the extreme variety and elegance of the puzzles, many of which are directly connected to the game structure itself, but also an incredible quantity, at times disturbing, just like a full-bodied narration that is not afraid to transcend the limits of reality.

Even after an year, it's still an original and enjoyable experience, one you shouldn't miss on PS4.

Despite the many years on his shoulders, the saga created by Ron Gilbert still seems to have a lot to tell. With Return to Monkey Island, the videogame author packs a nostalgic work, but deeply immersed in the contemporary world, which he tells with the usual dose of sagacity and irony. With excellent writing quality, the graphic adventure gives point & click lovers a fun and puzzle-packed experience to be solved using imagination, logic and careful observation. Between new and familiar faces - with special mentions for Murray and Stan - this anomalous sequel has given us about ten hours of unshakable good humor: not even a good mug of grog could have done better.

The new Football Manager 2014 has been renewed, thanks to a more immediate design, the inclusion of new options, management tactics and game dynamics. The significantly improved graphics engine completes this year's package.

Quotation forthcoming.

For whoever missed the original game last year, this is a perfect time to get back to it.

Civilization V: Brave New World reveals to be an exceptional add-on, a must for fans of the brand.

A surprising product, that refreshes free roaming structure thanks to the environmental destructibility.

The new Ratchet & Clank is half a reboot, half an original adventure. It has the old school gameplay, surprising new weapons and gadgets, and a huge variety of situations to support an interesting adventure. The last part of the story mode, however, becomes too easy and too messy when the weapon upgrade system neutralizes the level of difficulty. Shorter than the original Ratchet & Clank, it's a great comeback for the duo anyway.

A valuable technical sector and an impressive soundtrack.

The novelties of the annual edition, as expected, are not substantial, yet they contribute to the growth and improvement of a complete and extremely dedicated formula not only to realism and simulation, but also to involvement.

In evaluating Kirby and the Lost Land, it's important to pinpoint the kind of audience that HAL Laboratory's latest effort might target. The most hardcore users, those who, to be clear, strip every corner of the works of the Big N from A to Z, risk finding themselves in the presence of an adventure that is decidedly less challenging than expected: the pace of the new Kirby is a bit mechanical, and its relaxing linearity could even almost bore you - also because we are not at all in front of the Mario Odyssey emulator that many already anticipated. On the contrary, it will be difficult at the same time to hold back the sincere enthusiasm of a group of less experienced and demanding players, who will have the opportunity to experience a memorable journey in the company of an adult, discovering all the magic of a great Nintendo branded production.

Mountain Sheep scored again, offering a follow-up to its predecessor which will get the desired success without the help of Chillingo.

Mortal Kombat is recommended to all lovers of the series and genre. The gameplay works great on PS Vita and thanks to the many extras present are guaranteed hours of fun.

Total War: Three Kingdoms is a game full of ideas, with the desire to change and break with tradition, but not always making sensible choices.

Bike Baron is not a masterpiece or something that will be remembered by decades of players, but it's a honest 99 cent game, which offers hours of bike-fun and a powerful in-game editor which let you create your own track. Take that if you want a light-hearted entertainment.

Thronebreaker is also a fairly problematic title in its card game aspect: artificial intelligence does not prove to be a stimulating adversary and, after a while, the battles are boring because of a variety that is not so pronounced.

There's almost everything you liked (or dislike) from its predecessor, and that could be a selling point for some, or a drawback for others. In the end, it's a very well crafted more of the same, where the change in the setting delivers some interesting landscapes and cultural aspects in the narrative.

PC gamers longed Trials Evolution for a lot of time. RedLynx fulfilled their desires with a precise conversion of the game, enhanced by all levels of Trials HD and the inevitable graphic upgrade.

Although it is a title as short as it is simple, Moss still manages to ensnare our body and soul in an adventure that we would never want to end: the PlayStation VR becomes the gateway to a world that is amazing and enveloping, to explore in the company of one of the most "living" virtual characters of all time.

Death Stranding makes its debut on PlayStation 5 with a Director's Cut which, while offering players a good dose of unreleased content, does not significantly alter the quality balance of Hideo Kojima's latest work. The playful narrative essence of the production has therefore remained the same as it was two years ago, with all its strengths, its flaws and its overflowing expressive power. With an exceptional technical sector, the monumental epic of Sam Porter Bridges returns to console in its best form, to propose to the public an exceptional science fiction story placed between the meshes of an extraordinarily rich and fascinating imaginary, which frames a poignant story supported by a gameplay as satisfying as it is unique, capable of triggering a pleasant addiction. More than anything else, Death Stranding is the ardent manifestation of the creative flair of an author who is not afraid to challenge the logic and dogmas of the market, with the aim of pushing the medium towards still unexplored territories.

Terraria works even better on PsVita, thanks to an excellent control scheme and the usual catchy gameplay.

The space of Outer Wilds, despite its aesthetic beauty and the incredible sensation of immensity it returns, is in short "only" a useful tool to trigger thoughts and considerations; to answer some questions or formulate others, even profound and existential.

Something precious.

For the time being, however, it can dominate unchallenged, as there are no rivals on the horizon.

Quotation forthcoming.

A quiet and metaphysical voyage in a geometrical world full of puzzles.Deeply inspired by M. C. Escher’s art and by Portal’s gameplaystyle, Manifold Garden offers a balanced challenge enriched by the artistic touch of the author William Chyr.

Great potential, but not a flawless realization.

The arrival of Marvel's Iron Man VR on Meta Quest 2 occurs extremely naturally. The maturity of the platform helps the title fill those gaps posed by the PSVR hardware and further elevates the gaming experience, making it more engaging. The graphics sector benefits from the higher resolution and, at the same time, the absence of long waits in transitions helps immersion in Tony Stark's adventure. The defects of the narrative remain the same but, overall, they do not undermine the enjoyment of the gaming package. Continuing on this path, Camouflaj can give us great emotions.

Papers, Please is a real pearl of independent development, a must for those who appreciate courage and inventiveness.

Beyond a few small limits, Marvel Snap is the card game that many fans have been waiting for: fun, fast, overflowing with style and boundless fanservice, with a simple regulation and an intriguing and layered progression system. If you are passionate about the House of Ideas and are looking for a "hit and run" gaming experience, the Second Dinner Studios game could be for you. For those who grew up on bread, Marvel Comics and MCU, getting sucked into the snap of Marvel Snap is practically ... ineluctable.

DiRT 4 is a great title, fun and scalable: the right compromise of simulation and accessibility.

Perfect Chronology offers a tactical and accurate battle system that will require the use of all your neurons on more than one occasion.

Despite its MMO label, Old Republic is a long and compelling space opera that can be played solo or in groups.

A quirky crossover that seamlessly blends two universes apparently far away from one another, a compelling strategic game that despite its simplicity has a lot of depth to it (and one that could be a perfect introduction to the genre) and above all a production that truly captures that special, peculiar Nintendo feel: well played Crying Ubisoft Man, well played.

Long-lived, colorful, fun and complex, It's About Time conveys the return to precision platforming, where every jump is calibrated with due accuracy counts, and in which the player's skill is mainly enhanced.

Devil is in the details, and Gone Home is filled with very well-crafted tiny nuances. As far as "walking simulators" go, this is the one you shouldn't miss.

A pleasant surprise within the visual novel scene.

In the face of a cohesive and long-lasting progression, Ni No Kuni 2 cannot be fully remarkable in all its aspects. From a graphical point of view it is a small artistic miracle, from the narrative one weaves an elementary, frayed and childish weave, which only generates a thrill of emotion only at the end, when it is too late.

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.

Quotation forthcoming.

Valkyria Chronicles lands on PlayStation 4 with the same determination that it had eight years ago. The game is still brilliant, thanks to its intense story and a solid gameplay. This current-gen version won't have a top-notch look, but includes some interesting DLCs.

Career is actually more complex, although some elements still appear to be deficient and in need of attention, starting from the outline interviews.

Quotation forthcoming.

The definitive edition to enjoy in all the its splendor and without any kind of compromise of one of the most sensational and adrenaline-pumping hack 'n' slash of recent years.

There's a ton of content to be enjoyed, and the gameplay offers enough depth even for the hardcore beat'em up fans.

Thirty years of videogaming history in one single disc. A great collection, one that you really should consider.

After dozens of hours among estates, aqueducts, and legions, Anno 117: Pax Romana has convinced us on one point: the Anno formula still works brilliantly. The decision to move the action to the heart of the Roman Empire isn't just an aesthetic gimmick, but a clever way to shift perspective without sacrificing what the series does best: the slow and thoughtful construction of economic equilibrium. The sandbox mode is, as always, the center of the experience and the place where the game shines, thanks to a hypnotic pace and excellent variety of situations. While some mechanics add more color than depth, the title is hard to criticize: less revolutionary than some had hoped, sure, but more refined and cohesive than we might have expected from such a dramatic leap in time. Pax Romana is the confirmation of a studio that understands its audience, respects players' time, and continues to improve its work methodically and consistently. Those seeking a deep and well-constructed management challenge, with the joy of building an empire brick by brick, will find fertile ground here. Those hoping for a revolution, however, will likely have to wait for the next iteration. But for now, the Senate can applaud.