Rise of the Ronin is undoubtedly the most ambitious of the titles developed by Team Ninja up to this point, as well as the riskiest. This is because the vision modeled by the studio led it to face unprecedented challenges in terms of design and technical implementation, deriving from the choice to opt for an open world that frames a more complex narrative structure than that of the previous productions of the Japanese collective. Unfortunately, the aspects that go beyond Team Ninja's "comfort zone" are also the least convincing, in the face of a playful core that reaffirms the developer's talent for creating layered and satisfying combat systems, this time with an eye towards accessibility. The combat system itself is the element that vigorously raises the qualitative balance of Rise of the Ronin, capable of offering hours and hours of martial contests that are as intense as they are exciting. Such is the merit of the combat-progression combo, that it is easy to establish how a more linear structure focused on clashes would have given greater impetus to the proposal, perhaps limiting the technical compromises that the game clearly manifests. Overall, therefore, Rise of the Ronin offers a worthwhile experience, as well as more accessible than the average of Team Ninja's productions, although the route towards the open world has limited the potential of the proposal.

Princess Peach Showtime! she was able to convince us with few reservations. Net of the technical uncertainties and some less successful than average roles to be played, the title from Nintendo and Good-Feel showcases an accessible, highly entertaining and pleasantly varied gaming system, enriched by sensational artistic direction. In short, if you love this kind of adventures, you shouldn't miss the appointment with Princess Peach.

Dragon's Dogma 2 is a title that thrives on exaggerations, to be tackled slowly with curiosity and a spirit of adventure. If you decide to accept the rules, the fantasy world created by Itsuno will give you a truly satisfying combat system, extremely creative and full of epic moments. The non-linear quests and an extremely dense map are elements that could have led Capcom's title towards heights of absolute excellence, however the ascent was slowed down by artificial intelligence that was not always performing, some small problems with the balance between classes and some too much cumbersomeness. The latest arrival from Capcom still remains a very high level product: the important thing is to know that it is not suitable for every type of user.

Ultimately, this return of Alone in the Dark is a project that was only able to convince us halfway. On the one hand there is excellent writing, capable of keeping you glued to the screen for the entire duration of the campaign while, on the other, we find a playful structure that thrives on ups and downs and a shaky technical realization, elements that prevent the title from Pieces and THQ Nordic to take flight. In any case, fans of the genre and admirers of the brand might consider venturing into the gloomy Derceto manor.

Ultimately, the HD remastering of The Legend of Legacy shows the same structural and content problems that plagued the original. It is a rather unique game that deviates from some classic JRPG styles to propose its own, very personal vision which, however, leaves out too many of the elements that have made this particular video game category great. We appreciated the work done on the visual component, but the disappointing narrative structure and the aforementioned critical gameplay issues do not allow the game to really stand out. If you are an avid fan of the genre and are looking for a project that is a little different from the usual, you could give it a chance, otherwise today's market offers alternatives of a very different caliber.

Outcast A New Beginning offers sometimes interesting alien settings, the backdrops to an overall enjoyable story, albeit lacking in peaks of excellence. In addition to the technical stumbles, the game combines cutscenes and dubbing that aren't always up to par, repetitive tasks that are generally very simple in structure, as well as battles that lose their bite due to the limits of the AI that moves our opponents. Furthermore, the progression thrives on phlegmatic rhythms, which do not go well with the fun exploratory possibilities offered by the use of the jetpack. In other words, this new Cutter Slade adventure could have done more.

Unicorn Overlord is a particular, almost indecipherable product. Vanillaware's new SRPG has adopted a refined and complex combat system which, although satisfying and engaging, may not suit all tastes, due to too many automatic mechanisms and the excessive micromanagement required. Characterized by the unmistakable style that distinguishes the productions of the Japanese team, Unicorn Overlord has nevertheless revealed itself to be a multi-faceted and ambitious strategy game, underlining once again the unparalleled creative flair of Vanillaware. If the overly classic story and totally automated battles don't scare you, make it yours and let yourself be enchanted by the magic of Fevrith.

Fossilizing yourself on the past can sometimes be counterproductive, and the risk of inheriting its strengths and weaknesses is high. Contra Operation Galuga's level design hasn't always thrilled us, and we feel the same about the artistic direction behind the experience. The game, however, winks at those nostalgic for the saga, who will have no difficulty feeling at ease in tackling the missions throughout the Galuga archipelago, undoubtedly capable of entertaining long-time fans.

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

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

WWE 2K24 does not reinvent the wheel, but expands both the match pool of the last chapter and the possibilities of the combat system, which continues to work well despite some historical rough edges. The Showcase mode has some imperfections, but it's a pearl for any WrestleMania fan and the two My Rise careers aren't bad at all either. If we add to this the many small innovations in practically every dimension of the experience, which is based on valid but not exciting technological solutions, the reasons that made us appreciate this year's edition appear even more evident. The Visual Concepts title is a great wrestling playground, with a disproportionate number of wrestlers and a keen eye for local multiplayer, and represents a solid foundation on which to build the future of the franchise.

In the ocean of remastered and remakes for their own sake, we are happy to be able to enthusiastically welcome the work done by Avantgarden on Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons Remake, a graphic and sound remake which, in the opinion of the writer, should be the standard for those who aim to relaunch their works on the market. It is a reissue that exudes love for the work done by Josef Fares and his team, and therefore worthy of respect. Whether you know the work or not, as the credits roll, it will be impossible not to get caught up in the emotion.

The unexpected complexity of Terminator Dark Fate Defiance proves to be a key element in restoring dignity to the saga from which it draws inspiration, traditionally unlucky in its video game adaptations. The tie-in proposed by Slitherine stands out as an engaging and challenging adventure, confronting us with a substantial challenge and presenting hordes of well-armored and equipped enemies. Despite some obvious flaws, the large-scale management phases and the ability to influence the progress of the game based on the choices made give the game a surprising strategic depth. It is a production which, despite being small in size, stands out for its almost role-playing structure, without forgetting, and indeed enhancing, its strategic roots. The complexity of the battles should not discourage newbies, considering the presence of the "Story Mode" difficulty, while fans of the saga and real-time strategy games should undoubtedly give this title a chance, certainly the best videogame transposition of the franchise in years to this part.

Inkulinati offers a unique experience capable of masterfully combining tactical elements with a fascinating setting. The mechanics based on medieval "marginalia" are implemented with expertise, giving depth to a gameplay suitable both for strategic veterans and for neophytes willing to immerse themselves in the rules with the patience of a monk scribe. Despite some small flaws in the interface and controls, the work done by the Yaza Games development team shines for its artistic creativity and attention to detail, making Inkulinati an essential title for lovers of the genre.

Final Fantasy VII Rebirth is a very valid title, which once again demonstrates the enormous commitment made by the Square Enix team in the reconstruction and expansion of the seventh final fantasy. Although this second part of the journey of Cloud and his companions was not as "unknown" as promised, we appreciated all the narrative elements devised by the screenwriters of the Japanese giant, with the sole exception of the final chapter, which unfortunately proved to be lacking in several ways. wait. That said, the action RPG remains one of the most engaging and satisfying works of the House of Chocobo, which for the occasion has strengthened the role-playing component with the introduction of crafting, synergistic actions and an affinity system that will certainly be perfected with the arrival of the third and final part of the Remake Trilogy. However, the exploration is the most convincing aspect of the package, since outside of Midgar the albeit dying world of Final Fantasy VII has opened up to show us a good part of its wonders. On the downside, the technical sector is unfortunately mainly linked to the quality standards of the last generation. We will therefore have to wait for the next episode to truly enter the next-gen and witness the definitive rebirth of Final Fantasy VII.

Unfortunately Skull and Bones is marked by continuous qualitative fluctuations. Its open world is quite vast, but also a little empty, its pirate atmosphere is successful, but the narrative component is very uninteresting. What remains are the pleasant naval battles against other players, the collaboration between privateers in PvE, and the hopes linked to the progressive enrichment of the experience, aroused in us by the roadmap available on the official website of the game. For the moment, we say it with a bit of bitterness, Skull and Bones is still at the mercy of the waves.

Pacific Drive is a title that exudes passion from every exhaust pipe, and we can only be happy for Ironwood Studios and the love placed in their debut work. It is a game with a solid and well-tested design, but not always as functional as it should. Our advice is not to give up on boarding the station wagon: you might discover that getting lost in the meanders of the Area can have its positive sides and, considering the price of the ticket, you might as well take a tour.

Who would have thought that the world of League of Legends was suitable for a "cozy game"? Yet Bandle Tale a League of Legends Story works really well, at least for video game lovers who don't engage their minds too much. Its calming and relaxing power is undeniable, and lies in the combination of pastel graphics and light texture, perhaps too much so in reality. However, the gameplay loop based on improving one's resource gathering, crafting and decoration skills is solid and varied, with objects, tools and accessories to unlock and build. Everything is embellished with an essential artistic direction, which seems "tailor-made" on the chill genre. In short, when an online session of LoL has got you a little too pumped up, a spin on Bandle Tale is ideal to calm down a bit.

Helldivers 2 was a pleasant surprise and represents the perfect evolution of that twin stick shooter that many players fell in love with back in 2016. Apart from the server problems, which seem to be in the process of being resolved, and some technical problems which we hope will disappear with future updates, the shooter by Arrowhead Game Studios is unmissable for anyone who appreciates the genre and has the opportunity to enjoy it in the company of a few friends. If we then consider the approach to microtransactions and the budget price, there are very few reasons not to take a walk in space and spread democracy.

Net of some lightness, which concerns both the technical and the gaming sectors, Tomb Raider I-III Remastered Starring Lara Croft is a value package, which will not fail to accompany fans of the first hour on a pleasant walk down memory lane. Players less accustomed to the harshness of games of the past (we're talking about almost thirty years ago), may however find the gameplay of the trilogy rather indigestible. Since this is a collection of remasters, we cannot help but appreciate Aspyr Media's work, which earns a place among the most successful works of the British studio.

Mario vs. Donkey Kong is a valid remake of a great classic. The gameplay formula has remained almost unchanged compared to twenty years ago but, fortunately, it still appears quite fresh and fun. Despite an uninspired artistic direction, the NST title brings with it two completely new worlds, the hilarious two-player mode and the new Relax difficulty, which makes it accessible to a wide range of players. If you have never had the opportunity to get to know this peculiar spin-off of Super Mario or you simply want to relive the emotions experienced on Game Boy Advance two decades ago, this could be the opportunity you have been waiting for.

Ultimately, Banishers: Ghosts of New Eden is configured as a solid action RPG, whose merit, however, is limited by a general lack of refinement in the fundamental mechanics. The real highlight of the production, as often happens with Don't Nod's works, is certainly to be found in the writing, full of brilliant ideas and generally very inspired. If you are looking for a title that knows how to correctly combine a dark atmosphere setting with a passionate (and at times heartbreaking) love story, you are in the right place. The horrors of New Eden await you.

Ultros is an essential experience not only for lovers of the metroidvania genre, but for anyone looking for a work with spirit and character. He doesn't claim to reinvent anything and consciously chooses to do little, doing it well. As the credits rolled, we moved away from the screen aware of the fact that something inside us had left the game. Or rather, sown.

Foamstars has some distinctive elements on its side and also knows how to provide a few hours of fun. The fact is that after the "adjustment games" we understood that the experience would not be enough to extricate ourselves from all the foam that filled the screen. Surrounded by too much confusion, the game does not properly highlight its potential: the protagonist heroes, their original designs and the various movesets suitable for different purposes. If Square Enix wants to support Foamstars, it will not be enough to increase the number of heroes, paid cosmetic items or arenas and modes. In short, the road to success is uphill. And it's soapy too. Then there is a bit of a bitter taste in the mouth for a content offer that for the moment does not push you to extend your stay in Bath Vegas.

Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League could have been saved, in his evaluation, by the narrative plot: beyond the goodness of the writing of the protagonists, however, there is nothing else, because even the idiosyncrasies with the comic book counterparts they scream before the eyes of passionate readers. That should have and could have been the main target to address, but even the most ferocious enthusiasts would have found fault with this arid content proposal. Metropolis is bare, it is a desert which, although justified by the plot devices, is not sufficient for our gaming era. The missions are all repetitive, some suffocating the yield, even worse than what Insomniac tried to do with Mary Jane's stealth in Spider-Man 2. What remains to be saved are the technical profile, of an excellent level, and the gunplay, which is pleasant for who wants to shoot with little worry and blow up everything possible. But at this price, it is only worth it if the post-launch support proves to be of incredible workmanship, enough to overturn the table.

Silent Hill The Short Message is a product that misses the mark and fails to best deal with extremely serious and delicate issues. Net of the problems relating to writing, narrative rhythm, and playful composition, it is still a completely free game that guarantees around 90 minutes of entertainment within an atmospheric scenario, thanks also to the contribution of two figures key who worked on past episodes of the series. As mentioned, however, the quality of this entertainment undergoes rather significant declines during the path traced by the adventure, towards an ending that many will reach with some difficulty.

The result of a troubled development dotted with "accidents along the way", even important ones, such as the change of engine and developer, Granblue Fantasy: Relink may not be the masterpiece that eight years ago it promised to become, but overall it remains an action Adrenaline-filled and addictive RPG like few others. At times chaotic, its frenetic combat system - which at regular intervals offers clashes with titanic beasts which at least in terms of epic nature have nothing to envy of the battles of the PlatinumGames games - proved to be much deeper and more multifaceted than expected, guaranteeing many different approaches to the fight that we are convinced will satisfy any palate. Some of Cygames' choices are not fully convincing, however the product remains an essential purchase for anyone who professes to be a true JRPG enthusiast.

Persona 3 Reload is undoubtedly the best way to recover the masterpiece made in Atlus. The excellent artistic direction, an excellent sound system and a greater depth of the protagonists of the story place this remake among the best exponents of the saga. The gameplay sequences set in Tartarus would have benefited from a few more creative twists capable of breaking up the repetitiveness, but in any case we are faced with an obligatory purchase for every lover of the Persona saga and for all fans of old-style JRPGs.