Eliminating hordes of criminals with the Auto-9 while the soundtrack of the original film plays in the background is certainly a satisfying experience for fans. Net of pleasant moments, born of nostalgia and located mainly in the first portion of the game, RoboCop Rogue City is a decent game, but not particularly solid as a whole. In fact, it shows the side of a series of technical and gameplay problems to which anyone who is not a die-hard fan of the most famous policeman in cinema will hardly be able to turn a blind eye.

Jusant is certainly not the most ambitious work of Don't Nod in purely production terms, but with few well-used playful and narrative solutions it hits the mark. Anyone looking for an experience with a relaxed pace but capable of offering valid food for thought should certainly give it a chance.

Despite a less than brilliant pace, The Talos Principle 2 manages to strengthen the formula of its predecessor, offering fans of the genre not a simple puzzle game, but rather a work designed to offer a mature and engaging experience, capable of keeping people moving your mind even after you move away from the screen.

WarioWare Move It! it is one of the best variations of the long-lived Nintendo saga that has ever appeared. It is a chapter that has its roots in the successful motion control-based formula tested on the Nintendo Wii but elevates it to new heights, introducing some structural and content additions with a view to enriching and diversifying the experience. It is, without a doubt, one of the most exhilarating and entertaining multiplayer games currently available on the market.

Star Ocean: The Second Story R is an essential purchase for anyone who loved tri-Ace's masterpiece, as well as an unmissable opportunity for any newcomers to discover one of the best action RPGs of the 90s. By leaving the original plot unchanged and adding new mechanics to its frenetic combat system, the guys at Gemdrops have been able to create a faithful and at the same time innovative remake. The bizarre choice of combining the historic 2D sprites with a three-dimensional world recreated from scratch may not satisfy all tastes, especially those of the new generations, nevertheless we are firmly convinced that this restoration has greatly benefited what fans still consider the best Star Ocean ever.

When it comes to rallying, Codemasters is a guarantee. This new simulation from EA presents itself at the starting line with an offer that boasts an excellent balance between quantity and quality of content and which, as per tradition, puts the driving experience at the centre. There is no shortage of sporadic stumbles, yet EA Sports WRC boasts a compelling career, a respectable fleet of cars and a deep, challenging and satisfying driving model. In short, we are talking about a must-have for fans of this sporting discipline.

Despite a good start and a decent graphics section, Stray Souls is a disappointing product. The procedural jumpscare system misses the mark and the combat system is simply disastrous, so much so that it pushes the player to run away every time he encounters a hostile creature. To close the circle there is a plot which, despite having some good ideas in true B-movie style, fails to shine due to the needlessly verbose dialogues and the terrible animations that break the involvement. In short, if you are looking for a horror film it would be best to look elsewhere.

Despite starting from truly intriguing assumptions, closely linked to a captivating aesthetic and a pleasantly grotesque narrative frame, the first DLC of Dead Island 2 does not add much to the proposal modeled by Dambuster Studios. Despite some occasional creative flashes, in fact, the expansion flows without leaving persistent traces, both on the playful side and on the purely narrative one. The potential was there, and we are sure that some will appreciate the "camp" drift chosen by the English team more than others, but ultimately Haus is a content that can easily be left out, waiting to see how the developer will complete the journey post-launch of Dead Island 2.

We're sure that Tequila Works didn't want to revolutionize the platform adventure genre, and therefore we won't say that Song of Nunu is a failed mission. The intention was to focus on a story with different and more subtle tones, far from what was done in the other League of Legends spin-offs. Song of Nunu is, in short, a more intimate adventure, very story driven and with some combat here and there to embellish everything. There is no great depth of design, nor layered mechanics: all the environmental puzzles are accessible, as are the fights, and the entire experience proceeds in this style. A simple game that sometimes becomes elementary and imprecise. Intriguing for anyone who wants to know a few more details about Nunu and Willump, less remarkable for anyone looking for an adventure to remember.

Linked to an already fluctuating production at the time of its debut, Gargoyles Remastered offers a pleasant graphic and sound restoration, not failing to add to the mix interesting possibilities such as real-time rewinding of the action. Unfortunately, however, it shows all the years of the original title and therefore, given its obvious limitations, it could struggle to attract the attention of anyone who was not a die-hard fan of the Mega Drive classic.

UFC 5 is an excellent simulator of one of the bloodiest and most choreographic combat sports around. The team has managed to package a solid product, full of modes and which will satisfy the most hardcore MMA fans. In short, we are talking about a good entry for newcomers to the world of UFC, but it is a little less fresh for those who have played the previous chapters. If UFC 5 marks your first approach to the world of mixed martial arts, add half a point to the rating.

A carousel of horrors that never stops spinning. A whirlwind expedition into the most perverse meanders of art. A work of great authorship and visual virtuosity which has the merit of being as courageous as it is original. It's a survival horror, yes, but mostly pro forma. Deep down it's something else. It is an experience that tangles the player's expectations, continuously knotting them so that unpredictability reigns supreme. It plays with artistic forms, with the concept of reality and multidimensionality, and does so using both the interactive medium and other communicative means of the modern era. Once this unconventional inspiration has been accepted and assimilated, according to the writer, the weight of the playful uncertainties, of a balance that is not always perfect between narrative and gameplay, of a few too many technical ripples is reduced. I like the idea of ​​rewarding experimentalism above all, the mix of genres and eclectic suggestions. I like Sam Lake's arrogance in wanting to leave his mark at all costs, with the careless desire to challenge conventions, more than he has ever done before. I like to think I live in a reality where Alan Wake 2 exists.

The Lord of the Rings Return to Moria unfortunately fails to stand up to the sacred monsters of the survival genre. Net of the excessive presence of combat, a construction system that is not too successful and a technical sector that is not the latest trend, the Free Range Games game succeeds in its aim of immersing players in the magical world of the Lord of the Rings and guaranteeing them a few hours of fun, especially if in the company of a group of friends.

Ghostrunner 2, ultimately, is a corrected and enhanced version of the title that had fascinated millions of players three years ago. The gameplay has been enriched with a series of structural and content features aimed at diversifying and improving the experience as a whole. In any case, it is a hardcore product, which will put even the most experienced users to the test, but capable of giving enormous satisfaction to those who decide to invest time in mastering its mechanics. If you are looking for a game capable of giving you a challenge worthy of the name and you appreciate the typical stylistic features of cyberpunk imagery, Ghostrunner 2 could be for you.

With its gripping plot and scenarios that can be explored with great pleasure, Kona 2 represents a worthy successor to the first chapter, even if characterized by a series of defects that prevent it from taking flight. The gameplay has undergone too many simplifications, the combat system experiences ups and downs and some passages are frustrating due to the absence of indications. In short, those who loved the prequel will also appreciate its direct sequel, as long as they turn a blind eye to these critical issues.

Ultimately, while respecting the work of the developers, we regret to tell you that yes: to date, Skull Island Rise of Kong is without any shadow of a doubt the worst game of 2023. The production by IguanaBee is a total disaster and there is no single element that is enjoyable. Playing this title is frustrating and the problems go far beyond the facets of the protagonist that have gone viral on social media. In every corner of the game there are unforgivable design errors and this is just one of the reasons why we advise you to stay away from the product. If instead you want healthy trash, then you know where to look for it.

Having arrived on our markets three years later than the country of the Land of the Rising Sun, from a technical point of view The Legend of Heroes: Trails into Reverie is not exactly a cutting-edge cross-gen title. The Nihon Falcom product, which as is well known has a fairly limited budget, however compensates for its technical shortcomings with a well-tested turn-based combat system and an unforgettable narrative plot, which in this case weaves together three different stories and involves a hundred about historical figures. While not equaling the epic nature of Trails of Cold Steel IV, the new proposal from NIS America confirms itself as a deep and exciting JRPG, as well as the right conclusion to the narrative arcs of Erebonia and Crossbell.

Hellboy: Web of Wyrd is an insufficient game in almost every way. Unfortunately, the love that the development team must have for the franchise is not reflected in an action roguelike, slow, cumbersome and terribly lacking in variety. There are few aspects to save: the characterization of the protagonist, the bosses at the end of the level, the impacts of Red's attacks. However, there are many stumbles that leave a bad taste in the mouth: a lackluster level design, a poorly diversified progression and a technical structure that makes the gameplay not very fun. A wasted opportunity to bring Mike Mignola's splendid works back to life. Sin.

After the excellent Monark, it seems that FuRyu is struggling a lot to hit the target. To demonstrate this, Aquria's latest effort has unfortunately proven to be yet another half-successful action RPG: a galvanizing combat system that pays attention to customization is counterbalanced in this case by a narrative structure devoid of character, a defeatist level design and, more generally, from a graphics sector that is a few generations behind. Add to the cocktail a limited longevity and the shortage of secondary content, and you will hardly be able to justify the outlay requested on day one by the publisher NIS America.

The new city builder is a perfect example of a sequel, with its complex systems and many improvements compared to the past. However, if on the one hand there is a renewed graphic sector to admire, on the other hand a vast range of features from the first chapter have been lost (for the moment). The game's cities are bigger, denser and more alive than ever, but achieving the same amount of content as its predecessor will take time.

Agatha Christie: Murder on the Orient Express modernizes a classic. However, the original additions have not always managed to convince us. From the new character, to an ending written almost entirely from scratch, Microids creates an experience that could convince, if it weren't for the extreme ease with which it approaches the case. You will have to take the adventure, therefore, for what it is: an accessible product but without flashes of brilliant design.

Hot Wheels Unleashed 2: Turbocharged is the worthy successor of the first chapter and collects many of its positive aspects, introducing innovations that broaden Milestone's proposal in terms of game modes, tracks and vehicle fleet. Thanks to the addition of jumping in particular, the gameplay can count on a new level of depth which goes well with the variety of challenges available. The pleasant campaign offers dozens of hours of gameplay and the possibilities offered by the track editor could be able to increase the longevity of the product in a concrete way. In short, Hot Wheels Unleashed 2: Turbocharged is fun, varied and takes several steps forward compared to its predecessor: if you are a fan of these iconic toy cars, it shouldn't escape you.

Super Mario Bros Wonder has one precious merit: it's too much fun. Several times we found ourselves putting off finishing a game session, eager to see what surprise the next level would have in store for us. The innovations introduced in this new chapter are truly numerous, from the power-up system linked to the pins to the surreal effects generated by the Wonder Flowers. The exclusive Nintendo Switch focuses a lot on surprise, but does not forget to deploy an admirable level of attention to detail and a very solid technical sector. The regret remains for the absence of memorable boss fights and for a level of challenge which, in our opinion, could have been calibrated a little higher. Net of these considerations, Super Mario Bros Wonder still remains an excellent product, capable of taking Mario and his friends on new gaming paths.

The PS5 re-release of The Caligula Effect 2 has no real “raison d'etre”. Compared to the PlayStation 4 version which arrived in stores only two years ago, the port does not present any significant additions and both the technical and graphic sectors are almost unchanged. If you already own the previous edition, which these days is offered at much more reasonable prices, there is no valid reason why you should prefer the very lazy port offered to us by NIS America. Those who appreciated the original and have not yet ventured into Redo could save something by targeting the already more reasonable version marketed during 2021.

The experience offered by Marvel's Spider-Man 2 is cinematically all-encompassing: direction, music, interpretations (the dubbing in Italian is also convincing) are comparable to those of a blockbuster, and the revisiting of Spider-Man's imagery is superior even to the already excellent one of first chapter. We could discuss at length Kraven's charisma, the role of a powerful Venom, the intimate and perverse dimension of the symbiote but, clearly avoiding any spoiler, it is sufficient to reiterate how Insomniac has given shape to a high-school adventure, where playful soul and narrative move in symbiosis. There certainly remain some uncertainties inherited from the progenitor, yet the adjustments made to the formula and the greater quality of the secondary activities avoid the specter of the boring standardization of the open world, to give Marvel's Spider-Man 2 a lovably hybrid personality: that of a super blockbuster pop and, at the same time, auteur.

Despite having inherited some problems that the Gameverse has carried with it since its origins, Sword Art Online: Last Recollection is hands down the best SAO tie-in made so far. By minimizing downtime, implementing mechanics aimed at streamlining and speeding up the combat system, and paying more attention to optimization, the guys from Aquria have redeemed themselves and this time created a frenetic and fun action RPG. Since this explores in detail the customs and geography of the Dark Territory, which had found very little space in the War of Underworld anime, we recommend its recovery to fans of the franchise and more generally to lovers of the genre.

Sonic Superstars is exactly what longtime fans wanted from a modern iteration of the series. The new graphics are wonderful and the level design of the stages is well thought out. The main campaign immediately highlights the good replayability of the work thanks to the introduction of four different characters, each of which has unique abilities capable of modifying the approach to the levels and renewing the experience, while the multiplayer modes, which do not allow you to replicate with the same force the heady sprints performed in single player. To this we add some unrewarding bonus phases and some uncertainties regarding the effectiveness of the movement system during the boss fights. Yet Superstars remains a must-see for fans of the blue hedgehog, as well as a recommended purchase for fans of the reference genre.

Following the decadent drift of Tales of Symphonia Remastered, the restoration made to BATEN KAITOS I & II HD REMASTER did not completely convince us. The excellent work done on scenarios and polygonal models is in fact counterbalanced by superfluous playful features, unsatisfactory technical performances and only partial localization of the texts. Since these are two authentic pieces of history of the medium, we recommend their recovery to fans of the genre and to those who would like to delve into the past of Monolith Soft.