A revitalized and reformed installment in virtually every aspect, with positive results, despite a few critical issues. It's the richest installment in terms of content and the most solid gameplay, but it's also set in a very classic and conservative open world. If you can overlook this aspect, however, you've got a robust game that could provide dozens and dozens of hours of unbridled fun, especially when played with a close-knit group of friends. The battle against the Chronokeeper's regime has only just begun: are you ready to join the Resistance?

NBA 2K26 is an improved installment in both graphics and gameplay, both increasingly realistic and engaging. The wealth of modes is undeniable, as is the effort made to make My Career more narrative-driven, the host city more vibrant, and the challenges more tactical and interesting. However, the fact that the experience is complex for newcomers is partly a limitation. This writer believes the series needs to work better on depth, with a more accessible and less punishing gameplay formula. However, if you're a hardcore basketball simulation player, don't worry: NBA 2K26 is a safe haven where you can dock and have fun, challenge other players online, and live out your sporting dream to the fullest. At least until next year.

The grueling years of work between the game's announcement and its current release are almost too much to justify a final result so astonishing it seems like a dream, but fortunately Silksong actually exists and is a monumental Metroidvania. Immense in content, sublime in art, and challenging in gameplay, Team Cherry's masterpiece objectively has no weaknesses, although its difficulty level makes it unapproachable to anyone unwilling to familiarize themselves with the numerous tools at the protagonist's disposal. The precise movement system, as well as the satisfying combat system, are a remarkable evolution of those already admired in Hollow Knight, and likewise this sequel marks a decisive step forward with a more readable game world that contributes to the creation of an unprecedented visual and narrative universe. The references to its unforgettable predecessor are numerous and present themselves in many aspects, but Silksong is a work that shines with a blinding light of its own, and is above all an unforgettable masterpiece worthy of being counted as one of the best video games in history.

Fans of Indiana Jones and the Ancient Circle will immediately feel at home among the streets and underground passages of Rome explored in Order of Giants. In terms of dialogue, cinematics, and recreation of real-world locations, the DLC performs quite well and offers mostly well-crafted puzzles, with the exception of one puzzle that was interesting on paper but not without its rough edges in practice. Narratively, this content has its moments, but in our opinion, it failed to fully exploit the potential of the main elements constituting the story, which proved anything but essential. That said, those who want to extend their stay in the world built by Machine Games now have the opportunity to do so.

As often happens with first works, Lost Soul Aside was the victim of its creator's unbridled ambitions and the vast inexperience of the team that supported him during development. Eleven years ago, the project, spearheaded by Yang Bing alone, seemed simply incredible, but today—especially with the latest generational leap and the advent of titles like Black Myth: Wukong—the magic of Lost Soul Aside has faded, becoming a sort of standard. The title is based on a frenetic, robust, and satisfying combat system unlike any other, but this alone cannot offset the numerous problems that plague all other aspects of Chinese production, nor does it justify the high entry price set by Sony this time around. Faced with a market now saturated with souls-like games and increasingly less diverse, fans of more traditional action RPGs and hack'n'slash games might still give it a chance.

Metal Eden is a video game about synthetic humans and robots, and in an almost meta-narrative sense, it feels cold and soulless. The pursuit of rhythmic and engaging gameplay is evident, yet another attempt to emulate the Doom formula. The experience feels repetitive and linear, less layered or challenging than it could have been. Moreover, the game even underuses its signature mechanic, the absorption of cores, which becomes quite repetitive over time. It's not a bad game, let's be clear: those who enjoy FPS challenges with "push-forward" gameplay have at least eight missions to test themselves with various weapons and a narrator with a lot to say. Ultimately, it's a shame: it could have been much more daring...

Cronos The New Dawn is a solid and compelling game from almost every perspective, from its narrative to its robust gameplay formula, and the captivating, desperate imagery that permeates every pixel. Aside from a few minor technical and content flaws, what you'll have in your hands is a project that exudes the passion of its creators. The gameplay structure, while appearing fairly conservative on paper, conceals a remarkable depth that will surely delight fans of the genre. It's not a game that reinvents the wheel, let's be clear, but it's still one of the best survival horror games currently available. And that's a result that speaks volumes about the now indisputable talent of the Krakow-based team.

Midnight Murder Club is a simple pastime to while away a couple of evenings with friends, much like a virtual board game, thanks in part to the option of purchasing a single copy for everyone to play. The concept behind Velan Studios' title works, but ultimately the gameplay experience is bare bones and lacks a progression system, character customization, or even matchmaking for the PvE co-op mode—a significant issue for a purely multiplayer game.

Kill the Brickman is a game that's nothing short of surprising. One, two, three, ten, twenty games, always the same and always different. You're searching for the perfect synergy between perks in true roguelike style, the pinpoint-precise bounce like in classic brickbreakers, the most spectacular and powerful projectile like in a Doom level. It's a game where you shouldn't stop at the surface, but rather push deeper and deeper to encounter ever-increasing difficulty: an element that might be daunting. But that's okay: it's a strange alchemy halfway between simplicity and strategy, which will captivate you more than you expect. Shoot, believe it.

Kirby and the Lost Land returns to Nintendo Switch 2 in an improved and expanded version. For those who have never explored the post-apocalyptic landscapes explored by HAL Laboratory's little pink sphere, this is the perfect opportunity to revisit a fun, colorful platformer with brilliant art direction. The challenge level is generally on the low side, but those who are determined to rescue all the Waddle Dees and Astrals will have plenty to enjoy, especially in the additional levels offered by the Astral World expansion. Building on the foundations of the original title, this expansion manages to offer a fresh perspective on a selection of Kirby and the Lost Land levels, focusing primarily on vertical exploration. The only regret is that the content didn't include more original opponents to test the amazing powers of our little pink sphere.

Gears of War Reloaded is the absolute best way to experience or relive the adventure of Marcus Fenix ​​and company, now also on PlayStation 5 (and on PS5 Pro it even features extra options that further improve the already excellent quality seen in the Ultimate version). The only problem is that, once you've finished the campaign alone or in co-op, you'll probably want more, and the wait for E-Day seems to be a long one.

The Rogue Prince of Persia raises the bar for the saga, offering a good, straightforward roguelite with an unmistakable style. Its simplicity will make some people love it, while others will hate it, but there's no denying how much love the small team at Evil Empire has poured into one of the most celebrated video game icons of all time. The gameplay is fun, despite its modest offerings, while the art is completely convincing. It's undoubtedly yet another title that demonstrates Ubisoft's ability to still excel when it chooses to focus on smaller projects, giving developers the freedom to express their creative flair.

Lizardcube succeeds in resurrecting the iconic Joe Musashi from the past, crafting a stylish and original video game that is also respectful of the roots of the Sega series: Art of Vengeance is a side-scrolling action game that rewards players who want to conclude each battle in the most spectacular way possible, offering a fast-paced and deep combat system that, unfortunately, isn't fully enhanced by the experience's decreasing difficulty curve. The title's artistic direction is nothing short of exceptional, offering a visual richness unmatched in both form and substance, with a simple level design that always offers something new with every change of setting. During the main campaign, the platforming sections proved to be merely a pacing mechanism, but those seeking a stimulating challenge will find plenty to enjoy in the optional Ankou Portal levels and in some secret areas that will test the reflexes of even the most demanding players.

Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater is a truly remarkable remake, crafted with great care. On the one hand, it shines for the many merits of the absolute masterpiece it's based on, and on the other, it offers newcomers a valuable entry point to the saga. After all, it's a memorable prequel to all the other installments in the franchise, effectively modernized for the occasion, both graphically and gameplay-wise. Achieving a noteworthy result given the weight of the original work was far from easy, but despite a few minor flaws, the team succeeded, and we're happy with that. For this reason, too, especially on the higher difficulty levels, we recommend a stroll down memory lane in Unreal Engine even for longtime fans of the series. After all, Delta doesn't replace Metal Gear Solid 3, which—like the timeless gaming juggernaut that it is—is still there, playable on modern consoles. The numerical rating you find below is to be understood as being linked solely and exclusively to the operation implemented by Konami, which given its quality gives us hope for the possible future of Metal Gear Solid remakes.

Pokémon Friends has a pleasant variety of puzzles, though it quickly becomes repetitive. The system designed to ensure replayability of the various puzzles, with the goal of collecting and obtaining as many plushies as possible, is engaging, but the experience ends there. Everything added on top of that fails to keep a product afloat. Given its truly high price on mobile and the push to purchase excessive DLC on consoles, it can only appeal to a very young audience.

Echoes of the End is only halfway successful. The game boasts impressive technical features and a puzzle quality rarely found in an action adventure. While it's a pleasure to play, the Myrkur Games production suffers from a number of issues, including a rather crude combat system and, more generally, a fairly derivative story. In short, if the development team had been brave enough to take a few more months to iron out the flaws, we'd likely be talking about a product of a completely different caliber.

Drag X Drive focuses solely on gameplay and its mission to demonstrate the potential of the mouse-based Joy-Con controller, forgetting to convey its undeniable depth of gameplay with the graphic and artistic tools that Nintendo usually masters, and which are almost a distinctive signature. It's not a "gimmick game": the idea works, the technique is well-executed and promising, but it would have deserved a series of more thoughtful, enriched and varied touches and modes.

M2 rescues the roots of a fundamental saga for the gaming medium from technological oblivion, offering a collection that rediscovers the various arcade versions of the first three Gradius games and the two (but actually three) Salamander games. The emulation work is simply perfect and accurately recreates the experience of the original titles, characterized by a style that would have set standards and a terrifyingly high level of difficulty. Precisely to soften the more critical aspect of a production that would have been indigestible to many contemporary gamers, the Japanese company has introduced the welcome Easy and Invincible modes, while purists are given online leaderboards where they can compete for the highest scores. As if this commendable rediscovery wasn't enough, M2 enriches the package with a completely original Salamander, but developed with an eye on what a third installment would have been like if it had been released in the 1990s: the answer to this question is a video game calibrated for more modern sensibilities, but at the same time completely inserted within a historical continuity that will delight all fans of the saga.

Dead Take is a fascinating experiment in blending video game and cinematic language. With an escape room feel and a psychological thriller atmosphere, Surgent Studios' experience fails to fully realize the potential of an intriguing concept. The added value offered by a top-notch cast—the performances of Neil Newbon, Ben Starr, and Jane Perry are particularly impressive—is offset by the decision to allocate a truly limited amount of screen time to each actor. At the same time, the choice to delve into the dark side of Hollywood loses some of its effectiveness when the narrative paths abandon realism to grapple with supernatural allure. Overall, Dead Take remains an engaging experience, capable of maintaining player interest and curiosity. The tension remains palpable, although we would have appreciated less use of jump scares, or at least more contextualization.

I'm convinced that when evaluating a game, as with any other piece of entertainment, we should first consider the goals the developers set for themselves during the development process. It's obvious that Hangar 13 spent most of its creative and financial energy on the historical/cultural reconstruction of early twentieth-century Sicily, with praiseworthy results. That period, that place, those traditions, that language: Mafia Terra Madre is a unique experience, and for that alone it should be recognized. The gameplay component, unfortunately, has received a more cursory treatment, largely similar to that of Mafia Definitive Edition in terms of action sequences and the uncertainties of the artificial intelligence. Fortunately, a game is such a multi-layered product that it can't be evaluated "by the pound." What you see below is a number that, in my opinion, serves as a midpoint between a high-quality production and somewhat outdated gameplay, not fully refined. Everyone is obviously free to rate Mafia Terra Madre up or down based on what they want to find within the adventure. As long as they're aware of it being an honorable undertaking.

In adapting the soulslike formula that made them so successful with the two Blasphemous titles, the guys at The Game Kitchen have demonstrated a full understanding of what it means to develop a 2D Ninja Gaiden: their Ragebound is a game to be enjoyed at full speed, seamlessly alternating between attacks to cleave through enemy hordes and the precise leaps required by demanding platforming. The excellent momentum of the initial episodes is unfortunately lost in a repetitiveness caused by a lack of variation, while the few missions available leave the title's longevity dependent on the individual player's desire to obtain the highest ratings in each mission. Like the gameplay, the level design quickly ceases to surprise, falling back on the genre's well-known leitmotifs without ever adapting to the diverse scenarios showcased by an otherwise inspired art style, which boasts contemporary 2D graphics and a soundtrack that is decidedly suited to the frenetic nature of the gameplay.

Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba - The Hinokami Chronicles 2 is an extremely conservative sequel, and as a result, it has inherited both its predecessor's greatest strengths and some of its major shortcomings. Indeed, despite the fun ideas CyberConnect2 has come up with to slightly diversify the exploration phases, the free-roaming sequences offered by the Story Mode still seem dull and boring. Already having a solid and highly technical combat system at its disposal, especially for an arena fighter, the Fukuoka studio has therefore focused on the content component, finally equipping the product with a respectable roster and engaging modes that enrich the offering. Among the many mediocre tie-ins that have flooded the market in recent weeks, Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba - The Hinokami Chronicles 2 is ultimately a flawed gem that any fan of the genre and the license should absolutely give a try.

Edens Zero is a seemingly half-hearted and unconventional undertaking: a title designed for fans already familiar with the story, the characters, and their powers. Getting interested in Mashima's work from the game alone is difficult, as the hyper-fast-paced plot doesn't allow for any attachment or empathy, the stark locations lack the same punch as those drawn in the manga or anime, and the characters are like dolls to be dressed up however we want, only to have them clash with each other, without ever feeling a sense of challenge. If that's enough for you, there are indeed quite a few costumes and "costumes," especially (but not exclusively) for women, with animations that showcase them well, and models of the protagonists that fit them perfectly. As for the game itself, however, there's very little RPG in it, and the action is lazy and overly simple. A real shame.

Destiny 2: Destiny's Edge isn't exactly what fans expected from the debut of what was previously called Frontiers. All the enthusiasm and desire to experiment that emerged when it was announced has unfortunately been lost on this expansion, which introduces weak mechanics and adds very little replayable, albeit valuable, content. We truly hope that fan feedback can somehow help the Seattle team straighten out the situation and catch up with upcoming expansions or, perhaps, with the update coming in September that will introduce a new activity on Earth. In the meantime, we can only say we're minimally satisfied and, above all, concerned about the game's future.

There's no getting around it: Super Mario Party Jamboree - Nintendo Switch 2 Edition + Jamboree TV is the best way to enjoy the latest iteration of the party franchise featuring the heroic plumber in overalls. The base game returns in its complete version, enhanced by the Jamboree TV expansion, which dramatically increases the amount of content included in the package. Not all of the new features seemed particularly impressive, but all things considered, it's still one of the best party games on the market.

WUCHANG: Fallen Feathers is a difficult product to classify. While the developers at Leenzee Games have stuck too closely to FromSoftware's original formula, even imitating its narrative style, the Chinese team deserves credit for trying (in some cases) to shake things up when it comes to gameplay. Unfortunately, not everything works as it should, especially technically, and the difficulty curve is a bit uneven. That said, we're confident that fans of the genre will appreciate it despite all its limitations.

Bandai Namco's remaster of the first two Patapon games, cult classics relegated to a console now obsolete, is the best way to rediscover the charm of a saga that previously suffered from problematic porting. Pyramid and Japan Studio's absurd gameplay recipe, with its blend of strategy and rhythm with RPG elements, is still irresistible despite the repetitiveness that lurks at its core, partly due to a gameplay structure that thrives in short play sessions. This collection is weighed down not only by the absence of the third game, although the choice is understandable, but also by the lack of substantial additions that might have appealed to a wider audience than just those nostalgic for the original.

Shadow Labyrinth is undoubtedly an interesting experiment, starting from an idea we'd like to see explored more often: thoughtfully modernizing a past title, reviving the key ideas that led to its creation but incorporating them into a modern framework. It's a shame the execution isn't the best: beneath the pleasant nods to Bandai Namco's history lies a derivative Metroidvania, reminiscent of a bygone era. Navigating the labyrinths is simple, the combat lacks creative flair, the protagonist's power-ups lack impact, and even the original ideas haven't been perfectly implemented.