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.

In short, Donkey Kong Bananza arrives in dazzling form for its (highly anticipated) debut with gamers, once again demonstrating the extraordinary skill and fresh artistic vision of the creative team led by director Motokura, who previously rose to prominence with the splendid Super Mario Odyssey. It's an accessible product, yet also suitable for a more experienced audience, made essential by one of the best implementations of environmental destruction ever seen in a console game. Add to this a delightful and smile-inducing story, a solid and fun gameplay formula, and top-notch technical performance, and the resulting picture is that of a new shining gem in the Switch 2's game library.



Eriksholm: The Stolen Dream is the debut work of a promising studio, demonstrating clear vision in terms of art direction, writing, and worldbuilding. The form is there, and so is the substance when it comes to storytelling. The gameplay isn't quite as well-rounded, and while it's built on solid foundations, it settles for a reassuring simplicity, preventing River End Games' title from taking that extra step it needs. Despite this, anyone looking for a narrative-driven stealth game should give it a try. The city of Eriksholm will certainly welcome you.

Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3+4 is a must-see for those who grew up on skateboarding (whether enjoyed or played first-hand). It relies on gameplay that hasn't lost its shine, with the exception of a few small uncertainties related to Spine Transfer, and it knows how to create addiction with dozens of selectable skaters and the iconic parks that the guys from Iron Galaxy have given us back in a modernized form. The team has reworked the career of the fourth chapter in a way that isn't entirely convincing, but on the other hand it has offered fans new levels, a fun brand new online mode and secret skaters who are up to the task, all on a more than pleasant audiovisual basis. In short, if you're a fan of Birdman, you love the THPS genre, or you simply want to get closer to the world of skateboarding while paying more attention to the spectacle than the simulation, these great restored games are for you.

Ultimately, our encounter with Rematch gave us generally positive feelings. Sloclap has reinterpreted the rules of the game of soccer, declining them in a game context dedicated to pure fun, free from all the complications that have occurred in the greatest exponents of the genre in recent years. If you are passionate about the 'most beautiful game in the world' or are looking for a sports title to try your hand at, perhaps in the company of a close-knit group of friends, you should give it a chance: despite a certain lack of content and a few too many uncertainties in the management of physics, it is one of the most genuinely fun multiplayer titles that we have tried in recent times. Will it be able to make its way among the big names in the industry and stand as the 'next big thing' in a competitive landscape such as that of multiplayer titles? Posterity will decide.

At the time of writing this review, Dune Awakening is a product that offers Herbert fans absolute fidelity to the source material, combined with MMO gameplay that can be played very well even alone, thanks to a proven survival system that is not frustrating, but that "tests" the player just enough to encourage them to improve their skills. As it is structured "in potential", it is also a game that has not yet shown its true potential as an "MMO", which it will be able to express only when the fanbase is dedicated and numerous. There is a bright, albeit hot and sunny, future ahead of Awakening, if Funcom will be able to stage the promised global events with variety and consistency, and keep the community alive. Engaging it with new game dynamics, with sandstorms that will change the landscape and bring to light points of interest, Fremen ruins, clearings, crashed airships. As well as, with new "interactions" between players and sandworms... maybe!

Currently, FBC Firebreak is a cooperative shooter that entertains for a few hours, but it doesn't have a solid enough structure to engage the player to the point of pushing them to repeat the same activities over and over again. However, its presence in the Xbox Game Pass and PlayStation Plus Extra catalog represents a significant advantage for those looking for a few hours of entertainment with a couple of friends.

Death Stranding 2 is a sequel that is only half successful, which like a tired courier struggles under the weight of an ineffective and, to be honest, painfully weak narrative component. Despite not fielding revolutions, the gameplay demonstrates a solidity that, even if it does not completely compensate for the shortcomings of the story, at least circumscribes its effects, giving the player a well-assorted and valid game bouquet, which offers a different balance between delivery and combat dynamics, managing to enhance both sides of the offer. We are sure that not everyone will appreciate this drift, but in our opinion the profile of the experience benefits from the more refined alternation between "rope and stick". Nonetheless, we find it hard not to consider Death Stranding 2 one of the few "missteps" - relatively speaking - in Hideo Kojima's career.

13 years after its debut, Bravely Default remains an extraordinary JRPG in every way, as well as a title that any fan of the genre should jealously guard in their collection. That said, the remaster churned out by Cattle Call does not really add anything indispensable to the original experience, except for some necessary adjustments to the "quality of life"; indeed, paradoxically the re-release locks down key mechanics that were once available from the first hours behind two new and damned repetitive mini-games. If you do not have a Nintendo 3DS and are not the least bit interested in getting one, the remaster could be a good opportunity to bring home one of the best JRPGs of the modern era. However, we remain of the opinion that the combo formed by the Nintendo 3DS version and its equally enjoyable direct sequel (which expanded and concluded the story), played strictly on the original hardware and therefore on two screens as it was originally intended, is still the best way to explore Luxendarc and experience the great adventure of the Warriors of Light in its entirety.

The ATLUS team has packaged a remastered with all the trimmings, revolutionizing the old and limited original gameplay of the first spin-off dedicated to Raidou Kuzunoha XIV far beyond our expectations. On a purely graphic level, more could certainly have been done, especially to hide the countless sharp edges of the polygonal models, but at least the portability offered by Nintendo Switch manages to partially mask the age and PS2 origins of the product. Net of a slightly obsolete structure and progression, RAIDOU Remastered: The Mystery of the Soulless Army represents an unmissable opportunity to familiarize yourself with one of the most iconic protagonists of the ATLUS house, who unfortunately did not obtain the fame he deserved in the West. If you love the esotericism that permeates the Megami Tensai saga, this time you have no excuses for not making it yours.

MindsEye's merits are a few needles in a disastrous haystack. The first few minutes of Jacob's journey even manage to arouse curiosity, at least a little, but it is enough to start comparing the adventure's gameplay to discover its clear limits. Limitations that unfortunately do not spare the graphics sector and performance solidity in any way, at least on consoles. The guys at Build a Rocket Boy say they are working to improve the situation but this does not change the truth: we are faced with a production that would have deserved a much better development cycle and which, at the moment, is the worst we have worked on in 2025.

Compared to Astrobot, which was effectively a small game with great gaming value, Switch 2's Welcome Tour is a strange hybrid that constantly oscillates between fun, interesting and boring, without ever finding a stable position. Would it have been better if they had given it away? Definitely. Is the price an insurmountable obstacle compared to the value of the product? Not really, 10 euros is a more or less acceptable compromise for a product that is well-crafted in detail, at times fun, but very limited, with the small merit of bringing a pinch of innovation to this strange software launch of Switch 2.

Ultimately, Mario Kart World is one of the best exponents of the series, embellished with a wide range of new content and structure designed to freshen up the formula but characterized by the same, exciting gameplay that made the brand great. It is a shame, in this sense, that the inclusion of the (disappointing) Free Race mode and the removal of some of the most beloved features of Mario Kart 8 such as the 200cc category and anti-gravity races do not allow the title to take flight towards absolute excellence but it is still a great way to test out your new console, especially in the company of a few friends.

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.

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?

Except for the possibility of wandering around Westeros and meeting some prominent personalities of the continent, Game of Thrones Kingsroad is a title with mediocre gameplay and a not very virtuous monetization system, which pushes the player to spend more and more in order to advance and obtain advantages that are otherwise inaccessible. Unless you are a die-hard fan of the series, there are very few reasons to even try the production signed by NetMarble, given that the market is full of much more valid alternatives.