CYGNI All Guns Blazing is not your typical "shmup" but, despite a convincing visual system and some successful gameplay ideas, it is a product that is unlikely to become the new point of reference for purists of the genre and will struggle to engage that segment of the public not accustomed to vertical scrolling shooters, due to intricate menus and a poorly calibrated and poorly customizable difficulty level. In any case, the news of the game's arrival as a free download on the Epic Games Store for a limited period of time came like a bolt from the blue, allowing curious people to add it to their collection and give it a chance regardless.

The conversion for Nintendo Switch does not do full justice to ONE PIECE ODYSSEY, which won over audiences and critics last year (albeit with some reservations). Bandai Namco Entertainment's decision to directly market the Deluxe Edition of the product, which at this time therefore includes all the DLC previously sold separately, does not at all compensate for the serious technical compromises that the ILCA team had to make in order to run the title on the hybrid car from the Kyoto company. Between interminable loading times and a very poor visual performance, not even the possibility of using it on portability could push you to prefer this version to the previous ones. Get it on Switch only if you are unable to play it elsewhere.

Once Human is certainly not a highly original production and has a forgettable story. Luckily it's also a really enjoyable survival game, which can be played completely free of charge. Unlike many other free to play productions, the NetEase one has no in-app purchases that speed up progression or make it easier for the user, putting everyone on the same level. This factor, the accessibility of the experience and the absence of elements capable of generating frustration, make it one of the most interesting exponents of the genre seen in recent times. It will now be up to the developers to work hard to fix the problems and support Once Human with new content, even despite some questionable choices.

Critical Hit Games' debut title is a graphic adventure capable of building a fascinating setting, certainly indebted to the imagery linked to the cornerstones of the genre, but with a unique personality thanks to the aesthetic and musical references to the United States of the 1990s 40. Nobody Wants to Die reduces the possibilities of its gameplay to the bare minimum, forcing the player to simply reach for the different indicators on the screen, to focus everything on a story that unfortunately does not develop in an orderly manner. A verbose exposition tends to dampen interest in a setting that would have worked better by leaving something to the imagination, while the plot finds complete meaning only through one of the four available endings, while the other three fail to fill several gaps in a slightly confusing script.

F1 Manager is a brand that moves with reasoned steps. After having laid the foundations in 2022 with the debut chapter, it seems that Frontier wants to continue working on the foundations, without making real changes to the formula, but adding one piece at a time, following a slow development plan. In our opinion, a little more courage wouldn't have gone amiss, but let's be clear: the graphics have been improved, the "Create a team" mode was clamored for by fans, there are several refinements to the gaming experience and everything this will delight those who have spent dozens of hours on F1 Manager 2023.

Nintendo Championships NES Edition presents itself to the fans as an authentic love letter to the history of the Japanese giant, with an eye on the phenomenon of speedrunning which on the iconic 8-bit home console has its most archaic roots. It is a title capable of challenging even the most experienced players but at the same time incredibly accessible thanks to a control system that is rather simple to master and a user interface that is always clear and legible. It is certainly a product designed for multiplayer use which perhaps loses some of its undeniable charm if played solo but we are sure that it will delight anyone who wants to give it a chance.

A fresh setting and effective dialogue writing combine with the mechanics of a fast, physical action RPG, with numerous offensive possibilities. The combat system based on blades, magic and projectiles is immediate and fun, above all because the challenge level forces you to face each battle carefully without reaching the heights of difficulty of a classic soulslike, while it is pleasant to explore this large but not dispersive with the aerial maneuvers of its protagonist. If one-on-one battles allow us to admire real dances of death, we do not find the same good sensations in battles against multiple enemies. The sense of progression remains satisfying until the end of the campaign despite the limited variety of weapons, armor and rivals to defeat, while the few boss fights do not differ much from the conflicts with the classic enemies of the open world. However, the currency system based on a multiplier is absolutely promoted: this is the real idea that makes the game enjoyable until the end credits, minus its rough edges.

Net of a less than impeccable artistic direction and a menu structure that absolutely needs to be reviewed, Honor of Kings is among the best MOBAs available on mobile devices today. With its impeccable control system and an incredible amount of content, it is certainly capable of making those who appreciate this type of experience happy.

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.

Zenless Zone Zero is an immediate and fun game, which manages to capture the user with a perfect aesthetic profile and its fights full of spectacularity. Of course, some will not appreciate the presence of puzzles or the absence of a component linked to the exploration of more open maps, but in any case we are talking about a solid production, perfect to pair with free to play games which require much more perseverance and commitment like Genshin Impact.

You are almost fascinated by the pounding rhythm of Anger Foot, a shooter that looks to the past without disdaining the present. It's a shame that Free Lives has decided to implement poorly structured boss fights, which are completely out of place in the general context of the game. Having said that, fans of the genre will certainly find what they want. And for their feet.

Dawntrail marks the beginning of a major new story arc for the Warrior of Light and his band of heroes. An often didactic story with a sometimes staid rhythm is accompanied by some of the best gameplay innovations introduced in the saga. The two new classes are fun and perform at the right point, but the older jobs have not yet been balanced at their best. In any case, we look forward to hearing about the future evolution of this exciting new epic.

Despite a forgettable story and a mixed artistic direction, The First Descendant is a solid and fun looter shooter, whose contents are accessible to everyone, even those who don't intend to spend a single penny. The current version of the Nexon game therefore represents an excellent starting point, on which the development team will have to work to make this live service an experience capable of competing with the big names from which it draws inspiration.

Thanks to a very pleasant visual and sound component (with some hesitations during the more challenging mini games, especially those in the company of Yor), Operation Memories knows well which audience to address and hits the target overall, but it should be played in small doses. In this sense, the Nintendo Switch version is the one most suitable for hit-and-run games: on the other hand, repetitiveness arises quickly if you don't experience the daily life of the Forgers little by little. The idea of ​​immersing ourselves in the lightness of the slice of life aspect of Spy x Family is a winning one, and in this respect Bandai-Namco's work is a constant hymn to good humor, where fan service reigns supreme. However, the somewhat invasive internal currency system and a gameplay loop that quickly tends towards redundancy do not allow Operation Memories to express its maximum potential. With greater care it could have been much more "elegant".

While not equaling the epic nature of Trails of Cold Steel IV, which for its part had the advantage of being the final chapter of a painful and well-oiled tetralogy, The Legend of Heroes: Trails through Daybreak stands out as one of the best recent productions of Nihon Falcom. In addition to telling a story with more mature tones than usual, this time the Japanese developer wanted to take a few more risks, completely revolutionizing its historic and already profound combat system to create a formula capable of mixing turn-based strategy to the frenzy of action. The result is astonishing and, as demonstrated in the past by Square Enix with the first two chapters of the Final Fantasy VII Remake trilogy, it really says a lot about the incredible potential of the hybridization between the two "currents". Everything is finally framed by the powerful steps forward offered by the new Nihon Falcom engine, thanks to which the universe of The Legend of Heroes appears more lush and colorful than ever. If we add to this that the product marks the beginning of a new narrative arc and is therefore perfect for approaching the series, you no longer have any excuses to continue avoiding one of the best JRPG sagas around.

Ultimately, Luigi's Mansion 2 HD presents itself to fans with an aesthetic appearance of undoubted quality and with the usual, brilliant gameplay of the series. Some structural defects, borrowed directly from the original version, return to make their cumbersome presence felt and the mere existence of the wonderful third chapter ends up dampening the enthusiasm a bit about this iteration of the franchise which, in any case, remains a recommended purchase for anyone who wants to dive into the spooky atmospheres typical of the series, or is looking for a good action/adventure to take their mind off the summer heat.

Ultimately, Super Monkey Ball Banan Rumble is the classic hit-and-run game that will give great satisfaction especially to those who love playing multiplayer, whether with friends at home or online. Perhaps dedicating yourself only to the single player mode is not enough to fully enjoy the experience, but the quantity of stages and the vast range of customization could satisfy even those who only want to try their hand at the Adventure. The strong point of the production is certainly the gameplay, which offers a mix of simplicity, immediacy and depth capable of satisfying both casual players and those looking for a higher level of challenge.

The great quality of the narrative, as well as the artistic and gaming sectors of Gold Road demonstrate that the development team really cares a lot about the MMO and Tamriel itself. West Wald is a beautiful, varied location full of quests, loot and secrets suitable, as always, for everyone: from level 1 up to the maximum allowed in TESO. However, even if this update had only contained the Scribing mechanic it would still have been worth grabbing, as it is so important and fun to use it in both PVE and PVP dynamics. What else can we say? It's truly a perfect time to start an adventure in Tamriel, or to return to visit after being away for a while: the past is the past, the present is "golden", and the future is exciting.

For better or worse, there is nothing like Destiny 2 and The Ultimate Forme has done nothing but remind us of this with great vehemence. Of course, this long journey was full of ups and downs, but it certainly cannot be said that it didn't have a worthy conclusion. The final expansion of the Bungie shooter is the best ever made to date and contains everything a fan desires: an unforgettable campaign, a whole new power, lots of new equipment and a really high amount of activities, especially if we add those that have just arrived with Episode 1, Echoes, which is proving to be more interesting than expected. In this regard, we ask you to apologize, but Failsafe draws our attention to Nessus, where we must return to fulfill our Guardian duties against the Vex.

While we find the policy of re-releases questionable, we must recognize that this time Atlus has shaped what will surely go down in history as the definitive version of Shin Megami Tensei V, a title that on Switch was too limited by the lack of hardware power. That said, while in the eyes of the players at their first rodeo Vengeance will appear as a tasty opportunity to recover a fascinating RPG which until now had been the exclusive prerogative of owners of the Nintendo console, the numerous adjustments made to the gaming component, the presence of a narrative path semi-unreleased, and last but not least an improved technical sector, may not be as attractive as to push even those who have already stepped into the shoes of the Nahobino to dive into the Beyond a second time.

Shadow of the Erdtree will be available from June 21st and whether you are an experienced Senzaluce or an aspiring god exterminator, you can't miss this appointment. The relationship between vastness of the experience and density of content makes this expansion a very valid product that literally kept us glued to the screen for dozens and dozens of hours. The new weapons, spells and sorceries also greatly enrich the already vast list of tools at your disposal and, in any new game plus, it will be impossible for you to do without them. The level we would recommend to face this experience with relative peace of mind is 150, which should allow you to fight against Mohg, the Lord of Blood without suffering too much.

Still Wakes The Deep is a work plagued by numerous problems. The coherence between story and gameplay often leaves something to be desired, with serious consequences on the effectiveness of the narrative and the horror phases. Once the game is finished, you get the feeling that something during development didn't go right, or that the team failed to realize their vision. Rejecting The Chinese Room's game would be unfair, yet there remains regret for a title that could have given much more, especially considering the history of the studio.

Also considering the very low price at which it is offered, the re-release of Monster Hunter Stories is certainly an unmissable opportunity to catch up on the first episode of the spin-off series and finally step into the shoes of Hakum's Rider. That said, the restoration work carried out by Capcom seems very listless and defeatist, as not only did the Japanese studio not intervene in the slightest on the gameplay of the product, but it didn't even improve the visual performance much. We recommend its purchase to owners of Nintendo Switch, which through portability somehow manages to disguise the origins of the title that originally debuted on Nintendo 3DS.

If you are still wondering, the answer is no: XDefiant is not the COD killer that many expected. The new free to play from Ubisoft is a good shooter, which certainly has the ability to entertain for a few hours, but which will hardly be able to establish itself on the market due to some problems related to balance and progression. The current version of the game represents only a fair starting point, which will require constant commitment from the developers to improve on all fronts. In any case, this is not an impossible situation, given the precedents of the French software house.

Despite a technical sector that is not cutting edge and a gameplay structure that is at times repetitive, V Rising works and is the perfect mix between survival and action RPG. Whether you play alone or in the company of some friends, it's really fun to dedicate yourself to hunting powerful targets that make the protagonist stronger, as well as trying your hand at building a base, which step by step becomes bigger and fuller of comforts. In short, it is a product that all fans of the genre should give a chance.

F1 24 does not represent the evolutionary step that, for example, F1 23 had been compared to its predecessor, but it is undoubtedly a valid product that will entertain Formula 1 lovers for dozens of hours thanks to a simple and satisfying driving system and a large content package and varied.

All things considered, what you find in front of you when you start the remake of Paper Mario - The Thousand-Year Portal is an even more refined and pleasant to look at version of the title that appeared on the GameCube two decades ago. Regardless of whether you played it or not at the time, if you are passionate about the world of Nintendo, Mario or role-playing games in general, this is the proverbial experience that cannot be missing from any gamer's baggage.

There isn't the enchantment of the first whisper in Hellblade 2. There is no astonishment of the first revelation. You shouldn't even have expected them. However, there is the dismay of an unparalleled visual and sound framework. There is a witty mix of psychosis, superstition, reality and imagination. There is a wisely different story, perhaps not as powerful as that of Senua's Sacrifice, yet driven strongly by its overwhelming uniqueness. Intimately epic, Hellblade 2 wears out quickly, perhaps too quickly, and once again prevents its playful personality from reaching full maturation. However, it remains a giant of its kind. Listen to him.