After the beef-and-cheese skewer, Skybound Games and Quarter Up have invented the sashimi burger. Invincible VS ticks all the boxes of a true *kusoge*—a glorious trash game—featuring 3v3 matches, bizarre physics, broken mechanics, and a roster of characters that make absolutely no sense. Almost against your better judgment, you find yourself enjoying the experience—mashing your controller in every direction to take flight and obliterate your opponent's health bar through sheer chaotic button-mashing—all while sensing that even if you *did* master the mechanics in depth, the end result wouldn't be much more coherent. While I certainly wouldn't recommend pursuing an esports career in this title, it remains a solid choice if you’re a fan of *Invincible*, or if you simply enjoy chaotic, generous fighting games that deliver plenty of bang for just a few button presses.

According to Aphelion, it all comes down to hope. If that were truly the case, Don’t Nod’s latest title would undoubtedly reach soaring heights. But much like its characters, the game must confront the harsh reality. It is not always an easy feat to reconcile narrative intensity with video game mechanics. On the narrative front, it delivers—despite a certain lack of originality. Yet, in many other respects, Aphelion lacks the precision that would have allowed the title to leave a lasting imprint on players' memories—and not just those of narrative game enthusiasts. It is thanks to its realism and its handling of emotions that it nonetheless succeeds in offering a rewarding journey through its own vision of space. It is an enjoyable space vacation, featuring a few particularly memorable moments—though the memory of it will surely eventually fade with time, much like the silhouette of a planet on the horizon.

Does Sol Cesto frustrate me? A little bit—since despite all the tweaks one might make to the probabilities, the luck factor remains absolutely paramount, and—unluckily for me—I have none whatsoever. Does that make Sol Cesto a bad game, though? Absolutely not. The gameplay loop is still very cleverly designed to be addictive, and the art direction has a charm of its own, featuring a well-executed blend of the zany and the macabre. Moreover, the very fact that the game puts us through the wringer is precisely what makes it so captivating, compelling us to experiment and uncover its secrets.

Even reviewed under punishing conditions and burdened with a technical performance that H. P. Lovecraft would probably have described as “indescribable” at least a dozen times in the same chapter, something still compels us to focus on the strengths that emerge from Cthulhu: The Cosmic Abyss. A diligent and conscientious student of an enduring literary mythos, the game by Big Bad Wolf skillfully lines up its references, but is unlikely to sweep connoisseurs off their feet with a narrative that—even when set in the future—lacks a bit of madness and surprise. It nonetheless remains an investigative game with a gripping atmosphere and rewarding mechanics, and deserves credit for the bold choice of placing its full trust in the player’s powers of deduction.

More "cinematic" than "platformer", Replaced is visually scrumptious but simply feels bad to control. Ultimately, it does feel like the gameplay was conceived backwards from the visuals. As mean as it sounds (and I don't like beating on indies), the experience might genuinely be best enjoyed on YouTube for less jank-tolerant folks.

Life is Strange: Reunion manages to sidestep the fan service that Max and Chloe’s return could have leaned into, delivering a story that holds up well—and, above all, a rather satisfying conclusion for both heroines. Deck Nine still struggles to fix some pacing issues in its storytelling, and Max’s time-rewinding powers feel somewhat underused, but the overall experience remains a positive note on which to say goodbye to this universe. Let’s just hope no one gets the bad idea of giving it a sequel.

Super Meat Boy 3D has strong bones, but gets lost in the three-dimensional sauce. You will die 'n retry often, for sure, with a bunch of tight levels and clever secrets to conquer for true old-school masochists, but too many deaths - and so, too many retries - stem from perspective issues which create artificial difficulty. Sluggerfly's game feel shines when the studio actually focuses on delivering a clever 3D experience rather than translating 2D ideas into a game space with depth, which induces an excessive margin of error in every movement. Do try the demo version before buying.

Somewhat like a cuter Little Nightmares, Darwin's Paradox takes the player through a series of charming vignettes. But this adventure has teeth. Imperfect controls and pixel-perfect jumps sometimes create unnecessary friction. Still, the fluid animation style and diversity of dioramas make this title worth a try.

Make no mistake: Screamer is anything but an accessible game. Its unique, meaty gameplay demands a significant amount of time to master; its difficulty spikes—at times unfair, with visibility issues in certain overly cluttered stages—put players to the test; its progression mechanics are also rather shallow, and its stunning cinematics are few and far between. Nevertheless, it remains a racing title that dares to be different—one that frequently succeeds in hooking, thrilling, and intoxicating the player through the unique stylistic exercise it offers. It is a game of drifting and vehicular combat situated at the crossroads of a ruthless *Ridge Racer* and a brute-force *Burnout*—generous in both dialogue and tracks, and punctuated by an excellent soundtrack and art direction. Lacking any currency system or car upgrade mechanics, Screamer still falls short on structural depth to truly ascend to the ranks of the genre's greats; perhaps future updates will make the difference. In the meantime, Milestone’s offering is more than laudable, proving that the Italian studio can—and should—break free from the perpetual confines of pure simulation: flirting with arcade-style gameplay, science fiction, and Japanese animation really does pay off.

Crimson Desert is the absolute definition of a massive disappointment. It’s a Ferrari body with a lawnmower engine under the hood. Pearl Abyss tried to please everyone and ended up pleasing no one: Elden Ring fans will be driven mad by the clunky combat, Witcher fans will be bored to tears by the lack of depth, those looking for a world as organic as Breath of the Wild are in for a rude awakening, and the general public will struggle with the abysmal UI and unwarranted difficulty spikes. Riddled with technical issues unacceptable for a blockbuster of this scale, and weighed down by dated writing, Crimson Desert is on the verge of a total systemic failure. The hype train has well and truly derailed. See you in a year, after 150 patches and a mountain of DLC, which, of course, are already in the works.

Despite some great ideas and undeniable skill in creating a coherent and engaging world, Greedfall: The Dying World will struggle to be the saving grace for Spiders and Nacon. It never truly escapes its major structural shortcomings (which have only worsened since Greedfall). Its utterly forgettable combat (due in large part to its disconcerting simplicity) fails to generate any real enjoyment. The worst part is that it's hard not to see in this sequel (which isn't really one) the skeleton of a good game. There's soul there, at least. But because of its fragmented structure, outdated design choices, and overall flawed presentation, the title chosen for Spiders' latest release might very well end up being sadly prophetic.

Marathon makes excellent use of Bungie's strengths, whether in its narrative, visuals, or gameplay. But despite this polished presentation, it remains a relatively conventional extraction shooter, and the few attempts to differentiate it—particularly the fast-paced and challenging combat and the hero system—fail to truly convince. There's no doubt the game will find the dedicated community it deserves for its undeniable qualities, but following the vibrant Arc Raiders unfortunately makes Marathon somewhat bland for the average player.

For all the beautiful moments of art direction and atmosphere it offers, the charm of Fatal Frame 2: Crimson Butterfly Remake is too often broken by combat hampered by arbitrary new mechanics that drag on and make the experience frustrating and tedious, without the player's skill being able to do anything about it. Aside from the less-than-optimal fluidity (we'd forgotten what 30 frames per second was like), Koei Tecmo has clearly spared no effort in modernizing this installment in both substance and style, giving it a new depth that is reflected in its genuinely solid length. The side quests and new exploration mechanics are among these worthwhile additions that tip the scales in its favor. But despite its 25 years of existence, Fatal Frame still seems to have some work to do before finding the balance that will allow it to join the ranks of the great names in horror games.

With its consistently sublime art direction, Wishfully needed to focus primarily on its gameplay. And so it did; the studio delivers greater variety and depth in its gameplay, and we even wished for more sequences in this vein, as they effectively break up the very linear structure of the first game. The story greatly enriches a universe that was still quite cryptic, but the ending, which takes the form of a "to be continued," leaves players wanting more and even a little frustrated.

Pokémon Pokopia met our expectations, even if it's not perfect. It does have a repetitive aspect inherent to the genre, which won't appeal to everyone, and some technical issues that can become annoying over time. However, if you enjoy relaxing atmospheres and don't want to overthink things, there's a good chance this game will satisfy you if you're willing to pay the price, because in terms of playtime, you'll definitely get your money's worth.

For the very last (?) ride in Raccoon City, Resident Evil Requiem delivers a healthy blend of survival-horror tropes and references from almost every main episode of the franchise. Alas, this does also mean its edge is sometimes dulled by an avalanche of cameos, winks at the camera, and even more ridiculous twists than usual. While the Rhodes Hill center is one of the best Resident Evil locations ever put to screen with gorgeously detailed zombies and a tried-and-true approach to level design, the game does suffer from "Resident Evil syndrome" as quality, care and precision start waning as the adventure progresses. Still an essential buy for survival-horror enthusiasts.

Neither sacrilegious nor godly, God of War: Sons of Sparta is a pretty decent metroidvania romp. Mega Cat Studios wears its Blasphemous influence on its sleeve with enchanting pixel art landscapes, crunchy combat and secrets galore, yet, at launch, the game is brought down by bugs and performance issues. Wait for a few patches.

Styx: Blades of Greed is a real moral dilemma. It’s the quintessential example of a game you desperately want to love, yet it constantly gives you reasons to hate it. On one hand, Cyanide is making the most of a fantastic character and a "pure stealth" philosophy that we want to support with all our heart. On the other, the finished product feels rushed and unpolished, riddled with game-breaking bugs and technical performance that is simply unacceptable for 2026…We’d love to be lenient with this AA budget title, but when a game physically prevents the player from progressing, love just isn't enough. Styx deserved better than such a technical train wreck. So, can we recommend it? No. Can we suggest you wait for a massive amount of polishing before diving in? Probably.

Despite a scuffed and unbalanced story, repetitive solo "open world" missions and numerous gameplay issues, My Hero Academia : All's Justice remains a pretty fun romp for anime fans when played with friends. Buy on sale?

“A mature work” is probably a phrase you’re tired of hearing. Yet, Reanimal certainly gives that impression at first glance. Despite its characters, the game isn’t childish at all. With its monstrously disturbing atmosphere, deeply meta gameplay, and art direction worthy of the most terrifying nightmares, Reanimal has something special and does exactly what you’d expect. That said, it remains a game that hasn’t quite matured in terms of its execution. Conventional and rarely transcendent, Reanimal’s gameplay lacks that little something extra to elevate it to the top. So, while it’s certainly a game that’s mature for its age, it still has a few things to learn to truly join the ranks of the greats.

If Yakuza 3 Remastered was kept readily accessible, then Yakuza Kiwami 3's mistakes wouldn't be such a big issue. But RGG Studio has decided to erase the original version in favor of a weaker, less inspired remake, with an outright stupid twist ending and watered-down gameplay (despite a few enjoyable side activities along the way). The Dark Ties gaiden game offers an interesting look into Mine's backstory and would be enjoyable as a budget title on its own, but the overall package is found lacking, to say nothing of Teruyuki Kagawa's involvement and RGG Studio's silence on that matter. Yakuza feels like a headless cash cow now. Let's hope Stranger Than Heaven strikes gold.

City Tales: Medieval Era is likely a pleasant proposition for newcomers to the city-builder genre—but that also turns out to be its biggest flaw. By removing any form of penalties or constraints in the expansion of our city, the entire game can be played on autopilot without the slightest concern. This is all the more regrettable since some of its gameplay mechanics, such as companions, are actually quite enjoyable.

In its eagerness to move beyond meritocracy, Dragon Quest VII Reimagined forgets the value of hard work. Absolutely charming in its polished and highly successful graphics and its writing, which remains relevant despite its age, this remake-that-isn't-quite-a-remake suffers from an excess of leniency, to the point of neglecting game balance, which is fundamental to the enjoyment of the game. The challenges of modernization are sometimes difficult to overcome, and while we commend the work done on the combat and job systems for this return to the spotlight, the iconic DQ7 would have benefited from retaining at least some of its original rough edges.

Cairn is a good game that masters its subject matter and mechanics, as well as its raw emotions and the authenticity of its narrative. For some, it will even certainly serve as a pretext for self-reflection. But there's a catch that leaves a bitter taste: it could have been excellent. The Game Bakers had all the ingredients to cook up an exceptional dish, but the whole thing is undercooked, and a few clunky bugs and other missteps spoil the mountain adventure. This is the strange feeling that Cairn leaves you with. After this exhausting climb on every level, it gives the impression of being both on top of the world and utterly defeated. And to think we were just a pickaxe swing away from becoming one with the mountain.

If reading this review gives you hives, it's no coincidence: that's exactly the feeling the author experienced for much of the time spent playing Trails Beyond The Horizon. It's high time for Falcom to have a wake-up call regarding its flagship series: by constantly offering the same structure (whether narrative, gameplay, or even exploration), even the most dedicated players will inevitably sigh at the inherent redundancy of this new installment, which simply rehashes an already worn-out formula. Boredom prevails over excitement, at least during the first long half of the game, and the multitude of characters paraded for the sake of fan service won't be enough (even for seasoned fans) to maintain interest in the long run. If you manage to get past the thirty-hour mark, a good game is hidden somewhere within. But this is a recurring issue that we wish we didn't have to point out anymore: once again, yet again, another Trails game only truly takes off after dozens of hours of gameplay. Perhaps it's time to return to the fundamentals: streamline this world and refocus the plot, and you'll have something worthwhile. As it stands, however, on the horizon of the Trails series, this is once again a bit of a slog, despite a story that is far more satisfying than that of its predecessor.

With its strong art direction, cohesive world, and well-balanced difficulty, MIO: Memories in Orbit proves to be a very satisfying experience. Its deliberately slow gameplay won't appeal to everyone, especially the combat, but it's justified and becomes quite engaging, making you want to invest the ten or so hours needed to complete it. It's a solid little Metroidvania that has a lot to offer, despite a few flaws and a finale that we had hoped would be more spectacular.

Terminator 2D : No Fate is a splendid 16/32-bits throwback, no doubt, but the very short runtime and lack of T-800 sequences are baffling while advertised modes and alternate scenarios end up very limited in scope. As a result, the 29,99€ price tag is tough to swallow in this economy and roster of regular releases.

It's difficult to adequately rate Skate Story, as the game constantly oscillates between wonderful musical moments and incredibly generic, open-world sections, creating a yo-yo effect on the overall quality graph. But since a rating is necessary, 7/10 seems to reasonably reflect my overall impression. Sam Eng offers controls that are both simple and comprehensive, with a well-designed tutorial system that constantly introduces new moves to master, allowing you to skip the less engaging moments and focus on the best parts. It's a visually striking game that's worth checking out.

It’s obvious: Metroid Prime 4: Beyond is the weakest entry in the Prime series. Is the full restart from scratch to blame? We will probably never know, but this central desert that impoverishes the overall level design is a major flaw one simply cannot overlook, as its harmful influence can be felt throughout the entire game. Add to that an omnipresent and irritating hand-holding, a story that handles its antagonist and secondary characters very clumsily — not outright terrible, but of questionable interest — and we end up with an experience that does not live up to our high expectations… Even so, it’s hard not to enjoy a proposal that is technically very solid, with a dynamism and freedom in combat that feel genuinely pleasant and are supported by plenty of good little ideas.

Marvel Cosmic Invasion is far from a bad game, but it’s a major missed opportunity. It’s a technically flawless beat ’em up that chose the safety of past success over the cosmic daring its premise deserved. It suffers from Marvel’s current timidity and ends up feeling noticeably unbalanced when played solo. Its final score reflects only the raw quality of the pixel art and the sheer fun of its multiplayer mode. For anyone expecting a soft revolution, or even just a small step forward after Shredder’s Revenge, the disappointment hits hard. The talent is there, but the inspiration clearly took a holiday. Unless you’re a die-hard Marvel comics fan, it’s hard to recommend opening your wallet.

Going through Fort Oasis' ruins feels like revisiting a lost 2000's horror game in the best (and sometimes worst) ways. Well-designed maps with clever secrets are offset by a few unbalanced fights. Total Chaos feels overall like a good nostalgic experience, leaving a positive mark in DOOM's extended family tree.

Constance remains a modest game, yet manages to deliver a lovely experience with the means it has — and you can feel the heart behind it. Still, we would have liked its core progression to be less linear, and for it to fully embrace its original gameplay mechanics to give its combat a bit more flavour. But thanks to its superb art direction, the themes it tackles, and its precision in platforming, it remains an adventure well worth experiencing.

With its many customization options and the simply fun nature of its gameplay, Kirby Air Riders makes a strong impression from the very first sessions. Beneath a deceptive feeling of simplicity lies a surprising amount of depth, one that takes hours and hours to fully master. Still, the experience may start to feel a bit repetitive after a while: unfortunately, the generous shots of dopamine the game delivers struggle to keep the player engaged past the ten-hour mark. There’s no doubt, however, that competitive players in search of yet another frantic, fluorescent, borderline-epileptic thrill ride will find exactly what they’re looking for.

Torn between puzzle mechanics and rigorous martial arts brawls, Forestrike doesn't always find the right balance - but when lightning strikes, it strikes right on target. Finding the true worth of Forestrike requires training, dedication, and a good capacity to handle frustration.

Freed from its big brother's technical issues, Hyrule Warriors : Age of Imprisonment is a polished muso experience that remains a tad too easy. Also, while the Switch 2's power is certainly put to good use, reading the action in portable mode is sometimes difficult due to an overload of visual effects and UI elements.

Despite its highly effective formula and undeniable qualities, Slots & Daggers is difficult to praise highly. While one can accept that the project's modest scale might hinder the high replayability normally inherent to roguelites, it remains problematic to note that the progression curve is somewhat unbalanced, shifting very quickly from extreme weakness to overwhelming power. It's certainly a good offering that deserved more depth to truly reach its full potential.

Far from the polished Streets of Rage 4, Double Dragon Revive stumbles over its balancing and rushes its finishing touches. Yet behind all the clumsiness of this brawler lies a small heart that beats to the rhythm of fluid combos and punks sent flying into dumpsters, windows, and electric panels. These environmental finishers add both soul and impact to a beat ’em up that takes a little longer than usual to reveal its strengths over its flaws. While waiting for some much-needed patches, Double Dragon Revive doesn’t deserve to appear in your favorite YouTuber’s “Top 5 Worst Double Dragon Games,” and that’s already something. But it does show just how far this franchise still has to go as it searches for a better future without tarnishing its past.

Is Ninja Gaiden 4 bad ? No. Yakumo advances the saga's gameplay in a modern fashion, but the new gameplay mechanics introduce a few means to easily cheese through encounters, partially undercutting the fighting game roots brought by the late Tomonobu Itagaki. And the level design is not good either, with recycled environments galore. But PlatinumGames' new, inexperienced team still brings in action game goodness with instant lightning-fast battles, gory executions and a few great bosses to make you try a new run in Master Ninja mode or complete the post-game trials. Ninja Gaiden 4 also probably is a good onboarding experience for series newcomers.

While the Pokémon Legends series may at first seem eager to break free from the limitations of the mainline episodes, it still falls short of the long-awaited reinvention fans have been hoping for. Z-A shows plenty of good ideas and offers the most engaging battle system the franchise has seen in a long time, but it struggles to make up for its eternal shortcomings: dull and underwhelming visuals for the modern era, a still overly childish narrative, a glaring lack of personality, and gameplay inconsistencies that gradually erode the experience over time. Though die-hard fans of the series will no doubt overlook these flaws, the average player (who only hunts monsters from time to time) will find Pokémon Legends: Z-A to be a pleasant attempt, but far from essential.

Do not play Ball x Pit expecting a solid roguelite experience — because you won’t find one. What you will find, however, is an interesting reinterpretation of Vampire Survivors in a brick-breaker format: dynamic enough, with a generous arsenal and a small town-management mechanic that adds a bit of freshness to the formula. Despite the gameplay variations introduced by certain characters, it doesn’t take long before a sense of repetitiveness settles in, as you start chaining runs without thinking too much about it.

Battlefield 6 is, above all, a game of reconquest — an attempt to win back its historical community and to atone for BF2042. Under those conditions, the mission to deliver a classic “made in Battlefield” experience is fulfilled, and whether it’s in terms of gameplay, feel, or weapon balancing in multiplayer, it’s a solid overall success. In this context, it’s hard to see the franchise revolutionizing or even shaking up its formula, but the multiplayer aspect holds up well — and that’s what matters most right now. The few attempts at innovation, starting with the campaign, feel more like a desire to mimic Call of Duty than anything else, complete with that tiresome brand of Americanism — and we’re still angry about that story conclusion, which recalls the darkest hours of CoD. If you’re going to copy Activision, at least don’t take the bad stuff — though to be fair, we’ve already avoided the overabundance of ugly skins, and that’s already a pretty big victory.

While its effective art direction and rich gameplay are undeniable, Henry Halfhead is an experience that hesitates too much to exploit its ideas, preferring to multiply influences without going there frankly. The result is a nice game, but one that lacks this strong structure both in its rhythm and the use of its mechanics and in terms of story, because of a dispersion that is too noticeable and which prevents it from being truly memorable.

As for the gameplay breakdown, even if I were able to give you an analysis as in-depth as those once delivered by King Puyo, what would be the point given that patches will inevitably transform the game during the season? What's the point of thinking about what the "right rating" is for a product over which the press has no influence whatsoever? So many questions and so few answers. Only one certainty remains: football sucks, but we can't live without it. And as for the rating, wait and see, I'll roll the dice... it's 7!

CloverPit is a roguelite that is conceptually solid, with an instantly addictive loop, but it runs up against modest ambitions that limit the richness of its possibilities. While having a narrative thread helps to structure the adventure, it also gives the impression that the whole thing has been too heavily built around it. What we have here is a small but efficient roguelite that will keep us busy for a while, but whose limits in depth become clear once its short story has been wrapped up.

After having explored every corner of the galaxy and played the card of excess, the Borderlands saga re-centers its story on a single planet, meant to be the franchise’s first true open world. By returning to less grandiose foundations, but also to less fiery writing, Gearbox clearly intends to offer an experience that doesn’t scatter itself, in order to better master its fundamentals: excellent gameplay with real depth, paired with humor that is better handled and less overblown. That said, it’s also regrettable that the density of its universe relies on exploration and environments that are, all in all, very conventional, along with a certain lack of boldness. Borderlands 4 is efficient, but it won’t send shivers through the industry—showing off muscles we already know all too well.

Ghost of Yotei has clearly refined its formula on quite a few points, exploration and the construction of its open world being foremost, delivering a far greater sense of discovery than the previous installment. Stealth has been sharpened and combat gets a few small tweaks, but the game also neglects other aspects that should have been addressed. It is still a visually stunning game to wander through, but the story struggles to stand out and to offer us something as strong, narratively speaking, as Ghost of Tsushima.

What can I say? Final Fantasy Tactics: The Ivalice Chronicles remains, in essence, Final Fantasy Tactics. In that sense, the game is, by its mere existence, still one of the most striking adventures of the medium. There are indeed some substantial additions here in the interface, in quality of life, and even in the gameplay, but can these really justify a purchase at this price? We’ll let you answer that question, but know that, while in some respects this re-release proves particularly respectful of the source material, it also shows some baffling shortcomings. Where is the re-orchestration of the soundtrack? Where are the content additions from the War of the Lions version? Where are the adjustments for better camera angles? Certainly, The Ivalice Chronicles is without a doubt the most pleasant version of the game to play in 2025, but it also could (and should) have been much more.

Towa and the Guardians of the Sacred Tree really does have some strong arguments at the end of its staff. Its duo system allows it to offer both engaging gameplay and enjoyable stories. On top of that, the woodblock print style gives it undeniable charm. And we have to add the developers’ great generosity. On paper, then, there’s no reason to be bored with the new game from Brownies and Bandai Namco. But between theory and practice, there is sometimes a gulf. The beauty of Towa and the Guardians of the Sacred Tree unfortunately fades as the hours go by. It scatters, sometimes loses itself, and leaves us with the impression of gorging on content without managing to fully appreciate it. By trying too hard to be on all fronts, Towa and the Guardians of the Sacred Tree gradually drifts away from the innovative and delightful experience it could have been. The game certainly has potential, but it lacks the guardians to raise it among the sacred games.

Hollow Knight: Silksong is quite the thorny case, because you can easily be disappointed in the face of its numerous hardships. By shipping a much more difficult experience, Team Cherry may lose some players. A daring choice we could praise if it was more slickly executed. Team Cherry had a real treasure but lost pearls along the way. But Silksong is no bad game. It remains a singular poetic experience, different from 8 years ago. Sceptics will need to accept the game has real qualities, from its univers to its improved combat mechanics. So then, we remember Silksong was born as a DLC. And it could have been an excellent DLC.

While it's hard to ignore some of its flaws, Cronos: The New Dawn is a game that was made with love, and that love is contagious. The plot and time travel elements fit together coherently to offer us an enjoyable story and universe in a setting that is relatively atypical for Western Europeans like us. While the level design is a little too predictable to serve as a solid horror springboard, the same goes for the good idea of merging monsters, which remains too far in the background to be decisive. In reality, it is mainly the balancing act of resource management that will be the real source of anxiety and fear, where every missed shot can cost us dearly.

The idea of guiding a herd of supernatural creatures to their place of life was fascinating on paper. If the studio does a good job of building its universe and making these critters endearing, the conventional gameplay offered in the name of a calm and contemplative atmosphere makes the game in the end a little boring, and it would have gained much more by making us experience more situations of danger for our beasts, which we will stroll on autopilot for a large part of the time.

There are games that more than deserve their "timeless classic" label: Gears of War probably falls into this category, as it has aged so well. Sure, The Coalition's rework has something to do with it, but we're talking about an action title that, at its core, is solid enough to grab the hearts of even those who never got their hands on it. In itself, there's nothing truly new on the horizon, especially since the title already benefited from a remaster in 2016: the experience remains imperfect, it's sometimes a little bland and thin, but it's brutal, enjoyable, and surprisingly timeless. And that's not bad, especially for a first installment released almost twenty years ago.

For their first solo outing, Lizardcube delivers a slick comeback for Joe Musashi, with sharp attacks and ninja techniques, somewhat brought down by inconsistent level design and a few technical issues. The studio's unbeatable visual flair beautifully enhances the adventure. A sequel would certainly improve on these excellent core features to really soar above the competition.

Metal Gear Solid Delta doesn’t change the game; it rather does the bare minimum to bring itself up to date. Fortunately for it, MGS 3 is a fantastic game, with undeniable charm and rich creativity, even today. It’s an adventure you finish with pleasure and enjoy replaying over and over to master every aspect of it, making it a worthwhile investment. On the other hand, one can’t help but feel that Metal Gear Solid 3 deserved better. The result here is that MGS 3 is still a highly effective soldier, strong as ever, but trapped in a body whose only youth lies in its aesthetics. It’s up to you to decide what you truly expect from it.

Yeah, yeah, another review that could have been summed up as "it's the first episode, but better." Buying a CyberConnect2 disc is like going back to Grandma's at the first sign of frost: you know she's going to whip out the old-fashioned tartiflette, and it's not particularly clever when you think about it, but good god, it fills your stomach and brings back good memories. The Hinokami Chronicles 2 has the good taste to deliver slightly more interesting boss fights and a more extensive cast, which is enough to reach the sacrosanct bar of seven out of ten; but the online mode with shaky servers, the finger-licking balance, and the basic single-player content still prevent the franchise from passing the "it's really cool if you've seen the anime" threshold. Come on, there's no harm in treating yourself.

Mafia: The Old Country tells a superb story with a colorful cast of mafiosos. Even though the plot is classic, we can’t help but get drawn in, as the atmosphere is perfectly set and the Sicilian scenery is sublime. The immersion is such that we’re even willing to forgive gameplay which, without being fundamentally bad, remains stuck two decades in the past in its design and archaic AI. Even if we can still feel that the game is aimed at an already convinced audience of the franchise, it remains a very pleasant narrative experience.

Are you willing to tolerate a blatant lack of resources, very 2014 mechanics, and a relatively esoteric narrative? If so, then Dead Take might appeal to you. Surgent Studios doesn't break any new ground, but it does craft a nice little plot by using a few directorial levers wisely, without relying on horrible, hackneyed chase sequences, as is often the case with these types of projects. There's no low-brow monster to get around to prolong the ride. The fact remains that the ending collapses a little on itself, and our benevolence then reaches its limits.

It's impossible to remain indifferent to Shadow Labyrinth. Behind a modest package and a slightly (very) outlandish promise, it's a work that's both respectful and subversive, tender and metaphysical, ingenious and technically imperfect. We're dealing here with a radical author's game stuck in the tight-fitting costume of a forty-year-old license, a gamer's manifesto for gamers, and a profound homage to an entire history of Japanese video games. It's not a classic, nor a blockbuster, but it's certainly a sincere and dense experience that more than deserves its favorite label.

Is Hunter x Hunter: Nen x Impact fun? Yes, definitely. Is it reasonable to sell it for 60 euros when online matches are practically unplayable unless you live in a Google data center? No. Indexing the final score on the sale price is not always relevant, but in this case, the comparison with the competition - on similar price ranges - really stings the bank account and makes you feel like a big sucker. Buy full price if you are truly a fan, if you intend to grind the disc locally for hundreds of hours, or if you want to get angry with your spouse.

For their first game, Wild Wits has created an adventure story that constantly gives us the impression of making the wrong choice, and the universe is so rich that it's difficult not to succumb. While the card game's mechanics are solid and offer small subtleties to help you stand out from the crowd, the battles still struggle to differentiate themselves from each other and prevent you from varying your approaches.

Better paced than its big brother and more technically stable, RoboCop: Rogue City - Unfinished Business is a nice last hurrah for Teyon's super-cop. Oh, sure, the plot is a few lines long, the references to the various films are a bit too clumsy and we're left with the feeling that the studio is really reaching the end of the line with this franchise, but there are still 8 hours of explosive and stupidly enjoyable action interspersed with sarcastic oneliners and polished visuals. At a reasonable price (€29.99), we don't ask for much more...

Welcome to a soccer game where making the slightest pass is a merit. Where your camera skills, your effort management, and your instincts count for more than statistics and complex manipulations. When you're part of an action that goes all the way, when players demonstrate fighting spirit, altruism, and skill to multiply tackles and passes, and when the ball ends up propelled into the net with a powerful acrobatic volley after a perfect cross, the pleasure is real and provides that dopamine that will make you stay for one more game. However, the balance between satisfaction and frustration remains very perilous as things stand. Simple to control on paper, Rematch doesn't need your 30 years of experience with other soccer games. It's a coach with whimsical methods, whose codes must be learned and who puts the player's patience to the test. Sometimes it's the game's fault (technical issues), sometimes it's the player's fault (muscle memory), and sometimes it's other people's fault (lack of altruism). In any case, if you find these lines don't feel like a conclusion, please direct your complaints to Sloclap, as Rematch doesn't feel like a finished game either.

While the fundamental idea of ​​FBC: Firebreak is entirely relevant, Remedy completely misses its multiplayer turn due to inconsistent and counterintuitive systems that are made even more incomprehensible by the stubborn absence of any decent tutorials. Despite the Finnish studio's many talents, no one has ensured the bare minimum for a premium multiplayer game in 2025. Very tight content, absence of basic communication tools... nothing impossible to adjust in the medium term, but for once, we're going to say it: an early access period would have been welcome to correct the obvious before crashing into a launch that's already been publicly crucified. Losing control happens even to the best.

Despite all the criticisms that have been made about its open world, Mario Kart World remains a leading social game and still knows how to easily bring players from all walks of life into its wake. The more fortunate will even indulge in the luxury of the camera that allows you to display your friend's face in a vignette when he overtakes you for maximum provocation. Despite its flaws, we are still on a sure bet that will occupy many evenings and we trust Nintendo to offer it a follow-up worthy of Mario Kart 8 Deluxe.

An atypical arcade curiosity, Berserk or Die doesn't necessarily live up to its initial promises, but ultimately reveals a certain complexity that transforms the adventure into a demanding action game that drives you slightly crazy in its own way. Whether you choose to massacre your keyboard or adopt alternative mouse controls, you'll probably risk a burst aneurysm from bathing in the big, dirty pixels, special attacks, overpriced items, and obscene traps set by the developer. A great, cunning romp, but rather rough-hewn.

It's very difficult to rate To a T. The proposal is very effective from a story and thematic point of view, and we find the touch of absurdity inherent in Takahashi's creations. We regret, however, that this know-how remains very wise when it comes to approaching its gameplay. It is important to understand that this is a game for children and only for them, and it seems almost unfair to punish it for this reason, despite the disappointment that it can represent.

There's no denying it — Elden Ring Nightreign is a somewhat broken and bizarre concept that won’t appeal to everyone. But if this unusual mix manages to win you over, it quickly becomes hard to resist the urge to keep playing for hours on end, even when it demands a significant mental investment. The boss fights are satisfying, the various characters each bring something unique to the table, and there’s a genuine sense of progression and reward as your playstyle evolves over time. As a first attempt focused on multiplayer, it may not be a masterpiece, but it’s still a bold and intriguing proposition.

Deliver At All Costs falls somewhere between two stools. On one side, you'll find a rather zany arcade racing game where pedestrians and buildings are mere obstacles for your jet-powered pickup truck; on the other, you'll have a bizarre thriller that flies off in all directions without ever hitting the mark. It's like Crazy Taxi meets the cutscenes of Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas. Moreover, despite a good attempt to break the monotony in the third act, the various explorable cities become less and less well-developed, probably reflecting a lack of budget or inspiration as development neared its end. Not bad, but not very memorable either.

The Precinct won't appeal to everyone. Its serious approach, its desire to make you take responsibility, its disenchanted atmosphere, and its offbeat gameplay choices won't please fans of easy action or total freedom. But for players looking for a different kind of action game (and for roleplay enthusiasts), with a real underlying vision and intelligent gameplay, it's an experience worth trying. Despite the technical hiccups, The Precinct is a game we can only recommend. Because it has substance. Because it dares. And because, beneath its retro crime story style, it surprisingly speaks well about our times.

While Post Trauma's art direction is well-polished, and Red Soul Games plays with Unreal Engine 5 to deliver a few polished shots, the whole thing quickly falls apart due to a completely lunar storyline. Its dialogue evokes a bad parody of Silent Hill, as does everything else, for that matter; from mediocre combat to uneven puzzles, Post Trauma retains almost nothing but the flaws of its illustrious predecessors. At fifteen euros, it's not too bad, you might say. Certainly! Red Soul Games should, however, free itself from its inspirations to find its way and overcome its pitfalls, because while there is potential in this team, this first copy goes astray too often to remain memorable.

Oblivion Remastered aims to primarily target longtime fans by offering an experience that is ultimately extremely close to the base game, but with a new, very successful visual coating. This is the principle of a remastered game, of course, but we were entitled to expect a robust frame rate, or official support for mods, for example. While the few improvements made by Virtuos are also appreciable, we also feel that the studio could have gone further, and Bethesda seems determined to refine things in this area. It's just a shame that all this is happening after the release and reinforces the impression that the goal isn't so much to introduce the game to a new generation, but rather to satisfy the old ones.

Tempest Rising is basically a love letter to old-school RTS fans. It doesn't break new ground, but it brings back everything that mattered, and does it well enough to stand proudly alongside its inspirations. In a time when RTS games are often treated like relics, this throwback feels like a real shot of adrenaline. Slipgate Ironworks isn’t shy about showing where it comes from, and the game reminds us why the sound of tanks blowing up in sync will never get old. Still, if you were hoping for the second coming of RTS, you’ll probably end up with a prophet who just knows his gospels by heart.

While Garou : Mark of the Wolves remains untouchable, his legitimate heir Fatal Fury : City of the Wolves easily stands face-to-face with ruthless competitors. The SNK formula shines with modern updates and delivers a dynamic game with a high skill ceiling but a relatively low skill floor for newcomers (despite a few thorns). Unlike many other recent fighting games, defense is just as exciting as offense, creating a very balanced feeling overall. However, Saudi Arabia's political interests shine through with a deplorable CR7 cameo. Let's just hope this is a one-time marketing stunt and not the start of something worse.

If the mix of puzzle game and rogue-lite works up to a certain point, it is mainly because Blue Prince makes no concessions on its random nature. Whether you’re 2 or 200 hours into the game, it will continue to be the number one obstacle in your quest for knowledge and puzzles. Despite that, it’s a game that remains fascinating, one that easily obsesses the person who is ready to dive in to make it one of the most striking video game experiences of recent years. For others, it will be far too heavy and uncertain an investment.

Much like his protagonist Ichigo, Bleach : Rebirth of Souls is no messiah. While Bandai Namco and Tamsoft go to great lengths to deliver an original anime fighting game while avoiding arena fighter trappings, combat mechanics are too light to remain interesting over time. Bleach : Rebirth of Souls mainly targets shinigami fanatics and hardcore fans able to find every detail and reference scattered through the game. Good enough, I say.

Despite a certain generosity and explosive sword fights, The First Berserker : Khazan stretches so far and wide that its strings end up fraying after thirty-five hours of play. Between a retrograde avalanche of color-coded loot, damage-sponge bosses and plain level designs, Nexon has clearly studied the genre in depth yet lacks the necessary spark to coalesce varied designs into a radical proposition. In the end, you'll just find an okay action game.

South of Midnight is Compulsion Games' strongest production yet. This enchanting tale through America's Deep South convokes rich popular imagery between wonderful musical sequences and colorful characters. While the writing is sometimes a little too plain and obvious, this adventure offers a deep and nuanced view of historical counter-cultures and remains interesting until credits roll. However, the gameplay remains plain as white bread ; nourishing to a certain degree, but lacking taste and spice. Your enjoyment will hinge on your ability to get paste stale combat mechanics to immerse yourself in a fantastic folklore-based world.

As interesting as the character development may be, as exhilarating as the combat gameplay may feel, and as endearing as Van may be, Trails Through Daybreak II struggles to hide its lack of major narrative stakes. Storytelling shortcuts and the overall lack of impact of the plot have tested our patience for a title that deserved much more—especially as a reward for the dedication of longtime fans of the series, who are already particularly patient. For a Trails game, this is very weak, and our eyes are already turning toward Kai No Kiseki, hoping that this time, Nihon Falcom will have more to tell us.

Atelier Yumia is an invitation to voluntary and controlled escapism. Through its mastery of secrets scattered across the map, combined with a more mature (albeit relatively simple) narrative, this new Atelier embraces its role in revitalizing the series with unprecedented flair. By the end of its lengthy experience, Atelier Yumia stands as the most complete yet most accessible entry in the series for newcomers—which was likely Gust’s main goal. In some respects, this new adventure does feel like a rough draft, particularly with its chaotic combat and a much less refined alchemy system than in previous installments. However, the leap forward from past attempts is so significant that we are more than willing to overlook some of its minor missteps.

Neither the charisma of Goro Majima, both violent and imbued with a sense of honor, but also now tinged with paternal benevolence and open-mindedness, nor the few flashes of directing from an increasingly uninhibited RGG Studio, can make us forget the weakness of the narrative stakes of this spin-off, nor the general lack of interest in all the phases at sea. Certainly very generous and often funny, Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii always knows how to make us have a good time and keep the satisfaction cursor on the right side. But its empty passages also offer us the opportunity to reflect on the general state of a franchise that has elevated recycling to the rank of art and that vigorously shakes its totem of immunity as soon as we dare ask it to ease off a little, to take the time to correct its technical flaws, to review its aging structure and to treat its filling and hyperstimulation disorders.

The problem when reviewing a game of this scale, part of a series with more than ten entries, is that personal attachment and nostalgia inevitably play a crucial role. It’s clear that the franchise no longer offers the same experience as it did years ago. The rough, unwelcoming, and flamboyant feel of the past has given way to unwavering accessibility, a clear pursuit of simplicity, and a deliberate openness to newcomers. While the game’s addictive foundations are still present, they are nonetheless hindered by an at times excessive simplification of its mechanics. However, Monster Hunter Wilds remains a thrilling experience, even for veterans—provided they accept that it is no longer the game they once knew.

You will have understood from the extra-large size of this review: Avowed has an incredible charm that deserves discussion. Obsidian delivers a beautiful fantasy epic, with a delightful troupe of companions, which does not reach the studio's peaks but still makes you want to return after the end credits to continue exploring the Living Lands. Those looking for an anti-colonialist political manifesto or a new sacred monster of Western RPGs will be left wanting, of course, as it lacks a radical idea to transcend the whole. However, Avowed remains a very solid offering that would deserve a direct sequel to go beyond its classicism. Let’s hope so.

Apart from a combat overhaul, Warhorse offers nothing truly new in terms of gameplay compared to the first installment, even regarding aspects that were far from unanimous. While one might regret that the studio stands so firmly by its choices, including the visual aspect of its game, the quality of its main story’s writing and the gargantuan richness of its side quests make it an adventure in which one can easily lose themselves for hours without ever getting bored. All this, provided one embraces the experience—those who did not enjoy the first installment will have a hard time finding satisfaction here, as the experience remains largely the same.

Firaxis delivers a solid performance, with an interesting gameplay loop that stays fresh and successfully makes micromanagement feel less cumbersome, encouraging even the most reluctant players to expand their empire by founding more cities. A real change of pace for the franchise, which ultimately wins us over. While the diplomatic system overhaul and the AI's more coherent playstyle stand out the most, we hope Firaxis will find a way through patches to make the structure of a match a bit more unpredictable, as a clear pattern emerges after around thirty hours of play regarding the overall flow of a game. This is the downside of the new model that divides a match into three ages: it works well with its soft reset but comes with its own set of issues. Still, it's a game we can easily see ourselves sinking over a hundred hours into by the end of 2025, whether in solo or multiplayer.

Quotation forthcoming.

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