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.

Quotation forthcoming.

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.

Quotation forthcoming.

Quotation forthcoming.

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.

Quotation forthcoming.

Quotation forthcoming.

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.

Quotation forthcoming.

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.

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.

The Mickey Mouse's return finally isn't as epic as we could expect, but the Wii got close to having a great game.

Quotation forthcoming.

Quotation forthcoming.

First of all destined to all the family and festive, Kinect Sports is a preview of the capabilities of Kinect, but it's not with this title that the Xbox 360 will widen the gap in the race for motion gaming.

Quotation forthcoming.

Quotation forthcoming.

Quotation forthcoming.

Quotation forthcoming.

Quotation forthcoming.

Quotation forthcoming.

Quotation forthcoming.

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.

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.

Quotation forthcoming.

Quotation forthcoming.

Playing Romeo is a Dead Man feels like seeing an aging rockstar on stage : you respect them and you see the vision, but the execution isn't quite there anymore. Suda51 and Grasshopper Manufacture's latest adventure is a hodge-podge fusion of visual styles and ideas, which never coalesce into a coherent experience. The action gameplay starts off strong, but stagnates, as frequent framerate drops and damage-sponge enemies turn the highest difficulties into a real slog. Romeo is a Dead Man even concedes defeat in the final stretch as the story is clarified through a bunch of written notes. Ultimately feels like a borderline self-parody in its worst moments.