I should mention that there are a couple of details in the story that didn't quite fit for me and seemed a bit forced, and that the boss battles, in general, seemed quite easy compared to other instalments in the series. Otherwise, I can only praise the work that Capcom has prepared for us.

It pains me greatly to have to give this score to a game that was part of my childhood, which I have fond memories of and am loving reliving on Nintendo Switch (in Handheld Mode), but I really think they could have done a much better job and that, aside from the price, if they had included screen filters, full compatibility with Pokémon Home, and online features so you don't have to meet up with your friends in person to trade Pokémon and battle, these ports would have been much more appealing options.

Mario Tennis Fever is what you might call a mixed bag. There's excitement in the Ranked matches and a relative balance when you master the characters and rackets, but the online friendly mode feels archaic and the overall experience doesn't offer as much enjoyment and depth as some of the previous, ironically simpler, games. The additional activities are welcome, but the story is a bore. The graphics are beautiful, but the amount of recycled assets reaches FIFA and PES levels... But in the end, it's a decent tennis party game, and given the state of the subgenre over the last decade, there is still value in it and it remains your best option, even if it is as elitist as the real sport.

Romeo is a Dead Man, despite all the metal and sci-fi fantasy, is so flesh and bone that you can almost smell its blood and feel the viscosity of his entrails. It is a punk and irreverent response to the current situation, both in the video game industry and globally, which comes at a key moment. You may find its basic systems or level design somewhat archaic, but everything else makes it a journey as bizarre as it is memorable, in which Grasshopper Manufacture leverages all its strengths (playable, narrative and, above all, artistic) better than ever.

When I first played Switch 2 and DK Bananza in Paris I was saying that the mechanics and ideas expected from the studio would have to more than make up for a supposed difference in appeal, but the two paragraphs above make it clear that the Japanese devs were more than aware of this and chose to cover both avenues, just in case. So, whether you're interested in the story of this new pairing of big goofy ape and charming singing girl, you'll find a very original game that, beneath its destructive appearance and platforming legacy, is actually more about exploration and game feel. If you know how to let yourself be carried away by the sonar hooks and enjoy digging into its mechanical quality, Donkey Kong Bananza is undoubtedly the first solo must-have exclusive to Nintendo Switch 2. As such, it offers you a layered game with a great personality to keep unearthing the treasure trove of its fun throughout the summer and beyond.

After dozens of hours with it, it's hard for me to define exactly what Death Stranding 2: On the Beach is. If the first was a letter without a return address, this is a registered package with a return receipt. It's had to forgo a layer of mystery in order to be more at the service of the player. And yet it is far more ambitious, more playable and more complete. It's full of beautiful vistas, unforgettable moments and sequences that make you get out of your seat. This time, it's one of those games that I can safely recommend to anyone.

If you liked the team's previous works and tactical games like Fire Emblem, The Hundred Line: Last Defence Academy is a recommended choice. However, I'm left with the feeling that it's a good idea that missed an opportunity to be something even more special.

I am delighted with the simpler, yet more focused and precise approach that is Haneda Girl in Studio Koba's effort. A game that has completely gripped me and that I am still replaying, improving my scores and discovering those hidden levels that are still unreachable. I only hope that the Japanese government will soon be encouraged to open a third airport in Tokyo to find out what title Studio Koba's next game will have.

If you came to Mario Kart World expecting the big new feature to be an open world full of pop-up activities a la Forza Horizon, turn back your purchase. The open world is the excuse for a never-before-seen track design that pushes the count and variety to untold numbers and makes you rethink your understanding and approach to racing. Free Mode is a relaxed, secondary way to explore that world and enjoy it without stress. And the highlight is the superb Survival Mode, a way to take the essence of Mario Kart to a whole new level...Yes, there's plenty of room for a lot of stuff on all those tracks, and we'd all be happy to see it filled in, but it was never its first claim, and all the experiences you'd expect from a Mario Kart with traditional origins but modernised ideas are present in the rest of the game, in abundance and of the highest quality.

Nor is there anything really groundbreaking in the four or so hours I played A Pirate's Fortune. The Refractor ship is limited to the Khepi system because it can't jump into hyperspace, and after a while of searching for contraband and getting rid of some winged creatures you'd rather go back to your beloved, upgraded, ND-5 powered Starfighter, which has a bit of a repetitive role this time around. I don't regret playing this DLC and I had a pretty good time, but I'm not crazy about it, nor can we allow it to remain so broken. With Star Wars Outlaws recently ported to PS5 Pro and coming soon to Nintendo Switch 2 without finishing polishing the original, one of the big problems with Ubisoft, open-world games, and the industry in general is once again evident: ambition gets out of hand in a hurry and what could be great stays just big for too long.

I am much more satisfied than I expected to be. You have to meet a few requirements to enjoy this VIP-ticketed exhibition, but if you fit the bill, you'll enjoy every bit of your tour of the show. Are you fascinated by applied technology, engineering curiosities and gaming hardware? Do you want to know why the Switch 2 mouse is unique, why the magnets inside the steering wheel rotate, or feel a new range of vibrations? Are you a fan of Nintendo designs, like me, who used to draw their controllers and logos as a kid? Are you up for any challenge? Then pay for the ticket with your eyes closed.

I just didn't find it as meaningful or inspired, either in its narrative, however well it links familial relationships to its fantastical nature. Aside from certain remarkable passages such as the "mouths of hell" and its more creative challenges, and beyond its undeniable beauty, I found Neva less stimulating, as if Gris's uncomplicated simplicity would have been a better vehicle for such artistic restlessness.

For all of these reasons, plus a good remastering job, Paper Mario: The Thousand Year Door for the Nintendo Switch ends up leaving you with a remarkable taste in your mouth. If you decide to experience this adventure for the first time, you'll never forget the members of your party or the stories of Peach, Bowser and some of the sidekicks. Your companions may play a minor role statistically, but their performances in combat are as original as the use of the controller in this game. If you're however aiming to revive the classic, it's a very decent remaster, and while it's not loaded with new features, it does add a few and the audio/visual package is well worth the wait.

Having completed Princess Peach: Showtime! it is not the virtual absence of difficulty that is its main drawback. In fact, it is an excellent game for beginners and we can confirm that children love it. It's varied, has some very original ideas and a number of very good moments, but the more mediocre levels, the corsetting, and the lack of technical finesse prevent our unanimous ovation.

Persona 3 Reload is exactly what we all wanted it to be: a modern take on an incredible story, taking just enough from the masterpiece that is its last titular installment to date, and giving it a slight twist that makes it worthy of asking full price. It's all here, so I'm delighted to sign this Contract with Igor once again.

Frankly I can't recommend this new version of the classic, as it has nothing new to add to the previous one, apart from the odd villain. Moreover, it doesn't add anything to the genre compared to other existing Metroidvania games. It also spoils the good taste that Ufouria: The Saga left in the past, leaving a stain on its track record. Perhaps it is only suitable for curious collectors of the originals, for the little ones in the house who are not easily frustrated, or for those who are attracted by its visual finish and do not expect anything, in plot or mechanics, that is not too simplistic.

It's a short story, which would be tiresome if it were longer, but which is a virtue when it's not. Despite the soundtrack and that dreadful puzzle that is so hard to solve due to its lack of logic, everything else is practically impeccable. The title has made me feel like a child, not so much because of the nostalgia of past memories, but because I was entrusted to solve a problem and ignorance played a dirty trick on me.

As it stands, I would only recommend this purchase to fans of the originals for pure nostalgia and fan service, and even then with some caveat. If you're looking for more intricate and engaging anime stories of the mind, you have a great alternative in both AI: The Somnium Files on the same console. That said, now I can't help but wish that CiNG's own Kyle Hyde noir saga (Hotel Dusk and Last Window) would also get the HD treatment on Switch, just with a little more love and polish.

But don't let these less bright spots mislead you. Promenade is a great game that I still find just as solid and engaging as when I first encountered it. If you're interested in a different kind of platformer that offers an extra dose of puzzles, this is definitely one of those indies you shouldn't miss.

Sure, it's a bit rough around the edges in a few places and a bit of extra refinement could have done wonders to tighten up the experience and focus it more on what matters. But, the ambience, sound design, set design, most of the gameplay, it's all ideal and really nails the job description of what you expect from a horror title.

Would Contra: Operation Galuga be a better game if it was shown in 2D pixel style? I don't think the problem is the leap to 3D graphics, but the overall implementation. But having picked up the pace of the game well, having managed to integrate the current lives and perks system so as not to penalise so much with difficulty and having got some well-designed levels and bosses, at least Konami and WayForward have a good basis for the series to re-establish itself and the Alien Wars will be unleashed again.

Final Fantasy VII: Rebirth is much bigger, more ambitious and complete as a video game than Remake was. But its great virtue is its courage to look ahead, to be clear about its path and to bet on it with an outstanding display in all its areas. With Rebirth, a new legend in the history of games is born.

For all this, I can easily recommend Mario vs. Donkey Kong to those who loved the classic, but not so much to puzzle fans used to modern, more agile controls. Don't get me wrong, it's a contemporary way to understand the legends' roots, but between pace/interest drops, and the somewhat outdated controls, I ended up a bit tired of what I recalled as a blast on the GBA.

After several days of solo and multiplayer enjoyment, I have to admit that this isn’t the completest entry to the series, but I love how it takes advantage of the Joy-Cons tech coming full circle with what 1-2-Switch started at their launch. Some of the designs are so brilliant, that they turn this into one of the most unique party games I’ve ever played, which together with the interesting multiplayer variants, compensate for the lack of longer side activities.

Song of Nunu has all the elements of a narrative adventure with platforms, exploration, puzzles and combat with which generations of young players can explore both this genre and empathize with the League of Legends characters, but it does so without shining in any of them. they. Perhaps it is the conflict between that name so associated with competition with a story as moving as it is cooperative between its protagonists, which has left me a little colder than I expected.

Although I can point out some things to improve, in general they are based on errors that were inherent in the game and that when seen (such as some "strange" expressions in conversations with the codec or that classic "I get up in front of the enemy instead of staying hidden"), more than a curse, they bring a smile and a memory to me. I can only praise this collection for offering this love letter to a capital series for players and, although he and Konami parted ways long ago, bringing together much of Kojima's masterpiece in one place.

What bothers me the most about FM 2023 is not the road it's chosen, but that in doing so, it really doesn't distance itself from previous entries that much, and if I'm to play with a controller I still think Forza Horizon 5 has no rival. Turn 10 are more than capable to produce a top level simulator, but it's clear that this is not of Microsoft's interest. In my opinion, and given their resources and production values, this is a big missed opportunity seeing how the sim racing scene is not a niche anymore.

Perhaps the very reason for it, the broad range of online (at last!) multiplayer options try to compensate for the lack of physical contact between players, something that I miss. But other than some levels not being the best suited for co-op and a not so memorable final battle, I've thoroughly enjoyed Nintendo's idea of what a New, New Super Mario Bros. can be more than a decade later. The Wonder Flower and its new Kingdom allow the game to break the old rules, its audiovisual presentation is top-notch, and it includes a great number of perfectly-measured precision platforming levels. The Switch was born in 2017 enjoying Zelda for the spring and Mario for Christmas. What a masterful move it is to say farewell in its last AAA release year with the same one-two of must-haves.

The interactive remake of three films alone is already more captivating that Telling Lies despite its more narrative-focused nature, and then reaches levels that other games have not even considered. Immortality is an incredible effort, a game designed to be shared and discussed with others during the gameplay and to be studied once the game is over. An unprecedented look into the innermost depths of the cinematic world. Once you experience it, it somehow becomes a part of you.

This game will surely delight One Piece fans, with a remarkable story, a great presentation and a fantastic soundtrack matched with the voices of the original actors from the series. However, the characters’ journey through this new release of the saga is slow, boring at times and lacks originality.

It’s a title where difficulty isn’t just about advancing mission after mission but doing so with as few casualties as possible. This makes Engage the perfect gateway to the series, as well as a handful of good memories for those already familiar with it. A game which perfectly balances periods of action with quiet, enjoyable interludes in which to chat with other characters, play minigames and try out new weapons.

This SpongeBob game is tremendous fun to enjoy, even for someone from a generation before his television success. The Cosmic Shake is a pretty solid platformer that offers family fun and a fantastic approach to several of the game genres that young gamers will run into later in life. And to do so from the hands of Bob and Patrick is, in a word, hilarious.

It’s a hack and slash with a combination of platforming for the whole family. From the start, its presentation, its plot and even its controls say it all. Its playtime is perfect, and you can play it as many times as you want. However, the button-matching stages can be tedious if you struggle to keep up, as well as a couple of bosses whose mechanics are unclear during the battle. Otherwise, Hi-Fi Rush is just flawless.

In the end, what seemed like a fairly average, slow-paced indie metroidvania ends up charming you by combining a creepy fairy tale with some unique ideas, all under a beautiful visual finish. Bayonetta Origins: Cereza and the Lost Demon may not be the most user-friendly for a 100% playthrough, but it definitely is a tale worth playing on its own merits.

Road To Devadatta is a challenging puzzle game that will test your patience. Full of original trials, it has a great setting filled with references to Buddhist culture that are scattered across the length and breadth of the map. Despite some minor flaws, if you’re looking for an Indiana Jon-esque adventure, with plenty of challenges and mysteries, Road To Devadatta is a title you should definitely try.

Minecraft Legends is a strategy game that takes place in a closed map full of villages and strongholds, where you must defend the first ones and assault the second ones. In addition, points of interest will appear on the map, where you will have to investigate in order to increase your skills. However, it’s a game with hardly any mechanics nor exploration, something that may not be a problem for newcomers but will sure be for the fans of the genre.

The Mageseeker: A League of Legends Story is an extremely fun and enjoyable game, perfect for both League of Legends fans and newcomers. It stands out as a unique and individual game, and might even attract some people to the famous MOBA, as its beautiful story and charming environments will surely draw the attention of more than one RPG fan. Despite its flaws, its experience is highly recommended since it will only take you about 12 hours to complete it.

Minabo has a beautiful art design, with the turnip characters’ animation extremely well accomplished, and the music and sound design are certainly a strength, which keeps you in the game cycle beyond the premise of overcoming objectives. The problem is that people aren’t going to take Minabo that seriously, and it can’t counter with a compelling gameplay proposition that goes beyond the joke.

It offers a fun, well-balanced experience full of possibilities. It’s a game that will keep you glued to the screen while you’re precisely glued to the screen while watching the monkeys. This sequel offers many improved stuff the original game didn’t, and which certainly deserves the opportunity to be played.

Decarnation is a game that carries you to the end precisely because of the appeal of its narrative and the way it illustrates the difficult issues it deals with, being the main reason for players to give it a chance. On the other hand, those looking for a more interactive experience may find that Decarnation just scratches the surface.

After Us is, in every sense of the word, an independent game in its production, gameplay and narrative. It’s a title with a powerful message that everyone will be able to play and understand, but not necessarily enjoy. After Us wants (and actually succeeds) to convey a very concrete message about the calamities of the modern world, our disconnection with nature and primal energies. However, this powerful message partly hinders the experience and fun of the game, which suits it well, but it can take a while to capture attention.

Harmony: The Fall of Reverie features striking character design and a vibrant art style, with a great grief experience that is mostly in 2D. It’s a game with great voice acting that will make the player reflect on current, but also more primitive, issues. However, it’s not a game that encourages to be played again and has some plot holes.

Finally, while the narrative is exquisite, the story is sometimes slow and of little interest, and we only understand what has happened when we see it reflected in the diary at the end of the day. On such occasions it can cause the player to become disconnected from the plot. Overall, Frank and Drake is a beautiful story with its secrets and moments, masterfully drawn and looking better on a big screen than on a portable.

Akaoni Studio has managed to produce a title that is simple but closed in its proposal. In which only an easily ignorable defect in tone slightly weakens a game that has a good rhythm and makes you have a good time. All of it is correct, no more and no less, something that many more pretentious games fall short of.

It is true that you'll find a good number of barren wastelands with little to do other than extracting some resources and take off to more interesting places, but again it really depends on how you want to play. There's so much to do, so many systems and abilities to explore, missions to complete, spaceships to loot, and species to catalogue, that I honestly don't think there's anybody who thinks that exploring every square meter of this universe is the better way to enjoy Starfield.

Despite its rigidity and lack of innovation, investigations are okay and story is fine, and keeping in mind that it focuses on younger detective-trainers, it comes as a decent introduction to the genre.

I could say so far that everything I've collected about AC Mirage is positive, but as with pretty much every other title, light casts some shadows, and literally in this case. Performance mode works fine at 60 fps, but visual glitches are pretty annoying. AI hasn't evolved much either (...) but all in all this mild return to the series' roots feels very convincing. It's not revolutionary, but clearly keeps the flame alive.

Despite its poor finish, the game works. My kid has enjoyed the characters (with the series' original voice actors), and the fact that it's an explorable open world and that every pup had its abilities and goals. It's thus good fun for the little ones and an interesting "my first open-world video game".

Switching between characters ends up being anecdotal in reality. Respective subplots aside, it's the story that drives who to play as and when, which prevents from witnessing events from a different point of view, let alone playing them. This is frustrating and establishes an awkward linearity in an otherwise fantastic open-world game. (...) But it doesn't leave such a bad taste, as it's got fun combat, brilliant traversal and tons of fan-service.

With the progression and gameplay tweaks, Nintendo EPD manages to make playing something we had played many times before more fun and interesting. It also looks and sounds much better, and together with its innate charm and its unique proposal, it just became the game of the summer for me.

Master Detective Archives: RAIN CODE is undoubtedly the beginning of something big. A bet by its creators to make a visual novel 2.0. The mystery, the dialogue and the construction of iconic characters follow the usual line of the studio, which is excellence, but also begin to add new elements that better the gameplay.

Is this the ultimate edition of Ghost Trick: Phantom Detective? I wouldn't dare claim as much as some elements still feel a bit off coming from the original, but it is perhaps the best way to play today what is a true classic of graphic adventure, more so on the Nintendo Switch.

Perhaps its dungeons aren't as good as the best ones in Twilight Princess or Skyward Sword, while the sage avatars aren't the most elegant solution, and it could feel a bit too familiar if you don't take advantage of the range of new possibilities. However, all the new features make this a better driven adventure, one that is more diverse, entertaining, and with a whole lot of ingenious ideas that could very well come from the mind of a crazy inventor like Robbie. Even if it doesn't break the mold like its predecessor, you won't find any other game like this.

Resident Evil 4 lacks a little bit of care and polish to deliver as a modern remake as it is, both visually and gameplay-wise. I enjoyed its old-school fun and most of the changes are for the better, but it breaks its own rules and just isn't optimised as of yet. Fortunately, most of its issues can be fixed.

Without further inspection one could have feared that this was another one of those many quick ports coming from Wii or Wii U with HD graphics and little more to fill in an empty calendar, but nothing would be further from the truth, as both the restoration work and the added value make this a game as well-rounded as Kirby himself.

The experience, while good, was somewhat uneven. The empty storyline and narrative don't live up to the feeling of pure, frenetic action, which is the best thing about the game. Wanted: Dead hits the mark with its action, but loses solidity with the story.

A first-person masterpiece that now looks, sounds and plays better than ever. An effort more like Ocarina of Time 3D than Pikmin 3 Deluxe, a pity it didn’t get the honours it deserves, but Retro should be proud, and now we want to see the full trilogy like this and to keep getting excited about the prospect of Metroid Prime 4 finally progressing.