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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 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.

Hogwarts Legacy is the wizarding adventure in the Harry Potter universe that fans have been waiting for for so long. A title that even those unfamiliar with the series will be able to enjoy if they let themselves be carried away by magic.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.