In Their Shoes is a narrative adventure that succeeds in achieving the primary goal of video games: putting the player in someone else’s shoes. Except this time, the “someone else” isn’t a pirate, an astronaut, or a space marine, but an ordinary person (actually seven of them), living in a big city like Milan and facing everyday problems like the high cost of living, rent, job insecurity, or discrimination against minorities. Its strength is undoubtedly its credible, sincere, and relatable writing: the same language that the average person speaks on the subway car taking them to the office in the morning.

Sudden Strike 5 is an unusual strategy game where, despite the presence of tactical pause, the real-time gameplay remains strongly at the forefront. Players are required to maintain a high level of attention and react quickly, both when planning their own moves and when responding to enemy actions. The ability to choose a commander and take advantage of their different perks adds variety to the missions, allowing them to be approached with different playstyles to a certain extent. Larger maps, new units, and several small innovations make Sudden Strike 5 an improvement over its predecessor in many ways, but there are still several quality-of-life aspects that need refinement. The learning curve is extremely steep and there is no proper tutorial to guide players, while the interface feels confusing both during gameplay and on the minimap. On top of that, balancing and AI issues are hard to ignore. The controls in the version I tested also deserve some reworking, regardless of the fact that a game of this type on console will always have to contend with the limitations of a controller. All things considered, the war fought by Sudden Strike 5 is ultimately won, but only with great effort and with many collateral losses left to count.

Elementallis is a title that manages to impress above all for its heart, rather than its technical execution. The developers' love for the great classics is evident, and it shines through in every aspect of the game. The influences are clear and, in some cases, quite pronounced. The echoes of the older entries in The Legend of Zelda saga are apparent both in the world's structure and in the dungeon design and skill-based progression. Yet rather than feeling derivative, the game manages to use these inspirations as a foundation for building something personal. It is not a flawless experience — there are a few technical rough edges and controls that could be improved. The lack of Italian localisation is also a missed opportunity, as it would certainly have drawn in more players. And yet, it is hard not to be drawn in by its atmosphere, its eagerness to invite exploration, and the satisfaction that comes from mastering its mechanics. In an increasingly crowded market, Elementallis still manages to stand out. It is a journey that does not aim to dazzle with special effects, but to win you over slowly, step by step, element by element.

Kingdom Loop tries to be a clone of Loop Hero, without fully succeeding, with progression issues, imbalances and little bite, but despite everything you can tell the substance is there and perhaps it just takes a little to recalibrate the product, which certainly should have launched in early access, but which will certainly see major changes in the coming months... perhaps.

Invincible VS is the first fighting game inspired by the comic book (and animated series) of the same name, throwing us into a brutal, adrenaline-fueled world where we can unleash incredible powers. The roster, made up of 18 characters at launch, is varied and allows for genuinely interesting three-character teams that can pull off some solid, choreographic combos. The game is fluid, accessible, and caters to a wide range of skill levels: after a few matches, even those who don't live and breathe fighting games will find real satisfaction in the battles, despite some minor balance issues and character switching that isn't always seamless. We didn't find Invincible VS in great shape when it comes to single-player content — there's very little of it, and what stands out is a story that didn't quite win us over, on top of being far too short. Then again, the Quarter Up and Skybound Entertainment fighter is squarely aimed at multiplayer and the competitive scene, where players will go at each other tooth and nail to reach the top. It remains to be seen what impact it will have on the competitive landscape and how it will be received by those who treat fighting games as their religion. It doesn't always shine, but it does show us that something fun and genuinely competitive can be built from this IP. If Invincible VS manages to hold players' attention and listens to community feedback, we'll be hearing about it for months to come.

Despite the 'Enhanced Edition' label, The Shore's console release fails to salvage a fundamentally flawed experience. While the creature design is genuinely unsettling and the opening moments build a solid, oppressive atmosphere, the game quickly devolves into a disjointed theme park of Lovecraftian tropes. Bogged down by clunky exploration, uninspired puzzles, and a narrative that loses all focus and logical progression, it ultimately fails to stand out in a heavily saturated genre. A missed opportunity that sinks just below a passing grade.

An interactive storytelling enthusiast—evidently captivated by *Disco Elysium*—decided to create a similar video game, albeit opting for a fantasy setting. The result is a title that, in many respects, closely resembles ZA/UM’s game; however, to reduce it to a mere variation on a theme would be unfair. Esoteric Ebb is a work capable of immersing the player in a complex universe, offering a commendable degree of role-playing freedom, and embedding its narrative within a gameplay framework that is, in some ways, superior even to that of *Disco Elysium* itself. If you aren't daunted by extensive on-screen reading and have a love for RPGs, give Esoteric Ebb a chance—you won't be disappointed.

Vampire Crawlers: The Turbo Wildcard works as a creative experiment that translates the chaotic and ironic soul of Vampire Survivors into a fast and unpredictable card formula: it's not as deep as a traditional deck-builder, but it bets everything on rhythm, surprises and short sessions, offering a light and fun experience especially for those who love the original universe and want something different without too many complications.

Years go by, but Milestone continues to deliver for both its fans and MotoGP enthusiasts. MotoGP 26 is a solid and entertaining title, capable of satisfying players willing to put in the effort to master these two-wheeled beasts, while also welcoming more casual gamers thanks to its arcade mode. Compared to the previous installment, there are several additions in terms of both content and gameplay, although most of them are refinements to the handling system and physics rather than major innovations. There’s no revolution here, but tampering too much with the series’ core formula would have been a mistake considering how much enjoyment it already provides to fans. Of course, we would have liked to see a deeper career mode and slightly more reactive AI, but that doesn’t take away from the overall quality of the package offered by MotoGP 26. If you want an experience capable of making you fully appreciate everything the MotoGP world has to offer, this is definitely the game for you. And it doesn’t matter if a few flaws still remain: learning how to truly understand your bike and mastering every corner of every track until you finally set the perfect lap time is a satisfaction beyond compare. Are you ready to jump into the saddle and challenge Marc Márquez and Marco Bezzecchi for the top step of the podium?

Aphelion marks the full maturity of Don’t Nod, as the team successfully breaks free from its self-imposed "creative cage" to deliver a raw and essential sci-fi work. Thanks to the collaboration with the ESA, the journey on Persephone avoids all clichés, transforming into a plausible and terrifying projection of our climate crisis and the urgent need to seek refuge elsewhere. The gameplay effectively splits between Ariane’s physical exploration and Thomas’s slow-burn investigation, where oxygen management and the threat of the Nemesis convey the scale of a titanic environment indifferent to human life. Visually monumental, the title stuns with its photorealistic glaciers and an alien soundscape enriched by Amine Bouhafa’s soundtrack. By tackling urgent themes like the New Space Economy and climate migration, Aphelion is not just a video game, but a political work that reminds us that the future depicted is no longer a matter of "if," but "when."

By abandoning its iconic diorama perspective for a generic and clunky first-person view, Little Nightmares VR: Altered Echoes completely loses the soul of the franchise. Plagued by frustrating climbing mechanics, snap-turning issues, and an empty fan-service narrative, this short two-hour hide-and-seek experience fails to capture the tragic melancholy of the original games. Despite decent sound design and the inherent immersion of VR, it remains a deeply disappointing transition.

Until Then is a graphic adventure with incredible potential, capable of moving the player through its coming-of-age story—an ordinary one, blended with a mix of supernatural elements. The delicacy with which certain situations are handled, along with the excellent direction behind this narrative—also superbly adapted into Italian—captivated us and prompted reflection on some fundamental aspects of everyone’s life, despite a slightly different cultural impact compared to the Western one. This is the strength of video games: a medium capable of introducing us to different cultures through dynamic storytelling, while preserving the core meaning of life itself. The gameplay mechanics are limited, and the mini-games lack creativity, but that’s a minor issue: Until Then explores something deeply human, with rich (sometimes even too detailed) and sincere dialogues that let us breathe in a bit of Filipino culture. Moreover, in the second half of the game, there are some compelling twists that change everything. So get your tissues ready and set aside some time for the adventure by Polychroma Games, now also available on Xbox Series.

SAROS stands out confidently and without a shadow of a doubt as one of the best PlayStation 5 exclusives, the result of an extremely polished and intelligent effort by Housemarque. It's not simply an evolution of Returnal, but a bold step forward that finds its strength in a remarkably well-achieved balance between challenge, depth, and accessibility. The game manages to make a typically demanding structure more readable and manageable, without ever truly simplifying it. The progression is smart and rewarding, the gunplay precise and satisfying, while new mechanics add complexity without ever feeling frustrating. Everything is designed with one clear goal in mind: to guide you through the experience in the best possible way. The result is an excellent experience on every level — solid, polished, and perfectly balanced. SAROS doesn't just improve on what came before; it demonstrates that it's possible to elevate a genre while keeping the challenge intact, making it at the same time more modern and accessible.

Windrose is a crystalline ambition that still has to reckon with an unrefined MMO past. While the pivot from Crosswind successfully reclaimed the project’s soul, it failed to resolve the inherent clunkiness of an engine too heavy for its own good. The core loop remains magnetic and the navigation is easily among the genre’s finest, but technical setbacks, severe memory leaks, and tedious ground combat frictions significantly dampen the experience. It is a diamond in the rough for purists willing to fight the hardware: a title in desperate need of a few more optimization cycles before it can truly shine. [Early Access Score = 75]

Tides of Tomorrow is a “plasticpunk” adventure (as defined by its developers), in which the choices we make in this bizarre world are also shaped by the decisions of our predecessors. The core concept is very simple: after awakening from our underwater slumber, we must follow in the footsteps of another player and set off on an adventure in a quirky world filled with iconic characters and surreal traits. The Story-Link feature is probably what impressed us the most: every situation we encounter across the various islands has already been experienced by another player, and the story will also evolve based on what they did. It’s a concept that may seem complex at first glance, but in practice it proves to be very rewarding, creating situations that are interesting and sometimes even amusing. Tides of Tomorrow took us on a very unusual journey— not always perfect, but absolutely satisfying for anyone looking to enjoy an original story that can be replayed by making different karmic choices. It’s impossible not to notice the developers’ boldness in proposing something new, without excessively imitating ideas already seen in other productions.

The Day I Became a Bird is a narrative video game that captures the emotional essence of a child's first love, as described in Ingrid Chabbert's book of the same name. It's a journey of discovery and the purest expression of one's childhood self, as well as an early message about the development of "social skills." However, this transformation into a sparrow is characterized by an all-too-brief flight, touching in some ways but lacking in playfulness. It's a game aimed primarily at children, recommended for parents who want their little ones to experience a truly interactive and at times emotional adventure. However, a few gameplay elements and extremely basic puzzles are not enough to make this poem a true video game masterpiece. In any case, this journey was brought to life with great artistic mastery, both in terms of the overall graphics and the sound system. An emotional story that brings out your inner child, but we wish it could have lasted a little longer.

Mouse: P.I. is an experience that wins you over more with personality than with technical ambition—a first-person shooter that stands out thanks to a striking artistic identity, mature noir writing, and a sound design that works in perfect harmony with its visuals and narrative. The solid, immediate gunplay supports the entire structure without overshadowing the atmosphere, while Troy Baker’s performance becomes the emotional glue of a dark and compelling journey, making the game something of a cult favorite for those who love classic cinema, jazz, and stories of detectives worn down by their own world.

Waiting times and microtransactions are never welcome, but Pokémon Champions proves to be very user-friendly. Its current structure is ideal for players who want to explore the series’ competitive battling without investing too much time or resources, offering a progression system that is slow but steady. And most importantly, free. If this approach is maintained, it’s easy to recommend it to those who have drifted away over the years and would appreciate a more focused and controlled environment. You don't even need a subscription to play. That said, content and variety are still lacking. For now, at least. If you prefer having access to the full experience of Pokémon Scarlet and Violet, there’s little reason to switch, especially if you’re already used to playing online. And if you’re still unsure, Pokémon Showdown is always just a click away.

Ground Zero is a masterful love letter to classic 90s survival horror. By blending the nostalgic charm of pre-rendered backgrounds and fixed cameras with brilliant modernizations like free aim, fluid movement, and a rewarding parry system, it entirely avoids the pitfalls of clunky retro clones. Boasting crisp Unreal Engine 5 visuals, a gripping branching narrative set in post-apocalyptic Busan, and a stellar resource management loop, it perfectly bridges the gap between past and present. An absolute must-play for genre veterans.

Under Par Golf Architect is a cute and charming product whose features meet the modest expectations it sets. Ultimately, the gameplay boils down to designing golf courses and managing the facilities and the simple surrounding economy. It is neither a great golf game nor a great management sim: it is simply a small game that does both.

Big Bad Wolf's latest is a visually arresting Lovecraftian deep-dive that prioritizes "big brains" over big guns, but its overly safe structure prevents it from reaching true horror greatness. While the 2053 tech-noir setting is a brilliant spin on the mythos, the thalassophobia here is mostly "vibes" and very little bite. The investigative loop is genuinely high-brow, featuring a complex sonar-based system that rewards meticulous detail-hunting. However, the total absence of combat or persistent physical threats makes the 11-hour journey feel like a guided tour of an underwater museum rather than a desperate struggle for survival. Branching paths and multiple endings provide some much-needed narrative stakes, yet the AI companion, Key, feels like a hollow shell of what a modern interactive partner should be. It’s an essential pick for lore-hungry detectives and tech enthusiasts wanting to push Path-Tracing to its limits, but hardcore horror fans will likely find the lack of "Game Over" consequences a bit underwhelming. A sophisticated investigative gem that desperately needs more teeth.

Ghost Cam is a deeply atmospheric and liminal horror experience that successfully channels the spirit of classic ghost photography games. While its indie nature shows through occasional technical glitches and somewhat clunky controls, the unique 'Haunted Horse Girl' aesthetic, meticulous sound design, and oppressive use of darkness make it a compelling journey. A flawed but magnetic nightmare that perfectly captures the terror of the unseen.

Starfield arrives on PlayStation in the most massive way possible. It’s not without (initial) issues, but you can already enjoy over a hundred hours of adventure. The original formula was already rich; now you can experience all the journeys across the galaxy, keeping in mind that Bethesda will surely serve up more particularly tasty additions for all the space pirates who want to embark on an epic voyage.

Minos is a maze-based roguelite featuring gameplay that is, all things considered, engaging—simple in structure yet remarkably deep in its mechanics. Its roguelite nature ensures that you are constantly facing new challenges within a system best described as a blend of strategy and tower defense. The goal of the game is not to hunt down aspiring heroes and tear them to shreds while playing as the Minotaur; rather, it is to devise the right strategy to funnel them toward traps and crossbows that will fire a few darts too many (much to your delight)...We believe Minos is well-suited for more contemplative players—those who enjoy experimenting with mechanics rather than adhering to a typically more linear, guided formula. If you value strategic planning, appreciate an intriguing storyline, and remain undeterred by repeated failures, then the Minotaur awaits you within that labyrinth—a maze that has become his very reason for being.

OPUS: Prism Peak is the most intimate and mature chapter in SIGONO's anthology. It is an introspective journey that moves away from the vastness of the cosmos to explore the fragile fragments of human memory through the lens of a camera. The interaction, centered entirely on photography, is original but becomes repetitive over time. The clunkiness of certain mechanics slows the pacing, making the gameplay the weak link in an otherwise profound experience. Visually stunning, the title blends the aesthetics of Japanese animation masters with a solid Taiwanese cultural heritage. The masterful use of lighting and a high-caliber soundtrack create a vibrant, dreamlike atmosphere capable of stirring emotions with every shot. Despite its ludic limitations, the game is a necessary cathartic ritual for those seeking auteur storytelling. It is a work that teaches us how to make peace with our ghosts and accept the weight of the past.

Tomodachi Life does offer a dreamlike life, but for now it will mainly appeal to those who enjoy meticulously customizing every detail of their characters and have someone nearby to share their creations with. The base package is hilarious, yet somewhat lacking, and it runs out of steam fairly quickly. As a result, it’s hard to wholeheartedly recommend it to everyone, although there are plenty of interesting possibilities should future updates expand the experience. Still, if cozy vibes and pure nonsense are your thing, the Mii will welcome you to their island with open arms. In their own peculiar way.

Replaced is a compelling journey into the cyberpunk world — an enterprising, bold adventure with a narrative that leaves its mark. From the very first minutes, you can feel the love for the genre and the nod to those worlds created by one of its most prominent figures: William Ford Gibson. Over the course of the 8/9 hours needed to complete the main story — or a full 15 if you want to uncover everything there is to find — you'll live through an epic that calls into question several themes of the genre and the importance of humanity within society. But above all, it raises an intriguing question: "Is an AI capable of experiencing human emotions?" Replaced treads paths already explored, but approaches them in its own way, daring to mix different characteristics. Granted, it doesn't always pull this off in the best possible manner, and there are moments where a certain sense of "forced" game design becomes noticeable — though this never compromises the enjoyment of the adventure in any meaningful way. Our recommendation remains to play it in its entirety, trying to collect every document in the world and not miss a single side mission (even if, for the most part, these amount to fetch quests). Unrest and trust in one's fellow man: that is how we might define what is, by all accounts, a solid cyberpunk experience.

Moto Rush Reborn perfectly achieves its goal: delivering an accessible, fast, and fun arcade-style riding experience, capable of entertaining without unnecessary complexity. It doesn’t aim for deep simulation or hyper-realistic presentation, but instead focuses on immediate gameplay, tight pacing, and a structure designed for replayability—making it ideal for those seeking pure adrenaline and instant competition.