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.

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.

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.

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."

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

2026 is a banner year for Capcom, and Pragmata is yet another hit. Beneath its ultra-modern, minimalist exterior lies old-school action, consisting of linear areas and levels. The innovation lies in the hacking system, which is used alongside classic shooting mechanics, turning every battle into a sort of real-time puzzle. The first playthrough flies by in about ten hours of fun, excitement, and thrills. The game places a strong emphasis on replayability, but unless you’re a completionist or obsessed with the various "builds" (combination of guns & hacking tools) you can create, it probably won’t last much longer than the end credits. However, Pragmata manages to convey what the game has to say very well right from the first playthrough.

The question is always the same: is it really worth opening your wallet and buying this new incarnation of baseball from Sony San Diego Studio? Once again, the answer is yes, marked by steady growth without losing its identity, both in terms of gameplay and in its technical aspects and content. Everything that was already great about the series remains in MLB The Show 26, but this year too brings some interesting new features that make virtual baseball even more satisfying and believable. The revamped controls for batting and pitching will win over both newcomers and veteran players, while those who prefer not to change their style can still rely on the comfort zone of previous options. Sure, there’s no revolution, but it’s guaranteed fun for anyone who loves baseball—or perhaps wants to get closer to this fantastic sport.

People of Note presents itself to the public within a genre that, lately, has been receiving a lot of positive attention. The work published by Annapurna is truly ingenious: a musical RPG that places music at the center in all its forms—from rap to country to pop—while still delivering a combat system that turns out to be stronger than expected. Of course, there are some limitations in this production, mainly due to the lack of side activities that could expand the brilliant world of Note, not to mention the rather limited variety of enemies across the different areas. For everything else, the time spent in the company of Cadence and her friends was enjoyable, featuring a cast of iconic characters and a story that is well told in its simplicity. If you enjoy turn-based role-playing games, then People of Note might be a title worth seriously considering—especially with its rather appealing launch price (€23.99 on PC and consoles). Ready for your best musical performance?

Ultimately, Ariana and the Elder Codex is an adventure that is enjoyable to play, but one that is unlikely to be remembered as something essential. It is a good book to read once—but not necessarily to reread.

Kena: Bridge of Spirits on Switch 2 positions itself halfway between the PS4 edition and the PS5, PC, and Xbox versions, once again proving to be one of the most successful “AA” titles of recent years. Refined in many of its elements, Kena: Bridge of Spirits arrives on Nintendo’s hybrid console complete with DLC and performs well both on TV and in handheld mode, taking full advantage of the system’s new hardware. Atmosphere, art direction, and well-crafted (though not perfect) gameplay remain the strong points of a title that deserves to be played—or replayed—while waiting for Kena: Scars of Kosmora, the next chapter in the saga. For those who have always owned Nintendo consoles, this is a great opportunity to experience a solid action game with a narrative tone reminiscent of Pixar, which, even in this new version, can offer plenty of satisfaction.

NUTMEG! A Nostalgic Deckbuilding Football Manager isn't exactly a management sim—even though that is, in effect, what you have to do—nor is it strictly a deckbuilder—even though that is ultimately how you take to the pitch. It defies easy classification and isn't immediately intuitive; yet, in the end—without any unnecessary frills—you simply start playing, and you won't be able to tear yourself away.

Between finely crafted gameplay and moments of pure frustration, Grime II manages to keep players engaged thanks to a high, consistent, and mostly fair level of challenge. Some questionable design choices and a certain rigidity hold it back, but die-hard fans of the genre will know how to master it, especially if they enjoyed the first game. The series is on the right track and just a step away from becoming a must-have.

Darwin's Paradox is a puzzle-platform adventure that combines excellent artistic direction with highly original gameplay. Some might argue that the story can be completed in a very short time, and on that point we probably wouldn’t have much to object to. However, who said that great longevity must necessarily be one of a production’s strengths? The time spent in the company of the blue octopus was truly enlightening: it entertained us and showed us that the video game industry needs representatives of this caliber. With a style reminiscent of an animated film, Darwin's Paradox manages to skillfully mix humorous moments with challenging gameplay sections that are (almost) never frustrating. Admittedly, on console (PS5) a few technical limitations can be noticed, but this doesn’t make the journey toward “freedom” any less enjoyable. Between stealth elements that are never too intrusive and unique, well-balanced levels, we’re confident that the debut work of ZDT Studio is a success and certainly not a misfire.

Following the disappointment of Double Exposure, Deck Nine Games makes a miraculous return to form with Life is Strange: Reunion. The game does more than just lean on nostalgia; it masterfully fulfills the goal of closing Max and Chloe’s narrative arc with unprecedented maturity. Through a mise-en-scène that poignantly captures their emotional distance and the fear of no longer having a place in each other's lives, the game transforms their reunion into a powerful narrative key. Despite an opening that could have felt like a gamble, experiencing the reality of this adventure first-hand reveals a story steeped in intimacy and pain, capable of giving the saga the perfect conclusion fans truly deserved. It is a testament to narrative awareness, proving that even as all certainties crumble around us, we are never truly alone.

Death Stranding 2: On the Beach on PC is a masterclass in optimization, proving that technical respect for the player remains paramount. On mid-range hardware like the RTX 4060 Ti, Nixxes has crafted a port that transcends its console origins through impeccable scaling and a stunning Ultrawide implementation. While VRAM limitations require a mindful approach to settings, the result is a rock-solid, cinematically superior experience. With its refined combat loop and breathtaking vistas, it stands as a new technical benchmark for the industry. A definitive, unassailable version of Kojima’s vision.