She's Leaving offers a compelling atmosphere and concept but ultimately underutilizes its unique forensic mechanics, settling for a solid, yet conventional, first-person thriller experience.

Painkiller (2025) is a game that hits hard in the moment, but fades away as soon as the screen goes dark. It’s a well-crafted exercise in style, where rhythm, co-op action and technical solidity take center stage, yet they’re not enough to summon the fury and identity that once made the original a legend. Behind the metallic blaze and the storm of bullets, something essential is missing: a beating heart, a vision, a damned soul capable of leaving a mark. Because metal in your ears isn’t enough to bring a demon back to life, you need a heart too. And sadly, this one doesn’t have it.

COLD VR is a game that doesn’t do anything exceptional, especially when it comes to gameplay once you put on the headset. Yet, it has a story that is overall nice to follow, with that retro '80s vibe that looked to the future — and it works. However, these are just small doses, in a market that struggles or poorly imitates, and this game is not exempt from that aspect.

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.

Dreams of Another is a game that tries to bring several interesting ideas to the table. The most notable being the reversal of the concepts of destruction and creation, and the conceptual animism of the various objects inhabiting its world. Unfortunately, Baiyon and Q-Games’ work fails to make good use of these ideas and ends up feeling dull, both in its gameplay dynamics and in its storytelling. To top it all off, the game’s underlying philosophy feels forced and overly simplistic, making it hard to engage more mature players. Baiyon has described Dreams of Another as his latest art installment, and if we’re to judge it as such, it’s worth remembering that one doesn’t always have to understand art; it just has to make you feel something. In my case, it made me feel nothing but boredom.

Project Motor Racing is a solid title that offers a truly simulation-driven and layered handling model which, even with all available driving assists enabled, never caters to casual players. There’s no doubt, then, that its target audience consists of true hardcore virtual drivers. In addition to a strong multiplayer component, PMR also strives to deliver a fairly articulated career mode and puts 70 cars and 14 tracks on the table, showing that the team at Straight4 Studios has taken their work very seriously, even though the AI could still be improved. Unfortunately, the PlayStation 5 version shows several graphical issues, starting with reflections and the way light is handled on car bodies, resulting in an extremely “plastic-like” effect. The frame rate isn’t perfect either, and in corners a few FPS are missing—something that becomes even more noticeable in the rain. The DualSense, usually a “secret weapon” that enhances racing games on PS5, is underutilized here, suggesting that the most suitable version of PMR is likely the PC one. Still, Project Motor Racing is a good title, and with a few targeted patches it could raise the bar even further.

Fast & Furious Arcade Edition does exactly what it promises, bringing the original arcade formula to home systems without any additions or compromises. Adrenaline-fueled races, exotic settings, explosions, fiery trails, jumps that defy the laws of physics: it has everything you would expect to find. In its frankness, Fast & Furious Arcade Edition offers everything right away: eight vehicles, six tracks, and lots of small doses of adrenaline to take in even when you don't have much time. What you see is what you get.

"Navigate toward the light when you don't know where to go." And this sentence probably describes in a coherent way the experience we lived: a voyage across the northern seas to accomplish a daring, courageous mission that shows just how strong a father's love can be. Will: Follow The Light, despite occasionally uneven pacing, puts an interesting story on the table, enriched by the solving of various puzzles and seafaring navigation that will make the player fall in love. A shame about some overly rigid sequences and gameplay mechanics that perhaps feel anchored to a previous generation. That said, our recommendation is to give the emotional waves of Will: Follow The Light a chance and let yourself be carried away by the mysteries this voyage brings with it.

You’d probably find the cover of this new edition of Sacred 2 right next to the word “remastered” on Wikipedia. Jokes aside, we’re talking about a pure remaster, where the fantasy hack and slash has been brought back in its original form, with very few additions such as updated graphics, slight controller-use optimization, and some interface improvements. Sacred 2 Fallen Angel Remastered plays fine, but it carries over the same problems it had at the time of its original release — including somewhat chaotic menus and situations where input commands don’t feel quite right. Besides some occasional crashes and bugs, this dive into the past can still offer a few hours of fun without too many expectations.

Legacy of Kain: Ascendance is simultaneously everything we wanted and everything we didn’t from this franchise. Crystal Dynamics and Bit Bot Media skillfully use the character of Elaleth to recount the behind-the-scenes events that shaped Nosgoth, introducing a series of narrative elements that pave the way for the saga’s future. On the flip side, however, the artistic and gameplay offerings fail to satisfy those who have waited over 20 years for a new chapter. With the exception of the voice acting and a soundtrack that matches the quality of previous entries, Ascendance represents a technical step backward in every respect. For those who love 2D platformers or can look past a low-budget aesthetic and gameplay, there is a well-told story here; one that lays the groundwork for a future that will hopefully head in a different direction.

Unfortunately, Rennsport feels like a beta sold at full price. On PC, at least, there’s a free-to-play base version, but on consoles there’s no demo—you can only buy the Standard or Deluxe editions.The graphics are underwhelming, the AI often falls short, the content is limited, and the interface can be confusing. These issues weigh down a game whose main appeal lies in an interesting driving model—though some cars behave inconsistently—with physics that are generally believable and satisfying, aside from occasional collisions with opponents.There are bugs here and there, and the multiplayer experience isn’t always reliable. While there are some good elements, they get lost in the overall lackluster execution, especially when compared to the competition. In short, the balance between quality, content, and price leaves Rennsport struggling to impress.

Death Relives offers an excellent core concept, an interesting yet underexplored context - Aztec mythology - and an antagonist whose presence is deeply felt throughout the short adventure. However, the mechanics as implemented lean too heavily on stealth, depriving the experience of a true balance between aggression and caution, and the occasional bugs don't help matters. This is without considering the heavy reliance on artificial intelligence, which, while adequate for communicating with Adrian's father (despite its overly simple nature), is intolerable for the rest of the supporting application - even more so given the lack of oversight over the results. The ambition to offer something different is there, but the actual execution of these intentions falters considerably.

At the time of writing we don't know in what form or for how much The Little Brave will be sold, but our hope is that Dmitrii Batov will place it in early access and at a budget price to gain experience and in the meantime fix its issues thanks to user feedback, because at the moment I really don't feel like recommending his work; it's broken, uninteresting and even less refined. Even if I didn't have to constantly argue with the controls, the combat system was working properly and the game didn't implode following the mere act of restarting from a random checkpoint, I still would hardly be able to find a niche for it in the midst of metroidvanias that clog Steam's library, however we would be playing something at least functional. Ironically the game lends itself well to speedruns, given the fact that it only seems possible to be completed in one go and without dying along the way.

BrokenLore: Low is a prelude that goes out of its way to undermine any possible curiosity towards the following chapters. The story, or perhaps it would be better to say the idea of a story that they wanted to tell, is absolutely mismanaged in terms of pacing, quality, and characters; it goes from an excessive overexposure of the few elements that make it up to an absolute crypticness that would like to convey mystery but, at most, only passes confusion. The gameplay comes out just as badly broken, as it is characterized by a constant running in circles and by a setting that would like to be disorienting but completely fails, resulting in monotonous and repetitive due to its circular structure. The low-poly section is not clear why it was inserted, although it has at least the merit of tearing us away from the constant spinning around mentioned above. Even from an aesthetic point of view, nothing of the game is saved, both for the scarcity of models and for the quality of the same when human characters come on the scene.

Compilations like this are always tricky to evaluate. On one hand, we appreciate QUByte Interactive and Atari’s work in reviving these classics in their purest form (except for Barkley Shut Up and Jam!, though the omission is understandable), adding just a few modern features to attract a younger audience. On the other, we can’t help but wonder if more could have been done with both the existing material and the broader Accolade catalog. Extras like scanned original manuals, the ability to experience different versions of each game, or historical documents would have made the package more appealing. Given the wide library at their disposal, a few additional titles wouldn’t have hurt this Sports Collection. Furthermore, Winter Challenge and Summer Challenge haven’t aged well, while the two HardBall! entries feel redundant, slightly diminishing the overall value of the collection. That said, those who fondly remember these games from their youth or have a passion for retro sports titles will still find plenty of entertainment here.

The DreadOut Remastered Collection has the sole merit of making the original game and its expansion available on consoles. Beyond that, it does little to enhance two titles that, even in 2014, felt rough around the edges, offering the player a disappointing experience.

Blood Typers is a survival horror distinguished by an intriguing concept and an excellent execution. It's ideal if you love the genre and are looking for an alternative experience, preferably with a few friends. Alone, it lacks a bit of punch, and the challenge quickly becomes monotonous, unless you want to test your typing skills in an interactive context. In a group, however, the package is (predictably) much more fun and alleviates the current lack of content and modes. The game is also inexpensive, and the developers seem very active in integrating fixes and community suggestions, which is good.

Go Fight Fantastic! is a game that could (and should) have done better. Switching heroes in combat based on the situation might seem like a good idea, but it’s poorly executed in the context in which it's applied — partly due to uninspired level design and a repetitiveness that doesn’t really encourage players to stick with the game for long.

Hunt The Pale Gods is one of those games that gets the job done, but not very well. Among indie games, the card game genre is definitely a highly sought-after one, and this title has some good ideas up its sleeve. Unfortunately, the difficulty settings, minimal rewards, and low replayability make it a forgettable experience.

Pirates VR: Jolly Roger is a pleasant and immersive experience where you get to live the life of a true pirate, filled with magic, adventure, and exploration. Unfortunately, the game lacks depth in both story and gameplay, leaving it as a title that excels in visuals and aesthetics but remains functional overall.

Despite it being an Early Access, therefore subject to future improvements, Sancticide is a project that should be taken and redone from the ground up. It's not just a matter of bugs or technical problems of any kind, but of a completely poorly thought out and implemented gameplay system, as well as an unproposable narration and dubbing. The only, very small aspect that we can save concerns the sketches of the enemies and in particular of the non-human creatures, along with their descriptions, but it is certainly not enough to lift from the ground a game that is the cause of its own apocalypse. [Early Access Review]

The Deadly Path is a jumble of good ideas thrown together haphazardly. The result is a confusing level design that explains almost nothing, despite the lengthy tutorial. It's not entirely bad, but it's also not designed to truly capture the player's attention beyond a few games. Hopefully, future revisions will improve it.

Dollhouse: Behind the Broken Mirror is a product a half-step below failing, demonstrating how little has been learned from the previous experience, and even less has been decided to improve. Lacking an engaging story, despite the interesting premises, with forgettable gameplay and especially gunplay, exploration reduced to the bone, and the threats posed by the dolls that, before too long, cease to have the scary effect they should have, the game drags us into its confused spiral for several hours, at the end of which we are left empty-handed, wondering what exactly happened.

IXION is a hardcore game intended for a very specific niche of players and as such it does not shy away from being severe and punitive even at the difficulty recommended for beginners. However, those who have the perseverance and tenacity to retrace their steps when failure is evident will find a vast, deep and captivating game.

Into the Dead: Our Darkest Days is an ambitious survival management game, already solid in its structure but still in development. The atmosphere is well-crafted, the tension constant, and every choice has real consequences. If you enjoy games where time is your enemy and survival requires careful planning, give it a shot. But remember: it's in early access. Consider your options carefully and keep an eye on the official update roadmap. [Early Access Review]

Post Trauma is a survival horror game that aims to follow in the footsteps of Silent Hill, but falls far short of the mark. The main culprit is a flat and underwhelming combat system that undermines what is otherwise a fairly well-crafted exploration and puzzle-solving component. It’s a decent starting point that could have benefited from a bit more polish, but it's worth remembering that this independent project began as the work of a single developer, who later received support from a small development team—though likely a bit too late in the process.

S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Legends of the Zone Trilogy – Enhanced Edition brings back three cornerstone experiences of the PC gaming scene, updating them just enough to make them accessible on consoles as well. It’s not a remake or a reinvention, but rather a way to preserve the value of a harsh, immersive work that remains compelling even today. The Zone is still the star: gritty, cruel, unforgettable. And for those who have never experienced it, this is a more than legitimate entry point.

Nightmare Frontier does its part, between novelties and good ideas, unfortunately the latter run out quickly and the rest is a good filler, but certainly less interesting than the first hours. Certainly the seeds of a structure that deserves a posthumous study have been planted. [Early Access Review Score = 70]

Actually, this Kayak VR DLC has no real flaws - it's the same wonderful experience, but in a new area that's brief, intense, and magnificent, yet really very short. You'll be the ones to make sense of the purchase, although obviously in a complete package, this addition is of great value.

Black Desert Online finds a new home on PlayStation 5, bringing its entire world and the vast amount of content released so far. Perhaps more could have been expected performance-wise, as the frame rate occasionally stutters. In our hands, it remains the solid MMORPG we’ve played and come to know on many other platforms, with its action-based combat and RPG soul, though the grinding is still a bit too invasive, even if it helps to somewhat reduce the importance of in-game purchases. The absence of a subscription fee also offers a good reason to try Black Desert Online, but after all these years it would have been nice to see a more comfortable interface. All in all, it’s a valid title, though not perfect, and while the servers don’t seem particularly crowded at the moment, the situation should improve over time, especially since the console servers are cross-platform.

ReDrop features no-frills level design pushed to the limits by a simple yet effective moveset and a smart core mechanic. It’s a great way to test your reflexes, runs on just about anything, and costs next to nothing. A bargain? Depends on who you ask.

Dustwind: Resistance is, unfortunately, a collection of issues and flaws that have seriously impacted the entire gaming experience. The lack of depth in the characters and, above all, the extremely wooden gameplay, compounded by unconvincing AI, failed to win us over. If you particularly love the genre and would like to try it, you may still enjoy it, but we would suggest opting for other, more valid alternatives.

Wordatro! is geared primarily toward an Italian audience, meaning similar games with a dictionary in our language are truly rare. There are more comprehensive and ambitious games on the international scene, but despite all their limitations, if you want to spend a few hours (or a thousand) challenging your mind to find the longest and most complex word, this game is for you.

Half Away is the first game from Italian team Better Half Team. Inspired by Slavic and Japanese folklore, it offers an engaging story from the very beginning, with puzzles that are as simple as they are stimulating and enjoyable. The different areas available make the experience even more dynamic, although it is very short. It's not a perfect game, of course, but it's an excellent debut.

As a calling card, Ed & Edda: Grand Prix – Racing Champions pretty much guarantees I won’t be heading to the cinema in September. As a kart racer, it’s the kind of game your aunt buys by mistake when you asked for Mario Kart. Park visitors might enjoy seeing the mascots at home, but the overall experience is mediocre, and there are far better alternatives. If you really need a new entry in the genre, wait a few months and go for Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds, or even Garfield Kart 2.

Overall, The Familiar Stranger is a game without rhyme or reason, cobbled together, confusing in what little there is to do, and I wouldn't recommend it at all, even if the bugs were fixed. With a world like that of The Mandela Catalogue, whether you like the series or not, something undoubtedly more captivating could have been created.

Ink Reverie is a simple and lighthearted adventure, not very competitive and with easy-to-understand mechanics, despite a tutorial that is unfortunately unclear. However, the game dynamics quickly become easy to understand and will allow you to spend countless hours in evocative settings, listening to traditional Chinese music and decorating your ideal city with numerous buildings.

In its Early Access phase, Titan Quest 2 already shows a solid core and a strong sense of identity, with all the room for growth you’d expect from a work in progress. The Greek setting is atmospheric and richly detailed, the loot system feels rewarding, and the variety of builds — including my full Storm experiment — hints at huge potential for long-term replayability. Sure, graphics optimization still needs refinement and combat mechanics could use sharper precision, but the foundation is solid, and the overall experience is already engaging. If the developers deliver on their promise to expand the content and fine-tune performance, this could earn a well-deserved spot among the genre’s most memorable ARPGs. [Early Access Review]

Luck & Loot requires patience, experimentation, and a certain tolerance for failure. But for those willing to immerse themselves in its deep system and dark atmosphere, it offers a unique experience, where chance becomes a tool and strategy blends with emergent storytelling.

Goosebumps: Terror in Little Creek is a straightforward adaptation of R.L. Stine’s universe that captures the franchise’s playful horror but struggles to deliver lasting suspense. Its cartoonish art style is consistent, and the haunted book stands out as the most creative gameplay element. However, the experience quickly becomes predictable, with repetitive puzzles, basic stealth sequences, and a linear narrative that rarely surprises. The game works well as an accessible entry point for younger players or a nostalgic diversion for longtime fans, but lacks the depth and tension needed to leave a lasting impression.

Drop Duchy and its DLC The Tribe represent a beautiful combination of strategy and creativity, where every element fits together with precision in a refined ludic mosaic that always manages to surprise. The base game offers a deep experience capable of blending different genres into an entertaining formula, while the expansion enriches everything with a new mystical faction, innovative mechanics, and an alternative vision of the game world. Its only flaw is that it sometimes tends to divert the player's attention a bit, as they are somewhat forced to repeat the same actions continuously, but it works quite well overall.

Bad Cheese is a horror experience that builds its foundation on the design of SteamBoat Willie and the grotesque creations that emerged from its creator's mind. While the design is excellent, the game fails to fully satisfy in terms of gameplay. The various game sections and the title's short duration, however, keep it from becoming boring. Bad Cheese doesn't use blood or gore; the true horror lies in the reality experienced by the protagonist and, more importantly, how this reality appears through their eyes.

Mars Attracts is an original management game, capable of reversing roles and perspectives with pulp irony and a touch of cruelty. The basic graphics and improved interface don't overshadow the love for the franchise, evident in the grotesque gimmicks and Martian dialogue. It's just the beginning, but if the team can expand its content and refinements, this title could become a unique experience in the management game landscape.

If you're looking for a roguelike set in a dark fantasy world, there's no shortage of options, but I must admit that Doomspire has some things going for it that could be a little better. It's not currently in Early Access, but it should have been so that more experimentation could be done before launching to the public. However, it's fun for a few hours if you can find the right motivation.

We’re definitely not talking about Gran Turismo or Forza Horizon, but about a game that will let you travel with your imagination once again. All while still offering just the right amount of challenge, which is always welcome, and the desire to spend a Sunday with your family, having fun all together.

Cal & Bomba is a small gem in the indie scene, capable of blending strategy, humor, and intelligent design into an engaging gaming experience. A game that deserves attention, especially from those looking for something different and stimulating, and which confirms how creativity can still make a difference in the world of video games.

Roulette Hero attempts to offer an original concept by blending strategy and randomness, but it often ends up being repetitive, with a pace that struggles to truly engage. The graphics, while functional, lack charisma and distinctive style, making the visual experience unmemorable and unable to offset the monotony of the gameplay.

Bonaparte: A Mechanized Revolution is a bold and original strategy game, driven by a clear creative vision and a strong sense of identity. Its mix of politics, territory management, and turn-based tactics works best when all systems align, especially thanks to the presence of the mechs and the choice between Céline and César Bonaparte, which adds replayability and personality. Over time, however, some limitations emerge. The interface isn’t always intuitive, a few mechanics feel simplified, and the technical constraints of an indie production become visible during the more complex phases. The lack of an Italian localization also weighs on a game that relies heavily on text and political interaction.

Static Dread: The Lighthouse successfully merges Lovecraftian cosmic dread with demanding bureaucratic management. Its oppressive atmosphere, excellent sound design, and non-linear moral dilemmas stand out, crafting a unique and paranoid experience. However, the core resource loop especially becomes too repetitive and forgiving in the late game, preventing it from achieving its full, terrifying potential.

VORON: Raven's Story is a raw game, but an excellent foundation for more mature future projects. Playing the role of a raven is a unique experience, although it is not very easy to get used to the flying technique. The story is rather short but linear, while the atmosphere dedicated to Norse myths helps to make the experience more immersive. Unfortunately, there are many flaws that affect the game, from the technical side to some limitations closely related to gameplay. Considering its cost, however, we recommend giving it a chance.

Dark Atlas: Infernum struggles with a frustrating, flawed core gameplay that suffocates its potential. Only dedicated horror fans with saintly patience should consider this technically deficient title.

JDM: Japanese Drift Master is a full-throttle journey, where the Polish team at Game Factory has managed to infuse the decade-old Japanese culture tied to underground street racing. You’ll have to learn to master your car thanks to a sumptuous arcade-style drive play system. Racing through the streets of the (hypothetical) Guntama Prefecture is thrilling and satisfying, especially for those who love drifting and adore the Initial D-style atmosphere, with a hefty splash of Need For Speed and Fast & Furious. Shuichi Shigeno’s work is clearly the main inspiration behind JDM, and if you enjoyed the adventures of Takumi Fujiwara, you simply can’t miss this game developed by Gaming Factory. Sure, the flaws are there and can’t be ignored—from an overly empty map, to graphics that need work, to assorted bugs—but if you dream of burning rubber in a Japanese powerhouse on the characteristic mountain switchbacks of the Land of the Rising Sun, this purchase is practically mandatory. And if a few extra patches arrive, as they did on PC, keeping your favorite car under control during a drift might become even more satisfying. Now, if you’ll excuse me: I have to run off to deliver some sushi, and I fully intend to drift my way through every hairpin turn.

Frostpunk 2: Fractured Utopias is a robust DLC that expands the sandbox experience of 11 Bit Studios’ strategy masterpiece. It introduces a rich array of new content, including ideological trees, buildings, and unique events, all seamlessly integrated into the core gameplay. The additions enhance the game’s depth, though some factions may require future balancing to keep things fair. With so much new content, players will need to plan carefully, making the experience more challenging than ever. There’s no new story-driven campaign, so if you’re after narrative expansion, this isn’t the one. But for those eager to dive into the new mechanics and surprises 11 Bit Studios has crafted for fans, bundle up and enjoy this compelling DLC.

You die a lot, a whole lot, too much, and you start over with the distinct feeling that you won't be able to overcome the few matches that are blocking your progress, only to start over again. As I often say in these cases, it's always preferable to offer the player something more substantial, a reward, or the knowledge that they will be able to face subsequent matches with more elements than in previous runs, but unfortunately, that's not the case here. It's not disappointing, but the logic of the card sequence or combos isn't explained very well, and it's excessively frustrating; maybe it will change in the future, but at the moment it gets boring after a few hours.

Apartment no 129 is a frustrating example of wasted potential. The unique premise based on Turkish urban legends is completely buried under lazy execution and amateurish design choices. The game suffers from severe "asset flip" syndrome, with repetitive environments and illogical level layout. The gameplay is equally flawed: broken hitboxes, zero feedback on weapons, and an abundance of resources that kills any survival tension. To make matters worse, the console port is terrible, retaining PC interface icons and offering sluggish controls. A skipped opportunity that isn't worth your time.

If you loved Monster Train, this expansion is almost mandatory. The way it adds useful elements to maximize gameplay longevity, along with the new clans and new modes, will literally blow your mind.

Ufophilia's premise of blending Phasmophobia-style investigations with alien hunting is undeniably fascinating. However, the game struggles to take flight due to a complete lack of narrative, tedious inventory backtracking, and artificially punishing mechanics. The baffling absence of a co-op mode turns what could have been a fun, terrifying experience into a frustratingly solitary trial-and-error loop. The only notable elements are its excellent sound design and a genuinely creepy initial atmosphere.

Manairons is one of those gaming productions that deserves our applause for its inspiration and originality. On one hand, we find a stimulating artistic and sound design—dark in tone, yet conveying hope for the future. On the other, the gameplay mechanics are quite successful regarding the platforming and puzzle phases, but fall short when it comes to the general combat system. In any case, despite some obvious limitations, Manairons still manages to find its place in the genre, thanks to an original story born from the legends, customs, and traditions of the Pyrenees mountain range. Unleashing the power of the magic flute wasn't bad at all, though one must always keep in mind a few "off-key notes" on the musical score of this fantasy journey.

Vampire Therapist is a very pleasant experience: we are talking about a Visual Novel that manages to introduce important and profound concepts of psychoanalysis within a safe, imaginative, and lighthearted context, while simultaneously leading the user to engage in quite a bit of self-analysis. A must-play for anyone interested in these themes.

Hordes of Hunger presents itself as a title that comfortably reaches a passing grade, yet fails to make the qualitative leap necessary to truly dominate the modern roguelite market in 2026. Although the manual combat concept is excellent and injects a welcome sense of freshness into a genre often too static, such as survivor-like games, the technical execution suffers from issues that undermine the long-term enjoyment of progression. The camera remains the most evident flaw, as getting stuck in the geometry of the Mountain Fortress during a boss fight can turn an engaging challenge into a moment of pure, unjustified frustration for the player. The balance of the Vampire build represents another critical point, since forcing the user down a single survival path drastically limits the creativity one would expect from such a layered and promising Forge system. The absence of an autosave system during runs and the persistent white flash in transitions to the Sanctuary further signal a lack of polish that Hyperstrange will need to address through targeted patches in order to avoid alienating the more detail-oriented segment of the community.

City Hunter returns to current-generation consoles in a remaster that doesn't just do its homework, but delivers a complete version of a very niche title aimed at the game's most die-hard fans. It's a faithful port of the original PC Engine version (also localized in Italian) with numerous bug fixes and gameplay tweaks to bring it more in line with modern times. However, there are limitations stemming from its age, some "gameplay niggles" that make this formula too repetitive and (perhaps) lacking appeal, not to mention a meager running time that doesn't fully justify its asking price. Nevertheless, City Hunter fans will be happy to embark on this new mission and, more precisely, (re)discover a forgotten title brought to life in a new light for all lovers of the game and video games in general.

Devil Jam is an independent production that stages a concert built around rhythm and automatic attacks. What we have here is a roguelite with some interesting ideas, based on upgrades placed on a dedicated grid to create an offensive and defensive score capable of wiping out entire armies of demons. What you end up with is a bold production that presents an overall functional combat system, but one that may feel rather repetitive even to those who strongly enjoy the genre. The presence of only a single map and a handful of bosses doesn’t help either, making the experience feel less deep than expected. However, the ticket price for Devil Jam is very low (€7.99), and it would almost be outrageous not to attend at least once this concert with decidedly hellish notes.

Overall, CoinPit is a rather unusual project, almost anachronistic in the way it blends arcade gameplay, psychological horror, and incremental mechanics. Unlike other projects, such as CloverPit, it is less successful and less iconic. Its deliberately simple graphics, imperfect yet effective physics, and the obsessive economy based on debt and risky choices make it a title designed for a specific audience—those fascinated by roguelikes with a touch of atmosphere.

Narin: The Orange Room is a faltering experience in several respects that, despite having some decent foundations and a fairly interesting story, pays a very high price: it fails to actually scare the player. Even if we were willing to overlook the dated gameplay and the technical issues scattered here and there, we cannot ignore the pronounced repetitiveness that envelops the entire experience. Let’s be frank: the overall formula didn’t convince us, especially considering that the protagonist seems more inclined to deliver monologues rather than feel the tension of survival in a context that is completely hostile to her. If you’re a fan of the genre (and considering the low price), you might still want to give it a chance, though you’ll have to accept a few too many flaws. And if you’ll allow us one piece of advice: set the dialogue language to Thai—at least the protagonist will gain a lot more personality.

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.

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.

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.

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]

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.

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.

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.

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.