If this game would have used Ninja Gaiden 2 as a starting point with "Black" as a refinement, it could have been the ultimate version. Unfortunately,it's a heavily reworked take on Sigma 2, missing not only some bosses from Sigma but also key elements from the original NG2, such as enemy placement and their strength. What remains intact is the series' signature, unparalleled gameplay, keeping it among the must-play action titles; if not for the existence of Itagaki’s Ninja Gaiden 2, which remains superior and unmatched.

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.

Donkey Kong Country Returns HD is exactly what we were expecting: a perfect port of the original Nintendo Wii game, now enhanced with levels from the 3DS version and improved graphics.Of course, there could have been additional worlds and something more could have done with the graphics, but Nintendo decided to not make the extra effort.If you’ve never played it before, this is a fantastic opportunity to experience an iconic platformer that continues to stand the test of time.

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.

Fantasy Life i: the Girl who Steals Time brings without difficulty the artistic style, the fresh and varied gameplay and in general all the potential of the brand to the current hardware generation. Good for everyone, beautiful for the younger ones, Level-5's work suggest us that we have to expect, and even wait for, other Fantasy Life games in the future.

No, it’s not just a “nostalgia effect”: Amerzone: The Explorer’s Legacy was a great game, and the careful work by Microids to make it enjoyable again after 25 long years allows us players to experience a great adventure once more, while also paying a fitting tribute to an unforgettable genius like Benoît Sokal. A classic point-and-click adventure with a captivating atmosphere and intriguing situations, Amerzone: The Explorer’s Legacy improves in every aspect: length, technical impact, and even the number and quality of puzzles, all while offering a more user-friendly gameplay experience. It might not be very difficult, and its longevity isn’t the best—not to mention the inability to change the diary font—but Amerzone: The Explorer’s Legacy is not just a revival of an old title. It’s a remake that deserves to be played by both new and veteran gaming explorers.

The Beast marks the return of Kyle Crane, now more than just a Volatile, driven by vengeance against the Baron. The story is straightforward, lacking meaningful choices, with flat supporting characters and a weak antagonist, making it feel like a missed opportunity. Where the narrative falls short, the gameplay delivers: fluid, essential parkour, weighty combat, and oppressive nights recapture the tension of the original. Solid and enjoyable, but ultimately conservative.

Shadow Tactics: Blades of the Shogun is an excellent port that brings a pleasant and captivating tactical experience to the Nintendo Switch 2, already praised on other platforms since 2017. The gameplay is identical to the original, and compared to the PC, Xbox, and PS5 versions, it includes the Aiko’s Choice DLC, making it the Complete Edition developed by Mimimi Games. The game retains the strengths of the original and its few weaknesses, offering deep strategic gameplay and a solid technical foundation, although the learning curve is steep and even the lowest difficulty setting may pose a challenge for less experienced players. Notably, the ability to use the Joy‑Con controllers as a pointer is a great solution for tactical games on consoles. However, in handheld mode, the game is hard to read on the 7.9‑inch Switch 2 screen: even when zoomed in, on-screen elements appear quite small. In conclusion, Shadow Tactics: Blades of the Shogun is an excellent old-school stealth strategy game arriving on Nintendo’s new flagship console.

Tribute Games proves they know how to handle beat'em up genre with a solid fighting game that draws on arcade tradition to offer gameplay suitable for everyone, with slight innovations that enrich rather than disrupt. The added value of MARVEL Cosmic Invasion is obviously the use of characters from the House of Ideas, well depicted and effectively translated into pixels, with enough variety to satisfy even those who join the party just to throw punches, without knowing too much about the guys in costumes.

Even the base version of Hell Clock is worth the purchase: it’s one of the most addictive roguelite experiences I can recall. It’s fun, engaging, and offers impressive depth and customization. The endgame still lacks some longevity, but the developers are highly active and already have plenty of updates planned through early 2026. If you're a fan of the genre and enjoy a more hack 'n' slash take on the classic formula, Rogue Snail’s title will keep you great company through the hot August days and well beyond.

It’s hard to say whether Kill the Brickman will reach the same success as Vampire Survivors, but the potential is definitely there. Doonutsaur and Poncle’s new title is charming, fun, and works equally well for quick sessions or long sleepless nights. Some technical hiccups and a still-limited amount of content keep it from true excellence, but it’s an indie gem we can already recommend, with the promise of long-term support from its creators. There’s always room for a new pastime in your schedule, and this one is worth it. Just be careful not to get too hooked.

Pokémon Pokopia has all the makings of one of the most successful spin-offs in the entire series. It doesn't attempt to reinvent or recycle the main series' competitive formula, but consciously chooses to create a relaxing yet profound game. It's the perfect blend of the creative freedom of a sandbox builder and the serenity of a life simulation: a perfect balance of construction, connection, and discovery. In other words, Pokopia has the flavor of Animal Crossing with a sprinkling of Dragon Quest Builders, but with a Pokémon twist. And this mix creates one of the most successful cozy games of recent years, capable of providing hours and hours of fun.

Planet of Lana 2: Children of the Leaf is a work of extraordinary beauty that confirms Wishfully’s knack for creating stunning and enchanting worlds. Children of the Leaf also serves as a demonstration of maturity for the studio. They’ve showcased their core strengths, like superlative storytelling and an artistic direction that rivals high-budget productions, while making amends for past shortcomings by refining the gameplay mechanics that raised some eyebrows in the first chapter. However, there remains an underlying over-reliance on references, both artistically and mechanically. While pleasant at first, this becomes somewhat cloying in the final hours. The game would have certainly benefited from a touch of "arrogance" on the part of the developers. Planet of Lana 2 is a title that comes agonizingly close to perfection, yet falls short due to excessive caution. It teases grand ideas but offers only a taste of them; the most frustrating part is that it does so with full awareness of its own immense potential.

If you thoroughly enjoyed Super Robot Wars 30 and are looking for new thrills, Super Robot Wars Y doesn’t bring many fresh ideas, but it makes up for it with an excellent story. Otherwise, it’s everything you could want from a Super Robot Wars entry: a solid SRPG packed with hundreds of interactions and thousands of special moves, screams, explosions, and heroic poses. And if you love mecha anime but somehow never tried the series, you’ll fall in love instantly. The only downside is the rather steep cost of accessing all the DLC.

Atelier Yumia: The Alchemist of Memories & the Envisioned Land is a JRPG that stays true to the signature style of the saga, offering a vast world to explore and an abundance of alchemy, featuring one of the most intricate and comprehensive crafting systems in the gaming landscape. The decision to switch to a more action-oriented combat system compared to previous entries speeds up both battles and exploration. However, it makes fights feel somewhat bland and chaotic due to gameplay that, in this regard, lacks refinement. From a technical standpoint, Atelier Yumia: The Alchemist of Memories & the Envisioned Land is well-crafted and offers a wealth of locations to discover. That said, truly interesting points are somewhat limited. There are hundreds upon hundreds of ingredients to collect, many enemies to defeat, and numerous side quests to complete, yet these activities tend to become repetitive, following the same familiar patterns. While it may not be the game that brings the Atelier brand into the mainstream, for crafting enthusiasts, Atelier Yumia: The Alchemist of Memories & the Envisioned Land is a title not to be missed.

As precise as a flying lap from Marc Marquez, MotoGP 25 hits the track right on schedule, ready to excite motorcycle racing enthusiasts and faithfully recreate the world championship experience. While the foundation remains familiar, noticeable improvements have been made, particularly in the handling of Moto3 and Moto2 bikes, along with a refined visual presentation thanks to Unreal Engine 5 and a series of minor new features.The AI performs reliably, and the management of race penalties is accurate and timely, with MotoGP 25 taking another step forward without disrupting the strong groundwork laid by its predecessors.Some flaws persist, however: replays remain limited, now allowing viewers to watch only about ten laps, an even greater restriction compared to last year. Additionally, the inability to customize the use of rewinds remains an issue, and on PlayStation 5, the use of adaptive triggers feels less immersive than before.It remains to be seen whether future patches might address these shortcomings and rebalance rider performance to further enhance the experience — potentially raising the overall score by half a point. Nonetheless, MotoGP 25 confirms itself as a consistently engaging and high-quality title.

Patapon 1+2 Replay manage to stand the trial of time by offering gameplay with an engaging or even "penetrating" rhythm, challenges of increasing difficulty and a great variety thanks to the fact that it contains two games, one the evolution of the other. Unless you already own the Remaster editions of the original titles, this collection is definitely for you.

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.

Anno 117: Pax Romana stands as a refined and confident city builder, yet one that plays it a little too safe. Its strength lies in its balance, precision, and attention to detail, but that same restraint keeps it from reaching true greatness. A deeper narrative, a more dynamic religious system, and bolder moral choices could have given this empire more soul. It’s a stable, beautifully crafted experience—but one that makes you wish Rome had dared more.

Dune: Awakening is not for everyone, and that’s a strength. It demands patience, attention, and a willingness to embrace some rough edges. But for those who connect with its rhythm, it delivers a deeply atmospheric and mechanically sound experience. There’s room for improvement, sure, but the game already offers a distinctive take on survival MMO design — one that respects the source material and dares to slow things down, even when most others are rushing ahead.

Ninja Gaiden 4 is a result of its production model, a niche game that must appeal to all gamers at the same time; and despite a few missteps, it succeeds in this difficult task. Hero Mode allows everyone to explore Yakumo's gruesome ninja frenzy while learning the defense techniques that allow you to climb the difficulty levels. By raising the bar each time you finish the game, even veterans will soon find something to sink their teeth into. The price to pay is subdued level design and annoying backtracking. The reward for those who persevere is the usual over-the-top madness with which Team Ninja tackles the subject matter.

Mafia: Terra Madre doesn't aim for technical perfection or expansive freedom, but delivers a deeply rooted, emotionally charged narrative. It’s a story about survival, legacy, and the cost of loyalty — told through the eyes of a young man seeking redemption in a world built on silence and blood. Hangar 13 crafts a compact yet powerful experience that blends historical accuracy with narrative weight. It may be short in length, but it leaves a lasting mark through its strong direction, emotional pacing, and unwavering commitment to its vision.

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.

The Legend of Heroes: Trails Beyond the Horizon not only delivers an epic conclusion to the Calvard arc, but also represents a major turning point in the shared narrative of the entire Trails universe. The story is once again expertly told, as fans of the series have come to expect, with major plot twists that cast new light on much of what we believed we knew about this rich and compelling setting. Great care is given to the cast, supported by an enormous amount of dialogue that further brings the world to life. However, the lack of an Italian localization may prove to be a significant barrier for non-English speakers, and some sections suffer from an excessive amount of dialogue, occasionally disrupting the overall pacing. Gameplay is more refined and satisfying than ever, with the turn-based combat system truly shining and reaching new levels of depth. The soundtrack does not disappoint, featuring several tracks that immediately stick in your head, while the visual presentation remains the game’s Achilles’ heel, once again feeling like it belongs to a project from two generations ago. Of course, no one plays Nihon Falcom titles for their visuals, but it’s hard not to wonder when we’ll finally see this talented team working with a more adequate budget—a question I find myself asking in far too many of their reviews. That said, The Legend of Heroes: Trails Beyond the Horizon stands as an excellent JRPG that more than capably closes a long-running narrative arc, while laying solid foundations for the future of a saga that should not be overlooked.

Dark Quest 4 proves that tabletop role-playing games never go out of style. After the golden age of the ’80s and ’90s, today consoles and PCs bring us back—if only in our imagination—to the same table where we once played alongside family and friends. It’s a title that celebrates tradition while refreshing it, offering an experience that blends nostalgia, tactics, and creativity.

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.

Simon the Sorcerer Origins is an excellent debut for the team at Smallthing Studio. On the one hand, it revives the mechanics of the old-school graphic adventures that inspired it, with just a few adjustments: a bold move in an era when attention spans are a thing of the past. On the other hand, it renews the genre with hand-crafted aesthetics and a few small concessions to the modern player. The result is a fresh game that recalls the past without getting lost in nostalgia. Graphic adventures are still alive and well.

Tormented Souls 2 is a solid evolution of classic survival horror, and of the first game. It successfully refines the formula with genius puzzle design, creating a demanding and atmospheric experience that fans of the original Resident Evil and Silent Hill will cherish.