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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Killing Floor 3 delivers on its promise of brutal combat and satisfying weapon feedback, offering moments of adrenaline-fueled chaos that feel tactile and intense. The gunplay is sharp, and close-quarters fights can be thrilling, especially for players looking for raw, straightforward action. However, beneath the surface lies a game that struggles to justify its existence as a full sequel. Mission structure becomes repetitive quickly, co-op elements feel underdeveloped, and boss fights often devolve into chaotic bullet sponges. The perk and crafting systems, while ambitious, lack meaningful progression and fail to keep the gameplay loop engaging. Technically, the game performs well on Xbox Series X, but its visuals, level design, and presentation rarely rise above the average. Killing Floor 3 plays well enough—but in a genre that’s evolving rapidly, it feels stuck in place, offering fleeting thrills without long-term hooks.

I wouldn’t recommend No Sleep for Kaname Date at full price, not even to the series’ most die-hard fans. Spike Chunsoft’s spin-off doesn’t try to reinvent the wheel, and while it may entertain those simply craving another outing with Date in this bizarre universe, it relies too heavily on familiar tropes without expanding or deepening them. As a result, it struggles to carve out its own identity or leave a lasting impression. The story has its moments, but it's padded with obvious narrative detours that drag the experience down; cut the fluff and you'd have a solid standalone expansion. The escape rooms are fun, though far from essential. The cast and comedic direction remain top-notch as always, but is that enough to justify a purchase? If you're new to the franchise... what are you even doing here? Go play The Somnium Files first.

Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound is a successful experiment in blending past and present, combining Tecmo's legacy with the auteur vision of The Game Kitchen. It's not perfect, and perhaps not the masterpiece some were expecting, but it's a solid, entertaining title—artistically inspired and technically well-executed. A return to its roots that doesn’t just look backward, but manages to say something new using the language of the classic.

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.

Pokémon Friends is a refreshing experience in the Pokémon gaming landscape. Leaving behind the focus on battle and competitiveness, it offers a peaceful haven where you can craft plush toys and customize environments. With its intuitive gameplay, a myriad of fun activities, and a daily quest system that rewards persistence, Pokémon Friends is a game that will delight anyone seeking a more intimate, relaxing, and deeply rewarding Pokémon experience, but it's not for those seeking a more complex and in-depth challenge.

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.

Achilles: Survivor shows promising design and a solid gameplay core, blending the survivors-like formula with light strategy and mythological flair. The tactical construction system adds genuine depth, and the loop is engaging across multiple runs. However, the current content offering is modest, and performance issues are still present. With continued updates, it could grow into a standout title.

The Necromancer’s Tale is a rare narrative RPG that trades power fantasies for vulnerability and consequence. It’s a haunting, cerebral experience that rewards introspection over optimization, where character growth is shaped by pain, memory, and unspoken choices. If you’re drawn to the gothic melancholy of Disco Elysium, the occult undercurrents of The Pale Blue Eye, or the narrative tension of Sunless Sea, this might just cast the right spell on you.

A Monster Hunter "clone" that stands firmly on its own legs, Wild Hearts S delivers a challenging, engaging, and content-rich experience that should appeal to fans of the genre looking for an alternative. Nothing was lost in the transition to Switch 2; if anything, the expanded lobbies are a welcome upgrade, and the technical performance holds up well. It's not all smooth sailing, but as a “first attempt”, Omega Force shows real promise. Let’s just hope Koei Tecmo stays on board, because there’s plenty of potential here for a great series; it just needs a bit more polish.

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.

Let's start with the premise that Super Mario Party Jamboree is a great, huge game that offers a huge amount of challenges, mini-games, scoreboards, and collectibles, and it comes back on Switch 2 with a new outfit for the occasion. The Jamboree TV is a nice addition, designed to take special advantage of the camera and put a face on all the participants, but also the new Joycon 2 features. The critical point, of course, is the price, certainly not low, but justified in Nintendo's view by the high (and undeniable) quality of the game. Making objective evaluations on the money is always complicated, but from our point of view Super Mario Party Jamboree is a really hilarious and engaging experience, especially if you don't mind Nintendo's usual long-windedness between menus and various skits, including the new Jamboree TV, which doesn't revolutionize the formula, but takes good advantage of the new hardware potential.

WUCHANG: Fallen Feathers is a solid soulslike title, though it lacks the standout features needed to distinguish itself among the many games inspired by FromSoftware’s successes. Given its modest budget, WUCHANG: Fallen Feathers combines decent artistic direction with a handful of original ideas, managing to entertain without delivering any major highs but providing an overall honest experience. The game offers an interesting progression system, which unfortunately clashes at times with some shortcomings in the combat mechanics—particularly inconsistent parrying. Still, there are several intriguing aspects, such as the Temperance mechanic, the skill tree, the wide variety of weapons, and the Fury system that introduces the Inner Demon. At times, the game feels a bit overloaded with features, risking a somewhat scattered experience. However, with enough discipline (and believe me, you’ll need it), players can enjoy themselves without focusing too much on the story, which is not always particularly inspired. For those already familiar with soulslikes, WUCHANG: Fallen Feathers offers a fresh challenge that may not become a landmark in the genre, but definitely has something unique to contribute.

Shadow Labyrinth gives birth to the Pactroidvania genre, giving a level structure as intricate as the name suggests, a deeper plot than anyone could have predicted and myriads of references. It is a game that absolutely should not be taken lightly, intended for both new players and long-time fans.

Donkey Kong Bananza is a great adventure and a good 3D platformer, not always great, but it makes up for it with the ambition and originality of the ideas it proposes. Conveying the spirit of the last chapters, made of extreme precision and endless attempts, would not have been easy within a completely destructible 3D world. Maybe that's why a softer path was chosen, which sometimes leaves you bewildered, just like being inside a mountain digging your fists in without knowing where to go. Perhaps, more simply, Donkey Kong Bananza is a good game, but not the epoch-making platformer that is expected at the launch of a new Nintendo console.

Despite its isometric perspective and slower pace, Eriksholm: The Stolen Dream stands out thanks to a strong narrative foundation, excellent voice acting, and clever stealth mechanics rooted in environmental design. While some visual segments feel less polished than others, the overall artistic consistency and smart level construction keep the experience engaging. It's a thoughtful, well-crafted stealth adventure that avoids overpromising, offering a grounded and emotionally resonant story through a carefully paced journey. Not perfect, but definitely one of the most intriguing indie titles in its genre.

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.

Islanders: New Shores returns with a revamped look, two modes to choose from, 50 unique levels, and plenty of buildings to make the experience highly customizable. The strategic element plays a crucial role and may seem limiting at some points, but it never proves tedious and manages to entertain for countless hours. The simple settings, clear and intuitive interface, and pleasant soundtrack come together and make for a truly relaxing experience.

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.

Occasionally clunky controls and cryptic progression keep Chronicles of the Wolf from reaching true greatness, but it remains an excellent old-school metroidvania and a heartfelt tribute to Konami’s Igavanias. Long, challenging in all the right ways, and consistently fun, with top-notch presentation and a superb soundtrack; hard to ask for much more.

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.

"Buying this album comes with a free game" is a line I’ve seen applied to many titles before, and usually when the foundation was solid to begin with. That’s not quite the case with Antro. Its platforming and rhythm mechanics still need fine-tuning, and while there are glimpses of potential, there simply isn't enough substance to truly assess its quality. Best suited for genre enthusiasts or those looking to support a small indie team.

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.