There really is very little of interest The Teal Mask. Throughout the four hours of gameplay - which left me sleepy - I felt like I was playing an uninteresting filler, or some kind of visual novel with no content. The bulk of the DLC is dialog where you spend your time pressing "A". All of the story and characters introduced are nothing more than an excuse to sell Pokémon and cosmetic items to players, sneakily masking a completely insignificant story and additional adventure. Despite its flaws, and as I said at the beginning, here's hoping that part 2, The Indigo Disk, will be better and deliver an interesting Pokémon experience.

Starfield isn't everything the developer promised, but it's a very good RPG, worthy of a Game of the Year nomination. Bethesda's new space RPG tells an absolutely intriguing story, treating each main mission like an unmissable episode in a memorable series. Although the game has a few bugs and glitches, the experience isn't traumatizing. It's not Skyrim in space, nor a galactic Fallout, but a new name that assumes its authenticity and dispenses with comparisons. Starfield isn't technically perfect, but it fits in perfectly with the best games of 2023.

If, on the one hand, Stardew Valley has become the ultimate farming sim, Fae Farm has the potential to become the ultimate cozy cooperative farming sim. Fae Farm's philosophy is just one: to make the experience of a farming simulator as relaxing as possible by removing everything that might get in the way. To do this, it takes the complex and diverse systems and mechanics of farming simulators and strips them of responsibilities, dull repetition, the most time-consuming grind, punishments and frustrations, then covers it with a cozy environment, full of relaxing tasks, with music and visuals that, on the whole, work in its favor.

Armored Core VI: Fires of Rubicon isn't one for half measures. It's a game that knows exactly what it is and doesn't waste a single minute getting me into the cockpit and letting me live out the fantasy of piloting a giant Mech. The story may not leave its mark, but the customization system won't leave my mind any time soon, constantly inviting me to create a new solution to the game's missions and a new way of approaching combat.

All in all, Immortals of Aveum is an interesting proposition, with an intense and fun combat system, even if it doesn't revolutionize the FPS genre. The world is interesting enough, the light show mesmerizing, but the plot leaves a lot to be desired, with characters and clichés we've seen hundreds of times in other games and films.

Baldur's Gate 3 is Larian Studios' Magnum Opus. It's a must-play masterpiece that sets a new bar in the RPG universe. Even at over a hundred hours, it never fails to surprise and impress with a deep story, hypnotic villains, enticing companions, a world where you can get lost forever and a combat system that rewards creativity. But more than all this, Baldur's Gate 3 is the fruit of the passion and love of an entire team that has dedicated body and soul to capture the magic of video games.

After a game that captivated a healthy community of fans, but that was largely ignored by the mainstream, Gunfire Games returned to the fray with Remnant 2, a sequel that doubles down on first game's strength, while improving it's rough edges. The result is an unlikely soulslike looter shooter that wastes no time in showing what it's made of. Fun and addictive, it's full of well-conceived systems that make for a fun experience that takes on new dimensions with friends.

Pikmin is Nintendo's ugly duckling. The idea of having plants that act like worker ants, of different colors and qualities, isn't all that appealing. Funnily enough, it works: I surrendered to the gameplay, creativity, lightness and relaxation that Pikmin 4 manages to deliver. Admittedly, there is still work to be done on other components, such as strengthening the cooperative mode, local and online, in order to offer a more interesting shared experience for all players. Still, the solo story mode made me feel the Nintendo magic again, the one I felt when I first played Pokémon, Super Mario, Wario or Zelda. It's a title that proves how little our age matters in the face of a game, only mattering how it makes us feel.

Fundamentally, Jagged Alliance 3 aims to please the fans of the franchise. They are the ones who will have the most fun with the game, full of references to previous titles, and systems that quite frankly, didn't need to be so stuck in the past, especially the user interface. With a great mod compatibility, it's quite possible that this problem will be solved in the near future, because as a starting point, Jagged Alliance 3 offers a pretty solid, competent and fun base for any turn-based tactics fan, as long as they're willing to endure its initial period. There's a lot of granularity in the various gameplay systems, from weapon crafting to squad management, and a respectable dose of randomness that helps make each run unique and interesting, especially if you play it with friends.

Making Gylt cross-platform was a wise choice from Tequila Works. The game that was exclusive to Stadia now has the opportunity to reach more players, and raise awareness for bullying. Despite the stealth and combat mechanics being very basic, the story that sustains the action is interesting enough to hold us until the end, making the experience extremely satisfying.

Final Fantasy XVI is an admirable new direction for the franchise. Square Enix shows tremendous confidence in moving away from one of the franchise's cornerstones, while never letting go of the essence that defines the magic of Final Fantasy. With an enticing story, unforgettable characters, a striking soundtrack, and epic battles, Final Fantasy XVI has its place reserved in the pantheon of the franchise.

Master Detective Archives: Rain Code promises to satiate those hungry for more Danganronpa through gameplay that is as familiar as it is distinctive. It is able to effortlessly blend adventure, visual novel, mystery, detective and exploration elements with bold mechanics that surprise us at every turn. Given the experience of the developers, I expected Master Detective Archives: Rain Code to be a more robust product, with fewer technical glitches, better graphics, faster loading, better dialogues and a more rewarding gameplay cycle. Still, none of this completely spoils the overall experience, nor does it erase my desire to play the next title Too Kyo Games cooks up.

AEW: Fight Forever successfully fulfills the founding principle it set for itself: providing an experience that brings back simple, frenetic, fun gameplay that gives wrestling games back the arcade vibe that has been lost over time. At its best moments, AEW is all of that, but it still fails to be much more. The scarcity of game modes, a roster with gaps, the somewhat persistent bugs, and a Road to Elite far from the quality of the predecessors it draws inspiration from are damaging to the experience and don't give us many reasons to come back. Nevertheless, with promises of constant development and regular updates from the studio, we have reason to believe that there is room to fix these shortcomings and offer a more complete wrestling experience. It just isn't it at the moment.

With Diablo IV, Blizzard opens the gates of Hell to all players, from the most casual ones to the most hardcore. Being impossible to please them both at the same time, the former risk hitting a wall when they reach the endgame, while the latter may not find the challenge interesting enough. Still, Diablo IV is a highly recommendable experience for all players, with a solid, addictive foundation and a tremendous potential to evolve in the coming seasons, especially when played with friends.

Overall, F1 23 is in good health and is recommended to all fans of the sport. It positions itself on both the arcade and sim racing sides as a competent and improved game over its predecessors. With the ability to provide a more authentic and immersive experience for players, as well as a unique perspective through Breaking Point 2. It might be far from perfect, but it's a big step in the right direction. We look forward to the future of the franchise.

Despite some mistakes, Layers of Fear is a horror game that will remain in the memory of players as one of the most appreciated of this year. Bloober Team delivered exactly what the franchise needed. With some changes in the narrative and the introduction of new details, Layers of Fear solidifies the story, not only with new plot points and mechanics, but also with new animations, collectibles and puzzles . Combining the three games into a single title is an ingenious strategy, with the studio coming out on top of this challenge.

Amnesia: The Bunker is the best horror experience in the entire franchise. Frictional Games has fixed some issues with previous games, and wanted to leave the "free horror" label behind. The Bunker has the ability to blend the real terror experienced throughout WW1, and adds the fantasy of the monstrous creature that we used to in Amnesia storylines. The Bunker will, from now on, be the model to be followed by all those who base the terror gameplay experience in “walking simulators”, showing that there are more survival resources than just the legs to run.

Convergence: A League of Legends Story is another success story in the League of Legends universe. With Ekko at the forefront, Double Stallion has managed to create a solid and fun Metroidvania, perfectly combining precise platforming with intense combat, without losing a drop of the personality of this intrepid hero.

Miasma Chronicles is another solid release from Bearded Ladies, who are quite comfortable with their fusion of turn-based tactics with a narrative element. The studio has already become an expert at playing defense, and has a case for venturing further on offense. Miasma Chronicles is a good starting step for newcomers and an interesting offering for veterans, even if it doesn't innovate, but it doesn't try either.

The perfect sequel exists in Tears of the Kingdom and is scattered throughout Hyrule. It can be found in the vast improvements to the mechanics introduced in Breath of the Wild, the narrative expansion, the attention given to certain characters, and the increased participation they have in the story and combat. It gets lost, however, in an unnecessarily prolonged stay, with new game mechanics taking center stage at the expense of exploration and challenging puzzles. The feeling of being in front of a DLC, with dozens of hours, with repetition of ideas and assets, is therefore inevitable.

Redfall is stunningly bad. After past successes, Arkane fails the mission miserably and looks like a real fish out of water with the looter shooter. Between numerous bugs, performance issues, an uninteresting story, flabby and completely brain-dead enemies, Redfall is not even capable of assuming itself as a competent looter shooter and even in a group, the fun is a mirage that only appears occasionally and almost always ironically.

Wartales offers a fantastic sandbox to explore. The nature of this system implies a rather insipid storyline and uneven pace, but in the end, the real treasure is the mercenaries you meet along the way. For those looking for a strategy sandbox with good depth in which to invest many hours, this is a choice that is hard to ignore.

Respawn delivers a sequel that's shaped like our favorite cake, even if it lacks the icing on top. Despite performance issues and poor improvements to some gameplay elements, Star Wars Jedi: Survivor comes to show just how cohesive the Star Wars universe really is. The title offers us the most fun version of the Jedi to play so far, in a vastly improved environment, with countless planets to explore. Cal Kestis returns for a new adventure with enhanced habilities, an assortment of lightsabers, enhanced strength, new friendships and a charming style.

The Mageseeker: A League of Legends Story isn't just another Riot game exploring the Runeterra universe. It is the first to open the curtains of Demacia and make us travel to a kingdom with a strong history of magic and militarism. It is all about two forces in constant struggle, which we now have the opportunity to lead as Sylas, in front of the sorcerers. The visuals are absolutely stunning, the mechanics live up to the original champion we know, and all the elements around it enrich the story that promises to win the hearts of fans of League of Legends lore, even those who are not fans of pixel art.

Dead Island 2 is like a good B movie. It's imperfect, but it doesn't commit to more than it's capable of offering. Incredibly entertaining, it keeps in the foreground what makes it stand out: the destruction of zombies, without a single shred of shame. It doesn't revolutionize the genre and never breaks free of the genre's moorings, but it's a real pleasure to smash zombies - from zombie number 1 to zombie number 1000.

Minecraft Legends is a solid attempt to adapt the world of Minecraft into a new genre. In the process, it clings too tightly to simplicity and leaves behind the creativity that defined it so well. The result is a game that manages to be enjoyable, but often ends up becoming repetitive and shallow, as it seems to have been made with multiplayer modes in mind.

Disguised as a simple space sim, Everspace 2 hides an engine full of solid and very well accomplished ARPG systems. The story leaves something to be desired, but there is no shortage of options when it comes to the variety of builds possible. Combat is a real pleasure at every stage of the game, propelled by systems that are easy to understand and deep enough to let your skill and imagination run wild.

Terra Nil has no ambitions to be the next big city-builder game, nor to set off a revolution in the genre, but it is concise and focused enough in its mission to be considered successful. Above all, and contrary to what is usual, it does not want to lock players in an endless cycle of expansion and construction, but rather to show how easy and necessary it is to let go of our creations and let nature take its course.

Tchia is the living proof that it's possible to make a good game without complex plots or challenging gameplay features. The simple story of the people from New Caledonia is beautiful enough to contemplate and contrasts with our daily life, which is so busy and destructive. Tchia teaches us to stop and smell the flowers, admiring what we really need and valuing the things we take for granted.

Bayonetta Origins: Cereza and the Lost Demon takes Bayonetta into Wonderland with 'Burtonesque' tones to tell the origins and formative years of the most badass witch of today. Judging the book by its cover, this prequel spinoff might seem like a cute game. And it's true that the poorly filled narrative and a combat system that's afraid of being challenging are flaws that interrupt the experience and may push away the franchise's most demanding fans. However, it's very rewarding to see the little Cereza take on the personality traits that are familiar to us and shape her adult version, something provided by the exploration of the beautiful Avalon Forest, by the interactions and growth of her relationship with Cheshire, and by the challenges and fights they overcome.

The innovation that Metroid brought to the platforming genre, in each and every aspect (gameplay mechanics, power system progression, synergy between exploration, combat and narrative development, among many others), inadvertently turned it into something bigger than the game itself. The unexpected remaster reinforces this argument, through impressive visual and gameplay improvements that push it to the border between remaster and remake, thus inviting not only veterans, but also new players to visit and explore the delicious biomes that Talon IV holds in store.

Kirby's Return to Dream Land Deluxe is undeniably an improvement over the Wii original. The new features in the remaster may not be enough to convince veterans, but it's still a fantastic and fun experience for those who like to play in the company of the young and inexperienced.

Dedicated to fans of the original World, Next Order takes the original game and builds upon it with an impressive array of content. The sluggish and basic grinding, mediocre combat, and an "open world" with no fast means of travel hurts the experience overall. Still, it grabs the Digimon fan's heart, keeping us stuck in the Digital World despite its flaws, something that gains new strength by settling better on handheld consoles.

Wo Long: The Fallen Dynasty is a truly gritty challenge. Team Ninja's game puts players' skill, patience, and sadomasochism to the test, rolling out a red carpet for aggression while harshly punishing all and every mistake. The combat systems are complex but work quite well with each other, with the exception of the loot, which is unnecessarily complicated and not very impactful. Wo Long: The Fallen Dynasty will not convince newcomers to the genre, but it will certainly please fans.

Atomic Heart stands out for its remarkable art direction and unique theme, in a retro-futuristic world dominated by the Soviet Union. It suffers from repetitive fetch quests, which intensely slow down the game's pace, becoming a barrier to the enjoyment of this virtual world. The story has to be approached with a touch of irony and sarcasm, but that doesn't always excuse some dubious voice-acting. Mundfish's debut has a few rough edges, but a lot of promise for the future.

Horizon: Call of the Mountain is the best looking VR game to date, benefiting from the beautiful world previously created by Guerrila Games. The climbing sections provide a beautiful scenery, but lose their lustre through repetition, and leave you wishing for more combat sections, which despite being on-rails, manage to have good tactical depth. All in all, it seems to be more of a tech demo than a AAA title, but it is a very good experience for those who want to return to this universe and take their first steps in Virtual Reality.

Wild Hearts updates the hunting videogame catalog and proves that it is possible to create new franchises inspired by existing IPs. The only thing that separates success is the ability to create something with its own identity, and that's what Koei Tecmo did by delivering this new franchise to fans of the subgenre. Wild Hearts opts for a spiritualist theme that, properly contextualized, enriches the game world and gives a different purpose to the monsters, as well as to the playable character who has the trivial mission of saving the world. Despite the graphical and performance issues, it is always possible to contemplate the grandeur of everything, like weapons, creatures, buildings or even sights.

Wanted: Dead falls short of the reputation of Ninja Gaiden's developers. Not only it doesn't bring anything new, but it also demeans everything that already exists, adding elements that detract from what is essential in a video game, regardless of genre. The characters are hollow, the story is superficial, and the combat, which should be the strong point, is a complete mess. In the middle of 2023 and with a resume of weight, it was expected a different result from Soleil.

Blanc immerses us in a beautiful and exciting journey through a black and white hand-drawn world. This interactive narrative, without life or mana bars, without battles or complex mechanics, whose adversity is based on the circumstances dictated by a natural disaster and paths that always seem to have no exit, proves to be relaxing and fresh. Each puzzle solved is an achievement that opens the way for the little Wolf and the young Deer, deepening the unlikely relationship between these two and finally shortening the distance until the potential reunion with their respective families.

Masterpiece, Meisterstück, chef d’œuvre, Magnum opus. It is a word with a broad meaning, whose origins are not well defined. It may be an apprentice's first noteworthy work - 'first work'. It can be a work of art of exceptional value. In the case of Hogwarts Legacy, it's both. The best compliment you can give Hogwarts Legacy is: I want more. I want more of this world, and I want to see other universes I enjoy (like Star Wars and Dune) get this kind of treatment. Rarely does an RPG manage to remain not fresh, expansive and frankly surprising from start to finish, but Avalanche Software did it. Hats off – but not the Sorting Hat, as I'm already starting a new save.

If memory can be an anchor and the future an unknown, then Season: A Letter to the Future asks us to be mindful of the present as we explore the beautiful world it has created. Armed with a camera, a recorder and diary, riding a bicycle trough gorgeous sceneries, we dive in a story about memories and new eras to unravel. To say it's not for everyone is to belittle both the game and those who play it, so it's really best to recommend it to everyone. Change is scary, but maybe Season will help us find some answers.

Dead Space Remake is the new benchmark for what a successful remake should be. Motive Studio has shown that the right formula is one that treats the original content with courtesy, adding only the strictly necessary elements to adapt the experience to the current technology. Once again, Dead Space takes the crown of the sci-fi horror genre, with a gameplay experience that is absolutely fascinating and gripping across the board. The care and respect invested in this remake is evident at all times, making it it a strong candidate for the GOTY title.

Without ever completely abandoning the franchise's defining elements, Fire Emblem Engage leaves behind Three Houses' web of friendships and relationships to focus on the battlefield. The result is a somewhat uninspired story and an absolutely brilliant, fluid and extremely engaging combat system capable of being both accessible for beginners and profound for fans of 'min-maxing.'

One Piece Odyssey has some pacing issues, and doesn't do anything tremendously innovative in the JRPG genre, but it will be indispensable for any fan of One Piece and gaming in general. It allows players to visit four previous arcs of the anime, relive iconic battles, and even reunite with some long-lost characters, all while keeping each character's personality traits very much alive. There are several hours of exploration and nostalgia waiting for Luffy and company.

For every well done aspect of Need for Speed Unbound, there are two or three that leave something to be desired. The narrative doesn't have to be the main focus, but it's lazily done, via offscreen dialogue that takes place while you're in the menu. The new Takeover events don't deliver the fun they promise, and the police chases leave much to be desired, but the core gameplay, along with the soundtrack and vehicle customisation, is so good that there are moments when you forget all about it. At 300km/h, it all gets a bit blurry, doesn't it?

Evil West fulfills its purpose with dignity and offers us a world full of hideous creatures, the kind that any fan of games like God of War or Devil May Cry will love. Although Flying Wild Hog has left room for improvement in the future of the game, it already has the formula for success: a good narrative and well-structured gameplay. Despite its simplicity, the producer's good taste is reflected in the artistic direction, design and gameplay structure that offers a pure and challenging combat system, as well as cinematics that make us follow another story about saving the world, in 2022.

The latest game in Supermassive Games' horror series does not live up to the evolutionary line that the studio has drawn over time. After House of Ashes, this new experience was expected to follow the same formula. Unfortunately, The Devil in Me is a step backwards, where the characters don't arouse our interest, even though the scenario are meticulously thought out. This could have been an excellent game but ended up having an extremely negative impact due to narrative and performance problems.

Pokémon Scarlet and Violet takes two steps forward and one step back, much to blame for its performance on Nintendo Switch. Still, the new formula is solid and could very well serve as the basis for the next games in the franchise, with plenty of room to grow. With a whole new generation of Pokémons to meet and novel mechanics to master, Pokémon Scarlet and Violet will please new and old fans, casual or competitive alike.

Pokémon Scarlet and Violet takes two steps forward and one step back, much to blame for its performance on Nintendo Switch. Still, the new formula is solid and could very well serve as the basis for the next games in the franchise, with plenty of room to grow. With a whole new generation of Pokémons to meet and novel mechanics to master, Pokémon Scarlet and Violet will please new and old fans, casual or competitive alike.

Obsidian already has its name established in the market, but Pentiment came to present a new talent from the producer. The game explores an impossible-to-ignore narrative and a progression scheme that captures the attention of any player, even those who are not fans of the genre. This is an invitation to Celtic music, rural landscapes, medieval habits and ancient arts such as illuminations and woodcuts. The story of a murder becomes the perfect excuse to explore the disturbing streets of Tassing, a city full of secrets to be revealed.

Sonic Frontiers has finally figured out how to evolve the franchise in the 3D era, with gameplay mechanics that break away from the usual on-rails hyper-velocity of past editions, ironically giving a sense of speed like very few video games have managed. It's fun, deep and full of little surprises. You can shout to the heavens: Sonic is back! But don't shout too far, or the game won't render.

Football Manager 2023 wanted us to gawk at the new licenses, but it forgets that the franchise has become immortalised by the authenticity of its gameplay and not the logos of teams or competitions. The Champions League and Europa League have a new look, but it is through the new Squad Planner and recruitment system that FM23 truly stands out from its predecessors, although some tactical systems still have a clear edge in the game.

Santa Monica did it once again. God of War Ragnarok offers us pretty much everything, relatable characters, the evolution of the combat that won us over in 2018, epic and stunning settings and a huge world to explore, with a guarantee of dozens of hours of gameplay and a set of characters of curious characterization, something that we know will be widely discussed. Until November 9, stay away from spoilers and enjoy, Ragnarok could be just around the corner.

The Winters Family saga has come to an end with Shadows of Rose, a DLC that is a sort of epilogue to Resident Evil Village. The new content is brilliant and gives to Village a full gameplay experience. It's a perfect third person game for all fans of the franchise and also for all those that are waiting for Resident Evil 4 remake.

Bayonetta 3 is a brilliant feat of video game design. It makes a commitment to absurdity from its very start, and makes that commitment its greatest strength. The Demon Slave abilities give us the largest-scale battles in the franchise, and the introduction of Viola is like an homage to the purest hack and slash games of the past. Everything about this title screams passion, competence and personality.

Gotham Knights is no Arkham, not by a long shot. Competent enough, it takes us into a fantastic recreation of Gotham City, unfortunately marred by activities that become recurring after a while. The combat starts off interesting, but becomes a repetitive waltz, stuck in a shallow crafting and loot system. Helped by a solid storyline, Gotham Knights is fun in short doses and can be an enjoyable experience in multiplayer.

FIFA 23 tries new things and doesn't quite get them all right. It's not a bad game, but it's also not the best we've ever seen, not even close. It brings slower gameplay, a more patient passing game, but patches will surely change this over the coming months. Career Mode threatens to score a banger, but gets lost with repetitive cutscenes and some bizarre bugs in the Artificial Intelligence's behaviour. Ultimately, EA Sports and FIFA won't be saying goodbye with grand ceremonies, but rather with a timid exit from the pitch.

NBA 2K23 suffers from an identity crisis. On one hand, it respects basketball fans like no other game ever has in the franchise; on the other, it continues to disrespect NBA 2K players. For every triple, there's a foul; for every fantastic detail in recreating the old NBA eras, there's a microtransaction barrier. A title that does so much right on the court manages to become practically intolerable when trying to play online. Our advice? Cherish the offline.

Sunday Gold is raw gold. Guided by a delightful art direction, Sunday Gold competently fuses the elements of RPG combat with a point-and-click adventure. While somewhat short and shallow in some aspects, it's quite fun and interesting enough to leave me yearning for more action with Frank, Sally and Gavin.

Circus Eletrique may not win a standing ovation with its juggling show, but it manages to respectably keep the various elements that it brings to tent flying in the air. The art direction of the game is phenomenal and the combat is quite deep and fun. The management may not please everyone, especially as the narrative unfolds, but it is nonetheless a very fun and accomplished experience.

This remake reveals the secret of Naughty Dog's latest success, the way it has perfected its gameplay model, without ever neglecting the cinematic element. The story remains central to the experience in The Last of Us Part 1, but taking everything it learned from the second part, the studio gives us a true masterclass in set pieces of action and emotionality. We go through scene after scene totally immersed in Joel and Ellie and their quest, as if to "live a movie" that we no longer remember, even though we know how it will end.

eFootball 2023 does so much right on the field that it becomes tough to look beyond it. However, the lack of optimization for a closs-platform title, as well as the continued scarcity of offline modes, stop this game from completing its great comeback. The turnaround has begun, but Konami's is still trailing.

Saints Row could be something special. It really could, but Volition still doesn't know how to treat this franchise, placing it somewhere between Grand Theft Auto and Just Cause, never managing to leave its own fingerprints on the open worlds it creates. The Saints Row reboot is so similar to the original franchise in tone, gameplay and content that it leaves you wondering why it was even necessary to hit the reset button. There is fun to be had, but it's hidden behind bugs, repetitive missions and a detached story that doesn't know whether it wants to be a caricature of other plots or a candid tale about a group of friends involved in the criminal world.

Rollerdrome is an experience deeply focused on its action. With no tricks to unlock, no passive abilities, a story that we can ignore, we are placed directly in the heart of the action. Rollerdrome knows precisely what it wants to offer players and doesn't waste a single second in getting them into the arena. The action is glorious, incredibly stylish, and tremendously addictive. Though short, countless hours of gameplay are assured in the pursuit for the highest score.

Much to the chagrin of some extreme fanboys, who incomprehensibly defend the total and eternal exclusivity of PlayStation Studios' games, Sony seems to have other ideas. And I'm glad that's the case, because a game like Spider Man Remastered deserves to be played by all video game enthusiasts, whether they are Spidey fans or not. Who knows, maybe they will be finally convinced.

With charm to spare, Cult of Lamb blends various unlikely elements in an exquisite way without ever becoming complicated. The result is a fresh, addictive and tremendously fun 'Roguelike/Life Sim' experience.

The Sims 4 High School Years fulfills its purpose: giving players as much gameplay possibilities as it can, with one of the richest Sims 4 packs yet. Despite some stubborn rabbit holes, the recriation of High School's highs and lows is very well done, from the clothing to Copperdale High's hallways.

Stray is the perfect game for all cat lovers. Not only does it gives us a full experience of a cat's life, but also a narrative that is impossible to ignore, especially when the mission is to save the world. In a city with vibrant colors, enigmatic sounds, unlikely friendships and full-fledged mischievous threats, what keeps Unity together is the resilience of an orange cat who doesn't give up hope of finding his family. Stray has an implicit lesson or moral, just like any good story told to a world in constant wave of skepticism, disbelief and uncertainty.

If we divided a videogame by stages, we could say that Tour de France 2022 is the leader in almost every sector, but seriously slows down in the graphics sector. The tactical depth will please most fans of the sport, the variety of game modes is impressive and gameplay is responsive, with a refined AI. It stumbles when it comes to visuals, which stops from being a true feat within such a niche genre.

The Quarry joins Until Dawn on the shelf of must-have terror/horror games. If you are a fan of the genre, this is the one you have to play at least once, since repeating it can become extremely boring, given that the story is told slowly and the interaction with the characters reveals little about the relationship between them. Even with some bugs, The Quarry offers a strong horror experience that can surprise even the strongest stomachs.

EA Sports F1 22 is simply the best possible virtual experience of Formula 1. From Free Practices to the Chequered Flag, it remains as responsive and balanced as the last few entries, nailing down the authenticity through additions such as the manual warm-up lap and new graphics and cutscenes. What stops it from being a truly great game is the awkward inclusion of F1 Life and some technical issues that require urgent fixing.

Mario Strikers: Battle League is a fun game, with the fluidity and magical animations you'd expect from the plumber-turned-sportsman, and a remarkable depth despite its apparent simplicity. The Next Level Games project makes a strong commitment to the online world, where the main game mode lives, but on the other hand, it is too scarce in single-player content, an exchange that we didn't ask for. If we had to choose, we'd probably stick with the couch co-op, anyways.

Rogue Legacy 2 is a worthy heir to the 2013 original and solidifies the legacy left by one of the best examples of what a roguelike/Metroidvania is. Its difficulty may put some players off, but don't be fooled, Rogue Legacy 2 is highly addictive, deep and fun.

Nintendo Switch Sports is about the friend that smacks his hand on the corner of the table as he prepares a Serve in Tennis. It's mom and dad running to catch the shuttlecock in Badminton (nobody told them that the character runs automatically). It's the younger brother flailing the controller in the air because his safety strap isn't properly attached. In this regard, Nintendo Switch Sports honors that unique spirit that Wii Sports gave us way back in 2006. It will surely be a great addition to any group dinner.

eFootball 1.0.0 version is a substantially better game than the one we got in september. However, it does little more than the bare minimum to actually be considered a game - what we had before was pretty much a tech demo. With an array of missing features and unforgivable absences in its game modes, as well as an improved yet inconsistent gameplay, eFootball is to PES what MK Dons is to Wimbledon FC.

MotoGP 22 keeps Milestone's Series in the lead when it comes to motocycling simulation. It falters for not risking enough, despite introducing the nostalgic Nine Season 2009 mode. Career Mode is as solid as ever and the driving is as solid as it has ever been, although the graphical quality leaves a bit to be desired. On the track, however, it's yet another victory lap.

After several Home Runs and Strike Outs, I can say that I am as big of a baseball fan as I ever was, having even looked up some games during the weekend - which is probably the biggest compliment I can give to MLB The Show 22. It walks that fine line between pleasing veterans with deep, hardcore gameplay and leaving space for newcomers to understand the basic mechanics of the game and the sport itself. Despite little differences to last year's version, it still offers a solid experiences for baseball and sports fans alike - who knows, other sports simulator may even get some tips from what PlayStation Studios are doing.

The proof of concept is approved, as it serves on an emotional connection that we have with a galaxy far far away, it's a cheap shot, but it reaffirms a so long asked modernization of all TT Games' titles by the fans that we can only guess will be honed on the years to come. LEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga is in that fashion a fun charm trap that holds on to us thanks to the constant changes in gameplay, snowy AT-AT encounters, and spectacular lightsaber battles where the dramatic flare is replaced by the adorable and unpredictable reactions of the main figures of the saga.

Stranger of Paradise: Final Fantasy Origin will continue splitting opinions. If anything, all this division is a testament to the passion that this series has cultivated since 1987. Ate the end of the day, we have a mechanically sane, yet narratively inconsistent game, with meme culture contributing to the heavy criticism for a plot that is, in truth, very confusing.

Rune Factory 5 is an ambitious hybrid between farming simulator and action RPG, converging in an experience that is both therapeutic and frenetic. Its execution wasn’t able to fully take advantage of the hardware of a home console, but its qualities overcome any and all technical problems that appear throughout the hundreds of ultra-detailed and enticing content that it makes available to us.

You will not be disappointed with Kirby and the Forgotten Land, as it is so surprising and original in the variety of challenges whilst being surprisingly fun. Sadly, it is not particularly competent in co-op but has various secondary objectives and repetition value because you will be incentivized to repeat the challenges in order to save all the Waddle Dee. Just avoid the obsession to pursue all the collectible figurines, it’s a trap!

Monster Energy Supercross 5 is a truly emotional experience, of pain, suffering, learning, and then more pain and suffering. The unforgivable mechanics, along with an erratic AI and an irregular physics system will make our helmet quickly acquainted with the dirt. However, the advancements in Career Mode and the inclusion of the new Track Editor make this the most competent entry in the franchise's history.

Martha Is Dead proves that an independent studio has the ability to develop a video game with the same graphics as a AAA with an excellent detail line. This is an intense journey while Giulia navigates through the topic of mental health, putting everything in perspective during an extremely heavy psychological drama. Martha Is Dead is not a game for those looking for a horror experience focused on jump scares, massacres or horror/spiritual activities; nor is it for those who want to see a finite outcome. Martha Is Dead requires an open mind, a strong stomach and a mighty power of reflection.

The King of Fighters XV doesn't try to appeal to a wider audience, giving us interesting and complex mechanics which aren't really presented in an accessible manner. Long-time fans of the franchise will find some genuine enjoyment and improvements, especially regarding the graphical upgrade, which truly gives new life to these 3D models. It's just about enough to keep SNK's franchise competing for the title.

Grid Legends could have been left behind, having launched at same time as another fairly big name of virtual motorsports. However, Codemasters gave us one of the best simcade experiences ever. With an impressive Story Mode, the usual variety in events and classes, and an acessible Race Editor, Grid Legends honors its TOCA origins and places itself right back on the main... grid.

Gran Turismo 7 is the prime example of a driving simulator. It doesn't offer too much in the way of sandbox options, because that is not why Polyphony created this franchise. Gran Turismo today serves the same purpose it served 25 years ago: showing that automobilism is an art form. It does so by incorporating the DualSense in the track experience and through the respect it shows for any of the cars we drive. From the heavy turning of a Fiat 500 to the incontrollable kicks of a Ford Mustang, Gran Turismo 7 is passion on wheels, this time with some neat content creation tools added.

Atelier Sophie 2: The Alchemist of the Mysterious Dream managed to captivate me as a beginner of the JRPG genre. There's a story that, though it doesn't truly stand out, left me just interested enough to be able to experience the hours of alchemy, in a sort of Next Gen Connect 4 game. The turn-based combat system is also incredibly welcoming for newcomers, and the whole campaign has this unique ingenuity about it, even when we're fighting interdimensional threats or water dragons.

With Elden Ring, FromSoftware adds new ingredients to the Dark Souls formula, creating a world that is an absolute masterpiece. Combat remains as fluid as we’re used to, providing us with even more tools to master and ignite our sadomasochistic tendencies. The game's plot is often impenetrable and requires a tremendous investment to decipher it, but they payoff is there, if have the time and soul to endure it.

The main conclusion that we have arrived at after spending hours and hours with Horizon Forbidden West is very simple, the new generation of consoles is finally here. No, this is not Playstation's first exclusive worthy of mention, but it's visually imposing, gigantic in content and production values, very well written and interpreted, and has an entertaining gameplay that sometimes touches what we call excellence. Welcome back, my dear Aloy.

Dying Light 2 gives us a fantastic world to explore and it's a delight to run around Villedor's rooftops and terraces. The game's plot is not able to keep up with the speed and quality of its acrobatic action, which, even marred by countless bugs, is still an incredibly fun and addictive experience.

Sifu will age us as the main character ages, but it also gives us some of the best martial arts moments in video games, which make us say, like Neo in the Matrix, "I know Kung-Fu".

It’s hard to say anything against not one but two Uncharted games in a single volume, specially if they have been visually and technically enhanced by the capabilities of Sony’s new console. This collection is mainly directed at those who never played the games, although veterans will still take pleasure in revisiting the protagonists on the PS5 before going to the movies and see Tom Holland but of course, the console has many colossus coming already in the beginning of the year and not all pockets are deep enough for every possibility.

I have many hours on my back, and will have many more to unearth all the secrets of Legends: Arceus. It’s remarkable the care that Game Freak had with all the key ingredients they seem to have found a future model for Pokémon. I am convinced that it will earn a place of success among the franchise main hits and, more importantly, will make even the most hardcore fans fall in love, for those have been waiting, for a long time, for the true modernization of Pokémon.

Rainbow Six Extraction aims to breach the co-op shooter genre without much fanfarre. Supported by the excellent gunplay of Rainbow Six Siege and its range of characters, it has some interesting mechanics, but they are not enough to make it stand out above its peers. Although somewhat repetitive, it is a solid game that guarantees a good amount of hours of fun among friends.

A must for fans and recommended for newcomers, Halo Infinite may not be the epic experience everyone's been waiting for, but there's no doubt about it - it's an incredibly solid foundation for the future of Master Chief. 343 Industries assembled the canvas and painted the outlines. Now all that's left is to fill in the painting.

Despite all its technical limitations, there is something undeniably satisfactory in Farming Simulator 22. The stress of managing crops, inconsistent workers and visual glitches is mitigated by the pleasant pauses to watch the sunset, as we gazer upon a 2 hectar terrain that we sowed and are ready to harvest.

The Smurfs: Mission Vileaf is a surprisingly solid platform game, with fun and varied mechanics, which always avoid being repetitive. Brainy, Chef, Smurfette and Hefty's adventure are sure to captivate a lot of kids, and please the adults that grew up watching the little blue beings. The true Gargamel of this title is its bad optimization for PS4 and the clear temporal (perhaps financial) limitations.

Battlefield 2042 is the result of an attempted offensive on multiple fronts. All-out War is the major victim of this strategy with several questionable design issues that detract from the experience. Hazard Zone is a solid mode that plays it safe, without risking the formula established by other games, while Portal shines by bringing back the best moments of the old Battlefield games. Made with longevity in mind, Dice has an uphill battle with Battlefield 2042.