Mount & Blade II Bannerlord is a perfected version of a medieval sandbox game concept where you alternate between territory conquest, large-scale battles and the progression of your character and your kingdom. The few AI wanderings and the repetitiveness of the quests and dialogues do not detract from this exhilarating sandbox where your story is written as you make decisions and take actions.

More beautiful than ever, the adventure offered by the remake of The Last of Us Part 1 fully exploits the PS5's capabilities. But the lack of fresh content or significant innovations gives the unpleasant impression of paying a high price for a graphic patch. We therefore recommend it above all to the hardcore fans of the original, as well as to players who are new to the license and who absolutely want the best possible experience.

Addictive and enjoyable to play, Pokémon Legends: Z-A is a good game and a nice appetizer while we wait for the next generation. TPCI continues to experiment with new ways to play with trainers and their pocket monsters, and they're doing pretty well with this two-phase formula that we found hard to put down. It's a shame, however, that the story isn't a little more interesting and that the technical aspects are still lacking.

Overall and to be quite honest, Lost Ark is truly an excellent game. Very complete in most aspects, the game from Smilegate RPG doesn't skimp on details and promises many hours of play to those interested in the MMOARPG style. However, it is important to mention that Lost Ark suffers from some serious defects due to its condition as a Korean game: the exploitation of the player's irrepressible need to spend money to compensate for a possible backlog and its affiliation with gambling games, two factors that should be seriously considered, especially by those players who are serious about committing themselves. Nevertheless, aside from these defects, Lost Ark offers Western gamers a new way to approach both the MMORPG and Hack'n'Slash styles. By taking the time and enjoying the game without rushing to get the credit card out as soon as possible, the average gamer should enjoy Lost Ark without too much trouble, and that's probably the most important thing in the end.

If you've been waiting for Modern Warfare 3 to deliver an incredible, never-before-seen campaign, then you'll have to pass, but if you're in it for the Multiplayer, then this Sledgehammer Games title will win you over. Despite a timid campaign that may seem far too short and empty, the Multiplayer and Zombies modes make up for it. We rediscover the sensations we've come to know through previous opuses, and the Zombies experience is a pleasant surprise. Despite our initial skepticism, once we're into Operation Deadbolt, it's hard to stop.

Arise is a good episode, which could have been excellent if it didn't get its feet wet in its last third. At the moment of concluding and confirming all the nice things put forward during the journey, the series falls back into its old ways with unbearable corridors, full of color swap enemies on 10 hours of gameplay that leave a bitter taste. It's a pity, especially since the combat system and the world building are the most solid we've seen on a Tales Of in quite some time.

Dragon Age The Veilguard is the quintessential mass-market AAA, with all the qualities and shortcomings that implies. It's a great adventure with accessible, polished and well-thought-out content, even if the freedom isn't there. This is obviously a major flaw for an RPG, and one that is likely to anger many players. Ironically, in seeking to be open-ended at all costs, while avoiding taking risks, the game commits some major clumsiness in terms of writing. Veilguard is much better than the studio's previous titles, but it still lacks the arguments capable of reconciling it with gamers.

Grounded offers a survival game that is both fun and accessible, without taking the player by the hand. The difficulty is present, without being punishing, and the progression is really satisfying through this gigantic garden, which manages to mix beauty and arachnid horrors. It's an interesting adventure, whether you're playing single or multiplayer, and we can't help but recommend trying it out, even to those who usually ignore survival games.

We were transfixed by this adventure that is Remnant: From the Ashes. Not everything is perfect, but it is still very good. With this highly original title, Gunfire Games hits hard. We recommend strongly that you play with a friend, in order to fully enjoy this exotic adventure where death will often knock at your door.

Far from being a childish little game, Monster Hunter Stories 2 is an excellent spin-off that skillfully takes the universe and the mechanics of the license before adapting them brilliantly in a very different genre. The story is easy to follow, the art direction is not lacking in charm, and the fights are satisfying. Exploring the world in order to get your hands on all the possible monsters, then tinkering with their genes in order to make a great team is very satisfying, even if there are some clumsinesses in the interface and it can be a bit repetitive. We highly recommend it, both to Monster Hunter fans and to those who are looking for an alternative to Pokémon.

Elden Ring Nightreign is aimed at the most dedicated of FromSoftware's titles, as it condenses the best and the worst into a new, original format. At last, a Soulslike designed for true cooperative play. It's an intense, non-stop race, requiring you to concentrate for 45 minutes, while taking on difficult bosses and having to avoid making almost the slightest mistake. It's very addictive and you literally can't see the time go by, but it's exhausting and clearly not for everyone. It's a lot of fun, but you can't help but be frustrated by the studio's bad habits: an archaic interface, missing features, dubious balancing, but also a massive amount of recycling from previous titles, without offering the rich content we'd expect in return.

Persona 3 Reload makes all the changes and improvements you'd expect a worthy remake of a cult title. The original is vastly improved in almost every respect, with far more satisfying and dynamic gameplay, richer social and relatively modern graphics. This almost perfect if a massive amount of content hadn't been left out. been left out. The lifespan remains massive, and it's an excellent way of discovering or rediscovering Persona 3, but it's far far from being the complete version of the game we've been dreaming of for years.

Wolcen's development has been long and full of uncertainties, but it has managed to reverse the trend and become an excellent surprise. It should appeal to veterans who have been around the hack and slash genre. Although it can sometimes be very intimidating with its massive Gate of Fates and its huge amount of statistics, it also has what it takes to attract the general public. It offers an instant grip and efficient gameplay, all with a design uncommon to big studios and a solid play time. Unfortunately, it was released prematurely, and bugs, server unavailability and a rough interface have cooled our enthusiasm a bit.

In their eagerness to streamline the original experience, Square Enix and Hexadrive have gone too far with this new version of the cult classic Dragon Quest VII, stripping away some of its charm. Its concept and effective gameplay remain intact, but it's hard not to grimace when you realise that the game has removed all form of challenge and the need for exploration. A remake that is a little too effective, then, but one that will at least allow as many people as possible to discover this monument of Japanese RPGs with a big heart.

Granblue Fantasy Versus Rising is an excellent surprise. The game features an original combat system, has a cast rich enough for everyone to find something to their liking, and boasts an excellent online mode. Comparisons with the previous opus are inevitable, but the recycling seems to have been done intelligently: we keep what's good and improve the rest while adding things on top. The game is well worth the price for a new one, even if Versus players may be left a little hungry, with few additions to the single-player section (and not the best part either). In fact, it's this lack of single-player content that prevents us from considering it a must-have, unless you're a real fighting game enthusiast or a fan of the license.

Crown Gambit is a nice little indie game, made in France, that will keep you busy for at least ten hours, or even longer if you get the hang of it and want to explore all the possibilities the game has to offer. The narrative adventure concept is very well thought-out, in an atypical dark fantasy universe that is accessible even to those who are not necessarily familiar with this genre. A pleasant surprise at a low price, which we recommend to you this summer while you wait for the bigger releases to come. The perfect game to play on Steam Deck, even if we regret that it's not available on other platforms.

Skydance Interactive hits the mark with Saints & Sinners, a VR survival game featuring zombies and different factions of survivors under The Walking Dead license. In addition to the tough moral choices it poses, the title shines with its physics engine and its truly immersive and enjoyable melee combat. Even if we regretted some repetitions, the limited freedom and survivors with very low IQ, we felt deeply involved in this apocalyptic New Orleans.

Yooka-Laylee and the Impossible Lair has reinvented the franchise where it was needed. We are not witnessing a revolution of the platform genre, but the beginning of its transformation. Even though this title has some flaws, it also tries to introduce new things. It explores many mechanics, and seems almost irreproachable in pure gameplay terms, controller in hand. We were charmed by this title, although it can be frustrating at times. Speedrunners and collectibles fans will be served, while the others will have a cute little game to get their teeth into.

Ninja Gaiden 4 is a treat for action gamers, with visually stunning sequences and a great feel. Unfortunately, the game's frenetic pace is punctuated by a few slow moments and can become repetitive at times due to a lack of variety in the enemy roster. But the main gameplay loop remains ultra-addictive and the bosses are so enjoyable that the game is still a pleasant surprise, both for newcomers and veterans of the franchise. We recommend it, and it's available on Game Pass from day one.

An epic adventure awaits you if your machine can run Black Myth Wukong properly. It's one of the best-looking, best-realized games we've ever had the pleasure of playing. Battles are nervous and intense, but the gameplay is easy to master, with enough tools at your disposal not to get bored with the dozens and dozens of bosses awaiting you. Finally, it's a shame that the story is difficult to understand for the vast majority of players, and that the immense potential of the level design is ruined by the invisible walls, which are placed haphazardly.

Humankind offers a fresh formula to the genre by taking the best of Civilization and Endless Legends, before adding its own personal touch. Technically, the game is robust, with nice graphics and music, and above all, it has the advantage of being relatively accessible to new players with its tutorials, its clear and accessible mechanics, as well as a limited micromanagement requirement. It should also appeal to veterans of the genre looking for a more tactical management of conflicts. With a bit of content and some additional polish, it has great potential in the long run.

This new opus from Two Point Studios is a very good title, and above all, we have the impression that it's even more complete than the previous games. It's diversified and offers a variety of experiences, some of which are mind-boggling. It's sure to win you over if you're a fan of management games, but be warned: it can be a bit tricky to get the hang of at first. On the other hand, Two Point Studios' sense of humor and graphic style are back, which is always a pleasure for those who appreciate the studio.

Octopath Traveler 0 offers a different structure from its predecessors, with gameplay that sometimes stands out significantly, usually in a good way. Even though there are many clichés of the genre and no real freedom is offered, the story manages to be touching when it needs to be. It doesn't shy away from tackling difficult themes that you wouldn't expect given its artistic direction. It's another successful addition to the series, although it's a shame that various overlooked aspects detract from the overall result, such as the lack of French localization and slightly inferior graphics.

Even more efficient than its predecessor, Switch Sports has won us over with the technicality offered by certain disciplines such as Chambara or Volleyball, with the precision of the Joy-Con movements and especially with the implementation of a competitive ranking. Unfortunately, to enjoy this incredible "esport" addition, matches against players from all over the world or even cosmetics to customize your avatar, you need to have the Online subscription. Of course, it is possible to enjoy the title locally with friends, but the strength of Switch Sports lies in its competitive version.

Kaiju Wars is an ingenious tribute to all the big monster disaster movies. It is full of personality and good ideas on all levels. Through its well thought out gameplay, it reproduces the helplessness of a conventional army desperately trying to slow down Godzilla and his colleagues as they raze a city, with the stress of watching the monsters advance without being able to defeat them and the satisfaction that comes with victory, even if it is short-lived. The realization is also good for an independent game, with beautiful animations, art direction and memorable music. Count on about 20 to 30 hours for the basic campaign, and 40 to 50 hours on average for the 100%.

Wuchang: Fallen Feathers is a pure Souls-like that has absorbed and spat out what all its predecessors in the genre have been able to do in recent years. Overall, a satisfying experience that's worth its €49.99 price tag, even if it doesn't reinvent the formula and probably won't be remembered for years to come. A good summer experience for all fans of the genre, with killer gameplay, even if we'd have liked a little more simplicity in some of the game's systems, which are too complex at times for very little in the end.

With The Medium, Bloober Team delivers a sordid story — though not always easy to pin down. Despite the sometimes ludicrous character animation, blurring effects not necessarily justified, and the presence of a few artifacts, the graphics are high quality and often well-inspired. The chases and the passages in the characters' psyche are quite memorable. If you don't mind games which are linear and focus on the narrative more than the action, you'll have a great time with The Medium — and its amazing OST.

Lies of P emulates FromSoftware's games with skill, style and just a hint of originality. Nevertheless, it sometimes inherits the rigidity of the old titles it takes as a model. It might have done better to move away from this to offer more distinctive gameplay, and to avoid distracting the player with a patchwork of familiar elements and references - it gets to the point where it's just too much. It does manage to stand out in other ways, however, as the game looks great, with settings and characters bursting with personality, as do the music choices. Overall, the result is really good, and it's an excellent game in this specific genre, and we'd highly recommend it if difficulty doesn't scare you.