In the end, and fortunately, the story is well-paced and fairly well executed. Alan Wake's highly immersive narrative is its strength, and we can't wait to discover the DLC that will doubtless answer our questions, offer us new ones and flesh out the Remedy-verse, as well as certain characters we'd very much like to see again - whether in additional content, Alan Wake 3, or why not Control 2.

Mission accomplished for Robocop: Rogue City. It's a pretty good game for fans of the license and 80s action films. Everything is faithfully reproduced and even enriched, while offering a gameplay that makes good use of Robocop's particularities, both as a cybernetic policeman serving the city and as a killing machine. In this context, it's quite amusing, even pleasant, to follow Alex Murphy and his little phrases before a big massacre. However, the game won't be of much interest to other players. Its content won't appeal to them, it's too short, too repetitive and too poorly produced to justify its price tag.

Star Ocean The Second Story R is the kind of remake we'd like to see more of. Thanks to a host of changes and additions, it manages to bring up to date a title that has always been considered the must-have episode of the saga. Whether it's the graphics, the soundtrack or the more dynamic combat, this title has won us over and taken us back in time to rediscover the second opus in a licence that deserves to be brought back to the fore. Of course, it also has a few shortcomings, such as the fact that the real challenge awaits you only on Universe difficulty, or that the perfect counter-attack isn't always intuitive.

Wario Ware Move It! is a decent addition to Nintendo's series of absurd microgames: with a concept that brings it very close to the Wii's Smooth Moves, this new episode mixes dozens of convincing challenges with other, much more imprecise proposals and sometimes very vague instructions. It's also one of the sparsest Wario Ware releases in terms of content, taking 6 to 7 hours to play through all the microgames, with no real reason to come back to them afterwards.

We didn't think a new 2D Mario would manage to surprise us in 2023, but it has. The new team at the plumber's bedside have outdone themselves, offering Nintendo Switch players a fun platformer that surprises from its first to its last stage, and is absolutely delightful. We can only criticize the game's lifespan and its somewhat limited challenge in the quest for 100%, but nothing that will prevent you from having an excellent time.

Endless Dungeon surprises by offering a well-thought-out, modernised evolution of its original recipe. It manages to mix genres and offer multi-faceted gameplay, with a certain complexity, but without becoming too heavy-handed or untenable in co-op. What we end up with is a rogue-lite with a good balance between strategy and action, with a strong tactical twist in single-player, and which requires good teamwork and a lot of communication in multiplayer. In both cases, it's a game you should try out for yourself to discover a fresh, innovative game that you can't help but want to play again and again.

This should probably boost the popularity of Marvel games. Spider-Man 2 is a real slap in the face when it comes to game-movies, but above all it's a great way to end the year. While a few redundancies in the ancillary activities may detract from the 100% enjoyment, the well-crafted storyline, comfortable gameplay and attention to detail make this third opus the autumn blockbuster that many have been waiting for.

Even though it's much better than the first title of the same name, like its previous iteration, Lords of the Fallen struggles to emulate the delicate recipe that made Souls such a success. All the ingredients are there, and it even brings its share of interesting new features to distinguish itself from its models, but the result falls a little short of expectations. The gameplay is a little disconcerting, and the difficulty can very quickly turn into intense frustration due to some ill-advised balancing. It's all the more of a shame given that the game has the makings of a great title in terms of production and content. It's best reserved for fans of the genre who aren't afraid of all that.

Like its predecessor, The Return of Detective Pikachu is a kind of visual novel that tells us a story, with the difference that this time it offers us greater freedom of movement and side activities in addition to the main adventure. It's a pity that no progression system has been implemented, but the scenario is a priority here, and it's not for nothing that it was easily adapted for the cinema. The title's Japanese and English dubbing has been very well done, encouraging us to leave the cinematics behind. In short, Returns may seem a little empty, but it's a breath of fresh air that does the license a world of good.

Assassin's Creed Mirage is the return to basics that Ubisoft had hoped for. Without reinventing the JV tricks of the trade, it relies on solid fundamentals (infiltration, parkour, exploration), simple but effective characters and storyline, and is one of the pleasant surprises of 2023. More than just Valhalla's DLC, Mirage takes us away and immerses us in a splendid Baghdad, full of life and activity, where it's easy to get lost by stealth.

All in all, EA FC 24 already seems to be a clear departure from previous editions of FIFA, and that's just as well for the launch of this new era. EA Sports has succeeded in seducing the majority of FIFA fans, who will rediscover what they loved about the game, while discovering new ways of playing the universal game. This 2023/2024 season has not seen the last of its surprises, and even if a few imperfections still remain, we hope that the big back-to-school update won't make the game boring and unbalanced. Beware, however, of the PlayStyles, which could quickly prove too powerful for some players. All that's left is to wish you a good game, or rather, a good match!

Phantom Liberty is a worthy expansion for Cyberpunk 2077. The new zone isn't huge, but there's still plenty to keep you busy, especially with its action-packed plot and new activities. The story is gripping, and it's hard to choose between its various branches, all of which deserve to be explored. There are a few missed opportunities, but we came away satisfied nonetheless. Allow 10 to 25 hours on average to discover all it has to offer.

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.

The more farm games you try out (and the more you appreciate the genre), the more you see a pattern emerging. To appeal to the majority of its audience, a farm game has to be addictive, and Fae Farm is undeniably a sweet little treat that you want to keep coming back to. It has to be interesting enough not to bore you over the long term, and Fae Farm offers a range of activities and areas to explore, so you can still marvel at the game even after dozens of hours. Of course, Phoenix Labs' newcomer is not without its faults, but on the whole it corrects so many of the mistakes of its predecessors that it's impossible not to fall under its spell.

For mecha fans, Armored Core 6 is an absolutely phenomenal game that should fulfill all or most expectations. Without reinventing the genre, its content and gameplay are very solid and satisfying. You build your own machine piece by piece, choosing your own gameplay without getting too technical. Then it's off to intense, spectacular battles that demand a fairly high level of skill. You can redesign your machine for each battle, both solo and in the arena against other players. But it may well put off players who are not looking for such a special experience.

Blasphemous 2 is a successful blend of Metroidvania and design elements from From Software's games. Without reinventing the wheel on any score, The Game Kitchen delivers a clean copy with an engaging concept, satisfying progression and successful art direction.

The gameplay works perfectly, and the level design is polished down to the last detail. There are no particular surprises, but you'll enjoy discovering a new world with a host of new skills and, above all, a great deal of freedom, notably the free composition of your squad from among several complementary characters. Everything has been well thought out and works perfectly. If we add in the presence of funny mini-scenarios between missions, to bring a little change to the game and give it a pleasant rhythm, as well as the great replayability, there's not much to complain about. A new license is probably born.

Far from being a simple sequel to a cult license, Baldur's Gate 3 is a new monument to role-playing. It never ceases to impress, both in terms of its high-quality production and its incredible richness on every level. But perhaps the most astonishing thing is the sheer range of possibilities on offer, almost unheard of for a game of this scale and complexity. It's a great adventure in which you can progress in your own way, without feeling restricted. The game has almost everything it takes to become a new absolute reference in the genre, and apart from a few finishing and interface problems, the criticism that can be levelled at it is that it may prove too much of a chunk for many players. You need to have hundreds of hours ahead of you to really appreciate it fully.

We're still wondering why Capcom didn't make its new multiplayer title free-to-play from the outset: its early-access content and the presence of a store and a premium combat pass leave no room for carelessness when it comes to the product we're holding in our hands. And despite a catchy concept and cool exoskeletons to hold in your hands, Exoprimal doesn't manage to be interesting for more than a handful of hours, the time it takes to see its 3 maps and take part in the rare original events it offers. It's a big waste of money, and we really don't recommend buying it as is.

Perhaps a little too close to its predecessor, Remnant 2 remains an excellent co-op experience, at the crossroads between TPS, hack & slash and souls-like. An explosive mix that quickly comes into its own, with demanding boss battles, randomly generated maps full of surprises and an RPG aspect with a plethora of build possibilities. We do regret, however, that the number of new worlds is a little low, and that collision masks are sometimes clumsy, leading to unjustified deaths. Nonetheless, there's nothing to spoil the enormous pleasure of playing what is sure to be one of the best games of the summer.

Master Detective Archives Rain Code offers players a rich investigative game that keeps them on their toes throughout. Whether thanks to its story or its gameplay mechanics, it will bring beginners and experts alike into a universe where the cards are shuffled in order to uncover the dark secret of the town of Kanai Ward. However, not everything is rosy, as it also has a few shortcomings, such as the graphics, which may bother some of you, or the fact that the queries are not particularly interesting. If we had to sum up this title in a few words, it would be: A real pleasant surprise.

Solid is the first word that comes to mind when we think of Final Fantasy XVI as a whole, with its interesting universe and hard-hitting gameplay, including some of the most impressive boss battles ever seen. But there's still a "little something" missing, in the form of a whole host of small flaws which, when put together, detract from the game's enjoyment. There are many avenues for improvement, but with this new episode, Square Enix and Creative Business Unit 3 have fulfilled their contract with flying colors, laying solid new foundations for the FF saga.

Not content to keep its promises to hardcore gamers, Street Fighter 6 can be a good experience for neophytes. The game does, however, make a few mistakes, some forgivable given that it's a fighting game trying out new genres, or that a balancing patch can fix, and others less so, such as the lack of dubbing in some directions (even though the dubbers are generally good). The game may find it hard to get casual gamers to invest a little more, but whether it's a question of dosing out the online mode or having a good romp, the mission is accomplished and this opus has the weapons to bring everyone together around a complete versus fighting experience.

Diablo 4 manages to combine the best elements of the license. We're back to the simple but enjoyable gameplay we've come to expect from Diablo, combined for the first time with a well-thought-out, well-filled open world. The majority of players should find what they're looking for, with varied classes, a satisfying campaign, and top-level content worthy of the name while waiting for the seasons. They are accompanied by an atmosphere as dark as it is gripping, wrapped up in a AAA package of great quality on almost every level. A few details may disturb, such as the online mode, or the announced monetization, but this is probably the price to pay for a good game that should continue to enrich and refine itself over the years, if you're prepared to be patient.

Warhammer 40000: Boltgun is a nice retro FPS that takes elements from 1993's DOOM by making the fights more nervous and in a recent packaging, which makes it enjoyable to play. Nevertheless, you shouldn't ask too much of it, because basically, it's just about liquidating dozens of enemies in a succession of arenas. Only for the trigger-happy.

They did it! Six years after the kick in the pants that was Breath of the Wild, Nintendo is back with a second installment that will widen the gap with the competition in terms of open-world. If there are still many ways to improve and there are even a few small disappointments along the way, we are indeed in the presence of an exceptional title, with undeniable gameplay qualities and a total freedom of exploration, which is still far too rare in 2023. A masterpiece, quite simply.

Already made complicated by its niche Xbox exclusive aspect and high price despite access to Game Pass day1, Redfall and Arkane miss their opportunity to release a great game. This "most ambitious project" is also one of their least successful. FPS, RPG, single player, multiplayer, open world and other keywords, a little bit of everything for a lot of nothing and inconsistencies. This accumulation of good ideas and the few very good points of the game are ruined by the many problems (AI, optimization in particular) that tarnish it. A world, its exploration and bad guys nevertheless pleasant, with which we would have liked to get more involved and that the developers give it an even stronger identity.

Minecraft Legends is a good multiplayer RTS that we recommend to all those who want to discover the genre. Especially since the graphics are not bad if you like pixel art and the game is fluid. Accessible while offering some difficulty, it still takes a little time before fully appreciating this new spin-off which promises wild games with friends.