Koira is an enjoyable video game-fable suitable for everyone, especially those who are not very familiar with video games and want something quick, simple and absolutely non-verbal. The graphics are great, the sound even better, but we admit that it did not impress us all the way through. A couple of plot ideas could have been given more space to make Koira a little more original. As it is, Koira's real limitation is that it doesn't have that knockout punch that makes it an impossible game to ignore. It is 'just' a worthy indie that doesn't waste your time. Still, that's no small feat.

Bleach: Rebirth of Souls is the fighting game dedicated to the universe of Tite Kubo: it's not perfect, but finally the manga returns to consoles and PC.

Quotation forthcoming.

Quotation forthcoming.

Karma: The Dark World has all the merits and defects of a first work. It wants to say a lot, sometimes too much, in a story that tells of family, love, guilt, control, but sometimes it gets lost in the countless parentheses it opens. On the other hand, it often manages to amaze with a freshness and a production worthy of a video game much bigger than it is. Perhaps the best quality it carries on its shoulders is that of knowing how to talk about freedom despite being born in a political context that makes it almost a subversive work.

Hard to resist Cataclismo: build ever higher, more imperious and resistant fortresses with bricks that are very reminiscent of Lego, and to see how they resist enemy assaults. Sure, sometimes it hurts to witness our arrogance, to watch the collapse, but that is also the beauty. By day the optimization of resources, the joy of exploration; by night the continuous challenge between the human being and death. Between the solid stone walls and the claws, teeth and tentacles of monsters. Not everything is as fluid and smooth as we would have liked, due to an interface that is sometimes unnecessarily complex, a map readability that is not always exceptional and a basic repetitiveness of the idea, but it is hard not to get excited in front of some of the skirmishes we fought against thousands of enemies.

Assassin’s Creed Shadows is a gigantic and sumptuous open world, overflowing with activities, missions, collectibles, and events that can entertain players for dozens upon dozens of hours. Feudal Japan is, moreover, depicted with meticulous detail and historical accuracy that radiates an extraordinary dedication and a boundless love for that setting. On top of all that, the two protagonists manage—despite everything—to be genuinely well-developed in terms of gameplay. But when you put so much on the table, it’s easy to overdo it, risking an overwhelming experience—and that’s exactly what happens in terms of repetition and balance of difficulty and progression. Shadows is, in short, the perfect embodiment of the Assassin’s Creed saga that fans want to play. And that is both its greatest strength and its biggest curse.

Xenoblade Chronicles X: Definitive Edition is a masterpiece of a remaster: Monolith Soft really cooked with the nice little quality of life and storytelling additions that make the game really shine on Switch despite being 10 years old.

Quotation forthcoming.

Quotation forthcoming.

The new chapter of the Atelier saga renews and enriches the formula, even if not in a perfect way.

Quotation forthcoming.

FragPunk is a tac-shooter that prioritizes fun above everything else and works great despite not having the most original heroes.

WWE 2K25 features a 2K Showcase mode that doesn't hold a candle to last year's edition, while The Island presents itself as a variation on the traditional career mode with occasional fantasy elements but is hindered by a very modest presentation. The storyline behind MyRise is interesting, while the changes made to other classic modes aren’t substantial enough to make them feel fresh for those who have already invested a lot of time in these contents. On the gameplay side, the experience suffers from stiffness and interaction issues that should have been addressed by now, while the visuals range from stunning to downright ugly and outdated: the full-price toll for a franchise that is increasingly struggling with its annual release cycle.

Wanderstop is a synaesthetic video game: all you have to do is prepare a cinnamon-scented tea to remember the evenings spent on the sofa, under the covers, sipping a hot drink with the person you love. It is a place of the soul, romantic and melancholic, where you can take a deep breath to escape the eternal performance of life. It is for Alta, our protagonist, and it is for Davey Wreden, the brilliant creator of The Stanley Parable, who this time directs a video game about the importance of finding a space for ourselves, just as we are, stripped of all expectations.

The Legend of Heroes: Trails through Daybreak II came across as one of the weaker entries in the saga, due to a less-than-stellar narrative that stumbles awkwardly before finding its footing. Fortunately, the memorable cast and a noticeably improved combat system compared to the previous installment support a lengthy adventure in which Nihon Falcom may have tried to cram in a bit too much. For this reason, it's hard to recommend to casual players with little interest in The Legend of Heroes, who might struggle to appreciate even its charming yet undeniably outdated technical aspects. Fans of the series, on the other hand, can rest easy: despite its weaknesses, it still remains a must-buy.

Quotation forthcoming.

Lara Croft and the Guardian of Light returns on iOS and Android with a truly flawless conversion of an adventure that still manages to showcase its full potential on mobile. It offers a solid, challenging, and engaging experience that doesn't feel dated despite nearly fifteen years having passed since its original debut. The developers at Feral Interactive have once again done an excellent job.

Yu-Gi-Oh! Early Days Collection is a collection that leverages nostalgia, but also features notable improvements.

Suikoden I&II HD Remaster Gate Rune and Dunan Unification Wars is a fantastic opportunity to own two of the best JRPGs in history in one package and with several additions that improve the player's quality of life. Both chapters of this legendary saga are still beautiful to play today, especially if you are willing to turn a blind eye to some of the rough edges typical of video games from thirty years ago. With a little effort you are rewarded with an enviable pace, a wonderful phase of recruitment and management of the castle which is a game within the game and with one of the most beautiful narrative plots ever. The remastering operation is rich and perceptible, even if we didn't find all the features we would have expected, we feel like saying that this is the right opportunity to rediscover (or to discover, lucky you) these two wonderful titles.

Split Fiction continues Hazelight Studios's tradition of making high-quality, fully cooperative video games. The merits are many: there is certainly a beautiful message of meeting between the two protagonists, but the fun comes above all from an always fast pace, from the ability to alternate mechanics, visual solutions, ideas and quotes with extreme taste. It probably doesn't succeed in the ambitious attempt to do better than its predecessor, It Takes Two, due to some not so perfect rhythms and, in general, a less strong aesthetic, but it still flies close to the sun, and is another step towards the perfect cooperative experience. Furthermore, it is impossible not to take your hat off to the Friend's Pass, made even more universal in this new iteration.

Quotation forthcoming.

Two Point Museum is another great game by Two Point Studios that you have to play.

Monster Hunter Wilds is, predictably, one of the strongest base chapters ever made in the series, if not perhaps the strongest because of its drive at innovation. Taking many of the best elements of World, Iceborne, Rise, and Sunbreak, without disdaining a wink to the past here and there, Capcom has created a perfectly structured game, capable of pleasing newcomers and veterans alike with its brilliant progression and the extraordinary quality of its gameplay. It is a pity that, once again, the zenith was only grazed, due to content that unravels a little too soon in the endgame and a technical element that is not as flawless as usual. These are, however, all features that will likely be smoothed out considerably in the coming months, and this is nonetheless an incredibly strong and successful game in its totality.

Tomb Raider IV-VI Remastered is a remastering effort that builds on what was done with the first trilogy and helps deliver a complete package of Tomb Raider adventures in the traditional key. Sadly, however, this batch thrives on objectively worse material than its predecessor, with the fifth and sixth chapters weak on the narrative front, to which the remastering work did nothing more.

Ambitious, surprising, and full of brilliant solutions, Eternal Strands is clearly a title developed by a team brimming with passion and talent, pulling off an exhilarating and uniquely complex adventure. Unfortunately, however, the resources of an independent team are what they are, and Yellow Brick Games' work is held back by modest production values, a somewhat uninspired art direction, and a few too many technical hiccups. Yet, despite its flaws, this remains an undeniable gem, giving us hope for the team's future. We can only hope it gets the recognition it deserves and that these developers can continue on their path—because with a little more time and resources, they clearly have the potential to create something truly great.

Warriors Abyss is a not particularly ambitious roguelite, but still has interesting ideas. The graphics are bad, the story to be ignored and the arenas too banal. At the same time, however, it is always pleasant to wipe out hundreds of enemies and the power-up system is full of possibilities and combinations, really giving us the feeling of having turned our warrior into a hellish god capable of destroying entire armies. If you like musou but especially roguelites, you should give it a serious look while waiting for bigger names.

PGA Tour 2K25 is a solid golf game that doesn’t try to reinvent the wheel. Its key strengths lie in the granularity of customization options, highly adjustable difficulty settings, robust simulation mechanics, and a course editor that could literally make the experience endless. However, its fairly standard gameplay, limited roster of golfers, unremarkable technical presentation, and a few too many bugs put a slight damper on what is otherwise a compelling experience for golf enthusiasts. While it may not dazzle with innovation, it remains a satisfying choice for fans of the sport.

Lost Records: Bloom & Rage has a premise that's way more interesting than its execution. It draws heavily from the classics of the genre, and in particular from the novel IT by Stephen King, to tell us a story of friendship divided into two timelines: 1995 and 2022, with a great mystery in the background that separated the protagonists, keeping them away from Velvet Cove. The balance between the coming-of-age story and the horror part, however, is totally unbalanced in favor of the former, and the serial writing is not helped by the extended time of the screenplay, with a central part that is too lacking in impact. We will find out on April 15th if the mystery is hidden in the second episode, but for now we are saddened by the wasted potential of this story.

Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii could be a sensational misstep for SEGA's series or yet another great success following its unexpected RPG-style revolution. On one hand, the pirate theme is always very popular, Majima's character seems perfect for the role, and there's no doubt that the many activities the game offers - especially the side ones - could win over the audience. However, in terms of story, characters, and atmosphere, we are truly far from the standards that Ryu Ga Gotoku has accustomed us to.

Leaving behind its edutainment origins, Carmen Sandiego becomes a real video game in this new Netflix incarnation, which also pays homage to some chapters from the 1980s. The ‘retro’ investigative parts are interesting, while the more modern exploration phases seem decidedly limited and very much tied to the fluctuating quality of the puzzle-style mini-games. Still, it is a good complement to the animated series.

Quotation forthcoming.

Quotation forthcoming.

Quotation forthcoming.

Avowed is a marvelous role-playing game built on a wide range of choices and deeply impactful consequences, written with great care and surprising complexity. It leans towards an old-school style while being firmly rooted in a setting that is both captivating and richly detailed, featuring uniquely distinctive fantasy elements and, above all, an exceptional level design. Obsidian Entertainment's talent shines through in all the studio’s classic strengths, yet at the same time, it clashes with evident rough edges such as an inconsistent progression system, monotonous combat, various bugs, and a lack of attention to detail—ultimately weakening an adventure that could have stood among the finest in recent years. This is an experience that any fan of the genre should dive into without hesitation, yet it remains a rough diamond—one that, in our opinion, Xbox as a publisher should have supported with more resources and greater attention.

Rift of the Necrodancer dares to go where many other successful videogame series would never dare to set foot. Its fresh take on the Guitar Hero-like rhythm games makes it a valid option in an industry that lacks these kinds of games, lately. It's a shame, though, that visually and narratively speaking it could have pushed more, because the premises were all there.

Quotation forthcoming.

Quotation forthcoming.

If you're looking for an experience like no other, one that can keep you engaged for a solid fifty hours—easily extendable to two hundred—Kingdom Come: Deliverance II is a must-have in your collection. Its realism remains a breath of fresh air even today, positively impacting both the gameplay and the rich cast of characters. But most importantly, Warhorse has done an excellent job of making its unique gameplay formula more accessible without sacrificing depth.

Despite the major changes that will surely be met with skepticism by longtime fans, Civilization 7 is a work that is perfectly consistent with the vision of its creators. Taken individually, innovations like the transforming civilizations and the separation between eras might seem jarring, but together they fit seamlessly into the evolution pursued by Firaxis, which is now much more focused on specific moments in human history and provides an outstanding synthesys between the fourth, the fifth and the sixth installment.

Ender Magnolia: Bloom in the Mist is simply an excellent game. Fun, varied, dynamic, full of things to find. The combat system picks up on the style of the first chapter, but thanks to a slightly more rigid structure, pushes us to make the most of all the moves at our disposal. The setting is beautiful, with many perfectly designed areas and a soundtrack that seems to grab your heart and squeeze it tightly. It's just a pity that the plot leaves something to be desired, with underused characters and a not very interesting plot.

Citizen Sleeper 2: Starward Vector is the perfect sequel to a great experience.

Ninja Gaiden 2 Black brings back the second, iconic installment of the Team Ninja-branded with redesigned graphics in Unreal Engine 5 that nonetheless were simply applied to the Ninja Gaiden Sigma 2 layout, retaining the same animations and an approach to geometry that obviously does not match today's standards. Camera quirks aside, however, the gameplay remains surprisingly solid, frantic and challenging just as we remembered it.

Tails of Iron 2 Whiskers of Winter is practically a version 2 of the first game. It takes the bulk of its mechanics and structure, offers a game world that is beautiful to look at, and expands it slightly with a magic system and a management side. The two major new features, however, are not particularly impactful, for better or worse. If you liked the first chapter and want something very similar, you will be satisfied; if, on the other hand, you wanted an evolution or expansion, it seems you will have to wait for a third chapter.

Sniper Elite: Resistance reiterates the formula of the series without introducing concrete new features and presenting itself basically as a “more of the same” that also renounces developing the narrative elements of a historical scenario that would certainly have deserved some attempt at deepening.

Synduality Echo of Ada is a recipe for what not to do with a live service game: pay to win mechanics, artificial barriers and story content locked behind hours of grind.

Quotation forthcoming.

Quotation forthcoming.

The PC version of Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth adopts some bizarre solutions regarding the graphics settings and certain options are still missing, but in terms of performance the game already appears very well optimized and potentially scalable on different types of configurations...Of course, beyond the purely technical aspects there is the great substance of an adventure that will certainly be able to involve you for dozens and dozens of hours, thanks to an almost always brilliant narrative section, an even more exciting hybrid combat system and the charm of an open world full of things to do and see.

Quotation forthcoming.

Squid Game: Unleashed is a multiplayer-based action game enjoyable at times and certainly capable of bringing situations similar to those of the TV series to the screen of our smartphones.

Dynasty Warriors Origins may only be a small step for action games, but it's a huge leap for musou. Omega Force has finally created a title that harnesses much of the immense potential of this unique action subgenre—a game where the flow of battle influences gameplay more than ever, where a bit of strategic thinking is required, and where difficulty progression is truly satisfying (as well as incredibly scalable). Of course, to achieve this, the team had to start from scratch in many aspects, losing some important elements along the way, first and foremost the variety provided by the character roster. Even with its flaws, however, Origins remains a valuable and crucial action game, as it could serve as a solid foundation for all future titles in the genre. It was about time.

Blade Chimera is a fresh metroidvania with excellent pixel art and a great level design.

Tales of Graces f Remastered is the usual remaster we came to expect from Bandai Namco: smoother visuals and frame rate, former DLCs included, quality of life improvements and no new content whatsoever. It helps we haven't got a Tales game in years and Graces f is an underrated little jewel of a JRPG.

Donkey Kong Country Returns HD offers a rigid and "old-school" experience, challenging and punishing with its checkpoints, sometimes bordering on sadism. Yet its level design remains pure and pristine, and the dynamism of its action is unchanged: if you're looking for a demanding game, if you're daring enough to seek substance in depth rather than simply completing stages, it is still one of the best platformers ever made.

Quotation forthcoming.

Quotation forthcoming.

Quotation forthcoming.

Freedom Wars Remastered brings back a PS Vita gem with much needed quality of life improvements but doesn't add much in terms of content to a game that for better or for worse feels and plays exactly like 10 years ago.

Quotation forthcoming.

Skydance's Behemoth is a powerful, epic, and incredible game, just like the colossi roaming the Wastelands. At the same time, however, it is an adventure that could have benefited from more variety: not a must-have for all headset owners, but undoubtedly a recommended experience for those who love fantasy tones and are looking for a game with visceral combat. Skydance's Behemoth is therefore yet another good VR adventure released at the end of a year that had, instead, started off on the wrong foot. Hopefully, this is not just a lucky exception and that 2025 will continue on a trend where we find ourselves wearing a headset more and more often to experience memorable adventures.

Quotation forthcoming.

Power Rangers: Rita's Rewind is a serviceable scrolling beat'em up for fans of the franchise that lacks the gameplay finesse which made it a success of its latest competitors.

Antonblast is Wario under steroids: a must have for the platform fan.

The Spirit of the Samurai is a project born from an aesthetic idea: creating a stop motion action game. However, this vision failed to translate into enjoyable gameplay, plagued by control issues, a combat system that never truly shines, and forgettable platforming sections.

Quotation forthcoming.

Quotation forthcoming.

Alien: Rogue Incursion is not a perfect game, and with a bit more refinement, it could have become something much deeper. Nevertheless, it’s an enjoyable title that we recommend to fans of Alien, who will have the chance to face a xenomorph up close thanks to virtual reality. Unfortunately, this encounter is unlikely to scare players, as Rogue Incursion is an action game that never seems to aim at truly terrifying its audience.

Appreciating Naiad for its fabulous aesthetics and the magnificent sounds of the river and its inhabitants would be all too easy. However, we are faced with a gaming experience that never manages to delve deep into the player’s heart, who initially believes they are in front of a relaxing video game, only to discover they must pay attention to every tiny corner of the river to understand the correct order to touch the water lilies and progress to the next phase. HiWarp demonstrates full artistic maturity but fails to hit the mark in terms of game design; paradoxically, things would have gone much better if the experience had been confined to simple swimming and spontaneous interaction with the animals and other elements of the environment. A banal moralism, which fails to provide a meaningful perspective on the environmental themes addressed, doesn’t help.

Monument Valley 3 is a masterpiece, once again. After two chapters in which it seemed ustwo had explored every possibility, this new adventure proves that there are still territories to be discovered, as well as the limpid potential of an experience that could even transcend the boundaries of our smartphones and find new places to conquer.

Fairy Tail 2 is a mixed bag, appealing to fans but not really respecting the original manga/anime and showcasing the world of Fairy Tail to newcomers with a lackluster RPG only supported by a decent combat system.

Flint: Treasure of Oblivion is riddled with issues, particularly in its fundamental gameplay aspects.

On Your Tail is a cozy adventure with a lot of fun mini games.

Infinity Nikki stands as the embodiment of any little girl's video game dreams, but it does its work so brilliantly and passionately that it transcends the boundaries dictated by such a target audience, thus succeeding in enthralling anyone who doesn't have a heart as hard as stone.

Marvel Rivals is another hero shooter which actually capitalizes on the license by actually understanding and translating effectively some of the most beloved heroes into a frantic third person shooting gameplay. It needs more balancing especially as far as competitive play is concerned and the lack of role lock is kind of annoying but NetEase cooked a performant and surprisingly well done package which might or not might survive the test of time: it all depends on the devs commitment at this point but there's a true potential to stand against the giants in the genre.

UFL promises a revolution that can be seen and felt on a structural level, but that joystick in hand is much more elusive.

Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver 1 & 2 Remastered is a perfect remastered collection, with many interesting extras.

We don't know if this was the remake the team had in mind but we question who this title is aimed at. Maybe the users who played it in 1994? Or newcomers? We would say old players, but how many were actually so bewitched at the time that they rushed to spend €30 and replay this game today? Little Big Adventure: Twinsen's Quest isn't bad, it's just that it's difficult to recommend it to those who don't live on bouts of ‘90s nostalgia, as it clearly has structural limitations and the flow of advancement isn't particularly fun, however good the graphical style is. However, it is a niche cult game that will enrich your gaming culture, especially if you are thirsty for European gaming histories and biographies.

If it hasn't been clear yet, we literally adored Indiana Jones and the Ancient Circle. Despite its flaws, the technical difficulties especially in the shift between first and third person, a stealth mechanic that can be "broken" a bit too easily, and a slight stretch in the last part of the adventure, we are not afraid to be proven wrong in stating that this is the best (timed) exclusive for Xbox in a long time. It's a great single-player adventure that works, entertains, involves, and is practically suitable for everyone. And if you're also a fan of Indiana Jones who was let down by the last two films, well, then you absolutely can't miss it.

Quotation forthcoming.

Fantasian: Neo Dimension is a competent JRPG which strikes a sweet spot without pretending to be either nostalgic or innovative. It delivers a catchy narrative with a classic but thoughtful battle system and some neat QoL that makes this new edition far better than its original mobile run.

Nine Sols oozes passion for the genre, conveys competence and a compact vision of game design, but in a metroidvania universe now quite full of titles there's a lot of struggling to stand out. Nine Sols does this in its own way, fusing gameplay that has already been thoroughly digested through its sources of inspiration with a visual style that, however, did not make us confident. Red Candle's Taopunk didn't make us confident and that's a shame, because the game is fun, satisfying and has its moments of absolute merit. Buy it if you like metroidvanias regardless, but be prepared to digest a visual system that is well realised on a technical level, but struggles to stand out artistically.

Quotation forthcoming.

Metro Awakening delivers a strong immersive experience for fans of Dmitry Glukhovsky's saga, offering the chance to explore Russian tunnels in VR. While its ambition is commendable, the game suffers from slow pacing that affects its rhythm and replayability. Although it might have been groundbreaking years ago, in 2024 it highlights a lack of innovation in high-budget VR titles. The developers show potential, and there’s hope for a refined future installment. Fans would still likely embark on another Metro VR adventure despite its flaws.

Wuthering Waves is an action RPG with gacha elements packed with a solid and fun combat system, full of interlocking mechanisms that work beautifully both using touch controls and, of course, a Bluetooth controller.

Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 is unpolished and rough, and can make the entire flight experience frustrating. So why did we fall in love with it? Asobo tries to pursue the future, assembling a sumptuous simulator, an evolution that addresses all the shortcomings of the 2020 release, which was already near perfection. We are confident that the team led by Jorg Neumann will smooth out these rough edges, leaving us with a true masterpiece in our hands.

Quotation forthcoming.

Quotation forthcoming.

A miracle? Against all expectations S.T.A.L.K.E.R 2 has really managed to resurrect the series, and without affecting its most important features, without betraying its philosophy. By remaining itself, S.T.A.L.K.E.R 2 reaffirms its uniqueness.

Quotation forthcoming.

Batman: Arkham Shadow is a VR game by Camouflaj that builds on the concept of Batman: Arkham VR. It’s considered an outstanding addition to the Arkham saga, a top-tier VR experience, and a title that might encourage purchases of Meta Quest 3 or 3S, especially as it's bundled with these headsets. Although VR might not appeal to all Batman fans, the creators of Iron Man VR have crafted a compelling game that’s essential for enthusiasts of the Dark Knight.

Quotation forthcoming.

Quotation forthcoming.

Farming Simulator 25 is the best title of its kind, both because it is the result of years of iterations and because it lacks motivated competition. That said, it's genuinely hard to recommend or discourage its purchase, as much depends on how intrigued you are by the idea of playing it. If you've tried a Farming Simulator in the past, you can expect a straightforward refinement of that formula. However, if you're looking to start your farming journey now, you can safely begin here, and you won't be disappointed—just bear in mind that there are plenty of fields to plow before you become a true farmer.

ZERO Sievert is the perfect entry point to the extraction shooter genre thanks to the absence of multiplayer and very replayable environments.

Judging UFO 50 is a challenge, even just for the sheer amount of content it contains, with an incredible array of ideas, mechanics, and concepts that you’ll find within this alternate universe. Through its video games, UFO 50 narrates a historical moment, an era that never actually existed but lives within our memories, sensations, and the emotions we felt as children, back when this world was still unexplored. At the same time, it requires a certain devotion, a passion for a very specific kind of retro gaming and a lot of patience to explore.

A heartfelt tribute to Italian cinema of the seventies and eighties and the esoteric horror of Dario Argento, particularly Phenomena. Clock Tower is a classic video game that, for the first time, has been released outside Japan and localized into many languages, including Italian. To play it, you obviously have to come to terms with a system and pacing that are far from modern, but this title still has fantastic sparks of horror and an outstanding soundtrack on its side. A must-play to revisit a piece of video game history.

Dragon Quest III HD-2D is a visually beautiful remake faithful to its original release, hence very outdated gameplay wise. The paper thin narrative may off put players used to the more compelling and recent Dragon Quest XI but it's still a piece of history that franchise lovers should play to understand its evolution and ramifications.