The Thaumaturge doesn’t bring anything groundbreaking to the table and doesn’t quite measure up to its more illustrious predecessors. Yet, it tells a compelling and intriguing story, enriched by a setting deeply shaped by its social and political context.

Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: Rita’s Rewind is a charming nostalgic beat-‘em-up that successfully captures the essence of the original show. While it doesn’t quite reach the heights of TMNT: Shredder’s Revenge or Streets of Rage 4—currently the benchmarks in the classic side-scrolling beat-’em-up genre—it offers a good variety of levels and a simple yet enjoyable gameplay experience. The diverse range of enemies adds to the fun, especially when playing with friends. However, the lack of move variety between the different characters and certain less polished sections—like the shooter-style stages—bring down the overall quality somewhat. That said, anyone looking for a solid beat-’em-up to enjoy with friends, particularly fans of the series, will likely have a great time. It’s a delightful throwback that might just transport you back to afternoons spent shouting “Go Go Power Rangers!” at the TV, much to the bemusement of your parents.

The Spirit of the Samurai has a great and evocative imagery and a delightful stop-motion style. The merits end there, because the game developed by Digital Mind Games has problematic hitboxes and lacks of precision in attacks and jumps, ending up frustrating the players.

Among Ashes is one of those indie titles that should be celebrated for its great ability to break out of the box through brilliant narrative and game design solutions. However, it has to curb its ambitions because of so many technical problems due to its low budget.

G.I. Joe: Wrath of Cobra is an enjoyable side-scrolling beat-‘em-up, especially for fans of the genre and the animated series, but it doesn’t go beyond being a classic, straightforward effort. The game features a solid combat system—simple yet with a touch of depth in its mechanics—and a great cast of playable characters. There are also some extra modes and secret characters to unlock, although you’ll need to grind the same levels quite a bit to unlock everything. On the Switch, the game suffers from frequent slowdowns and a few annoying bugs, which we hope can be resolved soon.

The beloved 1994 game Little Big Adventure: Twinsen's Quest has been reimagined by [2.21] and Microids with a charming new graphic style that keeps the game's distinctive feel while making it more appealing for today's players. The same can't be said for the gameplay, which, despite some minor improvements, still feels too outdated and uneasy to be enjoyable for younger players.

UFL is a title still far from reaching its true potential—a work in progress that requires time to meet the high expectations of virtual football enthusiasts (or even just to deliver on the promises made at its announcement). Its more dynamic style, which places less emphasis on realism, does work, but there are still many limitations, both in terms of content and the overall quality of the gameplay experience. In short, the path ahead is steep, and it’s far from being an easy goal into an empty net.

In a generation dominated by often superficial games, Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver 1&2 Remastered reminds us how video games were capable of telling profound and engaging stories even over twenty years ago.

On Your Tails is one of the most charming and surprising adventures we've played this year, even when it's held back by some gameplay flaws.

Marvel Rivals is a solid hero shooter, undoubtedly fun, but it conceals a stale game design beneath the mask of a fresh and effective aesthetic. Those who are tired of hero shooters will find little of interest in the few gameplay innovations Marvel Rivals offers. However, others will enjoy what is certainly the best title in the genre currently on the market, bolstered by an active community (at least for now).

Fairy Tail 2 is a title that struggles to convey the genuine fun typical of the adventures born from Hiro Mashima's pen. Behind a combat system that is overall decent and enjoyable—particularly in small doses and during boss fights—lies a formulaic and at times fragile JRPG that fails to rise above mere mediocrity. A major disappointment, it is recommended only for die-hard Fairy Tail fans who might still be able to overlook its obvious shortcomings.

Infinity Nikki is the ultimate evolution of the (incredibly) successful series that preceded it. It stands as the quintessential free-to-play dress-up game. While it is packed with currencies and gacha pulls typical of its mobile gaming roots, everything works toward building a massive, stunning wardrobe that’s truly worth exploring. The game features some of the most detailed outfits I’ve ever seen in a video game. Though unlocking them may require considerable time—and sometimes, at your discretion, real money—it simply means spending more time joyfully exploring its rich open world. There’s always something new to discover, and even after dozens of hours, secrets still await. Overall, it’s a wonderfully relaxing and welcoming game that keeps you engaged in a serene and enjoyable way.

Indiana Jones and the Great Circle is one of the best adventures in the series, capable of recreating the great atmosphere of the early days and offering players a story that fits well into the timeline. However, the first person perspective makes it lose much of the dynamism we would expect from an Indiana Jones game.

Fitness Boxing 3: Your Personal Trainer tries to surpass the ambitions of its predecessors, but with a mix of new features that aren't always coherent with the spirit of the product itself.

Fantasian Neo Dimension is a perfectly fine old-school JRPG, fit for both veterans and newcomers of the genre. It's just that we expected a little more from Sakaguchi-san, whose masterpieces we grew up with on both Nintendo and Sony machines.

Alaloth is an old school experience that, in a world dominated by increasingly accessible games, manages to preserve the allure of the purest fantasy, made of true challenges and worlds to explore with patience and dedication.

Not a sudden war nor fifteen years in development stopped the people at GSC Game World from showing their potential once again: S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2 Heart of Chornobyl delivers on almost all fronts, giving us a cruel and immersive world in which we can all get lost. We already know we won't have to wait too long for multiplayer and mod support, but let's also hope we won't have to wait another fifteen years for another game like this.

We wholeheartedly recommend S.T.A.L.K.E.R. Legends of the Zone Trilogy for both its gameplay mix of action, stealth and roleplaying and for the very convenient price of the package, which will cost you less than a new release on Nintendo Switch. The quality of the port is great too, so we don't see a single reason not to give these games a go.

The idea of bringing the universe of the classic Metro series into a virtual reality adaptation is truly intriguing, and Metro Awakening successfully recreates its signature atmosphere of dread and fear of the unknown. This is particularly well-executed thanks to an intuitive control system and user interface that fully immerse players in the game’s post-apocalyptic world. However, a major drawback lies in the repetitiveness of scenarios and environments, which is further exacerbated by the overly long duration of the experience. The final sections, in particular, could have benefited from being more streamlined. That said, despite its various flaws, the game remains an enjoyable experience, especially if you’re a fan of the franchise and eager to dust off your VR headset (especially the PS VR2) after it has likely been sitting unused for a while.

Planet Coaster 2 offers potentially endless gameplay. Frontier’s title is more than just a management simulator; it’s a dynamic, living diorama where players can invest countless hours purely to satisfy their aesthetic vision and showcase their creations to the community. For the detail-oriented, scrutinizing every corner of the game may reveal a few notable gaps, but fortunately, the development team is already aware of these and plans to address them in the near future.

This HD-2D Remake does justice to the grandaddy of the JRPG genre, a seminal game that is equally simple and charming in execution. New content, shiny new graphics and all that worked in the original title are included in this remake, and so it comes recommended for both old-time fans and newcomers.

LEGO Horizon Adventures is an adventure that knows how to entertain, managing the difficult task of pleasing both fans of Aloy and enthusiasts of brick-based games.

Metal Slug Tactics is a very fast and very nostalgic take on the turn-based tactics subgenre, with the roguelike element to turn the tables when the going gets repetitive. It's a love letter to one of the most beloved SNK franchises, but as a tactical game is just above average.

Let's not beat around the bush: we didn't like the new direction Electronic Arts and Bioware have given to the Dragon Age franchise. The original idea must have been to expand the public for this third entry, but the result is a game that won't probably appeal to anyone, especially long-time fans. Just give us a Dragon Age Origins remaster at this point, please.

Death of the Reprobate is a whirlwind of madness, showcasing a parade of characters with no logic and questionable morality. The humor is, let’s say, quite unique, but it perfectly complements the distinctive graphic style typical of all Joe Richardson’s works. Perhaps the author is a bit too imaginative in designing his puzzles, but we’re happy to overlook that if it means getting one of the most entertaining and original titles of the year.

Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 may not represent the pinnacle of the series or the start of a new era, but it firmly halts the franchise's steady decline, delivering a quality entry—arguably the best in the past decade. The campaign is surprisingly engaging and varied, though not quite on par with the series' top classics, and the same holds true for the zombie mode. With more focus on innovation and map quality in multiplayer, the game could have reached even higher scores, but there's room for improvement with post-launch updates. Overall, it’s an unexpected return to form.

Mario & Luigi: Brothership is a delightful return for the beloved series, with deep gameplay and vibrant worlds that make it a must-have on Nintendo Switch, despite a few minor design shortcomings.

Slitterhead is a graphically and structurally rather old game that fails in any way to approach either modern productions or the other glorious works of the Keiichiro Toyama. The only good cues come in the form of the ability to control different characters through possession, which make the traversal and combat dynamics varied, but the dilution and repetitiveness of certain quests tend to dull enthusiasm soon.

This Sword Art Online: Fractured Daydream is likely among the best titles dedicated to the series released in recent years, though it’s fair to say the bar was set quite low. Die-hard fans of the series will love the opportunity to experience a story that brings together all the main characters and to control a substantial number of them—twenty-one in total. However, the game also has several flaws, with repetitive missions featuring basic objectives and a combat system that settles for mere adequacy. Despite these issues, the multiplayer mode is enjoyable, especially thanks to boss fights that can be tackled by up to 20 players, turning the experience into a vibrant display of explosions and colors. Unfortunately, once the single-player campaign is completed and players delve into the game’s online component, the content runs out too quickly, leaving an endgame that feels sparse and underdeveloped. It’s a real shame for a game that had strong potential on the multiplayer side.

Nothing was done in this Hella Remastered to help Shadows of the Damned in the aspects in which the game underperformed at launch, thirteen years ago. Hence, the game has today the same qualities and the same problems of yesterday, but the latter weigh down the experience much more than before.

There’s no doubt that Horizon Zero Dawn Remastered is the version newcomers to the saga should aim for to fully experience Aloy’s debut journey. This “refresh,” however—despite the question of whether a 2017 game truly needed it—focuses purely on technical enhancements, echoing the current video game industry’s fixation on lighting effects and photorealism, often at the expense of gameplay depth. The result is a visually stunning work, borrowing the technical assets from Horizon Forbidden West, yet turning a blind eye to the gameplay improvements introduced by its sequel. It retains certain gameplay choices and a clunky verticality that The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild had rendered outdated upon Zero Dawn’s release in 2017, making these aspects feel particularly aged. This is, after all, just a remaster, so perhaps it’s acceptable as it stands. However, by dressing Zero Dawn in Forbidden West’s refined graphics, the game ends up serving as more of a reminder of the advancements its sequel brought to the series than as a true celebration of Zero Dawn itself. It’s a remaster with a fresh look, yet proudly—and stubbornly—remains the same at its core.

A Quiet Place: The Road Ahead is both a faithful transposition and a valid first-person horror. The few variations on the theme throughout the adventure force the player into an extremely compassed pace and a really high dose of patience, so it would have served the game better to have been able to have many more contrivances within it than have been seen in the films.

Life is Strange: Double Exposure starts as a compelling mystery and grows into a poignant story about social bonds and trauma, but its awful ending weakens the series' identity, casting doubt on Deck Nine's choices.

Xeen and Square Enix, in stark contrast with what the original development team did 31 years ago, played it very safe, with a remake that changes nothing in terms of gameplay, even where some corrections where badly needed. Therefore, this is nothing more than a modernized version of a good JRPG

Nikoderiko: The Magical World is everything that nostalgic fans of old platformers need to dive back into the memories of yesteryear. It may not be among the most original games of the past decade, given the many similarities to Crash Bandicoot and Donkey Kong, but the care with which the work was created allows it to stand at more than decent levels of harmonious enjoyment.

Europa is an adventure game set in stunning, Studio Ghibli-inspired landscapes, with a heartfelt narrative and a soundtrack that enhances every moment of discovery. The gameplay is designed to be relaxing, centered around the Zephyr—a unique jetpack that lets players gracefully glide through the air, soaring ever higher. In just three to four hours, Europa weaves a poignant story, guiding players on a journey to uncover a long-lost past.

All in all, Sonic x Shadow Generations has definitely exceeded our expectations. The second adventure dedicated to Shadow, which initially seemed like just a DLC, turns out to be something much more substantial, both in terms of length and concept, combining the best of the boost era with ideas taken from Sonic's new direction. While the game lacks the surprise factor it had in 2011, we're still talking about a new 3D Sonic chapter that's incredibly fun to play. Which is no small feat, as the history of this character has shown us.

The concept of a transmedia project, with Unknown 9: Awakening serving as an ideal entry point for new users, was intriguing. However, the video game ultimately falls short due to numerous issues. While the story provides a foundation for understanding the broader world of Unknown 9, its lack of creative flair and uninteresting characters do little to entice players to explore the rest of the narrative universe. Additionally, the gameplay structure is overly basic, plagued by various technical problems, and features a stealth component that feels all too familiar. The combat system also shows multiple flaws, saved only slightly by the enjoyable use of powers, especially in the later stages—though these powers end up breaking the game, making it too easy. Overall, the launch of this new multimedia project is off to a less than stellar start.

Super Mario Party Jamboree is not only the best Mario Party available on Switch, but also one of the best games ever made in the series.

Neva is Nomada studio's new gem that chronicles the stages of life as the world decays around you. It does not reach the heights of drama of GRIS, but it surpasses it in complexity of game systems, setting itself as a step forward for the Spanish studio, which has found its way and knows how to stamp its trademark.

Ys X Nordics is an intuitive and refreshing action JRPG (more action than RPG, to tell the truth) that captures the spirit of the old episodes of the franchise and gives the player a lot of room to explore, loot and fight across the islands of the Obelia Gulf. Not the prettiest PS5 title to date, but certainly a funny and intuitive one.

Iron Meat is a game that draws inspiration from the great classics of the run-and-gun genre, offering a version as faithful as possible to its predecessors. However, it adds modern touches to make it more accessible to today’s players. Fast-paced, brutal, and featuring well-crafted pixel art, this title is sure to please fans of the genre. The only major drawback is the lack of content to keep players engaged once the main campaign is over, as there are no extras included.

Until Dawn is a remake that does not improve on the original work and does not modernize the game in any way. The only bright spot is the switch to Unreal Engine 5, but the game structure remains old and looks unsuitable for modern audience.

Undisputed is a truly excellent and comprehensive title, although it can still improve. We have a boxing game that strives for realism in every punch and movement. Defensive techniques, punches, footwork: everything aims to be perfect. The sweat on the back, the blood from the nose, the swollen eyes, every detail is really there. The game offers a truly well-crafted, beautiful, and precise realism. It's a shame that some content is missing, like the ability to actually perform training sessions, which would have added something extra to the game. However, we expect great things for the future of the series.

Dragon Ball: Sparking! Zero is, without a doubt, the ultimate game for any Dragon Ball fan. The combat system not only builds on the classic PS2 games but enhances them significantly, making each battle feel as close as possible to the epic confrontations seen in the original anime and manga. The game modes are impressive as well; the story mode, in particular, holds some delightful surprises, while the Custom Battle mode promises plenty of replay value—just to name a few highlights from the single-player content. Add to this an immense character roster and numerous little touches that fans will appreciate. Of course, there are some flaws, especially in terms of character balancing, but if you’re a devoted Dragon Ball fan, rest assured—this game was made with you in mind.

Metaphor: ReFantazio is a bold new IP from Studio Zero and Atlus, and one of the best at that. Familiar yet innovative, mature but not without moments of levity, with a slew of very functional new systems, this is one of the best JRPGS of the last years and surely GOTY material for this one.

Bloodless mixes some of the combat mechanics inspired by Sekiro, with a strong emphasis on dodges, precision movements and countermoves. Not everything works perfectly, the pacing is a bit slow at times and there is a feeling that the whole adventure is a bit too drawn out.

Konami and Bloober Team revive an invaluable piece of video game history. One of the best games of all time returns with the deflagrating power we remember so well, showing even modern audiences why it still remains the boldest and darkest psychological horror ever seen in the video game industry.

We played Reynatis so you don't have to. Sometimes too much ambition can lead to a wide gap between on-paper ideas and the actual creation and production processes, and this is very well the case. A convoluted story, a lot of technical issues and boring and repetitive gameplay don't do justice to the great soundtrack.

Animal Well is a little dream: an original metroidvania with unique mechanics that describes a world you will rarely forget. Its gameplay structure and puzzles undoubtedly make it one of the best in its genre, a must-play that you need to experience and make your own.

EA Sports FC 25 continues along the same path as its predecessor, but with a slightly faster and more decisive pace. The new focus on tactics could be the first step toward a more ambitious vision for the future of the series. Overall, this installment proves to be content-rich, relying on the usual winning features while introducing a new 5v5 mode that adds just the right touch to enhance the overall package.

Ace Attorney Investigations Collection finally allows Western players to access the entire Ace Attorney saga, including Ace Attorney Investigations 2, the last spin-off that had remained unreleased in our region, at least through official channels. And that's a great thing, as it is one of the best-written chapters in the entire series. The only flaw in this collection, if we want to nitpick, is the lack of any noteworthy new content to enhance it compared to the original releases. However, considering that we're talking about a very niche series—one that, until recently, many thought we would never see again in the West—it would have been hard to ask for more from Capcom. We'll see if, now that the entire series has been released on modern platforms, Capcom decides to continue it in some form, especially given that the last original episode dates back to 2016.

God of War: Ragnarok on PC is yet another confirmation that expertly crafted ports are still possible, despite everything. Stunning graphics (though you’ll need a good PC to handle all that visual splendor), gameplay as sharp as Kratos’ blades, and a gripping narrative that won’t let you go. Sure, there was the risk of relying on past success and resting on its laurels. It doesn’t revolutionize, nor does it need to: it perfects what already worked on the PlayStation platform, with a confidence that few titles manage to maintain. And that’s perfectly fine.

Echoes of Wisdom lays the groundwork for the future of the Zelda series, offering a beautiful and exhilarating experience that blends classic elements with forward-thinking design.

Ara: History Untold was supposed to be the game that, after nearly eight years, could make us forget Civilization VI. However, it seems that once again, we'll have to wait for the seventh installment to lose ourselves, one turn at a time. The title, developed by Oxide Games, looks very promising. It has a visually striking graphical style and some interesting flashes of brilliance. However, it’s a strategy game whose core focus is hard to grasp, and it falls victim to overwhelming micromanagement that permeates every turn. This has drawn attention away from areas that needed more care, such as diplomacy, technology, and those essential late-game variations.

It was said that the Fearless Squire would be a hero remembered for generations to come, and in a way, so it has proven. The bravery of Jot is the kind found in those rare games that dare to be bold and original, standing out in a vast sea of creations content merely to drift, avoiding the depths by surrendering to the currents. The playful tenderness of this unlikely hero, though it may not always fulfill its lofty ambitions in the realm of play, still shines through in a journey that uplifts not only those who join Jot in the quest to topple the wicked Humpgrump, but the very essence of the game itself. And if this be not a heroic feat worthy of legend, dear children, then what, pray tell, could be?

Disney’s Epic Mickey: Rebrushed is a solid revitalization of a work with grand ambitions, perhaps weighed down by the high expectations surrounding its creator. While it remains a good game, straddling the line between platformer and action-adventure, the overall quality feels somewhat inconsistent. The remaster smooths out some of the game’s more notorious rough edges and improves certain aspects of gameplay, but it can’t fully overturn the fate of a title that needed to do much more to leave a lasting impression.

Broken Sword - Shadow of the Templars: Reforged is a successful restoration operation that brings back a timeless classic of the genre and an unforgettable piece of video game history, now boasting 4K resolution and a number of useful enhancements for the best version of the game to date.

Harry Potter: Quidditch Champions didn’t completely win us over. On one hand, it’s simple and fun to play, but on the other, this same accessibility proves to be a double-edged sword, as boredom sets in rather quickly. It doesn’t help that the game launches with limited content, which makes it even easier to get tired of Quidditch matches sooner than expected. As with all online games, much will depend on how the publisher manages it in the coming months: we’ll see if they allow Unbroken Studios to keep working on and improving the game as planned.

Frostpunk 2 puts its gameplay at the service of storytelling and, through relatively simple game mechanics, manages to make the player experience strong emotions and a constant moral dilemma. From a gameplay perspective, it is a fairly straightforward city builder, but the political and social dynamics are where the essence of the game created by 11 Bit Studios truly lies. Frostpunk 2 dismantles any notion of social utopia and shows how humans are inherently irrational beings, ready to self-destruct. The limitations imposed on the player’s decision-making power work perfectly within this framework, forcing the player to make difficult and uncomfortable decisions, offering a much more satisfying and refined level of strategy compared to traditional management games.

Dead Rising Deluxe Remaster happen to be both the best version of the game and a giant missed opportunity. The complete graphics overhaul is very welcome but it ends highlighting even more the age of the AI routines and the inaccurate hitboxes, which are both straight from the 2006 version. Still a good and goofy action game overall, but compromises have to be accepted to fully enjoy it.

Gundam Breaker 4 is likely a dream come true for any fan of the franchise. The ability to customize your Gunpla down to the smallest detail makes this game ideal for long-time collectors of models from the series who can’t wait to experiment with the endless parts available. However, the game is not without its flaws, which are hard to overlook, even for die-hard fans. For instance, while the combat is enjoyable due to the variety of builds you can create, it feels underdeveloped in several areas. Additionally, most missions follow a similar structure, leading to a sense of repetition early on. The story is nothing remarkable, though younger players might find it appealing. On the other hand, the multiplayer component could be a significant plus if you’re able to find a well-coordinated team to play with.

Inspired by the classics from FromSoftware, Enotria stands out for its deep connection to Italian folklore, celebrating the natural wonders of our land and its rich cultural, theatrical, and musical traditions.

NBA 2K25 remains a great game for basketball enthusiasts and makes strides compared to its predecessor, but it doesn’t hide the fact that it knows it can rest comfortably on its throne, especially since no one is even trying to challenge it.

We certainly didn’t expect Squirrel with a Gun to be a high-quality masterpiece, but after playing it, we found some of its ideas so clever and fun that they left us with a bit of regret about the overall final result. It’s a project with a high level of nonsense, but it also genuinely shows how much the developers must have enjoyed themselves during its design and release. Enhanced by numerous unlockables and collectibles, the game is wild, delirious, and technically rough (at times unforgivably and frustratingly so). Yet, it’s this blend of mismatched characteristics that, at least partially, gives it a reason to exist in the market.

Capcom is doing an excellent job with its collections dedicated to classic fighting games, and this Marvel vs. Capcom Fighting Collection: Arcade Classics is another gem that brings together seven titles that have made history in the genre. Marvel vs. Capcom 2 alone is a must-play for all enthusiasts, but all the other games included are also very interesting, especially because they show how the tag team formula introduced in Capcom games has evolved over time. Lastly, the inclusion of an online multiplayer mode with rollback netcode and many other options makes these old fighting games more accessible to a younger audience.

The Last Alchemist is a simulation game that takes place in a charming fantasy setting with cute creatures and talking mushrooms. The game swings between crafting stages and exploration, providing an overall pleasant experience with an interesting storyline as well as occasionally overly challenging gameplay.

Astro Bot is a gem, a game crafted with heart that manages to unite tradition and innovation. Despite its "small" size, the latest title from Team Asobi delivers an extraordinary experience thanks to the power of the PS5 and the clever use of the DualSense.

My Steam library is full of Warhammer 40,000-themed titles; very few are passable, a handful are good games, and the circle of excellent ones is very small. Space Marine 2 now joins as well—and it is a feast for the eyes and a faithful reproduction of the universe created by Games Workshop, a dream come true for those who grew up with this saga. The gameplay is a refined version of that third-person shooter and action mix we already appreciated in the first chapter, with a combat system that is much more technical and complex compared to its predecessor. It’s not a perfect game, mainly due to a lackluster AI and overly chaotic moments, with messy situations that lead the player to inevitable button mashing, but it’s the best video game adaptation of Games Workshop’s grimdark universe.

Concord is an immense waste of resources (and it's not even a free-to-play), a project that also runs the risk of not being able to recover in the long run.

Deadlink is a refreshing and intoxicating roguelite fps that we cannot avoid recommending. It's fast paced, the shooting is good, the upgrade system is clever and the quantity of content is not an issue. We only wish it was more various in its map layout and enemy types, but there's a lot to love here for fps fans.

Age of Mythology: Retold is the perfect blend of past and present. The development teams wisely chose not to overhaul the foundations of one of the best RTS games ever made, focusing instead on fine-tuning and making significant improvements to the gameplay, which is now much smoother and more modern. Alongside these enhancements, the game boasts excellent graphics and a much more functional and intuitive user interface. The only aspect that ties Age of Mythology: Retold to its original era is the tone of the various campaigns, with a style of writing that may no longer appeal to today’s players.

Emio - The Smiling Man looks like it came out from the '80s, thanks to gameplay mechanics unbelievably dated that hold up its true potential.

Visions of Mana aims to bring players back to a classic RPG experience reminiscent of the 1990s. Accepting these conditions, you'll still find a pleasant, colorful action RPG that can entertain you for a good number of hours—nothing more, nothing less.

Monster Jam Showdown is a highly entertaining and accessible title. The arcade-style driving system appeals to a wide audience without sacrificing fun or content—there are plenty of game modes and a good variety of trucks and customization options. Milestone's offering is enjoyable, convincing, and fun.

Star Wars Outlaws should have been a smaller game, without the open world requirement at all costs. It falls into the usual mistakes of previous Ubisoft games, while it gives its best in the main missions, which are well structured and able to meet the favor of fans of the saga.

Black Myth: Wukong captures attention with its impressive graphics and the allure of Chinese mythology, but despite the visual experience and a promising combat system, the game suffers from several issues that prevent it from excelling.

Cat Quest III is a simple and fun pirate adventure that takes us into a universe full of adorable kittens, nasty "pi-rats," and many more incredibly charming creatures! With a small game world full of islands and caves to explore and a cast of delightfully well-developed characters, The Gentlebros' creation once again manages to entertain and engage, thanks to its straightforward gameplay that never gets boring.

Dustborn is an adventure game that offers a mix of genres, catering to a wide range of tastes. It seamlessly transitions from exploration phases in the style of classic graphic adventures with environmental puzzles, to more action-packed moments, and even includes many musical mini-games. The game features a cast of finely crafted characters that are impossible not to grow attached to. At the same time, it presents a wide variety of uniquely beautiful settings, all enhanced by the splendid comic book art style that defines the entire adventure.

TMNT: Splintered Fate looks and feels like a mobile games with lots of structural limitations and a bit of forced tracking during the fights.

CYGNI may not be the new "benchmark in shoot 'em ups", but it's still a fun game with a great passion for a genre that has almost become a niche one.

Tomba! Special Edition is first and foremost a preservation operation. It is a definitive edition of a classic PlayStation game with some extra and some quality of life improvements.

Even without the novelty factor of the first game, Steamworld Heist II is a competent and very funny turn-based strategy game that will appeal both to newcomers and veterans alike thanks to its extended difficulty settings and wealth of content.

Thalassa: Edge of the Abyss is a walking simulator with a compelling story, but it feels and looks like a game from at least ten years ago.

Été is a video game that is good for you—literally. Its concept, which involves bringing colors to the world you explore to define it, similar to Chicory, gradually reveals new adventures and allows you to create your home with satisfaction. This idea works quite well and gets you into the loop of “I’ll do one more thing and then stop for today,” but you end up never stopping. While it’s true that some missions can be a bit confusing and the dialogues sometimes feel out of place with the game’s atmosphere, Été still manages to leverage interaction to offer a captivating mix of pure fun and virtual drawing. It stands out as one of the ideal games to unwind with during the summer, aptly reflecting the season it’s named after.

The Star Named EOS is a cozy game with a relaxing atmosphere, hand-drawn art style, and evocative soundtrack. The story unfolds through environmental exploration, and the gameplay is not particularly challenging, promoting a state of engagement and optimal flow. It has the potential to be moving and impactful, featuring twists and unexpected moments that we don’t want to spoil: the experience should be entirely your own, as it is definitely worth experiencing firsthand.

Nobody Wants to Die is just a pot-pourri of themes and scenes already read in old books, seen at the cinema and played in many other modern games.

This final review of Flintlock: The Siege of Dawn has been a roller coaster of conflicting feelings. The end result is of decent quality, despite various structural limitations, and it manages to shape a balanced experience with a substantial amount of content. While it certainly doesn’t stand out in terms of character or personality, and numerous narrative questions remain unanswered, the accessible and somewhat enjoyable gameplay compensates for these shortcomings just enough. However, it does leave a bit of a bitter aftertaste.

F1 Manger 2024 has finally managed to include the much-loved custom career. This raises the bar of the competition and presents us with a game with solid foundations, but also capable of renewing itself. A fun, competitive title that tests us in many different situations. Overall, therefore, a very respectable manager this year too.

Conscript is a terrific survival horror that sticks to the genre while tries to do something new: the brutal setting of the First World War and the absence of classic monsters. The result is one of the best indie horrors of the last decade.

Despite a rather limited budget and a questionable balance between puzzles and combat, Dungeons of Hinterberg offers an original and very enjoyable vision of the dungeon crawler concept, interposing a narrative that is anything but banal and surprisingly deep dialogues to the exploration and dynamics typical of the genre. If taken as a pure and simple dungeon crawler, Curve Games' work is just another colorful proposal in a rather crowded market - and populated by structurally and mechanically more valid congeners -, but the mix of typical elements of this type of game and snippets of everyday life, with a protagonist who is easy to identify with, makes the proposal of the Austrian team Microbird Games unique.

Nintendo World Championships: NES Edition is a love letter to all fans who grew up with the 8-bit console, but it's not a game suited for every player.

As bizarre as it sounds, Anger Foot is quite enjoyable and, despite some technical flaws, it provides players with a wild and entertaining experience.

Kunitsu-Gami: Path of the Goddess is a blend of genres that demontrates how Capcom is one of the few brave Majors left that can experiment with games in a market of mere clones. Not a top-notch game, but a very consistent one.

Obviously, if the gachas and the character and equipment obtaining system in the other Hoyoverse titles don't appeal to you, then it certainly won't be Zenless Zone Zero that will change your mind - but, beyond that, this new title is certainly a more than valid action RPG that underlines the great awareness achieved by Hoyoverse, which only moves when it is sure of hitting the mark.

Honor of Kings is one of the best MOBA games for mobile: it excels in content, animations, and graphics. The game features numerous events and challenges to complete and provides the opportunity to participate in the eSports scene.

Trails through Daybreak marks the first time Falcom takes a bet with its franchise, changing its combat system to a degree and some of its gameplay mechanics. The changes are all good for newcomers, which will find an ideal entry point here, but are not so for the longtime fans, who could dislike the action-focused shift and the decrease in the overall level of challenge.

Super Monkey Ball Banana Rumble is certainly perfect for passing the time and fans of the series will be happy to have 200 new levels, but 12 years after an unreleased chapter one would have expected a more lively revival in every aspect.