Still Wakes the Deep is a classic walking simulator with few interactions. It's a very linear and guided horror game with a good story and a gameplay that comes from 2010, too simple to leave a mark in this competitive market.

The Monster Hunter Stories HD package will be received very differently depending on which platform you play on: on Sony consoles and PC, these Monster Hunter twist to the Pokémon formula has its right to be, and will mostly appeal to younger audiences. On the other side, Switch players won't get much value out of it.

Vengeance is for Shin Megami Tensei V what Royal was for Persona 5 some years ago: the best possible version of one of the more refined and fascinating JRPGs of the last decade. This is the version to choose if you haven't played it before and the one to replay if you've already dived into the original title.

V Rising masterfully combines various gameplay mechanics, creating a unique experience reminiscent of a blend between Diablo and Valheim.

Humanity is one of the best video games of 2023, offering an unparalleled puzzle game experience with minimalistic design, addictive gameplay, and a compelling story, now available on Xbox and Game Pass.

Nine Sols mixes platform and metroidvania elements with a Sekiro-lite combat system. The result is a game that does many things well without excelling at anything.

Fabledom is an ideal city builder for those seeking a cozy gameplay experience. However, it doesn't take any significant risks in its gameplay and may be overshadowed by the numerous high-quality city builders currently saturating the market.

Astor: Blade of the Monolith is a decent, old-school action RPG that is enjoyable but could have been more innovative.

Full of content and familiar elements, it shows some improvements from the previous iteration, but could have done better in some choices.

Sclash tries to build on Bushido Blade success and ideas and, despite an intriguing art direction and some well-crafted mechanics, it still has a lot of room for improvement.

The Switch version of Paper Mario and the Thousand-year door is a rare delight, just like the GameCube one before it: it's a funny and clever mix between a turn based RPG and a platform game, full of jokes and memorable characters. The price might be a little bit steep and the frame rate is halved if compared to the original, but it's still worth to dip your toes into it even twenty years later.

Senua's Saga is as strong as its predecessor, if not more, and delivers both in its storytelling and on the technical side. The gameplay, however, has still a lot of room for improvements and boils down to almost-QTE combat and boring puzzles. An experience more than an actual and so-called video game, but an experience worth living nonetheless.

Despite some technical flaws on Nintendo Switch, Another Crab's Treasure is a fun and engaging soulslike, that feels like something fresh (and well-written story-wise!).

WARNO doesn't go easy on the player (especially if you are not a veteran of RTS games), but its depth and all the choices it has to offer can be extremely satisfying.

Lorelei and the Laser Eyes is a wonderful puzzle game shrouded in mystery, with a deep story about lost memories and the complexity of the mind.

Men of War II is a RTS game with an incredible deep gameplay, despite some flaws in its UI and the fact that it doesn't quite help the player to learn all that its systems have to offer.

Ereban: Shadow Legacy is a small, in the truest sense of the term, love letter to stealth that doesn't try to do anything particular to stand out within the genre, but everything it offers to players is a simple gameplay, curious in its ideas, attempting to win over enthusiasts with its modest purity. It's the classic independent production without infamy or praise that manages, in its own small way, to shine within a landscape that increasingly lacks representatives of the genre that are capable of doing something truly interesting for stealth.

INDIKA is a walking simulator with a thought-provoking story about faith, personal beliefs and strong criticism toward orthodox Church and the Russian regime.

A fun driving experience makes MotoGP 24 an actual improvement in the series.

Endless Ocean Luminous is not a bad game per se, but not an excellent one either: you should enjoy it in small doses and, if possible, with the right companions.

Sand Land is both a good licensed games, since it relies heavily on fidelity to the source material and good dialogues, and a formulaic open world action rpg, with a static structure and bad AI. It can still appeal to al Toriyama fans, thanks to its love for the original manga, but all of the other players will surely find much better options in both the ARPG genre and in the open world one.

It's much easier than we expected, and it lacks really fresh ideas, but Stellar Blade is a very solid first effort from korean team Shift Up and a bold new IP for the Playstation Studios, thanks to a fast and furious combat system and solid performances. We're sincerely eager to see in which direction the devs will go from here in the future.

Tales of Kenzera: ZAU is a metroidvania enjoyable for both casual and hardcore players, as long as you don't expect a complex gameplay or huge replayability.

Top Spin 2K25 represents the return of a legendary series after more than ten years of painful absence. With a stellar gameplay and new features that enhance the variety of every match, this new chapter will meet the expectations of the fans.

House Flipper 2 looks and plays great on PS5, offering one of those experiences when you forget about real world because you just want to keep working on your virtual house.

Old players who have grown up with the first two episodes of the Suikoden franchise and backers of the Kickstarter campaign will be the most pleased by Eiyuden Chronicle Hundred Heroes, and old school JRPG through and through. Divisive game design choices aside, what we have here is a solid effort, but also one that looks too much to the past and much less to the future of the genre.

Children of the Sun definitely hits the target.

Harold Halibut is an interesting adventure that, despite some flaws, shines for its uniqueness.

Pepper Grinder is a side-scrolling platformer with a good pace and solid platforming mechanics, but it's marred by some questionable action choices that prevent the title from shining as much as it should. This is particularly regrettable in the case of the boss battles, which, despite featuring beautiful designs, offer unsatisfying gameplay, as does the overall duration of the adventure.

Finally, a game that deserves the love of Terminator's fans.

Unleaving is a fascinating game to look at and a frustrating one to play. The puzzle design is uninspired and based on a cycle of trial-and-error ideas and, despite the fact that i just lasts a couple of hours, it fails to make you feel captivated and motivated by the gameplay. The art direction and the atmosphere are top notch, but those are unfortunately the best things Unleaving has to offer.

Perhaps Outcast: A New Beginning was a bit too ambitious for the return of the classic IP, but even with its huge flaws there are still a lot of good things that are worthy of your attention.

South Park: Snow Day! sets aside the RPG elements of previous titles, in order to offer a multiplayer action game with pronounced roguelike mechanics, unfortunately quite repetitive in the long run.

Princess Peach: Showtime! is an exemplar of Nintendo's game design philosophy, delivering an innovative and cohesive gaming experience that challenges expectations and recalls the essence of video games.

Rise of the Ronin brings the typical game structure of Nioh into a barren open world full of boring fetch quests and repetitive missions. The combat system is once again top notch, but the overall quality of the game certifies a step backward for Team Ninja.

Dragon's Dogma 2 is a rare beast, and one we would gladly save from extinction, thanks to its unparalleled sense of freedom and discovery and fast paced combat system. It's a courageous game too, with divisive game design that not every player will appreciate. But believe us when we say the travel is well worth it.

Due to the clumsy and imprecise combat system, as well as the outdated graphics, Alone in the Dark fails to relaunch the series among the big franchises of the survival horror genre.

Contra Operation Galuga is a welcomed return to form for this classic franchise, but it is also a 101 scrolling shooter that takes very few risks. We sincerely hope to see Wayforward again at work with this brand and to see them unleash their talent without restraints.

Ultros offers a truly unique experience within the genre, and the creativity of the authors in conceiving certain design solutions is certainly commendable. Unfortunately, however, this alone cannot justify a title that fails to achieve any of its intentions other than showcasing a highly artistic side.

WWE 2K24 continues to refine the formula introduced two years ago, and the overall improvements in the package are more impactful compared to those seen between 2022 and 2023, making this title the best interpretation of WWE wrestling by Visual Concepts (at least until next year, that is). The Showcase mode is certainly a standout feature for long-time fans, given its celebration of Wrestlemania (despite the limitations highlighted in the article), and the two MyRise stories offer more interesting twists than usual. Whether these and the few other novelties in the rest of the package are enough to justify the purchase for those who already own one of the more recent releases remains highly subjective, but we're still talking about the best wrestling title in recent times, albeit with the regret of not yet seeing that leap towards the next-gen that we've been waiting for for years.

We cannot avoid praising the courage of a small team such as Vanillaware in creating a niche and bold title like this. We loved every minute of the 60 plus hours spent with Unicorn Overlord and we're already looking forward to Vanillaware next title.

As unfortunately predictable as it was, Skull and Bones falls victim to over ten years spent in development limbo; during this time, the project changed its nature multiple times, signaling a lack of direction that is cleareven in the final product. Despite having a fascinating setting and naval combat that can be entertaining in its simplicity, there is a total lack of identity. What's missing is something that pushes players to keep going, whether it's an intriguing gameplay loop or an engaging narrative context, and once the console is turned off, it's easy to forget everything that happened in this incredibly flat sea.The dawn of "quadruple-A" titles doesn't seem so promising, after all.

The Outlast Trials isn't a bad game, thanks to a dose of blood and violence. The emphasis is placed on the multiplayer experience, who undermines the enjoyment for players accustomed to solo playthroughs.

You can tell it was not necessary, and you'd probably be right, but Brothers remake is a love letter to one of the most heartwarming titles of the last decade, and this version is the one new players should look to if they're willing to give this game a try.

Solium Infernum gives an unexpected, brilliant and fresh (!) twist to 4X games and we loved that every decision actual matters in hell.

A brilliant new iteration that you will fall in love with.

Promenade is a 2D platformer with puzzle game elements that offers a unique and fun gaming experience. Set in a fairy-tale-like environment with lovely artistic features, the game successfully captures a child's sense of wonder as they discover the world. Featuring a extensive array of puzzles, mini-games with a nostalgic '80s style, and uniquely beautiful landscapes, Holy Cap's creation delivers an engaging and stimulating gameplay.

Tomb Raider I-III Remastered is, most likely, what fans were hoping to be able to play, sooner or later. A superbly crafted compilation, respectful of the original material, capable of allowing us to relive all the typically '90s feeling of Lara Croft's first three adventures.

Final Fantasy VII Rebirth is the perfect representation of what a modern Final Fantasy should always be. That said, controversial narrative choices are indelible black stains on a beautiful picture.

Pacific Drive is an intriguing experience and, despite being way more complicated than it should in some of its choices, it's a compelling game that feels like a breath of fresh air for video games' lovers.

Helldivers 2 is a fun multiplayer co-op shooter clearly inspired by Starship Troopers, and that's not too bad. Some server issues (which will be resolved eventually) and good - but not outstanding - graphics make Arrowhead Game Studios' game a certainly well-crafted title, but just nothing more.

Under Night In-Birth II Sys: Celes is a compelling fighting game, despite feeling old and way-too classic in many of its choices. It's really hard to understand why Arc System Works chose the same release window as Tekken 8, considering that it didn't help the game at all in getting the attention it deserved.

Mario vs. Donkey Kong, while a good game, comes too late in the Nintendo Switch's lifecycle to stand out in the vast array of puzzle platformers, although the multiplayer adds an unexpected value.

Despite a stiff combat system that sometimes feels imprecise, Banishers: Ghosts of New Eden presents a compelling story about love, human misery and crucial social themes.

Suicide Squad is a flawed game, a partial disaster for every Batman fan and for anyone who doesn't digest the Game as a Service (GaaS) structure that Kill the Justice League imposes.

Stargate: Timekeepers is an interesting tactical stealth, but it could have done better with such a beloved IP.

Thanks to the depth of its battle system (the boss fights are pretty spectacular!) and you can build your characters, Granblue Fantasy: Relink is a pleasant surprise for action RPG lovers.

We disagree with the people at Atlus and their decision to leave Tartarus as it was, but nonetheless this is one of the best JRPGs of the modern era, and this remake makes it shine like it deserves. The one for this review was our fifth run in eighteen years and we still didn't feel any fatigue playing it. Let's just hope the devs will include Persona 3 FES and Portable content later down the road.

Graven is an intriguing mix of genres, but it doesn't manage to express its full potential.

Like a Dragon Infinite Wealth is the golden bridge between the glorious past of the franchise and its bright future. It's a rich game and an epic RPG, a celebration of the videogame medium itself and a modern twist on both the Shenmue and the Earthbound games. It can be slow at times and it requires knowledge of characters and events from previous games, but it's still a monumental effort.

To put it simply, this is the best Tekken ever.

Despite the good story, The Cub is just an average platform with movements and jumps that can feel stiff at times.

Another Code: Recollection is a smart and well-made revival for the beloved series that be believed was long forgotten by Nintendo: we are happy to know that it wasn't and that new players and long-time fans alike can now enjoy these two games on their Nintendo Switch.

Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown managed to swipe away every possible doubt after its first reveal, proving itself to be a metroidvania well developed, fun and with the right ideas.

Jurassic Park Classic Games Collection is a celebration of the 30 years of Jurassic Park, bundling together almost all direct adaptations of the first film into a single package. While the idea of preserving these games from obscurity is commendable, it must be noted that these titles were mostly forgettable even 30 years ago and have little to offer in 2023. Except for Jurassic Park: Rampage Edition, the other games are hardly enjoyable, even for the most dedicated fans. The absence of some titles, such as arcade adaptations, further diminishes the value of the collection. As it stands, Jurassic Park Classic Games Collection is primarily geared towards those who played these games in their heyday and want to relive their childhood or those genuinely interested in tracing the evolution of the franchise in the gaming realm.

Born of Bread is an adventure game with RPG mechanics, a true cross between Paper Mario and the classic Final Fantasy games. With a cast of highly well-developed characters, a catchy soundtrack and a cheerful and colourful setting, the game offers fun and relaxing gameplay, enriched by a heartwarming and compelling story and a one-of-a-kind hero.

Irem Collection Vol. 1 includes three classic shoot'em ups for hardcore gamers, now with online leaderboards and global rankings. No other major efforts detected.

In Asterix & Obelix Slap Them All 2 the asset reuse rhymes with a missed occasion. As the drawn graphic and the original plot tries to do something new for its genre, the game falls again into a massive reuse of what done in 2021. It’s still a fun game and it can be a good solution to share some good evenings playing together with a friend, but only the most irreducible fans will accept to buy it.

Dragon Quest Monster The Dark Prince does very little to differentiate itself from the great number of similar games on the market, and still does everything right if you look at its bestiary and its gameplay loop. Therefore, it can be recommended to anyone looking for a good (but no great) monster catching RPG.

One of the best video games ever created about the Games Workshop universe.

An amazing fighting game for veterans and newcomers alike.

An intriguing tactical shooter that embraces the precious SWAT legacy, offering a layered and challenging gameplay. It still lacks some polishing and we can't say that every idea got to achieve its full potential, but this is definitely an interesting and compelling gameplay experience for players that love to think before shooting.

Hitman: Blood Money Reprisal still stands as an excellent chapter in Agent 47's saga, taking us back to the heart of the '00s with more compact levels, though not entirely sacrificing the freedom offered to the player. The game has aged better than we might have expected, at least in terms of gameplay, and the mobile conversion work has proven to be quite good overall. Nevertheless, we hesitate to call this version the best way to do justice to the game, as it still remains more enjoyable in its console releases, of course.

Little Goody Two Shoes was a pleasant surprise. Drawing inspiration from a well-known fairy tale, the game weaves an intriguing narrative that seamlessly blends various storytelling genres, aesthetics, and gameplay elements. The developers transition from an idyllic and fairy-tale atmosphere to grotesque nightmares effortlessly, and the entire experience is presented in an engaging way, even in the game mechanics. While there are aspects that could have been improved, and the overall story is enjoyable but not particularly memorable, it leaves us eagerly anticipating new projects from the AstralShift team.

Flashback 2 is a complete mess and it's a real shame, as its predecessor is still fondly remembered by a lot of players. We will probably never know the reasons behind such a failure, but, having spent too much time on the game, what we can do is recommending you to avoid buying it in its current state.

Even if we appreciate how Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora tries to give fans an experience similar to living the movies in first-person, all its excessive problems serve to point out that, in case we need to say it, developing a compelling videogame is way different from making a successful movie.

A captivating and fascinating journey, but an improvable game.

A turn-based city builder where you can actually feel that the world is about to end, with gameplay mechanics way deeper that you can imagine.

Too bad for the attention, overly zealous, towards a narrative aspect that should have followed the example of the first chapter to replicate its success. However, The Talos Principle 2 remains an essential title for all puzzle game enthusiasts, who will find plenty to sink their teeth into, especially (and it is highly recommended) if they aim for completeness.

Jumanji: Wild Adventures is the classic tie-in crafted without much effort, but doing the bare minimum to realise an adventure capable of eliciting just a smile from franchise fans and those who will play it together. And that's a real shame, as the IP would be a perfect fit for a more ambitious video game.

Nickelodeon All-Star Brawl 2 pleasantly surprised us. We're not dealing with the typical licensed title hastily put together as a mere task; on the contrary, we have a game that, while not completely breaking free from the shadows of the titles it draws inspiration from, still strives to leave its mark. It offers accessible yet deep gameplay and a selection of modes that are quite impressive, including a genuinely interesting campaign mode. There are still some rough edges to smooth out, and – undoubtedly – more could have been done in terms of the roster. However, the foundation is here for what could evolve into a respectable series for fans of Nickelodeon shows and beyond.

Valfaris: Mecha Therion changes the genre, simplifies the game structure and loses the complexity of the first game.

Sociable Soccer 24 is pure fun, but with a lot of compromises.

Gameplay-wise, Realms of Ruin should have offered a lot more to this adaptation of Age of Sigmar.

Super Crazy Rhythm Castle it's a real surprise. It's a rhythm game that cleverly plays with the genre's rules, crafting a bizarre yet irresistible experience, especially enjoyable when shared with others. Of course, it still remains a rhythm game, and its quirks will likely make it appealing to a niche audience; however, once you overcome this initial hurdle, it's probably one of the best co-op experiences of the year.

My Time at Sandrock is an RPG-style life/farming simulator. The game offers relaxing fun gameplay with a stunning post-apocalyptic setting, a very pleasant soundtrack, and an extensive ensemble of extremely well characterized extra characters.

UFO Robot Grendizer: The Feast of the Wolves is 100% pure nostalgia for all those born and raised in the 1970s and 1980s. Unfortunately, pad in hand, the game is mediocre, between technical problems and a gameplay redundancy.

The Last Faith is the perfect marriage between Bloodborne and a typical metrodvania game. With many secrets, a good difficulty balance and many hours of gameplay, The Last Faith is another gem of this awesome 2023.

Naruto x Boruto: Ultimate Ninja Storm Connections will make the fans of the saga happy, despite some flaws in its online multiplayer mode.

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III is an incredibly tired game. The series had already experienced moments of fatigue before, managing to reinvent and renew itself, but never before it has the been so palpable. This year, nothing manages to save the package offered by Sledgehammer Games: a dull and uninspired propagandistic campaign is accompanied by a multiplayer that, while enjoyable, just recycles previously seen content, and a zombie mode that is more lackluster than ever. The series urgently needs to cut ties with its recent past and to regain vital momentum because, the free fall has been ongoing for some time now – and it shows no sign of stopping.

Super Mario RPG, with its faithful remake, is a vintage yet iconic game that defined the SNES era, offering a fresh and playful adventure that continues to inspire generations.

Mostly carried on by another amazing soundtrack from talented Lyn Inaizumi and by a cast of lovable (and much loved) characters, Persona 5 Tactica is an enjoyable if a little by-the-book SRPG that wil surely please Persona 5 fans. But the ones looking for a challenge and for more complex game mechanics will surely have a lot of better choices in the same genre.

The game does nothing new but works for what it wanted to do: making young players have fun and feel that it's (almost!) Christmas time.

The Lord of the Rings: Return to Moria is overshadowed by the name it carries: Free Range Games have indeed managed to recreate the atmospheres that Tolkien's fans will love but, in terms of gameplay, the game fails to shine as it should.

EA Sports WRC is a complete game, with a well-structured driving model, full of realism and variety. Even though it has a less than excellent career, the Codemasters game has been able to defend itself very well among driving titles, remaining one of the best this year. It is an excellent experience that brings the rally back to its most exciting phases.

Like a Dragon Gaiden: The man who erased his name was originally born as a DLC for the eighth chapter in the mainline saga, and it shows in its shorter length and in the reuse of assets, locations and character models. Still, exploring Sotenbori in the shoes of Kazuma Kiryu is a lot of fun like it's always been up to now.

Wizard with a Gun is colorful roguelite that mixes in an interesting way different gameplay styles. The result is satisfying, but not as much as it could have been, because the loop feels like it already shown what it had to give way too early.

Quantum Error is very far from modern game standards and fails to deliver the experience promised during the promotional campaign.