Windbound has several interesting ideas and is very nice to look at and listen to, but unfortunately the experience suffers from some flaws – for example, the procedural generation doesn’t make for particularly interesting level design. But above everything else, it lacks rhythm.

Konami’s Suikoden I & II HD Remaster: Gate Rune and Dunan Unification Wars revives two beloved JRPG classics, preserving their deep storytelling and strategic gameplay. While the remaster improves visuals and adds quality-of-life updates, presentation leans heavily on HD aesthetics, which may divide longtime fans. The lack of a full retranslation and some dated mechanics hold it back from being a true definitive edition. Still, Suikoden II remains a masterpiece, and this collection is a welcome return for the franchise. Hopefully, Konami’s renewed interest signals future installments or improvements.

Tempestfall is better as an adventure into the grim world of Age of Sigmar than a dual-wielding weapon, spell-casting combat game as a Stormcast Eternal. Confused? Me too.

BATTLETECH is a good and a bad game at the same time. A great storyline and a deep tactical approach in the main missions don't succeed in concealing poor side quests and too many technical issues. You should wait for a couple of patches at least, before considering to spend your money here.

Destruction AllStars is, above all, fun and enjoyable mayhem, supported by a very polished technical aspect and an undeniably cool stylistic approach. The choice to launch it as part of the Plus Collection will certainly give it a huge boost in terms of playerbase – certainly more than its 80,99€ launch price would have attracted otherwise – but, as usual, these kinds of games are a matter of endurance. And for how long Destruction AllStars manages to keep its audience engaged remains to be seen.

Yu-Gi-Oh! Legacy of the Duelist: Link Evolution is the perfect game for lovers of this franchise. A remarkable longevity and many playing cards ensure many hours of fun, despite the unforgivable laziness on the visual side.

Skelattack is a challenging platform game, which does not forgive any error but at the same time leaves no room for frustration. Skully and Imber journey counts on beautiful graphics, plenty of action and an inspired soundtrack. Some game design errors, especially when dealing with enemies, can slightly flaw the experience, and the sections you play with Imber are probably too few to justify its presence, nevertheless the game is absolutely recommended if you love platform or 2D action games.

Despite the fact that it contains three great games, Assassin’s Creed: The Ezio Collection feels a bit rushed, and has quite a few technical weaknesses. Also, while the trilogy is still fascinating in its own right, the comparison with the latest entries in the Assassin’s Creed series shows just how much Ubisoft has refined the formula since then, especially when it comes to the combat.

OVERPASS is a technical, adventurous off-road, where the skill lies more in knowing the terrain than in sinking on the accelerator. One of a kind, dirty and fun, albeit with some technical burrs.

MXGP 2020 is not a particular show of effort, and the consequence of this are noticeable on platforms that are not the PlayStation 5. On the new Sony flagship, however, a (rather primitive, admittedly) use of the DualSense is more than enough, and does a lot of work when it comes to feeling the bike in your hands. As for the rest, there are noticeable, but also not particularly impressive improvements on the (already good) MXGP 2019 experience. But let’s be honest, what we’re waiting for from Milestone is a true next gen game.

Witty political satire? Check. Lovely Latin music soundtrack? Check. Solid city builder gameplay? Check. Is this Tropico 6? Tropico 5? Tropico 4? Loyal Penultimo would struggle to spot the difference, and players might decide at some point to ditch El Presidente for a new one bringing some fresh air... if only there was one in sight.

Lushfoil Photography Sim is a very interesting photo-camping simulator. Well done in the mechanics related to the reflex parameters, as in the creation of the game maps.

Tales of Arise: Beyond the Dawn is a good opportunity to return to the role of Alphen and discover the facets of a new world that now only needs to be rebuilt. On the gaming side, unfortunately, something is missing and some new features could have been added, especially to draw a difference between the original chapter and the expansion, which is very useful only in narrative terms.

The Valiant is a decent enough game. It most likely won’t amaze you, especially if you’ve played other small-scale RTS games before, but its campaign is the right amount . And if you’ve liked Dawn of War 2 in the past, you’ll feel right at home.

Outcast Second Contact is a good remake, but not for everyone. Despite some old-school mechanics could prevent someone from enjoying the game (gunplay and matted animations are the two main defendants), Outcast is still imbued with good exploration and an entertaining plot. Give it a chance.

Although the length is even more limited than usual, the first episode of the final season of Telltale's The Walking Dead sets the right elements for the conclusion of Clementine's journey, looking at the zombie apocalypse from a younger and fresh perspective.

Developing a Battle Royale in pace with the times starting from the gameplay of Pac-Man, released in 1980, without disrupting its nature, must have been very difficult indeed. PAC-MAN Mega Tunnel Battle Chomp Champs partially succeeds, offering a very interesting formula in the first few game sessions, which gradually reveals all the limits, with no additional modes to keep the momentum going. In a couple of hours you get to see all that the video game has to offer, after that it is only a matter of time before the fun begins to fade. If you are looking for fast-paced and colorful competitive multiplayer, however, it might be for you.

Hammer & Ravens developers have been brave and they got several good intuitions, even if the balance problems make the management component less engaging and the graphic style makes the tower defence not too sexy. The main character is a blast though.

The Shadow of War offers a solid gameplay, a compelling concept and a much more varied setting than the previous episode, with excellent production values and an awesome soundtrack. The sequel is bigger, better and stronger, but somehow caged in a repetitive framework. The game is full of good ideas and potential, that cannot be truly fulfilled due to a storytelling without personality and a huge but boring endgame.

Sociable Soccer 24 is fun and reintroduces the arcade spirit of 16-bit soccer games at its best, while also trying to keep up with the times with unlockable players, daily rewards, and various other mechanics typical of mobile gaming, strictly without in-app purchases – you dare! The 1990s are long gone, however, so exceptional depth and gameplay for that era can now aspire to the title of "casual" at best. It's not a criticism, but that Sensible Soccer capable in its day of filling a lot of afternoons, today is just a game to get in a quick game or two from time to time.

In this chapter of Ace Combat, the gameplay is stripped down to a bare minimum and the air-to-ground combat is plain boring. The jaw-dropping graphics and production values will probably be enough to attract the fans of the franchise, but if arcade air fighting is not your niche, you'd better steer away.

Shadow Labyrinth is a madness with a lot to say, but much like its mouthless protagonist, it can't always communicate as it would like, finding itself at the mercy of events. A little more quality of life wouldn't have hurt (even the markers you place on the map have to be unlocked), yet somehow there's a certain perverse charm that permeates the entire experience. And it's not just because Pac-Man has never been this dark.

An almost impossible game to evaluate with objectivity and using "standard" rules: the gameplay is truly basic, and the story can be as touching as your personal sensitivity to a very delicate and serious matter.

Mulaka is a traditional action adventure, ispired by Okami, that tries and tell the roots of the Tarahumara culture. The game developed by Lienzo is constrained by an all too linear gameplay, a bland level design and a boring combat system (except the boss fights). It's presented in an elegant package, it can be played peacefully, but it's not bound to leave a mark.

Skully has everything it needs to impose himself as a mix between a frantic platformer like Marble Blast Ultra and an original take on Metroidvania genre, but it wastes too much time before showing its true potential. The lack of enemies and situations to deal with does not help to keep you engaged until the game unleashes all its features, and it is a shame because it’s a pretty game, and also very responsive to player input. Anyone willing to bear with the first few hours will be rewarded with fascinating gameplay.

Another good, yet predictable iteration in the LEGO series, with the usual mix of humour, references to the Marvel universe and a gazillion of characters to unlock. The gameplay works, and the game is really fun to play, but the formula really needs a breath of fresh air.

There are not that many space combat games out there, so Chorus could be a good pick if you like an action packed and ready-to-go game that doesn’t require you to study astrophysics like Elite o Star Citizen. The drawback is that, mechanics wise, Chorus is fairly repetitive, and not that mechanically deep. It could still be a good choice if you’re aching to shoot space lasers, but in a couple of hours you might realize you’re becoming more of a space tourist than an ace pilot.

Pumpkin Jack is a hilarious 3D adventure platformer, with clear and obvious references to MediEvil. But while the pace is good and the aesthetics charming, the repetition of the same gameplay loop becomes tedious already halfway through the game. The controls are also a bit slippery, but Pumpkin Jack is still a very enjoyable action platformer.

Chocobo GP is a decent alternative to Mario Kart, hampered by the presence of such an important opponent on the same console. It lacks that flash of brilliance, that uniqueness that allows it to outdo its elusive rival, and a future that already leans towards microtransactions doesn't help. Try the Lite version, it might just win you over.

An action-platformer that revives the flames of a genre that disappeared for almost two decades. Abathor isn't a perfect title and doesn't invent anything new, but it does what it has to in a balanced and polite manner, with an entertaining co-op mode capable of attract players of all ages.

Encased is an old school RPG with lots of content and an exciting story. However, it is perhaps a little bit too faithful to the classics.

A classic and enjoyable metroidvania, which does not offer any particular creative ideas and delivers a challenge in line with most games in the genre. Platforming, combat and environmental puzzles alternate through scenarios inspired by African culture, in which an important story comes to life, well told and punctuated by a well-shaped cast of characters.

Black Ops III Salvation's outcome results comparable to the previous DLCs in the competitive section, but comes close to the excellence in the Origins epilogue, aesthetically pleasing and full of gratifying secrets.

The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered updates the technical aspects of the renowned RPG through the use of Unreal Engine 5, enhancing lighting, animations, and sound. However, it suffers from instability, with frequent crashes and significant drops in frame rate, particularly in open environments. The original issues persist, including the notorious auto-leveling system and an outdated combat system. Additionally, some changes made to the character progression risk amplifying the problems already present in the original version.

This third entry in the survival horror series developed by Nippon Ichi doesn't add so much to the original formula, but it feels more mature and brings more content to the “explore, hide and resolve” side.

A new chapter in The Dark Pictures series attempts to remain anchored to its roots while simultaneously seeking to distance itself by offering something new. Mission accomplished? Not exactly. Although it is an enjoyable and well-crafted experience, the balance between gameplay and cinematic elements once again tips excessively in favor of the latter, and the freedom granted to the player seems even more limited than in previous installments. A game structure that is a bit too fragmented and permissive diminishes the sense of tension and immersion in the story—a narrative that, in turn, leaves itself open to criticism due to its heavy "inspiration" drawn from certain classics of the sci-fi horror genre.

You were expecting me to write, “that’s what everyone says,” weren’t you? Well, think again—not least because Alt Shift’s game strikes me as the polarizing sort: those who manage to click with the gameplay loop and find the challenge posed by the Extinction levels truly galvanizing could easily sink dozens of hours into it; personally, however, after just seven or eight runs, I’d already had my fill due to the lack of situational variety. What is undeniable, though, is that the Battlestar Galactica-esque atmosphere hits the mark perfectly.

After the bizarre variations on the theme of Night Springs, The Lake House brings us back to the survival horror genre, giving us another of the infinite facets of the increasingly stimulating Wakeverso. In less than three hours, the essences of Control and AW2 are condensed to distill them and put them aside for the future... which promises to be nothing short of exciting. Perhaps one or two more hours to give more breathing space to the events, however, would not have hurt.

Abyssus is a good cooperative roguelite shooter, featuring a beautiful setting and decent gunplay, but it suffers from lack of variety, being too chaotic at times (especially with four players) and also, let's face it, having a subdued soundtrack. It must be said, however, that when you're shooting, you don't ask too many questions.

Shattered Heaven takes inspiration from Darkest Dungeon and Slay the Spire, and does so without adding any particular innovations to the game formula. There is nothing wrong with this, especially if the end result is good. Besides, it manages to bring a mature narrative, including multifaceted characters and a well-written story. There are some flaws here and there, but all in all Leonardo Production's video game is well made.

This low-budget adventure from Daedalic, based on the uber-popular Ken Follett's novel, kicks off very slowly, but it gently gets under your skin. Don't expect too much point'n'click gameplay, but soon enough you'll find yourself engaged in a compelling story (well, congrats) and challenged by a series of choices that will impact the rest of the story.

Minds Beneath Us is a very peculiar graphic adventure with few puzzles and lots of dialogue. Its strength is the connection it manages to create between the narrative cue and what it requires of the player. The reward for the patience required is a game with an eerie atmosphere that is hard to find elsewhere.

In its attempt to mix STALKER and Escape from Tarkov, ZERO Sievert does a good job overall. Be careful, though, because this is not a game where shooting relaxation is the priority: you have to plan a little, you have to carefully evaluate when caution is the wisest choice, and you have to expect that sometimes your character will not return home. And yes, sometimes this game setting can be frustrating. Other times, however, there is the satisfaction of having risked a lot and still managed to come home safe.

X-Out Resurfaced is a faithful remake of the 1990 classic, preserving its challenging gameplay, retro visuals, and customization system, but missing opportunities to modernize key mechanics.

Ringfit Boxing 2 is a strange mix between WiiFt and Just Dance, but it works. Since you can’t get out a lot nowadays, if you like training having a fitness app you can use and enjoy everywhere may be a good idea. Motion detection is quite accurate and the daily training program has a good variety of exercises. It won't last forever, but it should do its job until the lockdown ends.

How much potential is there in Shadows of Doubt’s ideas, its noir setting, and the special way it lets us experience firsthand every aspect of an investigator’s daily life? Too bad for the bugs, for sandbox cases that are less convincing than scripted ones, and for a sensational concept that isn’t fully exploited.

The Thin Silence is a charming narrative adventure filled with puzzles on the lines of Limbo and Inside. Tw PM was courage was courageous in dealing with issues such as depression and the socio-political issue, but the experience is sometimes a little repetitive and frustrating.

The idea is intriguing and it works, but the technical implementation leaves something to be desired and there are balancing problems. However, the question is not whether the game is fun, but for how long it will be with so little content.

Soulstice turned out to be a good stylish action game, with a solid combat system embellished with good ideas, able to tell its excellent protagonists, Briar and Lute, both through the battle and with the cutscenes. The story of Ilden's veil torn above the sky is intriguing, with beautiful twists and a well-studied mythology, it is therefore a pity that the setting is not able to sustain this charm, despite the very good basic technique, trapped in a artistic direction that is often too generic and redundant.

I love Lo Wang so much. So much! He’s truly the best third-grade ninja in circulation! That’s why it’s a shame that the combat arenas are effectively the same throughout the whole campaign.

Kill the Brickman is a decent roguelite with a nice idea behind it, but unfortunately it suffer a bit from repetitiveness and lack of varied enough content.

Artistic provocation that is more form than meaning or courageous exploration of the aesthetic limits of the video game? About an Elf is probably both, and that’s why it’s worth playing. Its five-hours mix of visual novel, RPG and point&click will be one of the surreal-est experiences you could have with a joypad in your hands.

Storm in a Teacup did an excellent job in creating an intriguing and at the same time anxious setting, even if it’s held back by shallow puzzles and pointless action sections.

Maneater feels like a B-movie and it’s not ashamed of it. The atmosphere is undoubtedly its best value and, if you wan to appreciate it, you must avoid looking too closely at the details. The idea on which the game is based, after all, is that fish are smarter than humans, so Maneater rightly treats us accordingly.

Incredible attention to detail, an impressive physics model and a focus on the bike maintenance make RIMS Racing a strong first entry for a new IP; however, the erratic AI and self-harming design choices reduce the overall enjoyment of the game. Also, day one DLCs are never a good look.

Planet Alpha is a sci-fi adventure that is really excellent in itsartistic design, like a true moving fresco, but it's not as effective in everything related to gameplay, with obvious puzzles and imperfect stealth mechanics.

Quarantine Zone: The Last Check turns the classic zombie theme on its head by putting the player in the shoes of a health inspector at a military checkpoint. The gameplay revolves around inspecting survivors, diagnosing symptoms, and making often irrevocable moral decisions, with clear references to Papers, Please. The idea is original and the immersion works, but the structure tends to become repetitive as the hours go by. The action and base-building sections break up the routine without ever being outstanding. The experience is penalized by an overly rigid evaluation system and a technical implementation that is merely functional. An interesting release, more for its concept than for its gameplay depth.

A remarkable sequel to one of the best Metroidvania ever made. Despite some minor flaws, Axiom Verge 2 represents a new building block in the fascinating and growing universe crafted by Thomas Happ. Can't wait for the next chapter.

A lot of bug fixes and a new multiplayer setup have leaded MKX on PC to its best level. Better late than never, but we suspect the community has moved elsewhere, by this time.

By borrowing here and there from the past Sledgehammer has played it too safe, but has forgotten to provide fans with truly new and valid reasons to dig into their wallets again this year. Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III seems like a DLC that is saved thanks to more solid gameplay than ever, but much more is needed to enter the hearts of fans.

A fishing-themed adventure with RPG elements that brings the characters of a web-com that has become very popular worldwide to PC and consoles. The fishing mechanics are unexpectedly funny and a few small variations on the basic theme manage to keep a gameplay full of humour gags inspired by video game stereotypes, which nevertheless suffers from a certain repetitiveness in the long run.

Continuity with the past has always been part of Men of War’s modus operandi, but this makes the absence of half the factions all the more jarring. The campaigns also seem to prioritize quantity over quality, and this is especially obvious in the voiceover department.

Mafia III keeps its promises in the powerful story and setting, but fails in getting the same results on the technical side, as well as in several details of the gameplay.

A bit of JRPG with cards, a bit of a board game, the last piece of a very particular set of three is not a narrative masterpiece nor a memorable challenge, it is a melancholy JRPG in which everything is lived through the cards, it can entertain as long as you accept its merits, defects and quirks.

Monster Jam Showdown is a chaotic fun experience devoted to the most crazy vehicles ever conceived. A few technical stumbles and an uninspired tracks design prevent it from aspiring to higher goals, but the road-map of content for the coming months looks promising.

Inked is a puzzle platform with a unique artistic direction which suffers, however, from a highly inaccurate control system.

34BigThings visual novel is a very interesting experiment, especially with that budget price and because of the excellent writing that succeeds in offering a more informed approach to the organized crime narrative. However the game struggles to convey the weight of choices and activity: this is a less influential element, but it risks depowering at least some of the impact of the narrative.

Genesis Alpha One is a nice mix of roguelite, base building and FPS elements. It’s a bit rough around the edges, but the game can only improve with future updates.

Langrisser I & II is a good compilation, a remastered designed with attention and respect for the historic franchise. If you like tactical JRPG genre, although strictly old school, you can't miss it.

With the complete picture now available, The Ancient Gods Part 2 can only be considered a small misstep by id Software. Short and lacking interesting enemies, the second DLC of DOOM Eternal doesn't offer enough to justify its price. If you are interested in learning what happens to the Slayer after the end of the base game’s campaign, you’re better off waiting for a nice discount.

Scathe is definitely not flawless. The bosses aren’t great, optimization could use some work, and the music, while good, lacks variety. But traversing the infernal labyrinth and slaughtering dozens of demons is good fun, the guns feel satisfying to use, and the game definitely knows how to keep you on your toes.

Even with all its limitations, The Last Cube strives to do one thing, simply one thing, and succeeds in its intent. It is a solid puzzle game that knows how to keep its idea interesting level after level, and when to stop. The challenge remains on a consistent level throughout the five worlds, and considering how small the team is, the slight technical missteps are forgivable. A good choice if you are into puzzle games.

Shenmue III is a game true to the past, perhaps too much. Yu Suzuki manages to attract die-hard fans of the original game, but will hardly conquest the heart of the new generation.

The Siege and the Sandfox is an interesting but raw metroidvania, with good stealth mechanics and a checkpoint issue.

A magical and fun Animal Crossing-like experience for those who love the Disney Universe, with a quite large amount of activities that does not achieve the same level of depth of Nintendo's masterpiece.

Need for Speed: Unbound is a particular project, capable of forcefully bringing street culture back into fashion, the contemporary one of generation Z, but unable to create new spaces of playful expression. Everything that revolves around the characters in the story and our avatar works like a god, from the style chosen to describe them to the guide system, from the soundtrack to the graffiti-style special effects, in contrast with a Lakeshore which, despite its vibrant technical, remains an ordinary and almost anonymous city, a hub with a few collectibles scattered around that act as glue for a rather lazy play structure.

The Last Case of Benedict Fox is a videogame with an interesting and well-presented storyline. Net of some critical issues in the combat system and an uncertainty in the progression, what is offered is still good.

Synergy will mesmerise you with its art and setting, however there’s not too much innovation in it, and its user interface doesn’t do a great job at making the game complexity digestible and manageable.

Shu is not exactly a memorable experience, mostly because of its non-existent difficulty and derivative gameplay. Nonetheless, the game from Coatsink is perfect for touch and go moments, has a peculiar style and art, and a peaceful soundtrack.

The Mageseeker is an enjoyable ARPG with some interesting insights. Unfortunately, a mission design not up to the standards and some technical issues prevent it from aspiring to the Olympus of the genre.

Lost Sphear is an honest and sincere tribute to the JRPG genre of the nineties: the storyline, the characters, and the art direction are all reminders of that era, with a combat system that's pretty engaging and not too hard to the player. Well, it's not the most original game ever released, but if you like the genre, you'll definitely find something worth your time.

Atelier Resleriana: The Red Alchemist & The White Guardian marks a return to the series’ roots, abandoning recent experiments in favor of a more traditional, alchemy-focused approach. With a solid and relaxing crafting system, a charming cast of familiar faces, and a light yet engaging story, it delivers a comforting and enjoyable experience for long-time fans. However, a very low difficulty level, outdated exploration design, and uninspired dungeon layouts keep it from standing out, making this a solid but non-essential entry in Gust’s beloved franchise.

Quotation forthcoming.

Much like Verdun, its predecessor, Tannenberg offers an authentic and engaging First World War experience. Those who enjoy tactical, more realistic shooters will love it; everyone else should consider giving it a chance, but be warned that the game was made on a limited budget and it shows.

With Assassin’s Creed III Remastered, Ubisoft improved the graphics of the games but did very little to improve everything else.

A nice roguelike by Double Fine Productions, even if it’s a bit shallow.

Pac-Man Championship Edition 2 Plus is the Switch version of a sequel that is not as good as the original one. Nevertheless, the game is still fun and the new co-op mode is quite enjoyable.

Xenon Racer is a love letter to the arcade racing genre; too bad for the many technical issues.

Crymachina is a touching tale that touches on the nuances of human details and its hidden and primitive insecurities. Speaking through a common language, already seen in the works of Yoko Taro and in the history of FuRyu productions, but nevertheless manages to find flashes of originality, especially when the three main protagonists are explored in depth. The game design doesn't shine but it doesn't disappoint either, managing in any case to stimulate the player's interest through a good skill-based combat system. It's a shame that the graphics, very dated and often an eyesore, don't offer further emotions.

Sheltered 2 follows the dynamics of video games on the managerial survival genre, improving on its predecessor but still not being without flaws. The new look is maybe a little rough, but not without its charms.

The Master of Magic remake is an ambitious project which, however, has never decided whether to be just a graphic restoration or a complete makeover of the original. It’s still a decent 4X video game, but nothing more. Ultimately, if I had to choose between the remake and the original one, I would opt for the latter without hesitation.

Without telling anything really new or offering fully convincing gameplay mechanics, Deiland proves to be a fun and carefree "game curtain", devoid of a challenge worthy of the name.

Becoming Saint is a bold, strategic management game that offers something different in the roguelike landscape with a refined approach. However, it's also a work marked by several more or less obvious flaws, which give it a rough and tumble appearance that clashes with the elegance of its artistic direction.

While we wait for a (due) patch for the tate mode, we can definitely say that the offering of Namco Museum is satisfying. The real problem of this collection is not the quality, but the variety. And the absolute absence of extras and/or unlockables, something we really loved in similar products like the SEGA Mega Drive Ultimate Collection.

A great "quality" DLC, but afflicted by a poor longevity, even looking at the new PVP modes.

A bigger version of the first episode, with a lot of new things to do. A fun game, even if affected by repetitiveness in the long run.

Strategic Mind: The Pacific is an interesting turn-based tactical game but it certainly isn’t for everyone, however that’s not necessarily a bad thing. It’s a bit rough on the edges but in the end it does its job pretty well.

All in all, SCHiM tells a story that could be ours. The bad luck, the disappointments, having to carry on anyway and discovering that somehow you can do it. Sometimes along the way we get lost and repeat ourselves, but in the end this too is part of the experience and ultimately we can say the same about ourselves.