For fans of the original, there will be no problem facing the original Demon's Souls, hard and pure in an aesthetically sumptuous context, damn vivid even in the disturbing rottenness that surrounds it, while for others it may be difficult to swallow an extremely mechanical title, which has exactly the same flaws it had in 2009, especially on the artificial intelligence side. However, the experience remains fascinating, thanks above all to a masterful level design, galvanizing as well as terrifying, that dictates the rhythm of a role-playing experience that is certainly solid and violent.

The control system is less comfortable and the framerate not so stable, but Divinity: Original Sin 2 remains an excellent RPG also on console, with several improvements to the pure content.

The remastered version of Bayonetta 2 is a moral imperative for every owner of the Nintendo Switch who didn't play the most stylish and crazy action series of all time. There are some issues with the framerate here and there (especially in the exploration sequences), and the screen of the console has a better image quality than the TV. Nonetheless, a must-have for every action fan out there.

The Switch version of Mario Kart 8 Deluxe is an incredibly funny and exhilarating game, the best collection of everything good the series has to offer. If you already have the new Nintendo console, it's a no-brainer; if you don't, well, it's probably time to reconsider.

A surprising narrative that has no problem touching on even rather delicate themes is the basis for creating an indispensable adventure for every lover of Japanese role-playing games. Metaphor ReFantazio is a sort of wild card that excels in every category, from the writing to the combat system, passing through a continuous series of surprises that will glue you to the screen for many hours. As far as I'm concerned, this is my choice for GOTY 2024, without even thinking twice.

We were expecting nothing less, considering how good the previous DLC was, but Blood & Wine is really wonderful in every sense. The game world is huge and rich, and Geralt is more powerful than ever, with new items and talents. Another excellent work from CD Projekt.

Impressive use of proprietary Microsoft's maps and AI technologies aside, Flight Simulator is outstanding for the sheer amount of freedom we are given and how far it pushes our spirit of exploration. Sim fans will have a lot to chew on, and newcomers will love the "simcade" feeling offered by the customizable assist system. It’s also on Xbox Game Pass, so go get it.

I Was a Teenage Exocolonist is a storm of punches that hits straight in the stomach. It’s a video game that monopolized my free time and that I'll continue to dissect well beyond my (current) fourth playthrough. It’s a game that has crept between my mind and my heart, something that I’ll hardly be able to chase away from there. Not that I’d want to, to be honest. Northway Games has managed to create something that transcends genres, a video game that I’d like to be enjoyed by as many people as humanly possible.

Overwatch is a fast-paced, varied, incredibly fun competitive shooter, and that's a given. There are some balancing issues, nothing that cannot be fixed in the next few weeks, but the main problem of the game Blizzard is the lack of content sufficient for the player to keep coming back.

Dragon Quest XI: Echoes of an Elusive Age – Definitive Edition succeeds in the difficult task of improving one of the most successful JRPGs of recent times with very little sacrifice on the purely graphical side.

The Shadow of the Colossus remake is "simply" the love letter from Bluepoint Games to Fumito Ueda's timeless masterpiece. In the work there is so much of that passion that you can safely perceive it in every single pixel that gives life to this production: it is not just a trivial polish of memories, but a tribute with all the honors of the case, the authentic testimony that with commitment, devotion and respect can be achieved results that even exceed the original work.

Crusader Kings III is one of the best Paradox Development Studio’s games to date. Deep and compelling, this grand strategy can entertain you for dozens, if not hundreds of hours between its intrigues, holy wars, and dynasties in the making.

I know I'm going out on a limb, but Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 may not be a masterpiece for everyone, but it comes close without fear. A superfine narrative, a galvanized and well-optimized combat system, a dedicated soundtrack that hits all the most tense moments. I entered the sacrificial tunnel of Expedition 33 and came out with tears of joy for how much I savored throughout the adventure. About thirty hours of gameplay that have been a continuous joy and I am fully aware that I will play just as many to finish all the things left pending.

Disco Elysium is a little great masterpiece that, due to slow gameplay and its impressive quantity and quality of dialogues, cannot be appreciated by everyone. Unfortunately for them, of course.

An action-platformer packed with destruction and fun. Donkey Kong Bananza manages to make us forget the longing for a true 3D Mario. In fact, it can easily be considered one of the best examples of the genre since Mario Odyssey, sitting proudly alongside Galaxy in terms of variety, eccentricity, originality, and fun.

Awesome. A game that basically does not add anything to the platform genre, and still manages to be original and innovative by mixing all the ingredients with mastery. Despite the extreme difficulty it is never frustrating, keeping you in front of the screen for another run, and then another one and one more, while you promise yourself the next run will be the last. Recommended for both hardcore gamers aiming for the best score, and a more casual audience looking to have fun, and who don’t mind if they will only see a small part of the game. After all, how many of us have ever finished Bubble Bobble?

Stepping back into Sam's shoes on PC is the best way to (re)discover Death Stranding 2: On the Beach. Far more than the new content, it's the increased technical freedom that makes the difference in the experience: the unlocked frame rate, upscaling tools, and numerous graphical options further enhance an already extremely fascinating world.

Balatro ends up straight and with merit in the strokes of genius category. The recipe from which its sexy gameplay is born is simple and elaborate at the same time, and this is precisely the great strength of an original, charismatic, challenging but also deeply customizable roguelike deckbuilder.

If you've never played a game in the series, New Horizons is a great start. On the other hand, if you are already familiar with Animal Crossing, you will find a good amount of nostalgia but also pleasant little news, which will make this new adventure worthy of being lived day by day.

The new features included in Shadowbringer further refresh gameplay and storytelling of this remarkable MMORPG. Even with the typical weaknesses of the genre, which however requires several hours of repetitive activities such as FATE events and secondary quests to level up, Final Fantasy XIV still proves to be among the best massive multiplayer online experiences, especially together with a close-knit group of friends.

Hollow Knight: Silksong elevates the Metroidvania experience with a vast and intricate world, filled with unique biomes, hidden secrets, and clever backtracking that turns every step into discovery. Hornet, agile and versatile, tackles her ascent to Pharloom with dashes, diagonal pogos, and abilities that make for fluid and creative platforming. Exploration intertwines with intense combat against over 200 enemies and 40 bosses, each with deadly patterns that require study and precision due to their high difficulty. With hand-drawn environments that resemble living paintings and Christopher Larkin's soundtrack, capable of shifting from melancholic whisper to orchestral explosion, Silksong transforms every screen into a visual and aural spectacle of rare intensity.

Slay the Princess is a deep narrative adventure with the sole goal of telling a story, in a sort of big, deep What If? which succeeds in the complex task of surprising. To reach total completionism, you could even need six hours of play. It's a rich, deep and literally flawless title. A big, small and unexpected evolution for graphic adventures.

Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance breaks the chains that initially tied it to too modest hardware to finally shine on a range of systems capable of enhancing its visionary beauty. In addition to this, a sensational series of additions makes the management of demons even deeper, while an alternative narrative line will make even those who lost sleep over the Switch version happy.

In case anyone had any doubts, Split Fiction is proof that It Takes Two was not a random stroke of luck. Hazelight’s new game is every bit as crazy as the 2021 Game of the Year, and although this year the competition is going to be fierce, Split Fiction might be a serious contender for the title as well.

Marvel's Spider Man 2 is a true blockbuster, a chapter that cannot be postponed for those who have experienced the previous adventures of Peter and Miles, as well as one of the most important gaming events of the year. It plays a little too safe in several areas, but overall it remains an exciting title and a highly recommended adventure for all fans of Spider-Man and superhero comics in general.

Final Fantasy VII Rebirth successfully expands the universe of the original game, offering an experience that combines vast explorable regions, refined gameplay mechanics, and a deep and engaging combat system. The technical improvements of the PC version, such as support for 4K, DLSS, and frame rates up to 120 fps, enhance the visuals and fluidity, making this edition the best way to enjoy the adventure. Although some secondary activities sometimes break the narrative rhythm, the title impresses with its ability to reinterpret classic events and expand the story, in order to give emotions to long-time fans and newcomers alike.

Microsoft Flight Simulator confirms itself as a true masterpiece on Xbox Series X as well, regardless if you are a fan of simulators or not.

Digital Eclipse is incapable of failing, and this first installment of the Gold Master Series is confirmation that Mike Mika's team is second to none when it comes to preserving and spreading video game culture. The reduced price only completes a really appetizing package for retrogaming enthusiasts.