It doesn’t really introduce anything new to the genre, yet Warhammer: Chaosbane is a nice hack & slash ARPG with a deep and engaging endgame.

Knack 2 is a "more of the same" nobody asked for. Despite some good new stuff, the game suffers all the problems its predecessor showed in 2013 (drunk camera, awful platform sessions, etc.). The new co-op mode is enough to let your children enjoy the campaign, but do not expect anything more than this.

Oninaki is strange. At first you think you love him, then the feeling changes and in the end you almost can't stand it anymore. The truth is in the middle: it is a good game with some interesting mechanics and others much less well chosen.

Sea of Thieves is a game with great potential, but it's undermined by a lack of variety and depth. Meditative alone, fascinating and epic in multiplayer, the navigation experience provided by Rare is truly unique and brilliant. On the other hand, the extreme freedom given to the player cannot be fulfilled because of clumsy boots on the ground mechanics and a quest structure that is far too repetitive.

Behind its souls-like mask, Thymesia hides a gameplay surprisingly dynamic, engaging and full of fun challenges. Even if it cannot really punch above its weight and reach the high levels of some of the greatest (due in large part to a story that doesn’t really shine), this OverBorder Studio game shouldn’t be overlooked, especially by the fans of the genre.

Biomutant on the PS5 is, for better and for worse, the same game published a year ago on other platforms. Its enhanced graphics are a nice addition, but the flaws of this action RPG still reside in its outdated gameplay formula.

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.

Tennis feeling, the physical feedback of the shots, the animations, everything is in place but the responsiveness that allows to move with more agility on the field is still missing. AO Tennis 2 remains a little rough, but its talent is crystal clear.

A short, boring, useless game, Kirby's Blowout Blast could be addictive for some younger players only.

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.

Hey! Pikmin is a decent game, a pleasant mix between platform and puzzle games. It offers a pretty different experience than the main saga, and it's light years behind the astounding Wii U version. Probably a disappointment for hardcore fans of the series, but entertaining nonetheless.

Mario & Sonic at the 2020 Olympic Games is definitely the best chapter in the series, and will surely make the joy of younger gamers and those willing to climb the online charts, aiming for gold.

Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games fails to revive the glories of the multi-event classics of the past. The development team's surprising choice in disciplines didn't pay off, with so many events lacking in appeal and quickly becoming boring. There are definitely successful moments (athletics, swimming) and with friends you can spend some pleasant hours, but in the long run there are no real reasons to keep playing and winning gold medals.

Arslan: The Warriors of Legend is not the best musou created by Omega Force, but it has a pretty nice story based on a good anime license. As far as gameplay goes, do not expect nothing new or fancy, though.

Aliens: Fireteam Elite is a valid cooperative shooter, one where you can just drop in and shoot stuff with glee, or put your coordination and teamplay to the test if you’re looking for a challenge. There are friendly AIs, but they aren’t great and solo play only works at the lower difficulties. Finally, while the game is competent and fun, it also shows its low budget.

Slave Zero In fact, this is what the project bases its roots on: the player's learning to strengthen themselves and improve their skills. It's a shame for the absence of an endgame, which could have really brought the score you see further down even higher.

Moons of Madness manages to balance the stylistic elements of the walking simulator with some different game mechanics and its puzzles. Rock Pocket Games has handled the available Lovecraftian material as it should, setting up an adventure that can easily walk alone with dignity.

The production, which tells of a world governed by megacorporations, involves and strikes in an unexpected way, leveraging complex themes and situations, while expertly detailing the story of Ayana, a young woman in difficulty on a razor's edge. Eraban: Shadow Legacy, a story characterized by many positive elements, is a work that does its job, committing itself to creating good gameplay.

Super Bomberman R 2 is an improved title from every point of view and in terms of quality. Many more game modes and many ideas. Finally, it's worth the price.

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.

Ghosts 'n Goblins Resurrection is a crispy, entertaining and gloriously merciless experience... even on the PS4.

Narrative tells us a touching story in a proper way, but this is the only good point. Fragments of Him is a walking simulator with poor interaction and with some technical problems that can't be ignored.

It's been a while since we lost our temper with a videogame. The peculiar control system and the physics that rule the movement of a snake are at the same time the good and the bad of Snake Pass. Despite its cheerful appearances and the good level design, the game is difficult, and not always in a good way.

Daemon X Machina: Titanic Scion is particularly impressive when it comes to gameplay: the combat system is varied and creative, the exoskeleton customization is extensive, and the boss fights, when they work, offer spectacular moments. Multiplayer is also solid, thanks to cross-play that expands the possibilities for cooperation. The rest, however, isn't quite as impressive: the plot is weak, the cast forgettable, the filler missions slow down the pace, and the game world, while vast, feels empty and repetitive. Last but not least, on a technical level, the Switch 2 version reviewed here shows clear limitations, with slow loading times and an unstable frame rate. This is a game that will entertain fans of mechs and gear optimization who are willing to overlook the objective problems, but it's unlikely to satisfy those looking for an engaging story or a world to enjoy exploring.

Although the gameplay does not have much to offer, it is practically impossible not to love this dynamic adventure of Daedalic Entertainmen: thanks to its own style, State of Mind is able to tell a story that is worth living.

The Bearded Ladies is experienced in the turn-based tactics genre and Miasma Chronicles shows it convincingly, with the studio trademark mix of stealth and tactic providing an engaging approach to most combat situations (sometimes the enemies will get the drop on you. Life isn’t fair). A pity for a climax that is perhaps too sudden, and a plot that isn’t as good as the atmosphere.

Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Rescue Team DX brings new life to the original games, confirming it as a good entry point into the world of dungeon crawlers for a generation of young adventurers.

Being harsh on video games—especially those from small studios—never gives me much pleasure; yet, the more I reflect on The Occultist, the harder I find it to identify any aspects that truly won me over. A few environments are salvageable, Doug Cockle does a fine job, and the diary illustrations are genuinely lovely—but there is little else. All in all, very little indeed.