Like all bad critics, we would have liked this compilation to have been more generous. As well as a welcome return in time, we would have appreciated it to include all the episodes in the saga and for the remastering work to have gone even further. At this stage, it keeps alive two exceptional games that remain the best gateway to discover Soul Reaver, but without transcending them.

In spite of its arduous development, which gave rise to certain concerns, Dead Island 2 is a real success. The technical aspect is spot on: the quality of its landscapes and the very elaborate atmosphere of its ten explorable zones often make for quite a pleasant surprise. The whole thing is wrapped up in an effective narrative that keeps you on the edge of your seat and its well-written secondary characters are the icing on the cake. The title unveils more and more layers throughout its adventure and is filled with good ideas, thus captivating us for the twenty hours it takes to complete it. Of course, the game remains quite standard in its approach and does not revolutionise the genre. Yet, how pleasant can it be to slaughter and butcher hordes of undead foes under the blazing Los Angeles sun. The gameplay is rich and varied, offering many different weapons to play with, while giving free rein to our creativity. Fans of zombie games, go for it! You will not regret it.

Sonic Superstars is at the convergence of trends in the evolution of the franchise. It has an old-school spirit that would not be denied by the Mania episode, as in a continuity of the original philosophy, but with modern tools and a much more discreet use of 3D than in Colors. Between tradition and modernity, Sonic Superstars has everything it takes to bring together young and old, die-hard fans and new players alike, behind the spiky, colourful gang, who, to mark the occasion, welcome a very endearing new member among them. After the slightly odd modernisation gap with Frontiers, which offered a more realistic vision of the franchise, it is great to see our favourite hedgehog and his team racing back to the tried recipe at the core of Sonic's success: a cute, side-scrolling platform game that takes players for a helluva ride at breakneck speeds.

By significantly improving the experience of an NBA game in terms of gameplay, sound and graphics, the game has never been so beautiful, exciting, immersive and realistic. With an oustanding amount of content and game modes, all of which are at least of high quality, it's impossible not to find something to enjoy. However, the big disappointment comes from My Career. The idea of interweaving it with the universe of The City technically seems pleasant and logical given the direction the studio has been taking for years. Unfortunately, the presence of outdated RPG mechanics and the inconsistencies of a career of an NBA star player correlated to a life simulation of a neighborhood player (even a "legendary" one) become more and more problematic and annoying as you go on. The experience even becomes exasperating despite a promising start and interesting story situations because of The City's environment which suffers from technical shortcomingsfurther ruining the immersion. In the future, truly separating the My Career and My Player modes would make it possible to enjoy the best of both worlds rather than persisting in this flawed marriage doomed to failure, if that's not too much to ask.

Techland really is an astonishing studio. Funnily enough, we were amazed by Dying Light 2’s narrative and roleplay even though we had reservations about it and were disappointed by the map design and certain gameplay mechanics, elements which we took for granted until now. Nevertheless, we salute the absolute dedication of an artist’s vision that oozes in the whole game design and the risk-taking to update the gameplay after the first episode’s overwhelming success. Even if the game doesn’t reach the expected heights, it allows Techland to move upwards, which is promising for the future, so let’s meet again in 5 years! In the meantime, Dying Light 2 remains one of the last very good representatives of an open-world formula that marked the previous generation but is at risk of aging badly in the years to come. Enjoy it now, because we had a lot of fun playing it and also because the next big game that will shake things up is yet to be announced.

Park Beyond offers some good ideas for building roller coasters, and the first few hours are rather pleasant to explore. Unfortunately, despite the clever ideas related to the management of visitor categories, the diversity of outlets and the freedom given to creation, the experience quickly runs out of steam. We were also put off by the lack of clarity in the optimisation of park management between profit, fun, amazement, and cleanliness. Then we move on to camera problems and numerous glitches that mar the game experience. Apart from having a new competitor, Planet Coaster is still the master of theme park management games. Park Beyond presents a game lacking in content, with six themes and around fifteen unique attractions, the rest being available as DLC... Nuff said.

During the trailer of Need For Speed Unbound, the cel-shading visuals made us grit our teeth a little bit. It turns out that after a few minutes of action, we realise that the British studio has expertly blended this type of graphics to the rest and it is quite stunning! As far as the story goes, it is well introduced and quite catchy. As regards the handling aspect, this is a pure NFS experience, therefore something close to arcade style. Thanks to an energetic soundtrack, the races are full off rhythm and the police chases keep us glued on the edge of our seat when we carry a large amount of money. The only downside might be the limited interaction between single and multiplayer. To cut to the case, whether visually speaking or with the controller in hand, this game is a real success. For fans of the genre, you will surely have a great time. For the others, we strongly invite you to give it a spin!

Mourning is a theme that has been rehashed many times in video games. Tales of Kenzera: ZAU does so in the most beautiful of ways. Through this metroidvania, Surgent Studio related the personal story of its founder, Abubakar Salim, in a wonderful way. With its warm art direction and flawless production, this first work will undoubtedly receive the praise it deserves among gamers.

Star Wars Outlaws proposes a captivating adventure that immerses players in the rich and complex intricacies of the galactic underworld, whilst bringing a breath of fresh air to Ubisoft's familiar open-world formula. Despite some significant shortcomings in the combat and space exploration phases, the experience remains highly engaging thanks to a convincing narrative, a varied open world and (finally) natural, organic exploration, as well as well-developed characters. Nonetheless, technical problems on Xbox Series X tarnish an otherwise promising proposal. All in all, Star Wars Outlaws manages to captivate, but fails to fully realise the potential that its concept and universe can allow.

Like demigods, Eternal Strands gives us the power to unleash the elements and battle titanic colossi, while giving ample room for crafting and exploration in gorgeous landscapes. Despite a few technical hiccups, such as camera problems and framerate drops, its rich, entertaining and fluid gameplay makes this videogame experience a pleasure to indulge in. Fans of action-RPGs will be delighted by this fairly successful first title, and we will be closely following the future development of this young studio.

Onimusha 2 remains an experience of its time. Visually, like its hero, the game hasn't aged a bit, and the gameplay mechanics are enjoyable, despite camera angles that will frustrate many players. There's no denying that Capcom has done a neat job of making it more digestible. The poor writing and its gallery of ridiculous villains,which by the way shouldn't be taken seriously, unfortunately drag it through the mud.

Packed with a multitude of good ideas, Pepper Grinder has exhaustively explored its main gameplay concept and brought it to its peak. The game’s too discreet exploration and perfectible time-trial mode are shortcomings that hinder it from receiving the recognition it deserves.

Wild Hearts is not without its qualities. It even manages to captivate us during certain moments of grace, notably with its lively, nervous and dynamic gameplay as well as with its colourful bestiary. The ability to build structures on the go during battles is a real advantageous edge, both offensively and in our movements. Despite its first few hours which are hard to take in hand, it gains momentum as you unlock new game mechanics. It must be said that technically speaking, it is weak and it suffers from a badly-designed camera that barely does its job.

With After Us, the Piccolo studio once again flexes its ability to make video games go beyond mere entertainment. Despite a simple gameplay, the title manages to surprise the player with each new environment. Its clever level design manages to break the corridor effect inherent to the genre. Even if the camera system could be improved, nothing hinders the player's progressive awareness. After the ten hours or so spent with the controller in hand, we came back to reality with a different perspective. This title undoubtedly deserves its place among the nominees at the next Game Awards.

For its first major title, Ascendant Studios has big ambitions, and by recruiting talented developers, the studio has done everything it can to live up to them. As far as we are concerned, that is a big yes. Aveum's universe is rich and deep, and its artistic direction is coherent and immersive. Even though the diversity of the gameplay tends to make mapping a little complex, we did not see the hours go by with the controller in hand, and for us that is the mark of a successful game. We are curious to know what the studio has in store for us next.

Phasmophobia stands out as a real UFO, offering a frightening and unrivalled experience that is great fun to play with friends. Its gloomy, oppressive atmosphere, immersive gameplay and remarkable sound design are its main assets. Despite a few collision bugs and slightly stiff animations, this original work has everything to captivate and bewitch thrill-seekers, and all at a low price. Constantly evolving, Phasmophobia promises many more surprises with regular updates and additional content. According to Kinetic Games' roadmap, the game could be completed in 2025, by which time it will have reached its pinnacle for an even more accomplished experience.

Adventures of Chris has left a sour taste of frustration and disappointment in our mouths. The title showed promise thanks to its gameplay revolving around a balloon that inflates and deflates. Unfortunately, the inaccurate hitboxes combined with a slightly too high difficulty tends to frustrate the player at an early stage. One feels eager to put the controller down despite the pleasant 90’s inspiration and the few comical notes here and there. Facing a tremendous competition on the independent market, it will be hard for this game to find an opening.

CyberConnect2 once again tries to win over a large portion of gamers by proposing for the first time on the Xbox ecosystem a more generous, sexy and authentic as ever take on this JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure: All-Star Battle R. Despite a single-player content that will undoubtedly be consumed very quickly by aficionados of Hirohiko Araki’s universe, it is ultimately the community’s devotion that will decide if the title is a success in the long run.

As an action-RPG, Asterigos: Curse of the Stars offers a sensational experience. Whether in terms of story and combat gameplay, this rich AA production is more than generous. Unfortunately, the level design struggles to be convincing and clearly tarnishes the general experience. As regards the technical aspect, the AA production status and the usual lack of means it implies might explain why some corners were cut. However, the gameplay experience remains pleasant and the story and gameplay largely make up for the shortcomings.

Tomb Raider I – III Remastered offers gamers a unique opportunity to revisit the classics that have shaped the video game industry. With remastered graphics, improved controls and a host of new features, these remasters are a celebration of Lara Croft’s legacy and her impact on popular culture. Whether you are a long-time fan of the series or discovering these games for the first time, Tomb Raider I – III Remastered promises an unforgettable experience, taking you on an adventure and exploring mysterious worlds with one of the most iconic heroines of all time. Let us not forget to observe a moment of silence for the butler locked in the fridge.

Dying Light: The Beast succeeds where Stay Human fell short, reconnecting with the horrific, visceral and nerve-wracking essence of the franchise. The return of iconic hero Kyle Crane, his monstrous transformation, steroid-fuelled parkour and the sublime setting of Castor Woods provide a brutal, intense and deliciously wild immersive experience. The gameplay gains depth thanks to the well-exploited man-beast duality, and the day/night cycle is even more unforgiving. Not everything is perfect: the storyline remains mundane, exploration is more restricted (but more intense), some recycled mechanics struggle to surprise, and the AI still has a few glitches (sometimes more frightening than the undead themselves). But no matter, The Beast, like a hungry offspring, becomes the wild child of the trilogy, howling its return to its roots with rage and darkness. If you liked the first Dying Light, you'll love The Beast!

Without a doubt, The Crew Motorfest is an absolute hit. It features a rich and varied content, with effective gameplay that's quick to pick up, and a lively map with many distinct biomes and playgrounds, as well as a convincing summer ambience. Although we were a little disappointed by the aircraft handling and the slippery feel of the turns, we enjoyed every second we spent on land, at sea or in the air. We're definitely going back at it!

The Precinct aims to change the GTA-style genre by reversing the roles, featuring more structured police gameplay and a retro atmosphere inspired by 1980s crime films. While the concept, aesthetics and variety of patrol situations are appealing, the game suffers from a lack of narrative depth, repetitive gameplay and notable technical issues. The game offers an arcade-style police simulation, in which you shouldn't expect anything more than a sandbox world, but one in which you can still have a good time.

Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora is not the revolution we were expecting. It retains a narrative structure that is fairly close to that of the Far Cry licence, including too many tedious side activities. The similarities with the aforementioned licence are also present in the confrontations, but the title still manages to propose a well-crafted main story that will not bore you. On the other hand, this new baby from Ubisoft is a treat for the eyes. The environments are sublime and every panorama is a dream come true. Combined with the exhilarating parkour and aerial movement, Pandora is a real thrill to explore.

RiMS Racing is far from being a negative experience. Sadly enough for RaceWard, the studio in charge, their expectations might’ve been too far up. Basically, we are faced with a game teeming with good ideas but an overall outdated realisation. The content really is too light, the AI is frustrating, and the multiplayer lobbies are desperately empty. For whoever is passionate enough to discover the game, some good sensations can still be felt with a controller thanks notably to a very immersive point of view within the helmet and the joy of mingling with one’s vehicle to maximise its stats.

We were awestruck by Jagged Alliance 3. We were not expecting a game with such depth on every level. However, he first few hours of play were rather strange, with the old-fashioned interfaces giving the game a retro feel and the contrast in the way the different territories and gameplay were realised. You really get into the mercenary game, and the fondness developed between the different members of the squad is brilliantly made. The quality of the writing is spot on, as is the interest of the sub-plots. The title is clearly made for fans of X-Com, Wasteland and the first Fallout games.

Evil West manages to stand out from the crowd thanks to its efficient, cruelly brutal and well-orchestrated gameplay. The character’s increasing power is well designed and it offers dynamic, fluid and addictive combat scenes to the player. On the other hand, do not hope for a story worthy of the greatest westerns and exploration: this is a game based solely on action and you should not ask for more.

After the narrative excellence of Rime, we had high expectations for this new title from Tequila Works. Unfortunately, Gylt fails to match its big brother. The lack of risk-taking in the gameplay and in the construction of the puzzles leads to a rather plain game. Due to a lack of finesse between what is narrated and what is suggested, the chemistry is not right and many players will miss out on what the developers wanted to convey. As Stadia's sole exclusive when it was first released in 2019, the title probably suffered from the weight that was on its shoulders at the time. We hope that for its next release, the studio will be able to fully express its talent.