The rediscovery of Shadow Man was surprising, to say the least! The remastering work done by Nightdive Studios allows us to (re)discover the title at its best, even if the gameplay is not always enjoyable. This comeback to the world of the dead shows the extent to which videogame titles aren’t all identical regarding the inexorable passing of time and Mike LeRoi carrying the heavy burden of the first 3D action/adventure games is a fitting example of this. It is thus difficult to face the complete absence of indication and the rigidity of this gameplay, which did not bother us so much at the time. Despite everything, the magic is still in the air partly due to an artistic direction that is as deliciously morbid as ever. However, it seems difficult to recommend this game to anyone considering the recent and double-edged evolution of our medium. This makes us wish for a full reboot to carry on indulging in this unusual atmosphere which time seems to have no hold on.

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.

Despite a short lifespan and a feeling of cumbersomeness in certain movements, the title remains a pleasant surprise. The environments are varied, rich and colourful. Although not revolutionising the genre, the gameplay mechanics and various puzzles aren’t repetitive. The top-notch soundtrack brilliantly follows the poetry of the experience we’re offered. The enigmas’ moderate difficulty allows a wide audience to participate and we're thrilled to know that Wondernaut’s next title will be a horror game.

With a co-op mode more fun than a barrel of monkeys, Windjammers 2 ranks as one of the best party games on the console and it’s available in the GamePass. Dotemu has once again succeeded in capturing the feel of the original game while adding qualitative extra content. Unfortunately, the single-player aspect is less interesting due to a quite poor arcade mode and the absence of a training option. It will therefore be dedicated for evenings with friends.

Reverie Knights Tactics is an excellent tactical RPG. Its well-oiled combat system offers some real sensations and will make our brains go into hyperdrive. Going half-cocked will follow with an unprecedented demise. To move forward, you must take advantage of the confrontations’ richness, and this will be done with a large grin on your face thanks to an interesting and well-told narrative, and most importantly, thanks to choices that will have a measurable impact. All of this within an enticing visual environment on which great studios have contributed. Yes, what we have here is a very good game, although a little short if done straightforwardly.

The Pedestrian is a clever mix between platform and puzzle. It brilliantly manages to dust off the puzzle game genre and is clearly worthy of the greatest. The level design is an intrinsic part of the gameplay, and that’s where the soft does its best. It’s a nice discovery for whoever loves this genre (and not only). Even though the soundtrack is sometimes too discreet, our enjoyment cannot be spoiled. We’re looking forward to the studio’s next title.

Despite a basic technical aspect, Grim Dawn Definitive Edition happens to be richer than most of its competitors, no more no less. The class system allowing the player to freely combine them as well as the Devotion and its numerous possibilities can turn any fan of theorycraft and optimisation into an addict. Playing with a controller is pure fun and the exploration and combat phases are constantly rewarded with a plethora of loot. The only real downside is the forgettable musical atmosphere which unfortunately doesn’t fit the action and impedes it from reaching the highest rankings of the genre. More accessible than Path Of Exile and more intense than Diablo 2 Resurrected, Grim Dawn Definitive Edition is a title that should delight Hack & Slash fans.

Praey for the Gods could have reached the “good game” category. Unfortunately, it only takes a short period of time with the controller in hand before one understands that the means used aren’t enough. The narrative is non-existent, there are no dialogues, the bestiary is scanty, and the fights aren’t thrilling. Similarly to Assassin’s Creed back in the day, we can also mention problems where the character gets stuck when climbing and the sum of all these flaws is further putting down No Matter Studios’ already injured title. It’s a shame considering that Praey for the Gods’ concept could’ve truly been original. Such a shame…

If Shakespeare’s language has no secrets for you, how can one not fall under the spell of Wytchwood? But like many witches, its sombre beauty and intriguing story conceal some real flaws: outdated craft-based mechanics, a lot of back and forth and a below-average difficulty. No matter how one feels about it all, this witch will leave no one indifferent: whether you like it or not!

Timothy VS the Aliens does not reinvent the genre but offers an enjoyable experience. Its few weak points do not tarnish our overall good impression. However, the game’s easy difficulty makes it more appropriate for a young or beginner audience. Considering its limited lifespan, the price seems a bit overboard.

“Mixed feelings” is the best way to describe how The Last Stand: Aftermath made us feel. The Rogue-Lite genre's inherent mechanics (starting over and over again, dying repeatedly and leaving behind a few artefacts for the next character) are spoiled by an overall lack of variety. It’s a pity considering it remains truly addictive despite this. Good ideas are hampered by an archaic scavenging system and too many combat phases that aren’t thrilling enough. If we set aside these few blunders, The Last Stand: Aftermath remains a guilty pleasure that makes us want to go back for seconds. Its heavy atmosphere, its mutation and crafting mechanics and its difficult progression make it compelling. Let’s hope that a patch will quickly fix the technical issues.

Years go by, and Isaac remains the rogue-like genre’s undisputed master. Still as fun and addictive as ever, Nicalis’ title will delight early fans with a new and more than generous amount of content, filled as usual with new enemies, characters, bosses, items and other trinkets of all kinds. The co-op mode has also been redesigned for splitscreen sessions on the couch, but the game’s foundation stays basically the same. The only regrets are the lack of localisation, the ever-present crashes, and the prohibitive price. If you were not convinced in the past, this new version will probably not change much. On the other hand, if you’ve been waiting on it for a few years now, this may be the best opportunity to discover this unforgettable title in its most accomplished version.

After 20 years of good and loyal service, the Major proves once again that the saga is far from over. While keeping the DNA of the previous episodes in its scenario, Halo Infinite introduces a new dynamic into the series with the addition of the semi-open world. Exploration is enhanced, partly thanks to an intelligent level design that allows you to choose from numerous paths and especially by the grappling hook, allowing for better movement and fight alternatives. Thanks to a brilliant soundtrack and a qualitative French dubbing, we take great pleasure in exploring the Halo Zeta to eliminate the Banished despite some technical shortcomings.

More than a mere copy of Battle Chasers and more than a guilty pleasure for League of Legends players, Ruined King proves to be an excellent game and its quality is surprising. The deeply addictive combat system and advanced character customisation allows you to explore the different zones offered through a story that is as well written as it is portrayed. You'll want to play it again!

Light Fairytale Episode 2 starts on a positive note, despite some flaws. Once again, the episodic format for this type of game seems clearly unsuitable as the feeling of barely progressing in the story is too much felt. The same goes for the combat system which, although becoming more and more interesting, is still unsteady due to the aforementioned slow progression. But the universe is rather endearing, and one wonders how the whole thing will end. Let's wait and see then!

Let’s not kid ourselves: Riders Republic was a disappointment. Even if it’s not a bad game per se, the title offers a gameplay that is globally too arcade-like and doesn’t manage to sustain the player’s interest over time. It’s a pity because there are some good ideas such as the possibility to create your own challenges or the Mass Races, all of it on a huge and varied playground. With a more fine-tuned gameplay, a general tone that doesn’t miss the point as much and a better made customisation system, we would have had a game as service solid enough to be praised among extreme sports fans.

Call of Duty Vanguard offers meaningful elements, especially in multiplayer thanks to a large number of varied and well-constructed maps. However, the TTK is far too low and the SBMM is abysmal. The campaign has some nice assets with some fun missions, allowing us to experience various conflicts of the Second World War. However, it’s a shame that the storytelling’s quality is not as good as it could be, but the visual one manages to bring the game up to par. As regards the Zombie mode, it will have to be disregarded, at least until new content is added. As it stands, the mode is sorely lacking in interest. Overall, Call of Duty Vanguard won’t be a landmark in the series, but it should still keep fans entertained until next year.

We were eager to discover the contributions of the famous Frostbite engine for the NHL franchise. EA’s ugly duckling sports game, which always comes last, can now be at ease and benefit from a technically and graphically solid engine to face the future on the new generation of consoles. The first try isn’t perfect with disappointing face modelling, but the outstanding dynamic lighting, much more realistic physics and additional animations mean that an ice hockey game in NHL 22 has never looked so good and immersive. Unfortunately, the welcome arrival of the Superstar X-Factor can’t cover for long that the content is almost a copy and paste of the previous game. Apart from the traditional statistics update and once the wow effect of the first few games has passed, those used to the franchise will be disappointed by its monotonous content. However, NHL 22 remains an excellent sports game for other players to discover with a ton of quality game modes ranging from simulation to arcade.

With House of Ashes, Supermassive Games adds another layer to the solid foundations of its know-how. At the end of this new angsty adventure, one could be tempted to reprove the studio for sticking to its guns. But one must point out the care taken with an intriguing story, characters realistic as ever, beautiful shots and a refreshing critique of the Iraqi conflict. As one could imagine, fans will not be particularly surprised by this new proposal. If one is not allergic to the genre and its inherent flaws, it would truly be a shame to miss out on a title that is effective in every aspect. After finishing this chapter, we can’t wait to discover The Devil in Me next year.

Video games that mark an era or become an essential reference in their respective genres are quite rare. Disco Elysium is one of those games and it is easy to understand why it has won many prestigious awards. The first title from the studio ZA/UM and Robert Kurvitz is a C-RPG masterpiece. It is a perfect embodiment of what a tabletop role-playing game should look like. Indeed, it offers a substantial lore, captivating NPCs, a mature, solid and coherent scenario no matter which way you go, a crazy amount of freedom in roleplay, the famous dice rolls and finally, a “game master” with an exceptional narrative power. The inclusion of the video game medium transcends the experience thanks to a singular and bewitching graphic aesthetic and soundtrack. Moreover, its adaptation on consoles, at least on the Xbox Series, does not taint the picture too much. However, Disco Elysium will not be enjoyed by those allergic to reading as it contains thousands of sentences or for fans of fight scenes since there are none here. For the others, this game really deserves to be played for several hours in order to really understand what you are doing. In the end, you may not like it, but if you get hooked, Disco Elysium becomes a unique experience that leaves you breathless once the adventure is over.

Is Forza Horizon 5 a good Forza Horizon? Of course, it’s even the best episode until the next one as the license shamelessly reiterates its successes and adds minor tweaks here and there. This results in a game as addictive as ever allowing for a great deal of pleasure. In this respect, the Mexico map is a devilishly efficient playground, both for the variety of its landscapes and for the tracks that have been devised on it. We drive, we explore, we marvel while time passes quickly, as quickly as the scenery passes by at an improbable pace without anything really slowing us down. This pretty much embodies what the series has become for the Xbox brand since this opus will undoubtedly be praised by the public and reviewers. Hopefully, it’ll go down that road.

As a lazy adaptation by CyberConnect2, Demon Slayer: The Hinokami Chronicles is an insipid first attempt at recreating a masterpiece of modern manga. Indeed, the animations are superb, the whole background of the current anime is closely followed, and the official soundtrack hits the spot. As for the rest, we see fights that quickly go round in circles, a roster that is far too limited and a story mode that feels unnecessary if one already knows the original work. Undoubtedly, the developers have many more adaptations in store for the next seasons to come, and we can only hope that they will be more creative.

After the commercial failure of Marvel’s Avengers in 2020, Square Enix’s mission was to patch things up with Marvel fans. According to us, the mission is a success – Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy offers here what Marvel’s Avengers should have been when it was released. The script written especially for the title is good and the rhythm between the fight and exploration phases is well devised. The Guardians of the Galaxy universe and the merry crew’s essence remain faithfully respected. The many fan-service elements present in the game should also please the fans. The fights that seemed a bit slow in the gameplay sequences shown at the game’s announcement are fortunately only so at the beginning of the adventure as they will become much more exhilarating later on. Finally, despite a few technical issues that we hope will be fixed in the future, the title offers us a much appreciated artistic direction and above all, a soundtrack that will make many people shuffle their feet.

Let's be clear from the get-go: Far Cry 6 does not intend to renew its famous recipe. However, it does offer a convincing experience relying on elements that worked well in the previous episodes while bringing in some welcome new features. The biggest one is undoubtedly the arrival of 3rd person cinematics in which our character is no longer mute. Far Cry 6 offers a well-written storyline that will keep us on the edge of our seats for about twenty hours. It also depicts the magnificent island of Yara with a Latin soundtrack that will have no trouble making us travel around the globe. There are few changes to the gameplay itself, but we did notice the disappearance of the skill tree in favour of scavenging for pieces of equipment, each with its own abilities. Far Cry 6 thus slowly goes on with its light RPG approach initiated with the New Dawn episode. You can complain about the AI of the enemies, which is still limited, but the pleasure felt when playing the game is enough to get past it. Far Cry 6 is certainly one of the best chapters since the third one that was ever so appreciated by the fans.

Without much surprise, FIFA 22 is unfortunately the logical continuation of all its predecessors. For its first real opus dedicated to new generation consoles, EA doesn’t manage (and doesn’t want) to fix the repetitive flaws that have plagued its franchise for years and chooses instead to improve the gameplay and atmosphere which are major, but secondary aspects. Even graphically, the evolution remains insignificant and it leaves a sour taste. For FIFA fans, the 22nd episode should, however, be a satisfying vintage subject to a patch that could change everything. For lovers of simulation and real football, it’s best to heed the advice of the legendary Gary Lineker: “FIFA is a simple game: 22 clowns dribble with a ball for 90 minutes and in the end, football still manages to be the real loser.”

Diablo 2 Resurrected is the embodiment of a balancing act: how can one preserve the original vision of a 20-year-old title, while adapting it to an audience that has since seen a sequel, and all this on a controller? This is the daring challenge that Blizzard and its teams set themselves, and where many expected an industrial accident, the result, even if imperfect, still makes us smile. We can only advise you to think carefully about the choice of your version if you have the possibility to play on PC. However, it must be said that the experience on a console remains quite pleasant. A classic among classics and a sure value for hack’n slash fans.

We enjoyed Bus Simulator in 2019, and our pleasure remains intact in 2021. It uses the same recipe but adds some welcome new ingredients. Managing your routes can be complicated at times due to menus that aren't always ergonomic, but it nonetheless remains fun to set them up to increase one's profits as much as possible. The driving experience is still pleasant and you quickly get hooked on roaming through the new town of Angel Shores and the good ol' Seaside Valley.

Hot Wheels Unleashed is quite a positive surprise. It gained our attention when it was first announced and after testing it, we can easily say we’re impressed. Thanks to its 100% arcade gameplay and its easy handling, one is immediately having fun. Content-wise, the game is quite generous, both in terms of the number of cars and tracks available. The latter are a real success, magnified by superb lighting effects. The only downside is that collisions with the environment and opponents lack impact. Nevertheless, Milestone delivers a beautiful copy that will delight both young and old gamers.