As one would expect, Assassin’s Creed Shadows is part of the saga’s line of terrific titles. This episode once again highlights all the expertise of the Ubisoft studios regarding historical reconstruction. Feudal Japan might be the game’s strongest feature, almost eclipsing the other new features. We should also mention the different fighting styles of the two heroes, which offer a welcome variety of gameplay. Nevertheless, the recurring flaws of the licence are still likely to disappoint some players, such as the obscure enemy reactions during infiltration phases. It is a real shame because it is not far from rekindling the spark of the glory days from a not-so-distant past. Even the darkest night will end and the sun will rise.

While not all the ingredients that make up the formula of this new Atelier game are necessarily S-tier, the end result is of good quality thanks to the many ideas that have been used to freshen up the licence. Unfortunately, the title is likely to appeal only to diehard fans of the series or to a few curious onlookers and others will probably be put off by its apparent complexity, the messy aspect of its battles and the sense of confusion conveyed by its gameplay. However, the synthesis of alchemy, adventure, construction and a richer storyline brings a pleasant revival to the genre and is worth a try.

The first part of Lost Records: Bloom and Rage won us over thanks to its careful artistic direction, its remarkable writing quality and its endearing characters. The skilful staging of the dual temporality brilliantly mixes a very successful nostalgic atmosphere of the 90s with an immersive narration carried by a classic but effective gameplay. The music perfectly exacerbates the atmosphere and gives the title a strong and captivating identity that reinforces its emotional impact. However, a few shadows darken this picture, such as the sometimes excessive use of the camcorder which breaks the rhythm and can get redundant after some time, the scenario which struggles to get going, and a notable drop in framerates. In addition, we would have liked more enigmas. Despite these negative points, we cannot wait to find out more.

Dragonkin: The Banished is a good attempt at the Hack'n'Slash genre thanks to an original universe and an interesting modular gameplay. Its skill system and strategic approach via the Ancestral Grid offer a great deal of freedom for customisation and exploring its vast world gifts us with some visually brilliant moments. However, the game sometimes suffers from what feels likerushed main content, a level design that encourages exploration but offers little reward in compensation, and a lack of polish in certain aspects, notably the boss fights and balancing the difficulty with level scaling. While the experience is still quite enjoyable for fans of the genre, the lack of a multiplayer mode and a gameplay loop that is currently running out of steam relatively quickly kind of hinders its long-term appeal. It is worth mentioning that the game is, for the time being, in early access and nevertheless shows interesting potential. Additionally, the announced updates could well enrich the experience between now and its final release. So, let us see what happens next by the end of 2025...

Chornobyl Liquidators immerses us in the shoes of the anonymous heroes who sacrificed themselves to contain one of the worst disasters of the last century in order to safeguard humanity. Through a poignant narrative and a realistic simulation, it provides an original experience combining historical narrative, fear, emotions and bravery. Unfortunately, despite a laudable intention and a touching tribute, the visually dated graphics, the too many bugs and certain unnecessary side quests tarnish the whole experience. As a result, it leaves us with a feeling of something left unfinished, and does not make it a memorable experience, despite its potential.

Konami is building a new chapter in its Suikoden saga on the ashes of its series. Is this a revolution? No, merely an upheaval, and far from what it should be. It is barely an update, but enough to bring new players on board, win back old ones and stir the embers for a concept that deserves to continue its legend.

Tails of Iron 2 uses a tried and tested action-RPG formula, while presenting a very neat 2D artistic direction and even benefiting from Geralt of Rivia's voice. Apart from a few ergonomic adjustments, the combat component, which embodies the heart of its gameplay, is well oiled. Exploration and management could be far better to what is currently on offer. All in all, even if it is a decent game that we can recommend without any hesitation, the Tails of Iron licence could become much more, provided that these other aspects are exploited further. As they say, all good things come in threes.

Split Fiction fully deserves to see its name appear on the list of the best cooperative video game titles. The multiple science fiction and fantasy stories are fascinating to follow, thanks in particular to some sublime immersive levels. Moreover, the adventure is led by an endearing female duo, who slide from one crazy scene to another at an intense pace. Behind their screen, the two players will surely be constantly surprised by the different actions to be carried out in a coordinated manner. However, those who have already tried their hand at previous Hazelight productions are likely to quickly notice all the studio’s know-how and signature movesets, and thus engage in some comparative analyses. There are indeed a few things missing for the title to be perfect, such as more mini-games within the explorable areas, but be snoopy and give a chance to this marvellous fairytale work!

After a meticulous search, we can confirm that Two Point Museum offers a solid management experience that is fun and accessible enough to appeal to a wide range of players. The game mechanisms, which are largely based on the remains of its predecessors, are cleverly adapted to the museum theme. Nevertheless, there are a few clouds on the horizon, as this new instalment has not yet managed to iron out the main weaknesses of the saga. For example, progression still suffers from a real overhaul to make it more rewarding. In addition, some new features, such as expeditions, quickly prove repetitive and not baroque enough. Our analysis may seem harsh and nitpicking, but it was necessary to expose the slightest flaws of this simulation, which still deserves to be admired like any work of art!

Monster Hunter Wilds marks a growth for the saga with the combination of a more immersive narrative, enriched gameplay and increasingly vivid world. By expanding its mechanics while making the experience more fluid and dynamic, Capcom brilliantly manages to renew the licence without betraying its DNA. Thanks to an ecosystem constantly changing and an intriguing storyline, this instalment is a must for hunters in search of adventure and challenges.

It is a mixed picture for Sniper Elite: Resistance. Far too similar to Sniper Elite 5, this spin-off does not really bring anything new and fresh to the franchise, but it offers a controlled and particularly enjoyable experience during the various missions. That being said, there are a few bugs and the graphics, while pleasant, feel a bit disused. Nevertheless, fans of the franchise will certainly feel at home and will find everything they love in this title, thanks to its effective gameplay and a formula that has proven its worth over the past twenty years or so. We can only recommend enjoying this game at a low price, as it feels more like an expansion than an entire new game in its own right.

Like a Dragon Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii is an absolute treasure trove filled with a thousand and one wonders, nevertheless, our young sailors regret that it did not focus more of its activities on piracy considering it is the very thing that sets it apart from previous titles in the licence. The game remains enjoyable, varied and true to the Yakuza DNA, while offering a real adventure on the seas. A mix of uninhibited humour, open camaraderie and heightened emotions, with a final chapter full of epic and explosive action, in keeping with all the best pirate adventures. As always, the game is excellent entertainment, which has the luxury of besting most productions of the genre in the same universe. As always, Ryū ga Gotoku Studio has produced something imperfect but no less excellent.

Cuisineer is the perfect example of a game that needs a bit more cooking to be completely tasty. The central concept, which is to develop your restaurant by collecting resources in dungeons, is mouth-watering enough at first glance. What is more, the shimmering backgrounds and atypical characters are cool as cucumbers. However, the progression system leaves an unpleasant aftertaste, as it generates an overly pronounced feeling of repetitiveness. Even if we are not going to cry over spilled milk, it is clear that the incessant loading times are not going to be everyone's cup of tea! The bill may seem a little steep, but the title still does not deserve its first star in the Xboxygen guide.

We enjoyed discovering the world of Avowed. Currently, it stands as a very classic RPG and does not revolutionise the genre, but it nonetheless stands out with its colourful, enchanting and gorgeous sun-drenched graphics. The exploration element pushes the player to be curious and encourages one to inspect every nook and cranny as there is so much to reveal. We also liked the freedom to build our own story and play without the constraints of a predefined class. The title shines with its well-written dialogues, sometimes with a lot of wit, and our choices have meaningful consequences, whether in the secondary or main quests. Finally, thanks to a gripping story full of twists and turns, we more than enjoyed our epic journey through the Living Lands. It will no doubt appeal to fans of RPGs and heroic fantasy.

Set out to be an umpteenth multiplayer looter, Echo of Ada ultimately proves to be varied and attractive, particularly thanks to its progression system, which is sufficiently challenging to frustrate players, but also rewards their bravado and curiosity. Bandai Namco will, however, have to make sure that the title is regularly updated and that it listens to the feedback of its community to avoid the torpor inherent in its concept. For the time being, the glimpse we got of the game was sufficiently generous and addictive to make us confident. At the time of writing, all we want to do is get back into our mecha, reach the surface and explore the land of SYNDUALITY.

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.

Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 follows in the footsteps of its predecessor, offering a captivating, immersive and demanding medieval adventure. Despite some significant shortcomings, such as uneven dubbing and questionable infiltration phases, the game shines for its narrative depth, its enriched and fine-tuned gameplay, and its attention to detail. The technical improvements and design choices are prime examples of the developers’ passion, making this sequel a success that will appeal to fans of immersive RPGs.

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.

Going against the grain of everything the industry preaches in 2024, Mistwalker offers a JRPG that doesn't try to impress players with its graphics, yet manages to be technically impressive. Rather than using a story that focuses on social issues to make itself look engaging, the game has opted for a return to the roots of fantasy. Some may criticise its clichéd characters, but where FFVII Remake chose to drown itself in pseudo-philosophical considerations and a multiverse that made it lose all dramatic stakes, Fantasian Neo Dimension uses its own to offer players a deep and moving story, as well as a reflection on mourning so dear to Sakaguchi. It's a great lesson in humility for other studios, and a real joy to play with.

There are plenty of vehement opinions about Death Stranding! While some gamers consider the game to be a pure masterpiece, others feel that you have to be completely insane to appreciate this singular experience. And yet, putting aside the repetitive nature of the missions, it is impossible not to succumb to the charm of this title, which dares to break away from all the codes of today's big videogame productions. Kojima Productions delivers a profound story with a fascinating mise-en-scène. The immense environments that can be explored add an extra dimension to the journey through a desolate America. With this Director's Cut, the Xbox community becomes the lucky beneficiary of a more accessible ultimate version. There is nothing more to say, except that we heartily recommend this veritable love letter to the tenth art!

Despite a stellar cast and a promising alien invasion plot, Slitterhead struggles to convince. The ingenious mechanics of possession, the enjoyable combat and the skills offered by the Rarities are assets, but they are not enough to compensate for the technical weaknesses. These quickly become apparent in the repetitive, prescriptive missions, camera problems, collision bugs and dated graphics that tarnish the experience. This is all the more regrettable given the title's undeniable potential, which is sadly under-exploited, leaving us with a mixed impression tinged with disappointment.

Nothing ever goes according to plan with Indiana Jones. Each of his adventures is full of surprises, both good and bad. The Great Circle follows in the footsteps of the archaeologist's first episodes, thanks to its captivating story. Events unfold at a pace that oscillates between intense combat and moments where patience is required to solve the puzzles. Thanks to a brilliant accessibility mechanic and the precious memories it conjures up, one feels like stumbling upon the jewel of a lost ark. There is nothing revolutionary about the gameplay mechanics, but it is this lack of originality that makes the game so strong. Unfortunately, the picture quickly darkens when you realise that the Xbox version suffers from a number of technical liabilities. On top of that, there are a number of glitches, including the whip that hindered our progress inside a cursed temple. There really isn't much missing for MachineGames to turn this episode into a benchmark for the genre. Believe us, we are ready to throw ourselves into one last crusade to defend this title!

With Ravenswatch, Passtech Games offers a daring interpretation of the rogue-like genre, combining engaging, demanding and meticulously-calibrated gameplay with a dark universe inspired by tales and legends. While the progression system and diversity of heroes ensure excellent replayability, the lack of renewal in the artistic direction, bestiary and environments may limit the game's appeal in the long term. However, for fans of the challenge and co-operative experience, Ravenswatch stands out for its ability to shake up the genre's codes by offering a captivating adventure, as long as you prefer depth of gameplay over a more fleshed-out narrative. The potential is there, but it remains to be seen whether the game will be able to withstand the test of time over the coming hours and with future updates.

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.

If you are tired of seeing your loved ones with their eyes glued to their smartphones, then The Jackbox Survey Scramble clearly is not the best solution. Nevertheless, the title has the merit of playing the conviviality card by bringing different people together around a variety of questionnaires. The games are fast paced, allowing you to discover the words that come spontaneously from your friends' minds. Not all modes are created equal, but most offer precious moments of fun for several players. It is a great way to brighten up a winter's evening, especially as there is no risk of losing a pawn to our slightly tipsy uncle!

Planet Coaster 2 introduces new aquatic options that enrich the management experience, notably with the arrival of pools and slides, as well as a number of improvements to park customisation. While these additions add a fun dimension and more depth, they struggle to fully justify a second opus, as the new features could have been integrated via DLC. Additionally, technical issues, especially on consoles, detract from the experience: bugs in paths, slowdowns, all-too-frequent crashes and confusing navigation for staff management all stack on the frustration-meter. With its polished art direction and undoubted creative potential, this second instalment nevertheless struggles to fully convince. The lack of significant innovation reduces its appeal, and the performance problems are all the more disappointing given that this is a game that was supposed to offer a fluid, optimised experience, just like the first.

Dragon Age: The Veilguard marks BioWare’s return to immersive, polished storytelling that anchors the quality of dialogue and interaction at the heart of the experience. Although the title moves away from the RPG foundations of the first instalments in favour of a tenaciously action-oriented approach, the balance between intensity and moments of lightness is well orchestrated. The semi-open world and art direction add a touch of magic and adventure that is highly enjoyable. The environments and characters, enriched by companion quests and sub-plots, create a vibrant universe. On the other hand, the choice of an action-oriented gameplay, to the detriment of the RPG elements of the first episodes, could destabilise fans of more classic RPGs. This shift towards a more accessible and intense adventure, despite a few redundancies, gives the game its own identity, where epic sequences and more intimate moments come together skilfully. The Veilguard is a solid addition to the Dragon Age universe, ready to appeal to loyal fans of the series and new explorers alike.

There is no doubt that this immersive journey into the world of the famous gentleman burglar will have won us over on many levels. It is a pretty title, with a finely chosen musical backdrop, and it is well written, with exciting stories and twists and turns throughout the adventure. With its original gameplay that invites players to take on the role of different protagonists and its game mechanics that differ according to the character, Arsène Lupin - Voleur Un jour is an adventure that is well worth a shot, if you overlook its lack of challenge and its mainstream appeal, which may put off fans of tortuous puzzle games.