The Games Machine

F1 24 is a definite step backward for the Codemasters and Electronic Arts series. Many of the new features introduced in this new iteration are not only unconvincing, but in fact go to the detriment of a game formula that is admittedly old but at least works. With less content than last year and an outdated graphics compartment, the 2024 edition of the official Formula 1 video game is nothing more than a homework assignment. While waiting for a revolution that may never come, unfortunately this remains the only alternative for fans of the top motorsport championship.

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On the streets of Heading Out, there is some confusion. Serious Sim's game tries to combine racing and storytelling through some micro-management mechanics, but the balance between the parts does not hold for the entire game, and every now and then the narrative path seems inexorably shaped by the availability of resources. Heading Out, however, shows his best to eyes and ears, as the gray roads of North America flow beneath the wheels and the cassette tape in the stereo blasts a perfect travel soundtrack into the speakers.

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Astor: Blade of the Monolith is an action game with a nice combat system, but unfortunately it tends to repeat game situations a little too often during the approximately 15 hours needed to reach the end credits.

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Apart from the "30 fps" issue, which in no way detracts from the overall quality of the experience, Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door is, today as yesterday, an extremely enjoyable, fun, perfectly calibrated and absolutely unmissable title. Whether or not it's right to entrust a remake with Nintendo Switch's swan song is not our concern, play it without asking too many questions and you won't regret it.

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Dread Delusion is an homage to the open world RPGs of the past, in which many times intuition and correct interpretation of texts were worth as much as skill with swords, bows and fireballs. A question arises, however: does this still apply today? Certainly not for everyone. Low-resolution textures and models with very few polygons certainly work well in boomer shooters, slightly less in games in which the environments are key components of the experience. Still, the story is very interesting to follow, and if you get past the overly basic combat system it can engage you for a fair amount of hours.

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An action-adventure that repeatedly quotes the old Resident Evil games and uses their mechanics to offer the more nostalgic audience an experience very close to the survival horror of the PS1-N64 era. A hint of modernity in the controls makes it palatable even to less veteran gamers, but a few balancing problems and a fairly short longevity take it away from the pinnacle of the genre.

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This new revival, in addition to engaging and exciting, details the talent of Tekla and Jonathan Blow. It is a new look that, in addition to involving and impressing, embellishes the journey, making it pleasant and much higher than it appears. The work is absolutely valuable, so much so that the vote below, exactly in line with the value of the work and the past, remains unchanged or almost unchanged.

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Lorelei and the Laser Eyes is one of the masterpieces of the year, a title that stands out in the already large Annapurna stable and the umpteenth confirmation of Simogo as one of the most talented teams around. A puzzle game, a graphic adventure, an investigative game, even a simple dungeon crawler, chameleonic and always surprising, but above all a cursed, engaging, disturbing story, which starts from the psychological thriller to end up thinking about art in the broadest sense of the term. Maniacal level design, extraordinary atmosphere, incredible moments for a work that I am under no illusion can have commercial success but which, perhaps, like certain auteur films, can become cult.

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Capes is the perfect game for those looking for a level of challenge similar to that of any XCOM. Fun, complex and colourful, at times the game becomes very difficult, requiring more and more attention from the player, but if taken calmly, Capes can offer many emotions and hours of fun.

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Continuity with the past has always been part of Men of War's modus operandi, but this makes the absence of half the factions all the more jarring. The campaigns also seem to prioritize quantity over quality, and this is especially obvious in the voiceover department.

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: It might seem like a classic case of quantity overshadowing quality, but in reality Samurai Warriors 4 DX is a decent conversion of one of the most popular chapters among Musou fans, enhanced by a hefty dose of DLC. It shows its age in several respects but retains an exciting and entertaining soul, which will finally delight those who have been longing for the game's arrival on PC since 2014.

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A uniquely styled adventure, with game mechanics that are not new but used in a constructive and entertaining way. Narration, direction and soundtrack contribute to a rich experience that will steal your heart away.

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Ghost of Tsushima is surely not a revolution in the open world panorama, yet Sucker Punch managed to craft a must-play hit much more meaningful and interesting than other similar experiences. There's no need to re-inventing the wheel if you are confident of your idea. Ghost of Tsushima is this.

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Senua's Saga: Hellblade II is the crowning achievement of a team that has been able, over the last few years, to devote itself to every aspect of its work with particular and affectionate intensity, succeeding in the complex attempt to surpass what has been done in the past and outlining a production of great cultural depth. The production is touching, violent, brutal and physical, complete and brilliant. A must have.

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Songs of Conquest is a turn-based strategy game that fits into the mold of Heroes of Might and Magic, trying to fill the void left by the latter, now missing from our screens for almost a decade. Despite a few flaws in the single-player campaign, Lavapotion's video game features a near-perfect balance of the four playable factions, all of which are well characterized, as well as a huge amount of content, including full support for community-made stuff.

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It's a shame that Homeworld 3's plot seems to completely miss the point of the story in the older games, focusing too much on Imogen's hyperspace superpowers rather than on the Kushan's struggle as a people, because gameplay and presentation are otherwise top notch and prove once again Blackbird Interactive's competence and skill as a versatile RTS developer.

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Die by the Blade works in its video game mission that pays homage to Bushido Blade. for the rest, it is a huge wasted opportunity given that the title lacks all the contents.

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Developing a Battle Royale in step with the times starting from the gameplay of Pac-Man, released in 1980, without distorting its nature, must have been really difficult. PAC-MAN Mega Tunnel Battle Chomp Champs partially succeeds, offering a very interesting formula in the first game sessions, which little by little reveals all the limits, without additional modes to keep the enthusiasm alive. In a couple of hours you can see everything the video game offers, after which it is only a matter of time before the fun starts to wane. If you're looking for fast-paced and colorful competitive multiplayer, however, it might be for you.

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Sker Ritual is a classic horror cooperative shooter (also playable in single player) in which you'll find elements already seen in similar games, from Call of Duty's Zombie mode to Left 4 Dead and Killing Floor. Technical issued highlighted the need for updates to make the gaming experience smoother and more satisfying. We also hope that the developers will get busy releasing new content in the near future because the four maps now available quickly tend towards repetitiveness.

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Forcing us to live one second at a time, MULLET MAD JACK pays homage to the golden years of anime with contagious passion, the same that gushes from the small details that are difficult to see given the crazy speed of the gameplay. In a crowded landscape like that of old school FPS it's not easy to stand out, yet Jack manages to do so easily thanks to an out of the ordinary personality and mullet.

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