Christiaan Ribbens
Nightdive proves once again that a remaster can be more than just a graphical upgrade. It's about preserving gaming history combined with modern playability. Heretic shines with sleek level design, fun puzzles, and exploratory gameplay, while Hexen remains an ambitious experiment now significantly more accessible. Together, they create a package perfectly suited to appreciating and rediscovering great games from the past. This bundle, thanks in part to its low price, is highly recommended for both fans and new players.
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Giant Machines 2017 for the PS5 is a unique title. Graphically and technically, the game is clearly outdated, and the transition to the new generation yields few improvements. The concept—piloting immense machines in lumbering, precise missions—has a unique charm for a very specific target audience, but it doesn't quite live up to its promise. If you're looking for a simulation title, there are plenty of other great titles out there that offer more.
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The game sometimes feels a bit overambitious. It's playable, especially in docked mode, but don't expect an extremely smooth experience. Visually, it can't hold a candle to other titles on the system, despite the stylish art style. Nevertheless, Wild Hearts S is a game that deserves to be played. Not because it's perfect, but because it dares to do something new in a genre that has remained fairly traditional for years. It combines the adrenaline of monster combat with the creativity of building, and it does it surprisingly well. If the technical side had received a bit more attention, this would have been a true must-have. For now, it's recommended, with one (small) caveat.
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With Bananza, Nintendo once again proves they know how to make platforming truly enjoyable. Donkey Kong Bananza is one of those games that starts and ends with a big smile. It's not perfect. The co-op is disappointing, the upgrade system is somewhat limited, and navigating for collectibles could have been more intuitive. But what you get in return is a game bursting with energy, charm, variety, and fun. Along with Mario Kart Switch 2, this is the ultimate reason to get Nintendo's new console. If this is the level of quality we can expect from Nintendo this generation, we'll be fine. In fact, it'll be a party full of delicious bananas.
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The King is Watching is a surprisingly clever and challenging roguelike with a unique twist. The line-of-sight mechanic is a clever invention that keeps the gameplay constantly exciting. Add to that the building and defense components, along with dozens of unlockables, spells, kings, and advisors, and you have a game that remains captivating. The learning curve is steep, the runs are (sometimes too) long, and there's room for some minor improvements, particularly in terms of save options and visual optimizations. But what matters is that every run feels like a new puzzle. For fans of roguelikes, kingdom builders, and strategic puzzle games, The King is Watching is an absolute must-have.
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Split is short. After about 45 minutes, you can reach the first ending. If you want to see both endings, you'll have to replay the game, which, thanks to the terminal interface, is worth it. However, don't expect deep replayability or hidden sidetracks. This is a small experience, meant to be experienced once or twice. Split isn't a game that impresses with its technique or length, but it does boast strong game design. It's an atmospheric, cleverly designed experience that does something quite different from most games. For fans of horror, Half-Life, The Matrix, or similar worlds, this is highly recommended. It's a small slice of digital horror that really gets under your skin.
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Eriksholm: The Stolen Dream is a game designed with a clear vision. It's not for everyone. Anyone expecting creative, free-form puzzles or pure action should skip this one. But anyone who appreciates a good stealth puzzle game, with beautifully designed environments, captivating music, and a socially charged story, will have a wonderful time here. Just accept the occasional crate tipping over, a mistake being punished too harshly, or the occasional keyboard input. Because ultimately, this is just a great, old-fashioned game.
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Add this to your wishlist, follow the developer, and above all, keep an eye on him. Because this is a game that's going to make a splash.
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And yet, despite all these annoyances, you keep going. The world in Vessels of Decay simply looks fantastic. You want to see what's around the next corner. The gameplay flows quite smoothly, and you can get past the numerous bosses relatively easily. Vessels of Decay is one of those games that wins you over with one screenshot and one piece of music, but then partially disappoints you the moment you pick up the controller. The numerous bugs really hold this game back. The atmosphere is cool and the gameplay is extensive, but the world feels a bit too empty, even for a game set in a post-apocalyptic world.
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How 2 Escape: Lost Submarine is a masterful piece of game design. If you’re a fan of escape rooms, this is an absolute must-have. You don’t need to buy two copies to play together, and the clever puzzles provide over six hours of intense co-op fun. Both the PS5 game and mobile app are excellently crafted. Fans of We Were Here or Split Screen Fiction rejoice: this is your next adventure. This is a game that will not only test your brain, but also your mutual bond.
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Nobunaga’s Ambition: Awakening Complete Edition is nothing short of a textbook in strategic leadership in feudal Japan. It’s inaccessible, extremely challenging and painfully complex, but the player who can get through the first hour or two will have perhaps the most interesting and surprising launch title on the Nintendo Switch 2’s hands. Casual strategy fans would be advised to give this one a wide berth. But for the seasoned tactician, it’s a must-have, and our first taste of what strategy games we can expect to see thanks to the surprising new Nintendo Switch 2 feature: mouse controls.
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Mario Kart World is without a doubt the most ambitious game in the series to date. The open world, revamped mechanics, and chaotic new modes like Knockout Tour show that Nintendo is willing to innovate. Not everything is perfect: the world can feel empty at times, and 24 racers isn’t always the best choice. But thanks to a strong presentation, a brilliant soundtrack, split-screen gameplay, and a healthy amount of content, this is a Mario Kart you’ll want to come back to again and again. It may be expensive, but if Nintendo stays on course and continues to support the game for free in the years to come, this could very well be the definitive Mario Kart.
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Nice Day For Fishing is a surprisingly complete game that has been made with a lot of love and attention. The game offers more than just a gimmick and knows how to leave a clear impression with an original approach, simple but effective mechanics and a well-developed world. The game contains many hours of fun and is therefore the perfect game to play on the go on the Nintendo Switch . Whether you are a seasoned VLDL fan or a newcomer, Nice Day For Fishing delivers a unique and charming experience that is both relaxing and surprising in content.
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Elden Ring: Nightreign is an ambitious side project. When the stars align—you and two friends, the same console, no plans for the next few hours—it’s magical. You’ve got great classes like the Guardian or Executor, a Sekiro-esque parry system, and a beautifully atmospheric world. But if even one piece is missing, the tower collapses like a ton of bricks. Anyone looking for a classic Elden Ring experience will quickly skip this one. It’s a big surprise, then, that this successful experiment is being released as a standalone game, rather than as paid DLC for a smaller price. Because then we’d probably have labeled this the best expansion ever for a game that’s already considered a masterpiece by many.
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Spirit of the North 2 is a step forward in many ways. It looks beautiful, the gameplay is more extensive and the puzzles are a lot more interesting. You can even personalize your fox. But where the first part was sometimes too limited, part two goes a bit too far in the other direction. The open world offers freedom, but without a clear structure it quickly becomes confusing and frustrating. It is a game that tries to enchant you with the beautiful images, but it forgets that the gameplay must also be in good shape. These are not problems that cannot be solved and I hope the creators take the time to fix this with a patch. But at the moment you are better off picking up the first part if you really want to run around as a fox.
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The Precinct comes at just the right time and combines nostalgia and modern gameplay in a wonderful way. The atmosphere and the city breathe eighties and make you feel like you are in an action movie from that era. It feels refreshing to be on the right side for once, and you actually have to follow the rules. This is a game that you have to give yourself some time, but when the random chaos breaks loose, everything comes to life. I can't wait for the sequel, hopefully bigger and more ambitious in design. The wait for GTA 6 will be a lot more pleasant this way.
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The game teaches you more about James Ensor in a playful way, and perhaps even more importantly: it invites you to really look. At art, at details, at the stories behind the work. Please, Touch the Artwork 2 was made with great care and love by solo developer Thomas Waterzooi and knows how to combine art and play in an accessible way. It is creative, relaxing and above all original. It is therefore a pity that you get through it quickly, and the price tag is on the high side. But if you have any interest in old artists, it is good to support this game, hopefully we will get a nice compilation with all the Belgian masters.
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DOOM: The Dark Ages is perhaps the toughest DOOM title to date. The new weapons, especially the Shield Saw, are great. The story and the Slayer mythology are told in a cool way. The combination of brutal combat, immersive atmosphere and impressive level design make this one of the best single-player shooters of the year. Where other games stick to safe formulas, this game dares to do something really new, without losing that raw, tough DOOM feeling.
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Steel Seed is a game full of missed opportunities. The solid stealth elements and occasionally impressive visual moments show potential, but that is overshadowed by a weak story, flat characters, and repetitive gameplay. The skill system offers short-lived entertainment, but can't hide the fact that Steel Seed ultimately remains stuck in mediocrity. For fans hungry for a new stealth adventure, Steel Seed may be worth picking up, as long as they temper their expectations. But for many, this game will disappear into a pile, never to be touched again.
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Days Gone Remastered is finally a remaster of a game that many players probably missed. Technical improvements, clever DualSense support and new modes breathe new life into this underrated classic, even though some rough edges remain visible here and there. Fortunately, these drawbacks are more than compensated for by the intense atmosphere, memorable moments and the cool mix of survival, exploration and bike maintenance. Days Gone Remastered is still not perfect, but it does give me more hope for a sequel. After all, as a player you are still left with a number of unanswered questions.
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