Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 is perhaps the most daring game in the franchise. The campaign dares to be a wild but entertaining mix of mind games, movement changes, horror vibes, bombastic action and agent adventures. It never gets boring. However, many of the elements also feel a little too spartan and only scratch the surface of what could actually be possible. But at least the direction is right. However, the multiplayer still has to prove itself over the months. The maps are not yet fully inspiring and do not really fit in with the new Omni-Movement, which noticeably speeds up the gameplay. So if you're looking for a fast-paced shooter experience, Black Ops 6 could be a good option.
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I was a little skeptical beforehand. After all, Ara wants to be a lot of things and combines classic Civilization mechanics with those of more complex building strategy games in terms of complex production chains. But the balancing act succeeds and with some time to get used to it, I quickly fell under its spell. One more round! Ara motivates me with the many ways in which I can build up my nation and collect prestige points for victory, but always remains fair. The complex production chains, including the choice of religion or form of government, are also quite challenging in the way I learn the game. Ara is clearly aimed at more experienced players who are not playing a game like this for the first time. Yes, the nations would like to have a bit more of their own identity, for example through the way they can bring their own stories. And yes, I would have liked to have influenced one or two battles more directly. But Ara nonetheless leaves a surprisingly positive impression and the really nice looking 4X strategy game places itself as a serious option in the genre that will certainly keep me busy for many hours to come!
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Every praise is followed by a small "but". This is also the reason why I can get a lot out of Dustborn as a whole, but not as much as I would wish for myself. Because the game creates an interesting world with multi-faceted characters. I like how much I can immerse myself in the world of thought and listen to the well-written dialog. The fundamentally different mechanics and game elements are also entertaining. What bothers me most, however, is the pace of the narrative, which can be slow at times, and the unused potential of the combat system. Although this gives me some exciting options, it is somewhat clunky to play and the enemies are moderately challenging. However, as I like versatile characters, the charming look and the wealth of ideas, Dustborn is a successful story game for me.
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All in all, Alone in the Dark celebrates a positive resurrection with a new direction that I really like at its core! The dense atmosphere in combination with the staging, story and detailed world of a marvellous 1920s setting carried me through the title very well. The puzzle solving shines as a core gameplay element in the narrative-driven game, making Alone in the Dark a really competent video game, at least in these aspects. However, I have to grumble a little more about the combat. Spongy gunplay, a bitchy camera, a meagre variation of enemies, as well as a sometimes stupid AI spoil the fun of the game. This needs a comprehensive overhaul for a hopefully upcoming second part. Because the new edition is a really successful work in this series, which has recently been in crisis and has a really solid pillar in its story, presentation and puzzle solving, on which a rosy future can be built. However, developer studio Pieces Interactive should take another look at the battles, which fortunately make up a smaller part of the overall work, as their genre colleague Resident Evil has already demonstrated in the third-person spin-offs.
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True to the motto "better a good copy than a bad one", The Crew Motorfest wants to take on the big flagship that has been giving us the best open-world arcade racers for years. Will the throne be shaken? At least a little bit. Because the game world, presentation, visuals, sound and vehicles are quite convincing and make a lot of fun in places. The arcade handling is very solid. Thus, we get a game that I had more fun with than expected. However, the game doesn't manage to outdo the big idol in any point. It does everything that Forza Horizon does quite well, but never as well as the original. Whether handling, scope, track design. FH is somehow always a tire ahead. That's not a bad thing, though, because even those who don't own a PC or Xbox get a good alternative. However, those who can call the aforementioned systems their own will probably have little reason to get away from Forza. Motorfest doesn't offer enough of its own identity and doesn't quite manage to capitalize on its USP (boats & planes).
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Goodbye Volcano High is humorous, sad, poignant, personal, charming. In short: the full fire side of emotions. The developer studio KO_OP achieves this with a wonderfully written story, which becomes incredibly close thanks to great voice actors, a coherent art style and multi-layered themes. Goodbye Volcano High is not "just" another coming-of-age story, but also a wonderful link to pop culture and the question of "being". Not dryly, though, but in a totally sympathetic way. A truly recommendable indie gem that should please fans of visual novels very much. Accordingly, you shouldn't expect too much gameplay. The passages that it does have, however, know how to inspire me and might have even deserved a bit more space.
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Gosh, I was looking forward to this game! The gloomy presentation, along with the narrative approach in the depths of the sea already excited me at the announcement. Fortunately, there is still plenty of enthusiasm left for the release. Because in its narrative and writing, I'm happy to let Under the Waves capture me and throw me into an emotionally gripping game. Indeed, that grabs you just as much as exploring the underwater world that seems so alien. The only annoying thing is the stiff submarine controls and the heavy tearing in the main menu. This has already been fixed on the PC, but console players will have to be patient. Under the Waves is a moving excursion into the depths, including those of the main character Stan. Dealing with the past, loss and loneliness, as well as dealing with the environment, are skillfully spun into a virtual journey wrapped in exploration. Absolutely recommended purchase!
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Bomb Rush Cyberfunk is the Jet Set Radio successor we never got. The comparison doesn't come out of nowhere, it's practically provoked. Whether it's the visual aesthetics, the cool sounds or the game design. The source of inspiration is obvious. But instead of just copying a great work poorly, an excellent spiritual successor succeeded here, which wonderfully manages to create a gameplay that builds into each other, through which I keep getting lost in the game world in my combo build-up. Thanks in part to the great humor, I can absolutely recommend this title to anyone interested in a mix of Jet Set Radio and old Tony Hawk games. Unfortunately, the story and the battle system don't manage to slide to the same level. In view of the other strengths, this can be forgiven and doesn't change the fact that it's a real insider's tip in the midst of the many AAA games.
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Pikmin 4 lets go of the reins and just lets me do my thing. The mixture of discovering, puzzling, fighting, collecting and multiplying Pikmin works perfectly and excited me because the variety and level structure always motivated me intrinsically. And oh, is it all cute. The night sections fit in just as well as the Dandori matches. Even better, though, is the integration of Ochin the dog, who feels so incredibly natural as part of Pikmin 4 and actually enriches the gameplay. This also lets me overlook the stale visuals. However, it's less easy for me, especially when it comes to the introduction and the dialogs in general. So much blah. So much blub. It unfortunately interrupts the flow over and over again and instead somehow tries to tell some kind of plot, but unfortunately in the end it's a mixture of dull and stupid. But that's not why I'm playing Pikmin 4, I'm playing it because action-strategy is served up in such a likeable, fun and creative way that I rarely get to experience elsewhere. Anyone with even a hint of affection for the genre should not miss it.
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Amidst all the consistent sequels, remakes, and remasters, Viewfinder beckons to me out of the corner of my eye. It seems playful, creative, and visually stunning in a way all its own, so I can't help but love it. I've had hundreds of images merge with the game world now, and even the 101st time still leaves me intrigued by how well the perspective gameplay actually works. It doesn't take the effects fireworks of Final Fantasy XVI or the graphical opulence of a Horizon: Forbidden West to wow me on a visual level. It's also simply enough to blow my physical imagination around the spatial and let me immerse myself in it at the same time. The rather subliminal story wouldn't have even been needed there. What it would have needed, if anything, was a more challenging first third and maybe a moment or two more that would have made me less inhibited in my creativity by a clearly prescribed course of action. Viewfinder is still a wonderful experience for those who can engage in a very unique way of puzzling. And if you're unsure, play the demo!
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I would like to get more out of Dead Island 2. But unfortunately, neither the narrative emptiness, the uninspired mission design nor the repetitive gameplay loop can really pull me along. Yes, I had fun, especially in the first few hours, enjoying the gore effects and just bluntly beating my way through hordes of zombies. But the poorly balanced progression also let me go just as quickly. The humor, too, unfortunately didn't pick me up in almost any minute. The overall solid combat system is the lynchpin of the title, though. If you had a lot of fun with the first game, you might also like part 2, because despite the long development time, it is very close to the original. However, if you need variety, a growing battle system, and generally anything beyond that in terms of story and interesting characters, Dead Island 2 is at best something for the Christmas Sale at the end of the year. After 9 years of development rollercoaster, the action game is not a disaster, but it still dares frighteningly little to stand out by anything.
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