Virtue and a Sledgehammer is a walking simulator, a narrative experience that explores grief, family ties, and resistance to change. Its unique twist lies in the destruction of environments with hammer blows: a satisfying moment in a game where the focus is primarily on moral dilemmas and traumatic memories. The unsettling atmosphere and low-poly visual style set the game apart from the crowd, but the repetitive mechanics and pacing are aspects that negatively impact the final assessment.
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Remothered: Red Nun's Legacy concludes Stormind Games’ survival horror trilogy, bringing the story to our own Sicily. The mystery surrounding the disappearance of six girls and the malevolent Red Nun takes us back in time to classics of the genre, such as the early Resident Evil games, and to titles that focused more on exploration than on combat with enemies. The atmosphere is undoubtedly well-crafted, thanks in part to solid environment and level design, as well as a top-notch soundtrack. However, it’s not a perfect game: a few technical flaws are evident, and we feel that the animations and interactions could have been executed better. None of this, however, compromises our final verdict on the latest installment of the Remothered trilogy, which serves as an excellent conclusion to the story and a definite step forward from the second game.
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Enshrouded is a well-crafted survival action RPG that’s great to play both solo and with friends. Exploration lets you gather resources, which you use to upgrade your gear, allowing you to open up new paths and improve your base, which grows a little larger after each adventure. Even the beauty of the landscape contributes to the success of this cycle, encouraging us to stray from the planned path to discover what lies hidden elsewhere. Of course, there’s still room for improvement. Resource management could be less fragmented, the graphics are sometimes inconsistent, and some boss fights could use more polish. These aspects, however, only partially affect the overall enjoyment. In the end, what remains above all is the feeling that you always have a good reason to explore. Another dungeon, a new region, and maybe gathering one last resource for the workbench. And when the day draws to a close in Embervale, you often find yourself already atop a cliff, admiring a magnificent landscape, ready to take flight toward the sun.
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Thank You Bus Driver is the perfect game for anyone who’s always wished Crazy Taxi were a little more laid-back, and maybe even in black and white. While it doesn’t reach the same levels of madness, this wild bus simulator puts you behind the wheel in a small but complicated city, transporting quirky 2D characters to earn “thanks,” scolding those who break the rules, and collecting power-ups to improve your performance. All of this, of course, while dealing with the inevitable repetitiveness typical of this kind of game. Sure, some of the most interesting ideas don’t work as they should, but Double Fine’s latest release is still a title we can easily recommend.
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Frosthaven is, by all accounts, an excellent digital adaptation of one of the most complex and acclaimed cooperative board games of recent years. Version 1.0 marks the end of an early access period that lasted over a year, making the entire campaign and all planned content available. The difficulty remains high, but the numerous customization options allow you to tailor the challenge to your needs. Frosthaven is a deep, content-rich strategic experience that will undoubtedly delight fans, but those new to board games will face a fairly steep learning curve and need to be prepared to learn many complex mechanics.
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Castlevania: Belmont’s Curse is a compelling return to its roots for Konami’s legendary series, drawing on Evil Empire’s expertise to deliver a 2D Metroidvania that masterfully combines exploration, challenging combat, and an art style brimming with care and charm. Rose Belmont’s adventure won us over thanks to a deep combat system and the Arcana, which enrich both progression and the narrative. The gothic recreation of Paris and Dracula’s castle is stunning, accompanied by a compelling soundtrack, though perhaps not quite on par with the splendor of Michiru Yamane’s work. Some limitations in enemy variety and inconsistent difficulty prevent Belmont’s Curse from reaching perfection, but they in no way detract from the overall quality of an adventure that proves just how much the Belmont family still has to tell.
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Dragon's Dogma 2: Dark Arisen is an expansion that’s heading in the right direction. It addresses the limitations of the original game with systems that have a tangible impact on gameplay. The new equipment, enhanced abilities, and six available slots enrich the action, while Norgan seems to have all the necessary qualities to reignite the joy of discovery. Some questions remain regarding balance and enemy behavior, but the direction seems promising. Furthermore, performance is finally excellent. But above all, we always want to keep exploring. And there’s nothing better for an expansion that focuses on the endgame.
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Silver Pines is an atmospheric game, a Metroidvania-style survival horror title that draws heavily from genre classics like Silent Hill, Resident Evil, and Alan Wake, as well as from television and film, such as Twin Peaks, The X-Files, and The Shining. However, these inspirations don’t reduce Wych Elm’s work to a mere collection of references; thanks to excellent storytelling, they allow the game to carve out its own path between nightmare and mystery. Solid gameplay underpins the experience, reinterpreting the genre’s conventions without forcing a radical overhaul. It’s also impossible not to mention the excellent art direction, featuring rotoscoped animations, and the soundtrack, with atmospheric music that heightens the tension. Silver Pines is a haunting adventure, a glimpse into the mystery of identity that straddles the line between reality and imagination.
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In a gaming era where many remakes and remasters feel the need to completely reinvent the classics, *Dynasty Warriors 3 Complete Edition Remastered* is, to all intents and purposes, a rediscovery of a great classic, with optional gameplay innovations that breathe new life into the hands-on experience. The graphics have been completely overhauled thanks to the use of Unreal Engine 5, and one might even say that this is more of a remake than a remaster. As if that weren’t enough, there are other substantial additions, such as new scenarios and new officers, including the protagonist from Dynasty Warriors Origins. In short, the game that revolutionized the Musou genre and won over audiences a full twenty-five years ago is back, still solid in its gameplay, and we’re always ready to fight!
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The greatest strength of The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt – Remastered is that it gives us an excuse to once again step into the shoes of Geralt of Rivia on his journey across the Continent. Even years later, it’s still thrilling to wield the steel sword and the silver sword, and this time around, CD PROJEKT RED delivers an updated combat system that’s smoother and more modern. The graphics have been updated, particularly in terms of models but especially in lighting, which, thanks to ray tracing and path tracing, has achieved a new level of visual realism. It’s a shame, however, that the overall result is inconsistent and that performance takes a significant hit when these technologies are enabled. The developers have already stated that they’ll release patches to address these issues in the near future, but for now, we have to acknowledge that the performance of this Remastered version isn’t optimal. Still, the joy of riding our Roach again is priceless, and it’s a great way to pass the time while waiting for Songs of the Past!
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Trails in the Sky 2nd Chapter picks up directly where the climactic ending of the first chapter left off. Estelle is once again on Joshua’s trail and continues her fight against the evil Ouroboros. The story is full of plot twists, but what stands out most in the series is the excellent construction of a detailed and believable world, thanks in part to the many well-developed supporting characters. The gameplay remains top-notch, featuring a hybrid combat system that blends action and turn-based elements, along with a well-designed character progression system. Technically, the game certainly isn’t at the cutting edge of this generation, and the environments, in particular, lack detail but the audio is excellent, with very expressive Japanese voice acting and a soundtrack that effectively complements the narrative. Unfortunately, it’s worth noting that once again, there is no Italian translation. But 2nd Chapter remains an outstanding JRPG, and we can’t wait for the upcoming remakes and the continuation of this long-running series!
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And when an expansion manages to make us look at Immortal Empires with the feeling that there's still something new to discover, it means Total War: WARHAMMER III undoubtedly still has some cards (and turns) left to play.
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The lovable characters from André Franquin’s French comic strip are back in Marsupilami 2: Salsa Palombia! And it’s a successful return, thanks to this colorful platformer. The game retains virtually all the elements that made Hoobadventure, the first installment in the series, so enjoyable, while improving on certain aspects thanks to the three protagonists’ unique abilities and level design that continues to reward exploration. Running, jumping, swinging with your tail, switching characters on the fly, and retracing your steps to retrieve a missed collectible remains an activity that offers plenty of satisfaction to all platformer lovers!
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The Sinking City 2 is a survival horror game that clearly draws inspiration from the latest entries in the Resident Evil series, only to carve out its own path under the influence of the unsettling atmospheres described by H.P. Lovecraft. The new installment in the saga created by Frogware is a completely standalone sequel to the prequel, but unfortunately, despite its in-depth lore, the plot tends to lose its way at times, and the narrative’s pacing falters on more than one occasion. The gameplay and puzzles, however, are excellent and kept us thoroughly entertained.
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Mafia: The Old Country - Man of Honor is a DLC that doesn’t aim to introduce new gameplay elements to the original game; rather, it’s more of the same, offering a narrative episode set during the main story, not after it ends. The new story, starring Enzo, lasts about two hours, and it’s precisely this short playtime that might deter many players, given the €9.99 price tag for the additional content. On the other hand, there are excellent new additions to the “Free Ride” mode, with missions that let you return to the Sicilian countryside and fully enjoy the scenery created by Hangar 13, scenery we loved so much in the base game released a year ago.
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The main mission of the Metal Gear Solid Master Collection Vol. 2 is to revive and rediscover two truly great games. Metal Gear Solid 4 is an imperfect but utterly unique experience. Its endless cutscenes and uneven pacing put your patience to the test, and its pacing hasn’t aged well, but its ambition, emotional depth, and moments of nostalgia are hard to match. Kojima told the story he wanted to tell, no matter how long-winded or bizarre it might be. Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker is truly a must-play title. Although it began as a Metal Gear Solid game for a handheld console, it remains an extremely well-rounded game, featuring all its elements of stealth, strategy, co-op missions, and, of course, Kojima’s signature storytelling. Finally, Ghost Babel is a most welcome addition: an almost-forgotten entry that’s now available on all modern platforms. It’s a shame about the absence of certain games that would have perfectly rounded out this collection such as Metal Gear Solid: Portable Ops and the two Metal Gear Ac!d titles—and especially about the half-hearted nature of these ports, which unfortunately offer no technical improvements.
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Brigandyne Abyss is a decidedly unconventional tactical JRPG that combines gameplay similar to a highly simplified grand strategy game with turn-based battlefield battles, where you lead one of the six factions in the game. Six years after the release of the previous installment, the Brigandine saga returns, offering excellent replay value and a particular focus on tactical variables on the battlefield. It’s just a shame about a few narrative flaws, as the story tends to drag and cram in far too many characters without ever developing them properly. The interface could also have used some streamlining, as players are too often overwhelmed by information. However, these are flaws that do not undermine the game’s value; it manages to captivate and entertain with a more than solid gameplay experience.
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Tukoni: Forest Keepers is one of those heartwarming cozy games, not only because of the various herbal teas we’ll find ourselves sipping with friends, but also because of the positive vibes that this world and its inhabitants manage to convey. Let’s pause for a moment and let ourselves be carried away like the leaves in a warm and welcoming forest.
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Steins;Gate Re:Boot is a journey through time, taking us back to the memories of one of the best visual novels ever released. The power of its convoluted plot and its absurd characters is still electrifying, and there’s even new material for longtime fans to discover. However, there are a few reservations, as this edition may not be all that essential for those who’ve already played the original game: the new content isn’t exactly unmissable, and some longtime players might prefer the original artwork. Furthermore, there are still a few technical issues to be resolved, particularly for players on Steam Deck. With these caveats in mind, Steins;Gate Re:Boot is an absolutely unmissable story for those who’ve never experienced it, and a must-have purchase for science fiction fans.
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The new Endless Ragnarok expansion, as its name suggests, brings a massive amount of new content to Granblue Fantasy: Relink, Cygames' colorful action RPG originally released in early 2024. The update introduces new abilities, higher difficulty levels, additional characters to unlock, and even a brand-new roguelike mode, significantly expanding the game's longevity. While its story, built around many familiar genre clichés, may not leave a lasting impression, the real highlight is its refined combat system. Deep, fast-paced, and spectacular, it draws inspiration from the very best action JRPGs, delivering dozens of hours of engaging gameplay whether you're playing solo or with friends.
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