Silvia Mannu
- Tomb Raider (series)
- Like a Dragon (series)
Battlestar Galactica: Scattered Hopes immerses us in the atmosphere of the acclaimed TV series through a tactical, story-driven interstellar journey. The roguelite gameplay is well-designed, though the high difficulty level might discourage newcomers to the genre. The art style and soundtrack are also excellent, though voice acting for the narrative scenes would have added a level of depth and player immersion.
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Combining a rhythm game with a fighting game might seem like a crazy idea, and indeed, Dead as Disco is anything but an ordinary game! Its vibrant visuals and soundtrack captivate players right from the menu. The ability to play along to our favourite tracks makes the game endless and fully customisable. Now, however, we just have to see how Brain Jar Games handles the early access period, but the early signs have us feeling very confident.
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Diablo IV: Lord of Hatred offers the best campaign of the Age of Hatred. The story is packed with twists and turns and charismatic characters, and Lilith is finally given the screen time and character development she deserved. The two new classes, the classic Paladin and the brand-new Warlock, are notable additions, although there will be some balancing issues to iron out. The map expands further, and the Skovos archipelago offers us a brand-new Hellenic landscape. The Horadric Cube also returns, and the Warplanes finally allow us to avoid getting lost amongst the myriad endgame activities. Lord of Hatred is a truly successful expansion, but one that highlights once again how Diablo IV’s flaws stem directly from its base version. Blizzard has listened to the community, and what it is implementing is a genuine process of rebuilding its iconic hack “n” slash game.
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Last Flag by Night Street Games is a 5v5 hero shooter focused exclusively on Capture the Flag, set in a distinctive, meticulously crafted 1970s setting. The gameplay is easy to grasp but capable of generating intense and dynamic battles, thanks in part to the characters’ unique abilities and the radar tower system that guides the search for the flag. However, there are some issues, particularly with weapon balance and a general lack of content. Despite this, the game shows great potential and is enjoyable, especially given its low price.
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OPUS: Prism Peak is a captivating narrative adventure that explores the nature of memories and the quest to find a new purpose after the hardships life throws at us. Sigono’s work is inspiring, and possesses such power that it can be compared to some of the finest anime of the last twenty years. Prism Peak is recommended not only to fans of visual novels, but even those who usually play video games may find the plot intriguing.
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Replaced, the debut title from Sad Cat Studios, lives up to the high expectations we had after first seeing the trailer back at E3 2021. This pixel-art cyberpunk action thriller works exceptionally well, both visually and in terms of gameplay. Replaced is a successful blend of genres: it shifts seamlessly between action and stealth, woven together by a plot that, whilst not original, is well-written. A few issues with readability during the action sequences do not detract from the overall assessment of this indie title, which remains an interesting and highly recommended game.
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Minos is an atypical roguelite that blends dungeon building, puzzles, and real-time strategy. The game reimagines the myth of the Minotaur, placing players in the shoes of the title's bull-human hybrid monster, and having them design defensive labyrinths against hordes of invaders.
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Xenonauts 2 is one of the most interesting and successful attempts to breathe new life into the spirit of the classic UFO/X-COM in a contemporary form. There are games that strive at all costs to be modern. And there are games that simply aim to be really, really good. Xenonauts 2 clearly falls into the latter category.
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Death Stranding 2: On the Beach remains a divisive experience, true to Hideo Kojima’s artistic vision. Months after its release on PS5 and with its PC debut, the game continues to spark debate due to its unique approach: it does not aim for instant entertainment, but rather to evoke emotions through gameplay. Kojima’s latest work stands out for its successful blend of atmosphere, storytelling, symbolism and audiovisual impact, underpinned by the excellent Decima Engine. The PC port, developed by Nixxes Software, is technically excellent: smooth performance, support for modern technologies such as DLSS, FSR and Ray Tracing, as well as extensive graphical customisation. The gameplay remains deliberately slow-paced and serves the narrative. Compared to the first instalment, environmental variety and technical quality have improved, though without revolutionising the formula. Death Stranding 2: On the Beach is a unique and captivating experience, particularly for those who appreciate a contemplative pace and a strong authorial voice.
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Homura Hime is an extremely entertaining indie action RPG, thanks to a formula that blends high-speed character action combat with intense 3D bullet hell mechanics. Inspired by titles such as NieR: Automata and Bayonetta, the game focuses on spectacular combos, accessible but technical parries, and closed arena battles that reward aggression and precision. The protagonist, an exorcist known as the Princess of Flame, faces archdemons born of distorted emotions in a narrative that intertwines Japanese folklore and psychological introspection. Artistically, the anime aesthetic is meticulously detailed and enriched by high-quality Japanese voice acting. Originally a student project, the title demonstrates ambition and a clear stylistic identity.
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Reigns: The Witcher brings the minimalist formula of Reigns to the world of the Witcher, thanks to a collaboration between Nerial and CD Projekt. The system remains faithful to the original: quick decisions are made by swiping through cards representing encounters, influencing relationships with humans, non-humans and wizards. Instead of economics, the fourth resource here is monsters, which trigger rhythm game-style combat. The narrative device is brilliant: you don't play the real Geralt, but a fictionalised version invented by Dandelion, with a deliberately ironic and over-the-top tone. 'Inspirations' modify rules and events, increasing replayability and variety. While tackling dark themes such as racism and violence, the game maintains a light-hearted approach, full of references and absurd situations, even if some Game Overs can be frustrating.
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Ys X: Proud Nordics is the definitive edition of one of the most successful chapters in the historic Ys saga. Set after the events of Ys I and Ys II, the game follows Adol to the Nordics archipelago, among pirates, Vikings and ancestral mysteries. The adventure combines fast-paced real-time combat, land and sea exploration, and a more structured narrative than in the past. This edition introduces Oland Island with new characters and quests, the Muspelheim dungeon, the Bergen Coliseum, and the Mana Hold mechanic for solving environmental puzzles. Maritime navigation is one of the highlights, as are the soundtrack and the variety of content. With around 30 hours for the main story and up to 60 for total completion, it offers a solid and accessible experience, ideal for both veterans and those new to the series.
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Yakuza Kiwami 3 & Dark Ties is a successful remake of the third instalment in the Kazuma Kiryu saga, modernising the experience without betraying the spirit of the original. The narrative alternates between dramatic and intense moments and lighter, more touching situations, especially in the relationship with children, which is one of the emotional cores of the adventure. The remake expands and improves many side activities, including the management of the orphanage and the Bad Boy Dragon minigame, as well as adding the extra story Dark Ties, centred on Yoshitaka Mine. From a technical standpoint, the game performs well, despite occasionally uneven graphics, especially in the cutscenes. Overall, Yakuza Kiwami 3 & Dark Ties is a really good remake: it retains the strengths of the original, corrects some of its flaws and enriches the experience with new content.
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We started playing the new Monster Train 2 DLC, Destiny of the Railforged, expecting something that probably wouldn't impress us that much, but we were surprised by how difficult it was to stop playing. And that's exactly what we've always loved about Monster Train. Of course, now we have to relearn a lot of things, because there are so many new features and so many new modes that it takes a while to digest everything. But it's a great feeling. For the price it's selling for, it's a real bargain, so try it for yourself.
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Pathologic 3 marks the arrival of the third chapter in a unique saga, one that will be remembered not so much for its refined gameplay, but for its decidedly memorable storytelling and narrative style. Its gruesome atmosphere confronts us with contemporary dilemmas and a horror we can relate to.
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Memories in Orbit is a bold and successful attempt to bring something new to the world of Metroidvania games. If you are looking for a real challenge and a work of art that hides secrets around every corner, don't hesitate to give it a try. The gameplay is impressively solid, and the art design, inspired by the work of French comic book artist Moebius, is undoubtedly the most striking positive aspect of MIO. There is some excessive lengthiness in the exploration phases, but these are flaws that can be expected from a debut work.
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Trails Beyond the Horizon marks a new chapter in The Legend of Heroes saga, as well as the 20th anniversary of Nihon Falcom's JRPG saga. Some questions raised in previous episodes will be answered, but at the same time, new mysteries will keep the plot intriguing. The gameplay is solid and fun, and the developers' experience is evident. Unfortunately, despite an excellent PC port, the graphics are inferior to those of the remake of the first chapter of Trails in the Sky released in September, and there is no Italian translation. However, these are negatives that fans of the saga will certainly be willing to overlook, given the usual high quality of the saga's writing.
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Sleep Awake captivated us with its dreamlike atmosphere bordering on the surreal. Katja's wanderings in a world trying to resist sleep will take us to disturbing and horrific landscapes. However, our adventures will be very short-lived and, apart from a few stealth sessions and some simple puzzles, we won't have many opportunities to interact with the game world.
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Neon Inferno is inspired by classic run 'n gun games, offering a less frantic pace than arcade games to accommodate newcomers. The adventure doesn't last long, but the real challenge lies in completing it at increasingly higher difficulty levels. Will you be able to do it?
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Possessor(s) is a good Metroidvania experience crafted by the talented studio Hear Machine. The mechanics are well-established and reminiscent of the classics of the genre, but what impressed us most was the art design, which is one of the best we've seen lately. We still have some doubts, especially regarding the world navigation system and some effects that make the battles difficult to follow, but overall, Possessor(s) was enjoyable.
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