Arturo D'Apuzzo's Reviews
The most convincing photorealism in the genre and, with version 0.8, gameplay that is finally up to par: excellent tension, physicality and audio. Content, basic online features and optimization, however, remain those of an Early Access game.
Review in Italian | Read full review
Orbitals is proof that homage, when made by people who truly know the subject, can become language instead of citation. The reconstruction of the aesthetics of '80s and '90s anime is the most convincing seen in a video game, not because it imitates drawings but because it has understood their inner mechanics – the sampling of the animation, the analog photography, the role of the sung theme song – and reproduced them with rigor. Around this scaffolding, Shapefarm has built an intelligent asymmetric co-op game, generous with ideas, supported by two protagonists who are a pleasure to accompany. It is not a masterpiece, and it would be unfair to sell it as one: the second half burns through its concepts too quickly, the bosses are not up to the puzzles, the camera betrays you at the wrong moments and the compressed ending leaves on the table the emotion it had built. But it is a game that knows exactly what it wants to be, that does not waste your time and that, if you have someone to share the couch with, will give you back one of those evenings you remember. In the still young catalog of Nintendo Switch 2, it is one of the best reasons to turn on the console for two.
Review in Italian | Read full review
Crimson Desert is a colossal, rough-edged, and at times chaotic game, yet one that is also incredibly captivating. Its controls demand patience, its narrative falls short of the potential of its world, and some of its design choices remain overly cumbersome. But it also boasts exceptional exploration, deep combat, an impressive array of mechanics, and a sense of adventure that few open-world games today can still convey with such power. Pearl Abyss has created a work that doesn’t aim for formal perfection, but for grandeur. And, despite stumbling several times along the way, it still manages to leave its mark. If you can get past the initial hurdle of the controls and accept a few inevitable rough edges, and overcome that ‘déjà vu’ feeling you’ll often experience when encountering a mechanic from that particular game, you’ll find yourself with a title capable of absorbing you for hundreds of hours, full of surprising moments and, above all, incredibly fun to play. It isn’t the most polished game in its category, but it is certainly one of the most vibrant, generous and ambitious of recent times.
Review in Italian | Read full review
The Last of Us Part II Remastered on PC represents one of the best console portings we have seen in recent years. Naughty Dog, Nixxes Software and Iron Galaxy have created a conversion that not only keeps the visual and narrative DNA of the original intact, but enhances it through the capabilities of PC hardware. Optimization is generally excellent, with scalability that allows the experience to be enjoyed on different band configurations. New technologies implemented, such as DLSS 3 and FSR 3.1, further expand the audience of potential players. The minor problems encountered do not in the least affect the overall quality of a work that, even on PC, is confirmed as one of the greatest videogame masterpieces of recent years. The addition of new content for the No Return mode, available from day one, is also a significant added value for both newcomers and those who have already experienced the adventure on PlayStation. If you are a PC owner and have not yet experienced the intense experience of The Last of Us Part II, this Remastered version is undoubtedly the best way to do so. If, on the other hand, you have already completed the game on consoles, the PC version offers enough technical improvements and new content to justify a return to Seattle. Ultimately, The Last of Us Part II Remastered for PC confirms itself as a benchmark for console porting, raising the quality bar for all future conversions
Review in Italian | Read full review
Indiana Jones and the Ancient Circle is exactly what fans of the franchise have been waiting for for years: an engaging, mystery-filled, action-packed adventure that honors the unforgettable movie saga. I didn't expect this, I admit, yet MachineGames has been able to create a title that, despite a few flaws - such as the aforementioned deficiency in artificial intelligence and a limited number of hand-to-hand combat animations - manages to capture the essence of the Spielbergian saga, offering an experience that alternates between moments of pure adrenaline rush and reflective exploration sessions. The game especially shines for its level design, its original take on the open world, its faithfulness to the source material, and the way it manages to make you really feel in the shoes of the legendary archaeologist. In short, whether you are a longtime fan of the IP or simply looking for a good adventure, Indiana Jones and the Ancient Circle is a game worth playing.
Review in Italian | Read full review