After more than a decade of waiting, Hideaki Itsuno's creature finally sees the light of day: Dragon's Dogma 2 is not only the return of a title that has become a cult favorite, but also the leap forward that all fans have been waiting for with hope in their hearts. The same heart that is the cross and delight of Capcom's production capable of delivering a one-of-a-kind fantasy experience, uncompromising and without reaching out to the player. As futuristic at some junctures as it is pleasantly retro at others, this is an action RPG not to be missed!
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Withering Rooms marks the intriguing debut on the scenes for Moonless Formless, which successfully blends seemingly irreconcilable elements resulting in a bizarre but fascinating creature. Although some elements are not exactly flawless (above all, the confusing combat system, but also a far too nebulous narrative), the final product represents a pleasant breath of fresh air in a genre, horror, that is witnessing several experiments in the last period. Recommended for all thrill-seekers, but also for those who want to try something different and original.
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Unicorn Overlord may indeed be the breakthrough title for Vanillaware. While targeting a niche genre with bold game design choices, the Osaka-based developers remain true to their philosophy by churning out this time a tactical RPG of great depth and very high quality. Even net of a less inspired narrative than desirable, some choices may find little appeal in part of the audience, especially because of the enormous weight attached to the management aspects. But beyond that, the title represents one of the best original titles the genre has seen in recent years-don't miss it!
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Final Fantasy VII Rebirth is an absolute masterpiece and the best Square Enix-branded title of recent years. A monumental work in which one breathes the love for the original work, here retraced and expanded, and which shows the new generations the true spirit of a saga capable of winning the hearts of millions of fans. There are those who will be able to make some criticisms against certain narrative choices (in our opinion, to be evaluated globally only with the arrival of the third and final chapter), the excessive abundance of content and some technical smears (especially of the Performance mode). But these are minutiae that disappear in the face of the greatness of this work, capable of reminding the whole world that Japan is always ready to amaze and wonder.
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Contra: Operation Galuga marks the return to the scenes of Konami's historic series after a hiatus of several years, especially if we go back to dredge up the last installment with a quality worthy of this IP's prestige. The developers at WayForward painstakingly reworked the classic run 'n gun action game of the 1980s, managing to replicate the original feel with a little splash of modernity. The operation is certainly successful, yet the more orthodox features of the saga (edginess of difficulty, primarily) may still be a relevant deterrent for many players today.
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The Outlast Trials is a bold experiment on the part of Red Barrels, which sets aside the established structure that has made the series successful in favor of a new interpretation devoted to online multiplayer. The creepiness and horror are constant presences, as is the rich content enriched by an interesting support on paper. What did not convince us 100%, however, is precisely the very choice to tackle an Outlast-style adventure with other people, given the structural limitations required to “make” the gameplay work in co-op in addition to the inevitable collapse of the oppressive atmosphere given by solitude. If you are a fan of the genre and have a good group to experience the title in the right way, Trials can thrill and terrify you. If, on the other hand, you plan to play it with casual players (or in single player mode), the production may show all its flaws.
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With Expeditions: A MudRunner Game, Saber Interactive decides to take its simulative series into the wilderness with a change of perspective. So here are scientific expeditions to be meticulously prepared, between retrieving precious cargo to rescuing lost vehicles, passing through the inevitable snags along the way to be solved with skill and craftsmanship. In this respect, the new spin-off installment of the MudRunner series surprisingly tends toward puzzle games, putting the player in situations to overcome with the right method at the right time through full awareness of one's resources. However, the purely simulative approach may not suit every palate: if you don't want to freak out over yet another vehicle mired in mud, paved roads may be more for you.
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Penny's Big Breakaway is a very pleasant foray into 3D platforming at the turn of the millennium. Somewhere between SEGA evocations and Nintendo suggestions, the Evening Star production convinces and entertains mainly thanks to the yo-yo gimmick, capable of inserting fresh gameplay dynamics even in a very traditional context. Unfortunately, not all sections come into focus, as well as some play mechanics lose sharpness to a keen eye. Nevertheless, it is a title that will entertain and amuse fans of the genre as well as nostalgic gamers.
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After years of militancy on PC and several revisions, Alisa: Developer's Cut also arrives on consoles bringing its developer's homage to the forefathers of survival horror. Casper Croes writes the most classic of love letters, yet goes about religiously replicating every aspect, from the B-series narrative to the PS1-era graphics and tank controls. A blast of nostalgia that will be viscerally loved by those who lived through this period of history. For everyone else, the trip back in time may be all too traumatic.
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Inkulinati finally arrives at its full release and does so with a product that is as fascinating as it is complex. The medieval marginalia aesthetic imparts a unique personality to the project, as does an effectively strategic and layered gameplay. However, as with all titles that choose to embrace both a distinctive art design and a niche genre, the end result is inevitably a product that is not easy to recommend to everyone. Beyond the unquestionable qualities, Yaza Games' debut work is a clear example of what the indie market can hold in store: tactical fans in particular should cast an eye on it.
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When the source material is already a masterpiece, a remake capable of further improving the formula can only achieve the same status. Even nearly two decades later, the third main installment in the Atlus series proves that it is still an excellent JRPG with a phenomenal storyline and addictive gameplay. Persona 3 Reload takes all this and elevates it to the nth degree, with a new look, smoother dungeon management, and an endless series of improvements. After Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth, another SEGA-signed masterpiece in this exhilarating early 2024.
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Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League is the most difficult title to review not only of 2024 but perhaps, who knows, of the entire generation. After nearly a decade of waiting since Batman Arkham Knight, Rocksteady finally returns with a project greeted more with a heartfelt funeral requiem than a bit of cold detachment. Judged through the lens of the fan disappointed by what this title could have been, it would be easy to speak of disappointment, going on to hyperbolically mark (existing) flaws and narrative merits. But striving to judge the title for what it sincerely wants to be, we cannot help but recognize its obvious production values, the courage of the change of course, and, ultimately, the fun and entertainment it can deliver. Because Kill the Justice League is primarily that: a title that offers genuine entertainment, driven by a compelling and unpredictable plot. Not everything works as it should and the specter of repetitiveness hovers as over any other looter shooter. But one thing is certain: Suicide Squad is not as bad as branded by general opinion. Give it a chance: this rowdy squad might surprise you and, who knows, maybe a year from now we can find ourselves here talking about its journey.
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Almost two decades after the legendary first chapter, Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth has the flavor of both a point of arrival and a dazzling new beginning. Far from revealing too much, what we can say is that Ryu ga Gotoku Studio's new title is not only, in all likelihood, the best chapter in the series. It also represents one of the best JRPGs in the recent video game landscape and, we go further, one of the first serious candidates for the 2024 GOTYs. A must-buy for practically everyone, but especially for those fans who bought Yakuza back in 2006 for the PlayStation 2: all of this was also possible thanks to you!
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Immortality is an extremely difficult project to evaluate, to make understood, and, above all, to recommend. Taken as a video game, it has obvious limitations to the point where it can hardly be compared in the same way as 99.9% of what the market offers. However, it is precisely in its being an exponent of this reduced 0.1% that it asserts its uniqueness. An FMV adventure as a restorer, grappling with a mystery that can transport you into a magnetic story. Undoubtedly not a product for everyone, but for those few it may be unforgettable.
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Turnip Boy Robs a Bank is another hit target for Snoozy Kazoo. The small Western Massachusetts development team puts us back in the shoes of a jovial thug, this time grappling with a light roguelite based on robberies and ramshackle escapes. It's a short, lighthearted experience that embodies the development team's DNA and their own mission in wanting to create products to detach the brain. Robbing a bank has never been so much fun (!).
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DreadOut 2 marks the return of the talents of Digital Happiness to the world of survival horror. Compared to the past, the formula has been expanded: however, technical ugliness and a game design that is at times darker than the story being told persist. Linda's adventure is full of interesting and mournful insights, but it labors and stumbles with an ambition that is out of parameter with respect to its means and achievements. In a landscape, such as the independent scene, where sometimes sublime results can be achieved that can combine resources and aspirations, the Indonesian production remains an encouraging experiment but still far from the right balance to be remembered by the general public.
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Three years after the original release date, The Last of Us Part II is still an epoch-making masterpiece, and this Remastered further enhances Naughty Dog's work. Technical tweaks and playful introductions, including interesting lost levels and the exciting No Return mode, constitute the selling points of the re-release, which further solidifies the must-have character of Neil Druckmann's creature. If you have played the original title to exhaustion, the Remastered may not be a priority purchase. If, on the other hand, you viscerally love the series or, even more so, if you have not yet played Part II, well, the time has come.
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Marvel's Midnight Suns is a genuine success story that obsequiously respects the reference material and puts deep, tactical gameplay on the plate in the Firaxis tradition. It is a major project for the development team, content-wise huge and bringing the gameplay experience closer to that of classic Western RPGs. Despite the openness to a wider audience, some aspects of the production could, however, discourage part of the audience such as the management of the dynamics inherent in the Abbey and a technical compartment that is not always flawless. A new certificate of excellence for the legendary development team, which proves that it still has many arrows in its bow.
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Cookie Cutter is a bloody, splashy metroidvania that makes aesthetic presentation, combative exhilaration, and narrative anxieties its trump cards. As a debut title, Subcult Joint's work knows how to distinguish itself, thanks to an overall care that is evidently over the top and a marked and clearly visible authorial trait. Ludically, however, Cherry's adventure is much more ordinary, but although fun is always assured, it often falls into youthful errors such as an all-too-spaced camera, a difficulty that is not always balanced and excessive chaos in some battles. Nevertheless, the path of revenge to make Garbanzos pay will be a very satisfying experience.
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SteamWorld Build is yet another success for the intellectual property created by Image & Form. The sparkling liveliness of the series has brought us this time a curious hybrid of city building and dungeon crawling, elements that taken individually would not be particularly original, but that combined give rise to something peculiar. The presence of an ultimate goal to pursue and the need to cope with two different ludic realities make Build a decidedly interesting product, even net of a few too many levity and facilitation. Precisely in this sense, lovers of the aforementioned genres might be most critical of the production. For everyone else and for fans of the post-apocalyptic world of steam-powered robots, there will be bread for your teeth this time as well.
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