Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 manages in one fell swoop to erase the bitterness left by the last chapters in the series. A far from trivial achievement, achieved thanks to a surprising campaign (in a good way, thankfully), a wide-ranging Zombie mode and a solidly reliable multiplayer package. Perhaps it is precisely this last part that shows some intolerance, thanks to a less than exciting launch offer on the side of the available modes as well as the initial maps strangely less inspired than what Treyarch has historically proposed. For all fans of the series as well as especially for those who have put it aside over the years or have never approached it, rest assured. Activision's covert operations have hit the jackpot.
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Dreams confirms, once again, how much the real videogame dimension of The Smurfs is in platforming. The talented developers at Ocellus Studio produce a fun, colorful and idea-packed title suitable for both the very young and more seasoned gamers. The sources of inspiration are obvious, but instead of being lazily repurposed, they are instead paid homage to with creativity, sagacity, courage and expertise. A little fall 2024 surprise, as well as another great production dedicated to the little blue men born from the imagination of Belgian artist Peyo.
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The Bridge Curse 2: The Extrication is a well-structured horror game that builds on the lessons of its predecessor to deliver a concise but intense experience. While not shining in particular playful solutions accomplice to a basic gameplay, the night of terror inside the mysterious Taiwanese Wen Hua University is nevertheless graced by a well-conceived and structured plot. An engaging and anxiety-provoking experience that confirms the potential of this series.
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Revenge of the Seven is the unexpected remake that allows contemporary audiences to enjoy one of the most peculiar and futuristic JPRGs of its time. Romancing SaGa 2 returns in this new guise in fine form, thanks to an operation that improves and clarifies the more refined and complex mechanics of the original title. Its particularities make it unmissable for fans of the genre, who cannot fail to appreciate its audacity. Beware, however: those looking for a traditional experience (ludically and narratively) may find themselves faced with a complex title to decipher and appreciate.
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Romance of the Three Kingdoms 8 returns to the contemporary video game landscape with an unexpected remake that aims to be both a gift to fans of the series as well as a potential entry point for everyone else. The content offerings are generous, as is the care taken in the packaging of the product and the traditional depth of the strategic experience, which has been appropriately modernized thanks to some forward-thinking updates. Some features of the historic KOEI TECMO series, however, could make the experience far too tiring, especially for those who are not insanely fond of the genre. A commendable operation but one that ends up appealing mainly to a narrow circle of aficionados.
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Super Mario Party Jamboree is the perfect summation of the series' recent journey. Drawing on recent experience as well as fan feedback, Nintendo packs the ultimate party game for Switch. An incredibly full-bodied content offering, thanks to hundreds of mini-games and a sea of different modes that know how to appeal as much to solo players as to lovers of multiplayer experiences. If you have never yet tried a chapter in the series, this is your best chance.
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In no uncertain terms, Metaphor: ReFantazio is a masterpiece. Studio Zero has poured every lesson accrued from the main Persona chapters into its first medieval adventure, crafting an experience that is both fresh yet familiar. Some of the most famous features of the ATLUS series can be found here as well, however placed in a quite different context and with an unprecedented flair capable of making them relevant and magnetic. It is impossible not to celebrate the boldness of the art direction, as well as the rich soundtrack or the kaleidoscopic and multifaceted combat system. A title of absolute excellence that impresses even more thanks to an astonishing writing that sets no limits in dealing with sensitive and topical subjects. In a word: unmissable.
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Europa is a little dream come true for Helder Pinto and Novadust Entertainment. The android Zee's adventure on a lush terraformed moon is a gentle, bittersweet tale that echoes inspirations and suggestions from the imagery of Studio Ghibli. The end result is a fleeting experience that sweetly entertains through its calm rhythms and meditative atmosphere. Precisely its most distinctive features, however, make it a title not for everyone, especially those who demand more structured gameplay, a more punctual control system, and less automatism in the pacing. With the right premises, the production published by Future Friends Games will know how to leave something in you.
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Nikoderiko: The Magical World stands to be one of the most unexpected entries in the “Surprises of 2024” category. Cypriot studio VEA Games signs off its debut on the video game scene with a splendid platformer that has nothing to envy vis-à-vis the top of the class. The celebratory intent towards great sagas of the genre is evident, as is, for the record, the essentially derivative nature of the work. However, the average quality is so high, the pace so sparkling and the challenge so well calibrated that it is impossible not to be thunderstruck by the end result. Do not let it pass you by for any reason.
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SpongeBob SquarePants: The Patrick Star Game turned out to be exactly what we were waiting for. A colorful reinterpretation of Goat Simulator, a sandbox adventure with no real purpose other than to sow chaos and revel in witty activities. Compared to its source of inspiration, PHL Collective's work brakes on the side of insanity and leans toward a very young audience. A hoot, however, that proves to be within everyone's reach, provided one accepts the modesty of the aspirations as well as the restrained nature of the experience. If you have always dreamed of driving the chaotic Patrick through the streets of Bikini Bottom, this is your chance!
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Dead Rising Deluxe Remaster is, without a shadow of a doubt, the best version with which to enjoy the initial chapter in the Capcom horror series. New graphics, revamped controls and quality-of-life improvements serve an excellent remastering that preserves the best play features of the 2005 title. In this sense, some might criticize, now as then, some choices related to the inexorable timer that punctuates objectives and sanctions fates. Likewise, the reintroduction of the sandbox structure without novelty might weigh especially heavily on those who had viewed the missteps of the last chapters with discontent. If you love Dawn of the Dead, don't disdain a crazy streak and perhaps didn't play it nearly two decades ago, the return to the Willamette Parkview Mall might be an experience not to be missed.
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Sky Oceans: Wings for Hire left us with a bit of a sour taste in our mouths, we must admit. On the one hand, the desire to pay homage to the great RPG classics is palpable, with homages and inspirations that fans of the genre will appreciate accompanying a product with several intriguing ideas. On the other hand, however, the claudicant technical realization, pacing problems and a combat system that lends its side (or rather, its sash) to too much criticism make the experience overly nerve-wracking at times. A product that probably needed a little extra time to be improved and that unfortunately, in its current state, can only be recommended to the hard core of nostalgics and fans... also accomplice to the tremendous direct competition in October.
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The Plucky Squire represents a great little success for All Possible Futures, achieving exactly what was hoped for. It is a unique and fresh experience, within everyone's reach, filled with joy and inspiration. Perhaps because of this, some may be disappointed by the actual playful scope of the project, much more to the parts of a simple action adventure with puzzles than a wide-ranging odyssey with complex mechanics. For all those, however, who will embrace its originality by welcoming its merits and flaws, the experience may prove to be among the most special of the generation. Devolver Digital once again confirms itself as the queen among the scouts of the indie world.
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Khaos Reigns is a purchase that we can hardly recommend with our eyes closed without taking into account the target audience. In fact, if you are among the casual players of the title, you may ill digest the brevity of the new story and may not be particularly interested in getting your hands on only a portion of the new kombatants right away. If, on the other hand, Mortal Kombat 1 is your guilty pleasure and you can't resist the prospect of new content, the expansion is a must-have due to very interesting additions to the roster. Either way, there is the cost of the ticket not to be underestimated, in line with the (controversial) pricing policy for this chapter of the series and not exactly cheap. In short: if you approach Khaos Reigns expecting a worthy expansion with a meaty story chapter, you will be disappointed. If, on the other hand, you consider it a kind of “enhanced season pass” with access to six characters (three now, three in the future) and a few hours of entertainment with a new epilogue, you will be pleasantly pleased.
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The Holy Gosh Darn is yet another confirmation of the talent of Norwegian studio Perfectly Paranormal. A graphic adventure somewhere between platformer and puzzle game that is deeply inspired by time loop comedies, graced by an impeccable script, extraordinary voice acting and irresistible comedy. It may not be in everyone's cup of tea, complicit with some sensitive and delicate themes at times. And undoubtedly there are other exponents of the genre that are more down-to-earth from a playful point of view. But Cassiel's odyssey deserves to be experienced, in your armchair at home -- with the rewind ready.
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MARVEL vs. CAPCOM Fighting Collection: Arcade Classics is a monument in video game format. Collected in a single title are seven of the most important crossover fighting games in gaming history, including the immortal Marvel vs. Capcom 2: New Age of Heroes. The collection is a unique opportunity not only for all fans of the genre (who will buy it without even waiting for a review) but also for all those who are curious about how certain mechanics and logic were arrived at in contemporary titles today. A history book to be consumed avidly.
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The Casting of Frank Stone, unfortunately, represents the weakest link in the Supermassive Games catalog and a drab single-player debut for Dead by Daylight. An uninspired horror tale in its unfolding, with a gameplay component further stripped down to the bone to the point that it now seems little more than an interactive movie. Fans of the canadian intellectual production will be able to appreciate the lore references and the breath of the production, finding satisfaction and gratification. All others, however, may find this walk in the woods a bit too quiet.
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Visions of Mana marks the return of one of Square Enix's least celebrated series in recent years, but no less relevant. The team at Ouka Studios makes a title that is inherently classic in setting, narrative and feel, but calibrated for a contemporary audience. The result is a Mana that has never been so enjoyable to play, rich in content with a delightfully retro spirit, as well as a deep and rewarding combat system. However, precisely because of its strongly intended and sought-after traditionalism, the title may be far too nostalgic to appeal to a modern audience. For everyone else, it will be a sweet shipwreck in this sea of memories.
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Gori: Cuddly Carnage is one of those independent productions capable of entertaining us and printing a satisfied grin on our faces. The crazy premise of the production results in an inspired action platformer that mixes style, combat, humor and splatter. A proof of character for the Swedish developers of Angry Demon Studio that will especially win over lovers of stylish action titles and those who look back with nostalgia to past video game generations, even after a few technical embarrassments. A little gem that we nevertheless recommend to (almost) everyone ... also because we know that unicorns are obnoxious and you have always dreamed of slaughtering them with a cat on a hoverboard.
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Mecha Therion marks an important transition for Steel Mantis. After the success garnered with the first Valfaris, the development team decides to revolutionize its creature, abandoning a successful play structure in favor of a scrolling arcade shooter with bullet hell overtones. The courage is rewarded with a title that is once again compelling and unscrupulous, if much more contained and less dazzling. In the impossibility of comparing two such different titles, it becomes mere subjective taste to prefer one or the other but one thing remains certain: the metal continues to flow powerfully.
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