Rarely have we seen a title released at a more unfortunate time than Sonic Superstars. Despite the risk of being literally strangled between historical rivals and stellar productions, the blue hedgehog's new adventure succeeds in the feat of carving out a moment of fame thanks to solid gameplay, stellar level design and enviable variety. It's also a great little payback for the Azarest team, whose goodwill is evident while stumbling over the introduction of some less-than-perfectly optimized ideas (chief among them, the multiplayer compartment and the absence of some small quality-of-life touches). Wear the red shoes and watch out for the rings: Eggman must be stopped!
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Hot Wheels Unleashed 2 takes the best features of its predecessor and improves virtually every aspect of it. The result is a distinctly arcade and delightfully fast racing game, saturated with content and love for the Mattel brand born back in 1968. Even those who are not fans of the models will be able to find cues of genuine, light-hearted fun. Just its jaunty soul might turn some people's noses up, along with some smears to the vehicle collision system. For everyone else, the message is clear: Milestone has hit the jackpot again.
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NHL 24 is the new iteration of EA Sports' traditionally more experimental series. With this edition, the development team does not deviate from the path it has taken over the years, bringing to the plate a title that is rich, extremely accessible and demonstrably fun. Of course, like all annual sports games, the innovative scope is not as pronounced as one would have hoped. However, the greatest achievement is precisely having managed to convey the sensations of such a fast-paced sport, thanks to the ideas introduced with the Exhaust Engine and beyond. A title that is therefore recommended for all field hockey lovers, but also (and especially) for those who want to approach the rink for the first time.
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Disgaea 7 succeeds in lifting the Nippon Ichi saga from the progressive torpor of the last few chapters. While not revolutionizing anything of its fundamental structure, Vows of the Virtueless consolidates the best of the saga's features into a genuinely entertaining product. In doing so it mixes into an already by nature overflowing cauldron an inviting number of new features. Between Jumbification and item reincarnation, the brand's new installment enriches its complexity, promising a very high number of hours of wholesome strategic entertainment. Fortunately, Disgaea is back.
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The Crew Motorfest marks an arguably inevitable change for the brand. Leaving behind the American moors (which turned out to be not so rich in opportunity), Ivory West revolutionizes the series by taking us to a motor festival on Hawaiian soil. The sources of inspirations to other masterpieces of the genre are definitely evident but the end result, while not shining in originality and despite some structural issues, is a fun and exuberant ride among the natural beauty of the island of Oahu. Has Ubisoft's arcade series found its way?
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Trepang2 manages to be at once as impressive as it is disappointing. As a debut project made by an extremely small team, it astounds by the care taken in the shooting and core gameplay stages, which are as exhilarating as they are spectacular. On the other hand, the Trepang Studios production pales all the limitations of a debut that wants to measure itself against a complex genre, stumbling especially in the importance of level design in the ludic economy. All issues aside, Trepang2 is a triumph of over-the-top action that should be taken for what it is: a highly enjoyable pastime.
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Rise of the Triad: Ludicrous Edition is yet another demonstration of Nightdive Studios' distinct aptitude for making quality remasters for historical titles. This time, however, it is the turn of an almost unknown title nowadays, a little gem in FPS history. An impeccable job once again for the development team, thanks to an excellent technical realization and the usual, meticulous care for content (also unreleased). However, it remains a title with a high difficulty, as well as an inevitably second-rate product compared to the classics of the same historical period. For admirers and nostalgics alike.
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Gunbrella is yet another project welcomed under the whimsical wing of Devolver Digital. The new Doinksoft-signed creature is an action platformer with metroidvania veins, which dares to stand out from the crowd thanks to the peculiarity of the weapon that gives the title its name. Somewhere between a rifle and an umbrella, the development team's idea allows the title to ground itself in a fresh concept, albeit with an adventure that is not as memorable as we might have hoped. Nevertheless, it remains a fine project, practically unmissable in its value for money, which we hope will find a worthy evolution in the future.
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Mortal Kombat 1 marks an important point in the history of the franchise. Setting aside many of the ideas and features of the previous chapters, the new installment of the NetherRealm fighting game revolutionizes its ludic layout while still respecting its more established tradition. The resulting product is, in all likelihood, the best in the series for fun, depth and layering thanks to the renewed flow of fights as well as the importance of the Kameo characters (whose balance will have to be evaluated over the distance). At the same time, it is surprising to see some levity in the refinement of the product, between well-witted but somewhat repetitive modes and scattered lapses in the multiplayer options. Despite these défaillance, Mortal Kombat also rightfully jumps on the 2023 triumphant bandwagon.
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Super Bomberman R 2 returns to revive the tradition of the Konami saga with a chapter overflowing with content. Those who grew up with the franchise will find themselves right at home thanks to a varied and bold offering that will do justice to the evolutions welcomed over the years, especially on the multiplayer side. However, everyone else may find the new chapter far too confusing and rushed in its realization, ending up being structurally repetitive and generating the fuse of curiosity to fade. In any case, it remains a good product, mainly aimed at fans.
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Chanko Studios makes its debut on the independent scene with a brilliant idea behind It's a Wrap!. Somewhere between a 2D platformer and a puzzle game in the shoes of a filmmaker, the French production brings to the plate an interesting and fun mix in which there is a pleasant breeze of freshness. At the same time, the title is not exactly for everyone, given a play formula heavily dependent on trial & error and a rather high average difficulty. These observations aside, this is one of the most original titles we have had a chance to try in recent years: throwing at least one eye into it is almost imperative.
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After years of absence, just when all hope seemed lost, SEGA brings Samba de Amigo back to life with Party Central. Even two decades later, the rhythm game is still joyful and sparkling, thanks to a more varied soundtrack than in the past, a good number of modes and fun that explodes in multiplayer. A few uncertainties in the control system delegated to the Joy-con and the absence of some additional great South American music (theoretically too important not to be included), however, do not prevent the title from being one of the best exponents of the genre on the market. Alone or with friends, it's time to shake your hands to the beat!
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Armored Core VI: Fires of Rubicon is yet another great success for From Software, capable of doing practically nothing wrong for more than 10 years now. A triumph that smacks of revenge for a historic series, which inherits the lessons undertaken by the Japanese software house and applies them while preserving its strong identity matrix. The result is not only the best Armored Core ever, but also one of the most frenetic and galvanizing action games on the video game scene, as well as a true paradise for all mecha lovers. Let's be clear: this is not a title for all palates, who may find the pace of confrontations or the spikes in difficulty of bosses unmanageable at times. But for everyone else, rejoice: 2023 will long be remembered.
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Fort Solis conveyed a rather distinct feeling to us. On the one hand, we sensed the willingness of the development team to put itself out there, even resorting to the professionalism of big names like Troy Baker and Roger Clark. On the other hand, we were faced with an unfortunately intangible title, both ludically and narratively. The Polish team Fallen Leaf, in spite of itself, went the extra mile. The result is a sci-fi thriller experience that, despite the appeal sought by the marketing, slips by without gasps or exclamation points. A title therefore suitable only for a fleeting unpretentious evening: a pity.
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Quake II Remastered is proof that making reissues of old masterpieces is not only good and right, but also possible to do without lending itself to greed. With a practically perfect technical operation, graced by a lavish content profile (with even an all-new expansion signed by the developers of the recent Wolfenstein) and a brutally honest price tag, this 1997 masterpiece can finally enjoy its own definitive edition.
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Shadow Gambit: The Cursed Crew is the new effort from the team behind the excellent Shadow Tactics and Desperados III, confirming their great capabilities. Mimimi Games makes yet another fantastic action stealth strategy, this time drawing from pirate imagery and enriching it with supernatural powers. The focus on coordinated actions and almost total freedom of action is tempered by gameplay ideas that make the experience both more varied and accessible, without ever losing the feeling of gratification for each well-executed plan. Even with a few minor smears.... let's toast in joy with rum!
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Gord bids to be a link between colony sim and city builder, geared toward survival management. The developers' care is evident in the narrative refinement, based on the lore of Slavic mythology, and in the play structure, in which macro and micro management of layered systems are constantly intertwined. However, it is in the overall atmosphere that the Covenant.dev production leaves a distinct mark, conveying (ludically and morally) the absolute precariousness of one's tribe in an inhospitable, cold and gloomy world. An inevitably niche title, but one that will appeal to lovers of the genre and dark fantasy.
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In a way that was totally unimaginable until a few months ago, the historic Lee brothers' series re-enters the video game landscape with Double Dragon Gaiden: Rise of the Dragons. Although the levels recently achieved by competitors are still out of reach, the chapter developed by Secret Base Pte Ltd surprises with magnetic gameplay and ingenious introductions borrowed from the roguelite world. What emerges is a gangly and highly entertaining scrolling beat'em'up, even at the expense of some glaring issues (above all, the level design and the absence of an online mode). With that in mind, Gaiden will bring a smile (finally and after so many years) to fans of the saga and beyond.
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Gimmick! Special Edition represents a small victory for fans of the NES era, who can finally get a feel for (and physically own) one of the great little titles lost to time and localizations. A painstakingly crafted platformer that is still enjoyable today, even in the face of a decidedly high difficulty that could deter many players. New content and countless QOL tweaks allow this version to be the best way to approach a title that is historic in its own way. Of course, those who do not appreciate such hardcore retrogaming may not enjoy the youkai adventure.
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Pikmin 4 encapsulates all the best of the Nintendo strategy series, a summa that represents its highest point ever. A masterpiece capable of vastly expanding all the mechanics dear to fans, putting an incredibly generous content offering on the plate. An over-the-top production (despite some minor flaws here and there), which makes even more special a year destined to remain impressed in gamers' memories for a long time. Let's just hope we don't have to wait another decade for the next chapter in this great saga. While waiting, hone the art of Dandori: you will need it!
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