HUMANITY is a serious candidate among the best independent surprises of the year. The Japanese development team, with an abstract and minimalist Pindaric flight, puts players in the shoes of a daredevil Shiba Inu grappling with saving humanity. It does so by offering a modern version of the classic Lemmings full of inventiveness, variety and daring. The very audacity may make the title unappealing to the general public, who may feel alienated by some of the game design choices as well as by the overall presentation. With these due considerations, HUMANITY remains a little gem in the world of puzzle games.
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Super Mega Baseball 4 confirms, once again, the quality of the Electronic Arts sports series. Somewhere between the lightness of arcade gameplay and the depth of refined game dynamics, Metalhead Software's baseball wins and convinces. With a generous play offering and addictive modes, the title is a good choice for both fans of the genre and those who want to approach a virtual version of the sport. Especially for the latter, do not fear in the face of initial embarrassments: the rhythm of the diamond may win you over.
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Killer Frequency turned out to be a far more interesting product than anticipated. Fascinated initially by the concept but doubtful about the inherent limitations of the chosen formula, the Team17 title nevertheless enraptured us and dragged us in front of the microphones of a mid-west American radio station inside an 80s story somewhere between comedy and horror. Between one homage to a cinematic masterpiece and another, the adventure flows quickly between interesting puzzles and a constant invitation to use your gray matter to save as many lives as possible. It's a title destined to become a small cult hit, as long as you don't expect to wield a weapon and confront the serial killer face-to-face. It wounds more with a pen than a sword, after all.
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The Curse of the Sea Rats marks an important maturation step for the Catalan development team. Drawing from the world of metroidvanias, the title offers a solid and entertaining adventure with a good amount of content, graced by a character design that pays homage to the world of late 1980s animation. Despite its excellent qualities, the production slips into excessive traditionalism without managing to provide that extra something that makes the difference between a good and an excellent result. Even intriguing choices such as multiple characters and the possibility of co-op adventure are not fully exploited. Nevertheless, the title remains a viable alternative within the reference genre, which we hope is only the beginning of a new path for Petoons Studio.
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More than thirty-five years after its debut, Puzzle Bobble still represents one of the best puzzle games in the gaming landscape. Everybubble! is no exception, presenting itself as a colorful and fun chapter in keeping with tradition. After VR experimentation, the series returns to the classic while nevertheless winking at even the most savvy gamers (with EX Stages) and offering pleasant play alternatives (the crossover mode with Space Invaders). An excellent addition to the series, which we hope will continue to follow the intent of improving and enriching the ludic offering in the next chapters as well.
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Zool Redimensioned is an honest and respectful “nostalgia operation” of the original work. The team at Sumo Digital Academy pays homage to an Amiga-era masterpiece with a work capable of speaking to fans of the original. Not only that, Redimensioned also manages to appeal to today's audiences, allowing them to experience a classic with a modern twist. It is not, however, a title for everyone. The game system is, for obvious reasons, rather outdated, and the difficulty fluctuates quite noticeably between the permissive ease of the updates and the luciferous strictures of the original formula. Despite this, the ticket price is far too tempting not to give the old ninja from “yet another dimension” a chance.
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Tin Hearts is why independent productions should never be underestimated or, worse, judged by their cover. What, at first glance, might seem to be a modest title dedicated to young children, instead hides a clever and rewarding puzzle game, inexhaustible in its ideas and desire to surprise. As if that were not enough, Rogue Sun also gives us an emotional story, capable of dealing with profound themes and movingly touching chords in the soul. Despite an acerbic technical aspect and a revisable control system, Tin Hearts is an experience that every player should have on his or her skin.
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With Strayed Lights, the developers of Embers make their debut on the video game scene with a production full of personality and interesting ideas. Inspired art direction and intriguing gameplay constitute obvious points of merit, as bold as they are ambitious, such that allow the title to stand out from the competition. Unfortunately, however, the price to pay is significant: an almost linear level design, a bland narrative compartment and a sense of progression that is rarely incisive. Son flaws that prevent the production from ascending to greater heights, but do not affect its enjoyability.
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Omen of Sorrow represents, unfortunately, the most classic of “dead on arrival” projects, now as well as way back in 2018. AOne Games decides to bring to unreleased platforms their undoubtedly interesting and content-rich fighting game, but still lacking the necessary polishing that in this genre makes the difference between meteor and surprise. In a year that will see the return of the genre's heavyweights, Omen of Sorrow attempts to carve out a small and modest space for itself, failing in the (very difficult) attempt to carve out a fan base that will give the title longevity.
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After a year of early access, Have a Nice Death bursts onto the scenes in full release confirming the goodness of the Magic Design Studios project and its development path. An action roguelite with exhilarating gameplay enriched by an inspired artistic vision, it nevertheless shines in its being an allegory (and indictment) against contemporary working society. Despite an all-too-waivering procedural level design and some balancing issues, Have a Nice Death represents a centerpiece for the development team: give them a raise (and a few weeks off).
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Saga of Sins represents, unfortunately, what can happen when a very good idea does not find an appropriate playful balance. Bonus Level Entertainment makes a product that is fascinating to look at, thanks to an immediately charismatic art style, and equally intriguing to follow, because of a plot that plays on the suggestions and contradictions of the deadly sins. When one picks up the pad, however, all the problems and limitations of a production born too old and without sufficient bite emerge. Ironically, Saga of Sins thus ends up being an allegory of the forbidden fruit: a sometimes irresistible attraction, which unfortunately brings with it a sad fate.
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Tchia is one of those productions that is good for the entire industry and the video game media. Beyond particular play merits, the title is indeed a mere open world inspired by the last generation with flashes of Nintendo school ideas. However, it is in the feelings it manages to evoke that the Awaceb production shines its own light. It is a magical and dreamy journey in a tropical world inspired by the landscapes and traditions of New Caledonia, in which one breathes and experiences the sensations of being in a place so different from our everyday lives and far from the hectic pace of our societies. Tchia's adventure may not be playfully unforgettable: but the young girl's journey may mark you inside for a very long time.
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The Last Worker is a complex product to interpret. On the one hand, the creative flair is palpable, thanks to the intervention of the important names involved in art direction, scriptwriting, and voice acting. The particular playful balance proposed by the development team is also intriguing and quite original. On the other hand, however, the feeling is that Oiffy, Wolf & Wood Interactive wanted to do perhaps too much in relation to the available means. It does not entirely speak in favor of the production's willingness to speak simultaneously to VR and traditional audiences, ending up having to be evaluated as a product somewhere between two worlds. As a VR title, the title has undoubted qualities and can certainly be recommended as an excellent immersive experience. Conversely, as a mainstream production, The Last Worker is lost in a sometimes inaccurate control system, simplistic game mechanics, and a rather modest longevity. Still, the advice is to give it a chance: Kurt's epic may leave an impression on you.
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Almost two and a half years after the original PC release, the psychedelic POST VOID finally debuts on PlayStation 4 and Nintendo Switch. An accurate conversion that allows to enjoy the adrenaline-fueled gameplay of the YCJY Games production, halfway between arcade FPS and roguelike. A hypnotic title, which pushes the player into a loop made of violence and speed, searching for the perfect score in the lowest time. A small cult of the independent scene, which nevertheless has to deal with a very orthodox play formula that may not meet the favor of the general public (and perhaps even displease part of the target audience). POST VOID is a trip that, in small doses, will be able to give you a short but overwhelming odyssey.
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Shadow Warrior 3 Definitive Edition represents a marked step forward from the original release, fixing most of the problems of Wo Lang's third adventure. Somewhere between a technical performance upgrade and a re-release with new content, Flying Wild Hog's refinement and enrichment work is commendable and significant, making it in fact the best way to enjoy the title. The same game design foibles already found in the original release (as well as the very annoying stuttering between missions and cutscenes) are still present, but the fun (thankfully) will reach galvanizing and irreverent new heights.
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When hopes had long since faded, here comes Koei Tecmo's remastering of Fatal Frame: Mask of the Lunar Eclipse for all major platforms. However, the joy of finally being able to play one of the best chapters of the celebrated survival horror saga has to contend with a rather bland modernization job. However, if one can safely turn a blind eye to an unexciting aesthetic presentation, the problems with the control system and camera are an indelible sign of the fifteen years that have passed and the little care taken in the adaptation.
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The arrival of Pronty on Nintendo Switch allows us to do some justice to a title unjustly ignored at the time of its release on PC. The 18Light Game and FunZone Game production is a solid and fun aquatic adventure featuring a precious art direction that recalls the suggestions of emblazoned titles. A bland narrative and an all too linear level design prevent the title from aspiring to greater heights. But if you're looking for a solid, value-for-money metroidvania, Pronty will give you some satisfaction.
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Like a Dragon: Ishin! finally arrives in the West nine years after the original and exclusive Japanese release for Sony consoles. A midway operation between remake and remaster that allows us to appreciate a fascinating story in late Edo period Japan, enhanced by the gameplay ideas of the original title that would mark a turning point for the future of the saga. Despite the past years showing on the technical side, Ishin is an excellent title that will enrapture not only Ryu ga Gotoku fans but also anyone looking for an excuse to approach the saga.
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BROK the InvestiGator is a great little triumph for developer Breton Fabrice. Important themes and a mature storyline support a bold production that boldly mixes mechanics taken from the graphic adventure tradition with RPG elements and a scrolling beat'em'up combat system. COWCAT's signature work is a frothy blend that succeeds where many emblazoned titles have failed: putting the freedom of your every action first, at the cost of concrete and tangible consequences. Even minus a few imperfections and smears, the adventures of Brok and Graff will not disappoint.
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Theatrhythm Final Bar Line brings the series to home consoles with a huge and mighty chapter. Celebrating 35 years of Final Fantasy glorifies a layered, content-dense and perfectly balanced rhythm game. Despite some minor smears, the development team thus takes the big step toward a wider market with a title that is both an encyclopedic work for every fan as well as one of the best exponents of the genre in recent years. A title that is simply not to be missed.
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