Riccardo Amalfitano


149 games reviewed
80.6 average score
82 median score
87.2% of games recommended
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Apr 16, 2026

Cthulhu: The Cosmic Abyss struck us as an ambitious and intriguing project that successfully blends Lovecraftian horror, science fiction and psychological thriller elements within a fascinating and oppressive underwater setting. The gameplay revolves around analysing clues, manipulating objects and environmental deduction, offering tools such as sonar, the Crypt and Key, the support AI, as well as the ability to unlock new frequencies, which give a different twist to the usual Lovecraftian experience, in what we might call a disturbing and mind-bending adventure. It’s a choice consistent with the source material and, for this very reason, we’re sure it will win over those who love elegant, slow-paced, cerebral horror, but it might also leave those wanting a faster pace or greater variety in terms of action feeling a bit perplexed. The visuals are excellent, with environments – thanks to Unreal Engine 5 – that are meticulously crafted and full of detail, though there are a few rough edges; it’s a shame about the technical side, which isn’t always up to scratch but can easily be improved with a patch!

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9 / 10.0 - Blue Prince
Apr 7, 2026

Blue Prince on Nintendo Switch 2 is a solid port that adapts well and perfectly complements the game’s core mechanics—which rely on observation, patience, and constant flashes of intuition. Nintendo’s hybrid console particularly enhances the portable aspect of the experience, making it even more natural to lose yourself in the ever-changing corridors of Mt. Holly, even if it means accepting a few technical compromises here and there. Rather than aiming for spectacle, this version prioritizes consistency, and it succeeds: the result is a fascinating, intelligent puzzle game that feels perfectly at home on the Switch 2. For those seeking an original title that rewards curiosity and deduction, this is a game not to be overlooked.

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Apr 1, 2026

Life is Strange: Reunion is the sort of epilogue that arrives late – perhaps too late – a nostalgic embrace that nevertheless manages to strike a chord we thought had long since faded, bringing Max and Chloe back to the heart of a story that once again explores guilt, second chances and the fragility of our certainties. It is a return that does not resolve all the tensions left open by the saga – indeed, for some, it risks reopening wounds that the 2015 finale had sealed with painful consistency – but which offers fans the chance to walk once more alongside two characters who have now, for better or worse, become part of the family. In its precarious balance between fan service, structural repetitiveness, a decidedly lacklustre supporting cast and the lack of any real, authentic character development – with the characters seeming trapped in an eternal emotional adolescence despite the passing years – Reunion ends up being less revolutionary than it would like to be, but also more sincere than its framework (particularly its decidedly static and very conservative gameplay) might have led us to fear. It doesn’t change the story of Life is Strange, but observes it from a new angle, reminding us that certain choices remain, even when time seems to bend to accommodate us. Perhaps it isn’t the perfect ending, but it’s a farewell honest enough to be worth experiencing, especially for those who have never really stopped coming to terms with Max and Chloe.

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7.2 / 10.0 - Hotel Barcelona
Mar 16, 2026

Under New Management takes the crazy concept of Hotel Barcelona and transforms it into an action roguelite that finally stands on its own two feet: the combat now flows smoothly and responsively, the balance of enemies and bosses is convincing, the difficulty rewards intuition rather than frustration, and the Hotel – with its B-movie serial killers, a soundtrack blending cheeky references and raucous guitars, giving the whole thing a powerful personality, and surreal dialogue – proves to be an irresistible resort of carnage for anyone who loves the auteur-style of Swery and Suda51. It isn’t perfect – the engine still has a few glitches and the structural roughness remains in the project’s core DNA – but it is a triumph of creative coherence, where the Slasher Phantoms system shines as one of the genre’s most ingenious twists and every death tells a story to be exploited, not endured. If the base version was a rough diamond in need of polishing, this update turns it into a finished work, polarising enough to (once again) divide the audience (while remaining a far cry from titles like Hades or Dead Cells) but capable of winning over anyone willing to check into the madness of the Hotel Barcelona.

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8.6 / 10.0 - WWE 2K26
Mar 12, 2026

WWE 2K26 is an instalment that focuses on quantity and solidity rather than breaking with the past, but still manages to take a few steps forward in terms of ring feel and content. Those coming from previous chapters will find a familiar setup, enriched with new stipulations, a more readable reversal system, further expanded key modes and a Showcase dedicated to CM Punk which, although heavily guided, represents one of the most polished single-player contents in the package, all accompanied by a technical department on PlayStation 5 that is now mature and reliable. The title successfully appeals both to hardcore fans, attracted by modes such as Universe, My GM, The Island and the possibility of shaping their own show ecosystem, and to those looking for evenings of immediate entertainment featuring extreme matches and experimentation with the most extravagant stipulations. Some structural limitations remain: a feeling of déjà vu about the overall feel of the matches, the persistence of certain long-standing automatisms, and a progression of my FACTION that is not suitable for those who do not like excessive grinding. Overall, however, WWE 2K26 proves to be a robust, rich and generally successful instalment, while maintaining an accessible approach in the ring, capable of consolidating the growth of the series and digital wrestling.

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Mar 5, 2026

Resident Evil Requiem is, for better or worse, the synthesis of thirty years of Resident Evil: a game that takes everything that worked in the past, tries to correct some of what didn't convince, and even takes a few structural risks, such as the dual Grace/Leon crossover gameplay and the free change of perspective between first and third person. The mix works with exceptional results, to say the least: Grace's survival horror segments are among the most tense and best constructed in the recent saga, while Leon's action sections manage to be solid and spectacular. However, there are some limitations: the pace is not always calibrated (especially in the middle of the experience), some sections are less inspired, and a certain tonal shift between very serious moments and B-movie madness could throw off those looking for a more uniform and purely horrific experience, just as the “two-soul structure” risks dissatisfying those who clearly prefer only one of the two. Ultimately, Resident Evil Requiem works in what we believe to be a requiem that sounds more like a hymn to the resilience of a saga that continues to reinvent itself without forgetting its roots, as it should!

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8.3 / 10.0 - Mario Tennis Fever
Feb 20, 2026

Mario Tennis Fever is a successful arcade sports game that brings the series to maturity with multiple modes, a substantial roster and explosive gameplay, perfect for evenings with friends and online challenges. However, it falls short on the single-player front, with a story mode that doesn't fully exploit the potential of the cast and serves mainly as a long tutorial, and with a frenetic racket balance that will probably require some adjustment. Considering the solid gameplay and high replay value, however, Mario Tennis Fever is an experience that we would recommend to both tennis enthusiasts and casual players who want to try a few swings! Ultimately, there is no better compliment we can give Nintendo and Camelot than to say that Mario Tennis Fever has really excited us and gives us hope for the future of sports games set in the Mushroom Kingdom. If the developer manages to apply the same formula to Mario spin-offs dedicated to golf, baseball and football, then there will be many surprises in store for Nintendo Switch 2 throughout its history.

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7.8 / 10.0 - Reanimal
Feb 11, 2026

Reanimal represents the natural and daring evolution of Tarsier Studios, taking the fragile and surreal essence of Little Nightmares and transforming it into a more expansive and explicitly horror-filled, disturbing, brutal, and relational cooperative horror game (without betraying its melancholic and childlike soul), perfect for those seeking shared tension on an island of living nightmares. Despite some narrative crypticism and minimalist combat that is not for everyone, the result is an unforgettable adventure (albeit rather short) that will appeal to fans of the genre. It is a title that is best played in pairs, where the tension of having to protect (and depend on) another person amplifies the journey.

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Feb 10, 2026

ROMEO IS A DEAD MAN represents, for better or worse, the pinnacle of creative freedom for Grasshopper Manufacture and Suda51: a punk action game, visionary and often brilliant in its staging, but which pays a small price in terms of gameplay cleanliness and accessibility. If you love Suda51's aesthetic, delirious sci-fi stories, and aren't afraid of a combat system that is more spectacular than rigorous and technical, the game has all the makings of a true cult classic. If, on the other hand, you're looking for a more polished action game and a linear narrative, its exuberant anarchy will likely wear you out before you reach the end credits.

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8.6 / 10.0 - The Perfect Pencil
Jan 29, 2026

The Perfect Pencil stands out as a true gem that excels in blending art design and psychological elements, offering an intimate and visually mesmerising experience that deserves attention from lovers of action-adventure platformers. Its strengths lie in its impeccable artistic style and touching narrative, which touches on themes such as fear, depression, anxiety and personal growth, and really makes you think. All this is accompanied by gameplay that we found to be really solid and well integrated; there are few uncertainties and compromises – which are absolutely surmountable – such as repetitive backtracking (on rare occasions) and controls that are not always very fast in portable mode. The Perfect Pencil is more than an indie game, it is a true life experience that we highly recommend you try, as you will not regret it at all.

Review in Italian | Read full review

4.9 / 10.0 - Code Violet
Jan 9, 2026

Code Violet presents itself as a title with interesting ideas and multiple aspirations: a sci-fi horror plot mixed with action and survival, and technical execution geared towards exploiting the features of PS5. Elements that - at least on the surface - make it potentially appealing to fans of the genre and those looking for an experience reminiscent of classic dinosaur survival games such as Capcom's historic Dino Crisis. At the same time, when playing it, there is a clear inconsistency between ambition and execution, with obvious structural problems in the gameplay (particularly poor combat and tedious exploration) and narrative and technical choices that are far from satisfactory. The result is a disjointed experience that can only be enjoyable in a few brief moments but struggles to shine, except for its attractive protagonist, at least aesthetically speaking. In a word: Not recommended!

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Dec 12, 2025

Metroid Prime 4: Beyond is the kind of comeback the series deserved: not just a simple “nostalgic revival”, but a chapter that accepts the weight of the Prime legacy and tries, with measured courage, to take it a step further. The intertwining of stunning art direction, level design, psychic powers and more technical combat with fierce new bosses creates an adventure that still demands attention, map memory and the ability to read spaces, but in return gives you that rare feeling of being truly alone on an unknown planet, armed only with your curiosity and Samus' armour. Not everything is perfect: a few lulls in pace, some less inspired areas and structural choices that might disappoint those hoping for a “pure” clone of the first three Prime games clearly show that Beyond is a compromise between tradition and modernity. But it is precisely in this balance, at times delicate, that the game finds its identity: an experience capable of speaking to veterans, while offering a more accessible entry point for those who are now discovering the exploratory soul of the saga. Ultimately, the long wait of almost two decades has been amply rewarded with Metroid Prime 4: Beyond; in what we might call a “welcome home” that doesn't just open the door and let you in, but invites you to look beyond, out the window towards new possibilities for Samus, for Viewros and for the very future of the series and the genre.

Review in Italian | Read full review

8 / 10.0 - Total Chaos
Dec 3, 2025

Total Chaos is a rough, visceral survival horror game aimed squarely at fans of the genre, preferring to be edgy and punishing rather than watering down the tension in the name of accessibility. The writing doesn't revolutionize the genre, and some interface and structure choices can be frustrating, but the combination of atmosphere, level design, and sound design creates an experience that leaves a lasting impression, especially for those who love old-school horror. Considering its origins as a mod and the scope of the project, the result is a more than successful title that carves out its own space in the horror landscape of 2025. In essence, compared to other recent examples, it represents the most “old school” and brutal link in the chain: less polished, less narratively ambitious, but valuable for those looking for a survival game that truly brings back the “pure fear” of limited resources, heavy blows, hostile maps, and enemies.

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Nov 20, 2025

The Berlin Apartment is an intimate and delicate experience, capable of telling small but significant stories through a “simple” apartment in the city of Berlin and a narrative arc spanning almost 120 years. Although it does not shine in terms of originality in its gameplay mechanics (not fully exploiting their potential), the title impresses with its narrative effectiveness, the emotional power of the stories it tells, and its artistic attention to detail, making it particularly recommended for fans of historical narratives and lovers of contemplative experiences.

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8.6 / 10.0 - Ninja Gaiden 4
Oct 21, 2025

Ninja Gaiden 4 is a compelling and ruthless return to form, bridging two worlds: the brutality of Team Ninja and the cinematic spectacle of PlatinumGames. It's not a perfect return to the original formula, nor does it rewrite the rules of the genre, but it retains the hardcore soul that defines the series, enriched by small but clever modernizations. The deep and challenging gameplay, strong visual identity, and adrenaline-fueled pace make it a title capable of satisfying those who are able to master its rules and want to test their skills, but it is equally accessible to those who simply want to experience a high-level ninja adventure. The technical aspects are quite solid, the art direction is consistent (though it doesn't reach the heights of other similar products today), and the action is extremely satisfying. There are still some limitations related to the environmental design (in particular, the graphics are not always up to date, characterized by some flat and unrealistic textures), the linearity of the narrative, and the balance, which is not always perfect, but the overall experience is that of intense, effective, lethal action, (almost) without compromise and as sharp as a real ninja's blade.

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7.5 / 10.0 - NASCAR 25
Oct 20, 2025

NASCAR 25 is a fairly solid debut for iRacing in the console world. It doesn't reach the complexity of the original simulator, but it manages to balance realism and immediacy like few other titles of its kind. The gameplay works, the modes are substantial, and the technical aspects—despite a few imperfections—keep pace. It still needs a little polishing to resolve the opponent AI issues and better optimize performance, but the foundation that has been built is definitely promising for the future of the series.

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Oct 15, 2025

Little Nightmares 3 is a nightmare worth experiencing. Supermassive Games has fully embraced the artistic language of the franchise, confirming its aesthetics and basic mechanics but offering a package that, although well-crafted, lacks great ambition and originality. The new co-op mode adds an interesting but not revolutionary dimension, while the cryptic narrative and art direction maintain the original charm without breaking with the historical formula of the saga or surprising us with new perspectives. The atmosphere remains strongly tied to the fairy-tale and frightening imagery, but it fascinates with a fear that transforms and is less intense when shared with another character and with a structure of puzzles and environmental riddles that tends to favor collaboration over individual tension. Little Nightmares 3 is disturbing enough to make you shiver, but overall, although it is a good game, it fails to match the quality of its two predecessors. This is a real shame because, in our opinion, if they had dared to be more daring, it would have been a completely different story!

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Super Mario Galaxy + Super Mario Galaxy 2 on Nintendo Switch 2 is an excellent opportunity to (re)discover two undisputed masterpieces of the 3D platform genre. The remastering process is technically sound but rather conservative: those looking for a “remake-style” treatment may be left feeling somewhat dissatisfied. However, the games themselves remain extraordinary, with gameplay that subverts expectations and scenarios (thanks to excellent level design) that would not be possible without the creative freedom of the cosmos. Today, as then, they manage to entertain (net of a gyroscopic aim that is not always effective and some camera issues). However, there is a lack of ambition for a true celebration—even to mark the 40th anniversary of the series—which we would have expected for two titles of this caliber and historical importance.

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8 / 10.0 - EA Sports FC 26
Oct 1, 2025

FC 26 is not the revolution we expected; it is certainly a well-thought-out evolution, but much more could have been done. The gameplay, with its two distinct presets, allows players to choose their own experience (depending on whether they prefer online or offline). But let's not kid ourselves - FC is mainly purchased for its online modes - especially Ultimate Team (which remains the beating heart of the production); a mode (along with Club mode) that has been enriched with new events and challenges (and a Season Pass that is even more central and “premium” to the experience) that amplify the experience in terms of longevity but have lost a little in terms of gameplay. Reducing the CPU so much has led to greater control by the player (and the so-called skill-based experience), which is definitely more challenging than in the past; but on the other hand, we continue to see problematic gameplay mechanics: missed tackles, random rebounds, poorly positioned defenders, and the distinct feeling that it is still the game that decides who wins and who loses. The invasive presence of microtransactions and some missing licenses also weigh on the experience. Even the Career mode remains faithful to the past without any major revolutions. As long as these issues remain, the series will never take the decisive step forward that we have been hoping for for years. That said, on the technical front, the graphics on PlayStation 5 are top-notch, with smooth animations and an immersive atmosphere that recreates the atmosphere of a real stadium.

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9 / 10.0 - Silent Hill f
Sep 29, 2025

Silent Hill f took us on a brutal, wonderful, and brilliant journey, thanks to its superb artistic direction and a change of course that was as daring as it was effective. As players of early survival horror games such as Resident Evil and Silent Hill, Silent Hill f is exactly what we expected from a modern horror game. It offers both accessible and challenging puzzles, gruesome monsters (although we would have liked even more variety) and enormous replayability thanks to multiple endings, all enhanced by high-quality graphics, excellent performance—with very slight and sporadic frame rate drops (at least on standard PS5)—and smart features that help in terms of quality of life and bring it up to today's standards. Silent Hill f is a masterful horror game that is on par with other “masterpieces” of the survival horror genre, and we highly recommend giving it a try.

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