Riccardo Amalfitano
Although it does not innovate the “psychological horror” genre in any way, Ad Infinitum presents a well-written story that manages to skillfully explore the protagonist's wartime traumas. The lack of conventional combat limits so much the encounters with enemies, which end up becoming a kind of extension of the puzzles in the game, but the design of these creatures is wonderful, especially the bosses, which are truly grotesque. It lacks a bit of refinement here and there, and the frame rate is far too erratic. However, for fans of the genre, Nacon and Hekate's title can definitely be more than enough of an experience to experience firsthand.
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We came to the end of Under The Waves with mixed feelings, to say the least. We thoroughly enjoyed the masterfully crafted environments created by Quantic and Parallel; exploring the ocean was fascinating, among large whales, tiny turtles and huge schools of fish, all accompanied and enhanced by some tense and eerie moments that really kept us in suspense. Too bad these sequences end too soon, which left us a little bitter in the mouth. More effort could definitely have been made that would have further benefited a narrative that was sii good but felt a bit feeble on more than one occasion. Not to mention the poor care in Sam's facial animations in some key scenes that fail to convey well the messages and emotions that developer, publisher and the nonprofit association involved in the project (which makes its full “weight” felt with messages and information about the same during the playthrough), would have wanted to convey. Of course at a price of €29.99 one cannot have everything, and we settle for an inspired, emotionally strong product that really leaves its mark
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Phantom Liberty is what Cyberpunk 2077 was originally supposed to be. The plot is masterfully written and is supported by varied missions that - in the 25 hours or so (time that can be drastically reduced if you don't give yourself to exploration) that it took to completely Phantom Liberty's expansion and reach the new ending - literally kept us glued to the screen. This is enhanced by a superlative cast of characters (Idris Elba's performance as Reed is incredible). In addition, the various improvements made in terms of “quality of life,” between new weapons, dynamic events, and especially with regard to the skill tree, make Phantom Liberty a memorable experience, to say the least, that the player can build to his or her liking. If you have already played Cyberpunk 2077, leave the flawed experience of 2020 behind and dive headlong into this DLC; if, on the other hand, you have never played CDPR's creature feature, you will be the envy of many as you can have the ultimate experience in the Night City!
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How 2 Escape is a fun title to play cooperatively with another player. Good puzzles--though some turn out to be really complex--not bad narrative plot as well (though not among the most memorable). If you are a fan of Sherlock Holmes, BreakFirst Games' game is definitely for you.
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Immortals of Aveum represents Ascendant Studios' first attempt to offer gamers its own fantasy universe in which magic replaces bullets. The very good gameplay (although on several occasions the fighting proved rather chaotic), chock-full of magic and sorcery, is not adequately supported by a solid narrative plot (the interesting incipit literally ends up collapsing in on itself) and more than a few glitches and bugs negatively affect the experience. That said, the potential was all there, and given the experience of much of the development team, we certainly would have expected a better job. Let's keep our fingers crossed for the future!
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Daymare: 1994 Sandcastle represents a definite step forward for Invader Studios. The new survival horror from the “made in Italy” team convinces and entertains. Between unexplained electromagnetic events, bizarre experiments and government conspiracies, the narrative plot develops quite well, with apt twists and turns that manage to keep the story fresh and interesting. In terms of gameplay - however - the leap forward is there and it all shows. The aiming and reloading system has been simplified - which makes for a more solid and immediate experience - while the addition of new gadgets such as the HADES scanner and the Frost Grip, seemed to us more apt than ever, as these are gimmicks not to be used just once but to be firmly relied upon over the course of the game. The enemies are also well done, although they lack some variety that could have given even more depth to the production. In short, if you are a fan of Resident Evil but in general of “old school” survival horror, Daymare: 1994 Sandcastle is a must buy.
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Madden NFL 24 is definitely a good sports title that entertains without, however, reaching the optimum. The improvements made to this year's product are there but for the finer palates, they might be a bit of a stretch. The graphics are undoubtedly incredible, as are the new animations and the revised AI - guaranteeing challenges - thanks in part to the various content available - that are realistic and authentic, to say the least. Unfortunately, there are some major uncertainties, especially with regard to the physics - on more than one occasion unconvincing - while the new launch feature, ends up being tricky to say the least to assimilate, in a game system that is already hostile in itself. Add to that menus that are borderline embarrassing (too wooden and slow to navigate), and the omelette-at least from a technical standpoint-is served. And that's a shame, because with a little care we would be talking about a near-perfect product.
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AEW: Fight Forever is a faithful tribute to the wrestling games at the turn of the 90s and 00s -- foremost among them WWF No Mercy -- and you can tell this from the gameplay -- clearly arcade -- going through (or rather navigating) the (old style) menus, all the way to the wrestlers, with their uncertain, angular and funny features. Unfortunately, more than two decades have passed since the various No Mercy, WWF SmackDown and the unforgettable SmackDown VS Raw and WWE SmackDown! Here Comes the Pain and the world as well as wrestling has moved on and to have stubbornly wanted to bring a wrestling video game that basically goes to honor what came before makes AEW: Fight Forever an acerbic, soulless and damn low budget title, even if the asking price is that of the biggest AAAs on the market. The hope, considering that it will not have an annual release but rather will be updated on a cadenced basis, is that the product can improve. As it stands, it is difficult to recommend AEW: Fight Forever except to the most die-hard fans of All Elite Wrestling AEW.
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F1 23 is an immersive and, to say the least, impressive solid racing experience that is well suited - thanks to the many content offerings - to any type of player, from the more “casual” to those seeking a challenging and rewarding driving experience. The story mode, Braking Point, returns (somewhat chiaroscuro) after a full two years, while the introduction of the new F1 World mode - Ultimate Team style - makes it clear how popular the sport has become by now, so much so that it receives the same care and attention as many other sports titles on the market.
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Greyhill Incident from Refugium Games and Perpetual-Europe, is a Survival-Horror story-driven title with good potential that unfortunately ended up badly wasted. A vibrant, dark, anxiety-inducing setting (with frightening moments to say the least) is contrasted with problematic and poorly engaging (let alone fun) gameplay. An adventure game of this type, requires a mix of several elements, and unfortunately if gameplay and plot are missing at all, it means that something didn't go as it should. The user interface is also bad, uncomfortable and at times unusable. Considering the price, about 35 euros, and the duration, really so short that it feels more like a demo than a full game, if you really are a fan of the genre, we recommend buying it only when it gets a substantial price reduction; until then, forget it!
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Nightdive Studios has done a really good job of recreating most of the elements of the iconic System Shock with modern standards, especially the game's user interface -- made more streamlined and appealing -- and the graphical rendering. Although the artificial intelligence does not convince - the combat system entertains just the same - and will push you to test new ways to deal with the varied threats of the space station “The Citadel.” Whether or not you have experienced the experience created by LookingGlass Technologies we guarantee that the remake is absolutely worth playing!
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Much like all modern LEGO-branded video games, whether you are a fan of the brand or not, the fun is nothing short of guaranteed. With LEGO 2K Drive, Visual Concepts has done an incredible job of offering a product that is practically suitable for everyone, starting with the youngest gamers all the way up to the older ones.The racing/arcade title offers a lot of fun, between wild races, side quests, mini-games, creativity and an endless amount of merriment (up in the air, to say the least). The open world is very well done, the story mode is as lighthearted as it needs to be (as are its characters), the driving system is a lot of fun and easy to get to grips with, and the vehicle mechanics that automatically switch from being a race car to becoming an off-roader or even a boat are spot on. This is all supported by an impressive build/edit mode that allows you to create your own vehicles. Unfortunately, the microtransactions are hard to ignore, and although they are not as invasive as other past 2K titles, they still leave us with a bitter taste in our mouths for a product that could have done without them (especially since it is aimed at a very young audience).
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In conclusion, MLB The Show 23 is another quality episode in the successful Sony series. The revised and refined gameplay, the new game modes (Negro Leagues alone is worth the ticket price), and the official season roster are a must for all baseball fans and fans of the series. Despite some imperfections in the multiplayer compartment, MLB The Show 23 offers a perfect mix of simulation and arcade that will thrill all American sports fans.
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With Resident Evil 4 Remake, Capcom has really done the impossible, making it, in fact, far better than the original. The game environments are rich in small details and make the world vibrant, the gunplay has been revamped (mind you not overturned), introducing a number of new and useful improvements, from the aid of knives (usable in a variety of ways), through a truly superlative ammo creation system and healing kits. The remake adds a more survivalist aspect to RE4's gameplay: a perfect blend of resource management (of the classic Resident Evil games) and the action turn taken with the original RE4. The controls are more in step with the times and the graphical rendering-thanks to the RE Engine-is truly incredible. While, the excellent work done on plot and characters provides a richer, more connected and coherent experience. Kudos also go to the excellent use of DualSense on the PlayStation 5. In short, Resident Evil 4 Remake is the best remake we have ever played, and that could stand to mean that 2005 and 2023 could share the same award, namely that of game of the year!
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Kirby's Return to Dream Land Deluxe is a fantastic remake of one of the best platforming adventures dedicated to Kirby. With a new look, some significant gameplay changes, and two excellent new modes to try your hand at, this Deluxe Edition is a swirling, fun, and colorful celebration of the “pink blob” that should delight both new and returning players alike
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Gungrave G.O.R.E. looks like a PS2 game: it creates a wonderful and nostalgic journey (some of the settings are incredible), but at the same time characterized by mechanics and gameplay choices with an almost prehistoric “taste,” therefore ill-suited to modern video game times. We therefore recommend purchase only to true fans of the brand!
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Hogwarts Legacy has turned into reality - what until now was only available on paper and on the big screen - the fantastic Wizarding World of Harry Potter, although these - in the title developed by Avalanche Studios and WB - are not even present. The “simulator” of the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, allows one to create one's own student, attend classes (with completely unseen teachers), duel to the sound of spells and explore the Castle and all the attached and connected settings on the hunt for secrets and “treasures.” It is certainly not without its problems: the side quests are far too basic and only a handful are worth remembering, the menus could have been better crafted, as well as - although some of the scenery is jaw-dropping - the polygonal models and animations (at times really unconvincing). That said, if you are a fan of “The Child Who Survived,” you absolutely cannot pass up this title because we guarantee that living the life of a Wizard (or a Witch), has never been so beautiful, immersive and realistic. Wands up!
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Backfirewall_ tells a story about change and how it-though frightening-should be managed and metabolized. Overall, this is a wonderful, intelligent, witty, and at times emotional experience, thanks to a well-developed and well-told narrative plot. The gameplay is interesting, thanks to reasoned, if all too simple, puzzles. At a budget price, to say the least, we are talking about 14.99 € you can experience an out-of-the-box experience, ideal for carefree relaxation alone or in company.
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The work done on Dead Space Remake, by Motive, is incredible. A complete remake that, in addition to doing even more justice to Visceral Games' 2008 masterpiece, goes to offer the player a more adrenaline-pumping and exciting experience. The gameplay turns out to be solid, though not without slight flaws: shots that go awry, polygon interpenetrations, and a slight woodenness in movements. Graphically, we were, to say the least, ecstatic with the excellent use of the Frostbite Engine, a graphics engine with a thousand resources and potential that allowed the developers to update every element of Dead Space Remake: textures, polygonal models, animations. In short, if you have never played the 2008 title and especially like sci-fi survival horror themes and settings, this remake is one to buy with eyes closed.
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Hilarious jokes, incredible combat, and a revised mission structure mean that Darktide represents the most complete iteration of Fatshark and their cooperative combat: fast and fluid. However, the various bugs that plague the game hold us back from recommending it immediately to fans and non-fans of the genre; surely it will be in better shape in a few months. And perhaps, in a year or two, after a couple of expansions and numerous updates, it could be something nothing short of amazing to look forward to. As things stand, it is a good game and nothing more.
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