Riccardo Amalfitano
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.
Review in Italian | Read full review
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.
Review in Italian | Read full review
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.
Review in Italian | Read full review
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!
Review in Italian | Read full review
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!
Review in Italian | Read full review
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).
Review in Italian | Read full review
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.
Review in Italian | Read full review
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!
Review in Italian | Read full review
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
Review in Italian | Read full review
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!
Review in Italian | Read full review
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!
Review in Italian | Read full review
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.
Review in Italian | Read full review
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.
Review in Italian | Read full review
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.
Review in Italian | Read full review
We really enjoyed revisiting (having already done so on PS5) Oddworld: Soulstorm on Switch. It is a porting that has been masterfully done on the Kyoto house's hybrid, and whether you are looking for an “excuse” to replay it and whether it will be your first time trying your hand at the game, you will probably be happy with how it runs on Nintendo Switch. Aside from some checkpoint and perspective issues (really tricky at some junctures in handheld mode), we think Soulstorm, besides being the pinnacle of Abe's adventures, is worth playing on Switch.
Review in Italian | Read full review
NBA 2K23 is not much different from last year's offering, but it manages to take a definite step forward; the problem of microtransactions remains; in fact, in the long run (and specifically with reference to the MY CAREER mode) the player will find himself almost forced to play a disproportionate amount or spend money to continue competing online, but on the other hand, there are a number of juicy modes - that we are sure you will appreciate - such as the Jordan Challenges or MyNBA Eras that allow you to relive the exploits and most iconic moments of the best player of all time and several incredible legends of American basketball.
Review in Italian | Read full review
It's been too long since the last officially licensed F1 management sim, we're talking almost two decades; Frontier Developments' F1 Manager 2022 brings players back to feeling part of an F1 team and does so in an incredibly clever and immersive way. It's not just about statistics, data and charts but thanks to the superb graphics engine, cars and tracks literally come to life offering an incredible gaming experience capturing the spirit of Formula 1. If you are a fan of motorsport and management games, you absolutely cannot miss F1 Manager 2022.
Review in Italian | Read full review
Metal: Hellsinger is a title that really surprised us. Sure, it might not be one of the most innovative in the genre, but the rhythmic mechanic definitely brings a breath of fresh air to the FPS genre. Mastering the gameplay created by The Outsiders isn’t exactly easy (especially staying on beat), but once you’ve got the hang of it, the fun is guaranteed. Unfortunately, although the combat system is fully convincing, there isn’t much else outside of combat; the level progression is quite simple and linear, and it doesn’t reward players for exploration or secret hunting, which is another aspect we liked in DOOM games. We also believe that replayability might not be very high, except for those players obsessed with grinding for higher scores. That said, the price of just €39.99 — along with its launch on Microsoft’s Game Pass service — could be a key factor in Metal: Hellsinger’s success.
Review in Italian | Read full review
The new motorsport iteration from EA and Codemasters represents a marked evolution from the last two chapters in the series. The driving system has been revised to adapt to the new rules and although it may seem more complex to master at times, find the right measures, we guarantee it will give you enormous satisfaction. The career and stable modes, thanks to small but significant improvements, offer an incredible rate of challenge and fun that will keep the player glued to the screen for many, many hours. Embellishing the package even more are the PlayStation Home-style mode: F1 Life, which is more of a meeting place than anything else, Pirelli Hot Lap, time trials, Grand Prix and the online mode. In short, F1 22, is a content-rich title that will delight both Formula 1 fans and novices approaching the series for the first time.
Review in Italian | Read full review
WWE 2K22 represents the return of great wrestling. Skipping 2K21 and delaying the launch by as much as five months may have affected the roster (a bit skimpy due to the layoffs of several superstars), but the game works great, and is chock-full of content to choose from. An excellent Rey Mysterio Showcase further embellishes the experience, and every other mode (perhaps with the exception of MyFaction) lays a solid foundation for WWE games to come. There is still plenty of room for improvement, but if you are a wrestling fan, consider WWE 2K22 a must.
Review in Italian | Read full review