Simone Cantini
Planet of Lana 2 confirms that Wishfully didn’t need to reinvent anything to give real meaning to the journey begun in 2023. It simply had to listen to what that world still wanted to say. The result is a measured yet intense sequel that expands rather than overturns, finding its strength in visual care and the gentle precision of its storytelling. It’s not a game built on twists or flashy mechanics, but an experience that takes its time to breathe, to watch, and to let itself be watched. When the credits roll, what lingers isn’t just the satisfaction of a well-crafted adventure, but the feeling of having shared a slice of life with two protagonists who once again speak to the heart before the mind. A simple, sincere, and necessary ending that closes the circle with a grace rare in today’s landscape.
Review in Italian | Read full review
What else is there to say about Resident Evil Requiem? To me, it’s one of the series’ most accomplished entries—perhaps the best since the revolution sparked by the fourth chapter. Grace and Leon’s journey blends the strongest elements of the franchise’s recent reinventions, delivering an unforgettable adventure driven by near‑perfect pacing. The first half shines for cohesion, while the second becomes more predictable yet consistently inventive in its gameplay ideas. Balancing new twists and fan service, Capcom’s latest confidently claims its place in the official timeline, offering a bold, modern horror experience that moves seamlessly between tension and action. It may only be early March, but Requiem already feels like a strong contender for Game of the Year—something far from guaranteed, thirty years after the first infection.
Review in Italian | Read full review
City Hunter is hardly a must‑play videogame today, especially if you’re not already a fan of Tsukasa Hojo’s iconic character. Sunsoft’s 1990 release shows its age in this first Western edition, and modern players won’t find much in terms of technical or gameplay complexity. Still, despite its clear limitations, Ryo Saeba’s digital adventure has its own charm—maybe not enough to make it a timeless classic, but certainly appealing if you’re in the mood for something unapologetically old‑school. If you love the misadventures of our incorrigible sweeper, it’s worth a look, as long as you keep its vintage nature in mind. And who knows—maybe you’ll end up humming Get Wild, imagining yourself writing those XYZ letters on the long‑gone Shinjuku Station chalkboard.
Review in Italian | Read full review
With Yakuza 3 Kiwami & Dark Ties, RGG Studio has made a decidedly divisive choice, once again reshaping what was never the most beloved entry in the series. Their decision to alter or remove original content in favor of new interactions won’t please purists, but it does make the experience fresher and less predictable, even for longtime fans. The Mine-focused expansion is a welcome addition: not essential from a gameplay standpoint, but effective in enriching the narrative context. In the end, it remains a polarizing chapter—now as much as back then—but unquestionably the best and most modern way to experience Kiryu’s first adventure in the waters of Okinawa. As for me, the changes are more than welcome; if I wanted the PS3 version, I’d just dust off my 2009 Blu‑ray.
Review in Italian | Read full review
God of War: Sons of Sparta balances ambition and restraint, limited at times but capable of offering a surprisingly human take on Kratos. Its metroidvania structure isn’t groundbreaking, yet it’s solid, with satisfying combat and a world full of secrets. It’s not a grand new chapter—just an honest, imperfect spin‑off crafted with care. Seen as a pixel‑art coming‑of‑age tale about a young Spartan, it becomes a warm, unexpectedly resonant adventure that leaves a deeper mark than its modest scope suggests.
Review in Italian | Read full review
Death Howl is a bold experiment—captivating in concept and often brilliant in its ideas—but it stumbles where balance matters most. The blend of deck‑building and soulslike mechanics works, yet a harsh difficulty curve turns strategy into sheer stubbornness. Players who enjoy punishing, abrasive challenges will feel right at home; everyone else may lose interest before the game truly opens up. It’s a shame, because beneath its rough exterior lies an experience that, with a bit more care, could have howled far louder.
Review in Italian | Read full review
True Fear: Forsaken Souls is a trilogy full of contradictions, yet it still leaves a mark. It doesn’t reinvent the genre or aim for real terror, and its balance between puzzles and story isn’t always perfect. Still, it delivers a coherent journey that engages, intrigues, and reflects the growth of its creator over time. It speaks to fans of hidden‑object and adventure games, as well as anyone who enjoys a narrative that expands episode after episode, ultimately closing a circle that—despite a few flaws—feels more solid and satisfying than expected. A late conclusion, perhaps, but an honest and well‑earned one for a series that turned its limits into a recognizable style.
Review in Italian | Read full review
Aces of Thunder isn’t a game for everyone, yet it certainly deserves attention. Gaijin’s title stands out as the most convincing VR air‑combat simulation available, thanks to its accurate and demanding flight model. The downside is the need for pricey gear like HOTAS controllers, since standard inputs make the experience harder to manage. Once you overcome this hurdle—made tougher by the lack of a proper tutorial—the game rewards you with an intense and thrilling experience that will delight anyone who loves shredding enemy fuselages thousands of feet in the air.
Review in Italian | Read full review
Reanimal isn’t Little Nightmares 3, though if it had been named that, no one would have been shocked. Despite the new title suggesting a break from the past, Tarsier Studios clearly builds on the path established under Bandai Namco. It’s a coherent evolution of their previous work: nothing is reinvented, but everything is refined and expanded with confidence. This isn’t a radical reboot—just the natural progression of a formula that has become the studio’s signature. If you loved Six and Mono, Reanimal is unlikely to disappoint.
Review in Italian | Read full review
Koei Tecmo’s 2026 is off to a strong start. After the excellent DLC for Dynasty Warriors: Origins, the studio returns with a well‑crafted Nioh 3. Team Ninja’s new soulslike adventure delivers on its early promises, offering a fresh yet faithful reinterpretation of the series. The expanded open‑world structure blends smoothly with the enhanced combat system, long a trademark of the franchise. The new Ninja Mode adds depth and technical nuance, giving even veteran players a fresh combat perspective. Some recycled assets and a frame rate that could use polishing hold it back slightly, but overall Nioh 3 stands as a demanding, passionate, and deeply rewarding soulslike experience.
Review in Italian | Read full review
Ebola Village tries hard but never really succeeds. It borrows all the classic Resident Evil elements, yet the final result falls short despite Indie Games Studio’s passion and effort. The limited budget shows, and the game would have benefited from revisiting both its design choices and its script. With several issues packed into its three-hour runtime, it’s far from a solid survival horror. Still, there are glimpses of potential: the gunplay works, dismembering enemies is fun, and the atmosphere—though heavily derivative—hits the right notes. Viktor Trokhin clearly has talent, especially as a solo developer, but he needs someone to help channel it better. Maybe a fifth chapter will finally let him shine.
Review in Italian | Read full review
Code Vein 2 is an ambitious project full of ideas and personality, expanding the identity of the first game without losing its spirit. When everything clicks, its journey through timelines, companions, and striking environments delivers genuinely engaging moments. Unfortunately, a sluggish combat system, overly omniscient AI, and technical issues hold back an experience that could have shined far more. Still, it remains a distinctive, heartfelt soulslike that rewards those willing to embrace its rough edges. A clear step forward, even if not yet the leap I hoped for.
Review in Italian | Read full review
Visions of Four Heroes doesn’t reinvent Dynasty Warriors: Origins, but it smartly expands its narrative world and introduces gameplay ideas that show Omega Force’s desire to experiment without losing its identity. New weapons, the central hub, and Strategic Battles are more than cosmetic additions—they mark an evolving direction for the series. Despite some limits, especially the lack of new maps, the DLC is solid, content‑rich, and offers a fresh perspective that enhances both characters and world-building. For fans of Origins, it’s a worthwhile return to the battlefield; for Omega Force, another step toward creative maturity.
Review in Italian | Read full review
MIO: Memories in Orbit is a metroidvania that dares, stumbles at times, yet never loses its strong, distinctive identity. It’s a journey of wonder and frustration, poetic highs and abrupt halts, as if the Vessel itself breathed in fits, demanding the same resilience it asks of its tiny mechanical hero. When the game stops putting up barriers and lets exploration flow, it reveals a magnetic atmosphere, satisfying combat, and an art direction that lingers. It’s not for everyone, nor does it try to be. But those who embrace its harsh opening and taste for punishing design will find a solid, captivating experience filled with moments of genuine awe. Imperfect, yes, but courageous—proof that even its missteps hide sparks of originality.
Review in Italian | Read full review
It doesn’t reinvent the genre, but it delivers a very solid take on it. SPEAR’s 2D platforming works thanks to clever ideas and a good variety of situations, supported by a light but effective narrative that playfully pokes fun at gaming tropes. Some control inconsistencies hold it back slightly, though they don’t undermine Polyhedric’s overall work. Considering the very low price, Andrea Cavuoto’s project is easy to recommend — and it definitely makes me curious about what he’ll create next.
Review in Italian | Read full review
Maybe it’s just me, or maybe the mainstream market has moved beyond what I can appreciate, but despite the brief fun it offers, I struggle to understand where A Game About Digging a Hole really fits. I wasn’t expecting a grand adventure, especially knowing its origins, yet I still wonder how such a simple concept made its way to consoles after its success on PC. It’s not a flawed or sloppy product—there’s clear care behind it—but it’s hardly a game that can hold attention for long. In the end, it’s a harmless little pastime worth its modest price, but its lack of depth makes it easy to forget. And yes, that pun was absolutely intended.
Review in Italian | Read full review
Octopath Traveler 0 proves far more ambitious and polished than its origins suggested. Despite some mobile‑born limitations, Square Enix and Acquire deliver a surprisingly refined JRPG—rich in content, narratively mature, and supported by a sharp combat system, a strong cast, striking art direction, and a memorable soundtrack. The journey through Orsterra remains well worth experiencing. The only real drawback is the lack of Italian localization, which may hold back part of the audience. Overall, it doesn’t reinvent the formula, but it strengthens it with confidence and personality.
Review in Italian | Read full review
Terminator 2D: No Fate is a sincere, passionate project that pays surprising respect to the cinematic legacy it draws from. It doesn’t try to reinvent the genre, instead embracing its retro spirit with a compact experience full of references, playful variations, and nostalgic charm. Despite some structural limits, Bitmap Bureau’s clear love for the original shines through. For fans of Judgment Day or anyone craving a well‑crafted old‑school action game, this pixel‑art tribute offers a short but genuinely enjoyable trip into the myth of the T‑800.
Review in Italian | Read full review
Skate Story stands out with its surreal, visionary style, turning a repetitive genre into something unique. Despite some technical flaws and lack of localization, Sam Eng’s game impresses with its gritty aesthetics, eclectic soundtrack, and bold fusion of gameplay and narrative. A wild, poetic journey—challenging for some, but a hidden gem for those seeking something different.
Review in Italian | Read full review
She’s Leaving is a small but effective experiment by Blue Hat Studio: short, direct, and aware of its limits, it still stands out thanks to its captivating setting, unusual protagonist, and gameplay that blends investigation and survival with clarity. It doesn’t reinvent the genre, but proves that even with few resources one can craft an intense, memorable survival horror experience.
Review in Italian | Read full review