Simone Cantini


439 games reviewed
73.3 average score
75 median score
41.2% of games recommended
Are you Simone Cantini? If so, email critics@opencritic.com to claim this critic page.
Dec 24, 2025

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

Dec 23, 2025

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

Dec 22, 2025

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

80 / 100 - Skate Story
Dec 17, 2025

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

70 / 100 - She's Leaving
Dec 10, 2025

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

Dec 9, 2025

Thief VR: Legacy of Shadow doesn’t reinvent the saga, but faithfully revives it. Dark atmospheres and stealth gameplay remain central, while Magpie adds freshness without betraying Garrett’s legacy. Weak AI and simplified progression hold it back from past heights, yet for fans of shadows and Stephen Russell’s voice, this VR journey is a modest but welcome gift—not a masterpiece, but a return that still makes us smile as we steal in silence.

Review in Italian | Read full review

Dec 3, 2025

Project Motor Racing shines as a pure simulation, with a credible and rewarding driving model that appeals to those seeking a strict, uncompromising experience. Yet its strong physics and technical detail are undermined by uninspired gameplay, weak AI, and visuals that lag behind top competitors. It will satisfy hardcore sim racing fans, but may leave others wanting a more polished package. Ultimately, it’s a solid testbed for the GIANTS Engine in racing, though still far from challenging the genre’s heavyweights.

Review in Italian | Read full review

75 / 100 - Where Winds Meet
Nov 28, 2025

Where Winds Meet defies free‑to‑play stereotypes: it’s neither predatory nor a mindless grind, and technically impressive. Despite flaws like missing Italian support and uneven lip sync, its deep combat, artistic care, and activity variety make Everstone Studio’s wuxia adventure a long‑lasting journey worth experiencing—especially for those curious about how Eastern tradition meets modern gaming.

Review in Italian | Read full review

Nov 27, 2025

The Last Case of John Morley lives and dies by its script: short, straightforward, and light on gameplay, yet offering a couple of hours of well-crafted noir atmosphere. It doesn’t aim for complex mechanics or technical spectacle, but rather tells an engaging detective story that appeals to fans of the genre. Despite its brevity and lack of Italian localization, its early‑20th‑century London setting delivers a simple yet memorable investigation.

Review in Italian | Read full review

80 / 100 - A.I.L.A
Nov 25, 2025

A.I.L.A. proves to be an ambitious and surprisingly mature project, blending narrative depth with gameplay tension. Pulsatrix Studios dares to center an adaptive AI that shapes fear around the player’s vulnerabilities, building a survival horror that engages with the genre’s classics rather than merely imitating them. Despite some uneven pacing, the result is a coherent and memorable experience for those seeking horror that balances subtle unease with more traditional thrills.

Review in Italian | Read full review

70 / 100 - Possessor(s)
Nov 24, 2025

Possessor(s) isn’t a genre-defining metroidvania, but it grips you with its dark, stylish world. Heart Machine delivers a satisfying combat system, striking art direction, and a ’90s anime vibe. Despite chaotic progression and some questionable design choices, exploring Sanzu and uncovering Luca and Rhem’s bond remains compelling. Not a masterpiece, but a worthy experience that offers hours of challenge and atmosphere for fans of moody, stylish worlds.

Review in Italian | Read full review

SpongeBob SquarePants: The Tidal Titans doesn’t reinvent the genre, but delivers a fun, solid adventure true to the show’s spirit. With silly gags, simple yet effective mechanics, and competent technical work, Purple Lamp offers a pleasant platformer for both longtime fans and newcomers. The lack of Italian dubbing is a drawback, yet the game still provides carefree entertainment and genuine laughs—exactly what you’d expect from a sponge living in a pineapple under the sea.

Review in Italian | Read full review

Nov 14, 2025

Goodnight Universe isn’t about puzzles or complex gameplay, but about telling a story that lingers. Isaac, more than a baby with unusual powers, reflects our fears and fragilities. Despite some technical shortcomings—like missing head-tracking on consoles—the emotional core remains strong. In just four unforgettable hours, the game makes you smile, think, and even tear up, leaving behind that bittersweet feeling only well‑told stories can give.

Review in Italian | Read full review

Nov 13, 2025

Dark Atlas: Infernum aims high but stumbles where it matters most: gameplay. The lore intrigues, the atmosphere unsettles, and the sound design impresses. Yet players often fight the game itself more than its monsters. Beneath the frustration lies a clear artistic vision, but only the patient will endure instant deaths, cruel checkpoints, and stamina that rivals an asthmatic sloth. Everyone else is better off staying on the surface and letting the lost souls wander alone.

Review in Italian | Read full review

90 / 100 - Lumines Arise
Nov 11, 2025

Lumines Arise isn’t just the return of a musical puzzle game—it’s a celebration of an idea that keeps evolving while honoring its roots. Enhance delivers an experience both familiar and surprising, with hypnotic rhythms and kaleidoscopic visuals. Easy to grasp in seconds yet captivating for hours, it becomes a true sensory immersion on PSVR2. Whether you’re a longtime fan or a curious newcomer, Lumines Arise invites you to play with music, dance with colors, and lose yourself in its world—where leaving won’t be easy.

Review in Italian | Read full review

75 / 100 - Dark Quest 4
Nov 7, 2025

Dark Quest 4 doesn’t reinvent the wheel, but it rolls it with style. A heartfelt tribute to tabletop dungeon crawlers, it offers solid gameplay and rewards patience over speed. Imperfect controls, a steep difficulty curve, and grind-heavy economy hold it back. But if you grew up on Hero Quest and still get excited by isometric maps full of monsters, the €19.99 price is well worth it. It’s not genre-defining, but it knows its path—and walks it with confidence.

Review in Italian | Read full review

Oct 29, 2025

The Cabin Factory is a small indie horror experiment that, despite its simplicity, delivers. It doesn’t reinvent the genre or offer deep gameplay, but it builds tension effectively with minimal, well-crafted elements. A short, atmospheric experience that proves even limited resources can tell a disturbing and engaging story.

Review in Italian | Read full review

Oct 28, 2025

Once Upon a Katamari is exactly what fans hoped for: a surreal, colorful, and delightfully weird return that stays true to its roots while adding just enough freshness. With new challenges, light power-ups, a freer structure, and an unforgettable soundtrack, it entertains without losing its essence. Not a revolution, but a joyful celebration of everything that makes Katamari unique—sometimes, all you need is to roll through chaos with a smile.

Review in Italian | Read full review

70 / 100 - Wreckreation
Oct 27, 2025

Wreckreation is a bold experiment that blends Burnout’s explosive chaos with TrackMania’s creative freedom, all set in an open world reminiscent of Forza Horizon. The result is a fun, customizable arcade racer that shines online, especially for players who love building, sharing, and destroying. While design choices and technical limits may disappoint solo players seeking a deeper experience, it remains a heartfelt tribute to arcade racing fans from developers who helped shape the genre.

Review in Italian | Read full review

The Elf on the Shelf: Holiday Heroes is a lighthearted Christmas adventure designed for young children. While it lacks technical ambition and deep gameplay, it delivers simple fun and festive charm. Perfect for families seeking a sweet, reassuring holiday experience—just don’t expect a gamer’s challenge, and maybe keep a cookie ready for Santa.

Review in Italian | Read full review