Simone Cantini


378 games reviewed
73.2 average score
75 median score
41.0% of games recommended
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70 / 100 - Rusty Rabbit
Apr 14, 2025

If you're looking for an accessible metroidvania with intriguing storytelling and world-building, Rusty Rabbit is worth a try. The futuristic, snowy adventure of Stamp offers a well-blended mix of elements, even if it doesn't revolutionize the genre. While not impressive in level design or groundbreaking ideas, and with some minor progression flaws, it stands firmly over its roughly 16-hour playthrough. Ultimately, it's an honest and enjoyable game available at a very affordable price for what it delivers.

Review in Italian | Read full review

80 / 100 - UNDERDOGS
Apr 8, 2025

Underdogs is a brawler enriched with well-crafted RPG elements, offering a thrilling and immersive experience. Its standout feature is the highly engaging combat system, which effectively conveys the brutality of the battles in the Neo Brakka arena. However, the sections between fights rely heavily on randomness, which may overshadow the gameplay during runs. With the addition of a challenge editor and solid replayability, Underdogs is undoubtedly a highly recommended title in today's gaming landscape.

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80 / 100 - MULLET MADJACK
Apr 4, 2025

Andy Warhol once predicted the famous 15 minutes of fame, but Mullet MadJack needs only 10 seconds to win over players. Despite its simple and straightforward concept, HAMMER95's work captivates with entertainment and near-perfect balance. The narrative layer adds charm, even though it might initially seem superficial. The result is a bold, unconventional, and delightfully psychedelic FPS, hindered only by repetitive level layouts and the inherent randomness typical of roguelikes.

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Apr 3, 2025

South of Midnight may not be the ultimate breakthrough for Compulsion Games, but it stands as their most solid and successful work so far. This well-crafted adventure balances platform and action elements, supported by strong gameplay mechanics. However, its progression remains somewhat formulaic, its construction conventional, and its mechanics highly derivative. Despite these shortcomings, the game delivers enjoyment in every aspect. Exploring the bayou with Hazel offers delightful surprises, particularly from a visual standpoint, showcasing that Compulsion Games is on the right path.

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Apr 2, 2025

Promising start for Pollard Studio? Judging by the results of Karma: The Dark World, the answer is yes. Daniel's adventure hits the mark with engaging writing and an intriguing, oppressively dark game world. While the story captivates, it falters a bit near the end. The gameplay, though simplistic and predictable, flows well with the progression. Visually and in terms of direction, the debut from the Chinese studio shows potential despite some signs of inexperience. The foundation laid is promising for future projects.

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80 / 100 - AI Limit
Mar 26, 2025

If I had judged solely based on the demo, I would have regrettably overlooked a well-crafted and enjoyable game like AI Limit. The developers at SenseGames demonstrated their attentiveness to player feedback, delivering an intriguing soulslike experience with its own identity. The game features a well-designed and entertaining combat system, paired with a unique and inspired setting. While the technical aspects fall somewhat short, the gameplay progression is balanced and captivating. For those who tried the demo, forget your impressions and give the game a shot—you might be pleasantly surprised, as I was.

Review in Italian | Read full review

Does everything change just to stay the same? Not quite. While Atelier Yumia: The Alchemist of Memories & the Envisioned Land by Koei Tecmo and Gust serves as a great entry point to the series, the simplifications and innovations introduced seem to have stripped it of its essence. Despite being enjoyable and well-crafted, the game feels more generic and similar to other titles in the genre, rather than a noticeable evolution of the Atelier world. The streamlined alchemy and resource management may disappoint the more die-hard fans, who might not resonate with what appears on screen. It's a shame because the core structure is solid, and the game is fun to play. However, these so-called accessibility improvements have diluted the gaming experience to the point where, had it been called something else, perhaps no one would have noticed the difference.

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80 / 100 - EXOcars
Mar 17, 2025

While EXOcars can't replace Motorstorm in my heart, it's undeniably carved out its niche. Though not exceptional in terms of gameplay offering (at least for now on PSVR2), the game is a great virtual dive into the world of arcade racing. Well-crafted and, above all, incredibly fun to play, the title by XOCUS shines especially on Sony's headset thanks to its steering wheel support. Regardless of this feature, if you're looking for an easygoing, stress-free racing game, EXOcars is highly recommended for some thrilling rides.

Review in Italian | Read full review

With Suikoden I&II HD Remaster, Konami brings to current generations and all nostalgic players a pair of JRPGs that are still fresh and fun nearly 30 years after the original debut. While some gaming era quirks can be overlooked, the remastering work by the Japanese company is quite (too) minimal. The graphics and sound have been slightly cleaned up, but there are no additional improvements to impress both old and new players. At least it's offered at a reasonable price, considering what it costs to get original copies. However, a bit more effort from Konami would have been reasonable to expect.

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Feb 24, 2025

Lost Records: Bloom & Rage, the new Canadian team at Don't Nod, continues the studio's style, improving almost every aspect introduced in Life Is Strange. This first part of the story of Swann, Autumn, Nora, and Kat may surprise with its pacing and narrative, revolving around a MacGuffin that reunites old friends after years apart. Everything falls into place by the end of this installment, leaving you eagerly awaiting April 15th. True to Don't Nod's famous gaming style, Lost Records: Bloom & Rage will win over fans who appreciate the studio's narrative approach, delivering a heartfelt story that captivates emotionally. Let’s hope the second and final part lives up to this promising start.

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Feb 18, 2025

X-Out: Resurfaced is a nostalgic dive into a glorious past that, alas, will never return. The game by Rainbow Arts resurfaces today with a re-edition that is faithful to the original, with all its pros and cons. Spectacular for its time, despite being derivative, the German shoot 'em up shows its age, flaws that were easier to overlook in the early '90s. Not very long and somewhat unbalanced, this intense underwater race still has a special charm, thanks to its solid technical execution and some notable ideas. The shooter market has made significant strides since then, but if you're eager to experience an old classic (though not the best), I recommend giving it a go. Just keep your expectations in check.

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Feb 13, 2025

Tiny Terry’s Turbo Trip isn’t long, complex, challenging, or highly original in its mechanics, but it avoids mediocrity thanks to the sum of its parts. While not groundbreaking on its own, it delivers a concentrated dose of fun and eccentricity. Guiding Terry’s celestial ambitions entertains with its simplicity and marked humor. A light, easygoing title perfect for a few hours of smiles. Just a tip: don’t forget sunscreen!

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Jan 30, 2025

With Citizen Sleeper 2: Starward Vector, Garet Damian Martin expands and continues the narrative started with the previous chapter of this unique RPG series. With a solid and compelling narrative and fascinating world-building, highlighted by the Sleeper figure, this new journey will captivate those who were drawn to the previous iteration. Unique in its approach to RPGs, Citizen Sleeper 2: Starward Vector builds upon and improves its predecessor’s strong foundations, offering a complex and fascinating adventure, albeit light on pure gameplay. If you love getting lost in reading and don't mind a bit of strategy, there are few reasons to seek the true nature of our Sleeper. That is, unless you’re not proficient in English.

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Jan 29, 2025

If you had doubts about Ryo Hayabusa's condition, Ninja Gaiden 2 Black is a great way to test the Team Ninja warrior's form. The return of this action game icon is still enjoyable in almost all its aspects (except for the camera issues), with its frenetic and satisfying gameplay delighting fans of demon-slaying action. Despite its high price and the controversial use of the Sigma version, these minor issues do not detract much from the quality of a production that remains a milestone in the genre, even 17 years after its original debut.

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70 / 100 - Botany Manor
Jan 28, 2025

Botany Manor is an elegant puzzle game with a unique and fitting gameplay and setting. Balloon Studios presents an unusual gaming story, offering interesting and well-constructed puzzles, though not overly complex. Relaxed and relaxing, the game only falls short in longevity, which could have been slightly extended. Nonetheless, it remains a unique experience that will surely intrigue puzzle game enthusiasts.

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Jan 27, 2025

Mika and the Witch’s Mountain is a delightful fairy tale with a brief but enjoyable experience. It combines the core gameplay of Death Stranding with a world inspired by Studio Ghibli. The result is a charming delivery-based game that is visually pleasing and well-made. Worth trying, but don't expect high complexity."

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Jan 20, 2025

I must confess, it's been since the days of Hokuto No Ken on PS3 that I enjoyed a musou game this much, primarily due to my love for the character created by Buronson and Tetsuo Hara. In the case of Dynasty Warriors: Origins, the hours spent roaming the Three Kingdoms of China are thanks to a revamped gameplay that marries the scale of battles typical of the genre with more refined and satisfying mechanics. A fun and well-structured combat system is accompanied by dynamic and challenging missions that go beyond mindless button mashing. While the decision to downplay the massive roster of playable characters might be criticized, it has made Dynasty Warriors: Origins an excellent reboot for the series and one of the most enjoyable and well-executed musou games, even from a purely technical standpoint. We can be broadly satisfied with the choices made by Omega Force.

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75 / 100 - Arken Age
Jan 16, 2025

2025 for virtual reality looks promising, thanks to the overall quality of Arken Age. Vitruvius VR presents a solid and entertaining gameplay, complemented by a long campaign and impressive technical features. However, the repetitive environments and unremarkable script somewhat lessen the adventure of the scaly warrior Nara. Overall, navigating through the Bio-Chasm is an experience I recommend to anyone seeking a well-crafted and fun title.

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Dec 23, 2024

No, Sociable Soccer 25 is not Sensible Soccer, as Tower Studios' creation unfortunately lacks the charm of that legendary game. However, there is much of the 16-bit soccer spirit in this fun and entertaining arcade game, which retains the essential style and gameplay foundation of Jon Hare's masterpiece. Fast and accessible, Sociable Soccer 25 will delight those who miss pixelated matches that are spectacular despite their minimalistic style. The main drawbacks are the lack of any online mode and the inability to create custom tournaments, which are quite significant for a game of this kind. For those who are nostalgic like me, it is highly recommended, especially considering its relatively low price.

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Dec 18, 2024

Despite the notable names involved in the development of Fantasian: Neo Dimension, the title fails to fully uphold the pedigree of its creator, due to some unexpected design missteps from Sakaguchi-san. While the classic combat system can be a pleasant rediscovery, the inconsistent pacing of the adventure, especially in the chaotic second half, is harder to forgive. The conversion barely meets the minimum standards and does not adequately mitigate the visual legacy of its mobile development. Ultimately, Leo and his companions' adventure is an unfocused JRPG that alternates between good and more forgettable elements. It should only be considered if you have a lot of patience and can't resist the names Hironobu Sakaguchi and Nobuo Uematsu.

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