Simone Cantini


373 games reviewed
73.2 average score
75 median score
41.0% of games recommended
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Nov 13, 2024

LEGO Horizon Adventures by Sony, Guerrilla, and Studio Gobo offers an overly simplistic experience. While it is pleasant and easy to digest, Aloy's brick adventure lacks the unique touches that usually distinguish LEGO video game productions. It might attract younger players to the Guerrilla saga, but it will likely fail to engage and excite the more seasoned and discerning audience. Additionally, the pricing seems off-target for what it offers. Sacrificing Killzone for such productions raises some regrets, though hopefully, it leads to dedicated LEGO kits like the one for Tallneck.

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70 / 100 - Mindcop
Nov 13, 2024

Mindcop excels in creating an intriguing and well-orchestrated world, featuring a well-drawn pair of main characters. The gameplay foundations are solid, with the mindsurfing concept adding a unique twist. However, the progression, despite not being linear, has fixed points that overly simplify case resolution. It's a well-made title, offered at a very affordable price. If you love detective games, it's worth a try.

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Nov 12, 2024

Taiko no Tatsujin: Rhythm Festival finally arrives on PS5 and Xbox Series X/S without losing any of its charm that made it a great title on the Nintendo Switch. With a splendid tracklist and consistently fun gameplay, Bandai Namco’s production also features a handful of well-structured additional modes to break up the usual progression. The online component keeps players engaged. However, the lack of compatibility with older Taiko controllers forces those seeking the most authentic experience to purchase a new, expensive dedicated piece of plastic.

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80 / 100 - Metro Awakening
Nov 12, 2024

The greatest strength of Metro: Awakening lies in its ability to render the disastrous world created by Dmitry Glukhovsky tangibly oppressive, transporting the player into the depths of the Moscow metro like never before. Dirty, grim, and ruthless, the title developed by Vertigo Games Amsterdam makes the player feel like a true survivor, constantly powerless and at the mercy of the dark threats lurking underground. This is achieved through a shooter with survival elements that, while somewhat conventional, is highly effective, featuring engaging and immersive mechanics. It might run in circles a bit too much in its final stages, but if you love the series, there’s no reason to delay a highly recommended purchase.

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Nov 5, 2024

Transforming a pure action brand like the classic SNK Playmore games into a strategic title was a challenging task with Metal Slug Tactics, and Leikir Studio partially missed the mark. The strategic experience, which replicates the run-and-gun tones of the main chapters, is hindered by the roguelike nature of the production. While fun in the short term, excessive repetitiveness quickly emerges after a few runs, significantly diminishing the game's appeal. Without a more layered and expansive gameplay, it may soon tire those not looking for a quick, bite-sized experience.

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Although The Bridge Curse 2: The Extrication doesn't offer much variation on the theme, it has proven to be an honest and entertaining horror game. With well-diversified gameplay that combines escape moments with always challenging puzzles, SOFTSTAR's production does not show any obvious weaknesses. It also boasts a convincing technical compartment that is decidedly above average (considering the production efforts). Therefore, we find ourselves facing a title definitely worth trying if one is fascinated by the unique approach to horror of Asian cultures.

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Oct 28, 2024

If you enjoyed Arizona Sunshine in 2016 and want to replay it in a revamped version, its Remake will certainly not disappoint. It effectively brings back the original adventure of the Vertigo Games brand. Casual and light-hearted, the shooter won't surprise you with innovative gameplay solutions, but it does offer a few hours of solid fun, both solo and with friends. Plus, it includes all the DLC released to date, which is always a bonus.

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Oct 27, 2024

Nikoderiko: The Magical World convincingly and sincerely reworks some of the most famous and celebrated platforming tropes. VEA Games' debut is a heartfelt homage to some genre classics, presented in a very pleasant and well-crafted aesthetic. The overall difficulty is quite challenging but just right, and it's also playable with friends. Niko and Luna's adventure is recommended for those who love strongly old-school experiences, though you'll need to get used to a somewhat unintuitive control system initially before being charmed by the delightful antics of the two lovable mongooses.

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A lot of time has passed since the original debut of Romance of the Three Kingdoms 8 Remake, and the weight of these two decades is felt as soon as you dive into the game mechanics. Despite its massive content offering, pure gameplay interaction is really minimal if you look beyond statistics and endless lines of text. While very detailed and at times unnecessarily complex and verbose, the experience recreated by Koei Tecmo and Omega Force is unlikely to captivate newcomers to this unique franchise. This operation is undoubtedly aimed at the most incurable nostalgics, honest at its core, but decidedly ill-suited for the current market.

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Oct 23, 2024

Awaken: Astral Blade impresses but doesn't amaze, presenting itself as a solid and well-constructed metroidvania, though far from a landmark in the genre. While the exploration of the vast game map is interesting and shows good progression, it is rather linear and predictable. The combat system, however, is its standout feature, along with the visual aspects, despite occasional slowdowns. Overall, Awaken: Astral Blade is a very good production, recommended for genre enthusiasts and those looking to try it for the first time.

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Oct 23, 2024

If you loved Shinnosuke Nohara's previous foray into the gaming world, there’s really no reason to stay away from Shin chan: Shiro and the Coal Town. This new adventure effectively brings back the mix of relaxed yet engaging elements that characterized Neos's previous work. It re-emerges with a carefree and delightful adventure, reminiscent of a warm summer day from our childhood, filled with the boundless adventures that only a child's imagination can create.

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Oct 21, 2024

As a fan and follower of Stormind Games, I eagerly awaited the release of A Quiet Place: The Road Ahead. I was curious to see how the team would handle a franchise and partnership that is quite unique in our domestic production landscape. Given the studio’s past work, I wasn’t too surprised by the quality of this peculiar survival horror. It demonstrates Stormind's growth and integrates effectively with the film's world. It offers an oppressive and obsessive experience, which isn’t for those looking for an adrenaline-packed horror. But if approached the right way, it holds plenty of surprises. Plus, it comes at a very affordable price.

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Still thinking of platform games set in Bikini Bottom, playing SpongeBob SquarePants: The Patrick Star Game left me quite disappointed. Although I wasn’t thrilled by the idea of a simple collection of minigames, if it had at least been packaged in a more engaging and cohesive way, I could have reconsidered my expectations positively. Unfortunately, the title developed by Outright turned out to be rather rough on almost every level, presenting conceptually decent micro-experiences but staged in a crude and unentertaining way. In light of all this, unless you're a true fanatic of SpongeBob and his friends, it’s really hard to recommend Bandai Namco’s production without reservations.

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Oct 11, 2024

Transitioning from a classic view to VR doesn’t always work out for every game, which often end up as grotesque and uninspired caricatures of their original identity. But that’s not the case with Metal Hellsinger VR, which actually turned out greatly improved by its foray into virtual reality. Slaughtering demons to intense heavy metal tracks has a unique appeal when you’re called to do it, literally, in first person. Of course, if you don’t enjoy the accompanying music genre, you’re unlikely to appreciate this production by The Outsiders even in its new form. Otherwise, it’s highly recommended.

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85 / 100 - Max Mustard
Oct 10, 2024

Are you fans of Astro Bot and disappointed by the absence of a dedicated PSVR2 game? Well, don’t worry, as Mac Mustard has done an excellent job of filling the void left by Asobi’s beloved robot. Through a carefully crafted platforming experience, both visually stunning and surprisingly fun to play, Toast Interactive’s production exudes charm and includes some truly clever gameplay ideas. The only drawback is its mild difficulty, which doesn’t detract from the quality of a VR game every headset owner shouldn’t miss.

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90 / 100 - Silent Hill 2
Oct 7, 2024

Bravo! Standing ovation, with Bloober Team at the forefront, receiving well-deserved applause after months of backlash that ultimately proved unfounded. Silent Hill 2 Remake is not only a fantastic game, but it’s (especially) an excellent reimagining of the most beloved entry in the series and one of the best horror games—period—ever to hit the market. The stakes were high, as evidenced by the initial skepticism around the reveal, but joy is in order as the Polish team has masterfully navigated this tricky terrain of memories and emotions. Every detail reflects the developers’ love for the original material, creating an unforgettable experience. These are the remakes that make sense to exist, with no place for robotic dinosaurs or teenage slashers.

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Oct 7, 2024

No, Until Dawn Remake really doesn’t make the cut, once again highlighting how Sony hasn’t quite grasped the approach to remastering recent titles—especially with the PS5 being introduced with an emphasis on backward compatibility with PS4 games. Ballistic Moon did well, improving on a title that still holds up 9 years later. The real issue lies with the Japanese giant, which, while excelling in third-party collaborations, seems to have lost its internal production direction, as evidenced by the upcoming remake this month (still unclear who it’s for). Take the score below as a judgment on the entire operation, not the technical polish, which, though superficial, isn’t the problem. The issue is rooted much higher up.

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60 / 100 - Pneumata
Sep 18, 2024

I had been waiting a long time and was frustrated by its repeated delays, but now that Pneumata has finally arrived on my PS5, I have to admit I'm partially disappointed. The game by Deadbolt is built on solid foundations, with multiple sources of inspiration simmering beneath the surface, and offers a genuinely fun and well-constructed horror experience—at least until some shortcomings emerge that hamper progression. While it’s easy to overlook a murky script poorly translated to the screen, it’s harder to ignore the obvious difficulty imbalances and occasionally problematic level layouts. Nothing insurmountable, of course, but it does require a good dose of patience. It’s a pity, as the potential to go beyond mere adequacy was definitely there.

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70 / 100 - Evotinction
Sep 13, 2024

What to say about Evotinction? The team’s sources of inspiration are clear, both visually and in gameplay, yet the result feels cohesive and convincing despite looming iconic references. Though the story has potential, it’s told in an overly confusing way. The game offers well-designed stealth mechanics paired with an impressive set of gadgets and options, even if it ultimately feels derivative due to the influences it draws from (not a flaw in itself). Add a solid and sometimes surprising technical side, good longevity, and a competitive price, and the result is a game I highly recommend to fans of sneaking without leaving a trace.

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60 / 100 - Gundam Breaker 4
Sep 9, 2024

Gundam Breaker 4 is a game of two sides, but they don’t seem to blend smoothly. While the constructive side of Bandai Namco’s title is unquestionable due to the depth of the gunpla editor, the gameplay aspect is quite weak. Despite the gameplay's potential, the game’s design feels disappointingly repetitive, whether in single-player or multiplayer modes. The campaign, in terms of writing and progression, only exacerbates this dichotomy. A lackluster title destined for die-hard fans—those who enjoy virtually assembling their mobile suits won’t be disappointed by Gundam Breaker 4, but others should avoid it if they’re waiting for a title that does justice to the legendary Sunrise robot franchise. Now, excuse me as I get back to assembling my new Master Grade model...

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