Simone Cantini


374 games reviewed
73.2 average score
75 median score
40.9% of games recommended
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May 21, 2024

With Senua’s Saga: Hellblade 2, Ninja Theory continues their strongly auteur path, proudly advancing their unique series with this logical and predictable sequel. The new adventure of Senua doesn't stray from its past, at least gameplay-wise, limiting innovations and confining itself to being "better seen than played." The overwhelming beauty of the audiovisual production, despite evident compromises, stands as the most impressive on consoles today. Some will undoubtedly complain about the lack of interactivity, bland combat, and self-serving puzzles, but if viewed as a purely narrative experience with strong cinematic elements, Senua’s Saga: Hellblade 2 will satisfy those seeking such an experience.

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May 13, 2024

With Jack Holmes: Master of Puppets, Antonio Esparcia Ibarra has delivered a highly respectable horror game that entertains and scares those who give it a chance. After about 5 hours needed to complete the adventure, it's hard to believe it was developed by a single person, given its surprising and inventive gameplay. While the absence of a larger development team and budget constraints occasionally show, Jack Holmes: Master of Puppets deserves to be played by survival horror fans for effectively embodying the genre's standards. I'm curious to see what TonyDevGame will bring next, hoping for better production values.

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65 / 100 - Soul Covenant
May 9, 2024

Soul Covenant made me quite angry, as it failed to do justice to an interesting VR concept, resulting in an underwhelming experience. The script, a crucial element for a JRPG, was particularly lacking. The repetitive gameplay quickly reveals all its cards, but it remains fun and visually impressive. While it could have done more, Soul Covenant can still please those seeking a functional and unpretentious title.

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70 / 100 - Mixture
May 7, 2024

Saying I didn't enjoy Mixture would be false and unfair to Played With Fire's title. Sola and the Alchemist's adventure was fun and engaging, though it was marred by technical and conceptual issues that prevented it from being unforgettable. It's regrettable what it could have been with a bigger budget, but there's hope for a more successful sequel. I'd be happy to see that.

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Apr 30, 2024

No, this time nostalgia isn't enough to raise Wrath: Aeon of Ruin to a satisfactory level. The console version’s limitations are evident from how the experience was adapted to home hardware controls, making it frustratingly difficult. The poorly balanced difficulty and the odd save system make it even worse. I suggest saving your money for something like Quake 2 Remaster, which still stands strong.

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80 / 100 - Stellar Blade
Apr 24, 2024

In the end, the question must be asked: was the recent attention on Stellar Blade justified? After spending many hours with EVE, the answer is yes. The adventure is solid and fun, with an interesting combat system and a gameplay loop that goes beyond mere melee sequences. However, it isn’t revolutionary, and the narrative reveals its cards too early. Despite these flaws, it offers a generous amount of content and is worth playing.

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80 / 100 - MLB The Show 24
Apr 3, 2024

MLB The Show 24 once again confirms itself as the most complete and satisfying baseball simulation on the market. It offers a rich content experience with an engaging career mode, solid online component, and a variety of options for all tastes. The gameplay has been further refined, with a deeper pitching and batting system and increasingly realistic game physics. The technical department is top-notch, with excellent sound and graphics that, despite some flaws, deliver moments of great visual impact. The only real drawback is the total absence of an Italian localization, limiting the game's accessibility to a broader audience.

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70 / 100 - REVEIL
Mar 28, 2024

Reveil is an interesting experience that, while not original, stands out with a well-crafted script and a twist that catches the player off guard. The gameplay is solid, with well-structured puzzles and inspired level design, but the brief modern survival horror-style hunting sections feel out of place, and the protagonist's vocal performance is lackluster. Fear is minimal, leaving room for tension that never turns into true terror. Despite these flaws, the game is enjoyable, more for its story than its gameplay.

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Mar 25, 2024

After my time in the Bakumatsu period, Rise of The Ronin reminded me of the often-overlooked Days Gone. Like the Bend title, Team Ninja's latest work shares many strengths and weaknesses: a derivative structure and questionable technical polish, but it’s incredibly fun gameplay hides some of its uncertainties. Crossing blades with other ronin and historical figures offers palpable joy, making up for the less impressive visuals and a weak enemy AI. If you're ready to compromise with a familiar structure, this journey in late 19th century Japan can surprise you. It may not be perfect, but it's undeniably fun.

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50 / 100 - HappyFunland
Mar 22, 2024

I had high hopes for HappyFunland, eager for a good virtual horror experience. Unfortunately, despite an interesting and well-crafted setting and intriguing narrative, Spectral Illusions' game comes across as very rough, with simply terrible combat that ruins the overall experience. It's a real shame because exploring the decrepit amusement park and delving into its lore shows great potential. Given its gameplay flaws and short duration, it's hard to recommend.

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Mar 19, 2024

No, Alone in the Dark doesn't replicate the success of the first chapter of the franchise, but it's more convincing than recent experiments tied to this historic brand. With an excellent atmosphere and reflective, old-school gameplay, it falters with an inconsistent action component. The two campaigns are too similar to be fully convincing. Recommended for those seeking a classic, less frantic survival horror.

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Mar 18, 2024

Llamasoft: The Jeff Minter Story isn't a video game in the true sense but aims to be an interactive documentary. It effectively shifts from simple information to the exciting possibility of testing what’s just been explained. It's an exhaustive look at Jeff's career and highly recommended if you feel an irresistible urge to shoot a camel.

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Mar 12, 2024

I don't claim to hold the truth, but if you're fundamentally opposed to how Square Enix has handled this remake trilogy, this review won’t change your mind about Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth. However, I believe it’s a shame and unfair to Nomura and the team, who've delivered a compelling RPG experience. Despite technical flaws, the game offers dynamic combat and varied structure, making it one of the most beautiful and engaging Final Fantasy games.

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Mar 6, 2024

You won’t pull out Operation Serpens to impress friends with its technical prowess. It’s a simple, unpretentious shooter developed almost four years ago, offering a distraction that quickly fades. It’s only for those seeking a carefree experience or to top global leaderboards.

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Warhammer 40,000: Chaos Gate – Daemonhunters has many good ideas, but they're poorly executed. Despite solid mechanics, Complex Games' production is unbalanced, with difficulty that can frustrate even the most patient players. The constant waves of Chaos servants clash with the lore, and the repetitive missions and grinding make it an enormous missed opportunity.

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Feb 19, 2024

Banishers: Ghosts of New Eden shows the need for productions that don't add unnecessary A's to their value. Red and Antea's adventure offers a long and complex experience, combining Don't Nod's narrative skill with fun gameplay. Despite minor imperfections, it's a worthy buy, being one of the biggest surprises of 2024.

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Feb 12, 2024

Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth features the weakest narrative in the Yakuza series but offers the most extensive gameplay experience, filled with activities. While the writing disappoints, the numerous mini-games and activities make it worth playing. Ignoring this adventure would be a mistake.

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90 / 100 - Tekken 8
Feb 1, 2024

Tekken 8 was worth the wait, delivering a perfect blend of tradition and modernity. Fun to play and visually appealing, it’s one of the most complete and enjoyable 3D fighters on the market. Just a few netcode improvements are needed for perfection.

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Feb 1, 2024

Silent Hill: The Short Message is a must for Konami fans. This free spin-off fits well into the series' lore with a mature, heart-wrenching story. Hexadrive's short yet impactful experience shows there's still much to explore in the fog. And it's free!

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75 / 100 - Lil Guardsman
Jan 29, 2024

Lil’ Guardsman is a colorful and fun adventure game, akin to Papers, Please but with its own identity. It features original writing, memorable characters, and excellent art. Despite the lack of Italian translation, it's worth trying for adventure game fans.

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