Simone Cantini
The renewed confidence in From Software has benefited Armored Core VI: Fires of Rubicon, which stands as the most solid and convincing title in the series, thanks more to production budget than structural revision. While it smooths out some past creative rigidity, it remains faithful to the company's 26-year legacy, offering a solid and fun TPS where much enjoyment comes from meticulously tuning the exoskeleton. More accessible and, in some ways, simpler than its predecessors, it's not to be underestimated due to its brutal welcome. Once this challenge is overcome, it reveals a fun and long-lasting title, hopefully heralding a new era for this underrated Japanese gaming brand.
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Despite my past, I managed to pull off ollies, grabs, and grinds without getting hurt, all in my living room with PSVR2. VR Skater turned out to be surprisingly realistic, fulfilling its mission with satisfying results. It requires practice to master the tricks, but once you do, conquering the Tour Mode stages is a blast.
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If you love shooters, you must get Quake 2 Remaster, one of the best FPS of all time with expansions and a brand-new campaign. The remaster is the best rejuvenation effort available, at a price that should make most publishers think. Still fun to play and great to look at, id Software's second chapter deserves a place in any gamer’s collection. If you’re an Xbox Game Pass user, you can download it for free. No excuses: the Strogg are waiting for your bullets!
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I enjoyed completing the epic adventure of my favorite customizable Nameless one. Deck 13's new work confirmed my love for the German team. Despite weak writing, the action/RPG is rich in personality and offers enjoyable exploration. With great longevity, it could have used a few tweaks to touch excellence. The co-op choices are baffling, but I hope the potential is fulfilled in the announced DLC or a steroid-packed sequel.
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After over 2500 characters, I'm not sure I've fully answered the opening question. The only certainty I have, after all these words and 50+ hours with Clive, is that I've experienced an unforgettable journey, despite its highs and lows. Final Fantasy XVI isn't the best in the series, but it's bold and coherent. More polished than its predecessor, Yoshida's work aims to broaden the audience. The result is divisive but deserves your time and affection. Not the GOTY 2023, but Clive and co. are worth the journey.
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Atelier Marie Remake: The Alchemist of Salburg is technically flawless, but gameplay-wise shows its age. The stiff mechanics from 1997 are hard to digest today, especially after the advancements seen in the Ryza trilogy. With limited longevity focused on replayability, it's for die-hard fans and those curious about its origins. Others might want to pass.
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Synapse is visually striking and fun to play, a standout in the PSVR2 library. nDreams has packed Control-like action into the Sony headset, making for an exciting game. The repetitive action might bother some, but it remains one of the best PSVR2 experiences, especially at its well-calibrated price.
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The right game at the wrong time? The exclusive that would have been better off not being exclusive? These questions haunted me since I launched my digital copy of C-Smash VRS, a fun virtual version of a Dreamcast classic that might have benefited from a cooler climate and a larger PSVR2 player base to fully express its potential. Aside from these personal considerations, the production by Wolf & Wood is at times addictive, thanks to its simple but well-structured gameplay. A not-so-deep single-player mode, but with good replayability, is accompanied by an online component capable of unleashing the full potential of the title, but currently hampered by a lack of available opponents. PSVR2 owners, spend these 26.99 Euros: the future of squash awaits you!
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Without altering its identity, Pixel Ripped 1978 introduces some small changes to its already well-tested and fun structure, putting us for the first time in the shoes of the heroic Dot. Once again, the real/virtual duality, with all its mutual influences, works excellently, creating a sort of video game Inception that has already amazed and entertained in previous iterations. The nostalgic setting, thanks to the presence of Atari and some of its icons, adds to the fun. Unfortunately, the longevity is still minimal, a flaw also found in previous titles, which is partially offset by the rich variety of ideas and situations offered during the approximately 3 hours spent with Arvore's production.
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With Layers of Fear, Bloober Team has created a work that properly celebrates its pedigree, delivering a revised and corrected version of their flagship saga, including some pleasant and well-crafted new entries. The new narrative framework, within which the stories that have terrified us over the years unfold, successfully expands the mythology traced since 2016. It does so through a brand-new storyline that, although condensed, contains all the elements that contributed to the franchise's initial success. Add to this the concluding chapter of the Artist's adventure, a revamped graphics section for the occasion, and top-notch audio, and you have a package that will delight fans of psychological horror experiences. Naturally, as a simple re-edition, however revised and corrected, those who never appreciated the slow gameplay and allusive atmosphere are unlikely to change their minds. Everyone else can proceed without hesitation.
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Can one ask for more from a fighting game? If the answer is Street Fighter 6, the question is certainly appropriate. With a sumptuous and multifaceted offering, and an accessible combat system, Capcom's return is undoubtedly one of the best fighting games ever. An original, long-lasting, and entertaining story mode accompanies a traditional gameplay structure of absolute respect, perfectly complemented by the excellent Battle Hub. While not an easy game to master, it will provide great satisfaction to those with the patience and will to explore its incredible potential.
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With We Love Katamari REROLL + Royal Reverie, Bandai Namco delivers to new (and old) generations of players what can undoubtedly be considered the most successful and fun chapter of the adventures of the King of Cosmos and the Prince. With an immediate and addictive gameplay structure, the second episode of this crazy series boasts the best mission lineup, enhanced by some interesting variations that keep the rolling always varied and stimulating. Add to this a successful, albeit slim, set of new levels, and the usual splendid soundtrack (too bad for the paid DLC), and it becomes clear that We Love Katamari REROLL + Royal Reverie is a must-have title for fans of Keita Takahashi's psychedelic creative style. Now, excuse me while I hum my na-na na-na-na-na-na na-na, Katamari Damacy...
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With We Love Katamari REROLL + Royal Reverie, Bandai Namco delivers to new (and old) generations of players what can undoubtedly be considered the most successful and fun chapter of the adventures of the King of Cosmos and the Prince. With an immediate and addictive gameplay structure, the second episode of this crazy series boasts the best mission lineup, enhanced by some interesting variations that keep the rolling always varied and stimulating. Add to this a successful, albeit slim, set of new levels, and the usual splendid soundtrack (too bad for the paid DLC), and it becomes clear that We Love Katamari REROLL + Royal Reverie is a must-have title for fans of Keita Takahashi's psychedelic creative style. Now, excuse me while I hum my na-na na-na-na-na-na na-na, Katamari Damacy...
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I hated it viscerally at our first encounter due to its misleading progression, but Amnesia: The Bunker eventually won me over once I fully understood its gameplay intentions. After the disappointing Algerian adventure, Frictional Games' return offers a convincing and enjoyable horror experience, strengthened by its open-map approach and player freedom. Balancing light and shadow, silence and noise, Henri's race for survival will captivate fans of the survival concept. It's not without technical flaws and replayability issues, but if you love these experiences, Amnesia: The Bunker is highly recommended.
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Thanks to Red Matter 2, Vertical Robot is now in my top 3 VR studios. Beyond the solid foundations of Sasha's new adventure, which is fun and intriguing, the technical expertise is unparalleled in the indie world. The game combines puzzles and narrative progression with stunning aesthetics, making every step within the Volgravian structures palpable. It's a well-crafted adventure in every aspect. Looking forward to their next work.
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Unexpectedly, given its predecessor's success, Another Fisherman’s Tale changes its gameplay framework, abandoning perspective and perception puzzles for more conventional ones based on physical exploration and Bob's unique dismemberment ability. While the concept works well, it suffers from imprecise controls. Nonetheless, it's an intimate, profound adventure offering emotional and entertaining moments, albeit needing a bit more polish.
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The Amiga era, which I will always be a fan of, is rich with titles and characters deserving a glorious return, but the ninja of Dimension N isn't one of them due to the forgettable gameplay of his first adventure. Zool Redimensioned, while an interesting port and update, suffers from the uninspiring gameplay of Gremlin's title. Unless you're a die-hard retrogamer, it's hard to recommend this edition, as the improvements fail to effectively address the dated 1992 formula.
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After the predominantly VR adventure, Bub and Bob return in a more classic chapter with some interesting novelties. Puzzle Bobble Everybubble! offers an enjoyable Story Mode with mechanics that partly modify the gameplay formula, accompanied by a challenging difficulty, especially in secret levels. The emphasis on multiplayer and an endless mode ensures hours of fun, making it a recommended purchase for fans. However, the non-memorable crossover with Space Invaders and some lengthy load times are minor drawbacks compared to the solid experience offered.
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Warhammer 40,000: Boltgun is a perfect representative of the techno-fantasy universe beloved by miniature-based board game fans. Born from the best of the glorious '90s, the zero-decade of first-person shooters, Auroch Digital's title offers a respectable old-school experience. While it won't revolutionize gameplay, it delivers a satisfying brain-off adventure. Simple yet adrenaline-pumping and rewarding gameplay makes the Space Marine's mission a thrilling dance of bullets and guts, despite its lack of creative originality.
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LEGO 2K Drive marks the successful entry of the Danish brand into 2K's stable with a fun and enjoyable arcade racing game, albeit not very original in its basic concept. The game is convincing and well-structured but lacks creative sparks. However, the not-so-hidden presence of microtransactions, due to a not very generous in-game credit drop, might prompt less patient players to spend money quickly. Overlooking this and some chaotic situations, LEGO 2K Drive will entertain those looking for a carefree and lighthearted production.
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