Simone Cantini
Don't be fooled by the fairy-tale atmosphere when you start Tin Hearts. Developed by Rogue Sun (founded by ex-Lionhead veterans), it hides a challenging puzzle game under its playful veneer, accompanied by a narrative that's not as rosy as it seems, and will touch the hearts of those patient enough to reach the end. With a mix of intuitive and simple mechanics that offer a substantial challenge, it will test puzzle enthusiasts' wits as they work to save the adorable mechanical soldiers. The game's longevity, given its nature, is commendable, though the lack of PSVR2 support at launch is a pity.
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The Last Worker is a title that convinces halfway and, ironically, excels in the aspects it aims to criticize. Kurt's adventure offers the most satisfaction during the portrayal of monotonous work oppression, perhaps due to our competitive spirit. However, it falters during revolutionary digressions, weakened by an anarchic control system. Overall, it's an enjoyable title that deserved more narrative depth and polish. What are you still doing here? It's time to work; our customers can't wait.
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GrimGrimoire OnceMore is a courageous and interesting title from a team that has consistently resisted market pressures, even at the expense of profits. The bizarre mix of visual novel, RTS, and tower defense mechanics remains fresh and intriguing 16 years after its original debut. However, these good ideas haven't fully adapted to gamepad use, resulting in a fun and character-rich game with management limitations not resolved since its PS2 incarnation. Once mastered, Vanillaware's title surprises with its intriguing conceptual mix, but its intrinsic limitations might discourage those seeking a more accessible game.
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Honestly, while I’ve appreciated Gust’s latest alchemist since her debut, I expected a more decisive turn from Atelier Ryza 3: Alchemist of the End & the Secret Key to conclude the trilogy on a high note. The latest JRPG from the Japanese team is certainly not dismissible; in fact, it’s undoubtedly the most mature and refined in terms of mechanics, an important aspect. What can be criticized is the lack of courage in pacing and screenplay, which ended up being too similar to the previous two chapters. Verbose and overly relaxed, Gust’s title will still delight fans of the brand, thanks to its solid and satisfying gameplay, but its surrounding narrative feels too familiar.
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Like the ever-changing sea it chose as a setting, Dredge hides two distinct souls, initially appearing as a simple and fun fishing game, but also offering a much darker and complex story, creating a world more troubled than the comforting Midolla Major port suggests. Black Salt Games' title isn't shy about revealing its gameplay truths, leaving the narrative to gradually unfold. It's a much more mature and intriguing title than it appears, captivating those who delve into its murky waters to uncover the fisherman’s past.
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It may be a simple port, but The Walking Dead: Saints & Sinners - Chapter 2: Retribution justifies the cost, especially if you own the Tourist Edition for PSVR1. The incarnation for Sony’s new headset improves the game in every aspect, both technically and aesthetically, and enhances gameplay enjoyment. The new hardware and peripherals fully realize the concept, although mastering it can be complex for those new to the series. The main flaws lie in its assumption that players are already familiar with the previous chapter. Once you overcome this steep learning curve, wandering through this ruthless and decayed New Orleans is extremely satisfying.
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Only fools never change their minds, and I must belong to this unenviable category since the Resident Evil 4 Remake hasn't changed my opinion on Capcom's title, which I still consider one of the most overrated ever. But it would be foolish not to acknowledge the excellent work by Capcom in this remake. Like the second and third entries in the survival horror series (more shooter than horror in this case), the remake is highly praised for its refined gameplay, enhanced narrative that highlights the character cast, and technical aspects that meet current standards, despite being cross-gen. Sure, not everything is perfect, with the notable absence of Separate Ways, but the overall quality of the package is undeniable.
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Fun and addictive, Pirates Outlaws! will charm any GDC lover with its simple yet complex and long-lasting gameplay formula. With solid mechanics that change as new characters are unlocked, Fabled Studio's title boasts considerable content to keep players engaged for many hours. While the game's randomness is not negligible, prudent and judicious pirates can mitigate its effects on more than one occasion.
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Simple to describe but challenging and demanding to master, Tentacular is a solid foray by Devolver into virtual reality with an original and well-constructed puzzle game. Helping the inhabitants of La Kalma while uncovering our mysterious past as an oversized kraken is an experience enhanced by the PSVR2, which amplifies the active engagement required by the unique gameplay of Firepunchd's work. Despite its occasionally schizophrenic difficulty progression, Tentacular is an interesting and colorful puzzle game where the peculiar control system is worth the price of admission.
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With Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty, Team Ninja takes a step back from the excellent results achieved with the two NiOh games, providing a fun but less complex and rich product. Our journey through the Three Kingdoms China impresses with its gameplay's intensity and frenzy, which remains highly technical and rewarding but features less customizable and varied progression. The game shows some idea conflicts, evident in the Morale mechanism that encourages level exploration but sacrifices the joy of endless leveling, making missions more accessible for those who don't excel at parrying. Despite these criticisms, Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty is very entertaining and offers many hours of gameplay for soulslike fans, who will find it a good way to pass the time while waiting for the announced Elden Ring DLC.
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After the Fall doesn't revolutionize the formula made famous by Valve many years ago, but without aiming for revolutionary aspirations, Vertigo Games' title is a solid cooperative FPS experience, combining fun and convincing gameplay with a content-rich structure. While it may not be the most visually stunning PSVR2 title, it delivers an excellent PvE experience and is a great starting point for the genre in the PlayStation VR2 lineup.
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Contrary to the initial expectations, Horizon Call of the Mountain is not a sad and muted tech demo meant only to show off its visuals at the expense of gameplay. While it's not perfect in every aspect, it would be unfair to dismiss the Firesprite spin-off since its gameplay is functional and enjoyable. A majestic sight to behold and physically demanding to play, it requires truly immersing oneself in Ryas' character, sharing his efforts for personal redemption. This title showcases Sony's commitment to this new interpretation of virtual reality, and I hope it's just a small taste of the effort the Japanese producer will need to convince as many users as possible to take this exciting (and costly) leap.
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No, Like A Dragon: Ishin! can't be considered a remake on par with the Kiwami titles, but as a game we never dreamed of playing in a language other than Japanese, we must thank SEGA for their work. Technically, much more could have been done, but given the excellent original structure, we can overlook the technical aspects that reveal its PS3/PS4 cross-gen nature. Isolating this aspect, we are left with a solid and enjoyable experience that brings Yakuza's mechanics to a unique setting (at least for us), introducing one of the series' most fun and layered combat systems. A thrilling and twist-filled work, recommended for fans of Kiryu and company, but also an ideal starting point for new players due to its spin-off nature. Now, let's hope for Kenzan and the two Black Panther titles: dreaming costs nothing...
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The PS5 versions of Moss and Moss: Book 2 are greatly enhanced by PlayStation VR2, making Quill's adventurous world even more captivating and vibrant. The gameplay impact is minimal, remaining unchanged apart from the dual interaction enabled by the two accompanying controllers. The experience's beauty remains engaging and fun as in the original releases. The only flaw is the lack of a free update for those who already own the older versions and the wait for the third episode of this beautiful IP.
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The transition from virtual reality to conventional gameplay is rarely smooth for video games, and Jurassic World Aftermath Collection doesn't escape this. Developed by Coatsink, much of its charm lay in the anxiety of experiencing events firsthand, a sensation drastically reduced when confined to the Nintendo Switch screen. The gameplay concept, weakened by some uncertainties, doesn't mitigate this, resulting in a solid but quickly exhausting title. If you're a fan of the brand, it's worth a try, but watch for patch updates before making a purchase.
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It took some time to finally see BROK The InvestiGator in action in all its scaly splendor, but the wait was worth it, thanks to COWCAT Games. Fabrice Breton's new work presents a unique identity with a mix of well-integrated ideas and high replayability for completionists. Featuring an interesting story we can approach in multiple ways, the French coder's work is recommended for adventure game fans and those who aren't, thanks to the freedom it offers.
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Tetris Effect: Connected and Rez Infinite return to PSVR2 in their best versions, offering the excellent gameplay seen before with unparalleled virtual clarity. Playing with Sony's new headset is currently the most convincing way to experience the blend of game, images, and sounds that Enhance's productions offer. The only downside is the lack of a free upgrade to this new version, but these titles still do justice to their virtual renditions.
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Can a single developer create a great game? Many illustrious examples prove this, and Fight’N Rage is another confirmation. Seba Games Dev's title is a well-crafted gem, offering a lengthy progression with multiple paths and a deeply satisfying combat system. Full of additional content that greatly expands the offering, the brawler's only flaw is its difficulty, which is overly intense in some parts, potentially causing rage quits for less patient players. Despite this, the experience is rich and enjoyable, recommended for genre fans.
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Wanted: Dead had intriguing premises, given the pedigree of the names involved and the intent to blend Ninja Gaiden-style action with SEGA's Yakuza humor. Unfortunately, it collided with mediocre technical execution, characterized by questionable technical and aesthetic performance, and a combat system unworthy of the names attached. Despite its challenge, if such an action game presents its best aspects in the secondary minigames, something has clearly gone wrong.
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SpongeBob SquarePants: The Cosmic Shake doesn't aim to revolutionize, opting instead for a canonical and predictable approach. Despite being too classic in mechanics, the team managed to enrich it with some pleasant variations that add a bit of zest to this multiverse adventure. Fun and colorful in its simplicity, SpongeBob SquarePants: The Cosmic Shake could have dared more, but it still provided a satisfying and dignified experience. If you're a fan of the funny sponge, feel free to adjust the rating to your liking.
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