Donato Marchisiello


122 games reviewed
79.1 average score
80 median score
57.4% of games recommended
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78 / 100 - NBA The Run
Jun 16, 2026

All things considered, it's safe to say that Play by Play Studios has crafted a product with a strong identity, filling a void longtime fans have felt for over a decade: a hassle-free, arcade-style gaming experience. NBA The Run is an accessible, spectacular title, supported by an excellent online infrastructure. The obvious limitations of its limited content and a progression system that's far too flat and prone to grind prevent it from reaching the absolute pinnacle of the genre, leaving a bitter taste in the mouths of those hoping for a more nuanced and nuanced structure. Despite these structural rough edges, we're faced with an excellent alternative to the classic "heavyweights" of today's sports games, all at a relatively accessible price.

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79 / 100 - Gothic 1 Remake
Jun 10, 2026

we can say that Gothic 1 Remake is not a game for everyone, and it does absolutely nothing to become one. It is a respectful and rigorous act of love towards a way of understanding role-playing games that many thought were extinct, a work that requires patience, absolute dedication, and the willingness to accept a significantly above-average level of initial disorientation from the player. The historical flaws related to the structural stiffness of the combat system have unfortunately remained in place, partially masked by a modern control system but still evident in tense situations, and the imperfect technical framework found on Xbox Series X prevents the title from reaching the absolute excellence to which it could have aspired with greater polish in the optimization phase. It remains, however, an imposing, dirty adventure, pulsating with a life of its own, and endowed with an unparalleled atmosphere, capable of reminding today's industry that sometimes, to move forward and truly evolve, you have to have the courage to not forget where we came from.

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69 / 100 - Atomic Owl
May 22, 2026

Atomic Owl is a nostalgic experience that manages to strike a chord with its aesthetic and well-crafted soundtrack, but it ends up showing its flaws as soon as you dig beneath the golden surface of its pixel art. The rough edges of the control system, the inaccurate hitboxes, and an early structural repetitiveness prevent Hidalgo's journey from rising above mediocrity, transforming a potential gem into a decent roguelite action platformer that lacks the necessary spark to remain etched in the memory. Despite a negligible entry price, the title seems to appeal almost exclusively to fans of the genre willing to overlook the obvious game design flaws in order to enjoy an atmosphere of yesteryear.

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90 / 100 - Saros
May 4, 2026

Saros is an ambitious and visually stunning work, confirming Housemarque's crystal-clear talent for creating vibrant alien worlds and rock-solid gameplay. However, their attempt to hybridize their pure "action" formula with RPG structures and interconnected maps is not without its challenges: the menu management is a bit complex, the loot balance isn't always impeccable, and the game's pace suffers from slowdowns that Returnal fans may find unpalatable. It's a step forward in terms of the project's scale, even if the path seems to have taken a marked turn from the original. It's an experience worth experiencing for its atmosphere and technical brilliance, but it requires a greater degree of patience from the player than it has in the past. We're confident it will continue to offer a wealth of new experiences, given the fantastic support Returnal has received over time.

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90 / 100 - Hades II
Apr 23, 2026

Hades 2 is not only a worthy successor to a modern classic, but a necessary and solid evolution that demonstrates how you can innovate while remaining true to your roots. In every aspect, from the artistic direction to the mechanical depth, Supergiant's product proves solid and excellent, offering hundreds of hours of top-notch entertainment and easily establishing itself among the pinnacles (!) of its specific sector. A must-buy for anyone who owns a PlayStation 5 and who appreciates the genre specifically.

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Mar 25, 2026

Dragonkin: The Banished is a solid and well-crafted surprise, an ARPG that holds its own against the genre's most famous heroes thanks to a deep customization system (perhaps a little too deep for some tastes) and a setting brimming with dark charm. If you're looking for a game that will keep you glued to the screen for weeks, collecting loot and slaying dragons, this is an experience that absolutely deserves a place in your digital library.

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82 / 100 - Marathon
Mar 20, 2026

In conclusion, Marathon is a brutal and captivating experience, capable of delivering moments of intense tension and enormous satisfaction, as well as an excellent retro-futuristic aesthetic. Bungie has once again proven itself to be one of the "golden spearheads" of the shooting game industry, crafting a game package that immediately projects itself to the Olympus of the industry. However, it doesn't fully achieve this goal due to some imperfections, including digital "bureaucracy" and difficult and confusing menus.

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Mar 17, 2026

In conclusion, John Carpenter's Toxic Commando is a brutal and honest diversion that doesn't intend to revolutionize the genre, but it does manage to give it a unique character thanks to its inspired art direction and masterful soundtrack. A must-buy for anyone who grew up with the Maestro's cult classics and is looking for a solid alternative to the usual names in the cooperative genre, including World War Z itself. Naturally, the game isn't perfect and is currently somewhat limited in content, although, for the record, Saber Interactive is a master of long-term support for its projects.

Review in Italian | Read full review

In conclusion, Starship Troopers: Ultimate Bug War is a successful nostalgia experience because it doesn't simply copy the past, but adapts it to the demands of modern-day responsiveness. The title offers a solid, fun, and technically impeccable package that will delight those seeking a pure, uncompromising shooting experience. However, given its overall conceptual "basicness" and somewhat limited content (though it's sold at a more than reasonable price), it may not be to everyone's taste.

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Feb 21, 2026

Rune Factory: Guardians of Azuma marks the series’ full maturity. It doesn’t revolutionize the genre, but smart tweaks make the experience less punishing and more dynamic. Its inspired setting and improved hardware support deliver the most polished and enjoyable entry yet. If you want a game that balances relaxing moments with layered RPG progression, this new chapter from Marvelous is absolutely worth your attention.

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Dec 29, 2025

All things considered, Let it Die: Inferno is a good, slot-based action game with a crazy aesthetic and a reasonable price. Currently, the production suffers from several limitations in virtually every area, but the end result is an overall satisfying experience. The entry cost is negligible, but it's worth noting that there's a premium shop within the game, which, while not exactly pay-to-win, does offer small but tangible advantages to those who choose to spend. A "mixed bag," as English speakers would say, but all in all acceptable.

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Nov 25, 2025

Despite all sorts of memes, some of which are generally misleading, Black Ops 7 is a good installment in the saga. The experience is generally positive and fun, despite a few flaws and a certain lack of real depth. The most significant new development is undoubtedly the single-player campaign, which is experimental and, conceptually, seems like a decent starting point for further development, albeit plagued by a few uncertainties and questionable technical choices. The competitive multiplayer and zombies modes, while not revolutionized, still offer significant new features as well as a significant amount of content.

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Nov 17, 2025

Sacred 2 Remaster is a blast from the past, at a super affordable price. The aesthetic polish is generally more than acceptable, but the rest of the game naturally suffers from the technical, conceptual, and mechanical limitations of its age. The developers have already released several fixes to smooth out the rough edges of the production, which, of course, remains a small gem from a time, alas, gone by.

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75 / 100 - Painkiller
Nov 10, 2025

Painkiller is an old-school cooperative shooter that's overall fun and quite adrenaline-pumping, sold at a price far from AAA. It boasts a good weapon system, as well as a cooperative experience that's generally enjoyable and satisfying enough. Currently, Anshar Studios' product has some obvious limitations, both conceptual and content-related, which undermine the overall experience. That said, continued support could ultimately make it one of the best options for those seeking a light-hearted and frenetic experience.

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87 / 100 - ARC Raiders
Nov 4, 2025

ARC Raiders is truly a gem in a genre of games that tend to be mediocre and solely focused on the most brutal and cruel PvP possible. It's as fun as the others, if not more, and even boasts a few new systems, though not a revolution. It also boasts surprisingly high graphics and narrative quality, despite costing about half the price of a current AAA title. It's certainly a quality product that could likely become the new industry standard.

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77 / 100 - Godbreakers
Oct 27, 2025

Godbreakers is fun and dynamic. The art style is minimalist yet refined, the combat is fluid and inviting, and there's a huge variety of equipment, upgrades, and special attacks available. It's a respectable gaming package at a relatively reasonable price. However, if you're looking for a deep and diverse experience, Godbreaker may not be the right title for you. The game's launch content isn't particularly varied and diverse, making the experience quickly repetitive. This repetitiveness is partially mitigated by online co-op, though not completely eliminated.

Review in Italian | Read full review

90 / 100 - Battlefield 6
Oct 22, 2025

Battlefield 6 is masterfully controlled chaos. It's cinema and fury, as well as dynamic fun and a necessary return to the roots. Dice's product, despite its excellence, is "broken": while Battlefield 6's multiplayer is excellent from a gameplay perspective, the single-player experience remains limited and negligible. Another limitation is conceptual: the game is more than solid and polished in almost every aspect, but it lacks "courage" (probably the same courage 2042 had on paper, even though it didn't perform as well as it would have liked). It remains an excellent experience and the best in terms of "simulating" large-scale conflicts.

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88 / 100 - Absolum
Oct 15, 2025

Absolum is a little gem at a relatively low price. DotEmu's product is one of the best fighting games on the market and further confirms DotEmu's position as one of the leading studios in the industry. While it doesn't completely escape some of the genre's essential limitations, with its stunning aesthetic and rewarding gameplay, Absolum will surely delight fighting game enthusiasts.

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83 / 100 - Sworn
Oct 8, 2025

Sworn is an excellent action roguelike, artistically inspired and with a fairly extensive content for the genre. While it doesn't revolutionize the industry or offer features that would make it unique in a rather vast landscape, Windwalk Games and Team 17's product is certainly more than capable, sold at a very accessible price (in fact, it's available on Game Pass for Xbox owners). Further enhancing this respectable gaming package is the well-implemented and fun co-op mode.

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Oct 2, 2025

Dying Light: The Beast will not disappoint fans of the series, offering frenetic, brutal, and fun gameplay. The game, in all respects, presents itself as a 360° upgrade on the classic hallmarks of the series, without revolutionizing a formula that, despite its ups and downs, has worked brilliantly for years. The parkour is more fluid than ever, the melee is unparalleled, and the attention to detail in the game world is astonishing. Aside from a few niggles here and there and the introduction of a less-than-elaborate stealth segment, what remains is a top-notch experience and, arguably, the best installment in the series.

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