Raouf Belhamra's Reviews
"A new flame in the dark fantasy world" Blades of Fire successfully balances inspiration and innovation. Despite being an AA entry, it has ambitious ideas that it confidently delivers, particularly through its unique blacksmithing system and thoughtful combat. Its emotional narrative and dark fantasy-infused world give it a distinct character. With some improvements, it could become one of the most prominent action-adventure games
Review in Arabic | Read full review
“A glorious return of a legendary classic” The remastered Onimusha 2: Samurai’s Destiny doesn’t aim to reinvent the classic, but rather presents it as it was—but more smoothly and elegantly. The experience retains its challenging, uniquely Japanese feel, and cinematic atmosphere, while adding thoughtful technical touches that open the door to a new audience without disappointing longtime fans.
Review in Arabic | Read full review
"Classic charm with a modern twist" The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered isn't just a remaster; it's a true celebration of the original game's legacy. Virtuos and Bethesda embrace all of Oblivion's charm and quirky flaws in a version that preserves the essence of the original experience, while adding modern additions that ease its modern revival. Despite some technical and design hiccups, the journey has never been more beautiful or nostalgic.
Review in Arabic | Read full review
"A classic experience with a modern performance" Capcom Fighting Collection 2 is more than just a throwback to Capcom's past; it's a bold celebration of fighting game heritage, designed with respect and intelligence. From the mechanical depth of CvS 2 to the chaos of Power Stone 2, each title shines in its own context, while the collection benefits from modern features that enhance the experience without compromising authenticity.
Review in Arabic | Read full review
The Precinct succeeds in delivering a rare experience that blends realistic police investigations with action chases in a style inspired by the 1980s. While it's a promising start with a unique gameplay system and good sound design, repetition and technical issues prevent it from fully shining. The game is exciting, but its performance holds it back.
Review in Arabic | Read full review
"An elegant journey brimming with authenticity" Bahamut and the Waqwaq Tree is not just a game; it's an immersive cultural experience that reimagines the Arabian myth with a unique art style and innovative gameplay mechanics. Starvania succeeds in delivering a visually and aurally integrated work, demonstrating the ability of indie games to create experiences with global appeal and local roots that leave a lasting impression on the player.
Review in Arabic | Read full review
"The best DOOM experience ever!" DOOM: The Dark Ages is a bold and exciting shift for the series, abandoning excessive speed in favor of depth and tactics. Combat is more realistic without losing its usual ferocity. A new arsenal of weapons and abilities, and most importantly, a greater expansion of the story and world of the title, retains the series' hallmarks while letting you know it's a new DOOM. With its modern touch, the game surpasses its predecessors, opening the way for a larger and broader audience.
Review in Arabic | Read full review
"A short but intense psychological horror experience" BrokenLore: LOW is a short psychological horror experience, but it leaves a much longer lasting impact. With a visual style inspired by 90s gaming and a sound design that instills tension at every moment, the game succeeds in creating a claustrophobic and disturbing atmosphere that supports its allegorical story of identity and self-destruction. Despite limited resources and some technical shortcomings, the powerful narrative, art direction, and tense music more than make up for it. It's a promising start to an anthological series that's well worth checking out.
Review in Arabic | Read full review
"When horror becomes a mirror for the self" BrokenLore: DON'T WATCH is not just a horror game; it's a suffocating psychological journey into the depths of isolation and guilt. With a calm yet disturbing art style, the game succeeds in delivering a disorienting and disjointed experience without the need for shocks or excessive visual violence. It's a short but memorable experience, offering a unique model for contemporary interactive horror.
Review in Arabic | Read full review
"The closest digital version to reality" MotoGP 25 is the culmination of years of development, blending technical realism with accessibility. This release combines simulation depth with a welcoming experience for newcomers, proving that Milestone is still capable of evolving the series without losing its identity.
Review in Arabic | Read full review
Chernobyl Liquidators begins with genuine desire and offers touching and immersive first moments. However, the deterioration in quality as the game progresses, the transition to repetitive cleaning tasks, control issues, and poor technical performance detract from much of the experience's value. Despite the ambitious ideas, the execution is largely disappointing. Unless substantial updates are released, the game remains a frustrating experience.
Review in Arabic | Read full review
Despite all the technical flaws and weak narrative structure, there's no denying that Police Shootout is at its core a different vision that attempts to break the mold of simulation games. It's an experience that aspires to be more than just a police game, offering a blend of tactical combat and investigation in a quasi-narrative format. While this ambition is hampered by the reality of limited resources and polish, it produces unique moments that reward those who give it a chance.
Review in Arabic | Read full review
"An adventure that stands proudly among the giants of the RPG genre." Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is an adventure that stands proudly among the giants of the RPG genre, despite being an independent project. It combines unique strategic combat, a moving narrative emotion, and stunning art direction inspired by Symbolist art of La Belle Époque. The game succeeds in creating an experience rich in meaning and deep mechanics without sacrificing the quality of the presentation or the narrative focus. Some technical flaws are present, but they do not overshadow the overall visual power.
Review in Arabic | Read full review
"A long-awaited victory lap on PlayStation" Forza Horizon 5 has been redefining open-world racing for four years. Its stunning world and impeccable balance of fun and technical detail make it one of the best, if not the best, car gaming experiences ever. Its release on PlayStation 5 represents a milestone moment, not just for the Forza series, but for Xbox's overall strategy and the delight of PlayStation fans, who never denied the quality of the game's initial release. It's an experience that celebrates speed, culture, and immersion, and deserves its place as one of the best games of the current generation.
Review in Arabic | Read full review
"A legendary return with a modern design" Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves represents a historic return for SNK's storied series, blending authenticity with modernity. With innovative gameplay, vibrant graphics, and music that captures the spirit of the series, the game offers a masterpiece worthy of a legend's return after more than two decades. Despite some minor interface flaws and some controversial additions, its combat, story, and technical performance make it one of the best fighting games currently available and a benchmark for the next generation of the genre.
Review in Arabic | Read full review
Touhou Danmaku Kagura Phantasia Lost blends action and rhythm to create a vibrant experience set in the heart of the Touhou universe. Despite narrative flaws and some slow moments, the gameplay, music, and level design are enough to leave a positive impression on rhythm game fans. It's not a game for everyone, but it's a true treat for fans of the series and those who enjoy musical challenges.
Review in Arabic | Read full review
"A stylish platformer that stands tall" Bionic Bay isn't just a platformer; it's an intense, polished experience that reaffirms the power of the genre when executed with passion and intelligence. Featuring innovative gameplay mechanics and a design that balances challenge and reward, it establishes itself as one of today's most prominent platform titles. It may not be for everyone, but it's a treat for fans of skill, craftsmanship, and mystery.
Review in Arabic | Read full review
"A fun, classic-style mayhem" Phantom Breaker: Battle Grounds Ultimate isn't just a remake; it's a reimagining that makes a tangible improvement on a beloved game. Combining visual nostalgia with modern systems, it delivers an exciting and fun experience, especially for fans of classic beat 'em ups. Despite some obvious flaws, it's still a fun option for co-op or exhibition sessions.
Review in Arabic | Read full review
"A beautifully crafted, mysterious puzzle journey" Blue Prince captivates players with a mysterious, ever-changing world where bold visual art meets deep narrative and complex strategic mechanics. The game balances reasoning, exploration, and clever resource management, making each playthrough unique and exciting. Despite some challenges associated with randomness, the rewards of progress and puzzle-solving make for an unforgettable and enjoyable experience. It's an exceptional experience for puzzle lovers and those with a thirst for mystery.
Review in Arabic | Read full review
"Innovative, vibrant, and highly engaging." Crashlands 2 offers an exciting adventure and crafting experience, and the sequel proves itself to be a mature and refined sequel that surpasses the first in every way. The world is filled with quirky characters and delightful details, and the crafting system is intelligently integrated as the player progresses. While combat isn't the game's strongest element, it's supported by customization and strategic options that add welcome depth.
Review in Arabic | Read full review