It's a bit like being back in the company of old friends from a past that's impossible to forget: Final Fantasy VII Rebirth successfully continues the rewriting work begun four years ago, ferrying Cloud and his companions into an open world of rare beauty. A certain repetitiveness in the secondary activities and some minor flaws related to the combat system - exciting but still not perfect - are personally negligible trifles in the face of a reunion of such calibre. To recommend it is a trivial formality.
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Granblue Fantasy: Relink is a diamond in the rough, with a limited number of colossal opponents and a lot of choices and concessions that contribute to a less rewarding challenge and long-term interest. If you are a fan of (or even just interested in) the universe created by Cygames, however, it is likely that the rich and charismatic cast of playable characters may make you turn a blind eye. Definitely a game made for fans.
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It may have lost the console war, but this new incarnation of SEGA as publisher is an unstoppable force of nature: Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth is the perfect sequel, rectifying the shortcomings and doubts that arose during a first episode that was perhaps too experimental. An incredibly satisfying combat system frames one of the most engaging stories written by Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio in an adventure that stands as a serious contender for game of the year, and it's only January.
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Tekken 8 is yet another great chapter in a series incapable of making any missteps. The new mechanics change the game's skin, and while historical detractors won't find any particular reason to change their minds (the famous 'volleyball simulator' for its emphasis on juggles), everyone else will find an incredibly deep game that will stay with them for several years to come. Who knows, maybe thanks to Ghosts even those who are completely refractory to online gaming will find the courage to take their first steps into a new world.
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Radiant Silvergun is personally the best shooter written by Treasure, but it's not for everyone. The measured cadence of the action and the difficulty of handling the seven weapons make it difficult to approach for those who prefer the deflagrating action of more dynamic alternatives like danmaku, but the effort of mastering such unique mechanics is repaid by an extraordinary game.
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Granblue Fantasy Versus Rising is a fighting game that makes immediacy its strong point, easy to approach but incredibly deep. The mechanics of the first chapter have been honed to perfection, and a rich roster offers hours of fun in company. It's a pity that the content reserved for solo players is very limited, classifying the game as a feast for those who like to compete online. Those simplified controls I just can't bring myself to like.
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Journey to Foundation is a game that is greater than the sum of its parts: the absolute merit of the original work is set against the backdrop of mechanics and ideas that are limited and already seen, but when put together manage to function as pieces in the complex and fascinating mosaic that Foundation has always been. Do not, however, expect a revolutionary or particularly challenging VR experience.
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Ufo Robot Goldrake The Feast of Wolves is unfortunately a mediocre game, so much so that I would not recommend it even to the most die-hard fans of the iconic robot, except at a discounted price. Like the original material, it is a product aimed at a young audience, ironically at the antipodes of the old-timers who are supposed to represent the hardcore Actarus fans.
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RoboCop: Rogue City is the best video game dedicated to Verhoeven's character, and that alone might be enough of a recommendation for a slice of the old-timers. It is satisfying and brutal, a video game as gory and simple as those of yesteryear, and this is its trump card. What revolves around the shoot-outs is unfortunately not as exciting, but overall it remains a highly recommended game for fans of the film.
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Star Ocean The Second Story R is an over-the-top remake that comprehensively improves on the original game, bringing the best-loved chapter of the celebrated tri-Ace series up to date once again. A few improvements tend to further crack the mechanisms of a game that was not particularly balanced to begin with, but overall it's an old-fashioned JRPG experience that won't fail to thrill fans of the genre.
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Now that's how you do a remake! Virtual reality and a keen awareness of the past and new technologies has awakened Henry Stauf from a slumber that has lasted since 1993, giving a new, topical youthfulness to an unforgettable classic like The 7th Guest. The ideal companion for your Halloween.
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Nintendo reinvents the two-dimensional platform game with the sheer power of imagination, looking to the past and using it as a basis to create something new. No one else has done it so brilliantly, but after all, everything is easy when you're the king.
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Marvel's Spider Man 2 is a true colossal, an unmissable chapter for those who have experienced the previous adventures of Peter and Miles, and one of the most important videogame events of the year. It plays it a little too safe in a number of areas, but overall remains an exciting game and a highly recommended adventure for all fans of Spider-Man and superhero comics in general.
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Cyberpunk 2077 has come to the end of its journey, setting aside the best for the grand finale. Phantom Liberty is arguably the best expansion created by CD Projekt RED, and it concludes with a bang the journey of a much-discussed game, nevertheless deserving now more than ever to be played. There is no better time to return to Night City or - even better - to step into the shoes of V for the first time.
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Digital Eclipse is unable to fail, and this first installment of the Gold Master Series is confirmation that Mike Mika's team is second to none when it comes to the preservation and diffusion of video game culture. The reduced price only rounds out a truly appetizing package for retrogaming enthusiasts.
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Baldur's Gate 3 is incredible, proof that in 2023 it is still possible to be amazed by a video game. It is deep, flexible, and engaging, but most importantly, it is able to tell an immersive story dictated by the player's smallest choices. Pioneers like Richard Garriott or Robert Woodhead can finally breathe a sigh of relief and enjoy a well-deserved retirement, because their legacy is safe in the hands of Larian Studios.
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Double Dragon Gaiden: Rise of the Dragons convincingly declines the experience gathered with Streets of Red, giving new and interesting mechanics to the eternal Lee brothers' fight. A good number of extras and a roguelite structure are the pass for good longevity, penalized only by the absence of online play.
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Ghost Trick: Phantom Detective reconfirms itself as a gripping detective story, characterised by unique ideas and mechanics and populated by razor-sharp situations that will keep your attention until the end credits. After that you are unlikely to replay it, not least because of its linear structure, but while it lasts it remains a highly recommended experience, today as in 2010.
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Final Fantasy XVI is a hard-to-judge beast, a divisive experiment that would have been more comfortable as a spin-off, rather than in the uncomfortable shoes of the last official chapter of a much-loved series. A passionate plot and a successful combat system keep the attention high for the approximately 30 hours necessary to finish the game, but unfortunately they are forced to divide the scene with rosewater "role-playing" mechanics and a sadly arid and artificial world, net of a commendable artistic direction. On the JRPG front we are facing a very controversial result, but overall a more than decent game.
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Pixel Ripped 1978 lasts less than ten hours and isn't particularly memorable to play, yet the spot-on humour, the abundance of hilarious gimmicks and the feeling of being in Sunnyvale during those pioneering years manage to pack enough of a context to make the game appealing to anyone interested in Atari's history and in the mood for a few good laughs. Overall, it is a game that is greater than the sum of its parts.
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