"Strange Brigade" proves to be a fun arcade ballroom, which can convince in many, if not all points. Both the wild balling and the targeted use of traps make for a lot of fun when it comes to clearing the destructive mummy and skeleton hordes out of the way. Atmospheric settings, intricate labyrinths as well as varied puzzles skillfully round off the combat passages. Graphics and sound can be shown, but are sometimes a bit dusty. Even though the title also appeals to single players, it quickly becomes clear that the whole variety can only be enjoyed in co-op mode. All in all, especially die-hard co-op enthusiasts will find "Strange Brigade" to be the right permanent entertainment.
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With "Hitman 2", IO Interactive has once again succeeded in creating a perfidious murder simulator that presents hobby agents with a variety of challenges. Extensive game worlds, a bombast of detail and various game modes invite assassins to let off steam and dedicate themselves to various missions. Friends of the Hitman series as well as newcomers, who have dedicated themselves to murder and assassination, will find in "Hitman 2" a nice permanent entertainment.
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"Super Mario Party" skilfully continues the series of successes and offers a lot of new game food. The Joy-Cons of the Switch are ideally integrated into the game mechanics, so that the individual mini-games go well by the hand. Even though the individual modes leave nothing to be desired, it quickly becomes clear that Super Mario Party still unfolds its true greatness in multiplayer mode. With Super Mario Party, you've made the leap to the Nintendo Switch and guaranteed long-lasting party fun with friends.
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"Starlink: Battle for Atlas" skilfully takes up the Toys-to-Life concept and offers a space adventure with many strengths and small weaknesses. The exploration of the colorful worlds as well as the completion of numerous secondary tasks is not only enormous fun, but keeps the motivation on a constantly high level. Even though the accessible game system proves to be the clear strength of the title, the uniformity of the missions quickly makes the game monotonous. Overall, "Starlink: Battle for Atlas" is a solid Toys-to-Life game, which doesn't fully exploit its potential, though, and is therefore more in the good midfield.
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"Devil May Cry 5" proves to be a successful Hack'n'Slay with a sophisticated combat system. The three different protagonists all have unique fighting styles and weapons, so it's up to the player how he turns off the light to his opponents. However, especially the end bosses might be a bit more challenging, in order to push even pros a little bit more to the frustration line. If you stand for stylish action, an opulent staging as well as wacky battles, then "Devil May Cry 5" is the right catch for you.
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"Soulcalibur VI" proves to be a modern, albeit slightly superficial, beat 'em up classic. Even though the fighting engine has undergone a noticeable fine-tuning, giving the game a pleasantly tactical depth, there's no point in looking for groundbreaking innovations. Especially the staging outside the fights is sometimes very unkind, so that "Soulcalibur VI" rather moves in the shadow of other beat 'em up's. All in all a technically round title with a decent amount of scope, inviting fans of beatings to entertaining game sessions.
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"New Super Mario Bros. U Deluxe" proves to be an entertaining 2D jump'n'run with the typical Mario charm. A collection of cute characters, the well-tried, pretty graphics and crisp levels ensure that both beginners and pros get their money's worth. The individual innovations and addons nicely round off the main missions and provide numerous hours of play on the couch at home. However, if you already know the title from Wii U, you won't be able to enjoy any groundbreaking innovations.
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"Observation" turns out to be an exciting sci-fi thriller that makes use of a unique concept and gives the player a completely new perspective. With each additional puzzle, the player delves deeper into the dark history of space and is driven by the question of the original events. Even though the game concept and storytelling are convincing, the gameplay is sometimes a bit difficult due to the catchy and partly generic puzzles. All in all, players with "Observation" get a thrilling sci-fi adventure, which can convince with its story as well as audio-visually.
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With "Blair Witch" the developer studio Bloober Team has succeeded in creating a solid horror title, which offers good story technical approaches, but can't fully exploit its potential. Even though the atmospheric sound and the use of dark colors completely convey the feeling of disorientation, the game lacks captivating gameplay mechanics. The interaction with the animal companion as well as the use of flashlight and cam fits perfectly to the setting - but the very generic puzzles quickly cause boredom. And even if the first minutes of the game guarantee a real goose bump feeling, you'll be sobered when you notice that the eponymous Blair witch doesn't really make a big entrance in "Blair Witch". Fans of atmospheric horror games can get their own picture of the Black Hills Forest - but you shouldn't hope for the big scary scenes.
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"The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening" proves to be a charming remake with a modern look and the popular game mechanics of the original. Once again, the mystical island of Cocolint will be the setting for puzzles, research and immersion in a world full of wondrous creatures. Although "The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening" has a contemporary look, connoisseurs of the classic will quickly recognize the individual locations and enemies. Only the dungeon editor still lets air up and offers a rather entertaining pleasure. Zelda lovers and retro fans can indulge in nostalgia with "The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening" and should not miss this title.
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"Code Vein" may at first glance remind you of the genre bombast Dark Souls, but thanks to original ideas the game manages to go its own way, especially when it comes to gameplay. With the blood codes, the skill system is very comprehensive and gives players the opportunity to adapt their own fighting style at any time and use it strategically. The helpful AI companions will also come in handy for players who quickly reach their frustration limit with Dark Souls and Co. The level design itself invites you to discover and puzzle, but in terms of design it still falls short of its potential. Code Vein" is an action-packed anime RPG for friends of the genre as well as newcomers, which shines above all in its battles.
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"Concrete Genie" is a magical action-adventure, which tells an emotional story in a gentle way. It's a lot of fun to swing the brush and create colorful djinn out of nothing. The artful puzzles provide the player with ever new story snippets and also invite to a cute interaction with the friendly spirit beings. If you are looking for an extraordinary game that appeals to the player's creative talent, "Concrete Genie" is a small work of art among the games.
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"Journey to the Savage Planet" proves to be a colorful space adventure, that is only too happy to make fun of itself and therefore stands out from many an action title in a charming way. The extensive game world invites you to explore and presents the player with a whole arsenal of crazy aliens. The individual battles may be rare, but they are just as bizarre and make the player smile even when the game-over screen beckons. Nevertheless, "Journey to the Savage Planet" is technically far from perfect and is quite manageable with about fifteen hours of gameplay. Nevertheless, players will find "Journey to the Savage Planet" an adventure title of a special kind and will not be able to resist the one or other laugh during the battle with the cheeky pug birds.
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"Darksiders Genesis" proves to be an atmospheric offshoot of the popular game series and, just like its predecessors, manages to deliver exciting new approaches. Even though the player in "Darksiders Genesis" has to do without a comprehensive root system, the well thought-out talent tree allows the implementation of a wide variety of game styles. While the two multiplayer modes offer an additional game incentive, the different difficulty levels ensure that even passionate connoisseurs of the genre are brought to their knees every now and then. As usual, the individual levels are dark and varied and invite you to explore and discover thanks to numerous hidden items and tricky puzzle passages. No question, "Darksider's Genesis" does not come close to other genre greats in terms of scope - but especially lovers of the game series will not be disappointed.
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With "Paper Mario: The Origami King" Nintendo delivers an entertaining platformer that takes up the concept of its predecessor and enriches it with fresh ideas. It's really fun to search for hidden treasures in the folded paper world and complete the lovingly integrated mini-games. Unfortunately, the combat system in particular lacks the necessary standard, so even beginners can easily send the enemy hordes into the afterlife. Here, Nintendo should undoubtedly have tightened the level of difficulty a little more, in order to offer pros the right challenge as well. Also the puzzle inserts are sometimes provided with too many aids, so that the puzzle games lose the actual trick. From a technical point of view we can't complain about "Paper Mario: The Origami King", because the game is brimming with creative ideas. All in all, "Paper Mario: The Origami King" does not set new standards in the universe of Mario titles - but players can look forward to a colorful and shallow 2D adventure in the usual plumbing style.
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"Marvel's Avengers" proves to be an entertaining action bombast with a multi-layered story, an authentic protagonist and the right fan service. However, the fights sometimes lack the right depth, as the individual attacks are too generic overall. We also would have liked to have seen a little more variety in the creation of the side missions and the levels. Technically, "Marvel's Avengers" seems to be quite solid to us, even if some flaws can't be denied. Overall, "Marvel's Avengers" doesn't set any new standards in its genre - but fans of the successful series will certainly get their money's worth.
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"Crash Bandicoot 4: It's About Time" proves in the test to be a crazy 2.5D platformer, which is in no way inferior to its predecessors. So friends of the game series can once again look forward to a fast-paced gaming experience, bizarre boss opponents and the right pinch of humor. However, even the most hardened pros will be challenged enormously and will have to have a lot of patience, especially on the high difficulty level. If you want to experience the nostalgic flair of a timeless classic and are prepared to make a few technical cutbacks, "Crash Bandicoot 4: It's About Time" is not to be missed.
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"Assassin's Creed Valhalla" proves to be an exciting open-world game that is completely convincing, at least at first glance. With the Nordic-inspired Viking adventure, friends of the series can look forward to impressive locations and put their assassin skills to the test once again. Both the missions and the battles are perfectly adapted to the scenery and let the player dive deep into the Nordic world. However, "Assassin's Creed Valhalla" lacks a really gripping story, which was an important supporting structure in many predecessors. The graphics could also use some fine-tuning to make the setting seem even more realistic. Nevertheless, genre fans will undoubtedly enjoy "Assassin's Creed Valhalla" and can look forward to an assassin adventure of a different kind.
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Even though "Unto the End" turns out to be very fair overall thanks to the numerous save points, the player definitely has to show brains in order to develop the right strategies. The regular flashbacks and nightmare sequences, which provide the player with valuable clues about the background story, also provide the right atmosphere. Visually, "Unto the End" impresses with its simple 2D graphics, which, however, don't lose anything of the game's special atmosphere. All in all, players can look forward to an indie title with "Unto the End", which challenges them in a very special way. Fans of extraordinary survival games will definitely make the right catch with "Unto the End".
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"Hitman 3" proves to be a successful stealth game and concludes the successful series about the hitman with dignity. Veterans of the series will immediately get into the third part and enjoy the entertaining missions, the black humor and the hidden Easter Eggs. Hitman 3" undoubtedly deserves the highest mark for its level design, which contributed significantly to the incomparable atmosphere of the game. It's simply fun to explore the winding areas in order to eliminate the next target with even more perfection. Nevertheless, it can't be denied that "Hitman 3" with its six main missions is undoubtedly no scope bombast. In addition, the game lacks any real innovations, so a certain routine will creep in very quickly, especially for pros. All in all, fans of the Hitman series and lovers of perfidious stealth games will undoubtedly find the right game fodder in "Hitman 3".
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