Borderlands 4 was awaited with excitement and skepticism, but it has the potential to be the best installment in the series to date. The new and changed aspects bring a breath of fresh air to the already traditional series. Good aspects have been retained, while weaknesses and points of criticism have been changed. First and foremost, of course, is the structure and presentation of the game world. The open areas are much more inviting to explore. This means you'll find unexpected things more often or get into absurd situations or firefights. It's also worth teaming up with friends and using the (slightly modified) co-op mode. The combat is even more dynamic and therefore more fun thanks to dozens of different skills, weapon modes, and (completely random) explosive barrels lying around everywhere that can be thrown. The weapons once again have serious distinguishing features and random modifications, which fuels the search for the (personally) perfect setup. Of course, we also have to mention the performance, which was rather mediocre, especially at launch. The minimum hardware requirements for PC are very high and will prevent some people from enjoying the game at all. And even with better hardware, compromises still have to be made. However, the first patches have already improved this. How far this journey will go, however, remains to be seen. I already had the opportunity to see and play Borderlands 4 at Gamescom, and after that, I was finally hyped for the game, which was already a must-have for me anyway. Almost all of my criticisms have been eliminated or at least made irrelevant. In my opinion, this is the best installment in the series, leaving little room for improvement. So if you're into shooters or loot, or even better, loot shooters, you'll have a good time here.
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Behind this visually stunning game lies an astonishingly emotional story that is gripping even without any spoken dialogue. The relatively short playing time makes it perfect for a quick, intense session. However, thanks to the metrics and collectibles, it also offers incentive for further runs. Anyone who enjoyed the visuals of predecessors such as ABZÛ, Journey, or The Pathless will already have Sword of the Sea on their radar. But this game can also be warmly recommended to everyone else.
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Hirogami focuses on a varied gameplay flow consisting of exploration, collecting, and switching between origami shapes. The gameplay is very diverse. Each level has a specific focus, which is strongly represented in the mostly short sections. Each level can be played multiple times thanks to the additional challenges. The paper look, which is consistently implemented, gives the game a distinctive appearance. Sometimes it is necessary to switch shapes quickly, which can be a little awkward due to the button layout. However, the relatively low level of difficulty allows you to progress quickly. If you are looking for an entertaining but solid mix of puzzles, combat, and skill, Hirogami is the game for you.
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Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is the revolution that the turn-based RPG genre needed. It offers a touching story, a bold, challenging combat system, and breathtaking audiovisual presentation, all without tedious grinding. With enormous freedom in character building and lots of optional content, there's something for every type of player: completionists, story lovers, or fans of challenging combat. The worldbuilding also has potential for DLCs or spin-offs – for example, about past expeditions that made Expedition 33 possible in the first place. For me, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is the must-play game of the year and a hot contender for the title of Game of the Year.
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Nice Day For Fishing is much more than just a quirky fan project. It's a charming, funny adventure with an unusual combat system that rewards timing and skill. The clever combination of classic RPG flair, parodic worldbuilding, and challenging fishing duels makes for hours of entertaining gameplay. The fact that all of this is based on one of the most blunt jokes in the Epic NPC Man series makes it even more impressive. Anyone who loves pixel art, indie charm, and a good dose of self-irony, or is simply a fan of the series, will enjoy Nice Day For Fishing.
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South of Midnight is not a game for everyone - and that is its biggest advantage. Those looking for fast-paced combat, open level design and complex gameplay will not find what they are looking for here. However, those who want to embark on an emotional adventure that combines cultural depth, creative imagery and a touching story will be offered a special experience here. And the visual style is worth at least taking a look at.
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Split Fiction is another prime example of how Hazelight Studios is revolutionizing the co-op genre. With a captivating story, innovative gameplay mechanics and stunning visual design, the game sets new standards for cooperative experiences. Despite minor weaknesses in narrative structure and playtime, Split Fiction is an absolute must-play for fans of co-op games and those looking for a deep, emotional experience.
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Monster Hunter Wilds brings a breath of fresh air to the Monster Hunter universe. The game stays true to the formula, but introduces exciting new ideas and mechanics that deepen and expand the gameplay experience. In particular, the open world and dynamic ecosystem bring a new excitement to hunts, while the expanded team interactions add depth to battles. With its many quality-of-life features, it allows new players a good introduction to the series without robbing the series of its core mechanics. However, there are also a few stumbling blocks. The open world can sometimes feel a little too empty if players are not familiar with the new mechanics. And performance is currently the biggest point of criticism. Nevertheless, Monster Hunter Wilds is a successful evolution of the series that will captivate old fans and newcomers alike. Anyone who loves hunting is guaranteed to have fun with this new chapter.
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Final Fantasy VII Rebirth is more than just a remake - it is a reinterpretation of a classic that catapults the legacy of FF7 into the modern age. The already emotional story of the original is expanded here with even deeper characters and unexpected twists. The gameplay, which was already excellent in the remake, has been refined in some places and expanded to include the gigantic exploration section. In the areas of video and audio, a PC game can always score points with the right hardware. But even without the latest components, the world of Gaia looks simply wonderful. Whether you're a long-time fan or a newcomer to the world of Final Fantasy VII Rebirth, you can expect an epic adventure that redefines the genre and sets the bar for future remakes. Final Fantasy VII Rebirth is undoubtedly a must-have for all fans of the franchise - a successful balancing act between nostalgia and forward-looking gameplay that will most likely exceed expectations. With all the bombastic new features, I'm already curious to see whether the final part of the remake trilogy will be able to top it.
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Marvel's Spider-Man 2 on PC is more than just a port - it's an enhanced experience that redefines the boundaries of the superhero genre. The compelling story, dynamic gameplay mechanics and technical brilliance merge to create an unforgettable adventure. The differences between the two Spider-Man characters are portrayed very well and at times dramatically. Each must face his own demons and yet the two act as a team. For gamers who want to exploit the full potential of modern hardware, the PC version is the ultimate choice. More options, customizable keybindings, better performance and significant graphic enhancements (with the right hardware) speak for themselves. So if you are ready to immerse yourself in the dizzying heights and dark depths of New York City, you will find a game that is second to none.
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The Edge of Allegoria fulfills the premise that it sets itself wonderfully. It is a clearly recognizable declaration of love to the great titles of the (S)NES and Gameboy era and yet still convinces with enough creative ideas of its own. We only missed a few quality-of-life features, such as a zoomable and uncoverable map, as we have become very accustomed to them nowadays. The occasional getting lost in dungeons and being overwhelmed by monsters also slowed down the flow of the game somewhat. However, there was never any frustration. The mechanics of equipment mastery and the significance of status effects reward constant experimentation. Thanks to these mechanics and the leisurely, nostalgic flow of the game, The Edge of Allegoria won me over and I can recommend it to any fan of classic RPGs.
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Unsurprisingly, Super Mario Party Jamboree has not reinvented the series. However, there are enough new elements to keep you entertained for a while. This is also the first time that the Switch's online functions are used in a big way - of course, this is only interesting if you have a Nintendo Switch online account or would like to get one. Some unbalanced game elements, such as the character-specific dice, are no longer to be found in the game and each player must rely solely on their skill in the mini-games for the time being. However, I would have liked the customization options for the game modes to be a little more extensive. Although many external factors (such as the number of rounds) can be adjusted, there are no options for special fields or boards. Those who enjoy party games of the usual high Nintendo quality - with slight modifications - will not be disappointed by Super Mario Party Jamboree.
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The Plucky Squire combines a wide variety of genres in an innovative narrative. The story is deliberately based on classic plot threads, but not without changing them again and again in surprising ways. Unfortunately, some passages drag on for too long, in which the same sequence of events is repeated over and over again. Sometimes it seems as if Plucky Squire wants to depict too much in order to fulfill everything “perfectly”, which leads to minor flaws in some of the mechanics. Overall, however, these are so minor that they don't really detract from the enjoyment of the game. Anyone looking for an unusual title that surprises more than once will be well served by The Plucky Squire.
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Funko Fusion will immediately strike a chord with many fans and reaches a large audience through its variable selection of franchises. It clearly draws on the formula of the Lego Travelers Tales games (parts of the development team were already involved in these games), but unfortunately still lacks the finesse and maturity shown in the original. All the building blocks and tools for a good game are there, but disappointingly, there is a lot to criticize, especially when playing for longer. Even after the release, we found a few game-breaking bugs, some of which have already been eliminated by patches. These range from bosses not spawning, minions spawning infinitely and misplaced assets that made level progress impossible. The fact that there is no save function within the levels and that you always had to start again from the beginning after restarting led to slight frustration, also because the collected collectibles also had to be collected/acquired again. We are definitely waiting for the patches (the first of which have already been delivered based on player feedback). Funko Fusion has a lot of potential and virtually endless expansion possibilities thanks to the franchises already represented by Funko, but it still needs to be reworked for a lot of fun. Addendum: Larger patches with a long changelog have already been delivered, so an improvement is definitely possible.
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Fire Emblem: Three Houses is the newest entry in the critically acclaimed Tactic-RPG-Series. It invents a few o fit core mechanics new and introduces a whole new part. The former round based tactic adventure now comes with a complete schoolsim.
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Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night is the spiritual successor of the Castlevania games. It gives a new approach at visuals and storytelling while keeping the beloved core mechanics the same. A troughout worthy representant of the Metroidvania genre.
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Anno 1800 is the next phenomenal entry in the Anno-Series. Bigger and with even more details it garantuees hours of fun while building your empire. In the era of industralization develop your settlement from humble farmers to proud workers with every step in between.
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