Crimson Desert impresses with its ambitious world and presentation, but uneven gameplay, clunky controls, and technical issues prevent it from fully realizing its potential.
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Death Stranding 2: On the Beach expands on its predecessor with improved systems and a more accessible approach, while still delivering a unique and unconventional experience that rewards patient players.
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Under The Island is a charming, nostalgic top-down adventure with a heartfelt tone and enjoyable exploration, even if it doesn’t quite match the creativity of its inspirations.
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Metroid Prime 4: Beyond delivers a thoughtful evolution of the series, blending classic atmosphere with new ideas to create a rewarding and immersive adventure for both fans and newcomers.
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Anno 117: Pax Romana is a promising entry that combines strong visuals, accessible systems, and added strategic depth, though performance issues remain, making it appealing for both newcomers and series veterans.
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Hyrule Warriors: Chronik der Versiegelung refines the series with improved performance and deeper ties to Tears of the Kingdom’s story, offering satisfying Musou combat and meaningful lore for fans.
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All in all, Biped 2 is a successful co-op puzzle adventure that really shines thanks to its cooperative focus. The charming presentation, accessible controls, and the satisfying feeling of mastering tricky challenges together make it an ideal title for game nights with friends. However, those hoping for a deep story or revolutionary gameplay ideas will likely be disappointed. Innovation compared to its predecessor is also rather limited, and minor technical glitches still need to be tolerated at this time. Biped 2 is a heartwarming, humorous co-op experience that truly shines when played together. It invites you to fail, laugh, and try again as a team. For puzzle fans and co-op gamers, it’s a clear recommendation.
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FINAL FANTASY TACTICS – The Ivalice Chronicles is not a new game, but a lovingly crafted re-release of a milestone in tactical RPG history. With numerous improvements and convenience features, you no longer need to be nostalgic to enjoy the origins of the Final Fantasy sub-series. The story has lost none of its power, and the gameplay still impresses with its depth and sophistication. The visual improvements look good, but are subtle enough not to change the style. Nevertheless, it must be said that, despite all the changes, the gameplay still has certain quirks that you have to like. For me personally, it is less accessible than other tactical games, as too many small details can have unpredictable consequences. Connoisseurs will find their way around immediately, and newcomers will find a gentler introduction to this tactical legend thanks to the revisions.
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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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