Tjark Würstlein
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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Visions of Mana is a colorful, emotional JRPG with a fresh twist on its class system and plenty of quality-of-life features, a worthy continuation of the Mana series despite limited exploration.
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Hauntii surprises with real emotional depth, a gorgeous art style and many small side stories, easily making up for occasionally tricky navigation and slower areas.
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Banishers: Ghosts of New Eden is a solid semi-open-world game with dense atmosphere, interesting investigations and tough moral choices that proves DON'T NOD can do more than Life is Strange.
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Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown fits perfectly into the series with its quality, depth and crisp controls, an excellent metroidvania for newcomers and veterans alike.
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Persona 5 Tactica offers around 30 hours of mechanically flawless tactics in the familiar universe, a must for Persona 5 fans and a treat for strategy lovers.
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KarmaZoo is a light, pleasant feel-good platformer where everything revolves around helping others, perfect for a quick session in between.
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The Jackbox Party Pack 10 offers lots of new games, six languages at launch and localized content, making it great for newcomers and returning players alike.
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Noctuary balances a long, well-written story with fast-paced action, and its characters are easy to connect with despite some clichés.
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