It's super tricky to rate Silent Hill f because its strengths and weaknesses are so far apart. If we only had to rate the atmosphere, it would definitely be at the top of our list because what this horror game does with its graphics and, above all, its sound effects is pretty awesome. The intense mood that greets us as we search the abandoned environment, but especially in the presence of the monsters, which we try to avoid if possible, is brilliantly implemented. If we are discovered, the mood escalates immeasurably, in a good way. It makes us break out in a sweat when we explore the upper floor of a house while one of the bizarre creatures is up to mischief on the ground floor. The game also plays nicely with our expectations, as we are virtually on constant alert, bracing ourselves for a jump scare, which, however, is quite rare and occurs in far more unexpected places. Nevertheless, we are constantly on edge, which is perfect for a game of this kind. The visual implementation of the atmospheric locations, the bizarre monsters, and the haunting parallel world is also excellently done. The characters and their emotions are also well captured, but the story itself never really appealed to me, as its strong focus on Japanese folklore is a little too far removed from my personal experience. I could live with that, though, because the Silent Hill feeling is definitely there. The combat system is where things get difficult for me. Instead of a similar beat-'em-up gameplay as in the remake of part 2, the developers opted for a completely undynamic, clunky, and imprecise Souls-like offshoot, which I found frustrating throughout. In addition to the strange, exaggerated animations, it was mainly the constantly empty stamina and imprecise controls that drove me to the brink of madness time and time again. Even for someone like me, who has no interest in Souls-like games, the story mode was too tough in the fights. The puzzles, another typical Silent Hill element, weren't exactly groundbreaking, but they were well implemented overall and a fitting addition to the rest of the game. All in all, Silent Hill hits the nail on the head in terms of atmosphere, but the combat system, which takes some getting used to, spoils the fun for me in many places. In the end, this leaves us with a mid-range rating for a game that definitely had more potential.
Review in German | Read full review
All in all, I really liked the latest edition of EA Sports FC. The introduction of archetypes adds more depth to the player career, and the challenges of the new live management give us as coaches even more goals to work towards. I also like the management jobs section, which adds a little more dynamism to our manager's job search. I also liked the in-game tactical options, which give quick access to templates and tactical adjustments, making everything a little more intuitive. But for me, the biggest highlight is definitely the authentic gameplay, which brings much more calm to the games and tones down the eSports frenzy a bit. EA Sports FC 26 feels very much like authentic soccer on the pitch, as you simply have more time for tactical considerations during the game and don't just rush around the pitch. Since we always have the choice of whether we want to play the faster or slower option, no one has to give up the old-established feel of the game if they don't want to. Apart from the areas mentioned, little has changed compared to its predecessor, as expected. Whether the optimizations are enough to justify another purchase is ultimately up to each individual to decide. For my part, I am very satisfied with the 26th edition. What I still really miss, however, is a real story mode, as we saw in The Journey or, for example, as is regularly offered in the F1 series.
Review in German | Read full review
Once again, NBA 2K has become a real hit. The 26th edition not only impresses with a noticeably optimized gaming experience on the court with better animations and a more realistic feel, but also in terms of atmosphere and lifestyle, especially in the open city, the simulation is unrivaled. Also nice is the cross-play between Xbox and PlayStation players, as well as the once again extremely extensive selection of game modes, both online and offline, including a wide-ranging training area in Learn2K. The player career in the open game world with its numerous possibilities, the GM career with its walk-in headquarters, and the elaborately staged The W mode of the WNBA are particularly memorable. This also applies to the elaborately implemented high school experience, which impresses with its compelling story. Whether the newly introduced Seasons with their heavily promoted real-money Season Pass variants were really necessary is another question. The somewhat boringly staged draft at the GM and the partially unsound conversations also cloud the overall impression a little, but they don't change the fact that NBA 2K26 is an outstanding basketball game with countless opportunities for entertainment on and off the court.
Review in German | Read full review
If you want to catch up on Ubisoft's truly remarkable open-world adventure in the Star Wars universe, you can confidently choose the Switch 2 version, as the developers have done an excellent job here. When a port of this caliber is released, there is no need to worry about any limitations of the Switch 2 hardware, as virtually no compromises have been made. Graphically and in terms of performance, there is virtually nothing to complain about in the Switch 2 version, apart from a little more blurring during movement and the visible reloading of objects. However, both of these issues are more than acceptable, because otherwise Outlaws is simply great fun on the hybrid console. The quality of the game already impressed us at launch, so we can recommend the Switch 2 edition to every Star Wars fan. After all, what could be cooler than passing the time on the train or in a hotel in an open Star Wars world that also looks so damn good?
Review in German | Read full review
Overall, EA Sports NHL 26 delivers very well again this year. The optimizations on the ice with ICE-Q 2.0 and the individual tendencies of the stars are likely to be appreciated primarily by true NHL nerds, but the optimized goalies, the tidied-up menus, and the additional options in Ultimate Team should appeal to a wider audience. The completely revamped Be-A-Pro mode is really nice, shining with stylish sequences, press conferences with sound, challenges, and versatile, influenceable systems. We make decisions, choose dialogue options, and use different activities to influence our player's path. The franchise, on the other hand, is once again very classic and menu-heavy, but as always comes with a lot of management options. A facelift with a little more spectacle would be a nice thing here. The presentation on the ice, on the other hand, is really impressive, whether it's the atmosphere with lots of action off the ice, the optimized graphics, or the dense soundscape. This makes it easy to overlook the somewhat wooden faces and movements in the stands. All in all, NHL 26 is an all-around successful installment in the series, but there is still room for improvement in a few areas.
Review in German | Read full review
EA Sports Madden NFL 26 is on par with College Football this year. Both careers are once again very well implemented, if you ignore the interviews, which are still silent. Superstar impresses with its many extras and its successful connection system, while Franchise scores points above all with the numerous opportunities for influence that we have as team managers. I also really liked the improved presentation on the field, which makes the walk-ons more spectacular and now also individually staged for each team. In addition, the optimized weather system really makes an impression. Furthermore, improvements can also be seen in the animations, which make the game even more realistic, and several new control options and plays have also made their way into the simulation. Overall, Madden NFL 26 is a successful package that has improved on the somewhat weaker atmosphere of the past.
Review in German | Read full review
Mafia: The Old Country impressed me in almost every respect. It wasn't just the rural setting of atmospheric Sicily that I really liked. I was also thoroughly entertained by the story of the miner who gradually works his way up in the mafia family and gets drawn deeper and deeper into their machinations. In addition to the impressive graphics, it was the melee combat system with a focus on knives, the thrilling horse races, and the open world that is fully dedicated to the story that impressed me the most. If there's anything to criticize about the game, it's the somewhat wooden faces in the in-game graphics, the lack of footprints in an otherwise near-perfect visual presentation, and the short playing time of well under 20 hours. Overall, however, Mafia: The Old Country is a bull's-eye and a worthy addition to the legendary trilogy.
Review in German | Read full review
The introduction of the College Football series last year was a revelation. The way the new series brought the feeling of college sports to the screen was extraordinary and provided a breath of fresh air alongside the long-established Madden. Now, a year later, EA's College Football 26 delivers just as much atmosphere and college spirit as its predecessor, with impressive walk-ons, great cutscenes on the field, and high-quality graphics. Added to this are powerful licensed audio tracks, which provide the perfect acoustic backdrop in the form of marching band music. We also liked the new control options on the field, which allow us to quickly and easily change the lineup directly in the game, in addition to providing an overview of important stats. The two major career modes remain faithful to last year's template and unfortunately miss the opportunity to move away from the menu-based gameplay. Yes, Road to Glory lets us make decisions and write text messages, but a real college story or a walkable campus would be something else entirely. We were also a little bothered by the rather obvious nod to Ultimate Team right after the game starts, because even though UT is certainly extremely lucrative, players don't necessarily have to encounter it everywhere. All in all, College Football 26 is extremely well positioned in terms of atmosphere, but we would have liked to see a little more innovation in the second part, with new features that aren't only noticed by real football nerds on the field or in the playbook.
Review in German | Read full review
Death Stranding 2: On the Beach perfectly captures the spirit of the first game while adding some meaningful new features. These include dialogues that we can now actively engage in, as well as new challenges such as earthquakes and floods, which further emphasize the unpredictability of the post-apocalyptic world. We also really liked the combat system in part 2, which is now a bit more complex and allows us to actively fight human threats and GDs with both armed force and various stealth mechanics. In addition, there are two atmospheric new locations that stand out more from the setting familiar from Part 1 than you might think at first glance, providing a welcome visual change. The biggest selling point of the sequel, besides the great emotional story, is the breathtaking graphics, which clearly show what the PS5 is capable of. The photorealism on display is absolutely stunning, both in the cutscenes and in-game, providing us with landscapes, facial features, and lighting effects that could easily be found in any Hollywood movie. The integration of the DualSense features is also excellently done, allowing us to experience the game world and, in particular, the challenges of the deliveries firsthand. One thing Death Stranding 2: On the Beach, and that is the largely slow-paced, almost meditative gameplay. Those who found this too boring in the first installment will quickly come to the same conclusion in part 2. Those who, like me, loved this unique approach to the medium of video games will also be able to enjoy the sequel to Kojima's masterpiece to the fullest.
Review in German | Read full review
Even though Tour de France 2025 offers no gameplay changes except for modified catering and slightly adjusted menus, it is still probably the most watchable Tour de France of all time for many reasons. This year's Tour de France route offers so many highlights that you simply want to visit the iconic locations yourself. In addition, the Flèche Wallonne, one of the most beautiful routes in professional cycling, can now also be contested as an additional classic. However, the biggest and most compelling argument in favor of Tour de France 2025 is the great new graphics. Never before has the cycling simulation been so realistic, showing its landscapes and riders in such a great light. If you ignore the still rather limited commentary track and the somewhat strange decision to include the original jerseys but not the current squads in the two career modes, Tour de France 2025 is probably the best game in the series, which can now finally catch up with other sports. If they could now move away from the purely menu-based career mode and incorporate a few interactive elements, cycling could finally play at the forefront, even virtually.
Review in German | Read full review
With annually recurring sports games, the question naturally arises as to whether you really need the latest edition or whether it's just a jersey update. In the case of Pro Cycling Manager 25, this question is not easy to answer, as a lot has changed, but not everywhere. The switch to the new graphics engine is a quantum leap in the history of the manager, as the races now look much more realistic and the environments more detailed, atmospheric, and lively. The difference compared to its predecessors is truly remarkable and takes the game to a whole new level. The expanded sponsorship system is also definitely a good thing, even if the impact on everyday management is not that significant. However, it is definitely an important step towards even more realism, as the importance of sponsors for the sport is now even clearer. On the other hand, I really liked the fact that the difficulty level can now be individually adjusted using numerous parameters, as this allows everyone to create a gaming experience that suits their preferences and challenges them exactly where they want to be challenged. However, almost nothing has changed in the basic game, so anyone who doesn't care about fancier graphics or doesn't want to deal with sponsors anyway doesn't necessarily need an update. However, Pro Cycling Manager 25 is a very important step for the future, as it has been given a new look and can now focus on other content.
Review in German | Read full review
It's always difficult for developers to make a very good game even better, which is why it's clear that the improvements in EA Sports F1 25 compared to its predecessor are in the details. The most obvious improvements are, of course, the new, thoroughly successful edition of “Braking Point,” which once again shines with its outstanding presentation, and the revamped My Team mode, which now offers even more possibilities and also turns up the heat a bit in terms of presentation. The reverse-designed tracks and the sticker editor are also appealing and round out the overall package. Added to this is a largely outstanding graphic display, which is actually even a touch prettier than last year. The driving experience was already really good and could hardly be improved upon, and the same applies to the overall very well-designed career mode. In the end, it remains to be said that F1 25 is a first-class racing game that brings some useful innovations and additions, making last year's overall package even more attractive. Whether the improvements are enough for owners of last year's edition to treat themselves to the latest edition is ultimately up to each individual to decide.
Review in German | Read full review
If you play DOOM: The Dark Ages, you get exactly what you would expect from a modern DOOM. There are powerful weapons, fast-paced combat against hordes of demons, a driving soundtrack with heavy guitars and plenty of blood. In Dark Ages, most of this does not take place in a sci-fi scenario, but in the middle of medieval-looking environments, which really suits the DOOM concept. The numerous enemy types, the sometimes bizarre weapons and our gigantic mech suit are also very appealing, as are the atmospheric, extremely dark levels. However, there is one thing you shouldn't expect from the new DOOM, and that is great innovation, because the series simply does what it does best - a modern interpretation of the classic first-person shooter. Graphically, The Dark Ages is certainly in the top league and scores with detailed worlds with a great atmosphere. All in all, DOOM: The Dark Ages is a successful, entertaining and sometimes really challenging series spin-off that delivers what it promises.
Review in German | Read full review
Forza Horizon 5 has now landed on the PlayStation and is certainly one of the best open world racers ever. Regardless of whether you look at the atmospheric and varied game world in Mexico, which leaves nothing to be desired in terms of atmosphere and scenic splendor, or whether you take a closer look at the diverse range of different racing events - Horizon 5 scores on all levels. In any case, the graphics are absolutely breathtaking and allow us to forget about the races during our exploration tours, as there are so many beautiful places to discover that we are also more than sufficiently occupied away from the race tracks. The driving experience, which strikes the perfect balance between accessibility and challenge, is also a great strength of the game, which is taken to a new level by the possibilities of DualSense that Xbox players are denied. If you want to criticize the racing game for something, then perhaps the very tame damage model of the vehicles or the more than interchangeable and actually superfluous story staging around the eponymous festival, which cannot keep up with the actual game world both in terms of presentation and atmosphere. Nevertheless, Forza Horizon 5 is a paradise for car fans, not least because of the almost 900 collectable vehicles and the numerous tuning options. Nobody who is even remotely interested in car racing can go wrong with this great open world racing game, which we can now fortunately enjoy on all major platforms.
Review in German | Read full review
Sniper Elite: Resistance offers us exactly what we expect from a Sniper Elite title - no more and no less. We can look forward to varied gameplay with a combination of stealth elements, extremely authentic sniper action and successful third-person shooting. The game leaves it almost entirely up to us to decide when to act loudly and when to act quietly. The very extensive areas with a convincing selection of settings can impress with their atmosphere and well-captured scenery, but you shouldn't expect photorealism when it comes to the graphics. The skill tree is also not really an innovative product and the facial animations also have to be compromised. All in all, however, Sniper Elite: Resistance convinces with a solid performance on all levels, just as we know it from the past. Nevertheless, we hope that part 6 will perhaps bring one or two interesting new features with it. Of the two DLCs available so far, we particularly remember the movie studio expansion, which has a spectacular location to offer. However, the second DLC Vercors Vendetta is also impressive with its spectacular scenery and challenging gameplay. To summarize, we can recommend the main game and DLCs to all those who love Sniper Elite for what it is. On the other hand, anyone expecting big leaps should wait and see what Part 6 has to offer.
Review in German | Read full review
Assassin's Creed Shadows is exactly the masterpiece the series needed. Here, a beautiful and extremely atmospheric game world merges with a beautifully realized emotional story and a very successful combat system with two focal points. The decision to have two different protagonists, who represent different approaches to the Assassin series and largely leave it up to us to decide how to proceed in the end, is really good for the familiar storyline. Both heroes are also beautifully drawn and play really individually. There is also a respectful approach to nature and Japanese culture, as well as a vibrant environment that feels like Assassin's Creed, but isn't so packed with activities that it overwhelms us. There's not much that the developers could have done better, so slight inaccuracies in the course and riding and the somewhat wooden faces in the in-game presentation are the highest of feelings. As a fan of the first hour, who has experienced all the highs and lows of the franchise, I am in any case completely thrilled with this beautiful Japanese spin-off, which has been realized with the utmost love and care and leaves nothing to be desired for me. Assassin's Creed Shadows even achieves what I always thought was impossible: it surpasses the almost unattainable pirate classic Black Flag and, for me, ranks right at the top of the Assassin's adventure list.
Review in German | Read full review
MLB The Show 25 is a visually impressive baseball simulation with accessible gameplay and a high degree of realism, which has been further enhanced by numerous optimizations. The technical implementation impresses with detailed animations, authentic stadiums and an all-round successful, atmospheric presentation. Particularly noteworthy is the Road to the Show mode with its high school and college approach, which differs from the extensive Franchise mode primarily due to its story-driven production. However, the lack of soundtracks for the sequences is a little annoying here and the heavily menu-heavy sequences in the franchise are also not entirely inspiring. The real highlights, on the other hand, are the immersive controls, which have been optimized in some places and were easy to understand and implement at all times, even for baseball newcomers like me, as well as the extensive customization options with control mechanics for every taste. For baseball fans and sports game lovers, the game offers a successful mix of authenticity and entertainment combined with extremely high-quality visuals on the current generation of consoles.
Review in German | Read full review
With its great pirate flair, its great main characters, its impressive graphical backdrop and its sometimes very humorous, sometimes really touching story, the title managed to win me over from the very first second. With the exception of Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag, no other game has managed to pack the pirate theme into a story so well and also hit the mark on an emotional level. Pirate Yakuza may not win any innovation awards for its combat system, but the fast-paced, beat-em-up-style brawls are still a lot of fun and bring the Yakuza feeling to Hawaii.
Review in German | Read full review
With Kingdom Come: Deliverance II, Warhorse has delivered a true sequel, just as you would wish for. The role-playing game retains everything that was good about its predecessor, and there really was a lot, from the authentic medieval atmosphere and the fantastic open world to the gripping story and the challenging, realistic gameplay. All these aspects have been minimally adapted at most, so that anyone who knows the predecessor will immediately feel at home. In addition, KCD 2 has also improved essential things and expanded on the excellent basic structure of part 1, be it the breathtaking graphics at next-gen level, the pleasantly short loading times, the noticeably more versatile characters or the facial animations, which have been improved many times over. In addition, a lively environment, an atmospheric soundtrack and remarkably good dubbing round off this first highlight of the year. Only those who value highly guided, very accessible and easy-to-master gameplay, rapid progress and a fast narrative pace should seriously consider a purchase, as Kingdom Come: Deliverance II challenges us on many levels and demands patience. In addition, the still somewhat chaotic menu navigation in the inventory and the sometimes blatant brutality are also points that could bother one or the other type of player. But if you can get into it, you certainly won't go wrong with this medieval epic.
Review in German | Read full review
LEGO Horizon Adventures is a new installment in the series of block games that is well worth seeing. The Sony masterpiece has been adapted and shortened for children and impresses at first glance with an impressively detailed game world with razor-sharp textures. We can look forward to great lighting effects, vivid environments and a convincing atmosphere that definitely captures the Horizon flair. The battles, sneaking elements and climbing sections are also really fun, but have of course been greatly simplified to appeal to younger players. The implementation of the giant robot dinosaurs is also convincing all round, as is the design of the familiar locations. However, these are a little too linear for our taste, even if we welcome the fact that there is no open world. The overall variety in the gameplay is also typical of LEGO, but the latest spin-off once again shines with its humor and the local and online co-op features. All in all, LEGO Horizon Adventures is a successful block game - graphically even one of the best. However, you shouldn't expect any great innovations or real challenges and the fact that the world is so beautiful, but the areas are very limited, unfortunately leaves the potential for more unused.
Review in German | Read full review