Lies of P is a game capable of winning over the biggest fans of masochistic action games, but it will require some patience. Its linear design combined with the relative lack of difficulty, only existing in a few boss fights, highlights the lack of pedigree of this Korean team, but it is a first effort with interesting points. In the second half, Lies of P gives a better air of gracefulness and ingenuity, which makes us excited about the future of this team.
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Eternights is precisely what Studio Sai intended, a simpler Persona with much stronger sexual suggestions, almost skimming the erotic anime at certain times. If you imagine playing a hack and slash with lots of romance anime clichés, you might find that in the dilliest moments (when you wish you weren't playing alongside family members), Eternights hides a good heart underneath its perverted exterior.
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There are several epic, stunning-scale moments in which FromSoftware's artistic ingenuity prevails over the texture quality of an often austere and empty industrial world. It's a tough game, but the strong performance allows this strategic gameplay to put in your hands the customization of the path to victory. The upshot of this is that I would never have imagined putting Armored Core 6 among my favorites of the year.
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Thanks to modes like Franchise and Superstar, Madden NFL 24 manages to stream fun, even for those who won't even play online or bet on Ultimate Team. It's a shame that EA Sports' efforts to improve gameplay result in issues that actually hurt it, like the animations. You often see visually awkward moments where the game is clearly transitioning sharply between animations. Improvements in this aspect and in the latency in the menus would help Madden NFL 24 immensely.
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Blasphemous 2 is the perfect example of a game made in the image of the classics of yore, but fully aware of the current contexts. As metroidvania, it is a game that is differentiated by its images and themes, but the difficulty of the gameplay and the demand it places on you are within what you are already used to. In an era where FromSoftware inspires more and more talent, Blasphemous 2 is yet another fine example of indie studios following the masters.
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Oxenfree 2 is not exactly the best representative of the term sequel, but it is a supernatural point and click adventure that values the points they conquer in the first. With adult characters and dramas to match, the walkie-talkie expands the drama, with more decisions that make you feel the pressure caused by the scarce time allowed by the dynamic system of dialogues, for greater immersion in the adventure. Add to this slight occasional puzzles and Oxenfree 2 may even be better than the first, but it is not a sequel that rises far above the original.
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Although the aesthetics suggest something in the style of Tecmo Bowl and an arcade experience, Legend Bowl is an unexpected bet on simulation, which uses its 16-bit look for a mixture of nostalgia with well-established feet today. Despite being able to amuse those who notice the NFL or want to dedicate the time to learning, with the focus on statistics and simulation, it still lacks some refinement and improvements to become what you really want to be. Maybe in a sequel.
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Gylt is a short game, lasts about 4 hours, is simple in its design and execution, but manages to entertain. Visual aesthetics are its strongest point, the use of a child as the protagonist means that it is better to avoid confrontations. While survival horror, Gylt feels like an initiation game designed for the younger ones, as it is not scary and the resource management is minimal. It is based on the same pillars on which the great references were built.
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Exoprimal turned out to be something unexpected for me because I couldn't imagine enjoying playing it so much, because when it comes to the gameplay, it manages to wear that electrifying and frenetic tone that I love so much at Capcom. However, the design that forces you to repeat the same mode (with few maps) to progress the narrative and get rewards such as cosmetics or modules, will test players' patience too much. Despite the electricity of an arcade-tone Capcom-leaning Overwatch-influenced experience, the PvE gameplay with final PvP stage makes Exoprimal a lot of fun and even different, but the design and structure around the gameplay leaves me totally confused.
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Final Fantasy 16 has become one of my favorite games in the series and despite the problems of inconsistency in pace and quality (those fetch quests are really banal), the good is really good and that's what prevails. I confess that the linear design with larger areas is a breath of fresh air in the middle of the huge open worlds and I loved the action combat that pulls for your talent. The Game of Thrones-style storytelling and the use of Final Fantasy lore in such a bold way are worthy of applause.
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Diablo 4 is a game that reveals enormous competence in all quarters on the part of Blizzard, and a strong understanding of what a loot-focused dungeon crawler should be. The campaign is a footnote in the overall picture of Diablo 4, but get ready for the core mechanics and the endgame, where you'll easily find yourself surrendering to the gameplay cycle to progress through difficulties and constantly manage the highest risk vs. the greatest reward. The depth and robustness of class management and customization, the activities and the fun of the gameplay make Diablo 4 a very special game.
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When Gollum was announced, it sparked immense curiosity about a game with scenes unseen in Middle-earth and his journey through Mordor even has interesting scenes. It's a shame that most of your time it's just boring or that it leaves you feeling like you're better off playing something else that does everything you want to do here.
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Ravenlok is one of those games to play and simply feel happiness, with a strong dose of comfort conveyed by its charm. It's not difficult, it doesn't last long and it doesn't try to "mellow" you with artificial things to last longer, it chooses to uncomplicate and make the journey its greatest asset. With a lovely story and immense charm, it strikes the balance of the overall experience and its focus on entertaining the player.
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Dredge is a clever game with a lot of ingenuity in the way it is able to surprise and grab the player. Afloat, it's a fishing and management game with a gameplay cycle that conquers frictionlessly, but it's when you dive into its waters that you can no longer escape its bait. The cosmic horror that ties the entire narrative together will make you as obsessed with figuring out what's going on here as much as the gameplay to improve the boat.
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This is another example of a team that intends to honor classics of yesteryear, but with its own ideas. In a sea of metroidvanias, the electromagnetic powers and the solidity of the gameplay to allow a difficulty that you can respect, help to validate Teslagrad 2 as a strong indie proposal.
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Minecraft Legends is an interesting effort by Mojang to expand the experiences created in this universe. With the help of Blackbird Interactive, they created a hybrid of action and strategy that on paper had everything to work out, but unfortunately it's a shallow game that quickly loses its luster. It is too simple for the biggest lovers of strategy, it does not have enough interesting action elements to become exciting in the medium and long term. I would say that only the little ones, or parents who want to play with their children, will be able to enjoy Minecraft Legends.
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The Mageseeker is a simple but fun game. Despite taking an existing experience, it manages to satiate the desire to know more of this universe through relatively accessible experiences. Whether you're a LoL fan who wants to see Sylas' story explored in a game of their own, or just a fan of Action RPG pixel art, it's a proposal capable of reaching good times, even if it doesn't reach the level of the biggest indie references.
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MLB: The Show 23 is a game of continuity, with immense inherited from last year's edition, accompanied by refinements that will be appreciated only by the most dedicated and after long hours on the field. The story mode focused on the Negro Leagues deserves praise and the adjustments made to streamline the gameplay as well, make things better than in last year's edition, even if everything seems too equal.
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Octopath Traveler 2 shows that Square Enix and Acquire have managed to evolve over the intended plans for the former. It's not a revolution, it's a splendid evolution that results in a new golden page for the company. It is a JRPG for all who grew up with the classics of the era of 90, but also a magnificent starting point for those who want to discover the genre. The aesthetic is perfect and has contributed immensely to its charm, as well as the characters, also the combat system boasts quality, although simple is challenging, while the soundtrack is a stunning company for more than 80 hours of content that you do not want to stop discovering. There are few games of this range and our mission is to carve them.
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This is one of those highly difficult games that will easily take you apart, but when you triumph, you reach ecstasy. The difficulty is overcome in many ways, can be with good reflexes for the most capable, increased morale to defeat enemies or with flags, farm levels to balance the challenge or recruiting the help of NPCs or players. It's another electrifying Team Ninja experience that refined a lot about what you did in Nioh, but found on the bypass button a mechanic that injects great energy.
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