Reviewing this version is no easy task, as there are two different perspectives. Considering the whole picture, Granblue Fantasy: Relink - Endless Ragnarok is the definitive version of a modern classic and one of my favorite games of this generation, expanding and refining everything that was already great. However, viewed solely from the perspective of what it adds to the base game, it's a robust content, but it has high re-entry barrier, relies on repetitive endgame elements, and doesn't bring enough new features to transform the game, making it bigger, but not necessarily better.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
Avatar Legends: The Fighting Game proves that the bending elements and fighting games were made for each other, delivering refined combat that respects both the source material and the high expectations of genre enthusiasts. However, the title stumbles on its own limitations, presenting a merely perfunctory narrative, a modest core cast, inconsistent art style, and single-player content that loses momentum too quickly. Nevertheless, there is an excellent foundation here, and it remains to be seen whether future content will allow the game to reach its true Avatar State.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
Cultic goes far beyond a simple homage to the retro style of first-person shooter games, and proves itself right in creating an experience that is undeniably full of good inspirations, but is also unique and different from what the current (or past) market offers. Even with some inconsistencies in the art style and narrative pacing, it doesn't settle for being "just" a great boomer shooter, and is certainly a safe bet for anyone who appreciates an excellent mix of action, cosmic horror, and a healthy dose of gore violence.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
Proving to be more than just an innovative idea, Denshattack! manages to combine creativity with substance in a game that draws on excellent narrative and design solutions to support a well-structured gameplay system. And even though it may seem bigger than it should be, it offers a complete and diverse adventure, guaranteeing hours of carefree fun.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
Gothic 1 Remake definitely has no intention of abandoning its original core principles in favor of so-called greater accessibility or conforming to current genre standards. This gives it a certain authenticity, but at the same time it also limits it from exploring more sophisticated possibilities in world design, resource management, campaign progression, and adaptability to different playstyles, becoming somewhat anachronistic and unbalanced in terms of cost and reward for the experience.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
Overflowing with charm and comfort, Junkster is a fun 3D adventure that blends platforming and puzzle-solving. While the narrative, challenge, and graphics aren't exactly impressive, the game relies on creative mechanics in building machines and paths as its main selling point, even if some issues prevent the gameplay from being as precise as it should be.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
While technically the best version of an incredible classic, the Darksiders Warmastered Edition update for the current generation offers subtle improvements to the controls, as well as minor tweaks to smoothness and resolution. This package, however, may not justify a new financial investment for those who would like to play it on PlayStation 5, except for die-hard fans or new enthusiasts who want to get to know the franchise.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
Despite some hiccups in adapting the interface for console, Menace from the Deep: Complete Edition is an interesting blend of core Lovecraftian horror concepts with a solid foundation in turn-based combat using a deck-building system. While roguelike principles may be showing signs of wear, here it works well, even if the pace of progression can feel too slow at times.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
Even if I wanted to try ponder, this game leaves no room for any "buts." The combination of visuals and sound is a true spectacle; the narrative magically blends story, pacing, and direction; and the experience proves to be a catharsis that's hard to shake off. Mixtape is simply, without any qualifiers, a real masterpiece.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
With its revamped stealth mechanics and refined aesthetics, Directive 8020 offers a clear evolution of the genre, but continues to reaffirm some of the limitations, particularly in terms of interaction, inherited from the first season of the anthology. With excellent references, the story (along with the excellent work of the cast) remains its best quality, with good pacing, great development, and important turning points that, while not escaping old cliches, still work very well.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
Kamikaze Lassplanes makes its unusual mix of visual novel and shoot'em up its biggest selling point, but ends up suffering the consequences of trying to combine genres with such different rhythms. While its narrative has a strange premise that manages to hold up throughout the campaign, its action sequences start from a solid foundation without going much further, resulting in a touching and daring, but also inconsistent, work.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
Perhaps the biggest problem with Diablo IV: Lord of Hatred is that it ends too quickly. But by refining all the quality-of-life systems, especially in the endgame, it automatically seduces us into remaining in Sanctuary for many, many hours after the epic ending of its story. This is certainly the expansion the game needs not only to satisfactorily conclude the journey begun in 2023, but also to elevate it, as a whole, to the highest levels of the entire franchise.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
Aware of its ambitions, MOUSE: P.I. For Hire avoids delving too deeply into complex mechanics or sophisticated exploration and progression structures, but there's no doubt it manages to blend the "rubber hose" aesthetic with the creation of an undeniably immersive noir atmosphere. The audiovisual excellence, which articulates a spectacular sound design with cohesive art direction, underpins a solid first-person shooter - even if its gameplay is not very innovative - finding a good balance between inspiration and originality.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
Starfield seems to have suffered from a kind of misguided expectation syndrome two years ago when it was released, but it is definitely a true masterpiece waiting to be discovered. While it may not be perfect, especially in terms of freedom of exploration, minor graphical glitches, and fluidity of navigation between worlds, the excellent balance between precise gameplay, resource management and crafting, and a dense narrative for those with the maturity the genre demands, makes this game a true spectacle on many levels.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
Marvel MaXimum Collection revives an important chapter in the history of the publisher's adaptations prior to their rise to popularity in theaters, featuring six games with the strengths and limitations typical of their era. While the selection is interesting, the quality-of-life features could be more generous, as seen in other similar initiatives. On the other hand, the curation of supplementary material is exemplary, making the package a great option, especially for those who have an emotional connection to the works and the generation to which they belong.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
Starship Troopers: Ultimate Bug War! captures all the aesthetic strangeness characteristic of the original 1990s film, taking the satire to a whole new level—especially when you consider the war-torn context so prevalent in today's news. With robust gameplay that blends the classic with the modern, but visuals and level design whose intentions are better than their execution, something was missing for General Rico to fully convince me to enlist.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
Perhaps John Carpenter's Toxic Commando is far from offering anything new in a market already quite saturated with cooperative shooters for up to four people against demonic enemies. But this may be its greatest virtue, as the game refines everything that came before and, as a result, offers a light, balanced and an enjoyable adventure, especially playing alongside good friends.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
Taking an interesting approach by freely drawing inspiration from well-known stories and settings, Mirage 7 offers a classic narrative exploration adventure with survival and combat elements. In this regard, it only partially achieves its goal, stumbling over outdated mechanics and unjustifiably dated aesthetic elements, which unfortunately results in a mediocre and forgettable game.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
God of War Sons of Sparta has its merits and, within the premise of a 2D action game set in Kratos' youth, it fulfills its role in a perfunctory but satisfactory way. However, it lacks depth in all its aspects, including the rather rudimentary level design by current Metroidvania standards, and even with some interesting qualities in the visual and narrative aspects, it still seems to be just a scrawny teenager trying to prove himself a true Spartan warrior.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
Even underutilizing the rich narrative universe from which it borrows iconic characters, BlazBlue Entropy Effect X is simply brilliant, overcoming the sameness that the roguelite genre has been sinking into in recent years by betting on a sharp, dynamic, and adaptive gameplay system. The diversity of characters and the cycle of entry and exit strike a rare balance between temporary bonuses and permanent improvements, which becomes a genuine invitation to an adventure that, within the precepts of the genre, knows how to seduce, keep interest high, and reward the player.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review