Mário Carvalho
They Always Run decides to work within the comfortable boundary of elements already established in action, adventure and platformer games. This is hardly a bad thing though, because the developers execute these combinations masterfully. The result is an epic narrative, full of combats, engaging events and twists that end with a beautiful plot twist that leaves us wishing strongly for Aiden's journey to continue. The fact this mercenary is too resourceful can weaken the challenges for players who are more demanding, but it's a small issue that the fights' malleability and villains' run-ins easily compensate.
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Klang 2 chooses to go in a different direction than its predecessor. A dangerous and daring choice, but rewarded by competent work in delivering a new way to experience rhythmic games. The combat can be tiring for some players, but it is balanced by the continuous introduction of new enemies with different movement patterns.
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Fire Tonight brings an interesting proposal, playing with this “flame” predominant in young people's relationships is a subject that causes an identification with a good part of the public that lived or is living a similar moment. However, the idea ends up poorly executed due to the underdeveloped relationship between Maya and Devin. And the emotion that would be linked to the adventure of traveling through a city on fire after your love, is reduced to short stages without threats or potential challenges.
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Blightbound manages to present an interesting proposal with charismatic characters and stylish visuals. Its gameplay is undoubtedly its strongest point. Venturing into graveyards, dungeons and mountains while slaughtering, or being slaughtered, by grotesque creatures is a captivating formula, especially when you have a high challenge and the possibility to enjoy it with other players. However, the release plagued by technical issues that are strong enough to compromise the initial experience and even discourage fans of the genre.
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Red Solstice 2: Survivors managed to positively surprise me. The limited vision and the constant mutant presence creates an atmosphere of tension that made me constantly alert. Moreover, unpredictable side missions help to keep the experience fresh and real-time combat eliminates all the luck factor in shootings.
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Record of Lodoss War: Deedlit in Wonder Labyrinth manages to deliver a fun 2D platform adventure experience. Its gameplay brings strong characteristics of established titles of the genre, but also adds its own identity, as in the case of elemental spirits. The unchallenging combat against common creatures is uninteresting and contrasts with the exciting duels against bosses. Its plot is uninviting for those unfamiliar with the Record of Lodoss universe. It does not compromise the experience, however, it limits the real potential that the campaign would have if previous events had been introduced. On the narrative side, witnessing Deedlit's shock at seeing his teammates after the passing of many years results in poignant and nostalgic moments, making the title a beautiful celebration of the franchise's 30th anniversary and an excellent choice for fans.
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ENDER LILIES: Quietus of the Knights brings together several elements that pique my interest in metroidvania games: vast map full of secret locations, well-developed characters, a striking plot and, to top it off, a neat visual and a pleasant soundtrack that, together, contribute to a formidable ambiance. Although the title does not add great originality to the style, it knows very well how to use the inspiration of established franchises without sounding like something cliché or excessive, making it easily one of the best recommendations for those looking for an experience worthy of the best games of the genre.
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Wing of Darkness manages to put together a script with consistent evolution and characters who develop a captivating relationship that result in impressive endings. Taking into account its graphic limitations, the gameplay reinforces the fun potential of air combat simulators, a type of game little explored in the current industry or underused in other genres. This makes it a fun option for fans and a good entry point for beginners due to the simplicity of the missions.
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Aluna: Sentinel of the Shards manages to bring a mostly positive experience, mainly due to the great narrative baggage inherited from comic books and the cultural richness of Mesoamerica during the colonization period. The feeling of a plot with the potential to present better results is notorious, due to the lack of side missions to expand and detail the universe presented here to the player. For an initial game that seeks to reach an audience that is not necessarily integrated with the comic book universe, it deserved a little more work in this regard. Still, in the end, the title is able to entertain, especially Diablo fans.
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Aerial_Knight’s Never Yield easily joins my list of indies that are worth trying out. The constant use of the soundtrack to give an immersive rhythm to the experience is something that is constantly explored in the games industry, however, there are few cases that manage to stand out like this. Its basic gameplay gives accessibility to different audiences while allowing for a considerable level of challenge. Its only counterpoints are the short campaign duration and the lack of a cooperative mode that could take advantage of the dynamic camera transition feature.
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Outriders tend to suffer at some points, as well as other cases of games that have mirrored established franchises. The game manages to be successful in taking references and using them to follow its own path. Its frantic gameplay, the protagonist's distinctive charisma, the absence of microtransactions and a robust and complete story, unlike other games that tend to divide the content, help to balance these points, making the experience promising and attractive for veterans and beginners who seek a friendly gateway to the genre.
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Nanotale – Typing Chronicles manages to transform the simple act of typing into something challenging and fun. The game has an impressive the number of words, which can undoubtedly help to increase our vocabulary. Rosalind's adventure sticks to the old recipe of the hero predestined to solve the world's problems, but it is carried out in a charming way. Taking into account the small bugs, those who enjoy adventure and RPG in real time will find in this title a gameplay with a reasonable plot, but which surprises by the gameplay totally out of the curve.
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Playing For Sparta automatically reminded me of those endless minigames that we played as kids that increased the difficulty as we progressed. This formula still works well these days and this game brings a high level of difficulty as we survive the days. Combinations of opponents become increasingly challenging, requiring skill from the player and a bit of luck finding good improvements. Eventually, you will be more than familiar with all types of opponents, and the only the goal becomes achieving the highest score possible. This can diminish interest in the title, but without invalidating its potential.
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The idea of controlling the furious werewolves and all their destructive potential in video games has always seemed very cool to me, although it has never been properly explored. Werewolf: The Apocalypse - Earthblood manages to convey that feeling very well, making each encounter a brutally fun moment. Even with the negative points raised, I consider Cahal's journey an excellent choice for those looking for a good hack and slash action game and an unmissable adventure for fans of the genre.
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Unto the End is very successful in placing the player in its atmosphere. The movement, the protagonist's breathing , the mysterious scenarios untouched by the man convey the feeling of struggling to survive in a strange place. It is undoubtedly one of the most difficult titles I've ever had the opportunity to play, where the simplest of creatures represents a potential danger.
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Cobra Kai: The Karate Kid Saga Continues proves to be an excellent option for those who enjoy the good old beat ‘em up genre. Up to two players locally will have an extensive campaign ahead, a well-designed character progression system, and a fun and fluid combat mechanic. Those who liked Cobra Kai will find a series of references to the universe of Karate Kid. The title also features the voice of some of the original cast, such as Ralph Macchio, William Zabka, Jacob Bertrand, among others, increasing immersion and fan service for the public.
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9 Monkeys of Shaolin does much more than just join the vast list of beat ‘em ups: it is among the best of its kind. Sobaka Studio not only inserted all the elements that I consider essential, but also knew how to go further, adding aspects that differentiate it from the majority and that work very well with the frantic and exciting style of these games. The character's evolution structure prolongs the title's longevity for those who like grinding without making it mandatory for players who despise this mechanic.
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Nexomon: Extinction is a pleasant option for those who cannot enjoy the famous Nintendo franchise. Despite the performance problems and the lack of an online mode, my experience was very positive with its simple plot, charismatic characters and humorous tone. Its combat mechanics make its roots clear, however it has features that differentiate it and allow it to create its own identity.
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Mortal Shell is another pleasant surprise that surprised me with its inspiration in the Souls series, but presenting its own identity in both the gameplay and the plot. It may not be as challenging as its inspiring source, but it has not lessened my interest in the game. This is an excellent gateway for those who wish to experience the soulslike genre.
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The Fast and Furious franchise seems to be haunted by a curse when it comes to video game adaptations. Fast and Furious: Crossroads is no exception to this taboo, bringing a graphic quality, storyline and gameplay far below what a franchise of this level deserves. If you are a fan of this recent wave of films full of amazing action, you will certainly have your moments of fun, but in my case the cons weighed much more in the end.
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