This game was clearly a challenge too big for the developer and they should have been saved from this embarrasment. This game doesn't do the Lord of the Rings franchise, Daedalic or Nacon any favors and it would be best if they avoid games of this size and for a while. With its extremely poor character design, lackluster, boring gameplay and bug ridden mess, this is one title even the biggest LotR fan should avoid.
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A tactical Warhammer 40K game that is true to its board game origins, offering a deep and intriguing storyline with many possible tactical choices, and where the clock is omnipresent. The game offers a lot of atmospheres, only marred by its current buggy state. If these bugs can be squashed postrelease, the game is a treat for the fans of the tactical genre, although maybe a bit on the easy side.
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This XIII Remake was supposed to allow fans of the original to relive their memories in a way that was suited to modern hardware and gameplay norms. Sadly, this game failed to deliver due to a questionable choice of art direction, last-gen controls, and many, many flaws and bugs that hamper the game.
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While LEGO Brawls features both long-term themes like Ninjago and new ones like Hidden Side, the game lacks variety and a focus on gameplay. While you can unlock new parts for your minifig, those parts have no effect on gameplay. The lack of gameplay depth limits the time you want to spend on this game before is becomes too repititive, which is too bad as LEGO has more than enough variation in its themes and characters. All in all the feeling remains that this could have been a lot better.
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This edition is supposed to be a fresh new start to the longrunning series, but stumbles at the get-go. Longrunning features like the Dancefloor are missing as are most of the songs of the new Just Dance+, which only contains about 25% of the old Unlimited. The core mechanics of the dances is still there as are a some 40+ new songs to dance to, as well as a new menu that needs some getting used to but ultimately makes life easier. A not-so-fresh start then, but it might be a good set-up for the future.
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Miitopia on Switch is a remaster of the 3DS original. Sadly, it still brings the same tedious gameplay with little (need to) interaction during fights. Main eyecatchers are the extensive use of Mii for every role in the game and focus on building relationships between them. The use of these relationships in fights has great potential but isn't able to shine.
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Dark Alliance can lean on an enormous amount of lore. Many locations, friends, and enemies make an appearance. the level design is pretty good and challenges to explore. However, the game is held back by bugs and battles that just do not work. The game has huge potential but sadly falls short in execution.
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Farming Simulator 23 for Switch balances between two extremities. The game offers a solid farming experience that can be enjoyed endlessly, but, as it is based on the mobile version, it's also very limited. It doesn't offer the freedom which makes Farming Simulator great. Without mods, limited vehicles and fixed layouts, you're trapped in the base functionalities without the possibility of experimentation or expansion.
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Mile 0 is the prequel to Road 96, a highly valued indie game. Sadly, this prequel cannot live up to the expectations. The choose your adventure mechanic doesn't work if the final result is already known, the game is short and marred with technical errors. Also, the game seems designed for mouse and keyboard with controller support added as an afterthought. Sadly, we cannot recommend this game in its current form.
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Apart from energy management, Dolmen does not innovate enough. The game is pretty solid, but doesn't really excel at anything. The real Souls fans will have a great time with this game, but Dolmen is not going to help the genre anywhere.
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This racing simulator isn't for the faint at heart. Without any real introduction or soft landing, you're expected to drive like a pro and be able to drive near-perfect laps. Without that, you're locked out of the main course, the career mode, and have to resort to riding single tracks. AI is hit-or-miss and races very aggressively. Definitely not a game for beginners or those looking for an arcade racer.
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A Dontnod game without signature episodes and supernatural powers, but with an intriguing murder-mystery and tensions between all involved as protagonist Sam returns to his hometown to visit the funeral of his best friend - and his partner, Sam's ex-girlfriend. Dontnod introduces some interesting new concepts like the mind palace, but they are not fleshed out enough to be memorable.
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Murfasha is short, but fun to play. There is a lot of shooting, but it's still laid back and actually too easy. The Tower Defense mechanism where you're the tower yourself is nicely thought of. The game has a dark sense of humor that actually works, without getting too much on the forefront. Murfasha is a great game for a couple of hours or evenings of fun, with out too much hassle.
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One Punch Man has made a succesfull transition to the gaming-world. The satirical approach to superhero Manga is conserved, while many of the recognizable heroes and villains make an appearance. Fights are diverse and mostly work pretty well. Recovery from getting hit doesn't always work well. The invincible Saitama has been incorporated into the gameplay in a unique way, that work really well. The mandatory sidequests to progress the story can become a drag.
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Trials of Mana brings the old SNES version of the game to the modern age, but fails to take full advantage of modern possibilities. Graphics have improved but still have odd choices like stiff garments. the balance between very easy random enemies and very tough (mini)bosses is off, requiring more grinding than we want in a modern game. All in all Trials of Mana fails to fully deliver where its big competitor (FF7) does.
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When is a remake not a remake? Ishin at times feels like the developers cut corners by incorporating existing models from other games and the original. NPC characters and animations lack refinement and didn't get the overhaul you would expect from a remake. However, the cutscenes and the original story remains strong and the gameplay with its new use of weapons and the added team cards are solid as ever. Together, Ishin fails to rise above the average, which could have been easily avoided.
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One piece Odyssey celebrates 25 years of the anime by providing a game with gameplay that is at times just as old. The turnbased fights have some interesting new elements, but outside the fights a lot feels oldfashioned. Quests lack a sense of progress, no fast travel during quests and the use of savepoints make this game feel like it hasn't progressed beyond a few decades ago. Fortunately, the anime itself is brilliant and makes you eager to go watch it right after you close the game.
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Much of this was already applicable to the predecessors of this fifth part, so there are question marks about this annual update. If you don't necessarily need to have the latest team updates and racer names, you can also work with one of the earlier parts. This fifth part is therefore especially a must for the die hard fans.
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The total package can rightly be called impressive. The sheer amount of content can be overwhelming for those who have yet to get started on Skyrim.
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For the time being, we have to make do with the annual editions, where the game, especially due to the strange price construction and the lack of real innovation, unfortunately does not rise above mediocrity.
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