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After Goldrake, Microids brings Space Adventure Cobra back to life, putting the spotlight on a sort of interstellar Lupin III who loves to get himself into trouble. Unfortunately for him, this time he gets caught up in an adventure that is undermined by some questionable design choices and a totally messed-up control system.
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A return that isn't revolutionary, but confirms that Kirby and the Lost Land is still one of the most successful installments in the series. The graphical upgrade and new content don't transform the experience into something completely different, but they offer the perfect excuse to return to explore the meticulously crafted level design and the mind-blowing creativity of the Morphings.
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After 20 years of exclusive, Gears of War is now available on PlayStation 5 with the very first chapter of the series further refined, enhanced, and complete with all content released to date. A few wrinkles are noticeable, and the rigidity of the gameplay may make it a little hard to swallow for younger players accustomed to exaggerated speeds, but the charisma is still there, and the power of the war between COG and Locusts is still ready to make your Lancer explode in your hands.
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The Rogue Prince of Persia presents itself as a solid and engaging roguelite-style action platformer which, despite strongly echoing Dead Cells, manages to carve out its own identity thanks to the protagonist's agility and a fluid, rewarding gameplay experience. The variety of equipment, meta-progression, and procedurally generated levels offer notable depth, although the relatively low difficulty and limited content might disappoint more demanding players.
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Art of Vengeance is a title capable of redefining what a 2D action platformer can offer today. Lizardcube succeeds once again, blending technique, style, and pacing with a mastery that captivates both longtime nostalgics and those approaching the Oboro Clan for the first time.
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Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater is a reverential remake that updates Kojima's 2004 classic with modern visuals and controls, without altering its core design. The jungle, rebuilt in Unreal Engine 5, feels alive and immersive, while the option between Classic and Modern controls makes it accessible to both veterans and newcomers. However, the excessive faithfulness to the original means some outdated AI behavior and technical quirks remain. A respectful, visually stunning update that prioritizes preservation over reinvention.
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A huge and luxurious mansion, haunted and full of traps, becomes the setting of deadly challenges between complete strangers. What might seem like the beginning of a book written by Agatha Christie and Stephen King is actually a surprisingly fresh and entertaining party game with a thriller twist. Technically it's not a masterpiece, but if you have a few friends around it could become your favourite multiplayer game until Halloween and beyond.
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Abyssus is a solid enough roguelite that is sure to provide hours of good fun, especially if played with friends. However, it does lack a bit in variety, weapon balance is a bit questionable at times, and in can get more chaotic than it needs to be.
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Turn-based combat benefits from good AI, and once you've mastered the art of necromancy, the action becomes much more engaging. A fascinating title that requires a fair amount of patience, ideal for those seeking immersion and storytelling.
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BOULDER DASH 40th Anniversary revives the 1984 classic with over two hundred levels, including the original sixty from the first three chapters, introducing new gameplay elements such as enemy generators and acid pools, plus an intuitive editor. The fast pace and scoring system reward reflexes and precision, while the variety of content ensures longevity. Among its strengths are the solid gameplay and Chris Hülsbeck's soundtrack. Less convincing is the graphic style, which is uninspired and too reminiscent of hyper-casual mobile games. A successful tribute, despite the occasional lapses into laziness.
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Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War – Definitive Edition is an extremely disappointing "definitive" collection: a superficial remaster that fails to honor the iconic first chapter of the RTS saga. The four titles remain solid in terms of content and replayability, but the remaster is minimal and incomplete. Given the steep price, the release feels sloppy and unjustified. Yet another missed opportunity from Relic Entertainment.
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A futuristic wheelchair basketball game that nods to Rocket League. The idea isn't bad and the foundation is there, but currently Drag x Drive is more of an experimental title that needs some tuning and, above all, desperately needs new content in the months immediately following its launch.
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A faithful and visually stunning adaptation of Demon Slayer's latest arcs, but limited content, minor gameplay tweaks, and weak online support make it feel more like an expansion than a true sequel.
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Gradius Origins is a celebration, an act of love for an era when every token was a gamble between you—a clumsy kid—and the universe itself.
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Echoes of the End's biggest issue is that it struggles to keep up with its own ambition. For example: the visuals are pretty, but that makes the rough gameplay animations stand out even more, and the combat could also use a fair bit of work.
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Heretic + Hexen marks the grand return of two first-person fantasy classics, brought back to life by Nightdive Studios with impeccable and meticulous restoration work. Technical improvements, new campaigns and revised balancing enrich the experience without betraying the original spirit, offering the best of both eras: the freshness and usability of modernity and the rough charm of the 90s. Whether you're a veteran ready to dust off old glories or a new adventurer curious to explore these milestones, you'll find yourself with a solid, rich and engaging package that will keep you entertained for dozens of hours.
Review in Italian | Read full review
Mafia: The Old Country offers a linear and compact experience, a rarity these days, that makes storytelling its main strength. It's not a revolutionary video game, nor does it aim to be, yet it manages to leave a mark despite the flaws of a gameplay that's overly formulaic. The depiction of early 20th-century Sicily is excellent, thanks to a commendable aesthetic and stylistic effort, and the inclusion of full Sicilian voice acting. Too bad for the many technical issues.
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There's a bit of everything in Luto. Wandering through its endless rooms and corridors that only appear to be the same, you will perceive visions of Silent Hill, references to the legendary P.T. and many other echoes from other psychological thriller games, from Layers of Fear to the underrated Reveil. A brief descent into the depths of the mind, but one that will linger in your memory even after the credits roll.
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Back to the Dawn is a management RPG set in a prison populated by anthropomorphic animals, with strong survival elements. We have twenty-one days to organize an escape, keeping an eye on time, resources, social relationships, and skills. Every action consumes precious minutes and can influence future events. The turn-based combat system follows the typical JRPG gameplay. Deep,branching, and challenging, it surprises with its wealth of options and narrative diversity, despite its unimpressive soundtrack. A brilliant and strategic game, to be restarted several times to see as many endings as possible.
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Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound is a love letter to 2D action platform games, fusing arcade heritage with modern solutions and a kick-ass mise-en-scene. Short but dense, the game manages to impress with inspired design gimmicks, fiery direction and two protagonists perfectly integrated into the gameplay. The challenge is not brutal at first, but those who want to go further will find bread (and katanas) for their teeth. A return in style for a legendary saga - and a damn promising taster in anticipation of the real Ninja Gaiden.
Review in Italian | Read full review