The Games Machine

The credit Konami has long enjoyed because of its indispensable role in the modern conception of soccer video games has now been exhausted. And you have to recognize eFootball 2024 for what it is, a very slight improvement on the previous version, still plagued by the same, huge problems. The music is still the same: decent gameplay, Dream Team limited by the database, other modes none to be had, cumbersome menus. The time has come for a breakthrough, because the alternative is rather bleak.

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A splendid campaign mode with many systems working in conjunction to offer a varied experience without losing the focus on the military conquest. Few cavalry units are partly compensated by a renewed attention to different types of infantry, but to be honest I do miss a good old cataphract charge.

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Characteristic, original and engaging, The Lamplighters League is a small pearl that offers an interesting and engaging story, also strengthened by a very valid game design.

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Those who have been enthusiastic about Slay the Spire should also jump on Astrea: Six-Sided Oracles without delay. Everyone else will find a complete deck builder in which instead of cards there are dice, with which to build chains of combos playing on the dualism Purification and Corruption. The huge amount of Oracles, dice and Blessings to unlock, Sentinels to upgrade and enemies to defeat guarantees excellent replayability even if the too many combinations available favor luck a little too much at the expense of strategy. The graphics are inspired even if the colors chosen, light blue and crimson, do not enjoy a good contrast.

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Instant classic, without mincing words. Cocoon is a magnetic, sneaky work, of those that you just do not know when to stop playing with it, so organic, fluid, stimulating, absolutely determined not to give brain breaks. A puzzle adventure that constantly seeks the new, the amazement, with the virtuous reuse of known design elements that, used with wisdom, support and allow the explosion of ideas of pure videogame genius. Shots of champions, which have often led me to relive the impact of Fez and the first, surprising indie masterpieces of the past decade. A special video game, one that is not easily forgotten and of which we will find the geniuses in many other titles in the years to come.

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Like a Formula 1 car, Forza Motorsport has more radically rethought its set-up to narrow the gap on rivals. The new career introduces RPG-like components designed to increase the bond between the player and their vehicles: the fleet of cars is still large, but the focus has shifted to performance customization. Manual calibration of difficulty and aids makes it suitable for any type of player, while still offering an intriguing challenge thanks to the AI of the drivatars. Visually it is impressive, but something is still missing to get to the realism of GT.

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A "Layton-esque" detective game in which Pikachu is obviously the undisputed star. Light and somewhat repetitive gameplay make it suitable for a fairly young or inexperienced audience in this genre of titles. Those looking for a deeper, more complex and challenging experience should look elsewhere.

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Assassin's Creed Mirage is not a remake of the first chapter of the series in disguise, as some might think, however the stated intention to pay homage to the origins of the series has been fully respected. With all that goes with it, for better or for worse. The more compact and not at all dispersive experience benefits not only the pace of play, but also that of the narration, which always manages to be focused on the figure of Basim. Unfortunately, many of the historical defects of the series remain, first of all the poor artificial intelligence of the enemies, while the structure of the main missions is all in all of a good level, with some small exceptions. A successful operation, however, the one carried out by Ubisoft Bordeaux.

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The game offers simple hack 'n' slash action and a story mode that follows the manga's plot. However, the gameplay experience often becomes dull due to poorly designed boss battles and design limitations. The Temple of Recollection mode adds an interesting variation but doesn't significantly impact character strength. Despite attractive graphics and the inclusion of the entire story, the game lacks refinement and feels like a disappointing tie-in for a brand like Dragon Quest.

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Warstride Challenges is a mix of action and violence where all that matters is speed. Perfect for lovers of speedruns, fast-paced games and competition, this FPS is a must-try unless you're looking for a canonical shooter.

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The dream game for Bud Spencer and Terence Hill' lovers. A classic, fun and easy to play beat 'em up with lots of quotes from the movies and a killer soundtrack. A few minor technical issues in no way alter the gaming experience, which despite the addition of mini-games and Party mode has a somewhat limited longevity.

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Adrenaline-inducing, crazy, exaggerated and well-constructed, Sevant - Ascent Remix is ​​a first for anyone who adores video games of this caliber and spontaneously chooses to go wild and completely mad. Absolutely must have.

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There is nothing wrong with Limerick: Cadence Mansion. No bugs to report, no glaring gameplay problems, no frame rate drops, nothing. The entire production does, however, flaw in experience, from the complicated graphics setup menu that made me desist from playing with the settings, to the banality of many puzzles, more appropriate to a Professor Layton series than a survival horror. Textures, 3D models, and lighting are close to amateurish, which should not necessarily be seen as a negative aspect, but unfortunately in this kind of games atmosphere is everything, so it would have deserved more polish.

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A mature and exciting video game, capable of keeping you glued from start to finish in a pleasant and multifaceted way. An absolute must-have, as it boasts a convincing game design and plot.

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Cyberpunk 2077 has come to the end of its journey, setting aside the best for the grand finale. Phantom Liberty is arguably the best expansion created by CD Projekt RED, and it concludes with a bang the journey of a much-discussed game, nevertheless deserving now more than ever to be played. There is no better time to return to Night City or - even better - to step into the shoes of V for the first time.

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Days of Doom tries to do something new by fusing together turn-based strategy and roguelite. The end result, however, can only be said to be partially successful. Both the battles and the growth are characterized by slow times that end up diluting the fun: in the short run you have fun, but the risk of getting tired soon is real. The art direction is nice, though derivative at times. Overall a good pastime, but one that risks slipping away without leaving a trace.

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A superb DLC that remains on the same, excellent level as the Resident Evil 4 remake. In terms of gameplay, Ada's adventure mixes elements that often speed up the pace a bit with others that fit perfectly with the espionage nature of the protagonist. Narratively speaking, Separate Ways expands on the original story and reveals new details that will delight hardcore Resident Evil fans.

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In theory, Payday 3 offers an engaging gameplay loop, and trying to achieve a perfect Stealth heist is both challenging and fun to attempt. However, what Starbreeze's new game does well is mired down in poor gunplay, lackluster optimization, excessive grind and always online requirements.

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EA SPORTS FC 24 is not a revolution in the football world, but an evolution of what we have seen in past FIFA seasons. A huge amount of game modes and an enjoyable gameplay, albeit with some minor flaws, are a good start for this "debut-non-debut", which promises to keep virtual footballers busy for a long time, be they potential coaches, trading card hunters or street game enthusiasts...

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Eternights, an indie game inspired by Persona, blends RPG progression with hack 'n' slash action. While combat lacks depth, the game shines in character development and storytelling. Its teenage-oriented tone may not appeal to everyone, but it offers a unique mix of romance and supernatural intrigue.

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