The Games Machine

Anno 117: Pax Romana is the city builder comfort food: you love it the way it is and you don't want surprises in it. The user interface should be thought at design masterclass as a case study, while the campaign should be brought as an example of what not to do with a story.

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ARC Raiders successfully combines the punishing gameplay of extraction looter shooters with the setting, graphic detail, and storyline of the best single-player shooters. Fighting against machines is exciting, and the game encourages cooperation even if you don't have friends to form a party with. The physics of the firearms are very well implemented and give a good feeling of impact. Although you can buy assets with real money, there is no shadow of pay-to-win. Servers that guarantee almost instant access and good lag-proof netcode complete the offer.

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Syberia Remastered is a heartfelt tribute to a timeless classic. Virtuallyz Gaming has carefully preserved Benoît Sokal's artistic vision - his style, colors, and rhythm - while giving the game a renewed elegance that stands the test of modern technology. A must-play for newcomers, and a meaningful, nostalgic return for long-time fans.

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Disappointing sequel and hardly an RPG, but when the game goes where it actually wants, it has something to say.

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The musou genre immersed in the world of Zelda is once again a success. A first-rate cast brings to life a story that feels a little familiar but still manages to thrill. The gameplay remains a little monotonous and suffers some balancing issues, but multiple elements and characters introduced throughout the game manage to refresh the whole thing and provide constant motivation to reach the end credits... and beyond.

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Death by Scrolling is a top-down roguelite by Ron Gilbert that blends immediate action with permanent progression: each run makes your character a little stronger, pushing you towards that classic "one last game." The gameplay, simple but tactical, offers automatic combat and limited equipment choices, with procedurally generated environments and a constant wall of flames at your back. However, it suffers from a lack of variety, occasionally uncertain level design, and often unfair difficulty. Fun for short sessions, but far from the brilliance of the best casual roguelites.

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Misery isn't a title for everyone, nor for those who love single-player adventures - it needs co-op to show off its true worth - but for those who embrace its pace and constant melancholy, it can prove to be a surprisingly sincere experience.

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Football Manager 26 is finally back, and the work done is undoubtedly of the highest quality and taste. The primary goal was to revamp the game and start from scratch, but obviously the tried-and-true gameplay formula couldn't be completely overturned.

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A surprisingly faithful and inspired return: Simon the Sorcerer Origins captures the wit and charm of the original, enriched by gorgeous watercolor backdrops and challenging puzzles. A clever homage that confidently stands on its own.

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Dragon Quest I & II HD-2D Remake proves to be a solid restoration, balanced between fidelity to the past and a desire for renewal.

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BALL x PIT takes the simple mechanics of a brick breaker like Ballz and transforms them into an explosive roguelite RPG. With twin-stick shooter action, Vampire Survivors-style power-ups, and surprisingly deep city building, each run becomes a whirlwind of frantic action and strategic planning. Unlocking new powers, fusing abilities, and upgrading your base is an irresistible game loop, enhanced by carefully crafted biomes and bullet hell battles against ruthless bosses. Kenny Sun proves once again that he knows how to turn simple ideas into brilliant and engaging experiences.

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Double Dragon Revive isn't a completely disappointing game, but it doesn't completely captivate either. It's a prime example of a project that works just enough to be entertaining, especially when the action heats up and the combat system shows its potential, but never really pushes the envelope.

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Pokémon Legends: Z-A is fun, but it's clearly light-years behind industry standards and what one would expect from the most profitable franchise in video game history. The good ideas are completely drowned out by shoddy graphics and dialogue that still believes children need to be banal and simple, ruining a plot that works at its best and finally gives dignity to the characters and the plot holes that Game Freak missed in the sixth generation.

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It's not the return fans of the series were hoping for, but that doesn't stop it from being a decent cooperative shooter. It does, however, need more content.

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The Outer Worlds 2 is exactly what you'd expect from an Obsidian if not at its prime, at least very close to that status. If that's not enough for you to be on board, what you're looking for is probably elsewhere.

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After making a name for itself on PC, Reus 2 arrives on Switch and Xbox Series X|S determined to prove that the definitive strategic meditation on cosmic creation and destruction is more than ready for portability and consoles.

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Katamari Damacy is back and it's still the same crazy, fun, and hypnotic game. The first real new chapter in the series after 14 years offers a remarkable amount of content, many customization options, and gameplay that is accessible to everyone but requires quite a bit of practice to master. The camera system, which has always been both a blessing and a curse for the series, has been improved, but especially in the more complex levels, it will require a great deal of patience.

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Escape From Duckov transforms the intensity of classic extraction shooters into a brilliant and surprisingly solid parody. Competitive players might miss the adrenaline of PvP, but if extraction games intrigue you, give this one a try-you won't regret it, Duck's word.

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Ninja Gaiden 4 is a powerful return, imperfect but full of character, capable of making us forget the years of silence with a combat system that borders on perfection in its fluidity and ferocity. The union between Team NINJA and PlatinumGames works: the action is brutal, visceral, and visually stunning, with an art direction that transforms Tokyo and its nightmares into a kabuki theater of soft lighting and blood.

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With no text or death, no challenging challenges or elaborate puzzles, Keeper focuses entirely on atmosphere, metamorphosis, and visual appeal. Creatively speaking, it's the intersection of art and video games. It doesn't speak, leaving the player to figure out its meaning. It's not for everyone, but rather for those seeking a strange and chill experience, not action or challenge.

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