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The Games Machine

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2225 games reviewed
79.5 average score
80 median score
61.7% of games recommended

The Games Machine's Reviews

The Games Machine
Majkol "Zaru" Robuschi
Dec 3, 2025

Octopath Traveler 0 is a massive, ambitious prequel that turns a former mobile-only project into a full JRPG epic. Its darker story, customizable lone protagonist, and deep 8-character battle system deliver tons of content and real strategic depth. The village-building and huge cast add charm, even if exploration and pacing can drag. Visually it's closer to the first game, with some performance hiccups, but the music and QoL features shine. A demanding, lengthy, but genuinely rewarding return to Orsterra.

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Dec 2, 2025

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7.5 / 10.0 - Horses
Dec 2, 2025

Disturbing and outside of any canon: horses is a journey into the loss of innocence

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Dec 1, 2025

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8 / 10.0 - Neon Inferno
Nov 28, 2025

An entertaining retro shooter featuring appealing aesthetics and refined, varied gameplay that is just the right amount of challenging. Those who grew up playing old classics such as Wild Guns, Contra, and Cabal will feel right at home, but they will have to work hard to reach the end credits.

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9 / 10.0 - Dispatch
Nov 26, 2025

The modern superhero genre, featuring heroes in the real world with corporate dynamics, is very complicated to manage, even for those who work with superheroes every day. Getting the nuances so right, offering an original point of view, and doing it so well through a narrative adventure, another genre that is not easy to manage, is a success that we really did not see coming. Dispatch is surprising, if only for the way it manages and ties together such diverse dynamics within an experience that keeps you glued to the screen.

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8.5 / 10.0 - Escape from Tarkov
Nov 26, 2025

Escape from Tarkov is a solid extraction shooter born in 2017. Despite its technical limitations and uneven balance, version 1.0 confirms it as a unique, intense, and persistently engaging hardcore tactical FPS. It's not for everyone, but that's precisely what makes it special.

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7.8 / 10.0 - A.I.L.A
Nov 24, 2025

A.I.L.A works best when it lets the silences and disturbing scenarios speak for themselves, less so when stiff animations or technical roughness come into play. In short, an imperfect but evocative horror game with some interesting insights.

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Nov 21, 2025

Europa Universalis V is the most mature version of the series: not only does it add features, but it integrates them into a coherent fabric that makes the historical simulation more believable. It's not perfect, but it's a blast!

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The Games Machine
Emanuele Feronato
Nov 20, 2025

Bubble Bobble Sugar Dungeons attempts to enrich the classic Bubble Bobble gameplay by introducing roguelite and metroidvania elements, and on paper the idea is actually quite promising; unfortunately, the bland level design and an overall execution that borders on amateurish make it impossible to tell whether the format could truly have worked or if it should have been abandoned from the start. There's very little worth saving in this production, Bubble Symphony aside. Hardcore little dragon fans will find something to chew on for a good number of hours, but fun is by no means guaranteed.

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8 / 10.0 - Kirby Air Riders
Nov 19, 2025

A kart game that challenges Mario Kart or Smash Bros. on floating vehicles? Kirby Air Riders has speed in its DNA and rewards the most skilled and patient players with tons of unlockable items. At the same time, however, the many facets of its playful soul risk being too much and confusing the "core" experience. Between dozens of mini-games, lightning-fast races, and boss battles with weapons, the game loses some of its focus but still remains a fun experience... especially in multiplayer.

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Nov 17, 2025

Black Ops 7 attempts to redefine the series' historical formula with a more cohesive ecosystem, based on advanced mobility, shared progression and intertwined modes: not everything is uniform, the flaws are different, but the global result is ambitious, rich, alive.

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9 / 10.0 - News Tower
Nov 17, 2025

News Tower offers a refined management experience, capable of speaking both to nostalgics of the genre and to those looking for a more narrative and modern tycoon.

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Nov 16, 2025

The Berlin Apartment is a short but sweet walk through a century of history of the German capital, where the underlying theme is life under oppression; of the Third Reich at first, and of the DDR later. Good voiceover, pleasant visual style, but the "gameplay" is a bit clunky at times.

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7.5 / 10.0 - Tormented Souls 2
Nov 12, 2025

Another old-school survival horror game, for better or worse. If you love fixed camera angles, pre-rendered backgrounds, limited saves, and constant tension, you can safely add half a point to the final rating. Technically, it's a step up from the previous installment, with excellent, detailed locations, atmospheric and crystal-clear sound, and responsive controls. Animations and poly-models aren't top-notch, but you can't have everything.

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The Games Machine
Majkol "Zaru" Robuschi

Atelier Ryza Secret Trilogy Deluxe Pack is a charming celebration of one of Gust's most beloved RPG sagas. The three remastered titles look and play better than ever, packed with all DLCs, quality-of-life updates, and plenty of content. While the first game shows its age and performance could be smoother, the trilogy's warmth, optimism, and refined alchemy systems shine through. A colorful, feel-good journey about friendship and growth. Perfect for fans and newcomers alike.

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Nov 10, 2025

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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The Games Machine
Emanuele Feronato
8.8 / 10.0 - ARC Raiders
Nov 7, 2025

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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Nov 7, 2025

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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7.5 / 10.0 - Earth vs Mars
Nov 7, 2025

Earth vs Mars is a turn-based strategy game that doesn't aim to revolutionize the genre, but rather sticks to the tried-and-true formula of Advance Wars with a small twist: hybrid units infused with animal DNA. The storyline is simple and the retro-inspired art direction is intentional, yet the missions are well-designed and offer a gentle difficulty curve. The hybridization mechanic adds a layer of tactical depth, though it remains the only truly innovative feature. A conservative product, but a solid choice for those looking to explore the genre without too much complexity.

Review in Italian | Read full review