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Xenoblade Chronicles X: Definitive Edition isn't a standout like Part 3 was. The game has too many unnecessary problems. Popping objects, a story that drags at the beginning, and a somewhat confusing menu are simply things that drag on the enjoyment of the game. However, this is offset by the fact that the game is ultimately fun. Mira is a fantastic world that rewards you for exploring it. The story eventually picks up, and the graphics are very good, aside from the aforementioned issues.

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Perhaps it was a mistake on Ubisoft's part to release Assassin's Creed Mirage, their last Assassin's Creed, that felt like a return to the roots. Assassin's Creed Shadows had a tough time holding its own in comparison, precisely because it's more like the games since Origin. Which is why, in the end, the game is a good, but not a superior Assassin's Creed game. There isn't a single flaw that had a negative impact. The enemies are once again a mysterious organization, the controls are clunky, the enemy AI could be improved, and the lackluster present-day story is disappointing. But on the other hand, you have entertaining antagonists, a vibrant and colorful world, and many diverse missions. Despite all the flaws, I got that usual AC feeling while playing, meaning I moved from tower to tower, took on every side mission that came along, and enjoyed the game's atmosphere. Hopefully, this won't be the last Assassin's Creed game Ubisoft releases. Although hopefully, there will be some time before the next installment, during which a little polishing can be done on everything. That would be nice.

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Split Fiction could almost be considered a living work of art; the developers really ramp up the game and continually amaze you. A highlight for me was the "Tooth Section," one of the best final bosses I've ever experienced. Then there was the jaw-dropping finale. During the test, I took over 60 pictures, and I could easily have taken twice as many. Since that would have been a huge spoiler, we cut it down to 30, because everyone should take their own experiences and wow moments with them. While "A Way Out" and especially "It Takes Two" were already great top contenders, Hazelight raises the technical and creative bar even higher with "Split Fiction," serving up the craziest and greatest co-op adventure of all time. Despite all that, the predecessor, "It Takes Two," still appealed to me more in terms of the story. Two thumbs up from me, though!

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Botany Manor is a gem among adventure games. With clever puzzles set in a fictional plant world, it challenges players without overwhelming them. And if you ever need a break, you can make yourself comfortable on a virtual park bench and unwind with relaxing chamber music. What more could you expect from a virtual vacation in game form? It's certainly not a game for everyone, as not much happens in this slow-paced adventure game other than challenging your brain cells. But sometimes it doesn't take much to excite me. A beautiful presentation and clever puzzles are enough.

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To return to Daniel's review and his final assessment: I can confirm his opinion from back then, and today I would also add the lame beginning. But the reason I ultimately rate the remastered version higher than the original is simply because a lot of work went into making the title better and more modern. Things like the flippable dialogue and the puzzles being more solvable for people with disabilities show that the developers didn't make things too easy for themselves. It's just a shame that the visuals show the game's age and origins.

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Donkey Kong Country Returns HD isn't a bad game. The diverse and wonderful level design, David Wise's soundtrack, and the variety of secrets make up a lot of it. But it's also "just" the HD release of the 3DS version, with better graphics and otherwise no changes. And that's honestly not enough to warrant the full price.

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Anyone who liked the previous Sniper Elite games will definitely like Sniper Elite Resistance and get their money's worth. More of the same, you could say, although the engine is starting to lose a bit of ground. If you're looking for a criticism, it would probably be that there is hardly any discernible improvement over Sniper Elite 5, neither technically nor in terms of gameplay and mission flow. If the scope were smaller, it could almost pass as DLC. Game Pass owners run the least risk, as the game is included day one, meaning you hardly have to pay a penny for it. In the end, Sniper Elite Resistance offers familiar and tried-and-tested fare on new territory, but nothing more. Personally, despite this weakness, I'm enjoying every map and every minute.

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I liked Mario & Luigi: Brothership. It has a certain charm that the previous Mario & Luigi games also had. It has variety and a lot of good ideas. Graphically, it's good, but the difficulty isn't particularly challenging, especially at the beginning. And as for the story, don't expect an epic adventure; just plenty of humor.

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Essentially, Life is Strange – Double Exposure is more of the same. But that's exactly what I expect from the series. The story is really great and captivates the player from the very beginning. With numerous twists and turns, it remains exciting and varied, and the well-written characters immediately draw you into the game's atmosphere. Only the ending is a bit too hectic for my personal taste and could have done with a bit of the calm of the first two chapters. The game also suffers from occasional stuttering in quality mode and a lack of lip sync in the German dubbing. Despite all this, the German voice actors do a really good job. Fans of the series shouldn't be disappointed and can look forward to another must-have title, even if it doesn't quite match the quality of the first games.

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Mission Accomplished, I'd say. Dragon Age: The Veilguard may not be the high-flyer you'd once associate with the Bioware name. But after the disappointments of recent years, it's a step in the right direction. The changes are well-considered, the character editor is fantastic, and the bugs aren't designed to drag the game down mercilessly. I had fun, and that's the main thing.

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Today, many of SNK vs. Capcom's problems are certainly easier to overlook than they were back in 2003, when people were hoping for a new premium fighting game with the quality of Garou, Street Fighter III, or at least Capcom vs. SNK 2. Above all, the clear positioning of the dark style and the powerful gameplay element Guard Cancel Front Step, as well as the uniquely dark atmosphere, make SvC particularly interesting today. Anyone who wants to play mature and perfectly balanced games will probably turn to recent releases like KoF XV, Samurai Shodown 2019, Guilty Gear Strive, Street Fighter 6, or similar. However, you'll probably find more character and thrills here.

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The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom is no Tears of the Kingdom. But it still enjoys experimenting with the game formula, this time in the form of the titular echoes. It's less of an action-adventure and more of a successful action-puzzler. Unfortunately, the enemy AI leaves a lot to be desired, the echo bar quickly becomes confusing, and blending smoothies isn't exactly exciting. Nevertheless, I highly recommend the game.

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The Silent Hill 2 remake was initially met with skepticism, and even the first teaser didn't exactly generate a storm of enthusiasm. However, I was confident that Bloober Team wouldn't let themselves down with this title, as they know what matters in well-told horror games. And what can I say? The end result is convincing across the board. Clever puzzles, a consistently exciting story, and challenging battles grab the player from the very first minute and don't let go. This is also ensured by the final resolution of the story, which even back then had a lasting impact on storytelling in video games. For me, it's nothing less than Game of the Year, and I'm curious to see if Konami might have other titles in the series in mind. Personally, I wouldn't be averse to this.

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At first, the game had a hard time grabbing my attention. Due to the complete lack of voice acting (okay, Astro doesn't have any either, but the music kept you going from the start), The Smurfs game felt like something was missing. This is only compensated for as you progress and discover more "big" constellations, which look even prettier and have simply better songs. The larger proportion of "perceived challenge levels" can't keep up here and is probably more for players who like to grit their teeth and reach the goal. The Smurfs can't compete with its current competitors. On the other hand, the price isn't quite as high, staying just under the €50 mark. In the end, the Smurfs and their adventure in Dreamland leave me with mixed feelings, some very good, some rather mixed. For some younger players, it might be frustrating at times - but okay, Astro has that too with its special challenge levels. However, these were clearly an “extra” and not felt like a gap filler.

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As a video gamer who has witnessed a great deal of development and even more titles over the past 40 years, I'm absolutely thrilled with Astro Bot. It combines perfect technology with perfect controls, perfect feel and sound, and tons of fun. Yes, there will never be a "perfect game," but Astro Bot is certainly pretty close! I wouldn't be surprised if it won Game of the Year. But a place on the podium is already clearly guaranteed.

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I like Star Wars: Outlaws. It's an interesting game that dares to explore new concepts. The atmosphere is unparalleled. But the gameplay has its flaws. The stealth sections are annoying, and the hacking is sometimes a hit and miss. Likewise, Nix's controls have become very fiddly in certain situations. But other than that, it offers many good approaches. It's not a standout, but it's turned out well.

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Bread & Fred is a bit like a carrot and stick game: It can be extremely frustrating when you get stuck in the same spot for minutes, but you're all the more euphoric when you finally manage to master it. However, you realize that you've only climbed another 5 meters out of a total of 500. Numerous side quests are waiting to be discovered and completed. But very few will see them without help. However, anyone who enjoys the challenging game concept will certainly find something to enjoy here.

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For me, Visions of Mana is a prime candidate for Game of the Year. It's magnificent and fantastic. The story draws you in and has many surprises. The world invites exploration, and there are many details familiar from Secret of Mana. It's just a shame that there are sometimes discrepancies between the spoken words and the corresponding animations. Or that not as much effort was put into the secondary characters as into the main ones.

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Nintendo has spoiled Switch owners for years with expanded remakes and remasters. It's a shame that Luigi's Mansion 2 HD is "just" a simple graphics update and hasn't changed much in terms of scope. Especially because, apart from that, the game is still a lot of fun, even today. The gameplay is good, and the levels are designed with variety.

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Sand Land has a lot of potential. It offers variety, a good story, and charming characters. Add to that Akira Toriyama's distinctive design. However, the title falters when it comes to getting from point A to point B in the desert. Upgrading vehicles can be fiddly, and the decision to make individual vehicle components appear crudely disassembled is extremely distracting. Nevertheless, this is a game that worthy represents the legacy of the renowned artist.

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