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Hats off to me for this excellent piece of software from indie developer "OutOfTheBit," which, with just 367 megabytes of storage, provides great entertainment and a little journey back in time on the Xbox Series X. Anyone interested can also try it on Nintendo Switch or PC (via Steam). Please, more of this! The only thing I need to investigate further is the two crashes on my Denon X4000 receiver. It's been running flawlessly for years and didn't cause any problems during subsequent gaming or TV sessions. I'm not entirely sure how a game or its sounds could cause a security shutdown, but if I can reproduce this, a patch might be needed to remedy the situation.

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CounterAttack may not be a game that will score points for its outstanding visuals or its variety of enemies. However, it is a shoot 'em up that can appeal to the broadest possible audience and scores particularly well due to its enormous scope and replay value. Anyone who wants to unlock all possible upgrades for their ship will certainly be busy for a long time. The story mode, whose levels can be played as desired, as well as the survival mode, where you can chase the high score, invites you to do this. But it only really gets fun when you join the game with friends and compete against the Automatons either locally or across systems in the online mode. In any case, it's definitely a title that every shooting fan should take a closer look at.

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In contrast to last year, MotoGP 23 has already been noticeably changed and improved. Unfortunately, the classic racetracks from the 2009 season have been removed from the predecessor, but we can now even take to the track in Kazakhstan and India, even though these are excluded from the actual race cycle. The improved driving aids make the game much more accessible for newcomers to the genre, and the dynamic weather, including flag-to-flag, add additional nuances to the gameplay itself. In any case, MotoGP 23 is a game for fans, as there are plenty of opportunities to delve into the subject matter and immerse yourself in the sport and the racetracks.

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How would you describe your relationship with Mato Anomalies? "It's complicated," I'd say. On the one hand, the game captivates me with its fantastic game world, its magnificent art style, the fun runs through the metaverse, and its variety of missions. On the other hand, there's the somewhat confusing storyline with a main character about whom we learn virtually nothing and whose motives are completely unclear. Personally, I also didn't need some of the game elements, such as the mind hacks. What remains is a perfectly acceptable role-playing game that's certainly playable, but not entirely recommendable.

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Bubble Bobble Everybubble is a game that lets you gather your friends and family around the TV again. It's a straightforward puzzle game for young and old. It's easy to get started, but the sometimes tough time limit means there's plenty of potential for repeat play if you want to earn three stars on every level. With a total of 270 levels, the game is also comprehensive enough to keep you entertained for a long time. Nothing stands in the way of many fun game nights.

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It's always great when new game developers present their first work and it strikes a chord with many players. Swedish indie studio Wishfully has definitely succeeded in doing just that with "Planet of Lana," and I'm already looking forward to what they'll serve up next. The mix of hand-painted backgrounds with captivating music and soundtracks that fit the action, the fantasy language that adjusts in volume to the situation, and the challenges all seem seamlessly engineered. A very welcome change of pace, one that's sure to be even more rewarding as a local team task on a nice weekend evening. I give it two clear thumbs up!

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For me, Batora: Lost Haven is a game that pleasantly surprised me. A hack 'n' slash with a good story, scattered role-playing elements, and some tough combat and clever puzzles in strange game worlds. While the battles themselves can be a bit frustrating at times, they're never unfair. Sometimes, simply taking a look at your own loadout can make life easier with the right rune upgrades and a strategy. So, if you're looking for a change from your everyday gaming routine, you might want to check this out, but leisurely play is rarely the order of the day here.

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It's not as if the developers at Milestone aren't idle. This year's motocross offshoot, Monster Energy Supercross 6, also features some worthwhile new features, such as a slightly more engaging career mode, cross-play in multiplayer, and a significantly larger "playground" for practicing your skills. The new Rhythm Attack mode, in which you duel with another rider, is also a worthwhile expansion of the gameplay. I was particularly excited that you can now finally modify and customize your bike down to the last detail. The coherent overall package makes this a definite purchase for motorsport fans!

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Lemon Cake is generally a fun game, but not a relaxing one. You have to take care of everything and keep track of it, which often actually feels more like work. The lack of a story adds to the fun, so it's better to play Lemon Cake in short bursts rather than as an evening-long game. Then you can have a lot of fun with it. It's just a shame that you can't work in the bakery with two people; that would certainly have boosted motivation. Otherwise, it's a nice game to play in between for anyone who wants to make a name for themselves as a hobby baker.

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The Chant definitely surprised me in a positive way during my test. The story itself, while somewhat predictable, is still gripping enough to keep the player engaged. Searching the seemingly deserted island is equally motivating, and the lore you uncover fills in gaps in the backstory, making The Chant a complete success. The combat system is fun, and the simple crafting and experience systems leave plenty of room for the main character's development. Furthermore, the game's three different endings provide enough motivation to play through multiple times, even if each playthrough might only take between 6 and 7 hours. I definitely recommend it to fans of the genre who want to delve into the classics of the supernatural genre.

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Muse Dash is the perfect companion for in between, with which you can also have long-term fun.

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Glass Masquerade 2: Illusions is very entertaining overall and is definitely worth a look.

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All in all, as a Diablo fan you really can't go wrong with Wolcen. Yes, the game still has its quirks and the online mode also has to settle down a bit. But it looks beautiful and both the skill system and the fights know how to please. And for a price of around 30 euros you have a lot for your money. So despite the problems, I can only recommend Wolcen - Lords of Mayhem.

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Trails of Cold Steel III is a must for all fans of the series. Despite some improvements on the more powerful systems, the graphics can no longer impress as much as on the small Vita screen, but it is technically solid and again a top RPG in terms of content. But be careful: interested players should definitely play at least the two direct predecessors beforehand, and ideally even the sister series Trails in the Sky. The more you get to know the world and characters beforehand, the more you can enjoy Cold Steel III.

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The Alliance Alive is a decent RPG for in between, but on current systems you have so much better options that there is really no reason to invest time in this remaster. Although it looks much nicer than it did on the 3DS, its origin cannot be denied. The forgotten characters and the character development system, which takes getting used to, will also appeal to few. If you have played through the hits completely, you could have a look, everyone else would rather satisfy their RPG hunger with better alternatives.

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As a longtime fan of this genre, I'm always happy when new or old titles find their way to the West. So also with Psikyo Shooting Stars Alpha, where I already own games like Strikers 1945, Strikers 1945 II for Playstation 2. In principle, the collection is well developed and offers corresponding options where everyone who can start with the genre will have fun. But the lack of an online ranking for high scores and other goodies such as background information about the different titles or a sound test would have been a must.

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With Monster Energy Supercross 3, a number of innovations have been promised that are also present, but basically do not necessarily require an update from Part 2. Although you have a fun alternative to your career with the expanded training area, which can now also be used by four people, the remaining innovations are rather limited. Yes, you can now generate female drivers and yes, you now have dedicated servers for multiplayer, but still it remains the same racing calendar as in the second part. Therefore, players have to decide for themselves whether they want to upgrade or not. The gameplay is as always fun and fans will surely get their money's worth with an accurate implementation of motocross sport. So it's up to you how you choose.

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Slain was nice, but not mature in my opinion. A graphic display that rode on the retro wave. However, the makers have taken the criticism to heart. The big hit is not VALFARIS. With Axiom Verge, Blazing Chrome, Gunlord & Co. there is also a lot of strong competition. Nevertheless, accompanied by metal rhythms, it is fun to chop up opponents. There is still frustration, but unlike Slain you have the feeling that you have failed yourself. I can recommend the title to fans of the genre. Everyone else prefers to play rehearsal first.

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It Came From Space And Ate Our Brains is an authentic, old school, twin stick shooter that doesn't value story but takes action. Despite smaller tasks such as destroying a barrier or activating switches, the gameplay remains somewhat monotonous, which is reinforced by the lack of diversity of opponents. The level of difficulty alone is quite moderate, but with three friends the game becomes much more fun. But it will take some time until you get through the six levels of the campaign and if this gets too boring you can look for an additional challenge in survival mode. So the game is a nice entertainment for in between, with which you can quickly let the pig out in a convivial round.

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For me, AO Tennis 2 is equipped with some useful innovations that at least increase long-term motivation. In terms of gameplay, not much has changed from the previous part, but this was not necessary either. Rather, you worked on the scope and everything around it, so you are now working on your professional tennis player in a fun career mode and getting better and better. Unfortunately, the visual presentation is still the biggest weak point of the game, but you can get over it because of the gameplay. If you are looking for a good tennis game, AO Tennis 2 is definitely the right place. If you already own the first part, you should definitely consider buying it because of your extended career. If you only want to play matches, then the first part is probably enough. The upgrade was definitely worth it for me.

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