Echo Boomer

A work of art is not defined by perfection, but by the confidence with which it is created, the intent that drives it, and the lasting impression it leaves on those who play, watch, read, or listen. Even if Death Stranding 2: On the Beach didn’t grip me at first as I had hoped, by the end — much like its predecessor — it left me deeply moved and with a strange, immediate sense of longing. Just hours after finishing it, I started it all over again — not out of a need for completion (which I could have continued from my first run), but simply because I still can’t bring myself to leave this world and these characters. To me, this rare kind of involvement — at once interactive, emotional, and philosophical — is what makes video games such a special form of expression.

Review in Portuguese | Read full review

The Alters is an extremely ambitious game, rich in compelling ideas and executed brilliantly where it truly matters — particularly in its branching narrative, its encouragement to explore the different personalities of the protagonist, and its promise of a unique journey from player to player, or even upon revisiting. Despite some harder-to-endure barriers, largely due to its attempt to merge too many mechanics, The Alters stands out precisely because of this fusion. The result is a tone that feels intense, claustrophobic, and even philosophical, evoking emotions not unlike those of a horror game — where you never know what’s around the next corner — or a survival experience where you’re surrounded by threats and left with “a single bullet”. There are no monsters here, no locked doors — just a ticking clock and the success of an entire mission in your hands.

Review in Portuguese | Read full review

Whether it’s thanks to its accessibility, hidden depth, or the urge to explore every corner of the map, Mario Kart World is a fun ride and a refreshing surprise to kick off a new generation of Nintendo games.

Review in Portuguese | Read full review

Empyreal, Silent Games’ new title, tries to do too much at once, but between misaligned ambitions and technical issues, it ends up failing more often than it succeeds.

Review in Portuguese | Read full review

A Spoonful of Wonder had its heart in the right place, and Copycat earns some of its more emotional moments, but the final message isn’t always clear, and the gameplay holds back what could’ve been a fresh perspective within the genre.

Review in Portuguese | Read full review

Good ideas alone can’t save MercurySteam’s latest title from bad design choices, like the frequently confusing exploration and a combat system that, while ambitious, is still held back by its own mechanics.

Review in Portuguese | Read full review

Far Out Games Studio’s debut title shows a lot of potential, but it’s held back by weak world design and a lack of originality in its main missions.

Review in Portuguese | Read full review

EA Sports F1 25 raises the bar to become arguably one of the best entries in the series to date, finally striking a balance between the spirit of Formula 1 and the media spectacle that surrounds it.

Review in Portuguese | Read full review

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Splintered Fate is a new adventure for the Turtles, and their foray into the roguelike genre is mostly positive, though ultimately unremarkable. The game features various systems to explore, plenty of customisation and progression options, and all four Turtles have been designed for close, mid, and even long-range combat with unique abilities. Unfortunately, the fights become predictable, difficulty spikes often feel unexpected and even undeserved, and the campaign’s linearity — with no option to choose the next arena — eventually becomes tiring due to its rigid, repetitive structure. It’s a good game with solid ideas and a narrative focus that fans of the franchise will appreciate, but it’s far from the most replayable roguelike currently available.

Review in Portuguese | Read full review

DOOM: The Dark Ages is a solid and striking entry in the series, with its own identity and unique elements that earn it a special place within the saga. The absence of some key components – like a powerful soundtrack that has always defined the experience – doesn’t stop it from standing out thanks to its design, brutal combat and artistic ambition. It may not have the same impact as the previous titles, especially now that the series has lost the surprise factor of its 2016 reboot, but there’s no denying it adds a new flavour to the legacy of DOOM, and will surely be remembered for it. What remains to be seen is exactly what kind of flavour that is, and how popular it will become in the future – though it’s bound to stick in our memory longer than a viral meme on social media.

Review in Portuguese | Read full review

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is one of those rare surprises that will stay with us for a very, very long time. It’s ambitious, distinctive, and confident in what it does, unafraid to be strange, poetic, and even unsettling. The artistic direction shines; the combat is fun and addictive; and the story grips us, hurts us, but also lifts us in a whirlwind of emotion. It may be short (around 30 hours of gameplay), but it never feels like anything is missing. And there’s always something to discover, try out, or simply enjoy – whether it’s an optional boss that forces us to rethink our playstyle or a game of volleyball with the Gestral. Everything in it feels crafted with care and passion. And for that, I’m simply grateful.

Review in Portuguese | Read full review

After several years of waiting, Post Trauma is finally available on PC and consoles, but what could have been a solid tribute to the horror genre turns out to be a series of disappointing choices that only make us appreciate the classic survival horrors even more.

Review in Portuguese | Read full review

There are moments when the title from Primal Game Studio works as a solid 2D action RPG, but the closer it leans into soulslike and metroidvania territory, the more it feels hollow — and even infuriating.

Review in Portuguese | Read full review

The puppet who dreamed of becoming a real boy gave rise to one of the most notable soulslikes in the genre, which, two years after its release, still enjoys remarkable popularity.

Review in Portuguese | Read full review

With a new perspective and a focus on co-op play, the sequel tries to expand on the first game’s sarcastic humour and exploration, but does very little with the formula and quickly becomes repetitive.

Review in Portuguese | Read full review

Updates are always welcome, but the latest release of Days Gone Remastered for PlayStation 5 feels more like a repackaging of the game than a new experience worthy of our attention.

Review in Portuguese | Read full review

Haste stands out within the roguelike format and will certainly find its fans, but it becomes repetitive in the very moments where it should grow and evolve mechanically.

Review in Portuguese | Read full review

A soulslike that sticks closely to the formula in terms of level design and combat system, but manages to introduce a few mechanical elements that refresh its gameplay and raise it to the level of a “solid pick” for fans of the genre.

Review in Portuguese | Read full review

A heavyweight collection featuring two absolute classics of the genre that will delight any fan — and, unfortunately, confirmed that I’m not a huge fan of Suikoden.

Review in Portuguese | Read full review

Assassin’s Creed Shadows is an excellent new chapter in Ubisoft’s popular saga, with countless reasons to dive in and fall in love. However, the way Ubisoft delivers its games, and the lack of care in post-launch support, can quickly become a barrier that brings the adventure to an early end.

Review in Portuguese | Read full review