Gameliner

Although Taiwanese Red Candle Games is new to the Metroidvania and Soulslike genres, it certainly doesn't act like a fish out of water. Nine Sols is a true pleasure to play and presents a genuine challenge from start to finish. Nine Sols is as difficult as it is beautiful, without ever giving the impression that it is impossible to complete. Those who take the time to master Yi's skills, learn to recognize patterns, and work on perfect timing will be treated by Red Candle Games to a stunningly hand-drawn Taopunk epic about revenge and betrayal.

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Destiny 2: The Final Shape is good, very good. The expansion doesn't quite reach the heights of Destiny 2: Forsaken or Destiny 2: The Witch Queen, but it comes alarmingly close. The story's build-up is much improved, giving you a much better sense of what’s truly at stake. Admittedly, The Traveller is still a big question mark for me, but this time there's more room for individual moments with the cast you've been working with for ten years. The Pale Heart is beautifully designed and features incredible set pieces. Additionally, Prismatic as a subclass works exceptionally well and it almost feels like Bungie is trying to give you a taste of immortality. It is a shame, however, that there is so much repetition in the gameplay. This makes the game often feel like a routine once you’ve seen something a few times. But let's be honest; Bungie has really mastered the gunplay, mobility, and overall gameplay after so many years. As a result, Destiny 2: The Final Shape is still a pleasure to play and a must-have for players who have a deep affection for the Destiny franchise.

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Autopsy Simulator tries to present a compelling and suspenseful story about the personal loss of a troubled forensic pathologist, but unfortunately, Woodland Games cuts itself quite badly with this one. The developer attempts to balance psychological horror with a somewhat realistic autopsy simulation, but fails to convincingly present either. The unpredictable, pill-popping protagonist swings mentally from one extreme to another while ticking off the standard checklist with each corpse, as Autopsy Simulator firmly takes control and leaves no room for personal initiative. Ultimately, Autopsy Simulator is a particularly linear experience filled with repetitive fetch quests and minigames that are neither challenging, engaging, nor frightening. This is a shame because there was potential for something really enjoyable here. However, when the game requires you to go through everything on autopilot and draws attention to its shortcomings—such as technical flaws—you’ll soon find yourself hanging up your scalpel, apron, and surgical gloves.

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MultiVersus remains exceptionally fun to play. The fighting mechanics are solid, the mashup of characters works astonishingly well, and the roster is so diverse that you never tire of it. It's a real shame, then, that the extreme pressure to spend money is so evident. Paying ten euros to unlock a character (which was playable in the beta) is exorbitant, and the grind is too steep to truly enjoy the game. This isn’t a new trend with Warner Bros. games; Mortal Kombat 1 and Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League also suffered from similar issues. If you can look past the endless grind, MultiVersus is a fantastic free-to-play game, but that is a unique skill in itself.

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Crown Wars: The Black Prince features an intriguing medieval setting and turn-based tactical gameplay with significant potential. The various classes and unique abilities add depth, and the concept of a castle as a central hub is a logical choice with plenty of possibilities. Unfortunately, the experience is hindered by clunky graphics and animations, mediocre voice-overs, and an artificially high difficulty level. Balance issues and excessive use of timers make the game more tiring and frustrating than challenging and enjoyable. Overall, the game currently feels more like a mobile game port than a fully-fledged tactical RPG.

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Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door is a fantastic game that has received a well-deserved remaster. The game stays true to the original but includes quality-of-life updates that enhance the experience for both new and returning players. The only downside is that The Thousand-Year Door still features a lot of backtracking and unnecessarily long dialogues, but these issues are hardly noticeable due to the game's wonderful atmosphere and humor.

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F1 24 is a fantastic game for true Formula 1 enthusiasts. The promise that this is more than just a roster update has been fulfilled. By focusing on individual teams, the game encourages players to switch teams to seek new challenges or simply to try out different cars. The game looks and sounds incredible on the track, but it lacks a bit in presentation. The voice lines directly from the board radio are a nice touch, but there is much more that could be done with the actual material. The game is missing some atmosphere and could benefit from leaning more on the existing F1 license material. However, Codemasters excels at on-track action, and that is undoubtedly evident in F1 24.

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Fans of arcade-style hero shooters are doing themselves a disservice if they don’t give XDefiant a chance. The game is well put together, offers plenty of action, and comes with minimal fuss. The pace is particularly fast, and the choice to unite iconic franchises is something we can only applaud. The current release of XDefiant features a few excellent maps, enjoyable game modes, and a handful of characters with unique skills. However, the game could benefit from more content in the form of new (and more recognizable) characters. Additionally, the leveling balance needs some tweaking, the hitbox detection requires an upgrade, and the weapons could use a bit more impact. The first step has certainly been taken, and we firmly believe that Ubisoft can keep the game vibrant and engaging.

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Capes offers a refreshing take on the superhero genre that can captivate even those who aren't fans of superheroes. The engaging storyline, unique characters, and challenging gameplay make it a game worth playing if you enjoy turn-based tactical games. Although some characters and their abilities aren't always perfectly balanced, the overall experience is more than enjoyable. The turn-based battles, combined with the rich narrative elements, provide an immersive and sometimes even demanding challenge. Capes stands out well from standard superhero games, and that alone makes it worth trying.

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Hauntii is an emotional game that takes a bit of time to get going, but if you give it a chance, it's definitely worth it. The game may not have the most extensive gameplay, but the story and emotions more than make up for it. It's a game I would definitely recommend to people who enjoy a calm experience and don't mind shedding a tear now and then.

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Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II has become a truly remarkable passion project from Ninja Theory. Despite the studio having 'only' eighty employees, they've managed to score top marks in many areas. To begin with, Hellblade II is audiovisually the best this industry has to offer. Unreal Engine 5 performs magic on your screen, where cinematic visuals and in-game content are often indistinguishable. The audio is not only sharp and impressive, but thanks to binaural sound, it penetrates deep into your mind. 'Gripping' is a key term when describing this action game, reflected in the relentless combat against the horrors of the Viking era. Alongside the grand spectacle, there is an intimate story with Senua at its center. The way her mental and physical challenges are presented is simply top-tier writing. The emotional impact that Ninja Theory delivers with Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II is one that will be praised for years to come.

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Read Only Memories: Neurodiver takes players on a nostalgic journey into the world of point-and-click games, with a Cyberpunk twist. As ES88, an Esper with special powers, you are tasked with hunting down the Golden Butterfly, a Rogue Esper who corrupts memories. The gameplay is intuitive and fits well within the genre, blending real-world interactions with the exploration of memories. The audiovisual style, featuring anime pixel art and authentic '90s sounds, adds to the game's charm. For fans of captivating stories, it's definitely a must-play!

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Little Kitty, Big City delivers exactly what you'd expect: a cozy game where you take on the role of a small cat in a big city. It's a simple and pure experience, perfect for moments when you want to relax without too much thought. Although the gameplay isn't particularly deep, the game still charms with its laid-back pace, cute characters, and colorful world. For players seeking a challenging experience or a competitive edge, this game might not be enough. But for those looking for a soothing and endearing experience, Little Kitty, Big City is definitely worth a try.

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Endless Ocean Luminous is, in my opinion, quite disappointing. Graphically, the game looks good, and when you first start playing, it's really cool to explore such a realistic environment. Unfortunately, the game quickly becomes monotonous, as you're mostly occupied with scanning fish that you've already seen dozens of times. There's simply not enough to do to keep the game interesting and enjoyable. For me, it's definitely not worth the full price. I think I'll just pull out Scubakids again.

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V Rising is a survival RPG where you play as a vampire striving to rebuild the glory of vampires and establish dominance over the world. Set in the gothic world of Vardoran, you explore various biomes, gather resources, and face different challenges. The game emphasizes progression through acquiring better gear, expanding and maintaining your castle, and mastering various vampiric abilities by drinking blood for bonuses and new powers. The day-night cycle and vampiric weaknesses add strategic depth and a new level of challenge. Despite the enjoyable gameplay, the time investment and competitive nature on live servers can be challenging for players with busy schedules. However, if you have plenty of time to invest in V Rising, it’s definitely a game worth playing. Otherwise, private servers might be a viable alternative.

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MotoGP 24 has a solid foundation, and innovations like the Riders Market and the Adaptive Difficulty system are refreshing additions. It's clear that effort has been put into innovating the gameplay, and that certainly deserves praise. However, there are some bumps on the road. The gameplay can sometimes feel repetitive, and due to graphical compromises, performance can lag, often resulting in a slower gaming experience. The limitations of the Nintendo Switch play a significant role in this, negatively affecting both the visuals and the flow of the game. Additionally, the online multiplayer feels somewhat stripped down. Despite the enthusiastic attempts at innovation, the price-to-quality ratio doesn't feel quite right. In short, MotoGP 24 is definitely making strides forward but still has some work to do to truly cross the finish line as a winner.

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After just under four hours, INDIKA has left me with more questions than answers. The very unorthodox walking sim from Odd Meter is one that we could easily place in the same category as Death Stranding, where some will want to figure out where the haziness leads, while others won't even bother. The game will especially appeal to an audience that encourages a 'free spirit' and will likely cause aversion among more devout Christians—that much is certain. Although the conclusion of this surreal experience left me somewhat disappointed, a voice in my head also tells me that Odd Meter is trying to convey something here. Hopefully, it's not the devil playing tricks.

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Another Crab's Treasure may not have the finesse of a premium lobster dish, but it's still a very enjoyable game to play through. That's why the term "Surimi Souls" is packed with flavor. Yes, Aggro Crab's action game may not be the most beautiful crustacean out there, and it has its fair share of whining and balance issues, but it still carries the spirit of an apex predator. It manages to create an intriguing world with strong Soulslike design and combat, while also offering enough unique angles to avoid being labeled as just another ordinary copy. Add to that an adventurous yet humorous narrative, and voilà: Aggro Crab manages to thrive in this daring ecosystem. Another Crab's Treasure deserves a spot among Soulslikes that are worth your time and effort.

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With Phantom Fury, Slipgate Ironworks leaves the 90s boomer shooter era behind and dives straight into another subgenre: Half-Likes. Those who aren't interested in exploring and figuring out which items are useful and which are not will quickly become frustrated with this Ion Fury sequel. Gamers who can't handle clumsily constructed levels or questionable A.I. should also wisely avoid Phantom Fury. However, if you can overlook these issues and are simply looking for an over-the-top boomer shooter that delivers a decent blast and doesn’t take itself too seriously, you might still find some enjoyment in Phantom Fury. Just don’t set the bar too high and be prepared to overlook a lot of imperfections.

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The developers of Nordic Ashes: Survivors of Ragnarok have unleashed their own vision to create a game with elements from both the bullet hell and roguelike genres. I'm already delighted with the Viking theme, which is also well executed. The colorful art style is refreshing and ensures that everything is clearly visible. Roaming around is also rewarded by the altars in each realm that provide your artifacts, provided you complete the tasks. The question is whether you focus on your current run or on the long term, as you can unlock upgrades for all future runs at the Yggdrasil tree. RNG does not play a role in leveling. Each character has a Constellation Ability Tree, and that remains unchanged. This means you have less freedom and fewer choices compared to a typical bullet hell game. However, since you can shop after a wave, you get a break and can prepare for another round. With various difficulty levels and ten unique characters, the replayability factor is high. This is perfect for a game where a run only lasts about thirty minutes. You hardly notice the time passing because the soundtrack is fantastic.

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