Tom's Hardware Italia

In short, Donkey Kong Bananza is a platformer that truly deserves a lot, and I'm only sorry it was promoted in such a peculiar way .

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Mario Kart World is an incredible and, above all, courageous title . Nintendo could easily have decided to make a traditional ninth installment, perpetuating the previous one's formula and expanding the selection of tracks, drivers, and vehicles in a direction similar to that of Smash Bros. Ultimate (drawing on the past, offering new content, and packing it all in with DLC for the coming years). Instead, the Kyoto giant has decided to change direction, to head into the unknown, to risk disappointing a significant portion of the 60 million paying players who loved Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, and to release a launch title for Nintendo Switch 2 that is, simply, unmissable.

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DOOM The Dark Ages is an extraordinary game, a title that, as already mentioned, forcefully positions itself as one of the best of the year. It's DOOM to the nth degree, succeeding in evolving the formula without betraying its spirit; in fact, in some ways, it even returns to the saga's roots. It could definitively win the hearts of long-time fans, captivated by its level design and its more "grounded" feeling. It might appeal slightly less, but still immensely, to those who idolized the aerial frenzy of Eternal, yet they will still find themselves facing a deep, satisfying, and technically flawless gaming experience. It is, in my opinion, the most complete and narratively well-crafted DOOM of the modern trilogy, and that's why I was prompted to give it our Editor's Choice. We are looking at a title of exceptional caliber, a must-buy for every shooter enthusiast and another gem in the already rich Xbox Game Pass catalog. Prepare to unleash hell. Again.

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Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 will captivate you from the very first moment. We are talking about a work that manages to stand out in the RPG landscape for its extraordinary ability to blend narrative, art direction, and game mechanics into a cohesive and deeply evocative experience. Sandfall Interactive gives us a tale dense with emotions and brilliant moments, where the pain of grief intertwines with resistance, memory, and the struggle for survival. However, it's not just the narrative aspect that works well: the combat system, a hybrid of turn-based and real-time action, represents one of the game's highlights, offering deep and never repetitive dynamics that enhance each character's unique traits and satisfy both RPG enthusiasts and those who want to enjoy a more relaxed experience. The art direction, on the other hand, is a true homage to Impressionist and Symbolist painting, with scenarios that look like they were taken from an art gallery and settings inspired by a dreamlike, deconstructed Paris. In short, Expedition 33 is not just a journey through decadent lands and evocative settings: it's a path that constantly challenges the perception of reality and dream, light and darkness, life and death. With solid longevity, a world rich in activities, and a surprisingly polished technical aspect, the title emerges not only as one of the most fascinating and significant surprises in the genre, but also as one of the best video games (so far) of this 2025.

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Blue Prince, thanks to its authorial flair, reminds us of a way of making video games that we thought had long since been forgotten by developers. Dogubomb's debut work is a clever blend of puzzle and roguelike, capable of making the player forget the freshness of its gameplay, thanks to a combination of narrative twists and game design solutions that consistently capture the attention and make the experience totally addictive. Whether you love the genre or not, if you speak English and are looking for a different experience, you should definitely try Blue Prince; you might never want to leave Mount Molly.

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South of Midnight is exactly what I expected and, in some ways, what I hoped for: a polished, enjoyable, no-frills 'AA' experience, but rich in character. It's not a game that aims to revolutionize the market or compete for the Game of the Year title, but it represents that kind of mid-sized, artistically valuable production focused on a specific story, which I consider essential in the current gaming ecosystem. It's clear that Compulsion Games has learned the lesson from We Happy Few, choosing the path of narrative simplicity (which proved successful) rather than pursuing perhaps excessive ambition. This game is a huge improvement compared to the studio's past work. The gameplay criticisms, however, remain, and I sincerely hope the team will learn from them for future projects. Despite its gameplay flaws, South of Midnight left me with a very good overall impression thanks to its unique atmosphere, its splendid art, its very enjoyable soundtrack, and a story that knows how to strike the right chords. If you are looking for a linear, artistically inspired, and narratively engaging adventure, and you are willing to turn a blind eye to functional but repetitive gameplay, South of Midnight definitely deserves a chance when it arrives on Xbox Series X|S and PC next April 8th

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Assassin's Creed Shadows is a game of lights and shadows. On one hand, it marks a welcome partial return to the series' origins, with gameplay focused on stealth and a narrative closer to the Assassin's Creed. On the other hand, it presents some critical issues, especially on a narrative level, with a disappointing ending and sometimes uninspired mission structure. Despite these flaws, Shadows is a solid gaming experience, graphically and artistically top-notch and capable of entertaining for several hours, albeit without ever surprising. Ubisoft has certainly respected Japanese culture and the implementation of the game world works, but the sense that this could have been much, much more seems quite evident. It's a good game, that's undeniable. But this, perhaps, might not be enough anymore

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Atelier Yumia: The Alchemist of Memories & the Envisioned Land is an entry that attempts to renew the series without betraying its roots. The open world, expanded alchemy system, and more dynamic combat offer interesting ideas, even if they aren't always perfectly balanced. The exploration, while fascinating, suffers from some repetitive sections, and the combat system, despite its greater fluidity, often feels too permissive. However, the well-rounded cast, the exploration of more mature themes, the depth of alchemy, and the Atelier construction add value to the experience. It's a title that will capture the attention of fans of the series and those looking for a more leisurely-paced JRPG.

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Split Fiction is an experience that celebrates creativity and human connection, immersing players in the role of two young writers tormented by their inner demons. It's precisely the differences between the two that give rise to worlds totally distinct from each other, allowing players to enjoy gameplay that is always diversified, fresh, and fun. In this, the title from Hazelight Studios is nothing short of excellent, continuously proposing new game mechanics within graphically and technically spectacular levels. However, the narrative is lacking, generally of a lower standard compared to It Takes Two and at times banal and predictable. In any case, if you're looking for a local or online co-op experience, Split Fiction is highly recommended, representing the perfect title to entertain the whole family.

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Monster Hunter Wilds confirms and surpasses all expectations, establishing itself as an epic and innovative chapter in the series, capable of balancing tradition and novelty impeccably. With an engaging plot that explores current themes such as the coexistence of man and nature, the game offers a deeper narrative experience than previous titles, enriched by well-characterized characters and a living, dynamic world. The biomes, vast and diverse, are made even more fascinating by climatic cycles that influence both exploration and hunts, transforming the environment into a strategic ally or adversary. On the other hand, the new game mechanics, such as the introduction of Seikret and Precision Mode, add depth and versatility to combat, making each hunt a unique and stimulating experience. Technically, too, Monster Hunter Wilds is a true masterpiece: graphically spectacular, with monsters and environments curated to the smallest detail, and stable performance that ensures a smooth experience (save for some rare frame drops in multiplayer). With an endgame rich in content that we will certainly talk about in the coming weeks, Monster Hunter Wilds already stands as one of the best video games of 2025, so we can't wait to find out what Capcom has in store for the future of the title and, more generally, the series.

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Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii is, in part, exactly what was expected from the moment it was announced: a completely over-the-top title that doesn’t take itself too seriously, allowing Majima—one of the series’ most beloved characters—to steal the spotlight and shine on his own. This departure from the main Yakuza storyline makes the game an excellent entry point for newcomers eager to discover what makes the franchise so entertaining and iconic, all while offering a gameplay experience packed with engaging elements that remain consistently enjoyable. On the other hand, however, the game suffers from the same narrative shortcomings as Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth, with questionable writing choices from the development team—one that has, since the very inception of Yakuza, set a high standard for exceptional storytelling.

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Avowed was everything I wanted from Obsidian: a role-playing game where choices truly impact the adventure, and writing plays a fundamental role in the game's structure. It’s not a perfect production—small imperfections, less impactful voice acting, and a level of polish that could have been better prevented the team from delivering a title that could have been truly memorable. But in the end, it doesn’t matter much, because as far as I’m concerned, Obsidian’s new IP is perhaps one of their best projects to date—a true RPG that, while it may not achieve immediate acclaim, could very well become one of the team’s most beloved titles in the long run.

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I’ve been conflicted for a long time about the rating for this seventh installment in the series. In the end, I opted for the highest score, despite the fact that—as you may have gathered—Civilization VII is a good game, but not the best in the series. It’s clearly a transitional product, and on this point, I’m very pleased with the developers’ courage and their alignment with the need to shake things up. At the same time, the impact of certain design choices, such as the reset across the three eras, as well as the absence of some key elements from Civilization VI (religion being the most notable), make the current run of Civilization VII feel less focused on strategy and slightly more arcade-like—if you’ll allow me the term. That said, it will still be an opportunity to introduce the game to an even wider audience, without diminishing or devaluing the great quality of the series.

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Summarizing why Kingdom Come: Deliverance II is a masterpiece in just a few lines is incredibly difficult. Warhorse Studios has not only improved every aspect of its predecessor but has also demonstrated that, with the right resources, it is capable of achieving greatness. The new chapter in Henry’s journey is a product of exceptional quality, with a commendable technical foundation, hardcore mechanics, and an abundance of thoughtfully introduced content. Is it a perfect game? Absolutely not—it’s still riddled with rough edges. However, these flaws pale in comparison to its sheer grandeur. In short, it’s a strong contender for Game of the Year, and based on its merits, we’ve decided to award it our highest honor.

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"Indiana Jones and the Ancient Circle is exactly what we were waiting for—and hoping for—a truly immersive experience that lets you step into the shoes of the most beloved archaeologist of all time. It achieves this thanks to a story that is undoubtedly better than those of the most recent films in the series, spectacular settings meticulously crafted down to the smallest details, and an action-adventure gameplay style that rewards exploration."

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"Microsoft Flight Simulator 24 is an incredible simulator in many respects; from its gameplay elements to its purely technical aspects, it offers a comprehensive and top-tier experience, even surpassing what we saw in the previous installment of the series, which completely revolutionized the flight simulation genre and beyond. However, this time, Asobo's product has hit the market in a much less polished state compared to its predecessor, with a noticeable number of issues and bugs."

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S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl is nothing short of a production miracle. Despite the well-known challenging working conditions, GSC Game World has managed to create a project born out of immense passion and love for the world of video games. From its dark and mysterious atmosphere to its well-developed shooting mechanics and a game world that is both thoughtfully designed and excellently written, the entire experience is undeniably captivating. Despite a few easily fixable bugs, the game stands as one of the most satisfying experiences in recent years. These developers truly deserve applause for what they have achieved, setting an inspiring example for game creators worldwide.

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Dragon Age The Veilguard isn’t the big comeback from BioWare we had hoped for; in fact, it seems like a project born out of countless uncertainties and shaped by an idea completely different from what we experienced in our 70 hours of gameplay. The game tries, and it would be unfair not to admit it: it seeks to embrace new elements, but it does so in a completely misguided and inconsistent way, partly due to shallow writing and an art direction lacking a true identity.

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The extra development time granted to the developers has allowed for a surprisingly polished and refined experience overall. Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 sets a new standard for single-player campaigns in the series, blending familiar mechanics with a few, yet compelling, new ideas that entertain and amaze all the way to the end credits. The Zombie mode returns to a round-based structure, and thanks to Absolute Movement and well-designed maps, delivers a thrilling experience. The multiplayer component is even more immediate, fast-paced, and dynamic, making it nearly impossible to put the controller down between matches. What is currently missing is a more enticing map pack and some fresh additions to the game modes, but we have an entire year of content ahead to judge, which will shape the multiplayer experience until the next chapter in the series.

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Life is Strange: Double Exposure may not be the continuation of Max’s story we imagined after finishing the first title in the series, but it is certainly a return as unexpected as it is welcome. Deck Nine and Square Enix have managed to bring to life a story with darker, more mature tones.

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