Evilgamerz

Finding Frankie is a bit of a game with a manual; it has to suit you, or not at all. Players who can't handle insane terror will probably put this title aside after five minutes, while people who love this genre will be completely sucked into the game. The gameplay is certainly not perfect and the controls on the console are not 'your thing' either, just like the quality of the graphics. Still, Finding Frankie has something 'special' that attracted me. Whether this is the game for you, you will have to decide for yourself, but at least you have been warned both positively and negatively.

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Star Overdrive comes as a complete surprise and perfectly fills the gap after Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom. The world is cool, huge and full of surprises. Both your keytar and hoverboard are cool additions that really come into their own. The game looks like Breath of the Wild and squeezes beautiful images from the Switch. Unfortunately, it is not a perfect game, the crafting is unclear and clumsily worked out. But hopefully that will become clearer with more playing time, because I just keep playing. After more than ten hours I am far from done!

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Leila is a title that does things a little differently and definitely impresses with its great main soundtrack (there are many soundtracks available) and almost sublime hand-drawn illustrations. The voice acting of the female main character is not overwhelming but is certainly passable. The puzzles are also mostly of a good level, where you don't have to think too much, but where your brain can certainly be put to the test. It is not made too difficult, so that you often make progress after a few minutes. However, the controls quickly cause a tiring left hand due to the constant dragging through the screen and the interaction with objects. If they had been able to improve and limit that in some way, this could have been a gem. However, Leila is definitely worth playing and is perhaps 'the game' that will be overlooked by many too quickly.

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The pixel art style of the game fits well with platformers and this game proves that again. It looks fine in itself, although the game never really makes a big impression. Many textures are reused and every now and then the setting of the level changes a bit, but that's it. In terms of audio, the soundtrack is reasonably present, but it doesn't irritate, although it is quite bombastic. Shadow of the Orient is therefore a fine game that plays well, but doesn't do much special. If you really blast through it, you'll be done within an hour or two, and the game isn't really replayable after that. Furthermore, the gameplay doesn't really expand as you play the game, so you're basically constantly presented with the same platform action. For those who like a challenge, I can recommend this game. However, if you're looking for a unique platformer with depth, you might want to skip this one, although the pain in your wallet will be quite limited.

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The fighting system in Bleach: Rebirth of Souls is surprisingly good. The gameplay is deep and challenging, and even if you’re unfamiliar with the characters, the effects and animations make for impressive moments. However, the story mode is a big part of the game, and the lackluster presentation detracts from the experience. The cutscenes are too long, the fights too short, and the overall presentation is disappointing. For fans who come purely for the fights, this is one of the better arena fighters. But if you’re looking for an immersive story experience that does Bleach justice, this is probably best skipped.

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The minigames are funny in the beginning, especially jumping the stream, shooting the ball to the hole and the ball bouncing, but no minigame really stands out. The adventure mode is simply too limited in terms of features and the free mode is in fact exactly the same, but then a bit more static in terms of choice for the minigame and levels. In addition, the game offers too little choice. This makes Care Bears: Unlock the Magic a slight disappointment, but perhaps a nice choice for kids around eight years old, who do not feel too old for these care bears. Then you will have to wait a while until the game is in the budget bins given the still quite high price.

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YOUR HOUSE offers a graphically quite simple concept, where you almost get the idea that you are playing an old Flash game, where you also have clicking points that take you to the next frame. The illustrations are very nicely done, but all this is slightly limited by the fact that the game only fills a frame of your screen, and not the entire screen. YOUR HOUSE also requires a lot of perseverance. You can ask for hints of course, but even with that you sometimes really have to figure out what the solution is. However, if you really like reading, digging deep and solving puzzles, then this is undoubtedly a great adventure for you. With about five hours of gameplay, including research and a lot of trying and thinking, you will be busy with this narrative game for quite a while.

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MLB The Show 25 perfectly emulates the atmosphere and experience of visiting a baseball game. The presentation of the menus and the large amount of animations make for a cool end result. However, the long history and the hardcore fan base make it a game that you don't just jump into. But if you are willing to really get to know the sport and put in the time, then this is the baseball game to pick up. It gives a nice glimpse into the world of one of America's favorite sports and makes you suddenly want a tasty hot dog.

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With Shadows, Ubisoft had a golden opportunity to put the franchise back on the map with a Japanese setting that fans had been asking for for years. And although the basis is quite good, the game feels far too safe and repetitive in many areas. The developer does not take any risks and there is no attempt to really surprise the players during the game with fun, original and well-thought-out quests. What remains is a fine Assassin's Creed that will especially please the most loyal fans. For the rest of the players, Assassin's Creed Shadows will mainly feel like a gigantic missed opportunity.

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Turtle Knight Games knows how to add something fresh to the roguelike genre and that is great. The gameplay is fast, challenging and chaotic. This could be a perfect game to quickly play on the Nintendo Switch . But unfortunately everything around the levels feels a bit slow. Unlocking upgrades, changing levels and walking to the next subway happens at a snail's pace. This ensures that this entertaining game ultimately does not qualify for the Eredivisie.

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Expectations were high after It Takes Two, but Hazelight shows that they really know what it means to create a cool co-op experience. The game is packed with diverse gameplay elements, cool visuals and an entertaining story. The big ambitions could have gone completely wrong, but the gamble pays off. This is the co-op game to play this year.

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Despite the minor issues on the Playstation 5 version, Monster Hunter Wilds is without a doubt one of the most impressive titles in the franchise. Capcom has not only perfected the existing formula, but also added new elements that make it feel like a fresh entry. The game offers a beautiful open world and a great combat system that makes the fights never get boring. Although newcomers may feel overwhelmed and the game is not technically perfect, it remains an absolute must-have for both veterans and newcomers to the series.

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Despite this, I don't want to write the game off right away. The unique atmosphere, the bizarre story and the cocktail of diverse characters, each one crazier than the other, give the game a surrealistic feel. As if you are actually watching a Gaspar Noé film. It is not for everyone, but if you like a unique story and don't shy away from extremely flamboyant characters, you will definitely appreciate this game.

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Carmen Sandiego is a breath of fresh air in the gaming landscape, but comes across as a B-title due to minor flaws. The slow XP progression and mandatory side missions slow the game down. The mini-games are too easy and the linear campaign offers little replay value. Still, the educational elements and the cool storyline are big pluses. Fans of the franchise and players who like to test their geographical knowledge will certainly find something to like here. However, those expecting a smooth and engaging detective adventure may be disappointed.

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Everhood 2 succeeds in developing the original concept of the first part without losing the unique elements. Where the first part had some shortcomings, such as long loading times, the sequel polishes away these drawbacks. The story is an even grander adventure and there is more focus on the 100 different music tracks and fights. The level system and weapons may not add much, the result is still a cool and unique indie experience. Everhood 2 is an adventure that you do not want to miss. It may not have the WTF moments of the first part, but it knows how to walk its own path and create an experience that is once again both musically and visually unique.

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In general, PGA Tour 2K 25 is a great game, with which I do not want and cannot directly make a comparison with its predecessors, but want to look at it more from a 'newcomer's side'. As a welcome golfer who likes an accessible game with sufficient content, which can go into both the basics but also in many details, you are at the right place with this title, although there are unfortunately not many modes available. In terms of new features compared to its predecessor, it seems very reasonable when you put it all together. To say that a lot has changed in the field of golf games since my long break? I can answer that question with a 'no'.

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Momodora: Moonlit Farewell is a game that I can best describe as short, but powerful. It is a culmination and by far the best in the series. The game does not do much unique. It is a metroidvania pur sang. The world is well put together, the pixel art looks fantastic and the boss fights are a true spectacle. The upgrades are not really original and you will have completely forgotten the soundtrack after playing. There are better games in the genre, but if you like the genre this is not a bad addition to your collection.

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'Ender Magnolia: Bloom in the Mist' is a great sequel to a very good game. The game is bigger, better balanced, plays a lot better, has more variety and despite the fact that the game lives in melancholy it is a pleasure to play from start to finish. I can't wait for the next part. Whatever it may be called.

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Turbo Overkill is a great game that contains quite open worlds. The game offers platforming combined with a lot of shooting and that works quite well. The gameplay is the highlight of the game, although each level seems a bit like the other. The upgrade features are attractive in themselves and especially improving your robotic body makes the gameplay change slightly over time. The secret environments, the secret levels and the many content of the game ensure that you will have a large package of content. The extra modes are not special and compared to the PC game there is no multiplayer or mods present. The platforming and shooting work great, and are not directly comparable to a Quake or DOOM, but just plays well. At some point you may have seen it all, but apart from that I was able to finish the three chapters, divided into multiple levels. So do you like a lot of chaos and do you not attach much value to visual quality, but do value good gameplay? Then Turbo Kill might be 'the shooter' for you.

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If you don't mind this and are willing to take the time to fully immerse yourself, then Kingdom Come II is an unforgettable adventure. In a beautiful world where every inch seems hand-crafted and there is a huge amount to do, you can easily lose yourself for 100 hours and still not have seen everything. Warhorse Studios delivers a world-class performance here and could easily have delivered a contender for Game of the Year 2025.

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