Evilgamerz

Silver Pines feels like a true work of art, but it does have one minor drawback, and that is that you sometimes have to persevere a bit to find your next key to success by navigating the map. However, that also has its charm. Especially in the beginning, you really stand there with your mouth open, gazing at the style of this title, and I find that admirable. The world opens up with every step you take and every item you find. The dialogues are short enough and not long-winded, meaning you practically never skip them, making you genuinely want to and try to keep following the story, no matter how many hours you’ve already put into the game—and that is certainly at least fifteen by the end. Furthermore, you don’t necessarily have to discover everything, but you do want to. For that reason alone, Silver Pines might well be one of the most surprising games of this autumn, and there are still quite a few top titles to come. As far as I’m concerned, this game deserves a great deal of respect, even though many people probably haven’t seen this title pass by in the crowded lineup yet.

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Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve ultimately does exactly what a new installment in this series should do. The flying feels fantastic, the missions are spectacular, and unlocking increasingly better aircraft ensures you constantly want to play just one more mission. Graphically, it is also a significant step forward. The aircraft are highly detailed, the enormous cloud formations really add something to the gameplay, and small details like water droplets on the cockpit window do a lot for the feel.

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Star Wars: Galactic Racer is, for me, the Star Wars racer I have been waiting for since Episode I: Racer. The racing is lightning-fast, chaotic, and accessible, yet there is enough depth in the various systems, vehicles, and tracks to really get better at it. The campaign, in particular, manages to pleasantly surprise by constantly introducing new choices, challenges, and systems. Even after defeating Sebulba, there turns out to be plenty more to come. Arcade mode and scenarios subsequently provide hours of extra challenges, and the multiplayer is also a nice addition, although the lack of split-screen is a real shame. The sections between races could have been a bit more lively, but once you get back into a vehicle, that is a minor detail. Star Wars fans and lovers of fast arcade racers can therefore confidently add this game to their wish list.

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Dynasty Warriors 3: Complete Edition Remastered gives a beloved classic a polished return. The visual refresh, smoother controls, and additional combat options make it much more enjoyable to play these old battles again today. Plus, you get a huge amount of content. For fans who have since sold their PlayStation 2, this is an attractive way to return. Yet, nostalgia remains the primary strength. The simple combinations, repetition, and familiar structure clearly convey how much development the series has undergone since then. Newcomers will find a more enjoyable starting point in the later installments. This remaster can freshen up the classic, but nearly 25 years of continuous development cannot simply be added to the original formula.

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Sometimes you shouldn't try to do everything at once. However, RetroSpace does a lot of that, and actually in a good way. If the game had competed at a high graphical level, it could truly have been a gem. The level design is fine, the gameplay features are extensive, and the mix of various game genres works more than well in itself. The beauty lies primarily in discovering areas and then combing through them to unlock parts of those areas and progress further. At a certain point, you also have to escape from sectors, causing areas to evolve through destruction or whatever else. RetroSpace is therefore a refreshing game that is well-developed in terms of setting and RPG elements—which remain fairly limited but are more than sufficiently developed. If, in these busy times, you are looking for a game that manages to combine the aforementioned franchises and throws a light Half-Life sauce over it, then this is truly an unexpected winner.

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The world itself remains the strongest component. Arrakis looks beautiful, there is an incredible amount to discover, and the progression from someone who barely dares to cross the desert in the first few hours to someone with an extensive base and vehicles works excellently. The moments where you have to cross a huge stretch of sand and know that a sandworm is lurking somewhere beneath you remain particularly exciting. Moreover, the game looks very good on PS5, and Performance mode runs smoothly during gameplay. The controller controls have also been well managed. Even building works surprisingly well, although placing smaller parts remains a bit awkward at times. The biggest downside remains the combat. It does its job, but feels clunky and static too often and doesn't reach the same level as the rest of the game. Fortunately, Dune: Awakening is about so much more than just shooting and fighting that this isn't a huge problem. The PC version already laid a strong foundation last year, but the addition of a genuine single-player mode makes this console version interesting to a much larger group. Anyone who enjoys building, exploring, and slowly venturing deeper and deeper into a dangerous world can easily spend many hours here.

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The concept of this game is certainly interesting; making difficult choices puts you to the test, but the consequences are vague. Sometimes levels are unlocked no matter what choice you make, and sometimes that is not the case. Consequently, it is unclear at times what is smart or not, and what constitutes a significant choice. Furthermore, unlocking tickets that appear on screen doesn't add much. Had your choices been made a bit more weighty, this game could certainly have been one that relies heavily on your morale. As a result, the game remains quite superficial, although it remains interesting to play. You can also finish it fairly quickly in an hour, so for a nice price, this is a fun diversion that certainly shouldn't be skipped, but won't be anything special either.

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I generally try not to be too harsh on indie developers, because they often make the most unique games. 'RIN: The Last Child', on the other hand, is simply not a good game. The idea of ​​the spells is fun initially, but everything surrounding it just doesn't work and only causes frustration. The floaty gameplay can be fixed to some extent with a few patches, but that map is going to be a lot harder.

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EA Sports FC 27 hasn't introduced much new in recent years, and that is actually the case here as well. Under the hood, the gameplay has been slightly improved, graphics have been stepped up a notch, and the game modes have been expanded somewhat here and there. The Grounds is cool but focuses too much on online, something not everyone will appreciate.

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As a puzzle game, 'Monowave' actually doesn't do very much wrong. Some levels are a bit tiring, but the game isn't particularly long and is ideal for shorter play sessions. The worlds are very nicely put together, and graphically it is something we haven't seen very often. This is a very successful puzzle game that both fans of the genre and platform fans can enjoy.

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STAR WARS Zero Company is a game that really surprised me. Even if you have no interest in STAR WARS, this is a turn-based action game that appeals to everyone. Whether or not the setting appeals to you doesn't really matter. The gameplay is satisfying yet accessible, although the options regarding upgrades and team composition might be a bit over-the-top and could be overwhelming at first. With many dozens of hours of gameplay, the game also keeps you occupied for a very long time, and the developer deserves praise for that, as they could have simply made a game that lasted just 8 hours. A great deal of effort and time has truly been put into it, and it shows. Fans of the STAR WARS franchise, in particular, will appreciate the many details and undoubtedly have even more fun assembling their crew, weapons, and alliances. So, if you love this genre, this is a must-play that you can't get your hands on soon enough, even in these busy times ahead.

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This new Serious Sam offers a side of the franchise we haven't seen before. I seriously doubt whether that is the right direction. You’ve seen the environments at some point, the enemies become very recognizable after a while, and the gameplay is too much of the same to become truly addictive. After quite a few loops, you’ve seen it all pretty quickly. The progression you make slowly but surely is the most attractive aspect of the game, but it is too slow. Co-op is where the game is most fun, and it is practically mandatory to play it. In that regard, however, I would rather see the good old campaign return instead of this roguelite approach that has now been chosen.

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With a total of nine chapters, this game is far from short. The puzzles are quite challenging and certainly not always easy, and the progression is very well structured. Only when you get a shotgun can you blast down a door. Only when you have found a specific item can you save to a save room and store inventory, and there are many lockables that you unlock slowly. In this way, the game world unfolds gradually. However, the time pressure has to suit you a bit, and even a watch showing how long you have left to survive might be a bit too much. It makes you constantly feel pressure to act and search quickly. In total, the game will take you at least ten hours to complete, and you will have to replay quite a few sections, considering you will likely die on the lower difficulty levels as well. Whether you feel like doing that and want to take the time is up to you, but if you do, that little bit of gold hidden somewhere at the bottom will slowly appear.

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The Blood of Dawnwalker does a lot of things we've seen before. The influence of other major RPGs is frequently noticeable, and comparisons to The Witcher, in particular, are easily made. Yet, Rebel Wolves has added enough of its own ideas to ensure that Dawnwalker doesn't feel like a copy. The time system, in particular, makes a big difference.

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The Sinking City 2 is mysterious, strange, clear, and beautiful all at once. The game has its flaws here and there, but is certainly not below average. Locations and many other elements are reminiscent of other franchises in the survival horror genre. Although I didn't encounter any game-breaking bugs or glitches, the game does have some technical, graphical, and audiovisual flaws. The puzzles are complex and complicated at times, which can occasionally lead to frustration. Otherwise, the game offers a nicely balanced horror element, and the changes in the world are well-developed as you progress through the story. Resident Evil, Silent Hill, and The Last of Us 2, all three to a reasonable degree, have gained a little brother. The direction is good, the camerawork excellent, and the story sometimes very surprising and mysterious, yet nowhere do those last elements feel out of place. Only the polish sometimes leaves something to be desired.

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Ground Zero Hero certainly brings unique elements to this genre, but it also fails to innovate intensely. You quickly get tired of the day-night cycle, and the mutations you have and can level up throughout the run aren't unique anymore after a short time. However, by unlocking new maps and mutations, it somehow remains addictive to keep playing. It took me about 5 hours to reach level four, the red Alien planet, and then there is still a final planet to go. Fortunately, the bosses are fairly easy, and when you can no longer upgrade, you can top up your health, candy, and money. After a few hours, I quickly lost track of time, considering a run only lasts about ten to fifteen minutes. Ground Zero Hero is therefore a title that really appealed to me, and is one of the best Bullet Heaven titles at the moment.

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Cost of Hope then adds another good reason to return. The new areas are interesting, the conflict between Duty and Freedom fits well within the series, and there is enough new content to spend quite a few hours in the Zone again. It is just a shame that the quests still so often require walking huge distances without always offering enough in return. All in all, this is a clear improvement over STALKER 2 at release. Not groundbreaking, not suddenly a completely different game, but a much more stable and beautiful version with a substantial expansion. Those who liked the original will find just enough new reasons here to return.

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When everything works, Hell Let Loose: Vietnam is a beautiful hardcore shooter. Good teamwork can lead to fantastic moments that you don't often encounter in other shooters. But on the PlayStation 5, the technical issues mean you spend more time getting frustrated than enjoying yourself. The 60 fps is not reached too often, flickering shadows make opponents, which are already hard to see, even harder to recognize, and the audio had major issues at release. The worst part is the crashes. Losing two matches of over an hour, including all earned XP, is more than just a minor annoyance, especially when you need to level up classes to unlock new gear. Beneath all the problems lies an excellent hardcore shooter that can be fantastic with good players and communication. If the developers manage to fix the framerate, crashes, and graphical issues, this could be a title you can enjoy for many hours, but at this moment, Hell Let Loose: Vietnam is not yet able to unlock its full potential.

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No More Room in Hell 2 has found an interesting combination of a cooperative zombie survival game and the tension of an extraction shooter. The extensive maps, scarce resources, permadeath, and the necessity to work together make for a cool experience. With seven other players actually communicating, the game can deliver fantastic moments, especially when a plan goes wrong and you have to improvise together to reach the exit alive. Visually, the whole package is solid and atmospheric. At the same time, the PS5 version makes things unnecessarily difficult for itself. The controls demand quite a bit from the player, and the interface in particular feels very cumbersome for a game where you frequently have to make quick decisions.

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It should be clear that 'Marvel Tōkon: Fighting Souls' is a successful tag team fighter. Casuals can hold spectacular battles perfectly well with auto combos, and the Tony Starks can go wild with all the bizarrely named mechanics. The game looks great, sounds good, feels good, and plays wonderfully. Fortunately, developer Arc System Works is not averse to supporting games for a long time, so there will likely be enough unique characters to make the current roster of “only” 21 even stronger.

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