Digitec Magazine

«Final Fantasy Resonance» feels like coming home. It delivers everything I’ve missed since «Final Fantasy X»: turn-based combat that makes me think and a story that makes me feel like I’m part of it rather than just watching from the sidelines. On top of that, it boasts the most beautiful HD-2D visuals I’ve seen yet. It’s essential for fans of classic Japanese RPGs – and the best «Final Fantasy» in 25 years, as far as I’m concerned.

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«Switch Sports Resort» is a clear improvement over the underwhelming «Switch Sports» (2022), with more sports, more single-player content and plenty of cosmetic items. Best of all, the legendary Wuhu Island is back, and I get to explore it by plane, skateboard and water scooter. Unfortunately, Nintendo doesn't make the most of the idyllic resort. The solid gameplay foundations of several sports deserved more interesting modes, while progression relies too heavily on repetition and largely worthless cosmetic rewards. The graphics are mediocre, and classics like Frisbee and swordplay are missing. If you're looking for a casual party game for local multiplayer, it's worth considering. Everyone else should think twice about returning to Wuhu Island and might prefer to dust off their old Wii.

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I’ve already spent around 200 hours in Early Access. Exploring the vast world and building bases kept me hooked, and even after completing the story, I still have plenty of ideas for new projects. Numerous updates have also made inventory management much more convenient. The story’s ending leaves me with mixed feelings. I appreciate what I’ve learned about the Builders, but many questions remain unanswered. The new Kindlewastes biome also feels underdeveloped despite its appealing aesthetic. Still, the world is more than large enough without it.

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Evil Empire understands what makes Castlevania tick. The combat strikes a satisfying balance between challenge and a versatile tactical moveset that turns every fight into a dance of blades. The level design guides me without holding my hand, always keeping the next milestone just out of reach. And just when I think I’ve got the hang of things, the next boss absolutely wrecks me and proves me wrong.

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Planet Zoo 2 doesn’t completely reinvent the management sim, but it tweaks all the right things. The day-to-day zoo management of building, researching, and keeping guests happy is as charming as ever, while custom-built aquariums and, above all, the new rewilding feature breathe fresh life into the game.

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«Nivalis Nights» aims to combine life simulation, management and a cyberpunk world. It sounds like a mix I could get lost in for hours. But the longer I play, the more apparent its flaws become. The city feels less alive and impressive than I had hoped. Many tasks boil down to running errands, talking to people and ticking off small objectives. Add unclear navigation, forgettable characters and a management system that lacks depth. In the end, I’m left feeling constantly busy without ever being truly hooked. «Nivalis Nights» gives me plenty to do, but few reasons to enjoy doing it.

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«Star Wars: Galactic Racer» takes me back to the golden age of sci-fi racing games. Blistering speeds, plenty of action and a motivating career mode are all the right ingredients. The excellent sound effects deserve special mention. Unfortunately, the game lacks variety in the long run, with too few tracks and upgrades that make little difference.

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«Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve» offers little innovation, instead refining the proven formula with frantic jet action. Varied missions, adrenaline-fueled dogfights and an epic soundtrack create unique action moments, while the new online modes add some variety. Microtransactions are a bit annoying, and stutters in Fidelity mode hurt the presentation. Still, the single-player campaign delivers jet action in perfection.

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Kalona is the real star of «Gears of War: E-Day», transforming so dramatically throughout the campaign that it feels like the game's main character. The story and characters are less memorable, but the weighty, satisfying gunplay and improved movement make for a solid «Gears» experience. It gets repetitive, but fans of the series should feel right at home.

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«Minecraft Dungeons 2» is an entertaining action role-playing game in a magical block world. Compared to the predecessor, it makes pretty much everything better. But despite a more complex upgrade system, the game lacks depth and variety. Fights almost always run the same. Only boss encounters bring variation. My hunger is usually satisfied after an hour.

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Seven years after its predecessor, Urban Games has delivered a big step forward with «Transport Fever 3». The switch from the old interface and rules takes some getting used to, but after a few hours I was back in tinkering mode. I like that «Transport Fever 3» is no longer a guaranteed money-maker thanks to its high purchase and maintenance costs. The added challenge means I have to keep a close eye on problematic lines and sometimes radically restructure my company to get my finances back on track. New features like landmarks, industry boosters and road lane management round out the game’s revamped approach to transport management.

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Hardly any jump scares, but plenty of creepy creatures, a convoluted story, and surprisingly gross moments: “Silent Hill: Townfall” delves deep into the franchise’s history and draws out the best elements from past games to recombine them. On the one hand, the rudimentary combat with Simon feels realistic, since he isn’t a hero in a superhero movie. On the other hand, the helplessness of both protagonists can sometimes be frustrating—especially when I’m chasing enemies for what feels like forever.

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«Fire Emblem: Fortune's Weave» is a massive strategy epic with a gripping story, memorable characters, and a unique structure that keeps things fresh even after 100+ hours. Its classic turn-based combat is excellent, while the addictive side activities add plenty of variety. Some repetitive elements may put players off, but clever systems keep the grind to a minimum. Beautiful cutscenes, creative character designs, and a bombastic soundtrack round out an exceptional experience. It is, simply put, the best Switch 2 exclusive to date and one of the best games I've ever played.

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Insomniac’s first foray into the «X-Men» universe gets a lot of things right. The combat system is a perfect fit for Wolverine’s animalistic nature, the bloody action sequences are spectacularly staged, and the pacing is almost perfect thanks to the variety of mission types. The fact that the gameplay formula feels a little dated? Who cares. What does matter, however, is the botched story, which is dragged down by flat characters and dumb dialogue. Wolverine also feels a little less fluid than Insomniac’s Spider-Man, both in terms of movement and combat. Still, fans of the Canadian killer mutant and Insomniac’s games can jump in without hesitation.

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Bit Reactor delivers fan service in its purest form. The studio’s debut is both ‘XCOM’ in ‘Star Wars’ cosplay and a labour of love. It feels as though a bunch of Star Wars nerds have built exactly the game they’ve always wanted to make. Probably because that’s exactly what happened. In terms of gameplay, you can tell the result benefits from the team’s decades of experience. I’ll generously put the technical shortcomings down to EA. It’s still annoying, though.

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After Resident Evil Requiem and Pragmata, I was expecting a Capcom hat trick. It didn't quite work out. *Onimusha: Way of the Sword* is a very good game, but it lacks the very quality that most recently set the developer apart from the competition: focus.

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The Blood of Dawnwalker nearly strikes a successful balance between classic open-world design and fresh ideas. Its day-night cycle and time pressure are intriguing additions, but neither is used consistently enough. Fans of open worlds and vampires will find plenty to enjoy, although the game offers few major surprises. Technical issues and the lack of a performance mode (in my review build) also hold it back. On the other hand, the charming story is particularly strong at the beginning and end, while the lively world is a joy to explore. Rebel Wolf's debut is far from a masterpiece, but it shows plenty of talent and leaves me hoping for a sequel.

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I really want to like “Resonance: A Plague Tale Legacy.” It looks fantastic, features a protagonist with a rough-and-tumble personality, and offers well-crafted puzzle-solving and exploration gameplay. The idea of following clues from Sophia’s visions instead of a quest line—and solving puzzles to find a mystical treasure in true treasure-hunter style—brings out the Indiana Jones in me.

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“The Sinking City 2” is an occult treat that isn't meant for the masses. Worms writhing out of eyeballs, narcissistic sirens, and sea monsters offer a welcome change of pace within the genre. Anyone who finds thematic games like “The Chant” exciting and appreciates obvious “Resident Evil” influences will enjoy “The Sinking City 2” (even without prior knowledge).

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‘Agent 64: Spies Never Die’ captures the appeal of classic N64 shooters remarkably well. The compact missions, the additional objectives on higher difficulty levels and the brilliant spy soundtrack make this trip back to 1997 a particularly enjoyable experience for me. The consistent retro look authentically evokes the era without getting bogged down by technical limitations.

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