Digitec Magazine

Clunky controls, gameplay that feels more punishing than rewarding, and technical issues keep me from experiencing the “breathtakingly beautiful journey” the game promises. Nova Antarctica is simply a complete miss.

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Dragon Quest VII Reimagined is the definitive version of a classic, proving that bloated JRPG epics can benefit from intelligent streamlining. The developers have managed to preserve the heart of the original while shedding unnecessary baggage and eliminating the weaknesses of the PS1 title.

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With its unique mechanics, "Code Vein 2" takes a refreshing approach compared to other games in the genre. The combat system is far more accessible thanks to AI-controlled companions. Enemies are tough but fair, though an occasionally frustrating camera can sour the experience. The flexible, modular progression system is a highlight, letting you swap abilities at any time and experiment freely without worrying about long-term build planning. The open world impresses with secrets, interconnected dungeons, and brutal challenges. It’s just a shame that the strong anime art style is held back by technical issues, including stuttering and performance hiccups.

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"Perfect Tides: Station to Station" is not a game that overwhelms me. It accompanies me. It challenges my patience, my compassion and my willingness to think in small steps. This story of an uncertain year is told in cautious pixels and whispering sounds. It is a quiet, honest look at growing up. Those who engage with it will experience a game that is not spectacular, but deeply moving.

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Those who enjoy bringing order to apparent chaos will find many satisfying moments here. "Craftlings" is not a loud spectacle, but a cleverly constructed, charming strategy game that rewards patience, observation skills, and a willingness to experiment.

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MIO: Memories in Orbit is an impressive Metroidvania that stands out above all for its breathtaking hand-drawn graphic style and innovative movement system.

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The story of little Isaac and his family is sweetly told, and the mystical atmosphere and unusual perspective draw me into the action. However, the controls on the Nintendo Switch 2 are disappointing. While the PC version tracks my eyes and face, I have to do everything with the Joycons here.

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After many hours spent playing "Pioneers of Pagonia", one thing stands out above all else: the tranquility of a game that draws its excitement not from spectacle, but from the quality of its growth. The settlement develops steadily, layer by layer, until a few pioneers give rise to a finely interlocking network of paths, workshops, and flows of goods. Long-term motivation comes primarily from your own planning. Those who enjoy fine-tuning production chains, optimizing paths, or rethinking village structures will find a constant challenge in "Pagonia".

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If you like the "Octopath Traveler" series, you'll enjoy "Octopath Traveler 0". It sheds light on the history of the world of Orsterra and offers a strong combat system as usual. However, after a great start, the narrative loses momentum and the city-building system fails to reach its full potential.

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I was excited about “Routine” and prepared myself for the usual space horror experience. The somber atmosphere is unfortunately the only positive aspect of the game. The immersive handling of the terminals and my C.A.T. assistance tool quickly loses its appeal. What remains is an environment that I have to traverse dozens of times before I find the right detail to move forward. If the interaction options were better highlighted and the game were more intuitive to control, “Routine” would be a nice little horror treat. As it is, it’s thoroughly undercooked.

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The core of "Metroid Prime 4: Beyond" is impressive. It feels great to explore the maze-like levels, unlock upgrades, and slowly discover new areas of the world. The art design and soundtrack are awesome. The open desert area, which I explore on a motorcycle, is a perfect contrast to traditional "Metroid" gameplay. It's a shame that the game doesn't make more use of Samus' telekinetic abilities, though. The new characters are disappointing. They annoy me with unnecessary explanations or corny Marvel-like banter. I would also have liked a higher level of difficulty. These criticisms are likely to bother veteran "Metroid" players in particular. Despite its shortcomings, "Metroid Prime 4: Beyond" provides one of the best reasons to buy a Switch 2. The game ticks off virtually all of the console's technical features and delivers an extremely sharp (4K) or extremely smooth (120 FPS) gaming experience. The mouse control is particularly impressive – it fundamentally changes the way I interact with the game.

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“Dispatch” knows exactly what it wants to be: a narrative management game with emotional precision, carried by strong characters and a main character who, for once, is not defined by superpowers, but by self-doubt and responsibility.

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According to Activision, Black Ops 7 is the “biggest Black Ops ever.” That may be true. But unfortunately, this monstrous package feels like a soulless, cobbled-together package with no direction or identity. The campaign disappoints with repetitive gameplay and unnecessary technical hurdles for solo players. The confusing story feels like an AI fever dream that throws all kinds of generic monsters into an incoherent mess. The final “endgame” chapter can't keep me glued to the controller for long with its boring missions. Fortunately, multiplayer and Zombies are well done, with a huge selection of maps, excellent controls, new upgrades, cool gadgets, and a wealth of content at launch.

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Kirby Air Riders is perhaps the most chaotic game I have ever played. The racing game stands out thanks to its minimalist controls, which force me to rethink my approach. The races on the crazy tracks are ultra-fast and addictive – even in the cute Top Ride mode with its bird's-eye view. The heart of the game, City Trial, is chaos in perfection. It's incredibly fun to collect power-ups and knock out opponents on the open battlefield. The feeling of having assembled an extremely powerful machine that I can barely control is priceless. The approach of doing away with annoying live service rubbish is commendable. The downside of this decision is that in some modes, I would like to see more content that will never materialize.

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Football Manager 26 was supposed to be a major reboot: new technical foundation, revamped match engine, modernized interface. What I experience in practice is a game that hardly delivers on its promises and feels like a clear step backward in everyday use.

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The game skillfully mixes fast-paced levels and tricky boss fights with cozy storytelling and familiar characters from Bikini Bottom. The world is lovingly designed, funny, and rich in detail.

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Whether playing alone or with two others, Arc Raiders plays the same yet refreshingly differently than classic extraction shooters. This makes the game appealing to casual and hardcore gamers alike.

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"Anno 117: Pax Romana" is everything I hoped it would be. The campaign is short but entertaining, and the gameplay is easy to learn but difficult to master. Every detail feels well thought out and perfectly balanced. Thanks to countless quality-of-life features, I can concentrate on the exciting things: the layout of my city, efficient supply, and the expansion of my empire. The new mechanics force me to make interesting decisions. I only have two minor criticisms. First, Latium and Albion are pretty and lively, but a little too colorful and exaggerated for my taste. Second, I don't particularly enjoy the combat system with its sluggish controls. However, neither of these points detracts much from my overall impression – for me, “Pax Romana” is the best “Anno” game ever.

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“It Takes a War” achieves in less than an hour what most blockbusters fail to achieve in hundreds of hours. It moves something inside me. Using Counter Strike 1.6 as a backdrop for a larger narrative is daring, but it works brilliantly. Breaking out of the level means facing your own fears and confronting reality. This balancing act between virtual familiarity and a place beyond your comfort zone makes “It Takes a War” an experience that lingers long after, like the shot from an AWP.

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“Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment” is a delicious dessert after a sumptuous main course of “Tears of the Kingdom”. Was this sweet, nostalgic finale really necessary? No – and yet I still enjoyed my time with this crazy hack-and-slash spin-off. The game is particularly interesting for hardcore Zelda fans who want to delve even deeper into the world and lore of Nintendo's fantasy universe. But be warned: in terms of gameplay, this chaotic action game has little in common with “Tears of the Kingdom.” To enjoy the game, you’ll need to be able to put up with the repetitive gameplay structure and mediocre graphics. If you can do that, you’ll be rewarded with epic battles featuring an exciting combat system.

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