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Star Wars: Episode 1: Jedi Power Battles is basically fun, there's no question about that. If you get into the retro gaming experience from the early days of 3D action games, you can definitely have an entertaining time with the game. It gets even better in two-player couch co-op, especially in connection with the cheats, which provide visual changes and thus a smile or two. However, the game wasn't completely problem-free 25 years ago, and unfortunately nothing has changed at all. Collision queries are not calculated correctly, numerous clipping errors spoil the gaming experience and the fiddly jump sections often prevent smooth progress through the game. In two-player mode, the camera control also often gets in the way when it suddenly switches unfavorably during a jump or causes characters to simply fall out of the picture. If we look at the improvements to the new release by Aspyr, the only thing that stands out apart from the revised graphics textures is the scope, as the game provides all content such as unlockable levels or characters right from the start of the game. Otherwise, the game is exactly the same as it was a quarter of a century ago, with all the problems it had back then. This means that Star Wars: Episode 1: Jedi Power Battles is definitely good for a fun round, but unfortunately not for much more.

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Final Fantasy VII Rebirth is more than just a remake - it is a reinterpretation of a classic that catapults the legacy of FF7 into the modern age. The already emotional story of the original is expanded here with even deeper characters and unexpected twists. The gameplay, which was already excellent in the remake, has been refined in some places and expanded to include the gigantic exploration section. In the areas of video and audio, a PC game can always score points with the right hardware. But even without the latest components, the world of Gaia looks simply wonderful. Whether you're a long-time fan or a newcomer to the world of Final Fantasy VII Rebirth, you can expect an epic adventure that redefines the genre and sets the bar for future remakes. Final Fantasy VII Rebirth is undoubtedly a must-have for all fans of the franchise - a successful balancing act between nostalgia and forward-looking gameplay that will most likely exceed expectations. With all the bombastic new features, I'm already curious to see whether the final part of the remake trilogy will be able to top it.

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Marvel's Spider-Man 2 on PC is more than just a port - it's an enhanced experience that redefines the boundaries of the superhero genre. The compelling story, dynamic gameplay mechanics and technical brilliance merge to create an unforgettable adventure. The differences between the two Spider-Man characters are portrayed very well and at times dramatically. Each must face his own demons and yet the two act as a team. For gamers who want to exploit the full potential of modern hardware, the PC version is the ultimate choice. More options, customizable keybindings, better performance and significant graphic enhancements (with the right hardware) speak for themselves. So if you are ready to immerse yourself in the dizzying heights and dark depths of New York City, you will find a game that is second to none.

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The Sims still has its own charm today, especially because of very special locations such as the City of Magic and a great soundtrack. The nostalgia could have been so beautiful, but unfortunately the game still struggles with major technical problems, so that testing it was a real test of patience because it kept crashing. At this point, unfortunately, we cannot in good conscience make a clear recommendation to buy the game. The Sims 2, on the other hand, runs flawlessly and is still fun to play with its many great options. The campus and the vacation destinations in particular are really great here and make you want to unpack part 2 of The Sims again. All in all, I was very happy about the trip into the past and I really hope that the technology will also play along soon so that you can really enjoy the retro gaming evening.

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With Kingdom Come: Deliverance II, Warhorse has delivered a true sequel, just as you would wish for. The role-playing game retains everything that was good about its predecessor, and there really was a lot, from the authentic medieval atmosphere and the fantastic open world to the gripping story and the challenging, realistic gameplay. All these aspects have been minimally adapted at most, so that anyone who knows the predecessor will immediately feel at home. In addition, KCD 2 has also improved essential things and expanded on the excellent basic structure of part 1, be it the breathtaking graphics at next-gen level, the pleasantly short loading times, the noticeably more versatile characters or the facial animations, which have been improved many times over. In addition, a lively environment, an atmospheric soundtrack and remarkably good dubbing round off this first highlight of the year. Only those who value highly guided, very accessible and easy-to-master gameplay, rapid progress and a fast narrative pace should seriously consider a purchase, as Kingdom Come: Deliverance II challenges us on many levels and demands patience. In addition, the still somewhat chaotic menu navigation in the inventory and the sometimes blatant brutality are also points that could bother one or the other type of player. But if you can get into it, you certainly won't go wrong with this medieval epic.

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Threefold Recital is an extraordinary game - but definitely not for everyone. Those who can engage with a deep story with philosophical undertones, complex characters and calm but creative gameplay will enjoy a captivating experience. However, those expecting action-packed battles or rapid progression may quickly become frustrated. The world of Bluescales is breathtaking, the puzzles challenging and the story full of intrigue. At the same time, the game requires a high willingness to read and patience for its leisurely narrative style.

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Donkey Kong Country Returns HD is still an excellent platformer with varied levels, challenging gameplay and a great co-op mode. If you don't know the original, this is a real highlight with many hours of fun. However, anyone who has already played the Wii or 3DS version should ask themselves whether the HD upgrade alone justifies a repeat purchase - especially in view of the steep price. With this new edition, Nintendo delivers a technically solid, but not perfect version of an already great game. The level design, the variety and the demanding challenges make it a timeless classic. At the same time, the feeling remains that more could have been possible. An upgrade to the more modern gameplay of Tropical Freeze or an overhaul of the visual weaknesses would have made the new edition even more valuable. Those who love the original or have not yet played it will still have a lot of fun with Donkey Kong Country Returns HD. For everyone else, it remains a question of price: Are you willing to pay full price again for a slightly improved version of a 15-year-old game?

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Indiana Jones and the Great Circle convinces both fans of the film series and newcomers with a gripping adventure based on the classic Indiana Jones flair. The mixture of action-packed combat, clever puzzles and atmospheric stealth elements makes for an entertaining and varied experience. The decision to play the game from a first-person perspective in particular promotes immersion and allows the player to delve even deeper into the world of the archaeologist. The graphical implementation provides coherent visual impressions, even if the high performance of the engine is dependent on powerful hardware and technical problems such as the fluctuating frame rate can spoil the enjoyment of the game. The sound design and background music from the well-known films also provide a successful atmosphere that skillfully captures the Indiana Jones feeling. Nevertheless, it is above all the charming details that make the game stand out - from the interactive dialogues to the humorous cutscenes and the lovingly designed locations. Indiana Jones and the Great Circle is an entertaining adventure that is both in the tradition of the films and integrates modern gameplay elements. A must-have for explorers and Indiana Jones fans, even if minor technical flaws tarnish the overall impression somewhat.

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Dog Man: Mission Impawsible is a charming game that perfectly captures the essence of the book series. With its humorous style, varied level design and lovable characters, it is aimed primarily at fans of the comics and younger players. However, adults looking for an easily accessible and entertaining adventure will also find what they are looking for here. Despite minor weaknesses - such as the occasional camera problems, the somewhat simple story or the sluggishness of the movements - the game impresses with its fresh approach and lovingly designed comic style.

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Overall, Farming Simulator 2025 does not appear to be fully developed. For enthusiasts or gamers who are already well versed in farming - perhaps having played the predecessors - the obstacles mentioned may not be a major problem. For newcomers or people who like to learn by playing and want to switch off from a game, it might be more difficult to take this farming simulation to heart, as the gameplay is explained far too little and too poorly. This also detracts from the atmosphere of the game. Those who like elaborate technical animations and complex controls and are not put off by a bit of hard work will get their money's worth here. However, I would not give it a general recommendation, as the difference to its predecessor is not that great according to the player forums and many gamers recommend the 2022 version.

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Fairy Tail 2 once again provides a beautiful stage for the mage guild known from the manga and anime original. Although the starting point is rather devastating with a war that has begun, the basic mood of the game remains cheerful and upbeat as usual. This is ensured by the familiar groovy soundtrack, the colorful game world and the shrill and wonderfully exaggerated events. The presentation of the characters with their typical idiosyncrasies and friendly banter with each other also provide great entertainment. A lot of effort has also been put into the reworking. The level of detail in the textures and the animation of the movements show the leap to the new console generation. The terrain, which was rather tubular in its predecessor, is now more expansive and can be explored almost freely. It is also nice that we can change the selected character at any time during exploration and combat. The combat system itself is the one with the most new features, which now consists of a mixture of turn-based and real-time battles in which beautiful, magical storms of effects can occur. Although the combat system of the predecessor is also successful and, in my opinion, the spells of the individual characters are a little less effective due to the turn-based process, as they are cast one after the other, the new design is an absolutely successful and fun upgrade that is one of the flagship features. Nevertheless, the game does have a few weaknesses. For example, members from other guilds that you could actively control in the prequel are now only available as support characters. There are also occasional reloading backgrounds, clipping errors and slight image flickering. While this makes sense due to the story, the game world sometimes feels a little empty and lifeless as there are only a few side characters to be found. This also makes it more noticeable that clones have crept into both the NPCs and the vegetable stall. Furthermore, the side quests are rather pale and have a smaller scope than in the predecessor. Personally, I found the first part a little stronger and more rounded. Nevertheless, I also like Fairy Tail 2 very much.

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With this remaster bundle, Aspyr offers graphically reworked versions of both games, which can also shine in their original look if desired, as well as a lot of interesting bonus material that you can browse through. Minor adjustments such as a compass, a rudimentary map of the surroundings and slightly revised controls make the game a little more accessible. Unfortunately, however, the game fails to integrate quality-of-life improvements such as a free save system, which I clearly missed during testing. Unfortunately, I had missed the two parts of Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver for the first PlayStation generations. I never got beyond a few demo levels of the first game. In this respect, Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver 1 & 2 Remastered is of course the perfect opportunity for me to experience these games, which are steeped in history. Otherwise, the target group is likely to be primarily connoisseurs of the original or gamers with a penchant for retro gaming. Because the basic gameplay of both titles is actually a little outdated thanks to the many walking paths and the simple combat system, even if the story surrounding Raziel's campaign of revenge against Kain is still very successful and dense. In conclusion, it can be said that Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver 1 & 2 Remastered revives a popular series that was unfortunately forgotten too soon, but just like the games, it is not perfect. But who knows, maybe the bundle will pave the way for a real remake of Legacy of Kain. Raziel and Kain definitely deserve it.

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The Edge of Allegoria fulfills the premise that it sets itself wonderfully. It is a clearly recognizable declaration of love to the great titles of the (S)NES and Gameboy era and yet still convinces with enough creative ideas of its own. We only missed a few quality-of-life features, such as a zoomable and uncoverable map, as we have become very accustomed to them nowadays. The occasional getting lost in dungeons and being overwhelmed by monsters also slowed down the flow of the game somewhat. However, there was never any frustration. The mechanics of equipment mastery and the significance of status effects reward constant experimentation. Thanks to these mechanics and the leisurely, nostalgic flow of the game, The Edge of Allegoria won me over and I can recommend it to any fan of classic RPGs.

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In the strong JRPG vintage of 2024, FANTASIAN Neo Dimension could basically be overlooked, especially as it is a re-release from 2021. However, this would be doing the game an injustice, as the role-playing game from former Final Fantasy developers certainly has a lot to offer. First of all, the extremely unique look thanks to the real diorama backgrounds. In particular, the attention to detail in the levels is truly outstanding. As a model-building enthusiast, I can definitely only take my hat off to this! FANTASIAN Neo Dimension can set good accents in the combat system. The ability to influence the trajectory of spells is just as good and useful as the Dimengeon, which makes exploring the game world much more enjoyable and well-rounded thanks to the collection of standard enemies. Fortunately, many extremely annoying random battles are now a thing of the past. The likeable characters, the fun group dynamics and the thoroughly successful story are also among the plus points, even if the latter sometimes loses some of its momentum. However, FANTASIAN Neo Dimension has a problem when it comes to balancing, especially with the tough boss enemies, as well as the incredibly muddy textures when it comes to close-ups. This significantly detracts from what is actually a great and unique look. However, if you are looking for a challenge and are not averse to a somewhat experimental graphical approach, you can definitely put FANTASIAN Neo Dimension on your list.

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Infinity Nikki is an enchanting journey into a world filled with fantasy and color. With its mix of fashionable challenges, open-ended exploration and magical elements, the game offers an experience that is both relaxing and creative. The story starts strong with an engaging opening, but loses some depth as the game progresses. The world of Miraland is beautifully designed and invites us to immerse ourselves in its magic, even if it sometimes lacks interactivity and vivid details. The gameplay shines thanks to the variety of outfits and their creative uses. The magical abilities in particular make for exciting puzzles and varied exploration. However, the constant changing of outfits and the sometimes empty passages in the open world can slow down the flow of the game. The atmosphere is excellently supported by the music, the soundscape and the lovingly animated characters. Momo, our companion, also plays a central and charming role. The in-game store remains an element worth discussing: it is purely cosmetic, but makes it easier to complete collections, which some players may find an incentive to spend money. Infinity Nikki is not a perfect game, but one with a big heart. It is aimed primarily at fans of relaxed, creative adventures and those who enjoy strolling through a fairytale world while being enchanted by outfits and magic.

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At first glance, the 50 euros charged for the PC port of Red Dead Redemption is a hefty price for a 14-year-old game that only offers a few visual and technical improvements over the original version. If you don't know the original, you should definitely pick it up - Red Dead Redemption is an absolute highlight of gaming history that still entertains today with its gripping story, unusual characters and inimitable humor. The atmosphere that the game introduces into the virtual western world is incomparable and even if the technology has fallen behind current standards, the experience still manages to captivate the player. So if you have a soft spot for well-told, atmospheric open-world games, you will definitely get your money's worth here. For those who have already played the game on the console, however, the purchase is less recommendable. The improvements in the PC version, such as the higher resolution and smoother performance, only justify the price for a few. However, if you have never experienced the vastness of the Wild West in Red Dead Redemption, then there is hardly a better time to catch up. The Undead Nightmare expansion also brings a breath of fresh air to the game and provides additional hours of entertaining adventures. In this respect, the price for newcomers is entirely justified, as this is a classic that still knows how to impress.

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Sengoku Dynasty is an ambitious title that attempts to combine several genres in one game - with sometimes impressive, sometimes mixed results. The combination of survival, city-building and role-playing creates a unique gaming experience that particularly shines with its atmospheric depiction of the Sengoku era. The focus on authenticity in the design of landscapes and buildings as well as the clever use of sound and atmosphere make immersing yourself in the game a real experience. On the other hand, however, there are some weaknesses that cloud the overall picture. Technical problems such as performance drops and graphical glitches repeatedly slow down the flow of the game. The battles are solid, but could have done with more depth and variety. It is a particular shame that there is no voice acting, which could have made the game even more immersive. The simple presentation of the text boxes also seems rather unkind in comparison to the otherwise impressive game world. Despite these shortcomings, Sengoku Dynasty offers something that many games fail to do: A world that invites us to discover and shape it. If you are patient and don't mind the technical problems, you will have many hours of fun building your own dynasty - whether alone or with friends in co-op mode.

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Mario & Luigi: Brothership is a worthy successor and at the same time an attempt to modernize the series. The new mechanics such as the “Luigi Logic” and the “Battle Plug System” add interesting levels, while the proven gameplay of the predecessors is retained. There is criticism mainly on the technical side: performance problems on the Nintendo Switch and occasional backtracking tarnish the overall impression a little. Nevertheless, the strengths outweigh the drawbacks - especially the charming narrative, the creative characters and the captivating battles. Fans of the series and newcomers alike can look forward to an adventure that will leave them with a big smile on their face.

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LEGO Horizon Adventures is a new installment in the series of block games that is well worth seeing. The Sony masterpiece has been adapted and shortened for children and impresses at first glance with an impressively detailed game world with razor-sharp textures. We can look forward to great lighting effects, vivid environments and a convincing atmosphere that definitely captures the Horizon flair. The battles, sneaking elements and climbing sections are also really fun, but have of course been greatly simplified to appeal to younger players. The implementation of the giant robot dinosaurs is also convincing all round, as is the design of the familiar locations. However, these are a little too linear for our taste, even if we welcome the fact that there is no open world. The overall variety in the gameplay is also typical of LEGO, but the latest spin-off once again shines with its humor and the local and online co-op features. All in all, LEGO Horizon Adventures is a successful block game - graphically even one of the best. However, you shouldn't expect any great innovations or real challenges and the fact that the world is so beautiful, but the areas are very limited, unfortunately leaves the potential for more unused.

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Astral Flux cleverly combines the nostalgia of classic pixel platformers with modern roguelite mechanics to create an intense gaming experience. The procedural structure and the new submerged update provide variety and a unique atmosphere that will definitely appeal to fans of the genre. The pixel art visuals and the matching soundtrack round off the interstellar adventure and make the game a strong choice for anyone who wants to embark on a cosmic voyage of discovery. However, be warned of the somewhat higher level of difficulty.

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