4News.it's Reviews
Metroid Prime 4: Beyond is the kind of comeback the series deserved: not just a simple “nostalgic revival”, but a chapter that accepts the weight of the Prime legacy and tries, with measured courage, to take it a step further. The intertwining of stunning art direction, level design, psychic powers and more technical combat with fierce new bosses creates an adventure that still demands attention, map memory and the ability to read spaces, but in return gives you that rare feeling of being truly alone on an unknown planet, armed only with your curiosity and Samus' armour. Not everything is perfect: a few lulls in pace, some less inspired areas and structural choices that might disappoint those hoping for a “pure” clone of the first three Prime games clearly show that Beyond is a compromise between tradition and modernity. But it is precisely in this balance, at times delicate, that the game finds its identity: an experience capable of speaking to veterans, while offering a more accessible entry point for those who are now discovering the exploratory soul of the saga. Ultimately, the long wait of almost two decades has been amply rewarded with Metroid Prime 4: Beyond; in what we might call a “welcome home” that doesn't just open the door and let you in, but invites you to look beyond, out the window towards new possibilities for Samus, for Viewros and for the very future of the series and the genre.
Review in Italian | Read full review
Total Chaos is a rough, visceral survival horror game aimed squarely at fans of the genre, preferring to be edgy and punishing rather than watering down the tension in the name of accessibility. The writing doesn't revolutionize the genre, and some interface and structure choices can be frustrating, but the combination of atmosphere, level design, and sound design creates an experience that leaves a lasting impression, especially for those who love old-school horror. Considering its origins as a mod and the scope of the project, the result is a more than successful title that carves out its own space in the horror landscape of 2025. In essence, compared to other recent examples, it represents the most “old school” and brutal link in the chain: less polished, less narratively ambitious, but valuable for those looking for a survival game that truly brings back the “pure fear” of limited resources, heavy blows, hostile maps, and enemies.
Review in Italian | Read full review
Tomb Raider: Definitive Edition fails to truly be the “definitive” version. On a purely technical level, it does an excellent job, and overall it is probably the most stable version. However, it is unacceptable that the developers have failed to “confirm” the purely graphical aspect of a work that was released nine years ago. That aside, Lara Croft remains a magnetic protagonist, the adventure retains its charm, and the portability option adds real value to the package, making the experience accessible anywhere.
Review in Italian | Read full review
Possessor(s) is an enjoyable, smooth-running, well-presented title with a fun combat system and polished art direction. It's a product that works and that knows how to entertain anyone familiar with the genre. However, it cannot escape what we might call the comfort zone trap: a safe, reassuring place where everything is done well, but without that proverbial spark. And in a landscape full of innovative, bold, and experimental Metroidvania games, staying in the comfort zone means risking remaining a good product that will never leave its mark.
Review in Italian | Read full review
Anima Gate of Memories: I&II Remaster is a collection that deserves credit for re-releasing two unique titles in the most solid and consistent way possible. It does not attempt to modernize the formula or reinvent it, but aims to provide a more stable experience that is less prone to the original technical issues. The two narrative perspectives contained in a single package emerge today with greater clarity and continuity, representing the true added value of this new edition. It is a recommended collection for those who have never played the series, and a useful opportunity for those who wanted to replay it without the limitations of the past.
Review in Italian | Read full review
The Berlin Apartment is an intimate and delicate experience, capable of telling small but significant stories through a “simple” apartment in the city of Berlin and a narrative arc spanning almost 120 years. Although it does not shine in terms of originality in its gameplay mechanics (not fully exploiting their potential), the title impresses with its narrative effectiveness, the emotional power of the stories it tells, and its artistic attention to detail, making it particularly recommended for fans of historical narratives and lovers of contemplative experiences.
Review in Italian | Read full review
Dragon Quest I & II HD-2D Remake is a collection that doesn't seek to impress, but to preserve. It is a bridge built between two opposing eras, an act of love towards a saga that has shaped the identity of the modern JRPG. The narrative additions make sense, the quality of life is robust, and the HD-2D style achieves surprising maturity. There remain structural limitations that are impossible to ignore, direct legacies of the original games, but the project does not fail: on the contrary, it succeeds exactly in the goal for which it was created.
Review in Italian | Read full review
Tormented Souls 2 is, first and foremost, an act of love. A tribute to the past, but also a statement of intent for the present: to prove that horror doesn't need excess to work, but only good ideas, atmosphere, and respect for the rhythm of fear. Tormented Souls 2 chooses slowness, tension, and anticipation. An experience that speaks directly to lovers of classic survival horror, but also manages to offer something new to those who have never really experienced it. An elegant, visceral, and melancholic nightmare that doesn't scream to scare, but whispers to get under your skin.
Review in Italian | Read full review
Take The Outer Worlds, improve every aspect that didn't convince the most skeptical at the time, and you'll have the result of Obsidian Entertainment's hard work. The space madness returns in The Outer Worlds 2 with brilliant writing, multifaceted role-playing, and even greater freedom of choice. All this is complemented by a fun combat system and decidedly more contemporary gunplay. The icing on the cake of a year to remember for the Californian team, which once again proves itself to be one of the most successful software houses of this generation. It's a shame that the AI is sometimes too predictable and, ultimately, that they didn't dare to go even further with this formula. With a new chapter of such quality, the prospects for a great franchise are definitely there.
Review in Italian | Read full review
Ninja Gaiden 4 is a compelling and ruthless return to form, bridging two worlds: the brutality of Team Ninja and the cinematic spectacle of PlatinumGames. It's not a perfect return to the original formula, nor does it rewrite the rules of the genre, but it retains the hardcore soul that defines the series, enriched by small but clever modernizations. The deep and challenging gameplay, strong visual identity, and adrenaline-fueled pace make it a title capable of satisfying those who are able to master its rules and want to test their skills, but it is equally accessible to those who simply want to experience a high-level ninja adventure. The technical aspects are quite solid, the art direction is consistent (though it doesn't reach the heights of other similar products today), and the action is extremely satisfying. There are still some limitations related to the environmental design (in particular, the graphics are not always up to date, characterized by some flat and unrealistic textures), the linearity of the narrative, and the balance, which is not always perfect, but the overall experience is that of intense, effective, lethal action, (almost) without compromise and as sharp as a real ninja's blade.
Review in Italian | Read full review
NASCAR 25 is a fairly solid debut for iRacing in the console world. It doesn't reach the complexity of the original simulator, but it manages to balance realism and immediacy like few other titles of its kind. The gameplay works, the modes are substantial, and the technical aspects—despite a few imperfections—keep pace. It still needs a little polishing to resolve the opponent AI issues and better optimize performance, but the foundation that has been built is definitely promising for the future of the series.
Review in Italian | Read full review
Battlefield 6 represents the complete rebirth of a franchise that had fallen adrift after a few unfortunate iterations. It's an “almost” impossible mission undertaken by the legendary Vince Zampella, who led the development team in creating a title that takes the best elements of the franchise and refreshes them in a package of the highest quality. Fun content, graphics quality, and technical stability are already evident at launch, further highlighting the ambition of a project that not only aims to revive EA's battlefields but also steal the spotlight from its direct competitors. While we await some necessary adjustments to balance certain aspects of the fabulous multiplayer mode and look forward to the free content coming soon, the only real regret is a somewhat disjointed single-player campaign. Otherwise, forget your egos, choose your class, and get busy: synergy pays off.
Review in Italian | Read full review
You have to look at things from another perspective. A simple, overused phrase, but essential for best understanding Bye Sweet Carole. A game that must be viewed with the right sensitivity, accepting its imperfections, but also embracing its soul. The gameplay is functional but basic, at times imprecise, with moments that struggle to bear the weight of the atmosphere built around it. Some sequences are repetitive or uninspired, and technically there are small and large flaws. But if we turn a blind eye to the strictly playful aspect, what remains is an elegant, touching story, narrated with a rare visual taste, a timeless sensitivity, and a strong and recognizable authorial vision that runs through every frame like a signature. The writing touches on delicate themes without rhetoric. The atmosphere enchants without needing to explain itself. There is a precise hand behind it all, knowing when to hold back and when to strike. Sometimes, to really see, you just need to close one eye and let your heart do the watching.
Review in Italian | Read full review
If unpredictability is Double Fine Productions' signature style, then with Keeper we can say that the development team has proven it once again. An adventure that focuses primarily on atmosphere, thanks to “a story that needs no words,” as poetic as it is dreamlike. Surreal and allegorical, comforting and moving, the journey of the sentient lighthouse and the seabird delicately touches on important themes, stimulating even greater reflection. It is an achievement that expresses great artistic sensitivity, but one that comes at a price. Namely, a very simplified and linear gameplay, alternating between simple puzzles and long walks through incredible scenery. This title is inevitably not for everyone, but it is equally impossible to remain indifferent to it.
Review in Italian | Read full review
Little Nightmares 3 is a nightmare worth experiencing. Supermassive Games has fully embraced the artistic language of the franchise, confirming its aesthetics and basic mechanics but offering a package that, although well-crafted, lacks great ambition and originality. The new co-op mode adds an interesting but not revolutionary dimension, while the cryptic narrative and art direction maintain the original charm without breaking with the historical formula of the saga or surprising us with new perspectives. The atmosphere remains strongly tied to the fairy-tale and frightening imagery, but it fascinates with a fear that transforms and is less intense when shared with another character and with a structure of puzzles and environmental riddles that tends to favor collaboration over individual tension. Little Nightmares 3 is disturbing enough to make you shiver, but overall, although it is a good game, it fails to match the quality of its two predecessors. This is a real shame because, in our opinion, if they had dared to be more daring, it would have been a completely different story!
Review in Italian | Read full review
Digimon Story: Time Stranger won't be remembered as the JRPG of the year or a GOTY contender. But honestly, that's okay. Not all titles aspire to be top of the class. Sometimes, fortunately, there are productions that aspire to touch people's hearts, to reawaken memories and give them dreams. And Bandai Namco's title does just that. A real gift to fans of the franchise, an exciting adventure that is sure to thrill those who grew up on Digimon. Get ready for a journey through time: there's an apocalypse to prevent!
Review in Italian | Read full review
Alien: Rogue Incursion Evolved Edition is a partial answer to the question: how can a VR title be successfully adapted by removing its structural characteristic? Survios' ambitious episodic project thus becomes orphaned of its potential, which is closely linked to the way of experiencing interactive horror against the fearsome xenomorphs. At the same time, it also loses some of its original engagement and tension in exchange for more solid and functional gameplay that speaks the playful language of the vast majority of the audience. What remains is an FPS that is certainly enjoyable, especially for fans of the iconic franchise born from the imagination of Ridley Scott and Dan O'Bannon. For everyone else, it is probably better to wait for the second and final part of the story to better understand the cohesion of Zula Hendricks' odyssey.
Review in Italian | Read full review
In finally re-releasing, after almost thirty years, a true masterpiece of tactical JRPGs, Final Fantasy Tactics - The Ivalice Chronicles can only be a memorable title in its own right. An improved and enhanced version of the 1997 classic, made appealing by many small improvements, fully dubbed dialogues, and an unprecedented Enhanced version. While the title remains untouchable and truly unmissable, there is a hint of bitterness in the treatment reserved for such a milestone. What could have been a much more ambitious and daring re-release ends up being a mere, not particularly convincing remaster (notably lacking Italian among the supported languages). Yasumi Matsuno's gem probably deserved better.
Review in Italian | Read full review
Super Mario Galaxy + Super Mario Galaxy 2 on Nintendo Switch 2 is an excellent opportunity to (re)discover two undisputed masterpieces of the 3D platform genre. The remastering process is technically sound but rather conservative: those looking for a “remake-style” treatment may be left feeling somewhat dissatisfied. However, the games themselves remain extraordinary, with gameplay that subverts expectations and scenarios (thanks to excellent level design) that would not be possible without the creative freedom of the cosmos. Today, as then, they manage to entertain (net of a gyroscopic aim that is not always effective and some camera issues). However, there is a lack of ambition for a true celebration—even to mark the 40th anniversary of the series—which we would have expected for two titles of this caliber and historical importance.
Review in Italian | Read full review
Dying Light: The Beast is what Dying Light 2: Stay Human should have been. A new standalone episode of Techland's acclaimed horror saga, which recaptures the charm that made the original a beloved and fondly remembered cult classic. Despite a typical revenge story lacking in originality, Kyle Crane's journey is brutal, violent, and decidedly entertaining. A production that makes compactness and concreteness its winning weapons, reminding everyone that the night is always scary, but punishment is even scarier.
Review in Italian | Read full review