4News.it's Reviews
Tomb Raider IV-VI Remastered turns out to be a “curious” but nonetheless interesting operation that celebrates the legendary figure of Lara Croft and tries to make the most controversial period of her saga usable to a new generation of gamers. Although the remastering is top-notch and succeeds in making these video games more accessible and visually pleasing without altering too much of their original spirit, the heart of the problem remains the same: The Last Revelation, Chronicles and The Angel of Darkness failed to do justice to Lara 20 years ago and certainly will not succeed now.
Review in Italian | Read full review
Avowed represents quintessential game design according to Obsidian Entertainment. While not offering a radically new experience, the return to the world of Eora is an exciting action RPG, graced by the traditional care the development team put into the script. Free to be able to create one's alter ego among a thousand opportunities for customization and to direct it indiscriminately toward the paths of good or evil, Avowed puts players within a setting that is the antithesis of the dispersive risk of an endless open world, with gameplay devoted to action and fun. It may not be a revolution, and technically some hiccups are there, but for all fans of the genre it is a must.
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NINJA GAIDEN 2 Black marks the unexpected return of Ryu Hayabusa, when he now seemed to be confined only to the memories of a few video game generations ago. Instead, here he appears out of nowhere as a warrior who makes shadows his calling, with Team Ninja remastering him for us in Unreal Engine 5. Gallant and entertaining perhaps more so today than in its time, abetted by a landscape that has seen the rarification of pure action, we are faced with a perceptible step forward from Sigma 2. At the same time, however, the features that made the chapter released for the Xbox 360 unforgettable have not been reproduced, effectively materializing a missed opportunity to make the true definitive edition of the title. NINJA GAIDEN 2 Black remains, in any case, a glorious return for the franchise as we look forward to welcoming the fourth chapter at the end of the year.
Review in Italian | Read full review
Is a product inspired by niche classics itself intended to appeal to a small audience? This is an inevitable rhetorical question that Moons of Darsalon does not shy away from. But this is not necessarily a bad thing. After a long development path, the strategic adventure from Dr. Kucho! Games also arrives on consoles repurposing all the gaming charm of forty years ago (argh), enhanced by modern technologies. It won't be an experience for everyone, that's for sure. But for those who grew up on Lemmings, this could be a very tasty trip down memory lane.
Review in Italian | Read full review
Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2, is a true wonder. Between realism and historical accuracy, without disdaining lightheartedness and irreverence, you will immerse yourself in an incredible open-world RPG that is alive and engaging (just as if you were there, right in the Middle Ages), more refined than the 2018 original, with a modified combat system that is decidedly more intuitive and functional, deep and diverse systems that provide even more incentive to seek out a certain style of play, truly jaw-dropping scenarios, and (almost) no bugs or glitches during quests (which in such a vast product is no small feat). However, it still features a slow and compassed pace (especially in the first 7 to 8 hours of play) and - in certain situations - tediously realistic and heavy-handed (on the other hand, this was exactly what attracted millions of players to try their hand at the first chapter and we are sure will attract as many in this sequel). A heaviness that you will later understand and intend in the good sense that will make you feel what you have to do and how you have to do it, just as it was done in the Middle Ages, making you experience an epic adventure. Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 is a unique game that-although it may not be appealing to many-will delight die-hard fans of open world RPGs.
Review in Italian | Read full review
Big Helmet Heroes is a scrolling beat'em'up that makes the ironic representation of chivalric imagery its strong point. But above all, beyond the production's evidently humorous figure, Exalted Studio makes a genuinely entertaining title, capable of making people smile thanks to its likeable protagonists grappling with sizzling hand-to-hand combat. Certainly, this is not the title of the month and it is not within its ambitions to be so. Nevertheless, it does not detract from the fact that if you want to spend a few hours in merriment, perhaps with a friend on the same couch, this is a title to keep in due consideration.
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Ender Magnolia: Bloom in the Mist is the perfect sequel. It solves all the critical issues of its predecessor and perfects even more of the franchise's distinctive element: the handling of Homunculus. However, in the name of accessibility, some of the magic that made Ender Lilies so charming has been lost. But that's perfectly fine.
Review in Italian | Read full review
Sniper Elite: Resistance, despite the familiar mold and a game model that in several respects seems far too derivative from its predecessors, nevertheless has a unique soul that hides little surprises and that are sought after by a great many players who love the genre: The improved AI that can really challenge the player this time, optional objectives (real objectives and not just secondary ones), alternate routes that allow you to reach the objective marked on the map in a different way, a variety of firearms (customizable and upgradable). Add to this the numerous online modes, including the much-loved “Axis Invasion” (which we found a bit unbalanced) and the cooperative player option -- net of more than a few missteps in terms of graphics (a sharp change of course is urgently needed) -- and you have on your hands a good package that will allow you to experience for the first time an exciting new sniper campaign as Harry Hawker.
Review in Italian | Read full review
Donkey Kong Country Returns HD, is a solid remastering of an already fantastic game. The solid graphics (though not without a few smudges) and the smooth, responsive gameplay (aided by the input relied on classic buttons), really offer the feeling of having a modern game on our hands and not released nearly fifteen years ago. We played the Wii version when it was launched and the 3DS version; however, we still loved every second spent in the company of this Switch version, and we are sure that - net of a price that is a bit too high (we are talking about €59.99) - it will be appreciated both by those who have already dealt with the original (especially if it has been a while) and by new players. Hopefully, this also stands to mean that in the - not too distant - future we will have more Donkey Kong Country games on the long-awaited Nintendo Switch 2.
Review in Italian | Read full review
Upon our testing, Enotria: The Last Song proved to be a competent, artistically inspired soulslike with a pleasant rate of challenge. Contrary to an edgy reception given to the Italian project in the past few months, the Jyamma Games title entertained and engaged us, also aided by a fine level design and a fun combat system. Not everything works as it should, let's be clear. The technical compartment even on Xbox Series X shows the side of some graphical bugs, some framerate uncertainties and sporadic glitches. The RPG elements and customizations are sometimes far too excessive, resulting in an overabundance of options. All this aside, however, the adventure of the Maskless One deserves to be enjoyed not only by fans of the genre, but also by all those who want to immerse themselves in the folklore of our home.
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Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver 1 & 2 Remastered is a dream come true, for all fans of the historic dark fantasy franchise. A modernization project that pays homage to two legendary titles that contributed, in their own way, to the development of the media in new directions. The work of Aspyr and Crystal Dynamics is commendable in preserving the charm and appeal of the original products, although some of the ludic elements may appear, to the contemporary gamer, unpolished. A remastering to be jealously guarded: the story of Nosgoth deserves to be shared, today as well as over two decades ago.
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FANTASIAN Neo Dimension attests to the liberation of the legendary Hironobu Sakaguchi's latest work from the shackles of its exclusivity for mobile devices. The Mistwalker production is an exciting homage to a classic vision of JRPGs by one of its absolute masters. However, its very traditionalism, as well as certain limitations inherent in the project's origins, may be a limitation in the contemporary landscape that, ironically, the very creator of Final Fantasy helped found. For those who lived through the golden age of the genre between the 1990s and the beginning of the next millennium, this is a journey worth taking.
Review in Italian | Read full review
FAIRY TAIL 2 is a minor disappointment. After the intriguing but acerbic 2020 debut, Gust picks up the celebrated IP to tell a new chapter in the adventures of Natsu Dragneel envisioned by Hiro Mashima. However, the final product fails to elevate the potential of its predecessor, ending up as a far too apathetic RPG despite the rethinking of the combat system. It is a product that ends up appealing exclusively to fans of the original work, who will be able to appreciate its qualities and nuances even after the shortcomings and a less-than-excellent technical compartment.
Review in Italian | Read full review
Symphonia is a unique experience that combines gameplay, music, and storytelling in a way that few video games manage to do. The variety of platforming, combined with the need to learn the timing of most actions, makes Symphonia a real pleasure to play. The optional power-up system also makes it a perfect entry point for those who have never tried exponents of what, let's face it, is a truly niche subgenre. Regardless, for those looking for a game that combines visual beauty, precise gameplay and an outstanding soundtrack, Symphonia is a must-have title. It is an experience that sounds almost like a perfect melody, with only a few minor off-notes.
Review in Italian | Read full review
Nine Sols is an experience that shines with narrative depth, top-tier art direction, and above all, damned satisfying and varied gameplay. Every aspect of the game seems to reflect the eternal dance between opposites that characterizes Taoism: light and shadow, tradition and modernity, action and reflection. Get ready for a harmonious, perfectly balanced storm.
Review in Italian | Read full review
Indiana Jones and the Ancient Circle is exactly what fans of the franchise have been waiting for for years: an engaging, mystery-filled, action-packed adventure that honors the unforgettable movie saga. I didn't expect this, I admit, yet MachineGames has been able to create a title that, despite a few flaws - such as the aforementioned deficiency in artificial intelligence and a limited number of hand-to-hand combat animations - manages to capture the essence of the Spielbergian saga, offering an experience that alternates between moments of pure adrenaline rush and reflective exploration sessions. The game especially shines for its level design, its original take on the open world, its faithfulness to the source material, and the way it manages to make you really feel in the shoes of the legendary archaeologist. In short, whether you are a longtime fan of the IP or simply looking for a good adventure, Indiana Jones and the Ancient Circle is a game worth playing.
Review in Italian | Read full review
Spirit Mancer represents a convincing debut for the Thai team Sunny Syrup Studio. An intriguing production in aesthetics as much as in gameplay, it mixes such ludic concepts as hack & slash adventure, deck-building and monster taming with stimulating ideas. The end result is a fun and tasty indie, capable of engaging through the compelling loop of combat. Not all the mechanics are perfectly calibrated and there are sometimes minor concept naiveté, but it matters little: Sebastien and Mary's quest may win you over.
Review in Italian | Read full review
S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl is one of those titles that must be tried at least once to grasp its essence. It is definitely not for everyone because it requires time, dedication and skill to master a gameplay formula that relies mainly on survival and exploration. The Zone is a hostile and unforgiving area that cuts no one any slack, where a weapon jammed at the wrong time, a move too instinctive or a distraction can prove fatal. The narrative component is one of the game's strong points, not only for the main story but also for the many side missions that weave equally articulate and interesting events. In addition, much of our actions will affect reputation with factions and characters, opening new paths or closing doors. Net of some uncertainties from the technical point of view, S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2 offers a challenging, fulfilling and dynamic experience perfectly capable of satisfying players who like a challenge.
Review in Italian | Read full review
Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 is a monument to aviation in its broadest and most all-encompassing form. Asobo Studio restarts from the excellent base of the previous chapter to make the Redmond-based company's historic simulation even more vast, majestic and outsized. Stemming the difficulties of the early days related to the cloud infrastructure, the production now opens up with its unparalleled offering, for the first time smiling at the audience that is also looking for a more traditionally playful facility in addition to simulation as an end in itself. With the knowledge that the title will only get better with time (and become even more technically stable), there is no doubt about it: get ready to fly the skies around the world... for real.
Review in Italian | Read full review
The eternal charm of Dragon Quest flows powerfully in Dragon Quest 3 HD-2D Remake, a well-thought-out remastering of the classic RPG released in 1988 for the Nintendo Entertainment System by Chunsoft. With its significant additions to gameplay, quality of life, and the HD-2D style used in the Octopath Traveler and Triangle Strategy games, representing the right blend of old and new aesthetics and majestically blending 3D and 2D environments while adding depth and dimension, it is impossible not to recommend this remake that gives Dragon Quest 3 its splendid and definitive form, although some of the flaws of the original are unfortunately brought out more in this remake.
Review in Italian | Read full review