4News.it's Reviews
We are faced with a game that is simply delightful, as much to play as it is to watch and listen to. A dynamic yet tactical combat system and a game world with exceptional level design marked our experience, which we could call addictive. Sabotage Studio has achieved its goal: Sea of Stars seamlessly blends tradition and innovation.
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Armored Core VI: Fires of Rubicon is yet another great success for From Software, capable of doing practically nothing wrong for more than 10 years now. A triumph that smacks of revenge for a historic series, which inherits the lessons undertaken by the Japanese software house and applies them while preserving its strong identity matrix. The result is not only the best Armored Core ever, but also one of the most frenetic and galvanizing action games on the video game scene, as well as a true paradise for all mecha lovers. Let's be clear: this is not a title for all palates, who may find the pace of confrontations or the spikes in difficulty of bosses unmanageable at times. But for everyone else, rejoice: 2023 will long be remembered.
Review in Italian | Read full review
Enchanted Portals is a title that doesn’t make the grade because, quite simply, it’s not fun to play. We regret being so blunt, especially since the game was developed by only two people, but during our ten-hour playthrough, we genuinely enjoyed ourselves for only one-tenth of the time spent. And, unfortunately, this is more telling than any analysis or consideration we can offer.
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Immortals of Aveum represents Ascendant Studios' first attempt to offer gamers its own fantasy universe in which magic replaces bullets. The very good gameplay (although on several occasions the fighting proved rather chaotic), chock-full of magic and sorcery, is not adequately supported by a solid narrative plot (the interesting incipit literally ends up collapsing in on itself) and more than a few glitches and bugs negatively affect the experience. That said, the potential was all there, and given the experience of much of the development team, we certainly would have expected a better job. Let's keep our fingers crossed for the future!
Review in Italian | Read full review
Daymare: 1994 Sandcastle represents a definite step forward for Invader Studios. The new survival horror from the “made in Italy” team convinces and entertains. Between unexplained electromagnetic events, bizarre experiments and government conspiracies, the narrative plot develops quite well, with apt twists and turns that manage to keep the story fresh and interesting. In terms of gameplay - however - the leap forward is there and it all shows. The aiming and reloading system has been simplified - which makes for a more solid and immediate experience - while the addition of new gadgets such as the HADES scanner and the Frost Grip, seemed to us more apt than ever, as these are gimmicks not to be used just once but to be firmly relied upon over the course of the game. The enemies are also well done, although they lack some variety that could have given even more depth to the production. In short, if you are a fan of Resident Evil but in general of “old school” survival horror, Daymare: 1994 Sandcastle is a must buy.
Review in Italian | Read full review
Madden NFL 24 is definitely a good sports title that entertains without, however, reaching the optimum. The improvements made to this year's product are there but for the finer palates, they might be a bit of a stretch. The graphics are undoubtedly incredible, as are the new animations and the revised AI - guaranteeing challenges - thanks in part to the various content available - that are realistic and authentic, to say the least. Unfortunately, there are some major uncertainties, especially with regard to the physics - on more than one occasion unconvincing - while the new launch feature, ends up being tricky to say the least to assimilate, in a game system that is already hostile in itself. Add to that menus that are borderline embarrassing (too wooden and slow to navigate), and the omelette-at least from a technical standpoint-is served. And that's a shame, because with a little care we would be talking about a near-perfect product.
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Trine 5: A Clockwork Conspiracy is the classic "bigger, better, and more badass" sequel, as that legend Cliff B. used to say a few years ago. The biggest limitation of the latest work from the Finnish team at Frozenbyte is a side effect of their decision to stay within their comfort zone. We hope that with the next iteration, a true revolution for the franchise will come, as in its current form, it has said everything it needed to say. In an excellent way, it's true, but it has said everything.
Review in Italian | Read full review
Fort Solis conveyed a rather distinct feeling to us. On the one hand, we sensed the willingness of the development team to put itself out there, even resorting to the professionalism of big names like Troy Baker and Roger Clark. On the other hand, we were faced with an unfortunately intangible title, both ludically and narratively. The Polish team Fallen Leaf, in spite of itself, went the extra mile. The result is a sci-fi thriller experience that, despite the appeal sought by the marketing, slips by without gasps or exclamation points. A title therefore suitable only for a fleeting unpretentious evening: a pity.
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Quake II Remastered is proof that making reissues of old masterpieces is not only good and right, but also possible to do without lending itself to greed. With a practically perfect technical operation, graced by a lavish content profile (with even an all-new expansion signed by the developers of the recent Wolfenstein) and a brutally honest price tag, this 1997 masterpiece can finally enjoy its own definitive edition.
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Gamedec Definitive Edition is an isometric RPG that is closer to tabletop role-playing games than to other video game representatives of the genre. Unfortunately, it failed to satisfy us due to an investigative system that feels too random. It's a shame, because the choices do have different outcomes, but it's unfortunate that those choices aren't entirely up to us, but rather left to chance. However, the concept and its visual realization make it a title that is at least interesting.
Review in Italian | Read full review
Blasphemous 2 is a polished and corrected version of the first chapter that nevertheless loses a hint of its charm due to choices made in terms of accessibility. But if the compromise has to be a title of this caliber, we can willingly accept it. In fact, we want more Blasphemous 2!
Review in Italian | Read full review
Shadow Gambit: The Cursed Crew is the new effort from the team behind the excellent Shadow Tactics and Desperados III, confirming their great capabilities. Mimimi Games makes yet another fantastic action stealth strategy, this time drawing from pirate imagery and enriching it with supernatural powers. The focus on coordinated actions and almost total freedom of action is tempered by gameplay ideas that make the experience both more varied and accessible, without ever losing the feeling of gratification for each well-executed plan. Even with a few minor smears.... let's toast in joy with rum!
Review in Italian | Read full review
Gord bids to be a link between colony sim and city builder, geared toward survival management. The developers' care is evident in the narrative refinement, based on the lore of Slavic mythology, and in the play structure, in which macro and micro management of layered systems are constantly intertwined. However, it is in the overall atmosphere that the Covenant.dev production leaves a distinct mark, conveying (ludically and morally) the absolute precariousness of one's tribe in an inhospitable, cold and gloomy world. An inevitably niche title, but one that will appeal to lovers of the genre and dark fantasy.
Review in Italian | Read full review
Atlas Fallen is a very good title, with a really interesting and layered combat system, although it suffers from some side variables that invalidate the gaming experience. However, the real merit of the production, surprisingly, lies in the level design of the open maps, which manages to strongly mitigate (or eliminate?) the feeling of wandering around in an aseptic world full of uninspiring activities inserted just to make up the numbers.
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In a way that was totally unimaginable until a few months ago, the historic Lee brothers' series re-enters the video game landscape with Double Dragon Gaiden: Rise of the Dragons. Although the levels recently achieved by competitors are still out of reach, the chapter developed by Secret Base Pte Ltd surprises with magnetic gameplay and ingenious introductions borrowed from the roguelite world. What emerges is a gangly and highly entertaining scrolling beat'em'up, even at the expense of some glaring issues (above all, the level design and the absence of an online mode). With that in mind, Gaiden will bring a smile (finally and after so many years) to fans of the saga and beyond.
Review in Italian | Read full review
Gimmick! Special Edition represents a small victory for fans of the NES era, who can finally get a feel for (and physically own) one of the great little titles lost to time and localizations. A painstakingly crafted platformer that is still enjoyable today, even in the face of a decidedly high difficulty that could deter many players. New content and countless QOL tweaks allow this version to be the best way to approach a title that is historic in its own way. Of course, those who do not appreciate such hardcore retrogaming may not enjoy the youkai adventure.
Review in Italian | Read full review
The Expanse: A Telltale Series represents a new beginning for the California-based studio. Never before has the numerical rating accompanying the review been little more than a "decoration," especially considering the circumstances we explained at the beginning. However, the premises are more than decent, and if they are upheld, the new project could represent a new dawn for the studio.
Review in Italian | Read full review
Pikmin 4 encapsulates all the best of the Nintendo strategy series, a summa that represents its highest point ever. A masterpiece capable of vastly expanding all the mechanics dear to fans, putting an incredibly generous content offering on the plate. An over-the-top production (despite some minor flaws here and there), which makes even more special a year destined to remain impressed in gamers' memories for a long time. Let's just hope we don't have to wait another decade for the next chapter in this great saga. While waiting, hone the art of Dandori: you will need it!
Review in Italian | Read full review
Koa and the Five Pirates of Mara succeeds in its stated goals: to offer a relaxing platforming experience within the reach of all abilities, from toddlers to speedrun lovers. Despite this, it is good to be aware of the production's limitations: the level design is rather ordinary, the camera suffers from worrying lapses, and the overall difficulty is calibrated downward. With this full awareness of merits and limitations, Koa and Napopo's pirate adventure can be a nice pastime on hot summer days.
Review in Italian | Read full review
Ghost Trick: Phantom Detective is undoubtedly a remaster we needed. Capcom has brought back a small cult classic from 13 years ago, doing an almost flawless job. The only "limitations" of this new version lie in the design peculiarities of the original release. A small gem, both then and now, that is absolutely worth playing.
Review in Italian | Read full review