4News.it's Reviews
When hopes had long since faded, here comes Koei Tecmo's remastering of Fatal Frame: Mask of the Lunar Eclipse for all major platforms. However, the joy of finally being able to play one of the best chapters of the celebrated survival horror saga has to contend with a rather bland modernization job. However, if one can safely turn a blind eye to an unexciting aesthetic presentation, the problems with the control system and camera are an indelible sign of the fifteen years that have passed and the little care taken in the adaptation.
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The arrival of Pronty on Nintendo Switch allows us to do some justice to a title unjustly ignored at the time of its release on PC. The 18Light Game and FunZone Game production is a solid and fun aquatic adventure featuring a precious art direction that recalls the suggestions of emblazoned titles. A bland narrative and an all too linear level design prevent the title from aspiring to greater heights. But if you're looking for a solid, value-for-money metroidvania, Pronty will give you some satisfaction.
Review in Italian | Read full review
Like a Dragon: Ishin! finally arrives in the West nine years after the original and exclusive Japanese release for Sony consoles. A midway operation between remake and remaster that allows us to appreciate a fascinating story in late Edo period Japan, enhanced by the gameplay ideas of the original title that would mark a turning point for the future of the saga. Despite the past years showing on the technical side, Ishin is an excellent title that will enrapture not only Ryu ga Gotoku fans but also anyone looking for an excuse to approach the saga.
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BROK the InvestiGator is a great little triumph for developer Breton Fabrice. Important themes and a mature storyline support a bold production that boldly mixes mechanics taken from the graphic adventure tradition with RPG elements and a scrolling beat'em'up combat system. COWCAT's signature work is a frothy blend that succeeds where many emblazoned titles have failed: putting the freedom of your every action first, at the cost of concrete and tangible consequences. Even minus a few imperfections and smears, the adventures of Brok and Graff will not disappoint.
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Clive 'N' Wrench is a more than decent title, but it could have been much more. The excellent control system and the good variety of gameplay situations manage to balance out the overall lack of polish in the product, which could still lead to some mild frustration, as well as its excessive ease, which seems to stem from choices we frankly don't understand. Despite everything, as nostalgic and romantic as we are, Clive 'N' Wrench still deserves a chance.
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Theatrhythm Final Bar Line brings the series to home consoles with a huge and mighty chapter. Celebrating 35 years of Final Fantasy glorifies a layered, content-dense and perfectly balanced rhythm game. Despite some minor smears, the development team thus takes the big step toward a wider market with a title that is both an encyclopedic work for every fan as well as one of the best exponents of the genre in recent years. A title that is simply not to be missed.
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Grim Guardians: Demon Purge is an excellent 2D action platformer, with delightful pixel art and a soundtrack that’s always on point. The surprising (a carefully chosen adjective) variety on offer and the excellent balance of difficulty and gameplay situations make it a title that everyone should try, including those who might not be fond of "wild and irreverent, distinctly Japanese games."
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SpongeBob SquarePants: The Cosmic Shake gives Nickelodeon's cute sponge a new foray into the world of 3D platformers, two and a half years after the remake of the beloved Battle for Bikini Bottom. Purple Lamp Studios makes a solid, down-to-earth product, full of love for the source material, strong in the humor typical of the animated series (thanks in part to the original voice actors), classic gameplay and a commendable presentation. It is surprising, in such a polished picture, to note some levity related to the management of transitions, overly stingy menus, and an overly accommodating difficulty curve. The Cosmic Shake, despite some limitations, is thus a great product for fans but also an enjoyable and fun title for everyone else.
Review in Italian | Read full review
Gungrave G.O.R.E. looks like a PS2 game: it creates a wonderful and nostalgic journey (some of the settings are incredible), but at the same time characterized by mechanics and gameplay choices with an almost prehistoric “taste,” therefore ill-suited to modern video game times. We therefore recommend purchase only to true fans of the brand!
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Albacete Warrior is a tiny production offering a satirical adventure as a boorish ninja accompanied by his trusty ... chicken? Strong in its trashy, generic humor, FAS3's title nevertheless stumbles with a lackluster realization in which all the problems related to the fusion of 2D characters and 3D environments emerge. Obvious inaccuracies related to controls, hitboxes as well as depth perception adversely affect a title that could have been much more interesting with a few extra touches. The madness keeps the work afloat, which will give you a few hours of fun, provided you turn a blind eye and a half to everything else.
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Hogwarts Legacy has turned into reality - what until now was only available on paper and on the big screen - the fantastic Wizarding World of Harry Potter, although these - in the title developed by Avalanche Studios and WB - are not even present. The “simulator” of the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, allows one to create one's own student, attend classes (with completely unseen teachers), duel to the sound of spells and explore the Castle and all the attached and connected settings on the hunt for secrets and “treasures.” It is certainly not without its problems: the side quests are far too basic and only a handful are worth remembering, the menus could have been better crafted, as well as - although some of the scenery is jaw-dropping - the polygonal models and animations (at times really unconvincing). That said, if you are a fan of “The Child Who Survived,” you absolutely cannot pass up this title because we guarantee that living the life of a Wizard (or a Witch), has never been so beautiful, immersive and realistic. Wands up!
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Rhythm Sprout: Sick Beats & Bad Sweets is an exponent of the small niche represented by rhythm games. SURT's production harmonizes the contrasting melodies of a music title and a linear adventure to create an entertaining symphony, thanks to an excellent soundtrack and the jovial humor of its own quirky story. An art direction that is not always fully in focus and a rather severe difficulty curve probably make it suitable only for stakanovists of the genre, who will find bread for their teeth. For everyone else, the advice is to give it a chance: trust us, it won't be like a cabbage patch.
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Forspoken was a very difficult title to evaluate. The action-RPG from Luminous Productions is graced with an excellent, functional, and most importantly, fun core gameplay. Unfortunately, this gem is placed within an open world that feels structurally outdated, filled with "filler" activities that are not very engaging. The greatest strength of Forspoken lies in its ability to remain enjoyable even within such an ideally boring structure. For these reasons, and keeping in mind all the previously mentioned criticisms, including those related to the narrative, our recommendation is still to follow the White Rabbit into its hole.
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Fashion Police Squad has sincerely surprised us. The Mopeful Games production, far from hiding behind its eccentric concept, totally marries madness and extravagance by making an incredibly fun shooter. Both quotable and satirical, Sergeant Des's adventure won us over with gameplay somewhere between action and FPS, an excellent variety of situations, and hilarious dialogue. With these prerequisites, we regret having encountered a level design that was not as bold and some balancing issues. Just like a sartorial suit made in bright colors, Fashion Police Squad is not a product to suit all tastes...however, if it fits your standards, it will fit you like a glove.
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Backfirewall_ tells a story about change and how it-though frightening-should be managed and metabolized. Overall, this is a wonderful, intelligent, witty, and at times emotional experience, thanks to a well-developed and well-told narrative plot. The gameplay is interesting, thanks to reasoned, if all too simple, puzzles. At a budget price, to say the least, we are talking about 14.99 € you can experience an out-of-the-box experience, ideal for carefree relaxation alone or in company.
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Like a bolt out of the blue Bethesda and Tango Gameworks come to the aid of Microsoft and their meager first-party management by pulling Hi-Fi RUSH out of the hat, an action rhythm game destined to enter the hearts and ears of gamers not only because of the ways in which it has been presented and released, but because it is for all intents and purposes a wonderful and unlikely blend of genres, one that entertains, galvanizes and will make you tap your foot as if you were playing a bass drum on a drum set. A little bit Devil May Cry, a little bit Ratchet & Clank, a little bit Scott Pilgrim vs The World, the market absolutely needs projects like Hi-Fi Rush. Disclaimer: Mandatory use of headphones!
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The work done on Dead Space Remake, by Motive, is incredible. A complete remake that, in addition to doing even more justice to Visceral Games' 2008 masterpiece, goes to offer the player a more adrenaline-pumping and exciting experience. The gameplay turns out to be solid, though not without slight flaws: shots that go awry, polygon interpenetrations, and a slight woodenness in movements. Graphically, we were, to say the least, ecstatic with the excellent use of the Frostbite Engine, a graphics engine with a thousand resources and potential that allowed the developers to update every element of Dead Space Remake: textures, polygonal models, animations. In short, if you have never played the 2008 title and especially like sci-fi survival horror themes and settings, this remake is one to buy with eyes closed.
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Trenches is a gritty title that aims to terrify the player with suggestions born of one of the most painful pages in human history. The Steelkrill Studio title borrows some great ideas from illustrious exponents of the survival horror genre, replicating them, however, with mixed fortunes due to the modesty of the production. A poor technical compartment, an imprecise control system and a very short duration prevent Trenches from aspiring to more flattering results. Nevertheless, the title remains a disturbing journey into the agonizing futility of war and its tragic consequences.
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Clunky Hero is a title that finds its greatest strength in its bold identity. Despite a derivative and flawed play structure, Chaosmonger Studio's title is solid and thoughtfully designed, satisfying and challenging. Admittedly, in some cases even due to the artifice related to the aforementioned approximation, but that's okay. To whom do we recommend it? Everyone, even those who are not fans of the genre, because of the competitive price at which it is sold and the charisma with which the product is imbued.
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One Piece Odyssey is a potential turning point in the history of video game adaptations of Eiichiro Oda's masterpiece. Drawing on the more traditional characteristics of JRPGs, the ILCA development team pours into the title an obvious love for the source material, enriching it with interesting ideas especially in the intriguing combat system. However, the production is not exempt from some problems related to pacing management, which is excessively flat in some phases, as well as an all too modest difficulty curve. Despite these considerations, the Bandai Namco title is a good JRPG but above all a dream come true for fans of the opera, which we hope will be just the beginning of a new, promising saga.
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