4News.it's Reviews
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.
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Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 has turned out to be the Mr. Hyde to the Dr. Jekyll represented by the previous installment of Activision's long-running series. Whereas last year we enjoyed a surprising campaign and a solid multiplayer mode, albeit lacking in particularly inspired launch content, Black Ops 7 does the exact opposite. The campaign disappoints resoundingly and without appeal, ending up evoking the ghosts of the controversial Modern Warfare III, while the multiplayer is more vast and rich than ever this year. But the biggest problem, at the end of the day, is that the series seems to have reached a critical point, likely crushed by a formula of annual releases that prevent it from delivering a complete package. Above all, Black Ops 7 highlights another element: the static nature of a gameplay formula that is increasingly feeling the weight of the years. And in a 2025 where the series has been overshadowed by hungry competition, reflection on the future of the franchise becomes inevitable and unavoidable.
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Lumines Arise is yet another brilliant work bearing the signature of Tetsuya Mizuguchi. Magnetic and addictive, the return of the puzzle game that debuted twenty years ago on PSP is another cherry on top of a stratospheric 2025. Aesthetically hypnotic and with a practically perfect soundtrack, Arise also offers incredibly generous content ranging from single-player modes to a robust online component. Today, as then, the saga continues to be an experience not for everyone due to its unique gameplay and steep learning curve. For lovers of the genre, but also for anyone who wants to try something truly different and original, this is a precious little gem not to be missed.
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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.
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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.
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Whispers in the Woods proved to be a good expansion for returning to the Exclusion Zone described in Pacific Drive. It is a long-lasting and pleasantly disturbing adventure, with some quality of life improvements that make the original experience less rough around the edges. At the same time, the DLC reconfirms all the strengths and weaknesses of the title, which continues to be a production for many but not for everyone, mainly due to its underlying repetitiveness accompanied by a rather steep learning curve. If you loved the title, jump in the station wagon and watch out for the whispers coming from the woods.
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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.
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This new return to Bikini Bottom confirms the excellent qualities of the series dedicated to Nickelodeon's mascot. SpongeBob SquarePants: Titans of the Tide is once again a fun and richly varied platform game, appealing to both fans of the franchise and lovers of the genre. A hilarious script blends with a duo of playable protagonists to make this chapter the most lively and dynamic ever, although perhaps anchored to an excessive classicism. If you enjoyed The Cosmic Shake, you can't miss the new adventure featuring the Flying Dutchman.
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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.
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After years of remasters, collections, and mobile spin-offs, Once Upon a KATAMARI marks the return of Bandai Namco's crazy series with a totally new chapter. Faced with yet another mess caused by the careless King of the Cosmos, it will once again be up to the Prince to find a solution, this time by traveling through time. A chapter in which the magnetic simplicity of the franchise shines with ever-new and entertaining ideas, without offering an experience that overturns tradition. Those who have always loved the brand will adore this long-awaited revival. For those who have never had the opportunity to try an episode of the series, there is no better time to start rolling!
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.
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Despite itself, Chicken Run: Eggstraction is one of those titles that can slip by unnoticed in the chaos of an increasingly lively and abundant video game market. Quite ironic for a stealth game. However, ignoring this production by Aardman Animations and Outright Games could be a serious mistake. Not only are we faced with a fun adventure with challenging gameplay suitable for all ages, but also a hilarious sequel to the film “Chicken Run.” If you love the franchise, you have no excuse not to pay attention to it. For everyone else, it's yet another demonstration that sometimes small surprises can hide in plain sight.
Review in Italian | Read full review
Ironically, Pokémon Legends: Z-A thrives on dualisms and almost antagonistic contrasts. On the one hand, we have perhaps the most innovative title in the franchise's recent history, with experimentally revamped gameplay that offers exciting new challenges. On the other hand, there is an inherently outdated production, with a technical aspect that is openly disappointing and difficult to justify. We have a fun title capable of entertaining for hours on end, but at the same time a superficial setting that can lead to an understandable perception of repetitiveness. Game Freak's new title thus becomes a borderline project, as enjoyable and even refreshing for the most devoted fans as it is potentially disappointing for those who would like to see something more from The Pokémon Company's gaming universe. A crossroads that we hope will mark a decisive change of pace in the future of the saga.
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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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