4News.it's Reviews
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.
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Dynasty Warriors: Origins succeeds in an almost impossible mission: unhinging the most entrenched beliefs and paradigms related to the musou genre, while not disavowing its fundamental and defining characteristics. Omega Force's signature relaunch of the saga combines the best of the saga with modern insights that finally make the experience more varied, fresh and tantalizing. Some sacrifices and compromises might turn the noses of fans of the series, however, while those who have never experienced the appeal of such a unique genre will not necessarily be charmed by the novelties. In any case, Origins represents the highest point reached by the saga as well as a new beginning that could bring enormous satisfaction even to those who have never approached the battles of the Three Kingdoms.
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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.
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Eternal Strands marks a welcome return to the video game scene for Mike Laidlaw. An action RPG that draws from the best game design lessons of The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and Shadow of the Colossus to create a multi-layered interactive adventure that is as galvanizing in its premise as it is satisfying in its execution. Unfortunately, this is not a flawless project, starting with an overly derivative art direction through repetitive quest design and a combat system that is acerbic in its fundamentals. In any case, it is impossible not to greet with applause the ambitious project of Yellow Brick Games, which has the incontrovertible and indisputable merit of wanting to dare something more than the majority of productions in the same genre. And this is no small feat, far from it.
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Tales of Graces f Remastered represents the best opportunity to rediscover one of the most underrated chapters in the historic Bandai Namco series. Beyond a technical aspect only marginally pulled together, the comprehensiveness of the content and a rich set of quality-of-life improvements enhance an aged combat system with elegance and harmony. Story and characters continue to be as controversial elements of the work today as they were fifteen years ago, yet highlighting how at the time perhaps the judgment was far too austere in this regard. If you want to recover a little gem of the genre (and if you especially want to appreciate its indiscernible historical importance), now is the time.
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.
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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.
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Farming Simulator 25 is the new iteration of the popular series developed by GIANTS Software, even richer and more complete than in the past. Complex and rewarding, if incredibly peaceful and relaxing once the mechanics are assimilated, the farming and livestock simulation reaches new heights with brand new biomes and crops, as well as a number of interesting updates and improvements. This is not a title for everyone; however, those looking for a different and relaxing experience will find a true bucolic paradise.
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Goat Simulator: Remastered is the best version to enjoy the iconic 2014 indie experience. A complete package that includes all DLC and a new look, it nevertheless stumbles clumsily in a technical realization that omits to pay attention to crucial factors that undermine its enjoyability for the general public. The remaster thus becomes a cult product exactly like its progenitor, intended for fans of the unscrupulous Pilgor goat as well as for all those able to overlook the graphics engine's performance embarrassments.
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The Boss Team and Wayforward tandem, with RetroRealms Arcade, has managed to offer two incredible 2D platforming adventures inspired by two cornerstones of the horror genre, Halloween and Ash vs The Evil Dead. We really enjoyed playing each adventure (albeit with not the highest longevity) and the clever choice of mixing and matching characters is nothing short of genius. Add to that the colorful pixel art graphics with the ever-moving worlds, the functional old-style 16-bit gameplay, and the additional content and you have the “almost” perfect package.” Why almost? The asking cost, almost €60 for the complete package, is quite an amount that many gamers might find excessive!
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