4News.it's Reviews
Super Mega Baseball 4 confirms, once again, the quality of the Electronic Arts sports series. Somewhere between the lightness of arcade gameplay and the depth of refined game dynamics, Metalhead Software's baseball wins and convinces. With a generous play offering and addictive modes, the title is a good choice for both fans of the genre and those who want to approach a virtual version of the sport. Especially for the latter, do not fear in the face of initial embarrassments: the rhythm of the diamond may win you over.
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After Us, therefore, is a product that is presented as an emotional and sensory experience rather than a video game. An experience emphasized by the stupendous and original art direction that is functional to the purpose and selling point of the product. And on this the developers have undoubtedly hit the mark. However, if the strictly play aspect had received the same amount of attention and care by now we would be talking about a little gem. After Us like this is just a good game, one that we still recommend to everyone for the underlying message it wants to communicate.
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Killer Frequency turned out to be a far more interesting product than anticipated. Fascinated initially by the concept but doubtful about the inherent limitations of the chosen formula, the Team17 title nevertheless enraptured us and dragged us in front of the microphones of a mid-west American radio station inside an 80s story somewhere between comedy and horror. Between one homage to a cinematic masterpiece and another, the adventure flows quickly between interesting puzzles and a constant invitation to use your gray matter to save as many lives as possible. It's a title destined to become a small cult hit, as long as you don't expect to wield a weapon and confront the serial killer face-to-face. It wounds more with a pen than a sword, after all.
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Much like all modern LEGO-branded video games, whether you are a fan of the brand or not, the fun is nothing short of guaranteed. With LEGO 2K Drive, Visual Concepts has done an incredible job of offering a product that is practically suitable for everyone, starting with the youngest gamers all the way up to the older ones.The racing/arcade title offers a lot of fun, between wild races, side quests, mini-games, creativity and an endless amount of merriment (up in the air, to say the least). The open world is very well done, the story mode is as lighthearted as it needs to be (as are its characters), the driving system is a lot of fun and easy to get to grips with, and the vehicle mechanics that automatically switch from being a race car to becoming an off-roader or even a boat are spot on. This is all supported by an impressive build/edit mode that allows you to create your own vehicles. Unfortunately, the microtransactions are hard to ignore, and although they are not as invasive as other past 2K titles, they still leave us with a bitter taste in our mouths for a product that could have done without them (especially since it is aimed at a very young audience).
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The Curse of the Sea Rats marks an important maturation step for the Catalan development team. Drawing from the world of metroidvanias, the title offers a solid and entertaining adventure with a good amount of content, graced by a character design that pays homage to the world of late 1980s animation. Despite its excellent qualities, the production slips into excessive traditionalism without managing to provide that extra something that makes the difference between a good and an excellent result. Even intriguing choices such as multiple characters and the possibility of co-op adventure are not fully exploited. Nevertheless, the title remains a viable alternative within the reference genre, which we hope is only the beginning of a new path for Petoons Studio.
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The Lord of the Rings: Gollum has been a really difficult title to evaluate. Without a doubt, it’s a very varied game, but its obvious flaws and its "language", as little immediate as it is fascinating, a legacy of a bygone era (which we loved), make it hard to recommend universally. As we’ve said before, more than on other occasions, ignore the number you'll find here next to it. If you want to take a trip down memory lane, get it, even at the first price cut. If, however, you think this kind of design is outdated, feel free to move on—fortunately, the video game market has never been so full of offerings for all tastes.
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More than thirty-five years after its debut, Puzzle Bobble still represents one of the best puzzle games in the gaming landscape. Everybubble! is no exception, presenting itself as a colorful and fun chapter in keeping with tradition. After VR experimentation, the series returns to the classic while nevertheless winking at even the most savvy gamers (with EX Stages) and offering pleasant play alternatives (the crossover mode with Space Invaders). An excellent addition to the series, which we hope will continue to follow the intent of improving and enriching the ludic offering in the next chapters as well.
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XEL is a highly discouraged title. We are faced with a product that, under "normal" conditions, could have achieved a barely passing grade, and nothing more. In its current state, however, it is a testament to the developers' lack of respect for their audience. It is unacceptable that, in 2023, video games are being released in this condition. We regretfully acknowledge this, but we could not do otherwise.
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Zool Redimensioned is an honest and respectful “nostalgia operation” of the original work. The team at Sumo Digital Academy pays homage to an Amiga-era masterpiece with a work capable of speaking to fans of the original. Not only that, Redimensioned also manages to appeal to today's audiences, allowing them to experience a classic with a modern twist. It is not, however, a title for everyone. The game system is, for obvious reasons, rather outdated, and the difficulty fluctuates quite noticeably between the permissive ease of the updates and the luciferous strictures of the original formula. Despite this, the ticket price is far too tempting not to give the old ninja from “yet another dimension” a chance.
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Tin Hearts is why independent productions should never be underestimated or, worse, judged by their cover. What, at first glance, might seem to be a modest title dedicated to young children, instead hides a clever and rewarding puzzle game, inexhaustible in its ideas and desire to surprise. As if that were not enough, Rogue Sun also gives us an emotional story, capable of dealing with profound themes and movingly touching chords in the soul. Despite an acerbic technical aspect and a revisable control system, Tin Hearts is an experience that every player should have on his or her skin.
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Star Wars Jedi: Survivor will have more than a few technical issues, we reiterate, but we still consider it one of the best action-adventures of recent years. The high numerical rating you find accompanying the review was assigned taking these issues into account, to highlight how successful the game still is. To conclude, the best thing we can say about Star Wars Jedi: Survivor is that, in terms of "scale," we think it is one of the few "next-gen" titles on the market. It’s a theme park with countless attractions and set-pieces, vast both qualitatively and quantitatively, which made us realize that finally, someone has started to make use of these new consoles, despite all the "bottlenecks" (both figurative and literal) we've had to go through.
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Death or Treat reminded us that, sadly, a little luck is often needed in life. If it is already difficult for an up-and-coming studio to carve out a place in the sun with its debut title, it all becomes tremendously more difficult if fate pulls a trick by putting a frighteningly similar title not far behind. Saona Studios builds a competent and entertaining 2D action roguelite, focusing on an aesthetic that winks at Nightmare Before Christmas and an allegory aimed at the world of social (and beyond). What is lacking, however, is a bit of freshness in the play system, which relies excessively on resource farming and old-school hack'n'slash, net of a control system that is not always brilliant. All in all, an enjoyable production, although it cannot rival other exponents of the genre.
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With Strayed Lights, the developers of Embers make their debut on the video game scene with a production full of personality and interesting ideas. Inspired art direction and intriguing gameplay constitute obvious points of merit, as bold as they are ambitious, such that allow the title to stand out from the competition. Unfortunately, however, the price to pay is significant: an almost linear level design, a bland narrative compartment and a sense of progression that is rarely incisive. Son flaws that prevent the production from ascending to greater heights, but do not affect its enjoyability.
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Bramble: The Mountain King is a ludically anachronistic adventure that nevertheless manages to stand out thanks to the amazing atmosphere that permeates the production, inspired by an impeccable interpretation of the folklore of the Nordic lands. Dark, distressing, disturbing, but also gentle for those with the sensitivity to observe and perceive certain nuances, Olle and Lillemor's fairy tale deserves a chance from all gamers.
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Omen of Sorrow represents, unfortunately, the most classic of “dead on arrival” projects, now as well as way back in 2018. AOne Games decides to bring to unreleased platforms their undoubtedly interesting and content-rich fighting game, but still lacking the necessary polishing that in this genre makes the difference between meteor and surprise. In a year that will see the return of the genre's heavyweights, Omen of Sorrow attempts to carve out a small and modest space for itself, failing in the (very difficult) attempt to carve out a fan base that will give the title longevity.
Review in Italian | Read full review
In conclusion, MLB The Show 23 is another quality episode in the successful Sony series. The revised and refined gameplay, the new game modes (Negro Leagues alone is worth the ticket price), and the official season roster are a must for all baseball fans and fans of the series. Despite some imperfections in the multiplayer compartment, MLB The Show 23 offers a perfect mix of simulation and arcade that will thrill all American sports fans.
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After a year of early access, Have a Nice Death bursts onto the scenes in full release confirming the goodness of the Magic Design Studios project and its development path. An action roguelite with exhilarating gameplay enriched by an inspired artistic vision, it nevertheless shines in its being an allegory (and indictment) against contemporary working society. Despite an all-too-waivering procedural level design and some balancing issues, Have a Nice Death represents a centerpiece for the development team: give them a raise (and a few weeks off).
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Saga of Sins represents, unfortunately, what can happen when a very good idea does not find an appropriate playful balance. Bonus Level Entertainment makes a product that is fascinating to look at, thanks to an immediately charismatic art style, and equally intriguing to follow, because of a plot that plays on the suggestions and contradictions of the deadly sins. When one picks up the pad, however, all the problems and limitations of a production born too old and without sufficient bite emerge. Ironically, Saga of Sins thus ends up being an allegory of the forbidden fruit: a sometimes irresistible attraction, which unfortunately brings with it a sad fate.
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Tchia is one of those productions that is good for the entire industry and the video game media. Beyond particular play merits, the title is indeed a mere open world inspired by the last generation with flashes of Nintendo school ideas. However, it is in the feelings it manages to evoke that the Awaceb production shines its own light. It is a magical and dreamy journey in a tropical world inspired by the landscapes and traditions of New Caledonia, in which one breathes and experiences the sensations of being in a place so different from our everyday lives and far from the hectic pace of our societies. Tchia's adventure may not be playfully unforgettable: but the young girl's journey may mark you inside for a very long time.
Review in Italian | Read full review
Everspace 2 is the sequel that perhaps not all admirers of the old chapter expected, but it is the product that was clamored for by all gamers looking for a title less simulative than productions like Elite Dangerous, but more addictive. The game created by Rockfish Games is prime example of a work that excels in the fundamentals of what it wants to offer, with a world built mostly by hand-in contrast to the massive use of procedural systems by competitors-and listening to the thousands of feedbacks received from its community over the years. Perhaps some aspects of gameplay, such as trading, resource finding, or the lack of off-hull sections, may not appeal to some, but Everspace 2 is to date one of the best exponents of the genre. To New Galaxies.
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