4News.it's Reviews
Digimon Story: Time Stranger won't be remembered as the JRPG of the year or a GOTY contender. But honestly, that's okay. Not all titles aspire to be top of the class. Sometimes, fortunately, there are productions that aspire to touch people's hearts, to reawaken memories and give them dreams. And Bandai Namco's title does just that. A real gift to fans of the franchise, an exciting adventure that is sure to thrill those who grew up on Digimon. Get ready for a journey through time: there's an apocalypse to prevent!
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Alien: Rogue Incursion Evolved Edition is a partial answer to the question: how can a VR title be successfully adapted by removing its structural characteristic? Survios' ambitious episodic project thus becomes orphaned of its potential, which is closely linked to the way of experiencing interactive horror against the fearsome xenomorphs. At the same time, it also loses some of its original engagement and tension in exchange for more solid and functional gameplay that speaks the playful language of the vast majority of the audience. What remains is an FPS that is certainly enjoyable, especially for fans of the iconic franchise born from the imagination of Ridley Scott and Dan O'Bannon. For everyone else, it is probably better to wait for the second and final part of the story to better understand the cohesion of Zula Hendricks' odyssey.
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In finally re-releasing, after almost thirty years, a true masterpiece of tactical JRPGs, Final Fantasy Tactics - The Ivalice Chronicles can only be a memorable title in its own right. An improved and enhanced version of the 1997 classic, made appealing by many small improvements, fully dubbed dialogues, and an unprecedented Enhanced version. While the title remains untouchable and truly unmissable, there is a hint of bitterness in the treatment reserved for such a milestone. What could have been a much more ambitious and daring re-release ends up being a mere, not particularly convincing remaster (notably lacking Italian among the supported languages). Yasumi Matsuno's gem probably deserved better.
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Super Mario Galaxy + Super Mario Galaxy 2 on Nintendo Switch 2 is an excellent opportunity to (re)discover two undisputed masterpieces of the 3D platform genre. The remastering process is technically sound but rather conservative: those looking for a “remake-style” treatment may be left feeling somewhat dissatisfied. However, the games themselves remain extraordinary, with gameplay that subverts expectations and scenarios (thanks to excellent level design) that would not be possible without the creative freedom of the cosmos. Today, as then, they manage to entertain (net of a gyroscopic aim that is not always effective and some camera issues). However, there is a lack of ambition for a true celebration—even to mark the 40th anniversary of the series—which we would have expected for two titles of this caliber and historical importance.
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Dying Light: The Beast is what Dying Light 2: Stay Human should have been. A new standalone episode of Techland's acclaimed horror saga, which recaptures the charm that made the original a beloved and fondly remembered cult classic. Despite a typical revenge story lacking in originality, Kyle Crane's journey is brutal, violent, and decidedly entertaining. A production that makes compactness and concreteness its winning weapons, reminding everyone that the night is always scary, but punishment is even scarier.
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Pac-Man World 2 Re-PAC is therefore a valuable remake, capable of sparingly combining past and present. The developers have made the second 3D adventure of the beloved yellow ball more appealing to contemporary audiences without distorting its identity. And as the icing on the cake, they have given us a good dose of new content that makes the package even more complete, both for new gamers and for those who have already experienced that never-too-praised golden age of video games.
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Trails in the Sky 1st Chapter is everything the historic Nihon Falcom series needed. A remake that gives a sparkling new look to the first chapter of a legendary saga, capable of captivating millions of fans around the world thanks to the strength of its characters and a sublime narrative universe. If you've never tried the series for fear of having missed too many titles over the years, now there are no more excuses. With revolutionary graphics and modern gameplay, 1st Chapter is easily one of the best JRPGs of 2025.
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FC 26 is not the revolution we expected; it is certainly a well-thought-out evolution, but much more could have been done. The gameplay, with its two distinct presets, allows players to choose their own experience (depending on whether they prefer online or offline). But let's not kid ourselves - FC is mainly purchased for its online modes - especially Ultimate Team (which remains the beating heart of the production); a mode (along with Club mode) that has been enriched with new events and challenges (and a Season Pass that is even more central and “premium” to the experience) that amplify the experience in terms of longevity but have lost a little in terms of gameplay. Reducing the CPU so much has led to greater control by the player (and the so-called skill-based experience), which is definitely more challenging than in the past; but on the other hand, we continue to see problematic gameplay mechanics: missed tackles, random rebounds, poorly positioned defenders, and the distinct feeling that it is still the game that decides who wins and who loses. The invasive presence of microtransactions and some missing licenses also weigh on the experience. Even the Career mode remains faithful to the past without any major revolutions. As long as these issues remain, the series will never take the decisive step forward that we have been hoping for for years. That said, on the technical front, the graphics on PlayStation 5 are top-notch, with smooth animations and an immersive atmosphere that recreates the atmosphere of a real stadium.
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Silent Hill f took us on a brutal, wonderful, and brilliant journey, thanks to its superb artistic direction and a change of course that was as daring as it was effective. As players of early survival horror games such as Resident Evil and Silent Hill, Silent Hill f is exactly what we expected from a modern horror game. It offers both accessible and challenging puzzles, gruesome monsters (although we would have liked even more variety) and enormous replayability thanks to multiple endings, all enhanced by high-quality graphics, excellent performance—with very slight and sporadic frame rate drops (at least on standard PS5)—and smart features that help in terms of quality of life and bring it up to today's standards. Silent Hill f is a masterful horror game that is on par with other “masterpieces” of the survival horror genre, and we highly recommend giving it a try.
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Shinobi: Art of Vengeance is, without mincing words, one of the best titles of 2025. Lizardcube and SEGA have not only succeeded in resurrecting Joe Musashi, but have done so with such exquisite quality that it instantly becomes the most compelling chapter in a saga spanning almost four decades. Aesthetically fabulous and playfully exciting, the new venture from the creators of Streets of Rage 4 is a must-have for all fans of action platformers and lovers of quality gaming.
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Borderlands 4 marks the absolute peak for the Gearbox Software franchise. It's a huge title that takes advantage of the open world and revamped shooting mechanics to set a new benchmark for all fans of the series. At the same time, the new chapter in the series reconfirms the strengths and weaknesses of the gameplay formula, which is beginning to show signs of fatigue while continuing to sail with the wind in its sails with a gameplay loop that is still tremendously addictive. Furthermore, the technical side of things currently suffers from more than a few uncertainties due to Unreal Engine 5 not being used to its full potential. The new adventure on the planet Kairos is pure excitement and will delight many players. However, some may begin to feel bored by storming yet another Crypt with guns blazing.
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Ghost of Yōtei is a work that confirms Sucker Punch's maturity in the field of narrative video games. It is not simply an ideal sequel to Ghost of Tsushima, but a project with its own personality, rooted in a less traveled and explored historical and cultural context and made unique by a strong spiritual and natural component. Mount Yōtei and Hokkaidō become not only evocative settings, but active protagonists in the story, blending geography, myth, and introspection into an original narrative fabric. From a gameplay perspective, the title refines the tried-and-tested formula, enriching it with environmental dynamics, new weapons and approaches linked to Ainu culture, and introducing sequences that combine action and spirituality. The artistic and technical direction is once again of the highest standard, exploiting the potential of PlayStation 5 not as a mere display of power, but as a tool to convey atmosphere, consistency and charm. The more meditative and measured pace of the game is a deliberate stylistic choice that sets Ghost of Yōtei apart from the frenzy of many contemporary open-world games: an approach that may divide audiences, but one that reinforces the consistency with the narrative tone and aesthetics of the work. Overall, Ghost of Yōtei stands out as a chapter that broadens the scope of the series, offering a dynamic experience that you can decide for yourself how to approach, combining entertainment and cultural reflection. It is a video game that demands time and attention, but rewards you with a believable world, a story rich in meaning, and a strong identity.
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Agatha Christie - Death on the Nile further enriches the video game series dedicated to Hercule Poirot's great cases. Drawing once again from a timeless classic by the Queen of Mystery, Microids brings to life a fun and engaging graphic adventure. The gameplay is stimulating enough to appeal not only to fans of graphic adventures, thanks in part to the artistic direction of unquestionable personality. At the same time, Death on the Nile reconfirms the atavistic and intrinsic simplicity of the saga, which makes the experience perhaps too guided for more savvy players.
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Daemon X Machina: Titanic Scion is an ambitious sequel that attempts to redefine the formula of its predecessor by expanding it in every possible direction. However, the new semi-open world structure, while promising on paper, often proves to be distracting and uninspired in practice, with environments that are too similar and missions that tend to repeat themselves. Nevertheless, it remains an experience with a distinct identity that will satisfy those who are drawn to its “strategic” component. For everyone else, Titanic Scion risks becoming a looping race in an empty world: spectacular at times, but with the handbrake on.
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NBA 2K26 is, without a doubt, the best basketball iteration from 2K in the last 10 years. The ProPLAY engine has been vastly improved over 2K25, resulting in a beautifully crafted game—with a host of gameplay and quality-of-life improvements—backed by exceptional presentation. There are so many different ways to enjoy NBA 2K26 that both veterans and newcomers to the series will instantly fall in love with it. Some modes still favor the long-standing microtransactions as the only path to success, but fortunately, they are less invasive than in the past!
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Heretic + Hexen is yet another successful restoration by the prolific developers at Nightdive Studios. This time around, two classic fantasy shooters from the 90s have been polished up. They are probably unknown to today's audience, but they will make the hearts of those who grew up on FPS games beat faster. Improved performance, a slew of enhancements including multiplayer and quality of life implementations, and two brand new episodes created with id Software. The “usual” sumptuous package from the Vancouver team, a must-have for the most avid fans of the genre, but also for those who want to savor a couple of pages of history.
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Gears of War: Reloaded proves how good games can stand the test of time while preserving their best qualities. In this sense, the re-release of the Epic Games classic revives the same emotions of 2006, this time not only for Xbox and PC audiences but also for PlayStation users, who welcome the saga with enthusiasm. For the record, there are inevitably a few wrinkles, whether due to certain structural choices or constraints of the time. That said, the historic TPS is still relevant and damn fun thanks to a respectful and high-quality remastering.
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Hell Is Us is not a video game for everyone. And in 2025, that's a huge compliment. In an industry that often prefers to play it safe rather than take risks, Rogue Factor has had the courage to create a title that doesn't try to please everyone, but only those who are willing to challenge themselves. If you are among them, you will find yourself immersed in a powerful, dense, visually striking, and narratively elusive and poignant experience. You will get lost, you will get angry, you will go back, you will reread your notes, you will search for meaning. And, in the end, something will stay with you. A feeling. A doubt. A message. It's not perfect — in fact, at times it's deliberately rough, imperfect, unclear. But it's authentic. If you're tired of the usual open worlds, checklists to complete, and cookie-cutter dialogue, then Hell Is Us could be the breath of fresh air you need.
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Kirby and the Forgotten Land – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition + Star-Crossed World continues the Kyoto giant's trend of re-releasing its greatest hits from recent years in an improved format and accompanied by new content. In this sense, the re-release is undoubtedly the benchmark for fully appreciating this highly successful chapter. The technical improvements make everything sharper and smoother, while the expansion proves capable of extending the longevity of the original title by introducing stimulating challenges and extra goodies. An unmissable title for all fans of the omnivorous pink ball, but also for all Switch 2 users.
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Space Adventure Cobra - The Awakening is a video game that does not seek to revive a forgotten brand or win over new fans. It presents itself as a sincere and carefully crafted tribute, dedicated to a character loved by a niche group of enthusiasts, packaged with respect and passion. It offers an experience based on evocative aesthetics, a charismatic protagonist, and a deliberately retro narrative, but it is not without its gameplay issues, due to a control system that is not always entirely convincing. However, thanks to its frenetic pace and well-crafted atmosphere, the title still manages to entertain and amuse. Those who approach Space Cobra Adventure - The Awakening should do so knowing that they will not find a revolutionary platformer or a “starting point” for the brand in our favorite industry, but simply a tribute to a space pirate with a cigar in his mouth, a swashbuckling heart, and a laser gun in place of his hand.
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