4News.it's Reviews
The Holy Gosh Darn is yet another confirmation of the talent of Norwegian studio Perfectly Paranormal. A graphic adventure somewhere between platformer and puzzle game that is deeply inspired by time loop comedies, graced by an impeccable script, extraordinary voice acting and irresistible comedy. It may not be in everyone's cup of tea, complicit with some sensitive and delicate themes at times. And undoubtedly there are other exponents of the genre that are more down-to-earth from a playful point of view. But Cassiel's odyssey deserves to be experienced, in your armchair at home -- with the rewind ready.
Review in Italian | Read full review
Iron Meat is a tribute to the genre it draws inspiration from and to the cornerstones of run-and-gun games. The greatest strength of the production is its dual appeal. It manages to cater to both seasoned gamers who experienced those years and to newcomers drawn to this "chaotic" genre (or simply, to its successful retro pixel art aesthetic). It's a pity that in just a couple of afternoons, you’ll have seen everything, regardless of your skill with the controller.
Review in Italian | Read full review
Pneumata looked promising in terms of both setting and gameplay. We understand that it was made by a single developer (who certainly made a remarkable and impressive effort to say the least) but unfortunately, serious gameplay shortcomings, especially in terms of the woodenness of several mechanics, the total absence of a map and directions, several technical problems, and sections that were a tad too cramped, led us to a tedious and decidedly forgettable experience.
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Thalassa: Edge of the Abyss, tells a poignant, intriguing, rather unhappily tinged story of introspection that takes place entirely beneath the ocean depths. Exploring the remains of the ship - provided we get past the initial stages - is utterly engrossing, and deciphering its mysteries (more than fifty) kept us engaged from start to finish. Yes, some elements don't work very well, such as the menus - a bit difficult to navigate and use - but going over and turning a blind eye, you will really struggle to stop playing this adventure of mysteries and revelations.
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MARVEL vs. CAPCOM Fighting Collection: Arcade Classics is a monument in video game format. Collected in a single title are seven of the most important crossover fighting games in gaming history, including the immortal Marvel vs. Capcom 2: New Age of Heroes. The collection is a unique opportunity not only for all fans of the genre (who will buy it without even waiting for a review) but also for all those who are curious about how certain mechanics and logic were arrived at in contemporary titles today. A history book to be consumed avidly.
Review in Italian | Read full review
Akimbot is a completely derivative title that manages to soften the rigidities of the predecessors of the subgenre it draws inspiration from, while inexplicably self-limiting in terms of its core gameplay mechanics. Fortunately, the title is packed with various special sequences that provide the production with plenty of variety. Even more so, it is an incredibly intense product, with no downtime. In a word, explosive.
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The Casting of Frank Stone, unfortunately, represents the weakest link in the Supermassive Games catalog and a drab single-player debut for Dead by Daylight. An uninspired horror tale in its unfolding, with a gameplay component further stripped down to the bone to the point that it now seems little more than an interactive movie. Fans of the canadian intellectual production will be able to appreciate the lore references and the breath of the production, finding satisfaction and gratification. All others, however, may find this walk in the woods a bit too quiet.
Review in Italian | Read full review
Lollipop Chainsaw RePOP - net of a happy throwback - does not shine (also aided by lazy repurposing on the part of the developer) as we would have expected. The game certainly entertains and does so for the vast majority of the time, with a charm and easygoingness - even today - that is incredible and out of the ordinary. Unfortunately, the upgrade to the graphics (to 4K/60fps), the welcome but insubstantial (albeit discreetly enjoyable) gameplay improvements and the RePOP mode (which we honestly didn't quite understand who it's aimed at), are not enough - also considering the less than stable performance - to justify its €40-plus price tag.
Review in Italian | Read full review
Visions of Mana marks the return of one of Square Enix's least celebrated series in recent years, but no less relevant. The team at Ouka Studios makes a title that is inherently classic in setting, narrative and feel, but calibrated for a contemporary audience. The result is a Mana that has never been so enjoyable to play, rich in content with a delightfully retro spirit, as well as a deep and rewarding combat system. However, precisely because of its strongly intended and sought-after traditionalism, the title may be far too nostalgic to appeal to a modern audience. For everyone else, it will be a sweet shipwreck in this sea of memories.
Review in Italian | Read full review
Gori: Cuddly Carnage is one of those independent productions capable of entertaining us and printing a satisfied grin on our faces. The crazy premise of the production results in an inspired action platformer that mixes style, combat, humor and splatter. A proof of character for the Swedish developers of Angry Demon Studio that will especially win over lovers of stylish action titles and those who look back with nostalgia to past video game generations, even after a few technical embarrassments. A little gem that we nevertheless recommend to (almost) everyone ... also because we know that unicorns are obnoxious and you have always dreamed of slaughtering them with a cat on a hoverboard.
Review in Italian | Read full review
Overall, NBA 2K25 is a nice improvement over its predecessor, thanks to an excellent job of correcting several of the previous iteration's flaws. The gameplay is very solid (starting from the movement on offense, through the contestation of the opponent's shot, to the greater impact that the defense has and the very good AI). All the modes work with the exception of the one dedicated to the WNBA (which will hopefully get the right treatment in the future). However, the biggest flaw of the franchise has not yet been solved, and we refer to the microtransactions and the considerable amount of VC needed to improve your player's build; if you don't have a lot of time to devote to it, it is practically impossible not to use cash, which - in our view - is really an unacceptable constraint. That aside, NBA 2K25 is one of the best titles in the series, if not the best in years!
Review in Italian | Read full review
Ultimately, nearly five years after the initial announcement and with great fanfare, Test Drive Unlimited Solar Crown, launches with problems (some really serious). But if you can look past the glitches, the bugs, the graphical shortcomings, the lack of life in what is supposed to be a 1:1 transposition of Hong Kong, and the numerous, festering server problems, you will find a good driving experience. It almost sounds like a tease, but when Solar Crown works, we guarantee it works for real, with really fun races and with even the exploration on foot being able to offer something that helps Solar Crown stand out. Unfortunately, the obvious criticalities have largely scuttled a product that could have excelled or nearly excelled, and only time will tell if there will be improvements or not; for now we do not feel like recommending, considering the price as well, the purchase of the game, better to wait and see how things evolve in the future!
Review in Italian | Read full review
Mecha Therion marks an important transition for Steel Mantis. After the success garnered with the first Valfaris, the development team decides to revolutionize its creature, abandoning a successful play structure in favor of a scrolling arcade shooter with bullet hell overtones. The courage is rewarded with a title that is once again compelling and unscrupulous, if much more contained and less dazzling. In the impossibility of comparing two such different titles, it becomes mere subjective taste to prefer one or the other but one thing remains certain: the metal continues to flow powerfully.
Review in Italian | Read full review
Thanks to The Iron Rig, Black Salt Games' title gets a new, rich and multifaceted addition. A final adventure among the mysterious seas of DREDGE, between the specter of environmentalist destruction at the hands of capitalism to nature's violent response thanks to incomprehensible forces. A quest that will accompany the now-tried sailors to challenges old and new, dredging full nets in the title's morbid and fascinating play loop of daring fishing trips and sophisticated upgrades. The perfect complement to the production's ludic offering, as long-lived as it is exciting. Hoist anchor for the last time, there is still work to be done... and a few threats to face, with the wind in your sails.
Review in Italian | Read full review
We didn't want to stop playing Astro Bot, and we guarantee that in the past year, no game has grabbed us like Team Asobi's IP. Astro Bot is the missing piece of the puzzle, a 3D platformer that is nothing short of perfect and that arrives - given the lack of Sony-branded games of weight (with the exception of Concord, which unfortunately didn't get the right response) - at the right time, not only for Sony and PS5 - which needed it like crazy - but for all avid fans of 3D platformers. Astro Bot is a real gem, an outstanding platformer of the modern era that will be much talked about now and also in the near future.
Review in Italian | Read full review
At the budget price of $19.99, Squirrel with a Gun offers a very good platforming experience that is just the right amount of fun and wacky. If you're a fan of games like Goat Simulator, you're sure to love stepping into the shoes of a gun-wielding squirrel runaway. Too bad about the lack of variety (but content coming in the next few months should add that extra bit of spice) and some technical smears, but considering the price, they can absolutely fit.
Review in Italian | Read full review
TIEBREAK launches on the market with an excellent roster and really solid gameplay. Unfortunately, some issues, especially regarding the lack of content, highlight that the game wasn’t quite ready to leave Early Access. Today, TIEBREAK is 'just' a fun game that may only entertain you for a short time. However, the foundation is solid, and if Big Ant Studios can complete the work in the coming months, the numerical rating accompanying this review could rise by half a point. Will the studio manage to win this tie-break?
Review in Italian | Read full review
Doom + Doom II is simply one of the best video game compilations around and is an excellent tribute (both for seasoned gamers and those who have never had a chance to play the aforementioned titles) to id Software's legendary shooter created back in 1993. In short, Doom and Doom II represent, even today (and thanks to the juicy new additions), two wonderful and timeless FPSs!
Review in Italian | Read full review
We likedMadden NFL 25. The action on the field is the best we have ever seen in an American football game, thanks to the new Boom Tech and additions stemming from EA Sports College Football 25, making it a better game than Madden NFL 24. The new animations, lighting system, shadows and all the surrounding elements are excellent. And in case you're wondering, even last year's stubborn and slow menus have been overhauled (thanks EA). Too bad, on the other hand, for the modes, which are pretty much unchanged, but you can't have everything, can you?
Review in Italian | Read full review
Kunitsu-Gami: Path of the Goddess is one of the most pleasant surprises of the year. Moving away from the AAA blockbusters to which it has accustomed us, however, Capcom does not forget the requirement for the high quality of its offerings, this time surprising with a hybrid of action and tower defense that proudly pays homage to some powerful cultural aspects of the Land of the Rising Sun. Ludically layered, artistically off-par and content-wise generous, the quest of priestess Yoshiro and guardian Soh is a rare treat to savor. Not everything is perfect and a few smears subsist, let's be clear. But exactly as the Japanese tradition of Wabi-sabi dictates, sometimes it takes not only to accept imperfection, but to find in it the beauty of small things.
Review in Italian | Read full review