4News.it's Reviews
Contra: Operation Galuga marks the return to the scenes of Konami's historic series after a hiatus of several years, especially if we go back to dredge up the last installment with a quality worthy of this IP's prestige. The developers at WayForward painstakingly reworked the classic run 'n gun action game of the 1980s, managing to replicate the original feel with a little splash of modernity. The operation is certainly successful, yet the more orthodox features of the saga (edginess of difficulty, primarily) may still be a relevant deterrent for many players today.
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The Outlast Trials is a bold experiment on the part of Red Barrels, which sets aside the established structure that has made the series successful in favor of a new interpretation devoted to online multiplayer. The creepiness and horror are constant presences, as is the rich content enriched by an interesting support on paper. What did not convince us 100%, however, is precisely the very choice to tackle an Outlast-style adventure with other people, given the structural limitations required to “make” the gameplay work in co-op in addition to the inevitable collapse of the oppressive atmosphere given by solitude. If you are a fan of the genre and have a good group to experience the title in the right way, Trials can thrill and terrify you. If, on the other hand, you plan to play it with casual players (or in single player mode), the production may show all its flaws.
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With Expeditions: A MudRunner Game, Saber Interactive decides to take its simulative series into the wilderness with a change of perspective. So here are scientific expeditions to be meticulously prepared, between retrieving precious cargo to rescuing lost vehicles, passing through the inevitable snags along the way to be solved with skill and craftsmanship. In this respect, the new spin-off installment of the MudRunner series surprisingly tends toward puzzle games, putting the player in situations to overcome with the right method at the right time through full awareness of one's resources. However, the purely simulative approach may not suit every palate: if you don't want to freak out over yet another vehicle mired in mud, paved roads may be more for you.
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Penny's Big Breakaway is a very pleasant foray into 3D platforming at the turn of the millennium. Somewhere between SEGA evocations and Nintendo suggestions, the Evening Star production convinces and entertains mainly thanks to the yo-yo gimmick, capable of inserting fresh gameplay dynamics even in a very traditional context. Unfortunately, not all sections come into focus, as well as some play mechanics lose sharpness to a keen eye. Nevertheless, it is a title that will entertain and amuse fans of the genre as well as nostalgic gamers.
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Tomb Raider I-III Remastered is one of the best remastered we have played. It’s a tribute to the origins of the franchise (and consequently the genre). Not everyone will appreciate the three titles by playing them today for the first time, but the charm they exude is still undiminished. And as the old romantics that we are, sometimes that's all we need.
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After years of militancy on PC and several revisions, Alisa: Developer's Cut also arrives on consoles bringing its developer's homage to the forefathers of survival horror. Casper Croes writes the most classic of love letters, yet goes about religiously replicating every aspect, from the B-series narrative to the PS1-era graphics and tank controls. A blast of nostalgia that will be viscerally loved by those who lived through this period of history. For everyone else, the trip back in time may be all too traumatic.
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All in all, Mario vs. Donkey Kong is a remix that - between highs and lows - manages to have its say. It is definitely an uninspired but enjoyable remake for Nintendo Switch (provided you get through the first few hours of play unscathed and overlook the clumsiness of some of the mechanics that slightly undermine the gameplay experience) that allows you to experiment with new ways of approaching the genre in what in our opinion turns out to be a good postmodern puzzle-platformer and nothing more. That said, although two additional worlds are available - complete with an extra mode (which will keep you glued to the screen) and local co-op mode for two players, Nintendo could have made an extra effort and added some extra content that would certainly have benefited the (rather skimpy) duration.
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Bandle Tale is a refreshing addition-perfect for fans and newcomers alike-to the League of Legends universe, offering players a quiet yet engaging experience that departs from the franchise's usual combat-based gameplay. Focusing on creation, exploration and community building, the game features a rich narrative and engaging world-building that celebrates creativity, friendship and the joy of discovery. The inclusion of a customizable Yordle protagonist provides a personal touch that allows players to connect deeply with the story. Ultimately, whether you are looking for a relaxing adventure away from the battlefield or are eager to delve deeper into the lore of League of Legends, Bandle Tale offers a compelling experience that is both moving and fulfilling, marking it as a must-play game that stands out from the crowd for its creativity and unique charm.
Review in Italian | Read full review
We want to be honest: not even in our wildest dreams would we have expected Helldivers 2 to manage to be such a damn fun title. The excellent gameplay and its ability to make us feel like part of a team—and even more, part of a community—are worth the price of ticket. Now it’s up to the developers to grow their creation, but as of now, despite some fruition-related issues that we bet will be resolved soon, we believe Helldivers 2 is the best Game as a Service on the market. If you haven't enlisted yet, do it now—there's plenty of alien trash to take out!
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Inkulinati finally arrives at its full release and does so with a product that is as fascinating as it is complex. The medieval marginalia aesthetic imparts a unique personality to the project, as does an effectively strategic and layered gameplay. However, as with all titles that choose to embrace both a distinctive art design and a niche genre, the end result is inevitably a product that is not easy to recommend to everyone. Beyond the unquestionable qualities, Yaza Games' debut work is a clear example of what the indie market can hold in store: tactical fans in particular should cast an eye on it.
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When the source material is already a masterpiece, a remake capable of further improving the formula can only achieve the same status. Even nearly two decades later, the third main installment in the Atlus series proves that it is still an excellent JRPG with a phenomenal storyline and addictive gameplay. Persona 3 Reload takes all this and elevates it to the nth degree, with a new look, smoother dungeon management, and an endless series of improvements. After Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth, another SEGA-signed masterpiece in this exhilarating early 2024.
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Banishers: Ghosts of New Eden is Don't Nod's best game. We faced an emotionally devastating title supported this time by a well-executed and satisfying "action" element, especially thanks to the excellent level design of the game world. Despite some shortcomings, as highlighted in the review, we believe this is the first title from Don't Nod that will win everyone over.
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Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League is the most difficult title to review not only of 2024 but perhaps, who knows, of the entire generation. After nearly a decade of waiting since Batman Arkham Knight, Rocksteady finally returns with a project greeted more with a heartfelt funeral requiem than a bit of cold detachment. Judged through the lens of the fan disappointed by what this title could have been, it would be easy to speak of disappointment, going on to hyperbolically mark (existing) flaws and narrative merits. But striving to judge the title for what it sincerely wants to be, we cannot help but recognize its obvious production values, the courage of the change of course, and, ultimately, the fun and entertainment it can deliver. Because Kill the Justice League is primarily that: a title that offers genuine entertainment, driven by a compelling and unpredictable plot. Not everything works as it should and the specter of repetitiveness hovers as over any other looter shooter. But one thing is certain: Suicide Squad is not as bad as branded by general opinion. Give it a chance: this rowdy squad might surprise you and, who knows, maybe a year from now we can find ourselves here talking about its journey.
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Almost two decades after the legendary first chapter, Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth has the flavor of both a point of arrival and a dazzling new beginning. Far from revealing too much, what we can say is that Ryu ga Gotoku Studio's new title is not only, in all likelihood, the best chapter in the series. It also represents one of the best JRPGs in the recent video game landscape and, we go further, one of the first serious candidates for the 2024 GOTYs. A must-buy for practically everyone, but especially for those fans who bought Yakuza back in 2006 for the PlayStation 2: all of this was also possible thanks to you!
Review in Italian | Read full review
TEKKEN 8 is a product that appeals powerfully to everyone. We are dealing with an extremely deep title, one that will delight the most savvy gamers, while at the same time managing to be the most accessible TEKKEN ever. Similarly, it manages to be full of single player content, almost encyclopedic, and also to offer an online infrastructure that is finally stable and full of options that will delight all the most competitive fans. The King is back, in all his glory!
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Immortality is an extremely difficult project to evaluate, to make understood, and, above all, to recommend. Taken as a video game, it has obvious limitations to the point where it can hardly be compared in the same way as 99.9% of what the market offers. However, it is precisely in its being an exponent of this reduced 0.1% that it asserts its uniqueness. An FMV adventure as a restorer, grappling with a mystery that can transport you into a magnetic story. Undoubtedly not a product for everyone, but for those few it may be unforgettable.
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We cannot hide our disappointment stemming from the feeling of not being the protagonists, both narratively and in gameplay, of what we played. The willingness (or need?) of the developers to beat around the bush a bit meant that we found ourselves faced with a title that does many things well, but none really in a great way.
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Turnip Boy Robs a Bank is another hit target for Snoozy Kazoo. The small Western Massachusetts development team puts us back in the shoes of a jovial thug, this time grappling with a light roguelite based on robberies and ramshackle escapes. It's a short, lighthearted experience that embodies the development team's DNA and their own mission in wanting to create products to detach the brain. Robbing a bank has never been so much fun (!).
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DreadOut 2 marks the return of the talents of Digital Happiness to the world of survival horror. Compared to the past, the formula has been expanded: however, technical ugliness and a game design that is at times darker than the story being told persist. Linda's adventure is full of interesting and mournful insights, but it labors and stumbles with an ambition that is out of parameter with respect to its means and achievements. In a landscape, such as the independent scene, where sometimes sublime results can be achieved that can combine resources and aspirations, the Indonesian production remains an encouraging experiment but still far from the right balance to be remembered by the general public.
Review in Italian | Read full review
Three years after the original release date, The Last of Us Part II is still an epoch-making masterpiece, and this Remastered further enhances Naughty Dog's work. Technical tweaks and playful introductions, including interesting lost levels and the exciting No Return mode, constitute the selling points of the re-release, which further solidifies the must-have character of Neil Druckmann's creature. If you have played the original title to exhaustion, the Remastered may not be a priority purchase. If, on the other hand, you viscerally love the series or, even more so, if you have not yet played Part II, well, the time has come.
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