4News.it's Reviews
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.
Review in Italian | Read full review
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.
Review in Italian | Read full review
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.
Review in Italian | Read full review
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.
Review in Italian | Read full review
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!
Review in Italian | Read full review
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.
Review in Italian | Read full review
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.
Review in Italian | Read full review
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.
Review in Italian | Read full review
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.
Review in Italian | Read full review
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!
Review in Italian | Read full review
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.
Review in Italian | Read full review
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.
Review in Italian | Read full review
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 (!).
Review in Italian | Read full review
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.
Review in Italian | Read full review
Marvel's Midnight Suns is a genuine success story that obsequiously respects the reference material and puts deep, tactical gameplay on the plate in the Firaxis tradition. It is a major project for the development team, content-wise huge and bringing the gameplay experience closer to that of classic Western RPGs. Despite the openness to a wider audience, some aspects of the production could, however, discourage part of the audience such as the management of the dynamics inherent in the Abbey and a technical compartment that is not always flawless. A new certificate of excellence for the legendary development team, which proves that it still has many arrows in its bow.
Review in Italian | Read full review
Cookie Cutter is a bloody, splashy metroidvania that makes aesthetic presentation, combative exhilaration, and narrative anxieties its trump cards. As a debut title, Subcult Joint's work knows how to distinguish itself, thanks to an overall care that is evidently over the top and a marked and clearly visible authorial trait. Ludically, however, Cherry's adventure is much more ordinary, but although fun is always assured, it often falls into youthful errors such as an all-too-spaced camera, a difficulty that is not always balanced and excessive chaos in some battles. Nevertheless, the path of revenge to make Garbanzos pay will be a very satisfying experience.
Review in Italian | Read full review
Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora does not deviate at all from Ubisoft's well-established “open world” formula and draws so much mostly from its other proprietary IP, Far Cry. However, Massive Entertainment has managed to capture and re-present the feeling of exploring a wonderful and vibrant alien world of lush fog-covered jungles, gigantic windblown plains and floating mountains in which you can run, jump and climb. At the same time, the generic storyline, poor enemy variety, simplistic combat system, and stale and repetitive quests make for a boring rest of the experience. Unless you are a big fan of Avatar and Far Cry, Frontiers of Pandora is a totally avoidable title; if you are really intrigued, we recommend waiting for a drastic price drop before buying it.
Review in Italian | Read full review