4News.it's Reviews
Mortal Kombat 1 marks an important point in the history of the franchise. Setting aside many of the ideas and features of the previous chapters, the new installment of the NetherRealm fighting game revolutionizes its ludic layout while still respecting its more established tradition. The resulting product is, in all likelihood, the best in the series for fun, depth and layering thanks to the renewed flow of fights as well as the importance of the Kameo characters (whose balance will have to be evaluated over the distance). At the same time, it is surprising to see some levity in the refinement of the product, between well-witted but somewhat repetitive modes and scattered lapses in the multiplayer options. Despite these défaillance, Mortal Kombat also rightfully jumps on the 2023 triumphant bandwagon.
Review in Italian | Read full review
We came to the end of Under The Waves with mixed feelings, to say the least. We thoroughly enjoyed the masterfully crafted environments created by Quantic and Parallel; exploring the ocean was fascinating, among large whales, tiny turtles and huge schools of fish, all accompanied and enhanced by some tense and eerie moments that really kept us in suspense. Too bad these sequences end too soon, which left us a little bitter in the mouth. More effort could definitely have been made that would have further benefited a narrative that was sii good but felt a bit feeble on more than one occasion. Not to mention the poor care in Sam's facial animations in some key scenes that fail to convey well the messages and emotions that developer, publisher and the nonprofit association involved in the project (which makes its full “weight” felt with messages and information about the same during the playthrough), would have wanted to convey. Of course at a price of €29.99 one cannot have everything, and we settle for an inspired, emotionally strong product that really leaves its mark
Review in Italian | Read full review
Phantom Liberty is what Cyberpunk 2077 was originally supposed to be. The plot is masterfully written and is supported by varied missions that - in the 25 hours or so (time that can be drastically reduced if you don't give yourself to exploration) that it took to completely Phantom Liberty's expansion and reach the new ending - literally kept us glued to the screen. This is enhanced by a superlative cast of characters (Idris Elba's performance as Reed is incredible). In addition, the various improvements made in terms of “quality of life,” between new weapons, dynamic events, and especially with regard to the skill tree, make Phantom Liberty a memorable experience, to say the least, that the player can build to his or her liking. If you have already played Cyberpunk 2077, leave the flawed experience of 2020 behind and dive headlong into this DLC; if, on the other hand, you have never played CDPR's creature feature, you will be the envy of many as you can have the ultimate experience in the Night City!
Review in Italian | Read full review
Super Bomberman R 2 returns to revive the tradition of the Konami saga with a chapter overflowing with content. Those who grew up with the franchise will find themselves right at home thanks to a varied and bold offering that will do justice to the evolutions welcomed over the years, especially on the multiplayer side. However, everyone else may find the new chapter far too confusing and rushed in its realization, ending up being structurally repetitive and generating the fuse of curiosity to fade. In any case, it remains a good product, mainly aimed at fans.
Review in Italian | Read full review
How 2 Escape is a fun title to play cooperatively with another player. Good puzzles--though some turn out to be really complex--not bad narrative plot as well (though not among the most memorable). If you are a fan of Sherlock Holmes, BreakFirst Games' game is definitely for you.
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Chanko Studios makes its debut on the independent scene with a brilliant idea behind It's a Wrap!. Somewhere between a 2D platformer and a puzzle game in the shoes of a filmmaker, the French production brings to the plate an interesting and fun mix in which there is a pleasant breeze of freshness. At the same time, the title is not exactly for everyone, given a play formula heavily dependent on trial & error and a rather high average difficulty. These observations aside, this is one of the most original titles we have had a chance to try in recent years: throwing at least one eye into it is almost imperative.
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After years of absence, just when all hope seemed lost, SEGA brings Samba de Amigo back to life with Party Central. Even two decades later, the rhythm game is still joyful and sparkling, thanks to a more varied soundtrack than in the past, a good number of modes and fun that explodes in multiplayer. A few uncertainties in the control system delegated to the Joy-con and the absence of some additional great South American music (theoretically too important not to be included), however, do not prevent the title from being one of the best exponents of the genre on the market. Alone or with friends, it's time to shake your hands to the beat!
Review in Italian | Read full review
Armored Core VI: Fires of Rubicon is yet another great success for From Software, capable of doing practically nothing wrong for more than 10 years now. A triumph that smacks of revenge for a historic series, which inherits the lessons undertaken by the Japanese software house and applies them while preserving its strong identity matrix. The result is not only the best Armored Core ever, but also one of the most frenetic and galvanizing action games on the video game scene, as well as a true paradise for all mecha lovers. Let's be clear: this is not a title for all palates, who may find the pace of confrontations or the spikes in difficulty of bosses unmanageable at times. But for everyone else, rejoice: 2023 will long be remembered.
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Immortals of Aveum represents Ascendant Studios' first attempt to offer gamers its own fantasy universe in which magic replaces bullets. The very good gameplay (although on several occasions the fighting proved rather chaotic), chock-full of magic and sorcery, is not adequately supported by a solid narrative plot (the interesting incipit literally ends up collapsing in on itself) and more than a few glitches and bugs negatively affect the experience. That said, the potential was all there, and given the experience of much of the development team, we certainly would have expected a better job. Let's keep our fingers crossed for the future!
Review in Italian | Read full review
Daymare: 1994 Sandcastle represents a definite step forward for Invader Studios. The new survival horror from the “made in Italy” team convinces and entertains. Between unexplained electromagnetic events, bizarre experiments and government conspiracies, the narrative plot develops quite well, with apt twists and turns that manage to keep the story fresh and interesting. In terms of gameplay - however - the leap forward is there and it all shows. The aiming and reloading system has been simplified - which makes for a more solid and immediate experience - while the addition of new gadgets such as the HADES scanner and the Frost Grip, seemed to us more apt than ever, as these are gimmicks not to be used just once but to be firmly relied upon over the course of the game. The enemies are also well done, although they lack some variety that could have given even more depth to the production. In short, if you are a fan of Resident Evil but in general of “old school” survival horror, Daymare: 1994 Sandcastle is a must buy.
Review in Italian | Read full review
Madden NFL 24 is definitely a good sports title that entertains without, however, reaching the optimum. The improvements made to this year's product are there but for the finer palates, they might be a bit of a stretch. The graphics are undoubtedly incredible, as are the new animations and the revised AI - guaranteeing challenges - thanks in part to the various content available - that are realistic and authentic, to say the least. Unfortunately, there are some major uncertainties, especially with regard to the physics - on more than one occasion unconvincing - while the new launch feature, ends up being tricky to say the least to assimilate, in a game system that is already hostile in itself. Add to that menus that are borderline embarrassing (too wooden and slow to navigate), and the omelette-at least from a technical standpoint-is served. And that's a shame, because with a little care we would be talking about a near-perfect product.
Review in Italian | Read full review
Fort Solis conveyed a rather distinct feeling to us. On the one hand, we sensed the willingness of the development team to put itself out there, even resorting to the professionalism of big names like Troy Baker and Roger Clark. On the other hand, we were faced with an unfortunately intangible title, both ludically and narratively. The Polish team Fallen Leaf, in spite of itself, went the extra mile. The result is a sci-fi thriller experience that, despite the appeal sought by the marketing, slips by without gasps or exclamation points. A title therefore suitable only for a fleeting unpretentious evening: a pity.
Review in Italian | Read full review
Quake II Remastered is proof that making reissues of old masterpieces is not only good and right, but also possible to do without lending itself to greed. With a practically perfect technical operation, graced by a lavish content profile (with even an all-new expansion signed by the developers of the recent Wolfenstein) and a brutally honest price tag, this 1997 masterpiece can finally enjoy its own definitive edition.
Review in Italian | Read full review
Shadow Gambit: The Cursed Crew is the new effort from the team behind the excellent Shadow Tactics and Desperados III, confirming their great capabilities. Mimimi Games makes yet another fantastic action stealth strategy, this time drawing from pirate imagery and enriching it with supernatural powers. The focus on coordinated actions and almost total freedom of action is tempered by gameplay ideas that make the experience both more varied and accessible, without ever losing the feeling of gratification for each well-executed plan. Even with a few minor smears.... let's toast in joy with rum!
Review in Italian | Read full review
Gord bids to be a link between colony sim and city builder, geared toward survival management. The developers' care is evident in the narrative refinement, based on the lore of Slavic mythology, and in the play structure, in which macro and micro management of layered systems are constantly intertwined. However, it is in the overall atmosphere that the Covenant.dev production leaves a distinct mark, conveying (ludically and morally) the absolute precariousness of one's tribe in an inhospitable, cold and gloomy world. An inevitably niche title, but one that will appeal to lovers of the genre and dark fantasy.
Review in Italian | Read full review
In a way that was totally unimaginable until a few months ago, the historic Lee brothers' series re-enters the video game landscape with Double Dragon Gaiden: Rise of the Dragons. Although the levels recently achieved by competitors are still out of reach, the chapter developed by Secret Base Pte Ltd surprises with magnetic gameplay and ingenious introductions borrowed from the roguelite world. What emerges is a gangly and highly entertaining scrolling beat'em'up, even at the expense of some glaring issues (above all, the level design and the absence of an online mode). With that in mind, Gaiden will bring a smile (finally and after so many years) to fans of the saga and beyond.
Review in Italian | Read full review
Gimmick! Special Edition represents a small victory for fans of the NES era, who can finally get a feel for (and physically own) one of the great little titles lost to time and localizations. A painstakingly crafted platformer that is still enjoyable today, even in the face of a decidedly high difficulty that could deter many players. New content and countless QOL tweaks allow this version to be the best way to approach a title that is historic in its own way. Of course, those who do not appreciate such hardcore retrogaming may not enjoy the youkai adventure.
Review in Italian | Read full review
Pikmin 4 encapsulates all the best of the Nintendo strategy series, a summa that represents its highest point ever. A masterpiece capable of vastly expanding all the mechanics dear to fans, putting an incredibly generous content offering on the plate. An over-the-top production (despite some minor flaws here and there), which makes even more special a year destined to remain impressed in gamers' memories for a long time. Let's just hope we don't have to wait another decade for the next chapter in this great saga. While waiting, hone the art of Dandori: you will need it!
Review in Italian | Read full review
Koa and the Five Pirates of Mara succeeds in its stated goals: to offer a relaxing platforming experience within the reach of all abilities, from toddlers to speedrun lovers. Despite this, it is good to be aware of the production's limitations: the level design is rather ordinary, the camera suffers from worrying lapses, and the overall difficulty is calibrated downward. With this full awareness of merits and limitations, Koa and Napopo's pirate adventure can be a nice pastime on hot summer days.
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Master Detective Archives: RAIN CODE fully realizes what its creators, the same ingenious (and somewhat twisted) minds behind the Danganronpa saga, hoped for. In taking up that legacy, Yuma and Shinigami's adventure is a gripping detective story, full of charm and food for thought, aided by the eccentricity of some (several) of its ideas. The end result is a fascinating and peculiar blend that draws as much from Phoenix Wright as it does from Persona, while preserving a very specific identity even at the expense of some technical uncertainties and verbiage that is significant at times. A rare and shining example of exquisitely Japanese creativity and flair: probably not a product for everyone, but invaluable precisely because of its proud uniqueness.
Review in Italian | Read full review