4News.it's Reviews
Rarely have we seen a title released at a more unfortunate time than Sonic Superstars. Despite the risk of being literally strangled between historical rivals and stellar productions, the blue hedgehog's new adventure succeeds in the feat of carving out a moment of fame thanks to solid gameplay, stellar level design and enviable variety. It's also a great little payback for the Azarest team, whose goodwill is evident while stumbling over the introduction of some less-than-perfectly optimized ideas (chief among them, the multiplayer compartment and the absence of some small quality-of-life touches). Wear the red shoes and watch out for the rings: Eggman must be stopped!
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Hot Wheels Unleashed 2 takes the best features of its predecessor and improves virtually every aspect of it. The result is a distinctly arcade and delightfully fast racing game, saturated with content and love for the Mattel brand born back in 1968. Even those who are not fans of the models will be able to find cues of genuine, light-hearted fun. Just its jaunty soul might turn some people's noses up, along with some smears to the vehicle collision system. For everyone else, the message is clear: Milestone has hit the jackpot again.
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Stray Souls, despite a lofty incipit, ends up failing in every respect. Unsatisfactory combat system, nonexistent enemy AI, very poor characterization of characters, bugs and glitches of all kinds and forms, and we could go on and on. Sorry because on paper the title developed by Jukai Studios and published by Versus Evil, had great potential. We can only advise against buying it, there is better out there!
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Limerick: Cadence Mansion is a solid action-horror adventure, featuring satisfying pacing, solid and scary gameplay, ad hoc inserted jumpscare, not particularly complex but varied puzzles, and really detailed environments. The result? Net of a vague and confusing narrative plot, an eerie and carefully crafted experience ready to welcome you.
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NHL 24 is the new iteration of EA Sports' traditionally more experimental series. With this edition, the development team does not deviate from the path it has taken over the years, bringing to the plate a title that is rich, extremely accessible and demonstrably fun. Of course, like all annual sports games, the innovative scope is not as pronounced as one would have hoped. However, the greatest achievement is precisely having managed to convey the sensations of such a fast-paced sport, thanks to the ideas introduced with the Exhaust Engine and beyond. A title that is therefore recommended for all field hockey lovers, but also (and especially) for those who want to approach the rink for the first time.
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The METAL GEAR SOLID: MASTER COLLECTION Vol. 1, is an edition that in our opinion is absolutely worth having. It includes, in a meaty package, the beginnings of the legendary saga created by Hideo Kojima and published by Konami, allowing, both historical fans and new generations, to experience the exploits of one of the best characters ever: Solid Snake. The cinematic-style storytelling, through the “brainy” chronology and memorable characters, the themes that are still relevant today (such as sociology, genetic engineering, artificial intelligence, memes, existentialism, censorship, conspiracies, information, you name it), are just some of the ingenious (and extraordinary) elements of MGS (hard to find in modern productions). The gameplay-although it is beginning to feel the weight of age-remains extremely valid even today. In purely graphical terms, although it completely lacks 4K support, Sons of Liberty and Snake Eater-even at 1080p-look good and defend themselves (thanks in part to Blu Point's 2012 makeover work), still quite well; as for MGS, on the other hand, sorry for the 30 fps (at 60 it could get there without major problems), while graphically, well - age is definitely felt - so much edginess, flatness and textures that by now - although it must be said (not considering the Twin Snakes version released on Nintendo GameCube) that it is a good port - make it complicated to properly experience
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Disgaea 7 succeeds in lifting the Nippon Ichi saga from the progressive torpor of the last few chapters. While not revolutionizing anything of its fundamental structure, Vows of the Virtueless consolidates the best of the saga's features into a genuinely entertaining product. In doing so it mixes into an already by nature overflowing cauldron an inviting number of new features. Between Jumbification and item reincarnation, the brand's new installment enriches its complexity, promising a very high number of hours of wholesome strategic entertainment. Fortunately, Disgaea is back.
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Marvel's Spider-Man 2 by Insomniac Games is a truly incredible title, featuring a well-written, solid and engaging narrative plot, deep characters-each grappling with “their own personal ghosts”-that evolve nicely during the game campaign, and gameplay, albeit “more of the same,” further refined and improved. Being able to perform parrying and counterattack actions makes the gameplay decidedly more dynamic especially against those enemies, which although still characterized by an AI that is not always brilliant, can really give our heroes and their skills, techniques and gadgets a run for their money. Further embellishing the Marvel's Spider-Man 2 experience, which is essentially the culmination of everything the studio has learned about development on PS5, is the excellent technical and graphical performance. PS5's I/O capabilities negate loading times, allowing a switch from Peter to Miles and vice versa, immediate, DualSense and 3D audio, increase the immersiveness of the experience, and the graphics, thanks to the proprietary engine, are nothing short of breathtaking. More to add? Buy it!
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The Crew Motorfest marks an arguably inevitable change for the brand. Leaving behind the American moors (which turned out to be not so rich in opportunity), Ivory West revolutionizes the series by taking us to a motor festival on Hawaiian soil. The sources of inspirations to other masterpieces of the genre are definitely evident but the end result, while not shining in originality and despite some structural issues, is a fun and exuberant ride among the natural beauty of the island of Oahu. Has Ubisoft's arcade series found its way?
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There is no doubt that NBA 2K24 is once again the best presented sports game on the market, and it is also probably the most comprehensive, with a dizzying selection of modes and features that manage to satisfy all playing styles and tastes. The gameplay surprises, with small additions that certainly make it more accessible. Again, it's a shame that microtransactions are so pronounced, but unfortunately it seems that the developer doesn't want to know about reducing them. That said, NBA 2K24, thanks also to the Mamba Moments, which allow you to relive some iconic Kobe Bryant matches, is definitely worth the price of the ticket.
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Separate Ways is definitely - also considering the price (9.99 €) a well-developed DLC able not only to fill some obvious narrative gaps in Leon's main campaign but also to add an additional layer of depth (thanks to Ada's agility and technological “gadgets”) to an already quite good gameplay, greatly contributing to make the RE4 remake experience - also thanks to the fact that it manages to tie in perfectly with the game's overall plot - really complete and absolutely worth trying.
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Assassin's Creed Mirage finally seems to have brought the series back to its roots and does so in the best way possible. The story and gameplay are indeed very similar to what made Assassin's Creed so popular when it arrived back in 2007 on PlayStation 3, Xbox 360 and PC, and the new setting and gameplay mechanics clearly focused on pure stealth, although some might turn their noses up at the drastic reduction of RPG elements, work, entertain and convince. In short, Mirage, if like us you loved the first chapters in the saga of first Altair and then Ezio, represents a new direction that is definitely worth experiencing.
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After a good six long years, Turn 10 Studios' racing title Forza Motorsport is in better shape than ever. The driving experience offered - in our opinion - is fair and balanced, not overly simulative, as perhaps Assetto Corsa or iRacing might be, nor overly indulgent as that offered by Codemasters and EA Sports' F1 23, but it certainly requires the player to pay more attention and dedication - in terms of race and competition preparation - than previous iterations. Between practice sessions, qualifying, races and more, you will soon find yourself “forging” your racing career and achieving great success. All this through an unparalleled driving feeling, even more immersive and immersive, which - thanks to its extensive customization - makes Forza Motorsport can be accessible and affordable for novices while the most avid and seasoned drivers - in addition to finding bread for their teeth - will be enraptured by what is the new era of Forza Motorsport.
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Trepang2 manages to be at once as impressive as it is disappointing. As a debut project made by an extremely small team, it astounds by the care taken in the shooting and core gameplay stages, which are as exhilarating as they are spectacular. On the other hand, the Trepang Studios production pales all the limitations of a debut that wants to measure itself against a complex genre, stumbling especially in the importance of level design in the ludic economy. All issues aside, Trepang2 is a triumph of over-the-top action that should be taken for what it is: a highly enjoyable pastime.
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Rise of the Triad: Ludicrous Edition is yet another demonstration of Nightdive Studios' distinct aptitude for making quality remasters for historical titles. This time, however, it is the turn of an almost unknown title nowadays, a little gem in FPS history. An impeccable job once again for the development team, thanks to an excellent technical realization and the usual, meticulous care for content (also unreleased). However, it remains a title with a high difficulty, as well as an inevitably second-rate product compared to the classics of the same historical period. For admirers and nostalgics alike.
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Gunbrella is yet another project welcomed under the whimsical wing of Devolver Digital. The new Doinksoft-signed creature is an action platformer with metroidvania veins, which dares to stand out from the crowd thanks to the peculiarity of the weapon that gives the title its name. Somewhere between a rifle and an umbrella, the development team's idea allows the title to ground itself in a fresh concept, albeit with an adventure that is not as memorable as we might have hoped. Nevertheless, it remains a fine project, practically unmissable in its value for money, which we hope will find a worthy evolution in the future.
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EA Sports has hit the jackpot with EA Sports FC 24, making (but without disrupting its key elements) the most authentic soccer game to date. The gameplay-although it still appears to be rather frenetic-has been slightly improved, allowing (until new updates) for better weighting of one's action, between reasoned passes and ball management (thus reducing-although it still happens during matches-the frantic runs toward the opponent's goal). Good also the physics, certainly more realistic than past chapters, while the Hypermotion V and the optimization through Opta (really incredible the movements of the game kits and hair), make the matches, even more immersive. Just as before, the major focus is on the multiplayer part and in particular on the FUT Ultimate Team mode that offers an even more complete experience thanks to the addition of women's leagues and PlayStyles/playstyles. Overall, the fact that the overall formula has not been disrupted, we like it and it will surely appeal to regulars of the “made in Canada” iteration as well.
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Although it does not innovate the “psychological horror” genre in any way, Ad Infinitum presents a well-written story that manages to skillfully explore the protagonist's wartime traumas. The lack of conventional combat limits so much the encounters with enemies, which end up becoming a kind of extension of the puzzles in the game, but the design of these creatures is wonderful, especially the bosses, which are truly grotesque. It lacks a bit of refinement here and there, and the frame rate is far too erratic. However, for fans of the genre, Nacon and Hekate's title can definitely be more than enough of an experience to experience firsthand.
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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.
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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
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