Console-Tribe

Scavengers Studio's adventure starts with a great idea but loses itself in execution, providing an adventure that's intense at times and empty at others. It could be completed in around six hours but took me a few more as I tried to "linger" everywhere to fill my diary, the most appreciated gameplay component, to 100%. Objectively, it's not a bad game, and those who enjoy this type of setting may appreciate it, but as a reviewer, I must provide an objective evaluation. I reluctantly give it a passing grade, as it was in my personal Wish List for two years but bored me, particularly towards the end, when the vague ending clarified some questions. A pity, as I really tried to enjoy it, and despite my efforts, I couldn't even earn a Platinum trophy due to the game's short nature, as it's not included in this PlayStation exclusive. A real shame.

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Wanted: Dead had intriguing premises, given the pedigree of the names involved and the intent to blend Ninja Gaiden-style action with SEGA's Yakuza humor. Unfortunately, it collided with mediocre technical execution, characterized by questionable technical and aesthetic performance, and a combat system unworthy of the names attached. Despite its challenge, if such an action game presents its best aspects in the secondary minigames, something has clearly gone wrong.

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Shoulders of Giants is an excellent independent product, one of the best in the RPG shooter sector in terms of quality-price ratio. The gameplay crafted by the developers is solid, fun, and enhanced by four-player online co-op. Despite some technical imperfections and conceptual limitations, the game is sufficiently entertaining and rewarding.

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SpongeBob SquarePants: The Cosmic Shake doesn't aim to revolutionize, opting instead for a canonical and predictable approach. Despite being too classic in mechanics, the team managed to enrich it with some pleasant variations that add a bit of zest to this multiverse adventure. Fun and colorful in its simplicity, SpongeBob SquarePants: The Cosmic Shake could have dared more, but it still provided a satisfying and dignified experience. If you're a fan of the funny sponge, feel free to adjust the rating to your liking.

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Hi-Fi RUSH is a wonderful surprise: a splendid visual and musical work with well-designed mechanics. Despite some repetitiveness and simplified aspects, the game's overall quality is impressive, especially at about half the price of a typical AAA title. Tango Gameworks' production can be considered a genre reference, attracting rhythm game newcomers and pleasing veterans who aren't exactly spoiled for choice in this genre.

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There's much to say about Hogwarts Legacy, but the most passionate advice I can give is to try it yourself, taking the time to enjoy the plot, characters, and adventures that unfold before your eyes, losing yourself in the numerous and high-quality details Avalanche has prepared. Revisiting the iconic series locations is an indescribable joy for Potterheads, but even those who haven't seen the films will be captivated by the game’s landscapes, feeling both familiar and new. As a Harry Potter fan, I might be biased, but Hogwarts Legacy is almost everything you've always wanted to play. Ignoring the absence of Quidditch and other lessons that would have been nice to attend, the game still offers an enormous amount of hours to fully immerse yourself.

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Everything sounds great so far, but why not a perfect score? Despite the undeniable effort in making the Dead Space Remake, technical flaws and a non-user-friendly price should not be overlooked. I'm particularly strict regarding remakes, given the production efforts are not equivalent to creating something from scratch. Therefore, the full price is a crucial consideration, especially for those who played the original Isaak's adventure. Coupled with a technical department that, though convincing, has some performance issues, the highest rating remains just out of reach. Despite these criticisms, it's a commendable work, owed to an excellent base still today in terms of gameplay and design. However, I must judge the remaking effort, which is of high quality but not without some flaws.

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Once hailed as a symbol of Sony's external partnerships, Forspoken has buckled under the weight of expectations, transforming from an unintended herald of technique to a rather standard exclusive. Frey's adventure is unlikely to be remembered for its emotional impact, above-average performance, or game design, as Luminous Production's title is as conventional and predictable as can be. Based mainly on its well-crafted combat system, the game features an uneven progression, set in an exciting and rich world but terribly monotonous in its variety. A pleasant game to play, but terribly harmless, and given the many upcoming productions in 2023, it's unlikely to be remembered at the year's end.

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One Piece Odyssey is an excellent product that will delight fans of the saga and JRPGs. You need to enjoy the genre before venturing into this latest chapter, as it differs significantly from previous action-heavy installments, offering a more technical and paced experience despite the wonderful battle animations. The gameplay is solid and satisfying, with the only minor flaw being the low difficulty, allowing for smooth gameplay until facing bosses that provide a bit more challenge. The environments and characters are faithful to the anime, bringing a smile to fans' faces, especially in Memoria, where old faces appear, adding a bit of uncertainty to the story that makes it enjoyable and not just a recap of past events. Highly recommended, and let's hope other famous brands take inspiration from this title to provide new and exciting RPG stories (Naruto, cough cough...).

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Monster Hunter Rise is probably the pinnacle of Capcom's series, despite being the least "traditional" chapter. The gameplay remains mostly unchanged, but the revisited, streamlined, and sped-up routine makes this the best and most accessible entry for both veterans and newcomers. Capcom's production has few flaws, mainly related to its technical prowess, which at times reveals its humble computational origins. Monster Hunter Rise is probably the first chapter that can be recommended to everyone without distinction: the hunt is open for all!

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Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII – Reunion is much more than a simple remaster, thanks to Square-Enix embracing Unreal Engine 4, offering new high-definition scenarios, textures, and polygons, along with a fully orchestrated soundtrack and new voice acting, making it almost a remake. However, the rest remains faithful to the original, from animations to the corridor-like map structure, interrupted by connection points due to the hardware of the time, though now lacking the loading times. Playing Crisis Core today is somewhat controversial due to the aged gameplay and the story's timing, especially considering the upcoming Final Fantasy VII Rebirth. Technically, it's well done, much more than usual, showing the saga's love for its fans and Square-Enix. Still, it's not a title for everyone, recommended especially for those who finished FFVII back in the day and missed it or want to replay it. New players might be better off waiting to avoid spoilers.

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Blacktail is a convincing debut for The Parasight, though it shows some naivety, perhaps due to an excessive desire to impress players. The moral choice mechanism is too subtle and lacks real gameplay impact. The combat system, while not to be discarded, is overly rigid and quite challenging. Despite these issues, Yaga's tormented story is entertaining, thanks to a well-characterized game world and effective script. A debut with flaws, but its strengths confirm it as an enjoyable title with a decent personality.

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Evil West is a fun, brutal, and frenetic game, blending B-movie humor and violence with an improbable western and horror twist. Despite good general and artistic premises, the gameplay is adrenaline-pumping but limited and relatively short, only slightly mitigated by online co-op and some variations. A double-A game that, despite showing some weaknesses, manages to entertain and suggest a future (hopefully not too distant) of additional content and new chapters.

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We've reached the end of this bizarre tale filled with goats and explosions, broadening our horizons thanks to Goat Simulator 3: after all, it's not every day you become a goat. Developed by Coffee Stain North, it's a cheerful and carefree game, not overly challenging but entertaining with its wacky mix of situations. I hope you'll try this strange experience... beeeee.

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Father, forgive me for I have sinned, but I didn't understand this game, or rather, I understood it too well. The point seems to be that History, with a capital H, is unreliable by nature, told by the victors (or those determined enough to push their version), and that regardless of events, the future is always inevitable, giving us only the illusion of choice. Immersing in a community that changes over time, albeit imperceptibly, also due to our influence. But in my opinion, Obsidian erred in pride, focusing too much on excellent storytelling (which becomes heavy towards the end) behind a visually novel-like setup with a sprinkle of RPG elements, giving us the reins of a blinkered horse that refuses to turn when we command.

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Do Not Open starts with great premises and quickly presents some brilliant ideas, creating an oppressive and mysterious atmosphere. Unfortunately, the house of cards collapses when Nox Noctis's gameplay mechanics take center stage, turning the game into something truly scary for all the wrong reasons. Exasperated trial and error, sometimes absurd difficulty (compounded by unreadable hints due to poor screen rendering), and an enemy that, once appearing, makes everything frustrating and unplayable, all undermine the debut of the Spanish team. Despite showing some promising elements, they need to refine their aim.

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Last Days of Lazarus represents a bittersweet debut for Darkania Works, showcasing their ability to craft an intriguing plot and well-oiled gameplay concepts. However, the flip side is the game's thin interactive structure, with major complications (for the player) stemming from an annoying cursor and a somewhat disjointed story progression. Ultimately, it's a production with undeniable potential and passion from the development team, but it needed more depth to truly soar.

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At the end of the day, after the roughly five hours needed to reach the credits, Asterix & Obelix XXXL: The Ram From Hibernia earns a passing grade, given the evident limitations that partially undermine Osome Studio's new work. These limits revolve around a concept that is too simple and predictable, with co-op and interesting puzzles being its main strengths, aside from the character charm. The adventure is solid overall but lacks that spark to make a real difference, especially in a crowded release period. What remains is an honest and enjoyable game, proportionate to its price, but not one to leave an indelible mark on players' memories.

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The Dark Pictures Anthology: The Devil in Me really frustrated me, as it was supposed to represent the culmination of Supermassive's experience in this project but fell victim to some glaring design flaws. While the gameplay variety and scope are the broadest of the series, thanks to some embryonic introductions, the overly stretched duration diluted the moments of true active tension, which, though always present, is more tied to environmental construction than actual gameplay situations. This isn't a complete failure, as fans of the British team's creative vision will still enjoy it, but the hidden potential of this sadistic story is less explosive than it could have been. Now we wait for the next season, hoping the expansion ambitions find their right sublimation.

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The definitive Kratos? Bold and perhaps counterproductive, but after completing Santa Monica's epic orchestrated effort, I'm ready to take a firm stand—favorable towards our trusted Spartan. God of War: Ragnarok is undoubtedly the series' pinnacle, thanks to enviable balance and maturity, unimaginable at its carefree beginnings. Kratos has evolved, and so have we, deserving applause for guiding us effectively through this winding path of change. Further innovation after the 2018 revamp would have been risky, so Eric Williams and the team wisely refined the new course initiated by Cory Barlog, delivering a game that improves and expands on its predecessor. The result is a must-play for Sony console owners and those who love great games. For everyone else, there's an endless catalog of productions to explore.

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