Console-Tribe

Star Ocean: The Divine Force is a generally good JRPG with solid role-playing and action components. However, it suffers from several conceptual and technical flaws, rendering it somewhat clunky and narratively and mechanically anonymous. Once again, the Star Ocean saga fails to match its past glory, but Square Enix and Tri-Ace's efforts to keep one of the most iconic brands alive are appreciated. As a fan, I hope to see a new Star Ocean chapter in the not-too-distant future!

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I generally dislike roguelikes, but when they're as fun and full of personality as Paper Cut Mansion, even I can momentarily set aside my biases. Space Lizard Studio's game, despite some minor flaws, offers an original and enjoyable recursive experience, even after multiple deaths. The unique art style, combined with a fitting and well-crafted soundtrack, makes the game very intriguing and well-built, with high replayability incentives from the numerous available endings. It's just a shame about a few technical and design uncertainties.

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Playing with the past, if not done skillfully, can be risky. Given Square Enix's decades of experience, the current state of Tactics Ogre: Reborn is somewhat disappointing. While the structural updates are mostly convincing, the difficulty balance, due to new features, sometimes irreparably undermines the overall experience—unless you're an impeccable strategist with extraordinary patience. The potential for success after 27 years was evident, considering the game's tactical RPG excellence, paving the way for successors like Final Fantasy Tactics. Hopefully, it will soon shine on our screens again without losing its charm to poor decisions. Dreaming is free, after all.

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Modern Warfare II is a return to the past, conceptually and mechanically. This "back to the past" approach is largely successful: despite no major brand revolution (and perhaps some steps back in the campaign), the game maintains its customary solidity, offering a vast and varied content package. However, the retro focus might not sit well with fans accustomed to a faster, more adrenaline-fueled warfare mode. Additionally, the slower pace compared to other series entries may not appeal to casual players. A good chapter that doesn't revolutionize the series but might divide the fan base. For those who don't love Call of Duty, this won't change their minds.

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The Chant isn't a masterpiece that will redefine the horror genre, but it achieves a respectable overall result. Brass Token's production merits are found in its elements, which, while not revolutionary, work well together. The result is an engaging and tight adventure that avoids unnecessary padding, aiming for the goal without unnecessary frills. Despite some fundamental naivety, which partially undermines the overall outcome, Jess's adventure deserves attention from survival horror fans. It debuts in a crowded period, but that doesn't affect its rating here.

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FIFA 23 marks the best possible end to the nearly three-decade partnership between EA Sports and the Fédération Internationale de Football Association. It could have been more daring, especially in modes, but this feels like an optimization chapter rather than an innovation one. For real novelties, we'll probably have to wait for EA Sports FC's debut next year. In the meantime, FIFA 23 delivers more realistic gameplay while still emphasizing the sport's spectacle.

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A winning team doesn't change, as I said at the beginning, but if the changes yield results like those in Mario + Rabbids: Sparks of Hope, then we can safely go beyond this old saying. While recognizable in its main structure, the Rabbids' new foray into the Nintendo world has modernized the appreciated mechanics from Kingdom Battle, enhancing tactical potential and freedom of movement and stage approach. Fun and well-crafted, Ubisoft Milano's new work will surely delight fans of their previous work and convince those not yet charmed by one of the most bizarre and unexpected crossovers in the gaming world.

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A small step forward, respecting the "ancient" direction: this is how we could describe A Plague Tale: Requiem, examined with the "eyes" of Innocence focused on the future. Asobo presents an intense and dark world, a more mature story (though perhaps less "captivating"), and well-crafted characters, starting with the two main protagonists. The developers have refined some aspects of the past experience, attempting to free it from rigid mechanical constraints. The attempt is mostly successful, though those expecting a significant innovation leap may be disappointed. Requiem confirms Asobo's skill in artistic and aesthetic design, though partly hindered by imposed fluidity limits.

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I won't beat around the bush: Dragon Ball: The Breakers is insufficient in every aspect, lacking both in gameplay and technical quality. Bandai Namco's work does little to entertain, confined to a single game mode plagued by imbalance, making most matches frustrating. The core idea isn't bad, but without content updates and fixes, it's unlikely this asynchronous multiplayer offshoot of Akira Toriyama's work will last long.

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Cryptic as you like, and hampered by a frustrating inventory management system, it would be unfair to reduce Signalis to these flaws alone. Analyzed as a whole, rose-engine's production is a design and atmosphere gem, reviving the original survival horror concept and adapting it to the present without losing its essence. The story may be hard to grasp, and you might curse like in a soulslike after returning to the magic chests countless times, but its dark allure is hard to resist. Sure, you might drop it out of frustration, but the urge to finish it will always be there. Perfect? No. Fascinating? Absolutely.

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Gotham Knights is yet another confirmation this generation that making a bigger game doesn't always mean making a better one. WB Games Montreal collapses under its ambition. It's a shame, as there was a good foundation to build on, but technical and gameplay issues result in a product overly repetitive in missions and far from the refinement of Batman's last console adventure in the distant 2015 with Arkham Knight.

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Overreaching? After thorough analysis, while I personally enjoyed The Last Oricru, it's hard to promote GoldKnights' debut, marred by design and execution issues. The title is built on ambitious pillars inspired by notable references, but production flaws make it hard to swallow in late 2022. It's a shame, as the potential for a notable title was there. Hopefully, this setback serves as a lesson, and the team can stay on course for their next game.

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There's little to say about PGA Tour 2K23 other than it's currently the best golf title on the green. HB Studios' experience shines through in new features, especially the appreciated three-touch swing system. The game offers a solid and satisfying framework, with an impressive online competitive mode providing hours of fun. A slight technical boost would have been welcome, as the visuals aren't always up to date, but with no real rivals, it's hard to ask for more.

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Ghostbusters: Spirits Unleashed is undeniably fun, especially with friends. Despite some simplicity, the game offers balanced and strategic gameplay with fitting cartoon graphics and a "maniacal" respect for the legendary films' legacy. However, the production is marred by technical and conceptual issues, primarily the single game mode and limited unlockables. It's a good game, priced about half of a typical AAA, and with proper developer support, especially in gameplay variety, it could become a competitive asymmetrical title reference.

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Looking for an over-the-top soulslike that comically pays homage to the genre's basics while introducing some clever ideas? The Last Hero of Nostalgaia could be perfect, as long as you accept its imperfect difficulty balance and sometimes chaotic level design. Over the Moon's title isn't without flaws, but its love and respect for the genre, wrapped in thick irony, are strong and palpable. This makes the missed potential even more apparent, as budget constraints limited what could have been much more. It arrives in a period where there's little room for "good but not fully realized" soulslikes.

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Did I enjoy it? Despite being the last (for now) soulslike of 2022, Moonscars is a convincing and fun debut for Black Mermaid. Though not entirely original and with some power balance issues, its element mix works well. It may not challenge those who can defeat Malenia blindfolded with a corkscrew-connected pad, but Gray Irma's quest for truth is compelling, thanks to a solid structure and well-crafted combat system. It's worth considering.

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As usual, we remind you that these opinions may resonate with some players while others may disagree entirely, so don't dwell too much on what's been said. Fans of LEGO and pure, classic creation may appreciate this title. However, from our perspective, it's a real disaster, sadly having the potential to be a good game. Bricktales doesn't excel in graphics, music, or story, but most disappointingly, it fails in gameplay, which becomes a real nightmare, especially as the frustration grows throughout the adventure. The characters aren't particularly entertaining or distinct, lacking the charm that has always characterized the series when working with existing franchises. Moreover, ClockStone Studios clearly didn't adapt the concept well to consoles, and since we specialize in them, we can't recommend it. Let's hope for a better LEGO title, maybe from Light Brick Studio again.

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Tunic returns to PlayStation after a successful debut on Xbox, and Sony console owners should be thrilled and ready to purchase for this simple reason. Andrew Shouldice's digital translation work hasn't diminished the original's quality, bringing it to Japanese hardware in great shape, with solid gameplay blending various inspirations. If you love Zelda-inspired action/adventures and don't mind a slightly above-average difficulty, the little fox's adventure might be perfect for you.

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The DioField Chronicles is a well-made, interesting, and engaging real-time strategy game with excellent music and graphics, and gameplay that entertains without tiring, thanks to mission variety and longevity. These allow players to savor the game in small doses or immerse themselves for hours while progressing the plot. The minor flaws are easily overlooked, except for the lack of our language, which may affect sales. However, for those proficient in English (or French, or German, as these are available in subtitles), it can still be fully enjoyed. The game is available on all platforms: Nintendo Switch, Xbox One, Xbox Series S, Xbox Series X, PS4, and PS5. The deluxe version includes a digital artbook and soundtrack, with the option to transfer the latter to USB and listen anywhere.

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This latest title is clearly born from immense passion, evident in every pixel of its unique and fitting graphics, despite differing opinions. The attention to detail, story, and characters elevate it to iconic status, becoming an instant classic in the series. The characters' charisma and connection feel so natural that it seems they've always existed, perfectly integrated into the game universe. This return marks the end of a mature and characteristic cycle, concluding exactly as it should, leaving a deep and mature sentiment with a practically perfect/imperfect ending achievable in about 20 hours (more or less depending on individual skills and use of hints). Play it if you want the nostalgic feeling of old graphic adventures and finally discover Monkey Island's secret, hidden for thirty years.

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