Console-Tribe

Scars Above is an interesting title, especially given its launch price (about half of a typical AAA title). Mad Head Games' title offers ambitious gameplay concepts, combining shooting, RPG, and adventure elements. Though not groundbreaking, it presents a good mix that falters under the weight of unrealized ambition. Despite some technical and conceptual limitations, it's a solid "double A" game that could potentially lay the groundwork for a future series. We can only wait!

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Tales of Symphonia was a great title for its time, with an interesting story, twists, and a relatively modern, though imperfect, gameplay that helped create a larger fanbase interested in the series. Unfortunately for fans, the GameCube version remains the best version of the game. Anyone looking to try this remastered version, hoping for better resolution or portability, will be disappointed. It's essentially a mere port of the PC version, with even worse graphics, overly contrasted and bright textures, the same resolution and framerate as on PlayStation 3 (so no 60FPS), and a Nintendo Switch version with slower performance and longer load times than the GameCube. This "remastered" edition seems to cash in on a beloved brand, offending the saga's fans. Bandai Namco, we expect much more from you.

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No, Like A Dragon: Ishin! can't be considered a remake on par with the Kiwami titles, but as a game we never dreamed of playing in a language other than Japanese, we must thank SEGA for their work. Technically, much more could have been done, but given the excellent original structure, we can overlook the technical aspects that reveal its PS3/PS4 cross-gen nature. Isolating this aspect, we are left with a solid and enjoyable experience that brings Yakuza's mechanics to a unique setting (at least for us), introducing one of the series' most fun and layered combat systems. A thrilling and twist-filled work, recommended for fans of Kiryu and company, but also an ideal starting point for new players due to its spin-off nature. Now, let's hope for Kenzan and the two Black Panther titles: dreaming costs nothing...

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The PS5 versions of Moss and Moss: Book 2 are greatly enhanced by PlayStation VR2, making Quill's adventurous world even more captivating and vibrant. The gameplay impact is minimal, remaining unchanged apart from the dual interaction enabled by the two accompanying controllers. The experience's beauty remains engaging and fun as in the original releases. The only flaw is the lack of a free update for those who already own the older versions and the wait for the third episode of this beautiful IP.

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The transition from virtual reality to conventional gameplay is rarely smooth for video games, and Jurassic World Aftermath Collection doesn't escape this. Developed by Coatsink, much of its charm lay in the anxiety of experiencing events firsthand, a sensation drastically reduced when confined to the Nintendo Switch screen. The gameplay concept, weakened by some uncertainties, doesn't mitigate this, resulting in a solid but quickly exhausting title. If you're a fan of the brand, it's worth a try, but watch for patch updates before making a purchase.

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It took some time to finally see BROK The InvestiGator in action in all its scaly splendor, but the wait was worth it, thanks to COWCAT Games. Fabrice Breton's new work presents a unique identity with a mix of well-integrated ideas and high replayability for completionists. Featuring an interesting story we can approach in multiple ways, the French coder's work is recommended for adventure game fans and those who aren't, thanks to the freedom it offers.

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Tetris Effect: Connected and Rez Infinite return to PSVR2 in their best versions, offering the excellent gameplay seen before with unparalleled virtual clarity. Playing with Sony's new headset is currently the most convincing way to experience the blend of game, images, and sounds that Enhance's productions offer. The only downside is the lack of a free upgrade to this new version, but these titles still do justice to their virtual renditions.

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Can a single developer create a great game? Many illustrious examples prove this, and Fight’N Rage is another confirmation. Seba Games Dev's title is a well-crafted gem, offering a lengthy progression with multiple paths and a deeply satisfying combat system. Full of additional content that greatly expands the offering, the brawler's only flaw is its difficulty, which is overly intense in some parts, potentially causing rage quits for less patient players. Despite this, the experience is rich and enjoyable, recommended for genre fans.

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Theatrhythm Final Bar Line allows Final Fantasy and other series fans to re-listen to their favorite tracks, challenging themselves and others online in reflex and skill-demanding battles. The addition of tracks and the chibi character design doesn't change the fact that it's essentially a copy-paste of the 3DS versions, offering nothing new and retaining the stylus-based gameplay for controllers. The lack of new modes or uniqueness is a significant flaw, making it merely a port with some online communication rather than true multiplayer challenges. Recommended? Not really, unless you're a die-hard fan of the soundtracks and don't mind replaying the same 3DS game on a bigger screen.

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Wild Hearts is undoubtedly a contender for the Monster Hunter throne, though it remains firmly in Capcom's hands. The collaboration between EA Originals, Koei Tecmo, and Omega Force delivers an excellent artistic realization, a dark and painful undertone, and a solid and original combat system. It's a valid and enjoyable formula, marred by some conceptual and technical limitations and a noticeable mechanical repetition. We are confident that the title will soon be freed from its technical flaws, but some physical and conceptual limitations will remain. That said, Wild Hearts is an excellent debut for what could become a full alternative to Monster Hunter's dominance over time.

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Atomic Heart is an excellent debut title for Mundfish. What prevents the game from reaching excellence is the studio's excessive ambition to create a larger game than necessary, adding a somewhat useless open world instead of focusing exclusively on the indoor parts that best express the level design quality. Nonetheless, Atomic Heart has shown its potential and puts the Cypriot studio under a huge magnifying glass, making us curious to see their future projects. It's safe to say, a strong start!

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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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