STWGames Italia

Shift At Midnight turns out to be a delightful surprise, full of personality, capable of taking the anxieties of working with the public and transforming them into a fascinating nightmare. The idea of blending the routine of a management sim with a detective investigation works wonders, creating an anxiety-inducing gameplay loop that reaches its peak in the excellent environmental storytelling. It’s a real shame that the game stumbles just when it decides to flex its muscles, offering shooter sequences and stealth mechanics that don’t measure up to the rest of the game. However, setting aside a clunky combat system and an infinite mode that’s still a work in progress, the nocturnal odyssey crafted by the developers is absolutely worth experiencing, especially when played in co-op. A little gem where the real fear isn’t dying, but receiving a one-star review from a shapeshifter.

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Gambonanza is an experiment that’s as crazy as it is successful, capable of taking the dogmas of chess and shattering them through the lens of the roguelike genre. Although the influence of giants like Balatro is evident from the very start, Blukulélé’s game immediately establishes its own strong identity thanks to a magnetic gameplay loop, the devastating introduction of “Gambit” modifiers, and an art style that exudes a love for detail. Setting aside an AI that can be erratic at times and a certain degree of repetitiveness in the early stages, we’re looking at a little indie gem that will keep you glued to the screen, move after move.

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Verho – Curse of Faces is a bold and intriguing game, a true time machine capable of transporting players back to the dark and ruthless atmosphere of the 32-bit era. Kasur Games didn’t just emulate the worlds and mechanics of King’s Field; it managed to imbue the title with its own strong identity thanks to the mask system, a fascinating lore, and level design that rewards pure and simple curiosity. The absence of hints and the oppressive world offer a breath of fresh air for those seeking an uncompromising old-school adventure. However, its ambitions inevitably clash with obvious technical shortcomings and a grueling endgame. It’s definitely not a game for everyone, but those patient enough to come to terms with its inherent rough edges will find a rough diamond—imperfect yet magnetically charming.

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The Switch 2 Edition of Xenoblade Chronicles 2 is, by all accounts, the best version currently available of one of the most beloved JRPGs in Nintendo’s entire catalog. The leap in resolution, stability, and overall image quality is enormous, finally allowing players to enjoy Alrest with visuals that live up to its stunning settings, while the new content makes the adventure significantly more engaging and accessible for new players. Considering that the upgrade is available for just 10 euros, it’s hard not to see this as an extremely good deal, especially for those who already own the game; and if you’ve never played it before, this is probably your best chance to do so.

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Unfortunately, The Relic: First Guardian disappointed us. It has plenty of ideas, quests, and bosses, but everything feels a bit slapdash and poorly polished. You can sense the passion and dedication, but productions of this scale require more structured teams and a significantly larger budget. It would have been better to lower the bar a bit, reducing the quantity of content in favor of higher quality—both in terms of the combat system (the game’s core) and the technical aspects. We hope this first project will serve as a learning experience for the developer to understand where they went wrong, because there’s no shortage of ideas, passion, and love for the genre.

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DragonSword: Awakening is a prime example of how a radical change of direction can save a solid project from a saturated market that has lost its identity. Despite structural compromises inherited from the past and some artistic naivety, Hound13’s game manages to carve out its own niche in the genre thanks to an excellent structure that keeps players entertained for dozens of hours. In our opinion, this is a decidedly successful venture that will reward anyone looking for a thrilling action RPG packed with grinding and content.

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Dinoblade is a remarkable example of how an idea that started as a bit of fun can turn into a tangible and entertaining product. Jean has managed to craft a solid and satisfying game, albeit one with quite a few rough edges. Overall, this is an imperfect but charismatic debut, recommended for anyone looking for a pure, visceral action experience without too many plot pretensions.

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The real star of Lootbound is the inventory itself. The slot-based puzzle system works well, is fun, and gives weight to every choice—especially when you use a new item to create builds that completely turn the tide of the game. Unfortunately, the rest of the experience doesn’t always keep up. Combat quickly becomes repetitive due to the lack of variety in enemies, environments, attacks, and consumables, and often requires little strategy. The narrative is well-crafted, but not enough to alleviate the sense of fatigue and boredom that sets in after the first few hours, during yet another run where everything repeats itself in exactly the same way. On the other hand, the game has a very well-developed visual identity, with charming characters and well-designed environments, even if they lack originality.

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Splatoon Raiders proves that a spin-off doesn’t necessarily have to live in the shadow of the main series; on the contrary, it stands on its own as a solid experience that works perfectly even without the cornerstones that made the franchise famous in the first place. With a more polished and cinematic narrative, an extremely engaging gameplay loop, and a surprisingly well-executed and addictive looter shooter structure, the game easily becomes much more than just a passing diversion while we wait for Splatoon 4. In short, Splatoon Raiders is fun, surprisingly deep, and one of the best titles available on the Nintendo Switch 2, and we can confidently say it will be one of the games that keeps us entertained all summer long.

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Geppy-X is a love letter to an increasingly popular manga and anime genre, but one set in a time long past. While the concept of recreating a 1970s anime in every detail works well and gives the title its own unique character, this is a game that only fans of this particular genre can truly appreciate. Given the fairly high price for an edition that merely improves on peripheral aspects, we feel compelled to recommend it only if it’s available at a significant discount or to those who simply can’t wait to dive back into the cartoons of their childhood.

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The Mermaid Mask is an excellent cozy mystery adventure that draws the player into a compelling narrative without ever pushing them too hard. In addition to excellent writing—both in the progression of events (an essential element of a good mystery) and in character development—the game also stands out thanks to its distinctive visual style and top-notch art design. A few lulls in the middle don’t detract from the overall experience, which still manages to hold your attention right up to the game’s excellent conclusion—an aspect that had left more than a few players feeling underwhelmed in Tangle Tower. This experience is recommended for anyone looking for a lighthearted mystery, but also for those who want to discover one of the most successful and enjoyable indie games of the year.

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Fading Echo proves to be a bold debut, one that rejects today’s obsession with punishing “Souls-like” standards to lovingly embrace the immediate creative freedom of the adventure platformers from the PlayStation 2 and Xbox 360 eras. The Emeteria studio hits the mark when it lets pure gameplay take center stage, transforming the physical manipulation of fluids and the solving of environmental puzzles into a brilliant gaming experience, supported by a visual and audio identity of exceptional artistic value. However, the complete absence of basic navigation tools, an overly permissive combat system, and a series of obvious technical and design rough edges prevent the game from reaching the absolute heights it aspires to, leaving players with a gem featuring magnetic gameplay that is, inevitably, still a bit rough around the edges.

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Halo: Campaign Evolved is a restoration carried out with a steady hand and a clear love for the subject matter. The gunplay remains a masterclass in precision and immediacy, the sandbox retains its impeccable clarity, and the technical reconstruction on Unreal Engine 5 does justice to a universe that defined a generation—all backed by rock-solid performance on PC. Unfortunately, the commitment to fidelity sometimes goes too far; the three new missions are over in less than two hours, and the price remains steep for a remake that relies more on nostalgia than on ambition. An excellent re-release, lacking only the courage to take a few more risks.

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Echoes of Aincrad is a prime example of an excellent conceptual vision ruined by a gameplay experience that is unnecessarily drawn out and lacks any real boldness in its design. Although the melee combat system offers genuine moments of fun and the smithy ensures considerable depth in weapon customization, the game collapses under the weight of outdated game design, recycled content, and a narrative progression that drowns its more mature themes in a slow pace. This is a game that may perhaps entertain the most die-hard fans of the universe created by Reki Kawahara for a few hours—those drawn in by the visual fidelity and the charm of an adventure experienced from the perspective of a beta tester—but for any other fan of action RPGs, it will prove to be a repetitive experience that hit the market before it was fully mature.

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Revelations doesn’t just passively extend the life of The Dark Ages: it corrects its most-discussed “flaw” by restoring the Slayer’s speed, agility, and freedom of movement—and it does so through a Chain Lance that has everything it takes to establish itself as one of the best ideas in the entire modern trilogy. The wealth of tools requires patience and a significant learning curve, and the new pace of gameplay raises the bar considerably, but those who accept the challenge will find one of the most deep and rewarding combat systems in the genre. This expansion impresses as much for its substance as for the sheer volume of content it offers, and it reminds us once again that when id Software decides to revisit its formula, it rarely misses the mark.

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D-topia is a well-crafted and well-executed cozy game. It’s just the right length and tells the story it sets out to tell, even if there are a few contrived moments here and there. The audio and visuals successfully immerse us in this carefully crafted yet imperfect utopia, which gradually reveals its darker sides. In conclusion, this title is recommended for fans of more narrative-driven genres and for anyone who wants to “unwind” for a few hours from reality and immerse themselves in a small world that seems simpler and more peaceful.

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Ascend to Zero is a game that entertains and manages to capture players’ attention, especially fans of the genre. It can be enjoyed in short sessions—great for taking a quick break—or for hours on end if you love grinding. The game boasts solid art and sound design, perfectly suited to its atmosphere, though the somewhat weak narrative prevents it from truly shining. It remains, however, a solid choice for fans of fast-paced roguelikes, though it might eventually wear out a more casual player. Ultimately, it’s a game that works well within its own microcosm thanks to its time-based mechanics, which are its true strength. It’s worth giving it a try, even if just to pass the time between breaks.

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ACE Team’s debut in the realm of extraction games represents an open challenge to today’s market, clearly demonstrating how a brilliant design concept can effortlessly overcome budget constraints and technical imperfections. The bold choice to transform Lovecraftian horror into an active gameplay engine—one capable of undermining the group’s sensory certainties—elevates the Valdivian adventure to an essential benchmark for fans of co-op horror and psychological tension. Anyone willing to turn a blind eye to the frustrations of a strict economic progression—provided they tackle exploration strictly shoulder-to-shoulder with teammates armed with microphones—will find in this expedition one of the most authentically memorable and auteur-driven experiences of the current generation.

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Denshattack is a spectacular game that oozes style from every pore, perfect for both longtime fans of skateboarding games and first-time players, yet equally capable of providing every player with an extremely rewarding and fun experience. Thanks to its wealth of content and its simple yet engaging story, the game will keep players hooked throughout its entire duration and offer them an exceptional experience.

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It’s hard for us to say whether Rhythm Paradise: Groove represents the pinnacle of the entire series. What we can say with certainty, however, is that Nintendo has succeeded in the difficult task of reviving a series that had been dormant for over ten years without betraying its identity—and, in fact, enriching it with a wealth of content and ideas that make it more unique than ever. In short, Rhythm Paradise: Groove once again proves itself to be a little gem, one of the most successful rhythm games of recent years, and a purchase that every fan of the genre—and, more broadly, every console owner—should seriously consider. And if this truly is the Nintendo Switch’s swan song, then it’s hard to imagine a better farewell.

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