STWGames Italia

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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Cat Mail Co. succeeds in its goal of providing us with a completely relaxing gaming experience, free of pressure, anxiety, timers, or stress. We really appreciated the great freedom in managing and decorating the packages, as well as the satisfaction that comes from tidying up the chaotic back room of the post office. While the gameplay works well, the narrative and missions are rather sparse, so over time, the game can become boring without new elements to keep players engaged. Still, it remains a good game, particularly enjoyable for anyone who loves organization and tidying-up simulators.

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The work born from Kira’s imagination is not merely simple, run-of-the-mill interactive entertainment, but rather a sensory and psychological experience capable of leaving an indelible mark on the soul of anyone brave enough to face it. Lost in Vivo accomplishes the titanic feat of embracing the weighty and priceless legacy of the great survival horror games of the past, not by merely engaging in a nostalgic aesthetic copy-and-paste, but by reworking those very atmospheres to convey a profound, raw, and painfully real message tied to the abyss of mental illness. The magnificence of the art direction, the oppressive sound design, and the ingenious breaks in the fourth wall more than make up for every single imbalance you might notice during the adventure.

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Moonlight Peaks is a perfect blend of the calm and serene nature of cozy games and a gothic aesthetic that is sure to capture the attention of fans of the genre, especially thanks to the wealth of content available right from launch, which promises hours of gameplay and a variety of interesting mechanics. However, the game has its shortcomings in its plot development; although the story is a central element of the game, it rarely offers interesting dialogue or narrative moments.

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The release of version 1.0 of Voltage High Society establishes Platonic Partnership’s work as one of the most fascinating and daring experiments in the indie scene. The team has succeeded in blending the brutality of a first-person brawler with the thoughtful exploration typical of Metroidvanias, all seasoned with punishing Souls-like mechanics. The result is a “Retro-Puncher” that doesn’t merely mimic the nostalgia of the ’90s, but harnesses its unsettling aesthetic to build a coherent, oppressive body horror experience with a strong identity. It’s certainly not a game for everyone: the steep difficulty curve, the chaotic nature of close-quarters combat, and the ruthless “game over” mechanics are likely to drive away less patient players.

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Until Then: Afterimages is an expansion written with evident love, which tastefully and respectfully expands a universe that so many of us have grown fond of. The two chapters dedicated to Sofia and Mark offer some of the most mature moments in the entire saga and confirm Polychroma Games’ narrative talent—all at a price that makes purchasing it almost a must for anyone who loved the base game. What prevented us from letting ourselves get completely swept up in enthusiasm is the game’s tendency to dwell on its characters’ suffering more than necessary, losing some of the delicacy that was the true hallmark of the original.

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Kira’s solo project stands out powerfully as an introspective journey of inestimable value, capable of deeply captivating anyone who has the courage to face its darkness and unravel its countless mysteries. Although there are obvious shortcomings related to a somewhat rudimentary alchemical system and a balance of magical arts that isn’t always flawless, the masterful artistic direction and an extraordinarily powerful soundtrack skillfully overshadow these minor programming flaws, presenting the player with an incredibly cohesive and satisfying ecosystem.

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Maseylia: Echoes of the Past is Sol Brothers’ first foray into the world of gaming. A classic Metroidvania that makes exploration and its art style its strong points, but fails to impress due to a somewhat slapdash combat system. The story features some original elements, but suffers from a narrative that is at times slow and disjointed. There are a few bugs and technical glitches, which may be resolved in future updates. We’d give this title a solid pass mark, particularly given that the developer worked with limited resources.

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SWAPMEAT stands out as a game that defies convention, skilfully blending biting black humour directed at unbridled capitalism with a grotesque, cartoonish aesthetic. The mechanic of dissecting and grafting enemy body parts is not merely a brilliant aesthetic flourish, but the beating heart of frenetic gameplay that encourages constant tactical experimentation. Although it is at its best in the chaos of co-op mode and shines thanks to the level design of its boss fights, this title from One More Game unfortunately stumbles over an unnecessarily chaotic and frustrating progression system, accompanied by a certain repetitiveness in the voice lines and a few too many annoying bugs.

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Dave the Diver: In the Jungle is not just a simple addition to the original package, but a dazzling declaration of love from Mintrocket toward its own creation. Moving away from free micro-crossovers, the Korean team has crafted a paid expansion that is massive in terms of content, matching few others in recent gaming history. Moreover, it is capable of almost entirely revolutionizing the gameplay loop, refreshing the original title's experience and making it highly appealing again two years after its release. In short, Dave is back, he has shed his skin, and his jungle feast is simply unmissable.

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Gal Guardians: Servants of the Dark presents itself as a solid Metroidvania, capable of introducing some interesting ideas that could have further enhanced its quality. However, these ideas are only partially developed and are accompanied by a number of design shortcomings, which limit its overall potential. Overall, the game is of a more than decent standard, offering several hours of entertainment thanks to its enjoyable and well-structured gameplay. Whilst it does not particularly stand out within the genre, it still manages to win players over thanks to its appealing art style and excellent attention to accessibility.

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