STWGames Italia

Grime II revamps the thematic, conceptual, and narrative foundations of the first game in grand style, infusing that world with a fresh dose of flair and thematic charm, while still brimming with expressive potential. From a gameplay perspective as well, the game introduces a whole host of new mechanics that shake up the gameplay landscape, making it infinitely more intriguing, dynamic, and full of possibilities than before. Unfortunately, however, Clover Bite has stumbled upon some development hiccups: in addition to a certain underlying clunkiness and graphics that aren’t exceptional

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Super Meat Boy 3D is the exact opposite of the unsuccessful experiment that was Super Meat Boy Forever. On the contrary, this new installment truly succeeds in bringing the series back into the spotlight without compromising its identity, emerging not only as a worthy sequel to the original but also as a solid 3D platformer that works perfectly even outside its traditional audience.

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John Carpenter’s Toxic Commando* is a chaotic co-op shooter that mixes fast-paced combat with vehicular gameplay, emphasizing movement and unpredictability. Inspired by Carpenter’s action-horror style, it embraces excess and irreverence rather than realism. Its identity stands out through this bold approach, even if its success in a crowded market is still uncertain.

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Fatal Frame 2: Crimson Butterfly Remake is still one of the most compelling games to play, offering unique mechanics and a gripping story with perfect pacing. The additions this new edition brings to the table are enough to justify purchasing it even for those who have already gotten lost once in the streets of Minakami Village; however, the plethora of technical issues and some missteps in the implementation of the new mechanics prevent it from truly reaching greatness.

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Monster Hunter Stories 3: Twisted Reflection marks an unmistakable turning point for Capcom’s spin-off series, which, with this third installment, sheds its status as a minor title to establish itself as a standalone experience of the highest caliber. The cycle of exploration, gathering, and upgrading has been refined to achieve an almost flawless balance, capable of keeping players engaged for dozens and dozens of hours without ever feeling repetitive. A few narrative missteps do not prevent this title from establishing itself as one of the best turn-based RPGs of recent years and, without a doubt, as the best installment ever released in the Stories saga.

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Sedleo is a small development team, and *1348 Ex Voto* is their debut title. This, in part, may explain some of the game’s shortcomings. The team likely bit off more than they could chew; it would have been better to lower their ambitions slightly and develop something less ambitious. *Ex Voto* does have a solid plot, compelling storytelling, and graphics that are visually striking. But beyond that, there’s little else: gameplay that’s far too linear, an imprecise and frustrating combat system, progression that fails to engage the player, and a series of inexplicable bugs that sink the game. It’s a shame, but perhaps this can serve as a starting point for the development team to start over and show us gamers what they’re really made of.

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Marathon is an ambitious experiment that successfully brings a historic brand back into the spotlight through a well-executed artistic vision and gameplay that, while somewhat rigid, reaffirms Bungie’s talent for crafting excellent FPS mechanics. However, the sense that this is a product not yet fully polished—marred by terrible interface design—prevents it from reaching the pinnacle of extraction shooters.

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Angel Engine stands out as a bold experiment, one that captures the essence of the original web series while grappling with the challenges of independent production. Although the atmosphere and art direction are well-executed, the gameplay structure fails to sustain the narrative’s weight over the long term. This is a title that deserves the attention of fans of the original work and analog horror, though it requires a fair amount of patience to overlook the underlying repetitiveness that limits its potential.

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Poker Night at the Inventory is a flawless remaster of a great classic, featuring completely revamped elements. While it could have benefited from a few more additions and some aspects of it haven’t aged well, it’s definitely a must-play for anyone who’s a fan of the featured franchises or poker in general.

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Scott Pilgrim EX is a solid beat ’em up, featuring inspired art direction and a technical combat system clearly designed for multiplayer evenings with friends. On the downside, sluggish movement and some glitches slow down the action, while the mission structure tends to become repetitive after a few hours. If you love the world of Scott Pilgrim and retro-style beat ’em ups, however, you’ll find EX to be an entertaining adventure.

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Esoteric Ebb is a debut of exceptional rarity; an indie title that doesn’t merely fill the void left by its inspirations, but actively contributes to expanding the boundaries of what the genre has to offer. Christoffer Bodegård’s ambition is evident in every aspect of the production, from the complexity of the world-building to the sophistication of the progression system, from the quality of the writing to the art direction. Sudden Snail has delivered a debut of rare maturity to the indie scene. Norvik is a city you’ll want to return to, Snell is a companion you won’t easily forget, and the Quest Tree is a fully realized design concept.

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The Liar Princess and Blind Prince is a massive missed opportunity and a prime example of a game that prioritizes style over substance. The game shines visually, but its beauty can't distract us from its terrible level design and mediocre plot.

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Tales of Berseria returns with a remastered version that, in many ways, feels more like a port than a true polish. Despite this, the numerous quality-of-life improvements still manage to make the experience smoother and more accessible, making this edition the ideal choice for those who have never had the chance to experience the original story. Although the update is fairly minimalist, the game retains a charm all its own that’s hard to resist.

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Dungeons of Hinterberg is a solid game that’s definitely worth a try. The story flows smoothly, and the dungeon encounters offer engaging challenges—though they’re never too difficult. You’ll find yourself swept up in this enjoyable and unique adventure, though fans of hardcore challenges might find it a bit too simple and basic.

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Resident Evil Requiem is an installment that carries the weight of thirty years of history on its shoulders and, for the most part, manages to bear it with a certain dignity and self-awareness. The dual-protagonist structure works exceptionally well in representing the two souls of the franchise; Grace Ashcroft stands out as one of the most interesting additions to the series’ roster; and the return to Raccoon City is handled with the respect and care that fans deserved. The RE Engine reaches new technical heights, and the overall atmosphere is among the darkest and most immersive the series has ever offered.

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Neva: Prologue resolves the initial question regarding the real need to reveal the backstory of an already complete adventure, dispelling it the moment you are faced with the pure tenderness of the budding bond between the brave warrior and the four-legged pup. While the experience’s marked brevity and the partial rehash of threats already largely overcome in the past might understandably raise some eyebrows, the masterful recalibration of the challenge level and the clever reworking of the jumping mechanics through the delicate act of physical transport transform this expansion into a precious and satisfying exercise in style.

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To answer the questions we posed in the introduction: no, Yakuza Kiwami 3 is not a good remake. The removal of a significant portion of the original’s content creates a void that the new additions fail to fill, while certain stylistic choices and various minor shortcomings prevent this version from establishing itself as the definitive replacement for the 2009 game or its most recent remaster. At the same time, it would be unfair to dismiss the title as a failure, as taken on its own it remains a genuinely enjoyable experience, capable of preserving the spirit of the series and backed by writing that had already won over many fans in the past.

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Summing up this odyssey, we find ourselves faced with a work that thrives on constant playful and emotional contrasts, capable of eliciting laughter thanks to a satirical joke and then plunging the player into frustration due to disastrous technical aspects. Despite the developers' commendable desire to broaden the franchise's horizons by exploring mature themes such as the commodification of human beings by ruthless pharmaceutical corporations, the lack of adequate overall polish and the excessive verbosity of numerous passages end up heavily watering down the overall experience.

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REANIMAL marks Tarsier Studios’ return to the roots of its signature style, filtered through a more mature, violent, and ambitious lens. The atmosphere is masterful, and the art direction confirms the Swedish studio as one of the most talented in the contemporary horror scene. However, beneath the visceral and beautifully crafted surface of this brief experience, limitations emerge that are hard to ignore: insufficient length, sections that struggle to maintain momentum, a combat system that isn’t entirely convincing, and a narrative that leaves too many loose ends.

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With Nioh 3, Team Ninja makes its creative intentions clearer and more unmistakable than ever: to take gameplay and the combat system to the next level. The style-switching mechanic, combined with the myriad of weapons, move sets, abilities, tools, and transformations, vastly expands the range of playstyles and makes the whole experience even more technical, dynamic, and stylish. Despite a still-questionable loot system and several concerns about the game’s balance, the title offers an even more elaborate set of progression and upgrade systems, making the final experience one of the richest and most immersive available. The new game structure is also highly appreciated; while it may seem flat and bland compared to that of other titles, it represents a true creative liberation from that of previous installments, finally opening the door to new design possibilities for DLC and, why not, even for future main titles.

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