Pragalicious

Xenoblade Chronicles X Definitive Edition – Switch 2 Edition remains a sturdy sci-fi RPG that is more than worth all your attention. I myself am a bigger fan of these kinds of games than of the umpteenth Super Mario, Kirby or other Nintendo Coryfee. If you have already played the game, a free upgrade package is available for your Switch. If you haven't played the game yet, don't hesitate any longer and pack your bags towards Mira. It will probably be the adventure of your life.

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Neva: Prologue is a small, atmospheric and lovingly made extra chapter for Neva. It therefore seems to be mainly intended for those who were not yet ready to say goodbye to Alba and Neva. It is not a must-have for everyone, but it is a wonderful addition for those who were touched by Neva. Don't expect a gameplay revolution or long playing time, but do expect an audiovisual gem that gives the bond between humans and animals even more depth. And now say for yourself, what can you still do these days for €2.99?

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You already noticed it in my review: God of War: Sons of Sparta is not a new milestone in the franchise. But it is a charming and respectful spin-off that fans will surely taste. As Metroidvania, it gets stuck in the midfield. But he does give us a nice look at the young Kratos. For €29.99 this is a good Spartan snack: tasty, just nutritious enough, but not an extensive main course.

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All in all, I expected more from this new scion. The combination of freedom, innovative gameplay and atmospheric environments makes Styx: Blades of Greed highly recommended for any lover of sneaky stealth games. If you are someone who likes pure action, then this is NOT for you! Sneaking, crawling, shadow play, killing (or not) and stealing, it is an art that is neatly portrayed in this PURE stealth game. Stealth gamers will have a big clump on this new scion in the series. On the other hand, there are a lot of elements that bothered me when playing. And unfortunately I have some left over with that.

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In advance, I feared a bit that Nioh 3 would be the least good game in the Soulslike series. But nothing could be further from the truth. The game is almost perfect and deserves the maximum score for me. After Elden Ring, it's the best soulslike game you can currently play. The open game world works surprisingly well and offers a nice change between the more linear main missions. All additions and improvements compared to the first two parts are an absolute added value. Nioh 3 may feel a bit 'easier' than its predecessors, but the main bosses offer more than enough challenge. As always in a Team Ninja game, the combat feels phenomenally good and is untouchable in that area. It will be a huge challenge for FromSoftware to surpass Elden Ring someday. The same can be said of Team Ninja and Nioh 3.

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The Midnight Walkers offers an atmospheric setting with unique floors, but still struggles with significant balance problems. While the environment and time pressure convince the gas, the PvP battles disappoint because levels are more important than skill. In the current Early Access phase, it is mainly a game with a lot of potential that still needs a lot of polishing to stay standing among the big names.

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RIDE 6 promises, as Milestone always promises with every new racing game, many innovations and improvements. Yet the Italian developer once again fails to make it fully true.

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Those who are still getting this sizzling finale of one of the best animes of recent years can already look forward to this latest game from the My Hero Academia franchise. It is the ideal way to relive the last season. All's Justice may not be for the diehard fighters, it is a well-deserved final piece of a fantastic anime. Especially for the fans, made with love and looking back on a great 10 years.

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If you can remember one thing from this review: Code Vein II has ideas, systems and ambitions, but lacks the necessary polish, coherence and technical finish. Too many small frustrations pile up into a constant annoyance. After experiences with Lies of P, Black Myth: Wukong, Sekiro and other fantastic games in the genre, Code Vein II simply feels less sophisticated. Not because it's harder, but because I always feel like something's wrong. That comparison is inevitable and does not work out favorably here. It just doesn't click, no matter how hard I try.

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I Hate This Place is a survival horror game with crafting elements and a pleasant story. From an isometric point of view, I stepped into an 80's comic book from the first second, full of perfectly chosen details that fit in with that eighties vibe. For me, the game is therefore a direct ode to that time. The length of I Hate This Place is ideal and is full of unique locations and interesting characters. This could be a real indie hit this year.

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MIO: Memories In Orbit is a visual masterpiece that proves you don't need hundreds of employees to create a unique world. The hand-drawn splendor of the Vessel immediately sucks you into a mystery that forces you to explore every corner. Although the story remains a bit vague at first and the real genre veterans may not find the biggest challenge, the game offers a perfect balance between frustration and satisfaction for the average player. Thanks to the smart mod system and smooth gameplay, every victory in a bossfight feels deserved. Are you a fan of metroidvanias or are you simply looking for an atmospheric adventure in which you can lose yourself? Don't let MIO pass you by. It is an impressive achievement of Twelve Dixièmes that tastes for more.

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Desert Race Adventures is a charming, nostalgic rally-management game that is fun to explore, but too quickly shows its limits. The atmosphere is strong, but the gameplay lacks depth and control to really linger. For leaderboard hunters and retro fans, it is a nice snack. For the rest, it feels like a ride that ends just a little too early.

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One Piece: Pirate Warriors 4 Legendary Edition is a complete, but exhaustive collection. The game itself does little wrong, but it doesn't bring a giant treasure on board either. In terms of gameplay, you've seen this before in previous parts or other games in the genre, and unfortunately often in a better way. Visually, this game is lagging behind and you can't get around it. The camera during the chaotic gameplay also doesn't work as it should. Fortunately, you are presented with a nice bundle of content, especially as a new player. One Piece: Pirate Warriors 4 Legendary Edition is a legendary title on paper, but one that mainly sails on autopilot at sea.

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We had to wait eighteen years for a new Metroid Prime. Was it worth it? In itself yes. Despite the downsides I mention in the review, I had a lot of fun and still do. These games are just so much fun to play, and that's what it's all about. The long wait also makes it extra fun to crawl through the narrow corridors like a ball again with Samus Aran. The renovations are unfortunately a bit disappointing, but that may be because I come from the camp of the past. New players can probably really appreciate Metroid Prime 4: Beyond, given how Retro Studios and Nintendo have tackled this game. If you have never played a Metroid Prime game before, but are in doubt, I recommend starting with this one and then playing Metroid Prime Remastered.

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Octopath Traveler 0 is a huge, atmospheric and technically strong JRPG that will especially appeal to fans of the genre. It's longer and more ambitious than the previous parts, story wise more coherent, and plays like a dream on the Steam Deck. At the same time, that ambition also drags ballast in the form of pacing problems. For me as an RPG veteran, this is not a revolution, but a particularly solid and enjoyable journey in which I have gladly lost dozens of hours.

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Project Motor Racing is a game that has everything it takes to set a new standard. But it loses itself in technical roughness and a lack of sophistication. The PS5 Pro version looks beautiful at times, but can't ignore the fact that the game needed more time and finish to really shine. It is a racer that will certainly intrigue enthusiasts, but that frustrates as often as it fascinates.

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Castle of Heart: Retold breathes new life into an earlier Switch title with a visual update and some modern improvements. With its story, it manages to give a fun, interesting twist to the gameplay by constantly putting you under pressure. Because of the curse you have to move continuously if you want to survive during the levels. Yet with its woody movements, it does not really succeed in getting rid of the old pain points of the original. Especially during the platform elements, jumping can really cause frustrations. 7Levels improves the original but still doesn't know how to get the full potential out of the game. A missed second chance as it turns out.

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Kirby Air Riders on Switch 2 is a successful revival of a beloved cult classic. The game excels in charm, speed and the phenomenal City Trial, but misses opportunities in terms of content and online refinement. Fans of the GameCube version will immediately feel at home. But those who are looking for a racer with long-term progression may be a bit hungry. Give me a new platform game starring my pink friend...

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Painkiller does not completely dishonor the series. It works perfectly as a mindless shooter who knows how to provide the necessary hours of fun. Only it is too thin to be able to count as a full-fledged reboot.

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As a reviewer, you are often in a discord. On the one hand, you want to watch a debut game as a first attempt by a studio that has yet to find its hold in a tough industry. Especially when this crowdfunding is via Kickstarter. On the other hand, you have already played so many games that you immediately know what works and what doesn't. Not to mention the expectations you have as a reviewer, as a reader/gamer too by the way. I wish I could say that Dark Atlas was a meritorious attempt, but unfortunately. It's a frustrating, downright annoying game that will put your patience to the test more than once and that, apart from a few good environments, really has nothing to offer. Even die-hard lovers of horror games should miss them.

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