Alex Jung

“Fast & Furious: Arcade Edition clearly shows its arcade origins at every turn. This applies to its high accessibility, the brutally fast and consistently smooth racing action, and the ludicrous environmental interactions, which are especially fun to watch. But it also applies to the very limited scope of just eight vehicles and six tracks. What works in the arcade doesn't quite work at home, unfortunately. Without unlockable content, there's simply no long-term motivation. After completing all the tracks three times, you've pretty much seen everything there is to see. And due to the absolutely absurd rubber band effect, the focus of all races is only on the last fifteen seconds, the correct use of the boost, and a little bit of luck. On the other hand, the game scores points with its local multiplayer mode, where I actually had some really entertaining sessions with my wife. Fast & Furious: Arcade Edition is good for a quick round in between, but it misses the chance to make a big impression outside the arcade.”

“With NASCAR 25, iRacing makes a remarkable console debut, scoring points above all thanks to its extensive license package with four racing classes. The US stock car sport is presented very well and atmospherically, and the career mode alone provides plenty of long-term motivation. Another positive aspect is the numerous settings options, which cater to both rookies and advanced players alike. On the negative side, the somewhat dreary graphics, including avoidable frame rate drops and clearly visible, unsightly pop-ups on the AI vehicles, are worth mentioning. Nevertheless, NASCAR 25 ranks quite high among licensed racing games. In any case, I had a lot of fun with the game and am definitely looking forward to a sequel, as well as the numerous other titles that iRacing has in the pipeline for us console gamers.”

“In our test, Formula Legends impresses primarily with its great scope, beautifully implemented races, catchy gameplay, and, of course, its successful unlocking mechanics. The seven decades of F1 depicted are played out on a total of 14 tracks, with different variants often available. In terms of scope and atmosphere, developer 3DClouds is second to none. So, is everything set for the world championship title? Unfortunately not quite, as some technical issues and the lackluster background music detract from the overall picture. In particular, the slight stuttering during racing and the noticeable reloading of textures when the weather changes are immediately noticeable and prevent what seemed like a sure place on the podium. With a little tweaking, however, I can definitely recommend Formula Legends to both F1 fans and arcade-loving racing enthusiasts.”

“In principle, Rally Arcade Classics does a lot of things right. It offers crisp rally action on short stages, which are also very atmospheric. The “just one more stage” effect quickly sets in. Racing through the stages in numerous cars from various decades of rally history is a lot of fun. On paper, the scope of the game alone is impressive, with 420 individual tour race events in four different locations. Additional game modes such as Arcade and Rally also provide entertainment. After the exorbitantly high prices for the vehicles in the game were significantly reduced via a patch, the game progress is very pleasant. Ultimately, the biggest drawback is the number of countries we travel through. Even though all four areas are beautifully designed, they become repetitive relatively quickly as the game progresses. We would like to see a little more variety here, preferably in the form of additional countries being added later. Nevertheless, Rally Arcade Classics definitely stands up to comparison with art of rally or the rally mode in Super Woden GP II – on the contrary. As the debut work of the small Spanish development team NETK2GAMES, I can only say: hats off and keep up the good work!”

“In our test, Super Robot Wars Y scores points primarily with its fun and thoroughly in-depth combat system. The fantastic anime sequences that accompany each attack contribute greatly to the atmosphere. Numerous appearances by more or less well-known anime characters enrich the crossover plot and are sure to provide fans with a few “aha” moments, especially since original music pieces are often interspersed. Unfortunately, however, the actual plot frays due to the many side plots, so that every character can have their moment in the spotlight. As someone unfamiliar with the original, you find yourself wondering more than once who actually wants what and why, and you're left sitting in front of the screen feeling confused. Ultimately, the battles aren't entirely convincing either, because once you've had your fill of the constantly repeating attack sequences, all that's left is a sobering numbers game. Super Robot Wars Y may well have its raison d'être precisely because of its crossover focus, and the battles are really fun. However, when we compare the title with other competitors in the tactical RPG mech action segment, games like Relayer or the brilliant 13 Sentinels: Aegis Rim are unfortunately clearly ahead.”

“Wheel World proves itself in testing to be a small but exquisite indie gem that pays homage to cycling, peppered with countless terms related to two-wheeled vehicles. The basic story about the demon Skully and the lost parts of his special bike provides a nice framework without becoming too outlandish. Unfortunately, it ends rather abruptly; perhaps there could have been more. The core elements are definitely the exploration of the picturesque open world and the cool races, both of which are very catchy and really fun thanks to the arcade-like gameplay. This is supported by the very well-implemented upgrade mechanics, which really force us to engage with the parts. After all, just like in real cycling, every detail counts if you want to be victorious. Unfortunately, Wheel World sometimes hits a few bumps in the road. These include stuttering during quick changes of direction or when there is a lot of traffic on the track, as well as music that doesn't reload, which is a shame given the atmospheric retro tracks. The playing time of around five to seven hours is manageable, but ensures that the game doesn't become tedious. If the game had been significantly longer, I think I would have gotten a little tired of it without any additional elements. Overall, I personally have very fond memories of Wheel World. I especially enjoyed the races and leisurely cruising through the picturesque landscapes, as well as figuring out the best components for more challenging stages, so despite its technical weaknesses, I can definitely recommend the game to all pedal bike fans.”

“Lushfoil Photography Sim is a really successful indie game that looks breathtakingly beautiful in places and is bursting with atmosphere thanks to the melancholy soundtrack and the grandiose lighting mood. The collecting tasks fit in well and offer a bit of a break from just taking photos, which is very well done in itself. Thanks to the time of day changes, the mood of the areas changes permanently, which makes for a very good scope. On the negative side, however, there are frequent reload stutters, the rather functional photo inventory including annoying micromanagement as well as minor errors and bugs. The collection tasks sometimes turn into a chore when certain locations or objects simply won't be found. However, this is only a problem for players who really want to collect everything. This is not essential for progressing through the game. As with a good photo, we have light, but also shadows. Why do I give it such a high rating despite the certainly avoidable mistakes? Because Lushfoil Photography Sim is simply a great, extraordinary one-man project that definitely deserves it!”

“Sometimes a two-year break is certainly good for one or other of the annual racing game series. This also applies in part to Monster Energy Supercross 25 - The Official Video Game. The switch to the latest Unreal engine brings improvements to the graphics, while the rest of the gameplay is definitely convincing, as in the previous parts. The AI in particular often does a good job and allows for exciting chases or shoulder-to-shoulder duels over several rounds. Thanks to various editors, there are plenty of customization options. The very good track editor should also be mentioned here, which is ultimately quite rudimentary, but still more than fulfills its purpose. And the Rhythm Attack mode, especially in the career mode, provides a nice break and surprisingly exciting duels right up to the finish line. All in all, Monster Energy Supercross 25 - The Official Video Game delivers a lot of tried and tested features and, apart from a few minor details, presents itself as a well-rounded package.”

“In the test, Gal Guardians: Servants of the Dark scored first of all with its story, which doesn't take itself too seriously. The atmospheric pixel look triggers pleasant retro vibes, and the unlock system for the bones and souls of the servants is also motivating. The game is given a special twist by the two different fighting styles of the main characters, which satisfy both close-range and long-range fighters. Gal Guardians: Servants of the Dark can be a lot of fun, especially in co-op mode. Options such as resurrecting a character and the ability to switch from two to one player at short notice add to the gameplay experience. Unfortunately, however, the servants are tripping themselves up. Long walking distances in combination with the inadequate fast travel system dampen motivation, as do the sometimes unclear effects of items, especially when it comes to healing. A cluttered and unfinished inventory and secondary weapon system should also be mentioned. For Metroidvania fans, Gal Guardians: Servants of the Dark offers a lot of fun, especially in co-op mode, but unfortunately the concept doesn't run completely smoothly. There are certainly better alternatives on the market.”

“Wild River Games once again demonstrates its talent for bringing Schleich toys to the virtual world. Eldrador Creatures Shadowfall impresses with charming dialogues and a humorous narrator, adding personality to the otherwise generic characters and cliché-driven plot. The graphics and sound effectively capture the essence of the license. The simple and easily accessible combat system provides quick success moments, while the 20 playable creatures and the motivating trophy system add surprising tactical depth. However, the game eventually suffers from a lack of variety and limited attack options for each unit. For newcomers to turn-based strategy games and fans of the toy series, Eldrador Creatures Shadowfall is still a solid recommendation. A potential sequel could benefit from a Skirmish and PvP mode to enhance replay value. Despite initial skepticism, the game’s charming presentation and engaging mechanics turned it into an unexpected highlight of 2025.”