Carlos França Junior

“Hidden Cats in Istanbul is tailor-made for fans of the franchise. It may seem like more of the same, but those who enjoy searching for objects and animals in colorful settings will have another great entertainment option. Now the question remains: where will the kittens go now?”

“Street Racer Collection is a compilation that may divide opinions: while some of its features haven't aged so well for its more than 30 years, it's a cool title that performed decently on platforms with different engineering, making it an item that will at least satisfy the curiosity of younger players and the nostalgia of older ones. The combination of ROMs provides the final touch that makes this collection worthy of being part of any collection.”

“Milano's Odd Job Collection is the ideal title for those who want something retro, curious, and more relaxed. The idea of having several minigames that make up the main mission may not be so innovative nowadays, but it's still an interesting way to tell a fun story. Some flaws become more noticeable because of the game's original age; however, this doesn't prevent you from discovering another treasure from Japan.”

“BUBBLE BOBBLE Sugar Dungeons has a good idea, but its execution seems to have been done by one of those amateur chefs from culinary reality shows. There's a lot of potential in the idea of using candies and power-ups, but the slow start, combined with the grinding that's tied to the randomness of the dungeons, makes the progression drag. At least it's worth it to be able to play Bubble Symphony in a well-emulated port and with menus in English.”

“Trouble Witches FINAL! Episode 01 Daughters of Amalgam is a great cute 'em up, but it suffers from repetitiveness and clinging too closely to the formula of the original release. If more unlockables had been introduced, justifying a return to the various game modes, it could certainly have a more attractive replay factor than simply replicating the same paths with variations in difficulty.”

“Schildmaid MX kept what matters in shoot 'em up games and made an interesting addition to the gameplay. Being able to absorb shots to increase your strength is a great idea for those who want to dive headfirst into a title that offers increasing challenge, despite the large loop of repetitions.”

“Hidden Cats in Rio de Janeiro brings a touch of Brazilian flavor, typical of a franchise that has players traveling the world searching for kittens. The choice of settings, situations, and references was excellent, making this entry in the series as interesting as the other games, and with a special appeal for brazilian players.”

“VIDEOVERSE doesn't just rely on nostalgia, but uses a well-structured narrative to elucidate serious issues that the popularization of the internet brought and that persist to this day. It's a game that will bring back interesting memories for older players and show a piece of history to younger ones, demonstrating that we can't always control situations that are thousands of kilometers away from us.”

“The RENNSPORT format could yield a good game in the future if further developed, as it currently appears to be in beta or early access. Proper attention to its content and some visual, sound, and AI improvements could make it a more appealing product for virtual racing fans.”

“The Namco Legendary Pack is a very important chapter in Atari's 50-year history, and this expansion treats it with the respect and care it deserves. It's another great addition to the collection's vast library of classics, and it sets a huge precedent for other companies to also bring their gems from that era to this near-perfect set.”

“Shroomtopia does some small flaws, but its good set of challenges has everything to please both those in a hurry and those who like to take their time, enjoying each moment of the puzzle. The aspect of creating your own level is also very well done, increasing the game's replay value while creating audience engagement, who will dedicate themselves not only to completing everything, but also to showing off their own puzzles.”

“A Pizza Delivery has an interesting message that suffers from annoying problems. Some updates could fix the gameplay and translation issues, but even so, the narrative could have been richer with the many possibilities that could have been explored using its background elements.”

“Virtua Fighter 5 R.E.V.O. World Stage is a great game. In fact, this version should have been released back in 2021, but the improvements it brings make it a highly recommended title for both those familiar with the series and those who have never heard of it. However, there are some basic things that other major franchises in the genre already offer, and VF5 could have included them as well, such as a better presentation for the Training mode, more freedom in customization, and the ability to edit the playlist played during matches.”

“Chicken Run: Eggstraction may have some structural flaws, but it's still a good way to continue the adventures of the birds who just want to survive without becoming lunch. The mechanics aren't complicated, and the pace is light, making it suitable for younger players or those looking for a few laughs while hiding from malicious chefs.”

“Extinction Rifts has a good idea in theory, but in practice it ends up lacking. The fast-paced action is good and the gameplay is just right, but it doesn't work well with dead-end corridors, forcing the player to repeat the same levels to memorize the path. It would also be great if the combo system were easier to maintain throughout the level, so that the rush doesn't turn into despair.”

“If you're a fan of the bullet hell genre, Mamorukun ReCurse! is definitely a great choice for your library. This title has plenty of action and content, and the twin-sticker implementation makes everything more frenetic and dynamic. Now, if this isn't a genre you're very familiar with, don't worry, there are plenty of features to make it one of your favorites.”

“Sonic Wings Reunion focused on reviving a past star, but without capitalizing on its glory or bringing anything new. Not even nostalgia can be a draw, given that many other franchises, such as Gradius, Darius, and X-Out, have dedicated themselves to releasing collections or remastering their main titles, adding achievements and memorabilia. The Aero Fighters' flight deserved more attention.”

“Platypus Reclayed brings a picturesque combination of an unusual visual style for games in general, especially for shoot 'em ups, with a fierce difficulty level and crazy power-ups. You could even say it's a game made, and remade, with detailed and artisanal craftsmanship.”

“Rally Arcade Classics manages to blend excellent qualities with somewhat annoying flaws. The competent handling, satisfactory track performance, and large amount of content are counterpoints that even overcome the heavy grinding and the subpar presentation. Ultimately, it's an interesting option for those looking for a more arcade-style rally with a touch of simulation.”

“Irem Collection Volume 3 features three excellent games that didn't receive much attention upon their release, nor were they ported to the most popular consoles of the time. It would be nice to have more information about them, but having them together in a collection is already a compelling feature. Shooter fans who enjoy new interpretations of the genre will definitely enjoy this edition.”