Isabella Alves

“Yakuza 0 remains the masterpiece that popularized the franchise in the West and the best entry point for new fans. The story of Kiryu and Majima in the 80s remains impeccable, with its eccentric and fun extra content. However, the Director's Cut is a bittersweet package: while the quality-of-life improvements are welcome and the new scenes enrich the plot, the Red Light Raid online mode is disappointing and the Brazilian Portuguese localization disappoints due to its lack of polish.”

“Hirogami is a game that enchants with its concept and art direction, but on the other hand, it struggles with the execution of some of its key mechanics. Hiro's transformations are detailed and work very well, encouraging exploration. However, its weak story and truncated, slow-flowing combat leave something to be desired. Still, despite being an average title, it can please fans of the genre.”

“Shantae Advance: Risky Revolution is the must-have lost chapter for fans and a good entry point for those wanting to explore the franchise. Playing it evokes a nostalgic feeling, partly thanks to its pixel art style, but at the same time, we know it's something new. Its simple story features entertaining dialogue and an interesting and organic exploration, but the lack of a map is sometimes missed.”

“Patapon 1+2 Replay is a collection that lovingly revives two of the most creative games in the PSP catalog and brings them back with a fresh look, quality-of-life improvements, and the same captivating and fun gameplay. The combination of rhythm and strategy continues to work incredibly well, and even with the absence of Patapon 3, it's an experience worth rediscovering.”

“9 Years of Shadows is one of those indies that manages to leave a lasting impression. The armor mechanics are well thought out and bring fluidity to exploration, especially during boss fights. Even with its mediocre story and minor technical issues, the title makes up for it with creativity, charming pixel art, and an excellent soundtrack, a well-designed atmosphere, and well-functioning gameplay. For those who enjoy metroidvanias and are looking for something new within the genre, it's worth giving it a try.”

“Captain Blood tries to recapture the charm of the PS2's golden era, but unfortunately ends up being a rather mediocre title that misses where it should have hit the mark. There's some merit to its release, partly due to its troubled development, but if you're hoping to find a game that emanates the same energy and does justice to that era, Captain Blood is far from it.”

“Ruffy and the Riverside is one of those pleasant surprises that charms with its simplicity and fun thanks to the SWAP mechanic. A game that draws a lot of attention for its beautiful art direction and that, despite drawing from the sources of Paper Mario, Banjo-Kazooie and other great names in the genre, doesn't live in their shadow. Quite the opposite, Ruffy is a game full of soul that rescues the essence of good old platform titles.”

“Among so many roguelites released in recent years, Yasha: Legends of the Demon Blade ends up being just another one in the crowd. Its visuals and, mainly, its fun gameplay are the highlights, but not enough to make it a memorable game. Repetition, which is usually an ally of the genre, acts as a villain here, wearing down the experience and making the game recommended only for big roguelite fans.”

“Copycat is a touching experience that invites us to see the world through the eyes of Dawn, a kitten scarred by trauma who seeks to understand her place and purpose in the world. With simple yet varied gameplay, the focus here is not on complex mechanics, but rather on offering a narrative that moves, comforts, and makes us reflect on the true meaning of home.”

“Playing Afterlove EP brings the same feeling as reading a slice of life manga on a rainy afternoon while listening to some good lo-fi music. Its gameplay is simple, but it brings a narrative surrounded by moments of reflection. Its visual novel vein increases the replayability factor and makes us want to try different routes not only to see the ending but also to follow Rama's journey in a process of healing and starting over.”

“Nikoderiko is a true love letter not only to Donkey Kong Country and Crash Bandicoot, but also to the platformer genre. By mixing the most varied elements present in these games, we are graced with a game that brings a nostalgic and at the same time current experience. Despite having some minor problems and a dull unlockable system, the game is fun and capable of putting a smile on the player's face with each reference. A title recommended for all fans of the genre and that will please both more experienced and novice players.”

“Fate Seeker II is a game that takes you to the wuxia universe with a good premise, but that ends up having its positive points overshadowed by the problems of performance, narrative rhythm and dull exploration. Despite being a single-player title, the game follows a structure similar to that of an MMORPG and with mechanics that, even though they are interesting, tend to tire or even frustrate the player.”

“Star Wars: Dark Forces Remaster is a remaster we didn't know we needed. The game preserves all the essence of the original, while bringing visual improvements and a series of extras. Its story is interesting, with the presence of some familiar characters and a gameplay that is naturally an evolution of Doom. An exquisite work by Nightdive Studios, contributing to the preservation and accessibility of a game that was a milestone at the time and making us look forward to a possible remaster of the sequel.”

“Spells & Secrets is a game with a great idea, fun co-op, and a friendly gameplay that stimulates creativity. However, it suffers from a weak story and a rather apathetic universe that fails to captivate the player. Despite this, it works as a good gateway for players who are curious about the roguelike genre.”

“Born of Bread is one of the biggest surprises of the year. An RPG that is initially simple, but that captivates with each new mission and component that we encounter. In addition to the visuals strongly inspired by Paper Mario, the game brings a lightness that hasn't been found in a title of the genre for a long time. Fun, with a delightful exploration, combat that works, an excellent soundtrack and full of pop culture references, Born of Bread is a game that deserves attention and that fulfills its main objective: to entertain and, at the end of the day, leave us with a smile on our face.”

“The Gap invites us to follow Joshua's journey in search of a cure for a disease that affects his family. Exploring your memories and finding clues that will trigger even more memories, this narrative walking simulator delivers an intriguing, engaging, and gripping story. With an ideal duration, The Gap provides us with an excellent experience on the same level as titles like Tacoma and Call of the Sea.”

“Inspired by Nintendo's timeless classic, Oceanhorn 2 fails to outperform its predecessor and ends up in the shadows of Breath of the Wild. The combat fought and the lack of small improvements in quality of life end up making the experience a little frustrating, however its puzzles are interesting and fun along with a beautiful world to explore. A good choice for fans of the BotW formula or who are just looking for a good game of the genre.”

“Dordogne captivates us not only with its beauty, but also with its delicate narrative. It's another indie that deserves to be highlighted for being able to transport us to rural France while telling a story that brings a feeling of comfort and familiarity. In addition, we have a gameplay that fulfills its purpose, stunning scenarios and a soundtrack that gives the final touch.”

“With a story full of twists and social criticism alongside charismatic and interesting characters, Melon Journey: Bittersweet Memories is an excellent adventure that awakens our nostalgia with its pixel art graphics and jazz lo-fi soundtrack. The lack of a portuguese localization may alienate some players, but even so, this indie remains one of the pleasant surprises of the year.”

“With a story full of twists, an audacious writing that makes us question the character's actions, a spectacular art direction along with a dark and mysterious soundtrack, Saga of Sins turns out to be a good action and platform title. Its multiple endings are interesting and somewhat rewarding, but some of them leave to be desired.”