Lorenzo Bologna

“Tombi! 2: The Evil Swine Return Special Edition is a nostalgic venture that, like the first instalment, brings a legend of the past to PS5. Although the porting work has been carried out with a certain degree of laziness, the small additions in terms of mechanics greatly enhance the modern-day experience. Needless to say, those who lived through the late 1990s will not be able to resist returning to attack evil pigs, but for everyone else, the approach may be a little more difficult, given the age of the title.”

“She's Leaving is a survival horror game that focuses entirely on an original and realistic concept. The forensic mechanics and well-told story set the title apart from the crowd, especially for those who are passionate about true crime and investigations. However, repetitive and unpolished gameplay limits its potential, preventing it from reaching higher levels. Nevertheless, the production shows that Blue Hat Studio has valid ideas: with greater care in execution, the studio's future could hold even more interesting surprises.”

“A.I.L.A is a game of two halves: the first half promises an intriguing and compelling narrative experience, with varied gameplay and an immersive world, while the second half tends to fall back on more conventional solutions and loses some of its initial charm. Despite this, the game shines thanks to its original concept, thought-provoking moral choices and engaging art style, showcasing the potential and risks of artificial intelligence applied to a horror entertainment context. It may not be a masterpiece destined to compete with the great classics, but it represents a significant and interesting step forward for the independent gaming scene.”

“LEGO Party! establishes itself as one of the most solid productions in the modern party game scene. While clearly inspired by the established Mario Party formula, it manages to introduce structural improvements that enhance the competitive component and reduce dependence on luck. The content offering is not extensive, with only four maps and a limited number of modes, but the experience is still complete and well balanced. In short, LEGO Party! is a successful LEGO-style adaptation of the classic party game: accessible, colourful, stable and strongly oriented towards sharing. A title that, while not reinventing the genre, reaffirms its validity and finally makes it available on all platforms, without barriers or access limits.”

“The Lonesome Guild is a small but significant step forward for Tiny Bull Studios: a work that combines the team's narrative sensibility with a more mature and accessible game structure. It is not only a well-crafted action RPG, but also a reflection on the meaning of companionship, the fear of being alone, and the strength of the bonds that save us. It's just a shame about a few flaws in the map system and a combat system that lacks depth.”

“Halls of Torment is a surprising fusion of two worlds: the depth and atmosphere of Diablo meets the frenzy and accessibility of Survivors-like games. The result is an experience that captivates from the very first minutes and invites you to return game after game, searching for the perfect combination of skills, equipment and luck. Despite a few minor flaws related to balance and certain limitations in the progression system, Chasing Carrots' game stands out as one of the best representatives of the genre, capable of distinguishing itself and shining in its own right. It is a title that not only pays homage to the classics, but also demonstrates how it is possible to innovate while remaining faithful to one's inspirations.”

“God of Weapons is a gem in the auto-battler genre. It does not revolutionise the rules, but reinterprets them with intelligence, originality and a style all its own. The combination of inventory management, unlockable classes and tactical synergies makes each run unique and potentially addictive. With a few targeted updates, including more interesting bosses, more varied environments and new challenges, Archmage Labs' effort could easily aspire to cult status. But as it is, it is a must for those who love optimisation, experimentation and that irresistible feeling of “one more game and then I quit”.”

“FATE: Reawakened had the difficult task of reviving a beloved but long-forgotten series. And it does so… halfway. The graphical update is appreciable, the structure is solid, but it lacks ambition. No significant innovations, no evolution of the gameplay. If you’re looking for an old-school dungeon crawler, full of loot and with a cozy atmosphere, then it’s worth a try. But if you’re not already a fan, this remaster is unlikely to change your mind.”

“Ambulance Life: A Paramedic Simulator is a game with good intentions, but with several issues that limit its overall enjoyment. The attention to medical details is admirable and the simulation elements are well realised for those who are fans of the genre. However, a complex interface and lacklustre driving prevent the title from being one of the best simulator experiences around, relegating it as a product exclusively for fans of the genre and scope.”

“Red Solstice 2: Survivors Ultimate Edition is a content-rich package that unfortunately carries with it the problems of the past. The great underlying repetitiveness and the lack of clarity of the mechanics, combined with a really skimpy tactical compartment and a not-so-memorable storyline, lead the Ironward title to be recommended only and exclusively to those who can play together with a group of friends, an experience that gives a better and new light to the overall interaction.”

“Symphonia is a work that aims at the heart through music, offering a unique experience. Despite some limitations in duration and narrative, the title manages to distinguish itself through its straightforward gameplay, inspired design and excellent soundtrack.”

“[REDACTED] is an addictive game. The inspiration taken from Hades has not annihilated the personality of the Striking Distance Studio production, which is fun and well characterised. The only pity is a not too thorough balancing of the weapons and a not impeccable level design, which do not allow it to reach the Olympus of roguelites.”

“MetroLand is a pleasant and immediate endless runner that combines easy gameplay with a good progression system. Killo's work therefore manages to entertain without too many compromises, even if the repetitiveness inherent in the genre is a perennial sword of Damocles.”

“Drova: Forsaken Kin is a good homage to the RPGs of the past. The Just2D title succeeds in engaging eyes and hearts thanks to an excellent art department and an addictive and complex gameplay. Although some flaws of unbalance and poor quality of life do not allow it to reach the pinnacles of the rating, the German title is more than recommended for veterans of games like Gothic or Baldur's Gate.”

“Dandy Ace perfectly embodies the typical mechanisms of roguelites, focusing on direct, fun and captivating gameplay. The combinations that can be made through the numerous cards present push one to vary one's approach to the adventure more and more. The only pity is a not always excellent artistic compartment and a mechanic that gives too much incentive to skip portions of the game, distorting the genre.”

“The Mortuary Assistant is a horror title with an interesting and original concept that, given also the programming done by a single person, deserves a chance by fans of the genre. Unfortunately, the price to pay is a tangible repetitiveness of the actions and a less than excellent art section.”

“Sker Ritual responds to the incessant demand from COD Zombies orphans by offering a game that traces almost every part of the mode presented by Treyarch sixteen years ago. If you're a fan of co-operative FPS titles and don't mind a few momentary technical glitches, Sker Ritual is a product not to be missed, all the more so if you spent hours upon hours in Call of Duty's undead-filled maps.”

“Perish is a two-sided coin: while on the one hand we find an excellent mixture of genres, on the other hand the not entirely in-depth exploration of roguelike themes leads it to be a good but not memorable title. A pity, since the technical and concept component rests on really solid and promising foundations.”

“The Inquisitor is a title that could really offer a different experience, especially thanks to a narrative compartment that is out of the chorus and hardly addressed in the videogame landscape. We feel like rewarding this departure from the Polish company's comfort zone, but we can't do the same for the gameplay and the technical compartment, which is really dated and unsatisfactory.”

“We Were Here Expeditions: The FriendShip is a pleasant experience which, despite its duration, allows you to spend a couple of hours carefree with a friend. If you have a partner with whom you get along, don't think twice and invest the few Euros needed to literally embark on this adventure; you might enjoy it.”