Lucas Barreto

“The Perfect Pencil aims for a different experience within the Metroidvania genre, and for that it deserves praise. The creativity of the art team stands out, with very different environments and a world-building that, at the very least, is intriguing. However, this is not enough to sustain the entire experience. Seeking pillars through the power of words, it ends up becoming as fragile as the graffiti that scribbles on them, becoming repetitive in its themes and deprioritizing the genre elements that need to be given more consideration. The result is a slow, disjointed game that takes away the magic of the background art.”

“Oppidum isn't a title I disliked. But it's true that I wasn't particularly enthusiastic about its premise. The simplistic narrative didn't motivate me to continue exploring the world, and the extremely linear progression coupled with the world's hostility quickly demotivated me.”

“Candy Rangers is a competent time killer, with a very attractive art style, riding the low-poly trend that seems to have become a favorite among indie developers instead of pixel art. It's a game that, I believe, only makes sense in handheld mode, given the short length of the levels and the amount of information available at once. At the same time, I miss motion controls or the inclusion of mouse controls for Switch 2 and Switch users.”

“It's easy to recommend The Edge of Allegoria for its combat, which is truly engaging, and there are few RPGs that don't take dozens of hours to complete. The tone and level design flaws, however, somewhat diminish the allegories' brilliance.”

“Despite its excellent aesthetics and sense of humor, and its competent level design full of surprises and challenges, which are generally well-designed, Moons of Darsalon's technical limitations limit it. Perhaps, with enough patches, we'll be able to experience the game as it was intended, but for now, bugs get in the way and hinder progress at various points.”

“In summary, Pine presents itself as a game that talks about grief but is not intended to be used as therapy or aid. Its existence seems more like an exercise of empathy to the player, putting us in the place of this tragic character and, regardless of our individual decisions, making us absorb his process, which may or may not be replicated, but does not have that goal (of being replicated) in mind. Just go through this short and beautiful experience and enjoy it; hopefully we'll feel enough appreciation to miss it when we hit the credits.”

“A new PopSlinger would usually mean an unforgettable soundtrack and a charming cast of characters. However, PopSlinger Vol 2's technical issues and elements that are narratively questionable turn it into a game that is unfortunately frustrating to play.”

“Rusted Moss is an extremely competent metroidvania, with a gameplay hook that sets it apart from similar games on the market and that certainly leaves an impact on players. There is very little to criticize here: I didn't find any bugs, not everything is perfect, the aiming system could be a little more intuitive and the button mapping could be a little better implemented, but it is an easy recommendation for those looking for a metroidvania to play for a few days.”

“Without a doubt, the games were ported to those who recently discovered the series and want to delve deeper into its origins. Of course, they'll always be excellent starting points, but I believe the purchase will be made for those who already have experience with the series. Of course, if you ignore everything I've mentioned so far and still buy the game, I believe you'll have one of the best experiences in the genre, and the tiny Pikmin fan community will undoubtedly welcome a new member with open arms!”

“With beautiful pixel art that accurately conveys the characters' expressions, an excellent soundtrack, and a well-crafted script, Decarnation takes us on a true journey of introspection. I won't go into details, but the plot twist and its resolution are, in a subtle way, sensational, even when predictable, generating a fulminating catharsis.”

“Despite its short duration, GrimGrimoire OnceMore's journey is light, fun, and rewarding. With quality-of-life features like a speed-up button, battles can quickly become intense, and the various difficulty levels that can be changed at any time in the level selection menu greatly enhance the experience.”

“Aka seems like the kind of game that, while not perfect right now, could become a great game after a few major updates. I'd be happy to see something like that happen, because it's by no means worthy of contempt.”

“Nier: Automata is one of the most iconic games of recent years for a reason. Its technical execution is brilliant, but it is the way the narrative is told that keeps us hooked in that universe. It is impossible not to feel the anguish, fears and questions that such beloved characters feel. We may even reach the end of the experience, but all of its themes end up taking root in us, and it is difficult not to feel emotional in the final sequences. Not that feeling emotional at these times is silly, after all: “being alive is basically a constant stream of embarrassments”.”

“In short, the title brings together elements that will greatly please fans of analog games, who would like to experience the experience of a game narrated by a virtual dungeon master, while at the same time it may disappoint those seeking a more complex experience. In any case, the title presents itself as good fun and a good way to relax between more intense games.”

“I'm still not able, and maybe I never will be, to pinpoint what makes a game memorable. What I can try to explain, on the other hand, is what makes Shin-chan: Me and the Professor on Summer Vacation -The Endless Seven-Day Journey- a title that will remain in my heart. Its presentation, both visually and sonically, is simply sublime, with memorable frames for each screen, providing the player with a very unique perspective of the world created by the developers. The characters are captivating and comical, making us interested in their demands, and making us happy with each objective achieved.”

“PopSlinger is a mix of good things, and it results in something that is both faithful to its inspirations and somewhat original. It is a simple game in its structure, being a basic shooter, with enough interesting weapon and enemy variations. It's also an accessible rhythm and memorization game without many secrets, with several tools implemented to aid the user's overall experience during the experience. Its narrative fulfills the purpose of motivating the player to keep playing, although it eventually gets tangled up in its mysteries, depending on a scarce but pleasant cast with good voice actresses.”