Game Lodge

“Inazuma Eleven: Victory Road is one of those games that makes you think that all the waiting and delays were really worth it. With an absurd amount of well-made and rich content, gameplay that balances football and RPG well, and quality of life features such as Cross-play and Cross-Progression, the game is a big hit for Level-5 and certainly brings great spotlight to the company and the franchise.”

“Overall, I enjoyed Utawarerumono: Zan much more than I was expecting. Once I stopped worrying about the story being torn apart, I found a very entertaining game that works for those who don't like the musou genre. I don't recommend it to anyone who wants to get into the franchise, but for those who just want a fluid action game, it might be a good choice.”

“Milano's Odd Job Collection shows a glimpse of a time when, while video games were evolving rapidly, not so many things were set in stone and companies of different sizes allowed themselves to experiment more. Here we have a game that, even though it uses several familiar elements, does so in a somewhat unique way. It's a short and interesting experience, and I'm glad I got to play it.”

“If it was due to genuine lack of care, negligence because it’s "just a kids’ game", or some other internal issue, we’ll probably never know, but BEYBLADE X EVOBATTLE is just a mediocre game with faint glimpses that it could have been much more than that.”

“Stray Children is one of those games where part of the fun comes from playing it without knowing much about it. It's a game where those who play without worrying about completing as much as possible will be less frustrated than I was and will also have a more fluid experience. But I don't think they'll have such an impactful experience, for better or for worse. Stray Children is frustrating, obtuse, and sometimes even unfair and cruel, but so is life, and yet it's still worth it.”

“FULL METAL SCHOOLGIRL is certainly a flawed game that expects some player flexibility to enhance the experience, which doesn’t hide its Simple Series’ DNA. Still, even if they are many, these flaws at least make for a very interesting game in the end.”

“If a few years ago someone had told me that in 2025 we would be playing an official version of Ys vs. Trails in the Sky, with functional online play, available on multiple platforms and with a great PC port, I would have called that person crazy. It's a very strange game that represents an era of Nihon Falcom that we are unlikely to see again. The crossover between the company's two flagship series works better than it should, resulting in a very fun fighting game with great interactions.”

“Artis Impact is a very authorial game. It's the kind of game where you notice that some things were done just because the developer thought it was cool. I particularly like this type of project. And although it has a few problems with the execution of its traditional systems, this is compensated for by its humorous story, which works very well even against a post-apocalyptic setting, and its art direction.”

“The Great Villainess: Strategy of Lily isn’t immune to some questionable design choices, such as the way it handles its narrative, but they result in far more hits than misses. If you're ready to be challenged and willing to use any means necessary to seek your revenge or, if you're a duchess with strong sapphic tendencies, this is a war worth fighting.”

“Arashi Gaiden is fun and challenging without becoming frustrating. The game is the result of years of perfecting the mechanics of previous Wired Dreams games, resulting in a game that is easy to learn but still challenges the player. Combined with this, the great artwork and animation in partnership with Statera Studio makes the game stand out and makes the experience even more enjoyable.”

“Mecha Break is a dream come true for many mecha fans, with amazing gameplay and an exciting variety of different robots and modes to play, we have here a very accessible game for those who enjoy competing along with a giant robot. Varying between an extraction mode and PvP combat, the game manages to deliver something of quality to different audiences. Unfortunately, as a GaaS, not only its quality is what matters for its success and the choices made regarding the game's progression and monetization will still have to be put to the test of time.”

“Narrative slip-ups and gameplay additions that don't have much effect don't prevent Fuga: Melodies of Steel 3 from bringing the trilogy to a satisfactory close. It's a universe I've enjoyed following since its debut in 2021 and I haven't regretted it one bit.”

“Keep Driving was a pleasant surprise for me. With its chill vibe, wonderful pixel art, and incredible soundtrack, I was able to immerse myself in the road and have a cool experience while overcoming its challenges. With interesting combat, plenty of things to manage, and even a “character sheet” system, it’s an RPG that was worth trying out.”

“Farmagia is a game with Hiro Mashima's face, literally. But not just because of its design, I feel it's a game that has a lot of his essence. It's a game with great characters, who are very well-developed and layered, while also working with interesting themes and concepts that have consequences and weight to their actions. Fellowship and the “power of friendship”, recurring themes in Mashima's works, are also present here, which doesn't bother me at all, as I love a story with a good vibe and positivity. The game is far from perfect, its gameplay gets tiresome sooner than it should, some parts that seem too isolated from the rest and a second act that drags on too long serve as a counterbalance to the good parts and create a bitter feeling towards the game.”

“Sky Oceans: Wings for Hire is a game that had a lot of potential by bringing a very interesting concept, exploring dogfights in an RPG context with a focus on strategy. The game has a number of technical problems that could have been solved with a little more development time. It's also important to highlight the dedication to the game's visual presentation, which is very charismatic and will please animation fans. Something that the studio can benefit from in new projects.”

“Clock Tower is a simple game and looking at it completely coldly, nowadays there are games that do what it does better. However, it is a piece of history for both Nintendo and gaming in general, given that it was born in a rather unusual console and is one of the pioneers of the genre. The Rewind version has a lot of really interesting extra content that gives Clock Tower a good context, and I recommend anyone interested in this type of game to get this version.”

“My journey with Parcel Corps was a downhill experience, unfortunately. Although it has its good moments, especially once you get used to the controls and the map you're on, the whole process of getting there is too exhausting. It's a comic game, always with good humor, but its details irritate me so much that even the jokes didn't make me smile anymore.”

“Lollipop Chainsaw RePOP is a trip back in time for those who played the original game. I felt like I was taken back 12 years while following Juliet's journey on my Xbox 360. With an extremely faithful version, RePOP brings the qualities, but also the stumbles of what was created back in 2012, and it will hardly change what you thought of the original game. The work, which is completely self-aware of what it wants to be, delivers genuine and uncompromising fun to those who embrace its madness.”

“Bloodless is an almost perfect, well-rounded game. Although I felt it needed a few improvements to its progression and difficulty curve and a glossary or something similar to give notes on narrative points, I came away from the game very satisfied. The combat is enjoyable and complex, the artwork is beautiful and the narrative works to keep you interested in seeing the game through to the end.”

“Directed by the people responsible for the Goemon series at Konami and developed by a studio that has essentially only worked on Nintendo games for the last twenty years, you can only expect great things from it. Even though it doesn't officially carry the Goemon title, I think BAKERU can already be considered a worthy successor to its legacy. Its fun themed stages, interesting collectibles, insane bosses and - above all - the lightness with which this game carries itself from start to finish guarantee an experience whose only word constantly hanging over my head was “fun”. I think that, regardless of the expectations surrounding this kind of “spiritual successor”, it's always reassuring to see that a game has the strength to carry itself, and that's one of the many skills this tanuki has at their disposal.”