Gamesource Italia

Castle of Heart Retold is certainly a step up compared to the original Nintendo Switch release from 2018, fixing some of the knight's clunkiness and greatly improving the visuals. Unfortunately, it is not enough to make this fast-paced action-platformer shine on a much, much larger library compared to its original release.

Review in Italian | Read full review

The work itself stands as an exceptional endeavor in its purest sense: being rare, anomalous, and manifestly free from compromise in the pursuit of its original vision. For such audacity, it warrants my complete and unconditional respect. Yet, some shortcomings—or, worse, a blatant lack of care in specific aspects of the world building presentation, coupled with an overall simplistic message—make the journey itself more fascinating than the legacy it leaves behind. And frankly, considering the immense potential, this constitutes a fatal flaw that I simply cannot forgive.

Review in Italian | Read full review

How much is it fair to evaluate a title for what it could have been? How much for what it isn't? I asked you this at the beginning of the review, and I hope you've reached this point with your answer. Beast of Reincarnation is an imperfect game, a work that I would consider more justified as the first release from an inexperienced and fledgling development studio... but Game Freak is not. Aside from the combat system, which is satisfying despite the obvious lack of impact from its elemental or statistical variables, Beast of Reincarnation offers a well-crafted narrative that's too diluted in its development, characters that are far too watered down, and a length that I feel compelled to call outrageous. It's a title with profound problems in pacing and content distribution, but if I have to punish Game Freak for not being a fledgling studio, at least on paper, I have to give them the same chance I would give others. I hope Beast of Reincarnation is a springboard for something more, perhaps a sequel that's better creatively directed, more concise, and more essential in its offering, without, however, neglecting an impactful narrative and a pacing that keeps you glued to the screen for the entire duration—shortcomings that Beast of Reincarnation unfortunately displays without particular restraint. In short, it's a decent game for now, but there's room for a better sequel, or at least a lesson that, fortunately, isn't a "go back to making Pokémon games," but rather a warning to leave behind the limitations of that franchise.

Review in Italian | Read full review

If you grew up with Jackson's films and have always wanted to explore areas of Middle-Earth that have never made it to the screen, The Lord of the Rings: War in the North Legacy Edition offers you exactly that: a journey into the North unlike any other game, with an untouchable respect for the lore and the world created by Tolkien and, most importantly, brought to life by Jackson. The voice acting is still good, the story is honest with its limitations, and the combat loop, in its simplicity, has that arcade hack-and-slash thrill you long for every now and then. If, however, you arrive without that emotional baggage, what you'll find is a 2011 action RPG with some sensible improvements but also many structural flaws that no remaster, however respectful, can completely iron out (but it should at least try). The chapters are long and repetitive, and bosses can stall you at moments that seem more frustrating than challenging, like the one that still stalls me. Co-op remains the game's natural setting and perhaps the only way to finish it, even if in this revision, single-player is more... "viable." The Lord of the Rings: War in the North Legacy Edition is undoubtedly a product that deserves to exist, and deserves the second chance Aspyr has given it. However, I can only recommend it to those who already know why they want to play it, or who actually want to play it. For others, I'd perhaps advise waiting for something else, or for the title to arrive on a subscription service, because the effort of swallowing its more bittersweet parts is certainly not worth its brighter moments.

Review in Italian | Read full review

You may be surprised to see how generic I was in reviewing Big Walk, and then glancing at the rating I gave it, but it's exhilarating to be faced with a title that deserves your full attention, yet my description of it would deprive you of the joy of discovering it. It's a title I recommend to everyone, without hesitation or exclusion: the premise is that of an online cooperative game that asks you to embark on a journey (of about 15-20 hours) that, I swear on all that's dearest to me, you won't easily forget, and that might even bring a tear or two to your eyes as the credits roll. It has no explicit narrative, no golden path for the player to follow, and you'll have to make every step, every puzzle, and every gourd your own. But, ultimately, every memorable journey is so for the memories it leaves you with and for the people who helped create them. If you want to try it, Big Walk is also on PS Plus, otherwise you can trust me and take a leap of faith and buy it on sale for around €15. Ignore the YouTubers who try it in single player and without understanding a thing call it a Squid Game without the squid, ignore the unmotivated hatred that now moves entire communities against a product just because they are people with very sad lives: grab your headphones, call your friends, and spend 15 hours testing yourself among the sweet sounds and welcoming colors of the best indie game of this year and undoubtedly a game worthy of being included in the Olympus of the best games of all time.

Review in Italian | Read full review

Ultimately, the evaluation of this Nintendo Switch 2 edition depends entirely on the individual player's gaming experience. Those who have never had the pleasure of exploring the world of Spira or want to rediscover Final Fantasy X's iconic combat system and gripping Blitzball matches in an excellent portable format will find this package an absolutely unmissable purchase. The game remains a true masterpiece, with a story that remains relevant today and characters that are incredibly relatable. The soundtrack is also one of the most beautiful ever composed in gaming, and the wealth of content between the two chapters that tell the splendid story of Tidus and Yuna is definitely worth the purchase. Conversely, for those who have already thoroughly enjoyed the original work or one of its countless remasters released over the past fifteen years, this offering doesn't introduce anything new that would justify a new investment, reducing it to a simple nostalgia trip devoid of any real innovation.

Review in Italian | Read full review

All things considered, Doom The Dark Ages Revelations gives up the wider maps, the dragon and the mech, and I don't mean that as a complaint at all, because I had enjoyed those detours in the right doses, yet it's clear that what's left here is just the Slayer with no frills, which happens to be exactly what everyone who came away from The Dark Ages disappointed had been asking for at the top of their lungs. To those people I'd say go and get it, because they'll find precisely what they were looking for, even if it remains curious that the lesson was only understood at the expansion stage. On the ending I can't push any further, since there's a moment that anyone who played Doom 2016 and Doom Eternal will feel land like a punch to the gut, and there's a destination reached that clearly opens the road to the next chapter. I hope that road really does get travelled, because in the meantime the studio has lost key figures and Hugo Martin's reassurances about the team's current size aren't enough to erase the names that walked out the door. What's left, thankfully, is an expansion made with heart, made with soul, and made above all with the Slayer's rage.

Review in Italian | Read full review

Kusan City of Wolves finds its balance in a convincing combat system, a distinctive art direction, and a relentless pace that never lets up. An action game capable of making every one of its mechanics shine, turning precision and adaptability into the true tools of enjoyment.

Review in Italian | Read full review

Halo: Campaign Evolved is far more than a simple remaster; it is a masterclass in how to modernize a beloved classic without losing its core identity. While some of the original level design choices, such as the repetitive corridors of the Library, inevitably show their age, these historical flaws are completely overshadowed by the breathtaking visual overhaul and the stellar audio restoration. The bold introduction of modern gameplay mechanics, like sprinting and vehicle hijacking, injects a fresh, dynamic rhythm into the iconic "30 seconds of fun," finding its absolute peak in the three hours of brand-new, masterfully crafted campaign missions. Ultimately, this project successfully bridges the gap between generations, standing as the definitive way to experience Master Chief's legendary first adventure.

Review in Italian | Read full review

Dinoblade takes a wonderfully absurd premise - a prehistoric dinosaur wielding an oversized greatsword - and turns it into a genuinely captivating 15-hour action-soulslike adventure. Its greatest strength lies in its mesmerizing animation work and combat choreography. Watching a massive beast fluidly weave heavy slashes, dodges, and skill combos feels extraordinarily stylish and visually pleasing. The game expands this foundation with well-integrated progression systems, including stat customization, a rich skill tree, and thrilling boss fights that demand precise parries and timing. However, Dinoblade falls just short of action greatness due to a noticeably weak hit feedback. The lack of tactile impact makes even the most devastating slashes feel somewhat floaty, disconnecting the visual spectacle from the controller. Coupled with occasional camera issues and a limited enemy variety toward the final stretch, it slightly dampens the experience. Nevertheless, Dinoblade remains a fresh, wildly entertaining title well worth experiencing for action fans.

Review in Italian | Read full review

Disgaea Mayhem is certainly an interesting experiment, which in itself is not something rare for the series; what is definitely more unusual though is it bearing the Disgaea name, usually reserved for mainline titles, a telltale sign of the importance Nippon Ichi Software places on what is essentially a pivot into a different genre. The experiment can't certainly be defined as a smashing success; Disgaea Mayhem is too much of an action-rpg to call itself a musou and too much of a musou to call itself an action-rpg. Its saving grace, ironically, is the elements more closely resembling its Disgaea roots, such as its exponential character progression and challenging post-game, despite both being severely watered down by having a single playable character.

Review in Italian | Read full review

Cultic is a great, yet very safe game, which eventually evolves into a very experimental yet frustrating Chapter 2. It's an impressive feat for the really small team, which started as a solo effort during Chapter 1. Unfortunately, the game is afflicted by a terrible pace and frustrating enemy placements towards the end, which left a bad taste in my mouth when all was said and done.

Review in Italian | Read full review

When the lights go out on the Spirhalite Islands and the base returns to rocking silently on the sea, you’re left with the feeling that you’ve stumbled upon something rare, because what I feared would be mere filler turned out to be a profound, generous, and surprisingly vast adventure, one that weaves a treasure hunt into a progression that offers no respite. Setting aside technical aspects that could have been more daring and a few somewhat lackluster early islands, you find yourself caught up in a loop that’s as simple as it is hypnotic, where every run promises new loot and every piece of loot drives you toward the next, making it almost impossible to put the game down. Whether you’re a seasoned veteran or setting sail for these waters for the first time, my verdict remains the same: Splatoon Raiders is a treasure in every sense, and I can’t wait to see where this new series will take us next.

Review in Italian | Read full review

Granblue Fantasy Relink Endless Ragnarock is a great example of an Expansion made for the fans. It does do anything incredible, but it hones in on the specific content the fanbase loves the most, being the endgame boss fights.

Review in Italian | Read full review

On paper, it had the potential to be a great title, but in my opinion, it fails to rise above mediocrity thanks to an endless array of structural defects.

Review in Italian | Read full review

In essence, Geppy-X is a mediocre video game wrapped inside an extraordinary anime production. And it is precisely this contradiction that has earned it cult status. As its creator, Akira Yamato, has explained, the game was never designed to be a finely tuned shoot 'em up, but rather to let players "stage" the battles of a classic super robot anime. For this reason, some weapons are intentionally less effective, and several design choices deliberately favor spectacle over gameplay efficiency. Viewed purely as a video game, it is an interesting title with remarkable presentation but only average gameplay. Yet it is equally clear that those who embrace its philosophy often end up falling in love with it. Anyone approaching it expecting one of the finest shoot 'em ups of the late 1990s will likely come away disappointed; those who experience it as an interactive love letter to classic super robot anime, however, will struggle to find anything quite like it, even today. I've never been particularly fond of review scores. I tolerate them as a necessary evil. Once again, though, the little number at the end of the review fails to convey the impact a work like this can have on its intended audience, however small that audience may be. If you grew up on Getter Robo, Mazinger, and the great super robot anime of the 1970s, feel free to add a point and a half to my 7/10. Despite all the flaws discussed above, it's hard to resist the charm of a tribute crafted with such passion, affection, and painstaking attention to detail.

Review in Italian | Read full review

Denshattack amazed me greatly, especially the gameplay, which was my biggest doubts. It's a fast-paced and frenetic title that appeals to fans of the Urban Style genre, both graphically and musically. The soundtrack is simply perfect for the genre, and the production is by some big names.

Review in Italian | Read full review

The final message of D-topia isn't as clear as a chalk line on a blackboard, but rather that of a cloud, fluid, in motion, and subject to an interpretation that cannot escape the imaginary chain that binds it to the person we are, emotionally and intellectually. From now until the next inevitable roundup of titles (September I'm Not Afraid of You), I'll take with me something from D-topia that I never expected, from the first impression I had: a cohesion and coherence that are difficult to replicate in a landscape too fearful of ludonarrative dissonance to bother aiming for a product in which every aspect perpetuates the same message, the same theme.

Review in Italian | Read full review

The moment you stop to watch the credits roll, everything else fades into the background: all that remains is the massive weight of the stories told. A cinematic and literary achievement that is all too rare in today's gaming landscape: stripping war of any heroic pretension to restore its tragic, naked humanity

Review in Italian | Read full review

Assassin’s Creed Black Flag Resynced proves to be an excellent remake engaging and well worth playing. The Ubisoft team has successfully built upon the strengths of the original title, enhancing them in this long-awaited version released 13 years later, and presenting them at their very best. The adventure is compelling and highly entertaining, particularly thanks to its exploration and naval combat, which can keep players immersed for hours on end. However, despite how enjoyable the game is, especially at this early stage of its lifecycle, it is affected by several shortcomings and bugs that significantly impact the overall experience. In some cases, these issues force players to reload the game using fast travel or previous save files. Over the course of dozens of hours of gameplay, I encountered multiple problems with Edward during on-foot exploration, occasionally finding myself in situations where the character would become completely stuck for no apparent reason. At other times, invisible walls would appear in front of certain buildings, preventing me from climbing them regardless of whether the building was located in the center of the map or whether I had just climbed down from it moments earlier while exploring freely.

Review in Italian | Read full review