Hardcore Gamer

• PS4
• 3.5 / 5
• États-Unis

Digimon Survive isn’t quite the game anyone was expecting based on the marketing. As expected, the story is engrossing, blending darker moments with the character drama that made for excellent viewing in some of Digimon’s best seasons. The visual novel aspect of the game is rather good by allowing players to form intimate connections with the other characters and partner Digimon. When the story works, it works amazingly well. When pacing issues do arise, however, they bring all that momentum to a halt. Combat is interesting and can be visually exciting, but it lacks the depth and complexity needed to carry the lengthy run time. It also frequently butts heads with the story when it comes to the partner Digimon, with the story emphasizing the bond but combat emphasizing recruits. It’s a combat system that ultimately feels tacked on and a side activity to the main course, the visual novel. Digimon Survive is a strange combination of genres that, taken as a whole, is enjoyable, even though the sum of its parts doesn’t wholly mesh. Digimon Survive is a worthwhile adventure for those looking for a strong story, but expect things to move slowly and not much actual gameplay.

• PC
• 4 / 5
• États-Unis

• PC
• 3 / 5
• États-Unis

Without digging too deeply into the real reasons behind Interior Night’s choice of aesthetic and presentation, As Dusk Falls is one of those cases of a solid foundation let down one too many times by its execution. That’s not to say that the game is without merit or that its intended direction is a complete failure. But for every bit of promise or spot of engaging writing — praise no doubt strongest for the character of Jay and his personal arc throughout the narrative — comes an idea you’re all but pleading for the game to have explored deeper or more thoroughly. There are interesting ideas at play, but none of that can sadly be put down to the art-style — evidently the biggest draw going in. One that has its charm to begin, but whose at times wonky presentation can come off more so awkward and cliched than enticing. Despite a muddled second-half and questions as to where its focus truly lies, As Dusk Falls — if a little hap-hazard on execution and relatively safe on the gameplay front — does fortunately get the basics right. Not quite a game-changer by any stretch, but one salvaged by some commendable character performances and a narrative guaranteed to keep players guessing and intrigued to see events through.

• PS4
• 4 / 5
• États-Unis

Capcom Arcade 2nd Stadium shows that Capcom has created so many memorable arcade games that it takes more than one collection to hold them. The variety of games that span decades and genres provide something for everyone, though fighters and shooters seem to occupy most of the real estate in this arcade. Whether this collection is used to revisit childhood favorites or discover games before one’s time, there are opportunities for dozens of hours of entertainment. Options like being able to adjust to the display to either fill the television or create the illusion of an arcade cabinet are nice modernizations, as is the ability to adjust difficulty and other settings of each game. For retro gaming fans this collection is the next best thing to having a dedicated room filled with arcade machines.

• PC
• 4 / 5
• États-Unis

• SWITCH
• 4 / 5
• États-Unis

While a murder mystery survival scenario may not be the most unique concept ever made, Yurukill manages to twist things on its head by going all in to make one of the most unique Visual Novel experiences. Even the SHMUP sections don’t feel unforgiving with multiple difficulty options that allow players to make things as easy or challenging as they’d like. The characters are all endearing in one way or another, and the story keeps being invested with every group and wanting to see just how everything will tie together in the very end. Whether people survive or struggle to make it is up to them and putting the pieces together correctly. Yurukill: The Calumination Games is well worth playing for those who love the mystery that awaits even if they’re hesitant about taking flight and shooting down enemies.

• PC
• 4 / 5
• États-Unis

• PS4
• PS5
• XONE
• XSX/S
• PC
• 4.5 / 5
• États-Unis

• PC
• 4.5 / 5
• États-Unis

Neon White isn't just a contender for the title of year's best action game, but also a fascinating blend of genres, all mixed together to create a truly unique delight. The stellar level design, swift platforming and gunplay, and the terrific challenge in figuring out the optimal demon extermination route work together in harmony to make it a true heavenly delight, all set to a soundtrack that won't be leaving the heads of players anytime soon. Neon White isn't just a speedrunner's delight, but a delight for any gamer in general, and it would be foolish to pass up something so sublime.

• PS4
• 3.5 / 5
• États-Unis

Sonic Origins does a lot right. It looks and sounds wonderful, all the games look as good as they always did if not better in some cases, and there’s new stuff here for older fans to enjoy. Heck, there’s even new courses for Blue Spheres fans. It looks the part of a collection that celebrates the best of Sonic, yet it doesn’t manage to justify that price tag. These are all old games now, and the versions available here aren’t all that much better than the originals. Considering that past Sonic collections offered more games for less money, it’s hard to say that this one is worth it. Ultimately, Sonic Origins is a well-polished wrapper for old games that were, until recently, available at much lower prices. Unless one is a real super fan, this is a collection that’s better-grabbed on sale.

• PS4
• 3.5 / 5
• États-Unis

Capcom Fighting Collection is essential for fans of ’90s tournament fighters, particularly of Darkstalkers. That being said, the curated ten games feels like light packaging. The complete Darkstalkers arcade collection is great to finally have, but the lack of variety among them makes the value of the ten game collection feel inflated as they dominate the collection, though the lack of variety has more to do with the nature of the games than this collection. On the other hand, the inclusion of games like Red Earth and Gem Fighter Mini Mix are enjoyable titles that aren’t readily available in compilations and bring more variety to the package. Capcom Fighting Collection isn’t the definitive collection of Capcom’s best fighting games, but it does bring together a respectable assortment of them, several of which were never available on console or in the US. Capcom has put out several collections in recent years that are great for checking out classics you may have missed the first time around and revisiting old favorites from the golden age of Arcade gaming, and this makes a nice addition to their retro collections if you want to spend a weekend checking out some of their fighters that aren’t limited to Street Fighter.

• PS4
• 4.5 / 5
• États-Unis

The original Somnium Files was a delight in every way and Nirvana Initiative follows that up without missing a beat. It’s hard to even say which one could be considered better because they both manage to nail exactly the sort of narrative and approach they’re going for. The characters and story are the life blood of an adventure title and they knock it out of the park here. Fans of the original will want to see where the story goes and pick up this sequel. It’s accessible to newcomers, but we’d still recommend checking out the first entry if only because it’s a brilliant story that also shouldn’t be missed out on. Much like the original, AI: The Somnium Files – nirvanA Initiative is an innovative take on the genre that must be experienced and is well worth picking up.

• PC
• 4.5 / 5
• États-Unis

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder’s Revenge caters to a specific niche audience, but couldn’t have done a better job of it. The developers understood what made the arcade games great thirty plus years ago and build on it, creating a game that is rooted in the style of its predecessors with just enough modernization to feel contemporary. References to the classic games and cartoon are sprinkled throughout. Interactions with supporting characters like Vern and Irma are deliberately handled in a manner that would fit in during the 16-bit era. Shredder’s Revenge does rely on nostalgia for the golden age of arcade gaming for players to be completely enamored with it. Without the nostalgia goggles, it’s still a great retro beat ’em up based on its own gameplay merits, but for those who grew up with the classic Turtles, it feels like a fragment of childhood has been recreated.

• PC
• 3.5 / 5
• États-Unis

• PC
• PS5
• PS4
• XONE
• XSX/S
• 4 / 5
• États-Unis

While a few issues remain that hamper the experience, it's a no-brainer to proclaim Sniper Elite 5 has taken everything that made 4 as great as it was and improved it. The signature gameplay loop and general premise of picking one's shots is as satisfying as it always was. But it's what the game has added on top, around those figurative edges, that makes this year's release a thoroughly-entertaining package, be it entirely solo in its campaign or competitively elsewhere. It's this variety developer Rebellion utilise to great effect. A variance in visual design and more impressively how that's applied further through terrific level design on top -- serving as some of the series' best by far. And that's before we even factor in this year's compelling new addition via the Invasion Mode -- surprising not just in how well it integrates into the series' foundation, but how too it seemingly reshapes one's usual strategy and general mood going into this sort of game. A PvPvE spin whose biggest draw isn't so much the drive to get the winning kill, but the rampant tug-of-war that is the dread and tension a rival sniper (out there, somewhere) on the field brings. Look past the momentary technical gaffes and what you'll find with Sniper Elite 5 is a developer in Rebellion that even now can still find creative ways to excite and impress all over again.

• PSP
• 3 / 5
• États-Unis

• WII
• 3 / 5
• États-Unis

• PC
• 4 / 5
• États-Unis

The weird thing is, though, that somehow it all ends up working. The quest to revitalize New Nevaeh, solve the mystery of the Barrows, and take care of each party member’s personal issues rarely bogs down despite the repetition of the levels. New areas within the levels open up just frequently enough that it feels like there’s always something to discover, and the quest rewards get constantly plowed back into character upgrades that keep on expanding the combat options. A lot of effort is also put in towards making New Nevaeh feel like a functioning town, filled with a huge number of characters that may only have a few lines of dialogue when giving out and finishing up their side-quests, but still manage to make the place feel like a lived-in community. This goes a long way towards making the game overcome its limitations, especially as the town grows and flourishes as each little mini-story completes. Eiyuden Chronicle: Rising manages to be more than the sum of its parts, becoming a likeable adventure that not only sets up the world for the main event to come in Hundred Heroes, but stands as a great little action-RPG in its own right.