Tech-Gaming

• SWITCH
• 80%
• États-Unis

Many director's cuts can be a dubious proposition. But Akiba’s Trip: Undead & Undressed main rip-off is centered on the removal of antagonist apparel. For many, that will be a very good thing.

• SWITCH
• 80%
• États-Unis

All too frequently, video game escapism means slaying hundreds of opponents. But Story of Seasons: A Wonderful Life recreation of agrarian life is an entirely dissimilar experience, driven by an appreciation for life’s simple pleasures. Whether tending to a thriving garden or basking in the warmth of social interaction, its virtues largely continue to shine twenty years later.

• PC
• 63%
• États-Unis

Energy management decisions help deliver enough strategic depth to Tour de France 2023’s chase for the yellow jersey. But the game’s unsophisticated physics modeling and middling aesthetics do little to elevate the sense of simulation. That said, there’s masochistic enjoyment to be had in the game’s reproduction of 150+ kilometer stages- where a single bad decision can ruin an hour of focused effort.

• PC
• 63%
• États-Unis

There’s occasional visual sumptuousness, like when the camera catches a curtain swaying in the summer breeze inside Nini’s classroom. But when Loop8: Summer of Gods reuses its locations for the underworld or positions NPC where it’s difficult to interact with them, there’s a sense that the game was rushed. Scampering around Ashihara Nakatsu, attempting to cancel the Kegai invasion by hurriedly making friends, reminded me that haste could be necessary, but it can also be detrimental. Likely, you’ll wish that Summer of Gods development team has slowed down. There are some good ideas present, but often they don’t reach a satisfying fruition.

• PC
• 67%
• États-Unis

As you can see from the screenshots, Planet of Lana is a thoroughly lovely game. Panoramas showcase picturesque azure skies, voluminous clouds, and the sliver of a colossal moon. If you’re relatively new to games with logic-based brainteasers, there’s a strong chance you’ll appreciate the journey. But for those with more experience in the puzzle and stealth genres, Lana’s looks will be the biggest draw.

• SWITCH
• 75%
• États-Unis

• SWITCH
• 77%
• États-Unis

• PC
• 78%
• États-Unis

• PC
• 84%
• États-Unis

• PC
• 77%
• États-Unis

Labyrinth of Zangetsu revisits the fundamentals of classical function crawling. Peer past the attractive ink-wash-styled visuals and you’ll find an experience that’s a faithful adaptation of board gaming with graph paper and pencil. Largely, this should satisfy purists looking for a timeless crawl where a deluge of crits are ready to punish the imprudent.

• SWITCH
• 66%
• États-Unis

Although this is a proficient port of Mitchell’s 1996 arcade title, the pricing feels prohibitive. As such, only the most fervent Strider fans should consider a purchase of Cannon Dancer – Osman until a sale arises. This six-stage jaunt is likable, at least until the last level, but it also feels inferior when measured against Capcom’s classic title.

• SWITCH
• 75%
• États-Unis

• SWITCH
• 79%
• États-Unis

Assault Suits Valken: Declassified offers a worthwhile reinvigoration to the best 16-bit mecha title ever made. While the game is rooted in 90’s design decisions, details like a sense of weight and the ability to inflict environmental damage make Valken a must-play experience.

• PC
• 70%
• États-Unis

• SWITCH
• 65%
• États-Unis

• PC
• 91%
• États-Unis

Trails to Azure offers both closure to the Crossbell arc and an introduction to some of Cold Steel’s characters. But the game functions as more than just connective tissue for Nihon Falcom’s prolific property. Spending time with Lloyd and the rest of the Special Support Section exemplifies role-playing at its best, courtesy of compelling combat, a delightful cast of characters, and more geopolitical intrigue than a stack of history books.

• PC
• 60%
• États-Unis

Some might take issue with Tiny Troopers: Global Ops’ vague stereotypes or its glorification of war. The real problem is the simplicity of the game, where you’ll face eight hours of near-continuous circle strafing. It’s incentivized by a multitude of upgrades, which not be enough of an incentive for enlistment.

• PS4
• 73%
• États-Unis