Areajugones

E-Day isn't the rebirth it first seemed, but it is the perfect prequel: a solid, enjoyable return to the spirit of the original Gears that tells an essential chapter of the saga's lore. Its campaign never quite builds beyond its strong opening, yet fans will find exactly the Gears they've been missing.

Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve is an incredibly exciting action game that works for both new pilots and veterans. The story, the technical aspects, the progression system... it all works very well, except for a single element that clearly holds it back: its treatment of the protagonist, which doesn’t fit how the story wants to be told.

Silent Hill: Townfall is the boldest risk Konami has taken in the series' revival, and it pays off. Screen Burn's shift to first person is no gimmick: it fuels the CRTV, the game's best idea, and turns every encounter into a tense decision where Simon feels genuinely fragile. St. Amelia is a masterclass in environmental storytelling, a broken Scottish town whose grief you piece together yourself, while Simon and Zoe, both playable, share a story about collective guilt that ranks among the most mature in the franchise. Combat is clunky in the classic Silent Hill way and the AI spots you too quickly at times, but the atmosphere, the puzzles that refuse to hold your hand and Pilotpriest's score make this the closest we will ever get to the PT we were promised.

Control Resonant strays quite far from the formula of the first Control, opting for an open world and combat focused more heavily on melee. While this change may disappoint those expecting a more straightforward sequel, Remedy once again demonstrates its talent for creating fascinating worlds, environments, and paranormal situations. It doesn’t surpass its predecessor, but it does succeed as a remarkable sequel with a personality of its own.

Fire Emblem: Fortune's Weave truly shines in the depth and variety of its combat, delivering moments that stick with you. However, a bit more restraint and clearer differentiation between its four story routes would have been the perfect finishing touch.

I might be accused of being a bit of a fanboy, but I expect excellence from PlayStation exclusives, and for me, Marvel's Wolverine fell just short of that mark. It is a game that derives its strength from a powerful narrative, story, and cast of characters, backed by deeply satisfying combat, yet it doesn't offer much else. While it can be repetitive and occasionally feels a bit hollow, it ultimately delivers a spectacular final act and a story well worth experiencing. It doesn't quite capture the magic of Spider-Man 2 or the studio's other titles, but you’ll enjoy it if you appreciate narrative-driven games that steer clear of open-world formulas. Marvel's Wolverine 2—I await you with open arms.

No More Room in Hell 2 is a fun, fairly priced co-op survival game built above all to be enjoyed with friends taking down zombies together. If you have a group to play with and fancy a tense cooperative experience where survival genuinely matters, it's well worth the purchase. Its slow pace and focus on resource management set it apart from the instant thrills of other genre staples, but that's not a flaw, it's its personality. Those chasing constant, pure frenzy may be left a little cold, though the new Survival Mode might just win them over.

Onimusha: Way of the Sword is not just the best possible comeback for a franchise that hadn't seen a new installment in 20 years; it is the starting point for what could become Capcom's most epic IP of the coming decade. The game has it all: spectacular combat, incredible graphics and animations, and a magnificent story driven by unforgettable characters.

The Blood of Dawnwalker is an excellent, albeit imperfect, starting point, but one that Rebel Wolves has used to forge its own path. If you love decision-making RPGs, you won't be disappointed.

Star Wars: Zero Company holds no surprises and delivers exactly what it promises: an explosive blend of the already highly entertaining XCOM formula and a Star Wars universe that it exploits to perfection. It is a game that follows in the footsteps of the XCOM series but adapts the formula so that—without losing its signature identity—the experience is far less frustrating.