Everyeye.it

Aphelion confirms Don't Nod's versatility and its determination not to remain confined to a single genre, venturing wherever the studio's imagination feels the need to go. However, this adventure on the planet Persephone—in terms of both its gameplay and narrative components—ultimately does little more than scratch the surface of the ice of which it is composed, without ever truly breaking through it. The result is a work that attempts to weave together themes of survival, responsibility, and human connection against the backdrop of an environmental crisis, yet struggles to fully develop its own core concepts. Nevertheless, it remains an intriguing experience—particularly for that segment of the audience seeking a more intimate and grounded science fiction story.

Little Nightmares VR: Altered Echoes successfully conveys the physical sensation of stepping into the shoes of one of the series' pint-sized protagonists, yet this alone is not enough to elevate it to the status of a virtual reality cult classic. The gameplay adheres to the standard fare found in most VR titles—save for its mood and setting, which, while artistically captivating, remain limited in terms of interactivity and depth. It remains a recommended title for fans of the genre and devotees of the main storyline, though one should not expect the same level of challenge or complexity.

Overall, Saros manages to build a clear and coherent identity, even when not all of its solutions are entirely convincing. Housemarque pushes hard to evolve from Returnal, expanding the narrative component, strengthening progression, and introducing systems that seek to make the experience more modular and less punishing, without however distorting its roguelike nature. The Eclipse, with its corruption and constant impact on gameplay and atmosphere, remains the true nerve center of the experience: a mechanic that doesn't simply serve as a backdrop, but is embedded in every choice, every fight, and every risk. Not everything is perfectly balanced—some mechanics feel harder than necessary, and others are less refined than the overall ambition—but the end result is still a game that knows when to be spectacular and when to tighten its grip. And when Saros truly works, it does so brilliantly: turning every playthrough into a precarious balance between control and chaos, decision-making and improvisation. A formula that is not always indulgent, but which hardly leaves anyone indifferent.

Despite the numerous advances made with this expansion—both in terms of quality of life and the layering of customization systems—we can't help but notice that the core gameplay has remained essentially identical to that of previous iterations and is now starting to show its age. The gameplay formula hasn't undergone any truly disruptive innovations, the metagame continues along the lines of consolidated arcade frenzy and speed, and the campaign, unfortunately, achieves neither the narrative quality nor the length to justify the required outlay on its own. Lord of Hatred is, ultimately, a solid expansion, rich in endgame content, generous with content for those who view the title as a long-term commitment, but it lacks the spark of genius that would make it a must-buy. We recommend it without hesitation only to the most ardent fans of the series—those who have been with the game since launch and who will find in these new mechanics the fuel for hundreds more hours in the bowels of Sanctuary.

Tides of Tomorrow attempts to depict a world suffocated by plastic—crafting a fascinating setting rich in thematic potential—yet ultimately treats the subject with the same superficiality with which, outside the screen, we have learned to coexist with it. All the right ingredients are there: the ambition to confront the player with the moral consequences of their actions, bolstered by a brilliant concept like the "Story-Link," which strives to weave players' choices together within a shared dimension. The problem, however, is that this very ambition struggles to translate into something truly impactful. The numerous choices rarely carry the weight they should, and the saccharine writing style ends up excessively dampening the tone. Tides of Tomorrow offers glimpses of something immense lurking beneath the surface, yet never quite manages to bring it to light.

REPLACED is a feast for the eyes and ears. The world crafted by Sad Cat Studios is vibrant and magnetic—a place where getting lost amidst the details and references is a constant delight. However, the gameplay is not without its uncertainties. The platforming sections are generally well-designed but occasionally suffer from spikes of excessive difficulty. The same applies to the combat, which, over time, suffers from a lack of variety and a difficulty level that sometimes feels artificial. The result is a solid and effective experience, though one in which the visual quality ultimately stands out above the rest.

We have often asked ourselves, "How exactly do you *play* Tomodachi?" and the answer is that, perhaps, it is Tomodachi that plays with *us*—and not the other way around. It is the Miis who propose activities involving themselves and request changes to their lifestyles, clothing, diet, and interactions with other Miis; while we, on the other hand, simply sit back to enjoy their reactions and build—in the truest sense of the word—a comfortable environment for them, one in which they can fully express themselves even when we aren't watching. Inevitably, variety begins to wane as time goes by; once you have built your own personal paradise, unlocked all the town amenities, and witnessed most of the game's scenarios, the repetitiveness starts to set in. The most creative players might still find some joy in the drawing editor or in designing new Miis, but the initial spark of enthusiasm simply won't be the same. We firmly believe that a roadmap of "Nintendo-made" content updates is needed to extend the longevity of *Tomodachi Life*—much like what was done for *Animal Crossing: New Horizons*. In the meantime, however, this delightful "Tamagotchi-meets-Mii" title from the Kyoto-based developer remains fully capable—just like its predecessor, but with an expanded toolkit—of entertaining and surprising anyone in search of a good laugh and a healthy dose of absurdity. Case in point: a wedding between your own grandmother and Hideo Kojima. A true story—at least on our island...

Mouse: P.I. For Hire is a game that exhibits a few minor imperfections—likely due to the developers' limited experience—yet these elements fail to detract from what is, overall, a truly unique experience that is enjoyable from both a gameplay and an aesthetic standpoint. Anyone who appreciates "boomer shooters" or the distinctive style adopted by Fumi Games should not let this title pass them by—especially given the budget-friendly price point at which it has been offered since launch.

In Pragmata, every element serves the gameplay—from the progression structure to the very staging of the narrative. And this works out beautifully, for it functions in a way that is frankly unexpected. Given the distinctive nature of the core concept underpinning its gameplay formula, it would have been entirely reasonable to fear a drop in quality during the later stages—moments where things could have easily become overly convoluted, running the risk of stripping the game of its fresh, intuitive appeal. Yet, Pragmata consistently manages to preserve a refined balance and an enviable self-awareness of its own uniqueness. Delicate yet intense, moving yet sweet, challenging yet intelligently structured—Pragmata may not reach pinnacles of absolute excellence in every single aspect (as it is the gameplay that truly towers above all else), but it nonetheless proves itself to be a precious work. Games like this—possessing an identity that is bold yet never pretentious—deserve to be cherished.

It is truly difficult to find any redeeming qualities in Samson—at least within the roughly 20 hours required to complete it in its entirety (beyond the 8 hours dedicated to the main missions, that is). Liquid Sword’s debut title is a concentrated blend of technical issues, misguided design choices, and gameplay that simply doesn't work well, leaving it vulnerable to a repetitiveness that begins to make itself felt all too soon. Even taking into account its budget price point and peculiar game concept, it is unlikely that you will find Samson to be an interesting title; and, unfortunately, even if corrective patches were to arrive, we do not believe the game could somehow redeem itself through post-launch support.