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Iridium Studios makes a striking comeback with People of Note. While the game isn’t quite perfect and could do with a little more spice in its gameplay, it shows real boldness and completely captivates with an art style that fully embraces its concept. The combat system could have used even more polish to make it more engaging. On the other hand, we’re treated to a heartfelt adventure—somewhat clichéd, but well worth checking out.

Invincible VS is the refreshing fighting game we have been waiting for, both in terms of its art direction and its gameplay, inevitably frustrating for the one taking the hits, but hugely satisfying and enjoyable for the one dishing them out. The attack-defense balance is fairly well-tuned, with a slight lean toward aggressive play nonetheless, and the faithfulness to the source material is spot-on, with original content thrown in as a bonus. That content will need to be judged over time, and one can't help feeling that it would have been more compelling to tell stories from within the Invincible universe, letting some players relive the series' defining moments, rather than delivering a brand-new, standalone narrative.

It’s hard to hide our disappointment with Aphelion, which stands as the very definition of an average game. While there’s nothing fundamentally bad or failed about Don’t Nod’s title, there’s still plenty of room for improvement on many levels, which inevitably leaves us with a bitter aftertaste once the adventure is over. We’re left with the feeling that we’ve missed out on what could have been a great adventure, one whose good ideas, though present, weren’t properly developed by the studio.

As expected, SAROS stands out as a worthy spiritual successor to Returnal, and even more so. Far from resting on its laurels, Housemarque has successfully built upon the solid foundation of its previous title to deliver an epic adventure, enhanced by new features that make it accessible to a wider audience. While more accessible, SAROS remains a challenging yet exhilarating experience that delivers incredible thrills. This makes it a new must-have in the PS5 catalog, which once again boasts one of its best exclusives thanks to the Finnish studio.

Lord of Hatred follows in the footsteps of Vessel of Hatred, further expanding the Diablo 4 formula with, overall, flying colors. The campaign, though rather short, is probably the best in the whole game, set in a new region with consistently beautiful art direction and a finale that is impactful in many ways. Gameplay-wise, there are two excellent new classes, as well as an interesting overhaul of the other classes' skill trees, coupled with plethora of new features in the loot system to pleasantly spice up the experience, including the Talisman and the Horadric Cube. The endgame additions are perhaps the most modest of the bunch, but serve to further solidify a foundation that is now much stronger than at launch. However, the 40€ price tag might deter casual players who are only interested in the story. The most dedicated heroes of Sanctuary should however have their fill while waiting to see what Blizzard has in store for the next chapter of its legendary hack’n slash franchise.

Tomodachi Life: A Dream Life is sure to be one of this spring’s must-have releases. By reviving this unique franchise on the Nintendo Switch, Big N reminds us just how powerful and unmatched the Mii characters’ comedic appeal is. Moreover, Nintendo offers us a true respite of lighthearted fun that, like Animal Crossing: New Horizons in its day, allows us to escape a particularly anxiety-inducing reality. While the game’s distinct identity means it won’t appeal to everyone, it will be the perfect choice for anyone looking to treat themselves to short, stress-free gaming sessions full of surprises.

Besides its delightful art style, brilliantly blending inspirations from Cuphead, early Mickey Mouse cartoons, and 1930s film noir, Mouse PI For Hire is from a gameplay standpoint a classic boomer shooter, but very effective and enjoyable to play. Even if its "detective" aspect is largely inconsequential, we generally enjoyed following this frenetic adventure as Troy Baker... Jack Pepper, despite a somewhat tedious final section that leaves a slightly underripe aftertaste for an overall appetizing cheese. Perhaps the upcoming DLC ​​will be the final clue to wrap up the investigation in style?

After years of anticipation and numerous previews, we can finally confirm it: Pragmata is indeed the surprise we’ve been waiting for. With refreshing gameplay and a pair of highly endearing protagonists, Capcom’s new franchise plunges us into the heart of a fabulous world that we enjoy roaming from start to finish, despite a few minor flaws here and there. And while these flaws may prevent the game from having as significant impact as we originally hoped for, it remains a resounding success for the studio, which continues to deliver new, original games that are a breath of fresh air.

A year after its release, Tiny Bookshop is still a breath of fresh air in the gaming world. The proposition is modest but satisfying in many ways. Neoludic proves that you don’t need big effects or ultra-complex mechanics to be effective. Even though several aspects of the gameplay could stand to be a tad more refined to captivate us even further, the game is truly what you might call a gem to be savored in small doses—one you’ll happily return to whenever you need a peaceful escape.

Beyond the chance to catch up with iconic heroines, Life is Strange Reunion brings fans full circle with a duo they’ve grown up with—and, potentially, with the entire franchise. This fifth installment thus oscillates between emotion and frustration. Deck Nine takes great care to give Max and Chloe the most satisfying conclusion possible for fans, but unfortunately gets lost in a branching storyline it never quite manages to fully control. We’re left with pacing issues and unbalanced storylines, weighed down by ever-present visual glitches. It’s hard, however, to deny the joy as a fan, as the chemistry between the heroines remains as strong as ever. Despite a few missteps, we dive in with pleasure and excitement into a chapter that reignites the experience that moved us 11 years ago.