Dragon Quest VII Reimagined is a well-done remake of the classic JRPG. The fantastical journey through time to save magical islands may seem a bit naive, but that's not a bad thing if you ask me. The new version boasts stunning graphics, full voice acting, and numerous improvements – although players who hate grind will find plenty of it here.
Midnight is a solid but safe follow-up to the direction set by recent WoW expansions. Blizzard is not trying to revolutionise the game, but instead is developing existing ideas and focusing on greater accessibility. The result is an expansion that impresses with its setting and several systems, but at the same time feels unfinished and, in places, too cautious. If you enjoyed the last few years of WoW, you will be satisfied, although the full potential of this expansion will only be revealed with subsequent updates.
At the start of its journey, Marathon is a game whose bold artistic style sometimes overshadows its best features: excellent shooting and a satisfying progression model. It is an interesting alternative in the extraction shooter genre for well-coordinated teams of three who are not afraid of brutal combat and grind. Unfortunately, the flashy, confusing interface and lack of a useful introduction to the gameplay may be enough to put some players off.
Resident Evil Requiem continues the series' winning streak, once again bringing fans everything that is best about it – and this time in a way that satisfies both action and horror enthusiasts. Although the numerous references to previous installments mean that Requiem cannot be recommended to completely new players, I wasn't bored for a moment. This is not a requiem for the Resident Evil series – but a tribute to its thirty-year legacy.
Reanimal is a very cinematic experience, in which platform and co-op mechanics are simply an addition. The plot takes centre stage here, and the themes and experiences suggested by the authors are probably more mature and serious than those in Little Nightmares. Reanimal is definitely a ‘big nightmare’ and the most bizarre, atmospheric game you will be able to play this year.
With noticeably less content and few innovations, Disciples: Domination feels more like an expansion than a full-fledged sequel. It's a decent game, nothing more, with a lackluster plot and a generic high fantasy world; a must-have for fans of Disciples: Liberation.
Mario Tennis Fever is a decent tennis game with its biggest problems being a lack of innovation, simplified gameplay, and a very weak story mode. If you're a fan of the series and don't care about online play, stick with Tennis Aces. Newcomers may appreciate it for its more robust single-player content and still quite enjoyable core mechanics.
The leap that the NiOh series has made from game to game bodes well for the future. NiOh 3 can already compete with the best representatives of the soulslike genre. The exploration itself may not yet have that sense of wonder that was present in Elden Ring, and the recycling of enemies is a bit of a nuisance, but I consider NiOh 3 to be the best instalment in the series, and its heart, the combat system, really shines here.
Pathologic 3 is a familiar survival horror concept brought to life by artists with twenty years of experience – a mature, competent, and precisely tuned work. One of the best stories in video games, told in an extremely unique way. Is it still imperfect? Of course; Pathologic 3 still struggles with the limitations of its engine and budget, but these rarely bothered me.
Routine is one of those games that made me feel relief after finishing it. And I will never play it again. But not because it’s bad – on the contrary, it is a terrifying horror with a very immersive world. The atmosphere is so bleak and heavy that it can scare off some players. And that’s good.
