1348 Ex Voto isn’t a total disaster, because at several points it manages to show flashes of personality and a world that would have deserved to be explored with more solid tools. However, it’s hard to ignore the feeling that the project needed more time, more resources, and above all a more focused vision.
In a world of shooters that take themselves far too seriously, John Carpenter’s Toxic Commando is that punch of slime in the face that makes you laugh while you’re drowning in it: a co-op game that lives for nights spent with friends. It’s Left 4 Dead wearing B-movie makeup, with vehicles mowing down zombies like grass and a soundtrack that takes you straight back to the VHS of The Thing.
Overall, the Fatal Frame 2 remake is a moderately ambitious project that aims to balance faithfulness with innovation. On one hand, it preserves the melancholic atmosphere and slow pacing that made the original a classic of the genre; on the other, it introduces numerous changes designed to make the gameplay feel more modern and accessible. The result is an experience that seeks to satisfy both longtime fans and new players, bringing one of the most influential survival horror titles of the early 2000s back into the spotlight and demonstrating that the Japanese model of psychological horror can still work in a gaming landscape largely dominated by far more action-oriented approaches.
Monster Hunter Stories 3: Twisted Reflection is, without a doubt, the most ambitious chapter of Capcom’s RPG spin-off and marks a significant evolution for the series. While maintaining the classic structure built around exploration, egg gathering, and Monstie training, this installment introduces new mechanics that enrich the formula, making the experience deeper and more strategic.
WWE 2K26 undoubtedly represents the most complete evolution of the formula built over the past few years. Without overturning the foundations of the series, Visual Concepts expands nearly every aspect of the experience: new match types, a more dynamic presentation system, improved physics, and a massive roster all contribute to creating one of the richest entries in the franchise’s history. The result is a game that captures the spectacular spirit of WWE wrestling better than ever before, and one that shows extremely promising signs for the years to come.
Crisol: Theater of Idols stands out for its dark, richly symbolic atmosphere, seamlessly blending mysticism with a pervasive sense of unease. Its Iberian folklore–inspired aesthetic gives the world a striking and distinctive visual identity. The combat system, built around blood-driven survival mechanics, intensifies the tension and adds a thoughtful strategic layer. The fragmented storytelling invites curiosity and personal interpretation. Overall, it’s a promising title that favors artistic and emotional impact over straightforward action.
Legacy of Kain: Defiance Remastered is a debt paid and, in many ways, a success: not a miraculous resurrection, but a restorative treatment that brings a classic back to life and makes it playable again without having to hook up an old console to the TV.
Pokémon Pokopia is a bold experiment that successfully blends multiple genres, resulting in a title with a very strong identity. While the main series has always been fueled by collecting and battling, here collecting remains, but combat gives way to management and reconstruction. There’s no pressure. No performance anxiety. There’s a world to rebuild patiently, one micro-habitat at a time.
Cairn is a surprising title. It’s a game that constantly communicates with the player, and it works harder than many others—blockbusters included—to create an incredible sense of connection between player and played. Climbing, its fatigue, its meaning, are portrayed exceptionally well by the team at The Game Bakers and, provided you’re willing to compromise with gameplay that refuses any compromise at all, if you choose to be patient, you’ll be rewarded with an outstanding, galvanizing, and in many ways unforgettable experience.
Tales of Berseria Remastered is not a revolution, but a smart reimagining of a recent minor classic. Is it worth buying? Absolutely yes, especially if you haven’t had the chance to play it before. And if you’ve already played it, it could be the perfect opportunity to rediscover Velvet and her story, with a few added conveniences and without the frenzy of modern times. Finally, free from being overshadowed by a year crowded with blockbusters, Berseria can shine as it deserves, and I assure you, it’s truly worth it.
