The Games Machine

Over-the-top violence? Check. Iconic memes from the original series? Check. A solid battle system that cleverly borrows the best ideas around to deliver something uniquely its own? Double check. Honestly, there are very few reasons not to jump on board.

MotoGP 26 is a solid and conservative entry. It could probably have been more daring and explored some ideas in greater depth, but the in-game feedback is spot on, as is the content management between the campaign and supporting activities.

Sol Cesto is a roguelike that transforms probability into pure gameplay: you choose a row, but the outcome is random, with percentages shifting every turn. The system—initially simple—grows in complexity thanks to modifiers, abilities, and items that allow you to bend the odds in your favor, creating a surprising depth of strategy. Its true limitations, however, lie in a slow progression and a heavy reliance on chance—factors that can lead to frustrating runs, even with solid builds. Nevertheless, it remains an original and intelligent experience, capable of standing out within the dungeon crawler landscape.

A collection bearing the System 3 label that brings the *The Last Ninja* saga back to life, pairing it with some of the most iconic beat ‘em ups of the late 80s—from *International Karate +* to *Bangkok Knights*. Unfortunately, many of the included titles have aged poorly and prove difficult to stomach after so many years; moreover, the collection feels “lazy,” to say the least, offering no significant extras to whet the appetite.

Little Nightmares VR: Altered Echoes takes the series into virtual reality territory, skillfully reworking its structure and perspective. VR could have been used more with the puzzles, and the visual polish on Meta Quest 3 isn't perfect, but Iconik's experiment is certainly a success: it's too short, but what an atmosphere.

Saros is an extraordinary game—bordering on perfection within its genre—and a masterclass in how to fully harness its own strengths. Its gameplay is entirely at the service of the player; featuring polished mechanics, a palpable and customizable progression system, and the genuine sensation of playing a title with infinite longevity. It stands as a magnificent display of strength from the team at Housemarque—a studio that is no longer the underdog—having successfully delivered two of the very best exclusives of the PlayStation 5 generation: Returnal and—indeed—Saros.

Last Flag reworks the CTF formula, transforming it into a game of reading your opponent rather than one of pure skill. When matches click, the experience can be tense and unpredictable; however, the execution leaves much to be desired. The gunplay is merely decent, content is limited, and the player base struggles to sustain the system—not to mention a distinct lack of depth across various gameplay components. As things currently stand, the result is a multiplayer game that entertains for the first few hours but, in the long run, fails to maintain its hold on the player.

REPLACED offers gameplay that alternates between exploration, environmental puzzles, stealth, and combat—with the latter standing out as the most successful component. The combat system, simple and intuitive, evokes old-school arcade games: few commands, satisfying hit feedback, and encounters against multiple enemies that remain manageable and frustration-free. The platforming and stealth sections are less convincing, often feeling slow and lacking impact. The overall pacing suffers as a result, partly due to a certain "walking simulator" quality. Elevating the entire experience is the extraordinary graphics—among the finest 2.5D pixel art seen to date. It is a solid experience that shines brightest when it gives way to action.

A narrative adventure that plunges you into the heart of a desperate world, teetering on the brink of collapse. It is up to you to decide its fate through actions and decisions that will shape not only your own future but also that of the players who follow in your footsteps. Once again, DigixArt proves itself remarkably adept at storytelling and at placing the player at the center of an extremely intriguing gameplay concept—one that, unfortunately, lacks the necessary depth to become a new benchmark for the genre. A few technical hiccups and a somewhat underwhelming aesthetic presentation prevent it from ascending to the Valhalla of video games; nevertheless, *Tides of Tomorrow* remains an experience capable of staying with you long after you have uncovered all its possible endings.

Lord of Hatred expands Diablo IV with a new campaign and two new classes built on opposing approaches to combat. The expansion introduces an updated progression system with a new level cap, new skill variants, and systems like the Talisman and Horadric Cube. The endgame is reorganized with War Plans and fleshed out with Echo of Hatred, but there's also room for further improvements. Despite the narrative ups and downs, there's room for improvement, but strangely enough, this time around, the same is true for the technical and artistic aspects.