Like a Dragon: Ishin! is undoubtedly the best hidden gem of 2023. This Yakuza series spin-off transports players to a pivotal moment in Japan's history, circa 1860, when the nation was encountering visitors from other countries, reshaping crucial aspects of its way of life.

This game is a remake of a title originally developed for the PS3 and exclusively released in Japan. This remake version boasts stunning visuals and modern gameplay. With its new features, it stands out as one of the top games available on PS5 and Xbox Series, while also being accessible on PS4 and Xbox One.

The narrative revolves around Sakamoto Ryoma, who grapples with conflicting pressures and uncertainty surrounding his identity and societal role. Amidst a coup in Tosa, he is determined to uncover the assassin responsible for his mentor's death, leading him to operate under a secret identity on the streets of Kyoto and aligning with the formidable Shinsengumi.

One drawback for me is the reuse of faces familiar from other Yakuza games. In a story set two centuries ago, it feels off to see these faces interacting again. The presence of undercover villains is somewhat undermined if you're familiar with the Yakuza storyline, as it becomes predictable, affecting the impact of plot twists.

The game offers an open world to explore, although not overly expansive. Despite its size, there are some noteworthy locations to visit.

Combat in the game is both enjoyable and accessible. While there are four fighting styles available, players will likely find themselves primarily using just two during gameplay. The standout moments in combat are undoubtedly the encounters with bosses.

It's unfortunate that Like a Dragon: Ishin! isn't receiving as much attention as it deserves. This release is unquestionably solid, and I highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys action games.

Planet of Lana is a side-scrolling game that draws inspiration from Limbo and Inside. In this adventure, you take control of Lana, a young woman embarking on a rescue mission through a vibrant world teeming with heartless machines and peculiar creatures.

As mentioned earlier, Planet of Lana strongly echoes the influences of Limbo and Inside. While playing, I couldn't help but notice the striking similarities in Lana's control mechanics, particularly in her movements. A unique aspect introduced in this game is the presence of a companion, a small creature that can be directed to access certain areas and perform specific actions. The gameplay is generally solid, though there may be occasional challenges in issuing commands to your companion, but nothing too serious.

The game's standout feature is its artistry. Planet of Lana captivates with its beautiful and colorful visuals. The characters and environments are meticulously crafted, setting it apart from the more mystical and dark atmospheres of Limbo and Inside.

Regarding the narrative, the game encourages players to use their imagination to interpret the events. There are notable similarities with the storytelling styles of Limbo and Inside. Developers intentionally leave some aspects unexplained, allowing players to construct their own narratives. The premise involves Lana's world being invaded by machines that have captured all humans, and players must confront this imminent threat.

While the game doesn't have any major issues, it fails to deliver a sense of novelty. Throughout my playthrough, I couldn't shake the feeling of déjà vu, constantly reminded of my experiences with Limbo and Inside, which detracted from the overall enjoyment.

In conclusion, Planet of Lana is recommended for those who enjoyed Limbo and Inside. It offers a great experience with enjoyable gameplay. However, if you haven't played the aforementioned titles, it's advisable to try them first, as they excel in achieving their intended goals, a standard not entirely met by Planet of Lana.

Hi-Fi Rush is a new addition to Xbox's franchises. After years without a significant console exclusive, Microsoft released this game out of nowhere and caught everyone off guard. Is it good enough to achieve everything the fans dreamed?

Hi-Fi Rush is a rhythm-focused game, a hack n' slash that encourages players to attack, jump, and perform in sync with the beat constantly playing. To be honest, the concept is cool, but in my opinion, it didn't work. You can perform actions out of rhythm, and it won't impact your gameplay.

Analyzing it as a pure hack n' slash, it's fun to play. Not outstanding, but it has its moments. The combat is enjoyable, but it's the only significant activity during gameplay.

One remarkable aspect of the game is its ambiance. The art is beautiful and colorful. It's impressive how they synchronized all objects on the screen with the beat mentioned earlier.

The downside of the game, for me, is the soundtrack. As a game focused on music, it should feature an unforgettable soundtrack. Unfortunately, the music in this game is disappointing.

The story is not that compelling, but the characters are charismatic. There is room for more development for them, and I'm excited to see what they could do in a sequel.

In conclusion, Hi-Fi Rush is a valuable addition to the Game Pass catalog. It may not be the blockbuster Microsoft needed, but overall, it's a good game.

The Walking Dead: The Final Season is the conclusion to the game series that chronicles Clementine's life in a world destroyed by a virus-induced zombie pandemic, where humans pose a greater threat. The game is a direct sequel to three previous games, each divided into episodes, maintaining this format in its final season. Not recommended for those unfamiliar with the preceding games.

The story unfolds another chapter in Clementine's life, now a teenager navigating the shattered world. She must now care for a child she adopted out of necessity.

Gameplay and story intertwine as your choices shape events and Clementine's relationships with other characters. Gameplay aspects other than dialogue responses are largely inconsequential to the experience.

Despite the increased impact of choices compared to previous games, there's a lingering sense that they may not be as significant, as both main characters share the same fate for all players regardless of choices made.

After the franchise faced challenges following the first game winning Game of the Year, the fourth and final season regained its footing but left a feeling that the characters' stories could continue, despite the game's title suggesting otherwise.

Regarding graphics, there's a notable issue. Despite the comic book-style art, serious problems occasionally disrupt immersion, coupled with performance issues that make it feel like the game could crash at any moment—a recurring problem in the franchise, especially in the third season.

It's crucial to note that the franchise was revived after the original studio's bankruptcy, marking a victory for fans.

The Walking Dead: The Final Season is practically a must-play for fans of the previous games. Those new to the franchise should play the earlier games, despite the mentioned issues, which I highly recommend.

Super Mario Bros. Wonder marked a necessary and innovative direction for Super Mario's 2D games. After numerous titles following a similar formula and several years without a new release, Nintendo decided to introduce some significant changes.

At the beginning of this review, it's essential to highlight that Super Mario Bros. Wonder is a classic 2D side-scrolling game with modern features. While introducing something new to the franchise, it represents an evolution of the first Super Mario games released on the NES.

Critics argue that the game is completely different from the New Mario Bros. series, but I disagree with that assessment. Despite having some distinct features and being an improved version, it essentially remains the same game. It is undoubtedly an evolution of the previous games released on the Wii, DS, and Wii U.

The art is incredible, making it arguably the most beautiful Mario game ever released.

In conclusion, the timing was perfect for the 2D Mario games, and Super Mario Bros. Wonder stands out as the best side-scrolling Mario game to date. Personally, it might not be the type of game I typically enjoy, but I can't deny its excellence. It's a game that excels in everything it sets out to accomplish.

Super Mario RPG is a remake of a game with the same name originally released on the Super Nintendo. For many years, fans treated this game as a forgotten classic only available on illegal emulators. Now, these remake allows young players to enjoy this important game.

To start this review, I have to say that I never played the original game. Even so, I was able to see that this new version preserves many aspects of the older version. After I finished, I decided to read some reviews, and people were thinking the same. It doesn't make the game dated or bad; the minor changes were enough to make this remake an enjoyable experience for anyone.

As the title suggests, the game is an RPG. The gameplay is the classic turn-based RPG that we were used to in the '90s. To be honest, Super Mario RPG is the easiest RPG game that I have ever played. I never felt weak against any enemy.

Even with not an outblowing story, I can say for sure that it is the best we ever had in the Mario franchise. The characters are charismatic, and it is really fun to see some unexpected alliances.

The graphics are quite good, and the new cinematics are amazing! A significant downside, in my opinion, is the absence of voice acting.

I can say for sure that we finally have this necessary remake. This new version of Super Mario RPG is crucial to bringing back one of the best games from the Super Nintendo. I truly recommend this game to anyone who likes turn-based RPGs, and I can say that you should really give it a chance even if you're not a big fan of this genre of games.

Marvel's Spider-Man 2 is an action-adventure game focused on one of the most popular superheroes of all time. In this game, players can control two Spider-Men as they attempt to save New York.

As for the gameplay, I can confidently say it is near-perfect. Exploring New York as Spider-Man is truly enjoyable, and the fights against both regular enemies and bosses are incredibly fun. However, one drawback for me is certain parts of the game where you control Mary Jane or the two Spider-Men in their everyday lives.

The story serves as a sequel to the first game and its DLC featuring Miles Morales. In my opinion, the storyline is the best we've seen for these characters. The interactions between Peter Parker and Miles Morales, with Peter as the mentor and Miles as the apprentice, are amazing.

We're also talking about one of the most beautiful games on the PS5. The graphics are stunning! Simultaneously, we get a near-perfect representation of New York, and revisiting the city was delightful for me.

In summary, Marvel's Spider-Man 2 stands out as one of the most enjoyable games of 2023. It's my Game of the Year, even though there are other games that may be more ambitious. It's a perfect sequel that enhances everything we saw before, even with almost no innovations.

The Nintendo Switch is a hardware that allows Nintendo to popularize some of their hidden franchises like Animal Crossing. It's clear that Nintendo tried to do the same thing with Pikmin 4.

Describing Pikmin 4 is not an easy task. I can start by saying it's a real-time strategy game featuring little creatures that resemble ants. You control a captain who gives commands to these creatures, each with different characteristics. Your goal is to increase your army to allow you to carry more items, face enemies, and explore new places.

For me, Pikmin 4 is an easier game compared to the old ones. This new title is more accessible for any type of audience. Despite the old games being really hard and cruel sometimes, Pikmin 4 can be played by a child.

The game is really colorful, and the art and atmosphere are unique. There's nothing bad to say about this aspect of the game.

The only downside, for me, is the gameplay. I know I'm the only one complaining about this, but it was more enjoyable to control your army with the Wii U gamepad in Pikmin 3. It doesn't make Pikimin 4 bad, and if you never had the experience to play the failed Nintendo console, you won't understand what I'm talking about.

Pikmin 4 is a really good game and deserves more attention than it has. I highly recommend this game if you want to play something truly different from everything else.

Writing about Immortality is extremely challenging. It's unlike anything else out there, and discussing its gameplay too much could spoil the experience. Rest assured, I'll steer clear of anything that might ruin it for you.

I can begin by explaining that Immortality is a blend of a game and an interactive movie, featuring real people.

The game begins with a video featuring an actress on a talk show. Within the first few minutes, you realize that by pausing the video and selecting a person or object, a new video will start, similar to your selection. Your task is to unlock new videos by doing this.

As you unlock new videos, you're introduced to the life and career of Marissa Marcel, a talented actress. Her story is compelling and well-crafted.

I can't reveal much more, as even how to progress in the game is a spoiler. It's not very clear to the player how to move forward. At some point, I felt satisfied with the experience and understood what I needed to do, but still struggled with how to finish. Towards the end, I became fatigued and eager to complete it.

I played the iOS version and found the controls to be unreliable at times. There was a particular video where I knew what I needed to select, but it took me about 20 minutes to do it correctly. I wouldn't recommend this version, to be honest.

One more thing to note is that the game contains explicit scenes, including nudity and sexual content, so be prepared for that.

In summary, Immortality offers a unique experience despite some minor issues. I wish the game offered clearer guidance on what the player needs to do and was a bit shorter. Nonetheless, I recommend playing it on a PC or console, avoiding the mobile version.

Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII - Reunion is a remaster of the game originally released for the PSP. It's an action RPG that tells the story before the events of Final Fantasy VII.

As a remaster, I can say it is a really well-done job. Even after 15 years, the developers took the original game and did a great job adapting it to modern days.

The visuals don't look outdated at all. It could easily be a game released today with a slightly smaller budget. It seems like they used some assets from the remake of Final Fantasy VII, although there's a significant difference between this prequel and the main title.

Regarding the gameplay, I can say that the combat is really enjoyable. The regular fights are quite easy, and you may encounter some difficulty with a few bosses, but nothing to worry about. It's almost like a 3D fighting game; you'll be walking through the stage and encounter enemies, triggering battles.

There are some RPG features that could make character development a bit more complex, but they're not necessary to progress in the game. You just need some basic knowledge about this system to enjoy the game.

As for the story, I really liked it. I never had contact with the original release or the original Final Fantasy VII. I only played the Final Fantasy VII remake before, and I can say that Crisis Core will be very important to the upcoming games of this remake era.

The characters are fun and charismatic, and the story kept me invested throughout.

I played on Nintendo Switch, and the developers did an amazing job with this version. I didn't encounter any problems during my gameplay.

In conclusion, Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII - Reunion is a great opportunity to introduce this game to a new audience, like myself. It's a really fun game and probably an important story for the next parts of the remake era of Final Fantasy VII.