Italy has always been a land of great artistic, musical and culinary talent, but in recent years it has also revealed itself as a hotbed of high-quality video game development. Not only do we have consolidated companies such as Ubisoft Milano, Nacon Italia and Milestone, but also many other small and medium-sized companies that have shown that they can successfully compete with the big names in the sector.
It is a known fact that video games are a global art and entertainment form. However, we often tend to look to the usual countries such as the USA, Japan, France, Spain or Poland as a source of the best videogame productions. But Italy, with its rich cultural and artistic history, is emerging as a producer of quality video games.
In the 2022/2023 fiscal year, Italy saw the release of several notable and attention-deserving games. Here are some of the best releases of the period.
Frail Hearts: Versicorae Domlion (Sezhes)
Frail Hearts: Versicorae Domlion (link to review here) is a turn-based RPG set in a dark fantasy world. The player takes on the role of a monster hunter and faces dangerous creatures in on-screen duels. With well-built storyline and characters, the game features a huge range of weapons, skills, and items for you to customize your character. All seasoned with detailed graphics and a dark and disturbing atmosphere. Available on Steam for PC.
Moth Lake: A Horror Story (Sui Arts)
Moth Lake: A Horror Story is a psychological horror-adventure game in which the player explores a deserted city in search of clues about a series of sinister events. With captivating pixel-art graphics and an eerie soundtrack, the game offers an immersive and frightening experience that tests the player’s detective skills. Available on Steam for PC and mobile devices.
Redout 2 (34BigThings srl)
Redout 2 is a high-speed futuristic racing video game in which the player can choose from a huge range of customizable vehicles and take on exciting challenges on breathtaking tracks, we could call it the simcade of the genre.
With high quality graphics and realistic physics system, the game offers an immersive and intense driving experience. The game also features an online multiplayer mode to compete against other players around the world. Available on all consoles and PC.
Ravenous Devil (Bad Vice Game)
Ravenous devil (here the link to our article) is a cooking horror simulator in which the player runs a cooking shop where the secret ingredient is human flesh.
The player has to improve his shop by buying new tools and equipment to cook and serve customers, customers don’t know the secret ingredient, the game is inspired by Sweeney Todd’s musical. However, the challenge is to satisfy the most demanding customers, who require ever more obscure and unpleasant ingredients. With quirky graphics and a sinister atmosphere, it’s a fun and scary game at the same time. Available on PC and Console.
Soulstice (Reply)
Soulstice (link to review here) is a third-person action-adventure video game that follows a young boy, Alexei, and his fellow cadet, against the backdrop of a dark fantasy setting. The game is all about exploring a massive open world, battling ruthless enemies, and solving tricky puzzles. With detailed graphics and immersive gameplay, “Soulstice” offers a compelling story and memorable characters. Available on PC and Console.
Batora: Lost Haven (Stormind Games)
Batora: Lost Haven (here the link of the review of our friend Aurenar of La Decima Arte) is an action-adventure video game that follows the story of Avril, a young girl with strange psionic powers. In the game, the player explores a fantasy world full of mysteries and fantastic creatures, fight against enemies and solve puzzles. The gameplay of “Batora: Lost Haven” offers a smooth combat system and a variety of psychic abilities to unlock and customize. With detailed graphics and an immersive soundtrack, “Batora: Lost Haven” is an addictive and quite addictive game-play. Available on PC and Console.
The Darkest Tales (Trinity Team)
The Darkest Tales is an exciting and dark adventure, in which Teddy, in this Action Platformer we play a teddy bear, will have to face the challenges of the distorted fairytale kingdom to save his owner Alicia. Fight against fairytale characters you know, but transform yourself into bloodthirsty monsters, with weapons made of scissors and needles. Explore each level of this nightmarish world to gain experience, improve your skills and solve mysteries. Your action will determine the ending of this tale.
Darken Derek: The Last Fallen (Action Games)
Darken Derek: The Last Fallen (here the link to our review) is a first person shooter, developed by ActionGames.clr is only available on Steam. It’s an homage to mid-90s shooters, the likes of Duke Nukem 3D and Serious Sam.
The game is a first work of the authors.
Vampire Survivors (poncle)
Mow down thousands of creatures of the night and survive until dawn! Vampire Survivors is a casual gothic horror game with rogue-lite elements. Collect coins to upgrade your skills and face the hell emptied of its demons. It supports mouse, keyboard, controller and touch screen. We recommend upgrading your armor and luck initially, and getting refunds for upgrades often to try new ones.
These video games are candidates for the game of the Ano in the Best Italian Video Games category curated by Q-gin, if you want to vote you can do it at the following link or below.
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