Video games: the kings of simulation

The editorial staff of “Echos Weekend” tested three video games, pending the release of Fifa 23.

NBA 2K23

When we call the legend Jordan to the rescue, we could think that it smells scorched for the famous basketball simulation developed by take two . However, there is nothing. On the contrary, it is the meeting of excellence, between the best on the real parquet floor and on the virtual parquet floor in front of his television screen, controller in hand. The new iteration of the American’s NBA game takes the base of his game by bringing it up to the level of the requirements of the next generation consoles. With the added bonus of the return of the Jordan challenge, to relive some of the exploits of one of the biggest stars in the history of the big orange ball. With a different graphic rendering depending on the period. A magical experience.

But this is only one of the game modes offered by Take Two. Because NBA 2K23 has pulled out all the stops between a really complete and immersive career mode (to learn how to manage your name like a brand) or the MyTeam mode to create the team of your dreams, not to mention the maNBA mode to become the manager of a club. Enough to hold out until the release of NBA2K24.

It is necessary to underline the quality and the rendering of the graphics of the game, but also the incredible atmosphere in the rooms during the matches. We feel the crowd stamping, vibrating, the magic of basketball bewitch us during quarter-time, so much so that we sometimes forget the ball to better appreciate the moment. The player is also amazed on the field, between the perfect rendering of the players, but also the animations during the matches, between the dribbles, the shoots, the dunks and the hectic counters under the baskets.

Getting started is still as simple as ever, but it won’t necessarily be easy to become an orange ball god. The AI ​​opponents have been revised upwards and it will take a good sense of timing to make three-point baskets. After a very good NBA2K22 episode, the American publisher made no mistake, neither in hand nor in taste. Enough to keep hands down the title of best basketball simulation. You will get your money’s worth.

most : the career mode. The least : I would have liked to have had a few centimeters more…

NBA 2K23 from 2K games is available on PC, PS4, Xbox One, PS5 (version tested) and Xbox Series.

Train Sim World 3

And to think that the SNCF is starting to run out of train drivers! Well, it’s no worse than bus drivers. However, I train, but I do not feel ready to take the plunge yet, despite a few hundred kilometers already covered in this demanding simulation published by Dovetail Games. I’ve tried everything though: from the good old steam-powered choo-choo (a LMS Stanier 8F near Liverpool that you have to feed coal and water to see it pull freight cars) to the mighty ICE 1 ( a TGV pushed at more than 300 kilometers per hour) in Bavaria passing by the enormous orange locomotive with its four traction motors (the BNSF ES44C4) in the Mojave desert or the Javelin (an electric multiple unit departing from St Pancras ) .

As you can see, Train Sim World 3 is THE train driving simulation, the railroad counterpart of Microsoft Flight Simulator. In this game, if you do not risk crashing on landing, you are not safe from a derailment or a collision, if you do not scrupulously follow the indications given by the signs and the lights along the tracks. These beautiful toys – faithfully represented – do not bend your elbow on the window sill like in an arcade game. Train Sim World is a demanding game, which unfortunately leaves little room for error. It is even annoying and frustrating to have to start a training mission again (after 20 minutes of driving) because you pulled the brake a little too much (in emergency position instead of fully applied) or because there is a bug. You will have to spend a long time in the training center to justify your status as a railway worker.

It must be said that the game is quite resource intensive. This is also explained by the work done on the graphics and the environments, especially when the train picks up speed or crosses another convoy. The developers have also managed the feat of giving you the sound impression of being on the train. Especially when you switch to non-pilot view. We must also salute the work done on the climatic conditions (rain, wind, snow), which will sometimes complicate your task, spice up the trip and enlighten your retinas.

Train Sim is an essential game for train enthusiasts… who will however be somewhat constrained by the lack of available destinations or by the number of trains offered with the purchase of the software. The base price of the game is not prohibitive either (it is available elsewhere in the Xbox Game Pass), but the publisher makes up for it well with the many locomotives or the different routes that can be purchased at the room. This can quickly become a luxury for budding collectors. I didn’t seem to see the TGV nor any journeys in France. Shame.

Nevertheless, Train Sim World 3 remains the best rail transport simulation (for management fans, I refer you instead to the excellent Transport Fever 2 ). Despite a few flaws, quickly swept away by an urgent desire to take control.

most : I’m driving. The least : basic game a bit poor.

Train Sim World 3 from Dovetail Games is available on Steam (tested version), PlayStation, Xbox, Xbox Game Pass and Epic Games Store.

FIST: Forged in Shadow Torch

Ray is a rabbit. An eternal noodle-eating rabbit. He’s a bit neurasthenic. Not because there’s a shortage of carrots, because of the weather, but because the world he lives in is going through tough times. Everything has changed since the “big boom” and the steel dogs of the legion (robots and drones) bring order to this industrial and Japanese city populated by animals, Torch City.

Ray is down. He doesn’t even feel like resisting anymore, even if his buddy Urso (a kind of handyman “Q”) has repaired part of his ancient armor (the one with a huge steel fist). A tool that once allowed him to dot the I’s. But Ray’s life will change the day the Legion decides to send his friend behind bars. The hour of revolt has come. Ray sets out to save Urso, one fist, that’s all. Once hairy, always hairy.

FIST: Forged in shadow Torch is a game mixing action and platform. Behind the original touch of this city populated by animals with such human behavior, hides one of the beautiful surprises of this fall. If the action is fairly classic (fights, jumps, climbing, etc.), the developers of TiGames have thought of promoting the learning of the player, who will discover new skills over the course of the story, new ways of using his fist, with sometimes devastating combos.

But it’s not the most attractive part of this game. It only takes a few seconds to feel sympathy for Ray and his resistant friends, thanks to the quality of the animations and cutscenes. And even when we pass in the phases of platform and combat, we can only appreciate the graphics, the many details of the decorations. We have only one desire: to stop and observe, for example, the many posters on the walls. And this is only the beginning of the surprises, which I would be remiss to divulge. You will see when you finally get out of this maze to reach the heart of the city to the prison where Urso is locked up. I will just end by saluting the quality of the musical atmosphere.

most : Ray, the rabbit. Lesss: not easy to master all the intricacies of the boss fight

FIST: Forged In Shadow Torch developed by TiGames studio and published by Bilibili. The game is available on Nintendo Switch, PS4 and PS5.