Use a Potion
HomepageUse a Potion's Reviews
There really was a lot that I liked about Never Grave: The Witch and the Curse, but the repetitive nature and over-emphasis on grinding really hold it back. The core combat is silky smooth, the possession mechanics are good fun, and the art direction is absolutely top-tier, but the artificial roadblocks, repetitive grinding, and lack of narrative really hold it back. It can be a rewarding experience if you have the patience for it, but if I’m being honest, there are better roguelikes out there that respect your time more. Here’s hoping a patch or two can improve the game in the future, because Never Grave: The Witch and the Curse really has a lot going for it… it’s just not quite there yet.
John Carpenter’s Toxic Commando knows exactly what it wants to be: a loud, messy, and exhilarating B-movie bloodbath. It doesn’t attempt to reinvent the four-player zombie-killing wheel, but it didn’t need to – especially since it’s this damn fun to play. The narrative won’t blow you away and there’s not a lot of depth to the game’s progression, but the sheer quality of the gunplay, the impressive scale of the horde technology, and the brilliant mission finales ensure that John Carpenter’s Toxic Commando absolutely manages to live up to the name attached to it.
Despite some rough edges, Fatal Frame II: Crimson Butterfly Remake is a massive win for horror fans. It takes a beloved classic and modernises it with deeper and more tactical combat, some stunning visuals, and an atmosphere that will genuinely make you dread turning the next corner. It is a shame about the console performance and the occasional repetitive fight, but the core experience is simply too good to pass up. Whether you are a long-time fan of the series or someone looking to dip their toes in for the first time, Minakami Village is well worth a visit.
If you didn’t play the original game the first time around, Ys X: Proud Nordics is an absolute must–buy for fans of action-focused RPGs. For returning players? I’d still recommend it, though the lack of an upgrade path is a massive frustration. But having all the old DLC thrown in for free, along with the quality-of-life updates, the smoothed–out ship travel, the refined combat, and the sheer scale of the new content makes it a vastly superior experience to its original form, with this the definitive way to experience Adol’s journey.
Order 13 offers a creative horror experience that just slightly misses the mark when it comes to the final execution. If you treat it as an eerie warehouse simulator where your main goal is packing boxes (and occasionally spoiling your pet cat), the core gameplay loop is undeniably satisfying. However, if you are strictly looking for a terrifying survival horror experience with a clever narrative to go along with the scares, the repetitive enemy encounters and lack of a satisfying conclusion will definitely leave you wanting more. It is a fun and short distraction that is well worth a look for the novelty alone, but it just runs out of steam a little too quickly to make it essential playing for fans of the horror genre.
GreedFall: The Dying World offers a large and fascinating world to explore and some fantastic roleplaying flexibility, but it constantly trips over itself through its own clunky combat, uneven performance, and difficulty spikes. I can’t say it’s a bad game at all because I did enjoy it, but as someone who had a really good time with the action-orientated setup of its predecessor, I just can’t help feeling a little bit underwhelmed – especially with so many better RPGs to play right now.
Planet of Lana II: Children of the Leaf is exactly what you want from a sequel: it takes a solid foundation, keeps the heart and soul completely intact, and layers on smarter, more varied mechanics to make for a beautiful puzzle adventure. I can’t recommend it enough, and whether you were a fan of the original or a complete newcomer, you’re going to have a blast from start to end.
Resident Evil Requiem is the ultimate love letter to a franchise that has spent decades redefining what horror gaming can be, and it proves once and for all that Capcom doesn’t have to choose between terrifying us and empowering us… they can just give us both in one spectacularly gory package. Whether you are holding your breath while hiding from an unstoppable monstrosity as Grace or revving up a chainsaw to carve through a zombie horde as Leon, Resident Evil Requiem is simply f*****g brilliant.
Legacy of Kain: Defiance Remastered is a solid, albeit flawed, nostalgia trip that manages to feel particularly special thanks to its bundled in extras. With some revamped visuals and quality-of-life features, as well as brilliant bonus features like a playable demo of an unreleased entry in the series, cut levels, and lore documents to catch up on the narrative, it is a real treat for returning fans. I’d be lying if I said it was perfect – it can be clunky and the game’s age really can show in some aspects of its design – but it does exactly what it sets out to do: offer an exciting (and convenient) way to experience what was a top-notch release in the Legacy of Kain series.
Scott Pilgrim EX is exactly the sort of brilliant surprise fans of the franchise deserve. The open-world format makes exploration a treat, the combat feels better than ever, whilst the wonderful retro visuals and audio ensure the game both looks and sounds brilliant. And sure, it might have a few small issues – mostly with the tedious backtracking and those rather unforgiving checkpoints – but those gripes fade away the second you get stuck into the thick of things with your friends. It’s really, really fun. It’s a lovingly nostalgic punch-up that respects its roots while offering something genuinely fresh… what else could Scott Pilgrim fans ask for?
Paranormasight: The Mermaid’s Curse is a masterclass in how to do a mystery visual novel right. Gameplay-wise, it doesn’t change up too much from the original game, but why fix what isn’t broken? Its alluring gameplay loop of investigative work and puzzling will keep you completely engrossed, and by asking you to think outside of the box and embrace failure to find the truth, it leaves a unique lasting impression that’ll stay with you long after you put the controller down. It really does prove that the brilliance of the first game wasn’t a one-off, and fingers crossed, this won’t be the last mystery that we experience in the world of Paranormasight.
While the Adventure mode isn’t great, the brilliant blend of strategic action and wacky antics ensures that the on–court action of Mario Tennis Fever is an absolute treat for players. Add to that the creative and enjoyable game modes as well as the super fun multiplayer, and it quickly becomes clear that Camelot has served up an absolute winner here. This is easily one of the best Mario sports games we have had in years, so here’s hoping it’s a trend that continues going forward.
Demon Tides has some small flaws, but they don’t stop the game from being an excellent platforming escapade that gives a glorious sense of freedom to the player. The core loop of exploring a vast sea, tackling platforming challenges, and customising Beebz’s diverse moveset in your own little ways is immensely rewarding, with everything coming together perfectly to make for a wonderful platforming experience that constantly rewards player creativity.
Yakuza Kiwami 3 & Dark Ties is an impressive package that successfully brings an outdated classic into the modern era, and whilst a questionable recast, some stiff facial animations, and cut-down side activities might hold it back from perfection for purists, the sheer amount of heart on display makes up for it. Between the fantastic combat overhaul, the addictive orphanage management, and the surprisingly deep Dark Ties prequel (as well as the insanely addictive ‘Hell’s Arena’), Kiryu’s island getaway has never been better.
Rayman: 30th Anniversary Edition is a lovely package that takes players on a nostalgic trip down memory lane with its heartfelt tribute to an iconic platforming hero. The museum content is stellar and the core platforming still absolutely shines brightly, and whilst the somewhat limited game roster and missing original soundtrack do hold it back, there’s no doubting that this is still a wonderful way to experience the limbless hero’s early adventure all over again. And hey, here’s hoping we’ll have another anniversary celebration for some of his other adventures down the line too…
Under the Island is a brilliantly charming throwback that wears its retro inspirations on its sleeve, all whilst bringing enough clever puzzle design to stand on its own two feet. The lack of a quest log is definitely a faff and the combat isn’t too sophisticated, but the sheer creativity of the dungeons and the vibrant world make it an absolute joy to play. If you’ve been craving a light-hearted, puzzle-heavy adventure that doesn’t require a 60-hour commitment, packing your bags for Seashell Island is an easy recommendation.
Demeo x Dungeons & Dragons: Battlemarked is an absolute triumph and an essential pickup for anyone with a virtual reality headset. It brilliantly takes the highly accessible, intuitive tactical brilliance of the original Demeo and finally gives it the narrative weight, permanent progression, and rich world-building it always deserved – all whilst striking a balance of being complex enough to satisfy long-time fantasy fans while remaining breezily accessible to newcomers. Whether you’re carefully plotting your next move as a solo tactician or accidentally blowing up your friends in a gloriously chaotic co-op session, every single hour spent around this virtual table feels like a memorable adventure, with Demeo x Dungeons & Dragons: Battlemarked genuinely setting a new gold standard for digital board games in virtual reality.
Crisol: Theater of Idols is an engrossing, if slightly unpolished, horror experience that offers a world that is dripping in atmosphere and a combat loop that keeps you on your toes. It might not always terrify you in the way it intends to - especially where Dolores is concerned - but between the grotesque enemy designs and the constant tension of the Blood Bullet mechanic, there is plenty here to enjoy. If you’re a fan of survival horror (and don’t mind a little bit of indie jank), this trip to Tormentosa is well worth the low price of admission.
Despite the sometimes-scrappy combat and the occasional technical issue, it’s hard not to love Romeo is a Dead Man. It has so much personality that you end up forgiving its rough edges, and more importantly, it’s a game that isn’t afraid to be completely stupid, surprisingly thoughtful, and aesthetically loud all at the same time… it’s great. It won’t be for everyone, and if you need your games to be polished to a mirror sheen and make perfect narrative sense, you’ll probably bounce off this hard. But if you’re willing to embrace the silliness and dive into the universe with an open mind, Romeo is a Dead Man offers a thrill ride that is well worth taking.
Dragon Quest VII Reimagined walks a delightful tightrope, where it successfully trims the frustration of the original game whilst polishing the gameplay and visuals until they gleam. It’s a cosy, comforting epic that’ll hooks you in with its fantasy adventuring, only now, you don’t have to quit your job to finish it… it’s a win-win, right? The unique diorama visuals are a treat, the combat is deeper than ever, and the newfound respect for your time is genuinely refreshing. It might still be a slow burn for some, but for those seeking a grand adventure with heart, this is undoubtedly the best way to experience this RPG classic.