Use a Potion
HomepageUse a Potion's Reviews
Slots & Daggers is one of those rare indie games that takes a simple concept and turns it into something far more compelling than it has any right to be. The blend of chance and strategy ensures that each run feels both challenging and satisfying, and sure, the randomness of the reels can occasionally turn against you, but any frustration fades fast once you secure that hard-fought win or find yourself equipped with the perfect addition to your loadout (I’m looking at you, x2). It’s stylish, clever, and dangerously addictive… the kind of game that makes hours disappear without you noticing (which was something I regretted after staying up until 2am playing). Whether you’re optimising your loadout for efficiency, fine-tuning your buffs, or just chasing that next perfect spin, Slots & Daggers makes every moment on the slots feel like a spin of destiny.
Arc Raiders blends heart-pounding tension, a gorgeous world, and pure cinematic spectacle into something truly memorable across its thrilling PvPvE action. It captures the danger and excitement of the extraction genre perfectly, offering a world that feels alive in every storm, every skirmish, and every fleeting alliance formed under pressure. It’s a not just a ton fun to play but also endlessly rewarding, with every victory or safe extraction bringing with it a deep satisfaction that helps push your progression through the game. And when you do die? It’s normally because of something exciting, so you never mind too much (except when it’s because you’re rolling solo and have simply been outnumbered by rival players). It does have a few little flaws, but these are small blemishes on an otherwise remarkable experience. Arc Raiders is consistently exhilarating, setting a new benchmark for cooperative shooters that’ll be hard for rival releases to match. With plenty of new content on the horizon, I can see myself playing Arc Raiders for a very, very long time…
The Jackbox Party Pack 11 is an entertaining mix of five new party games that showcase Jackbox’s trademark humour and creativity, even if not every idea fully lands. Doominate delivers sharp wordplay, Hear Say shines with chaotic audio fun, Cookie Haus struggles with clunky drawing controls, Suspectives brings clever social deduction, and Legends of Trivia adds a refreshing cooperative twist to trivia. It’s not quite a top-tier pack, especially with the restrictions of Hear Say and Suspectives as well as the pacing of Legends of Trivia, but there’s still more than enough variety and personality here to make it a great choice for any game night.
Ball x Pit is a brilliantly chaotic and endlessly satisfying experience that blends sharp physics-based combat with clever progression and city-building. Its fast pace, inventive fusions, and constantly rewarding gameplay loop easily put it up there with the likes of Vampire Survivors and Balatro as incredibly addictive indie experiences… it’s that good. Sure, it has some imperfections, with the building system taking a little time to grasp and some late-game runs feeling uneven when the right upgrades don’t appear, but these small frustrations barely scratch the surface of what is otherwise a masterfully designed loop of action, experimentation, and progress. I just absolutely love the game, and even after sinking close to twenty-hours in, I’m looking forward to many, many more.
Simon the Sorcerer: Origins is a heartfelt and comical return for one of point-and-click adventuring’s most endearing icons. It absolutely nails the witty tone, the clever writing, and creative puzzling that helped define the series, all whilst adding enough modern polish to make it accessible for today’s players without losing what made it special in the first place. A few overly obscure puzzles and the absence of a hint system occasionally make the experience more frustrating than it needs to be, but these hiccups don’t overshadow what is otherwise a genuinely charming revival made with a clear love for the source material.
Lumo 2 is a sequel that balances charm and frustration in equal measure, offering a colourful and creative adventure that’s as endearing as it is exasperating. It’s packed with clever puzzles, nostalgic references, and a genuine affection for the classics that inspired it, and when everything clicks, believe me, it can be a real joy to play. Yet for all of its personality, ambition, and charm, the clunky movement, awkward camera, and inconsistent platforming hold it back from greatness. It feels like a game that loves the past so much that it forgets to modernise it – for players who appreciate retro quirks and a healthy dose of nostalgia, that might be fine, but for those looking for a smoother and more refined experience, everything might just feel too clunky. Here’s hoping for a patch in the near future, just to smooth out some of the rougher edges of platforming, because with some fixes, there’s potential for this to be a special little game.
The Séance of Blake Manor is a masterpiece of atmosphere, storytelling, and puzzling, offering a detective experience that’s as haunting as it is clever. Every system, from its time-based investigation to its intricate deduction mechanics, work together perfectly to constantly reward both curiosity and intuition, with every discovery, decision, and hypothesis you make all feeling special in their own little way. Yes, the opening hours can feel overwhelming and the occasional technical hiccup can pull you out of the moment, but these are minor bumps in an otherwise a remarkable and unforgettable experience. The Séance of Blake Manor is simply outstanding, and easily one of the best detective games that I’ve ever played.
Silly Polly Beast is strange, stylish, and unapologetically rough around the edges, but that’s EXACTLY what makes it so damn memorable. Its combat can frustrate and could do with some balancing, whilst the difficulty will certainly wear some players down, yet its world, attitude, and sheer creative confidence are impossible to ignore. It’s not a perfect ride by any stretch of the imagination, but for all its jagged edges, Silly Polly Beast really is proof that a strong vibe can go a long way. I might be a little bit generous with my score, especially since combat could frustrate, but I loved the world and storytelling so much that the game has instantly earned a special little place in my heart.
Chicken Run: Eggstraction is an enjoyable and heartfelt stealth-adventure that captures Aardman’s trademark charm perfectly. Its quick pace, simple mechanics, and clever humour make it ideal for younger players, whilst the inclusion of local co-op makes it perfect for families to enjoy together too. Yes, it’s simple in design, the camera can be awkward, and the co-op is occasionally chaotic, but these flaws never overshadow the fun that’s had when playing. Packed with personality, warmth, and that classic Aardman wit, Chicken Run: Eggstraction offers a delightful video game adaptation of the Chicken Run world.
Tormented Souls 2 is old-school survival horror at its finest, with the game brimming with eerie atmosphere, clever puzzles, and that ever-present sense of unnerving tension that defines the genre. Sure, the combat can be clunky and a few puzzles border a little too close to cryptic at times, but honestly? Those rough edges almost feel like part of the charm… almost. What Dual Effect has delivered here is a lovingly crafted throwback that feels both familiar and fresh, a rare balance that few games in the genre manage to strike. Whether you’re coming back for more after the first game, a veteran of the classics of yesteryear, or a newcomer curious about what made survival horror so captivating in the first place, Tormented Souls 2 is certainly worth your time.
Painkiller is a fast and stylish shooter that delivers plenty of satisfying chaos, but it never quite lives up to its full potential. Its gunplay and presentation are top-notch, offering moments of adrenaline-fuelled (and brutally gruesome) fun that capture flashes of what made the original series so beloved… it just doesn’t have the depth or meat on its bones to keep players hooked in for the long-term. Painkiller is by no means a bad game, but it’s one that feels like it’s still searching for its soul. With stronger content, a little more ambition, and a clearer sense of identity, this could have been a triumphant return, but for now, it’s a fun but fleeting blast through purgatory. Here’s hoping that the developers flesh it out with more content soon, or this return might be short-lived.
Keeper is Double Fine at its most imaginative – a beautifully strange experience that somehow makes you care deeply about a walking lighthouse. It’s gentle, relaxing, and bursting with personality, proving that a game doesn’t need complex mechanics, lengthy dialogue, or a constant sense of challenge to leave a lasting impression. And sure, it’s not going to push your skills to the limit and its slower pace probably won’t be for everyone, but honestly? That’s part of its charm. This is a game about slowing down, soaking in the scenery, and finding light in unexpected places, and believe me, it’s all comes together wonderfully to make for a very special experience.
Absolum is absolutely brilliant, with its adventure offering a stunning blend of exciting combat, rewarding roguelite progression, and gorgeous visuals. Every run through the adventure feels fresh thanks to its evolving world that genuinely brings big changes between each run, whilst its four heroes keep the action varied and endlessly engaging with their diverse playstyles and developing capabilities. And best of all? It’s an absolute blast in co-op, where the co-ordinated chaos turns every battle into pure exhilaration. Absolum isn’t just a modern classic, but sets a new standard for beat ‘em ups. It’s incredibly stylish, offers an absorbing gameplay loop, and will keep you coming back for ‘one more go’ over and over again… it’s simply a masterpiece that deserves the attention of all fans of the genre.
Battlefield 6 brings the series back in spectacular fashion, balancing explosive multiplayer action with a thrilling single player campaign. The campaign genuinely surprised me with just how much fun I had playing through each chaotic mission, whilst the multiplayer is as explosive, varied, and rewarding as ever, with each new addition showing there are plenty of ways for it to continually innovate and surprise players. Admittedly, it’ll take some time before we see just how well the multiplayer appeal holds up in the long-term, but right now, I’m absolutely hooked. Battlefield 6 brings the series back to its loud, bold, and confident roots, and it’s an absolute blast to spend time with.
Despite some familiar beats, Little Nightmares III remains a hauntingly beautiful continuation of the creepy puzzle-platforming series. Its eerily atmospheric world design, horrifying villains, and unsettling sense of scale all come together to create an experience that’s as memorable as it is unnerving, whilst the addition of co-op gives it a fresh edge that turns the shared fear into something that adds to the fun. It might not reinvent the formula and it does feel like it missed some opportunities to build upon the core gameplay loop, but Little Nightmares III proves that there’s still plenty of menacing magic left in this twisted world.
Bye Sweet Carole is a gorgeous and atmospherically dark fairytale that’s let down by some iffy gameplay and technical issues. Its hand-drawn animation and beautiful soundtrack are mesmerising, whilst the bond between Lana and Carole really gives the story emotional weight. I found myself wholly invested in the tale, with it striking the perfect tonal balance of being light-hearted and sinister. Unfortunately, clunky controls, uneven pacing, and recurring technical issues hold it back from greatness, and whilst the puzzles can be clever, the action and stealth sections often feel clumsy and awkward. It’s clear that Bye Sweet Carole has a lot going for it, but it’ll need a few patches (and maybe a few refinements to the gameplay) before it will be able to reach its full potential.
Ghost of Yotei isn’t just a worthy follow-up to Ghost of Tsushima, but a masterfully delivered sequel that feels like a true leap forward. By delivering a darker, more personal story, expanding player freedom in how they progress through the world, refining combat with fresh mechanics, and making full use of the PlayStation 5’s power and features, Sucker Punch has created something truly extraordinary here. It’s beautiful, it’s brutal, and it’s endlessly rewarding to play… simply put, Ghost of Yotei sets a new benchmark for open-world games, and stands tall as one of the very best experiences you can find on the PlayStation 5.
Bursting with creativity, charm, and depth, Digimon Story: Time Stranger will remind players why Digimon still remains so beloved after all these years. Its combination of deep monster-raising, satisfyingly strategic turn-based combat, and the endearing time-twisting narrative helps makes it a joy to play from start to finish, whilst the sheer freedom in how you raise and shape your Digimon ensures that experimentation is endlessly rewarding. It does have some imperfections, with its somewhat slow pace and uninspired dungeon designs being the worst offenders, but these are small complaints in what is otherwise a fantastic RPG that delivers an experience that will keep long-time Digimon fans and newcomers to the series very, very happy.
Little Rocket Lab is a charming blend of cozy creativity and clever design, turning the usually complex world of automation into something warm and wonderfully satisfying. It is progress without pressure, where every new machine and small success feels rewarding rather than demanding, whilst simply watching St Ambroise slowly come back to life gives the game a real sense of heart. And who knows, maybe you’ll get to make it to the stars by the end? It’s fun, engaging, and joyful from start to finish, and whether you’re here for the tinkering or the tranquillity that comes with it, Little Rocket Lab is an easy game to fall in love with.
Yooka-Replaylee is the comeback story fans were hoping for, with this return transforming a once-divisive debut into a fantastic platforming experience. Every tweak and adjustment, from the tighter controls and streamlined world design to the wealth of thoughtful quality-of-life updates, shows Playtonic Games’ dedication to learning from past missteps, and whilst its 2017 DNA still peeks through in places, the sheer polish and fluidity on display make those quirks easy to forgive. This is the version of Yooka-Laylee that always should have been, and one that firmly earns its place among the best modern 3D platformers available today.