Jon Scarr's Reviews
Code Vein II builds on the first game in smart ways, with more flexible combat, a stronger focus on story, and a world that’s fun to spend time in. Technical issues and the lack of co-op hold it back a bit, but the core experience stays engaging thanks to how well everything comes together. It’s the kind of game that keeps you playing because there’s always another build to try or another path worth exploring.
Escape from Ever After feels like a game that knows what it’s trying to do and sticks the landing. It takes familiar turn-based RPG ideas and gives them a fun twist, with a story that’s self-aware without trying too hard to be clever. The combat stays interesting thanks to the timing-based mechanics, and the world has enough personality to keep you invested as you move through it.
MIO: Memories In Orbit is a game that gets better the more you play it. It’s at its best when you’re exploring, unlocking new ways to move, and slowly figuring out how everything fits together. Some parts can feel uneven, and a few moments drag more than they should, but the core experience is strong enough to keep you going.
Cassette Boy is a puzzle-focused game that’s more about thinking things through than reacting quickly. It’s at its best when you’re rotating the world, testing ideas, and slowly figuring out how everything fits together. Some puzzles can be a little unclear at first, and combat never takes centre stage, but the core mechanic does enough to keep things interesting.
BrokenLore: UNFOLLOW is a slower horror game that focuses more on atmosphere and story. It works best when you’re exploring its environments, picking up on small details, and letting the story unfold at its own pace. The gameplay has a few rough spots, but the overall experience holds together thanks to a clear sense of direction and a story that gives you a reason to keep going. If you enjoy horror games that take their time and focus more on mood and storytelling than on mechanics, this one is worth checking out.
Kotama and Academy Citadel is fun once you stop trying to brute-force it. Enemies hit hard, healing costs money, and fights make more sense when you start switching weapons and reacting instead of rushing in. It’s rough in spots, and the story doesn’t push itself to the front, but if you like metroidvanias where getting better comes from playing smarter, it’s easy to stick with.
Big Hops is at its best when you stop worrying about the “right” way to play and just start moving. The fun isn’t in checking objectives off a list, it’s in chaining jumps, swings, and climbs together and seeing what works. The worlds give you room to experiment, the story stays out of the way, and everything keeps pushing you forward instead of slowing you down. If you enjoy platformers where movement feels good and freedom matters more than perfect execution, this one is easy to keep coming back to.
Dispatch is at its best when you treat it like a full season instead of a series of individual episodes. The draw isn’t action, it’s the characters, the relationships between them, and how your decisions carry forward over time. Sending heroes out, dealing with the fallout, and managing team dynamics keeps things engaging, even when the gameplay itself stays fairly contained. If you’re in it for a story that develops steadily across its episodes, it’s a solid experience from start to finish.
The Legend of Heroes: Trails Beyond the Horizon understands where it sits in a long-running series and builds from there. It brings familiar characters together, keeps combat feeling solid across long stretches, and relies on consistency rather than big shifts. The story takes its time and can feel overly comfortable, but strong character work helps carry things forward. It’s not trying to reinvent Trails, but for players already invested in the series, it feels like a steady step toward what comes next.
and Roger is a short game that knows exactly what it wants to do and doesn’t wander outside of that. It uses simple interactions to let its story unfold at its own pace, without stopping to explain everything along the way. The gameplay, visuals, and sound all work together, so nothing ever feels disconnected or tacked on. It’s not something you play for excitement or challenge, but for the experience itself. If you’re in the mood for a smaller, more personal game that sticks with you after you’re done, this one is easy to recommend.
UNBEATABLE takes a simple two-button rhythm system and builds its entire experience around mastering patterns and timing. Arcade mode lets you focus purely on the songs, pushing for cleaner runs and higher difficulties, while story mode slows things down with longer stretches between musical moments. The rhythm gameplay stays satisfying as it ramps up, and the game’s visual style holds everything together. If you’re here for a focused rhythm experience and don’t mind a slower story pace, UNBEATABLE delivers where it counts.
CloverPit takes one slot machine and builds an entire roguelike around it. Each run pushes you to learn from mistakes, try different setups, and decide how far you want to push before things fall apart. The rules stay simple, the room never changes, and the gameplay loop makes it easy to jump back in with a slightly better idea of what might work. If experimenting, pushing your luck, and going again is your thing, CloverPit has a way of pulling you in.
Neon Inferno keeps things focused on fast action and tight controls. The mix of run-and-gun shooting and background targeting stays engaging, and the visuals and sound fit the action well. The story stays light, but the real pull is learning the stages and improving your runs. If you enjoy arcade-style shooters that reward practice, Neon Inferno is easy to recommend.
Anno 117: Pax Romana delivers a city-building experience that rewards patience and planning over quick wins. Its focus on supply chains, trade, and smart layouts makes every decision feel connected, especially once your province starts to sprawl. The Roman setting frames the pressure without getting in the way, letting the systems stay front and centre. If you enjoy city builders that feel better the more you understand them, this one sticks.
Mortal Kombat: Legacy Kollection brings together the series’ early years with a focus on preservation, context, and player choice. Some games still feel tough and dated, but modern tools like rewind, training modes, and flexible settings make exploring them far more approachable. The interactive documentary adds meaningful background that helps explain both the highs and the frustrations. It is a collection that respects Mortal Kombat’s past without pretending it was ever flawless.
Skate Story focuses on how skating feels moment to moment, putting speed, control, and line choice ahead of flash or structure. Its strange underworld setting stays mostly in the background, giving you room to learn runs through repetition and quick restarts. Boss encounters and chapter progression add direction, even if extra modes and content are limited. When everything clicks, it delivers a focused experience built around motion, rhythm, and staying upright at full speed.
Octopath Traveler 0 brings the series back to Orsterra with a tighter focus. The story feels steadier with one lead, the eight-slot combat system stays enjoyable, and town building gives the journey a simple hook. Some difficulty bumps and quiet side characters show up, but the adventure holds its pace and stays easy to sink into.
Marvel Cosmic Invasion keeps things fun with a wide roster, sharp combat, and fast mission flow. The tag-team system gives each fight a different feel, and swapping heroes stays satisfying throughout the campaign. There are some tough difficulty swings and a few rough spots, but the variety makes up for them. It is a solid brawler with plenty of reasons to return.
Metroid Prime 4: Beyond mixes familiar ideas with a few new touches that give the series a different feel. The action stays sharp, the exploration hits a good rhythm, and Viewros leaves a strong impression. Some moments feel more directed than expected, but the game keeps its pace and stays fun throughout.
SpongeBob SquarePants: Titans of the Tide is a laid-back platformer with a steady rhythm. Swapping between SpongeBob and Patrick keeps things moving, and the world stays bright and easy to read. The game has a few short texture hitches and slower spots, but nothing that drags it down. If you are in the mood for something light and colourful, this one works well.