Jon Scarr's Reviews
RAIDOU Remastered: The Mystery of the Soulless Army updates a PS2 cult classic with better combat, voice acting, and visuals. It still shows some age, especially in its detective gameplay, but the improvements are significant. The fusion system is addictive, battles feel great, and the world has real charm.
Death Stranding 2: On the Beach sticks close to the original’s formula, but tightens up the gameplay and expands your tools. The story leans into Kojima’s usual weirdness, with standout characters and a final act that delivers. It’s familiar in many ways, but still offers something different from anything else this year.
Rune Factory: Guardians of Azuma reshapes the series with better structure, improved combat, and satisfying village building. Farming takes a step back, but there’s still plenty to do between quests, upgrades, and relationship building. A few pacing issues and simple AI hold it back slightly, but the overall experience feels more complete than past entries.
Yakuza 0: Director’s Cut brings the series’ best prequel to Nintendo Switch 2 with smoother performance, sharp visuals, and strong storytelling. The new cutscenes and Red Light Raid mode are minor additions, but don’t take away from the experience. Combat is still satisfying, and the side content holds up, even if some parts feel a bit dated. It’s not a must-have for returning fans, but for those new to the series, this is a great place to start.
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition doesn’t change the story or core gameplay, but it runs better than ever. 4K resolution, 60FPS, HDR, and faster load times give it the technical upgrade it always needed. A second save slot is a nice addition, and the Zelda Notes app adds optional tools and lore, even if using your phone feels clunky. It’s not a new game, but it’s the best way to play this one.
Mindseye sets up a big, cinematic experience with flashy cutscenes and a futuristic world, but it doesn’t come together. The action gets repetitive fast, the world feels empty, and technical issues are hard to ignore. There are moments that show potential, especially in the visuals and voice work. But right now, it’s not something you’ll want to stick with for long.
Mario Kart World takes the series in a new direction with connected tracks, expanded online modes, and a massive open world. Knockout Tour is a highlight, delivering fast-paced chaos with 24 racers. While Free Roam feels underused, the core racing and presentation stay strong. Longtime fans will find plenty to enjoy, even if not every new idea lands.
Wanderstop is about burnout, recovery, and taking a break. It’s something a lot of us forget to do. You’re not chasing upgrades or grinding for rewards. You’re just making tea, talking to people, and letting things settle. It’s quiet, thoughtful, and sometimes exactly what you need.
Elden Ring: Nightreign turns the series’ boss fights into a fast, focused roguelike loop. It’s tough, best played with a regular trio, and drops the open-world structure in favour of tight planning and co-op execution. While the solo mode and limited map variety hold it back, the build variety and challenge make each run feel earned. If you enjoy FromSoftware combat and don’t mind reruns, there’s a lot to like here
Fantasy Life i: The Girl Who Steals Time brings back everything I liked about the original and gives it more room to grow. The job system is still the star, and it’s easy to lose hours just doing a bit of everything. Some parts are rough, and the multiplayer doesn’t really add much, but the solo experience more than makes up for it.
The Midnight Walk tells a quiet, emotional story through claymation visuals, detailed sound design, and light stealth gameplay. Its chapter-based structure, subtle writing, and thoughtful pacing create a narrative that lingers after it ends.
For me, this was one of those games where the messiness was part of the charm. I didn’t always know how a mission would go, but I usually ended up smiling by the end of it. If you’re looking for something that doesn’t take itself too seriously but still offers plenty to do, Deliver At All Costs is easy to recommend.
Onimusha 2: Samurai’s Destiny Remaster brings back a PS2 classic with cleaner visuals, smoother controls, and light quality-of-life tweaks. Its branching companion system and rewarding combat still stand out, even if some camera issues and story elements haven’t aged well. The remaster stays faithful to the original, for better and worse. Fans of the series will find something to enjoy, but it’s a tougher sell for newcomers.
Neon Apex: Beyond the Limit is a flashy, fast-paced arcade racer with bold style and a wide mix of race types. Its cel-shaded visuals and anime flair make a strong first impression, but the messy handling, stiff combat events, and overwhelming effects often get in the way. There’s effort and variety here, especially for fans of futuristic racing games, but the lack of polish and inconsistent feedback keep it from reaching the finish line cleanly.
Capcom Fighting Collection 2 brings classic brawlers back with online play, training tools, extras, and a fun mix of 2D and 3D games.
It’s not the most refined open-world game, but there’s enough personality and mayhem to leave an impression—especially if you miss the days of top-down GTA.
There’s something peaceful here if you’re willing to meet the game halfway. Spirit of the North 2 is a bigger, slower, and sometimes more frustrating sequel—but when it works, it delivers the same quiet satisfaction that made the first game stand out to me.
If you’ve never played Days Gone, this is the best version available. And if, like me, you already gave it a shot back in 2019, the remaster offers just enough to make a return visit worthwhile.
Forza Horizon 5 brings its expansive open-world racing to PS5 with excellent performance, refined visuals, and years of content updates included from the start. Its driving feels as smooth as ever, and the variety of events, cars, and play styles keeps the experience fresh.
Going into Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves, I wasn’t sure what to expect. I knew the franchise’s reputation, but this was my first time really sitting down with one of its games. What I found was a fighter that isn’t afraid to go all in on its own identity. It doesn’t try to copy the competition—it builds off SNK’s legacy while adapting just enough to feel current.