Paul Farrelly's Reviews
Wildwood Down is more than a nod to the classics—it’s a love letter to friendship, mischief, and the golden summers of our youth. Crafted with genuine affection and wit, it showcases the power of inclusive storytelling and pure creativity. Wildwood Down is a reminder that games can still surprise, inspire, and leave a lasting mark on the heart.
Back to the Dawn is a rare example of a game that tackles the realities of incarceration with seriousness and respect. It offers a challenging, thoughtful RPG experience where every choice matters, and the consequences are tangible and often harsh. This is not a game for casual play or lighthearted escapism. Instead, it demands your full attention and empathy as it explores the complex human stories within prison walls. For gamers interested in deep narrative, strategic gameplay, and a sobering examination of justice and survival, Back to the Dawn on Xbox Series S is an essential experience.
s.p.l.i.t is a brilliant, atmospheric, and deeply nostalgic hacking horror game that’s over far too soon. It doesn’t have the staying power to hook everyone, but for a certain kind of player—especially those who fondly remember the days of “C:>”—it’s one bleak, stylish trip well worth taking. Here’s hoping Klubnika returns to this world and lets us dig a little deeper, one keystroke at a time.
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 stuns with breath-taking visuals, emotional storytelling, and innovative combat. My Game of the Year—an unforgettable masterpiece.
For those seeking a funny and fiendishly challenging VR adventure, I Expect You To Die 3: Cog in the Machine is a top pick. Schell Games deliver another virtual reality masterpiece brimming with mysterious puzzles, dynamic action, and cool, 1960s sophistication. Whether you’re a seasoned operative or a new recruit, the journey will put your skills to the ultimate test.
Ruffy and the Riverside is a vibrant 3D platformer bursting with nostalgia, inventive puzzles, and colourful papercraft visuals—pure joy for classic game fans!
Camper Van – Make it Home doesn’t reinvent the wheel, but it doesn’t need to. It takes a simple, satisfying concept and executes it with care, polish, and a genuine sense of warmth. It’s a game that understands the value of comfort, routine, and personal expression, and it delivers those things in spades. While it’s not without its flaws – the lack of player presence and narrative depth may leave some wanting – it more than makes up for it with its inviting atmosphere and satisfying gameplay loop. It’s the kind of game you can return to again and again, whenever you need a bit of digital escapism and a reminder that sometimes, the simplest pleasures are the best.
Prison Alone is a tightly focused, atmospheric horror experience that proves you don’t need jump scares to be genuinely unsettling. Its disorientating level design, oppressive soundscape, and ambiguous narrative combine to create a memorable hour of psychological terror. The only real downside is its brevity and lack of replay value—but for the price, it’s a small complaint.
Date Everything is a glorious, ridiculous, and surprisingly heartfelt celebration of connection in all its forms. It’s not perfect—the sheer number of characters means some storylines are thinner than others, and the time-based mechanics can feel a bit fiddly—but it’s bursting with charm, wit, and creativity. The voice cast is a who’s who of the industry, delivering performances that elevate even the silliest scenarios. If you’re looking for a dating sim that’s as much about laughter as it is about love, Date Everything is an absolute treat.
Explore the eerie Hanwell Mental Institute in Asylum, a chilling point-and-click horror adventure with atmospheric visuals, intuitive puzzles, and a haunting story.
For me, the DreadOut Remastered Collection was a creepy, unsettling experience that left a lasting impression. The ghosts and their ties to Indonesian folklore will no doubt cause me a few sleepless nights, and even though some parts of the game tested my patience, I’m glad I stuck with it. The biggest question though is…am I still afraid of pale creepy ghosts, you bet your life I am!!
Dynasty Warriors Origins is a triumph of the hack-and-slash genre, offering newcomers and veterans alike a thrilling journey through ancient China’s legendary battles. Its combination of stunning visuals, deeply satisfying combat, and meaningful progression systems creates an experience that’s hard to put down. Despite its occasional narrative hiccups and occasional pacing issues, it stands as a shining example of what the franchise can achieve. Whether you’re a long time fan or a curious newcomer like me, this is a journey worth taking. Just be prepared to lose yourself in a sea of names, faces, and epic battles. Oh, and you’re going to have to slay somewhere in the ballpark of half a million soldiers….so get to work!
Though it’s a well-made entry that perfectly embodies running a fast-food restaurant, Fast Food Simulator may not innovate. Just don’t forget to keep the ice cream machine working!
Human Fall Flat VR gives the wheel a good, wobbly spin rather than reinventing it. If you’re a fan of goofy physics games or looking for a laugh with friends, it’s well worth a play on the Meta Quest 3. Just don’t go blaming me if all the flailing causes your arms to ache.
Vendetta Forever creates its own path while channeling the core of Superhot VR and offers a stylish, fast-paced action experience. The slow-mo action keeps the gameplay interesting, and the imaginative level design presents many unforgettable events. The lack of narrative continuity and the sometimes demanding difficulty, however, can sap some of the excitement. Notwithstanding these little flaws, the game’s pick-up-and-play style and great repeatability make it a good addition to the Meta Quest 3 collection. Though it may not reinvent the wheel, Vendetta Forever polishes it to a shine and provides a puzzle-shooter hybrid that is both demanding and gratifying. This VR title is worth looking at if you’re in the mood for fast, adrenaline-pushing action with a strategic edge.
Fans of the Metro series should definitely check out this must-play experience since it vividly brings a beloved universe to life in whole fresh manner. It’s a great introduction for newcomers like me, even if it stumbles somewhat toward the finish. Metro Awakening is a deserving addition to the Meta Quest 3 collection overall since it presents a strong and unforgettable VR adventure.
The Meta Quest 3 version of Hitman 3 VR: Reloaded is more annoying than entertaining. This VR port is a huge disappointment due to its numerous technical problems, awkward controls, and poor graphics. For devoted fans, this is less of an improvement and more of an insult. It’s difficult to suggest this game as is, even though I’d love to see it patched and enhanced. For the time being, if you’re as devoted to Hitman as I am, you might want to stick with the flatscreen versions.
With its evocative opening and its idea of an unflinching heroine overcoming horrifying obstacles, “Sofie: The Echoes” has promise. However, it is almost impossible to appreciate due to the overwhelming number of bugs, bad design decisions, and an unpolished experience. Players are unable to get past the game’s opening sequence without feeling similarly frustrated, according to Steam user reviews. In its current state, “Sofie: The Echoes” is unplayable. It serves as a reminder that even brilliant concepts require careful planning and refinement to be truly effective. Avoid this one for the time being until the developer fixes its numerous problems, or else you run the risk of an experience that is horrifying for all the wrong reasons!
Batman: Arkham Shadow is a must-have for Dark Knight fans, virtual reality enthusiasts, and anyone else interested in what VR can actually offer. Arkham Shadow redefines virtual reality for the Meta Quest, much like Half-Life: Alyx did for the PC. It’s an amazing story, a technical marvel, and an exciting experience. Regardless of your level of experience with virtual reality, Batman: Arkham Shadow is an essential game that will no doubt help to sell more VR headsets.
A Quiet Place: The Road Ahead’s sound effects, compelling plot, and stunningly eerie visuals undoubtedly add something special to the stealth-horror genre, even though it doesn’t reinvent it. Although it has some shortcomings—the AI can be a little too predictable at times, and the level design occasionally seems to be trying to actively work against you—all in all, it’s a fun stealth experience that both franchise fans and horror enthusiasts will enjoy.