Ashwalkers is a low priced, brief survival adventure that offers neither satisfying decision making nor engaging gameplay mechanics.
Although it features moments of satisfying action and a few good end-game design tweaks, the majority of Outriders experience consists of conflicting design ideas, technical issues in multiplayer, and poorly implemented borrowed mechanics.
Lost Words: Beyond the Page ends up being as forgettable as its name. Outside of just a few brief highlights, the rest of the story is filled with inconsistencies and dull gameplay. The accessible price point is one of its few redeeming qualities.
Stronghold: Warlords is a slightly revamped version of the game that hasn't changed in decades. The new setting and diplomacy mechanics don't add enough flavor to a stale experience, that still has a few issues to work out.
Nerve has some interesting ideas, but its admittedly unique mix of roguelike elements, speed, and strategy doesn't always produce satisfying results.
Lost Angel is a complete misfire, in an era where FMV games are starting to make a respectable comeback. Its unique setting is wasted on a poor script, low production quality, and strange creative choices.
Destruction AllStars has the foundations of a decently entertaining demolition derby, but that's about it. The game is short on content, doesn't feature much depth or serves as a showcase for the PS5, and its only saving grace is that it's free for PS Plus at launch. When, or perhaps if, the game returns to its regular pricing, it will be much tougher to recommend.
Down in Bermuda is an entirely forgettable puzzle game that blends into the background of an oversaturated genre. What makes it stand out is the steep $20 price tag, made even more outlandish by the lack of content.
Airborne Kingdom has a couple of interesting ideas and occasionally draws you in with engaging resource and city building mechanics, but it lacks depth and replay value. With dull quests and a lack of challenge, it might just drift by most players unnoticed, like a balloon in the sky.
Sackboy: A Big Adventure is an enjoyable platforming game that feels like familiar territory. It's a solid launch title, and will satisfy fans of the genre and the LittleBigPlanet franchise, but it doesn't do a whole lot to showcase the PS5.