The Sinking City was already an intriguing and worthwhile detective-thriller. But its PS5 enhancements have taken it to the next level. It’s a gorgeous-looking game, and roaming the ruined streets of Oakmont at 60FPS has never felt better. The combat is still a let-down, and more repercussions for your choices would be nice to see, but the freedom the game gives you to follow your own leads is second to none. Frogwares should be proud of everything it has achieved here, and it’s got me excited to see what its next game has in store for us.
Pumpkin Jack is an unspectacular 3D action platformer, but considering it’s largely the work of just one man, it’s quite an achievement. There’s a nice variety of gameplay on offer, some solid visuals, and an enjoyable soundtrack. And even though some gameplay elements outstay their welcome, they at least offer a reprieve from the annoying combat. If you can grit your teeth as you spam the attack button time and time again, there’s some enjoyment to be had here, especially if you’re a fan of the genre.
There’s an awful lot to love about Rogue Heroes: Ruins of Tasos, especially for those who were huge fans of SNES-era 2D adventures. It wears its influences proudly, and mixes them up with compelling Rogue-like elements. Sure, a bit more challenge would be nice, but when exploring, solving puzzles and progressing is this much fun, who really cares?
#DRIVE obviously won’t scratch the same itch that a fully-featured racing game will, but if you’re looking for something to waste some time with, there’s fun to be had here. For an endless runner game, #DRIVE offers a reasonable amount of depth, and unlocking all the locations and vehicles is reason enough to keep coming back, 10 minutes at a time.
Although I’ve picked apart several problems with Atelier Ryza 2, the bottom line is that they’re all minor issues. Rarely does anything detract from the joy of stepping into Ryza’s shoes and simply existing in this gorgeous world. There’s so much to do, and every element of the game – from exploring, to crafting, to combat – is immersive and rewarding. It’s a shame there’s no English voice acting, and a bit more direction would be helpful at times, but even with those faults, Atelier Ryza 2: Lost Legends & the Secret Fairy remains a delightful way to spend 40+ hours of your life.
Yes, having to replay the same section time and again until you get your jump, timing and execution just right can be infuriating, but when you do nail a section, it comes with a great sense of achievement. No matter how difficult its challenges become, Glyph is a game that begs you to keep going. And thanks to its charming design and beautiful environments, it’s likely that you will.
Aside from some repetition between the two titles, Super Mario 3D World + Bowser’s Fury is a joy from start to finish.
Little Nightmares II is a true evolution from the first game. Tarsier Studios has done a fantastic job in creating a world that’s even more terrifying, brought to life with absolutely sublime art and sound.
Most players will probably blast through Redout: Space Assault in just a few hours. It’s a game that doesn’t try to do anything special, but it provides enough entertainment, particularly if you enjoy some arcade-style space-shooting action. And for less than a tenner, that’s fair enough.
If you’re expecting a full-on tactical adventure, then you won’t find it here. But if you’re keen to sink into an engaging visual novel, Re:ZERO -Starting Life in Another World- The Prophecy of the Throne has plenty to offer. Its story is wholly original and engaging, if a little long-winded at times, but it’s brought to life with gorgeous animation and wonderful characterisation. It’s a shame there aren’t more gameplay sections, but what’s here is enjoyable enough.
One of the first games of 2021 I’ve sank my teeth into, Olija certainly has set the bar high.
TOHU is set in a beautiful world begging to be explored, with an adorable protagonist that we should be dying to learn more about. But its frustratingly difficult puzzles and the fact most players are going to have to rely on the built-in hint system quickly sucks any joy out of playing. Unless you’re a hardcore adventure game fan with the patience of a saint, you’re unlikely to enjoy your time with TOHU. The rest of us are better off basking in the beauty of its screenshots like they’re works of art.
If you’re expecting a great evolution to the series, you might be a little disappointed with what Borderlands 3 brings to the table. But if you’re happy to jump into more of the same, albeit on a greater scale, you’ll find a lot to love here. And on the new generation of consoles, Borderlands 3 shines better than ever. Playing at 60fps with up to 4K resolution really makes a world of difference; Borderlands 3 has never been more of a pleasure to shoot your way through. So, if you’ve not yet picked it up or it’s been sitting in your pile of shame and you’ve been lucky enough to grab a next-gen console, seriously consider paying it some attention.
If you enjoy quiet and reflective games like Florence, as well as indulging in a bit of puzzle-solving, you’ll undoubtedly find something to like in When the Past Was Around. Its narrative never fully delivers, however, and its bizarre choice to be vague and obtuse when it comes to the main character’s love and loss makes it hard to ever fully understand her plight. Still, beautiful artwork and music coupled with enjoyable puzzles make it a worthwhile way to spend an hour or two of your time.
Taiko no Tatsujin: Rhythmic Adventure Pack is a lot of fun. It’s a unique combination of rhythm game and RPG, presented in a way that only a Japanese video game series could be. It’s over-the-top, silly and in-your-face, but that’s what makes it so endearing. It would benefit from better tutorials for newcomers to the series, and songs should be more widely randomised so you don’t end up battling to the same tracks again and again. Even so, this pair of games is the sort of thing you can’t help but play with a big, silly grin on your face.
If you’re not a huge fan of puzzles, then you might find Call of the Sea‘s gameplay more frustrating than satisfying. But if you enjoy solving logic problems, there’s a lot to love here. The game looks beautiful, and the island you find yourself on, complete with all of its mysteries, begs to be explored. Its few bugs aside, Call of the Sea is a satisfying adventure that will keep you gripped from start to finish.
Just like the first game, Puyo Puyo Tetris 2 is a joy to play. Whether you love just Puyo Puyo, or Tetris, or both, you’ll find something to enjoy here. Beautifully presented with over-the-top characters, larger-than-life animations and a bright and bold colour palette, it’s a game that’s impossible to play without a silly smile on your face. Apart from when you’re losing, that is. But you’ll always pick yourself up and play again – it’s too infectious not to.
There’s a lot to love about Monster Sanctuary. Exploring its world is rewarding and enjoyable, and its turn-based combat packs enough depth to keep you invested. Hitting a brick wall and needing to grind can be frustrating, but the desire to progress is usually strong enough to keep you going. It’s the perfect blend of Pokémon and Metroidvania, and it works exceptionally well. Even if you’re a fan of only one of those, you’ll find plenty to love in Monster Sanctuary.
Ultimately, PHOGS’ greatest weapon is just how freakin’ adorable it is. Once you’ve seen those two happy doggo faces, there’s no going back. The environments are wonderful, too; the game’s quirky art style never fails to put a smile on your face. The gameplay itself, however, doesn’t always quite live up to those same heady heights. There are some terrific and unique puzzles, but not all levels have been created equally, and some of them outstay their welcome. This double-headed doggo adventure has plenty to offer, but you’re best off playing in short bursts.
Despite its age and its retro style that may not be to everyone’s taste, Shiren the Wanderer: The Tower of Fortune and the Dice of Fate has a charm that’s hard to deny. Its simple gameplay loop is endlessly rewarding, luring players back again and again, even after multiple deaths. The constant promise of loot helps, as does the speed in which Shiren levels up. Success is always just around the corner; you just need to survive long enough to get there.