Paul Hunter's Reviews
Kiln is a fun and welcoming online game to keep coming back to. The pottery wheel is one of the most creative systems I've ever seen in a multiplayer game, and the charming presentation is exactly what you expect from Double Fine. There is only one mode at launch and the content is lean, but the post-launch roadmap includes free new maps, new Decoration and Sticker packs, the Mission Criti-Bowl feature update in summer adding Missions and a Pot Journal, and Photo Mode arriving in fall.
Living the Dream is the best the Tomodachi series has ever been. The inclusive relationship overhaul is a landmark addition, and the Island Builder and Palette House give creative tools that go well beyond anything in the 3DS original.
Saros takes everything great about Returnal and builds something more ambitious, more accessible, and more human around it. The bullet hell action is easily the best yet on PS5 and the permanent unlocks makes every run feel meaningful. The visuals, audio, and performance all hit the high standard you'd expect from a top-tier Sony PS5 exclusive.
Tides of Tomorrow is one of the most original narrative adventures I've played in years. The Story-Link asynchronous multiplayer concept is unlike anything else I've seen before, building real human connection into a single-player framework, which you can then pass along your own choices to the next player.
ChainStaff is an easy recommendation. The titular weapon is one of the most creative tools I have used in a run-and-gun in years. The throwback sci-fi art direction is wild and original. Deon van Heerden's heavy metal soundtrack keeps the energy high from the opening level to the last boss, and six possible endings along with New Game+ give reasons to go back for another run.
Marvel MaXimum Collection is a great retro gaming package, and I had a blast checking out the six games in their included platform versions. X-Men: The Arcade Game with rollback netcode and cross-play is the centrepiece, and Captain America and the Avengers is a strong runner up. The three Spider-Man games are nice additions too, and while Silver Surfer has a steep challenge, the rewind feature makes it more playable. Save states and toggleable cheats, including unlimited lives, make every title in the collection accessible at any skill level. Any gamer with nostalgia for this era of Marvel gaming should pick this collection up.
Darwin's Paradox! is a top-notch platformer on PS5. ZDT Studio delivers a debut title with a charming lead, great level design, and a presentation the quality of an animated movie. The expressive storytelling immediately hooks you in, and Darwin himself is impossible not to root for.
Screamer is such a breath of fresh air. Milestone has built a combat racing system with genuine depth and wrapped it in stunning anime-inspired presentation that looks incredible on PC.
John Carpenter's Toxic Commando is honestly just a really good time, espeically with 4-player co-op as it was designed. Saber Interactive built something with genuine soul here, and leaning hard into Carpenter's 80s horror vibe was a smart choice.
1348 Ex Voto is a game with a strong setting and genuine highlights that gets undermined by its own combat system.
Snoopy & The Great Mystery Club on Nintendo Switch 2 is a thoroughly enjoyable action-puzzle adventure. The persona swap system keeps investigations satisfying, the mini-game variety adds great pacing, and the story is warm, funny, and faithful to the Peanuts brand.
Collector’s Cove is a standout cozy adventure from a small indie team that delivers well above its size. The progression is satisfying, the world is warm and colourful, the story is cute and charming, and I found something new worth chasing in every session. At $19.99, and offering 25-30 hours of content, the value is excellent.
Pokémon Pokopia absolutely delivers on all fronts. The gameplay is deep and genuinely hard to put down, and the amount of content is impressive enough that the credits only feel like the halfway point.
Fatal Frame II: Crimson Butterfly Remake is one of the best horror games you can play right now on PS5. The Camera Obscura combat is the sharpest it's ever been, Minakami Village is completely rebuilt and larger than ever, the story is even more involved with new side stories and brand-new endings, and the presentation is the best the series has ever produced.
I had a great time with Scott Pilgrim EX and I think fans of the series will too. Tribute Games built something with real passion here, with the combination of deep, satisfying combat and gorgeous pixel art creating a package that's easy to love.
Xenoblade Chronicles X: Definitive Edition — Nintendo Switch 2 doesn’t just revisit one of the most grandiose RPGs on the Nintendo Switch, it brings sweeping improvements to an already exceptional game.
Resident Evil Requiem is one of the best Resident Evil games ever and a clear Game of the Year contender. You get two epic campaigns with very different playstyles and a satisfying story that ties up some long-running threads while setting the stage for the next chapter. To top it off, the level of visual and audio polish is outstanding so don't be surprised if you snap dozens of photos along the journey.
I had a great time with Rayman 30th Anniversary Edition, and I think most gamers who grew up in the 90s will too. It gives you five different versions of Rayman to play through, packs in a History section that is genuinely one of the best game documentaries I have watched, and includes enough quality-of-life features to make every version a pleasure to play.
God of War Sons of Sparta is polished smaller project that delivers on all fronts. The canon prequel deepens Kratos’ history, while the comat feels freat and gets better the further you get into the adventure. The pixel art presentation has tremendous style and polish, and the voice acting is top-notch headed up by TC Carson.
All considered, this has become my new go-to sports game on Nintendo Switch 2.