Novastream's Reviews
Super Mario Galaxy and Galaxy 2 haven’t just aged well — they remain unmatched in imagination, unburdened by realism, and fuelled by sheer joy. The new technical polish and assist modes make them approachable for a new generation without compromising their integrity and personality. Some control quirks prevent this from being a flawless re-release, and the pricing will sting for those who already double-dipped on Super Mario 3D All Stars. But when everything clicks — when you’re shooting through a starfield, spinning through gravity wells with orchestral trumpets blasting — it’s impossible not to smile.
If you’re looking for a farming game that balances charm, strategy, and community in equal measure, Story of Seasons: Grand Bazaar should be your next stop. It might not be flawless, but it’s brimming with heart—and once Saturday’s bazaar comes around, you’ll be hooked for hours on end
Farlands is an addictive farming/life sim that will not be foreign to those well versed in the genre. Its strength is the planet focus, allowing for expressive originality and creativity. The early days can be slow, but there is always something to do or explore across its planets. This is highly recommended for anyone seeking a cosy space adventure with a plot to call your own.
an enjoyable experience that delves into the role of AI very well, showing clear maturity in its approach.
Assassin’s Creed: Black Flag is now my favourite Assassin’s Creed game of all time. I had played the original here and there in the past, but this remake from the ground up simply elevates the experience in all areas. While the many bloated aspects of a newer AC title remain, they never feel like a chore as the core gameplay is so solid and rewarding. Despite beating the game, I’ve returned to simply sail on the seas and listen to the shanties as a way to relax. Kudos to Ubisoft for Resyncing the right way.
Xenoblade Chronicles was always a masterpiece held back by the hardware it lived on. On the Nintendo Switch 2, those shackles are gone. With its refined combat, stunning 4K visuals, and a story that remains peerless in its emotional depth, this isn’t just a recommendation, it’s an essential part of any Switch 2 library.
The Adventures of Elliot: The Millennium Tales is a solid starting point for the new IP, taking on the combat and exploration of early Zelda games while also pushing hard into the HD-2D visuals. The gameplay is refreshing for this type of presentation and the game moves at an excellent pace across its approximate 20 hours. While the story did not quite vibe with me, all other components definitely did as I felt connection to the likes of early Zelda games in design. I can’t wait to see if further adventures await
Bluey’s Quest for the Gold Pen finally delivers the interactive experience fans of the show have been waiting for. By combining engaging collectathon mechanics with authentic writing and gorgeous art direction, Halfbrick has crafted a joyful adventure that is easily recommendable to gamers of all ages and is the perfect introduction to platforming for those who are just starting out in their gaming adventures.
The gameplay is solid and it runs seamlessly on the Switch 2, with minor sacrifices for performance. Online play has its challenges due to the ability to use a team of superstars, but matching their efforts will see a more even approach.
On the Switch 2 Rebirth continues to pull the player in with its impressive amount of content. At a cheaper price point and packed with accessibility features, I recommend this to anyone that has a Switch 2 and is yet to experience this masterpiece.
Directive 8020 is the latest entry into both the interactive movie style of game and also Supermassive Games’ Dark Anthology. The space setting aligns to film more so than game, especially in the stealth and decision-making focus.
Lego Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight is a love letter to the character, the fans and the Batman universe.
Minos is a clever, satisfying trap-laying game dressed in Greek mythology and held together by strong mechanics and just enough depth to keep you hooked across multiple runs.
Life is Strange: Reunion is an essential playthrough for long-time fans of the franchise. Deck Nine expertly balances the nostalgia of Max and Chloe’s relationship with fresh gameplay mechanics and high-stakes drama. While the game’s mystery occasionally loses its footing and minor visual bugs break the immersion, the deeply authentic character writing makes this a beautiful, tear-jerking send-off for Arcadia Bay’s best duo.
As a port, it is a genuine achievement: a massive, content-rich open-world RPG translated faithfully to hybrid hardware, with a clever trio of performance modes that let you tune your experience to your preference. The 40fps sweet spot is a joy, the package value is exceptional, and the portability factor elevates it above a straightforward comparison on specs alone. Some visual concessions, soft load times, and a 60fps mode that overreaches slightly are the costs. The gain is one of gaming’s great RPGs on the go – all of it, no compromises on content.
Marathon is high stakes, high risk and high reward. A competitive extraction shooter in every aspect of itself and can be the highest of highs or the lowest of lows. I have often described my time on Tau Ceti IV as very bipolar. When you’re on a good run it feels fantastic, but sooner or later you end up in the unemployed queue and a loss almost always leads to a string of them.
Everybody’s Golf: Hot Shots proves that the series can thrive outside its PlayStation roots. HYDE has delivered a game that honours the franchise’s history while introducing new modes that make it perfect for group play. It’s approachable, entertaining, and full of content that will keep golf fans busy for dozens of hours.
Indiana Jones and the Great Circle is a great Bethesda game for Xbox, made even better on the Playstation 5 Pro console thanks to the devs at Machine Games making full use of the hardware to get the best out of their software. If you have played the game before on an Xbox console, this PS5 version is the ultimate way to experience this game. With perfect writing, stunning locations, and a return to that old-school Hollywood feel, Indiana Jones and the Great Circle is a great game, delivered perfectly on the Playstation 5 Pro.
Star Wars Outlaws is a solid addition to the Star Wars gaming universe. It offers a compelling story, beautiful visuals, and a rich world to explore. Despite its flaws, it’s a game that fans of the franchise will likely enjoy, especially those who appreciate a good blaster at their side. It’s a shame that the visuals are so grainy and jarring, while they do fit into the universe, it doesn’t translate well to the current gaming landscape. The forced stealth mechanics get a little repetitive, particularly in the later hours of the main story. The story does play it a little too safe in terms of story. Ubisoft has confirmed that updates will be sent out including quality-of-life improvements and there is a map ahead for extra content and a season pass to come.
Dead Island 2 is far better than it ever had any right to be. The story is bare bones, however, it does make up for it with the huge variety of zombies and the FLESH system revolutionises the way you can make calculated and decisive kills. The game runs like a dream on the Playstation 5 with no bugs or crashes during my 30-hour playthrough. This is a solid instalment in the series that proves the wait was worth it.