Push Square
HomepagePush Square's Reviews
If we had any real criticism, it’s that the jump can be a little stiff, sometimes locking you into a vertical leap if you’re not precise with your direction at the moment of ascent. It’s not a big deal – git gud, right? – but it does stick out a teensy bit during the last few levels, where you need to be spot-on.
MOUSE: P.I. for Hire offers incredible art and animation, as well as enjoyable first-person shootouts. For that, it certainly succeeds — just don't expect it to do much of anything else.
Pragmata knows its strengths and leans into those hard, and the result is a cracking action game that just feels brilliant to play. One could argue it could do with a little more variety throughout its campaign, but the game's unique hack-and-shoot combat is so fun and so satisfying to pull off that you won't mind doing it over and over again. A refreshingly straightforward structure and charming dual leads round things out, but it's the inventive and tactile action where it truly sings.
We expect great things from Supergiant Games, and with Hades 2, the developer has proved its mastery of the roguelike genre. Addictive, rewarding, stylish, and extremely compelling, you cannot call yourself a true roguelike fan without experiencing Melinoë's immortal journey.
I know there have been other musical RPGs before, but People of Note still feels largely unique. I love how heavily it leans into its theme, and while I don't expect the YA vibes to resonate with everyone, I personally found myself invested in the release's cast and its brisk storyline.I think the battle system could have been further refined to feel more impactful and I would have liked to see it evolve faster. Furthermore, I'm not sure all of the environmental puzzles are as fun as the developer intended – although they can be disabled if you're not feeling them at all.Ultimately, if you're a fan of Final Fantasy and films like K-Pop Demon Hunters then you'll love what Iridium Studios has assembled here. It's a different kinda vibe, but one I thoroughly enjoyed.
Starfield is bigger and better than ever on PS5, but it still crashes against the roadblocks of old. A complete lack of exploration leaves the RPG in an awkward place where it can feel like an objective ticking exercise with little to distract you. Its faction questlines are the highlight, and the improved combat systems and new gameplay capabilities make the experience worthwhile. However, two and a half years later, there is considerably more Starfield. Only some of it makes it better.
Life is Strange: Reunion could have been a full Double Exposure sequel, and it could have been a full Max and Chloe entry. Instead, both narratives are squeezed into a bloated finale with dull pacing and a lacklustre resolution. There are sparks of brilliance in there and fantastic chemistry between its two leads, but it's never given the love and care to blossom into something beautiful.
Marvel MaXimum Collection is worth the price of entry for X-Men: The Arcade Game alone, but there's a lot to love about this bundle. While not every game included is an all-timer, there's a good enough mix here to make this a compelling collection of superhero brawlers, and the quality-of-life inclusions are excellent overall.
Few games this generation will ship with better presentation than South of Midnight in motion, with outstanding visuals, audio, and all the vibes of a Deep South setting. The game itself quickly runs out of ideas, making the act of actually playing it less exciting than you'd like. However, those stunning graphics, soundtrack, and inspirations still manage to carry the title to a mostly satisfying finish line.
We can't fully recommend Crimson Desert in its current state on PS5. Far too many technical issues - of varying shapes and sizes - hold the experience back.But given time, and despite its obvious narrative shortcomings, Pearl Abyss' fantasy outing has the potential to be something truly special. As an open world adventure, it can be utterly engrossing; a smorgasbord of systems and mechanics that somehow - against all odds - form an intoxicating whole. For better or worse, there's simply nothing like Crimson Desert.
Although some parts haven’t aged as well, most noticeably regarding its gameplay, the Mega Man Star Force Legacy Collection is worth checking out if you enjoyed Battle Network or are looking for a new RPG series to dive into.
Quote not yet available
Screamer is a bold and exciting arcade racing game that stands out from the pack. It takes some big swings, and most of them have worked out, save for a story that maybe outstays its welcome. The racing itself is unique and challenging, and once you have a handle on all its systems, it's very rewarding to master. With its stylish presentation on top, this is one racer very much in its own lane.
Sucker Punch does it again
Fatal Frame 2: Crimson Butterfly Remake is arguably one of the scariest games we've ever played. Team Ninja has somehow managed to make an already terrifying game even more so, turning Minakami Village into a visually striking and tense playground for fear. The Camera Obscura combat remains novel and unique, but clunky controls and some drawn-out encounters can frustrate.
Marathon doesn't have that instant fun factor and casual appeal that an extraction shooter like ARC Raiders does. And for a lot of people, that likely means it isn't the game for them. But Marathon is a game that gives more to you the more you give to it. With impeccable Bungie gunplay, a gorgeous world and artstyle, and a gameplay loop much denser than its competition, we think Marathon is something special. The more we play, the more we love it.
Monster Hunter Stories 3 is the pinnacle of the series in so many ways - especially from a storytelling perspective. At its core, it's a ridiculously addictive monster taming RPG, boasting in-depth progression systems and satisfying combat mechanics - but it does take quite a long time for everything to truly click.
Quote not yet available
Quote not yet available
On paper, Resident Evil Requiem is essentially a two-in-one package that delivers both excellent survival horror and action gameplay. It is that in practise, too, but the playtime imbalance between the two is enough that you'll get too much of one and not enough of the other. At the end of it all, it's another fantastic entry - you just might not get everything you're looking for out of it.