PlayStation Universe
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While charming in places, and with some fun gravity bending mechanics to stroke your novelty seeking, Gravity Heroes isn't all it could be. With a single player campaign that's barely playable, and too many tedious levels, this retro shooter leaves a lot to be desired. In the finer moments of Gravity Heroes, it can be a fun co-op experience, but without online play it is difficult to recommend this game for any single gamer.
Absolutely stuffed to the hilt with twee, waifu JRPG goodness, the Atelier Mysterious Trilogy DX Pack represents a heady offering that will keep the uninitiated busy for well over a hundred hours and change. For everyone else however that has already plumbed the depths of the three games in this pack, this trio of bundled charming adventures will have little to offer, even in light of the additional DLC included with each game.
No less janky or unambitious than its 2019 incarnation, Terminator: Resistance Enhanced offers up a mildly polished up experience that is augmented by some initially promising, but ultimately disappointing DLC. That said, for those that passed over the PS4 version of the game, Terminator: Resistance Enhanced nonetheless offers up a compelling slice of well-executed looter shooter goodness that fans of the motion picture saga will find enjoyable and fulfilling in equal measure.
The NieR franchise has easily become one of my favorites. After NieR Automata, my need to replay the original NieR grew and grew, and thankfully, Square Enix has answered my prayers for an updated version of the original title. NieR: Replicant tells a fantastic story that's carried by great writing and a soundtrack that stops you in your tracks to listen to its incredible melodies. The only thing that holds Replicant back from true greatness is its old-school take on fetch quests and the horribly constant backtracking.
Judgement is a fine and serviceable port of the PS4 game, but apart from enhanced visuals and 60 FPS gameplay, the overall experience doesn't feel that much more enhanced than what you saw on PS4. This is definitely the way to play for newcomers but those who have already seen Yagami's journey through shouldn't worry about missing much here.
The side scrolling side of Smelter has a lot going for it. It has a welcome execution that doesn't demand much effort and doesn't bog you down with much, even if it is overly simplistic. The tower defense side of Smelter contradicts this simplicity, however. Bad control choices coupled with halfhearted explanations makes it a hard sell for the entire package. Smelter has something unique, but that's nowhere near enough to warrant your time.
If you're addicted to survival games like myself, this may be something you'll want to play to try out yourself. But if you're wanting to enter the genre, this isn't your entry point. There's plenty of better options out there, and Breathedge simply ends up existing when it could have been shining.
Astro Aqua Kitty adds some Metroidvania-lite elements to the shooter components of its predecessor, Aqua Kitty, and it's all the better for it. A few decisions keep this from being an instant classic, like similar-looking zones and limited locations for loadout swapping, but nothing inherently gets in the way of the good times that Astro Aqua Kitty puts in front of you.
Not so much a true next-gen leap for MLB, but a cautious set of baby steps towards it. The presentation and gameplay remain strong, and the ability to be a two-way player in Road to the Show has freshened that mode up and made it more enjoyable than ever. MLB The Show 21 is another reliable entry in a strong sporting franchise, but it definitely needs a bit of a shakeup next time out.
Saga Frontier Remastered is a great remaster for those who already enjoyed the original. The unique take on exploration and non-linear storytelling may throw some people off expecting a traditional RPG but those who stick with it may find the charm that so many found back in when it originally released. Simple but fun combat and a great skills system make it a joy to play and the improvements in the remaster may help bring in new fans while invigorating older fans with the inclusion of originally cut content.
Oddworld: Soulstorm in many ways is the peak of the Oddworld franchise. Oddworld Inhabitants have taken the hallmarked difficulty and dark humour and revamped it with innovative, new gameplay features and some really cool physics. It's only slightly held back by its overall presentation at launch, but despite this, it largely remains a stellar experience with lots of replayability and challenge for those who are Glukkon for punishment.
There are so many aspects of its design in which Disco Elysium stands unmatched. Boasting unparalleled player agency, the sort of writing that makes me deeply jealous and a cast of characters that are resolutely unforgettable, Disco Elysium is easily one of the most intelligent and fascinating RPGs ever made. However, in its current form, the presence of game breaking bugs that prevent you from finishing missions, levels a near fatal blow at Disco Elysium that not even its towering brilliance is sufficient to overcome. I'm sure there's a timeline where all the bugs have been fixed and I'm playing Disco Elysium for the first time, awarding it the 10/10 score it deserves. Right now, this isn't that timeline.
Outriders is an excellent video game that doesn't drown itself in marketplaces and all the traditional systems we have come to know from a live service. By positioning itself as a complete experience, with dozens of hours of content to play through, along with engaging, varied, and deep combat, it exceeds expectations and manages to lay a firm foundation for a franchise that I hope manifests itself in the future.
A collection of two of the finest co-operative games on Playstation, and it's almost as fine on PS4 as it is on PS5. Overcooked! All You Can Eat adds very little in regards to new content, but now with online cross-play, you've got everything you need to form a party of manic chefs and enjoy Overcooked! at its absolute best.
Sometimes, Balan Wonderworld evokes a bygone era of platformers very well, but this is all too fleeting a feeling. All the creativity seems to have gone into the characters and music while the actual act of platforming leaves a lot to be desired. It's far from the worst modern platformer, but given the names involved, it's a thoroughly underwhelming one.
Narita Boy feels like a completely unique experience and the first step for a new collection of games based around this digital aesthetic. The soundtrack here is flawless and the way everything plays into its setting and narrative is just as good. The gameplay might slog at times and not quite hit the mark, but Narita Boy is something you shouldn't miss.
A charming, gentle take on the Wild West and stealth genres aimed at all ages, but with occasional spikes in difficulty which may trouble younger players. The art design and narrative are both captivating, so providing you have the patience for stealth and puzzles, it's highly recommended.
Despite looking its age, Doom 3 VR Edition adds a heavy layer of immersion on what was already a decent shooter. Scary, eerie and thrilling moments litter each of the games section's and they are all amplified in virtual reality. The shooting is tactile and enjoyable, just make sure you sit down and if possible, get yourself an Aim controller as It makes the game so much more immersive and hopefully avoids any motion sickness issues.
A simple platformer bolstered by a beautifully delicate meditation on family, love, remembrance and loss told through the prism of young girl, Lost Words: Beyond The Page might not have much to offer the genre at large, but it resolutely crafts an experience that lingers long after the stylish credits have completed their inexorable ascent.
Hazelight further hones its craft as ambitious creators of unique co-op experiences with It Takes Two. A clever, inventive procession of ideas and concepts that gel together to form a spellbinding co-op game.