GameSpew's Reviews
Its old-school formula can mean it feels a little repetitive at times, but Warhammer 40,000: Boltgun 2 is a sequel that's undoubtedly bigger and better, with more replayability thanks to its two playable characters and branching paths in its campaign.
The Castlevania series is back. There are lots of things to love about Evil Empire's Castlevania: Belmont's Curse, from its rewarding, interconnected world to its brilliant soundtrack, but issues with the game's balance might bring the experience down for some.
It's safe to say that Planet Zoo 2 is Frontier's biggest and best game yet. It looks fantastic, has a huge range of animals, and its greater focus on conservation makes for a wholesome and rewarding experience. There's a learning curve involved, though, so be prepared to put in the time if you want to get the most out of this wonderful sim.
A wonderfully interactive photography adventure, Bluey's Happy Snaps is easy enough for the youngest children to enjoy while still being engaging for older kids and parents. It looks fantastic – just like an episode of the TV series – and its Toem-meets-Pokémon-Snap gameplay is an absolute joy to experience.
It has some issues than can annoy, such as difficulty spikes and a couple of troublesome forced stealth sections, but these don't stop Clive Barker's Hellraiser: Revival from being a thrilling rollercoaster of a survival horror experience. Sexy, gory and grotesque are perhaps the best words to sum it up.
For better or for worse, Neon Abyss 2 feels very much like more Neon Abyss. But some meaningful changes in progression and permanent upgrades, along with a whole new way to play, make this zany roguelike just as gloriously addictive as the first game ever was.
Silver Pines is a stunning debut for Wych Elm, being a game that combines the survival horror and Metroidvania genres to great effect. This is a game dripping with atmosphere that will quickly get its hooks in you and not let go. Only its clunky combat brings it down a little, but not enough to stop you from having a blast with it.
One of the best arcade racing games in years, Star Wars: Galactic Racer is a stunning debut for Fuse Games. With its thrilling racing action that feels like a cross between WipEout and Burnout and its engaging runs-based campaign mode, this is a triumph. The only let-down is that it doesn't have a more standard Arcade mode to let you set up your own events.
Bigger and better than its predecessor, Minecraft Dungeons II is still very much 'Diablo for Beginners', but that's no bad thing for newcomers of the ARPG genre. A sprawling, open world makes this more engaging than ever, with only the odd glitch and difficulty spike bringing the experience down somewhat.
Ghost of Yotei Complete Edition is the definitive way to play one of the best games available on PS5, with Echoes of Sekigahara offering a new glimpse into the life of Atsu, and Most Wanted mode offering a new way to enjoy its thrilling combat. If you already own the base game, consider the Complete Edition upgrade a must-have.
Dynasty Warriors 3: Complete Edition Remastered achieves its goal of breathing new life into a classic Dynasty Warriors experience, but with no changes to the gameplay, it soon begins to feel too basic and repetitive.
Like last year's Absolum, Mexican Ninja combines the roguelike and side-scrolling beat 'em up genres, resulting in a fun gameplay experience with added longevity and depth. There are some issues, though, with performance being iffy on PS5 at times, and the action occasionally being too hectic for its own good.
It may play it safe and is perhaps a little too similar to its predecessor, but TOEM 2 is another fantastic adventure game that has you taking photos to solve puzzles. Presented in black and white and an absolute joy to play, what TOEM 2 lacks in colour it more than makes up for in charm.
TCG Card Shop Simulator is an addictive, satisfying shop sim with a smart, pack-opening mechanic that'll see you through its slow spots.
Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve is yet another brilliant entry in the Ace Combat series, with a lengthy campaign and fun multiplayer. There are some minor annoyances, but once you're in the air dogfighting, they're easy to overlook.
A satisfying and surprisingly relaxing management sim that's as deep as you want to make it, Transport Fever 3 trades city-building for a more focused but equally fulfilling logistics-based experience.
Doggy Don't Care doesn't offer anything original, but it's a fun sandbox of cute chaos. Keep your play sessions short and you'll be ridiculously entertained as you destroy everything in sight as an adorable little doggo.
If you're not puzzle-minded, Rivage is going to be an absolute nightmare with its lack of handholding and direction. But if you've got an analytical mind and thrive when challenged, you're going to absolutely love this immersive sci-fi experience.
Kickstarted back in 2018, it may have taken eight years for Nighthawks to crawl out of its coffin, but it was worth the wait. Enthralling, entertaining and with rich, razor-sharp writing, if you have even the slightest interest in vampires or the supernatural, you'll want to sink your teeth into this gothic gem.
Silent Hill: Townfall is yet another unique and brilliant entry in the Silent Hill series, placing more emphasis on stealth and puzzle solving. It's the story at the heart of the game that's its biggest asset, though, keeping you wondering what exactly happened in the picturesque town of St. Amelia.