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Octopath Traveler 0 is at its best when it leans into what the series does uniquely well: spectacular HD-2D artistry and a combat system that turns turn based battles into momentum management. Those pillars are strong enough that I frequently wanted to keep playing even when the story wasn’t pulling its weight.
Woolhaven is everything you would want in a DLC. It only adds to what makes Cult of the Lamb special, with the visuals and characters all being as charming as ever. All the hard work you put into raising your cult is put at risk if you cannot calm the storm. A little piece of me died whenever a follower perished. You are forced to adapt to the new climate; it’s hard but not punishing.
In much the same way FEZ once did, Cassette Boy reminded me that perspective is not just a mechanical trick, but a way of thinking. By asking the player to actively look at the world differently, to question what exists, what doesn’t, and why, it creates moments of quiet wonder that feel increasingly rare in modern games. Cassette Boy may present itself as small, nostalgic, and unassuming, but beneath that familiar surface lies a game deeply interested in curiosity, perception, and the joy of discovery. Cassette Boy isn’t just about how changing our perspective can be important; it can also be incredibly rewarding.
To bring this all home, Kejora, despite the occasional flaws that I noted, was a pleasure to experience. The story spoke to matters of protecting those around you and what you would do to ensure the safety of others, and did so in a nice, concise few hour package. And in a world of video games that ask upwards of 100 hours of gameplay to finish (yes, I play JRPG’s if you weren’t aware), a brief tale like Kejora is a welcome experience.
Teamkill Media’s 2nd game in 3 years made by 4 people, leaves much to be desired. It’s a near full priced game on a closed platform like the PlayStation 5. Code Violet is a game that boasts player urgency, discovery, and the appreciation of a strong and beautiful female lead. However, their game didn’t reflect their talk. My overall experience was not the greatest, most of the time I was bewildered by what I played. It’s not a game I can recommend at release, especially not for the asking price. It’s a campy, playable game. A game one can enjoy in a several sitting, when you have disposable time and money to spend. And perhaps a much lower price point.
While its tight controls and emergent mechanics create a strong and satisfying blend of 3D platforming and involved, reactive game design, Big Hops’ structure feels at odds with itself. Its narrative focus limits the scope of its open-ended ambitions, resulting in an experience that makes some hops that are certainly big, but don’t always stick the landing.
Death Howl is a tough, atmospheric, and surprisingly emotional experience. Its blend of deckbuilding and tactical combat is clever and demanding, its visuals are hauntingly beautiful, and its story hits harder than you might expect from a game built around cards and grids. It’s not for everyone – the difficulty alone will put some players off – but if you enjoy games that challenge both your strategy and your resilience, it’s absolutely worth your time.
Terminator 2D: No Fate shines as a piece of homage to Terminator 2. A wonderful recreation of one of James Cameron’s best, that looks and sounds superb. The gameplay of No Fate is fun for the first few times you play through its campaign, though lasting appeal might falter when you have seen the three endings.
ROUTINE is an excellent, immersive horror experience that revels in building and maintaining tension, forcing the player to rely on their own wits to progress and survive. While some may be put off by the game’s slower, more methodical pace or its lack of handholding, those willing to meet it on its own terms will find a deeply unsettling and meticulously crafted experience.
If you’re looking for a relaxing escape, with puzzles to challenge your mind, and reflective story, Unpetrified: Echoes of Nature is one to pick up. With no rush, no pressure, no combat, it truly is a game to find peace in.
By now, I thought I’d be tired of the formulaic cat hunting. Alas, I am still here and I know the community is still behind the series, for now. ‘Cats’ fans can expect more of the same, though with little innovation I wonder whether the cat-shaped bubble will burst in the near future. For now, Istanbul has been a visual pleasure.
In times where there is a valid argument for the erosion of adult comedy, Thank Goodness You’re Here! delivers one of the funniest videogames I have played in years. Whilst it teeters there, it never oversteps the ‘oof’ mark. With fun and simplistic gameplay that never gets in the way of the short story of a trip to Barnsworth, this is the best of British humour. If the town was a real place, I’d be on the next coach – but I’d probably take packed lunch and avoid the fish suppers (one for you to discover). Thank Goodness this is now on Xbox.
Overall, I found As I Began to Dream a well-grounded and enjoyable entry into the puzzle-platformer genre, despite some of the gameplay shifts and handful of technical hiccups. The story the game presents, while tragic and heart-breaking, provides hope that there is a brighter corner around the murky beast that is grief. Strayflux provided a wonderful portrayal of such a complex emotion that is grief in the unique medium that is video gaming.
Through all the corporate meddling, snarky dialogue, and frenetic shootouts, The Outer Worlds 2 sticks to the formula that made the original fun, but shakes things up in some unexpected ways; some for better, others for worse. Specialisation feels more distinct and meaningful, though it comes at the expense of experimentation. Companion storytelling looks and sounds great, but its timing diminishes the emotional punch.
While there are many ways in which it plays things safe and shows the limitations of its scope, Sleep Awake has the aesthetic strengths to impress in the increasingly crowded first-person horror genre.
Overall, Marvel Cosmic Invasion is a great addition to the beat-em-up genre. While not quite reaching the heights of other recent greats like Streets of Rage 4 or TMNT: Shredder’s Revenge, Tribute Games still developed a wonderful game that will keep you and your friends entertained for hours. I’m excited for the future of the game, and if Shredder’s Revenge post-game support is anything to go by, we’re in for plenty of treats regarding future character additions and updates. Marvel Cosmic Invasion is insanely fun to play and definitely worthy of your time.
But did I enjoy my time with Constance? I did, despite my rageful moments. Constance presents a deeper than surface-level approach to the Metroidvania genre and poses the question “What would our inner world look like in cases of significant anxiety and depression in our external world?” In recent years, I have been someone who struggles more with anxiety. It’s not easy at times, but Constance allowed myself, and hopefully others, to understand this one thing: it’s OK to ask for help.
Possessor(s) took me by surprise. I knew nothing about it going in, bar the reveal trailer I watched as I discovered it. It is fun, funny, and heartfelt. It tells a fairly emotional story, one that reflects on humanity, our drivers, and what makes us human. Whilst giving us a whole load of demonic bad guys to murder.
It’s clear Treyarch took risks trying to blur the line between campaign and a PVE experience, which could pay off if continued support and updates keep flowing. I’m really enjoying my time with the campaign of Black Ops 7. I wish they had kept all the open world stuff to the Endgame, and we just had a balls-to-the-wall acid trip down Black Ops memory lane for the story. Endgame is Call of Duty: Black Ops 7’s saving grace. I absolutely love jumping in and causing hell for the Guild.
There are some great workings here. However, it’s hard to say that perhaps with more time for polish it would be a huge improvement. Of course, there is the potential for Demonschool to improve. Revisit and fix some of the technical glitches that are occurring within the game is a great starting point. However, this is a game that was announced in 2022, faced delays, and is still a bit of a mess. There is nothing worse than ruining a good groove by the game going to the main menu. That isn’t to say that the entire game isn’t worth it. The combat is great although a bit too much. The overall story, while predictable and full of tropes is enjoyable.