GamesHedge's Reviews
Hozy’s slow-paced and relaxing gameplay, complemented with buttery smooth animations and an amazing soundtrack, makes it a solid choice for gamers looking for something peaceful. It allows you to take your time with levels as you explore your architectural skills by renovating and decorating a wide variety of rooms and spaces. At this point, there are some gameplay bugs in the game. The camera controls are awkward, and I would have loved it if it had more content. Still, Hozy is a great cozy game that will surely pull you in with its unique charm and gorgeous visuals. Highly recommended for players who like playing renovation simulators or puzzle games.
While Docked is a great single-player game, the lack of a sandbox mode or online gameplay makes it lose an important aspect of any simulator game in today’s age. It will keep you entertained for your current playthrough, but the game lacks in replayability, especially when you get tired of playing the same jobs again and again. I really wanted to give Docked a higher score, but it loses points based on the fact that all of your invested hours are just locked out at the end. If you love playing simulators, Docked is one of the most unique ones, with a brilliant campaign and amazing, huge machines to control. Just don’t expect much of an endgame once you finish the campaign.
Planet of Lana 2 builds on the foundation of the original with expanded ideas, but not all of them land as effectively. While new mechanics like controlling critters and additional movement options add some welcome variety, the core gameplay remains largely unchanged. The narrative also lacks the same emotional weight that made the first game so memorable. That said, the visual design continues to impress, with beautifully crafted biomes that elevate the overall experience. In the end, Planet of Lana 2 is a solid and enjoyable sequel for returning fans, even if it doesn’t push the series forward as much as it could have.
Because all of these games were released on Nintendo consoles back in the late ‘80s and early ‘90s, seeing them re-released on Nintendo Switch is nothing short of pure nostalgia. While some of the titles in this collection, like TaleSpin, have not aged well, the overall quality of this assortment of classics is excellent, and players can invest a decent amount of their time in it. For Nintendo’s modern consoles, The Disney Afternoon Collection is an excellent addition for players looking to relive the early glory days of sidescrolling platformers set in the iconic worlds of Disney.
Rustic Defense delivers a smart twist on the tower-defense formula, blending roguelike progression with meaningful skill customization. The core loop is satisfying, and the deep skill tree allows for flexible, strategic builds. However, real momentum only comes after some grinding to unlock stronger towers and upgrades. A diverse enemy list and thoughtful design keep each run engaging, making this a rewarding experience for players who enjoy long-term progression and strategic depth.
High On Life 2 is a confident and entertaining sequel that improves where it matters most. The gunplay is sharper, the level design feels more refined, and the chaotic humour remains intact throughout. While its visuals don’t quite keep pace with other modern shooters, the moment-to-moment action and creative encounters more than make up for it. It may not be a technical showcase, but it is consistently fun, and for fans of irreverent sci-fi shooters, that’s what counts.
JDM: Japanese Drift Master is an excellent addition to the PS5 lineup and easily ranks among the platform’s best racing games. It makes smart use of the DualSense’s adaptive triggers to deliver a satisfying simcade experience set across a visually striking world. The drift mechanics are intuitive yet rewarding, allowing newcomers to get up to speed quickly while still offering depth for experienced players. Strong world design, a well-presented narrative, and robust customization options further elevate the experience. Combined with a solid mix of licensed and unlicensed vehicles, JDM: Japanese Drift Master offers hours of engaging racing action and is a must-play for fans of drifting and high-speed competition.
Nova Antarctica delivers strong visuals and a compelling concept, but uneven execution holds it back. Crafting, meant to be a core mechanic, feels poorly integrated and often more tedious than rewarding, while the weak tutorial leaves key systems underexplained. Still, the game’s cozy atmosphere and occasional story highlights help balance out its rough edges. For players who enjoy exploring harsh, post-apocalyptic worlds and don’t mind some undercooked mechanics, Nova Antarctica offers a decent survival experience that falls short of its full potential.
I Hate This Place is a bite-sized survival horror game that pairs striking comic-book-style visuals with solid combat mechanics. Its flexible approach to encounters, allowing players to choose between stealth and all-out gunfights, creates a satisfying blend of chaos and strategy. While the game world is relatively small, it makes effective use of its space and delivers a consistently fun experience. Crafting is straightforward without feeling shallow, and the simple base-building systems make it accessible to players of all skill levels. If you’re a fan of survival horror, you’ll find plenty to enjoy while looting, crafting, and fighting to survive in I Hate This Place.
MIO: Memories in Orbit features a beautiful and artistic world, inspired by paintings, comics, and sci-fi, that is rewarding to explore, and the combat is satisfying. It ticks all the green signals of a brilliant Metroidvania and is the perfect game to start your 2026 list of great games to complete. The levels are brilliantly designed, and the enemies are challenging and look cool. It also features an excellent soundtrack with a brilliant audio design that completes an amazing Metroidvania experience. It is still an indie game, and some elements do tend to show that. Still, I loved playing it, and if you like playing Metroidvania titles, MIO: Memories in Orbit is the perfect game for you to jump into.
Apart from the frustrating nature of ‘Of Ash and Steel’s no handholding, the game is filled with bugs, and some of them are game-breaking. At the time of this review’s publication, the game is already over a month old, and it is still filled with different bugs, and the optimization is still very poor. While Of Ash and Steel could have been a great hit back in the early 2000s, sadly, for today’s gamers, it lacks the right amount of fun and difficulty. In its current state, the no-handholding sits way back because the game needs optimization and bug-fixing. It is a shame because the game, on the other hand, has a great world and a lot of different things to do that can keep you busy for hours. I recommend that you sit this one out for the time being and try some other RPG for your fill.
Orbyss is one of those puzzle games that reel you in with its simplistic visuals and easy gameplay mechanics, but you quickly start to realize the logical aspects of its puzzles. Orbyss starts simple but gradually increases the puzzle difficulty while unlocking more mechanics for you to play around, and it looks beautiful while doing it. The visuals are simple yet impressive and feature just the right amount of colors and aesthetics to keep you interested. It does not overwork in visuals to counter its simple gameplay design, and that is what really sets Orbyss apart. If you love playing puzzle games that not only look great but offer puzzles that tickle your brain in the right places, you are going to love Orbyss. Highly recommended for players who love simplistic puzzle games where gameplay and logic go side-by-side.
If you played the original Puzzle Quest titles, the new Immortal Edition is a must-have purchase for you because it not only brings the first game, but also the two released after it in one package, with tons of new content to explore. Coupled with an amazing new art style that looks fresh and a sound design that goes hand-in-hand with gameplay and visuals, Puzzle Quest: Immortal Edition is a unique mashup that you never thought you needed in your life. It is equally fun and entertaining for new players as well as returning fans.
Roadwarden deserves a perfect score, but the Nintendo Switch version is not well-optimized for the console. The UI feels a little clunky, and there is a weird lag, whether you are using the touchscreen or the controls for playing the game. Still, if you ignore its laggy UI, Roadwarden is the definition of a true RPG. It shows that you do not need fancy visuals and a 100 GB game size to deliver the true experience of an RPG. The stellar writing and the immersive visuals, although simple, will get you hooked right from the first five minutes, and it makes it very hard to put the console down. At the Nintendo Switch, Roadwarden feels right at home because you can take it everywhere you go, and it will keep you engaged for hours to come. If you own a Nintendo Switch and you love RPGs, no matter what type, Roadwarden should be on your list and installed on your console at all times. It will not disappoint you in any capacity.
Cave Crave is a great example of how VR can allow players to experience something that they may not be able to experience in real life. If you have always wanted to dive into claustrophobic caves and experience what it is like deep down in the world of cave diving, but are too afraid to do it in real life, Cave Crave can satisfy your cave exploration needs. Featuring great gameplay mechanics and a haunting atmosphere, Cave Crave brings the intense feeling of actually being in the down under without the actual phobia. It is a great, polished release that does not feel incomplete at any level. It is a great addition to any VR library that loves extreme sports, daring world adventures, or is just curious to explore some caves.
Not only does Ruffy and the Riverside offer a charming story that is fun to experience up to its very end, but it also offers a beautifully designed world that is full of quirky characters and fun activities to do even after the completion of the main story. Ruffy and the Riverside manages to bring back the charm of the early PS1 and Xbox platforming action games back to life with its own unique mechanics and nostalgic visuals. The Swap mechanic is flawless, and the 2D characters in a 3D world bring out a vibe that no modern platformer has managed to deliver in a long time. It is easily one of the best platformers of this generation and will serve as a foundation for all future platformers to follow. Ruffy and the Riverside is a crown jewel for both Zockrates Laboratories UG and Phiphen Games, and one that should be on every player’s must-play list.
FBC: Firebreak is a solid co-op title, and it is evident not only from its classes but also from the missions that you undertake. The Oldest House will throw some of the most intense situations at you, where only the most cooperative team will survive and make it out alive, whether it is wiping out hordes of enemies or handling ice anomalies with heaters. Each level brings something unique to the table, and with different level modifiers, you can tailor the experience according to your skill level and gameplay style. If you have played Remedy’s Control, you will find a lot of references and similarities in different elements, so it is also a fun new take on an already established franchise. If you have been waiting for a solid co-op shooter akin to Left 4 Dead, FBC: Firebreak will certainly offer a lot to you in terms of world design, gameplay, and shooting mechanics.
The Alters is a gorgeous-looking sci-fi space survival game that offers high replayability thanks to its diverse choice system. It ditches the micromanagement aspects of a base-builder survival game and simplifies mechanics to offer a more focused gameplay on the narrative and the choices that you must make to shape your journey. Featuring amazing gameplay, beautiful locations, a solid sound design, and plenty of choices to make, The Alters is simply one of the best sci-fi survival games to launch this year so far. It caters to a diverse range of players, ranging from sci-fi lovers to base-building fans or players who love making tough moral choices. If you love playing games that offer them, The Alters should be on your must-play list.
Nice Day For Fishing is a highly addictive pixel-art RPG that will keep you busy for hours. With its charming cast of characters, beautiful world, and satisfying fishing mechanics, it does justice to the franchise that inspires it. Despite some backtracking and repetitive quests, the game does not feel like a tedious chore, thanks to its simplistic approach to humor and straightforward quests. It is rare for a video game to have a perfect balance of humor, solid gameplay, and great design in one package these days, but Nice Day For Fishing manages to do it flawlessly. If you love playing cozy RPGs with solid gameplay mechanics or if you are a fan of games that offer a little twist on known genres, Nice Day For Fishing will be a great title for you to try out. Highly recommended for RPG and fishing game fans.
Big Buck Hunter: Ultimate Trophy is an arcade shooter, but for the consoles. It brings the frantic action and challenge that you expect from arcade shooters, but it is also manageable. It features cool visuals, solid shooting mechanics, and a large amount of content that will keep you busy for a long time. If you are looking for a simulation hunting game, this is not the title for you, but it is still a challenging game, nonetheless. If you love playing Big Buck Hunter on arcade machines or any other shooters, or if you are into hunting games, Big Buck Hunter: Ultimate Trophy is a must-have title for you to try and add to your library.