Gameffine's Reviews
The Prisoning: Fletcher’s Quest has the bones of a good game. It features some genuinely great platforming mechanics, a weird but unhinged, visually striking opening, and entertaining core shooting. If you just want a new platformer to double-jump your way through, it might scratch that itch. However, outside of the basics, it lacks the punch needed to be truly memorable. The recycling of early-game enemies, a lackluster overarching story after the initial setup, and deeply frustrating boss design hold the game back from reaching its full potential.
God of War: Sons of Sparta is a bold move by Sony to diversify its offering within the God of War IP and bring in more fans (especially casual fans), but it fails to meet the quality bar most modern games are measured against. Santa Monica Studios was present merely in an “overseer” capacity for this game, so that does make me believe that the God of War remakes will have some juice in them. Overall, the game feels uninspiring, lazy, and quite dated for a title released in 2026.
Styx: Blades of Greed has everything going for it- bigger levels, better abilities, and an increased budget. What’s stopping it from being far better than it is right now are the engine-related issues and the floaty controls. If Cyanide can get some of these things fixed in time, then I’ll have no qualm in declaring it as the best Styx adventure yet. There’s nothing like Styx out there, at least, not anymore. Cyanide, hold onto it.
It would be unfair to judge a 30-year-old video game’s re-release, especially when it arrives with minimal alterations. Instead, the more fitting response is to commend GMedia for its role in preserving gaming history. Thanks to this effort, a new generation of Edgar Allan Poe enthusiasts can experience The Dark Eye in its original form. With renewed interest, perhaps more adaptations of Poe’s work will emerge in the years ahead. That said… out of all the possible titles, Edgar Allan Poe’s Interactive Horror: 1995 Edition was the best you could do?
After completing Romeo is a Dead Man, I walked away feeling satisfied. It’s not the most technically advanced action game I’ve played. It’s not the deepest mechanically. But it’s bold, energetic, and confident in its identity. The combat system rewards skill. The presentation stands out. The pacing mostly maintains intensity. And most importantly, it never feels boring.
Cairn is a deeply rewarding survival-climbing experience built around manual, physics-driven traversal and thoughtful resource management. Its minimalist storytelling, puzzle-like design, combined with gorgeous visuals and a mesmerizing soundtrack, result in an unforgettable and deeply cathartic climbing experience.
MIO: Memories in Orbit feels like a game made with confidence. It knows it’s not for everyone, and it doesn’t try to be. It’s quiet, patient, and sometimes a little stubborn in how much it refuses to explain. If you enjoy metroidvanias for their atmosphere, exploration, and sense of place, this game is absolutely worth your time. If you need constant action, clear objectives, and a strong narrative push, you might bounce off it.
Total Chaos is a gripping survival horror that plays like Doom but feels like the offspring of Silent Hill’s eerie landscapes and Resident Evil’s tense, confined settings. Its ability to tell most of its roughly 20-hour story mostly through gameplay alone is a rare feat, especially given its modest price tag. It’s easily one of the most unique experiences that 2025 has to offer.
S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl on PlayStation 5 is the biggest comeback story of the year. The level of optimization is remarkable, and the implementation of DualSense features makes it one of the best PS5 ports ever released. While its quest system, A-Life, and enemy spawning still suffer from slight hiccups, nothing can rival the immersion it creates through its desolate wasteland that demands commitment in learning the ways of a S.T.A.L.K.E.R.
On the one hand, I had a good time with Blood: Refreshed Supply. I’m glad that the makers of Marrow and Deathwish are being compensated for their work. I love the new cutscenes, the fixes, and the Vault. It’s a no-brainer purchase for console players. On the other hand, when it comes to the PC, I’m torn. As someone who purchased Fresh Supply at full price and got disappointed, I believe this should have been a free upgrade or, at the very least, a $4.99 upgrade. Moreover, asking $30 for a nearly 30-year-old game is just crazy in this economy—I’m sure Atari had the final say in this. Blood: Refreshed Supply is good. The business model? Not so much.
Marvel Cosmic Invasion delivers on its promise: a soulful tribute to the Marvel Universe wrapped in a competent, if a bit by-the-book beat ’em up package. Dynamic combos flow effortlessly, seamless co-op supports up to four players with drop-in/drop-out, stunning sprite work captures comic authenticity, and the OST fits the controlled chaos perfectly. Adding one or two more game modes could cement its longevity beyond the short campaign.
Outlaws + Handful of Missions: Remaster is a fitting tribute to an underrated gem from the glory days of FPS. As usual, Nightdive has done an excellent job of updating the game without sacrificing the original style and substance. The Outlaws remaster is one I’d suggest checking out, though you can decide for yourself if it justifies the $29.99 price tag.
Kill It With Fire 2 is a good sequel. It takes the simple fun of the first game—destroying stuff to kill spiders—and turns it into a giant, multi-dimensional, co-op adventure. It’s simple, it’s funny, and it’s deeply satisfying. This game is perfect for anyone who loves destroying virtual property or who needs a highly explosive way to face their fears. It stays true to its chaotic core while giving you an entire universe to wreck. Buy this game, invite a friend, and start burning everything.
Neon Inferno is a drop-dead gorgeous shooter with an exhilarating OST backed up by frantic gunplay and fantastic animations. Extra gameplay modes, additional levels, and a balance patch would do wonders to uplift the game.
Anno 117 is not the most complex Anno ever made, but it is one of the most enjoyable. The Roman setting is rich, the building system is the best the series has seen, and the cultural mechanics give the game a unique identity. As a veteran player, I appreciate how confidently it knows what it wants to be.
Despite a steeper-than-usual learning curve, some balance issues, and dealing with bad RNG at the start, Forestrike is one of the few games where you feel like mastering a martial arts skill. There is a depth of tactics game, mixed with the reflexes of a fighting game and the innovative “Forsight mechanic”, making its gameplay stand out among its peers, and it should be commended. Those MA philosophies get corporate well into a story whose writing punches well above its weight compared to similar rogue-lites. This will certainly not be for everyone, but those with patience and a desire for mastery are sure to find a worthwhile experience.
Even with the major technical problems, "A Pizza Delivery" was an incredible and memorable game. It’s a very short, beautiful, creative, and emotional journey that was a ton of fun to piece together. The framerate jumps and "off" controls are annoying, but they aren't enough to ruin what is, at its heart, a "captivating" and "amazing" experience. The game has a powerful, simple message: the past is a loop, and the only way out is to "keep moving forward".
Syberia Remastered successfully brings a beloved classic to a modern audience while preserving its core gameplay. However, it suffers from several technical issues and design choices that detract from the original’s atmospheric charm. The puzzles, though easier than before, still feel somewhat outdated from a modern perspective.
Bye Sweet Carole is a game of two minds. On one hand, it’s an artistic triumph, a breathtakingly beautiful experience that perfectly captures the magic of classic animation. On the other hand, its clunky platforming mechanics prevent it from reaching the heights of the genre. My recommendation comes with a crucial caveat: if you’re a platforming purist seeking tight, responsive controls, you might walk away frustrated. However, if you’re looking for a cozy, story-driven adventure with world-class visuals to share with family or simply to get lost in, then its flaws are much easier to forgive. It’s a game whose incredible heart and charm ultimately outweigh its mechanical stumbles, making it a memorable, if imperfect, journey.
Painkiller is a hard game to recommend. It’s certainly not made with the loyal fans in mind and does little to appeal to the new crowd. Even if you’re dead-set on getting on sale, I recommend buying your best mates extra copies because the real painkillers are the friends we made along the way.