Press Play Media

Frontier has spent years establishing itself as one of the leading names in simulation games, with Planet Zoo bringing the familiar zoo-management formula to a new level of detail back in 2019. Now, Planet Zoo 2 builds on that foundation by introducing fully customisable aquariums, aviaries and wildlife reserves, giving players more ways to create their dream zoo. The result is an ambitious sequel that expands on many of the original’s best ideas, although not every change feels like a step forward. With a greater emphasis on conservation and plenty of opportunities to get lost in the creative side of things, there is a lot to enjoy here, but some of the management systems and technical shortcomings prevent the experience from reaching its full potential. Continue reading “Planet Zoo 2 review (PS5)”

There is no shortage of games about zombies, but Stupid Never Dies has found a rather unusual way to stand out from the crowd. Developed by GPTRACK50, the studio founded by former Capcom producer Hiroyuki Kobayashi, this action RPG follows Davy, a timid zombie who falls head over heels for Julia, a human girl who died during the Great War and is being kept frozen. Hoping to bring her back to life, Davy ventures into a monster-infested dungeon to take on KOM, the King of Monsters. It is a premise that sounds like a rejected pitch for a particularly strange teen comedy, and that is precisely where much of the game’s charm lies. Its mixture of ridiculous humor, unconventional characters and over-the-top action gives it a personality that is difficult to mistake for anything else. However, while the concept provides an excellent foundation, not every aspect of this lengthy adventure lives up to its potential. Continue reading “Stupid Never Dies review (PS5)”

Ubisoft’s Just Dance series has spent years bringing people together through familiar songs, colorful performances and choreography that encourages players to get off the couch. With Just Dance: Decades of Hits, the publisher takes a different approach to its annual release, trading a primary focus on recent music for a collection spanning six decades, from classic disco and eighties pop to contemporary chart hits. The result is one of the more appealing musical selections the franchise has offered in recent years, although the new Adventure Mode and some welcome quality-of-life improvements do not completely disguise how familiar the underlying experience has become. Continue reading “Just Dance: Decades of Hits review (PS5)”

Developed and published by Enchanted Works, Nomori is a 3D puzzle platformer that takes the familiar concept of walking through portals and gives it a topsy-turvy twist. Playing as Kiko, a young girl who finds herself stranded in a magical spirit world while out collecting mushrooms, players must find a way back home by helping the creatures who inhabit this strange place. The journey takes Kiko through four seasonal domains, each bringing new environments, characters and puzzle mechanics into the mix. Its colorful presentation and gentle atmosphere might suggest a relaxing adventure, but Nomori proves considerably more demanding than its appearance initially lets on. Continue reading “Nomori review (Xbox)”