The Backrooms has grown from an internet curiosity into a full-fledged horror phenomenon, making adaptations almost inevitable. Cortez Productions’ Backrooms: Lost Tape arrives on PlayStation 5 after receiving a substantial overhaul for its PC release, presenting itself as a found-footage anthology rather than a traditional survival horror game. Across its currently available episodes, players follow Josh and later his brother Nikolas as both become trapped within the endless maze of liminal spaces. It’s an intriguing framework that captures the unsettling appeal of the source material, although its storytelling ultimately feels more like a guided tour through familiar Backrooms mythology than a fresh interpretation of it. Continue reading “Backrooms: Lost Tape review (PS5)”
Rat Protocol review (PS5)
Rat Protocol takes one of gaming’s oldest puzzle foundations and builds something more engaging around it than its modest appearance initially suggests. Developed by Pufferfish Digital and published by Eastasiasoft, it casts players as an ordinary laboratory rat whose intelligence has been dramatically enhanced by a scientific experiment. That setup provides a surprisingly cohesive framework for what could otherwise have been a straightforward sequence of standalone block-pushing puzzles, with short scenes between stages gradually developing the relationship between the observing scientists while giving narrative context to each new experimental obstacle. It’s never a story-heavy experience, but the extra personality helps the progression feel purposeful instead of simply moving from one abstract challenge to the next. Continue reading “Rat Protocol review (PS5)”
Deathbulge: Battle of the Bands review (PS5)
Deathbulge: Battle of the Bands immediately stands out from the crowded RPG landscape by refusing to take itself seriously, yet it never treats its mechanics with the same irreverence. Developed by Deathbulge and published by Deathbulge alongside Five Houses, this PlayStation 5 release follows three struggling musicians who accidentally sign themselves into a supernatural battle of the bands where musical talent becomes literal weaponry. What begins as an amusing premise quickly grows into an adventure filled with bizarre locations, memorable personalities and surprisingly heartfelt moments, balancing absurd comedy with genuine stakes in a way that largely succeeds. Continue reading “Deathbulge: Battle of the Bands review (PS5)”
Monopoly: Star Wars Heroes vs. Villains review (PS5)
Monopoly has never struggled to create memorable game nights, although not always for the right reasons. Long matches, inevitable arguments, and drawn-out endings have become just as much a part of its identity as buying properties and collecting rent. Monopoly: Star Wars Heroes vs. Villains takes that familiar foundation and reshapes it into something designed specifically for videogames, replacing the traditional race toward bankruptcy with a faster, team-oriented battle for Influence Points. Developed by Behaviour Interactive and published by Ubisoft, this PlayStation 5 adaptation doesn’t abandon the spirit of Monopoly, but it does make a genuine effort to modernize the formula through Star Wars-themed abilities, objective-based gameplay, and cooperative strategy. Continue reading “Monopoly: Star Wars Heroes vs. Villains review (PS5)”
Abyssus review (PS5)
Published by The Arcade Crew and Dotemu and developed by DoubleMoose Games, Abyssus takes the familiar formula of the roguelite first-person shooter and sends it deep beneath the ocean in search of a distinctive identity. Set in a mysterious underwater civilization powered by the strange energy source known as brine, the game casts players as Brinehunters exploring a forgotten world filled with corrupted inhabitants, ancient technology, and dangerous secrets. The narrative largely exists as a framework for the action rather than a driving force, with environmental details and scattered notes offering glimpses into the world without ever fully developing its mythology. The setting itself does much of the heavy lifting, creating an appealing brinepunk atmosphere that blends submerged ruins, strange creatures, and a sense of discovery that keeps the descent interesting.