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Escape from Ever After on PlayStation 5 could easily have been another affectionate homage to the RPG classics that inspired it, but instead it emerges as a fully formed adventure with its own distinct identity. The premise – placing a fairytale hero into a storybook world subverted by corporate greed – could have been a slick gimmick, yet the game uses it to fuel both its narrative and its thematic depth, blending satire, humor, and genuine character moments into its unfolding plot. Continue reading “Escape from Ever After review (PS5)”

As publishers continue to breathe new life into smaller titles and overlooked gems through fresh ports, this latest wave of releases highlights just how varied that second chance can be. From bite-sized retro-inspired platforming collections finding a home on Switch, to culturally rooted horror making its console debut on PS5, and cozy, physics-driven creativity stepping into virtual reality on PSVR2, each of these games brings something distinct to new audiences. Some benefit greatly from their transition, while others reveal the growing pains that can come with new hardware and control schemes, but together they paint a compelling picture of how ports can both preserve experiences and reshape them. Continue reading “Port roundup: Toree’s 3D Platformer Collection, Apartment No 129 & Umami Grove”

From the moment Maria’s mundane apartment life is violently interrupted by a broadcast about an outbreak and she heads toward a desolate USSR village, Ebola Village signals its intention to wear its influences on its sleeve. This PlayStation 5 release from Axyos Games trades in the polished tension of genre benchmarks for an unvarnished throwback to ’90s survival horror, embracing claustrophobic spaces, limited resources, and an almost tactile dread of what might lurch from the shadows. The narrative setup has undeniable genre pedigree, and for a time the oppressive sense of isolation works in its favor, making each abandoned shack and overgrown path feel like a threat waiting to pounce. That said, the underlying story often feels thin and undercooked, with character moments and plot beats that don’t cohere into something as compelling as its premise deserves. Continue reading “Ebola Village review (PS5)”

Dragon Quest VII Reimagined is Square Enix’s ambitious reimagining of one of its most sprawling classic RPGs, and it arrives on PlayStation 5 with a surprising blend of reverence and reinvention. The journey begins humbly on the peaceful isle of Estard, where a young fisherman’s son and his friends soon find themselves unraveling ancient mysteries and restoring forgotten lands. What could have been an exercise in nostalgic retreading instead feels like a thoughtful resurrection: familiar bones clad in fresh narrative muscle and modern polish. Continue reading “Dragon Quest VII Reimagined review (PS5)”

From the moment Code Vein II strides out of the shadows of its 2019 predecessor, it feels like a game eager to expand both its world and its identity – for better and worse. Bandai Namco’s sequel pushes beyond the narrower corridors of the original into a broader, more narratively ambitious terrain where time itself becomes a mechanic and thematic driver. The premise, anchored on a Revenant Hunter’s desperate bid to prevent a second apocalypse by altering events across two timelines, sets the stage for a story that occasionally reaches for emotional depth and character stakes seldom seen in the genre. This ambition is palpable: story beats strive toward resonance through repeated encounters and shifting revelations, and the interplay among its cast of revenants can feel genuinely human at times. However, that same narrative apparatus sometimes becomes self-indulgent at times, with dialogue and exposition that overstay their welcome and scenes that feel padded rather than purposeful. Continue reading “Code Vein II review (PS5)”