Press Play Media

Developed by Thekla, Inc. and published by Arc Games and Gamirror Games, Order of the Sinking Star is a puzzle adventure from Jonathan Blow, the designer behind Braid and The Witness. Its ambition is immediately apparent in a campaign built around four distinct worlds, a growing collection of interlocking mechanics and more than a thousand puzzles. Rather than simply offering an enormous collection of isolated brainteasers, the game gradually constructs a connected system in which knowledge acquired in one area can transform the way another is approached. This makes for an experience capable of delivering some remarkable moments of discovery, although its sheer scale and refusal to offer much assistance can also make it an intimidating prospect. Continue reading “Order of the Sinking Star review (PS5)”

Developed and published by Gameloft, Bluey’s Happy Snaps takes the beloved Australian animated series into a relaxed photographic adventure that encourages curiosity, creativity and play beyond the screen. Rather than giving Bluey and Bingo an elaborate quest to complete, the game lets them explore familiar locations with their dad’s old instant camera, capturing characters, animals and objects along the way. Each successful photograph adds stickers and other goodies to a scrapbook, gradually turning the sisters’ adventures into a collection of personal memories. It is a straightforward premise, but one that fits the playful spirit of the television series particularly well. The question is whether the photography-focused gameplay can sustain an entire game, or whether its simplicity becomes a limitation. Continue reading “Bluey’s Happy Snaps review (PS5)”

Developed by ASDstudio and published by Antelus Games, Fire and Ashes is a first-person psychological horror game that puts players in the shoes of Henry Gray, a troubled man who wakes up in a blood-filled bathtub inside a psychiatric hospital in 1977. From there, he must navigate a nightmarish combination of abandoned wards, underground laboratories and distorted memories while confronting the horrors surrounding him and the trauma buried in his past. The premise has the makings of an unsettling horror experience, particularly when the game blurs the boundaries between reality and hallucination. Unfortunately, the narrative struggles to make the most of its potential, with much of the backstory and its intended revelations arriving too late to give the preceding journey sufficient weight. Continue reading “Fire and Ashes review (PS5)”

Developed by Bamtang Games and published by Trailmark Games, Warrior Cats: Clans of the Forest brings the world of Erin Hunter’s long-running book series to consoles in the form of a turn-based role-playing game. Players create their own feline protagonist and join one of four clans, embarking on a journey through the wilderness to earn their place among the warriors. With familiar locations, recognizable characters and a mythology built around ancient spirits and prophecies, there is plenty of material to draw from. The game clearly understands the appeal of letting fans inhabit this world themselves, but while its foundations are promising, the finished adventure struggles to make the most of its literary origins. Continue reading “Warrior Cats: Clans of the Forest review (PS5)”

Developed by Nippon Ichi Software and published by NIS America, Village in the Shade takes the familiar farming simulator formula and gives it a decidedly unsettling twist. Set in the secluded Japanese mountain village of Kagatsu, the game initially appears to offer the usual comforts of rural life, with crops to grow, animals to raise and neighbors to befriend. However, a strict set of eight village rules hints at something much darker lurking beneath the picturesque scenery. By combining a substantial farming simulator with supernatural horror inspired by the developer’s Yomawari series, Village in the Shade creates an unusual blend that is considerably more ambitious than its cosy exterior might suggest. Continue reading “Village in the Shade review (PS5)”