Red Candle Games built its reputation on psychological horror, but Nine Sols proves the Taiwanese studio is just as capable of delivering tense action as it is existential dread. Arriving now in a new physical PlayStation 5 edition distributed by U&I Entertainment and Fangamer, the game finally gets the kind of collector-focused release its artistic ambition deserves. Between the included manual, the double-sided art cards and the striking box presentation, this physical edition feels designed for players who see standout indie releases as worth preserving on a shelf rather than disappearing into a digital backlog. More importantly, it gives renewed attention to one of the strongest and most distinctive metroidvanias of the past few years. Continue reading “Nine Sols – Physical Release review (PS5)”
Smash it Wild: Tactical Volleyball Roguelike review (PS5)
There is something immediately appealing about the absurdity of Smash it Wild: Tactical Volleyball Roguelike. Goblinz Publishing and Ernestine take the framework of a fantasy sports tournament and twist it into a hybrid of volleyball, dodgeball, tactical RPG combat, and roguelike progression, resulting in a game that feels genuinely unusual in today’s indie landscape. Beneath its colourful cast of animal competitors and breezy sailpunk presentation lies a surprisingly demanding strategy game where positioning, momentum, and calculated risk-taking matter far more than quick reflexes. It is an inventive premise that largely succeeds because the developers commit fully to the blend rather than treating the sports angle as a novelty gimmick. Continue reading “Smash it Wild: Tactical Volleyball Roguelike review (PS5)”
Port roundup: Drop Duchy, Söldner-X 2: Final Prototype, Floor 9 & Tiny Lands 2
There’s always something fascinating about seeing niche indie concepts and genre favorites finding new life on modern platforms, and this latest wave of ports highlights just how diverse that landscape has become. From the inventive puzzle-strategy hybrid design of Drop Duchy to the arcade intensity of Söldner-X 2: Final Prototype Definitive Edition, these releases cover a surprisingly broad spectrum of experiences despite all arriving through the same pipeline of platform migration. Elsewhere, atmospheric anomaly hunting in Floor 9 and the calming observational puzzles of Tiny Lands 2 show how smaller-scale games continue carving out dedicated audiences through focused concepts rather than sheer spectacle. Some of these ports arrive with rough edges intact, while others benefit greatly from their transition to new hardware. Continue reading “Port roundup: Drop Duchy, Söldner-X 2: Final Prototype, Floor 9 & Tiny Lands 2”
Elementallis review (PS5)
Elementallis wears its inspirations openly, channeling the spirit of classic top-down Zelda adventures while trying to carve out an identity of its own through elemental abilities, exploration-heavy progression, and a surprisingly introspective narrative core. Developed by AnKae Games and published by Top Hat Studios, the game follows a protagonist burdened by guilt after the world’s elemental balance has spiraled out of control. That emotional framing gives the adventure a little more thematic weight than many retro-inspired action RPGs manage, even if the storytelling itself remains fairly understated throughout much of the campaign. The world-building and environmental storytelling do a solid job of carrying the atmosphere, though some of the dialogue and character interactions can feel simplistic compared to the more ambitious ideas the game hints at beneath the surface. Continue reading “Elementallis review (PS5)”
MOTORSLICE review (PS5)
There’s a fascinating sense of confidence running through MOTORSLICE. Regular Studio’s debut pulls obvious inspiration from games like Mirror’s Edge, NieR: Automata and Shadow of the Colossus, yet it rarely feels like a hollow imitation of those influences. Instead, the PS5 release turns those familiar ingredients into something with its own identity: a fast-paced parkour action game set inside an oppressive industrial megastructure where a chainsaw doubles as both a weapon and traversal tool. Playing as veteran “Slicer” P, players are tasked with hunting rogue machines deep inside a brutalist labyrinth that grows increasingly hostile the further the journey progresses. The premise itself is intentionally minimalist, but the strange atmosphere and the chemistry between P and her floating drone companion Orbie help carry the experience through quieter stretches. Continue reading “MOTORSLICE review (PS5)”