Press Play Media

Truxton has been absent for decades, but Truxton Extreme proves that some arcade legends don’t need to reinvent themselves to feel relevant again. Instead, Tatsujin modernizes the classic vertical shooter formula with fully 3D visuals, a few smart gameplay additions and enough content to make this more than a straightforward nostalgia trip. While the story exists primarily to frame the action, it does add more personality than many shoot ’em ups attempt, following three volunteer pilots who sacrifice their humanity to become cybernetic defenders against an alien invasion. Comic-style storytelling and localized dialogue give each protagonist their own motivation, even if the narrative ultimately serves as a brief intermission between explosive battles rather than the main attraction. The only real drawback is that progression through the campaign can feel unnecessarily restrictive, requiring chapters to be completed in a specific order before the full story opens up. Continue reading “Truxton Extreme review (PS5)”

Brave Escape joins a growing list of cooperative games that refuse to let players rely on individual skill alone. Instead, success depends entirely on communication, trust and timing as two players work together to guide Colin and Floyd through a series of increasingly demanding platforming challenges. The premise itself is deliberately lightweight, serving mainly as an excuse to send the duo through a wide variety of dangerous environments, but it never really needs anything more elaborate. The focus is firmly on cooperation, and the game quickly demonstrates that even straightforward mechanics can become remarkably engaging when every obstacle requires both players to think and act together. Continue reading “Brave Escape review (PS5)”

We have no shortage of retro-inspired shooters these days, but CULTIC manages to stand out by doing more than simply recreating the look of the classics. Its grim tale of a disgraced detective investigating a murderous cult quickly establishes a bleak, oppressive tone as you’re dragged through abandoned facilities, forgotten catacombs and decaying towns overrun by fanatics and supernatural horrors. The narrative remains deliberately understated, relying on environmental storytelling, notes and audio logs rather than lengthy cutscenes. That keeps the focus firmly on the action, although we couldn’t help but feel the story never quite reaches the same level of depth as the atmosphere surrounding it. Continue reading “CULTIC review (PS5)”

Verho – Curse of Faces immediately makes it clear that it isn’t trying to compete with modern first-person RPGs on visual spectacle or accessibility. Instead, Kasur Games embraces a very deliberate throwback to the era of King’s Field and other (niche) late ’90s dungeon crawlers, building a mysterious adventure around a world where exposing one’s face means certain death. The unusual premise, combined with a bleak atmosphere and lore that slowly unfolds through exploration, creates a setting that constantly encourages curiosity, even if parts of the story remain intentionally cryptic. Continue reading “Verho – Curse of Faces review (PS5)”

Farlands takes one of the most familiar premises in gaming – a run-down farm waiting to be restored – and gives it a refreshing science fiction twist. Rather than inheriting a patch of countryside, we purchase an entire neglected planet on the edge of a forgotten solar system, complete with a battered spaceship and an equally worn-down assistance droid. Unsurprisingly, such a bargain comes with hidden complications, and what initially feels like a relaxing fresh start gradually unfolds into a larger conflict that threatens every inhabited world in the system. While the overarching story never overwhelms the cosy farming experience, it provides enough purpose to make expanding the farm and exploring new planets feel like part of a meaningful journey rather than an endless routine. Continue reading “Farlands review (PS5)”