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Bleakmill’s original Industria earned a bit of a cult following, partly because of its atmosphere and potential rather than its execution. It was short, a bit rough around the edges, and clearly inspired by classics like Half-Life 2, but its bleak alternate-world setting and melancholic storytelling left an impression that lingered well beyond its runtime. Industria 2 returns to that same machine-dominated parallel dimension several years later, with Nora still trapped in a world consumed by the AI system known as ATLAS. The sequel clearly aims higher than its predecessor, expanding the narrative scope and layering survival mechanics onto the formula, but it also struggles under the weight of its own ambitions. Continue reading “Industria 2 review (PC)”

NITRO GEN OMEGA immediately stands out through sheer personality. DESTINYbit’s tactical RPG takes familiar mecha anime inspirations and filters them through a dusty post-apocalyptic road-trip structure where survival feels just as important as combat itself. Humanity’s collapse under the weight of rogue machines provides the backdrop, but the game’s real focus lies with the dysfunctional mercenary crews trying to carve out a living above the wasteland. Rather than leaning heavily into dense lore dumps or melodrama, the narrative unfolds gradually through smaller character interactions aboard the airship, giving the experience a more personal and grounded tone. That slower approach works surprisingly well for worldbuilding, although the broader storyline sometimes lacks the momentum needed to make the larger conflict feel truly urgent. The overarching narrative can feel underdeveloped compared to the strength of the game’s systems and atmosphere. Continue reading “NITRO GEN OMEGA review (PS5)”

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)”

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)”