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Final Fantasy Resonance, developed by LANCARSE and published by Square Enix for PlayStation 5, takes an unexpected route back to the series’ roots. Rather than introducing an entirely new adventure, it reworks the first story arc of the mobile RPG Final Fantasy Brave Exvius, stripping away its free-to-play and gacha foundations and rebuilding it as a traditional single-player role-playing game. The result is a surprisingly convincing fit for the HD-2D visual style previously associated with games such as Octopath Traveler. With turn-based combat, a world map to explore, airships, crystals, summons and a host of familiar series conventions, Resonance understands what made classic Final Fantasy so appealing. Its greatest achievement is that the nostalgia feels like the foundation of a proper RPG rather than an excuse to recycle old ideas. Continue reading “Final Fantasy Resonance review (PS5)”

Outright Games and developer Casual Brothers return to Dr. Seuss’s beloved Christmas character with The Grinch 2: Saving Christmas, a colorful platform adventure that trades the green grouch’s familiar plans to ruin the festive season for a rather more generous ambition. With a heart that has grown considerably, the Grinch wants to prove to the residents of Who-ville that he has changed, and what better way to do so than by creating the most impressive Christmas tree the town has ever seen? The journey involves collecting ornaments, exploring snowy environments and overcoming obstacles, all while bringing a little extra cheer to the inhabitants. The premise is straightforward and decidedly sweet, making it easy for younger players to follow, although anyone hoping for a particularly funny or emotionally complex story will find little substance beneath the festive exterior. Here, the narrative serves primarily as a pleasant excuse to explore a recognisable Christmas setting rather than the main attraction. Continue reading “The Grinch 2: Saving Christmas review (PS5)”

We Were Here Tomorrow, developed and published by Total Mayhem Games for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S and PC, takes the cooperative puzzle formula that has defined the series since its debut and pushes it further into science-fiction territory. Two explorers find themselves trapped beneath the Antarctic ice before awakening inside the mysterious Norček Industries facility. Under the direction of Kathleen Bowe, they are tasked with continuing the work of a missing research team, but it soon becomes apparent that the organisation has secrets of its own. The story provides a reason to explore the facility, although its mysteries are more effective at establishing an intriguing atmosphere than delivering a consistently compelling narrative. The dialogue can feel disconnected from the puzzles, and the characters and their motivations rarely develop enough to make the overarching mystery as engaging as the gameplay itself. Fortunately, the story does not need to carry the entire experience, because the partnership between the two players is where the game finds its real strength. Continue reading “We Were Here Tomorrow review (PS5/XBOX/PC)”

Developed and published by Keen Games, Enshrouded has spent more than two and a half years in Early Access on PC before reaching its full release, bringing its ambitious survival RPG to PlayStation 5. Set in the fallen fantasy kingdom of Embervale, the game combines exploration, crafting, action-oriented combat and extensive building tools into an adventure about reclaiming a world consumed by a deadly mist known as the Shroud. Its premise is familiar territory for the genre, but the way its different systems feed into one another gives the adventure a stronger sense of purpose than a simple cycle of gathering resources and upgrading equipment. The result is an appealing proposition for players who want the freedom of a survival sandbox without having to invent every objective themselves. Continue reading “Enshrouded review (PS5)”

Beyond the Dark: Nightwatch, developed and published by Atlantis Studio, is a Nintendo Switch 2 horror game that attempts something rather different from the usual survival horror experience. Rather than leaving players to face their fears alone, it builds its entire adventure around two people who must work together despite seeing entirely different sides of the same situation. One player explores a mysterious house in first person, while the other monitors its security systems and provides support from a separate screen. It is an inventive use of the Switch 2’s GameShare functionality, and one that recalls some of the more experimental multiplayer ideas we’ve seen over the years. Unfortunately, although the concept has plenty of potential, uneven difficulty and frustrating progression prevent the game from making the most of its unusual premise. Continue reading “Beyond the Dark: Nightwatch review (Switch 2)”