Strategy games can be intimidating affairs, often demanding hours of investment, extensive micromanagement and a willingness to keep track of countless variables. Thronefall, developed by GrizzlyGames and published by Mythwright, takes a considerably more approachable route. Originally released on other platforms two years ago, this minimalist strategy and tower defense hybrid has now made its way to PlayStation 5, bringing its compact kingdom-building formula to a new audience. Its premise is straightforward: establish a small kingdom during the day and defend it against increasingly dangerous enemy attacks at night. What makes the concept work so well is how much strategic decision-making GrizzlyGames manages to squeeze into such an uncomplicated framework. Continue reading “Thronefall review (PS5)”
Sword of the Sea review (Xbox)
Developed and published by Giant Squid, Sword of the Sea is an atmospheric adventure that puts movement, exploration and artistic expression ahead of traditional gameplay challenges. Players take control of the mysterious Wraith, a spectral figure who awakens in a desolate world known as the Necropolis. Their mission is to restore an ancient ocean buried beneath the sands, gradually bringing life back to a world that has seemingly forgotten what it once was. The narrative is deliberately cryptic, with fragments of information scattered throughout the environments in the form of ancient inscriptions, murals and remnants of a lost civilization. There is an intriguing sense of mystery to the journey, but the storytelling rarely develops beyond these scattered suggestions. Although the underlying themes of restoration and rebirth provide an appealing foundation, the lack of narrative depth makes it difficult to form a particularly strong emotional connection with the world or its inhabitants. Continue reading “Sword of the Sea review (Xbox)”
Duck Side of the Moon review (PS5)
There are plenty of games about exploring strange planets and venturing into the unknown, but not all of them feature an overworked duck astronaut trying to find a place to call home. Developed and published by Starbrew Games, Duck Side of the Moon takes a rather unusual premise and turns it into a charming little adventure that combines exploration, platforming, crafting and puzzle-solving. Playing as Doug, a duck whose spaceship crash-lands in an unfamiliar corner of the galaxy, players are invited to explore their surroundings, meet the peculiar inhabitants and gradually turn an unfortunate accident into something of a fresh start. Beneath its playful exterior, however, there is a surprisingly warm story about finding a sense of belonging and learning that sometimes an unexpected change of direction can be exactly what you need. Continue reading “Duck Side of the Moon review (PS5)”
Crimson Desert Enhanced: Charting the Unknown review
Despite being received very well earlier this year, Pearl Abyss wasn’t satisfied with the already enormous world of Crimson Desert, as Charting the Unknown takes the open-world adventure in several new directions. This expansion adds a substantial amount of content, with the biggest addition being an entirely new maritime dimension that allows players to explore the seas surrounding Pywel. New islands, shipbuilding, naval combat, underwater exploration, additional character storylines and expanded opportunities to build a virtual life are all part of the package. There is certainly no shortage of things to discover, although the sheer amount of additional systems also highlights some of the shortcomings that have been present in the original game. Charting the Unknown is an ambitious expansion that makes an already massive adventure even bigger, but not necessarily more accessible. Continue reading “Crimson Desert Enhanced: Charting the Unknown review”
Fangtopia review (PS5)
Published by Secret Mode and developed by Absolutely Games, Fangtopia is a tile-laying puzzle game that trades traditional Halloween scares for a charming little world inhabited by monsters, ghosts and other peculiar creatures. Available on PlayStation 5, the game invites players to build their own spooky kingdom by connecting different landscapes, completing objectives and gradually expanding their collection of landmarks and inhabitants. Its premise is relatively straightforward, but there is something immediately appealing about the idea of creating a cozy little monster paradise. Rather than presenting an elaborate story or a traditional city-building experience, Fangtopia focuses entirely on the satisfaction of constructing an increasingly elaborate world, one tile at a time. Continue reading “Fangtopia review (PS5)”