Castlevania: Belmont’s Curse marks a welcome return to the traditional 2D adventures that helped establish Konami’s vampire-hunting franchise as one of gaming’s defining names. Developed by Evil Empire, with Motion Twin also involved, the game arrives with considerable expectations, particularly after the lengthy absence of a new mainline-style 2D entry. Set in a burning Paris in 1499, this latest adventure combines familiar Gothic horror with more agile movement and modern action-platforming mechanics. The result is an enjoyable revival that understands much of what makes Castlevania special, even if some of its ideas fall short of the series’ best. Continue reading “Castlevania: Belmont’s Curse review (PS5)”
Echo Weaver review (PS5)
Echo Weaver takes the familiar Metroidvania formula and turns it into something far more dependent on the player’s own understanding than on the protagonist’s growing abilities. Developed by Moonlight Kids and published by Akupara Games, this science-fiction adventure follows a Weaver who wakes up in an unfamiliar place with little knowledge of their identity or the disaster that has left the world in ruins. An unusual companion, a ghostly cat with a penchant for pizza and irreverent commentary, provides some company as the player begins piecing together what happened. However, the real hook is the game’s approach to progression: rather than collecting a succession of upgrades, players gradually discover how to use abilities that were available from the beginning. Combined with a repeating time loop, this makes Echo Weaver a refreshing variation on a genre that can sometimes feel overly familiar, although its insistence on letting players figure things out for themselves can also test their patience. Continue reading “Echo Weaver review (PS5)”
Dragon’s Dogma 2: Dark Arisen review (PS5)
Capcom’s Dragon’s Dogma 2 was already an excellent action RPG in several respects, but its uneven storytelling, limited enemy variety and endgame progression left room for improvement. Dragon’s Dogma 2: Dark Arisen addresses some of those shortcomings with a substantial new region, a fresh storyline, additional equipment and a series of demanding dungeon challenges. Rather than simply offering another handful of quests, the expansion attempts to give experienced Arisen a compelling reason to return to the world. Its strongest additions make exploration and character progression feel worthwhile again, although some familiar weaknesses remain, and the changes to difficulty are not always particularly elegant. Continue reading “Dragon’s Dogma 2: Dark Arisen review (PS5)”
Deck of Haunts review (PS5)
Deck of Haunts turns the traditional haunted house horror story on its head by putting players in control of the building rather than the unfortunate souls exploring it. Developed by Mantis and published by DANGEN, this strategy game combines deckbuilding, house construction and roguelike progression, challenging players to become the nightmare lurking behind every creaking door. The premise immediately stands out, offering a welcome change from the familiar routine of surviving supernatural encounters. Unfortunately, while the idea provides an excellent foundation, the execution does not always do it justice. There is plenty of satisfaction to be found in designing a deadly maze and manipulating its visitors, but the experience sometimes feels more like a management puzzle with a spooky exterior than a genuinely unsettling horror game. Continue reading “Deck of Haunts review (PS5)”
Echoes of Mora review (PC/PCVR)
Echoes of Mora is a first-person narrative adventure that takes players beneath the surface of a flooded Italian village, where a missing boy and the community’s dark folklore form the centre of a mystery spanning two timelines. Developed and published by Selkies Interactive, the game combines underwater exploration with environmental puzzles and a story about family, belonging and the consequences of a community’s prejudices. Rather than turning its submerged setting into a survival challenge, the game focuses on discovery, allowing players to investigate at their own pace. It is an appealing approach for a smaller narrative adventure, although its limited gameplay depth and short runtime mean that the experience relies heavily on the strength of its storytelling. Continue reading “Echoes of Mora review (PC/PCVR)”