Five years after Something We Made turned photography into the basis for a wonderfully laid-back adventure, TOEM 2 returns with another journey built around observing the world rather than rushing through it. Published by Popagenda and reviewed here on PlayStation 5, the sequel once again follows a young photographer travelling from one quirky location to another in search of a mysterious TOEM phenomenon. Along the way, the camera becomes the key to solving problems for locals, documenting wildlife and uncovering the little details hidden throughout each environment. The formula is immediately familiar, but that is hardly a problem when the appeal lies precisely in taking things slowly and enjoying the journey. Continue reading “TOEM 2 review (PS5)”
Appulse preview (Gamescom)
There is certainly no shortage of roguelites on PC, but every now and then a game comes along with a concept that immediately makes it stand out from the crowd. Appulse is one such game, combining the familiar mechanics of pinball with top-down shooting and roguelite progression. Developed by Le Rado and published by Raw Fury, the game puts players in control of a ball-like combat unit that has to bounce, shoot and ricochet its way through hostile spaceships. After getting some hands-on time with the PC version at Gamescom, it is clear that this unusual combination is more intuitive than it might initially sound, while also leaving plenty of room for deeper mechanics to emerge in the full game. Continue reading “Appulse preview (Gamescom)”
Princess of the Water Lilies review (PS5)
Princess of the Water Lilies looks like the sort of game that could be enjoyed with a cup of tea and very little stress. Its hand-painted environments, adorable kitten protagonist and gentle presentation immediately suggest a cosy puzzle-platformer aimed at players looking for a relaxed adventure. That impression is only partly correct, however. Beneath the storybook presentation lies a surprisingly demanding platformer in which precise movement, pattern recognition and patience become increasingly important, particularly once the boss encounters start appearing. The result is a charming but somewhat contradictory experience that can be wonderfully atmospheric one moment and unexpectedly punishing the next. Continue reading “Princess of the Water Lilies review (PS5)”
Armatus preview (Gamescom)
The end of the world has come, Paris has been overrun by demons, and apparently the best response is to send an immortal warrior into the ruins armed with a gun, a scythe and a healthy collection of supernatural powers. That is the suitably over-the-top premise behind Armatus, a third-person roguelite shooter from Counterplay Games and publisher Fictions. Having now spent some hands-on time with the PC version, there is a solid action foundation here, although the eventual success of the game will depend heavily on how much variety and depth Counterplay can build around that foundation. Continue reading “Armatus preview (Gamescom)”
BrokenLore: DON’T LIE review (PS5)
BrokenLore: DON’T LIE is another short psychological horror experience from Serafini Productions, this time putting players in the shoes of Junko, a young woman who has withdrawn almost completely from society. Her apartment initially serves as both sanctuary and prison, but that sense of security quickly disappears when strange visitors, distorted memories and increasingly unsettling visions begin to intrude on her carefully controlled existence. The game is clearly more interested in psychological unease than conventional horror, using Junko’s unreliable perception to keep players questioning what is actually happening. That approach works particularly well when the story deals with her isolation, past experiences and dependence on Fantasy Boy and Miki-chan, although the deliberately ambiguous storytelling can also leave the narrative feeling somewhat underexplained by the time the short campaign reaches its conclusion. Continue reading “BrokenLore: DON’T LIE review (PS5)”