Press Play Media

Developed by Francis Coulombe and published by Devolver Digital, Look Outside is an unusual blend of survival horror and turn-based RPG that manages to make an ordinary apartment building feel like one of the most unsettling places imaginable. The premise is straightforward but effective: something mysterious has appeared in the sky, and anyone unfortunate enough to look outside has transformed into a grotesque creature. Playing as Sam, a seemingly ordinary resident, players must survive the next fifteen days while trying to understand what has happened to the world. With the building becoming increasingly populated by mutated former residents, strange visitors and other horrors, finding a way to stay alive is only part of the challenge. The mystery surrounding the incident is best experienced firsthand, and the game does a good job of keeping its revelations unpredictable without relying entirely on conventional horror tropes. Continue reading “Look Outside review (PS5)”

Published by Digital Pajamas and Behaviour Interactive, and developed by WDR Studios, Terrible Lizards is a first-person horror adventure that combines dinosaur-themed creature horror with fast-paced parkour. Set in 1992, it follows Jordan, a college student traveling along Route 66 whose car breaks down near Dalton’s Dinos, a kitschy roadside dinosaur attraction in the New Mexico desert. With no immediate help available, he decides to explore the seemingly abandoned attraction, only to discover that its exhibits hide something considerably more dangerous than dusty fossils and malfunctioning animatronics. It’s an intriguing setup that initially suggests familiar mascot horror territory, but the story gradually develops into something more elaborate and entertaining than that first impression might suggest. Continue reading “Terrible Lizards review (PS5)”

Primal Planet, published by Pretty Soon and developed by solo developer Seethingswarm, is an interesting combination of Metroidvania, action platforming and survival gameplay. Set on a prehistoric world where humans and dinosaurs coexist, the game follows an unnamed caveman whose peaceful family life is shattered when a Tyrannosaurus Rex attack separates him from his loved ones. What initially appears to be a straightforward journey to reunite the family soon develops into something considerably stranger, as hostile tribes and an unexpected alien invasion complicate matters. It is an unusual premise, but one that gives the adventure a distinctive identity, particularly because the story is told almost entirely without dialogue. Instead, expressive character animations, environmental storytelling and carefully staged sequences communicate the events and emotions. This approach works remarkably well, creating some genuinely touching and occasionally surprising moments. Unfortunately, much of the narrative momentum is concentrated towards the beginning and end of the adventure, leaving the middle portion feeling somewhat underdeveloped. Continue reading “Primal Planet review (PS5)”

PAYDAY: Aces High is a new VR-focused entry in the popular heist franchise, putting players in the shoes of four criminals collectively known as The Aces. After being framed and sent to prison by wealthy businessman Warren Jupiter, the group escapes and sets out to dismantle his empire by robbing banks, museums, and other high-security locations. Developed and published by Fast Travel Games, the game takes the familiar cooperative heist formula and rebuilds it around virtual reality, with an emphasis on physical interactions, weapon handling, and teamwork. The narrative itself is fairly straightforward, serving primarily as a reason to bring the crew together for another series of increasingly ambitious robberies. There isn’t much depth to the revenge plot, but the four protagonists have distinct identities, and the voice acting helps bring the relatively simple story to life without getting in the way of the actual heisting. Continue reading “PAYDAY: Aces High review (Quest/PC)”