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Silver Pines is a survival horror game that feels like a lost relic from the 1990s, both in its approach to gameplay and its fascination with strange, unsettling stories. Developed by Wych Elm and published by Team17, it follows private investigator Red Walker as he searches for missing musician Eddie Velvet in a remote American town on the verge of a devastating storm. What initially seems like a straightforward missing-person investigation soon descends into something far more disturbing, with peculiar inhabitants, unexplained phenomena and monstrous creatures lurking around almost every corner. Its influences are hardly subtle, particularly when it comes to David Lynch’s Twin Peaks, but the combination of psychological horror, resource management and interconnected exploration gives Silver Pines a compelling identity of its own. Continue reading “Silver Pines review (PS5)”

Valor Mortis takes the familiar foundations of the soulslike genre and transports them to an unsettling reimagining of Napoleonic Europe. Developed by One More Level, the studio behind Ghostrunner, and published by Lyrical Games and One More Level, this action RPG trades traditional third-person combat for a first-person perspective, putting players directly in the path of grotesque enemies and their deadly attacks. It is an intriguing combination of historical horror, demanding swordplay and acrobatic traversal, although its willingness to follow established genre conventions sometimes holds it back from reaching its full potential. Continue reading “Valor Mortis review (PS5)”

Alpha Nomos is a rhythm-action roguelite from RibCage Games that makes music the foundation of its combat rather than merely the soundtrack to the action. Players take control of Cello, a puppet-like clown exploring a devastated world overrun by hostile toys and other corrupted creations, hoping to reunite with her missing friends and uncover what happened to her surroundings. The premise has potential, particularly thanks to its unusual visual identity, but it is the combination of rhythmic inputs, weapon-based combat and roguelite progression that defines the experience. When everything falls into place, Alpha Nomos offers an entertaining alternative to conventional action games. Unfortunately, uneven difficulty, repetitive encounters and a relatively thin narrative prevent it from consistently hitting the right notes. Continue reading “Alpha Nomos review (PS5)”

Ratatan is a spiritual successor to Patapon, bringing back the rhythm-based army command gameplay that made the PSP series stand out while introducing a more action-oriented combat system and roguelite progression. Developed by TVT Co. Ltd. and Ratata Arts and published by Game Source Entertainment, the game follows a group of peculiar creatures on a quest to reach the Everafter and meet the Goddess. Its colorful presentation and infectious music provide a familiar foundation, but the decision to combine rhythmic commands with direct character control changes the experience considerably. The result is an appealing, occasionally frustrating adventure that finds some interesting ways to expand its inspiration without always getting the balance right. Continue reading “Ratatan review (PS5)”