Warhammer Age of Sigmar: Deathmaster takes one of the franchise’s more distinctive factions and puts it firmly in the spotlight. Rather than controlling a heroic warrior charging into battle, players step into the fur-covered paws of Vihneek, a Skaven assassin who survives by being faster, sneakier and considerably less interested in fighting fair. The result is a 2D stealth-action platformer that combines assassination, environmental puzzles and unusual movement options, and after spending some hands-on time with the game during Gamescom, it already feels like a particularly fitting way to explore the grimy underworld of the Skaven. Continue reading “Warhammer Age of Sigmar: Deathmaster preview (Gamescom)”
SPRAWL zero review (PS5)
SPRAWL zero is an interesting evolution of MAETH’s approach to the old-school first-person shooter. Rather than simply recreating the parkour-heavy formula of 2023’s SPRAWL, this prequel takes its inspiration from another corner of the genre’s history, looking back to the faster, more grounded shooters of the 2000s. That change of direction works surprisingly well, largely because the game finds its own mechanical identity instead of relying purely on nostalgia. Its cyberpunk setting, retro-inspired presentation and straightforward premise provide the framework, but it is the unusual combination of disposable weapons, gravity-based abilities and relentless combat that makes SPRAWL zero more than a period piece. Continue reading “SPRAWL zero review (PS5)”
Dragon Ball Xenoverse 3 preview (Gamescom
Dragon Ball Xenoverse 3 has a difficult balancing act ahead of it. The previous game has had an unusually long lifespan, receiving years of additional content, so a sequel arriving a decade later needs to feel like more than simply another collection of missions and familiar characters. After getting hands-on time with the PlayStation 5 version during Gamescom, however, there are already some interesting changes beneath the familiar Dragon Ball combat formula. The biggest question is whether its new setting and combat systems can give the series enough of a fresh identity to justify the long wait. Continue reading “Dragon Ball Xenoverse 3 preview (Gamescom”
HyperX Cloud Alpha Air review
The HyperX Cloud Alpha Air takes one of the company’s most familiar gaming headset formulas and makes a fairly significant change to it: the earcups on this one are open rather than sealed. That immediately changes the character of the headset, giving game audio more room to breathe and allowing the player to remain more aware of their surroundings. It also makes the Cloud Alpha Air an interesting proposition for anyone who has found conventional gaming headsets too enclosed, although the change comes with some predictable compromises. Most notably, this is a wired headset, and while HyperX has clearly put effort into making the transition between different devices as painless as possible, players who have grown accustomed to wireless freedom will have to adjust. Continue reading “HyperX Cloud Alpha Air review”
Indie roundup: Port of Jumanah, Dimensional Animals & Gladio Mori
This latest batch of indie releases shows just how broadly smaller developers are willing to reinterpret familiar genres. From the underwater roguelite adventures of Port of Jumanah and the compact Metroidvania exploration of Dimensional Animals to the physics-driven gladiatorial combat of Gladio Mori, each game takes a recognizable foundation and gives it a distinct twist. None of the three is without its rough edges, whether that means limited progression, occasionally awkward controls or a deliberately unconventional approach to combat, but all three demonstrate the kind of experimentation and personality that makes keeping an eye on the indie scene worthwhile. Continue reading “Indie roundup: Port of Jumanah, Dimensional Animals & Gladio Mori”