Halloween roundup: Hellbound Inc, Beyond the Evil, Horrorvale, Love: Fall in Death

With Halloween just around the corner, today’s review roundup takes a trip into the darker, stranger, and occasionally downright ridiculous corners of the gaming world. From a delivery company run by Satan and a psychological investigation into a sinister mystery to a lengthy RPG adventure populated by classic horror creatures and an interactive vampire rom-com, there’s plenty of supernatural mischief to explore. Whether players prefer their Halloween entertainment filled with challenging platforming, unsettling mysteries, turn-based battles, or over-the-top B-movie antics, these four PlayStation 5 releases offer very different ways to get into the spooky spirit. Continue reading “Halloween roundup: Hellbound Inc, Beyond the Evil, Horrorvale, Love: Fall in Death”

Thanks, Light. review (PC)

There is something inherently appealing about a puzzle game that takes an everyday concept and turns it into an entirely new way of interacting with the world. In Thanks, Light., South Korean developer Lightersgames does precisely that by making light and shadows the foundation of its gameplay. What initially appears to be a relatively straightforward first-person puzzle platformer gradually reveals a more elaborate system in which the physical properties of the environment can be manipulated to overcome obstacles. The concept immediately brings to mind games such as Portal and Superliminal, but Thanks, Light. establishes its own identity through its particular approach to spatial manipulation. We previously had the opportunity to meet the developers in person during Gamescom 2025, where we went hands-on with a substantial demo. Even at that stage, the game showed considerable potential, and the finished experience builds upon many of the ideas that made that early impression so promising. Continue reading “Thanks, Light. review (PC)”

Ranger’s Path: National Park Simulator review (PS5)

There is something appealing about the idea of leaving the hustle and bustle of everyday life behind and spending time surrounded by nature. Ranger’s Path: National Park Simulator taps into that fantasy by putting players in charge of the day-to-day responsibilities of a park ranger at Faremont National Park. Rather than focusing on action or survival, the game revolves around maintaining the park, looking after its wildlife and making sure visitors follow the rules. It is an unusual premise for a simulator, and one that offers a welcome change from the countless construction, farming and vehicle-based experiences available on the market. More importantly, there is a certain satisfaction in seeing the results of the work put into keeping the park in good condition. However, while the concept provides a solid foundation, the execution does not always manage to maintain the same level of interest throughout. Continue reading “Ranger’s Path: National Park Simulator review (PS5)”

Planted! review (PS5)

Gardening is usually associated with patience, peaceful surroundings and the satisfaction of watching something grow. Planted! takes a rather different approach, turning horticulture into a competitive sport where stealing someone else’s vegetables is perfectly acceptable and throwing a giant watermelon at their head is just another part of the competition. Developed by Cloth Cat Games, this unusual party game combines farming mechanics with competitive multiplayer action, challenging players to grow the most valuable crops while sabotaging everyone around them. It’s an entertaining idea with plenty of potential for chaotic encounters, although the execution doesn’t always produce the satisfying experience it aims for. Continue reading “Planted! review (PS5)”

Croc 2: Kingdom of the Gobbos review (PS5)

Croc’s return continues with Croc 2: Kingdom of the Gobbos, bringing another chapter from the PlayStation era back to modern consoles. Originally released in 1999, the sequel builds on the foundations of Croc: Legend of the Gobbos, giving the little green crocodile a more substantial adventure with new locations, additional gameplay mechanics and a greater emphasis on exploration. This time, Croc discovers a message in a bottle revealing that his biological parents are looking for him, prompting him to leave Gobbo Valley and travel across the mainland. Unfortunately, his journey is complicated by the return of Baron Dante, who has been resurrected and is once again determined to make life difficult for Croc and his Gobbo friends. The premise gives the adventure a more personal motivation than its predecessor, although the narrative remains relatively straightforward. Much of the storytelling happens through interactions with the Gobbos, who provide information about their problems and point Croc towards new missions. Their personalities and amusing little mannerisms give the world some welcome charm, even if the story rarely develops beyond the familiar good-versus-evil platforming formula. Continue reading “Croc 2: Kingdom of the Gobbos review (PS5)”