We’re checking out three very different new releases today, with Stardiver, the new Mars Gardens DLC for Walkabout Mini Golf and Melobot – A Last Song. All explore interesting worlds in their own unique way, and here are our reviews.
Stardiver review (PC)
Stardiver is a unique underwater adventure, combining exploration, ship combat, and resource management. Set in a sci-fi world beneath the waves, players navigate through an expansive aquatic environment filled with both beauty and danger. The game’s setting is visually appealing, with vibrant flora and ancient ruins providing a sense of discovery, but danger comes in the form of lurking monsters and enemy ships, which keep the action engaging. In a way, it’s an engaging mix of deep space games like X and underwater titles like Aquanox – and it works.
The game’s combat is fast-paced and thrilling, offering a mix of small skirmishes and larger, more strategic encounters. However, the need to gather resources for crafting can sometimes feel repetitive, slowing down the gameplay. Crafting and resource management are essential for upgrading your ship and surviving the more challenging battles, but the constant grind can feel like a chore at times – especially if you’re looking for a narrative-driven underwater adventure.
Exploration is one of Stardiver’s highlights, encouraging players to uncover new species and environments. However, the mission structure could use more variety to keep things fresh. The game shines in its sense of freedom, but after a while, the tasks can feel a bit repetitive, especially as you juggle mining, crafting, and combat.
While the controls are generally responsive, the underwater movement can feel sluggish, which while probably ‘realistic’ occasionally affects the combat flow. The sound design is decent, with ambient effects that fit the underwater world, though it’s not a standout feature. Overall, Stardiver is a solid experience for fans of exploration and ship combat, and its underwater world looks great, but it could use some refinements to reach its full potential.
Walkabout Mini Golf: Mars Gardens DLC review (Quest)
The Mars Gardens DLC for Walkabout Mini Golf brings a refreshing twist to the game by setting the Mighty Coconut’s latest course inside a bio-dome on Mars. The futuristic setting offers a vibrant mix of oversized crops and lush greenery, contrasting beautifully with the desolate Martian landscape in the distance. The low-gravity environment introduces new challenges, requiring players to adapt their shots to the unique slopes and craters – and while we like new environments, it’s always better when they also introduce new gameplay mechanics like that.
Gameplay in this DLC remains accessible for casual players while providing enough complexity to keep veteran mini-golfers engaged. The level design feels intuitive, though some of the craters can make certain shots feel more unpredictable, adding a learning curve and an extra layer of excitement to each hole. The course layout is well-crafted, creating an enjoyable balance of difficulty and novelty as you explore the bio-dome’s farming areas and beyond.
Visually, Mars Gardens is stunning, with vibrant colors and detailed scenery that immerse players in the Martian colony. The audio design complements this with soothing environmental sounds, creating a tranquil but immersive atmosphere as you navigate the garden-filled terrain. Fans of the series will appreciate this creative and polished addition to Walkabout Mini Golf, which now has two dozen extra courses available for it!
Melobot – A Last Song review (PS5)
Melobot – A Last Song blends elements of adventure, action, and rhythm gaming to deliver an experience that feels charming and surprisingly challenging. As players take control of Melobot, a small musical robot tasked with saving a planet through music, the game’s narrative takes center stage. The story revolves around reviving the planet’s dying flora by recreating melodies, with a heartfelt focus on exploration and discovery. The emotional depth of the story is a standout feature, although it can be paced a little uneven as you move between vibrant landscapes and musical puzzles.
Gameplay centers on rhythm-based mechanics that require precision and timing. Melobot’s duels with powerful guardians act as climactic moments, testing players’ abilities to master various musical instruments. While the concept of using music as a weapon is engaging, the difficulty spikes in these duels can be frustrating, especially for those unfamiliar with rhythm games or with a poor sense of rhythm. The game offers a range of difficulty settings, but even on easier levels, some of the rhythmic challenges can feel quite challenging.
Visually, the game is lovely. The environments are heavily inspired by the art styles of Pixar and Ghibli, offering impressive dreamscapes filled with colorful biomes and intricate details. The landscapes are not just eye candy either, as they also hide secrets that players are encouraged to find. The audio design complements the visuals well, with a score that blends seamlessly with the rhythm-based gameplay. However, the melodies you must recreate might start to feel a bit repetitive after a while.
Looking past its narrative depth and beautiful presentation, Melobot – A Last Song’s controls can feel slightly sluggish at times, especially during intense duels, but this is a relatively minor issue. Nonetheless, for those who enjoy rhythm games and a heartfelt story, Melobot offers an emotional, visually captivating journey that rewards patience and perseverance.
Press Play Media 