With Smoothcade, O.W.L. Project and Access Denied: Escape, we are checking out three new indie game releases that have come out on various platforms. Read on for the reviews.
Smoothcade review (PS5)
Smoothcade, developed by Joseph J and published by 2Awesome Studio, delivers a colorful and fast-paced classic arcade-style experience on the PlayStation 5. With a premise centered on retrieving a golden blender, the game leans heavily into its quirky charm, offering a mix of very mild puzzle-solving and action-oriented gameplay across 100 handcrafted levels. The cooperative element for up to four players is a standout feature, adding layers of cooperation and hilarity as players work together to clear the screen of fruity critters.
The game’s core mechanic revolves around using cloudies, which are projectiles that trap critters, to progress through levels. The karma system adds a twist, allowing players to swap between Mercy and Mayhem modes, which influences the types of power-ups and bonuses they receive. While the system is innovative, it can sometimes feel underutilized, particularly in early stages where its potential is less apparent and it doesn’t make much of a difference. Controls are responsive and accessible, with auto-attack options and other settings making the game suitable for a wide audience, though navigating the more chaotic levels can occasionally be overwhelming.
Visually, Smoothcade is a joyful delight, with vibrant colors and playful character designs that enhance its lighthearted atmosphere. The unique fruit-themed bosses and unlockable characters add variety and personality, though some of the environments can feel repetitive over extended play sessions. The audio complements the visuals with upbeat tunes and sound effects that match the game’s arcade inspirations, though the soundtrack doesn’t leave a lasting impression either.
With its variety of modes – including Story, Battle, Endless, and Speed Run – Smoothcade offers plenty of replayability, catering to both solo players and groups. While its charm and accessibility make it an appealing choice for casual sessions, a few rough edges in difficulty balancing and level variety may limit its appeal for those seeking deeper gameplay. Still, for fans of arcade-style games, Smoothcade brings plenty of energy and fun to the PlayStation 5.
O.W.L. Project review (PS5)
O.W.L Projekt, developed by Sagitta Studios and published by Eastasiasoft on consoles, offers a thoughtful blend of puzzle-solving and subtle intrigue on the PlayStation 5. The game places players in the role of Elysion, a creation of a mysterious experiment, as he attempts to escape the enigmatic Watchers. The story unfolds gradually, providing just enough intrigue to maintain interest, though the narrative’s delivery feels somewhat minimalist, leaving certain elements underexplored as the focus is firmly on the puzzles.
The gameplay revolves around manipulating objects with the Sanctum Staff in a 3D isometric environment. Each of the 50 levels introduces new puzzle mechanics, keeping the experience fresh and challenging. These range from moving blocks and dragging platforms to discovering hidden paths. While the puzzles are cleverly designed and progressively complex, the difficulty spikes in later levels can occasionally frustrate, especially for players unfamiliar with intricate puzzle games. The controls are generally intuitive, though the isometric perspective sometimes makes precise movements or object placement a bit tricky.
Visually, the game embraces a unique aesthetic, combining clean, minimalist designs with atmospheric environments. However, the overall presentation could benefit from greater visual variety, as some levels look and feel too similar to one another. The audio complements the experience well, with a moody soundtrack that enhances the sense of mystery, although the lack of standout tracks makes it feel a tad generic.
For fans of puzzle games, O.W.L Projekt provides an engaging challenge with plenty of content. Its inventive mechanics and steadily escalating difficulty make it a rewarding experience for those willing to navigate its occasional frustrations. While its narrative and visual design leave room for improvement, it remains a solid choice for players seeking a brain-teasing adventure at a budget price on PlayStation 5.
Access Denied: Escape review (PS5)
Access Denied: Escape, developed by Stately Snail and brought to consoles by Ratalaika Games, delivers a compact and cerebral puzzle experience on PlayStation 5 – and a follow-up to an impressive little puzzler we once played on PlayStation Vita. Set in a futuristic world where data security relies on physical devices, the game puts players in the shoes of a hacker trapped in a scientist’s lab. As you unravel the mystery behind your predicament, the game weaves a minimalist narrative that adds an intriguing layer to its puzzle-solving core, even if the story could benefit from deeper exposition for fans of story-driven puzzlers.
The gameplay centers around hacking 30 Data Vaults, each with its own unique challenge, complemented by interactable devices scattered throughout the lab. The puzzles are well-designed, encouraging observation and critical thinking, though the difficulty curve can feel uneven, with some solutions requiring leaps in logic that may frustrate less experienced players and others being too easy. Exploring the environment and piecing together the story through scattered notes is engaging, but the interactions sometimes lack polish, occasionally leaving the experience feeling a little clunky.
Visually, the game adopts a clean, no-frills aesthetic, which works well for its focus on problem-solving but doesn’t particularly stand out. The sterile laboratory environment effectively conveys the setting, though more variety in visuals would have enhanced the experience. The sound design, while serviceable, does little to elevate the atmosphere, with the background audio feeling repetitive over time.
For fans of escape room-style challenges, Access Denied: Escape offers a solid selection of brainteasers wrapped in a light narrative. While certain elements could use refinement, the game’s core puzzles provide enough intrigue to keep players engaged. As a budget-friendly title on PlayStation 5, it’s worth considering for those seeking a short but satisfying mental workout.
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