Today, we’re looking at the new console launch of Moons of Darsalon, the PC port of Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 and the new Krystalized update for KILL KNIGHT.
Moons of Darsalon review (PS5)
Moons of Darsalon brings its retro-futuristic rescue missions to PlayStation 5 after launching earlier on PC (see our review here), offering a unique blend of action-platforming and puzzle-solving wrapped in a striking 8/16-bit aesthetic. Tasked with leading lost darsanauts to safety, players must navigate hazardous terrain, fend off threats, and leverage a variety of tools -including destructible environments and a ground maker gun – to carve out new paths.
One of the game’s standout features is its AI-driven companion mechanics. The darsanauts react dynamically to terrain, light, and voice commands, adding an extra layer of strategy as players work to guide them through increasingly perilous levels. The game’s combination of classic Lemmings-style escort gameplay and Worms-like terrain manipulation makes for an engaging challenge, though the difficulty can spike when multiple mechanics are layered in quick succession.
Visually, Moons of Darsalon’s pixel-art style is a love letter to retro gaming, enhanced by modern lighting effects, a CRT filter, and a unique rendering pipeline that blends 2D sprites with pixelated 3D models. While some animations could be smoother, the overall presentation is charming, bolstered by an energetic chiptune soundtrack made by Dr. Kucho that perfectly complements the game’s old-school inspirations.
While the game’s demanding mechanics might not suit players looking for a casual experience, its depth and variety reward persistence. The PlayStation 5 version maintains the same core experience as its PC counterpart, with smooth performance and responsive controls ensuring that the rescue missions remain as engaging as ever. For fans of classic action-platformers with a strategic twist, Moons of Darsalon is an interstellar challenge worth taking on now that it’s available on consoles.
Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 review (PC)
Following its well-received debut on PlayStation 5, Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 swings onto PC with high expectations, bringing all of its content updates and enhancements. The PC version, optimized by Nixxes Software, offers the full experience of playing as both Peter Parker and Miles Morales, complete with their unique abilities, expanded traversal mechanics, and a larger New York to explore. However, while it retains the thrilling core of Insomniac Games’ superhero adventure, technical issues at launch make this port a mixed experience.
One of the key advantages of the PC release is its range of visual options, including improved ray tracing, unlocked framerates, and support for upscaling technologies like NVIDIA DLSS 3, AMD FSR 3.1, and Intel XeSS. These enhancements allow the game to shine on high-end hardware, potentially surpassing its console counterpart in fidelity. The inclusion of ultra-wide monitor support also benefits immersion, making the web-slinging traversal even more cinematic. Unfortunately, the optimization struggles across different configurations, with crashes, inconsistent performance, and visual glitches all part of the experience. While patches have started addressing these issues, the launch experience remains uneven compared to the polished PS5 version.
From a gameplay perspective, Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 continues to refine the fluidity of traversal and combat. The addition of Web Wings makes movement feel more dynamic without replacing the classic web-swinging, while the expanded skill sets for both protagonists keep encounters varied. The game’s storytelling remains strong, delivering emotional moments alongside blockbuster action, with Venom and Kraven the Hunter making for compelling antagonists. Side content provides additional depth, though some of the optional activities might not hold the same appeal for all players.
Control-wise, the PC version accommodates a variety of setups, from mouse and keyboard to full (wired) DualSense support. While playing with a gamepad – especially the DualSense -offers the most immersive experience with haptic feedback and adaptive triggers, keyboard and mouse controls are functional but feel less intuitive in high-speed movement and combat sequences.
Ultimately, while Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 on PC delivers a fantastic superhero experience at its core, its launch is marred by technical shortcomings that hinder smooth gameplay. Those with high-end setups may find a visually superior experience to the PS5 version, but stability issues make it difficult to recommend over its console counterpart at this stage. With continued post-launch support, this port has the potential to be the definitive edition, but for now, players may need patience – or a willingness to push through occasional frustration – to fully enjoy what the game has to offer.
KILL KNIGHT’s Krystalized update review (PS5)
At the tail end of 2024, Kill Knight emerged as a standout surprise, blending gothic aesthetics with a breakneck twin-stick shooter formula. Its intense, arena-based combat and precise mechanics quickly gained a dedicated following, and now, with the KRYSTALIZED UPDATE, developer PlaySide has expanded the experience in meaningful ways, introducing new weapons, augments, and challenges that make the descent into the Abyss more engaging than ever.
The core of Kill Knight remains its high-speed, skill-based gameplay, which rewards aggressive movement, precise shooting, and mastery of its unique reload system. The update adds fresh tools to the player’s arsenal, including the Incuclators, which pierce enemies with deadly shards, and the Dreadfaller, a heavy weapon that unleashes devastating plasma beams. The Hollowbrandt sword further diversifies combat with its jump-based slam attacks that fuel heavy weapon shots, while the Umbrarite armor summons a shade to assist in battle. These additions expand the tactical possibilities, giving players more ways to adapt their approach as they carve through waves of increasingly relentless foes.
The update also enhances Kill Knight’s replayability with Sever Mode, now featuring Krystalized Demons that deliver more intense encounters, rewarding players with a higher Carnage Score for their efforts. For those seeking an ever-changing challenge, the Weekly Descent mode introduces randomized loadouts and levels, allowing leaderboard competition to remain fresh week after week. While the base game already encouraged repeated playthroughs through its ranking system and steep difficulty curve, these additions make it even more compelling for those looking to test their skills against new challenges.
Visually, Kill Knight maintains its striking blend of low-poly brutality and neon-soaked horror, evoking the feel of classic PSX-era shooters while delivering a modernized aesthetic. The KRYSTALIZED UPDATE doesn’t overhaul the game’s look but adds subtle enhancements, particularly in enemy designs and new visual effects tied to the new demon variants and weapons. The game’s electronic-infused soundtrack continues to fuel the relentless action, with dark, pulse-pounding beats that complement the chaos unfolding on-screen.
While the update refines and expands Kill Knight’s already engaging formula, some lingering issues remain. The game’s steep difficulty curve, while a key part of its appeal, can still be punishing for newcomers, even with the adjustments made to the Regret difficulty mode. The game’s core structure remains focused on arena combat rather than a more traditional campaign, which may limit its appeal to those looking for a deeper narrative experience. However, for those who thrive on mastering complex combat mechanics and climbing leaderboards, this update solidifies Kill Knight as one of the most exciting indie shooters in recent memory.
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