With Legends BMX, Blue Wednesday and The Last Hero: Journey To The Unknown, we’re diving into three titles that made their way towards consoles after earlier launches on PC. Spanning three very different genres, there’s something for everyone here.
Legends BMX review (PS5)
Legends BMX brings arcade-style trick-based BMX riding to PlayStation 5, offering a fluid and accessible experience. Its one-directional analog system makes pulling off tricks easy, but mastering combos requires practice. While chaining tricks together for high scores is satisfying, the overall trick system lacks depth, which may disappoint players looking for more intricate mechanics – but for those who aren’t joystick wizards that won’t be a problem. The intuitive controls make it a solid entry point for newcomers to the genre.
Visually, the game embraces a colorful, stylized look that suits its arcade nature, with well-designed parks featuring ramps, rails, and obstacles that encourage experimentation. However, limited environmental variety makes the stages feel repetitive over time. The isometric camera mostly keeps up with the action but occasionally struggles during fast trick transitions, impacting precision in high-speed gameplay when trying to pull off something demanding.
Customization options for riders and bikes are a nice touch, but the selection is limited. While leaderboards add a competitive edge, the game lacks structured challenges or a deeper progression system, reducing long-term replay value. Additional modes or objectives could have enhanced engagement, as the main draw remains score-chasing rather than broader gameplay variety.
Despite some minor animation issues, the game runs smoothly, and its upbeat soundtrack fits the arcade feel. Legends BMX delivers a fun and accessible BMX experience but doesn’t quite reach the heights of the genre’s best due to its limited depth and variety. With refinements and added content, it could stand out, but as it stands, it’s an enjoyable but somewhat shallow ride, available for a budget price.
Blue Wednesday review (PS5)
Blue Wednesday, developed by Buff Studio and published by Forever Entertainment on PlayStation 5, is a narrative-driven adventure that follows Morris, a jazz pianist struggling to balance his ambitions with the realities of life in the city of Evans. The game’s heartfelt story captures the struggles of young adulthood, with engaging character interactions and choices that shape Morris’ journey. While the pacing is deliberately slow to emphasize its introspective themes, this might not appeal to those looking for a more fast-paced experience.
The gameplay blends interactive storytelling with various mini-games, including rhythm-based piano performances, cooking tasks, and small puzzles. The piano sequences stand out as the most engaging, though they can be challenging, especially for those unfamiliar with rhythm games. Other mini-games add variety but sometimes feel disconnected from the narrative, affecting the overall flow and immersion with the story.
Visually, the game features a charming, cartoon-like aesthetic that brings the city of Evans to life. The warm, detailed environments and character designs enhance the experience, making exploration enjoyable. The jazz soundtrack is a highlight, with original compositions that effectively set the mood and elevate key emotional moments in the story.
While some of the mini-games and pacing issues might not suit every player, Blue Wednesday delivers a touching story wrapped in a beautiful audiovisual package. Its mix of narrative depth, engaging mini-games, and a great jazz soundtrack makes it a compelling experience for fans of character-driven adventures.
The Last Hero: Journey To The Unknown review (PS5)
The Last Hero: Journey to the Unknown, developed by Titan Art Games and published by Ratalaika Games on PlayStation 5, offers a retro-style action experience centered around wave-based combat. The game follows a lone knight on a quest to reclaim stolen relics from the evil wizard Voidgem. With over 30 levels, each featuring increasing enemy waves and environmental hazards, it presents a tough challenge for players looking for an old-school arcade experience.
Gameplay revolves around surviving waves of enemies, collecting coins and diamonds, and unlocking upgrades to enhance combat abilities. Players can use their sword, shield, and special powers to overcome obstacles, with some levels featuring bosses that require a strategic approach. However, movement can feel stiff, particularly the high but somewhat limited jump, which makes platforming sections less fluid. Not being able to jump down through platforms adds to the challenge but also feels restrictive at times.
Despite its simple mechanics, the game ramps up in difficulty quickly, demanding precise timing and careful use of available skills. While some may appreciate the challenge, others might find it frustrating due to its unforgiving design. The ability to unlock rolling later in the game adds more flexibility to movement, but early levels may feel somewhat limited in terms of mobility.
Visually, the pixel art is effective in capturing a classic retro feel, though it doesn’t offer much variety. The gameplay loop is engaging for those who enjoy wave-based survival games, but it may not hold the attention of players looking for a deeper adventure. Still, for its budget price, The Last Hero delivers a solid challenge with satisfying combat – though its rigid platforming and difficulty spikes might not be for everyone.
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