Knock on the Coffin Lid, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Splintered Fate and Maniac were all recently ported over to the PlayStation 5, so we’re checking them out in our latest port roundup.
Knock on the Coffin Lid review (PS5)
After making an entrance on PC last year, Knock on the Coffin Lid has now arrived on PlayStation 5 in its “Complete Edition” form, packing in all previously released content and enhancements. At first glance, it fits neatly into the increasingly crowded deckbuilding roguelike genre, but its blend of fantasy intrigue and tactical depth helps it carve out an identity of its own – especially now that the console port brings it to a broader audience.
The game starts with an ominous premise: you awaken in a crypt with no memory of how you died, and every run from that moment forward is a push through hostile lands toward both answers and revenge. While the narrative elements are more ambitious than in many genre peers, the storytelling can be uneven, especially when character interactions fall flat or when pacing gets disrupted by repetition. Still, it’s hard not to appreciate the effort that went into the branching paths, faction choices, and morally grey decisions that give the world a lived-in feel.
Gameplay-wise, Knock on the Coffin Lid leans heavily into its card-based combat system, and it does so with a wide range of viable builds and strategic flexibility. Each of the three main characters feels distinct, and the subclass system adds meaningful variety across runs. The core mechanics borrow from familiar sources but execute them with enough polish to keep fans engaged. That said, some balance issues still linger, and the reliance on RNG can frustrate when key upgrades or cards don’t surface at the right moment – as is regularly the case for games in this genre.
Visually, the game blends moody environments with well-drawn character art, though its animations and menus don’t always feel optimized for console play. The PS5 version performs well overall, with fast load times and solid responsiveness, but the UI can be clunky when navigating card selections or inventory using a controller. The soundtrack and sound design do their job without standing out, contributing to an atmosphere that’s effective but rarely memorable. For those looking for a strategic roguelike with a darker tone and plenty of mechanical depth, Knock on the Coffin Lid may not dethrone the genre’s elite, but it offers a rewarding and refreshingly narrative-driven alternative well worth playing.
TMNT: Splintered Fate review (PS5)
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Splintered Fate arrives on the PlayStation 5 after a strong showing on the Switch, and this new version delivers a more polished experience across the board. The jump to Sony’s console brings sharper visuals, smoother performance, and faster loading times, which all help the game’s roguelike structure shine more clearly. The story setup – Splinter has been taken, portals are opening, and the Turtles must fight their way through NYC – is familiar territory for TMNT fans, but it’s well presented and offers just enough depth to justify the loop.
Combat remains the heart of the experience, with each Turtle offering a distinct playstyle and branching abilities that evolve run after run. Elemental enhancements like ooze or fire add satisfying build variety, and randomized room layouts ensure each run stays unpredictable. The roguelike systems are streamlined and accessible, without sacrificing challenge or replayability – especially for players willing to experiment with loadouts and upgrades.
Co-op is still where Splintered Fate shines brightest, with drop-in/drop-out options. The PS5 version benefits from a larger screen space and improved clarity during chaotic fights, though it’s worth noting that the game is less engaging as a solo experience – there’s no AI support, and some later encounters feel tuned with multiplayer in mind. That said, the teamwork-driven combat fits the franchise perfectly, and group play is both fun and tactical if you have the option.
Visually, the PS5 upgrade is a step up from the Switch version. The game runs smoothly, looks cleaner, and integrates haptic feedback in subtle but effective ways. The audio work is competent but unremarkable, doing just enough to support the action without standing out. Ultimately, this is the best version of Splintered Fate to date – an energetic, replayable action game that successfully blends roguelike mechanics with TMNT flair.
Maniac review (PS5)
Maniac is exactly the kind of title that thrives on sheer absurdity, and its debut on the PlayStation 5 retains all of the chaotic appeal that made its PC version stand out. Developed by Transhuman Design and published by Skystone Games, it blends the top-down mayhem of classic 2D GTA with the looped chaos of today’s hits like Vampire Survivors, throwing in vehicle chases, explosive chain reactions, and a sandbox city built to be wrecked. The PS5 version runs smoothly, with faster load times and a slight bump in visual fidelity over the original release, though the game’s deliberately lo-fi aesthetic still feels more functional than stylish.
At its core, Maniac is about causing havoc with a rotating cast of deranged characters, from a drunk Santa to a coked-up stockbroker. The core gameplay loop has you completing escalating challenges and avoiding police pursuit, all while unlocking new weapons, vehicles, and characters. The simplicity of the design is part of its appeal, but it can also lead to repetition setting in too quickly – especially for solo players once you get past the over-the-top premise. Still, the game’s roguelite elements keep things unpredictable enough to warrant repeated runs, and some of the power-ups and vehicle-based carnage are undeniably satisfying.
What makes the experience fun – at least in bursts – is how reactive the world is. Explosions trigger chain reactions, pedestrians and cops respond dynamically, and the city’s eleven districts offer a decent amount of variety, even if visually they start to blend together. Driving feels surprisingly tight, giving chase sequences a good amount of weight, and the ability to hijack everything from tanks to garbage trucks opens the door to different playstyles.
The soundtrack is loud and deliberately brash, matching the tone well, though the audio design doesn’t always deliver the feedback you’d want during intense action. Similarly, the humor is hit or miss – it goes all in on edginess, and while that fits the theme, it won’t be to everyone’s taste. Still, Maniac knows exactly what it wants to be: a chaotic, darkly comic playground of destruction that encourages you to embrace the absurd. On PS5, it’s fun to play, even if it still occasionally teeters on the edge of overstaying its welcome.
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