In our newest roundup of games that have made the jump to different systems, we check out the PlayStation version of Keeper’s Toll, the PC port of Stellar Blade and the console launch of Prison Alone.
Keeper’s Toll review (PS5)
Keeper’s Toll may wear its Vampire Survivors inspiration on its sleeve, but it quickly earns its place among the better entries in the bullet-heaven genre thanks to a strong gameplay core and distinct atmosphere. While it borrows heavily from the template with its pixel art visuals, time-limited runs, multiple characters, and permanent progression, its execution feels more polished and substantial than most imitators, so it’s a solid addition to the PS5 library now that it’s out on consoles.
What sets the game apart are its evolving combat challenges and ARPG-style enhancements. Each run features random optional objectives, like accepting curses for future buffs, that add meaningful tension to survival. Mini-bosses, destructible environments, and a range of character-specific mechanics – such as trap-laying rangers or stance-based monks – all encourage experimentation. The upgrade system is fast and satisfying, letting players feel genuinely more powerful mid-run without undermining the difficulty curve.
That said, this curve has some harsh spikes. A specific mission requiring players to revisit a level and defeat an overpowered boss becomes a grinding wall, disrupting the otherwise mostly fair balance. Despite this, the combat is still satisfying, with impressive class variety, and surprisingly deep replayability across four stages and six characters.
The Dark Souls-inspired art and lore shine through as well, from character and boss designs to the grim tone of the environments – something that both fans of FromSoftware’s games and fans of Survivor-style ones can buy into. While its soundtrack grows repetitive on extended retries, and it lacks co-op or a massive content pool, the overall value and fun factor remain high.
Ultimately, Keeper’s Toll may not dethrone Vampire Survivors, but it’s one of the best homages yet – it’s well-paced, rewarding, and crafted with more ambition than you’d expect from a game at this price point. It comes recommended for genre fans craving more, especially those drawn to dark fantasy flair.
Stellar Blade review (PC)
Stellar Blade has finally arrived on PC after its successful debut on PlayStation 5, and this version not only retains the core strengths of SHIFT UP’s sci-fi action adventure but also enhances them with smart technical upgrades. The post-apocalyptic landscapes, now supported with 4K textures and ultrawide aspect ratios, look even more striking on high-end PCs, and the addition of DLSS, FSR3, and unlocked framerates allows the game to run smoothly across a range of setups. Whether you’re exploring crumbling ruins or clashing with massive bosses, the world feels more dynamic and alive on PC.
The game’s story follows EVE, an elite warrior sent to reclaim Earth from monstrous invaders, and though the narrative doesn’t take many risks, it weaves in enough intrigue and moral ambiguity to stay interesting. The themes of duty, identity, and human legacy give the otherwise linear structure some narrative weight, even if a few stretches feel padded out by fetch quests or overly long dialogue sequences. That said, the emotionally-charged flashbacks and lore-building moments help elevate what might otherwise have been a generic sci-fi plot.
Despite the added polish, combat is still Stellar Blade’s strongest suit, offering a tight blend of timing-based dodges, parries, and stylish combos that feel satisfyingly responsive regardless of whether you’re using a controller or mouse and keyboard. The PC version shines here too, thanks to full DualSense support with haptic feedback and adaptive triggers, adding a physical layer of immersion for those with the right hardware. The boss fights remain a highlight – visually impressive and mechanically challenging – though less experienced players may find the difficulty curve occasionally unforgiving.
While the game’s visuals and combat system are impressive, some design choices don’t land as well. The camera can feel uncooperative in tight spaces, and the occasional backtracking dulls the pace. Still, with added PC content like the Boss Challenge mode and cosmetic unlocks, there’s solid replay value for completionists. Overall, this is a polished, content-rich port that successfully brings Stellar Blade’s cinematic action to PC players – with its original flair firmly intact and enhanced by technical finesse.
Prison Alone review (PS5)
Originally developed by Gaister Studios for PC, Prison Alone has now made its way to PlayStation 5 courtesy of QUByte Interactive. It positions itself as a compact psychological horror experience, trading length for atmosphere. Set in an abandoned prison with a mysterious past, the game builds tension more through ambient dread than overt scares. It’s a refreshing approach in theory, especially given the lack of jump scares, but the execution doesn’t quite hold together despite having a short 40 to 45-minute runtime. The atmosphere is moody, with flickering lights and eerie silence doing most of the heavy lifting, but the visuals and environments are sparse and too repetitive for a game this short, which undercuts the sense of immersion.
The premise has potential: you’re an inmate who stays behind during an evacuation to attempt a stealthy escape, only to find the facility anything but empty. It’s a great setup for slow-burn horror, but the story lacks depth and offers little in the way of mystery or payoff. The tension is there, but it often fizzles due to underwhelming pacing and predictable objectives. You’ll spend much of your time searching for keys and solving very basic puzzles, which, while functional, don’t evolve or surprise in meaningful ways.
Gameplay-wise, movement is sluggish and the controls are stiff, which can make exploration feel more frustrating than suspenseful. The game tries to create tension by limiting player agency, but it ends up making the experience feel clunky rather than nerve-wracking. There’s little variation in how you interact with the world, and because there’s no threat to actively avoid or respond to, the stakes remain low. That said, some players may still appreciate the low-cost, no-frills approach to atmospheric horror, especially if they’re just looking for a quick, creepy diversion.
Still, despite its low price point and manageable length, Prison Alone struggles to deliver anything beyond a concept sketch of what could’ve been a more intriguing horror tale. The atmosphere sets a solid foundation, but the lack of polish in visuals, gameplay depth, and narrative resolution leave the experience feeling more like an interesting prototype than a complete game.
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