Not every indie release is trying to become the next breakout hit. Some experiment with unusual ideas, others focus on refining a single mechanic, and plenty are content to carve out a niche for a specific audience. This latest roundup covers three very different examples: a VR motocross stunt simulator that prioritises skill over speed, a psychological horror visual novel built around unsettling family secrets, and an unexpectedly addictive shooter that turns blasting away at a giant wall into a surprisingly compelling gameplay loop.
Stunt X Mania review (Quest)
Stunt X Mania takes a different approach from most VR motocross games by putting the emphasis on freestyle riding rather than traditional racing. Instead of chasing podium finishes, the goal is to master increasingly daring tricks while navigating dirt tracks, ramps and open arenas. The current version, fresh out of Early Access, offers a solid selection of environments to explore, alongside free roam, challenge and career-oriented activities, though it’s also clear that several planned features, including multiplayer, are still waiting in the wings.
What immediately stands out is how committed the game is to simulating the feel of riding an actual dirt bike. Players can opt for manual clutch and gear shifting or switch to simplified controls, making the experience approachable for newcomers without removing the extra depth for enthusiasts. Pulling off wheelies, endos and aerial tricks feels genuinely rewarding once everything clicks, but there’s a noticeable learning curve that may frustrate players expecting an arcade-style experience. A few rough edges remain as well, with control quirks during tutorials and occasional issues with finding neutral.
The VR presentation does a good job of selling the sensation of speed. Flying over jumps before attempting a Superman or backflip creates some exhilarating moments, and simply riding around the arenas can be entertaining even without chasing objectives. That said, the intense movement won’t suit everyone. Players prone to motion sickness should approach with caution, as the combination of rapid acceleration, uneven terrain and airborne tricks can become overwhelming during longer sessions. Visually the game is functional rather than spectacular, but the environments are varied enough to keep practice sessions interesting, while the energetic electronic soundtrack complements the high-speed action without becoming distracting.
Even in its 1.0 state with more content and functionality to come, Stunt X Mania shows plenty of promise. The realistic handling sets it apart from more casual VR bike games, and the combination of accessible control options and satisfying stunt mechanics gives it a strong foundation. At the same time, the lack of promised features and the occasional technical hiccups mean it isn’t quite ready to satisfy everyone, including those wanting multiplayer. For motocross fans willing to keeping growing alongside the project, however, there’s already enough here to justify keeping an eye on its development.
The Fissure review (PS5)
The Fissure delivers a psychological horror story built around memory, family secrets and an unsettling return to a place that feels both unfamiliar and strangely recognizable. As Nahuel explores his late mother’s hometown and its eerie family home, the game steadily builds an atmosphere of uncertainty where reality and nightmares begin to blur. We enjoyed how the mystery encourages you to question what is real, while the multiple endings give your choices genuine weight and provide a reason to revisit the story. At the same time, the narrative can become fragmented, with dreamlike jumps between locations sometimes making the plot feel more confusing than intriguing, leaving some of its revelations without the payoff they deserve.
As a visual novel, gameplay revolves almost entirely around reading, exploration and making occasional decisions that influence the outcome. Those choices are meaningful when they appear, but they’re relatively infrequent, so players hoping for more interactive mechanics may find the experience too passive. The overall adventure is also quite short, making repeat playthroughs the main incentive for uncovering every ending rather than offering a lengthy first run. Controls on PS5 are straightforward and responsive, with the simple interface staying out of the way of the storytelling.
Visually, The Fissure creates an effective sense of dread through muted environments and unsettling imagery that suits its haunted setting. While some scenes leave a lasting impression, the artwork occasionally feels inconsistent, making certain character illustrations and backgrounds appear disconnected from the accompanying text. The soundtrack is more divisive: instead of subtly reinforcing the tension, its constantly escalating audio cues can become distracting, often feeling overly aggressive during scenes that don’t necessarily warrant such intensity. Combined with some awkwardly translated dialogue, this occasionally pulls attention away from the story instead of enhancing it.
For its modest price, The Fissure succeeds best as a brief atmospheric mystery rather than a full-fledged horror experience. We appreciated its eerie mood, branching narrative and willingness to leave players questioning what they have witnessed, but the limited interaction, uneven storytelling and overpowering audio prevent it from reaching its full potential. Fans of visual novels and slow-burn psychological mysteries will likely find enough here to justify a playthrough, while those looking for deeper gameplay or more coherent horror may come away less impressed.
Shoot the Wall review (PS5)
Shoot the Wall is one of those ideas that sounds like a joke until you actually start playing it. The premise is exactly what the title promises: you’re tasked with blasting your way through an enormous wall while a surprisingly entertaining narrative slowly unfolds through voice acting and mysterious messages. The constant teasing about what might be hidden on the other side gives the otherwise simple concept enough momentum to keep curiosity alive, and while the story never becomes particularly deep, its self-aware humour and oddball charm help make the journey more engaging than expected.
The gameplay revolves around an addictive upgrade loop in which every brick earns money and experience, unlocking stronger weapons and improving their stats. Starting with a weak pistol before gradually working towards increasingly destructive firearms creates a satisfying sense of progression, and swapping between different weapons keeps the repetitive shooting from becoming stale too quickly. Additional modes such as Time Trial and the sandbox-style Generator Mode add some extra value, although the latter feels more like a novelty than a compelling reason to return. Even so, the core loop remains surprisingly difficult to put down despite its simplicity.
Controls on PS5 are straightforward and responsive, making it easy to focus on the constant destruction rather than wrestling with complicated mechanics. Weapon switching is intuitive, and the interface clearly communicates upgrades, money and experience. Visually, the voxel-inspired presentation is intentionally basic, and while it lacks modern polish, it suits the game’s low-budget nature. Sound design arguably does more of the heavy lifting, with each weapon delivering satisfying audio feedback that makes every upgrade feel more impactful. That said, the experience can become repetitive over its relatively short campaign.
Shoot the Wall certainly won’t appeal to everyone, but it also doesn’t pretend to be anything other than a straightforward, low-cost distraction. Its unusual concept, amusing writing and satisfying progression make it easy to lose a few hours to “just one more upgrade,” even if the limited variety, brief runtime and repetitive structure stop it from becoming much more than a niche curiosity. If you’re looking for a surprisingly entertaining palate cleanser rather than a feature-packed shooter, this odd little experiment is worth keeping on your radar – especially at its budget price.