Beneath review (PS5)

The moment the player plunges into the icy depths with Noah Quinn, the veteran diver at the heart of Beneath’s narrative, the micro-studio ambition of Camel 101 is immediately evident. From the surface vessel to the submerged research stations, the game builds on a familiar survival-horror template: dwindling supplies, unknown monstrosities, and a twisting conspiracy that threatens both the protagonist and his daughter. While the story’s premise is strong – a desperate dive into eldritch terror beneath the ocean – the narrative occasionally stutters as it shifts from biotech thriller to full-on supernatural meltdown. The ambition here is commendable, but the transitions sometimes feel rushed or under-explained. Continue reading “Beneath review (PS5)”

Silly Polly Beast review (PS5)

Silly Polly Beast, developed by Andrei Chernyshov and published by Top Hat Studios for PS5, throws players into a grotesque, dreamlike underworld in which a mute orphan named Polly must survive a pact she no longer remembers making. The premise favours atmosphere over exposition: fog-choked streets, a blood-tinged fog bracelet mechanic that signals danger, and a sense of moral muddiness that keeps the story feeling less like a checklist of plot beats and more like a slow, nervous plunge into trauma. The narrative keeps key details elliptical, which creates haunting moments of discovery but also occasionally leaves emotional throughlines faint where a touch more grounding might have strengthened the player’s investment. Continue reading “Silly Polly Beast review (PS5)”

Hyperdimension Neptunia Re;Birth trilogy review (PS4)

The PlayStation 4 releases of Hyperdimension Neptunia Re;Birth1+, Re;Birth2 – Sisters Generation, and Re;Birth3 – V Generation mark the latest return to Compile Heart and Felistella’s eccentric universe of Gamindustri, now published again by Idea Factory International. Each entry brings its own flavour to the tongue-in-cheek saga of anthropomorphised game consoles waging an eternal “Console War,” blending parody and fan-service with traditional Japanese RPG design. Though these are not part of a collected bundle, their simultaneous arrival on PS4 invites comparison as modern re-imaginings of titles that defined the series over a decade ago. Continue reading “Hyperdimension Neptunia Re;Birth trilogy review (PS4)”

Trenches VR review (Quest)

The VR horror title Trenches VR, developed by Steelkrill Studio and published by Perp Games for the Meta Quest platform as a VR adaptation of an earlier game, attempts to plunge the player into the trenches of World War I with a survival-horror twist. At its core, the game positions you behind enemy lines as a soldier trying to return to your family, armed only with a trench whistle, your wits and a microphone that foes can overhear – an intriguing premise that leans heavily into the immersive potential of VR. Continue reading “Trenches VR review (Quest)”

VEX MAGE review (Quest)

Developed by Nervous Systems and published by Fast Travel Games, VEX MAGE is a fast-paced VR arena shooter that turns spellcasting into a high-speed test of reflex and strategy. Built around fluid hand-tracking and elemental runes, it pits players against waves of enemies in compact arenas designed for constant movement and improvisation. Its premise is straightforward but executed with confident momentum, combining tactile spellcraft with the athletic intensity of classic arena shooters, wrapped in a fantasy setting. Continue reading “VEX MAGE review (Quest)”