Towa and the Guardians of the Sacred Tree review

Towa and the Guardians of the Sacred Tree arrives with an unmistakably Japanese sensibility, blending roguelite dungeon crawling with mythic storytelling and village life. Developed by Brownies inc. and published by Bandai Namco, it puts you in the role of Towa, a priestess charged with protecting Shinju Village against the corrupting influence of Magatsu. The premise carries both an epic weight and a more intimate charm, as you’re not just swinging swords in far-off dungeons but also forging bonds with guardians and villagers who lend your journey a sense of continuity between runs. Continue reading “Towa and the Guardians of the Sacred Tree review”

Creepy Redneck Dinosaur Mansion 3 review (Xbox)

Creepy Redneck Dinosaur Mansion 3 on Xbox is the kind of game that makes you double-check if you’ve somehow missed two entire generations of a cult-classic series. You haven’t. There was no first or second game. That’s the joke, and developer Strange Scaffold leans so hard into it that the whole thing becomes part parody, part love letter, and part “what did I just play?” It’s pitched as the triumphant return of hero Jack Briar in a long-awaited sequel, only this is the very first time you’re meeting him – and that deliberate absurdity sets the tone for everything that follows. Continue reading “Creepy Redneck Dinosaur Mansion 3 review (Xbox)”

ZOE Begone! review (PS5)

With its surreal 1930s-inspired aesthetic and chaotic mix of shmup and run-and-gun mechanics, ZOE Begone! immediately stands out as something unusual in today’s crowded indie space. Developed by Retchy Games and published by PM Studios, it places players in looping arenas where Zoe, tired of the animator’s meddling, fights to reclaim her peace. The narrative is light and whimsical, but the framing device of battling an omnipresent animator helps justify the game’s constant barrage of strange enemies and shifting tools of chaos. It’s more about atmosphere and style than storytelling, but it sets the stage effectively. Continue reading “ZOE Begone! review (PS5)”

Arctic Awakening review (PS5)

Arctic Awakening on PlayStation 5 sets itself up as a narrative-heavy survival story in the frozen north, where a routine supply run goes wrong and a storm leaves pilot Kai stranded in the Alaskan wilderness. From the outset, the premise carries weight – it’s not just about enduring the cold but about finding your missing co-pilot Donovan, all while accompanied by Alfie, a chirpy therapy bot who offers both comic relief and a bit of emotional depth. The setup blends personal stakes with mysterious undertones, drawing you into a story where the wilderness itself often feels like the main antagonist. Continue reading “Arctic Awakening review (PS5)”

Port roundup: Labyrinthine, Frostpunk 2, King of Ping Pong: MEGAMIX & The Edge of Allegoria

Time for another look at a few experiences that first made their mark elsewhere. From the maze-running terror of Labyrinthine to the icy political struggles of Frostpunk 2, this roundup takes a closer look at how these titles translate to new platforms. Alongside them, you’ll also find the quirky arcade challenge of King of Ping Pong: MEGAMIX and the retro-styled oddity of The Edge of Allegoria on Switch. Each one arrives with its own set of strengths and compromises, whether that’s missing features, controller adaptations, or a sharper focus on niche appeal – but all of them bring something distinct to the table for console audiences. Continue reading “Port roundup: Labyrinthine, Frostpunk 2, King of Ping Pong: MEGAMIX & The Edge of Allegoria”