Few management games have enjoyed the kind of longevity that RollerCoaster Tycoon has. Decades after the original releases, RollerCoaster Tycoon Classic arrives on PlayStation 5 as a package that combines the first two games and their expansions into a single content-rich release. While newer theme park simulators often emphasize spectacle and accessibility, this collection serves as a reminder of a design philosophy that expected players to engage with systems, budgets, logistics, and the occasional self-inflicted disaster. The result is a surprisingly robust management experience whose age is visible but whose core strengths remain remarkably intact. Continue reading “RollerCoaster Tycoon Classic review (PS5)”
Category: Classic
Port roundup: Amanda the Adventurer 3, Soccer Kid & 4PGP
Today’s batch of ports for the PS5 arrivals covers a surprisingly broad spectrum, from the conclusion of a modern indie horror trilogy to the revival of a cult football-themed platformer and a retro-inspired racer making the jump from Switch. Whether revisiting the past or extending the reach of more recent releases, each offers a different perspective on what makes a port worth revisiting – and how well those experiences hold up on Sony’s current-generation hardware. Continue reading “Port roundup: Amanda the Adventurer 3, Soccer Kid & 4PGP”
Gobliiins Collection review (PS5)
The Gobliiins series occupies a curious place in adventure game history. Never quite as celebrated as some of the genre’s biggest names, it nevertheless built a loyal following through its surreal humour, unconventional puzzle design, cartoon-like animations, and memorable cast of bumbling goblin heroes. Gobliiins Collection brings together the first five entries in Pierre Gilhodes’ long-running series, spanning more than three decades of game design evolution. On PlayStation 5, the result feels less like a simple retro compilation and more like a playable museum piece, showcasing both the strengths and shortcomings of one of puzzle adventure gaming’s strangest franchises. Continue reading “Gobliiins Collection review (PS5)”
FZ: Formation Z review (PS5)
There is something immediately appealing about the way FZ: Formation Z approaches its revival of a largely forgotten arcade shooter. Originally released by Jaleco in the mid-eighties, the game returns through developer Granzella Inc. with a remake that feels determined to preserve the identity of the original while also modernising nearly every aspect surrounding it. The core hook remains intact: transforming freely between a humanoid mech and a jet fighter while navigating side-scrolling stages filled with enemy formations, environmental hazards and screen-filling bosses. It is a simple concept on paper, but one that still feels surprisingly fresh thanks to the way the game constantly asks players to think vertically as well as horizontally. Continue reading “FZ: Formation Z review (PS5)”
Activision Collection 2 / Mega Cat Studios Collection 3 review (Evercade)
Evercade’s latest duo of cartridges ends up feeling like a conversation between gaming’s past and present. Activision Collection 2 dives headfirst into the formative years of console gaming with a lineup of Atari 2600-era classics that helped define early home entertainment, while Mega Cat Studios Collection 3 showcases modern indie developers deliberately embracing those same limitations and aesthetics to build something new. Together they make for an intriguing package, not just because of their contrasts in age and design philosophy, but because they reveal how much retro gaming can merge both preservation and reinvention. Continue reading “Activision Collection 2 / Mega Cat Studios Collection 3 review (Evercade)”