When Haymaker burst into Early Access on Meta Quest this past November, Console Studios’ debut VR brawler made a splash with its uncompromising, physics-first approach to melee combat – a system designed to make every fistfight feel visceral, unpredictable, and earned. Built by founder James Console and his Kansas City–based outfit, the title eschews canned animations in favor of active ragdoll physics and gesture-driven strikes, inviting players to punch, kick, and grapple their way through gritty encounters where environment and timing matter as much as technique. In this wide-ranging interview, Console digs into the inspirations behind Haymaker’s core mechanics, the challenges of crafting intuitive input mappings, how Early Access feedback is shaping combat and AI, and what recent additions like dodge-to-counter and expanded kicks say about the game’s evolving identity. Continue reading “Developer interview: Haymaker”
Category: New
Running Fable Petite Party review (PS5)
From the moment you fire up Running Fable Petite Party, it’s clear that Seashell Studio was aiming for something bright, playful and socially combustible: a party game that puts reflexes, mischief and interpersonal rivalry at the forefront rather than strict competition or narrative depth. The setup is deceptively simple – three tabletop boards, dice rolls, 16 mini-games and a parade of colourful, anthropomorphic characters racing toward glory – but the reality of the experience is one of mixed design results. Continue reading “Running Fable Petite Party review (PS5)”
I Hate This Place review (PS5)
From the moment you step into I Hate This Place on PlayStation 5, it’s clear Rock Square Thunder aimed for something that wears its comic-book lineage on its sleeve. The game’s premise – scavenging, crafting, and surviving in a cursed, reality-bending land – is atmospheric and rife with potential, supported by a dynamic day-night cycle that pushes players to prepare and strategize rather than merely fight. Over the hours with the game, you’ll shuttle between eerie forests, desolate bunkers, and the titular ranch, all rendered in a punchy, stylized aesthetic that nods to its ’80s horror roots. The visual flair is one of I Hate This Place’s consistent selling points: bold outlines and saturated colors give each environment personality, inviting curiosity even when the systems beneath them falter. Continue reading “I Hate This Place review (PS5)”
Developer interview: Life Below
Life Below is a refreshing twist on the city‑building genre set beneath the waves: players shape thriving coral reefs, revive collapsing ecosystems, and grow a living seascape while following a heartfelt narrative by Rhianna Pratchett. In this interview, Game Director Lise Hagen Lie discusses Megapop’s design choices and the team’s approach to blending ecology, gameplay, and myth. Continue reading “Developer interview: Life Below”
GRID Legends: Deluxe Edition review (Switch 2)
GRID Legends: Deluxe Edition on the Nintendo Switch 2 arrives as one of the system’s first high-profile racing ports, and Feral Interactive’s effort to adapt Codemasters’ blend of accessible “simcade” racing for Nintendo’s hybrid console largely pays off. The core premise – heart-pounding motorsport across a wide array of disciplines with a hefty dose of content – remains intact, and the inclusion of all post-launch DLCs in the Deluxe Edition gives this version an impressive breadth right out of the gate, representing great value for money. The narrative centerpiece, the live-action Driven to Glory story mode, retains its cinematic flair here, serving more as an atmospheric prelude to the action than a deeply compelling drama. Its inclusion adds variety to what could otherwise feel like a pure succession of races, though players seeking a rich plot should temper expectations. Continue reading “GRID Legends: Deluxe Edition review (Switch 2)”
Press Play Media 