In this VR roundup, the medium’s remarkable range is on full display, spanning chaotic management sims, meticulously crafted leisure experiences, and tightly focused psychological horror. From the relaxed yet detail-rich rhythms of mini golf on a sun-soaked island, to the slapstick pressures of running a virtual supermarket, and finally to the suffocating dread of First World War–era trenches, these three releases showcase how varied VR design philosophies can be even within relatively contained experiences. Each title leans heavily on immersion and physical interaction, but they pursue that goal in strikingly different ways, highlighting both the strengths and growing pains of contemporary VR across Meta Quest and PlayStation VR2. Continue reading “VR roundup: Walkabout Mini Golf, Shop & Stuff and Trenches VR”
Category: New
The Legend of Heroes – Trails Beyond the Horizon review (PS5)
From the moment The Legend of Heroes: Trails beyond the Horizon launches on PlayStation 5, it makes clear this is a title built for an audience already deeply invested in Falcom’s sprawling saga. Rather than a clean entry point, Horizon leans into its status as the third chapter of the Calvard arc, inviting players to reconnect with familiar faces like Van Arkride, Rean Schwarzer, and Kevin Graham as they converge on a narrative that mixes political intrigue with a human spaceflight initiative. While the ambition of intertwining three protagonists’ story paths gives the narrative breadth and emotional stakes, it also contributes to a sense of narrative overload for newcomers and casual fans; the pacing sometimes feels uneven, requiring patience through exposition-heavy segments before the plot gains momentum. Continue reading “The Legend of Heroes – Trails Beyond the Horizon review (PS5)”
CASSETTE BOY review (PS5)
The central conceit of CASSETTE BOY is evident: perception and presence are inseparable, and manipulating how you see the world is the core challenge. Drawing inspiration from games that twist dimensionality for puzzles, CASSETTE BOY builds its entire design around a mechanic that is as philosophically intriguing as it is mechanically distinct – things that vanish from view truly cease to exist. This idea underpins exploration, combat, and even your understanding of narrative, setting CASSETTE BOY apart from typical adventure titles. Continue reading “CASSETTE BOY review (PS5)”
I Am Future: Cozy Apocalypse Survival review (PS5)
Mandragora’s I Am Future: Cozy Apocalypse Survival, published on PlayStation 5 by tinyBuild, attempts something increasingly rare in survival gaming: a post-apocalyptic setting that feels more like a creative sandbox than a relentless struggle. From the moment you awaken on a forsaken rooftop amid the drowned remnants of civilization, the tone is one of thoughtful tranquility rather than danger. The premise – that of rebuilding a home, cultivating a life and discovering bits of the world’s downfall – is a gentle invitation to explore at your own pace, and it largely succeeds in translating that into gameplay. It works well, but beneath this cozy veneer also lie design decisions that occasionally undermine the very calm it strives to cultivate. Continue reading “I Am Future: Cozy Apocalypse Survival review (PS5)”
Walkabout Mini Golf – Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland review (Quest)
Walkabout Mini Golf’s Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland DLC stakes a claim to be one of the more imaginative chapters in the series yet, weaving Lewis Carroll’s iconic imagery into a playable mini golf course that at times feels more like a VR diorama than a straight sequence of holes. From the outset, Mighty Coconut’s intention is clear: rather than just dress a typical Walkabout course in a familiar theme, they aimed to transport players down the proverbial rabbit hole, shrinking and growing through environments that recall Wonderland’s topsy-turvy antics while retaining the game’s core design philosophy. Continue reading “Walkabout Mini Golf – Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland review (Quest)”
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