Creatures of Ava review (Xbox)

Creatures of Ava, developed by Inverge Studios and published by 11 bit studios for PC and Xbox, invites players into a world teeming with life, but at the same time it’s being plagued by an ominous infection. Set on the lush, alien planet of Ava, the game follows a young nature explorer named Vic, who, alongside her companion Tabitha, must unravel the mystery of “the withering”, an affliction that is corrupting the once-peaceful creatures of the planet. The narrative, written in cooperation with Rhianna Pratchett, gradually unfolds as a journey of discovery and compassion, combined with an environmental angle. Continue reading “Creatures of Ava review (Xbox)”

SteamWorld Heist II review (PS5)

SteamWorld Heist II, developed by Thunderful, marks a return to the publisher’s SteamWorld franchise with its standout blend of tactical gameplay and charming steampunk aesthetics. As a follow-up to the well-received original, this sequel brings a few new ideas to the table while retaining the core mechanics that made its predecessor work so well. The sequel transports players to the Great Sea, where a mysterious crisis threatens to turn the precious water supply into a deadly force. As Captain Leeway, you’re tasked with leading a crew of Steambots on a perilous journey to uncover the source of this corrosion and restore balance to the waves. Continue reading “SteamWorld Heist II review (PS5)”

Deathbound review (PS5)

Deathbound, developed by Trialforge Studio and published by Tate Multimedia, is a brand new and ambitious take on the increasingly crowded soulslike genre. Set in the grim and haunting world of Ziêminal, it blends traditional dark fantasy elements with interesting party-based mechanics. This twist makes it stand out, while maintaining the genre’s knack for challenging and deep combat mechanics. Continue reading “Deathbound review (PS5)”

VR roundup: On Point, Hello Cruel World & Dig VR

The warmth of the summer may not be the most comfortable time of the year to put on a VR headset, but that didn’t stop us from checking out a trio of new games – here are reviews of On Point and Hello Cruel World, as well as a preview for Dig VR. Continue reading “VR roundup: On Point, Hello Cruel World & Dig VR”

Cat Quest III review (PS5)

Cat Quest III, developed by The Gentlebros and published by Kepler Interactive, whisks players away on another delightful adventure in a series that’s now been running for about a decade. This time, you’re setting sail in a pirate-themed world known as the Purribean. And if that didn’t give it away yet, this third installment in the Cat Quest series offers another mix of charm, humor, and engaging gameplay. The kind that fans have come to expect, while introducing new mechanics that keep the experience fresh and exciting. We tested the PlayStation 5 version. Continue reading “Cat Quest III review (PS5)”