Koei Tecmo’s Fatal Frame II: Crimson Butterfly Remake revisits one of the most revered entries in Japanese horror gaming, rebuilding it for modern hardware while attempting to preserve the suffocating dread that defined the original. Set in the abandoned Minakami Village, the story follows twin sisters Mio and Mayu as they become trapped in a ritualistic nightmare shaped by loss, memory, and lingering spirits. The narrative remains one of the series’ strongest assets, weaving emotional vulnerability into its horror, though its deliberately slow pacing and cryptic storytelling can occasionally distance players who prefer more direct exposition. Continue reading “Fatal Frame II – Crimson Butterfly Remake review (PS5)”
Category: New
Indie roundup: Avenue Escape, 1 CatLine & Adventurous Slime
The indie scene rarely slows down, and the latest batch of smaller releases once again shows how developers continue to experiment with familiar genres in compact, approachable ways. From traffic-untangling logic puzzles and inventive platforming mechanics to retro-inspired adventures starring unlikely heroes, these titles lean into straightforward concepts while putting their own twists on well-worn ideas. None of them aim for sprawling blockbuster scope, but each offers a quick, focused experience that highlights the creativity and accessibility that have long been hallmarks of the indie space. In this roundup we take a closer look at Avenue Escape, 1 CatLine, and Adventurous Slime, three budget-friendly PS5 releases that each deliver their own take on puzzle solving and platforming. Continue reading “Indie roundup: Avenue Escape, 1 CatLine & Adventurous Slime”
Dragonkin: The Banished review (PS5)
Dragonkin: The Banished sees developer Eko Software return to the isometric action RPG genre after previous outings like Warhammer: Chaosbane, this time crafting an original fantasy setting where dragon blood has corrupted the land and monstrous creatures threaten what remains of humanity. As one of a small group of powerful hunters, your task is to push back against this spreading corruption and eventually take down the Dragon Lords responsible. The setup is familiar territory for the fantasy genre, but the game tries to add a bit more flavor through its council of leaders and political tensions within humanity’s last stronghold. Unfortunately, while the surrounding worldbuilding occasionally hints at something more substantial, the player character remains largely silent and detached from these developments, making it difficult to feel truly invested and immersed in the story unfolding around you. Continue reading “Dragonkin: The Banished review (PS5)”
Dark Trip review (Quest)
Dark Trip immediately positions itself as an unusual entry within VR’s escape-room genre, blending investigative storytelling with surreal horror imagery and psychedelic puzzle design. Players step into the shoes of an investigator searching for a missing woman in a small German town, eventually uncovering a laboratory tied to disturbing experiments and cryptic research notes. The narrative leans heavily on environmental storytelling, gradually revealing fragments of a darker history through scattered clues and diary entries. It’s a premise that thrives on unease and ambiguity, successfully building tension through atmosphere rather than straightforward exposition, though its deliberately disturbing tone and mature imagery mean it’s clearly aimed at players comfortable with unsettling subject matter. Continue reading “Dark Trip review (Quest)”
Preview and developer interview: Last Flag
When a new multiplayer shooter appears on the horizon, it usually arrives with a familiar pedigree of veteran developers and genre expectations. Last Flag, however, comes from a slightly different direction. Developed by Night Street Games, the studio co-founded by Dan Reynolds (lead singer of Imagine Dragons) and his brother Mac Reynolds, the game reimagines the classic playground staple of Capture the Flag as a theatrical, fast-paced multiplayer competition. During a recent preview session we attended, the Reynolds brothers talked about their background in gaming, their ambitions for the project, and even joined us in playing a few rounds – offering a first glimpse at how their unconventional studio hopes to shake up the genre. Continue reading “Preview and developer interview: Last Flag”