Category: New

With its surreal 1930s-inspired aesthetic and chaotic mix of shmup and run-and-gun mechanics, ZOE Begone! immediately stands out as something unusual in today’s crowded indie space. Developed by Retchy Games and published by PM Studios, it places players in looping arenas where Zoe, tired of the animator’s meddling, fights to reclaim her peace. The narrative is light and whimsical, but the framing device of battling an omnipresent animator helps justify the game’s constant barrage of strange enemies and shifting tools of chaos. It’s more about atmosphere and style than storytelling, but it sets the stage effectively. Continue reading “ZOE Begone! review (PS5)”

Arctic Awakening on PlayStation 5 sets itself up as a narrative-heavy survival story in the frozen north, where a routine supply run goes wrong and a storm leaves pilot Kai stranded in the Alaskan wilderness. From the outset, the premise carries weight – it’s not just about enduring the cold but about finding your missing co-pilot Donovan, all while accompanied by Alfie, a chirpy therapy bot who offers both comic relief and a bit of emotional depth. The setup blends personal stakes with mysterious undertones, drawing you into a story where the wilderness itself often feels like the main antagonist. Continue reading “Arctic Awakening review (PS5)”

Time for another look at a few experiences that first made their mark elsewhere. From the maze-running terror of Labyrinthine to the icy political struggles of Frostpunk 2, this roundup takes a closer look at how these titles translate to new platforms. Alongside them, you’ll also find the quirky arcade challenge of King of Ping Pong: MEGAMIX and the retro-styled oddity of The Edge of Allegoria on Switch. Each one arrives with its own set of strengths and compromises, whether that’s missing features, controller adaptations, or a sharper focus on niche appeal – but all of them bring something distinct to the table for console audiences. Continue reading “Port roundup: Labyrinthine, Frostpunk 2, King of Ping Pong: MEGAMIX & The Edge of Allegoria”

Borderlands 4 lands on PlayStation 5 as both a continuation and a reinvention of Gearbox Software’s iconic looter-shooter formula. Published by 2K, the game transports players to Kairos, a planet under the suffocating rule of the Timekeeper, a villain who is at once charismatic and terrifying. The setup feels familiar in its “fight the tyrant” narrative, yet the way it’s framed within a crumbling society adds weight and urgency to the chaos. Storytelling has always been a tricky balance for the series, but here it manages to blend irreverent humor with darker undertones, creating a villain that feels genuinely threatening while still leaving room for the franchise’s trademark absurdity. Continue reading “Borderlands 4 review (PS5)”