Category: Reviews

Earthion on PlayStation 5 is an unusual release: a brand-new shoot ’em up from Ancient Corporation and Yuzo Koshiro that was originally built for 16-bit hardware and then published on today’s systems. Published by Limited Run Games, it aims to recapture the golden age of arcade shooters while adding modern touches like leaderboards and display options. In doing so, it taps directly into nostalgia, but also raises the question of how much room there is for innovation in a genre so closely tied to its heritage. Continue reading “Earthion review (PS5)”

Towa and the Guardians of the Sacred Tree arrives with an unmistakably Japanese sensibility, blending roguelite dungeon crawling with mythic storytelling and village life. Developed by Brownies inc. and published by Bandai Namco, it puts you in the role of Towa, a priestess charged with protecting Shinju Village against the corrupting influence of Magatsu. The premise carries both an epic weight and a more intimate charm, as you’re not just swinging swords in far-off dungeons but also forging bonds with guardians and villagers who lend your journey a sense of continuity between runs. Continue reading “Towa and the Guardians of the Sacred Tree review”

Creepy Redneck Dinosaur Mansion 3 on Xbox is the kind of game that makes you double-check if you’ve somehow missed two entire generations of a cult-classic series. You haven’t. There was no first or second game. That’s the joke, and developer Strange Scaffold leans so hard into it that the whole thing becomes part parody, part love letter, and part “what did I just play?” It’s pitched as the triumphant return of hero Jack Briar in a long-awaited sequel, only this is the very first time you’re meeting him – and that deliberate absurdity sets the tone for everything that follows. Continue reading “Creepy Redneck Dinosaur Mansion 3 review (Xbox)”

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)”