Starship Troopers: Ultimate Bug War! review

Starship Troopers: Ultimate Bug War!, developed by Auroch Digital and published by Dotemu, leans heavily into the cult status of its source material while framing itself as both a retro-inspired shooter and an in-universe “training simulation.” That framing gives the campaign a tongue-in-cheek tone that mirrors the franchise’s satirical edge, but it also creates some distance from a fully immersive narrative. While the premise of humanity battling an overwhelming Arachnid threat remains compelling, the storytelling often feels secondary to the action, relying more on atmosphere and fan service than on deeply developed plot threads. Continue reading “Starship Troopers: Ultimate Bug War! review”

EMOTIONLESS – The Last Ticket review (PS5)

EMOTIONLESS: The Last Ticket, developed by X1 Games and published by Perp Games on consoles, positions itself squarely within the realm of psychological horror, leaning heavily on atmosphere and disorientation rather than traditional mechanics. Set within a decaying amusement park tied to a deeply personal narrative, the game blends liminal space aesthetics with cosmic horror influences to create an experience that is as introspective as it is unsettling. Its premise is immediately compelling, drawing players into a fragmented reality where memory and perception intertwine, though its storytelling occasionally struggles to maintain clarity amidst its more abstract ambitions. Continue reading “EMOTIONLESS – The Last Ticket review (PS5)”

Etrange Overlord review (PS5)

Etrange Overlord arrives as a characteristically eccentric project spearheaded by Disgaea creator Sohei Niikawa, developed by Gemdrops and published by NIS America. Out now on PlayStation 5, it blends action RPG sensibilities with musical storytelling and a deliberately chaotic gameplay loop. The premise sets the tone immediately: falsely executed noblewoman Étrange awakens in hell and decides that, rather than accept her fate, she’ll conquer it. It’s a setup that leans heavily into absurdity, and while its humor and theatrical presentation give it a distinct identity, the narrative’s erratic pacing and tonal swings can make it difficult to stay fully invested. Continue reading “Etrange Overlord review (PS5)”

Grind Survivors review (PS5)

Grind Survivors arrives as the debut original project from Pushka Studios, published by Assemble Entertainment, and firmly plants itself in the increasingly crowded survivors-like space. Set in a demon-infested, post-apocalyptic Earth, the game casts players as a heavily armed hunter mowing through endless waves of hellspawn in a loop that prioritises escalation and optimisation over narrative depth. Storytelling is minimal and largely serves as a backdrop for the action, which is in line with genre expectations, but it does leave the experience feeling somewhat utilitarian for players hoping for stronger world-building or narrative hooks. Continue reading “Grind Survivors review (PS5)”

Release roundup: Dread Delusion, Unseen Diplomacy 2 & GigaBash – Final Ascension

In recent releases developers are exploring everything from surreal open-ended RPG design to physically immersive VR concepts and focused post-launch expansions. Across platforms like PlayStation 5 and Meta Quest, these titles showcase a shared willingness to experiment – whether that’s through unconventional storytelling, inventive mechanics, or bold stylistic choices – even if that ambition doesn’t always translate into complete refinement. In this roundup, we take a closer look at Dread Delusion, Unseen Diplomacy 2, and GigaBash: Final Ascension, three very different projects that each carve out their own identity while reflecting both the strengths and growing pains of modern game development. Continue reading “Release roundup: Dread Delusion, Unseen Diplomacy 2 & GigaBash – Final Ascension”