There’s a hidden layer to Jimmy and the Pulsating Mass: Console Enhanced Edition that belies its apparent simplicity: on the surface, an 8-bit-nostalgia-steeped JRPG homage, yet at its core a deeply human story told through the perspective of an eight-year-old navigating a dream world infected by an alien “pulsating mass.” Rather than leaning on retro aesthetics alone, the game infuses those influences with a surprising emotional complexity that steadily reveals itself as players move past the first few hours and start to grasp Jimmy’s inner life and the symbolic weight of his nightmarish surroundings. The narrative’s blend of whimsy, horror, and poignancy evokes classic SNES titles but isn’t beholden to mere imitation; instead, it uses that familiar framework as a lens to explore fear, family, and a child’s subconscious. Continue reading “Jimmy and the Pulsating Mass review (PS5)”
Developer interview: Trip the Light: Let’s Dance
Patrick Ascolese, founder of Seattle‑based Dark Arts Software, turned a wedding‑floor epiphany and years of award‑winning game and XR experience into Trip the Light, a Meta Quest Early Access VR partner‑dance game that teaches salsa, swing, and tango through guided lessons and a patient, AI‑driven virtual partner (Vironica) modeled on a real collaborator; designed for accessibility on consumer Quest hardware without foot trackers, the title uses synthesized chest‑direction tracking, mixed‑reality passthrough, and community‑led development via Kickstarter and Early Access so players can both learn to dance and help shape the game – now, here’s our conversation with Ascolese. Continue reading “Developer interview: Trip the Light: Let’s Dance”
The Run review (PC)
From the opening moments of The Run, it’s clear this isn’t a typical horror video game: it’s a fully filmed, choice-driven thriller that marries interactive storytelling with cinematic pacing. You step into the shoes of Zanna Hendricks, a globally recognised fitness influencer whose celebratory morning run in the scenic trails of Northern Italy swiftly devolves into a desperate struggle for survival. Across roughly three hours of content and dozens of choice points, the narrative oscillates between quiet scenic interludes and sudden, harrowing danger – a structure that keeps the tension alive even when the pace slows. What sets the premise apart – and occasionally betrays it – is a sense that the story sometimes cares more about style than impactful choices, leaving questions lingering long after the credits roll. Continue reading “The Run review (PC)”
Lovish review (PS5)
Lovish, the latest 8-bit-styled action-adventure from LABS Works and publisher DANGEN Entertainment, wears its inspirations on its sleeve – and for better and worse, that nostalgic DNA defines both its strengths and its quirks. On PlayStation 5, the game captures the spirit of classic single-screen platformers in a wonderful way, but it also reminds players why many retro mechanics were eventually refined or abandoned. Continue reading “Lovish review (PS5)”
Indie roundup: Hextreme Void, Gridz Keeper & Tiny Biomes
Indie games continue to thrive in the spaces between and within genres, blending familiar mechanics with fresh twists and modest ambitions that often prioritise clever design over spectacle. This latest roundup spans everything from hands-off brick-breaking reimagined as a roguelite optimisation loop, to stripped-back logic puzzles wrapped in post-apocalyptic dressing, and a more expansive tile-rotation journey across elemental biomes. While each of these PS5 titles approaches progression, challenge, and presentation in very different ways, they share a common focus on distilled gameplay ideas and accessible experiences. Continue reading “Indie roundup: Hextreme Void, Gridz Keeper & Tiny Biomes”
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