Port roundup: LAPIN, Lorn’s Lure, Endoparasitic & Super Mining Mechs

Ports often give overlooked indie gems a second life – and sometimes, a new audience discovers just how much they’ve been missing. Recent releases like LAPIN, Lorn’s Lure, Endoparasitic, and Super Mining Mechs all arrive on consoles after making their mark on PC, each bringing a distinct flavor of gameplay and atmosphere. From heartfelt 2D storytelling to punishing first-person climbs and claustrophobic horror, these ports show how diverse smaller-scale gaming can be when freed from platform constraints. Some thrive through refined controls or sharper presentation, others retain their scrappy indie charm – but all offer a glimpse into how far creative design can go when not weighed down by big-budget expectations. Continue reading “Port roundup: LAPIN, Lorn’s Lure, Endoparasitic & Super Mining Mechs”

Cladun X3 review (PS5)

With Cladun X3, Nippon Ichi Software brings back its cult pixel-RPG series for another round of chaotic dungeon-crawling. This time, the villains themselves are center stage, competing in a deadly “peace game” inside Arcanus Cella. It’s a premise that sounds wonderfully tongue-in-cheek, and the game unfolds as half parody, half grind-fest, in a tone that fits NIS’ tradition of quirky worlds where even evil overlords feel oddly endearing. The PlayStation 5 release keeps the nostalgic, 16-bit-inspired aesthetic, though it’s clear that this is a modestly scaled game leaning on retro charm rather than technical flash. Continue reading “Cladun X3 review (PS5)”

Blood of Mehran review (PS5)

Blood of Mehran is an action RPG published by Blowfish Studios and developed by Permanent Way Game Co., released for PlayStation 5. At first glance, it carries the sheen of a mid-tier adventure in the vein of Prince of Persia, boasting Unreal Engine 5 visuals that shimmer with promise. But while its screenshots suggest a cinematic Persian fantasy, that illusion fades a bit in motion, exposing a technically somewhat dated and mechanically uneven experience that falls short of its ambitions. Continue reading “Blood of Mehran review (PS5)”

Lost Eidolons: Veil of the Witch review (PS5)

Building on the foundations of Lost Eidolons, Ocean Drive Studio’s Veil of the Witch reshapes that world into a roguelite with turn-based strategy at its core. Published by Kakao Games, this spin-off brings a more condensed, replay-driven take on the tactical RPG formula while retaining the studio’s focus on squad-based combat and character relationships. It’s a daring evolution that trades scale for depth, and despite a few rough edges, it’s one of the more rewarding grid-based RPGs to appear on PlayStation this year. Continue reading “Lost Eidolons: Veil of the Witch review (PS5)”

Castle of Heart: Retold review (PS5)

Seven years after its original debut on the Nintendo Switch, Castle of Heart returns as Castle of Heart: Retold – and this time, it finally feels like the game it always wanted to be. Developed once again by 7Levels and published on PlayStation 5, this remade version refines almost every aspect of the original experience, from combat flow to visual presentation, while still staying true to its classic 2.5D roots. Continue reading “Castle of Heart: Retold review (PS5)”