Fresh Tracks review (PS5)

Fresh Tracks, developed and published by Buffalo Buffalo, is a roguelike rhythm/action title that takes the thrill of precision combat and places it against the backdrop of a harsh but strikingly beautiful mountain range. On PlayStation 5, it immediately impresses with its unique premise – blending traversal-based decision making with intense battles that demand careful timing and sharp reflexes. The roguelike structure ensures that each run feels different, with trails branching across the slopes, forcing you to weigh the risks and rewards of every path you carve through the environment. Continue reading “Fresh Tracks review (PS5)”

Indie roundup: Zooparasite, CORE.SYS, Candylands Journey & Smoots Crazy Wave

Indie gaming continues to deliver a steady stream of small-scale experiments, quirky ideas, and nostalgic throwbacks – sometimes charming in their simplicity, other times frustrating in their lack of polish. This roundup highlights four recent PlayStation 5 releases that fit squarely into that space, each offering its own spin on familiar genres. From sewer-dwelling survival horror and minimalist puzzle hacking to candy-coated retro platforming and jet ski racing with the Smoots, these titles cover a wide spectrum of styles. The question, as always, is whether they manage to rise above their budget roots and leave a lasting impression. Continue reading “Indie roundup: Zooparasite, CORE.SYS, Candylands Journey & Smoots Crazy Wave”

Directive 8020 preview (Gamescom)

Supermassive Games, known for its expertise in cinematic horror experiences with Until Dawn and The Quarry, is now venturing into the realm of sci-fi with Directive 8020. This new installment in The Dark Pictures Anthology brings the signature branching narratives and decision-based gameplay into a space setting, blending psychological horror with survival mechanics. Having first seen the game during a hands-off presentation at Gamescom 2024 and then gone hands-on with a much lengthier demo build at Gamescom 2025, it’s clear that this project is ambitious — even if it’s still in need of some polish. Once set for release earlier, the game has recently been postponed, with launch now planned for 2026.
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REANIMAL preview (Gamescom)

Tarsier Studios, best known for their work on Little Nightmares and its sequel, are back with REANIMAL, a co-op horror adventure that builds on their legacy of crafting tense, atmospheric worlds. Published by THQ Nordic, this title promises a more collaborative experience while retaining the studio’s signature blend of dread and curiosity. Having first tried an early build at Gamescom 2024 and then going hands-on again with a more advanced demo at Gamescom 2025, REANIMAL has steadily proven itself to be one of the more exciting horror titles on the horizon. It now also has a release date, with a launch scheduled for early 2026.
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Cronos: The New Dawn review (PS5)

Cronos: The New Dawn is Bloober Team’s latest dive into survival horror, and on PlayStation 5 it feels like a game built around both its striking atmosphere and its demanding mechanics. At its core, this is a story about survival across two timelines, shifting between a devastated, retro-futurist wasteland and 1980s Poland on the brink of catastrophe. That duality gives the game a distinctive personality, marrying Eastern European brutalism with a dystopian sci-fi aesthetic that feels both oppressive and captivating. It’s a setting that immediately sets the tone for a game that wants to challenge you as much narratively as mechanically. Continue reading “Cronos: The New Dawn review (PS5)”