Reviews

Scars Above review

This third-person sci-fi shooter has a ‘knowledge is power’ ethos, putting the fate of astronaut Kate Ward and her crewmates in our hands. Kate isn’t a battle-hardened grunt, an elusive bounty hunter, or a grizzled merc – she’s a scientist and an engineer, preferring to use brain over...
SCORE
7

Mayhem In Single Valley review

Quick reactions are the key to success in this apocalypse-averting action game. After being framed for poisoning the titular valley’s water supply – turning both man and beast into green-eyed freaks – Jack Johnson must clear his name, find a cure, and discover who’s responsible. That’s a lot...
SCORE
7

DREDGE review

We’re so used to fishing being classed a relaxing pastime – especially when it comes to video game incantations – that it’s easy to forget how merciless sea fishing can be. Harsh waves, cragged rocks, dense fog, and monstrous creatures from the deep. Team17’s DREDGE taps into the...
SCORE
8

Postal 4: No Regerts review

Prior to this belated PS4/PS5 release, the controversial Postal series has remained a PC exclusive since its 1997 debut. Not only is this console iteration a surprise for breaking tradition, but for a series famous for ultra-violence – even resulting in earlier entries being banned – it came...
SCORE
3

SimAirport review (Xbox)

Simulation games are generally very popular, from civilisation building, town planning, and warehouse logistics. SimAirport has been on PC for a couple of years now and just landed recently on Xbox. Here, you manage, build and grow every facet of your airport empire, from baggage handling and bank...
SCORE
2

Legend of Heroes: Trails to Azure review

Trails to Azure has arrived half a year after the long-awaited English release of Trails from Zero, heralding the completion of the missing Crossbell arc from developer Falcom’s Trails series of role playing games. One question remains: Has the thirteen year wait been worth it? Trails to Azure...
SCORE
8

Cions of Vega review

I don’t think I’ll ever cease to be impressed by what solo developers can achieve currently. Modern tools and game engines allow for some great-looking experiences, no matter how small the budget. Sergey Sergeich’s 33MM, 7th Sector, and In Rays of the Light are all good examples of...
SCORE
5

Little Witch Nobeta review

It was inevitable, really. After over a decade of Souls-likes that promise to test your mettle, one brave developer has stepped forward with a friendly, accessible, take on the formula. Little Witch Nobeta has many of the genre’s trappings, from perilously placed enemies that respawn upon saving to...
SCORE
6

Voltaire: The Vegan Vampire review (Early Access)

If you’re old like me (but not quite Vampiric old), the concept of vegetarian vampires goes back further than disturbed boys with fancy haircuts sparkling in the sunlight. Back in my day of the late 80’s and early 90’s – she says waving her walking stick at the...

BROK the InvestiGator review

Combining genres is an easy way of creating something fresh and full of potential. Or at least, it was around 10-15 years ago. Adding RPG elements to just about any genre, be it a first-person shooter or even a sports sim, is commonplace nowadays. To shake things significantly...
SCORE
8

Patch Quest review (PC)

Here’s a patchwork tapestry of interesting genres. Get your PC-compatible joypads ready as you take on this ‘twin stick collect-a-mania bullet hell dungeon crawler’ with rogue-lite elements. It sounds chaotic, and it is, but it works. Imagine threads from the Enter the Gungeon, Forager, Undermine, and Pokemon Mystery...
SCORE
8

Akka Arrh review

Even after playing the original Akka Arrh – present on the recent Atari 50 collection – I thought I had a pretty good idea of what to expect from this Jeff Minter makeover. It’s a trippy, twin-stick ‘protect the tower’ style shooter with a ‘90s-style trance soundtrack, right?...
SCORE
7