Even though born into a world filled with magic and monsters, blue haired bounty hunter Hariku is inexplicably startled by the discovery of a talking owl, found locked in a cage deep inside a forgotten shrine. Quickly forming a bond, Hariku and the owl – now christened Owly – set about travelling to a distant …
Here’s a horror game that’s dark in both senses of the word. True to its name, the plot involves a deranged doctor performing sadistic experiments on unwilling victims. After waking up following an abduction, one of the first sights is of a captive being sliced in two while still alive, making for a grim yet …
It’s refreshing to see that in these times of spiralling budgets and lengthy development cycles that id Software still creates their own tech and bespoke engines. This is arguably the ‘secret sauce’ behind modern DOOM, in the way that it allows the long-established studio to create an engine suitable for the experience they want to …
It’s always pleasing to see a developer associated with licensed games gain the opportunity to work on their own IP, giving the chance to flex creative muscle and work outside of a licensed property’s confines. High Voltage Software dabbled with The Conduit and Tournament of Legends in the Wii era, Eurocom created 40 Winks and Sphinx …
What do you get if you mix Danganronpa, Balatro and the mind of a pubescent teenager? Why, All in Abyss: Judge the Fake of course, a visual novel where you play games of poker to progress the story whilst trying not to let your wife see the more suggestive cut-scenes and dialogue. You play as …
You’d think a police officer’s first day on duty would involve little more than reading training manuals, taking online courses, and shaking paws with the K-9s if they’re lucky. This isn’t the case for rookie officer Nick Cordell, however, who’s taken on a ride along to an armed bank robbery during their first day on …
After playing so many half-baked and downright lazy auto-shooters, all hoping to cash-in on Vampire Survivor’s success, it’s understandable why I approached Submarine Survivor with caution. It seems that developers are currently scrambling to base their survivor games on certain distinct themes before anyone else, paying little attention to trying to implement new ideas outside …
Look back at the Xbox 360’s launch and you’ll notice the absence of a standout system seller. The line-up mostly consisted of spillovers from the original Xbox, such as Rare’s Perfect Dark Zero and Kameo: Elements of Power, along with multi-format games from EA and Activision. That’s unless you happen to take the first batch …
This follow-up to 2020’s Journey to the Savage Planet makes the bold decision to switch from first-person to third-person. The perspective used in the original brought about comparisons to Metroid Prime, whereas the switch to third-person makes this PS5/Xbox Series only sequel feel far more inspired. It’s saying something when you may be too taken …
The premise for this academy management sim sets the tone perfectly. Every 254 years a demonic force rises and attempts to conquer a magical realm. After someone accidentally marked the wrong year on a calendar to highlight The Lord of Evil’s return, the fate of mankind is at stake. With only a few years left …
Have you ever watched a trailer for an upcoming game that aligns with your tastes, only to notice a certain something which may harm its potential? Perhaps a racer where the AI appears far too aggressive or even passive, or maybe a modern day shoot’em up where enemy bullets blur into busy backdrops? Blazing Trail’s …
Combat systems in arena brawlers, especially those pitting you against several enemies at once, tend to put gratification above technicality. Grab a baseball bat and swing for the fences, making blood spurt and enemies hit the ground hard. KIBORG presents similar grisly sights, only it’s clear from the outset that the technical side of things …
At least once per console generation a developer will latch onto the concept of puppets and stage shows, with past examples including Puppeteer, The Gunstringer, and Dynamite Headdy, along with traces of cardboard stage-like level design also found in the likes of Little Big Planet and Fable Heroes. It’s a set-up that always generates a …
In 2021, the classic 1993 puzzle adventure Myst – which helped sell millions of CD-ROM drives to PC owners – gained a new lease of life through an Unreal Engine powered remake, taking the pre-rendered visuals and capturing their mysterious essence in 3D. The vastly similar Amerzone, released on PC and PS1 in 1998 through …
Let’s not beat around the bush – a drug dealer simulator is far from the most morally virtuous concept. The spin put onto it, by both the developer and publisher, is that it allows players to create a drug empire from scratch without facing the consequences of pursuing this “career” in real life. We can …