Recompile ultimately isn’t as tightly designed as a metroidvania needs to be in order to be enjoyable, something best summed up in the fact that at least one fundamental upgrade is actually missable – something we discovered the (very) hard way. There’s a good time to be had in this visually striking virtual world, but you’ll have to work hard to defrag it. [Issue#6, p.90]

Has all the hallmarks of a PSVR hit – great ideas, action, and visuals – but playing it will make you feel ill. Even seasoned PSVRers should play with caution. [Issue#6, p.89]

Battles present a good amount of challenge from the off, too. You constantly have to weigh up which troops to recruit and swap in depending on the enemy you face. Sadly, while both the combat and character work are decent, the PS4 version of the game struggles with framerate at almost every camera turn – to the point that it never stops being a distraction. King’s Bounty II simply lacks much of the visual flair and polish we’ve come to expect from modern high-fantasy epics. [Issue#6, p.88]

It’s a mix of almost on-rails boost-based 3D sections with more classic-feeling 2D fare. The physics in the latter are still rough, with a particularly sticky-feeling jump. But Colors isn’t afraid to slow down for the occasional platform challenge. Each of the six stages in the five worlds is super-quick too, focussed on one core idea through each one. More often than not, Colors is a blast (though the meandering ending is awful). [Issue#6, p.88]

Admittedly, it is refreshing to see this classic style of game brought back to modern consoles, and some players may even appreciate the way this feels like an at-times-terrifying ’90s throwback. But even if you can look past its unoriginality, the lack of polish in stiff voice acting, character animation, and numerous bugs break the immersion. Retro revivals are cool, but if a game brings nothing new to the table and ends up worse than the existing ones it’ll inevitably be compared to, you may as well just dust off the old PlayStation and play those instead. [Issue#6, p.88]

Unlocking and installing further modifications relevant to telekinesis and stealth results in a much better experience, more akin to the detective style of storytelling Foreclosed repeatedly apes. Fortunately, these opportunities do come up often, but even this is somewhat soured when you realise the checkpoint system is extremely outdated. Just cleared out a room of guys? Prepare to do it again if you fail at the last hurdle. Foreclosed nails its sense of style and world-building; both are enjoyable if you can get past the middling gunplay. [Issue#6, p.81]

Simple but enjoyable activity aided by a fun object-slicing mechanic, fantastic voice acting, and a palpable love of worldbuilding and small-town life come together to create one of the most endearing British games in recent memory. It’s a cosy afternoon’s worth of fun, with the wonderful power to make you appreciate lives well lived. [Issue#6, p.81]

This all sounds great in theory, but things fall apart somewhat if you ever accidentally stray from the beaten path. The lack of a detailed map, even for areas you’ve already visited, makes navigation more frustrating than fun until you eventually stumble back on the intended route. And as the puzzles grow in scope as you progress, this issue becomes more stark. It’s not what we’d call a dealbreaker, but it’s enough of a nuisance to hold this short yet unique adventure from greatness. [Issue#6, p.81]

This online-focussed squad shooter recreates the feel of the Aliens movie perfectly but rarely gives us something original to do with all that pitch-perfect fan service. [Issue#6, p.82]

As Arkane’s been acquired by Xbox, this is its first and last PS5 exclusive. But what better parting gift than a perfect day you could happily live again and again? [Issue#6, p.72]

Eldest Souls combines the brilliance of soulslike combat with the sheer pressure of a boss rush. The result is exceptionally niche, but intensely compelling. [Issue#5, p.79]

This compelling mix of top-down action and survival sets a strong foundation for further Viking adventures. That said, there’s plenty here at launch to keep you busy. [Issue#5, p.85]

Delivering 1v1000 hack-and-slash goodness, this is a more promising reboot than Dynasty Warriors’ last attempt. It leaves us curious about the series’ future. [Issue#5, p.76]

Although some rough edges make the early access status clear, it’s already a fast-paced and highly competitive bundle of fun that can only get better from here.[Issue#5, p.92]

A good game for kids, sure, but adults will get even more out of it. Doesn’t quite meet 7 its potential, but this is a funny and clever little tale nonetheless. [Issue#5, p.91]

A banger of a sequel that slightly fumbles the last verse. That said, it’s still a full-on earworm that’s getting heavy rotation on our Summer In Shibuya playlist. [Issue#5, p.72]

More of a playable movie than an adventure game, Last Stop boasts great characters and intriguing mysteries. Just don’t expect to have much of an impact on any of it. [Issue#5, p.87]

Unfocussed mechanics and not enough Herlock Sholmes means it doesn’t live up to its full potential, though series fans will have a hoot with the mysteries. [Issue#5, p.80]

A unique, atmospheric adventure with a character that it’s never less than a joy to control. Wondering feather or not to dive in? We say go for it. [Issue#5, p.90]

Cris Tales uses tried-and-tested activity and story tropes, but can’t manage to imbue them with anything interesting – though not for a lack of trying. [Issue#5, p.88]

Overall it’s a little formulaic (partly by design), yet its exciting shooting, colourful world, and decent story rescue it. [Issue#5, p.86]

The grow-and-go loop may be simple but there’s enough challenge to keep you thinking. The game’s a looker, too. The clean, stylised visuals deliver a deep sense of satisfaction as a barren desert floods with colourful trees – the reds, greens, and blues of your endeavours encouraging you to keep going, to keep planting more. It’s a visual treetment that works. To backpetal slightly, there are some bugs, but nothing the dev won’t swat away in time. [Issue#5, p.86]

The big feature this time around is what’s called War Scenarios. These are essentially larger-scale battles that take the tower defence action outside the castle.2 While good in theory, these levels being so open often makes managing the horde flow a bit of a chore, especially when compared to the more traditional compact mazes. Combine this with a couple of inconsistent difficulty spikes, and Orcs Must Die! 3 is a solid (if somewhat unsurprising) continuation of the strategic orc-slaying concept. [Issue#5, p.86]

When you die, you’re sent back to the last rest point without penalty. The game still offers some customisation in its combat, but its approach is simplified. The lack of a deep combat system might be a turn-off to those looking for a challenge, but we applaud the devs for allowing more players to get through it – which is more than can be said of some of its inspirations. Tying everything together is an art style that, once again, makes Ender Lilies easy to get into. It certainly features grotesque creatures, but its balance of beauty and horror is a highlight and one of the game’s best aspects. [Issue#5, p.77]

Success is leaning into the saccharine story of a witch on a quest for candy, which also helps save the world (and a fairy world) from darkness. Apparently. With this in mind, the sparkling visuals and sumptuous colours make sense. Neon bullets shine as they whizz across the playing field and each explosion feels like an evening of serotonin-boosting fireworks. It’s a joy to experience. However, with only a few modes of play and score-based leaderboards, this Reboot! may leave competitive players and retro fans wanting more. [Issue#5, p.77]

The narrative and aesthetic may boast a late medieval vibe, yet it combines with the tone and language’s modernity to create a silly juxtaposition that shouldn’t work but does. The only real area where The Procession To Calvary falls down is in some obtuse puzzle solutions that aren’t always immediately obvious. Couple this with an emphasis on backtracking,2 and there’s a slight sense of padding in an adventure that can be finished in one sitting. That said, what’s here is an adventure game quite unlike any other, one where sense and logic are out the arched window. [Issue#5, p.77]

Hades looks sleek, is fun, and delivers that ‘just one more round’ feeling – unequivocally a Supergiant game and a gem for genre fans and newcomers alike. [Issue#5, p.84]

With reams of text and choices, and lovely environments, this is a narrative slice-of-life that lingers in the mind, and gives some pause for thought. [Issue#4, p.89]