Latest Reviews
Review Never Alone (PlayStation 4)
One if by land, two if by blizzard
Never Alone (or Kisima Inŋitchuŋa in its native tongue) is a PlayStation 4 platformer by Upper One Games and E-Line Media. It’s an interactive re-telling of stories that come from the Alaskan indigenous peoples, the Iñupiaq. Some of the stories touched upon are The Blizzard Man, The Sky People, and Rolling...
Review LittleBigPlanet 3 (PlayStation 4)
Dream weaver
Reviewing a LittleBigPlanet game at launch is a little like rating The Beatles’ entire catalogue based on everything up to Rubber Soul: the pieces are in place, but the real magic is yet to come. A community centric sequel such as this deserves time to properly mature, but expectations demand that we put pen to paper now. The question...
Review Tiny Troopers: Joint Ops (PlayStation 3)
Military mishap
Tiny Troopers: Joint Ops combines the best features and missions from its mobile counterparts, packaging the popular smartphone series’ first two titles together for PlayStation platforms. Does this port march onto Sony’s systems with success, though – or is it an overpriced clone doing the console rounds? The game definitely...
Review Assassin's Creed Rogue (PlayStation 3)
A touch of frost
You’d be forgiven for branding Assassin’s Creed Rogue an afterthought, as its next-gen brother, Assassin’s Creed Unity, overshadowed its release. Although appearing as a cash-in for those still waiting to upgrade their PlayStation 3s, though, this is actually a solid instalment in Ubisoft’s historical franchise, bringing...
Review Tales of Hearts R (PlayStation Vita)
Pacemaker
Tales of Hearts R is an enhanced version of the popular Tales of Hearts on the Nintendo DS. Originally only released in Japan, this title represents the 11th entry in Bandai Namco’s long-running role-playing series – but does it live up to the property’s esteemed standards, and is it the type of title that famished PlayStation Vita...
Review #killallzombies (PlayStation 4)
Social media suicide
We all know that the zombie apocalypse is coming, but gamers should have had enough practice by now to survive beyond doomsday. What’s next for a world littered with corpses, then? A reality television show – with a hashtag as part of its title, of course. This is the (horrific) future that #killallzombies peddles, but as...
Review Snark Busters: High Society (PlayStation 3)
Who you gonna call?
A game sporting a name like Snark Busters: High Society should be enough to perk the interest of pretty much anyone – you can’t help but let it spark question after question in your mind. What the hell’s a Snark, why does it need busting, and most importantly, will there be top hats? Should all of these questions push your...
Review The Binding of Isaac: Rebirth (PlayStation 4)
A study in scatology
The Binding of Isaac: Rebirth is an infamously strange game, which is why it was with slight befuddlement that we saw Sony include it as a recent PlayStation Plus freebie. Conceived by Team Meat's Edmund McMillen, the title is a twisted take on the twin-stick shooter genre, served with a heaping spoonful of NES-era Zelda. But do...
Review Senran Kagura Bon Appétit! (PlayStation Vita)
Food poisoning
With the Senran Kagura series, developer Marvelous has already served up several saucy dishes – but PlayStation Vita exclusive Senran Kagura Bon Appétit! sprinkles a little extra spice into the bubbling broth. A rhythm game with a culinary twist, this curious cook-‘em-up sees the property’s now infamous buxom ninja babes...
Review The Wolf Among Us - A Telltale Games Series (PlayStation 4)
Huff ‘n’ puff
The Wolf Among Us is the last of Telltale Games’ previously released titles to wind up on the PlayStation 4. When these next-gen ports were initially announced, many expected them to offer more stable editions of the famously buggy escapades available elsewhere. Sadly, both The Walking Dead: Season One, and, to a lesser extent,
Review Nano Assault Neo-X (PlayStation 4)
Biological blunder
Back when Resogun was announced for the PlayStation 4, there was some dissatisfaction that Finnish developer Housemarque was leaving behind its brilliant Super Stardust HD blueprint. The space shooter eventually launched to critical acclaim, putting any concerns to bed – but it hasn’t stopped us from pondering how the...
Review LEGO Ninjago: Nindroids (PlayStation Vita)
Portable ninjas to go
The ever growing collection of LEGO video games has become a mammoth in the industry. With over 50 titles to choose from, including both licensed and original properties, fans of the digital bricks have had a vast variety to explore. Showing no signs of slowing down, the latest game in the pantheon has made its way to the...
Review Rocksmith 2014 Edition (PlayStation 4)
Shred school
As a lapsed guitar player, this wannabe rockstar was eagerly anticipating the release of Rocksmith 2014 Edition on the PlayStation 4. With two mistreated instruments decorated in dust, Ubisoft’s tutor promised a much needed excuse to wipe them down and get them back into action – but does this next-gen port squeal like Slash or hit...
Review Escape Goat 2 (PlayStation 4)
Just kidding around
The puzzle platform game has become a staple of console indies over the last generation. You can’t swing a cat without hitting plenty of examples, all looking to test your brain to the limit with fiendish puzzles, that’ll have you spending more time scratching your head than jumping around. With the arrival of Escape Goat 2...
Review The Muppets Movie Adventures (PlayStation Vita)
Green around the gills
The Muppets has always been a franchise for families, so it’s not exactly surprising to see The Muppets Movie Adventures – a brand new PlayStation Vita exclusive – strive to occupy that exact same space. Sadly, in doing so, this comedic escapade ends up being a little simplistic for its own good – even if youngsters...
Review Natural Doctrine (PlayStation 4)
Doctorate encouraged
Most strategy games have consistent traits, from the required line of sight to turn-based attacks and environmental multipliers. Natural Doctrine takes these basics and develops them beyond recognition. This is a devilishly intelligent title that’s perhaps a little too clever, and it alienates itself somewhat as a result...
Review Race the Sun (PlayStation 4)
Flight to freedom
Race the Sun is a very simple game. That isn't meant as a criticism – indeed, the title's focus is arguably its greatest asset. After a successful Kickstarter, this unique take on a popular genre has made its way onto Sony's systems with almost non-existent fanfare. But, do its straightforward systems make for a satisfying...
Review Pac-Man and the Ghostly Adventures 2 (PlayStation 3)
Pill popper
Pac-Man is a classic video game character, recognised alongside other greats such as Mario, Sonic, and Donkey Kong. The origins of these heroes have all helped to shape the gaming world as we know it today – but how is Bandai Namco’s famous bubble biter remaining relevant in this day and age? Well, after sprouting arms and legs, the...
Review Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare (PlayStation 4)
Technologic
Set around 40 years from now, Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare attempts to show us a world that's more reliant on technology than ever. It's a fictional period that has its roots in reality, and it's a premise that's relatively believable. While armies and private military corporations with access to walking tanks and hulking mech suits...
Review Minutes (PlayStation 4)
Bullet heaven
Minutes’ key art may draw comparisons to Countdown, but in Channel 4 game show terms, this is way more Rachel Riley than Des O’Connor. An energetic arcade experience, this blistering bullet hell-inspired escapade is a real breath of fresh air. And while it may not silence the anti-indie crowd, it’s a shining example of how good...
Review Fluster Cluck (PlayStation 4)
Cluck up
The plethora of indies gracing the PlayStation 4 keep on coming, and while not every single one of them is a knockout, there have been a few stunners over the past year. To add to the ever growing list is a game with a name that isn’t afraid to play with words. Enter Cluster...Er, Fluster Cluck – a four-player competitive twin-stick...
Review The Unfinished Swan (PlayStation 4)
Placeholder strapline
Back in 2012, when indie startup Giant Sparrow released The Unfinished Swan, we were bowled over by it, awarding it a rare 10/10 in our review. Understandably, we were subsequently ecstatic when Sony announced earlier in the year that it was bringing the curious campaign to the PlayStation 4 alongside fellow digital download...
Review WWE 2K15 (PlayStation 3)
Low blow
If you’re a wrestling fan, it’s been hard to ignore 2K Sports’ constant bragging about just how revolutionary WWE 2K15 is going to be. However, while this certainly looks to be true with the PlayStation 4 version, the recycled gameplay and samey ideas present in the last-gen effort leave a lot to be desired. When booting up the game...
Review Deadfall Adventures: Heart of Atlantis (PlayStation 3)
Heart breaker
This writer’s reputation for revelling in mediocre games is well regarded around the Push Square office, and Deadfall Adventures: Heart of Atlantis is another one of those middling titles that’s ingratiated itself to this strange scribe. An updated version of last year’s Xbox 360 and PC release, this Indiana Jones-inspired romp...
Review Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel (PlayStation 3)
You don’t know Jack
The first two Borderlands games brought loot to first person shooters in a huge way, and in the process, proved to be massive hits with gamers. Now, with the arrival of Borderlands: The Pre Sequel, original developer Gearbox Software have taken a backseat, allowing 2K Australia to fire up the gun generator for another outing,...
Review Costume Quest 2 (PlayStation 4)
Trick or treat?
Costume Quest 2 is the latest game from lauded developer Double Fine, and is actually the firm’s first full-blown sequel to boot. The title depicts the continuing adventures of twins Reynold and Wren, as they combat a time travelling delinquent dentist determined to destroy Hallowe’en and its teeth-decaying deeds. Much like the...
Review Freedom Wars (PlayStation Vita)
Grind and punishment
Easily one of the PlayStation Vita's most anticipated titles, Freedom Wars plops you into a dystopian future that's full of typically stylish teens and giant mechanical beasts, and tasks you with whittling down a one million year sentence of service to your not-so-lovely community. For many owners of Sony's portable console, a...
Review Lone Survivor: The Director's Cut (PlayStation 4)
No longer alone
Lone Survivor: The Director’s Cut is the latest indie title to make the jump from the PlayStation 3 to the PlayStation 4, and with great seasonal timing to boot. The question is: is the game’s special brand of horror still capable of sending shivers down your spice on Sony’s next-gen machine? In short, of course it is. The...
Review Lords of the Fallen (PlayStation 4)
Harkyn and soul
With the spawn of the Souls series, gamers around the world have developed a soft spot for controller breaking games with horrendously difficult barriers of entry. Lords of the Fallen is Polish studio CI Games' first attempt at imitating the franchise's success – but does it stand up to its competitors? While the Souls series...
Review Pix the Cat (PlayStation 4)
Feline fine
At first glance, Pix the Cat appears to be a relatively simple arcade experience. However, this unassuming exterior belies its innovative and addictive mechanics, as well its surfeit of surplus content. Make no mistake, this is an insanely infectious indie which absolutely deserves your attention. At its core, Pastagames’ latest is an...
