Tag: Mini Reviews - Page 2
Mini Review Ratchet & Clank: Size Matters (PSP) - Passable 2007 Debut of Series on PSP
Grind derails
Notable as the series' debut on the PSP, as well as for being developed by High Impact Games — and not by Insomniac Games — Ratchet & Clank: Size Matters stumbles slightly by slowing the pace of progression through the franchise's classic weapon and gadget upgrade structure. With a humdrum story set after Ratchet: Deadlocked,...
Mini Review Pepper Grinder (PS5) - Sprightly Platformer Is Well-Drilled
Drilling into the detail
What would you do if a load of pirates stole your hard-earned booty and the only tool you could find to get your stuff back was an oversized drill? Well, Pepper Grinder proffers an answer: you'd turn that drill into a sort of weapon-cum-vehicle and chase them down. Over the course of a short runtime, across four worlds that...
Mini Review CYGNI: All Guns Blazing (PS5) - A Stunning, Short-Lived Shmup
Blazing squad
Konami’s history is steeped in shoot-‘em-ups, from the 1985 arcade classic Gradius to so-called cute-‘em-ups like TwinBee. As the Japanese publisher slowly begins to embrace its past again, it’s picked CYGNI: All Guns Blazing, a nostalgic nod to the blasters of the past – albeit one developed by KeelWorks, a studio based in...
Mini Review Super Stardust Portable (PSP) - Single-Stick Shooting Falls Short
(Star)Dusting off retro titles
Housemarque's best known for its twin-stick shooters, with Resogun being a notable recent example. However, its space shooting series, Stardust, shouldn’t be forgotten. Originating back on the Amiga in 1993, it's been a huge inspiration for the modern twin-stick shooters we see today. Super Stardust Portable...
Shonen Jump to a blue square
Given its overwhelming popularity, it’s a surprise there aren’t more alternatives to Mario Party – especially on platforms Nintendo doesn’t support. Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – Sweep the Board! may initially seem like a strange proposition, then, but it fills a niche on the PS5 that no one else has...
Mini Review SteamWorld Heist 2 (PS5) - More Mechanical Tactical Magic
A life of delightment
Ditching the space exploration of the original, SteamWorld Heist 2 is a swashbuckling tactics adventure that places you in the shoes of Captain Leeway. He takes to the Great Sea with his ragtag group of Steambots to solve the water crisis, deal with the oppressive navy making things worse, and prove he can live up to his...
Mini Review Star Wars: Bounty Hunter (PS5) - Retro Remaster Is Faithful to a Fault
I find your abundance of faith endearing
Star Wars: Bounty Hunter is a remaster of the 2002 action platformer. You play as Jango Fett when he's still a bounty hunter, before the creation of the clone army. He's voiced by his live-action actor, Temuera Morrison, and the story is an interesting and surprisingly funny look into the life of one of the...
Mini Review The Star Named EOS (PS5) - Memories Worth Experiencing
Snapshots in time and space
Heartfelt, poignant stories are more common these days, thanks to more indie games than ever being released. Able to tell stories and make smaller experiences that larger games from big publishers won't touch, they can often be diamonds in the rough. For the most part, The Star Named EOS is one of those diamonds. Across...
Mini Review Deadlink (PS5) - Breakneck Cyberpunk Shooter Is an Absolute Blast
Hell in a shell
If you're a fan of fast and furious, DOOM-esque shooting on PS5, Deadlink earns itself an easy recommendation. This is a cyberpunk-themed blast-'em-up with a roguelite structure, where the goal is to run through preset levels that dish out randomised rewards upon completion. It's frantic, often sweat-inducing fun, held together by...
Mini Review Monster Train (PS5) - Another Addictive Card Game for the Deck
Leaving on a hell train
As heaven threatens to extinguish the flames of Hell once and for all, it's down to you, some demonspawn, and a handful of cards to allay the danger. The stakes are high in Monster Train, a roguelike deckbuilder that throws in a teensy bit of tower defence for good measure. It's a mix that works remarkably well, delivering...
Mini Review Thank Goodness You're Here! (PS5) - An Utterly Ridiculous English Excursion
Reyt good, this
Thank Goodness You're Here! is best experienced knowing as little as possible, but what you should know is that it's one of the most roundly absurd games we've yet played. As a diminutive businessman, you're sent out to meet with the mayor of Barnsworth. Turns out he'll be unavailable for a while, and so, with a few hours to fill,...
Mini Review Exhausted Man (PS5) - Perfect for Putting Yourself to Sleep
Wake me up when it's over
As an adult, being tired is an aspect of everyday life. Everyone has something sapping their energy. Whether it's work, school, or any other circumstance, we’re all just pushing ourselves until we can go to sleep again. That being said, it’s a bit of a surprise to see a full game focused on that subject. Exhausted Man...
Mini Review Let's School (PS5) - School Management Sim Fails to Make the Grade
See me after class
Let’s School is a management simulator which will have you rebuilding a school back to its former glory. Once a student of the educational institution and now its headmaster, it only makes sense that the first ever school you manage will be one days away from financial ruin. The game misses out on any humanity by treating the...
Mini Review Flintlock: The Siege of Dawn (PS5) - Yeah, It's Pretty Good
Use axe to grind
Flintlock: The Siege of Dawn is the textbook definition of a good video game. You probably won't think of it much after rolling credits, but in the moment, there's enough in its roughly 12-hour campaign for a fulfilling time. A quick hit of comfort food for the Souls-like audience, it succeeds with fun combat and movement abilities...
Mini Review Flock (PS5) - Hohokum Meets Pokémon in Relaxing Collect-'Em-Up
Ready and woollen
If you're looking for a game to just chill out to, Flock will definitely meet that criteria. From the minds behind Hohokum, I Am Dead, and Wilmot's Warehouse, to name a few, this laidback adventure is all about finding and documenting dozens of unusual creatures, and that's more or less it. The open world expands as you progress...
Mini Review Darkest Dungeon 2 (PS5) - Road Trippin' Roguelike Not for the Faint of Heart
Highway straight to hell
Like its predecessor, Darkest Dungeon 2 is about making the best of a bad situation and enduring unspeakable horrors. Unlike the original Darkest Dungeon, it's a faster-paced roguelite meant to be played repeatedly instead of a traumatic, lengthy dungeon crawler. As massive fans of the original, getting over that fact was...
Mini Review Schim (PS5) - Adorable Platformer Doesn't Quite Stick the Landing
Beast of the shadow
Schim is a stylish platformer with relaxed vibes and a charming soundtrack. Its world is filled with the eponymous little critters. These adorable shadow frogs are the spirits of living things or objects, and everything that can make a shadow has one. The game follows one schim in particular, in this case one attached to a young...
Mini Review Spin Rhythm XD (PS5) - Superbly Slick Arcade Rhythm Action
Positive spin
Spin Rhythm XD feels like the cool younger sibling of rhythm classics like Amplitude. With its bright presentation and smooth, satisfying gameplay, this indie arcade rhythm title has both style and substance, always leaving us wanting to play one more song. Notes head towards you on a track, and you control a wheel featuring two...
Mini Review NeoSprint (PS5) - Simple, Fun Racer Isn't Always a Smooth Ride
Bumper cars
Sprint is Atari's latest retro series to receive a modern coat of paint, and it's arrived in the form of NeoSprint. This fresh spin on the publisher's old school racing game comes out of the workshop with a pleasant look and feel and some neat new features, but there are still a few spots that needed a little more attention. This is an...
Mini Review #BLUD (PS5) - Amazing Cartoon Aesthetics Elevate a Decent Action Adventure
Fangs for the memories
We'd normally refuse to review a game with a hashtag in its title, but #BLUD is ultimately worth writing about. This is a top-down action adventure with a superbly realised aesthetic, evoking strong Cartoon Network vibes. If you're a fan of the highly stylised shows that helped define the 90s and 2000s for many a millennial,...
Mini Review Until Then (PS5) - A Genuine, Heartfelt Tale of Love and Loss
School's out forever
There's a bit in Until Then when our teenage protagonist Mark is looking at his mobile phone. He's just sent a text message to a girl he likes, and we just sit there, waiting. Nothing happens. It's been a while. Has the game crashed? Then we realise we're waiting because he's looking at the delivery note on the text message,...
Mini Review Megaton Musashi W: Wired (PS5) - Completely Overlooked Action RPG Is Worth a Shot
Mobile Suit Fundam
We've all been waiting years for the return of once prominent Japanese developer Level-5, but you'd be forgiven for being completely ignorant of its latest Western release, Megaton Musashi W: Wired. Thanks to what feels like a near total lack of marketing, this awkwardly named action RPG has sailed effortlessly under the radar —...
Mini Review Monster Hunter Stories 2: Wings of Ruin (PS4) - A Monster of a Sequel and a Superb RPG
Bigger and better
The first Monster Hunter Stories is a fantastic RPG, held back slightly by the tech it was originally built for (the 3DS). But, its sequel, Monster Hunter Stories 2: Wings of Ruin, was released several years later and crafted for the Nintendo Switch and PC, and it shows in the PS4 version. After venturing out to gain experience as...
Mini Review Monster Hunter Stories (PS4) - A Fantastic, Albeit Ageing RPG
What if the monsters were our friends all along?
Monster Hunter is bigger than it ever has been, after the huge successes of Monster Hunter World and Monster Hunter Rise. With Monster Hunter Wilds on the way, it makes sense that Capcom is finally bringing its JRPG spinoff of the series to PlayStation. Despite being almost eight years old and made...
Mini Review Sushi Ben (PSVR2) - Uneven Slice of Life VR Title Has Style
Ben dreams of sushi
Sushi Ben is a relaxing VR title with immaculate vibes. As a newcomer to the quaint fishing village of Kotobuki Town, you find yourself intertwined with the fate of a beloved, freshly shuttered sushi restaurant. Offering to help the massively overworked owner, you set out to restore supply chains for food, interacting with the...
Mini Review Killer Klowns from Outer Space: The Game (PS5) - A Lacking Attempt on a Cult Classic
Not as silly as it gets
What’s so enduring about the 1988 comedy-horror movie Killer Klowns from Outer Space is its stalwart dedication to the bit. Almost every kill the klowns make refers to some comedy act or circus trick, from shadow puppets scarfing down a group of pensioners to a puppet show turning into a shootout. Unfortunately, Killer...
Mini Review Paper Trail (PS5) – Unique Origami-Style Puzzles Set in a Gorgeous World
Fold the line
Paper Trail is a puzzle game which takes a simple premise, folding and unfolding paper, to create a unique experience. You play from the perspective of Paige, a young woman who leaves home to pursue her academic dreams whilst meeting some weird and wonderful characters along the way. One of the first things you’ll notice about Paper...
Mini Review Animal Well (PS5) - Mysterious Metroidvania a Pure Puzzle Box on PS Plus
Deeper and deeper
Animal Well tells you almost nothing. This retro-styled puzzle platformer is bursting with layers and layers of secrets, and it leaves you to pick it all apart in some of the most purely explorative gameplay we've experienced in a while. After emerging from a flower, you play as a small blob, able only to run and jump. You're...
Mini Review Imagine Earth (PS5) - Forge a Better Future in Cosy Yet Challenging City Builder
Pollution solution
Have you ever dared to dream of a better world? Imagine Earth makes one possible, but the road to paradise is far from straight. This planetary city builder offers a charming aesthetic with deceptively difficult gameplay that's sure to delight players who want a less cosy experience. Marrying its environmentalist themes with the...
Mini Review Crow Country (PS5) - Brilliant Retro Horror Wears Its Influences on Its Sleeve
Prepare to eat crow
Developed by SFB Games, survival horror adventure Crow Country sees you playing as Mara Forest, a young woman hell-bent on finding the now-missing Edward Crow, enigmatic owner of the recently-shuttered Crow Country amusement park. The game has a wonderful retro graphical style that evokes the likes of PS1 classics Resident Evil...
Mini Review Planet of Lana (PS5) - A Gorgeous, Serene Platform Puzzler
Lana-ly planet
If you're looking for a quick and gorgeous game, one you can polish off in a couple of relaxed afternoons, Planet of Lana fits the bill. Previously an Xbox console exclusive, it's come to PlayStation now, and will speak to anyone who enjoyed the likes of Limbo or Inside. It's in the same vein, with a small and powerless protagonist...
Mini Review Turbo Golf Racing (PS5) - Fun, if Slight, Golfing Game Is Worth a Little Drive
Driving range
Hugecalf Studios' golfing/racing hybrid title, Turbo Golf Racing, is a fun time. It's a wacky arcade game that sees you using cars to launch oversized golf balls through maze-like environments, taking many cues from Rocket League. Mechanically, Turbo Golf Racing is comfortable doing its own thing, with the golfing angle pairing...
Mini Review Moonglow Bay (PS5) - Fishing RPG Not Quite Catch of the Day
Hook, line, and stinker
Previously released on Steam and now ported to consoles, Moonglow Bay is a slice-of-life fishing game set in 1980s Canada. After a devastating loss, the protagonist must move on with their life and help revive the town they live in: a struggling fishing port. Obviously, as a fishing-based game, there's a large amount of...
Mini Review Freedom Planet 2 (PS5) - A Brilliant 2D Platformer Sequel
Move aside, Sonic, again
Sonic's influence on the gaming world has been well documented over the years, resulting in many attempts to recreate the 1991 classic's momentum-focused gameplay. In 2014, developer GalaxyTrail released Freedom Planet, an excellent 2D platformer that managed to invoke a similar exhilarating feeling with its emphasis on...
Mini Review Slave Zero X (PS5) - A Brutally Hard Brawler That Oozes Style
Putting on a Shou
Slave Zero X serves as prequel to the cult hit Dreamcast game Slave Zero, but while their stories and universe are connected, they couldn't be more different. Set five years before the third-person shooter original, this new title is a 2.5D beat-'em-up, in which you don a biomechanical super suit as the vengeful warrior Shou is out...
Mini Review Taxi Life: A City Driving Simulator (PS5) - Taxi Sim Stalls on Arrival
No es bueno
On paper, Taxi Life: A City Driving Simulator seems like a great time. Leisurely picking up fares in one of Europe’s most beautiful cities, Barcelona. Exploring and finding points of cultural interest, forming and customising your own taxi company — it all sounds like a relaxing experience, right? Wrong. While there’s no denying...
Mini Review Outcast: A New Beginning (PS5) - A Rough Around the Edges Action Relic
We're sorry Ms. Jackson
Remakes, reboots, revivals. Whether it's a lack of fresh ideas, exploiting nostalgia, or an earnest desire to introduce a new generation to past glories, the entertainment industry loves bringing old things back. And we love old things coming back, too, as long as it isn't Nanna after she's escaped from the home again...
Mini Review Llamasoft: The Jeff Minter Story (PS5) - A Trippy Odyssey Through a Yak's Brain
Drama Llama
Part of its lovingly curated Gold Master Series, Digital Eclipse’s exploration of Llamasoft is a comprehensive and fascinating package. Essentially an interactive museum, Llamasoft: The Jeff Minter Story presents documentary snippets, archival materials, and, most importantly, the games. A truly singular voice, Minter has been...
Mini Review Contra: Operation Galuga (PS5) - Run-'n'-Gun Series Back to Its Best
Bill Rizes to the occasion
It's weird that Konami has taken this long to ship Contra: Operation Galuga, which is the classic Contra game fans have been asking for. After the damp turd that was 2019's Contra: Rogue Corps, the publisher handed the reins back to WayForward, the team behind 2008's Contra 4. Turns out that's all that was needed to get a...
Mini Review As Dusk Falls (PS5) - Creative Character-Driven Drama
From dusk until dawn
Interior Night has taken pages from the books of Don't Nod, Supermassive, Telltale, and Quantic Dream to craft a choice-driven character drama with As Dusk Falls. The game's stylistic flourishes take time to acclimatise to, but it provides a unique tone and perspective that still stand out in a genre that’s becoming...
Mini Review New Star GP (PS4) - Refreshingly Modern Retro F1 Racing
Championship contender
New Star GP goes beyond a fitting tribute to SEGA's arcade classic, Virtua Racing. When tracks bear striking similarities to Interlagos, Silverstone, and more — never mind that you're fighting off-brand rivals like Michael Schildhauer and Niki Laube — New Star GP takes clear inspiration from Formula 1 to deliver a...
Mini Review Dragon Ball FighterZ (PS5) - Anime Fighter Is Still Godlike, Despite Dodgy Online
Your wish is granted
When Dragon Ball FighterZ first released in 2018 for PS4, it was hailed as one of the greatest anime fighting games ever made — and rightfully so. Crafted by the genre experts at Arc System Works, FighterZ was and still is a masterclass in how to adapt an existing franchise. The team-based brawler is both highly accessible on...
Mini Review Ufouria: The Saga 2 (PS5) - NES Sequel Is Jennifer's First Metroidvania
Fabric Sunsoftener
There's something special to a retro gamer about the resurrection of a cult classic, as it either gives a hidden gem a new lease of life, or it introduces gamers to a series they've never heard of before. Sunsoft has capitalised on this idea, as Tasto Alpha has developed the single player platform game, Ufouria: The Saga 2, which...
Mini Review Penny's Big Breakaway (PS5) - Unique Yo-Yo Platformer Has Its Ups and Downs
Yo with the flow
Penny's Big Breakaway comes from some of Sonic Mania's key contributors, and you can certainly see and feel the influences. This 3D platformer encourages speed, using momentum to your advantage, and exploring colourful, open levels, much like SEGA's mascot series. Despite the through-line, however, this game's core mechanics set it...
Mini Review Pentiment (PS5) - A Slow-Burning 16th-Century Murder Mystery
When everybody plays, we all win
Set in 16th-century Bavaria, Pentiment tells the tale of the small Alpine town of Tassing and the simple people that dwell there. We play as a Nurembergian artist named Andreas Maler who is living in Tassing while he completes work on a piece for the local monastery, and through him we meet the residents of the town...
Slay the Sunshine
We could gobble up our allotted Mini Review word allocation merely recapping the background behind deckbuilding roguelike Yohane the Parhelion: Numazu in the Mirage, but all you really need to know is that this is based on the Love Live! Sunshine!! anime spin-off, which casts the eponymous idol as a fortune teller. It’s not to be...
Mini Review Balatro (PS5) - Roguelike Poker Ain't No Joker
You wanna know how I got these cards?
Balatro is a fantastic roguelike deckbuilder that hides delicious depth behind its simple, recognisable exterior. With a deck of 52 standard playing cards, you need to earn enough chips to defeat each Blind, and to do so you must play valid poker hands — to start with, anyway. The game quickly shuffles away...
Mini Review PlateUp! (PS5) - Co-Op Restaurant Roguelite Serves Up a Treat
Cooking like a chef
Inevitably, a game like PlateUp! will be compared to Overcooked, purely because both are restaurant-based games. Where PlateUp! differs from any of its foodie stablemates is that it has roguelite progression, and encourages players to stray away from chaos rather than embrace it. You and up to three others (locally or online)...
Mini Review A Little To The Left (PS5) - Sorting Out Those Cosy Vibes
Watch out for that cat
There's nothing quite like a cosy game, and A Little to the Left is a perfect example of how a simplistic premise can deliver a comforting experience. In this relaxing puzzle game, you sort and organise basic household items, such as documents, books, toys, and anything you'd consider requiring a bit of a sort out, really...
Mini Review Arzette: The Jewel of Faramore (PS5) - A Charmingly Shoddy CD-i Sendup
Jewel love it or hate it
Arzette: The Jewel of Faramore more or less nails what it sets out to do. Inspired directly by a pair of infamously bad Zelda games for the Philips CD-i, this fresh interpretation carries much of the same pseudo-bootleg energy that fans have come to love over time. The poorly animated cutscenes, awful voice acting, static...
