Mike

About Mike

Mike gets all the racing games because he understands that stuff even though he doesn't drive.

Timing is everything with sports titles and TT Isle of Man : Ride on the Edge 3 has managed to land right in the middle of the road racing season. With the marquee event mere weeks away, Raceward Studios has produced a challenging and rewarding racer that makes the Isle […]

TT Isle of Man: Ride on the Edge 3 – ...

May 11, 2023 in PS5 / Reviews tagged conor cummins / ian hutchinson / michael dunlop / motorsport / online multiplayer / public roads / raceward studios / racing / time trial / tt isle of man ride on the edge 3 by Mike

One look at Strayed Lights had me interested. With a fairly minimal approach to storytelling and a parry-based combat system, I was anticipating something unique. Whilst it does try to plough it’s own furrow, Embers’ effort has me a little underwhelmed. Visually appealing, the sparse narrative and forgiving fights have […]

Strayed Lights – PS5 Review

May 9, 2023 in PS5 / Reviews tagged coming of age / embers / exploration / minimalist storytelling / parry / platforming / rite of passage / strayed lights by Mike

There’s been a good glut of multiplayer games about deception and I think it fits in with my inability to rely on my reflexes. These tests of intelligence really appeal to me and another one has landed at my door. Deceive Inc. is the latest online-only, class-based effort looking to […]

Deceive Inc. – PS5 Review

May 1, 2023 in PS5 / Reviews tagged asymetrical multiplayer / caper / class based / deceive inc. / espionage / heist / online-only / spying / sweet bandits studios by Mike

Religion and videogames has always felt like an odd combination. Other mediums have had their religious epics but gaming just struggles to pull one together. Saga of Sins hasn’t quite got those lofty ambitions but this effort from Bonus Level Entertainment does use a Christian backdrop to deliver a decent […]

Saga of Sins – PS5 Review

April 25, 2023 in PS5 / Reviews tagged 2d platforming / 7 deadly sins / angels / bonus level entertainment / crusaders / Devil / germans / metroidvania / religion / saga of sins by Mike

I often wonder with gaming narratives how to truly judge them. There are entirely story-driven games where the focus shifts from gameplay which ultimately diminishes the interactive element of the medium. Melon Journey: Bittersweet Memories by Froach Club is another one of these games. With the gameplay reduced, I often […]

Melon Journey: Bittersweet Memories – PS5 Review

April 15, 2023 in PS5 / Reviews tagged animal town / corporate espionage / crime story / froach club / gameboy aesthetic / melon journey bittersweet memories / narratively-driven / puns by Mike

Monster Energy Supercross: The Official Videogame 6 is a mouthful. The long-running Supercross franchise certainly feels like it’s in the land of diminishing returns. The second iteration on current consoles, the features on show give me a great sense of deja vu and, whilst the racing remains tight and competitive, […]

Monster Energy Supercross: The Official Videogame 6 – Playstation ...

April 7, 2023 in PS5 / Reviews tagged bikes / jumps / milestone / monster energy supercross - the official videogame 6 / motorcycles / motorsport / mud / racing / stadiums by Mike

I do enjoy some side-scrolling platforming and a dystopian future of science gone amok is fantastic trope to mine. Combining the two is Titanium Hound from Red Spot Sylphina. With a visual style very much within the 16-bit era, this indie effort starts to stumble with controls and pacing. There […]

Titanium Hound – PS4 Review

March 21, 2023 in PS4 / Reviews tagged 2d sidescroller / cops / crafting / dystopia / future bacteria / mech plot / platforming / red spot sylphina / shooter / titanium hound by Mike

When you really stop and think about it, translating wrestling into a fighting game framework can be an impossible task. The sport itself is a collaborative effort whereas most gaming is a solo experience with explicit win conditions. Wrestling games have been many things over the years but I struggle […]

WWE 2K23 – PS5 Review

March 20, 2023 in PS5 / Reviews tagged fighting / john cena / sports entertainment / then now forever / vince mcmahon / visual concepts / wrasslin / wrestling / wwe 2k23 by Mike

Imitation breeds innovation, right? There’s been a lot of attempts to twist and add some spice to From Software’s recent efforts. Team Ninja’s no stranger to it with Nioh, a series I genuinely enjoy. Their next move is to take the parry-heavy combat of Sekiro and marry it with the […]

Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty – PS5 Review

March 7, 2023 in PS5 / Reviews tagged chinese history / elixir / han / Romance of the Three Kingdoms / soulslike / supernatural / team ninja / wo long fallen dynasty by Mike

It’s been a busy time around here with releases starting to drop. February used to be a bit of a dumping ground but now, as games are delayed and release windows are hard to nail down, games feel like they can arrive at any time of year. Step forth, Scars […]

Scars Above – PS5 Review

February 28, 2023 in PS5 / Reviews tagged first contact / investigations / mad head games / metahedron / scars above / science / soulslike / space / third-person shooter by Mike

Maybe it’s spending more time at home but I’ve found myself looking at smaller diversions to spend fifteen minutes here and there. Games come in all shapes and sizes but Mighty Math arrives from Greenfall Studios with a cheap price tag and a very simple premise. Having already landed on […]

Mighty Math – PS4 Review

February 14, 2023 in PS4 / Reviews tagged addition / arcade / greenfall studios / math / mighty / subtraction / survival by Mike

One of the good things about this job is the chance to refresh one’s memory. I recall being pretty sweet on Darkwood‘s original release from Acid Wizard. The atmospheric horror managed to deliver a lot with a grimy aesthetic and a survivalist approach. With the Playstation 5, very little has […]

Darkwood – PS5 Review

February 7, 2023 in PS5 / Reviews tagged acid wizard / crafting / darkwood / escape / forest / mystery / survival horror by Mike