Mike

About Mike

Mike gets all the racing games because he understands that stuff even though he doesn't drive.
Byte Barrel have returned with a sequel to their retro FPS Forgive Me Father. Whilst there are a few tweaks around character progression, the formula remains largely the same with a smart, atmospheric look. Whilst the story is told by some unconvincing voice acting, the combat has a decent tempo […]

Forgive Me Father 2 – PS5 Review

 in PS5 / Reviews  tagged byte barrel / clocks / comic book aesthetic / darkness / forgive me father 2 / horror / lovecraftian / new game plus / retro first-person shooter by
I’ve visited a couple of submarines as a tourist and I’m always struck by their economy of space. Quarters are packed tight and only a cigar-shaped, torpedo-armed hull is protection against atmospheres of pressure. It’s a wild thing to think about but now UBOAT attempts to replicate it with this […]

UBOAT – PS5 Review

 in PS5 / Reviews  tagged das boot / deep water studios / germans / nazis / ship management / submarine / subterfuge / tactical / uboat / war simulator / world war 2 / ww2 by
There’s a danger with job simulators where they could venture too close into feeling like work. Some manage to avoid it with simplified mechanics, an interesting toolset or bizarre narratives. Ship Graveyard Simulator 2 is certainly playing it straight. Whilst that does lead to a methodical time, the dismantling of […]

Ship Graveyard Simulator 2 – PS5 Review

 in PS5 / Reviews  tagged games incubator / hammer / handsaw / hypnotic ants / job / Metal / power tools / recycling / salvage / scrap / ship graveyard simulator 2 / shipwrecks by
Back when browser games were king, QWOP tested your ability to operate a runner by triggering the muscles of their legs. It was hell and, unfortunately, someone gave Bennet Foddy, Gabe Cuzzillo and Maxi Boch more money to realise this horrifying ambition on a larger scale. Baby Steps is slightly […]

Baby Steps – PS5 Review

 in PS5 / Reviews  tagged baby steps / bennett foddy / comedy / donkeys / failure / gabe cuzzillo / hiking / maxi boch / open world / physics-based / walking simulator / wilderness by
It’s safe to say retro shooters aren’t quite done yet. Whilst these games are traditionally fast-paced, Extinction Rifts attempts to take it further. Coming from QuByte with a budget price tag, this short experience doesn’t quite live up to the promise. Despite a short list of levels, the pull of […]

Extinction Rifts – PS5 Review

 in PS5 / Reviews  tagged combos / extinction rifts / first-person shooter / monoliths / nihilists / qubyte interactive / ranking system / superpowered gauntlet by
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Atari have been doing a lot with their old properties. We’ve seen Yars Rising transplant the gameplay of Yars Revenge into a search action game and now it’s Adventure’s time to get a modernised effort. Adventure of Samsara bears very little resemblance to the 1980 classic. Ilex Games have been […]

Adventure of Samsara – PS5 Review

 in PS5 / Reviews  tagged 2d / adventure of samsara / atari / exploration / ilex games / magic / melee combat / metroidvania / parries / Pixel art / platforming / search action game by
Whilst art and craft aesthetics are not new, I still get a kick out of seeing them. Hirogami is the latest to give them a shot. A joint effort from Bandai Namco’s Singapore and Malaysia studios, it has an enchanting look and charming presentation. Whilst it’s not short on ideas, […]

Hirogami – PS5 Review

 in PS5 / Reviews  tagged 3d platforming / animals / arts / bandai namco singapore studio / craft / folding / hirogami / malaysia / origami / paper / transformations by
Hell is Us feels like a deceptive game. The trailers big up the lack of hand holding and the soulsian combat but neither truly reach their apex. Rogue Factor do make up most of the distance with an approach that makes exploration worthwhile. The central backdrop offers a potentially interesting […]

Hell is Us – PS5 Review

 in PS5 / Reviews  tagged adventure / cataclysm / dodgy science / family reunion / hell is us / puzzles / rogue factor / sectarianism / souls-ish combat / war by
Arcade rallying seems to be making a comeback. Whilst titles like Old School Rally specifically aim for that 90’s vibe, Rally Arcade Classics aims for something slightly more modern. Netk2 Games are at the helm and what they’ve delivered is an addictive, compelling racer. It does initially seem light on […]

Rally Arcade Classics – PS5 Review

 in PS5 / Reviews  tagged drifting / group b / legally distinct hatchbacks / netk2games / point to point / racing / rally arcade classics / rallying / stages / time trial by
Arcade racers feel like an endangered species at times. Any that do release seem to come from indie developers. Cyber Clutch: Hot Import Nights is one such game. Coming from Gunpowder games, the neon-soaked, custom car racer tries to look the part but it lacks on-track excitement and variety. The […]

Cyber Clutch: Hot Import Nights – PS5 Review

 in PS5 / Reviews  tagged arcade racer / cyber clutch hot import nights / cyberpunk aesthetic / futuristic / gunpowder games / hatchbacks / online multiplayer / power ups / racing by
There’s still a sense of novelty are massive online player counts. Even with battle royal taking those numbers until triple figures, I wonder how any game of that size can play out. Holdfast: Nations At War takes the concept and lets the community run wild with it. On the face […]

Holdfast: Nations At War – PS5 Review

 in PS5 / Reviews  tagged anvil game studios / class warfare / cross-play / holdfast nations at war / mass player battles / napoleonic wars / proximity chat / role playing / the great war / trenches / world war i by