Mike

About Mike

Mike gets all the racing games because he understands that stuff even though he doesn't drive.
I suspect there will be a point where Microsoft games coming to us will no longer feel novel. They’ve had a busy few months with a slew of exclusive games now making their way to the blue brand. Later this summer sees Gears of War: Reloaded finally landing on a […]

Gears of War: Reloaded PS5 Multiplayer Preview

 in Preview / PS5  tagged cover shooter / gears of war reloaded / king of the hill / microsoft / mutliplayer / point control / team deathmatch / the coalition / third-person shooter by
I’m sure we all remember stories of fairy tales from our childhood. Or local folklore. Whilst some of them become referential in games, I don’t think it’s that common for them to become a focus of an entire interactive experience. Vasilisa and Baba Yaga comes Russian developer Baba Yaga Games. […]

Vasilisa and Baba Yaga – PS5 Review

 in PS5 / Reviews  tagged baba yaga games / bedtime story / demons / Fairy tale / horror-ish / housework / melee combat / narrively driven / russian folklore / vasilisa and baba yaga by
The original Submersed left a sour taste in my mouth. As one of those ultra-cheap survival horror efforts, it felt basic and rigid in its execution. Main Loop have returned with Submersed 2: The Hive as a more comprehensive attempt that does improve on the first game’s offerings. It is […]

Submersed 2: The Hive – Playstation 5 Review

 in PS5 / Reviews  tagged attwater / distraction / main loop / parasites / puzzle solving / sharks / stealth / submersed 2 the hive / survival horror / underwater terror by
Pipistrello and the Cursed Yoyo comes from Brazilians Pocket Trap. It’s a search action game that delivers a lot of charm whilst trying to make combat and traversal very active. The genre’s well-trodden ground but this twist does push my buttons, despite the rising challenge delivering some tricky moments. The […]

Pipistrello and the Cursed Yoyo – PS5 Review

 in PS5 / Reviews  tagged 2d / BATS / brazil / corporate interests / family business / pipistrello and the cursed yoyo / platforming / pocket trap / search action game / sweet yoyo tricks / traversal by
Another day, another roguelite. This time it’s Yasha: Legends of the Demon Blade from 7Quark. Mixing Japanese history with demonic folklore is not a new thing but the repeatable structure and short runs do make for something potentially interesting. Unfortunately, it’s a game that devolves into repetition a little too […]

Yasha: Legends of the Demon Blade – PS5 Review

 in PS5 / Reviews  tagged 7quark / edo / japan / melee combat / nine-tailed fox / oniguri / parries / ranged combat / repetition / ripostes / roguelite / run-based / yasha legends of the demon blade by
At first glance, Blades of Fire offers an interesting twist on souls-like combat with an emphasis on creating your own weaponry. There’s been a lot of thought put into a blacksmith playing the part. Mechanically, it feels largely sound but Mercurysteam’s return to the genre does not click with me […]

Blades of Fire – PS5 Review

 in PS5 / Reviews  tagged blacksmithing / blades of fire / boy / companions / evil queen / Fantasy / kid / lad / melee combat / mercurysteam / parries / soulslike by
After DOOM Eternal, I wasn’t really sure where id software’s storied franchise would go. I did not expect it to go back in time. In many ways, it’s a mild regression from DOOM Eternal‘s frantic hard counters and verticality. With an emphasis of standing your ground, DOOM: The Dark Ages […]

DOOM: The Dark Ages – PS5 Review

 in PS5 / Reviews  tagged #ultraviolence / demons / doom the dark ages / first-person shooter / flail / hell / id software / knights / Medieval / Metal / metal up your ass / secrets / sentinels / shield by
There aren’t that many boss rush games out on the market. NanoApostle comes from 18 Light Game and offers a sci-fi setting with a half-dozen bosses to slay. With responsive controls and a very interesting skill tree, this short but tricky experience manages to deliver a kinetic and deep gameplay […]

NanoApostle – PS5 Review

 in PS5 / Reviews  tagged 18 Light Game / 2d / anime / boss rush / melee combat / nanoapostle / nanomachines / overhead perspective / Pixel art / sci fi by
Survivor clones have really got their hooks into me. There’s a couple of notable big shots in the genre but I’m aware there’s more filling the space. Step forth Vinebound: Tangled Together from Riftpoint Entertainment. It aims to deliver a co-op twist to the glorified slot machine. It presents its […]

Vinebound: Tangled Together – PS5 Review

 in PS5 / Reviews  tagged bullet heaven / Fruit / gardens / local co-op / riftpoint entertainment / roguelite / sauces / survivors clone / twin-stick shooter / vegetables / vinebound tangled together by
Remakes and remasters give me the opportunity to plug any gaps in my gaming knowledge, particularly when it comes to the PC. Amerzone: The Explorer’s Legacy originally saw daylight in 1999. Based on a 1986 comic by Benoit Sokal, it saw some critical success, although had the usual limitations of […]

Amerzone: The Explorer’s Legacy – PS5 Review

 in PS5 / Reviews  tagged amerzone the explorer's legacy / benoit sakal / exploration / microids / point and click adventure / puzzle solving / south america / unity by
Fighting games are a tricky thing to get right. In many ways, the audience is well-served by the big guns. Indie efforts are there but, without the backing behind them, they can flounder a little. Pocket Bravery by Statera Studio is a retro-inspired fighting game that has been around for […]

Pocket Bravery – PS5 Review

 in PS5 / Reviews  tagged arcade / brazilian / combos / fighting game / local multiplayer / online multiplayer / pocket bravery / statera studios / story mode / survival by