Well Played

• PS5
• 4.5 / 10
• Australie

The unforgivable shortcomings in Layers of Fear are a shame, because the core tools that the game is built with could be used to forge something pretty alright. The series’ issues with mental health and representation are foundational and in dire need of more evaluation than additional DLC can provide, but there’s a genuinely interesting examination of player and space here that is crying out for a better framing. Layers of Fear has all the pieces, but Bloober Team seem content to toss those bricks around an empty block instead of building something of value.

• PC
• 5.5 / 10
• Australie

System Shock may come as a rude awakening for some, myself included. This remake of an early 90s sci-fi shooter has a heap of great ideas for its time. But its time has long passed and has little to offer new audiences except for pain, frustration, and a prettied-up history lesson of a game. SHODAN, however, plays an entertaining host to a series of pipe-laden labyrinths that suffers no fools.

• PC
• 8 / 10
• Australie

Chronicles of 2 Heroes had me as soon as I realised how tight its jump mechanics are. It’s a big game changer when a studio nails the fundamentals from the outset, and it made the early going far more enjoyable. And this was before the better mechanics and abilities played their part in mixing things up and keeping the experience fresh. There’s a few elements that didn’t quite work along the way, true, but I’m happy to recommend it as one of the hidden gems of the year so far, a title that confidently follows in the footsteps of its predecessors and delivers on the promise it holds.

• PS5
• 3 / 10
• Australie

With dated design, LotR: Gollum is a slow and tedious slog through Middle Earth that even the staunchest LotR fans will struggle to enjoy.

• PC
• 8 / 10
• Australie

• PC
• 8.5 / 10
• Australie

Gorgeous visuals and a spectacular score elevate an already entertaining puzzle platformer to the same level as some of the genre greats.

• PS5
• 9 / 10
• Australie

LEGO 2K Drive is joyous escapism made manifest by way of building bricks and burning rubber. Every corner of its gorgeous world promises something fun to do, with supporting systems that gleefully hand over the keys to creativity and ask very little of you in return. You may find yourself losing hours of your life to its charming, studded wiles, but really in retrospect you would never consider them wasted – It’s just that damn fun.

• XSX/S
• 4.5 / 10
• Australie

• PS5
• 9 / 10
• Australie

Challenging combat, rewarding platforming, engaging exploration and a surprisingly unique story has Survivor in the conversation for the best Star Wars game ever released.

• PS5
• 7.5 / 10
• Australie

I’m a sucker for a dark fairy tale, especially one that calls upon Nordic folklore to shape its premise. Some of the gameplay sequences may be a little dull, but a striking enchanted world and an engaging and sombre story mixed with Nordic mythology ensured that I really enjoyed my time with Bramble: The Mountain King. If you’re a fan of narrative-driven adventure games with a shadowy and creepy tone, I think you’ll find a lot to like here.

• PC
• 7.5 / 10
• Australie

While I love Episode 2 to a similar level that I did the original, I am somewhat left just a little disappointed by its decision to not reinvent the wheel much at all. The experience is still a great one, don’t get me wrong, but the additional drink choices and the ability to give items to customers to get further story content just isn’t a enough evolution in the experience, especially seeing as the location and collection of regular patrons are basically the same bar for a few new characters. The vibes and aesthetic however are still as pleasing as they were before, and those keen for an indie game to relax and pair with a hot beverage, Coffee Talk Episode 2: Hibiscus & Butterfly serves as a welcome choice.

• PC
• 7 / 10
• Australie

• PS5
• 7.5 / 10
• Australie

Frogwares’ remake of Sherlock Holmes The Awakened successfully blends the otherworldly with the logical in a compelling and well-written adventure that shows a different side of the iconic detective.

• PS5
• 7 / 10
• Australie

If co-op shooters are your bread and butter and you’ve picked up a PSVR2, you should certainly give After the Fall a whirl. Gunplay is tight, and the core experience feels well-suited to VR, producing nail-biting moments that will stick in your memory. The problem that cools off the good times had is the lack of interesting content. The missions, weapons, enemies and modes on offer are entertaining, but there aren’t enough of them to keep me coming back time and time again.

• XSX/S
• 5 / 10
• Australie

Curse of the Sea Rats’ flaws reveal themselves almost immediately, but despite an initial urge to see the whole thing walk the plank lest my sanity be sacrificed, my persistence was rewarded with extended periods of meditative calm as I poked about the diverse environments uncovering treasures, and in these periods I could clearly see the potential the game had. There is an honest heart to the experience, and the character art in particular is sheer joy, but several vital cogs that would complete the so-called ‘ratoidvania’ machine have been installed incorrectly. Abundant technical issues exacerbate issues at the centre of a game that struggles to realise its ambition, and while I don’t think Petoons Studio’s backers should mutiny, you might not blame the rats for fleeing this particular sinking ship.

• PS5
• 9 / 10
• Australie

Dredge emerges from the mist as a near-perfect foray into cosmic horror and fish mongering. Some minor quibbles with balancing and quest info are surface-level dings against an otherwise water-tight vessel. Refined, approachable fishing and dredging mechanics form the backbone of a tight core loop that rewards investment in your boat with unspeakably cool upgrades and satisfying progression. All of this against an expertly paced open world and gorgeous art make Dredge an absolute catch.

• SWITCH
• 8.5 / 10
• Australie

• SWITCH
• 8 / 10
• Australie