Callum Marshall
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Writing For
DualShockers 
Hardcore Gamer Latest Reviews
"The Outer Worlds 2 is an almost perfect sequel, building on the brilliance of its predecessor and addressing all the issues fans had with the original. The scope and scale of this sequel is the biggest win for fans, as there's oodles of content. But above all, the game delivers on the promise of a more emergent, nuanced RPG experience, complete with all the charm, deep worldbuilding, and sublime writing the series is known for. The downside is that combat, stealth, and various other action-focused pillars of gameplay don't deliver as they should. But, if you can get past this, you'll come to find that The Outer Worlds 2 is a contender for best space-based RPG of all time."
"I can't deny that I liked my time spent playing Wreckreation. The high-octane action, the blistering speeds, and the open-world freedom all come together to offer a format that I adore. However, I can't in good conscience attribute much of this to this game, as it's about as blatant a copy I have ever seen, lifting Burnout Paradise's mechanics, UI, race types, and progression almost note for note. Yet, in many ways, the game fails to capture that same lightning in a bottle, with shoddy recreations of many aspects of its inspiration. The only unique thing this game has to offer lies within the creation and online functionality, but due to the lackluster and uninspired single-player core this game offers, I don't think these admittedly interesting features will be enough to get many potential fans behind the wheel."
"Ball X Pit is far more than just a game that riffs on the Vampire Survivors formula. It's a game that offers a little something for everyone, with incredibly addictive bullet-hell action, thoughtful township building that doubles as a Roguelike progression system, and on-screen chaos through insane power-ups that make it nearly impossible to track every projectile racing across your screen. It's a hands-on and involved version of its contemporaries, and a truly unique option for anyone who loves the genre. Don't expect jaw-dropping visuals or a tearjerker of a story. But the trade-off of epic gameplay is more than worth it here. In short, you'll have a ball. In fact, you'll have tonnes of them."
"Bye Sweet Carole is an ambitious game that shoots for the moon and ends up among the stars. The Disney-style presentation is damn near flawless and evokes a sense of childish nostalgia that hardly any game has managed to do before. Not to mention, it's a pretty competent puzzler that feels cut from the same cloth as LucasArts classics in many ways. However, due to a slew of technical issues and some of the most cumbersome and unsatisfying platforming, stealth, and action sequences I can recall enduring, the game undoes a lot of its fine work to ultimately end up being a unique, but rather average experience."
"King of Meat is effectively like one of the most eye-catching and elaborate LEGO kits you'll ever see. The composite parts are excellent, with soft-play-like visuals, a world that is wacky, silly, and engaging, and surprisingly nuanced combat and progression. Not to mention killer animation, a sublime creation kit, and cosmetic items that actually feel worth grinding for. However, like all LEGO kits, they don't come assembled, and you get out what you put in. As a solo experience, this game is hollow and quite one-note. Meaning that this game will only be successful and enjoyable if it gains a following, as community creations will be the lifeblood of this title. If the game gains that player base, it could be great, but it's a huge 'if'. The game doesn't have that lightning-in-a-bottle feel, and there's a genuine concern this game could be dead on arrival."
"In a space where Mario Kart has been the only kart racer worth talking about for what feels like eons, Sonic Racing: Crossworlds stands tall as a worthy competitor. Beyond the flashy dimension-hopping, the gameplay doesn't reinvent the wheel, but offers enough quentessentially Sonic-style fanfare to appeal to veteran fans, while offering accessible, chaotic racing that will appeal to casual fans looking for a cross-console alternative. The rather uninspired multiplayer modes, the lack of satisfying unlockables, and the focus on a steady stream of paid content make me doubtful that this game can achieve long-term success. But, as far as kart racers go, Sonic Racing: Crossworlds is right up there with the best."
"Cronos: The New Dawn is the best new horror IP I have played in over a decade. This game not only provides a gripping narrative in an unapologetically Polish setting, but it also offers top-tier survival horror that keeps the player feeling vulnerable throughout. Combat is cumbersome in the best way, the game is visually impressive with sublime sound design, and it's a rare example of a game that gets better with each passing moment. A lack of a dedicated difficulty mode will ruffle a few feathers, the game isn't without its cheap moments, and I'll admit that I wish it were scarier across the board. But, in a genre where established games rule the roost, Bloober Team has just muscled into the conversation, as Cronos is good enough to rub shoulders with the horror greats."
"Sword of the Sea is everything we could have hoped for, and then some. Offering sights and sounds that most games could only dream of replicating, but with the added caveat of incredibly satisfying and slick traversal that makes moment-to-moment gameplay much more involved and fun compared to its contemporaries. It's an all-killer, no filler experience with jaw-dropping moments at every turn, and a soundtrack that is sure to win a slew of awards in the near future. My only gripe is that the story doesn't offer a grandiose message or hit as hard as I would have liked, relying more on pageantry and spectacle to get by. But, rarely does a game take me aback and thank my lucky stars that the medium of video games exists, and that's why we see this one as one of the standout performers of 2025 so far."
Echoes of the End is the epitome of a serviceable but ultimately underwhelming PS Plus or Game Pass fodder game. The game is visually striking, to be sure, but performance issues detract from the overall graphical splendor. Then, as for the gameplay, despite the puzzle design being a constant highlight, the shoddy combat and platforming lead to quite jarring peaks and valleys in the action. The onus is then left on the narrative to make this endeavor worthwhile, and while there is impressive character depth, the core narrative is a paint-by-numbers fantasy tale that does little to set itself apart from the pack. If you like action-adventure, and need a quick fix, this can scratch that itch. But, a game to rival the AAA goliaths, this is not.
Despite the fact that the game looks the part and there is a lot of surface-level fun to be had with Rematch, the harsh truth is that the game feels far too rough around the edges to stand a chance of becoming an ESports stalwart, or even a middling multiplayer title for that matter. The game's performance feels akin to an alpha still in development, gameplay doesn't facilitate a high skill ceiling for players to strive for, there are a litany of glaring omissions in terms of basic UI, and there seems to be a geunine lack of understanding on the developer's part on what makes for a gripping and balanced live service framework. I thought for all the world that this game would be a championship contender, but as it turns out, it's just relegation fodder.