Usama Mehmood
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DualShockers Latest Reviews
Saros stands tall as a bold evolution for Housemarque, proving the studio wasn’t content with simply recreating the magic of Returnal. Instead, it refines and expands on it in meaningful ways by pairing its punishing bullet-hell combat with smarter progression systems, broader accessibility ideas, and a narrative that trades clarity for intrigue. Arjun’s relentless, emotionally driven journey through Carcosa gives the experience a fiery contrast to Returnal’s isolation, while the “come back stronger” philosophy is felt in every run, every failure, and every hard-earned breakthrough back at The Passage. It can be overwhelming and at times unforgiving, but that tension is exactly what makes its victories so intoxicating. And by turning struggle into growth and persistence into something deeply rewarding, Saros cements itself as a serious GOTY contender and a lot more than just a sequel in spirit.
Neverness to Everness delivers a stylish, lively city packed with plenty to do, and its generous gacha system makes it easy to enjoy everything it has to offer without constant frustration. But beneath all that charm, the bloated gameplay formula starts to show, especially in its story and combat, which struggle to stand out in an already crowded field of other known gacha giants. If you’re already invested in similar games, this can be a fun, low-pressure addition to your routine. Just don’t expect it to reinvent the wheel since it’s more of a comfortable, content-rich ride with a few slightly annoying bumps along the way.
OPUS: Prism Peak feels like one of those rare titles that quietly lingers with you long after the credits roll. It’s a game that demands patience, asks you to pay attention, and occasionally frustrates with its pacing and lack of convenience, but there’s a clear intent behind it all. Every mechanic, every quiet interaction, every photograph ties back into a story about memory, regret, and making peace with what lingers. It won’t land the same for everyone, and it definitely isn’t built for rushed playthroughs, but if you let yourself sit with it, there’s something undeniably affecting about Eugene's self-discovering journey. And by the time it reaches its final stretch, Prism Peak becomes a game that'll make your chest tighten up from all the moments of adorableness, earnestness, and empathy between its cast of characters.
Life is Strange: Reunion feels like something I wasn’t sure we’d ever actually get—a sincere, tender, and heartfelt goodbye to Max and Chloe that understands why people fell in love with them in the first place. It’s far from perfect, with its technical hiccups, underdeveloped side cast, and that lingering illusion of choice holding it back from true greatness. But where it truly matters, it delivers. The mystery narrative holds its ground with a slew of twists and red herrings thrown at you. Most importantly, the emotional depth (finally) lands with a kind of honesty the series has been chasing for a few years. This isn’t about surpassing the original; it’s about making peace with its past. And somehow, against all the stacked odds, Deck Nine manages to pull that off in a redeeming fashion. If you’ve been on this journey since the beginning, it feels like closure, the kind that quietly sticks with you long after the credits roll as you're waving goodbye.
Screamer ends up being exactly the kind of surprise that reminds you why you fell in love with racing games in the first place as a kid. It’s bold, a little chaotic, and completely committed to putting gameplay front and center, even when a few rough edges manage to show through. Between the unique twin-stick handling, the risk-reward chaos of the Echo System, and a story that leans hard into its over-the-top anime inspirations, it manages to carve out an identity that feels both fresh and nostalgic. It’s not perfect, but it doesn’t need to be because when everything clicks during racing, Screamer is an absolute thrill to play. For anyone craving an arcade racer with personality and depth with a riveting storyline, this is one worth taking for a spin at full throttle.
REANIMAL stands as both a confident continuation of Tarsier Studios’ haunting design philosophy and a cautious step into new territory. While its ambitious scope occasionally exposes cracks through rushed narrative beats and safe puzzle design, its oppressive atmosphere, striking visuals, and linked-up co-op gameplay carry the experience from beginning to end. For some, it may not reach the same tightly crafted heights as Little Nightmares, but it successfully captures that same uneasy magic that made those games special. It isn’t perfect, much like all things in this vast expanse of the medium or the horror genre, but it’s a bold and unsettling co-op journey that shows Tarsier’s signature style is still very much alive.
Dispatch is absolute cinema, literally and figuratively. AdHoc has truly crafted a delightful experience with its workplace-comedy superhero narrative, one that features a strong cast of well-written and eccentric characters, making you eager to meet them again like long-distance BFFs. The gameplay can be slightly tricky to grasp, but ultimately becomes a hyper-engaging burst of time-based unit management. Each character is so lovable at heart that you won't even need a lengthy backstory for context. And with a writing direction that strongly emphasizes character relationships and banter with one another, it is one of the most cathartic video game experiences that I had this year, making me grateful for every minute I spent with Robert and his crew, as well as making me want to support AdHoc in any way possible in a plea for making another season on these whimsy goofballs.
Dispatch is absolute cinema, literally and figuratively. AdHoc has truly crafted a delightful experience with its workplace-comedy superhero narrative, one that features a strong cast of well-written and eccentric characters, making you eager to meet them again like long-distance BFFs. The gameplay can be slightly tricky to grasp, but ultimately becomes a hyper-engaging burst of time-based unit management. Each character is so lovable at heart that you won't even need a lengthy backstory for context. And with a writing direction that strongly emphasizes character relationships and banter with one another, it is one of the most cathartic video game experiences that I had this year, making me grateful for every minute I spent with Robert and his crew, as well as making me want to support AdHoc in any way possible in a plea for making another season on these whimsy goofballs.
Dispatch is absolute cinema, literally and figuratively. AdHoc has truly crafted a delightful experience with its workplace-comedy superhero narrative, one that features a strong cast of well-written and eccentric characters, making you eager to meet them again like long-distance BFFs. The gameplay can be slightly tricky to grasp, but ultimately becomes a hyper-engaging burst of time-based unit management. Each character is so lovable at heart that you won't even need a lengthy backstory for context. And with a writing direction that strongly emphasizes character relationships and banter with one another, it is one of the most cathartic video game experiences that I had this year, making me grateful for every minute I spent with Robert and his crew, as well as making me want to support AdHoc in any way possible in a plea for making another season on these whimsy goofballs.
Although Ghost of Yotei lacks a cohesive and well-executed main story, it makes up for that with its vastly improved combat and world design. It obviously doesn't do anything mind-blowing for the open-world genre, but it refines nearly every aspect that made Tsushima special while carving out its own unique identity. Atsu’s journey delivers both emotional depth and visceral action through her mastery of various weapons, supported by a beautifully crafted world that feels alive without overwhelming you with a boatload of recurring side activities. It’s a love letter to revenge tale media rather than the traditional samurai cinema and players who still adore the gameplay-focused prowess of Sucker Punch—moreover, it's also a reminder that sometimes, a safe sequel can still be satisfying to play.