Aaron Bayne
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Lost Records: Bloom & Rage Tape 1 is the first in this intriguing two-parter, and an ambitious undertaking from the original creators of Life Is Strange. Establishing two timelines, both in the mid-90s and present day, Bloom & Rage is a return to Don’t Nod’s roots with a killer setting, lovable characters, and plenty of nerve-wracking decisions to make amidst a mystery narrative. However, Tape 1 is a slow burner, and while we’re onboard for the scene that it sets, it’ll be down to Tape 2 to dictate whether it’s all worth the ride.
Ninja Gaiden 2 Black is like a time machine back to the halcyon days of PS3, featuring over-the-top violence, ridiculous action, and a globe-trotting campaign. Black sparkles up those graphics for PS5, and while fun, it isn’t quite enough to counter how much this hack-and-slash experience has aged.
Cult co-op horror game Phasmophobia has finally made its way to PS5. This is one of those games we’ve watched from afar, somewhat jealous of all the hilarious clips that have spread since its initial launch on PC back in 2020. Now on PS5, along with PSVR2 support, have the spooks been worth the wait? While Phasmophobia can be technically frustrating, it’s a wonderfully unique co-op experience.
There’s something special about a truly isolated horror setting. The Nostromo in Alien, Outpost 31 in The Thing, and the USG Ishimura in Dead Space. Well, you can add the Beira D to the list as Still Wakes the Deep crafts up a contorted setting, dripped in sea water, oil, and blood. Switching out the quaint English countryside for an oil rig off the coast of Scotland, The Chinese Room has produced a taught, tense and frequently terrifying horror experience that isn’t to be missed.
10 years ago, we booted up the beta for Destiny on PS4. It was an exciting time, as the possibilities of multiplayer on console were rapidly expanding into the territory of live service, a term that didn’t hold quite the same implications as it does now. There were bold claims of half a billion dollar budgets and decade spanning plans, and to top it off, the ex-Halo devs actually had a tight first-person shooter on its hands. But now we’re on the other end of those promises with Destiny 2: The Final Shape, the concluding entry to the meandering Light and Darkness saga. And y’know what? The b*stards really did it.
The multiplayer shooter genre has been in an odd flux these last few years. Call of Duty just isn’t quite what it used to be, Battlefield 2042 missed the mark somewhat, and even Apex Legends has dipped in interest as it cruises into its 21st season of content. This is where a crop of new kids on the block have reared their heads, and XDefiant is one we’ve been waiting quite some time for. But is this really the CoD killer we’ve been promised? XDefiant may not be the slam dunk we were hoping for, but it’s got the legs to grow into something special.