Adrian Burrows

“The overall experience of Dark Auction is quite the contradiction, just like its genre-breaking story. There are moments of superb 2D-driven visual novel-style dialogue, conflicting with dull, clunky and unnecessary 3D exploration. Overall, I'd say the former still trumps the latter, and when you experience the next shocking over-the-top theatrical plot revelation during an auction, Dark Auction proves well worth the effort.”

“Unlike anything you've ever played before, Popucom is the inventive family fun the Switch was made for. With a unique charm and smart accessibility choices that mean everyone can join in, this third-person puzzle 'em up is going to keep our family occupied for some time to come.”

“As a meditative story-driven RPG, Traveller's Refrain is a total success, offering compelling combat, reliable puzzling, and an intriguing game world to explore. Sadly, until the game is patched and the frame rate issues are fixed, this is an adventure best not undertaken on Nintendo Switch.”

“Having found Tribute Games' previous release, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder's Revenge, to be one of the best scrolling beat 'em ups I'd ever played, I had high expectations for Marvel Cosmic Invasion. How could Shredder's Revenge with Marvel characters go wrong? Sadly, Marvel Cosmic Version is entirely OK but fails to be anything more than that.”

“GigaSword is a monumental achievement, proving that a one-person studio, with the support of a passionate fanbase, can deliver one of the best metroidvanias of 2025.”

“Lynked: Banner of the Spark is a hot chocolate of a game. Sweet, sumptuous and oh, so cosy. It offers an intriguing and fresh experience thanks to combining roguelite dungeon crawling with town-building, and it keeps you engaged from beginning to end. It's just a shame that, on PS5 at least, it's a resolutely single-player experience rather than the multiplayer one that it's intended to be.”

“Do you enjoy playing co-op games with your partner, child, friend or assorted loved one? Then please, in the name of Zeus himself, don't play Biped 2. The intense challenge of this sequel can ruin your relationships with those closest to you as you shout and yell at each other in a desperate, but futile, attempt to make it through the most masochistic level design I've ever encountered.”

“Space Adventure Cobra: The Awakening has a lot going for it, a charming cartoon aesthetic, great storytelling, and solid gunplay. Unfortunately, these positives are often undermined by dull level design, inconsistent controls, and unpleasant difficulty spikes, resulting in a distinctly average overall experience.”

“If I could have Absolum without the roguelite elements – and admittedly, a few less glitches – then I would have my ideal 2D side-scrolling beat 'em up, the best I've ever played. As it is, the roguelite structure and its inconsistent delivery unfortunately lowers the overall experience. It's still a very enjoyable game, even with these issues, but this was so close to being a classic of the genre.”

“Whilst offering bombastic fun in online multiplayer, this Hades-like roguelite is oddly muted in single-player, an issue likely exacerbated due to the developer failing in making the most of the game's iconic mythological setting. A decently reliable experience then, but one so similar to so many other roguelites you'd have sworn you had already played Sworn before.”

“Lego Party is everything you want for a Friday night in with the family. Silly, funny, and accessible, finally Mario Party has some competition.”

“Silly, creative fun, LEGO Voyagers is just like the toy it's based upon. If only there was a bit more to it, then we could have had a real contender for a great Lego video game.”

“Does Claws of Awaji finally provide a more fitting ending to Assassin's Creed: Shadows? Kind of. In an irritating and distinctively Ubisoft way, enough is left open to require at least another dose of DLC. Still, if you really haven't had too much of a good thing, that's certainly no bad thing.”

“Towa and the Guardians of the Sacred Tree might look like it's following in Hades's footsteps, but looks can be deceiving and there's a lot more to Brownies Inc.'s latest than a cursory glance would suggest. Stuffed with intriguing, if regularly overwhelming, ideas and demanding mechanics, Towa and the Guardians of the Sacred Tree does enough to stand apart on its own merits.”

“The debut release from Gylee Games has a lot going for it; a charming cartoony aesthetic and reliably punchy fisticuffs being at the forefront of that particular list. Yet, it also feels too light on content, suggesting we might have to wait for a sequel before Ra Ra Boom's true potential is realised.”

“In the crowded roguelite genre, The Rogue Prince of Persia stands apart, thanks to super-smooth animation and deliriously fun free running. Whilst it never quite escapes the traps that occupants of its chosen genre often fall into, it still provides plenty of top-quality platforming fun.”

“Shinobi: Art of Vengeance is the game that a legend like Joe Musashi deserves. Fast, frenetic and utterly absorbing, this is how you bring a long-dead series back to life. Lizardcube have set a new benchmark in 2D platforming and in the process have me salivating at the prospect of Sega franchises they could tackle next.”

“With some unpleasant difficulty spikes and staid visuals, TMNT: Tactical Takedown won't be for everyone. But for those willing to overlook its idiosyncrasies, Tactical Takedown offers a compelling, yet brief, strategic challenge.”

“Despite a fascinating premise, one inspired by both Chinese folklore and real-life history, Wuchang: Fallen Feathers resolutely fails to deliver on any of its initial early promise. This is a Soulslike by the numbers, one hampered by a cornucopia of PS5 performance issues that plague the game like a disease.”

“Eriksholm: The Stolen Dream deserves to go down as a landmark stealth game. The finely-honed sneaking mechanics are an absolute joy to experience, whilst the absorbing story and immersive world will keep you creeping from beginning to end. The fact that this is River End Games' first release makes their accomplishment all the more impressive. Quite frankly, I can't wait to see what the team do next and I'll be eagerly awaiting the chance to visit Eriksholm again.”