Demon Tides: Conquering the First Big Challenge [and getting my gamepad to work]
What to Expect From Demon Tides’ Opening Mission
Rich dives into the first big challenge in Demon Tides as we finally uncover those elusive Gear Bits! ⚙️
This early‑game mission throws him straight into the deep end with traps, tight corridors, and enemies that REALLY don’t want you grabbing that loot.
In this gameplay slice, we:
🔥 Take on the opening challenge head‑on
⚙️ Track down our first set of Gear Bits
🗺️ Explore the early zones and hidden corners
💥 Test out combat, movement, and survival tactics
🎮 Get a feel for the game’s atmosphere, pacing, and progression
If you’re curious about how Demon Tides starts, what the early challenges look like, or where to find your first Gear Bits, this video has you covered.
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Hollowbody – The One‑Man Horror Project That Deserves Your Attention
Where Retro Survival Horror Meets Modern Indie Spirit
Hollowbody is a one‑man survival horror project with big Silent Hill energy — atmospheric, tense and proudly British.
In this Rapid Review, Rich dives into its eerie world, clever design choices and the rough edges that come with a solo‑dev passion project. Is it worth your time?
Let’s find out. If you love indie horror, retro vibes and games made with pure graft, this one’s for you.
Indie Game Dev's Procedurally Generated Battlefields That Keep You Guessing
Blue Fury is a helicopter combat game inspired by the golden age of 16‑bit shooters — and it comes straight from the mind of Tim Wheatley.
Drawing on the spirit of classics like Zeewolf, Tim channels that Amiga-era energy into a modern, fast‑paced rescue-and-destruction experience.
Pilot your chopper across procedurally generated terrain, destroy tanks and enemy forces, rescue stranded soldiers, and stop an enemy missile launch before it’s too late.
You’ll need to manage fuel, ammo, and altitude, dodge AA launchers, and engage hostile helicopters while keeping your mission alive.
If you love retro‑inspired action with modern bite, Blue Fury is Tim Wheatley’s tribute to the games that shaped him — and the first step in his own journey as a solo developer.
Postal: Brain Damaged – A Flawed, Repetitive Shooter That Somehow Earned My Respect
From Crude Chaos to Unexpected Introspection
I wasn't planning on playing Postal: Brain Damaged. After Postal 4, I had done my tour of duty. I said I'd review it to make the Games Freezer team laugh and then, God help me, I had to play it. I ventured into the wilderness, stared into the abyss and discovered that the abyss occasionally got stuck in doorways and forgot to load its textures.
As far as I was concerned, the Postal series was locked in a 'race to the bottom' cycle of diminishing returns. A relic of a different era when shocking people was enough and a man urinating on strangers could somehow generate national headlines.
Outward 2 Beta: Aurai Welcomes You Back… Then Tries to Kill You
First impressions from a harsher, wilder Aurai — and why fans should be excited.
Rich takes some time to step back into Aurai — but this time, it’s bigger, bolder, and way more dangerous. In this video I dive into the Outward 2 Beta and share my raw first impressions as I explore the world, test the combat, poke at the systems, and see how this sequel is shaping up for fans of the original.If you loved the survival‑meets‑RPG chaos of Outward, you’ll feel right at home here. Expect:🗡️ Tough, stamina‑driven combat🎒 Proper survival mechanics🌍 A world that feels alive and unpredictable🔥 New systems, new dangers, same Outward soulThis is early beta footage, so things will evolve — but there’s already plenty to get excited about. Let me know your thoughts in the comments and tell me what you want to see next.
Pengilo: A Simple Slice of Penguin‑Tossing Puzzle Zen
Verdict: Fun, Floaty, but Not Quite Stand‑Out
A simple and accessible physics-based game from developer Double Mizzlee and publisher Eastasiasoft, Pengilo is a single-screen puzzle title with fifty stages of circular penguin-chucking action.
A bright and colourful entry in the genre presented in 2D, Pengilo tasks the player with tossing a penguin into the air, collecting stars and keys to unlock the door in order to exit each stage.
A budget title that currently costs under a fiver, Pengilo only allows you to take control of your penguin for a follow-up directional shove after a single bounce; this means that you have to be accurate if you don’t want to fall off the screen, resulting in a retry of the stage.
GluMe Review – A Charming, Cartoonish Sokoban Puzzle Challenge
Sticky Mechanics, Bright Presentation and 80 Fiendish Single‑Screen Stages
A sliding puzzle game in the Sokoban style. GluMe casts you in the role of a cartoonish blob who must move around the single-screen stages collecting gems by sticking to other blobs in the correct sequence. A single miscalculation means that you won’t be able to complete the stage – which can be but a few seconds long if you know the route! – and requires a restart.
I found the whole approach of GluMe quite appealing. There’s a heavy sense of cartoonishness with the animated blobs having large eyes and gently bouncing around. The chiptune music by Liniker Nasciento is absolutely a perfect match for the breeziness of gameplay and keeps things bright and light to match the visuals.
Competitor Murasaki Edition Launches Exclusively at Argos
Premium Features Without the Premium Price Tag
Hyperkin’s symmetrical twin‑thumbstick controller, The Competitor, made a splash with PC and Xbox players when it first launched — and now the fan‑favourite gamepad has returned with a bold new look. Introducing the Competitor Murasaki Edition, a regal purple variant that’s exclusive to UK gamers via Argos.
The original Competitor earned applause for bringing premium features to an affordable price point, and the Murasaki Edition continues that tradition. It retains the controller’s fast polling rates, segmented classic D‑pad, and trio of hall effect sensors, supported by metal glide rings and anti‑friction gates for smooth, precise thumbstick control — even during the most heated gaming moments.
Designed for versatility, the Competitor Murasaki Edition works seamlessly across PC, Steam, Xbox consoles, and cloud gaming services including Game Pass. With accurate button mapping, a symmetrical stick layout, and Hyperkin’s trademark build quality, this controller is built for players who want style without sacrificing performance.
Available today for an MSRP of £39.99, the Competitor Murasaki Edition delivers a premium feel wrapped in a striking purple finish — gaming royalty without the royal price.
Find the Competitor Murasaki Edition exclusively at Argos:
Letter Quest Remastered: The Undisputed King of Word‑Based RPGs
The Humour, Art, and Personality That Make Letter Quest Shine
Over the years, whenever I cover word-based puzzle games, Letter Quest often crops up as the standard-bearer for quality. It seems unusual to retrospectively cover a game released over a decade ago, but I was sure that I had sung the praises of Letter Quest in an article upon its initial release - I had certainly played it enough! - but I checked during my research for Beyond Words, and no, I hadn’t. So I’m getting to rectify that here.
Rich steps back into the playpen! This Rugrats Retro Rewind PS5 gameplay video dives into the nostalgic chaos of Tommy, Chuckie, Angelica and the whole gang as they return in a modern reimagining of the classic Nickelodeon world. Expect retro‑styled fun, colourful levels, and plenty of 90s vibes as we explore missions, mini‑games, and all the mischief the Rugrats are famous for.
COOWPS +P2 Split Protective Case (Updated Version) – The Ultimate Nintendo Switch 2 Upgrade
Rich goes Hands‑On With the Updated COOWPS +P2 Split Case
Protect your Nintendo Switch 2 in style with the UPDATED COOWPS +P2 Split Protective Case Set! In today’s video, we take a close look at the new design tweaks, improved fit, and overall feel of this upgraded accessory. If you’re hunting for a lightweight, durable, and comfortable case for daily use, this one might just surprise you.
In this unboxing, we cover:
What’s new in the updated version, fit, grip, and comfort; dock compatibility; and protection level. Whether you're a handheld‑only player or someone who travels with their Switch 2, this case could be a perfect match.
🎪 Clowntown Calls All Jesters to the Ring – Batterystaple’s New Co‑Op Chaos Revealed
The circus is back in town — and this time, it’s packing paintbrushes, skyscrapers, and a honk button. Clowntown, the latest off‑beat creation from 30XX developer Batterystaple Games, made its grand debut at the PC Gaming Show, inviting 2–8 players to embrace their inner fool in a campaign of co‑operative calamity.
🤡 Down to Clown?
Launching soon on PC via Steam, Clowntown is a co‑op party campaign where teamwork, laughter, and mild chaos collide. Players join forces as noble jesters under the watchful eye of the mysterious Ringmaster, tackling over 100 unique minigames and action puzzles designed to make you think, fail, and laugh in equal measure.
From painting masterpieces and constructing skyscrapers to composing cacophonous symphonies, every act of this circus demands creativity and coordination — or at least a convincing attempt.
🎨 The Show Must Go On
The main Campaign Mode offers 5–6 hours of hand‑crafted clownery, where friends juggle charades, sabotage, and slapstick teamwork across evolving challenges. Each minigame set grows more absurd as you progress — Face Paint becomes Also Paint, then spirals into Probably Not Paint, turning simple art prompts into time‑pressured chaos.
Wordplay fans can expect escalating madness too: Spelling Bee morphs into Spelling Wasp, and finally Bees Spelling, where clowns literally chase letters with wings.
🎉 Party Mode: Co‑Op or Contest
Between campaign sessions, Clowntown’s Party Mode lets players pick curated or randomised minigame sets, tweak difficulty, and add mutators. Feeling competitive? Flip the script in Contest Mode, where co‑op turns cutthroat, and every clown fights for solo glory.
And yes — every mode includes a dedicated honk button. You can customise the sound. Your teammates cannot mute it.
🌍 Global Circus
Clowntown will launch with full support for English, Russian, Simplified Chinese, Japanese, German, Korean, French, Spanish, and Portuguese.
Follow Batterystaple Games on Bluesky or X for updates, and watch the Clowntown reveal trailer now to see the mayhem unfold.
Clowntown looks set to be the next big indie laugh riot friend slop game — a perfect blend of teamwork, absurdity, and honking chaos.
Unboxing the LEGO SEGA Mega Drive / Genesis Kit – Retro Gaming Meets Brick‑Building Brilliance
Why This LEGO Set Hits the Nostalgia Button
Unboxing the LEGO SEGA Mega Drive / Genesis kit — a perfect mash‑up of retro gaming nostalgia and brick‑building goodness. In this video, I crack open the box, check out every piece, and give you a close look at this beautifully detailed tribute to SEGA’s legendary 16‑bit console.
Whether you're a LEGO collector, a SEGA fan, or just love retro hardware recreated in brick form, this set is an absolute treat.
God of Weapons – 3D Vampire Survivors‑Style Action with Inventory Management Depth
Verdict – Ambitious but Fatiguing Over Time
A game that takes inspiration from poncle’s Vampire Survivors and moves the game into the 3D realm whilst also adding in some inventory management action, God of Weapons has some nice ideas, but the inherent repetition of the auto-battler genre is amplified here by short music loops and a staid environment.
A game that takes place in single-stage chunks, God of Weapons shows you at the start just how much content there is here, as the myriad unlockable characters are shown in silhouette before you dive into the main tower that makes up the heart of the game. As you proceed, you’ll also unlock a pretty chunky weapons armoury in which you can delve to select which loadout you fancy at the time, of course…keeping that aforementioned inventory space in check.
The stages are all very similar visually, differing mainly in enemy type and level size, although the mechanics are mainly the same, albeit having to perhaps dodge spike traps etc. You have to survive for between one and two minutes on the stages as insurmountable monsters spawn around you, causing you to run and dash out of their way as your weapons and spells auto-fire quite satisfyingly.
GXTrust Expands Creator Audio Lineup With Two New Affordable Microphones
As streaming, podcasting and online content creation continue to surge, GXTrust has expanded its creator‑focused audio range with two new microphones aimed at delivering professional‑quality sound without the premium price tag.
The refreshed lineup introduces two new models for streamers and podcasters, alongside an updated illuminated USB microphone designed for gamers and everyday creators.
Drop Duchy: Complete Edition – Nintendo Switch 2 Gameplay
Rich takes a fresh look at Drop Duchy: Complete Edition running on the Nintendo Switch 2. This gameplay showcase dives into the colourful chaos, clever mechanics, and satisfying Tetris-adjacent puzzle‑strategy blend that makes Drop Duchy such an addictive little indie nugget.
PlayStation State of Play – June 2nd, 2026: Every Announcement & Release Date
Sony’s June 2026 State of Play delivered a stacked lineup. From long‑awaited first‑party heavy hitters to surprise remasters, genre revivals, and a few “wait, WHAT?” moments, this showcase felt like a confident flex of what the PlayStation 5’s mid‑generation stride looks like.
Below, you’ll find a full breakdown of the show, plus a complete release table covering every title revealed or updated during the event.
🔥 Showcase Highlights
Sony came out swinging with a mix of blockbuster reveals and deep‑cut fan favourites. Marvel’s Wolverine finally has a release date, Tomb Raider returns with a mythological twist, and Capcom surprised everyone with not one but two Onimusha projects. Add in rhythm‑action royalty, cult classics, and a few ambitious 2027 projects, and you’ve got a showcase that hit almost every corner of the gaming world.
A.I.L.A Review – Psyche‑Driven Horror With Big Ideas and Uneven Execution
A Postmodern VR Nightmare That Starts Strong but Loses Steam in the Final Acts
In A.I.L.A, you play as a video game play-tester in a postmodern sci-fi world. You get the new VR gaming system- AILA. It is a brand-new system that uses the user’s psyche to adapt the horror and give a unique experience.
The system uses an AI to guide you through the horror scenarios, the avatar of which is a little girl whom you talk to before and after you play through each of the scenarios, asking questions and guiding you through the experience, checking how you react and how you feel.
Over the coming weeks, the team here at GF will be sharing their favourite gaming channels on YouTube.
Here are the channels that Rich keeps returning to!
These channels represent everything I love about gaming culture: authenticity, humour, and deep‑cut passion.
Any Austin
Any Austin’s thoughtful storytelling and creative lens remind me why games matter beyond mechanics. This guy puts so much effort into dissecting things that most wouldn't even think of.
Over the coming weeks, the team here at GF will be sharing their favourite gaming channels on YouTube.
Here are the channels that Britt keeps returning to!
Kim Justice –
The channel I’ve probably been watching for the longest period of time, Kim’s passion for gaming bleeds through the screen, and it’s always a genuine pleasure to sit down with a glass of wine and plough through her lengthy docs, especially the ones with a focus on the 8-bit microcomputers. An awesome documentarian who really knows her stuff!
