Brave Escape Xbox Series X Review 8.5/10 "All life is a rhythm – Fled (1996)" 🤠

We here at GF will always champion local co-op. Recently we’ve been treated with awesome titles such as Heave Ho 2, Wobbly Life, Basureroes: Invasion (which I’ve just played through for the second time – adore that game!) and others – and Brave Escape is most certainly closest to Heave Ho in that list, leaning as it does on absolute cohesion between the two players. Playable both online and in local co-op modes, Brave Escape will have you gazing at your partner with violent death in your eyes, and love in your heart.

Our story begins with Colin, an intrepid adventurer that find himself irresistibly drawn towards a large crack (careful now… – ed) or rather crevasse in the ground near his home (fewf – ed) into which he soon falls, and find his player two – Floyd, a robot with a skill set that neatly dovetails with his own, and they shortly decide to work together as they make their escape towards the surface.

Assassin's Creed Black Flag Resynced PS5 Review 8.5/10 “Yo ho, Yo Ho, a Resynced Pirate's Life For Me” 🏴‍☠️🦜

Black Flag was my favourite game of the pre-Origins games. I've always been on the side that actually preferred the series after the shift to a more open-world RPG style; looking back now, I kinda see why, as this game introduces things that would later become staples of the newer direction. That’s not to say that I don’t like the original stuff - Assassins Creed 2 is great - but for some reason I never shared the love that I have seen other people have for it, I played the first game and enjoyed it but controlling Altair is like controlling a shopping cart that’s being pushed down a steep hill on an icy day when a truck full of jam has just crashed and leaked onto the hill...it’s difficult is what I’m getting at. 

That did hinder some of my enjoyment; I continued to play the series, and there were games I enjoyed, but then Black Flag came out, and it was really the first game I loved. The setting, the characters, and the ship combat all came together and blew me away. Resynced keeps all that I loved and enhances most of it; to this day I still think that this game is the most I’ve ever felt like a pirate whilst playing a game, sorry Guybrush.

John Carpenter’s Toxic Commando PC Review 8/10 "John Carpenter’s name may be on the box, but Saber Interactive brings the bite" 🧟‍♀️

Toxic Commando Review – The Best Left 4 Dead‑Style Zombie Blast in Years

An hour into John Carpenter’s Toxic Commando, I was curious about what exactly Carpenter had contributed to this game. After all, this PvE zombie shooter has no aesthetic or thematic similarities to his work, and despite his impeccable horror pedigree, Carpenter has never made a zombie movie. If anything, it’s stylistically much more reminiscent of James Gunn than Carpenter.

So I did some research. And…“I was not brought on as a creative force, except they wanted to use my name, so they paid me to use my name.” As it turns out, aside from providing a few pieces of music (which I suspect were lurking on his hard drive long before this project), Carpenter’s involvement, in his own words, was “Well, I played it!”

Fair enough! Might as well be David James’ Toxic Commando then, because I also played it… And I think it’s just great!

Gothic 1 Remake PS5 Review 7.5/10 "A Throwback in the Truest Sense of the Word"

Gothic 1 Remake Review – A Gritty, Grubby Triumph with Proper Old‑School Bite

Bugs, Quirks and the Lack of Hand‑Holding

I’ve had many a dalliance with the Gothic series over the years, most recently in 2024, when Gothic 2 was released on Switch. Piranha Bytes very much had their own approach and vibe to their creations, and I was gutted when they closed their doors last year, having given us the Gothic, Risen and Elex series of games. Titles that were definitely flawed, but also idiosyncratic and rich with a dry sense of European humour as well as being unique, memorable experiences for better or worse.

I heard of this Gothic remake a couple of years ago, and I have been yearning for it ever since, and reviewing and scoring this game was oddly difficult because…well, it kind of does what you want/expect a Gothic game to do. Still, there are some design issues and other aspects that are lacking. That said, I fully appreciate that there is a large chunk of fans of the original out there that will embrace this and see it as a genuine GOTY, and I completely understand that viewpoint.

The original Gothic was released in 2001 on PC and is set in and around a penal colony that is under a magic barrier. Nothing living can escape the barrier, and the folks who live within it have split into various groups with their own ways and goals. The remake reflects this main plotline whilst breaking away in terms of the various side quests and its own twists on the design of the original. 

GluMe PS5 Review 8/10 "Let’s Stick Together"

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.

Mouse: P.I for Hire Nintendo Switch 2 Review 8.5 /10 "A Very Gouda Game" 🧀 @mousethegame #IndieGame #GameDev

When you think about games set in a fictional world akin to 1930’s cartoons, Cuphead will probably spring to mind, and as much as that game made an incredible impact – although I admit, its boss rush gameplay wasn’t for me, and I’ve spent far more time engrossed in the Netflix series – Mouse: P. I for Hire really caught my eye when I saw early trailers, and I pounced when the option to review it here at GF popped up. 

I’m very pleased to say that this is a game that really lives up to the promise of the trailer, and dives deep into the mousey, cheesy, noir world of Mouseburg, balancing challenging gameplay with great voice acting, an incredible sense of vibe, and visuals you’d ink your shorts for.

Set in the fictional city of Mouseburg in the ‘30s - a place inhabited by anthropomorphic rodents – you are private eye Jack Pepper, a typical hard-nosed noir detective who has his office next to a bar, and is friends with both the seedier side of town as well as up-and-coming mayoral prospects. Through a seemingly minor case, he soon finds himself embroiled in a city-wide scandal far outside his usual scope. So far, so noir.

Cthulhu: The Cosmic Abyss PS5 Review by Regan 7/10 🐙 @PlayCthulhuCA #IndieGame #GameDev

Step into the shoes of Noah, an Ancile field agent, as you explore a deserted deep-sea mining station in 2053. Tasked with unravelling the fate of a missing crew, you'll be challenged by intricate puzzles and an atmosphere thick with mystery. 

This immersive experience sets the stage for a gripping adventure that will keep you guessing until the very end.

Skinfreak PC Review 7/10 “Not so much ‘super freaky’, more ‘slowly freaky’” 🔪 #GameDev #IndieGame #Horror

I have a very simple and happy relationship with Puppet Combo and developer Jordan King; they release games, I really enjoy them - and then I look forward to the next one, Stay Out of the House and Night at the Gates of Hell remain two of my favourite indie horror games, so any time another release from Puppet Combo comes along - I’m excited. I must admit that I am a bit late to this one but was still keen to start my journey running away from a man who looks like Leatherface’s distant cousin.

In Skinfreak you play as Belle, who has been called into the office late at night. you arrive to a very empty office and are to install new software – which is to be delivered later in the night - and yeah …that's mainly it. 

Worms Armageddon: Anniversary Edition Review 7.5/10 "Ridiculous Fun, Lovingly Preserved" 🪱

I went to a flat party in 1999 and was in the front room when the host asked me if I'd ever played Worms before. I said, "No". He said, "You're Gonna Love it!" and proceeded to fire up the PS1 and welcome me into the crazy, crazy world of Worms: Armageddon. 

By the end of the night, most of the people in the flat were playing Worms, and the manic action was being fuelled by the many litres of Red Bull & Vodka being consumed (it was the late 90s, after all). From that moment on, Worms was THE party game and all my friends loved to drink and play this; it was essential for a great night out, either pre-party, post-party, post-post party or during party!

Fast forward to today, and it's true that some games age gracefully… and then there’s Worms Armageddon, a title that refuses to age at all. Firing it up feels like opening a box in your mum and dad's loft packed with banana bombs, holy hand grenades, and the kind of ridiculously crafted chaos that not too many video games attempt nowadays. Worms is most definitely still utterly ludicrous, endlessly funny, and capable of turning players into cackling agents of worm-fuelled destruction.

Armageddon remains the perfect expression of what makes Worms tick. The physics are just unpredictable enough to keep every turn tense. The weapons are as silly as ever, and still capable of producing those hilarious local multiplayer moments; it’s as manic today as it was in 1999.

What really elevates this release is the museum timeline charting the history of the series, the unexpected star of the show, with behind‑the‑scenes content that is a love letter to the Worms legacy.

These documentary‑style segments are surprisingly heartfelt. They chart the evolution of Team17’s iconic series with archival footage, developer interviews, early concept art and some cool Stories about how certain weapons and ideas came to be.

It’s the kind of material we've all come to expect from a Digital Eclipse release, and once again, for fans of gaming history, it’s pure gold nuggets. For Worms fans specifically, it’s borderline emotional. You get a real sense of how this quirky British strategy‑comedy hybrid became a global phenomenon.

Worms is Worm, but why does it still work? Well, Worms Armageddon endures because it’s built on timeless ingredients of simple rules, deceptively deep strategy, endless unpredictability, and a tone that never takes itself seriously. It’s the rare game where losing can be just as entertaining as winning, especially when your last worm is blasted into orbit by a rogue sheep or a concrete donkey.

SUMMARY
For me, this is more than a nostalgia trip. It’s a reminder of how inventive, chaotic, and downright joyful games can be. The core experience is still a riot, but the documentary timeline pushes this version into “must‑own” territory for anyone who loves retro gaming, British game development history, or just a good laugh. My kids and I are playing this endlessly as I introduce a new generation to Worms and have more couch chaos with the family!

Right, I'm off to drop a concrete donkey on my wife...

7.5/10

🆒COOL🆒

Worms Armageddon: Anniversary Edition | Nintendo Switch games | Games | Nintendo UK

MARVEL COSMIC INVASION XBOX SERIES X Review 8/10 "A vibrant, retro-inspired beat 'em up that channels old-school arcade energy" 💥 @MARVELCosmicInv @Dotemu

Marvel Cosmic Invasion is here: it hits Xbox Series X as a vibrant, retro-inspired beat 'em up that channels old-school arcade energy - think the classic 1992 X-Men arcade game - with the combos, special moves and overall depth we've come to expect from Dotemu, the publisher behind the excellent Streets of Rage 4.

The game follows the Marvel Annihilation storyline, pitting a huge roster of 15 playable characters against the evil Annihilus and the deadly Annihilation Wave. You punch, claw, fly and swing through locations ranging from New York City, through the Avengers Helicarrier, to the depths of the Negative Zone. The excellent pixel art style and fast-paced brawling capture an energetic comic-book feel that is very much in keeping with other Dotemu releases.

Dragonkin The Banished PS5 Review 7/10 "A Solid, If Generic ARPG That Runs Fantastically" 🐲⚔️ @Eko_Software @DragonkinGame #IndieGame #GameDev

A new ARPG from EKO Software, Dragonkin The Banished has a lot going for it in terms of the smooth visuals, intriguing world, city-developing aspect, and dragon-centric story, but fails to stand out from a crowded genre in a meaningful way, and results in a game that makes you wish it had something else up its sleeve – or a little more character – to really leave a mark.

Choosing from a pool of heroes, you (and up to one other player locally, or up to three more if playing online) are challenged with defeating a world being overcome with the corruption of banished dragons. Beginning in the one remaining city as yet untouched by corruption, you start your quest. 

A game full of various options to customise your experience in terms of accessibility and camera zoom – you can choose whether to be closer to the action, or see more of the landscape – it’s here you’ll get to grips with the games mechanics and systems. 

Dragonkin The Banished features a hexagonal upgrade system in which you can put tiles together to boost your powers, not to mention those of your wyrmling; a small dragon that accompanies you on your quest and primarily features elemental powers in a bid to aid your combat finesse, these can eventually be armoured and powered up alongside you. The city also gains its own experience points as you explore in your journey and you’ll find new areas such as stores and features cropping up with each level. 

Top Racer Collection Nintendo Switch Review 7/10 "Top Gear (no, not that one) is back!" 🏎️ @qubytegames #RetroGaming

Known outside of Japan as Top Gear upon its initial release, the Top Racer Collection collects 4 titles from the series (Top Racer, Top Racer 2, Top Racer 3000, and Top Racer Crossroads – which is a ROM mod of the first game and so not wholly original) into a single pack, and as with other QUByte titles, there are various extras and bonus information about the series included, always a boon!

These are all titles from the early-to-mid ‘90s and as such are 16-bit emulations that keep the original frame rates etc. so it’s best not to expect silky smooth 60fps here! These are as close to the original releases as possible in terms of vibe and gameplay, so your mileage will certainly vary dependent on how much nostalgia and enjoyment you get out of typical 16-bit racers. That said, one thing that is solid gold about these games are the soundtracks, which are pure fun and took me right back to the early days of my gaming, bloody lovely stuff.

WWE2K26 PS5 Review 7/10 “Core Gameplay and GM Mode Save The Stagnation Issues” 🤼‍♂️

I always brace myself whenever I’m about to play a new WWE 2K game after years of ‘two steps forward, one step back’ for over a decade in the 2010’s. I’m always nervous, 2K have been on a good run for the last few years, there have been improvements and 2K have been taking what they have and building onto it instead of taking things out... to then only put them back in years later and claim its a new feature. 

So, when I booted up WWE 2K26 I wondered if, just like The Undertaker at WrestleMania 30 was the streak about to end? I can thankfully report that, no it hasn't...but it has run into a bit of stagnation. 

The core game is solid but I would say this edition doesn't feel like the jump that previous years have had, and a few new issues have been brought into play.

Winter Burrow Nintendo Switch 2 Review 8/10 *Cute Creature Crafting Comforts* 🐁🌳@pinecreekgames #IndieGame #GameDev

I had my eye on Winter Burrow for a while, and whilst I’m not naturally drawn to crafting games, the art style and draw of being a little mouse in a snowy forest rebuilding his family home whilst fending off insects and rediscovering his childhood was almost too cute to ignore. The final straw was when I showed my partner and our 4-year old son the trailer to Winter Burrow, and when I looked at them as the snippet ended, they had turned into anime characters with wide, trembling eyes, emitting a collective “aaaaawwww”.

Monster Train 2 DLC - Destiny of the Railforged Xbox Series X Review 8/10 "Keeping it Rail" 🚂 @TheMonsterTrain #IndieGame #GameDev

The first paid DLC for Monster Train 2 has arrived at the station. The lauded sequel itself only came out in May of last year, and in late 2025 we were blessed with a host of new additions through the ‘Echoes From the Void’ update. Now, only a few months later, we have another, more substantial offering to expand the network in a way that shows HS2 how it’s done (Google it, non-UK people).

Monster Train, for the uninitiated, is a roguelike deck-building game. I won’t go into the mechanics too much as I cover a lot of it HERE. And I didn’t review the Void update, but essentially it offered a bit more of everything. We were furnished with new foes, new weapons and new variants of the Pyre (source of the player’s life and what your monsters protect) to up the ante and keep the train rolling.

Disco Simulator PS5 Review 7.5/10 "Can people please stop spewing on the dance floor?" 🕺🪩💃 @GamesIncubator #IndieGame #GameDev

As someone who has a partner that grew up on The Sims games, I quite fancied the idea of settling down of an evening and spending a few sessions with Disco Simulator, a game in which you run your own nightclub (I do really feel that this should have been called Nightclub Simulator, by the way, but it looks like that name was already taken). 

The game begins with a brisk tutorial that lays out the setting, you begin each scenario with certain goals in mind – reaching a certain amount of cash, hitting certain metrics etc. – and from there, you pretty much get free reign of how to run your club, from naming it through to shaking cocktails, unclogging toilets, checking tickets for entry, and ensuring that the power stays on – or will you delegate all this nonsense to your ever-growing team of staff?

Crisol: Theatre of Idols PS5 Review 8.5/10 “A Bloody Good Start for Vermila Studio” 🪆🩸 @CrisolGame @VermilaStudios #IndieGame #GameDev

When viewing the trailer for Crisol: Theatre of Idols it was immediately obvious where a lot of inspiration had come from it. looked like a mix of Bioshock and Resident Evil, which are two of my favourite game series, so I was very excited to see whether it could live up to its lofty inspirations, or would it be a pale imitation? 

Especially as this is the first game by the studio. I think they hit it out of the park, a slam dunk, a hole in one.. and that's all the sports metaphors I know. For a first outing I think it’s fantastic. Crisol knows what it wants to achieve, it is a love letter to the horror games that inspired it, and whilst it may not reinvent the horror game wheel, it has wonderful art design and a cool new mechanic that makes the game a delight to play.

Death & Lead SEGA Mega Drive Review 7/10 "The West rises again on Sega’s best machine from the East" 🤠🏇 @Kai_MSX #IndieGame #GameDev #RetroGaming

We here at GF have been big fans of Kai Magazine Software, a Spanish development company that has brought us The Secret of the Four Winds, Life On Mars, and Metal Dragon – amongst others over the years. 

Whilst their games have had some pros and cons, the one thing that stands out about this development house for me, and keeps me extremely interested in their upcoming releases, is that they have an uncanny ability to hone in on game genres that felt under-realised on Sega’s best* home console system, as well as having the ability to make the audio shine. 

There are a handful of developer/publishers that release titles for the Mega Drive – and I genuinely adore them all – but Kai Magazine Software seems to have a little niche in that the games they create aren’t the typical sort that you’d find on the MD, and in doing so, have that frisson that brings the system alive.

Romeo is a Dead Man PS5 Review 7/10 "As far as I’m concerned, playing Romeo is a Dead Man makes you cool" ⚔️🩸 @romeoisadeadman @Grasshopper_EN @suda_51 #IndieGame #GameDev

It’s really very straightforward.

You play as Romeo, a young sheriff’s deputy who discovers a body lying in the middle of a deserted road. He investigates and is attacked by a monster that horrifically disfigures him. On the verge of death, his grandfather appears in a time machine and saves his life with the Dead Gear, trapping him between life and death and shattering the space-time continuum.

Now Romeo is a cyborg agent of the FBI's Space-Time Police, living in a spaceship, assisted by his katsu curry loving mother, zombie-farming little sister, a human with a cat head (or possibly a cat with a human body), his time-travelling grandfather (now a talking patch on the back of his sweet jacket), and a mission to journey across interdimensional parallel universe taking out evil version of his one true love, Juliet.

Y’know, one of those stories.

Ancient Farm PC Review By Ayden 7.5/10 "This is a FUN Time Sink" 🐖🌱🥬 #IndieGame #GameDev

A lot of us still carry points of fascination we picked up as young children. There's no shortage of dinosaur obsessed young boys, or kids that dream of growing up and making a life among the stars. For me, ancient civilisations were that obsession. The idea of forgotten words and ways of living is something that encourages a particular curiosity. Unfortunately most of the games, movies and TV shows that are based in such worlds rarely focus on immersing the audience within the day-to-day life of these amazing environments.

Enter Ancient Farm. Long before sprinklers and robotic harvesters, early man farmed with rudimentary tools and very few shortcuts. In that respect, Ancient Farm is true to life. This is not a sim in which, after a couple hours of grind, you are able to fully automate your farm and watch your gold grow. But I think this is the strongest selling point on offer here. The continuous engagement required to grow your homestead keeps you actively invested, and truly does lead to a definitive sense of reward as you continue to progress.