Achilles: Survivor (PS5) | REVIEW | A Bullet Heaven Epic!!!

Achilles: Survivor, developed and published by Dark Point Games, is an engaging single-player bullet heaven title rooted in the lore of Ancient Greece. In this game, you step into the role of the legendary warrior Achilles or other mythical figures liberated from the underworld of Tartarus, battling relentless hordes of monstrous foes across procedurally influenced arenas inspired by epic tales like the siege of Troy and the shadowy depths of hellish realms. The core loop revolves around surviving escalating waves of enemies through clever positioning, power enhancements, and defensive setups, all while aiming to rack up high scores and unlock deeper layers of progression.

Overpowered 1: Mars Infestation (PS5) | REVIEW | It's 2050 & The Globalist Agenda Has Failed!!! To Mars!!!

The year is 2050, and due to the self-inflicted global climate crisis agenda Earth has become incompatible with human life. The WEF has killed off the oxygen supply through their zero carbon efforts, and have poisoned every natural resource including the water and food supply. To solve the problem Elon Musk moves forward with his plans to terraform Mars, and make it inhabitable for mankind. To do this he sends up the bravest of soldiers to kill off the alien infestation there. A soldier fitted with Neuralink tech. At least that's how I interpret this whole scenario, this twin stick shooter's story made and published by EastAsiaSoft.

Welcome to Basingstoke (PS5) | REVIEW | Apocalyptic Stealth Action With A British Twist . . .

Welcome to Basingstoke was developed by Puppy Games and published by Thalamus Digital Publishing Ltd. for its PS5 release. The game kicks off with your character arriving for a new job at OmniCorp headquarters in the sleepy English town of Basingstoke. Things quickly spiral into chaos when a lab experiment unleashes an alien invasion, transforming residents into shambling zombies and spawning ferocious monsters. Your goal is to navigate the ruined streets, scavenge for survival gear, and ultimately escape the town while piecing together what went wrong, all while dodging or outsmarting the horrors lurking around every corner.

Heading Out (PS5) | REVIEW | High Stakes Highway Hijinks . . .

Developed by Serious Sim and published by Crunching Koalas, Heading Out is a narrative-focused adventure that puts you behind the wheel as an outlaw driver escaping personal demons across a stylized version of the American West. The core premise revolves around embarking on cross-country journeys where your backstory, motivations, and decisions influence the unfolding events, leading to chases, encounters, and a confrontation with a legendary racer, all while managing the psychological weight of fear that pursues you like a relentless shadow.

Otherwar (PS5) | REVIEW | A Heavenly Tower Defense & Bullet Hell Indie!!!

Otherwar, developed by kantal collective and published by Untold Tales in collaboration with Hyperstrange, is an inventive indie title that fuses tower defense strategy with intense bullet hell action. In this game, players take on the role of a guardian angel tasked with protecting the gates of heaven from relentless demonic invasions, summoning towers to fortify defenses while personally diving into the fray to smite enemies. The narrative lightly weaves in themes of celestial warfare, where hellish forces, ranging from undead trees to necromancers, push forward in waves, forcing the angel to adapt and evolve to prevent a full breach.

Sky of Destruction (PS5) | REVIEW | Want More Destruction In Your Shmups?

Developed and published by Satur Entertainment, Sky of Destruction is a top-down shooter that throws players into intense aerial combat. The game’s premise is straightforward. You command a fleet of aircraft tasked with obliterating an enemy aircraft carrier or fortified structures while navigating a gauntlet of hostile forces. The narrative is minimal, serving as a thin backdrop to the action, with no deep story or character development to anchor the experience. It’s all about the thrill of destruction, leaning heavily on arcade-style chaos over plot depth.

The Nameless City (PS5) | REVIEW | A PSX Style Love Letter to Lovecraftian Horror

SometimeYou, an indie studio known for crafting atmospheric and narrative-driven experiences, developed The Nameless City. The game is published by Cyberleaf Studio, a small outfit that often backs unique, story-focused indie titles. Together, they’ve brought a chilling adaptation of H.P. Lovecraft’s work to the PS5, aiming to capture the eerie essence of his cosmic horror.

The Nameless City follows a lone explorer venturing into the desolate Arabian Desert to uncover the secrets of an ancient, ruined city whispered to predate human civilization. The narrative draws heavily from H.P. Lovecraft’s 1921 short story of the same name, considered a cornerstone of the Cthulhu Mythos.

Faye Falling (PS5) | REVIEW | A Hauntingly Mesmerizing Indie

From indie developer Jack Astral, and indie publisher EastAsiaSoft we find a haunting tale of a nameless lost soul trying to fight the darkness and reclaim their forgotten memories following a fall from what looks like Heaven's gate. It is after a fall much like that of Lucifer's at this heavenly gate that our robed protagonist begins their adventure through a linear labyrinthine spirit realm filled with puzzle elements, spirited inhabitants, and and turn based battles with shadowy threats named after negative personal feelings. Guided by a mysterious light beckoning them to move forward the fallen soul must trek through the spirit world fighting, and surviving in hopes that they can recall the reason they fell. Hopefully correcting course as they do so.

9 Years of Shadows (PS5) | REVIEW | A Visually & Aurally Captivating Adventure

Developed by Halberd Studios and published by JanduSoft, 9 Years of Shadows is a captivating Metroidvania that immerses players in a world drained of color and hope. The story follows Europa, a determined warrior who ventures into the cursed Talos Castle, the source of a malevolent force that has sapped the world’s vibrancy for nearly a decade. 

Accompanied by Apino, a magical floating teddy bear with healing abilities, Europa seeks to uncover the curse’s origins and restore life to the desolate land. The narrative, while not groundbreaking, weaves a heartfelt tale of resilience and self-discovery, with Europa’s internal struggles and Apino’s whimsical presence creating a compelling dynamic.

Maiden Cops (PS5) | REVIEW | A Vibrant Beat 'em Up With Monster Girls!!!

Maiden Cops, developed by Pippin Games and published by eastasiasoft, is a vibrant beat 'em up that throws players into the chaotic streets of Maiden City. The city is under siege by a criminal syndicate known as The Liberators, who aim to dominate through violence and fear. You take control of one of three distinct heroines including Priscilla, a spirited rookie with a knack for getting into trouble, Nina, the seasoned yet laid-back leader, or Meiga, a gentle but powerful fighter with a surprising edge. 

Each character brings a unique personality to the fight, with a narrative that leans into lighthearted, risqué humor and a touch of anime-inspired charm. The story follows their mission to dismantle the syndicate, uncovering a mix of quirky dialogue and a surprisingly layered plot that keeps the action moving across the city’s dangerous districts.

God of Weapons (PS5) | REVIEW | An Innovative Inventory Based Survivors-like

Published by Ultimate Games S.A., God of Weapons comes to us as a fresh, and simple yet complex take on the survivors-like genre. This interesting isometric 3D action indie, based upon timed survival, and the micromanagement of inventory and inventory space has you taking on class based character roles, each with their own weapon based mechanics, and stat benefits. All to the tune of five increasingly hard difficulties, and a randomized shop system that makes purchases, and placement in inventory crucial to the endgame.

Luto (PS5) | REVIEW | Grief, Horror & Healing

Developed by Broken Bird Games and published by Selecta Play and Astrolabe Games, Luto is a first-person psychological horror experience that delves into the raw and haunting emotions of grief, trauma, and death. The game seeks to immerse players in a deeply personal narrative, using horror as a lens to explore the profound pain of loss and the psychological toll of mental illness. By weaving a story that confronts anxiety, depression, and the lingering weight of bereavement, Luto aims to create an unsettling yet meaningful journey, challenging players to face the darkness within the human psyche.

The Wandering Village (PS5) | REVIEW | Creature Based City-Building

Stray Fawn Studio, a Swiss indie developer known for creative simulation games, teams up with publisher WhisperGames to deliver The Wandering Village, a unique city-building experience on the PS5. Set in a post-apocalyptic world ravaged by toxic spores, the game follows a group of survivors who establish a settlement on the back of a massive, wandering creature called Onbu. The story unfolds subtly through environmental storytelling and light interactions, focusing on the survivors’ struggle to coexist with Onbu while navigating a poisoned landscape.

Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3 + 4 (PS5) | REVIEW | Sticks the Landing, but Not Without It's Fails & Bails

The original Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3 (2001) and Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 4 (2002) were pivotal entries in the iconic skateboarding series, defining the genre with their tight controls, memorable levels, and genre-shaping soundtracks. THPS 3 introduced the revert, enabling longer combos, and featured beloved levels like Foundry and Suburbia, while THPS 4 experimented with a mission-based, free-roam structure that laid the groundwork for later titles like Underground. 

Flora & Fang (SWITCH) | Paranormal Pest Control!!!

Flynn's Arcade brings to us doting fans another pixel perfect arcade platformer meant to test the skills of the most diehard retro gamer. As cute as the packaged deal might seem this garden defense adventure titled, Flora & Fang Guardians of the Vampire Garden, is an experience that pays homage to retro classics while offering a combined take on influenced mechanics with a challenging nature. Games like Bubble Bobble, and Q-Bert are among the retro releases that come together to make this Frankensteinian horror of the horticulture kind such an undertaking. 

The First Berserker: Khazan (PS5) | REVIEW | An Accessible Genre Entry Point

Nexon brings to us the bloody tale of Khazan, a berserker borne of DNF Duel lore who was tortured and exiled for his supposed crimes against the kingdom. This once commendable general who slayed the berserker dragon was now cut from head to toe, and shackled in a prison cart set for a final destination. As fate would have it though an evil spirit had it's sights set on Khazan's body. This possession that was all, but assured ended up in a tug-of-war battle for control between Khazan and the evil spirit. Something that led Khazan through a trial to rid himself of it only to make a pact with the spirit for revenge sake. Now on dual quest to get revenge, and aid the evil spirit in restoring order to the netherworld, Khazan is put to the test.

Empyreal (PS5) | REVIEW | An Ambitious Indie Action RPG

Developed by Silent Games, a small but ambitious UK-based indie studio founded in 2018, and published by Secret Mode, Empyreal is a sci-fi action RPG that aims to deliver a complex and challenging experience. Set on an uncharted planet, the game casts players as an elite mercenary hired to aid a struggling expedition tasked with unraveling the secrets of a colossal Monolith, a structure built by a long-lost civilization. The plot follows Morys, an aging figure burdened by a generational quest to conquer the Monolith, passing the torch to the player to uncover its mysteries, which promise revelations about humanity’s place in the universe. 

L.S.D. Battlefield Simulator (PS5) | REVIEW | A Trippy Tour de Force

Twenty-five years in the making and over a billion dollars over budget Fukuhara's groundbreaking FPS title, L.S.D. Battlefield Simulator comes to the PS5 through Limited Rare Games. This hilarious take on the Tour of Honor franchise fully embraces an MK Ultra theme with three maniacal military personnel spearheading the campaign. It is an over-the-top blend of first-person shooter action with collect-a-thon focused platforming elements dosed with psychedelic effects and a healthy helping of crudely applied adult commentary. All to the tune of an old school rock soundtrack with lyrics that stay true to the core premise.

Worms Armageddon Anniversary Edition (PS5) | REVIEW | Artillery Antics Return With An Update!!!

Team17 brings to us a recently updated version of the classic Worms Armageddon for modern consoles. This port of the 1999 artillery experience comes with the original gameplay elements intact alongside newer features that further flesh out the history of the franchise. Along with the single player, local couch co-op, and online multiplayer options Worms Armageddon Anniversary Edition triples if not quadriples down on the content with four bonus games from the retro era, and a War Stories historical documentary featuring videos, interviews, and informational facts about this 90's to 2000's franchise.

Zombies Overloaded (PS5) | REVIEW | A Twin Stick Zombie Shooter Of The Brainless Sort

Brainium Games' Zombies Overloaded takes me back to the early days of "OtakuDante's Gaming Inferno". A time when I spent week's churning out up to 10 indie reviews of the XBLIG kind. These Xbox 360 indies were the start of something special, both for me and the gaming community. It marked the era of indie friendly gaming that wouldn't break the bank. You could get some absolute bangers for a couple of bucks.

One genre that seemed to always pop-up on the XBLIG marketplace was the top-down zombie shooters that were based on scoring and survival gimmicks. These mindless twin stick shooters offered hours of fun, or short bursts depending upon what you were looking for. The ones with leaderboards definitely held players' attention longer.