Spoiler Free Review: Firewatch is one of those rare indie gems that doesn’t try to be everything, it focuses on telling a human, heartfelt story wrapped in a stunning visual and audio package. Released in 2016, the game is best described as an "environmental narrative" or "walking simulator," where the emphasis is placed squarely on character development, atmosphere, and emotional storytelling…

Dredge, developed by the indie studio Black Salt Games, is a masterclass in blending seemingly disparate genres: a casual fishing simulator and cosmic horror. This unlikely combination creates an atmospheric experience that’s as haunting as it is cozy. Released in 2023, Dredge has garnered widespread praise for its unique premise, polished gameplay, and immersive world, and it’s no surprise why.

When Indiana Jones and The Great Circle launched in 2024, it became one of the year’s biggest surprises. MachineGames delivered a game that felt more like authentic Indiana Jones than recent films, with cinematic combat, whip-swinging traversal, and some of the best puzzles in modern adventure gaming. On top of that, Troy Baker delivered a fresh but faithful performance…

Note: I have not yet played the Director’s Cut DLC content, so this review focuses solely on the base game experience. Ghost of Tsushima has been showered with praise since its release, and with the Director’s Cut, Sucker Punch has delivered the definitive version of their samurai epic. I played this in preparation for Ghost of Yotei, drawn in by its cinematic presentation, breathtaking art direction, and a world that feels tailor-made for screenshots.

Note: This review contains mild spoilers. I first played A Way Out with a close friend when Hazelight Studios was still finding its feet. Its cinematic co-op storytelling reinvigorated local multiplayer, making it feel vital again. Years later, my partner and I tackled It Takes Two, a game that perfected that formula with warmth, humour, and boundless…

Note: Written before the release of season 1 After more than a decade since Skate 3, EA has returned to the streets with Skate., a free-to-play, live-service reimagining of the series. For veterans of Skate 1–3, hopping back on the board is a thrill. The flick-it controls feel instantly familiar, and the core skating delivers that satisfying…

Introduction: Returning to a Masterpiece The announcement of Hollow Knight: Silksong sparked a huge anticipation, building upon the critical success of Hollow Knight, a title that set a high standard for the Metroidvania genre. Having invested approximately 50 hours to achieve 100% completion, conquering all bosses, and collecting every tool and upgrade, I can assert with confidence that…

Experiencing Oddworld: Abe’s Oddysee for the first time on PS5 is to step into a world unlike any other, a place where danger lurks in every shadow, beauty hides in the unlikeliest corners, and survival depends as much on wit as on reflexes. Originally released in 1997 for the PlayStation 1, this cinematic platformer blends…

My name is Max Kirby, and this case study documents my experience conducting a small-scale, three-player, unmoderated playtest of “Axom:Conquest” a tower defense game currently available in demo form on Steam. The primary objective was to identify player pain points and uncover opportunities for improvement, providing valuable feedback for the developer, Thomas Capstick. A comprehensive UX Report…

Introduction: New hands on deck Following the stellar Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 1 + 2 remake in 2020, many fans expected Vicarious Visions to continue their excellent work with Tony Hawks Pro Skater 3 + 4. Sadly, after their success, Vicarious Visions was merged into Blizzard Entertainment and essentially disbanded. The reins for this latest entry were handed to…

Spoiler-Free Review: I picked up Death Stranding: Director’s Cut in anticipation of Death Stranding 2: On the Beach, and after finally playing it properly from start to finish, I can say with confidence, that this is unlike anything else I’ve ever played. Developed by Kojima Productions and published by 505 Games, Death Stranding is the workings of legendary…

Spoiler-free review: Blue Prince is the debut game from Dogubomb, a small indie studio founded by Tonda Ros. Initially a solo project, the core team grew to around 24 developers, including art director Davide Pellino and composers Trigg & Gusset. Development spanned eight years, funded by Ros’s savings and ad revenue from his Magic: The Gathering…

Reviewed on Xbox Series X|S – June 2025 "Rematch" landed on June 19, 2025, ready to flip football gaming on its head with fast, chaotic, online multiplayer action. Forget controlling a whole team, this game puts you in the boots of just one controllable player in intense online matches, channeling the inner workings of "FIFA’s Pro clubs", minus the stat grind.

Developed by id Software, DOOM: The Dark Ages drags the Doom Slayer into a gritty medieval world, swapping futuristic firepower for a brutal spiked shield as he battles through Hell’s forces. As someone new to the series, I came in fresh, unfamiliar with returning weapons or lore threads, but even without deep familiarity with past DOOM…

Every so often, a game comes along that completely reshapes your expectations, reminding you why gaming is such a powerful medium. Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is that game. Figure 1: Cover Art for Clair Obscur: Expedition 33Image Source: Steam Store Page for Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 It emerged seemingly out of nowhere, overshadowed by bigger titles like Oblivion dropping on…

My name is Max Kirby, and this case study reflects my experience on conducting a small-scale, 3 player, moderated playtest for "District 47: Idle Luxury Tycoon Sim," a mobile simulation game developed by Derek Kaplan. (Full UX Report Here) Figure 1: The logo for "District 47" on the app store The game centers on…

The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion, originally released in 2006, was a landmark RPG that redefined open-world gaming with its sprawling world, deep lore, and unparalleled freedom. The recent remaster, built on the bones of a nearly 20-year-old game, polishes the visuals to breathtaking levels and slightly refines some of the mechanics, but it’s a polarising experience for newcomers like me who came to it after falling in love with…

There are few games dare to touch a legend like Resident Evil 4 and walk away with its spirit intact, let alone a fresh pulse. The Resident Evil 4 Remake (RE4R) doesn’t just succeed, it grabs the original by the throat, drags it into 2023, and makes it sing. You’re back in Leon S. Kennedy’s boots, knee-deep in a Spanish hellscape where tension hums, action roars, and every shadow hides a story that sticks with you.

Introduction I am Max Kirby, and this case study reflects on my experience conducting a playtest for an indie game called "Save Yourself," a puzzle-platformer developed by Marcus Jensen at KirbyLife Games. Originally created for a game jam and now being expanded into a full game, "Save Yourself" features a unique save-and-restore mechanic blending platforming with puzzle-solving. In April 2025, I organised an unmoderated playtest to evaluate the game’s usability, user experience (UX), and player engagement, aiming to provide Marcus with actionable feedback.

Groundhog Day Meets Dishonored Imagine Groundhog Day, but with a twist of chaos, espionage, and supernatural powers, and you’re starting to get a sense of what Deathloop brings to the table. Arkane Studios, the creators of the Dishonored series, have combined their knack for immersive world-building with a thrilling time-loop mechanic that keeps you guessing, planning, and rethinking every move.

After years of players urging for Astro’s Playroom to be made into a full game, it's incredible to see that Team Asobi not only listened but created something even more spectacular. Astro Bot has been transformed into a full-length adventure, and it’s nothing short of a masterpiece. It’s the kind of game that has been highly anticipated by fans, and it more than delivers on the promise of an unforgettable experience.