REVIEW: Sanshui: Poker Puzzle 三水 (2026 Video Game)

By Jon Donnis

Sanshui: Poker Puzzle is a neat little logic game that takes the familiar rules of poker hands and turns them into a series of card-based puzzles. Despite the poker theme, there are no gambling mechanics here. This is purely about using logic, planning your moves and finding the solution to each challenge.

You start with three rows of cards, with three on the top row and five on each of the other two. Each puzzle gives you a target poker hand to create, such as a Flush, and you need to work out how to arrange the available cards to achieve it.

The interesting thing is that Sanshui does not explain everything to you. There is no traditional tutorial walking you through the controls and mechanics. Instead, you are placed straight into the first puzzles and expected to experiment. Fortunately, the basic system is easy enough to understand, particularly if you already have a basic knowledge of poker hands.

You can move cards around and swap their positions, but the most important part of the game is the token system. Tokens give you different ways to manipulate the cards, including changing the layout, replacing a card or changing its suit. Knowing when and where to use these abilities becomes increasingly important as the puzzles become more demanding.

Progression introduces additional tokens, which means the game gradually expands the number of possible solutions available to you. Early puzzles can be solved fairly quickly once you understand the fundamentals, but later challenges require more consideration. You need to look at the cards available, identify what is missing from the required hand and decide which ability will get you closer to the solution.

This gives the game a satisfying balance between understanding the rules and actually applying them. It is not simply a case of making the strongest poker hand possible. You have a specific objective and a limited set of tools, so working out the correct sequence of actions is where the real puzzle lies.

The presentation also works in the game's favour. Everything is laid out clearly, with the cards and available actions easy to see. There is no unnecessary clutter competing for your attention, which is exactly what you want from a game based around studying a card layout and spotting possible combinations.

Being thrown into the first puzzle without much explanation could initially be confusing, particularly for players who are unfamiliar with poker terminology. However, it is not a complicated system, and it does not take long to understand what the game wants from you. Once the basic mechanics click, the lack of hand holding becomes less of an issue.

A basic understanding of poker hands is certainly useful, but this should not put off anyone who does not normally play poker. You only need to know what the different combinations mean, rather than understand poker strategy. If you come across a hand you do not recognise, it is easy enough to check its definition and continue.

Perhaps the most appealing thing about Sanshui: Poker Puzzle is that it manages to make poker feel like a puzzle mechanic rather than a gambling theme. There are no bets or money involved. The cards are simply tools that you manipulate in order to satisfy the objective in front of you.

That also makes it an accessible concept. Anyone who enjoys logic puzzles should be able to understand the appeal, while players familiar with poker will have the advantage of already knowing the different hands. As the game introduces more tokens and increasingly complicated layouts, there is plenty of room for the puzzles to become more demanding without abandoning the straightforward foundation.

Overall, Sanshui: Poker Puzzle is a simple concept that works surprisingly well. The lack of a tutorial is its biggest weakness, but the mechanics are straightforward enough to discover without too much frustration. Once you understand how the tokens work, the focus shifts towards planning your moves and finding increasingly clever ways to create the required poker hands. It is a clean, accessible logic puzzle with an unusual card-based approach.

Sanshui: Poker Puzzle 三水 is currently in closed testing, with a free browser version available to play. The first 5000 sign-ups get a promo code for the full game unlock when it launches on December 23, 2026, at 19:00 EST. 

It is a straightforward concept that becomes increasingly engaging as new mechanics are introduced.

Play the free demo and watch for in-game messages.

Check it out at https://fourstreetplo.com/

REVIEW: NASCAR 26! (2026 Video Game) - On PlayStation 5

Review by Jon Donnis

NASCAR 26! does not completely reinvent the series, but it makes some worthwhile improvements to the driving, presentation and overall racing experience. After spending time with it on PS5, I am really enjoying what it has to offer. There are still a few problems that need attention, but when the racing comes together, this is a very enjoyable NASCAR game.

The driving physics and handling are a major strength. The cars feel responsive while retaining a convincing sense of weight and grip, making the racing feel more authentic. The new tyre and braking model also add to that feeling, giving the cars a more believable response as you push them around each track.

The new dynamic track technology is another particularly good addition. Track conditions and grip can change over the course of a race weekend, which means you cannot always rely on the surface behaving in exactly the same way. It adds another consideration to races and makes adapting to the changing conditions part of the experience.

The AI is also capable of providing some strong competition. Races feel less predictable, with the field behaving in a more natural way rather than simply following identical lines. That makes a difference during longer races, where the changing conditions and behaviour of the other cars can keep things interesting.

Visually, NASCAR 26! is an improvement over NASCAR 25. The cars and tracks look better, while the improved skies, lighting and cloud effects give the game a more convincing presentation. The new particle system also adds more smoke, debris and other effects to the action.

It is not completely polished, though. There are still some graphical glitches, including occasional problems with shadows and trackside details. Some races can also suffer from performance issues when there is a lot happening on screen. These problems do not ruin the experience, but they stand out more because the rest of the game can look so good.

Career Mode is less impressive. It has been expanded with weekly strategic decisions, Facility Upgrades and performance coaching from NASCAR greats Steve Letarte and Jamie McMurray, but it still feels fairly familiar. The additions are welcome, although they do not make the career experience feel as deep or engaging as I would have liked.

That sense of familiarity is probably the biggest criticism I have of NASCAR 26!. While there are plenty of additions and improvements, much of the game still feels like an evolution of NASCAR 25 rather than a major new chapter for the series. For some players that will not be a problem, particularly given how much has been improved on track, but it does limit the impact of the sequel.

The Chase is a useful new standalone mode, allowing you to fight for a championship over the final ten races of a season with a customisable field. Peak Performance is another sensible addition, giving players a dedicated way to work on their abilities across the different tracks.

There is also plenty of content outside those additions. The game covers the NASCAR Cup Series, NASCAR O'Reilly Auto Parts Series, NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series and ARCA Menards Series, while new tracks include the Qualcomm Circuit at Naval Base Coronado, Chicagoland and St. Petersburg. There is also a new spotter, Freddie Kraft, the new Ram truck, burnout celebrations, an enhanced paint kit, a trophy room and fully customisable driver ratings for 2026.

Cross-platform multiplayer is another welcome addition on PS5, allowing you to race against players on other platforms. Unfortunately, the online experience can also be frustrating. There are limited systems for dealing with poor or deliberately aggressive driving, so a clean race can quickly be ruined by somebody else.

Despite those issues, the actual racing is where NASCAR 26! succeeds. The improved handling, changing track conditions, competitive AI and better presentation combine to create races that are enjoyable to drive and capable of keeping you on your toes.

It will need some updates and patches to address the graphical and performance problems, and I would have liked Career Mode to offer more meaningful progression. It is also difficult to ignore how familiar much of the overall experience feels after NASCAR 25.

Even so, I am having a lot of fun with NASCAR 26!. It looks good, it drives well and the new features improve the racing without getting in the way of what makes NASCAR enjoyable.

For me, NASCAR 26! is easily the best NASCAR game yet released, which is exactly what it should be.

I score NASCAR 26! A solid 8 out of 10.

Out Now on PS5 - https://store.playstation.com/en-gb/concept/10018405

REVIEW: Murders & Mistresses (2026 Video Game) - on PC Steam

Review by Jon Donnis

Murders & Mistresses is an unusual adult visual novel because there is considerably more going on here than the adult content. Beneath the adult material is a surprisingly detailed detective game, with five cases covering murders, kidnappings and hostage situations.

You play an ex-conman turned police consultant, with the freedom to investigate cases while making plenty of questionable personal choices along the way. The story gives your decisions genuine consequences, affecting relationships and the fate of the people around you. It helps that the protagonist has enough personality to make these choices feel like part of the story rather than simple dialogue options.

The investigative gameplay is the real surprise. Story Mode provides a more straightforward experience, while Detective Mode asks you to properly piece together evidence, deductions and theories. You are not simply handed the correct answer at the end. You decide who you believe is guilty, sometimes without having absolute proof, and the game remembers your decisions.

There is a good variety to the cases, too. The game moves between different types of investigations, including double homicides, locked-room mysteries and hostage negotiations. This keeps the detective side from becoming repetitive, while the branching structure gives you plenty of reason to revisit earlier chapters.

The adult content is extensive, with more than 40 scenes and 145 animations, while the relationship system includes three different marriage paths. There are also dates, hangouts and other activities away from the main investigations. The chapter flowcharts are a particularly useful addition, showing the choices and scenes you missed and making it easy to replay individual sections.

Graphically, Murders & Mistresses is well made. The character presentation is good and the animated scenes are of a high quality. It also helps that this is a complete game, offering around eight to twelve hours for a single playthrough rather than making players wait for future episodes.

The main drawback is that the adult content will naturally limit its audience. It would have been interesting to see a non-adult version using the same detective gameplay and story, particularly because the investigation mechanics are strong enough to appeal beyond the game's intended adult audience.

We do not cover many games of this type, but Murders & Mistresses has clearly made an effort to offer more than the usual adult visual novel experience. The detective mechanics give it some genuine substance, the branching choices encourage replaying the cases, and the complete release means there is plenty to play from the outset.

Murders & Mistresses is not going to appeal to everyone, but for those comfortable with its adult content, it is a surprisingly well-rounded investigative game with more depth than its premise initially suggests.

I score Murders & Mistresses a surprising 8 out of 10

Out Now https://store.steampowered.com/app/3740030/Murders__Mistresses/

REVIEW: MXGP 26 - The Official Game (2026 Video Game) - on PlayStation 5

Review by Jon Donnis

MXGP 26 - The Official Game has some genuinely strong ideas, but it also feels like a game that was pushed towards release before it was ready. The move to Unreal Engine 5, dynamic track deformation and revised physics all improve the core racing experience, yet the lack of a proper career mode and several technical shortcomings leave the overall package feeling underdeveloped.

Dynamic track deformation is easily one of the game's best additions. As bikes repeatedly pass over the surface, ruts develop and new lines appear, meaning the track changes throughout a race. This has a tangible effect on the racing, forcing you to adapt rather than simply follow the same lines lap after lap. It adds a welcome sense of unpredictability and makes longer races more interesting.

The Unreal Engine 5 upgrade also makes a noticeable difference. Tracks have greater detail, lighting is improved and the environments look more convincing. Rider animations are smoother, while the overall presentation does a better job of capturing the look and feel of modern motocross.

The revised physics give the bikes a convincing sense of weight, although the handling can take time to master. Once you understand how the bikes respond and become comfortable working with the physics, there is plenty of satisfaction in carrying momentum through corners and handling jumps cleanly. The demanding nature of the controls will not suit everyone, but it gives experienced players something to get to grips with.

Unfortunately, the game does little to teach you how to reach that point. The tutorial content is limited, with advanced techniques such as whips and scrubs receiving very little explanation. Players are often left to experiment and figure out the mechanics themselves, which makes an already demanding handling model unnecessarily difficult to learn.

There are also moments when the physics do not feel entirely consistent. Mid-air corrections can sometimes behave unpredictably, while making precise adjustments through corners is not always as responsive as expected. These issues do not ruin every race, but they can undermine the sense of control the game is trying to create.

The AI is similarly inconsistent. Opponents can behave unpredictably and do not always appear to cope well with the changing track surfaces. Updates are being released to address these problems, but issues of this nature should have been properly resolved before launch.

The official 2026 championship content is well represented. The licensed riders, bikes and teams provide plenty of authenticity, while all 19 official tracks are included across the MXGP and MX2 categories. Compound, Time Trial, Quick Race, Championship and Online Multiplayer provide a reasonable selection of ways to race, with Championship mode offering the closest thing to a traditional season.

That brings us to the game's biggest omission. There is no proper career mode, meaning there is no progression from MX2 into MXGP, no team management and no opportunity to develop your bike over time. For a licensed motocross game built around an entire championship season, this significantly limits the sense of long-term progression.

Once the novelty of the new tracks and deformation system starts to wear off, there is less here to keep players invested than there should be. The individual races can be enjoyable, but the wider structure does not provide enough of a journey around them.

MXGP 26 therefore ends up feeling like a collection of promising improvements that have not been given enough time to develop into a complete package. The dynamic terrain is excellent, the Unreal Engine 5 visuals are a clear step forward and the racing can be rewarding once the handling clicks. However, the weak tutorials, inconsistent AI, occasional physics problems and lack of a proper career mode all hold it back.

The impression is that MXGP 26 was rushed towards release so it could carry the 2026 name before the year was over. Another six months of development could have given the game the refinement and additional depth it needs.

There is a potentially fun game here, but too many shortcomings get in the way.

I score MXGP 26 - The Official Game a disappointing 6 out of 10

Out Now

https://link.amazon/B00hOoGAz

REVIEW: The Trolley Solution (2026 Video Game) - on PC (Steam)

Review by Jon Donnis

Philosophers have spent countless hours debating morality and the choices people might make in impossible situations. The Trolley Solution takes one of the most famous thought experiments and turns it into a collection of simple point-and-click minigames.

The premise is straightforward. You are presented with 20 variations of the trolley problem, plus the original, and must decide what you would do when faced with a moral dilemma. Each scenario is paired with its own minigame, giving the experience a little more variety than simply answering a series of questions.

The black and white presentation is simple but effective. It suits the stripped-back nature of the concept and keeps everything easy to understand. There is also some genuine fun to be found in the minigames. One has a Where's Wally-style approach, except you are searching for your trolley, while others provide similarly straightforward challenges.

The problem is that the concept wears thin very quickly. However many variations are added, the basic premise remains the same, and the minigames cannot completely disguise that repetition. Once the novelty disappears, there is little to keep you engaged.

The game is also extremely short. You can work through the main content in around ten minutes, leaving very little reason to return afterwards. The idea has potential, but there simply is not enough depth or variety to make it feel like a substantial game.

That becomes particularly noticeable at £8. The Trolley Solution feels far more suited to being a free or ad-supported title, perhaps as a quick browser or mobile game. At that level, its simplicity and brevity would be much easier to overlook.

There is nothing inherently wrong with what is here. The premise is clever, the presentation is clean and some of the minigames are entertaining. Unfortunately, the limited content means the experience is over almost as soon as it has begun.

The Trolley Solution is a decent idea that needed considerably more content to justify its asking price. It can provide a few minutes of amusement, but there is not enough here to keep you entertained beyond that.

Score: 4/10

Out Now on Steam

https://store.steampowered.com/app/3219410/The_Trolley_Solution/