REVIEW: Monopoly: Star Wars™ Heroes vs. Villains (2026 Video Game) on PlayStation 5

Review by Jon Donnis

Monopoly: Star Wars Heroes vs Villains is one of those games that is likely to divide opinion before players even reach the first match. The reason is simple. Despite carrying the Monopoly name, this is not a traditional digital version of the famous board game. Anyone expecting classic Monopoly with a Star Wars coat of paint is likely to be surprised by just how different this experience actually is.

Instead of focusing on buying properties, collecting rent and driving opponents into bankruptcy, Monopoly: Star Wars Heroes vs Villains takes a team-based approach. Players join forces in competitive 2v2 and 3v3 matches, selecting characters from across the Star Wars universe and using their unique abilities to gain the upper hand. Battles, changing property ownership and dynamic events all play a major role, creating a game that feels very different from what the Monopoly name would normally suggest.

For Star Wars fans, there is plenty to enjoy. The presentation is excellent throughout. The graphics are fantastic, with characters and locations looking great, while the sound effects and voice overs feel accurate to the licence. The game does a good job of capturing the atmosphere of Star Wars, helping to make the matches feel more engaging.

The large number of unlockables also adds some extra motivation to keep playing. There is always something new to work towards, which helps give the game a sense of progression beyond simply winning matches. Another welcome feature is the ability to choose the length of games. This allows players to tailor the experience to the amount of time they have available, making it possible to enjoy shorter sessions rather than being locked into a lengthy gaming marathon.

Where Monopoly: Star Wars Heroes vs Villains performs best is when it is played with other people in the same room. Local multiplayer is clearly where the game shines. Having friends or family gathered around creates a far more entertaining experience than playing alone, and the team-based gameplay feels designed with this sort of setting in mind.

Unfortunately, the game becomes less impressive when there are no human players involved. Single-player matches against AI opponents are simply not much fun. A lot of time is spent waiting for computer-controlled players to take their turns, and while there are some options to skip parts of their actions, they only go so far. The result is a mode that often feels slow and lacks the energy that makes multiplayer enjoyable.

There are also some limitations that may disappoint certain players. The absence of a 1 vs 1 mode feels like a missed opportunity, especially for those who prefer direct competition. Online multiplayer is available, but PlayStation users will need an active PlayStation Plus subscription to access it, creating an additional barrier for anyone planning to play primarily online.

The menus are another weak point. Setting up games and selecting players can be more confusing than it should be. The layout is not always clear, and navigating through the options can feel unnecessarily awkward.

The biggest issue facing Monopoly: Star Wars Heroes vs Villains is expectation. Many players will approach the game expecting Monopoly with Star Wars characters and locations. That is not what they are getting here. This is a reimagined version of Monopoly that takes the basic idea and builds something very different around it. Players who specifically want a faithful Monopoly experience may well come away disappointed.

On the other hand, players looking for a fresh take on the formula, particularly those who enjoy Star Wars and regularly play with friends, may find a lot to like. The strong presentation, unlockable content and flexible game lengths all work in its favour, while the multiplayer-focused design delivers its best moments when real people are involved.

This is ultimately a difficult game to score because so much depends on what the player wants going in. Fans of classic Monopoly may struggle with the changes, while Star Wars fans looking for a social multiplayer experience are likely to have a better time. It is certainly not a game built around single-player content, and the requirement for PlayStation Plus for online play will not appeal to everyone.

Monopoly: Star Wars Heroes vs Villains succeeds more as a Star Wars party game than as a Monopoly game. If you understand that before you start, there is fun to be found. If you are hoping for traditional Monopoly, you may want to look elsewhere.

Score: 7 out of 10.

Out Now on PlayStation 5

https://amzn.to/3QT7Mzg

REVIEW: Gecko Gods (2026 Video Game) - on Nintendo Switch

By Jon Donnis

Gecko Gods is a straightforward puzzle adventure that puts players in control of a small gecko exploring a forgotten archipelago filled with ancient ruins, puzzles, hidden relics and collectables. Built around exploration and movement, the game offers a relaxing experience that encourages players to take their time, search every corner and uncover the many secrets hidden across its islands.

The biggest strength of Gecko Gods is simply how enjoyable it is to play. Controlling the gecko feels fun throughout the adventure, helped greatly by the freedom of movement. The ability to climb almost every surface allows exploration to feel natural and rewarding, whether scaling walls, traversing ceilings or searching for hidden areas. The game constantly encourages curiosity, and there is always the feeling that something interesting might be waiting just out of sight.

The scenery is another major highlight. Gecko Gods presents a vibrant and attractive world that is enjoyable to spend time in. Exploring the various islands, ruins and caves is consistently engaging, and the world itself feels interesting from start to finish. Sailing between islands on a small wooden boat helps break up the gameplay and provides access to new locations filled with secrets to discover.

Collectables play a significant role in the experience. Relics can be found hidden throughout secret areas across the islands, while insects can be collected by dashing into them and adding them to a growing collection. Players can also smash objects with a dash attack to earn currency, which can then be spent on cosmetic options. These additional activities give players plenty of reasons to thoroughly explore every location.

The puzzle design deserves praise as well. This is a solid little puzzle adventure that understands how to challenge players without becoming frustrating. The puzzles are just difficult enough to require some thought, but never so demanding that progress becomes irritating. As a result, solving them remains satisfying throughout the game's relatively short running time.

There are also some nice visual touches. As the gecko takes damage, its colour changes to reflect its condition. Take too much damage and its tail can even fall off. Thankfully, the tail regenerates over time, keeping the mechanic light-hearted and in keeping with the game's charming presentation.

While Gecko Gods gets a lot right, it does have a few issues. The biggest problem comes from the climbing system. Because the gecko can move across so many different surfaces, controls can sometimes become confusing. Depending on the surface being climbed and the angle of the third-person camera, movement can feel inverted, making certain sections more awkward than they should be.

Navigation can also become a challenge for the wrong reasons. Although the environments are vibrant and visually appealing, many of the structures and landscape features look quite similar. This makes it easy to get turned around while exploring and can occasionally make it difficult to remember where you have already been.

The game's length may also disappoint some players. The main story can be completed in around four to six hours, with full completion taking a little over seven hours. While the adventure remains enjoyable throughout, there is not a great deal of replayability once everything has been found and completed. At around £16.75 on Nintendo Switch, the price feels a little high for the amount of content available.

Gecko Gods is a fun, straightforward puzzle adventure with an adorable main character, enjoyable exploration, challenging but fair puzzles and nice clear graphics. Despite some occasional control frustrations, similar-looking environments and a lack of replayability once completed, it remains an entertaining experience that is easy to recommend to fans of relaxed exploration games.

Score: 7.5 out of 10

Out Now on Switch

https://www.nintendo.com/en-gb/Games/Nintendo-Switch-download-software/Gecko-Gods-2480777.html

REVIEW: Tilt It! Golf (2026 Video Game) - on PC Steam

Review by Jon Donnis

Tilt It! Golf from Untold Tales is a 2026 physics-based mini golf game on PC via Steam that attempts to shake up the genre by removing the traditional swing entirely. Instead of striking a ball, players tilt the entire course, guiding it through gravity, momentum and precision-based movement towards the hole. With 300 levels spread across 15 distinct biomes, each introducing small twists and increasing challenge, it is built around quick retries, instant restarts and chasing near-perfect runs across bite-sized stages.

On paper, there is plenty to enjoy. The core idea is fun in short bursts, with the physics system doing most of the heavy lifting in terms of entertainment. The game looks clean and appealing, and the sheer number of courses gives it a sense of scale that suits its replay-focused structure. With 300 holes and a steady rise in difficulty, there is a consistent stream of new obstacles, trick shots and hazard-based puzzles to work through. It is also clearly designed for accessibility and quick play sessions, with instant restarts making it easy to jump straight back in after a failed attempt without any friction.

Where it starts to struggle is the platform shift. This feels very much like a mobile-style experience brought over to PC, and that mismatch becomes hard to ignore. The tilt controls, which would likely feel intuitive on a phone, do not translate smoothly to keyboard input on a screen. 

Instead of feeling natural, it becomes awkward and slightly disconnected from the action. That disconnect is made worse by the visual motion, which in this case quickly triggered motion sickness after only a few minutes of play. What should be a relaxing, pick-up-and-play puzzle experience instead becomes difficult to sustain for long sessions on PC.

There is still an interesting idea buried in the design. The concept of tilting entire environments to guide a ball through carefully crafted obstacle courses has clear potential, and the structure of 300 levels across 15 biomes shows ambition in keeping players engaged over time. But on PC, the control scheme and sensory experience undermine what the game is trying to achieve. It is easy to imagine this working far better on a phone, where touch and tilt inputs would feel more natural and immediate.

Tilt It! Golf is ultimately a game caught between platforms. As a PC release, it feels compromised, not quite comfortable to play and, for some, difficult to tolerate for long. As a mobile experience, it is easier to picture it landing more successfully. On Steam, however, it struggles to justify extended play despite its content-rich design and low price. Score on PC: 5 out of 10.

Out Now

https://store.steampowered.com/app/4733610/Tilt_It_Golf/

REVIEW: Froggy Hates Snow (2026 Video Game) - on PC Steam

Review by Jon Donnis

Froggy Hates Snow is a survival roguelike where a frog digs through a frozen desert. You start each run from a warm home base, then head out into the snow to gather resources, uncover treasures, and return to upgrade before repeating the cycle.

The game loop is simple but incredibly addictive. You start a level, begin shovelling through snow, search for gold and gems, then make your way back to the safe hub to spend what you have collected on upgrades. That repeat structure drives the whole experience and makes each run feel purposeful even when you are just starting out again.

The graphics are perfectly decent for this type of game, doing enough to sell the cold, buried world without getting in the way of the action. It is clear and functional rather than flashy, which suits the pace of digging and returning.

One of the stronger points is that you can play with or without enemies. If you want pressure and danger, they are there in the frozen world. If you prefer a calmer experience, you can strip that back and focus on digging and collecting instead.

The anomaly zones add an extra challenge within each level. They break up the routine of digging and returning by offering riskier areas with better rewards, which gives you a reason to push further into the snow.

Overall, it is a very charming little game with fun mechanics and a distinct personality that comes through in its design and tone.

The main negative is that the levels can feel a bit samey after a while, especially once you have seen the core structure repeat enough times that the variety starts to blur.

Froggy Hates Snow is what indie games are all about. It has a good concept, an addictive gameplay loop, and it works well for both short sessions and longer play. It is the kind of game you keep returning to without really thinking about it.

I score Froggy Hates Snow a solid 9 out of 10.

Out Now on Steam

https://store.steampowered.com/app/3232380/FROGGY_HATES_SNOW/

REVIEW: FORENSIC - M.E. Protocol (2026 Video Game) - on Nintendo Switch

Review by Jon Donnis

FORENSIC - M.E. Protocol places players in the role of a forensic investigator tasked with examining crime scenes, gathering evidence and piecing together exactly what happened. Across nine separate cases, each featuring its own setting and storyline, the game focuses on observation, deduction and methodical detective work rather than action or spectacle. From grim alleyways to seemingly ordinary residential streets, every location hides clues that slowly reveal a darker truth.

At its best, FORENSIC - M.E. Protocol delivers an experience that feels refreshingly different from the usual detective game. The emphasis on patience and logical thinking is one of its strongest qualities. Rather than rushing players through objectives, the game encourages careful exploration and rewards those willing to inspect every corner of a crime scene. The absence of timers and fail states helps create a more relaxed pace, allowing players to fully immerse themselves in each investigation without unnecessary pressure.

The variety between cases also deserves praise. Although the core gameplay remains largely the same throughout, each scenario introduces a different environment and narrative backdrop. This helps prevent the investigations from becoming too repetitive and keeps players curious about what the next case will involve. The mature themes, ranging from kidnappings to crimes of passion, give the stories a darker edge that suits the subject matter.

One of the more interesting aspects of the game is its collection of specialist forensic tools. Players can deploy drones to reach difficult locations, send ground robots beneath vehicles and utilise analysis equipment to examine evidence. These mechanics help reinforce the feeling that you are performing genuine forensic work rather than simply clicking on highlighted objects. There is satisfaction in uncovering a clue using the right piece of equipment and gradually assembling the larger picture.

The realistic approach to crime scene investigation is another area where the game succeeds. Much of the enjoyment comes from slowly reconstructing events through observation and evidence gathering. Players who enjoy investigative gameplay and detailed problem solving will likely appreciate the deliberate pace and focus on procedure.

Unfortunately, many of the game's strengths are undermined by serious problems on Nintendo Switch. The biggest issue is that FORENSIC - M.E. Protocol simply does not feel suited to console controls. This is clearly a game designed around the precision of a mouse, and the transition to a gamepad is a poor one. Navigating scenes, examining objects and interacting with evidence often feels awkward and frustrating. What might have been straightforward on PC becomes cumbersome when using analogue sticks and buttons.

The situation becomes even worse in handheld mode. The small screen makes spotting evidence significantly more difficult, to the point where some investigations become frustrating rather than engaging. Important clues can blend into the environment, and missing a tiny detail can halt progress entirely. While the game is at least more manageable on a television, the control issues never truly disappear.

Progression itself can also become irritating due to the game's rigid structure. While investigative games naturally require players to follow evidence, FORENSIC - M.E. Protocol often insists on a very specific sequence of actions before allowing progress. There are moments where players may have already worked out what happened, yet the game refuses to move forward because a particular step has not been completed in the expected order. This rigidity can make investigations feel less rewarding and more like following a checklist.

The voice acting does little to improve matters. Performances frequently sound unnatural and lack conviction, making it difficult to become invested in the stories being told. During key moments, the delivery can feel distracting rather than immersive.

Replay value is also virtually non-existent. Once a case has been solved and every twist uncovered, there is little reason to return. The mystery is the primary attraction, and once the answers are known, the experience loses most of its appeal.

FORENSIC - M.E. Protocol contains the foundations of an interesting forensic investigation game. The use of specialist tools, varied cases and focus on logical deduction all show genuine promise. However, the Nintendo Switch version struggles under the weight of poor controls, frustrating progression systems and significant usability issues, particularly in handheld mode.

This is a game that feels far more at home on PC than on a console. The investigative concepts remain intriguing, but the execution on Nintendo Switch turns what should be engaging detective work into an often tedious and awkward experience. FORENSIC - M.E. Protocol could have been much better than it is, but in its current form it is difficult to recommend.

Score: 4 out of 10.

Out Now on Nintendo Switch

https://www.nintendo.com/en-gb/Games/Nintendo-Switch-download-software/FORENSIC-M-E-Protocol-3115279.html