REVIEW: Pit Panic (2026 Video Game) - on PS5

Review by Jon Donnis

Pit Panic is built around one simple idea, keep moving upwards. The problem is that almost everything in the ancient temple is designed to stop you. Traps, enemies, environmental hazards and awkward routes are all competing for your attention, while the collapsing surroundings leave little room for hesitation. It creates a fast platforming experience where good movement matters as much as knowing what to do.

The controls are one of the game's strongest features. Movement is responsive, which makes the fast pace much easier to handle, and there is a satisfying sense of momentum to getting around the levels. Once you become familiar with the movement, the game gives you plenty of opportunities to use it properly, particularly when negotiating hazards or trying to maintain a good run.

The hook adds considerably more depth than a standard grappling tool. It can dig through blocks, swing you around the environment and reveal hidden treasures, making it useful for both movement and exploration. More importantly, it becomes part of the game's environmental puzzles rather than simply being another movement mechanic.

Those puzzles provide some of the more inventive moments. Objects and materials can be manipulated in unusual ways, including turning sand into glass and jelly into fire. Bridges can even become weapons when the situation calls for it. These ideas give the levels a playful quality and encourage you to look at the environment rather than simply searching for the next platform.

There is also a good balance between straightforward platforming and experimentation. You can often see where you need to go, but working out how to get there is another matter. The physics-driven movement means that positioning, timing and momentum all matter, which gives the platforming more substance than simply jumping from one fixed platform to another.

The level design benefits from the game's variety. Four distinct biomes provide different visual styles, enemies and puzzles, helping to prevent the experience from feeling visually monotonous. The cartoon presentation works particularly well with the game's humorous tone, giving Pit Panic a light personality despite the considerable number of ways it can kill you.

The risk and reward mechanics are another worthwhile addition. Sacrificing health to obtain power-ups can be useful, but it also creates decisions that have consequences later in a run. It is a simple system, but it fits the game's emphasis on quick decisions and gives you another reason to think about whether taking a particular opportunity is worth the cost.

Pit Panic is also easy to understand. The objective is obvious, the controls are approachable and the basic mechanics can be learned quickly. The difficulty comes from putting those mechanics together effectively. Knowing how the hook works is one thing. Using it while moving quickly through a dangerous section is another.

That difficulty will be a sticking point for some players. Death is frequent, and mistakes can set a run back considerably. Certain precision sections leave little room for error, while some situations require trial and error before you understand the correct approach. For players who enjoy demanding platformers, that is likely to be part of the appeal. For more casual players, it could become frustrating quite quickly.

The game's challenge also means that progress can feel inconsistent. You can have a strong run going and then lose it because of one poorly timed movement. That makes successful attempts satisfying, but it can also interrupt the momentum that the game's otherwise excellent movement creates.

There is a similar issue with repetition. Pit Panic offers a large amount of content, including more than 1,000 handcrafted levels, daily challenges and player-created levels. That gives the game plenty of material to work through, but the fundamental objective remains the same throughout. You are still trying to climb, avoid hazards, solve environmental problems and improve your performance.

The daily challenges are particularly useful because they provide a reason to return without requiring another full commitment to the main experience. Competing for better times adds another layer for players who enjoy chasing their own scores or comparing their performance with others.

The question is whether that is enough to provide long-term appeal. For me, Pit Panic works particularly well as a game to play in shorter bursts. There is enough variety and challenge to make individual sessions enjoyable, but I am less convinced that I would want to spend huge amounts of time playing it continuously.

That does not take away from what the game does well. The movement feels good, the hook gives the platforming its own identity, the environmental puzzles are entertaining and the different biomes provide welcome variety. The difficulty is also more rewarding when you start understanding the mechanics and making fewer mistakes.

There are certainly moments when Pit Panic becomes a rage game. A difficult section can demand several attempts, and losing progress because of a single mistake can be irritating. But the game does give you the tools to improve, and the challenge generally feels connected to mastering those tools rather than simply making the game difficult for its own sake.

Pit Panic is therefore a solid and enjoyable platformer with a clear mechanical identity. It does not completely avoid the problems associated with its genre, particularly repetition and frustration, but its responsive controls, satisfying movement and environmental puzzles give it enough character to stand apart.

I like Pit Panic, although I am not convinced it has the long-term pull to become a game I would continually return to. For players who enjoy challenging platformers and do not mind repeated failure while learning a level, there is plenty here to enjoy. Those looking for something more relaxed may find the difficulty considerably less appealing.

Pit Panic scores 7.5 out of 10.

Out Now on PS5

https://store.playstation.com/en-cz/concept/10017455

REVIEW: Piroker (2026 Video Game) - on PC (Steam)

Review by Jon Donnis

Piroker is certainly trying something different. This colourful PC game combines poker, roguelike auto battler mechanics and pirate-themed naval combat, putting eight players into a chaotic battle for survival. On paper, it sounds like an intriguing combination.

Unfortunately, playing it is a far more confusing experience.

The biggest problem is that despite the heavy emphasis on poker, you don't actually play poker. There is no choosing cards, no applying poker knowledge and no meaningful bluffing. Instead, you collect relics, fish, pirates and other bonuses that generate coins, multipliers and other effects, with those eventually contributing to your score.

The game simply doesn't explain this system well enough. There is no proper tutorial, so you are thrown into a match against seven opponents and left to work things out. Even after several hours, I still couldn't confidently explain why I had won one game and lost another.

That makes it very difficult to find the strategy. Piroker talks about reading opponents, bluffing and finding clever combinations, but I never felt I was actually doing any of those things. I was mostly experimenting with the various options available and hoping I had somehow put together a winning combination.

There are some positives. Piroker is colourful, the pirate presentation works well and the sound effects are good. The basic idea of combining poker hands with an auto battler is also genuinely different, and there is clearly a lot of content here, with numerous pirates, skills, relics and fish offering plenty of potential combinations.

The problem is that none of this matters much if the player cannot understand the underlying mechanics.

Piroker is still in playtest, so there is time for the developers to address these issues. However, this feels like something that needs considerably more than balancing or polishing. The core gameplay needs to be reconsidered and, most importantly, properly explained.

There is potentially a fun game buried somewhere within Piroker, but right now it left me confused and disappointed rather than challenged or entertained.

For now, Piroker gets a baffling 2 out of 10.

Wishlist it on Steam at

https://store.steampowered.com/app/4517160/Piroker/

REVIEW: Hyperstacks VR (2026 Video Game) on MetaQuest

Review by Jon Donnis

Hyperstacks combines combat, parkour, puzzle-solving and level creation into one colourful VR experience, with its three core gameplay pillars working together to create a broad range of challenges. It is an ambitious approach, but one that largely succeeds thanks to strong movement mechanics, enjoyable combat and an impressive set of creative tools.

The campaign introduces these systems progressively through a cast of characters, each with their own personality and style of challenge. Between levels, you return to the lobby to interact with them, take on quests and unlock new mechanics. This gives the campaign a useful sense of progression while ensuring that new gameplay ideas are introduced at a steady pace.

Combat makes particularly good use of VR. Melee and ranged weapons give encounters plenty of variety, while enemies can put you under pressure and force quick reactions. Environmental hazards can also be used to your advantage, and there are situations where your own fists become part of the solution. Some encounters turn into frantic bullet-hell battles, making good use of the physical space around you.

Movement is another major strength. Hyperstacks allows you to climb, swing, swim, jump, skate and teleport, alongside tools such as grappling hooks, ziplines and jump platforms. These mechanics are not simply there to get you between objectives. They form the basis of many of the game's challenges, demanding timing, precision and a willingness to experiment.

The parkour sections are at their best when several mechanics are combined. Grappling from one point to another, jumping between platforms or finding a route through hazards such as hot lava gives the movement a satisfying physical quality. For players who enjoy standing up and physically engaging with their VR games, there is plenty here to enjoy.

The in-game level editor is one of Hyperstacks' strongest features. Its grid-based system allows players to build stages containing enemies, traps, movement mechanics, puzzles, logic systems, colours and lighting. Despite offering considerable freedom, it remains accessible rather than becoming an unnecessarily complicated development tool.

This opens the door to a substantial amount of community-created content. Players can create and share their own challenges, while fast loading makes it easy to move from one creation to another. The community library therefore adds genuine longevity rather than simply acting as an afterthought once the campaign has been completed.

The creation tools also encourage experimentation. Because players have access to the same basic systems used by the developers, there is plenty of scope for building unusual traps, puzzles and interactive contraptions. The possibilities are particularly interesting when the game's combat, movement and logic systems are combined.

Hyperstacks also has plenty to offer players who enjoy mastering individual levels. Once you know a stage, returning to improve your time can turn a completed challenge into something worth revisiting. The movement mechanics give speed-runners plenty of opportunities to refine their routes and execution, adding another layer to the game's replay value.

Visually, Hyperstacks has a colourful and distinctive style, while its characters have a charm that suits the playful nature of the experience. The presentation helps give the campaign some personality without getting in the way of the gameplay.

The biggest weakness is also connected to the game's ambition. Hyperstacks has combat, parkour, puzzles, logic systems and a full level editor competing for your attention. For players who want one particular gameplay style to receive a very deep and polished treatment, that breadth could make the experience feel somewhat unfocused.

For everyone else, however, the combination works well. Combat provides the action, parkour gives the game physicality, puzzles require thought, and the creation tools offer an almost entirely different way to engage with the game. The campaign teaches you how these systems work before giving you the opportunity to see what other players can do with them.

Hyperstacks is at its best when these elements overlap. A level can ask you to fight, move, think and improvise rather than simply completing one type of challenge repeatedly. Combined with the accessible editor and growing library of community creations, that gives the game a strong foundation for continued play.

If you enjoy VR games that get you on your feet, give you plenty of movement options and mix combat with puzzles and creative challenges, Hyperstacks is well worth playing. Its broad range of mechanics can occasionally leave it feeling less focused than a game built around a single discipline, but there is enough quality and flexibility here to make that an acceptable compromise.

Hyperstacks is a strong VR experience with excellent movement, enjoyable combat, clever logic systems and a level editor that substantially extends what the game can offer.

Score: 8.5 out of 10

Out Now on MetaQuest

https://www.meta.com/en-gb/experiences/hyperstacks/5022888091116866/

REVIEW: Disgaea Mayhem (2026 Video Game) - on PlayStation 5

Review by Jon Donnis

Disgaea Mayhem takes the long-running Disgaea franchise in a completely different direction, swapping the traditional tactical RPG gameplay for a more direct action RPG experience. The result is a game that keeps much of the charm, humour and over-the-top personality that fans know and love, while offering a much more accessible way to experience the series.

The story sees players take control of N.A., a mercenary with a love for sweet treats and a desire to earn some money, as he joins forces with Princess Tichelle, who has an important craving for pudding. It is a typically silly Disgaea setup, filled with exaggerated characters, ridiculous situations and the kind of playful humour that has helped the franchise stand out for years.

The biggest change is the move away from turn-based strategy into fast-paced hack-and-slash combat. Instead of carefully planning every move on a grid, players jump straight into the action, taking on huge groups of enemies with a range of weapons. This change works surprisingly well, especially for those who have struggled to get into the more complex tactical systems of previous Disgaea games.

Combat is easily one of the highlights. The ability to switch between different weapon types keeps battles feeling fresh, with swords, bows, guns, fists and axes all offering different ways to approach fights. These are not simply cosmetic differences either, as each weapon changes the way you play. Some favour close-range attacks, while others encourage a more defensive or ranged approach.

The game also successfully carries over one of the most enjoyable parts of the franchise, the feeling of becoming ridiculously powerful. Level grinding, upgrading equipment and improving weapons creates that familiar Disgaea satisfaction of watching damage numbers grow to absurd levels. The ability to strengthen equipment and push character power further gives players plenty of motivation to keep improving.

Fans of the series will also appreciate that the personality of Disgaea remains intact. The humour, colourful presentation and bizarre world design all feel familiar, even though the gameplay has changed. Classic elements such as recruiting demons like the Prinny help make this feel like a genuine part of the franchise rather than just a separate action game with a familiar name.

However, the biggest issue with Disgaea Mayhem is that it feels far too small for the Disgaea name. While the gameplay is enjoyable, the experience feels much shorter and simpler than many fans will expect. The main story can be completed in under 10 hours, which feels disappointing considering the usual depth and longevity associated with the series.

The lack of extra modes and meaningful post-game content is another major weakness. Traditional Disgaea games are known for offering huge amounts of additional content once the main story is complete, but here the experience feels much more limited. Once the main adventure is finished, there is not a great deal left to keep players coming back.

The hack-and-slash combat is fun, but it can become repetitive over time. The mission structure does not always offer enough variety, and fighting through similar groups of enemies repeatedly can start to lose its appeal. Having only one playable character also limits the experience, especially compared with the huge variety of characters and play styles usually available in the franchise.

This is where the price becomes difficult to justify. At around £49.99, Disgaea Mayhem feels more like a smaller budget spin-off rather than a full-priced release. The core gameplay is enjoyable, but the short length and limited content make it difficult to recommend paying the full asking price.

After a slightly rough start, Disgaea Mayhem eventually won me over. I have never been a huge Disgaea fan, mainly because the tactical RPG style could sometimes feel overwhelming, but this action-focused approach made the series much easier to enjoy. It keeps the humour and charm while offering a more straightforward experience.

There is definitely fun to be had here. The combat is flashy, the weapon variety is enjoyable and powering up your character delivers the satisfying feeling of becoming unstoppable. The problem is that the adventure ends far too quickly and does not offer enough content to match its launch price.

Disgaea Mayhem is a fun spin-off that introduces the franchise to a wider audience, but it is best enjoyed when bought during a sale or after a price reduction. At the right price, it is an enjoyable action RPG with plenty of personality.

Score: 7.5 out of 10

Deluxe edition available from Amazon at https://link.amazon/B0fmDLacD

REVIEW: Assoluto Racing (2026 Video Game) - on Nintendo Switch

Review by Jon Donnis

The famous mobile racing simulator finally arrives on Nintendo Switch, bringing with it over nine years of development, more than 35 million downloads, a huge selection of licensed cars and the ability to continue your progress across platforms. Assoluto Racing has built a strong reputation on mobile as a more serious driving experience compared to many arcade-style racers, and the Switch release gives players a new way to experience the game with proper physical controls.

The biggest improvement is immediately obvious. Playing Assoluto Racing with a controller feels significantly better than using the touchscreen controls on mobile. Racing games rely heavily on precision, and having analogue sticks and physical buttons makes controlling cars much more natural. Steering feels more responsive, braking is easier to manage and the overall experience feels closer to what players expect from a console racing game.

The Switch version also benefits from being portable. On the standard Nintendo Switch it provides a more traditional console experience, while the game also works well on the Switch Lite. Being able to take a racing simulator like this on the go is a major advantage, especially for players who enjoy shorter races without needing to sit at a television.

Performance is generally stable during races, with the game handling the action well. Online multiplayer also works effectively, allowing players to compete against others across platforms. The inclusion of cross-play and cross-save is one of the strongest features of the release. Being able to connect your mobile account and continue your garage progression on Switch is a welcome addition, especially for long-term players who have already invested time into building up their collection.

The Switch version also attempts to justify its price with additional value. While the original mobile version is free, the Nintendo Switch release includes extra cars and in-game currency. When comparing the included resources to what the same amount would cost through mobile purchases, the Switch version actually provides a sizeable starter package. A reasonable estimate is that buying roughly equivalent resources on mobile could cost somewhere around £30 to £50, potentially more depending on how lucky you are with certain car draws. This means the Switch version is not simply charging players for a basic port, it does provide a substantial amount of content from the start.

However, this is where some of the biggest problems with Assoluto Racing appear. Despite being released as a paid Nintendo Switch game, it still feels very much like a mobile title that has been moved onto another platform rather than a game specifically designed for Switch.

The user interface is the clearest example. The menus are obviously built around touchscreen controls, yet the Switch version does not support touchscreen input. Instead, players have to navigate with a cursor, which feels slow and awkward. There is an option to quickly move the cursor to the next selectable area, but it is not always accurate, meaning players will often find themselves manually moving around menus in a much slower way than should be necessary.

The presentation also feels behind the times. For a Nintendo Switch release arriving in 2026, the graphics are underwhelming. The cars themselves are recognisable and the tracks are functional, but the overall visual quality does not feel like a modern console racing game. The engine sounds are another weak point, with many vehicles producing fairly generic audio that lacks the character and realism expected from a serious racing simulator.

Another issue is that outside of the additional cars and currency, there is very little that separates the Switch release from the mobile version. There are no major upgrades or features that make it feel like a completely new experience. This is still the same Assoluto Racing players have known for years, simply adapted for a new platform.

The biggest concern for some console players will be the monetisation. Assoluto Racing uses gacha mechanics, where certain rewards and vehicles can be obtained through random paid draws. This system is common in mobile games, but it feels less comfortable in a paid console release. Players have already paid £16.99 for the game, so being faced with heavy monetisation systems afterwards may leave some feeling that the experience is still designed around mobile spending habits.

Ultimately, Assoluto Racing on Nintendo Switch is a difficult game to judge. As a racing game, it is genuinely enjoyable. The driving feels good, the car selection is impressive, the online features work well and the ability to carry progress between mobile and Switch is excellent.

However, the question is whether it offers enough to justify buying it if you already own the mobile version. For existing players who have spent years building their garage, there is little reason to purchase the Switch version unless they specifically want a bigger screen and controller support. Even then, the older visuals may make the upgrade feel less impressive than expected.

For newcomers, however, Assoluto Racing is one of the better driving games available on Nintendo Switch. It offers a more serious racing experience than many arcade racers and provides plenty of content straight away. The gacha mechanics and mobile-style monetisation may put some console players off, especially after paying an upfront price, but if you can accept those systems, there is a lot to enjoy.

Assoluto Racing is a great racing game that has finally found its way onto Nintendo Switch. It is not a perfect port, and it sometimes feels like a mobile game wearing a console jacket, but the strong driving model, large car collection and excellent cross-platform features make it a worthwhile addition for the right audience.

Looking at Assoluto Racing purely as a standalone Nintendo Switch game, it earns a fair score of 8 out of 10

Available at https://www.nintendo.com/en-gb/Games/Nintendo-Switch-download-software/Assoluto-Racing-3131589.html

Currently on offer, £13.99(-17%) until 13/08/2026