REVIEW: Lumentale: Memories of Trey (2026 Video Game) - on PC (Steam)

Review by Jon Donnis

LumenTale: Memories of Trey arrives as a 2026 monster collector RPG that leans heavily on atmosphere, lore and creature bonding, set in the divided land of Talea where war and memory sit close to the surface. It follows Trey through a world shaped by civil conflict between Logos and Mythos, with the Lumen acting as guardians in a fractured society. On paper it is rich material, and at its best the game really does feel like it is building something meaningful rather than just another creature-collecting loop.

Visually, the game makes a strong first impression. Talea has a layered, almost painterly quality, with regions that feel distinct enough to stick in the mind after you have moved on. The Animons themselves are a real highlight. Their designs carry personality and intent, with a wide variety that helps the world feel populated rather than padded out. There is also a clear sense of care in how they are presented, and it helps anchor the emotional angle the game is aiming for, where creatures are not just tools but beings tied to a strange energy called Anivis.

Sound design and music also land well, giving the world a consistent tone that supports its more reflective moments. When LumenTale settles into its rhythm, the turn based combat system is genuinely engaging. It focuses on strategy, elemental strengths and weaknesses, and positioning your team with intention rather than relying on chance. The shift between 1v1 duels and larger 4v4 encounters adds some welcome variety, and building a team of Animons does feel rewarding when the systems click into place.

The problem is that it often takes too long to reach that point. The opening hours are slow, heavy on text, and frequently interrupt momentum just when you want to actually play. There is a constant sense of being held back by dialogue and setup, and it risks losing attention before the core systems properly open up. Even beyond the start, the pacing can feel uneven, with sections that drag more than they should for a game that is trying to hook you on discovery and collection.

There is also a roughness to the overall execution. The game feels closer to an early access build in places than a fully polished release, with unclear mechanics that are not properly explained and leave you learning through trial and error longer than is enjoyable. The user interface can also become intrusive during battles and exploration, occasionally blocking the action or breaking the flow at moments where clarity matters most. It is the sort of friction that builds up over time rather than in one single flaw.

Systems like trading, cooking at the Fountain, and managing your Animon collection through the Anispace show ambition and depth, but they are not always introduced in a way that feels smooth or intuitive. The idea of a space where your captured creatures live and train is strong, and it does help add emotional weight, yet even here the experience can feel slightly underdeveloped in terms of guidance and clarity.

In the end, LumenTale: Memories of Trey is a game with clear ambition and some genuinely strong ideas, particularly in its world building, creature design and strategic combat. However, it struggles to present those strengths cleanly, especially in its opening hours and overall polish. It is the kind of game that might find a dedicated audience willing to push through its rougher edges, but it does not make that initial investment easy.

LumenTale: Memories of Trey is ultimately a mixed experience, held together by its creativity but weakened by pacing and presentation issues. I score it a disappointing 6 out of 10.

Released on 26th May on Steam

https://store.steampowered.com/app/2261430/LumenTale_Memories_of_Trey/

REVIEW: Psyvariar 3 (2026 Video Game) - by RED ART GAMES

Review by Jon Donnis

Arcade shoot ‘em ups have always lived and died on one thing. Flow. That hypnotic state where chaos somehow becomes rhythm, bullets become patterns, and survival feels like a dance rather than a desperate scramble. Psyvariar 3 understands that better than most modern shooters, and while it does not reinvent the genre, it absolutely captures the spirit of the old arcade classics with confidence.

Set decades after the events of Psyvariar 2, humanity once again finds itself facing annihilation after the appearance of a mysterious alien signal tied to Gluon particles. The setup is pure arcade nonsense in the best possible way. It exists mainly to push you into wave after wave of enemy ships, laser storms and screen-filling boss attacks. Nobody is coming here for deep storytelling, but the presentation gives the game enough atmosphere to feel connected to the long running series.

Visually, Psyvariar 3 looks fantastic. The neo retro art direction works brilliantly, mixing crisp 2D sprites with impressive 3D environments that twist and move beneath the action. It feels old school without looking dated. Explosions are vibrant, enemy designs are sharp, and the backgrounds constantly shift with movement and depth that give the game real energy. It genuinely looks like a lost arcade shooter rebuilt for modern hardware.

The real star, though, is the famous buzz mechanic. Bullet grazing has existed in plenty of shooters over the years, but Psyvariar still makes it feel unique. Flying dangerously close to enemy fire levels you up, powers your abilities and rewards aggressive play rather than cautious survival. It completely changes how you approach combat. Instead of avoiding danger at all costs, you are actively throwing yourself towards it, weaving between projectiles in search of experience boosts and temporary invincibility.

It creates an addictive risk versus reward loop that feels brilliant when everything clicks. Levelling up at the right moment can save a run entirely, especially during later stages where enemy patterns become overwhelming. There is genuine satisfaction in learning how to manipulate the system to your advantage. Practice really does make perfect here.

The seven playable characters also help keep things fresh. Each pilot feels distinct thanks to unique shot types, bomb systems and scoring mechanics. Some are built for aggressive close-range play, others favour precision and survival. Even the guest appearance from Cotton adds something fun and unexpected. Switching characters noticeably changes how stages play out, which adds plenty of replay value across the various game modes.

There is certainly no shortage of content either. Arcade, Endless, Mission, Caravan and Practice modes give players plenty to work through, while the branching difficulty system encourages repeat runs to uncover tougher boss encounters and alternate routes. It has that classic arcade mentality of constantly pushing you to improve your score and refine your technique.

That said, Psyvariar 3 can occasionally become a victim of its own intensity. The screen gets incredibly busy during stages, especially once enemy fire starts flooding every corner of the display. While experienced players may thrive on that chaos, newcomers could find it frustrating. There are moments where the sheer volume of bullets makes it difficult to properly read the action, and trying to buzz projectiles safely can sometimes feel more reliant on luck than skill.

The updated roll mechanic works well overall, especially on modern controllers, but the speed of movement combined with the visual clutter can occasionally make positioning awkward during tighter encounters. When everything is exploding at once, it becomes easy to lose track of your ship for a split second, and in a game this demanding, that is often enough to end a run.

Still, for fans of arcade shooters, Psyvariar 3 delivers exactly what it promises. Fast action, clever mechanics, stylish visuals and an almost overwhelming sense of arcade energy. It respects the legacy of the series while making enough smart adjustments to feel modern without losing its identity.

Honestly, the only thing missing is an old arcade cabinet with a vertically mounted screen. This is absolutely the kind of game that makes you wish you could physically rotate your television sideways just to recreate that authentic experience at home.

Psyvariar 3 is not always easy to read, and newcomers may bounce off its brutal intensity, but underneath the chaos is an excellent shoot ‘em up with a rewarding skill system and a huge amount of replay value.

A strong return for the series, and one that genre fans should absolutely keep on their radar.

7.5/10

Out Now on PS5 - https://amzn.to/43k4Fmk

REVIEW: Bright Lights of Svetlov (2026 Video Game) - on PlayStation 5

Review by Jon Donnis

There is something strangely compelling about Bright Lights of Svetlov. On paper, a slow paced first person narrative game about an ordinary Soviet family living through the mid 1980s does not exactly sound thrilling. There are no grand action sequences, no complex puzzles, and no real sense of danger hanging over every moment. Yet somehow, this short PlayStation 5 experience manages to quietly pull you into its world and keep you there until the final credits roll.

Set in a fictional industrial town somewhere in the Soviet Union, the game focuses on the daily routines and struggles of a working class family trying to get by. The setting itself is one of the game’s biggest strengths. The drab apartment blocks, faded interiors, repetitive life, and constant sense of exhaustion all feel carefully observed. Bright Lights of Svetlov does not romanticise the era, but it also avoids turning everything into misery for the sake of drama. Instead, it presents a grounded snapshot of ordinary people carrying on with life as best they can.

The atmosphere is excellent throughout. From the muted visuals to the understated sound design, the game captures a very particular mood. There is a lingering sense of weariness hanging over almost every interaction, but it never feels exaggerated or cartoonishly bleak. The Russian voice acting helps enormously here. Even if you are relying on subtitles, the performances add authenticity and emotional weight to scenes that could otherwise have fallen flat.

Gameplay is extremely minimalistic, and whether that works for you will depend entirely on your tolerance for narrative focused walking simulators. Most of your time is spent completing everyday tasks. Cooking meals, tidying rooms, fixing household problems, and preparing for family gatherings become the core mechanics. There is no challenge to these activities in the traditional gaming sense, but that is clearly intentional. The slow pace forces you to exist within the family’s routine rather than simply observing it from a distance.

At times, the deliberate pacing can feel a little too slow. Some players will absolutely bounce off the experience after the first hour, especially those expecting deeper gameplay systems or meaningful interaction beyond simple chores. Bright Lights of Svetlov asks for patience, and occasionally it tests that patience more than necessary. Certain sequences drag slightly, and there are moments where the game risks becoming repetitive.

Still, what keeps the experience engaging is the narrative itself. The story unfolds quietly across a series of chapters, gradually revealing tensions within the household and the emotional burden carried by each family member. Dialogue is sparse, but that restraint works in the game’s favour. Characters rarely deliver dramatic speeches or emotional outbursts. Instead, much of the storytelling comes through silence and the atmosphere within the apartment itself.

What surprised me most was how emotionally effective the game becomes by the end. Small moments of warmth cut through the bleakness in believable ways. Awkward moments and little acts of kindness give the characters humanity beyond their hardships. It stops the experience from feeling relentlessly miserable and gives the story genuine emotional texture.

Then there is the ending twist, which genuinely caught me off guard. Without spoiling anything, it adds an entirely new perspective to events and left me thinking about the game long after it finished. It is not a massive shocking blockbuster reveal, but it is clever, thoughtful, and meaningful enough to elevate the entire experience.

Bright Lights of Svetlov is not a game for everyone. Players looking for action, challenge, or fast paced gameplay will probably find it dull. But if you enjoy slower narrative driven experiences that focus on atmosphere, character, and emotional realism, there is something quietly memorable here.

I went into the game expecting to dislike it. Mundane life in the Soviet Union hardly sounds like an exciting premise for a video game, yet I ended up sticking with it from beginning to end. Partly because I wanted the Platinum Trophy on PS5, admittedly, but mainly because I became invested in the story and the world the developers created.

Bright Lights of Svetlov is a short but thoughtful narrative experience that succeeds through emotional authenticity and atmosphere rather than gameplay innovation. It will not appeal to everyone, but for the right audience it offers something surprisingly absorbing.

I score Bright Lights of Svetlov a solid 7 out of 10.

Out Now on PlayStation 

https://store.playstation.com/en-gb/product/EP1661-PPSA06641_00-SYPS5BRIGHTLIGHT

Building the Perfect Man Cave Gaming Setup with Smart Lighting

A great man cave is not just a room with a console or a PC setup, it is a space that feels like an escape. The best gaming environments are built around comfort, focus and atmosphere, where everything from seating to lighting works together without distraction. When it is done right, it stops feeling like just a room and becomes a place where gaming sessions stretch late into the night without you noticing the time.

The starting point is always the gaming setup itself. Whether it is a high end PC rig or a console plugged into a large display, the layout matters more than most people realise. Screen height should sit at eye level to avoid strain, and seating needs to support long sessions without forcing constant adjustment. Clean cable management is often overlooked but it makes a huge difference, turning a messy corner of tech into something that feels intentional and immersive.

Sound also plays a quiet but powerful role. Even a modest speaker setup or a good headset changes how a room feels, especially in games where atmosphere is built through audio design. When combined with a well arranged screen position and a controlled lighting environment, the result is a setup that feels balanced rather than overwhelming.

Lighting is where a man cave truly starts to stand apart from a standard gaming room. Harsh overhead lights tend to flatten the experience and make screens harder to enjoy for long periods. Instead, layered lighting is what creates depth. Soft ambient glow behind the screen reduces eye strain, while subtle corner lighting helps define the shape of the room without pulling attention away from the game itself.

Smart LED lighting has become the most effective way to achieve this kind of control. Being able to shift colours, brightness and mood depending on the game or time of day allows the space to adapt rather than stay fixed. Warm tones can make a relaxed evening session feel cosy, while cooler blues or deeper reds can bring intensity during competitive play. The key is not brightness, but balance, where the lighting supports the experience rather than competing with it.

This is where carefully chosen interior LED systems come into their own, particularly those designed for adjustable atmosphere and clean integration into a room layout. LEDUA interior lighting These kinds of lighting solutions allow the gaming space to feel cohesive, with light sources that can be positioned to enhance shelves, desks and wall features without creating glare or distraction on the screen.

Our personal choice for lighting would be LEDUA - https://leduastore.com/interior-lighting-ledua-brand/

Furniture and decoration complete the setup, but they should never overcrowd it. A comfortable chair, a solid desk and a few personal touches like posters, collectibles or minimal shelving are often enough. The aim is not to fill every space, but to shape an environment where the eye naturally settles where it should, usually on the screen or within the ambient lighting that frames it.

Temperature and airflow are also worth considering. Gaming equipment generates heat, and a closed off space can quickly become uncomfortable during longer sessions. Simple ventilation or a quiet fan keeps the room usable without breaking immersion. It is one of those details that rarely gets noticed until it is missing.

Ultimately, the perfect man cave gaming setup is about control. Control over light, sound, comfort and layout. When each part is tuned properly, the space stops feeling like a collection of equipment and becomes something closer to an experience. Smart lighting, in particular, is what ties everything together, shaping mood in a way that hardware alone never can.

GUIDE: How to make Age of Empires Collector’s Edition DVD-ROM work on Windows 10 and Windows 11

This guide explains how to install and run the original PC DVD-ROM version of Age of Empires Collector’s Edition on a modern Windows 10 or Windows 11 computer.

This guide should also work on individual games in this collection.

You can buy this classic game from amazon at https://amzn.to/4ubsNng

The game was originally designed for older versions of Windows, so a few extra steps are required on modern systems.

You will need:

The original Age of Empires Collector’s Edition DVD-ROM.

A DVD drive, either internal or USB external.

Your original CD key if prompted during installation.

Administrator access on the PC.

Step 1. Insert the DVD-ROM

Insert the Age of Empires Collector’s Edition DVD into your PC’s DVD drive.

Wait a few moments.

If the setup menu appears automatically, continue to Step 2.

If nothing appears:

Open “This PC”.

Double click the DVD drive.

Double click “Setup.exe”.

If Windows displays a security warning, click “Yes”.

Step 2. Install the game

Follow the installation process normally.

Choose the default installation location unless you specifically want the game installed elsewhere.

Allow the installation to finish completely.

Do not try to launch the game yet.

Step 3. Enable DirectPlay

The original DVD-ROM release requires an older Microsoft component called DirectPlay. Windows 10 and Windows 11 disable this by default.

To enable it:

Open the Start Menu.

Type: Turn Windows features on or off

Open the matching result.

Find: Legacy Components

Click the plus symbol beside it.

Tick: DirectPlay

Click “OK”.

Windows will install the required files automatically.

Once complete, restart the PC if prompted.

Step 4. Set compatibility settings

After installation, open: This PC

Then go to:

C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Games\

Open the Age of Empires folder.

Find the main game application file. This is usually: EMPIRES.EXE

Right click the file and select: Properties

Open the: Compatibility tab.

Tick: Run this program in compatibility mode for:

From the list, select:

Windows XP (Service Pack 3)

Also tick: Run this program as an administrator

Click: Apply

Then click: OK

Step 5. Launch the game from the DVD-ROM version

Insert the DVD-ROM if it is not already in the drive.

Double click the game shortcut or the game executable file.

The game should now launch correctly.

Some systems may take a little longer during the first launch.

Step 6. If the game will not launch

If the game does not open correctly, try the following:

Restart the computer.

Make sure the DVD is still inserted.

Try Windows 98 compatibility mode instead of Windows XP.

Tick: Disable fullscreen optimisations inside the Compatibility tab.

Run the game directly from the installation folder instead of using the desktop shortcut.

Step 7. Black screen or display issues

Some modern graphics cards can cause display problems with older DVD-ROM games.

If this happens:

Press Alt + Enter after the game opens.

Lower your desktop resolution temporarily before launching the game.

Make sure Windows is fully updated.

Update your graphics drivers.

Important note about SafeDisc protection

Some very old PC DVD-ROM games used copy protection systems such as SafeDisc, which modern versions of Windows no longer support for security reasons.

Age of Empires Collector’s Edition generally still works after installation because the game itself does not rely on the blocked SafeDisc driver in the same way some later PC games did, but behaviour can vary depending on the exact disc release and Windows version.

If the disc installs correctly but refuses to launch at all, the issue is usually related to compatibility settings or DirectPlay not being enabled properly.