REVIEW: Stunt Bike Extreme (2025 Video Game) - on PC (Steam)

Review by Jon Donnis

Stunt Bike Extreme wears its influences proudly. From the first few minutes it is obvious this is a game built in the shadow of TRIALS HD, and for many players that will be its biggest selling point. It delivers the same arcade-focused motocross formula, stripped of heavy realism and designed around quick retries, smooth flow, and constant forward momentum.

The controls are simple and welcoming. Anyone can pick it up and start clearing levels within minutes. That ease of entry is both a strength and a weakness. While the game is described as hard to master, in practice it is far more forgiving than TRIALS HD across the board. Rider lean rarely feels critical, recoveries are generous, and most tracks can be completed without the precision that defines the genre at its best. As a result, the overall difficulty curve stays on the easy side, even as new mechanics and obstacles are introduced.

Content is where Stunt Bike Extreme truly delivers. With over 400 levels spread across more than ten environments, the sense of scale is impressive. Tracks take you through sunny beaches, busy city streets, frozen lakes and more, with each environment offering its own visual flavour. Alongside the main tracks are tougher bonus routes, though even these rarely push into truly punishing territory.

Each level hides treasure chests that reward exploration and risk-taking. These collectibles are one of the game's smartest additions, encouraging replay and experimentation rather than simple completion. Finding them often means attempting trickier routes or committing to jumps that are easy to miss on a first run. It adds just enough tension to stop the experience from becoming entirely mindless.

Progression is steady and satisfying. Completing levels unlocks new bikes, with more than ten available, each offering a slightly different playstyle. Customisation is extensive, with over a hundred visual items and paint jobs allowing you to personalise both rider and bike. None of this changes the underlying mechanics in a dramatic way, but it does give you a reason to keep pushing forward.

Visually, the game is solid but clearly rooted in its mobile origins. The graphics are clean and colourful, if a little simple, and lean towards a cartoony style rather than realism. It works well enough for clarity and performance, but those hoping for something more visually ambitious on PC may feel underwhelmed.

The biggest issue is originality. Stunt Bike Extreme does very little to push the genre forward. There are no separate skill games, no bold mechanical twists, and few surprises beyond the sheer quantity of content. It feels less like a fresh take and more like a respectful imitation. For fans of the TRIALS series, that familiarity will be comforting. For others, it may feel overly safe.

Despite those criticisms, the game is undeniably addictive. The classic "just one more level" pull is strong, driven by short tracks, instant restarts, and an almost endless supply of stages. Even when the challenge feels muted, the rhythm of play remains enjoyable.

Stunt Bike Extreme is, at heart, a very good TRIALS HD style game that prioritises accessibility and volume over difficulty and innovation. It may be too easy, and it may not bring much new to the table, but it succeeds at what it sets out to do. For fans of arcade motocross games, it is an easy recommendation.

Score: 8 out of 10

Out Now on PC 

https://store.steampowered.com/app/3212130/Stunt_Bike_Extreme/

REVIEW: Jingle Strike VR Bowling (2025 Video Game) - on MetaQuest

Review by Jon Donnis

Jingle Strike VR Bowling knows exactly what it wants to be and it leans into that with confidence. This is a festive VR bowling game that treats accuracy and silliness as equal partners. The core bowling feels reassuringly solid, with true to life physics that make each roll feel weighty and deliberate. When you line up a shot and send the ball down the lane, it behaves as you expect, which is vital in a game that relies on constant replay and quick handovers between players.

What gives the game its personality is the cast of workshop elves who never stop reacting to your performance. They cheer, mock, roast, and occasionally descend into outright childish behaviour. Miss a simple spare and they let you know about it. Land a clean strike and they completely lose control. It is juvenile, loud, and genuinely funny in short bursts, especially when played with other people in the room watching and waiting their turn.

The four festive lanes are colourful and busy without becoming visually overwhelming. Snow, lights, toys and moving characters keep things lively while never distracting from the bowling itself. When the Christmas theme starts to wear thin, the 85 Second Slam Down mode offers a faster arcade style alternative, swapping festive dressing for music, lights and pure bowling chaos. It is a smart inclusion that helps broaden the appeal beyond seasonal novelty.

Between frames there are plenty of small diversions. The complimenting soda machine is a silly but charming touch, and the ability to throw gifts or snowballs at the elves to trigger new reactions adds to the sense that the game wants players to experiment and mess around. Leaderboards give competitive players something to chase, but the real strength lies in pass and play couch VR for up to five players. Handing over the headset, laughing at each other's mistakes, and reacting to the elves together is clearly where Jingle Strike shines brightest.

There are limits, though. Content is fairly thin once you have seen all the lanes and spent time in the arcade mode. Played solo, the experience can start to feel repetitive quite quickly. This is very much a party game rather than something designed for long single player sessions, and it does not bring anything radically new to the VR bowling genre.

Still, what is here is well put together. The visuals are cheerful, the soundtrack suits the tone, and the game never takes itself too seriously. Jingle Strike VR Bowling succeeds by being accessible, funny, and easy to enjoy, particularly with friends or family around.

As a social VR experience it works extremely well, even if its appeal fades when played alone. For parties, gatherings, or introducing newcomers to VR, it is an easy recommendation.

Score: 7.5 out of 10.

Out Now on MetaQuest

https://www.meta.com/en-gb/experiences/jingle-strike-vr-bowling/8135988243173894/