REVIEW: This Bed We Made (2026 Video Game) on PlayStation 5

Review by Jon Donnis

Set in the Clarington Hotel on 17 February 1958, the game puts you in the role of Sophie, a chambermaid whose curiosity leads her far beyond simply making beds and tidying rooms. What begins with a strange discovery in room 505 gradually develops into a much larger investigation involving the hotel's guests, employees and the secrets they are trying to keep hidden.

The story is easily one of the game's biggest strengths. Rather than throwing everything at you immediately, it allows the mystery to build as Sophie discovers more objects, conversations, letters and clues around the hotel. Individual mysteries gradually begin to connect, giving the investigation a satisfying sense of progression. There is enough uncertainty surrounding the characters to keep you questioning what is really happening, while the personal stories discovered along the way add depth to the wider mystery.

The 1950s setting also works extremely well. The Clarington Hotel has a distinctive period atmosphere, with its rooms, corridors, lifts and other details helping establish the era. The game understands that a mystery like this benefits from its surroundings, and the hotel becomes more than just a backdrop. Exploring its three floors and gradually learning more about the people staying there gives the whole experience a strong neo-noir flavour.

A large part of the enjoyment comes from Sophie's willingness to investigate things that are really none of her business. Searching through belongings and inspecting rooms makes the player an active participant in her curiosity. There is something particularly satisfying about finding an apparently insignificant object and then realising that it has a connection to something else you have already discovered.

The puzzles are another positive. They generally strike a good balance, requiring you to search your surroundings and think about the information you have uncovered without becoming frustratingly difficult. The investigation feels more rewarding because the solutions usually come from paying attention rather than simply throwing arbitrary puzzle mechanics at the player.

The journal is particularly useful. As the investigation develops, it records Sophie's thoughts, information about characters and important clues, making it easier to keep track of the growing number of details. That is important in a story where several mysteries are developing at the same time.

The writing is also surprisingly strong. The dialogue is enjoyable and helps the characters feel like actual people rather than simply being there to deliver information to the player. The letters scattered around the hotel are especially effective. Even when they concern people you may never properly meet, they give those characters convincing personalities and complicated stories of their own.

The English voice acting complements this nicely. The performances do a good job of communicating the personalities and emotions of the characters, while the facial animation helps sell many of the conversations. Expressions are generally synchronised well with the dialogue, although this is not entirely consistent.

That inconsistency becomes more noticeable because some of the game's character animations can look poor at times. There are moments where movements lack polish, while some of the visual details around the hotel can look rather basic. Lip-syncing can also occasionally fall out of step with what is being said, which takes some of the shine off otherwise strong character interactions.

The sound design is another area where the game succeeds. Small sounds such as squeaking doors, keys, locks and the hotel elevator contribute considerably to the atmosphere. They help create a sense that something could be happening just around the corner, even when you are simply moving between rooms.

The game's biggest weakness is arguably its length. A typical playthrough can be completed in around three hours, depending on how thoroughly you explore and investigate. That makes it an easy game to get through over a couple of sittings, but it also means the experience can feel over before the player has had enough time with the world and its characters.

Some of the character backstories could also have benefited from greater development. The game introduces interesting people and gives you reasons to become invested in their lives, but not every character receives enough attention to make their individual stories feel fully explored.

The hint system is another minor irritation. It can be useful when you are genuinely stuck, but its suggestions can become repetitive. There are also occasions when important clues are surprisingly easy to miss, which can make progression feel more difficult than the actual puzzle solving deserves. Some of the controls are similarly sensitive, occasionally making interactions less precise than they should be.

The consequences attached to your decisions are perhaps the most important reason to return after completing the story. This Bed We Made gives your actions genuine significance. Doors you choose to open, information you uncover and the way you interact with other characters can influence how events unfold. Even seemingly mundane decisions can have consequences, which makes the player's curiosity feel like more than a simple gameplay mechanic.

The relationship system adds another layer to this. Sophie can form closer bonds with people around the hotel, including choosing between Beth and Andrew as her ally. Their different personalities and approaches to the investigation give the player another meaningful decision to make, while the possibility of seeing different outcomes provides a good reason to experience the story again.

This Bed We Made is ultimately a fun investigative story game that succeeds because of its writing, atmosphere and willingness to let the player influence the outcome. It does not have the scale or depth of the very best detective games, and its short length, occasional animation problems and uneven character development prevent it from reaching the highest tier.

However, there is a lot to like here. The mystery keeps building, the 1950s setting gives it an identity, the puzzles are well judged and the decisions genuinely matter. For anyone looking for a relatively short narrative experience built around investigation, character relationships and uncovering secrets, This Bed We Made is worth a look.

Score: 7 out of 10

Out Now on PlayStation

https://store.playstation.com/en-gb/concept/10008630

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