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: The End of the Sun (2026 Video Game) - on Playstation 5

Review by Jon Donnis

The End of the Sun arrives with a quietly confident premise and, to its credit, it largely delivers on that sense of intrigue. Set within a Slavic fantasy world that leans heavily on folklore and ritual, the game casts you as the Ashter, a fire mage able to track echoes of the past. It is an unusual hook, and one that immediately sets it apart. From the moment you step into the abandoned village, with its lingering smoke and fractured sense of time, there is a strong feeling that something meaningful has happened here, even if the game takes its time explaining exactly what.

Visually, it is difficult to fault. The world has been crafted with clear care, and that effort shows in the detail of the buildings, objects, and natural surroundings. The use of photogrammetry gives everything a grounded, almost tactile quality. It does not feel like a generic fantasy setting. Instead, it feels rooted in something older, more specific. That authenticity feeds directly into the atmosphere, which remains one of the game’s strongest elements throughout.

The central gameplay loop is where The End of the Sun becomes most interesting. You move from bonfire to bonfire, bonding with each one to reveal hidden traces and fragments of past events. Follow the smoke, uncover clues, solve a puzzle, then shift through time to see the consequences. It is a simple structure on paper, yet it works surprisingly well in practice. There is a natural rhythm to it, and when everything clicks, it can be genuinely absorbing. Watching history subtly reshape itself as you intervene adds a layer of satisfaction that many puzzle games struggle to achieve.

The puzzles themselves are mostly well judged. They are not overly complex, but they demand attention and a willingness to observe your surroundings carefully. The real appeal comes from how they tie into the wider narrative. Solving a puzzle rarely feels isolated. Instead, it feeds into the broader mystery, revealing new perspectives on the same characters across different points in time. That sense of continuity, of seeing lives unfold across seasons and years, gives the game a quiet emotional weight.

Voice acting is another clear strength. Performances across the board feel natural and convincing, which helps ground the more fantastical elements of the story. Characters come across as real people shaped by their circumstances, rather than simple narrative devices. It adds a layer of immersion that is easy to overlook but difficult to replace.

That said, the experience is not without its frustrations. Technical issues do creep in, and they can be more than minor inconveniences. Encountering a situation where progress is blocked, with no clear way to reset or escape, breaks the flow entirely. It suggests a lack of final polish that is hard to ignore, especially in a game so reliant on careful progression through its systems.

Even outside of outright bugs, there are moments where the game’s structure works against it. It is easy to lose your bearings, leading to stretches of aimless wandering as you try to piece together your next move. While some level of uncertainty fits the investigative tone, it can tip into irritation when direction becomes too vague. The line between discovery and confusion is a fine one, and The End of the Sun does not always stay on the right side of it.

Despite these issues, there is something undeniably compelling at the heart of the experience. Its ideas feel fresh, its world feels lived in, and its approach to storytelling through time and interaction stands out. When it works, it draws you in completely. When it falters, it can push you away just as quickly.

The End of the Sun is a thoughtful and original adventure that does a lot right, even if it stumbles in key areas. It is well worth experiencing for its atmosphere and ideas alone, but patience is required. If you can push through the rough edges, there is a rewarding journey waiting underneath.

Score: 7 out of 10

Out Now on PlayStation

https://store.playstation.com/en-gb/concept/10017998

REVIEW: Call of the Sea (2025 Video Game) - on Nintendo Switch

Review by Jon Donnis

Call of the Sea is a first-person adventure from Out of the Blue, published by Raw Fury. You play as Norah, voiced by Cissy Jones, who travels to a remote island in the South Pacific during the 1930s to track down her missing husband, Harry, voiced by Yuri Lowenthal. There's no combat here, the focus is on exploring the island and working through puzzles.

The setting is the first thing that stands out. The island looks beautiful, with its bright colours, strange ruins and hidden corners that keep you curious about what's next. The presentation has real character, and Norah herself is a big part of that. Jones gives her a voice that feels warm and believable, and the story carries both mystery and emotion as it unravels.

Most of your time is spent solving puzzles. They come at a steady pace, usually clever and well thought out, and when they click they feel rewarding. The game clearly has a lot of care behind it, both in how the puzzles are built and in how the story pushes you forward.

Not everything lands perfectly. Some of the puzzles are tough, even with the hints available, and a few times I ended up checking online to figure out the solution. That can be a slippery slope, because once you've done it once it's tempting to do it again rather than wrestle with the harder sections. Playing on a Nintendo Switch Lite also showed up a few technical hiccups, with some stuttering in the animation, though it was never enough to ruin the experience.

Call of the Sea isn't the sort of game you'll replay often, but as a one-off adventure it works well. The combination of its striking island setting, its story full of heart, and a run of puzzles that mostly land makes it worth picking up if you enjoy thoughtful puzzle-driven games.

I score Call of the Sea a solid 7.5 out of 10.

Out Now on multiple formats

https://amzn.to/3Vk6Rq9

And on Nintendo Digital

https://www.nintendo.com/en-gb/Games/Nintendo-Switch-download-software/Call-of-the-Sea-2904504.html

REVIEW: The Precinct (2025 Video Game) Law, Order, and a Touch of Neon Noir - Out On Xbox Now

Game provided free by Fallen Tree Games

Review by Jon Donnis

In an era where open-world games often lean toward playing the villain, The Precinct dares to flip the badge. Developed by Fallen Tree Games and published by Kwalee, this action-adventure title puts players in the polished shoes of rookie officer Nick Cordell Jr., patrolling the rain-slicked streets of Averno City, a fictional metropolis modelled after 1980s New York. Instead of carjackings and chaos, you'll be issuing tickets, responding to 911 calls, and slowly uncovering the truth behind your father's mysterious death.

This is more than just another sandbox title. It's a love letter to classic cop dramas and a rare attempt to blend police simulator mechanics with high-octane chases and cinematic flair.

A Living City in 1983

Averno City is the star of the show. With its neon-lit back alleys, foggy parks, and graffitied subway platforms, it drips atmosphere. Dynamic weather and a day-night cycle bring life to the world, and while the map isn't massive by modern standards, it is densely packed with detail. From the financial district's towering glass monoliths to the crumbling tenements of the inner boroughs, The Precinct captures the look and feel of a noir-styled East Coast city on the brink.

What sets this city apart is its vibrancy. Pedestrians go about their lives. Criminals break into cars or sprint through traffic. You're not just chasing scripted events. The game generates crimes across the map, prompting you to respond in real time. It makes every shift feel unique.

Cop Drama, With a Twist

You play as Nick Cordell Jr., son of the late police chief, and the story threads that follow his personal and professional life are surprisingly engaging. The narrative unfolds gradually, rooted in gang conspiracies, political cover-ups, and the legacy of his father's death. It's nothing revolutionary, but it serves the tone well and gives purpose to your beat patrols.

Gameplay mirrors the duties of a real patrol officer, taking cues from titles like Police Quest. You'll write parking tickets, read Miranda rights, book suspects at the station, and call for backup. Your starting kit includes a .38 revolver, baton, and taser, all of which feel authentic. The use-of-force system encourages restraint, rewarding players who follow proper procedure rather than blasting through every situation.

Of course, the action heats up often enough. Car chases, shootouts, and helicopter pursuits punctuate the quieter moments, keeping the pace varied. The combat can feel a little rough early on, particularly in shootouts, but the aiming assistance options help smooth that out quickly.

Playing in Shifts

The Precinct thrives in shorter play sessions. The structure of completing a "shift" works naturally with the game's slightly repetitive loop. It doesn't quite hold up for marathon sessions, but it is perfect for dipping in and out. A quick 30-minute stint still feels meaningful, whether you're busting a drug ring or just calming down a heated parking dispute.

Voice acting and sound design are top notch. The chatter of the streets, the crackle of the radio, the crunch of tyres on wet pavement, all of it feeds into the immersive, cinematic mood. The synth-heavy soundtrack feels period-appropriate and drives home that noir cop drama aesthetic.

A Few Scuffs on the Badge

There are a few minor issues. Occasionally, bugs crop up, such as NPCs glitching or animations stuttering, but nothing game-breaking. The combat, particularly firearms handling, lacks polish early on. However, the more you play, the more natural it feels.

More critically, the gameplay loop can begin to feel repetitive. There is plenty to do, but the core tasks cycle back quickly. This is where post-launch support and DLC could make a huge difference. The game world cries out for expansion.

Final Verdict

The Precinct is a refreshing take on the sandbox genre. It succeeds in creating a compelling cop simulator that is both fun and atmospheric. Its strongest asset is its ability to make you want to play "just one more shift". Between the rich setting, the noir-infused storytelling, and the satisfying gameplay systems, there's a lot here to love.

It is not perfect, but it doesn't need to be. What matters is that The Precinct delivers a new kind of open-world experience, and it does so with real style. With future updates or expansions, it could easily grow into a beloved franchise.

Score: 8.5 out of 10

Out Now on Xbox - https://amzn.to/4jjraO2