REVIEW: Sledders (2026 Video Game) - on PS5

Review by Jon Donnis

Sledders is a snowmobile simulator that drops you into a vast, snow-covered mountain range and leaves you to find your own entertainment. There are no races, checkpoints or objectives. You simply climb aboard a snowmobile and head out into the wilderness, tackling steep slopes and trying to navigate the deep snow without ending up on your side.

The idea has some appeal, and my first few minutes were reasonably entertaining. Getting up to speed, tearing across the snow and inevitably crashing provided a few laughs. Unfortunately, that initial enjoyment soon disappeared, and I was left wondering what I was supposed to do next.

Visually, Sledders is decent enough. The snowy landscapes provide a convincing setting for backcountry riding, and the open areas give you plenty of room to explore. The graphics might not be particularly impressive, but they do the job. The problem is that there is very little to discover beyond more snow and mountains.

The game puts considerable emphasis on realistic handling. Every movement matters, with throttle control, leaning and steering all affecting how your snowmobile behaves. The intention is clearly to recreate the challenges of real snowmobiling, but I found the controls frustrating rather than rewarding. Even relatively minor movements can send you face-first into the snow, and getting stuck becomes a regular occurrence.

You will spend a fair amount of time resetting your snowmobile and trying again. While mastering difficult terrain might appeal to simulation enthusiasts, I struggled to find much enjoyment in repeatedly falling over or becoming bogged down. There is no proper tutorial to explain the controls or help newcomers understand how to handle the machines, leaving you to work things out through trial and error.

That might be acceptable if there were other activities to break things up, but there aren't. Sledders is essentially an open-world sandbox with no races, challenges, objectives or alternative game modes. You choose a direction, ride around and decide what you want to attempt. Once the novelty of speeding across the snow wears off, there is very little to encourage you to keep playing.

I understand the appeal of a game that lets you create your own adventures, but the underlying riding needs to be enjoyable enough to support that freedom. Here, the awkward controls and constant crashes make even simple journeys more frustrating than they should be. Getting to the top of a difficult climb might provide a sense of achievement for some players, but I wanted something more substantial to work towards.

There are features that could make the experience more appealing to the right audience. Licensed snowmobiles from Lynx, Polaris and Ski-Doo give enthusiasts familiar machines to choose from, while multiplayer lets you explore with friends. Proximity voice chat allows players to talk while riding together, and replay features, including ghost rides, offer a way to revisit your best runs.

Mod support is another welcome addition, with custom wraps and community-made maps available to download from within the game. These features provide options for players who want to spend time experimenting and exploring, although they do little to address the lack of structured gameplay.

The engine sounds are another disappointment. I found them unpleasant enough to turn the volume down almost immediately, which is hardly ideal for a simulator built around the experience of riding a snowmobile.

Ultimately, Sledders feels like a game made for people who love snowmobiling and want to recreate the experience as closely as possible. If you enjoy exploring mountains, attempting difficult climbs and messing around with friends without needing a particular goal, you may get plenty out of it.

Personally, I came away disappointed. After a few minutes of speeding around, crashing and repeatedly getting stuck, I had little reason to carry on. The realistic approach is understandable, but realism alone cannot make up for a lack of enjoyable activities.

Sledders has a decent foundation, and the open environments look perfectly acceptable, but I wanted more from it. Without races, challenges or meaningful objectives, the experience quickly becomes repetitive. If you want a snowmobile simulator, this might be worth considering. If you want a video game with things to do, you will probably get bored very quickly.

I score Sledders a disappointing 6 out of 10.

Out on PS5 Now

https://store.playstation.com/en-us/concept/10010642

REVIEW: Sanshui: Poker Puzzle 三水 (2026 Video Game)

By Jon Donnis

Sanshui: Poker Puzzle is a neat little logic game that takes the familiar rules of poker hands and turns them into a series of card-based puzzles. Despite the poker theme, there are no gambling mechanics here. This is purely about using logic, planning your moves and finding the solution to each challenge.

You start with three rows of cards, with three on the top row and five on each of the other two. Each puzzle gives you a target poker hand to create, such as a Flush, and you need to work out how to arrange the available cards to achieve it.

The interesting thing is that Sanshui does not explain everything to you. There is no traditional tutorial walking you through the controls and mechanics. Instead, you are placed straight into the first puzzles and expected to experiment. Fortunately, the basic system is easy enough to understand, particularly if you already have a basic knowledge of poker hands.

You can move cards around and swap their positions, but the most important part of the game is the token system. Tokens give you different ways to manipulate the cards, including changing the layout, replacing a card or changing its suit. Knowing when and where to use these abilities becomes increasingly important as the puzzles become more demanding.

Progression introduces additional tokens, which means the game gradually expands the number of possible solutions available to you. Early puzzles can be solved fairly quickly once you understand the fundamentals, but later challenges require more consideration. You need to look at the cards available, identify what is missing from the required hand and decide which ability will get you closer to the solution.

This gives the game a satisfying balance between understanding the rules and actually applying them. It is not simply a case of making the strongest poker hand possible. You have a specific objective and a limited set of tools, so working out the correct sequence of actions is where the real puzzle lies.

The presentation also works in the game's favour. Everything is laid out clearly, with the cards and available actions easy to see. There is no unnecessary clutter competing for your attention, which is exactly what you want from a game based around studying a card layout and spotting possible combinations.

Being thrown into the first puzzle without much explanation could initially be confusing, particularly for players who are unfamiliar with poker terminology. However, it is not a complicated system, and it does not take long to understand what the game wants from you. Once the basic mechanics click, the lack of hand holding becomes less of an issue.

A basic understanding of poker hands is certainly useful, but this should not put off anyone who does not normally play poker. You only need to know what the different combinations mean, rather than understand poker strategy. If you come across a hand you do not recognise, it is easy enough to check its definition and continue.

Perhaps the most appealing thing about Sanshui: Poker Puzzle is that it manages to make poker feel like a puzzle mechanic rather than a gambling theme. There are no bets or money involved. The cards are simply tools that you manipulate in order to satisfy the objective in front of you.

That also makes it an accessible concept. Anyone who enjoys logic puzzles should be able to understand the appeal, while players familiar with poker will have the advantage of already knowing the different hands. As the game introduces more tokens and increasingly complicated layouts, there is plenty of room for the puzzles to become more demanding without abandoning the straightforward foundation.

Overall, Sanshui: Poker Puzzle is a simple concept that works surprisingly well. The lack of a tutorial is its biggest weakness, but the mechanics are straightforward enough to discover without too much frustration. Once you understand how the tokens work, the focus shifts towards planning your moves and finding increasingly clever ways to create the required poker hands. It is a clean, accessible logic puzzle with an unusual card-based approach.

Sanshui: Poker Puzzle 三水 is currently in closed testing, with a free browser version available to play. The first 5000 sign-ups get a promo code for the full game unlock when it launches on December 23, 2026, at 19:00 EST. 

It is a straightforward concept that becomes increasingly engaging as new mechanics are introduced.

Play the free demo and watch for in-game messages.

Check it out at https://fourstreetplo.com/

REVIEW: Murders & Mistresses (2026 Video Game) - on PC Steam

Review by Jon Donnis

Murders & Mistresses is an unusual adult visual novel because there is considerably more going on here than the adult content. Beneath the adult material is a surprisingly detailed detective game, with five cases covering murders, kidnappings and hostage situations.

You play an ex-conman turned police consultant, with the freedom to investigate cases while making plenty of questionable personal choices along the way. The story gives your decisions genuine consequences, affecting relationships and the fate of the people around you. It helps that the protagonist has enough personality to make these choices feel like part of the story rather than simple dialogue options.

The investigative gameplay is the real surprise. Story Mode provides a more straightforward experience, while Detective Mode asks you to properly piece together evidence, deductions and theories. You are not simply handed the correct answer at the end. You decide who you believe is guilty, sometimes without having absolute proof, and the game remembers your decisions.

There is a good variety to the cases, too. The game moves between different types of investigations, including double homicides, locked-room mysteries and hostage negotiations. This keeps the detective side from becoming repetitive, while the branching structure gives you plenty of reason to revisit earlier chapters.

The adult content is extensive, with more than 40 scenes and 145 animations, while the relationship system includes three different marriage paths. There are also dates, hangouts and other activities away from the main investigations. The chapter flowcharts are a particularly useful addition, showing the choices and scenes you missed and making it easy to replay individual sections.

Graphically, Murders & Mistresses is well made. The character presentation is good and the animated scenes are of a high quality. It also helps that this is a complete game, offering around eight to twelve hours for a single playthrough rather than making players wait for future episodes.

The main drawback is that the adult content will naturally limit its audience. It would have been interesting to see a non-adult version using the same detective gameplay and story, particularly because the investigation mechanics are strong enough to appeal beyond the game's intended adult audience.

We do not cover many games of this type, but Murders & Mistresses has clearly made an effort to offer more than the usual adult visual novel experience. The detective mechanics give it some genuine substance, the branching choices encourage replaying the cases, and the complete release means there is plenty to play from the outset.

Murders & Mistresses is not going to appeal to everyone, but for those comfortable with its adult content, it is a surprisingly well-rounded investigative game with more depth than its premise initially suggests.

I score Murders & Mistresses a surprising 8 out of 10

Out Now https://store.steampowered.com/app/3740030/Murders__Mistresses/

REVIEW: Planet of Lana II (2026 Video Game) - On Xbox

Review by Jon Donnis

Planet of Lana II picks up two years after the events of the first game and brings players back to the mysterious world of Novo. Developed by Wishfully and published by Thunderful Publishing, the sequel sticks closely to the formula that made the 2023 original memorable. It remains a 2.5D side scrolling puzzle platform adventure built around atmosphere, environmental storytelling, and the bond between Lana and her small cat like companion Mui. The result is a game that often feels warm and familiar, though not always in ways that benefit it.

From the moment the journey begins, it is clear that the visual presentation remains one of the series' greatest strengths. The hand painted environments are striking. Frozen mountain ranges, deep ocean spaces, and ancient ruins unfold across the screen with a quiet sense of scale and detail. The world feels alive without the need for spoken dialogue. Characters communicate through an alien language while the environment and music carry the emotional weight. It is a confident storytelling approach that invites players to read between the lines rather than be told everything directly.

The orchestral score plays a huge part in that atmosphere. The music gently moves alongside the action, swelling during moments of discovery and pulling back when the story becomes more intimate. It is consistently pleasant to listen to and helps maintain the calm cinematic tone the series is known for. Combined with the visual design, it gives the game a polished and thoughtful presentation that is easy to admire.

Lana herself feels more capable this time around. Set a couple of years after the first adventure, she is older, more confident, and noticeably more agile. Players can now wall jump, dash, slide, and move through the world with greater freedom. Mui also receives expanded abilities. The small creature can hack machines and use telepathic powers to briefly control other creatures in the environment. These skills feed directly into the puzzle design, which relies heavily on cooperation between the two characters.

Many of the puzzles are genuinely clever. They often ask players to observe their surroundings carefully, time actions correctly, and use Lana and Mui together in small but satisfying ways. Compared with the first game, some challenges are more layered and make better use of the characters' expanded abilities. When the design clicks, solving a puzzle feels natural and rewarding rather than overly mechanical.

The story also deserves praise. The narrative explores the consequences of technological progress on Lana and Mui's home world. New inventions promise advancement but also bring greed and imbalance among the planet's tribes. As the journey unfolds, the pair uncover buried truths about the planet and hints about Mui's origins. It is an emotional thread that encourages players to care about the characters and stay curious about what comes next.

Despite these strengths, the sequel struggles to feel like a true step forward. One of the most noticeable issues lies in the pacing. The adventure lasts roughly six hours, yet stretches of that time are spent simply running across environments while little happens. The scenery is attractive, but extended quiet sections can make the experience feel padded rather than purposeful.

The puzzles themselves are also inconsistent. While some are clever and satisfying, others feel strangely simple or unnecessarily convoluted. At times the game introduces an idea only to resolve it quickly without much challenge. This uneven balance removes some of the tension that puzzle platform games thrive on.

Controls present another frustration. Lana's new abilities expand what she can do, but the movement never feels quite as smooth as it did in the original game. Something about the responsiveness feels slightly off. Actions can seem less intuitive, which is surprising given the additional movement options. Instead of making progress feel fluid, the extra mechanics sometimes slow things down.

Audio design is another mixed area. The orchestral music is excellent throughout, yet the character sounds are less successful. The laughter, chirps, and fragments of alien language can become grating over time. What is meant to add charm occasionally ends up distracting from the otherwise strong atmosphere.

The short length of the adventure also raises questions. A six hour journey is not necessarily a problem for a story driven game, but here it feels slightly thin. The original title offered a more consistent flow of puzzles and discoveries. In comparison, this sequel contains fewer memorable puzzle sequences and more stretches of simple traversal.

The ending does little to resolve that feeling. The story closes on a cliffhanger that feels abrupt rather than exciting. After investing several hours in Lana and Mui's journey, the conclusion arrives quickly and leaves more questions than answers. For some players that may hint at a future continuation, though it risks feeling unsatisfying in the moment.

Taken as a continuation of the first game's story, Planet of Lana II works well enough. The characters remain likeable, the world is still beautiful, and the emotional tone is intact. However, as a full sequel it never quite improves on what came before. The original game felt tighter, more focused, and more confident in its design.

That sense of familiarity is both the sequel's strength and its weakness. Returning fans will appreciate revisiting Lana and Mui, yet the experience rarely evolves beyond the foundations already established. In some ways it almost feels closer to an extended follow up episode rather than a major new chapter.

For players who already subscribe to Xbox Game Pass, it is certainly worth a look. The atmosphere, music, and character driven storytelling remain engaging even when the gameplay falters. Those expecting a significant leap forward from the first game may come away a little disappointed.

Planet of Lana II is still a charming and thoughtful adventure, but it struggles to escape the shadow of its predecessor. What should have been a confident next step instead feels like a smaller return to familiar ground.

Score. 6.5 out of 10.

Out Now on Xbox

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/