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

REVIEW: Fallout 4: Anniversary Edition (On PS5)

Review by Jon Donnis

Fallout 4 Anniversary Edition arrives with the weight of a decade behind it, and that history matters. This is not a reinvention or a bold reboot. It is Bethesda Game Studios gathering everything Fallout 4 has become and presenting it as a single, definitive package. For newcomers in particular, that context shapes the experience from the moment you step out of Vault 111 into a Commonwealth still scarred by nuclear fire.

The core of Fallout 4 remains exactly as it always was. You are the Sole Survivor, emerging into a broken world driven by survival, choice and consequence, with the personal thread of searching for your missing son guiding the wider journey. The open world is vast and flexible, packed with locations, characters and quests that allow you to shape your own path. You can align with factions, forge alliances, or deliberately stand apart. That freedom is still one of the game's greatest strengths, and it gives the Commonwealth a sense of place that feels reactive rather than staged.

Character progression continues to be handled through the S.P.E.C.I.A.L. system, which remains approachable while still offering depth. Whether you build a silver tongued negotiator, a stealth focused sniper, or a walking tank wrapped in Power Armor, the game supports that choice without pushing you into rigid class structures. Combat sits comfortably between real time gunplay and the tactical pause of V.A.T.S., letting you decide how much control or spectacle you want in any given fight. That flexibility helps Fallout 4 appeal to a wider range of players than many traditional role playing games.

Visually, the lighting and graphics still impress, even ten years on. The ruined streets of Boston, the blasted forests, and the quiet horror of abandoned interiors all retain a strong sense of atmosphere. It does not feel cutting edge, but it does feel confident and cohesive. The game also deserves credit for offering both first and third person perspectives. For players who struggle with motion sickness, that option can make the difference between playing comfortably and not at all, even if it occasionally complicates shooting and disrupts the flow of transitions and cut scenes.

Where the Anniversary Edition truly earns its name is in its sheer volume of content. This release includes the full base game alongside all six official add ons, from the story driven Far Harbor and Nuka World to the various Workshop expansions that deepen settlement building and crafting. On top of that, more than 150 pieces of Creation Club content are bundled in. These additions range from new weapons and power armour to building packs, player homes, gameplay tweaks, quest expansions, and even cosmetic changes such as alternative Dogmeat breeds. None of it fundamentally rewrites Fallout 4, but collectively it adds texture and variety that makes the world feel fuller.

The introduction of a dedicated in game Creations menu also makes a real difference. It simplifies discovery and access to content created by both professional developers and passionate community contributors. For players who have never engaged with mods or Creation Club material before, this integration removes much of the friction and makes experimentation feel safe and supported.

That said, the Anniversary Edition does raise an awkward question. If you already own Fallout 4 and its major expansions, is there enough here to justify buying it again. For many existing players, the answer will be no. Some were clearly hoping for hours of entirely new story content rather than a comprehensive bundle of existing add ons and curated community creations. Those expectations were likely unrealistic, but the sense of underwhelm in parts of the community is understandable.

For those who never played Fallout 4 at release, however, this edition is difficult to fault. It offers the complete experience, polished by time and packed with content, without the need to piece it together from multiple purchases. As a snapshot of one of the most celebrated open world RPGs of its generation, it feels generous and confident rather than indulgent.

Fallout 4 Anniversary Edition is not about surprise. It is about completeness. If you are new to the wasteland, this is the version to play. If you already know every inch of the Commonwealth, it may feel more like a respectful archive than a revelation. Either way, the game still holds up, and it remains easy to lose dozens of hours rebuilding, exploring and surviving on your own terms.

Score: 8.5 out of 10

Available now at https://amzn.to/3Nc6Mnu

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