REVIEW: Psyvariar 3 (2026 Video Game) - by RED ART GAMES

Review by Jon Donnis

Arcade shoot ‘em ups have always lived and died on one thing. Flow. That hypnotic state where chaos somehow becomes rhythm, bullets become patterns, and survival feels like a dance rather than a desperate scramble. Psyvariar 3 understands that better than most modern shooters, and while it does not reinvent the genre, it absolutely captures the spirit of the old arcade classics with confidence.

Set decades after the events of Psyvariar 2, humanity once again finds itself facing annihilation after the appearance of a mysterious alien signal tied to Gluon particles. The setup is pure arcade nonsense in the best possible way. It exists mainly to push you into wave after wave of enemy ships, laser storms and screen-filling boss attacks. Nobody is coming here for deep storytelling, but the presentation gives the game enough atmosphere to feel connected to the long running series.

Visually, Psyvariar 3 looks fantastic. The neo retro art direction works brilliantly, mixing crisp 2D sprites with impressive 3D environments that twist and move beneath the action. It feels old school without looking dated. Explosions are vibrant, enemy designs are sharp, and the backgrounds constantly shift with movement and depth that give the game real energy. It genuinely looks like a lost arcade shooter rebuilt for modern hardware.

The real star, though, is the famous buzz mechanic. Bullet grazing has existed in plenty of shooters over the years, but Psyvariar still makes it feel unique. Flying dangerously close to enemy fire levels you up, powers your abilities and rewards aggressive play rather than cautious survival. It completely changes how you approach combat. Instead of avoiding danger at all costs, you are actively throwing yourself towards it, weaving between projectiles in search of experience boosts and temporary invincibility.

It creates an addictive risk versus reward loop that feels brilliant when everything clicks. Levelling up at the right moment can save a run entirely, especially during later stages where enemy patterns become overwhelming. There is genuine satisfaction in learning how to manipulate the system to your advantage. Practice really does make perfect here.

The seven playable characters also help keep things fresh. Each pilot feels distinct thanks to unique shot types, bomb systems and scoring mechanics. Some are built for aggressive close-range play, others favour precision and survival. Even the guest appearance from Cotton adds something fun and unexpected. Switching characters noticeably changes how stages play out, which adds plenty of replay value across the various game modes.

There is certainly no shortage of content either. Arcade, Endless, Mission, Caravan and Practice modes give players plenty to work through, while the branching difficulty system encourages repeat runs to uncover tougher boss encounters and alternate routes. It has that classic arcade mentality of constantly pushing you to improve your score and refine your technique.

That said, Psyvariar 3 can occasionally become a victim of its own intensity. The screen gets incredibly busy during stages, especially once enemy fire starts flooding every corner of the display. While experienced players may thrive on that chaos, newcomers could find it frustrating. There are moments where the sheer volume of bullets makes it difficult to properly read the action, and trying to buzz projectiles safely can sometimes feel more reliant on luck than skill.

The updated roll mechanic works well overall, especially on modern controllers, but the speed of movement combined with the visual clutter can occasionally make positioning awkward during tighter encounters. When everything is exploding at once, it becomes easy to lose track of your ship for a split second, and in a game this demanding, that is often enough to end a run.

Still, for fans of arcade shooters, Psyvariar 3 delivers exactly what it promises. Fast action, clever mechanics, stylish visuals and an almost overwhelming sense of arcade energy. It respects the legacy of the series while making enough smart adjustments to feel modern without losing its identity.

Honestly, the only thing missing is an old arcade cabinet with a vertically mounted screen. This is absolutely the kind of game that makes you wish you could physically rotate your television sideways just to recreate that authentic experience at home.

Psyvariar 3 is not always easy to read, and newcomers may bounce off its brutal intensity, but underneath the chaos is an excellent shoot ‘em up with a rewarding skill system and a huge amount of replay value.

A strong return for the series, and one that genre fans should absolutely keep on their radar.

7.5/10

Out Now on PS5 - https://amzn.to/43k4Fmk

REVIEW: Lost Twins 2 (2026 Video Game) - on Nintendo Switch

Review by Jon Donnis

In a gaming landscape obsessed with combat, chaos, and constant noise, this Nintendo Switch puzzler takes the opposite route. It slows things down, trusts the player to experiment, and builds its entire identity around creativity and calm exploration. The result is one of the most charming puzzle platformers to arrive on Switch in quite some time.

At the centre of the game are Abi and Ben, two separated twins navigating a strange and dreamlike world made from shifting pathways and floating puzzle pieces. The core mechanic revolves around physically rearranging the environment itself. Entire sections of levels can be moved, swapped, or rotated to create new routes forward. It sounds simple on paper, but the way the game constantly builds upon the idea is genuinely impressive.

What makes the puzzles work so well is how carefully balanced they are. They are challenging enough to make you pause and think through your next move, but never so frustrating that progress grinds to a halt. Every solution feels logical once it clicks into place. That steady sense of reward gives the game a wonderfully satisfying rhythm, where each completed puzzle feels earned rather than handed to you.

Visually, Lost Twins 2 is absolutely lovely. The influence of Studio Ghibli and the work of Hayao Miyazaki is impossible to miss, though thankfully it never feels like outright imitation. The soft colour palette, handcrafted environments, and expressive animation give the game a warmth that suits its relaxed pacing perfectly. There is a cosy, storybook quality to the presentation that makes even the smallest moments enjoyable to look at.

The soundtrack deserves equal praise. Gentle piano melodies and ambient orchestral tracks quietly sit in the background, adding atmosphere without ever becoming intrusive. Combined with the game's slow, thoughtful pacing, it creates an experience that feels genuinely relaxing to play. It is the sort of game you can disappear into for an hour without noticing the time pass.

Importantly, the gameplay never becomes repetitive. New mechanics are introduced at a steady pace throughout the adventure. Pressure switches, lifts, breakable domes, water gates, and environmental interactions constantly reshape how puzzles are approached. The game keeps layering fresh ideas into the mix just before older mechanics risk becoming stale.

Playing solo works remarkably well thanks to the ability to switch between Abi and Ben, each often needing to stand in specific positions or interact with different parts of the environment. That said, local co-op is where Lost Twins 2 truly shines. Solving puzzles together with another player feels natural and genuinely rewarding. Communication becomes part of the challenge, and there is real satisfaction in figuring out solutions side by side on the sofa.

The controls can also take a little time to settle into. Shifting the world around and swapping between characters occasionally feels fiddly during the opening stages, particularly in handheld mode. Thankfully, once the control scheme clicks into place, it becomes far easier to navigate instinctively.

On the positive side, the game feels perfectly suited to the Nintendo Switch Lite. The pick up and play structure, relaxing pace, and compact puzzle design make it ideal for handheld sessions. Few games this year have felt so naturally at home on Nintendo's portable hardware.

What really separates Lost Twins 2 from so many other puzzle games is its complete lack of pressure. There are no enemies chasing you, no timers counting down, and no punishment for experimentation. The game simply invites you to explore, think, and enjoy the process of discovery. That design philosophy gives it a broad appeal that works equally well for younger players and adults looking for something more thoughtful and relaxing.

The story itself is fairly light, and those hoping for deep character development or major narrative twists may come away slightly underwhelmed. Still, the game understands exactly where its strengths lie. The creativity of the puzzles, the warmth of the art direction, and the peaceful atmosphere carry the experience effortlessly from beginning to end.

It is rare to find a puzzle game this inventive while also remaining so welcoming and accessible. Lost Twins 2 manages to feel clever without becoming smug about it, and relaxing without ever becoming dull. Beautifully designed and consistently engaging, this is one of the Switch's most delightful hidden gems of 2026.

9/10

Out Now on the Nintendo Switch for about £13.49

https://www.nintendo.com/en-gb/Games/Nintendo-Switch-download-software/Lost-Twins-2-3055149.html

Thank you to Playdew for the Key.

REVIEW: Resident Evil Requiem (2026 Video Game) - On Xbox

Review by Jon Donnis

Resident Evil Requiem arrives as the ninth main entry in Capcom's long running survival horror series, following the events of Resident Evil Village from 2021. Rather than simply continuing the formula of its immediate predecessors, the game takes a slightly different path. It introduces a new central character, FBI analyst Grace Ashcroft, while also bringing back one of the franchise's most recognisable figures in Leon S. Kennedy. The result is a game built around two distinct perspectives, both in terms of gameplay and tone, and it makes for one of the most confident entries the series has produced in years.

The story alternates between Grace and Leon in a structure reminiscent of Resident Evil Revelations and its sequel. Grace's sections lean heavily into survival horror. Resources are limited, danger feels close at hand, and every movement through the environment demands caution. Much of her story unfolds inside a hotel where she is relentlessly pursued by a monster that behaves in a way fans will immediately recognise. Much like the intimidating stalkers seen in earlier games, the creature hunts the player throughout the environment, appearing at unpredictable moments and forcing constant awareness. Hiding under tables, crouching through dark corridors, and slipping quietly past danger becomes essential. Even simple tools can create tension. Grace carries a lighter to illuminate dark areas, but the faint glow can attract the attention of the creature stalking her.

Capcom reinforces that sense of vulnerability with mechanics that reward patience and observation. Players can collect glass bottles scattered around the environment and throw them to create distractions. At times it feels like a careful puzzle, balancing visibility, noise and movement while the monster creeps somewhere nearby. The threat is heightened by the creature's ability to track the player through walls and ceilings, which keeps the pressure firmly in place even when the immediate path appears clear. These sequences capture the uneasy atmosphere that defined Resident Evil 7 and Resident Evil Village, and they provide some of the most nerve fraying moments the series has produced.

Leon's chapters sit on the other end of the spectrum. Where Grace spends much of her time avoiding danger, Leon runs directly towards it. His gameplay leans into action, drawing clear inspiration from Resident Evil 4. Firearms take centre stage, but Leon is equally capable in close combat. His hatchet serves as a melee weapon with limited durability and can be used to parry incoming attacks, adding a satisfying layer of timing and precision during fights. Enemies can also be disarmed, allowing Leon to grab their weapons and use them against them. These sequences move at a faster pace and provide explosive encounters with zombies that contrast sharply with the slow burn tension of Grace's storyline.

One of the most notable design choices is the ability to switch between first person and third person perspectives at any time. Grace's sections default to first person, which heightens the sense of vulnerability and makes every shadow filled corridor feel oppressive. Leon's sections default to third person, a perspective that suits the more action focused gameplay and provides better spatial awareness during combat. The flexibility to switch between these viewpoints works surprisingly well. It allows players to tailor the experience to their own preferences without disrupting the flow of the game.

What ultimately makes Resident Evil Requiem stand out is how effectively its two protagonists complement one another. Grace's cautious survival horror creates tension and dread, while Leon's action driven chapters deliver spectacle and release. The contrast keeps the pacing fresh across the entire campaign. Capcom has clearly embraced the dual protagonist structure as the backbone of the experience, and it results in storytelling that feels more deliberate and more cinematic than many previous entries in the series.

The game also plays heavily on the history of the franchise without slipping into empty nostalgia. Familiar ideas return, yet they are presented with confidence and polish. Strong set pieces and explosive combat moments appear throughout Leon's story, while Grace's quieter sequences capture the eerie atmosphere that has always defined the best Resident Evil titles. It feels like a genuine love letter to the series rather than a simple attempt to repeat what worked before.

That said, the story itself can occasionally feel like little more than a framework for the spectacle. While the dual protagonist structure works well for gameplay, the narrative sometimes serves mainly as an excuse to move the characters between dramatic encounters. The game borrows liberally from past ideas, and although it executes them with skill, some players may notice how familiar certain elements feel.

Even with that minor criticism, Resident Evil Requiem stands as a remarkable achievement for Capcom. It blends survival horror and high intensity action in a way that feels both fresh and faithful to the series. Grace Ashcroft proves to be a strong addition to the franchise, Leon's return adds weight and familiarity, and the flexible perspective system allows both styles of gameplay to shine.

Resident Evil Requiem feels like the series operating at full confidence. It is tense, thrilling and surprisingly balanced in its approach. For long time fans it feels like a celebration of everything the franchise has done well, and for newcomers it offers an accessible entry point into one of gaming's most enduring horror series.

Resident Evil Requiem earns a strong 9 out of 10.

Out Now! - https://amzn.to/4rHIMbp