REVIEW: Recharge (2025 Video Game) - Early Access Release on PC

Review by Jon Donnis

Recharge drops you straight into the world of RC racing, but not the kind you remember from toy shop shelves. This is a sim-cade experience that blends the precision and realism of simulation with the immediate fun of arcade racing. The cars don't just look like their real-world counterparts, they behave like them too. Every twitch of the steering, every bump of the suspension and every bit of tyre grip is dictated by physics that make these tiny machines feel alive on the track. It's all wrapped in a visual package that's surprisingly striking for a game about cars you could pick up with one hand.

From the moment you line up on the grid, the presentation pulls you in. The graphics are sharp and detailed, from the shine of the paintwork to the spray of gravel under the wheels. The audio is spot-on too, with the high-pitched whir of electric motors and the crunch of tyres on different surfaces. You can pick your camera angle to suit your style, whether that's the classic behind-the-car view or a front-facing angle that ramps up the difficulty. A cinematic drone view is available for those who want to admire the action, though most racers will probably stick to something more practical when chasing lap times.

The game's current content is split between single-player racing and online multiplayer for up to 12 players. The multiplayer side should benefit from cross-platform play, meaning you can test your skills against racers no matter what system they're on, but for now you can stick with PC gamers since this is early access. The track list mixes professionally designed circuits that demand precision with more casual layouts that let you just enjoy the flow of driving. RC controller support is a smart addition, letting enthusiasts bring their own gear for an authentic feel, but traditional controllers still work well, even if some fine-tuning of the button mapping is still needed.

Customisation is another highlight, giving you a wide range of cosmetic and performance tweaks to make your RC car your own. Whether you're just adding a custom paint job or tuning the car for maximum speed and grip, there's enough depth here to make your build feel personal.

It's not without its early access rough edges. The menu system needs attention, particularly the lack of an option to turn off motion blur, which can be unpleasant for players sensitive to it. (The option is there, but wont save it) A few bugs crop up here and there, though nothing game-breaking, and controller settings still need a bit more refinement to feel fully dialled in.

The roadmap for the game is ambitious. Split-screen racing, custom track creation, drift modes, open-world areas to explore, car damage, pit stops and even combat racing are all promised for future updates. If the developers can deliver on that, Recharge could evolve into a uniquely deep RC racing experience that appeals to both casual players and hardcore hobbyists.

Right now, it's a fun, well-presented racer that already captures the essence of RC competition. The word that comes to mind is potential. As it stands, Recharge is an enjoyable, good-looking game that feels satisfying to control. Given what's on the horizon, it could well become the go-to title for anyone who's ever dreamed of mastering the perfect lap in miniature.

Out Now on Early Access on Steam

https://store.steampowered.com/app/3225420/Recharge/

REVIEW: The Karters 2: Turbo Charged (2025 Video Game) - A Kart Racer Built for Speed and Skill

Review by Jon Donnis

The Karters 2: Turbo Charged has arrived on Steam early access, and even in this stage, it's already making a strong case for being one of the most exciting kart racers on PC. Developed by Pixel Edge Games, it leans into skill-based racing in a way that sets it apart from much of the competition. The drift mechanics, inspired by Crash Team Racing, are tight and responsive, but there's an extra hook with the reserve system. The more reserves you bank, the faster you go, with no speed cap to hold you back. It means races can flip in an instant, and those last-lap comebacks feel earned rather than lucky.

Right now, there's a generous amount of content to dive into. Sixteen tracks, six battle arenas, and modes that go beyond the usual. Road Breaker plays like a kart-racing take on Fall Guys' survival chaos, while Quick Cut throws procedurally generated tracks at you, keeping things fresh every time. Then there's the 1,500-plus mods already live via Steam Workshop, ranging from new tracks to completely different characters. The fact you can browse and install them directly in-game is a welcome touch that makes modding painless.

The game's multiplayer is just as ambitious. You can go split-screen with up to six players locally, jump into online matches, or combine the two with split-screen online support. Ranked matchmaking, tournaments, ELO leaderboards, and ghost races with downloadable data from the top players give it the kind of competitive backbone you don't often see in the genre. Dedicated servers keep things smooth, and there's even a Next Best Ghost feature to constantly push you against a close rival.

Even in early access, the polish is impressive. The karts handle beautifully, the visuals pop, and the performance feels solid. There's a single-player challenge campaign to tackle if you want to sharpen your skills, along with cups of up to 24 rounds for longer sessions. Replay and photo modes are already in place, which is great for sharing those over-the-top moments.

Looking ahead, Pixel Edge Games has more planned. A Story Mode is on the way, adding characters and a narrative layer, while an in-game track editor will let players create and share their own courses without leaving the game. Given what's already here, those updates could make an already robust package even stronger.

The kart racing genre is crowded, but The Karters 2 is carving out space with depth, variety, and sheer speed. If this is the early access build, the full release could be something special. Right now, it's already a blast to play, and the ceiling for where it can go is very high.

Out Now on Steam

https://store.steampowered.com/app/2269950/The_Karters_2_Turbo_Charged/

Special Thanks to Pixel Edge Games for providing the game key.

REVIEW: Assassin's Creed Shadows (2025 Video Game) on Xbox

Review by Jon Donnis

Assassin's Creed Shadows feels like a game torn in two. It's got the scale and ambition of something that should be one of the franchise's greats, but the execution drags it down. It's set during the tail end of the Sengoku period, right in the middle of feudal Japan's bloodiest conflicts. That part works. The cities are alive with detail. Kyoto, Osaka, Kobe, and the shadowy corners of Iga all feel authentic. Temples, castles, marketplaces, dungeons, and ports give the map a sense of depth, and the layout feels rooted in real history.

You take control of two characters with completely different play styles. Fujibayashi Naoe is a kunoichi, trained in stealth, movement, and subterfuge. She feels like a return to the classic Assassin's Creed mould. Fast, nimble, and silent. Then there's Yasuke, a character based on a fictionalised version of a real person. Not a samurai, not in history, but reimagined from a fictional book, African Samurai by Thomas Lockley. Japan didn't have an African samurai, and the decision to place him front and centre has caused understandable backlash. In-game, that decision ends up hurting the flow just as much.

You can switch between the two characters during missions, which is meant to offer variety, but the balance is off. Naoe can climb, disappear into shadows, crawl through water, drop from rooftops, and pull off quiet assassinations. She's got access to grappling hooks, bamboo breathing tubes, throwable tools, and everything else you'd expect from a shinobi. Her combat style is fast and reactive, but she's fragile in a fight, so you're pushed to stay out of sight.

Yasuke is the complete opposite. Heavy weapons, brute strength, and no parkour worth mentioning. He can't use Eagle Vision. He lumbers around the map, and his missions often feel more like a chore than a challenge. You end up avoiding him for as long as the game lets you, then switching over just to finish something off. It's hard not to feel like his inclusion was forced. Not because of who he is, but because of how little he actually adds to the gameplay. Plus it takes way too long to switch between the characters, so that adds to the frustration.

There are some good things going on. The new engine handles lighting and weather in a way that really adds atmosphere. Shadows matter now. You can douse lanterns to disappear into the dark. Seasonal changes affect the world too. In winter, lakes freeze over, cutting off hiding spots you could use in summer. Details like that show where the devs were pushing for something smart. The weapons, too, are well researched. From katanas and naginatas to matchlock rifles and bows, everything has its own tree of upgrades. Combat feels better when you stay within your character's lane, even if that lane is narrow.

The missions are non-linear, and you're encouraged to track targets using clues and scouts. That idea works in theory, but it drags in practice. There's too much downtime between good moments. And the world itself, while beautiful, feels strangely empty. In earlier games, you could stumble into interesting side scenes or wildlife encounters. Here, long stretches of forest or countryside just feel dead. You can't even hunt animals. That's not just a step backwards, it's a missed opportunity.

And then there are the bugs. Even after delays and patches, there's a layer of roughness to everything. Characters getting stuck, slopes that are impossible to climb, visuals that glitch out in the trees. Sometimes you can't see your character properly at all. Especially when you're playing as Naoe and trying to climb a hill that should be simple, only to slide back down over and over while the camera fights with the scenery.

The biggest let-down is that none of this had to be a problem. Assassin's Creed has always balanced freedom with structure. It used to give you the tools, then let you improvise. Here, the tools are split between two characters, but neither one feels complete. Naoe is great to control, but too weak to hold her own in prolonged fights. Yasuke is strong, but slow and clunky. It's like they split one good character into two unsatisfying halves. Part of the fun of games like Odyssey or Origins were that you could play either stealthily or straight on attack, you had the choice, which let the player decide purely due to the mood they were in. Here you are forced to play in one of the other, or else you will die quick.

The story does have its moments. Nobunaga's rise, the siege of Iga, and the backdrop of civil war are strong material. And when you're in the right place, at the right time, playing as Naoe, it feels like Assassin's Creed again. But those moments are rare. Too much of the game feels like filler. Big world, small payoff.

I've played almost every game in the series. I went in hoping for a slow-burn experience, waited past release for updates, gave it a fair shot. And yet, I walked away disappointed. Not furious. Just let down. There's potential in here, but it's buried under poor design decisions, unbalanced characters, and a tone that tries to be meaningful without earning it.

Plus I wasn't really interested in the whole "design your hide out" thing, I found that to be a complete chore, although I can understand some people who might want to spend ours making a pretty little area. Personally I just want to get into the missions.

Assassin's Creed Shadows isn't a failure, but it's far from a return to form. If you play almost exclusively as Naoe, you can enjoy parts of it. But as a whole, it feels unfinished and unfocused.

A solid idea, poorly delivered. 6 out of 10.

Out Now on Xbox, PS5 and PC

https://amzn.to/4jQmAHs