REVIEW: Assassin's Creed Black Flag Resynced (2026 Video Game) - on Xbox

Review by Jon Donnis

Assassin's Creed Black Flag has always been a special kind of Assassin's Creed game. When it launched in 2013, its seamless world, naval gameplay and colourful cast of characters felt ahead of its time. Edward Kenway became one of the most memorable characters in the franchise, and Black Flag has remained in many players' top three Assassin's Creed games ever since.

Now, over a decade later, Assassin's Creed Black Flag Resynced brings the iconic solo pirate adventure back with a full remake built from the ground up using the latest Ubisoft Anvil engine. It remains faithful to the original experience while introducing enhanced graphics, improved stealth, upgraded parkour, refined combat, deeper naval mechanics and new narrative content.

After spending several weeks playing Assassin's Creed Black Flag Resynced, the overall level of polish has been one of the biggest surprises. Aside from a couple of early graphical glitches, I have experienced no bugs during my time with the game. With a Day One patch planned for July 9th, the release day, it was impressive to see how well the game performed before launch.

Having last played Black Flag more than a decade ago, returning through the Resynced version brought back a lot of memories. The game immediately felt familiar. I started remembering entire areas, characters and the overall feeling of playing the original. This remake succeeds because it does not just update the graphics. It recreates what made Black Flag special while improving many areas that needed attention.

The parkour is one of the biggest improvements. Running around locations, jumping, climbing and moving through the world feels better than ever. Traversal has always been a major part of Assassin's Creed, and Resynced makes simply moving around the world enjoyable.

The map has also been improved significantly. The original game could sometimes feel crowded with icons, but Resynced takes a more natural approach. Areas gradually reveal themselves after synchronising viewpoints, allowing players to discover hidden chests, song sheets, treasure maps and other collectibles without feeling overwhelmed.

Stealth has received a major upgrade too. The system feels much closer to Assassin's Creed Shadows, making sneaking around enemy areas feel more intuitive. The addition of a manual crouch button makes a huge difference, allowing players to hide, move carefully and plan assassinations in a way that feels much more natural.

Visually, Assassin's Creed Black Flag Resynced is a stunning remake. The use of the same Anvil engine as Assassin's Creed Shadows gives the game an incredible level of detail. The weather effects are particularly impressive. Sailing across the seas as a storm arrives, with lightning hitting the water and dramatic weather changes transforming the environment, creates some of the game's best moments.

The original game's present-day sections were always one of my least favourite parts. Walking around and sabotaging computers interrupted the main experience, so removing those sections is a welcome change. They have been replaced with special "Rift" levels that continue from Assassin's Creed Shadows, where players hear a voice and control a glitched version of their character while solving puzzles to return to the main game.

The Rifts are a fantastic replacement for those older present-day sections. These optional unique quests are stored deep within the Animus and provide additional narrative context, while also exploring "what if" scenarios for Edward Kenway. After getting used to the Animus Hub and its approach in Assassin's Creed Shadows, seeing it return in Black Flag Resynced feels like a natural progression. These missions offer something different from the main adventure and provide a much more enjoyable way to experience the modern-day side of Assassin's Creed.

The Animus Hub itself has also evolved further since its introduction in Assassin's Creed Shadows. It now acts as a central place to explore the Assassin's Creed timeline, access owned games and take part in additional challenges. Through Projects, players can complete missions to unlock exclusive rewards and earn Keys, which can then be exchanged for premium rewards through the Exchange. The Vault also stores collected data files, videos and important pieces of the franchise's ongoing modern-day story. After experiencing the Animus Hub in Shadows, its return here feels like a welcome addition that helps connect the wider Assassin's Creed universe.

The voice acting remains very good, with plenty of local accents adding personality to the world. The characters continue to be one of Black Flag's strongest elements, helping make the pirate setting memorable.

The only real negative is that Assassin's Creed Black Flag Resynced is a remake rather than a reimagining. Players who have played the original recently may not find enough new content to get the same experience from returning immediately. However, for those who never played Black Flag, or those who have not returned to it for many years, this remake offers a chance to experience the game again with significant improvements.

After completing Assassin's Creed Shadows, I needed a new Assassin's Creed challenge, and Black Flag Resynced was exactly what I was looking for. The main story can be completed in around 30 hours if you focus purely on the main missions, but with side quests, exploration, collectibles and simply enjoying life on the high seas, you can easily get around 70 hours of gameplay, if not more.

One of the things I have always enjoyed about the modern Assassin's Creed games is that you can play them however you want. You can ignore the main story, avoid side quests, explore different locations, collect achievements and trophies, or simply spend time running, climbing and discovering the world. Black Flag Resynced continues that tradition perfectly.

Perhaps the biggest surprise is how much my opinion changed compared to the original. I was one of the rare players who was not a fan of Black Flag the first time around. I never particularly enjoyed the pirate elements, sailing the seas or fighting other ships. Yet in Resynced, those same features have become some of the most enjoyable parts of the game because the improvements have fixed many of the things that frustrated me.

Even smaller changes make a difference. Collecting song sheets, something I always disliked in the original, feels much better now. It feels more natural, less frustrating and easier to enjoy.

Assassin's Creed Black Flag Resynced has arrived at exactly the right time. Many players will have finished Assassin's Creed Shadows and will be looking for another Assassin's Creed adventure. This remake fills that gap perfectly and brings back one of the franchise's most loved games.

The only question remaining is what happens after completing Assassin's Creed Black Flag Resynced? Could we get a Assassin's Creed Rogue Resynced? Surely that would be easy to do considering its similarity to Black Flag gameplay wise?

Assassin's Creed Black Flag Resynced is a top three Assassin's Creed game. It takes a beloved experience, improves the areas that needed attention and delivers an adventure that is easy to recommend.

Score: 9.5 out of 10

Out Now on Xbox

https://amzn.to/4viEsjC

REVIEW: Moony: Black_Lotus (2025 Vide Game) by Icegrim Softwork

Review by Jon Donnis

Icegrim Softworks' Moony: Black_Lotus invites players into a world of corrupted memories and shattered identity, where a ruined city hums with mechanical ghosts of its past. It's a 2.5D side-scroller that blends traditional jump-n-run mechanics with puzzle solving and light stealth, framed by a hauntingly beautiful orchestral score. On paper, it's familiar territory. In practice, it's a moody and thoughtful experience that manages to charm, even if it occasionally stumbles.

The atmosphere is Moony: Black_Lotus's greatest triumph. The visual storytelling carries the weight of the game's mystery without the need for dialogue or exposition. Every flicker of shadow and echo of metal feels deliberate, pulling you into its dreamlike world. The environments, though restrained in palette, are textured with decay and memory. It's the kind of world that feels alive despite being long dead.

The live-recorded orchestral soundtrack deserves a spotlight of its own. It's rich, dynamic, and seamlessly adjusts to your actions. When the strings swell as you leap across crumbling platforms or fade to a lonely piano during quiet exploration, it hits with real emotion. It's a reminder that even smaller indie titles can reach cinematic heights with the right musical direction.

Gameplay is accessible and responsive. You'll be running, leaping, and solving environmental puzzles within minutes of starting. The introduction of special abilities such as teleportation or walking through barriers adds a welcome layer of complexity without overcomplicating the core flow. The stealth segments, while not revolutionary, bring tension and variety to the pacing.

That said, the genre is saturated. For every creative spark Moony: Black_Lotus offers, there's an unavoidable sense of déjà vu. It sits in the shadow of giants like Little Nightmares and Ori and the Blind Forest, which set a high bar for emotional storytelling and mechanical precision. Icegrim's effort doesn't quite reach those heights. 

Some sections suffer from mild repetition, particularly during climbing sequences where one small mistake sends you back through long, uneventful stretches. It's not difficult, just tiresome.

Still, there's heart here. The game's willingness to tell its story through imagery rather than dialogue gives it a poetic quality. It trusts the player to pay attention, to notice, to piece things together. That's rare, and it's refreshing.

Moony: Black_Lotus is a quietly compelling experience. It doesn't redefine its genre, but it doesn't need to. For those drawn to atmospheric platformers that whisper their stories instead of shouting them, this is a fine addition to the collection.

7.5 out of 10, Beautiful, moody, and familiar. Not groundbreaking, but well worth your time.

Out Now on PC (Steam) - https://store.steampowered.com/app/2900900/MOONYBlack_Lotus/

REVIEW: Goosebumps: Terror in Little Creek (2025 Video Game) - On Xbox

Review by Jon Donnis

Goosebumps: Terror in Little Creek is a surprisingly solid and enjoyable entry in the long-running franchise, and it does a good job of translating the spooky, playful tone of R.L. Stine's books into a game. You step into the shoes of Sloane Spencer, a young teen trying to unravel the eerie mysteries lurking in the town of Little Creek. From fog-filled streets to abandoned theatres and dark, cluttered libraries, the environments are small but well designed, giving players plenty of corners to explore without ever feeling lost. The game balances exploration and narrative nicely, letting younger players wander, discover secrets, and uncover the town's supernatural happenings at a comfortable pace.

The stealth mechanics are a highlight, and they work better than you might expect from a game aimed at children. Timing your movements to avoid monsters, making clever use of your haunted book, and occasionally defending yourself with a slingshot all keep the gameplay engaging. There's a nice variety of creatures to contend with, each with its own behaviour, and the occasional jump scare, while mild, adds tension in just the right way for the target audience. Puzzles and interactive contraptions also provide a good challenge, encouraging players to think without feeling frustrated.

Visually, the game leans into a cartoony style that suits the Goosebumps universe well. Characters and monsters are designed to be creepy without being genuinely frightening, and the environments have enough detail to feel alive. Sound design complements this, with plenty of ambient noise, creature sounds, and spooky effects that heighten the sense of mystery. The learning curve is gentle, so players can pick up the mechanics quickly, and the gameplay loop of exploring, solving puzzles, and avoiding monsters is straightforward but fun.

The main downside is that the game is short. Most players will finish the story relatively quickly, which is understandable given the younger audience it targets, but it does limit replayability. There's also a sense that some areas and encounters could have been expanded to give the map more depth, but the game still manages to deliver a satisfying experience in its compact form.

Goosebumps: Terror in Little Creek is a fun, well-paced adventure that does a good job of introducing stealth and puzzle mechanics to younger players while staying true to the franchise's signature blend of spooky thrills and playful twists. It's not a long or complex game, but it doesn't need to be: it's entertaining, easy to pick up, and full of the Goosebumps charm that will appeal to fans old and new. For what it sets out to do, it's a strong effort and deserves recognition. I'd give it a solid 8 out of 10.

Out Now - https://amzn.to/4n2b9Pe

REVIEW: Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater (2025 Video Game) - On Playstation 5

Review By Jon Donnis

Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater arrives on PlayStation 5 with a weighty legacy on its shoulders. The 2004 original was not only a fan favourite but also the first story chronologically in the Metal Gear saga, setting the stage for everything that followed. Set in 1964 at the height of Cold War paranoia, you step into the boots of FOX operative Naked Snake, tasked with extracting a Soviet rocket scientist, dismantling the nuclear superweapon Shagohod, and facing off against his mentor turned traitor, The Boss. It's a tale of betrayal, loyalty and politics, wrapped in Kojima's familiar mix of high drama and eccentric detail.

At its core, Delta is faithful to what Snake Eater already was. You sneak through jungle and industrial environments, avoid guards and traps, and scavenge weapons and gadgets to survive. The survival mechanics return, where treating cuts, bruises and bullet wounds becomes part of the immersion. In fact, this time, Snake's injuries leave permanent marks, scars that stay with him throughout your playthrough. The camouflage system has been given an extra layer too, with mud, dirt and falling leaves sticking to his gear and leaving him battered and worn as the mission drags on. The Survival Viewer reflects all of this in vivid detail, and the presentation is undeniably impressive.

Delta also caters to both newcomers and veterans with two styles of play. The "New Style" borrows from modern action games with contemporary controls and a free camera, while the "Legacy Style" keeps the fixed camera angles and systems from the original, a nostalgic nod for long-time fans. Even the odd little "Snake vs Monkey" mini-game makes its return on PS5, a quirky reminder of the series' playful side.

The problem, though, is that for all the polish, nothing feels truly new. Underneath the shiny coat of paint, this is still very much a 2004 game, and in 2025, that shows. Some may see that as a positive, after all, it preserves the original vision, but others will feel short-changed. With a 90GB install size and a £60 price tag, it's hard not to question whether this is a remake in spirit or more of a remastered cash grab.

To be fair, Delta is the best way to experience Snake Eater today if you've never played it before. It looks stunning, the mechanics feel tighter, and the atmosphere holds up. But if you already loved the original, you may be left wishing for something braver, something that truly reimagined the game rather than just dressing it up.

I'd call it a good but safe update, one that plays well and respects the source material, but ultimately feels dated. For me, it lands at a 6 out of 10. A solid experience, but not the fresh take many of us were hoping for.

Out Now - https://amzn.to/3UQJZhV

REVIEW: American Arcadia (2025 Video Game) on Xbox

Game provided by Out of the Blue Games

Review by Jon Donnis

American Arcadia is a stylish, story-driven puzzle-platformer from Out of the Blue and published by Raw Fury, which delivers one of the most original and polished indie experiences of recent years. Set in a retro-futuristic 1970s metropolis, the game follows Trevor Hills, an ordinary man whose life is turned upside down when he discovers that his entire existence has been broadcast to the world as part of a reality TV show. When his popularity ratings drop, he becomes a target for elimination. What follows is a thrilling escape, aided by a backstage technician named Angela Solano who works to guide Trevor out of the illusion and into the real world.

The game presents two distinct gameplay styles. Trevor's story unfolds through side-scrolling platforming sequences, filled with clever puzzles and interactive elements that require timing, precision and observation. Angela's segments take place in first-person and focus on hacking, surveillance and environmental manipulation. The transitions between these modes are seamless, and in several inventive moments, players must control both characters simultaneously. This dual-character structure is executed with confidence and creativity, never feeling gimmicky. Instead, it forms the backbone of the experience, creating tension and variety throughout.

American Arcadia builds its world with flair and precision. Arcadia itself is a vibrant, pastel-soaked city where everything seems perfect on the surface, but sinister truths lurk beneath. The retro-inspired visuals are rich and distinctive, while the environments remain grounded enough to make Trevor's escape feel believable. The storyline draws heavily from the concept explored in The Truman Show, but brings its own flair, layering in social commentary about surveillance, media control and the loss of privacy. The writing is sharp and intelligent, with a pace that keeps the narrative engaging from start to finish.

What truly elevates the game is its voice cast. Yuri Lowenthal brings emotional range and quiet desperation to Trevor, making him a compelling and sympathetic protagonist. Krizia Bajos as Angela delivers a performance full of resolve and subtle humour, creating a strong and believable partnership between the two leads. These performances anchor the story, making even the more surreal elements feel grounded.

While the platforming sections are consistently enjoyable, the first-person segments with Angela can feel less engaging by comparison. They serve the story well and add variety, but the pace sometimes slows, and the mechanics, while competent, lack the same spark. Even so, the experience remains cohesive, with the alternating gameplay styles reinforcing the dual narrative and keeping the player invested.

American Arcadia succeeds on almost every level. It looks fantastic, sounds great and tells a gripping, well-paced story filled with tension, emotion and humour. The puzzles are satisfying, the platforming is smooth, and the alternating character perspectives are used to full advantage. It captures the paranoia of being watched, the absurdity of media spectacle and the human desire for freedom, all within a tightly crafted adventure. It may not reinvent the wheel, but it polishes it to a shine few games achieve. This is one of those rare indie titles that combines technical quality with artistic ambition, and it delivers something unforgettable.

A clear highlight of the year, American Arcadia is an experience worth seeking out. Whether you are drawn in by its clever gameplay, compelling narrative or eye-catching world, this is a game that earns your time and delivers a near perfect ride from start to finish.

I score American Arcadia a near perfect 9.5 out of 10. Game of the year on consoles so far?