REVIEW: Ariana and the Elder Codex (2026 Video Game) - On PS5

Review by Jon Donnis

Ariana and the Elder Codex sets out with a simple but effective premise. You play as Ariana, a librarian tasked with restoring the Seven Hero Codices after they have been damaged and stripped of their magic. It is a neat hook, and the idea of physically entering books to repair them gives the game a clear identity. Each Codex feels like a contained world with its own challenges, and that sense of stepping into something broken and slowly putting it right carries the experience forward in a satisfying way.

What stands out almost immediately is the presentation. The hand drawn art style is genuinely striking, giving the game a soft, crafted feel that suits its magical theme. Environments have a clarity to them, and character designs are expressive without becoming cluttered. It is not just pretty for the sake of it either, as the visual design helps guide you through platforming sections and combat encounters without confusion.

The gameplay leans heavily into its Metroidvania roots, and for the most part it handles that structure well. Exploration feels rewarding thanks to the steady unlocking of new magic spells and abilities. With over thirty options to collect and six slots to experiment with, there is a real sense of freedom in how you approach the game. Finding a combination that suits your playstyle becomes part of the appeal, whether you favour mobility, damage, or survivability. That flexibility gives the progression a nice rhythm as previously unreachable areas gradually open up.

Combat is easily the strongest element. It feels fluid and responsive, which makes a big difference in a game that asks you to balance movement and attacks in tight spaces. Encounters are engaging without being overwhelming, and there is a clear satisfaction in learning enemy patterns and responding cleanly. The addition of Magic Items adds another layer, allowing you to tweak your build with buffs such as elemental boosts or reduced knockback. It all feeds into a system that feels considered rather than thrown together.

That said, the experience is not without its rough edges. The amount of dialogue can sometimes slow things down more than it should. There are moments where you want to stay in the flow of exploration or combat, only to be pulled into extended text sequences that feel excessive. It is not that the story is unwelcome, but the pacing could be tighter.

Boss fights are another mixed area. While they are clearly designed to test both your combat and platforming skills, some of them drift into frustration. Instead of feeling like a fair challenge to overcome, certain encounters can feel punishing in a way that breaks the rhythm the rest of the game builds so well. When the balance is right, these fights are a highlight, but when it is off, they can become a sticking point.

Even with those issues, Ariana and the Elder Codex remains an entertaining and well put together action platformer. The core loop of exploring Codices, unlocking abilities, and refining your combat approach is consistently enjoyable. It is a game that understands its strengths, particularly in how it handles combat and progression, even if it occasionally stumbles with pacing and difficulty spikes.

In the end, it lands as a fun and engaging experience with some genuinely interesting mechanics. Not flawless, but easy to recommend for anyone who enjoys this style of game. A solid 7.5 out of 10.

Out Now on PS5 - https://store.playstation.com/en-gb/concept/10013771

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: Mirage 7 (2026 Video Game) - Released on Playstation 5

Review by Jon Donnis

Mirage 7 on Playstation 5 is a dark fairytale adventure that blends fantasy and sci‑fi in a striking way. Players follow Nadira, a young girl traversing a harsh desert with her pet lizard Jiji, in search of the fabled oasis of Jala. The story spans multiple timelines or worlds, as Nadira attempts to find Princess Taishma in the Moon Palace to save her sister. From the very start, the narrative draws you in with its mythic tone and a sense of mystery, mixing human emotion with fantastical and technological elements.

The game excels visually. The desert landscapes are wide and imposing, with clear skies, shimmering sands, and ruined temples that reward careful exploration. Character models are expressive, and environmental details make the world feel lived‑in. Small touches, like Jiji's movements or how the environment reacts to Nadira's presence, add to the immersion. There is a sense of loneliness in the vast desert that is balanced with moments of wonder when hidden secrets or ancient temples are discovered.

Puzzle‑solving is where Mirage 7 really shines. The game encourages observation and creativity without ever feeling punishing. Jiji's abilities add a clever layer of strategy. You can send the lizard ahead to trigger switches, collect items, or even eat deadly scorpions to protect Nadira while she rests. These mechanics are introduced early and remain useful throughout, offering a unique hook that keeps exploration feeling fresh. Unlocking secret passages or piecing together environmental puzzles gives a real sense of accomplishment.

Combat is serviceable but occasionally underwhelming. Nadira wields a dagger and slingshot, and encounters range from small desert creatures to monstrous foes in underground caves and temples. While the mechanics are solid, combat rarely feels challenging or varied enough to match the rest of the game's depth. At times, the pacing slows during long stretches of travel or exploration, which can make the gameplay feel sluggish, though it allows the story and world to breathe.

One of the strongest aspects of Mirage 7 is the narrative. The dual timelines, the secrets of the underground military base, and the quest to bring Nadira's sister back create a story that is both engaging and emotionally resonant. Players uncover layers of myth and mystery at a measured pace, and the combination of atmospheric exploration and environmental storytelling makes each new discovery satisfying. The writing and pacing support the visual and gameplay design, making it feel like a complete, carefully crafted experience.

Overall, Mirage 7 is a visually appealing and narrative‑driven adventure that rewards patience, curiosity, and creativity. The dual gameplay with Jiji, the puzzle design, and the richly imagined desert and temple environments make it stand out, even if combat could be stronger. For those willing to persevere through the slower sections, the game offers a memorable journey full of secrets and surprises. I score Mirage 7 a solid 7 out of 10.

Out on Playstation from 6^th of March

https://store.playstation.com/en-au/concept/10005852/

REVIEW: Assassin's Creed Shadows - Revisiting the Game with Updates and Claws of Awaji

Review by Jon Donnis

Assassin's Creed Shadows has changed a lot since its 2025 release. Initially, the game felt rushed and uneven, with delays and criticism about pacing, narrative, and character execution. Now, with multiple updates and the first paid DLC, Claws of Awaji, the game has matured into a more polished and engaging experience. Ubisoft has added meaningful content and quality-of-life improvements that make revisiting the game worthwhile.

You can read my original review at https://www.gamingcouchpotato.co.uk/2025/06/review-assassins-creed-shadows-2025.html

Claws of Awaji, released in September, takes players to Awaji Island with Naoe and Yasuke. The new region is distinct from the main Japanese provinces, offering fresh environments, hidden treasures, and a story campaign lasting around ten hours. The DLC introduces ambushes from enemies hiding in bushes, traps along roads, and missions that require more tactical attention, making travel between areas far less passive than in the base game. New gear and abilities, including a new weapon type for Naoe, expand combat options and give the expansion its own identity. The missions feel more challenging than the base game, and the combination of exploration, combat, and narrative keeps the experience engaging.

Updates to the base game have also improved the core gameplay. New Game+ allows players to restart the main story with all gear, hideout progression, and skills intact while facing tougher opponents. The level cap has been raised, and skill trees have been expanded, pushing players to experiment with more advanced combat tactics. The forge system has been upgraded, allowing weapons and equipment to be enhanced beyond previous limits. The "Corrupted Castles" activity provides replayable zones with altered enemy patrols and stronger foes, offering meaningful rewards and making revisits feel worthwhile. Combat animations have been expanded with new finisher moves for both protagonists, giving encounters more variety and visual flair. Updates to the Animus meta-layer, including rifts and projects, add small puzzle-like challenges with their own rewards. Access to story logs and the Vault has been streamlined, while quality-of-life improvements like skill tree resets, quieter horse auto-follow paths, clearer visual options, bug fixes, and stability improvements have refined the overall experience.

Despite the improvements, Shadows is not without flaws. The Claws of Awaji DLC introduces Nowaki, a boss that is arguably the trickiest and most frustrating in any Assassin's Creed game. The fight is designed in a way that tests patience rather than skill, and its mechanics are widely irritating. Yasuke remains a mixed experience. Playing as him can be chaotic fun, allowing players to smash through enemies, but the historical liberties taken with his character are hard to overlook. Naoe remains the more enjoyable and classic Assassin's Creed experience, with refined stealth and combat options that feel true to the series' roots.

Since release, Assassin's Creed Shadows has shed much of the criticism it initially faced. While there are narrative choices and "woke" elements that some players may not enjoy, these can often be navigated through player choice. Naoe continues to embody the series' core gameplay, and even Yasuke, despite being over-the-top and historically inaccurate, can be entertaining if approached casually. The main drawback remains that five years earlier, Ghosts of Tsushima offered a similar setting with arguably stronger execution, although Shadows benefits from being available across all platforms rather than restricted to PlayStation.

With the updates and Claws of Awaji, Assassin's Creed Shadows is far stronger than at launch. The game feels more stable, rewarding, and replayable than it did in 2025. While it may never surpass Odyssey or the series' most beloved entries, it is now a solid and entertaining game, deserving of recognition for the improvements Ubisoft has made. My original score of 6 out of 10 now feels outdated. In 2026, a score of 7.5 out of 10 reflects the game's growth, its expanded content, and the enjoyment it offers through both the base game and its DLC expansion. Shadows is no longer a disappointment but a worthwhile addition to the Assassin's Creed catalogue, proving that patience and continued support can turn a flawed launch into a genuinely rewarding experience.

Out Now - https://amzn.to/3MeaUmP

REVIEW: Static Dread: The Lighthouse (2025 Video Game) - on Xbox

Review by Jon Donnis

Solarsuit Games has put together a curious mix of tension and sorrow with Static Dread: The Lighthouse. It is a psychological horror adventure wrapped inside a resource management loop, and at its best it feels like a slow descent into a brine soaked nightmare. You play the lone keeper of a forgotten lighthouse on a broken coastline, armed with little more than a temperamental radio and a beacon that seems to fight the darkness as much as illuminate it. Each night you wait for transmissions from ships in trouble, and every reply feels like it could drag you closer to the truth or tip you over the edge.

The atmosphere is the first thing that lands. The visual style is wonderfully unsettling. It gives the island and its waters a sense of rot and despair that never quite lets you breathe. The world feels steeped in folklore and unspoken rituals. You piece it together through static drenched calls, strange logs, and small glimpses of villagers who seem too calm about the things that move beneath the waves. The game takes cues from the clipped tension of Papers, Please and the creeping cosmic dread of old Lovecraft tales, yet it still manages to hold its own identity.

There is real strength in the branching story. Your decisions shape who survives the nights and what truths rise to the surface. Some of the endings veer wildly away from one another, which makes each run feel like a distinct journey. The writing leans heavily on dread rather than shock. It is slow, claustrophobic, and often quietly emotional, especially when reminders of the protagonist's family cut through the storm sounds and scratched out radio signals. It is a clever touch that gives weight to even the smallest choices.

That said, the game does stumble. The moment to moment play can drag. Once you settle into the rhythm of tuning frequencies and responding to distress calls, the repetition becomes obvious. It never quite pushes you hard enough. The danger feels more suggested than experienced, and players who prefer sharp jumps and sudden frights might be left wanting. The tension rises, but it rarely breaks in a way that truly shocks. As a result the nights start to blend together, and the challenge never reaches the heights the atmosphere promises.

It is a shame, because when the game hits its stride it is genuinely compelling. The unsettling art direction, the layered worldbuilding, and the moral grey areas all point toward something special. There is a good story here. The choices you make can twist it in surprising ways. You can feel the pressure building as one odd transmission follows another, and there are moments when the island feels alive with things you are not meant to understand. It just lacks that final spark to lift it from good to unforgettable.

Static Dread: The Lighthouse remains an intriguing attempt that offers tension, style, and a memorable premise, even if it sometimes circles the same waters for a little too long. It delivers an interesting experience with bright flashes of brilliance. It simply feels like it is missing a final layer of bite. For me it lands at a generous 7 out of 10.

Out Now on Xbox

https://www.xbox.com/en-gb/games/store/static-dread-the-lighthouse/9NFNS6H0BN4H

REVIEW: Simon the Sorcerer Origins (2025 Video Game) - On Xbox

Review by Jon Donnis

Three decades after Simon first insulted a goblin and bumbled through a magical world of sarcasm and spells, Simon the Sorcerer Origins proves that a classic can find new life without losing its soul. Developed by Smallthing Studios and published by ININ Games, this prequel takes us back to the weeks before the 1993 Amiga adventure, showing how the world's most reluctant sorcerer began his journey.

From the opening scene, it feels like coming home. The humour is unmistakably Simon, dry, biting, and perfectly British. Chris Barrie returns as Simon's voice, and hearing him slip effortlessly back into character is a joy. His timing is spot-on, and every line lands with the kind of warmth and wit that made the original such a cult hit.

The hand-drawn art style is gorgeous. It's full of detail and personality, with lush backdrops and expressive characters that look straight out of a storybook. There's something lovely about seeing a modern game embrace traditional animation in this way, and it gives every frame a touch of charm. The world feels alive, packed with odd wizards, talking beasts, and peculiar devices that constantly draw your eye.

In terms of gameplay, this is pure point-and-click comfort. The puzzles are cleverly designed, often testing both your logic and your patience. Some of them are tricky enough to make you question your intelligence for a while, but the sense of reward when you finally figure things out is exactly what you want from this kind of game. The dialogue and item combinations keep things light, and you can tell the team had fun writing all the absurd scenarios Simon finds himself in.

That said, playing on Xbox takes a bit of getting used to. The controls work fine, but it's hard to shake the feeling that this sort of game still feels best with a mouse. Navigating menus or interacting with smaller items can be fiddly with a gamepad, though switching between control options is quick enough. On the positive side, playing on a big TV really shows off the artwork and helps you get lost in the world.

If there's one thing that might test your patience, it's the puzzle difficulty. A few of them border on obscure, and the temptation to reach for an online guide is always lurking. But if you can resist that urge, the satisfaction of solving everything on your own is worth the effort.

Simon the Sorcerer Origins is a fine example of how to revive a classic properly. It doesn't try to reinvent what made the original special. Instead, it leans into its roots with care, delivering a funny, clever, and beautifully drawn adventure that feels both nostalgic and fresh. For fans of the series, it's everything you'd hope for. For newcomers, it's a charming introduction to one of gaming's great comic heroes.

A well-earned 9 out of 10. Here's hoping Simon's next spell isn't too far away.

Out Now on Xbox - https://www.xbox.com/en-GB/games/store/simon-the-sorcerer-origins/9nnm6qrczx76

REVIEW: Indiana Jones and the Great Circle and the new "The Order of Giants" DLC on Xbox

Review by Jon Donnis

Indiana Jones and the Great Circle has set a high bar for licensed action-adventure games, and MachineGames delivers a truly cinematic experience that feels faithful to the films while offering depth for players. The game's story, set between Raiders of the Lost Ark and The Last Crusade, sees Indiana Jones chasing a mysterious power connected to the Great Circle across iconic locations including Vatican City, Giza, the Himalayas, Shanghai, and Sukhothai. The mix of first-person exploration with third-person contextual sequences may initially feel unusual, but it allows for precise puzzle-solving, engaging stealth sequences, and fluid combat. The whip is brilliantly implemented, serving as a traversal tool, combat weapon, and puzzle-solving mechanic, and every movement or swing of it feels satisfying and cinematic.

The world design is a highlight. Large sandbox levels like Vatican City and Giza encourage exploration, with hidden relics, collectibles, and optional Fieldwork missions that reward curiosity. Adventure Books offer permanent boosts, incentivising careful observation, while the "Lucky Hat" mechanic keeps the action flowing without excessive frustration. Stealth mechanics are particularly strong, letting players sneak past enemies, hide bodies, or use disguises strategically. Combat feels weighty and responsive, with stamina management, melee, firearms, and explosives all requiring thought. Voice acting is superb across the board, with even Indiana Jones himself sounding convincingly like Harrison Ford. Cutscenes are smooth, beautifully animated, and bring the story to life.

The Order of Giants DLC expands this foundation impressively. Set in Rome, it immerses players in a fresh story that feels connected yet distinct. Indiana is called to help Father Ricci track a Roman artifact, but the quest quickly escalates into a perilous journey involving sinister plots by Emperor Nero, gladiator games, and the mysterious Cult of Mithras. The cultists, clad in dark red robes, strike from the shadows, adding tension to both stealth and combat encounters. The DLC opens up new areas across Rome, from the crumbling Colosseum ruins to the serene Vatican Gardens, then descending into the foreboding Cloaca Maxima and hidden crypts below the city. The sense of verticality and layered design in the catacombs and sewer systems adds depth to exploration, and the puzzles, while sometimes easy, are integrated naturally into the environment and story.

Graphically, both the base game and DLC are striking, with detailed environments, well-animated characters, and atmospheric lighting that enhances the sense of adventure and danger. If you have the Xbox Series X make sure you download the extra graphics/textures pack, yes I know it is another 40gb, but if you have room on your hard drive it is worth it, if you are on Xbox Series S, it wont make too much of a difference.

Combat and stealth remain as satisfying as in the main game, and new encounters with cultists and complex traps give players more opportunities to test their skills. The DLC is best enjoyed after a fresh playthrough or at least following the Vatican level, as it picks up the narrative seamlessly and adds layers of intrigue without feeling tacked on.

Minor criticisms remain. The DLC is relatively short, leaving players wishing for more content, and some puzzles lack challenge. For the main game, the shift between first- and third-person perspectives can feel jarring at times, and a full third-person option might have suited players used to that viewpoint in action-adventure titles. These, however, are small blemishes on an otherwise polished experience.

Overall, Indiana Jones and the Great Circle is an outstanding action-adventure game, blending cinematic storytelling, engaging gameplay, and faithful franchise recreation. The Order of Giants DLC complements the base game beautifully, delivering new locations, intriguing characters, and fresh challenges. Together, they create an experience that both long-time fans and newcomers can enjoy. Base game: 9/10. With the DLC included, the adventure only becomes richer and more satisfying, cementing the series as a benchmark for licensed games done right.

Out Now on Xbox, get the Premium version and you will get this and any future DLCs included.

https://amzn.to/4nmuM4d

The Order of Giants DLC is available separately at 

Xbox.com