REVIEW: Spirit of the North 2 (2025 Video Game) on Xbox

Review by Jon Donnis

Spirit of the North 2 builds upon the charm and beauty of its predecessor, offering a visually stunning but mechanically flawed follow-up. You once again take control of a lone fox, now accompanied by a raven companion, (so he is not a lone fox any more!) as you travel through an ancient world in search of the lost guardians. The core themes of solitude, discovery, and quiet resilience remain, though not always with the same impact.

The world itself is still the star. From frozen peaks to forgotten crypts, each biome offers something visually compelling. There is a relaxing rhythm to the experience, and the soundtrack enhances this beautifully. The environments encourage exploration and reflection, with plenty of hidden lore for those willing to read and dig deep. For fans of tranquil single-player adventures, it delivers some strong moments.

Unfortunately, this sequel also introduces several frustrating elements. Performance issues are noticeable, which should never be an issue on consoles, since it is not like you can upgrade the graphics card on an Xbox Series S. The new jump mechanic requires directional aiming before you leap, which feels awkward and interrupts natural movement. It's a step backward that I found frustrating.

There are also bugs. Some are minor visual glitches, but some can impact navigation or puzzle completion. The early cave section alone can take far too long due to lack of clear direction. Unlike the original, which had better flow despite its simplicity, this game often leaves you unsure of what to do next, look I get it, the developers want people to figure things out without a deep rule set of what to do, but give the player the option, some people just want to know where to go and what to do next.

The raven companion also disappoints. While useful in concept, it suffers from clunky animation and feels more like a distraction than a helpful partner. Given how elegant the fox itself looks and moves, the disparity is stark.

Spirit of the North 2 isn't a bad game, but it does feel unfinished. The new abilities and expanded world should make it superior to the original, but instead, several design choices make it feel less polished. There's still plenty here to enjoy, especially for those who loved the first game, but expect more frustration and less magic this time around.

Score: 6.5 out of 10

 

Out Now on Xbox

https://www.xbox.com/en-GB/games/store/spirit-of-the-north-2/9MTFLR6C8RQ2 

REVIEW: The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered (2025 Video Game) - Xbox

Review by Jon Donnis

Bethesda and Virtuos have teamed up to deliver a remastered version of one of the most beloved RPGs of all time. The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered is not a remake, and it doesn't try to be. Instead, it brings the classic game into the modern era with improved visuals, audio enhancements, and much-needed tweaks to the user interface and controls, all while keeping the original experience mostly intact.

For returning players, this is a direct hit of nostalgia. From the winding paths through the West Weald to the haunting gates of Oblivion, everything looks richer and more immersive. The use of Unreal Engine 5 gives the world of Cyrodiil a whole new level of depth and atmosphere. Lighting effects, ray tracing, updated textures, and improved animations all contribute to a world that feels more alive, though some aspects like character close-ups still feel dated.

Gameplay-wise, most of what defined the original remains. Real-time combat, skill-based levelling, and open-ended faction questlines all return, as do the quirks that longtime fans will either smile at or sigh over. There are some tweaks to the levelling system, but issues with scaling persist. The notorious bugs and exploits are also still here, including the infamous early chest trick that can rocket you to level 100 in minutes.

The redesigned menus and updated controls make the experience far smoother on modern platforms. AI behaviour for non-playable characters has been improved, though the world still occasionally feels artificial in its routines. Audio updates are subtle but meaningful, with re-recorded environmental effects that help sell the sense of place. Some voice work has been refreshed, but many of the original lines remain, including the odd outtake or awkward delivery that fans of the original might actually welcome.

The inclusion of the Knights of the Nine and Shivering Isles expansions adds value, especially as both have received the same graphical and interface improvements. These remain two of the strongest pieces of content Bethesda ever produced, and having them bundled in makes this a definitive edition.

However, this is not a version designed to address every flaw. New players coming to it fresh may be confused by its eccentricities, from awkward facial animations to dated combat mechanics. For them, it may feel like stepping into a time capsule. But for those who were there in 2006, it feels like being welcomed home.

Oblivion Remastered is best seen as a tribute. It preserves the identity of the original game while enhancing it in just enough ways to make it worth revisiting. Despite its lingering flaws, it remains one of the finest role-playing experiences around, now with a fresh coat of paint and a few welcome quality-of-life upgrades.

This remaster stays loyal to the source material. Fans of the original will find plenty to enjoy, while newcomers may need patience to look past the creaks of age. It's a solid example of how to modernise a classic without erasing its personality.

8.5 out of 10

 

Available on Xbox at

https://www.xbox.com/el-GR/games/store/the-elder-scrolls-iv-oblivion-remastered/9NQR437K7PQH 

REVIEW: Hot Rod Mayhem (2025 Video Game)

Review by Jon Donnis

Hot Rod Mayhem from Casual Brothers Ltd. brings lively racing action to Xbox, offering a colourful and lighthearted experience that is easy to jump into. It is a fun title aimed mainly at younger players or those looking for a laid-back racing game.

The game lets players race against tiny troublemakers across dozens of imaginative courses. Two modes are available, Racing and Campaign, each providing plenty of opportunities for chaotic fun. Campaign Mode stands out by challenging players to unlock and complete 10 unique championships, each beginning with a distinctive trial before moving on to full races.

Customization is a key feature, allowing players to pick helmets, outfits, faces, and colors to build an outrageous racing character. Vehicle choice is another highlight, with 15 different hot rods, such as the Blazing Bullet and Crimson Cruiser, each offering unique stats to suit different playstyles.

Races are spiced up with various collectible weapons, including Homing Darts to target leaders, Marbles to disrupt nearby racers, and sneaky Discs that slow down opponents. Defensive tools like the Shield and speed boosts add an extra layer of strategy. Special trial events also bring variety, featuring hoop jumps, electric orb dodges, and high-speed sprints that test both skill and creativity.

The track design in Hot Rod Mayhem is vibrant and playful, with settings like Snow Summit, Cyber City, and Mariachi Mile. Each course can be played in forward, mirrored, reversed, and twisted versions, keeping the action fresh and unpredictable. A nice visual touch is the miniature scale of the racing world, where everyday human environments seem enormous from the driver's tiny perspective.

In terms of presentation, the graphics are bright and detailed, and the controls feel natural and responsive, making the vehicles fun to handle. However, despite these positives, the gameplay pace sometimes feels a little slow, especially for players familiar with faster arcade racers. Additionally, the weapons and race structure, while enjoyable, do not bring much innovation to the genre. Inevitably, comparisons to bigger names like Mario Kart will arise, and Hot Rod Mayhem struggles to match that level of excitement and polish.

Despite its shortcomings, Hot Rod Mayhem succeeds as a colourful, easygoing racer suitable for a younger audience. It may not offer much challenge to experienced gamers, but it provides enough variety and charm to keep players entertained for a good while.

Score: 7 out of 10

Out Now on Xbox

https://www.xbox.com/en-gb/games/store/hot-rod-mayhem/9p5twzn4g3fb

REVIEW: Commandos: Origins (2025 RTS Video Game)

Review by Jon Donnis

Commandos: Origins is a return to the gritty roots of real-time tactics, bringing the iconic World War II franchise back into the spotlight with a mix of stealth, strategy, and high-stakes planning. Developed for Xbox with modern sensibilities in mind, the game serves as a prequel that explores how the legendary squad of elite soldiers came together. Whether you're a longtime fan of the series or a newcomer with a curious mind for tactical challenges, Commandos: Origins offers a surprisingly fresh take on a very specific genre.

The game follows the formation of a six-man commando unit, each with their own specialties: the Green Beret, the Sniper, the Spy, the Engineer, the Marine, and the Driver. Missions span multiple continents, from the frosty plains of the Arctic to the desert heat of North Africa, giving players an impressive variety of settings to work through. The campaign includes 14 main missions with numerous optional objectives, and players are rewarded for careful planning and tactical execution rather than brute force.

Gameplay remains deeply strategic, with a strong emphasis on timing and stealth. The real-time tactics system allows for simultaneous actions using a Command Mode that queues up complex orders for different characters. So when you need different soldiers to act at the same, time, you act out each event for each character, and then when ready you basically press go, and sit back and watch as your orders are carried out simultaneously. Each commando has a unique skillset, and success often hinges on using the right character for the right job. For example, the Spy can disguise himself in enemy uniforms, while the Sniper can eliminate threats from a distance. The game rewards patience and foresight, but punishes mistakes harshly, especially on higher difficulties where enemies are much more responsive.

As you play you will learn that you can use buildings, terrain, shadows, and even footprints to outsmart enemy patrols. At night, enemy vision is reduced, which opens up new stealth opportunities, while multi-story buildings allow for more vertical tactics without breaking immersion. Vehicles, stationary guns, and usable objects like medkits and ammo add extra layers to mission planning.

Visually, the game looks sharp and detailed. The isometric 3D environments are well-crafted, with enough detail to feel immersive without cluttering the screen. Voice acting is solid across the board, and while the story isn't groundbreaking, the character interactions and mission briefings are handled with enough flair to keep the experience engaging. The soundtrack is appropriately moody, helping to set the tone for each covert operation.

That said, the game is not without its flaws. The mission design, while mostly strong, does start to feel repetitive during longer play sessions. Certain mechanics, like saving your game, are unnecessarily awkward. On more than one occasion, I found myself reloading a previous save by mistake, simply due to the poorly designed menu interface. Controls are a bit complicated for what is a console game, sometimes you just need things to be simpler. These small frustrations add up over time and can break the flow of gameplay. For example I am forever forgetting how to see the areas that the enemy are looking in, so I know what to avoid.

Commandos: Origins may not reinvent the wheel, but it doesn't need to. What it does is deliver a solid, enjoyable real-time tactics experience that balances nostalgia with thoughtful modern improvements. For someone who doesn't typically gravitate toward RTS games, I found myself enjoying the slower, more deliberate pace, once I realised that that was the best way to play. The co-op mode is a welcome addition, and the game's many approaches to problem-solving give it solid replay value.

Final Score: 7.5 out of 10

If you're looking for a tactical challenge that rewards brains over brawn, Commandos: Origins is a satisfying throwback that earns its stripes even if it doesn't really bring anything new to the genre.

Out Now on Consoles

https://amzn.to/4jauKuI

REVIEW: POCO M7 Pro 5G (12GB+256GB) - A Stylish Powerhouse That Punches Above Its Weight

Review by Jon Donnis

The POCO M7 Pro 5G is one of the most impressive smartphones currently available in the budget-to-midrange segment, in my humble opinion. Powered by the Dimensity 7025-Ultra processor and backed by 12GB of RAM and 256GB of UFS 2.2 storage, this device delivers a level of performance that rivals phones in much higher price brackets. With a generous 6.67-inch AMOLED display, dual speakers with Dolby Atmos, and strong camera specs, it offers excellent value for money. I've been using the POCO M7 Pro 5G daily, putting it through its paces with real apps and real-life tasks, not just synthetic benchmarks, and I'm confident in saying this phone deserves serious attention.

Performance and Everyday Use

The performance of the POCO M7 Pro 5G is the first thing that stands out. The Dimensity 7025-Ultra chipset is responsive, fast, and capable of running demanding applications without stutter. Paired with 12GB of LPDDR4X RAM, the phone easily handled multitasking, even with background apps like Sweatcoin and a gaming activity tracker running constantly. These are the kind of real-world scenarios that can slow many mid-range phones down, but not this one. App switching is smooth, there's no lag in normal use, and everything from social media to mobile gaming runs comfortably.

Games load quickly and run well, and with 5G support, online gaming and streaming are fluid. I tested several popular titles with high graphics settings, and the phone never struggled. Thanks to its Memory Extension feature, you also get up to 24GB of usable memory when needed, by borrowing from storage, which is great for future-proofing.

Design and Display

I have the green version of the phone, and it looks fantastic in person. It comes with a protective case included, which fits well and keeps the phone secure, and there's already a screen protector pre-applied. The design is slim at 75.7mm wide and weighs just 190g (215g with the case), with a comfortable curved back that gives the phone a more premium feel than expected. The camera module also looks stylish, with a clean layout and nice detailing. The camera lens do protude slightly, but the case helps protect any scratches with a slight raised area around the lens.

The display is one of the strongest features. The 6.67-inch AMOLED screen delivers a full HD+ resolution (2400x1080) and hits up to 2100 nits of peak brightness, not really sure what that means, but thats what the manual says, but in real terms I can confirm this makes it very usable even outdoors in bright sunlight. The 120Hz refresh rate gives smooth scrolling and gaming visuals, and a 2160Hz instant touch sampling rate helps with fast response times during gameplay. Watching videos and playing games on this display is genuinely enjoyable, with vivid colours and sharp details. On top of that, it has certifications for low blue light, flicker-free viewing, and overall eye comfort, so it stays easy on the eyes during long sessions, and if you read my reviews regularly you will know I have issues with my eyes which is why I am always talking about gaming glasses or motion sickness. At no point using the POCO M7 did I have any issues with my eyes, no tiredness or problems, so for me that is a huge plus point.

Audio Quality

The dual speaker setup is excellent. Sound is loud and clear, with Dolby Atmos and Hi-Res Audio support, which adds a sense of space and richness to music, video, and games. The phone also has a feature called 300% Volume Boost, which helps when watching videos with low native volume or in noisy environments. I used it regularly and it made a noticeable difference without distorting the sound.

Camera Performance

The POCO M7 Pro 5G has a 50MP Sony IMX882 rear sensor with a wide f/1.5 aperture and support for both OIS and EIS. This means you get clear, stable shots even in less-than-ideal lighting. The photos I took were sharp and had natural colour, especially in daylight. The 2x in-sensor zoom gives sharper images than basic digital zoom and worked well for snapping objects or people from a distance. The AI enhancements like AI Erase, AI Sky, and AI Bokeh help improve the photos automatically and add a little polish without looking overly processed.

Here is a simple photo I took this morning, no editing or after effects, just the raw photo. Open it up, and make your own mind up, I think it handles the colours very well.

And here is another photo, just a simple image, relatively close up one with multiple colours.

The 20MP front-facing camera also impressed me. Selfies were detailed and natural-looking, and the smart AI 0.8X wide-angle adjustment made it easy to fit everyone into the shot without fiddling around. Video calls were crystal clear, and feedback from family I called abroad confirmed that the camera quality was great on their end too.

Battery and Charging

Battery life is another strong point. The 5110mAh battery easily lasted through a full day of heavy use, even with gaming, streaming, and background apps active. When it was time to recharge, the 45W turbo charger brought the phone back to life quickly. From low battery to full charge took just under an hour in most cases. The phone's intelligent battery management system also learns your charging habits and optimises the charge cycle over time, which is a nice touch for long-term battery health, but I will only truly understand that after I have used the phone for months and months.

The battery system is TÜV Rheinland certified to retain 80 percent efficiency after 1600 charging cycles, which means it should last several years without degrading significantly.

Other Features

The POCO M7 Pro 5G includes essential extras that are sometimes missing at this price point. It has NFC for contactless payments via Google Wallet, and it worked perfectly every time I used it. It also supports dual SIMs, and switching between them was fast and problem-free. Bloatware is minimal, and anything you don't want can be uninstalled easily.

One personal note: I prefer a clean Android experience, so I made some changes to Xiaomi's HyperOS to make it look more like stock Android. It wasn't difficult to do, but it's worth noting if you also prefer a simpler setup. Maybe this is my age talking here, but as a man in his mid to late 40s, I hate change.

Final Thoughts

The POCO M7 Pro 5G is an excellent phone at a very competitive price. It delivers fast performance, a great screen, solid battery life, and good camera features, all wrapped up in a stylish and durable design. If you're buying this phone, I strongly recommend going for the 12GB + 256GB version over the lower spec model. It gives you more speed, more storage, and better long-term usability, and the price difference is usually minimal.

Whether you're upgrading from an older phone or just want something reliable without spending flagship money, the POCO M7 Pro 5G is a smart choice. It ticks nearly every box and does so with confidence.

I score the POCO M7 Pro 5G smartphone 12GB + 256GB a solid 9 out of 10.

The 12+256GB model is currently 25% off on Amazon (Prime members only) taking the price from the RRP of £239.00 to £179.00 which in my opinion is a no brainer!

https://amzn.to/4jtlJwx