REVIEW: Lost Twins 2 (2025 Video Game) - On Xbox

Review by Jon Donnis

Lost Twins 2 is a rare kind of puzzle-platformer, one that feels both completely charming and genuinely inventive. At its heart you guide Abi and Ben, two lost twins, across a whimsical polygonal playground where the world itself can be shifted, tiles can be swapped, and entire pathways reshaped at will. It's a clever mechanic that transforms every stage into something both surprising and rewarding. The puzzles themselves are beautifully put together. They're tough enough to make you stop and think, yet logical enough that you never feel stuck for long. Solving them has that wonderful effect of making you feel just a little bit smarter than you are.

Looks wise, the game wears its influences proudly. Clearly inspired by Miyazaki and Studio Ghibli, the art style blends soft painterly backdrops with simple, expressive characters and fluid animation. Lighting, composition, and attention to detail give every frame a handcrafted warmth. It's paired with a score that is both soothing and atmospheric, wrapping the puzzles in a layer of calm that makes it easy to lose yourself in the experience.

The gameplay never falls into repetition. The signature sliding puzzle mechanic is joined by pressure switches, lifts, water gates, and breakable domes, with each new level introducing something that keeps the pace fresh. Playing solo is rewarding, as switching between Abi and Ben to achieve different goals feels natural and well designed, but the game shines brightest in local co-op. Working together with a friend to swap tiles, trigger mechanisms, and build paths is where the charm really comes alive. The only drawback is that there's no online option, so you'll need someone on the sofa with you.

What sets Lost Twins 2 apart is its philosophy. There are no enemies, no deaths, no timers, not even much dialogue to push you along. It is purely about discovery, tinkering, and exploration. That makes it as enjoyable for children as it is for adults, and it ensures the experience never feels stressful, only thoughtful and rewarding. The story may be a little light, but the art, the puzzles, and the sheer creativity more than carry it.

It's rare for a game to be this beautiful, this clever, and this accessible all at once. Lost Twins 2 is proof that puzzle games can be both relaxing and exciting without ever leaning on conflict or frustration. A delightful, charming piece of design that works on every level. I give it a strong 9 out of 10.

Out Now on Xbox

https://www.xbox.com/en-GB/games/store/lost-twins-2/9nh600hw7hdg

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: Sokobos 2 (2025 Video Game) on PC Steam

Review by Jon Donnis

Sokobos 2 is a quietly clever puzzle game that takes the classic block-pushing formula and gives it a fresh spin. At its heart, you are loading vases into a cart, but here's the catch: the cart moves too, turning a simple task into a surprisingly satisfying mental workout. It's small, handcrafted puzzles like this that deliver those "aha!" moments you remember, and the game doesn't just rely on repetition. Objects behave in interesting ways: some sink, some float, and some can even form one-time bridges when pushed into water, making you rethink every move.

Set in Ancient Greece, the story is lightly woven through the gameplay. You've upset the Gods and are condemned to collect vases for eternity. It's a nice touch that gives the puzzles a little extra character without ever getting in the way of the solving. Beyond the vases and cart, there are gates, pressure plates, and water mechanics that introduce clever interactions without ever feeling overwhelming. The game is patient in teaching you the rules, then trusts your problem-solving skills for the tougher challenges later on.

Visually, it keeps things minimal, which works perfectly. There's no distraction, just you, the vases, and the puzzles. For newcomers, the learning curve is gentle. For veterans of Sokoban-style games, there's enough nuance and originality to keep things interesting. It feels like the developers learned from the original Sokobos, which sometimes dragged with overly large levels and too many moves. Sokobos 2 keeps it simple and satisfying.

Launching on Steam on 19 September 2025 for $9.99, with a 15% discount at release, it's available for Windows, Linux, and Mac. Overall, it's a solid little puzzle game that respects your time and your brain. I'd give Sokobos 2 a strong 8 out of 10.

https://store.steampowered.com/app/3422180/Sokobos_2/

REVIEW: Jacked Up (2025 VR Game) For MetaQuest

Review by Jon Donnis

I've been interested to play Jacked Up ever since the first chaotic trailer dropped, and now that it's finally on my headset, I can say it's definitely a fun VR game, if not groundbreaking. The pitch sounds ridiculous on paper: you're a musclebound rabbit trying to climb a giant tower, live-streaming the whole ordeal to an in-game audience that cheers, heckles, and distracts you while you bounce from one block to the next.

The bouncing feels pretty decent. It's fast, simple, and addictive, I lost count of how many times I smacked into the same spinning bar thingy and tumbled right back to the bottom, only to instantly restart without hesitation. That's the magic here, the game doesn't frustrate too much, it teases you into having "just one more go."

What keeps it from getting stale are the gyms dotted through the tower. Every few hundred metres, you land in a checkpoint guarded by outrageously shredded animals. Ripped frogs, bulked-up chickens, dogs with more muscle than sense, all cheering you on. Make it to the fourth gym and you unlock a Gym Token, which means you don't always have to slog back through the very start again. It's a clever little system that makes progress feel rewarding while keeping the tension alive.

The optional challenges are where the game goes from silly to completely unhinged. One run I was trying to bounce while holding a motivational poster in front of my face, another time I downed a glowing protein shake that made my jumps unpredictable. These "Bro Lab" dares are interesting, especially when your in-game chat starts reacting in real time. That feature might sound like a gimmick, but it really adds to the atmosphere. Having fake viewers roast you mid-run makes the whole experience feel like part-game, part-comedy show.

It isn't all perfect. The visuals are extremely simple, almost bare-bones, and the environments don't change much as you climb. The core loop is strong, but it doesn't branch out into much variety yet. I'm banking on those promised mini-games in future updates to fill that gap. And a big word of warning: if you're even slightly prone to motion sickness, this one could mess you up. Looking down or up at the wrong time is an instant stomach churner.

Still, for the price (just under six quid), it's a brilliant little package. It doesn't overcomplicate itself, it makes the bouncing feel great, and it has enough personality to stand out from the usual crop of VR experiments.

Jacked Up won't win awards for originality or visuals, but it nails what it sets out to do. It's goofy, frustrating in the best way, and weirdly motivating. I'm giving it a solid 7 out of 10, with the feeling it could climb higher if those updates deliver.

Out Now at https://www.meta.com/en-gb/experiences/jacked-up/9440539029392511

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Field Of Vision (@fieldofvision_vr)

NEWS: GUNNAR Optiks Raises the Bar Again with the Stunning Tioga Glasses

By Jon Donnis

GUNNAR Optiks has outdone itself again with the Tioga, and it is the kind of pair that makes you sit up and take notice. From the moment you pick them up, you can tell these are designed for people who care about both style and performance. They feel solid yet light in the hand, and once you put them on, the fit just clicks. It is easy to forget you are even wearing them, which is exactly what you want from glasses you plan to use all day.

The inspiration comes from Lake Tioga, and the clarity and purity of that image are reflected in the design. The frames are a modern round shape that manages to look bold without feeling flashy. Italian acetate combined with lightweight carbon fibre reinforced wood gives them a premium feel. The finishes, Maroon Rosewood and Gray Crystal Walnut, are rich and sophisticated, the kind of colours you notice but in a subtle way. You can imagine wearing them at work, in a cafe, or walking around the city. Flexible spring hinges make them comfortable on the nose and behind the ears, and at just over an ounce, you quickly forget they are even there.

Then there are the lenses. GUNNAR has long been known for its lens technology, and Tioga delivers it in full force. Optically pure mineral glass is incredibly scratch-resistant and durable, which is a relief if you are clumsy or like to toss your glasses in a bag. The G-Shield coating blocks blue light and UV rays, which makes a real difference for anyone who spends long hours at a computer or gaming late into the night. Whether you are streaming your favourite game, writing emails, or scrolling through social media, your eyes are under less strain, and everything looks sharper.

The lens options make them even more appealing. The 65 GBLF Amber lenses help reduce eye fatigue and glare for longer comfort, while the 20 GBLF Clear Pro lenses give unmatched clarity and colour fidelity. It is the kind of choice that feels like it was designed for real people with real lives, not just for the sake of a marketing claim.

The real highlight for me is that Tioga can be fitted with prescription lenses. That changes everything. These are not just gaming or office glasses anymore. They can become your everyday eyewear. You get the benefits of GUNNAR technology combined with your exact prescription, which means you do not have to compromise style for vision. You can wear them at work, at home, or out on the town and get the same comfort, clarity, and protection. That versatility is rare, and it is something GUNNAR has clearly considered.

It is also worth noting the attention to detail. Every curve, every angle, and every material feels carefully chosen. The frames are lightweight but strong, the hinges are responsive without feeling stiff, and the lens coating is smooth and effective. You do not have to fight with these glasses; they feel natural. They are functional, but also undeniably stylish.

After wearing the Tioga for a while, you start to appreciate how much thought has gone into making them feel premium in every sense. It is not just about looking good; it is about feeling good, seeing better, and reducing strain in ways that you notice almost immediately. That combination of practicality and elegance is hard to find.

GUNNAR has proven once again why they are number one on the field. The Tioga is more than just a pair of glasses. It is a tool, a fashion statement, and a reliable companion for gaming sessions, office hours, or everyday life. For anyone who cares about both performance and style, these glasses are an easy choice. They are versatile, protective, and genuinely exciting to wear. After seeing and trying the Tioga, it is hard to imagine wanting any other pair of glasses.

For more info check out https://gunnar.com/products/tioga