Events

Review: Heroes Battle Awakening

Daniel Waite

-

Feb 1, 2026

Heroes Battle Awakening is a Plants vs. Zombies-style top-down title that’ll scratch that defence itch. However, it isn’t as intense as its popular peer. Instead, it is an affordable indie game that is great as a casual endeavour.

Josep Hernandez has developed, and Eastasiasoft have published this short indie title. It utilises classic tower defence mechanics, and it has a fun fantasy theme. However, some levels can be a little tedious as limited planning and new monsters lead to trial and error. This may thrill you, but I found it more frustrating than enjoyable.

Heroes Battle Awakening tells a tale of monster vs monster.

You’d think that monsters would see eye to eye. After all, mankind hates them, and this should be enough to focus their attention. Yet, Heroes Battle Awakening tells a story of monster vs monster. This unusual approach was interesting, and I liked the fresh ideas. However, the plot has limited depth, and it rarely impacts the core mechanics.

The action spans 4 unique works, each with 10 stages. As you progress, new monsters are unlocked, and different foes create problems to overcome. If you manage to complete each world, you’ll face a skill-testing boss level. This final stage pushes you to the edge of failure. Accordingly, only the best players will make it all the way.

Simple mechanics.

Like its peers, Heroes Battle Awakening has relatively simple mechanics. The gaming world is framed around a grid-like map. Each wave of monsters walks from right to left as you place your troops and collect gold coins.

The coins must be used to buy more units to improve your chances of survival. Yet, this is easier said than done. Once you place a monster, it cannot be moved. Therefore, you must think wisely before you place your army.

With a large roster of creatures at your disposal, there are plenty of ways to complete each level. Whether it is a melee beast, a ranged monster, or something that can generate coins or explode on touch, you must select the right unit for the job at hand.

Heroes Battle Awakening has a cartoon edge.

Visually, Heroes Battle Awakening is pleasant to the eye. The vibrant colours and fun cartoon edge look great. Furthermore, the animation is smooth, and it performs well on PC and Steam Deck. I noticed no bugs or glitches. Moreover, I appreciated the varied appearance of each creature.

The audio is fun, upbeat, and occasionally sinister. This was great as it helps set the scene without being overbearing or annoying. Additionally, the sound effects have a nice fantasy edge.

Simple controls.

I played this with a mouse and keyboard and a gamepad, and it works incredibly well. I did have to adjust the sensitivity of my controller as it was far too fast. However, once it was sorted, everything worked well. If you have played this genre before, you’ll pick up the basics in no time. Alternatively, if this is your first rodeo, you’ll master the fundamentals quickly.

Replay value is questionable. Once you fly through each stage, there is little reason to return. This was a shame as I enjoyed the action and the colourful monsters.

Heroes Battle Awakening is simple but enjoyable.

Despite its lack of depth or originality, I enjoyed Heroes Battle Awakening. It offers enough to keep you interested, and it is relatively inexpensive. Therefore, it is a great option if you want a change of pace, and I recommend buying it here! Can you stop every monster? Choose your army, gather the coins, and hope that luck is on your side.

Poki Partners with Tall Team for Exclusive Obby Roads Web Launch

News

Christopher John

-

Feb 1, 2026

0

Poki Partners with Tall Team for Exclusive Obby Roads Web Launch

The web gaming space continues to grow rapidly, and one of the most notable collaborations in late 2025 is the exclusive launch of Obby Roads on Poki’s global browser gaming website. This partnership brings together one of the most influential web play portals and a studio with a proven track record of web hits, creating a compelling example of how developers and browser-based game websites can work together to reach massive audiences.

Obby Roads is the latest title from Tall Team, the independent game studio best known for the enduring popularity of Smash Karts. By making Obby Roads exclusively available on Poki.com, both partners are positioning the game to reach millions of players worldwide, combining Poki’s strengths with Tall Team’s creative expertise.

A Partnership Built on Scale and Creative Trust

The core of this collaboration is straightforward: Poki offers a massive browser-based game website with global reach, and Tall Team brings engaging web game design that connects with players. Poki’s website field tests games, provides discoverability, and connects titles with hundreds of millions of active players. For Tall Team, partnering with Poki, whose infrastructure and audience scale dwarf what most independent studios can access on their own, can dramatically accelerate a game’s visibility and long-term engagement.

This dynamic is similar to how players explore choices across different categories of online experiences and how developers and publishers must evaluate platforms for reach and performance. For Tall Team, Poki’s ability to provide instant global availability with no downloads and cross-device play is a critical part of that calculus.

At the heart of the deal is mutual confidence. Poki’s leadership views Tall Team as a developer capable of creating not just viral moments, but games with lasting impact. Tall Team’s previous success with Smash Karts, which remains a top ten web title with millions of active players, gives Poki confidence that Obby Roads can attract and retain a broad audience.

Poki’s Perspective: Scale Meets Creativity

In announcing the launch with Medium, Michiel van Amerongen, co-founder of Poki, emphasised the synergy between the two organizations and why Tall Team was a natural fit for an exclusive release on the browser-based gaming website:

“As an independent studio with a team of eight, Tall Team has a proven ability to create and scale web hits like Smash Karts that maintain high daily players and strong community loyalty. With the launch of Obby Roads, we are proud to see that established developers are trusting Poki to provide the necessary scale and platform support for their newest titles.”

Michiel highlighted that this level of trust is not given lightly. Poki’s publishing arm collaborates with hundreds of developers, prioritizing games that demonstrate creative ambition alongside long-term engagement potential. In this case, Obby Roads, with its vibrant 3D obstacle racing gameplay and multiplayer design, aligned closely with Poki’s broader strategy to support deeply engaging and accessible browser games.

For Poki, the partnership reinforces its mission to be more than a catalogue of casual titles. By hosting an exclusive release from an experienced and proven studio, Poki continues to strengthen its position as a destination for high-quality web gaming experiences.

What Poki Brings to the Table

For Tall Team, partnering with Poki is not just about reach, though that is a major factor. Tall Team’s leadership emphasised the importance of working with a gaming website that understands web gaming’s unique requirements and has the infrastructure to support live title growth.

Tall Team’s co-founder explained that Poki’s ethos aligned with their vision for Obby Roads from early discussions, the partnership acting as the missing link for both giants. The game combines dynamic obstacle courses with vehicle advancement and multiplayer elements. It also benefits from Poki’s global distribution and technical support, including player account integration that saves progress during browser sessions for uninterrupted gameplay.

A Model for Web Game Partnerships

The collaboration between Poki and Tall Team on Obby Roads exemplifies how developers and gamers can find aligned interests and mutual trust. Poki gains a high-quality exclusive title from a proven studio, strengthening its catalog and providing fresh gameplay for its global audience. Tall Team gains access to an audience measured in tens of millions, along with the tools and expertise to support ongoing player engagement.

For players, the result is immediate. Obby Roads is now playable directly in browsers via Poki.com, allowing both new and returning gamers to explore Tall Team’s latest creation without downloads or barriers. For the industry, it highlights how strategic partnerships continue to shape how web games are launched and grow in 2026 and beyond.

Review: Status Pro X

Andrew Edney

-

Feb 1, 2026

0

Here is our review of the Status Pro X.

From their website:

The Pro X is the next evolution in our wireless earbud lineup.

We maintained the celebrated hybrid triple driver acoustic system of the Between 3ANC and Between Pro, with some notable improvements: An enlarged 12mm dynamic driver, supported by two Balanced Armature drivers manufactured by Knowles, a leading producer of these precision-crafted specialty drivers.

We added high-resolution LDAC codec support, alongside a High Res Wireless Audio certification from the Japan Audio Society.

Additionally, we’ve “future-proofed” the Pro X with Bluetooth LE Audio support, enabling the LC3 codec and Auracast protocol.

But it’s not just sound quality where the Pro X takes a massive leap forward.

The Pro X are substantially smaller and ergonomically optimized, so they wear slimmer and sleeker in your ears, while maintaining a comfortable and secure fit.

Active Noise Cancelling and Transparency (Ambient Aware) Modes are radically improved, as is the companion app (available on iOS and Android), which allows full EQ customization, re-mapping of controls, FindMy support, and numerous other features to optimize your listening experience.

Massive R&D resources were dedicated to a key feature for wireless earbuds: call quality. We introduced Voiceloom AI Speech Enhancement, which leverages deep neural net training to filter out background noise during voice communications.

Inside and out, the Pro X are in a class of their own.

Features

Hybrid Active Noise Cancelling
Block out distractions with over 52db of powerful noise reduction.

Optical Wearing Sensor
Auto-detects when they’re in your ears.

Voiceloom AI Speech Enhancement
Clear calls, even in noisy environments.

Six Beam-Forming Microphones
Radically improved ANC, Transparency Mode, and Call Quality.

Bluetooth® 5.3 with Advanced Codecs
SBC, AAC, and LDAC — delivering 24-bit/96 kHz audio at bitrates up to 990 kbps.

Bluetooth LE Audio and Auracast Support
Future-proofed for the next generation of Bluetooth, with LC3 codec support.

Triple Driver Acoustic System
12mm Dynamic Driver + Dual Knowles Balanced Armature Drivers.

Transparency Mode
Let in ambient sound with a click. Stay aware, stay connected.

IP55 Water & Dust Resistance
Handles sweat, splashes, and dirt.

Long-Lasting Battery Life
8 hours per charge, 24 hours total with the included charging case.

Status Hub App
Fine-tune your sound, manage your earbuds, and more in the Status Hub app for iOS & Android.

Superior Connectivity
Multipoint Connectivity. Android Fast Pair. Microsoft Swift Pair.

Wireless Charging
The Pro X support Qi Wireless Charging.

Sidetone Feature
External mics amplify your own voice during phone calls, so you don’t have to yell.

Find Lost Earbuds
GPS Tracking of lost earbuds with sound notifications.

What’s in the box?

The box contains the charing case and earbuds, extra tips, a charging cable and instructions.

A Closer Look

Final Thoughts

The Status Pro X is small and lightweight and easily fits into your pocket or bag. They also look good too!

When fully charged, the Status Pro X will last a good 24 hours – each full charge in the charging case gives 8 hours, although depending on the settings you use this could drop to around 5 or 6 hours per charge. The case can even be charged using wireless charging.

The earbuds themselves are vey comfortable, even for extended periods of time. You also get different size tips in the box so you can make sure you are using the most comfortable fit for your ears. They are also water resistant so you can get them a little wet without worrying too much.

Connected the Status Pro X to your device is really simple and takes only a few seconds.

Sound quality wise, the Status Pro X is very good and the active noise cancelling works very well, even in noisy environments, well that is other than very windy environments without making some settings changed.

The Status Hub app enables you to control a number of settings so that you can get the perfect sound for you, including changing the listening modes.

The Status Pro X is available now priced around £225 and is available in Black Alloy.

You can learn from the website here.

Review: PDP Riffmaster Wireless Guitar Controller for Nintendo Switch

Andrew Edney

-

Feb 1, 2026

0

Review: PDP Riffmaster Wireless Guitar Controller for Nintendo Switch

Here is our review of the PDP Riffmaster Wireless Guitar Controller for Nintendo Switch.

Get ready to take center stage on Fortnite Festival with the Riffmaster wireless guitar controller, officially licensed by Nintendo for Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch Lite, & Nintendo Switch – OLED Model. This guitar also works with Nintendo Switch 2 – C Button not available. Designed to enhance your gaming experience, the lightweight guitar is perfect for both left- and right-handed players of all ages. With up to 30-foot low-latency wireless connection, you’ll enjoy complete freedom of movement. The built-in rechargeable battery provides up to 36 hours of playtime on a single charge, and the shoulder strap ensures comfortable play. Featuring a patented analog stick for precise control, the Riffmaster improves your rhythm gaming experience. The guitar also fully collapses allowing for easy travel or storage. Rock out to your favourite songs like never before!

Features

This guitar also works with Nintendo Switch 2 – C Button not available
Up to 30-foot low latency wireless connection
Built-in, rechargeable battery for up to 36-hours of play time per charge
Unique design that is suitable for both left- and right-handed players of all ages
Guitar is collapsible for easy storage or travel
Built-in, patented, guitar analog stick for easy navigation
Includes a shoulder strap for elevated comfort
Officially Licensed by Nintendo

What’s in the box?

The box contains the Riffmaster controller, a charging cable and a shoulder strap. There is also a leaflet with a QR code on for installation instructions.

A Closer Look

Final Thoughts

The Riffmaster looks cool and holding it makes you feel like you are using a real guitar. It’s very light and you can hold it and play it for a while without aching! It feels very natural.

Putting the Riffmaster together was really simple – you just click and lock it into place. When you are finished you can collapse it back down for easier storage and transport, if necessary.

They have included a strap in the box, which is easy to fit and adjust, however it does slightly cover the charging port.

Once fully charged, the Riffmaster has about 36 hours of battery life, so more than enough for a play session.

The buttons and controls are very responsive and they are silent, which is a nice change if you are playing using headphones and trying not to annoy anyone else in the room. There is even a dedicated screenshot button too!

The Riffmaster really does pick up fingerprints so if this bothers you, make sure you have a cloth to hand to wipe it down after use.

At the time of writing this review, the only game that this version of the Riffmaster works with is Fornite Festival in Fortnite. It’s a lot of fun playing that, but lets hope that other games will get released because £129.99 for a controller that only works with a single game may feel like a lot of money for some people.

The PDP Riffmaster Wireless Guitar Controller for Nintendo Switch is available now priced around £129.99. There are also versions for PlayStation 5 and Xbox.

You can learn more from the Turtle Beach website here.

Review: Kejoraa

Dawid Wisniewski

-

Feb 1, 2026

0

Some games grab you with spectacle. Kejora doesn’t.
Instead, it invites you to sit down, breathe, and quietly notice that something is wrong.

Developed by Indonesian studio Berangin Creative, Kejora is a hand-drawn narrative puzzle platformer that blends childhood innocence with creeping unease. On the surface, it’s a story about a small village and a girl named Kejora. Underneath, it’s about memory, routine, and the discomfort of realizing that familiar things don’t always stay safe.

The story and how it plays

The core hook is simple and effective: Kejora’s village is stuck in a time loop, endlessly repeating the same day. At first, it feels cozy, people go about their lives, the scenery is warm and inviting, and nothing appears overtly hostile. This changes very quickly.

As you revisit the same places, small details start to feel off. Characters subtly change. Environments reveal hidden layers. The loop becomes less of a mechanic and more of a mood, reinforcing the sense that the village is trapped not just in time, but in denial.

Players take control of Kejora along her two friends Guntur and Jaka. While Kejora is the leader of the pack both friends have useful traits to help along the journey. As players uncover the village mystery across the beautifully drawn 2D landscapes, they will use their friends to move boulders, jump up to high platforms and break barricades.

Visuals are Kejora’s strongest point

Visually, Kejora is its strongest asset. Every environment is hand-drawn, with soft colours, expressive animations, and a warmth that recalls Ghibli animations. There’s a distinct Southeast Asian influence in architecture, clothing, and village life that gives the game a strong sense of identity.

The contrast between the art style and the darker undertones of the story works beautifully. The world looks inviting, even as it quietly unsettles you. It’s the kind of game where you’ll stop moving just to take in a background scene. Sound design complements this well. Music is gentle and sparingly used, allowing silence and ambient sounds to do a lot of emotional heavy lifting.

A short meaningful story

Kejora is a short, focused experience, and that works in its favour. It doesn’t overstay its welcome, and it doesn’t pad itself with unnecessary mechanics. The pacing mirrors the narrative, slow, reflective, and occasionally tense.

That said, players looking for high replay value or deep mechanical complexity may find it a bit light. This is a game meant to be a one time journey.

My conclusion

Kejora isn’t loud. It isn’t flashy. And it isn’t trying to impress you with scale. What it does instead is quietly tell a story about change, fear, and the comfort — and danger — of staying the same.

I do have to say however that although the game’s visuals are fantastic and story meaningful. Kejora is very short. Also compared to other Indie titles I have covered it’s price tag is unfair for ~3 hours of gameplay with no replay value.

Review: Clawpunk

Daniel Waite

-

Jan 31, 2026

0

Clawpunk is the type of game that will push your buttons! It is fast-paced, tough, and often unfair. However, it is fun, colourful, and a good example of the rogue-like genre. If you hate your equipment and temporary progress being wiped after each loss, you may wish to look elsewhere. Alternatively, if you like a fresh challenge, while testing your skills and reactions, this is probably the game for you.

This pixelated arcade action adventure was developed by Kittens in Timespace and published by Megabit Publishing. It is a single-player game where falling to your goal is the aim of the game. If you fall too quickly and try to cheat your way to victory, you’ll be punished. Therefore, you must plan your descent if you wish to make it across each stage alive.

Clawpunk is a game about oppression and resistance!

Forall City is a dark and dangerous place. This crumbling metropolis has been overrun by villainous gangs and deadly machines. Furthermore, Mr F has no soul, and he cares not who he crushes. Thankfully, 9 modified cats are up to the task of thwarting this dictator. Each feline has a special set of skills that will overcome every obstacle. Yet, if they are not careful, they’ll be wiped out, and the resistance will fail.

The story rarely impacts the action. Instead, it is the fast-paced madness across the 4 key levels that sits in the foreground. Once you complete each unique stage, you must take on a final test of your skills. The last level will test the best players, and it almost broke me several times.

Destructible arenas.

In Clawpunk, it doesn’t matter which level you pick first. However, the cat you select makes a huge difference! Each hero has different attack methods to master. Moreover, the environment can be destroyed to avoid certain foes or to speed up your descent.

If you go too quickly, you’ll pique the interest of the dictator’s grunts. These heavily armed machines will smash you to pieces. Therefore, you want to try to avoid these hulking beasts as much as you can. This isn’t always easy, especially when you have limited health and even less time. Consequently, Clawpunk is a balancing act of fighting, stealth, and luck.

Clawpunk looks amazing.

I’m a sucker for neon lights and interesting stage design. Thankfully, this incorporates both nicely. The vivid colours and pixelated action are tough on the eyes. However, I didn’t care. As you fly through each level, the details blur into one. This creates a sense of speed and drama that works extremely well. Alongside this, the animation is smooth, and the game rarely falters when things go crazy. Therefore, Clawpunk is a joy to play.

The audio is as angry, loud, and aggressive as you’d expect. Each cat generates its own field of sound, and this creates a new and exciting adventure no matter which hero you pick. Moreover, the music drives you on as you avoid obstacles, search for collectables, and kill anything in sight.

Excellent controls.

This is one hell of a fast-paced game. Subsequently, I was glad that the controls were responsive and easy to understand. Moving, fighting, and grabbing surfaces was a cinch. Additionally, learning each hero’s style was a breeze. Therefore, you’ll master each kitty’s approach in no time at all.

Due to its genre, Clawpunk oozes replay value and longevity. You will die, fail, and curse repeatedly. Yet, once you understand the basics and you come to terms with losing, you’ll love the brutality and the challenge you’ll face.

Clawpunk is a great indie title.

I didn’t expect to like Clawpunk as much as I did. The simple mechanics, addictive gameplay, and challenging rogue-like elements kept me coming back for more. Furthermore, the choice of cats, tough enemies, and affordable price tag make this a great indie title. Accordingly, I love it and recommend buying it here! Can you defeat Mr F? Pick your cat, master their style, and defeat every goon.

Review: TOZO NC20 Pro Earbuds

Andrew Edney

-

Jan 31, 2026

0

Here is our review of the TOZO NC20 Pro Earbuds.

Smart Touchscreen Charging Case – Exclusive to TOZO NC20 Pro

The NC20 Pro also debuts a Smart Charging Case with Touch Control, allowing users to check battery levels, switch modes, and manage functions directly from the case-bringing effortless control and a futuristic aesthetic to the everyday listening routine.

AI Assistance at Your Command – A New Way to Control Audio

Leading the series, the TOZO NC20 Pro introduces AI Assistance at Your Command, an intelligent companion that enhances daily convenience and productivity. From real-time translation and voice-based interaction to instant access to smart controls, the NC20 Pro transforms the listening experience into an intelligent, connected journey.

Studio-Grade Sound with LDAC & Hi-Res Audio Wireless

Both the NC20 and NC20 Pro earbuds are equipped with LDAC codec and Hi-Res Audio Wireless certification, delivering up to 24-bit/96kHz resolution for studio-quality audio performance. Whether it’s crisp treble, rich mids, or powerful bass, every detail is faithfully reproduced for high-fidelity listening.

Adaptive Hybrid Active Noise Cancellation up to -52dB

Engineered with Adaptive Hybrid ANC, the NC20 Series effectively suppresses ambient sound by up to -52dB, providing a serene, distraction-free environment ideal for travel, work, or relaxation.

Exclusive SDLC Patented Acoustic Technology

Featuring 12mm dynamic drivers with TOZO’s Super Diamond-Like Carbon (SDLC) diaphragm, the NC20 Series achieves remarkable sonic precision-delivering extended frequency response from 12Hz to 44.1kHz and ultra-deep bass that resonates with realism.

Immersive Spatial Audio and AI-Enhanced Calls

The Immersive Spatial Audio feature creates a captivating 3D sound field, enveloping listeners in lifelike acoustics. Meanwhile, a six-mic system with AI-powered noise reduction ensures crystal-clear voice clarity, even in noisy environments.

Ultra-Low Latency, Seamless Connection, and Smart Adaptation

Powered by Bluetooth 5.4 and optimized for 50ms ultra-low latency, the NC20 Series guarantees smooth, lag-free audio for gaming and streaming. With smart in-ear detection and EarTune Sound Compensation, the earbuds adapt intuitively to user behaviour and hearing preferences.

With the TOZO NC20 Series, TOZO continues to lead the evolution of wireless sound-merging high-fidelity audio, advanced noise control, and intelligent AI-driven innovation into a sleek, modern design.

Final Thoughts

The TOZO NC20 Pro Earbuds are small and lightweight. They easily slip into your pocket or bag. They are also very comfortable to wear, even for extended periods of time.

The most unique feature of the NC20 Pro is the touchscreen charging case. You can control all playback, check the battery levels, switch to different ANC modes, and even view real-time lyrics.

When fully charged you can get around 80 hours of playback. The earbuds themselves last between 12.5 and 16.5 hours, depending on whether you have ANC enabled or not. Either way, thats a decent charge!

Sound quality wise they are very good and work really well with whatever your source material is.

The TOZO NC20 Pro Earbuds are available now priced around £66 and are available in Black, Champagne or Rose Gold.

You can learn more from the TOZO website here.

Review: Gruniozerca Trilogy

Daniel Waite

-

Jan 30, 2026

0

Gruniozerca Trilogy is a game I’ve never heard of. After some research, I discovered it was a popular NES series that had been rebooted. This confused me as I’ve played plenty of NES games. Therefore, I was intrigued and couldn’t wait to see what was on offer.

Take It Studio sp. z. o. o. developed and published this arcade experience. It is a single-player title that has a glorious retro aesthetic. However, it is the simple but effective gameplay that had me hooked for hours.

Gruniozerca Trilogy – 3 games, unique moments.

I always find it a little disconcerting when a game, or in this case, games, have no story. Yet, it doesn’t seem to matter in this case. Instead, it is the arcade mindset, straightforward instructions, and addictive, fast-paced action that keep you hooked.

Each of the games offers a unique moment. Game 1 demands that you catch coloured carrots that are falling from the sky. You must change the colour of your rabbit as you race from one carrot to the next. Sounds terrible, but it isn’t! Game 2 is a platform title that asks you to build pathways, grab carrots and keys. The carrots are a collectable, and the keys unlock the exit. As the game progresses, the levels get more convoluted. Finally, game 3 asks you to follow a crumbling path. As you pass over each block, the number lowers. Once it hits 0, it disappears. The aim is to clear the blocks and get to the exit alive.

Simplicity at its best.

Gruniozerca Trilogy deploys the idea of simplicity at its best. None of the games is complex, and this is what works. You take a walk down memory lane and tackle rudimentary experiences that just work. There is no depth, no story, and no progression, but it doesn’t matter.

It is the desire to beat the high score that drives you on. Moreover, the casual nature of each title allows you to play this as much or as little as you want. Consequently, I think this will appeal to gamers with short attention spans.

Gruniozerca Trilogy is old-school.

Basic visuals, simple level design, and a lack of colour shouldn’t be anywhere near a next-gen console. However, Gruniozerca Trilogy makes it work. I love the basic sprites, the pixelated visuals, and the stripped-back approach. In short, it is brilliantly old-school.

The audio has a delightful synth edge that is great and horrible in equal measure. The basic soundtrack adds drama and energy without going crazy. Furthermore, the sound effects are suitable, but not impressive.

Basic controls.

3 games to master should have been a nightmare, but it wasn’t. Straightforward controls and responsive inputs help you to overcome every obstacle and hit every highscore.

This is one of those games where achievements keep you going. Collecting the most carrots, surviving the deadly path, or completing a game in record time are some examples of things you must achieve. These rudimentary demands force you to keep playing even when you want to go to bed.

Gruniozerca Trilogy is a great indie game.

Despite its basic design and old-school ways, Gruniozerca Trilogy is a great indie title. It was addictive, fun, and great to play. Moreover, its casual approach is a nice change of pace. Accordingly, I love it and recommend buying it here! Can you complete the trilogy? Grab the carrots, survive the deadly path, and get a high score.

Review: Kentum

Daniel Waite

-

Jan 29, 2026

0

Kentum proves that blending genres can be a great success. Now, I’m not a massive fan of Metroidvania. I find it uncomfortable to remember every pathway and the restrictions that apply. However, this game offers an enjoyable and sometimes tongue-in-cheek version of each core element to great effect.

This crafting, survival, and exploration adventure was developed by Tlon Industries and published by V Publishing. It is a single-player game that has 3 game modes. Story, Creative, and Sandbox modes allow gamers to enjoy the core mechanics with different central goals. Although the main ideas do not change, your focus and approach reflect the challenges you will face.

The varied game modes offer fans of this title the ability to return for more. Additionally, the use of crafting, automation, survival elements, and factory mechanics will click with gamers who adore other genres. Accordingly, this will tick many boxes for a large audience.

Kentum is a sarcastic dig at humanity.

Imagine waking up after a 7000 year nap and discovering that you are still employed, and now you owe your boss hundreds of hours of free employment. Sadly, this is exactly what happens to Kent. This cloned scientist is at the beck and call of his boss, who demands that he reestablish humanity. Sadly, he cannot say no as his companion, ORB, will not let him rest.

This whimsy, challenging, and often sarcastic affair has a feel of Satisfactory and Stardew Valley. Although it isn’t as vast as either of those games, it has some crossover elements and plenty of core mechanics and assets to enjoy.

Death, exploration, and a massive base.

Kentum delivers Metroidvania at every turn. However, this didn’t really bother me. Instead, I took the challenge of finding resources, automating my factory, and staying alive much more seriously. This is anything but an easy task, as dynamic weather, health, oxygen, and hunger are key elements that hold you back.

Creating a fully functioning factory isn’t as straightforward as you’d hope. However, once everything clicks, it is brilliantly rewarding. The ability to forget entry-level items and focus on the later game elements was fantastic. Sadly, if this isn’t your thing, you will struggle with this game. Consequently, if you are going to tackle this title, you’ll have to jump in with both feet.

Exploring the world is as challenging as you’d expect. Blocked paths require upgrades, and reaching certain areas can take hours of back and forth and failure. If you then incorporate the deadly alien fauna, you have a tough task on your hands. However, where there is a challenge, there is a reward. Subsequently, getting to the end of the story mode is a great achievement and fun throughout.

Kentum looks great.

The 2D pixelated nature is very similar to other games in the genre. However, I enjoyed the varied colours, the interesting biomes, and the simple sprites. The alien plants were great to look at, and the animation, though simple, works extremely well. The developer has incorporated a sense of depth with underground caves, water, and other interesting locations. Moreover, the use of dynamic weather creates a sense of trepidation.

The audio combines sombre tunes with upbeat moments. Furthermore, the sound effects are often silly. This reflects the often stupid nature of your sarcastic companion. Although this can create a little annoyance, you’ll laugh more often than not.

Excellent controls.

I was impressed by the tight and easy-to-understand controls. The opening moments work as a simple tutorial to get you up and running. However, much of the automation is left to trial and error, and this can cause you to get things wrong. I didn’t mind this, as building your factory and learning to survive were key elements.

If you don’t fancy tackling the different modes, you’ll still get plenty out of the story. The action is fun, and the world is huge. Moreover, finding solutions and upgrading your base is fun and challenging. If you fall for its charms, I urge you to test your skills with either of the other modes. They may not change things too much, but it is fun to let your creative juices flow.

Kentum is a brilliant experiment.

Experimenting with tried and tested genres can be a gamble. I’ve played many that have fallen short, but Kentum is not one of them. This game is incredibly good but challenging. Moreover, the Metroidvania elements, survival mechanics, and automation may be too much for gamers who want a casual time. Accordingly, despite these possible issues, I think it is great, and I recommend buying it here! Can you survive long enough to rebuild humanity? Explore the world, avoid the locals, and become a scientific hero.

Review: MOCHI-O

Luke Hedingham

-

Jan 28, 2026

0

Pets play quite an important role in a lot of our lives. Along with being cute, cuddly and loyal, some can also be very protective which in this day and age is extremely useful.

Now imagine having a pet which was not only a threat to burglars but to the whole world, essentially an annihilation weapon. I’m sure there would be some people crazy enough to try and domesticate a fluffy weapon, whilst the chances of that occurring in real life is practically zero, luckily video games exist for a reason, for the sole purpose of allowing us to witness crazy and downright bizarre things.

MOCHI-O does indeed involve a pet which is a threat to the whole world, and the game as a whole is very peculiar, I mean when you make it about a hamster which wields guns and is a nuclear weapon in disguise then the word “normal” doesn’t immediately spring to one’s mind.

Your mission is simple. to raise, feed, and pet him before each destructive battle to protect the country from foreign enemies.

Over time you’ll form a special and rather interesting relationship with MOCHI-O, going from I’m locked in a room with an unstable nuclear weapon to I’m locked in a room with a fluffy ball I’d happily die for.

A game about a gun wielding hamster can’t be that crazy, right?

On the surface MOCHI-O looks like one of the weirdest and wackiest games you’ll ever come across but the truth is, it probably will be in all honesty. So much so that it will end up being one you’ll remember for a while purely because of how unique and just weird it is.

But that’s a good thing, not all games need to be made with Unreal Engine and have amazing characters, lore, and world-building to be a memorable title, which is exactly why I liked it.

It didn’t really need any of that, all it needed was a gun wielding hamster, some funny dialogue, and it instantly became a game that players will remember simply because of those two things. This is exactly why indie titles receive so much love, you’ll often come across one which has a mechanic or story that just stands out like a sore thumb for good reasons, and in this case it’s guiding a hamster to destroy and kill.

Around 75% of the game was purely chaotic, destructive combat, but the remaining 25% was visual novel, which focused on the handler’s bonds between MOCHI-O and the director (his superior). After each level a short cut-scene would occur where we’d learn more about the situation and improve our relationship with the two. The short, yet funny and amusing conversations were enjoyable and further highlighted the humour and bizarre aspect to the game.

The combat was by far the least bizarre aspect about MOCHI-O

Since MOCHI-O is a tower defence it’s no surprise that it’s focused heavily on combat, and the combat itself was probably the easiest you could probably imagine in terms of mechanics. You quite simply hover your crosshair over the enemies and the rest is done automatically. Not exactly the most exciting and groundbreaking combat, but the appealing 2D graphics and many abilities to unlock and try out quite comfortably made up for that.

Whilst it wasn’t particularly fun, it was still engaging because you had to stay focused at all times. Like most games you had a health bar and whenever enemies crossed your safe line then you would lose some depending on what type of enemy it was. A boss would knock off around 40 health whilst regular enemies cost you around 10. The catch is you didn’t have to actually kill all of the enemies, the game had you focus on prioritising enemies which was, well, up to your own interpretation.

You might go for the bosses/big enemies since they take the most health away from you, or you may go for all the smaller ones to stop hordes of them crossing the safe zone. Either way it was entirely up to you, though I’d recommend prioritising smaller enemies since if you take your eye off them for a few seconds, before you know it swarms of them are crossing the line.

To help with the sometimes overwhelming levels, you can upgrade him to improve his maximum health, critical rate damage, amongst other things. New powerful weapons were also unlockable along with some useful and strong abilities which were essential to beating the game.

Naturally they weren’t easy to come by and had some requirements, needing enough money and having MOCHI-O being at a specific level. Leveling him up was a mini game itself, involving having to accurately launch seeds into his mouth whilst the crosshair slowly moved. It was quite hard to miss, like really hard, but it did add a small element of risk to it.