STILL PLAYING
Games that continue to hold our attention
Fantavision
Jess Kinghorn is hit by a blast from the past
There are many reasons why I keep coming back to this PS2 launch title. While a lightweight experience, its mechanical simplicity wrings out a ton of challenge. And who can say ‘no’ to colourful, high-scoring explosions? I can’t and neither can my mum, whose favourite time of year is Fireworks Night. In the Before Times, Fantavision was an obvious game to play together. I’ll miss this year’s family fireworks display and this isn’t a full replacement, but it’s a reminder that more normal times are ahead.
The Medium Oscar Taylor-Kent wants to find a way out
This is the second time I’ve begrudgingly made my way through this Silent Hill wannabe, and despite some interesting visual design and soundscapes that are part of the way you straddle worlds both living and dead, there’s no getting around how tediously straightforward everything is, wrapped up in a tasteless, not very scary horror package. That aside, there are some neat uses of DualSense, particularly in how it plays with the controller’s speaker. If you must play this, PS5 is the way to go.
Chicory: A Colorful Tale Rachel Watts gets distracted by side-quests
When I started exploring this whimsical world, I expected a short indie adventure. Almost 20 hours later, I've sidelined its main storyline, busying myself with dozens of delightful side-quests. Sure, I want to help Chicory reach her full potential as an artist, but first I have to take all the painting classes, find the furniture for a rooftop party, deliver mail, locate lost kittens, and complete all the photo tasks. It's life-sim task-ticking at its finest and makes the world feel like it’s bursting with life.
There’s no getting around how tediously straightforward everything is.