Mini Video Game Reviews 2025 #2
- Matt Quill
- Apr 28
- 5 min read
Updated: Jun 18
A Quick Rundown of my thoughts on all the games I've played during March & April 2025
Title: A Way Out
Developer: Hazelight Studios Genre: Crime Released: 23/03/2018
Much like Hazelight Studios' other games, A Way Out is a mandatory Co-op adventure that requires two players to beat the game.
You'll play as two prisoners, Leo Caruso or Vincent Moretti, each with a distinct personality and approach. The two of them must work together in order to escape prison and head out on a quest for revenge.
The core gameplay is very good, but it isn't as strong or varied as Hazelight Studio's latest two titles. Still, there's a good amount of thinking to its puzzles, alongside a fair amount of action gameplay that'll see you in the heat of shootouts, driving away in pursuits or just flat out running from the cops.
The real strength of A Way Out, outside of its great gameplay, is its central story. It's a well-told tale that showcases both of its heroes and dives into their different personas by giving players the choice on how to tackle an obstacle, whether that be Leo's more brazen approach or a more discreet approach of Vincent.
It's a short time, but one that was still very enjoyable. It's a great co-op adventure, and I often found myself messing around in the world and taking my time to enjoy its little quirks, instead of blasting through it. It's a good time for those looking for an enjoyable co-op tale that delivers a great crime tale.
Title: Finding Frankie
Developer: SUPERLOU Genre: Mascot Horror/Platform Released: 25/04/2024
There are plenty of mascot horror games out there. Five Nights at Freddy's, Poppy's Playtime or Choo-Choo Charles, to name a few. Finding Frankie is yet another mascot horror game, but this one is set in a trampoline park and focused on parkour platforming.
The game itself is fine and, at moments, works really well when facing challenges that act as horrified Fall Guys levels, and the mascots of Henry Hotline and Frankie are rather well designed, but the parkour feels clunky, especially when trying to interact with bars to swing. It often defaults back to a flick-the-switch gameplay loop in closed areas, which aren't too much fun to play, but instead feel like busywork.
When you're playing the twisted challenges like an acid rising obstacle course, or being chased by one of the mascots in tense sprints, Finding Frankie becomes a rather good time.
It's a short horror stint, with a story that didn't work for me, and the good bits felt too few and far between, but for a mascot-horror title, it at least offered something different.
Title: Split Fiction
Developer: Hazelight Studios Genre: Adventure/Platformer Released: 06/03/2025
I loved It Takes Two. I'd probably go as far as to say that it ranks in my top ten games of all time, so when I saw Hazelight was bringing out a new game with polarising worlds and new challenges, I couldn't help but be excited.
Thankfully, Split Fiction is a game that's just as good (if not better) than It Takes Two. The world and diverse levels Hazelight Studios built are stupendous, each one feels unique and purpose-built for the new tools introduced to the characters. The gameplay is fun and responsive, with the game throwing new challenges and activities at you constantly. It's hard to ever get bored, instead, you're left wondering what lurks around the next corner. I've played as a slinky pig, a shapeshifting mage and a gravity sword-wielding ninja.
The fun never stops, and neither does the action, bringing bigger set pieces, boss fights and excellent level design into the mix. That's not even touching on the brilliant dynamic of the two lead characters in Mio and Zoe. The duo do a great job carrying the story, and solidify themselves as great characters, gradually opening up to each other as they bond along this eventful, absurd journey. It's another home run for Hazelight and another masterful co-op experience for gamers to rejoice about.
Title: Riptide GP 2
Developer: Vector Unit Genre: Racing Released: 23/07/2013
In case you aren't aware of Riptide GP 2, it's a futuristic arcade racer, but instead of bikes and cars, you're driving hydro jets (Supped-up jet skis).
Considering the game was originally made for mobile, before being ported to consoles and PC, it's actually a very fun and competent arcade racer.
The bulk of the game will see you progressing through a career mode that has you buying new hydro jets and upgrading them to compete in the more challenging races. There are also stunts to perform, and trickier ones to be unlocked through levelling up, which help complete freestyle events and earn even greater boost rewards mid-race.
The game also has the classic racing modes too, like elimination, time trials (named hot lap) and classic races. The courses themselves are well designed and don't often cause slowdown to the frantic, racing. Overall, I found Riptide GP 2 to be a very good arcade racer. The hydro jets handle very well, there are enough tracks and variety to jump into, and it's perfectly built for short bursts of arcade racing fun.
Title: High on Life
Developer: Squanch Games Genre: FPS/Adventure Released: 13/12/2022
High on Life is a comedy FPS brought to us by the same minds behind Rick & Morty, and that sentence alone should let you know if this game is for you or not.
The game is a rather short adventure, clocking in below 10 hours, but it was a pretty great time to play.
An alien cartel known as the 'G3 Cartel' invade Earth as humans are now the new intergalactic drug, and it's up to you, along with the guidance of a retired bounty hunter named Gene, to track down and kill the members of the G3 cartel and save humanity.
The game's weapons are also an alien race that will talk to you throughout your playtime. They each offer a twist on the classic guns you're used to, with alternate fire modes that can be used both for combat and traversal. Each weapon handles well, providing a solid shooting gameplay loop. The game also introduces new traversal equipment like power sliding, jet packs and a grapple knife to help you move around the alien environments, which is a good amount of fun
The comedy is very out there and is fairly consistent, thankfully most of it lands, and I found myself laughing along with the adventure and its ridiculous jokes as I made my way through the waves of enemies. High on Life is a well-designed and fun comedy shooter. it isn't too long and is a blast to play through.
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