SEMISPHERES ***
Vivid Helix, PS4
Meditative indie puzzler Semispheres utilises minimalist art, audio and mechanics in smart, unique ways to produce a strangely compelling, chilled experience. Using both sticks, players manoeuvre a pair of peculiar little orbs through increasingly complex stealth puzzles. Mechanically, it does take a little getting used to, however, the difficulty is thankfully pitched nicely; levels are short and sweet and challenge you just enough to give your brain a workout without you pulling your hair out.
RESIDENT EVIL 7 *****
Capcom, PS4
What’s most refreshing about Capcom’s latest iteration of its critically lauded horror franchise is how much it still feels like a mainline Resident Evil game despite the series’ bold and courageous switch to a first-person perspective. Traditional RE staples such as green herbs, bizarre puzzles, cool bosses, ammo conservation and safe houses, all make a welcome return, and it’s because of this distinct re-focusing on its series’ survival-horror roots that REVII makes such a triumphant return. In many ways, it’s a modernisation of its old-school identity, cribbing ideas from other modern mainstream horror games, however, I’ll make no bones about it: this is where REVII desperately needed to go next. And it’s a bloody, harrowing classic!
words DYLAN CHAUNDY