You've definitely heard of Blumhouse. The production company is known for making some of the best horror movies out there, and most recently, has turned its attention to the world of the best horror games. Admittedly that's a big, bold move as all eyes will be on them to make sure their horror vision translates just as well when it's interactive, away from the big screen.

I'm happy to report they're starting on a high note with the narrative horror game Fear the Spotlight, a short title developed by Cosy Game Pals. When a séance goes horribly wrong (honestly, when will people learn?), the player character Vivian must navigate an abandoned school to find out what happened to her friend. The setup, while simple, invites the player to unravel a dark mystery while trying to escape with their own life. It combines that eerie high school setting seen in some slasher movies with plenty of interactivity for gamers. Unlike the The Dark Pictures Anthology, this isn't an interactive movie, and you have plenty of opportunities to go off and explore.

Big Buffy Energy

Aesthetically, it's hard for me to not compare this to the 90s supernatural TV hit Buffy the Vampire Slayer. This is a huge compliment, of course, because Buffy is iconic and this really seems to embody some of the stuff I loved about that show. Clueless high schoolers messing with the occult, a cool character and her nerdy best friend, that grainy VHS overlay throughout, an eerie high school setting with plenty of secrets buried. The entire feel of it is really fun, I loved the retro style and the little nods to the genre. Fear the Spotlight seems to have been made with a lot of love for the horror genre and its fans, and that shines throughout the game.

The school is even called Sunnyside High, and Buffy's is called Sunnydale. Look, I'm just saying these developers have excellent taste and I've clocked it. The developers have teased this is a great entry-level game for those wanting to try out horror, and while I agree, there's plenty for long-time fans of the genre to love too.

We also need to talk about the Silent Hill vibes. The spotlight that follows you is reminiscent of Pyramid Head himself, and they can appear at any time. If you're clever about it, you can predict when these scenes will happen based on the number of conveniently placed furniture to hide behind, but I definitely got shocked a few times when I was going about my business and they just appeared. The suspense is off the charts throughout, and you need to be as stealthy as possible. That wasn't great for me when my gaming style is very much me running in and attacking things as fast as possible, but hey, it's nice to try something new!

Hide and (hopefully not) Seek

Fear the Spotlight is a stealth-heavy game. You have to navigate the abandoned halls of the school avoiding the spotlight character, who can show up out of nowhere. You need to pay attention and be quick on your feet, hiding wherever you can and getting your timings just right. You have two opportunities; they can catch you once, and then they'll drop you, but if you're caught again, the game resets to your last saved checkpoint. Thankfully the checkpoints are pretty frequent so you won't end up back at the very beginning or be punished too severely.

Frustration can set in when you have to avoid threats while also running back and forth doing fetch quests because there are plenty of puzzles to solve throughout the game. I personally got stuck on one particular one for about 15 minutes before realizing the solution was painfully obvious, so it's the kind of game where you can get in your head a bit. Or maybe I'm just stupid, I'll let you be the judge of that. Technically, it's easy to navigate, the controls are smooth and the puzzles work as they should... when you've actually figured them out, that is.

If you love logic puzzles and constant tension, you will very likely have a great time with Fear the Spotlight because it's impossible to relax at any point. There's this constant vigilance throughout, it sucks you in and I found myself really worried about Amy's wellbeing.

It's a very immersive experience throughout. The player character's breathing can become erratic, so you need to be mindful of this. You can find inhalers hidden around the school which boost your health and stops the screen from blurring red at the sides, and your character from freaking out. Inhalers are a very useful tool especially nearing the end of the game when things get more difficult, so it might be wise to use them strategically. You are completely unarmed, aside from a few tools that can help you crawl through vents and repair things, so your only option is to hide.

The unstable breathing teamed with the vibrations from the controller I used dialed the tensions up, so I would recommend giving that combination a go even if you are playing on a PC. The game is designed in such a way that you truly feel a part of it, and this is one of Fear the Spotlight's greatest successes.

Accessibility

There is a range of subtitling options in Fear the Spotlight. Though the only spoken language is English, you can find many other languages in the display settings.

As well as allowing players to use a controller or mouse and keyboard, the display can be tinkered with too. While Fear the Spotlight does have a grainy, retro feel, you can switch that up in the Graphics menu. The game gives you the option to change the frame rate, and V-Sync, as well as display variations such as TV Filter and Ambient Camera Wobble. I played with a maximum TV Filter to make it more atmospheric, but I can see why people would prefer to turn that down as it can get a little distracting.

 Should I play Fear the Spotlight?

 Play it if…

Don't play it if...

 How we tested Fear the Spotlight

I tested Fear the Spotlight for around six hours and finished the main game. Once you have completed the story, you unlock a secret bonus level which I have not yet tested at the time of this review.

I played the game using a Lenovo Legion 5-15ACH6H Gaming Laptop with Beats Flex wireless headphones and a PS5 DualSense Wireless Controller. I also did additional testing with the laptop’s built-in keyboard and Steelseries Aerox 9 Wireless Gaming Mouse, to check that the game ran smoothly in both modes.

Sonic x Shadow Generations is somewhat analogous to Super Mario 3D World + Bowser’s Fury, packaging a remaster of a beloved series game with a brand new, decently sized campaign. And it’s that campaign, Shadow Generations, that alone makes this compilation of lightning-fast platformers worth checking out.

Shadow Generations is simply phenomenal, showcasing some of the best 3D level design the series has seen since Sonic Adventure 2 way back on the Dreamcast and GameCube. You’re getting 12 levels across 6 unique stages, all wrapped up in a compact hub zone packed with collectibles and optional challenges. And of course, having even more excellent remixes of fan-favorite Sonic tracks is always going to be a welcome addition.

Shadow Generations is such a high-quality experience from start to finish - so much so that it honestly makes Sonic Generations feel relatively weak in comparison. This is no fault of the 2011 game, of course (the port here is genuinely fantastic) but I had decidedly less fun revisiting what I once considered to be one of the best Sonic games in comparison to its new sibling.

That might be down to the fact that its remaster here has seen very few changes beyond the re-recorded voiced dialogue and an overall bump in resolution and image quality. Sonic Generations is still very much worth playing, but remains dragged down by the relatively poor Classic Sonic stages and largely boring side challenges required to unlock the boss fights.

That said, you’re still getting tons of great Sonic (and Shadow) content here, especially as it's not a full-priced game. Not only does that make Sonic x Shadow Generations much easier to recommend, but I can confidently say that your time and money are worth it for the Shadow portion of the game alone.

A Shadow of myself, just who am I?

Let’s kick off with Shadow Generations, as I reckon that’s where most of you are going to start especially if you’ve already played Sonic Generations. Shadow’s campaign does take place alongside Sonic’s - instead of celebrating the blue hedgehog’s birthday, Shadow is investigating a disturbance on the Space Colony Ark from Sonic Adventure 2.

Back on Sonic’s side, the Time Eater thrusts him and his friends into a purgatorial dimensional rift as it does in the original Sonic Generations. For Shadow, the fluctuation causes him to come face to face with Black Doom, his arch-nemesis and main antagonist of 2005’s Shadow the Hedgehog. From here, Shadow attempts to escape Space Colony Ark, only to find himself in an empty hub world all of his own.

The story is fairly straightforward here and handles Shadow’s tragic past in a pretty safe and inoffensive manner. That’s not to say it’s ineffective - his reunion and closure with Maria and Gerald Robotnik is genuinely touching and the final scene is masterfully done (even getting me to well up a little bit) - but you shouldn’t go in expecting anything especially bleak. Personally, I think that’s for the best; Sonic Frontiers showed that the series can be capable of sincere, reflective storytelling, and you’ll find more of that in Shadow Generations.

All hail Shadow

If you were disappointed by the short length of stages in Sonic Forces and Sonic Frontiers' Cyberspace segments, then you’ll be happy to know Shadow Generations’ levels are much lengthier and robust. On average, a single level will take you between five to six minutes your first few times through, and each has a plethora of alternate routes to explore and a handful of collectibles to find.

The six stages in Shadow Generations are split into two acts. Act 1 is typically the more impressive one, given they are fully 3D from start to finish. Most of the Act 2 levels are broadly side-scrolling, but feel much more dynamic thanks to - once again - intricate level design and some super clever 2.5D camera work. These levels may play out in two dimensions, but they sure don’t feel like it.

Upon charging up a gauge by defeating enemies, Shadow can call upon the power of Chaos Control. This freezes time, enemies, and obstacles for around five seconds, and it can be used cleverly to reach new routes in a stage if activated at just the right time. Much of the fun in Shadow Generations comes from playing levels multiple times and learning the best moments at which to execute Chaos Control in order to discover shortcuts you had no idea were there. Level design in this regard is, overall, extremely thoughtful, and finding new paths and shortcuts is a satisfying reward.

Then there’s the open zone, known as White Space. This is a large map that Shadow can explore at any time when not in a stage, itself filled to the brim with collectibles and platforming challenges. By collecting music, artwork, and story emblems in each stage, you can spend them to unlock a treasure chest in White Space, which will in turn make a relevant piece of content available to view in the Collection Room. There are 96 of these chests to find in the overworld, giving you plenty of optional content to discover.

White Space is great fun to just run around and vibe in. While I do wish there was an option to listen to the music you unlock while exploring it, it’s nonetheless a place you’ll spend a lot of time in if you’re shooting for 100% completion. On that note, playing through all the stages for the first time will likely take you around four or five hours. But going for full completion could easily take you upwards of 10-12; there’s just that much to find and do.

Touching on Sonic Generations

If you’ve never played Sonic Generations before, then you’re getting exceptional value for money in Sonic x Shadow Generations. The entire 2011 game is present and accounted for here. If you’re unfamiliar, that’s nine stages, broken into two separate acts - one for Classic Sonic and another for Modern Sonic. The former is a side-scrolling affair, while the latter is more akin to the 3D ‘boost era’ titles of the time like Sonic Unleashed and Sonic Colors.

Sonic Generations now has upscaled resolution and a more stable 60fps framerate by way of the new performance mode (a 30fps quality mode is enabled by default, though I strongly recommend making the switch to performance for better responsiveness). Voiced dialogue has also been re-recorded with the current cast of Sonic voice actors, and it’s much better than what we originally had with an overall stronger direction. There is also a new collectible in each stage in the form of Chao - adorable little creatures who’ll appear in the overworld once rescued. They’ll also unlock some bonuses in the collection room, too.

Besides that (as well as the addition of the drop dash for both Classic and Modern Sonic), very little has changed in Sonic Generations. While still an excellent game in its own right, the lack of changes only exposes its flaws even more, especially when stacked up against Shadow Generations. 

Sonic Generations - then and now - simply misses the mark on numerous fronts. The Classic Sonic stages just don’t feel very good to play, with awkward physics and momentum that are a far cry from the smoothness of the original Mega Drive trilogy. Level design is also very hit-or-miss for both Classic and Modern, the latter of which also has an abundance of side-scrolling segments that do not mesh well with Sonic’s ability to boost at high speeds. As for Classic, the field of view is a little too narrow for comfort, making running into unexpected hazards a common occurrence. 

Accessibility

There aren't a ton of available accessibility settings in Sonic x Shadow Generations, aside from a fairly robust amount of options for the camera. Here, you can adjust sensitivity and distance from the player character. 

There is also an option to adjust the deceleration speed in Shadow Generations, allowing you to set the momentum to your liking. Subtitles are present, too, as well as options for voiced dialogue in a variety of languages including English, French, German, Italian, and Japanese. I think an option to better highlight enemies, obstacles and potential pathways would be really beneficial here, especially given the high-speed nature of the game.

Should I play Sonic x Shadow Generations?

Play it if...

Don't play it if...

How I reviewed Sonic x Shadow Generations

I played Sonic x Shadow Generations for around 12 hours on PS5. That was enough time to finish both included games and get near to 100% completion in Shadow Generations. I also spent some time collecting Chao and filling out the collection room in Sonic Generations. I played the game with a DualSense Edge controller on my LG CX OLED TV, often making use of the JBL Quantum 910P gaming headset to listen to the game’s exceptional collection of remixed Sonic tracks.

First reviewed October 2024.

Until Dawn has leaped from the shadows to reacquaint fans with yet another creepy horror game classic. But while this new version of Sony and Supermassive Games' playable slasher flick spawned from the 2015 PlayStation 4 original, it's not being billed as a ‘remaster’ or ‘remake.’

Perhaps that's because Until Dawn brings a bit from both camps. Like most remakes, it's been rebuilt from the ground up – a fact that's showcased in every frame of its stunning, Unreal Engine 5-fueled visual presentation. But save for a few other tweaks and additions, the rest of the experience will feel very familiar to anyone who braved Blackwood Mountain nearly ten years ago.

The result is a definitive, director's cut-like offering that retains the appeal of its predecessor, while also making it a whole lot prettier. It’s potentially one of the best PS5 games right now, but that's not to say Until Dawn is perfect. Even more changes, extra content, and a cheaper price tag would've been appreciated. 

 Mostly familiar frights

Until Dawn's core gameplay, story, and characters (including strong performances from Rami Malek, Hayden Panettiere, and Peter Stormare) mostly remain unchanged from the original. Once again, players are put in the quaking boots of eight young adults who've reunited one year after a tragic, mysterious event put two of their friends – twin sisters – on "Missing Person" posters. Hoping to honor their pals, and also put the painful past behind them, the group meet at the same remote mountain estate where the girls were lost.

Unsurprisingly, things go south before the friends can crack their first beer, leading the player to navigate them through a living nightmare that lasts, well, until dawn. As the scared crew begins to splinter – like typical horror movie victims – players take control of the individual characters on their separate paths. What differentiates Until Dawn from most games though, is the fact that any of the protagonists can die. Depending on how you steer the story, you may reach the credits with everyone still breathing – or all eight in body bags.

Whether or not they survive or die largely depends on a few things, most notably your dialog choices along the way and how well you perform quick-time events. It's a unique, risky formula that Supermassive pretty much nailed, and new developer Ballistic Moon has smartly not messed with. The result is a highly cinematic, character-driven, story-focused – but not narratively linear – experience that essentially makes you feel like you're playing a horror movie.

Cinematic slasher 

While its gameplay loop is largely unchanged, Until Dawn's visual presentation has received a scary-good makeover. Entirely rebuilt in Unreal 5, the game has been brought up to speed with – and sometimes surpasses – PlayStation 5's prettiest first-party stunners. 

In fact, the first thing that hits you when you fire up the game isn't the business end of a psychopath's blade, but the striking character close-ups. The incredibly realistic models sport the sort of nuanced details – from facial stubble and pores to birthmarks, blemishes, and, of course, blood – usually reserved for live actors. 

But while I spent an embarrassing amount of time studying the imperfections on Peter Stormare's face, it was the lighting work that regularly had me pining for a photo mode (which is unfortunately not included). The varied, specific effects that came from different sources, including moonlight, lanterns, lighters, flashlights, smartphones, and more literally stopped me in my tracks on several occasions. 

Of course, the presentation is at its breathtaking best when all these enhancements combine to deliver something truly eye-popping. Fairly early in the 8 or so-hour story, for example, you'll find yourself clutching a lighter as you navigate a narrow, dark hallway. You'll immediately spy the slick effects cast on the walls and items surrounding you, but you'll also want to stop and stare at your bespectacled character's face. On top of the aforementioned facial details being realistically lit by the tiny, dancing flame, you can see its flicker reflected in his glasses while its glow illuminates the individual hairs on his parka's fur hood. 

A definitive edition, with a scary price 

The lighting and character models steal the show, but they're not the only upgrades the game has received. Adding to the nerve-fraying atmosphere is the DualSense Wireless Controller's adaptive trigger, haptic feedback, and other immersion-ratcheting features. Like the lighting work, these inclusions never settle for a ‘one size fits all’ approach, but are rather nuanced and situational. 

So while you probably expect the feel of your footsteps to change organically when you proceed from a snow-covered dirt path to an icy wooden bridge, you might be surprised when the rumble of a power generator delivers a different sensation than a reverberating boiler. A less subtle, but no less effective trick, includes the DualSense mimicking your pounding pulse while you're tasked with keeping the controller completely still.

Until Dawn has also stripped out its predecessor's fixed camera for a closer, over-the-shoulder view that offers far more freedom. In a game that's often controlled with quick-time events, it feels good to have a bit more leeway when simply exploring, taking in the sights, or searching for collectibles. And on the topic of shiny trinkets, this updated take has also added more hidden totems, and creepy wood carvings that trigger deadly premonitions when interacted with.

Until Dawn's most notable enhancements undoubtedly deliver a more cinematic, immersive experience, ensuring the game is back in my regular nightmare rotation. Still, I would've liked to see these updates complemented with some fresh content or new features that better justify its $60 price tag. 

The story's prologue has been, er, fleshed out a bit more, and new post-credits scenes do offer some fun surprises. But these inclusions, while welcome, generally feel like director's cut extras rather than significant additions. All that said, if you've never played the original or you're a super-fan looking to have your pants scared off all over again Until Dawn's got you covered like a blood-soaked sweater. 

Accessibility

Keeping in line with Sony's more recent first-party releases, Until Dawn features far more accessibility options than its predecessor. Before starting the game, it offers multiple selections for subtitles and a screen reader. Once inside the game, you can dig deeper into these specific features by going into the settings menu. Various other adjustments, from content censoring and camera movement to gameplay difficulty and even the ability to disable the game's "don't move" challenges, can also be tweaked in the settings menu. 

Should I play Until Dawn?

Play it if…

Don’t play it if…

How I reviewed Until Dawn

I spent about fifteen hours playing Until Dawn, completing its eight or so-hour campaign before replaying some portions to test out the choice-driven dialog systems and other features – like keeping characters alive – that encourage replayability. 

I paid particular attention to the various graphical upgrades, as well as the new DualSense integration. I also fired up the original version to compare both the visual and the new over-the-shoulder camera.

I played on my PlayStation 5, using a DualSense Wireless Controller, on a budget model TCL 4K display with HDR. I primarily tested with the television's stereo audio but also played for a few hours with PlayStation's Pulse Explore earbuds. I also paired the latter with PlayStation Portal, which made for some especially spooky sessions while tucked into bed.

First reviewed October 2024.