Review: Grind Survivors

Daniel Waite
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Review: Grind Survivors

I wasn’t going to touch Grind Survivors with a bargepole. This isn’t because I thought it would be terrible, no, it’s because I knew that it would be super addictive and impossible to put down. This game has kept me up late at night. Moreover, it is my go-to whenever I get frustrated with other games I’m reviewing. In short, it’s my addictive crutch that prevents me from going to bed.

This action rogue-like was developed by Pushka Studios and published by Assemble Entertainment. It is a single-player game that demands you to explore each dark, dank, and dangerous location. There are multiple levels of difficulty to wade through, and plenty of runes and weapons to play with. On top of this, it has a skill tree, loads of temporary and permanent buffs, and it is hellishly addictive. Consequently, it has pushed this much-loved genre onto the next level.

Grind Survivors = Survival and no story.

Unless you have been living under a rock, you will have played at least one game from this genre. There are dark and sinister ones, pixelated and cruel ones, and some that opt for a colourful but evil approach. Either way, they all have one thing in common: there is no story. Instead, you are asked to focus on one major element…survival. This is easier said than done, as the balanced gameplay always keeps you on the edge of your seat.

Alongside this, you need a healthy dose of luck if you are to make it to the end of the wave and destroy the gargantuan boss. I’ll admit that this took me an awful long time to do on every level. I like to think of myself as reasonably adept with this genre, but Grind Survivors pushed me all of the way.

Many plates to spin.

At its core, Grind Survivors is reasonably easy to understand. Effectively, you have one hero who must choose his weapon and get to work. Each wave becomes harder, and the volume of monsters increases. This forces you into many tight corners as you slowly improve your weaponry and permanent skills. However, it is the temporary buffs and abilities that make this so special.

As you play each round, you are forced to move across the map. Unlike its peers, you are not rewarded for simply herding your foes and collecting XP. Instead, you must explore the world and find different alters to improve your skills and find resources. New weapons and ash piles are the key elements to keep an eye out for. Ash is used to improve your guns, and new weapons can be merged to improve your gun of choice.

With plenty of destructive tools on offer, you’re spoilt. I opted for a shotgun and machine guns as I liked the different styles. However, there are plenty of weapons and different stats to play with.

During a playthrough, you must choose attack or defence-based skills. Alternatively, you can increase your XP, magnetic powers, or curse your bullets. You must be wise with your decisions, as each small choice has a massive impact on your chances of survival.

Grind Survivors looks amazing.

With so much going on, Grind Survivors should have had performance issues. The screen fills up with bodies and projectiles, but it never stutters. Additionally, you’ll be firing off abilities, dashing, and shooting like hell, but it takes it in its stride. Alongside this, it looks fantastic. The post-apocalyptic world is grim, and the monsters are equally appalling. Yet, there is enough variety that repetition doesn’t set in.

If you dislike long and uncomfortable games, you will not like this genre. It is a cacophony that rarely ceases. With aggressive gunfire, weird sci-fi elements, and an OTT soundtrack, Grind Survivors will make your ears scream.

Exceptional controls.

I’m lazy, and I used the auto function for my abilities and my firing. However, if this isn’t for you, you can use manual controls. Either way, it is great to play, and everything is well explained. If you are new to the genre or want a different challenge, this is a game that can be mastered in no time at all.

If I didn’t have to work or sleep, I’d play Grind Survivors forever. It is so addictive that it should come with a warning. You’ll die, fail, and die some more, but it doesn’t matter. Instead, you’ll shout, cry, brush yourself off, and get to playing again.

Grind Survivors is a brilliant game.

I thought I had had enough of this genre. I love it, but everything feels familiar. Thankfully, Grind Survivors takes things to the next level. The action is fun, challenging, and refreshing. Moreover, it is nicely balanced, and you will get your ass kicked repeatedly. Accordingly, it is amazing, and I recommend buying it here! Can you make it through every wave? Pick your weapon, upgrade your hero, and expect to die every time.

Review: Death Stranding 2: On The Beach (PC)

Josh Blackburn
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Review: Death Stranding 2: On The Beach (PC)

Death Stranding 2: On The Beach, Hideo Kojima’s newest… thing, has hiked its way onto PC. It gave me something of a revelation. I’ve realised I really like games that are ninety percent slow and meditative, but will suddenly go off the rails. Stuff like Pacific Drive or The Long Dark. In this case, I hiked my way carefully up a big hill, only to realise I’d blundered into a region of giant ghosts that sent me running off the hilltop and rolling right down to the bottom. It was great.

Death Stranding 2 seems fully aware of its meditative qualities too. It’s full of grand vistas, and has a haunting soundtrack provided by artists like Woodkid. As a keen hiker, pulling myself up a steep hill and being rewarded with a view of the world beyond is fantastic. For those of us that prefer something a bit faster paced, though, there is a good deal of action. I will say it doesn’t marry the two particularly well, but it’s a lovely package overall. I just wish it would stop trivialising its main features.

Death Stranding 2

Going Down Under

I should say up front that Death Stranding 2 is my first proper Hideo Kojima game. I vaguely knew what to expect, but it feels very much like plugging into someone’s stream of consciousness. Here’s my best summing of the plot. After connecting up the whole of North America in the first game, Sam Porter Bridges is in hiding with his adopted baby, Lou. He’s soon tracked down though, and asked to connect up a chunk of Mexico and, after a great personal tragedy, do the same with Australia. His journey takes him across the continent linking up with friends and fighting against old enemies.

I love how weird everything is. Take the cast of characters that surround Sam. There’s Deadman, who is Frankenstein’s monster in a sharp suit; Heartman, a man whose heart cuts out at set intervals, Tarman, whose hand is lost and swimming through tar, and Dollman, who is a possessed doll. Meanwhile we’re constantly finding links to ‘Beaches’, which are similar to afterlives, and fighting giant, ghostly monsters. The first boss fight is against a giant slimy skull, with big tentacles coming off it. I love it.

That said, the writing is a bit weird too, and not in such a positive way. For one thing, you can basically separate all characters into good ones who are nice to each other, and bad ones that are not. There’s very little conflict within the group. Lots of emotions, but little friction. Sam himself mostly drifts about, with the vast majority of dialogue said at him, while he just nods along. It’s like everyone is vying for a turn to stand up and talk about themselves. Every time he links up a new node, the hologram there will vomit their backstory all over him. Bit odd, but the fascinating spin on the apocalypse makes it bearable.

Death Stranding 2

Best Foot Forward

Gameplay-wise, Death Stranding 2 is very similar to the first game. We’re tasked with transporting cargo from one area to another, and linking up new sections of the continent as we do so. The cargo goes on your back, you draw the route and off you go. The actual hiking is great. Things feel weighty, so walking over uneven terrain can knock you off balance and send the precious cargo tumbling. Picking a sensible route is vital, particularly in the late game when you’re scrambling over mountains. A lot of the later missions are just one long route, too, and I really enjoyed the long treks.

Picking a sensible route is key, because there are other dangers than stacking it over a cliff. BTs, akin to something like ghosts, will beset you if you come near to them. Bandits will try and shoot you up and take your cargo. Combat is fairly basic third-person fare. You sneak kill as many bandits as you can and when that goes wrong, you pull out your biggest gun and open fire. Shooting feels quite nice and there’s a dizzying range of weapons to choose from. BTs, on the other hand, feel quite tense as you generally need to sneak around them. Generally, the trekking and the combat is married well.

You can pick a route that avoids them to spare your cargo, or be brave and push through. Ever so often though, it forces you into combat, which I liked less. The boss fights especially, while functionally nice, felt a bit out of place. A lot just have you shooting giant glowing weak spots. An odd action focus for an otherwise slow paced game. Most annoying is a repeated section where you have to fight a Solid Snake cosplayer. I will stress that, mechanically, it’s not bad at all. Sam’s dodge is a little pathetic, but it’s serviceable otherwise. It just felt like another, more generic game kept intruding on my Death Stranding 2 experience.

Death Stranding 2

Death Stranding 2 – Calm And Chaotic

I don’t think Death Stranding 2 agrees with me though, as it keeps handing me tools that trivialise the bits I like. The massive range of guns and tools all felt redundant when pretty much every enemy went down to the basic assault rifle. What’s more, I was a little disappointed by the focus on vehicles. Balancing the load on my back felt like it had a sense of risk, but by the mid-game I was just loading things into my pick-up off roader and slowly trundling to my goal. It still felt meditative, but it almost felt like cheating. Especially when it came to hazardous materials.

Still, these gripes aside, I did very much enjoy Death Stranding 2. Giving us the overall aim of linking up Australia, and showing it all connect up on the map, made the deliveries a lot more fun. It even does the multiplayer well. Structures you build, like bridges and generators, can show up in other people’s worlds. As can their paths carved through the snow. It brought in a great unspoken feeling of camaraderie, which helps reinforce the themes brought across by the story’s characters.

In the end Death Stranding 2 really hit that note of calm-chaos I was looking for. Driving my pick-up through the torrential rain, listening to some of Woodkid’s finest, and seeing the lights of my destination grow closer was a great feeling. Then I’d be drawn into a firefight, or a desperate run from BTs and it would fall into chaos. I was never bored by Death Stranding 2 and the bonkers story kept me invested right to the end. While all its parts are not perfectly lashed together, Death Stranding 2 is one hell of a package.

(Death Stranding 2: On The Beach‘s Steam Page)

Review: The Coin Game

Daniel Waite
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Review: The Coin Game

I’m a huge fan of arcades. Obviously, I love video games, but I also enjoy low-wager slot machines and other silly endeavours. Therefore, when The Coin Game was sent my way, I was giddy with excitement. The opportunity to play an array of weird and wonderful arcade games from the comfort of my chair was too good to turn down.

This odd simulation title was developed by Devotid and published by Kwalee. It is a single-player experience that mashes together fairground rides, penny slots, and skill games. Furthermore, there is a survival mode, birthday mode, and quick play. Although I enjoyed the challenge of the survival option, I spent most of my time with unlimited cash in the birthday mode.

The Coin Game tells you to forget the story and get gaming. 

The Coin Game doesn’t really have a story. Instead, it thanks you for being part of the process. This was a nice touch, but the developer missed a trick. The world is full of odd robot NPCs, and a huge story and mountains of lore could have been introduced. Instead, you are left to your own devices as you explore the world. 

The core concept of this is simple. Pick 1 of 5 gaming locations, and try to win as many tickets as possible. The tickets can be exchanged for prizes, at quite frankly, a ridiculous rate. However, this is to be expected. Thankfully, it doesn’t really hold you back, and pushing for bigger and better prizes is a must. 

Survival vs birthday mode. 

The Coin Game offers depth if you fancy trying your luck. Survival mode demands that you look after yourself while managing your bank account. Sadly, this does mean that you’ll have to deliver papers, pizzas, or take on other remedial tasks. Yet, needs must, as those arcade games and fairground rides won’t pay for themselves. Although I’m not against this idea, per se, it did make experimenting with the games a little tricky.

This is where the birthday mode comes to the fore. Money is not a problem, and you can forget about riding your bike or taking the bus like a peasant. Instead, you have a limo to take you between each location. Additionally, if you run out of cash, fear not. Luckily, there is a “Crystal Dome” style cash-grabbing event to refill your coffers. 

The games vary from simple ball dropping and coin pushing moments to skill-based endeavours. This blend is fantastic, and there is bound to be a game for everyone. However, if I didn’t have unlimited funds, it would have been quite tricky, and this is one of the downsides of the survival option. 

The Coin Game has its issues. 

I’m not normally one to complain about frame rates. However, The Coin Game stutters and hangs horribly at times. This is a shame, as the world is fun to explore. It feels huge, and riding your bike across its streets was enjoyable. Additionally, once things had settled down, the games ran smoothly and winning every ticket was pleasurable.

The audio is as loud, energetic, and bizarre as you’d expect. This is juxtaposed by some calm ambient sounds. This intelligent soundscape matched the demands of the arcade moments. Furthermore, it offered some peace as you explored the world.

Rough controls. 

I enjoyed The Coin Game, but the UI feels like an afterthought. Moreover, the controls are clunky and badly ported. On top of this, there is little hand-holding, and this confuses. In short, a better tutorial and smoother controls would improve this title. 

Replay value depends on how much you enjoy the arcade games. The survival mode is good, but it doesn’t have enough depth to keep you going. Therefore, if you get bored with the large library of arcade machines, you’ll probably uninstall it. 

The Coin Game is a great concept. 

I adore what the developer has tried to achieve with The Coin Game. It is fun, silly, and a little out there. However, it has its faults, and that holds it back. Had it been ported better, or if there was more depth, it would be a cult masterpiece. Instead, it is a decent indie game, and I recommend buying it here! Can you get every prize you desire? Pick a machine, try your luck, and get those tickets. 

Review: Sands of Aura

Daniel Waite
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Review: Sands of Aura

Sands of Aura is a dark and sinister experience that throws you into the action immediately. This massive fall off a chasm may feel overwhelming, but the opening elements act as a thorough and impressive tutorial that sets you on your way. Despite this good start, the developer lets many key elements surprise you. Accordingly, there are moments when you feel out of your depth and frustrated.

This dark fantasy RPG was developed by Chashu Entertainment and published by indie.io. It is a single-player game with Soulslike combat. Now, I know everyone says that tough fighting mechanics are Souls in nature, but this is 100% inspired by the Souls genre. With respawning enemies and a reliance on dodge and parrying moves, Sands of Aura will test your reactions, mindset, and patience.

The world is dying, and you must be prepared to stop it in Sands of Aura.

This dark fantasy experience is set in the twilight of a dying world known as Talamhel. A tormented god changed the face of this once vibrant place as he smashed the Hourglass of time. The sand emptied across every continent, and death and destruction followed. The night plague is a corrupt force that destroys everything it touches. Consequently, the Order of Remnant Knights must banish the disease and save the day.

The plot is wonderfully told by the protagonist and an array of NPCs. As you explore the world on your Grainwake, you move between isolated islands that act as micro dungeons. Here, you will find survivors that will impact the path you take and the growth of the central hub. This essential element takes a while to evolve, but once it takes hold, many core mechanics make sense.

No levelling up!

An RPG without character levelling is a weird idea. However, Sands of Aura plays with this to great effect. Instead of personal progression, you must find runes and bits of weapons to create hundreds of unique tools. This unusual approach leads to an array of different approaches while ensuring that your playthrough is unique.

The Soulslike combat should have been impressive, but it was a little frustrating. The hitboxes don’t quite work, and timing can be off. This was unfortunate, as I liked the monsters on offer and testing my newly forged weapons. I’m not saying that it is terrible, but it should have been better polished to enhance an essential element of the game.

Finally, a lack of guidance can lead to hours of aimless wandering. A compass has helped this, but I lost plenty of time as I ran around like a headless chicken. A detailed map of every dungeon would have resolved this issue and made the game much better.

Sands of Aura is dark, sinister, and great to look at.

The claustrophobic dungeons, grim colour palette, and array of horrendous creatures were great to look at. Although every opening wasn’t always obvious, I adored exploring each of the islands and the dungeons within. The animation was smooth, and fighting looked great, even if it was occasionally flawed. Moreover, I had no frame rate issues, bugs, or crashes to dashboard.

The gothic art style is complemented by the melancholy atmosphere. The audio delivers a deathly edge that rarely fades. Even when you are successful, minor-toned songs play out. This sense of doom and despair reminds you that the world is on its last legs.

Excellent controls.

The opening tutorial sets you up to enjoy every moment of this game. Sands of Aura has an easy-to-understand controller layout, and the buttons are responsive. Sadly, the aforementioned hitbox issues hold it back, and this has caused hours of frustration.

There is loads of replay value if you can look past the odd problem. The world is a joy to explore, and I loved moving between the islands. The Grainwake element was truly fantastic as it offers a sense of freedom. If you fall for the dark and moody charms, you will not be able to put this down.

Sands of Aura is a good indie experience.

I enjoyed my time playing Sands of Aura. It is one of those indie games that keeps on giving even when you think you’ve mastered it. Furthermore, there are plenty of twists and turns as you create new weapons, rescue survivors, and evolve as a hero. Despite the limited issues, this is a great game, and I recommend buying it here! Can you battle the plague? Explore the world, upgrade your gear, and bring peace and harmony back to a broken land.

A Closer Look at the One Piece Luffy Phone Stand

Andrew Edney
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A Closer Look at the One Piece Luffy Phone Stand

Here we take a closer look at the One Piece Luffy Phone Stand from EGX Pro.

Luffy Mini Cable Guy has stepped off the Thousand Sunny, ready to take on any adventure… and hold your phone and earbuds along the way!

With his iconic straw hat and fearless grin, he’s the ultimate mini cable guy for any One Piece fan. Whether you’re setting sail or kicking back, let Luffy keep your essentials safe and sound.

• Luffy mini holder

• Perfect for keeping your earbuds, phone, and other small gadgets organized

• Officially licensed by Netflix, styled on Luffy from Netflix’s One Piece

• Approx 4″ tall

The One Piece Luffy Phone Stand from EGX Pro is available now priced around £14.99.

You can learn more from the website here.

A Closer Look at the One Piece Buggy Phone Stand

Andrew Edney
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A Closer Look at the One Piece Buggy Phone Stand

Here we take a closer look at the One Piece Buggy Phone Stand from EGX Pro.

Step right up and behold the legendary pirate himself—Buggy the Clown Mini Cable Guy!

Leader of the Buggy Pirates, master of chaos, and now… your loyal guardian! Whether you’re setting sail on the Grand Line or just lounging at home, Buggy’s got your back and your phone.

• Buggy mini holder

• Perfect for keeping your earbuds, phone, and other small gadgets organized

• Officially licensed by Netflix, styled on Buggy from Netflix’s One Piece

• Approx 4″ tall

The One Piece Buggy Phone Stand from EGX Pro is available now priced around £14.99.

You can learn more from the website here.

Review: Rayman: 30th Anniversary Edition

Daniel Waite
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Review: Rayman: 30th Anniversary Edition

Rayman: 30th Anniversary Edition is a wonderful reminder that dated games can compete with modern titles. This amazing collection of games has been lovingly put together in one easy-to-manage package. Furthermore, there is a brilliant early prototype game that has been lost to the ages. Consequently, this will appeal to lovers of the franchise and gamers who wish to enjoy a step into the past.

This platform adventure was developed by Digital Eclipse and published by UBISOFT. It is a single-player game that is agonisingly brutal, addictive, and tough to put down. Furthermore, the blend of 5 unique platforms and games across an evolving gaming era makes this an appealing collection. 

I’m not discussing the plots of Rayman: 30th Anniversary Edition.

I think it would be a waste of time to explain well-known plot from each of the games on offer. Instead, I’m going to praise Rayman: 30th Anniversary Edition for remaining faithful to each experience. Moreover, it is an amazing insight into era trends and how each platform developed the visuals, handling, and other key elements.

It is the inclusion of new levels, commentary, and other moments that make this a special experience. An insight into the creator’s mindset and what they hoped to achieve is a fan’s dream. Furthermore, the inclusion of the long-lost SNES prototype filled me with joy. I’ve played many of these games when they were first released. Therefore, it was fascinating to witness and play something that I never knew existed.

New levels and new features.

Adding over 120 levels to the core game is no mean feat. Yet, this is what you get if you invest in Rayman: 30th Anniversary Edition. Each of these levels is designed to make you shout, laugh, and cry. They focus on many of the core beliefs and ideas and develop the game past its original limitations. This may upset true hardcore fans, but most gamers will enjoy the fresh ideas and the ability to test themselves.

Talking of tests, I’ve never sworn so much in my life. I have forgotten how cruel and frustrating this game can be. Even though the developer has included a rewind button, unlimited lives, and other life improvements, I couldn’t help but die, fail, and wish that I were better at the game. Others may not feel this way, but I can’t remember being this terrible at the game when I was a kid.

Rayman: 30th Anniversary Edition is hard to play on a large screen.

I use a 50″ monitor, and this wasn’t ideal. Sadly, the pixelated visuals were challenging to look at on a larger screen. Everything was blown out, making the writing and details harder to read. Luckily, when I changed monitors, the problems were reduced. The characters, levels, and blown-out graphics looked much better. Furthermore, it was a dated experience that rarely got old.

The audio is as loud, vibrant, and fun as you’d expect. However, the overhaul of the soundtrack will upset lovers of the original. Despite its familiar feel, this new soundtrack dishonours the original game’s memory and nature. I love the fact that the developer wants to reimagine the experience, but letting people pick the music should have been the least they could do.

As good to play now as always.

The control system is fantastic. It is easy to understand, quick to master, and great for players of all ages and skills. Despite the challenging action, you can cut your teeth on this fantastic platform adventure. It will bite you in the arse, but you’ll be a better gamer for tackling every tough moment.

There are so many levels that I struggled to keep up. If you add in the prototype and the lost history, Rayman: 30th Anniversary Edition offers lots of value and longevity. If you want a modern experience, this won’t be for you. Yet, if you are happy to sacrifice graphics and some polish, this will teach you about gaming heritage.

Rayman: 30th Anniversary Edition is brilliant.

I’ve loved Rayman for as long as I can remember. Therefore, Rayman: 30th Anniversary Edition was always going to be a winner. Although I wasn’t best pleased about the soundtrack, the rest of the action was fantastic. It is fun, tough, and colourful. Additionally, it is great to play. Accordingly, I love it, and I recommend buying it here! Can you take on your challenge and retrieve the Great Protoon? Explore every level, overcome your foes, and bring harmony to your world.

News: Mario Fun Collection

Daniel Waite
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News: Mario Fun Collection

Turtle Beach champions Nintendo products as if they were their baby. Accordingly, I wasn’t surprised to hear some incredible additions to their amazing Mario-themed peripherals. This Mario Fun Collection is a celebration of all things Mario and the amazing Turtle Beach products on offer.

Today, I can talk about 2 new peripherals from this exciting brand. If you want a stunning controller, you can invest in the new Mario & Luigi Rematch, Rosalina, or Koopa Troopa Wireless RGB Gaming Controller. Alternatively, if you need a headset, the new Airlite Fit Mario Star Wired Headset will make you smile. If you wish to keep your console safe, there is a new Koopa Troopa PlayTrek Case. All of these products are compatible with Nintendo Switch 2 and all other Nintendo systems. Therefore, sit back and take a look at the details.

Details of the Mario Fun Collection.

The Rematch Wireless RGB Gaming Controller.

The Rematch Wireless RGB Gaming Controller from Turtle Beach is a stylish wireless controller designed for Nintendo Switch systems. It features a 30-foot wireless range, motion controls, two mappable rear buttons, and a rechargeable battery offering up to 40 hours of playtime. Its unique lenticular or glow-style designs create eye-catching visuals while gaming.

This offers affordable wireless gaming with strong battery life and customizable controls. Its ergonomic design provides comfort during long sessions, while programmable back buttons improve gameplay performance. Stylish visual effects and official Nintendo licensing also make it a fun, reliable upgrade from standard controllers.

(Mario Fun Collection – $64.99)

Airlite Fit Mario Star Wired Headset.

The Turtle Beach Airlite Fit Wired Gaming Headset is a lightweight over-ear headset designed for Nintendo Switch consoles. It features powerful 40 mm speakers for clear game audio, soft jersey-knit ear cushions for comfort, and a noise-cancelling flip-to-mute microphone for team chat. Its 3.5 mm connection provides simple plug-and-play compatibility.

It offers strong gaming audio and comfort at a very affordable price. The lightweight design suits long gaming sessions, while the clear microphone helps communication with teammates. Easy plug-and-play compatibility and durable construction make it a practical headset for casual or younger gamers.

(Mario Fun Collection – $27.99)

PlayTrek Travel Case.

The Turtle Beach PlayTrek Travel Case is a durable, travel-ready carrying solution designed for Nintendo Switch 2, Switch, and OLED models. Featuring a rugged EVA-moulded shell, padded interior, and accessory storage, it keeps your console safe from drops, scratches, and everyday wear while staying compact and portable.

The PlayTrek Travel Case offers strong protection, smart storage, and stylish designs, making it perfect for gamers who travel. Its lightweight build, game card slots, and accessory pockets make it a convenient all-in-one solution for keeping your gaming gear organised on the go.

(Mario Fun Collection – $29.99)

Time to revamp your gear.

If you love Mario and want to refresh your Nintendo setup, Mario Fun Collection offers a new controller and a stunning headset to improve your gaming experience. I love the build quality, comfort, and vibrant style. Turtle Beach offers some incredible peripherals, and you will not be disappointed if you invest!

(More information on Turtle Beach can be found here!)

Review: Clean Up Earth

Daniel Waite
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Review: Clean Up Earth

Clean Up Earth is a relaxing, enjoyable, and wholesome experience that isn’t without its faults. However, once the developer irons out every problem, this will be a fantastic game to play. Furthermore, the more rubbish you collect, the more money you make for real-world charities. Accordingly, by playing this game, you are helping improve the global environment.

Magic Pockets SAS published and developed this cosy adventure title. It is a single-player or up to 25+ player multiplayer game. You can drop in on your friends at any point and replay any of the levels to your heart’s content. Think of PowerWash Simulator, and you have the right idea. I tackled this alone as none of my friends has a copy. However, once it’s released, I look forward to playing it with them.

Clean Up Earth lets evolution tell the story.

Clean Up Earth refuses to follow the usual linear story pattern. Instead, it unleashes nuggets of information as you clean each stage. There are ancient monuments, weird alien markings, and plenty of strange and exciting things to discover. Yet, it is the feeling of success that takes centre stage.

Cleaning mountains of dirt and plastic was ridiculously rewarding. Additionally, finding new tools to pick up different types of filth was fantastic. There are 4 coloured attachments to find and ladders, bridges, and buildings to restore. Moreover, there are gadgets to unlock and plenty of things to upgrade. Thankfully, shifting dirt pays well, and you can upgrade your recycling tool and other bits as you explore each map.

The not so good.

Unfortunately, Clean Up Earth isn’t without its faults. I played this on the Xbox Series X, and I experienced repeated crashing to the dashboard. This wouldn’t be an issue, but there is no auto-save facility. Consequently, if it crashes, you lose your progress. This was extremely frustrating and something that needs to be resolved.

Alongside this, the latter stages are imbalanced. Sadly, you get to a point where your equipment isn’t strong enough to break down and suck up the bigger structures. This was annoying as you hit a brick wall and cannot move forward. I spent hours grinding the lower levels, but the money on offer isn’t enough to purchase the better equipment. Therefore, you’ll waste hours without much progress.

Clean Up Earth is colourful but refined.

Despite the crashing issues, Clean Up Earth has a pleasant and colourful finish. Each stage offers a blend of lush grass, sandy beaches, mountain ranges, rivers, lakes, and other weird and wonderful aspects. They are filled with rubbish, so to make the most of each level, you must get to work and make every location sparkle.

The audio is refined. There is a gadget to listen to music, but this runs out of battery pretty quickly. Therefore, you spend most of your time with the calm ambient sounds and the noise of your industrial, futuristic hoover at work. Although this could become annoying, I enjoyed the simplicity.

Excellent controls.

The control system and UI are well considered and perfectly ported from the PC build. Adjusting the tools and attaching the gadgets was a breeze, and collecting the dirt and rubbish was amazing as a consequence. The developer has included some nice tools to help you along your way. Unlike PowerWash and its magic highlighting vision, Clean Up Earth offers a radar gadget that bleeps when you are close to rubbish. This prevents you from aimlessly wandering around searching for specks of dirt.

I think the online mode will offer plenty of replay value. I regret that I wasn’t able to test this, but it should be great fun as you work in teams to clear large areas of filth. Additionally, it’ll take away the sense of grind from the larger and more complex stages.

Clean Up Earth is relaxing, but flawed.

I really want to rave about Clean Up Earth. I love the support it offers to real-world charities and the relaxing nature of each stage. Furthermore, it is exceptionally rewarding as you sweep up the dirt and rectify the hideous mess. Yet, I cannot overlook the crashing to dashboard and the imbalance. If the developer tweaks the latter and resolves the bugs, it’ll be an amazing experience. Accordingly, I like it, and I recommend buying it here! Can you work through the dirt and save the day? Grab your machine, find the right tools, and remove that filth.

The Difference Between Betting on the Final Score and Betting on Moments in a Match

Christopher John
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The Difference Between Betting on the Final Score and Betting on Moments in a Match

Sure, betting on the final score, who wins, is the easiest bet to place. I bet my team wins. You use the bet app download, sign in and palace the bet. But betting on moments in the game is a little different. Surely some will think it’s the same match, same teams, same 90 minutes. But betting on the final score and betting on moments inside the match are completely different experiences once you actually do both.

Final Score Betting Is One Fixed Idea

When you bet on the final score, you’re making one decision before anything happens. You look at the teams, maybe form, maybe just instinct, and settle on something like 2–1 or 3–0. Let’s try to predict a match such as Arsenal vs Burnley. It’s safe to assume that Arsenal will play to control the game, create chances, and win comfortably. So you go with 2–0. From that point on, you’re locked into that exact outcome. The issue is that the match rarely follows a clean script. If Burnley score first, or if Arsenal score too early and the game opens up, your original idea can fall apart quickly.

You Need the Game to Unfold Exactly Right

This is where final score betting becomes difficult. It’s not enough to be generally correct. If the match finishes 3–0 instead of 2–0, you lose. Even if you read the game properly. Even if everything you expected actually happened. You don’t just need the winner. You need the exact version of the match.

Betting on Moments Is Based on What You See

In-play betting works differently. You’re not trying to predict the full match anymore. It’s much more fan and info oriented. For example, Chelsea vs Newcastle. It’s 0–0 after 30 minutes, but Chelsea are dominating. Shots, pressure, Newcastle barely crossing midfield. You don’t need to guess the final score. You just see that a goal is likely coming soon. So instead of predicting the outcome, you bet on that moment. Next goal, or a goal before halftime.

The Game Can Change and You Adjust With It

Another example is when the match suddenly opens up. Real Madrid vs Atletico, 1–1 in the 70th minute. Both teams start pushing, spaces appear, the tempo increases. At that point, the original prediction doesn’t matter as much. You’re reacting to the change in the game. You might go for another goal, or both teams to score again, because the match itself is telling you something new.

Timing Matters More Than the Idea

With final score bets, timing isn’t a factor. You place it before kickoff and that’s it. With in-play betting, timing is critical. It might be the right call, but if you act too early, or too late, it can make a bust. So it’s not just about being right. It’s about acting at the right moment.

It Comes Down to How You Read the Match

Final score betting is about building a full picture before the game starts. Betting on moments is about following the game as it develops. And that’s why they feel completely different once you actually try both.

Review: Manairons

Daniel Waite
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Review: Manairons

Manairons is a cute, wholesome, and interesting indie game that is wonderfully surprising. Inspired by Pyrenean folklore, this game is full of strange ideas, magic, and a stunning setting. However, it isn’t entirely perfect as the combat elements are a little underwhelming, and that was unfortunate.

This puzzle platforming adventure was developed by 3Cat and published by Jandusoft. It is a single-player 3D endeavour that explores an array of locations. Furthermore, there are plenty of different puzzles, obstacles, and enemies to overcome. Although the latter element didn’t blow me away, I enjoyed the odd test of my brain as I hit switches, activated platforms, and moved items.

Manairons tells a delightful story. 

I love folklore and the many unusual outcomes. Moreover, the talk of gods, beasts, and other weird and wonderful entities makes me smile. Accordingly, Manairons was always going to appeal. The story takes in the magic of different stories and combines them for a heartfelt and interesting experience.

You control Nai, a magical Manairo who awakens after centuries of deep sleep. The peaceful village of Vilamont has been turned into an industrial nightmare, and slavery has taken hold. Armed with a magical flute, the tiny hero must liberate her kin and save the day.

Tried and tested mechanics. 

If you are familiar with the genre, you’ll love the tried and tested mechanics. Manairons focuses on magic, music, and puzzles. Furthermore, there are people to control, and the occasional fighting moment. 

The magical flute takes centre stage. With 6 unique songs to master, the hero can lift items, open pathways, and control other Manairo. This musical instrument is a tool to attack your enemies as well. Sadly, this was a little lacklustre, and if you love complex fighting games, Manairons will not appeal.

The platform elements are relatively straightforward as they require simple parkour traits. Alternatively, you’ll leap from platform to platform as you avoid obstacles and hurdles. Things get harder when new skills are added. However, these are limited to double jumps and triple jumps. Therefore, it doesn’t really blow you away.

The puzzles are understated as well. Although I enjoyed them, they didn’t push me too hard. Instead, it is the combination of platforms, switches, and battery-powered locks that keeps you guessing. 

Manairons loves to play with your mind. 

The hero is tiny, and this allowed the developer to play with scale. Everything in Manairons plays with your mind. Whether it was a bakery, a cobbler, or a toy shop, it was larger than life. This was great as the world felt huge, and overcoming every chasm or problem was a real achievement.

The flute plays a huge part in the fantasy soundscape. With a large library of songs and a pleasant blend of unusual and folk numbers, the soundtrack captures the folklore edge.

Excellent controls.

I love the simplicity and the accuracy of the controls. The opening moments deliver a clear and easy-to-follow tutorial. Once you delve deeper into the action, the drip-fed layers are simple to master, and the parkour moments feel amazing as a consequence. 

I’m not much of a completionist, but Manairons offers an array of collectables to those who are interested. Even if you were to ignore the trinkets on offer, this delivers hours of platforming and magical fun. 

Manairons is a pleasant indie title. 

I love indie games as they offer plenty to enjoy at an affordable price. Thankfully, Manairons does just that with its rich story, fantasy edge, and simple but effective puzzles. Despite the poor combat, this is a pleasant experience. Accordingly, I like it and recommend buying it here! Can you free your kin? Explore the world, solve the puzzles, and let your flute do the talking. 

Review: Our Adventurer Guild

Daniel Waite
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Review: Our Adventurer Guild

I’m a huge fan of dated RPGs. I don’t mind if they are dungeon crawlers, tactical turn-based experiences, or anything in between. I love the rudimentary gameplay, the often outlandish plots, and the easy-to-master mechanics. Thankfully, Our Adventurer Guild has these elements in abundance. However, its contrived writing is often too clichéd, and this was a sticking point.

This turn-based RPG was developed by GreenGuy and published by Ultimate Games SA. It is a single-player affair where permadeath is an option, and procedurally generated characters sit at the fore. This makes it a risky title that often throws in the odd curveball. Yet, it is the relationships, man management, and mountain of quests that keep you coming back for more.

Rebuild your brand and reputation in Our Adventurer Guild.

A world-famous guild should turn heads! Having the best heroes, the most gold, and completing the most quests is a badge of honour. However, your failed guild falls way short of this desire. This once powerful and respected business has fallen into disrepair. Accordingly, it is your responsibility as guild master to tighten things up and get things back on course.

The plot is wonderfully easy to understand. However, thanks to the relationship mechanic, the story ebbs and flows nicely. As your heroes become more or less friendly towards each other, new bonds grow. This changes the mood in camp and the way the team interacts. This was fascinating as it grants various bonuses that’ll help you on your way.

Familiar mechanics. 

Our Adventurer Guild is broken down into well-trodden elements. The overworld exploration has a real-time strategy layer. Here, you must move from point A to point B while collecting resources. As you explore the world, you’ll notice creatures skulking. These can be avoided, but 9 times out of 10, you cannot escape them. Therefore, combat is all but assured. 

Each battle is a turn-based affair where luck decides the order of play. There are environmental bonuses, team bonuses, and a host of other minor positives and negatives to consider. Although this could have been overwhelming, everything is well explained, and you can tackle the fighting in no time. 

The relationships, guild management, and bravery system are more complex, but still manageable. Guild management is relatively straightforward as you look after your team, deal with upgrades, and hire recruits. This wasn’t the most enthralling aspect of the game, but needs must as a guild master. The bravery system is a risk vs reward element. Pushing this too hard will cause panic and exhaustion. However, getting it right offers extreme bonuses. Therefore, it was an interesting experiment in pushing your luck.

Our Adventurer Guild didn’t wow me. 

I don’t mind dated visuals, but Our Adventurer Guild took this a bit far. The hand-drawn art and basic animations were lacking in enthusiasm and detail. This expands to the simple world design. Sadly, it is colours that often make the difference between key areas. This was a shame as everything felt repetitive. 

The audio is a bit generic and lacking in variety. Yet, the few tunes on offer deliver a creepy, exciting, and sinister atmosphere that is suitable for this indie title.

Simple controls. 

The tutorial does a great job of setting you on your way. With basic but responsive controls and a simple UI, this isn’t the hardest game to master. No matter if it is guild management, exploration, or combat, you will not struggle to play Our Adventurer Guild. 

With branching paths and different relationships, this offers a reasonable layer of replay value. Although it lacks depth, it offers enough to keep you going. If you aim to complete everything, this delivers around 100 hours of playtime. That’s pretty impressive for an inexpensive indie game.

Our Adventurer Guild ticks many boxes. 

I have my complaints, but Our Adventurer Guild ticks many boxes. It is fun, and I like the quests, guild management, and different heroes. Although it is relatively refined, it offers enough to keep you coming back for more. Accordingly, I like it and recommend buying it here! Can you make your guild great again? Choose your heroes, keep them happy, and help everyone you see. 

Review: ICARUS Console Edition

Matt Cooper
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Review: ICARUS Console Edition

Five years since its initial release on PC, Icarus finally lands on console in the form of ICARUS: Console Edition. Can this survival game stake a claim on new platforms? Or should this brutal sim have been left marooned on PC?

A Long Way From Home

Survival games and playing online go hand in hand. The last decade has spawned some titles like DayZ and Arma which have developed dedicated communities. Icarus never really came on my radar, so when developers RocketWertz (led by DayZ creator Dean Hall) finally announced the move to consoles, they had my attention. Icarus strives to be a brutal, difficult survival game which succeeds for the most part, if not for some glaring issues on launch.

Like many games in this genre, if you are looking for a vastly rich narrative, you have come to the wrong place. You are the story and you make your own narrative. The crux of the narrative is simple: you arrive on the small moon planet of Icarus, which is 4.2 light years away from home. This mysterious planet has been terraformed and when you arrive your priority is simple – survive. There are timed missions for players to complete, but the real story lies in the adventures you have in these missions.

The developers have focused on allowing the players to make their own narrative – and this succeeds. Every mission feels memorable and exhilarating as you come to discover more and more about this mysterious planet. Planning the missions feels memorable in its own right; you carefully choose items for the enemies and storms ahead. It’s a simple plot that seeks to enable players rather than bog them down in vast amounts of lore. Granted, there is some semblance of a story for the player to uncover but for the most part, it’s up to you to write the tale.

Survival Is Paramount

Gameplay in ICARUS Console Edition aims to be a brutal, deep and time-consuming experience. This is a tried and tested survival gameplay loop; veterans of this genre will know and love it. At the start, the mechanics are simple: you gather items and resources such as wood and stone to craft items like a pickaxe, in order to gather more materials. Soon after, you can begin to craft a shelter to store your resources as you hunt and scavenge for food and water. From there, you build bigger shelters and unlock new crafting blueprints to become a master of survival.

Speaking of hunting, the animals of Icarus are surprising in their nature. I had expected a vast amount of alien life, when in fact, many animals which inhabit Earth are present on Icarus. Still, you will encounter alien life as you continue your exploration in this huge game. Each map feels so vast it can be quite overwhelming for the player; this isn’t for the faint hearted. It’s a gameplay loop that requires hundreds and hundreds of hours in order to fully appreciate this game. Sadly, the DLC that is available on launch is all paid extras for players. This is a hugely disappointing choice.

One thing I am extremely pleased with is the combat controls, which feel excellent, especially in ranged combat. I played most of my time solo. However, it’s worth mentioning that this is a game that only gets better the more you play with friends. I can only imagine the moments of despair, humour and genuinely breath taking moments playing in a group of four will bring.

Crash Landing

Whilst there is a lot of good to be discovered in this game, it’s not without problems. It’s a gameplay loop which isn’t new, but the problem I have with the gameplay is mainly the UI. This UI is absolutely awful and can really bog you down and overwhelm you. Inventory management is terrible and so methodical it may very well bore you to death. I can appreciate the developers’ aim of making things realistic and hard for players, but for some, this will just put them off almost immediately.

Similarly, the build mode has major issues. There isn’t a button to click into a build mode, instead forcing you to click ‘deploy’ on an item to place it. This is tedious and slows down the enjoyment vastly. I’m nit-picking to a certain extent, but I really feel the developers haven’t made this game very friendly for newcomers to the survival genre. The grind of a survival game has long been an issue for someone like myself as I don’t feel it’s rewarding enough. Icarus is no different. This game makes it known from minute one that it isn’t for the faint hearted.

Untold And Undiscovered Beauty

When it comes to the visual design and presentation in ICARUS Console Edition, I am simply, blown away. Every biome looks superb and vast in detail. Forests, caves, deserts, mountains (you name it) look awe inspiring. The decision to add a first person and a third person camera perspective is genius. The level of scale the developers have managed to achieve should be commended, in particular when storms hit. Storms are a huge part of Icarus; they can wreak havoc on environments, making it so cinematic that it’s hard not to stand and watch the vicious destruction each one leaves in its wake. Animals and enemies look wonderful and are animated to make them feel truly alive. I could wander around these worlds all day.

That being said, there are some performance issues that can affect your experience. At launch there are too many pop ins, screen tearing and frame drops for my liking. Unfortunately, during my time playing, I had a few crashes, but thankfully not too many. The developers have sought to make this a priority in post launch patches. Still, this is a beautiful game that has to be seen to be believed. Sound design is also top notch in Icarus Console Edition. Every animal sounds wonderful and lifelike, whilst storms roar in a terrifying powerful fashion. Conversely, while the soundtrack fits the theme of the game perfectly, it simply does not show up enough for my liking.

Verdict

ICARUS Console Edition isn’t a perfect experience but when it’s on song, it’s a bold, vast, atmospheric and hugely ambitious survival game. It can be rewarding, satisfying and breath taking. Sadly, some players will be put off by a brutal learning curve and terrible UI. If you can get past that, there is a deeply rewarding survival game where you are the story and your adventures fill the page. Play on your own at your peril! It will take me hundreds and hundreds of hours to fully uncover the mystery of Icarus! Check out the page here- ICARUS: Console Edition

Review: BOULDERDASH 40th Anniversary

Daniel Waite
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Review: BOULDERDASH 40th Anniversary

BOULDERDASH 40th Anniversary is a game I’ve been waiting to play for a while. I loved the original as it kept me entertained for hours. Therefore, when a new version of this much-loved experience is released, what’s not to love? This collection of games brings back the retro experience for a modern audience. Additionally, it adds new levels and mechanics to test your reactions and grey matter a little further.

This wacky game was developed and published by BBG Entertainment GmbH. It is a single-player title that is capable of 60+ FPS. This wasn’t entirely necessary, but I appreciated the smooth visual impact. If you love all things BOULDERDASH, you’ll adore the level editor and the chance to create your own weird and wonderful levels. This adds a massive layer of replay value that will appeal to creative types and hardcore fans of the franchise.

BOULDERDASH 40th Anniversary focuses on the action.

If you’ve never played a game from the series, you are in for a treat. However, please do not expect a plot or a reason as to why the hero is running in a mine while collecting diamonds. The lack of a story isn’t an issue, as you have over 300 levels to focus on. Additionally, a plot would be wasted as the challenging levels and limited time keep you zoned in.

You play the role of Rockford, who is a nimble miner who loves to dig up dirt and gather valuable gems. This famous protagonist hasn’t aged a day, and in fact, he looks better now than he did 40+ years ago. As he explores each underground world, he must avoid hazards, creatures, and other elements as he looks to find the exit before the timer runs out.

A new look but familiar action.

No matter which level of BOULDERDASH 40th Anniversary you tackle, you’ll enjoy the same core mechanics. At first, you must focus on gathering each gem and avoiding falling obstacles. Falling boulders, avalanches, acid, growing walls, explosions, and, of course, a time limit keep you on your toes throughout.

On top of this, there is an array of enemies that’ll follow your pathways and try to attack you. This is where the prey must become the hunter. Using boulders and the environmental hazards are key if you wish to be victorious.

The biggest change for BOULDERDASH 40th Anniversary is the level editor. This robust kit enables fans of the franchise to create the most epic stages possible. I admit that I got lost for hours as I tried to make the perfect stage. However, if you simply want to add some basic levels for your kids or test your friends, this excellent tool will be your best friend.

BOULDERDASH 40th Anniversary has a modern or dated edge.

I adore it when a developer lets its player base choose their visual preferences. BOULDERDASH 40th Anniversary has a filter that allows a modern look to dominate proceedings. Alternatively, you can remove this and return to the 80s with a dated and gloriously block edge.

If you adore the original soundtrack, you’ll admire the effort put into the new musical score. The epic songs are catchy, easy-going, and great to hear. It offers a blend of high-fidelity songs and nostalgia-infused tunes. In short, it offers something for everyone.

Straightforward controls.

The developer has stayed as true to the original ideas as possible. Consequently, the control system is refined, easy to understand, and simple to master once you get your head around the new mechanics. Therefore, it is ideal for gamers of all ages and abilities.

With over 300 levels to play and free rein to create as many levels as you wish, BOULDERDASH 40th Anniversary offers exceptional replay value and longevity. Although it is better to play it casually, hardcore fans will eat away at the levels without batting an eyelid.

BOULDERDASH 40th Anniversary is a great step down memory lane.

I loved every second of BOULDERDASH 40th Anniversary. The modern levels are great, and reliving the 80s-dated moments was even better. It has aged exceptionally well, and I think a modern audience and younger gamers will love every minute. Accordingly, it is fantastic, and I recommend buying it here! Can you gather every gem and escape? Plot your route, avoid the obstacles, and get rich in the process.

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