Rarely do I consider the games that get canned. Accordingly, there must be thousands of titles that fail to impress publishers and therefore never get seen. As such, I wonder how many of these failed experiments would have excelled. Well, Akka Arrh attempts to right this wrong as it surfaces after 40 years in the dark.
Developed by Llamasoft and published by Atari, this is a fast-paced arcade experience. What’s more, it is psychedelic, insanely strange, and unlike anything else I’ve experienced. Consequently, I wonder why it was scrapped in the first place. Though it lacks depth, it oozes 80s charm and fits in with many sci-fi games of the era. Accordingly, I believe it would have achieved cult status had it been rightly published all those years ago.
Shoot a bomb and watch the chain begin.
Akka Arrh chucks you into the madness.
80s arcade titles comprise plenty of familiar mechanics, but they love their shocking moments as well. Subsequently, it didn’t surprise me that Akka Arrh chucks you straight in at the deep end. With no explanation of what is happening and very little guidance as to what to do, you must muddle through. Now, this sounds like a complaint, but it isn’t. Instead, I loved the hectic nature of the gameplay and trial-and-error approach.
The action may be maddening, but the core concept is remarkably simple. You control a turret that must fight off waves of alien creatures. As you destroy each entity, it explodes and emits a shock wave. This oddly shaped “weapon” can annihilate other aliens and this tool must be used to maximise your score. By firing a bomb, you’ll restart your combo and your chain must start from 0. The challenge is to maximise your combo to increase your score whilst surviving each wave. This sounds easy, but drip-fed mechanics makes the action tough but rewarding.
Head to the lower level and destroy those aliens.
Ahhh, stop breaking my balls.
Not only do you enjoy a simple concept, but there is a range of modes to undertake as well. However, alongside this, you must endure drip-fed mechanics that alter the gameplay and increase the difficulty. If things are going to plan, you’ll hold back each wave of aliens without concern. Yet, things rarely go to plan and the action soon begins to break your balls.
If your enemies break through your defences, they’ll enter a lower layer of your base. Here, they try to steal orbs that weaken the turret. Moreover, if all your orbs are taken, your run is finished and you must start again. On top of this, your enemies evolve and some will defend themselves. When this happens, you must use your secondary weapon to destroy them. This additional element increases the difficulty, but it can be used to increase or continue your combo as well. Accordingly, though they are a nightmare, these annoying enemies can be used to improve your run.
Akka Arrh looks insane.
I’ve never taken drugs, therefore, I assume that Akka Arrh is the closest thing to an LSD trip that I’ll experience. This vivid and surreal title looks insane! With clean lines, mind-blowing colours, and fast-flowing action, it plays tricks on your eyes. Moreover, the strange shapes and never-ending stream of aliens are relentless. Alongside this, you have to move from the upper to the lower layer seamlessly. When this happens, a smooth transition helps you to adjust.
On top of the 80s psychedelic artistry, you’ll enjoy excellent animation, basic stage design, and brilliant UI. Furthermore, Atari adds another neon-infused game to their arsenal of incredibly addictive endeavours.
The graphics are crazy. However, I was equally impressed by the audio. The hard-hitting soundtrack isn’t to my liking, but it was perfect for the theme and genre. The synth music was era-specific, painful on your ears, but brilliantly upbeat as well.
Damn, this is vivid.
Excellent controls.
Akka Arrh lacks complexity. Consequently, the controls were never going to be tough to pick up. However, a helpful tutorial smooths things over. As such, the responsive inputs and basic layout increase the usability further still.
Arcade games are addictive and casual. Thankfully, Akka Arrh is unbelievably moreish as you destroy multiple enemies and survive waves of attacks. Furthermore, the drip-fed mechanics keep you on your toes. Additionally, I loved trying to maximise my combo and the subsequent score I achieved.
Akka Arrh shouldn’t have been cancelled.
I do not know why this wasn’t released in the 80s. Every layer of the gameplay is a success, and it works as well as many of its peers of the time. Thankfully, though, Llamasoft has brought it to life while giving it a modern polish. Accordingly, I enjoyed it and I recommend that you buy it here! Can you protect your pods and destroy every alien? Drop your bomb and watch the fireworks begin.
Pedro Pascal is one of the most recognisable faces on television now, after gaining massive acclaim for his roles in Game of Thrones and Narcos. The Chilean-born American actor is sought after by television production companies, and he has recently taken on lead roles in numerous high profile offerings.
Pascal now has a dedicated fanbase of people who enjoy his nuanced performances and incredible charisma. The question is, with his star continuing to rise, is the actor destined for bigger and better things? He is arguably ready to make the step up to becoming a Hollywood A-lister.
Pascal’s Rise to Fame After Narcos Has Been Astounding
Pascal’s career is an inspirational one for actors all over the world, as he grafted for many years before earning his breakout role in Game of Thrones. For instance, he had minor parts in offerings like Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Law & Order: Criminal Intent, but never gained recognition from these. When he took the role of Oberyn Martell in the HBO fantasy, the world took note of his impressive talents.
Soon after that, Pascal landed the lead part in Narcos on Netflix, playing the character of Javier Peña for three seasons between 2015 and 2017. The crime drama was one of the streaming platform’s greatest success stories, and it became a sprawling franchise. Aside from the main series and the spinoff, there were various games that helped market it to a wider audience and boost Pascal’s fame further.
For instance, mobile players could enjoy Narcos: Cartel Wars, while slots fans had the Narcos video slot. The latter is still hugely popular and is listed among the top New Jersey online casino games. Players can see the main characters from the series on the thumbnail and get a sense of the story when they spin the reels. This game drove many new fans to the Netflix series and made Pascal a household name.
Pascal Should Get Lucrative Roles in Hollywood
Ever since Pascal landed the part of Joel in HBO’s The Last Of Us adaptation, he has enjoyed even greater stardom online. Certain publications regard him as the biggest star in the world, with many people just discovering him for the first time. The bleak post-apocalypse series has been an unprecedented hit, and it’s hard to see where Pascal goes from here on television.
In 2023, Pascal was named by Time Magazine as one of the 100 Most Influential People, and it’s easy to see why. There are few entertainment consumers who haven’t heard of the 47-year-old. The question is, is the actor now ready to take on lead roles in Hollywood? He has already played parts in blockbusters like Wonder Woman 1984, and he also had a fabulous turn in The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent. Many would say it’s his turn to be the face of a major motion picture.
It will be a shame when the time comes for Pascal to evolve from a great television actor to a Hollywood legend, but it seems like the time is almost upon us. It will be fascinating to see how his career develops from here.
As long and as storied The Legend of Zelda is, you would be forgiven for being utterly baffled by any of the backstory and lore the Kingdom of Hyrule has to offer. The sin of ignorance is completely acceptable in this case for a plethora of reasons.
There are 19 games in the main timeline(s), and that’s not including the remakes.
The timeline does NOT follow the order of the games’ release.
There are multiple timelines sprouting off from Ocarina of Time.
Every protagonist is called Link and every Princess of Hyrule is called Zelda despite them not being the same people from game to game in most cases.
Time travel and returning from the dead are so commonplace its weird when they aren’t features of the plot.
And I’m sure there’s more. Safe to say that even enthusiastic Zelda players may have turned a blind eye to a larger timeline purely from a primal instinct to not lose their minds. However, in a series of articles here on Moviesgamesandtech, I hope to pave the road from start to end of the Zelda timeline(s).
With The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom mere weeks away from release, this feels like a good time to ask: What in the world is happening?
In today’s lore dump I hope to take you from the lowly beginnings of Hyrule all the way up to the divergence point at the end of Ocarina of Time. Then we’ll deal with the wibbly-wobbly, timey-wimey stuff later. Cool? Cool.
Now, as I stated above don’t be fooled into thinking the first Legend of Zelda game was the first one released back in 1986, oh no. Instead, before we get to the events of any release, we have to set the stage.
Setting the Scene
In a place before time, three Goddesses existed. Din, the goddess of Power, Nayru, the goddess of Wisdom, and Farore, the goddess of Courage. Remember those traits (not that you’ll have a choice).
They brought the world into being. Din created the land, Nayru created order, and Farore created life. These three things combined to form the Kingdom of Hyrule, the place where most of the subsequent adventures take place.
See? Goddess doing goddess-y things.
The power of the three Goddesses coalesced into a relic known as the Triforce (or some other similarly nebulous process). Another Goddess, Hylia was tasked with the protection of this object, for only those who possess all three traits, power, wisdom, and courage can wield the Triforce. Any who do so may demand a wish. So you can see why folks might desire it.
However, should someone who does not possess all three attributes come into contact with the Tri Force it will split into three, the most apt piece will stay with the person with the other two scarpering to find suitable hosts.
There, world established. Let’s move on.
Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword
From left to right: Ghirahim (creep), Link (legend), Fi (weird blue sword spirit thing)
Yes, that’s right, the first chronological game in the Legend of Zelda canon is Skyward Sword, a game first released in 2011 and remastered in 2021. A suspicious remaster if you ask me, but you’ll only find out what I mean by that if you hang around till the final article. That’s called a tease in the business. Who knows what business though? You could also just google it, but that’d be rude.
Prior to the start of our adventure there is even more scene to be set. Turns out, leaving something as powerful as the Triforce lying around, even if protected by a goddess, is a poor move. The Demon King, Demise, rises up in rebellion against Hylia forcing her to take drastic action should her charges come to harm.
Demise is an absolute unit
She gathers all her people onto a particular crop of land and, using epic goddess powers, flings it into the sky and suspends it there. Seems demons can’t fly.
With her people safe, Hylia focuses her attention on Demise. After a lengthy conflict, she defeats him and seals him away. Get used to that, someone is always getting sealed away somewhere in Zelda games. Hylia tries to use the Triforce to put an end to Demise once and for all but can’t as the Triforce is not usable by goddesses for some reason. So, naturally, Hylia sacrifices her divinity, becoming human, enter stage right: the first iteration of Zelda.
For context: floating islands are fairly par for course in Zelda games
Now for the game, I’ll attempt to skip over as much as possible to maintain some brevity in this piece, but certain games are more impactful to overall timeline than others.
Here’s is where we come in. Link is a student at the Knight’s Academy on Skyloft (the name for the chunk of land just floating in the sky) and is chosen to take part in the Ceremony of the Goddess alongside Zelda (Hylia). But things don’t go to plan as the Demon Lord Ghirahim has been sent to hunt down Zelda, she ends up being flung down from Skyloft towards the world below.
Ghirahim is a proper weirdo
Link, now on a quest to save her, even though I’m not sure how a normal person would survive falling hundreds of feet, find the Goddess Sword, a mystical weapon created by Hylia to guide her chosen hero. How does it do that you ask? Well, there’s a blue woman called Fi who lives in the sword. Naturally.
Turns out Zelda isn’t dead. She has recovered her memories of being Hylia and is hatching a plan to ensure Demise does not escape. She plans to travel 1,000 years into the past and hibernate there to maintain the seal on his prison. Seems logical, let’s move on.
Ghirahim attacks, Link holds him off. Zelda escapes with the first incarnation of Impa into the past.
This is Fi. Think Navi from Ocarina but only slightly less irritating.
Link upgrades Goddess Sword to the Master Sword. Which can do whatever the plot requires of it, in this case send him to the past to have a chat with Zelda before she has a snooze. When he returns, he seeks out the Triforce and wishes for part of Skyloft to return to the earth. In doing so it crushes Demise and the day is saved, right?
Of course not, because anyone can do this time travel lark, Ghirahim kidnaps Zelda (count 1), and travels back to before Demise is crushed and frees him. A wasted effort it seems as Link just defeats him anyway and seals him away inside the Master Sword. Here begins the endless cycle of Link and Zelda doing battle with evil. Skyward Sword done.
Stuff Happens
Time passes in Hyrule (what they called their new land), and everything is hunky dory. The Temple of Time is constructed to guard the Master Sword and the Triforce. They are both sealed away, the Master Sword behind the Door of Time and the Triforce in the Sacred Realm.
The descendants of Hylia build Hyrule Castle adjacent to the Temple and establish the Royal Family of Hyrule to act as its protectors. Here starts the tradition of naming every Hylian princess, Zelda. Which, whilst weak, does explain why there are so many Zeldas. Why so many Links then you might ask, well don’t, just accept it.
Legend of Zelda: The Minish Cap
From left to right: Picori, Picori, Picori, Link, Ezlo (bird-hat), Picori, Picori
Minish Cap was released in 2004 making it the natural sequel to 2011’s Skyward Sword.
Time has passed, as time is wont to do, since he events of Skyward Sword. Generations before Minish Cap begins a great evil is defeated by a Picori, who seem to be tiny people, using a great weapon. This evil is sealed away, using the sword, in a chest. The people of Hyrule are so grateful that they hold a festival in honour of the Picori every year. The Picori are said to emerge every 100 years to mingle with the folk of Hyrule and just guess how long it’s been since the last time?
Link and Zelda take part in the festival which culminates in a sword fighting tournament which is won by a wizard known as Vaati.
Vaati turns out to be a bit of a wrong’un and releases all the evil sealed away in the chest, breaking the sword sealing it in the process. Bit of strange move to have a chest containing all the world’s evil just sat out in the open if you ask me. As Vaati escapes he turns Zelda to stone, because Zelda is the perennial damsel.
Like, right there in the open
Link sets off to find the Picori as they are the only ones with the power to stop Vaati and save Zelda. Turns out the Picori call themselves the Minish and one of their number has been transformed into a bird-hat thing. Hence the cap.
The cap is actually a Picori called Ezlo was transformed into the bird-hat by Vaati. So he’s well up for some revenge. Link must find four elements to fix the sword, he obviously does, and all is well. The result of this is the Four Sword which, as you’ll see later, is a vehicle for Nintendo to make multiplayer Zelda games.
Vaati is defeated, Zelda is rescued. Happy days.
The Legend of Zelda: Four Swords
Is this official art or just a picture of four swords? Impossible to say
Four Swords was released in 2002, once again making it only too obvious that is set after the event’s of 2004’s Minish Cap and 2011’s Skyward Sword. You are following, right?
Four Swords is a multiplayer game that was alongside A Link to the Past (which we will not talk about today), and so has little to no effect on the timeline as a whole.
There are four Links, this is all that matters.
Brief summary: Vaati returns. Vaati is defeated and sealed in the Four Sword. Vaati breaks free many generations later. Kidnaps Zelda (count 2). Link takes up the Four Sword, becomes four Links. Vaati loses because he couldn’t beat one Link, what’s he meant to do against four of them?
Onward!
The Legend of Zelda: The Ocarina of Time
From left to right: Birds, Link, Epona, Navi
This is the last game I’ll talk about today as, after Ocarina, the timeline splits which I’ll quickly explain at the end.
Ocarina of Time was released in 1998, meaning that only an idiot wouldn’t understand how clear it is that is follows on from 2002’s Four Swords, 2004’s Minish Cap and 2011’s Skyward Sword. The only thing more obvious is that I’ll never drop this bit.
Side note: This is probably my favourite LoZ game. It might not be the best critically, but I love it. Play it.
War! (Star Wars joke)
Hyrule is in chaos as the various tribes war against one another for reasons. In this chaos, a young mother flees into the Kokiri forest with her babe. She leaves this child in the care of the Great Deku Tree. I think we can all agree that placed in the same situation we would also ask a sentient tree to look after our baby.
Seems trustworthy, I like his moustache
And so, our young hero (psst, it’s Link), grows up in the care of the Kokiri people, who all have the appearance of children, and all are accompanied by a fairy. Hey listen!
Eventually the King of Hyrule unites the tribes and brings peace to the land once more. The leader of one of these tribes is Ganondorf of the Gerudo. If you know anything about Zelda lore, you know he’s a bad dude.
Ganondorf is plotting against the King as he seeks the power of the Triforce for himself, because why wouldn’t you? It literally grants wishes without any of the Robin Williams stipulations. In order to get the Triforce he must find the three keys to the Sacred Realm that are scattered throughout Hyrule.
No, you listen you little…
Meanwhile, Zelda (new one) is having a prophetic dream in which she sees Ganondorf’s treachery and the emergence of Link as the Hero of Time. Link is also setting out on a quest as the Great Deku Tree has been cursed by Ganondorf and is dying, the tree sends Link to find Princess Zelda in order to stop the plot. Link is also gifted one of the keys to the Sacred Realm by the tree with a face, nice lad it turns out.
As Link arrives at Hyrule Castle with all three keys, a tricky journey no doubt given he’s 10 years old, he is confronted with the startling sight of Zelda legging it from Ganondorf with the aid of Impa (new one). Ganondorf has already enacted his plan it seems.
Link enters the Sacred Realm using the keys, but Ganondorf has followed him and claims the Tri Force, plunging Hyrule into darkness. Before Link is incapacitated by Ganondorf he finds the Master Sword which then seals away Link’s spirit until he is ready to wield the legendary sword.
7 years pass. Hyrule is not doing well. Ganondorf rules and Zelda has gone into hiding, disguising herself as a warrior named Sheik. Upon Link’s reawakening, he is tasked by Sheik with finding the five sages, people of each tribe whom, together, possess the power to seal Ganondorf away. Link obviously does so.
Say hi to Sheik, he’s (she’s) alright really
It also turns out that Ganondorf does not possess the completed Triforce. His heart was unbalanced so he only received the Triforce of Power, Wisdom had gone to Zelda, and Courage to Link. This will repeat itself many more times over the timeline. As the sages prepare to seal Ganondorf away he pops up, kidnaps Zelda (count 3) and lures Link into a trap at Hyrule Castle in an attempt to reunite the Triforce and get his wish.
It is at this point that the first timeline split occurs, but I’ll finish recapping the story then double back. Link defeated Ganondorf who morphs into a monstrous boar named Ganon and Link defeats him again, sealing him away along with the Triforce of Power. The End.
Ganondorf turning into a giant pig monster is a bit of a thing to be honest
Timeline Split
So, following the events of Ocarina of Time, three eventualities cause our diverging timelines. A: The Hero of Time is actually killed by Ganon atop Hyrule Castle. B: Link triumphs and returns to his childhood with his memories of Ganondorf’s plot intact allowing him to inform Zelda and preventing Ocarina from ever happening. C: Link triumphs and the timeline moves on.
Following today’s article, there will be three more detailing the events of those timelines and hopefully tying everything into a neat bow (no chance). Hope you’ve enjoyed and are maybe a tiny bit wiser on why The Legend of Zelda is the way it is. If not, that’s totally fair.
Also, a couple of quick footnotes, there are going to be people out there who know far more about this than I do, so if my take on things doesn’t quite match what you know, feel free to comment but be nice. Second, some of this is played up or down for laughs so don’t take it too seriously.
It is shocking how much time we spend sitting down. If you work in an office, game, or stream, you’ll be stuck to your desk for most of your day. Therefore, getting the right chair is essential. Flexispot is a leading manufacturer of incredible office furniture. As such, when I was offered the Flexispot BS11 Pro chair to review, I couldn’t resist.
This ergonomic chair is well-built, stylish, and extremely comfortable. What’s more, you can adjust each supportive element with ease. Consequently, this is a user-friendly piece of furniture that is perfect for multiple occupancy offices. Why? Well, with the twist of a knob, push of a button, or flick of a switch, you’ll have adjusted the chair to your liking in a matter of seconds.
What’s in the box of the Flexispot BS11 Pro chair?
Weighing in at around 23kg, the box is bulky but manageable. The cardboard shell has some basic information and is understated. Inside, the contents are protected with a fine layer of flexible polystyrene. This had to be binned, as there is no way it can be recycled. Accordingly, there is room for improvement.
The Flexispot BS11 Pro chair arrives in approximately 10 bits. As such, this DIY build project isn’t too daunting. As you move the parts, you immediately notice the excellent materials, weighty feel, and build quality.
You are provided with a screwdriver/Allen key and the right number of screws for the job. Each set of screws is easy to identify thanks to their varying sizes.
The simple user manual talks you through every step. Furthermore, there are helpful diagrams to keep you on track.
Putting it together.
Fortunately, I’m an accomplished DIYer. Therefore, the thought of putting together this chair didn’t bother me. However, due to the weight of some of the components, it would be easier to get a helping hand. Yet, a solo build is perfectly achievable and takes around 15 minutes.
Once all the packaging is removed, the screws are organised, and you’ve arranged the parts, you simply follow the step-by-step guide. I found lining up the screws and tightening every part to be a cinch. My only complaint, however, would be that the diagrams could be clearer. Though you can make out what is required, a larger image would have helped matters.
Technical aspects.
There are many gaming and office chairs available. Subsequently, how do you pick a winner from the masses? Well, Flexispot is a renowned company that produces incredible standing desks and a range of other office equipment. Therefore, I was confident the Flexispot BS11 Pro chair would be exceptional. Yet, I didn’t expect it to be as great as it was.
This comfortable chair allows you to adjust the armrests, head section, height, and lumber support. With easy-to-access switches, you can recline the back, move the base, twist the armrests and adjust the height. Thanks to a gas-powered strut, the chair moves smoothly as you increase and decrease the height. Moreover, the well-constructed tactile levers are reassuringly strong and built to last.
Another element that amazed me was how versatile the setup could be. Subsequently, the Flexispot BS11 Pro chair is perfect for users of different heights and builds. Thanks to the fully adjustable headrest, taller users will receive the same benefits as their shorter counterparts.
Build quality.
The ergonomic design and adjustable parts are incredible. Yet, I loved the look of this chair just a bit more. Not only is this a comfortable piece of furniture, but it is phenomenal to look at. With a white frame that is overlaid by a grey mesh, it is undeniably professional in its design. Furthermore, the aluminium alloy chassis is reassuringly strong, heavy, and well-balanced. Alongside this, the breathable mesh ensures that you never feel sweaty during extended work sessions.
Underneath the seat, you’ll locate many switches. Each of these levers moves independent parts. Moreover, they are sturdy and easy to use. The strong gas-powered strut raises and lowers the chair and the motion is smooth. Alongside this, the chair holds each position perfectly and you never worry that it’ll falter.
Unlike its peers, the Flexispot BS11 Pro chair remains comfortable during extended sessions. Thanks to the taught mesh and the padded seat, there are no hot spots or pressure points. What’s more, the ergonomic design makes this the perfect choice if you suffer from a bad back or tight hips.
Is the Flexispot BS11 Pro chair worth it?
Available for £429.99, this is a hefty investment. Yet, it is money well spent as it ticks every box. Thanks to its ergonomic design, stylish finish, and adjustable parts, it is suitable for many users. Consequently, this is the perfect accompaniment to the Flexispot EHD2 or the Q8 8-in-1 Standing Desk. I think the Flexispot BS11 Pro chair is amazing and I recommend that you buy it here!
(More information on Flexispot can be found here!)
If you’re wondering what Zoeti means, then you’re not the only one. The best Google could come up with is an American company that makes medicine for pets. Probably not what they’re going for. In this case though, Zoeti refers to one of two Goddesses. These goddesses had a bit of a tiff and scattered themselves over the land. The best way to worship them? Poker, of course.
Zoeti is aiming for the rapidly growing card-based roguelite genre but instead of faffing around with fancy cards, it plays it refreshingly straight. Lay down your three of a kind, smack enemies. There’s really not much more to it other than that, though. If you’re already a fan of the genre, then Zoeti will entertain but it struggles to get out of the shadow of its fellows.
Ante Up
Let’s focus on the meat: the combat. Zoeti works by dealing you a hand of regular playing cards, which are then matched up into poker hands. There are no aces or face cards for some reason; I guess fantasy poker has simplified itself a bit. As you progress, you can assign skills to these hands, which allow you to attack, defend or boost a skill. Deck customisation comes down to picking your skills, assigning them to hands and using the cards you’re dealt to line things up. Drawing a straight flush was a source of much glee, as I got to basically wash my hands of any enemies in my way.
It’s an interesting system. Cards not used during a turn are kept to the next, allowing you to build your heavy hitters a bit more effectively. You can keep your hand and bank on a full house or play it safe and armour up. The three different characters change it up a bit too. You’ve got a knight, who focuses on defense, an assassin, who uses combos and dodging, and a mage, who blasts things with elemental attacks. I tended to lean towards the assassin, as my skills at these games basically comes down to chaining together attack cards and praying. You also pick up accessories as you go, boosting skills here and there.
Zoeti‘s basic looking playing cards are a bit of a shame though. I’d hoped for a little more variation than bog-standard playing cards, given the setting. Some sort of variation on suit maybe? Still, the art style in general is rather nice. The landscapes and towns we visit all look beautiful and there’s nice touches in the character design. Assuming you like anthropomorphic animal characters that is, which thankfully I do. It even varies up the monster design quite a bit, even if it does like its hornets.
Full House of Gripes
Things are sounding rather positive but unfortunately Zoeti crashes head-first into some of the issues with the genre. First and foremost: repetition. When you start one of the story sections, you begin with a dialogue scene. The writing here is shaky – being a little over-reliant on twee humour – but it looks nice enough. Shame it’s going to be skipped most of the time, as it never changes between runs. After that, you pick a path to the boss, which is littered with monsters and encounters, and off you go.
The issue is that there is a relatively shallow pool of encounters for each run, so you’ll end up skipping through those too. This is paired with the fact that skills are drip-fed to you after encounters. Meaning, by the time you reach the first boss, you’re likely to have a mismatched set of skills that you have to frankenstein together into a working deck. As a result, half of my runs fall at the first hurdle. So it’s back to the beginning and the same set of encounters once again. All the runs started blending into each other.
It’s not helped by combat being a static affair. Zoeti, and others in the genre come to think on it, tend to shy away from unique animations for attacks. Fights began to feel like clockwork. Two pair for evasion, chain one pairs or use a straight. Repeat. This also leads me to a more contentious point: the difficulty is all over the place. ‘Duh’, you may say, ‘the genre lives on RNG’. That doesn’t account for how some bosses will do little more than sneeze at you while others will fire off multiple powerful moves in one go. One lad recovers health, damages you and buffs itself in one turn. Every time I face a boss that hurts me when I draw a card, I have to fight the urge to restart the run right there.
Time To Fold
Things aren’t helped by the sheer amount of status icons that clutter up your health bar. A few of my more irritating deaths were caused by one of my many status effects quietly ticking up to an insta-kill. By that point I had so many different icons that I lost track of what was doing what. It was hard to come back after that. You could say, perhaps quite rightfully, that it’s my fault. But Zoeti isn’t great at telling me things at the best of times, which leads me to think it’s not quite ready for the stage yet. For one thing, a card makes reference to selling items – something I seem unable to do. There’s also a ‘Create A Deck’ button that just shows me my playing cards and nothing else. Presumably it’s supposed to do something.
Now, if reading about Zoeti is giving you some deja-vu then allow me to explain. Zoeti is heavily inspired by Slay The Spire, even going so far as to name-drop on it on the Chinese version of its website. That puts it in a difficult place, because Zoeti is directly copying Slay The Spire‘s homework at points. The map layout, the items and the general gameplay; its all there. It’s just rubbed out the ‘Dark’ in ‘Dark Fantasy’. The poker system does add a little frisson, but by copying over so much, it’s running into the same issues that plague the genre.
Please don’t take away from this that Zoeti is bad. When everything aligned, I found myself getting quite into it. Unfortunately, a nice central idea can only get you so far. A bit longer in the oven and Zoeti could be great but at the moment it’s feeling a little underbaked.
Becoming a parent is one of the greatest experiences you can have. However, your bundle of joy inadvertently adds stress, worry, and fear to your existence. Consequently, if anything happens to your offspring, you always think the worst. This is exactly what happens in Cions of Vega. This wonderfully atmospheric game is slow, touching, and full of mystery.
Developed by Tonguc Bodur and Eastasiasoft Limited and published by the latter, this is a walking simulation title. What’s more, there are some basic platforming and puzzle elements. As such, there are many dynamics to this odd, eerie, and uncomfortable tale.
Creepy child!
Cions of Vega: a Bodur redemption.
I recently reviewed The Redress of Mira, and I was left disappointed. However, I’ve played many other Bodur titles, and have found each to be captivating, thrilling, and beautifully presented. Accordingly, I had high hopes that Cions of Vega would redeem Bodur’s fine name and creative integrity. *Spoiler alert*. Thankfully, I wasn’t disappointed.
Your daughter is missing, and no one knows where she is. Consequently, you must do what it takes to find her and prevent her from coming to any harm. You control the father who is accompanied by his brother, Logan. This team must search an array of locations as they hunt for clues, solve puzzles, and piece together the mystery. Your brother offers advice and timely narration to pad out the experience while adding drama to the occasion.
The excellent, albeit mindless “small talk” narration breaks up the silence. This was necessary, as many of the locations are stark, empty, and horribly eerie. Therefore, this prevents the action from becoming tedious while helping you to emphasise with the protagonists.
Where shall we go next?
There’s nothing to it.
Whenever a game highlights puzzles and platforming elements, I get concerned. If both of these mechanics are executed properly, the game will excel. However, any minor issues cause it to be a headache and a flop. Luckily, Cions of Vega incorporates both elements perfectly. Furthermore, neither of them is too challenging and as a result, there’s nothing to it.
The platforming layer is so refined that you won’t even acknowledge it. With basic crawling, jumping, and climbing moments, it merges with the story seamlessly. However, the puzzles are more in your face. Yet, they won’t test you as Bodur doesn’t want you to become frustrated, or get stuck. Instead, well-placed clues and tools to solve each problem are easy to find and identify. Subsequently, you’ll unlock each gate, open safes, find keys, dig up fuses, and explore caves without concern.
Cions of Vega looks great.
Bodur has a unique style that rarely disappoints. Fortunately, Cions of Vega follows this trend with its varied locations, weird character models, and stunning backdrops. You’ll explore houses, caves, forests, and other jaw-dropping areas as you search for your daughter. En route, you’ll see nicely animated animals, beautiful weather fronts, and interesting landscapes. What’s more, the first-person perspective enhances the experience. Sadly, though, there are some minor graphical issues that taint the finish. However, this wasn’t a problem as it didn’t impact the gameplay.
The audio is equally exceptional. Thanks to the stunning environmental noises, the soft but dramatic soundtrack, and the excellent sound effects, it is immersive. Moreover, there are suspenseful moments, and some incredible narration. My only disappointment was the lack of acting from the NPCs. The creepy children should have had soundbites associated with their dialogue. However, this was missing, and it was a noticeable shortcoming.
Light the candles and open the safe.
Walk, walk, search, walk.
Walking simulation games are easy to play. Effectively, all you must do is walk and explore. Thankfully, though, with puzzle mechanics and basic platforming elements, there is more to do. Additionally, you may run in open spaces to speed things up, and a helpful on-screen icon ensures that you don’t miss key information. Moreover, the control layout is easy to understand and the inputs are responsive.
Unfortunately, Cions of Vega lacks replay value or longevity. If you rush your first playthrough, you’ll finish the game in under 2 hours. However, if you take your time and enjoy your surroundings, you can easily double it. The short game time could easily be padded out with hidden text and tougher achievements. Has this been accomplished, it would have improved an already great experience.
Cions of Vega shows that Bodur is back to his best.
Cions of Vega won’t be for everyone. However, if you love a slow-paced and atmospheric game, then this will be right up your street. Furthermore, visually it is nice, and it has a captivating soundscape. What’s more, the puzzles are interesting and the platform elements are understated. My only complaint is the lack of longevity and replay value. Luckily, though, these are minor things. Accordingly, I recommend that you buy it here! Can you save your daughter? Explore the strange world and discover the secrets hidden beneath the surface.
On an elemental level, many games revolve around movement. From the iconic jumping prowess of Mario, to the thrill of web-swinging through New York in Marvel’s Spider-Man, game developers are continually challenged to provide players with innovative and intuitive ways to traverse digital worlds. Get it wrong, and you risk an integral part of your gameplay feeling like a clunky chore; get it right, however, and players will lose hours finding new ways to get around. Thankfully, Idea nails it. It feels propulsive and satisfying and right. Unfortunately, a muddled vision and social mechanic that doesn’t quite work leaves it feeling less than the sum of its parts.
Developed by TLR Games as an adaptation of a Finnish short film, Idea revolves around a singular lightbulb, set in an orb representing creativity and imagination, as it journeys through stunning Northern European vistas. The environments, created from drone footage shot by filmmaker Olli Huttunen, are a marvel; even scaled down from the original 4K footage, they look striking on the Switch. Instead of feeling inert and static, these are tactile backdrops, with our titular idea bumping into cars and bouncing against trees.
Players have the ability to ‘nudge’ the lightbulb in different directions, as opposed to direct control. These pushes are limited to two per screen at first, but more pushes can be unlocked as the player progresses, creating some sense of progress through new attempts. With such pared-back gameplay, Idea lives and dies by its traversal mechanics. Thankfully, once it all comes together, it feels satisfying. The lightbulb has a pleasing sense of gravity, and working out how to draw upon limited moves and bounces against environmental objects in order to navigate to the next screen feels simple yet fairly compelling for a time. For players frustrated by the game’s lack of clarity as to controls and overall goals, there is a helpful tutorial located within the menu. While perhaps this tutorial could have been integrated into the gameplay, its absence does encourage you to experiment and play around.
There are two in-game timers: one linked to the pleasant musical soundtrack, and one that resets after entering a new screen. If either runs out without discovering one of the seven potential endings scattered throughout the game, the journey ends, and you are prompted to leave a message for other players to encounter. This social mechanic attempts to connect with the game’s larger themes of creativity, imagination and play. Unfortunately, it doesn’t quite come together.
There is little motivation to create new messages, besides unlocking icons. The twin gameplay systems of bouncing around an orb and then writing a message feel like separate strands, as opposed to a cohesive and rewarding experience. Instead of encouraging the player to harness their own innate creativity, it feels a little tacked on. Throughout my time with Idea on the Switch, I didn’t encounter a single message from another player. Whether this speaks to the perils of small indie titles with gameplay mechanics relying on community engagement, or some mistake on my part, it’s hard to say. Regardless, the lack of presence significantly hobbles the intended effect.
Idea is not a bad game – far from it. The physics-based gameplay feels solid, and any time spent with Huttunen’s gorgeous landscapes and relaxing score is not time wasted. However, it never truly feels engaging in the way you want it to. The social mechanic is a nice idea in theory but falls short in execution. While movement feels propulsive and intuitive, the game is somewhat lacking in a sense of fun. There’s nothing wrong with simple, movement-based gameplay; some of the greatest games ever made are similarly pared-back. What’s needed is a compelling gameplay loop, a hook that draws you in for just ‘one more run’, again and again. Sadly, it’s here where Idea falls short. For a meditation on creativity, you can’t help but wish it had a couple more ideas of its own.
Technology has taken over the world and today, we navigate through life with its help. What was once exhausting and time-consuming can now be done in a matter of minutes with just a click.
As technology has made its way into numerous aspects, such as shopping, payment options, to even working from home, it has made our lives easier. New digital gadgets keep coming up in the market as people itch to always have the latest ones.
Of course, it’s not always easy as most devices such as smartphones or iPads are quite expensive. People often feel disappointed to sacrifice their wishes due to having a low bank balance. Do you also have the same problem? Well, you can finally go get your favorite digital gadget because we have a solution.
If you’re into sports and want to make money from it, you can bet on basketball. If luck is in your favor, you can continue to earn some extra funds on a longer basis and get all the expensive digital accessories you want.
Digitalization and automation have numerous benefits such as advancement in medicine or talking to your friend who lives on a different continent; however, their negative effects are debated just as often. While technology has been a blessing, people often wonder whether our dependency on it is good or bad.
Many movies try to input technology into their stories while making predictions of the future of humanity. Countless science-fiction movies miss the point and end up seeming quite idealistic. However, some movies deliver what they promised and give out a realistic possibility of the effects of technology on humanity.
Here are some movies with a realistic take on technology:
1) Jurassic Park
Even if you haven’t seen Jurassic Park, you would have heard of it. If you haven’t seen it, the movie’s plot explores how people found a way to recreate dinosaurs and as the name of the movie suggests, wanted to turn it into a park.
When scientists discovered a groundbreaking new technology that could recreate life, they used it for selfish purposes instead of thinking about the greater good of humanity.
They decided to breed the dinosaurs and keep them in a park so people could come and visit with the purpose of making money from it. However, that doesn’t end well as the dinosaurs end up asserting their power over people and killing them.
Steven Spielberg has illustrated the themes of innovation and how people deal with it in a very realistic manner. Much like, when innovative technology is discovered, the primary goal is to monetize it. While this perspective is a bit dark, it does seem like one of the more practical possibilities if dinosaurs were ever to come back to life.
2) I, Robot
This movie shows the year 2035 when humans found a way to improve life by creating humanoids who work for people. Just as all technology progresses, the humanoids are upgraded to improve life even further. However, the upgraded robots evolve further by developing their own mind and cause destruction to humans.
This underlying theme is seen in real life as well, for e.g., when a new version of our smartphone arrives in the market, we rush to upgrade it as we always want the latest and trendiest items.
While a bunch of smartphones taking over humanity seems a bit far-fetched, this movie does shine light upon the issue of artificial intelligence taking over the world and whether it’s possible.
3) You’ve Got Mail
The Meg Ryan and Tom Hanks starrer is rather a sweet tale about two lovers and how technology played a part in bringing them together. This movie focuses on the lead couple and their relationship via the Internet.
Ryan and Hanks initially met in an online chatroom and started by communicating through email without knowing each other’s identity. Through several hurdles and bumps, the two meet each other and end up together.
This movie explored the aspect of online dating before it was even popular. However, today the idea of meeting someone on dating apps or communicating with one another through social media has become the norm.
Technology has changed the face of the earth in just a few years and will change even more things after a few more years. It’s a given that our lives have changed and are shaped by technology. However, just like everything, digitalization has its rewards and drawbacks. It’s our job to figure out the limits of technological evolution.The entertainment industry does a good job of showing us the aftermath of technological advancement from different perspectives, whether it is good or bad. While some movies are unrealistic, it would be a good idea to have a look and see where technology is headed.
Considering Bayonetta 3’s mixed reception, PlatinumGames making a story-focused spin-off seemed odd. Fortunately, Bayonetta Origins: Cereza and the Lost Demon is a fantastic follow-up. Bayonetta Origins features a very emotional and heart-warming story, a beautiful art style, and unique gameplay that has the player controlling two characters simultaneously.
A Bond Between Demon and Witch
Bayonetta Origins: Cereza and the Lost Demon begins with Cereza training under her teacher Morgana to become an Umbran Witch. After failing to summon a demon from a place called Inferno, Morgana scolds Cereza and she runs off into Avalon forest in search of a power she was promised in a dream. Unfortunately for Cereza, she runs into Faeries; monsters that hold a lot of magical power. Even though she summons a demon to protect herself, it possesses her stuffed toy, Cheshire, and cannot be returned to Inferno. The new demon, now named Cheshire, is upset by the situation, but Cereza is confident that she will be able to send the demon home thanks to the promised power, so the two work together to return Cheshire home. In order to obtain the promised power they, must reach the forest center. To reach the forest center, the duo must destroy the elemental cores.
While seemingly basic, this story has a shocking amount of depth and emotional moments. The relationship between Cheshire and Cereza is very heartwarming. I felt tears forming at the game ending due to the duo’s friendship. While the premise might seem weak, it works well enough and even explains plot points of the previous entries. The story also has plenty of twists and turns that kept me excited to see what happened next. This narrative is phenomenal.
The Home of the Faeries, Avalon Forest
Avalon Forest, A Labyrinth of Puzzles
Bayonetta Origins: Cereza and the Lost Demon has the unique gameplay of controlling two characters at the same time. In spite of the fact that this may seem difficult, the game never expects the player to do anything too technical, so I don’t find it to negatively impact my enjoyment of the game. You can also enter hug mode, which has you only controlling Cereza, to make it easier to move around. The controller is split between the two, where the left-hand side controls Cereza’s actions and the right-hand side controls Cheshire’s actions. This led to some very interesting and fun puzzles. Furthermore, with each destroyed elemental core, Cheshire gains a new ability, allowing for more engaging and diverse puzzles. He can also use these abilities to find secrets that will improve the combat prowess of the duo. Due to this I thoroughly enjoyed exploring this Labyrinth and finding many secrets.
Keeping Cheshire away from that Rosemary that demons hate
Fighting with both Witch and Demon
As stated before, Bayonetta Origins has you controlling two characters at the same time, this includes the combat. In combat, Cereza is incapable of doing damage. However, she can hold enemies in place with her Thorn Bind ability and allow Cheshire to attack. Cheshire is the only one capable of doing damage, so it is up to him to defeat the faeries. If Cheshire takes too many hits, he will revert into hug mode, forcing Cereza to pick him up and charge his magic back up so he can fight again. If Cereza’s health reaches zero, it’s game over so you need to make sure you protect her with Cheshire. Some enemies will have an elemental shield in which you will need to attack with the correct element to damage.
Overall, the combat is very fun, with lots of depth to keep it from becoming stale. It also never felt annoying to control the two characters in such a chaotic environment. While I did at times get confused during the battles, it is very forgiving and never punishes you too hard for making such mistakes. As such I had a great time with the combat of Bayonetta Origins.
Working together to take down that pesky Faerie
The Vibrant Faerie Forrest
The gorgeous presentation of this game never fails to impress me. Bayonetta Origins features a storybook art style and it looks incredible. The game’s environments pop out with their vibrant colors and spectacular views. Furthermore, the characters and enemies look even better in this art style. In addition, the cutscenes are done beautifully and they fit the game’s aesthetic.
This game features an incredible voice cast. The game’s voice acting is spectacular and the narrator has a calm voice that never felt intrusive. The soundtrack of this game also deserves praise. It does an amazing job of making the areas feel alive as well as throwing in references to the previous games’ soundtracks in the series. It also features a beautiful Irish vocal track called “Le Chéile i bhForaois Sholas na Gealaí” or in English Together in the Moonlit Forest. Overall, the presentation of this game is a highlight and deserves the most praise out of the whole package. It is simply incredible.
The Beauty of Avalon Forest
A Fantastic Start to the Story of Bayonetta
Bayonetta Origins is a fantastic game with a beautiful art style, engaging puzzle gameplay, and an endearing story. In spite of the maze-like forest, the game does an excellent job of guiding you. Furthermore, the game has plenty of accessibility features for players who might struggle with the unique gameplay. Overall, Bayonetta Origins is an incredible game that is always a treat to play.
There are many tasks that require you to be stationary at an office. Fortunately, though, writing isn’t one of them. This fantastic pastime allows you to move as you wish as you let your thoughts flow. However, in the past, you have been limited to using pen and paper or tied to a laptop. This restrictive approach is counterproductive, and thankfully reMarkable has created a solution to overcome this problem. The reMarkable 2 writing tablet offers the best of both worlds as you enjoy a traditional writing method on a modern tablet. However, a lack of a keyboard held it back. Luckily, they have tackled this issue with the Type Folio keyboard.
This wonderful accessory not only revolutionises the way the reMarkable 2 tablet works, but it acts as a protective Folio case as well. Available in “Ink Black” or “Sepia Brown”, you can pick a case that matches your tastes. Now, this review won’t cover the ins and outs of the reMarkable 2 tablet, but click here if you wish to see my thoughts. Back to the Type Folio Keyboard, this exceptional and easy-to-use device is available for around £180. As such, the price point may put some of you off. Yet, I urge you to let me explain why this figure isn’t as eye-watering as you may think.
What’s in the box of the Type Folio keyboard?
reMarkable has created a professional and clean style. This is reinforced in the sumptuous packaging. The streamlined design is refined, stylish, and screams to be opened. Furthermore, it is fully recyclable and keeps the contents safe in transit.
The Type Folio keyboard looks similar to many other Folio cases. However, the rich colours, simple lettering and magnetic connection make it stand out from its peers. Moreover, the keyboard is hidden behind a secure backplate and this streamlines the design further, still. On top of this, there are no charging points, switches, or other bits of tech. Instead, a magnetic connection automatically recognises the keyboard for a user-friendly experience.
The quick start guide helps you with the fundamentals. However, if this isn’t enough, you can jump onto the reMarkable support page for further information.
Technical aspects.
Size and weight
198 x 246 x 6.6 mm Approximately 453 g (.99 lb)
Key travel
1.3 mm
Folio material
Artificial leather
Connection
Magnetic accessory port (no charging, pairing, or cables)
Language support
English – US, English – UK, German, Spanish, French, Nordic – SE/DK/NO/FI
Other
reMarkable 2 system language: English Note and file syncing between reMarkable tablet and our apps for MacOS, Windows 10, iOS, and Android
Many of us are used to typing on fully-formed keyboards. Consequently, when we decide to work on the move, any change to this setup can be distracting, uncomfortable, and off-putting. I know from personal experience that compact Bluetooth keyboards are a nightmare. I’ve tried to endure some of the best-reviewed products and have been disappointed multiple times. Fortunately, the Type Folio keyboard is different!
Boasting a generous 1.3mm of key travel, the keystrokes feel familiar to many market-leading accessories. What’s more, the keycaps are “full-sized”. Subsequently, you won’t need to adjust your touch typing habits and this will minimise typing errors.
reMarkable prides itself on its distraction-free working environment. This ethos is noted in the design features of this excellent device. Accordingly, it is formed as a TKL keyboard without RGB lighting, hidden macros, and unnecessary shortcuts. Therefore, when you use it to make notes, write emails, or tidy up documents, you can focus on the job at hand.
How easy is it to use?
The reMarkable Type Folio keyboard is unbelievably easy to use! I expected to waste hours of my time when this first arrived. Instead, I was pleasantly surprised by its plug-and-play concept. Thanks to the magnetic connector, your paper tablet automatically syncs to the device. Now, word of warning, you must make sure your tablet is running the latest software. If this isn’t the case, you will not be able to use the keyboard. As such, don’t say you haven’t been warned.
As long as you follow the basic instructions, you will be using the keyboard in no time at all. Once the tablet is safely housed using the magnetic connectors, you are good to go. By using the conveniently placed tabs, you can slide your screen into 3 working positions. By doing this, you will expose the keyboard beneath the backplate and you can get to work.
Previously, the reMarkable tablet wouldn’t automatically change from landscape to portrait mode. However, once the tablet is connected, it identifies that the keyboard is present and magically flips the screen for you. This may seem minor, but the seamless transition makes working on this device an effortless experience.
Multiple input methods.
What makes this device truly special is its range of input methods. Alongside the incredible Type Folio keyboard, you can make notes using the reMarkable pen. Moreover, you can highlight a pdf, scrawl on documents, or use the screen-sharing facilities. These additional elements make the reMarkable tablet shine. What’s more, a lack of internet explorer or other would-be essential tools is a benefit.
Without these “normally-essential” programs, you can focus on the task at hand! No longer will you be distracted by unwelcome emails, jovial group messages, or Zoom meetings. Instead, once you are locked into your work, you can unleash your creative side.
Alongside the multiple input methods, you’ll enjoy reMarkable’s CANVAS display. This revolutionary design mimics the tactile feeling of paper while delivering an immediate output response. As such, the handwriting element has a traditional and familiar look to it. Additionally, the keystrokes appear on the display in a timely and comfortable manner. Accordingly, there is limited latency, and this helps with the flow of creative writing.
Is the Type Folio keyboard worth it?
With a hefty price tag, the elephant in the room is whether the Type Folio keyboard is worth it. Tech-savvy individuals will know how to make the most of their Apple, Samsung, or other branded tablets. Yet, they all have their downsides regarding battery, cost, and usability. The reMarkable 2 Tablet is an exceptional device on its own. However, when you combine it with its impressive keyboard, it truly excels.
I cannot find fault with its usability or build quality. On top of this, the plug-and-play concept ensures that technophobes can enjoy every element without concern. Moreover, the Folio case was exceptional as it protects your tablet and holds it securely thanks to the magnetic connection. Additionally, the full-sized keycaps and familiar keystroke travel enhance the experience further still. As such, though it has a noticeable price tag, I still believe that it is worth every penny. Therefore I recommend that you buy it here!
(More information on reMarkable can be found here!)
For as long as video games exist there will be nostalgia for their roots. Moons of Darsalon aims to harken back to the grimy arcades of days gone by whilst mixing in some modern sensibilities, reasonably tricky gameplay, and some fourth-wall-breaking, irreverent humour which at times leaves something to be desired.
Coming from Dr. Kucho! Games, Moons of Darsalon aims to build on the previous entry in this series, Pilots of Darsalon. Pilots played very similarly to Asteroids, albeit with far more advanced graphics and a wider variety of enemies than a few space rocks. Moons, however, reminds me a lot of both Earthworm Jim, purely in terms of its science-fiction setting, and Lemmings, because good luck to you sir.
It’s Lemmings Jim, But Not As We Know It
Moons of Darsalon has you playing as a space-faring rescuer. Dropped onto an alien world (Darsalon or its moons I presume), you are tasked with rescuing as many of your fellow astronauts as possible. Lemmings springs to mind because these boys (or/and girls) are dumb as rocks. They will gladly wander to their doom, then blame you every three seconds for it. You are granted a number of tools to help you in your task, a radio to issue commands, a flashlight to illuminate dark areas (your fellow explorers are scared of the dark by the way), a laser gun to fight off hoards of frog-like aliens, a jetpack to jet about, and a ground maker to forge new paths.
As lead your companions along by their noses you will encounter a number of difficulties to overcome, some are fairly straightforward, others less so. What makes the game a completely stress-free experience is the back-seat driving being done by your less-than-grateful damsels. Stop for a moment and they will question your sense of direction. Let one get minorly injured and the moaning will never cease, and God forbid you let one die. This sort of irreverent humour might gel with some but the never-ending speech bubbles popping up on the screen grated me during my time with Moons of Darsalon.
Ready Player One?
Graphically the game looks pretty good, the backdrops are detailed, and the varied lighting makes some scenes feel like something out of a Flash Gordon adventure. However, the scenery gets somewhat old fast as you traverse rocks, rocks and more rocks on your quest to save as many poor souls as possible. But the feel of the classic arcade side-scrolling platformer is captured brilliantly for the most part, which can also be attributed to an excellent 8-bit synth-wave soundtrack.
Speaking of sound, one part I’m not sold on is the voice they chose for the protagonist, he doesn’t speak much but when he does, he sounds like someone doing an Arnold Schwarzenegger impression through a straw. Might work for some, but was just weird in my opinion.
Gameplay is fairly tight, and the opening levels do a decent job of introducing new elements with the need for explicit tutorials. Gunplay is particularly satisfying as you reshape the landscape and blast aliens to smithereens all the while accompanied by visual effects that took me straight back to playing Metal Slug on an arcade machine whilst on holiday in Spain when I was small. Don’t ask why they had Metal Slug, but I was loving it, even if I sucked, which was almost certainly the case.
Build-a-Barely-Functioning-Level
Also included in Moons of Darsalon is the ability to create levels and upload them to the community database. As Moons of Darsalon is yet to release until April 19th, unfortunately, I couldn’t play anyone’s creations and my creative skills are sorely lacking so any attempt to make my own ending in disaster, but the idea is nice as it gives the game a chance at a longer life span than its original set of levels would have otherwise. I doubt it’s the next Mario Maker, however.
If you yearn for the days of the classic arcade platformer and don’t mind being abused by non-descript astronauts, then Moons of Darsalon could be worth a bit of your time (and money I guess). Just don’t expect the next classic in the genre.
Bitcoin is one of the cryptocurrencies people invested in after Satoshi Nakamoto launched cryptocurrency in 2009. Its value has been rising for the past couple of months after the cryptocurrency stabilized at the beginning of 2020. Some experts predict that bitcoin will rise and possibly break the 2017 record.
In February 2021, the price of 1 bitcoin exceeded $50,000, making the cryptocurrency valuable compared to gold. Although investing in bitcoin is risky, if you know the procedures and understand the market, you can successfully invest in bitcoin, earning more money as the value increases, and you can use your profit to invest on Super Bowl predictions.
One of the main reasons you should invest in cryptocurrency is its reality and long-term store of value. However, it is not like fiat money; almost all cryptocurrencies have a limited supply and are capped by mathematical algorithms, making it possible for any government agency to dilute their value through inflation.
If you are genuinely an investor considering investing in cryptocurrency, the most obvious reason is the success of its first crypto, Bitcoin. However, investing in Bitcoin depends on your appetite and whether to take the risk. Also, your perspective on the future of humanity.
Bitcoin is one of the cryptocurrencies that have the potential to disrupt the US dollar in a significant way. Therefore, it is too big to ignore at this point because Bitcoin could be a fantastic investment if it successfully disrupts the US dollar. Continue reading our article below for more reasons to invest in Bitcoin.
Increasing Value
First, you should invest in Bitcoin because it increases in value, which increases your money after investing. Bitcoin keeps increasing in value over time and will undoubtedly continue increasing. Bitcoin has made many people rich; on the other hand, some lost due to a lack of risk management.
If you look at the bitcoin graph, it looks random, but there was an upswing in late 2012 when it was worth less than $10 for a coin.
Flexibility
Flexibility is another reason why you should invest in bitcoin. Many believe bitcoin is just a digital currency, and many know it will change the future. However, as an investor, you should know what makes bitcoin flexible. Bitcoin has been the leading cryptocurrency market for years, making it flexible.
Transferring money and investing is still a cumbersome process in many traditional investment products, where a lot of paperwork is required, such as a pan card, photos, address proof, etc. However, nothing like paperwork is required when you want to transact in bitcoins. In addition, every user has a wallet and address and can have many addresses per feasibility.
Accessibility
As an investor, you will have access to your account anytime, which is one of the reasons you should invest in Bitcoin, unlike traditional investment space with third-party involvement. In addition, Bitcoin is easy to access because investors can transact using cryptocurrency online exchanges, and there are reliable exchanges you can use to invest.
These exchanges have made it easy to use and transact; although it is not only bitcoin, other cryptocurrencies can also easily be purchased through these exchanges. In crypto trading, the value of your assets is an exchange or a third party; instead, traders can earn higher profits from the prevailing exchange rates.
Increased Utility and Stability
Another reason you should invest in bitcoin is that it increases utility and stability. When Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies are valuable, investors would want to own more of them, increasing the demand. Since people want to use it, they do not want to sell it, which means there is more demand than supply, and the value increases.
Transparency in Transaction
One of the best reasons and arguments favoring the investment in Bitcoin is the primary impetus behind blockchain, which allows for transparency that protects all investors in a transaction. In addition, Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies are encrypted on a publicly distributed ledger, which can not be altered or manipulated, so there are fewer investment risks.
Future Growth Prospect
Another reason you should invest in cryptocurrency is its future growth prospect. Some say it has already, while others say bitcoin can fall as low as $10,000 back in 2022. However, one of the trends in 2023 is its future growth prospect, meaning its value will continue to grow.
Rogue-like games are like Marmite. Consequently, you either love them or hate them. For years, I was in the hate club. However, my tastes have evolved and now I adore their addictive ways and cruel mechanics. As such, when I was offered Defend the Rook on Xbox Series X, I couldn’t resist. This is a game I covered on Steam in 2021 and I was looking forward to playing it again.
Developed by One Up Plus and published by Klabater, this is a mishmash of interesting genres. With rogue-like elements at its core and a heavy smattering of tower defence to deal with, this isn’t a simple title to master. Yet, once you get to grips with the fundamentals, you’ll adore the challenge on offer and the interesting fantasy edge.
Time to take out those cursed seahorses.
Defend the Rook is a tale of invasion and betrayal.
Money is the bane of all evil. Subsequently, whenever gold, gems, and treasure are available, people’s personalities change. This is exactly what happens in Defend the Rook! This fantasy title highlights the plight of an all-powerful Queen. Her kingdom is under attack as each tribe attempts to steal her gems. Without the skills or heroes to stop them, she turns to a mysterious being for help. This hooded man is a tactical genius as he moves his forces as if he was playing a game of chess.
The plot to one side, the crux of the game, is straightforward. You must protect your rook from each wave of enemies. With three heroes at your disposal, you’ll manipulate their strengths and weaknesses to destroy each creature. Furthermore, you’ll place barricades, traps, and automated turrets to improve your defences. However, unlike other tower defence games, your foes don’t follow a predictable pattern. Instead, you must react to their advances and think on the fly! This weird mechanic makes Defend the Rook stand out from its peers. Moreover, it is an uncomfortable element that may displease veterans of the genre.
Turn-based shenanigans.
Turn-based elements drive each battle forward. Accordingly, you’ll move your heroes, attack your enemy, and await their response. What’s more, at the start of each turn, your turrets will hit anyone in sight and your traps will ensnare unwitting victims. Furthermore, you may use spells to hurt your foes, boosts to improve your health or armour, and enchantments to add more attacks to one hero. These minor layers alter the course of each battle and can turn the tide in your favour.
As you destroy each wave, you’ll temporarily improve one hero. Whether you heal them, improve their attack, buffer their defence, or add mysterious powers, it makes a vast difference. Additionally, you can move each character to prepare for the onslaught of more creatures. This concept repeats itself until the team faces a gargantuan beast. If you defeat this hideous creature, the chapter will end and the story continues. However, you are more likely to die and this is where the unfortunate and often frustrating rogue-like mechanics come into play.
So many choices.
Upgrades and death.
Death is as guaranteed as day turning to night! When this occurs, you lose every temporary enhancement and your progress. Yet, you can permanently upgrade your towers, traps, and barricades. Furthermore, you can improve each hero by using gems that you’ve uncovered. This was fantastic as it also unlocks new heroes for you to test out.
With three core roles to select, you must think wisely to enhance your tactical choices. You’ll pick variations of a warrior, rogue, or wizard. Each subcategory will change your approach and ultimately alter how you fight each wave of enemies. Though this concept added a bizarre amount of trial and error, I loved the almost unlimited tactical elements. Moreover, this increased longevity whilst removing a feeling of repetition.
Defend the Rook is nice but not spectacular.
Recently, we’ve been treated to some phenomenal-looking rogue-like titles. However, Defend the Rook doesn’t excel visually. Instead, it has a pleasant colour palette, refined level design, and basic cinematic. Furthermore, the sprites are interesting and varied and the combat and movement animation is smooth but familiar. On top of this, the UI is well-considered, easy to use, and minimalist. As a consequence, it is easy to observe each stage as the action plays out like a game of chess.
The fantasy angle is highlighted by the fun and folksy audio. With a blend of aggressive and lighthearted songs, simple dialogue, and interesting sound effects, it delivers a pleasant experience. Moreover, I enjoyed the bizarre magical noises and the uncomfortable sounds from each enemy you face. As such, the developers have done a great job of adding drama to a slow-paced affair.
Whatever you do, keep the rook safe!
Oh, how I hate the controls.
Whenever a title has a great UI, I expect a pleasant gaming experience. Disappointingly, though, the controls are sluggish and unresponsive! As such, moving the cursor or selecting each hero results in much frustration. Consequently, I spent most of my time pushing the analogue stick in an animated manner. Thankfully, though, the D-pad option is better, but it takes some getting used to. Subsequently, Defend the Rook performs much better on PC.
Rogue-like games ooze replay value and longevity. Additionally, they have a brutish charm that gets under your skin. Thankfully, this is no different, as you must grind out many playthroughs before you achieve the perfect run. However, once that happens, there are many reasons to return as you experiment with new characters and tactical ideas.
Defend the Rook is excellent, but the controls let it down.
My opinion of Defend the Rook hasn’t altered. I liked it 2 years ago and I like it now. With excellent mechanics, plenty of content, and loads of tactical layers, it is fascinating. Yet, the sluggish controls let it down. As such, you are forced to use the D-pad, and that was annoying. However, this doesn’t make it a poor title. Accordingly, I enjoyed it and I recommend that you buy it here! Can you help the Queen protect her kingdom? Control your heroes, upgrade their skills, and thwart every creature you face.
Apple’s iPhone has become an integral part of our daily lives. Serving as a communication device, a multimedia hub, a Woo casino Bonus access, and a personal assistant all in one. While the iPhone comes packed with a multitude of features and functions out of the box, several lesser-known hacks can enhance your user experience and unlock hidden features. In this article, we will explore seven iPhone hacks you didn’t know about that can help you get the most out of your device.
Customized Vibrations for Contacts
Do you want to know who is calling or texting you without even looking at your phone? You can set up custom vibrations for specific contacts on your iPhone. This feature allows you to create unique vibration patterns for individual contacts. So you can identify the caller or sender just by the way your iPhone vibrates. To set up custom vibrations, go to the Contacts app and select the contact you want to customize. Tap Edit, then scroll down to the Vibration section. From here, you can choose from pre-set vibration patterns or create your own by tapping on Create New Vibration. You can tap the screen to create a custom vibration pattern, and once you’re satisfied, tap Save. Now, whenever you receive a call or text from that contact, your iPhone will vibrate in the custom pattern you’ve created. Allowing you to identify the caller or sender without even looking at your phone.
Hidden Magnifier Tool
If you have trouble reading small text or need to magnify something for a closer look, your iPhone has a built-in magnifier tool. It can be accessed with just a few taps. To enable the magnifier tool, go to Settings > Accessibility > Magnifier, and turn it on. Once enabled, you can quickly access the magnifier tool by triple-pressing the side button (on iPhone X or later) or the home button (on earlier models) or by adding it to your Control Center. The magnifier tool provides a live video feed from your iPhone’s camera, allowing you to zoom in on text or objects and adjust the brightness and contrast for optimal visibility. It’s a handy feature for those who need a little extra help with reading small text or examining details up close.
Customized Control Center
The Control Center is a convenient feature that provides quick access to commonly used settings and functions on your iPhone. But did you know that you can customize it to suit your needs? To customize your Control Center, go to Settings > Control Center > Customize Controls. From here, you can add or remove controls to your Control Center by tapping the “+” or “-” buttons. You can also rearrange the order of the controls by dragging them up or down. This allows you to tailor your Control Center to include only the settings and functions that you use most frequently. Making it more efficient and personalized to your preferences.
That being said, knowing the right hacks and hidden features can significantly enhance your iPhone experience. Making your daily tasks more efficient and enjoyable. Here are some reasons why it’s important to know iPhone hacks:
Boost Productivity: iPhone hacks can help you streamline your workflow and save time. For example, setting up custom vibrations for important contacts allows you to identify callers or senders without even looking at your phone. Which can be handy in a professional setting where you need to prioritize urgent calls or messages. Customizing your Control Center with frequently used settings can also help you access them quickly. Saving you from navigating through menus and submenus.
Improve Accessibility: iPhone hacks can make your device more accessible for users with different needs. The hidden magnifier tool can be a game-changer for those with visual impairments. Or difficulty reading small text, providing a built-in solution without the need for additional apps or devices. The one-handed keyboard is also a useful feature for individuals who may have limited hand mobility or prefer using their iPhones with just one hand.
Enhance Personalization: Knowing iPhone hacks allows you to customize your device to your liking, making it truly your own. Whether it’s setting up custom vibrations, customizing your Control Center, or using hidden features like camera levels, you can tailor your iPhone to suit your preferences and needs. This personalization can not only make your iPhone more user-friendly but also reflect your unique style and personality.
In conclusion, knowing iPhone hacks can greatly benefit iPhone users by boosting productivity, improving accessibility, enhancing personalization, uncovering hidden features, staying ahead of the curve, and troubleshooting issues. With the iPhone being such an essential part of our daily lives, learning and utilizing these hacks can help you get the most out of your device and elevate your user experience to new heights. So, take the time to explore and discover the hidden features and hacks of your iPhone, and unlock its full potential!
