How badly do you want to play another Souls-like? If you are an addict of the increasingly-common mechanic, then this 2D scrolling action title might not be the worst option for you, but it certainly doesn’t approach anywhere the genre’s best, ‘You get what you pay for’, as the saying goes.
Graphics-wise, you are greeted with a Youtube-advert quality of animation and ugly designs, followed by a single sentence plot, and a god-awful falling mechanic that sometimes you’ll walk away without a scratch from and others pathetically crumple and die instantly.
The ‘git gud’ crowd will be happy to know that the expected level of ‘stress inducing/kidney-stone producing’ difficulty is here in full force, providing frustrating deaths when even being surrounded by numerous weak enemies and one medium strength enemy is enough to see your downfall.
Unsurprisingly, gameplay is focused around dodging and parrying and both are implemented fairly well, with last second dodges and parries causing slow-motion maneuvers.
For me, this is the only redeemable part of the action, as defeating enemies’ results in body parts exploding in the exact same manner each time, and the string attacks, despite there being numerous different weapons, leave a lot to be desired, becoming stale rather quickly as you spam the attack button as your stamina meter bobs up and down.
Watcher Chronicles is not quite able to do the same, sadly.
What should be a strength of Watcher Chronicles, and what the entire hook of the game should revolve around, is actually Watcher’s biggest letdown – the bosses. Lacking difficulty and variety, they are only difficult until you figure out their first couple of lunges and then you can dodge and spam your 3-string basic attack ad nauseum. In some cases, you can just spam from the get-go and the boss won’t have even have time to react, allowing you to go the entire fight without sustaining any damage and making it last only a few seconds.
Rather than their difficulty, the main frustration is the length of the journey you need to re-embark on in order to fight them again due to save points being so far away.
With the enemies not holding up their end of the bargain, it’s lucky that the challenge to get your accrued XP back to base to level-up (before you die twice and lose it forever), is actually any fun at all. It’s the only real appreciative and rewarding gameplay loop in the game, the action and the increasingly stronger enemies playing a side-note to it throughout.
Even the easiest of foes can be your end.
If the visuals were improved and there was a semblance of a story, there might be something to try and trumpet here, or at least try and bring the gameplay up a level, but without it, you are eating crackers without the cream, and it’s not appetizing.
The design of the levels isn’t that much better either, with too much of an emphasis on 2D platforming with one of the most annoying falling mechanics I’ve ever come across, the height in which the game decides for your death seemingly arbitrary. It’s such a miserable way to die, based on how pathetic the animation looks.
There are so many other better games in the 2D Souls-like genre. Lost Epic (not pictured), for example, being a fantastic example that bests Watcher in all areas, and I scored 9/10 on this site.
With bland Souls-like gameplay and disappointing bosses, Watcher Chronicles joins the bottom of the pile in an ever-expanding genre with far better and more in-depth alternatives, ultimately leaving the game with nowhere to go but join the bargain bin of 2-minute platinum-chasers and mobile games.
The police, po-po, five-o, or whatever you call them, are a divisive bunch. Hate them or love them, they are there to serve and protect. However, there is always one bad apple in the mix, and they ruin everyone’s reputation. Yet, what would you do if you had the chance to step into their shoes and keep people safe? Would you be a law-abiding copper, or would you do as you please and be a badass renegade? Well, that option and many more are open to you as you become the latest recruit in Police Simulator: Patrol Officers.
Developed by Aesir Interactive and published by Astragon Entertainment GmbH, this is a police simulation title. What’s more, it can be enjoyed solo or with another player locally or online. As such, the action can be intense as each of you completes their tasks or helps one another to stop each law-breaking citizen. Though I’m sure it wasn’t intended, I laughed repeatedly as I completed my daily duties. The comical responses from every NPC and the sense of reward as you ticket illegally parked cars made me chuckle. However, more mature gamers will probably crack on with their job and clean up the streets without childish shenanigans.
A nice day to be a cop.
The plot of Police Simulator: Patrol Officers should be taken with a pinch of salt.
Sadly, the developer’s strengths don’t seem to lie in storytelling. The basic plot focuses on a recruit who is chucked straight into the action. Yet, they are not asked to break up a drug ring or tackle gun crime. No, their opening task is to ticket illegally parked vehicles. Yep, you’ll spend your first shift playing traffic warden. As such, you’ll check for damaged vehicles, and report anyone who has an expired vehicular licence, a parking meter that has turned red, or if they are stopped in the wrong zone. Effectively, you are an annoying jobsworth who must clamp down on those nasty traffic offences that ruin everyone’s lives.
Fortunately, the latest recruit of Brighton PD quickly moves on to bigger and better things. You’ll unlock each of the 3 districts and earn duty badges for a job well done. Furthermore, you’ll unlock a police car, undertake speed checks, investigate crimes, ticket people for littering, and confiscate deadly weapons. On top of this, you’ll arrest drug dealers, prevent graffiti artists and help out at crash scenes. In short, there is plenty to see and do as you choose who to arrest and how to act.
Good cop, bad cop.
Life is all about choices, and in Police Simulator: Patrol Officers, you have free rein over every decision you make. Consequently, if someone breaks the law, you can give them a warning, fine them, or arrest them and send them to jail. However, at times, the water is muddied, and the decision isn’t so simple. Using your police computer and your sense of intuition, you must read telltale signs for drug and alcohol abuse. As such, if you think something is wrong, you’re best to act.
Sadly, though, you can’t always be right, and when things go south, it is your reputation that takes a hammering. Accordingly, during every shift, you can only make a limited number of mistakes. Make too many, and your bosses will fire you. So, what tools do you have at hand to help you out? Well, every person must provide you with ID and insurance if they are in a vehicle. With this in front of you, you can check to see if they are a legitimate citizen, or if they are pulling a fast one. Alongside this, you can check their history in the police database. Subsequently, if they have a rap sheet as long as your arm, then there is probable cause to search them for narcotics or deadly weapons.
Remember though, if you get it wrong, you will pay the consequences. This mechanic follows you throughout every shift and is a core component of this rather simple game. If you incorrectly tow a vehicle or give it a ticket, you’ll slide closer to losing your job. Furthermore, if you report someone for speeding, crash into another car, or act like a dick, it will backfire and your bosses won’t be very happy.
That RTC looks nasty.
Great concept, but poor delivery.
It’s fair to say that I loved Police Simulator: Patrol Officers’ core concept. However, its delivery leaves an awful lot to be desired! No matter what task you undertake, you will be met with glitches, bugs, and visual problems. Moreover, your request for backup often gets stuck in traffic, your perpetrator fails to follow instructions, and don’t get me started on the state of every RTC.
Disappointingly, the often game-breaking issues ruin the immersion and the fun factor. Whether you are playing solo or with another, you’ll sigh repeatedly as you can’t complete a set task. I know these are problems that are likely to be ironed out, but at the moment, they taint what is otherwise an enjoyable experience. The developers must acknowledge the problems they have, and cannot ignore how much they impact the end product. Consequently, if nothing is done to resolve the issues, this game will fail and it won’t get the backing it deserves.
Police Simulator: Patrol Officers was pleasant to the eye.
Though Police Simulator: Patrol Officers cannot be considered next-gen, it is still pleasant to the eye. Yes, I’ve bemoaned its glitches and problems, but mostly, the large city and varied districts are well constructed. Furthermore, the vehicles have a reasonable layer of detail, and the characters are varied and interesting. On top of this, I found the traffic setup to be realistic; the databases were easy to read and understand, and the navigation elements worked really well. However, the lip sync and cutscenes are pretty woeful, but they will make you laugh, so that’s a bonus.
Talking of cutscenes, the acting is dreadful. Yet again, though, the wooden delivery will have you roaring with laughter, so it mattered not. On top of this, you get a pretty realistic range of sound effects to enjoy. The police sirens are shrill, accurate, and bloody loud. Furthermore, the engines sound great, and the environmental noises bring the world to life.
Ask the questions and get the answers.
Surprisingly good controls.
I adored how easy this was to pick up and play. Moreover, inviting someone into your world was straightforward, and this was pleasant as well. Thanks to the excellent radial menus and well-considered button layout, you’ll be issuing tickets, scanning for speeding cars, and busting drug lords in no time. Sadly, my only complaint was how stiff the driving mechanics felt. The cars roll and drag themselves around every corner and this was unrealistic. Accordingly, driving the car was more hassle than it was worth and this was disappointing.
Thanks to its multiplayer action and massive world, there is plenty of longevity and replay value. What’s more, you are free to prevent whatever crime you wish. However, I would have liked a bit more meat on the bone when it comes to a back story. During every shift, you earn money, but this seems to go nowhere. Instead, it would have been nice to explore life outside of work and have the ability to spend your hard-earned cash. Yet, these are minor things, as the game has plenty of interesting tasks and jobs to overcome.
Police Simulator: Patrol Officers needs some ironing out.
There is so much to love about this title. However, its bugs are a real problem. For every positive, and there are many to be found, each of the issues completely undermines its potential. As such, I desperately want the developers to address the issues and improve their great title. If you can put up with some problematic elements, you’ll thoroughly enjoy everything on offer. Accordingly, I’m going to recommend you buy it despite its shortcomings. Can you clean up the streets of Brighton? Jump in your car, fine each lawbreaker, and remind people that crime doesn’t pay.
If you want to pre-qualify for the car refinance, the main factor is your debt-to-income ratio. This means that the money you owe each month is compared to how much you make each month. The lender will look at this ratio before deciding if they will give you a loan. So, if you want to pre-qualify for auto refinance, read further to know more.
Debt-to-Income Ratio
When applying for a new car refinance, you’ll likely be asked to provide information about your debt-to-income ratio. This is the amount of money you owe compared to how much you make. For example, the debt-to-income ratio is used by lenders when deciding how much money they’ll lend someone and what interest rate that person will receive.
The Vehicle’s Value
You can also pre-qualify for a car refinance based on the value of your vehicle. For example, a lender will want to know how much money you would get if you sold your car and used that money to purchase another vehicle. This is called residual value, an essential factor when determining how much a lender will lend you.
In addition to looking at current market values, lenders will look at historical data and their own internal statistics when considering what they’ll offer or whether they’ll make an offer. For example, they might do this by using industry averages or doing their calculations based on previous loans that were made under similar circumstances (e.g., credit score).
Length of Loan
When you refinance your car’s loan, the lender will want to know how long you want to keep the vehicle. The longer you keep the vehicle, the more money they can lend you and the more interest they will charge over time. The shorter you keep it, the less money they can lend and thus lower your monthly payments.
The duration of your new loan is also related to how much money you want to borrow and the current equity of your vehicle.
Original Loan Amount
The original loan amount is the total you originally paid to the bank when you bought your car. So it’s important to keep track of this number so that you can compare it against other offers later on. Make sure your original loan’s payment history is accurate, or your new lender may not accept it as proof. For example, suppose a lender does accept an inaccurate payment history. In that case, there could be delays in processing your application because they’ll need help to verify it easily and quickly with their records.
The Vehicle’s Age
To prequalify for a car refinance, you must consider the vehicle’s age. The longer the vehicle has been on the road, the more likely it is to depreciate in value. However, if your car is older than five years old, it may be difficult or impossible to refinance it at all.
Lantern by SoFi experts explains, “Lower monthly payments from a refinanced car loan are usually achieved as the result of a loan term.”
You can do a few things to prequalify for a car refinance. First, you can check your credit score, make sure your income is sufficient, determine how much the vehicle is worth in today’s market and determine its age.
You’re in a hurry, and you need money. Now. You’re not looking for a loan or a credit card; you just need cash in your bank account now. If that’s the case, there are ways to transfer funds instantly. How to transfer money instantly? While it may not be as fast as pulling out cash from an ATM or swiping your credit card for an online purchase, there are services available that will enable you to transfer money from one bank account to another within minutes – if not seconds – by using online banking platforms.
According to SoFi professionals, “Which money transfer method you choose depends on who you send the money to, how much money you need to send, where the recipient is located, and how quickly the money needs to get there.”
Add a New Bank Account
The first step to transferring money is to add a new bank account. To do this, you’ll need to go to the Accounts tab in your Bank of America app and click on Add a New Bank Account.
After clicking the Add a New Bank Account button, you’ll be taken through the steps of adding your bank information: enter your bank account number and name, along with its routing number. After that, select how you want to secure this new account (you can choose from text or voice).
Link Your Bank Account to Your Profile
If you want to transfer money from your bank account, the first thing that you’ll need to do is link your bank account to your profile. This can be done by tapping Add Bank Account in the top right corner of the screen.
You may see a notification asking if this is an eligible transaction type for your country.
If it is not eligible, you will be prompted with an option to add a new bank account instead. Once selected, enter your details and confirm them by tapping Next on each field.
Select the Receiver
Once you’ve selected your sender, the recipient will appear on the screen. If you want to make this transaction a payment, tap Pay from this person’s account. If not, tap Donate or Give as a gift and select the type of account (bank, credit card or debit card) where the money should come from.
Once you’ve selected your sending account and sent it off—and it’s important to note that there is no confirmation step after this point—the funds will begin making their way through to your friend or loved one instantly.
Transfer Money
Transferring money is a convenient way to send and receive funds from individuals, companies and organizations. The ability to transfer funds between banks enables you to control your finances in an efficient manner. There are several steps involved in transferring money:
Enter the amount you want to send.
Select the receiver.
Confirm your transaction by entering your password or Personal Identification Number (PIN).
Get Confirmation
After you send a transfer, you will receive an email confirmation. You can also receive notifications on your phone.
You can check the status of your transfer in the app or online by signing into your account and going to “Transfers” under “Transactions.”
You can cancel a pending transfer if necessary by clicking on the “Cancel” button next to it. If you cancel after several seconds, it might still go through, so be sure not to do this unless absolutely necessary!
If you want to add another bank account or change details about an existing one (such as routing number or account number), go back into Settings>Add Bank Account and follow along with those steps again.
If you love your gaming with a slice of rage and guaranteed failure, then keep on reading. Super Chicken Jumper is the latest title to get your blood boiling as you are killed over and over again. Furthermore, its simple approach, colourful aesthetics and cute graphics lull you into a false sense of security. However, though it is brutal and will make you scream, it is also undeniably addictive. Consequently, I love and loathe this monstrous title in equal measure.
Developed by Sewer Cat and Eastasiasoft Limited and published by the latter, this is a hardcore retro platformer. What’s more, it can be played cooperatively as you both scream, bicker, and call each other names. As such, you may not wish to play this with your significant other, as divorce is a guarantee.
Just a chicken fighting a giant fish.
Super Chicken Jumper will destroy your soul!
I’ve played some rage-inducing games in my time, but Super Chicken Jumper is near the top. With its Flappy Bird-like gameplay and straightforward concept, it gets under your skin and demands you keep going. Furthermore, it comprises an endless option and some brutal and unfair challenges. Subsequently, every element of it will make you wince, as you fail more times than you’d like to mention.
The action revolves around a superhero chicken who is agile, talented, and hated by the villains of the world. This poultry superstar must help Mrs President and her army of advisors take down enormous bosses. En route, you’ll visit 6 unique worlds, unlock a plethora of new equipment, and take down an array of enemies. What’s more, there are plenty of obstacles to avoid as you dash from A to B in this hectic run ‘n’ gun experience.
Bloody penguins.
It’s as basic as it comes.
What makes Super Chicken Jumper so addictive is its basic concept. The chicken must run from left to right, while leaping trees, snowballs, fish, birds, and more. If he is hit, this secret spy dies, and you must restart the stage. Thankfully, he is armed with an array of tools and equipment to give him a fighting chance. Moreover, there are power-ups that can be collected to change the course of the game.
As you complete each stage, you’ll unlock new weaponry and a range of hats and shoes. Each of these items gives you a unique approach to the stage you are facing. Whether it is a boomerang, gun, knife, jetpack, running shoes, or umbrella hat, they all have their uses. Alongside this, you’ll collect bombs, a mushroom that turns you into a gargantuan chicken, and a poisoned mushroom that has an adverse effect. Each of these power-ups is completely random, and this adds to the fun.
Once you’ve overcome each level, you’ll face a mutated boss. These massive beasts are brutal as hell but follow a set routine. Accordingly, once you understand their attack pattern, you can formulate a plan and defeat them. This may sound easy, but it isn’t. Even if you know what they’ll do, each boss will still kick your ass repeatedly. Consequently, when you do defeat them, it is rewarding, enjoyable, and makes it worthwhile.
Super Chicken Jumper is a retro treat.
Retro gaming is all the rage. As such, I’ve grown fond of playing them on my Xbox Series X. Now, I know it doesn’t utilise the next-gen power, but I care not. Instead, I adore the sharp colours, the basic sprites, and the simple backdrops. Furthermore, the rough finish adds to the old-school charm. Alongside this, the rudimentary cinematic is hilarious and full of Anime girls. These cute images try to “sex up” the action, but it wasn’t my cup of tea. However, though, I chuckled repeatedly as the developers used plenty of stupid jokes to lighten the mood.
What was equally good was the audio. The jovial and energetic soundtrack was absolutely amazing. This is complemented by the shrill and repetitive sound effects. Whether it was the crash of a bullet, the ting of you jumping, or the sound of inevitable failure, it never got old.
Someone upset the forest witch.
Stripped-back controls.
The developers focused on a simple button layout. As such, Super Chicken Jumper is easy to pick up, but tough to master. It combines accurate action with twin stick elements. As such, it can be fiddly to perfect the shooting mechanics while avoiding never-ending threats. However, once you nail it, it is phenomenal and rewarding.
Talking of rewarding things, the endless and challenge modes deliver some of the hardest action I’ve experienced. You’ll fail repeatedly, swear even more, and wish you never started. Yet, it’s more addictive than crack cocaine and more rewarding than climbing Everest. Consequently, this basic game is tough to put down.
I hate and love Super Chicken Jumper!
Super Chicken Jumper gave me an insight into euphoric highs and depressing lows. When it works, you’ll adore everything it offers. Furthermore, you’ll laugh at the cinematic, enjoy the visuals, and adore the audio. Yet, when it’s horribly tough, you’ll want to punch a wall, swear repeatedly, and smash your controller. However, it is this scale of tough brilliance that makes it so good. Accordingly, I recommend that you buy it here! Don’t miss out on the chance to save the world. Become a chicken, destroy your enemies, and try not to smash your controller.
It doesn’t seem that long ago that I was at EGX 2022 talking to Fast Travel Games about VR and what to keep an eye on. One of the things we talked about was the new PICO headset, and I’m happy to say the PICO 4 is here – and I’ve been playing around with it! Virtual reality gaming is exciting. From the moment the headset goes over your eyes, you’re transported into immersive worlds beyond your imagination. For a while, there have only been a few players in the space making headsets of note, but how does the PICO 4 stack up against the competition?
PICO 4 Overview
On October 18, 2022, PICO 4 was released in Europe and parts of Asia (there’s no news yet on a US release date). ByteDance, the company that makes it, has done a fantastic job making a good-looking headset to compete with the Meta Quest 2 in the standalone VR headset space.
The PICO 4 has some pretty stand-out features, too, the passthrough being not only useful for when you need to see around you but opens new possibilities in the types of games and experiences available on the platform. Accessing it is fun, too – a sharp double tap to the side of the headset will enable the passthrough mode. This is ideal when you need to see passwords or simply check your surroundings. Utilising a 16MP RGB camera it also makes setting your play area and checking the dog isn’t in the way even easier.
It is worth pointing out that not only is the PICO 4 cheaper than the Meta Quest 2, but it also has a better resolution with its unique pancake lenses. With 6DoF tracking and integrated hand-tracking are both well done, and I was surprised by just how well the hand-tracking worked.
The controllers are nicely designed and use optical tracking instead of LiDAR. There were a couple of instances where they weren’t responsive, in what is known as a ‘dead zone’, but because of the design and the tracking ring placement, these didn’t occur often enough to make games unplayable or lessen the overall experience.
In terms of connectivity, PICO 4 offers users a wide variety. with Virtual Desktop, cable connection via USB-C, Streaming options, and the ability to record footage directly in the headset, it’s easy to create and share your VR gaming experiences.
Is the PICO 4 Comfortable?
The PICO 4 is perhaps the most comfortable headset I’ve ever worn. The comfort of the straps, the snug fit on the head, and superior weight distribution all work together to ensure premium comfort. As the weight is spread out around the headset (and not front-heavy), it feels lighter than the Quest 2, even though it weighs more. This means that when you do go in for those long VR gaming sessions, it never gets uncomfortable – my biggest complaint with the original PSVR. As a result, despite playing games for several hours, I never felt like I needed to take the headset off except to wipe away sweat which is more of a me problem. The PICO 4 is extremely comfortable.
Now, one of the key areas I look at when it comes to VR headsets is how it handles glasses – because I can’t see without them! I’m pleased to say the PICO 4 comes with an extra piece to increase the depth from the lenses to your face to keep them and your glasses protected. It can be a little tight taking the headset off with glasses on, but it’s a minor niggle.
The controllers are also well designed and fit in the hand well. I never had an issue reaching buttons and didn’t feel like they were too heavy to use in the more active games. With the included controller straps, you can also be sure to keep them securely in your hand!
Set-up and Configuration
The package, when it arrives, feels very premium, and this translates into the unboxing experience. Everything is neatly stored away with simplistic elegance, and the entire experience of discovering what was included was not only easy but also enjoyable. I know raving about how well-boxed something is can be exceptionally geeky, but it was that good an experience it was worth pointing out.
Setting up the device for use is as equally painless. Turn the device on, connect to the internet and register a PICO account if you don’t already have one. You can then set your play area and begin browsing the store for your first buy or check out some of the numerous videos that really showcase the power of this exceptional device.
Battery Life / Charging
The PICO 4 will give you a good two to three hours of game/watch time before it needs to be charged. Thankfully, this is done via USB-C, so you have options. Firstly, you can use the 20w fast-charging plug that comes in the box and get back up and running in no time. Alternatively, you can simply use a USB-C cable that you link your PICO 4 to a PC and charge while playing.
Either option feels fine, and I never felt like the device ran out of juice too quickly. So far, in the time I’ve had the device, I haven’t needed to replace the controller batteries. Each controller takes two AA batteries, and the process of swapping them out is hassle-free.
Audio and Visuals
Of course, the main thing the PICO 4 needs to be good at is providing exceptional audio and visuals. Thankfully the PICO 4 delivers on this. Using the Qualcomm Snapdragon XR2 processor provides exceptional processing power with energy efficiency. This means demanding titles like Half-Life Alyx can run in exceptional resolutions on this headset. Combined with the RAM allowing for smoother visuals, the experience is the best I’ve tried. This is also assisted by the impressive resolution – 2160×2160 pixels per eye, giving better overall visuals than standard 4K. Finally, the field of view is set at 105 degrees which outshines the competition and the PICO 4 predecessor. The 90Hz refresh rate was also more than adequate to ensure smooth visuals in every game I tested. Tracking is achieved with five cameras located around the top, bottom, and centre of the headset.
While I didn’t have the space myself to test it, the PICO 4 also allows for an incredible 10m x 10m play space. This is perfect when paired with the fitness application of the PICO 4 giving far more room for active movement.
The integrated speakers for the PICO 4 aren’t bad, with a bit more bass and less distortion than perhaps you would expect. However, it isn’t fantastic, and you’ll want to connect a headset for the best experience. While I wish the PICO 4 had a headphone jack, it sadly doesn’t. What it does offer is a solid Bluetooth connection, and I found it easy to pair with every Bluetooth headset or earbuds I had lying around.
Games Selection on the PICO 4
As a standalone headset, the PICO 4 has its own app store. In the store, you can purchase a variety of games from developers in pretty much every genre you can think of. From exclusives like Just Dance to amazing third-party titles like Cities VR and Gun Club VR. As well as in the headset, you can also manage your games from the handy companion app.
In addition to the incredible store of games (over 200, with more being added all the time), you can also connect to SteamVR and access everything there as you would expect.
If heart-pounding horror games or fast-paced sports and action games don’t take your fancy, then the PICO 4 has an impressive fitness angle. With various apps offering exercises for everyone. Combined with the dedicated PICO Fitness app, this is a great tool for those of us wanting to get a bit fitter. The platform offers calorie counting, as well as performance tracking across all your gaming.
As if all of this wasn’t enough, you have an internet browser and access to video apps like Netflix and Amazon Prime, making it more than a gaming device.
Testing PICO 4 Games and Experiences
For this initial review, I checked out a few games from a few different genres to put the hardware through its paces. Don’t worry, though; full reviews for these games and many more are coming soon.
Les Mills Body Combat
Take the tried-and-true video-based body combat class and transform it into an immersive VR experience that sees you performing body combat moves to music and accurate timings. Not only was this a fun rhythm game, but it felt like a pretty good workout, too, as body movement, taking advantage of the tracking, was necessary to dodge certain obstacles. The instruction was clear, and the added incentive of the leaderboard system spurred me on through sheer competitiveness. This is a great game, but more importantly, is a fantastic fitness experience to take advantage of the PICO 4’s fitness app.
End Space
Unfortunately, in End Space, I experienced most of the controller inaccuracies, which made the start of the game slow and a little frustrating, but as soon as the level loaded up and I was in the cockpit of the spaceship, this all changed. End Space is a first-person sci-fi shooter that sits you in the cockpit. It is astonishingly beautiful, fast-paced, and genuinely exciting. Blasting enemies, flying a spaceship, and generally being in space is the stuff of dreams, now real. PICO 4 really shone with this title, the impressive visuals and smooth tracking combined made it a joyful experience.
Similarly, booting up Star Wars Squadrons from SteamVR was equally as impressive on PICO 4. The SteamVR interface works well, and the controllers adapt accordingly.
Gun Club VR
Gun Club VR is the firearm simulator you never knew you wanted to play. With an impressive array of weaponry and modes (from basic shooting galleries to zombie attacks), experience guns like you never have before. In VR, this means you must reload by physically taking a clip, inserting it, and readying the weapon. The whole experience is incredibly satisfying and very realistic. On PICO 4, the game looks amazing, sounds amazing, and the motions of changing and preparing your weapon work flawlessly.
Video
Hopping onto YouTube quickly, I enjoyed a cinema-like experience of watching a trailer for Andor before checking out one of the PICO 4 video experiences. The one I selected was a rollercoaster and genuinely had a lot of fun spiraling around at speed!
Technical Specifications
Processor
Qualcomm XR2 8 Cores 64 Bit 2.84GHz 7nm process technology
Storage
8GB+128GB 8GB+256GB
Wireless Connections
Wi-Fi: Supports Wi-Fi 6, 2.4GHz/5GHz dual band Bluetooth: Supports Bluetooth 5.1
When you get your PICO 4, the box will contain the following:
The PICO 4 VR headset
2x PICO 4 Controllers with batteries
A 20w fast-charge power adapter and USB-C cable
Controller straps
Nose pad
Glasses spacer
Literature
PICO 4 Price and Availability
The PICO 4 is available now from various online retailers in the UK and costs £379.99 at the time of writing. This is competitive pricing, as the PICO 4 is cheaper than the Meta Quest 2.
My Final Thoughts on the PICO 4
The PICO 4 is an exceptional powerhouse in the world of VR headsets, and I would go as far as to say the best you can buy right now if you want value for money. Its smooth, high-quality display, exceptional comfort, and simplicity of use make it perfect for die-hard VR fans and newcomers.
So, if you want a gift for yourself or the gamer in your life, during the holiday season, or just because, you won’t regret the PICO 4.
For more information on the PICO 4, head to the official website.
The world is changing and so is the way you work. AI has been around for a while now, but it’s only recently that it has become accessible to businesses large and small. In this article, you’ll look at top tools that can help you incorporate the power of AI into your operations:
AIOps
An AIOps platform is an AI solution that uses deep learning algorithms to predict a company’s operational performance. It’s based on past data and can be used for various applications, such as predicting customer behavior or identifying trends in your business.
The AIOps platform analyzes large amounts of data from your business over time to identify patterns in those patterns and make predictions based on those patterns.
According to Micro Focus experts, “AIOps is the multi-layered application of big data analytics and machine learning to IT operations data.”
For example, suppose you’re trying to improve customer retention rates. In that case, an AIOps platform may analyze historical information about customers who have canceled their service with your company in order to identify what factors typically lead up to cancellations (for example number of hours per week that each customer uses).
Simatic S7-300
The Simatic S7-300 is an excellent example of an industrial automation tool that complements AI-powered solutions. It’s used in manufacturing environments to automate processes, enhance precision, and improve system reliability. By integrating AI tools like AIOps with the Simatic S7-300 system, businesses can significantly enhance operational efficiency, predict equipment failures, and optimize production lines in real time.
Alpine
Alpine is a tool that uses AI to help businesses make better decisions. The software can help you manage your business by providing insights into your data, and it can also help you make more informed decisions about your business.
As an example: Alpine could be used to determine the most profitable product mix for any given month of the year. This would consider not just what products sold well historically but also weather patterns, seasonality trends, and other factors that may affect how many units of each product were bought during different times of year (or even at different times within each day).
Digital Genius
Digital Genius is a tool that allows you to create chatbots for your website. Using Digital Genius, you can create chatbots for your business or product. Your customers and users will then be able to interact with these chatbots on your website via text messaging.
With Digital Genius, users will be able to ask questions and receive answers in real-time. This means that they’ll be able to ask questions like: “What is the address of this restaurant?” or “What hours are they open?”
Saffron Natural Intelligence Platform
Saffron is a natural language processing platform that can be used to analyze text, images, video and audio. It can also be used for business intelligence, customer service and sales/marketing automation. The tool allows you to automate workflows using chatbots.
With Saffron, you can use a drag-and-drop interface and integrate it with other platforms such as Gmail or Salesforce. The platform uses machine learning technology that gets better as it processes more data (it learns from its mistakes).
There are a lot of tools out there that can help you incorporate AI into your operations. So you just have to find the best one for your business, and then it will be easy to get started with the implementation process.
Becoming a hero is no easy feat. You’ll have to tackle mountains of monsters, explore deep and dangerous dungeons, and appease many people. However, for some individuals, this is their calling. These ungodly beings love fame, but they adore the gold and treasure a bit more. Consequently, only death will stop them from completing their goal. Accordingly, this is exactly what happens in the excellent and addictive Bravery and Greed.
Developed by Rekka Games and published by Team17, this is a rogue-lite dungeon crawler. What’s more, it has hack ‘n’ slash elements and some strong fantasy themes. As such, it’ll take you on a whacky adventure as you and 3 others tackle damp caverns and gargantuan beasts as you attempt to find fame and fortune.
Bravery and Greed tells a familiar tale.
Whenever a game runs with a familiar approach, it often lacks originality. Luckily, though, this isn’t the case in Bravery and Greed. Instead, the familiar story and characters were fantastic as the zany and fast-paced action took centre stage. You control either a paladin, mage, rogue, or warrior who is determined to seek out fortune and fame, no matter the risk. Subsequently, the adventurers explore a range of dangerous locations while pitting their strengths against some crazy foes. If you are successful, you’ll be awarded gold and trinkets, and your journey will continue. However, if you die, and you will, you’ll have to start again.
This classic rogue-lite mechanic will drive its audience insane. The brutal approach is uncomfortable and often unfair, but when you get it right, it is rewarding and fun. As such, Bravery and Greed is pretty tough to put down, once you get started. Sadly, I was only able to play this alone, and I can imagine the online shenanigans increases both the replay value and enjoyment level exponentially. The gameplay focuses on 4 unique modes. These comprise a PvP and PvE option, survival mode, and the main adventure element. No matter which you select, you’ll enjoy the same roster of characters and the key gameplay mechanics.
Team up and destroy everything in sight.
Exploration, magic, and Metroidvania.
A fantasy game would be nothing without monsters and magic. Fortunately, Bravery and Greed is overflowing with both. As you explore each dungeon, you’ll encounter forgotten tomes, shrines, vendors, and much, much more. These interactive objects allow you to enhance your stats, purchase potions and wands, and take a bit of a gamble. If you get lucky, your hero will become stronger, faster, or healthier. However, if the gamble doesn’t pay off, you’ll be poisoned or cursed, and death is all but certain.
This cruel approach may seem unfair, but I loved that it added another brutal twist to the excellent gameplay. After all, what’s life if there isn’t a little danger involved? Furthermore, if things pay off, the rewards certainly outweigh the risk. On top of this, you’ll find new trinkets and equipment that enhance your hero’s stats further still. Accordingly, the longer you survive, the stronger you become.
If the guarantee of death isn’t enough, the developers chucked in a hefty dose of Metroidvania to make matters worse. Consequently, you’ll run into dead ends, encounter unnecessary traps, and waste plenty of time. Yet, this cruel mechanic made the game much more enjoyable. I adored the lack of direction and the freedom to go wherever I wanted. The only restriction you face is the end-of-stage bosses. These horrendous beasts are tough but beatable. If you are fortunate enough to slay them, a new area will open and your adventure will continue.
Will the Grim Reaper be on your side?
Bravery and Greed looks incredible.
I adored the gameplay and the tough mechanics, but the aesthetics were equally good. The old-school pixelated approach and sombre colour palette work perfectly with the theme and the genre. What’s more, the side-scrolling and 2D viewpoint ensure that you can navigate the world with no problems. Alongside this, the basic animation and OTT spells looked incredible. Then, you must consider the variety of backdrops and the interesting stage design. Thanks to the Metroidvania mechanics, each level is claustrophobic, tough to explore, and filled with mystery. This is brilliant, as it makes a hard game just a bit more uncomfortable.
The visuals were beautifully complemented by the excellent audio. The repetitive soundtrack should have been tedious and annoying. However, the familiar music and unrelenting bass add to the drama. Moreover, the hard-hitting sound effects are crass and loud, and enhance the fantasy theme.
Keep on top of your progress with this handy guide.
Simple and effective controls.
A wonderful tutorial ensures the fundamentals are understood immediately. Yet, the controls are so simple that you could easily jump into the action with no assistance. Furthermore, the excellent layout and responsive inputs help whenever it is hectic. Alongside this, each of the heroes has primary and secondary attacks that must be mastered. The rogue has a sword and bow, the mage a wand and elemental power, and so on, and so forth. By using each character wisely, you’ll overcome the toughest of situations and survive for as long as possible.
Thanks to the rogue-lite elements, Metroidvania stage design, and 4 game modes, there is plenty to see and do. However, that isn’t the end of the story. No, at the beginning of each run, you can use special cards to add skills, gold, and other buffs. Yet, each card has a downside that can make or break you. Whether it is a reduction in speed, a shared life bar, the introduction of Death, or more, it enhances the difficulty and keeps you on your toes.
Bravery and Greed is a brilliant addition to the genre.
The rogue-lite genre is saturated. As such, it can be tough to find a worthy title amongst the rubbish. Fortunately, Bravery and Greed is an excellent addition to the genre. With its amazing theme, fun characters, and tough mechanics, this will get under your skin and will keep you playing for hours. As such, I can easily recommend that you buy it here! Will you survive long enough to become rich and famous? Pick your hero, choose your perks, and hope that luck is on your side.
You might just think that Yomawari: Lost in the Dark is the cutest little 2D isometric horror title that you’ve ever played, until the entire screen explodes with blood that is, after being munched on by a demon-like creature.
Controlling a girl by the name of Yuzu you need to piece together her forgotten memories in a haunted town and rid her of a curse with only a flashlight and your ability to pick up objects.
As the game amusingly states before you play, ‘In the event you look away from the screen while playing, we are not responsible for what you may see’, and its this kind of area in which Yomawari: Lost in the Dark plays around in, always attempting to do something outside of your expectations.
Apart from jumpy scares from gigantic and incredibly ugly ghouls that appear out of nowhere to block your path, the scariest element is tension provided from the decent variety of enemies that roam the town at night. They can attack/ be dealt with in a number of different ways – most of them will give chase once you are in their sights, but you can throw objects to distract them, attempt to outrun them or in some cases close your eyes and hope that the red heat spot that represents the enemy will go straight passed you.
Who ordered the one with ‘creepy and always crying’?
Futhermore, your heartbeat becomes audible and beats faster and louder as you get closer to a ghoul, while also rumbling the controller and making your character panic and exponentially run out of stamina. This has been finely tuned so that you are likely to exhaust your energy just as you are being chased in the game’s most tense scenes and makes every dash for a gap nail-biting as death is around every corner, hidden in every shadow and is just one hit away.
The dark secrets of the town are interlinked with your own personal mystery as ghouls who require your help often hold the key (sometimes literally) to unlocking your own memories. These mysteries inhabit the creepiest of areas, with rice fields, abandoned tunnels and a graveyard just a name few, and end with some difficult bosses whose attacks come at you thick and fast.
Helping the atmosphere is also the great sound design, the clarity of every sound ringing out in the deafening silence has you listening for the groans and footsteps of enemies and is so very effective, making those jumps even less avoidable.
The main story and the boss designs by themselves are great concepts for the game to hang its hat, but unfortunately, the game’s majority pivots towards spending an inordinate amount of time adventuring and backtracking around town to find countless items to help ghouls, which takes the atmospheric streets and makes their random traversing a frustrating experience, with numerous roadblocks and one-hit deaths that send you back to checkpoints ages away.
There are other niggling issues with the game like there being no visible transition from the game’s cutscenes to live-action sections, meaning that the game knows that it’s go time – but you don’t – so as you are waiting for the cutscene to progress, an enemy will walk over to kill you – which is always nice.
Also, despite the sound design’s adeptness, its missing a trick with the omission of voice acting, with many an emotional scene that could have been elevated with its inclusion. One could argue, that without it there is still a sense of reading a childrens folktale with its graphics, with a Japanese design taken from the ukiyo-e art style, but there is still something lacking without it.
The constant street crawling also runs the risk of not keeping you dialed in for the more primal aspects of horror and emotional empathy the game wants you to feel for our heroine.
Typically, I tend to tire with horror games more than others as they often lull both in the story and gameplay and I generally give up before the end, and if it wasn’t for wanting to find out how Yuzu’s story would end, chances are I would have given up here as well as there simply aren’t enough consistently exciting elements on offer.
Yomawari: Lost in the Dark is a decent horror title that never quite allows itself to excel in any particular area. Japanese horror fans will enjoy the variety of enemies and the scares, but outside of the cleanly drawn visuals and a decent story, it can’t escape the demon of its own design – a short runtime that just feels too long due to its repetitive gameplay and late-revealing secrets.
ROCCAT has a healthy history of creating some mind-blowing peripherals. Whether it is headphones, earbuds, gaming mice, or keyboards, they are all phenomenal. Moreover, they are renowned for their build quality, excellent RGB display, and great value for money. Today, I am looking at their latest keyboard, the ROCCAT Vulcan II Max.
This stunning and user-friendly device looks amazing, is wonderfully versatile, and is unbelievably responsive during every gaming session. On top of this, it has 5 user profiles, Easy-Shift+ for increased functionality, and its switches are compatible with many third-party keycaps. Furthermore, it has 24 dual-LED smart keys with programmable secondary functions. This feature is fantastic for MMO fans or those that like to create macros and other shortcuts.
Alongside all of these amazing elements is the incredibly vivid RGB light display. The keyboard is awash with colour from the moment you plug it in. Consequently, you are treated to an amazing-looking accessory that is bound to be a conversation starter. Moreover, the translucent wrist rest enhances the light display to create a one-of-a-kind peripheral.
The RGB display is incredible.
What’s in the box of the ROCCAT Vulcan II Max?
The robust and striking packaging is great to look at. What’s more, it is adorned with key selling points and bright images. Inside, the contents are packaged nicely and the material can be easily recycled.
The ROCCAT Vulcan II Max is heavy, well-constructed, and pleasant to the eye. It has a built-in double USB-A braided cable, and there are multimedia shortcut buttons to change your settings on the fly. On top of this, the keyboard can be adjusted with its double kickstand.
Detachable wrist rest. This translucent accessory makes the device more comfortable for extended gaming sessions. Furthermore, it enhances the RGB display.
User guide. With plenty of features to experience, you may wish to use the helpful and straightforward user guide.
Technical aspects.
Form Factor
Full Size
Cable
1.8m 2 x USB-A
Switch lifecycle
Tested to 100 million clicks
Polling Rate
1000 Hz
On-board
4MB
Profile On-board
5
RGB
RGB per-key illumination with 16.8m colours + smart keys
Keyboard Rollover
Full Key (NKRO) with 100% Anti-Ghosting
Processor
32-bit ARM Cortex M3
Software
ROCCAT SWARM
Adjustable height
Yes, double kickstand
Though the ROCCAT Vulcan II Max looks great, this wasn’t my first concern. No, whenever I pick up a gaming keyboard, I want it to be responsive while also feeling great to use. Thankfully, this keyboard ticks both these boxes and much, much more. Thanks to the 1000 Hz Polling Rate, this device is unbelievably responsive when it truly matters. Whether I was playing an FPS, sports title, or simply typing an email, I couldn’t fault its performance. Furthermore, the Titan II optical switches are a game-changer. With the option of linear or tactile switches, you can choose from a smooth or slightly resistant experience.
Alongside this, its full-size form makes for a commanding and imposing accessory. The beefy keyboard has a fantastic aluminium top plate that gives it a great finish. What’s more, it helps to protect the device from wear and tear. Then, you must also consider the compatibility with third-party keycaps. Though this is minor, I liked the idea of swapping in some ceramic keycaps from Cerakey.
The keycaps can be replaced with third-party ones.
Functionality.
Where the ROCCAT Vulcan II Max really excels is its functionality and light display. Thanks to the Easy-Shift+ button duplicator technology, you can easily map your keyboard to your liking. On top of this, you are treated to an additional 24 smart keys that each have further secondary functions. You may worry that this would get confusing, but thankfully, it doesn’t. With 5 user profiles to pick from, you can set up your macros and layout for each game without any compromise.
To help make this possible, ROCCAT has created its own programme called ROCCAT SWARM. This free-to-download tool isn’t as intuitive as I’d have liked, but once you get your head around it, it isn’t so bad after all. This handy programme allows you to play with every feature on offer and adjust anything accordingly. Subsequently, you can tinker with your keyboard and perfect your setup before you turn on any game.
Alongside this, the ROCCAT Vulcan II Max is compatible with your AIMO-enabled products. Consequently, you can sync this peripheral with every other device you have to create a visual masterpiece. Like the third-party keycaps, this may seem like a small deal. However, I loved this minor touch as it makes your setup pop. Accordingly, if you are a content creator or a streamer, this will add that wow factor and will impress your audience.
Is the ROCCAT Vulcan II Max worth it?
I have reviewed some amazing keyboards, and this one stands head and shoulders above its competitors. Not only does it look great, but it feels nice to use. Moreover, the keystrokes are rapid and responsive, and the build quality is phenomenal. Alongside this, its RGB display is the best I’ve ever witnessed. As such, if you want a gaming keyboard that will set you apart from your rivals, then look no further than the ROCCAT Vulcan II Max.
Most people have tried their luck on a skateboard at least once. Maybe like me, they pulled off their first ollie and felt that sense of pride. Regardless of how simple a move it may have been. Then they took things a step further and had their first spill, scraped a knee, and decided, “Well, that was fun. Let’s leave it at that.”
Or perhaps after that spill, they got up and tried again. Whether it was immediately or until they healed from a scuffed-up knee and a small blow to their confidence. Perhaps every fall was a lesson, or simply part of the thrill. The risk and reward. The freedom of expression, and excitement. Maybe they fell in love with the skating community and culture. Session: Skate Sim really evokes the feeling of the latter. A love for skating, and a translation of that love into this title. It may not have been a perfect product. But it’s a damn good one. The beauty of it all is, you can fail, bail and try all over again, without the need for a first aid kit.
Watch Your Footing
Something that really set Session apart from other titles was the balance between simulation and casual fun. On one hand, it’s a game with extremely responsive, intuitive and somewhat complex controls. But on the other, there’s no scorekeeping for tricks. Nor is there any pressure to excel or outdo yourself. You simply skate, and try to pull off strings of tricks and grinds as you manoeuvre around an open world. That being said, it’s not as simple as pushing off and being the next prodigy. You ought to be prepared to land on your ass. Sometimes more than you land on your board.
Skate’s control scheme is a mix between complex and simple without leaning too hard in either direction. Each stick essentially controls a foot. Push up on the left stick to focus on the nose of the board. Push down on the right, and the back becomes the focal point. As you hold one end down, you then move the opposing analog stick to pull off a trick. You can also switch ends at any time with a double tap of a trigger to mirror this control scheme. This forms the basis of the movement and controls. Much like real skating which end of the board you shift weight to decides if it’ll be an ollie or nollie.
Now thankfully, this isn’t a gruelling sim where pushing too far to the nose of the board results in you falling over. It keeps things simple by using these controls as the deciders of which tricks you’ll do, and what kind of manuals or grinding you’ll be going for. There is an abundance of moves to try and pull off, and the satisfaction that comes from executing a string is absolutely heavenly. Mixing things up as you manoeuvre around the city never loses its allure.
Prepare to Fall
However, these strings are where things become a bit more challenging. You’re going to fall. A lot. Especially in the beginning. I’ll go to the grave never revealing how long it took me to pull off a trick into a grind and safely dismount my first grinding mission. This is where the simulation aspect of Session comes into play. Just like IRL skating, actually doing these moves and landing safely is not as simple as it might have been in EA’s Skate series. You’re going to have to take a good couple of L’s before you get the hang of it. Getting the timing and speed right, and choosing the right trick to make it up to the edge won’t come easy at first. Especially if you’re not an avid skate sim player. Sure you’ll fall, but with practice it’ll click, and the physics of the world will begin to make sense.
What really surprised me was how addictive this loop was. I fell time and time again, but I kept on trying. Now a big part of this is that I wasn’t the one getting hurt. However, I wasn’t getting as frustrated as I assumed I would. This is because the sim was never unfair. I knew the mistakes I made were on me, and that I could land them. And I did. Man, was that satisfying. Also, I never got tired of the many ways my poor avatar wiped out. Classic slapstick comedy.
Something else that helped me stick around, was the marking mechanic. At any point, you can mark your current position. And at any point, you can teleport back to that position. This was beyond useful for retrying jumps, as I’m sure without it I’d have rage quit. I can’t imagine hauling ass over and over to the top of some stairs, knowing there’s a good chance I’m just going to fall again. This is probably why I never skated more than a handful of times in my life.
Will Skate For $$$
As with any skate game worth its salt, Session has a great number of customisation options. From your personal drip down to the trucks of your board, it’s all available to personalise. I, for one value this greatly in these kinds of games. And Session delivers. All you need to access these is to do some of the missions around the city.
This is where a good chunk of your time will be spent, when not freely skating. As they unlock new customisation items, but more importantly they make you cash. Which, of course, you’ll need to get yourself some gear.
These missions are given to you by your fellow skaters. They’ll have you perform tricks and jumps, that not only presents a little challenge for you, but also serves to help you learn new moves. Missions also give you some background on your avatar, as mission givers recount days past and shoot the breeze, while employing a healthy dose of skater lingo.
On the topic of skaters, something that bothered me about Session, was how empty the world felt. No moving cars and no people outside of mission givers. It felt a bit strange. I mean sure, in terms of gameplay you can’t have traffic hindering your fun. But at least give us a couple of NPC skaters or pedestrians, however little. It would have made the world feel less like you were outside during the height of the COVID-19 lockdowns.
Try It
While you’re falling on your ass there’s some excellent music to enjoy. A selection of lo-fi beats forms a nice easy-going background for an otherwise painful display of gravity’s power over us. I really enjoyed the soundtrack and it just kept the good times rolling.
Session: Skate Sim is a game any skating enthusiast will love, and any curious gamers ought to try. Once you accept the inevitability of failure, it becomes a great example of the satisfaction that comes from perseverance.
Simple platform titles are undeniably addictive. However, the deceptively straightforward gameplay can be tough, infuriating, and rage-inducing. Yet, for unknown reasons, you won’t want to put it down. This is exactly how I feel about Hatup. It is as basic as they come, but it still pushed me out of my comfort zone.
Developed by Naoka Games and Eastasiasoft Limited, and published by the latter, this is a puzzle platform experience. What’s more, it is distinctly old-school and has a gloriously wonderful learning curve. Therefore, veterans and newcomers can enjoy it in equal measure.
Where it all begins.
Hatup has no story.
I still find it strange when a game has no central plot. Moreover, a reliance on key mechanics to keep their audience entertained is a risky approach. However, Hatup does particularly well with its well-trodden elements, simple but effective stage design, and interesting puzzles.
You control a chubby creature who is locked into 30 different areas. He must jump, fall, spring, and run to avoid gaps, spikes, and other obstacles. By doing this, he’ll collect keys, open new paths, and find his much-loved fez. With the hat firmly on his head and all keys collected, the hero can exit the stage and move on.
This is the core idea behind Hatup and it rarely gets out of hand. Accordingly, the gentle learning curve and drip-fed mechanics ensure the action feels balanced. Furthermore, the excellent, but familiar stage layout is tough enough to test experienced players. All the while, newbies will feel comfortable with any new and challenging elements chucked their way.
Bloody spikes.
It’s all about the hat and the keys.
Though I’ve repeatedly highlighted the simplicity, it doesn’t mean it’s a walk in the park. No, instead, the 30 levels require an accurate approach and a methodical mindset. Subsequently, you must activate switches, look before you leap, and plan when to wear your fez. Why? Well, the hat is strangely magical, and it alters each stage. Platforms will disappear and new ones will appear in different places. However, at times, you must remove your hat in order to access new keys or jump over larger gaps.
As you can see, Hatup mixes up its gameplay nicely. Consequently, it evolves past the basic platforming tropes while brilliantly incorporating puzzle mechanics. This blend of genres doesn’t always work. But I believe the developers got it just right.
Hatup is vivid and old-school.
We may be in an age of ultra-realistic graphics. However, there is still room for nostalgia. As such, games like Hatup sneak in under the radar and win us over with their retro charms. Thanks to the pixelated imagery, vivid colours, and interesting stage design, I loved what I saw. Furthermore, the contrast between each element made it easier to understand and fun to play.
A basic soundtrack can be annoying. However, somehow, Hatup manages to avoid that issue. Instead, its jovial audio works brilliantly with the short, sharp stages. Moreover, the 8-Bit sound effects are wonderfully annoying while adding to the charm.
Grab the fez and change the stage layout.
Bloody controls.
The controls drove me insane! On one hand, they are simple, stripped-back, and easy to follow. Yet, on the other hand, they fell loose and lack accuracy. This is particularly infuriating when you have to land on a tiny platform. What’s more, dying at the last moment will make you scream in the latter stages. Accordingly, I wish the controls were tighter and less sensitive. If this were the case, the gameplay would be vastly improved.
Another shortcoming is longevity. Accordingly, 30 levels are simply not enough. What was also disappointing was the lack of a speedrun option. The action is set up perfectly to incorporate it, but it was overlooked. Moreover, a lack of collectables undermines a key component of the platforming genre.
Hatup is an enjoyable and casual experience.
Hatup won’t top any charts. Nor will it be widely spoken about. However, I believe that is a shame. Its colourful design, excellent approach, and casually retro ways make it a fun game to play. Subsequently, I’m happy to recommend that you buy it here! Can you find your fez and escape? Collect the keys, use your abilities, and get to the exit.
Robots are viewed as servants. They are built for one task, and they better not screw up. If they do, we’ll simply replace them and get a better alternative. However, imagine how that makes the robots feel. A life of servitude down the drain and then you are left on the rubbish heap. Well, you can find out exactly what that is like if you grab a copy of C.A.R.L.
Developed by Morningstar Game Studio and Andrew Kenady and published by the latter, this is a retro platform title. What’s more, it is loaded with collectables, zany characters, and bite-size worlds. On top of this, the action is oddly addictive, deceptively approachable, and will tweak your nostalgia-filled heartstrings.
Collect the parts and progress.
C.A.R.L follows a classic formula.
Retro gaming is loved by indie developers. The classic formulas are well-trodden, and you guarantee an audience that’ll love the concept. C.A.R.L takes advantage of this with its bright aesthetics, simple approach, and witty dialogue. Furthermore, its straightforward approach is easy to pick up, but challenging to put down.
You control C.A.R.L, a daring young robot who is lost within the sprawling Kent Industries facility. Here, this unwitting hero will encounter an array of bots who have been discarded. Consequently, these angry automatons seek revenge against Mr Kent and his ungodly ways. As such, you are sent into the depths of this labyrinthine world to collect scrap metal, medals, discs, blueprints, and much more. En route, you’ll rescue fellow robots, avoid obstacles, and encounter crazy bosses. In short, it’s a hell of an adventure that is unbelievably familiar.
I loved the witty dialogue.
Standard mechanics.
What makes C.A.R.L great is its reliance on standard platforming mechanics. However, this doesn’t mean that it’s boring or dated, because it isn’t. Instead, you can jump straight into the action without thinking about it. Furthermore, as the game progresses, the hero gains new skills and becomes faster, stronger, and more reliable. Now, this may not seem like a big thing, but the bosses you encounter and the stage design all demand fast movement, strong weapons, and pinpoint accuracy.
Alongside this, the gameplay revolves around a central hub known as the DUMP. This stinking cesspit is the home to every abandoned and rescued being thrown out by the evil corporation. As such, they are hellbent on seeking revenge and will do anything to assist you. There is a “robot” who collects cards, a bar for refreshments, a fortune-teller, a mechanic, and a general. Each plays a part in helping you progress without detracting from the core gameplay.
C.A.R.L is wonderfully pixelated.
Retro gaming would be awful if it wasn’t for the fantastic aesthetics. With vivid colours, simple but effective stage design, and fun sprites, C.A.R.L ticks all the right boxes. Furthermore, the contrasting imagery allows you to identify enemies and traps with ease. What was particularly good was the variety of backdrops. Accordingly, each world had a unique look, and this keeps things fresh.
The developers have possibly gone a little OTT with the audio. The never-ending shrill soundtrack begins to get under your skin. What’s more, its punchy and upbeat tones are somewhat obnoxious. Consequently, as you repeatedly fail a level, it gets increasingly more frustrating to hear the same song on a loop. As such, I wished for more variety as this would have removed this problem.
Use your gun and destroy each robot.
Loose controls.
My biggest gripe has to be the controls. For unknown reasons, the control setup in C.A.R.L is loose and lacks accuracy. Subsequently, you die an awful lot. Fortunately, however, a save point isn’t too far away, but it’s still annoying, nevertheless. If the movement issues were resolved, the game would be vastly improved.
With many collectables to find and loads of stages to complete, it’ll keep you busy. What’s more, some of the bosses are undeniably brutal, and the dying issue ensures you come back for more. Therefore, this is a great title for completionists or those with a sadomasochistic mindset.
C.A.R.L is a fun but challenging indie title.
The opening stages lull you into a false sense of security. However, once you overcome them, the real challenge begins. Furthermore, if you love collectables, then C.A.R.L will tickle your fancy. Though it doesn’t break the mould, it is still an enjoyable experience. As such, I recommend you buy it here! Can you help the discarded robots to get revenge? Jump, shoot, and upgrade C.A.R.L to take down the cruel corporation.
A concept artist is a creative person who creates a digital sketch of a character, object, or location based on an idea. This profession is applicable only in CG – computer graphics (Computer Graphic). The artist works in programs on a computer or graphics tablet. Although in some cases sketches are done the old-fashioned way (on paper), this is rather an exception.
In this article, we will analyze what the profession of a concept artist is like, how this profession works in the gaming industry and tell you how to become a concept artist.
And if you are already familiar with this profession, try your hand at working as a game design intern.
What is the Job of a Concept Artist?
A concept artist is someone whose work never ends up in the final product. The person who inspires the team sets a certain vision and develops a certain image for different tasks: the world, character, creature, just an atmospheric sketch that says what the movie or game will be about.
What tasks does a concept artist solve
A Concept Artist is a specialist who digitally generates a sketch of a character, object or space that has never existed before. Therefore, the artist must have a good imagination and clearly understand the terms of reference of the customer.
Concept artist skills
It all depends on the level of the professional. The higher the level, the more skills the employee must have.
Basic skills:
Proficiency in Adobe Photoshop;
A good level of understanding of the basics of design (a sense of form, proportion, color, composition);
Ability to work in a given style;
Drawing concepts, props, locations, characters and effects;
Understanding composition, framing and styling;
Understanding light, color, rhythm when building a frame;
Ability to draw by hand in different styles.
For the Senior, Knowledge of Adobe After Effects and 3DS Max is added.
Concept Artist and Game Space
In the gaming industry, the work of a concept artist looks something like this: a large team of dozens of people is given a project, and they begin to make sketches, concept art. We can say that this is the most important stage in creating a full-fledged final picture.
Yes, there are many specialists working on concept art who have their own ideas in their heads. There are also concept artists who work alone, however, this is a kind of exception to the rule, because the person who was hired on this project alone must have incredible experience and knowledge in order to create suitable concept art on their own.
The specialist must have two categories of knowledge:
Universal. This is an understanding of human anatomy, lighting, color theory, spatial thinking;
Technical. Here you need to master the tools of Photoshop, be able to draw on paper and understand the basics of 3D. The main thing is that you need to be able to work in Photoshop, and at a very high level.
In addition, there are 4 types of concept artists:
Environment artist. He draws sketches of locations: land, trees, mountains, houses, rooms, interior items;
Character artist. This specialist should be able to draw any characters: people, fantastic creatures or animals;
Universal artist. He is good at drawing environments and characters.
Technical artist. This is a specific direction that is applicable only for the SCI-FI setting. The artist must perfectly understand the structure of technology, cars, weapons, be well versed in perspective and 3D.
How to become a concept artist
Where to start learning this profession? We will list all the possible options on how to become a concept artist from scratch:
Self Education. It includes watching videos from YouTube, free courses from various sites, educational literature, foreign tutorials. The advantage of such education is free of charge, and the disadvantages are the lack of a system, you will have to spend many years studying the material, knowledge may be unnecessary when applying for a job.
Online courses. There is a training program for this specialty, and you can learn a profession from scratch. Advantages: low price, short training period, relevant and structured knowledge, teachers give and check homework, during study, the emphasis is on practice, creating a high-quality portfolio, obtaining a state diploma. Sample, 100% employability.
And finally, a little tip: to quickly become a good specialist who can work in a team with other graphic designers and model unique ideas, we recommend taking online courses under the guidance of an experienced teacher.
