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Review: Ynglet

Natosha M

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Aug 22, 2022

A relaxing and meditative adventure awaits you in the game Ynglet. You will play as a jellyfish-type creature that floats through a hand-drawn world full of bubbles and plenty of spacious areas to explore through. Unlike any other platformer game, this one is without a platform. Instead, you’ll be required to float and bounce around worlds in search of your missing friends who were separated by a comet. As you travel through each location, you’ll enjoy the beautiful and calming music notes that play each time you touch any portion of the level.

How Was The Game

At first, I felt like the artist who designed the game, a fully hand-drawn game added a creative aspect worth keeping my interest to play. As I’m not too much into music and platformer games, which just appear as if they are still being designed, planned, or even in the beta stage. This game didn’t feel quite that way to me.

Many might first sense it to be easy, imperfect, and not anything typical of a brilliant game that is vibrant, 3D, and full of realistic appeal in its graphics or quality. However, take it from me, for a relaxing and easily drawn game, this isn’t one to pass up! It really supports a creative idea that is very well entertaining to play. Especially with so many puzzles to work through and many friends to rescue.

It’s also got music that plays as a key on a piano or some sort of single beat. Actually, it could be one beat or a few beats playing at the exact same time, depending on the size of the object you are going through are just bouncing off of. Also, the friends you find to rescue will interact with you in their own unique sounds as well.

On the other hand, why this game is so relaxing for the player because of a few things. I noticed there isn’t any competitive or time-rushing gameplay, frustrating and difficult problems to solve, or requiring you to be a quick player or do some difficult moves to proceed to the next portion of the game. So if it’s a child or an adult playing, this game works for everyone. Especially, since it’s absolutely easy to play and understand from start to finish without becoming perplexed. That is exactly how I felt when I started playing. Even if the game may not take too long to defeat, it still is quite enjoyable and something worth trying when you want to escape the stress of the real world.

Now before starting the game, they do have the option to play a harder version than the normal style of the game. So if you can accomplish the first challenging mode with ease, it’s now a chance to play it again and go for the difficult option in gameplay. Also, it’s cool you can end up restarting the game at any time. If you accidentally fall or happen to not make the location, as this jellyfish guy can only go so high before falling from one location to the next, you can easily restart and end up not having to wait for a reload.

Each square; bubble can be a new checkpoint to start back at again. Just float until the square fully turns pink all on each edge. That way you won’t start from the beginning and can continue from where you left off. It’s a new idea in gaming, with unlimited continuing locations. I like it!

A question that many may wonder about and I did at the beginning. Are there any bad guys to face, large bosses, or unbeatable obstacles that stand in the way? The answer to this is no. It’s more of a puzzle-adventure style challenging game to play and not one based on fighting or defeating big sea monsters. It’s mostly figuring out ways to move through a world, like a puzzling maze of bubbles and music from start to finish. Also, a few bonus areas open up and plenty of cute-shaped fishy friends to collect! Nothing in this game seems off, nor did I struggle to play and enjoy.

One last thing, I noticed that there aren’t really any loud sounds, just a light tune in the game. Even the ones that are triggered by the objects your jellyfish guy may bounce or fall upon. The friends and the interaction they have with you may also contribute some sound effects, but it’s very soft in the music that plays. Furthermore, it is so easy to notice how simple the graphics are in this game, with shapes and plenty of colors. Even the hero, who we play as the jellyfish is simply shaped like a triangle with tentacles of squiggly lines and circles. The fish and other friends are also very simply designed, but honestly, it all contributes to the originality of the game, which I love!

Final Thoughts

This is a very different game, something that I wouldn’t find copied or made by another. As it’s all hand-drawn and the storyline is not very large or similar to any other game as well. The worlds you visit are very interesting and each has these individual sounds that play like music notes, as you bounce and float into different objects. It’s quite interesting and fun to achieve when roaming and exploring the levels for your friends. Lastly, the game to me felt quite easy, relaxing, and just plain fun! It might not be super long or take much use of the brain, but it is something that will keep you calm and entertained as you rescue your friends.

Review: Live A Live

James Refelian

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Aug 21, 2022

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In 1994 Square developed and published a JRPG, Live a Live, for the Super Famicom. 28 years later the game has been re-made on the Nintendo Switch and finally made its way to western markets. While the graphics and audio updates are a welcome refresh, including voice acting. While some of the mechanics should have remained in 1994, Live a Live is still ground-breaking nearly three decades later.

Gameplay

Live a Live is almost a love letter to films, games, and television series that you will probably recognise. Featuring some obvious tropes, it’s a wonderfully nostalgic reminder of why these genres work so well. That is until the game pulls out the rug from under you and suddenly, it’s unique and fresh. You take on the role of a central character during a specific point in the past, present, or future and follow through with a story unique to that chapter. This is great but what sets Live a Live apart is how it then ties all of that together. You’ll have to play it to find out how!

There are crafting mechanisms, dialogue, side-quests, mini-games, and more to explore – along with a basic leveling-up system that in most cases unlocks new abilities. This all feels very traditional for any RPG game. Unfortunately, and maybe this is a trend of its era, cutscenes are often dragged out unnecessarily with large gaps before the next piece of dialogue just so the NPC can move slightly to the left. On occasion, the animations are interesting or amusing enough for this to be ok, but for the most part, it spoils the flow. Thankfully, you can skip these, but it does mean you might miss some key dialogue. Similarly, the grind can be tiresome (and in these cases, I often jumped into the present day for a Street Fighter-styled break!). If you’re a fan of RPGs, as I am, you’ll stick with it. I do wish the ending had been a little shorter, and a little tighter in that regard as unfortunately it lacked an explosive climax to the narrative.

Combat in Live a Live is the same… but different.

Regarding combat, Live a Live is very clever. Throughout each chapter, it employs the same turn-based grid system. You can move a member of your party, select attacks, and select which square they will have an effect in. However, each chapter feels unique. Foes can have specific weaknesses or resistances. The player character and the party have unique abilities that can only be used in certain ways and while some are ranged, others are close combat only. There are ‘tougher’ foes that if you beat you win the whole encounter as the weaker foes run away. You end up learning how to play the grid system like a game of chess, building from knowledge gained in previous chapters where relevant. Despite all using the same grid, it always feels exciting and fresh.

Live a Live takes you through the ages…

Live a Live is broken down into seven primary chapters. While there is a story that reveals itself as time goes on, each chapter is unique and can be played in any order. You can also leave each chapter and go back to it if you like. This is wonderfully unique as, while each chapter doesn’t take an incredibly long time to finish, it is almost like seven distinct games. Where Live a Live excels, is that it does tie it all together in the end making it feel less fragmented than it otherwise could have done.

Pre-historic

The pre-historic chapter focuses on Pogo, a caveman who exists before language. This is interesting as a concept, especially as the game has voice acting because you now need to work things out based on simple pictorial depictions and a series of grunts. Items that can be collected and crafted, and the attacks themselves are all appropriately themed to this period. Unique to this chapter, Pogo can smell out his foes which leads to combat encounters. The story in this chapter is focused on Pogo, and his tribe exiling him for rescuing and hiding a woman intended for sacrifice.

Imperial China

In the Imperial China chapter, you play Shifu, an aging master of an endangered martial art. Shifu is searching for a disciple to take his place and encounters a rival master with whom he must beat. Uniquely, in this chapter, you can pass on battle techniques to your disciples. This adds a unique feel to the combat encounters.

Edo Japan

While in Edo Japan you play as the shinobi Oboromaru. Tasked by his master to rescue a politically important person, and kill the captor. What makes this chapter feel especially unique is how it plays more like a stealth-action game, as you can cloak yourself and sneak around to achieve your objectives. This is a nice change of pace and makes the playthrough of this chapter particularly stand out.

Wild West

What self-respecting RPG could wander through different historical periods and not land on the wild west? In this chapter, you play as the Sundown Kid, a gunslinger who is forced to work with a bounty hunter to save a town from bandits. There’s still combat in this chapter and long-distance mechanics as well which makes the grid a unique experience, but with the added tactical planning of using the townsfolk to lay traps. It’s almost a bit like a tower defence for this part, but without the currency, spending to buy the traps.

Present Day

In the present-day chapter, you play Masaru Takahara, a fighter who wants to become the strongest person in the world, he does this by fighting opponents in different combat styles to learn their moves and get stronger. This chapter felt more like playing Street Fighter than an actual JRPG. This was a lot of fun, it highlighted the tactics involved in the grid-based combat system and despite being the same system in every chapter, I wasn’t bored.

Near Future

When you enter the near future, you take on the role of Akira, an orphan with special powers that allow him to teleport and read minds. This often leads to comedy elements with the mind-reading and a teleport system that doesn’t always work! Akira is in pursuit of a biker gang and learns a dark secret about them that must be stopped. In this chapter, you have the interesting mechanics of Akira’s abilities as well as the unique world travel. To get to the next plot destination, you move around the city in a top-down view, either avoiding or engaging in combat with patrolling foes.

Far Future

In the far future, you play as a little robot, called Cube, on a cargo ship headed to Earth with a vicious monster in the cargo hold. When the monster escapes, Cube must investigate while all around it the crew is being killed off. In this mode, there is no fighting making it a unique experience compared to the previous chapters.

Live a Live Audio and Visuals

The audio and graphics were completely redone for the Nintendo Switch version. Visually, the game is stunning to look at. An interesting blend of sprite graphics with a unique depth of field makes it feel more than your retro JRPG. The colours are vibrant, and the worlds all feel unique and relevant to the time the chapter is set in. I particularly enjoyed just how different each chapter felt in this respect. It wasn’t the case you were in the same location at different points in time, but all over the place. The characters, items, enemies, and moves all are uniquely tailored to the specific chapter.

The audio follows suit, while some of the voice acting is a little over-the-top, I didn’t mind it that much. The music also fits the genre that each chapter lends itself to and is wonderfully scored and created. It feels retro, but that fits with the game’s overall charm and legacy.

Is Live a Live a good game?

Live a Live on Nintendo Switch is a fantastic update to a classic that was only ever released in Japan.

If you’re a fan of JRPGs then you will really enjoy Live a Live. Full of comedy, action, and adventure across multiple time periods Live a Live is overall a solid game. Sure, some cutscenes drag out. Some of that RPG grind is tedious but it’s still a must-play entry into the genre.

Review: South of the Circle

Daniel Waite

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Aug 21, 2022

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The choices we face in life can have deep-seated ramifications. So much so, that ill-made decisions can haunt us forever. However, this doesn’t mean we regret what we’ve done. No, instead, we will always wonder about our alternative paths, and what could have been. This is the wonderfully deep narrative of South of the Circle. It is a cinematic experience that will melt the iciest of hearts.

Developed by State of Play and published by 11 Bit Studios, this is a cinematic adventure that’s driven by your decisions. What’s more, it highlights the painful choices we make in life and the consequences that follow. Its plot is dark and melancholy, but bittersweet at the same time. The slow-paced storytelling balances heartwrenching drama with uncomfortable and tense moments.

South of the Circle is historic and relevant.

South of the Circle splits its narrative across two distinct chapters of one man’s life. You play Peter, a Cambridge academic who has a brilliant mind. A chance encounter on a train ensures the protagonist’s existence will never be the same again. Here, he meets Clara, a young Scottish academic who has a zest for life. The two instantly hit it off, and a friendship and possibly more start to unfold. However, this is only one part of the tale.

Desperate to complete his paper, Peter charters a plane to a base in Cold War, Antarctica. Sadly, an accident occurs and the plane crash lands miles from the nearest outpost. Bruised but otherwise unscathed, Peter begins his journey on foot to save his and his pilot’s life. However, as he makes his arduous trip, his past decisions haunt him in the form of vivid cinematic experiences. Here, you understand what makes the man tick, and why he finds himself in a cold wintry hell.

The budding relationship between the protagonists is heartwarming. — Peter and Clara during better times.

An immersive title.

Whenever a game splits its focus between two distinct elements, it can be off-putting. What’s more, it can feel punctuated and the action splutters and fails. Luckily, though, this isn’t the case in South of the Circle! Instead, you enjoy a truly immersive title that wonderfully blends the past and present. Subsequently, every flashback flows from the now into a relevant object or structure within the cinematic.

This was exceptionally well delivered, as the plot flowed seamlessly from one moment to the next. What was equally good, was the core decision mechanics. With a range of emotions to pick from, such as assertive, passive, aggressive, and confusion, you can tailor Peter’s answers to each situation. What was better, still, was how poignant moments drove the key areas in the plot. For example, will you focus on your career, friendships, or romancing Clara? Whatever you decide, it has a bearing on the relationships that form and the way the story unfolds.

This was truly fascinating as the developers hid curveballs within the plot to keep you thinking. Furthermore, there were moments when certain emotions weren’t available, so tough and often unfair decisions had to be made. This was excellent, as it highlights that life is often unfair. What’s more, it is these poignant moments that often stand out against the positive and rewarding choices.

Sadly, salvation isn't as close as you think. — Maybe this is your salvation?

South of the Circle is beautifully delivered, but also cold and haunting.

The simple art style worked wonders with the haunting storyline. Moreover, I adored how the rich colour palette of the hazy memories juxtaposed the cold and dangerous present day. Though much of the imagery was rudimentary in design, its minimalist approach was brilliantly understated. What’s more, the tight camera angles and often fixed perspective added an element of tension to the dramatic moments. Then there was the incredible merging of each era of Peter’s life. The seamless transition between memory and real life sucked you in and captured your attention.

Further to this, the audio was captivating. I adored the excellent acting and the environmental sounds. The cold and callous world was filled with daunting and aggressive noises. Whereas the safer and pleasant times with Clara were upbeat and jovial. This combination of music and sound effects enhanced the incredible story alongside the well-written narrative.

South of the Circle highlights the dangers of the Cold War era. — Cold War, Antarctica is a dangerous place to crash.

Basic controls.

The controls and key mechanics are a little confusing, to begin with. Accordingly, the opening scenes may not develop as you wish. However, once you get to grips with the emotions and the relevant buttons, it is plain sailing. Alongside this, there are some open-world moments that require a keen eye for detail. Yet, this isn’t challenging, nor is it time-consuming. As such, it keeps the story flowing nicely.

The pivotal moments in the plot alter the course of the game. Consequently, this adds to the replay value and longevity. Furthermore, the characters evolve based on your choices. Therefore, you’ll enjoy unique moments whenever you try a new playthrough.

South of the Circle is a touching and melancholy experience.

South of the Circle used some risqué mechanics at its core. Subsequently, plenty of things could have gone wrong along the way. Luckily, though, the excellent story, brilliant acting, and seamless transitions create a touching, yet melancholy experience. Accordingly, I admire its approach and I recommend you to buy it here! The past holds you back and endangers your life. Focus on the here and now and survive this horrific ordeal.

A Day at BRICKLIVE in the Park 2022

Andrew Edney

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Aug 21, 2022

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Yesterday, myself and my almost 6 year old assistant visited BRICKLIVE in the Park.

BRICKLIVE is focused on creating an environment that encourages interactive play, fosters creativity, collaboration and physical experiences in an inclusive and safe environment.

BRICKLIVE in the Park 2022 is taking place between Saturday 20th August 2022 and Wednesday 24th August 2022 at Evolution in Battersea Park London.

To celebrate the return to live events, the BRICKLIVE team have pulled out all the stops for this one and are bringing some of their newest and biggest brick-based models. Highlights among the attractions include the Safari explorer zone, a mythical labyrinth full of fantastic beasts, and an out of this world space adventure and much more!

These zones are packed with selfie opportunities, challenges, games, and life-sized brick sculptures that are certain to make your draw drop. Whether building spaceships, cities, Minecraft or giant towers you will find a zone that’s right for you. There is something for all builders young and old, including Duplo.

The events lasts for 3 hours (either a morning or an afternoon session), and includes lots of LEGO exhibits, LEGO creations to sit in, lots of LEGO to build (there are literally ball-pits filled with LEGO, a lots of tables to make your own creations) and even a really fun bouncy castle (thankfully not made of LEGO!).

The time really flew by, there is so much to see and do and we both had a really lovely time, so much so we cant wait for the next BRICKLIVE!

Tickets are still available from SeeTickets priced around £21 each.

DISCLAIMER: We purchased our own tickets for BRICKLIVE in the Park 2022 and all opinions are our own.

Review: Cult of the Lamb

Daniel Waite

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Aug 20, 2022

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People frown when they hear the word cult! It inspires images of fanatics, ghastly rituals, and ungodly acts. Now, these things may or may not be true. But, when I was gifted the chance to create and run my own cult, I couldn’t turn down the opportunity. Cult of the Lamb is the perfect title for would-be cultists or those with a soft side for the dark arts.

Developed by Massive Monster and published by Devolver Digital, this is a base-building rogue-lite adventure title. Furthermore, it brilliantly splits its focus between your cult and their home, and the exploration and resource management elements. What’s more, there are plenty of quests to tackle, many monsters to slay, mountains of upgrades, decorations to place, and followers to convert.

Cult of the Lamb is absurd and addictive.

I’ve played some great games recently, but this one is truly moreish. Because of its multi-layered approach, its gameplay ticks many boxes. However, this does have its drawbacks, as the initial learning curve is tough and confusing. Yet, once you get over this hurdle, you experience a rich and rewarding game that is tough to put down.

Though there are many outlandish moments, the most absurd, for me, was the plot. You are the last of your kind and consequently; you are hunted because of this issue. 4 deities decide that you cannot live and work together to sacrifice you to end your bloodline. The aforementioned evil power has other plans and brings you back to life as a vessel for his plans.

He empowers you to start a cult and destroy each of the deities. By doing so, he’ll break the chains that trap this devil from being reborn. To make matters stranger, you are a lamb and your followers are anthropomorphic beings with personalities and traits.

Cult of the Lamb has an excellent base-building element. — Build the base of your dreams.

Plenty to do.

What truly amazed me about Cult of the Lamb was the volume of things to do. On top of this, there are many upgrades, new buildings, curses, doctrines, and so much more. What starts out as a low-key affair (albeit with a heavy data dump), soon turns into a micromanagement dream or nightmare depending on your preferences.

Alongside this, you must balance your exploration into enemy territory. Here you’ll explore a labyrinthine world of arena battles. Each small area is full of monsters, tarot cards, and more. Each dungeon culminates in a boss fight, and eventually, when all criteria are met, you’ll face off against each of the gods that sacrificed you.

If you are successful in annihilating the all-powerful deity, you’ll unlock a new realm and the madness starts over. However, you can return to previous locations and try an endless mode. This option progressively gets harder and you must recognise when to quit. Consequently, the rewards are great, but the risk is greater. Because it’s a rogue-lite title, you know that failure will be harsh. Therefore, you must decide whether you run with your loot, or gamble and keep going.

Dark imagery and powerful gods rule the roost. — Don’t upset the all-powerful gods.

It is all about the cult.

You’ll get sucked into the excellent adventure moments. But progress is heavily dependent on how you manage your cult. Accordingly, a well-run and disciplined environment will shower you with rewards. Alternatively, mismanagement will cause followers to lose faith, starve to death, or revolt and leave altogether. So, how do you keep them happy? Tasks, food, and plenty of rituals and sermons.

Whatever your approach, you’ll have to be smart, ruthless, and calculating. After all, no one wants an elderly cultist screaming the odds! No, instead, kill two birds with one stone and kill the old codger. Hey presto, no elderly person to die and stink up the place, and everyone believes you are a wise and just leader.

Sometimes Cult of the Lamb delves into elements of love. — Everyone loves a ritual of love and marriage.

Devotion and doctrines.

Leading by force is not always the right option. This is where devotion and doctrines are so key. By setting out the rules of your cult, your people know how to behave and what to expect. Furthermore, you unlock rituals to help your progress, or to remove troublemakers. Of course, this is all in the name of faith, so no one will complain at the odd missing cultist.

Devotion is the commodity used to unlock new structures and advance your cult. Without it, you’ll struggle to appease your people, and life will be miserable. However, by improving your home, your people evolve from a rudimentary bunch with all the mod cons. As such, you’ll leave behind your sleeping bags and unhealthy meals, and will build farms, shelters, and, of course, places to worship the lamb.

Cult of the Lamb looks fantastically dark.

I instantly admired Cult of the Lamb’s art style. With its isometric viewpoint, Don’t Starve style, and wonderfully dark moments, it’s eerie, creepy, and morbidly charming. Moreover, the rituals have unique animations and your followers are cute as hell. On top of this, it runs extremely well on the Xbox Series X with no frame rate problems or visual glitches.

Alongside the incredible visuals are some wonderfully haunting and amusing sound effects. Whether it is the slashing of your weapon, the scream of your foes, or the inane chatter of your followers, it never gets old. Furthermore, each region has a distinctive sound that helps to set the scene while making each one unique.

Your new followers can be found anywhere. — Save that hostage and gain a new follower.

Slash, curse, roll.

Many rogue-lite titles focus on a brutal experience. Luckily, though, Cult of the Lamb is different, mostly. Thanks to its balanced approach, the combat elements never feel out of reach. What’s more, the UI is stripped back, and this helps to keep things simple. As such, you’ll focus on attack, rolling for defence, and using your curses. This is the extent of the control layout and this makes it easy to master. On top of this, you’ll enjoy the dungeon crawling while getting to grips with the other mechanics.

Cult of the Lamb is so addictive that I want to play it now. Once you grasp the fundamentals, you’ll cherish every cultish moment you encounter. Whether it is sacrificing your followers, fishing, playing dice, or hunting for resources, I never tire of it. Then, there is the small task of rescuing a devil and getting revenge. All in all, it’ll keep you busy for hours.

Cult of the Lamb didn’t disappoint.

I’ve read reports of bugs and glitches, but I didn’t experience any. Accordingly, I wasn’t disappointed at any point. For me, Cult of the Lamb delivered on every aspect and excelled in many areas as well. It is for these reasons that I recommend you to buy it here! Being a cult leader is not an easy task. However, with a considered approach and plenty of rituals, you can run your cult like a well-oiled machine.

Review: Pumped BMX +

Lee Fairweather

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Aug 19, 2022

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After playing a 50+ hour RPG, you might want to unwind with something a little more laid back before jumping into the next AAA release. It was this exact thought process that led me to downloading a game called Pumped BMX + from my Steam library. Like many titles on my account, I have absolutely no idea how it ended up there. However, it seemingly appeared to fit the bill, so I decided to give it a shot.

Pumped BMX + is an arcade sports game developed by Yeah Us! and published by Curve Games. Structurally, it’s a combination of the old school Tony Hawk’s games, mixed with elements of the Trials series. It was released back in 2015, with a sequel subsequently coming out in 4 years later called Pumped BMX Pro.

Simple but effective gameplay.

Simply put, the goal of Pumped BMX + is to navigate through different sets of obstacle courses. The courses themselves are comprised of numerous rails, ramps, gaps and barriers to jump over. This is easier said than done though, as each input requires expert timing and handling on the part of the player.

If you accidently crash into an object, fail to execute an ollie, or botch your landing, then you’ll be sent right back to the start of the level. There are no checkpoints either, meaning you have to best each level in 1 attempt. It’s a pattern that takes some time to get used to, but once you do, it is incredibly fun, satisfying and rewarding.

On top of this, each course also comes with its own set of unique challenges. For the most part, these are optional tasks that you can complete in your spare time. Although later on in the game, they do become mandatory to unlock certain levels.

The challenges usually require you to conduct a flashy trick on your BMX. Preforming these is relatively straight forward, as flicking the right analogue stick will allow you to act out the various stunts instantaneously. Landing the tricks can be a bit of a problem, as some of the challenges are very gruelling to pull off. Thankfully, all of these quickly become second nature to preform, after you’ve been playing for a while.

Character customisation and accessibility options.

Completing a set number of challenges will reward you with new abilities. These can provide you with things like additional upwards mobility, or shortening your take-off to sustain more speed. You also have the option of customising your character with a small selection of bikes, helmets and outfits.

Sadly, there is a worrying lack of option customisation. Those looking to do things like reconfigure their input layout, toggle on a colour-blind mode, or utilise any other accessibility settings, won’t have the choice to do so. This is a disappointing oversight by the developers, and one that ultimately alienates a lot of gamers. It’s something to keep in mind before setting out to purchase this game.

Basic graphics, but it does what it needs to do.

Pumped BMX + is very cartoonish in its presentation. The colour pallet uses a mixture of bright and inviting colours, all of which cultivate a visually stimulating experience. The, somewhat, decent variety amongst the environments ensures that you won’t be looking at the same thing constantly. This is especially welcoming during levels that require multiple attempts to conquer.

In addition to this, the 3D models utilise a low polygon count. While this was clearly chosen for technical reasons, it also matches the aesthetic presented by the colouration and texturing. Admittedly, Pumped BMX + does have a rather bland art style, typically seen in the likes of mobile releases. However, it’s executed well enough that it never really impacted my enjoyment of the game.

A surprisingly great soundtrack!

In my life, I’ve played my fair share of games from lesser-known developers. One trend I’ve noticed amongst them is their habit of tagging on a sub-par soundtrack onto their games. Still, there are times where this expectation has been proven wrong, and I’m happy to say that Pumped BMX + is one of those times.

The OST is a varied collaboration between different artists. It’s rooted in electronic instrumental music, but crosses over into various subgenres. For example, the tracks by TIGERBLOOD venture into Trance and Dubstep, whereas tracks by Fork & Knife are rooted in spacious synthwave ambiences.

The unique styles that each artist brings to the table work exceedingly well together, with each of them serving the game excellently. It honestly sounds like a soundtrack you would hear in the background of the X Games. For those unfamiliar with this blend of music, I can imagine it sounds a bit overbearing at first. But once you overcome this hurdle, you’ll find a fantastic score within.

Conclusion

Pumped BMX + is an enjoyable game, even if it is slightly one dimensional. The gameplay is a nice merger of the Trials series and Tony Hawk games, with enough complexity to keep you entertained throughout. Artistically, it’s a fairly standard low-poly aesthetic, but serviceable enough in getting the job done. Its soundtrack surpasses all expectations, featuring a wide array of musical talents that is well worth the cost of admission alone. If you are seeking a title that is outside the norm, or one that will hold you over until the next AAA release, then I’d recommend giving this a shot.

Review: Thymesia

Daniel Waite

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Aug 19, 2022

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Let me just utter the word “Soulsborne“, and see how it makes you feel. This singular statement is usually sufficient to send shivers down your spine. Why? Well, the thought of hours upon hours of gruelling gameplay and dying repeatedly isn’t always that much fun. Yet, there is a hardy bunch who obsess over such endeavours. Consequently, this group will jump at the opportunity to play Thymesia.

Developed by OverBorder Studios and published by Team17, this is a Soulsborne adventure RPG. What’s more, it has some hack n slash elements and is much smaller and less intense than its peers. Does this mean it isn’t as challenging? In one word, yes. But, don’t let that put you off as some excellent mechanics are begging to be experienced.

The moody setting makes Thymesia incredibly atmospheric. — What secrets lie ahead?

Thymesia is sadly lacking original content.

My overwhelming thought while playing Thymesia was the lack of originality. This title borrows heavily from FromSoftware’s approach, and this was disappointing. Accordingly, you have to create something special to compete, and I think they fell short across many elements. However, I applaud the developers for their lofty vision and attempt at twisting the perspective. Disappointingly, this is one genre that is set in its ways. Except for Elden Ring, many games rigidly stick to the tried and tested path. As a consequence, the gameplay can stagnate and I can see why OverBoarder Studios tried something slightly different.

The story is the first area of notable familiarity. You play the role of Corvus, a warrior with a dodgy memory. This would-be hero is tasked with saving a plague-torn kingdom from itself. Sadly, an obsession with alchemy went too far, and disease ravaged the unwitting citizens of Hermes. Guided by a spectral image, you must investigate the mysteries behind Pure Blood and Vile Blood.

The core storytelling unfolds through a series of notes that must be deciphered. This antiquated approach may work for Dark Souls, but in Thymesia it never clicked. Instead, the action flowed from one cryptic clue to the next, and it was unsatisfying. What’s more, it never felt dramatic enough, and this was frustrating.

The usual waypoints.

Fans of the genre will love the usual waypoint mechanics. Subsequently, the normal checkpoint rules stand as your hero can be upgraded and enemies respawn. The same is true of death, as your “belongings” are gathered if you make it back to your grave.

Upgrading Corvus isn’t as in-depth an experience as many of its peers. Accordingly, your combat approach is somewhat diminished, but still interesting nonetheless. You can alter your moves to suit your style, or change them completely. Furthermore, a limitation within the talent point allocation restricts you further still. As such, you can’t max out every skill, and you must decide what type of warrior you wish to be. Then, there is the choice of weapons and secondary skills to mix things up. Do you select power over speed, or ranged over melee?

Power your attack and reap what's rightly yours. — Dodge and slash your foes.

Amazing combat.

This leads me nicely onto the pièce de résistance, the combat encounters. This is where Thymesia truly shines, thanks to its smooth and fun fighting elements. Now, I’m not talking about the big boss encounters. No, instead, I’m discussing the regular fights with the grunts. Here, a special power called “Reaping” is introduced. By charging your attacks, you can steal abilities from your foes. These are then incorporated into your combos with slick and disastrous consequences. I adored this challenging but enjoyable element to the gameplay and wish the rest of the action was as good.

Where this element faltered was the difficulty curve. The opening boss is unfairly tough and punishing. However, this is nothing new in a Soulsborne title. What was strange, though, was the lack of levelled gameplay. As you progressively got stronger, the action doesn’t become harder. Instead, the challenge becomes annoyingly imbalanced, and this is distinctly unSouls-like. This will be particularly infuriating for hardcore gamers and the flock of dedicated genre fans.

Thymesia looks moody, but unimaginative.

Thymesia has done a great job of creating a dank and moody atmosphere. In fact, I loved the variation in backdrops between the major realms. What’s more, I enjoyed the unique elements that made each stand out from the other. However, I was saddened by the continual lack of originality. Every location felt rehashed and done to death. It was truly disappointing that such great ideas were painted onto a well-worn canvas. Had the developers strived to create something fresh and subsequently failed, I would have applauded their efforts. As it is, this reeks of playing it safe and the final product is underwhelming.

Like its peers, Thymesia has a dramatic and rich soundtrack. I adored the ominous music that juxtaposed the high-energy and lighthearted moments. Alongside this, the sound effects enhance the fantasy theme. The immersive nature of the audio annoyingly highlighted the visual shortcomings. Had the two worked well together, the end product would have been a dark and cinematic treat.

Strategy and planning are needed to be successful. — Don’t hold back.

Clumsy and often unresponsive controls.

When a game relies on finesse and timing, you expect the controls to be responsive and sharp. However, this often isn’t the case as the inputs are often lagging way behind. This is particularly troublesome during the boss battles. With so much at stake, you need everything to work perfectly. Disappointingly, the clumsy and often unresponsive controls will let you down time and time again. Other than this, I liked the UI and the button layout. These elements combined make the action easy to understand and simple to execute.

Thanks to the many optional side quests, an array of endings, and different abilities and weapons, there is both replay value and longevity. However, this isn’t your traditional Soulsborne title, nor is it as difficult. Consequently, hardcore fans will be left wanting just a bit more.

Thymesia has lofty ideas that are poorly executed.

I admire the developer’s drive and aspirations. However, many elements failed to reach their potential. Whenever you lack originality, gamers will find flaws. Accordingly, this is exactly what happened at every level. I wish Thymesia had explored some fresh ideas and tightened up their controls. Had they done this, the end product would have been more polished and more enjoyable. If you love the genre, you should give it a go here! Yet, be aware of its shortcomings and potential pitfalls. Can you piece together the plot and save the kingdom from itself? Learn new skills, tailor your approach, and defeat everything you encounter.

Review: Best Month Ever!

Devrim Kurt

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Aug 19, 2022

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Introduction

Best Month Ever is an interactive, point and click graphic novel. In this drama heavy road trip story, we experience a month in the life of a son and mother. This game was developed by Warsaw Film School students and published by Klabater. I should start off with the disclaimer that I personally don’t really enjoy story heavy games that offer next to no gameplay. I would advise you read the rest of the review with that in mind.

What is Best Month Ever! About?

The story revolves around Mitch and Louise. Mitch is Louise’s son, and they embark on a life changing road trip at the start of the game. We as the player watch them on this journey and sometimes make choices along the way. The premise of the game is that your choices throughout the game affect Mitch’s personality and how events unfold.

As I’ve played and finished the game, I can say without a doubt, this is once again a game where your choices don’t really matter. While I will be exploring this point further in an upcoming section, it is safe to say I was disappointed.

Is there any Gameplay?

In a large portion of this review, I will be talking about the game’s story. Since the story is supposedly the part where most of the effort has been put. But I don’t want to skip gameplay completely so let us talk about that first.

Other than clicking on some dialogue choices here and there the game doesn’t offer much at all in a gameplay aspect. You get to walk around in most of the chapters, but once again exploration is quite limited as well as your movement capabilities. There are some quick time events that offer basically no depth of gameplay, along with some other short point and click mini-games. The only even remotely interesting gameplay part was where you drive a car for a few minutes. However none of these points are that important in visual novel as long as the story is good enough to make up for it. Then the question becomes, is the story good enough?

Story

The story takes place in 1960s USA. At the very start of the game, we learn that Louise doesn’t have much left to live. With that fact dawning over her, she realizes she doesn’t even know who her son is. She has been raising Mitch alone for 8 years and it is apparent they haven’t spent much time together at all. To make up for this fact, Louise quits her job, and they embark on a trip together. This trip will end up becoming the “Best Month Ever”.

Unexplored Themes

There are a lot of great themes the game wants to explore. Growing up, death, racism, childhood traumas, family, etc. However, it repeatedly fails to explore them. We see them getting mentioned a couple of times, but other than mentioning them, the game never really says anything else about it. Mitch reacts to basically everything like it’s no big deal. Even thought the game poses itself as “Louise trying to teach her son how to navigate in this often-cruel world.” She doesn’t do that. A lot traumatizing and life changing events occur throughout the story, but the aftermath is almost never discussed, the consequences never occur. As I played, I have found myself saying “I wonder how the aftermath of this is going to affect our characters.” In the end, the consequences never came.

One of the reasons of this problem, is probably the fact that the game is quite short. It takes about 3 hours to finish it. The developers certainly wanted to pack a lot of things into that 3-hour period. I want to forgive the game because of this, but as I played through the story, almost a quarter of the chapters felt obsolete. It would have been a much better call to remove those chapters and explore the aforementioned themes.

A Drift of Realism

The game wants to be realistic. It wants to show the relentlessness cruel parts of living with all its glory. But it ends up failing again. We can see the realism start to crumble towards the end of the first chapter. While these small moments don’t feel too out of place at first, as the game continues, they become larger, and the split from realism becomes bigger. A lot of things happen just to progress the plot, not because that’s how it would go in a real situation. Moments where the game feels disconnected from reality, kept me from immersing myself in this story.

The Fallacy of Meaningful Choices

At the start of the game, you are told that; your actions will shape Mitch’s character and affect what kind of a person he becomes. There are 3 main categories the game keeps track of. Righteousness, confidence, and relations. Firstly, many of the dialogue choices that alter these traits didn’t feel as impactful as the game says they were. This issue becomes especially prominent in the later parts of the game. A meaningless choice in dialogue modifies a core trait. Secondly, all your choices only end up changing 2 lines of dialogue at the end of the game. Which feels lackluster to say the least.

As you might have also guessed, your choices throughout the game don’t affect how events unfold. You may say “no” to something 3 times in a row, and in the end the game will still behave the same as if you have said “yes”. In a game like this, it is crucial to have meaningful choices. I am afraid to say I can’t even recall 1 choice I made, where it felt actually impactful.

Voice Acting

This is one of those sections where I have very mixed feelings. While some characters’ voice acting is horrendous, some are actually pretty good. When it comes to our main characters, except for a couple of places, I would say they are well above average. I was especially a fan of Louise’s voice actor. She did a great job in my opinion. I could feel most of the emotions she conveyed, and it wasn’t overacted at any point.

Conclusion

It is important to remember that Best Month Ever is a student project. Therefore it shouldn’t be put in the same bag as a product of an experienced studio. Either way, I feel many of the game’s faults came from inadequate writing. It wants to say a lot but by the end it doesn’t much at all. If all the logical and realistic inconsistencies can be ignored. The game’s overall story isn’t that bad. Even thought they have failed to explore most of the themes, there are still some heartwarming moments. I would recommend this game to any visual novel fans who can’t get enough. If you are not a fan of visual novels however and just want to hear if this game is a masterpiece or not, it is not.

Review: Witch Strandings

Xavier Berry

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Aug 18, 2022

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Witch strandings is a strand style game that tasks players with the job of healing a forest from a witch by carrying items to creatures in the forest to help heal both the creatures and eventually confront the witch that is responsible for the current state of the forest. This is a game that has a very simple control scheme since it is controlled with mostly the mouse. For those looking for a short but different experience, this might be the game for you.

Witch strandings sets players off on a simple tutorial that explains how the gameplay functions. The player controls a little light with their mouse and can move items around the world by clicking and dragging them to either other locations or to creatures to help heal them. Movement felt extremely slow but after toying around in the settings for a bit, there was an option that helps up the sensitivity of the mouse. I could hardly tell a difference between the 10 setting and the 15 setting but that might just be user error. The game shows players multiple different types of tiles that impact the movement of the little dot with some even causing damage. There are Hex tiles that both slow the dot down and drain health rapidly as well as rivers that might drown the player character.

As players move the spirit of the forest around, they can pick up a multitude of items and bring them to the creatures of the forest. By doing this, they can expand their starting tiles and are rewarded with a message telling them that the heart of the forest has healed a little. Without much information to really go off of, these small milestones give the player something to do as they traverse the world around them. Utilizing items can impact the tiles around the spirit and can even allow players to clear a path through hex tiles so that they can safely move around.

One of the interesting aspects of Witch Strandings is that players are able to kill the characters they come across and these characters will be gone for the remainder of the game. This offers players two paths and since some of the characters are extremely needy, players might opt into this system for some sweet revenge.

The atmosphere for Witch Strandings is one that leans heavily into the creepy side. There are places like a flooded bend as well as one named the Killing Fields, which even has corpses lying around to help the name ring true. Even though these are simple tiles with minor pixel art to demonstrate what they are, it makes the world feel darker and emptier than most.

Witch Strandings is a game that really wanted to emphasize the importance of connections as well as nurturing the relationships between characters, but the control scheme made it hard for me to really get into it. While there were story details to be found around the world, it felt like there wasn’t enough guidance to help a player get the ball rolling. I understand that exploration should be the driving force but something like this could really use a guiding hand for the first few minutes outside of the tutorial to help bring the player along.

Review: XEL

Natosha M

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Aug 17, 2022

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Imagine being stuck on a planet where you have no idea where or how you got there because whatever happened in the past has all been erased from your mind. The only way to recollect old memories is to figure out various puzzles, meet new friends, discover hidden treasures, and playthrough this unique world known as XEL, to unlock the mysteries that may lead you to help protect the world and the connections you have with this planet. However, don’t be fooled, as there will be plenty of challenges along the way, and as the heroine Reid with your companion Chap, you’ll have one large journey ahead of you.

How Was The Game

I honestly couldn’t say I am a big sci-fi-themed game kind of person. They never seem to feel very entertaining or even stir my interest. However, this one isn’t too bad! Being a heroine named Reid and journeying through this planet or world with a friend named Chap was quite interesting. As Chap does have a very lively personality and Reid you can sense her extreme determination to solve the many problems she is facing. However, together they make a perfect team throughout this entire game.

I definitely found the various puzzles and obstacles to solve quite simple, adding a bit more entertainment than just fighting enemies along the way. It still provided plenty of action-packed fighting portions to the game, but I think the balance of exploring, and figuring out mini puzzles to move forward made it all work well together. It almost felt like the game could be a large maze to move through. Plus, it doesn’t hurt to have some awesome weapons and upgrades, making it perfectly all fit the classic genre of an RPG adventure-style game.

Another part that I really want to point out is that the viewpoint was wonderful in this game! I love seeing the entire world from a high point in the sky. It felt as if the player appears as if they are looking down from the clouds and getting to witness everything from each side before getting close to one location. Perfect for avoiding or missing anything when you can see it all ahead, behind, or from each side of you. Plus, there are no fears about working a camera as you play, to make sure you keep an eye out on everything.

Ok, so no camera rotation is needed and a high point view is great, but there is one downfall that comes without the actual use of rotating the cameras. Well, at first I thought of the idea and when I was playing it was a great idea, made things simplified. However, it doesn’t work in certain locations. You won’t be able to see all the hidden blind spots that are blocking you from viewing locations with actual boxes or objects you can attack and collect items from. It’s hard to tell where you are located, Reid ends up being left in a blindspot.

Now to move on to the design of the game, which I felt was really nice, especially since all the focusing and easy control buttons to use were simple to adjust to right away. There isn’t much to learn and it felt more like a game that anyone could dive right into and be Pros at playing. The graphics are very clear and full of slightly-realistic objects, with a cartoonish design. Regardless, the movements of water, the leaves of the trees, each new dark and dreary location, as well as the characters, were very well created and set the scene for the story beautifully.

I also loved that even if you wanted to recall what the character is trying to figure out in a portion of the game. Reid will sometimes repeat her speech with the exact text on the screen below. It is very helpful if you didn’t catch it the first time or need to recall what task needed to be done. Either way, it’s like a maze, and easy to realize where you need to go next, as there is no other path to travel only ones to activate the main path or find objects to access the main location you want to go to. Additionally, the little map or large map view during the pause menu.

I did have a few other issues with the game, not including just the blindspots cause of no camera rotation ability. The first issue is that even with the view and the number of enemies you will destroy puzzles that will require a little solving to move forward. It felt a bit repetitive and just a bit dull, even after moving forward in the game. I felt there were just too many empty and boring locations that could have more action or thrilling things to occur than you have in this game.

The second problem is the movement. In certain parts of the game, it seems as if the heroine; our character is moving super slow. We can barely go fast or move at the same pace as the others. Instead, we go in this slow-mo style and even if the world is one large location that connects, lacks the need to load to a new portion of the game. The slow movement sort of ruins the game and makes it feel awkward or just not perfect for the rest of the movement of the game.

The last is that its volume could have been raised. Even at the highest audio setting, it was still very hard to hear what the characters were saying. Most of the time it sounds like there is no volume at all. If the game is in the Beta stage. Plus, it does seem like she talks plenty throughout, and it all still hard to hear it all. So thankfully there are words on the bottom of the screen to read, clearly. It’s probably best to be in a quiet room or use earbuds to hear the game completely.

Final Thoughts

The game XEL is quite unique and original but brings that classic 3D RPG action-packed game genre to the Nintendo Switch. It’s a very easy-to-play game that doesn’t require many control buttons to use or a long time to acknowledge what you must do next. Everything is easily explained and the major portion of the game is to explore the world while finding hidden objects and upgrades to help you along the way.

Plus, the world seen from such a wonderful new perspective gives a great advantage that many other games wouldn’t always allow. Additionally, the challenging puzzles, the new enemies you will meet up with and the story really is remarkable, but the game gets dull after a while. It actually had me not as entertained as I am with other games. I wish I could say it was compelling that I couldn’t put the handheld console down, but honestly, it was just lacking excitement for me. However, it is something that would be easier for many new to playing RPG games that are not too crazy with enemies or difficult puzzles to solve.

Review: SokoChess

Jonah Ehlers

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Aug 17, 2022

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Good lord, this game was challenging for me. I’ve played some chess in my time. Hell, I’ve even beaten a couple of people. However, I was never really what you’d call “good” at chess. So when I laid my eyes on SokoChess, and all it represented, A little part of me lit up.

My Second Chance

What I saw was a chance for redemption, even if it wasn’t exactly the same chess I’ve tried my hand at over the years. Here was a new start and an opportunity to be more than simply adequate. Maybe I’d even catch that elusive and esoteric “good” title. But Alas, SokoChess withheld my redemption arc. I struggled, I swore, I apologised, I begged, and I actually considered cheating. I even Skipped a level here and there, telling myself that I’d definitely go back and beat it. Yet, some of them remain unbeaten to this day. The mere presence of these levels were mocking symbols of my mediocrity. I went to sleep some nights furious, But other times with a sense of dignified resignation. After all, we can’t be good at everything.

This was the lesson the SokoChess ended up teaching me. I may not excel at the title or traditional chess. But I can appreciate the game, the strategies, tactics and history surrounding it. And in doing so, I could actually enjoy myself instead of beating myself up. Once I got to that point, this game opened up for me, and I saw it for what it was. A challenging and impressive title that lovers of chess and puzzles can dive right into for some satisfying problem-solving.

We’re Still Playing Chess Right?

Much like the chess we all know, you have control over a number of troops. Pawns, rooks, bishops, etc. They each move as they should, and share the same strengths/weakness as their traditional counterparts. But there are a few key differences in SokoChess. The primary being that your goal is not taking your opponent’s pieces, but rather getting them into designated slots on the board.

Instead of the enemy piece being removed from the field, it is rather pushed around by your piece. This is one of the main methods of getting pieces into their spots. However, when your piece is in danger, it won’t simply be pushed around. It’ll be taken out of play completely. It makes forethought and utilising space just as important as a normal game of chess. Once each piece is in its place, you win. Sounds simple enough, but as I’m sure you’ve guessed, actually getting the pieces where they’re needed is often easier said than done.

The playing field is not the 64-tile space you may be familiar with. Instead, each puzzle has a different layout. The placement of enemy pieces as well as your own change as well. Each of the 70 puzzles are completely unique and meticulously planned out. I’ve got to give credit to the developers in that regard. They really took the time to craft some great scenarios, and managed to keep things interesting all the way through.

Forethought Wins

At its core Sokochess wants you to manipulate your enemies and use the playing field to your advantage. You can even trick pieces into going where you need them. Sometimes by baiting them with expendable pieces. Knowing that them taking a single pawn, plays right into your hand.

Things start off simple, but inevitably become more complex with each puzzle. Requiring you to carefully consider who to target next, whether or not you sacrifice your own pieces, and to always stay ahead of the curve. Depth to the puzzles are also brought into play with each level. Such as tiles that are destroyed as soon as you move over them. Locks that only open once you’ve moved into the position of the key. Or shields which you can use to block an enemy piece’s attack, giving you the freedom to move about. This kept things fresh in a great way.

It’s an extremely satisfying game at times. But can be equally frustrating when you fall short of wrapping your head around the solution. Although, that sweet moment when you do is often worth the pain. There’s nothing like a good “AHA!” moment when uncovering the path to success.

It also helps quite a bit that you can undo and restart as much as you need to in order to figure things out. It allows for experimentation and taking some risks. I swear if there wasn’t an undo button, I’d have been in tears.

Music to Soothe the Bruised Ego

To go along with the challenge and strategy, SokoChess employs the use of some great classical songs, such as the great Gymnopédie, which I listened to more times than I could count during my studies or writing. It’s honestly the perfect genre of music for a game of this kind. It’s soothing for frustrating moments, and conducive to thinking. My only wish was that there were more songs in the playlist.

So you’ve heard me complain about my lack of chess skills, and some of my struggles with this title. But I’ve got to say: Even through all of that, through the challenge and misery, I could hardly call SokoChess a bad game, just because I’m bad at it.

It’s a well-thought-out reimagining of the ancient pastime of kings, generals and geniuses. So, for lovers of challenging puzzles, for lovers of chess, and for lovers of some light masochism; There is SokoChess.

Review: Noel the Mortal Fate

Daniel Waite

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Aug 16, 2022

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Jealousy and envy are two poisonous emotions. Subsequently, if you allow them to, they will consume your life! As such, your personality will become twisted, and you’ll hate everything and everyone around you. Noel the Mortal Fate encompasses these emotions and the fallout in its dark and captivating story.

Developed by KANAWO and published by PLAYISM, this is an action-adventure title. Moreover, it captures elements of JRPGs and visual novels. Accordingly, you’ll invest a lot of time devouring text and exploring unusual environments.

Unbeknownst to me, this title began life as a free-to-play experience and then evolved into an Anime comic book series. However, my lack of knowledge mattered not as it doesn’t influence this game. Instead, you’ll enjoy each episode of this exceptional, but dark-journey of twisted friendship and ill-fated revenge.

The characters in Noel the Mortal Fate are fascinating. — Listen to Caron, he knows best.

Noel the Mortal Fate is charming but ominous.

Whenever a game focuses on demonic beings and hideous emotions, it’s going to go one of two ways. First, it’ll be incredibly deep, captivating, and enriched by lore. Alternatively, it’ll be badly written, clichéd, and will instantly turn you off. Luckily, for me, Noel the Mortal Fate sits firmly in camp number one. Consequently, I instantly fell for its charms and the intriguing characters you meet.

So, what the heck is it about? Well, let’s have a quick overview without ruining the plot or divulging any secrets. You control Noel, a girl from a wealthy background. She lives in the fictional town of Lhaplus, where she is renowned for her piano-playing abilities. However, one day, she is beaten in a competition and this sparks a chain of life-changing events. To get the result she wants, she must strike a deal with a devil. Accordingly, the moment the pact is signed, everything changes.

As the game evolves, it tells the events of the ensuing madness in an episodic manner. You’ll witness a prologue and 7 seasons of dramatic content. Furthermore, as the story unfolds, you experience each protagonist’s point of view. This was wonderful as it adds meat to this incredible unusual tale.

Who doesn't enjoy the odd moment of luck and chance? — Choices, choices.

Straightforward action and simple puzzles.

Though the story is amazing and full of twists and turns, the gameplay is relatively basic. Now, this isn’t a complaint, nor does it ruin the final product. Instead, the simplicity allows you to enjoy everything that unfolds. Unlike other adventure titles or JRPGs that focus on all-out combat or complex problems, Noel the Mortal Fate is different. Every element is straightforward, and this lets the story flow nicely.

Every protagonist has an array of stances to use and items to consume. Each of these mechanics adds a twist to your approach and can be altered on the fly. Moreover, some basic combat moments must be tackled to progress. Caron uses his ungodly strength to defeat his opponents. However, poor planning and bad timing will harm this evil being. Noel, on the other hand, relies heavily on her guardian. She must use her wits to overcome each problem she faces. Alongside this, the other characters have unique abilities that must be mastered.

On top of the fighting, there are simple puzzles to solve. These problems usually revolve around shoving boxes, leaping gaps, or operating machines. As a consequence, there is a small element of logic required, but most of the time, the solution stares you in the face. Subsequently, the simplicity may annoy some gamers. But, I loved the lack of complexity and the relevance of each key moment in the plot.

Noel the Mortal Fate is undeniably striking.

I appreciated the core gameplay and the excellent plot. However, the striking graphics amazed me. The combination of retro imagery, comic book stills, and contrasting colours was fascinating. What’s more, the excellent level design, awesome character portraits, and minimalist animation were captivating. Thanks to the isometric viewpoint and the distinctive sprites, it is easy on the eye. Furthermore, the action flows nicely and you never feel overwhelmed.

I could praise the visuals forever more, but I shouldn’t forget the audio. The soundtrack for Noel the Mortal Fate is incredible. Its dramatic tones and emotive pieces enhance the action. This is complemented further by some simple but effective sound effects. The developers have cleverly incorporated some old-school noises alongside its phenomenal music. As such, it improves the gameplay and the already excellent plot.

Caron is the brains and the brawn of this odd couple. — Caron will protect you.

Easy to play.

Because of its slow approach, simple combat, and straightforward puzzles, it’s an easy game to play. This is helped further by the excellent UI, responsive controls and considered button layout. Accordingly, you’ll master the fundamentals immediately and enjoy the riveting plot as it plays out.

Unfortunately, replay value isn’t its strong point! A linear story and limited collectables reduce the reasons for returning. Fortunately, though, there are plenty of chapters to experience and an amazing story to enjoy throughout. As such, it’s great value for money and worthy of your time.

Noel the Mortal Fate is an incredible experience.

Coming into this without prior knowledge could have been a major error. However, luckily, this wasn’t the case. Instead, every moment is wonderfully played out, and this creates an incredible experience. Noel the Mortal Fate delivers a perfect and emotive performance from the off, and I loved it. Consequently, it is easy for me to recommend that you buy it here! Can you take responsibility for your actions, or will jealousy and envy rule your life? Make a pact with a devil and seek revenge on those that have crossed your path.

Review: HONOR Watch GS 3

Andrew Edney

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Aug 16, 2022

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Here is our review of the HONOR Watch GS 3.

HONOR Watch GS 3 comes with a 1.43-inch AMOLED screen and a 326 PPI resolution. The novel 3D ultra-curved slim design resembles a crystal-clear streamline. The extraordinary image quality offers you a visual feast.

HONOR Watch GS 3 with 10.5mm slim body weighing around 44g is lithe and comfortable to wear.
The appearance of the watch adopts fully-polished 316L low-carbon stainless steel, matched with Nappa leather, to deliver a soft and gentle touch.

HONOR Watch GS 3, with 8-Channel PPG Heart Rate Sensor, supported by frequency tracking and AI-enabled dual-engine heart rate algorithm, detect your heart rate precisely.

HONOR Watch GS 3 tracks your blood oxygen conditions through consistent blood oxygen monitoring.

HONOR Watch GS 3 supports dual-frequency GNSS to locate positions.

HONOR Watch GS 3 supports over 100 workout modes, including 85 tailor-made workout modes and more than 10 professional workout modes. Every mile you walk and every drop of sweat count.

What’s in the box?

The box contains the Watch, cable, charging stand and instructions.

A Closer Look

Final Thoughts

The first thing you notice is that the HONOR Watch GS 3 looks very nice and looks like a very professional. The watch face is large and clear and has two buttons on the side of the watch. The strap is made of Nappa leather and looks very good too and feels very comfortable when wearing all day. The weight of the watch is good too so it doesn’t feel like you are dragging it around with you – its only 44 grams!

Connecting the GS 3 to your HONOR phone is really simple. It’s a shame that it can’t be used with an iPhone too because the watch looks great, much better than an Apple watch!

The battery life is great, fully charged it can last around 30 hours if you are using the GPS functions. Normal usage should last around 14 days, and only 5 minutes of charge will last an entire day! So even if you forgot to charge it up and you plug in for a few minutes you will be fine!

Talking of GPS functions, the watch features dual-frequency GNSS for precise positioning which means it locks on faster and is more accurate so you always know where you are.

You can choose from a variety of different watch faces too which is fun, and as mentioned the screen is large and clear.

The GS 3 also supports over 100 different workout modes, so even if like me you are not a fan of working out, there’s bound to be something there that you like, and for those who do like working out there are over 10 professional workout modes too!

The GS 3 also monitors your heart rate, using an 8 channel sensor so you can see what your heart is doing. Along with heart rate monitoring, the GS 3 also monitors your blood oxygen levels meaning you can keep track of how you are and take any actions as necessary. Really useful after doing some of those workouts!

The GS 3 also supports “one tap reply” which is a feature that allows you to quickly respond to a call if you are busy and it sends a text back the caller.

There are also a number of apps and features on the GS 3 from alarm clocks, to a compass, the weather, a flashlight, music playback and more!

There are a few things missing though which you would expect to find on a smartwatch in 2022 – noticeably there is no support for contactless payments. This might not be a huge issue for some people, but given that a lot of smartwatches have been doing this for years, it seems like a big omission. Also the notifications on the GS 3 are not very detailed – maybe this is something that will get addressed in a future software update.

All in all this is a great watch that looks smart, has a lot of heath functions and workouts and has fantastic battery life, it’s only let down by few small issues, but for some those may not be issues at all. Go give it a try and see if its the right fit for you.

The HONOR Watch GS 3 is available now priced around £179.99 is available in Midnight Black, Classic Gold and Ocean Blue (which is the one reviewed here).

You can learn more from the HONOR website.

Review: Gigapocalypse

Daniel Waite

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Aug 15, 2022

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You may be the calmest and mellow person around. However, a little wanton destruction never goes amiss. Consequently, a game that focuses on mindless violence always attracts an eclectic audience. Gigapocalypse hopes to scratch that destructive itch as you smash your way to victory.

Developed by Goody Gameworks and published by Headup GmbH, this is an aggressive arcade title. What’s more, it is super addictive, easy to pick up, but full of lore, power-ups, and lots of gore. As such, it may not be suitable for younger audiences and can be played casually when time is short.

If you are of an age where the game Rampage rings a bell, then you’ll adore Gigapocalypse. Though it isn’t entirely the same, the similarities are uncanny, and the gameplay is equally enjoyable. Yet, I believe that this modern enormous lizard affair is superior to Rampage in many ways.

Gigapocalypse is wild, whacky, and moreish as hell.

The story behind Gigapocalypse is plain stupid! As such, the scene is set before you’ve even moved a gigantic claw. You control an array of Giga dinosaurs that have been captured and experimented on. However, one day their cell defences fail, and the giant lizard escapes. Just as the humans look to have failed, the Giga is sucked into a portal and turned into a baby dinosaur. Here, you must nurse the lizard, upgrade its skills and abilities, and send it back through the portal to destroy anything in its path.

This is the crux of this title, and on the surface, it lacks complexity and should be repetitive. Instead, there is plenty of depth and fresh action thanks to a thorough upgrade system. The gameplay is designed to push you to your limits while guaranteeing failure. Each level you tackle offers mutation points, collectables, and treasures. If you die or complete the stage, you are awarded your spoils and can improve your beast. As a consequence, your dinosaur gets stronger and your progress is undeniably easier.

Let nothing stand in your way. — Smash, crash, destroy!

Pets, skills, and decor.

What makes Gigapocalypse even more unusual, is its Tamagotchi approach. To improve your beast, you must feed it, clean up its mess, and love it. If you do this, you earn more mutation points that can be spent on your Giga. This is essential, as you won’t progress otherwise.

Making the lizard stronger is easy in theory, but there are many avenues to take to make this a reality. You may improve its decor to make things better. If you do this, there are stat boosts that increase health, strength, speed, and so forth. However, you can focus specifically on certain skills that’ll alter your approach. Do you invest heavily in your shooting powers, increase your punching fury, or improve each special ability?

Alongside the abilities, you can unlock pets or purchase new skins. The latter adds a bonus to your Giga’s base abilities, whereas your pets increase your firepower, replenish your health, or offer unique power-ups. They are an essential tool if you wish to be victorious. On top of this, they add another layer that helps to keep things fresh.

Improve your beast in the Tamagotchi mini-games. — It is *Tamagotchi* time.

Side-scrolling destruction and massive bosses.

You’ll spend plenty of time with your baby Giga, but the core gameplay revolves around the side-scrolling destruction. The action is split between Annihilation and Endless modes. Moreover, there is a bonus stage to earn extra rewards if you wish.

In Annihilation, you must traverse an array of stages while destroying everything and everyone in sight. The action culminates in a boss fight that is loaded with QTEs. These encounters aren’t challenging once you identify their Achilles heel. Accordingly, a little trial and error are required to identify their weaknesses.

Endless mode uses the same stages but increases the difficulty as you progress. Subsequently, your run will end when you die and there are no bosses to tackle. This option was somewhat repetitive but was great if you wanted to grind out mutation points.

Gigapocalypse looks wonderfully retro.

If you love vivid colours, massive explosions, and dated imagery, then you’ll cherish Gigapocalypse. Thanks to its pixelated style and garish colour palette, it has a distinct look. Furthermore, each stage is varied, whacky, and a little eccentric. Moreover, the array of enemies is interesting, and the gargantuan bosses are unusual and eye-catching.

I loved the graphics, but the audio easily gazumped it! Thanks to its incredible metal soundtrack, you’ll be fuelled by aggression. This loud and high-energy affair is tough to put down, even when you fail. What’s more, the cacophony of noises is ear-splitting, uncomfortable, but oh so amazing to listen to.

Gigapocalypse has a large array of Gigas to choose. — Which Giga will you choose?

The controls were good, but a little strange.

Your Giga automatically moves and only stops when it hit an obstruction. This was perfect, as you could focus on killing people and destroying buildings. This was helped further by the efficient UI and the responsive controls. However, I found the use of a cursor for aiming purposes to be a little strange. For me, it was unnecessarily clumsy as a simple analogue aiming would have sufficed.

Where Gigapocalypse shines is its replay value. With a large array of dinosaurs to control and plenty of skills and abilities to unlock, there are many paths you can take. What’s more, you can test your survival skills as you try to survive each Endless mode.

Gigapocalypse: a simple game with lots of depth.

Sometimes a simple game can become tedious. Thankfully, Gigapocalypse has a straightforward concept that’s supported by layers of depth. Furthermore, there are plenty of Gigas to choose from, many upgrades to buy, and oodles of humans to slay. As such, it is thoroughly entertaining and great to play casually. Accordingly, I recommend you to buy it here! Life as an angry dinosaur is only complete when you smash every building and human in sight.