Looking at seven of the most popular video games, Betway recently conducted an experiment to reveal which are the most effective when it comes to raising heart rate and burning calories.
Playing video games and keeping fit aren’t often seen as two activities that go together.
But with many of us spending more time than ever sitting down, you might be thankful to learn that you can burn a significant amount of calories from the comfort of your own home while playing video games.
Betway online casino asked 17 gamers to play seven of the most popular video games for 90 minutes at a time, and revealed just how many calories we can expect to burn during our next gaming session, and how this compares to an actual workout.
You can burn a maximum of 538 calories per gaming session on average
The experiment has revealed that Fortnite is the best game to play when it comes to burning off those gaming snacks with participants burning 194 calories on average, followed by Fifa (189) and Call of Duty (188).
Whilst Grand Theft Auto V came in last place, you can still expect to burn a decent amount of calories during 90 minutes of game time (164), making this game perfect for a light workout.
Gamer’s heart rates peak when playing Call of Duty
Whether it’s being moments away from completing a mission you’ve been working on for days or escaping a near death situation, it might not come as a surprise that some of our favourite games have the power to really get our hearts pumping:
Call of Duty: Warzone is revealed to be the video game that will get your heart rate peaking the most with participant’s average maximum heart rate reaching 119 BPM.
Meanwhile, the study shows that Fortnite will get your heart racing the most on average with participant’s heart rates increasing to 89 BPM during a 90 minute gaming session.
On the other hand, participant’s heart rate slowed down the most when playing Minecraft, making this the best game in the experiment for relaxing whilst still burning off a good amount of calories.
You’d need to do 353 squats to equal the amount of calories burned during 90 minutes of playing Fortnite
Asking they participants to measure their heart rate whilst doing squats, crunches and pushups, they’ve calculated how much exercise you’d need to do to equal the amount of calories burned whilst gaming:
You’d need to do 353 squats (or 162 push ups or 239 crunches) to equal 90 minutes of playing Fortnite, making this the best gaming alternative to a workout.
The next time you plan on skipping the gym in favour of some time with your console, refer to the guide above to calculate how long you’d need to play to burn off your goal calories.
Growing up, I loved Suikoden. I’m not entirely sure why I purchased it but I didn’t regret my choice. The fantastic gameplay, deep story, and array of characters blew me away. Therefore, when its spiritual successor was announced, my heart skipped a beat. Eiyuden Chronicle: Rising is the first instalment of what should be an amazing series.
Developed by Natsume Atari and published by 505 Games, this is a side-scrolling action RPG. What’s more, there are real-time combat, platforming, and Metroidvania elements. Therefore, it ticks plenty of boxes and has plenty of elements to play with. Alongside this, it has been developed by some of the original Suikoden team. Consequently, it’s bound to be good.
Eiyuden Chronicle: Rising is witty and charming.
When your hopes are high, it is easy to have them dashed. Fortunately, Eiyuden Chronicle: Rising is witty, charming, and instantly captivating. Its plot is harrowing, amusing, and a tad unrealistic, but that matters not. Thanks to its deep story, interesting lore, and its blend of characters, you’ll desperately want to keep playing.
You control CJ. She is a sassy teenager who is cocky and gifted, but desperate to please. She claims to be a scavenger, but in reality, she’s a treasure hunter. With her clan honour at stake, she ventures to New Nevaeh in search of treasure and adventure. Luckily, for her, she finds both while becoming a useful ally to the townsfolk. What’s more, she forms strong bonds with other adventurers. These friendships are tested as they team up to complete quests and become wealthy.
Explore this beautifully lit dungeon.
The plot plays a key role.
In some titles, the story takes a backseat. Fortunately, though, in Eiyuden Chronicle: Rising, it plays a pivotal role in character development and gameplay progression. Therefore, it was impressive that it was so well-written and easy to digest. Furthermore, it explores an array of emotions, subtly.
The gameplay is split into two key areas. There are interactions with the townsfolk and the dungeon exploration. Even though they are unique, they are intrinsically linked. The town desperately needs your help. Businesses need to be built and quests must be completed. Accordingly, you are happy to help as they’ll pay you and give you better equipment. Subsequently, the blend of side missions and the main story is perfectly balanced. You never tire of completing jobs or collecting materials. After all, every task earns you XP and your party thrives.
The town.
Quite frankly, the town is a mess. If this wasn’t bad enough, the mayor is milking every adventurer dry. New Nevaeth hides a wealth of treasure in its mines. However, the mayor exploits this by charging the adventurers for a permit. Luckily, if you can’t afford it, you can earn stamps. Complete a task, earn a stamp, and eventually, you’ll get your permit.
The jobs you undertake vary from fetch quests, resource gathering, finding Intel, and more. They are rarely challenging, but completing each one improves the town. This allows you to explore new shops and meet new people. You’ll be able to buy new equipment, food, potions, trinkets, magical items, and so forth.
Eiyuden Chronicle: Rising has incredible dungeons.
It is fun and rewarding to improve the town. But the dungeon-crawling, monster-bashing, and treasure hunting are where the fun is. I loved exploring the labyrinthine arenas while battling burly beasts. Furthermore, gathering resources was as simple as hitting rocks or slashing at trees. This was well thought out, as it could have been tedious and time-consuming.
What was particularly fascinating were the Metroidvania elements. As new gear is introduced, new paths and chambers can be explored. This was excellent, as it led to secret fishing areas or vast treasures.
Hack n slash your way to victory.
Your party.
Eiyuden Chronicle: Rising doesn’t match Suikoden’s character choices. But, I loved the party mechanics and combat elements. Every teammate has a unique style and attack. Moreover, you have upgradable equipment and a special ability. As more people are added to your group, you progress further into the story. This was excellent, as it maintained the link between the story and the action.
As your characters improve and their levels increase, they become killing machines. You can combine their attacks to create brutal combos that kill everything in sight. What’s more, each character’s strength can be used to overcome certain monsters. This adds a tactical layer that improves the combat element.
Eiyuden Chronicle: Rising is great to look at.
JRPGs are a stunning genre. Their art style is beautiful, clean, and vivid. On top of this, the models are larger than life, OTT, and a little bizarre. Eiyuden Chronicle: Rising captures all of this and much more. Its crazy blend of humans and animals will make you chuckle. Furthermore, you get an exceptional range of environments to explore. Consequently, you’ll never tire of what you see.
With no acting, the game relies solely on the text and music to create emotion. I have to say; it does an amazing job. With an array of soft and aggressive songs, you know exactly what’s happening. However, this is supported by the excellent script and story. The character’s personalities and their history resonate with you. The drama doesn’t end there though. No, the brilliant sound effects add energy and fun to the proceedings. Jovial moments are lighthearted and combat is heavy and laced with danger. In short, you’ll love what you hear.
Some of the dungeons are more dangerous than others.
Two control systems.
The combat is brilliant because of the smooth control system. With two different approaches, it caters to all abilities. You can select a one-button approach to keep things simple. Alternatively, each hero has their own controls, and this is much tougher. Whatever you pick, the fighting is awesome.
Like this review, the quests never stop. You’ll lose count of the jobs you undertake and the people you help. This, of course, increases both the longevity and replay value. However, its linear approach gives you little reason to return. This was a shame, as there was potential for character development and subplots.
Eiyuden Chronicle: Rising isn’t quite Suikoden.
Sadly, Eiyuden Chronicle: Rising doesn’t match Suikoden on any level. Yet, it is still fantastic. It has excellent graphics, emotive audio, brilliant combat, and many quests. But, it’s not as magical, deep, or as original as Suikoden. That being said, I can’t wait to see what its sequel brings. All things considered, I recommend you to buy it here! Will you help the town and honour your clan? Scour the dungeons, find the treasure, and right the wrongs of the past.
Zorro The Chronicles is an action game, developed by BKOM Studios, inspired by the animated series, and released on every major platform. Fans of the animated series, or just fans of Zorro may be interested in checking out what this game has to offer. I would recommend waiting for a sale as this game is rather disappointing and frankly a little boring.
Gameplay
The set-up is rather simple. You play as either Diego or Ines, dawning the cape, taking down bad guys. There isn’t much of a difference with who you pick to play as. Ines has more health, and Diego has more stamina, but you can just upgrade both later anyway.
There was nothing that really caught my interest in this game. Everything felt so underdeveloped, or just copied from another game. Combat and stealth are practically ripped straight from Assassin’s Creed and Batman: The Arkham Trilogy, but done so much worse than those games. Clunky controls didn’t help the unsatisfactory gameplay.
The story, or lack there of, I should say, was so weak. It’s just your typical, these are the bad guys, take them out to win, kind of game. With poor combat, poor controls, poor stealth, and poor narrative, I struggled even playing through this game
Graphics and sound
The graphics and sound were fine for an indie game. It’s colorful, and the design serves its purpose, but it won’t leave you in awe.
Closing Remarks
Ultimatley, there aren’t many positives in this game, which makes it hard to recommend to anyone. If you love Zorro, there may be some enjoyment, but overall I was unimpressed.
Visual novels are a marmite genre. If you don’t know what that means, let me explain. Effectively, you’ll either love what you see, or you’ll hate it. Sadly, though, it is rarely that simple as many elements combine to make a great read. Whether it is the blend of characters, style of writing, plot intricacies, or language translation, they can all make or break the experience. Therefore, when I was given Arcade Spirits: The New Challengers to look at, I was a little apprehensive.
Developed by Fiction Factory Games and published by PQube Ltd, this is a romantic visual novel. Now, you may think, romance…ugh, no thanks. To be fair, I thought that myself. But I ask you not to stop reading just yet. Unusually, this is a bit geeky, and it taps into some weird and wonderful stereotypes. Consequently, the characters are relatable; the story is interesting, and the audio is funky as hell.
Arcade Spirits: The New Challengers is an excellent sequel.
I played and reviewed the original in March 2021, and I scored it 7 out of 10. However, sequels can be hit or miss, especially if the developers go off on a tangent. Luckily, Arcade Spirits: The New Challengers is an excellent sequel and a fantastic read. With 9 romantic paths to take and multiple endings to experience, you never know what’ll happen. Furthermore, your decisions and interactions influence your character traits. Consequently, you must decide if you are passionate, calm, upbeat, and more. Whatever you decide, it influences how you’re perceived.
The year is 20XX, and the world is obsessed with arcade gaming. ESports dominate the headlines and subsequently, everyone wants to become a pro. However, this is easier said than done, and being talented isn’t enough to get you noticed. Instead, you must find more seedy ways to find success. Luckily, your rival provides you with a life-changing app and you never look back. “IRIS” is an advanced artificial intelligence program that also happens to be illegal. With its help, you find new friends, possible romance, and a chance to fulfil your dreams.
Choose your look, name, and pronoun.
So many choices.
I’ve played many visual novel titles, but none have been like this. Normally, the protagonist and the subsequent parts are chosen for you. In Arcade Spirits: The New Challengers, you design your hero and their rival. What’s more, if you’ve played the original, you can reuse your character. This was fascinating, as it added extra layers to the plot. However, the differences are minor, so starting from scratch wasn’t an issue.
Once your hero is created, you experience a story full of interesting choices. Consequently, you feel like you are driving the story forward. This was phenomenal as normally the genre is a little voyeuristic. However, instead, your decisions influence relationships and the pace of the plot.
Will you be just friends, or more?
Is romance on the cards?
Though this is effectively a weird dating simulation title, you don’t have to be romantic at all. Instead, you can focus on friendship and the excellent retro gaming elements. Alongside this, you can enjoy a thoroughly fascinating story that takes you on a roller-coaster of emotions.
I couldn’t resist romancing my fellow gamers, and I enjoyed watching the group dynamic change. What was equally fascinating was how the characters reacted depending on your choices. This created a fascinating story that was deep, intricate, and constantly evolving. If you then combine this with the interesting ideas and multiple subplots, you experience a unique and captivating visual novel.
Arcade Spirits: The New Challengers catches your eye.
Now, I know visual novels are renowned for striking and risqué imagery. However, Arcade Spirits: The New Challengers takes it one step further. Thanks to its crisp lines, neon-infused backdrops, and excellent character models, it really catches your eye. Furthermore, it doesn’t dip into the realm of absurdity where romance is concerned. It would have been easy for the developers to over-sexualise their game. But, instead, they have relied on the dialogue to enhance this portion of the game.
Alongside the excellent visuals are some cracking tunes. The audio is catchy, varied, and wonderfully electronic. What’s more, there are snippets of acting that add to the drama. These brilliant soundbites are unusual for this genre, but I loved hearing them. The delivery of each part of the script was excellent, and it was never hammy or wooden. Fiction Factory Games got this portion just right, and I applaud them for their efforts.
What choice will you make?
Simple controls and plenty of reasons to return.
Even though there are masses of dialogue choices, it is still easy to play. Like its peers, you can skip the text, set it to auto, or read it at your leisure. Whatever your preference, it is simple and relaxing to play.
Thanks to its multiple endings and 9 romance options, there is plenty of replay value and longevity. If you want to experience every ending, you must invest hours of your time. I have yet to see every ending, and this disappoints me. Subsequently, I’ll return to it casually to see how the game evolves.
Arcade Spirits: The New Challengers is a fantastic read.
I didn’t expect to love a romance novel. However, Arcade Spirits: The New Challengers is a fantastic read. Because of its eclectic blend of characters, many plot twists, and retro gaming undertones, I fell for its charms. It is for these reasons that I recommend you to buy it here! Will you become a pro, or is your team destined to fail? Whatever happens, you must beat your rivals, make new friends, and possibly fall in love.
Symphony of War: The Nephilim Saga meshes both tactical RPG mechanics with complex management systems. Developers Dancing Dragon Games, and publishers Freedom Games, have recently made a name for themselves for creating incredibly polished RPG Maker titles. This game is, unsurprisingly, no different. And on top of that, it’s incredibly fun.
Story
Our story begins shortly after the war of Veridian Succession. This chaotic conflict led to countless deaths and economic uncertainty, both for the Veridian Empire and their opposing regions. 10 years on, the world of Tahnra is seemingly heading back towards peaceful times. That is until General Antares kidnaps Empress Florina in one final act of rebellion.
Our protagonist, along with their extensive group of colourful friends, halts this before it gains any sort of traction. However, Prime Minister Casamir uses this as an opportunity to enact his plot for the Veridian throne. He executes Empress Florina and frames our protagonist in the process by stating they conspired with General Antares.
With no other witnesses present to this scheme, Casamir successfully gains leadership of the largest known kingdom in the world. Now, living as an outsider, our protagonist puts together a rebellion of their own. They aim to avenge Empress Florina, and take down the villainous usurper.
Lore and Characters
One thing that Symphony of War has going for it is its expanded lore. It’s clear that a lot of time and dedication has gone into crafting the world, regions, and historical events. This is why its slightly disappointing that the overall narrative is fairly mediocre. This is especially true regarding the main cast of characters and their personal development, which, at times, feel rushed.
For example, characters will instantly resolve any issue by giving one another cheesy pep talks. Not only does this lessen the value of each hurdle, but it also massively impacts the characters triumphs. It’s honestly ridiculous how often this occurs, and it verges on the line of parody at times.
Similarly, I wasn’t particularly a fan of the main characters design. The bright blue hair and clothing made them look like cheap Marth/Lucian rip-offs. It just felt a bit cliched and passé, and I would have preferred if they had their own unique look. With that said, the story did feature a number of twists and turns that kept me entertained throughout. I simply hope that any subsequent games dialogue match the level of detail in the worldbuilding.
Gameplay
Management
Symphony of War places you at the helm of an army. You build up and maintain each of your regiments by providing them with a squad leader, soldiers, items and artifacts. At first, the number of options can be a bit overwhelming. This isn’t made any easier by the game, which, for the most part, leaves you to figure out the endless array of menus on your own.
Overcoming this barrier does prove to be worthwhile though, as the level of customization is simply outstanding. Every squad occupies a 3×3 grid which, stat dependant, can hold up to 9 individual units. You are given free rein to manage their class, their whereabouts on the grid, and what sort of traits they have.
There are more than 50 different classes in the game which allows for endless possibilities. These include swordsmen, mages, medics, paladins, and a personal favourite, dragons. It’s incredibly satisfying watching your squads operate successfully in battle, even more so knowing that they’re your own creation.
Combat
The combat sections of the game are played on a gridded battlefield. Each army takes a turn to manoeuvre their squads around, while engaging in conflicts and capturing various objectives. The fighting itself is simulated automatically, so it’s important to consider which squads you want to use for any given encounter. Making a wrong decision can be catastrophic, and ultimately cause your entire army to wipe.
The maps environment is also something you’ll have to take into account. This can affect multiple different things such as movement speed, dodge rating, or guaranteeing a critical attack. Capturing objectives on the map will reward you in various ways. Most of the time it’ll be different currencies for your army, though some also do things like revive downed allies.
The scale of each of these conflicts vary from short espionage missions, to large scale battles involving 200 individual units. Its rather surprising, and commendable, the sheer amount of scenarios Dancing Dragon Games managed to produce for this title. The gameplay is very moreish, and I’m still eager to play more even after completing all 30 chapters.
Art
Graphically, Symphony of War has 4 distinctive aesthetics which are inspired by various SNES art styles. The storyline cinematics are stylistically designed to look like a traditional 16-bit RPG, à la Chrono Trigger. The background environments suit this particularly well, as the vibrant colours make them pop on screen.
The simulated fighting sequences are stunning in their own right, and feature blown up versions of the character sprites. This provides an additional level of detail to help make the animations feel more fluid and seamless.
The battlefield board is a stripped-down version of the cinematic style. It primarily removes details from the backgrounds in order to make them more practical for gameplay. This was a great design decision as it eliminates any confusion regarding enemies positions, points to capture and so on.
The last of the art styles in the game is, in my opinion, the weakest of them all. During the portions in which conversations occur, the game will change to a side by side shot of each character. These are still images that change slightly depending on the current mood of the discussion. The problem here is that the characters look rather outlandish. Their proportions feel massively off, and the presentation simply feels out of place. The best way to describe it is it looks like an off brand visual novel.
Overall, 3 out of 4 of the art styles match the games thematic greatly. The artists have done a great job at keeping to a unified idea, all while switching between different styles. All of the backgrounds look absolutely gorgeous, and I hope they stick to this art direction for future entries.
Audio
The music in Symphony of War ranges from awesome, to somewhat forgettable. The most noteworthy track in my opinion is the combat theme. It feels like something you’d hear from famed Dragon Quest composer, Koichi Sugiyama, in the mid-90s.
There are moments where the SFX wavers a bit, with the outlandish dying screams being the most memorable example. Frankly speaking, I found these to be more funny than annoying, though admittedly, it did minimize some crucial narrative moments. Thankfully, the sound effects used during the battle sequences match up exceedingly well with the on screen action.
Conclusion
Symphony of War: The Nephilim Saga is a fabulously fun tactical RPG. The squad-based gameplay and management mechanics co-exist incredibly well, and there is a surprising amount of complexity in each of the systems. While the expanded lore has had a lot of thought put into it, the games narrative does feel rather rushed and uninteresting. If you’re a fan of management RPGs, and are looking for something that will scratch the Ogre Battle itch, then this is a game worth checking out.
Today, indie publishers Ratalaika Games announced the 1st of July 2022 release for Parasite Pack. Developed by Lowtek Games Studio, this is a retro indie title comprising 2 games. You’ll experience Tapeworm Disco Puzzle and Flea. The latter is a hardcore 2D platformer, whereas the first is a Snake/Lemmings-inspired puzzle title.
These retro-inspired titles have a dated aesthetic and use some simple ideas. But, don’t let that fool you. Thanks to the gentle learning curve, gamers will be lulled into a false sense of security. Pretty quickly, however, the stages become a handful and you’ll be tested more than once.
Tapeworm Disco Puzzle (XB1/SX, Switch, PS4/5)
Hints of Snake are obvious to see.
Inspiration and obvious retro homage goes to Snake and Lolo with a few extra ingredients added to give it its own originality, Tapeworm Disco Puzzle… offers a little bit more to keep the player entertained. It’s a mix somewhere between Snake, Lolo and Lemmings but has enough unique elements to set it apart from all of those. Best described as a more casual puzzle game with occasional ‘thinky’ moments.
Gamers will help uncover the mystery of the fleas acting strangely. Puzzles will become increasingly harder at times, but are never too long with fresh challenges and new mechanics every 20 levels or so. Gamers can also team up with a friend in Tapeworm for 25 co-op levels.
Each level has objectives and obstacles to overcome, and here are but a few of them:
Avoid enemies.
Don’t kill the fleas.
Collect all the notes.
Help the fleas collect the blood.
Open Doors with switches.
Help Fleada get to the gig on time.
Flea (XB1/SX, Switch, PS4/5)
A classic retro platforming title.
Flea is a challenging 2D platformer with an intriguing back story. Play as Henry the Hyperactive Flea who just can’t stop jumping! Navigate the beasts and collect blood to get to the heart of the problems. Fortunately, though, these fleas are intelligent and have created a network of bendy straws to help navigate the obstacles.
Henry must come to terms with his hyperactivity while avoiding thumb tacks and collecting blood for the refu-fleas. In Flea, you are constantly jumping. Consequently, you must avoid tacks, pits and other less friendly parasites.
Explore 80 levels.
Meet weird characters.
Discover secrets.
Every dog has a different theme and soundtrack, and more abilities and enemies make appearances on later levels. There are a bunch of other parasites you will meet on your journey from friendly fleas, to ticks, mosquitos and tapeworms. Subsequently, the stages become progressively harder and you’ll never know what is around the corner.
Parasite Pack is coming soon.
Parasite Pack is available on July 1st for $7.99, €7.99, or £5.99. Play it on Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4and PlayStation 5. Enjoy something different in this retro-inspired, 8-Bit title. Parasite Pack will fill you with nostalgia while being a completionist’s dream.
(More information on Ratalaika Games can be found here!)
Riftbound is a 3D Plants vs. Zombies style lane defense strategy game. It is developed and published by Barrel Smash Studios. For anyone looking to fill the gap left by PvZ, Riftbound goes above and beyond in many aspects. However, it doesn’t come without its flaws.
Gameplay
Riftbound is simple, there are 5 lanes you need to defend from enemy waves. You have various elementals and spells to assist you in your fight against darkness. All your spells and elemental’s have different status effects applied to the enemy. There are also combo spells you can use if your lane fulfills the spell requirements. And believe me when I tell you that combo spells are very strong. Therefore, you will want to play accordingly and choose your arsenal before the game to maximize your power.
Enemy types are varied and require different responses to their attacks. This adds another aspect of strategizing before the level begins. The game lets you know the different enemy types faced during the level beforehand and gives you a chance to plan. I liked the enemy variability and the strategic requirement of fighting each enemy type differently.
There are several scenarios you will come across as you play through the levels. Each of these adds a bit of a twist to the level and keeps things fresh. The most enjoyable of those scenarios for me was the boss fights. There are a couple of boss fights sprinkled between the levels. These fights require you to understand the boss and how it reacts to different elementals and spells. There were many nail-biting moments when I fought the bosses, which only amplified the fun. All the bosses I fought were different from one another. This game wouldn’t have impressed me as much without its boss fights.
There is an “evolve” system. With this, your elementals can evolve into stronger and sometimes different elementals. Acquiring new stats and abilities. I really enjoyed this part of the gameplay. Deciding what I wanted my elementals to evolve depending on the level at hand was fun.
Progression
The game follows a straightforward level progress system. Once you finish a level, the next one becomes available to play. Occasionally, challenge levels become accessible. Upon completion, they reward you with new spells and elementals. Even though they didn’t include any big bosses, the challenge levels were still a tough task.
There is also a upgrade tree available. Before each level starts, you get to select the upgrades you want from the possibilities as well as the elementals and spells. After each level the upgrade tree resets, and you need to select again for the next level. I was a fan of this design simply because it allowed me to experiment much more than I normally would.
Story and Technical Side
This is the part where I am not going to be as nice towards Riftbound. The graphics are fine, they don’t look out of place or especially beautiful so take that as you may. The sound design is pretty much in the same boat as graphics. To be fair most of the technical aspects of Riftbound, from graphics to animations to sound, is just okay. It is just mediocre. And sometimes it dips even further down into below mediocre.
This pattern continues with its dialogue and story as well. Both of those aspects are formulaic. Such as; nature is good, and darkness is bad. I’m not saying that those themes can’t be molded into something great. I’m saying that they weren’t. The game’s story and dialogue never go past cliché and become something good. However, since I doubt anyone will play Riftbound for its story or dialogue, I won’t spend more time talking about it.
There are a few positives I can say about the technical side, once of them is the enemy and elemental models. They look quite good and detailed. And the next one is full controller support. I am always happy to see full controller support in any game and thankfully Riftbound has it. Kudos to the developers for implementing it.
Conclusion
Riftbound tries some new things within the lane defense genre and succeeds with most of them. As someone who isn’t a big fan of lane defense games, I enjoyed myself for the most of it. If you can look past the mediocre graphics and sound as well as stereotypical story, I can easily recommend this game to anyone who likes strategic lane defense games.
Puzzle games come in all shapes and sizes. Some are horrific and terrifying, whereas others are calm, methodical, and surreal. I don’t mind what theme I experience, as long as the puzzles are challenging. Therefore, when I was given Him and Her Collection, I was a little unsure. It appeared too cutesy and simple, but looks can, of course, be deceiving.
Developed by Williams and published by QUByte Interactive with Game Nacional, this is a logic-based puzzle title. Comprising three mind-stretching chapters, this will test your brain cells. At first glance, it appears basic and easy. However, with drip-fed mechanics and more convoluted stages, it soon becomes tougher. Consequently, this can be enjoyed by newcomers and veterans alike.
Him and Her Collection: a cute and calm puzzle game.
I’m not usually a lover of cute titles, as they can be tedious and inane. However, Him and Her Collection was different. Its sickly love story is a pivotal part of the gameplay. Though there isn’t a plot as such, you must reconcile the separated couple. For unknown reasons, the two find themselves apart at every stage. Subsequently, you must overcome obstacles in this haunting and surreal experience.
Each chapter focuses on either the male or the female protagonist. Though little changes in the gameplay, there are some unique mechanics for each. These minor twists help to keep the action fresh while preventing boredom. It would have been easy for the action to plateau, but fortunately, this never happened.
Where will the black hole come out?
Jump, twist, and avoid the traps.
So, we know the aim of the game. But how are we going to get Romeo to Juliet? By simply turning the world, jumping gaps, flipping switches, and avoiding spikes. Furthermore, there areoccasionally spiked creatures and moving platforms that you must avoid if you wish to survive. Fundamentally, Him and Her Collection is extremely easy to understand. Yet, in reality, it soon becomes a complex minefield.
Each stage demands that you observe your surroundings and adjust the puzzle accordingly. You may need to twist the world by turning the platform you are standing on. By doing this, every surface will move as well. Therefore, you will open new paths, move swinging boxes, and avoid any obstacles you face. However, sometimes, levers must be flipped to generate fresh platforms. These expand each problem and make planning a little tougher. Yet, they also added more depth, and I adored the additional challenge.
Alongside these elements, you have teleporters to use and hidden areas to find. These layers make the affected stages much more complex and tough to complete. This, in theory, is great, but it also leads to my only complaint. Sadly, and annoyingly, there is no hint system. Now, this wouldn’t normally be a bad thing, but on the hardest levels, it is much too tough. This brutal approach will alienate inexperienced gamers while frustrating them as well.
You still have plenty of work to do.
Him and Her Collection has a simple style.
Though some of the stages were complex, the art style was not. With a striking monochromatic colour palette, it is clean-cut and marvellous to look at. The simplicity continues with the straightforward character models and easy-to-identify traps. With a minimalist approach, it could have become boring to play. Luckily, the aforementioned drip-fed mechanics and the increasingly expanding stages keep things fresh.
The cute and calm theme is captured by the haunting music. With a slower pace and light sounds, the soundtrack has melancholy audio. This wonderfully matches the theme of despair and loneliness, without being too heavy. I adored the basic audio as it complements the minimalist visuals.
One of the easier puzzles you’ll tackle.
Frustrating controls.
The biggest bugbear of Him and Her Collection has to be the controls. You’ll accidentally turn a corner as you try to leap across gaps. This then flips the world, and mistakes occur. I’d have preferred an option where you chose to flip each surface. This would have removed the problem without ruining the flow of the action. As it is, it doesn’t ruin the game, it’s simply frustrating.
The developers have tried to improve longevity with two difficulty settings. This is normally applauded, but in this case, it’s just bizarre. As far as I can tell, there is no difference in the gameplay or the puzzles. Consequently, it mattered not which mode you tackled. This was disappointing, as it was pointless and unnecessary. Where it should have been improved were some collectables or a scoring system. Both options would have made it harder while adding some more depth.
Him and Her Collection is a great puzzle game.
Despite its occasional shortcomings, Him and Her Collection is a great puzzle title. With some testing stages and complex elements, it will test you. Furthermore, I adored the theme and the minimalistic aesthetics. It is for these reasons that I recommend you to buy it here! Can you overcome the obstacles, twist the world, and reconcile the couple? 3 chapters and plenty of puzzles stand between you and success.
The world of gaming is made up of many different types of people, all with varying interests and skill levels, so it’s no wonder that opinions differ greatly about the industry. Some people dedicate their entire lives to video games, and occasionally those people can be quite critical of the more casual fans who don’t share their level of reflexes or overall knowledge of the gaming industry. At the same time, some of those casual fans might be critical of those who easily sink around 10 hours or more each day playing video games. Usually, though, these criticisms are reserved for the minority on both sides; however, being such a popular entertainment industry, there are countless more criticisms that gamers have, and those can be shared by both “hardcore” and casual fans alike. One of these criticisms has been that of mobile gaming. But could that critical perception of mobile games be changing?
What Is Mobile Gaming? First of all, let’s take a look at exactly what classifies something as a mobile game. The simple act of being able to play a game wherever you are is generally not what someone would mean by a mobile game. After all, you can easily load up your Steam account on your laptop and play just about any game on the market, whether it’s a competitive MOBA or a battle royale game. However, that doesn’t mean those games are automatically classed as mobile games. Similarly, many people wouldn’t class games designed for handheld consoles to be classed as mobile games either, even though they function in a similar way. Mobile games are simply classified based on the fact that they are designed for and played on either iOS or Android mobile devices. There are plenty of new mobile games being released regularly, all varying in genre and style, just like with other gaming platforms.
Where Did Mobile Gaming Start? If you lived through the nineties, there’s a strong possibility that you had a mobile phone with a few games on it. The first-ever mobile phone game was a variant of Tetris, and these blocky, pixelated games continued to be developed for newer devices. Well-known games such as Snake on the Nokia 3310, as well as different puzzle games. Over the years, developers created new variations of these old favorites as well as the occasional innovative new game, yet it was never something that truly gripped the gaming community, and they simply served as gimmicks to pass the time. If someone wanted to play video games, the chances are they were going to play on a dedicated console such as the Nintendo 64 or the Game Boy. It wasn’t until the iPhone was invented in 2007 that mobile gaming started to become notable.
Online Browser Gaming Certain games that can be played via a browser and therefore can be played using a mobile device wherever you are, have always been popular and serve as a great way to pass the time. Whether someone would consider those to fall into the category of “gaming” is another matter which people regularly debate. However, puzzle games such as the worldwide phenomenon that is the New York Times’ Wordle, and the many variations that have been created since, are played in absolute abundance across the planet. As well as puzzle games, you have the ever-popular online casino sites, which offer the opportunity for people to enjoy fun table games like poker with other players and online slot games. To see just how many of these games there are and compare welcome bonuses, you can visit the casino comparison site, onlinecasinos.co.uk.
The Criticisms Of Mobile Games The general criticism of mobile games is that they are simply not as gripping or feature-rich as games that are created for a specific gaming console. Most game developers are usually focused on making video games for the next Nintendo or PlayStation console. As well as this, the technical restrictions smartphones have had to deal with compared to handheld gaming consoles over the past few decades mean that many mobile games feel outdated when played. These technical restrictions often make people turn their noses up at these games. At the end of the day, why would we choose to play something that feels outdated when we have quality AAA titles available on our console or PC? This overall lack of interest from gamers also caused some developers to search for new ways to make extra profits from those who enjoy mobile games. In-app purchases started to become synonymous with any mobile game, while in some ways hurt the reputation of this industry even more as it just became a way for some developers to churn out sub-par games and apps in an attempt to make some quick cash.
AAA Titles For Mobile As technology advances, we are now seeing many mobile games created that are visually appealing and intuitive to play. This has led to some well-renowned franchise games being created for iOS and Android devices in recent years, including Call of Duty, Apex Legends, and Minecraft, to name just a few. As well as hardware advancements, we also have much better connectivity today, especially with the advent of 5G and superfast Wi-Fi connections, providing high levels of uninterrupted data transfer. This has made competitive games a viable option for mobiles too. For example, shooters like PUBG Mobile have gained huge popularity, surpassing the player numbers found on the original PC version. Although, it’s generally agreed that the mobile version of the game is still considered a more casual option than the PC version due to aim-assistance and other quality of life features in the game.
The Future Of Mobile Games With the increase in popularity of these games, combined with the possibility for developers to make a lot of money through in-app purchases, we are only going to see more games being developed for this medium. The future of mobile gaming does look quite bright, and there are no signs of the industry slowing down anytime soon, similar to the wider gaming industry. While they will never be for everyone, it’s fair to say that the mobile gaming industry, with the help of advancements in tech, is becoming much more respected by gamers than it has been in the past and is definitely worth keeping an eye on in the years to come.
When someone mentions the wild west, most would think of cowboys and outlaws. The true beauty of the west is its rich wildlife. This includes the glorious bald eagle, strong buffalo, majestic wild stallion, cunning timber wolves, and the deadly cougar of the Americas. These are the heroes of Hacksaw Gaming’s new slot game Buffalo Stack’n’Sync now available at online casinos.
Basic features
Buffalo Stack’n’Sync is a simple slot game with five reels and four rows. It has a high volatility with payouts ranging from x0.1 as the lowest with three of a kind 10 symbol to x20 for five of a kind buffalo or cactus symbol. The game has 10 static paylines including four straight rows and six zigzag patterns between two adjacent rows.
The minimum payout for Buffalo Stack’n’Sync game is x0.1 while the highest is x100. Return to player (RTP) rate is up to 96.36%, making it fall into the standard range among slot games.
Special features
Buffalo Stack’n’Sync has wild and scatter symbols like other slot games but it comes with its own unique feature. Instead of having just one special mode, Hacksaw Gaming gave it three. Specifically named Stack’n’Sync inspired by its name, Stampede Reels, and Stampede Spins. Each one is triggered by a unique combination as follows:
Stack’n’Sync
The titular feature is the game’s bread and butter. You just need to have at least one S’N’S symbol appearing on any real to have a randomly assigned symbol to take over that column. It is called the ‘stampede reel’ and this free feature keeps running for as long as there is one S’N’S symbol appearing or at least until the grid gets taken over completely.
This happens frequently during a free spin, rewarding you with high rewards almost instantaneously. Each S’N’S symbol gives you a free spin and it doesn’t take away a new ante or free spin to keep going.
Free spins
You can win 10 free spins after landing 3 flaming scatter symbols represented by a horse’s galloping hooves. This triggers the scatter mode where the S’N’S can appear periodically but it’s also possible that it doesn’t appear at all. Thus, the free spin and stampede reels are not necessarily dependent on each other but they make for a great combo.
Stampede Spins
You can get four scatter symbols instead of three which still grants only 10 free spins. However, this makes the grid filled with buffalo symbols only. Gaps between buffaloes are filled with skulls and only five of a kind count as wins. However, there will be occasional S symbols that randomly stack 5 to 60 more buffalos on the reel it appeared in. This ensures getting more frequent five of a kind each turn.
Final verdict
Buffalo Stack’n’Sync game has a simple gameplay that can lead directly to a series of wins amounting to x10,000 payout from a single spin. All you have to do is hit the free spin mode or get an S’N’S symbol to start the chain effect. It’s currently one of the most rewarding slot games you can play using safe low roller bets but using large antes can be even more rewarding.
The sun is life. Without it, there is none. Sure there are many other factors that dictate whether or not life thrives. But the Sun is the OG, the giver of warmth, and the source of our beloved vitamin D. That’s why I’m thankful it’ll still be around for a couple billion more years.
However, in Imp of the Sun. This vital celestial body is in danger. Its power has been stolen and the moon has blocked its light from reaching the inhabitants of Earth. And so, trapped behind an eternal eclipse, the Sun sends forth one chosen champion. One last hail mary pass that will decide the fate of all life. An imp with no name, and one purpose: To find the four keepers of the sun’s power, and restore light to the world.
It’s a decent enough premise, however, it’s also an idea we’ve seen time and time again. It’s the classic, “retrieve an ancient power to stop the bad guys” plot. However, just because it’s something we’ve seen before doesn’t mean it’s bad.
The plot it lays out is solid, it works and gives you just enough motivation before heading out and kicking some butt. Plus if you’re keen on more lore there are collectable items strewn throughout areas that add some more detail to the world. There are also many Quipu scattered around the environment. These are ancient Andean stringed recording devices that a wise woman will interpret for you. She’ll regale you with the events leading up to this point of eclipse for each quipu you deliver. This is where the plot began to take some more shape and set itself apart from the crowd. These provide some explanation for the state of things, and also provide depth to the four keepers you’ll be fighting.
A Surprise To Be Sure, But a Welcome One
Imp of the Sun’s gameplay took me by surprise. Don’t get me wrong, I wasn’t expecting it to be bad. But I definitely didn’t expect to enjoy my time with it as much as I did. It’s an action platformer first and foremost, but there’s also some light puzzling and Metroidvania-styled exploration and level design to go with it.
It’s non-linear in design and as soon as you complete the tutorial area you can go in any direction and tackle any of the four main areas. As you progress in each area you’ll come across useful abilities that help traversal. These are the classic wall jump, a dash, a blaze form that lights up dark areas, and a smoke form which can pass through certain objects. These added some great fluidity to the platforming, especially in moments when you flow from one ability to the next in order to reach an area. It made for some pretty exhilarating platforming sections.
Gaining these abilities is also where the Metroidvania elements come into play. When you enter an area there’ll be some blocked paths, and exploring an alternate route will bag you a new ability to overcome the obstacle. However, that was often where the Metroidvania aspect ended.
Where There’s a Skill, There’s a Way
The skills you pick up aren’t always absolutely necessary in order to progress in areas due to the non-linear design of the title. They are simply necessary for the area you’re currently in. For example in the underworld area, things were dark as can be. The only sources of light were torches and my own body. On top of that, there were also enemies I couldn’t see or touch, making progress near impossible. Explore a bit though, and you find the blaze form. Now you can both light up the dark, and spot invisible enemies.
Without the blaze form, it would have been a nightmare to conquer the underworld. However, it wasn’t really that necessary in any other area. There were definitely moments it came in handy though. As with all abilities, they can definitely make exploration easier, but they didn’t alter the routes you take or open up the new areas that they perhaps could have.
Platforming also had another layer of depth by way of the puzzles. These mostly come in two parts. One is to make use of the area’s required ability to figure out the path forward. The other is good old-fashioned switch flipping to move platforms for a limited time. These puzzles were always simple, and not all that difficult. But they were also always fun. Some basic problem solving and a little timing and you’re on your way. I may not have found much of a challenge in them, but each and every one was well-designed, adding a little extra something to traversal.
The Power of the Sun
Combat is what you’ll be spending the other half of your time engaging in. It’s a straightforward setup. You’ve got attacks in each direction both on the ground and in the air. Additionally your abilities often have some combat capabilities you can make use of. For example, the smoke form makes you invincible for as long as it’s active, and the blaze form adds some firepower to your attacks. Each of these use up your stamina/mana though, referred to as inner fire.
Alongside your abilities, you can also collect upgrades to your ground and air combos, adding extra hits. But more importantly, you can acquire extra powerful moves after defeating each keeper. From a fireball, to freezing enemies in place. These all added great variety to combat. But they also made things awfully easy.
The imp is crazy overpowered compared to regular enemies and I rarely ever had much of an issue in fights. In fact, they’d be over in a matter of seconds when using combos and abilities together. I’d even argue combat was too easy. Even in the boss fights against the keepers, save for one occasion.
The desert boss, Tui, was such an unexpectedly challenging fight that it felt like it came out of nowhere. After wiping the floor with everyone, even another boss, this guy absolutely wrecked me almost 15 times before I beat him. He was brutal, rarely ever giving me the chance to heal before he came rushing at me. Not once before, or after did any fight in this game come close to that. Not even the final boss, which took a couple of tries. It was a little strange how tough that boss fight was when compared to every other battle. Honestly, though, I’d almost prefer that, to how easy the rest of the game felt at times.
Take It All In
Yours is an epic journey into the unknown. Taking you from the darkest depths of the underworld, to steep cliffed mountaintops. And every leg of that journey was gorgeous. Imp of the Sun is beautifully hand-drawn, which adds so much character and heart to environments. The Peruvian art style is filled with lush backgrounds, and gold-tinged accents that I simply loved looking at.
Enemies may be a bit unbalanced, and puzzle platforming may be a bit on the easy side. However, Imp of the Sun might just take you by surprise they way it did for me. This title is a great example of the whole being greater than the sum of its parts.
When I think of 90s gaming, my thoughts lean towards the classic 3D platforming experiences. Mario 64, Croc, Spyro, and Crash Bandicoot, leap out. However, this genre isn’t as popular nowadays, and that is a shame. Yes, there is still a fanbase that will jump at any new titles, but these are few and far between. Therefore, when Kao the Kangaroo was released, it created a flurry of excitement. Gamers couldn’t wait to experience some classic 90s action.
Developed and published by Tate Multimedia, this is a vivid and amusing platform title. This is the 4th instalment in a franchise that has spanned 20+ years. Consequently, you’d expect these industry-savvy developers to produce a seamless and captivating game. It utilises all the familiar platforming tropes and has a cast of interesting characters. Furthermore, it is simple enough for younger gamers and veteran players to enjoy.
The level design is fantastic.
Kao the Kangaroo lacks originality.
With so many games being churned out, it is tough to be original. Accordingly, Kao the Kangaroo falls foul of this trap because of its well-trodden mechanics. Sadly, much of the gameplay feels dated and tired. Yet, its combination of fast-paced action, collectables, and new elements just about keep you going. Subsequently, older gamers will want to play this casually to keep things fresh. Younger players, however, will enjoy the colourful levels, special abilities, and everything in between.
The story revolves around the Australian hero, Kao the Kangaroo. His sister is missing, and his dad has mysteriously disappeared, but one night, Kao has a premonition. His sister guides him to his father’s magical boxing gloves, and this is where the journey begins. Armed only with the cursed gloves and an array of special powers, Kao must find his sister, battle “fighting masters”, and destroy the Eternal Warrior.
Such a beautiful and interesting world to look at.
It didn’t wow me.
I’m not a massive fan of this genre, yet I loved Mario 64 and Crash Bandicoot. Disappointingly, Kao the Kangaroo falls short of these titles. With a lack of oomph and flat gameplay, I was desperate for more. Even when new elements were added, they lacked energy and were bland. This was a shame, as its vivid world, interesting ideas, and eclectic characters had the potential to be brilliant.
With basic platforming mechanics and a few unique moments, it is reassuringly familiar. But this is its downfall. It relies too heavily on its foundations and doesn’t evolve enough. Yes, you play with some interesting combat combos, and the use of elemental power to solve problems was intriguing, but it wasn’t enough.
The key mechanic is Kao’s gloves. These cursed mitts can store up to 3 fire, electricity, or ice power elements. They are then used to solve problems and open new paths. However, the lack of difficulty and the easy-to-solve problems undermine their use. Now, I don’t want a brutally tough game, but I don’t want it handed to me on a plate either. Tate Multimedia got the balance horribly wrong, and this was underwhelming.
Kao the Kangaroo looks amazing.
Though the gameplay is lacking, the graphics are fantastic. The sharp and bright imagery makes up for the game’s many shortcomings. What’s more, the variety of locations and interesting characters makes this game stand out. Whether it was a lava-filled pit, an icy hellhole, or a lush jungle, it looked amazing. Consequently, this made the poor gameplay that bit more disappointing.
Another interesting layer was the fun audio. The upbeat music and crazy sound effects create a jovial atmosphere. Furthermore, the acting is amusing even if the dialogue was a little dated. I was impressed by the visuals and audio, however, the rest of it taints the excellent presentation.
So many coins to collect.
Responsive and simply to play.
Like many of its peers, Kao the Kangaroo is exceptionally easy to play. Thanks to its responsive controls and simple layout, you’ll have it mastered immediately. This is helped further by the quick but thorough tutorial. This explains the fundamentals without overcomplicating the matter.
Platform games are renowned for their longevity and replay value. This one oozes both thanks to its collectables, scoring system, achievement list, and secret worlds. Then, there are the runes that open up new areas and progress the story. This element was well-considered and kept you returning for more.
Kao the Kangaroo wasn’t for me.
I know some of you will adore Kao the Kangaroo. Sadly, though, it wasn’t for me. It played on too many genre stereotypes and didn’t evolve enough for my liking. Moreover, its lack of development stagnates the gameplay, and it quickly becomes tiresome. I won’t recommend you play it, but more information can be found here! Undertake a colourful adventure through some interesting landscapes. Learn new abilities, unlock new paths, and defeat the Eternal Warrior.
I don’t hide my love of retro games. But, even I have a limit! In 2014, a Pac-Man compilation was released that made me sigh. Now, there is nothing wrong with the games, per se. However, with no evolution, the action becomes stale very quickly. Consequently, when Pac-Man Museum + landed on my desk, my eyes rolled. Now, I shouldn’t be so dismissive, but I couldn’t help it. Before it was installed, I knew exactly what to expect, and let’s just say, my expectations were met. Yet, I will address it professionally and dissect its pros and cons.
Developed by Now Production and published by Bandai Namco Entertainment, this is a retro compilation of arcade titles. It captures the simple and repetitive nature of the gameplay while remaining competitive and fun. What’s more, like its predecessor, this packs in 14 Pac-Man games from the 80s to the modern era. So, will this ball-loving, fruit-munching, ghost-chasing machine still be relevant? I doubt it, but nostalgia is a strong force!
Welcome to the Pac-Man arcade.
Pac-Man Museum + is familiar with a slight twist.
Though my disdain is obvious, I found plenty to enjoy. The 14 titles span an eclectic range of arcade, console, and handheld games. Subsequently, there is plenty of variety and some lesser-known experiences. You’ll play Pac-man from 1980 up to Pac-Man 256 from 2016. The games in between vary in style and popularity. I admit plenty of these odd titles have passed me by, but each of them was familiar. No matter the aim or genre, the core concept is the same. You must collect the yellow balls, eat fruit, and kill ghosts. Therefore, it is wonderfully retro and slightly kooky.
What I adored was the twist on the action. The game is set within a virtual arcade and every title is a playable machine. Alongside this, you can unlock statues and add decorations to your surroundings. This interesting approach adds some depth to an otherwise well-trodden experience.
Fancy a go on Pac-Man 256?
Playing games, earning coins, and completing missions.
Picking your favourite title from the large list shouldn’t be difficult. However, many of them are locked and inaccessible until you complete certain missions. This could potentially frustrate many gamers and put people off. The reason I say this is that some of the choices are a little lame. Consequently, being forced to play something you’re not interested in is tiresome.
Luckily, though, most of the quests are easy to achieve and unlocking your favourite shouldn’t take too long. What’s more, if you successfully complete a mission, you’ll be awarded coins to spend on each game and many decorations. This was an element I enjoyed, as it gave me something to focus on. Without it, I would have become bored very quickly.
Pac-Man Museum + retains its charm.
Pac-Man Museum + does a great job of retaining its original charm. Furthermore, its central hub adds a unique element and some creative flair. There is also a nice modern touch with each reimagined character. Alongside this, the use of emulators ensures that the gameplay is smooth and trouble-free.
The authenticity continues with the original soundtrack. The upbeat and punchy music will bring a wry smile to your face. Moreover, the shrill noises and loud sounds capture nostalgic moments.
The glory of Pac-Man World Championship 357.
The controls should have been better.
When you are being chased by ghosts, leaping chasms, or evading capture, you want accurate controls. Sadly, Pac-Man Museum + fails abysmally! The controls are clunky, cumbersome, and annoying. Accordingly, you’ll die, scream, and die some more. It’ll make you want to rip your hair out and stop playing. It’s a shame, as it taints a classic experience.
In theory, there is plenty of longevity and replay value if you can stomach the shortcomings. Having played it in short bursts, I can honestly say that was enough. However, if you love the franchise, you’ll lap up its eclectic ways and strange titles.
Pac-Man Museum + wasn’t for me.
Ripping apart such an iconic game is a horrendous feeling. But, sadly, it has had its day in the sun. Subsequently, it should have stayed in the archives. It is with a heavy heart that I can’t recommend you to try it. Though, it is free on Game Pass if you fancy a go. Pac-Man Museum + should have been great, but disappointingly, it falls way short.
Kerbal Space Program Enhanced Edition is a fun game with a hideous port to the PS5 that should make you look elsewhere.
Initially released as a demo in 2011, a beta version followed in 2014 before being officially released in 2015, the space flight simulator is now old news. Any readers who have spent some time on gaming-related websites or the likes of Reddit will be long familiar with it.
Construct a suitable spaceship that is able to launch, carry out contracts to earn funds and avoid failure upon launching before enjoying the missions and tasks post-launch.
Honestly it is the kind of game you’ll know if you like or not by looking at the briefest video online. It’s part space-flight simulator, mixed with elements of management sim alongside some quirky presentation. It’s a brief pitch, but an honest one as the game delivers on it.
With nearly four years between its initial demo and its official release it is no surprise this became such a hit in the end, it targets enough bases and is fun to play. There is an enormous amount of content on offer here, this game will keep you occupied for, not hours but quite comfortably, days.
All night long: this game will keep you occupied for a long time
Well, at least it was fun to play, once I’d reordered my entire set up just to play this game. Now, for context before I really dive into this: I sit between three to four metres away from my 42-inch TV while playing games, I sit against the backboard of my bed, I wear glasses but they’re an up to date subscription.
Why is all of this relevant?
Because I couldn’t read the text. My whole setup is about a year old now, and this is the only game to have prompted this issue. There aren’t any options in the game to change the text size or remotely fix this either, and it’s a text-heavy experience so the zoom function on the console was a necessity.
For context: it’s under accessibility options on the settings menu, but when doing this you literally zoom the screen in, which cuts off another part of the screen so it isn’t even a viable solution.
Distant problems: a kerbal takes on a mission on another planet
There is no real fix here other than to change your setup for playing video games and it’s a very text-heavy game so personally yes, this was a dealbreaker. The biggest thing when considering whether to buy this game has to be to honestly examine your own setup and note whether it will be worth changing to try and find a comfortable alternative.
I was actually pretty stunned to see a game that has this much positive notoriety fall down on such a basic step.
Trying to wrap up this game review is an exercise in driving myself insane. It is a fun game, with a wonderfully quirky approach and it feels like a cocktail of games that my younger self would not have thought possible, but then it was a chore to play.
This should have been a delightful game that I was relishing the chance to review, but it quickly completely fell apart. If I could get past the text being too small then this would very obviously be a great game, but I can’t.
Make no mistake, the core game here is a good one, it is a clearly well-refined game that delivers on hours of content. In theory, this is an enjoyable game but this PS5 version falls at the first hurdle, which hundreds of games over the past year haven’t, it just isn’t forgivable.
