Charm is such a difficult concept to define in a video game. It’s what separates your Undertale from your Gears of War, a pair of games that I might be the first person to ever compare. But, in order to explain why Wishlair is actually good, and not the blocky 80s nightmare released 40 years out of time that it might appear from the screenshots, I’m going to have to pin down this spurious concept of charm, as it’s something that Wishlair oozes like Piers Morgan oozes smarminess.
In Wishlair you control a rectangular hero on a quest to join his presumably equally rectangular father in the realm of Wishlair. On your journey to the long-forgotten kingdom, you’ll collect shards. You’re promised that collecting 1000 of these little glowing gems of mysticism will make your wildest dreams come true.
You use WASD to move around the screen and each screen is a room. You’ll need to explore every room in the Underrealm and beyond to collect 1000 shards and find the fateful entrance to Wishlair, the key to reuniting with your father. The rooms are all rectangular and tessellate perfectly into a grid, with a room on the left, right, top and bottom, as can be seen on the map. But each room only has a couple of doors, meaning you can’t walk from any room to any other. You’ll need to explore and check the map regularly to know where you are and what else you need to explore. The map also tells you how many shards are in each room so you can see which rooms you’ve completed and which you need to go back to. The blocky aesthetic carries through in every aspect of the game, leading to a consistent, unusual (in the 21st century) and reasonably pretty art style: you’re a block, the rooms are blocks, the map is blocks, the enemies are blocks.
Speaking of enemies, there are some. In the Underrealm you’ll face a range of enemies, most notably blocks that the game is adamant are ghosts. They travel randomly around the screen like that ‘DVD-Video’ logo on old DVD players (for the younger audience, a DVD was a shiny inedible doughnut that sometimes showed episodes of Christopher Eccleston’s Doctor Who if you put it in a magic box under the TV). If the ghosts touch you they do damage so you just need to avoid them to continue on your merry way.
Wishlair also has some Metroidvania aspects. You’ll face obstacles you can’t progress past until you’ve retrieved another item. You won’t be able to cross a dark room until you find a candle to illuminate the way for fear of Cthulhus dragging you into the depths from the darkness. You’ll be able to gracelessly skid your way around icy paths like Jayne Torvill after a concussion but until you get some magical boots you won’t be able to fully explore the surface. Pots are blocking several doorways and as you’re no Dark Souls protagonist you won’t be able to roll your way through them, it’ll take you finding a weapon to smash your way to the next room.
There’s a lot of game in this game. For an experience where your only real interactions are movement-based and the visuals are minimal, there’s so much going on. There are NPCs dotted through the Underrealm who have such wonderful personalities that shine through in their very limited dialogue. Almost every mechanic is satisfying to partake in and the “Gotta catch ’em all” feeling of ticking off every shard in every room is addictive enough to encourage you to do one more room every time you think you’ll take a break.
Wishlair is more charming and fun than it has any right to be. It’s the final nail in the coffin that houses the idea that games need to come with 4K, 60fps and ray-tracing to be good when it only takes a grid of rooms in a 1980s visual style to make a genuinely engaging game. With over 100 rooms, items and weapons to collect, enemies to face and a fateful quest to reunite with your father, Wishlair is your key to hours of blocky fun-time.
Telltale Games created some incredible titles before they folded in 2018. This was a sad day for the gaming industry and their absence has left a void that needed filling. They gave the point and click genre fresh impetus and the Walking Dead series was much-loved by fans from an array of backgrounds. When I heard former employees had grouped together and acquired the rights to Sam & Max Season One, I was excited. The group got to work on Sam & Max: Save the World Remastered, and I couldn’t wait to get started.
Developed by Skunkape Games and published by Skunkape Games and Limited Run Games, this is a humorous, inane point-and-click adventure. If you’ve played the original, much of my opening gambit will be wasted. However, for new fans, you’ll need to buckle up, as you are about to receive a brief history lesson.
Sam & Max: Save the World bridges generations.
The crime-fighting duo started life as comic book heroes and their popularity demanded the creation of TV shows and multiple computer games. The witty text, grimy drama, and loveable characters bridged generations, and it was one franchise that could be loved by the whole family. The crass humour was often overlooked by younger fans, and this allowed adults to fall for its childish and borderline inappropriate charms.
Sam and Max are freelance police officers who solve bizarre crimes that would otherwise be overlooked. The good cop, bad cop routine is ingrained in their personalities and the pair use this to their advantage. Sam is a large, suit-wearing dog who is polite but straight-talking. Max is a “wired” rabbit-like creature who speaks first and thinks later. As a team, they search a variety of locations while asking probing questions. They are not afraid to push the envelope and get the job done.
Shoot first and ask questions later.
Excellent point and click mechanics and a great story.
With such fine pedigree behind the original game, the remaster was always going to be good. I loved the point and click mechanics used in Sam & Max: Save the World, and I never tired of searching each location. Handy labels are used to highlight interactive objects, and this helps to push the story forward. What was agreeable was the lack of hand-holding! The information was available, so nothing was missed, but no clues were given. This created a challenging title that sparks those detective brain cells whilst making you chuckle.
If a dog and rabbit detective partnership wasn’t absurd enough, then consider the plot that unravels. Helpless humans are committing crimes while appearing brain dead. These individuals spout mindless rhetoric about a fantastic leader who has your wellbeing in mind. The crime-fighting duo won’t stand for this sort of shenanigans in their town, and they quickly take on the case.
The story is ridiculous, but your sides will hurt from repeatedly laughing at the witty and well-written dialogue. The blend of characters and strange landscapes will entertain old and new players alike. Fans of the genre will be glued to the wonderful plot and the twists and turns that arise during each of the six chapters.
Organised chaos.
Sam & Max: Save the World has polished looks, sharper audio and necessary but poorly executed changes.
Much of the original humour and dialogue was close to the bone and in poor taste. This is no more apparent than when a white actor played the part of the black shopkeep. Understandably, this isn’t appropriate for modern entertainment and the developers rectified the issues. The remaster tweaked lines and jokes while using actors from the correct ethnic backgrounds. This was a great move, though, sadly, some of the dialogue wasn’t proofread, and this lead to confusing conversations. This was disappointing and gave the final presentation a half-assed finish.
Graphically, there are obvious improvements while retaining the original charm. The characters are more vivid and the landscapes are crisper. It was a pleasure to relive the game with a modern polish, and I thoroughly enjoyed the developers’ effort.
The modern touch was nicely complemented with the excellent acting. The perfectly delivered lines will have you chuckling as you question every NPC you encounter. The humour varies from subtle digs, to obvious in your face one-liners. So, no matter what tickles you, you’ll laugh repeatedly at the blend of dry and outright stupid jokes.
A visit to the moon, why not!
Designed with console gamers in mind.
Many point and click games are frustrating to play with a controller. Fortunately, Sam & Max: Save the World runs brilliantly on console. This is thanks to the smooth and responsive movement and the well-labelled interactive objects. You’ll enjoy exploring every area as finding the clues and solving the mystery is fun and easy to achieve.
As with most linear titles, the replay value is reduced. Sadly, this one is no different because the story doesn’t alter. There is no NG+ mode to change the plot, and once you’ve seen each of the six chapters, there is little to make you return. Fortunately, however, the first playthrough is enjoyable and well worth playing, even if you’ve experienced the original title.
Sam & Max: Save the World Remastered has you laughing from start to finish.
It’s rare that a game makes me laugh this much, but Sam & Max: Save the World is humourous throughout. The modernisation was well-considered, mostly, but I was disappointed with the lack of proofreading and the disjointed nature of some conversations. Overall, it’s a great success, though, and I recommend you to buy it here! Can you help Sam & Max solve this bizarre crime? Search for clues, interrogate civilians, and become the heroes.
Some of the best and most popular games rely on the simplest concepts. However, don’t confuse simplicity with a lack of difficulty. No, that would be foolish as they push you to test your concentration levels, balance, poise, and patience. Spatial puzzles and physics-based games do just that, and one such title that’ll test your ability to stay cool under pressure is Orbibot.
Developed by PS Games and published by Ratalaika Games, this is a testing puzzle title. You control a spherical robot that must roll around 3D levels, activating switches while moving barrels, boxes, and balls. The stages require accuracy, logical thinking, and a whole lot of luck to complete.
Allow the tube to do the work.
Orbibot punishes rash actions.
As with most great puzzle titles, Orbibot starts tantalisingly easy and quickly gets considerably tougher. The world’s you explore combine an array of obstacles, traps, and switches that must be overcome and activated. You’ll roll through tubes, leap gaps, dodge flames, and are shot through the air as you attempt to reach the teleporter.
Any sudden or jerky movements are punished as you fall to guaranteed death. Its harsh and no thrills mechanics makes it addictive to play, and you’ll desperately want to complete each level. The real kicker is how simple each stage appears. You can compile a full plan to overcome all the obstacles, yet you’ll fail repeatedly! This brutality makes it moreish and reminded me of the attraction surrounding early arcade games.
Stack the barrels and create a bridge.
Complex levels and tricky pathways.
The 3D worlds expand to cover multiple levels and large spaces. You must send balls rolling across the map via tubes and rails to activate switches. You’ll race them to avoid fire and blasts of air. If you cannot time your run correctly, your robotic ball will soar through the sky and you’ll lose your progress.
This quickly becomes hectic as you juggle multiple tasks at once. Boxes must be moved, balls need to roll, and crates pushed out of the way. It’s an absolute nightmare and causes you to scream, throw your controller, and vow never to play again! However, you won’t let it defeat you. After all, you are only moving a ball from A to B, so how difficult can that be?
Orbibot is well polished and nice to look at.
Orbibot has a basic concept, but this doesn’t stop it from excelling in other categories. Its presentation is fantastic, and I loved what I saw! The smooth gameplay and polished graphics make this a treat for the eyes. The accessible action is supported by the free-roaming camera as it allows you to pan and zoom to your heart’s content. You’ll admire the cold sterile environment of the ever-expanding mazes, and the grey colour palette combined with vivid tones highlights the robotic and electronic theme.
Many of Orbibot’s elements remain the same throughout! The levels expand, but all have similarities, and this also applies to the core concepts. However, the audio didn’t read the script and treats you to an eclectic array of songs. The game ranges from calm piano music to heavy and aggressive tones and takes you on an emotional roller-coaster. This bizarre music choice was fantastic, and it helped to smooth out the many frustrations you’ll experience. You’ll also love the classic robotic noises of your ball as you smash into the scenery. It’ll make you chuckle as it shrieks and bleeps its way around the map.
Moving platforms require a delicate approach.
Excellent controls and weird plastic cats.
Whenever a game uses physics-based mechanics, I shudder! Dragging myself around levels angers me and usually, the controls suffer. Luckily, however, I loved how the game played! Rolling and panning the camera was smooth and easy to achieve. You’ll navigate the maps like a pro in no time, which nicely levels out the difficulty curve. Its fluid gameplay was a pleasure to experience, mostly, but there was one minor issue. If you use a bird’s-eye camera angle, the ball moves slowly and with little finesse. It was strange and needs to be addressed as it removes some of the final polish.
The game comprises a few levels and no additional modes. This was a missed opportunity from the developers to increase the game’s longevity. If there was an NG+ mode or time trials to promote speedrunning were implemented, this would have made it more addictive, still. Never fear, though, as you can collect random plastic cats on each stage! This was extremely bizarre, had no relevance to the main concept, and seemed out of place. However, I wasn’t leaving a plastic kitty behind and I collected them all.
Orbibot offers few surprises, but it’s enjoyable, nonetheless.
Sticking to tried and tested mechanics guarantees a solid game, but it sacrifices its originality along the way. Orbibot offers few surprises, but its strong concept is enjoyable, nonetheless. It’s short and sweet and I recommend you to buy it here! Help the robot get to the teleporter. Shove boxes, move balls, and avoid traps as you clear each maze-like level.
As someone who loves typing, I honestly can’t remember the last time I played a game whose mechanics revolved around typing. The only game that I can think of right now that is somewhat similar to this is Cook, Serve, Delicious!, but I don’t think that even fully fits the criteria. In any case, that’s what Nanotale – Typing Chronicles is. This is an adventure game with plenty of exploration, combat, and a fair amount of puzzle-solving, in which the player interacts with the world by typing specific keywords that pop up on the screen.
The story follows Rosalind, a newly appointed Archivist, who accidentally sets out on their own and finds herself in a race against time to cleanse the world of corruption. You’ll travel across the world, liberating the lands of corruption, and freeing its people in the process. There isn’t really that much to Nanotale in terms of environmental storytelling, but there’s a hefty amount of beautifully voice-acted lines in the game. This was definitely a highlight of the game for me, as Rosalind enthusiastically explains her findings and records them in her trusty notebook.
As an archivist, your job is to record everything you find about new species of fauna and flora, as well as remnants from the Old World. Furthermore, not only you’re a witty archivist, but you’re also gifted with magic powers, which you’ll learn more about as you make your way through the world. Given this premise, the typing mechanic does fit in in this context, and it’s from here that the gameplay really takes off.
As you explore the various regions that comprise Nanotale’s world, you can whip out your notebook at any time. By doing so, you’re able to see anything that you may interact with by typing a specific keyword on your keyboard. It’s as easy as it sounds, there isn’t really anything to learn about the game in that aspect. It’s pretty straightforward. By interacting with plants and critters this way, you’ll slowly learn more about them, until you eventually unlock your final notes about them, which Rosalind graciously narrates.
Likewise, combat, which there’s plenty of, also plays out that way. When you see an enemy, all you have to do to defeat them is pull out your notebook and start typing whatever words hover above their heads. Now, where things get interesting is when you need to start using specific spells to both defeat enemies and overcome environmental obstacles and puzzles.
As you progress through the game, it gradually introduces you to new elemental spells and spells modifiers. Just when things can start to feel repetitive, the game introduces a new spell or something new that you can interact with. Therefore, it manages to keep things fresh.
Although most of the gameplay revolves around fending off waves of enemies in enclosed arenas, there’s also a fair amount of puzzle-solving. With that being said, puzzles in Nanotale are pretty basic, usually involving the use of spells and environment items to produce certain effects in the levels. For instance, you’ll have to irrigate some areas to grow grass, so that you can then use it as a path through which you’ll direct fire to an obstacle that you need to burn. As someone who barely plays any puzzle games, I found Nanotale to be pretty intuitive in this aspect. I was always able to quickly figure out the solution.
Even though Nanotale is pretty linear, the game does have some optional quests that you can accomplish. These side-quests grant you a glimpse of Nanotale’s world and are pretty enjoyable, but I found the main storyline to be too predictable and direct, without providing any exciting moments or twists.
Now, although I didn’t experience any major bugs during my playthrough, I did get myself stuck in some random spots a few times. It seems that the game has some collision issues. Usually, the game would fix itself by slowly sliding you into position, but it certainly is annoying when it happens. There were also a few times where a sound effect would get stuck on repeat, and the only way to fix it would be to go back to the main menu.
It took me roughly 7 hours to reach the end of the game, and that honestly felt right to me. I didn’t really feel like the game was stretching itself, but I think it would be hard to keep things just as engaging if the game was much longer than it is. Nanotale also strikes a neat balance when it comes to difficulty, with the game getting progressively more challenging as you get closer to the end. With that being said, the last fight of the game felt needlessly long, but that’s a one-off. Also, if you’re really into typing and the combat, there’s also an arena mode where you just fight enemy waves for as long as you can.
Overall, Nanotale is a decent game for what it is. It isn’t bad, but I also wouldn’t call it a great one. If you enjoy typing and you’re looking for a relatively short game, then this might fit the bill. However, if you’re looking for a captivating storyline, engaging puzzles or addicting gameplay, then I’m afraid you won’t find that here.
Deep Silver and Volition have announced that Saints Row , an absolute reboot of the bestseller franchise whose eponymous game is due to be released worldwide on February 25, 2022 : Players should get ready to shake the foundations of a larger-than-life criminal world that all satisfies their secret preferences. With a little luck, they will become self-made crime bosses and take power in the city. Now is the time to get the party started!
The highly anticipated Saints Row was live during the Gamescom Opening Night(ONL) unveiled with an exciting, official CGI announcement trailer featuring the game on Xbox One and Xbox Series X | S, , PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5 as well as in the Epic Games Store for PC.
The Saints Row recipe for action, crime, and humor remains a strong and relevant concept; it’s a game that will delight existing fans and new players, and developer Deep Silver Volition is back at the helm of the franchise they love.
” This complete restart is the most fun and exhilarating experience we’ve ever wrapped in a Saints Row experience, ” said Jim Boone, chief creative officer, Volition. ” The iconic new location offers so many exciting ways to delight players – whether they’re long-time fans of the series or they’re new to the show .”
“Saints Row is one of the most popular and highly acclaimed game series and this is the reboot we’ve all been waiting for, “added Paul Nicholls, Global Brand & Marketing Director at Deep Silver.” We are excited about Volition’s bold new vision and can’t wait to get this new Saints Row into the hands of gamers in 2022. “
More information on Saints Row are on the website available in the game. News and updates will also be on Twitter and Instagram(@SaintsRow) and announced on Facebook .
Watch the Far Cry 6 Official Story Trailer. Discover the story of Yaran Dictator Antón Castillo (Giancarlo Esposito) and the modern guerrillas rising up against him. A revolution is not won by the fearless – it is won by the feared.
Welcome to Libertad. Far Cry 6 will be available 7th October 2021 on Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Ubisoft Connect, Ubisoft+, Epic Games and Stadia.
Pre-order now at: https://farcry.com/buy Pre-order now and get access to the Libertad Pack which includes the “Libertad Outfit” for your loyal Chorizo and the state-of-the-art “Discos Locos”, a weaponised disc launcher that will make your enemies dance on their own graves.
Mankind loves to decimate natural beauty, and green and pleasant landscapes are turned grey overnight! It’s heartbreaking and shames humanity, yet nature sometimes fights back, and beauty and wonderment come from disaster. Pripyat near Chernobyl shows how resilient our planet can be when given a chance. The apocalyptic event of the nuclear powerplant disaster killed and maimed thousands, and the area was declared deadly and was evacuated soon after. However, this vacant space allowed wildlife to flourish, and plants, trees, and animals roam in this long-abandoned city. Cloud Gardens uses this juxtaposed idea to discover that beauty is found in the most desolate of places.
Developed by Thomas van den Berg and published by Noio, this is a Lo-Fi puzzle title. Set in cold and dank environments, you are charged with bringing beauty and life to the world. You plant a variety of flowers on long-abandoned structures and help them flourish.
Cloud Gardens turns nightmare worlds into a thing of beauty.
Set across six worlds, you must use existing buildings and decaying waste to support and grow beautiful plants. The premise is strange but captivating, and you’ll love the simplicity and challenge that each level brings. With a logical approach and some loose planning, you’ll build wonderful bright spaces while advancing through the stages.
The brilliance of the main mode is found in the choice of plants on offer, and you’ll learn that each seed benefits from specific structures. You’ll choose whether to grow sprawling climbers, compact flowering bushes, and more, with the surrounding buildings in mind. The negative, however, is if you cannot select the ideal environment, your plants’ wilt and the stage is failed.
Allow nature to reclaim the land.
Junk and waste are all you need.
Normally, vegetation requires nutrients and sunlight to grow, however, Cloud Gardens enhances its surreal state by asking you to use waste products instead. You’ll place tyres, cars, street signs, trolleys, and more to power the growth of your fauna. It was weird but supported the theme in an odd and heartless way. Generating chaos to create beauty was strange, but it added to the logical puzzle elements.
As your plant’s blossom, they bear fruits and seeds that can be harvested. These are used to increase your garden and to cover different structures. You are free to select any unlocked seeds you’ve found, which increases each stage’s complexity. You must analyse the unused space and plant the correct species to be successful.
This created head-scratching moments as you searched for each solution. Small mistakes have mighty consequences, so you must think before you act.
From cold and heartless to vivid and full of life.
Cloud Gardens utilises a minimalistic approach.
The broken and abandoned environments are strangely beautiful, and the post-apocalyptic scenes are shown through a minimalist approach. The use of Lo-Fi imagery captures the game’s simplicity and enhances the beauty created when the plants grow and flourish. I adored the cold harsh reality of the industrial world and the vivid colours that brightened the dull sterile landscape. Each small stage was easy to manage, and navigating them was straightforward thanks to the free-flowing camera angle. The camera panned and zoomed freely, allowing you to inspect the action from all angles.
The bleakness of the gameplay was at odds with the heavenly and airy soundtrack. This uplifting music was calming and enjoyable to listen to but didn’t match the grey and bland terrain. I would have liked a reactive soundtrack that responded to the success of your problem-solving. This would have matched any in-game success and would have added variety to the action.
A small and lonesome place.
A clear UI makes it easy to play.
The clear and well laid out UI makes learning the basics enjoyable. The difficulty increases across the six chapters, but you’ll understand exactly what is required of you. With smooth controls and a simple button layout, I found little to complain about.
Thanks to its large campaign mode, you’ll be entertained for hours and you won’t want to put it down. A creative sandbox mode also allows you to create the perfect combination of greenery and industrial structures. Extra elements are unlocked the further you progress, and this made sure you kept playing. The small achievement list isn’t demanding, but it requires a considerable amount of grind and time. Completing this may be tiresome and will be reserved for hardcore completionists only.
Cloud Gardens finds beauty in the strangest of places.
Watching life bloom before your eyes is a fantastic experience and Cloud Gardens has captured it beautifully. Thanks to its interesting puzzles and testing logic-based mechanics, this slow-paced title will fill you with a warm and fuzzy feeling. I loved it and recommend you to buy it here! A post-apocalyptic world is cold and harsh, however, you’ll find beauty and colour in the strangest of places.
The review in video form with gameplay captured on my Xbox Series X, enjoy!
In news that was honestly expected by all PlayStation fans, it has been announced that Horizon Forbidden West will now be releasing on the 18th February 2022 with pre-orders to go live on September 2nd 2021:
For owners of Horizon Zero Dawn and Horizon Zero Dawn: Complete Edition a surprise patch that allows the games to run at 60 frames-per-second on PlayStation 5. It will still be running the game in backwards compatibility, but update 1.53 enables the feature and can be downloaded right now.
There was no new trailer with gameplay so just this news, we can probably expect to see more later this year perhaps but this does leave a very massive hole in the PlayStation release schedule for the rest of 2021, with only the Death Stranding: Director’s Cut Edition, Deathloop and Kena: Bridge of Spirits all releasing in September, the release schedule for Sony Studio exclusives to round out 2021 is rather seriously lacking.
The wait for this LEGO title is almost as long as the Saga itself with a good few delays being reported before no news at all. But during the ONL Gamescom Stream we finally got an update on its release as well as a new trailer, which is the good news.
The bad news is that we still do not have a fixed release date but a new release window of early 2022 to experience a galaxy far, far away like never before.
LEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga features the biggest roster of playable characters in the LEGO Star Wars series and players will engage in new ways of combat as they wield lightsabers, fire blasters, and chain different attacks with the greatest legends from every era of the Skywalker saga. Players can fight against the forces of evil as favourite characters such as Luke Skywalker, Rey, Obi-Wan Kenobi, Finn, BB-8 and a legion of other heroes. The greatest space and land vehicles are also available to command. Players can jump to lightspeed in the Millennium Falcon to outrun Imperial starships, battle First Order TIE fighters in Resistance X-wings, or podrace on Tatooine. Players will be able to travel through hyperspace and explore planets that can be unlocked during their adventures. From the jungle moon of Ajan Kloss to the vibrant, city-covered planet Coruscant, the LEGO Star Wars galaxy is yours to discover and play in.
The moment HALO fans have been waiting for has finally arrived as during the ONL Gamescom Stream, it was announced that HALO Infinite will launch on December 8th 2021:
Commander Agryna knows firsthand the difference a Spartan can make—a difference never more important than now. Humanity’s forces are scattered. Desperate resistance efforts have continued to fall short on multiple fronts, from Cortana’s relentless martial law to the expanding power and ambition of Atriox and the Banished. But there is hope: a new generation of Spartans, training in secret to become unstoppable. In this cinematic introduction to Season 1 of Halo Infinite Multiplayer, get a glimpse into the Academy Commander’s own heroic journey and what it truly means to be a Spartan.
Not only that but the very first Custom Design Xbox Series X console bundle was announced as the incredible 20th Anniversary HALO Infinite Xbox Series X as well as a very beautiful HALO Infinite: Master Chief inspired Custom Elite Series 2 controller:
Celebrate Halo’s 20th anniversary and confront the most ruthless foe the Master Chief has ever faced with Xbox Series X – Halo Infinite Limited Edition Bundle.
Step inside the armour of humanity’s greatest hero with the Xbox Elite Wireless Controller Series 2 – Halo Infinite Limited Edition.
Both are available to pre-order from today and I will say that demand is going to be extremely high for both. Finally having a release date for HALO Infinite does take away some of the sting about it launching without campaign Co-Op at launch as well as Forge, both 3 months and 6 months post launch respectively.
But now the run to HALO Infinite has begun and I love the look of the custom Series X but as a HALO Fanboy, dear god I really, really love the Master Chief Elite Series 2 Controller!
For more information check out Xbox Wire, the official news site for all things Xbox!
ININ Games together with Raw Fury are looking forward to the upcoming release of Star Renegades as boxed versions for Nintendo Switch and PlayStation 4! The rogue-lite strategy RPG – created by the masterminds and makers of Halycon 6: Starbase Commander at developer studio Massive Damage – will be available from Friday, August 27th in North America and Europe.
Resist. Reclaim. Revive. Repeat.
Join the rebellion and lead a ragtag rebel squad to fight against The Imperium – a merciless adversary in fast-paced, tactical turn-based interplanetary battles. Unlock, trade and upgrade the rebels with tons of weapons, loot, and gear – but beware! Your enemies won’t go easy on you. Will you be able to save the universe?
Star Renegades features:
Fast-paced tactical turn-based timeline battle system
Hauntingly beautiful landscapes and ruins
Pretty pixel art style
Procedurally generated dungeons
Unique enemies and bosses
Epic synth-wave compositions and excellent sound design
In addition to the retail versions, there are two premium limited editions available for pre-order, exclusively at the Strictly Limited Games Partner Store.
The Limited Edition comes individually numbered and includes a manual. The Collector’s Edition comes in a special box including a modular diorama, a beautiful artbook, the superior soundtrack and a lot more. Visit the Partner Store for more information!
To celebrate the release of A Quiet Place Part II, we have a prize bundle set to give away.
To celebrate the home entertainment release of A Quiet Place Part II, written and directed by John Krasinski and starring Emily Blunt and Cillian Murphy, we’re giving away an A Quiet Place Part II prize bundle to one lucky winner!
Hailed by critics and audiences alike and Certified Fresh by Rotten Tomatoes®, John Krasinski’s A Quiet Place: Part II is available on digital to Download & Keep now and on 4K Ultra HD+Blu-ray™, Blu-ray™ and DVD on the 30th August from Paramount Home Entertainment.
The release also boasts exclusive special features that take viewers deeper into the world originated in the global smash hit A Quiet Place. Following the deadly events at home, the Abbott family (Emily Blunt, Millicent Simmonds, Noah Jupe) must now face the terrors of the outside world as they continue their fight for survival in silence. Forced to venture into the unknown, they quickly realise that the creatures that hunt by sound are not the only threats that lurk beyond the sand path.
How to enter to win
For a chance to own the highly rated thriller on Blu-ray™, along with an assortment of film merchandise, including an A Quiet Place Part II T-shirt, mug and survival kit, enter below:
I love it when I stumble upon an indie game created by a small team. These intimate projects are normally unique and small endeavours that explore some bizarre concepts. Alveole comes from a tiny two-person team and delivers a minimalistic experience.
Developed by Emil Ismaylov and Denis Petrov and published by Sometimes You, this is a basic puzzle title. Conceived during a two-day hackathon, the theme was “cage” and the pair didn’t want to take this literally. They created a metaphorical image to represent their thoughts. A simple game was generated where one mechanic was used! The repetitive nature highlights the feeling of being trapped and thus they stay true to their theme.
Focus your mind and aim for the win!
Alveole uses deja vu to hammer home its concept.
When a game explores the same mechanic repeatedly, you expect it to go somewhere. Alveole doesn’t, and this deja vu feeling serves to hammer home its concept. The game revolves around a man on a hamster wheel who must run until he’s exhausted. His only goal is to jump over a spike that appears randomly. If you fail, you’ll stumble, but will continue to run (you don’t get to escape your fate that easily).
This is the basis of the game, a continual treadmill that you can’t get off! You are trapped in this perpetual loop until you understand the cryptic clues before you. You guess their meaning as you stumble and jump your way to each solution. Perfection, failure, finishing, returning, and more must be achieved. It’s undeniably weird, and it took a while to understand what was happening. I expected more, but somehow I was hooked and determined to unravel the hidden meaning.
Can you unravel the clues?
It won’t be for everyone!
The artsy concept and odd nature of Alveole played on my mind. I don’t know what I’ve experienced, and I’m not sure I even liked it. I struggled to grasp its meaning but couldn’t put it down. Repeatedly leaping the spikes sent me a little insane, and I felt trapped inside a game that gave minimal hints.
The limited gameplay and unusual premise won’t be for everyone! On console, the following will be niche even amongst the puzzle genres hardcore fan base. With a minor amount of logical thinking, and mainly trial and error leading the way, it’s more of an experiment than a puzzle, per se. This will limit its appeal and stunt the recognition this odd title deserves.
Alveole uses minimalist imagery and a monochromatic palette.
I may not have fully understood the concept, but the presentation resonated with me. The simple monochromatic colour palette was as striking as the sharp lines and basic imagery. A large wheel sits in the middle of an almost empty room. Visual clues are dotted around the screen that disappear as you solve each mystery. The protagonist is an outline of a man who moves smoothly within his rolling prison. The game lacks complexity, and what you see is what you get. I loved its straightforward approach, and it proves that less is more.
The feeling of deja vu is also apparent in the repetitive audio. The lethargic piano music creates a serene atmosphere that’s calming and pleasant. The constant loop of one track was, however, tedious, but it emphasised the theme perfectly.
How on earth do you unlock this?
Jump, stumble, jump, jump……
Unsurprisingly, Alveole is easy to play! You focus on timing your jump, and that’s it. The game revolves around the pressing of one button, so its simplicity, personified. The challenge arises from working out the cryptic clues and not the control method.
Sadly, the game’s definitive style ensures that the replay value is kept to a minimum. Once you solve each clue, there is nothing else to do, and this limits the gameplay. Fortunately, it’s inexpensive and if the premise intrigues you, it will be an enjoyable couple of hours.
Alveole is a strange artistic experiment.
The idea of being trapped on a treadmill repeating the same task is a daunting prospect. Yet, Alveole has constructed its whole premise around this simple concept. It’s a strange artistic experiment that won’t appeal to everyone, but I enjoyed unravelling the clues. It’s weird, but I liked it and recommend you to buy it here! No one wants to feel trapped, so unravel the clues and escape your mundane existence.
Boy the time is just flying past in 2021 as I swear the last time I looked we were in E3 mode and now here we are at the end of August 2021 ready for another Gamescom 2021 which again is digital due to the ongoing Pandemic and COVID. Now the E3 Xbox Showcase was just incredible but we have been told by top Xbox peeps like Aaron Greenberg not to expect any big reveals or new information from tonight’s 90minute show but you never know, I do feel if any surprises are to come then they will be Xbox Game Pass Ultimate news and additions.
But here we are, below you will find all the news and trailers as it happened during the stream and my final thoughts afterwards:
Dying Light 2: Stay Human – New Gameplay Trailer
Villedor was one of the first few places where the infection started. Walls surrounding the city were supposed to lock the danger inside, now, they protect from what’s out there. Check out the brand new gameplay trailer for Dying Light 2: Stay Human
MS Flight Simulator: Spotlight with Jorg Neumann, Head of MS Flight Simulator, mentioning the Top Gun content but no details as the film itself has not released, but did talk about the monthly updates schedule that will still continue for the game on PC and Xbox Series X and S consoles and we also got some new trailers for content to come including Air Races which brings competitive MP to Flight Simulator:
COMING SOON! Microsoft Flight Simulator is partnering with the Reno Air Racing Association to bring the famous STIHL National Championship Air Races, the world’s fastest motorsport, to the sim! The Reno Air Races represent the first major expansion for Microsoft Flight Simulator.
Humble Games coming to Xbox Game Pass Trailer
Humble Games is excited to announce that these indie games are available to play day one on PC, console, and cloud with Xbox Game Pass: Archvale, Bushiden, Chinatown Detective Agency, Dodgeball Academia, Flynn: Son of Crimson, Midnight Fight Express, Next Space Rebels, Signalis, Unpacking, and Unsighted. Learn more at humblegames.com
In to the Pit – Gamescom Trailer (Day One Game Pass)
A fast-paced retro-FPS roguelite! As a member of a family of lore-hunting mystics you are summoned to a cursed village, drawn by rumors of a demonic portal. Dark magics have overwhelmed the village, It’s up to you to rescue the survivors, grow your powers, and journey forth INTO THE PIT.
Age of Empires IV – Sit Down chat with Adam Isgreen, Creative Director and a new gameplay trailer
Play Age of Empires IV day one with Xbox Game Pass for PC on October 28, 2021. The pages of history are filled with defining moments. What will yours be? One of the most beloved real-time strategy games returns to glory with Age of Empires IV on Xbox Game Pass for PC, Windows Store, and Steam, putting you at the center of epic historical battles that shaped the world. Featuring both familiar and innovative new ways to expand your empire in vast landscapes with stunning 4K visual fidelity, Age of Empires IV brings an evolved real-time strategy game to a new generation.
Xbox Cloud Gaming for Xbox Console – Coming Holiday 2021
Play right from the cloud on your console with Xbox Game Pass Ultimate. Join friends faster, easily discover new games without waiting for downloads, and experience next gen games on Xbox One.* Xbox Cloud Gaming coming to Xbox Series X|S and Xbox One holiday 2021. *Supported games only. Game features and availability will vary by console. Occasional wait times may occur.
Wasteland 3: The Cult of the Holy Detonation Trailer
Wasteland 3: Cult of the Holy Detonation Cult of the Holy Detonation expands the Wasteland 3 experience with entry into the Cheyenne Mountain complex, crammed with new characters, enemies, challenging combat encounters, and powerful new weapons and armor. Your squad of Rangers will be tested like never before in objective-based encounters that put a creative spin on the already deeply tactical turn-based combat. As they face overwhelming odds, the Rangers will need to shut down reactors, clear ventilation systems, and engage defensive countermeasures to stem an unending tide of dangerous mutants and machines within the dilapidated military bunker.
Sea of Thieves: Borderlands Crossover
Explosion noise here! Fans of death, explosions, quality workmanship and explosions can sail the seas with some Pandorian panache thanks to the Mayhem Ship Set, available to earn now in Sea of Thieves. Pirates and bandits alike can earn this sunny symbol of chaos by accruing enough Favour in the Making Mayhem Event before 10am BST Sept 7th 2021.
State of Decay 2: Homecoming Trailer
The original Trumbull Valley map is coming to State of Decay 2: Juggernaut Edition. Available September 1st in the Homecoming update.
Stray Blade: Gamescom Trailer
Prove yourself in this action RPG and master intense combat while exploring the ancient ruins of a mysterious civilization. Legends tell of Acrea the Lost Valley, a wild and overgrown place but unmistakably powerful. You found this forgotten land yet died. Time passes, and miraculously you are brought back to life. The price you pay: You are bound to this land.
Crusader Kings III: Gamescom Trailer
Paradox Interactive’s hit grand strategy role playing game Crusader Kings III is coming to Xbox for the first time in franchise history. Paradox will bring the majesty and intrigue of medieval court politics to an entirely new audience on Xbox Series X|S. Coming Soon!
Psychonauts 2: Launch Trailer
Play Psychonauts 2 from August 25th With Xbox Game Pass! https://www.xbox.com/games/psychonauts-2 Combining quirky missions and mysterious conspiracies, Psychonauts 2 is a platform-adventure game with cinematic style and tons of customizable psychic powers. Psychonauts 2 serves up danger, excitement, and laughs in equal measure as players guide Raz on a journey through the minds of friends and foes on a quest to defeat a murderous psychic villain. Optimized for Xbox Series X|S
The Gunk: Gameplay Gamescom Trailer
Get a first look at The Gunk gameplay – A new Xbox exclusive from the makers of SteamWorld. Hits day one on Game Pass for Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, and Windows PC December 2021.
Forza Horizon 5: Custom Xbox Wireless Controller
Grab the Xbox Wireless Controller – Forza Horizon 5 Limited Edition for the ultimate Horizon adventure, featuring racing inspired custom grips and a first-ever transparent yellow finish.
Forza Horizon 5: Cover Art Reveal
Introducing the cover cars of Forza Horizon 5, the Mercedes-AMG ONE and the 2021 Ford Bronco Badlands. Whether in the Mercedes-AMG One with its Formula 1 hybrid technology or the rugged, off-roading experience of the 2021 Ford Bronco Badlands, we wanted to bring diverse vehicles to the game to take advantage of what the beautiful land of Mexico has to offer.
Forza Horizon 5: 8 Minutes of New Gameplay
Presenting the first eight minutes of Forza Horizon 5, exploring our expansive version of Mexico. Featuring Forza Horizon 5’s cover cars, the Mercedes-AMG ONE and the 2021 Ford Bronco Badlands, and landscapes such as the active, snow-capped Gran Caldera volcano, a dust storm in the Mexican farmland, and dense jungle tree canopy. Forza Horizon 5 is available November 9 on Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PC on Windows and Steam, and Xbox Game Pass including console, PC and Cloud Gaming (Beta).
and that is a wrap…..
…. My Thoughts
Just as Aaron Greenberg said in his tweets and in the preshow intro, there was nothing massive or huge revealed in this show. Other than updating on the titles coming to Game Pass and Xbox for the rest of the year, the only real big focus was on Forza Horizon 5 with the ending dedicated to it before handing over to their very own showcase stream right as this show ended and boy does it look amazing, also really like the Custom Controller which can be pre-ordered now.
Xbox Cloud Gaming coming to Xbox One and Xbox Series Consoles for December this year will please many who have been unable to secure Xbox’s New Generation of consoles which will please many. This was a fairly low-key, slow paced showcase which was expected but the biggest surprise to me was still no release date for HALO Infinite, which considering the backlash from the news of no Co-Op campaign until 3 months after launch and no Forge until 6 months post launch, maybe they chose to just let HALO news rest before revealing anything else but it was disappointing none the less.
So yeah, rather lacklustre but a solid show that did exactly what Xbox said it would do just without any bells and whistles yet Xbox is still in a very healthy place right now for fans with Xbox Game Pass fuelling gaming on Xbox brand for months and maybe years to come!
