Review: Imagine Earth

Daniel Waite
-
0
Review: Imagine Earth

Mankind is the most destructive species on the planet. We have a beautiful home to live in with enough resources to sustain us, yet our greed and selfishness demand that we want more. Bigger, more powerful cars, faster aeroplanes, and advanced technology to take us into the stars. However, this way of life comes at a cost and our planet is slowly dying. What would you do if you could start again? You’d get to pick your planet, choose how you wish to run it, and make everyone happy. But there is a catch! Money has to be made because you know that nothing in life comes for free. This is the principle of Imagine Earth, a colony simulation title that allows you to create a beautiful planet and forget about the mess known as Earth.

Developed and published by Serious Bros, this is a resource management simulation title that is out of this world. The allure of creating a paradise world is tough for anyone to turn down, so why not take the job? You control every aspect of your company’s planetary expansion program and you handle the health and wellbeing of every citizen that now calls it home. With an array of mechanics to master and a balanced learning curve, you will be up and running in no time.

He’s helpful, but he looks super creepy!

Imagine Earth is a bittersweet game that delivers some home truths.

Many of the points made in Imagine Earth are poignant and hammer home the mistakes that mankind has made across the years. Pollution, destruction of habitats, and a desire to become wealthy are key components of each stage you play. It’s a bittersweet moment when you get the balance right and your colonists are happy, healthy, and your bank balance grows.

The game is split across three categories, Campaign, Competition, or Endless Mode. The Campaign comprises nine planets for you to colonise, each has its challenges and unique opponents for you to defeat. The game has a fine balance between progress and environmental damage and you must weigh up your choices to ensure that your people prosper. The Competition option has you facing off against your competitors in a winner takes all scenario. The victor is the corporation who takes the most points, befriend your opponents or buy them out. Either way, be shrewd, move fast, and monopolise the planet. The last choice is Endless mode, which offers limitless gameplay with no end objective. Choose your homeland, design each city, and turn a profit.

Science, planning, and expansion.

What makes Imagine Earth so great is the simplicity of its approach, but the complexities of its mechanics. On a base level, the gameplay revolves around placing structures that grow and support each city. The aim is to bring many people to each planet while ticking off objectives as you go. You’ll mine certain resources, sell some rare minerals or provide the corporation with materials for another planet. Each task is intrinsically linked, and your progress on one mission supports the next you take on. This can be seen in the in-depth research tree that enables you to build bigger and greener structures. Whether it’s larger farms, environmentally friendly energy production, or improved housing, science is the key to a better future.

Would you like to live next to a pig farm, or a belching, bellowing coal power plant? I know I wouldn’t, and your new inhabitants don’t appreciate it either. Planning the exact placement for properties is a minefield, as alien structures offer buffs, as do certain terrain tiles. You must plan every move if you are to be successful, and this only gets more complex as the game goes on. Your one ever-expanding city quickly becomes two and then three. Each metropolis is a separate entity that requires energy, food, production, and more. You end up juggling many tasks as you plan to harvest rare materials, turn a profit, and keep the people happy.

Which scientific route will you take?

Imagine Earth is more than just base-building action.

Another great aspect was the constant requirement to sell goods, produce high-end products, and sell and buy shares. This base building game quickly becomes more than just that with its financial elements sneaking their way into the action. Your opponents are aggressive and will stop at nothing to be crowned the number one corporation. Do you allow them this accolade and lose out on your rightful place at the top, or do you manipulate the markets and slowly take over?

With space trading an essential tool to tip the balance of power in your favour, you quickly learn when to sell items and when to buy them. If you have no money, you can’t take over the opposition, so use the surrounding resources to mine for gold and other rare materials and make a killing. Alongside the legal money-making operations, you can use natural events to decimate your foes. Blowing them up isn’t considered best practice, but if it gets you one step ahead, who cares! There is no hard and fast way and whatever you decide you’ll need to remain flexible to get the best result.

A complex but well-designed UI makes an information-heavy game easy to understand.

The level of detail that has been placed into the graphics is impressive and you’ll be instantly struck by the smooth zoom function and in-depth planet design. The mix of colours and the clear habitat imagery make it easy to identify each zone with little effort, making it pleasurable to play. As you progress the amount of building options and menus you must navigate becomes mind-boggling. Luckily the well designed UI pigeon holes each key section making it easy to understand and simple to manage. With many of its peers taking a more complex approach, this was a pleasant change, and I really appreciated the user-friendly style.

Base building sims have an air of hotel lobby about them. The music is always “nice” and “safe” and makes you feel comfortable. Imagine Earth is no different with its calming tunes and understated sound effects. There is a futuristic twang to the audio and most of the time you’ll fail to acknowledge its existence. There are moments when you hear clear changes in dynamics or tone and these usually reflect moments of danger or anguish. I liked how this made you sit up, pay attention and helped to define serious game-changing moments.

Competition time.

Undoubtedly better on PC, but still great on console with a controller.

Base building games will always be better when played on PC. The ease to map buttons and keys to your liking will always be missed when using a console controller. However, Imagine Earth’s console edition is pretty easy to play. The fundamentals are drip-fed to you with its well-designed UI, user-friendly approach, and the opening tutorial planet. This slow but steady approach makes the steep learning curve manageable and at no point did I feel overwhelmed by the volume of information dumped on my lap.

Now, you may think that a nine planet main story is small, and you may be greedy and want more, but trust me, there is plenty to keep you going. Each stage has five stars to collect that are awarded for completing tasks and finishing the level. Alongside this are the challenging achievement list and the other two customisable modes. You’ll want to keep playing and fans will lose their mind and their lives to this once they get stuck into it.

Imagine Earth demands you make the future better while desperately holding onto our old morals.

The fat cats keep on growing, and no matter where they call home, they want their piece of the pie. Imagine Earth sells a picture of a bright future where you control the purse strings and the politics. Sadly, the greed of humanity kicks in and our old morals hold us back. Will you pave the way for a greener and happier society, or will you sell out and line your pockets? It’s a fantastic base builder and I recommend you to buy it here! Leave the past behind and attract new clientele to a fresh start. Overcome obstacles, beat the opposition, and get rich.

Review: Narcosis

Daniel Waite
-
0
Review: Narcosis
https://youtu.be/3UPfhEIaCg8

Not a lot in life scares me, but the thought of being stuck at the bottom of the ocean surrounded by murky water is terrifying. I’m unsure whether it’s the fear of the unknown, my impending death, or the deadly creatures that scare me more. However, if you chuck in a cataclysmic event and a desire to escape your impending fate, then it’s going to be a pretty uncomfortable situation. Narcosis drags you into this hellish situation as you find yourself stuck on the seabed with no help and a small glimmer of hope.

Developed and published by Honor Code, this is a horror survival adventure game with a surreal twist. It focuses heavily on the adventure you undertake and the many characters that make up this solemn plot. It has a linear story that narrowly drives you from point A to B with little in between. I wouldn’t suggest jumping into this expecting an in-depth survival game like Subnautica as you’ll be left bitterly disappointed.

Narcosis is a story-lite character-rich experience.

I was a little surprised at the concept and mechanics incorporated within Narcosis. I came into it expecting the usual stat management system with some crafting elements and a whole slice of claustrophobic environments. Instead, I was treated to a bizarre character profiling that gives you a thorough insight into the crew you never meet.

The story-lite plot is told wonderfully through heartfelt narration. The highs and lows of your journey reflect the protagonists’ guilt and alleviation that they have survived. As the game focuses heavily on its journey from beginning to end I expected something a little grander. Instead, the game drifts from one moment to the next as you are funnelled between checkpoints and the bodies of your dead crewmates.

Light the way with flares.

A tragic event and a race to the surface.

The idea of being stuck at the bottom of the sea for hours on end blows my mind. The desire to earn the big bucks while risking your life is a big gamble and one that could have you meet your maker. In Narcosis you control an engineer who works as part of a deepwater mining crew. Everything is going well and then disaster strikes. Crewmates die, the base is decimated, and your only chance of survival is hitching a ride to the surface. This is where your dash, or meander, begins.

The game experiments with three core concepts; lumbering around the seabed like a manatee in a diving suit, collecting information about each dead crewmate, and attacking squid and cuttlefish. 

Core concepts. 

Hunting down your work colleagues tells you key information about who you worked with and helps to identify who the protagonist is. You slowly tick off a roster of crewmates as you find each submerged body, it’s gruesome but somebody needs to do it. As you encounter the corpses, your heart rate increase and you consume more oxygen. This makes your mind play tricks on you and you see horrific sights. These nightmarish images haunt you throughout and offer little more than a corny half scare. 

The slow progress from base to rescue vessel follows a set route between rocks and chasms. If you go off course your visor cracks and you die. This is obviously not advised. You tiptoe around and know you are on the correct course as some narration kicks in to progress the story. 

The combat is painfully basic, but cannot be ignored. Your fishy foes constantly attack you until you slice them with your trusty blade. It offers little in the way of a challenge and it’s tedious to the point of boredom. You’ll face spider crabs that can’t be hurt and these moments require stealth and patience. Sadly, even these encounters couldn’t improve the combat mechanics. 

One of the many crab spiders.

When is a survival game not a survival game?

Playing Narcosis left me with the reoccurring feeling that it was too easy for a survival game. So I asked myself, when is a survival game not a survival game? The answer? When you do not need to worry about surviving! Yes, the sea life can kill you, or you die by falling into a pit or running out of O2, but it’s unlikely to happen.

Conveniently the seafloor is littered with oxygen tanks, so one is never far out of reach (absurd, but very fortunate). You’ll never worry that you’ll suffocate or drown and this makes the gameplay hollow. If you fall into a chasm, you simply load it up and start again. You lose a small amount of progress, but it matters not. The combat is guilty of this as well, meaning you just don’t care. Death isn’t a concern and in survival games, it should be your priority.

Narcosis is horrifically claustrophobic.

Where Narcosis excels is its environmental presentation. The world you explore is dark, creepy, and fills you with fear. Though the story is linear, the paths to make progress aren’t always obvious. This leads you down dead ends and into deadly ravines. The reduced viewpoint from the dive suit restricts your peripheral vision, and this enhances the claustrophobic nature of this title. What wasn’t great, however, were the close-up details. It is dated, poorly designed, and set up for cheap scares. It ruins the visual aspect and needed more polish.

The audio, however, needs no polish! Produced to a high standard, you’ll be transported to the horrendous underwater world from the off. With realistic sound effects, the constant fear of consuming too much oxygen, and the wonderful narration, the scene is well and truly set.

Can you stay sane?

Slow gameplay, but easy to control.

Every portion of the game is as slow as molasses, except for the jet booster. This occasional burst of speed breaks up the glacial pace that envelops the action. Once you get used to the meandering speed, you realise that the game is easy to play. The basic tutorial teaches you the fundamentals, and every mechanic lacks complexity making it easy to master.

I don’t normally push people to go for the collectables, but you really should. Finding out every back story is fascinating and adds depth to the lacklustre story. The short adventure is over in around four hours and other than the collectables, it offers minimal replay value.

Narcosis is confused, lacks focus, and is a bit of a damp squib. 

Narcosis appears to have a split personality. Each segment wants to be the top dog, but this undermines the end product. As a narrated adventure it’s fantastic, its environmental presentation is wonderful, and its audio is top-notch. Sadly, however, everything else lets it down and it’s a bit of a damp squib. I was disappointed and I don’t recommend it, though you can buy a copy here! Working underwater is dangerous, but this is something else. Find your crewmates dead or alive and get to the surface if you can. 

Review: Anna’s Quest

Daniel Waite
-
0
Review: Anna’s Quest
https://youtu.be/dYh_N16UrrY

Fairy tales are magical and capture children’s and adults imagination from the off. These well-written yet simply structured stories always hide a darker side! Behind the romance and friendships are layers of betrayal and deceit. Death and dishonesty are key components of the plot and this forces the reader to experience a roller-coaster of emotions. Anna’s Quest uses all the clichés to tell its whimsical and amusing story.

Developed by Krams Design and published by Daedalic Entertainment, this is a puzzle point and click adventure game. The overarching story will feel familiar to fans of fantasy children’s novels. You’ll raise a wry smile as each well-trodden element is rolled out. Witches, dragons, wolves, a deep dark wood, and more await your attention. The ideas may lack originality, but the combination of challenging puzzles and bizarre characters leads to a unique experience.

Ohhhhhhh so shiny.

Anna’s Quest borrows heavily from genre-leading titles but does enough to stand out.

If you are a fan of the point and click genre, you’ll quickly realise there is a sense of deja vu. With the comical delivery of Disc World and Monkey Island to the challenge found in Broken Sword, it’s clear to see Krams Design’s influence. It comes as no shock as those games are much-loved and still recognised as market-leading titles. Yet, Anna’s Quest does enough to be considered a unique game on its merit.

The narrative is pretty linear, even though you are free to explore the surrounding area to your heart’s content, you’ll search for clues and objects, listening to the NPCs for hints if needed. Progress depends on hitting a trigger point which is great as any key story-related information or items cannot be missed.

The action is told across six chapters that take you on a crazy and magical fuelled journey. You are trapped in a tower, visit a magical city, explore a palace, held prisoner in hell, and delve into a witch’s memory. It’s all very strange, but adds to the mystical nature of this dark, yet funny, fairy tale.

A little girl with a big secret.

The plot revolves around Anna (it’s called Anna’s Quest, after all). She lives with her grandpa in the middle of a forest where they are safe as long as they don’t leave their farm. He becomes ill one day and Anna refuses to sit by and watch him fade away. She breaks her promise and ventures deep into the woods and this is where her story begins and here is where you discover her big secret.

Anna has a special power she is unaware of, she has the ability of telekinesis! Mustering her strength, she uses her mind to move objects and create paths to help her progress. This forms a major mechanic throughout the story and is complemented nicely with the traditional gathering and combining of items. This additional layer makes solving some problems much harder and will challenge the most logically minded individuals.

That’s one way to slice a melon.

Standard game mechanics. 

Like most point and click games, Anna’s Quest relies heavily on logic and observation skills. There are many times where you will be stuck, only for the problem to be solved with the most obvious of solutions. It has many facepalm moments as a result, but also contains lots of euphoric eureka instances. I loved the highs and lows of working through each chapter, and this was only topped by the many dysfunctional characters you encounter. 

No fairy tale is complete without absurd and larger-than-life characters, Anna’s Quest has this covered with its talking teddy bear, chatty fox, evil witches, bewitched royalty, and more. The cast adds real depth to this colourful adventure and you’ll pray that good defeats evil.

Striking yet simple imagery. 

The well-designed chapters have stunning yet simple landscapes for you to look at. The clean images show influences from the Brothers Grimm tales and have a dark and mysterious edge to them. Exploring each area is helped by orbs that highlight points of interest. You don’t have to use these clues if you want to be the next Sherlock Holmes, but I unashamedly use them repeatedly. The gameplay is smooth even though the animation is basic. Though the art style is clean and crisp, its simple approach is reminiscent of older titles. 

To add to the ye olde medieval theme, the developers have chosen a folksy whimsical soundtrack. The gameplay is dominated by voice-over work and sound effects rather than its magical music. You’ll chortle and giggle along with the silly jokes and immature comments. The cast is all unique and their character traits are shown perfectly through the dry delivery of their lines. Like its peers, much of the fun is found in the audio, and Anna’s Quest doesn’t let itself down.

They told her to dive right into it.

The controls are its Achilles’ heel. 

Not every game has a weakness, but Anna’s Quest unfortunately does. Its control system is clumsy and shows obvious preferences for the use of Mouse and Keyboard. Selecting points of interest can be hit and miss and the controller sadly cannot match the accuracy of a Mouse. This leads to frustration but doesn’t ruin the game. Perhaps the use of a pointer would have alleviated this issue, making it more enjoyable to use a controller. Other than this problem, the game was simple to control. Combining or using objects was straightforward, and this helped to soften the blow of the aforementioned issues I encountered. 

Though the story takes a linear approach, you can and will miss many non-essential items. This doesn’t impact the story, but it is a helpful tool to increase the game’s replay value. Many of the achievements depend on collecting miscellaneous items. So an eye for detail and a nosey sense of entitlement are required to unlock every achievement. 

Anna’s Quest is a fun story delivered to a high standard. 

The developers should be proud as they’ve created a wonderful game that stands out from its peers. With challenging puzzles, simple but striking artwork, and well-scripted dialogue performed to an excellent standard, Anna’s Quest is a modern classic. I thoroughly enjoyed it and recommend you to buy it here! Discover your powers, use your logic, and get to your grandpa before it’s too late! 

Review: Legend of Mana

Alex Chessun
-
0
Review: Legend of Mana

Legend of Mana is an HD remaster of the 1999 PS1 action RPG game developed and published by Square Enix and unfortunately is one I didn’t get to play at release, mostly as it only saw releases in Japan and North America.

Now that I’ve had the chance to play it, however, I find myself thinking that I’m 22 years too late to the party with dated elements painting my nostalgia-less experience quite poorly. 

Choosing your name and character you begin your journey to discover the mystery of mana in the world around you and eventually figuring out that it’s your job to save it.  

With an action battle system that lends itself more to The Legend of Zelda than the more famous turn-based JRPGs Square Enix is best known for, you attack enemies when they appear on screen with numerous combos and special attacks as well as with partners that join you on your quests. It’s well animated and combines a relatively large customization system for improving weapons and acquired moves, but your use of it is all dependent on you figuring it out yourself, just as an in-game character muses about life ringing true for the game itself ‘You have to cut through the rocks to make a path’.

It’s hard, but worth it – for some.

Some good-looking bosses highlight the side quests which do more to fill the world with things to do rather than an overall plot.

For me on the other hand, rather than adding to the challenge of the title, it feels like you are wasting your time with it – and it’s positively frustrating. Getting stuck in a maze for hours on end and not being to escape, resetting in hopes that it might remove you from it, and then considering starting an entirely new save file just to avoid it again is not my idea of fun.

This type of gameplay was far less grating when getting a new video game was limited to birthdays as a kid, but with 20 years of advances and the digital age we are now spoilt for choice, and I simply have no patience for it. Funnily enough, if this was a modern 3D Open World game I would praise this feature to no end, as you would be forced to interact with the world around you and experience everything on offer, but Legend of Mana doesn’t have an awful lot of interaction at its disposal.

Your world and the areas you can fill it with is an innovative – and paradoxically limiting – feature of the game.

What it does have however is an impressive flexibility that allows you to amend the world around you. Acquiring special items allows you to spawn new areas in an empty map and these areas can interact with each other via their stats, even going as far as changing if amended significantly enough by the adjacent areas. It’s a nice touch, even by today’s standards giving you a feeling of a living breathing world.

In addition, you have the freedom to choose which quests you undertake and only need to complete fractions of three main story sections to reach the final section to complete the game. It’s a malleable experience that allows for different spins of the same dice over multiple playthroughs.

This is a double-edged sword though, as the story is largely sacrificed to achieve this freedom, making characters feel like a shadow of what they could have been with a fixed map and story, which personally, I would have been more in favor of. Without it, your adventures feel stunted, with quests that finish before they begin and minimal character interaction.

Some quests offer you a ‘yes’ or ‘no’ option to progress. ‘No’ locks you out of it permanently.

Interestingly one of the things that the original is best known for is its soundtrack, and it’s still fantastic, being one of the game’s few timeless aspects that any RPG would love to call their own. The variety of tracks can just as easily inspire you to ‘cut through the rocks’ as it does provide a nostalgic feeling of home. Having said that though, until recently I was of the opinion that a great soundtrack can raise the quality of a game, and potentially bring a game out of an average malaise with its emotive and atmospheric audio, but Legend of Mana might have just provided me with an example proving otherwise.

Mana series creator Koichi Ishii originally had even grander ideas for the project but ran out of time and budget and you can absolutely see the grand concepts at play here, but unfortunately, its actualization negatively affects the rest of what’s on offer. Even the visuals and the soundtrack’s best efforts are in vain, with the lack of consistent storytelling preventing a distinct atmosphere from being established and wasting attempts to endear you to the characters.

The remaster itself offers a few minor improvements that add to the experience such as the ability to turn off random battles, an updated soundtrack – as well as the ability to access the original’s from the main menu – and character art, but the biggest change is the HD upgrade of the backgrounds and aspect ratio. This, in theory, is a great idea, but in my opinion makes the same mistake that many HD remasters of older games make – the unadjusted original assets stick out like a sore thumb compared to the upgraded ones, in this case the 2D sprites against the new backgrounds, and it makes the previously lauded visuals look disjointed and out of place – especially on a large TV.

The original Legend of Mana is far from awful, but its unfulfilled potential probably would have been better served as a remake rather than a remaster. As ever patience and an online guide is mandatory to deal with its hands-off retro gameplay, but add the ‘improved’ visuals from the remaster and the title not only begins to show its age but does so less than gracefully – even if it is the ‘best’ version available.  

Review: NBA 2K21

Daniel Waite
-
0
Review: NBA 2K21

If I think of the phrase rinse and repeat, there is one genre that springs to mind…Sports. The yearly additions to the franchises offer fans the chance to see the latest improvements alongside a fresh lineup for the season ahead. Rarely do we see major changes and this forms the main complaint from many gamers. NBA 2K21 allows players to choose their favourite team from the male or female leagues, or compete as a rookie trying to make it to the top.

Developed and published by 2K Games, this sports simulation title looks fantastic and feels realistic and smooth. Their basketball franchise has long been considered the best sports sim for gamers to experience. It towers above the likes of FIFA and Madden with its in-depth gameplay, stunning graphics, and constant tweaks. However, where it falls down is the poisonous inclusion of microtransactions in the form of VC (Virtual Coins). This shameless act of extracting more money from its player base tarnishes a phenomenal experience and is frowned upon by everyone except for 2K Games.

NBA 2K21 rehashes much of its gameplay but adds in a new shot meter.

You’ll see little has changed from last year’s iteration to the current title for fans of this much-loved franchise. There are new shiny graphics to enjoy, a free roam area for the excellent career mode, and some great online play (if you get around the crashes). The well-designed foundations are still going strong with fast-paced gameplay and some clever AI from the NPCs. Movement off the ball to create space is realistic and gives each match an authentic feel.

Introducing a shot meter and accuracy bar has left some fans reeling. The new approach relies on timing and accuracy rather than just the press of a button. I enjoyed the challenge that brought to each match. Players with low shot skills would regularly miss challenging attempts unless they hit the sweet spot. Though the timing and accuracy are tough to get used to, it is a noticeable change from earlier games and was a welcome addition. Players complaints revolve around the bar being a distraction and the gameplay no longer feeling natural. I experienced neither of these issues and liked how the game had evolved. 

Where the gameplay is sadly lacking, is the areas that are not dominated by virtual currency. These offline modes appear to have stagnated and offer little in the way of advancement over last terms action. It’s a shame that 2K Games invests little time or concern into what should be a key section of their flagship game. I guess if it isn’t a cash cow then it’s low on the priority list.

Don’t let anyone stand in your way.

The career mode will divide people, but I loved it.

I love a cheesy underdog story, and NBA 2K21 has that in abundance. I appreciate that not every gamer will love the soap opera drama that unfolds, but I thoroughly enjoyed the cinematic and flow of the tale. You control an underdog youngster whose late dad was a fan favourite on the court. Not wanting to get caught up in that world, you chance your hand at football. Your raw talent and background drag you back to the courts and here you have the chance to make it to the NBA, find love, and be adored by millions.

This mode has such potential to be phenomenal, but sadly a pay to win wall holds you back. Every stage of your career has VC rammed down your throat, and it’s infuriating. Do you want to improve your pro? VC. Improve the team? VC. Go to the free roam area and upgrade your threads or explore….. VC, VC, VC. Why, oh why in a full-priced game is this obvious pay to win model allowed. Frankly, it’s disgraceful and undermines every good element that has been implemented.

Online play is rewarding but difficult. 

While playing online, I particularly enjoyed the lack of toxicity from the community and the need to understand the mechanics. The phrase practice makes perfect is paramount in NBA 2K21. The gulf in skill levels between gamers who have studied and mastered the controls, and those who are chancing their hands, is massive. Some will scream for game balancing and will say it’s unfair. But, I like how 2K Games rewarded those who had put the effort in.

I’ve been on both sides of the fence where I’ve been schooled and hammered those who were chancing their hand. There is a definite sense of achievement when both the offensive and defensive mechanics come together. The game flows beautifully, and this is where it stands out from other sports titles. There isn’t a sense of a hidden trigger that prevents you from smashing your opponent. If you are better than them, then so be it.

Work the ball and get into the painted area.

A nod to the WNBA.

Inclusivity is important in every walk of life, so it was great to see the WNBA tab. An array of modes are available to select that allows you to play as your favourite players and teams. I don’t follow basketball as much as other fans, so I admit I had to do some research. 2K Games has got their likeness of the players and their team’s spot on, which was great to see.

However, the men’s game still dominates proceedings, giving the impression that this was a rushed afterthought. I may be completely off the reserve here, but, the developers should have put more emphasis on the female game. It’s nice to play quick games, and get a taste of a basic career mode, but it didn’t go far enough. I wanted something as in-depth as the men’s My Career or My Teams with the female roster of players.

It’s like watching real life.

Where NBA 2K21 excels is its ultra-realistic graphics and approach to movement. The game feels and plays like the real thing. No expense has been spared in making this title look incredible. The pros look phenomenal, and player movement around the court is out of this world. Away from the game and in the free-roam area, you’ll enjoy a large and colourful area that is vibrant and exciting to explore. The range of courts, old-school and modern kits and other finer details makes this the king of the sports sim titles.

The realism continues with the fantastic audio and commentary. Every match buzzes with crowd noises and high energy. The upbeat songs and stadium sounds get your adrenaline racing and you’ll be pumped to compete in each game. The acting in the career mode is top notch and you buy into each character’s personality and the drama of the story.

Great presentation and 2K games go hand in hand. I wasn’t disappointed by what I saw and heard and the efforts with both elements compliments the new mechanics. This results in a high end, albeit familiar product.

Respect the big man.

NBA 2K21 is all about accuracy and finer details.

The aforementioned shooting method has divided the community, but it’s a sign of the developers’ desire to create a comprehensive control setup. Accuracy and a memory for detail are required to master every portion of this game. NBA 2K21 can be played with little skill and finesse, but you’ll need to concentrate on the finer details if you wish to excel and make the most from it.

If you hate the idea of microtransactions and you want to advance through the career mode, you will be grinding like an exotic dancer! Progression is painfully slow and 2K Games make it obvious that they want you to spend your money. However, there is fun to be had in the offline modes. If you’ve played last years title, don’t expect there to be any groundbreaking changes.

NBA 2K21 is an example of a great sports sim if you remove the microtransactions.

A franchise doesn’t span twenty plus games if it’s terrible. NBA 2K21 is a great example of the genre even if it keeps regurgitating much of its content. It gives you enough to get your teeth into with minor tweaks and a massive overhaul to its shooting system. The career mode is great as is the inclusion of the WNBA. Sadly, the constant push for VC and its subsequent paywall is unforgivable and needs to be addressed urgently. I enjoyed it on many levels and recommend you to buy it here! But, go into it knowing that microtransactions will taint your experience. 

Review: Viola: The Heroine’s Melody

Charles Ombler
-
0
Review: Viola: The Heroine’s Melody

Viola: The Heroine’s Melody is not a game about the sort of music produced by a class A drug, but once I’ve described the ‘out there’ premise of the game, you might come to doubt that. In Viola: The Heroine’s Melody you play as the titular Viola, a young girl who’s struggling to learn how to play the violin her mother left her. After a few failed attempts at a particularly non-beginner friendly melody (sort of like she’d picked up a guitar for the first time and decided the classic frat boy Wonderwall wasn’t for her and she’d rather start by rearranging the entire orchestral version of The Four Season into a solo guitar piece) Viola is sucked into the violin where, like in all violins, there is a rhythm-action RPG platformer filled with a cast of part animal, part human musician fighters – like a D&D bard meets an Animorph. With the help of three of these companions, Viola will form a team and fight her way through the violin world to find the way out, stretching her musical legs and finally getting comfortable with her rhythmic abilities.

The platforming in the game is more of a vehicle to get you between fights than the main mechanic but it does feel really nice. Using the platforming well can help you avoid fights between the start and end of the level (Dark Souls-style bonfires) and allow you to explore additional areas with various goodies – mostly potions you can use in combat to restore health and magic, and gems you can equip to your party to boost certain skills. The platforming has an interesting jump mechanic where you must hit the jump button exactly as you hit the ground from a previous jump to initiate a new higher jump, tying into the game’s rhythmic control system. It’s a little unusual and the game doesn’t do a great job of explaining it to you but you can get used to it pretty quickly. There are also wall jumps, Viola-firing-cannons and various other platforming paraphernalia to scratch your Mario itch (which I keep saying you should go to the clinic to get checked out).

Even the most godlike of platforming deities will still end up in fights with the enemies dotted around the map. These fights are where the game shines, they are your classic turn-based RPG fights, with 5 options for how each member of your team will spend their turn:

  1. Flee – the enemy remains on the map but you exit the fight and can return to it later, like a coward.
  2. Potion – use a potion on yourself or an ally to restore health and magic or boost stats, like a student at a skyrim nightclub.
  3. Defend – choose an ally to defend. Any attack directed at them this turn will hit you instead and the attack will do reduced damage, like Captain America weilding his mighty shield.
  4. Attack – choose an enemy and attack them with your instrument (not a euphemism, for example, Viola’s violin quite literally turns into a bow). This is where rhythm action comes in – you will need to hit a series of random buttons to a beat (think QTE), the better your timing the more damage the attack does, like a particularly savage rap battle.
  5. Magic – there are various magical options, from buffs for yourself and allies to debuffs for enemies to straight-out attacks. All spells have an element associated with them and elements are weak and strong against certain enemies, like using pasta in a fight against a coeliac versus using pasta in a fight with an Italian.

All together these options make the combat complex and thoughtful, with a wide variety of options that allow you to employ some real strategy. The rhythm action component is also really nice and adds an element of action and skill to something that would otherwise be completely strategy, with the end result being a fun to play hybrid.

The only criticism I have against the game is its keyboard controls, which aren’t particularly intuitive if you can’t incredibly rapidly identify where certain keys are on the keyboard, which even as a ‘writer’ I’m ashamed to say is a weakness of mine. As the rhythm action sections are effectively quick time events, I found these sections a lot easier on a controller. Unfortunately, if you decide to use a keyboard when you start a game you can’t change your mind until after the first level, as the option is on the main menu and quitting to the main menu loses your progress before a save. This meant I had to play half of the first level twice after deciding to switch – just a slight awkwardness in starting the game.

All in all Viola: The Heroine’s Melody is an excellent and novel game that combines good platforming with great turn-based RPG combat. There are a few areas of awkwardness in controls but these pale in comparison with the quality of the rest of the game. I had a lot of fun with Viola and her musically gifted half-animal friends.

Review: Garmin Dash Cam 67W

Andrew Edney
-
1
Review: Garmin Dash Cam 67W

Here is are review of the new Garmin Dash Cam 67W.

Featuring an extra-wide 180-degree field of view that captures and saves important details in 1440p HD video, the compact, voice-controlled Garmin Dash Cam 67W has you covered.

Small camera, big protection. The pocket-sized Garmin Dash Cam 67W with voice control offers discreet eyewitness incident detection in 1440p HD video for vehicles on the road or parked. Its extra-wide 180-degree viewing angle displays more of the environment, including cross traffic. And Garmin Clarity HDR optics enable the camera to capture crisp details in day or night lighting conditions. It uses GPS data to pinpoint where and when events occurred. And saved incident footage is automatically uploaded to the secure Garmin cloud Video Vault for future use. Easily access the camera remotely for live-view monitoring on your phone. For added security, the Parking Guard function will record and send a video clip to your phone if your parked vehicle is hit or broken into. Helpful driver alerts, such as forward collision and lane departure warnings, encourage safer driving. And with the Garmin Drive app you can automatically sync video from up to 4 dash cams on your vehicle to see incident footage from multiple points of view. 

What’s in the box?

The box contains the Garmin Dash Cam 67W, Low profile adhesive/magnetic mount, Vehicle power cables, Dual USB power adapter and Documentation.

A Closer Look

The Garmin Drive App

The Garmin Drive App can make all the changes you want to your dash cam, including uploading firmware updates, viewing live footage, checking your vault and more.

Final Thoughts

The first thing you notice is just how small the dash cam actually is. This isn’t a problem because the camera has a really great 180 degree field of view and can record up to 1440P at 60 fps – although you can reduce the quality if you want, although given the cost of memory cards it seems odd to lower the quality when you really want the best you can get!

Setting up the dash cam was very simple – download the Garmin Drive app, connect to the dash cam and follow the instructions. You can then make all the settings changes you wish, update the firmware (which only took a few minutes) and even look at subscriptions for the vault.

Sticking the dash cam to your windscreen is fairly easy, however once it’s stuck on, it’s really stuck on! There is a magnetic stick on disc included in the box that I assume it supposed to stick to the windscreen then you clip the dash cam onto it for easy removal however every time I tried to use it the magnets actually pushed the dash cam out of position and it fell off. Either I was doing something wrong or it’s just not that great an option! Either way, for a £200 dash cam, Garmin could have included a suction mount in the box. You can buy one but thats another £11.99 plus postage!

The dash cam is powered using the extra long USB cable provided in the box, along with cigarette lighter adaptor. This adaptor actually has two USB ports so you can also charge your phone at the same time instead of trying to decide between operating the dash cam and charging your phone.

The great thing about the 67W is you can just forget it’s there, until you need it. It starts when you start the engine and turns itself off when you shut your engine down. It also can record if your car gets bumped when its parked – so no more instances of not knowing who hit your car!

The footage is stored on the SD card so you can put it into your computer and review it, or you can review and upload any content you want via the Garmin Drive App. If you want to store footage in the online Garmin Vault then you will need to take out a subscription. This is the easiest option if you dont want to keep taking the card out of the 67W and then putting it back in.

One of the features of the 67W is the ability to control it with your voice. Just say “OK Garmin” or “OK Dash Cam” and tell it what you want.

The 67W will also warn you if it detects speed cameras, not that you will be speeding of course, but its a useful feature to have.

Using the 67W itself is fairly simple and basic – just use the app for everything and you can’t go wrong.

The new Garmin Dash Cam 67W is available now priced around £199.99 and for quality and features the 67W is a must have in your car – I know I won’t be going anywhere without it firmly in place.

You can learn more from the Garmin website.

Review: Quantum Replica

Daniel Waite
-
0
Review: Quantum Replica

The future is painted as a picture of success and harmony, where mankind has put aside its differences and works for the greater good. In reality, we will probably get more of the same as we experience now; greed, the desire for power, and war, plenty of war. Quantum Replica tells a dark story of an oppressive cyberpunk future that captures all these depressing images in its Totalitarian vision.

Developed by On3D Studios and published by PQube, this is a futuristic stealth tactical adventure title. You must use cunning, patience, and special powers to work your way through a city defended by heartless mercenaries. With an “us vs them” attitude, the power-hungry government will stop at nothing to quash an uprising. This top-down adventure title borrows elements from many much-loved games. It has a familiar feel and will keep you entertained even if it is a little rough around the edges.

Try and stay in the shadows.

Quantum Replica offers a depressing look into our future selves. 

Set in the year 2084, you control a young man called Alpha. He is a vigilante who has no recollection of his past, but he has a desire and drive to destroy the government known as “The Syndicate”. This faceless entity will eradicate any threat that stands in its way and uses its technology and mercenary army to kill anyone that stands up to them.

The future seems a pleasant place and one that I can’t wait to see! The grim landscape shows a clear divide between the wealthy and the poor. In this futuristic vision, the little man has no hope of bettering themselves. Their only hope is Alpha and the team that bellow orders over the radio. Using stealth, and mind-bending skills, he must avoid being detected while hacking his way through a highly protected data mainframe.

The mechanics are well thought out, but lack finesse.

With a heavy dose of Metal Gear Solid stealth mechanics, Quantum Replica demands that you stay hidden in the shadows. Being spotted is a big mistake as it’s almost guaranteeing death. If you wander into your enemy’s cone of vision, an alarm will sound and all hell breaks loose. Your silhouette is etched in red where you were spotted and every mercenary in the vicinity will descend upon you. You’ll have to run and pray that you dodge the ensuing projectiles. I thought this game of cat and mouse was brilliant until I realised that the guards have tunnel vision! If you walk just outside their area of detection, they ignore you! I know there have to be limitations to their observational skills, but not seeing someone just in your peripheral view was just silly.

This lack of finesse doesn’t ruin the game, it simple taints what is otherwise a difficult tactical experience. As the game progresses the security steps up and you must use alleyways, rooftops and tunnels to avoid detection. Yet, stealth isn’t always possible, and this is when you must use EMP grenades, bottles, and non-lethal or lethal ammo to create a path. How you choose to tackle any situation is up to you, but if you make too much noise, you’ll have to deal with the consequences.

A poisonous cloud is a new low.

Quantum Replica adds new skills and bosses to keep things fresh.

Alpha’s memory loss is inconvenient as he cannot remember his training. As the game progresses, his training kicks in and he unlocks an array of new skills. Dashing and time manipulation give you the edge against the grunts and the bosses you encounter. The dash ability lets you sprint across crumbling platforms and dodge enemy attacks. Time manipulation slows the world down to a crawl and gives you the chance to adjust your tactics. Both are lifesavers but also quickly drain your blue power bar. This replenishes slowly, so the use of your abilities must be thought through.

“The Syndicate” holds the keys to the city’s technology. Cameras and computers must be hacked to give Alpha the edge. The mini-game of matching the image or code to three options was genuinely interesting. Though it was never truly challenging, it made you feel you had to work to crack the system.

The end of level bosses are nothing unusual and can be defeated with a quick game of find the weakness. You’ll spend your time exploiting their shortcomings to knock down their health, before moving onto the next stage. Where the game excels is the classic Good vs Evil against the Mad Bomber. The constant on/off fighting and evading his arsenal of weapons keeps you on edge during every encounter.

Old-school graphics with a dark and oppressive edge. 

You won’t be in awe of what is delivered in Quantum Replica. The old-school graphics have been seen many times before, yet I liked the overall presentation. Using dark tones and vivid neon colours gives this cyberpunk inspired world an oppressive edge. The limitation of the enemy’s view was clear to see, allowing you to plan your approach. The levels appear large but claustrophobic as you work your way past obstacles and through tight spaces. Though little of it was original, it was well constructed and enjoyable to explore.

The audio enhanced the futuristic vibes with its metallic and cold finish. The stark barking of orders from the mercenaries was at odds with the warmth from the narrator. This emphasised the theme of Good vs Evil and sold The Syndicate as the heartless monsters they are. The soundtracks heavy tones complete the package and rubber stamps the depressing Totalitarian cyberpunk future.

Work your way through the narrow streets.

A clean and clear UI makes it simple to play. 

I’m not always a fan of controller layouts overlaying the display, but in Quantum Replica it works exceptionally well. The simple images show the mapping while keeping the display clutter-free. The obvious power bar allows you to use your abilities with confidence, giving you the freedom to enjoy your new skills. With responsive controls and clear indications where objects and bullets would travel, it was easy to pick up and play.

With its semi-linear narrative, I found an additional playthrough offered little extra. Most of the replay value came from the challenging levels and the desire to unlock all the achievements. If you are a completionist, you’ll need two goes at it as you’ll need to use both passive and aggressive tactics.

Quantum Replica offers few surprises, but it’s a challenging and enjoyable experience. 

When a game borrows heavily from other titles it’s bound to struggle to define its style. Quantum Replica lacks a sense of originality, but its core concept and many elements are well put together to make it an enjoyable experience. I liked battling the oppressive regime and recommend you buy it here! Alpha is the key to a brighter future. Can he unlock his memory and take down The Syndicate? 

Monkey Shoulder Launches Cards for Hilarity

Andrew Edney
-
0
Monkey Shoulder Launches Cards for Hilarity

After a year of lockdown restrictions and, let’s be honest, not much opportunity to have a good old knees-up, Monkey Shoulder has released a spirit lifting multi-player game, Cards For Hilarity, to inject some much-needed laughter back into 2021.  

Cards For Hilarity pokes fun at adulthood’s most mundane and tedious tasks (including our recent bugbears which we only discovered we loathed during lockdown), helping us all to see the funny side of life after what has felt like twelve months of house arrest. Whether that’s spending far too much on takeout even though you’ve just done a weekly food shop, forking out a small fortune on lockdown loungewear or just the everyday struggle of getting out of bed (because hey, we all want a duvet day every once in a while, right?), Monkey Shoulder wants to bring us all together to have a laugh about what a spectacle the last twelve months have been.  

Developed with board game specialists The Dice Guys, who created a pretty spectacular bespoke game for The Rock, the UK based company went viral in 2020 after the most recent addition to their portfolio, Lockdownopoly, turned into a global sensation. 

A top-notch game for enjoying either at home or at your local bar with mates, Cards For Hilarity is split into two – Spirit cards and Mixer cards – where players will need to select their funniest card combinations to fill in the blanks. The player with the most outrageous or outlandish combo per round is crowned champion. Add in a couple of Monkey Shoulder cocktails along the way because after all, life is more fun when you mix it up a little and see the Monkey side. 

Available to purchase from www.thediceguys.co.uk/cardsforhilarity for £25, all profits of the game will go to Drinks Trust and The Ben to help support the hospitality sector get back on its feet. 

For people whose mates can’t pop round for an evening of Cards For Hilarity, a digital and interactive version of the game is also available to play for free, from www.monkeyshoulder.com/cardsforhilarity. Access couldn’t be simpler – either on a phone or desktop to help bring the party to everyone, even if you’re on the other side of the world. 

Joe Petch, Global Brand Ambassador at Monkey Shoulder, comments: “2020 was potentially the least fun year in living memory, so we thought we would help bring back the laughs with Monkey Shoulder’s brand new game Cards For Hilarity. We’re really proud to continue supporting the hospitality industry with all profits going to people who have had a particularly tough time.” 

Review: Batbarian: Testament of the Primordials

Daniel Waite
-
0
Review: Batbarian: Testament of the Primordials

The idea of fighting for your life when stuck in a deep, dark chasm is terrifying. With beasts aplenty to keep you busy and the constant fear of losing your life, this isn’t an experience for the faint of heart. Batbarian: Testament of the Primordials use this as its main concept, but luckily the protagonist is accompanied by his illuminated bat friend.

Developed by Unspeakable Pixels and published by DANGEN Entertainment, this is a 2D adventure platformer. Using a pixelated style and taking influence from Metroidvania games, this is one adventure that’ll keep you busy as you explore the labyrinthine world. With a heavy dose of humour and an array of enemies and bosses to defeat, this will make you laugh and challenge you from beginning to end.

From the frying pan and into the fire.

Batbarian uses its old-school influences to create an addictive yet simple game.

You control a barbarian who has unfortunately been thrown into an abyss filled with monsters and traps. This large maze-like chasm comprises many areas that offer unique challenges and enemies to overcome. If he was thrown into this alone, it would have been terrible. But luckily his trusty bat friend Pip joins him on his journey. Pip is no ordinary bat, though, as he glows in the dark. This simple idea forms a key component of Batbarian’s core mechanics. Pip is the key to solving many puzzles.

The aim of the game is straightforward; move through the maze of rooms, solve the problems, defeat the monsters, and find the exit. Yet, you’ll quickly realise that things aren’t as easy as they seem. Like most Metroidvania games you’ll quickly become disorientated because of the sheer volume of rooms you have to explore. This is then compounded because special powers are needed to reach certain areas. There is plenty of back and forth which may sound tiresome, but I never got bored with it. Your new skills added depth and made revisiting old areas fresh and enjoyable.

Make new friends, find the secrets, and spend big at the mushroom shop.

Now, you may think it unfair that there is a constant flow of new bosses, but only our hero and his bat. Worry not! As you venture deeper into the abyss, you’ll encounter heroes that wish to join your party. They add new skills, offer tips, open locked areas, and add extra layers of humour to an already hilarious plot. However, I wouldn’t advise getting too attached as they die or abandon you. Typical bunch of fickle A-holes, eh?

Alongside your new friends, you must look for new paths that expand the map, gather hidden collectables, or find secret areas. You’ll gain potions to increase attack, defence, or awareness. Chests hide gems and treasure to fill your coffers. You’ll also find sections of the map to help you navigate the labyrinth. The hidden zones aren’t easy to find and you’ll need to smash blocks, walk through fake walls, and rely on luck to find them all.

Collecting the coins allows you to buy new equipment and ammo at the mushroom shop. Coins are dropped when enemies are killed, alongside XP. The shops are dotted around the map and every visit offers a unique upgrade. Whereas levelling up allows you to improve your hero with a fruit machine style mini-game. Improve three stats and give yourself a chance in the later stages.

Light the way with your bat.

Massive bosses, sneaky monsters, and light-based puzzles.

A Metroidvania game has to have a layer of difficulty to its gameplay. Whether it’s losing yourself in its vast world or challenging foes, it’s supposed to be tough. Batbarian does just that with its array of tough enemies and massive bosses. Your foes require a tactical approach and you may need Pip to knock them on their back or use rocks to drop them from the sky. Whatever is required, you’ll have to work it out quickly, otherwise, they’ll eat you alive.

The bosses like their minions vary in shape and size. However, they are all huge and require time to work out their weaknesses. Death is a certainty, so don’t allow it to frustrate you. Dust yourself off, learn from your mistakes, and dive straight back in.

What I truly adored were the deceptively simple puzzles. Pip’s light can charge crystals that open doors, remove platforms, or retract spike traps. It was basic but ingenious and added a logical layer that makes it stand out from its peers.

Batbarian is an old-school game with a retro look!

Batbarian doesn’t shy away from its old-school roots and I loved it for it. The simple side-scrolling 2D movement was complemented by the basic pixel art. The sprites have a glorious low detail look that screams early console gaming. The use of darker tones works well with the theme, but it should have used some contrasting tones for the platforms as they were difficult to spot. Other than that, I enjoyed its look and the game ran smoothly with no issues to report. 

The developers have produced a wonderfully atmospheric title through the use of sound. The fantastic dramatic soundtrack adds a sombre and desperate feel to the game. The selection of songs reflects the situation and when danger was present, the audio changed accordingly. Every boss battle looked great, but the winner had to be the music! The aggressive songs set the scene, getting the adrenaline pumping while demanding you keep playing. There is no spoken dialogue, just text and this was the correct decision. Voice over work wouldn’t have suited the retro style and it would have been overkill.

He’s got his eye on you.

Easy controls and a clean UI, what more could you ask for?

When a game is all about precision, the controls can be complicated. Fortunately, Batbarian is remarkably easy to play. With its clean UI and basic tutorial for new mechanics, you quickly master the control layout. It’s responsive and well thought out and this makes it a pleasure to play.

With hundreds of rooms to explore, many secrets to discover, friends to find, and bosses to overcome, you’ll be playing for hours. The dark cavern is massive and exploring every inch requires a hero with patience, skill, and a cool head. One taste of the action will have you hooked and its tough achievement list makes it a challenge to complete.

Batbarian is a wonderful Metroidvania title.

Metroidvania titles attract a certain calibre of gamers. Most are hardcore enthusiasts who love an extreme challenge. Batbarian will push you and punish you, but it’s more accessible than its peers. Its comedy laced dialogue, fresh gameplay, and drip-feeding of mechanics make it moreish and a must-play title. I loved it and recommend you to buy it here! Falling into an abyss isn’t the end. Solve the puzzles, find the secrets, and get out alive. 

Review: Monster Hunter Stories 2 – Wings of Ruin

Sean McCarthy
-
0
Review: Monster Hunter Stories 2 – Wings of Ruin

The Monster Hunter series has been one that has never really been able to grab me as a newcomer to it, in fact my first time trying to get to it’s orbit was Monster Hunter World when it came to Xbox One X and the various multiplayer issues that plagued its first few months soured that initial experience and whilst I enjoyed the combat, I just failed to really feel the want to dive in for more. In researching Monster Hunter however, I did come across Monster Hunter Stories released for the 3DS back in 2016 and having only recently come to own a Switch console myself, I jumped at the chance to pay Monster Hunter Stories 2: Wings of Ruin!

I absolutely wish that this were my first experience in the Monster Hunter Universe as so many things about Monster Hunter Stories 2 just tick all the boxes of some of my favourite gaming systems in JRPGs. From the look of the art style and incredible musical score right down to the story and the combat system, this was everything familiar to me from my love of Final Fantasy. I was able to sink my teeth into this style of playing so much more so than I could with Monster Hunter World even though probably as much of the story and world was new to me. With “Wings of Ruin” being a self-contained story world with only a few elements of MP to it, it did not take me exceedingly long to become enamored with the gameplay and the world of Monster Hunter Stories.

As I am new to Nintendo Switch, and by new, I mean I have only just picked one up in time for this game, the art style of this game struck me immediately both in handheld and then when docked on my TV. The colour and animation style of the game is so striking that I started the game over again just to experience the opening ten minutes to the game. I cannot at this moment think of a better game to really showcase the versatility of the Nintendo Switch as a console to both play on the move as well as docked for the big screen without losing any performance or quality in gameplay, though I admit I am still trying to get used to the Joycon button layout being so used to the PlayStation and Xbox controller schemes.

The combat system is where the power of Wings of Ruins lies for me and as above, felt familiar thanks to my love of JRPGs but with a few twists that enhanced it for me here. The combat is a turn-based system where you can select the attack or skill you wish to use on each turn to hopefully counter the attack of your opponents. What came as a refreshing surprise was in the almost “Rock Paper Scissors” attack type strategy that comes into play and how you must tailor your combat strategy to adapt to the attacking style of your enemy. Power, Technical and Speed attacks are your options and if say your enemy is using a Power attack, you would want to choose a speed attack to counter it, but a technical attack would counter a Speed attack and a Power attack counters a technical attack. Colour coded by red for Power, green for Technical and blue for Speed, it helps to quickly work out which attack you need to choose. Skills can also be used to throw in a special move to the mix but the most fun part of combat for me comes in the form of your monster partner!

That is right, you get to have a monster partner in combat as your character is a Monster Rider and so the monster you choose to ride in the world will also become your partner in combat. Each monster will focus on a particular attack style so again Power, Technical or Speed comes into play, and along side choosing your own attack or skill to use, you can also decide this for your monster allowing for a paired attack of the same style. Build up enough battle points and you can mount your monster for an even more powerful attack. I found trying to work out the best strategy for each of the monster types you encounter in the game to be really rewarding and became such an intuitive part of the battle than from the easiest random encounters when you are out exploring to taking on the big mission-based battles, the combat system never feels tired from early to later in the game.

Monsters play a key role in everything about “Wings of Ruin” as they play a part in the combat, the battles you undertake, sourcing of materials to forge new weapons and armour but first you need to capture and raise your “monstie” partner and this is done by finding and, stealing monster eggs from nests found in monster dens you can explore. Each egg can then be hatched and whichever monster you get can be added to your monster party with the lead monster being the one you ride in the world. Each will also have a special ability in the world to enable you to reach different parts such as jumping long distance or climbing vines. Every victory in a fight will earn XP for all monsters in your party though eggs can be held back at your various camps and duplicate monsters can be released so not to take up space.

The most interesting factor with monsters comes in how you can share “genes” between monsters to genetically improve another, with nine slots you can boost or give them attributes to enhance them so giving them abilities they may not naturally have as a monster type. The variations you can play around with is a superb way to tailor a part of monsters for any battle situation and it is extremely easy to understand which is a trait that other crafting systems also use. Forging armour for example was a rathe tedious aspect for me in Monster Hunter World where you had to craft each individual part of an amour set but here you simply find the materials needed to craft the entire set with extra materials allowed to be added to improve or add new qualities to it. This speeds up the process of forging and upgrading your armour and weapons at the blacksmiths found in the various camps you visit but also allows you to focus on a particular monster type to hunt down in the world to gather the resources needed for that next upgrade or new weapon and armour set.

The story itself is rich and for someone like me who still feels very much like a newcomer to the series, very quickly explains the world and setting in a way that enabled me to connect to my created character and feel part of this universe. Your character is the descendant of a famous Rider named Red, and you meet and form a partnership with Navirou who a quite different Feyline is who is capable of not only talking but also in detecting and judging the eggs you find to hatch into monsters. Something is wrong in the world with various Rathalos monsters suddenly vanishing and because of their disappearance, has caused a change in behaviour in other monsters in the world and it is up to you to find out why, what and how it has all happened. I really appreciated the pacing of the story which starts off with big set pieces from the opening to the many tutorials to the games many elements which eases you into the game but has a nice slow pacing to allow you to go put what you have learned into practice before the story takes the next big narrative step. How that pacing would feel to someone who does know this world however is going to be rather subjective but for me, as someone trying very much to get absorbed into the world, the story thanks to the incredible voice acting of the cast along side the art style and musical score just won me over completely.

Monster Hunter Stories 2: Wings of Ruin is a fantastic title for fans of the series but especially or someone like me who is a newcomer to the franchise. It never made me feel out of my depth and its very strengths were recognizable to me allowing me to engage with it on a much deeper level than I experienced with the big Monster Hunter World game. For this to be my first Switch review and first big game of its type on my new Switch console, it not only made me fall for the game in a big way but also gave me a nice connection to my new console. This is the type of Monster Hunter game I could see myself investing even more time in for the future and a great game to take on the move with me this summer.

Review: Mind Maze

Daniel Waite
-
0
Review: Mind Maze

With all the modern gadgets and gizmos you’d think we’d never find life tiresome. Entertainment has never been easier to get our hands on and everything is just within grasp. Yet, we are all guilty of allowing ourselves to get bored! When this happens, we turn to tried and tested simple games. Hangman, noughts and crosses, and basic board games all fill the void. I’m sure you’ve experienced the tactical masterpiece known as dots and boxes. If you have, you’ll know how addictive it can be. Mind Maze uses this basic concept to create a fun and competitive strategic title.

Developed and published by Sometimes You, this puzzle strategy game offers a short sharp mind wracking experience. Designed with a futuristic edge, this modern take on a much-loved paper-based game will keep you playing for hours as long as you have a good group of friends. 

Take no prisoners and dominate each match.

A lack of game modes holds Mind Maze back.

Mind Maze has the potential to be played casually when you are tired of other genres. Sadly, however, its lack of game modes and the AI’s bizarre logic prevent it from excelling. There is a main campaign that is split across two chapters and local multiplayer to challenge friends and computer players. Both modes rely heavily on the same mechanics and this stifles the entertainment factor early doors. Playing against AI is unpredictable and fast-paced. It has an air of imbalance because the computer is aware of every available move without thinking.

The game pushes the idea that forcing your opponents into errors is a key tactical approach, and I agree. However, it’s nearly impossible to trick the computer opposition and when you back them in a corner, they react in illogical ways. The aim of the game is to place down walls between dots eventually forming a box. You gain a point for every one you complete and the winner is the person with the highest score. So, therefore it’s obvious that giving away the lowest boxes is what you need to achieve victory. Strangely, the AI doesn’t care and places their walls to give away the maximum amount of squares, when they could easily have offered a minimum return.

This lack of logical prowess impacts the game’s core concept and if there is no tactical element, then there is no point in playing. Luckily, however, local multiplayer retains this focus and makes for an enjoyable and challenging experience. Obviously, this relies heavily on having friends who wish to play the game on your couch. If you have seven like-minded mates, then you’ll have an enjoyable time.

Select your level and create your plan.

The level design attempts to freshen up the action.

Where Mind Maze excels is its wide array of levels that are on offer. The selection of shapes and sizes enable you to take a different tactical viewpoint. The smaller more compact stages lean towards an aggressive style, whereas the larger expansive grids require you to contemplate the long game. This was an element that I thoroughly enjoyed, though the bigger stages emphasised the imbalance in AI insight. Your turn could take minutes of planning, you’d place your wall and within seconds the computer has seen a move and it would be your turn again. It was pretty soul destroying as you always felt like you’re on the back foot.

Where this is lacking is the inability to use power-ups, or any tools to shift tactics quickly. It would have been interesting and refreshing to have a level shook up with the ability to place more than one wall, or walls crumbling after several turns. This would have added layers to what is otherwise a steady experience that plateaus early on. Dots and Boxes isn’t an advanced game, but Sometimes You had the chance to place a fresh stamp on this family favourite. What they’ve presented is true to the original game, but I’m greedy and I wanted more.

Mind Maze had a clean simple look with futuristic Tron touches.

Not only did Mind Maze stay true to the core concept, but it maintained a simple look as well. The uniformed approach of grey cells coloured by neon walls and balls made it easy to look at. The contrasting colours and clean lines gave this a futuristic look similar to the film Tron. The top-down viewpoint and basic UI allow you to concentrate on the action unfolding before you. I appreciated the glowing hue that shows the last-placed wall, as following every computer move can be difficult. This was especially prevalent on the larger maps and this ensured you could plan accordingly. 

The audio followed suit with a synth style and upbeat tone. The dated but suitable soundtrack was pleasant to listen to as you while away the hours. Where this was lacking was a layer of excitement! When I captured squares or was victorious, I wanted there to be fireworks or a rapturous round of applause. Sadly, you get nothing, which made your success feel hollow and pointless. 

So many boxes and so much colour.

A basic game shouldn’t have clunky controls. 

When a game is this straightforward, I don’t expect there to be any issues with the controls. Unfortunately, they are clunky and lead to unforced errors. Moving around each map is performed with the analogue stick, you’ll want to select a grid, but inexplicably it won’t let you. You’ll keep wiggling the stick until you get where you want to be, which made this frustrating to play and it’s something I didn’t expect to encounter. As the game relies heavily on this movement mechanic, it should have been perfect, yet sadly it wasn’t. 

As a multiplayer experience with friends Mind Maze is great. It captures the competitive edge and is truly moreish. You’ll scream at each other with rage and want to play repeatedly to be crowned the victor. Playing against the computer doesn’t hold the same allure, mainly because of their imbalance and strange tactical choices. If you have friends who like this genre, you’ll find plenty of replay value. If not, it’s fun as a casual experience but don’t expect to play it for hours on end. 

Mind Maze is fun and challenging but is lacking in key parts. 

Mind Maze at a base level is exactly what I expected, challenging, fun, and addictive with friends. I was disappointed, however, that it failed to develop past the basic concept. There was so much potential to create a unique game that it was a shame the opportunity was missed. I enjoyed it in short bursts and lost hours playing local multiplayer. It’s for these reasons I recommend you buy it here! It’s a casual puzzle experience that stays true to the original paper-based game. Place your walls, capture the squares, and become the dots and boxes champion. 

Review: Green Hell

Daniel Waite
-
0
Review: Green Hell

The world is full of dangerous and inhospitable places. You can visit boiling deserts, cold icy tundras, or climb to the highest peak on Earth. No matter which place you visit you must be prepared, otherwise, death is guaranteed. What springs to mind when I say the words Amazonian jungle? Beautiful fauna, stunning rare animals, or isolated tribes? Whatever image pops up first, you must remember the Amazon is a deadly place to live, especially when you have no supplies and no way of contacting the outside world. Green Hell transports you to this stunning but dangerous landscape and asks you to survive its many pitfalls.

Developed and published by Creepy Jar, this is a brutally challenging survival game that will make you explode with rage. The semi-linear storyline compliments the open world that you explore. The hot and humid jungle closes in on you as you venture further into its murky depths and you will lose your way and become disorientated in this never-ending green prison.

So beautiful but so dangerous!

Green Hell takes no prisoners.

Survival games are supposed to test you to the limits. They make you think about many elements of your character’s wellbeing and the surrounding environment. However, when you throw in a storyline that must be followed to progress, you have an awful lot to think about to ensure you survive. Green Hell asks you to juggle many factors while you explore your new home. You must hunt for resources, kill animals, search for clues, find food and water, and build a shelter. Some basics are explained in your handy notebook, but much of the advanced technology requires trial and error.

This wouldn’t be so bad if the game wasn’t unfairly harsh, but Green Hell takes no prisoners! Everything in the jungle wants to kill you, scratch you, cut you, or maim you. Wild animals will attack if you try to kill them, ants bite you causing rashes and infections, leeches suck your blood, and the water is full of parasites. Your head will spin as you try to find the most basic of items to get from one day to the next. Yet, the horrific gameplay is oddly addictive and you’ll keep returning for more punishment. The more experienced you are, the easier it becomes, but it never gets to a point where it’s a walk in the park and this makes it so moreish.

A story of deceit, love and loss.

You take the role of Doctor Jake Higgins, an anthropologist who discovered a lost tribe called the Yabahuaca. He travels with his wife Mia who is a world-class interpreter and it is her job to form bonds with the tribes people. Their second visit to the Amazon doesn’t go as planned, as Mia wakes Jake using the radio. She is screaming for his help and Jake runs to where the tribe lives. He is chased away, where he barely escapes with his life! He awakens on the jungle floor with Mia, asking for him on the radio, and then he passes out again. Upon waking Jake is alone in the Amazon with no food, supplies or contact with the outside world. He must find out what has happened to Mia and survive his arduous time alone in this hostile environment.

From this point, you are free to play the game as you wish. You can build a wonderfully absurd shelter to live out your days or run around like a loon, just waiting to get killed. If you play the game as intended you’ll find clues that piece together the events that form the spine of this story. As the pieces of the jigsaw fall into place you realise why you were chased by the Yabahuaca. Tackling the story mode is a worthwhile and fulfilling experience, though it is not for the faint of heart. Finding all the clues is no easy task and you will have to plan correctly and take your time if you wish to survive.

It’s all in your mind.

We all despise the idea of becoming unwell, dirty or injured, but in Green Hell, it affects you more than this! If you do not manage your stats correctly, your sanity will be impacted. The jungle is a dangerous place at the best of times, but to allow your mind to play tricks on you is not wise. You must eat, sleep, and look after yourself, if you don’t you are very unlikely to survive.

Maintaining your stats is as simple as looking at your new fancy watch. Fortunately, Mia gifted you a top of the range timepiece that monitors your vital statistics and doubles as a compass. It’s almost like she knew you’d become stranded in a deadly jungle. 

The guide that’ll save your life.

Green Hell offers more than the single-player mode.

Many survival games are aimed at solo players, who will spend their time formulating plans while creating shelters to increase their chances for as long as possible. Green Hell has taken a different route and allows up to four players to work together to survive this brutal experience. You can share the load, or master skills to progress your mini tribe. The online play adds a sense of community and makes resource gathering feel less of a grind, but it reduces the fear factor as you laugh and joke your way through the action.

If the brutality of the story wasn’t enough for you, Creepy Jar made it a bit tougher by offering a challenge mode. This condensed version of the main story asks you to; fight the tribes, create certain items, gather resources, or survive for as long as possible. It maintains the core concept of the game, but there is no chance to take a breather. The full-on style is all or nothing which led to some frustrating moments that weren’t as rewarding as the story experience.

To ensure that the gameplay remains balanced to your skill level, the developers created several difficulty settings. These alter whether the game hates you a little or an awful lot! With four levels to choose from, you will find the right setting to match your desired style. You also have the option for a “creative” mode that allows you to focus solely on surviving and building a shelter rather than searching for the clues and progressing the story.

So much death, but what a beautiful place to die in.

Death surrounds you in this beautiful looking game. The expansive jungle is incredible to look at, with its stunning mixture of fauna and wildlife to take in. The rich colours create real depth and the world has to be admired from the bug-ridden ground to the tops of the trees. The use of light and shade is wonderful, and the textures of the landscape are great to look at and add a realistic layer. With a high level of detail, and a massive open world to explore, you will not be bored by what you see, no matter how many hours you put into it.

The soundtrack and ambient sounds are wonderful to listen to. The gameplay is mostly accompanied by the noise of crunching leaves, birds singing, and animals hissing and crying. You will be kept on edge throughout and nighttime will fill you with dread. Playing this with headphones is a must as you will become lost in the engrossing audio. The acting in the cutscenes and the conversations between Jake and Mia are fantastic to listen to, and it’s performed to a high standard.

The first of man cuts.

The controls are fiddly.

Green Hell was first released as a PC title in 2019. This port to console shows some elements work better with Mouse and Keyboard as the controls can be fiddly. The cursor is slow to move across the screen, and crafting items can be time-consuming. Other tasks such as inspecting your body and using your watch to check stats worked particularly well with a controller. Overall it has been ported successfully and the controls are smooth and responsive. The small niggles you’ll encounter are quickly overcome the more you play it.

The survival genre is renowned for its addictive titles. Green Hell is no exception as you’ll lose hours of your life trying to survive your jungle experience. The addition of extra game modes and multiplayer action only increased the replay value. A challenging achievement list requires a lot of patience and dedication to gain the 100% status.

Green Hell is horrible, brutal, but one hell of a survival game.

Playing Green Hell will push you to your limits. It isn’t so much a game, but a baptism of fire. Veterans of the genre will struggle because of its tough learning curve and harsh nature. I loved it even though it made me want to scream and survival fans will equally adore it. I recommend you buy a copy here! Hostile environments are bad enough, but being lost without supplies is a recipe for disaster. Can you live off the land and piece together the story, or will the jungle finish you? 

What Exactly Are Amazon Web Services?

Andrew Edney
-
22
What Exactly Are Amazon Web Services?

Amazon, which started out as a basic online bookshop in 1994, is now one of the biggest technology companies in the entire world. One of the most dominant fields that amazon operates in is cloud computing. Amazon Web Services are a group of cloud computing products that have a wide-reaching impact. Amazon Web Services have a whopping 32% of the market share in cloud computing – more than the shares of its two main competitors combines. So what exactly are Amazon Web Services, and why are they so successful? 

A Wide Range of Compatible Applications

Amazon Web Services are not merely restricted to cloud storage. Instead, AWS is more of a complete cloud computing service. This means that applications of all sorts can be used without being stored on local servers by clients. This web-based application compatibility opens up the possibility for organizations to pick the exact applications they want without committing to long subscription or licensing plans. 

A Space for Innovation

Amazon Web Services are useful for developers and innovators looking to push the boundaries of what can be achieved on the cloud. In the past, companies used to have huge computing budgets if they wanted to acquire hardware powerful enough to innovate with. With Amazon Web Services, innovators are only limited by their internet connection. Machine learning is one of the areas that has been catalyzed by practical and adaptive cloud computing. Developers and scientists can utilize lots of applications for the construction of machine learning code. Although the options are opening up for developers to explore these realms, some training is required in order to get the most out of AWS. Completing an AWS machine learning certification path with an experienced set of developers can be very useful if you want to start creating intelligent applications and code using AWS. 

Doing Away With Local Servers

All computer networks rely, to some degree, on communications with a server or series of servers. Local servers owned and operated by the organization that uses them are an extremely large expense. They are costly, of limited size, and take a great deal of money to maintain correctly. Amazon Web Services and other cloud computing providers essentially negate the need for local servers. Every computing function that a company might need can be hosted remotely on cloud servers – cutting out lots of expense. 

Pay-As-You-Go

Amazon Web Services are charged for in a rather novel way. Instead of buying into a contracted plan, clients pay for services as they use them. This does require some careful budgeting to stay on top of and means that organizations can scale up and down their cloud budgets on the fly. It cuts down on wasted funds spent on unused applications and empty storage space. In theory, a company using AWS can only pay for the storage and software that they are using at the time. Other cloud computing companies are following on from Amazon’s lead and offering pay-as-you-go services. 

1...330331332...1,616Page 331 of 1,616