If Bandai Namco hadn’t copyrighted the use of minigames in loading screens, Jade’s Ascension, a twin-stick local co-op arcade shooter would feel right at home existing as a momentary diversion within a complete game.
Clearing floors of enemies while making your way up a tower with Chinese-inspired music and visuals might have you making comparisons to Bruce Lee’s The Game of Death, but cinematic and epic this game is not, with every aspect lacking in some form.
With a choice of 5 different characters, you stand in a square room defeating a random assortment of characters with projectiles from your hands or weapon – Harry Potter or Goku-esque, and you can run side to side while aiming with your twin sticks. Defeating adversaries drops coins that you can use for upgrades and your health replenishes with every level passed. ‘Simple is best’ might be the mantra of many successful arcade games, but Spanish developer Papas Con Mojo Games, while taking this to heart, probably should have focused more on the finer details of the title’s core gameplay loop, the end result feeling functional but dull.
Don’t blink. You might miss the appearance of a unique enemy.
Making this process especially tedious is the lack of sound effects from your attacks and lack of feedback from hits taken from the enemy. Your weapon sounds like a hairdryer on death’s door, barely registering at all and you’d have no idea your health was depleting if not for your health meter. Adding further to frustrations are the equally puzzling enemies, the first of which is a bird that emits a forcefield blocking your attacks but cannot attack you in any way, meaning you can run around like a headless chicken hairdryer in-hand with a bunch of seemingly friendly birds.
They are so cute…
Upgrades are made available every few completed floors, which make the gameplay even easier, but are unable to reverse the inane nature of it. In fact, defeating enemies is less enjoyable than watching yourself be defeated as you can dispatch entire floors by standing in the corner of the room and aiming to the center of it, barely moving your joystick.
Puzzlingly there’s a tutorial lasting a couple of paragraphs, but it omits to explain the few challenges available in the game, which is quite bold as the bland conceit will hardly encourage curiosity among the few that purchase it. So, despite it not being explained, the ability to ascend fire, tree, water and earth towers with a simple boss in each does exist and represents the main point of the game. The levels differ, but the challenge doesn’t, with the player still able to kill 90% of the enemies from the corner of the room as most of the residents run around aimlessly as if they are programmed to seem like they are attacking the other players in the co-op mode. Even those that do attack you directly can be defeated this way. Unfortunately, only one portal exists to change the tower you wish to climb, and the tower on offer is random, so you are forced to continue up your current tower in the hopes of finding the one you want. The achievements are also the only clue about which you have left to get through.
The one simple move to defeat them all.
You could argue that this game’s 4 players local co-op mode is where the fun is had, but I’m not sure that you’d want to willingly force this experience on others unless it’s as shared suffering of sorts. Perhaps the only feature not lacking in quality are the character and enemy designs whose smooth animation and colorful presentation look like they have been lifted from a show on Cartoon Network.
Despite Jade’s Ascension loading and running without issue, this cannot be considered a finished product, offering so little in content or fun, ultimately feeling like a free mobile game that somehow made it to consoles with a price tag slapped on it. Realistically the only people that should consider the purchase are platinum trophy hunters and children as it’s short and simple enough for both. For everyone else – this should be avoided at all costs.
As you work or go on with your daily life, there is information you create or get. How you choose to store it is crucial. It would help if you considered its safety and how fast you can retrieve it. As businesses and even individuals move away from paper documents and storage to cloud-based storage services, security is crucial.
Working on your PC leaves traces of sensitive information such as company financial records, customer details, and employee data. If not stored properly and erased from shared networks, the data can land in the wrong hands leading to identity theft.
Some devices such as iPhones come with preinstalled cloud data storage units, making it easier to transfer your information to a safe cloud service. Is the iCloud storage full? This is something you need to keep on checking, and when it’s exhausted, free up space or buy more. Here are steps to ensure your data is protected.
Choose a Reliable Cloud Provider
Many cloud service providers in the market make it harder to choose the right one for your company or storage needs. As you choose, focus on your information’s security and a provider who helps you meet the data security compliance standards set for your industry.
Also, check the ease of managing the platform and how well the cloud’s architecture incorporates into your workflow. The provider’s customer care service, cost, and a reliable support system are other considerations to check before committing.
Encrypt Your Information
Before storing the data on the cloud, create a suitable password for the document before transfer. This ensures that even if anyone retrieves the information without the password, they cannot access its contents. Make sure to use hard-to-figure passwords that you’ve not used anywhere else. Avoid passwords that contain your name or the document name.
You’ll have to zip the files first with suitable software that allows password protection. Ensure the software has high-security levels, such as not letting anyone without the software and passwords access the document.
To make things even easier, choose a cloud platform that encrypts the data on your computer before storage. The cloud service will encrypt all the data and decrypt on request making sure even server admins and the service providers cannot retrieve it.
Update Your Software
Software providers regularly launch updates which upgrade their products’ security features. If you ignore the updates, you’ll expose your information to hackers, or you may be using software versions the provider no longer supports. Make sure you act on a software update soon after notification.
Other than this, lock all your apps, ensuring that no one can access the apps without your permission even when you lose the device. The security measures shouldn’t just be for the computers at work but every device you use, including smartphones.
It also helps not storing sensitive information on the cloud unless you’ve taken the necessary measures to protect it. If you can, avoid shared networks such as public wifi and if you use it, make sure you have a reliable VPN in place. Also, don’t leave traces of your browsing history on the devices you use, especially when shared.
Research facility hidden in a secret location! A mystery formula tested on human guinea pigs! Zombie outbreak about to destroy humanity! All sounds familiar, right? This is the backdrop of most zombie horror games. So when another indie title used this clichéd theme, I was a little worried. Still, I’m a sucker for anything zombie related, so I asked publisher indienova and Monster Couch for a copy of their latest game Heaven Dust.
Developed by One Gruel Studio, this single-player puzzle based zombie mystery looks to stand out amongst a crowded room of games by offering something slightly different. Unlike many of its peers, Heaven Dust doesn’t rely on cheap jumpscares and darkened passages to fill you with dread. It uses suspense, audio and environment to do all the work.
Many great influences.
Whenever I think of zombie games, a few franchises spring to mind. But the lead influence has to be Resident Evil. I can see how the developers have taken key ideas and mechanics and merged them with their unique approach to create a mentally challenging game that feels familiar in so many ways.
One man and his zombies.
You control a survivor who awakens in a locked room. A diary entry has been left and you must read it to gather clues on how to move on. This is the core concept that One Gruel Studio relies on throughout. Text based information must be pieced together from the documents you find hidden in this spooky mansion. Objects will need to be collected and used in specific ways to solve the logic-based puzzles you locate. Not one room can be overlooked, and vital clues will be found under boxes and in locked cupboards.
Not only is this a puzzle game, but it also demands that you survive your ordeal. You must craft items and scavenge herbs to create medical supplies. Red and green plants must be combined to make a medicinal powder (*cough, Resident Evil, cough, cough*.) Other craftables must be considered such as; gunpowder and shells to make ammo. Zombies don’t kill themselves, and no ammo means they’ll eat you alive.
Classic old-school zombies.
These brain munchers are your classic Dawn of the Dead sluggish creatures, opposed to the demonic agile 28 Days Later abominations. Their meandering approach allows you time to plan how you will kill them. Shooting each of them in the face is wonderful, and it doesn’t get old.
Decimating the undead population is fun, but it’s not the best part of this game. No, that accolade is reserved for the many tantalising puzzles you will have to solve. The fantastic combination of; number problems, hunting for objects and codes to decipher worked brilliantly in this scenario. You will scour every inch of the map, trying to make sense of every clue you are given. Some problems will jump out at you, and others require a Eureka moment. Either way, it’s extremely rewarding as you slowly move through the mansion, exploring restricted areas and uncovering the reasons behind the outbreak.
Storage issues.
Unlike some games where your pockets seem to hold unlimited items, this one plays the survival card well. Limited inventory space forces you into juggling items all the time. Storage boxes must be used and this requires items to be shuffled about like a deck of cards. It may be a little tiresome, but it adds another layer of challenge that I think works.
No-one wishes to mess with the muscle bound zombie
We’ve all been in a mansion that has its own vending machines, right? No, not until I played this. These machines require tokens located around the map and scavenged from the many zombies. You can then purchase; materials, maps, and perks that help you on your journey. Not all items can be brought, so you must weigh up what is nice to have, and what is a must have.
Easy on the eyes.
The isometric viewpoint allows you a fantastic opportunity to see all the action. Usable objects sparkle with a silvery glimmer, attracting you to their locations, and anytime that you venture behind a solid object your silhouette is lit up with a white hue. The ease with which you can explore for items was a credit to the developers and made this much easier to play. The cartoon art style may not be for everyone’s liking, but this combined with the earthy palette and depressing tone gave this a retro look. The character models contained enough detail to be of interest, and the level of gore was correctly balanced. This was a superb example of a simple concept well delivered.
The oppressive nature of the art style was one thing, but the haunting audio was something else all together. The slow, ominous music keeps you on edge throughout. In your mind you know nothing will happen, yet the audio constantly kept you in a state of anxiety and concern. It was horrific, but that’s why we all play horror games and I loved it. Like the zombies, the sound effects were classic and clichéd. A good range of sounds were used that were suitable for the job at hand. They were enjoyable, but they are at about the level I expect from a decent indie game.
I’m sure these two are friendly.
Odd controls and re-runs
I always find it a little strange when developers experiment with much loved button layouts. An odd combination of the bumper buttons for using your weapons makes this a bit fiddly to get used to. Once you are over this hurdle, the rest is a breeze. Drag and drop is used for most things alongside a simple combination option. If you worry that you’ll struggle, a step-by-step tutorial is available to help.
Every time you play this, it follows the exact path. Does this make it; repetitive, boring, lacking originality? No, it’s one of those rare games that challenges you with a speed run task. Only the best gamers will complete it in under 2 hours. If this doesn’t interest you, it may lack replay value. Thankfully, your first playthrough has plenty to do, so you’ll keep coming back for more.
Does it stand out?
It’s a brave move trying to stand out in the zombie market. With so many games and clichés, it’s easy to make a bland and mediocre title, but that definitely isn’t the case here. Heaven Dust is a brilliant game that epitomises everything that is great about the genre and I recommend you buy it here! Can you survive this viral outbreak and make it through the mansion? Search for clues, find items and kill zombies while solving every puzzle you encounter.
Just like the many collectibles found within the game, Glyph, from Danish indie developers Bolverk Games, may itself be a hidden gem. Take control of the small robotic beetle, Glyph, as he aids his people in restoring their lost civilisation from corruption. Bounce, flounce and roll your way through a multitude of levels, carefully ensuring your little ball of metal doesn’t fall into the desert sands, or else perish. This 3D platformer is described by the developers themselves as “easy to learn, but hard to master” – but just how true is this? Does Glyph provide enough to successfully drag you back for another go, even after 100 failed attempts? Short answer – yes. Long answer – well, let’s get into that.
Booting up Glyph, you’ll find yourself dropped straight into your first tutorial level. Guided by your comrade, Anobi, you’ll quickly be taught the tools at your disposal, all granted to assist you in navigating the desert terrain. I was relieved to discover that these first few levels were simply the tutorial, and not the full game, as being thrown from level to level with little to no context seemed to present a game with little substance outside of its gameplay loop. Nevertheless, upon entering the central hub, where players can select and progress through levels in whichever order they please, I was able to look back and appreciate the usefulness of the prior tutorial, as it does a great job of familiarising the player which the various movement options. As a result, being subsequently introduced to the open central hub, which is explored using the exact same mechanics as in individual levels, felt like a much more expansive experience, even if there is little to do besides selecting levels and talking to NPCs. From hereon, your quest is to slowly make your way to the abandoned shrine at the heart of your world, with the hope that your people may prosper once more. In truth, the narrative of Glyph felt a bit flimsy. It did provide some additional substance, however despite suggesting a certain degree of depth to the game’s lore, it never fully realised its ability in exploring it. Some simple cutscenes, or more story-driven levels may have gone a long way in connecting the player with the world they find themselves in. It certainly did enough to provide some context and drive the game forward, but making your way toward the endgame felt more a result of personal challenge, rather than a desire to see the story’s conclusion.
Nevertheless, just how exactly is it you reach this shrine? Well, you’ll have to complete an array of individual levels, each presenting a unique challenge and degree of difficulty. Of course, earlier levels are far easier than the latter ones, however even your first missions prove difficult to master. This certainly fits the narrative that the game is indeed hard to master, however I would argue this is more a result of the controls, rather than the level design. I’ll delve further into this a little later on, but for now, I’ll focus of the levels themselves. There is a surprising amount of diversity between levels in Glyph, each requiring different usage of your jumping, gliding and charging abilities. What I did love about the level design in Glyph is the complete lack of linearity. Upon starting a level, you’re free to jump around and explore as you wish. Furthermore, given the game controls, you’re able to bounce from point A to Z, without having to meticulously go through every point in-between. This opens the game up to many gameplay styles, from speed-running through each level as fast as possible, to slowly exploring every nook and cranny, picking up every collectible you can. Speaking of which, these collectibles are central to Glyph. Simply put, the coins, gems and artefacts you collect are used as currency to unlock more levels, and progress further into the game. You aren’t required to collect all of them (or any really, if you want to be stuck on the same level that is), and the freedom afforded to players by the developers is a highlight worth mentioning. Each level also has a secret cosmetic to collect, which although given a weak narrative to justify their inclusion, are fun and challenging to unlock. All in all, the level design in Glyph is fantastic, and allows players to take full advantage of their arsenal of abilities, meanwhile giving them the option to use them however they wish.
On that note though, there is one rather glaring issue in Glyph’s gameplay design – gravity. I spent most of the time playing Glyph with an aura of frustration, wondering how the complete lack of gravity placed upon your character went amiss during development. In all honesty, I do love a challenge, and it is exactly these types of games that hook me in the most. So, it may be true this design choice was made for exactly that reason – to present a challenge. However, the movement of your metal ball feels far too unnatural, and the assumption that you will fall perfectly onto that platform you need to reach (based on… you know… your real life experience of gravity) will inevitably lead to several failed attempts. This is all in spite of an otherwise smooth, and flawless movement system. Again, it may be that this was done deliberately to create a sense of reward in achieving mastery, but in reality, even far into the game, you will find yourself continuing to misjudge your ability to navigate your environment. I, for one, am fine with these moments of frustration, as I find challenge to be an essential element needed when I am choosing a game. However, for some, this could be rather off-putting.
Lastly, I just wanted to touch on the visual design of Glyph. Wow. Bolverk Games have done a tremendous job in designing a game that, despite being glaringly low-poly, looks breath-taking. Each level creates a notable sense of depth and realism, with platforms incorporated into the natural environment. Ok, sometimes it does look a bit too convenient (much like the random haystacks found across almost every Assassin’s Creed game), but even then it is not too much of a stretch of the imagination to see how each level is born out of the story and world they are found in. This is all tied together with some beautiful lighting, and gorgeous colour schemes, which simultaneously incite a degree of charm and immersion across almost every level. Similarly, the game is laden with a soothing soundtrack, which often switches up for more frantic moments. I did notice one technical issue however, as upon entering such a phase of a level, the audio volume skyrockets up out of nowhere. This can be a little immersion-breaking, but is hardly enough to take away from the overall experience. In sum, the aesthetic created by Bolverk Games is fantastic, and they should receive all the praise they deserve.
I alluded to Glyph potentially being a hidden gem at the very start of this review, and I continue to stand by that statement. Yes, the game does have some small issues, namely with its controls, but looking beyond this, Bolverk Games has developed a rich, beautiful and compelling game. It is a game for 100%-ers, speed-runners, or even casual gamers who just want to pick up their Switch and play a level or two. I find myself falling into the former category, and know for certain that I have many more hours left to play of a game that has found itself near the top in my list of favourite games. Glyph is a game that I would implore all of you to try, even if this is isn’t your usual type of game. I’ve refrained from giving it a 10/10 due to the issues mentioned above, but in all honesty, there is very little I can say Bolverk Games got wrong in designing such a charming and wonderful game.
To all those retro gamers, this collection is one favoured by many. Revisiting the original GameBoy title, this game has brought back many nostalgic memories for players. Due to now being released on switch, a new approach to controls is introduced. The game can be played via joycon – but if you fancy a more hands on approach, controllers can be removed and touchscreen controls are implemented. If you really want to take it back to 1989, you can hold your switch vertically to mimic the GameBoy and enjoy this game as it was intended.
From the opening screen, you can choose from three different titles. Final Fantasy Legend, Final Fantasy Legend II and Final Fantasy Legend III. To anyone who played these games before, it’s a nice trip down memory lane. But to many who are unlikely to have experienced these before, they can be a little tricky to pick up.
A breakdown of titles
Beginning with Final Fantasy Legend, as soon as you start, RPG instincts kick in. You will find yourself desperately running round to talk to NPC’s to uncover the next steps. Unfortunately the game lacks in detail and from time to time you find yourself feeling a little lost. Once again talking to those who haven’t played these games before, you aren’t really told why things happen. Why do you eat monster meat after it’s dropped? Why does nothing happen? What does each class mean when you choose from a big list at the beginning? Just a forewarning, these questions will probably remain unanswered. When you get into the groove of things, you’ll begin to piece things together.
Final Fantasy Legend II follows a more rounded narrative and presents more information from the get go. You chose from a list of races again, but you’re given a party from the beginning. As a whole it seems far more streamlined and feels more accessible. Since I had no prior experience with this collection, I’d argue Final Fantasy Legend II was my favourite of the trilogy. Although it also triggers RPG instincts and you need to run around harassing townsfolk to see where you need to go.
Since Final Fantasy Legend III is the most recent release in this trilogy, it shows the most development. After playing the first two games, this change does seem a little jarring. It introduces the concept of time travel and strays from the comfortable storyline you’ve just settled into. You’re also able to jump, which makes dungeon exploration just that little bit more exciting. It’s also a little longer than the other two titles – so as a GameBoy game it’s definitely considered pretty revolutionary.
Beautiful soundtrack
The soundtrack for each title is notably wonderful and definitely brings the same joy as it would to a first time GameBoy player. Battles are tense and towns feel like home, no matter where you are the bubbly soundtrack feels like a memory. Even though this is a Gameboy adaptation for the switch, it is executed remarkably well. However when using joycons, the controls occasionally feel a little sticky. On more than one occasion I overstepped a location by about a square and ended up back in the main map. After a few hours of gameplay this becomes less obnoxious and you definitely take it into account every time you move.
Final thoughts
As a whole, this collection is definitely one worth picking up if you want a comforting trip down memory lane. I’d recommend it highly to anyone who played these games when they were released on GameBoy. To new players, maybe give it a thought since they can be considerably difficult to understand, but if you’re up for the challenge – what’s stopping you?
Virtual reality technology is no longer the subject of science fiction and has been a reality for quite some time. The technology has a wide range of applications such as training, entertainment, and digital asset creation but it has the most prominence in video gaming, for which the modern VR system was originally designed with the Oculus Rift.
While VR is currently expensive, it isn’t so expensive that it isn’t affordable and the technology is being improved all the time, therefore extending its range of practical application. Immersive VR, for example, has been used for treating a range of psychological conditions including delusions and phobias.
Despite its impressive and broad spectrum of uses, VR will probably remain true to its roots in entertainment and leisure such as with video games, immersive communication, and more recently, drone racing. Some of the best VR experiences currently available include:
FPV Immersion
Microsoft Mesh
Movies
VR Gaming
First-person View drone flying is one of the most exciting developments for VR and has revolutionized the drone industry while Microsoft Mesh has the potential to turn science fiction theories into reality and movies are one of the best uses during the pandemic while virtual reality’s true home will remain with gaming.
Take to the Skies
Improvements in technology mean that drones are no longer the sole domain of the military or private security companies and the price of drones has become so low that hobbyists can now afford to purchase even the best commercially available drones without breaking the bank. As cool as drones already were, they have been made even better with the advent of First Person Viewing which combines the best of drone technology with virtual reality.
The applications of FPV are varied but the main improvement that it has over traditional screen-based drone viewing from a monitor or mobile device is that it fully immerses a pilot by relaying visual information from a pilot’s perspective as if they were inside the drone similar to a traditional aircraft. This kind of viewing isn’t only way more fun but it allows for greater piloting accuracy and improved skill, better depth perception, and a more realistic view of a scene.
Because of these improvements over 2-D viewing, professionals from all manner of sectors can use drones more effectively such as surveyors, photographers, and extreme sports enthusiasts. While some drones do allow for the use of standard VR goggles, they have their limitations and aren’t well-adapted for drone piloting.
Drone racing is also one of the greatest beneficiaries of the excellent features of FPV headsets. One of the best FPV sets available is the DJI FPV developed for use with the DJI FPV drone. Because of its low latency and high definition imaging, the DJI FPV is able to allow flight at very high speeds of almost 90mph with excellent maneuverability that is only made possible because of the specifications of top-quality FPV goggles.
However, one drawback of FPV is that it is more expensive than traditional VR, but that is because it has been developed with features specific to drones. The build quality alone is of a superior quality to VR systems and FPV comes with specially designed controllers for use with the system and the drone and they usually offer a wider field of view than VR goggles as well.
There are many FPV systems available and like any hardware they may not be compatible with your drone so you should always check first before buying one of these expensive systems. Most drones that come with FPV capabilities offer an accompanying headset from the same manufacturer which is recommended for an optimal experience.
Two Places at Once
Like something from the future, Microsoft’s new Mesh system delivers a combination of Virtual Reality and Augmented Reality which they are calling “Mixed Reality”. MR essentially combines the best of both worlds and has been originally developed for collaborative communication but is being developed for wider applications.
Mesh currently allows users in different physical locations to “holoteleport” to the same virtual location in order to engage with each other in a shared experience. One of the key features of Mesh is that it can be used across multiple platforms and devices using Microsoft’s intuitive Azure technology.
This technology can be used for such things as virtual concerts, educational seminars and tech announcements or conferences but one of the best applications is for a combined experience and collaboration on a project such as 3D modeling. For example, everyone involved in an architecture project can holoteleport to a 3D model of the building they are constructing and walk around it, inspect it, edit it and discuss it.
This evolution in video conferencing is an impressive application of both VR and AR technology and while it currently has its limits, will improve with time. Currently, users can only appear as avatars, but Microsoft has promised that soon, users will be able to appear as photorealistic versions of themselves in a given VR or AR location.
Gaming is also being discussed with the use of Mesh. Niantic, the developer of the hugely successful and popular Pokemon Go, has already demonstrated a concept for a shared reality Pokemon battle simulator in which multiple trainers can engage in combat or explore real-life areas together as one person goes into the real world to find creatures, others can come along using the Mesh interface.
Curtain’s Up
While the Covid-19 pandemic has been ravaging industries and sectors all over the world that rely on public usage, the movie industry is one of the hardest hit. In particular, cinemas are on shaky ground at the moment since they have been closed for almost a year and it isn’t yet clear when they can reopen.
While some films such as Wonder Woman 1984, Borat 2, and Mulan were released on streaming platforms instead of in theaters, many movies such as the James Bond: No Time to Die debacle are taking their toll on cinemas by refusing to allow even a limited release to select theater companies which could potentially save them from bankruptcy.
It seems that while this is all going on, platforms such as Bigscreen could capitalize on the use of VR movies through their platform. Watching a movie on VR is amazing. Using special VR apps, you can feel like you are actually in a cinema watching a movie with other people and one of the best features of VR cinema is that they can also be watched in 3D if compatible.
Given that cinemas cannot open for movie releases at the moment, it seems like VR cinema would be a plausible solution to their problems. Theater franchises could perhaps offer virtual screenings of films using their own developed apps that customers can access via their website after buying a ticket as they normally would. Why this hasn’t happened yet, remains a mystery.
Dreams Come True
The most common use of VR is of course VR gaming. Since Palmer Luckey invented the Oculus Rift in 2012, VR gaming has slowly but surely become a home reality as other companies such as Samsung and PlayStation developed their own versions of VR headsets. While most are designed for PC applications, Sony was able to develop a PSVR that plugs into the PlayStation 4.
Because a VR headset requires that two images be rendered from a single graphics chip (one for each eye) a powerful PC is needed to take advantage of a VR headset’s full capability, especially if you want a good image. Because of the limitations of PS4, being an almost 7-year-old machine, the visual quality of a PSVR game isn’t near as good as a 2D game on a TV screen.
Despite this, Sony has managed to make PSVR an amazing platform for playing VR games with some of the best VR games available on the system such as Resident Evil 7, No Man’s Sky, and Star Wars: Squadrons, all of which are extremely impressive, even with half the resolution output.
Other headsets can output at very high resolutions but they require expensive PC setups that only the most dedicated hobbyists will bother to build. That being said, Oculus has had some good success with their Oculus Quest system which has built-in technology and doesn’t require a PC but rather, uses apps for the system. Because of this, Oculus has reportedly decided to discontinue the original Oculus Rift line of systems.
Although VR gaming hasn’t been as widely supported by video game developers as much as it should be, maybe because of the pricing of the systems combined with the cost and difficulty of development, the genre is still popular and there are some truly stunning games available that show the amazing capability of the technology.
No Man’s Sky, for example, was re-released with VR tech which has improved significantly over the past year or so, especially with the PlayStation 5 version. However, this still suffers from the limitations of the PSVR system such as a maximum resolution of 1920×1080 and poor refresh rates that can induce VR sickness.However, Sony has recently officially announced a PSVR 2 system, albeit with no details or release date, but the machine is expected to come with 4k capability and high refresh rates. The new system has been confirmed as being able to plug into PlayStation 5 with only a single wire, will utilize PS5’s new immersion features and will offer substantial performance improvements over PSVR.
If arcades were still a thing in this day and age, vertical scrolling shoot ’em up AngerForce: Reloaded would command a spot front and center; crowds brimming with anticipation at the chance to play it. Fitting the definition of a perfect arcade game, this title is addictive, short and has replay value in spades.
Bullet hell games were the perfect black hole for your wallet, providing a difficulty that would make them more a life goal to complete through countless visits to the arcade rather than an overnight playthrough at home. AngerForce is more of a modern love letter to the genre, offering accessibility through its options and modes that might make ‘bullet heaven’ a more appropriate moniker. With the loss of the arcades and the easing difficulty of games in general, shoot ’em up’s have faded in popularity, and ‘punishing but rewarding’ is now set aside to describe FromSoftware games, but ‘shmups’ have an opportunity to reclaim this title with the debut title of Beijing-based Indie developer Screambox Studio’s AngerForce leading the way.
My weapon of choice.
Before we get into that though, we must first address the game’s wonderfully unnecessary and quite awful story. Sounding and looking like the voice-actors and subtitlers were found in line at the local supermarket, you find yourself oddly charmed and rooting for the game from the start, despite the story having no real purpose.
The campaign mode starts as it means to go on, easing you into the game with a tutorial followed by its easy mode. The tutorial doesn’t explain a great deal, but it doesn’t have to, as the game’s simple and intuitive controls are easy to pick up and act as your weapon for the game’s deceivingly strategic gameplay loop beyond simply dodging bullets. You are given triggers that slow and speed up your movement and weapon buttons, but most importantly – your special weapon charging button. The conservation of this energy is supremely important to stand a chance against the bosses, but underusing them prevents your strongest weapon – your bomb – from charging. Balancing their usage and knowing when is best to unleash all your weapons is key to your progress. Charging your weapons to full capacity while simultaneously dodging all the main boss’s attacks as the soundtrack’s guitars scream in your ears, is an exhilarating feeling.
The calm before the storm….
This is often short-lived, however, as you will die – a lot, but rather than frustrate it rewards you for your forward-thinking. The game gives you points with each cleared stage and three ways to spend them – a short-term opportunity to improve your run for the following stage with health and supplies, a potentially obscene price for another continue, or to pay to unlock upgrades for future runs.
Choose your upgrades well. Some are more helpful than others…
With little to no description provided on how this system works, you initially think it’s working against you, but you soon discover a tremendously addictive system that will keep you coming back for more. What makes it so brilliant is that you are often defaulting on your current run to improve later on, forcing yourself to fail despite craving an extra go at the boss character, but you also know that a quicker charging weapon or a more powerful bullet upgrade will take you further. With the ability to worsen your own conditions/ bet on yourself for long-term gain, it gives you wonderful a degree of control, the game no longer feeling as difficult and the responsibility of failure lying entirely with you. This system is so successful at straddling the line between accessible and punishing that it might just be your gateway game to the beautiful world of vertical scrolling shmups – it certainly has been for me.
The cost of another continue on the last stage. 60 points is rather steep…
Despite singing its praises for being accessible, AngerForce can still be punishing, with only one ‘easy’ character that has a wide spread of bullets, with the others’ far narrower, representing a much greater challenge. The special moves vary brilliantly across characters, with different ranges and strengths, necessitating a complete change in tactics, adding yet further reason to keep coming back for more. The ultimate challenge lies with the arcade mode that has default stats for all the characters, removing the control and progression of the campaign mode. It’s barely worth catching your glance until you’ve played through the said campaign mode, which, minus some poorly labeled features and the occasional typos, is perfect
Moments before another victory.
The game’s soundtrack increases in intensity with each stage, building tension throughout. Starting off with Sonic the Hedgehog-esque screaming guitars, they move onto heavier guitars and thrashing violins and horns akin to an epic RPG. The audio’s success isn’t limited to the soundtrack, however, with weapon sound effects highly satisfying as they fire and reload. The visuals are clean and colorful while the animation is understated. Unfortunately, it’s also undersold by the main bosses who despite transforming into 3 different forms, start overly large and look too similar.
Screambox Studio has done a superb job creating an accessible arcade shooter that appeals to genre fans both new and old, with adrenaline-pumping ‘bullet heaven’ gameplay and a replay value that makes it hard to put down. While there are some minor issues with the presentation and the main bosses they don’t detract from the relentless fun that can be had and with the knowledge that it can also be played in a local co-op mode, you can only hope that the developer has the chance to make a sequel and include some online features.
What would you do if you couldn’t stop running? The only control you had was the direction of travel, and when to jump? How would you defend yourself if you were attacked? How would you complete any tasks you wished to undertake? These are but a few of the questions raised in my latest review title: Spooky Chase. A horror themed platform game where the hero cannot stop running once he starts.
Developed by Burning Goat Studio and published by QUByte Interactive, this pixelated 2D platformer has you collecting flags in a twisted and spooky version of capture the flag. A remarkably easy game to pick up and understand, it will suck you in with its simplicity and get you hooked on its addictive gameplay.
Monsters, so many monsters.
This is a platform game that doesn’t follow the classic approach. There are no power-ups to collect, you won’t receive a weapon to thwart your enemies, and you don’t have ample lives to correct any mistakes you make. No, this is a permadeath title where mistakes end your run, and frustration and rage take over. The story, or lack of in this case, sets the basic concept in motion. A group of children is happily trick or treating, when they decide they wish to play capture the flag as well. This decision was possibly the worst of their young lives as each time a flag is collected, a monster spawns!
Classic Halloween pumpkin King!
And this is the game in a nutshell. Run quickly to grab a flag, you then respawn at a different location with another flag as your target. The monster has spawned and will follow the exact route you have taken. Now you must avoid it while in pursuit of your next target. The more items you collect, the more hectic the action gets. Monsters appear from nowhere, leaping platforms and jumping chasms, mimicking your every move. It’s basic, fast-paced and challenging when 9 ghouls are bouncing around across your path.
Skill and luck are required.
This is one of those muscle memory titles where the more you play, the better you get. But no matter how much you practice, a healthy dose of luck will always be required. Not only do you need to collect the red flags, but it wouldn’t be Halloween if you didn’t have sweets to find. You don’t have to gather them, yet you’ll get a strange urge to over complicate the matter by grabbing every candy in sight. Alongside these collectables, you will also be challenged with getting one golden balloon per world. Like the sweets you don’t have to touch it! But the carrot has been dangled, and you’re hardly going to leave it behind.
To make matters worse, the developers added traps and pitfalls to ruin your run. The game soon becomes a test of memory and reactions. Fog will mask pits and traps, and spikes will hide in plain sight. It quickly goes from being a fun experience to a battle of wills. It gets under your skin and you’ll want to gather all those flags before moving on. The repetitive nature of the game may frustrate some players, but when you finally succeed, there is an overwhelming sense of achievement. Maybe the cursing and heartache were worth it after all.
A clown driving a car towards you…..hilarious.
Smooth and simple presentation.
A crisp pixelated style has been used alongside a dark and sombre tone. This does well to increase the horror nature of the title and works with the theme nicely. The sprites are well designed and stand out from the eerie backdrop. Many costumes are available to select, allowing you to choose your favourite hero. This adds some much needed light to a depressing world. The levels have a simple design and trick you into thinking they’ll be easy to overcome. You won’t be blown away by its looks, and it definitely doesn’t push the Series X, but it plays well and was a joy to observe.
A classic indie soundtrack of chiptune music and shrill sound effects has been implemented in this title. The upbeat, but well balanced music keeps you focussed on the task at hand and has the adrenaline pumping. Sounds play out during every action, just as we’ve all come accustom to in this genre. It was a nice and inoffensive audio that serves a purpose, however it won’t wow you.
Just keep running!
It really couldn’t be easier to play! Start a stage, select your direction of travel and jump. This is it, with no complexities or hidden mechanics. The challenge comes from the paths you create for each new monster, and how you plan to avoid them on the next run. With no controller issues or button lag, any gamer could pick this up and play it in minutes.
RIP indeed.
The simple concept and repetitive nature of the gameplay may trick some into thinking this doesn’t have any longevity. Fortunately, that couldn’t be further from the truth. Unless you are extremely lucky, you will stumble and fall on every level. Many flags need to be collected, and completionists will have a nightmare getting their 100% status. The small achievement list is linked to the gathering of all collectables. So, only the most hardened of gamers will succeed.
Simple concept and plenty of fun.
When I first saw this, I was intrigued to see how it would interest me. It’s simplicity got under my skin, and I struggled to put it down. It’s a classic indie title that can be picked up between major games and is one you’ll want to keep installed on your hard drive. I recommend it because of its casual and addictive nature, so buy it here! Can you collect all the objects in this spooky game of capture the flag? Run, jump, and avoid each ghoul that comes your way.
Humanity has its own set of rules and ideas of what is right and wrong. Theft, murder, and deceit are frowned upon, yet the romanticism that surrounds piracy still burns strong. People are obsessed with this “free” way of life; sailing the seven seas, plundering, pillaging, and murdering whoever stands in their way. Several games and films have fed off this obsession, and some of the best-loved franchises have blossomed in this dark criminal world. Pirates of the Caribbean, Port Royale, Sid Meier’s Pirates, and Patrician are to name but a few.
I for one sit in the love/obsessed camp with pirate-themed entertainment. I happily admit that I own, and have played all the major games that have been released on both PC and console. When I saw that Under the Jolly Roger was coming to Xbox One, I jumped at the chance to review it and was lucky enough to receive a code. Developed by Lion’s Shade and published by HeroCraft, it is an open-world pirate RPG that is accessible to gamers of all ages and skill sets.
It follows a classic approach.
Like many of the great pirate based games of the past, this one is set in a Caribbean style landscape. You are the Captain of a small vessel, you offer no allegiances, and the only way to guarantee favour is to pay for it with gold. The world is your oyster, and you are free to explore it however you wish. You can live your life in peace, sailing from each port trading with the many merchants or you can become interesting and; fight, plunder, and destroy everything you see.
The deadly life of a pirate.
There is a basic storyline that you may follow if you so wish, but the beauty of this title is the freedom to do whatever your heart desires. Many towns are available that allow you to; purchase goods, sell stolen ships, and undertake missions. Each of these habitats has an affinity to a country, and each time you complete a task for them, the trust builds, and dealing with them then becomes easier. If you do something wrong, your reputation will be harmed, and you will be hunted across the vast oceans. So, think before you act as actions have consequences, and you don’t wish to ruin the small bond of trust that you’ve built up.
The open-world is fantastic.
Unlike its peers, that weigh you down with a constant resource management idealism. Under the Jolly Roger focuses heavily on the action rather than the minor details. Gamers who are used to a complex trading, battle and political system, may find the simplicity a little underwhelming, but for me, I enjoyed the ease at which I could learn the fundamentals. Don’t confuse this straightforward approach with a lower difficulty, because you will be massively underestimating the learning curve you have ahead of you. It’s deceptively easy to pick up, but you will make mistake after mistake, and you will have to restart several times before you can truly progress.
Yet, once you understand the core concepts, you allow yourself to feel free in this gigantic world. You can explore as far as you wish, and many missions will require you to move from your local area to further afield. It gives the impression of going on a journey, and you plan your approach as if that is the case. You ensure that you have the most talented crew members possible, the biggest ship, and the best arsenal. However, this usually isn’t enough. You must balance the morale of the crew with constant repairs, ammunition refills, and keeping your people healthy. It’s like trying to spin 10 plates at once.
The monster from the depth started you on this journey.
Life as a pirate is a balancing game.
This continual juggling act will challenge new players. To take out the big ships, you must improve your vessel’s equipment. Upgrades are expensive and difficult to find, so the early game feels a little unbalanced. Yet, this challenge will inspire you to keep playing. The early stage grind isn’t as bad as you’d think, and the starter quests help to even up the score. You will slowly move from a green horn to a legend of the Sea quicker than you think.
Every element that you think of can be improved from its base standard. Ships can get stronger, faster, and more accurate. Spy glasses assist you with identifying the details of your opponents, and crew members can be levelled up for a massive stat boost. But the most important thing is crew management. A badly placed and unhappy crew will turn the tide of a battle in seconds.
Place your team on any of the decks for a boost in performance. Where you enhance one area, you weaken another, and it’s a challenge to get right. You must also know your crew’s morale, as unhappy sailors perform badly. Your powerhouse ship can quickly become as weak as a kitten when your team is depressed. Sailors will leave their posts and mutiny will occur, so keep battling as this makes a pirate giddy with delight. These multilayered elements ensure you must consider your approach before taking on many of the sea battles that are presented.
A game of three perspectives.
The gameplay is broken down into three distinct concepts; the World map, the open ocean, and third-person exploration and fights. Each has a unique look, and they are mostly successful with their ideas and delivery, but sadly one holds the other two back.
Time to relax and take in your beautiful surroundings.
The World map.
A 2D classic presentation of a sea chart. It starts with the unexplored areas covered by an opaque fog, as you venture into the unknown, cities and forts appear from the gloom. It’s a basic, but well-detailed navigation tool that allows you to complete your tasks with ease. The simple UI is clean and doesn’t complicate the issues. From this screen, you’ll see random fights that you can take part in. Pirate battles, wars, trade routes, fort attacks and more are available.
Sea fights.
An open-world where 3D models of your ships and the opposition appear on screen. You must select which ammo you wish to use and either blow your enemy out of the water or destroy their sails and decimate their crew. You must observe the wind direction, reloading times, your ship’s stats and more to be victorious. If you decide to take the ship for yourself, you will be thrown into a third-person fight upon both vessels.
Crew fights.
Grab your cutlass and pistol, as you will go face to face with another crew. The victor takes all the spoils, and the loser leaves with nothing. In theory, this should be the most enthralling part of the game, yet sadly it’s a dated and clunky experience that is just serviceable. The character models are well designed, the ships look great, but it’s full of glitches and bugs. The animations are slow and cumbersome and you will ghost through solid objects with ease.
Though this area wasn’t as good as it should have been, it shouldn’t detract from what is otherwise a fantastic game. You’ll still have fun competing with enemy crews and exploring different tropical islands. It was just a shame that it wasn’t as polished as the other elements.
Fire and wooden ships never mix.
Sea shanties and booming sound effects.
The audio is as piratey as it comes. Plenty of “Yar me hearties” and drunken roars await you. Jolly sea shanties accompany you across the great oceans. The constant crash of waves on your hull emphasises the pirate theme. The roaring of cannons being fired and the cracking of timber as it exploded on impact were glorious. Lion’s Shade has done a spectacular job with the sound, and it instantly transports you to this dangerous tropical paradise.
Lots to consider, but easy to play.
With so many aspects to consider, you may worry that it’ll be difficult to handle. I was pleasantly surprised at the ease at which I picked this up. A well-designed tutorial guides you through every aspect of the game, yet you’ll still make mistakes. You will have to restart it repeatedly, but once you iron out the errors, you’ll control this like a pro.
I liked the lack of a linear approach. The game allows you the choice of how you wish to progress, who you side with, and what style of gameplay you want to adopt. This design choice increases the desire to return. Alongside its challenging achievement list, and many battles, you’ll find it is brimming with replay value.
It’s not without its faults, but the open water will get under your skin.
This rather thorough review has given you all the ins and outs of a great pirate game. It contains many layers that add up to create a thoroughly rewarding gaming experience. Choose how you wish to spend your time, become renowned on the ocean, and command the most powerful vessel in this tropical world. It compares well against its peers, and I recommend you play it, so buy a copy here! Grab your ship, maintain your crew, and destroy anything in sight. You deserve to become a renowned pirate, and the free world must fear your name!
Atelia Ryza 2 is a classic Japanese RPG taking everything you expect from a Japanese RPG and mixing it with superb graphics, music and gameplay. The game doesn’t reinvent the genre but offers enjoyable gameplay and story experience—all with outstanding graphical and musical quality.
Breathtaking Graphics
When you start Atelia Ryza 2, you will immediately notice how beautiful this game is. The game mixes a 3D world with a fresh colour pallet and graphical fidelity that makes the game stunning. I found myself continually running about the game’s lush environments and in its big cities, astonished by how pretty the 3D models and surrounding area looked. From a graphical standpoint, Atelia Ryza 2 is a masterpiece. The graphics in Atelia Ryza 2 are in a league of their own.
Games such as Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, although they look gorgeous. Pale in comparison to Atelia Ryza 2’s graphics. Although a shame games such as Breath of The Wild have inferior graphics. This game shows the future graphical potential of Japanese RPG’s. I reviewed Atelia Ryza 2 on Playstation 4, and it was still stunning. The eventual new Nintendo console and the current next-gen hardware can push games in the genre to a new level.
Battle Gameplay
The recent announcement of Pokemon Legends and the already announced Breath of the Wild 2 can hopefully offer the same high-quality graphics Atelia Ryza 2 offers. Although Atelia Ryza 2 offers stunning graphics, it is worth noting that it is not an open world. The games separated into areas allowing the game to push its graphical potential. Nevertheless, the game is stunning.
Lengthy and Frustrating Cutscenes
Aside from Atelia Ryza 2’s great graphics, the game has stellar Japanese voice-over work but lacks an English voice-over. The cutscenes are also painfully long. I found myself watching more of the cutscenes than playing the game. Thus, shorter cutscenes would have improved the game’s pacing, which is relatively slow from the onset of the game.
A Cutscene
Nevertheless, the story is excellent, with a fantastic musical backdrop/soundtrack. The soundtrack is a standout, drawing on classic adventure vibes that make you feel like you are embarking on a life-changing adventure. In this adventure, you will encounter many monsters and enemies along your journey. Battling them is fun but relatively simple. The game takes inspiration from the classic RPG turn-based gameplay mechanics of its predecessors in the genre. Although Atelia Ryza 2 does not reinvent the wheel in terms of battle mechanics, they are fun and enjoyable. Atelia Ryza 2, in this regard, doesn’t try to fix what’s not broken, providing a great gameplay experience.
Verdict
Overall, Atelia Ryza 2 is an excellent Japanese RPG that doesn’t reinvent the genre but provides an enjoyable story and gameplay experience wrapped up in outstanding graphics and musical score. As a result, Atelia Ryza 2 should be picked up by any Japanese RPG fan. It was an absolute pleasure to play.
After almost 3 years worth of numerous free content updates, the tabletop-inspired RPG For The King finally receives its first paid DLC, the Lost Civilization Adventure Pack. This expansion not only brings an entirely new campaign, but it also adds two new playable characters (the Gladiator and the Astronomer), as well as gladiator arenas, dual-wielding weapons, and over 90 items and 50 new enemies. The new campaign, Lost Civilization, will take you to foreign lands to a jungle realm, where you get to unravel the mysteries behind an ancient civilization. Also, it’s worth noting that, if you plan on playing the new adventure online with other people, only one person actually needs to own DLC, which is quite awesome.
First of all, I should clarify that I’m by no means a For The King veteran. I’ve dabbled into the game in the past, but my knowledge about the game isn’t that deep. For The King is the sort of game that I like to play just for the sake of enjoyment, and not to challenge myself and become the best I can possibly be by developing tactics and min-maxing. With that said, as someone who hasn’t revisited the game in a while and hasn’t experienced every single update that it has received, for free, ever since its release in early 2018, I can definitely say that it’s good to be back. The main menu theme still gives me chills, even after all this time.
Jungle Falls
Now, although I have never had any particular issue with the game itself, Lost Civilization is the first time where For The King actually leaves me scratching my head. It’s hard to argue if this Adventure Pack is worth getting or not, not only because it’s really cheap, but also because it seems to be very divisive. This is mostly because the new enemies also get added to the other adventures present in the base game, which honestly can make some of the other campaigns feel quite unbalanced. In case you were wondering, yes, you can actually disable the DLC so that you can play previous campaigns as you’re used to, but doing so also disables all the new items and the Gladiator and the Astronomer.
To be honest, my only complaint about this DLC is how it can make things quite difficult for less experienced players. I love everything else about it. A new campaign is always welcome, as it brings forth a new story for everyone to enjoy. Likewise, having even more weapons and items is always great, as are new characters. The Gladiator is obviously more geared to physical damage, and it makes use of high initiative to strike first at your enemies. Meanwhile, the Astronomer is an extremely powerful mage that can be a life-saver in certain situations, thanks to their Black Hole ability, which you can probably guess what is used for. With that said, before you can use both characters, you must first unlock them in the Lore Store.
Despite everything, I wouldn’t say that Lost Civilization is a must-buy, at least not right now. At the moment, the difficulty feels way off when compared to the rest of the game, and adding the DLC also messes up the balancing of the original game thanks to the new enemies. If you happen to still be exploring the game itself and feel like you still have a lot to learn, then you might want to wait a while before checking out this DLC. Now, having said that, if you are among the few that already dominate the base game and just want more For The King, then this might just be what you’re looking for. Lost Civilization might not break new ground, but it’s still a worthwhile addition.
IronOak Games have done a tremendously good job over the last couple of years by continuously supporting and updating their game, and that gives me hope for the future. Still, and I can’t stress this enough, if you just love For The King, and you don’t mind difficult games nor constantly finding yourself in the midst of a challenge, then theLost Civilization Adventure Pack might just be what you want. Simply put, it’s just more For The King, so if you don’t take issue with the game’s randomness messing you up, even though I’ve felt that some of the new enemies can absolutely make you feel like the game is out to get you, then you probably won’t regret buying this pack. This is one of those cases where it feels like this DLC is more tailored to hardcore fans of the base game, and not to those who just want to experience a casual adventure. There’s nothing wrong with that, just make sure you know what you’re getting into before you decide to pull the trigger.
I have recently told you all about my love of Moving Out by developers, DEVM Games and SMG Studio, and publisher Team17 Digital LTD. This crazy solo and couch co-op title has you working together as a team of house movers. You must lift boxes and items of all shapes and sizes, aiming to get them to the removal van quickly and safely. Sadly, not everything goes to plan, and you must work around many obstacles to succeed and gain each gold medal.
I will not go into anymore detail about the base game, but if you want to know more, then read my review here! What I’m looking at today is the latest DLC released to enhance this wonderful title. Moving Out – Movers in Paradise was brought to the market by exactly the same team as the original, so it’s fair to assume that this will match up to the high standards already set.
Even tropical islands need a removal crew.
We’ve moved all the furniture from one house to another, spending all our time in a town setting, so what happens now? Work hard, play hard, so it’s time for our well worked team to take a break on a tropical island. Well, not entirely correct, it’s time for them to have a rest after they have moved all the furniture in this beautiful archipelago. New setting, new mechanics, but same glorious gameplay!
This DLC adds another layer of quality gaming to the brilliantly laid foundations. So what do you get for your money? 23 new levels, 4 new movers to use, and 1 buried treasure to unearth. After all, it wouldn’t be a desert island without any treasure to unearth. Packmore Island is a great backdrop for the madness that ensues, you are guaranteed to; laugh, cry, and scream at loved ones as you desperately try to move suitcases, trunks of gold and more.
A beautiful place to holiday!
This family friendly game is great to play with gamers of all ages, but be prepared to lose your cool as your well made plans get ruined by the kids’ inability to follow orders. If you then consider the new mechanics; moving platforms, ladders that create new paths and the crabs. This new addition is more challenging than the base game.
New mechanics will make you cry!
The moving platforms are easy to navigate in theory, but when you have many people trying to jump them while holding furniture, it takes plenty of agility and dexterity. You’ll need patience, great communication skills, and plenty of luck on your side.
The ladders like the moving platforms should be easy to use, but if you misplace them, they can fall into the chasms they span, and you will follow them into the depths, shortly followed by your untimely death. You may think “well place it correctly then!” With time ticking away, and your team screaming at you to move faster, that’s easier said than done.
Crabs……those annoying pincer wielding crustaceans! They get in your way, move the items you are looking for, and kindly unload your van for you. If it isn’t your children you want to scream at while playing this, it will be the crabs for sure!
These new mechanics add a greater depth of difficulty. It was nice that the developers made the game harder. I dislike when DLC is released that adds little content, and next to no game time. Fortunately, Movers In Paradise has a full achievement list, and will push the most adept players to their limits.
Don’t let those crustacean’s make you crabby!
A similar look, but a calmer audio.
Little has changed with the visual approach from the developers. It’s a case of if it isn’t broke, don’t fix it. The brilliant cartoon style and vivid colours work perfectly with the tropical setting. The new character models look great, and there were no issues with performance even when the action was hectic. I loved the use of warm colours, it made this add on stand out from the cool tones used in the original city.
Movers In Paradise has moved away from the game show music experienced in Moving Out. You are now treated to a delightful Caribbean themed soundtrack that is relaxing, fun, and will bring a smile to your face. It was a little strange that this chilled out style played out as you ran around like a headless chicken. Though it was weird, it worked well with the theme and the mad style of this game.
Easy to play, but you may smash a controller!
You begin your trip to Packmore Island with a straightforward tutorial. This follows the same process as before, but gives you a quick overview of the new mechanics. That is with the exception of the crabs, they are a nasty surprise that comes later. I said in my Moving Out review that 4 and 6-year-olds can play this, I stand by that, but this doesn’t mean they will be much help in your moving team. Many smashed controllers may be the side effect of playing this with the youngest members of your family, so just remember you have been warned!
Geysers and furniture do not mix.
If you keep all your peripherals intact, you’ll get to play through 23 new levels of madness and fun. These stages all use the timed scoring system, so to gain all the gold medals will require many hours and a high level of skill. Add to that the full 1000 Gamerscore achievement list, and you have a lot of reasons to return to play. At £5.99 it proves to be great value for money, and a worthy addition to your couch co-op gaming library.
DLC isn’t always worth it. How about this one?
I have purchased many DLC packs in the past and several have disappointed me. Happily, I can say that I wasn’t let down by Movers In Paradise. Though the concept hasn’t changed a lot, the addition of 3 main game mechanics makes this worth playing. If you love Moving Out, you won’t be disappointed with this, so buy it here! Grab your passport, jump on the boat and help the people of the Packmore island move house.
Couch Co-op games are massive business. The last 18 months have had families locked in their houses with little more to do than; home school, argue, and play games. So why not combine 2 of those things and take part in a guaranteed fight by playing one of the many couch co-op games that are available?
Moving Out by developers; SMG Studio and DEVM Games and publisher Team 17 Digital LTD is a fast-paced and hectic family friendly game about a moving company attempting to complete many jobs. I first discovered this at EGX 2019. We laughed and played it for 1 hour straight as we screamed at each other for failing to move furniture and boxes correctly. From that moment I was champing at the bit to get my hands on a copy. With its release on Gamepass for Xbox and PC, I played it to death, and now I return to it because of its newly released DLC Movers in Paradise.
Fun, frustration, and plenty of fights.
The concept of this is straightforward. Go to your job, move the required items to the van, and go home! If only it were that simple, though. Each job has many hurdles to overcome, with pitfalls around every corner wanting to catch you out. Animals run amuck, chasms will appear, obstacles will block your path and more.
That’s one way to cut the tape from these boxes.
You are a team of workers, and you must join forces to move the objects quickly and safely. Lost or broken furniture is unacceptable, and certain pieces require multiple bodies to move it. It’s a logistical nightmare, and one that will test your patience and communication skills. Alongside your day job, you are expected to complete secret tasks to be awarded medals.
Break windows, move turtles or garden ornaments, chuck boxes and so forth. These additional challenges add an extra layer of difficulty and shouldn’t be taken lightly. To get them all, you are likely to have; lost friends, gotten a divorce, and developed a nervous twitch. Don’t say you haven’t been warned!
It’s exactly what you want from a couch Co-op.
When I look at family friendly games, I still want it to contain a challenging element, and Moving Out has struck that balance brilliantly! With gameplay modifiers that can assist a solo player or a struggling team, to the aforementioned additional challenges, there really is something for everyone.
To add to that, each stage can be approached in manageable chunks. You needn’t worry that your little angels will get bored as rounds can be finished in minutes. You can play as seriously or as casually as your team of movers likes, and this makes it accessible to gamers of all ages and abilities.
Why on earth would you want to move a boulder?
It’s awash with colour.
Like many of its peers; Overcooked 1, 2 and Tools Up, this is a bright cartoon based game that is a treat for the sense. The plasticine style character models with their many skins allow each player the freedom to express which best suits their personality. The level designs are ingenious with many quirky touches, and each has a unique look. I particularly enjoyed the world map. It wasn’t just a method of moving from one mission to the next, no, it held its own secrets and objectives if you looked close enough.
When you play with 4 players, it’s all hands to the pump, and the action gets hectic, items fly everywhere, but the gameplay never stutters or falters. It’s incredibly smooth and though you’ll want to scream with rage, it’s never because of performance issues.
An 80s inspired game show style audio plays out as you desperately try to move all the boxes. The upbeat synthesised pop music gets you and the team ready for some heavy lifting. It was a great choice as its playful tones matched the light-hearted nature of the gameplay. This was then married up with ear splitting crashes and bangs from dropping boxes, breaking furniture and smashing glass. It’s sensory overload, but man did I love it.
Furniture and fire do not mix.
So simple, a child will play it.
Why aim a game at youngsters if you are going to make it hard to master? This must have been considered by the developers, as this is one of the easiest couch co-op games I’ve attempted. If my 4 and 6-year-olds can play it, then anyone can. Just be warned that your patience will be pushed if you try to involve young family members, and you’re likely to scream out loud.
A sign of a great game is that you’ve loved playing it, and you can’t wait to play it again. Moving Out ticks both these boxes and more. With its variety in stage design, difficulty choices, ability to play solo and the multitude of challenges, this one has a lot of replay value. To buy it outright at £19.99 it’s great value for money. If you subscribe to Gamepass, you get to install it for free as part of your subscription.
Moving furniture has never been such fun!
Who’d have thought that furniture removal could be so enjoyable? Yes, there’s a lot of heavy lifting, you’re likely to lose friends, and you may finish with one less child, but you had fun on the way. Moving Out is a simple concept executed brilliantly, and I can’t help but recommend it. Download it on Gamepass or buy it here! Go from job to job with your team of movers. Remove everything without destroying the house, unless of course your secret objectives ask you to! Complete the tasks, gain all the medals, and become the best movers in town.
Why is it that rabbits get the rough end of the stick in nearly every computer game? In Rayman Raving Rabbids they are shown as insane and are constantly battling one another. In my latest review, Radical Rabbit Stew, the poor beasts are the main ingredient for our chef’s menu.
Developed by Pugstorm and published by Sold Out, this retro puzzle game will tweak nostalgia-filled heartstrings with its simple gameplay and 16-bit aesthetic.
Puzzling has never been so easy.
You control a chef whose only aim in life is to capture every rabbit he finds and cook it in a pot. “How does he do this?” He has a massive spoon and the world around him to hit them on a course of no return. Once every pot is full, the level is over, and you must do it all again on the next stage.
Take down that massive evil Rabbit!
It’s puzzling, but on an easy scale. Failure isn’t a concern, and if you knock a bunny into the nether, you start again and learn from your mistakes. Think of it as a giant “Whack-a-Rabbit”, they keep popping up and you smack them over the head.
Fun, but repetitive.
The initial stages are fun, and until you familiarise yourself with the mechanics, they offer some challenge. New upgraded tools are chucked into the mix to add extra dimensions, and the levels get bigger and more complicated. However, it’s repetitive and becomes dull quickly. Even with introducing boss fights, it never gets off the ground. All the new ideas revolved around the chef’s spoon and didn’t develop any further.
To overcome this, Pugstorm added a level editor and a local multiplayer mode. These acted like a plaster over a decapitated limb. These were nice additions, but they failed to overcome the obvious shortcomings in the main concept.
Born with a silver spoon in your mouth?
The level editor was fun to use, but wasn’t user friendly. No tutorial is offered, and it has a learn as you fail model. Once you get to grips with it, you can design some tough and gruelling levels that will test you to your limits. The multiplayer is on par with the single-player mode, but is reliant on up to 3 additional people wanting to cook up rabbits in a competitive manner Unfortunately, this rarely happens, and neither adds much to this simple game.
16-bit retro inspiration.
If you’re a fan of the old-school pixel art style, then you will love how this is presented. A colourful, vivid and blurry world awaits you in this simplistic title. The stages all lack finesse, and I was reminded of early SNES and Mega Drive endeavours. Bold colours dominate the landscape, and though each area has its own look, they all had a familiar air to them. The graphics won’t blow you away, but they work with this style and in this context.
The audio goes hand in hand with the visuals and uses a simple synthesised sound. The music is retro, screechy, and annoying. The sound effects were, however, great. The noises will make you chuckle as you smack your bunnies around the head, or you get chased by them, and they bite you.
Too many cooks spoil the broth.
Swing and a miss.
Swing, swing, swing! You will swipe and flail away at the rabbits, constantly missing. It was frustrating, a bit of a mess, but something that must be accepted if you wish to play this. Other than timing issues, it’s easy to learn and handle, and players from all age groups and skill levels can play it without issue.
Because of its repetitive nature, and the lack of development in the multiplayer mode, I wasn’t keen on playing this for too long. Initially, it did enough to keep me focussed, yet it quickly lost its shine. This affects the replay value and will prevent gamers from wanting to return.
A sad result for the bunnies!
You get cooked in a pot, and no one wants to play with you. It is truly a sad day for rabbits everywhere. The difficulty of the puzzles was lacking, and new elements failed to build on a weak concept. Unfortunately, not much of this piqued my interest past the initial world. Do I recommend this? Not really. If you do like retro puzzle games, you may wish to buy it here! Become the chef and cook every rabbit in sight. It’s not a tough task, as every puzzle is a piece of cake to solve.
