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Review: Yoto Mini

Daniel Waite

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Oct 5, 2024

The Yoto Mini is a tiny but powerful audio device for all of the family. This incredible tool is the smaller but more versatile version of the Yoto player. I love that music box and my youngest daughter listens to it daily. Accordingly, when we had the opportunity to get our hands on its portable sibling, we jumped at the chance.

This tiny device requires some minor compromises. However, this doesn’t undermine your listening experience and I believe you get great value for money. Additionally, you enjoy Yoto radio, unlimited audio, and every exceptional story via the Yoto digital store or physical cards. Consequently, if your kids love audiobooks or music, the Yoto Mini is the perfect tool for them.

What are the compromises?

The Yoto player is a powerful audio device that is suited for a bedroom or living area. Furthermore, it can be charged wirelessly and it has a massive battery life. On top of this, there is stereo sound, a thermometer, and a nightlight. As such, it packs plenty of tech into its compact design.

The Yoto Mini focuses on a portable approach. Subsequently, a few of these elements have had to be removed. The battery is around half the Yp capacity and it can only be charged via USB. Furthermore, it has mono sound and there is no nightlight or thermometer. None of these compromises bothered me as I loved the portability and the large chunky buttons.

What’s in the box of the Yoto Mini?

The packaging is cute but refined. The robust layers keep the contents safe and they can be recycled.
The Yoto Mini is tiny. This adorable device is lightweight but hard-wearing. Moreover, it has a small display screen, large dials, and a slot for each Yoto card. Finally, there is an audio jack for headphones.
Charge the device with the USB-C cable.
A blank Yoto card is provided to create a digital story via the Yoto app.
Learn the fundamentals with the user guide.

Technical aspects.

This compact player packs an almighty punch. Though it only offers mono output via its speaker, I didn’t mind. The audio quality is still impressive and there weren’t any uncomfortable or flat moments. Additionally, the volume levels are powerful and your kids can crank it up when they are listening to their favourite song or book.

The up to 14-hour battery life may disappoint some parents. Yet, I found that this was sufficient. Thanks to the fast charging facility, the Yoto Mini was rarely out of juice. Furthermore, whenever we were out and about, it could be charged from my Cuktech power bank for added convenience. Word of warning! Make sure that children do not charge this in their bed. The Yoto player and Yoto Mini need ventilation and a solid flat surface whenever they are being charged.

Finally, if your kids have wireless headphones, they can use Bluetooth to connect wirelessly. This was great as it reduced clutter and kept things streamlined. Thankfully, this was easy to master and connecting the headphones was a simple task.

Audio quality.

The Mono sound may seem disappointing. However, the Yoto Mini offers size-defying sound. The powerful speaker was impressive and the music and spoken clarity were fantastic. My daughter tends to set everything at maximum volume and this didn’t falter. No matter how hard she pushed the volume, the audio didn’t crack! Moreover, the range of tones was comfortable and every piece of dialogue was clear and easy to understand.

Build quality of the Yoto Mini.

The build quality is phenomenal. The hardened plastic shell can take some rough and tumble. What’s more, the little digital display is cute and vibrant. This screen helps you to keep on top of your settings, and this improves usability. If you have youngsters, you know they love to fiddle with everything. Thankfully, every vital port and element is well positioned. The USB and audio ports are robust, reducing the risk of damage.

Alongside this, the 2 chunky control knobs are easy to handle. The large orange design is eye-catching and the fundamentals are obvious without having to grab the user manual. If you are using physical audiobook cards, the recessed slot is located at the top of the device. Though kids could pour liquid into this area, they’d struggle to insert other foreign objects. As such, this helps to reduce risk and potential issues. Whenever the cards are inserted, they are held tightly within the player and I had no concerns with damage or losing them.

Usability.

The Yoto Mini is so easy to use that a child can master it. This was good as my 9-year-old was all over it like a rash. The tactile buttons are fun to use and the display screen highlights the consequences of her actions. Furthermore, clear audio tones highlight whenever any task has been completed. This was great as you can’t go wrong.

If your kids love to listen to white noise or they need a clock to stay in bed, this player accommodates those needs. This was an unexpected extra that was a pleasant surprise. Both features are easy to find and simple to set up. We’ve all used YouTube and other streaming services. These free-to-use platforms are great, but the constant ads are infuriating. Thankfully, Yoto is ad-free and you know that the included Yoto radio and other features are child-friendly and great to listen to.

Audio cards.

I was provided Yoto’s latest Harry Potter series and The Famous Five audio collection. These stories were brilliantly told and the acting, sound effects, and music create a sense of drama. Subsequently, you can easily lose hours as you drift away and listen to each tale unfold. If you love either of these story collections, you will not be disappointed.

The blank Yoto cards are another great solution. You can download a large selection of stories via the free Yoto app. The blank card can be wiped and reused as much as you wish. Accordingly, your children can enjoy new stories or games every night if they wish.

The audio cards are the size of a standard business card. Moreover, they are robust and can take some minor mishaps. However, they will get damaged if you twist or pull them. As such, some care is needed when you handle each card.

Is the Yoto Mini worth it?

The Yoto Mini 2024 version is available for under £60. This is unbelievable value when you consider every feature. Additionally, the free radio service, downloadable audiobooks, and exceptional build quality make this an appealing device. I loved its versatility and powerful mono speaker. What’s more, the design was great and it is effortless to use. Therefore, this would make a great Christmas present and I recommend buying it here!

_{(More information on Yoto can be found here!)}

The Yoto Mini has been awarded the Movies Games and Tech Gold Award.

_{(Full disclosure! Yoto provided a sample for an unbiased and free review!)}

A Closer Look at Squishmallows Take 4

Andrew Edney

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Oct 5, 2024

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Here we take a closer look at Squishmallows Take 4.

Squad up with Squishmallows Take 4: the family game for any Squishmallows-lover!

Looking for a fun group game? In this fast-paced, quick-thinking game, you’ll race to collect 4 of a Squad before your opponents. Choose which of the four cards you want from the ones in play—but watch out.

If you reach for the same one as someone else, you’ll have to race to grab the exclusive Benny The Bigfoot Squishmallow in the center!

Perfect game for game night with your friends, family, at school or at home—no matter where or when, you’re bound to love it.

The box includes an exclusive Squishmallow – Benny the Bigfoot, 84 square cards and some instructions.

The game is a lot of fun, and even when you are not playing it, you can cuddle Benny the Bigfoot.

Brought to you by What Do You Meme?, Squishmallows Take 4 is available now priced around £16.99 and is aimed at ages 8 years and up.

A Closer Look at Cat Days

Andrew Edney

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Oct 5, 2024

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Here we take a closer look at Cat Days from Farplace Games.

A short strategic game of cards where you want to fill your week of cats and score more points than anyone else.

Start with a cat tree enabling placement of 3 cats on the same day, increasing your score.

One copy of the game is needed per 2 players who wish to play i.e. if you have 3 or 4 players, you will need 2 copies.

As well as having a fun game to play, every game sold helps animal rescue work, so what are you waiting for?

Cat Days from Farplace Games is available now for £5.00 and it would make a great Christmas stocking filler.

You can learn more about Farplace Games from their website.

Review: SanDisk 256GB Pokemon microSDXC for Nintendo Switch

Andrew Edney

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Oct 5, 2024

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Review: SanDisk 256GB Pokemon microSDXC for Nintendo Switch

Here is our review of the SanDisk 256GB Pokemon microSDXC for Nintendo Switch.

Running out of space on your Nintendo Switch? With new games growing in quickly, the 256GB Pokemon SanDisk microSD card for Nintendo Switch will put an end to your storage woes!

In partnership with Nintendo, this offering provides the highest capacity in the officially licensed SanDisk microSD cards lineup, giving Nintendo Switch players even more space to take their favourite games on the go.

Play your games in Pokémon style with this officially licensed microSD card line for Nintendo Switch from SanDisk. Fan favourites like Pikachu add some Pokémon flair to your storage, and each specially designed card is tested and approved for use with Nintendo Switch systems. Begin your Pokémon adventures faster with read speeds up to 100MB/s, and add your favourite titles, videos, screenshots, and more to your card at rapid write speeds up to 90MB/s. With a lifetime limited warranty, SanDisk has your back, so you can play your favourite Pokémon games for years to come.

The SanDisk 256GB Pokemon microSDXC for Nintendo Switch is available now priced around £29.99 and is a must have if you want to increase the size of your Switch library, and even better if you are a fan of Pokemon.

You can learn more from the Sandisk website here.

Review: SEGA: Sliding Sonic Holdems

Daniel Waite

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Oct 4, 2024

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The SEGA: Sliding Sonic Holdems is the perfect gift for lovers of this famous hedgehog. The vibrant colours, striking design, and exceptional build quality are apparent. Furthermore, I adored its retro nature and the sense of energy. This 4″ figurine is perfect if you wish to add a splash of colour to your desk or if you wish to keep things streamlined.

The handy cupping area is ideal for your mobile phone or your earbuds. Accordingly, you won’t continually misplace your essential tech if you are like me. Moreover, I hate a messy desk, and this product keeps things neat while adding a fun and exciting edge.

Design features.

This 4″ tall figurine is robust, stable, and pleasantly heavy. The base is big enough to keep Sonic upright and I wasn’t concerned about damaging the finish. Its vibrant colour and eye-catching design reminded me of the 90s SEGA Mega Drive hero. This slightly dated look brings back memories of my childhood and I appreciated this model over the modern approach.

Sonic’s curved arms cup your mobile phone or earbuds case. The area is large enough to hold bulky phones, but snug enough to keep everything safe. My phone vibrated many times in the holder and it never fell off. This was reassuring as my phone is always on the go.

Is the SEGA: Sliding Sonic Holdems worth it?

If you love Sonic the Hedgehog, then you’ll adore this figurine. It is striking, well-made, and built to last. Furthermore, it keeps your desk clean and adds energy and fun to any workstation. However, if you cherish other characters from the franchise, you can order different models to complement your tastes. This is the perfect gift for gaming enthusiasts and I recommend buying it here!

_{(More information on EXGPRO can be found here!)}

The SEGA: Sliding Sonic Holdems has been awarded the Movies Games and Tech Gold Award.

_{(Full disclosure! A sample was provided for an unbiased and free review!)}

Review: SpongeBob SquarePants: The Patrick Star Game

Daniel Waite

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Oct 4, 2024

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Review: SpongeBob SquarePants: The Patrick Star Game

SpongeBob SquarePants: The Patrick Star Game is a childish title that will make younger gamers smile. The large open world and familiar characters are great to interact with. Moreover, the simple tasks and freedom to explore must be applauded. However, there are a few glitches and issues that impact things. Accordingly, I’m hopeful that these minor problems will be ironed out. If they are not, it isn’t game-breaking, it simply undermines the polished finish.

This 3D open-world experience was developed by PHL Collective and published by Outright Games. Moreover, it is a single-player game, which may disappoint some parent and child teams. However, I was happy to sit back and watch my munchkins tackle each task between them. I laughed as they giggled their way through Bikini Bottom. The physics-based mechanics are ridiculous and Patrick Star can destroy anything in his path.

Patrick is driving a boat whilst wearing a captains hat in SpongeBob SquarePants: The Patrick Star Game.

SpongeBob SquarePants: The Patrick Star Game is mindless fun.

The plot is as deep as a puddle. Ironic, I know, as this is set at the bottom of an ocean. Yet, the storytelling and character depth won’t remind you of a Shakespearean masterpiece. Instead, you’ll take every moment with a pinch of salt. This approach was perfect for my kids as they loved the stupidity of every encounter. However, adults will roll their eyes as each bite-size encounter amounts to nothing more than toilet humour and childish shenanigans.

This may seem like I’m complaining, but I’m not. I cherished each silly moment. SpongeBob, Mr Krabs, Plankton, and more demand your help as you jump, roll, and drive across Bikini Bottom. Consequently, each of your favourite locations can be explored and there are tasks to be completed in each area. Yet, if you just wish to run riot, you are not penalised for taking a break. This level of freedom was ideal as my youngest daughter loved colouring in the large canvas and driving the police cars across the sandy sea bottom.

No rest for the wicked.

As you complete each mission, a new one will be flagged on your radar. Whether you are asked to remove loud teenagers from a sunbathing spot or you need to shoot crates with a coconut gun, it doesn’t get boring. Furthermore, you may be asked to collect rubbish or clean gloop from prime locations across the sea floor. Either way, the tasks are easy to complete and perfect for a younger audience.

I adored the selection of venues to explore and the short, sharp missions were achievable for the youngest of players. Alongside the main quests, you are asked to find jars of mayo. This was a little testing as they are hidden in the strangest of locations. This additional task was tough for my youngest kids, but my oldest daughter who is 10 loved the challenge and showed her sisters how it was done.

SpongeBob SquarePants: The Patrick Star Game looks great.

Child-friendly games tend to look awful. Thankfully, SpongeBob SquarePants: The Patrick Star Game is eye-catching and perfect for its intended audience. The large open-world is a pleasure to explore and the characters are nicely detailed. What’s more, the cinematic is well-presented and this kept the action flowing. Unfortunately, though, there are some issues where you can see through the floor and the camera occasionally gets stuck in the scenery. This was a shame as without these problems, it would be an extremely well-polished title.

The audio is as loud and hectic as you’d expect. Every character sounds like they should and the noise levels are uncomfortably high. Yet, it is this cacophony that adds energy and drama to each mission. The shrill sound of each siren or the noise of each creature chatting will make you wince and smile.

Patrick enjoys watching TV in SpongeBob SquarePants: The Patrick Star Game.

Good controls.

The camera can be problematic. However, the controls are easy to understand and simple to master. Patrick rolls around, burps, jumps, and grabs items with both hands. Furthermore, the physics-based elements allow the world to shift and flow as items are struck or picked up. This was nice to experience, but it made things tricky at times. However, as long as you are patient, you can overcome many of the issues related to these mechanics.

Replay value and longevity are at an all-time high. There are many mayo jars to collect and plenty of missions to complete. Furthermore, you can redo quests if you like or explore Bikini Bottom at your own pace. Either way, there is plenty to see and do in this child-friendly game.

SpongeBob SquarePants: The Patrick Star Game is great fun.

An adult will think that this is repetitive, simple, and childish. However, SpongeBob SquarePants: The Patrick Star Game is not aimed at adults. Its key demographic will love the vivid graphics and the burps. Furthermore, they’ll adore each quest and the large open world. It is silly, loud, and remarkably easy to play. Accordingly, it is perfect for kids and I recommend buying it here! Can you become a Bikini Bottom hero? Help the locals, explore the world, and find every jar of mayo.

Review: Fall Guys: Ice Cream Holdems

Daniel Waite

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Oct 3, 2024

0

The Fall Guys: Ice Cream Holdems solves a well-known problem. If you have a desk and a mobile phone or earbuds, you know that things can get messy. Accordingly, a fun and interesting solution has been found. This colourful 4″ statue is perfect for housing your tech. Alternatively, maybe you just love the game and you want to brighten your workspace. Either way, this product is perfect.

This simple hardened plastic item will get people talking. The amusing style highlights your light-hearted side and the strong design hugs your phone or earbuds case. Consequently, you know that your precious electronics are safe and your workspace is clean.

Design features.

The Fall Guys: Ice Cream Holdems has a robust base that ensures perfect balance. Furthermore, the curved arms create a dramatic stance that is ideal for your electronic goods. Accordingly, my phone can vibrate to its heart’s content without falling to the ground. This was reassuring as my phone never stopped. Alternatively, I liked how it cupped my earbuds. I’m forever misplacing them, so this is the perfect solution and a time saver.

The hardened plastic makes this a robust item. I admit I dropped it a few times, but that mattered not. The figurine simply bounced and no damage was done. If you wish to add a vibrant and futuristic edge to your gaming set-up, then look no further. The vivid pinks are juxtaposed with the softer yellows. Moreover, the gormless expression captures the essence of the protagonists perfectly.

Is the Fall Guys: Ice Cream Holdems worth it?

If you want to tidy your desk while adding some colour and flair, the. The Fall Guys: Ice Cream Holdems is worth every penny. This striking 4″ figurine is nicely balanced and has a pleasant weight. Additionally, it is ideal if you are a fan of the game. The curved arms comfortably hold a phone or earbuds case and I had no concerns about them falling from the cradle. Subsequently, I love this product and I recommend buying it here!

The Fall Guys: Ice Cream Holdems has been awarded the Movies Games and Tech Gold Award.

_{(More information on EXGPRO can be found here!)}

_{(Full disclosure! A sample was provided for an unbiased and free review!)}

Review: Test Drive Unlimited Solar Crown

Daniel Waite

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Oct 2, 2024

0

Review: Test Drive Unlimited Solar Crown

Test Drive Unlimited Solar Crown has kept its fans waiting. It was announced over 4 years ago, and its fanbase has been remarkably patient. Sadly for them, though, the Early Access hasn’t gone smoothly. Server issues have caused countless problems and this taints the end product. This is particularly relevant as the game requires a persistent online connection. Accordingly, losing data and issues with races are but a few problems I’ve discovered.

This racing simulation title was developed by KT Racing and published by Nacon. Furthermore, it can be enjoyed alone against AI bots or online with others. If you plump for the latter option, you’ll prove your worth against fellow racing fans. Alternatively, if you try your luck against the computer, you’ll come up against imbalanced action and a sense of unfair action. However, it isn’t all doom and gloom as Test Drive Unlimited Solar Crown is extremely good when it works.

Test Drive Unlimited Solar Crown tells a familiar story.

Test Drive Unlimited Solar Crown treads familiar ground. You play the part of a relatively unknown entity as you try to break into the world of elite racing. Along the way, you’ll select a clan to represent whilst driving some spectacular vehicles. The story is very “Fast and Furious” and it rarely influences the action. Instead, your ability and your car do the talking as you race to your heart’s content.

Set in a sprawling open world map, drivers can enjoy urban neon-lit streets or spectacular rural locations. Hong Kong has allegedly been recreated to a 1:1 scale. Yet, I cannot attest to the accuracy as I’ve never been to that part of the world. Consequently, more well-travelled gamers can challenge the developer on their huge claims.

The best part of this racing sim is the Forza-style gameplay and the exceptional environment. Drifting across busy city streets and trundling through narrow rural roads never gets boring. Additionally, the ability to find hidden gems and lush temples was fantastic. On top of this, you are rewarded XP for your efforts. Therefore, you improve your character and you get to witness some spectacular scenery. In my opinion, that’s a big win.

Realistic cars.

Racing is all about the cars and the competition. Test Drive Unlimited Solar Crown gets half of this battle right! The cars are phenomenal and the level of detail and the customisation options will blow you away. As you race and you earn money, you can upgrade your car to tackle tougher scenarios. Alternatively, you can buy a large range of cars from the many showrooms you discover.

With all this power behind you, you’d think you’d stand a chance against your AI opponents. Unfortunately, this isn’t always the case. Equally tuned cars fly by you like you are driving a Citroën 2CV. This was utterly disappointing and frustrating. When XP determines your ability to progress, it is often unfair that an imbalance in approach holds you back. Hopefully, this is something that can be sorted out as the game gets patched.

The ugly side of Test Drive Unlimited Solar Crown.

Modern games and horrible bugs are commonplace. This doesn’t make it right, but I’ve learned to accept the shortcomings. Disappointingly, Test Drive Unlimited Solar Crown has a ridiculous amount of glitches, graphical errors, and bugs. The list is too long to mention, but here are a few issues I’ve discovered.

Connecting to each race can be problematic. In fact, I spent 2 hours on one session unable to race at all. Instead, I scoured the map unlocking new locations. Now, this nicely sets me onto my next issue. As I unlocked each location, it meant they were accessible. However, upon reloading the game, this progress had been wiped. It was frustrating as it always felt like 1 step forward and 2 backwards.

Finally, graphical issues taint to the end finish. I lost count of the texture faults, screen tears and other minor problems. I’m sure these will be ironed out, but currently, the problems are hard to ignore.

Plenty of things to discover.

I loved the ability to smash down asphalt streets or jump into an off-road vehicle and hit the dirt. As you explore every nook and cranny, you’ll find petrol stations, meet-up points, and showrooms. Alongside this, there are plenty of amazing gems to uncover. This blend of progression landscapes and the freedom to explore was great.

Like Forza, you are awarded points for drifting, burnouts, and other driving skills. Furthermore, discovering each special location boosts your reputation to open more race opportunities. Accordingly, your aimless driving is rewarded and this increases the depth of gameplay. On top of this, there are speed traps to activate and in-game currency to collect. Therefore, there is plenty to do besides the core racing elements.

Test Drive Unlimited Solar Crown has great potential.

Despite the visual issues, this has the potential to be a great-looking game. The neon-infused streets look amazing in the rain. Furthermore, the dust and gravel from the unmarked areas were phenomenal. This visual experience is enhanced by the fine-looking cars and the attention to detail. The mixture of alloys, paint colours, and different parts will make petrolheads salivate. Moreover, the sense of speed and the lush movement of the cars were enthralling and brilliant to look at.

This sense of realism is complemented by the ear-splitting audio. The sound of engines roaring and tyres screeching was great. Each vehicle has a unique sound and I admire the developers’ pursuit of realism. If you then consider the exceptional list of songs and the opportunity to pick your favourite radio station, then you’ll agree that there is something for everyone.

Excellent controls.

Though I found the AI to be unfair and poorly balanced, the cars handled strangely. The asphalt roads feel slick but grippy. What’s more, each vehicle has a nasty sense of doing as it wishes. This behaviour is tough but fun to manage. If you love to drift and slide off-road, you’ll adore the brutal terrain and the tough handling. Test Drive Unlimited Solar Crown pushes each vehicle to its limits and the unique handling and qualities were apparent from the off.

The progression system seems a little off-kilter. Once you get to a certain point, you have to grind to open new races and opportunities. This is made worse by the problematic AI and the XP blocking from these races. I can see this holding things up and unless you love to explore, you are going to hit a bottleneck pretty quickly. Yet, if you adore driving around and you don’t mind working to the end game, this has plenty of replay value and longevity.

Test Drive Unlimited Solar Crown is good but flawed.

I enjoyed Test Drive Unlimited Solar Crown. However, I cannot ignore its faults. If these are ironed out, this has the potential to shine. Yet, until they sort out the server issues, this will put people off and that is a shame. Once the developers get to grips with the shortcomings, this will be a phenomenal racing experience. Accordingly, despite its flaws, I recommend buying it here! Can you become a pro and represent your clan? Pick a car, explore the streets, and race to be number one.

Review: Frostpunk 2

Josh Blackburn-Lane

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Oct 2, 2024

0

The mercury had long since frozen over. The coal mines were barren. Even if there were coal, the miners’ hands would be too cold to extract it. Angry mutters filled the streets as the whiteout slowly drew to a close. The cost quickly became apparent as the sun came out from behind the clouds. Piles of frozen bodies beginning to thaw in the warmth. Riots were breaking out across the city and the heads of all four political parties were looking squarely at the problem: me. I was exiled without trial. Stranded; left to die in the snow. The city picking up what pieces it had left.

This is how my first run of Frostpunk 2 ended. I went away with my tail between my legs and dropped the difficulty down. Still, I consider it a positive experience for two reasons. Firstly, it taught me to play a bit more conservatively in order to survive. Secondly, it showed me that Frostpunk‘s best point still persists. It can generate stories as you play. Frostpunk 2 may feel a lot different in various aspects – most notably a much slower pace – but at its frozen core still beats the heart of Frostpunk.

Ice, Ice, Baby

If you’re new to Frostpunk, then it’s sort of like the film, The Day After Tomorrow. Only instead of hiding in libraries and running from awful CGI wolves, the people did something useful: they shoveled coal into a giant generator. While most of Britain is a snow covered wasteland, New London persists thanks to its tower of steam. The first Frostpunk was about stocking up in order to survive a colossal storm. By the time of Frostpunk 2, giant storms are commonplace. It’s time for us to think about what comes next. That changes the feel of things quite a lot, as you’ll see.

First though, let’s look at how Frostpunk 2 actually plays. It’s a city builder, with a strong focus on resource management. You start off with just the generator, and district-by-district, you meet your citizen’s needs. There’s housing, fuel, food, materials and goods. These all need to be built on limited deposits, and require heatstamps, workers and prefabs. There’s so much going on and any of them can run out at any moment. This is where most of the tension – and excitement – comes from, and successfully meeting these needs is a good part of the fun.

It’s quite the balancing act. Buildings require fuel to heat them and materials to maintain them, for instance. As your population is continually growing, the pressure grows along with it. Higher difficulties require smart planning to survive (which rather counts me out). Added to this is an array of political parties, all with different agendas. The Stalwarts, for instance, are old school. They think they generator will see us through whatever happens. The Frostlanders, conversely, think we should embrace exploration and adaptation. If you want to pass laws, you’ll need delegates from these parties to vote for it. Failing to keep all parties happy is a big reason for my first failure.

Frosty Politics

The upshot is that Frostpunk 2 is at its best when things are going wrong. When you think you’re comfortable but your population suddenly explodes and now people are digging for food scraps in their shanty towns. The flipside of that is that things tend to be less interesting when everything is going well. When you’ve met your needs, there’s not much to do beyond research stuff and await the next catastrophe. There’s a fast forward function, but that’s a plaster over things, really. Higher difficulties may eliminate this issue, granted, but once you’ve got fuel and food, everything tends to fall into place.

As we’re on the complain train, we might as well carry on. Take them with a grain of salt, though, as my ventures into Frostpunk 2 on difficulties higher than the lowest have (so far) ended in disaster. Anyway, one irritation of mine is Heatstamps. These are essentially taxes, supplied by your populace. I don’t like them because they aren’t interesting. They steadily grow with the population, so they mostly just stop the pace as we wait for them to accrue. Seems pointless, given prefabs do pretty much the same thing. Things tend to snowball towards the end too, once you’ve exploited the Frostland. There’s a moment where you realise success is almost inevitable.

It’s these things that give Frostpunk 2 a very different feel from the original. It’s a lot slower. You pop down the districts, let the resources flow in, then try and keep the political parties from mucking things up. Quite the change from the constant, bubbling panic that Frostpunk championed. I find myself drawn to it, though. The slower pace – and the politics – make the people feel real. There are little bits of writing that pop up throughout when you make your choices, which I love. It’s hard to enact, say, public execution when you’re looking at the face of the man you’re about to sentence.

Frostpunk 2 – Freezing The Stakes

To be honest, I think I like Frostpunk 2 more than the original. If Frostpunk had a failing, it’s that it showed the stakes early on. You had to survive the whiteout. That meant that, while some of the choices made were agonising, ultimately I wouldn’t be around for the consequences. Once the storm was over, I could peace out. Frostpunk 2 makes you live with your decisions. Risky moves to get past the next whiteout mean you’ve got to put out the political flames that result. Double shifts make for a lot of riots. This comes into its own in the Utopia mode, which is essentially a survival mode. One, large overarching goal and that’s it. You’ll see me there for a good while.

One thing to mention before I bring this to a close: at time of writing, Frostpunk 2 is still quite unstable. It crashed constantly, often when I was trying to load a save. A particularly cruel time to crash. Still, I don’t factor these into my score as the hotfixes are coming through. But I wouldn’t blame you if you held off for a month or two. If you take the plunge, however, you’ll find a smart and emotionally-charged city builder, which imagines what happens when humanity pushes past an extinction event. Given how the world currently is, let’s just hope I’m not in charge when it happens.

(Frostpunk 2’s Steam Page)

Review: Operation: Polygon Storm

Daniel Waite

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Oct 1, 2024

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Operation: Polygon Storm mixes tough combat elements with minimalist tactical nuance. The result is a challenging but fun game where flexibility is king. Alongside this, the developers have done a fantastic job of creating a gentle learning curve. Accordingly, this will appeal to genre veterans and newbies alike.

This auto-battler was developed by Toxic Studio and published by Untold Tales SA. Furthermore, it is a single-player experience that uses a side-scrolling perspective. This rudimentary design was dated, but I enjoyed the well-laid-out battlefields. Additionally, the environment evolves as each arena is highly destructible. Consequently, plans must change and you must learn to adapt.

Operation: Polygon Storm tells unique tales.

There a a handful of tough scenarios to tackle. Each area has a unique geography and there are fresh units to tackle and problems to overcome. What’s more every zone has a different theme. Though there isn’t a deep and emotional story, the variety of locations and the different approaches keep you coming back for more.

On top of this, there are 3 difficulty settings to test you. Each playthrough offers a small reward and once you earn the cash, you cannot return to rinse it dry. This was great as it removes the sense of “grind” whilst keeping the action balanced.

Money, money, money.

As you select your mission, you are free to pick your troops and supporting units. Occasionally, you’ll be restricted to a handful of soldiers. However, as you progress, you’ll unlock bigger, tougher, and more expensive options. The blend of units will decide your chances of victory. Yet, it is not as simple as flooding the playing field with men. No, you just earn cash to buy each troop.

Time and the occasional airdrop increase your bank balance. As the dollars roll in, you must invest in infantry, snipers, guarded units, and so forth. Alongside this, you may place claymores and other defensive tools to stem your enemy’s advances. The constant back and forth of death and gains was captivating. Additionally, it was fun to move troops to ambush your foes.

Operation: Polygon Storm is tough to keep up with.

I loved the side-scrolling perspective. However, the fast-paced action was tough to manage. As troops enter the warzone, you are expected to counter your foes and protect your forces. Yet, this wasn’t easy. Luckily, the excellent UI and highlighting tool help you to manage your forces. Moreover, the unique character models are easily identifiable to assist you.

I adored the interesting level design. Each location varied slightly and the destructive nature of the cars and barriers was impressive. Furthermore, the hectic action is manageable because of the smooth animation and lack of visual clutter.

The audio is unsurprisingly loud and aggressive. The banging soundtrack is dramatic and angry. As the game unfolds, you get used to the heavy beats. Though it wasn’t my thing, it suits the theme and the brutality. What I enjoyed, though, was the exceptional sound effects. The never-ending bullets and crashing bombs were fantastic.

Excellent controls.

The developer was adamant that Operation: Polygon Storm be as minimalistic as possible. As such the control system benefits. The lack of micromanagement was perfect for gamepad use. Additionally, once you understood the fundamentals, it was a cinch to play.

Operation: Polygon Storm has limited levels to play. Yet, 3 difficulty settings and a skill tree for each unit increase replay value and longevity. As you earn money, you may invest in your army. Subsequently, you’ll make your forces more powerful and increase your chances of victory. However, you are free to upgrade each troop as you wish and this increases your tactical options.

Operation: Polygon Storm is a decent indie title.

In the beginning, this didn’t blow me away. The gameplay wasn’t captivating and I struggled with the core concept. Yet, once I invested time and effort, my opinion changed. Accordingly, I appreciated the little tactical elements and the tough moments. Moreover, victory felt great, especially during the latter levels. Therefore, it’s a decent indie title and I recommend buying it here! Can you win every battle? Pick your troops, invest wisely, and be sure to adapt to each situation.