Review: Wings of Bluestar

Daniel Waite
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Review: Wings of Bluestar

Shumps have been a go-to genre for generations. Fans love the simple stories, rich colours, and addictive gameplay. However, having played many of these titles, I yearn for something fresh. Thankfully, Wings of Bluestar delivers this with its multifaceted story, multiple endings, and single-player and cooperative action.

Developed by Shinu Real Arts and Eastasiasoft Limited and published by the latter, this is a retro shoot-’em-up. What’s more, it comprises visual novel elements, a fun arcade mode, and a challenging boss battle. On top of this, it can be enjoyed with a friend and has some excellent artwork to devour.

The hero dodges a mountain of projectiles.
Welcome to bullet hell.

Wings of Bluestar focuses on longevity.

An addictive game is all well and good. Yet, I’m interested in the longevity of the plot and the action. Thankfully, Wings of Bluestar delivers this in spades. With multiple endings, and many plot-altering choices to mull over, no playthrough is the same. Alongside this, you may select from two protagonists with a specialist set of skills. Accordingly, when each of these elements combines, you experience a game that keeps you coming back for more.

You control a pair of pilots who must save mankind. Aya is a hard-working trainee with a heart of gold. Whereas, Zarak is top of his field and his modesty reflects this status. However, both characters know their roles and what they must do to be victorious. Sadly, the peace has been disrupted as remnants of an AI rears their ugly head. By exploring strange locations and destroying an array of enemies, these heroes will rise to the top and save the day. Yet, things are never as easy as they seem! Unsurprisingly, enormous bosses and bloodthirsty machines will stop at nothing to halt their progress. Consequently, they must master their abilities and arm their ships if they wish to fulfil their destiny.

One or the characters holds a mysterious piece of tech in their hands.
Oi, what do you have there?

Bullet hell and upgrades. 

Though many of its peers have fast-paced and hectic action at their core, Wings of Bluestar bumps it up a notch. This bullet hell monster keeps you on your toes as you dodge, weave, and shoot to survive. On top of this, there are collectables to grab, risk stars to gather, and plenty of upgrades to be had. Then you must remember the scoring system that ticks over. Each of these mechanics merges to generate a fun but overwhelming experience. Furthermore, the branching storyline and interesting characters keep you hooked.

Yet, the most important element has to be the ship upgrades. As you destroy each enemy, there is a chance they’ll drop new weapons, power-ups, or a shield. Whatever it is, it’ll improve your chances of survival. Fortunately, though, the developers are pretty generous. Subsequently, you have multiple credits and lives to keep each run going. Moreover, if you fail, you simply start over from the top of that chapter. As such, you never lose too much progress and the gameplay isn’t too frustrating.

Wings of Bluestar is polished to a modern standard. 

Wings of Bluestar has a familiar aesthetic. However, the polished finish and vivid colours make it stand out from the crowd. Additionally, the interesting stage design and variety of robotic enemies were great to look at. Alongside this, you’ll adore the masses of projectiles that fill the screen. In short, it’s a messy but well-conceived idea that is pleasant to the eyes. Accordingly, I loved the graphics, but it was the smooth action and lag-free approach that impressed me most of all. With so much going on, it could have performed horribly. Instead, it never stuttered and though it is overwhelming to observe, it never turns your stomach or hurts your eyes.

Graphically, Wings of Bluestar leaps forward. Yet, its audio is distinctly old-school. With a synth style and electronic undertones, it is reminiscent of many great 80s classics. Moreover, the sound effects are shrill and harsh, but well-considered. I adored the booming explosions, the high-pitched lasers, and the high-energy soundtrack. Thankfully, every element worked as it drove the action and story forward.

Wings of Bluestar has a striking artstyle. Here, the hero shoots at a gargantuan robot while on a desert planet.
Unlease hell!

Hit-and-miss controls. 

Normally, Shmups are easy to play but tough to master. However, this one is more complicated than its rivals. As such, its control system is hit-and-miss and poorly explained. Furthermore, I discovered a fault with the shooting mechanics that undermined the action. On top of this, it made it much harder to play! Sadly, this impacted the enjoyment factor and was detrimental to the final product. However, when the analogue shooting option worked, it was brilliant. Yet, it annoyingly failed many times.

If you can ignore this issue, you’ll enjoy a moreish and challenging game. What’s more, it can be played with a friend and this adds to the longevity. There is also a range of game modes to unlock as well as a small achievement list to complete. As such, it is excellent for completionists and veterans of the genre. 

Wings of Bluestar is amazing when it works perfectly.

Wings of Bluestar does a great job of freshening up this well-trodden genre. Yet, I can’t overlook the controls. Every other element is polished and well thought out. But the control system lets it down. I adored the great story, the manic action, and the tough gameplay. However, it is held back by the fiddly inputs. If the developers were to rectify this, it would be one of the best Shmups of recent times. As it is, it’s amazing when it works, but that wasn’t as often as I’d have liked. Consequently, you may be discouraged, but I recommend it despite its shortcomings! Can you save mankind from an old foe? Grab the upgrades and power-ups, and kill everything in sight. 

Review: The Last Hero of Nostalgaia

James Refelian
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Review: The Last Hero of Nostalgaia

At EGX 2022, I was lucky enough to play The Last Hero of Nostalgaia and patiently waited for the game to come out. It was hilarious with the most sarcastic narrator a game has ever had, and I’m so glad this game exists. While the game is Nostalgaia – not nostalgia, you’ll undoubtedly be feeling nostalgic as you explore this unique souls-like world.

Gameplay

If you’ve ever played a Souls game, you’ll know what to expect from The Last Hero of Nostalgaia; it feels very similar to most action RPGs. You have items that can be equipped, monsters that can be looted, free movement, fluid combat controls and skill points to spend. However, be prepared to die and repeat sections because this will happen. It will happen a lot. While for some players, this is mildly infuriating (for others, it’s controller-breakingly so!), it’s not so bad.

One of my favourite games to play between deaths was spot the Souls reference. From level designs to bosses to entire scenes, there were subtle (and not-so-subtle) references that any fan of the genre would love. The story is a straightforward concept – the world of Nostalgaia is falling into pixelation, and it doesn’t look like there is a hero that can save the day. That is until an unlikely hero appears. A stick figure. What follows is an exciting, action-packed, comedy-filled love letter to Souls games with familiar bosses and locations blended perfectly into this new and unique world.

Regarding weapons and other gear, The Last Hero of Nostalgaia has more than enough to satisfy every player. Not only that, but there are so many references to other games that it is a genuine joy to find these unique items. One of the unique mechanisms when it comes to gear is ‘remembrance’. You can uncover the lore of the thing you find to unlock additional stats. This is genius, and more games need to adopt this blend of world-building mechanics.

Don’t worry if you prefer magic powers to hacking and slashing; the game has you covered. In the game, it’s called Source (to tie in with the meta-gaming references), and there’s a lot you can do with these abilities.

How Long To Beat pitches the game at taking about 16 hours to complete everything and only 11 hours to complete the main story. While not as long as a true Souls game, The Last Hero of Nostalgaia packs in a lot.

There is a main quest to complete but also numerous side quests from the world’s unique cast of characters. The fantasy world that you can explore is varied, but not without some minor issues referenced below.  

Visuals

The art is one of the most wonderful things about The Last Hero of Nostalgaia. What starts out as a wonderful, detailed aesthetic reminiscent of those early Dark Souls games quickly descended into pixel art. These two contrasting art styles make such a visually interesting game to look at and explore. You could have a beautiful vista and the simplest texture on a wall. You never know when something will look 3D or be 2D pixels. It gives the world a fresh feel while playing on the nostalgia of different RPG-Adventure games. The hero, you would expect, should have endless customisations to determine every inch of their appearance. Well, The Last Hero of Nostalgaia even has a tongue-in-cheek twist on this. It gives you all the sliders but literally changes nothing. You’re a stick figure, after all.

As I mentioned earlier, the references to Souls games are strong, which even translates into the visuals. The entire world design feels like it belongs in Souls 1, and even some Bloodborne bosses make it into the game. If you’re a fan of Dark Souls, Bloodborne, or anything close to them, you will love the visuals of The Last Hero of Nostalgaia.

Some minor issues

While the combat is usually brilliant, there are some issues with hit registration in places, but thankfully this was infrequent enough not to register as a major annoyance.

My other minor annoyance is that while the world is spectacular, you can often find yourself taking a somewhat unnecessary shortcut to a place you’ve already been – but with little-to-no value in returning there. In addition, the fast-travel system is limited, meaning you can often find yourself backtracking unnecessarily to get to that one NPC you need to visit with nothing exciting to pass your time. A better thought-out fast travel system would be welcome.

Boss battles are few and far between. This isn’t a Souls game, so don’t expect it to be full of insanely difficult bosses at every turn. What is there, however, is well thought out and unique to each stage of your journey.

Final Thoughts on The Last Hero of Nostalgaia

The Last Hero of Nostalgaia is near-perfect. It is a fun, action RPG with an engaging story and a Soul-like experience. On top of that, you get a unique art style blending 3D and 2D graphics, and finally, there is comedy. I’ve never laughed more than cried when playing something called ‘Souls-like’. To me, the icing on this delicious cake is the references, not only to the various Souls games and Bloodborne but also to other franchises entirely (HALO and Zelda, to name two). It’s a delight; slight annoyances aside from exploration mechanics and missed hits, you will find yourself hitting ‘revive’ a million times as you try and prove that sarcastic narrator wrong!

News: EPOS | SENNHEISER

Daniel Waite
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0
News: EPOS | SENNHEISER

We have brands that we associate with excellence. For me, EPOS | SENNHEISER is one of the best. In the past, I was fortunate to look at the EPOS GTW 270 hybrid earbuds. Consequently, these phenomenal earbuds reinforced my belief that EPOS | SENNHEISER is a market leader. Therefore, when I was told of their recent flash sale, it piqued my interest.

Gamers and audiophiles can grab some of the greatest tech available at a discounted rate. As such, you can improve your setup without breaking the bank. Without further ado, let’s see what treats are on offer. 

The EPOS | SENNHEISER flash sale. 

About the GSP 670

The GSP 670 is a premium wireless gaming headset for the demanding gamer. Customise 7.1 surround with the EPOS Gaming Suite and adjust chat and game audio independently. Intelligent battery management preserves battery life and Bluetooth® lets you switch seamlessly between your game and phone.

GSP 670 – from $249 down to $169 (save $80) // £219 down to £149 (save £70)

About the GSP 370.

The GSP 370 wireless gaming headset delivers reliable, lag-free audio with up to 100 hours of play on a single charge. Personalise your game audio through the EPOS Gaming Suite with 7.1 digital surround sound processing. The headset features a microphone with a lift-to-mute flexible boom arm and high-wearing comfort.

GSP 370 – from $149 down to $99 (save $50) // £129 down to £89 (save £40)

About the GAME ZERO.

The GAME ZERO is the classic closed acoustic headset designed for the gamer seeking a competitive edge. Original transducer technology delivers extreme audio clarity for exceptionally detailed realism and positional accuracy. Lightweight, yet robust, the headset folds for convenient portability.

GAME ZERO from $179 down to $99 (save $80) // £159 down to £89 (save £70)

This is a limited-time offer. 

The up to 45% off bestselling, award-winning EPOS | SENNHEISER gaming headsets is available for a limited time only at eposaudio.com. This incredible offer runs from the 16th of January until the 29th of January 2023. Subsequently, if you want to grab yourself a bargain, I advise you to be quick. These products get a thumbs-up from the team at Movies Games and Tech. Furthermore, EPOS | SENNHEISER is a brand with a great pedigree and an excellent reputation.

(More information on EPOS | SENNHEISER can be found here!) 

2023 arrives loaded with new video game releases

Andrew Edney
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2023 arrives loaded with new video game releases

In 2022 the video game industry had a good year. The two big companies in the sector, Microsoft with its Xbox X Series and Sony with its veteran PlayStation series, managed to satisfy their eager fans. Also, Nintendo, with the new video games for the Nintendo Switch, showed that it still may par alongside the best in the industry. Undoubtedly 2022 left good video games and raised the bar for 2023. 

However, in this coming year, it is expected that the novelties will come in strong in terms of video games. We still do not know all the releases that will be throughout the year, but there are already some hints of the upcoming video game titles scheduled to arrive in the first half of 2023. Before summer, there will be a mini-revolution in the sector because of all these releases, some of these being highly anticipated titles by video game lovers. The unknown factor is whether there will be more surprises after summer or this flash will only last for the first six months of 2023. 

The most faithful to their favorite games have already noted the release dates of those games they can’t resist. In 2023 there will be releases for all major gaming platforms: PlayStation, PC, Xbox, and Nintendo. Some will be continuations of the most iconic video game sagas in the world, and other titles will bring fresh new properties and brands to both the triple-A and indie gaming markets. 

Which video game releases in 2023 are the most anticipated

One of the most anticipated titles is Fire Emblem Engage, the sequel to the tactical strategy game that was so popular when Fire Emblem: 3 Houses was released. The previous one was released in the summer of 2022, and for this year, it’s time for the upcoming sequel, which promises even more content, characters, and great cinematic work. Nintendo Switch lovers will undoubtedly spend hours enjoying themselves with this exclusive title. 

But also, they will have to learn how to properly spare some of their gaming time for the highly anticipated The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom. One of the most anticipated games by the fans because Zelda games are consistent hits, and in 2023 this new saga of the story will be available to all. There has not been a new Zelda installment since 2017, so Tears of Kingdom will surely be one of the great video games of 2023.

On the other hand, PlayStation and Xbox users will also have to save up for new video games coming in 2023. For example, the Dead Space remake has already been announced, and it has been promised that it will surprise because it will test the capacity of PS5 and Xbox Series. Also, a spin-off of the Yakuza series will arrive called Like a Dragon: Ishin, a video game reserved for Japan only until 2023.

However, the big smash titles of 2023 for the PS5 and Xbox are Hogwarts Legacy and Resident Evil 4 (Remake). Hogwarts Legacy, the video game set in the Harry Potter universe, was scheduled for release in 2022, but its release was delayed for 2023 due to development issues, making its release one of the most anticipated for fans of the J.K Rowling universe. Just as anticipated will be the remake of the famed Resident Evil 4 title, which will be updated with the latest graphics and gameplay features. 

These two games will also be compatible with PC, although the most anticipated PC-exclusive games this 2023 are Starfield and Company of Heroes 3. Just as exclusively, Final Fantasy XVI for PS5 will be released alongside PlayStation VR2 in 2023; a new step forward in virtual reality that will revolutionize how we interact with our gaming systems. 

Virtual reality has offered astonishing advances in countless entertainment-related sectors. For instance, some games offer great visual experiences such as casino games. It is true that nowadays, this sector can be easily found online, with plenty more advantages and bonuses than in previous years. Among these benefits is the online casino no deposit bonus. People claim no deposit bonuses because users get extra money which they may use to win real money at online casinos. In addition, there are several bonuses suitable to everyone’s pockets to play gambling classics like Book of Ra.

In essence, 2023 comes loaded: New video games that will get the most out of the latest generation consoles. Thrilling stories, improved graphics and new ways to play and interact with the game world are what 2023 is expected to bring gamers of all types, both console and PC players alike. It remains to be seen what other surprises 2023 has up its sleeves in terms of releases because there are sure to be more and we cannot wait to see them. 

Review: Xplora XGO3 GPS Smartwatch

Andrew Edney
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Review: Xplora XGO3 GPS Smartwatch

Here is our review of the Xplora XGO3 GPS Smartwatch aimed at children.

The Xplora XGO3 smartwatch for kids is a perfect introduction to the digital world and comes with all the key features to be onboarded safely. It provides comfort, fun, and security in everyday life for the whole family. Thanks to mobile connectivity, children can discover the world carefree and communicate with their friends and relatives at any time.

Xplora offers the highest level of data security, making it the most secure product in its category, and has been tested and approved by TÜV. All communication is encrypted. This means there is secure encrypted communication between the kid’s watch, the cloud server, and the parental app. In addition, the Xplora kids smartwatch is not connected to the Internet. The data storage has been carefully designed according to the GDPR regulations. These factors combined make Xplora safe and suitable for children. The Xplora smartwatch is equipped with the technology of a smartphone. However, the features are adapted to the needs of children. Most importantly, unlike ordinary smartphones, the smartwatch has been designed with security measures that protect it from possible hacking or cyberbullying.

All Xplora watches are set up and managed via the Xplora app. This way, parents always have an overview and control. They can enter and add contacts via the app, and only these contacts are visible on the Xplora watch. The child can only communicate with the contacts that have also been stored by the parents. The live location of the watch can be viewed by the parents at any time via the app. All other functions, such as setting an alarm, school mode, or safety zones, are also controlled via the parental app.

Xplora believes that kids should be encouraged to stay active and explore the world around them. Xplora’s reputation as the world’s leading smartwatch for kids has allowed us to be pioneers in this space. Using our revolutionary rewards system, kids receive 1 Xplora Coin for every 1,000 steps they take. Xplora Coins are valid in the unique Goplay platform that features fun games, activities, and exciting campaigns. Working with major film and TV companies such as Paramount, Warner Bros, Universal Pictures, and Netflix, we run regular campaigns on the Goplay platform, encouraging children to be more active. These often include competitions and amazing prizes for topping the leaderboard.

Features

  • Phone
  • Messages and Voice Messages
  • GPS Location Function with SOS and Safety Zones
  • School Mode
  • Step Counter, Stopwatch, and Alarm
  • Camera, Gallery, Emojis

What’s in the box?

The box contains the XGO3 smartwatch, charging cable, instructions and a SIM removal tool.

A Closer Look

Final Thoughts

The XGO3 looks and behaves just like a smartwatch – because thats exactly what it is, just one designed for a child. Its a little chunkier than an adults smartphone but that makes it easier for smaller hands to use.

The XGO3 comes with a sim included in the box – you just have to activate it and then take out a subscription in order to use some of the features of the watch like GPS tracking, with the subscription costing around £7.99 a month, but this does include unlimited calls and data on the watch.

Setting up the XGO3 was fairly simple – just download and install the Xplora app and then follow the onscreen instructions.

The Xplora app is what you as a parent would use in order to track where the watch currently is. The app also controls what the watch can do, when it can do it (there is a School mode that disables certain functionality during the school day), who can be contacted from the watch and so on. It’s worth checking if your childs school will allow them to wear a smartwatch though.

If you child is worried or needs help, there is an SOS button on the watch which sends a message to an emergency contact.

Charging is via the included charger – a full charge should last a day or so, depending on usage.

The screen is clear and easy to read and the watch itself is waterproof so it should protect it if there are any little accidents.

The only calls that can be made or received on the watch are from pre-approved numbers added via the app – that stops them from calling the wrong numbers or receiving unwanted calls.

The Goplay platform encourages children to be active and earn rewards in games – this is a good way to get the child to play! Once they start earning those xcoins they want want to stop!

The camera is 2MP, not the greatest camera around but certainly good enough to use on the watch and enables your child to take pictures and have fun.

The XGO3 makes a great smartwatch for your child!

The XGO3 is available now priced around £139.99 (although at the time of the review it was available at £119.99) and is available in Blue, Black, Green, Orange and Pink. SIM plans start from £6.79 per month.

You can learn more from the Xplora website here.

Review: Undernauts: Labyrinth of Yomi

James Refelian
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Review: Undernauts: Labyrinth of Yomi

Undernauts: Labyrinth of Yomi is a dungeon crawler from Aksys Games and Poppy Works. When a dungeon mysteriously appears from the ground, the government send people to investigate. You play a corpo tasked with exploring the depths of this dungeon to find precious, presumably priceless, resources.

Gameplay

After some story cut-scene, you start the game by making your character. There are some basic archetypes to pick from, male, female, grizzled and young – after that, you can edit the name, history, job etc., but none serves many purposes beyond fleshing out the character in your mind. What will make a difference, though, is the background you select. Again, there are different options to pick from, which will impact your character’s starting stats. Finally, you must choose the job – these again have some impact as the jobs are tied to additional abilities and stats. I will say they are a unique list and not your typical, although there are some familiar archetypes here that will feel more familiar. Once you’ve set your starter stats, you’re finally ready to enter the dungeon.

Exploring is typical for a dungeon crawler, with square-by-square movement to explore rooms and complete environmental puzzles to unlock new areas. As you explore, you’ll encounter various monsters that need to be defeated (see the combat section below!) and find treasure that can help you develop. The mini-map is vital for exploration; you need to pay attention to it! It will show the squares you’ve visited, which are very helpful when you want to find your way back to camp. The map also features auto-travel routes, a timesaver when you’re deep in the dungeon and need supplies.

Treasure chests are not all they seem; often, I was surprised by an attack.

The camp has basic crafting, and the team mechanics work relatively well with the ability to boost their skills, increase defence and more for a short duration.

Turn-based Combat

Combat grows your experience, and it’s important with the volume of monster encounters in the dungeon. Being a turn-based system, you can select between defending, attacking, using items and skills, or running away. It felt a little like early Pokémon if that reference helps! You can control your team during combat scenarios, and as you face more difficult enemies, the skill will be needed to work out when to defend, heal or buff another team member for their powerful attacks. Definitely pay attention to the colour marker of the monsters you’re facing, as this will denote whether you should run or stay and fight. Purple means boss, red is normal, green unlocks new areas etc. The number of skulls is also something to consider; the more skulls, the longer the combat chain, which means if you’re not stocked up or your health is low, you might want to avoid these.

When you inevitably win (hopefully!), you’ll be rewarded with experience and sometimes items that might be useful to you. Experience, as you would expect, allows you to level up your skills and stats.

Undernauts: Labyrinth of Yomi is Not Perfect

Undernauts: Labyrinth of Yomi isn’t a perfect game, though. Often, the music had no correlation or even tonality to the environment or actions on the screen, and this disconnect made immersion difficult. Furthermore, the story feels underdeveloped and quite surface levels in places and the dungeon crawler experience, while solid, doesn’t feel new or bring anything exciting to the table. This isn’t a reason necessarily not to play it, but if the budget is tight and you’ve played dungeon crawlers before, then perhaps the money is best placed elsewhere unless you really love this genre.

Review: Rainbow Billy: The Curse of the Leviathan

Cody May
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Review: Rainbow Billy: The Curse of the Leviathan

More often than not, Xbox Game Pass always delivers a regular cadence of high-quality indie games. With games like Vampire Survivors, Cult of the Lamb, etc. gamers have flocked to these smaller gems in the absence of Big Blockbuster exclusives. Rainbow Billy: The Curse of the Leviathan is my most recent obsession thanks to the service. It’s a 2.5d, creature capture adventure-puzzle-platformer, developed by ManaVoid Entertainment and published by Skybound Games.

A World Devoid of Color.

Let’s face it, the world can be a scary place. So many of us struggle with accepting ourselves for who we are, and that is reflected beautifully in Rainbow Billy: The Curse of the Leviathan. At the beginning of the game, our characters’ worlds are full of color. This allows them to be themselves, making them cheerful and loving. But, the Leviathan who is colorless, steals all the color from the world, except Billy’s, and you must go on a magical and fun journey to restore color to the world.

I love games that tell meaningful stories in fun new ways. There’s a lesson in this game that is important for all ages, and it’s presented beautifully.

The starting area in Rainbow Billy: The Curse of the Leviathan
The starting area in Rainbow Billy: The Curse of the Leviathan

The Friends You Make Along the Way

Restoring color to the world is quite a daunting task, especially alone. Luckily for you, gaining friends in Rainbow Billy: The Curse of The Leviathan is a crucial mechanic. Like the rest of the world, the majority of people have lost their colors, exposing them to all of their insecurities and flaws.

You’ll meet so many endearing characters throughout your play-through, and you’ll learn just how essential friendship is in a dark and cold world. The coolest part of gaining these friends is how developer Manavoid Entertainment incorporates the power of talking into its battle system.

The character "Friend-ship in Rainbow Billy: The Curse of the Leviathan
The character “Friend-ship in Rainbow Billy: The Curse of the Leviathan

We All Need Someone to talk to

As you go from island to island on your friend/talking boat aptly named “Friend-ship.” You’ll come across characters who are devoid of color. A battle will initiate once you approach them, and you must talk to them by learning what troubles them. This will reveal their colors to you, which allows you to recolor them with the friends you’ve already made.

The Battle Screen in Rainbow Billy: The Curse of the Leviathan
The Battle Screen in Rainbow Billy: The Curse of the Leviathan

It was so touching seeing characters talk about their struggles very openly, and helping them to see the good in it. This was simply stellar game design from the developers, and I applaud them for it.

What’s even cooler is once you’ve made these friends they hang out below deck on your boat pal. You can go and visit them whenever you like and even bring them gifts you find in the world. They request said gifts, and by doing this your friends will level up.

Closing

Rainbow Billy: The Curse of the Leviathan is an important game for all ages. Now more than ever, we need to be accepting of everyone, because we’re all human and this game does a stellar job of highlighting that. With a charming world, enchanting characters, and a thoughtful message, you’ll find plenty to enjoy in this game.

Always be yourself, always be kind, and never be afraid to show your true colors.

Simple Steps to Up-skill in Any Game

Christopher John
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Simple Steps to Up-skill in Any Game

People play games for all sorts of reasons. For some they’re an entertaining pastime, for others a means of connecting with friends both near and far. And for some, the competitive experience is the key motivator behind why they play. 

For those in that latter group, there’s a clear desire to work towards improving your skills in the game you play, irrespective of whether it’s a classic table game, a high octane esport, or something in between. 

No matter what game it is, there are several simple steps you can take to meaningfully progress in your quest to improve your gameplay. Below we’re going to take a look at some of these fundamentals.

Learn the Language

Gaining an involved understanding of the terminology in use in the game you play can be a huge help when you’re trying to improve. Often specific language grows up around a game to describe dynamics, rule-sets and strategies that only grow more relevant the better you get. 

For example, the card game poker, which is more popular than ever in its online forms, has a wide glossary of niche termsand definitions for all aspects of play. The same even goes for seemingly more simple games, like the popular battle royale Fortnite, which has insider idioms relating to everything from fortress-building methods to descriptors of situational tactics. 

In developing a familiarity of the language specific to your chosen game, you not only gain a more specific understanding of its core game mechanics, but an ability to converse with other players about detailed aspects of gameplay.

Do as the Romans Do

The popular saying, “when in Rome, do as the Romans do” relates to following the customs of the place you’re visiting, and whether that’s a physical location or game world, it holds true. One of the most natural ways to improve in playing a game well is to pay attention to the way skilled gamers play, and do your best to emulate their tactics and behaviours. 

Often, through mimicking a highly proficient player, you may discover facts of gameplay that would be ordinarily obscured from you. Say, for example, you see that at the beginning of a game on a specific map, high level players all gravitate towards the same location. 

In following them, you may discover the underlying rationale for their doing so – perhaps they’re heading to the spawn location of a power weapon, or even an outcrop that gives you a superior line of sight over your opponents. 

By taking time to observe those better than you, and think about the motives underlying their behaviours, you will naturally improve. The same goes for rival players – if you get defeated, time and again, in a certain situation, take some time to unpick why. You may discover that you’re exposing a weakness obvious to better players, hence the pattern. 

Those Who Can, Teach

In popular psychology and educational theory, there is a phenomenon known as the protégé effect. It demonstrates that an individual tends to learn and integrate information more effectively when they’re tasked with teaching what they know to another. 

This is because, in formatting what you know in such a way that it can be taught to another, you must first clarify, to yourself, what your understanding of the given subject is. This can be a powerful tool to employ when trying to get better at a game. 

In guiding a new, or less skilled, player, you may find that you learn – or re-learn – things that benefit you in the process. Often we take things for granted, and that can lead us to develop bad habits or simply make-do with an incomplete understanding. 

Teaching another, and fielding whatever questions they may have about basic and fundamental components of the game in question, can be an extremely potent way for you yourself to become a better player.

Review: Winters’ Expansion

Daniel Waite
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Review: Winters’ Expansion

Back in May 2021, we were all dodging Covid and enjoying the latest instalment of Resident Evil. Resident Evil Village blew me away and was given a 9/10 for its efforts. Consequently, when the Winters’ Expansion DLC was announced, I was very excited. This excellent addition focuses on 2 unique game modes. The first sees the return of Mercenaries mode, the second adds a fresh storyline with an unlikely protagonist. As such, it incorporates some mindless arcade fun and a new but familiar adventure experience.

Developed and published by Capcom Co, Ltd. this is a horror adventure title. Furthermore, it is story-rich, and gory, and has a wonderful blend of evil and wicked characters. Alongside this, it retains many much-loved mechanics while delivering some original elements along the way. If you’ve played the base game, you’ll experience many of the excellent locations again. Now, this may seem a bit lazy, but it is not. Instead, the developers have twisted each area to complement the fresh tale and the new protagonists.

A creepy building appears from the fog.
Don’t go in there!

Winters’ Expansion: an unlikely protagonist.

Shadows of Rose explores a story 16 years after the original. You control Rosemary Winters, Ethan’s daughter. During the original story, she is but a mere child. However, now, she has some unusual powers. With psychic abilities, Rose is a tough adversary. Furthermore, her twisted experiences within the familiar locations are brutal, haunting, and unbelievably scary. Her DLC runs for around 3-4 hours and comprises 3 key moments. The first and the last are nothing unusual and follow standard Resident Evil tropes. However, the middle section is phenomenal.

During this time, you’ll enjoy some delightful stealth elements. Here, the story truly shines and the horror moments pop. Without spoiling it for you, there are plenty of jump scares, eerie experiences, and a fantastic and fascinating plot. Talking about the story, this 3 or so hour endeavour ties in nicely with the base game. Consequently, fans of the series can devour some interesting lore while closing off a few loose ends. 

The first and third sections concentrate on the usual shooting, searching, and minor puzzles. As such, this happens to be the weakest part of the DLC. However, it was still a fantastic experience, so I had zero complaints.

Chris Redfield takes aim as he attempts to shoot a monster.
Take out each beast in the fleshed-out Mercenaries mode.

Mercenaries mode is fleshed out. 

Where Winters’ Expansion excels is the enhanced Mercenaries mode. Here, you’ll work through new maps and master 3 characters. Chris Redfield is fully loaded and ready to go. Next, you can tackle monsters as Karl Heisenberg. However, some work is required if you wish to use Lady Dimitrescu. In order to play as this vampiric beast, you must “S-rank” any of the available levels. This is no mean feat, so don’t expect to wield ungodly powers immediately.

Thankfully, the additional content makes this excellent mode feel more complete. With an array of weapons to improve and individual character traits to master, it gives you something to get your teeth or fangs into.

Winters’ Expansion changes the perspective. 

When playing Shadows of Rose, you’ll explore the world from a third-person perspective. This new viewpoint can also be used if you wish to revisit the main story. Now, this may be a godsend for over-the-shoulder adventure fans, but I wasn’t so keen. For me, this ruined the claustrophobic and eerie atmosphere. Furthermore, it made the combat feel clunky and aiming with each gun wasn’t great. Accordingly, it was disappointing, and I certainly won’t be using it if I replay the main story.

The audio, on the other hand, was amazing! The excellent acting, striking cinematic, and booming weaponry was phenomenal. This wasn’t surprising, as the base game was an audiophile’s dream.

A monster shoots tentacles over Rose's face.
Maybe they should keep their tentacles to themselves.

Darn this new viewpoint.

Mostly, the controls were great. The normal responsive inputs and well-considered layout make it easy to play. Yet, the new viewpoint makes some of the key elements unnecessarily clunky. This was both disappointing and frustrating, and something I wouldn’t expect from the franchise.

Frankly, Shadows of Rose was too short. Though I enjoyed its stealth mechanics and the story, it was over too soon. Thankfully, the Mercenaries option adds plenty of longevity and replay value. Because of its arcade nature and moreish scoring system, you won’t want to put it down. On top of that, who doesn’t want to unlock Lady Dimitrescu and run amuck?

Winters’ Expansion was great but flawed.

Winters’ Expansion does a great job of mixing things up. I adored the stealth mechanics and the Mercenaries mode. However, I wish that the story portion of this DLC was longer. Moreover, the third-person perspective wasn’t needed. If the developers unleash more content, I’d love to see more depth. Yet, I still loved it and I recommend that you buy it here! Will you complete the Mercenaries mode, or will you piece together Rose’s story? 

Review: Hello Neighbor 2

Daniel Waite
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Review: Hello Neighbor 2

Sequels can evoke some very powerful emotions. When its predecessor is phenomenal, you can’t wait to get stuck in. However, if the original was awful, chances are you’ll scowl at the thought of wasting your time. Sadly, for me, the latter option materialised when I was given Hello Neighbor 2 to play. Why? Well, I hated the first game with a passion. Its clunky controls, surreal plot, and stupidly tough puzzle mechanics enraged me. Consequently, I was apprehensive about investing my life into the sequel.

Developed by Eerie Guest Studios and published by tinyBuild, this is a horror adventure title. What’s more, it has an open world, plenty of stealth mechanics, and some ingenious, albeit hard puzzles to solve. On top of this, the graphics and audio are impressive. Yet, the controls weren’t perfect. There is not enough guidance, and the developers have perhaps bitten off more than they can chew. Subsequently, there is potential, but it is, unfortunately, poorly executed.

Mr Peterson returns in Hello Neighbor 2.
Oh no, not again.

Hello Neighbor 2 makes you paranoid.

You are Quentin, an investigative journalist who is sent to discover the truth about Raven Brooks. Children are missing, and no one knows who is to blame. As such, you are hired to break into every house and leave no stone unturned. Unfortunately, Mr Peterson and his chilling cohorts are displeased at seeing you. Accordingly, you must use stealth, cunning, and luck to complete your task and find the culprits. 

My disdain for the original isn’t a secret, but I did like its sinister edge. Thankfully, Hello Neighbor 2 retains this idea with its creepy protagonists and first-person perspective. Instead of one creepy individual to focus on, there is a village of eerie folk to investigate. As such, every building is searched, and each person is a suspect. Therefore, you move from house to house, completing an array of mind-bending puzzles while hiding in the shadows. If you can solve every problem, and tick each person off of your list, you may crack your case, and escape this strange, but ominous town.

One of the locals stands over you while pointing a gun in your face.
Someone isn’t happy.

Familiar mechanics. 

Much of Hello Neighbor 2 is mechanically similar to its predecessor. Consequently, you must use obscure visual clues to discover each puzzle. Sadly, this can be frustrating even if the eureka moments are rewarding. Furthermore, the lack of hand-holding or guidance will just piss you off. This is especially true when you are being stalked by a kidnapping weirdo. When the pressure is on, and you are hiding in a cupboard, it is particularly annoying. 

I hate to admit it, but the problems are so absurd that I turned to a guide to help me progress. I wasn’t proud of this approach, but aimlessly searching for clues was a real turnoff. Moreover, being stuck in the same house for hours on end tests your patience to the limits.

I admired the developers’ focus on evolution. The push from a singular area to an open-world setting must be applauded. However, the familiar quests and the one key puzzle per zone soon became tiresome. Subsequently, the game spreads itself too thin, and it is devoid of rich or deep elements. Instead, you are left with a rinse-and-repeat effort, albeit in some interesting new environments.

Hello Neighbor 2 looks exquisite. 

The core elements didn’t strike the right note, but visually, Hello Neighbor 2 looks exquisite. The bold colours, clean lines, and oddly OTT imagery are a treat to the eyes. What’s more, the throwing and movement animation is great, and the first-person perspective enhances the horror elements. On top of this, there are some great surreal moments, and some exciting and unusual locations to explore. 

The visuals are expertly supported by audacious audio. The strange music, environmental sounds, and loud sound effects combine perfectly. However, its lack of dialogue or narration undermines the story. Furthermore, the lack of guidance adds to unnecessary confusion.

One of the townsfolk has a key that must be stolen.
How will I get that key?

Sloppy controls. 

Like its predecessor, Hello Neighbor 2 is painful to control. Consequently, selecting objects, throwing items, or climbing ladders is a pain in the balls. Furthermore, the layout is confusing and poorly explained. As such, the already sky-high levels of confusion turn into an unbearable tsunami of rage and hatred. 

If, and that is a big if, you can ignore these shortcomings, there is plenty of longevity and replay value. With some nice Easter eggs and some deep-seated lore, it is fascinating. However, it’ll take a strong stomach and even stronger willpower to explore this game fully. 

Hello Neighbor 2 is a marginally better sequel.

It was always going to be a tough task to get me onside, but sadly, the developers have failed. The same issues rear their ugly heads time and time again. Consequently, I was repeatedly frustrated and annoyed throughout. Yes, the graphics, audio, and setting were great, but that wasn’t enough. Even when Hello Neighbor 2 excelled, it wasn’t enough to paper over the cracks. Disappointingly, I cannot recommend that you buy it. However, more information can be found here! Crimes have been committed, and the village is a mess. Can you find the clues to unearth the culprits? 

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