Lost Epic is a 2D side-scrolling action RPG so good that you might wonder if the relatively unknown publisher/developer chose the title to make light of the fact that this game might fall under the radar.
Well, probably not, but I’ll let you in a little secret, dear reader, this seemingly non-descript title is certainly one of the good ones – it’s a hidden gem in the making.
As a new recruited knight in a world where gods use the majority of the population as an entree, you must become humanity’s liberator, taking on the 6 oppressive gods while also uncovering the mystery of the fantasy world known as Sanctum and the story of the Elder God.
The narrative is a subtle template for the action and RPG upgrading which takes on the lion’s share of the game, but the few side quest characters and the grave undertones of your actions – that the enemies wax lyrical about – is an interesting breadcrumb trail that you follow as you make your way through the world.
Uppercut that dragon, baby!
After creating your character from a modest selection of options, you are introduced to Lost Epic‘s bread and butter – the super satisfying hack-and-slack gameplay – with light and heavy combo attacks possible both mid-air and on the ground. This is all very standard for a 2D action game, but what gives Lost Epic its edge, is the unveiling of an impressively large weapon and skill system at a pace that keeps the gameplay both exciting and intriguing as to what is yet to come.
With two primary and secondary weapons (from one-handed swords, two-handed swords, and bows) and ten shortcut slots for abilities (called ‘Divine Skills’), there’s variety for however you wish to fight. Whether it’s long combos that launch enemies into the air, attacking with a bow from a distance or one-hit killing enemies with heavy slogs, there are countless combos and strategies you can employ to lead the enemy on their death march.
Just as gratifying is the way you accumulate skills and weapons with each weapon having its own assigned divine skill, and once used a set number of times, can be used by any assigned weapon of the same type (out of one-handed swords, two-handed swords, or bows). It’s a great gameplay loop that has you attempting to get every possible weapon for the skills they offer and then constantly experimenting with them to find the most effective combos not just for that specific weapon or a host of enemies, but also combinations with both of your weapons – bow and sword – that you’ll need during boss battles.
Perfectly timing your attacks around the huge boss’s attacks is easier said than done.
Anima, dropped by enemies, is the money that makes the game’s upgrade world go round (including offering it to Elder God statues for character skill points for increased stats), but – similar to a Soulsborne game – is at risk of being lost if you die twice without picking it back up (at the site of your first death). Thankfully, the difficulty of the game doesn’t particularly hit Soulsborne levels apart from a two-header boss battle near the end of the game that you’ll need to grind for before giving it a serious challenge – though that didn’t stop me from losing two evenings trying to avoid it nonetheless!
There are 20 pages of skill tree upgrades for character stats and weapon blueprints (which you need to obtain before being able to create them) and over 100 weapons you can wield.
The 2D linear map is divided into sections and is Metroidvania-esque in its exploration with switches and keys opening doors to further sections, and numerous checkpoints act as mini bases that you can regroup at (healing you automatically and providing a very convenient witch who can create any number of items) as well as being able to warp to and from them.
With beautiful and varied layered backgrounds, the environment does a great job conveying a colorful world with humanity’s influence slowly draining from it. Whether it’s the flowers that sprout from the energy from the deceased, the architecture that is draped with organisms that symbolize its creator’s subjugation, or the ability to farm and fish in the calm and wonderfully animated waters, this world, while not narratively deep, has a visual vitality that breathes life into every section and represents environmental storytelling achieved well above its station.
The same goes for the soundtrack which is able to appropriately match the tension of each small section to the difficulty of the enemies within it, making each area feel totally unique.
Need a health boost, but don’t have the right ingredients to create a health potion? No problem! Cook some edible items from flowers or meat from enemies. Or you could go fishing, the biggest catches of which can be viewed on an online leaderboard.
So despite the gameplay loop being largely repetitive, the sizeable assortment of enemies, the progression through the personality-filled environment, and the excitement of the action leaves an indelible impression that makes you want to return to the game again and again.
The main draw is the single-player action, but it is also possible to host online multiplayer action through a feature that allows you to ‘request support’ on your current game file which inserts players onto your map and is certainly handy for some of the more difficult bosses.
Interestingly though, as awesome as the huge bosses look, and as epic as defeating them should feel, as I see another fall I realize that it’s not the promise of another boss fight that pulls me along on this ride, it is the very satisfying explosion of minor enemies, the epicness of the sound effect of my huge sword swinging at the enemy, and then hearing the sound of the dropped anima like coins dropping on a wooden table. It’s addictive and moreish audio at its best and is a brilliant coming together of audio and visual presentation, and for me, boils this game down to one glorious moment that you get to experience over and over – what more could you want from a game of this kind?
As well as needing the weapon blueprint, you’ll need a host of items (often including an already upgraded and enhanced weapon) to create your new weapon.
One criticism of the game that I have is that the game doesn’t do a great job explaining some of the finer points of the upgrade system (especially weapon creation and item drop rates) and really requires you to figure it out yourself. A lack of hand-holding can be considered a positive at times, of course, but with some features having little to no explanation as to what they do, even when you actually attempt to use them, is a little frustrating.
This is where the negatives begin and end though, as apart from a few features that could do with a bit more explanation, there is a brilliantly efficient and tight circularity to Lost Epic‘s systems with nearly every inclusion having meaning but also feeding back into them. A vast array of unlockables and quests that add to your skillsets and to the world without dragging out the experience makes the new game+ mode and the ability to experience multiple endings very appealing indeed, ultimately resulting in a 40+ hour playthrough that constantly beckons you back.
With the addictiveness of a beat ’em up, great visuals, and fun RPG upgrades, Lost Epic reaches the hallowed and revered heights that many an action game would wish to reach, with a core mechanic so pure and refined that you can’t help but admire it. Anyone that even remotely enjoys a good 2D actioner owes it to themselves to play this.
As a human being, you’ll naturally want a career that’s best for you. With this goal in mind, many people are looking at starting a career in computer programming – but is it worth it? This guide is going to take a closer look and provide you with a clear answer.
Right now, there are over 26.8 million active computer programmers worldwide. This alone indicates that there’s value attached to a career in coding, right?
Let’s run through some key benefits of being a programmer:
There’s a Range of Programming Languages to Learn
First, if you enter a career in computer programming, you can continuously learn new programs. This is a great way to build your knowledge and open new opportunities for yourself.
Right now, the most popular programming languages are:
Python
JavaScript
Go
Python is seen as the gold-standard programming language because it is easy to learn and very beginner-friendly. If you’re a beginner, you can try python.
As your career continues to progress, you can supplement your knowledge of any desired programming language. The more you learn, the more opportunities you will experience.
Some programmers even go on to become teachers of their specialist language, such as Python or JavaScript. This is because there’s a huge demand for coding across educational institutes.
Excellent Pay
A career in programming is also great because it typically offers excellent pay – even to beginners.
According to U.S. News, the median salary for a computer programmer was $89,190 in 2020, which is pretty good.
So, if you’re someone who is motivated by money, this is something you will want to bear in mind moving into the future. No matter which sector within the programming industry you enter, you’re going to experience good pay – it’s a fact.
You Don’t Need to Go to College or University
These days, most careers – such as nursing and marketing – require formal education.
However, when it comes to computer programming, this simply isn’t the case. Many successful programmers are self-taught or used online learning courses to get the training they needed.
This is great, as it means you don’t need to worry about the huge debts that are typically associated with formal education.
Flexible Hours
Modern-day workers care a lot about flexible hours.
According to Fortune, 95% of workers now want schedule flexibility. This is largely because of the COVID-19 pandemic, which led to many people realizing that flexible work made them happy.
Due to the nature of computer programming, it’s very easy for companies to provide their employees and teams with flexible hours.
Work From Home
In addition to flexible hours, millions of people also want to work from home. In fact, for many people, it’s a deal-breaker when applying for jobs.
Luckily, when it comes to computer programming, there are endless opportunities to work from home. In some instances, you will be able to find software companies willing to hire you that operate in entirely different cities (or even countries).
Summary
With all the above covered, this guide can conclude that a career in computer programming is worth it. From excellent pay to flexible working hours, lots of key boxes get a tick. Plus, with the demand for programmers set to increase in the future, it’s a no-brainer.
Finding the time to connect with your hobbies when you have so much to do regarding your other responsibilities can be difficult. Part of this problem comes from the fact that you don’t just have to find free time within your own schedule, but you have to then align that available time with what your friends have available – if you prefer to play with a specific group, that is.
When it finally comes to it, many of these games can be competitive, meaning that you don’t want to sit down and relax only to find yourself massively outclassed by your lack of familiarity. Therefore, there might be some techniques that you’re interested in adopting.
Practice Makes Perfect
The most obvious way that you can get better at one of these games is simply to practice, but that might be difficult if you are indeed struggling with your free time. Well, you have a few different approaches here depending on the game that you’re playing. If it is one that you’re struggling to find time for because of the availability of your friends, you could play the game in your downtime anyway, keeping your skills sharp for those occasions when your friends are available.
While this might not in itself solve the problem of time, if the online game that you enjoy is one that also has a presence on the mobile platform, such as Fortnite, you can practice this game while you’re away from home in various circumstances.
Don’t Let Lag Be Your Downfall
In the online world, skill can only take you so far without a reliable high-speed connection to support you. A bad connection can lead to worse reaction times in online shooters, several frames of delay in fighting games, and frustration in team-based games. Make sure that your PC or console is connected directly to the router, and if that still isn’t helping you with a smoother experience, consider upgrading to wireless business internet. More bandwidth and higher speeds can ensure that you’re able to enjoy a clean online experience at any time.
Consider a Booster
You might be familiar with the term ‘booster’ in a variety of other settings, but perhaps not when it comes to online games. If you feel as though your character is in need of some grinding, but you simply don’t have the time to commit to it, that’s where this option shines brightest. MOBAs, such as Dota 2 or Heroes of the Storm might be where this approach is most relevant, and investigating outlets such as https://www.dota2mmrbooster.com/ can quickly lead you to an option that saves you time while still getting you to the point that you want to be at.
You play these games to have fun, and if you feel as though you’re stuck at a point where you can’t get the most out of it, this might be the best path forward.
Transferrable Gaming Skills
If, once again, you’re having trouble aligning the schedules of your gaming group, perhaps consider the kinds of skills that you need to succeed in your game of choice, and look to where else you can sharpen them. Many different games rely on the same kind of skills, and you could even look to one of a similar genre if you felt that was the best way to do it – but you’d still be getting the practice in even if it didn’t feel as direct.
An additional benefit of going in this direction, is that you might discover some new favorites along the way like Honkai: Star Rail, even some that you can introduce to your friends in an effort to revitalize your free time if your current game of choice grows stale.
In the days of PlayStation 2, Makai Kingdom was a celebrated strategy role-playing game from Nippon Ichi Software. Now, you can enjoy a remastered version called Reclaimed and Rebound.
Gameplay
Updated for modern systems, Makai Kingdom plays the same as its original. You play as Overlord Zetta who is trying to reclaim and rebuild his Netherworld after an unfortunate accident leads to him being bound to a book. The game sees you merge souls with items in the world to create minions. These minions fall into familiar RPG classes – mage, rogue, knight, etc. and can be optimized with gear for further attacks and bonuses. With your party ready it’s time to head out to other Netherworlds where you must battle it out, collect items, and return unscathed to progress.
It is strongly recommended that you don’t skip the combat tutorial because there are so many options at first it can get very confusing, especially if you’re unfamiliar with this type of SRPG. Combat works by taking turns, in each turn, you can move each of your party, set them to attack or heal, check stats of your foes, and more. Once you’ve set the actions, you can execute your moves and watch it all take place in front of your eyes. Then your opponent gets their turn and will do the exact same. Whoever is left standing, wins. If you win, you get rewards and acquire buildings that can be used to upgrade and look after your party while growing your Netherworld. If you lose… it’s game over so be sure to save prior to jumping through the portal!
What I do like is that parties can grow and don’t only last for a few turns. This is especially useful as some of the stages can be quite sizable and take a long time to clear. Part of the strategy is picking the best object to merge your soul with as each item will either give a stat bonus or a penalty.
Another good thing about Makai Kingdom is that each stage is randomly generated. This offers a good level of replayability. In a game where the story is light and the process is effectively repeated, this is a bonus to keep it entertaining.
Story
The story isn’t overly compelling in the Makai Kingdom: Reclaimed and Rebound. The previously mentioned Overlord Zetta, who is a self-proclaimed ‘bad-ass’, needs to rebuild his realm following a prophecy from a fellow overlord coming true. It came true, I might add, by Overlord Zetta being a little too cocky and through his own foolishness has doomed his Netherworld. It’s all a little predictable from here. While the voice acting and dialogue can be a little ‘hammy’ in places, it has some levity which makes the cutscenes and setups between stages enjoyable enough.
Graphics and Sound
The music within Makai Kingdom is good enough. Nothing that will drive you crazy, but not exactly memorable. This is fine, and the sound effects for the various attacks and gameworld are good and overshadow this anyway.
Graphically, the game has been updated for modern screen resolutions without losing the delightful sprite graphics that made the game such a joy the first-time round. Playing it on a 1440p monitor felt good and I didn’t need to do much to have it looking how I wanted it. It was all delightfully retro. The environments look wonderful and due to being generated always feel new and visually interesting. Sometimes the camera can be in an awkward location, but with nothing else to really complain about, that isn’t bad at all.
Is Makai Kingdom: Reclaimed and Rebound good?
If you like SRPGs then yes. This is a solid entry from Nippon Ichi Software and has been a popular entry into the genre since its PS2 days.
The control system can take some getting used to as there are a lot of menus to navigate, and the voice acting is a little over the top. There isn’t much really to complain about though, it’s a solid experience and there’s a lot of fun to be had trying to reclaim your power and Netherworld!
Mobile phones and their cameras are the scourge of modern existence. People turn into mindless zombies and feel entitled to capture anything they see. However, they play a key role in many modern horror titles. Recently, I covered Fobia – St. Dinfna Hotel and an SLR camera was a key mechanic. Consequently, I wasn’t surprised to see Dreadout 2 using a similar arrangement.
Developed by Digital Happiness and Kittehface and published by Digerati, this is a third-person horror title. It follows on from the original game but can be enjoyed by newcomers to the series. Thanks to a helpful piece of cinematic, players are brought up to speed in no time at all. This was an excellent idea, as I never experienced the first game. Instead, I immediately knew what was happening as I began my creepy adventure.
Search the city and take on an array of quests.
Dreadout 2 had a small budget, and it shows.
Before I give my overview of the plot, I want to address the elephant in the room. Sadly, Dreadout 2 had a minimal budget and this shows on many levels. The developers had big ideas, but disappointingly, the lack of funds impacts nearly every one of them. However, this shouldn’t put you off entirely. No, instead, I suggest going into this with your eyes wide open, as much of the action is enjoyable and interesting.
The plot follows Linda who is the protagonist of the opening game. She starts her journey in a creepy school where people are hiding and voices haunt her. Once the prologue is completed, the action moves to a small city where a semi-open-world approach is followed. Here, you must take on quests, explore your oppressive surroundings, and progress the story. Sadly, much of the action follows a linear route, and this holds the story back. Had it been more free-flowing, the game would have been vastly improved.
As it is, you must wander around a gloomy city while performing an array of fetch quests. En route, you must use your mobile phone to light the way, stun ghostly apparitions, and eventually send them back to their ghastly realms. Accordingly, it performs like many other horror titles and comes across as familiar and well-trodden.
Use your mobile phone to banish those ghosts.
Clunky gameplay, but a nice nod to folklore.
Where Dreadout 2 excels is its nod to Indonesian folklore. The game is laced with incredible lore and eerie moments. Subsequently, this is what keeps you going as you want to see how things evolve. Other than this, many of its mechanics lack originality, and this holds it back.
What’s more, even when it’s going well, it feels disjointed and clunky. Sadly, the combat elements are slow and should be avoided. However, I liked viewing the ghostly realm and how different functions of the mobile had an impact. For example, the flash will stun your opponents and framing a shot deals higher damage. Furthermore, operating the shutter button for longer delivers a mighty powerful blow.
On top of this, the light is used to explore any darkened areas. This was fantastic, as it added to the atmosphere and was truly creepy. However, I wish the developers incorporated more in-depth tasks other than the mundane ones that continually punctuate the action. Consequently, fetch quests were all well and good, but they soon became tedious and I yearned for much more.
Dreadout 2 looks good but performs poorly.
With grainy imagery, claustrophobic spaces, and eerie darkness, the developers created an uncomfortable atmosphere. However, it performs so badly due to frame rate issues. Subsequently, the gameplay isn’t smooth, and this impacts the combat and camera elements. This was a clear indicator of how a small budget impacts big ideas. Though I appreciate the desire to create something wonderful, I’d have preferred something smaller and more playable.
Fortunately, the audio fares much better. With disturbing sound effects and haunting noises, you won’t feel comfortable. What’s more, the ambient sounds bring each area to life. However, the lack of acting was disappointing! Though there was some spoken dialogue, it was mostly text-based information. This impacted the action and made the gameplay more voyeuristic instead of immersive.
What have you found Linda?
Sluggish controls.
Mostly, the clever and simple UI makes Dreadout 2 easy to play. Yet, the sluggish reaction time makes it tough to control. What’s more, the poor frame rate enhances this problem. Alongside this, the protagonist’s desire to jog at every opportunity makes traversing tight spaces a little tougher. Accordingly, these problems impact the core mechanics and make the game a little less enjoyable.
With plenty to see and do, there is both replay value and longevity. However, I’m not sure how many gamers will want to return. If you can look beyond the problems, there is a large enough world to keep you interested for many hours.
Dreadout 2 could have been great.
Dreadout 2 comprises many great ideas. Consequently, I was disappointed that it didn’t excel. However, when it worked well, it was thoroughly enjoyable. Annoyingly, though, these fleeting moments were few and far between. As such, it should be great, but sadly, it wasn’t. Accordingly, I can’t recommend you to buy it. But, more information can be found here! Fans of the first game will enjoy what they experience, but for everyone else, there are better horror titles.
Here is our review of the Pocketbook Panda Planner.
Plan your future with a futuristic planner! We partnered with our friends at Rocketbook to combine inspiration with innovation. Find inspiration in the Rocketbook Panda Planner’s reusable monthly, weekly, and daily planning pages which help you take back control of your life, one page at a time. Then, use the innovative synthetic paper which allows you to write smoothly with a Pilot FriXion pen, then magically wipe your planner clean with a damp cloth to crush your life goals year after year after year after…
What’s in the package?
The package contains the Rocketbook Panda Planner, pen, wipe and instructions.
A Closer Look
Final Thoughts
The Rocketbook Panda Planner has undated monthly, weekly and daily templates to help organise your life. There are also goals and motivational templates too.
You can use the Pilot FriXion pen to write in the planner, and when you are finished you can used the cloth to wipe the page or pages clean and start again.
Don’t worry if you want to keep the pages, you can use the Rocketbook iOS (or Android) app which allows you can scan the pages and upload them to the cloud for storage and safekeeping. Scanning the pages are easy, the app uses the QR code on each page to help you with the process, including lining up the page perfectly.
You can set the app up so that anything you scan is automatically sent somewhere – for example to your email address or your Dropbox (or many other choices too). This is all pretty seamless and there are plenty of other options for you to use in the app too.
Overall the Rocketbook Panda Planner is a great way to help you organise your life, whether its for home, work or both!
The Rocketbook Panda Planner is available now, with the Executive A5 edition priced around £36.99 and the Letter A4 edition priced around £38.99. And you can choose from Infinity Black, Neptune Teal, Midnight Blue or Scarlett Sky (the one we review here).
Playing a horror game can be a thrilling and disturbing experience. However, many rely on cheap jump scares and dated tropes. Consequently, they can be tiresome, repetitive, and often aren’t as scary as intended. As such, when Fobia – St. Dinfna Hotel landed on my desk, I was a little dubious. Yet, once I loaded in, I was hooked by its dark plot and creepy undertones.
Developed by Pulsatrix Studios and published by Maximum Games, this is a horror puzzle title. Alongside this, there are some minor combat elements. Unlike the fantastic Resident Evil series, which this has been heavily influenced by, this is slower-paced and not so combat-heavy. However, it makes up for this with its intelligent array of puzzles and eerie and often confusing plot.
I suggest you run for your life.
Fobia – St. Dinfna Hotel lacks direction.
Whenever I tackle a horror game, I want a little guidance. Disappointingly, Fobia – St. Dinfna Hotel goes the opposite way. With no minimap, guide, or hints, it can often be misleading and confusing. This wouldn’t be so bad, but many of the puzzles require you to explore the vast hotel. Subsequently, you’ll easily become lost and this can be frustrating. Alongside this, there are many codes to decipher and combination locks to open. As such, you’ll have a lot to remember and many minor bits of information to comprehend.
Where the game excels, however, is its excellent, but strange plot. You control Roberto. He is a junior reporter who wishes to enter the world of investigative journalism. However, his dreams and desires soon turn into a nightmare. There are many strange and unexplained incidents in the town of Treve Trilhas. This small community is haunted by supernatural beings and, in particular, the St. Dinfna Hotel. After a week of questioning the locals, Roberto believes he has hit a “brick wall”. Accordingly, he becomes annoyed and is willing to give up. Yet, a strange anomaly occurs in his ensuite and the world turns to crap. From here, he must fight for his life while trying to understand what has happened.
Grab a pistol and shoot whatever appears.
A creepy world filled with mysteries.
What I loved about this title was the lack of combat and the focus on exploration. Yes, the lack of handholding irritated me, but I found the blend of mechanics intriguing. The action progresses thanks to an array of puzzles as well as the use of a special camera. This ordinary-looking device enables you to view an alternative dimension. Therefore, when it is used, your surroundings alter and new pathways are opened. On top of this, you’ll find hidden clues, secret boxes, and many collectables. This was incredible, as it made you examine each location in greater detail. Now, this may frustrate some players as it also slowed the action down. However, if you enjoy being meticulous, this will tick many boxes.
There is also a reliance on tools and keys to move the action forward. You must find key cards and tool boxes to unlock keypads, fix the lift, and break locks. This element adds to the well-trodden exploration mechanics, but it enhances the eerie and creepy nature of the gameplay. By sneaking through broken walls, chasing ghastly apparitions, or hearing unexplained noises, you’ll be kept on the edge of your seat.
Though there is a small arsenal of weapons to use, the game doesn’t push the combat mechanics. Instead, it expects you to focus on exploring your surroundings, solving problems, and finding the truth. As such, it stays true to its plot, and this reinforces the protagonist’s true desires. Whenever you do fight, there are 4 guns to select, a small roster of enemies to kill, and 3 main bosses to defeat. None of these encounters are challenging, but limited ammo impacts how trigger-happy you can be.
Fobia – St. Dinfna Hotel isn’t as polished as expected.
Unlike Resident Evil, Fobia – St. Dinfna Hotel lacks polish. However, this isn’t a triple-A title, nor does it command the same price point. Consequently, I accepted its janky finish and occasional glitches. Yet, this doesn’t mean it looks terrible, as it is pleasant in an uncomfortable and haunting way. The dilapidated hotel is claustrophobic, oppressive, and hides many secrets. Alongside this, your foes look disgusting and the special camera mechanics add an interesting otherworldly layer. Furthermore, I adored the first-person perspective, as it made the action immersive and much scarier.
The fear factor is enhanced by the excellent audio. Minor toned music is utilised to set the scene, while overbearing sound effects complete the picture. Moreover, with nerve-wracking footsteps and the sound of crumbling infrastructure, it’s a tough soundscape to listen to. What’s more, the acting is serviceable without being exceptional. Again, this wasn’t a problem as I didn’t expect anything more from this indie developer.
Probably best to stay away from that.
Excellent controls and plenty of replay value.
When a game is slow-paced, the controls are the least of your concerns. Yet, having a nice layout and responsive inputs is still essential. Fortunately, you get exactly that, as well as a great tutorial to explain the fundamentals. Therefore, it is easy to pick up and focus on the task at hand.
If you were to rush through the story, you can expect around 8 hours of action. Yet, if you focus on the additional puzzles, and find every collectable, it’ll take much longer. On top of this, there is a New Game + mode that mixes things up. This is incredible as it keeps things fresh while adding to the longevity.
Fobia – St. Dinfna Hotel is a confusing but great horror title.
Don’t be put off by the lack of triple-A action as Fobia – St. Dinfna Hotel has a lot to offer. Yes, I didn’t appreciate its lack of direction, but I adored its puzzles, the occasional combat moments, and the horrific environment. Furthermore, its story is excellent and you feel for the protagonist. What’s more, it’s an excellent title for completionists even if it will test your resolve. Subsequently, I loved it and I recommend you to buy it here! Will you solve the mystery of Treve Trilhas, or are you destined to remain in the cursed hotel?
Have you ever wanted to be a school campus designer? Yet, not just any normal school designer with average academics that many will attend to learn from, but ones that are packed with fun, engaging, and entertaining, possibly more clowning around courses, sorta speak?
Two Point Campus isn’t your ordinary simulated, school campus building game. Instead, it’s based on building a fantasy-style school that has classes for learning some strange subjects that you’d never find in any ordinary university or campus of any kind. Don’t get me wrong, you can still have outdoor fields added for sports, classrooms for teaching, and many other electives that many will love to attend. However, these won’t be teaching you in the traditional way to learn computer science, art, math, business skills, and many other things. Instead, you can be making a campus that will teach you how to joust, be a wizard, be an awesome spy, become a great chef building giant-size foods, attend clubs for taking naps, those that love nature, and even a place to have the attendees dance their hearts away to rock bands. So get ready, cause this year it’s your time to build a campus that will not only be fun for those who will attend but a thrill for you to build!
🏫 How Was The Game 🏫
At first, the tutorial stage was basically the actual game, the career mode where you work on building the school step by step. Purchasing classrooms at the size you’d like and other specific places for the student to utilize, like dorm rooms, bathrooms and others. It really is a great start getting you to be a campus designer.
Plus, it really helps guide you through each step you’ll need to know before actually building a campus from scratch; on your own. That is cause there is a sandbox mode that will be available until you complete the needed beginning career mode portion. I honestly think they made that approach perfectly, because many may decide to just give it a shot without learning the basics and end up lost or confused.
However, the gameplay to many may come across as too easy and nothing like playing a more difficult game like the Sims or other simulated games with a much more realistic appeal. Especially the graphics you will see in this game is so much more cartoonish and easier for anyone to see on the screen. Everything is larger and just clear enough with a bright and charming background sound, making it welcoming for everyone to play.
So no matter what others may say. I love these cute, cartoonish simulated games. They are so much easier to move around and use the controller’s buttons to adjust the cameras for a close-up or a far-distance view. The choosing, purchasing, and building processes are easy to do, and keeping the students as well as the teachers; professors happy is not too hard either. This is one of those games I feel I can enjoy without too much brain stress or frustration from the start and while continuously playing.
Now thinking about the sandbox portion, it’s actually better when you can do anything you like in that mode with full control! To tell you the truth, I honestly love to build, without rules. So this entire game is allowing me to be creative and make campus the way I prefer or like! Plus, to see those strange and unique kids walking the building is interesting too. So many unique likes and electives to build, it’s always fun to change it up and play the game over and over again.
Now, I wish the entire game was 100% perfect, but there was only one big issue I came upon. There may be issues where the game may slow down to update with achievements or changes. However, it’s not a giant stall, it just is something you’ll notice a few times when you achieve something new or continue at certain portions of the game. Other than that, I honestly think this game is really great and nicely designed!
One last thing to mention is a tip if you downloaded this game and it doesn’t move from the start menu. You may require to unplug the power cord to finally be able to play the game. It seems the startup can be an issue with the game, which it was for me to fully boot up. So if this ever happens to anyone, unplug the console, wait 30 seconds, and plug the power cord back in should get it to play. I just wish that wasn’t something extra you need to do to get it to play, but most games tend to rely on this restart method after some time.
🏫 Final Thoughts 🏫
I honestly had high hopes for this game, before actually playing. Did it meet my expectations or did it let me down? Well, I can say it is so much easier to play for a child or an adult who wants a build their own school that isn’t tedious with so much to learn and too many buttons to recall. There is plenty of things you can add to make this school as interesting and fun as you like! Just think of it as child style Sims game, made easy with a more cartoony style graphic design.
Additionally, I love that the player holds the power in their hands, but it isn’t all just about fun and bringing entertaining courses to the students that are attending this university. The challenge of keeping them happy is what really makes this game a bit difficult and interesting, as well as the career mode challenges you are required to accomplish. So there are many goals that may be set in action like many simulated games, but keeping everyone happy is on top of the list. Remarkably, even with a few flaws, I can tell you that this game is still very entertaining and worth a try!
Random chance RPG stories are a phenomenal way to waste many hours. These enthralling tales take you on a roller-coaster adventure while driving you insane. No matter how much you plan, or how good you are, luck always plays a big part. Steve Jackson’s Sorcery! is one such game that’ll have you hooked from the off.
Developed by Inkle and published by No Gravity Games, this is an action-adventure role-playing title. Based on the massively popular 4 book gaming series, this will have a strong fanbase. However, things are improved thanks to the experience of the development team. As a consequence, anyone that tackles this game will have a unique and thrilling experience.
Which option will you choose?
Steve Jackson’s Sorcery! is a truly epic experience.
This is one genre that rarely disappoints. If you love fantasy settings and massively wild stories, then you won’t regret a thing. As such, Steve Jackson’s Sorcery! offers a truly epic experience. Combining the emotional and lore-enriched world with a wonderful hand-drawn aesthetic creates something special. From the off, I adored the gritty characters, the excellent writing, and the seedy world I explored. The dark kingdom is full of danger, evil monsters, and quests. Accordingly, you’ll have plenty of decisions to make that alter the course of each playthrough.
The story focuses on 4 different chapters. However, there is a central theme that runs through each element. You control a hero who must wield a sword, cast magic, and charm his foes. He is sent on an adventure to retrieve the crown of Kings. As he undertakes his journey, he will explore caves, woodlands, cities, and vast wildernesses. En route, you must choose your path, decide which tasks to complete, and set your moral compass. Whatever you decide will impact your life. Therefore, you must be wise and accept your decisions. If you fail, or luck is not on your side, you will die and your adventure will be over.
Not every adventure end in fighting and death.
Decisions matter.
Like the adventure novels by Steve Jackson or Ian Livingstone, you soon realise that every decision truly matters. Whether you focus on magic, melee weapons, or purchasing rations, each choice will haunt you. What’s more, the game evolves as your relationships develop. Consequently, a malicious and hateful man will be feared, whereas a kind soul may be manipulated and controlled.
What I loved was how well the action flowed from chapter to chapter. Alongside this, I enjoyed the freedom to explore the kingdom at my pace. With many secrets hiding in plain sight, you never knew what to expect. Furthermore, you may miss large areas because of your lack of skills or the relationships you have formed. Accordingly, every playthrough is unique and intriguing.
No adventure fantasy fighting game would be complete without combat. Steve Jackson’s Sorcery! delivers this in spades as you maul your foes, slay them with magic, or charm your way to freedom. This stamina-based encounter is remarkably simple but complex enough to challenge you. If you focus on the arcane arts, you must pick your spell, spend your stamina, and observe the fallout. Alternatively, you can choose to attack or defend your opponent as you battle to the death. Of course, a passive approach can be taken as you lie, cheat, and trick your enemies. Whatever you choose, they beautifully support the story and the adventure you undertake.
Steve Jackson’s Sorcery! is beautifully presented.
Without a doubt, Inkle has worked its magic with the story and the aesthetics. The table-top world is awash with sepia tones and rich colours. This is then enhanced by the excellent character models and the basic combat animation. Moreover, the vast amount of text is beautifully presented and easy to read. What amazed me most was how perfectly the developers brought the books to life. However, they added their twist to the gameplay, and this made it a bit more special.
Alongside the incredible visuals was dramatic audio. The soundtrack is wonderfully varied and is reminiscent of other major fantasy games. I cherished every emotive song and enjoyed how it added energy to the text-focused gameplay. On top of this, there are some interesting sound effects. Accordingly, the combat sounds brutal, and the magic is dreamy and surreal.
Fight to the death.
Excellent controls and UI.
Originally ported from PC, I was concerned it would be fiddly and complicated. Yet, I needn’t have worried as it is easy to play. With a great UI and straightforward tutorial, you understand the basics immediately. However, many advanced points require trial and error and this was fantastic. Therefore, you never become too comfortable with it, which adds to the drama.
Understandably, a fantasy adventure title with many plot branches will be long-winded. Consequently, Steve Jackson’s Sorcery! oozes replay value and longevity. Because of its many secrets and varied opponents, no playthrough is the same. This is amazing if you love the genre, as you’ll get the maximum out of each chapter. Consequently, this represents fantastic value for money as there are many hours of gameplay to experience.
Steve Jackson’s Sorcery! is phenomenal.
If you enjoy fighting fantasy books, then you’ll love Steve Jackson’s Sorcery! Every element of this game captures the brilliance of Steve Jackson’s work. The environment and characters are fantastic and the writing is some of the best I’ve seen. Furthermore, it looks amazing and delivers drama at every turn. Subsequently, I can easily recommend that you buy it here! Can you find the crown and save your people from the archmage? Choose your path, make your decisions, and live with the consequences.
Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade, which I will be shortening to FF7R for this review, is an action-adventure RPG. It was developed and published by Square Enix in 2020 as part 1 of a 3-part series. Initially being exclusively licenced to Sony platforms, it was eventually ported to the Epic Games Store on Dec. 2021, then Steam in June 2022.
There is a LOT to discuss here. But to be up front, FF7R is a brilliantly crafted title. Albeit one that falls marginally short of the ‘masterpiece’ accolade.
What led us to FF7R?
In 2005, Sony used Final Fantasy VII in their tech demo to showcase the potential of the up-and-coming PS3. This inadvertently led to long-standing rumours surrounding a full-scale remake of the game. But it would take a further 10 years for Square Enix to begin development on FF7R. A process which would ultimately take a full 5 years to complete.
To say that gamers were excited by this announcement would be the understatement of the century. After all, the original FF7 often found itself in the GOAT conversation, usually being pitted against the likes of Ocarina of Time.
There was, and still is, a high expectation for the game to live up to its predecessor. It’s for this exact reason that Square Enix brought in key members of the original staff to work on the project. This included the likes of former director Yoshinori Kitase, and lead writer Hironobu Sakaguchi. However, not wanting to play it safe, they opted against a 1:1 remake, and instead decided to expand on the original games core identity.
With all that in mind, the question of “did they do it justice?” was firmly centred at the forefront of everyone’s collective minds. While some fans may be disappointed due to their unfathomable expectations, for the vast majority of players, I can safely say the answer is yes.
Narratively the same, but structurally different.
The premise of FF7R follows the former elite SOLDIER turned mercenary, Cloud Strife. His primary goal is to take down de fact dictators, and his former employers, the Shinra Electric Power Company. The resistance group, known as AVALANCHE, are equally set on destroying the corrupt enterprise for draining the planet of its life-stream, Mako.
Together, they formulate an operation to bomb one of the primary Mako reactors, located in the city of Midgar. The success of this mission unintentionally starts a chain reaction, forever changing the lives of our protagonist, AVALANCHE, Shinra, and an enemy long thought to be dead.
Fans of the original may read this and think that it’s pretty in line with the original. And they’d be correct to do so. The overarching narrative doesn’t differ much at all, but the inner workings of the story have. Out of fear of spoiling something, I’ll omit any finer details. All I’ll say is to expect to be perplexed and eager for more by the time you complete the game.
As I already mentioned, the staff behind FF7R wanted to mix things up, and avoid remaking the game 1:1. Understandably, some older fans may be slightly disheartened by this, but I’d argue that it keeps everything feeling fresh, especially narratively. For newer players, you have absolutely nothing to worry about. You’ll still get to experience the same awesome story as before, merely with a new coat of paint.
Midgar and AVALANCHE.
FF7R is set within the fledgling metropolis of Midgar. The city itself is a technological marvel, consisting of an upper and lower plate that are segmented into districts. It was cynically constructed like this to segregate the rich citizens from the poor. Predictably, this has had catastrophic effects on the social hierarchy.
The vast majority of the game sees us exploring the abysmal conditions of the lower plate. We gain an insight into the everyday lives of the NPCs, along with the vast amount of trials and tribulations they suffer through. The team dynamic of AVALANCHE is also explored in greater detail, showcasing the family-esque bond they have with each other like never before.
It might have seemed risky to contain the entire game to Midgar, but after completing FF7R, I’m certainly glad they did. Expanding on the city, and its denizens, gave a concrete reason as to why we should hate Shinra. It also established why we should care about Cloud and AVALANCHE’s goals in the first place. Something that wasn’t really highlighted this early in the original. As such, FF7R massively outdoes its precursor in this field.
The iconic RPG party.
SPOILER WARNING:If you don’t want to be spoiled about who is playable in the game, then I’d suggest you move onto the next section.
Party dynamic in a group-based RPG is of the upmost importance. It could also be argued that FF7 has one of, if not the most, recognisable parties in the history of gaming. While we don’t have the full ensemble of the original quite yet, we do have updated and improved versions on some of the icons.
Who’s who?
Throughout the course of FF7R, you’ll take control of the aforementioned Cloud Strife. To put it bluntly, Cloud is an arrogant and cocky individual. He isn’t without a soul though, as he has the ability to show compassion to people in times of need. His background as a trained fighter allows him to wield the oversized Buster Sword with ease.
You’ll eventually team up with fellow AVALANCHE members Barret and Tifa. The former is a dad first, and a hot-headed activist second. Equally sharing Cloud’s hatred of Shinra, he wishes to eliminate the company by any means necessary. For unknown reasons, Barret also has a gun in place of his right arm. Apropos for him, he uses this to his advantage in combat scenarios.
Tifa, in contrast, is incredibly reserved and understanding of others. Often acting as the mother of the group, she provides emotional support for the people around her. At the same time, she is also an exceptionally talented fighter, choosing to use her lighting fast fists over a traditional weapon.
Lastly, we have Aerith. An optimistic and cheerful person who serves as a beacon of hope for the residents of Midgar. True to her character, she wields a stave as her weapon, and supports the team with various healing spells.
As a party, they have undeniable chemistry. Individually, they are all exceptionally captivating. You’re left wondering things like why Cloud abandoned Shinra, how Barret lost his arm, or where Aerith came from. It is magnificent character design, and I cannot state how much I love it enough.
FF7R marries old and new gameplay concepts together.
FF7R alters the turn-based mechanics of the original, into a real time, action-based system. This isn’t entirely unexpected given that the game is directed by Tetsuya Nomura of Kingdom Hearts fame. The new system, named Active Time Battle, or ATB for short, is a compromise between old and modern ideologies. For all intense and purposes, its real time mixed with strategy elements.
The ATB system works as follows. When entering combat, you’ll be placed in control of 1 party member, though you can freely change to anyone as and when you like. Using a regular attack builds up your ATB gauge. Once it is full, you are able to select an option from the command menu, be it a spell, ability, item or summon. While selecting an option, the in-game speed reduces dramatically, giving you amble time to finalise your decision.
In a surprise turn of events, the system turned out to be incredibly accessible. It doesn’t take any real length of time to become familiar with it. But it does take some practice to become efficient in maximising its capabilities. Above all else, and most importantly, it’s both gratifying and fun to play with.
Besides that, the real time component of the system functions as expected. You have to find the opportune moment to land your attack combos or risk being put in a vulnerable state. You can prevent this by dodging out of the way of incoming attacks via a Zelda-esque action roll. Altogether, this is easily one of the smoothest and immersive combat system I have played in recent memory.
FF7R lets you customise your character through equipment.
Customising your party members comes in the form of weapons, accessories and armour. –Materia is another way of doing so, but I’ll touch on that in a second.– Weapons in the game provide unique ways of mixing up your characters designated role. They can affect things like a character’s baseline attributes, or provide you with unique passive benefits.
This is all managed through the Skill Point system, or SP for short, which is an entirely new mechanic made for FF7R. You’ll gain extra SP to spend every time you level up, and unlock extra options to use them on as you rank up your weapons. SP is a limited resource though, so you’ll have to pick and choose those options carefully.
Accessories and armour boost your stats, and provide a plethora of unique effects as well. These range from debuff immunities, to spell potency increases and much more. Accessories are particularly useful, as they also give you access to more Materia slots. Speaking of which…
The excellent Materia system makes a comeback.
Materia also makes it return, remaining as ingenious now as it was 25 years ago. These are the items which grant your characters access to powerful spells, abilities and passives. It’s up to the player to decide which Materia loadout best suits each party member. Perhaps you want to kit one of them out as a healer, or maybe you want them to be a frontline tank. It’s a delicate decision, but one that is incredibly varied and rewarding if done right.
There are also special Materia which provides you access to the iconic summons. Unlike the original, you don’t call upon them freely on your turn. Instead, they’ll occasionally join you in battle when you’re fighting stronger enemies. Additionally, once summoned, they’ll stay on the battlefield for a minute or so, assisting the party with whatever they’re fighting.
I personally prefer they way they have implemented the summons in FF7R for two reasons. Firstly, it makes them feel much more special due to the rarity in which they show up. And secondly, they have been designated their own independent Materia slot.
This is important as each character is limited to the number of vacant Materia slots found on their weapon and accessory. Inherently, opening up another slot provides you with more options to customise your character. Without a doubt, the improvements made to the Materia system made an already excellent idea better.
Patent Square Enix art design.
During a time when Square Einx were known as SquareSoft, they were widely renowned for their graphical standards, alongside the likes of Blizzard Entertainment. Everything from their cinematics, right down to the pre-rendered backgrounds, were leaps and bounds ahead of everyone else. While the remake isn’t quite pioneering at that level, it still manages to reach the upper echelon of visual fidelity.
The character models, particularly of the main cast, are unbelievably impressive. The artists have done an outstanding work in capturing the finite details, such as skin impressions and hair strands. The riggers and animators have also exceeded all expectations, as each party member truly acts like a living and breathing person. All of this is quite ironic considering the jagged polygon look of the original instantly dated itself back in 1997.
The game also does a valiant job of showcasing the disjointed nature of Midgar. Both socially amongst its residence, and politically against Shinra. For example, the ruinous slums, whose inhabitants have been left to fend for themselves, completely contrast the pompous, Vegas inspired Wall Market. It’s conflicting landmarks such as these that demonstrate the different ways people can cope with pressure. On Square’s part, it shows an incredible amount of self-awareness for these varied complexities.
Last-Gen Drawbacks for FF7R.
Sadly, it isn’t all spectacular on the art front. There are a number of textures which are noticeably shabby. These are mostly limited to secondary environmental assets, though it can also be spotted in some of the skyboxes as well. Of course, these aren’t going to massively impact your playthrough, but in comparison to everything else, they stand out like a sore thumb.
It’s worth noting that this is a direct port from the PS4 version of the game. For that generation, this quality is highly impressive. However, I had hoped that they’d improve on the ropy textures for the PS5 and PC releases. In saying that, the graphics are still absolutely stunning, and these minor complaints are just that. Minor.
A soundtrack for the ages… again!
The original soundtrack has been updated and re-arranged, featuring a diverse blend of orchestral and contemporary instrumentation. This fostered a new and unique sound for FF7R, all while retaining the atmosphere set by the original. As a massive fan of the original OST, I’m happy to say that it lives up to its predecessor.
In addition to the crisp reimagining, they also went above and beyond to create alternate takes of repeating tracks. For instance, the battle themes adjust slightly depending on the situation that is currently transpiring. While this isn’t something that was entirely necessary, it is massively appreciated nonetheless.
It also wouldn’t right to do an FF7 remake without having some input from the legendary composer Nobuo Uematsu. He contributes a new track to the OST called Hollow, which is as unnerving as it is deathly gripping. Sadly, this is his only new piece. But his presence can still be felt throughout, as a large majority of the OST is comprised of re-arrangements of his original work. Undisputedly, he is one of the best ever to do it, and FF7R makes it clear as to why that is.
Superb SFX, great voice acting, lacklustre voice direction.
Admittedly, I was slightly sceptical about the addition of voice acting in the remake. Thankfully, the actors knocked it out of the park, triumphantly capturing each character’s personalities faithfully from the original game. This isn’t limited to the main cast either. Secondary, and even background characters, are immaculately preformed. I personally found myself stopping to listen in on the everyday life of a Midgar dweller more than once.
While the actors themselves did great, the voice direction leaves a little to be desired. For spoiler reasons, I cannot highlight the questionable lines that I would like too. Trust me though, you’d instantly shake your head in disbelief upon hearing some of these deliveries.
Moving on, the sound effects are equally on the same level as the OST. Swords, guns, magic, monsters and everything in between, are crafted and recorded expertly. It not only meshes well with the on-screen action, but it further enhances the believability of the world. All in all, the sound department did a bang-up job.
INTERmission expansion.
The DLC, titled episode INTERmission, provides you with an additional 2 chapters to playthrough. For the duration of it, you’ll be playing as Yuffie Kisaragi, a Ninja of Wutai. I honestly can’t say much about the narrative without spoiling a massive section of the original campaign. So without saying anything, I found it to be an enjoyable addition to the main game, and hope they consider doing the same for Vincent Valentine in Rebirth.
Conclusion
FF7R is a fantastic reimaging of the iconic title. Refusing to classify itself as a nostalgia act, it expands upon the original narrative in new and exciting ways. The combat system has a seamless fluidity to it, allowing for engaging and entertaining gameplay sequences. Artistically, FF7R retains the level of quality players have come to expect from Square Enix, but it does falter ever so slightly in some environments. The updated rendition of the classic OST is outstanding from start to finish, with the sound design team matching it in every regard.
When all’s said and done, I would comfortably place FF7R as my current game of the year. Admittedly, the price point of £69.99 is utterly ridiculous. But if you happen to come across this on sale, then I’d highly recommend adding it to your collection and giving it a playthrough.
