Events

Review: Winkeltje: Little Shop

Daniel Waite

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May 17, 2022

Have you ever gone to your local store and thought I could do better? Well, now is your chance! Roll up your sleeves, put on your apron, and jump into a ye olde folksy world. Winkeltje: Little Shop lets you fulfil your fantasy of running a small convenience store from the comfort of your sofa.

Developed and published by Sassybot, this is a relaxed resource management simulation title. You must control every element of your business while trying to please every customer. It’s mainly relaxing and enjoyable. However, there are moments of madness and headache-inducing task juggling. In short, it is the perfect representation of owning and running a busy all-purpose shop.

Produce clothes, food, and weapons. — An interesting blend of weapons and bread.

Winkeltje: Little Shop uses a simple concept.

Like all great business sims, Winkeltje: Little Shop has a simple concept. You must start at the bottom and work your way upwards. Effectively, you begin with a tiny shop and you must expand, find new products, and make as much cash as possible. However, unlike its peers, this game doesn’t move from map to map. No, all the action remains in one key location. Therefore, the only way to change things is to begin a new game and increase the difficulty.

Now, you may think that is ridiculous, but it isn’t. The action is oddly addictive and the straightforward approach works really well. I started on the easiest setting and I’m glad I did. I was able to master the fundamentals without too many problems. What’s more, it allowed me to experiment without the fear of being penalised for too many mistakes. However, it would have been nice to adjust the difficulty as I went. This would have prevented the loss of data alongside reducing the repetitive nature of the gameplay.

Spend your points and invest in a garden. — Grow produce and improve your profit margins.

Debt… oh, so much debt.

Inheriting a shop should be a good thing, unless it’s up to its eyeballs in debt, that is. This is the start point for Winkeltje: Little Shop and the aim of the game. You must run your business effectively and efficiently to turn a quick profit. Each playthrough comprises 20 debt-ridden chapters and failure to pay up is catastrophic. Consequently, you must expand and purchase items within your means. If you do not, your game will end prematurely and your shop will fail.

Sounds brutal, right? Well, don’t worry as the action is balanced nicely, so it’s almost impossible to miss a payment. Thanks to a large array of goods on offer, as well as your ability to grow, forge, make, and brew items, you’ll soon be rolling in cash. As you progress, you must improve the appeal of your store and your level. As this happens, you unlock new recipes, furniture, and equipment. You’ll install a forge, gardens, cooker, and so forth. Using these creates more expensive items but uses basic resources. Subsequently, you must balance advanced objects with entry-level gear to ensure every customer is happy.

Winkeltje: Little Shop looks dated.

As much as I loved the simple concept, the dated graphics weren’t great. Winkeltje: Little Shop’s old-school imagery works well with the theme and genre, but it won’t wow many gamers. Many of its peers are more realistic and much nicer to look at. What’s more, they have a larger roster of characters to interact with and the environment is more attractive. Sadly, the demand for a medieval theme means that earthy tones dominate proceedings. Therefore, much of the action is bland, repetitive, and understated. None of this simplicity ruins the game. I just yearned for variety and a better quality finish.

Though the graphics weren’t great, I enjoyed the relaxing audio. The chilled folksy soundtrack is distinctly medieval and works wonderfully. Furthermore, it is complemented by simple sound effects. You’ll enjoy nice environmental sounds combined with typical shop noises. It won’t wow you, but it is enjoyable nonetheless.

Winkeltje: The Little Shop allows you to design the shop of your dreams. — A small but well-designed shop.

You’ll repeatedly select the wrong thing.

Be prepared to sigh an awful lot! The clumsy controls make selecting tables, shelves, or customers a tiresome task. You’ll repeatedly select the wrong thing and find yourself shuffling from object to object. It’s annoying as hell and probably the worst element of this game. If Winkeltje: Little Shop was easier to play, it would improve the game exponentially.

The controls drove me insane, but I loved the special events and seasonal moments. As the year rolls on, items become less or more expensive and new customers visit your store. Therefore, you never quite know what to purchase. This mysterious element leaves you guessing throughout, and this was great. If you fall for its slow but ye olde charms, there is longevity and replay value. However, after my first playthrough, I wanted so much more and didn’t fancy returning.

Winkeltje: Little Shop is a nice little game, but it needs more depth.

I don’t mind a simple and understated game, but simulation titles need some meat on the bone. Unfortunately, Winkeltje: Little Shop is far too simple to invest hours of your life. Unlike its peers, you’ll tire of what you see and do very quickly. This was unfortunate, as it really is a nice little game. I wished it evolved, but this wasn’t to be. All things considered, I recommend it despite its shortcomings. Can you clear your debt and run a successful business? Buy the stock, craft some goods, and turn a profit.

Review: Home Behind 2

Davide Roriz

-

May 17, 2022

0

Who doesn’t love facing overwhelming odds and being trapped deep behind enemy lines? Well, maybe not everybody, but that is precisely the sort of situation that we find ourselves in Home Behind 2.

The action takes place in the fictional country of Scaria, where a decade of internal turmoil has culminated in a revolution. While a part of the country is ravaged by war and people are still figuring out where their allegiances lie, Akadullah, the malevolent dictator, rules with an iron fist deep within the capital, protected by the might of his armies.

After finding yourself stranded behind enemy lines, you and a bunch of unlikely allies take up arms and begin a long and arduous journey to topple the regime once and for all. Without going much more into it, the story is nothing to write home about. For the most part, the dialogue feels too overdramatic. A lot of times, the characters feel completely out of place. It’s almost as if they were trying to make them memorable in some way, but they just ended up making the dialogue sequences feel like such a drag.

As for the gameplay itself, it’s got a lot of stuff in it, both good and bad, but I think that this can be a pretty divisive game, so you might want to read some more about it to make sure that you don’t end up disappointed, one way or another.

At its core, Home Behind 2 is a party-based RPG with real-time pausable combat and a strong focus on party and resource management. If you’ve played games like Darkest Dungeon or Iratus: Lord of the Dead, then you’ll find this game to be extremely familiar. It’s worth noting that, while you can play through the game once and be done with it, this is one of those games that was made with multiple playthroughs in mind.

The main reason why you’d want to replay the game would be due to all the gameplay possibilities that stem from the game’s vast array of classes, abilities, weapons, and, more importantly, random events. Besides that, the game also features a meta-progression system that allows you to unlock upgrades that will make your life easier in future runs. Therefore, there’s more than enough reason to revisit the game if you end up becoming a fan of the gameplay loop.

As you play through the campaign, you’ll slowly explore the map of Scaria, which gets increasingly more difficult the deeper you into the regime’s territory. At the same time, as the war continues, things will slowly escalate, so there is definitely a certain degree of urgency. The game doesn’t really force you to keep moving forward, since there’s no game-ending consequence for taking your time clearing every town and camp, but you might still want to prioritize.

During missions, you’ll scavenge resources, which you can then use to upgrade your camp and gain access to new mechanics and tools. Furthermore, you’ll also slowly build up your roster of companions, and this will allow you to send idle members in solo missions where they’ll gain resources and increase your reputation with various factions. A huge aspect of Home Behind 2 is the resource management, which comes in many forms. Whether you’re building up your stockpile to upgrade your camp’s facilities, crafting new weapons and armour, or treating and levelling up your companions, there’s a lot to keep track of.

When you’re not managing your war camp, you’re be exploring the numerous locales or fighting innumerable enemies. All these aspects of the game are interconnected, as one couldn’t possibly exist without the other. For the most part, the game can feel a bit grindy. However, I enjoyed how I was able to slowly build up my camp and equip my troops with better equipment. With that being said, exploration can feel monotonous, while combat is sort of a mixed bag.

The party system gives players plenty of options to customize their dream team of revolutionaries, but ultimately, I think it all falls apart since you can automize the whole combat system. Sure, this might not be the most efficient option, especially on higher difficulties, but I still found it to work most of the time. Essentially, it almost feels like it removes the combat from the game, since you don’t really have to think much about it. The end result is that you end up just having to worry about managing equipment, stats, and healing your companions. It will certainly not be everyone’s cup of tea.

Overall, Home Behind 2 provides a pretty compelling setting and a series of mechanics, but it ultimately fails to deliver a memorable gameplay experience. The combat is repetitive, the dialogue doesn’t match the tone of the game, and exploration feels pretty much the same throughout the entire game. Sure, this is one of those games where you can probably spend a hundred hours if you’re really into it, but I’m afraid that not many people will remember this game fondly. Hardcore fans of the genre will most likely find it fun, or at least engaging in some way, I certainly do, but you have to keep in mind that it doesn’t reinvent the wheel. For what it is, it’s pretty alright.

When you look at each individual aspect of Home Behind 2, whether that be the combat or the management side of the game, they might not seem like much or be the most compelling, but, as a whole, Home Behind 2 is greater than the sum of its parts. This is definitely not the kind of game that will appeal to everyone, and it surely isn’t one that I consider a “Must Play“, but fans of the genre should have no trouble having a good time with it. As long as you’re not expecting anything groundbreaking, Home Behind 2 won’t disappoint.

Review: MotoGP 22

Daniel Waite

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May 16, 2022

0

Following the MotoGP isn’t done because of a love of the sport. No, it’s a way of life. If you are a fan, you enjoy every element of the event. You’ll adore the riders, the teams, each adrenaline-fuelled encounter, and, of course, the monstrous machines. Therefore, if you are also a gamer, you’ll be the first in line to buy MotoGP 22. This long-running franchise has improved over the years, and this iteration is no exception.

Developed and published by Milestone S.r.l, this is an ultra-realistic racing simulation title. It is the latest addition to the long-running franchise. What’s more, it incorporates every modern racer, team, track, and some classic experiences to boot. Consequently, this is a great game for lovers of the series and newcomers alike.

MotoGP 22 is challenging but fair.

No matter how many racing games I play, I’m always concerned about the learning curve. Furthermore, my love of fast cars and motorbikes normally holds me back because the games lack realism. Luckily, though, MotoGP 22 embraces every petrolhead’s attention to detail by creating an in-depth and detailed experience. However, for those that like to simply race, the complexities can be overlooked. This balances out the action perfectly while keeping a wide range of players simultaneously happy.

Sports simulation aficionados have high expectations and MotoGP 22 lives up to them. It offers a vast range of modes, excellent graphics, realistic audio, and fantastic multiplayer options. Moreover, there is the chance to play couch co-op with friends and family if you so wish. However, it does rely on some staple mechanics and features, so fans may not be so amazed.

MotoGP 22 is ultra-realistic. — Get your knee down.

There is plenty to do!

No matter the sports game, I jump into the career mode. Fortunately, you get the full racing experience thanks to Moto3, 2 and finally GP. This was an awesome way to build up to the main event. Though the mechanics don’t change as such, it was fascinating to work through the ranks over a lengthy career. What I also enjoyed in this mode were the customisable options. Every element of your race weekend and the team can be altered. You can adjust the bike, interact with your manager, and aim for new contracts. What’s more, you can attempt every session or jump straight to the race. Whatever option you choose, the gameplay is enthralling and filled with adrenaline-fuelled action.

If the career option isn’t for you, there is quick mode, Nine Season 2009, practice, and online action. These extra gaming areas tick all the boxes without the time-consuming elements. Fancy a causal race? Set up quick play or challenge the online community. Fortunately, the latter choice isn’t full of toxic morons. However, the skill level is painfully high, so be prepared for a challenging time.

Practice makes perfect, and the masses of tests and advanced and basic trials hone those skills. This is essential if you want to get the best out of the game. It can be extremely frustrating to rely on driver aids as well as reducing the realism considerably.

Though I loved the aforementioned options, my attention was drawn to the Nine Season 2009 mode. Who doesn’t remember this classic year where 4 great riders battled for the crown? Relive all the action with 17 chapters and footage from this amazing season. You’ll have to overcome multiple challenges and this will fill you with nostalgia. It was an incredible addition from the developers and one that makes this stand out from its predecessors.

The tracks in MotoGP 22 are real-to-life — Hear the roar of the crowd.

MotoGP 22 looks phenomenal.

Why wouldn’t you want to race around the world’s best tracks? MotoGP 22 allows this to happen with exact replicas of each iconic raceway. Avid fans will know every curve, dip, and grandstand as they roar around each circuit. What’s more, the bikes look stunning and the character models are amazing. In short, it looks phenomenal. Every moving part turns, jumps, and pivots as you’d expect. Thankfully, it doesn’t put a foot wrong, as you admire every piece of masterful engineering. Alongside this, you can custom design every livery, your character, and your gear. Though this wasn’t essential for me, many players adore this advanced option.

The audio matches the brilliant graphics. With loud and uncomfortable engine noises, you are transported to every race day. Unlike other biking games, the mechanical noises represent each class of bike accurately. Furthermore, I appreciated the build-up to each session and the background music. There is some excellent commentary and the high-energy tunes get you in the mood. What’s more, I adored the subtle tyre sounds, the crunching crashes, and the noise of the weather.

Pull a wheelie and stay on the road. — Get that wheel off the ground.

Challenging controls.

Unsurprisingly, this ultra-realistic title is a pain in the arse to master. With tyres to nurse, brakes to control, the weather to focus on and the bike to balance, it’s tough to handle. Luckily, the aforementioned tutorial mode eases the pain, as do the adjustable driving aids. However, no matter how you approach it, it is still tough to handle. You’ll need patience, dexterity, and skill to get the most out of this game.

If you are buying a sports simulation title, the likelihood is that you are obsessed with it already. Therefore, you’ll play it to death no matter the circumstances. Luckily, though, MotoGP 22 is addictive for avid fans and casual players. With multiple options to select from, split-screen gameplay and an excellent albeit tough online community, this has both longevity and replay value.

MotoGP 22 is fantastic.

I won’t mince my words; MotoGP 22 is fantastic. It captures the brilliance of the sport, offers customisable options, and is filled with nostalgia. Its in-depth career mode is phenomenal, as are the Nine Season 2009 challenges. If you are a petrolhead or a fan of racing, this is a must-have title. Yes, there are some rehashed elements from previous iterations, but this should not put you off! All things considered, I recommend you to buy it here! Grab your leathers and helmet and become the next racing legend.

Review: Ruined King: A League of Legends Story

Lee Fairweather

-

May 16, 2022

0

Review: Ruined King: A League of Legends Story

Before we get into the Ruined King, let us discuss how we got here.

For over 10 years, Riot Games had exclusively focused their developmental efforts on creating and maintaining League of Legends. This paid off massively for them as League rose to unfathomably heights, and still remains today as the most concurrently played title worldwide.

However, on League’s 10^th anniversary, Riot announced that they were aiming to expand their catalogue, and were going to put the S back into Riot Games. They began with the launch of the competitive FPS Valorant, and followed up shortly thereafter with the digital collectible card game, Legends of Runeterra. They also branched out of the gaming space late last year, when they partnered with Netflix to release the hit animated series, Arcane.

In the midst of this, they also created the publishing company ‘Riot Forge’, allowing them to outsource their IPs, and collaborate with various indie studios. This is what led developers Airship Syndicate into creating the ‘Ruined King: A League of Legends Story’, and it is that which we will be discussing today.

Story

The Ruined King is an isometric, turn based RPG, set within the fictional world of Runeterra. The story revolves around a mismatched group of heroes on their journey to stop the sinister Viego, and the apocalyptic curse known as the Harrowing.

The playable characters, which consist of Ahri, Braum, Captain Fortune, Illoai, Pyke and Yasuo, are the true backbone of the narrative. They are all situated in the port city of Bilgewater for their own reasons, but it is the looming danger of the Harrowing which brings them together as a team. You find out more about their motives and backgrounds as you progress through the story, and the game does a stellar job of blending it seamlessly into the main plot.

None of this would be possible however without the all-star cast of voice actors, the likes of which include Laura Bailey and Liam O’Brien. They perfectly capture the dynamic of what it is like to be in a roleplaying party, and it seems as though the dialogue is often trying to mimic that of a D&D session. In the end, it was their performances that created a deeper level of immersion for me, and in turn, is what made me truly care about the outcome of the story.

You might ask, “will I still enjoy this game if I haven’t played League of Legends before?” While I do believe you might get more mileage out of this if you’re already a fan, the answer to that question is still a resounding yes! Airship Syndicate have done an incredible job to accommodate any new players that are venturing out into this universe for the first time.

Art

The art direction is similar to the one used in League of Legends, but leans a bit heavier into the graphic novel stylization. This ends up working to the games favour, as characters personalities shine through in the forefront, while backgrounds still remain vibrant and lively. Combat sequences were another visual treat for me, though admittedly, the animations did get a little repetitive after a while. Thankfully, Airship Syndicate have provided players with a way to increase the combat speed, so once combat exhaustion does set in, you can turn that on to make things a bit more manageable.

There are only two regions in the game to explore, those being Bilgewater and the Shadow Isles. Other regions like Ionia and Freljord are referenced, but you sadly never get the chance to sail out and see them. I personally never felt tiresome of the locales I was exploring, so this didn’t really have an effect on the game for me.

Gameplay

Exploration

Traversing the game is all fairly standard and straight forward. Speak to NPCs to pick up quests, buy and sell items from vendors, and so on. There are puzzles to solve out in the wild as well, and these help to break up the standard gameplay loop.

Additionally, there are couple of side events you can partake in. The first of which is the bounty board, which rewards you for tracking down and defeating powerful enemies, and the other is a fishing mini-game. While the latter was fairly relaxing, it lacked any real substance to keep me entertained for prolonged periods.

Battle Mechanic

The combat in this game uses a system called ‘Lane Initiative’, which, for all intents and purposes, is an innovation to the combat timelines seen in the likes of the Trails series. For those that don’t know, combat timelines provide you with information on when everyone will be making their next move, thus, allowing you to make more tactical decisions.

The combat timeline in the Ruined King is referred to as the Initiative Bar, and it is split up into three separate lanes called ‘Speed’, ‘Balance’ and ‘Power’. Using an ability in the ‘Speed’ lane will make that action preform faster, but as a trade-off, it will be slightly weaker. ‘Power’ will make your action take longer to execute, though it will pack more of a punch when it does. Lastly, the ‘Balance’ lane acts normally, and has no changes in speed, or ability potency. You’ll also have to deal with regional effects which apply varying buffs and debuffs.

While the Lane Initiative system does a nice job of improving upon an otherwise stale design, it unfortunately made the game a bit too easy for me. The lack of any really challenge made combat sequences rather boring, and this even while playing it on its hardest difficulty.

That’s not to say that the Lane Initiative system doesn’t have potential though. If Airship Syndicate are going to do a sequel, I hope they build upon the foundations they’ve made here, and create a more robust system with additional features.

Customization

Of course, no RPG is complete without character customization options, and the Ruined King has a fair amount of depth when it comes to this. For starters, each ability comes with its own mini skill tree, so you can modify the way that they work to suit your needs. Additionally, entire characters can be spec’d into specific avenues, so if you want to change your healer into more of a damage dealer, there is options to do that.

There is also a plethora of gear to find within the world, which come with different properties and affixes. You can also enchant the gear to give them additional benefits and traits, or, to mix up the way that they work entirely.

Audio

On the audio side there really isn’t too much to say. The arrangements made for the soundtrack are perfectly suitable for what they need to do, and the sound effects are crisp matching that of their visual counterpart.

Final Thoughts

The Ruined King is varied enough that it kept me entertained throughout the majority of my playthrough, but combat fatigue eventually left me feeling a little exhausted by the end of it. While the story is fairly simplistic, the charming characters, mixed with the sublime art style, made it a fun jaunt overall. If you are a fan of League of Legends and turn-based RPGs, then this is the game for you. Otherwise, I’d recommend waiting until this goes on sale before picking it up for yourself.

Review: Lumote: The Mastermote Chronicles

Natosha M

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May 16, 2022

0

Review: Lumote: The Mastermote Chronicles

Do you have what it takes to help return the ocean’s bioverse back to normal? If you think you have the time to solve some challenging puzzles while guiding our little hero in this game, Lumote to the end of each location safely, then you should give this game a go!

Lumote: The Mastermote Chronicles is a fully illuminated 3D-style platformer that is not only an adventure game that needs you to find the exit, without getting harmed. Instead, it’s a puzzle game, which requires you to lead Lumote to the end after figuring out the correct way to do so. Each level is designed as towers in the sea, but the problem is mainly the puzzles you’ll face, as some may be a bit more tedious than others.

By the way, each of the beautiful levels glows so brightly from its design, and as Lumote takes a step, bounces, leaps, or in any other way interacts with the objects and ground, he also makes the tower-style levels light up. Many of the wonderful abilities Lumote possesses will be taught through the first portion of the game. As he can do so much without speaking and just using his unique creature-style body to interact with the other bioluminescent creatures and objects. Plus, there are many collectible items to be discovered and they are hidden around each part of the level, another side goal to enjoy while playing.

Oh yes, Lumote may be cute, including his adorable appearance and noises, as much as how beautiful the levels appear. However, cute doesn’t mean easy! This game will have a variety of hard to easy puzzling levels and some may be fast to solve as others may take some time. So if you feel you have the time and want to use your logical knowledge to figure out each level, then let Lumote brighten up your day!

Graphics and Sound

The game supplies a variety of luminescing colors, which works with the entire sea theme of the game. I loved the bright and lit-up levels design on these high towering platforms. It was really an excellent idea for the ocean bioverse design. Each towering platform has a squared-out design, simple and safe for moving around on, but the only issue is that it’s not safe if you miss the ledge. The edges aren’t blocked so you will fall fatally if you end up not getting on the ground fully. Nevertheless, it’s just what the game should include making it a bit more challenging than just about going easily through the levels without the chance to mess up.

The character’s design and the other bright creatures, really add a bit of friendly and welcoming love to the game. Making it perfect for anyone to play. No gore or fear in this ocean-style game, just tons of cute and adorable gameplay. Additionally, the movements were very normal to a platform game or one that you’d get when playing as a human. There is no flowing or swimming, even if it’s based in the sea. If you want to go left, right, jump or do anything else, it’s all controlled very easily with the remote and isn’t anything spectacular or different because of the game’s theme or character.

Possibly the way to interact with items may be unusual, but there isn’t something too pronounced that will stick out as much. One pleasure is that there are no worries of restrictions to move or get to leap higher; double jump in this game. Plus, the music that plays in the background is a perfect water-based game sound. It really complements the game quite nicely, adding this lovely tune to the underwater theme. So are the cute sounds of Lumote as he moves and interacts with items. Some sound human-like and others more of just cute noise.

Final Thoughts

Lumote: The Mastermote Chronicles is such a luminous adventure and puzzling game. It’s absolutely full of levels to enjoy, with plenty of tricky obstacles to figure out. Some may go super fast, while others require a few learned skills and some logical thinking to figure out. I honestly love the difficult level of the game, it’s not too hard or too easy, but just one of those games that require more thinking than simply using weapons to defeat an enemy.

I did find a few features to be absolutely great, and it’s not including just the eye-catching character and level design. The game has a really easy-to-use and sensitive camera rotation, allowing a view from above, below, left, or even right. There is no blocking of the visible portions of the game. Another one is that I also enjoyed that Lumote can double jump. Many games don’t have this and I’m so used to it after playing others. It allows me to reach the height I want or just fulfill that need to click the button twice. Lastly, the level is in one single location, not a bunch of loading time is required.

However, there is one issue that I’ve encountered in the game when you mess up, sometimes it could be an issue or it could be still repairable. You have to plan right and restart that section, which is great that it saves each time you complete a portion or you’ll have to start it all over. Sometimes, I wished if there were no moves it would warn you that no further moves were available and you will need to be restarted. Just think it would be easier, but it’s just a small thing and my own opinion.

Lastly, this game is very nicely designed and the puzzles are challenging, requiring sometimes a few mistakes till you get them right. However, I love the use of logic when it comes to solving puzzles than playing a game to defeat enemies. Additionally, the sea-like background music, 3D graphics, and cute characters all play a great part in the game and it all just works! So if it’s solving puzzles under the sea where it’s lit up with plenty of bright-neon style lights and this cute bioluminescence style creature, well this is a fun game to wrap one’s mind around and be absolutely entertained with the lights.

Review: Trek to Yomi

Daniel Waite

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May 15, 2022

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The path to righteousness can be complex and full of heartache. You are often left with many difficult decisions, and those that you love may get left behind. However, the rewards usually outweigh the negatives even if your soul disagrees. This is the idea behind Trek to Yomi. It is a dark and sombre game that captures the brilliance of Japanese culture.

Developed by Flying Wild Hog and published by Devolver Digital, this is a fighting action-adventure title. It has a phenomenal cinematic that creates a moody and mystical atmosphere. Furthermore, it combines realistic elements of Asian life with bizarre and often unnerving surreal moments. On top of this, it has a fantastic story, interesting characters, many skills to unlock and collectables to find.

Trek to Yomi tells a classic story.

I have always admired Japanese culture and the “Way of the Samurai”. Therefore, whenever a game depicts this theme at its core, I jump right in. Luckily, Trek to Yomi blends realism and surrealism beautifully. Even when the game goes into a dreamlike state, it doesn’t leave its roots behind. Consequently, the story and the gameplay flow nicely, especially when you have no idea of what’s happening.

The plot revolves around a young Samurai called Hiroki. His master is dying, and he promises to protect the village and the people he loves. Sadly, this vow is tested when his once peaceful village is attacked. Caught off guard, and desperate for victory, Hiroki is led astray. This error costs him and the villagers dearly, and he must battle invading forces and brutal overlords if he is to right the wrongs.

Trek to Yomi looks amazing. — Slay your foe.

A short game.

Set over 6 chapters, Trek to Yomi can only be considered a short title. Now, you may want more bang for your buck, but worry not! Luckily, this is available as part of the Game Pass subscription. Consequently, you have nothing to lose by trying this visual masterpiece. Yes, I’m jumping in early on with my love of the graphics, but I can’t help it. Trek to Yomi is simply stunning to look at. With monochromatic visuals and authentic landscapes, it is easy to admire what unfolds. Yet, just because it is beautiful, doesn’t make it a phenomenal game. Sadly, there are many shortcomings that hold back its potential.

First, the rigid linear focus makes the world feel small and claustrophobic. This isn’t usually a bad thing, but the environment is so inviting (in a macabre way) that I was disappointed that I couldn’t explore it. Second, the combat is awfully lacklustre. There are an array of warriors to tackle and weaponry to use. What’s more, you unlock plenty of combo attacks, blocks, and equipment to balance the books. However, repetitive and dull encounters make this element a bit of a damp squib. Third, there are too many save points. Shrines heal you while saving your progress. This happens so regularly that there is next to no risk in any given situation. Consequently, death has no meaning and your loss is minimal, so you go balls to the wall every time.

This was particularly poor in a game set around discipline, skill, and combat. I wanted to slice off limbs, time my blows perfectly, and dodge my enemy’s advances. Instead, I hacked away like a maniac and rarely did this approach fail me. There is, of course, a stamina bar to consider as well as tougher opponents, but both rarely held you back. If the developers had tightened this up, the game would have been much better.

Trek to Yomi is sombre and full of death and destruction. — Avoid the arrows that rain down on you.

Trek to Yomi was interesting to explore.

Though much of the core gameplay disappointed me, the level design did not. I’ve already gushed about my love of the visuals, but each chapter’s sprawling landscapes were just as good. With limited exploration options, it could have been a mundane and lifeless experience. However, leaping across buildings while killing your foes with barrels or other objects was fascinating. Furthermore, searching for stamina and health boosts, new attacks, or collectables was excellent. Secrets were hidden in plain sight, and finding every one of them wasn’t easy.

Alongside the captivating environment was the amazing audio. The persistent sound of terror and loss was haunting as you explore your surroundings. A torturous and sombre atmosphere is created thanks to the harrowing noises and horrific images. Dilapidated villages are matched with the roar and crackle of the fire and the shrieks of mourning villagers. It is hard to say that I loved this brutal experience, but I can’t help but admire what I saw. Moreover, you are immersed in the action thanks to the use of subtitles and authentic Japanese dialogue. You may despise the use of subtitles, but it was the perfect accompaniment to add to the realism.

A sombre but beautiful world. — Such a beautiful world to look at.

The controls could have been better.

I’m not the biggest fan of multi-button combo attacks. I find them to be overly complex, usually poorly thought out and tough to execute. Unfortunately, most of this is true of Trek to Yomi as you try to remember a long list of unique commands. With finishing moves, heavy attacks, light attacks, blocks, and ranged weaponry, there was an awful lot to master. Annoyingly, no matter how many moves I was given, I stuck to what worked. Luckily, however, the fundamentals worked well and were responsive. This meant that you could pick it up and play without worrying about massive combos or complex moves.

With only 6 hours of gameplay, this is a short but stunning game. Sadly, if you are not a completionist, you won’t get the most out of it. However, if you love to search every nook and cranny, you’ll enjoy exploring each chapter fully. Subsequently, finding every collectable isn’t easy and many of the secrets can be overlooked. Therefore, if you are a completionist, you’ll have your work cut out for you.

Trek to Yomi could have been better.

Many Game Pass subscribers will love the cinematic experience and story-rich gameplay. However, Trek to Yomi could have been much better. With overly complicated controls, poor combat, and strict linear progression, it is too restrictive and frustrating. I loved the immersive atmosphere and the deep lore, but there are better Samurai games on the market. All things considered, this is worth trying and can be purchased here! Will you keep your vow or will you let yourself and your people down?

Review: Moon Knight Episode 6

James Refelian

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May 15, 2022

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Spoiler Free Review Moon Knight Episode 6

Although this is a spoiler-free review of Moon Knight Episode 6 all images used have been taken from the episode.

Moon Knight Episode 6 picks up right where the previous one ended and shows us the fallout of that fatal incident. What takes place is a race-against-time to save the world, and perhaps on a more personal level for the players to save themselves too. May Calamawy shows us that anyone can be a hero and, as we’ve seen all along, she is a force to be reckoned with. The character of Layla is fantastic and the development she gets in this episode is a ‘leaping-off-the-sofa’ cheer moment. Moon Knight deserves more episodes just so we can see more of Layla being awesome.

Ethan Hawke’s villainous Harrow is hell-bent on releasing the ancient Egyptian goddess Ammit to fuel his cult’s goals of exacting judgment. They’re targeting the souls of people who may not have even committed the crimes yet. Harrow has more depth than this, we really see the inner workings of his troubled mind and the nuanced performance is chilling.

It may come as no surprise that Oscar Isaac shone once more as the title hero. Playing multiple people sharing a scene is never easy, but he does it perfectly. He also brings his own flair to pre-existing comic book characters. We also get to see Moon Knight in action for a large part of the episode. It certainly feels more ‘superhero show’ when he dons the suit, but it also feels like so much more.

Moon Knight Episode 6 is a solid conclusion to the series. The stories are rounded out nicely, with room to expand into another series or movie if needed. It doesn’t feel incomplete. While a shame if we never saw any more Moon Knight, I’d be satisfied with this series as the MCU representation of one of my favourite comic book characters. The episode was nicely paced without rushing the conclusion as these things can often do. The action sequences were awesome, with wonderful shots displaying the fighting sequences well with the backdrop of impressive CGI action. Overall, this episode is as strong as the rest of the series and a satisfying watch.

Make sure to watch the mid-credits scene!

Thoughts on the series

Moon Knight Episode 6 concludes this Disney+ masterpiece in a wonderful way. It was slated for the longest time as a limited series, but I hope they change their minds. Moon Knight deserves more episodes. Simply, it’s the best series to have appeared in the MCU Disney+ line-up. It’s full of action, has deep lore, blends comedy with heartfelt topics wonderfully, and best of all? Addresses mental health in a way that most shows shy away from. Every character is brilliantly developed, and Oscar Isaac is superb in the title role. If there’s one series you choose to watch, make it Moon Knight.

Review: Dragon Saddle Melee

News

Devrim Kurt

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May 13, 2022

1

Dragon Saddle Melee is a classic 2D arcade action game developed and published by Main Tank Software. The premise is simple, you get to ride around in a dragon and fight enemies in an arcade multiplayer setting. While its simplicity causes the game to get stale after a while, the mechanics are quite fun and easy to pick up.

Gameplay

The main mechanic of the game is riding your dragon better than other players and reacting to the environmental challenges that change with each round. The controls are simple and easy to learn.

There are power-ups for the players to pick up, there is enough variety to keep the core gameplay interesting. The power-ups allow players who can masterfully make use of them to score easy points or make a comeback from a desperate situation. While they do provide the player with a leg up, they aren’t too powerful as to cause players to dominate the game by just using powerups.

The arena is simple and not visually distracting. It fits the overall vibe of the game just fine. However, I do believe having more than just one arena would have elevated the gameplay and prevented every match from feeling the same after a while.

Challenges and the goals change in each round, the game wouldn’t be as much fun without this feature. The rounds change often enough to keep the players engaged. One big improvement for the round system would probably be shuffling the different types of rounds, instead of always going in the same order. However, the rounds changing in the same order every match allows players to strategize and plan. While I believe the shuffle system would work better, this is not too big of a problem within the overall gameplay.

Players can choose to either play against bots or other players. The AI for the bots is not too bad but it doesn’t offer anything to write home about. From what I’ve experienced there’s no real way to invite friends to the same lobby or join a specific lobby which is a big minus for a game in this genre.

Technical Side

The animations and overall movement of the dragon is quite responsive, which alleviates possible frustration in a game where a small mistake can cost you a life. There is partial controller support which means you can use a controller to control your dragon and use items, but you can’t use it to navigate within the in-game options menu. I haven’t experienced any bugs while playing or had any frame rate problems or crashes. The system requirements for the game are quite modest and most PC’s will be able to run it smoothly.

Graphics and Audio

The graphics do a good job of capturing the retro arcade feel, the details of the dragon and the animations are also quite good. There is only one background for the whole game which is a minus, having multiple backgrounds would have added a lot to the “feeling” of variety.

The music is fitting for the gameplay and the genre. The sound effects are nothing special but they get the job done.

Conclusion

Dragon Saddle Melee doesn’t offer its players a lot of variety or many different mechanics, however the existing gameplay is quite polished and feels good to play. I had a lot of fun just bouncing around the arena with my dragon and on top of other dragons. Its price is quite cheap, it would make a good choice for a game to relax with after a tiring day.

Review: Wildcat Gun Machine

Daniel Waite

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May 13, 2022

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I love a game that has a deep story, interesting characters, and an emotive core. However, occasionally I enjoy mindless violence! Wildcat Gun Machine focuses on the latter option because of its lack of plot. Moreover, it chucks you in at the deep end with hard-hitting action.

Developed by Chunkybox Games and published by Daedalic Entertainment, this is a bullet hell dungeon crawler. Designed in the same vein as Hades, but without the finesse, this title isn’t as groundbreaking as its rivals. However, don’t let this put you off, as you’ll have plenty of fun and frustration en route.

Wildcat Gun Machine rinses and repeats.

Normally, I’m not a fan of repetitive gameplay. The constant rehash of ideas and mechanics becomes tiresome beyond belief. Yet, in Wildcat Gun Machine I didn’t mind its rinse and repeat nature. Luckily, the developers added enough of a twist to the actions that I never got bored. However, massive fans of the genre may become frustrated by the lack of evolution and depth.

As mentioned, there is no story to talk about. Therefore, you are left to your own devices and imagination as you explore each room. This isn’t an issue, but I would have liked some meat on the bone. The gameplay is broken down into chapters that comprise multiple areas, many locked doors, and gigantic robotic bosses. There are oodles of traps, plenty of guns, loads of upgrades, and cute kitties. Consequently, the blend of elements leads to a confusing experience that supports the bullet-hell approach.

So many weapons and upgrades to pick from. — Choices, choices!

Keys, guns, and death.

I’m conscious that Wildcat Gun Machine could be considered a puzzle title. However, this “tag” is so loose that it’s almost irrelevant. Yes, you have to explore the labyrinthine world to find keys to progress, but this is the extent of that element. Subsequently, it felt more adventure/Metroidvania than anything else. The multicoloured keys send you on a predetermined route, which makes the game distinctly linear. Now, this is fine, but I would have liked a heavier focus on Metroidvania. It would have been fascinating to combine maze-like gameplay with the brutality of each arena.

This brutality is countered wonderfully by a large array of weapons and upgrades. As you explore, you will find bigger and better guns and skeletons to loot. The new weapons balance out the difficulty and give you a unique strategic approach. Whether it’s a high-powered rifle, machine gun, or grenade launcher, they all have pros and cons. Alongside this, you have unlockable perks such as dashing, grenades, and more. You are also blessed with a special ability that turns you into a killing machine.

As mentioned, you must loot skeletons to upgrade your character. This is supported further as you kill each enemy you face. You’ll gather bones that can be spent on new pistols, and increased abilities. These are game-changers and are essential as you progress. If you fail to maximise your hero, you will die! Death is absolutely guaranteed, but it isn’t too frustrating. Unlike rogue-lite/like games, you don’t lose your progress or anything you’ve gathered.

Use the checkpoints to stay alive. — Use the checkpoints to renew your kitties.

Wildcat Gun Machine looks surprisingly good.

I expected Wildcat Gun Machine to be your standard pixelated indie title. Instead, it’s a vivid and well-polished cartoon affair. Consequently, it is a treat for the eyes and a pleasant change from the norm. Alongside the striking imagery, I adored the variety of monsters, the unique backdrops, the gargantuan bosses, and the interesting stage design. With many of the core elements reused throughout, I thoroughly expected the graphics to follow suit. Luckily, however, they didn’t, and this makes it stand out from its peers.

The action is fast and hectic and so is the audio. The aggressive hard-hitting tunes combine brilliantly with the silly, sci-fi sound effects. Therefore, you experience loud and uncomfortable audio that matches the theme and genre. However, it is not perfect! Many of the noises sound similar and I would have liked more variety. What’s more, it would have been interesting to have soundbites for each foe you faced. Sadly, this wasn’t to be, and this was an oversight.

Wildcat Gun Machine is filled with evil monsters. — Make sure you avoid those bullets.

Simple dual analogue controls.

When all hell is breaking out around you, you need the controls to be simple. Luckily, the easy to master dual analogue approach makes it a cinch. Furthermore, the well-designed UI complements the control layout. Each ability, item, and new weapon are straightforward to use and this was fantastic. Consequently, this is an excellent game for veterans and newcomers alike.

With many mysterious elements and loads of weapons to unlock, this has both longevity and replay value. It would be easy to lose hours in each chapter, and certain areas are tougher than others. Subsequently, completing this is no mean feat.

Wildcat Gun Machine needed direction.

Though I’m comfortable with a free-flowing game, I still enjoy some guidance. Consequently, Wildcat Gun Machine needed more focus and direction. Yes, the action is linear, but I’d have liked to know why everything was occurring. Though these complaints don’t take away from the game’s brilliance, they would have made it so much better. Yet, all things considered, I still recommend you buy it here! Scour each level, grab the skeletons, upgrade your character, and kick some ass.

Review: Ghost on The Shore

Gaming

Xavier Berry

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May 13, 2022

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Ghost on the shore is a game that will stick with players for quite some time after they watch the credits roll. Developed by Like Charlie and published by Application Systems Heidelberg, the story behind it is one of sadness and sorrow but has cute little moments to help make the journey a little easier on the heart. Pairing the simple art style with the subtle and peaceful music helps make this game a wonderful experience from start to finish, even if it does take a some time to get started. Do you want to know more about Riley’s journey as she tries to find out the mystery of the islands? Well grab a life jacket and hop on board as we set sail for the Rogue islands in Ghost on the shore.

Story

The game starts off with Riley navigating a small ship through a terrible storm as she sets off on a personal journey to see what the world has to offer. As things start to take a turn for the worse, a voice chips in and begins to walk our protagonist through some helpful steps in order to make it safely to her destination. This catches Riley off guard and she begins to struggle with the idea of having someone supporting her who isn’t physically there.

Once she manages to steer the ship to a dock, Riley finds herself on an island that looks like it has seen some better days in the past. Buildings lay wasting away by a tattered dock with no signs of anyone else on the Island as. As Riley adventures through the Island and uncovers its mysteries, the voice of Josh is there to help shed some light on things as they peer into the lives of those who were here before. The relationship between the two of them is tense at first but as the hours pass, players can make decisions that will help shape their relationship. These dialog options aren’t just for flavor text though and can have an impact on the ending that players will see by the time their adventure comes to an end.

Gameplay

Ghost on the Shore is a first-person adventure game that puts players in the shoes of a woman named Riley who is also accompanied by Josh, the mysterious voice in her head who seems to know a little bit about the island that she is on. The game has some accessibility options that should be an industry standard but sadly are not, with the ability to turn Head bob on or off being the major one that stood out. The game also supports multiple languages and even has subtitles that players can adjust the size of to help with visibility. This is something that I genuinely appreciated since I was sitting a little further from my desk due to the game featuring controller support. Ghost on the shore supports both Xbox and PlayStation controllers and it was nice to be able to plug and play without any hiccups or spending extra time in the options menu.

As players travel across the island, they will find a multitude of items to interact with. Most objects can be turned around and examining them will often lead to either Riley talking to herself about an observation or a conversation between Riley and Josh about the residents on the island. Riley will occasionally take notes in her journal as well as draw sketches of the things that she has seen along the way. Players can look at these notes to help get a little more information and revisit any letters or tapes that they have picked up throughout the game.

One of the best aspects of the game is how the relationship between both Riley and Josh continues to develop and unfold. Players are given dialog options throughout the game and Ghost on the shore does a really good job of utilizing these choices to help expand on the characters. Riley can try to convince herself that the voice isn’t there, or she can fully embrace the situation by talking to him during their journey. Sometimes there will be moments where the two get real snarky with one another and players can get the feeling that the pair is starting to get a little more comfortable with each others presence. These dialog choices will have an impact on their relationship and can even impact the ending that the players see which will provide a reason to come back once the initial playthrough is finished.

Final Thoughts

Ghost on the shore is a slower paced adventure that is sure to capture the hearts of those looking for a bit of mystery. The story is captivating and the ability to interact with different objects to get an understanding of the different lives that used to inhabit the island really helps bring the player along. The mystery of who Josh is and his connection with Riley is sure to have players glued to their screens. If you are a fan of story heavy games with a sense of mystery, Ghost on the shore is definitely worth your time.