Review: Ember Knights

Daniel Waite
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Review: Ember Knights

Ember Knights tries to break into a saturated marketplace filled with incredible indie titles. Games like Hades rule the roost, and it takes a lot to knock the behemoth games from their perch. Thankfully, I think this occasionally cruel experience has enough about it to contend with the big boys. Furthermore, it offers enough variety and some unique elements to generate originality. As such, genre veterans will get their fill whilst seeing something new.

This rogue-like game was developed by Doom Turtle and published by Twin Sails Interactive. Moreover, it is a solo or up to 4-player cooperative endeavour that plays out from an isometric viewpoint. It follows standard genre practices and demands that you flit from room to room killing everything in sight. There are 5 worlds to complete and a sub-boss and main boss per world to destroy. Additionally, every playthrough is unique and there are almost limitless character builds to test out.

Ember Knights has a limited plot.

Unlike Hades, Ember Knights has a pretty weak and standard story. I’d say this is the weakest element and lore-loving gamers will be disappointed by the development team’s lack of originality and effort. This isn’t to say that you won’t enjoy the paper-thin plot, it simply doesn’t have the wow factor of its big-name competitors.

You control a group of Ember Knights who must stop the evil Praxis. He has ripped a dimensional hole in reality and this wreaks havoc with normality. As such, you must dive into the newfound dimension and defeat Praxis to right the wrongs. Strangely, in genre tradition, death somehow eliminates your progress, and you respawn at a safe location. This haven is your go-to spot for new gear and upgraded equipment. Accordingly, failure is both a blessing and a curse.

Plenty of gear. 

Each run allows you the choice of 1 weapon, 2 abilities, and a handful of upgrades in the form of relics. Additionally, as you move from room to room, you’ll see the reward for killing every enemy. Consequently, you can plan the character build that benefits that particular run. Whether you wish to create a tank that is capable of absorbing every hit, or a magical entity hell-bent on inflicting elemental damage, the choice is yours.

Skills/abilities allow you a two-tier system of tackling your foes. Each special attack has a cool down that is replenished as you slash your weapon or fire a bow. The standard blast is impressive and can be a game-changer. However, the charged attack is the real head-turner. This powerful blast has an associated additional benefit that causes all sorts of problems. When this is combined with your unlocked relics, you get a real mishmash of skills and power that changes the way you play.

Upgrades. 

As you die, you are awarded embers as the progression currency. These are essential to improve your chances of survival. Moreover, each run will be easier, and you’ll earn more embers as a consequence. As such, it is a grind loop that rogue-like fans will be all too familiar with.

The skill tree is unique in the way that each segment comes in groups of 2 or 3! You are free to select 1 from each category to aid you on your adventure. Whether you pick something to increase or regen your health or select a damage bonus, it is up to you. However, you must remember how the skills impact your relics and temporary abilities during each run. If you can marry each element, you’ll have a ridiculously powerful build that makes Ember Knights a joy to play. 

Ember Knights looks fantastic. 

Ember Knights benefits from its small arena approach. The compact level design flits from an array of unique biomes with an ever-growing roster of monsters. This fresh style prevents the action from feeling flat and the hectic action benefits accordingly. Alongside this, the animation is wonderfully smooth and this helps you to plan. Enemies follow a familiar pattern and the developer has made it easy to understand attack patterns and areas of effect. Subsequently, navigating each tricky element is much easier. If you love unusual bosses and OTT action, then you’ll adore the art style.

The audio matches the strange fantasy theme. The upbeat soundtrack adds energy to each hack-and-slash moment. Moreover, the blend of sound effects was wonderfully simple. As you add special effects to your weapon, the noises are strange but enjoyable. What’s more, the crashing sound of every fallen foe is a sign of a job well done. 

Spectacular controls. 

Rogue-like games have to have fluid and easy to use controls. Many games get this wrong, and it feels like you are walking through quicksand. Thankfully, Ember Knights gets this right! The analogue movement is accurate and smooth. Additionally, the controller layout ensures that you can activate each skill and your basic attacks with ease. If you love to charge each skill, this is a straightforward task. The excellent on-screen indicators highlight each command and executing each action is a cinch. As such, newbie gamers will master the controls in no time at all.

Unsurprisingly, this oozes both replay value and longevity. Thanks to the large array of skills and weapons and the never-ending character builds, every playthrough is unusual. If you then chuck in the challenging bosses and the guarantee of death, you will be tested from the moment you switch it on.

Ember Knights is a great indie title. 

This is a genre that drives people insane. The thought of losing everything is harsh and picking up the pieces is harsher still. Yet, it is this approach that demands a sense of grit and determination. That “just one more go” attitude pushes you past that last death. This is what makes the genre great, and this is what makes Ember Knights so appealing. Accordingly, I love it and I recommend buying it here! Can you stop Praxis and save the day? Choose your weapon, upgrade your knight, and enter the void.

Review: F1 Manager 2024

Daniel Waite
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Review: F1 Manager 2024

F1 Manager 2024 is an incremental improvement on its predecessor. Like every other yearly franchise release, you have to wade through the tried and tested elements before you come to something new and shiny. However, this sports title wears its latest feature like a medal, to buck this trend. This proud gold medal-winning Olympiad of the car racing genre thrusts its latest feature in your face immediately. This unusual approach surprised me, and I couldn’t wait to move past the familiar elements and right into the action.

This sports management title was developed and published by Frontier Developments. Moreover, it is a solo experience that relies on data, strategy, and a lot of money to succeed. On top of this, you have to nurse your staff and driver’s egos in the mentality system. I know what you are thinking, “F1 is tough enough without having to pander to every superstar’s needs!”. Well, I couldn’t agree with you more, but this fine element adds a layer of depth to an already challenging situation.

F1 Manager 2024 lets you create a dream team.

Running a prefab and famous team is all well and good. Yet, things quickly turn sour once you realise that Red Bull still rules the roost, and you are up against a losing battle. This is where the latest feature of Create a Team comes into play. Here you may select your car, choose your difficulty, and pick from a large array of drivers. Accordingly, if you wish to steal Hamilton and pair him with a relatively unknown driver, you are free to do so. Alternatively, maybe you want to bust your budget and select 2 all-star personalities. Either way, you must deal with the consequences as the season progresses.

The ability to select your backstory and your season goals was refreshing. Additionally, you must focus on how different manufacturers wish to strategise for the upcoming season. These goals must sync with your ideals, otherwise this will impact your performance and effectiveness. Moreover, you must decide how aggressive you wish to be and if you see yourself as a mid-tiered team or a frontrunner. These big calls are tough to make, but I went with the middle-of-the-road outfit with the goal of flexibility and durability over everything else.

Familiar action.

The two leading changes light the way. Yet, once you have your team set, and you understand the needs of your employees, the action unfolds much like its predecessor. As such, you’ll manage the day-to-day business whilst researching your current and future cars. This is no mean feat as money is tight and sponsors need to be appeased. Consequently, balancing your current needs with those of the following season and new regulations isn’t easy.

Alongside this, you can improve the pit crew to be the talk of the pit lane. This requires practice and a fine balance between work and play. This isn’t easy as milliseconds count and fine margins will cost you points, money, and reputation. Subsequently, you are likely to make mistakes along the way.

The old system of improving drivers through the occasional practice session has been updated. The new system allows you to send them to the lesser leagues where they can craft their trade. In theory, this can enhance a roster of would-be stars, but progress is slow, and the benefits can be tough to see for casual gamers.

Sponsorship.

The sponsor system reflects the modern nature of F1. As such, the latest update to F1 Manager 2024 is a welcome change from previous iterations. The sponsor deals are important to the day-to-day running of your team. However, there are opportunities to win extra cash if you are brave. You are teased with realistic goals and mouth-watering cash amounts. Yet, this risk v reward opportunity can be tough to balance. Furthermore, engagement activities” take a priority every 6 weeks or so. These schedule heavy activities improve your bank balance, but they affect your drivers. Accordingly, you must choose the right action for your team.

F1 Manager 2024 has a realistic edge.

Blending data-heavy interfaces with fast-paced racing isn’t easy. However, F1 Manager 2024 does a great job. The spectacular UI sifts through mountains of information with ease. Moreover, the simple-to-read font and contrasting colours can be read from a distance. On top of this, the in-race elements are surrounded by leaderboard shifts and loads of key information. However, this wasn’t distracting, and it was easy to lose yourself in the racing. 

The immersive gameplay was complemented by the sound effects. The shrill noise of every car engine and the crackle of the radio were realistic. Yet, whenever you were in the HQ interface, a pleasant and non-offensive soundtrack played. This juxtaposing idea divided the action without undermining either element. This was great, as the noisy cars and constant buzzing can be overwhelming during heavy gaming sessions.

Brilliant controls.

The developer has done an amazing job with the control system. Thanks to the excellent UI, it is easy to delve through each element of the action. Moreover, you can flit between each driver, manually control elements of each race, and change the focal point at any time. If you are not familiar with the franchise, then fear not. F1 Manager 2024 does a great job of explaining the fundamentals without boring or overwhelming you.

If you love F1 and you adore games like Football Manager and other management sim titles, you will cherish every moment. With many game modes and new features, this is more than just another sequel. Instead, the improvements can be felt throughout and this makes it a great option for those wishing to try something new.

F1 Manager 2024 takes things to the next level.

Incremental yearly franchise improvements drive me mad. I hate the idea of paying decent money for a basic update. However, F1 Manager 2024 has made some massive steps forward. The opportunity to create a team of your dreams was impressive. Furthermore, the new sponsorship options and mentality system mix things up nicely. As such, I enjoyed my time with this and I recommend buying it here! Running an F1 team is a tough job. As such, you must manage the finances, tend to everyone’s needs, and beat your rivals. It isn’t easy, but if anyone can do it, you can.

Review: Sumerian Six

Josh Blackburn
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Review: Sumerian Six

I was a little worried when approaching Sumerian Six. See, me and stealth don’t really mix. It’s not quite a ‘bull in a china shop’ situation, more of an ‘octopus in a china shop’ situation. I’m not rampaging around smashing things. It’s just whenever I try and do something, it slips out of my hands and I’m left picking up the pieces; not really knowing what I’m doing. I assumed, therefore, that Sumerian Six and me wouldn’t get along. That my guys would be dead before they could slit up a single Nazi.

I was wrong. In fact, I was pleasantly surprised by Sumerian Six. I think part of that is due to it dialing down its stealth elements and concentrating on the strategy ones. Think of it as an incredibly violent version of chess. Added to that is a peculiar – yet interesting – storyline with plenty of mystical elements and some nice locales to get through. The downside of this chess-like feeling, however, is that things can feel a tad too relaxed at times.

Sumerian Six

This Knife Kills Fascists

The linchpin of Sumerian Six‘s plot is a resource called ‘Geistsoff’. ‘Spirit Material’, if you’re curious about the direct translation. Ghost Goo, if you’re not. Either way, it has the potential for unlimited power. A squad of scientists tinker with it when, inevitably, it goes horribly wrong. One of the scientists, Kammler, decides to use the power for evil and starts cooking up weapons of mass destruction. Fortunately, he’s opposed by the Enigma Squad – a group of people that vow to stop him by cutting down every Nazi in their way.

It’s quite an interesting storyline, not least because Sumerian Six blends together history – World War II in this case – with sci-fi. My favourite manifestation of this is in the enemy design. We start off with basic Nazi troopers (and a smattering of heavily armoured ones), but we soon move onto teleporting skeletons and Dr. Octopus-style demon soldiers. Bit more interesting than just guys with guns. It also allows the story to get as loopy as it wants. It starts bringing in ancient Sumeria, of all things, and giant imprisoned Gods. So very loopy indeed. I love it.

This is also reflected in our characters, given that they essentially have superpowers. I want to talk a bit about who they are before we get on to that though. They’re a varied bunch. We start with a brother and sister, Sid and Isabella, but quickly expand to include a German chemist, a doctor who can become a ghost, and a man who can turn into a giant bear. Each character is very distinct, which is great, though I feel they’re a little underbaked. They mainly talk in quips, or annoyed one-liners. Hell, Sid is revealed to be a descendant of Gilgamesh (don’t ask), and reacts like he just got an unexpected bill in the post.

Sumerian Six

The Reichsadler He Conquered

Let’s move on to exploring this weirdness in gameplay terms. On the surface, it’s your standard stealth-em-up. You start at one end of a map, with set objectives to complete at the other end. The map is dotted with enemies, all of whom are better equipped than you and will turn you into a walking collander if they see you. In Sumerian Six‘s case, you need to navigate vision cones and eliminate Nazis without setting off any alarms. It’s simple at first, but gets harder when you encounter enemies that can teleport. Or that don’t take well to being stabbed.

Sumerian Six mixes things up with its supernatural skills. I’ve already mentioned the werebear, Wojtek, who can tear apart armoured enemies. Isabella, one of the first characters, can turn invisible or distract enemies. It’s these skills that turn the dial from stealth to strategy for me. When approaching an area, I can usually foresee a combination of skills that will get me through. You can even stop time and queue them up. It’s immensely satisfying to see a complex strategy played out perfectly. The levels are designed to make use of all available characters and offer different routes through them, which is great.

That said, some of the skills do make things a bit too easy. Rosa, a German chemist with a love of caustic chemicals, can dissolve enemies with her basic melee attack. Siegfried, who pops in around the midpoint of the game, has a silent, rechargeable arrow. At that point, success is almost an inevitabilitly. What’s more, the AI is a bit dense. Vision cones are surprisingly small, for one. You can just walk past a decent amount of enemies. They rarely search beyond a small area when an alarm goes off too, so a legitimate tactic is just to kill someone and wait out the alarm. Cheap, yes, but all too easy to do.

Sumerian Six

Sumerian Six – Stealth, Simplified

What this leads to is a lack of tension in the gameplay. If you’re in the market for a classic stealth game, that might irk you a bit. There’s no worry about whether or not you’ll be seen. The AI have short routes and you can see their vision cones at any time. There’s a rampant autosave too, encouraging save scumming. As someone with a distaste for stealth, however, it’s this realisation that made me enjoy Sumerian Six a lot more. I tucked my guys away in a hiding spot at the start of each area and spent a while mapping out all the blind spots and the skills I’d use to exploit them.

It’s an odd game through and through. Its storyline is certainly odd. Nazi Germany has been blended with a lot of strange things, but ancient Sumerian mythology is a new one on me. The characters are odd. A spectral doctor and a werebear aren’t our usual stock. Gameplay’s odd too, pulling back the stealth elements in favour of supernatural chess. That last one does make things rather too easy, but Sumerian Six is a wonderfully weird experience nonetheless.

(Sumerian Six’s Steam Page)

Review: Metro Quester Osaka

Khloe Turner
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Review: Metro Quester Osaka
METRO QUESTER OSAKA

The world has plummeted into despair, devoid of life as once known; depraved by monsters and deprived of color and joy. Experience Metro Quester: Osaka–a unique dRPG developed by Thousand Games and published by KEMCO. Metro Quester: Osaka is an expansion upon the original Quester; like a time machine throwing the player back into the 80s, once again, for a nostalgia-filled, challenging adventure.

This game has no typical martyr or unveiling the “big bad” plotline. A handful of humans had been able to survive a world plagued by chaos. Your party must survive their bitter circumstances and make sure to set up safe base camps, giving Metro Quester: Osaka its unique flare.

Released in 2024, this game can be played on PC, Steam, Nintendo Switch, the Xbox One, the Xbox Series X/S. and the PlayStation 4 and 5.

Another Armageddon

The year is 20XX, taking place in former Osaka, also known as the “city of water.” Earth has plunged into Armageddon, exposed to a flurry of deadly viruses, increased natural disasters, and an onslaught of air and water pollution. Strange monsters erupted from the grounds like shadows-come-to-life, hostile and vicious. The world is no longer suitable for human civilization. But, this does not mean that there aren’t still humans lurking about.

new canoe feature in Metro Quester: Osaka

Metro Quester: Osaka is a dungeon-crawler RPG with RNG elements. Players begin the game with a preset party of five. Somehow, whether due to luck, skill, or raw power, these humans managed to pull through the darkness. The goal is to survive. Players must have enough food, resources, weapons, and other key items hidden in safes, bushes, or within monsters themselves.

The story is not spoon-fed to you point-blank. Players receive an initial introduction to the universe they are thrown into, but there isn’t much information on the characters themselves. Find out more through these hidden USB ports throughout the map, offering more story tidbits on the former Osaka and how the world came to be.

No crawl’s too small for a dungeon crawl

Like the dawn of humanity, your party must venture forth, gather materials, camp out at bases and try again the next day. There is only so much you can do in a single adventure.

map in the dRPG Metro Quester: Osaka

The air in the dungeons are polluted like crazy. In order to explore the map, you must use purification fuel. Fuel is used up by moving single spaces, running away from enemies, and harnessing it as a weapon. Once the purification fuel runs out, the part is forced back to base and the day ends. This can be a bit annoying up until you discover more bases. These safe spaces are scattered throughout Osaka, and you can begin your search from any of them.

Another important thing to note is food. Your party must have a certain quantity of food within a ten day period in order to not starve. Gathering food isn’t too tricky, unless players get utterly defeated by enemies (where you lose half your stock), or if your time management is poor. Unfortunately, the needed food stock increases as more party members accumulate.

dungeon crawling and monsters in Metro Quester: Osaka

A new feature as opposed to the original Quester is that players can traverse across waters! Players must find docks in order to board and disembark a canoe. Players will encounter all sorts of tough marine enemies.

Dungeons & dangers

There are a whopping 32 different characters to meet, which they come in 8 different classes. For example, the detonator class is balanced offensively and defensively, and can use blunt-force weapons efficiently. The professor class is akin to a mage, making use of explosives, purification fuel, and batteries as unique weapons. Mobile police are the tanks of the game that are tougher to take down, and can utilize lots of “hate-raising” moves.

One key feature is raising “hate,” where enemies will target certain party members that are deemed the biggest adversary. Using hate-raising moves is a good maneuver in order to gear some of the tougher monsters away from other important fighters.

monster fight in Metro Quester: Osaka

Honestly, the battles are very hard. Even in the beginning, even the “blue enemies” considered the easiest, there is a particular leveling curve. I got beat down so badly almost every time. The party players begin with (which I selected the recommended preset) are of varying levels, levels 5 to 10. It is difficult getting everyone on the same page. Metro Quester: Osaka is great for a challenge, but certainly a rough romp for beginners.

It is important to balance your party carefully as well and make sure to level up at the base camp. Players can also make use of a bunch of different resources and modify weapons for stronger outcomes. This mechanic can be confusing, but the game comes with an in-game manual, and you have loads of time to finagle and experiment.

Pedal to the metal

Metro Quester: Osaka has quite the interesting look to it. The characters and enemies are the only sources of true color in the game. The maps are the classic green against black, featuring blue to red-colored overworld monsters. The art was done by manga artist Kazushi Hagiwara of the well-known Bastard!! series. Much of the game was designed by Hironori Kato (who worked on Dark Souls and Elden Ring tabletop RPGs). This duo combined made for an engagingly mordant look.

poison megashroom enemy in Metro Quester: Osaka

The music sounds like your classic 80s soundtracks: upbeat, explorative chiptune. I would not say that it matches the theme of the plot, but at the very least, the tracks get players pumped for another round of exploring (until it gets, you know, redundant).

Final thoughts

Depending on how well you can handle these tough enemies, Metro Quester: Osaka makes for about a 20ish hour experience. The pacing and attitude towards the game undulates a lot, for me at least. The beginning was an upward battle filled with loads of slow-downs, deaths, and lack of information. The middle of the game was quite great. I felt so free and powerful, accumulating new characters and resources, unlocking doors, and taking down larger monsters. Towards the end, things became sluggish once more. This is a downside to any dRPGs really. The dungeon-crawling itself gets repetitive once you discover most everything. At least there is a monster encyclopedia to marvel at.

party member in Metro Quester: Osaka

Overall, I would say the Metro Quester: Osaka is a solid entry to the 80s-inspired dRPGs and will certainly please players looking for a unique challenge. The art style is quiet special, which is to be understood with Kazushi’s talent, and the fight to survive gives this game a certain oomph. There is also a new game + mode for those searching for a further adventure filled with more hardships, but with the option to carry over pre-gathered items.

I wish each of the 32 characters had more personality and lore to them, but the game lacks in this department. It is something to consider for the future.

Review: King Arthur: Knight’s Tale

Daniel Waite
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Review: King Arthur: Knight’s Tale

King Arthur: Knight’s Tale is a grim rework of a classic and much-loved tome. Everyone knows the basic elements of the Knights of Camelot. However, you may not be prepared for this twisted afterlife fantasy edge that peppers every aspect. I adored the gritty and often overbearing layers that control everything you do. Furthermore, the back-to-basic RPG action and simple action point system rules the roost.

This simplicity creates a repetitive gameplay edge that is occasionally familiar. Yet, I adored the brutality of your knights and the varied classes you can pick from. Alongside this, the in-team fighting and consequential moments define the plot. Accordingly, you must keep on top of your team of warriors if you wish to maximise your potential. 

This hybrid tactical RPG was developed by NeocoreGames and published by NeocoreGames Studio. Additionally, it can be played online as a 2 v 2 tactical event. I didn’t tackle this, but the option is there if you wish. The grim story and fantasy edge sit at the fore, and the seemingly never-ending missions merge. It is this constant push that demands at least 80 to 100 hours of your time.

King Arthur: Knight’s Tale tells a twisted story.

The King is dead, long live the new King. Well, he’s kind of dead, but kind of alive. In fact, Arthur is some form of demonic being who must be thwarted if peace is to come to Camelot. This is where you come in. You control Sir Mordred, a hellish warrior who was the catalyst behind this whole nightmare.

As you struck the last deadly blow, Arthur took you with him. However, this act must be undone. Arthur has returned and is unsurprisingly pissed off. The dark realm of Avalon is in danger and the Lady of the Lake needs your help. Your twisted corpse must attract the help of plenty of Arthurian legends. En route, you must slay dragons, save maidens and do plenty of general heroic acts.

Excellent gameplay. 

If you love tactical games, and you are a fool for RPGs, you will adore King Arthur: Knight’s Tale. The blend of difficult missions, turn-based encounters, and Camelot upgrades was wonderful. Moreover, the unusual fantasy plot will make you salivate. However, there is a repetitive element that outstays its welcome pretty quickly. No matter which mission you undertake, it doesn’t change.

This was unfortunate, but a mixture of character classes and the risk of death mixed things up. If your warriors get injured, and they will, you have to send them to Camelot to rest and heal. If you ignore this mechanic, you’ll run out of heroes and things will get tricky.

The mixture of side quests and your band of knights was great. Keeping everyone happy and levelled up isn’t easy, and utilising every small task is essential. It is this idea that captures that medieval Arthurian element. Controlling your minions and getting them to do your bidding was phenomenal. Furthermore, the bonus of improved forces and reliable knights was hard to put down.

Upgrade Camelot. 

The overworld exploration and turn-based battles form the key components of this adventure. Additionally, the understanding of action points, character orientation, and vitality are essential. If you fail to understand or tackle these issues, your burly knights will be slaughtered within minutes. 

However, away from the cruel combat, you are challenged with upgrading Camelot. Alongside this, you’ll have to deal with quarrels between each lord and some inventory and character management. It isn’t too trying, but it distracts you from the killing and repetitive looting in the overworld.

King Arthur: Knight’s Tale has a dark edge.

Disappointingly, King Arthur: Knight’s Tale isn’t a visual treat. The isometric viewpoint is suitable, but the dark colour palette and bland level design were a let-down. I’d like to be kind about the animation and each combat moment, but it wasn’t as grisly or disgusting as I’d have liked. Instead, it plays things safe and this was unfortunate. The character models follow suit and things just blur into one fantasy hole. I don’t wish to be negative, but I expected much more. 

The audio is a combination of gruff sounds and dramatic music. I liked the atmospheric soundtrack and appreciated each unique moment. What’s more, the audio design was intelligent and it helped deliver the story. Alongside this, the sound effects were impressive. The sound of your foes being slaughtered was great. I just wish the visual element was as cruel as the uncomfortable audio.

Tight controls. 

Though the repetitive action annoyed me, I liked the UI and easy-to-master controls. The opening stages are reserved for bashing out the fundamentals. Consequently, this was a great move as the game could have been overwhelming. Thanks to the well-constructed guide, you’ll master the basics pretty quickly. However, the finer tactical elements and the character-specific strengths and weaknesses take a lot of work to whittle down.

This approach enhances replay value and longevity. As you flit between your lords, and you try to keep the peace, it isn’t easy. Additionally, the blend of side quests and exploration elements keeps you busy. With character levelling up and Camelot improvements to focus on, there is loads to see and do. As such, expect to sink hours into this fantasy affair. 

King Arthur: Knight’s Tale is a decent hybrid experience.

Though I wasn’t impressed with the repetitive overworld experience and the bland level design, the story and lore keep it alive. Furthermore, managing your argumentative lords and upgrading Camelot was enough to distract me. As such, this is a decent hybrid title that will appeal to a large audience. Accordingly, despite my complaints, I recommend buying it here! Can you complete the job and slay Arthur? Rebuild Camelot, pick your knights, and hunt down the undead King.

News: East Anglian Air Ambulance

Daniel Waite
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News: East Anglian Air Ambulance

Charity begins at home is an expression I hear every day. Though I understand and appreciate the sentiment, I prefer to look outward and see where I can help. This is the exact mindset of our friends at Majority Audio. This exceptional brand delivers some of the best affordable audio for your home. Furthermore, you can purchase their goods from Amazon and select product lines from Currys UK. However, I am here to talk about their fundraising for the East Anglian Air Ambulance.

On September 22nd, Majority Audio is taking part in Only the Brave! It is a 6-mile obstacle course that will test the participant’s resolve, strength, and fitness. Though this sounds like hard work, it is all for a great cause. Moreover, the East Anglian Air Ambulance relies on charitable donations and Majority Audio hopes to raise the reachable sum of £500. 

More information on the East Anglian Air Ambulance.

Based and founded in Cambridgeshire, Velocity Commerce are delighted to come together to raise money for local charity, East Anglian Air Ambulance (EAAA); a 365-day helicopter emergency medical service (HEMS) covering Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Norfolk & Suffolk.

With their dedication to saving lives by delivering highly skilled doctors and critical care paramedics by air and seriously ill or injured people in the region, we are thrilled to be supporting such a worthy cause. Accordingly, to assist their goal to raise £17 million, Team Velocity are taking part in Only the Brave on the 22nd of September, in Euston Estate, Suffolk, a 6-mile obstacle course featuring monkey bars to test your endurance and grip strength, to giant slip and slide style descents.

(More information on the event can be found here!)

(More information on Majority Audio can be found here!)

Review: Roots of Pacha

Daniel Waite
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Review: Roots of Pacha

Roots of Pacha understands the phrase, “If it ain’t broken, don’t fix it!”. Now, this may scream of a lack of originality. But, that is so far from the truth, that it’s laughable. Instead, it sticks to tried and tested formulas whilst adding a heart-warming sense of togetherness to mesh the ideas in glorious harmony. Alongside this, who doesn’t love the wonderful essence of Harvest Moon and Stardew Valley? 

This life sim experience was developed and published by Soda Den LLC. Moreover, it has a glorious pixelated aesthetic and can be enjoyed alone or with others. Unlike its peers, this title focuses heavily on unity and friendship. As such, though you are praised for solo endeavours, it is your teamwork that truly matters. 

Roots of Pacha tells a heartwarming tale. 

This Stone Age game will tug at your heartstrings. The sense of community and the ability to benefit your clan is at the fore. With everyone working towards a common goal, your people will thrive no matter how harsh the conditions are. At times, you may need to work independently, but these moments are fleeting and your tribe benefits as a result. 

You play the part of a young clan member. This hero must understand their place in the world and how their efforts benefit the surrounding world. This will be an alien concept to many. Yet, the thought of a small cog in a large machine was reassuring. Additionally, there is no pressure as your clan’s prosperity increases even when you have an off day. Furthermore, unlike Harvest Moon or Stardew Valley, you must interact with your community if you wish to progress. 

It’s good to talk.

There is an element of familiar mechanics. Roots of Pacha utilises farming, mining, taming and other genre tropes. These ideas were well implemented into the core gameplay and everything flowed nicely. However, it is the conversations that determine your progress. Alongside this, clan prosperity and your generosity drive you forward. 

As the clan succeeds, new ideas pop into everyone’s heads. These ideas must be researched using resources gathered from your surroundings. Luckily, the demand is neither challenging nor out of reach. Accordingly, everything feels achievable and the sense of grind is kept to a minimum. 

If you fail to integrate with your clan, you will stall and fail. Cooking, exploration, and building are key elements that falter if you do not chat. I fell foul of this as I focused on the Harvest Moon-style approach. However, once I decided to branch out and talk to my new friends, the gameplay quickly expanded. This eureka moment opened up a whole host of new elements, and it made me adore Roots of Pacha a little bit more. 

Roots of Pacha is deliberately dated. 

This genre isn’t renowned for its next-gen graphics. Instead, it utilises a pixelated style that is colourful and attractive. Furthermore, every usable item is easy to identify, and the isometric viewpoint is easy to handle. The varied biomes add a layer of depth and the mini-games are perfectly executed. As such, though it lacks modern polish, it is great nonetheless. 

The audio is as wholesome as the story. The upbeat and light-hearted tracks generate a pleasant atmosphere. As you move from location to location, the mood changes ever so slightly. Yet, it still focuses on that feel-good factor. Consequently, this will make you feel good as you improve the quality of your clan. 

Excellent controls. 

Tilling the soil, gathering crops, and petting wildlife is a joy to experience. Furthermore, the excellent mini-games are rudimentary but well executed. Every activity is complemented by the effective UI and flitting through your inventory or selecting your tools and seeds is as straightforward as can be. Subsequently, this is a great game, no matter your ability. 

I didn’t want another addictive farming-style game in my life. My library is full of this genre, and there aren’t enough hours in the day. However, I couldn’t help but love this addictive title. Moreover, I was impressed by the multiplayer action. This simple addition to the game made it a joy to play. Furthermore, it enhanced the replay value as you improved the clan’s prosperity. 

Roots of Pacha is a well-trodden but equally unique experience. 

I adored the blend of familiar mechanics and the fresh wholesome approach. Additionally, the multiplayer action was enjoyable, and learning more about my clan was interesting. Though the action can be slow and there are some grindy moments, Roots of Pacha does enough to stand out from the crowd. Accordingly, I love it and I recommend buying it here! Can you find your place and make the clan grow? Plant some crops, help your people, and prosper together.

News: Lexip Assassin’s Creed Shadows

Daniel Waite
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News: Lexip Assassin’s Creed Shadows

The Lexip Assassin’s Creed Shadows accessories continue a fine pedigree of collaboration. I was fortunate to look at the Naruto Shippuden collab, and I loved every item. Accordingly, when I saw the information about the upcoming AC accessories, I was smitten. These products will blow you away! Their Oriental influences and great design approach are perfect for fans of PC Gaming and the AC franchise.

These fully licenced products can now be pre-ordered from the Lexip site. You may buy each item individually or order them as one bundle. Either way, you’ll adore the striking items when they land on your desk. There is a keyboard, mouse, headphones, headphone stand, mouse pad, and controller. Each one is aimed towards the PC market and I think you’ll need to move fast to guarantee getting your favourite item.

A closer look at the Lexip Assassin’s Creed Shadows accessories.

Lexip x Ubisoft Assassin’s Creed Shadows Audio Headset.

Hear every movement, and stalk every enemy. The Lexip x Ubisoft Assassin’s Creed Shadows Audio Headset brings the incredible audio landscape of Assassin’s Creed Shadows to life with precision realism. Proudly paying tribute to Feudal Japan with its ancestral motifs, ambient red LED lighting and superior sound quality. Furthermore, the Assassin’s Creed Shadows Audio Headset features powerful 50mm drivers and a padded adjustable headband for sustained comfort. 

Utilising Bluetooth® or the 2.4GHz USB dongle, the headset features wireless compatibility. This includes the PS4™, PS5™, Nintendo® Switch™, PC, Mac, Android® and iOS™ devices. For users preferring wired audio, the headset simply connects to a 3.5mm audio jack. The 1000 mAh Li-Ion battery provides exceptional battery life. Accordingly, gamers will have a clear advantage over the competition no matter how long they play.

Lexip x Ubisoft Assassin’s Creed Shadows Headset Stand.

The Lexip x Ubisoft Assassin’s Creed Shadows Headset Stand provides the perfect resting place for your headset while preparing for your next battle. Ideal to store or display your headset, the Headset Stand honours the millennium codes of a traditional Japanese Katana. Additionally, it is richly styled to perfectly match your headset.

Lexip x Ubisoft Assassin’s Creed Shadows Controller.

Forge your own adventure with the Assassin’s Creed Shadows Controller. It features wireless 2.4 Ghz technology via the included USB dongle. Subsequently, the Assassin’s Creed Shadows Controller is compatible with PS4 and PC. Moreover, it features full mechanical switches for the front action buttons, providing pinpoint precision.

Fourteen buttons feature on the controller, with the four main action buttons featuring enhanced feedback and dual vibration rumble across the entire controller. The controller also features 4 programmable palettes. With a 300 mAh battery rechargeable via USB-C and four programmable background lighting modes, there’s no better way to defend your character’s honour as you soak up your dreams of feudal Japan.

Lexip x Ubisoft Assassin’s Creed Shadows Mouse. 

Engineered for sustained gaming sessions, the Assassin’s Creed Shadows Mouse features Lexip’s signature thumb joystick, which is fully programmable for enhanced manoeuvrability. Six ceramic pads provide a perfect glide with minimal effort and the fully programmable Lexip Control Software provides more than 50 profiles at your fingertips. 

Two programmable side buttons combine with twin main buttons and a clickable thumbwheel, providing exceptional options for PC gamers. With a soft touch, luxurious coating and a 12000 DPI, the Assassin’s Creed Shadows Mouse provides a polling rate of 500Hz, complemented by programmable RGB lighting designed to bring your gaming sessions to life.

Lexip x Ubisoft Assassin’s Creed Shadows Mousepad. 

Elevate your gameplay with the durable and rigid Assassin’s Creed Shadows Mousepad from Lexip and Ubisoft. With a uniquely smooth glide control and unparalleled comfort, the Mousepad features LED lighting and a wide surface area for freedom of movement. Its gaming surface is filled with traditional imagery.

Lexip x Ubisoft Assassin’s Creed Shadows QWERTY Keyboard. 

Play with the precision of a shinobi with the Assassin’s Creed Shadows QWERTY Keyboard. Beautifully crafted with 88 painted keys, the Assassin’s Creed Shadows QWERTY Keyboard features independent mechanical red switches for unrivalled durability. Latex anti-slip pads ensure your keyboard stays where it’s supposed to and the configurable RGB backlighting with built-in lighting profiles, illuminates your controls when gaming in a darkened environment.

(More information on Lexip can be found here!)

Review: Welcome to Paradize

Daniel Waite
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Review: Welcome to Paradize

Welcome to Paradize is a zombie-infused adventure with a humorous edge. This open-world adventure twists the classic genre tropes whilst delivering hours of survival, combat, and crafting elements. This hearty blend of ideas works, mostly, and gamers will lose themselves in an apocalyptic fantasy setting.

This isometric adventure title was developed by Eko Software and published by Nacon. Furthermore, it can be played alone or with up to 4 players. Accordingly, you can gather a group of zombie-loving friends and tackle the madness together. Though I loved playing it by myself, the action excels when another survivor joins in. Sharing the load and hacking apart hordes of zombies never gets old. Moreover, when it comes to boss battles, things are considerably easier when you have a friend to support you.

Welcome to Paradize tells a crazy tale.

Zombie games and unbelievable plots are nothing new. Luckily, Welcome to Paradize doesn’t break with tradition. The action takes place in a fictional apocalyptic setting. Zombies have run a muck and a safe haven was created. Paradize was designed for the few survivors who remained. The only catch is that each person has to make their way there.

This is where the story begins. The hero, who you get to create, stumbles through the grounds of a rundown gatehouse. All hell has broken loose and Paradize isn’t as safe as you first hoped. However, it is home and the mind-controlled zombies are helpful. Your job is to build a base within the walls and look for a way off Earth. Luckily, a moon base was created, but the creator isn’t willing to rescue you. You and your team must build a rocket, navigate armies of zombies, and make it to the moon haven before you are killed by a mindless brain muncher.

A simple gameplay loop. 

Though the story sounds outlandish and very Hollywood, the gameplay loop is basic. Effectively, the hero must explore the vast open world, gathering resources. En route, they must complete quests and help out whoever they find. By finishing each task, you’ll be rewarded with new jobs and powerful items. Each of these elements is essential as you need strong goods and a stronger stomach if you wish to progress. 

Where the gameplay differs slightly is the introduction of zombie helpers. Each hero can control up to 2 zombies. Furthermore, as long as you have the power, you may leave zombies in your base to gather resources and protect your prize asset, the rocket ship. This micromanagement of zombies is challenging at first, but things quickly become manageable. Commanding your forces to defend the base or gather key resources was achievable through the excellent UI. Whilst your zombie army keeps your base safe, you are free to explore with your friends and your other zombie companions.

Boss battles. 

Exploration and base building have equal importance. Additionally, finding new gear for your zombies comes to the fore whenever the temperature is extreme. Controlling frozen or boiling undead isn’t great. Therefore, you’ll need the correct armour for the job. Alongside this, you may craft weapons and armour for yourself, or gather new tools for your undead friends.

Once you are happy with your base defences and your zombie’s abilities, you can try your hand at tackling an array of giant zombie animals. These encounters were great fun. However, each battle lasts forever as your weapons are as powerful as a fart in the wind. Each arrow, bolt, or slice of your machete barely scratches the surface. Yet, if you have a large team of survivors, and you work together, it is rewarding to take down each giant animal. 

Welcome to Paradize looks great, but it has its problems. 

I adored the isometric viewpoint. This lofty vantage point highlights upcoming troubles and makes the open world appear huge. Alongside this, it removes the need for high detail as the general overview works well with the fast-paced action that unfolds. Alongside this, I loved the different biomes and the unique environments. Each special area has its testing elements and this keeps you on your toes.

What wasn’t great, though, was the minor restrictions with the isometric viewpoint. Depending on the route of travel, you aren’t always able to see obstacles or the approaching horde. This wasn’t too bothersome as I focused on ranged weapons. Yet, if you love close-quarter combat, you’d get your ass handed to you regularly.

The whimsy and dramatic audio enhance the comical edge. The tongue in cheek tracks highlight the developer’s playful side. However, they don’t undermine the drama or the danger you face. As you enter each enemy base or tackle a huge boss, the music reflects the severity of the situation. On top of this, every weapon and action has a unique sound effect. This was fantastic as the squelch of your foes never got old.

Excellent controls. 

Though the isometric viewpoint could be problematic, the controls were not. The excellent layout lets you navigate the tightest of situations. Furthermore, the simple but effective UI allows you the chance to manage every resource, tool, and item you gather. This was great as you collected plenty of rubbish as you took down every creature.

If you adore the zombie genre, then you’ll fall for Welcome to Paradize’s dead charms. Additionally, if you have a good group of friends to play with, you’ll have a great time. But if you are alone, and you don’t like a sense of grind, you may not enjoy this as much. The constant grind, disassembly, and gathering of resources adds replay value and longevity. Yet, it is this element that will put a lot of people off. Subsequently, it is a fine balancing act and something that will divide its audience.

Welcome to Paradize is amusing and fun, but a little repetitive. 

I enjoyed Welcome to Paradize. The commentary was amusing, and who doesn’t like killing zombies? Moreover, creating a strong base and completing an array of quests kept me focused. If you then add in the army of pet zombies and the ability to play with friends, this ticks plenty of boxes. I understand that the grind may be off-putting, but thankfully, you can play this causally to mitigate that issue. As such, I love it and I recommend buying it here! Can you escape your newfound hell? Befriend some zombies, undertake loads of quests, and get the hell off of Earth for good.

News: Snufkin: Melody of Moominvalley

Daniel Waite
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News: Snufkin: Melody of Moominvalley

Everyone loves the Moonmins. Quite a sweeping statement, but what’s not to like? They are cute and colourful, and the show has some touching storylines. I was lucky enough to review Snufkin: Melody of Moominvalley on PC. This was a game I adored and here is a summary of my thoughts. 

“If you adore the Moomins, you must play Snufkin: Melody of Moominvalley! This incredibly touching experience will make you smile throughout. Moreover, its ability to stay faithful to the original protagonists and their characteristics was impressive. If you then consider the amazing aesthetics, you will be transported to this weird but nostalgia-infused cartoon world. Accordingly, I adore this game and I recommend buying it.”

Clear River Games and Raw Fury have worked hard to release a physical version on the Nintendo Switch. Available November 15th, 2024. This news will bring joy to every Switch-loving Moomin fan.

Some information on Snufkin: Melody of Moominvalley. 

An enchanting adventure arriving just in time for the Holidays, Snufkin: Melody of Moominvalley draws upon the works of renowned author Tove Jansson, inviting both new and existing fans to the wonderful world of Moomin and its much-loved characters with an all-new story to experience. Tasked with restoring harmony to the beautiful Moominvalley, players embark on a wholesome journey, filled with emotional moments, loveable characters and thoughtful storytelling.

A series of hideous parks have mysteriously cropped up in Moominvalley, disrupting the harmonious nature of the peaceful landscape. As Snufkin, gamers must distract police officers, pull out signs and knock over misplaced statues in an attempt to restore nature and the inhabitants’ homes while putting an end to the industrious Park Keeper’s plans.

Key Features:

  • Set out in a cosy, story-rich adventure game with a gorgeous storybook art style. 
  • Get the strict Park Keeper and his horrible parks out of Moominvalley with the help of your trusty harmonica, a bit of stealth, and the friends you’ll meet along the way. 
  • Meet over 50 charming characters and creatures calling Moominvalley their home. 
  • Experience narrative gameplay and a myriad of charming stories and quests involving beloved characters inspired by Tove Jansson’s work. 
  • Explore Moominvalley’s open world and solve musical and environmental puzzles to uncover what is happening in the valley. 
  • Immerse yourself in the beautiful soundscape of music and melodies composed in collaboration with Sigur Rós. 

Snufkin: Melody of Moominvalley will launch across Europe on November 15th, 2024, on a physical Nintendo Switch game card.

Review: Go Mecha Ball

Daniel Waite
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Review: Go Mecha Ball

Go Mecha Ball is a fast-paced and challenging arena experience that tests your accuracy, planning, and tactical approach. Furthermore, there is an array of characters to unlock, plenty of abilities to test out, and a list of upgrades to try. This blend of options lets you play with plenty of character builds. Additionally, trial and error are the name of the game. As such, you will die an awful lot, especially when you don’t get things quite right. However, this isn’t a problem as you dust yourself off and get to work again.

This rogue-like indie title was developed by Whale Peak Games AB and published by Super Rare Games. It is a single-player experience that plays out from an isometric viewpoint. The compact arenas are fun but often tough to navigate as ramps, speed boost pads, and other elements keep you on your toes. If this isn’t enough, it rains projectiles and bullets until you annihilate every enemy from every wave.

Go Mecha Ball tells no story.

Unlike its peers, Go Mecha Ball foregoes any plot. Instead, gamers are thrust into a tutorial before they are thrown into the thick of it. This interesting style wasn’t expected. Consequently, I hoped for more hand-holding before I was guaranteed certain failure. However, the action is easy to understand and though it tested my reactions and offered little guidance, I enjoyed it nonetheless.

The action takes place across 5 unique levels. Each level comprises 3 stages and 1 boss fight. Accordingly, if you get the right blend of weapons, abilities, and upgrades, you can expect a successful run to take between 45 minutes and an hour. Yet, if you make one minor error, you lose everything and you must start again. The cruel rogue-like layer makes you scream, but it is this often unfair element that makes you come back for more.

A game of cat and mouse.

The hero is armed with a gun and the ability to roll at supersonic speed. As you navigate the compact world, you may walk and shoot or attempt to deny your opponent’s approaches. If you are successful, you will damage them and prevent them from shooting. Moreover, they will drop a pouch of ammo or a health orb to help you on your way. Alternatively, you may unleash bullet hell as you shoot everything in front of you.

The shooting option may seem like the best approach, but it isn’t. Certain foes have shields and your ammo is limited. Subsequently, you must way up each approach and try to use your unlocked abilities to your advantage. This game of cat and mouse was fantastic, but if you lack patience, this will prevent you from progressing as health boosts are scarce and your health stat is unfortunately low.

Choose your upgrades wisely.

Death wipes your progress. However, as you finish each attempt, you’ll earn tokens to spend on unlockable items. These goods can be obtained as each run unfolds. Therefore, it is essential to increase your chances by unlocking every weapon and ability. During each run, you can stack as many upgrades as you wish. These passive tools help you with better health and stronger attacks. However, you may only choose 2 abilities to help you succeed.

The lack of options could be frustrating, but I loved this limited move. As you complete 3 waves, you are given the chance to select 1 of 3 random buffs. Alongside this, you may carry up to 2 weapons to tackle a host of large and small enemies. When you combine each of these elements, you get the opportunity to test different gameplay styles and a whole host of new weaponry. This was great as most playthroughs were unique.

Go Mecha Ball is a rapid and colourful experience.

The developer has done a great job with the compact arenas and hellish environment. The bullets and projectiles flit around each level, making the action hard to follow. Alongside this, each creature blocks you or dashes into your path. This maddening idea is tough to overcome, but the excellent animation ensures that the game feels and looks amazing. Though the screen is awash with colour and items, Go Mecha Ball never falters. There were no bugs or visual glitches and the frame rate and performance were exceptional. Consequently, this is exactly how an indie title should be.

The combination of futuristic music and loud sound effects adds to the upbeat and high-energy gameplay. The loud weapons and constant bashing and crashing are uncomfortable to listen to. Yet, I loved the shrill noise of each bullet and the ear-splitting sound effects. Though it doesn’t tread any fresh ground, the developer has done a fantastic job.

Tight controls.

Rolling across a danger-filled arena has its problems. Yet, the tight controls and intuitive controller layout help you out. Once you get to grips with the boost option and the layer of obstacles you must avoid or overcome, you will love every second. The ability to smash your foes with your hyper speed and shoot everything else was phenomenal. Moreover, creating a plan as you navigated an array of destructive projectiles was a hell of a challenge.

This layer of difficulty enhanced the replay value and longevity. The unlockable characters, upgrades, abilities, and limited health keep things ticking over. First, you will hate the death loop. However, as you master the controls and unlock more skills, you will piece together each element and create a powerful hero to defeat the toughest opponents.

Go Mecha Ball is a fun but hard experience.

I loved the fast-paced nature of Go Mecha Ball. Navigating each level whilst planning your next move is no mean feat. Moreover, there is a sense of RNG as you unlock upgrades and hope for the best weapons. Though this element was a little unfair, I liked the idea of risk and the mountains of trial and error. Accordingly, this is a great indie title and I recommend buying it here! Can you overcome every boss and win? Pick your hero, unlock every weapon and ability, and hope that luck is on your side.

Review: Volgarr the Viking II

Daniel Waite
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Review: Volgarr the Viking II

Volgarr the Viking II is the sequel to the iconic 2013 indie title. The original was adored for its blend of brutality and wonderful stage design. Additionally, the power-up system was simple but effective. Roll on 11 years and its bigger brother is back in town. However, this much-anticipated follow-up doesn’t do its predecessor justice. Unfortunately, the comfortable blend of risk vs. reward has been removed, and the action is far too challenging. This borderline sadomasochistic approach made me curse and scream as I died repeatedly.

This hardcore 2D side-scrolling affair was developed and published by Digital Eclipse. Moreover, it is a single-player experience that has a gloriously old-school aesthetic. However, the limited mechanics, tough enemies, and challenging level design will make you question your life choices. Consequently, this game could be one step too far unless you love a brutal time.

Volgarr the Viking II treads familiar ground.

You play the part of the titular hero. This Norse warrior wields a mighty sword as he faces an army of undead creatures. Waves of monsters stand in his way and he must slay them with his sword, or pierce them with his spear as he navigates each of the 5 standard worlds. En route, you’ll discover a 6th secret area that’ll push your buttons and test your resolve.

If you have played the original, you will recognise many of the core mechanics. Furthermore, the enemies are the same, bringing back some great memories. However, if you are new to the franchise, worry not. You don’t need to have played the original to have your arse kicked repeatedly. Subsequently, installing this is guaranteed to break your balls!

A hero with limited talents.

A Norse warrior should be all-singing and all-dancing. Yet, Volgarr’s approach to life is pretty limited. Once he jumps, you have no further input. As such, if you hit an enemy, it’s tough. Therefore, you are forced to plan meticulously if you wish to navigate each obstacle. The hero can use his spear to create temporary platforms. What’s more, a double jump allows you to slash enemies in the air. This is very handy until they decide to hit you back. 

Why would that be a problem? Well, the hero has a glass chin. Accordingly, unless you have gathered an array of magical items from each hidden chest, you will die once you are struck. This instadeath idea worked incredibly well in the original, but the sequel isn’t as well executed, so death and failure are all too familiar.

The special gear changes things nicely, however. The magic boots create a sort of lightning effect and the sword enhances your striking power. If you are lucky enough to grab the helmet before you are hit, you will increase your attack speed. Each of these items is essential if you wish to progress and take down the main boss in each of the levels.

Volgarr the Viking II captures a retro vibe.

Though the gameplay was limited and I think it fails to replicate the balance of the original, I loved the retro vibe. The pixelated finish is complemented by the sinister and dark colour palette. The blocky graphics won’t test modern machines, but I loved the simple animation and the familiar monsters. Alongside this, the levels are larger and more interesting to explore. As such, it was tough to find every treasure chest, but it was enjoyable to manipulate each situation to your advantage. 

Though Volgarr has a limited range of movement, you can use the gradient and platforms to change your angle of attack. Additionally, you must understand each enemy’s weak point if you wish to overcome every obstacle. This simple idea was brilliantly delivered even though it ramps up the difficulty significantly.

The sinister imagery is enhanced by the overbearing audio. The booming voice of the protagonist and the odd sound effects create a seedy and uncomfortable fantasy experience. On top of this, the music is wonderfully dramatic. The upbeat orchestral tunes add suspense and danger to each fight and challenging parkour element.

Straightforward controls.

The refined mechanics and movement work particularly well with a controller. However, mastering the finer details and identifying each weakness is easier said than done. As such, you will need to be patient and plan if you wish to tackle the long list of foes and obstacles you’ll face.

If you love to die, die, and die again, then Volgarr the Viking II will be the addictive hit you are looking for. Moreover, if you wish to explore a dank and tough world that will punish your every error, then this ticks that box as well. As such, the 6 worlds, 12 levels, and a handful of bosses will push you and this creates a cruel sense of replay value and longevity.

Volgarr the Viking II isn’t for the faint of heart.

I loved the original and had high hopes for this. Volgarr the Viking II doesn’t quite live up to its predecessor, which was unfortunate. The action isn’t as balanced and this causes unnecessary frustration. Furthermore, it feels as if the developer wanted to create a brutally tough game that attracts a hardcore niche. If this was their goal, then they have succeeded. Though it wasn’t for me, it has its positives and I recommend buying it here! Can you prove your worth as a Norse warrior? Master your skills, identify every weakness, and stay alive for as long as possible.

Review: Megaloot

Saim Khurshid
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Review: Megaloot

Megaloot is an addictive RPG Roguelike Dungeon crawler based on inventory and resource management.

I used to have a friend back in first grade who used to get into a lot of fights. Often with me. A few times I have come home with a bloody nose courtesy of this friend and many times, I have given him a black eye. 

No matter how often this would occur, it would not be long before we were sitting together exchanging lunches and talking about random nonsense like nothing had happened.

Playing Megaloot, I was for many a reason, reminded of this friend, wherever he may be today.

(MegaLoot): An Addictive concept

In a single sentence, I will call Megaloot the roguelike where you are an RPG adventurer’s accountant but since I have a review to write, I use more sentences.

The gameplay of Megaloot is something that will make you go, ‘Oh, how did I not think of that?’ but taken to a very complex level.

From the get-go, you select which character from the list you will choose. Each Character has a unique class to them and certain states that shall come into play later. (Just pick Fael, the rest are pretty much useless.)

Once the game begins, the Screen splits into two. One side shows a game screen straight from the SNES era of games and the other will have your inventory. 

Underneath the inventory is the shop with 4 items for sale that you can randomise for 2 coins, and above the inventory are your states—you know, health, armour, money, Magic, etc. 

There is also a tab that shows you more detailed stats but that does not have any actual use so forget about it. 

The goal in this dungeon crawler is to buy items like armour, enchantments and weapons from the store and place them on your character’s body while they go through enemy after enemy in the dungeon.

You cannot change anything about your character mid-fight and if you die two times, that is a game over. The goal is to try and get a high score.

That being said, it is not that simple. There are little things that you must manage that will make this a game worth exploring further.

Like, each item has an assigned class and you are only allowed to have 4 different classes equipped at a time. (1 class comes with your character.) 

If you have items from, let’s say. wood, magic, scout and speed class, then you will not be allowed to attach any item from a different class.

Since the roguelike gets harder as it progresses, managing this becomes integral and gets you hooked on the gameplay.

My end

During my time playing this game, the best I could do was reach the end of Stage 4. I did see people reach up to 30 or 40 levels so you can take that as you will.

This of course came from me trying to explore every aspect of the game over trying to reach that high but, I will say that it’s no easy game beyond.

Issues Exist

As always, this game is not without its issues and it has a few.

The problem stems from the game not explaining certain things from the get-go. Things like the difference between all the characters and certain effects of states. For example, I noticed this energy counter on every character in this RPG dungeon crawler.  

It was a limit to how many times said character could attack in a round. Increasing or decreasing the size of said limit was never clear and if you ran out mid-fight then that meant instant game over. No matter how much health or armour you had on you.

The reason why I said Fael is the only good character to use, was because he was the only character that did not have this limit.

This is not some light issue, it really kills any reason to experiment with other characters.

Another problem I had with Megaloot is its UI. Very thick and often glitchy, it ends up covering over the thing you want to click, leaving you to waste some seconds or sometimes click the wrong thing. That may not sound like a lot but in a game like this, it can get very annoying.

Apart from that, I can say that I expected a bit more on the RPG gameplay side of things. 

Maybe a few game-changing effects, bonuses or whatnot to spice up a level. As I see this could get a little boring after a while with the gameplay staying so strictly simple. However, this could just be me so I would make a fuss about it.

(MegaLoot)I am not addicted, you are!

So now the question arises, do I recommend the roguelike game?

Well, it isn’t all that black and white. Let’s see. I did enjoy it and it got me wanting to play more each time and I turned it on. However, a few sessions later, I feel that I have enjoyed this game to my heart’s content.

Will I ever go back to it? 

I honestly don’t know. Maybe when I don’t have anything else to play.

Regardless, Megaloot is a complete dungeon crawler and has a well-functioning roguelike gameplay concept.  

If you are a nutter who likes getting high scores and proving yourself to be leaderboard material. You will not get a more perfect RPG than this. Well, in the lower indie market of 2024 so far, at least.

Review: Disaster Band

Daniel Waite
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Review: Disaster Band

Disaster Band is a loud and often funny rhythm game that lets you be as accurate or crazy as you wish. With familiar songs to play or the freedom to create your own (with access to a PC), this title gets your creative juices flowing. However, if you want a serious musical challenge, this probably won’t float your boat.

This rhythmical experience was developed by PRODUKTIVKELLER Studios and published by SunDust. Furthermore, it is both a single and multiplayer title. As such, you can practice to your heart’s content or get together with friends and strangers as you bang out some incredible tunes. The action is easy to understand and the range of musical instruments creates an occasionally uncomfortable collaboration. Yet, it is this madness that will make you smile.

Disaster Band focuses on the flow. 

As music takes centre stage, I didn’t expect there to be an epic tale. Unsurprisingly, I wasn’t wrong. Disaster Band has no story and does not attempt to explain itself. Instead, you are free to select from an array of options and songs as you attempt to top the global leaderboard. 

Making your way to the number one position is no mean feat. If you wish to be considered the best global player, you’ll need dexterity and a wonderful sense of rhythm. Furthermore, it doesn’t hurt to know the basic pattern of each tune you are attempting. Sadly, I wasn’t so blessed as many of the songs were unfamiliar. Yet, this mattered not as I chose my instrument, felt the beat, and got into the moment. 

It’s better with friends. 

I loved playing Disaster Band alone. However, whenever I got some friends into the action, it came to life. The hours of laughter and banter were memorable. Each person is free to select whatever instrument they like. Moreover, you can argue amongst yourself as you decide on which track to tackle. Once the song begins, the true musical test begins.

The combination of deliberately misplayed notes and out-of-time inputs was hilarious. Yet, whenever things worked, the music sounded fantastic. I have to admit that this was fleeting, but with several controller settings to pick from, you can make this as tough or as easy as you like. As such, if you wish to attempt this with your children, they will be able to join in.

Disaster Band has a simple art style. 

The almost hand-drawn aesthetic was great to look at. Additionally, the blend of fine lines and sepia tones gives this a dated look. As each song plays, you see the notes form on a sheet of musical paper. This was fantastic as there is an authentic edge. Furthermore, it is easy to keep on top of the notes that flow at a ridiculous pace.

The blend of musical instruments was ear-splitting. Whenever you tackle this alone, the songs and single instruments are comfortable to listen to. However, as soon as the band increases, the noise is unbearable! Though it was uncomfortable, it made me chuckle. I loved the realistic instrumental sounds and the ability to wind up your bandmates. Hitting dud notes or playing double speed was particularly infuriating but brilliantly rewarding.

Simple controls.

The varied accessibility options make this a user-friendly and versatile experience. Disaster Band focuses on a fun approach and this was appreciated. Yet, if you wanted to increase the difficulty, you could. Consequently, there is something for everyone. Alongside this, the mechanics are well explained, and you’ll understand the fundamentals immediately. 

There is plenty of content to play through. Furthermore, there is a leaderboard to top and the ability to download other gamers’ songs. On top of this, you can create and upload your tracks for the world to enjoy. Though this adds a minimal depth layer, it improves replay value and longevity.

Disaster Band is fun but limited. 

I enjoyed my time with Disaster Band. It is silly, loud, and causes friendly arguments. However, the action is limited, and it will only appeal to a niche audience. If you adore music, and you have a fantastic group, you’ll get plenty out of this. As such, it was fun, and I recommend buying it here! Can you master each musical instrument? Pick your song, follow the music, and top the leaderboard.

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