Review: Berzerk: Recharged

Daniel Waite
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Review: Berzerk: Recharged

Berzerk: Recharged is another amazing arcade addition to this wonderful series. I’ve enjoyed Centipede: Recharged and the other titles from this franchise. However, this relatively straightforward affair appears too simple for my tastes. The other titles in this series are complex, hectic, and tough to complete. This game, however, didn’t push me too hard and that was disappointing.

This dual-stick shooter was developed by SneakyBox and published by Atari. Furthermore, it can be enjoyed alone or cooperatively with a friend. This flexibility is perfect if you are struggling with the latter missions. Alternatively, maybe you would like a little friendly competition to see who is the greatest gamer. Either way, you’ll enjoy destroying every robot that you encounter.

Berzerk: Recharged tells a grim tale. 

I’m not one for conspiracy theories, but this got me thinking. Humans escaping their robot overlords, and death, violence, and destruction at every turn! These are the things that nightmares are made of. Furthermore, this is the plot of Berzerk: Recharged. The hero is a pawn in a sadistic game of cat and mouse. Accordingly, he must run, shoot, and run some more if he wishes to stay alive.

This wonderful reimagining of the 1980s classic will get your heart pumping. Moreover, your skin will tingle as you dodge, weave, and avoid every projectile. Evil Otto and his deadly robots are out for revenge. As such, you must navigate a labyrinthine world of danger and every projectile. This is easier said than done as Evil Otto will stop at nothing to get its robotic arms around your throat.

Rudimentary gameplay. 

The action is split into 2 distinct game modes. First, you may tackle the arcade option. Here, players are expected to survive for as long as possible. As you navigate the deadly maze, your score increases with every kill you make. However, you have limited health and death is all but assured. Thankfully, there are power-ups, health boosts, and other useful items to get you through. Just remember, Evil Otto is always on the prowl and this demonic entity cannot be stopped.

The second option is the mission mode. Unlike other Recharged games, this takes a rudimentary approach. Effectively, you are asked to kill a certain number of robots. If you can do this and avoid Evil Otto, then you’ll unlock the next mission. This isn’t easy as your robotic foes are fast, aggressive, and cruel. As such, you must stay alert and use your surroundings to your advantage. 

Both game modes utilise similar mechanics. Consequently, once you master the basics, you can sit back and enjoy the mayhem that unfolds. I would have preferred something more complex, but this would have moved too far away from the original action and the developers didn’t want that to happen. 

Berzerk: Recharged is vibrant and clean. 

Though the action lacks complexity, the visuals are fantastic. The vibrant colour palette is striking and garish. Moreover, the excellent level design adds some tactical elements to each playthrough. The clean lines and smooth animation make it easy to plan your approach. Subsequently, this modern take on an 80s classic is beautifully polished without undermining the original action.

Megan McDuffee’s original soundtrack sounds as good today as it ever did. The synth music works perfectly with the robotic and sci-fi theme. Furthermore, the cold nature of each song creates a daunting edge that adds further pressure. This is then complemented by the loud but basic sound effects. I adored the crashing and banging of each weapon. The cacophony of noises was uncomfortable, but it added drama to every mission.

Simple controls. 

Berzerk: Recharged is ridiculously easy to play and master. The simple controls are perfected in moments and the responsive inputs help you to avoid every projectile. As such, this can be enjoyed by gamers of all abilities. 

Where this falls short is its potential for replay value and longevity. The basic ideas and simple concepts may be too underwhelming for some. Furthermore, once you hammer through the missions, there is little reason to return. However, if you enjoyed the original or like mindless but violent action, you’ll probably tackle this as a casual experience.

Berzerk: Recharged is fun, violent, and wonderfully 80s.

80s arcade titles have a special place in many veteran gamer’s hearts. These rough but enjoyable games are wonderfully basic but fun simultaneously. Berzerk: Recharged captures the essence of the original title. Furthermore, it has a brilliant modern edge that will make younger gamers want to play it. Though I have my complaints, I enjoyed it and recommend buying it here! Evil robots are assholes! Navigate the maze, collect the power-ups, and try to survive.

Review: Noreya: The Gold Project

Saim Khurshid
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Review: Noreya: The Gold Project

Noreya: The gold project is a 2D pixel-art Dark Fantasy MetroidVania filled with uninspired gameplay and an even worse upgrade system.

Hours of my life went into the promises of this game yet not once did I feel fulfilled. From the surface, it may have the skin of something beautiful but deep within, there lives something that feels thrown together at the last minute.

From the get-go, I could tell things were not going to be all that dandy but with a forced smile on my face, I started this game hoping for the best.

Going in, I did not know anything about Noreya: The Gold Project except for 3 things:

  • It’s a MetroidVania 
  • It’s pixel art
  • There is a massive upgrade system

I will get into the upgrade system in a bit, first I have something to get off my chest

Another MetroidVania 

The gameplay of Noreya: the Gold Project is nothing to argue about. You have your standard MetroidVania affair of hack-and-slash combat and a large explorable world. 

There is a good vs Bad dilemma where you just choose if you want to side with angelic beings or demons. The Steam page did say that your choices will determine what gameplay points and endings you get but I did not care enough to check. It must be true, I guess.

I will say that I was caught a little off guard when the enemies did not react to my hits. They do get hit and eventually die but their visuals and physical reactions don’t indicate that to you.

Speaking of Visuals…

There are two major gripes with the way the game is shown on the screen. While the Pixel Art is quite nicely done, there is no care given to highlighting objects of interest. I cannot count how many times I died in this game because I was jumping up a platform and got struck by a spike, thinking it was a part of the background.

The second and the most horrific gripe with the screen is the camera. Noreya: The Gold Project is designed to keep the player at the centre of the screen.

Meaning that every time you move, it moves. Sometimes it will zoom in and other times it will zoom out so far Noreya would be nothing more than a pixel on the screen. You can imagine how puke-inducing it was for me.

When I first launched this game, I sat from a distance to play in complete comfort but the visual chaos soon had me leaning a few inches away from the screen with reading glasses on.

And I don’t think that is the type of immersion you desire as a gamer but what do I know.

It’s A MetroidVania Plot 

The dark fantasy begins when a group of people seemingly having an outing get attacked by this spirit-thingy. They attack, kill or kidnap all of the people except for one person who is Noreya.

She is touched by one of the spirits and her entire body turns charcoal black which is then the way she stays throughout the game. 

This entire scene is played out in a beautiful hand-drawn slideshow-esque animation which I quite liked.

It seems a lot of effort has gone into making this game look good. The weird camera and some objects being hard to differentiate from the background aside, Noreya: The Gold Project is a gorgeous piece of art.


Sadly, this is a video game and not a piece in a gallery. 

System From Hell

The last thing promised was a large and expansive upgrade tree. A whole three of them. Too bad, 90% of the fruit on this tree is bland pudding.

Like seriously, why do games feel the need to do this?

  • One more heart
  • 2 percent less damage.
  • Second attack hurts more than the first one
  • A Bloody third attack that hurts more than the first 2.

(Only one of those examples is fake.)

I remember Prototype, DMC, Cuphead, Doom Eternal, and Hollow Knight. Games where upgrades meant something more than Filler.

Am I foolish to expect something better from this dark fantasy? 

Is it set in stone to add features to a game just because they sound cool only to deliver the most generic and lazy ideas after it? 

You tell me Dreamirl!

Just take it away

I really wanted to love you Noreya: The Gold Project but it just never clicked. I would say that maybe it’s not for me but I cannot really lie like that.

There are far better MetroidVania options and around the same price as you that would greatly satisfy my itch. As for the question of who I should recommend this to. All I can say is that if you are a fan of the Guacamelee games then you will be heavily disappointed by this mess.

Review: Pogo Stick Champion

Daniel Waite
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Review: Pogo Stick Champion

Pogo Stick Champion combines relaxing aesthetics with ball-breaking gameplay. As such, it is pretty unique, and it is tough to put down. I admit that it made me scream, shout, and rage quit multiple times. However, when I got things right, the result was euphoric, and this made me repeat the cycle.

This physics-based platform experience was developed by Petite Games and published by Ratalaika Games. Furthermore, it can only be played alone and it uses a fixed-screen perspective. Accordingly, you can plan before you fail miserably. I loved how this teased me repeatedly, and if it wasn’t so straightforward, I’d probably have uninstalled it and thrown my controller in the bin.

Pogo Stick Champion lets the brutality do the talking. 

I’m used to tough platforming experiences. I played some of the hardest games available and the outcome is always the same. Yet, I was hopeful that Pogo Stick Champion wouldn’t be quite so cruel. Sadly, I was wrong as it lets its brutality do the talking. 

The action is divided into 4 different worlds. Furthermore, there are a total of 60 levels to tackle. In the beginning, you’ll be lulled into a false sense of security. The pogo stick action feels simple, and you’ll bounce over obstacles with ease. However, things soon go south as deadly traps are added to the mix.

A ticking clock. 

Though time isn’t of the essence, if you wish to score the maximum number of stars, then you’ll need to be quick. No mistakes can be made and accuracy and risk-taking are a must. This approach adds another layer of cruelty to an already testing affair. As such, only hardcore gamers or people with sadomasochistic tendencies will care. 

If this wasn’t enough, you must overcome many obstacles on your way to victory. Circular saws, laser beams, craggy rock faces, falling saw blades, and much more await those who feel brave. Furthermore, there are claustrophobic spaces to navigate and the odd moment with gravity to contend with. Either way, you’ll rue your luck, scream with rage, and blame everyone else except yourself for your lack of skills. 

Pogo Stick Champion looks incredible.

Though the gameplay is cruel, the visuals are stunning. The use of silhouettes and simple backdrops creates awe-inspiring imagery. Furthermore, each level is perfectly constructed. Consequently, though you’ll die a lot, you’ll admire the stage design as you perish. 

The audio is phenomenal! The sombre piano music gives you chills and it juxtaposes the maddening activity. As such, I loved its classical nature and the calming effect it had on me. Apart from the wonderful music, you’ll hear the thud of every jump. The constant twang rarely becomes annoying and I think the developers got the balance just right.

Tight controls. 

Pogo Stick Champion is easy to pick up and play. However, mastering every stage is no mean feat. Thankfully, the tight controls and well-considered button layout help you to overcome many of the obstacles. Additionally, the opening levels are gentle enough to get you up and running. 

Replay value and longevity vary greatly. Consequently, if you are not a hardcore gamer, you will accept whatever score you get. Yet, if you need to maximise your scoring potential, you’ll be playing this for hours. 

Pogo Stick Champion is a great indie title. 

Though the concept is simple and brutal, I think this is a great indie title. It is challenging and fun, and the aesthetics are simply divine. Yet, I can see the sheer difficulty putting off a higher percentage of gamers. However, if you would like to be tested, and you want something unusual, then I recommend buying it here! Can you master your pogo stick? Study the level, adjust the hero, and avoid every obstacle.

Review: Shiftcam SnapGrip Lite Kit

Andrew Edney
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Review: Shiftcam SnapGrip Lite Kit

Here is our review of the Shiftcam SnapGrip Lite Kit.

A magnetic snap-on mobile battery grip. Built for MagSafe and compatible with all mobile devices.

With 5 new vivid colors available, you can easily find one that belongs to you. Let SnapGrip be a part of your colourful expression.

What’s in the box?

The box contains the SnapGrip, Pouch, SnapLight, Charge Cable and Magnetic Sticker.

A Closer Look

Final Thoughts

A lot of people no longer carry cameras around with them as they have smartphones – and sometimes the quality of the images that can be taken on those phones are better. One thing that you cant replicate with a phone is the feel of holding a camera and having a physical button where you would expect it to be – or can you?

This is where the Shiftcam SnapGrip comes into its own.

The Shiftcam SnapGrip is essentially a battery back with a physical button on it – it snaps into place on the back of your phone using magnets (MagSafe) and uses Bluetooth to communicate with your phone so that when you press the button it takes a picture, or even starts and stops a video if you are in that mode.

The SnapGrip is held firmly in place – I didn’t feel like it was going to slip at all. Its also very easy to rotate the SnapGrip if you want to take portrait or landscape pictures.

If you are using a phone case there are magnetic stickers that are in the box you can use to make sure the SnapGrip attaches securely.

As I mentioned above, the SnapGrip is a battery pack too – press the little button on the SnapGrip to start charging your phone. This is really useful if you are wanting to take a lot of pictures and you dont want to stop to recharge your phone.

There is also a SnapLight which attaches to the front of the SnapGrip, again using magnets, that gives a really good light source if needed – it even works for selfies or vlogging! It flips up when needed and stays out of the way when you dont.

The box contains a pouch to carry the SnapGrip (and SnapLight) in safely – just slip that into your bag and pull it out when you need it.

If you take a lot of pictures and you miss the feel of a physical camera in your hands, and you need that extra battery pack, then look no further! Oh, you can also use the SnapGrip as a stand too!

The Shiftcam SnapGrip Lite Kit is available now priced around £109.99 and is available in a number of different colours.

You can learn more from the Shiftcam website.

Review: Fueled Up

Daniel Waite
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Review: Fueled Up

Fueled Up is a chaotic title that will get your blood pumping. At its core, it is a straightforward game. However, the developer has incorporated so many unique elements, that it feels like you are spinning many plates at once. This isn’t a complaint, as I love this genre. Accordingly, if you adore Overcooked, Moving Out, or Tools Up!, you need this game in your life.

This fast-paced couch cooperative experience was developed and published by Fireline Games. Furthermore, the difficulty scales up depending on the number of players taking part. Therefore, though many hands make light work, too many cooks can spoil the broth. Whichever way you look at it, you are in for a tough but enjoyable sci-fi experience.

Fueled Up tells the tale of an apprentice’s success. 

Fueled Up tells a wonderful tale of an inexperienced team moving through the ranks. Yet, there is some cynicism from your boss as you are forced to work from the bottom up. This story lacks originality, but I liked how it balanced the drip-fed mechanics. Furthermore, it gave some depth to the otherwise crazy ideas.

The action revolves around the recovery, repair, and rescue of broken-down ships. So far, this doesn’t sound all that spectacular. However, as you are racing through space, you are chased by an evil space octopus. Yes, you read that right, and evil space octopus! This tentacled menace wants to get his suckers on your vessel and will not stop if it catches you. Accordingly, you must keep your engines running or risk getting caught.

So much going on.

This genre does a great job of easing you in and then slapping you hard. Fueled Up does this from the get-go. Every level incorporates minor changes that must be acknowledged if you wish to survive. Furthermore, there are asteroids, fires, hull damage, broken pipes, moving platforms, teleporters, wormholes, steam, and much, much more to contend with.

If this wasn’t enough, you have the opportunity to complete 2 tough bonus objectives during each round. On paper, these activities look ridiculously easy. However, in reality, they add another daunting layer to an already tough job. Whether you must keep the engines fueled or avoid buttons, your attention will be divided.

It is this demanding nature that makes Fueled Up so fantastic. If you wish, you can enable an assist mode to push you through each level. Alternatively, you can ignore the bonus objectives and you won’t be penalised. Yet, who wants to do that? This genre is all about pushing yourself to the limit, and this is one of the finest examples of this amongst its peers.

Fueled Up looks fantastic. 

The isometric viewpoint was a great decision. Each ship has a unique style and this perspective lets you familiarise yourself immediately. Additionally, the excellent character models look distinct and this helps each player navigate the level. I also liked the grubby colour palette and the OTT space octopus.

A harsh and upbeat soundtrack complements the often hectic action. When you thought matters couldn’t get worse, the audio slaps you in the face with a daunting song. Alternatively, the crashing sound effects are ridiculously OTT but wonderfully suitable. Consequently, it is loud and brilliantly bullish. 

Spectacular controls. 

The chaotic action never ends. As such, it would have been awful to play if the controls were terrible. Fortunately, the excellent tutorial, brilliant controller layout, and responsive inputs keep you on top throughout. Moreover, the upscaling difficulty makes it a perfectly balanced experience.

Replay value and longevity are at the fore. As the game progresses, things go crazy. As such, you’ll need a patient heart and a methodical mindset. Furthermore, the optional bonus objectives will push your buttons. Therefore, only the toughest of gamers will complete every task.

Fueled Up is a great addition to the genre.

This genre is saturated. As such, creating a standout candidate takes an awful lot of effort. Fireline Games has done just that with their spectacular project. This fun, hectic, and often cruel couch cooperative game will make you scream and laugh. Furthermore, you’ll argue with your friends as the space octopus undoes your hard work. Accordingly, I recommend buying this fantastic title here! Can you outrun a crazy space octopus? Work together, complete every objective, and avoid those deadly tentacles.

Review: Aarik and the Ruined Kingdom

Khloe Turner
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Review: Aarik and the Ruined Kingdom
Title for Aarik and the Ruined Kingdom

In the spirit of perceived doomed leadership around the globe, Aarik and the Ruined Kingdom features a bummed, slumbering, pessimistic king who left his crown and status to his young son, who must save the world from a state of disarray.

Shatterproof Games’ Aarik and the Ruined Kingdom is reminiscent of the popular isometric puzzle game Monument Valley, both in gameplay and art style. The full version of this game was released June 20th, 2024. It can be played on the PC, Steam, and the Nintendo Switch.

Save a Crumbling Kingdom

Main screen for Aarik and the Ruined Kingdom

The game begins with Prince Aarik resting on the throne, curious to his father’s whereabouts. In a chest, he discovers his dad’s abandoned crown, which he assumes is meant to be passed down to him. After wandering the castle, Aarik finds the former king, who is lamenting that the kingdom is doomed due to his actions. Play as the freshly titled King Aarik and utilize the crown to manipulate the environments around you, and repair the destroyed state of the world.

Aarik learns that his mother, the queen, is desperately on a mission to leave these powerful gems in various biomes hoping that their power will restore these areas. Players go through six locations total: the keep, the quarry, the mines, the desert, the swamp, and the tundra. Along the way, Aarik will meet various characters, like . . . his dead, skeletonized pet, and a sentient, drowning sea structure.

Aarik sees the sleeping king in Aarik and the Ruined Kingdom

Being an isometric puzzle game, players will need to rotate each level via the power of the crown to connect paths and solve puzzles. As you progress, the crown will gain new abilities: the red ruby allows players to move around pillars freely and the amethyst lets Aarik rotate singular structures. For item collectors, each level has a two-dimensional secret crown hidden somewhere for you to find.

Overall, Aarik and the Ruined Kingdom will take about 1.5 to 2 hours to complete in full.

The world is broken in more ways than one

Unfortunately, Aarik and the Ruined Kingdom is littered with bugs and issues. Some of these bugs are minor inconveniences while others are almost game-breaking.

Level select in Aarik and the Ruined Kingdom

The option to “continue” my game would never work, instead I would have to individually select the level I was last on. On occasion, the levels simply would not load at all, featuring a dark blue screen. This particularly happened when trying to advance into another world. It took restarting my game several times before I could transition from the quarry to the mines. At first, my character was prevented from ascending up the stairs in the “the library” level. Due to this, I was kicked from progressing past the beginning of the game. The developers fixed this bug the other day so now I am able to do so.

The worst problem I encountered was the random moments the game failed to accurately save my progress. Occasionally I would load my file and be kicked back a level or two.

Attaining the amethyst for the crown in Aarik and the Ruined Kingdom

On the bright side, Shatterproof Games is on top of it all. The developers fix bugs on a daily basis and there is an in-game option to provide immediate feedback. I applaud the developers for trying their best, and continuing to resolve these bugs until polished up.

The beauty of simplicity

The visuals are simple yet really enticing. The game has a low poly art style, with solidly colored renders. It is similar to the presentation Monument Valley or Human Fall Flat has, among other titles.

The mines in Aarik and the Ruined Kingdom

The somewhat somber yet serene acoustics are a nice accompaniment to the gameplay without being distracting. The music becomes redundant at times, and I do think this is the type of game that should change it up a bit every once in a while. It is not too much a cause for concern.

Final thoughts

Overall, Aarik and the Ruined Kingdom is a great game for fans of Monument Valley and other perspective puzzles. The former is definitely more rich, polished, and novel in my opinion, but Aarik’s journey is nonetheless still enjoyable. The game is relatively easy, yet there are a few levels that are real stumpers.

First level in Aarik and the Ruined Kingdom

Give this title some time for it to resolve all of its bugs and glitches, and with that I think Aarik and the Ruined Kingdom can transform into something more.

Review: Rallyallyally

Jorge Castilho
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Review: Rallyallyally

Going Back to the MicroMachines Era

Rallyallyally throws you into a world of racing where the track unfolds beneath your wheels
and mayhem is the name of the game. Up to eight players can battle it out on a single
screen, vying for first place in a free-for-all of power-ups, deformable terrain, and strategic
track manipulation. Is MicroMachines for the Megadrive with a twist. While the core concept is undeniably fun, Rallyallyally stumbles on
repetitive gameplay and a lack of depth.

The unique twist in Rallyallyally is that the track unfolds as the leader progresses. You create
the track in this dynamic system. The leader can choose to extend the track in a way that
benefits them, creating shortcuts or bottlenecks for opponents. It’s a gamble, though, as a
poorly planned extension can leave you trapped or force you off-road. This constant change
keeps the races unpredictable and exciting, especially with a group of cunning players.

Power-Ups Fuel the Chaos

Power-ups add another layer of chaos to the mix. A giant boxing glove lets you pummel
your opponents, a grappling hook allows you to snag them and throw them off course, and
a boost injects a shot of pure speed. Nothing that we havent seen before in this type of
games . These power-ups erupt frequently, keeping the action frenetic and ensuring no lead
is ever truly safe.

The visuals are low-poly and colorful, with a cartoony aesthetic that complements the
lighthearted tone. The tracks themselves are procedurally generated, offering a variety of
landscapes to race through.

For a Party Title, Lacks “Staying Power”

There’s no online multiplayer, no campaign mode, and very little unlockable content. While
the core gameplay loop is fun, the lack of variety can make Rallyallyally feel very repetitive.
There’s nothing to do as a solo player other than racing AI players, which is no fun at all.

Rallyallyally is a party game with a unique twist. The dynamic track creation and power-up
fueled chaos make for some truly hilarious moments. However, the repetitive gameplay and
lack of depth prevent it from being a long-term commitment. If you’re looking for a casual
game to break the ice at your next gathering, Rallyallyally might be worth a spin. But thats
only what it is, a one time session game.

Review: Gigantosaurus: Dino Sports

Daniel Waite
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Review: Gigantosaurus: Dino Sports

Gigantosaurus: Dino Sports is a title that is designed for younger gamers. However, it can be enjoyed by parents as well. As such, this is ideal for some family-friendly fun. Furthermore, it has the lead protagonists from the much-loved TV series. Accordingly, this will make every fan giddy with excitement.

This sports title was developed by Infinigon Games and published by Outright Games. Moreover, it can be enjoyed alone or locally with 3 other players. Additionally, there is no swearing, violence, or gore, so it is ideal for younger minds. Though the gameplay is straightforward and parents may become bored easily, my kids adored each of the 8 events.

Gigantosaurus: Dino Sports tells a limited but lovable tale. 

In typical sports genre fashion, the plot plays second fiddle. Instead of an OTT plot full of twists and turns, you’ll enjoy watching the key protagonists compete for the Giganto Cup. As the cutscenes unfold, you observe some truly amusing moments. Furthermore, you can laugh as you observe the mischievous behaviour of Cror and Totor.

Though the story wasn’t as epic as I’d hoped, it doesn’t detract from the fast-paced and addictive action. Alongside the main mode is a challenge section. This element was straightforward to pick up but tough to master. Consequently, this will test both adults and children as you try to get a gold medal and a high score.

Which event will you master?

What makes Gigantosaurus: Dino Sports so good is its varied events. There is rock climbing, running, gliding, a triathlon, and much more. Each of these activities was familiar. Yet, the developer included some strange ideas to keep you guessing throughout. No matter which event you tried, Gigantosaurus makes an appearance. This giant dinosaur must be avoided if you wish to maximise your chances of winning. However, this is easier said than done. 

What I loved about this title was the balanced action. Unlike other competitive games, your kids have a chance to win. The developer has designed 2 settings to even the field. Subsequently, if your kids struggle, you can select the child mode and the game will be much easier. Adults, on the other hand, must master each activity to prove their worth. 

Gigantosaurus: Dino Sports looks great. 

If you’ve watched the TV series, the settings and the characters look familiar. I loved the Jurassic edge and the earthy colour palette. Furthermore, the animation is smooth, and each event is well executed. Though it cannot be considered a next-gen experience, I adored the vibrancy, the varied backdrops, and the easy-to-follow action. 

The audio is as fun and as upbeat as I expected. Every layer of this child-friendly game is packed with energy and familiar tunes. What’s more, there are some pleasant one-liners, and the sound effects were great. I loved the roar of Gigantosaurus and the indignant replies of each hero. Additionally, the lack of foul language makes this a perfect title for any youngster.

Simple controls. 

There is nothing worse than kids struggling to play their favourite game. It is a frustrating experience for them, and it’s even worse from the sidelines. Thankfully, Gigantosaurus: Dino Sports uses simple controls and a clean UI. Therefore, you’ll master the action in no time and little guidance is required. On top of this, the child and adult difficulty setting makes this particularly user-friendly. 

If I was to be critical, I’d say 8 events is not enough. Yes, the challenges add depth, but they are effectively rehashed elements of each activity. As such, adults may get bored very quickly. Luckily, though, my kids played it repeatedly, and they never tired of what they were doing. 

Gigantosaurus: Dino Sports is a fun kid-friendly game. 

This won’t impress everyone. Unfortunately, the simplicity and lack of events will invite criticism. However, I enjoyed each activity and the challenge mode. Furthermore, my kids loved every minute and that’s all that matters. Accordingly, I love it and I recommend buying it here! Will you win the competition and avoid Gigantosaurus? Pick your hero, master each event, and be crowned the champion.

Review: Graven

Dawid Wisniewski
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Review: Graven

Graven is an exhilarating blend of fast-paced combat and immersive world-building that evokes the nostalgia of classic titles like Doom and Gothic. This indie gem combines old-school graphics with modern physics, frame rates, and details, creating a unique experience that feels both fresh and familiar. The result is a game that hooked me just as much as the ones I played for weeks on end as a kid. Unfortunately that is only the case for 2/3 of the game.

At first glance, Dark Realms might seem like a throwback to likes of Heretic and its pixelated past, but don’t be fooled by its retro aesthetic. The game’s design is a carefully crafted homage to the classics, with a level of detail and polish that modern technology affords. The environments are richly detailed, and the lighting effects add a layer of depth that enhances the gothic atmosphere. The developers have struck a perfect balance between the charm of old-school graphics and the benefits of contemporary graphical enhancements, creating a visually engaging world that never feels outdated.

One of Gravens’ standout features is its level design. For the majority of the game, the levels are intricate and well-thought-out, encouraging exploration and rewarding curiosity. Each area is packed with secrets, hidden pathways, and cleverly designed puzzles that make backtracking a delight rather than a chore. There’s a dip in the design quality, with later sections feeling a bit repetitive or less inspired, but these moments are few and far between. Overall, the level design is a testament to the developers’ understanding of what makes exploration fun and engaging. Especially with how the world connects, after battling your way through horrifying creatures and finding a new weapon or spell you end up unlocking a a shortcut back to the ‘hub’, Dark souls style. When I unlocked that shortcut I very quickly remembered all the paths nearby that were blocked by a similar looking device or textured wall and run to see what’s behind them with excitement.

The gameplay in Graven is where it truly shines. The combat is fast-paced and intense, clearly inspired by the frantic action of Doom. You’ll face off against groups of varying enemies, each encounter a test of reflexes and strategy. Managing your ammo and choosing the right weapon for each situation adds a layer of tactical depth to the mayhem. The variety of weapons and spells at your disposal keeps the combat fresh and exciting. Each new weapon you discover not only changes your approach to combat but can also be used to solve puzzles and unlock previously inaccessible areas, seamlessly integrating combat and exploration.

Drawing inspiration from Gothic, Graven offers a world rich with lore and populated by intriguing NPCs. The world-building is robust, with each location and secret fitting into the dark world that Graven displays before the player. The NPCs you encounter further show the player that the world of Graven is brutal, horrifying and dangerous. My favourite way that Graven helps you build a very vivid image of the brutalities before you is with secret notes found laying around as you explore. These notes may just be ramblings of a dying man or something that leads you to a seemingly normal house that hides dark secrets behind boarded up doors.

As you progress through Graven, the sense of discovery is ever-present. New weapons, spells, and abilities are introduced at a satisfying pace, each one opening up new gameplay possibilities. The integration of these elements into both combat and puzzle-solving is masterful. The joy of finding a new spell or weapon is compounded by the realization that it can help you overcome obstacles that previously blocked your path. This continuous sense of progression keeps the gameplay loop engaging and rewarding.

I have definitely enjoyed my time with the game and will go back to finish it fully but during my early time reviewing I have experienced a game breaking bug. There are some technical issues present but I have only noticed them while fighting large groups of enemies near a checkpoint, as it appeared to save every time I left and re-entered the proximity. But then a couple hours into the game, my PlayStation told me that something went wrong with the save data. So I went back to a checkpoint and the game simply exited to the main menu, no crash, no stutter, no message, just back to main menu. after trying to recover the save file I decided I enjoyed the game enough to replay those hours and I started again. After that the game broke even more with being somewhere in between two save states, my quests, and equipment cleared. But some gates that were meant to be locked were open, quest givers that are meant to open some gates, not there. it was completely game breaking and luckily it didn’t happen to late in the game.

Graven is a brilliant fusion of the best elements from Doom and Gothic, creating a game that shows great promise in both combat and exploration. Its old-school graphics, enhanced by modern technology, offer a charming and visually rich experience. While not without its flaws, the level design is generally excellent, and the gameplay is nothing short of exhilarating. The combination of fast-paced combat, intricate world-building, and a satisfying progression system makes Graven a easy recommendation for fans of classic and modern games alike. Whether you’re in it for the nostalgia or a new engaging action-adventure game, Graven is sure to have you hooked.

Graven came out of early access in 01/23/2024 and is available on all major platforms as of 25/6/2024.

Review: Echo Generation: Midnight Edition

Sam Butler
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Review: Echo Generation: Midnight Edition

Echo Generation is a turn-based RPG developed by Cococucumber. The game features heavy 90s nostalgia, a hilarious story, and a fun turn-based combat with quick-time mini-games to help you in fights. Initially released in 2021, Midnight Edition adds a few features to improve upon the original release. Its whacky humor and fun combat make for a short but sweet adventure.

Smells Like Teen Spirit

Your character is a teenager living in a 90s suburban neighborhood. The beginning parts of the game have your character solving quests like finding something for your sister or giving candy to a baby in exchange for a comic book. However, you quickly discover that strange things are happening in this neighborhood, like aliens crashing into a nearby field. While exploring that alien ship, you find your dad, and it’s up to you to solve the various mysteries in the town. A lot of progression involves collecting items that can be exchanged for other items that can help. For example, a plot point involves your school principal being a kidnapper. To prove he is guilty, you steal a doll from his house to give to someone else, and later, you get his basement key to free a kidnapped child while fighting the principal. The game features a lot of item collecting and backtracking, but exploring the world is very relaxing.

Combat is also fun. It is turn-based, with some added mini-games to deal additional damage. Most of these mini-games are just timing when you press buttons in various ways. Such as pressing certain buttons in order or quick time events. Timing these perfectly will deal more damage with your skills and take less damage from enemy attacks. Combat is simple, and the enemies you fight are, for the most part, easy to deal with. As you explore the world, you will encounter comic books, giving you access to stronger skills, such as a hockey charge or a backstab attack. These comic books correspond to the different party members you recruit.

Stranger Things

The first thing you notice about the game is that it takes a lot of inspiration from Stranger Things. Echo Generation also leans into the nostalgic themes that Stranger Things leans into. The other thing you notice about the game is that this game is very strange, but strange in the best way. Your party members include your pet cat, a robot, and a raccoon you pick up along the way. The enemies you fight, from mutant rats to buff raccoons to aliens. It’s like a kid’s imagination ran wild and turned into an RPG. The 3D voxel art style is unique and fun to look at. The soundtrack is relaxing and cozy. Everything about this game has a quirky charm that is delightful to experience.

Echo Generation: Midnight Edition is an upgraded version of the original game. This time, the game offers some quality-of-life features, like fast travel, which came in handy when traversing the world. The quest tracker is a new feature that is nice when collecting many items. It’s nice to know who wants which item. There are changes to combat, balance, and bug fixes in the new edition, but these changes highlight what Midnight Edition offers fans looking to return to the game. It’s also a great jumping-off point for people looking to play a fun RPG.

Aliens Exist

Echo Generation: Midnight Edition is quirky, hilarious, and fun. It perfectly blends turn-based RPG combat with waves of nostalgia. Fans of RPGs, indie games, or just looking for a trip back to the 90s will have a blast with this game. My only gripe is that I wish the game were a little longer.

Review: NeoSprint

Daniel Waite
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Review: NeoSprint

NeoSprint is an old-school experience that focuses on fun, thrills, and high-octane action. This forms the return of Atari’s “Sprint” franchise. As such, you know that the driving will be aggressive and the courses will be interesting. Additionally, there are plenty of game modes to get your teeth into. As such, this packs an awful lot of elements into its retro gameplay.

This racing title was developed by Headless Chicken Games and published by Atari. Moreover, it can be enjoyed alone or with up to 7 other gamers on one screen. This delicious old-school approach is bound to cause arguments. Furthermore, there will be laughter, smiles, and plenty of fun as everyone races to be crowned the victor.

NeoSprint focuses on racing hard.

Though there are some minor rivalries in NeoSprint, don’t expect a story-rich endeavour. Instead, the developer has focused on racing hard and oodles of fun. Additionally, they have included a track construction option to appease anyone with a creative mindset. This was a great choice as the retro gameplay thrives as a consequence.

No matter which mode you select, you’ll enjoy tackling your friends or the computer. The no-holds-barred approach allows you to bump into anyone you fancy. Accordingly, things get a bit heated when everyone picks on the best driver. Though bullying isn’t cool, it was hilarious to win by any means necessary.

Race for collectables. 

One element I loved was the rewards system for winning each event. As your treasure box is opened, you are showered with new skins, cars, and track pieces. This was fantastic as you never knew what prize was coming. Furthermore, this sense of surprise keeps you coming back for more. 

With a vast range of game modes at your disposal, you can play this for hours. However, the obstacle course option drove me insane! Not only does it test your accuracy and control, but the timings are so tight that you’ll struggle to get a gold medal. Though I loved the challenge this mode set, it made me scream more than it should have. Consequently, I’m not sure whether to curse or congratulate the developers.

NeoSprint has a polished, retro finish. 

The top-down racing perspective reminded me of Micro Machines. Moreover, the colourful Matchbox vehicles only served to reinforce this idea. However, unlike the original Micro Machines, NeoSprint has a delightfully polished, retro finish. The clean lines and excellent race tracks are phenomenal to experience. Moreover, the varied day/night cycle and the rich colour palette were fantastic. 

The audio combines a high-energy soundtrack with simple but effective sound effects. I adored the shrill engines and the screeching tyres. Additionally, the crunching sounds of each car crashing were unbelievably pleasurable. Though it doesn’t tread any fresh ground, it works perfectly. 

Tight controls. 

Mastering each car is no easy feat. You’ll have to drift around corners, avoid obstacles, and accelerate down each straight. Subsequently, you’ll have to plan your approach and stay out of trouble. Balancing aggression and control is easier said than done. If you add the constant banging and crashing, then matters are made worse. Thankfully the tight controls and responsive inputs mitigate some of the minor complications. 

NeoSprint keeps things simple. Consequently, it could have become tiresome pretty quickly. Luckily, though, the action is addictive and each game mode is fun to test. Alongside this, the track construction feature allows you unlimited creative choices. Finally, the obstacle option will push you to your limits. As such, this has both replay value and longevity. 

NeoSprint is a great racing experience. 

Though NeoSprint won’t compete with modern racing simulation games, it is brilliant nonetheless. If you love retro gaming and want something different, this is the game for you. I adored the visuals and the booming audio. Moreover, the controls are tight and it oozes replay value. Consequently, I love it and I recommend buying it here! Can you become a legendary arcade racer? Pick a car, choose your course, and leave everyone in your wake.

Review: Radiant Tale -Fanfare!-

Josh Blackburn
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Review: Radiant Tale -Fanfare!-

It’s always a little awkward reviewing fandisks. It feels like I’ve been invited over to watch a boxset but I arrived late and everyone else is halfway through it. I’ve gotta try and figure out the plot and character motivations, even though most of the setup has already happened. Though in the case of Radiant Tale -Fanfare!-, most of it is set after the story end. So it was like trying to piece together a TV show from your friends’ conversations afterwards.

Still, it did a reasonable enough job of setting the scene. I’ve reviewed a few of this type of game before. They aren’t really my thing, but it’s one of those titles that I can see appealing to fans of the genre. If you’re a fan of visual novels – specifically Otome ones – then you’ll find lots to love here. If you’ve already played Radiant Tale, then it’s indispensable. It’s a large serving of extra content. You should already know if you’re onboard with it and my old man-esque quibbling won’t matter too much.

Radiant Tale -Fanfare!-

Send In The Clowns

Let me do a quick plot recap of Radiant Tale as I understand it. Our heroine, Tifalia, begins by working as a waitress in a pub, but her life changes when she bumps into a dragon, Vilio. He drags her into CIRCUS, an act that travels around the world banishing bad feelings with the final hope of reviving the crown prince, whose heart has been frozen. I’m simplifying, but it feels like a plot with a lot going for it. They travel to different cities, all of which feel quite different, and meet interesting characters along the way. Not to mention the different flavours of magic.

Radiant Tale -Fanfare!- adds to story in three different ways. Firstly there’s the ‘IF’ segment. This takes place after the normal end of the main game and offers up two new love interests. I went with romancing Jinnia, the flamboyant ringmaster. I liked the character, but wasn’t too enthused with the writing. There was no driving conflict other than ‘main character is painfully shy’. She saw him without his shirt on and her brain broke. There’s a whole lot of telling without showing – a common visual novel issue – and this segment ramped it up to the max.

Radiant Tale -Fanfare!-

Lovey-Dovey

Radiant Tale -Fanfare!-‘s ‘AFTER’ sections do a bit better in that regard. These take place after the Happy endings of all the main character romances. It’s nice to see a relationship evolve past the getting together stage, and it adds nice twists to the main plot. The story involving Vilio, the dragon, was a favourite. Tifalia becomes his mate and gains long life as a result. A big part of the story is her coming to terms with the fact that all her friends will die. It added some much needed depth to the romantic proceedings, and put some weight behind the writing. The third segment, ‘INTERLUDES’, are short stories that take place during the main plot. These are okay, but too short to dwell on here.

Outside of the writing, there are some technical strengths. It looks gorgeous for one, with both the character art and the background art being a knockout. There’s a strong sense of a fleshed out world here, which the art contributes to. Its main limitation is the gameplay. There isn’t any. Par for the course for a visual novel, I suppose, but offering nothing but the odd binary choice every now and then is maddening to me. At this point, you might as well cut out the choice and just make it a book. It blocked me from properly getting into it.

Radiant Tale -Fanfare!-

Radiant Tale -Fanfare!- – Food For Fans

What might help is not making it immediately obvious which choice is the right one. When you choose the right one, a little flashy effect plays. Given that you can save before every choice, picking the right one is a given. Again – why even have a choice at that point? Are you trying to make sure I’m still awake, Radiant Tale -Fanfare!-? Well, I mostly was. As grumpy as I’ve sounded in this review, there were definitely scenes that melted my frosty heart.

I think it’s nice to play one of these games where it doesn’t take a sharp left-turn into creepy-ville. The characters all get along and what conflict there is comes from outside. It’s usually quite interesting conflict too, like a perfume that makes people crazy. While I’m not about to break out my wallet to play the original game, Radiant Tale -Fanfare!- captured my interest. Given it’s absolutely not aimed at me, that’s quite a feat. For fans of the original, you’re in for quite a treat.

(Radiant Tale -Fanfare!-‘s Nintendo Page)

Review: Magical Drop VI

Phant0m
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Review: Magical Drop VI

Have you ever played something that makes you feel like your playing a mobile game but exceeds the basics so far that you couldn’t help but grow to love it? Hi my name is phant0m and these are my thoughts on…. Magical Drop VI!!!

Visuals

First thing you’ll notice in this game is some nice drawings and decent visuals, nothing too crazy on screen, as I said it kinda gave me the vibes of a mobile game, which in this department it would be an awesome looking one! The drawings of the characters is a warm anime kind of style and the surrounding areas are super colorful and outwardly which makes sense as this is a game about gods and taking care of a world!

Gameplay

When I first played this game I couldn’t believe how difficult the very first enemy was! I spent half an hour trying to be the very first person in the story mode, and i thought I would never beat the game because I kept switching between difficulties including the easiest without being able to beat them, and once I finally did the rest of the game was so much easier in comparison, even the final boss wasn’t hard, and once I completed the first run I came back and it was still too difficult for me, whatever AI they used on that character needs to be put on the final boss and switched out immediately. But if you want to know what the gameplay was like outside of that, it was a pretty basic match this row of blocks with its color making them explode and disappear, if you have a stack of three going downward it will explode everything in that area, and the main goal is to have several of these go off at the same time, if you don’t you die, and not gonna lie it was a pretty addicting loop, an insanely fun one too!

Story/Characters

The story of this game has you recruiting plenty of powerful gods to try and save the world, you’ll recruit them in a random order you can choose. Deciding the short date of the plot by either being evil or good, I found it engrossing enough to play my first few times to collect as many characters as I could. Not only that but these characters also have multiple character lines that are actually fun to read through even if it is a bit simple. The only problem I had regarding the story was that there wasn’t more, I truly wish there was so much more because the game kept ending before I could spend too many hours on it. If the game had a longer story with these solid characters, I would’ve definitely played more of them! The characters designs were also cool and unlocking them for the arcade mode was a pretty nice reward for my efforts of trying out different storylines.

Music

Music was also pretty nice, I wouldn’t call it absolutely amazing but I still had some fun listening to it. I wish it was a bit more mellow during exploration, and then eat more hectic during the gameplay to really scare me and fill me with tons of adrenaline.

Performance

The performance of the game ran super well on my base PS5, the only thing I ran into was the first fight being harder than everything else, but that’s ok.

Verdict

Anyways if you were wondering I do recommend this game, it’s so simple and enjoyable; That i Could help but have fun! I give this game an 8.5/10. The only real negative lies in the fact that I not only wanted more but felt there should be. And also the AI that held me up for a half hour :(. Anyways, that’s it from me! Thanks for Reading! 🙂 Keep doing great things, you’re good at them. Bye.

Review: Edifier R1700BT Bluetooth Bookshelf Speakers

Andrew Edney
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Review: Edifier R1700BT Bluetooth Bookshelf Speakers

Here is our review of the Edifier R1700BT Bluetooth Bookshelf Speakers.

Versatile speakers will have you wanting to play every device off of them. Plug in your gaming console, computer or TV for exceptional sound quality. The R1700BT has built-in Digital Signal Processing (DSP) and Dynamic Range Control (DRC) to prevent distortion. 

The R1700BT is equipped with a 19mm dome tweeter and a 4-inch bass driver in each speaker creates rich lows and clear highs. With the front facing bass reflex port, low frequencies are emphasized giving the bass more power.

Specifications

What’s in the box?

The box contains the speakers, cables, instructions and a remote control.

A Closer Look

Final Thoughts

The Edifier R1700BT Bluetooth Bookshelf Speakers look really good – whether they are sitting on a bookshelf or your computer desk, they really look the part!

Connecting them to whatever source you want to use is really simple – you can use the supplied cables or you can connect to them using Bluetooth.

You can control the source, volume, treble and base using dials on the right hand speaker to get that perfect sound.

There is also a small remote control included in the box that enables you to control the volume and source too.

The sound quality is really good, whether you are listening to music or the sound coming from a game.

The Edifier R1700BT Bluetooth Bookshelf Speakers are available now priced around £120 and are available in Brown, Black or Silver.

You can learn more from the Edifier website here.

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