Review: Rolling Hills: Make Sushi, Make Friends

Daniel Waite
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Review: Rolling Hills: Make Sushi, Make Friends

Rolling Hills: Make Sushi, Make Friends is a cute title that slipped my radar. However, as it’s part of the Game Pass subscription, I decided to give it a blast. Needless to say, I’m happy I did as this little gem was addictive and heart-warming. Moreover, it has a pleasant story and easy-to-understand mechanics. As such, it is ideal for gamers of all ages and abilities.

This simulation game was developed by Catch & Release, LLC and published by Humble Games. Furthermore, it is a single-player experience with a colourful aesthetic. Additionally, there is no violence or swearing. Accordingly, this will tick those boxes if you want a safe but enjoyable title for younger gamers.

Rolling Hills: Make Sushi, Make Friends tells a familiar tale. 

Cute simulation titles seem to lack originality. What’s more, they follow a familiar plot to appease this genre’s massive fan base. Now, I’m not complaining as I like the well-trodden ideas. Yet, occasionally, something a little unique won’t go a miss. I guess Rolling Hills: Make Sushi, Make Friends tries this angle with its robotic protagonist. However, other than this, it offers few surprises. 

The comfortable plot revolves around the hamlet of Rolling Hills. This beautiful location is down on its luck. Consequently, the mayor gets inventive as he attempts to attract businesses and residents to settle down. His first move is to invite a sushi robot who wishes to appease its creator. This is a stroke of genius as this robotic creature serves delicious food whilst encouraging new visitors. But, the path to success rarely runs smoothly and weird things trip you up. Subsequently, there are a few twists and turns that keep you on your toes.

Day-to-day business. 

The core gameplay loop is simple. The robot must explore the small town while undertaking some basic tasks. Additionally, it’ll pick up rubbish, find gifts and make friends with the locals. Alongside this, there are challenges to complete and some drip-fed elements to keep you coming back for more. If this isn’t enough, you must invest in ingredients, buy new recipes, and upgrade your restaurant. 

Once you’ve nailed the daytime routine, you must begin trading. The restaurant element requires you to match a particular meal and quality of ingredients to each customer’s needs. Furthermore, you must be quick as they become impatient. Next, you must clean up any mess, wake up any sleepy customers, and keep everyone happy.

If you are successful, you’ll improve your reputation and you’ll earn some serious cash. The money is required to improve every aspect of your business and to help improve your friendships. Though it seems a lot, everything is well-balanced, and each new element is well-explained. As such, you won’t struggle and the restaurant concept never gets out of hand. 

Rolling Hills: Make Sushi, Make Friends is pleasant to look at.

Though the surrounding world is compact, I enjoyed exploring each key location. There is a store, a café, and a workshop to visit. Each area lacks complexity, but they ensure the action plods on. The robotic hero rolls and dashes across every surface. The animation was smooth, and I liked the clean and cute imagery. Furthermore, the vibrant colours enhance the light-hearted theme.

The audio is wholesome. The upbeat soundtrack is fun to listen to and the basic sound effects match the actions. Though this element didn’t blow me away, I enjoyed the non-offensive style and the toe-tapping beats.

Tight controls. 

Your customers can be impatient. As such, you won’t want to make unnecessary errors. Accordingly, I was impressed by the excellent button layout and the tight controls. Rolling Hills: Make Sushi, Make Friends is an easy game to master even though new mechanics are added regularly. Therefore, this is ideal for gamers of all ages and skills. 

The developers have done a great job of balancing the action. I never felt overwhelmed and there are new recipes, tasks, and activities to tackle. Consequently, if you fall for its charms, you’ll play this for ages. 

Rolling Hills: Make Sushi, Make Friends is an adorable game. 

I had low expectations when I installed this title. However, I quickly fell in love with its fun action and charming world. Additionally, the gameplay is addictive and I adored the drip-fed mechanics. Alongside this, it is included with Game Pass, so you have nothing to lose. Subsequently, I recommend buying it here! Can you bring new customers and residents to Rolling Hills? Learn new recipes, make new friends, and become a local hero.

Review: Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance

Matt Cooper
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Review: Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance

It’s been three years since its original release and now the latest game in the storied Shin Megami Tensei franchise has been updated for modern consoles with the release of Vengeance. Does it add enough for returning players to catch the eye? Or should it have been left in the post apocalyptic desert?

Back With A Vengeance

I’ll be honest, I have never been a fan of JRPG’s, nor have I really experienced many throughout my years of gaming but Shin Megami Tensei V (Or simply SMTV) peaked my interest. Originally debuting exclusively to Nintendo Switch, SMTV blended different elements from past games in the franchise to wonderfully successful results and now it has hit current gen consoles with the updated Vengeance release. Along with the substantial story the original game had, it now releases with an alternative storyline. The game now sports two branches of the story, entitled “Canon Of Creation” and “Canon Of Vengeance” which create drastically different results as you progress later on into the game. The story of SMTV revolves around the player as the silent protagonist who, on one fateful day on the way home from school, has their life changed forever. Being pulled into a post apocalyptic future known as “The Da’at”, you are thrust right into the action, which I thought was a bold choice but the correct one.

From there, as you traverse this desert wasteland you come across Aogami (A proto-fiend) who you ‘fuse’ with to become a “Nahobino” which is a demon, blessed and/or cursed with vast knowledge. With the new storyline, the game offers you a choice upon fusing as to which path you want to take and I love that the options are available from the get go. Not everything is as it seems to be in the protagonist’s world and I became enthralled uncovering the mysteries of both modern Tokyo and post-apocalyptic Tokyo. Not knowing much about this franchise and story both helped and hindered my experience. In many ways it can be a lot to digest for a brand new player but also intriguing and enjoyable getting to know the vast and colourful cast of characters that are available to you to talk, fight and discover. Having now experienced both endings to the game, I feel Vengeance is a worthy addition to the tightly woven story. In truth, I prefer the Vengeance side of the story as it focuses more on the personal relationships of the humans of Tokyo. It puts more emphasis on their struggles, with the addition of a new ally called Yoko whilst also adding new villains such as the demon group Qadistu. For both returning and brand new players, the story has a lot to offer as it deals with themes of humanity, belonging and self worth. Like the story at times, gameplay is both brutal and unforgiving.

Brutal And Unforgiving

SMT has always prided itself on its unrelenting turn-based combat and SMTV does not let up in this aspect. The aim of the game is to defeat your enemies using a variety of abilities you unlock along the way. Furthermore, what makes this franchise unique is its emphasis on exploiting the enemies’ weaknesses. Throughout my time playing the game, I became more focused on building a team of ally demons that helped me to either counter, negate or downright wipe out the enemy I was facing. This makes the game really thought-provoking; whilst I was finding and adding these friendly demons to my roster, I was constantly checking their abilities and buffs to see if they could give me an advantage in battles. Like previous games, you have to negotiate and capture these demons before adding them to your side. I loved how you are able to fuse multiple demons together to create a new variant or ability. No fight is the same in SMTV and it is absolutely brutal at times.

I do not have a vast amount of experience in turn-based combat and boy did that show in this game. Many times during my playthrough I would be killed in one shot or obliterated by an enemy. At the start it was incredibly frustrating and rage-inducing but as I collected more demons, powers and items to help me in combat, I started to appreciate it more. Each fight feels like a tense chess match and you have to be on your toes to defeat your foe. I played the game on normal difficulty and a lot of the time it felt I had chosen the harder option. Despite being the same level as some of the bosses, I quickly learned that this does not equate to equal power. I was regularly bested by these bosses and had to turn to the many many side quests available to me in order to level up and gain extra buffs to help me succeed. As someone who loves to complete as much as they can during a game, I liked how you are nudged into these side quests which are varied in their subject matter. However, some players may be turned off when they cannot just progress through the main story. Each side quest felt like a piece of a jigsaw puzzle that helped show off Tokyo and its complexity and beauty. I would sum up combat and gameplay in this game as quite simply brutal but rewarding when you master it; it’s just whether you can get past the frustration to see the rewards.

Realm Bending Beauty

The world of SMTV is both massive and beautiful. With this being orginally a Switch title, the visuals are serviceable and modest, but it’s the art design that carries this game so wonderfully. Character models look as if they are taken straight out of a comic book or animated show- so superbly done and animated beautifully. The world of both Tokyo and the post apocalyptic version are dripping with style and class that truly light up when filled with the vast demons that populate the world. The desert in particular looks stunning and I could truly wander that area all day long with its dilapidated buildings and sand-engulfed towers which are really eye catching. Map design is also a strong point in this version of the game, having been updated from the original; areas are easy to navigate with the addition of better map markers and signs. The bird’s eye view of the area you are currently in is also fantastic and helped me to find every nook and cranny of the location I had been exploring. It’s these quality of life improvements that will help entice returning players into hopping back into the wasteland. The original game was also notoriously tedious in terms of its backtracking through areas but the developers have gone above and beyond to improve this with the creation of the Magetsu Rails. These are essentially shortcuts which help you zip back and forth between previously visited locations: a brilliant addition to the game.

The same can very much be said about the music and sound design. The music of SMTV is just magic. Badass synth metal courses through every fight, hyping you up as you engage in these titanic battles with the demons. A new battle theme has been added for this version which is another wonderful track in an already brilliant soundtrack. I truly felt that I was in the battle when this music started and sometimes I would prolong a fight just to hear another electronic metal beat bounce its way through. The soundtrack is also wonderfully nuanced, as during exploration and traversal moments, the music turns to an eerie creepy low drone that helps build the tension for the fights to come. Composer Ryota Kozuka has done a masterful job with this soundtrack and the new additions to it only heighten its greatness.

Similarly, the sound design is top notch. Abilities sound crisp and concise as you land them on the enemies and attacks sound powerful and violent. Each action sounds unique and different whether it’s your move or the enemy’s. Voice acting is also superb and really makes characters come to life. Each character truly sounds like they each have their own soul and that is difficult to achieve when there are so many different characters spread across the game. I had heard some criticisms that on the original release the sound effects were compressed and cheap at times but this is certainly not the case with this version at all.

Verdict

For someone who was brand new in many ways to this genre, I found SMTV enthralling in its deep and meaningful story, its superb cast of characters and its beautiful, yet haunting environments. However, I struggled at times to grasp its unforgiving combat. To sum up, this type of game and gameplay is certainly not for everyone, but for fans of the series, it’s the formula you know and love with wonderful new additions. Quality of life improvements help polish an already well-rounded game. Beautiful art style and a heart racing soundtrack complement the game to make a wonderful package for both returning players and newcomers like me. See you in the desert!

Review: Neon Rider Classic

Josh Blackburn
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Review: Neon Rider Classic

Neon Rider Classic gave me a bit of a philosophical moment. For one, its Steam description admits that it’s under thirty minutes of gameplay. In fact, once you get the hang of it, you can probably beat it in fifteen. It’s priced at about £2.50, which raised the question of how much you should expect from a game you’ve paid for. I feel like there are certain expectations generated when a game crosses the gap from free to paid. Though that might just be me.

The other factor is that Neon Rider Classic is a remake of a flash game. That strikes me as a bit weird and made me think about the death of Flash. Flash was a big part of my early gaming life, so I feel a little strange about games being remade and thrown up on Steam. But I’ll save the philosophising for a little later. First, I should probably talk about Neon Rider Classic itself. What little there is of it, anyway.

Insert Tron Reference Here

Neon Rider Classic is a mixture of two classic flash games, Neon Rider and Neon Rider World. The concept is nice and simple. You are the world’s least stable motorbike and you have to ride along a line to the goal. A large part of the challenge is keeping your bike level as you land jumps. The other challenge comes from the colour mechanic. You change the colour of your bike to ride on correspondingly coloured surfaces. Memorising what button corresponds to what colour is crucial as you navigate the thirty-one levels on offer.

That’s it. That’s the entirety of the game, unless you’re obssesed with beating your best time. There isn’t even a level editor, which I’m pretty sure was in Neon Rider World. It’s slightly baffling. You could beat this in the time it takes to eat dinner. It looks nice, at least, having shiny graphics and an alright soundtrack. Once you figure out to stop accelerating during jumps, though, you’ve checked off the only difficult part. Apart from the wonky physics that’ll send your bike randomly spinning out, I guess. Hard to say much about it. It’s not even a snack. It’s a vol-au-vent that you paid £2.50 for.

Loving Memories Of Flash

If I sound like I’m being harsh, it’s because I am. If you put Neon Rider into Google, you’ll find both the original and Neon Rider World available for free. The latter even comes with that level editor. The question that kept popping into my mind was: why bother paying for this version? It looks a little better and that’s it. That turned me on to thinking about Flash in general. See, back in the day, all I had to game on were handhelds and a creaky old Windows 98 computer. Thus came a saviour: Miniclip. It allowed me to experience bitesized games at no cost. Unless you count my parents not being able to use the phone.

You may remember that back in 2020, Flash was discontinued. Countless Flash games – and animations like Homestar Runner along with countless stick figure battles – were put in jeopardy. Free Flash games were an institution. A core, unrefined pool of creativity where people could release whatever they wanted. Thank the Lord for projects like Ruffle that emulate Flash. Gaming in general is in dire need of backwards compability right now. Erasing Flash games from existence just isn’t right. That said, while I approve preservation of older games, I’m less keen on remakes – which brings Neon Rider Classic into jeopardy.

Neon Rider Classic – Okay, But Unnecessary?

While Neon Rider Classic itself may be alright as a game – abrupt length aside – the score below indicates that I’m not sold on it. I don’t understand remaking an already available pair of games and not exploring the concept. Steam has an inbuilt workshop feature for crying out loud. Let people go crazy with it. Instead, we have a fairly routine replication of levels that you can play for free. It looks nicer, true, but so what? Chances are, if you’re interested in Neon Rider, then you’re already wearing rose-tinted glasses.

I’m sure the developers meant no harm by it. I don’t begrudge them wanting to earn a paycheque – nor wanting to revitalise a game from the past. I’m just grumpy. I just don’t like the idea of old, free games being preserved by being thrown onto Steam for a couple of pounds without taking the time to evolve the concept. The past should be preserved entirely as is – at the same price point. Otherwise, completely retool things for the modern age. Neon Rider Classic does neither and so I can’t help but get grumpy. Sorry, I’ll go back to Kongregate now.

(Neon Rider Classic’s Steam Page)

Review: Mullet Madjack

Saim Khurshid
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Review: Mullet Madjack

Mullet Madjack is an explosive Rogue-like FPS that is bound to get you hooked for hours with its upbeat 80s anime style and feel.

Gaming has always been a medium filled with repetition. Any concept that takes off is bound to be all you are going to see in the next 4-5 years. This is not necessarily bad, a lot of great things have come out of this way of building.

Look at Palworld. What it does is take the tried and tested methods of Pokemon, ark: survivor evolved and the hundreds of automation and farming simulators. The combination of all these game elements gives Palworld an edge over other games.

I know what you are thinking: “Why are we talking about Palworld if this review is about Mullet Madjack?”

Well, my simple friend, there lies the pudding or something like that. To me Mullet Madjack holds no true colours but the ones it has nicked have make it one of my top 10 games of 2024 (so far.)

The 80s Anime is Here!

Mullet Madjack goes for a very specific art style of 80s to early 90s futuristic Anime and it nails it so well. If you have seen shows like Bubblegum Crisis or A.D. Police, then you know exactly how this show looks. 

There is something quite soothing about the 80s outlook of the future. Imagine a person who does not know what the internet is, creating a depiction of what will happen around a 100 years later. 

It’s all TV and Radio pushed to the extreme with every character dressed either like a racecar driver or a dancer. 

However, this isn’t just a copy-paste of the past; the team is putting in some serious work here.

An 80s Anime plot

In the year 2095, robot billionaires take over the world by getting the general public addicted to dopamine. I could stop right here and it would be enough a premise for a video game but there is more.

Players assume the role of Jack, a Moderator hired by Peace Corp. to rescue the “Influencer Princess” from a skyscraper filled with killer robots in exchange for, get this, a brand new pair of shoes. 

The game begins with a plot revealed through a stream on a phone that Jack listens to while driving a weirdly proportioned sports car at a dangerously high speed. (I love this aesthetic, I really do)

The stream informs us everything and just like that, Jack ends up at a large skyscraper where we then switch from 80s anime plot to FPS Rogue-like gameplay.

The 80s Anime Game

The gameplay is an affair between and FPS run and gun and a Rogue-like. It has you running straight through a room, imagine Crash Bandicoot but first person, shooting Cyborg enemies. The catch is the timer.

Initially, You have 10 seconds on the clock. Every time you kill an enemy you get 3 seconds added, headshots gie 5 seconds and melee gives 10 seconds. The goal is to get to the other end of the round without the time running out. 

You do have a health bar which causes an immediate failure if you run out.

Like a rogue-like, you begin from the start of the first round if you lose.

There are two ways to play the game. Story mode and endless mode. As you can imagine, the endless mode tests how many rounds you can survive.

In story mode, you run through a set of 10 rounds per level with a total of I think 15-20 levels. Lose a round and you start from the beginning of your level, not the whole game.

At the end of each level, there is a boss fight where you fight some un-godly creature in a 1v1 battle. The game turns into Doom during this fight, all the way down to the enemy being a 2.5 sprite.

A system that works!

In my review of Noreya: the brown blunder, I said that I was getting sick of upgrading systems that have nothing of worth in them. Mullet Madjack is exactly what I wanted. 

Of course, Noreya was a Pixel art platformer and Mullet MadJack is an 80s Anime -style FPS Rogue-like but that does not change the fact that it has a brilliant and actually game-changing upgrade system which keeps getting more stuff added to it when the game progresses.

The same lady from the stream contacts you At the end of each round and offers one of three upgrade options.

No 1% damage or health upgrades. You choose between a heavy list of weapons and some brilliant changes to gameplay.

  • Shots will now ricochet
  • Shots will now go through multiple enemies,
  • Slide attack.
  • Health pickups increase the timer
  • Bloody Flaming katana with infinite throwing
  • Fire damage
  • Enemies will die if they touch you
  • Poison damage
  • etc…

This is just what you start with. More content unlocks as the game progresses. If there are secrets hidden through the game, well, it won’t be a suprise.

(There is an upgrade to increase the total time by 1… Just thought I should put it here so no one can call me out on hypocrisy)

A Must Play!

My final verdict is no different to the praise that this FPS Rogue-like has already acquired since its release. With The 80s Anime aesthetic and story along with killer gameplay, this is surely a game that more then its motivations.

While I will be the first one to say that Epopeia sounds like a Hive-like rash, Mullet MadJack is a must-play. If you like like 80s Anime, FPS, Rogue-like, Shooters, Boomer Shooters or any fast-paced action, I cannot recommend it enough.

Review: Wartales

Daniel Waite
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Review: Wartales

Wartales is a gritty, salt-of-the-earth RPG that feels fresh and familiar in equal measure. Moreover, it is available on Game Pass, so you can save some pennies whilst exploring a monstrously massive open world. The developer has also released 2 DLC packs to expand an already expansive and time-consuming experience. This gameplay and information dump may seem uncomfortable, but I rarely felt out of my depth.

This old-school RPG was developed and published by Shiro Games. During Early Access, it showed great promise. However, glitches and a bare-bones approach left gamers wanting. Thankfully, the full release has padded out the gameplay and left a rewarding game to get your teeth into. With plenty of mechanics to try out and loads of perks, quests, and equipment to equip, test, and complete, this will keep you busy for hours.

Wartales lets you write your story. 

RPGs are infamous for lore-rich endeavours that are laced with a fantasy edge. However, Wartales is slightly different. You are free to create your history, and destiny and fate play a massive part. You’ll also enjoy twisting the narrative as your actions have consequences. This sense of cause and effect was spectacular.

Though the story is fluid, and the action flows nicely, there is a central goal that expands your progress. Effectively, you must complete regional quests to cleanse each area and expand your journey. How you do this, and what you do in between, is entirely your choice. Additionally, you can do as you wish with your team, and theft and cannibalism are a necessary evil. Subsequently, if you wish to survive, you’ll have to shelve your morals and do what it takes to keep everyone happy.

Eat, sleep, survive, repeat. 

What makes Wartales so gloriously addictive is its simple mechanics. Your party of warriors must explore a gloomy world that is filled with deadly creatures and criminal scumbags. As you undertake each adventure, you must balance your health, stamina, food, and desire to complete each quest. As the game flows, you’ll visit hamlets and villages and accept jobs. These tasks pay handsomely, but you must be prepared as death is all but guaranteed.

Alongside this, if you don’t get the basics right, your team’s morale will drop through the floor. Accordingly, you must pay them handsomely and keep them fed if you wish to appease them. However, here lies the problem! Food is scarce, and gold is hard to come by. Consequently, you’ll have to forage mushrooms and potentially eat the odd human if you wish to get by. Each of these elements is but a small part of the rich tapestry of each playthrough.

Layers upon layers. 

Where Wartales excels is its deliberate use of multilayered elements. For example, you are expected to march for days across an array of spectacular regions. Though this may seem tiresome, it expands the sense of hopelessness and freedom in one fell swoop. Moreover, it demands that you balance your fatigue, food, and missions in one tactical move. 

On top of this, your team may be exhausted, but injuries and starvation must be addressed. Subsequently, what do you do? Do you go to sleep and allow the sick and hungry to perish, or do you march on hoping to avoid trouble and find a friendly village? Either way, you are doomed and must make a split-second decision for the best outcome for your team.

Combat. 

Wartales has addressed the combat system. During Early Access, it was somewhat tedious. However, it has been scaled back, but the difficulty has been enhanced. Accordingly, it can be spectacularly challenging and sometimes horribly unfair.

The turn-based concept won’t wow veteran gamers. Unfortunately, the mechanics are all too simple and this dumbs it down too much for my taste. Yet, if you want something easy to understand and quick to master, then this will make you happy.

Finally, there is the option to region-lock your opponents or have them scale in difficulty. Now, this was an impressive feature that ups the ante. If you want to be tested, then plump for the latter option. You’ll never be ahead of the curve and your team will be pushed by increasingly brutal monsters. 

Wartales looks amazing. 

I may be biased, but I love a gritty, isometric RPG. Furthermore, though it has old-school vibes, it is brilliantly modern and has some nice detailed touches. The scenery is spectacular, and I love the sense of secrecy and the unknown. As you explore each region, the fog of war disappears. In its place, you notice detailed villages, vast forests, and enormous mountains. Consequently, the developers have created an awe-inspiring and captivating world.

The retro vibes are enhanced by gruff and enjoyable audio. The music has a sense of despair and drama. Additionally, some light-hearted moments complement victorious events. Alongside this, you’ll enjoy some crunching noises and uncomfortable squelching as your party and your foes are sliced and diced. 

Exceptional controls. 

This open-world sandbox is glorious to explore. The exceptional controls make every task enjoyable. Whether you are running through woods, undertaking a spot of fishing, or attacking monsters, it is easy to understand. Moreover, the UI is well-designed, and each important element is easy to navigate.

If you so wish, you can play this repeatedly. There are so many avenues for you to explore and plenty of character builds to play with, that you’ll rarely get bored. Furthermore, the massive open world is a pleasure to tackle, and I loved the variety of monsters and the quests I had to undertake. Consequently, it oozes replay value and longevity.

Wartales is a phenomenal game. 

The sheer scale of what unfolds won’t be for everyone. Furthermore, there is a lack of guidance and this can be unnerving. However, I loved the freedom and the vast world. Moreover, the underlying political statements and the wonderful quests will suck you in. Yes, there could have been a core plot line that tied it together, but this wasn’t to be. I think Wartales is phenomenal and I recommend buying it here! Can you survive long enough to explore the grim world? Pick your team, go on an adventure, and survive any way you can.

Review: Exogate Initiative

James Refelian
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Review: Exogate Initiative

Xeno Bits’ Exogate Initiative catapults players into the heart of a pioneering intergalactic mission. As the overseer of humanity’s inaugural settlement beyond the Exogate – a cryptic network of instant travel gateways (Think Stargate). You’re tasked with establishing a base, governing, and exploring the uncharted cosmos.  Does Exogate Initiative carve a daring path for exploration aficionados, or does it fade into the vastness of space?

Building a Base for Intergalactic Success

Exogate Initiative throws you headfirst into base building. From humble beginnings with basic resource gathering and rudimentary structures, you’ll gradually expand your footprint, constructing research labs, production facilities, and crew quarters. The base-building mechanics are intuitive and provide a satisfying loop of resource gathering, construction, and research.

However, the game doesn’t hold your hand. While a tutorial mode exists, it skims the surface and doesn’t provide nearly enough detail to be useful. Mastering resource management, optimising production chains, and ensuring your crew’s needs are met requires experimentation and problem-solving. Overcoming these challenges can be immensely rewarding, instilling a sense of empowerment for experienced players. Newcomers might find the initial learning curve a bit steep, but with perseverance, they too can conquer the game’s complexities.

A Crew of Specialists in Exogate Initiative

Exogate Initiative’s diverse crew system is a standout feature. You’ll recruit specialists from various fields, each with their own unique skills and needs. Engineers keep the base operational, scientists unlock new technologies, and security personnel ensure the safety of your operations. Juggling their needs and expertise adds a layer of depth to managing your burgeoning space colony.

The crew members themselves aren’t just cogs in the machine. Each has a personality and backstory, adding some richness to the story. Witnessing their interactions and the occasional interpersonal conflict can be a welcome break from strategic planning. It also keeps you engaged and invested in the story of your fledgling space colony, which is good as the general narrative is lacking overall.

Venturing Beyond the Base: Exploring the Exogate Network

The real allure of Exogate Initiative lies in venturing out into the unknown. The Exogate network connects to various planets, each with unique resources, hazards, and potential for discovery. Sending out expeditions to these worlds adds a layer of risk and reward. Uncovering valuable resources can fuel your base’s growth while encountering hostile alien lifeforms, leading to thrilling (or disastrous) encounters.

However, exploration currently feels a bit limited. While the variety of planets is commendable, the lack of meaningful interaction with the environments themselves is a missed opportunity. The potential for uncovering alien ruins, establishing outposts on distant worlds, or engaging in more complex forms of diplomacy with alien civilisations remains untapped.

A Sense of Incompleteness

Exogate Initiative is currently in Early Access, and it shows. While the core gameplay loop is fun and engaging, there’s a sense of incompleteness. The narrative feels like a loose framework rather than a compelling story. Additionally, the endgame content is currently lacking, with players reaching a point where further expansion feels less impactful.

Despite these shortcomings, the potential for Exogate Initiative is undeniable. The developers seem actively engaged with the community, addressing bugs and releasing updates that add new content and features. The game could blossom into a truly immersive space exploration experience with continued development.

Final Thoughts on Exogate Initiative

Exogate Initiative offers a solid foundation for a compelling space exploration sim. The base-building mechanics are engaging, the crew system adds depth, and the potential for venturing beyond the known holds immense promise. However, the game is still in its early stages, and a lack of narrative depth, limited environmental interaction, and a currently weak endgame hold it back from greatness. With continued development, it could become a must-play for spacefaring sim fans.

For more information head to the Exogate Initiative website.

Review: Dungeon Alchemist

James Refelian
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0
Review: Dungeon Alchemist

Dungeon Masters, rejoice! Dungeon Alchemist, the brainchild of Briganti, is an absolute game-changer for crafting stunning and immersive maps for your tabletop RPG campaigns. While still in Early Access, this AI-powered map maker boasts a remarkable feature set that streamlines the map creation process, allowing you to unleash your creativity and breathe life into your fantastical worlds.

Effortless Map Creation with AI Assistance

Gone are the days of painstakingly drawing grids and meticulously placing dungeon tiles. Dungeon Alchemist empowers you to construct intricate maps with incredible ease.  You begin by selecting the desired terrain type, from classic dungeons and sprawling forests to bustling taverns and majestic castles. The AI then generates a base layout that you can further customise.

The real magic lies in the room creation tools. Draw the desired room shape, and the AI instantly populates it with a thematically appropriate interior. The variety is impressive, from grand throne rooms to damp, cobweb-filled crypts.  This eliminates the tedious task of manually furnishing each room, allowing you to focus on the finer details.

Customisation Galore in Dungeon Alchemist

But Dungeon Alchemist isn’t just about pre-made layouts.  The customisation options are extensive. You can tweak individual furniture pieces, rotate walls, and adjust lighting to create the perfect atmosphere.  For those who crave complete control, importing custom assets further expands your creative horizons.

Don’t underestimate the power of details.  Dungeon Alchemist allows you to add flourishes like bloodstains, cobwebs, and magical effects, imbuing your maps with a sense of history and peril.  These details go a long way in immersing your players in the adventure.

From Simple Encounters to Sprawling Cities

Dungeon Alchemist’s versatility extends far beyond basic dungeon layouts. You can craft sprawling cityscapes, bustling marketplaces, and even peaceful villages.  The ability to create multi-level structures adds a whole new dimension to your maps, allowing you to design intricate lairs and hidden passages.

The program also excels at generating outdoor environments.  Whether you need a sun-drenched meadow or a treacherous mountain pass, Dungeon Alchemist provides the tools to bring your vision to life.  The diverse terrain options and dynamic weather effects ensure that no two maps will ever look the same.

A Promising Future Filled with Potential for Dungeon Alchemist

While Dungeon Alchemist is already a fantastic tool, it’s important to remember that it’s still under development. The developers at Briganti are actively engaged with the community, constantly adding new features and content based on player feedback.  A vibrant Steam Workshop community provides a constant stream of user-created assets, further expanding the program’s capabilities.

The roadmap for future updates is ambitious, with promises of additional terrain types, more intricate building options, and even the ability to populate maps with dynamic creatures.  These planned additions solidify Dungeon Alchemist’s position as a powerful and ever-evolving tool for any DM seeking to elevate their campaigns.

Final Thoughts on Dungeon Alchemist

Dungeon Alchemist is a revolutionary tool that streamlines the map creation process without sacrificing creative freedom.  The AI-powered features make it easy to generate stunning maps, while the extensive customisation options allow you to tailor every detail to your specific needs.  Whether you’re a seasoned DM or just starting out, Dungeon Alchemist is an invaluable asset that will transform how you create worlds for your tabletop RPG adventures.  With its ongoing development and a passionate community, the future of Dungeon Alchemist is incredibly bright.

Review: Neptunia Game Maker R:Evolution

Dawid Wisniewski
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Review: Neptunia Game Maker R:Evolution

In “Neptunia Game Maker,” you step into the shoes of a dimension-traversing bug catcher ‘Neptunia’ who finds herself in a bizarre realm where game developers clash over territories to sell their creations. The premise sounds promising, offering a blend of action, strategy, and a meta-narrative ripe for exploration. Unfortunately, the game’s story, art, and mechanics fail to live up to this intriguing setup, leaving players with a disjointed experience that misses more marks than it hits.

New to the series, and I’m not sold.

Quick disclaimer, I have not played or even heard about this series before and I am aware there is an extended universe. My opinions are purely on this game alone and not the series as a whole.

The narrative, while initially engaging, quickly unravels into a chaotic mess. The idea of developers battling for market supremacy could have provided a unique and engaging story. However, “Neptunia Game Maker” never fully develops this concept, resulting in a plot that feels fragmented and incoherent. The characters, while visually appealing, lack depth, making it hard to care about their journeys or motivations. The game’s potential for a compelling storyline is squandered, leaving players lost and disengaged.

The most difficult battle was traversal

Visually, “Neptunia Game Maker” adopts an art style reminiscent of a story-driven RPG. Characters receive the most attention in terms of design, showcasing detailed and expressive models. However, this focus on character art doesn’t extend any farther. The environments are bland and uninspired, with enemy designs that feel recycled and generic. The levels themselves are labyrinthine and monotonous, providing little visual or structural variety. The game’s world is so dull that I found myself staring at the minimap more than the actual game, simply to navigate the uninspired mazes.

Combat in “Neptunia Game Maker” is another area where the game falls short. Players control a party of four characters in instanced battles, with each character having customizable combos. The core combat mechanic involves switching characters to extend combos, but this quickly devolves into button mashing with occasional character swaps. The lack of impactful combat is exacerbated by the game’s low difficulty. Fights are so easy that the brief transition into and out of battle often takes longer than the battles themselves. This lack of challenge makes combat feel like a chore rather than a thrilling aspect of the game. The repetitive battle music, which plays at the start of every encounter, soon became so grating that I ended up turning off the music entirely.

So many mechanics, so little depth.

One of the more perplexing mechanics in “Neptunia Game Maker” is the inclusion of a bike for faster travel through dungeons. While the idea of a bike sounds exciting, it is poorly implemented. Most dungeon terrains are not designed for bike travel, making it more of a hindrance than a help. This feature feels like an afterthought, added without proper integration into the game’s level design. There are however some dungeons or ‘levels’ that do utilize the bike in races and time travels so it’s not completely useless.

Outside of dungeons, players engage in game development, taking over territories with specific interests to expand their base and develop different genres and styles of games. Assigning top developers to projects can yield higher ratings and profits, and the games produced can be equipped on characters for stat boosts and bonuses. However, given the game’s overall ease, optimizing these mechanics feels unnecessary. The lack of challenge means there’s little incentive to invest time in maximizing team performance.

In summary, “Neptunia Game Maker” is a game that had a lot of potential but fails to deliver on almost every front. The story is disjointed and quite difficult to follow with how many characters get introduced every second. The design is uninspired which doesn’t utilise the art style and the combat is lacklustre. Features like the bike and game development mechanics feel half-baked and add little to the overall experience. I cannot recommend this game to anyone as even to experience the story the player would be forced to drag themselves through the combat encounters. In my opinion “Neptunia Game Maker” should have taken some tips form its own game making mechanics.

Game is available on Playstation 4/5 , Nintendo switch and xbox series x/s from 24th May 2024.

Review: Wild West Dynasty

James Refelian
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Review: Wild West Dynasty

Moon Punch Studio’s Wild West Dynasty attempts to capture the romantic allure of carving a homestead from the untamed wilderness of the Wild West. It places you in the dusty boots of a pioneer, tasking you with building a life and a legacy. Does it succeed in weaving a Wild West saga, or is it a wagon train headed for disappointment?

A Promising Premise with Rocky Execution

Wild West Dynasty stands out with its unique blend of survival, town-building simulation, and dynasty management. As a lone settler, you start by gathering resources, crafting basic tools, and establishing a foothold in the unforgiving frontier. Progressing further, you can attract other settlers, forming a fledgling community. This community can then evolve into a bustling town, complete with production facilities, trade routes, and even a sheriff to maintain order.

The concept of Wild West Dynasty is undeniably captivating. The idea of transforming a desolate landscape into a thriving frontier town holds immense potential. However, the execution falls short in several crucial areas.

Technical Stumbles on the Trail

Wild West Dynasty launched in Early Access with a concerning number of technical issues. Despite playing on a high-end PC, I experienced stuttering frame rates and unpolished textures. While some updates have addressed these problems, optimisation remains a concern, especially for players with less powerful machines. These technical stumbles can detract from the overall gaming experience.

Another hurdle is the game’s visual presentation. While it boasts a vast open world, the environments often feel bland and repetitive. Character animations also leave much to be desired, further diminishing the immersion factor.

A Sparse Frontier with Shallow Mechanics

The vast expanse of the Wild West can feel strangely empty in Wild West Dynasty. While the world is technically large, there’s a distinct lack of points of interest or engaging activities scattered throughout. Town-building mechanics are present, but they lack depth. Constructing buildings feels repetitive, and managing your fledgling settlement can become a chore.

Similarly, the survival aspects feel tacked on rather than integrated. The need for food and water is present, but they never feel truly threatening. Combat, when it happens, is clunky and unsatisfying.

A Glimmer of Hope: Potential for Redemption

Despite its shortcomings, Wild West Dynasty has redeeming qualities. The core concept of building a Wild West town holds promise, and the developers seem committed to improvement. Updates have addressed some of the initial technical issues, and the roadmap suggests focusing on adding more content and refining existing mechanics. I think this is a case of releasing the game too soon, even if it was early access.

The game also boasts a certain charm. The soundtrack evokes the dusty grandeur of the Wild West, and there’s a sense of satisfaction in watching your small settlement slowly grow. Wild West Dynasty might hold some appeal for players with a high tolerance for Early Access titles and a love for the Wild West setting.

Should You Mosey On Over to Wild West Dynasty?

Whether Wild West Dynasty is worth your time depends on your expectations and risk tolerance. If you want a polished, feature-rich experience, you’re best off waiting for further development. However, suppose you’re an Early Access enthusiast intrigued by the prospect of carving your own path in the Wild West, and you’re willing to overlook technical shortcomings and shallow mechanics. In that case, you might find some enjoyment here.

Final Thoughts on Wild West Dynasty: A Buggy Diamond in the Rough

This is a game with undeniable potential. The core concept of building a Wild West town is exciting, and there’s a certain charm to be found in its vast landscapes and dusty atmosphere. The developers have made a good start, and I hope future updates fix the issues because technical issues, repetitive gameplay, and a lack of depth hold it back from greatness. If the developers can address these shortcomings and continue adding meaningful content, Wild West Dynasty could eventually become a compelling simulation experience. However, right now, it’s a hesitant recommendation for Early Access enthusiasts only.

Five ways to display your favourite memorabilia

Andrew Edney
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Five ways to display your favourite memorabilia

Displaying memorabilia is a powerful way to transform ordinary spaces into reflections of individual journeys and passions. 

From sports shirts to childhood toys and family portraits, memorabilia holds a special place in our hearts. Don’t shut it away and instead learn how to showcase it in style. 

This article explores five innovative methods to display your treasured items, ensuring they become a meaningful part of your home décor.

Creating a feature wall

A feature wall can become the heart of your home. This method allows you to highlight a collection in a focused and impactful manner. Plus, they’re on trend in 2024. 

You can arrange the likes of photos, travel souvenirs and mementoes from special occasions using floating shelves, shadow boxes and custom frames. A well-planned feature draws attention and tells a story at a glance.

To create a visually appealing display, balance different sizes and shapes, and consider a cohesive colour scheme that ties everything together. 

Utilising bookcases

Bookcases are versatile and functional pieces of furniture that can double as exhibit units for your memorabilia. Integrating books with personal items creates a dynamic and engaging visual narrative. 

Place objects at varying heights and depths to add dimension and interest. Use decorative boxes and bookends to build sections and maintain order. If you want to get the most out of your space then you could install bespoke fitted bookshelves that have the exact measurements you need to display your items.   

Incorporating memorabilia into everyday décor 

Integrating memorabilia into everyday décor allows you to enjoy your cherished items daily. Vintage crockery can be exhibited and used in the kitchen, heirloom textiles can be transformed into cushion covers and sports possessions can find a place in a game room. 

This approach can personalise your space and make your memorabilia functional. Ensure possessions are protected from wear and tear by placing them in areas where they can be appreciated without being damaged.

Creating a gallery space

Hallways, staircases and other transitional areas can be transformed into gallery spaces dedicated to your memorabilia. Use a mix of frames, shadow boxes and cases for a cohesive look. 

Plan the layout with both symmetrical and asymmetrical designs and consider a common theme or colour palette to unify it all. Spotlights or picture lights can add drama and highlight key pieces, making your gallery space a dynamic and engaging part of your home.

Using display cabinets 

Glass-fronted cabinets offer elegance and protection for your cherished items. Choose cabinets that match your room’s style whether that’s modern, traditional or eclectic. 

Use risers and stands to create levels and showcase possessions more effectively. Group similar items together for a curated look, ensuring that each piece stands out. 

Regular cleaning and dusting are essential to keep it looking pristine and inviting.

Presenting your favourite memorabilia is a wonderful way to personalise your home and celebrate your unique experiences and passions. Plus, it can reduce clutter, which can improve your mental health. Start your display project today and transform your living space.

Review: Everspace 2

James Refelian
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Review: Everspace 2

Everspace 2, the follow-up to ROCKFISH Games’ well-received space shooter, blasts off with a satisfying blend of frenetic dogfights, deep exploration, and RPG-style loot progression. While it ditches the roguelike elements of its predecessor, Everspace 2 carves its own path as a captivating spacefaring adventure game. The question is whether it’s a worthy successor to its rogue roots.

A Universe of Opportunity: Exploration Takes Centre Stage

Everspace 2 throws you into a vast and beautifully rendered open world.  Unlike its predecessor’s linear progression, you’re free to chart your own course, uncovering derelict spacecraft, asteroid fields teeming with resources, and hidden jump gates leading to new star systems. This freedom of exploration is a highlight. You can chase story missions, delve into procedurally generated side quests, or simply get lost in the beauty of the cosmos, all while amassing valuable loot and upgrades.

The diverse environments are stunning. Lush planetary atmospheres, asteroid belts glittering under nebulae, and the imposing wrecks of colossal spaceships all come to life with stunning detail. The sense of scale is impressive, making you feel like a small but agile fighter pilot amidst the vastness of space.

Thrilling Dogfights Keep the Adrenaline Pumping in Everspace 2

The core strength of Everspace 2 lies in its exhilarating combat. Dogfights are a frantic ballet of dodging, weaving, and unleashing devastating firepower. The controls are responsive and precise, allowing for tight manoeuvring and hair-raising escapes. Mastering the different weapon types and customising your ship with looted modules adds a satisfying layer of depth. Taking down a giant capital ship feels like a true accomplishment, especially when achieved through clever tactics and well-timed dodges.

However, while initially thrilling, combat encounters can become repetitive after a while. While enemy variety exists, the core gameplay loop of dogfighting against waves of enemies can feel predictable at times. Though visually impressive, Boss encounters don’t offer a significant strategic challenge compared to the standard skirmishes.

Building Your Spacefaring Arsenal: The Looter Shooter Formula with a Twist

Everspace 2 embraces the looter shooter formula, showering you with loot and upgrade options after every encounter.  Weapons, shields, engines, and various modules can be salvaged from defeated enemies and explored wrecks. Experimenting with different combinations allows you to tailor your ship’s performance to your play style.

The loot system has its limitations. While the variety is decent, some drops can feel underwhelming, especially in the game’s later stages. Additionally, the upgrade system can sometimes be overwhelming, with many stats and options to consider. It’s definitely a steep learning curve, and the explanations could have been improved.

A Story with Potential, Hampered by Pacing

The narrative in Everspace 2 follows Adam, a pilot seeking a cure for his mysterious illness. The story has intriguing elements, delving into themes of corporate greed, space exploration ethics, and the search for a second chance. However, the pacing suffers due to the open-world nature of the game.  Story missions can feel far apart, especially if you focus on exploration and side quests.

Despite this, the voice acting is top-notch, and the characters you encounter throughout your journey are memorable, even if their backstories remain relatively shallow.

Final thoughts on Everspace 2

So, is Everspace 2 worth it? It’s a lot of fun. It’s basically an homage to classics like Freelancer or Diablo. A good story, exciting ships and great space combat with action-RPG elements make it a solid experience. But, if you’re looking for something totally new, you won’t find it in Everspace 2. You know what? That’s ok. Sometimes, we need to settle back into a solid 30 hours of nostalgia.

Review: Like a Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name

James Refelian
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Review: Like a Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name

Like a Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name brings back the legendary Kazuma Kiryu, though this time under the alias of Joryu. This Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio spin-off takes place during the events of the 2020 game, Yakuza: Like a Dragon. Veterans will be greeted with a satisfying dose of familiar beat-em-up action. At the same time, newcomers can experience the series’ signature blend of brawling, heart, and humour for the first time.

Back to the Streets: Brutal Brawls with a Modern Twist

Like a Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name sheds the turn-based combat of Like a Dragon, returning to the series’ roots with a refined and brutal beat-em-up system. Kiryu’s repertoire of punches, kicks, and environmental object throws feels familiar yet satisfying. Combat encounters, while not overly complex, provide a thrilling dose of action, especially with the addition of new gadgets like a taser and a drone that can unleash electric shocks in the ‘Agent’ combat style. Dodging, parrying, and unleashing combos on unsuspecting thugs remains as cathartic as ever.

However, Like a Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name isn’t just a nostalgia trip.  Gadgets add a fresh layer to the combat, allowing for more strategic approaches to brawls. Switching between the classic Yakuza brawling style and the more stylistic and gadget-driven Agent style is great fun. Stealth mechanics are also introduced, letting you take down enemies silently or distract them with strategically placed objects. While these stealth sections are a welcome change, they feel underdeveloped compared to the core combat.

Bridging the Gap: A Character-Driven Story in Like a Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name

The story bridges the series’ two eras. While it lacks the epic scope of some mainline entries, it delves into Kiryu’s emotional state following the events of Yakuza 6. We see him grapple with his past, his unwavering sense of justice, and the burden of his legacy. The supporting cast, while not as fleshed out as some previous entries, offers a compelling mix of allies and adversaries. Returning familiar faces like Majima adds a layer of fan service for longtime players.

Yokohama’s Charm: A Familiar Playground with a Few Shortcomings

The world of Yokohama feels smaller than the sprawling environments of previous games, but it’s still packed with detail and character. Familiar minigames like karaoke and gambling return, offering a welcome distraction from the main story. However, while often amusing, the side quests can sometimes feel repetitive.

Final Thoughts on Like a Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name

Like a Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name is a solid entry in the Like a Dragon series. It offers fans a satisfying dose of nostalgia, reintroducing the classic beat-em-up gameplay with a few modern twists. While not groundbreaking, the story provides a compelling chapter in Kiryu’s ongoing saga. While the experience may feel slightly shorter and less expansive than mainline entries, Like a Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name serves its purpose well, bridging the gap between two eras and reminding us why we fell in love with Kiryu and the world of Like a Dragon in the first place. You can check out the Sega Website for more information about the game.

Review: Backfirewall_

James Refelian
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Review: Backfirewall_

From indie studio Naraven Games comes the puzzle adventure game Backfirewall_, which is set inside a mobile phone. Sounds random? It is, and it’s hilarious.

Backfirewall_ Gameplay

Don’t be fooled by Backfirewall_’s seemingly mundane premise: a puzzle game set inside a smartphone. This quirky creation by Naraven Games transcends its digital landscape, offering a surprisingly poignant and humorous adventure. Stepping into the Update Assistant’s shoes (or rather, code), you find yourself tasked with upgrading a phone to the latest OS. However, a glitch in the system throws a wrench into the plan, and a motley crew of apps convinces you to help them resist the update. Described as a tragicomedy Backfirewall_ lives up to that descriptor. Backfirewall_ is hilarious, but you feel sorry for the personified software of the phone as you make your way through each area.

Backfirewall_’s brilliance lies in its unique world-building. The phone’s operating system becomes a sprawling digital metropolis, with each app representing a distinct district. Photos is represented as a vibrant gallery, while Social Media is a bustling town square. Each area pulsates with its own personality, reflected in the quirky app characters. The sassy Photos boast artistic merit, while the insecure Social Media frets about follower count. These interactions are peppered with clever tech puns and witty dialogue, creating a world that feels both whimsical and oddly relatable.

Puzzling but Thought Provoking

The puzzles themselves are a delightful mix of logic and environmental manipulation. You’ll manipulate firewalls, create bugs to exploit glitches, and even dabble in binary tree trimming. While not earth-shatteringly difficult, the puzzles offer a satisfying challenge that requires creative thinking and a good grasp of the game’s internal logic. The inclusion of cheat codes adds another layer of depth, allowing you to bend the rules and experiment with the environment in unexpected ways.

But Backfirewall_ is more than just a collection of puzzles. Woven into the gameplay are hidden emails that gradually reveal a parallel story unfolding outside the phone. These snippets paint a picture of the phone’s owner, their anxieties, and their relationship with technology. This subtle storytelling adds an emotional layer to the experience, prompting you to contemplate the human connection we forge with our devices.

As you delve deeper into the phone’s digital world, you begin to question the purpose of the update. Is it truly for the betterment of the phone, or is there a more sinister motive at play? The game masterfully navigates between light-hearted humour and moments of genuine pathos. This forces you to confront the potential consequences of technological advancements. The whole thing has a wonderfully charming Pixar-vibe about it.

Some Minor Flaws

Backfirewall_ isn’t without its flaws. The narrative, while engaging, remains relatively simple. The environmental puzzles, though varied, can become repetitive after a while. However, the game’s charm and ingenuity easily overshadow these minor shortcomings.

Final thoughts on Backfirewall_

Ultimately, Backfirewall_ is a delightful surprise. It’s a puzzle game and adventure platformer with a heart. A witty satire on our dependence on technology and a surprisingly heartwarming story about the connections we maintain in a digital age. Whether you’re a seasoned puzzle enthusiast or simply looking for a unique and charming experience, Backfirewall_ is a must-play. It’s a game that will leave you chuckling, pondering, and perhaps a little hesitant to hit that “update” button!

Review: Tram Simulator: Urban Transit

Daniel Waite
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Review: Tram Simulator: Urban Transit

Tram Simulator: Urban Transit ticks that heavy machinery itch. If you are obsessed with Train Sim World but want a slightly different experience, then this could be the game for you. Furthermore, if you’ve played Bus Simulator, the fictional US city will feel familiar. Accordingly, you’ll jump into your tram, select your route, and allow the rails to guide you.

This transport simulation title was developed by stillalive studios and published by astragon Entertainment. Moreover, it can be enjoyed alone or online with others. I’ve never tried the latter option, but I can imagine it’ll be a testing but relaxing endeavour. During the single-player experience, gamers enjoy a sandbox option, career mode, story mode, or a driving school. I suggest you swallow your pride and get some training. If you don’t, you’ll struggle to understand the fundamentals.

Tram Simulator: Urban Transit tries to add some depth. 

Though sim aficionados dislike a story-rich game, I like the sense of belonging and the ability to build relationships. Consequently, I think Tram Simulator: Urban Transit has hit a sweet spot. The action has a loose narrative that is well-paced and interesting to listen to. Moreover, the missions are fascinating, and building your company from scratch is extremely rewarding. 

If you pick the driving school mode, you are talked through the basics and allowed to get hands-on with a tram. Alternatively, if you test your ability and skills in either the story or career paths, you’ll be free to waste hours as you explore and expand the large fictional city. It was this freedom that was truly rewarding. I loved the ability to earn cash and to make my business flourish. Moreover, there is a small selection of trams to buy and each has specific characteristics. 

A fine balancing act. 

The developer has done a great job of making this challenging but not overbearing. Handling each tram is child’s play, and creating routes was a straightforward experience. However, keeping to the speed limit and staying on the right side of the law wasn’t so easy. Consequently, you must pay attention to your speedometer if you wish to be a professional driver. 

Increasing your fleet requires money and plenty of patience. Luckily, money is easy to come by as every tram stop is packed with paying punters. As you complete your task, you earn XP to expand your stopping options. What’s more, the money can be invested wisely as you purchase vintage vehicles or the latest model. Either way, you’ll have a great time familiarising yourself with each motor vehicle. 

A relaxing time. 

Bus Simulator was great, but I found it quite stressful keeping on top of every detail. Luckily, Tram Simulator: Urban Transit is much more relaxing. After all, you don’t have to steer and this makes it less demanding. Alongside this, as long as you abide by the law and pick up passengers, nothing can go wrong. Subsequently, you’ll sit back, relax, and take in the vibrant and colourful world. 

Tram Simulator: Urban Transit is pleasant to look at. 

Like its peers, Tram Simulator: Urban Transit cuts some corners. The character models are oddly alike, and some texture issues are somewhat unpolished. However, the trams look fantastic, and the city is alive with cars and people. This layer of vibrancy makes exploring the world an enjoyable endeavour. 

The audio was great to listen to. A combination of pleasant songs and realistic sound effects helps to keep things interesting. Furthermore, it isn’t overbearing and this helps when you endure lengthy gaming sessions. 

Excellent controls. 

Simulation games and consoles don’t normally mix. The vast array of inputs and a gamepad can be a messy experiment. However, the excellent UI and thorough tutorial help you to keep on top of things. What’s more, the inputs are responsive, and every layer is brilliantly straightforward. 

Investing your time in the career mode is where longevity and replay value are at the fore. Alternatively, if you want an objective-based approach, the story mode is for you. However, freedom and easy action can be found in the sandbox world. Either way, you’ll enjoy plenty of tram action and a vibrant city.

Tram Simulator: Urban Transit will appease sim fans. 

Simulation games can be hit-and-miss. When they are terrible, they are so disappointing. Yet, if they hit the mark, you’ll lose hours of your life. Luckily, Tram Simulator: Urban Transit does a great job. The story is balanced, and the action is enjoyable and challenging. Furthermore, the city is massive and great to explore. My only complaint is it can be challenging to understand the speed limits. However, this is minor and I recommend buying it here! Can you run a successful transport empire? Learn the basics, buy a tram, and get to work.

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