Review: Wuthering Waves

Sam Butler
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Review: Wuthering Waves

Wuthering Waves is an open world action RPG developed by Kuro Games. It follows the same style as other gatcha games, such as Genshin Impact and Tower Of Fantasy. Wuthering Waves hopes to carve out its niche with its faster-paced combat and spin on artifacts with a creature collecting system.

The World of Solaris-3

Your character, Rover, wakes up in Solaris-3 without their memories. Rover meets various characters along their journey, which helps them become established in the world. There was an event in the past called the Lament, an apocalyptic event that created these monsters called Tacet Discords, which you fight. The story’s first act establishes the world, various factions, and connects Rover to the history of Solaris-3.

Honestly, the start of the game is a bad first impression. A lot of the initial world-building felt like information overload, which caused me to zone out of what was happening at times. To add to these woes, some of the characters’ voice-acting and writing felt one-note, bland, and inconsistent with other characters. Some character’s personalities shined; others make you want to skip through the dialogue and get to the rest of the game.

Open World

While the story is underwhelming, exploring Wuthering Waves is a fun experience. There are loads of activities for players to get Astrites, the currency needed to obtain characters and weapons on the various banners. You can solve puzzles, complete time trials where you fight enemies, and even play mini-games. There is a currency called waveplates, the time-gated currency for certain activities. You have 240 waveplates, and one waveplate regenerates every six minutes. So the idea is you can log into the game once per day and spend the waveplates leveling up your characters and weapons without spending too much time on the daily grind. Each activity costs about 40 to 60 waveplates, which felt like I had enough to grind daily.

Solaris-3 has a lot of things to explore and collect, so the game gives you options to traverse it. Unlocking teleporters around will help you fast-travel to your destinations. You have a glider and grappling hook, which allow you to traverse gaps. The most interesting thing that Wuthering Waves added is how to scale cliffs. Sprinting at walls allows you to start running up walls. This feature made me happy, as other games like this can be tedious to scale cliffs. Exploration overall is fun, and there are various environments to explore.

Gotta Catch Them All?

One of my favorite parts about Wuthering Waves is the combat. You have teams of three characters, all with different elements. You can swap between the three characters when the situation suits that character the best. Each character has a skill and an ultimate ability. You have normal attacks, heavy attacks, and plunging attacks. However, things are faster and more fluid than Genshin Impact. One thing that sets it apart is the intro/outro skills. When a character swaps, they leave behind different abilities. Sometimes, you get stat boosts; sometimes, they deal damage after leaving the field. After charging up your character, swapping will lead to an intro attack. Overall, everything feels fast and has a higher skill ceiling.

The other unique thing about Wuthering Waves is its artifact system. When you defeat monsters in the overworld, you can absorb them, and they become echoes. Echoes give you stat bonuses. Having multiple of the same echoes in an echo set can grant bonus effects such as bonus elemental damage and other powerful effects. You have a data bank where you can record the echoes you collect, which will increase your stamina and get better echoes as you progress deeper into the game. While you can only collect all the echoes in your world once a day, you can visit other people’s worlds to continue the echo hunt. The downside is that you need a resource called tuners to roll substats, which can turn into the grindy, RNG-dependent nature of gatcha games. I enjoy that you are incentivized to go to other people’s worlds and co-op the game. I also like that you have more chances of getting a desired main stat for the echoes, but you’re still praying to get good substats for the characters.

It’s A Gatcha Game, After All

After collecting enough Astrites, you can spend them on various character and weapon banners to have a chance of getting the characters you want. The game starts with a beginner banner, which gives you a 5-star character and other goodies. From there, the game gives you the choice of a 5-star character to pull on, which will guarantee you that character. There is also the standard banner and a limited event banner, which rotates characters. You need about 1600 Astrites to pull ten times on normal banners. For event banners, you have a 50/50 chance of getting that event character. If you lose your 50/50 shot, you are guaranteed the event character the next time you pull a 5-star character. The maximum number of rolls you need to pull a 5-star event character is 80, less than Genshin Impact’s 90 pulls.

For transparency, I think my luck on the gatcha was pretty good. I obtained the best healer from my beginner banner, and thanks to some in-game mail, I could grab the best DPS at the start of the game. Each account will be different, and it’s important to gatcha responsibly. While I think this game is generous with rewarding you at the start of the game, I think it will still be a grind for free-to-play players to build up resources. Expect to plan carefully for future banners. I cannot predict the future, so while the rewards I got while playing the game are generous, I do not know if this will continue into the future.

A Long-Term Investment

Wuthering Waves is a free-to-play gatcha game. They want you to spend your time in their world and hopefully spend money on it. So, is Wuthering Waves worth playing? I think long-term, it is. Its combat is very solid, and the exploration aspect is also fun. Its biggest faults are the story, which is very weak, and the voice acting of some characters is subpar. To Kuro Games’ credit, they are working to address these issues. The game has been patched constantly since I started playing, and they are working to address the voice acting. If you’re looking for a fast-paced action game and a deep, open world, I recommend Wuthering Waves. If you’re more of a story person, maybe wait to see if the story improves.

Review: The Fate of Baldr

Phant0m
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Review: The Fate of Baldr

I haven’t played many games like this, a tower defense that can be played with multiple people and it’s also a shooter if the idea wasn’t bold enough, and oddly enough it all just seemed to work. Hi my name is phant0m and these are my thoughts on… The Fate of Baldr.

Visuals

First thing you’ll notice in this game Is visuals I haven’t quite seen before, it looks kinda weird, like old and cheap mobile games. Certain aspects of the visuals work specifically when your on a super outlandish and colorful world that you wouldn’t see in the industry, but when the colors are gone; so is the flair, luckily there’s only a few areas that struck me that way. On top of those facts I cant help but feel that the character models feel exactly the same. Enemies will be used as an example, they just look low quality and ugly, which luckily they chose ugly creatures to begin with. Our lead characters on the other hand dont look as bad, honestly they look really cool, especially with their blend of space viking type of design which i was really digging.

Gameplay

The gameplay of this game is super unique! There are 4 different builds all accompanied by a skill tree! That in my experience helped in differentiating everything! On top of that is sometimes mediocre combat, when it came to the guns or melee weapons I couldn’t help but feel disappointed. Not because there was little variety but more so in how weak it felt. Enemies came up to me and once they arrived get absolutely mauled by bullets just to remain standing? It was super frustrating because I felt useless compared to my overpowered friends. The towers actually made sense! They dealt high amounts of damage and I could finish the job after, but the towers being powerful made my character feel despaired by theyre strength instead of needed since most of the levels come off as easy To fix this in my own opinion, I believe the developers should flood the players and towers with way more enemies and increase the damage output of weapons to change the gameplay from slow and sometimes boring to fast high action tower defense shooter. At least that would intrigue me a bit more.

Story/Characters/Music

There isn’t much to talk about in this regard. Story here is non-existent which is fine since most of the game was fun to get through without it. Characters consisted of 4 different classes to choose from, since your character doesn’t make any noises or nothing they all come off as very samey. Lastly the music is fine, it’s not amazing, but it’s definitely not bad, it crosses the border perfectly. Basically I’m fine listening to this.

Performance 

The performance of the game is pretty outstanding, I’m getting around 200 fps no issue and that’s pretty insane considering I’m only rockin a 165 hz monitor that barely ever gets to show off especially when it comes to games at maximum settings.

Verdict

Anyways if you’re wondering. I do recommend this game. It’s not a combination of what I usually like but it does the basics well enough that many will like it. I give it a 7/10. Its negatives mostly lie in the fact that the gameplay can get dull and tiring after long hours. And how much of the game only pulls off average and not exceeding beyond that. Anyways those were my thoughts on The Fate of Baldr. Thanks for Reading! 🙂

Side Notes

This review was constructed on an RX 6750 XT Power color and an Intel i5 13400f PC!

Review: Timberman: The Big Adventure

Daniel Waite
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Review: Timberman: The Big Adventure

Timberman: The Big Adventure is a colourful retro title that made me smile. This 90s-inspired experience won’t push you too hard. However, the straightforward gameplay is interesting enough to pique your interest. Moreover, the 16-bit pixel art aesthetic tugs at your nostalgia-infused heartstrings.

This 2D side-scrolling platform adventure title was developed by Digital Melody and published by Forever Entertainment. Furthermore, it can be enjoyed alone or locally as a cooperative game. Either way, the action doesn’t change, and the difficulty remains the same. Additionally, there are some collectables to search for, enemies to thwart, and 3 massive bosses to overcome. Accordingly, though it is compact and lacking in depth, it is addictive, simple, and wonderfully dated.

Timberman: The Big Adventure is heart-warming. 

Tales of separated families and heroic deeds make me all gooey inside. There is nothing better than a selfless act. What’s more, if a family can be reunited at the same time, then sign me up! Luckily, this is exactly what happens in Timberman: The Big Adventure. This heart-warming tale lacks complexity, but its story and core mechanics will bring a smile to your face.

The hero is a humble lumberjack. Yet, when his bear friend is separated from his family, he must act. Additionally, when Evil Corp wishes to decimate the beautiful forest, this enrages the protagonist. Consequently, he grabs his axe, pulls up his big boy pants, and undertakes a brief but retro romp through the woods.

Straightforward mechanics. 

I adore 90s platform titles. The straightforward mechanics and clichéd plot always got under my skin. Thankfully, Timberman: The Big Adventure captures these elements throughout. The core gameplay demands that you negotiate tight but interesting stages. As you explore, you’ll find collectables and hidden locations. Moreover, there is an array of enemies to kill and some simple platforming elements to overcome.

These rudimentary ideas won’t blow you away. However, I loved the casual approach and the countless secrets. Furthermore, the fun mini-games were addictive. These silly distractions were unnecessary, but I couldn’t put them down. Subsequently, they added some depth to an otherwise shallow experience. 

Alongside the exploration moments were some big boss battles. In typical 90s fashion, the encounters weren’t too testing. As such, you may die a few times, but once you get to grips with the task at hand, you’ll overcome every boss you face.

Timberman: The Big Adventure is strikingly garish. 

The visuals are as retro as the gameplay. Timberman: The Big Adventure has a fantastic 16-bit pixel art style that belongs to a bygone era. Moreover, the excellent stage design is compact but fascinating to explore. Thanks to the 2D approach, the developers could incorporate plenty of secret locations. This was great as it prevented the action from feeling flat whilst adding a minor layer of depth. 

The audio is shrill and uncomfortable, but brilliantly dated. I loved the simple tunes and the rudimentary sound effects. Though the soundtrack won’t get your foot tapping, it was enjoyable nonetheless. The aesthetics are as dated and basic as they come. However, I loved the presentation and its casual simplicity. 

Excellent controls. 

Though I didn’t expect the controls to be complicated. I hoped it to be responsive and relaxing to play. Thankfully, a well-considered layout and a quick tutorial get you up and running in no time. Moreover, the platforms are positioned so that precision and accuracy are a must. Consequently, though it is relatively easy to navigate the world, you must always be alert to reduce frustration. 

The hidden areas and cooperative gameplay enhance replay value. However, Timberman: The Big Adventure is a disappointingly short affair. Just as you get into the swing of things, the game is all but over. Luckily, it is inexpensive and this mitigates the short playtime.

Timberman: The Big Adventure is fun but shallow. 

Platforming games never used to be this easy. Sadly, Timberman: The Big Adventure won’t challenge skilled gamers. However, it is still enjoyable and I loved the aesthetics. Additionally, the mini-games were fun and the bosses tested you momentarily. Accordingly, this affordable title was satisfying and I recommend buying it here! Can you reunite the bear with its family? Grab an axe, explore the forest, and defeat the Evil Corp.

Review: Archetype Arcadia

Jorge Castilho
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Review: Archetype Arcadia

New Waters, New Horizons

Before I start giving my opinion on Archetype Arcadia, I want to make it clear to the reader
that the genre is not one I am most familiar with. However, in this review I try to give a fair
reflection of what the game represents.

The Gripping Narrative of Archetype Arcadia

Archetype Arcadia dives into a bleak post-apocalyptic world corrupted by a mysterious
disease. In this world, the only escape seems to be a captivating virtual reality known as
Archetype Arcadia. This dark science fiction visual novel offers a compelling narrative with
interesting themes, but stumbles with pacing and some underdeveloped elements.

The world-building in Archetype Arcadia is its strongest aspect. The disease, Peccatomania,
is a fascinating concept. It twists people’s minds, driving them to destructive urges. This
social collapse creates a constant sense of dread and hopelessness, making Archetype
Arcadia a world on the brink. The virtual world serves as a stark contrast, offering a
fantastical escape but shrouded in its own mysteries. As someone who likes a good story in
my games, from the beginning I was hooked on the concept offered by Kemco Games.

Choices, Characters, and Uneven Pacing

As a visual novel, Archetype Arcadia focuses on story and character interaction. The
narrative unfolds through beautifully illustrated scenes and dialogue choices that influence
the story’s path. The branching narrative keeps you engaged, wondering how your choices
will impact the characters and the world. While the core story is intriguing, the pacing can
be uneven at times. Certain sections drag on, while others feel rushed.

The characters in Archetype Arcadia are well-developed, each with their own motivations
and struggles. The protagonist was easy for me to connect with, maybe because i have a
“weak spot” for this type of dark character. The supporting cast is a mix of allies and rivals
within the virtual world, each with their own stake in its existence. However, some seem to
be unnecessary or even with somewhat forced motivations to integrate into the main story,
while others don’t get the screentime they deserve.

A Feast for the Senses

The artwork in Archetype Arcadia is phenomenal. The character designs are distinct and
expressive, while the backgrounds range from the desolate wastelands of the real world to
the vibrant landscapes of Archetype Arcadia. The soundtrack is equally impressive, with
haunting melodies that perfectly complement the atmosphere. I trully recommend the use
of headphones, it transforms the journey you are about to make.

Conclusion

Archetype Arcadia is a visual novel with a lot to offer. The world, characters, and core
themes are captivating, but the pacing and underdeveloped elements hold it back from
reaching its full potential. Despite these shortcomings, Archetype Arcadia is a visually
stunning and narratively engaging experience, especially for fans of dark science fiction. If
you’re looking for a choice-driven story with a unique premise and beautiful visuals,
Archetype Arcadia is worth checking out, but be prepared for a few bumps along the way.

Four best films about the digital world

Andrew Edney
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Four best films about the digital world

Once a science-fiction concept and the stuff of fantasy, digital technology has advanced to such an impressive level that digital world films are mirroring the developments we’re experiencing – especially in the world of artificial intelligence (AI) and other technological sensations. Technology has impacted so many sectors that it’s impossible to think of the world without it. Shopping, finance, banking, food, travel, and online gambling all operate through the prism of the digital world. 

Casino games, and gambling in general, have transformed into an entirely new dimension of gaming. Live table games, for example, have transitioned from land-based casino floors to the Royal Panda online platform within the space of a couple of decades. However, casino gaming is just one small element of how the digital world constantly changes and adjusts to our behavior. All of the digital world films we will touch on in this article have one thing in common – they were innovative and predicted a world that few people envisaged, but they now look more like prophecies than works of fiction.

#1 – Terminator 1 and 2 – (1984 & 1991)

Often billed as two of the greatest science fiction films ever made, the original 1980s classic put Arnold Schwarzenegger on the map as a Hollywood A-lister. Operating from a dystopian future and the modern-day setting of 1980s America, the film follows the Terminator on his quest to murder the future leader of the resistance, John Connor, before he’s even born. 

Many believe the second film is better than the first, combining with the first into a thrilling sequel. The second film is widely regarded as one of the greatest and most innovative science fiction films ever made. As AI becomes far more intelligent, doomsayers believe we grow closer to a Terminator-like scenario every day – although this is unlikely, for now.

#2 – 2001 A Space Odyssey – (1968)

Venturing into classic cinema, it’s hard to believe that Kubrick’s iconic digital world classic is over half a century old. For many, it is the magnum opus of one of cinema’s most outstanding directors.

Although polarizing at first – with some people even walking out of the original screening – it is one of the most innovative films of all time. It transcends the concept of science fiction and the digital world, featuring a soundtrack and storyline that has stood the test of time. 

#3 – The Matrix – (1999)

Set during the angsty, uncertain backdrop of the late 1990s, The Matrix channels multiple concepts and has fostered many fan theories about its true meaning. Although the action shots and cinematography were widely praised for their innovation, it is a film that has taken on deeper meaning as more of us become perennially fixated online. The concept of a digital world, bolstered by AI and Virtual Reality (VR), becomes even more of a possibility. 

Back in the late 1990s, computers, programming, and the idea of the internet becoming the driving factor in global society were all theories and hot topics for debate. Now, billions of people continue to channel almost every aspect of their existence through social media, the internet, and mobile phones. The Matrix is more relevant now than when it was released a quarter of a century ago, yet despite several recent installments to the franchise falling short of the mark, the original film’s legacy remains untouched.

#4 – The Social Network – (2010)

While The Social Network might not initially jump out as a digital world film, it details the rise of a monolithic figure in social media – Mark Zuckerberg. The pioneering, New York-based tech billionaire owns Instagram, Facebook, and WhatsApp, and has forked the company’s rebranding into the world of VR.

It is a real-life example and a fantastic depiction of how the internet can be a force for good but also a force for evil, and one man’s unquenchable thirst for power and respect. As Instagram dominates modern-day advertising, with many people seemingly living their whole existence through it, the digital world is now the modern world. There’s arguably no other figure who has influenced this transition more than Zuckerberg himself. 

However, from a critical perspective, the film has a fantastic soundtrack and excellent performances from Jesse Eisenberg and Andrew Garfield. Also, it is Quentin Tarantino’s favorite film of the entire decade; not a bad quote to have attached to your film. 

The film won multiple Academy Awards, and as the dangers of social media and its unmeasurable impact on society continue to drive conversation, The Social Network shows us how and where it all truly started to explode into a global juggernaut, with Zuckerberg at the helm. 

Review: Endless Ocean Luminous

Khloe Turner
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Review: Endless Ocean Luminous
Title screen of Endless Ocean Luminous

After a fifteen-year silence, developer Arika released a long-awaited installment of the Endless Ocean series, bringing to life Endless Ocean Luminous; an adventure simulation game where players freely explore the expanse of the “Veiled Sea” and discover and learn about a myriad of sea creatures.

This game was released on the Nintendo Switch on May 2nd, 2024.

An endlessly generated ocean

Players have the choice of playing the story mode, or taking a freestyle solo or multiplayer dive.

Main hub menu of Endless Ocean Luminous

You play as a marine researcher tasked with tagging fish and taking snapshots of them within the unexplored sea. In the story mode, players are accompanied by Sera, the assistant AI who aids with navigation and support. Sera points out to you the “World Coral,” which hosts a healthy variety of wildlife and is crucial to the survival of the Veiled Sea’s ecosystem. The research team begun “Project Aegis” in order to rescue the coral reef from succumbing to necrosis.

While exploring the depths of the ocean–specifically during the solo and multiplayer dives–the map is randomly generated every time. Essentially, players are not even exploring the same ocean . . . after ending a dive session, it is not like you can then go back and return to a previous location you explored.

For other games, the random generation works quite well and provides a unique freshness to the experience. Such is the case with Minecraft or Don’t Starve. For Endless Ocean Luminous, I feel as if this feature does not really add anything to the experience. If anything, it takes away from the continuity and geographical memory of the Veiled Sea. In reality, the landscape of an ocean does not fully shift every thirty minutes. It feels as if I am exploring different seas entirely every time, but not in an interesting way.

Low risk low reward

There are several things players are able to do in the game, and the vibe is overall relaxing and chill. You do not have any particular goals outside of the story mode, other than collecting sparkling items and taking pictures of fish you find in order to extrapolate data. Players can dive and swim, tag creatures, take snapshots, and permit some fish to follow you around. There are achievements and badges you can acquire, so while this is a nice feature for collectors, I believe that most people that play this game are just looking for something slow-paced and cozy.

Yellowtail fish picture in Endless Ocean Luminous

Players can explore several different sea biomes, like kelp forests, coral reefs, and polar areas. There is said to be over 500 species of sea creatures waiting to be explored, ranging from marine life you could find in real life, to once-thought “extinct” species (e.g., the Megalodon) or even mythical creatures.

Lucky for the scuba diving researcher, players have no stakes whatsoever. The diver can never run out of oxygen, nor get too cold, tired, or hungry. Players cannot get hurt nor attacked by any creature, no matter how menacing. For the vibe of the game, this makes sense. Endless Ocean Luminous is supposed to be soothing and curious. For gamers who enjoy a challenge, or any sort of tangible consequence . . . then this is certainly not a game you would be looking for.

A sea of nothingness

Is Endless Ocean Luminous a relaxing and somewhat enjoyable video game? Sure. Is it a full-fledged, adventure game worth $50? In my opinion . . . not really.

Oannes relic in the story mode of Endless Ocean Luminous

The story mode, while nice to have in theory, is kind of irrelevant. It simply serves as a tutorial that teaches players in twoish-minute chapters all the different game functions. It is great to showcase all the mechanics in this format, but why disguise it as a story mode?

The story itself is much of nothing. Players are exposed to monotonous, uninteresting dialogue . . . and that is about it. The whole topic on “Project Aegis” and the “World Coral” only extends so deep, yet it implies that it is so important to the point if it were to fully die out, all life on the planet would perish. Not only is Project Aegis private information that the publish is unaware of, but I find it strange that only two divers are set out to learn more about the World Coral and find ways of maintaining its life. Most of the time, players are just taking pictures of fish anyways. It isn’t until several chapters in that Sera explains to Daniel and the player that you must fix the coral’s “geological veins.”

World Coral in Endless Ocean Luminous

It is a sure nod to reality-based efforts to fight coral bleaching and ecosystem disruption. Endless Ocean Luminous attempts to be a learning tool, but these blips of information fail to elaborate and pretty much reinforce details that most people are already aware of.

The mechanics of the story mode are rather lame. Players’ movements are incredibly restricted, the instructions are sometimes unclear, and the friendship-rivalry with your coworker Daniel lacks dynamism. There were many moments where I simply skipped several chapters of the tutorial. I would rather just explore and understand the game myself.

Explore the unexplored

The solo and multiplayer modes are where Endless Ocean Luminous shines the brightest (though not by much). In the solo dives, players have near-absolute freedom to move around and explore the seabed and caves and reefs galore. There are random sets of marine creatures clustered in different areas, for example in a seemingly barren area I discovered a whale shark, several schools of fish, and had a “rare” encounter with the mythical shark Thanatos. Taking pictures of these creatures will give players information on that species’ habitat, diet, and size. There is not really any in-depth data given. While somewhat of a learning feature, it is not a full-scale encyclopedia.

Players are able to customize their scuba diver with different color options. You can also purchase more stickers to tag with and more emotes to communicate with on multiplayer. Players acquire currency by extrapolating data, salvaging, filling out the sea map, and harvesting bioluminescent algae. Some purchasable items are unlocked by attaining achievements, however.

Customize the diver screen in Endless Ocean Luminous

In the multiplayer mode, you can play with up to 30 players online. This function does not add anything practical to the experience, but might offer some good vibes and the fun of learning together. The online play seems to run smoothly without issue.

Beautiful setting, in “Nintendo Switch terms”

Many people describe the graphics as rather breathtaking, but I was admittedly underwhelmed. When watching the trailer to Endless Ocean Luminous, I was expecting a magical atmosphere and a highly detailed appearance of the seascape. When actually playing the game, sure, the graphics are lovely . . . by Nintendo Switch standards. There is an overall fuzziness to the graphics because the Switch can only process so much. Though, the sea creatures and corals themselves are indeed impressively realistic. The details of the fish both large and small are quite mesmerizing.

Photo of giant sea turtle in Endless Ocean Luminous

There were times where the visuals impressed me, and other times where they were major disappointments. The Veiled Sea is pretty, but there are also so many spots on the map in which the sea is just bare and devoid.

The search for awe and wonder

When I would encounter groups of marine life, there was the occasional awe and excitement. I mean, fish are beautifully weird. Witnessing the menacing grace of the Rajas Emas coelacanth or the Lamba Apsara is quite the sight to see, especially when playing Endless Ocean Luminous on the big television screen.

Otherwise, the game just seemed to majorly lack a certain something. I never became fully engrossed into the atmosphere, and the style of it felt rather uninspired and nonmagical. In terms of underwater simulations, there are definite other titles that do deliver wonderous, artful experiences to the mysterious ocean depths, such as Subnautica, Abzu, or Koral. These games are equipped with their own sort of artistic choices and immersive charm. Endless Ocean as a series just does not seem to hold up. I think that Luminous should have done something more profoundly unique and make it stand out from its previous 2000s titles to be up in the running as a sea-inspired competitor.

Final thoughts

Thanatos shark in Endless Ocean Luminous

Once upon a time, Endless Ocean served as a novelty for an at-home diving experience. Now, despite its polished graphics, it is anything but a shell of itself. The fish are so nicely detailed, the soundtrack is chill, and the playthrough may be fun for half an hour.

Endless Ocean Luminous is going to have a hard time being someone’s first choice for an underwater simulation experience. To be frank, I think I would just rather go to an aquarium.

Review: Rum Ram

Xavier Berry
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0
Review: Rum Ram

If you really, really enjoy party games but don’t want the hassle of rotating between various party modes then Run Ram is the title for you. With a heavy focus on multiplayer, this game would be a fun way to pass a couple of minutes but unfortunately it is a dull experience due to the lack of features to keep you playing.

When I booted up the game, I was ready for some chaotic multiplayer gameplay but was met with an extremely upsetting experience. You have a couple of modes which include couch co-op and online. While there is a training mode to experiment with, the A.I just seemed to sit in one play with no movement so training turned into me just hitting stationary targets. Strangely enough, the training mode is the only one to offer the option of fighting A.I so unless you have a group that is ready to sit down and play the game, there isn’t much here to offer up. 

For those with a group that wants to engage in some fun party action, you have a small amount of game modes to run through. Traditional modes such as death match and team deathmatch make an appearance here with the goal being to simply blow up more ships than the others. There is also a one shot mode that means you have one life during the duration of the match. From the small amount of experience I got from the training mode, I could see that the ships don’t function differently and are more of an aesthetic choice.

You will fire cannons in an attempt to destroy the other ships and rack up points. You are also able to drop explosive barrels in order to damage opponents who are trailing too closely. I would love to explain how well these mechanics work in action but after spending multiple moments searching for a lobby with no success, I can only offer up what I was able to play through the very limited training mode. 

There are multiple maps to switch between and this will give you a wonderful change of scenery but the experience will be the same no matter what map you decide to go with. Blowing up each other’s ships and causing chaos will surely wear out its welcome after a couple of matches but this is a feeling you’ll only get to enjoy in the off chance you are able to find a match.


I cannot stress enough how unenjoyable this experience was due to the inability to find a match to play online and with a simple feature such as A.I opponents missing, this is a game that comes hard to recommend. Hopefully down the road, the devs are able to implement a way to enjoy what is on offer here. The game has a solid foundation and the potential to be enjoyable but it is hard to see that potential when you are staring at a screen that tells you no matches can be found on multiple occasions. 

Review: Arctis Nova 5X headset

Daniel Waite
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Review: Arctis Nova 5X headset

The Arctis Nova 5X headset from SteelSeries is pretty special. Available for under £130 this device is at the upper end of the mid-point price range. However, this outlay is worth every penny if you love gaming and plenty of features. Additionally, they are unbelievably comfortable and they are compatible with many gaming platforms.

Depending on which model you buy, you can connect seamlessly to your Xbox, PC, or PlayStation. The Arctis Nova 5X headset is designed for Xbox and PC. Furthermore, it has a wireless dongle or Bluetooth compatibility. Accordingly, you can use it on your Nintendo Switch, Steam Deck, or ROG Ally if you so wish. This versatility was impressive. However, it was the build and audio quality that blew me away!

Alongside this, the introduction of a mobile gaming app was spectacular. SteelSeries has outdone itself with this user-friendly software. With the touch of a button, you can alter your EQ settings or select pre-designed gaming profiles. Consequently, you can adjust your audio on the fly and maximise your gaming potential.

What’s in the box of the Arctis Nova 5X headset?

  • The packaging is robust and attractive. Furthermore, it can be recycled, and the contents are well protected. 
  • The Arctis Nova 5X headset has a sleek design. The black finish is professional, and the tactile buttons are well-positioned. Moreover, it has a retractable microphone. 
  • Connect the headset with the wireless dongle.
  • Extend your dongle connection with the USB extender. 
  • Charge the device with the USB-C cable. 
  • Learn the fundamentals with the user manual.

Technical aspects. 

SteelSeries is renowned for its exceptional gaming accessories. Luckily, the Arctis Nova 5X headset doesn’t break this mould. This device has it all! Spatial awareness audio for immersive sound, an exceptional microphone that delivers crystal clear communication, and a whopping 60-hour battery life. Furthermore, you may flit between wireless and Bluetooth connectivity at the touch of a button. Subsequently, you can game and take calls with ease.

Alongside these elements is the exceptional Nova companion app. This free-to-download software allows you to utilise pre-installed game profiles. Additionally, you may save a unique profile for your wireless and Bluetooth connection. Accordingly, you’ll enjoy a seamless transition and a user-friendly experience every time you play your favourite game. 

The ability to use your headset for a week without charging is an attractive proposition. The 60-hour battery life and fast charging facility make this a reality. For “normal” gamers, this battery life far outweighs their gaming hours. However, streamers and heavy users will find the fast charging essential. Luckily, a quick boost of power gets you back into the game in no time. Consequently, around 2 hours of charging will fill the battery and get you back on your feet. Alternatively, 15 minutes of charge will give you 6 hours of gaming fun. 

Connectivity. 

I never knew I needed multipoint technology until I tested it. The ability to flit from one device to the other at the touch of a button is game-changing. Moreover, if you need to take important phone calls, or you use video calling for work, the Arctis Nova 5X headset has you covered. The discreet button on the earcups transfers connectivity from your USB dongle to any compatible Bluetooth device. 

This quick and trouble-free transition lets you change gaming platforms without fuss. Moreover, there are fewer wires and even fewer problems to overcome. This user-friendly experience is ideal if you want to reduce stress whilst improving your limited gaming time. 

On top of this, the Nova companion app allows you to adjust your gaming profile and settings on the fly. Therefore, if you change genre or your hearing becomes sensitive, you can tweak the settings for the ultimate audio experience. 

Sound quality. 

The audio quality blew my mind! The 40mm Neodymium drivers deliver crisp tones and an exceptional bass line. The highly detailed soundscape is perfect for audiophiles. Additionally, the balanced levels ensure that every game, film, or TV series sounds as it should. These drivers support the exceptional 360° Spatial Audio.

This immersive audio experience allows users to hear every sound. This creates a truly unique and captivating sensation that transforms how you game. Additionally, the ability to identify minute noises gives the user a match-winning edge. As such, if you love competitive FPS games, or you adore booming soundtracks and awe-inspiring sound effects, then these headphones are ideal. 

Competitive titles fall flat if communication is poor. Luckily, the retractable microphone utilises ClearCast 2.X. This next-gen feature delivers 2x the bandwidth and twice the audio clarity (32KHz/16Bit audio). This is essential if you wish to remove hideous ambient sounds. Thankfully, this special mic is beautifully clear without any unfortunate cracking, popping, or echoed audio. Furthermore, you needn’t shout or scream as the microphone head can be placed wherever you wish. The result? Clear communication with your friends and a quieter house.

Build quality.

This lightweight device is flexible, comfortable, and perfect for marathon sessions. Moreover, the tactile earcup dials enhance usability. Whereas the retractable microphone retains a streamlined appearance. Thankfully, the oversized earcups are comfortable without adding pressure to your temples. Moreover, if you are a wearer of glasses, the soft padding enables you to game comfortably. 

This padding never overheated, and I experienced no sweating or other heat-related side effects. Additionally, the soft support headband can be adjusted to create the perfect fit. This material is supported by a strong but flexible main headband unit. This hard-wearing element is designed with poise and balance in mind. Consequently, once you place the device on your head, it won’t slip, and you’ll feel no pressure or discomfort. 

Is the Arctis Nova 5X headset worth it?

SteelSeries has somehow moved the goalposts again. Thanks to the incredible Nova companion app, I believe that these headphones are better than the Arctis Nova 7X Wireless headphones. This is a big statement as I love everything about the 7X. However, the next-gen microphone, exceptional audio, incredible build quality, and user-friendly app make this a market leader. Accordingly, it’s a no-brainer! Up the ante and impress your friends by buying this here!

(More information on SteelSeries can be found here!)

The Arctis Nova 5X headset has been awarded the Movies Games and Tech Gold Award.

(Full disclosure! SteelSeries provided a sample for an unbiased and free review!)

Review: Edifier W820NB Plus Headphones

Andrew Edney
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0
Review: Edifier W820NB Plus Headphones

Here is our review of the Edifier W820NB Plus Headphones.

Features

  • Hassle-free phone calls with DNN noise cancellation technology
  • Experience the upgraded noise cancellation with ANC depth of up to -43dB
  • Up to 49 hours continuous playback when ANC off
  • Personalize your listening experience with customizable EQ , soothing sounds via Edifier Connect APP
  • Latency as low as 0.08s under game mode
  • Hi-Res Audio & Hi-Res Audio Wireless certified
  • 40mm dynamic driver with Titanium coated composite diaphragm plus LDAC codec
  • Both wireless Bluetooth connectivity and wired USB connectivity
  • Better sound quality and less pressure for all-day wearing comfort

What’s in the box?

The box contains the headphones, a charging cable and instructions.

A Closer Look

Final Thoughts

The W820NB Plus headphones are fairly lightweight and feel very comfortable to wear weighing only 220g, even for extended periods of time.

When fully charged (a full charge takes about 90 minutes), the headphones can give you up to 49 hours of usage (without ANC) with up to 33 hours of playback time with ANC (depending on how you use it and your surroundings). If you are in a push, a 10 minute fast charge will give you an extra 7 hours of playback!

The headphones support both Hi-Res Audio and Hi-Res Audio wireless with LDAC certification and the sound quality is fantastic, with music coming through very clearly no matter what type of music you are listening to.  The high-frequency bandwidth is up to 40kHz. The ANC works really well and enables you to focus on what you want to listen to rather than all the noises around you.

In game mode, the latency is as low as 0.08s (according to Edifier), while the sound and pictures are highly synchronised.

You can also use the Edifier Connect App to customise control settings, explore rich and practical functions and discover more music possibilities – definitely take a look at it as it can really personalise the experience for you.

The Edifier W820NB Plus Headphones are available now in either Black, Ivory, Grey, Blue or Green, priced around £59.99.

You can learn more from the Edifier website.

Review: Edifier WH700NB Headphones

Andrew Edney
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0
Review: Edifier WH700NB Headphones

Here is our review of the Edifier WH700NB Headphones.

Features

  • Up to 68 hours continuous playback when ANC off
  • ANC technology isolates the unwanted noise and allows you to hear the environment sound
  • Crystal clear call quality with DNN noise cancellation
  • Effortlessly switch between music, online meetings, videos and calls on dual different devices at the same time
  • Latency as low as 0.08s under game mode, enjoy seamless gaming experience
  • Foldable & lightweight design, ideal for daily use and travel
  • Support Edifier Connect APP

What’s in the box?

The box contains the headphones, a charging cable and instructions.

A Closer Look

Final Thoughts

The WH700NB headphones are fairly lightweight and feel very comfortable to wear, even for extended periods of time. The headphones themselves also look really good and fold up for ease of storage.

When fully charged the headphones can give you up to 68 hours of usage (without ANC) with up to 45 hours of playback time with ANC (depending on how you use it and your surroundings). If you are in a push, a 10 minute fast charge will give you an extra 8 hours of playback!

Pairing the NeoBuds with whatever device you want to use is really simple and quick and they also support Google Fast Pair.

You can use the headphones to make and receive phone calls, powered by advanced Al algorithms and a single microphone with DNN noise cancellation, the headphones picks up human voice clearly even under noisy conditions.

Using Bluetooth 5.3 you can easily switch between listening to music on one device and answering a telephone call on another device.

Sound quality is really good, the WH700NB equipped with 40mm dynamic drivers coated in Titanium, the headphones deliver deep, impactful bass and crystal-clear high frequencies.

You can also use the Edifier Connect App to customise control settings, explore rich and practical functions and discover more music possibilities – definitely take a look at it as it can really personalise the experience for you.

The Edifier WH700NB Headphones are available now in either Black, Ivory, Navy or Grey priced around £49.99.

You can learn more from the Edifier website.

Review: Edifier NeoBuds Pro 2

Andrew Edney
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0
Review: Edifier NeoBuds Pro 2

Here is our review of the Edifier NeoBuds Pro 2.

The EDIFIER WIDE-BAND MULTI-CHANNEL ANC technology adds an independent feed-forward noise cancellation channel that exerts the noise reduction ability of the Knowles balanced armature driver to Hybrid ANC channels, extending the noise cancellation depth to -50dB and the noise cancellation bandwidth to 5kHz.

Spatial audio with real-time head-tracking brings you more realistic, three-dimensional and immersive listening experience. With built-in gyro meter and accelerometer; NeoBuds Pro 2 can track your head movement and change the sound stage rendering in real-time. Furthermore, a visualized head mirroring is shown in Edifier Connect App, giving you more fun experience while enjoying the music.

With digital signal processing and active cross-over, which filter the audio signal into high and mid-low frequency NeoBuds Pro 2 balances all frequencies while keeping precise details and rich sound presentation

With 4+4 built-in microphones and Al machine learning algorithm, NeoBuds Pro 2 filters out environmental and wind noise, and enhances the clarity of vocal sound. You can make phone calls in any kind of scenes.

With the latest LHDC 5.0 HD codec, NeoBuds Pro 2 supports music streaming over Bluetooth with quality up to 192kHz/24bit for the first time.

Features

  • EDIFIER WIDE-BAND MULTI-CHANNEL ANC for wider & deeper ANC
  • Premium sound with Hi-Res Audio Wireless certified and LDAC, achieve 192K/24bit audio over Bluetooth for the first time
  • Spatial audio with visualized head-tracking
  • Perfect call quality with 4+4 microphones beam-forming algorithm solution
  • Intelligent Wearing Detection
  • Edifier Connect APP to customize your EQ, control setting and try the up to 8 LED color selection

What’s in the box?

The box contains the charging case and earbuds, carry pouch, charging cable, instructions and a set of spare tips.

A Closer Look

Final Thoughts

The Edifier NeoBuds Pro 2 are small and lightweight and can be easily carried in a pocket without any fuss.

The battery life is great, lasting around 22 hours when used with the charging case, whilst a 15-minutes fast charge will give you 2 hours of playback time if you are in a rush.

Pairing the NeoBuds with whatever device you want to use is really simple and quick and they also support Google Fast Pair.

The earbuds are comfortable to wear, even for extended periods of time. The box also includes 7 different pairs of ear tips to ensure the best and most comfortable fit for your ears. There is also a nice little carry pouch to keep everything safe and together.

The NeoBuds Pro 2 are equipped with LDAC audio encoding and decoding, with a sampling rate of 192kHz/24bit. With Hi-Res Wireless certification, it possesses the ability to fully, accurately decode and restore audio, presenting the subtle changes in sound quality with clarity, precisely reproducing the charm and vitality of music. All this means that the sound quality is really great and the adaptive noise cancelling system works really well.

Using the earbuds to make and receive phone calls is easy too – the quality of the mic is excellent – there are 4+4 microphones, in noisy environments, the AI algorithm will automatically match the noise reduction level based on the noise level, accurately separate environmental noise and human voice, intelligently denoise environmental noise to preserve a clear and clean human voice, significantly improving speech quality. Even in noisy situations, the call effect is always clear and transparent.

The earbuds are IP54-rated dust and splash proof, allowing you to enjoy music without worrying about the sweat in exercise.

You can also use the Edifier Connect App to customise control settings, explore rich and practical functions and discover more music possibilities – definitely take a look at it as it can really personalise the experience for you.

The Edifier NeoBuds Pro 2 are available now in either Black or Ivory priced around £129.99.

You can learn more from the Edifier website.

Review: Gordian Quest

Mani Naghshbandi
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0
Review: Gordian Quest

Gordian Quest is a very special and lovely combination of several very exciting genres: RPG, deckbuilding, turn-based combat with elements of rogue-lite.


This game is made by the developer of Sairento VR and Hellsweeper VR, i.e. mixed realms, and its publishers for PC are mixed realms and coconut island games.


After two years of early access, Gordian Quest was released on June 23, 2022 for PC, and on October 26, 2023, for Nintendo Switch, and finally, on April 30, 2024, for PS5 and PS4.
The publisher of the console versions is Maximum Entertainment.


Now the question is, is this combination of genres done well?

STORY

When you start the game a lovely voice tells you the story of wrendia, a land that long ago was a great land with many resources where humans and vanai lived, the vanai consumed wrendia’s resources in search of knowledge And experimented powers that were beyond their understanding, the gods banished them and shattered the wrenida into pieces and enchanted each of them with a curse, the vanai vanished from history and Man was left to inherit punishment. centuries of chaos and fear gripped the land, but from the darkness heroes were forged, heroes who faced threats from each region to find a cure for the curses, you are one of these heroes who You start your adventure in Westmire.


After reaching westmire, you reach the garrison town and you realize that this town is attacked by the undead, so you go to help them and gradually life returns to this town by progressing in the story and you meet new people, while You are saving the city, you realize that this attack is related to the riftlord you are looking for and you try to find it, this was only the beginning of the game and the overall story continues and takes about 20 hours.


The story is good and okay, but it is a very simple story that is not very engaging.

GAMEPLAY

When you start the game for the first time, you have three modes to choose from: standard mode: you will revive in town upon being defeated in battle, rogue-lite mode: If your entire party is defeated in battle, your run ends, rogue-like mode: heroes cannot be resurrected at the sanctuary upon death. If your entire party is defeated in battle, your run ends.

And for each of these modes, there are five types of difficulty from easy to torment, and it gives you a lot of freedom in choosing the difficulty level and the type of gameplay.

The gameplay is great and fun and you can easily get immersed in it, at the beginning you have to choose from ten heroes to enter the game, each hero has its own diverse decks and makes the choice difficult, as you progress through the game You get all these ten heroes and you can choose your party of three from among them, and sometimes NPCs may be on your side and you have more than three heroes on your side, but only the three heroes you chose can be controlled.


The equipment of the heroes plays a big role and you can increase the stats of the heroes by wearing powerful armors, the armors add different stats to your hero and you have more options for personalizing the stats by buying or getting more armors.

Each hero can have two weapons that increase its stats or some of them give new cards to that hero, each hero can have two rings, an amulet and a belt and these are like Weapons and armor and will increase stats of the hero who uses them, these equipment are sometimes a reward for completing story mission and sometimes side-quests, and of course some of them can be bought.


Each hero has its own skill tree and can get new cards, more power, more HP, etc. by collecting and using skill points.


In the main hub of the game, Garrison, there are various characters, each of which has its own unique personality and job, in addition to selling the necessary equipment, they also give you quests.
There are many different quests in Gordian Quest, sometimes they are on your main path and you have to do them to reach your main goal, or sometimes they may be on side paths and you don’t have to do them, or sometimes You may have several different paths to reach the goal and each of those paths have various and different missions, one of these missions that caught my attention was the events, which are shown in the shape of a question mark on the map.

In these missions, you would face sudden events, such as seeing a ruin on the way, and leys you to decide if you want to search the ruin for loot or not. These events had different stories, and in some of them, according to your decision you had to take your chances and determine the outcome of the story by rolling the dice, these events are very enjoyable.


The fights are very enjoyable, each hero has a number of action points with which you can use the cards you have and each card consumes a certain number of your action points, you must have a strategy and try to defeat the enemy that you think is more dangerous or keep the hero who has less health away from the enemies, with different strategies, the time of the fights may vary, and even with the right strategy, you can finish harder fights faster than easy fights.


But this wonderful gameplay that we talked about has a problem, and that is that it becomes repetitive easily, and the player goes to the desired mission and returns to the garrison again to buy and fill health, and this loop can be very repetitive and get boring.

VISUALS

Gordian Quest has a very beautiful art style, the character design, the main hub, the background of the fights, the items that are used are all like a beautiful painting.


The resolution and performance are stable and have no problems.

SOUNDTRACKS

The soundtracks are excellent and are very relaxing when it’s calm and very epic when there is a fight going on and sometimes gives a curiosity sense.

CONCLUSION

This game managed to combine several genres in the best way, it has a good story but it is simple and not so engaging, a super fun gameplay that may become a bit repetitive because of its loop, overall Gordian Quest is a wonderful game. Which has so much content that it is definitely worth the $20.

Review: Armed and Gelatinous: Couch Edition

Daniel Waite
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0
Review: Armed and Gelatinous: Couch Edition

Armed and Gelatinous: Couch Edition instantly caught my eye. I love a crazy couch multiplayer game and hoped this would entertain me for hours. The idea of battling friends and family in safe arena-based combat made me smile. Additionally, the varied game modes and colourful imagery were a great choice.

This fast-paced couch competitive title was developed and published by Three Flip Studios. Moreover, it can be enjoyed alone or with up to 3 friends on one console. Consequently, it is bound to start fights and bring out the worst in everyone participating. However, this banter and tongue-in-cheek response makes this genre so enjoyable. 

Armed and Gelatinous: Couch Edition is shallow but amusing. 

As Armed and Gelatinous: Couch Edition focuses on short, sharp arena combat, I didn’t expect there to be much of a story. Yet, it was surprising that there was no depth at all. Accordingly, I am at a loss as to why the blobs are fighting and if there will ever be an end to the conflict. 

The lack of an overarching story matters not. Instead, you focus on the laughter-inducing gameplay. Furthermore, the desire to top the leaderboards while smashing your friends to smithereens overcomes every sensation. As such, things get heated as you compete to become the best blob the universe has ever seen. 

Simple mechanics. 

No matter what game mode you try, Armed and Gelatinous: Couch Edition utilises the same mechanics. Effectively, each player must float across a fixed-screen arena. As you move you must avoid your foes, block their advances, or go for the kill. Each blob uses its mass to destroy its enemy or grab an array of guns and melee weapons to complete the job. 

As the round wears on, your character will grow if you consume food. This is ideal if you wish to bully your opponents. However, the bigger you are, the easier you are to hit. Accordingly, you must balance attack and defence to be crowned the victor. 

Alongside the basic mechanics, you must consider each game mode objective. Whether it is football, American football, dodgeball, Deathmatch, last blob standing, or combo king, you must alter your approach. This varied gameplay and the layers of tactical nuance help to reduce tedium. 

Armed and Gelatinous: Couch Edition is colourful but refined.

The fixed-screen perspective was a great choice. With so much going on, it would have been uncomfortable and hectic if the action was too expansive. However, the refined approach doesn’t mean that the level design was boring. Each stage is vibrant and colourful. Furthermore, the backdrops are easy to the eye. Yet, the insane pace of each round ensures you rarely take in your surroundings. Instead, you concentrate on your foes and where the next weapon or power-up is coming from.

The relentless pace could have made this a messy experience. Luckily, Armed and Gelatinous: Couch Edition performs extremely well. I didn’t experience any bugs and there were no glitches or frame rate issues. Furthermore, though debris and power-ups were floating around, it was easy to identify each protagonist. Subsequently, you could remain on task even when things get out of hand. 

The upbeat audio complements the madness that unfolds. As projectiles fly and melee weapons are swung, you’ll enjoy the bass-heavy soundtrack. Alongside this, the OTT sound effects create a high-energy affair that will make your eardrums ring. 

Excellent controls.

The action revolves around a dashing blob. Consequently, this creates a simple control layout that is easy to master. However, when you have to avoid dashing foes and floating projectiles, things get messy. Luckily, the responsive inputs allow you to react as long as you are paying attention. 

Though there were plenty of game modes, I couldn’t see this entertaining you for hours. Furthermore, the action is limited to offline couch multiplayer only. Had online servers been added to the mix, this would have been more versatile and interesting. As it is, replay value and longevity are limited and this is detrimental to the overall appeal. 

Armed and Gelatinous: Couch Edition is fun in short bursts. 

I had fun playing this with my friends and family. However, it lacked oomph whenever I played against the computer. Subsequently, the lack of online servers is a big issue as it undermines the potential. Yet if you play regularly with a group of friends on 1 screen, you’ll have a blast. Unfortunately, this won’t be the case for me, and it prevents it from excelling. Accordingly, I cannot recommend it, but more information can be found here! Will you become a blob champion? Master the dash, grab a weapon, and annihilate your foes.

Review: Rack and Slay

Saim Khurshid
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0
Review: Rack and Slay

With the creative machine on its mundane sport-turned-RPG Roguelike phase, it was about time a snooker-based game like Rack and Slay came to be. However, after multiple hours of play and exploration, I sense a lack of creativity on the part of Ludokultur.

RACK AND SLAY: TRAILER

While the idea sounds ever so appealing, the execution of the Roguelike Snooker game felt closer to a browser game. In other words, this MONEY game flashed me!

Billiards, 8-ball, Snooker, whatever 

As I said, Rack and Slay is a Snooker-based Roguelike. The snooker aspect is quite polished and manages to entertain but it is the roguelike part that really missed its target for me.

Let me explain: The game will begin and you will be on a snooker table with one white ball and a bunch of enemy balls. You have a health bar (with starting 8 health points on it) and a turns counter. The goal is to remove all the enemy balls from the board by hitting the white ball at them(Snooker Style). This ideally has to be achieved before turns run out and must be completed before health runs out or it is game over.

You have limited turns to knock all the enemies out. If you run out of turns, the amount of enemies left will be subtracted from your health bar. Other ways to lose health is if the white ball goes down a hole, hits a spike or is hit by sword-wielding enemies.

So far so good but here is where it goes downhill.

The Bo-Ro-ing-like

The Roguelike Elements of Rack and Play really destroy the work done by the Snooker portion.

As you would expect after each round, you go to a screen where you pick powerups/upgrades for the following rounds. You can also use some coins(awarded throughout the game for just doing things) to buy things like health, extra shots, and a randomizer for upgrades. Believe me, just stick with health, everything else is useless.

Going back to the upgrades, my problem arises when you actually look at these upgrades. Now for a roguelike to be fun, the upgrades should really shape your run but that is not the case here. All Rack and Slay has on over is extra coins, extra health, more holes on the pitch, etc. This just doesn’t cut it and that is why I find this game to be lacklustre. There is the ball explosion upgrade and the extra ball but these power-ups seem nothing more than aesthetic.

What a waste of Snooker!

In the end, Rack and Slay is like a shiny new cue with no chalk—promising at first, but pretty useless in practice. The so-called upgrades are boring and don’t change much, making it a real snooze-fest. The snooker part is fun enough, but the roguelike elements are as exciting as watching the paint dry.

If you’re a die-hard snooker fan, you might get a kick out of it for a bit. However don’t expect anything mind-blowing. Here’s hoping the developers wake up and inject some real creativity into this dud in the future.

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