Preview: Ships at Sea

Daniel Waite
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Preview: Ships at Sea

Ships at Sea is a fantastic way to train your sea legs. This simulation title allows gamers to explore the beautiful oceans surrounding Norway. Moreover, it has some business elements and a host of boats to captain. As such, this could be the best on-water simulation title to date.

I played Fishing – North Atlantic in 2021. This latest game aims to expand on that experience with a host of vessels, skills, and jobs to undertake. Accordingly, if you like F-NA or Fishing – Barents Sea, then you will adore every second of this deep and beautiful title.

This fishing/business management sim was developed and published by Misc Games. Furthermore, it can be enjoyed alone or online with others. Though I didn’t tackle the online element, I can imagine it’ll be great fun. What’s more, it’s certain to encourage role-play-loving gamers and a healthy and thriving online community.

Ships at Sea tells a typical genre story. 

The simulation genre isn’t renowned for its originality. Sadly, someone in your family normally dies and you inherit their failing business. Thankfully, with the help of your friends and a wholesome reminder of inspirational words, you set to work. Unsurprisingly, this is pretty much the plot of Ships at Sea. 

You play the role of an inexperienced seafarer. Yet, with the right guidance and plenty of patience, you quickly become a leading light on the water. Consequently, you start making large sums of money and invest in a healthy fleet of ships. What’s more, you support the local community by hiring staff and transporting goods. In short, your moral compass points in the right direction, and you always help if there is a buck to be made. 

Slow-paced action. 

I’ve been fortunate to have my copy of Ships at Sea for nearly a month. Now, it may seem like ages to own a game. Additionally, you may expect me to have finished every aspect. Sadly, I haven’t, as there is plenty to see and do. Moreover, the slow-paced action prevents you from getting anywhere fast. First, you control a row boat. This may not seem that bad, but it takes forever to complete the easiest of tasks. However, this arduous test sets the scene nicely. Furthermore, it acts as a tutorial to get you up to speed.

Once you’ve learnt the basics of cargo transportation, fishing, and sales, you are free to do as you wish. This was where Ships at Sea excels. I loved the ability to relax on the ocean and complete any task within reason. You are limited by fuel, boat size, and an ever-changing weather front. Accordingly, you will want to work hard and purchase a suitable vessel before you cross the vast Norwegian waterways.

Tasks. 

The action focuses on 3 tasks. You are expected to complete service jobs, fishing, and haulage. The service jobs were my least favourite as they were mindless and often took much longer than they should. Yet, there was a sense of reward as you served the local community and did your bit for nature. 

I spent most of my time flitting between fishing and haulage. The latter was pretty straightforward as you simply loaded boxes onto your deck and delivered them like an Amazon driver. The main challenge with this line of work was the time-consuming sailing and finding the right port. Yet, once you get to grips with this, you can relax, take in the beautiful scenery, and watch the world go by. 

The most interesting element has to be the fishing. With several different methods on offer, you are spoilt for choice. The gameplay starts with a simple hand-fishing method. As you learn new skills and earn new certificates, you can purchase bigger boats and cast your net out further. Alongside this, you can hire a crew to help complete your task, and you must manage your catch and your time if you wish to make the largest profit and not get fined. Consequently, there is plenty to balance if you wish to get things right.

Ships at Sea looks great. 

Like its predecessors, Ships at Sea has a few minor issues to contend with. Sadly, the boats don’t ride over the waves and this causes an issue with sea spray. The result is an unrealistic experience that looks odd. However, when you observe the larger picture, you enjoy a great-looking game. The sea has a wonderful finish that is realistic and attractive. Additionally, the land looks amazing from afar. When these elements combine, you lose yourself in your spectacular surroundings. Disappointingly, though, when you get close to buildings or your ship, the details are off, and the textures aren’t great.

The audio, on the other hand, was phenomenal. The upbeat soundtrack has a jovial and fun vibe that matches the sense of hope and anticipation. However, it is the sound effects that truly shine. The noise of the waves and the crash of the boats was fantastic. Moreover, the varied weather fronts have unique noises that up the ante. I loved the howling wind, the driving rain, and the terrifying storms.

You may wish to adjust the controls. 

Though the control layout is intuitive and well-thought-out, the sensitivity is off the chart. Though I adjusted my DPI, the cursor speed was insanely rapid. This caused an unnecessary feeling of nausea while adding to the seasickness realism. Other than this problem, the UI is pleasant to explore and many of the tasks are straightforward to complete as a consequence. 

If you love sailing or fishing, then you’ll adore Ships at Sea. Bobbing across the waves while unleashing your nets was a great experience. Additionally, I loved plotting a course and investigating unseen coves. Though this is a time sink, you’ll cherish the relaxing moments and the stunning scenery. 

Become a ship’s captain in Ships at Sea. 

This won’t appeal to everyone. The slow action and often time-consuming expeditions will frustrate some gamers. However, if you love fishing and the ocean, this will be right up your street. With an array of tasks on offer, character progression, and multiplayer action, this ticks many boxes. As such, I like it and I recommend buying it here! Can you master your sea legs? Pick a boat, choose a trade, and get to work.

Review: Tales from Candleforth

Daniel Waite
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Review: Tales from Candleforth

Tales from Candleforth tells a harrowing story of unexpected talents and the brutality of fate. Additionally, it intertwines the occult and an array of simple and challenging puzzles for good measure. This dark and slow-paced experience explores a range of sinister and eerie locations as the hero tries to understand her place in this world.

This horror-inspired experience was developed by Under the Bed Games and published by Feardemic. Furthermore, it has an array of tough logic-based puzzles that’ll test your grey matter. I loved the use of point-and-click mechanics as this made exploring each location easier. Yet, a lack of hand-holding may push you to your breaking point as you reach for a walk-through to overcome each problem.

Tales from Candleforth explores a well-trodden narrative. 

I crave originality and normally roll my eyes at anything clichéd and overused. As such, Tales from Candleforth runs a fine line with its all-too-familiar plot and well-trodden gameplay elements. Yet, its setting and interesting puzzles ensure that all was forgiven early on. The developers have done a great job of incorporating basic horror layers into their sepia-infused world. Moreover, the blend of locations and uncomfortable imagery helped me to ignore the lack of originality.

You play the role of Sarah. She is a 16-year-old girl who runs the family apothecary. One day, her grandmother disappears, and the child is left to her own devices. Yet, out of the blue, she discovers clues that help her to track down her unwell granny. However, with an array of puzzles in her path, and some awful areas to explore, she has a challenging task ahead.

Balanced action. 

Though much of Tales from Candleforth unravels slowly, there is a fine balance between the plot and the puzzles you must solve. This well-considered approach ensures an appropriate level of complexity as the story unfolds. Moreover, clues and telltale elements are obvious if you know what you are looking for. 

Logically-minded individuals will love the array of tests at hand. You’ll have to solve alignment problems and move books and other items to complete new images. Alongside this are some fetch quests to undertake and some less obvious puzzles to untangle. It was the latter group that pushed me to my limit. These difficult moments drove me insane, and I wished there was a help button or some way to grab a clue. Disappointingly, this wasn’t to be, so a fair bit of trial and error and swearing were the solution.

2 inventories. 

If the complex puzzles weren’t enough, the introduction of 2 inventory slots muddy the water further. The unnecessary inclusion of an item and notes segment made matters extremely clumsy and confusing. The developers should have incorporated a notebook for any key information and a simple backpack for essential items. As it is, it is unnecessarily messy and a distraction from an otherwise impressive presentation. 

Tales from Candleforth looks great. 

I love horror and I adore hand-drawn aesthetics. Consequently, Tales from Candleforth delivers everything I want in a game. The sinister imagery is unnerving and uncomfortable to look at. Additionally, the bizarre, occult theme adds to the mystery and the sinister action. On top of this, the blend of weird locations and unusual backdrops makes exploration somewhat challenging. At times, you are left slapping the action button to locate usable items. This was regrettable as it undermined an otherwise polished finish. 

The audio captures the horror vibes perfectly. The eerie soundtrack is punctuated by awful echoed sounds. Moreover, there are creepy noises and blood-chilling screams that make you grit your teeth. Furthermore, the merging of different realities and fantasy images is complemented by unusual out-of-this-world sounds. Accordingly, though it is occasionally overwhelming, it works perfectly.

Sluggish controls. 

Unfortunately, point-and-click titles do not work as well on console as they do on PC. The sluggish controls make playing this an occasionally arduous task. Additionally, the use of 2 inventory systems was a bizarre choice. Consequently, it should have been much cleaner for an improved experience.

Though the puzzles are testing, the story is unfortunately too short. Moreover, if you have a logical mindset, you can fly through each chapter with ease. Therefore, Tales from Candleforth has limited replay value and longevity. On the flip side, if you struggle with the problems at hand, you will not be able to progress. Subsequently, the developers missed an opportunity to create a balanced experience.

Tales from Candleforth will chill and enrage you. 

I’m quite divided about Tales from Candleforth. On one hand, I adore the aesthetics and the blend of puzzles. Moreover, the settings are great, and the small arenas are interesting to explore. Yet, the sluggish controls made the experience unnecessarily testing. Accordingly, this will lead to frustration. However, all things considered, it is a decent game and I recommend buying it here! Can you uncover the mystery of your granny? Use your powers, solve problems, and fulfil your destiny.

Review: Farmer’s Life + ‘Pimp My Cottage’ DLC

Ralph Heseltine
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Review: Farmer’s Life + ‘Pimp My Cottage’ DLC

It’s time to put your virtual wellies on and experience the Farmer’s Life! Having recently binged the latest season of Clarkson’s Farm, I was excited to sit down with a farming simulator. Farmer’s Life might just be the most innovative and creative farming simulator to date. There is clearly so much passion involved in this project just by the sheer possibilities available to you in this game. You play as Kasimir an alcoholic farmer in his 30s who has inherited his farmland from losing his parents to the war. His best friend is seemingly a pig called Fluffy (who you can ride!) Fluffy will help you through the tutorial as you learn a very brief insight into Kasimir’s days as a farmer and also some of his personal struggles with alcoholism. This simulator offers the player so much freedom that it probably helps to consider this as a sandbox open-world game that just so happens to be based around farming than that of an actual simulator.

Yes, you can ride the Pig…

The Farming

Even as a farming simulator alone, this still provides authentic unique aspects. Kasimir’s drinking issues leave you completely broke by the end of the tutorial, so it’s up to you to build up your farm. Your livestock run away after a fire, you have little money and lack the usual farming gear in simulators such as a tractor. Building up your farm is a satisfying process. Days go by fairly quickly so not too much time is spent waiting around. The game keeps you on your feet, there’s always something that needs attending to – such is the life for the average farmer.

The Innovations

This game is essentially an open-world experience. You play in the region of Gmina Zalesie. It is not just your farm you have to explore, you also are exposed to a village. There are some cool explorative options here. The village centre is particularly special. This is where you buy and sell products. But not just that. You have an array of possible interactions with NPCs that give the likes of Baldur’s Gate 3 a run for its money. The fact that by speaking to a priest, you can choose to do: the usual buying and selling, attend mass, ask if he fancies a smoke, or even fight him shows the variety in gameplay here. Normally smoking with merchants will increase their opinion of you and make for better trade.

The DLC – Pimp My Cottage

Over the past 3 years since the game’s original release in 2021, Farmer’s Life has received outstanding support from its fanbase and desires for more content. The developers at Freemind certainly listened and provided their first DLC just last month. Pimp My Cottage doesn’t add too much to the original game. As you can probably tell from its title, it focuses on upgrading your home. As well as the opportunity to completely refurbish your house, they’ve also added Cats and Dogs as pets to accompany Fluffy. Most impressively though, they have added a feature where you can build large structures. In reality, the Pimp My Cottage expansion is mostly just a cosmetics upgrade which isn’t essential in enjoying Farmer’s Life. However, it’s nice to see this game accumulate enough support behind it that it could provide more service to its audience. A few fans online have suggested they mainly bought this DLC to support the game for its small price and to hope for more future expansions within the game.

The Limitations

There are a few issues that can limit the enjoyment of this game. I did experience a few bugs when playing. I had to restart my game a few times which is unfortunate as the game will bring you back to the start of whichever day you were on. The game is aware of this and has added a bug-reporting system in the menu. The framerate can also be jumpy at times which can be quite frustrating. While the game is supported on Steam Deck, I would caution against playing it on this platform. Some of the controls have transferred over but for some actions I was still told to ‘press E’ or ‘Right click’. That said, the controls weren’t that difficult to work out even without there being an official guidance. I would say all of these issues don’t hold this game back enough from giving it a go!

Verdict

Farmer’s life is a really ambitious adaptation of Farming situation and it certainly pays off. The game is filled with hours and hours of content and gives the player lots of oppurtunities on how to manage their farm. The DLC Pimp my cottage, isn’t the most expansive DLC but it’s nice to see the continued support this game gets has led to them being able to put out more content. There are some bugs that can be frustrating but really nothing that holds the enjoyment of the game back too much. This game thrives in a similar way to the recent Clarkson’s Farm series, in which you don’t need to be interested in farming to enjoy this. I don’t come from much of a farming background – in real life or gaming – and found this game very addictive. I would certainly recommend Farmer’s life to anyone who’s interested in a game which doesn’t take itself too seriously in the farming genre.

Review: Around the World: Travel to Brazil Collector’s Edition

Jorge Castilho
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Review: Around the World: Travel to Brazil Collector’s Edition

A Time To Relax

Tired of all the shooting, platform jumping, item grinding, and level-ups? Do you yearn for
the relaxing days of point-and-click adventures, where you could unwind and explore at
your own pace? Then I have the game for you!

“Around the World: Travel to Brazil Collector’s Edition” offers a relaxing escape into the
vibrant sights and sounds of Brazil. Developed by AVI Games, it takes players on a hidden
object adventure across around 40 locations, showcasing iconic landmarks and cultural
experiences. The Collector’s Edition boasts additional content, including more locations,
mini-games, and souvenirs to collect.

The core gameplay revolves around finding hidden objects scattered across beautifully
illustrated scenes. These scenes depict various locations in Brazil, from the bustling streets
of Rio de Janeiro to the serene Amazon rainforest. The objects you need to find range from
everyday items to cultural artifacts, keeping you engaged in the search.

Only For Puzzle Fans

The difficulty is well-balanced, offering a challenge without becoming frustrating. Hints are
available if you get stuck, and the option to highlight searchable areas can be helpful for
cluttered scenes.

Hidden object segments are interspersed with mini-games that provide a nice change of
pace. These mini-games range from simple matching puzzles to memory challenges. While
not particularly innovative, they add a touch of variety and keep the gameplay engaging for
a couple of hours.

The detailed artwork captures the essence of each location, from the majestic “Cristo
Redentor” statue to the lively Copacabana beach. Informative text snippets accompany
each scene, providing interesting facts and cultural tidbits about the depicted locations.
For those who may not be able to travel to Brazil in person, “Around the World” offers a
delightful virtual experience.

While “Around the World: Travel to Brazil Collector’s Edition” provides a relaxing and
somewhat enjoyable experience, the repetitive nature of the hidden object hunts can
become monotonous after extended play sessions. The lack of depth and challenge makes
this game not every one, but for a switch title to keep on the go, it is a fine option for you to
have in your portable Nintendo while traveling.

Solid, For What It Is…

“Around the World: Travel to Brazil Collector’s Edition” is a solid hidden object game with
good visuals and a charming atmosphere. The variety of locations, mini-games, and the
bonus content in the Collector’s Edition make it a good value for fans of the genre. While
the repetitive gameplay and lack of a deeper story limits its appeal to hardcore puzzle
enthusiasts, it offers a relaxing and informative virtual escape to Brazil for super casual
players.

Review: Sclash

Daniel Waite
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Review: Sclash

Sclash proves that simplicity isn’t underwhelming. This back-to-basics title delivers crisp visuals, exceptional audio, and easy-to-master combat. Additionally, it has a short but enjoyable story and a wonderful online and offline battle mode. Alongside this, there are modifiers to mix things up and a range of different elements to keep each playthrough fresh. Consequently, it ticks many boxes.

This 2D side-scrolling adventure title was developed by Bevel Bakery and published by Maximum Entertainment. Moreover, it has a wonderfully unnerving sense of one-hit kills. Accordingly, you must avoid danger at all costs. However, if this is not possible, you will unleash an array of skills to defeat your foes and stay alive. I loved the lack of complexity and the plug-and-play mechanics. This slow-paced affair can be enjoyed no matter your skill set. Moreover, the setting is sensational, and the storytelling is captivating.

Sclash tells a familiar tale.

Asian stories of gods, deception, and betrayal are familiar. However, no matter how well-trodden the concept, the artistry and tone always pique my interest. Luckily, Sclash gets the balance just right as you explore a dangerous world filled with mystery, enemies, and a sense of oppression. 

You play the role of a hand-drawn samurai. This young hero has an idealistic view of the world and wishes to stay on the right path. However, when they see evil and negativity unfolding, they cannot turn a blind eye. Instead, they risk it all as they try to bridge the void between the battling Aki and Natsu clans. This war has been raging for years. Furthermore, lies and betrayal have fuelled this deadly conflict. Maybe a young fighter with a fresh pair of eyes can resolve the dispute. Alternatively, maybe they will make matters worse.

Straightforward mechanics. 

The action takes place in an atypical Asian setting. The beautiful trees and quaint gardens host deadly encounters. Moreover, the vast world fades and blurs as you run past at lightning speed. As you progress, you’ll encounter a range of enemies with particular characteristics and weapons. During each event, you must study their form and manipulate each weakness. 

The hero is armed with a katana and the ability to dodge, dash, and attack. You must decide which skill to use to overcome each foe. However, a word of warning, if you misjudge the situation and get hit, you will die! Subsequently, you need to pick wisely before diving in. Now, this may seem complex, but sadly it isn’t. Instead, the grunts tend to be swept aside with ease. Furthermore, the moderate bosses require a few gentle stabs to be defeated. This underwhelming approach will frustrate hardcore fans. Consequently, you must understand the developer’s intentions and the simplicity of the gameplay.

It’s far too short. 

Alongside the simple gameplay was a painfully short story. This beautifully told tale was interesting and exciting. As such, I was disappointed when it ended prematurely. Thankfully, though, there are plenty of modifiers to make you come back for more. Additionally, the introduction of a wall of fire or one life per run somewhat ups the ante. This almost sadomasochistic idea is what I wanted from the vanilla game. Had the action been this challenging from the off, I believe the standard run-through would have been much improved. 

Sclash looks incredible. 

Though the gameplay mechanics were basic, the visuals were anything but. The stunning and often OTT backdrops were beautiful to look at. The combination of hand-drawn images and rich colours works wonders. Moreover, the Asian influences add a dreamy edge that is tough to ignore. I adored the fantasy moments that took the plot and the action to a different level. Finally, the cinematic enhances the brilliant story whilst breaking up the never-ending side-scrolling movement.

The combination of woodwind instruments and pipes creates a typical oriental soundscape. This wonderfully airy choice complements the lush landscapes and the strange fantasy story. The music is complemented by the brutal slashing of swords and the roar of each gargantuan boss. This dramatic combination of sounds adds energy to the slower and often subdued exploration elements. As such, each chapter flows nicely and the action feels balanced from start to end. 

Responsive controls. 

Though the story mode doesn’t require quick movement or outrageous reactions, the controls needed to be accurate and responsive. Thankfully, the excellent controller layout allows you to tackle every sneaky enemy and boss with ease. What impressed me more, however, was how great the controls were when playing against other people. The battle mode was challenging, rewarding, and well-considered. As such, it was an enjoyable experience and the perfect way to break up the story mode. 

Had there been limited game modes and no variables, Sclash would have lacked replay value and longevity. However, thanks to the 1v1 fighting and different variations of the base game, this will keep you busy.

Sclash is a great experience. 

The vast empty side-scrolling world should have sent me to sleep. However, the bizarre imagery and stunning landscapes were fascinating. Alongside this, I adored the audio and the simple mechanics. Yes, I’d have liked it to be harder, but this wasn’t to be. As such, despite my minor complaints, I adore Sclash and recommend buying it here! Can you bridge the feud? Explore the world, tackle each foe, and uncover the truth.

Review: Ingression

Sam Butler
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Review: Ingression

Ingression is a 2D platformer by Espale Studios. It’s a game that is both challenging and rewarding, with excellent level design that makes players question their sanity before jumping for joy after conquering difficult levels. Despite the difficulty, each level is short enough that death does not result in frustration. Imagine if Celeste and Portal had a baby, and the outcome is the best of both games expertly melded together.

Thrawrting the Empire

You play as Rina, a thief tasked with stealing a time machine from the empire to prevent them from creating a time machine in the first place. Dr. Kowalski is an empire defect who helps you break into the empire’s base to steal a time machine. There are also flashbacks to Maxine, another thief who attempted the same task as Rina several years ago. There are some interesting story beats, but overall, it’s just a generic science fiction plot designed to move forward in the levels.

The gameplay in Ingression is superb. A precision 2D platformer that takes after games like Celeste and Super Meat Boy. Short levels but tricky platforming where one false move can send you back to the beginning of the level. You have a stamina bar when you cling to walls and different mechanics to learn. The use of portals in the video game is also interesting. Sometimes, you use the portals to traverse levels, and sometimes, you use portals to transport platforms through them. Combining all these elements creates a satisfying platforming experience.

Thinking with Portals

The level design in this game is just brilliant. Each chapter comes with a theme for Rina to traverse. Chapter 1 introduces basic mechanics, but each chapter after is layered with unique mechanics. One chapter deals with light-based objects such as lasers to dodge and a laser ball you can use as a moving platform to jump off. Chapter 3 is a synthetic biome with a flesh-eating plant you can bounce off and vines to climb and jump. Each chapter ends with a long chase scene, where drones chase you, and it is up to you and your mastery of the mechanics in each chapter to navigate a long maze before the drones zap you. These levels are the most challenging, and each jump must be perfect. However, running through these creates a flow I have rarely experienced in a game.

This is all before discussing the use of portals. They take an already excellent level design and elevate it to incredible heights. There are parts where you need to jump into portals and use the momentum to clear gaps. Sometimes, it feels amazing to clear those gaps, but sometimes, that can leave you disoriented and cause you to die. The most interesting way they use the portals is when interacting with other mechanics. The most insane example is shooting a light ball you can jump off, synchronizing it with a second ball. Both have to go through portals simultaneously before bouncing between them while going up to the end of the level, dodging spikes, and avoiding falling. Being able to execute these insane feats is exhilarating when you finally pass a difficult challenge. It also left me in awe at what the developers came up with.

A Triumph

Ingression is difficult, but it is satisfying to play. The levels I have played are unlike anything I have experienced in a platformer. Its flawless combination of platforming and portal gameplay is an excellent homage to the games that came before them while creating something unique and fun to play. While sometimes you can get disoriented by the portals, and the story is serviceable, the gameplay is excellent and a must-play for platformer fans everywhere.

Game Review: Baladins

Dawid Wisniewski
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Game Review: Baladins

“Baladins” is a delightful fusion of whimsical Paper Mario aesthetics and the immersive storytelling of Dungeons & Dragons. As a player, you’re thrust into a captivating world where you assume the role of various classes, each with its own unique stats and quirks. In my playthrough, I took on the role of the lovable cook, armed with my trusty frying pan and a flair for culinary creativity.

The game’s turn-based mechanics are seamlessly woven into a narrative that is both simple yet captivating. The overarching objective? To thwart a time-eating dragon, whose voracious appetite threatens to consume not only you but time itself. What sets “Baladinst” apart is its ingenious use of a time loop mechanism, where players are granted a six-week window to outsmart, or feed the dragon enough so that it loses appetite for time in order to avoid inevitable doom.

One of the game’s standout features is its emphasis on character progression. Throughout each loop, players have the opportunity to enhance their skills, those being similar to a dungeons and dragons character. Each character will start with a different set of stats that they are “‘proficient’ in and can be improved when completing certain tasks in all major stops on the game board. These skills aren’t just vital for taking down the dragon; they also come in handy when aiding the eclectic cast of characters populating the game world.

This leads to one unfortunate issue I have with the game. It’s clearly made with the intention for co-operative play and by all means that is always great for a game and makes perfect sense in a party based paper D’n’D , I can’t help but notice how unfair it is if someone finds it hard to fill in their party roster for what ever reason. I have reviewed “Baladins” on steam and for some reason the game does not take advantage of steams share play mechanics in which you can ‘couch co-op’ with anyone from your friends list, fortunately with the games nature I didn’t have much issue convincing a friend to get the game and join the adventure. After we played through a couple loops and our voices started to disperse because we decided to voice every single character we came across I then realised that the game is considerably easier with more people , I can only imagine with a full party it would be a completely different game. You see the game gives you time constraints and the more rumours overheard and the more information gathered the player will start piecing it together and create tasks for the next loop. That means planning what skills to improve, items to take and path to travel, but your time, skills and distance you can travel is double with a friend, or quadrupled with a full party. A simple fix would be to let solo players fill their parties with up to 4 characters either way regardless if one player controls them all or if there a friends joining the adventure.

All that being said , there is more to praise about “Baladins”. Visually the game is a feast for the eyes. The charming paper-inspired graphics lend a whimsical touch to the game’s vibrant environments, while the meticulously crafted game board serves as the perfect backdrop for your some times questionable escapades. Every location is teeming with life, brimming with unique characters just waiting to share their stories and quests.

Despite its simplistic writing, “Baladins” shines thanks to its witty humour and engaging dialogue. From quirky NPCs to laugh-out-loud moments, the game’s narrative never fails to keep you entertained as you navigate through the intricacies of the time loop. Some quests given by the multitude of characters you meet will have nothing to do with escaping the time loop but will have you locked in either way , from meddling in a fortune tellers relationship to helping crooked artists win over the theatre, “baladins” will have you hooked on solving these issues only for you to find yourself a week before the time loops resets, realising you have done nothing to stop it.

In conclusion, “Baladins” is a delectable treat for fans of turn-based RPGs and narrative-driven adventures alike. With its charming visuals, engaging gameplay, and captivating story, it’s a game that’s sure to leave you craving for seconds. So grab your over the top role playing friends, sharpen your skills, and embark on a journey like no other. After all, time waits for no one!

The game is available from 15th May 2024, on all platforms and at the time of writing is $26.72 on Steam.

Pokizino Casino Australia: A Gem for Aussie Gamblers

Andrew Edney
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Pokizino Casino Australia: A Gem for Aussie Gamblers

Hey there, mate! If you’re on the hunt for a fresh and exciting online casino experience tailored for us Aussies, you’ve hit the jackpot with Pokizino Casino. Let’s dive into the nitty-gritty of what makes Pokizino the talk of the town among Australian players.

A Snapshot of Pokizino Casino Australia

Pokizino isn’t just another online casino; it’s a haven for those looking to indulge in a variety of games, from pokies to live dealer experiences, all within a secure and user-friendly platform. Its design screams simplicity and efficiency, making it a breeze to navigate on any device, which is a big plus in my book.

Game On: What’s on Offer?

The heart and soul of any casino are its games, and Pokizino doesn’t disappoint. Whether you’re a fan of hitting the virtual slots with titles like “Outback Opulence” or sitting at the table with live dealers, there’s something here for everyone. And let’s not forget the classic table games—there’s plenty of Blackjack, Roulette, and Poker action to keep the traditionalists among us happy.

Getting Started at Pokizino Online Casino

Joining Pokizino is as easy as pie. Just head to their site, hit ‘Sign Up’, and follow the prompts. A quick email verification later, and you’re ready to roll. And logging back in? Just as painless—simply enter your credentials, and you’re in.

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Who doesn’t love a good bonus? Pokizino rolls out the red carpet with a variety of bonuses, including a standout Daily Deposit Bonus that keeps the rewards coming. Just be sure to peek at those terms and conditions to make the most of each offer.

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With its licensing from reputable gaming authorities and state-of-the-art SSL encryption, Pokizino ensures your gaming adventures are both fair and secure. Peace of mind is guaranteed, letting you focus on what you’re here for—the games.

Cashing Out: Swift Withdrawals

Pokizino shines with its quick withdrawal process. Depending on your chosen method, you could be celebrating your wins in no time, usually within a couple of days.

Beyond Gaming: VIP Program and Tournaments

For the regulars, Pokizino’s VIP program offers a world of exclusive perks, while its tournaments provide a stage to showcase your skills and vie for top prizes. It’s a great way to get more from your gaming experience.

Keeping It Real: The Verification Process

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Review: Front Mission 2: Remake

Daniel Waite
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0
Review: Front Mission 2: Remake

Front Mission 2: Remake aims to build on the strong foundations of its predecessor. Having enjoyed the first instalment, I wanted to dive into this latest remake with my eyes wide open. However, a few issues hold this back from truly excelling. Furthermore, some annoying tactical issues undermine the action and ruin the game’s flow. Yet, there are some great additions to the gameplay, and I wasn’t willing to write it off without giving it a damn good thrashing.

This tactical turn-based RPG was developed by Storm Trident and published by Forever Entertainment. Additionally, this remake is the first time this Square Enix classic has been available outside of Japan. Accordingly, I was excited to see what all the fuss was about. I have to say, I was impressed with the flow of the action and the isometric viewpoint. Moreover, the addition of elemental weapons and a definitive long, medium, and short-range attack system was impressive. Yet, some horrible typos and confusing narratives prevent you from losing yourself in the moment. Additionally, the lack of a targeting system will make you scream with rage (more on this later).

Front Mission 2: Remake tells a damning tale.

There are never any winners in war. Yet, it is the people at the bottom that suffer the most. Front Mission 2: Remake hides this message in its deep and interesting story. As the plot unfolds, you empathise with the sorrow and loss that years of conflict creates. What’s more, you root for the underdogs as deceit and greed rear its ugly head again.

12 years have passed since the last conflict. The people of Alordesh have had enough! Their world has been turned upside down and they want revenge and freedom. No longer happy with an oppressive regime, the army stands up to the O.C.U. and attempts to take back what is rightly theirs. You control Ash, an O.C.U soldier who wishes to escape the country. However, as his journey progresses, he discovers a huge conspiracy behind the coup and sees the fighting through a fresh set of eyes.

Customisation.

The story is extremely enjoyable when you can navigate the poor translation and weird dialogue. A few mistakes are to be expected, but there were some real howlers along the way. Now, this didn’t ruin the action per se, but it made it harder to understand key elements of the plot and ruined some of the immersive layers. Yet, if you can overcome this, you’ll enjoy a hard-hitting and interesting plot of deceit and twists and turns.

Where Front Mission 2: Remake excels is its customisation. I adored the ability to create each Wazner mech. Furthermore, you can alter the set-up based on the pilot in charge. This small detail enables you to create a deadly killing team. Moreover, it allows you to adjust your fighters based on the mission you face and your strengths and weaknesses. 

The aforementioned elemental and long/mid/short-ranged weapons were impressive. Moreover, unlike the original, the weaponry feels more balanced and better organised. Accordingly, mixing melee weapons with beastly missiles had its tactical advantages. What’s more, the use of an AP system to take advantage of defensive tools was just as good.

The not-so-good!

Where Front Mission 2: Remake falls short was its random target system. This turn-based affair allows you to manipulate every encounter by removing limbs and crippling your opponent. Of course, your foe has the same opportunity, so it’s best to keep yourself guarded at all times. Yet, though this was an incredible idea, you cannot pick a target. Consequently, the opposition Wazner may be holding a club in one hand and a rocket launcher in the other. Now, tactically, you’ll want to remove that gun. However, RNG forces you to hope and pray that happens. This lack of certainty was terrible and could unravel any of your plans.

I’d have much preferred a reworking of the combat system. I adored the turn-based elements and the retaliatory strikes. Yet, the lack of focus or tactical nuance will drive you crazy. I hated relying on luck when I was outnumbered. It simply felt like a gamble instead of a well-considered approach and that is at odds with the genre. 

Front Mission 2: Remake looks dated.

Whenever I see the word remake, I expect some form of modern polish. However, Front Mission 2: Remake has blown that idea out of the water. This dated title does little to push a modern agenda. Accordingly, the textures are a little off and the character models are super blocky. Moreover, the level designs are simple and navigating the world can be somewhat cumbersome. Yet, I didn’t care as I loved the blend of movement and the combat encounters. Additionally, the weaponry was in your face and the combat was crass and downright poorly animated. As such, though it is old-school, it was great to look at.

The audio was just as unrefined. The synth soundtrack is matched by the shrill weaponry. The blend of crunching melee weapons, fast-paced mid-range guns, and booming rockets was great to hear. The cacophony of sounds generates a dramatic backdrop that works perfectly with the theme and the story.

Decent controls.

I was impressed with how well this works on a modern system. The excellent UI and control layout are easy to master. Moreover, a decent tutorial helps you to understand the fundamentals in no time. If you have not played the first instalment, you’ll be up and running in no time. However, if you have experienced this franchise then you’ll master the controls immediately.

Though I enjoyed my time with this, I’m not sure I’ll jump back in for another run. Yes, the custom options mix things up, but I’m not convinced that it will change the action enough to make a difference. As such, though you could play this many times, I wasn’t interested in unlocking the achievements or testing unique builds.

Front Mission 2: Remake is a worthy successor.

Though this doesn’t stand out from its predecessor, I liked the new core gameplay mechanics. Additionally, the story was interesting and the customisation was as great. I loved the elemental weaponry and the balanced use of different weapons. However, the random target system undermines the tactical nuance and that was disappointing. Subsequently, despite the shortcomings I recommend buying it here! Can you escape the revolution? Grab your Wazner, choose your loadout, and hope that luck is on your side.

Review: SaGa Emerald Beyond

Phant0m
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0
Review: SaGa Emerald Beyond

SaGa Emerald Beyond was one of the more surprising games I’ve played this year. It’s new, different, sometimes fantastic and in other moments dull and complex. Hi my name is Phant0m and these are my thoughts on… SaGa Emerald Beyond.

Visuals

First Thing you’ll notice is a pair of visuals that I thought weren’t great. Character designs can look interesting. But most of the other scenes came off as very basic and uninspired in most hours of the game. When it does eventually differentiate from this for minor moments, it is fun. Sadly you get stuck in more conversations than cool areas. And even then the game still feels cheap and at first I thought this was horrible modern gaming optimization until I read that this game is also on android. Which then means the visuals would actually look pretty good! The highlight of the visuals is definitely in the character designs, although nothing too high quality they are completely brimmed with detail, from small details to big, you can really get to know who your characters are based on clothing alone, and that’s a pretty impressive feat!

Gameplay

The gaming aspect of this game is actually the most fun part, although traversing the insanely empty, quick to pass levels isn’t great, you mostly just sit through moments of exploration between dialogue. But then you get to the combat that happens between this exploration is so good! Although it’s a bit complicated and hard to get into, it’s just super amazing once you do! At first when I didn’t know the depth behind it, I thought it would be another simple and mid turn based combat system, and although it is turn based, it’s more than that. Combat shows you a simple line helping you to manage times that you and your companions can attack, if you time things alongside your friends you’ll drop devious amounts of damage, if you don’t, you’ll do way less. And the game does a pretty good job of balancing the combat from small enemies that don’t do anything and big enemies that will absolutely destroy you if you’re not ready. Seriously give this game a try at least for its combat alone, which carried most of the experience by genuinely surprising me.

Story

The story was ultimately where I felt mixed. If you want a wide variety of stories that can change a significant amount based on choices, play this! But if you want the story to be great that’s where this unfortunately goes down a tough ride. No matter what I did the story of this game felt too scattered to connect, although it definitely tried to make the story a bit more understandable over time But I was always asking myself questions about some of the most simple things like theme or why I even went on this journey to be with just aren’t present, and as a big story nut I personally felt disappointed.

Characters

Luckily I didn’t think the characters were bad at all, if you put aside the very spotty voice acting you might have some potential here as most characters at least grabbed my interest. Most seem well written enough to enjoy, but their dialogue could use some work. The characters are very stereotypical, and I wouldn’t have minded it if they didn’t have to remind you during dialogue multiple times, I genuinely couldn’t believe my eyes at how many times they made the Western/Southern lady says Western/Southern lady things, it’s kinda funny and luckily since most of the story does have very funny moments, I don’t completely hate it; just very weird that it kept happening. Side note that the voice acting was disappointing mostly because everything felt like it was recorded on a very first take. With almost no depth to performance.

Music

Now probably my favorite part of the game… maybe tied with combat is the music, because it is so good! I genuinely would put so many tracks on my playlist just to vibe to. The fast sci-fi fantasy music just really can’t sound much better, which shout-out to the combat music for literally being on my ost playlist because I listened to it on the way to work absolutely vibing, it all just feels so fun and invigorating. And it also doesn’t feel copied or stolen, it feels fresh and new! (Whoever worked on this deserves a Promotion/Raise)

Performance

The performance of the game was splendid, I didn’t run into any issues while playing the game, even during combat I didn’t feel a single frame drop.

Verdict

If you’re wondering I don’t recommend this game unless you’re already a fan of the series. And if you can get past most of its issues, your fine. If you’re anything like me, this will mostly come out to be a messy ride. I give this game a 5/10 a pretty fun game if you ignore the story, some characters, and the boring world. Anyways those were my thoughts on SaGa Emerald Beyond! Thx For Reading! Keep doing great things! You’re good at them. Bye 🙂

Review: TopSpin2K25

Matt Cooper
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Review: TopSpin2K25
Almost fifteen years since its last release, TopSpin is back! Is it an ace down the line? Or does it hit the net cord and disappoint?

Grand Slam Chasing

TopSpin has long been a franchise dear to my heart. I remember playing the original on PS2 way back in 2003, and after a long lay off, finally I can play TopSpin on current consoles with the release of 2K25. Developed by Hangar 13 (makers of the criminally underrated Mafia 3) and published under the now world renowned 2K sports banner, TopSpin2K25 brings tennis into the modern era. What struck me straight away with the game were the options available to me from the very start. TopSpin2K25 launched with a multitude of modes you can expect within a sports game whether it’s the standard exhibition mode, career or online modes. But what really caught my eye from the get go was the fantastic tutorial mode which is called the TopSpin Academy. This mode is a fantastic way for both newcomers of the game and veterans of the genre to learn and refresh their knowledge of all the gameplay mechanics. Wonderfully explained and voiced by tennis legend John McEnroe, this mode really does a great job of welcoming the player to the core gameplay loop which is easy to understand but hard to master. It’s a streamlined design for a tutorial that I really enjoyed as it comes with standard and advanced lessons that allow the player to choose what level of depth they wish to learn. Subsequently, you can get stuck into the real modes, especially the MyCareer mode.

MyCareer mode is your standard sports career mode found within numerous sports titles such as NBA2K and Madden but the TopSpin2K25 mode really is special. Designing and creating your player is robust and in depth with great customization choices available from the start. There’s a commendable level of depth found in the creation, even the level and sound of grunts and exertion your player makes is available, a real new gold standard for customization in sports games. From there it’s simple: become a world-renowned tennis superstar. Starting in the challenger tournaments and TS250/500 tournaments, your goal is to grow your player’s attributes and skills through gameplay. Level up these attributes and complete objectives to raise your star level and you can play in higher ranking tournaments or play against legendary opponents such as Roger Federer! On the downside, the progression system functions well but at times it can feel like a bit of a slog offline and therefore some players may lose interest in the career mode.

You can create a gameplay style unique to yourself or use a model designed within the game such as power serve or serve and volley. It’s up to you how you want your player to play and I loved again the options available to me. The career mode also surprised me with its sheer level of depth. Whether it’s upgrading your coaches by completing match objectives, or buying houses as your stardom rises, Hangar 13 have done a great job adding variety to the career and helping it avoid becoming stale. I particularly love the emphasis on conditioning and fitness; play too many tournaments and you’ll incur a randomised injury that you then have to rehab or you might have to use training modes to hone a particular skill. Of course, a robust career mode needs the gameplay to back it up.

Baseline Battles

The easiest way I can describe the gameplay of TopSpin2K25 is smooth, so god damn smooth. It is incredible the way the developers have created such a fluent and responsive gameplay loop here. Each shot feels unique and varied and each choice of shot feels important. Want to get into a baseline rally? Start hitting power shots to bully your opponent back and forth across the court, wearing down their in-game stamina meter. Hit control shots to pinpoint the ball into areas your opponent can’t get to, or simply serve and volley your way to victory, the game offers varying gameplay styles that really complement each other and allow you to experiment. A fantastic achievement by Hangar 13! It’s quite simply the most realistic gameplay loop of tennis I’ve ever experienced.

The real mode that got me completely and utterly hooked were the online modes: World Tour and 2K Tour. World Tour allows you to use your created player and take on other created players in tournaments that also contribute to your player levels. I think this is a fantastic way to blend both single player and multiplayer seamlessly. 2K Tour serves as a similar mode but playing as the vast cast of licensed players found within the game. Whether it’s legends like Federer or Sampras or modern players like Coco Gauff or Frances Tiafoe, this roster is brilliant and has players that encompass all the playing styles; it’s just a shame that other players like Nadal haven’t made their way into the game due to licenses with other games. Playing as these real life competitors on 2K Tour against other online players is gripping and enthralling, especially as the mode itself acts as the ranked mode for the game, allowing you to challenge yourself against the best and climb the rankings. I’ve sunk countless hours into these online modes and I cannot wait to get back in. Officially addicted!

The only real issue I have with these modes is the matchmaking of created players that can lead to massive mismatches of attributes and skills and the fact there is no online doubles mode option is also disappointing. The inclusion of online doubles could have created really fun moments for myself and friends and would make online matches really distinctive and memorable. Of course, similar to others in the current generation of sports games, this game includes in-game currency and microtransactions but I’m happy to say they do not create any pay to win mechanics and are purely for cosmetic purposes at the time of writing. Hopefully this stays the same in the long term. The currency itself and what you can buy is bizarre at times as racquets are more expensive than player houses within the game which is hilarious but no major issue.

Centre Court Pandemonium

To put it simply, TopSpin 2K25 looks absolutely gorgeous. Every court across the vast amount of licensed stadiums and venues looks stunning and vibrant. Lighting on the game is top-notch and really helps accentuate the courts; Wimbledon looking particularly breath-taking. The court surfaces also look incredible with the hard courts glistening or the clay courts showing wear and tear as the match goes on. It’s a real credit to the developers how good this game looks. Player clothing and equipment also look hyperrealistic, making each racquet and outfit stand out amongst the crowd. Arguably the best looking sports game out there.

Along with the visuals, the animations in this game are something to behold. Hangar 13 have nailed the animations for each unique player and their movement is truly wonderful to watch. Federer in particular is a marvel in animation and style as the depiction is near pitch perfect to the real life player I have seen on screen. It’s the little things that struck me as well, such as sweat becoming evident on the player if their stamina is running low, or the way in which the clothing of the players reacts to moments like serving and volleying. The ripples on the clothing look magnificent at times. These fine touches, in some people’s opinions, have no right being in sports games but they are what help make this game so special.

The Roar Of The Crowd

Along with visual presentation, sound design is at a near perfect level. Every shot booms off the strings of the racquet with such a wonderful sound you just want to keep going back for more. The crowd reacts to thrilling moments with gasps and cheers, creating really memorable moments for the player, particularly online when you are in a baseline battle or diving to the net for a volley. Sound design is at such a high level it really does feel like you are right on court in the middle of a contest. Everything sounds and feels realistic and that is exactly what you want in a game like this.

TopSpin 2K25 also offers a wonderful and eclectic soundtrack of licensed modern day chart hits from some of the biggest artists in the world like Calvin Harris, Drake and The Weeknd to name a few. These types of soundtracks are common place in sports games nowadays and they feel right at home in TopSpin 2K25, without ever feeling overpowering or overbearing.

Verdict

I have waited for years in hope of TopSpin returning in all its glory and boy, has it delivered! A deep and robust career mode and an addictive online serving of tennis really make this game special. Coupled with gorgeous visuals and stunning sound design, this is the quintessential tennis video game. Some wonky currency issues and at times grindy levelling can hinder the experience slightly, but overall this game has reinvigorated my love for tennis in the real world and in the gaming arena. I’ll see you on the court!

Review: Bunhouse

Daniel Waite
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0
Review: Bunhouse

Bunhouse is a relaxing bunny-filled experience that is casual, enjoyable, and adorably cute. However, there is a serious lack of depth or direction for all its heart-warming action. Accordingly, it can be a tough game to swallow, especially if you like someone to hold your hand. Yet, if you prefer to be left to your own devices, this plant-filled cosy title will be right up your street.

This garden simulation game was developed by Reky Studios and published by Digerati. Its wholesome action can be enjoyed alone, or you can get friends around and play it as a couch co-op experience. Either way, the core gameplay loop does not change. This straightforward approach will not impress adrenaline junkies or quest seekers. However, if you want something to unwind and relax to, then this may tick those boxes.

Bunhouse tells no interesting rabbit tales.

Bunhouse is seriously lacking in many departments. However, it makes up for many of these shortcomings when it excels. One element that frustrated me was the lack of a backstory. For reasons unknown, the rabbit hero has a greenhouse and he/she/they must grow an unlimited number of crops to sell to the community. The story is as deep as a puddle and that was annoying. I’d have loved a sense of romance or drama to set the scene. However, this never happened and that left me wanting.

The gameplay loop is decidedly basic. You and your friends control a group of gardening-loving bunnies. This team of long-eared farmers must work together to grow any seeds they plant. What’s more, they must organise their greenhouse, complete seasonal events, and customise themselves and their environment to their liking. As time passes, you can entertain yourselves with minor games and some fun but simple hopping. This is Bunhouse in a nutshell! It aims to deliver super relaxing gameplay with no quests, no drama, and no pressure. 

Become a super gardener.

Becoming an expert in your field is no easy task. Yet, Bunhouse does a great job with its balanced learning curve and easy-to-understand mechanics. Effectively, you start with basic tools and a list of simple plants to nurture. As you grow and sell your produce, you earn carrots that can be invested in new equipment, rarer plants, and impressive tools. Additionally, you may expand your greenhouse, customise your team, and purchase new furniture and features.

As your growing area evolves, you are free to decide what you wish to plant and how you want to look after every element. Luckily, a handy guide can be accessed to understand the correct levels of sunlight and water that are required to complete each task. Furthermore, seasonal events add a fun twist to the regular action. If this wasn’t enough excitement, you can grab a fishing rod and relax. The fishing mini-game wasn’t the most testing experience, but I enjoyed the break away from the greenhouse and the opportunity to try something new.

Where this excels is when you play with friends. With many tasks going at once and plenty of plants to water, it was easier to share the load. If you are a lone wolf, you needn’t worry. You will have a relaxing time tending to your plants as there is limited pressure and a large margin for error.

Bunhouse looks rough around the edges.

Though I liked the pastel colours and the varied character models, Bunhouse was rough to look at. Sadly, the textures aren’t perfect, and the limited gaming area should have been more interesting. Thankfully, things spring to life as you plant trees and improve your environment. The overall presentation didn’t impress me, but I liked the simple-to-follow UI and the pleasant 3D world. Accordingly, if you aren’t too bothered by a lack of polish, you’ll enjoy this calm and safe gaming world.

The audio is adorable. I loved the calm music and the gentle soundtrack. With plenty of time on your hands, it was nice to have a low-key and non-offensive soundtrack. Consider a hotel lobby or an up-market lift and you get the idea. This soundtrack is complemented by the realistic sound effects. The noise of your watering can and the gentle thud of each rabbit’s foot was great to listen to.

Straightforward controls.

Unsurprisingly, Bunhouse is extremely easy to play. The straightforward control layout is easy to master. Moreover, the UI ensures that you can access tools, plants, and other essential items. Accordingly, even though it can get messy with 4 bunnies hopping around, the action was never complex.

Replay value and longevity are limited. Unless you love gardening or rabbits, you will soon tire of what you see. Yes, there are seasonal events and some special plants to enjoy, but this doesn’t add enough variety to pique your interest. Consequently, this will attract an extremely niche audience.

Bunhouse has a limited appeal.

I enjoyed the basic mechanics and the simple gameplay. However, Bunhouse has a limited appeal. Disappointingly, there wasn’t enough depth to keep me going for longer. Additionally, the lack of guidance or quests ensured that my interest waned long before it should. However, I appreciate that I’m not its key demographic. Subsequently, I know that this will appeal to a host of sim-loving gamers. As such, though it wasn’t for me, I still recommend buying it here! Hop around, plant some seeds, and grow as many plants as you wish.

Review: Men of War II

Josh Blackburn
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0
Review: Men of War II

Men of War II required a bit of rewiring of my brain. See, I was raised on old-school RTS games like Command & Conquer. The kind of game where the winning strategy is to make a whole load of tanks, click and drag over them and then order them straight into the enemy base. When I tried that in Men of War II, it didn’t go so well. I sent a few tanks on their way, only for an unseen anti-tank rifleman to send a shot straight through the hull of a tank and into the driver’s Adam’s apple.

That set the tone for the first few hours of play, but I eventually adjusted. Men of War II is not a game of heroics. It’s brutal. Victory comes as a the result a long, bloodstained grind that will result in many soldiers being torn to shreds. Perhaps due to my own ineptitude with RTS games, victories felt earned, especially when I made full use of some of the deeper mechanics. That’s something that Men of War II’s general clunkiness couldn’t diminish.

Men of War II - tank batallions

My Tale of War

Perhaps Men of War II‘s greatest strength is the ability to generate organic stories. For example, on one campaign I needed to storm three sets of enemy positions. I got through the first two with a little difficulty, but ran into trouble with the last one. The first obstacle to overcome was how you recruit units. Rather than building a barracks, for instance, you rely on radioing for reinforcements. You have three ‘echelons’ of these reinforcements, but they’re limited. Burn through all your riflemen and you can’t call in any more. You have to treat your units with care. I hadn’t.

To keep them alive, you need to make the most of Men of War II’s systems. Infantry needs to move to cover as being caught out in the open will cause them to be shredded. That’s fairly standard. Depth is given by an inventory system, allowing your troops to resupply by picking up ammo from fallen soldiers. Tanks need to be used carefully, as anti-tank guns will mince them. You can choose the parts of a tank to hit too; you can even take direct control of their guns to hit those parts on other tanks. I like how in depth you can go. Using the systems pushed me through to the final goal: destroying the artillery.

Unfortunately, I was out of everything except a handful of tank drivers. They normally have nothing more than a pistol and a driver’s licence. Fortunately, there were empty tanks all over the place, so by using those and picking up rifles as I went, I managed to squeak out a win. I’m pretty proud, as you can tell. Men of War II has a lot of singleplayer content that can generate these stories. There are the usual structured story campaigns (along with replications of historical campaigns), and a sort of ‘territory control’ style conquest map. There’s quite a lot of bang for your buck.

Men of War II - storming a town

Hand-Crafted Battalions

For your skirmish itch, Men of War II provides Raids: strings of smaller missions that are open to other players. This is where the ‘battalion’ system comes into play. There are three main factions: the USSR, the USA and Germany. Within them are battalions, such as tank or infantry, which are all customisable. I enjoy using artillery battalions, and swapped in mounted machine guns for some more territory control. The tech tree is behemothic – and might be a bit intimidating – but the customisation is welcome and is used well.

That said, there were times when Men of War II tried my patience. There’s a distinct clunkiness to it. Part of that might be down to the UI, which splatters buttons all over the screen and puts tiny symbols next to units that are hard to see at a glance. The inventory is annoying too, with no visible way to split stacks of ammo, meaning soldiers have to play hot potato with the stack. There are also silly blunders, like not making troops highlight when obscured. So you could send riflemen into a thick forest and never see them again.

There are also strange bugs as well. My anti-tank guns would often end up firing into the perfectly level ground instead of the tank in front of them, and troops seemed to have issues firing from high ground. What’s more, there are some issues with production value. The graphics aren’t terrible but a lot of the terrain looks quite rough – especially in cutscenes. Voice acting is also atrocious, which is a black mark against the campaign. All in all, Men of War II feels quite mechanically interesting but is a bit lacking in the polish.

Men of War II - resupplying

Men of War II – A Rough Storyteller

You’ll note I haven’t mentioned the multiplayer much. I didn’t really delve into it – being a staunch singleplayer man – but there is a bit of variety there. There’s PVE and PVP, both using the battalion system and without it. That said, I didn’t see a tremendous amount of lobbies so far and my raids so far have been squarely against AI. Still, I think Men of War II stands up on its singleplayer. Crucially, the AI can hold their own, leading to a constantly pressured front line. Victory is a gruelling grind and I appreciate that.

I’d wager that those more familiar with these realistic RTS games might have more to say in terms of balance and mechanics, but I found it to be the right level of depth for me. It’s difficult enough (on normal, mind) to ensure that you use the mechanics in a smart way. Going in without a plan always ends in failure and it’s that aspect that generates the interesting stories. If you look past the multiple clunky areas, Men of War II will regale you with war stories for as long as you like.

(Men of War II’s Steam Page)

Review: Metro Simulator 2

Daniel Waite
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0
Review: Metro Simulator 2

Metro Simulator 2 is the latest in a long line of train sim titles. However, unlike its bigger peers, this experience is more oppressive, dated, and complex. Furthermore, there is a large stream of instruments to handle and switches to flick. Accordingly, this may not be the best game if you are new to the genre.

This realistic simulation title was developed by KishMish Games and published by Ultimate Games. Moreover, it is a single-player title and it has 2 game modes. The action focuses on scenario-based settings. However, you can free roam across the vast network of tracks if you so wish. I spent my time enjoying the scenarios as the action felt more rigid and rewarding. Yet, I can see why the free-roam mode will attract streamers and gamers who love to role-play.

Metro Simulator 2: a Russian driver’s dream.

Can you remember your teacher telling you that you’d never make money by staring out a window? Well, the jokes on them as you undertake the job of a Russian Metro driver. Sadly, the views aren’t picturesque, and the hours are appalling. However, as long as you know how to operate 1 or 2 trains, you’ll do just fine.

Metro Simulator 2 demands that you take control of 2 Russian Metro trains. These unnecessarily complex hunks of metal take some getting used to. Consequently, you’ll have to pay attention if you wish to make the most of this title. Each route tests your concentration, reactions, and cognitive function. As such, though it is relaxing, you must stay alert throughout. 

Mundane action. 

The gameplay focuses on the day-to-day tasks of a train driver. Subsequently, this is a low-frills and often mundane endeavour. Yet, occasionally you are asked to solve an emergency! These tasks are welcome as they break up the repetitive nature of the gameplay loop.

Each run asks you to set up your cab, check your schedule card, and activate the auto announcer. Furthermore, you must maintain the correct speed, address the vigilance, open and close the doors, and arrive on time. Alongside this, there are passengers to pick up, point work to switch, and the occasional shunt to undertake. Accordingly, this will appease every train enthusiast going. 

As you trundle along the track, your progress is scored. Any exceptional experiences reward you with positive points. Yet, if you are late, speed, or you fail to acknowledge the vigilance, your score plummets. I admit, I paid little attention to this aspect, as I didn’t care. However, if you wish to prove your worth, you may be more concerned by the scoring system. 

Metro Simulator 2 looks dated. 

I’ve never been to Russia, nor have I studied its Metro system. However, I am assured that this is an accurate representation of its rail network. If this is the case, I must applaud the developers for their realistic approach and methodical eye for detail. Yet, this praise cannot be extended to the overall finish. Sadly, the textures aren’t great, and the game is full of bugs. Changing ends of a train was thwarted with danger as I fell through the tracks and to my death repeatedly. Additionally, the character models are plain, repetitive, and laughable.

Thankfully, Metro Simulator 2 does a better job with its audio. The train sounds are accurate, and I loved the noise of profiling wheels and in-cab alarms. Moreover, the auto announcements are confusing but interesting to listen to. The Russian dialect adds to the realism even though it is problematic for an English speaker.

Rough controls. 

The control system isn’t perfect. Sadly, there are so many switches, levers, and buttons to operate that things get confusing. Moreover, the inputs weren’t responsive and this made matters worse. If you then chuck in the bugs and other problems, this takes some getting used to. Thankfully, though, there is a detailed tutorial for each train and this does mitigate many of the issues I faced.

Metro Simulator 2 isn’t a title for inexperienced train sim gamers. As such, I believe this will attract a niche audience. Yet, if you fall for its grey and oppressive charms, there is plenty to see and do. I would have liked more trains and a larger list of objectives. However, despite these shortcomings, there is still replay value and longevity.

Metro Simulator 2 takes you on a dull journey. 

Driving a Metro train in an oppressive country will test your patience. Yet, there is something oddly rewarding when you get things right. Yes, this game has its issues, but it is relaxing, challenging, and ideal for train enthusiasts. Consequently, though I have my complaints, I recommend buying it here! Can you master the Russian Metro? Jump in your cab, plan your route, and get to work.

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