Preview: Pathless Woods

Daniel Waite
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Preview: Pathless Woods

Pathless Woods is a deep moreish title that takes over your life. Moreover, many tasks and endless waves of enemies push you all the way. However, I found a slight imbalance in the gameplay frustrating. This game excels as a survival and crafting experience. Yet, the combat elements are lacklustre. Additionally, there could have been more danger and difficulty during the core quest line. Consequently, though much of the action is fantastic, some bits need tweaking.

This survival adventure title was developed and published by AniYa Games Studio. Furthermore, it can be enjoyed alone or with others online. This freedom to open your world to the wider community was fantastic. But if you are lacking in online friends, fear not. You can enjoy every time-consuming second as you build the base of your dreams or slay an array of bandits and animals.

Pathless Woods tells an outlandish tale. 

I love an OTT fantasy story. Luckily, Pathless Woods obliged my desires. This almost outlandish plot unravels a world filled with mystery and strange creatures. Alongside this, some bandits bully the locals. As such, you must explore a vast world whilst restoring order and balance. Additionally, you are free to do as you wish. Subsequently, you can ignore the story and build a vast house. Alternatively, you can cultivate crops, craft new materials, and live a relaxed life. 

Whatever approach you choose, it is great fun with friends or alone. Moreover, the anime aesthetic and the lush world were a pleasure to look at and explore. What’s more, the developer has done a fantastic job of creating a progression system and a nice blend of survival mechanics. Yet, it is this latter element that tests you throughout. With water, health, food, and a spirit meter to manage, it can be tough to survive. Alongside this, you must stay healthy to bolster your physique. After all, a hungry hero is a weak hero.

Classic mechanics. 

You’ll feel right at home if you are familiar with the genre. The classic survival elements complement the day/night cycle. Additionally, balancing an all-out attack with your stamina bar can be testing. However, once you get to grips with the almost mindless combat, you needn’t worry. This was one of my major complaints! Pathless Woods doesn’t test your combat prowess. Whether you are using a ranged or melee weapon, it is very easy. Yes, the stamina bar adds a layer of difficulty, but this is quickly overcome. Accordingly, killing bandits or defending your base was too easy and disappointingly basic.

Thankfully, the combat pales into insignificance when you consider the building mechanics and the farming. These elements are some of the best I’ve experienced, and I loved the variety of materials and the tools on offer. Consequently, if you want to build a massive castle, you may. However, if you want to create a simple community, you can do this as well. The level of detail and the custom options for each building block were spectacular. Accordingly, this will get those creative juices flowing.

Time to grind. 

Pathless Woods is a grind-fest and a time sink. This won’t surprise veteran gamers. However, if you are new to the genre, you’ll waste hours crafting new tools and gathering pieces of wood, stone, flint, and other materials. Furthermore, you must consider the weather as this damages your tools and exposure to the elements destroys your crafting stations. Subsequently, you must plan wisely if you wish to maximise your time. 

Thankfully, the developers aren’t cruel, as they have incorporated NPC helpers to alleviate much of the strain. These workers will follow your instructions, defend your base, and grind for resources. Though it isn’t perfect, they help remove some of the effort as you focus on bigger and better things.

Pathless Woods is imbalanced. 

My biggest complaint about Pathless Woods is the gameplay imbalance. The combat is so lacklustre that it is painfully disappointing. I was desperate to be pushed during each encounter, but this never happened. Sadly, some minor dodging and plenty of spamming of the mouse overcame every obstacle. 

I’m not asking for a Souls-like experience. That would destroy a relaxing and enjoyable title. Instead, it would have been nice to have a layer of risk vs reward. In its current state, Pathless Woods feels more like a survival-building title rather than a full-blown adventure game. 

A vibrant and attractive world. 

I adored the blend of vibrant colours and pastel tones. The large world has an anime influence that is great to observe. Its larger-than-life creatures are juxtaposed with the fantasy monsters. Additionally, the bizarre structures have a religious undertone that supports the strange lore. Though I liked the character models, the animation was basic, and the combat was too easy to analyse. Subsequently, this undermines an already weak component of the game. 

The fantasy edge is represented beautifully within the audio. The airy tunes flit between upbeat and lighthearted moments and sinister and dramatic layers. The expansive range of songs works perfectly with the day/night cycle and the ever-changing weather. Accordingly, you knew when danger was lurking or when you could relax and enjoy the moment.

Complex controls. 

Pathless Woods is undoubtedly complex. Furthermore, there are mountains of resources to gather, plenty of materials to create and loads of tools to build. Consequently, the control system takes some getting used to. Moreover, the UI has layers of sub-menus that can be overwhelming at first. However, if you follow the tutorial and the hints, you will master this in no time.

Despite the combat issues, this will keep you playing for hours. There are countless side quests to complete, a central plot to explore, and a vast world to walk across. Furthermore, you are free to do as much or as little as you please. Therefore, the world is your oyster. 

Pathless Woods is a great survival experience. 

I hope the combat issues get resolved. If some complexity and difficulty are added to the mix, then Pathless Woods will be phenomenal. As it is, this is a great survival experience that is interesting, fresh, and attractive to the eye. Accordingly, I love it and I recommend buying it here! Can you discover the hidden mysteries? Explore a vast world, build a wonderful base, and stay alive.

Review: The Tower on the Borderland

Phant0m
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0
Review: The Tower on the Borderland

This game has multiple ideas that I did not like and I could say that it all combined to an experience that I did not like. These are my thoughts on… The Tower on the Borderland 

Visuals

First thing you’ll notice in this game is a set of visuals that are inspired by the PS1 era of video games although very interesting to look at at times it came off as bland and uninteresting. But I will admit that character designs were pretty solid. The mc looked the way I would imagine them to. And the monsters… well let’s just say on top of their interesting design they also had the interesting idea to include… the monsters.. genitalia 💀. These at least made me interested in fighting these quite random looking beasts. Areas and Atmospheres in this game are absolutely the pinnacle of why I think the game doesn’t have an amazing design. Most of the areas look similar or give off the same vibe boring me after just the first 30 minutes. Not only that but the colorset does not impress at all. Most things look mundane or dull. And looking at that through the entire runtime was disappointing even if it made sense for the atmosphere you’re in.

Gameplay

Now when I mentioned ideas I didn’t like it starts here. To start the combat is super unsatisfying, not only did I feel unrewarded it also made me feel super weak against my enemies due to the absolutely horrible controls. I have never played something that I struggled with more controls wise than this. I still got confused after a whole hour of gameplay, I personally played on keyboard and mouse, so I couldn’t tell you if it was easier on the controller since I ran into technical issues beforehand. Which has nothing to do with the game. Now if you’re wondering if there was anything else to make the game more interesting… not really. In my experience I just ran straight through not even wondering if there was anything else to do, but I never felt encouraged either, meaning that most of my gameplay was me spamming one to three buttons upon fighting enemies. Hit. Dodge and run, and possibly find the occasional upgrade. There is a final note I have to mention and that’s the fact that souls like aren’t my favorite; so maybe this would be better for those who do

Story/Characters/Music?

Now usually this isn’t too important in a souls like experience, sadly this would be my only saving Grace of a souls like and this sadly didn’t deliver even what I may have been hoping for. On the one hand you have the interesting mystery of what the hell is even going on? I had this question several times and on the other hand you have the answers, answers that didn’t make me happy( It’s hard to not spoil it considering the short runtime) but it was easily forgettable and baffling at times. I mean it seriously felt like grasping at straws at its finest, because most events happen so loosely that it was hard to follow, and maybe a replay can change my mind but I truly doubt it. Also since most of the music felt non existent I’ll avoid it for now.

Performance

On a high note the game performed pretty well. Didn’t experience any screen tearing nor frame drops. Everything not only ran smoothly but it also all worked right out of the gate meaning you should be ok to play this!

Verdict

If you’re wondering, I don’t recommend this game. It’s hard to like something that combined many elements of things you don’t like, but when that happens and you fail those multiple elements, it just makes the experience so much worse. I give the game a 4.5/10. It’s got some greatness in atmosphere and its performance is rock solid. This seems like a game that would be nice, but there is tons of ironing out to do before moving on to the next project. Those were my thoughts on The Tower on the Borderland! Thx For Reading! Keep doing great things! You’re good at them. Bye 🙂

Side Notes

This review was done on a computer using an RX 6750 XT Power color and an Intel i5 13400F. This review does NOT have any details about controller support.

Review: Sherwood Extreme

Saim Khurshid
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Review: Sherwood Extreme

It is hard to put into words how Sherwood Extreme made me feel. The more I think about it, the more I am perplexed. It gave me fun yet died the moment I looked away. Like a dream interrupted at the climax, It’s all too underwhelming or more accurately, it felt like giving giving someone consent but they just put you on standby.

Launch Trailer| Sherwood Extreme

Never the less, like a dentist checking on broken teeth of people who wake others mid dream, let us see if anything can be salvaged from Sherwood Extreme.

Shooty Shooty Sherwood

The gameplay is nothing too unique. Within the ragdoll-y, comedy physics reminiscent of Totally Accurate Battle Simulator, you play as a Robin Hood look-alike running down hordes of enemies.

With a bow, arrows and shield that can be upgraded as you progress, you have to complete a simple task: Don’t die, kill the boss at the end and take the final loot. Each mission takes less than 2 minutes to finish and there are only 7 of them.

Then what do you do after that? You ask. Well…Here is where the rug gets pulled. 

Sherwood-ly That’s Not All!

Once you finish the 7 missions, you unlock a Horde mode. In this mode, as it sounds, you will fight horde after horde till you die. The map is a giant tree house that you traverse while fighting. 

All your upgrades from the levels do not enter the horde mode as Sherwood Extreme had the amazing idea(Sarcasm as required) of giving you basic stuff and allowing a single upgrade per 2 rounds of survival.

The game also allows you to team up with friends and play this with strategy and all that nonsense. Which is all well and good if not for one glaring problem.

It is too Easy!

Child’s Play

The Horde mood starts with you at the top of a wooden tower surrounded by many perches that you can glide or zip along with ease. The enemies arrive from four gates on the four sides of the tower. So as the fight begins, they are on the ground and you are in the skies. Not to mention your character’s weapon of choice is an arrow. In other words. ‘I have the high ground, Anakin!’

I went round after round after round just dropping hell on the enemies and they could not touch me. By the time they even came close to reaching me, only one or two would be left alive and even they would be dead before they stuck. I could only imagine how easy it would get with friends.

In my first run, I had crossed the double-digit number for hordes and in the end I decided to just go to the floor and kill them there. Even then I died because I tried to jump between a rock and a tree, getting stuck via a glitch. 

Done before it started

So like I said, it was like an interrupted dream. A rug pulled from beneath my feet.

My conclusion for Sherwood Extreme is that it is a grand concept but much less a game. The combat is fluid, the enemies, albeit easy, are very fun to fight and the map design for the very little there was, was very fun to navigate.

In Short, this labour of love is in need of more time in the oven of Love!

Review: Nank OE Mix Open-Ear earbuds

Daniel Waite
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Review: Nank OE Mix Open-Ear earbuds

Nank OE Mix Open-Ear earbuds are a fantastic audio device. Furthermore, these lightweight earbuds are surprisingly affordable and are packed with impressive high-end audio tech. As such, you won’t break the bank or ruin your favourite podcast or song.

If you are looking for a versatile product that has a phenomenal battery life, exceptional Bluetooth, and a crystal-clear microphone for video and voice calls, then this is the perfect device. Moreover, it is designed with sports in mind. Accordingly, if you love to run, walk, or cycle, then these headphones must be on your radar. 

What’s in the box of the Nank OE Mix Open-Ear earbuds?

  • The compact packaging is robust and eye-catching. Furthermore, it can be recycled. 
  • The Nank OE Mix Open-Ear earbuds are tiny. These lightweight earbuds have a rubberised finish that is flexible and easy to maintain.
  • The hard-wearing charging case protects and charges the earbuds. 
  • Charge the device with the USB-C cable. 
  • Learn the fundamentals with the user manual. 

Technical aspects. 

Sports earbuds are more niche than their mainstream peers. Consequently, I have different expectations whenever I test a pair. I look for exceptional audio quality, impressive battery life, easy maintenance, and a strong and stable connection. Secondary to this, I want a crystal clear microphone and easy-to-master controls. Thankfully, the Nank OE Mix Open-Ear earbuds deliver across the board.

The 5.4 Bluetooth functionality is incredible. The connection is rapid and stable and the power draw on your phone and the earbuds is minimal. Subsequently, this improves battery life and the quality of music and phone calls. A high battery life is essential if you are walking, cycling, or running long distances. There is nothing worse than running out of juice mid-session. As such, I was impressed with the battery life on offer. During testing, I enjoyed up to 10 hours of usage per charge. Alongside this, the charging case offers 3 separate rapid charge boosts. As such, I could use these earbuds between 32 and 36 hours before charging the case.

Phone calls. 

Though the ability to take phone calls is not essential, it is a nice feature to have. Thanks to the AI-noise cancelling technology, these earbuds eliminate around 80% of external environmental sounds. This feature is ideal if you work in a noisy location, or you take a phone call when exercising. Either way, you’ll improve every conversation as unwanted noises are eliminated.

The Bluetooth 5.4 technology removes unfortunate static and uncomfortable popping and echoed sounds. The result is a clearer conversation with a professional edge. Consequently, these are ideal if you use video calling for work meetings. 

Audio quality of the Nank OE Mix Open-Ear earbuds.

Open-ear technology is usually frowned upon. As a rule, people tend to pick up bone-conducting headphones such as the Nank Runner Diver 2. Alternatively, in-ear earbuds are a popular choice. However, I love this relatively new idea. The exceptional safety features and the ability to maintain your ear health are 2 key selling points. Moreover, they are comfortable to wear during extended gaming or exercise sessions. 

What impressed me was the fine audio quality. The over-ear speakers offer an impressive range of tones. Additionally, the bass line is powerful without being too overbearing. I enjoyed the quality even when the volume was cranked up. No matter how much I pushed the earbuds, the audio didn’t crack. This was particularly impressive as I could hear every surrounding noise. Subsequently, I always felt safe whenever I traversed busy roads. 

Build quality.

The audio was fantastic because of the 16.2mm diaphragm drives. This is almost 3 times bigger than other earbuds. Consequently, you are getting a lot of bang for your buck. Every element of the Nank OE Mix Open-Ear earbuds was well constructed. The comfortable ear hooks are flexible and easy to clean. What’s more, they grip your ears with no risk of slipping or falling off. Moreover, the in-built touchpads were responsive and streamlined. As such, they add little weight but improve usability.

Finally, the charging case is a robust device that keeps the earbuds safe and fully charged. The sleek black pebble design is discreet and the lack of buttons and switches delivers a refined look. Accordingly, this is perfect if you want a compact device to chuck in your gym bag or laptop case. 

Are the Nank OE Mix Open-Ear earbuds worth it?

Sports earbuds sit in an awkward category. Furthermore, things become complicated because of the AI technology and the low-latency gaming connection. Thankfully, though, the Nank OE Mix Open-Ear earbuds excel at the basics. Not only are they rugged and secure to wear, they are easy to maintain and they deliver incredible audio. Alongside this, they are user-friendly and they have an exceptional battery life. Consequently, they are impressive, especially when you consider the price point. Therefore, I recommend buying them here!

(More information on Nank can be found here!)

The Nank OE Mix Open-Ear earbuds have been awarded the Movies Games and Tech Gold Award.

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

Review: So Chill Mini Fridge

Daniel Waite
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Review: So Chill Mini Fridge

The So Chill Mini Fridge is a compact and useful accessory for your gaming arena. Moreover, it is the perfect tool if you are a beauty queen, or you want to keep drinks cool during a picnic. Whatever your reason for purchasing this compact device, you will not be disappointed by the price point or the quality.

This fridge is available in teal and black. I chose the teal option as I liked the striking colour and the attractive chrome accents. This lightweight product is perfect if you have a gaming cave or a beauty den. Alternatively, maybe you love camping, or you enjoy days at the beach. Either way, this fridge will keep up to 6 330 ml cans wonderfully cold. However, if you love makeup, this low-power cooler will keep your pride and joy perfectly cool on uncomfortably hot days.

What’s in the box of the So Chill Mini Fridge?

  • The packaging is recyclable and vibrant. It highlights key selling points, and it keeps the fridge safe in transit. 
  • The So Chill Mini Fridge is surprisingly lightweight. However, it is hard-wearing and it will take some rough and tumble. 
  • Power the device with the USB-A to a figure of 8 cable. 
  • Customise your product with the loud stickers. 
  • Learn the fundamentals with the user manual.

Technical aspects. 

The So Chill Mini Fridge is effectively a portable cooling box. As such, don’t expect this to quickly chill your drinks. Instead, you’ll need to leave considerable time between storing and consuming your favourite beverage. To get the best results, I found it was easier to pre-chill my cans and swap them in the fridge. This process helps to reduce the ambient temperature whilst speeding up the cooling process. 

I adored the mobile nature of this product. Thanks to the USB charging, this device can travel with you without any hassle. Accordingly, if you have a decent power bank or a USB in-car charger, you can keep the party going. Thankfully, if you run out of juice, the well-insulated material keeps the fridge cooler for longer. Subsequently, it is ideal if you are at the beach for extended periods, or you need to charge your power bank. 

The low power consumption enables decent power banks to work for hours. This was particularly impressive if you have a trickle-charge solar panel system. When combined with a 4W solar panel, the So Chill Mini Fridge runs for hours. As such, though it won’t be a go-to solution for many people, this versatile device can be charged in many ways. 

Build quality. 

This fridge costs less than £40. Accordingly, I set my expectations reasonably low. However, I was shocked by the sturdy build quality and the pleasantly vibrant teal finish. Moreover, the chrome handle adds a luxurious finish that catches your eye. Weighing under 2kg, you can transport this product without breaking a sweat. Additionally, it is easy to move even when it is loaded to the brim.

The door has a fine layer of insulation hidden inside the carcass. Furthermore, there is a handy perspex window to keep an eye on your stock levels. This was a nice feature as it prevents you from unnecessarily opening the door and changing the ambient temperature. Finally, a small tray and rack are included to increase the storage capacity. These extra elements were sturdy and helpful. However, the door storage solution has minimal uses and this can be removed if you so wish. 

Is the So Chill Mini Fridge worth it?

If you are a gamer who loves to hide in their cave for hours on end, then this fridge will be perfect. You can store your food and drinks in one handy location. What’s more, you needn’t worry about room-temperature beverages or melted chocolate. Alternatively, it will keep your drinks chilled as you relax on the beach. As such, this affordable product is ideal for many uses and I recommend buying it here!

(More information on So Chill can be found here!)

The So Chill Auto Mini Fridge has been awarded the Movies Games and Tech Gold Award.

(Full disclosure! So Chill provided a sample for a free and unbiased review!)

Review: Kudzu

Khloe Turner
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Review: Kudzu

A new game for an old system

Yes, you read the heading right.

Kudzu is Chris Totten’s passion project born from his college experience, where he worked on assignments surrounded by the nefarious kudzu plant. This game was specifically made with the intention to be played on the original Game Boy itself (and yes, it works)! It is much akin to old-school Zelda and Metroid titles; Kudzu has ditched linearity and introduced more . . . well . . . plants.

Players can play Kudzu on the original Game Boy, Game Boy Color, Super Game Boy, Game Boy Pocket, and the Game Boy Advance, thanks to Totten’s partnership with Mega Cat Studios for physical cartridge production. It can also be purchased on the Nintendo Switch digitally. The game was released on April 5th, 2024.

Kudzu: “The World-Eating Plant”

You play as Max, a gardener apprentice to Master Zoen. Max and colleagues live at a research base with the intention of studying the true properties of the invasive plant named kudzu.

Outside of Max's house at the kudzu research campsite

Zoen, however, has gone missing after mysteriously wandering into the dangerous Kudzu Fields. Max drinks some tea and gathers some “kudzu jelly” and then sets out to find his master. He finds Zoen’s machete abandoned in the fields, equips it, and continues on his bizarre journey. Along the way, he receives help from various colleagues and creatures, collects mushrooms, and slashes the kudzu overgrowth.

There are plentiful monstrosities within the kudzu-covered world, including snakes, large insects, and hostile flowers. In order to recover health from the damage delt by enemies, Max must consume jars of “kudzu jelly.” Kudzu has healing properties after all.

In total, Max travels to eight different areas: Kuzdu Fields, The Gardens, The Estate, The Forest, and more. Kudzu is understood to be non-linear, as Max can go wherever he pleases at any point in time. This requires some back-tracking and cut-throughs of previously explored areas to get to the next location.

A botanical adventure

The game itself is straightforward, and perfectly encapsulates the aesthetic of the Game Boy. Players can select different artistic borders surrounding their game; the game’s booklet looks exactly like how they did in the past, giving you tips, demonstrating the gameplay and mechanics, as well as showcasing Kudzu‘s artwork and character biographies! The classic Game Boy green coloration is perfect, being that the game is all about botany.

Pause menu item screen in Kudzu

Kudzu‘s sprites are quite large, which is different from the sprite sizes in Zelda and “Metroidvania” titles. While this makes it easier to see all the details, it does make each location feel more compact and cramped. Max is only able to equip short-ranged weapons, like a hoe or a rake. If it were not for the weird sprite scaling, ranged weapons could work very well. It would have aided in certain circumstances, like attacking the annoying, spitting “kudzu blossoms”.

On the topic of weaponry, or farm tools, Max is able to use a machete, a garden hoe, a rake, gardening boots, among other items. Each item has slightly different abilities. The boots, for example, allow Max to stomp over brambles and rough terrain without taking damage. Unfortunately, Max himself never upgrades. Max’s base abilities remain the same and all he can really do is walk around and swing a weapon.

The Garden area in the game Kudzu

The music is another strength of Kudzu, composed by Brandon Ellis (a.k.a. CityFires). Personally, I am often burnt out by the desire to replicate outdated graphics . . . but I never get enough of old-school chiptune. Kudzu‘s soundtrack gives off vibes similar to the soundtrack of Mega Man: tenor and a bit ominous, yet full of energy and thrill. Each area theme is unique and emanates a sense of cautious yet curious adventure. It is the kind of music I would take a bit to listen thoughtfully to before I actually started playing the game.

The questionable controls

While Kudzu has many strengths, there are several fatal flaws in regards to its mechanics. The controls are a bit janky (and I suppose a lot of older titles are just like that).

Place of the first boss fight in the game Kudzu

There were too many times that I just . . . lost control of Max? He would move in random directions that I did not initiate, or my machete would lag several milliseconds before it actually swung. Certain enemies seem to have respawned spontaneously, especially after exiting the pause menu screen. Due to these delays and errors, Max’s attacks occasionally became futile, and players may get hit by an enemy for no reason other than Max suddenly running into it. This made the game frustrating. Kudzu is a tad difficult already, but these performance issues made Max’s deaths very much inevitable.

I died more than anticipated. If players had not saved the game in a while, you can get set back quite a bit. To save one’s data, Max must go inside tents that are scattered throughout the map and interact with the radio. There are lots of tents to save at, yet I struggled lots and had to redo areas over again.

The pause menu screen does not operate smoothly at all. Navigating the screen would sometimes just . . . not work. Clicking left or right to hover over items and options would not register at times, and the clicker became “stuck.” Also, I swear some of my kudzu jelly disappeared even when I had not used it.

Pause menu screen in Kudzu

The syncing between the gameplay screen and the pause menu was not very accurate either. Sometimes, the amount of health Max appeared to have on the pause menu was not shown in-game, or it said something different. For example, the pause menu said that Max had 25/100 health left, but in-game it would briefly show I had 50/100 health remaining. Due to the miscommunication, this caused me to die much faster and more frequently.

Final thoughts

The concept of Kudzu is amazing and creative, and for sure appeals to fans of the classic Game Boy. Who makes new games for old consoles? Chris Totten sure does!

The soundtrack is full of energetic bops; the character art is nostalgically wonderful; the Game Boy format is neat; and incorporating the kudzu plant as the main object of significance is super cool. As someone who lives in a location that is overrun by the dreaded kudzu, I found the overgrowth relatable and humorous.

Max acquiring Zoen's machete in Kudzu

The gripes are pretty major, however. The imprecise control schemes and the somewhat unvaried gameplay becomes tedious and boring. Redoing the same areas over and over, the struggle to acquire area maps, and the eventual repetitive nature of the game are definite downsides.

Regardless, I still recommend Kudzu. I applaud the small team of developers for working so hard towards this passion project, and taking the time to thoughtfully research and artistically craft such unique ideas into an old medium.

Review: Genshin Impact decorative light

Daniel Waite
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Review: Genshin Impact decorative light

Genshin Impact has been revolutionary since its release on mobile devices and consoles. Consequently, I’m not surprised that gaming paraphernalia is now available. Today I’m looking at the eye-catching Genshin Impact decorative light. This striking accessory is the perfect addition to your workstation. Moreover, its neon effect won’t overpower your set-up.

This solid unit is ideal if you want a bit of a wow factor for your console or PC. Additionally, its rechargeable battery and user-friendly approach make it a plug-and-play dream. If you are like me, you won’t want untidy cables ruining your streamlined desktop. Well, thankfully, this lamp can be charged and left unplugged for hours on end. The result is a vibrant nod to an excellent title and a head-turning workspace.

Technical aspects of the Genshin Impact decorative light. 

The Genshin Impact decorative light is vibrant without being obnoxious. The neon effect lighting delivers a warm hue that illuminates a small area. Moreover, the simple on/off switch is hidden in the body of the lamp. Accordingly, this has a streamlined finish that enhances any man cave or gaming arena.

The lamp is powered by a rechargeable battery. This powerful, yet compact unit lasts ages, and it can be charged in no time at all. I accidentally left the light on overnight, and it was still burning bright when I woke up. Now, you may be concerned about a fire risk or unwanted heat damage. However, fear not as the lamp runs pretty cold. Accordingly, I wasn’t concerned about my forgetfulness. Additionally, thanks to the quick charge facility, it mattered not if I let the battery run low.

Build quality. 

Neamedia Icons creates some fantastic gaming products. Furthermore, they utilise some of the biggest brands to create attractive and desirable items. Thankfully, the Genshin Impact decorative light doesn’t buck this trend. The game logo is on point and fans will lose their minds over the attention to detail. If you happen to not be a fan, you may still admire the wonderful colour palette and the clean lines. 

What impressed me most was the solid build quality. This sturdy unit cannot be taken apart. Consequently, this reduces the risk of unwanted damage or lost parts. Moreover, it delivers a more professional and authentic finish that streamers and gaming fans will adore. 

The item is charged using the well-placed USB-C port. This rugged charging port will take some rough-housing. Furthermore, as it is hidden towards the bottom of the lamp, it doesn’t undermine the colourful finish. Finally, the aforementioned on/off switch hides in plain sight. This simple-to-use switch is tactile, hard-wearing, and easy to find. As such, the Genshin Impact decorative light is attractive and user-friendly. 

Is the Genshin Impact decorative light worth it?

Decorating your gaming space is a personal choice. However, if you love unusual items that will turn someone’s head, then I recommend this product. I love the gentle hue and the impressive battery life. Moreover, this solid unit is attractive and robust. As such, it looks fantastic on a shelf, by your console or next to your monitor. This lamp is a bargain as it is available for under €30. Consequently, I recommend buying it here!

(More information on Neamedia Icons can be found here!)

The Genshin Impact decorative light has been awarded the Movies Games and Tech Gold award.

(Full disclosure! Neamedia Icons provided a sample for a free and unbiased review!)

Review: Crown Wars: The Black Prince

Dawid Wisniewski
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Review: Crown Wars: The Black Prince

“Crown Wars: The Black Prince” throws players to the tumultuous era of a burning, war torn medieval France, offering a tactical experience reminiscent of the acclaimed XCOM series. Choose which of the varying in playstyle families you’re fighting for, customise your emblem and assemble your squadron of valiant troops, each representing a unique class with distinct roles. Lead them into battles across a variety of dynamic environments and try not to get attached, as keeping them alive won’t be easy!

One of the game’s distinguishing features is its departure from the intense time pressure characteristic of XCOM. This allows for a more leisurely approach to troop management and resource gathering, as players can focus on developing their squad and upgrading their main base through side missions. While time does pass as you dispatch troops and undertake missions, the main missions offer a longer window of opportunity, providing players with greater flexibility in their strategic decisions. “”Crown Wars: The Black Prince” doesn’t wait around to jump in the action and after a cutscene throws the player into battle. First there’s act 1, which has the role of a tutorial that allows the player to get familiar with the games mechanics as well as slowly unlocking new buildings that provide many benefits to your growing band of alchemists, beast masters and many more. After completing the initial tutorial act the game will open up with random missions that pop up on the map for a couple days which range from killing all enemies to extracting prisoners. Those will yield valuable resources used for upgrading weapons and armour in the forge or various buildings around the base.

Visually, “Crown Wars: The Black Prince” immerses players in its richly detailed medieval setting. From the smouldering ruins of pillaged villages to the imposing walls of besieged castles, each battlefield is meticulously crafted to evoke the atmosphere of the era. On top of the typical use of destroyed buildings and carts as full of half cover, Crown Wars stands out with its inclusion of interactive elements. Among them are ballistae and catapults that add an extra layer of depth to the tactical combat, allowing players to leverage their surroundings to gain the upper hand against their foes.

Despite its strengths, the game currently sits at a 7/10 rating in my opinion. While the medieval setting and tactical gameplay are executed admirably, there’s room for improvement in terms of character customization and troop levelling. The current system feels somewhat limited, with only two skill trees per class and streamlined weapon options. However, with some adjustments and added variety, “Crown Wars: The black prince” has the potential to become the definitive XCOM-like experience that fans have been eagerly awaiting.

In conclusion, “Crown Wars: The black prince” offers a compelling blend of tactical depth and medieval atmosphere. With future updates addressing the concerns raised by players, it has the potential to ascend to the ranks of gaming greatness and become a must-play title for strategy enthusiasts everywhere.

“Crown Wars: The black prince” is available from May 23rd on all major platforms.

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.

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