Yomawari: Lost In The Dark

Daniel Kelly
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0
Yomawari: Lost In The Dark

I’m a notorious scaredy-cat. I do however enjoy survival horror: those few games like Resident Evil and Evil Within where you have the resources in order to deal with the horror straight on, and gradually there is a shift in the power dynamic as your growing arsenal merges with your growing game knowledge and you begin to trivialize encounters.

Yomawari is firmly in the style of horror games which freak me out: no weapons, no means by which to defend yourself; just evade and hope for the best. I am often too scared to ever beat these games (let alone become competent at playing them), but Yomawari was just beguiling enough to get me to the end with my sanity in tact.

Story

The first thing you’ll see when booting up the game is a warning saying you should not play this game if you have any concerns for your mental health. This is not the most mollifying thing to read for someone as scared as myself, and it’s a great way to immediately get you to second guess every plot point and let your mind run away with you in the opening hours.

Unfortunately this warning is practically hollow. While there are a few fairly dark points in the story, there is nothing so shocking as to warrant this message. However, I’m more than willing to accept that this is just indicative of how desensitized I’ve become to many of the themes this game covers. Your mileage may vary.

As for the actual story: you play as the customizable character known as Yazu. You are a student at a Japanese school who is inexplicably reviled and teased by the rest of the students. This is an immediately isolating feeling. You are tormented continuously as you make your way to class. Upon actually getting to class and sitting down, you are confronted by a group of students and made to eat a worm. You have the option to either eat it or not, but the option to refuse is scribbled out.

After this, you are seen on the roof of the school as the camera pans up, and then back down to show nothing but your shoes. You then find yourself in a forest and after making your way past some spooky scenery, you are approached by a green haired character who claims you know each other. As hackneyed as it is, your character has amnesia.

After you tough your way through the tutorial, you are left to your own devices in a version of your home town which has become infested with yokai (demonic Japanese spirits). You are then tasked with finding 7 key items which will allow you to escape this nightmare.

The main issue with the story and exposition in this game is that the game has a rotten habit of stopping you dead in your tracks and playing out an in-game cutscene. And not just for main story events, but it can at times feel as though the game doesn’t want you playing it at all. There’s no voice acting, so there’s no reason for these smaller story dumps to not just be dialogue which appears as you play. This kills tension in some sections because you know damn well the game isn;t going to throw anything at you in a cutscene.

In Restless Dreams, I See That Town

Okay, that’s the only Silent Hills reference I’ll make.

The game open up considerably once you reach the town (which I was not expecting); however, there are still limits on where you can go. Like a Metroidvania, certain sections are cordoned off and you must instead beat the current part of the town before you can progress. This was somewhat disappointing, but maybe unreasonably so. I was just hoping that my worst fear would come to pass and I’d just be stuck in this open world filled with monsters.

In exploring the section I was allowed in I came across around half a dozen mysterious coins and about the same number of rocks. These collectible rocks are, at least theoretically, supposed to allow you to distract enemies; however, in the 9 or 10 hours it took me to beat this game, I recall using this successfully twice. The yokai either ignore the rocks, or reposition themselves in the most minute way so as to still be able to catch you if you run past.

The coins are another problem. Every time you die you will respawn at your house. This potential annoyance is mitigated by checkpoints. The checkpoints in this game are little statues which have to be activated with the use of a coin. This was the most terrifying thing I ran into the entire game as the only thing stronger than my fear is my loss aversion.

This dread dissipated immediately though as I walked not 20 steps from a checkpoint only to find another one, and another one not far beyond that. This seems fine as surely there aren’t enough coins in the game to be able to activate all, or even half of these, but no. By this point I had around 8 coins, and by the end of the entire game I must have had 10+ spares. There is never a reason not to use a coin, and you are almost always a stones throw away from a checkpoint. This killed the tension of exploration pretty quickly and pretty early.

Please Move Faster

The actual controls of Yomawari are pretty simple: you have a frightfully slow run with a stamina bar, a way to pick up and then throw certain items, and the ability to close both of your eyes by holding the triggers.

This last one is the one truly terrifying thing in this game. Almost every enemy in the game will ignore you so long as your eyes are closed. Your goal at this point is to make it to wherever you’re going without touching any of those enemies (indicated on the screen by vague plumes of red mist). This is where the lion’s share of tension comes from, and it’s where the tension would stay if it weren’t for one thing: you move incomprehensibly slowly when your eyes are closed.

This is no problem in the tutorial, as enemies will almost never move, but the second you get to moving enemies, the exploration in the game immediately devolves into trial and error. Your character simply moves, and adjusts to changes in movement, too slowly to react to many of the enemies in said environment.

I would largely classify this as a skill issue on my end, as I have very little experience with these cat and mouse styles of horror games, but this issue is exacerbated even further by the boss fights. Most of the main fights in this game are purely trial and error. I have a theory about these kinds of non-combative horror games: something is scary the first time you encounter it, scary the first time you die to it, but the moment you die to it a second time, it becomes irritating.

This may not be a universal truth, but it’s certainly true for me. I find it nearly impossible to become scared or nervous around an incomprehensible eldritch horror if they’ve already killed me twice.

Terror in a Cozy Town

I’ve been fairly negative so far, and while I do have a number of issues with the bosses and enemy encounters, the one thing this game nails is its atmosphere.

Along with the mental health warning at the beginning of the game, it also makes sure to emphasize how important sound is in this game. Outside of horror games, sound is often the last thing you think of, it’s just what you throw in towards the end of development. The sound design in Yomawari is fantastic.

From the rush of the wind in the forest, to the hum of the street and store lights in the town, to the soft sounds of whatever hell happened to be lurking just out of sight, whenever I found the tension seeping out of the room, the sound design was always there to barricade the windows and lock all the doors.

I haven’t spoken much about the enemy design, but the yokai are so unique. The closest I’ve come to Japanese horror is Ghostwire Tokyo, and it’s so refreshing to see a host of monsters that are so culturally distinct that I never would have even dreamt of them had I not seen them here. You receive a flashlight at the beginning of the game and there are even yokai which are invisible unless you are shining your light at them. The discovery of this had me whipping the right stick around like a madman for the next 8 hours.

When you enter one of the main areas in order to get one of the 7 pieces needed to end the nightmare, the game becomes a lot more linear but also a lot more exact. There are a number of environmental puzzles in these sections which really helped me to appreciate the slower moments all the more.

Conclusion

Yomawari: Lost in The Dark is apparently the third game in the Yomawari franchise. I didn’t know this until I had to find images for this review, so I really can’t speak as to how much you will get out of this game if you’ve already played the others.

All I can say is that, from the perspective of a newcomer, this is a good game with issues that are all the more baffling once you realize it’s the third game in a franchise. Don’t be deterred from picking this one up if you’re interested though, none of the games are related beyond their themes and designs, so you won’t need to scour Youtube for any 3 hour lore videos before starting.

Yomawari is a beautiful, unique game with a heavy atmosphere and a competent story, but it’s weighed down by too many gamplay issues to warrant paying the $40. Unless you are a pre-established Yomawari fan, or are just in love with this genre of horror, I would wait for a sale, or even scoop up the other games instead.

What are the Key Gaming Trends to Watch out for in 2023?

Christopher John
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0
What are the Key Gaming Trends to Watch out for in 2023?

Every year brings about new developments in the constantly evolving gaming industry, and there are plenty of hot trends to watch out for in 2023. Many of these will be seen across all branches of the sprawling sector, but developers on different platforms will implement them in diverse ways.

Hybrid Monetisation

You may not have heard of hybrid monetisation before, but you are likely to encounter it in 2023. It’s a revenue generation model that combines an upfront payment with ongoing in-game payments. For example, a player would purchase a game and then buy upgrades within the title. It can also refer to games and gaming sites that accept a range of digital payment options.

Hybrid monetisation is global, with the advent of iGaming sites such as Metaspins Casino taking cryptocurrency and encouraging this model. The site can process BTC, ETH, LTC, and altcoins, and players can use these to play any of the games. They can even switch between cryptocurrencies seamlessly if they wish to do so. Because of the ease of use and the fact that cryptocurrencies could one day replace fiat currencies, other sites are jumping on this trend.

Cross-Platform Gaming

Up until recently, different offshoots of gaming stuck rigidly to their own platforms. Many games have been made available for a range of devices, but players haven’t always been able to play against people who used a different device to their own. This is beginning to change, though, with many PlayStation and Xbox titles sharing the same servers and allowing for matchups.

Thanks to the fact that smartphones are now more advanced than ever, there could be an increase in the amount of cross-platform gaming that occurs between mobile and consoles. According to Android Police, many titles already allow for cross-platform play, and there will be more to come this year.

VR Gaming

It seems every year we predict that VR gaming will be an emerging trend, but the technology is still stuttering. There are loads of VR games out there for owners of the tech to choose from. The main problem is that not enough people own it yet. This could be set to change soon, though.

It’s anticipated that Apple will announce its VR headset this year, which could end up being a game changer for the platform. The American tech giant transformed the smartphone industry with the iPhone, and it’s expected to do the same with VR. When the headset does hit the market, there will most likely be an influx of new VR games.

Open-World Games

Open-world games continue to be the standard on consoles, with the PlayStation 5 able to offer some truly immersive experiences. Players now feel as if they’ve stepped into another world in which they can become a character. However, PC Gamer notes that, in 2023, developers may find out that huge games are becoming tiresome.

One of the most eagerly anticipated titles this year is Assassin’s Creed Mirage, which will be the 13th title in Ubisoft’s beloved series. Gamers should be aware that the exploration will be scaled back slightly, and this will be smaller than more recent offerings. This is because it is designed to pay homage to the series’ roots with more linear storytelling. If it’s a success, it could change the way developers think about open-world content.

Final Thoughts

As is usually the case with gaming, the industry is sure to throw up a few surprises for players this year. It’s evolving fast, and trends come and go. Gamers need to be ready for the rise of cross-platform gaming, and the potential integration of VR.

Review: Unexplored 2: The Wayfarer’s Legacy

Daniel Waite
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0
Review: Unexplored 2: The Wayfarer’s Legacy

The “Rogue” genre and procedurally generated gameplay go hand-in-hand. These two components complement one another to make unique testing experiences. However, brutal mechanics and the unknown can create an unfair and frustrating finish. Consequently, when Unexplored 2: The Wayfarer’s Legacy hit my desk, I didn’t know what to expect.

Developed by Ludomotion/Kittehface and published by Big Sugar Games, this is a fantasy adventure title. What’s more, it has a Dungeons and Dragons edge, a familiar plot, and a large world to explore. Additionally, its cruel action is tough and its combat is sadly underwhelming. Yet, the elements of luck, oodles of idea quests, and a strong backbone keep you hooked throughout.

Merchants can supply you with vital items for your journey.
A safe place to do some trades.

Unexplored 2: The Wayfarer’s Legacy: One staff to control them all!

A fantasy story comprising an all-powerful artefact isn’t original. However, it matters not! Instead, I put aside the lack of originality as I absorbed the lore-rich plot. Moreover, the army of interesting characters, weird monsters, and unforgiving NPCs keeps you on your toes. Furthermore, each arena-like node is interesting and filled with mystery, danger, and treasure. As such, your journey is never dull and you’ll enjoy a varied but occasionally tough endeavour.

You control a hero who has been sent on a dangerous quest. With the Staff of Yendor in your possession, you must undertake a journey like no other. This enchanted stick must be destroyed at all costs, and you are the right person for the job. However, this isn’t a task for the faint of heart as every monster and corrupted individual wishes to stop you.

Node-based adventuring. 

The gameplay is split across an overworld map and node-based adventures. What’s more, you are free to explore as you wish as long as you are prepared for your journey. Consequently, each adventure you undertake is a dangerous affair full of creatures, gold, and scared humans. On top of this, there are tribes to encounter, a constant shift in the political landscape, and many traders to work with. What’s more, you are free to do as you wish as you beg, steal, and borrow your way to victory. 

As you take on quests or move towards your end goal, you’ll move between key locations and interact with multiple nodes. Each of these areas has secrets, monsters and treasures that are begging to be discovered. However, you must remember that death is permanent, and this is where the rogue-like mechanics kick in. You’ll need to balance exploration with supplies and rest. If you fail to bring food, or you push yourself too hard, you’ll become exhausted and this will negatively impact your progress. 

As you traverse the world, you’ll encounter random events that can spoil the party. Whether it is an unexpected ambush, starvation, or an injury, it can have serious ramifications on your success. Subsequently, you must plan for these events, remain close to civilisation, and only gamble whenever it is necessary. 

Don't let a chasm stand in your way.
It’s magic time.

Choices, choices. 

Every chance-based encounter follows the same approach and set of rules. Whether you are conversing with an NPC, unlocking a door, disarming a trap, or studying an unknown language, you apply the same process. Tokens are chucked into a pot, and you must select one at random. The result of this will yield a success stone or a range of other outcomes. If you are successful, you may unlock the trap, appease the NPC, or learn a new language. However, if you pick the wrong token, you can accept defeat or spend some of your resources trying again. 

The crystal shards are found during every adventure and this ensures that reshuffling the tokens isn’t too much of an arduous task. Yet, like D&D, the RNG approach can be cruel and often unfair. Accordingly, if luck isn’t on your side, you can find that particular playthrough ends quickly and this can be frustrating. Luckily, though, once you understand the fundamentals, you won’t find this mechanic to be too daunting or unfair.

The hero of Unexplored 2: The Wayfarer's Legacy walks through a landscape of hand-shaped rocks.
Some hand-shaped rocks, why not?

A secret pacifist.

Unexplored 2: The Wayfarer’s Legacy is peppered with combat encounters and swathes of monsters. Yet, combat is ill-advised, as death is all but assured. Moreover, there is little to no advantage in killing your foes as they drop no loot. Accordingly, you are better to avoid every fight as it is more trouble than it’s worth. In fact, the developers go out of their way to highlight this point. Therefore, why waste your time if it is just a hindrance?

This approach was bizarre, to say the least. Additionally, have you ever heard of an action-adventure RPG where combat is not a go-to option? This was a first for me, and something that undermines the gameplay. Had the developers created a rounded and fulfilling combat mechanic, then the game would have been vastly improved.

This issue leaches into other elements of the gameplay as well. As such, if you try to befriend or assist NPCs, the result is normally a bunch of pissed-off locals. Alternatively, if you are successful but a wild animal attacks, you become public enemy number 1. This whole layer of the game was poorly designed and needs addressing ASAP.

Unexplored 2: The Wayfarer’s Legacy looks awesome. 

Unexplored 2: The Wayfarer’s Legacy pushes the limits with its fantasy theme. As such, the surrounding world is awash with colour, unusual items, and weird creatures. What’s more, each node is interesting to look at while hiding many secrets. Alongside this, I enjoyed the simple animation and the design of the chance-based encounters. However, the cumbersome combat left a lot to be desired. Subsequently, this detracts from the finished product.

On top of the excellent visuals were some amazing songs. The atmospheric soundtrack enhances the fantasy theme while adding depth to the story. Then you must consider the strange sound effects that add a magical layer to the action. Yet, the brilliance of the audio only serves to cement my disappointment with the shortcomings. I can only imagine how good the game would have been if combat was a key component.

The nighttime adventure in Unexplored 2: The Wayfarer's Legacy can be tough and scary.
Can you survive a nighttime adventure?

Clunky fighting and rigid movement. 

Occasionally, fighting can’t be avoided. When this happens, you must endure some poorly thought-out controls. For reasons unknown, you cannot block attacks, and dodging is slow and arduous. As such, it was probably a good job that the developers pushed you away from this element of the gameplay. Thankfully, though, things do get better when you consider the UI and other layers. With easy-to-understand labels and a simple inventory system, you can organise your equipment for every journey.

Though I have my complaints, this still demands that you return over and over again. Thanks to the procedurally generated gameplay and the rogue-like elements, you will be pushed throughout. Moreover, the chance-based encounters add further risk and addictive gameplay. 

Unexplored 2: The Wayfarer’s Legacy should have been great. 

There is so much potential that Unexplored 2: The Wayfarer’s Legacy should have been great. However, its combat mechanics are unforgivable. Additionally, the gamble to befriend NPCs isn’t worth the hassle. Yet, these shortcomings shouldn’t detract from the overall enjoyment. Yes, it doesn’t excel like I wished it would, but I still had fun, nonetheless. As such, I recommend that you buy it here! Choose your path, wish for luck, and ultimately, destroy that blasted staff. 

Famous Australian Actresses and Their Romantic Life

Christopher John
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0
Famous Australian Actresses and Their Romantic Life

One topic that we all love to talk about is Hollywood celebrities and love! Australian actresses have been a part of the entertainment industry for decades, and many have achieved international fame and recognition for their work. Some have also achieved certain fame for their romantic lives, with many making headlines for their relationships with other Hollywood stars. 

That said, let’s explore the romantic lives of some of Australia’s famous actresses.

Movies and Romance are Going Online

The entertainment industry is rapidly changing. What was once a night out at the movie theater with popcorn and your partner has become a cozy movie date on your couch. As streaming services, such as Netflix and Hulu, become more popular, most films are being released directly on the streaming services. 

In addition, the world of romance is also moving online, and Australian hookup sites along with various dating apps are becoming increasingly popular, as many Aussie singles use technology to meet new people. The result is that they can connect with potential partners in ways that were not possible before. Online dating platforms of today’s world offer a secure and lively space for making new connections, arranging hookups, and meeting like-minded singles fast and stress-free.

Four Hollywood Stars from Australia

Let’s jump to the juicy part and look at the four Aussie celebrities that make our Hollywood Wall of Fame. 

  1. Nicole Kidman

Who has not heard of Nicole Kidman? The Hollywood actress who became well-known after featuring on Far & Away and Dead Calm? Nicole Kidman has had relationships and hookups with several famous male celebrities during her career, including Tom Cruise, Keith Urban, and Lenny Kravitz. Since their marriage in 2006, Kidman and Urban have given birth to two daughters.

Nicole Kidman has a vast list of films and honors to her name that marks her career accomplishments. Among her numerous awards, such as the Grammys and the Emmys, she was also awarded a prestigious BAFTA Fellowship for her remarkable work in television and movies over three decades.

  • Cate Blanchette

Oscar-winning actress Cate Blanchette has starred in several blockbuster films, including The Lord of the Rings trilogy, Babel, and The Aviator. She is married to a distinguished fellow actor, Andrew Upton.

Andrew Upton, a screenwriter and filmmaker, has been Cate Blanchette’s husband since 1997. Blanchette has been busy with her profession while preserving a healthy relationship with Upton. In her career, Cate Blanchette has also accomplished many noteworthy accomplishments. She just won an award for her performance in Blue Jasmine, and she has collaborated with several of Hollywood’s biggest stars, including Robert Downey Jr, Leonardo DiCaprio, and Johnny Depp.

  • Margot Robbie

Robbie, a native of Queensland who has appeared in numerous films and TV shows, also has an intriguing personal life. She is best recognized for her work in The Wolf of Wall Street and Suicide Squad. Since 2016, Robbie has been the wife of British director Tom Ackerley. Up until the wedding, they kept their relationship a secret, and since then, they have done a good job of maintaining their privacy.

Robbie began her professional life in Australia, where she also won her first substantial role in the Neighbors soap opera. She subsequently went on to star in well-known films like The Wolf of Wall Street and Suicide Squad, confirming her status as an accomplished and talented performer in Hollywood. Margot Robbie is currently one of Australia’s most popular actors because of her parts in high-profile films like Once Upon a Time in Hollywood. 

  • Naomi Watts

She is well-known for starring in successful movies like “The Ring,” “King Kong,” and “Mulholland Drive.” In her romantic life, numerous A-list celebrities, such as Heath Ledger and Liev Schreiber, have been romantically associated with Naomi Watts. However, Watts and Liev have been married for over ten years and are parents to two handsome boys.

Although Naomi Watts has been a Hollywood celebrity for many years, her big break came in 2001 with the suspenseful film “Mulholland Drive.” She has since won numerous honors and recognitions, including a nomination for an Academy Award for Best Actress in 2013. She is still a part of many notable movies today.

Whether it is Nicole Kidman’s much-publicized relationship with Tom Cruise, Margot Robbie’s under-the-radar marriage, Kate Blanchette’s long-term commitment to a more traditional relationship, or Naomi Watts’ recent romantic life; these four Aussie actresses share a connection to love and romance.

Conclusion

Overall, Australian actresses have had romantic lives that are just as interesting as their professional lives. From high-profile relationships to long-term marriages and their own families, these actresses have had plenty of chances to make headlines for their romantic lives. The fact that these Australian celebrities have reached such a level of fame and success while remaining grounded in their personal lives is a testament to the strength of the human spirit. No matter where you come from, there is always the potential for love and happiness.

Win a code for Medieval Dynasty on PS4

Andrew Edney
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36
Win a code for Medieval Dynasty on PS4

Our friends at Toplitz Productions have given us 5 PS4 codes for Medieval Dynasty to give away.

Medieval Dynasty is a unique mix of life simulation, survival and strategy build-up game. Explore a huge and living open world, build up your village and lead your folks through the middle ages.

How to enter to win

We have five codes for Medieval Dynasty on Ps4 to give away, enter below: 

Win a code for Medieval Dynasty on PS4

The contest closes at midnight on 30th April 2022.

Please note that the codes are for UK and European PlayStation accounts – if you cannot redeem an EU code, please do not enter as you will not be able to exchange the code for something else.

Review: Clash: Artifacts of Chaos

Daniel Waite
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0
Review: Clash: Artifacts of Chaos

Clash: Artifacts of Chaos is a strange title that uses multiple genre tropes. Moreover, it has colourful characters, a stunning fantasy plot, and some slick combat. However, its lack of guidance and secret ways are confusing and this tends to hold it back.

Developed by ACE Team and published by Nacon, this is a fantasy adventure title. What’s more, it uses soulslike mechanics and has a lore-rich story. Additionally, it has some testing combat and a range of fighting styles that can be changed at the touch of a button. Accordingly, there is some tactical nuance among the button-mashing ways.

I guess you better go in the creepy cave.
That is a little eerie.

Clash: Artifacts of Chaos hides a stunning story. 

As I’ve aged, my tastes have refined. Yet, one constant is the desire to be entertained by a phenomenal story. Luckily, Clash: Artifacts of Chaos delivers thanks to its dramatic and weird plot. On top of this, the strange fantasy land is full of weird and intriguing characters and monsters. Furthermore, the expansive world has some fascinating locations to explore, mean bosses to overcome, and plenty of moments of luck and fate.

You control the odd-looking Pseudo who lives in the strange land of Zenozoik. This weird chap is a master of martial arts and a lover of peace and quiet. However, his tranquillity and silence are broken when he meets a bird-like creature that needs protection. An evil entity known as Gemini stalks this weird animal. As such, it is your responsibility to protect it and thwart Gemini’s advances. Yet, this heroic act leaves you vulnerable, as a greater power is hidden under the surface.

An open world with limited guidance. 

Soulslike games are renowned for their lack of guidance. However, Clash: Artifacts of Chaos takes it too far. Consequently, you spend much of your time negotiating strange arenas. Moreover, each mysterious path isn’t easy to find, and frustration soon creeps in. But if you can accept this time-consuming mechanic, you’ll enjoy a stunning and unusual environment brimming with oddities. 

To muddy the water further, there is a day/night cycle that must be mastered. Pseudo changes its form depending on whether the sun is shining. Accordingly, during the day he is a weird yellow patchwork monstrosity. However, as the moon rises, his soft outer shell hardens and he can navigate different pathways. As such, walls of thorns will block your progress. Subsequently, you must enter the surreal nighttime world to hunt the Thorn Guardian and destroy these prickly obstacles.

This two-tiered approach added to the confusion while increasing the difficulty, as well. What’s more, nighttime is increasingly violent as everything wants to kill you. Therefore, you must be alert as Pseudo can be killed and your progress thwarted.

The fantasy world is stunning to look at.
So beautiful!

Smooth combat and limited attributes. 

The action opens with the choice of 3 combat styles. However, as you explore and find new items, your choices are improved. Depending on your gameplay style, you can adopt a rounded technique, focus on ranged combat, or get up close and personal. Moreover, you can twist each stance with a choice of weapons and armour that’ll change your stats and your tactics.

What was particularly enjoyable about the combat was when you linked multiple attacks. You can cancel the animation between strikes to allow for a smooth transition between combos. The outcome was a delicious and seamless flow of brutal strikes upon every foe. Furthermore, it supports the idea that Pseudo is a martial arts champion.

Where Clash: Artifacts of Chaos falls short is its painful levelling-up system. Sadly, the limited attributes and low XP make this a grinding drag. What’s more, with only 4 areas to focus on, it doesn’t feel unique or personal. Consequently, it is extremely dissatisfying, even though Pseudo is stronger, faster, and more agile.

A game of luck.

Though there are also some minor crafting elements and plenty of resources to find, these mechanics are understated and familiar. What wasn’t normal, though, was the game of luck that formed the backbone of most encounters! A dice game known as “The Ritual” must be performed against intelligent creatures and enemies. These consequence-based duels were interesting in theory, but badly weighted and, as a result, were unfair and annoying.

During each session, you must pick consequence artefacts from your ritual belt. These powerful tools will alter the value of the dice on the table or summon companions to a battle. Moreover, you can negatively impact your foe and improve your odds of success. Yet, rarely did I win one of these events, and the unfair results left a bad taste in my mouth. It was a shame, as in theory, this mechanic should have been brilliant. In reality, it was like fighting every battle blindfolded and with one hand tied behind your back.

When the moon comes out, let the fighting begin.
Nighttime is fight time.

Clash: Artifacts of Chaos is beautifully insane.

As expected of the team behind Zeno Clash, Clash: Artifacts of Chaos is stunning to look at. In fact, it is insanely beautiful as it is set in the Zeno Clash world. However, this is an independent title so thankfully, no prior Clash experience is required. Played mainly from a third-person perspective, you can enjoy the vast and odd surrounding environment. Yet, once you fill your combat bar, your perspective shifts to first-person as Pseudo rage-smashes his opponents. This strange shift in vision was unusual, but it worked perfectly.

What was also great was the massive open world that changed depending on the day/night cycle. The winding paths and hidden secrets add to the mystery of the plot. Furthermore, the weird-looking protagonist, stunning colour palette, and strange foes ensure this is a game you won’t forget in a hurry. 

The visuals are matched by incredible audio. The variety of tracks and the blend of emotions enhance the already incredible story. On top of this, the brilliant sound effects add drama and oomph to the strange eclectic action.

Take on some monstrous beasts.
Seems a bit unfair.

A clumsy UI. 

The control system is pretty good. Yet, the UI is clumsy, and this makes the action sluggish. Additionally, the combat can be overwhelming when never-ending waves of monsters attack. Yet, this wasn’t a surprise as Soulslike titles love to test your resolve throughout. Other than the UI issue, I adored the slick combat and the ability to alter your stance with ease. Furthermore, navigation was mostly trouble-free, and this improved an otherwise testing layer of the gameplay. 

Clash: Artifacts of Chaos is a challenging game. Moreover, its cruel death mechanics and bonfire tropes increase the difficulty further still. But once you become familiar with its nuances, you’ll plug away at a fulfilling, albeit weird experience. Subsequently, if you can overcome the levels of frustration, you’ll endure an interesting and odd fantasy title. 

Clash: Artifacts of Chaos won’t be everyone’s cup of tea. 

This genre divides gamers. Consequently, Clash: Artifacts of Chaos won’t be for everyone. If you then consider the confusing exploration elements and the tough death mechanics, it is a punishing and relentless beast to tame. However, if you can jump through every hoop and master each element, you’ll enjoy a strange game with an exceptional plot and world. Accordingly, though it punished me, I recommend that you buy it here! Can you help the bird-like boy and save the day? Open new paths, fight many monsters, and prevent Gemini from fulfilling her destiny. 

Review: Cherry UM 3.0 USB Streaming Microphone

Andrew Edney
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0
Review: Cherry UM 3.0 USB Streaming Microphone

Here is our review of the Cherry UM 3.0 USB Streaming Microphone.

The high-quality workmanship of the CHERRY UM 3.0 makes it visually striking and is extremely stable thanks to its robust three-legged metal stand. Whether for video calls, streaming sessions or when gaming online – good communication is an all-important element. If you value professional sound and don’t want to rely on the built-in microphone in your laptop, headset or webcam, the CHERRY UM 3.0 streaming microphone is the perfect choice. A sampling rate of 96 KHz and 24 bit guarantees clear and detailed voice recordings.

The CHERRY UM 3.0 is the perfect podcast microphone for beginners. With its appealing look in matte black as well as its three-legged design stand made of solid metal, it not only looks good, but is also absolutely robust and can be set up securely at any time. The UM 3.0 is ideal for capturing voice recordings of one single person as it is equipped with a cardioid polar pattern, making this USB microphone an excellent choice to use for a podcast, for streaming, gaming or voiceover applications or when making MS Teams calls while working from home. 

If the sound quality of the standard built-in microphone in your laptop, webcam or headset is not enough, the CHERRY UM 3.0 is the right choice. With the streaming microphone, you can professionally enhance the sound of your recordings and achieve clear and detailed audio. Furthermore, you don’t need any special prior knowledge to do this, nor do you need to have any extra software installed: The CHERRY UM 3.0 podcast microphone can be easily connected to a PC, Mac, PS4 or PS5 via Plug & Play using the USB cable included and is immediately ready for use.

Probably the most commonly used polar pattern in a microphone is cardioid, and this is also what is used in the UM 3.0. Sound is picked up from the front; any noises coming from behind and from the sides of the microphone are toned down accordingly or completely faded out. For this reason, you can achieve excellent results with the CHERRY UM 3.0 when recording the voice of a single person. This makes this microphone the perfect choice for participating in a video call, starting a streaming session or recording a podcast from your home office.

The CHERRY UM 3.0 delivers a high-quality podcast microphone with a USB-C port into your home and includes some very practical features. For one, there is the push-to-mute function, which allows the entry-level microphone to be muted with just a single touch when streaming, gaming, or in video calls. The red LED indicator on the top tells you that the mic has been muted. Furthermore, the headphone jack and the additional volume control (in the design of a CHERRY mouse wheel on the back of the mic) make sure that you can control the volume of your headphones at all times.

What’s in the Box?

The box contains the microphone and stand, cable and instructions.

A Closer Look

Pop Filter

You can also buy a Pop Filter to use with the Cherry UM.

The CHERRY UM POP FILTER was designed to meet the exact requirements of the CHERRY UM MIC SERIES (CHERRY UM 3.0, CHERRY UM 6.0 ADVANCED, CHERRY UM 9.0 PRO RGB) and can therefore be attached without any problem to any of the three microphones: Simply attach it between the microphone and the stand and tighten with the help of a small knob – and you’re ready to start recording. The sleek design does not detract from the elegant look of the microphone.

The CHERRY UM POP FILTER ensures clean recordings in professional quality and reduces annoying plosive sounds. In addition, the pop filter protects the microphone, keeping it in good working order for longer.

Final Thoughts

The Cherry UM 3.0 USB Streaming Microphone is fairly lightweight and is very easy to position to whatever you need in order to be able to use it comfortably.

To set it up, you just place the microphone onto the stand and screw it in place. You can then position the microphone itself and tighten it so that it stays in place. If you have got the Pop Filter then you can also add that, and it certainly helps the quality of the audio, especially if you are doing streaming or podcast recording.

The cable connects between the microphone and your computer and there is enough cable to position the microphone where you need it.

There is a mute button on the top of the microphone that makes it really easy to mute, or un-mute simply with a touch, and it lights up showing you the status too!

There is also a headphone jack on the microphone so that you can use your headphones at the same time.

There is a volume wheel on the rear of the microphone that makes it really easy to adjust too.

The audio quality is excellent – the microphone itself is equipped with a cardioid polar pattern which only captures the sound of the person sitting directly in front of it, blocking out all other sounds around. A sampling rate of 96 KHz and 24 bit guarantees clear and detailed voice recordings.

If you are looking for a high quality microphone to use for streaming, podcasting or even just Teams calls, they take a look at the Cherry UM 3.0 USB Streaming Microphone, you wont be disappointed.

The Cherry UM 3.0 USB Streaming Microphone is available now priced around £69.99 and the Pop Filter is priced around £16.99.

You can learn more from the Cherry website.

A Closer Look at the Geomag Mechanics Gravity Recycled Combo Starter Set

Andrew Edney
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0
A Closer Look at the Geomag Mechanics Gravity Recycled Combo Starter Set

Here is a closer look at the Geomag Mechanics Gravity Recycled Combo Starter Set.

Mechanics is the construction platform that combines the forces of magnetism with a world of mechanical construction, to stimulate creativity, inventiveness and ingenuity. In addition to the classic magnetic rods and steel spheres, Geomag Mechanics adds mechanical elements within the constructions, expanding the play possibilities: some parts of the structures are able to rotate, triggering chain reactions from the magnetic attraction and repulsion. In 2018 the innovative Mechanics Gravity platform was launched, consisting of a series of incredible solutions that harness the forces of gravity and magnetism and set the Mechanics models in motion.

  • MECHANICAL ELEMENTS WITHIN THE CONSTRUCTIONS
  • CHAIN REACTIONS FROM THE MAGNETIC ATTRACTION
  • MAGNETIC CANNON
  • ELEVATOR
  • GRAVITY MOTOR
  • STEM LEARNING APPROACH
  • IMPROVES CONCENTRATION


The Geomag Mechanics 153 Piece Gravity Combo Starter Set (757) £39 from Amazon.co.uk is an ideal starter set to get children into Science.  Aimed at children aged 8 and over.

As with other Geomag products, the Mechanics Gravity Recycled Loops & Turns Set is a lot of fun to play with and see what your child (or you) will come up with.

Disclosure: This product was provided free of charge in exchange for a fair and unbiased review.

A Closer Look at the Geomag Mechanics Gravity Recycled Loops & Turns Set

Andrew Edney
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0
A Closer Look at the Geomag Mechanics Gravity Recycled Loops & Turns Set

Here is a closer look at the Geomag Mechanics Gravity Recycled Loops & Turns Set.

Mechanics is the construction platform that combines the forces of magnetism with a world of mechanical construction, to stimulate creativity, inventiveness and ingenuity. In addition to the classic magnetic rods and steel spheres, Geomag Mechanics adds mechanical elements within the constructions, expanding the play possibilities: some parts of the structures are able to rotate, triggering chain reactions from the magnetic attraction and repulsion. In 2018 the innovative Mechanics Gravity platform was launched, consisting of a series of incredible solutions that harness the forces of gravity and magnetism and set the Mechanics models in motion.

Playing with Geomag means knowing and mastering the invisible forces of nature. With the help of Geomag magnets, you will learn to use gravity to turn your own magical motor, running the spheres up and down the track, all built by you. Collect the Mechanics Gravity line and the laws of physics will have no more secrets for you!

  • MECHANICAL ELEMENTS WITHIN THE CONSTRUCTIONS
  • CHAIN REACTIONS FROM THE MAGNETIC ATTRACTION
  • MAGNETIC CANNON
  • ELEVATOR
  • GRAVITY MOTOR
  • STEM LEARNING APPROACH
  • IMPROVES CONCENTRATION

The Geomag Mechanics Gravity Recycled Loops & Turns Set is available from Amazon.co.uk now priced around £26.24. Aimed at children aged 8 and over.

As with other Geomag products, the Mechanics Gravity Recycled Loops & Turns Set is a lot of fun to play with and see what your child (or you) will come up with.

Disclosure: This product was provided free of charge in exchange for a fair and unbiased review.

Review: Nanoleaf Elements Hexagons Starter Kit

Andrew Edney
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0
Review: Nanoleaf Elements Hexagons Starter Kit

Here is our review of the Nanoleaf Elements Wood Look Hexagons Starter Kit.

Nanoleaf Elements Hexagons Starter Kit come with everything you need to create your own unique lighting designs. Enjoy the sophisticated wood grain veneer while off, or turn them on to illuminate your space with a dynamic glow. Instal in your living room, bedroom, entryway, or any space where you want to add an elegant and organic feel to your home. Instal on any flat surface with included adhesive Mounting Tape; no additional tools required. Compatible with all Connect+ products like Shapes Triangles, Hexagons, and Mini Triangles.

What’s in the box?

The box contains 7 light panels, connectors, spare stickers, control panel and power supply.

A Closer Look

Final Thoughts

This range is the latest in Nanoleafs really cool sets for making you home or office really unique to you. This time the shapes have a wood look that really blends well.

Once you have decided on your overall shape, you put the hexagons together which are held firmly in place by the connectors. You then can stick the hexagons to the wall. There really isn’t that much else to that actual physical creation of your shape. Play around with your design on the floor before you put it on the wall as it’s just easier to change things.

You then use the Nanoleaf app to add the creation and control everything from there, including the ambient whites (previous Nanoleaf products allowed you to choose from millions of colours), how it reacts to music, and so much more. The possibilities are endless! There are also 11 curated scenes to choose from as well – they all bring something different and it’s worth checking them all out to see what works for you. And one of the great things is that you can easily choose another scene whenever you want, all at the touch of a button.

If you decide to change your line design after it’s been stuck to the wall, you are going to need to buy some more stickers – keep that in mind. They are really cheap though, so it might be worth getting some before you need them so as not to stifle your creativity.

The Nanoleaf Elements Wood Look Hexagons really do make your home or office stand out and are a lot of fun to set up. And the great thing is you can have them change colours and react differently whenever you want, all from the app too. They also look really good whether they are switched on or off!

If you want to create something unique and cool for your home or office, take a look at the Nanoleaf Elements range – you wont be disappointed.

The Nanoleaf Elements Wood Look Hexagons Smarter Kit is available now priced around £159.99.

You can learn more from the Nanoleaf website.

Review: Seagate Lightsaber Collection Special Edition FireCuda PCIe Gen4 NVMe SSD

Andrew Edney
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0
Review: Seagate Lightsaber Collection Special Edition FireCuda PCIe Gen4 NVMe SSD

Here is our review of the Seagate Lightsaber Collection Special Edition FireCuda PCIe Gen4 NVMe SSD.

Officially licensed by Lucasfilm, the special edition FireCuda NVMe SSD represents the famed characters with three iconic Lightsaber designs built on swappable heatsink faceplates so gamers can choose a design inspired by the Jedi or Sith that fits their collection at any moment. The drive includes customisable RGB LED lighting that shines through the faceplate to bring a galaxy of atmosphere to battle stations. The unique loading mechanism that attaches the interchangeable faceplates to the SSD and the heatsink were engineered and developed by EKWB. The integrated passive heatsink minimizes thermal throttling and maintains peak performance for longer periods of time.  

With up to 2TB of capacity and delivering sequential read speeds of up to 7300 MB/s, the drive enables gamers to harness the full power of PCIe Gen4 to dominate next-generation games and applications. Offering a high endurance rating of up to 2550 total bytes written (TBW), the special edition drive includes Seagate’s five-year limited warranty and three-years of Rescue Data Recovery Service so users have peace of mind as they choose their light side or dark side gaming destiny.

What’s in the box?

The box contains the drive, 3 different faceplates (Darth Vader, Luke Skywalker and Obi-Wan Kenobi), instructions, cable and stickers.

A Closer Look

Final Thoughts

The Seagate Lightsaber Collection Special Edition FireCuda PCIe Gen4 NVMe SSD is small and light (not that you will be carrying it around) and is very easy to install.

What sets this particular SSD apart is that it is part of Star Wars Lightsaber Collection. There are three separate faceplates that come in the box – Darth Vader, Luke Skywalker and Obi-Wan Kenobi. They are inspired by Star Wars: A New Hope.

The faceplates are easy to swap out, they just slide off and on. Each one lights up the colour of the chosen characters lightsaber, which is really cool!

The SSD itself has a custom heatsink which minimises thermal throttling and maintain peak performance for longer periods of time.

The SSD itself is very fast, adding this to your setup will really make a difference, whether its for gaming, photos, music or just storage.

Seagate also include their Rescue Services as part of the package – always useful if the worst happens, they may be able to help you get your files back.

If you are in the market for a high speed, cool SSD, and you are a Star Wars fan, then this one is definitely for you!

The Seagate Lightsaber Collection Special Edition FireCuda PCIe Gen4 NVMe SSD is available now priced around £159.90 for the 1TB version, and £239.90 for the 2TB version.

You can learn more from the Seagate website.

Review: Iris and the Giant

Daniel Waite
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0
Review: Iris and the Giant

The deck-building genre is hit-and-miss. Consequently, when you find a great title, you can’t put it down. Alternatively, if you stumble across a stinker, it can be confusing, boring, and a downright turnoff. When I was given Iris and the Giant to review, I didn’t know what to expect. As such, I went into it with my eyes wide open and hoping for a rewarding time.

Developed by Goblinz Studio and published by Klabater, this is a deck-building game. What’s more, it has rogue-like elements, RPG moments, and a touching and melancholy story at its core. Therefore, it has its finger in many pies and had the potential to be confusing and overwhelming. However, a brilliant tutorial and drip-fed mechanics alleviate any fears while setting you up for a tough but enjoyable time.

Iris and the Giant is cruel but touching. 

I’ve never viewed this genre as a sobering experience. However, Iris and the Giant tells a sombre tale of one girl’s inner demons. Subsequently, the tough subject matter may be hard to swallow for some gamers.

You are Iris, a young girl who enters a surreal world as she battles her inner turmoil! Her demons and thoughts manifest themselves as cruel monsters and hideous creatures. What’s more, these abominations are focused on killing Iris to prevent her from finding true peace. Yet, luckily, the young girl finds gifts, memories, and imaginary friends to strengthen her resolve and improve her fortunes. Consequently, with these things by her side, she has every chance of succeeding.

Iris and the Giant demands that you tackle many creatures.
That is some army of creatures.

The story is brilliant, but the gameplay is better still.

The heartfelt story is ever-present, but the gameplay overshadows its brilliant plot. Thanks to the wonderful mechanics, and easy-to-understand ideas, this addictive title can be enjoyed by veterans and newcomers alike. 

Iris is a delicate hero who must balance defence and attack carefully. Furthermore, if she runs out of Will (health) and cards, or is paralysed by Sorrow, her run ends and she doesn’t banish her demons. 

Each level follows a similar pattern. A range of monsters lines up on a grid battlefield to fight you. Alongside them, there are rocky obstacles, treasure chests, memories, items, crystals, and much more. The aim of each stage is to carve a path to a set of stairs. If you make it there alive, you’ll jump to the next level. Moreover, this idea is repeated until you die, or reach the end.

If you die, and you will, you’ll unlock new cards and special bonuses to help you on the next playthrough. However, upsettingly, all other progress is wiped and here is where the evil rogue-like mechanics bite you in the arse.

Choices, choices!

Like its peers, Iris and the Giant has many cards to choose from. What’s more, there is an array of game-changing elements as well. Whether it is magical powers to impact a group of monsters, an axe to annihilate the first row of your enemies, or a bow to fire at will, they are all fantastic. Whatever one you pick will change how each round plays out. As such, you must be flexible with your style and react accordingly.

Alongside this, you’ll need a lot of luck to be successful. Moreover, there are rewards to collect for killing each demon. As such, the more monsters you slay, the more stars you earn. As you fill this meter, you may pick a special ability to make the gameplay harder, or yourself strong. On top of this, if you defeat a mega monster, you’ll improve your weapons, increase your health, or strengthen your shield or spells. Therefore, taking on the big bosses is worthwhile if you have the health or cards to spare. 

Can you unlock every imaginary friend?
Which imaginary friend will you pick?

Mix things up. 

Though the gameplay loop is consistent, you can mix things up thanks to Iris’ memories and the bonus cards you receive en route. Alongside this, you’ll find imaginary friends to help you out as well. Each of these key items is imperative to your success, so making the most of them is essential.

As you progress, you find memory tiles. If you can collect these valuable assets, they will add a permanent buff to your hero. As such, this is necessary when you aim to reach the latter stages. Moreover, it enhances the tactical nuance and gives you plenty of new ideas to consider.

The bonus cards are a temporary boost and change depending on how successful you are on each run. Accordingly, the more demons you slay, and the harder the beasts you encounter, the more advanced cards you get. Therefore, in theory, the further you progress, the better the bonus and the easier it is to edge closer to the finish line. 

Finally, your imaginary friends enhance your skills while serving as side quests. To find each one is a bit of an RNG scenario. However, unlocking each one is no mean feat! Whether you must get to a certain stage quickly, kill certain creatures, or reach a specific level, you’ll struggle repeatedly. Yet, it was this challenge that enhanced the gameplay while adding another layer of difficulty.

Iris and the Giant is beautifully simple and wonderful to look at. 

This genre can be guilty of repetition and simple stage design. Alternatively, the developers can go crazy and create an OTT and overwhelming world with confusing UI. Thankfully, Iris and the Giant not only looks great, but the UI is perfect as well. The melancholy atmosphere is exposed in the short but cruel cinematic. What’s more, each character model is aggressive, nasty, and ugly. Furthermore, this is wonderfully juxtaposed with the heroine’s delicate and soft appearance. As such, this beautifully portrays the good vs evil element of the story.

The audio comprises distinct songs for each element of the gameplay. During the cinematic, there is limited music and a focus on words and silence set the scene. However, each battle blends aggressive tunes and simple sound effects to great effect.

The monsters come in all shapes and sizes.
I don’t fancy my chances against the big one.

Good controls with some minor flaws. 

Iris and the Giant is a surprisingly straightforward affair. Furthermore, the more you experiment, the more tactical elements you’ll find. However, occasionally, it can be tough to select the right card! For unknown reasons, the game automatically cancels your selection if you go back to your cards. This minor issue wasn’t game-breaking, but it was irritating and it prevented the game from being immersive.

By including rogue-like elements, Iris and the Giant was dangerously moreish. Subsequently, once you got to grips with the basics and you began unlocking the special elements, it was both fascinating and fantastic to play. As such, it was an addictive game that was tough to put down. 

Iris and the Giant was a pleasant surprise!

Iris and the Giant impressed me with its excellent, albeit hard-to-swallow story. Additionally, the blend of genres and side quests helps to keep you focused and entertained throughout. However, it can become repetitive, especially during the early stages. What’s more, the occasionally awkward controls were frustrating. Yet, it was still a pleasant surprise and I recommend that you buy it here! Can you banish the demons that haunt you? Fight, plan, and travel further as you banish your inner turmoil and seek peace. 

Review: HEROish

Damien Gorman
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Review: HEROish

Fancy playing a small, light-hearted, MOBA (Multiplayer Online Battle Arena) game without risking succumbing to the potential addiction that League of Legends or Defense of the Ancients brings? Then HEROish may be for you.

Released in December 2022 by Sunblink, HEROish incorporates the popular MOBA genre into a deck-building game, sprinkling in some fantasy elements and a dash of irreverent humour to taste.

HEROish is a simple game to play with enough challenge, usually only caused by endless waves of enemies, to keep things interesting. As the game starts, you are placed in the shoes of Flynn, a cross between Thor and Johnny Bravo. An invasion of evil-doers known as The Cursed soon sets the plot in motion as they make off with a scared relic (a guitar), resurrecting a long-vanquished demon known as Marduke. From there, hijinks, battles, and card-collecting ensue.

HEROish has 3 individual campaigns to explore, although the last two are unlocked by completing the story before. Each campaign can be completed with two distinct characters, each has unique play styles, powers, and minions to summon. Completing missions rewards experience and gold, powering up your protagonist and giving you the means to upgrade your cards. All in all, this pads things out enough that completing each campaign will likely take you somewhere between 6 and 9 hours.

The gameplay loop is satisfying, summoning various minions to fight the hoards of enemies trying to destroy your crystal (home base basically) works as a mechanic. Each level only really operates on one track, allowing you to move left or right. Attempts to add a third-dimension work in some cases (storming the battlements of a castle), but fall short in others (running up and down stairs on a farm for some reason).

The variety of cards is decent enough from the little I played although I could see this becoming stale over the course of a 20-hour playthrough (there’s online stuff). Cards are rewarded for levelling up your chosen hero, upon which you can mix these into your deck. Each costs a certain amount of mana to summon which replenishes over time. The trouble I found was the more interesting cards are all high-cost cards, which is a bad way to set up your deck, would I rather summon a gryphon rider or 3 pitchfork-wielding farmers? So the choice between fun and proper strategy starts.

HEROish_20230411210435

Each of the heroes feels unique enough in terms of their individual play style and all the classic bases are covered. We have Flynn the warrior, Vega the ranger and her wolf Ajax (best boy), Lavina the necromancer, Marduke the barbarian, Spiderbait the rat riding a raccoon (a common trope I’m sure we can all agree), and Bulvi the absolutely massive bear (also overdone, right?).

Graphically, the game is simple yet effective. Character models are cartoony but detailed, the world map actually looks like a map, and the particle effects are flashy. HEROish is never going to blow you away with it’s aesthetic but it doesn’t disappoint either.

HEROish_20230411205220

Online play keeps games like this afloat, but it seems like this isn’t a particular strength for HEROish. There are a variety of modes to try but it seems as though the player base just isn’t there. Hard to really sink your teeth into a multiplayer mode when there’s no one really playing it. Unfortunately, this means the game is substantially less likely to receive updates, new heroes, new cards, new game modes or even bug fixes. Hopefully this was just something I experienced as I think HEROish is a decent enough game that deserves a bigger following.

HEROish_20230413180825

So whilst I enjoyed my time with HEROish I can’t really say that I expect it to change anyone’s life, there are other games in the MOBA space that are far more worthy of your time and money. Not to say that HEROish is a waste of money, £8.50 on Steam isn’t much after all, but then I played it for free so what do I know?

Review: Masterplan Tycoon

Daniel Waite
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0
Review: Masterplan Tycoon

I’ve always adored Sim City, Factorio, and other management simulation titles. However, the required commitment always puts me off. No matter how much I try, I always feel guilty about “wasting” so many hours of my life. Consequently, I never fully enjoy my experience, as it’s racked with guilt. Therefore, when I was offered a minimalist version of the genre, I couldn’t wait to jump in. Masterplan Tycoon scratches that management itch whilst removing the uncomfortable time sink element.

Developed by Bureau Bravin and published by Ravenage Games and Doyoyo Games, this is a simulation title. What’s more, there are some tactical nuances to consider and a large world to exploit. However, it excels thanks to its simplicity, refined graphics, and calm music. Subsequently, this is a wonderful casual title that can distract you from harder, more in-depth games.

Some of the goods are surprisingly complex.
So many stages in Felt production.

Masterplan Tycoon is a blank canvas. 

Unlike other building simulation games, this title rarely asks you to complete quests or scenarios. Instead, Masterplan Tycoon is a blank canvas that demands to be scribbled on. As such, you are free to do as you wish. The aim of the game is simple; you must place buildings to create supply chains to support your thriving network. Furthermore, you must control water, stone, and wood as you expand from a rudimentary settlement. The more you evolve, the more complicated the chain becomes. Consequently, you’ll have to balance input and output to be successful. 

The action opens with a simple tutorial that explains the fundamentals. From here, you’ll understand what is required as you place sawmills, farms, pumps, wells, and factories. On top of this, you are expected to place storage yards and connect each resource to complete your production chain. Alongside this, occasionally you are required to undertake simple missions. These basic affairs often require you to repeat the early principles of the game and this was somewhat disappointing. Unfortunately, what should have been challenging and refreshing became drab and mundane as the action stagnates instead of evolving.

Things heat up but the gameplay becomes easier!

As you progress, new buildings become available. This tiered approach was great as it made the UI easy to manage. Moreover, you knew where you stood with the more complicated aspects of the game. However, Masterplan Tycoon undermines its potential by forgetting the basics of the genre. For unknown reasons, materials are magically transported from one storage yard to another. Now, this was in keeping with the laid-back and minimalist approach, but it did make the game a bit too easy. Subsequently, planning the layout of your empire was much easier than it should have been. 

This issue is repeated when you consider the maintenance aspect of each building. Depending on what type of structure you place, you’ll have to supply it with different goods. For example, a mill requires grain and water to produce bread. As such, you drag a supply chain directly from the source or a storage yard. So far, so good. However, each building also has a maintenance cost. This can be food, items, or water. Yet, you don’t have to physically supply these goods and somehow they magically arrive. This was disappointing, as it removes a layer of difficulty and leaves you wanting.

The world map in Masterplan Tycoon is used to observe your resource network.
Great planning and a clean network.

Like the Ghostbusters, you cannot cross streams. 

Though the supply elements were frustrating, I loved the placement and connection mechanics. Each resource building must be placed within the vicinity of its basic components. As such, a quarry needs to be near rocks, a well near water, and a farm near grain. Furthermore, if you place structures on top of your resources, they become permanently depleted. Accordingly, this can create supply issues and this adds a small layer of tactical nuance.

Alongside this, you must consider your supply lines. No matter how hard you try, you cannot push goods through mountains or other impassable objects. Moreover, like in Ghostbusters, you are not allowed to cross the supply stream. Consequently, this creates a wonderful nightmare whenever you are feeding storage areas or production buildings. This was a minor mechanic, but it made the game much harder and therefore much more enjoyable.

Masterplan Tycoon is a minimalistic experience. 

Unlike its peers, Masterplan Tycoon focuses on a stripped-back approach. Subsequently, there are no vast buildings to admire, and no one cares if there is a park to play in. Instead, the world is viewed from above and every structure is a 2D-coloured shape. Think of a schematic diagram and you get the gist of what I mean. This rudimentary style won’t be for everyone, but I enjoyed its clean approach. Furthermore, clear labelling and highlighted text help to identify each structure and any issues with the supply chain. This was a great way to keep on top of everything and I applaud the developer for keeping things simple.

A casual game needs chilled-out audio. Thankfully, Masterplan Tycoon has a calm and pleasant soundtrack. Akin to lift music, the songs won’t set the world alight. However, they are non-offensive, effective, and set the scene perfectly. 

Each production chain has a purpose.
A close-up of a production system.

Basic games = easy controls.

Though the developer has incorporated an excellent tutorial, I don’t think it was necessary. Thankfully, this is an easy title to master and you’ll understand what must be done almost immediately. Furthermore, it can be played on your Steam Deck. However, there are some minor issues and niggles along the way. Talking of niggles, I discovered a few annoying problems that couldn’t be ignored. Occasionally, the controls weren’t responsive, and this impacted the ability to place buildings. What’s more, you are free to change the speed of the game using the numbers on your keyboard. But for unknown reasons, you cannot pause it using this method, nor does the num lock keypad work either. Consequently, there are a few key binding issues that must be resolved. Other than this, it plays well and worked as expected. 

If you fall for its charms, you’ll find this difficult to put down. With a large map to explore and several subsequent mission areas to develop, there is plenty to do. On top of this, there is scope for the content to expand and more missions to be added. Moreover, Bureau Bravin actively listens to its player base and updates are being rolled out regularly.

Masterplan Tycoon fills a gap in the genre.

This genre is renowned for taking over your life. As such, it was pleasant to play a game that was more casual. Additionally, the fine tactical layers and progressive tiers keep you coming back for more. Yes, I had issues with the maintenance and storage, but these problems should be patched out in the future. Accordingly, I enjoyed it and I recommend that you buy it here! Can you run a business empire? Think logically, plan your production line, and keep the resources rolling. 

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