Review: Moonscars

Lee Fairweather
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Review: Moonscars

When I first watched the trailer for Moonscars, I was immediately enamoured with its foreboding visual presentation. I quickly jumped at the opportunity to play through the demo, and in doing so, was left in eager anticipation of the full release. That leads us too today.

Developed by Black Mermaid, and published by Humble Games, Moonscars is a 2D, Souls-like, Metroidvania side scroller. Inspired by the likes of Dark Souls and Hollow Knight, this grim fantasy release is an entertaining romp, if a little confused.

Narrative nonsense.

Grey Irma, a Clayborne warrior, spontaneously revives decades after falling in battle. Understandably confused, she desires to meet with a divine being referred to as, ‘The Sculptor.’ This entity, who is supposedly responsible for her existence and current predicament, is the only hope she has of uncovering her past. Fuelled with anger and resentment, she begins her arduous journey to confront him at Castle Apex.

It’s abundantly clear that From Software’s storytelling philosophies influenced the abstract structure of Moonscars. Unfortunately, due to the extremely equivocal execution, the latter’s attempts to mimic this style doesn’t quite fit the bill.

Narrative explanations are shrouded within wordy and convoluted riddles. Trying to uncover them only punishes the player with more vague and indiscernible descriptions. Worst of all though, you’re immediately expected to be knowledgeable of the lore from the moment you boot up the game. Not only is this a ridiculously notion, it’s alienating and downright stupid.

Having said that, I can at least appreciate what the developers were going for here. Imitating Hidetaka Miyazaki’s writing methods is a Herculean task, so I don’t blame them for their shortcomings. Hopefully they can take what they’ve learned here an iterate upon it for their future projects.

Simple, but effective gameplay.

When boiled down to its core components, the gameplay loop of Moonscars is fairly straightforward. Irma has the ability to perform combos with her sword, cast powerful spells (which this game calls Witchery’s), dash in a horizontal direction, and parry attacks into a riposte. All of these can be deliberately interrupted into one another, making the combat feel engaging and responsive.

Regaining health and Ichor, AKA mana, requires you to rest at a Mirror. For all intense and purposes, this is Moonscars version of the Dark Souls bonfire. You can teleport from Mirror to Mirror freely, making backtracking a less strenuous task. Mirrors also act as the gateway to the safe zone. In there, you’re able to buy items and additional Witchery’s, though you’ll need to spend Bone Powder (souls/money) to do so.

Speaking of navigating, Moonscars world is, partially, free to explore. The game doesn’t dictate which route you should take, instead opting to let you make your own decisions. It’s worth noting here that storylines are linked to specific areas. If you don’t want to risk losing a plotline, then I’d probably recommend that look up a guide. Keep in mind though, it isn’t actually possible to complete all storylines in one playthrough. If you want to do that, then you’ll have to do multiple runs.

A word to the wise, if you’re used to melee based Metroidvania games, then Moonscars won’t be that much of a challenge for you. Even the bosses aren’t that difficult to defeat, although I can attest that they are fun to fight. There isn’t anything wrong with this of course, but if you’re seeking a game that will test your limits, then you may want to skip out this one.

Customisation a’ plenty.

There are a few different ways to permanently upgrade your character in Moonscars. To begin with, trinkets are equipable items that provide Irma with different buffs. These can be subtle improvements like additional knockback range on a parry. Or, more noticeable ones, like extra damage in exchange for slower movement speed. To boost baseline attributes such as health and Ichor, you have to find rare essences. Locating them is no easy task though, as they are hidden throughout the world in secret locations.

Finally, as I mentioned before, interacting with any Mirror will allow you to buy Witchery’s. There is a staggeringly high number of spells to purchase in the game, although some of them are clearly more overpowered than others. Altogether, the options available here are fairly diverse. I can’t lie and say they are on the level of Elden Ring or any other AAA game. But they are transformative enough to foster a players creative spark.

Lukewarm Rougelike mechanics.

On top of the standard upgrades, Moonscars has a few Rougelike mechanics you can take advantage of as well. Sprite Bonuses allow you to gain additional passives as you slay enemies out in the wild. These can be pretty game changing, ranging from refunding your Witchery costs, to gaining a second life. You only lose your active passives upon dying, or when you rest at a newly discovered Mirror.

Besides Sprite Bonuses, you also have Special Weapons. In theory, these are powerful secondary attacks that can be used in between your regular combos. The problem is, they aren’t very good. Obtaining a Special Weapon involves unlocking a new Mirror, and, after you’ve rested, defeating the evil Doppelganger that spawns out of it. Essentially, the Doppelganger is a 1:1 clone of your current build. Defeating it will allow you to select a new Special Weapon, or keep your old one.

In truth, the entire Doppelganger mechanic, whilst assuredly interesting, felt a bit flat. The constant requirement to reobtain a reward that you’d already unlocked proved to be rather annoying. If Black Mermaid took the time to flesh this system out, then it might have felt less dull and repetitive. But, in its current form, it really isn’t anything to write home about.

Hollowing for the moon.

Much like hollowing in DS3, dying too many times plunges the world into a state called ‘Moonhunger’. This makes the game more challenging by increasing the strength and durability of your enemies. However, as a trade-off, you’ll also be able to earn additional Bone Powder during this time.

Thankfully, you do have the ability to revert the world back to normal should you wish. To do so, you’ll either need to spend a limited resource called Glands, or defeat one of the named bosses. However, I would honestly recommend just keeping the Moonhunger state active. Why? Well, the challenge increase was completely negligible, but, oppositely, the additional Bone Powder drop rate was very apparent. I never really found a good enough reason to not self-inflict Moonhunger, meaning you can freely abuse it ad nauseum.

A hauntingly beautiful art direction.

Moonscars has been deliberately stylised to appear dark and messy. The washed-out colour scheme, comprising mainly of greys and browns, flawlessly echoes the brooding narrative. This is contrasted by the colour red, which remains vibrant to highlight the gruesome gameplay elements such as blood. It genuinely looks like a gothic horror painting come to life at times.

The character and monster designs are astonishingly intricate. Considering the art style, this isn’t exactly the easiest thing to pull off. Yet, details like armour pieces, weaponry, and battle wounds, are all instantly noticeable. By the same token, the animations are smooth, and, most importantly, identifiable. The latter is especially important for gameplay purposes like parrying.

I did have some issues with Moonscar’s art direction. To be specific, the lack of foreground and, to a lesser extent, background variations made the whole game feel a bit samey. Again, the scenery itself is stellar. However, if you’re expecting to find diverse locations like the ones in Blasphemous, then you may be disappointed.

DYATHON takes centre stage with their dark compositions.

For the most part, Moonscars OST doesn’t draw attention to itself. Composer DYATHON understood the assignment of allowing the music to be spacious, opting for simplistic melodies and sparse instrumentation. In doing so, the soundtrack expertly matches the games thematic, and fosters an eerie, melancholy vibe.

In a similar manner, the SFX are reserved, yet punchy. Noises like disembowelled guts spilling out onto the floor are subtle, but most assuredly discernible. Stylistically, it isn’t exactly cartoony, but it isn’t realistic either. It’s a nice balance between the two methods and works well for the game. Practically speaking, this is everything I wanted the sound effects to be in No Place for Bravery.

Conclusion

Moonscars has a lot of things going for it, but it does fall a little short at times. The combat and platforming elements are fun and engaging, though the additional mechanics placed on top of it aren’t particularly dynamic. Graphically, the washed-out colours mixed with the bright and bodacious reds make for an absolutely stunning visual display. Composer DYATHON complements the art direction and gloomy aesthetics by creating a spacious, yet melancholy soundtrack. Sadly, the single biggest drawback here is the narrative. Whilst it’s certainly interesting, it remains largely incoherent. Subsequent playthroughs, which are mandatory to experience all the game has to offer, don’t really clear up any of the confusion either. Still, Moonscars does offer something worth playing. If you’re in the market for a new Metroidvania or Souls-like game, then I’d recommend giving this one a shot.

Review: The Plague Doctor of Wippra

James Refelian
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Review: The Plague Doctor of Wippra

Not often has a game featured late medieval medicine, an intriguing cast of characters and a plot riddled with suspense and history. Along came The Plague Doctor of Wippra featuring all of that in spades!

Gameplay

In The Plague Doctor of Wippra, you arrive in the sleepy medieval village as the replacement doctor, after the last one succumbed to the plague. As you go about your day, solving the medical problems of the inhabitants, you can form alliances, uncover the cause of this plague and escape accusations of heresy. There’s a lot going on for Doctor Oswald Keller!

The game plays as a traditional point-and-click adventure with an inventory system to collect items along the way. As you would expect, these objects will all become useful, from hints about treatments to make a lamp and far more. In some cases, like when making ointment, you must combine multiple items and even use them with objects in the world to complete the process. The level of depth here feels like a really solid process.

Where the dialogue and story are concerned is where this little indie really shines. From historical commentary on Martin Luther and how Germany dealt with the plague, to criticisms and racist remarks from the locals blaming a particular ethnicity. While historical in nature, it’s also a subtle indictment of events right now with reactions to the global pandemic. As you delve deeper into the story, events take a turn and you must stand up for yourself, and science.

Overall, the game is fun, say it is a little short and quite straightforward in terms of narrative direction.

Puzzles in The Plague Doctor of Wippra

The puzzles in this game take the form of medical treatments and the tasks you need to complete to be able to treat your patients. From creating a candle out of random items to see a patient better or treating a head wound with a silver coin. You even must scare a magpie away so you can use a feather to help you get some leeches. The puzzles are well thought out and what seems like an innocuous object will almost certainly have a part to play at some point.

Art and Sound of The Plague Doctor of Wippra

The music is the standout feature in the audio and visuals of the game. A beautiful score of strings and piano lent atmosphere, melancholy, and a small glimmer of hope in what would be a dire situation. Sadly, not present throughout, when it’s not there you do really notice it. Accompanying this wonderful score are the sound effects. While they don’t get used that often, the scene is really enhanced when they are. There are, on occasion, also differences depending on where you’re standing. This location-based approach to the sound helps them feel more real. For example, walking closer to a patient and making them groan more loudly.

Where the art is concerned, it’s a chunky pixel art that won’t necessarily appeal to everyone but don’t let it put you off. There is enough detail to enjoy the world of Wippra and the characters that inhabit it and being able to zoom in on certain things when needed (a patient’s head wound for example) really does add a lot. Even with the simplistic art I never felt like I was missing anything. I knew exactly what was going on.

The text is very clear in the game, which is appreciated as this is a point-and-click adventure. The game is also very text-heavy, so this was crucial and done well.

Conclusion

The Plague Doctor of Wippra is a clever critique of the global pandemic that hasn’t quite gone away, told through the lens of late medieval Germany dealing with the bubonic plague. At its’s surface though, it’s a great point-and-click adventure game with interesting dialogue, raised stakes, alternate endings and enough puzzles to feel satisfying. Sadly, it is on the short side and can be completed within a couple of hours. But it’s a couple of hours well spent.

Review: 41 Hours

Daniel Waite
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Review: 41 Hours

It matters not who you are. A tale of love and loss will always resonate. Whether it is set in the future, the past, or the present, it will still captivate and tug at your heartstrings. 41 Hours aims to capitalise on this phenomenon with its clichéd but touching story.

Developed by Texelworks and Eastasiasoft Limited and published by the latter, this is a futuristic FPS. What’s more, it allows you to bend time and there are some testing puzzles to complete. However, its text is filled with errors, the acting is as wooden as Sherwood Forest, and the graphics are pretty dated. Yet, this didn’t put me off. No, I somehow got hooked on the plot, and the sci-fi theme and I enjoyed the puzzling elements.

41 Hours has a tale as old as time.

Clichéd may be a bit strong to describe the 41 Hours plot. Yet, its story is definitely as old as time itself. You control Ethan, a workaholic scientist who is also a trained soldier. He adores his work, but his focus and drive revolve around his long-lost wife. Somehow, he is dragged into a life-threatening situation, and stranger still, he is partnered with a mysterious woman. His sidekick possesses mind-bending skills and out-of-this-world abilities. Accordingly, she imparts her knowledge onto our hero, and he uses these powers to tackle a paramilitary force.

Set across 11 chapters, 41 Hours comprises some interesting ideas that, sadly, lack originality. However, the balanced gameplay and blend of futuristic and sci-fi moments were interesting, nevertheless. These elements are nicely juxtaposed by familiar weaponry and well-trodden locations. As such, it offers some surprises as its rich tale unfolds.

41 Hours has some interesting stage design.
Use the portal to overcome obstacles.

It’s all about the combat and the puzzles. 

41 Hours story dribbles along at a gentle rate as fresh information is uncovered, and the truth comes to light. Yet, the action relies heavily on its combat and puzzle mechanics. Here is where I believe the game excels. With an array of approaches to consider, it doesn’t disappoint. You can go out all guns blazing or use stealth as your go-to option. Furthermore, you can open portals in space or use your sidekick as a walking bomb. Each of these options uses energy, and this can be replenished over time or by collecting orbs. Subsequently, you must plan ahead, otherwise, your enemies will annihilate you with ease.

Alongside the tricky combat are some challenging puzzles to overcome. Now, if you are a puzzle master, you won’t struggle in the slightest. However, “normal” gamers will have to consider their surroundings and think logically to progress. What I enjoyed was the mixture of problems on display. Moreover, they incorporated the stealth and portal elements nicely in order to mix things up. This combination of approaches ensured the action didn’t plateau. With a familiar feeling throughout, it risked boring and underwhelming its player base early on. Luckily, though, it does just enough to keep you entertained.

Hide in the shadows and defeat your foes.
Sneak around and defeat your foes.

41 Hours belongs to the Xbox 360.

Visually, 41 Hours is appalling. If this title was released in the early 2000s, it would have been a joy to look at. However, modern gamers on next-gen machines expect much more. Disappointingly, the textures are off, the animation is woeful, and killing cows is just hilarious. On top of this, the level of detail is extremely underwhelming. Thankfully, though, its saving grace is its varied stage design. Accordingly, this kept me playing an otherwise dated-looking game.

Sadly, the audio doesn’t fare much better. With awful acting, terrible sound bites, and lacklustre sound effects, it’s laughable. I expected booming and bass-rich gunfire, but it never materialised. The understated style was strange as the developers had some interesting ideas. However, they never coordinated their gameplay mechanics with their aesthetics, and this leads to a disjointed finish. 

Don't let the cold put you off.
Brrrr, don’t let the cold stop you.

Decent controls.

For all its negatives, the controls weren’t one of them. The responsive and intuitive layout was a joy to use. Furthermore, in the heat of the battle, it was easy to play. Alongside this, instructing your sidekick was simple, and nothing felt unnecessary or underworked.

With 11 chapters to explore, you get a fair bit of game for your money. However, the replay value and longevity are somewhat capped. With a restricted open world to explore, you follow a semi-linear path. Consequently, this helps the story to flow, but it makes the game much smaller than it needed to be. 

41 Hours could have been amazing.

Conceptually, 41 Hours is interesting, though it lacks originality. Had the developers focused on a better finish, this would have been acceptable and forgivable. However, the terrible acting, poor graphics, and lacklustre audio were mind-blowingly bad. Subsequently, I don’t recommend you buy it. Yet, more information can be found here! Will you uncover the truth and save your wife? Bend time, solve puzzles, and fight until the end. 

Review: Shure MV7X

Daniel Waite
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Review: Shure MV7X

If you are a Youtuber or musician, or you partake in podcasts, you’ll know how important audio quality is. As such, purchasing the right device can be a challenging experience. Do you go all-out and break the bank to buy the best money can get, or do you try to cut some corners and make it a little more affordable? Whatever your choice, you may be left disappointed. However, I don’t think that would be the case if you pick up the Shure MV7X microphone. This simple dynamic device is simple to set up, easy to use and has a single XLR output. Yet, does this lack of complexity compete against some of its high-end competitors?

Well, I think it does! Though it isn’t the cheapest of devices on the market, it is a phenomenal piece of kit. With crystal-clear voice recordings and a filter that wipes out unwanted sounds and harsh popping, it does exactly what you want and expect from a decent mic. What’s more, it looks amazing and can be fitted to a boom arm or a compatible stand. Accordingly, it’s a straightforward-to-use piece of equipment that’ll impress from the off.

What’s in the box of the Shure MV7X?

  • The microphone is housed in a sturdy cardboard box with a decorative outer sleeve. Immediately, you can tell it was a high-end product, and I couldn’t wait to open the box.
  • The Shure MV7X comes wrapped to prevent damage. On top of this, it is snuggly secured in its packaging and that helps it further still. The device has no buttons, one XLR output port on the bottom, and a replaceable mic grille. Alongside this, there is a yoke mount that can be attached to a 5/8-inch or 3/8-inch threaded mount. This can be adjusted and tightened with ease thanks to the side knobs.
  • 3/8-inch Euro threaded adapter. Use this adapter to connect the microphone to your desired stand or boom arm.
Stunning but simple packaging.
Handy information.
3/8″ Euro threaded adapter.
The Shure MV7X microphone.
A naked microphone without its mic grille.
A view of the XLR output port.
The complete package.

Technical aspects.

When looking at your next microphone, you want it to record your audio perfectly without unwanted sounds. Fortunately, the Shure MV7X does just that. Because of its voice isolation technology, it delivers pitch-perfect recordings. Furthermore, the replaceable mic grille cuts out unwanted room noises, hisses, and those unfortunate pops from “hard” pronounced sounds. Consequently, what you get is that rich “radio” voice that everyone yearns for.

Thanks to the dynamic design, this microphone does not require phantom power. This is excellent if you want to simplify your setup and reduce unwanted cabling. This is further enhanced thanks to the simple XLR cable arrangement. However, this does have its setbacks. Unfortunately, Shure does not provide you with this cable, so this will add to your expense. What’s more, you’ll need an audio interface to record when using your PC or laptop. Alongside this, with such a simple design, you’ll have to adjust your gain and other settings using a digital audio workstation. Now, this isn’t a problem if you are familiar with the technology, but inexperienced artists or influencers/creators may not find it so intuitive.

A perfect musician’s tool.

With podcasting and gaming elements to one side, the Shure MV7X makes for a perfect musicians tool. Because of its dynamic qualities, it handles loud and aggressive noises incredibly well, and distortion is kept to a minimum. However, though, you’ll need to return to your aforementioned DAW to adjust your settings to get the best out of it.

For softer and quieter noises, you would typically consider a condenser microphone. Yet, this dynamic microphone does a great job of highlighting these fine and often missed sounds. Subsequently, the Shure MV7X is a great tool if you are recording acoustic instruments. Therefore, if you are a musician who uses many instruments, this versatile microphone will capture your audio perfectly.

Is the Shure MV7X worth it?

Priced at £179.99, this isn’t the most inexpensive microphone on the market. However, you do get an extremely good device for your money. With a replaceable mic grille, the ability to attach it to a tripod or boom arm, and its lack of buttons make it an attractive prospect. What’s more, its sound quality is incredible. It can be used for a vast selection of instruments without issue, and it requires no additional power supply.

Alongside this, the voice recording element has to be one of the best I’ve ever experienced! The lack of background noise, distortion, and annoying harsh sounds was brilliant. Compared with either the ROCCAT Torch or the Ampligame A8 microphone, the sound recording is out of this world. Though, those microphones are easier to set up and will be more attractive to inexperienced creators or musicians.

If you want a professional microphone that looks amazing, feels great and is built to last, then the Shure MV7X has to be seriously considered. Yes, the lack of onboard controls and buttons can be a little frustrating, but this is a minor thing. After all, most people have a laptop or PC nearby whenever they are recording. Accordingly, the few minor elements are far outweighed by the positives, and I can easily recommend you buy it here!

(More information on Shure can be found here!)

Review: Deadlink

Daniel Waite
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Review: Deadlink

The future is hard to predict, but there are some certainties, greed, violence and death will still blight humanity. Coincidentally, no matter how honest you are, or how good you try to be, you’ll always be dragged down. Accordingly, you may as well take your slice of the pie as you try to take down “the man”. This is exactly what happens in Deadlink. It’s a brutal and futuristic game that proves honesty and goodness never pay.

Developed by Gruby Entertainment and published by SuperGG.com, this is a futuristic FPS with rogue-lite elements. What’s more, it is in Early Access and surprisingly it works almost flawlessly with the Steam Deck platform. As such, it is an amazing casual game that you can play at home or on the move.

Deadlink has some awesome weapons.
This encounter is electrifying.

Deadlink is a brutal story in a virtual world.

Working as a secret agent should have its perks. However, dying and respawning repeatedly wouldn’t be high on my agenda. Yet, this is exactly what happens to the hero in Deadlink. This agency soldier enters a deadly world via a secret gadget known as the Deadlink Project. This neural connection allows soldiers to pilot an empty combat shell. Here, they will test its abilities in an urban fighting situation. However, once it is destroyed, the connection is lost and the only thing that remains is the tokens or credits that have been collected.

This is Deadlink in a nutshell! It is a fast-paced title about destruction, loss, and starting again. The vicious cycle may seem tedious, but the brutal and hectic gameplay is undeniably hard to put down. Furthermore, the more you progress, the bigger the weapons become, and the more rewarding the results are. However, this comes at a cost as your enemies also become harder, faster, and much more aggressive. Subsequently, a tough game gets a little harder, still.

The power of invisibility is really handy in Deadlink.
Now you see me, now you don’t!

Drip-fed improvements. 

Deadlink focuses on arena-based combat with permanent and temporary upgrades. Whenever you are “linked in”, your rewards, improvements, and upgrades are all temporary. Accordingly, this is where the rogue-lite elements come into play. Furthermore, a procedurally generated world ensures that no playthrough is ever the same. Yes, you may encounter the same opponents, and they are likely to kick your ass relentlessly. However, with a unique environment, you can manipulate your surroundings, blow up explosives, jump to dizzying heights, and get the upper hand.

Alongside this, there are unlockable classes and permanent upgrades to buy. The classes, or “experimental shells”, give you unique abilities and a fresh load out. As such, this changes your approach considerably and adapts your strengths and weaknesses. Yet, the permanent upgrades are the real game-changer. These make you faster, stronger, and more resilient. Moreover, they open unique challenges to improve your loot and make each playthrough more worthwhile.

Deadlink has some performance issues. 

Mechanically, Deadlink is exceptional. I loved the gameplay, the learning curve, and the brutal but balanced approach. Sadly, though, its visual performance didn’t reach this standard. On both PC and Steam Deck, this game hangs and stutters under extreme pressure. Alongside this, there are frame rate issues, and you can “ghost” through certain items. However, when it plays well, it looks and feels amazing. I adored the cyberpunk style, the vivid neon and the rich purples. Accordingly, it looked stereotypically futuristic, and that was fine by me. On top of this, your enemies look great and there is plenty of variety to keep things interesting.

What was also impressive was the thumping soundtrack. The aggressive music combined with the ear-ringing sound effects were something to behold. Subsequently, every layer of it was obnoxious and overbearing, but this mattered not. Why? Because it worked perfectly with the action while enhancing the drama and danger of each playthrough.

Each round is relentless.
Unleash hell on the never-ending army of mercenaries.

It’s easier to handle with a controller.

Deadlink has a considered control layout and was remarkably easy to pick up. However, I found it much easier to play on Steam Deck or with a controller. For unknown reasons, it felt more intuitive, and the action felt better. Yet, if you play with a mouse and keyboard, you’ll equally enjoy it thanks to the intelligent mapping and responsive inputs.

Because of its core concept, this game oozes replay value and longevity. Furthermore, it can be enjoyed casually as well. I adored the minor tactical tweaks and the procedurally generated stages. As such, I never knew what to expect, and this kept me on my toes.

Deadlink is great, but it needs some refining. 

Overall, Deadlink is an incredible title. It’s tough, enjoyable, addictive and wonderfully casual as well. However, the performance issues undermine all this potential. Consequently, it needs some refining to get the best out of it. Yet, as it is, I loved it and I recommend you buy it here! Can you pilot the combat shell and master each situation? Upgrade your equipment, know your foes, and survive for as long as possible. 

Review: GXT 433k Pylo

Daniel Waite
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Review: GXT 433k Pylo

I’ve been fortunate enough to cover both the GXT 411 Radius and the GXT 488 Forze headphones. To add to this list, Trust has entrusted me with another one of their range. Today, we will look at the GXT 433k Pylo headphones in black camouflage. These mid-range headphones deliver rich audio and crystal-clear communication. Moreover, the over-ear cups are comfortable, and large, and stay cool during long sessions.

Alongside this, Trust includes a PC adapter to ensure that the device is multifunctional. As such, I appreciated its versatility and its style. With an adjustable headband and inline volume control, this is a straightforward and comfortable accessory to use.

The camo design makes the GXT 433k Pylo headset hard to see.
The GXT 433k Pylo headset

What’s in the box of the GXT 433k Pylo?

  • The large and attractive box is adorned with interesting images and key information. Furthermore, it is sturdy and protects the contents within. Disappointingly, Trust has used plastic for its inner sleeve and this impacts your ability to recycle.
  • The GXT 433k Pylo is fantastic to look at. The camo version mixes grey tones to present an attractive camouflage finish. The swivel microphone is easy to move and is chunky and robust. What’s more, the gold-plated 3.5mm in-built braided cable has an inline volume dial for ultimate control.
  • PC audio adapter. If you play across multiple platforms, this adapter ensures your headphones can still be used. With gold plating to each connection, you reduce interference and unnecessary crackling.
The smart packaging.
Manual, sticker, and warranty information.
3.5mm to PC adapter.
The GXT 433k Pylo headset.
The full package.

Technical aspects.

Drivers50mm
CableInbuilt braided
ConnectionWired 3.5mm jack
BluetoothNo
EarcupOver-ear
Noise reductionNo
ControllerInline

Unlike the GXT 411 Radius, I expected much more from this mid-range headset. As such, I was concerned about the comfort, the sound quality, and the ease of use. Moreover, the microphone has to be clear, and the volume dial had to be spot on. Fortunately, the GXT 433k Pylo ticks all of these boxes. Sadly, though, it doesn’t have all the high-end tech of the major brands, and this may disappoint some gamers. However, I wasn’t too worried, as it performed admirably for the price.

Thanks to the 50mm drivers, the audio has a nice range with rich and powerful bass. Accordingly, they are both immersive and enjoyable to use. This is then complemented nicely by the volume dial. It was pleasant to alter the volume of your headphones without having to fiddle with the over-ear cups or PC/console settings.

Alongside this, the swivel microphone is chunky, easy to move, and delivers excellent voice pickup. This was surprising for such a cost-effective accessory, as I didn’t expect it to perform so well. Furthermore, a lack of flip-to-mute functionality makes you use the inline mute button if you want privacy when playing online.

Finally, the GXT 433k Pylo headphones look amazing and are extremely comfortable to wear. Thanks to their memory foam over-ear cups and adjustable headband, they feel great on your head. What’s more, they rarely get too hot, and the larger cup size sits nicely around your ears.

The PC adapter ensures the GXT 433k Pylo headphones are vesatile.
Inline controller and the PC adapter.

Are the GXT 433k Pylo headphones worth it?

There are plenty of great mid-range headphones on offer. I have looked at the Turtle Beach Recon 500 headphones and I loved them. However, the GXT 433k Pylo are equally good and I was just as impressed. Side by side, I think the Recon 500s are slightly better, but I am talking about a marginal amount.

If you are looking for an attractive and functional headset that doesn’t break the bank, then these headphones will tick a lot of boxes. I’d be happy to use them regularly, even though they are missing some key high-end technology such as noise cancellation or surround sound. However, this shouldn’t detract from what is otherwise a great mid-range headset. Consequently, I recommend you buy them here!

(More information on Trust can be found here!)

The GXT 433k Pylo headphones have been awarded the Movies Games and Tech gold award.

Review: A Plague Tale: Requiem

Daniel Waite
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Review: A Plague Tale: Requiem

A Plague Tale: Requiem is one of the most anticipated titles of 2022! This follow-up to the much-loved 2019 hit, A Plague Tale: Innocence, is a must-play game and immediately joins the Game Pass ranks. Accordingly, gamers can get their mitts on this beautiful and captivating experience without spending a penny. However, will it be all hype and no substance, or will it continue from where its predecessor left off?

Developed by Asobo Studio and published by Focus Entertainment, this is an action-adventure title. Furthermore, it has a sombre and melancholy plot that is emotive, and tough to swallow, but incredibly fascinating and rewarding at the same time. You’ll vie for the key protagonists from the off, and fans of the series will adore the familiar gameplay mechanics. However, this doesn’t mean that it sticks entirely to a well-trodden path. No, because it evolves impressively to create a deeper and more fulfilling game to play.

A Plague Tale: Requiem is much of the same, but altogether different as well. 

A Plague Tale: Requiem follows the tale of the De Rune siblings, Amicia and Hugo. The brother and sister are bound together by a sense of loyalty and love and will let nothing stand in their way. Yet, a cursed plague haunts the pair, and poor Hugo is inflicted with an illness. Like the first instalment, the family is tracked by the Inquisition and surrounded by black rats, as they try to live a quiet life in 14th-century medieval France. However, this time, the siblings must survive long enough to discover a mysterious island that could cure Hugo of his ailment. 

Sounds dramatic, right? Well, that’s because it is! The remarkable story flows beautifully between each chapter. Moreover, new mechanics and special skills are drip-fed as puzzles and challenges become increasingly convoluted. As such, you’ll require guile, logical thinking, an accurate shot, and a fair bit of luck to succeed. Furthermore, fire and light are your best tools to defeat and control the haunting plague of rats.

This may seem extremely familiar if you’ve played the original. Well, I’m not going to lie. Most of the core mechanics are identical. However, the developers have brilliantly tweaked many of these elements and added some new ideas. You’ll note the return of the trusty slingshot, the pots, rocks, and the Ignifier and Extinguis potions. Yet, new equipment, such as tar, a knife, and a crossbow, alters your approach and enhances your choices.

Puzzles, violence, and stealth.

This action-adventure title is unlike many of its peers. Though fighting is an essential survival tool, you are better off hiding in plain sight. Subsequently, the protagonists must use stealth and guile to avoid their opponent’s gaze. Moreover, by jumping through windows, shuffling down gaps, and hiding under tables, you’ll stay safe and live to fight another day. Yet, if things heat up, you can use pots and rocks to distract your foes. Then, if you so wish, you can finish them with your knife, or strangle them to death. On top of this, you may use your slingshot to kill unarmoured mercenaries, or your crossbow to annihilate armoured warriors.

The human-on-human interactions are intertwined with skin-crawling encounters. Wave after wave of black rats stalks the heroes throughout every chapter. Now, this may seem like a horrendous thing, and at first, it is. Yet, you soon realise that you can manipulate the pests to do your bidding. These skin-hungry rodents can be coerced into attacking unwitting victims as you light pyres and shoot animal corpses. This may seem disgusting, but it is a case of you, or them! What’s more, Hugo’s life depends on your unwavering nerve and deadly accuracy.

Alongside this, there are some intricate puzzles that must be solved. Don’t be fooled, though, as these won’t test you to your limits. Instead, they ask you to observe your surroundings and crack a basic code. Consequently, this may seem a little under-baked and refined for some palettes, but I liked the level of difficulty and the minor deviation in the gameplay style. Furthermore, it was an ingenious way of expanding each chapter without slowing the action or frustrating its player base.

Supernatural powers.

What is particularly great about A Plague Tale: Requiem is how Amicia develops depending on your approach. Moreover, Hugo comes into his own as the true power of the Prima Macula comes to the fore. Both of these elements form key components in the flow of the gameplay and the ability to solve puzzles.

If you are stealth-focused, Amicia grows into this role and learns to adapt to the shadows and her surroundings. However, if you prefer the lethal approach, you’ll discover new combat skills and you’ll become more deadly. On top of this, gear can be upgraded throughout and this gives a better chance of survival. Furthermore, making your slingshot stealthier, or being able to recycle resources improves your experience exponentially.

Now, we get to Hugo. He is the weak and often scared boy who’s at the root of all things evil. Yet, he’s not as powerless as he appears, and his strengths are game-changing. With the ability to see through walls and control the plague of rats, he can overwhelm his opponents and carve new paths. This was vastly important, as many problems required you to scythe through reams of stinking rodents or to avoid the attention of the Inquisition. Accordingly, I guess it is the weak underdog Hugo that is actually the hero of this tale.

A Plague Tale: Requiem looks incredible, mostly. 

A Plague Tale: Requiem is an undeniably stunning title that’ll blow you away. The depth of colours, the dated accurate medieval imagery, and the eerie melancholy sight of death are incredible to observe. However, occasionally, things went awry. Minor details were off, and the character’s hair looked wrong, the eyes would lack life, and frame rates would drop. But mostly, you experience a flawless, albeit uncomfortable title that deserves to be heralded as a true next-gen performance. 

With an amazing array of locations to explore, interesting puzzles to overcome, and a whole roster of characters to see, it is a treat to the eyes. Alongside this, the action is smooth, and I adored how each approach was catered to. If stealth is your thing, each area has oodles of hiding places to exploit. On the flip side, if fighting is your thing, you can easily use your ranged weapons to overpower your enemies. In short, each chapter is perfectly balanced, and neither style is left wanting.

A great adventure title needs an epic soundtrack. Thankfully, A Plague Tale: Requiem delivers just that. With perfectly choreographed audio, you’ll become lost in the moment. Subsequently, this is one dramatic tale that’ll drag you through an array of emotions. However, you won’t mind this as you vie for the protagonists at every opportunity. As such, you’ll “enjoy” dramatic and rich music as you battle the Inquisition or the horde of rats. Alternatively, sombre and softer songs fill the air during touching moments. The music is then complemented nicely by the incredible acting. The spectacular performance of the entire cast is a breath of fresh air.

Familiar controls. 

If you played A Plague Tale: Innocence, you’ll feel comfortable playing A Plague Tale: Requiem. The developers took the approach. If it isn’t broken, don’t fix it, and this was wonderful. Yet, if you’ve skipped the opening gambit, or you’ve forgotten altogether, it matters not. Thanks to the incredible opening prologue, you’ll enjoy a tutorial that sets the scene. Alongside this, you’ll love the radial menus, the responsive controls, and the clear and easy-to-understand aiming system. In short, it had been incredibly well thought out, and this enhances the experience.

I cherished A Plague Tale: Innocence, but it was just too short. Thankfully, the sequel lasts twice as long, around 25 hours, and that is amazing. If you then consider the variable gameplay styles, you have around 50-60 hours of action to contend with. This is absolutely mind-blowing when you consider that this is a day-one release on Game Pass.

A Plague Tale: Requiem was worth the wait. 

A Plague Tale: Requiem is a title that doesn’t disappoint. With an incredible storyline and setting, interesting characters, amazing mechanics, and a balanced approach, it ticks every box. I didn’t think it was possible to improve on the first instalment, but I was wrong. The sequel takes every amazing element and creates a moreish and gut-churning game. However, its occasional graphical error detracts from an otherwise polished endeavour. Consequently, I recommend you buy it here! Will you solve the mystery of the healing island? Use your skills and knowledge to overcome adversities and survive each relentless onslaught. 

Review: GXT 411 Radius

Daniel Waite
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Review: GXT 411 Radius

As a parent, it can be tough to buy the right gaming accessories. You don’t want to invest too much money, as you know they are bound to break them, eventually. However, you want the best experience that you can get, and sometimes you must compromise to achieve this. Thankfully, the Trust GXT 411 Radius does a fine job of delivering solid sound, crisp communication, and relative comfort.

On top of this, it is a multi-platform headset and which makes it versatile and fantastic value for money. Alongside this, it comes in a choice of colours, has an inline controller, and an adjustable headband. You must also consider the small but comfortable over-ear cups, and the precise audio delivered by the 40mm drivers. In short, this won’t compete with the big boys, but it is a great entry-level device for younger gamers or those that want a spare set of headphones.

What’s in the box of the GXT 411 Radius?

  • The lightweight box is sturdy but compact. It highlights the key selling points and has some product images. Furthermore, its sultry colours give it a professional edge.
  • The GXT 411 Radius headphones. These small headphones come in a choice of colours and have smaller over-ear cups than many of their peers. What’s more, there is a built-in wire with inline volume control and a swivel microphone.
  • PC audio adapters. The main cable is a 3.5mm jack and Trust has included a splitter cable for the pink and green ports for PC. As such, this ensures that you can use the device across multiple platforms.
  • Warranty card. A document that highlights warranty information.
Compact and sturdy packaging.
The GXT 411 Radius.
A handy pamphlet.
PC adapter cables.
The full package.

Technical aspects.

Noise reductionNo
Remote controlInline
Controls on deviceNo
ConnectionWired 3.5mm
Cable1m braided
Sound reproductionStereo
Driver size40mm

Different price points demand a unique point of view. Accordingly, I do not expect the GXT 411 Radius headphones to have market-leading technology, nor am I expecting booming and mind-blowing audio. Instead, I want this entry-level device to be comfortable, well-built and deliver reasonable audio. Fortunately, it does just that thanks to its compact and well-placed 40mm drivers.

The accurate but limited audio is what I’d expect from a lower-priced item. Consequently, I was neither impressed nor was I disappointed. The high and mid tones are pleasant to listen to without too much distortion. However, the bass is lacking in life and this impacts the experience of high-adrenaline games. Yes, this was frustrating, but the sound effects, music, and communication elements weren’t too adversely affected.

What was great was the swivel microphone and clean voice pickup. This was surprising as I expected it to be tinny, underwhelming, and difficult to understand. Furthermore, the gold-plated connections ensured that interference and unnecessary crackling were almost non-existent. However, with a lack of flip-to-mute and noise cancellation, the clarity is understandably impacted at times. Thankfully, though, the inline mute button and volume control ensure that you set levels to your liking.

Are the GXT 411 Radius worth it?

If you are a more experienced gamer, or you have a high-end headset, the GXT 411 Radius won’t be of interest to you. Yet, if you want a nice, solid peripheral that is reliable without breaking the bank, then maybe this will pique your interest. Thanks to its robust design, simple controls, and nice, but not overwhelming audio, it’ll be sure to be a hit.

Yes, it won’t stack up against any of the top headphones such as ROCCAT or Turtle Beach, but the price point reflects that. Instead, this is designed for people on a budget who want to break into the gaming scene. Subsequently, The GXT 411 Radius has done a great job for this audience. It was too basic for my liking, but I think it’ll resonate with many gamers. Accordingly, I recommend you buy it here!

(More information on Trust can be found here!)

News: Street Fighter 6 Beta Test

James Refelian
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News: Street Fighter 6 Beta Test

So, I was lucky enough to experience the Street Fighter 6 Beta Test last weekend and all I have to say is wow. Street Fighter 6 is honestly shaping up to rival Street Fighter 2 as the best iteration of this beloved franchise.

Street Fighter 6 Beta Test

So, the Street Fighter 6 Beta Test only provided access to The Hub. While this meant the arcade mode and story mode were locked, I was able to experience the online multiplayer element. The Hub allows you to run around, customise your avatar and take a seat at an arcade machine to fight. The fights can either be standard or with some unique rules and modes. Either way, you’ll be fighting against players from all over the world (that connect to the same server as you).

The fights work precisely as you would expect – you play as your selected character (for me that’s always Chun-Li) and battle for victory. The controls haven’t changed since my experience with the game at EGX 2022 and felt as smooth now as they did then. You can pick classic controls with the expected button combos to perform moves or a simplified modern approach that requires less memory to master!

When you first sit at a machine, you’re provided with a tutorial so you can learn the basics and then the real fun begins. Playing against opponents, or spectating other people’s matches, it’s all visually exciting and colourful to look at. Graphically, Street Fighter 6 is stunning to look at and the character models really do look spectacular.

What I Loved

The music, the visuals, it’s all fantastic. What blew me away early on though was the avatar customisation screen. Every single feature, detail, and aspect can be changed, altered, and configured. Want to alter your eyebrows? You can. How about eyes? Well, there’s 38 different eye styles (yes, I counted!). scars, body type everything. Want to look like a body-building Santa? Well as the picture below shows… that’s doable too. When the game launches, I can see myself spending an incredibly long time making my avatar before I even start a single match.

Another great feature that was showcased in the Street Fighter 6 Beta Test was cross-play. This is cool if you have friends playing on different platforms. Worried that one platform may have an advantage? Well, this didn’t seem the case during my play session, but you can select ‘platform only’.  

What Will Hopefully be Improved  

I only experienced a couple of things I would nit-pick. Firstly, there were a few server connection errors. While I put this down to the fact that this was a beta test, I hope server stability is improved.

Secondly, I wish there were options to redesign your avatar, while the customisation is vast, it was a little daunting but sadly there didn’t seem to be a way to do that. Finally, it would have been nice to go back into the tutorial for a refresh every so often!

I don’t know if these features will be added to The Hub, but I do hope these are features that get included in the final build.

Conclusion

Street Fighter 6 is gearing up to be an exciting new installment of one of the greatest fighting game franchises. If the Street Fighter 6 Beta Test experience is anything to go on, it’s going to be huge. Online play, cross-play, story mode, more casual gaming, and the greatest avatar customisation I’ve seen in a while.

For more information, check out the official website!

A Closer Look at Bing Paddling Pool Playset Figurines and Accessories

Andrew Edney
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0
A Closer Look at Bing Paddling Pool Playset Figurines and Accessories

With Christmas only a few months away, we take a closer look at Bing Paddling Pool Playset Figurines and Accessories.

Bingsters will love with this fun-filled playset which can hold real water! Bing and Flop love to splish and splash around in their paddling pool. Comes with two figurines. Bing’s head turns and his legs bend too!

This fun packed toy is compatible with other Bing playsets so your Bingster can build Bing’s world and create new adventures as well as act out scenes from the show!

This set comes complete with five accessories… Along with the pool, see Bing and Flop’s top selection of toys: a model boat, submarine and bucket for building sandcastles. There’s even a little frog for more fun!

Suitable for ages 18 months up.

Bing Paddling Pool Playset Figurines and Accessories is available now priced around £16.99.

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

A Closer Look at Bing Painting Playset Figurines and Accessories

Andrew Edney
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0
A Closer Look at Bing Painting Playset Figurines and Accessories

With Christmas only a few months away, we take a closer look at Bing Painting Playset Figurines and Accessories.

Bring Bing and Sula to life with this fabulous painting role-play set, a pure delight for your Bingster to play with! Includes fun accessories: paint pots, an easel and art desk – with removable crayon drawer! Bing and Sula’s head and painting arm are posable too.

This fun packed toy is compatible with other Bing playsets so your Bingster can build Bing’s world and create new adventures as well as act out scenes from the show!

This mini playset makes an ideal gift for any toddler as it helps to build early learning skills and start imaginative conversation.

Suitable for ages 18 months and up.

Bing Painting Playset Figurines and Accessories is available now priced around £16.99.

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

A Closer Look at Hey Duggee Transforming Duggee Space Rocket

Andrew Edney
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0
A Closer Look at Hey Duggee Transforming Duggee Space Rocket

With Christmas only a few months away, we take a closer look at Hey Duggee Transforming Space Rocket.

3-2-1- Blast off on an outer space adventure with Duggee and the squirrels. This amazing 2 in 1 transforming toy sees astronaut Duggee magically transform into a space rocket with loads of fun features and surprises.

Slide the hatch and Duggee appears in his spaceman outfit ready to drive the spaceship! There are so many features including pop out wings, surprise alien frog figurine, sounds and lights. This is a must have for any Duggee fan ready for an epic space adventure!

  • Depth: 15 CM
  • Height: 27.1 CM
  • Width: 16.7 CM
  • MUSIC AND SOUND: Includes lots of silly space sounds as well as the new ‘Space Song!’
  • LIGHT UP ROCKET JETS: bright colourful lights emerge from the jets
  • SPACEMAN DUGGEE: Duggee in his space outfit, an exclusive figurine, is here to drive the ship
  • SPACE ROCKET FEATURES: Opening doors, pop out wings and a sliding hatch enhance the play
  • SURPRISE CHARACTER: Alien frog is hidden inside the rocket for added hilarity

Little ones will have hours of fun roleplaying flying the rocket. There are so many features including pop out wings, surprise alien frog figurine, sounds and lights. This is a must have for any Duggee fan aged 3+.

Hey Duggee Transforming Space Rocket is available now priced around £44.99.

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

Compliance Is Not Enough – General Data Protection

Andrew Edney
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Compliance Is Not Enough – General Data Protection

When doing online activities, data protection is essential; that’s why the term GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation) appears. GDPR aims to store, process, and process residents’ personal data from 28 countries.

In practice, the main function of the GDPR is to give consumers control over the personal data collected by a company. That way, their personal data can be kept private and not used by irresponsible people.

To understand more clearly what is meant by GDPR and what are its effects on data protection?

Understanding GDPR

It’s General Data Protection Regulation, abbreviated as GDPR. More clearly, GDPR regulates online activities that protect consumer data.

GDPR  initially applied to European countries but now spread to many more regions worldwide. This GDPR includes strong requirements that will improve and harmonize data protection, security, and protection standards. 

There are several functions and objectives of the GDPR, one of which is to provide control to consumers over personal data collected by companies, such as:

  • User’s data
  • All data relating to internet use (even IP address)
  • Health and genetic data.
  • Biometric data.
  • Ethnic and racial data.
  • Political opinion
  • Sexual orientation

Please note that this GDPR applies to all companies with a lot of large consumer data, so you need to be careful when storing it.

What are the Specific Protections Regulated by the GDPR?

At a glance, GDPR includes a fairly strict policy because it must be responsible for and regulate various components, such as notification of attacks, the right to access data, the right to be deleted, data transfer, privacy, and the presence of data protection employees.

So that you know more clearly about the specific protections regulated by the GDPR, here is an explanation of the points of protection regulated by the GDPR, including:

Data breaches must be reported.

Data breaches must be reported in almost all situations, and people must be notified if their data is compromised, which is likely to result in a “high risk” to their rights and freedoms.

In case of a data breach, most companies usually have their own strategy to prevent the cybersecurity risks that may happen. But for personal use, you can use something to protect you from viruses and malware. In this case use malware removal tool to make your device free from ransomware. By removing the ransomware, the device experience may be smooth once again.

Special protection applies to sensitive information.

Usually, companies try to obtain sensitive data from users, including their personal info, political opinions, and even religious beliefs. And since the data obtained here is quite essential, companies always have to protect them, preventing any possible leaks.

Companies must seek someone’s consent before collecting or using people’s data.

In most situations, companies, governments, and other organizations must obtain genuine informed consent before collecting, using, or sharing someone’s personal data.

This consent request must be conveyed clearly and in a format that is easy to understand and uses clear and simple language. In other words, the consent request should be easy to find and understand.

Required to treat online identifiers and location data as personal data

This regulation means that information advertisers and websites use to track online activities, such as cookies, device identifiers, and internet protocol addresses, is entitled to the same level of protection as personal data.

In general, this kind of information can be very revealing about a person’s online activities and searches, especially when combined with other data held by the company.

The right to new data portability

People can download their personal data and transfer it to a competitor through the new data portability rights. For example, everyone should be able to retrieve their data from a social media network or financial institution in a format that allows them to switch services easily.

Why Compliance Is Not Enough

Keeping the company strict to regulation may make the managers and executives happy since there’s nothing that may lead to another fine. The company needs to face an even bigger problem, the effective strategy to market itself to customers.

Although the company is compliant, it won’t be successful if it doesn’t know how to sell its value. Try to achieve the best reach through an effective marketing strategy that involves using recent technology and making their brand relevant to the customers’ needs. 

Review: Priest Simulator

Daniel Waite
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0
Review: Priest Simulator

I love it when a game takes me by surprise. Rarely do indie games shock me, but Priest Simulator has done just that. Because of its extremely unusual story, satanic undertones, and weird characters, I was confused, amused, and entertained throughout. However, this Early Access title is still being worked on, so will it do enough to be recommended?

Developed by Asmodev and published by Ultimate Games SA, this is a hectic and strange simulation title. Moreover, it has some building mechanics, a large world to explore, violence, exorcisms, and much, much more. On top of this, it is full of dark humour, has an incredible soundtrack, and is like nothing I’ve played before. As such, it impressed me with its original, albeit unusual, concept.

Priest Simulator has some weird characters
Bring the community together.

Priest Simulator will shock you. 

Priest Simulator isn’t just Rosary beads and hail Marys. Nope, it is an eclectic mix of fighting, drugs, drinking, quests, and running a church. Consequently, it is weird as hell, oddly fast-paced, and will keep you coming back for more. I previewed a standalone chapter from this team some time ago, and this full game has evolved nicely. Fortunately, the developers have promised more content in the coming months, so the moderate central plot should expand nicely.

You control Orlok, an angry and wily vampire who has somehow become a priest. The village of San de Ville was desperate for a religious figurehead, and the job was given to you. Accordingly, you don’t take your role too seriously, and decide that making money and being alright at your job are the most important things. However, you soon realise that there is much more to the priesthood than first meets the eye.

A strange story with odd acts.
Probably best not to look in the coffin.

Many tasks to complete. 

Priest Simulator could have been a mundane game. Instead, the massive world, whimsy characters, and magical elements bring it to life. As the new village priest, you are expected to help your faithful followers while getting rid of the riff-raff. The “Shatanists” are a rowdy bunch that refuses to follow your guidance. As such, the only way to convince them is by beating them to death. Now, this may seem extreme, but they are always up for a fight. During each encounter, you can use your fists, weapons, or your magical telekinetic powers. Whichever you choose will remove these beings from your path and will appease your followers.

Alongside the unruly violence are some more classical religious endeavours. You’ll be asked to exorcise demons, administer sacraments, and rebuild the church. These tasks take place in conjunction with the 17 unique storyline quests. Subsequently, the more you complete, the more powerful you become. This then helps you take down your opponents and makes the exploration elements more enjoyable.

If you like to explore your surroundings, you have a car that can be summoned and driven freely. This tiny machine packs a punch and can be used alongside your weapons to mow down your opponents. However, it is more useful in discovering hidden locations and takes the sting out of the massive open world. 

Priest Simulator looks eerie and strange. 

I’m not sure what inspired the developers, but the artistry is odd, creepy, and very unusual. Playing out from a first-person perspective, you witness every violent and religious act up close and personal. This was great in theory, but the finish isn’t great and everything looks a little rough. Thankfully, though, this doesn’t impact the frame rate or the performance. Yes, there were some minor glitches, but these were few and far between and didn’t detract from the ensuing madness.

What was amazing, however, was the excellent audio. Black metal band Gruzja has created an original soundtrack that works perfectly. The aggressive songs demand that you kick ass and take lives. Alongside this, the crunching sound effects were great. I adored the booming weapon noises, the airy magical sounds, and the unusual acting. In short, it is a strange experience that sounds brilliant.

Priest Simulator has a strange love story.
Work hard, play hard.

A complex control system. 

With many skills and abilities to master, Priest Simulator has a complex control system. With submenus to scroll through and plenty of options to select, it takes some getting used to. Thankfully, though, the slow levelling up and free-flowing action prevent this from becoming too challenging. Accordingly, you’ll master each element and become an ass-kicking priest in no time.

In its current build, there is limited replay value and longevity. However, with new content being added and a large world to play with, Priest Simulator has plenty of promise. At the moment, you’ll enjoy what you experience, but as it concludes, you’ll be left wanting more.

Priest Simulator is a strange insight into a religious lifestyle. 

Though Priest Simulator is entertaining, I’m not entirely sure it simulates a priest’s job. I may be wrong, but I’ve not seen too much violence after the weekly Sunday service. Yet, the lack of realism matters not as you’ll enjoy the weird and wonderful story that unfolds. It won’t be for everyone, but I loved its unusual plot. As such, I recommend you buy it here! Can you fake it until you make it? Perform exorcisms, appease your followers, and smite those that challenge you. 

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