Review: Gal*Gun: Double Peace

Kara Phillips
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0
Review: Gal*Gun: Double Peace

Gal*Gun: Double Peace is a fast paced, amusing rail shooter which encourages the stereotypical bishōjo genre of it’s similar titles. Appealing to what can only be described as a ‘niche’ audience, this title hosts a mashup of mechanics. It’s a shooting gallery, visual novel and dating sim all wrapped up in a stampede of anime school goers. 

Proclaimed as the number one ecchi shooter, Gal*Gun:Double Peace is not for the faint-hearted (and definitely intended for a mature audience.)

Gal*Gun Double Peace is availible for purchase on Nintendo Switch, Playstation and Steam.

A hands-on experience

As the title begins, we are introduced to our protagonist and swiftly asked to decide what personality they have. A handful of options are present upon first play, but several remain locked due to incompletion of specific storylines. As a perfectionist, having several personalities to unlock which may shift the gameplay in certain ways is one of the most engaging elements in a title like this. It’s a continuous drive to replay stories time and time again, even if one scene may be slightly different. Each personality type also comes with several ranked characteristics, such as athleticism and *ahem* lewdness. These characteristics will increase/decrease during gameplay depending on how well you act during a stage, but they are never really explained in detail. 

The same goes for tutorials prior to new levels. Whilst they explain briefly what you need to do, the only real learning comes from completing tasks. Which occasionally can be detrimental to your relationship with certain characters. Gal*Gun is a very hands-on experience (literally) in terms of gameplay . Which is quite ironic as it feels a bit like you’re learning alongside the protagonist. Boss battles come in several forms, from a simple pattern with analogue sticks to strategically using your weapon during a fight to save your lover. They’re not repetitive in visual aspects, which I went into this game thinking would be the case, but in terms of mechanics once you’ve done one you’ll understand how to do the rest. 

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder

Visually, Gal*Gun Double Peace is a nice looking title. It’s got the bright colours that you’d expect from something so fast paced and anime inspired. It runs smoothly for the majority, and it’s very user friendly. Everything is accessible and understandable when you need it. Menus are easy to navigate, as are several elements of DLC which are interpreted into the base game. All in all, it definitely looks the part. The only issue is some of the movements whilst you are going around the map from the perspective of the protagonist feel a bit rigid. They move almost robotically, so the game strays from being a first person shooter like a Call of Duty game. 

More than meets the eye

It’s also full of unlockable content, which is great should you want to play it several times over. More often than not you’ll spot something to collect and move too quickly before you can actually gather it. You also don’t learn where some collectables are hiding until halfway through the title where you accidentally find sandwiches smuggled under someone’s uniform. It’s a very comical approach to unlockable content and it feeds into the humorous atmosphere of the game. There’s also a scrapbook of sorts which contains all the information you could possibly want to know about each student. So, once again, you’ll need to keep cycling through levels should you want to complete this.

In terms of repetition, this title can seem a little so if you’re playing with difficulty set to beginner. You’ll find the gameplay to seem a bit linear and the soundtrack will no doubt get on your nerves. Not to mention the consistently repeated voice lines of NPC’s in every single new area you enter. If you’re searching for a faster experience, then try your hand at expert mode. Sure your health bar is far more likely to deplete under the boot of the least expected, but it’s got a little more fun behind it. The three hour runtime of this title is something you’ll probably want to keep putting down to come back to after a while. 

Final thoughts

As a whole, Gal*Gun Double Peace is certainly fun. It is easy to pick up and definitely engaging in terms of gameplay. Even the simple story and sour outcomes will leave you wanting to try again. Be prepared to feel a little frustrated from time to time though, because the repetitive nature of this title will be the thing stopping you from a handful of attempts in one sitting. But if you’re searching for something fun and lighthearted and you’re a fan of the bishōjo genre or already existing Gal*Gun titles, then this is definitely for you. 

Review: Rune Factory 4 Special

Natosha M
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0
Review: Rune Factory 4 Special

Do you like action, adventure, RPG, and maybe even simulated games? If so, you’ve possibly tried a few of these genres combined, but have you ever tried all four in one? Well if you’ve played any of the games in the series known as Rune Factory then you know what it means to be entertained with an endless amount of freedom to explore, defeat enemies, and the possibilities to build a life.

So, with a new game known as Rune Factory 4 on the Nintendo Switch, recently released on other consoles and systems, what can you expect? Well, it will still bring a great story with an adventure that follows, plenty of monsters to discover, and plenty of action-packed battles. Now for the SPECIAL features that are now included in this game. This will include a chance to play the game in a more difficult mode and even a mode that allows you to get married!

How was the Game?

Rune Factory has always brought such a bit more freedom to the way one can play the game. So to be honest, this game is no different when it comes to exploration, but it does improve a little on the graphics, speed, storyline, and the additional features you can tackle while playing. This brings me to the first thing that really is always a favorite of mine while playing the game. You never have to play the game in one straight course; going from start to finish.

That also goes for the game modes, since there is the additional Newlywed Mode. The goal of this game is not limited to playing the game till you defeat the final boss or rescue and find the object you need to complete the game. Instead, Rune Factory 4 as many before is full of exploration and other fun lifestyle hobbies you can engage in and master while playing. You practically can have your very own fantasy farming lifestyle in this game.

The game has similar gameplay to Harvest Moon and even the activities you can engage in may remind you of Animal Crossing, but a bit more action-packed! With all the monsters you may raise and battle at festivals, the option to direct a conversation with the choice of words you’d like to respond with, the crafting of weapons and accessories, the real-time battles you find while embarking on this adventure, and the activities like farming, fishing, and even cooking that you can do during the game.

Once the game begins, it’s quite familiar to Animal Crossing, and many others of the Rune Factory series. The choice of being a female hero or a male is up to the player, and from there the story begins. Everything in the first portion of the game is easily explained and eventually, when new things you are able to tackle arise, it is also explained. As for the Newlywed Mode, I haven’t played this portion of the game to explain what goes on, but I’m sure it has a similar outcome.

The entire game, from start to end of the story is quite remarkable and enjoyable! It’s got its hilarious, passionate, and heroic portions to the story which makes it fun to read through and not speed past what everyone is saying. I sometimes like to just ignore the speech portion, but in a way, this game has a bit of humor and unique friends to meet and enemies, which makes the storyline quite intriguing to read as I played. Now for another portion that I do like because I love farming and sim-style games would be the gardening and the other side activities like fishing and cooking. All of them are very easy to get a hang of and fun.

Of course, when playing the story portion and not just relaxing with the activities. There is more to be revealed as a portion or quest; a task is completed. Some can become a bit more challenging and difficult as you move on from the beginning portion and further into the game. Regardless of how difficult or easy, I love this in an RPG-style game. It just makes it quite fun and action-packed to play! Even more, the joy of crafting different weapons from materials I’ve found or raising monsters for the battle is awesome! I almost feel as if I’m playing a combination of games in one.

One Last thing, no matter which mode is played. the characters and the graphics remind me of a classic game console. The way the characters react and their actions are extremely enthusiastic. Like an anime series in the way, they produce their emotions. The design in the art also reminds me of playing an RPG-style game on the Playstation or PS2 console. By the way, it’s not a bad thing! I sort of like that memory of what I once loved in the past with an action-adventure, RPG-style game, and it just makes this game even more interesting to play.

Final Conclusion

If you want to play a game that will have you acting as a hero in plenty of action-packed battles and raising monsters to battle, with the addition of tending to a relaxed simulated-fantasy lifestyle. Such as catering to your farm, cooking some lovely meals, and even getting married! Then you should check out Rune Factory 4 Special. It’s fully enjoyable from start to finish and has plenty of events and obstacles to tackle. The blend of simulated play and an RPG adventure game combined will provide such a fun and long-lasting eventful game to play for days.

Additionally, I feel this game is much more entertaining than many others with some similar features. All because of the enormous amounts of quests and adventures that one will enjoy throughout the game. It also doesn’t lackluster in the beautifully designed background and character graphics as if you were playing the original version on the Nintendo 3DS console, including the weapons and objects used and visible during gameplay. This game brings so many action-packed battles, while many relaxed hobbies on the side that can be performed as well. There is just so much going on, that it’s hard to put it down. I feel this will be a beloved game for many different gamers, with the many different opportunities one can accomplish and all of them are equally exciting as the next.

Two Minute Review: MobyFox MARVEL Smartwatch Bands

Andrew Edney
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0
Two Minute Review: MobyFox MARVEL Smartwatch Bands

Here is our Two Minute review of the MobyFox MARVEL Smartwatch Bands.

Each officially licensed watch band includes 20+ exclusive watch faces.
Fits both 38/40/41 mm and 42/44/45 mm sizes of Apple Watch Series 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 & SE, as well as Samsung and other smartwatches with a 22mm pin.

High quality materials: Made with sweat and UV-resistant silicone, this smartwatch band is tough while feeling smooth, well able to handle all your web-slinging, villain-fighting adventures in Earth-616 and across the Marvel Universe.

Customize your experience: Download the MobyFace App and scan the in-package QRcode to unlock 20+ exclusive Watch Faces included with your purchase, as well as thousands more from our ever-expanding catalogue (available on iOS)

Changing the Watch Faces

You can choose from a variety of watch faces using the Moby Face app.

Final Thoughts

Rather than having a boring watch strap, MobyFox gives you the opportunity to customise your watch to whatever your tastes happen to be, whether its MARVEL, Batman or a huge amount of other options.

Fitting the watch strap was simple and only took a minute.

You then have the opportunity to pick a new watch face using the Moby Face app. You can either choose one of the free faces, or you can scan the QR code that comes with each strap to unlock a number of specific faces just for that strap. Then it’s a very simple process to choose the face and transfer it to your watch.

The straps not only look very cool, they are very comfortable too!

If you have an Apple Watch (or other compatible smartwatch) and would like to replace the band for something a little cooler, then you might want to consider one of the many MobyFox Smartwatch bands! Each watch band retails for £34.

You can learn more from the MobyFox website.

Review: Vengeful Heart

Daniel Waite
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2
Review: Vengeful Heart

Mankind is its own worse nightmare. Wars, disease, and famine are bad enough, but we like to up the ante. Through pollution and greed, we ruin everything around us. What’s more, when the world is divided, the powerful people make the gap as large as possible. This is Vengeful Heart in a nutshell. It’s a futuristic look at how terrible life could be.

Developed by Salmon Snake. and published by Top Hat Studios, Inc, this is a cyberpunk visual novel title. Presented with a pixelated style, this is wonderfully retro. On top of this, it utilises synth music to add to the 80s vibes. However, unlike its peers, there are limited branches to the story and this may frustrate some.

Vengeful Heart: a story of betrayal.

Now, call me sick, if you will, but I adore a good betrayal plot. It’s fascinating to watch the hero being knocked down, only to rise from the flames. This happens brilliantly in Vengeful Heart. However, if you are hopeful of some romance to lighten the mood, this is sadly lacking. Therefore, strap yourself in and prepare for many hard-hitting moments.

You are Josephine Lace, a young hydraulic engineer who is eager to please. She is obsessed with work and is desperate to climb the corporate ladder. However, her plans are destroyed when the company she works for betrays her. See, this futuristic world is short on water, and subsequently, this liquid gold makes people greedy. Yet where there is greed, there is rebellion, and this is the turning point for the protagonist. A life-changing event occurs, and she barely survives. Hell-bent on revenge, Josephine moves in different circles and tries to undermine the corporation she used to hold so dear.

A female protagonist but no Otome theme.
The hero of this tale.

Execution, characters, and where is the depth?

Whenever I take on a visual novel, I always worry that the plot will be poorly executed. Sadly, my concerns came to the fore as many of the excellent ideas felt fragmented. Accordingly, it was extremely frustrating to see the wonderful ideas evolving and then not flow together. Now, this genre is guilty of this when there are multiple story branches. However, Vengeful Heart has limited choices, so it should be much stronger in this aspect.

So, the plot is a little bitty, but surely the characters will come to the rescue? Unfortunately not! For unknown reasons, the hero’s persona changes very early on. Subsequently, the betrayal element of the story unfolds very quickly. Now, some of you may like that it gets to the point early on, but I prefer a bit more suspense. One benefit, though, was the introduction of new people and the rich look at social commentary. I adored the blend of characters and the blunt and eye-opening dialogue. Yet, it’s a shame the developers didn’t build this up much slower.

The layers of revenge and hate are clear to see, but other elements take a back seat. The game’s blurb indicates romance as a poignant experience, yet it was more of a damp squib. It was a shame that this plays second fiddle to the core moments, as it would have added depth without detracting from the story.

The cyberpunk world is shown in glorious pixelated style.
Admire the wonderfully retro cyberpunk world.

Vengeful Heart is wonderfully retro and futuristic.

The terms wonderfully retro and futuristic are a contradiction, yet they are relevant for this title. Vengeful Heart has a brilliantly dated look that captures its futuristic imagery. The use of pixelated portraits and low-detail backdrops reminded me of 80s gaming. Furthermore, the purple and neon tones blended with cold and overbearing structures were cold, callous, and dystopian in style. Overall, the presentation didn’t amaze me, but it worked well with the theme, without being remarkable.

The audio, on the other hand, was fantastic. The synth music brilliantly sets the scene with its metallic and electronic tones. Again, it was reminiscent of the 80s, and this complements the pixelated imagery. Moreover, it was nicely balanced with the pace of the story and the dialogue. Like its peers, there is little reliance on sound effects, so the developers needed to get this right. Luckily, they got it spot on.

Vengeful Heart has two branches and two chances for romance.
Will Norbert be the man of your dreams?

Relax and read.

What I cherish about the visual novel genre is how relaxing they are to play. The controls are always simple and a handy skip function speeds things up. Vengeful Heart follows suit, mostly, but its auto-read function is abysmal. I struggled to balance the pace, and this broke the immersion. It is a minor thing, but I don’t want to hold the controller all the time. Annoyingly, this game made me do just that.

With two endings to experience, there is some replay value. Luckily, the two branches have unique moments and this prevents repetition. However, it isn’t the longest story, so you’ll get through it quickly. Unlike its peers, there is no good or bad finale and this was unusual. Furthermore, you don’t need to see both endings, but they tidy up the aforementioned disjointed elements of the plot, so it is worth the effort.

Vengeful Heart could have been fantastic.

There is plenty to enjoy about Vengeful Heart, however, it misses many opportunities. Consequently, it doesn’t fulfil its potential, as it could have been brilliant. Sadly, it rushes its character development, and the plot is too fragmented. What’s more, the romantic moments are lacking depth and feel like an afterthought. However, though it could have been better, I still enjoyed it. Therefore, I recommend you to buy it here! Revenge is all-consuming. Yet, when your world is ripped apart, what else do you have to live for?

Review: Kombinera

Daniel Waite
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0
Review: Kombinera

Most people turn to computer games for a bit of escapism. Their lives are stressful and they don’t want to have to think. However, there are a growing bunch of gamers who love to be tested. Subsequently, the puzzle genre is growing at an astronomical rate. Kombinera is a bizarre and tricky title that’ll test your mind and your patience.

Developed by Graphite Lab and published by Atari, this is a mind-boggling puzzle title that often frustrates. Thanks to its simple artistry and sparse stages, this isn’t overbearing. Yet, the many challenges you’ll face will push you to your breaking point. It is deceptively simple and easy to pick up, but it’ll make you scream repeatedly and scratch your head in confusion.

Kombinera is so easy at the start.
Where it all begins.

Kombinera tells a strange story.

I’ll be honest, the story is a little confusing. Thanks to its surreal approach, you won’t know what’s happening. Luckily, though, it matters not as it doesn’t impact the gameplay. However, let me give you a quick lowdown on what Kombinera is all about. The minimalist world is made up of coloured balls that each have unique powers. These entities are commanded by a giant ball known as King Kombine. Life is good in his kingdom until he becomes trapped in the Kave of Kaos. Dah Dah Dahhhhhh! To free the king, you must combine every coloured ball. This is no mean feat, but it is a treat for a logically minded player.

The game spans 8 chapters that become exponentially tougher. As you progress, more mechanics are chucked into the mix as new balls are introduced. Subsequently, you’ll end up juggling many plates as you navigate obstacles, bullets, spikes, pillars, and more. I loved the learning curve, but the brutal instadeath element makes this tough as hell. Sadly, there is no wiggle room and this can be frustrating. After all, there is nothing worse than minor errors undoing all your hard work.

So many colours to save.
Can the yellow ball save the white one?

4 colours and multiple obstacles.

It’s hard to believe that a puzzle game about coloured balls will be challenging, but it is. Each unique colour has an ability that must be used to solve the problem. For example, the spikes are red and only the matching ball can touch them. If another colour comes near, then they will die. This doesn’t sound complicated, but when you include gaps to leap, and multiple balls to combine, it becomes a headache. Moreover, matters are made worse when a handful of colours appear on each stage. This forces you to plan while focusing on many elements. Thankfully, though, once two colours merge, the ball can overcome each of their obstacles.

It was horrendous to survive every red spike, only to be killed by the green bullets. What’s more, there is a useless white ball that can’t do much at all. This weak being will always be your Achilles heel! However, let’s not take our anger out on it. The yellow balls are great for destroying matching pillars, and the green one is impervious to bullets like Superman, but they are all weak as hell and can die instantly. Therefore, the only way to complete each stage and save the king is to work together.

This multi-faceted approach is where the gameplay becomes difficult. You can be one step away from completion and a small error can ruin everything. I’ll admit, it made me swear regularly as I made mistake after mistake. Yet, the challenge and simplicity of the fundamentals make it impossible to put down. Subsequently, it is a moreish puzzle title that will test veterans of the genre.

Kombinera is simplicity personified.

I, like many people, want games to wow me. Subsequently, we all want to be blown away by the real-life graphics and massive worlds. However, this isn’t always necessary, and a simple approach can be just as effective. Kombinera proves this with its fixed-screen perspective and vivid colour palette. Alongside this, the contrasting tones make every element pop. Consequently, the action is easy to follow. Furthermore, there are no risks of obstacles blending with the scenery and this was great. Had the developers taken a different approach, it would have been unnecessarily tough to complete each stage.

The surreal nature of the plot is enhanced by the audio. The airy sci-fi tunes create an eerie and strange atmosphere. What’s more, there is a distinct lack of sound effects and this adds to the minimalist style. I enjoyed the stripped back sounds as they emphasised the simplicity of this title. In short, it personifies everything great about a basic and uncomplicated game.

Skulls remind you that you've failed many times.
The skull highlights your many failings.

Jump and move, jump and move.

The straightforward concept is continued with the rudimentary controls. There is nothing fancy about playing Kombinera. Instead, you focus on the left analogue stick and the A button. Thankfully, this is as complicated as it gets, as you can concentrate on each puzzle. Moreover, the buttons are responsive and the gameplay is smooth. Therefore, it is much easier to navigate tight spaces. This was a small mercy in a game that always wanted to kill you.

Puzzle games can suffer from a lack of replay value. Luckily, however, this has both longevity and reasons to return. The difficulty of the gameplay ensures you’ll invest hours. Alongside this, each stage is timed and there are crowns to collect. Obtaining every crown and achieving the optimum time is easier said than done. Subsequently, I wish any completionists luck as they try to finish it.

Kombinera is an excellent puzzle title. 

Though testing your brain isn’t everyone’s cup of tea, I love it. I find the genre to be rewarding, addictive, and oddly enjoyable. Yes, it can be frustrating, but the positives far outweigh the negatives. Kombinera does a great job of simplifying its concept while letting the puzzles do the talking. Therefore, I recommend you buy it here! Can you beat every time, collect every crown, and combine the balls? You must, otherwise, King Kombime won’t escape the Kave of Kaos. 

Review: PowerSlave Exhumed

Daniel Waite
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0
Review: PowerSlave Exhumed

People are fascinated by Ancient Egypt. They love the mysterious ceremonies and the amazing architecture. More importantly, though, they are obsessed with the association with alien life-forms. No one can quite believe that the massive pyramids were built by man alone. The only solution, therefore, must be aliens. PowerSlave Exhumed explores the combination of Ancient Egypt and otherworldly beings with horrific consequences.

Developed by Throwback Entertainment and Nightdive Studios and published by the latter, this is an old-school FPS. It is a port of a classic console game that is filled with mystery, violence, and basic puzzles. Furthermore, it captures everything that this genre is loved for. Subsequently, fans of Quake and Doom will adore its retro ways.

PowerSlave Exhumed is filled with deadly monsters.
What are you looking at?

PowerSlave Exhumed tells a chilling tale.

I’ve always loved the audacity of retro gaming. The plots that they worked with are absurd and downright silly. Luckily, PowerSlave Exhumed follows suit. It tells the story of an alien species called the Kilmaat. These hideous creatures want to take over our world while resurrecting the mummy of King Ramses. This once great Pharoah was all-powerful and the aliens know it. However, they didn’t expect Earth to fight back! A hero must enter Karnak and the surrounding areas to rid it of the alien vermin and save the day.

Quite frankly, the plot is ridiculous, but I loved it nonetheless. You must venture deep inside the tombs of a labyrinthine world. Consequently, the gameplay is distinctly Metroidvania in style. This was fantastic, as it adds to the drama and the longevity. Furthermore, it was fascinating to explore the tombs while uncovering secrets and all sorts of alien beings.

Rely on a magic wand to save the day.
My magic wand will sort you out.

Special abilities and two endings.

The action spans 20 plus levels that feature violence, gore, and minor puzzles. Moreover, there are treasures to discover, weapons to unearth, and an array of secret paths to find. Subsequently, there are many twists and turns and here is where the Metroidvania element comes into play. You must scour each level trying to discover special keys and unique powers. The Keys unlock new areas and the powers make unobtainable zones accessible.

You’ll be able to swim through water, leap to great heights, walk on lava, and more. The addition of these new powers opened up the claustrophobic levels while adding to the confusion and mystery. On top of this, it’ll help you search for new weaponry and every collectable item. The latter is important as they determine which ending you’ll experience.

FPS adventure titles are as much about the plot as they are the weapons you’ll use. Thankfully, PowerSlave Exhumed has a great selection of toys to play with. You open with a machete and a pistol. But soon, you have grenades, a flamethrower, a machine gun, and even a magical cobra wand. It was OTT, but I loved it. Alongside this, you get the normal heath and ammo refills and weapon boosts. Accordingly, it feels familiar, and this was great.

PowerSlave Exhumed has a classic look.

At first glance, PowerSlave Exhumed appears rough and bland. However, the more you play, the more you adjust to its style. Yes, it’s dated, but it perfectly blends the qualities of the Sega Saturn and the Sony PS1. What’s more, it has a distinct MS-Dos finish that adds to the nostalgia. Sadly, however, the stages are small, but this increases the claustrophobic feel. Unsurprisingly, the action runs smoothly, and I experienced no glitches or frame rate drops.

Like Doom and Quake, this has heavy and aggressive music at its core. The angry songs inspire you to go on a rampage and destroy everything you see. Subsequently, it’s pretty brutal and very loud. Alongside this, the sound effects are simple but effective. There is a blend of standard weapon sounds that accompany weird Sci-Fi moments. It was very bizarre to listen to, but it oddly worked with the theme.

PowerSlave Exhumed has an array of weapons on offer.
BURN!!!!

Shoot from the hip.

One element that was strange was the shooting mechanics. There are no sights to aim down and there is an auto-aim assist. Consequently, every foe you face is obliterated with little risk or effort. This was disappointing, as it made it far too easy. However, other than this shortcoming, the layout is excellent and the buttons are responsive. Furthermore, the movement is smooth, and this makes it easy to traverse the tight corridors.

With two endings to experience, multiple artefacts, and many levels to explore, there is plenty to do. Admittedly, however, it isn’t the longest of games, but I enjoyed its confusing Metroidvania elements and minor puzzles. Sadly, it won’t challenge veterans of the genre, yet everyone else will have a fulfilling and rewarding experience.

PowerSlave Exhumed is an excellent retro shooter.

I’ve always loved Doom and Quake, so this was an easy sale for me. It captures everything that makes the genre great while blending moments from other games. Disappointingly, though, it isn’t as challenging as its peers, but it’ll keep you busy and entertained, nevertheless. PowerSlave Exhumed was great and I recommend you to buy it here! Resurrecting a Pharoah won’t end well, therefore you must step up and save humanity!

Two Minute Review: Kikkerland Wicker Picnic Cooler Seat

Andrew Edney
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0
Two Minute Review: Kikkerland Wicker Picnic Cooler Seat

Here is our Two Minute Review of the Kikkerland Wicker Picnic Cooler Seat.

Enjoy your picnics without sitting on the grass. This collapsible cooler bag keeps food and drinks hot or cold for 4 hours. It folds flat, has an adjustable strap and is strong enough to use as a sitting chair!

  • 22 L (5.8 gallon) collapsible cooler and seat for outings 
  • Wicker print design
  • Portable, cushioned seat
  • Keeps hot or cold for 4 hours
  • Holds up to 35 lbs. (15 kg)
  • Sitting capacity 180 lbs. (80kg)
  • Designer: KDT
  • Dimensions: 30 x 30 x 30 cm

A Closer Look

Final Thoughts

The Kikkerland Wicker Picnic Cooler Seat is a lightweight cooler box which doubles as a seat. When folded up it takes up very little room so its easy to transport when its not being used as a cooler and stores away without taking much room.

Setting it up a cooler takes a few seconds, just pull the sides out, place the bottom in, fill up the cooler with whatever you want to take with you and then place the lid on, there’s even a comfortable carry strap to make it easy to carry it around when full.

The great addition is that you can actually use the cooler as a seat, so rather than sitting on the ground, you can take what you want from the cooler and then sit on it.

If you are in the market for a nice cooler with the added benefit of it being a seat thats easy to carry when not being used then take a look a the Kikkerland Wicker Picnic Cooler Seat, you wont be disappointed.

The Kikkerland Wicker Picnic Cooler Seat is available now priced around £25.

You can learn more from the Kikkerland website here.

Two Minute Review: Kikkerland Felt iBed Storage

Andrew Edney
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0
Two Minute Review: Kikkerland Felt iBed Storage

Here is our Two Minute Review of the Kikkerland Felt iBed Storage.

Keep cozy in bed, everything you need is within reach! The Felt iBed Storage is a convenient bedside or couchside companion that conveniently organizes pens, papers, notebooks, cords, and anything you need for work or entertainment for easy access wherever you are! The compartment is big enough for travel and work needs, and the lid can be used as a surface for laptops, tablets, notebooks – even snacking! A great travel tool or at home organizer, keep all your work or play together with the convenient Felt iBed Storage. 

Kikkerland’s Felt iBed Storage is a simple, easy organization solution. It features a storage compartment covered in dark grey felt and a removable wood lid to make it an all-in-one work or play station. 

Keep everything you need for work, play or travel neatly organized and easy to access. The Kikkerland Felt iBed Storage is great for travel, work at home, or a convenient all-in-one storage and work/play station. Keep pens, paper, notebooks, cords, electronics and more safe, organized and easy to reach. Great for keeping kids entertained on long trips, as a travel workspace or a handy bed and couch companion so your gotta-haves are easy to grab!

A Closer Look

Final Thoughts

The box is very lightweight and can easily sit on your lap without it feeling heavy or uncomfortable. You can also sit it on the floor or on a desk just as easily.

The lid is easy to remove in order to store whatever you need in there – cables, charger, headphones, a snack perhaps?

Your tablet will fit perfectly into the groove on the top holding it in a great position for using. You can then use the rest of the tray for a keyboard (if you want to type), or for anything else you need.

The Kikkerland Felt iBed Storage is a great addition and makes using your tablet more comfortable, and keeps everything together in one easy to access place.

The Kikkerland Felt iBed Storage is available now priced around £40.

You can learn more from the Kikkerland website here.

Review: Phantom Breaker: Omnia

Daniel Waite
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0
Review: Phantom Breaker: Omnia

Fighting games attract three breeds of players. First, there are the button mashers. This group is unpredictable and they know it. Second, is the casual gamer, a rare breed who likes to relive that arcade experience. Finally, there are the pros! These guys/girls practice until their fingers bleed and know every combo attack going. Phantom Breaker: Omnia is an Anime beat ’em up that is great for newcomers and veterans alike.

Developed and published by Rocket Panda Games, this is a 2D fighting game. It utilises Manga imagery and subsequently, it’s sexy, stylish, and a little weird. It’s the perfect title for every breed of player as it’s quick, user-friendly, and easy to understand.

Phantom Breaker: Omnia isn’t new.

Residents of Japan will scoff at our fascination with this new fighting title. Why you might wonder? Because it was released around 11 years ago exclusively for a Japanese audience. However, it is new to us, and I’m excited to see what is on offer. In short, it’s a straightforward, fast-paced 2D fighter that blends Dead or Alive with Street Fighter. Consequently, you get a striking title that has many strong stories and some bizarre characters.

The action spans multiple game modes, with the story element being the strongest and most important. To bulk the gameplay out, the developers added a tutorial mode, couch competitive and online competitive options. So far, so good. As you load in, you get the clichéd Asian imagery as well as some mystical nonsense to set the scene. Sadly, it’s very dated, but it works well with the theme.

The solo mode allows you to select from 20 unique fighters who all have a story to tell. This eclectic blend of warriors each has a dream that they are willing to die for. Subsequently, they will fight whoever stands in their way. This forms the basis of the single-player mode and is fascinating to experience. The excellent writing and layers of lore build rapport with each character and make it hard to put down.

Every character has a full on story mode.
Story mode will keep you busy.

A great game for casual players.

I’ve always enjoyed the fighting genre, yet I never excel at it. Fundamentally, I understand what I need to do, but a lack of practice always stands in my way. Luckily, though, Phantom Breaker: Omnia is different. Its easy-to-understand mechanics make it perfect for casual players. Consequently, with little effort, you can challenge global players and stand a chance of winning. However, there still are moments of finesse, therefore hardcore fans will find something to get their teeth into.

Most characters have three combat modes to pick from. There is quick, hard, and Omnia. The quick mode favours jabs and lighter moves. It is perfect for button-mashing gamers and is tough to handle. The hard option is great for methodical players who like to combine combinations and hefty punches. Omnia, on the other hand, is new to this version of the game. It combines elements of the previous approaches and offers a Jack of all trades style.

Depending on the character you select, each of these styles will offer unique tactical advantages. Accordingly, if you select a light, fast, and long reached fighter, you’ll want the quick set-up. On the flip side, if your warrior is hefty and a bit of a brute, the hard mode is probably the right choice. However, you must select what works for you, and I loved the freedom you are afforded.

Each character has special abilities that change a battle
Use the giant hand to slap her.

The AI is good, but fighting humans is better. 

Competing against AI is always going to feel robotic. Furthermore, there is always the belief that the result is somehow rigged. Don’t get me wrong, I loved the balance of the difficulty and the challenge of the story mode. Yet, I love battling like-minded individuals and both the online and couch competitive modes were great.

Fortunately, there is an active online community that lacks toxicity. I fully expected to be abused, screamed at, or told to “get guud”. Thankfully, this never happened as it’s an instant turn off. Now, I’m not saying that trolls don’t play this game, but luckily, I never crossed their bridges.

Phantom Breaker: Omnia looks old. 

I’m not a massive Anime/Manga fan. It’s not because I don’t appreciate the artistry or the vivid colours. No, I just don’t like the over-sexualised imagery. However, the fighting genre just about gets away with flashing a little more flesh. Subsequently, the grotesquely toned men and big-boobed women don’t look out of place. Phantom Breaker: Omnia has this and more in its 2D fantasy Asian world. Moreover, there is a bizarre blend of backdrops to enjoy and some strange characters to observe. What’s more, the action is smooth, error-free, and great to look at. Sadly, though, it doesn’t have a modern finish. Therefore, it isn’t as striking as I’d expect, as it looks dated. Fortunately, this doesn’t impact the gameplay, I just wanted more.

As expected, the audio is loud, in your face, and a little OTT. The high-energy tunes follow every battle, and this was great. The electro-Asian music adds aggression to each encounter, and was what I hoped for. On top of this, there are some nice soundbites and crazy sound effects. Consequently, you’ll enjoy the crashing of fists and some unusual noises. However, I wasn’t surprised by what I heard, but it was enjoyable and well-considered, nonetheless.

Phantom Breaker: Omnia has 20 unique characters to pick from.
Which of the 20 characters will you pick?

Simple control set-up. 

I love how easy Phantom Breaker: Omnia is to play. With a basic layout, simple fundamentals, and awesome combos, you’ll be battling in no time. Yet, things are complicated slightly because of the three combat approaches and the different character styles. Now, this didn’t make it difficult to play. Instead, it adds a layer of depth that is great for hardcore fans. Alongside this, the buttons are extremely responsive and this is perfect to contend with the hectic action.

All fighting games are addictive, but does Phantom Breaker: Omnia have longevity and replay value? In short, yes! Each story has multiple battles that can be cut short. Moreover, the online and couch competitive modes will keep you coming back for more. On top of this, there is a hefty achievement list and an array of combo attacks to learn. Subsequently, it’ll keep you busy for hours.

Phantom Breaker: Omnia is a wonderful fighting game.

This is a saturated marketplace, yet Phantom Breaker: Omnia stands out. Its blend of stories and strange characters is wonderful to see. Though it isn’t as polished as I’d like, it was still well presented and ran smoothly. Furthermore, the audio is great and the controls are responsive and easy to master. All things considered, I enjoyed it and I recommend you to buy it here! Can you fight for what you desire? Choose your warrior, pick a style, and battle for victory.

Review: The Last Sunshine: Rekindled

Jonah Ehlers
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Review: The Last Sunshine: Rekindled

Do Not Go Gentle Into That Good Night

Welcome to the end of the universe! The Last Sunshine: Rekindled is a challenging shoot ‘em up/bullet-hell rouge-lite in which you embody the last surviving stars as they drive back the ceaseless darkness that has brought about the end.

Something that’s always messed with me is the denouement of the cosmos. The knowledge that, although the universe feels infinite, it is finite, and will one day come to an end is a bit unnerving. How can something as monumental as the known universe share mortality in common with me? This title is set at that point; when the universe goes through a theory known as heat death.

As the universe expands indefinitely; matter gets further and further apart. Eventually, this constant diffusion makes celestial reproduction impossible. The cycle of dead star matter making up the kindling for new ones to form ends. As the stars die out, the universe gets colder, more isolated, and desolate. A slow fade into darkness. 

It’s a genuinely depressing theory and thought. However, The Last Sunshine: Rekindled gives you a chance to refuse that outcome. It personifies the darkness and places you in control of a selection of stars that live on at the end. You can push back the darkness, defeating its acolytes, while collecting starlight scattered throughout the cosmos. 

I loved the idea, as it makes heat death less of an inescapable outcome, and more of a fight for survival. And a chance for life to continue. Your enemies have names and display their desperate aggression as they try and snuff out the last bit of light. They’re tangible threats that can be fought and beaten.

Rage Against the Dying of the Light

In this bullet-hell and shoot ‘em up hybrid you start off as Sol; a star which I’m sure many are familiar with. I’m not sure how it lived till the end of the universe and even then still hasn’t become a red giant, but I’ll suspend my disbelief. More stars are unlocked as you play and collect remnants, and each one has its speciality. Such as Vega, a blue main-sequence star that has an affinity for shields. Or Titan, a slow-moving giant, that comes with a lot more HP.

Alongside their character traits, they also have unique abilities and firing styles that differentiate them. Each star begins with a variety of skills, four of which are equipped. One utility skill, such as a burst of speed. One high damage attack that uses up mana points that cannot be changed, for example, Sol’s AOE attack. And finally, you’ve got your two most vital default skills that can be used as much as you’d like. These include basic attacks such as a continuous stream of projectiles and a burst of bullets that do great damage at short range. 

These last two skills, however, can be swapped out for more powerful options as you collect them from chests, and other hiding spots. One of my favourites was Titan’s ability to spew a cloud of poisonous gas, which was perfect for the tank of a star. It could get in, absolutely wreck everything near it and leave to regenerate its HP.

RNG is the deciding factor when it comes to which offensive attacks you pick up as you make your way through the areas. In some runs it can be painfully withholding, and in others, you’ll struggle to choose which two you love more. There’s a solid number of skills to choose from between each star. This makes for well-needed variety, in a game where visually, and in gameplay, it can be a little samey.

Highs & Lows

This is a challenging title in which you need to balance aggression and evasion. Some enemies will actively try to make your life as difficult as possible. Like the generator which will not only shoot projectiles, but also spawn little dudes that chase you down a lot quicker than you’d expect. The gameplay is executed well for the most part. Especially in the unforgiving boss fights, requiring focus and at times a little strategy, aside from the usual dodging and shooting. These encounters are the highlight of gameplay, dancing around huge projectiles, while trying to get in close to do some proper damage. However, outside of these big and exciting fights, things eventually got a little stale.

Being a rogue-lite means you’ll be making multiple runs. While the layout, and which abilities you collect do change; the gameplay does not. You can vary things such as which star you use, but for an effective run, you’ll undoubtedly choose a favourite. Of course, this doesn’t exactly help the repetitive feeling in its gameplay. The challenge helps, but I felt that when you tend to make multiple expeditions in the same areas, fighting the same kinds of enemies loses its novelty fast. More enemy variety within each area would have made a big difference. Advancing to a new area does at least shake things up, but die in that second area and you’ll be back where you started facing the same old scrubs.

The Last Sunshine: Rekindled allows some progression between runs. You level up your stars as you play with them; increasing their power, HP, and mana. Throughout your playthroughs, you’ll also collect cores which are used for more permanent upgrades. These cores are also used to unlock new stars once you’ve collected the required remnants. However, something I unexpectedly appreciated was the passive upgrades. These upgrades influenced things like base HP, shield ratings, damage output, and movement speed. This meant you could take a slow-moving tank like Titan and pump movement speed and HP regen to create the darkness’ worst nightmare. The fact that these upgrades weren’t permanent meant that experimentation was not only viable but encouraged. 

I appreciated the backgrounds of the battlegrounds at first. It’s a post-apocalyptic universe with fading dust clouds and galaxies off in the distance. But again, the lack of variety poked its head out. The areas had alternative passages and nooks, but essentially sported the same design. As you can imagine, this gets old, and after a while, you stop paying attention to the background completely. There are some changes as you move to a new area. But the art style still didn’t do anything particularly noteworthy, which was a bit disappointing. 

One important thing I should mention is a bit of a stuttering issue I had at times. Whenever a boss fight first popped off and there were a lot of things moving about between their attacks, and my own skills. There would be a second of freezing, this was quite a consistent issue. It never impacted my gameplay too much and was always once-off in the encounter, but it happened each time I fought a boss. While not a dealbreaker, it was a recurring problem worth mentioning.

The Verdict

I may have had my issues with repetitive gameplay, and lacklustre art style. However, the high points of the fast-paced and intense boss fights, as well as the variety in each star’s moveset and build helped balance things out considerably. It’s a flawed, but enjoyable bullet-hell title, that can provide some fun for those with a love for the genre. However, I couldn’t necessarily say it hit home with me. 

Review: Moon Knight Episode 2

James Refelian
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Review: Moon Knight Episode 2

Spoiler Free Review

NO PLOT DETAILS ARE DISCUSSED IN THIS POST, BUT THE IMAGES ARE TAKEN FROM MOON KNIGHT EPISODE 2

A new week and a new episode of Marvel’s Moon Knight premiered on Disney+. Moon Knight Episode 2 picks up right after the first one (Spoiler free first episode review here) and continues the story almost seamlessly. I understand the business logic in a weekly release, but in the modern world of binge watching and continuous narrative arcs I can’t help but think all these series would be better watched in one block. I’ve thought this about every MCU Disney+ series so far. I wouldn’t blame you if you wanted to wait for the six-episode event to end, but beware – spoilers plague the internet. Thankfully, not in this review!

The runtime is just over five minutes more than episode one, however, some of that is taken up by a ‘here’s what happened last time’ montage. With the weekly wait for each episode, this is sadly needed. The episode packs a lot in once again, new character introductions, action sequences, character development and more. It didn’t feel too much, and it certainly never felt off in terms of Moon Knight Episode 2’s pacing.

Much like in episode one we are following, for the most part, the perspective of Steven (Isaac) as he tries to come to grips with what he believes is a mental breakdown. Without going into too much plot detail Isaac has really nailed this role. The anger, the anguish, the defeatist attitude is all spot on. The English accent is still a little ropey but as an Englishman I’m nit-picking. Isaac also does a fantastic job acting against himself when Steven talks to Marc and visa versa. This isn’t easy to accomplish without it looking ‘hammy’ and I am genuinely drawn into how this dichotomy of personality is conveyed.

Dissociative Identity Disorder is still very stigmatised and badly portrayed. I do feel that the writers have done a good job avoiding some of these more harmful stereotypes. It was reassuring to find out the series used a specialist consultant. Isaac specifically wanted the series to also be a character study. We as the audience experience the events unfold through the eyes of otherwise oblivious and innocent Steven. This character study is accomplished, hands down.

Moon Knight Episode 2 goes further. We learn a lot more about Ethan Hawkes character as well as meet Layla properly for the first time. The episode serves as a staging ground for the more ‘Indiana Jones’ style action-adventure set to come. We learn more about the ‘great plot’ and we also start to see some of the origin behind Moon Knight’s power. For me, a comic book fan of the character first, it’s nice to see them hint at the less-than-perfect nature of this character.

The action sequences are beautifully shot. We get treated to more suited-up Moon Knight which is great to see properly. The suit design is gorgeous, it stays true to the comics but also adds some MCU flair. In addition, we get a nod to another version of the titular hero. The show continues to blend comedy well, but there is an overall tone of darkness to the series so far. It’s very much the midway point between the MCU and say the dark grittiness of the Netflix Marvel content. The directors also dabbed their toes in the world of horror. With sequences showing the Egyptian god Khonshu being shot specifically to entice the audience into fear and shock.

Also, make sure you look out for the QR Code during the episode. As in Episode 1 there is a free comic available!

Overall, Moon Knight Episode 2 builds on last week’s premiere and takes the show forward without feeling like a filler. If the show continues this strongly it might just be the best Disney+ addition to the MCU.

Review: LEGO Star Wars: The SkyWalker Saga

Daniel Waite
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Review: LEGO Star Wars: The SkyWalker Saga

There are few franchises or TV series that span generations and platforms. However, Star Wars is one such franchise. Accordingly, it is critically acclaimed and much-loved. Even so, it still suffers the odd faux par. Here’s looking at you Jar Jar Binks. LEGO Star Wars: The SkyWalker Saga is the latest in a long list of LEGO games and another take on the Star Wars franchise. Yet, unlike its predecessors, this is pretty much the perfect accompaniment to the franchise.

Developed by TT Games and published by Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment, this is an action-adventure platformer. Alongside these elements, you have puzzling moments, lashings of lightsaber combat, and oodles of collectables to find. Furthermore, there are characters from every faction, unique vehicles, racing, and mind-boggling open-world sections. In short, it blows every other Star Wars game out of the water.

LEGO Star Wars: The SkyWalker Saga is hilarious. 

Now, I admit I’m no Star Wars aficionado. But, luckily, you don’t have to be to enjoy the game. Yes, I may have missed some of the more subtle jokes, but on the whole, I was able to keep up. Consequently, TT Games has done a phenomenal job of appealing to the hardcore fans without alienating the rest of us. 

The gameplay spans each of the 9 films, but sadly makes no room for Rogue One, Solo, or the Mandalorian. However, there is a nod to the latter spin-off thanks to a playable character. Other than this, the action focuses on each of the 9 key films.

The story opens with Episode 1, The Phantom Menace and plays out from there. Each chapter comprises 5 levels and in total there are a whopping 45 stages to explore. Alongside this, there are massive open-world sections that must be searched. These are expanded further thanks to the side quests, characters, Kyber blocks, and studs. Subsequently, you’ll lose hours to each episode of this spectacular franchise.

LEGO Star Wares, The Skywalker Saga has an array of much-loved characters.
Guess who decided to make an appearance!

Familiar LEGO concepts. 

If you’ve ever played a LEGO game, you’ll know exactly what to expect. There are millions of studs to collect, upgradable characters, new costumes, theme-related shenanigans, and masses of tongue-in-cheek humour. It was obvious that TT Games loves working on this franchise. Their infectious passion for Star Wars can be seen in every element. Yet, it was most apparent in the cinematic. The cutscenes will make you chuckle even when you struggle to keep up with the plot. I adored the wicked sense of humour and the immaturity of much of the action.

Though many of the core mechanics are unchanged, LEGO Star Wars: The SkyWalker Saga is much improved from its predecessors. Thanks to its shift from the tiny Mos Eisley Cantina central hub, gamers now experience a larger and more fluid world. Consequently, these gargantuan areas offer over 700 puzzles to solve and a whopping 140 side missions to complete. Therefore, once you’ve finished every episode, you’ve still got plenty to do.

It’s not perfect!

Becoming a Jedi is the dream of many, and according to the UK census, it’s their religion as well. Being a Jedi isn’t for the weak-willed or faint of heart. Yet, LEGO Star Wars: The SkyWalker Saga never felt like that! The combat rarely captured the magic and awe-inspiring power and this was disappointing.

On top of the slightly uninspiring combat were a plethora of loading issues. My time with the game was haunted by crashes, hanging screens, and awful loading times. It may simply be teething issues, but I found it frustrating nonetheless. Accordingly, if these are known issues, I hope the developers patch these sooner rather than later. 

LEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga has a plethora of famous scenes.
The gameplay is full of famous and much-loved scenes.

LEGO Star Wars: The SkyWalker Saga is impressive to look at.

My opening thoughts after numerous crashes were how impressive LEGO Star Wars: The SkyWalker Saga looked. Consequently, I couldn’t believe how far this franchise has come in such a short period. This was helped in part by the incredible cinematic. However, the phenomenal level design, accurate characters, and vivid colours bring this to life. 

Exploring each of the 20+ planets never became tiresome! The accuracy of the poignant moments in each episode was eerie. Furthermore, the developers did a great job of seamlessly connecting the plot. Yet, the best part of each world was the aforementioned open-world sections. Any fan will jump at the ability to explore each unique environment while interacting with each zany and unusual character.

The whimsical cutscenes would be nothing without the brilliance and almost accurate character acting. The delivery of lines and hilarious jokes will have you chuckling immediately. Moreover, it brilliantly drove the plot forward without being overbearing. What’s more, I loved that you didn’t have to be a Star Wars superfan to enjoy the jokes. With many slapstick moments, it’ll make you laugh throughout regardless of your fanboy/girl status. 

As well as the great acting, there are some awesome familiar songs and wonderful sound effects. Both elements capture the Sci-Fi theme and add drama and energy to the action.

When will they learn that violence is never the answer?
Remember, violence is never the answer!

Clearly defined controls. 

What I love about LEGO games are the phenomenal tutorials and user-friendly approach. Subsequently, they are easy to pick up, simple to master, are great to experience with younger players. On top of this, the buttons are responsive and the layout is well-defined. In short, you’ll be chortling and having fun almost immediately. 

I’ve pretty much covered every aspect of replay value, but let’s look at it again. 9 episodes to visit, 20+ planets to explore, vast open-world sections, 45 levels in total, over 700 puzzles, 140 side missions, 135 level challenges, and finally 380 characters to collect. There are also vehicles to find, character upgrades, and Kyber bricks to locate. Moreover, there is a multiplayer option to enhance the fun. With so much to do, this oozes replay value and is worth every penny.

LEGO Star Wars: The SkyWalker Saga is outstanding. 

Though LEGO fans will enjoy a familiar core concept, many mechanics have been improved for this title. Consequently, LEGO Star Wars: The SkyWalker Saga is outstanding. Yes, I had my issues with it, but on the whole, I was blown away. TT Games have developed an incredible must-have game. Therefore, I recommend you to buy it here! Will you find every collectable while enjoying the full Star Wars experience? Pick your character, smash up the scenery, and discover the secrets. 

Review: Battle Kid: Fortress of Peril

Daniel Waite
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Review: Battle Kid: Fortress of Peril

Friendships are a fickle thing. One day you are the best of mates, the next you are enemies. When this happens, what are you going to do? Will you try to build bridges and rekindle what is lost, or will you stand your ground and fight for what’s right? You must consider these questions and more in Battle Kid: Fortress of Peril.

Developed by Sivak Games and published by 8-Bit Legit, this is a retro-inspired platform title. Set in a wonderfully absurd futuristic world, you’ll enjoy a strange pixelated story. It captures the magic of platforming titles while testing your patience, skills, and ability to stay calm. Subsequently, it’ll make you swear, rage quit, and vow never to play it again.

Battle Kid: Fortress of Peril is a tale of betrayal.

Two lifelong friends aspire to reach the pinnacle of their careers. They both want to be fighters, but one is seen as the golden boy. However, his success has only come about because of deception and underhanded ways. Subsequently, he is banished from the programme and his reputation is now tarnished. Fortunately for Timmy, though, this change in circumstances allows him to flourish. Free from his friend’s shadow, he can become the hero he is destined to be.

Though the story is hard-hitting and dramatic, it is as old as the hills. Furthermore, its familiar ways work perfectly with the Sci-Fi-inspired action. The gameplay revolves around an enormous fortress that is filled with aliens, traps, and massive bosses. Accordingly, you are forced to fight everything you encounter while avoiding every trap you face. Consequently, it isn’t unique, but it’s challenging, moreish, and brilliantly old-school.

Put on the secret combat suit and explore the fortress.
This is where it all begins.

Instadeath, upgrades, and tricky routes.

Like many retro NES games, Battle Kid: Fortress of Peril is unforgiving. You’ll experience instadeath and tricky routes that must be traversed. Furthermore, there are Metroidvania elements to add to the challenge. What’s more, there are five difficulty settings, blocked paths, and upgradable abilities to help you progress. Consequently, it is confusing, tough, and undeniably addictive.

Though death is assured, you have unlimited continues at the last checkpoint you activated. This was great as you will die a lot! There are spikes, aliens that shoot projectiles, moving platforms, and more to contend with. On top of this, not every path is inaccessible until you obtain special abilities or keys. This was a nightmare that lures you down countless dead ends. However, it was a classic Metroidvania mechanic that increases the challenge.

As you progress, some brutal bosses must be slain. Each of these overlords has strengths and weaknesses. Yet, by using trial and error, you’ll defeat them one by one. As you overcome these heinous monsters, you’ll find one of three special powers. These increase your abilities and allow you to explore the labyrinthine world more thoroughly.

Battle Kid: Fortress of Peril is full of spiked obstacles that kill you instantly.
Time to overcome hundreds of spikes.

Battle Kid: Fortress of Peril is an old-school classic.

As I said, the plot and mechanics lack originality, but they are fantastic nonetheless. This familiar style extends to the aesthetics as Battle Kid: Fortress of Peril retains its NES looks and sounds. The action plays out in a defined space. Subsequently, the bordered imagery is wonderfully old-school and works well on larger monitors and TVs. The simple sprites, bright colours, and basic backdrops were great to look at. What’s more, it was easy to identify the obstacles, and this was a small mercy.

The imagery is great for fans of nostalgia, but the audio is even better! The ear-piercing 8-Bit music is uncomfortable, shrill, and dated, but it’s also fantastic. The developers have incorporated unique songs into each special area, and this adds drama. Alongside the music are some excellent but basic sound effects. Sadly, these simple noises won’t wow you, but they work well with the theme, regardless.

Battle Kid: Fortress of Peril is full of weird monsters.
So many weird creatures.

Back to basics.

A remake of an NES game was never going to be complex! Therefore, the basic controls are easy to master. However, it would have been great if a tutorial was included. With no explanation of what to do, there is some unnecessary trial and error. Apart from this, the controls are responsive and well laid out.

Thanks to the Metroidvania elements, Battle Kid: Fortress of Peril has some longevity. Yet, once you complete it, there are no reasons to return. Yes, you can increase the difficulty, but I would have preferred a speedrun or an NG+ option.

Battle Kid: Fortress of Peril will test you.

This classic NES title is fun, colourful, and deceptively tough. Consequently, it will test you and punish your mistakes. I loved how raw the gameplay was, and the absurd and silly plot. Battle Kid: Fortress of Peril is a perfect title for retro fans and a great port for modern consoles. I adored it and I recommend you to buy it here! The world needs a hero and only you are available. Put on your experimental suit, battle weird aliens, and better the dangerous fortress.

Review: Catie in Meowmeowland

Natosha M
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0
Review: Catie in Meowmeowland

Have you ever wished you could descend right down a rabbit hole, similar to the one in Alice in Wonderland, just to arrive at a unique and bizarre world filled with puzzles to solve? Well then, Catie in Meowmeowland is something quite similar and filled with numerous amounts of puzzles to figure out, while providing one difference, plenty of cats.

As you embark on this adventure through this strange world, your main goal is to help solve challenging puzzles as you visit different locations of the game. It may at first seem a bit odd, but honestly, the game provides plenty of awkward and amusing things to encounter and figure out. All with the simple controls of a point and click, leading you to a new location to help others and finally leading you to the final goal of helping Catie find her way home.

How Was The Game?

At first, the game appeared like a fantasy world filled with cats. To be honest, I always adored cats, and it just made me find the game a bit more pleasing to see a world filled with them. Even in all their mysteriously different shapes and designed styles, as well as many other characters. Plus, the main character named Catie is a perfect match for this game, as her name includes the word cat.

Now for the graphics, they are stunning and mesmerizing! As for the characters, each is a bit odd, and yet like the movie Alice in Wonderland, it sort of feels similar to the strange style of each as well as the background scenes. The music is also very well fitted for the game. I couldn’t find anything wrong with the nice art design of the entire game while I played.

One thing I loved most is that there are plenty of puzzles to solve. Each requires a little bit of thinking and some planning when deciding what to do to solve the problem or puzzle in that location. It’s all simply done with the point and click method, similar to playing it on a computer with a mouse pointer. Nevertheless, I can for the most part say that the game isn’t too simple, and easy to know what to do or where to go first. There are a few challenging sections, but after a few tries, it becomes simple to recall what needs to be done to move on.

Regardless, I think for the most part the gameplay is quite interesting and a type of puzzle game I do adore. It’s very much like a find and discover on your own how to complete the location you enter. There are a few areas that are confusing and come with slight hints, but sometimes it takes a little bit of figuring out on one’s own. The many different objects that need help to work or get you to the next location all depend on searching around. I played something similar on the PC like this game, a bit different still but with the same way to figure out the puzzle. No matter, this game is quite amusing and when completed a great way to feel that something was achieved. It may be short in total, but the game itself is still quite fun and entertaining for the brain as well as the eyes.

Final Conclusion

I would like to say that Catie in Meowmeowland is an interesting game, something original. The game is an amusing, slightly hilarious, and extremely imaginative game. Also, perfect for those who love everything about cats. The music that plays in the background works well with the puzzling attributes and the strange atmosphere of the game. Plus, the unique and different sections that Catie visits are well designed, graphicly, and full of colors. Leaving me to say that this game is worthy of trying and even fun to play. So do you have what it takes to help others and get Catie home?

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