Review: Bugsnax

Natosha M
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Review: Bugsnax

Time to gear up for an awesome adventure through Snaxtooth Island, filled with delicious-looking bugs that are more than appealing, but tasty too! BugSnax is a captivating 3D-styled island adventure game, full of mysteries and new discoveries waiting to be revealed. The main goal is to discover the whereabouts of Elizabert Megafig. As we do so, we’ll find ourselves making friends with the other islanders as they are scattered all around, each providing separate tasks for us to complete. So with a little bit of free-roaming through the island of Snaxtooth, we’ll be searching for Elizabert and filling our friend’s bellies with Bugsnax.

The best part about the game Bugsnax, is that it’s not just a cute title but exactly what these bugs represent. Many of the tasks we need to fulfill in the game are to catch these delicious bugs, which look like cute food-shaped insects. So no worries, cause these bugs are all delectable and not at all gross! Especially as they come in the form of something fruity, savory, meaty, crunchy, salty, and even cinnamon sweet. There are a bunch of other flavorful bugs and each still does resemble the same appearance and movements of a real bug. So with about 100 species on the island, there are many to catch and so many to taste.

Graphics and Sound

I am impressed with the realistic 3D graphics, it really makes the game so much more appealing, and when looking at food like bugs; Bugsnax, it is hard not to wish you could capture them so you can take a bite! The colors of the sweetly designed characters are well-detailed to appear like real food. Capturing the textures and exact appearance of strawberries, cinnamon buns, sandwiches, pineapples, ribs, and other food shapes. This is also true about the game’s environmental design. Including, the night sky, plants, rocks, logs, buildings, flowers, and so many other objects and background scenes, they all appear so real.

Also, the camera scanning and photo-taking portion add a fun feature to the game. Like being a real explorer searching for new things and in this case new bugs to snack on. Plus, you can take as many photos as you like, from any viewpoint you’d like. Every control to use the camera is very easy, and the shots are simply clear that they look good each time. Plus explanations of each character after scanning and photo-taking are clearly explained.

Furthermore, It’s quite interesting to see how these fuzzy characters change when you feed them. It almost really makes sense, the food you eat is what you’ll look like. In this game that really appears to be true! The more food you feed each fuzzy character, the more similar to the food they ate, Bugsnax will appear on their body. It is strange, but something you’d not find in any other game.

Unfortunately, there is one issue I felt about the graphics that made the game not as great as it probably could be. To be exact, with the many actions that each character can make or do, they don’t seem too close to reality. Just a few examples would be the way they eat and interact with their surroundings. Not to say that it doesn’t present a clear picture of the food being eaten or that they are coming in contact with the objects, but it appears like it just either vanishes or nothing quite moves to show the reaction of things performing together. Regardless, I still feel that the game is still very nicely done, and beautifully appealing to the eyes.

For the sound effects, they are very cute and sound just as they should. From the water being walked through, bushes being shaken, and plenty of other things like the bugs roaming the island. Additionally, the voices are a bit interesting, like Pokemon catching these bugs and the sounds they make, relating to the food they represent. The main fuzzy characters also have this unique and strange attitude with their own personalities. No matter, it’s all a bit humorous and additionally adorable to the entire game. So to be honest, everything about the game’s music, sound effects, and beautifully bright graphics all scream out that this game is friendly and welcome for anyone to play.

Final Thoughts

Before playing this game, I honestly had no idea what to expect. Yet, after playing through, discovering the mysterious food-style bugs, decorating my characters, and touring the island, I found the game fully adorable and entertaining. The puzzles are really the tasks being requested by our new island friends, like Flibo the mayor, Wambus the farmer, Beffica the gossip, and many more.

Plus, the Bugsnax on the island doesn’t make you feel squeamish as they are more tasteful like real food than scary like real bugs. I think that is the main reason I love the game is just that! It doesn’t repulse me or make me want to rethink the food I love to eat. Bugsnax in general is cute and is one-of-a-kind, which I found myself enjoying! The game is fully engaging, fun to roam while fulfilling tasks, and provides plenty of interesting discoveries as the story unravels.

Lastly, I did find myself sitting back and playing this for a while, till I was able to solve the mystery of the missing Elizabert Megafig. It’s humorous, cute, and fully entertaining with many things one can do. I don’t feel that the game gets too redundant, even after a few hours of playing. The joy of finding something new that flys, crawls, and just looks appetizing is as exciting as discovering a new Pokemon, but instead of battling you get to eat them. So if it’s cute, fun, and a puzzling type of adventure game you’d love to try, then you might just want to play Bugsnax.

Review: Trust Gaming GXT 834 Callaz

Daniel Waite
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0
Review: Trust Gaming GXT 834 Callaz

Love it or loathe it, RGB lighting is here to stay. If you are a fan, there is no doubt that your setup is bright and garish. However, if you are one of the few gamers who hate such a grand show, you won’t know what all the fuss is about. I’m in the love it camp, so when the Trust Gaming GXT 834 Callaz mechanical keyboard landed on my desk, I immediately unwrapped it.

I have recently reviewed the ROCCAT Vulcan TKL Pro keyboard, and I adored it. So, therefore, how would this inexpensive and simpler accessory stand up to its upmarket peers? In short, it does pretty well! Yes, it doesn’t have a fancy name or a big price tag, but it performs well, looks stylish, and can be customised to your liking.

You won't lose your way in the dark thanks to the vivid RGB lighting.
Bright and vivid RGB display.

What’s in the box of the Trust Gaming GXT 834 Callaz mechanical keyboard?

  • The packaging is lightweight and simple in design. It is about 95% recyclable and unfortunately didn’t fare so well in transit. However, the accessory and paperwork were intact. With some key points and the company logo on display, the packaging is as you’d expect.
  • The Trust Gaming GXT 834 Callaz mechanical keyboard. This TKL or Tenkeyless keyboard is compact and well built. It has an attached USB 2.0 cable to connect to a PC or Laptop and has a nice weight. There are supporting legs at the rear and this, alongside the high-profile keys, makes it comfortable and easy to use.
  • A straightforward user manual. A well-designed manual explains the fundamentals. You will learn how to change the light pattern, increase or decrease the brightness and speed, and understand the shortcut functionality. Thankfully, this user guide gets you up and running in no time at all.
Ready for action.
Simple but effective packaging.
The straightforward user manual.
Light the way with the RGB lighting.
The full package.

Technical aspects.

Key technologyMechanical
Width367 mm
Weight652 g
Keyboard layoutQWERTY
Switch brandOutemu
Switch typeLinear
Lifetime of keys50 million
Manufacturer warranty2 years
Response time8 ms
Travel distance4 mm
Connection typeWired
BluetoothNo

Gaming keyboards are all about their responsive nature and comfortable layout. Luckily, this one has both thanks to its small travel distance and compact design. This smaller than normal keyboard allows for a greater mouse movement and a natural position for both hands. What’s more, as it is a mechanical peripheral, it has that delightfully noisy clicking sound that we all enjoy.

Alongside these key elements, we all like a stylish accessory that is built to last. Fortunately, the metal top plate offers a premium finish while making the Trust Gaming GXT 834 Callaz mechanical keyboard more robust. Furthermore, there is a massive 50 million keypress guarantee and a 2-year manufacturer’s warranty.

RGB accessories are all about the lights and the patterns. With 6 different colours and 20 unique programs, you will find the style that matches your personality. Alongside this, there are adjustable speeds and the ability to reduce or increase the brightness. What’s more, if you fancy a break from the multicolour display, you can simply switch off the lights and continue to use the keyboard as normal.

With convenience and time a priority for many players, it is nice to see the inclusion of media buttons. With 12 shortcuts options included, and a well-placed function button, you’ll adjust your setup on the fly with little effort.

The Trust Gaming GXT 834 Callaz Mechanical keyboard is compact and stylish.
A compact and comfortable design.

Is the Trust Gaming GXT 834 Callaz mechanical keyboard worth it?

I’m a firm believer in you get what you pay for. Therefore, at less than £50, you may be a little dubious. Luckily, for the most part, this is an exceptional entry-level peripheral. With a premium metal finish, high profile keys, vivid lights, and multiple programs to select, this gives you a lot of bang for your buck.

However, this doesn’t mean it is perfect because it isn’t. Annoyingly, it can be slow to boot up and you have to watch it run through its load cycle every time. Now, this may seem a small thing, but if you want to load into your boot menu, this can be problematic. Furthermore, the backlit style can make reading the keys a difficult task. Therefore, if you are unfamiliar with touch typing, you may unwittingly make mistakes as you chat or game. Fortunately, with the adjustable brightness, this problem can be eradicated with some fine tweaking.

Other than these small issues, I found this to be a good, user-friendly gaming keyboard that is excellent for an entry-level gamer. Yes, there are better examples out there, but they will cost you an awful lot more. If you are in the market for a bright and stylish accessory that won’t break the bank, then look no further!

Summary.

The Trust Gaming GXT 834 Callaz mechanical keyboard is an inexpensive addition to any gaming setup. What’s more, it is robust, looks fantastic, and has an excellent keystroke guarantee and manufacturer warranty. Its compact design is comfortable and makes the smallest of desks look massive. Sadly, it doesn’t compete with the big brands, but this shouldn’t detract from its brilliance. It is a fantastic budget peripheral that will look amazing next to that bright gaming rig.

(More information on Trust Gaming can be found here!)

The Movies Games and Tech silver award.

Review: Sumire (iOS version)

Andrew Edney
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0
Review: Sumire (iOS version)

We reviewed Sumire last year on the Switch, and now it’s available on iOS.

Here’s what we said for the Switch version which still stands for the iOS version (original Switch review by Krissy):

Sumire is a charming narrative adventure where a young Japanese girl sets out on an adventure to change her miserable fate and fulfill her wish of seeing her grandmother’s spirit.

Gameplay:

Sumire is about a disillusioned young girl who spends her days cooped up inside, in fear of the outside world now that her grandmother is no longer in it. On top of this, her father has left home, and her best friend has deserted her. But one day, a magical flower appears and promises her that she can change her fate. But the magical flower only has one day and one life to help her have a perfect day and make her wish come true.

The gameplay is pretty simple; you make choices that affect your karma and determine the outcome of the story. Despite there being a good and bad ending, the game doesn’t force what’s good or bad on you but shows you that your actions have consequences regardless of what decisions you make. And no matter what path you decide to take, Sumire comes to terms with the decisions she’s made at the end of the day.

At the beginning of the game, Sumire jots down a to-do list in her notebook of the things she wants to achieve in hopes of having a perfect day. While it may not sound like much, there are also small quests and even fleshed-out mini-games that you can enjoy along the way.

The most prominent features of Sumire are the art and the music. In fact, the music is not only relaxing but also very memorable. In addition, the overall design of the game feels like a Japanese watercolor painting that blends nicely with the music. While there are some depressing moments, the overall style of the game is quite wholesome.

On the other hand, for a narrative-focused game, I was a bit disappointed in the writing. It felt stiff, and the character dialogue was a bit monotonous. For games where the gameplay is primarily dependent on the story, I think the writing should be meticulous. That’s not to say that the writing ruined the game, but I think Sumire could have been more impactful if the writing was better.

Conclusion:

All in all, Sumire was truly a fun short adventure that I thoroughly enjoyed. With that being said, as a narrative-focused game, if the writing were better, it could have easily been a 10/10 game for me. Despite this shortcoming, I still highly recommend this charming indie game.

Entertainment: 8/10

Replay value: 7/10

Graphics: 10/10

Sound: 9/10

Kid Friendly: Yes

Review: Behind Closed Doors: A Developer’s Tale

Daniel Waite
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0
Review: Behind Closed Doors: A Developer’s Tale

Life can often be mundane and repetitive. However, these are the crosses we must bear if we are to survive. Unfortunately, not all of us can be rich and famous and therefore, we must do what we have to do. This is the reality for the protagonist in Behind Closed Doors: A Developer’s Tale. It is a slow and tedious game that has an unexpected and bizarre twist. It also has an unusual concept of a game within a game and this just adds to the madness.

Developed by Polygonal Wolf and published by Sometimes You, this is a pixelated adventure title that merges various genres. It utilises 8-Bit sound, garish colours, and basic imagery as it tells its weird story. You will test both platforming and shooting abilities as you complete your day job and fight for your life. As I said, it throws a few curveballs and keeps you guessing, right to the very end.

Behind Closed Doors: A Developer’s Tale is a game of two halves.

I’m not usually a fan of super slow-paced titles, as I want my attention to be grabbed from the off. However, I’m glad I gave Behind Closed Doors: A Developer’s Tale the time it deserves. You control Ethan, a program developer who has a pregnant wife and a wicked sense of humour. He is good at his job, but he is merely a “normal” man. Consequently, he must grind away at his work, no matter how much it displeases him.

His life follows a simple pattern of waking up, speaking to his wife, preparing for work, and writing new computer games. As his day unfolds, he must reply to emails, test new assets, and return home. I think we can all agree that Ethan’s life is as dull as dishwater. Yet, this quickly changes when he enters a mysterious land and must find a way to return to his loved ones. This adventure has you battling fiery skulls, bats, slimes, and bosses. You will shoot weapons, avoid spikes, leap onto platforms, and collect coins. Subsequently, it has many well-trodden platforming elements, and it doesn’t take itself too seriously.

Behind Closed Doors: A Developer's Tale revisits the same bedroom scene throughout.
This feels like deja vu.

It doesn’t really test you.

Whenever a game focuses on old-school elements, I expect to be tested throughout. However, this wasn’t the case in Behind Closed Doors: A Developer’s Tale. Sadly, most of the action is simple and obvious. Therefore, it won’t test you and will frustrate veteran gamers of the genre. Yet, though, the ideas are straightforward, you will still die a lot. Disappointingly, the controls are loose and ill-conceived and this impacts movement and moments of accuracy. This was gut-wrenchingly annoying, and there were many times when I just wanted to scream.

Yes, there are snippets of difficulty, but with minimal practice, these are easily overcome. This basic approach sadly leaches into each boss fight and this was unfortunate. You’ll steamroller your way through each chapter with little thought or concern. Sadly, matters are made worse as there are no secret areas, the checkpoints are too generous, and most of the landscape is too easy to navigate. In short, there are many areas of the gameplay that will leave you wanting.

Behind Closed Doors: A Developer's Tale has the same easy boss to overcome.
Not this boss again.

Behind Closed Doors: A Developer’s Tale is old-school.

From the bright colours to the simple animation, Behind Closed Doors: A Developer’s Tale is distinctly old-school. I adored strolling around the different locations and the combination of genres. The action seamlessly flits between side-scrolling gameplay and top-down shooting. Alongside this, you are treated to simple but varied locations that break down the monotony.

Unsurprisingly, there is a basic soundtrack that combines high-energy songs with some sombre moments. As well as this, there are some interesting, yet dated, sound effects that match the bizarre fantasy segments. However, though I enjoyed its eclectic style, I wish there were more songs to listen to. I quickly tired of what I heard, especially when you listen to the same track for the nth time.

Behind Closed Doors: A Developer's Tale has an eclectic mix of locations to explore.
Brrrrr, I bet you wish you wore more than just your pyjamas!

Obvious tasks but terrible controls.

The UI is noticeably good, and this was a key reason for the game’s simple style. Whenever a task was to be completed, a clear label or text instructions keep you on the straight and narrow. Furthermore, unlike some of its peers, you’ll discover that your weaponry is very easy to access and use. There is no doubt that this understated approach undermines the overall potential, but it was essential when the controls were so woeful. Because of the inaccurate and slippery controls, you will fall to your death and walk into your foes. For a modern game, the execution of its control system was disappointing.

Unfortunately, the low replay value and limited longevity affect its potential as well. There are only a handful of levels, a few bosses, and minimal challenges as you complete this title. Furthermore, Behind Closed Doors: A Developer’s Tale will only take between 1 to 2 hours. This is painfully short even for an indie game, but perfect for completionists. 

Behind Closed Doors: A Developer’s Tale left me wanting. 

Even though I found the slow opening to be tedious, I enjoyed the twist that followed. It tied together some of the weird ideas and gave the game an unexpected conclusion. However, it could and should have been much better. The controls were woeful, and the story wasn’t long enough. What’s more, the lack of difficulty undermines everything. If you want to try an unusual title, then I recommend you buy it here! Alternatively, there are better examples of indie adventure games to sink your teeth into. Can you overcome the monsters and traps and defeat this bizarre title? Jump, shoot, and climb your way to victory. 

Spoiler Free Review: Sing 2

Andrew Edney
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0
Spoiler Free Review: Sing 2

Sing 2 has just been released on DVD and Blu-Ray, and here is our spoiler free review.

All of your favourite singing and dancing all-stars from Illumination’s Sing return in the definitive feel-good event of the year. The ever-optimistic Koala, Buster Moon (Matthew McConaughey), and his cast have big dreams of staging their most dazzling show yet in the glittering entertainment capital of the world, Redshore City. There’s just one hitch: they must persuade the world’s most reclusive rock star, Clay Calloway (Bono), to join them. Rosita (Reese Witherspoon), Ash (Scarlett Johansson), Johnny (Taron Egerton), Meena (Tori Kelly) and Gunter (Nick Kroll) return with all-new characters, spectacular hit songs and electrifying performances in SING 2, a comedy about the emotional healing power of music.
 
The film is written and directed by Garth Jennings (Sing, The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy), and stars Matthew McConaughey, Reese Witherspoon, Scarlett Johansson, Taron Egerton, Bobby Cannavale, Tori Kelly, Nick Kroll, Pharrell Williams, Halsey, Letitia Wright, Jennifer Saunders, Nick Offerman and Bono. The original score was created by Joby Talbot.

I really enjoyed the first Sing movie when it was released, so when I heard about the second one I was already looking forward to it.

As this is a spoiler free review I won’t go into too many details, but the film centres on most of the characters from the first movie when they head to Redshore City and attempt to put on a new production whilst trying to find music legend Clay Colloway (played in the movie by Bono) and coax him out of retirement.

As you would expect from a Sing movie, there are lots of songs throughout and the story is really fun too!

Again, no spoilers, but my favourite line in the entire movie is “Norman – release the piglets”.

If you are a fan of the first movie then you will love Sing 2, I thought (as did my trusty 5 year old assistant) that this one was actually better than the first! Here’s hoping for a Sing 3!

There are also numerous bonus features on the disc too, including music videos, behind the scenes materials, and even two additional short movies which are both amusing.

Sing 2 is available now on Blu-Ray and DVD from Universal Pictures Home Entertainment.

A Closer Look at My First Bananagrams from Asmodee

Andrew Edney
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0
A Closer Look at My First Bananagrams from Asmodee

Here we take a closer look at My First Bananagrams from Asmodee.

A colourful, more simplified version of the hit word game that can be enjoyed by players as young as four years old. Features multiple activities and minigames using bright and engaging letter tiles.

My First Bananagrams is a great great to help preschoolers and early readers with their words, and its a lot of fun too!

My First Bananagrams from Asmodee is available now priced around £15.99 and is aimed at ages 4 and up.

You can learn more from the Asmodee website here.

A Closer Look at BrainBox The World (Refresh 2022) from Asmodee

Andrew Edney
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0
A Closer Look at BrainBox The World (Refresh 2022) from Asmodee

Here we take a closer look at BrainBox The World (Refresh 2022) from Asmodee.

A 10 minute brain challenge game that’s fun and educational! You study a card for 10 seconds and then answer a question based on the roll of a dice. If the question is answered correctly you keep the card and the person with the most cards after 10 minutes is crowned the winner. You won’t get bored either as they are over 38,000 questions to answer. You can choose from Football, Maths, The World, Dinosaurs, Animals, Once Upon a Time, French and that famous wizard, Harry Potter!

Brainbox is also made from a minimum of 70% recycled material and designed in the UK, so you can play happily knowing you’re making a difference to the environment as well.

BrainBox The World (Refresh 2022) from Asmodee is available now priced around £13.00 and is aimed at ages 8 and up.

You can learn more from the Asmodee website here.

A Closer Look at Dobble Harry Potter from Asmodee

Andrew Edney
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0
A Closer Look at Dobble Harry Potter from Asmodee

Here we take a closer look at Dobble Harry Potter from Asmodee.

The wizarding world of Harry Potter meets the smash-hit game of speedy observation! Can you spot the single matching magical image between two cards?

Dobble is a fun game, now combining it with Harry Potter makes it ever more fun! It’s a game thats easier to learn, fun play and good if you only have a few minutes to play!

Dobble Harry Potter from Asmodee is available now priced around £14.99 and is aimed at ages 6 and up.

You can learn more from the Asmodee website here.

A Closer Look at Ticket To Ride: London from Asmodee

Andrew Edney
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0
A Closer Look at Ticket To Ride: London from Asmodee

Here we take a closer look at Ticket To Ride: London from Asmodee.

Ticket to Ride can be learned in under 15 minutes. Players collect cards of various types of train cars they then use to claim railway routes in North America. The longer the routes, the more points they earn. Additional points come to those who fulfil Destination Tickets – goal cards that connect distant cities and to the player who builds the longest continuous route.

Ticket To Ride: London from Asmodee is available now priced around £19.99 and is aimed at ages 8 and up.

You can learn more from the Asmodee website here.

Review: Scosche MagicMount Pro Charge5 Window Dash

Andrew Edney
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0
Review: Scosche MagicMount Pro Charge5 Window Dash

Here is our review of the Scosche MagicMount Pro Charge5 Window Dash.

Features

• Certified for safety and compatibility to provide Qi compatible devices with up to 10-Watts of fast wireless charging power 
• The StickGrip™ pad and suction-cup base securely hold the mount to a vehicle’s window/dash. 
• Our specially designed mount head allows you to safely secure and wirelessly charge an iPhone 12, 13 or later device with a MagSafe without having to use a MagicPlate. 
• Attach the included MagicPlate to Qi-enabled phones. You will feel the MagicPlate snap into place on the charging head and your phone will start charging. 
• 360° Adjustable head lets you view your device in portrait or landscape.

What’s in the box?

The box contains the mount, 12v adaptor, MagicPlate, cable management clips and wipe.

A Closer Look

Final Thoughts

Setting up the Scosche MagicMount Pro Charge5 Window Dash was really easy, just follow the simple instructions to place the mount on your Window or Dash.

You can easily adjust the position of the mount, including having it horizontal or vertical, depending on your requirements – its just a case of moving it.

The mount then plugs into the car adaptor which in turn plugs into the 12V port in your car. This enables the wireless charging. There is a small LED on the top of the mount which shows if the device is being charged.

Depending on your current phone and phone case will depend on how you attach your phone to the mount. In my case I have an iPhone 13 in a MagSafe case which meant it was as simple as placing the phone on the mount and it snapped nicely into place. 

If you don’t have a MagSafe case you can use the MagicPlate that is included in the box, along with the template to ensure the MagicPlate is placed in the correct location on the back of your phone – it’s really that simple.

The mount was easy to fit and use, and it held my phone in place securely when I was driving. I liked that the box contained everything need to fit to either the dash or the vent and even had the MagicPlate if my phone didn’t have MagSafe!

If you drive and want to have your phone held securely in place, then you should definitely check out the Scosche MagicMount Pro Charge5 Window Dash.

The Scosche MagicMount Pro Charge5 Window Dash is available now priced around $59.99.

You can learn more from the Scosche website here.

Review: Scosche MagicMount Pro Charge5 Dash Vent

Andrew Edney
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0
Review: Scosche MagicMount Pro Charge5 Dash Vent

Here is our review of the Scosche MagicMount Pro Charge5 Dash Vent.

Features

• Certified for safety and compatibility to provide Qi-compatible devices with up to 10-Watts of fast wireless charging power (wireless charging rate varies by phone manufacturer) 
• Shuts the qi wireless charger element down when something other than a device’s Qi charging area is detected 
• Our specially designed mount head allows you to safely secure and wirelessly charge an iPhone 12,13 or later device with a MagSafe without having to use a MagicPlate 
• Our 2-In-1 car phone mount kit can be used on your vehicle’s vent or on a firm & flat car dash surface area to mount your compatible mobile phone device 
• Extra powerful Rare-Earth neodymium magnets are 30% stronger magnets than our standard MagicMounts and are 100% mobile device safe. 
• The 4-Axis, 360 Degree adjustable head let you find the optimal view from almost any angle

What’s in the box?

The box contains the mount, 12v adaptor, MagicPlate, cable management clips and wipe.

A Closer Look

Final Thoughts

Setting up the Scosche MagicMount Pro Charge5 Dash Vent was really easy. First you need to decide whether you are going to use the dash mount or the vent mount, then follow the simple instructions included in the box along with the relevant part to use.

You can easily adjust the position of the mount, including having it horizontal or vertical, depending on your requirements – its just a case of moving it.

The mount then plugs into the car adaptor which in turn plugs into the 12V port in your car. This enables the wireless charging. There is a small LED on the top of the mount which shows if the device is being charged.

Depending on your current phone and phone case will depend on how you attach your phone to the mount. In my case I have an iPhone 13 in a MagSafe case which meant it was as simple as placing the phone on the mount and it snapped nicely into place.

If you don’t have a MagSafe case you can use the MagicPlate that is included in the box, along with the template to ensure the MagicPlate is placed in the correct location on the back of your phone – it’s really that simple.

The mount was easy to fit and use, and it held my phone in place securely when I was driving. I liked that the box contained everything need to fit to either the dash or the vent and even had the MagicPlate if my phone didn’t have MagSafe!

If you drive and want to have your phone held securely in place, then you should definitely check out the Scosche MagicMount Pro Charge5 Dash Vent.

The Scosche MagicMount Pro Charge5 Dash Vent is available now priced around $59.99.

You can learn more from the Scosche website here.

Review: Metal Tales: Overkill

Daniel Waite
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0
Review: Metal Tales: Overkill

Everyone knows that music is an addictive and all-consuming thing. It matters not what genre you enjoy as every song will resonate with your soul. However, there are only a select few that inspire demonic thoughts and aggressive imagery. I am, of course, talking about Heavy Metal music! Yes, the tunes vary greatly, but the perception from the outside is head-banging, mosh pit loving brutes who worship ungodly beings. This idea forms the central plot of Metal Tales: Overkill. It is an aggressive and macabre title that has badass music and many disturbing scenes.

Developed and published by Zerouno Games, this is a 3D rogue-lite shooter. Consequently, you will die a lot, listen to hard-hitting music, and enjoy some dark and gory scenes. Furthermore, there is a sense of Metroidvania in proceedings, and there are lots of items to find and zombies to kill. In short, it ticks many boxes if you love some fast and brutal action.

Metal Tales: Overkill is full of badass rock fans
Take down every zombie with your guitar.

Metal Tales: Overkill has a fun tongue-in-cheek attitude.

Most rogue-lite games take themselves far too seriously. Metal Tales: Overkill, on the other hand, loves a bit of humour, as the action has many sly comical moments that break up the sombre atmosphere. You’ll find an array of humorous notes attached to many items as you explore the dark labyrinthine world. This was a great decision as it brilliantly breaks up the constant dungeon crawling and fighting with the undead.

The plot revolves around the God Kuk and his demonic plans to take over the world. After the macabre and solemn events of the second chapter, this evil god wishes to finish the job. By possessing every guitar god, he plans to take down the original metal bands and their dedicated fans. By setting up infinite gruesome concerts, he turns these metal loving people into brain chewing zombies. However, not all is lost, as one hero stands in Kuk’s way. This guitar-wielding menace must use their musical abilities to slay every god and zombie and avoid the traps that lie in their path.

Brilliantly gruesome and simple.

The story is frankly absurd, but it sets the scene nicely. Consequently, the thrash music, dark imagery, and gruesome zombies keep you on your toes throughout. However, for all its OTT nature and grand design, the gameplay is extremely simple. Each chapter comprises a large maze-like dungeon filled with monsters, traps, collectables, and a boss. If you survive every ordeal, you will move on to the next gig and it all begins again.

Survival is easier said than done and death wipes your progress. Now, normally this would annoy me, but the procedurally generated dungeons in Metal Tales: Overkill are fascinating to explore. Therefore, I wasn’t so disappointed when I had to start anew. During each run, you have three missions to complete. They are normally basic tasks, but if you are successful, you will earn points towards permanent character upgrades. This was an amazing addition to the gameplay, as in theory, it helped you to progress further. Subsequently, the more you played, the easier it was to progress.

Some of the rooms are deceptively easy.
Leave no stone or stool unturned.

Power-ups, traps, challenges, and gargantuan bosses.

What I loved was the array of different elements that worked in harmony. Whether it was simply blasting zombies with your guitar, grabbing coins to spend in the shop, or testing out new power-ups, it was fantastic. What’s more, there is an array of ability boosting items that increase agility, pace, and power. These were incredible as they change the course of the action in subtle ways. This, combined with the procedurally generated maps, ensures that you never tire of what you experience.

Alongside this, the gargantuan bosses are overpowered, overbearing, and a nightmare. They use every trick in the book to kill you, and you must be quick and think wisely if you wish to succeed. This can also be true of the large list of traps you must face and the challenges you will overcome. What’s fascinating is the challenge and trap rooms that can be explored. These dangerous locations reward you with power-ups and items, but they are designed to kill you. Therefore, you must weigh up the risk before taking a leap of faith.

Metal Tales: Overkill is dark and sinister to observe.

Playing a sombre and melancholy game for hours on end can be depressing. Metal Tales: Overkill takes this idea to the next level with its dark nature and sinister approach. However, the light-hearted and amusing undertones alleviate much of the doomed atmosphere, and this makes it bearable. The action plays out from a top-down perspective that is reminiscent of Smash TV. You must wander small rooms that are dimly lit and coloured with purple hues and deeper tones. Thankfully, though, the obstacles and monsters are easy to see thanks to the contrasting colours and striking sprites. All in all, it looks fantastic, runs well, and does well to incorporate a cruel and claustrophobic atmosphere.

As expected, the audio was hard-hitting and filled with heavy metal thrash music. I adored the original soundtrack even though I know it won’t be everyone’s cup of tea. Alongside the loud music, you’ll experience shrill sound effects and grim noises. It was the perfect combination to highlight the doomed plight of the protagonist.

Some of the rooms are filled with traps.
How will you get through this room?

Strange control setup.

As I started, I expected a twin-stick shooter approach. However, what I experienced was a bizarre use of the A, B, X, and Y buttons. These are used to aim and shoot your bullets from your guitar. It was perfectly serviceable, but it restricted your aiming abilities and felt quite limited. Furthermore, it gave the gameplay a distinctly retro appeal. This wasn’t a bad thing, it was just odd and didn’t match the rest of the action. I believe a traditional dual analogue stick approach would have been much better.

Because of the rogue-lite elements, cooperative gameplay, and the large achievement list, there is plenty to see and do. You will return to play this repeatedly to tackle every boss and to experience each character. What’s more, the large array of guitars, power-ups, and the procedurally generated maps ensure that each playthrough is unique.

Metal Tales: Overkill is an excellent addition to the genre.

Rogue-lite shooters are two a penny these days. However, Metal Tales: Overkill stands out from the crowd. Thanks to its gruesome action, hard-hitting audio, excellent but simple graphics, and bizarre plot, it is thoroughly interesting. If you adore the genre, you’ll love every moment of this. But, if you are on the fence, this is a perfectly user-friendly title that is great for newcomers. Consequently, I adored it and I recommend you buy it here! Can you stop the God Kuk in his tracks, or is Heavy Metal forever doomed?

Review: Super Mega Zero

Kara Phillips
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Review: Super Mega Zero

Super Mega Zero is a new, extremely fast-paced puzzle platformer on Nintendo Switch. This title combines tight precision and shoot-em-up elements to create a frantic arcade title. As someone who has become used to the laid-back nature of the Nintendo Switch, having a game that turns my knuckles white and makes me perch on the end of my seat is a refreshing change of pace. 

This title features hundreds of hand-crafted, incredibly precise levels which may not be for the casual gamer looking for something simple to play. If you’re ready to face the frustration of seeing the same level time and time again, then Super Mega Zero might be a challenge you’re willing to face. 

Super Mega Zero is available on Nintendo Switch and Steam.

Playing as the number zero, you’re tasked with killing the kill screen. It’s ironic, right? But there’s more to it than just that. The kill screen has kidnapped your love interest, a similar number with a pink bow. As the hero and knight in shining armor, it’s time to begin the grand chase I am sure you’re all too familiar with now.

 I went into this title completely blind, except for knowing it hosts 8-bit arcade-style graphics. It’s been a while since a good arcade-style game was released on Nintendo Switch. So there was some sort of expectations for this game to meet. The game features a lot of bright colors and flashing or moving mechanics, which encourages the fast-paced nature. 

It’s important to be accurate

But being fast doesn’t always mean being accurate – and this game requires a lot of accuracies. If you ever played geometry dash when you were younger, then certain elements like jumping around and making sure you don’t plummet into spikes probably feel familiar. Luckily for anyone who struggles with accuracy like me – throughout levels you can collect upgrades that will help enhance and encourage easier gameplay. I definitely benefited from this element. It also helped me not feel so frustrated every time I needed to repeat a level. Which I won’t admit how many times I had to do. 

There are hundreds of levels to complete within this title so you will never have a lack of content to engage with. Each level proposes new threats and encourages you to use new skills. Even though the game is somewhat repetitive in certain parts, having a mass of levels makes it easier to put down and pick up again at a later date if you’re craving that adrenaline rush. To add to the challenge, Super Mega Zero also introduces collectible Pi’s to help you beat your high score in each level. 

Some intense chiptune(s)

One thing that absolutely needs to be noted is the phenomenal chiptune soundtrack. This is what I found to really hone in on the arcade feel that Super Mega Zero wants to present. The soundtrack accompanies your adventure towards facing your enemy and is pretty epic. It’s got that retro energy you’d expect from a title like this.

Final thoughts

There isn’t much to this game, but that doesn’t make it feel any less addicting. It tells you everything from the get-go and you can understand what to expect by just watching the trailer. It’s fun, but I can see why some players would find it disengaging. For a console like the Nintendo Switch, I can see Super Mega Zero being played handheld over playing it docked. It’s got the charm of having an arcade in your pocket – but not much more than that.

Review: Sokobos

Farhan Gianis
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Review: Sokobos

Sokobos is an indie puzzle game that is developed and published by Daisy Games. Since its release on April 1st 2022, it has garnered a positive rating on Steam as of publishing this review. While it can be a bit boring with the unchanging scenery sometimes, Sokobos offers a polished and relaxing experience.

Sokobos Trailer by Daisy Games

Gameplay

This game is a Sokoban clone puzzle game. Like many other games in the Sokoban genre the main objective is pretty simple; move this object to the specified area to complete the level. While it can be a repetitive experience, Sokobos offers several mechanics to hide its repetitive nature like adding movable obstacles, changing object colors to their intended place and such.

However, unlike many sokoban games, Sokobos approach on puzzle is push-only. That means that you only push around object which can be quite frustrating. Sometimes, it feels like it could benefit from a pulling mechanic too. Like, getting an object that are required to complete the level stuck in the corner of the level and that’s it. You either have to redo to retrace so many steps or press the “retry” button to reset the whole level. Without the ability to pull objects, the game can get quite hard and placed it difficulty on a steep learning curve. I hope that in the future, Daisy games the could some sort of a “grab” or “pull” button into a patch or if they decided to make sokoban clone again.

Also, throughout my playthrough, I didn’t run into any bugs and glitches whatsoever. It has been a quite nice experience so far. So, the game is quite polished in the technical side of things.

Ooh, more obstacles!

Graphics

The retro styled graphics are quite nice and clean but, with a limited amount of variation in terms of scenery changes. It can get quite boring to look at after a while. The only variation the game offers is the object, dye colors, object variety, border color, and the obstacles. Other than that, there’s only the color of black that adorned around the level.

Sounds

There are limited amount of sounds in the game, aside from the sound effects, there are only two sounds: The main menu music and several background music. Which is alright, considering the design decision and art decision by the developer but, the music is nothing to write home to. It’s just a nice, chill, music to accompany your puzzling journey.

Conclusion

There are a story element that the developer implemented too, so there’s something to keep you interesting. It is on a bare minimum but it is still quite interesting. Levels can be quite boring to look at. There are variation inside the border of the level but, beyond that there’s just the color black. The gameplay side of things are fine but it has a steep learning curve. I’m not much of a puzzle guy myself. I even struggle with to come up with a solution for most of the levels but, I could see myself sinking many hours into this game.

Overall, Sokobos offers a chill and satisfying experience. I can safely say that I recommend Sokobos but, if you are a puzzle game fan, the challenging nature will sate you itch. For others that are not however, I understand that the game’s learning curve will put you off the game. So, if you are interested give it a go and if you didn’t like the experience, you can refund it with Steam refund policy.

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