Review: Exo One

Daniel Waite
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Review: Exo One

Relaxing exploration titles have a divisive way about them. They offer unlimited exploration in a confined space. Furthermore, you are free to assume the meaning behind the story. There are few goals to work towards, and you feel the stress draining from your body. This isn’t for everyone, but having played Aery and Life of Fly, I’ve got a soft spot for these games. Exo One is the latest title to hit this genre, but it comes with a twist! It focuses heavily on eye-watering speed and death-defying tricks, so forget about the slow approach. 

Developed by Exbleative and published by Exbleative and Future Friends Games, this is a Sci-Fi adventure title. It’s a dreamy and safe look at the future where tech opens up many opportunities. You’ll get to experience alien worlds, but you never walk upon them, you won’t talk to strange beings, nor will you discover bizarre artefacts. No, instead, you’ll soar through the skies, gathering speed, while enjoying the surroundings.

Use the mountains to reach new heights.

Exo One defies gravity!

The laws of physics demand many cogs work in harmony to allow an object to fly. Yet, our future selves are much wiser. No longer are we bound to the use of engines, and the power of flight happens by harnessing the pull of gravity. Exo One demands that you utilise the environment to propel your craft. Leaping from mounds, you can dip and soar to gather speed and launch yourself again.

You’ll scour the landscape to find mountains to climb and valleys to fall into. You’ll plan your approach, build up your momentum, and then enjoy the wild ride. With an array of planets to explore, you are treated to some spectacular scenery. Whether it’s sprawling hills, icy tundra, or miles of cool water, it never gets old.

Your spherical vessel appears to have the consistency of mercury. Its malleable structure changes to a flat disc to maximise acceleration. You’ll roll up mountains and time your shift in form to maximise your descent. It was a fantastic test of timing and one that’s super rewarding when you master it.

Where will you go?

It needed something else. 

When the action relies heavily on the environment to add depth, you need every stage to be exciting. Fortunately, every planet looks great, and they are unique, but sadly, the fun gradually plateaus. As the alien landscapes become flatter, the opportunities to soar are reduced! Therefore, you lose a sense of freedom that the opening stages offered, and this was disappointing. 

Exo One is all about speed and exploration! You’ll rocket miles into the air and crash back to earth while breaking the sound barrier. As you perfect the movement of the ship, you’ll reach new heights and speed faster than you could ever imagine. The desire to go higher or faster never dissipates, and it’s only the level design that prevents this. I wish the developers had added more elements to the gameplay to ensure their core concept remained enthralling throughout. 

Exo One is gorgeous. 

Exo One is undeniably one of the best looking titles I’ve played in a while. Its variety of Sci-Fi-inspired environments and beautifully blurred imagery will capture your attention. Then there are the little things that stand out! You’ll adore the glow of the ship as it increases its speed and the seamless transfer from sphere to disc. Furthermore, it’s incredible when you fly through an electrical storm and the surrounding landscape becomes an incomprehensible mess. The developer’s eye for detail was amazing and graphically it is stunning. 

This awe-inspiring aesthetic continues through emotive audio. With no goals to focus on, it was essential the soundtrack kept you going. The airy tunes accompany every moment, and this is supported by a brilliant mixture of sound effects. You’ll enjoy the wind rushing, thunder roaring, and the sound barrier being broken. Soaring to new heights enhanced these noises, and though it was loud, I adored it. 

The world looks different from up here.

Little guidance. 

Exo One believes less is more, and this is no more apparent than its minimalist tutorial. Within a minute, you have the fundamentals mapped out and away you go. The developers clearly want you to tweak your skills as you go, and this was fine by me. Honing the finer points was half the fun and mistakes matter not. You’ll be smiling in no time as your ship blasts across every alien planet. 

The main issue I have with any of these games is the reason to return. Once you’ve explored each stage and completed the loosely instructed tasks, there is nothing else to do. Yes, you are free to fly forever, but that eventually becomes tiresome. This isn’t a title that will keep you focused for hours. Instead, it’s excellent to help you unwind between other adventures. 

Exo One is tremendous. 

When a game has pretty much been created single-handedly, that deserves plaudits. Therefore, it’s fair to say that Exo One is a tremendous title that stands out from its peers. Its easy controls and excellent aesthetics make it a joy to play. If the developers had added extra elements to the latter stages, then it would have been perfect. It’s free to play on Game Pass or can be purchased here! Soar through the sky, absorb wonderful alien landscapes, and enjoy the relaxing ride. 

Review: Blackwind

Daniel Waite
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Review: Blackwind

Technology is marvellous and science fiction paints a wonderful picture of what the future holds. Sadly, though, the advancements come at the detriment of mankind. Normally, a hero is forced to step up and save the day, but even this can’t guarantee success. Blackwind paints this picture in its bleak insight into the future.

Developed by Drakkar Dev and published by Blowfish Studios, this is a futuristic top-down action-adventure title. Set in the distant future, you must smash your way through alien scum as you try to save a mining colony while protecting your family. It’s an audacious story that is plucked straight out of a Hollywood textbook, but will it capture the attention of its audience?

Blackwind is a hack n slash overkill.

Blackwind is a title that is full of hectic and fast-paced action. This was excellent as it was hard-hitting from the start, yet the developers rely heavily on hack n slash mechanics. This sadly impacted the finesse of the game and much of the combat was subsequently messy. 

You are James Hawkins, the son of professor Hawkins, who is a lead engineer and scientist. The starship Pandora is shot down by the evil Raknos and you survive by becoming trapped in a prototype Battle Frame. As the ship crash lands, you fall to the surface of Medusa-42. The Raknos have decimated the mining colony and you master the Battle Frame to repel the aliens and rescue your father.

Prepare to be attacked.

Solo or couch co-op action. 

As a solo player, you have full autonomy over the Battle Frame and its support drone. You control every aspect of the gameplay and you feel empowered because of it. Yet, when you play with another, both characters are weakened! When the drone is detached, the Battle Fame cannot jump, nor can it shoot, and this reduces your options. Likewise, the drone cannot use melee actions, and you feel isolated from what is unfolding.

It was odd that a simple gameplay option would undermine the core concept so much. Furthermore, it was full of potentially game-breaking bugs. Annoyingly, the drone had a mind of its own. Occasionally, as a solo player, it simply wouldn’t move. Luckily, though, I was able to use a second pad to control it. This issue happened multiple times and if I had one controller, I’d have made no progress. 

On to the positives. 

So far, it’s been very negative! So, let’s lift the mood by looking at the overwhelming positives. First, it’s a great, albeit clichéd story full of emotions and interesting characters. You have to ignore the obvious “child in a Battle Frame” issue, as everyone else is oblivious. If you can overlook this discrepancy, you’ll enjoy its ass-kicking ways.

Second, the Battle Frame is as cool as hell! Who doesn’t want to be a much more badass RoboCop? This hulking mech crashes its way through cracks, boxes, and aliens alike. It’s loaded with swords, missiles, and unbelievable super abilities. Yes, the monotony of slashing through each enemy is repetitive, but I adored the gratuitous violence.

Third, there is a wonderful progression tree that enhances the mech’s ungodly powers. You obtain XP by smashing items, completing tasks, and killing enemies. Subsequently, you can upgrade the special abilities, missiles, weapon damage, and so forth. Enhancing yourself made the hectic gameplay easier to manage while giving you super cool combos to try. 

Keep your calm and continue adventuring.

Drip-fed abilities. 

The world of Blackwind is quite expansive, yet the story is linear. Consequently, as progress is made, you must revisit old areas and access previously unreachable locations. This may sound tiresome, but the wonders of alien tech allow you to teleport with ease.

This isn’t the only new technology you are treated to. As the story unfolds and you defeat gargantuan bosses, you unlock new abilities. Whether you’ll crash into the ground, hover across gaps, bend time and space, or more, you’ll love the drip-fed abilities. These game-changers break up the monotony while enhancing the futuristic theme.

Blackwind is a blur of colours. 

With much of the action happening at a rapid pace. Blackwind is mainly a blur of colours. This isn’t a complaint, as the style adds to the ensuing madness, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Furthermore, the deadly aliens and monstrous equipment add to the Sci-Fi theme. The top-down perspective limits your field of view, and though this approach may not be for everyone, I liked how it focused my attention.

With so much happening and many contrasting images, I was worried there would be performance issues. Yet, the Series X copes extremely well with the demand and I experienced no frame rate drops. Disappointingly, though, the drone caused further problems as it navigated the air vents. The screen would go black and you’d have no clue where you were. This was unfortunate and annoying as it adds to the list of bugs.

I loved many of the elements, yet the audio was repetitive and annoying. The protagonist screams heroic one-liners that quickly become tedious. Furthermore, the acting is wooden and contains more ham than a butcher’s shop. Luckily, though, the sound effects are good and the soundtrack enhances the story. If the acting was better and the one-liners reduced, it would have been much better.

There is no match for the Battle Frame.

Mash those buttons!

The controls are a blend of button mashing and complex combos. In theory, it gives you a wide range of attacks. However, in reality, you mindlessly mash the buttons. Every fight is the same as you roll, dash, shoot, and hack your way to victory. It wasn’t terrible, but its lack of finesse leaves you wanting.

Thanks to its vast stages, Blackwind easily hides its collectables in plain sight. Many paths are locked and can only be opened once new abilities are learned. This was an excellent way to expand the longevity while forcing players to explore every location. If you love the hack n slash genre, then you’ll adore this and won’t want to put it down. 

Blackwind is good, but it’s not for me. 

I enjoyed much of Blackwind’s concept and theme. It tells a great but tired story and the weaponry is awesome. Yet, it never excited me. Its hack n slash action was made worse because of the cheesy one-liners. Furthermore, the bugs were annoying and game-breaking. Also, the co-op action didn’t work and made the final product weaker. Without the downsides, it would have scored much higher. I’m on the fence, but a copy can be purchased here! Can you master the Battle Frame and become a hero? Learn the abilities, slash your foes, and save your family. 

Review: OMNO

Natosha M
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Review: OMNO

Do you have the time to go on a marvelous adventure, through a world with miraculous creatures and an environment that is nothing less than astonishing? Well then, let me tell you about this interesting game called OMNO. Where your goal is to keep on exploring a stunning world that is around you while solving challenging puzzles within each location.

When I started the game I had no idea what to expect, but just the appearance of the game had me curious to learn more about it! Let me say, I’m grateful to have had a chance to try it and even now I am still continuing to play it! Hands down, this is one of the best adventure and puzzling platformer games I’ve ever tried. It’s nothing short of entertaining and engaging! From the journey through all different locations with snow, sand, clouds or the swampy greenlands, and solving these many mini puzzles and so much to see, it’s hard not to be filled with joy and continuous entertainment.

In addition to what I had figured out by playing OMNO. I must also mention, that there may not have been too many details explained to you in its description or within the game at the start. Just what you unravel and find out is all going to happen as you play the game. Therefore, the only words I can tell you to help you understand the game completley, is to think of it as a world of imagination where you can discover new creatures and solve new ways or paths to your next location, till you reach the end.

One-of-a-Kind Experience!

When you happen to walk through each environment, which appears to be artistically designed, a bit realistic and unique but nonetheless captivating. All the places I’ve ventured through would be sites I’d love to go visit! The sounds with the cool hues of colors, just bring it all together. Including, the creatures that look similar to realistic animals, but unique for the game like these frog-type species called Freglets or even turtles, which are known as Toordles are all so interesting and amazing. You can even imagine this to be a real place, how well it’s designed, characters, and world shapely objects.

So to be frank, the creatures will amaze you! They don’t appear scary and are quite friendly. Everyone you meet is captured in a list with factual details about the creature you come up to for the first time. Some are small and others appear so large and miraculous as well as adoring. There isn’t anything that I’ve played since now that has art so similar or as exquisite as the images that were designed in this game. From the start to the end, it’s free to discover and explore without restrictions or time limits.

However, the game isn’t all about what we see but these puzzles that create an obstacle for us, which when we solve them allow us to get to our next location on our journey. The only way to really do this is to find the three light spheres that are scattered all over each location. The ones you find will be presented on a totem-style pole and light up once collected. When you finally get all three, the next doorway or path is open to allow you to continue on the journey to a new location to solve its mysterious puzzles and new creatures to meet.

On a happy note, it’s a way more calming game, than many. So I don’t find it to be difficult, just one to relax and learn from mistakes as well as what one can do with the surroundings around them. I’m very pleased and grateful this game came into my hands to play on the Nintendo Switch, even better the NSlite. I find it to be the one game to calm my brain after a stressful day. It’s got a hypnotic appeal that turns one’s crazy and fast pace life into a calm, relaxing, and slow-down feeling that makes it hard to put it down.

Obtaining Special Skills

There are a few new skills our character will learn. Each guiding us and helping us get closer to our goals and even learning new information about the light and the world on these cubes needing to be discovered as you visit all over the areas around. Yet, there are these skills you will unlock and just few abilities our character can do at the start. Of course, each helps you get closer to the goal.

However, I have a few negative and a few positive feelings towards these additional skills and abilities. Mostly, everyone we obtain as a new skill or ability can be very helpful. Unfortunatley, some of these abilites we learn or just can do is a little shy of perfection. Therefore, I figure I bright to light the two that makes them a bit displeasing.

The first one is the jumping ability. There are some areas of the game that you need to leap up and you can’t reach it. My mind just travels towards the thought why can’t I get a little extra height when I leap. Its jump is shy of perfection since I only need a little bit extra to this jump that is said to be a larger jump if holding the button, but instead you don’t get that much of a height.

Honestly, it takes forever to reach up on top of rocks, even if the edge we can climb up a bit. Also to tell you it’s not the large rocks, that I can get pass, but it’s even the smallest stones. They are so hard to get on top of. I rather a double jump ability than a long leap up with just holding the button. It would be much nicer.

The second problem I came accross is the second ability, the dashing ability. It’s an excellent way to get to distant ledges and objects. It’s so helpful, a great new skill that makes rushing towards things way easier. The one thing I wish is I could adjust the controlling how to activate the dashing ability, by changing the mapping on the controller. Instead of using the R button to trigger the dash I rather use ZR. I always forget to use the R, as it’s the smallest part of the back buttons on top of the controller, and then ZR is this large and already has my finger ready to press.

Okay, that is more my own personal feeling about the game. Yet it would be nice to have the chance to adjust the buttons or maybe allow them to be the ones to use. However, the control change of the button mapping would be a nice adjustment to the game. Otherwise it’s not bad at all, it’s an excellent game and one I really enjoy playing!

Does This Game Need To End?

I honestly can’t lie, I’m a bit sad cause I don’t want this game to ever end! The game has some allure not just from its entertaining and gorgeous appearance, but to the result of how it relaxes and calms my mind. I just know I wouldn’t mind turning this game on and going on the adventure again and again, even if it’s to hear that calming music that plays in the background and the beautiful surroundings that my little guy is walking, running, jumping, and doing whatever I want in.

So does this game have to end, nope! It can continue as long as I like. It’s one of those games that after you complete it, you can still return and experience it over and over, without it ever getting dull or feeling a shortage of brilliance.

Spoiler Free Review: Hotel Transylvania: Transformania

Andrew Edney
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Spoiler Free Review: Hotel Transylvania: Transformania

Here is our spoiler free review of Hotel Transylvania: Transformania.

The new Hotel Transylvania movie has been released, Hotel Transylvania: Tranformania, and this time it’s on Prime Video.

When Van Helsing’s mysterious invention goes haywire, Drac and his pals are transformed into humans and Johnny becomes a monster! In their new mismatched bodies, Drac and Johnny must team up to find a cure. With help from Mavis and the Drac Pack, the heat is on to find a way to switch themselves back before their transformations become permanent.

Originally planned to be a cinema release, Sony sold the rights to Prime meaning you can see it first on Prime.

Hotel Transylvania: Tranformania is the fourth and final movie in the Hotel Transylvania series and its been nearly 4 years since the last movie.

As this is a spoiler free review I wont go into any details on the movie, but I will say that it’s a fun and enjoyable movie, although in my opinion, and that of my trusty 5 year old assistant, it’s not as good as the other ones.

One thing that you notice pretty much straight away is that Drac is no longer voiced by Adam Sandler – and whilst Brian Hull does a very good “Drac” he’s just not Adam Sandler. The film also doesn’t quite have that same spark that the others had, but like I said it’s still a fun and enjoyable movie. Personally my favourite is Hotel Transylvania 2, but that’s just me!

Hotel Transylvania: Tranformania is available to watch now on Prime Video.

Review: The Book of Boba Fett Episode 4

Sean McCarthy
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Review: The Book of Boba Fett Episode 4

Typing this before I have even powered on my Xbox Series X and to fire up Disney Plus and I am concerned. I loved the opening two Chapters/Episodes to this series after loving the reintroduction of Boba Fett in Season 2 of The Mandalorian, but Chapter 3 last week made me worried. There have been two high profile assassination attempts on Boba so far this season and there has been no reaction move from Boba. Boba Fett, who brutalized Storm Troopers and fought true Mandalorian warriors in Season 2 of Mando and yet in Chapter 3 he has been anything like that ruthless and threatening presence and instead giving jobs to a “moped gang” of street kids and bad friends with Danny Trejo and a young Rancor. Heading into this week’s episode, I need the pace to up itself in the present-day story of Boba, I need to see the legendary Fett showing why others should fear the most iconic bounty hunter in Star Wars. The question and worry I have is, will that happen this week?

Chapter 4 started once again with the flashback arc but thankfully, we have at least caught up with the events of Season 1 of Mandalorian which saw Fennec left for dead on the dunes of Tatooine before being rescued by a figure in black which we know to be Boba Fett wearing the Tusken Tribe clothes he was given upon his initiation. Boba takes the almost dead Fennec to a place where the street kids, who he would later hire, get their “droid part” modifications to save her life. Now this sequence is very much on the nose, considering just how fast this modification took to happen and how very little time it takes to do such intense reconstructive surgery but then, this is Star Wars.

This episode is very much all about how Boba and Fennec became partners, with Boba asking for Fennec’s help to retrieve his ship, Slave 1 which is currently docked underneath Jabba’s palace, now under the control of Bin Fortuna. Throughout this chapter we really get to learn more about Fennec, but we also get to see her showcasing her skill set as almost all the action is Fennec kicking seven bells out of the guards in the Palace and serving as Boba’s “advocate” when dealing with the territory family leaders later in the episode. This was a good look into Fennec as a character and we get some sense as to why Boba chose to take control from Bin Fortuna.

However, this also marked the end of the flashback arc as the medical droid confirms that as Boba is once again seen in the Bacta tank healing, that he is now fully healed, and we have caught up to where this season begins so now the focus shifts to the upcoming war with the Pike Syndicate, but we still do not quite get there in this episode. What we have is Boba building his forces and doing it slowly, far too slowly at this point. The running theme of this episode with very quick origin story exposition for characters continues as we meet Krrsantan once more, now in the Sanctuary Cantina, causing mayhem and being violent before Garsa Fhip, eloquently played by Jennifer Beals, attempts to calm him by talking about his legacy as a Champion Gladiator in the Death Pits, trying to explain how those times are gone and she would even go as far as to clear his bar tab. We are led to believe that it works until Krrsantan tears the arm off a Trandoshan patron of the Sanctuary and leaves.

This gives Boba the opportunity to, very expected as well, to hire Krrsantan and this aspect of buying mercenaries could potentially lead to something very special if the tease at the end of the episode comes to fruition but I will not spoil it here other than saying, listen closely. The problem I am currently having is that this is just so much “family friendly” story telling with very little happening outside of fanservice moments such as Boba having retrieved Slave 1, immediately using it to wipe out the Speeder Gang he believes massacred the Tusken Tribe before flying over the Sarlacc Pit believing his armour is in there still, despite still wearing it when he escaped for the Jawa’s to steal it from him whilst unconscious but I can give that a pass almost. Even Fennec was the one to drop a mine into the Sarlac to kill it after it woke and grabbed hold of the ship, with Boba just saying “do not push my buttons” in another cringe moment of dialogue from Star War’s most feared Bounty Hunter.

Now I am expecting the action to ramp up as we approach the battle with the Pike Syndicate, and I am hoping that the pace over the next three episodes will lead us to a memorable finale but there is just so much dilution to Boba at this moment that is a bit much. Whilst I do not expect to see blood on a Disney Plus show especially for Star Wars, we saw more action from the main protagonist in The Mandalorian, hell even Falcon and the Winter Soldier took the tone to a more grown-up mature level which is what I had expected Boba Fett to have at the very least. I do like understanding more of his character in the respect he has for animals and the culture of the Tusken’s that took him in but so far it is Fennec who has had the best action scenes this series and I need to see the Storm Trooper beating to a pulp and menacing presence that Boba had in The Mandalorian which we have yet to see.

The time to give the audience the Boba Fett they expect is now, and I need it to ramp up in the next Chapter because I really am fearing that the best moment of this show may come in the form of a teased cameo and that alone is not something that should be the case in a show dedicated to Boba Fett for me. I love the fanservice and call backs and I hope that the implication that we are now done with Boba’s past and now focusing on what is important, delivering a kick ass ending to this series with just three Chapters to go.

Review: Panorama Cotton

Jonah Ehlers
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Review: Panorama Cotton

Panorama Cotton is a product of two things. It’s time, and Japan. This means a couple of things. It’s creative and visually impressive especially when considering its 1994 release. It’s got (mostly) fun and fast paced rail shooting. And it’s a primarily female dominated cast that is stereotypically underdressed. Nevertheless this rail shooter may be decades old, but it’s still got a little gas in the tank.

What is Happening Right Now?

The first thing that struck me about this game is that I had no clue what was going on. I started it up, had a look at the control scheme, changed a couple settings (all in English by the way), and dove in. Only to be greeted by a wall of Japanese text. I knew the game was from Japan, but it still took me by surprise. A quick search revealed that it was originally only released in Japan. Hence the lack of English. Understandable, however I was a little disappointed that this port for the PS4 didn’t have a translation option available. Especially when in 2019, an unofficial English translation came out. 

Thus I didn’t have a single idea of what I was witnessing at first. Or why I was a witch mercilessly dispatching enemies from a broomstick. I was seeing all kinds of outlandish images like a lady in a very impractical suit of armour speeding off astride some sort of pink reptilian creature. Although I’d be lying if I said this blind playthrough of Panorama Cotton wasn’t oddly endearing. 

Allow me to break down the plot as I’ve gathered from scholars and historians (Wikipedia). This is a sequel to a story which involved magical candies called willows that bring light into the world. They were stolen by a demon in order to thrust the world into darkness. In this entry, monsters have been burning willow, which caused the world to descend into chaos. Cotton, the protagonist, then sets off with a fairy called silk to put an end to it. 

Off the Rails

This sounds like a simple and straightforward story, yet the art style relays anything but that. Aside from the sparse cut scenes, the environments you play in can sometimes get a bit bananas in its presentation and mechanics. 

The amount of visual variety packed into this relatively short campaign is really impressive. There are a plethora of different environments you’ll find yourself in. Such as places I can only describe as topsy-turvy highways for those who can fly in this world. These highways were awesome as they made great use of verticality by letting you occasionally dip into gaps in the ground or ceiling for an entirely alternate path. The last stage has some insanely varied surroundings that comes across as a greatest hits list, while still remaining unique from what you’ve seen before. I can easily say that the visuals were the highlight of the experience.

As a rail shooter, gameplay is a healthy mix of fast paced and flashy. You shoot, you avoid being hit and you collect power ups for magic abilities. These range from augmenting your ammo, to summoning a dragon made of fire to go on the offensive for you. All this comes together to complement the visuals we’ve already spoken about. Further demonstrating the beautiful insanity you’ll be gawking at on the regular. 

Now For the bad News

Unfortunately the music didn’t really do it for me. It was almost entirely forgettable, with a main theme that was lowkey annoying and repetitive. Save for one occasion: the end credits music. This was the one time I could actually groove to the soundtrack. So much so, I was disappointed I’d never heard it earlier.

While the game may be a feast for the eyes, the actual gameplay did get a bit stale for me as time went on. The magic attacks help break up the monotony, but could only do so much. Thankfully for me the game is fairly short. On normal difficulty you could probably get through it in one sitting of an hour or two. Though if you’re itching for me. There are options for higher difficulties, score attack modes, and the standard modern day mode that lets you rewind, use cheats, and save anytime you want. Plus there’s some extra gameplay after the credits roll.

If you’re a fan of rail shooters and 90’s games this will definitely have some good times in store for you. However, those who aren’t may get tired of its gameplay, be unimpressed by its music, and only have some cool visuals and level design to enjoy.

Review: Dysmantle

Daniel Waite
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Review: Dysmantle

The world is coming to an end, so what are you going to do? Will you panic, break the law, or hide in a corner waiting for the inevitable? Or will you plan, build, and survive? Dysmantle tells one man’s story of when he beat the odds only to find apocalyptic monsters blocking his path! Will this be his end, or will he fight to live another day?

Developed and published by 10Tons, this is an apocalyptic survival title. This grim open-world game allows for both solo and couch co-op action. Furthermore, it isn’t obsessed with statistics, so gamers won’t feel weighed down or overwhelmed. It leans heavily on exploration and quest mechanics, but its semi-linear approach allows you to play as you wish.

Dysmantle is brilliantly balanced. 

I’m always concerned when I start anything in the survival genre. I worry that it’ll be too realistic, too hardcore, and too much of a time sink! Fortunately, Dysmantle strikes a fantastic balance between fun, surreal, and addictive action. Its resource gathering elements could be deemed a “grind fest”, but I adored the constant back and forth. Every journey you take is thwarted by danger, and the further you travel, the harder it gets. Yet, 10Tons has incorporated multiple respawn points as you light campfires en route.

This excellent mechanic allows you to explore with little risk. There is nothing worse than losing tons of loot because of a mistake. Luckily, this has been reduced considerably and the gameplay benefits exponentially. As well as the campfires, you will find landmarks, abandoned buildings, and hordes of zombies. Many of these additional structures form the backbone of quests and other tasks. It was enthralling to stumble across secret locations while evading the attention of the undead.

Survival has never been so tough.

A run-of-the-mill plot in an exceptional game. 

If you adore apocalyptic themed entertainment, and you’re are obsessed with the survival genre, then the run-of-the-mill plot won’t amaze you. However, don’t be put off! The well-trodden story is surrounded by amazing elements, and this makes Dysmantle an exceptional game. Its deceptively deep gameplay got under my skin and I couldn’t stop playing it. I don’t know whether it’s the joy of slaying zombies or gathering resources, but I was hooked!

You are a survivor who has hidden in his bunker for years. Your supplies have run out and subsequently, you must leave or die! Venturing out, you have no idea of what to expect, but you know you must fight for your life. Armed with weak tools and nothing else, you must scavenge, fight, and steal whatever is useful. You quickly realise that everything wants to kill you and resources will deplenish. Consequently, you need to leave the cursed island before your luck and time runs out. You must find a way to upgrade your equipment while discovering the surrounding secrets. It’s intriguing, full of surprises, and wonderfully enjoyable.

RPG elements and a massive amount of resources. 

Though Dysmantle isn’t complicated, it has an in-depth levelling and crafting system. This was fascinating to unlock, as it distracted you from the zombie hordes. Every action you complete earns you XP, this levels you up and unlocks new equipment and skills. You can choose to befriend animals, improve crop growth, increase health, or gather more items. How you wish to specialise is up to you, and this makes each playthrough unique.

You can carry a crowbar, machete, spade, sickle, fishing rod, and more. Each item is essential to your survival and can be upgraded. Every improvement allows you to gather new resources which, in turn, improve or unlock new equipment. It’s a crazy ride that never stops from beginning to end, yet I never tired of it. The constant search for resources forces you to venture into greater danger, and that was a brilliant twist.

You’ll slay wildlife for meat, grow crops for recipes, and smash furniture, fences, and more for building materials. You’ll balance must-have items with upgrades, and deciding between the two can be tough. At times, it feels like you are spinning many plates, but it was never overwhelming.

The darkness won’t save you!

Dysmantle has a massive and grim world to explore. 

If I ignore the fantastic mechanics and horrible zombies, I can admire the phenomenal setting. The large open world of Dysmantle is fantastic to explore! It blends a variety of locations while filling you with dread. Whether it was dilapidated buildings, abandoned farms, or empty army bases, each will make you shiver. Furthermore, the oppressive world is filled with an array of brain chewing zombies. Every variety has its own style and appearance and this was great. Moreover, you’ll love the super undead, which is tough as hell and horrendous on the eye.

Exploration is easy thanks to a wonderfully designed UI. The clutter-free screen is supported by a free-flowing camera. Luckily, this ensures there is never a blind spot, and this helps to overcome foes and find treasure. 10Tons has combined some fantasy imagery and colours with a mainly natural style. The strange twist on normality was creepy, and this makes the action a little unnerving.

This blend of realism and fantasy continues with the excellent audio. A well-thought-out soundtrack adds drama and emotion to each journey. Furthermore, loud and aggressive sound effects support every action while infusing every zombie with energy. It was petrifying to hear screams and the banging of the undead as you tried to escape with your life.

It won’t know what hit it.

Unbelievably easy to play.

Dysmantle has a simple concept, but there are many layers to understand. Therefore, I expected it to be hard to pick up and challenging to master. Fortunately, though, I was wrong. The developers have incorporated a thorough tutorial and hint system to guide you through the opening moments. This is supported further thanks to the use of submenus and a well-mapped controller set-up. Moreover, its responsive controls make it a joy to play.

I’ve been hooked on this from the moment I installed it! Its simple approach and resource gathering demand that you keep playing. You’ll push yourself to keep exploring and will die repeatedly. However, this matters not! Your body will remain unless you are slain again. Simply use the excellent minimap to find your corpse, loot it, and continue your adventure. I loved its balance of survival mechanics and brutality, and this makes it moreish from the start.

Dysmantle is a gem of an indie title. 

Indie games saturate the market, yet, occasionally, I find a gem. 10Tons have taken the best elements from each genre to create a top-quality, must-play experience. Other than the grinding mechanics, everything else is perfect. I loved it and I recommend you to buy it here! Surviving is no mean feat, but will you back down to the undead? Scour for resources, improve your equipment, and escape the island no matter the cost. 

Review: Demoniaca: Everlasting Night

Daniel Waite
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Review: Demoniaca: Everlasting Night

People play games for many reasons! Some like to relax or socialise, whereas others love to push themselves to their limits. These hardcore gamers adore the challenge and rewards that come with these tough titles. Therefore, unsurprisingly, Metroidvania games are high up on their must-play list. Demoniaca: Everlasting Night ticks a lot of boxes and will attract many fans to its sexy and dark charms.

Developed by AKI and Eastasiasoft Limited and published by the latter, this is an RPG platformer with a Metroidvania twist. Presented with an old-school aesthetic while utilising some well-trodden mechanics, this side-scrolling game will appeal to many. 

Demoniaca: Everlasting Night is unforgiving.

Demoniaca: Everlasting Night sets the tone very early on by warning you of its rogue-lite ambitions. If the Metroidvania genre wasn’t hard enough, this twist manages to up the anti beautifully. Yet, somehow, this brutal element complements the gameplay. You won’t mind the increase in challenge as it’s reined in by other mechanics.

The classic side-scrolling action is filled with retro charm. Older gamers will love the nostalgia-fuelled moments, while younger players will enjoy the old-school vibes. The tower of Babel is a dark and mysterious place full of dangers. The hero must explore every room to discover its secrets while battling hideous creatures. It’s not a game for the faint of heart and loss and failure are all but guaranteed.

Use every skill you have learned.

Solo or co-op action. 

When you are getting your ass handed to you repeatedly, it’s nice to turn to a friend for help. Luckily, Demoniaca: Everlasting Night incorporates a couch cooperative mode. Right at the start, you are introduced to a demonic being who can be summoned! This ungodly beast is your companion that adds firepower to your attack. It was an excellent addition to the gameplay while helping to balance the unwavering difficulty.

If you are familiar with Metroidvania games, much of what unfolds won’t surprise you. You must explore a maze of interconnected rooms while unlocking new abilities and discovering secrets. You have the freedom to explore while tackling an array of monsters. These heinous creatures have strengths and weaknesses and you just exploit them with your demonic sidekick if you wish to succeed.

RPG elements and many abilities. 

The dungeon crawling elements are supported by some excellent RPG elements. The developers have incorporated character levelling, a basic stat system, and a large list of attribute adjusting equipment. You collect necklaces and trinkets, clothing, charms and so forth. These objects increase your strength, speed, and more. It was another fantastic tool that reduced the harsh gameplay. Moreover, you’ll increase your stats while looking fashionable at the same time. 

Alongside the ridiculous amounts of equipment, you’ll discover a stupidly large list of abilities to learn and master. These combo attacks must be utilised to open new paths while tackling your foes. This was one layer that I was equally impressed and frustrated with. Sadly, the sheer volume of attacks was overwhelming and was tough to learn. This was frustrating, as it undermines the action while ruining the fluidity. Its positives, however, were that you can approach situations in multiple ways, and this keeps things fresh.

The world is full of dark imagery.

Demoniaca: Everlasting Night is gothic and sexy.

When a game attempts to over sexualise matters, I normally scowl. I’m no prude, but the normal Anime/Manga OTT style is too much. Luckily, however, Demoniaca: Everlasting Night has a wonderfully dark and gothic theme that is interlaced with a sexy protagonist. Furthermore, this is complemented by the cutscenes. They tease you with pixelated images of the hot hero and her foes. Moreover, the oppressive colour palette and horrendous creatures add to the sinister action.

Metroidvania is all about interesting level design. Fortunately, this doesn’t let you down. It was fascinating to delve into the labyrinth while discovering secret rooms and hidden treasures.

Old-school titles are renowned for their memorable audio and Demoniaca: Everlasting Night has a fabulous soundtrack. Its grungy, rock sounds enhance the evil aesthetics while demanding you keep going. I loved the hard-hitting tunes and the shrill sound effects. This is retro gaming personified and was a fascinating trip down memory lane.

It is time to go shopping.

It’s hard to master.

Experts and veterans of the genre will probably disagree, but this is too hard to master. Fundamentally, it’s sound, but to progress and get the most out of it is unfairly challenging. There are simply too many abilities and special moves, so learning them all is nearly impossible. Yet, if you get to grips with it, you’ll experience a responsive and well-mapped set-up that’s fun to play.

This is a fantastic and well-considered example of multiple genres working together. Therefore, it’s full of replay value and is addictive. However, it’s really challenging and unforgiving to newcomers and this may put some players off. On top of this, its achievement list is brutal. This adds to its harsh nature while increasing the longevity, further still. Consequently, you get a game that is great value for money if you can overcome the tough learning curve.

Demoniaca: Everlasting Night is tough but worth it.

All the best things in life are worth fighting for! Demoniaca: Everlasting Night is tough, but it’s oh so rewarding. It’ll test your patience and resolve while kicking your ass repeatedly. It pulls no punches and takes no prisoners, but this makes it so moreish. Aesthetically, it’s brilliantly retro while offering interesting stage design and couch co-op action. Its only negative is its complex ability list that is overwhelming. Even though I struggled, I loved it and recommend you to buy it here! Can you survive the tower of Babel? Probably not, but who cares? Search the labyrinth, discover the secrets, and tackle every foe you face.

Review: McDROID

Natosha M
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Review: McDROID

McDroid is one of the most unique games I’ve tried this year so far! It feels like a game with such a variety of game styles; genres in just one game. I can’t find it hard to not like the game, as it’s a type of game I do enjoy playing. Its main focus is on building a team, defending our location in each level, like a tower defense style game. Yet, there is a twist in this game, it’s like at first we are trying to build a defense team to defeat enemies then we are also trying to put together this small farm.

On the other hand, each thing in this game has a purpose. The farming portion aids in one’s research for upgrades and the robot’s armor. While the defense team is being used to destroy the enemy bugs, which in return sets free these spheres of souls. Then they appear to turn into these butterflies and fly away once collected. Allowing us to obtain plenty of souls which turn into currency for purchasing new fashionable and personalizing styles for our robot. These could be items for the head, the body, or the bottom portion of the robot. The more money made by the more souls saved, the better the options.

First Impressions!

When I first played the game I felt that this robotic creature named McDroid, which is us as we play through each level. Looked closely to me like a spider, just that it has 4 legs, yet the manner in which it moves while walking. Not saying that this robot is going to be climbing walls during gameplay. It’s just the appearance, which I can’t get past the resemblance of a spider. Even more, the basket on its backside has a special purpose which isn’t just there for a look but provides us with a way to help harvest our food, such as these strawberries, which in return aid to buying equipment such as weapons and armor to build a terrific defense team in the game.

The purpose of harvesting is to obtain money for exchange once placed into the shuttle. In return, you may be able to buy armor and weapons to defend your shuttle and protect yourself from harm and of course losing. As with the many new worms and bugs that are encountered throughout these locations we land at. you are introduced to many scary and unearthly, but alien-like bugs that are more than the simple small worm or snail. They are ginormous and gruesome in appearance. Each with its own strengths, which is why we need to keep updating our abilities and style to have a better chance to defeat them as we move forward in the game.

Is The Game A Bit Too Confusing?

I honestly had never come upon a game like this. The game’s design is nice and yet the gameplay can be a little awkward at times. The levels are designed in some way that you are to work in these many different locations, protecting the ship; the shuttle by enemies causing damage. Basically, as the robot, we are in need of keeping the shuttle alive and safe by repairing any damage when it needs it. Otherwise, the other part of this game is to build a defense and get ready to battle!

It all begins with those seeds, small green seeds that you’ll find lying around, plant them and start to grow these berries for the shuttle. Each time you harvest the berries and bring them to the shuttle, you make money to buy armor and more defense weapons to use. It’s really an unusual mix in-game with the two, but as mentioned above, a bit interesting and even challenging to keep up with everything.

I think what confuses and makes the game a bit complicated is that it’s not just farming to earn new weapons and research for future defense weapons. It’s the souls that you release, in the form of these spheres that turn into butterflies once collected. Each enemy releases one as a reward for destroying them. This in return is used for accessories that also help provide a beneficial upgrade to the robot during gameplay, and a whole new style. I just think it’s so much you have to do at one time, it’s not too easy to keep on time with everything, if you forget one thing it may rot like the strawberries or if you don’t obtain enough it is a loss to what you can help earn for your robot.

I wish it was just a little less complex and a bit simple. don’t mind taking on the challenge, but you do have to remember everything that is needed to be done while being attacked with so many bugs, of all sizes at a time. Again, I can see having to protect the shuttle with a defense you would purchase with earned money and set up in the game. However, is it necessary to collect so many unique pieces to earn money for all different things, including these spheres that hold souls? I feel it could have been done a bit simpler than it is, and still be a great game.

Even though, this isn’t a big issue, since research is I guess the same thing as upgrading and learning something new after each level. Allowing for you to obtain a new weapon. The other issue is in combination with that is also earning these souls to obtain something totally different. Like an upgraded style that not only personalizes but adds additional power to our character, the robot. When everything is going on, enemies are attacking and our shuttle is crying for help. Well, it can be a bit difficult to farm, grab soul spheres, and fight off these bugs all at the same time.

Now even if there are these quite interesting weapons, I think my one fault I find is that it’s not touch screen or able to maneuver the aiming portion correctly. It just feels as if it’s not so easily able to direct one’s weapon to aim at the location you want it to. Instead, it is a bit of a pain to get it to be exactly aiming correctly, just wish the controls were a little different and the touch screen was an option too.

The last thing that is strange, you can make it out of the game even if the ship is on fire. It’s a bit odd, to see smoke coming from the shuttle or a bit of flame and it still being functional. At least, I guess you win no matter if it’s not in its greatest shape. The same goes for the graphics, it is odd the outer part of the world. You can fall down and land back in the world, even if there is just a big hold and nothing else to land on. I don’t know, I feel it’s incomplete or missing something, like instant death, remove some from our lifespan or even just remove that free space where you can fall down into it.

Although, it might seem quite difficult. I noticed that it’s not too bad after a while of playing the game. I think it can just get a bit difficult to see what’s going on with so much happening at a time. Especially, if the enemies are coming faster and there is tons of smoke, laser beams, and other weapons shooting at the same time. However, with a better plan of strategy, it would probably be less difficult to play and easier to maintain a great defense and organized regime.

Final Thoughts

I honestly think it’s a game I’m still trying to master. It’s a bit challenging and totally original from anything I’ve ever played before. Even if it is strange it’s hard to put it down, maybe that is what really hooks me in about the game. With so much going on in this single game, it really is a complex and challenging game to play. The more I play the game, the better and more I begin to understand.

Hence, I don’t think it’s going to be a game I’m going to give up on just yet! I may feel a bit confused, but when I play it a few times, even if it’s going back to the first few tutorial levels, I begin to understand the game and even upgrade my character to be stronger for the levels that require you to be a bit powerful. In addition to this, I’m going to say that even if I’m not used to the complexity of the game and don’t have the patience at times to learn so much at a time. Nevertheless, I will keep on proceeding and see if I can unravel the parts that I’m failing and being stumped at.

Review: Probe: A Game Dev Experience!

Christopher McNally
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Review: Probe: A Game Dev Experience!

Every now and again you get an opportunity to play something quite new in terms of experience. Probe: A Game Dev Experience! is a game about being a game developer making a game so hopefully it shows the behind the scenes elements but also keeping it fun to play otherwise it might put some future game developers off pursuing a career in the games industry!

Probe: A Game Dev Experience! attempts to showcase the magic of the videogame production cycle from an initial idea to being sold. You are able to go behind the scenes and get an insight into how they are designed, the programming that is required to get things moving and also the digital art which brings a game to life for the player. Probe: A Game Dev Experience! takes this from an educational perspective, it’s not just to be played for enjoyable, you are meant to learn how things work. There are even modules for prospective students in real life to look at.

You start off as a freelancer at a company called Ecosoft in Probe: A Game Dev Experience! You’ve been employed to help out with a new game called Solar Blossom and also do some additional work for another title Emissary. From a first person perspective you can walk around the pleasant looking studio interacting with a variety of characters. After you’ve spoken to enough people you get your first task which is simply adding light to a videogame. These tasks slowly help develop the games you are involved with, once you finish the lighting aspect you move onto the next stages which include 3D modelling and Sequencing for example. As each tasked is finished, you are thanked for your help and then you move onto the next one, from an educational point of view it’s lacking why you’re doing the tasks you’re doing.

Probe: A Game Dev Experience! is predominantly a PSVR game which control wise works fine from that aspect. You can however play using your controller but it’s a painful experience unfortunately. What should be very easy straightforward tasks using the controller are very frustrating to implement, to the point that I recommend that you should not play it that way otherwise you’ll just want to throw your controller away. It’s not a great advertisement to be a games developer.

Graphically Probe: A Game Dev Experience! contains quite a nice looking office to work within. The tasks when completed show off your technical achievements is a well presented way. There are a fair few staff to talk to and the models come across well. Unfortunately there’s no speech involved so those interactions with your fellow developers can feel a little cold. When you complete tasks you unlock QR codes which give you access to further educational resources which you can use which is a useful inclusion.

Probe: A Game Dev Experience! is an interesting educational concept giving an insight into game development. The biggest issues with Probe: A Game Dev Experience! is that it’s a very light look at games development whilst the non PSVR controls are borderline unplayable. You will learn how lighting and digital art are added to games but there is nothing further to keep you playing long enough to get the kind of experience that makes you want to go back and learn more about game development unfortunately.

Review: Summertime Madness

Daniel Waite
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Review: Summertime Madness
My video review with footage captured using my Xbox Series X, enjoy!

War is bleak, lonely, and deadly. It will break the hardiest of souls and will drive people to despair. Therefore, it’s understandable that the slightest glimmer of hope is a welcome distraction. Summertime Madness feeds off this escapism in its surreal but beautiful theme.

Developed by DP Games and published by Sometimes You, this is a dreamy, puzzle title. In an ever-changing world where perspectives are fluid, you must solve challenging problems. With the answers staring you in the face, you won’t see the wood for the trees! Subsequently, it’s a maddening game that’s equally infuriating as it is rewarding.

Summertime Madness is emotive. 

I adore an emotive story, and what could be more emotional than World War II? The city is Prague, and the year is 1945. A painter resides in a war-torn street and is surrounded by destruction. His only escape is to paint beautiful canvases. However, this is about to change. From the shadow of his room, a stranger appears. He offers the artist the chance to enter his paintings, but there is a twist. He must complete his adventures before the time runs out, otherwise, he’ll become trapped forever. The deal is struck and a dreamy, puzzling adventure begins.

The journey takes you across an array of landscapes that are filled with problems. You begin on a boat, then a lighthouse, moving platforms, a maze of stairs, and more. The puzzles you face become increasingly complex as they test your memory and logic skills. You’ll quickly become disoriented as the surrounding landscape shifts as problems are solved. The evolving world was intriguing and the transition from one canvas to another was seamless.

Time simply ticks away.

An array of puzzles. 

Summertime Madness could have utilised one type of puzzle repeatedly. With the constant flux of environments, it would have easily been achieved. Fortunately, though, the developers mixed up the approach and the gameplay benefits exponentially. You are tasked with exploring maze-like worlds while flipping switches to unlock new paths. Furthermore, you must adjust cogs, rotate moving paths, and venture into alternative dimensions. Every layer of each stage is beautifully intertwined, and every action has a consequence.

The complexity of each problem will test veteran players, yet, at times, it was confusing. The lack of hand-holding increased the difficulty, but in a surreal setting, it was unnecessarily hard. This is compounded further when some solutions require you to listen to audio clues. Now, this wouldn’t normally be an issue, yet, with no guidance, you can easily miss it. Consequently, you may get stuck on a level with no obvious way out, and this was frustrating.

To help alleviate this situation, the developers introduced three levels of difficulty. Now, the game doesn’t get easier. No, it just allows you to use the hint system more freely. If you attempt the hardest setting, you have 3 in-game hours to escape. The medium setting is 6 hours, and the easiest is unlimited. Every time you check your watch for a clue, it jumps the timer by 15 minutes. This adds a horrible layer of pressure, especially as the clues are as surreal as the world you are exploring. Time ticks away and this makes a tricky game tougher still.

Lose yourself in the surreal world.

Summertime Madness: A pastel dream!

I have recently looked at Drizzlepath: Déjà Vu and Summertime Madness look similar. Its pastel landscapes highlight the desire to escape the war-torn world. Yet, the soft and charming environment is juxtaposed with garish monochromatic imagery. These striking moments are cold and heartless and enhance the nightmarish situation. Each level has been wonderfully designed to look and feel unique. However, there are moments where each stage combines to open new paths. It was an interesting concept that ensured a loose narrative between each area.

This shaky bond is reinforced by steady and familiar audio. The soft and calm music plays throughout while enhancing the surreal situation. Thanks to its airy tones, you are transported to each wonderful location. This is supported further because of an understated use of sound effects. You’ll occasionally hear rain and thunder, but mostly you are accompanied by the sound of footsteps. I loved how this added to the feeling of isolation without going over the top. The developers’ approach to the audio was excellent, as it complements the theme perfectly.

Probably not best to approach her!

Typical gamepad inaccuracies.

This genre doesn’t demand much from its controller setup. However, it still needs to be accurate and responsive. Fortunately, Summertime Madness for Xbox is pretty good. Its mapping is easy to understand, and it reacts well to each command. Sadly, though, it isn’t as accurate as I’d like. A small hitbox makes selecting items a little cumbersome, and this can be frustrating. If you are playing on the easiest setting, it matters not. Yet, when time is of the essence, you don’t want to keep missing the mark. Moreover, this would be better with a mouse and keyboard, but the controller is serviceable, nonetheless.

Linear puzzle titles aren’t renowned for their replay value. Luckily, though, there are plenty of reasons to return. Whether you wish to beat the hardest setting or find every collectable is up to you. There are 30 butterflies to find as well as musical instruments and graffiti. These items are hidden around each stage and are challenging to locate. This, combined with the tough achievement list, adds to the longevity while making it great value for money.

Summertime Madness: A puzzling dream.

I adore a good puzzle game, and Summertime Madness hit the right notes. With its fantastic blend of surreal imagery and strange puzzles, I was hooked. I admired the calm audio and the tough puzzles that’ll keep you working throughout. If you love the genre, you’ll enjoy this strange twist on the action. It’s for these reasons that I recommend you to buy it here! Jump into your paintings, beat the Devil, and solve every problem you face. 

Review: Encased: A Sci-Fi Post-Apocalyptic RPG

Davide Roriz
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Review: Encased: A Sci-Fi Post-Apocalyptic RPG

After about 2 years of Early Access on Steam, Encased finally released its 1.0 version into the wild back in September of 2021. This period was a long and arduous one, and despite being out for about 4 months now, the game is still receiving updates. Although I prefer to wait for when a game is no longer scheduled to receive any more content, so that I can play everything in one playthrough and then move on to the next thing, it just got to a point where I felt like I finally needed to dive into this one.

While I’m happy that I’ve finally played through the entire game, I must say that the game feels rushed in a lot of aspects. It’s clear that a lot of care and thought was put into creating such an imaginative world, but it seems like some things just didn’t make it into the final game in time, or they were just scrapped during development as the Early Access period stretched on.

Regardless, Encased is another great example of why the recent CRPG Renaissance has been such a thrill to experience. The developers, Dark Crystal Games, have clearly been inspired by the old-school Fallout games, and this reflects itself not only in Encased’s gameplay but also in its setting. 

The game takes place in an alternate timeline during the 1970s, where the discovery of a mysterious Dome led to an abrupt end of the Cold War. With all of Humanity uniting under the goal of exploring the Dome and its riches, CRONUS is created, a megacorporation dedicated to unlocking the secrets and technologies under the Dome. However, the problem presented by this mysterious and massive structure is that once you’re inside of it, there’s no coming out. 

It’s a pretty interesting premise as far as I’m concerned, and it allows players to open multiple doors both in terms of roleplay opportunities, as well as in terms of gameplay. Right at the start of the game, you create your own character, a new employee of CRONUS. As an employee of CRONUS, you belong to one out of five different wings, with each encompassing individuals with a specific set of skills. There are the prisoners and ex-convicts from the Orange Wing, the technicians from the Blue Wing, the guards from the Black Wing, and so on. It’s a system designed to segregate everyone under the Dome, but it works great from a gameplay perspective, as it functions as a pretty straightforward faction system.

In any case, once you’re thrown into the actual Dome, Encased feels extremely familiar if you’ve played any CRPG before. In a way, perhaps that’s to its own detriment. As far as gameplay goes, Encased doesn’t reinvent the wheel, but it doesn’t actually need to. As an RPG, it’s pretty good and roughly at the same level as its peers. As long as you aren’t expecting something groundbreaking in the gameplay department, then I’m sure you’ll be pleased with what the game has to offer.

The combat is pretty bog-standard and should feel extremely intuitive, even if you’re not a hardcore fan of turn-based RPG combat. With that being said, the game offers plenty of ways for you to build up your character, as well as your party by providing a pretty diverse range of companions. Now, for example, even though you can use a lot of weapons, regardless of their class, if you invest skill points to specific areas, such as high-tech or heavy weapons, you’ll unlock active abilities to use during combat and even passive buffs that not only affect your character but also your companions. 

As with a lot of RPGs, everything in Encased happens in real-time and when you enter combat the game switches to a turn-based mode. The combat is pretty much what you’d expect from an RPG such as this, but the surprise for me was the fact that the game has no cover system. Instead, the game allows you to use unspent action points to increase your defence for the next turn. 

Now, if combat isn’t really your thing and you just want to explore the world and enjoy the story, then you don’t need to worry. Encased offers 4 different difficulty modes suited for all sorts of players. Whether you just want to experience the story, have a little challenge, or be fully immersed in Encased’s turn-based tactical combat, the game has got you covered. With that being said, I wish there were more customization options that would allow players to fine-tune specific aspects of the game, such as if certain stats affect you or not. In this regard, I think that the developers of the Pathfinder games, Owlcat Games, have been doing a tremendous job in providing players with a vast array of difficulty customization options, and I hope other developers eventually follow suit.

Although the combat has left me wanting something more unique, the rest of the game left me pretty satisfied. Even though some locations in the game might feel very similar to each other, they’re populated by a unique set of characters. At the end of the day, the strongest point of Encased is precisely that, it’s characters that are driven by a set of morals and beliefs, the mystery surrounding the Dome, and the ongoing power struggles between the various different groups with each seeking to shape the world under the Dome under their own ideologies. 

Just imagine a series of factions with different points of view on how things should be run, sometimes with extreme opposite opinions, all locked in a confined space, and under constant threat by a series of anomalies that decimate everything in their path and you’ve got a recipe for disaster. Everyone should be working together, but that’s precisely what’s not going to happen. It falls on the player’s shoulders the choice of how they want to shape this world, who they want to align with, who they want to eliminate, but most importantly, who they want to become.

Despite everything, I’ve run into a few issues during my playthrough that clearly indicate that the game still isn’t as good as it could be. For example, the most obvious one is that inventory management isn’t smooth and requires a lot of work on the player’s behalf. There’s also no way to compare the stats of different items, especially if you’re figuring out what you should sell or not. I found myself constantly going back and forth between my inventory and opening up trade windows just to make sure I was selling the right items. Furthermore, traders have limited money, so selling your unwanted items can become quite a chore, since you have to go all over the place looking for traders with money to buy from you. I understand that the developers might have wanted to simulate an actual economy under the Dome, but it just gets in the way of my experience.

Another issue that you always run into as soon as you get your first companion is the fact that companions don’t keep up with you. Instead, they follow you from a distance, which is rather annoying when you initiate combat and the rest of your party is slightly behind you. There can also be some rare occasions where your companions will stop moving until you select them, and they can also get stuck in the terrain sometimes. One thing that does confuse me about your companions is the fact that they can’t equip power armour, even though they have a slot for it in their inventory. At the moment, power armour can only be equipped by your main character, which I find to be quite a shame.

In spite of all that, these aren’t really the main issues that I have with the game. The ones that I was really bothered by are things such as being unable to finish quests, despite meeting the requirements, and having characters stuck with radiation sickness and all the methods that can be used to treat it refusing to work on specific characters.

Nevertheless, something that disappointed me about the game was how the main quests change as you move through each act. While the game starts quite strong and keeps like that for a good while, it comes to a point where the main quests turn into glorified fetch quests. Sure, the story follows along nicely, but I would like to have seen something more captivating. The first half of the game feels like you’re constantly seeking answers to an unsolvable mystery, while the other half feels like you’re just tagging along for the ride and gathering materials to craft something. The characters and the dialogue are just as good throughout the entire game, but I did feel less interested in the main questline towards the end of the game.

It took me roughly 60 hours to reach the end of the game while completing the overwhelming majority of its side-quests. I was lucky enough to get an ending that I was happy with, even though it presented a rather unexpected twist. With that being said, if you want to experience other endings, you can just reload your last save and go through the last part of the game until you’ve seen most of them. On the other hand, the reason why I can see this game being replayed by many people is due to how you can approach its story from various different points. There are multiple factions that you can align with, betray, not to mention the entire roleplay potential of it all. Despite its shortcomings, I do think that Encased has done quite well on this point.

It’s really a shame that the game suffers from multiple issues, even though I wouldn’t consider any of them to be game-breaking. Despite being in Early Access for about 2 years, Encased feels rushed and unfinished in some places. At the end of the day, Encased is a good game, but it really feels like it has a lot of untapped potential. The universe and the story are unquestionably the stars of the show, but the rest of the game just doesn’t stand out as much.

I definitely think that Encased is worth the asking price, but if 30€ is too much for you right now or you’re unsure, just keep an eye on it for a little longer. Although the game has been fully released for a few months now, it’s supposed to receive a content update pretty soon. Therefore, it’s clear to me that the developers are not only focused on improving the game, but also on expanding it by adding even more things to do. In any case, while Encased might not be the next big RPG, and even if it was frustrating at certain times, it did leave quite the impression on me. If you’re a fan of CRPGs, especially the old Fallout games, then I definitely recommend that you check this one out.

Review: Klang 2

Natosha M
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Review: Klang 2

I’ve never been too fond of games that require following a rhythm or beat and do it in a certain mannerism that allows you to correctly earn those points or defeat any enemy in front of you. It was due to some bad experiences with a few games. I rather just turn them off and stop playing when noticing it’s that type of game. However, I didn’t do anything like that for this game, the total opposite! The unique design and story appealed to me, so did the music and after playing a few times playing in a single day, I honestly can say I was quite hooked and impressed. I may have to rethink games about music and rhythm!

First off, I’ve never played Klang before, so having a chance to try the 2nd edition and getting to experience every bit of the game, well it is true enjoyment! The music, the flashing lights, and the colors going all over are just mesmerizing! The game is a perfect balance of gameplay coordinated quite well with the music even in with mistakes by not accurately getting the perfect aim at any time, it still plays excellently, and playing on the Xbox One console makes it just superb!

Let There Be Sound!

There is no doubt in my mind that this game is quite remarkable and unique. I’m totally engaged in accuracy and being a perfectionist when it comes to the goal of winning each level! Additionally, I want to make clear that this review is going to be based on the game as you start it up, first thing. There were no changes in the controls and to make it anyway easier, just as it would play if you started right when it came on without configuring the control keys. I only want to make this clear because, there is no difficulty level adjustment, but you can change the way it auto-locks onto each mark, taking one less step away from the game and making it a bit easier. Also adjusting the control to work with your choice of the trigger button.

For me the X button was ok, but I’m used to pressing the A. It was so much easier to push than X all the time. Therefore, these setting changes can aid in the way the game plays and makes it easier for those who need a little less worry on speed and more just on accurate timing. So my review is based on the game as you first turn it on and play it, not with the adjustments.

So first off, I must admit that in the first few rounds of the game, my score was graded with a letter C. Unfortunately, I just couldn’t grasp the concept of the gameplay, to get it anything more than a C. I was just blasting my tuning fork’s power at each shape as quickly as I can, hoping it was correct. However, there is so much more to it than speed, which dawned on me after a couple of redos in each level.

I did notice that my controller, which could just be me, but for some reason, the triangle-shaped marks made it hard to get it completely accurate. Yet, I’m not sure if this is an error or something else, but I finally realized there is no need to do it perfectly, just good enough. It would accept as long as the shape is in the lines somewhat, which is a blessing as it’s hard to always get it just right. So it took a few tries to realize what mistakes I’ve been making. Especially when it came to the other shapes, aiming when it’s in the right location at the right time. Nothing can be too far off, or you’ll see words appear this is anything other than PERFECTION!

Is this game fast-paced, yes and no. It can require a quick response, but also patience is needed. So I wouldn’t suggest this game for someone who wants to sit back and feel they’ll be playing something relaxing. Especially, if you are not able to be patient and always got that trigger finger pressing the button to blast balls of color all over the place. I almost can say it’s like how you would play Guitar Hero or any game that requires accuracy at certain timing.

As the main goal is to continuously aim accurately at the correct locations when required. The wonderful music in the background may even push you to feel as if you need to shoot sooner, but don’t be fooled. Sounds can trigger that speed-up effect and not really help if you want to get the score to pass. I’ve felt that way when I use to play any Mario game. The one-minute timer, changing to this fast pace sound, it pushes you to want to go faster. This is where the game brings a bit more challenge to the player, seeing if they can hold they’re cool and continue to be perfect and correct at all times.

Once again, I must say that it’s not such a super easy game to get right away, but it is fully challenging. You first need to learn to play the game through the tutorial. Especially, if you happen to be like me and not have ever played the first game, I’m sure it would have been played the exact same way. However, being my first time trying this game, it really interests me because it’s got some very nicely motivating music and sequence challenges that add to the difficulty. I won’t just be playing the game through, get a high score the first time around, and be done with it in an hour or two. So look forward to a more challenging game than just a simple and easy one!

On the other hand, it may mention using a pair of headphones; earbuds while playing. I must say that even without a pair of headphones, the game still sounds quite remarkable. Of course, the sound in a set of headphones may make for a stronger and powerful background sound while playing. I don’t think it really is too bad without! In addition to the music, each beat just plays well with the music that you get to hear during each level and the dark atmosphere with the bright colors; flashy fireballs, which you’re aiming and shooting with your tuning fork is just a perfect combination. The entire design from sounds to background scenery and graphics is just brilliant!

I never was a fan of these games, as mentioned above. However, after playing this game, I find my entire mind and eyes immersed in the game! I just want to keep playing till I am able to reach the passing grade or a higher score than I got before. Yet, it is a bit challenging to get each sequence right, while everything speeds up during the level. Additionally the taunting the game throws out, if you aren’t doing as much as you should, it can be a bit hard not to step back and stop playing till you can show off your skills and beat the level, proving that you do have what it takes!

The Final Beat

Kang 2 is really one entertaining game! I can’t say there is anything wrong with a little bit of a challenge from being used to a slow-paced or one that requires a quick change in aim to hit each note just right. I really feel so much more engaged and excited to continue to play and get a better grade; score!

Even if it’s difficult, I’m so blessed to have a chance to try such a splendid game that is pushing my eyes to be on alert for the next location that the target will appear and have my finger ready to aim. The only way to be the best in this game will include speed, but most of all accuracy. After you get those few things down, which is speed, timing, and aiming accurately you will be super successful! It really will have you pushing till you aim for perfection or close to it!

Review: Warriors: Rise to Glory (Early Access)

Charles Ombler
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Review: Warriors: Rise to Glory (Early Access)

‘Funny’ games are an interesting beast to tame. Humour is entirely subjective so you’re either in the situation of finding the game funny, in which case *tick* the game has gone its job, or not finding the game funny, in which case you can often see where humour has been attempted and can acknowledge that it just isn’t for you. However, that all changes when the game explicitly calls itself ‘funny’. When a game does that, all allegiances to whether the jokes are funny or not disappear to be replaced with a very difficult united audience of cross-armed individuals saying “Go on then. Prove it. Make me laugh. I’m waiting.” All of this rambling introduction serves to set the scene for this review of a self-professed ‘funny’ game: Warriors: Rise to Glory.

Warriors: Rise to Glory is an early access online multiplayer Roman gladiatorial combat simulator where you play as a gladiator of your own creation. You can stick with some historical accuracy in your character creation by playing as a tired-looking human man or you can do what I did and mash the randomise button until you end up with a Doctor Manhattan-looking chap with blue skin, red hair and a triangular forehead tattoo. You start from the bottom and, as you win more and more fights, earn the money and experience you need to work your way up, purchasing weapons and armour to start looking a bit more like Russell Crowe and unlocking new skills to rub your opponents’ faces in the dust.

The things you can unlock are pretty great and make a real impact on your ability in the ring. Armour significantly increases your health bar, weapons make a much more major dent in the enemy’s health and the skills you can unlock are game-changing. When you level up, you get 5 points to put into your RPG-style core abilities, things like your chance to hit, health and evasion. You also get to unlock a new ability from a dazzling array of options which will switch up your play style – things like your weapons now bestow bleeding to deal damage over time or taunting forces the enemy to move towards you.

The character creation and levelling up systems in Warriors: Rise to Glory are honestly excellent and I don’t have anything negative to say about them. Unfortunately, it’s when you take your lovingly crafted character into the arena that it starts to let itself down. The game is in early access so there’s still time for this to be rectified but, as it stands at the moment, the combat (the whole point of the game) is a little lacklustre. The turn-based combat is on a 2D plane that’s made up of a row of tiles. On your turn, you can take one action. This could be moving forward or backwards some tiles, resting to recharge your stamina, dancing to win the crowd and enrage your enemy or attacking. When you attack you can either do a ranged attack or a close attack of light, medium or heavy strength, each of which has a damage stat and a chance to hit. I think the issue with the combat lies in only having one action per turn. This disincentivises doing anything clever because choosing to move is also choosing not to do any damage and opening yourself up to your enemy doing damage to you on their turn. This means you spend most of the fight standing next to each other taking it in turns to hit the attack button and waiting for one of your health bars to drop to zero.

To circle back to the abstract for this review, the opening statement on humour in video games – Warriors: Rise to Glory isn’t very funny. It’s trying. It really is trying but that’s almost what lets the humour down, like it’s trying too hard. All of the jokes are toilet humour. When you get the crowd excited enough, they might throw a toilet at your enemy. When you spare your enemy, you fart on them to humiliate them. It’s all just a bit juvenile and basic so whenever it happens it elicits a sigh rather than a laugh.

Warriors: Rise to Glory has a lot going for it. It has a character creation and progression system that I love and applying that to some tight gladiatorial combat would make one hell of a game. However, in its current state of early access, that combat just isn’t there and the humour that has been inserted to fill the gap is honestly dire. I’m going to keep an eye on Warriors: Rise to Glory because, if the developers make the right choices over the next few months, there could be a hell of a game there. However, I’d struggle to make an argument that it is worth buying into at the moment.

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