Review: Kinduo

Daniel Waite
-
0
Review: Kinduo
My video review with footage captured on my Xbox Series X, enjoy!

I love it when a game reinforces the benefits of teamwork. I’m not talking about sports or any other obvious genre. No, I’m talking about a cooperative puzzle game where each character relies on the other. Kinduo is the latest in a long line of titles that has tackled this idea. So, will it stand out, or will it be one to avoid?

Developed by Nibb Games and published by Ratalaika Games, it’s a colourful retro puzzle title. It offers an array of stages that must be completed solo or with another in couch co-op mode. Sadly, it doesn’t break the mould, and many of the core concepts are well-trodden or dated.

Kinduo has an insipid plot.

You control two elemental beings who must solve problems and unlock the exit. Each stage is presented on a fixed screen and subsequently, no problem is too challenging. I tackled most of the levels solo, and this made it a little cumbersome. As a duo, it is more enjoyable as you work in harmony to progress.

The elemental friends each have strengths and weaknesses and you must utilise their powers to complete each puzzle. One is super strong and they push boxes and electrical items to help reach new heights. The other is an athletic being who is incredibly nimble and can emit electrical pulses. As individuals, they’d never make it to the exit, yet together nothing can stand in their way.

Brrrrrrrrrrrr.

It is not tough enough. 

Now, I’m a massive fan of drip-fed mechanics! I love how it adds to longevity while giving you something to work towards. Fortunately, Kinduo has this perfected. New skills, equipment, and more complex stages await you as you create a methodical plan. However, there is only one problem… it’s not tough enough!

I’m no puzzle game aficionado, but I rarely struggled to find a solution. Nibb Games has made the stages so simple that it’s a walk in the park. If you happen to get stuck, a small amount of trial and error will show you the way. Unfortunately, the lack of complexity is its downfall! There aren’t enough dead ends, and the problems lack layers. Simply put, this is an entry-level puzzle game at best.

Don’t let the darkness put you off.

Kinduo is fun to look at. 

Kinduo looks to have been inspired by the NES and Master System era. The dated style produces a simple but fun finish that’s a little rough around the edges. Its garish tones and basic modelling may not be for everyone, but I enjoyed their unique style. The developers have incorporated a variety of landscapes as the game unfolds. Consequently, the gameplay benefits as it reduces monotony while adding some new challenges.

Sadly, Kinduo doesn’t avoid being repetitive as its audio is stuck on a loop. The same songs play repeatedly and this becomes increasingly annoying. Luckily, the music is broken up with some 8-Bit sound that nicely adds to the retro feel.

Neither the audio nor the graphics will set the world alight, but they have a certain charm. Fans of old-school gaming will love the fixed-screen perspective, smaller levels, and basic audio. Younger gamers, on the other hand, can enjoy a simpler experience.

Get those elevators working.

Remarkably easy to play. 

Switching between multiple characters can be troublesome. Yet, Kinduo was remarkably easy to play. Thanks to its simple button layout and tiny list of skills, you’ll master it in no time. Furthermore, the controls are responsive and this prevents you from making silly mistakes.

This minuscule puzzle game offers around thirty stages of straightforward action. As a result, you’ll need approximately 2 hours to finish this off. Unfortunately, it is lacking both longevity and replay value. If an NG+ mode was added, this would have increased the difficulty and the reasons for returning.

Kinduo needed more content. 

I liked many elements within Kinduo, however, it never went far enough. It disappointed me because of the lack of depth but I enjoyed it on a superficial level. I wish the developers had made it harder, but this wasn’t to be. As a starter puzzle game, it’s great and I recommend you to buy it here! Yet, anyone else may find it lacks content or challenging problems to overcome. Can you escape every stage? Work together, use your abilities, and unlock the exit. 

Review: Arietta of Spirits

Krissy
-
0
Review: Arietta of Spirits

Arietta of Spirits is an indie adventure game with charming pixel art and fast-paced gameplay. Released last year on Nintendo Switch and available on Steam, this lovely RPG is easy enough for casual players but engaging for even hardcore gamers.

Gameplay:

The game starts with Arietta and her family taking a trip to her late grandmother’s cabin located on a small island. While on the island, she meets a mysterious friend and learns that not everything is what it seems. After gaining the power to see the spirit world, she uses her courage and abilities to help her family and the other inhabitants on the island.

The game features reactive-based combat reminiscent of the classic Zelda games. Overall, the gameplay is easy to pick up. And while I personally wasn’t a fan of the fighting style since it felt repetitive, I appreciate how it can appeal to a wide range of gamers and ages. Despite the combat feeling very simple, I like how it balances out the array of enemies found throughout the game.

The story in Arietta of Spirits is pretty linear, so it’s easy to follow the story and stay on the right path. However, there is no map in the game, so it’s just as easy to get lost, especially if you try to complete the side quests. Playing the game without a map wasn’t a huge deal-breaker, but it was still annoying when I got lost and couldn’t find where to go next.

While Arietta of Spirits was an enjoyable game, the story felt rushed, and overall the game was too short. I like games with short runtimes, but the story felt like a prologue for a larger game rather than a complete story. So I was a bit disappointed when I realized that there wasn’t more to the game and the world they had crafted.

Pros:

  • Charming retro-style pixel art
  • Wide range of enemies

Cons:

  • Simplistic combat
  • No map
  • Story felt rushed

Conclusion:

Arietta of Spirits is perfect if you’re looking for a short pretty RPG to tackle on a rainy weekend inside. But if you’re looking for something with more substance, I’d say this little Indie misses the mark. I enjoyed this game despite its small flaws, so I would still recommend adding it to your Switch library.

Entertainment: 8/10

Replay value: 4/10

Graphics: 9/10

Sound: 7/10

Kid Friendly: Yes

Platform:Nintendo Switch
Developer:Third Spirit Games
Publisher:RED ART GAMES
Released:August 20, 2021
MSRP:$19.99
ESRB:Everyone 10+

Review: Blade of Darkness

James Refelian
-
0
Review: Blade of Darkness

Introduction

Blade of Darkness by Rebel Act Studios originally released in 2001 to generally favourable reviews. It inspired future generations of fantasy action-adventure games. Drawing inspiration from ‘sword-and-sorcery’ movies and notable fiction like Lord of The Rings the game should have been a hit. However, due to its one mode – very difficult – this wasn’t the case. Ironic now that years later the Dark Souls and Bloodborne games have built a legacy on this same concept. Both rumoured to be inspired by Blade of Darkness. In 2021 the game was re-released on PC and having struggled to get my own physical copy from 2001 working on a modern PC; I’m thankful it did. Blade of Darkness is a fun, challenging, gory, medieval fantasy adventure game that is worth your attention.

Blade of Darkness Plot

My biggest criticism of Blade of Darkness is the plot, or rather lack thereof. There is very little information given to you in terms of the story. You get a brief introduction to each area you visit and that’s really it. What you can work out is that you need to vanquish a dark force. That’s really all there is to it.

It’s a shame because a game like this deserves a rich, fantasy storyline of good triumphing over evil with some stake raising and tragedy along the way. Or at the very least, something to make me care about my hero and the world they occupy. The world itself is overrun with villainy, derelict fortresses and temples giving it the sense of a rich heritage; but sadly, it’s one you never really learn about. The plot we do get, an evil force needs destroying, is derivative at best. In a way, it’s all kind of forgivable though, because you can pick you favourite hero (a knight, barbarian, dwarf, or rogue-like character) and just enjoy fighting your way through fun environments.

Blade of Darkness Gameplay

One of the biggest draws to Blade of Darkness is the gruesome and gory combat. You can quite merrily hack off limbs from your foes. There is something weirdly enjoyable about seeing the head of an orc fly off and roll on the ground. What makes this gruesomeness even more entertaining is when you pick up a limb and promptly use it to beat their orc friend to death. Is this necessary? Absolutely not. Is this entertaining? Ashamedly so. There is a rhythm to combat. A sort of dance you as the player must learn if you are to survive. Monsters in this game hit hard. You need to learn to block and dodge at the right moment if you want to win. Thankfully, if you’re familiar with Dark Souls or Bloodborne you will have a head start in understanding this.

The game will take you all over the fictional world which is nicely diverse. From European medieval fortresses to Indian and Egyptian inspired temples you’ll never think the world feels stale or samey. A bonus is that each of the four characters you can play as all have a different starting point along with different strengths and weaknesses. This rich diversity is also seen in the monsters and beings you come across. Orcs, knights, skeletons and more await you at every turn. All with their own unique combat intricacies. For example, watch out for the poison found on Orc blades, it will wipe your health quickly.

In terms of progression, there isn’t a lot of NPC dialogue in this game, in fact it’s mostly absent. There are also no real side quests to speak of. To that end you would think the game is a linear adventure. However, this isn’t the case. In between each level you will get a small narration and then must pick where to go next. This can be as confused as the story. To access the true end level of the game for example you need to have collected six runes along the way. The issue is the game doesn’t tell you any of that. It doesn’t really tell you much at all beyond a vague introduction to each area. This makes the gameplay feel a little disjointed.

Controls

The controls for the game are basic, but clever at the same time. Drawing inspiration from fighting games there are several combos and moves you can make your hero perform. By utilising this combo mechanic, it provides a variety of attacks that make combat feel fresh. This also makes combat feel organic and flowing which is a nice change of pace from ‘click to activate’ or limited/random basic/heavy attacks. I struggled to get precision while using a keyboard and mouse, indicative of the game’s age. However, Blade of Darkness has full controller support, and this was a gamechanger. I very much recommend going this route for a less-frustrating experience. Once you get used to the control layout it is easy to master. Although occasionally lining up perfectly with an item to pick it up can take far more time than should be necessary.

Graphics

While graphically the game would now be considered dated (look at any game from 2001 and you’re likely to form the same opinion) it has a nostalgia about it. The level of detail, especially in the physics of the limbs you’ve invariably hacked off, is impressive. Combine this with the detail of injury you as the player receive as well as the blood detail, and it makes for an immersive and gory experience. Sure, it won’t live up to the latest and greatest modern AAA titles; but it doesn’t need to. Environments are well rendered and a joy to explore. Sometimes, you yearn for the ‘old-school’ experience and Blade of Darkness delivers. The updated version has taken modern screens into account very well and I’m glad they did this.

Conclusion

Whether Blade of Darkness inspired the likes of Bloodborne and Dark Souls will forever be a mystery but if you like that type of game; you’ll thoroughly enjoy Blade of Darkness. It’s a nostalgic romp through a classic action-adventure sword-and-sorcery type game. Blade of Darkness blends a fighting game combo system, gory and challenging combat that requires mastery, and variety of locations and monsters. Visually it all looks good and interesting. If you overlook the lack plot and plug in your favourite controller then Blade of Darkness gives you an idea of what a ‘Soulsborne’ game from the early 2000’s would have been like. If nothing else… beating an orc with an arm is enough of a reason to check it out.

Review Kansei: The Second Turn HD

Daniel Waite
-
0
Review Kansei: The Second Turn HD

I love a good whodunit story. The constant twists and turns combined with false allegations and red herrings are great to experience. I believe this genre is best portrayed in books, but I’m happy to allow a visual novel to try to take that crown. Kansei: The Second Turn HD is the sequel to Jisei: The First Case HD a game I covered in 2020. I enjoyed the bizarre characters and strange plot, so I couldn’t wait to see what the follow up had in store.

Developed by SakeVisual and published by Ratalaika Games, this is a detective visual novel. It has a supernatural twist and utilises a Manga/Anime style without the usual over-sexualised teenagers. Subsequently, I could enjoy the many layers of the plot without scantly clad maidens or beefcake youths hogging my screen.

I wouldn’t trust this pair.

Kansei: The Second Turn HD is a separate entity.

Though Kansei: The Second Turn HD continues from where its predecessor left off, it is a separate entity. Yes, it retains the protagonist, and his bizarre powers are key to the plot. Yet, any previous knowledge of the series is not needed. This being said, the first instalment is great, so you are best to play them in order.

You control an unnamed teenager who has a special ability to solve crimes. He has an ungodly power that allows him to see how a person died. If he touches the body or is close to the corpse, he can visualise their final moments. Consequently, this gives him an unfair advantage when it comes to solving the crime.

In his latest ordeal, the hero must work with a bunch of unruly teenagers who all have something to hide. These secretive youths muddy the water at every opportunity! With lies and deceit blocking the truth, you must work hard to find the real culprit.

Alright, calm down generic business woman!

An excellent story. 

My love for visual novels has grown over the years. Subsequently, I look forward to one landing on my desk. Luckily, Kansei: The Second Turn HD has an excellent story. Its blend of ridiculous characters and audacious twists keeps you interested throughout. The sassy teenagers add humour, attitude, and grit to this odd detective tale.

Furthermore, the intricacies of the relationships, and the constant back and forth, will keep you guessing. I adored piecing together the little snippets of information, just to discover I was massively wrong. SakeVisual has done a great job of building suspense and suspicion as the lengthy story unfolds.

Kansei: The Second Turn HD has a great setting.

Death and mysterious supernatural powers require a grand setting. Luckily, Kansei: The Second Turn HD doesn’t let us down. Set in a grand house, you must explore fine rooms filled with elegant objects. You are free to examine, question and move as you wish in this first-person point and click story. Thanks to its use of rich colours and classic objects, you’ll lose yourself in the wealthy environment. Moreover, the usual still images and basic animations are nice to look at. The developers relied on a standard approach, and this was a wise choice. Consequently, the simple style allows you to focus on unravelling the murder mystery.

Like many of its peers, the audio is understated. There is a lack of spoken dialogue, and the sound effects are almost non-existent. Instead, you are treated to a blend of songs that add energy and drama. It uses a typical Asian-influenced soundtrack, and this complements much of the action.

So many ways to discover the truth.

The controls aren’t great.

I usually have no complaints when I play a visual novel. However, this one was bizarre! A combination of a cursor and d-pad selection was utilised. It was strange how the set-up flitted between the two, and it didn’t work. It was slow and awkward to use the free-flowing cursor, and this shouldn’t have been implemented. I appreciate that objects needed to be examined, but a cursor wasn’t the way forward. If the developers focused on the use of the d-pad, it would have been smoother and more user-friendly.

Like the first instalment, this one has multiple endings. With accusations flying around like confetti, it was easy to finger the wrong suspect. Subsequently, there is plenty of replay value. Luckily, you don’t have to revisit previously seen text and you can simply skip anything you don’t wish to read. You’ll experience many finales and this adds to the longevity. If you love a great detective story, this one proves to be great value for money.

Kansei: The Second Turn HD ticks all the boxes.

After the first story, I wasn’t sure if a second would be possible. Fortunately, I was wrong! The shock factor surrounding the supernatural ability may be missing, but this is compensated by the great cast. I loved the writing, multiple twists and turns, and the complex plot. It’s an excellent addition to the genre and I recommend you to buy it here! Having superpowers doesn’t mean you’ll always be right. Hard work and dedication will ensure you capture the right suspect. 

Review: Castle on the Coast

Natosha M
-
0
Review: Castle on the Coast

If you have a few hours to spare, a love for acton-adventure games, and would love to be this cartoon-style hero as a giraffe, then you should check out Castle on the Coast! It’s an extremely amazing and unique experience, where you can do just about anything. Oh yes, if you are one who enjoyed the classic game style of the Playstation, this game may remind you of similar graphics.

A Cute Giraffe In A 3D Adventure

Castle on the Coast is a game that is completely delightful from the very start! With the gestures the giraffe, our hero can perform. For two examples, his waving triggers a sound like a baby’s rattle or even the silly smirk of our tongue hanging out all the time. It feels like it’s meant to be something humorous and cute, bringing this adorable appeal to the hero; the giraffe. I also feel that the game is more directed towards a child to play, but reminds me of some classic PlayStation-style games before they updated to more realistic design as technology evolved.

No matter how it appears, this game is still quite joyful. Even with a few interesting features, such as the camera being able to rotate freely as you control it. This is also true about the giraffe and what abilities he can do, how freely it is to rotate him as well. It’s a game that almost feels as if you can be free to imagine how you want to play and where you’d like to look next. However, it might be a bit off when moving quickly and allowing the camera to catch up or there may be areas where the graphics appear to not adjust to the new location you arrive to.

Instead, you may end up seeing what you’ve seen in one spot still visible in a location that you just moved to next. Such as, if the objects aren’t really there, they may still appear on the screen and vanish a few seconds later. So timing might be off a little when playing the game. Just a minor issue, but something that will stick out or catch the player’s attention.

Another thing about our here; the giraffe is when I say he is like an acrobat, I mean by the many ways he moves. So much freedom of how he leaps up high, do these flips in the sky, can turn and rotates with ease. It’s uncanny what you can do in this game! Especially, when you’re able to jump into the front of a car and drive in the sky or fly with a jetpack and the fun doesn’t stop there!

In my opinion, I enjoy being a giraffe in this game. It’s cute how he appears. The purple hearts on the body, form the giraffes pattered spots, which is adorable. I enjoy his cute cartoony design and goofy facial appearance. The way he shakes like a rattle when waving, his acrobatic and unstoppable abilities to go above and beyond the actuality of things, and even more just being an imaginable creature that is a hero of a game.

Now if you want to know more about the design of the world, as well as the characters. Well, they all appear quite comical but cute in a cartoony sense. The design of the levels is colorful and fully 3D in design. Almost, it reminds me of those online programs, where you can build a game as in Scratch or Alice and have another play it. Each little movement or step to the next goal reached triggers something and the story can easily continue. It’s very quite easy to comprehend the way the game works, moving forward, doing small tasks, gaining what is needed will trigger the next location to be available and accessible.

As the game progresses, it’s quite interesting to learn how our acrobatic giraffe can do so many things with the use of the same controller’s button keys. No one key is directly for one command and what is pleasing is that it’s not too confusing on how to use them. Therefore, it’s very easy to maneuver and do what needs to be done with a press of the button. Even if you pick up the controller anytime during the game.

Each level has these crystal-like stars, that if you collect a certain amount will open doors to the next section. The same goes for these other hidden objects such as ones to boost our lifespan. There was no lie when they mention there will be much to collect. The same goes with the ability to do anything as walking up walls, climbing trees, walking type ropes, leaping over water, swimming, jumping all over, and even spinning. All this works together, the way we move aids in the ability to catch items at all distances, and of course, these objects are spread all over the levels, requiring our acrobatic skills to reach them.

One negative feeling I have with the controls is that it can be a bit annoying or lead to a headache. Especially if it’s trying to lift or break a box. The spinning action is great, but each time you try to lift the object, it may make you sick. When you need to spin to just destroy a box or to lift a box, the spin has to occur first. So the more there are to destroy, the dizzier you may get, just watching the giraffe as he is destroying them. I would wish that could be adjusted or changed a bit.

Another feature I think that could be a bit much is the ability to do things freely. The giraffe may move so easily as well as the camera. However, the one thing about his movements is sort of too freeing. It’s like you can leap right out of the location, which you need to be at, or just over the edge by how fast he moves. I feel it needs some stability or a way to adjust the way he moves when leaping or using any of the buttons; keys on the controller. Of course, it’s great to be able to move with ease, but not so much if it’s going to cause a fatal end and a need to restart if you leap over the edge too easily.

If it’s not brilliant enough to enjoy the beautifully bright and colorful scenes you get to admire as a giraffe, the game has additional features. One is the ability to be invincible. Just as it sounds, you can easily go anywhere without harm, quite a nice way to play the game and never worry about danger. While the second one, it’s the ability to play with a friend, anytime during the game.

You can easily get another player in the game during the pause button. Quite easy as pausing and pressing the A button to allow player 2 to join. So now it’s you and a cute squirrel beside you. So not only does this make the game even more enjoyable when a friend can help out! The level of difficulty doesn’t change, just the joy of your friend and you playing as heroes and saving the day; accomplishing the goals that are required, and enjoying all the fun unlockable locations, costumes which add protection are just style, and plenty of items as you play to aid during the gameplay.

Final Words

Lastly, the game is a joy to play! Even as impressive as Castle on the Coast maybe it isn’t a long game. Plus one that will bring back some familiarity of many happy memories of the good-old classic Playstation style games. This is my opinion since I know the graphics and how they use to be. So it may not be in favor for all, but it is an easy game to understand, quite comical and very enjoyable at the very least!

Review: Hidden Deep

Jordan Kirkpatrick
-
0
Review: Hidden Deep

Being trapped underground is no one’s ideal scenario, but add in the fact that you’re several kilometres beneath the ocean floor armed with a grappling hook and a gun whilst you attempt to recover members of a research facility from the creatures lurking in the damp caverns, then it quickly becomes a horror movie.

Hidden Deep is a richly dark and intriguing sci-fi story that feels like it has been ripped straight from 80s and 90s horror media. With inspirations taken from Half-Life, Aliens and The Thing, it’s easy to tell exactly the tribute that Hidden Deep is paying—and it does so incredibly well.

You play as a member of a search-and-rescue team called Murphy who has been tasked with finding a group of researchers who had been investigating anomalies in the caverns under the ocean floor. After 681 days of research, the facility suddenly lost contact, and they are now sending Murphy down to find out exactly what is going on inside the cave systems.

Hidden Deep employs a realistic style to both its art as well as its in-game physics. Set as a 2D side-scroller, each cavern and cave system you enter has its own set of unique features you’ll need to quickly adapt to as you play. With the assistance of only your grappling hook and pistol for the first cavern, learning exactly how the physics behaves is essential if you want to make it far into the caves. Jumping off a ladder from a height you assume wouldn’t harm you in any other game will only prove you wrong as you’re faced with a death screen and poor Murphy’s ragdoll body collapsing in a bloody pile on the rocky ground. As if to add insult to injury, Murphy’s blood remains on the ground as a sick reminder of your failures and a foreboding warning to not suffer the same fate again. There is without a doubt a slight learning curve here, but you do get used to the physics as you begin to utilise Murphy’s abilities in the caves more often.

It becomes difficult to discern what blood is yours and what isn’t…

The cave systems of Hidden Deep are all interactable in some way or another through careful exploration. Aside from your grappling hook, you’ll also quickly find uses for Terra-Scanners which allow you to scan the ground beneath you for caves that would otherwise be inaccessible—and then with the use of explosives, make your way into these hidden rooms. As you progress even further and find members of the lost team of researchers, their individual skills will also come in handy as you can switch out to them and utilise heavy machinery like tunnel-borers, cranes and drones.

Your grappling hook will quickly become your best friend

The enemies you’ll come across simply scream 80s and 90s horror media. From swift-flying alien bugs that can get quickly overwhelming if you don’t kill them quickly to the larvae that they spit at you, you’ll need to form a strategy quickly if you want to save your lives and your ammo for larger beasts lurking in the depths. One of the only downsides is the hitboxes on the enemies themselves—if you tend to be inaccurate with weapons, you may struggle to take down these enemies swiftly and effectively and you may end up wasting a lot of precious ammo.

Murphy’s fate is sealed, there’s no getting out of this one…

In the base story mode, you’ll find three basic difficulties to choose from. Expedition is the easiest and has a focus more on the exploration of the caves and the story rather than the enemies within them—fewer enemies will appear, and your spelunking will be a lot easier if you wish to experience the story mostly uninterrupted. Deep Exploration is the default difficulty chosen at the beginning of the game—a normal number of enemies will appear, and you will still be able to fully immerse yourself in the story. Intense Exploration is exactly what it sounds like on the tin—you’ll be allowed much fewer deaths in this mode and a higher number of enemies will spawn to make your life hell.

With well over 20 hours of gameplay in the story mode alone, you also have the option to play through a challenge mode which has a wide array of its own settings to choose from. These challenges range from finding data disks within a randomly generated cave system to co-op split screen challenges that require you to escape the caves together. The addition of these challenge modes adds so much depth and fun to an already enjoyable experience and are fun to dive into if you feel frustrated from the main story mode.

  • Challenge the caverns alone…
  • …or with the help of a friend

The ambience and music also work wonders to add to the already ominous atmosphere. As you explore, you’ll hear the caves reverb your footsteps, gunshots and even the buzz of the alien creature’s wings. Some of the enemies are even attracted to your equipment and the noises and lights they create, so taking extra steps of caution is absolutely required.

Hidden Deep is an incredibly well created indie horror with all the hallmarks of classic 80s and 90s horror and sci-fi media. The realistic physics and movement as you platform is a crucial addition that is done incredibly well and lends itself well to the use of the grappling hooks and other machinery. The story itself is intriguing and makes you want to continue playing simply to figure out what the origins of the alien life in the cave are and what really happened to your team down in the depths—and if you can really save them before you’re trapped down there too.

Review: Exo One

Daniel Waite
-
0
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
-
0
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
-
0
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
-
0
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
-
0
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
-
0
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
-
0
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
-
0
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.

1...294295296...1,618Page 295 of 1,618