Review: Ace Attorney Investigations Collection

Khloe Turner
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Review: Ace Attorney Investigations Collection

Hold it! Can you believe that the first – and rather underrated – Ace Attorney Investigations: Miles Edgeworth was released fifteen years ago?

Capcom has done it once again. Following up on the Apollo Justice: Ace Attorney Trilogy remaster, the new and improved Ace Attorney Investigations Collection was released on September 5th, 2024. This collection contains the duology of Miles Edgeworth, paired with updated spritework, UI, and mechanical features. An even greater feat is that, originally, Ace Attorney Investigations 2 had never been released outside of Japan . . . until now!

Regardless if you have played Ace Attorney titles in the past, it is difficult to not enjoy these dramatical puzzle adventures. If you are unfamiliar with Ace Attorney lore, it is easy to hop into the Investigations Collection since it is a spinoff. If you are a long-term fan, you may appreciate the return of beloved characters and the deeper dive into Miles Edgeworth’s past.

Ace Attorney Investigations Collection is available on the Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Steam, and PC.

Love, Laugh, Maim, and Murder

The collection features both Ace Attorney Investigations: Miles Edgeworth and Prosecutor’s Gambit, containing a total of ten lengthy episodes to play. All episodes come with a beginning segment, one or more middle segments, and an end segment.

Miles Edgeworth and DIck Gumshoe

Step directly into the shoes of famed prosecutor Miles Edgeworth, the first Ace Attorney protagonist you can control the overworld movements of. Edgeworth, the former disciple of Manfred von Karma, receives some much-needed attention and character development in these titles. Initially portrayed as a brooding, snobby antagonist in the original Ace Attorney, Edgeworth showcases his more confidently awkward, justice-seeking, humorous side in Investigations. Players get to witness the reasoning behind his post-traumatic fear of elevators and earthquakes as well as his relationships with Franziska von Karma and homicide detective Dick Gumshoe.

The first investigation begins in Edgeworth’s office, which had been raided while he was abroad. Not only were files stolen, but the murder of detective Buddy Faith occurred in that very room. Throughout the next few episodes, Edgeworth will be investigating this mysterious thief – named Yatagarasu – as well as a Borginian smuggling crime ring. Prosecutor’s Gambit takes its plot up a few notches, increasing the stakes tremendously. It opens with an attempted assassination of a foreign president and begins to unfold into issues more personal for Miles Edgeworth. Be prepared to travel to all sorts of locations, from a bougie airplane, to a prison, to a district court.

Saddled with unnecessary feelings

The first game is much more slowly paced than its sequel, but titillating nonetheless. The narrative is straightforward, circling around Interpol’s investigation of a smuggling ring, with Miles Edgeworth at the forefront. This is indeed a refreshing perspective away from Phoenix Wright, the typical main character. The most notable feature of the Investigations duology is the top-down overworld control of the protagonist, where players can openly walk around and interact with people and objects. This is quite different from the purer visual novel-likeness of mainline Ace Attorney games.

Miles Edgeworth in Ace Attorney Investigations 1

Prosecutor’s Gambit explores deeper topics, including Edgeworth’s identity crisis and life story; and each chapter keeps a steady tread going. Miles gets wrapped up in the “Prosecutor’s Purge” as well as the circumstances around his father Gregory Edgeworth’s final case before death, leaving Miles struggling with the meaning of his current job. Here, players get to see a lot of positive growth coming from Edgeworth and a further understanding of the IS-7 and DL-6 incidents.

Ace Attorney Investigations Collection visual novel

Miles Edgeworth is an absolutely fun character to play as, with his charmingly awkward social skills, accidental humor, sharp wit, bluntness, and righteous attitude. It is pleasing to see his typical cold nature warm up a bit and how he interacts with others. There is also a wonderfully pleasant mix of both new and preexisting Ace Attorney characters, and while Investigations does not necessarily impact the narrative of the mainline games, it certainly fleshes things out a bit.

Eureka!

The collection is an upgrade from the original in every regard, plus the localization of Prosecutor’s Gambit is a big bonus.

Miles Edgeworth walking around

As aforementioned, Investigations is different due to its top-down movement-based exploration. The sequence of events carries out similarly, with the visual novel-esq debates, rebuttals, and cross-examinations. However, a big difference is that Miles Edgeworth receives the option to manually look around areas, examine items and clues, and deduce information from that point.

Debates come in bursts rather than prolonged trial segments, which I personally consider a great way to pace the story (especially for newcomers to the series). Miles Edgeworth has a unique logic ability where players must manually piece together hints and clues to formulate new revelations. For example, in episode one of the first game, you find a handgun on the ground. Gumshoe informs Miles that this is the same model as the guns issued to detectives. Players will use the logic function to match this information up with the victim, which you have deduced is a local detective. Thus, Edgeworth realizes that the murder weapon was indeed owned by the fallen victim. The culprit must have stolen it from Buddy Faith and used it against him.

The truth will reveal itself

Ace Attorney Investigations Collection has the typical mechanics of presenting evidence and pressing on for more information. Players have a meter at the top left corner of the screen. Of course, there is also only one answer to everything. If you continue to fail, this meter will deplete and you will run out of time to solve the case. For example, Miles will be booted off of the airplane and arrested immediately if the meter depletes in episode two.

Miles Edgeworth's logic ability

In Prosecutor’s Gambit, there is another new mechanic introduced: mind chess. During intense debates, Edgeworth and the opponent will be metaphorically placed in front of a chessboard background. Players must make quick choices in the correct order before time runs out. You can press for information or bide your time, hoping that silence will cause the opponent to crack. This is a timed activity so you must be fast, and observe specific character gestures to determine how they will react. This mechanic is . . . okay. Overall, I do not think it is necessary. These chess segments are not any more dramatic than regular debates, but it is still interesting to solve regardless. The downside to mind chess is how punishing a failure is. If players mess up, you have to begin the process all over again.

Something more incredible than lightening

Investigations 1 and 2 looks better than ever. The updated UI is smooth and easy to navigate, and the refined art style is spectacular. Players are free to switch between the new chibi sprites and the old-school DS graphics at will. There is also a large character compendium for players to see new and old versions of the cast. Certain characters will have clips of “objections” if available.

Ace Attorney Investigations Collection HD chibi or DS sprite

The duology’s music is remastered, of course, and remains wonderfully dramatic and suspenseful. Some tracks are kind of hilarious with how over-the-top it is. Collection‘s music library also offers orchestrated versions of the soundtrack, providing hours of music to listen to.

Players can also unlock achievements, and none of them are particularly hard to get. Unlocking achievements can be as low-effort as progressing the storyline or as niche as selecting a certain piece of optional dialogue. The collection has a photo gallery and document library too, showcasing concept art of Investigations 1 and 2 as well as other Ace Attorney games! You have to play through all the episodes to unlock most of the art work.

Blue pawn is no match for the red knight’s might

Ace Attorney Investigations is also a pleasant deviation from the spiritual, supernatural side of things in the Ace Attorney series. If you are the see-it-to-believe-it type, Investigations is refreshingly grounded in reality, devoid of spirit mediums and psychic twitches.

Ace Attorney Great Thief Yatagarasu

To be honest, despite Miles Edgeworth’s supposed knack for logic, some of the puzzles take strange logical leaps. Despite leaning towards the side of legalities rather than courtroom drama, the game can still be rather silly and far-reaching. There were times I absolutely could not figure out how to progress despite the best use of my own logic, but oh well. It is all humor and fun with Ace Attorney.

I highly recommend playing the game on increased dialogue speed. You can select “story mode” which makes it automated, or just play as normal. But, I read a bit fast, and having it on normal speed can be a drag. I also turned off the flashing and rumbling. Despite being nostalgic Ace Attorney aesthetical gimmicks, it kind of got on my nerves!

It’s all coming together . . .

To have all ten Investigations cases on modern hardware translated into English is an absolute blessing for Ace Attorney fans. Newcomers and fans alike will enjoy the drama, deductive reasoning, detective work, and interactions between an amusing cast of characters.

Miles Edgeworth and co.

The stronger storyline falls within Prosecutor’s Gambit, but I find both plots to be enjoyable in their separate ways. Overall, the collection is incredibly accessible, easy to get into, and plays smoothly. There is a near-perfect balance of adventuring, puzzle-solving, and reading. I would highly recommend Ace Attorney Investigations Collection to anyone, whether you have never played Ace Attorney before, or even if you had played the original Investigations back in the day (if you were not a fan at the time, give this title another chance)!

Review: Apex Pro Gen 3 Keyboard

Daniel Waite
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Review: Apex Pro Gen 3 Keyboard

The Apex Pro Gen 3 Keyboard from SteelSeries is a winner! This spectacular gaming peripheral will blow your mind. I’ve recently reviewed a lot of excellent accessories, but SteelSeries has kicked its peers into touch. Unfortunately, my RT100 from Epomaker is likely to be retired. Yet, this doesn’t make that a bad option. Instead, let’s think of that keyboard as a close runner-up.

This phenomenal gaming tool has it all. Customisable RGB, Hall-Effect switches, new Omnipoint 3.0 switches, durable keycaps, adjustable actuation distance, and incredible build quality. Additionally, it is versatile as it can be used with a PC, Mac, Xbox, or PlayStation. This makes it the perfect gaming companion. Whether you wish to type or play fast-paced FPS, this device will be for you.

What’s in the box of the Apex Pro Gen 3 Keyboard?

  • The packaging is up-market, alluring, and hard to resist. Moreover, the contents are well-protected and the box can be recycled.
  • The Apex Pro Gen 3 Keyboard has an understated appearance. However, once plugged in, it catches your eye like the Northern Lights. 
  • A detachable wrist support is provided. 
  • Connect the keyboard with the braided USB-C cable.
  • Pull the keycaps with the pulling tool. 
  • Learn the basics with the user manual. 

Technical aspects. 

If you are like me, you are probably a lazy gamer. I love the best setup, but tinkering and jumping between settings bores me to tears. Luckily, the Apex Pro Gen 3 Keyboard does the heavy lifting for you. If you activate the GG QuickSet this intelligent peripheral identifies the game you are playing. With no effort, the keyboard adjusts your settings to create the perfect arrangement for your gaming experience. Now, I understand that some people will hate this, but lazy people will adore the perfect setup without effort.

If this isn’t enough for you, there is a vibrant OLED smart screen to highlight your important settings. Whether it is your system stats or your actuation distance, this screen shows the information. This is great as you can play with the core elements without leaving your game.

The Omnipoint 3.0 switches push things up another 10 gears! You’ll enjoy 11 times faster response and 20 times faster actuation. If I added emojis to my reviews, this line would be filled with shocked faces. This mind-blowing speed gives the user a match-winning edge. However, that is not all as SteelSeries has some more tricks up its sleeves.

Magical inputs. 

Rapid Tap, Rapid Trigger, 2-in-1 action keys and Protection Mode are additional game-changing elements included with this device. Let me start with the easiest one to explain. The 2-in-1 action keys allow you to map 2 actions onto one input. Accordingly, you can press the key lightly to walk and press it hard to run. It’s pretty self-explanatory and takes a little getting used to. However, once you have things nailed, you’ll love the multifunctional design.

Rapid Tap is the ultimate tool for strafing, peeking or slide cancelling. It allows you to use multiple paired inputs without lifting both keys. Furthermore, it prioritises the last pressed key to rapidly move from instruction to instruction. This feature pairs up beautifully with the Rapid Trigger element. As you can guess, this reduces latency to give you that match-winning edge. Though it isn’t essential in every gaming genre, FPS fans will adore this beastly hack.

Finally, “fat fingers” are a thing of the past! (disclosure, you may still have fat fingers if you purchase this device.) Protection Mode reduces the sensitivity of redundant keys. Consequently, you lower the risk of misplacing your fingers and pressing the wrong buttons. This SteelSeries exclusive feature will bring great reassurance to clumsy gamers.

Build quality.

I could just put exceptional, or phenomenal and leave it at that. SteelSeries does not disappoint its fans. It doesn’t matter whether it is earbuds, microphones, headphones, gaming mice, or keyboards, you are never let down. This incredible keyboard is built with durability and style in mind. The RGB is vibrant, lively, and a joy to look at. It can be customised or you can use any of the preset arrangements. I stuck with the latter because if you remember, I’m lazy.

The switches have an impressive up to 100 million keystroke rating. Additionally, the keycaps are durable and will not fade or shine through use. However, if you wish to change them, they can be removed with ease. The dynamic RGB delivers almost endless customisation and it can be synced using Prism software.

Pre-key lubrication, sound-dampening layers and improved stabilisation complete the package. You no longer endure that uncomfortable wobbly edge. Instead, the inputs are razor-sharp and the audio profile is classic without being obnoxious. In short, it delivers a near-perfect experience every time.

Is the Apex Pro Gen 3 Keyboard worth it?

Market-leading gaming peripherals and SteelSeries go hand-in-hand. Unsurprisingly, the Apex Pro Gen 3 Keyboard doesn’t buck this trend. Everything about it screams top-end. The new features are remarkable and the display screen is useful and well-considered. Moreover, I love the RGB and the adjustable switches. Though I didn’t use the wrist support, it is a handy tool for marathon sessions. Accordingly, this is an amazing device and I recommend buying it here!

(More information on SteelSeries can be found here!)

The Apex Pro Gen 3 Keyboard has been awarded the Movies Games and Tech Gold Award.

(Full disclosure! A sample was provided for an unbiased and free review!)

Other World Computing (OWC) Launches ThunderBlade X12 and Active Optical Cable, and Announces Thunderbolt 5 Hub General Availability

Andrew Edney
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Other World Computing (OWC) Launches ThunderBlade X12 and Active Optical Cable, and Announces Thunderbolt 5 Hub General Availability

Other World Computing(OWC), a trusted leader in delivering high-performance, secure, and sustainable technology solutions that enhance and extend the life of Macs and PCs, today announced its latest innovations: the OWC ThunderBlade X12, a game-changing professional-grade RAID solution – the next step in OWC’s Thunderbolt 5 solutions; and the OWC USB4 40Gb/s Active Optical Cable, for long-distance connectivity without compromising speed or reliability. OWC also announced the general availability (GA) of the OWC Thunderbolt 5 Hub, redefining workflow efficiency with its unparalleled connectivity.

OWC ThunderBlade X12

The OWC ThunderBlade X12 is the answer to Motion Picture Professionals and DITs looking for a production shuttle RAID capable of offering large amounts of storage at blazingly fast sustained speeds in a portable solution. To be more specific, the biggest problem this product solves is the need for a RAID solution compatible with RAID 5 that offers large amounts of storage at blazingly fast sustained speeds to streamline ingestion and backup times on set while also having a small footprint so that can be used as a shuttle drive. Beyond that, it’s also considered a premium editing drive for video editors and VFX artists working with cutting-edge workflows such as multi-cam sequences at 4K and 6K, 8K and 12K RAW video, or stereoscopic 360 VR (Spatial Video). It’s the ultimate shuttle RAID for production use and the premium external editing drive for cutting-edge workflows.

OWC ThunderBlade X12 – Key Features/Functionality:

–      Speeds up to 6,500MB/s – double the performance of its predecessor

–      Capacities from 12TB to 96TB with RAID 0, 1, 5, and 10 configurations

–      Premium build with dimmable LED lights and enhanced thermal stability

–      Ideal for workflows involving 8K RAW, 16K video, or VR production

The OWC ThunderBlade X12 will be available in March.

OWC Active Optical Cable

The OWC Active Optical Cable is the fastest, most powerful, and most reliable solution for cost-effective long-distance connectivity of Thunderbolt 4/3 and USB4/3/2 devices. It provides up to 40Gb/s of stable bandwidth, up to 240W of power delivery, and up to 8K video resolution at up to 15 feet. Featuring universal USB-C connectivity and optical fiber technology, it eliminates the 2-meter distance limit of traditional copper-based Thunderbolt and USB4 cables so devices can be placed further away for noise reduction, provide more convenient access, be hidden for a more aesthetic work environment, or enable more efficient cable management in professional settings.

OWC Active Optical Cable – Key Features/Functionality:

–      Longer distance connectivity enables optimal placement of USB4 and Thunderbolt 4/3 devices for a highly organized, convenient, quieter, and productive workspace

–      Work and play faster with up to 40Gb/s of stable data transfer speed over long-distance

–      Connect to millions of Thunderbolt 4/3 and USB4/3/2 USB-C equipped docks, displays, eGPUs, PCIe expansion, external SSDs, RAID storage, and accessories

–      Lab-certified to safely deliver up to 240 watts (3M) or 60 watts (4.5M) to charge your devices quickly

–      Supports high-resolution displays up to 8K, including DisplayPort over Thunderbolt, Apple Pro Display XDR, Apple Studio Display, LG Ultrafine, and any display plugged into a Thunderbolt dock or hub

–      Braided nylon exterior over advanced internal fiber optical cable for highly durable and consistent signal reliability immune to EMI/RFI interference

The OWC USB4 40Gb/s Active Optical Cable is now available in two lengths:

–      3 meters (9.8 feet) for $98.99

–      4.5 meters (14.76 feet) for $129.99

OWC Thunderbolt 5 Hub

Now generally available (GA), the OWC Thunderbolt 5 Hub is the perfect compact connectivity solution to solve the big problem of not having enough Thunderbolt 5 ports. Now you can turn a single cable connection from your machine into three Thunderbolt 5 ports and one USB-A port. With up to 80Gb/s of bi-directional data speed – up to 2x faster than Thunderbolt 4 and USB4 – and up to 120Gb/s for higher display bandwidth needs, you will redefine your productivity.

OWC Thunderbolt 5 Hub – Key Features/Functionality:

–      Adds more universally compatible Thunderbolt 5 (USB-C) ports to a Mac, PC, or iPad Pro to greatly expand device connectivity possibilities and productivity

–      Work and play faster with up to 80Gb/s of bi-directional data speed and up to 120Gb/s for higher display bandwidth needs

–      No worries or confusion…connect to Thunderbolt 5, Thunderbolt 4, Thunderbolt 3, USB4, or USB-C machine or device with 100% compatibility

–      Delivers the best performance of devices with today’s computers and the best speed possible in the future with any Thunderbolt 5 Mac or PC

–      Create three separate daisy chains of devices – even bus-powered – and remove devices from one chain without affecting the other chains

–      Safely delivers up to 140 watts to charge the most power-hungry notebook computer

–      Connect to the latest and future Thunderbolt, USB-C, and DisplayPort displays for incredible 4K, 5K, 6K, and up to three 8K displays

–      Built-in OWC reliability and dependability for Mac and Windows

–      Fanless aluminum enclosure for quiet and cool operation

The OWC Thunderbolt 5 Hub is now generally available for $189.99

Review: OWC Thunderbolt Pro Dock

Andrew Edney
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Review: OWC Thunderbolt Pro Dock

Here is our review of the OWC Thunderbolt Pro Dock.

Designed for pro creative workflows and features 10G Ethernet, frontside CFexpress and SD card readers, Thunderbolt (USB-C) device support, and peripheral ports.

Features

  • Fast & diverse: transfer files in a blink, daisy chain up to five Thunderbolt devices, use USB-C accessories, and add an HDMI display with two Thunderbolt (USB-C) ports
  • Full throttle bandwidth: share and stream up to 90% faster with a 10Gb/s Ethernet port
  • AVB ready: perfect for use in pro audio and video applications where synchronization of data streams is critical
  • Ingest content: easily handle multiple video and photo card uploads at up to 1630MB/s with CFexpress and SD card readers
  • Full speed connectivity: use your devices and accessories at their max speed with one USB-C and three USB Type A 10Gb/s ports
  • Add more viewspace: connect two 4K displays or up to a single 8K display via Displayport 1.4
  • Powerful: keep your notebook mobile use ready with 85W charging power
  • Silent and secure: fanless cooling mode and locking power connection for on-set use
  • Certified: Thunderbolt certified for Mac and Windows
  • Dante compatible: Easy Plug and Play – no software needed – into networks designed for bit perfect audio with super low latency and sample accurate synchronization
  • Worry-free: 2 Year OWC Limited Warranty

System Requirements

Operating System

  • Mac: macOS 10.14 or later
  • PC: Windows 10 or later
  • iPadOS: Latest version recommended
  • Linux: Latest version recommended

Hardware

  • Works with any Mac, PC, or iPad with a Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C) port

Supported Flash Media

  • SD (up to 4.0 UHS-II) cards
  • CFexpress (Type B) cards

What’s in the box?

The box contains the Thunderbolt Pro Dock, power supply and a certified 0.7M OWC Thunderbolt Cable.

A Closer Look

Final Thoughts

The OWC Thunderbolt Pro Dock is a compact device that can easily sit on any desktop and provide a whole lot more ports that your desktop or laptop has! It looks really sleek and cool and the ports (and there quite a few of them) are easy to access.

The OWC Thunderbolt Pro Dock is perfect for giving you just about every piece of connectivity you are likely to need, including CFexpress if you need it.

Setting up the dock is simple – place it on a desk (or wherever you want to use it), plug in the power supply, connect the dock to your laptop using the supplied cable, and that’s it! Now you can use any of the ports on the dock.

Some devices need an additional driver in order to function correction but OWC have provided the driver online so if you have one of those devices then you just need to download and install the driver. There is also a compatibility list online too just so you can check.

For me personally, I have an Apple MacBook Air and a Mac Mini which means I am limited in what ports my laptop and desktop has available – there is no Ethernet port or SD card slot for example on the laptop, something I personally use a lot, so the OWC Thunderbolt Pro Dock is a lifesaver! Not only can I now use all those things I need without looking for extra connectors and unplugging whatever I already have connected, I can use other devices at the same time and even charge my iPhone and iPad too! You can use the dock with either Mac or Windows.

The dock also comes with a 2 year warranty so if anything goes wrong you are covered.

The OWC Thunderbolt Pro Dock is available now priced around $349.99 and is a fantastic addition to your desktop. If you do a lot of photo or video editing then this is a must have!

You can learn more from the OWC website here.

Review: Neo Harbor Rescue Squad

Dawid Wisniewski
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Review: Neo Harbor Rescue Squad

Neo Harbor Rescue Squad is a vibrant and engaging game that blends the fast-paced action of a paramedic simulator with the narrative depth of a visual novel. Developed by BancyCo and released on November 12, 2024, the game invites players to step into the shoes of Rookie, the newest member of the Neo Harbor Rescue Squad. With its bright, comic book-inspired visuals and a storyline filled with humor and drama, the game offers a unique experience for those interested in medical simulations and character-driven storytelling.

Gameplay and Mechanics

The core gameplay revolves around managing multiple patients through a series of minigames, each representing different medical procedures. Players must quickly assess patients’ conditions using a triage system, prioritizing treatments based on urgency. The minigames vary from defibrillation, which requires precise timing with shoulder buttons, to bandaging wounds that involve careful control stick movements. While the variety of minigames aims to keep the gameplay fresh, some players may find certain tasks repetitive over time.

The game also incorporates strategic elements, requiring players to decide the order of treatments and manage resources effectively. This adds a layer of depth, as making quick and accurate decisions is crucial to prevent patients’ conditions from deteriorating. However, some minigames, like bandaging, can feel arbitrary in their success, leading to occasional frustration.

Story and Characters

Set in the fictional city of Neo Harbor, the narrative follows Rookie’s journey as he integrates into the Rescue Squad, led by the determined Captain Queenie. The team faces challenges not only from the emergencies they respond to but also from a rival Fire Department and a sensationalist reporter, Betty Woo, who seeks to tarnish their reputation. The story is delivered through visual novel segments, featuring static comic book-style art and text dialogues. While the characters are colourful and the plot carries a light-hearted tone, the lack of full voice acting may leave some players desiring a more immersive experience.

Visuals and Audio

The game’s art style is bright and cheerful, employing a comic book aesthetic that complements its humorous and dynamic narrative. The visual presentation is consistent across both story and gameplay segments, maintaining an engaging atmosphere throughout. The soundtrack aligns well with the game’s tone, featuring upbeat and arcade-like music that adapts to the intensity of different scenarios. However, repetitive sound bites and limited voice clips can detract from the overall audio experience.

Conclusion

Neo Harbor Rescue Squad offers a unique and entertaining experience by combining fast-paced medical minigames with a humorous and heartfelt narrative. While it has areas that could benefit from refinement, such as the repetitiveness of certain tasks and the absence of full voice acting, the game’s charm and engaging mechanics make it a worthwhile play for fans of medical simulations and visual novels alike.

Flint: Treasure of Oblivion

Dawid Wisniewski
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Flint: Treasure of Oblivion

Flint: Treasure of Oblivion is a tactical role-playing game that whisks players away to a swashbuckling world of pirates, treasure, and betrayal. With its intriguing premise and narrative, the game aims to deliver an immersive experience for fans of both the genre and pirate lore. While its ambitions are clear, the execution leaves much to be desired in several areas.

Narrative and Presentation

The story follows the legendary pirate Captain James Flint on his quest for a fabled treasure, filled with danger, cunning rivals, and mysteries of the seas. The narrative unfolds through comic book-style panels, a unique and visually appealing choice that fits well with the adventurous theme. This presentation style sets a distinctive tone, blending traditional storytelling with modern artistic flair.

Amazon.com: Flint: Treasure of Oblivion - PlayStation 5 : Everything Else

Gameplay and Combat

At its core, Flint: Treasure of Oblivion combines real-time exploration with turn-based tactical combat. Players manage a crew of diverse characters, each with unique skills and abilities, adding a layer of depth to the gameplay. Combat introduces a mix of card-based abilities and dice rolls, offering variety and unpredictability.

However, these mechanics can feel overly complicated, especially for new players. The lack of comprehensive tutorials often forces players to figure things out through trial and error, which can be frustrating. Controls, particularly on consoles, tend to feel clunky, further hampering the flow of gameplay.

The turn-based combat system offers strategic possibilities, with features like combo effects triggered by positioning characters adjacent to their allies. While this adds a tactical dimension, the unforgiving difficulty curve and sparse guidance can make the experience daunting for many. Players seeking a more accessible or streamlined combat system may find the game’s mechanics overwhelming. But the developers made it very clear plenty of times that reading through the tutorials carefully will result in a better experience. I understand that may deter some players but for me the game is well worth giving the attention to.

FLINT Treasure of Oblivion [PS5] : Amazon.de: PC & Video Games

Visuals and Atmosphere

The game excels in its visual design, with vibrant colours and detailed environments that bring the pirate world to life. From bustling ports to mysterious islands, the settings are rich with atmosphere. However, performance can vary across platforms, with occasional frame rate drops and graphical glitches detracting from the otherwise immersive experience.

The soundtrack is a standout feature, featuring rousing pirate-themed tunes that enhance the game’s adventurous spirit. The sound effects, however, feel underwhelming and minimal, which reduces immersion during key moments. While the music sets the mood effectively, the lack of impactful sound effects is a missed opportunity to elevate the overall experience. The lack of voice acting is also a shame but is very understandable given the budget.

Flint: Treasure of Oblivion, the comic book at the heart of a tactical RPG adventure | Microids

Conclusion

Flint: Treasure of Oblivion is a game of contrasts. Its captivating narrative, unique art style, and atmospheric music show clear potential. However, the clunky mechanics, steep learning curve, and inconsistent performance hold it back from being a standout title in the tactical RPG genre. While dedicated fans of pirate adventures and tactical games may find enjoyment in its offerings, the game may struggle to appeal to a wider audience without further refinement.

Review: Uno Show ‘Em No Mercy

Andrew Edney
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Review: Uno Show ‘Em No Mercy

Few games in history can claim they wield enough power to threaten friendships and family relationships quite like the iconic Uno. Listed as the best-selling card game in history, with over 150 million units sold, the game is a staple in the games cupboard of almost every house.

Since the initial game was released in 1971, it has undergone several changes that have resulted in an estimated 718 different Uno variations. These range from themed games, such as Harry Potter, to games with completely new rules, such as Uno Flip. 

Image by andibanane from Pixabay

Video games have also brought the classic card game to life with Uno With Friends, offering thrills similar to those experienced by gamblers who access slots apps to play for real money. The game’s continuous evolution has struck again with another new version that is sure to wreck a few relationships: Show ‘Em No Mercy.

Uno: Show ‘Em No Mercy

Released on November 23, 2023, Uno: Show ‘Em No Mercy brings a new level of action and ruthlessness to the classic game. Offering new ways to bury the competition, the game is packed with new features and rules that make playing a nail-biting experience that you’ll want to do again and again. 

Since it is based on the classic game, many elements of the original Uno are present, including playing a card that matches the colour, number, or symbol currently at the top of the discard pile. Popular action cards like Skip, Reverse Direction, and Draw 2 also reappear, adding to the fun.

From here, however, things get a bit wild due to the newly added action cards and rules. These can help you bury the competition and cause you to go from riding high to the bottom of the pack quickly.

New Action Cards

Aside from new action cards, there are also significantly more cards in each Uno: Show ‘Em No Mercy deck. The game comes with 168 cards, which gives you an idea of how many cards you may need for each player. 

Skip Everyone

Skip Everyone cards, represented by an almost complete circle with an arrow at one end, allow you to make every other player miss a turn—effectively making it your turn again immediately. Although the traditional Skip cards are still present in the game, these offer a new way to enrage your opponents and can lead to oodles of mischievous fun.

Draw Four Card

Unlike the regular Wild Draw 4 card in Classic Uno, this Draw 4 card doesn’t act as a wild and is colour-coded like the infamous Draw 2 cards we all know and love. This card works as usual, causing the next player to pick up four cards or play a counter-card. However, it no longer allows you to choose your desired colour.

Wild Reverse Draw 4 Card

Aside from regular Draw 4 cards, this iteration of Uno also features Wild Reverse Draw 4 options. These combine the effects of multiple action cards: reverse the direction of play, choose what colour is now in effect, and make your opponent pick up four cards. 

Discard All Card

Another neat new card is the Discard All—represented by four cards with an arrow pointing at a discard pile. These cards, which come in one of the game’s four primary colours, let you take all cards of the corresponding colour, place them behind the Discard All card, and play them as a single card. This enables you to eliminate several cards in a single move and significantly boosts your chances of winning.

Wild Draw 6 Card

Replacing the regular Wild Draw 4 card is the new and intimidating Wild Draw 6. This card can be used at any moment to change the colour of play to one of your choices while making your opponent draw six new cards from the pickup pile. At the same time, the player drawing cards loses their turn.

Wild Draw 10 Card

If seeing a Wild Draw 6 card played against you would anger you, then the new Wild Draw 10 card will make you blow your top. This card causes your opponent to skip a turn, allows you to select the play colour moving forward, and forces the next player to pick up 10 new cards. 

Colour Roulette Card

Almost as savage as the Wild Draw 10 card is the new Colour Roulette Card. When playing this, the next player must select the colour of play. They must then draw from the pick-up pile until they pick up a card in that colour (wilds don’t count). Once they draw a card of the correct colour, their turn is over, and play continues.

The catch to this card is that, depending on what colour you select, you could draw many cards before finding one of the corresponding colours. Therefore, this card should be played with caution so as not to upset somebody who may have one to play against you later on. 

New Rules

Aside from the new action cards, which add unique twists to every round, several new rules also keep things interesting. 

Stacking

Stacking relates to what cards you can play on top of a Draw card. Therefore, if an opponent plays a Draw 4 card on you (causing you to pick up four cards), stacking determines how you can counter this attack. 

Unlike the classic Uno game, stacking can be done on any Draw card played in Uno: Show’ Em No Mercy. However, you can only play an equal or higher value. If you do so, what you play is added to the original card and moves to the next person. 

7’s Swap

Each time you play a 7 card, you must swap your hand of cards with any player you choose. This is non-negotiable. Once you’ve swapped hands, play continues in the direction it was.

0’s Swap

Like with 7’s Swap, 0’s Swap shakes things up by causing all players to pass their hands to the player on their right or left (depending on the direction of play) each time a 0 card is played. Again, this is non-negotiable, and all players must swap their hands. 

Mercy

Because of the likelihood of drawing many cards, Uno: Show ‘Em No Mercy comes with a new rule called Mercy. This rule stipulates that if, at any point, you have 25 or more cards in your hand, you are disqualified from the game.

Due to this rule, this new Uno iteration offers two possible ways to win. The first is the classic way: you discard all your cards and claim victory. The second is outlasting all the competition until everyone else has been eliminated due to the Mercy rule.

Review: Lonely Mountains: Snow Riders

Daniel Waite
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0
Review: Lonely Mountains: Snow Riders

Lonely Mountains: Snow Riders instantly piqued my interest. I love winter sports and I adored its predecessor. As such, I knew this would be a winner. I admit, though, I was pretty awful at the first game. I crashed and crashed and crashed, repeatedly. Therefore, I knew my chances of success in the sequel would be slim. Luckily, it didn’t disappoint as I hit the deck repeatedly.

Megagon Industries developed and published this indie sports sim game. Additionally, it comes with a cooperative and competitive online mode. Now, I didn’t test this as I couldn’t find anyone to play with. But I reckon the online action will be spectacular. The ability to work together or race each other will create endless arguments.

Lonely Mountains: Snow Riders lacks a story but thrills in other ways.

I didn’t expect a story and didn’t care that it never materialised. Instead, Lonely Mountains: Snow Riders thrills you in other ways. The gameplay is split across 2 core single-player modes and 2 distinct difficulty settings. Alongside this, there are objectives to complete if you wish to unlock the hardest black run difficulty.

I’m no sadomasochistic gamer and I rarely push the envelope. Yet, when I ticked each time goal and stayed on my skis, the result was euphoric. Moreover, unlocking new gear and earning points to purchase the in-game cosmetics was fantastic. The drip-fed items keep you pushing and finding ways to get to the end quicker. Yet, speed = risk and risk = failure. Therefore, you must crawl before you walk and walk before you run if you wish to be successful. 

Exploration is king. 

Every element is beautifully executed. The crisp untouched snow falls away for rutted tracks as you explore. Furthermore, you are free to move and glide wherever you like. Some routes cut corners and others lead to death. However, what’s life if it isn’t dangerous?

As you hound down the mountain, you are free to be as stylish or dull as you wish. Flips, grabs, and turns are at your disposal. Additionally, you may change your grabs to mix things up. These moves took time to master as any errors can undermine your run. Consequently, a little caution goes a long way.

Lonely Mountains: Snow Riders looks incredible!

Every visual layer is pleasing to the eye. The grand environments glimmer and sheen as the sun reflects wildly. Moreover, the ice is alluring and dangerous in equal measure. I couldn’t get over how alive the world feels. The ruts and marks from your skis create a guide for your previous errors. Additionally, it ensures the world is ever-evolving. I can imagine that this mechanic is spectacular when playing with others.

I expected the audio to be a gnarly hellish mess. Thrash metal tunes making your ears bleed as you die once more. Instead, there is silence and the crunch of skis on snow. This peaceful design is perfect. Only you and the environment as you move from point to point. I applaud the developer and their understanding of the graceful nature of the winter wilderness. 

Exceptional controls. 

Your character moves through the world with undeniable grace. Heavy snow slows you, whereas ice and precut tracks help you to move at speed. This evolving control system will catch you out, but this doesn’t matter. You learn to adapt to the world and scan your route. Moreover, new equipment changes your style and this can be the difference between victory or failure. 

Lonely Mountains: Snow Riders has to be one of my favourite indie games. I could and have played it for hours. The tough challenges and beautiful landscapes keep me coming back for more. Yet, it will be the multiplayer gameplay that gets me hooked. I cannot wait to play this with my friends and this will keep me playing long into the future. 

Lonely Mountains: Snow Riders is practically perfect. 

A massive round of applause for the developer. Lonely Mountains: Snow Riders is practically perfect in every way! It looks great and it handles even better. What’s more, there is loads of replay value and it is included as part of the Game Pass subscription. My only complaint is how difficult it is to complete. However, there will be people who love a challenge and will see this as a positive. Accordingly, it is amazing and a must-play game can that can be purchased here! Stay at home but hit the mountains in this near-perfect indie experience.

Review: THRESHOLD

Saim Khurshid
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0
Review: THRESHOLD

Developed by Julien Eveillé and Published by CRITICAL REFLEX, THRESHOLD is an unsettling Psychological horror game which is a satirical take on harsh work conditions.

There are many genres that games could be, and not every type of game has to be inherently fun. Sometimes we want to feel unforgettable, scared or even disgusted by our product. That is exactly what THRESHOLD tries to achieve.

Now, the question which arises is how do we judge this game. Well, I don’t think there is a fair way to assess THRESHOLD, especially when a point system is at play. 

I, for one, did not enjoy my time with this game and had to turn away from the screen a couple of times to avoid tossing my cookies. Let’s discuss.

A Holding Thread

In THRESHOLD, you are a worker with an oddly specific and dangerous job. You need to keep track of a train’s speed, giving it a signal to speed up if it ever gets too slow. More on that later. 

The area of your operations is a small, open factory-like location with limited oxygen. It creates a suffocating environment that forces you and your fellow worker to remain silent, communicating only through writing.

This reminds me, before the game starts, you’re asked to type a two-letter nickname for yourself and select your country. I was surprised to see Pakistan as one of the options, as you don’t often see the green and white flag in the media.

It was even more hilarious when the game began, and one of the first things you see is a white shirt with the words ‘I love Islamabad’ written boldly on it, completely out of nowhere.

In another playthrough, the selected country was Australia and it said ‘I love Canberra.’ I don’t know why I found this so funny.

Anyways, back to the gameplay.

The Placebo Nausea

Where the game takes its wings and flies into the sun for me is when the story takes the back seat and the gameplay takes hold. 

In THRESHOLD, your main task is to whistle through a large sound amplifier, which signals a train to speed up. Oxygen is in short supply, so you must refill it repeatedly, especially after each whistle. Each time you whistle, you receive a card from the opposite side of the map, which you then insert into an oxygen machine to replenish your supply.

This cycle of whistling, card collection, and oxygen refilling is the core gameplay loop. All while you attempt to piece together the story hidden within the game’s unsettling atmosphere and minimalistic environment.

Now, how does this get creepy?

For starters, it’s the whole vibe of low oxygen that really gets nailed down by the game. Quite upsetting but realistic.

But what really gets you, is the method of consuming the oxygen. At the top left of the screen, there is a picture of your character’s mouth and it changes depending on what you are doing. The oxygen you must consume is made of glass. I think you get the picture.

It is a harrowing and disturbing sight with all the blood and gore on display. However, I just cannot give THRESHOLD a negative score for it- for not being fun, because in the end, harrowing and disturbing is exactly what it was intended to be.

An Uncomfortable Experience

So, there you have it, a game that perfectly captures the essence of making you uncomfortable. It’s not fun, it’s not pleasant, and it’s beyond disturbing. 

Not for me but If you’re in the market for a game that’ll make you feel claustrophobic, nauseous, and perhaps a little bit disgusted, well, congratulations, you’ve found your match.

Review: The Unexpected Quest

Daniel Waite
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Review: The Unexpected Quest

The Unexpected Quest is a strange blend of strategy, auto-battling, and resource management. What’s more, it is a bit of a time sink and I think this lets it down. Yet, if you can suck up the time-consuming aspects and lose yourself in the fantasy gameplay, this could be a fun breakaway from harder and more fast-paced gaming. 

This fantasy strategy title was developed by Reonix and published by OverGamez. Furthermore, it is a single-player isometric game. The action revolves around problem-solving and resource management. What’s more, there is some fighting and troop/people management as you progress. The core gameplay rarely changes, so if you want a complex and challenging affair, this may not be the title for you.

The Unexpected Quest tells a quirky story. 

The action is split into 2 distinct modes. First, you have the core story, and second, you have an arena-based survival endeavour. I’d advise cutting your teeth on the story mode as this explains the basic mechanics and you encounter every horrific monster. Alternatively, the arena mode tests your ability to manage multiple issues in quick succession. 

The story option has a gentle learning curve. You must understand how different resources impact the course of the game. Whether it is your warriors, wizards, or archers, or the use of your workers and clerics, it is important to balance your approach. As the story unfolds, you witness cruel monsters and you help an array of helpless victims. The plot isn’t as captivating as it could be, but it works well with the theme.

It is all about the resources. 

The Unexpected Quest focuses on its resource management layer. If you have no resources, you can not build houses or open new pathways. Moreover, you cannot buy new troops or hire new workers. Accordingly, you must keep the food, gold, and wood trickling in. This is easier said than done and selling some of your goods is essential if you wish to speed things up. 

Alongside resource management, you must make potions and upgrade your troops and equipment. Additionally, there are special items to find that improve your chances. These trinkets improve each attacking character and make it easier to kill every foe. Apart from this, the game lacks depth. This was a shame as there was never a sense of urgency. 

The Unexpected Quest is a little rough. 

The developer has focused on an earthy and rustic approach. Though I liked the grim appeal, it is somewhat rough around the edges. This doesn’t impact the gameplay and I experienced no bugs, but it could have been better. Unfortunately, The Unexpected Quest isn’t memorable and will certainly be forgotten shortly. 

The audio is lacking as well. Though the soundtrack works, it didn’t amaze me. The chirpy tunes work with the theme, but nothing stands out. Thankfully, the sound effects were more impressive. I liked the screams of my workers and the noise of each weapon. Had there been more core content, the developer could have made this much more aesthetically interesting.

Slow controls. 

Moving between buildings was a slow affair. You can move the cursor or the screen. If you do the latter, it moves quickly but lacks accuracy. Moving the cursor creates accuracy, but it is slow as hell. Either way, you will become frustrated. Other than this, the controls were simple to understand and the UI is intuitive. 

If you can look past the issues, there are plenty of minor things to tackle. Each arena battle has a scoring system, which demands you return for more. Additionally, perfection is required during the story mode if you want to score the maximum points. Consequently, there is replay value and longevity. 

The Unexpected Quest should have been better. 

The Unexpected Quest didn’t blow me away. It doesn’t make the most of its opportunities, impacting the end product. Sadly, it is a time-sink and not exciting enough. Additionally, there is not enough depth. However, if you like this genre, you will forgive the shortcomings. Accordingly, I recommend buying it here! Can you manage your resources and complete each mission? Scan your surroundings, plan ahead, and maximise your score.

Review: Vibe99 Keyboard

Daniel Waite
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0
Review: Vibe99 Keyboard

The Vibe99 Keyboard is a stylish and futuristic peripheral. It has a compact 1800 layout without jeopardising usability. Thankfully 100 keys allow you to type, game, and work without an issue. It has 3 connectivity modes and can be connected to Windows or Mac devices. This versatility was fantastic and I didn’t expect it from its mid-price point.

On top of this, it has hot-swappable switches, a data screen incorporating a GIF animation, and wonderful south-facing RGB. If that isn’t enough, there are FN shortcut keys, a large 4000 mAh battery and low-latency inputs for the ultimate gaming experience. 

What’s in the box of the Vibe99 Keyboard?

  • The vibrant box gives off high-energy vibes. Furthermore, it is robust and the contents are well packaged. 
  • The Vibe99 Keyboard is available in 2 colours. I have the light pastel version and I love the simple design. To the rear are 2 switches and the USB dongle. 
  • Power the device with the USB-C cable. 
  • Pull the keycaps with the puller tool. 
  • Learn the basics with the user guide.

Technical aspects. 

This mechanical keyboard is responsive no matter your connection preference. Though the wired and dongle approach is quicker, the difference is minimal. Accordingly, you can connect this device however you wish and will not be disappointed. Alongside this, the Cream Mint Switches are responsive. The travel distance and actuation were impressive. Though the keys are slightly spongier than expected, the typing and gaming experience was phenomenal.

If you prefer wireless gaming, you can utilise 3 Bluetooth profiles for unique devices. The Vibe99 Keyboard uses its macros and TFT screen to flit between profiles and highlight your connections. This was great as it keeps things simple and mistakes rarely occur.

Battery life and wireless freedom go hand-in-hand. Luckily, the 4000 mAh battery and quick charge facility ensure you are rarely out of juice. Yet, if you run low on power, you can play wired while the device charges. 

Build quality. 

I’ve recently covered the Blade75 Keyboard from MechLands and adored its build quality. Though the Vibe99 Keyboard doesn’t have an aluminium case, it is equally well-built. The case contains 5 layers of internal padding for a satisfying typing experience. Moreover, the gasket-mounted structure delivers stable keystrokes. This is ideal if you work from home or you love fast-paced games. Either way, this keyboard ticks those boxes.

I was impressed with the familiar Cherry profile keycaps. The pleasant curve and responsive switches are great to use for marathon sessions. Yet, if you don’t like the provided parts, you can hot-swap for any compatible keycap or 3/5-pin switch. This versatility was great and newbie gamers will appreciate the user-friendly design.

Finally, the double-shot PBT keycaps are wear and shine resistant. If you’ve gamed for years, you know that keycaps take a beating. Luckily, the Vibe99 Keyboard is different. These keycaps resist wear and tear without breaking a sweat. 

Is the Vibe99 Keyboard worth it?

If you want a compact and upmarket device, the Blade75 Keyboard will turn your head. However, it doesn’t have a numpad and this could put some people off. Consequently, if you are in that boat, the Vibe99 Keyboard could be for you. I love the pastel colour palette and the vibrant RGB. Additionally, the keycaps are pleasant and it is extremely responsive. Add in the fun display screen, and you have yourself a winner. Accordingly, I love it and I recommend buying it here!

(More information on Mechlands can be found here!)

The Vibe99 Keyboard has been awarded the Movies Games and Tech Gold Award.

Review: SANYA

Review: Farming Simulator 25

Daniel Waite
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0
Review: Farming Simulator 25

I admit that I’m a little late to the Farming Simulator 25 party. I’ve been a big fan of the franchise for years, so I wanted to give this as much time as I could. However, it didn’t feel as natural as its predecessor, and that was a shame. Though I consider myself relatively experienced with the franchise, I found myself stabbing around in the dark a lot of the time. This led to unnecessary mistakes and plenty of frustration. Yet, there was always an upside that drew me back in. The gameplay is addictive and rewarding. Consequently, I forgave many of the tough and annoying shortcomings.

This simulation game was developed and published by GIANTS Software. Moreover, it is both single and multiplayer, but I focused on option 1. Sadly, I didn’t have time to test the online action, but I imagine it would be a success. Playing with friends as you sow crops, harvest fields, and care for animals must be thrilling. Instead, I relaxed as I tended to my fields and drove each of the authentic machines.

Farming Simulator 25 has new features but familiar action. 

If you have never played a Farming Sim game, you must be young or living under a rock. Either way, Farming Simulator 25 is a tough way to break that ice. Like its predecessors, it offers little hand-holding. Once you complete the tutorial, you must balance the books, select your crops, and buy suitable machines for each job. Additionally, you must understand the seasons, prepare for bad weather, and manage your farm hands. 

Theoretically, this should be a walk in the park. After all, once you get to grips with the fundamentals, everything should follow suit. Unfortunately, there is so much depth, that newbie farmers can often feel out of their depth. Alongside this, there are 3 unique maps to test out and plenty of impressive new features to explore. Accordingly, Farming Simulator 25 drowns you in content and this can be slightly disconcerting.

New life beyond my struggles.

Though it wasn’t plain sailing, Farming Simulator 25 sparks some interesting life into the franchise. The use of AI and conversation with NPCs was thrilling. Alongside this, there are new towns and construction projects. Additionally, you’ll discover new crops that require specialist knowledge and new animals to raise.

However, it is the new maps, weatherfronts, and big-name brands that bring energy to this title. Farming enthusiasts will love the chance to farm in North America, East Asia, and Central Europe. Furthermore, the ability to jump in your favourite machine and get to work is irresistible. I admit that I’m not a farming aficionado. Subsequently, I don’t know the fine details between each mammoth machine. Yet, I know that keen farmers will enjoy the detail and the vast roster of equipment on offer.

Farming Simulator 25 looks great, but it has its problems.

If you want a realistic simulation experience, Farming Simulator 25 has your back. The machines look incredible and the world is alive with creatures and NPC vehicles. Yet, the AI is occasionally wonky and I was involved in many RTCs. This wasn’t problematic, it simply tarnished the realism. Where this falls short, though, is the frame rate. The game stutters and this is off-putting. I had no rendering issues, but the low frame rates will annoy next-gen gamers. I believe the developer can iron this issue out, but it won’t impress newbies or hardcore fans.

From my limited expertise, I was impressed by the varied and realistic sound effects. Each vehicle is unique and I adored the brutish nature of each enormous machine. Additionally, there are plenty of radio stations to select if you want some music while you work. Farming Simulator 25 delivers a wonderful soundscape that creates a wholesome and fulfilling insight into country living. 

Exceptional controls.

The fundamentals may require some trial and error, but the controls are ridiculously smooth. Moreover, the exceptional UI makes every task easy to follow. If you are new to the franchise, your work will be cut out for you. Yet, once you work through the opening experiments, you will feel like an old hand in no time.

Time sink and simulation games go hand-in-hand. If you fall for its charms, you will lose hours of your life. What’s more, you are free to grow your business, develop your fields, and increase your fleet of vehicles. The freedom is rewarding and getting every element right will make you smile. Consequently, this has mountains of replay value and longevity. 

Farming Simulator 25 is flawed but still great. 

This isn’t perfect by any stretch, but it is the best game in the franchise. The expansive roster of vehicles, crops, and animals gives you ample opportunity to shine. Furthermore, I liked the AI and the large fresh maps. Frame rates are problematic and this needs improving. However, this will be a top-end simulation experience once this is improved. Accordingly, I recommend buying it here! Can you become a virtual farmer? Select your crops, raise animals, and become a country legend.

Review: Dragon Takers

Josh Blackburn
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Review: Dragon Takers

It seems the worst thing to be in Dragon Takers is ‘Skill-less’. Problem is, skills don’t seem that well defined. Sword techniques and magic are obviously skills, but there are farmers and merchants with skills too. I make a pretty decent cup of tea, does that give me enough of an edge to avoid being labelled? What about my ability to immediately lose any pen that I set down? If I were in this world, I’d be frantically gathering together everything I’m good at to try and avoid being ostracised because I can’t conjure fire out of my hands.

Still, the world of Dragon Takers doesn’t seem a particularly pleasant place to be. Most of it is on fire from repeated dragon army attacks, after all. More than that though, it’s a world that feels rather cold and empty. Dragon Taker has a bit of an issue when it comes to the ‘Role Playing’ part of Role Playing Game. While it serves up a dramatic storyline, full of exciting music, the actual experience is brutally linear.

Dragon Takers

Take On Me

You may be looking at the title of Dragon Takers and wondering what a dragon taker actually is. Well, it harks back to that ‘skill’ thing I was blathering about earlier. See, most people hone skills by training or exposing natural talent. But there exists an ability, creatively named ‘Skill Taker’, that can take skills from people. This skill is possessed by Helio, a young chap from a nowhere village. He’s driven into action when an army of dragon warriors, commanded by the Drake Emperor Tiberius, steamrolls through his village.

Helio sets off on a quest to send Tiberius packing, and rescue his childhood friend, Liana, who’s been kidnapped. The key twist is that Helio’s skill taker makes him the perfect everyman. Having no skills from birth, he’s able to borrow other people’s skills, giving him an infinite set. It’s an interesting premise and, while the gameplay doesn’t quite put it to good use, it has a nice effect on the story. Dragon Takers is one of those big dramatic fantasy tales, where ancient spirits are rubbing shoulders with ancient dragons.

True, it does get a little hammy at times. A lot of it is men in giant suits of armour all patting each other on the back and talking about amazing legends, but the writing isn’t too bad. It makes the smart decision to keep the focus on a core group of characters. There are only five in our party, for one: Helio; Louise, a warrior princess; Monica, a noble healer; Milena, a skilled mage; and Liana, the childhood friend. They have some nice dialogue with each other and feel quite distinct. It does delve into soppy, ‘friendship beats all’ territory at times, but I enjoyed their banter.

Dragon Takers

Dungeons & Lots Of Dragons

Unfortunately, the gameplay lets it down on almost every account. Let’s run down the list of grievances, beginning with the combat. I have a rule of thumb, you see. If a game has an ‘auto-attack’ button, then it is tacitly admitting that its combat is boring. I was once again proven right. It’s your bog-standard turn-based combat, with no real twists. Characters level up, and gain skills, on their own, so it’s just a case of using spells that an enemy is weak to and healing each turn. I swept through every boss just repeating the same handful of skills each turn. There’s no challenge; no thought required.

Helio had the potential to change things up with his ‘Skill Taker’ ability, but to steal a skill you just attack. You can then slot in a full set of elemental skills and job done. It’s one of a few parts of Dragon Takers that feel quite shallow. There’s no economy, for instance. All items are grabbed from set chests and swapped out for your current gear. The menu for doing so is incredibly irritating, too. It takes about five or six button presses just to equip anything.

The biggest problem of all, though, is that Dragon Takers is aggressively linear. You’re just whisked on a sight-seeing tour from town to town. There are no sidequests at all. In fact, there’s no reason to talk to any NPCs beyond a few lines of flavour text. You might think the large world map might have something in it, but no. It’s completely empty. Devoid of anything except random battles. You can’t escape fights, by the way, to add to the annoyance. Dragon Takers feels like a visual novel that someone has inexpertly stitched RPG elements to.

Dragon Takers

Dragon Takers – Dramatic But Shallow

It’s frustrating because I did find myself getting into the story. Like I said, it keeps the focus on the core characters and even manages to have a nice ending. There’s also decent art here, if you don’t mind a bit of RPG Maker roughness here and there. Music’s nice too, being suitably over-the-top in the fights. It just feels much too empty to really feel like a satisfying experience. In fact, it feels like it doesn’t really want us there at all. We make no choices and do nothing to the characters beyond swapping out their gear.

These issues resulted in a strange moment right at the end. Dragon Takers pulled the old bait’n’switch to introduce the true villain and the dialogue and music got me pumped up. Then the battle started and the illusion completely shattered. All four of my guys just stacked up the same skills over and over until the fight was done. Dragon Takers was so intent on telling an epic fantasy tale, that it seemed to forget that it was trying to be a video game at the same time.

(Dragon Takers’ Steam Page)

Review: SANYA

Daniel Waite
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0
Review: SANYA

SANYA is a game dripping in nostalgia. I was born in the 1980s, so anything that focuses on my ’90s childhood brings back wonderful memories. Though this revolves around a post-Soviet landscape, I loved the wholesome message and the sense of childhood. Additionally, the storytelling was great, and the small puzzles and challenging moments kept me thinking throughout.

This adventure title was developed by helpnode and published by Samustai. It is a side-scrolling title with a fun 2.5D perspective. As you explore the neighbourhood, you realise that Sanya’s world is small and refined. Yet, the game feels massive. Running from point A to B can take forever, and there are things to see and people to talk to en route. This sense of discovery and exploration enhances the childhood message and the innocent nature of the protagonists. 

SANYA tells a story of growing up. 

The innocence of youth comes and goes in a flash. The world is a cruel place and there is little room for naive people. This sounds horrific, but that is the reality of modern living. However, when you live in this calm and fun bubble, the rest of the world can stay out. SANYA explores this idea of friendship, exploration, and innocence perfectly. 

You control Sanya, a young lad who is carefree and loves life. He is new to the block and wants to make friends. His mother gives him a key and tells him to do some chores and explore his surroundings. This is the green light for a summer like no other. New friends and adventures await the adventurous gang. 

Simple mechanics. 

Every person you encounter wants your help. Whether it is an item or a fetch quest, you are happy to be of assistance. Though this has a sense of monotony, I liked the stories and how each character was portrayed. Additionally, you can be as polite or as cheeky as you like. Consequently, this plays out in 2 unique ways. 

As you let the story evolve, you can complete mini-games, ride your bike, and teach your puppy, Pumpkin new tricks. This new-found hound is essential to your progress. Pumpkin will sniff out clues and help retrieve items. Moreover, this cute puppy helps you to start conversations with strangers. 

I loved the wholesome nature of the gameplay, but there was too much back and forth. Additionally, there was little guidance and this can leave you feeling confused. I wish the developer had given more clues as I found aimlessly searching a little distracting. 

SANYA looks great. 

The developer has cleverly shown the world from a child’s perspective. Each adult appears huge compared to their younger counterparts. Moreover, key items are larger and this becomes the norm. As you explore the world, you see everything from the protagonist’s perspective. This simple but clever idea emphasises the core theme. 

The audio is a little repetitive but fun. The cheesy music is upbeat and brings a smile to your face. Furthermore, the melancholy elements are complemented by sombre tunes. This was great as each layer is brilliantly intertwined. Additionally, the sound effects are OTT but enjoyable to hear.

Excellent controls.

Though this isn’t challenging to play, the controls are well-considered. The clean UI and responsive inputs ensure that this is a joy to experience. If I’m to be picky, some of the mini-games could do with better explanations. However, some trial and error should erode these concerns. 

If you are a completionist, you’ll need at least 2 playthroughs to get through this relatively short game. I didn’t concern myself with this and I enjoyed one detailed attempt. I’m not sure the story or core elements change and playing it again didn’t interest me. Yet, if this is your thing, you’ll need to set aside around 6 hours to finish every aspect.

SANYA is a joy to experience. 

Though this isn’t the most testing experience and there is a lot of back and forth, SANYA is a joy to play. The wholesome action is captivating and the clever perspective shift is wonderful to look at. Finally, I loved the new friendships and the childish nature of the core ideas. Accordingly, it is great and I recommend buying it here! Will you make the most of your childhood? Explore your surroundings, make new friends, and understand what it is to be alive.

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