We have a fantastic Transformers One bundle to give away!
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How to enter to win
We have a fantastic bundle to giveaway which will include a Blu-Ray copy of the film and Transformers One-themed merchandise; including Transformers One children’s onesie (Size 10), Transformers One T-Shirt and Short set (Size 12), Optimus Prime Power Flip toys (Bring home the epic origins of legendary Transformers robots, with the Transformers One Power Flip Optimus Prime (Orion Pax)! Recreate the iconic character right from the Transformers One movie – with 4 transformation modes!), AR Vanch cards (Calling All Autobots in the AR World!) and Transformers One Pyjamas (Get into Character with Transformers Ones clothing and nightwear from Character.com).
At SlotsUp, we pride ourselves on providing a comprehensive collection of online slots, offering a wide range of games from various providers to cater to every player’s preferences. Whether you’re a fan of traditional fruit machines, adventurous themes, or slots with exciting bonus features, we have it all. If you’re looking to enjoy the thrill of free fruit machine games before committing real money, our site also offers demo modes for a risk-free experience. Additionally, we provide detailed reviews to help players make informed decisions about the games they choose to play. Today, we’ll be diving into a review of the Diamond Mystery – 100 Wild Fire slot, a classic fruit-themed game that’s part of the well-known Diamond Mystery series by Greentube.
The Diamond Mystery – 100 Wild Fire online slot by Greentube is part of the popular Diamond Mystery series, known for its classic fruit-themed designs and straightforward gameplay. This 2024 release has been drawing attention from players looking for a medium-volatility slot with a simple setup and the potential for decent wins. While it may not offer groundbreaking features or innovative mechanics, it provides a nostalgic experience with some exciting opportunities for jackpot wins.
Game Overview
The Diamond Mystery – 100 Wild Fire slot operates on a 5×4 grid, with 100 paylines. While the graphics and gameplay are simple, the slot still captures the essence of a traditional fruit machine, making it appealing to those who prefer straightforward gameplay without complex features. The RTP (Return to Player) is 95.48%, which is relatively standard, and the maximum win can reach an impressive x5,000, potentially delivering a payout of up to $250,000. However, with medium volatility, this high payout may take some patience to unlock.
Betting Range and Mechanics
The slot allows a betting range between $0.20 and $50 per spin. While this provides some flexibility, it may feel restrictive for high-rollers looking for a broader range. The game’s mechanics are simple, with no complicated bonus features or special mechanics—just good old-fashioned fruit symbols and a few bonus rounds to spice things up.
Design and Theme
The Diamond Mystery 100 Wild Fire slot sticks to a classic fruit machine theme. The symbols on the reels include familiar fruit designs, with cherries, oranges, and plums being the lower-paying symbols. The most valuable symbol is the lucky seven, which offers the highest payout among the regular symbols. The game backdrop is a simple green setting, and while the soundtrack complements the theme, it can become repetitive, leading players to mute it after a while.
Bonus Features and Symbols
While this slot isn’t packed with innovative features, it does include some standard bonus mechanics:
Wild Symbol: The Lucky Clover Wild symbol can appear on any reel except the first and last, substituting for all other symbols except the Scatters.
Scatter Symbols: There are two Scatter symbols in the game—the Star Scatter and the Coin Scatter. While these symbols don’t trigger any additional bonus rounds, they are the highest-paying symbols on the reels.
Diamond Mystery Bonus: This random bonus round is triggered on a non-winning spin. When activated, players will see a 3×4 grid of cards. By selecting cards, players reveal different gem jackpot symbols, with the aim of uncovering three matching symbols to win one of the four available jackpot prizes. This feature adds a bit of excitement, though it is entirely random.
Jackpot and Win Potential
As mentioned, the Diamond Mystery 100 Wild Fire slot offers a progressive jackpot. With the game’s medium volatility and a maximum win of x5,000, players can potentially win up to $250,000. However, the game’s RTP of 95.48% suggests that hitting big wins might take a bit of luck and patience. During my review, I found that the game’s hit frequency wasn’t particularly high, and larger wins didn’t come often.
Free Spin Experience and Demo Play
To get a better understanding of the game’s potential and volatility, I decided to play the Diamond Mystery 100 Wild Fire slot in demo mode for 100 spins. I started with $500 in free credits and a $1 bet. In my first 25 spins, I only won once, for $4—definitely not an exciting start. I then raised my bet to $5, but in another 25 spins, I only managed to win three times, with the highest win being $4.50. While I did manage to trigger the Diamond Mystery Bonus and win a $1,068 jackpot, my overall experience was underwhelming.
For the next 50 spins, I increased my bet to $20 and $50, hoping for better results. However, after spending $500, I only managed to win $98. In the final 25 spins, with a $50 bet, I lost all my money despite landing three wins worth $60, $90, and $100. This result further reinforced my feeling that this slot’s medium volatility can be frustrating for players chasing bigger payouts.
Slot Summary
Diamond Mystery – 100 Wild Fire is a classic fruit-themed slot with a simple design and medium volatility. It doesn’t offer groundbreaking features or an extensive betting range, but it does deliver some nostalgic fun for those who enjoy straightforward gameplay. The Diamond Mystery Bonus provides some excitement with the potential for a progressive jackpot, but big wins are not guaranteed, and players will need to be patient.
While the Diamond Mystery 100 Wild Fire slot may appeal to players looking for a no-frills experience, it may not be the best choice for those seeking complex mechanics or higher payouts. If you’re a fan of the Diamond Mystery series and enjoy fruit-themed slots, you might find this game worth trying, but be prepared for a slower pace and a fair amount of luck to trigger the big wins.
Final Verdict
The Diamond Mystery 100 Wild Fire slot is a solid choice for players who enjoy classic fruit machines with a bit of modern flair. The medium volatility and limited betting range may deter some, but the Diamond Mystery Bonus feature and the chance to win a progressive jackpot add a bit of excitement to the experience. For those seeking simple gameplay, it’s definitely worth a spin—but don’t expect big payouts to come easily.
Many gamers have never been introduced to such a pandemonic, niche genre of games: pure bullet hell. A type of shoot ’em up with a mad dash of chaos and a tough learning curve, most bullet hell enjoyers would recommend a title in the Touhou Project series for newbies. These games are a bit more popular, and story-wise can be quite engaging.
Developed by Compile Heart and String Entertainment, and published by Idea Factory, Touhou Spell Carnival is a strategy-based tactical RPG containing a myriad of bombastic spells, humorous plot points, and a cutesy surplus of characters. Released on November 19th of this year, fans of bullet barrages will get quite the kick out of this game. Beginners and those interested in the genre might find Touhou Spell Carnival to be a good entry point.
This game can be played on the PlayStation 4 and 5 as well as the Nintendo Switch.
A barrier between reality and fantasy
Taking place in the fictional city of Gensokyo – a faraway place where humans and youkai coexist – the game begins with the main character Reimu Hakurei the shrine maiden and her friend Marisa Kirasame the magician. Mysterious pillars popped up all over Gensokyo, so Reimu begins some detective work.
It turns out that the bewitching youkai named Yukari Yakumo is hosting a month-long Spell Carnival circulating around a strategy card game. Reimu enters the competition, and the rules are simple: the victor obtains all of the losers’ cards and also adds the loser character(s) to their team. The protagonists want to find out why the carnival has been initiated so abruptly, and if Yukamo has any other intent.
The storyline might come off as strange and unrelatable to those not familiar with Touhou. The game unfolds into brief visual novel segments and then will combust into combat. If you are not a fan of reading, luckily the transientness of these segments is entirely bearable. At the very least, the script is engaging. Confusing perhaps, but full of charm.
There are also side stories in addition to the main plot. The choices you make as a player will determine when things unfold chronologically, particularly the order of gaining certain party members. This mechanic is a bit weird in my opinion, as it removes congruent plot build-up. Characters entering the game out of nowhere detract from personal connection and semblances of relevance. On the other end, it is quite fun to see the unique cast of characters interact with one another, oscillating between humor, bittersweetness, and emotionally impactful dialogue.
Tactical, theatrical, and impractical
Touhou Spell Carnival is a mix of bullet barrage and tactical RPG elements. The gameplay might be rather brutal or refreshingly challenging for purely RPG fans. Players will learn how to sift through the chaos of bullet hell while also making strategic decisions to achieve victory.
Taking place on a grid-based system during combat, players can use up to five characters at a time. Each party member comes with their own unique abilities that will strengthen when leveling up, as per most RPGs, and can be customized with stat-boosting equipment. Every character can move around the grid to the player’s will, so it is important to place your party members in safe enough locations to avoid the onslaught of AI-powered enemy attacks.
The main mechanics are barraging enemies with your own attacks, grazing through enemy bullets to absorb power, and unleashing bombs or honing projectiles. Each character relies on an AP gauge to utilize spell cards, and powerful Ace Spell Cards with character-specific animations. The grazing maneuver will increase AP, as well as bonus items dropped by enemies. Item drops can also recover HP and bomb stock as well.
Fully understanding bullet hell mechanics can be hard, and as a beginner myself, I experienced some heavy confusion and vexation. Fortunately, Touhou Spell Carnival has adjustable difficulty settings in order to adapt to players’ experiences and desires. You can choose to play with ultimate combat challenge, or go easier and focus on the narrative.
The beloved “Mary Sue” character design
Touhou features loads of bright and lively characters in the anime style. For example, the game has Saki Kurokomo who looks like a black-winged angel cowgirl; Remilia Scarlet the cornflower-haired vampire; and Reison Udongein Inaba the personified “moon rabbit.” It looks great stylistically, but the character design itself is overdone. Frankly, most characters do not look like they would exist in the same room.
This game has the typical 2D visual novel backdrop cycles, but each scene looks pretty enough. The backgrounds of the combat scenes, however, are insanely boring. It might be muted colors, or a void of nothingness.
The CGI elements are quite marvelous, and it is fun running around to chat with each character and read conversations between the cast. The Japanese voice-acting over the English text is amusingly theatrical. The soundtrack is mesmerizing and fitting to each scene. Overall, I would consider the sound design the game’s greatest highlight.
Final thoughts
Touhou Spell Carnival was my personal introduction to the Touhou universe, as well as my first exposure to utter bullet hell. I am certainly intrigued a bit by the genre, and I appreciate the silliness and melodrama within the script. Kudos to the voice actors and their dynamic performances, as well as the passionate art design.
Spell Carnival and the 19 other mainline Touhou games (and the 13 spin-offs . . . yes, that many) are ultimately catered to niche group of gamers. To be a legitimate game recommendation, I suggest being somewhat comfortable or at least heavily interested in bullet hells shmups. It would not hurt to have knowledge of the Touhou universe either. Unfortunately for me, the constant flurry of projectiles, the aggravation of controlling a full party during combat, and the personal lack of connection to the in-game world left me feeling irritated and bored. But, if you are up for the test, and want to witness some anime girlies duking it out, then give Touhou Spell Carnival a try.
New World: Aeternum is that genre of game that grabs your soul and takes it into the depths of hell. It is such a time-sink that COD widows will laugh as their partners still pay them some attention. I haven’t played an MMORPG of this depth for a considerable time. Unfortunately, I’m too busy and I cannot commit the hours you need to be successful. Thankfully, this MMO is different! Yes, it absorbs you in an unhealthy way, but you can break free when real life comes calling.
This MMO was developed by Amazon Games Orange County Studio and published by Amazon Games. Furthermore, it has been penned as an Action RPG, but I think that is a little misleading. If you love souls-like experiences and you come into this expecting something similar, you are going to be disappointed. At its roots, this is atypically MMO. The combat demands a numbers-based mindset and the usual slash, move, slash, roll, slash, magic loop is at the fore. Consequently, if you want something slightly more challenging, you may wish to look elsewhere.
New World: Aeternum isn’t a new game!
Though this has been pushed as a new game, it isn’t. New World: Aeternum is more of a reimagining of its former self. Furthermore, it has been refined for a console audience. This move was great as solo players feel more at home and you are not punished if you are anti-social. However, if you love to raid, team up, and enjoy the normal social aspects of this wonderful genre, you are free to do so.
On top of this, there is PvP if that is your thing. This 100% isn’t my thing and it never has been. I hate the thought of losing everything and I know I’ll get my ass kicked repeatedly. Subsequently, you online bullies can stay in your angry bubble while I enjoy picking up resources and fighting wolves and boars by myself.
Pick your class.
New World: Aeternum pushes you towards an archetypal character during the creation screen. Now, if you are not familiar with the genre, this could be quite daunting. Yet, worry not as it is pretty self-explanatory. You can choose from 7 different classes and I plumped for a Ranger. The other options gave you a boost in magic or close-quarter combat. However, I think the Ranger is quite a glorious role that keeps out of trouble.
Once you have your character created, you are thrust into the action. No rest for the wicked as they say as your adventure begins immediately. Yet, there is little pressure and you can take as long as you wish as you explore your opening surroundings. This was great as I could slay as many minor beasts as I could get my hands on. Moreover, it takes a lot to fill your inventory, so hoarders can fill their boots without worrying about the consequences.
Spectacular character progression.
The world is filled with resources and materials that must be gathered. If you are like me, you won’t be able to walk past anything that could be valuable. This could be deemed a problem, but storage solutions and a lovely house are provided early on. This was great as you can gather as much crap as you can find and dump it at your “base” without any penalties. Now, you may be wondering why I’m mentioning this. Well, crafting is a big part of New World: Aeternum.
Unlike other games, this has a spectacular system that fast builds any item you select. What’s more, you unlock new recipes by completing each task. Long gone are the requirements to search out hundreds of blueprints. Instead, your hard work is rewarded with tangible items and new recipes. On top of this, you earn general XP to help your character to improve. Subsequently, the hours you spend making random items aren’t a waste of time.
New World: Aeternum looks phenomenal.
Though MMO gaming is considered a PC thing, New World: Aeternum is absolutely phenomenal to look at. The vast world is a joy to explore. Moreover, character animation and models are smooth and interesting to the eye. On top of this, the UI is surprisingly easy to navigate and you rarely struggle with the PC interface. Playing this on the Xbox Series X was a treat. The render distance was great and the frame rate was steady and I have no complaints.
The audio delivers a rich and dramatic soundscape that matches the best fantasy games available. What’s more, the nod to the 17th century with the old-school weaponry was excellent. I loved the ambient sounds and the occasionally relaxing moments. On top of this, there is some creative licence as magic plays a heavy part in setting the scene. As such, don’t expect it to be 100% realistic.
Excellent controls.
Each activity is time-consuming and demands your attention. As such, a poor control layout or sluggish controls would have been a nightmare. Thankfully, New World: Aeternum suffers from neither of these shortcomings. Yes, there is the occasional PC UI crossover, but these are easy to handle and they do not get in your way. Whenever you are exploring the vast world, gathering resources, or fighting alone or with a group, the controls do not let you down.
This genre will suck time out of your life. Subsequently, it oozes replay value and longevity. Normally, MMOs are reserved for groups of online gamers. However, you can play alone and you are not penalised. This was spectacular as it has more of a casual feel than many of its peers.
New World: Aeternum is a great addition to the genre.
This wasn’t an easy game to review. I never quite know when I’ve played enough and always look for new ideas, mechanics, or elements to consider. As such, I haven’t completed the game and I wanted to be open about it. Yet, I’ve invested enough time to form an opinion about this great MMO/action-adventure game. If you want to lose yourself in a vast world filled with monsters, danger, and plenty of quests, I recommend buying it here! Can you become the hero you are destined to be? Pick your class, master your skills, and go on a journey like none other.
In 2022 I looked at the One by Wacom. I liked this drawing tablet and concluded my review with these words “With no technical experience necessary, you can get to work immediately. By plugging it into your PC, Chromebook, or laptop, you can soon become a digital artist. Moreover, the included apps are handy if you are stuck for ideas or you simply want to try something new. On top of this, the simple know-how guide talks you through the finer points so you never feel out of your depth.”
Today, I’m fortunate enough to look at another Wacom product. The Intuos creative tablet is the perfect option for digital art designers who want an entry-level device. Furthermore, this product is available in 2 sizes and I’m looking at the small version. This 6 by 3.7-inch device is ideal for small workspaces or people who work away from home. Moreover, it has Bluetooth connectivity and it can be used with a PC or Mac. Therefore, it is pretty versatile and this is a massive plus point.
The tablet has 3 software downloads included in the price. Clip Studio Paint Pro, Corel AfterShot, and Corel Painter Essentials. Alongside this, you can use the Intuos creative tablet as an everyday mouse or with other compatible editing software. As such, it has plenty of uses alongside its main design focus.
What’s in the box of the Intuos creative tablet?
The packaging is simple but effective. I liked the clean design and the alluring imagery. Moreover, it is recyclable and hard-wearing.
The Intuos creative tablet comes in a range of colours. I’m reviewing the pistachio option. However, a traditional black version is available if this isn’t to your liking. The device is light and it has 4 shortcut buttons. Moreover, it is Bluetooth compatible and you can use it wired as well.
The pen is battery-free and will connect automatically when the tablet is switched on.
A charging cable is provided.
Learn the basics with the quick start guide.
Technical aspects.
Full disclosure, I’m not a graphic designer. However, a good friend of mine is and he assisted me with this review. My friend has designed for major comic books and I considered his expertise to be invaluable in this field. Moreover, he found my attempts at drawing and handling the pen and tablet to be hilarious, so it was a win-win for him.
Each element of the tablet is designed with usability and functionality in mind. The 4K pen is lightweight and easy to use. What’s more, it has interchangeable nibs included for heavy-handed artists. Though other tablets offer up to 8K pens, I found the accuracy and movement to be more than suitable for each image we worked on. Additionally, the compact working area was suitable for my drawing style. Yet, if you like large expressive movements, you may wish to consider the medium-sized alternative.
The pen and the tablet have shortcut keys that can be adjusted and programmed using the free-to-download software. Each of these inputs takes some getting used to. The idea of using a stylus and buttons simultaneously was alien to me. Furthermore, Will, my graphic designer expert had to play around a little before he found his flow. Yet, once we got used to the fiddly elements, we were soon in our creative groove.
Usability.
The matte finish doesn’t replicate that friction-based appeal of pen on paper. However, I liked the smooth nature of each flowing movement. What’s more, the sensitivity of the nib and the ability to adjust things to your liking made this an extremely user-friendly device. Though the inclusion of 2 buttons on the pen may seem a strange concept, I liked the shortcut keys. Additionally, the ability to change this with the included software made this particularly versatile and suitable for many applications.
Connectivity to a Mac or PC via wireless and wired connectivity appeals to me. Wacom has done an amazing job with seamless and lag-free connectivity. I never experienced any issues no matter what option I selected. Furthermore, setting up either was as simple as plugging in a cable or pressing a couple of buttons. I stuck with the wireless option as no one likes messy cables. Thankfully, the battery life is good, so keeping it charged up when out and about was a simple task.
Build quality.
The Intuos creative tablet is a tiny device! However, its build quality is extremely impressive. The hard-wearing case has 4 rubberised feet for increased grip. This was great as expressive creative users may knock the tablet in error. Luckily, the feet prevent excessive movement and this increases on-screen accuracy and usability. The 4 top-mounted buttons may be poorly placed for some users. I found it unusual to lean over the tablet for each shortcut. Yet, once I practised, I was able to find a method to overcome my initial issues.
The pen is lightweight and the spare nibs are stored to the rear. The handy removable twist cover helps to keep things streamlined. Though I don’t see myself burning through the nibs, it was nice that Wacom provided 3 additional ones from the off. Changing the nibs was a straightforward task and a helpful guide is provided if you are unsure.
Is the Intuos creative tablet worth it?
You may have outgrown this product if you are a high-end graphical designer or artist. However, if you like to create graphics on the move or are just starting out, this is the ideal product. The easy-to-use design was great and I love how smooth the wireless pen is. Moreover, the versatility for wireless or wired usability and Mac and PC compatibility was wonderful to see. Accordingly, this is a great device and I recommend buying it here!
Glorious makes exceptional gaming products. I was fortunate to review the D2 Pro model last year, and I loved everything about it. Roll on 14 months, and I now have my hands on the Glorious O 2 Mini Wireless Mouse. This compact device is perfect for gamers with small to medium-sized hands. Moreover, it is lightweight, versatile, and ideal for different gaming grips.
If you love an aesthetically pleasing item, then this will make you smile. The semi-honeycombed shell is complemented by a black or white livery. Alongside this is a gentle RGB hue. The small touch of RGB lighting is discreet but attractive. Accordingly, it offers enough for lovers of garish products. Furthermore, it is subtle enough to appease laidback individuals.
What’s in the box of the Glorious O 2 Mini Wireless Mouse?
The packaging is strong, attractive, and easy to look at. Moreover, it can be recycled.
The Glorious O 2 Mini Wireless Mouse is easy on the eye. The small form factor isn’t instantly noticeable and I like the simple design. The honeycomb finish is comfortable and the buttons and charging port are well-placed.
A USB-A dongle is provided for wireless gaming.
Charging the device with the braided USB-C cable.
Learn the basics with the user manual.
Technical aspects.
This gaming mouse comes jam-packed with the latest and greatest technology. Consequently, the sensors, switches, and battery life will impress you. Additionally, the RGB lighting is impressive as it scrolls through an array of colours as you work and game. The BAMF 2.0 optical sensor is remarkably quick and accurate. The 26k sensor is capable of picking up every minor movement flawlessly. The result is accurate aiming whenever you are tackling your favourite FPS. The DPI can be changed at the push of a button. Four preset modes are highlighted by the underside LED.
This user-friendly design choice was impressive and I loved how easy it was to flick between each predetermined profile. The versatility doesn’t stop there! The Glorious O 2 Mini Wireless Mouse can be used wirelessly via the lag-free 2.4 GHz USB dongle or Bluetooth 5.2 LE. Alternatively, you can use the braided cable to charge your device and play wired simultaneously. I stuck with the USB option as it was clean, convenient, and easy to set up.
Though it was straightforward to charge this gaming mouse, the impressive 200+ hour battery life (Bluetooth mode) made this a moot point. I rarely had to worry about running out of juice. Furthermore, whenever I had to charge the mouse, it was powered up and ready to go in no time at all. Subsequently, this wasn’t a problem and I could focus on gaming and work.
Usability.
Glorious has designed an extremely simple-to-use gaming device. Flitting between DPI modes or changing connectivity was as simple as pushing a button or flicking a switch. What’s more, the front-facing USB-C port helps to balance the mouse if you are playing through the wired design. Unlike its peers, this gaming mouse focuses on simplicity and a straightforward approach. Though this may frustrate more elite-level gamers, your average player will love the plug-and-play design and every other incredible feature.
Build quality.
Glorious doesn’t make cheap and poorly built products. Thankfully, the Glorious O 2 Mini Wireless Mouse doesn’t buck this trend. Every layer of this compact device is impressive! The hardened shell looks amazing in either colour choice. Additionally, the small LED side strip light delivers a pleasant lighting hue without overpowering your setup. Alongside this, the switches are well hidden and the central mouse wheel has a nice tactile edge.
This gaming mouse has 6 buttons to master. This may be understated when compared with its peers. However, I liked the clean approach. Though additional inputs for macros can be important, I rarely use them as they don’t feel natural.
If you are a left-handed gamer, the symmetrical design may not be suitable. What’s more, the 6% smaller form factor won’t feel comfortable if you have massive hands. My hands are relatively slight and I could comfortably use this device for hours. Finally, the incredible 57-gram weight blew me away. This impressively light design makes this the perfect option for extended gaming sessions. Combined with the highest DPI setting, this mouse delivers eye-watering accuracy and speed during every gaming session.
Is the Glorious O 2 Mini Wireless Mouse worth it?
Recommending high-end gaming peripherals isn’t as straightforward as it seems. Getting the right device for your desires is a complex task. Accordingly, what works for me, may not be right for you. Yet, the Glorious O 2 Mini Wireless Mouse ticks many boxes. The smaller form factor is perfect for small to medium-sized hands. Furthermore, the lightweight design is ideal for extended work or gaming sessions. On top of this, it focuses on simplicity and accuracy. As such, it is ideal if you want a plug-and-play mouse with some adjustable features. The RGB lighting is just right and it looked great alongside my other RGB products. As such, this device worked for me and I recommend buying it here!
Developed and Published by Cactus Production Entertainment, An Everyday Story is a 2.5D story-driven puzzle platformer which follows a story of loss and acceptance.
We have all heard the exaggerated expression, “It was so boring, I fell asleep.” Well, I have got the puzzle platformer for you!
Here I was, keyboard on my lap, game on the screen before me, ready to embark on an emotional journey of love and loss shown via the medium of little toys, through the narrative voice of a heavy-tone dude whose name I could not find, and…. ZZZZZ….
A Cradle of Tedium
An Everyday story is a man’s recollection, describing his loved ones and how he lost them. As much as that sounds like a chilling tale of acceptance, the dialogue at play is anything but.
You see, from the beginning, we are given the impression that the story would be told via these little toys (more on that later) but there is not a single moment where the narrator won’t stop talking and let you decipher what is happening. Above all that, it’s the dialogue that sounds like nonsensical rambling that often has very little relevance to the story and even then, it is just monotone and boring.
I’ll give him a point for the voice. He has this heavy and soothing voice that makes you sleepy. But then again, A soothing voice speaking boring dribble is not a way to get someone invested but a very promising technique to put someone to sleep. Which, I will tell you, this game achieved at one point.
Without the Game or the Play
There are three toys: A paper mache bat, a Toy soldier with a little bayonet, and a little boat that does not need water to ride. You will switch between these three toys over and over again throughout this game to solve puzzles. You do not choose when to switch, the story driven game will do that for you.
Now, when I said puzzles, I did not mean actual brainy hurty puzzles like The World of Goo or Talos Principle.
No, I meant obvious and plain, just do the thing, puzzles which in my humble opinion, are worse torture than those walking simulators Bloober Team used to make before Silent Hill 2.
I won’t spoil anything for you if you intend on torturing yourself but let me describe a puzzle from this game: So you turn into this all-surface boat and land inside a tub with low water. In this tub, there are 3 faucets. The goal is to sail over to each faucet and pull it with your Hookshot. Don’t be fooled by the hookshot, it does not add to anything.
The three hours that it takes to finish this story driven game are not short enough. Every second that I had to play this puzzle platformer, I regretted it so much that I wanted to rip my hair out. I would rather have it as a 5-minute experience and get all that wasted time back for something more important. Like trying to lick my elbow.
An Everyday Disappointment
In the end, “An Everyday Story” manages to do what few games can: drain the very essence of enjoyment and leave you questioning the point of it all.
The story is very bland, the narrator makes you want to sleep(quite literally at one point), and the gameplay is worse than those child-occupying phone apps that get downloaded in the thousands on mothers’ phones worldwide.
If you are looking for a story driven puzzle platformer that might put you into a deep, existential coma, then congratulations, this is your ticket. Otherwise, you’d be better off finding something that respects your time.
Fox Legend is an old-school platforming experience that rarely breaks new ground. However, I enjoyed the sharp colours and the loud but repetitive audio. Moreover, the sense of danger and despair is never too far away. Accordingly, it would help if you worked hard to avoid every danger you face.
This retro platform adventure was developed by Fabrizio Abreu and published by Fa Games. It is a single-player side-scrolling title. Though this style isn’t new, I enjoyed the trip down memory lane. Additionally, the short, sharp levels were rewarding even though the early stages were a little too easy. This matters not as it was a great introduction to the harder drip-fed elements.
Fox Legend tells no story.
Fox Legend didn’t require a hearty plot to get you hooked. Instead, it lets its action do the talking. You are expected to avoid obstacles as you race towards the finish line. Moreover, there are 20 levels to experience and plenty of precise and fiddly mechanics to master. As such, the latter stages will test the best platforming gamers.
I’d have liked to experience a heartwarming story. The developer could have incorporated an antagonist to keep things interesting. Alternatively, maybe a couple of big bosses to overcome to capture your attention. Instead, you focused on each chasm, circular blade, and deadly spike. This was a little unfortunate as it prevented the action from evolving. Furthermore, there is a lack of empathy whenever the protagonist dies.
Simple gameplay.
As you explore each arena, you must avoid angry animals and a long list of traps. There are moving platforms and other tricky layers to navigate as well. Whether it is the classic fading platform or falling spikes, Fox Legend has them all.
You must move from left to right with 3 hearts at your disposal. If you are hit by a creature or you come in contact with a trap, you will lose a life. However, this is rarely troublesome as you can avoid most enemies with ease. What wasn’t so easy, however, was traversing the monstrous gaps. As you leap each chasm, you will make mistakes. Once you fall to your doom, you must start the stage again. This was infuriating as there were no checkpoints. Consequently, mistakes are costly.
Fox Legend blends 3D backdrops with 2D action.
I adored the perspective twist. At first, you’ll think that this is simply a 2D side-scroller. Yet, if you look closer, you’ll notice the wonderful depth of the well-designed backdrop. The 3D environments create depth without complicating the straightforward action. Additionally, the simple but effective character design makes this an easy game to look at. My only complaint was the lack of variety. There are 3 different biomes and that is all. Subsequently, it becomes repetitive quickly.
The audio is guilty of this problem as well. The soundtrack has a fun edge, but I became tired of it extremely quickly. There are limited songs and this made dying much more painful. If you combine this deja vu musical nightmare with the rudimentary sound effects, you get a tough-to-swallow audio experience.
Effective controls.
Platforming games are dreadful if the controls are hard to master. Luckily, Fox Legend delivers a pleasant and accurate control approach. There are few inputs to master and this makes the harder mechanics a little easier to overcome. What’s more, death and failure can only be blamed on a lack of skill or patience.
Unfortunately, replay value is lacking. This could have been improved had a speedrun mode been included. Alternatively, maybe boss battles or hidden collectables could have increased the challenge while making you return for more.
Fox Legend is a fine indie experience.
Though Fox Legend is short and relatively understated, I liked the aesthetics and the effective controls. On top of that, it is an affordable game, so though it didn’t take me too long to complete it, I still think it’s good value for money. The level design is fun and I liked the mixture of 3D and 2D imagery. However, a lack of replay value and the repetitive audio hold it back. Accordingly, despite the shortcomings, I recommend buying it here! Can you survive each trapped-filled arena? Master your skills, avoid the obstacles, and get to the exit portal.
Highway Police Simulator is a game that I’ve been looking forward to. I love the sim genre and the idea of cracking skulls in an open-world arena was appealing. Yet, I should have guessed that my hopes and dreams would be ruined by horrible bugs, wooden acting, and questionable missions. On top of this, the mechanics are cumbersome, and criminals can take 4 or 5 shots to the face before they die.
This alleged simulation game was developed by Z-Software and published by Aerosoft GmbH. Moreover, it is an open-world single-player experience that should have been thrilling. Yet, every aspect is hard work and this made it a slog when playing for any length of time. Additionally, the game-breaking bugs will drive you to distraction. I fell through the world when driving at high speeds. What’s more, people walk into the walls, the same police officer does endless push-ups, and your crewmate has a mind of her own. This should have been hilarious, but it was damn annoying.
Highway Police Simulator has a high-energy story.
Sim games usually have weak stories. This is a bugbear of mine as I like something to get my teeth into. Thankfully, Highway Police Simulator didn’t let me down. Caminora is a dangerous area filled with crime. Guns, drugs, and accidents are part of the daily grind. However, the police department is on hand to keep everyone safe. Whether you are progressing the hard-hitting plot or tackling daily issues, you never stop.
This was one area that impressed me. I loved the freedom to explore and the endless missions on offer. Additionally, piecing together each crime scene was a joy. Taking pictures, interrogating suspects, and arresting people was a thrill. Furthermore, abusing your powers was a cheeky way to bring a smile to your face. Yet, I cannot forgive the almost endless list of issues I faced.
Driving on ice.
The bugs are horrendous and Highway Police Simulator needs to iron out its problems. However, the driving is appalling. Every vehicle feels like it has no grip. Consequently, you jerk from left to right as the ice-like resistance makes it impossible to handle the simplest of tasks. This issue rears its ugly head during every race you undertake. Yet, it doesn’t cause any problems as the NPCs are slower than your everyday turtle.
Next up, we have the terrible shooting mechanics. I’m not sure what the NPCs’ faces are made of, but I’m sure it is Kevlar armour. The bullets are seemingly ineffective as you unleash hell upon them. Though this wasn’t too problematic, it is another ridiculous aspect that ruins the end product.
One aspect I was looking forward to was the helicopters and motorbikes. Now, I’m not sure how they’d handle as I was unable to unlock them. This is a shame as I’m sure it would have been fun flying into buildings or riding into cars. I suspect that these elements would have been just as buggy and probably even more funny.
Highway Police Simulator looks rough.
Occasionally, Highway Police Simulator looked impressive. The cinematic was pleasurable to watch and the faces have a high level of detail. However, things quickly went south when mobile phones were sticking out of their faces and people walked aimlessly into walls. Moreover, you drive through the map and into the nether or cars crash into invisible walls. To top things off, each car has no driver and the automated vehicles have a life of their own.
The audio was just as bad. The acting is wooden and the small talk takes place at the most inopportune moments. Furthermore, the weapons sound like peashooters and the cars lack a level of oomph. Consequently, it is a little flat and lifeless.
Poor controls.
You can play this with a controller or a mouse and keyboard. I tried both and they were equally problematic. The sensitivity is way off and driving in first or third person was cumbersome at best. Moreover, the shooting elements were glitched as I couldn’t fire when using a controller. This caused me to flit from each control method to complete the simplest of tasks.
I’d love to say that this oozes replay value, but I can’t. With so many problems, I found it tough to play. I’d love to test out the helicopter and complete the seemingly endless side quests, but it was too problematic to invest heavily. As such, I could only play this casually and that was unfortunate.
Highway Police Simulator failed miserably.
Highway Police Simulator has such potential but it fails to overcome many of its shortcomings. This should have been wonderful to play, but there is a problem around every corner. Bugs, glitches, poor acting and woeful mechanics undermine it throughout. Accordingly, I do not recommend buying it. However, more information can be found here! Can you become a police officer? Walk the beat, solve crimes, and clean up the streets.
Why are toads always at the centre of stories about magic? Toads of the Bayou has a plot about a giant toad raising an army of the damned. One of the protagonists is a toad that can conjure totems and teleport. A cursory Google indicates it’s something to do with their psychedelic excretions, but it’s really taken off. Read a story about a witch, and chances are there’s a toad somewhere in the background. We’re a few years off people spending their Sunday mornings worshipping at the local garden pond.
They do make for quite charismatic characters, however, being equal parts strange and charming. Impressive, for creatures that spend most of their time just sitting and staring. Toads of the Bayou puts them to good use, too. I’m always wary when I see the description mentioning terms like ‘deckbuilding’ and ‘roguelike’, as they’re often a source of frustration. A few minor quirks aside, however, Toads of the Bayou gets away from this feeling. It is, in a word, charming.
Combat Toads
Toads of the Bayou begins the usual way for this sort of thing. When we open, the bayou is a lovely place, full of happy, smiling toads. Predictably, this quickly goes south. A strange toad swans into town and friendly toads begin disappearing. The strange toad then reveals himself to be Baron Samedi, who promptly brings in his occult friends to overrun the Bayou. A resistance soon forms, led by our choice of three toads: the Leader, the Sister and the Seer. Each of these have their own skillset. I like the Sister, because she has a gigantic gun. My kind of religious relic.
Liberating the Bayou takes us across three islands, broken down into individual missions. These have a main objective of killing eight enemies, then a set of sub-objectives, which usually involve protecting some precious resource. Once a mission is chosen, you land down on the map and away you go. The action is turn-based, with individual actions dictated by a deck of cards. Each card has a cost, and you get three action points as standard. It’s turn-based strategy boiled down to its most basic elements, but there is joy in the simplicity.
The joy largely stems from the different playstyles that each character has. The Leader is focused on close combat, for example, so the winning formula is mainly about being in the right place. The beauty comes from a mechanic called ‘Push’, where an enemy collides back into another one. Play it right and you can knock ’em around like pool balls. Completing objectives nets you oil and gold, which you can use to stack your deck, or buy ‘support’ toads, that add extra bonuses. At the end of the day, though, you’re still only controlling one toad, which I rather liked.
Charming Amphibians
For me, Toads of the Bayou‘s gameplay hits the sweet spot of simplicity, thoughtfulness and speed. Each individual mission is fairly short, but requires some thought. Just look at the other characters. The sister, for instance, does a lot of damage with her rifle, but it pushes her backwards. Fire it in the wrong place, and she’ll hit the wall and crack her head open. You need to make sure you manoeuvre yourself with a bit of forethought. Even more so with the Seer, who specialises in swapping places with enemies and transferring negative statuses. Chaining together a hand of cards to wipe out multiple enemies is a wonderful feeling.
That said, there are a couple of odd quirks in the gameplay that give Toads of the Bayou an unpolished feel. For one, if you drag up an attack card, decide against using it and release your mouse, you risk attacking yourself to death. Preventing the Seer from clawing his own face off would have been polite. There’s other stuff too, like not being able to back out of the card removal screen. Lastly, the balance could perhaps do with a tweak. It’s fairly easy to get one or two supremely powerful cards – like one that draws itself every turn and lets you move diagonally – that snap the difficulty.
Those are my main complaints, really, and accidental death aside, they didn’t bother me too much. I think my sense of forgiveness is heightened by the fact that Toads of the Bayou is very charming. The visuals ooze personality. It’s not just that they’re bright and colourful, or that it’s pixel art (one of my weaknesses), but there’s a lot of cute little details. One objective is to protect toads in barrels, and you can see them poke their heads out. The main base is in a pub, full of toads chilling in the background. Someone had fun with the art and it really shows.
Toads of the Bayou – Simple, Charming, Fun
I’ve seen some concern on Steam about the length and replayability of Toads of the Bayou. Well, replayability is helped by the fact that you need to win with the three main characters before you get the true ending – though I admit there’s not much new after that. It didn’t worry me that much, though, because you can probably expect to sink in somewhere around fifteen hours to get to the end, depending on your strategy skills, which isn’t bad for a game that only costs eight quid.
Hopefully, La Grange take some of the minor tweaks on board as they go forward. I also hope they give their artist a big pat on the back. Actually, big pats all around. It’s a funny thing. Sometimes when playing games to review, I end up with a negative feeling that I have to backwards engineer. This time, it was the complete opposite. I liked Toads of the Bayou after my first run, and that was what I had to unpack. As it turns out, it’s down to charming visuals and a simple, enjoyable gameplay loop.
Garten of Banban 6 is ironically named as the episodic franchise comprises 5 chapters. However, this shouldn’t surprise anyone as this series makes little sense, and you simply roll with the punches. Though this off-the-cuff style may annoy some people, I love the surreal gameplay and the silly but horrific storyline. Accordingly, if you love chapters 1-4, you’ll cherish getting your teeth into chapter 6.
This horror adventure title was developed by Euphoric Brothers and published by Feardemic. Moreover, it has some strange puzzles that rarely make sense. This should have been an annoying design quirk, but I loved the bizarre nature of the gameplay. What’s more, there is a real horror edge that keeps you on your toes and makes your heart pound.
Garten of Banban 6 has you guessing who is a friend and a foe.
Garten of Banban 6 follows on from the madness of its predecessor. The hero is a father who has lost his child in kindergarten. Consequently, he must search the lost levels to find clues to reunite with his offspring. This is no easy task as the world is huge and the Naughty Ones hide in the dark. These manic little bastards love to scare the crap out of you and one false move is all it takes.
Every episode explores a random region of this hectic world. Yet, this one is uncomfortably big and shrouded in darkness. To make matters worse, there are small rooms to explore and plenty of puzzles to complete. Each of these problems requires a logical mindset and great situational awareness. If you creep into the dark or you miss a glimpse of a naughty one, you’ll regret every second.
Keep on moving.
Previously, Bittergiggle has been your enemy. However, this horrendous mascot has changed its allegiance and now wants to help you on your quest. This was a strange twist that took me by surprise. I didn’t mind as any help in this dank dark world was always welcome.
If you wish to complete your quest, you’ll need more than a weird friend on your side. Instead, you’ll have to upgrade your drone and flick switches to get the lights on. Your drone is the perfect tool that keeps you safe and the Naughty Ones at arm’s length. Though this tool isn’t always the go-to solution, it helps you to keep on moving from section to section.
A tough game to review.
Garten of Banban 6 is a brutal game to review. Much of the action makes little sense and you require plenty of context from the previous episodes to make the most of it. Additionally, I can’t talk about many of the elements without ruining the gameplay or sounding like a deluded fool. Subsequently, you’ll have to believe me when I say the jump scares are cliché but enjoyable.
On top of this, the puzzles are testing but not impossible. The inclusion of darkness and the fear of getting caught ramps up the difficulty setting, but everything is achievable. The hardest part of this title is the navigation. Walking narrow and poorly lit pathways is enough to make you scream. However, it is the risk of getting leapt on by a deformed mascot that really got my heart pumping.
Garten of Banban 6 needed longer in the oven.
This series is renowned for its low-quality visuals. The games feel rushed and the end product is somewhat shite to look at. The characters are glitchy and the cinematic is poor, to say the least. Furthermore, the textures are lacking and render distances are almost non-existent. I didn’t mind the latter issue as it enhanced the claustrophobic experience and increased the feeling of fear. However, the rest of the issues were unfortunate and should have been ironed out before release.
The audio is unbelievably creepy. The developer has combined moments of silence with awful ear-splitting sounds to great effect. Exploring the sinister and dark world was eerie at the best of times. Yet, when you combine the ominous soundtrack and creepy sound effects, you get a skin-tingling result.
Sluggish controls.
Sadly, the rushed edge isn’t exclusive to the graphics. No, the controls are loose and have a sluggish nature. This isn’t too problematic, but there are moments where accuracy is essential. Annoyingly, you’ll have to adjust your approach to overcome these moments. This was disappointing as it should have been avoided altogether. Had some minor tweaks been made, the control system would be vastly improved.
Though you are free to explore within reason, it is a linear game. Additionally, once you’ve experienced every jump scare and weird moment, I’m not sure there is a reason to return. Consequently, Garten of Banban 6 lacks replay value and longevity.
Garten of Banban 6 is good, but it is flawed.
Garten of Banban 6 is the best of a bad bunch. Though I’ve enjoyed the series, it lacks modern polish and the clichéd weirdness isn’t as appealing as it should be. Despite its flaws, this is the best game in the series and lovers of the franchise will adore every bizarre moment. However, if you have never played a Garten game, you will not want to start with this title. I have my reservations and my doubts, but I still recommend buying it here! Can you survive and find your child? Solve the puzzles, explore the world, and steer clear of the darkness.
The roguelike genre has been saturated with many games that often recycle familiar mechanics, but “Duck Paradox” by Magic Games stands out as a unique gem. This quirky platformer combines precision gameplay, a humorous storyline, and unexpected twists to deliver an engaging and refreshing experience. It’s not just another roguelike; it’s a wild journey across the multiverse with a charming protagonist, Dr. Paraducks, on a quest to find her missing pet duck, Quark.
Story and Concept
“Duck Paradox” has a simple yet entertaining narrative that sets the tone for an unusual adventure. You play as Dr. Paraducks, a scientist whose pet duck, Quark, has mysteriously gone missing. To get Quark back, Dr. Paraducks must navigate a series of increasingly bizarre and dangerous dimensions. The game’s storyline is filled with light humor and charming characters that add a touch of whimsy to the multiverse adventure. One of the standout elements of “Duck Paradox” is how it approaches storytelling. The plot is interwoven into the gameplay, with the different dimensions—the Lab Dimension, Disco Dimension, and Duckwash Dimension each having their unique visual style and challenges that help the story come alive. The theme of paradoxes is woven into the game mechanics, keeping players intrigued as they solve puzzles and interact with different versions of the ducky imposters.
Gameplay and Mechanics
Gameplay is where “Duck Paradox” shines the most. The core mechanics combine precision platforming with rogue-like elements. Each level introduces new obstacles, often requiring careful timing and planning to advance. What makes “Duck Paradox” unique is that every shot you fire can become a new obstacle. Bullets ricochet across the environment, making each action carry the weight of its consequences. Players need to think about not only how to defeat enemies but also how their own shots can affect their future path. This adds a strategic layer to the precision platforming that’s both challenging and incredibly rewarding.
Another highlight of the gameplay is the ability to slow down time. This mechanic isn’t just a cool feature but also an essential tool for survival. With bullets bouncing around and enemies moving quickly, the time-slowing feature allows you to dodge attacks and solve puzzles under pressure. The dynamic of dodging, planning your moves, and managing chaos on-screen offers an experience that feels uniquely “Duck Paradox.” After each level, players are presented with randomized upgrades, adding a roguelike twist that keeps the game unpredictable. These upgrades vary from boosting Dr. Paraducks’ abilities to altering the way you interact with enemies and obstacles. This roguelike progression system keeps each run feeling fresh, motivating players to experiment and adapt to whatever upgrades they are given.
Level Design and Visuals
“Duck Paradox” boasts over 50 levels across three unique worlds, each filled with intricate platforming challenges. The levels are cleverly designed to progressively increase in difficulty, ensuring players always feel that their skills are being tested. The dimensions themselves—the Lab, Disco, and Duckwash—are visually distinct, each with its own style, making the game a vibrant adventure across bizarre yet captivating worlds.
The game’s art style is colorful and humorous, fitting perfectly with the quirky storyline. The Lab Dimension has a typical science-lab aesthetic, the Disco Dimension features flashy colors and psychedelic lights, while the Duckwash Dimension adds an extra layer of humor to the mix. The visuals don’t push the boundaries of graphical fidelity, but they succeed in delivering a fun, light-hearted aesthetic that perfectly matches the tone of the game.
Challenges and Replayability
“Duck Paradox” is not for those who shy away from a challenge. The combination of precision platforming and the ricocheting bullets mechanic can make for some intensely difficult moments. However, the difficulty curve is well-balanced, and each level offers the satisfaction of overcoming increasingly complex challenges. The roguelike nature of the game, with random upgrades at the end of each level, adds replayability by making sure no two runs are the same.
The randomized upgrades encourage experimentation, allowing players to try out different combinations of abilities to see what works best for them. This unpredictability is at the heart of what makes “Duck Paradox” such a captivating roguelike—even when you’re retrying a level for the tenth time, there’s always the chance to discover something new that changes how you play.
Verdict
“Duck Paradox” is a delightful entry into the roguelike genre that offers a unique twist with its blend of precision platforming, humor, and clever mechanics. The ability to slow time, the bullets, and the challenging level design make this game stand out as something genuinely different. While the game may be tough at times, it’s always rewarding, and the lighthearted storyline keeps you smiling even through repeated failures.
It’s been 30 years since Little Big Adventure released on the PC. Now it is back in its self-proclaimed remake, Little Big Adventure- Twinsen’s Quest. Is it worth checking out? Or should it have remained a beloved classic of the past?
The Quest To Find Answers
Little Big Adventure truly is a relic of the past. Released way back in 1994 to a positive reception and decent sales for its time, the adventure game blended 3D environments with its isometric point of view. Now, after all these years, it has returned in the form of a remake. In the era of remakes and remasters, this new game unfortunately represents many of the negatives which become apparent in trying to recapture the magic of a beloved game. The original story of Little Big Adventure centres around Twinsen, a Quetch (similar to humans but they all possess ponytails) who lives on the planet Twinsun. In the original game, Twinsen has visions of the evil Dr FunFrock causing the end of the world and seeks to protect the planet by warning citizens, which results in his detention in an asylum. It’s from here the original balances a serious tone with light-hearted humour as Twinsen ventures across the planet to defeat FunFrock and save the planet. It’s an enjoyable tale that knows when to be silly and when to be serious. Whilst the remake has major elements of the plot incorporated, it truly makes some really head-scratching decisions in revising the classic tale.
The story originally had Twinsen’s love interest Zoe captured by FunFrock’s army but in this version it is his little sister Luna whp is captured, with Zoe having fled the city years before, bizarrely. Twinsen’s reason for being imprisoned also changes and without giving spoilers, it is a baffling decision that changes the whole mood and tone of the game. I think this is where the core of my issues with the story are; the original had heart and dark moments so finely balanced with the themes of freedom and resistance but in this version it is so light-hearted that I could barely take the threat of planetary destruction seriously. Twinsen seems to take everything that comes his way half-heartedly and I wish the team at 2.21 had opted to keep the tone of the original. I understand these changes are to modernise damsel in distress tropes and avoid old stereotypes, but the way it has been done makes the game feel completely devoid of heart and soul. Add in the truly terrible cutscenes that take place sporadically throughout the game and poor voice acting, and the quality of the voiceovers truly take away what made the first game special to many people. I can respect the developers’ attempts to make the story feel fresh, but they have failed with this version- and I haven’t even mentioned the gameplay yet!
Clunky Clunky Clunkiness
The original version of Little Big Adventure had innovation and ingenuity for its time. Twinsen had a mood system which the player could alter to change gameplay styles. Normal mode had Twinsen act in a standard way and interact with characters. Athletic would make him run and jump better for traversal purposes whilst aggressive and stealth added layers of combat for the player. Not in this game. Gone is the entire mood system, replaced by one set of controls that take away so much from the original that it’s baffling the developers decided to do this. The system is now just a boring clunky mess. The controls are so frustrating with their terrible traversal system; you will almost certainly spend far too much time failing to jump and move on to the next objective. The combat system is equally as bad as you attempt to punch and kick enemies. It’s so bad the enemies don’t even move and I was still experiencing difficulties landing blows on them. Coupled with the terrible lock-on system for the magic ball ability, you have the recipe for terrible game play. The controls were originally tank controls but the replacement system bizarrely is worse.
Along with the awful combat and platforming, the remake also suffers from baffling misses in the quality of life department. I cannot tell you how many times I stumbled across the next objective just by talking to a random character. There is no true objective or mission marker, which makes the game feel completely lifeless and devoid of purpose. Finding a specific piece of dialogue from a specific character involves backtracking across multiple locations to unlock the next part of the story. This is just ridiculous and severely stunted my engagement and enjoyment. Along with the terrible gameplay is a myriad of bugs: characters not engaging in conversation, Twinsen regurgitating lines from the beginning of the game over and over and over and multiple crashes of the game. For a cult classic like this to achieve success, it needed to be a polished and improved product and sadly, this is absolutely none of that. A terrible effort in gameplay and mission design.
The Lack Of That 90’s Charm
I think a common theme of this remake is its lack of charm which the original game managed to capture and this is once again evident in its visual presentation. When loading up the classic game, one of the first things to garner your attention were the graphics with the 2D background design, coupled with the 3D character models. It was impressive for the time but now with the remake, the game feels lifeless in comparison. The new visuals are 3D backgrounds that have replaced the 2D isometric pixels. This makes the game look blocky, low resolution and just downright cheap. Character models and animations also look particularly bad and as previously mentioned, enemy animations are laughable at times and in some instances, no animations actually occur. The whole colour scheme to me feels slightly oversaturated as well, resulting in some ugly images as you traverse across the different biomes that are on display. A disappointing effort in visual design and presentation.
Fortunately, the sound design and score produce some positive results. The remake attempts to make the game more light-hearted and this is reflected in sound design. Wandering around, you will hear lots of boings and cartoonish squeaks and squeals that help to keep the tone at the level the developers are aiming for. Throwing Twinsen’s magic ball sounds great when you manage to strike an enemy with it, whilst hearing an enemy soldier fire off a rife makes you feel like the stakes are high every time a bullet exits the chamber. Dodging and rolling around the map also has this cartoonish sound to it, thus making it amusing for you to traverse the areas this way. Along with the charismatic sound design is a returning soundtrack from original composer Phillip Vachey, which once again is superb. The score has this charming upbeat tone to it that reminds me in some ways of a classic fantasy tale, as the heroes embark on saving the town or village. The score remains one of the best parts of the game and with new additions added to the already strong soundtrack, this is one area the developers have absolutely nailed.
Verdict
Little Big Adventure- Twinsen’s Quest is a profoundly disappointing evolution of the cult classic. Bizarre story tone changes, god awful combat and platforming and poor visuals seal this version as a cheap imitator. Whilst the strong musical score remains, and sound design across the board is solid, it’s not enough to change my opinion that this was just made for a quick buck. This one should have stayed in the 90’s.
Neva is an emotional journey that will thaw the iciest of hearts! Every element of this touching game was truly wonderful to explore. Whether it is the breathtaking scenery, the beautiful bond between humans and animals, or the simple but effective puzzles, this game does not disappoint. The game hooks you immediately as disaster strikes. From this point, you are fighting a battle of revenge as the world and everything in it is out to get you.
This action-adventure platformer was developed by Nomada Studio and published by Devolver Digital. It is a single-player title that uses a 2D side-scrolling approach. Though this is relatively old-school by design, it works perfectly with the core gameplay mechanics. The sombre atmosphere and brilliant use of light and dark reminded me of Song of Iron. However, this is a more expressive title that is touching and rewarding.
Neva tells a sorrowful and exciting tale.
I love story-rich gaming. The ability to lose myself in another world is a special experience. Thankfully, Neva does this to a masterful level! The poignant storytelling gets under your skin. Moreover, there are genuinely sorrowful moments that will stick in your mind long after you finish playing it.
You control Alba, a young woman who is bound to a curious wolf cub. A traumatic encounter forces the pair into a battle of life and death and dark forces combine to overpower them. However, the new pairing work together and complement one another to maximise their chances of survival. As they explore the seasons, the cub begins to grow. As it gets older and more powerful, the pair evolve and their problems get harder. Consequently, you never know what to expect and you are tested from Spring to Winter.
Amazing mechanics.
Though Neva has massive swathes of nothingness, this mattered not. You will traverse large open plains with spectacular backdrops. As you run, you expect something to happen, but it doesn’t. Instead, you are given time to think about every sombre element and the impact it has on the lead characters.
As the pair encounter each cruel entity, they must work together to overcome the danger. This usually means that Alba must swing her sword and use her dodge powers to overcome every minion and boss she faces. As the game evolves, Neva uses her teeth and weight to assist you. This was great as it allowed you to focus on the task at hand.
The platforming elements are familiar and well-trodden. There are walls to climb, chasms to leap, and a dash mechanic to avoid obstacles. Though these ideas don’t break the mould, they work perfectly with every situation. Additionally, the developer drip-fed them into the game to add depth during the latter phases.
Neva is absolutely stunning.
I have played some beautiful games in my time, but Neva is absolutely stunning. Every visual element is delivered to a high standard and I couldn’t find fault. The juxtaposition between light and dark was fascinating and helped to enhance the danger and melancholy elements. What’s more, the backdrops are simply divine. Subsequently, though there are large empty areas to traverse, you will not be disappointed.
I cannot praise the visual elements enough. Yet, they wouldn’t be as powerful if the audio wasn’t as emotive. The soundtrack is unbelievably good and the blend of slow and touching songs is countered by high-energy and dramatic moments. The loud music is killed instantly when the heroes share a touching moment. This change of pace was phenomenal and I was sucked into the story because of the incredible audio.
Excellent controls.
Though Neva could have got away with sloppy or badly executed controls, it doesn’t have to. The developer has done an amazing job with the drip-fed mechanics and the simple control layout. Furthermore, the inputs are accurate and this helps during the complicated parkour moments and the hectic combat encounters.
I loved every minute of this game, but I’m not sure I’d return. The action is relatively linear and once you’ve experienced everything, I wouldn’t want to endure the emotional turmoil again. However, if you are a completionist, you must search for plenty of collectables. Consequently, there is replay value and longevity if that is your thing.
Neva is an amazing indie game.
Finding a good indie game is easier said than done. Accordingly, discovering an amazing one is harder still. Neva hits a level that is rarely achieved in the current market. It is touching, exciting, sad, and wonderful to play. Every element works with the exception of replay value. As such, though it is phenomenal, it just misses out on a perfect 10/10. Subsequently, this is a great game and I recommend buying it here! Will you overcome the darkness? Explore the world, protect the cub, and get through the madness together.
