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Review: Nanoleaf Sonic the Hedgehog Shapes Limited Edition Starter Kit

Andrew Edney

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Apr 27, 2022

Review: Nanoleaf Sonic the Hedgehog Shapes Limited Edition Starter Kit

Here is our review of the Nanoleaf Sonic the Hedgehog Shapes Limited Edition Starter Kit.

The world’s favourite blue hedgehog is back for a next-level adventure in Sonic the Hedgehog 2. Bring your movie hero in your living room with the Sonic Limited Edition Starter Kit.

With the Limited Edition, create your favourite character from the Sonic the Hedgehog 2 movie. And if at one moment you change your mind, just change the shape and go with another hero!

Sonic is full of surprises and the Nanoleaf Shapes too with over 16 million colours! Change the mood and colours of your Limited Edition to a Sonic blue, a Tails yellow or a Knuckles red. Also find the new Sonic the Hedgehog 2 playlist in the app or download the guide for the perfect Sonic, Tails or Knuckles design.

You want to refresh your mind on the first Sonic movie before going to the cinema to see Sonic the Hedgehog 2? Connect your PC to the TV screen, syncup your Nanoleaf Shapes installation over the Nanoleaf Desktop App and press play.

Your Nanoleaf Shapes panels react as quickly to music in real time as Sonic speeds up to save the world from Knuckles and evil Robotnik. Put on the perfect playlist to keep pumped up like Sonic and see how the colours change at Sonic speed.

What’s in the Box?

The box contains 32 light panels, a power supply, linkers, a controller and mounting stickers along with simple instructions.

A Closer Look

Setting It Up

Once you have decided on your overall shape, in this case Sonic himself, you put the panels other using the linkers and place the mounting stickers on the back so that the panels fit to the wall. The image below shows what it looks like on the back when connected, although you would place each panel piece on the wall individually.

You then use the Nanoleaf app to add the creation and control everything from there.

And then your creation is complete!

Final Thoughts

Being a fan of the Sonic the Hedgehog movies, and having a trusty almost 6 year old assistant who loves Sonic, this was going to be a fun review.

Each of the limited edition boxes comes with everything you need to either make Sonic, Tails or Knuckles. There are 32 panels which are all used no matter who you pick.

Everything in the box is very neatly laid out and is protected so that the panels aren’t damaged in transit.

We took all the panels out and neatly laid them out ready to put them together. The decision was made to have Sonic (was there ever really another choice)?

This is where things weren’t as easy as we had hoped. There are no instructions in the box for making either Sonic, Tails or Knuckles. There is a very basic and generic getting started guide which wasn’t any real use in this instance (would have been fine if we were making our own patterns though). So we checked the app thinking there might be something there to follow – nope! In the end we managed to find a simple guide online (one page per character) that showed the back of the finished character and displayed the hash codes for the colours. Given its a limited edition set it wouldn’t have been difficult to have included those instructions in the box.

Following those instructions was simple and we put it all together before fixing it to the wall. We then took it all apart again to fit on the wall properly.

Whilst Nanoloaf say you can take the panels down and rearrange them easily, that is true, however you will need another complete set of mounting stickers (in this case 32 of them) which you would have to buy in order to put them up again, so it’s not very likely that you will be doing that very often. In fact, once the panels were secured to the wall, we decided to leave them there! They are big as well, Sonic is 60cm x 62cm, plus the power cable attached.

The other thing that would have been nice to include in the box would be some clips for the power cable. Without clips it just hangs there, it’s easy to sort but it would have been nice.

Everything is controlled via the Nanoleaf app, although there is a simple control panel that you can use, however depending on where you put the finished character it might not be reachable.

Once your creation is attached to the wall and you have added it to the app you can sit back and enjoy it. You can have it set on a static image (like Sonic), or you can choose from different options in the app, including either creating your own or downloading ones that either Nanoleaf or other owners have created. These including touch games which can be quite fun to play.

All in all the Nanoleaf Sonic the Hedgehog Shapes Limited Edition Starter Kit is a really great piece of kit. It’s fun to build and play with, especially if you are a fan of Sonic, and don’t let the couple of little niggles I mention in the review put you off, its going to give hours and hours of fun to come.

The Nanoleaf Sonic the Hedgehog Shapes Limited Edition Starter Kit is available now priced at £299.99.

You can learn more from the Nanoleaf website here.

Review: SwitchBot Pan/Tilt camera

Daniel Waite

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Apr 26, 2022

0

Your house is your castle, and everything within it is precious to you. Subsequently, you will want to protect your home from unwanted visitors. This is where security cameras are a must! They help to prevent crime, capture any dishonest acts as evidence and reassure homeowners. However, people worry that they are complex to use, overpriced, and unreliable. Well, worry no more as SwitchBot has released the SwitchBot Pan/Tilt camera. This low cost, but high-quality product is a must-buy for anyone looking to improve their personal security.

User-friendly and straightforward tech is at the core of SwitchBot’s mantra. Therefore, unsurprisingly, the SwitchBot Pan/Tilt camera is simple to use, easy to install, and a cinch to manage. In short, it’s a great security tool to have whether you are tech-savvy or a complete technophobe. With many competitors to beat, this camera has to excel in many areas to stand out from its peers. In my experience, this is an exceptional device that offers high-quality imagery, excellent audio, a robust design, and a simple but effective free to use app. Subsequently, it stands head and shoulders above its competitors.

Key an eye on your pets when you are away from home. — Should you be on the bed?

What’s in the box of the SwitchBot Pan/Tilt camera?

The outer packaging is slim, lightweight, and flimsy. It’s emblazoned with the company logo and highlights the key features. The majority of the packaging is recyclable except for one small plastic bag.
The SwitchBot Pan/Tilt camera. This small but imposing device is off white, has a smooth plastic exterior, and has many moving parts. It weighs around 200g and is approximately 4 inches tall. The camera has a rotational base and a movable lens. These are key to improving the range of visibility and help ensure privacy when needed.
USB power cable and adapter. The camera must be powered at all times and this long cable ensures that isn’t a problem.
Mounting kit. The easy to install mounting kit is simple to understand and great for your average DIY enthusiast. What’s more, a helpful sticker ensures no mistake will be made when mounting your camera.
Instruction manual. A straightforward and direct manual that explains the fundamentals.

Technical elements.

Model	W1801200
Product dimension	78 * 78 * 107 mm
Weight	200g
Colour	White
Material	PC+ABS
Compatibility	iOS 11.0+, Android 5.0+
Working environment	Indoor
Image resolution	1080p
Camera angle	360 degree horizontal, 115 degrees vertical
Way of control	SwitchBot App
Sensor	Image sensor
Night vision	850mm LED infrared night vision
Light	Red and green indicator light
Audio	Built-in microphone and speaker
Storage	Supports up to 128GB micro SD FAT32 format
Working temperature	-15 C to 45 C
Relative humidity	10% to 95% RH

We’ve all seen grainy and unrecognisable recordings from cheap and dated systems. Luckily, you won’t have that problem with the SwitchBot Pan/Tilt camera. With a 360 degree horizontal and 115 degrees of vertical movement, you get an excellent field of view. Clarity is improved further still, thanks to its high-resolution lens. With a 2 million pixels f20 aperture lens, it delivers a crisp picture. The videos are recorded in 1080p with night vision included. This makes the camera super versatile for day and night use. Alongside this, the 8 infrared LEDs ensure you get excellent dusk to nighttime recordings as well.

Alongside this is motion detection recording and warnings. This helpful tool ensures that any environmental changes are captured immediately. Consequently, you can rest assured that the camera is keeping a watchful eye on your belongings. Any warnings are highlighted in the app and a live stream can be viewed to alleviate any concerns of wrongdoings. In conjunction with this, there is 2-way audio that enables you to listen to your camera and interact with anyone or anything in the area.

The SwitchBot Pan/Tilt camera has a handy Micro SD slot. — A handy Micro SD slot for up to 128GB of storage.

Could it be a pet or child monitor?

If you have furry friends or little people in your life, the SwitchBot Pan/Tilt camera should pique your interests. Thanks to the aforementioned motion detection Night vision, and 2-way audio, this could be an excellent pet or child monitor.

I’m sure you’ve wondered what your dog does while you are out. Or perhaps you have concerns they are anxious or scared without you. Well, how about keeping an eye on them with the ability to reassure them included? This is a reality with the live stream option via Wi-Fi. Having tested this on my “intelligent” border collie, I was able to observe him while scolding him for chewing a shoe. Subsequently, I think the camera did a great job of keeping me in the loop.

However, maybe you don’t have a dog, but little dependants instead? The camera could be a great transition between traditional baby monitors and no visibility at all. Just like with the pet issue, you can reassure youngsters from another room without having to climb stairs or leave the comfort of your bed.

Privacy is key!

In a world that is rightly obsessed with privacy, this camera has that covered as well. Included in the price is a privacy setting that places the camera to sleep. This was an excellent and reassuring decision from the manufacturers. There is nothing worse than thinking big brother is watching and sadly, CCTV doesn’t help the situation. However, I never felt like that with this device, as I could hide away the lens whenever I didn’t want it to watch.

As well as the privacy setting, there is the ability to record all footage on a MicroSD memory card. You can use up to 128 GBs of storage that can be controlled through the SwitchBot app. Luckily, it was straightforward to set up and easy to manage from your phone.

The SwitchBot Pan/Tilt camera has a fantastic two-way audio system. — Talk to them while you are away from home.

It has one drawback.

The necessity to use mains electricity was disappointing. I hoped that SwitchBot would have included a backup battery as this would have made it more versatile. Though this is a comparative issue with its competitors, I expected more. I wanted there to be a fallback if the power failed, but this wasn’t to be. It is a minor thing that taints an otherwise excellent product.

Is the Switchbot Pan/Tilt camera worth it?

Priced at under £30, you get an awful lot for your money. What’s more, it’s one of the easiest to set up and use devices on the market. Alongside this, it has a multi-faceted use and your privacy is its primary concern. My only complaint is the lack of a backup battery, but that is particularly picky on my behalf. If you are looking for a user-friendly camera that’s jam-packed with features, then buy it here! The Switchbot Pan/Tilt camera is now available to buy from Amazon as well.

Summary.

The SwitchBot Pan/Tilt camera is an excellent and affordable multi-use device. It can be used to monitor pets, children, or the security of your home. Thanks to its wonderful field of view and high-resolution lens, you experience crisp and detailed videos and images. Its setup and use are simplicity personified, and it’s an excellent camera for everyone, including security-conscious technophobes.

_{(More information on SwitchBot products can be found here!)}

Review: ROCCAT Burst Pro Air

Reviews
Tech

Daniel Waite

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Apr 25, 2022

0

Gaming accessories are two a penny these days. However, high-end products are not so easy to come by. Consequently, getting the right gaming peripheral is easier said than done and mistakes are easily made. There are a few market-leading brands that stand out. ROCCAT, Razer, and Corsair are among the best I’ve tried, but they have a price point to match. The costly outlay may put off some gamers, but I recommend investing if you want the best experience. I’ve recently covered the ROCCAT Kone XP mouse, and I adored everything about it. Therefore, when the ROCCAT Burst Pro Air landed on my desk, I was excited to see what was on offer.

This wireless accessory is versatile, bright, stylish, and responsive. It has the build quality you come to expect from the ROCCAT range and looks gloriously vivid with its multi RGB lighting segments. Furthermore, it is lightweight, has a responsive nature, and comes loaded with the latest ROCCAT technology. What’s more, it has the normal mappable buttons, a DPI adjuster, a meaty but comfortable wheel, and it feels wonderful in your hand. So, let’s see what’s in the box before I discuss the technical aspects and my thoughts on it.

Both the white and black mice side by side. — Which will you choose?

What’s in the box of the ROCCAT Burst Pro Air?

Advertising and packaging are big business, and ROCCAT knows it. Subsequently, their design is striking, simple, and clean-cut. The mouse is delivered in a light, but strong cardboard box that is emblazoned with key selling points and the company logo. Inside, I was disappointed to see the mouse housed in a clear plastic container. Yes, I like that the accessory was protected, but in an environmental savvy world, plastic is not necessary.
ROCCAT Burst Pro Air mouse. A sturdy peripheral that can be purchased in black or white. It has a sleek outer casing that overlays an RGB honeycomb interior.
1.8m Phantom Flex USB-C Charging cable. This handy braided cable allows you to quick charge the mouse, or play wired if you so wish. It’s well built and has ample length for most “normal” gaming setups.
Wireless dongle. A small USB dongle that can be stored inside the mouse’s body to keep it safe.
A quick start guide. This helpful document matter-of-factly explains the fundamentals.

Clean and easy to read packaging. — Simple and clean packaging.

The Blue RGB setting. — Simple and clean packaging.

Technical aspects.

If you are going to invest heavily in a mouse for the best experience, you want it to be top-notch. Luckily, the ROCCAT Burst Pro Air mouse is jam-packed with market-leading technology. What’s more, its buttons feel weighty and robust, the central wheel has a comfortable and noticeable movement, and mapping the IE forward and backwards buttons is a simple task. Furthermore, there is a handy profile select button, DPI adjuster, and it moves smoothly thanks to the heat-treated PTFE gliders.

Buttery-smooth movement is only as good as the sensor that is provided. Luckily, the exclusive Owl-Eye optical sensor has a 19k resolution with a 400 IPS tracking speed. In short, it’s rapid as hell and picks up every minor movement you make. Subsequently, this is excellent for fast-paced gaming where accuracy is a must. Alongside this, the useful DPI button allows you to alter the twitch speed of the accessory on the fly. This is great if you are jumping between classes as it keeps you one step ahead of the competition.

Unlike mechanical alternatives, the Titan Optical Switches allow for an instantaneous response. The light actuated input is unbelievably quick, responsive, and is guaranteed for a whopping 100 million clicks. Accordingly, that’s an awful lot of gaming to be had from one super fast peripheral.

The RGB is set in 4 honeycomb sections. — The RGB segments are vivid and striking.

Wireless, Bluetooth, or wired?

Choosing whether to go wired or wireless is a tedious question. There are pros and cons to both, but luckily, the ROCCAT Burst Pro Air has it all. It utilises both a 2.4 GHz wireless connection and a 5.2 Bluetooth alternative. When using either connection, I noticed no latency issues or connectivity problems. Furthermore, selecting either mode was easy thanks to the switch on the underside of the mouse. If you opt for the wireless option, the accessory has a massive 100-hour battery life. Moreover, as little as 10 minutes of fast-charging will offer up to 5 hours of gaming.

If you are old-school, the handy 1.8m Phantom Flex USB-C charging cable makes it wired. Though this wasn’t my go-to option, it was a handy workaround if you are out of charge. However, the aforementioned 10-minute charge quashes that concern almost immediately.

The ROCCAT Burst Pro Air comes in white or black. — Now, that’s a bright mouse.

Is the ROCCAT Burst Pro Air worth it?

At £89.99, it isn’t the most expensive mouse on the market. Yet, the ROCCAT Burst Pro Air offers an awful lot of functionality for the outlay. Yes, there are alternatives available from Razer, but for me, it was just about perfect. I adored its RGB look, its lightweight design, and how comfortable it was to work with. What’s more, the buttons are responsive, easy to locate, and simple to map. Furthermore, the Owl-eye optical sensor is accurate, and this is assisted nicely by the heat-treated PTFE gliders. There was nothing to dislike about this mouse and I recommend you to buy it here! Get ahead of the game and add this stylish and performance-driven accessory to your collection.

Summary.

The ROCCAT Burst Pro Air mouse is exceptional value for money. It is jam-packed with features, looks great, and is comfortable to use. What’s more, it has multiple connectivity options, is easy to personalise, and has a monster 100-hour battery life. Most importantly, though, it is responsive, and its owl-eye sensor is accurate. When milliseconds count, you want the best you can get, and ROCCAT is a market leader.

_{(More information on ROCCAT can be found here!)}

Review: Dark Deity

Natosha M

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Apr 24, 2022

0

Are you ready to put your mind to work while playing an animated game called Dark Deity? It’s a game that is full of strategic planning, a vast assortment of magical and mighty heroes to add to your team, and many battlegrounds to fight the opposing teams on, those that are causing havoc to the world, Terrazael. Furthermore, the game includes an excellent story that may be a bit long on the narrative side, but perfect for those who love a good story leading to the next pursuits waiting to turn up next.

So if you feel you have what it takes to perform the task of being a hero, such as battling in many wars, and restoring the world to its peaceful, safe, and desired state. Then you may find Dark Deity to bring nothing but joy and excitement during gameplay. There is even a choice of choosing an even more difficult mode, present from the very start. If you want to take on more battles, rather than having to take on many different wars, then choosing the third option; the hardest mode will bring the player just that, more action and challenge! However, this game can provide anyone the option to make it suitable for their needs, which is great for beginners who don’t play games that require planning or want it to be too hard.

Graphics and Sound

There is nothing bad with the animated graphics in this game! It’s absolutely awesome and slightly breathe taking with that artwork of the background. The game has this fantasy and cartoonish appearance. Everything is perfectly clear, cheerful, and full of color, which includes the characters, backdrops, weapons, and much more. I even must add that the music is very well matched to the game. It builds the player up with such a strong and heroic adventure-style tune that plays as the game is turned on.

The entire game’s visual appearance and music work perfectly to bring such a wonderful battling experience. The transition from strategy and story is quite nice as well. Especially, how the characters are turned into these cute mini fighters on a battlefield, where the action takes place. When the narrative portion of the game begins again, each character goes back to their regular human height and design.

Lastly, I couldn’t find anything wrong with the art and the music. It’s astounding and really makes this game visually appealing and captivating. The movements and action scenes are smooth and immensely entertaining to watch when battling the enemies while on the battlefield.

Final Thoughts

I must say that the game is very entertaining, coming with so many action-filled battles and plenty to discover as the story goes on. It’s a perfect strategy game, requiring some planning before playing. The cartoon design makes it even more joyful, as it’s so much more cheerful and full of color. The game is so much simpler to understand how to battle and play, without realizing one must face an enemy when making a move. This isn’t necessary like many games I’ve played in the past. Plus, it’s even nicer for those who are learning how to play strategic games for the first time.

Even if you had a bad experience with a game demanding you position the characters on a board; battlefield, this game makes it quite easy to learn how to! There are just two things that I didn’t mind about the game. One is the long narrative portion of the game. At least, you can quickly click through the speech portion. However, I wish there was a way to skip right past these chat sessions, which the player doesn’t want to read.

The last one is that I rather it be a little less loading time required to play a new section. It may seem like it needs to load a bit much just to go from one thing to the next. The speed is not too slow, but it can be a bit much. However, these are all just small potatoes. I don’t feel anything I’ve mentioned to be a distraction or problem to anyone playing. It still is quite an excellent game to play.

Review: Anuchard

Daniel Waite

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Apr 24, 2022

0

Man and beast can live in perfect harmony when they want to. However, this balance can be easily shifted and the consequences can be devastating. This is exactly what happens in Anuchard. It’s a game that blends humanity, the animal kingdom, and gargantuan all-powerful guardians.

Developed by StellarNull and published by Freedom Games, this is an adventure RPG tale. It uses some phenomenal retro gaming aspects and combines them with hand-drawn dungeons. What’s more, it has a bizarre story that is touching and comical. In short, it will fill older gamers with nostalgia, while appeasing younger players with its charm.

Anuchard has religion and supernatural qualities at its core. — Ring the bell and save those souls.

Anuchard is repetitive.

Sadly, the core concept of Anuchard is repetitive! The gameplay revolves around dangerous dungeons, many quests, and simple puzzles. Unfortunately, these rarely evolve and, subsequently, Déjà vu kicks in very early on. Now, this isn’t to say it’s boring, because it isn’t. It’s merely a game that follows a strict model, and this is part of its old-school ways. Consequently, to get the most out of this, you’ll have to lower your expectations a little.

The story is set in the kingdom of Anuchard. This was once a thriving and magical place that was blessed by 5 guardians. However, without warning, they left! The skies caved in and the world was destroyed. All that survived the destruction was a tiny sliver of land. Above ground, the people lived off the orchard and barely survived. Below the ground is a maze of tunnels in a place known as the dungeon. This magical and dangerous area is not for the faint of heart, and this is where you come in. Unbeknownst to you, you are the Bellwielder. This title is given to a hero who controls the Audros bell. You must delve deep into each dungeon to fight monsters, solve puzzles, and rescue trapped souls. Eventually, you will face each of the guardians and convince them to bless Anuchard and save the day.

Each dungeon has unique monsters. — How will you tackle each dungeon?

Simple puzzles and combat.

When a game focuses on puzzles and combat, you want to be challenged. However, sadly, this isn’t the case. Most of the puzzles found within Anuchard are simple and obvious. This understated approach was a mistake, as the gameplay was too easy. Consequently, most problems were solved in no time and this was disappointing. Luckily, though, there were some fleeting Eureka moments. These normally involved whacking a ball of light off several walls to activate a switch. Now, this involved dexterity, timing, and planning, and this was fantastic. I wish the developers had used this as its foundation. Had they done so, the action would have been vastly improved.

Each dungeon is constructed of several levels. To reach the end goal, you must avoid traps, unlock doors, and kill monsters. En route, you’ll discover hidden paths, collectables, and data records. These holograms were used to drip-feed the lore of the land. Subsequently, it was an excellent way of adding depth to the story and I applaud this approach. Navigating each area was fun, but it could have been much better if the aforementioned puzzles were tougher.

The combat was another area that should have been better! Disappointingly, it was much too easy and only the guardian encounters will test you. However, even they follow a predictable pattern and will quickly be vanquished. Yes, there is an array of monsters unique to each dungeon. But destroying them is all too familiar. Each foe has either a shield or not. If it has armour, you simply smash it against a wall and bludgeon it to death. However, if it arrives unprotected, things are simpler still as you just swing away until they are no more. Annoyingly, this is the extent of the fighting mechanics and, understandably, I wanted much more.

Anuchard is brilliantly old-school.

Anuchard has a pixelated and almost isometric approach. Its blend of earthy tones and garish colours is reminiscent of both Sega Mega Drive and SNES gaming. I adored this simple approach, as it was charming and easy to look at. This dated aesthetic extended to the wonderful and varied sprites. What’s more, the smaller areas, easy to navigate town, and uncomplicated dungeons, were never overwhelming.

The old-school style can also be heard in the whimsical audio. There is a lighthearted and enjoyable soundtrack and OTT but basic sound effects. I enjoyed how the music changed for each dungeon, and this alleviated some repetition.

The village chief is full of surprises. — What secrets does the chief hide?

Clumsy controls.

Unfortunately, the controls were cumbersome and tedious. Tiny and oddly placed hitboxes make selecting objects a challenging task. What’s more, the unresponsive buttons ensure that the tougher puzzles are just a bit harder. On top of this, I found myself rolling instead of hitting my foes. This was annoying and usually made combat unnecessarily frustrating. Other than this, the control layout is easy to understand and quick to master.

The ruined kingdom of Anuchard needs your help to rebuild it. Thankfully, a robot from the dungeons is willing to do the work. Unsurprisingly, though, they won’t do it for free and you must find resources hidden within each dungeon. If you don’t find every single item, you can’t rebuild the kingdom. Alongside this, you must locate every lost soul on your journey. These two elements, combined, add to longevity and replay value.

Anuchard is a repetitive retro RPG.

Anuchard had such potential to be fantastic. Sadly, however, it falls short because of its repetition and lack of difficulty. I enjoyed the quests, the whimsical characters, and the colourful landscapes. However, its poor controls, simple combat elements, repetitive ways, and mediocre puzzle mechanics undermine it. All things considered, I loved the retro approach and recommend it because of it. Can you save the kingdom and bring mankind and beasts back together? Search the dungeons, save the souls, and reanimate the guardians.

Review: Moon Knight Episode 4

Movies & TV

James Refelian

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Apr 23, 2022

0

Spoiler Free Review Moon Knight Episode 4

Although this is a spoiler-free review of Moon Knight Episode 4 all images used have been taken from the episode.

Tipping over the halfway point Moon Knight Episode 4 delivers some creepy tomb raiding followed by psychological twists that weren’t expected but are welcome to see. Hot on the trails of Hawke’s villainous Harrow in search of Amet’s tomb Marc/Steven (Isaac) and Layla (Calamawy) find their destination in the desert of Egypt.

Things get very Indiana Jones/Tomb Raider from this point as most of the episode is spent creeping around the dark tomb trying to work out where the burial chamber is. Finally, Steven gets to shine here, and we see him come into his own, still afraid but for the first time very competent with his knowledge of Ancient Egypt. Marc has a few moments to shine in this part of the episode and Isaac continues to deliver a fantastic dual performance playing them both. What’s exceptional is that at no point in this episode does he hide behind the superhero persona. It’s refreshing to see a powerless superhero still be super.

Calamawy is standout in her performance. At this point, her character is one of the best ‘superhero sidekicks’ Marvel has ever given us. In fact, calling her a sidekick is a total disservice. The character has brains and an ability to kick ass. The moments where she saves the moment are wonderfully refreshing. The relationship between her and Steven/Marc starts to crack in this episode which is painful to see. I’m sure will be resolved and out in the open before the series end. Harrow is an untrustworthy narrator after all.

The creep factor is really on display in this episode with some disturbing imagery and discoveries within the tomb. Unfortunately, this is never really explained as to why it’s going on, and I hope this thread is concluded. Simply having ‘creepy/horror’ elements is a total disservice to an otherwise great episode.

Conclusion

Moon Knight Episode 4 continues to deliver high-quality visuals. The sets and the soundtrack are fantastic and I cannot fault the cinematography of this episode. The skill of the director and all involved really comes to light in the last act of the episode. Without going into spoiler territory, this section of the episode jars you mentally from what you’ve been watching previously. It makes you question everything. It’s well filmed, well-acted, and brilliantly unsettling. Ripped straight from the comics with a few teases on what’s to come, Moon Knight Episode 4 ended on a high. Waiting a week for the next episode is a killer!

Review: Tranya T10 Pro earbuds

Daniel Waite

-

Apr 23, 2022

0

Picking the right headphones or earbuds is a challenging task. There are many price points, technical aspects, and styles to choose from. Do you go for over the ear, wired earphones, or wireless earbuds? Whatever you choose, they have to be quality and within budget. Therefore, this is where the Tranya T10 Pro earbuds come into play. They are robust, affordable, and have excellent audio quality. What’s more, they are great for gaming, are certified IPX7 waterproof, and allow for Fast Type-C and wireless charging.

I know what you’re thinking. I just listed off a load of jargon and you have no idea of what I mean. If this is the case, I’ll break it down in simple terms for you. Effectively, the Tranya T10 Pro earbuds are versatile, easy to charge, and simple to use, all while delivering excellent quality audio.

Tranya T10 earbuds in pink. — Will you choose the pink earbuds?

What’s in the box of the Tranya T10 Pro earbuds?

The packaging is well built, stylish, and brilliant white. It has a simple but effective design and is emblazoned with the company logo and key selling points. I’m a bit of an eco fiend, so I appreciated the 99% recyclable packaging.
The Tranya T10 Pro earbuds. These are stylish and are finished with a matt black effect. The earbuds are contained in a wireless charging case.
Spare silicone tips. We are all unique and therefore, what fits me won’t fit you. Luckily, there is a selection of tips to ensure the earbuds are comfortable and secure.
USB-C charging cable. A short rubberised standard USB cable to charge the case.
User manual and sticker. A straightforward and small user manual explains the fundamentals.

A straightforward user manual. — A simple user manual.

Simple but effective packaging. — A simple user manual.

Technical aspects.

Earbuds battery	50mAh
Charging case battery	480mAh
Playtime	Up to 8 hours
Standby time	120 hours
Charging	Wireless charging and Type-C
Input	5V+/-0.25V
Charging time	Less than 2 hours
Bluetooth version	5.1
Bluetooth range	10 Metres
Driver type	Graphene-coated Dynamic
Bluetooth profiles	A2DP/HFP/HSP/AVRCP
Audio Codec	SBC
Microphone	4-Microphone system

I recently reviewed the Tranya T20 earbuds and the ROCCAT Syn Buds Air and both were fantastic. My benchmark is the ROCCAT earbuds, so I was interested to see how these compete.

Thanks to the 12mm Graphene Driver, the audio has a great depth of range and excellent bass. This is helped further by the Bass Boost mode that is activated from the left earbud. The deep and rich sounds were a pleasure to listen to while creating an immersive experience. What’s more, the low latency game mode and 5.1 Bluetooth system make the Tranya T10 earbuds the perfect gaming accessory. The charging case allows for 32 hours of sound and can be recharged using a wireless pad (sold separately) or the fast charge USB-C cable. Both methods are convenient and ensure you are rarely without juice.

With 4 microphones incorporated into the design, you experience crystal clear calls and excellent party chat when gaming. I had low expectations for the microphone capabilities, but I was pleasantly surprised. Unlike some of its peers, these earbuds have full controls on each device. This was an excellent choice as it makes it more user-friendly. Finally, the IPX7 waterproof certification ensures that you can comfortably use the earbuds on the move in all weather.

Tranya T10 earbuds has a massive battery life. — A whopping battery life.

Are the Tranya T10 earbuds worth it?

With many devices on the market, you may be feeling confused. However, I found the Tranya T10 earbuds to be great value for money and easy to use. They are jam-packed with features, come in a range of 6 colours, and have a fantastic battery life. What’s more, they have multiple audio settings, 5.1 Bluetooth, and can be charged wirelessly. Connecting them to your Android or iOS device is a cinch as well. Within moments, I had the earbuds connected, and I didn’t look back.

I adore an accessory that has multiple uses. Luckily, these earbuds are great for music, fantastic for gaming, perfect for phone calls, and wonderful when exercising. The waterproof rating ensures you can be confident when sweating and have no fears in the rain. On top of this, the 12mm Graphene Drivers deliver exceptional audio quality. If you want an affordable and well-built set of earbuds, then look no further. I like them and I recommend you to buy them here! An Amazon link for the product can be found here!

Summary.

The Tranya T10 earbuds are an amazing audio accessory. They will appeal to many markets because of their multi-faceted approach. Sadly, they don’t quite reach the heights of the ROCCAT earbuds, but they are priced accordingly. If you invest, you surely won’t be disappointed in both the audio and build quality.

_{(More information on Tranya products can be found here!)}

Review: Happy’s Humble Burger Farm

Natosha M

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Apr 22, 2022

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Happy’s Humble Burger Farm isn’t as humble or endearing as it might sound in the title. It has plenty of parts that might get to be a little tough to chew! In all honesty, it really may not be a game that is for everyone, but the ones that can tolerate a bit more gruesome and demanding gameplay will find this game to be entertaining. You must have a strong stomach to tolerate the grotesque combination of blood and food in the same game. At times, it can be a little unsettling and unsightly for those with sensitive stomachs and who fear what may be lurking in the dark.

To be honest, I’m not a big fan of gruesome or eerie-style games. Probably would explain the words I used on describing what this game is like, and maybe slightly warn others before trying it for themselves. It always freaked me out and normally ends up disgusting me to the point of never wanting to play the game again. Especially, cause you never know or want to know what may be coming up around the corner. However, I gave this game a try and force myself to play no matter what the game may demand of me.

Graphics

If dark and grim, sim-style cooking games are your thing, then you’ll really love how well this game captures that exact atmospheric setting throughout. It’s something you will look at and really get that spooky fear as you move through each portion of the game. In short, the graphics work perfectly with the gameplay, giving that achieved feeling the creators wanted you to get with Happy’s Humble Burger Farm.

Additionally, the game’s 3D visual appearance reminds me of games I’ve played during the Playstation One or early PS2 era. The colors in this game are very much on the darker side, even with the ability to see throughout, it’s still a bit darker than I would like. Consider playing a game in a black room with objects you can use or people you can speak to, only being lit up to see. However, there are locations with the lights being present and on, but many rooms and locations still seem to be a bit dim. Yet, you can still make out everything you are doing and looking for, which is a good thing.

So there really isn’t anything to complain about. All of the graphics go well with the outlook and what the game wants the players to incur as they move forward. Especially as it looks like a Resident Evil backdrop that collides with a burger sim, a restaurant-style game. On top of that, the food being served and the appearance of customers and objects all look creepy as well.

Music and Sounds

The sounds in the background really play an excellent role in this spooky spine-chilling game. It’s a little low, but when you can hear what is going on it does make for all those scary feelings you get from a horror flick. The people even sound strange in the game, like a Charlie Brown, as they don’t speak but just some noises come out and empty silence with just sound effects of other objects in the room that you enter, makes it scary as well. I do want to mention when playing, even at the highest volume you may need to make sure to be in a quiet room or area to hear the sounds that repeat in the background as they are quite low.

Final Thoughts

To be honest, I can’t say that this is a game I’d play often, it’s actually making me rethink ever having a burger or trying anything else in a cheap or strange fast food or mysterious restaurant. I may be an uneasy individual when it comes to gruesome images or scary scenes, and not as tough to withstand horror games as this one. So I tried my best to rate it on the quality and not the emotions and feelings I have just by what it appears to look or sound like.

Therefore, the game to me may appear too dark to see the surroundings and a little hard to hear the sounds in the background, but for a horrifying cooking game, it is quite tolerated. Especially, if it’s those searching for a gloomy sim game. I feel the controls were something that took time to get used to, something that is becoming quite normal for most games. I did enjoy the access to continuously cooking mode without the main story mode.

However, I think the appearance still isn’t somewhat appealing to me. I feel the graphics could have been a little better, like smoother, and maybe make the surroundings a bit more visible. Another thing that I couldn’t enjoy was the accuracy when cooking or giving the food to the customers. It’s got to be on point when it comes to tossing the food onto the stovetop or picking up the food to make the order. It’s really realistic, but just the entire recalling of controls and being nearby an object may take time to get the hang of it.

Thus, this game isn’t too bad but has a few flaws especially loading up. It’s challenging when you continue to move forward and have to serve so many more customers. Just like a regular tycoon or sim-style game, it’s very demanding and in a way neverending. However, I don’t think this is the type of game for myself. Even if it’s well done on covering the horror aspects and business running routine, it’s just too dark and strange for me.

Review: Ayo the Clown

Daniel Waite

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Apr 22, 2022

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Clowns are petrifying, horrible, and should never be considered funny. There is a reason they are the protagonists in many horror films, and that’s because they are evil! Subsequently, anything involving clowns usually has me running a mile. However, ironically, here I am reviewing the “cutesy” game, Ayo the Clown.

Developed by Cloud M1 and published by Eastasiasoft Limited, this is a side-scrolling platform title. It’s fantastically colourful, whimsical in nature, and has many levels filled with odd enemies, traps, and collectables. What’s more, it has enormous bosses, it looks great, and its mechanics are smooth and well-thought-out.

Ayo the Clown tells a familiar tale.

I don’t mind a rehashed story. After all, originality is hard to come by these days. Consequently, the plot of Ayo the Clown will feel familiar. There is a love interest, a missing dog, and a sense of danger. Moreover, everything is lost unless a hero steps forward.

So, no new ground has broken here, but let’s not be put off. Ayo’s best friend is Bo. He is a four-legged beast that is as loyal as they come. Therefore, when he goes missing, Ayo knows something is amiss! He must venture beyond his cosy circus and explore a world full of danger. He has plenty of potential but must learn new skills as he goes. Subsequently, he is one clown that must overcome every obstacle while saving his dog and the world.

Ayo has many special abilities. — Use your balloon to soar through the sky.

A healthy blend of old and new.

I enjoy retro gaming, but I cherish the times when the mould is broken. Luckily, Ayo the Clown does just this with its hearty blend of old and new mechanics. Each moderately sized stage is loaded with traps, enemies, secrets, and more. You must complete tasks such as finding chocolate or rescuing balloons to unlock new skills. Now, none of these quests is challenging, but they add a rewarding element to the gameplay.

You’ll learn to soar through the sky, jump, slide, attack, use tanks and helicopters, and more. Each new skill opens up paths that would otherwise remain locked. It was fantastic to expand each stage while searching for every collectable. However, unlike Metroidvania games, Ayo the Clown funnels you to a definitive finale. I loved this, as you were free to explore without the worry of becoming lost.

An excellent learning curve.

I love challenging platform games such as Super Meat Boy and OkunoKA Madness. Yet, sometimes I want a simple life. Luckily, the gentle learning curve and drip-fed mechanics prevent this from becoming overwhelming. On top of this, there are well-explained tutorials to ensure you never go wrong.

Don’t let this simplicity fool you, though, as Ayo the Clown is challenging. You’ll fall to your death, become impaled on spikes, or be slaughtered by monsters. However, this matters not, as there are many checkpoints to be used. Consequently, death is a mere inconvenience in this moderately challenging title.

Tanks are your friend. — Jump in and destroy everything.

Ayo the Clown is an excellent-looking indie title.

I was amazed by how great Ayo the Clown looks and performs. It is one of the best-looking indie titles that I’ve played in a long time. Both its gameplay and cinematic are striking, interesting, and colourful. Furthermore, it captures the tongue-in-cheek nature of the plot perfectly. Alongside this, I adored the interesting and varied stage design. Each world has a unique look with different mechanics. Whether you are climbing vines, smashing walls, or hitting weird switches, it was fantastic.

Each gameplay element is complemented by the excellent audio. The whimsical soundtrack has folksy undertones and was fun to listen to. What’s more, the excellent narration delivers a fairytale-like story. I adored the amazing cutscenes because of Ayo’s many mishaps.

Ayo the Clown has an eclectic blend of enemies. — Darn you robot boss.

Plenty to do, but easy to play.

Ayo the Clown crams in a lot of different mechanics. Subsequently, you may worry that it’ll be complicated. Luckily, though, this isn’t the case. Each ability is brilliantly explained and easy to understand. Furthermore, the action never feels rushed, so this helps the learning curve. Alongside the excellent layout, were responsive buttons that helped further still. In short, this is a user-friendly title that’s excellent for all gamers.

With plenty of collectables, abilities to learn and upgrade, levels to finish, quests to do, and bosses to fight, this is jam-packed. I was impressed with the depth of gameplay and the various bosses you must defeat. Consequently, I never tired of trying each level. This is a game that oozes both longevity and replay value as you’ll play it for hours on end.

Ayo the Clown is an excellent platform title.

The platform genre is saturated. Therefore, you need something special if you want to stand out. I think Ayo the Clown does just that, as it’s an excellent title. Its story is fun, the environments are interesting and vivid; the gameplay is challenging but fair, and it has plenty of collectables. It ticks all the boxes and I recommend you to buy it here! Can you rescue Bo and get the girl? Jump, slide and shoot your way through every level to become the hero you are destined to be.

Review: Tranya T20 earbuds

Daniel Waite

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Apr 21, 2022

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I love listening to music while out and about. Consequently, getting the right headphones is essential. There is nothing worse than tinny sound, missed tones, or crackling lyrics. What’s more, I’m greedy as I want my accessories to be multi-faceted. I don’t want hassle, and I don’t want wires. So, where does that leave me? Wireless earbuds, that’s where! Subsequently, when the Tranya T20 earbuds fell on my desk, I got straight to work.

These small and sleek earbuds offer a truly wireless experience. Furthermore, they are a Jack of all trades and work well in many scenarios. Thanks to their IPX7 waterproof rating, they repel sweat and don’t struggle in the rain. Alongside this are 4 microphones that pick up every word you say. Moreover, it has fast Type-C charging, bass boost, and a low latency game mode. Now, the quality is good, but they don’t stand out from the crowd. However, you get a lot of bang for your buck and for $69.99 they are affordable.

What’s in the box of the Tranya T20 earbuds?

The accessory is presented in a compact but striking white box. Its sturdy design protects it in transit and is emblazoned with the company logo and key selling points. Thankfully, it’s 99% recyclable, and that’s great for the environment.
The Tranya T20 earbuds. These small but sturdy earbuds have a black, glossy finish and have no logo or distinctive markings. Furthermore, they come in a charging case that offers no wireless charging facility. However, it has a whopping 500mAh capacity to keep you going.
Spare silicone tips. They say less is more, but this isn’t true of the Tranya T20 earbuds. They come with a crazy amount of tips for ears of all shapes and sizes.
USB-C charging cable. You’ll receive a small rubberised standard USB-C cable.
User manual and 1 sticker. The straightforward guide is no-nonsense and matter-of-factly explains the fundamentals.

Technical aspects.

Earbuds battery	50mAh
Charging case battery	500mAh
Playtime	Up to 8 hours
Standby Time	120 hours
Charging	Type-C
Input	5V+/-0.25V
Charging time	under 2 hours
Bluetooth version	5.1
Bluetooth range	10 metres or 33 feet
Driver Type	Graphene-coated Dynamic
Bluetooth profiles	A2DP/HFP/HSP/AVRCP
Audio codec	AAC/SBC
Microphone	4-microphone system

I’ve recently reviewed the excellent ROCCAT Syn Buds Air, and these are my benchmark for excellence. However, these earbuds do well to compete. The Tranya T20 earbuds use a 6mm high-intensity magnetic driver to deliver a generous range of tones and pitch. Alongside this, the bass boost generates an uncomfortable and artificial depth. Consequently, I rarely used this option, as it tends to distort the sound. It wasn’t terrible. I simply prefer a more natural bass sound.

The 4 microphone system ensures that every phone call is crystal clear. Accordingly, I had no complaints when using them in party chat or when speaking to friends. I experienced nicely balanced audio when music or sound effects were playing. Finally, the IPX7 waterproof rating ensures these earbuds are perfect for outdoor use. I experimented with them in the rain while running, and they never faltered.

The Tranya T20 is jam-packed with features. — That’s a lot of features for the price.

Are the Tranya T20 earbuds worth the investment?

I was pleasantly surprised by the audio and build quality of the Tranya T20 earbuds. What’s more, they contain some high-end tech which is great for the price. Alongside this, they are comfortable to wear, easy to use, simple to connect and have a great 40-hour battery life at full charge.

Thankfully, the earbuds are compatible with both Android and iOS devices. To connect to either OS is easy, so you’ll be up and running immediately. Moreover, you can switch between twin or single-mode with ease. Consequently, you can enjoy your music solo or with another.

If you are on the lookout for an all-around accessory that is inexpensive and truly wireless, then look no further. I liked everything about them, except the bass boost. However, this mode isn’t required. Therefore, I recommend that you buy them here. The Amazon link for the Tranya T20 earbuds can be found here!

Summary.

The Tranya T20 earbuds are a nice and inexpensive audio device that ticks many boxes. They have their limitations but they are fantastic for the price. With plenty of features and fast Type-C charging, you won’t be disappointed with the end product.

_{(More information on Tranya products can be found here!)}

The Tranya T20 earbuds receive the Movies Games and Tech Silver Award.

Review: Cat Café Manager

Natosha M

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Apr 20, 2022

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Have you ever wanted to work in a café or maybe you already have? How about would you ever like to run a café not just for humans but for cats too? Then Cat Café Manager is a game that will please you as it allows you to partake in the role of a manager running a café for cats and the friendly people in the village, Caterwaul Way.

However, this job isn’t going to be super easy as it may appear. There are some problems that may come our way as time goes on. Yet our grandmother wouldn’t have left this land to build a café, for us to take over if she didn’t think we couldn’t run it. So as long as we hire reliable workers to help us, buy plenty of brilliant items to bring comfort and interest to the restaurant, learn new recipes to serve the guests and the cats that visit, and lastly keep an eye on everything going on in the café and in the village, well then the game will be a piece of cake!

Graphics and Sound

The visual aspect comes off as a 2D-style game with a soft color palette and cartoonish style design. It’s absolutely great on the eyes, not too bright or too plain. Plus, after watching the screen for hours working on the task and chores required to be attended to during the game, the scenery and style of the entire game’s design are very relaxing and easier to look at for a long amount of time. Even the characters all have a cute and adorable appearance to them, with their own unique and quirky mannerisms. This includes the cute kitties that will be roaming the land and the café.

Now for the music that plays, it’s a lively tune. During the game it’s a mix of cheerful and comforting, that feels like a perfect background sound for this game. The music doesn’t really have a different tempo or change in the song or tune playing. It’s a song that plays and stays constant throughout. The same goes for the actions and sound effects made by the characters, cats, and many other things in the game. It’s very simply done and not too complicated in the sound department.

There is one thing I’d like to mention about the graphics when everything is in action. The game was fine as it started, a bit slow loading to play the game each time, but nothing too bad. However, when I finally got further into the game I noticed that issues began to show, such as the game began to slow down in different parts and the selector object or popup images weren’t showing up. For one example, when I tried to pet a stray cat, the selector wouldn’t appear and I didn’t know what cat I was choosing. I believe it’s due to things happening at the same time, and it occurs a few days later in the game as more visitors enter.

Final Thoughts

Cat Café Manager is a wonderful game with such a cute visual appearance and is easy for anyone young or old to enjoy. There were a few things that stood out, which for me stood to be slightly negative. The first is the limitation in moving the character from facing one way or controlling a camera to view the area a bit better from the back to front sides of objects and the building. Don’t get me wrong, you are able to move in all directions with no problems, but the view is always facing forward and just feels a bit odd, and hard to clean areas that can’t be seen.

On top of that, when you pet the cat, it’s like petting the floor or air sometimes. It’s hard to get the cat accurately at times and ends up looking like the cat is enjoying the kind petting, but also that you petting the air. Another feature I felt was tricky to get used to is the controls to select where or what you want to do in the menu option. It takes some time to get a hang of it or to accurately select the option you want. Lastly, I didn’t mind the few days of getting rated a D for the service as we aren’t able to do much till we obtain and meet new people who come into the café. There is no other way to get past this as it’s gonna take time till we obtain money for objects to buy, new material to use for building, and meet the new guests to provide us with these items. Therefore, the game is always going to start by giving out daily D ratings, either that or I’m just not getting a hang of the game?

Nevertheless, these issues don’t really destroy the enjoyment of the game. Most can be small potatoes compared to other problems many larger games normally have. So I don’t doubt the joy in the game and its entertainment value, as it still is playable and works as it should. Plus, after playing it for a while the gist of how to do things get easier to use.

Finally, there is so much to achieve and learn as days go on in this game. Much to be done and very easy to do. The game is filled with unique characters to meet and befriend, as well as cats that you will get to pet, feed, and befriend also. It’s a game that any cat lover or gamer who enjoys an easy and simpler tycoon, simulated, and the sandbox-style game would love to play.

Review: Jessika

Luke Maguire

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Apr 20, 2022

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An interesting premise with poor execution.

Jessika begins with you as a detective and Jessika has committed suicide, but her father contacts you and wants to find out why she did it. So, it starts as an interesting concept with potential. Although it just ends up being about shock factor and plotlines that are quite bad. The story tackles heavy themes like abuse and racism. Yet it never compelled me to care more or try to relate to the story. The actress for Jessika was quite good giving a believable performance.

How we figure out the story is through videos Jessika has left behind. We put in keywords and videos around those keywords will appear. However, it doesn’t feel like a detective game with such a simple premise. Not only that but some of the keywords are quite awkward to find especially at first as you’re just guessing. You do this all from a desk looking at a laptop, which would have been better if the screen acted as yours but the frame of the laptop is still there.

You will get messages from co-workers and random emails as you’re figuring out what happened to Jessika. It often breaks the pacing and kills the tension that was building up when a co-worker tells you how great their ramen is while you try to figure out a suicide case.

After finding the videos, it’s painfully boring most of the time listening to Jessika. A lot of her stories are uninteresting and then some are very radical, which I can only assume is for a shock factor. The translation is pretty bad for it as well. Randomly words will be misspelled and the subtitles tend to be ahead of Jessika’s voice. It just comes across lazy particularly with a game so story focused.

Jessika was a disappointing attempt at an interesting concept with poor plot lines, translations being messy, and getting messages that just ruin the pacing of the story. Overall Jessika is a poor game that really could have done something decent with a better story or dialogue.

Review: Before We Leave

Alex Chessun

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Apr 20, 2022

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Colony/civilization simulations always tend to be a little bit dire, don’t they? Disease around one corner, death around the next – in what can often be as much a stress-filled crapshoot as it can a satisfying skill-based challenge.

Approaching the stage from the opposite perspective is Before We Leave, a colony-building sim that provides a deep resource-based system of its own, but with a disarming and laid-back atmosphere that makes for an appetizable and very pleasant experience.

The visuals are soft and vibrant, and a calming soundtrack with an ambient guitar track carries you along like a leaf in the wind as hours pass without you realizing.

An indepth tutorial helps this along as you are taken through the very typical resource management gameplay loop step-by-step, explaining the detailed interfaces at a friendly pace, conveying the task easily and making the game seem very approachable.

As is standard for colony-sims technologies unlock as you farm and refine resources, which allows you to create new buildings and vehicles to facilitate more of the same, and with the ability to slow or stop time completely, you can do this without the threat of running out of resources due to slow decision making. That’s essentially the long and short of the entire game, and while that might not seem like a lot, there are plenty of things to create and ways to monitor your progress within this mechanic, which – at least initially – gives the impression of endless possibilities in your explorable solar system.

It might not look like much in a screenshot, but exploring in a seafaring ship makes want to put a parrot on my shoulder and wear eye patches.

When you eventually do reach another planet, however, you might start to wonder what the end game looks like, and well – there really isn’t one. In a sense, colonizing one planet and you’ve colonized them all as there are no social or combative elements in the game or any threat of failure, which means that your job is to spread your populace like a pollution-producing virus across planets in much the same way each time, the only difference being the availability of resources on each one.

Establish trade routes to ship resources to continents *lacking* resources.

Despite scorching the earth and creating an inevitable smog that San Francisco and Beijing might be jealous of, the tranquility of the game partly lies in the fact that there is almost nothing that can upset the status quo – other than a space whale – as you and you alone are in control of your fate. There are no competing factions or civilizations that you need to placate or interact with and death due to poor living conditions is non-existent.

So safe is your carefree populace that their mood can only be affected by being near a polluted area or by not being provided with enough luxury items – not even taking away their homes and all their food just for giggles turns their smiles upside down.

Sadly, they barely also interact with the world around them and are almost completely unaware of each other in a social sense. Left-wing and right-wing political views would be as unfamiliar to them as a hospital, as children are somehow amusingly created en-masse at schools, assuming you have created enough housing for them.

It’s a shame that you can’t influence the population once wheeled of the factory line, as without it, your linear progress rarely differs playthrough to playthrough. Your populace’s names and even their emotional state is shown, but with wooden peg-like avatars and very basic behavior you often forget that they are even human.

Alma may or may not have been part of my ‘Can I kill my own population?’ pet project, but she was smiling all the same.

Their lack of human-like characteristics is relatively minor in the larger scheme of things and won’t likely bother you when you’re uncovering new continents with the game’s great visualization of a 3D hex tiles being put together piece-by-piece like a puzzle on-screen as you sail around the world, nor will it bore as you completely change the landscape and design great-looking settlements, but there is a bit of an empty feeling that creeps in when its open-endedness – of expanding solely for expanding’s sake – becomes apparent.

There are alternative scenarios that extend the game’s replay value that instills some urgency to achieve certain goals in certain timeframes, but it unfortunately still lacks the social or combative systems that would make this game more than just a surface-level simulation with tremendous ambiance.

Despite Before We Leave removing almost all threats of failure and most gameplay variety, its wonderfully relaxed atmosphere and highly accessible gameplay are still a cut above the rest, making this colony-sim a worthwhile spin for those who want to play god from their armchair, but without any of the stress.

Review: Submerged: Hidden Depths

Daniel Waite

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Apr 20, 2022

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https://youtu.be/7LeUf5h4J9k

Survival is mankind’s strongest instinct. Yet, when you are facing an all-powerful foe, all hope is bound to be lost. Consequently, you’ll turn to your family for support as you try to overcome the heinous obstacles in your path. Submerged: Hidden Depths captures this solitude and despair in its melancholy, but peaceful story.

Developed and published by Uppercut Games, this is a relaxing but sombre adventure title. It is the sequel to Submerged the award-winning game. Subsequently, it has strong foundations that evolve in this instalment. A word of warning, however, this won’t be for everyone because of its lack of combat and slow pace. Yet, if you love moody music, playful cutscenes, and simple puzzles, then this is definitely for you.

Submerged: Hidden Depths has a simple story.

A gift is supposed to be a wonderful and heartfelt thing. Therefore, you wouldn’t expect one to turn you into an outsider. This is what happens to Miku and Taku, the sibling protagonists in this tale. Miku was gifted a special power that causes flowers to grow from her arm. People are scared of this gift and banish the pair from their homes. However, they shouldn’t have acted so rashly. This ability overcomes the black roots that are threatening mankind. Consequently, the pair must work together to find seeds to destroy the plants and save the world.

This is about the crux of the story. Once the opening scenes play out, there isn’t much acknowledgement of its existence. Yet, this wasn’t a bad thing as the action focuses heavily on the siblings and the situation. I adored the bond between the pair and the jovial moments they shared. Their relationship juxtaposes the melancholy world you explore, and it was a bittersweet experience.

Much of the action is a blend of Kevin Costner’s Waterworld and the game The Falconeer. I make these comparisons because there are distinct elements of despair, destruction, and loss. Alongside this, there is a large and sparse world to explore, with undertones of fear and isolation. In short, it’s not a laugh a minute, but it is endearing and you’ll adore the lead characters.

Memories linger until the seeds are destroyed. — Destroy the seed and remove the memories.

No combat, no violence, just exploration!

Adventure games rarely ignore combat mechanics. However, Submerged: Hidden Depths does just that. The developers have created an ultra-relaxing title that has no fighting or violence at its core. This may confuse or disappoint some, but I found it to be refreshing and brave. Moreover, this ensured the other key elements took centre stage.

At the heart of the gameplay is exploration. You sail a decrepit vessel between islands, lookouts, relics, and more. It is an essential tool that allows you to search ruins and progress the story.

Alongside the vast ocean is a ridiculous amount of collectables to find. There are ship pieces to alter your boat’s appearance, flowers to collect, animals to tag, and diary entries to find. These snippets of information were wonderful as they drip-fed the lore of the land. This was an excellent idea, as it added some much-needed depth.

Submerged: Hidden Depths has some stunning creatures to find. — One of the many stunning creatures you’ll find.

Puzzles and seeds.

The aforementioned black roots can only be overcome with Miku’s gift and by collecting enormous seeds. I admit it was a bizarre idea that I never understood. What’s more, it was rarely challenging to achieve. Consequently, I spent my time wondering if the action would ever become harder.

This lack of a challenge sadly leeches into the puzzling moments, and this was frustrating. I could accept the lack of combat and the other simple elements. However, I expected the puzzles to test me. At best, you’re searching for any collectables or hidden paths. At worse, the answer is given to you on a plate. I get the relaxed vibe, but I think it went a little too far.

Submerged: Hidden Depths looks nice, but it has issues.

As you begin your journey, the vivid colours and azure ocean are noticeable. They stand out like a sore thumb amongst the destruction before you. What’s more, there is a vast emptiness that’s haunting, yet alluring. All these elements combine to add to the sombre and melancholy atmosphere. On top of this, there is a fascinating blend of landmarks to visit and islands/buildings to explore. Subsequently, you won’t tire of exploring this dank world.

However, it’s not perfect! There are many visual glitches in both the cinematic and the open gameplay. Alongside this, it’s hard to identify steps and ledges and this makes it tough to navigate tight spaces. Unfortunately, this impacts the gameplay, and I wished it was better polished.

The graphics were problematic at times, but the audio was perfect. Its sombre tones set the mood while highlighting the protagonist’s plight. With a lack of spoken dialogue, I was amazed by how emotive it was. The use of tone and pitch brilliantly deliver poignant moments and I adored it.

Slide, swing, and jump between the islands in Submerged: Hidden Depths. — Slide your way across the map.

Easy to understand controls.

A simple game needs simple controls, right? Absolutely it does and thankfully Submerged: Hidden Depths is as straightforward as you can hope for. With an excellent UI, highlighted button commands, and basic instructions, you will not struggle to master this.

The story lasts between 4 to 5 hours with another 3 or so are needed to mop up the loose ends. Furthermore, there is a ridiculous amount of collectables to find and a reasonably large world to explore. Consequently, there is some longevity and replay value.

Submerged: Hidden Depths is relaxing but lacks challenge.

I was desperate for Submerged: Hidden Depths to jump to the next level. Sadly, though, it rigidly sticks to its guns, and that was frustrating. Yes, it’s relaxing and rewarding when you collect every seed. However, I wanted more. It’s a great game, but it wasn’t for me, sadly. All things considered though, I recommend you to buy it here! Will the siblings save the world or is the damage already done? Sail the ocean, find the seeds, and destroy the black roots.