Care Bears: Rainbow Ride is the latest title added to Nex Playground. It is a family-friendly experience that focuses on fun and movement. Though the ideas are simple, it isn’t designed for an older audience. Instead, younger gamers can enjoy a safe environment where their imaginations can run wild.
This action-adventure game was developed and published by Nex. It is a single-player and cooperative game that requires the Nex Playground console. It has no controller, and the responsive camera picks up every move you make. As such, you feel like you are one of the Care Bears. This design choice made my 3 girls giggle with joy. They picked their favourite bear and marched across each level.
Care Bears: Rainbow Ride tells a limited story.
The game is punctuated by beautiful cinematic scenes. However, the story is a little rudimentary and won’t win any awards for originality. This matters not, as the refined approach is ideal for its intended audience. The short, sharp cutscenes keep youngsters focused, and the joy on their faces will make you smile.
Each player controls their favourite Care Bear. They must use their body to navigate obstacles and collect coins. There are creatures to avoid and logs to jump over. Moreover, the colourful backdrops add some variety to a relatively straightforward affair. I played this with my kids, and I laughed repeatedly. Though it was never going to test me, my kids failed multiple times. They claim “it was challenging, but amazing!”. High praise indeed!
Colourful and clean visuals.
The worlds of Care-a-lot, Silver Lining, and Blusterland HQ were a joy to witness. Though the mechanics to explore each one are basic, it was a pleasure to move from point A-B. The game unfolds using a fixed-screen perspective. The Care Bears run away from you as obstacles, gold, and creatures move towards you. This was a great design choice for younger gamers.
As the obstacles roll towards you, you have plenty of time to react. This generates a challenging experience that is fun to overcome. Alongside this, each item is well designed. Every collectable is easy to see, and harmful elements such as creatures and logs can be identified. Consequently, each player knows what they need to do.
The audio is upbeat, exciting, and safe. My kids had the soundtrack turned up all of the time. This was uncomfortable to hear, but they adored the energetic songs and the simple sound effects.
Responsive controls.
Care Bears: Rainbow Ride is remarkably easy to play and has incredibly responsive controls. The Nex Playground camera picks up each player’s movement with ease. This is phenomenal as you don’t want mistakes or latency issues to undermine your performance. Moving is as simple as leaning your body, and a quick hop makes you leap through the air.
Replay value and longevity may be questionable. My kids keep returning for more, but the rudimentary approach may disappoint more experienced gamers. Care Bears: Rainbow Ride is aimed at kids aged 6+. I think this will keep children up to 10 or 11 interested for limited periods. However, the action is fun, and close-knit families will have an amazing time.
Care Bears: Rainbow Ride will get your kids moving.
This safe and fun game is guaranteed to make you smile. Moreover, unlike other consoles and games, you have to move while tackling each level. Though the action isn’t too energetic, any exercise is better than no exercise. I love the colourful worlds, the energetic audio, and the simple plot. Accordingly, it is great and I recommend buying a Nex Playground to give it a go.
As a parent, I worry about online safety and suitable tech products. Thankfully, the Nex Playground is the perfect solution. This 100% safe gaming product is suited to players aged 5-95 (95+ can enjoy it as well). Furthermore, it has exciting games that will get you off the sofa and onto your feet!
This console’s core concept could be considered a little dated. Remember Kinect for Xbox? The camera system reminds me of that wonderful but failed peripheral. However, unlike Microsoft’s effort, I believe that this niche but amazing product will thrive where its competitor failed.
The camera is responsive, intelligent, and incredibly accurate. Additionally, the UI is colourful, intuitive, and perfect for its intended audience. Accordingly, busy parents can leave their kids to it, and they won’t get requests for help or arguing. The result is a fun and relaxing time that is likely to be extremely competitive.
What’s in the box of the Nex Playground?
The packaging is recyclable and attractive. It looks and feels premium, and the contents are well protected.
The Nex Playground is about the size of a standard Rubik’s cube. It is relatively heavy and has a rubberised base. The connections are simple, and a magnetic lens cover keeps the camera safe.
Control the console with the simple but effective remote control.
A HDMI cable and power unit are provided.
I was provided with an attractive and useful carry case.
Learn the fundamentals with the user manual.
Technical aspects.
Though this little box of fun appears complex, it is rather simple. The device is dual voltage and can be used with a suitable adaptor. This is perfect if you wish to take your Nex Playground away with you. I’m using a US version of the device and have no issues. The console comprises a front-facing camera, an HDMI port, and a power port. There is no power switch, so you must turn it off at the socket when it is not in use.
The camera isn’t the highest resolution available, but this matters not. Each selfie and game looks fantastic, regardless. Moreover, the responsive camera identifies body parts and active players with ease. This is essential as non-playing family members can sit on the sofa and observe the madness without interfering with the action.
The camera does an amazing job of picking out body parts in challenging lighting situations. As long as the player wears contrasting colours and their limbs are on display, the Nex Playground works perfectly. If you match your wallpaper or you have terrible lighting, you may experience underwhelming results. Consequently, you must adjust your clothing and lighting to get the best from this console.
Exceptional controls.
The Nex Playground combines a responsive remote control and virtual on-screen controls for a seamless experience. Slapping buttons, slashing swords, avoiding lasers, hitting moles, munching fruit, and enjoying a Care Bears adventure await would-be gamers. Each game has clear instructions, and no one will struggle to pick this up and play.
I was amazed whenever there were multiple players. The camera moves and adjusts to create the perfect field of view. Handy markers ensure you are in the right place. Furthermore, orbs, swords, and other items represent your fists. These clear on-screen indicators help you to adjust to each game with little guidance.
Nex Playground’s subscription service.
Modern gaming requires some form of subscription service. Whether you love it or not, the Nex Playground follows suit. If you do not wish to conform, you can enjoy 5 games with the base unit. Each of these titles highlights the incredible camera features and is perfect for gamers of all ages and fitness levels.
I was provided with a one-year subscription service. This normally costs around $89. Alternatively, you can pick up a 3-month deal for $49. Each of these passes gives you access to the full range of games. Moreover, new games are added every month. Subsequently, this is great value for money and the perfect reason to keep returning.
The Nex Playground games.
Nex Playground demands that you get off your bum and on your feet. There are some casual titles that require minimal effort. However, some of the games are high energy, hilarious, and extremely competitive. Bowling, basketball, running, boxing, whack a mole, hungry hippos, geo darts, and more await. I will be reviewing Care Bears soon, so keep an eye out for that article.
The games do not follow modern trends. They refuse to explore vast open worlds, and you do not need hundreds of hours to play each one. Instead, they are short, sharp, casual encounters that are great icebreakers. Your kids can challenge each other without worrying about wasting hours of their evening. Furthermore, unlike other consoles, they will get exercise while staring at a TV.
Finally, there is no violence or uncomfortable online interactions. The Nex Playground is unbelievably safe, and this was reassuring. Games like Roblox fill me with dread! However, my kids and my wife enjoyed each colourful title without microtransactions, online harassment, or time constraints.
Build quality.
I was blown away by the simple but effective design. The Nex Playground is a cube console with a single front-facing camera. The body is plastic and has a delightful Minecraft aesthetic. The lens protector is attached by a string and can be connected thanks to the magnetic connection. This was the perfect design as it was easy to use and the vibrant colour is in keeping.
The rubberised base prevents the unit from slipping. Though it isn’t perfect, I found that a few ornaments on either side helped to prevent it from moving. However, if your TV cabinet or shelf has a slightly rough finish, this will work well with the rubberised design. The case, remote, and essential cables are robust. Consequently, they can take some rough and tumble and are suitable when you take them with you.
Is the Nex Playground worth it?
This console is a family-focused device. Though you could buy this and enjoy it as a couple or alone, it excels with younger gamers. The look of joy on their face and the range of games they can play were phenomenal. Additionally, the UI is exceptional, and every game is a cinch to pick up and play.
On top of this, new games are added regularly, and there are leaderboards to top, as well as a fun but competitive edge between family members. Accordingly, the Nex Playground is a fantastic console and I recommend buying it here!
(More information on Nex Playground can be found here!)
(Full disclosure! A sample was provided for an unbiased and free review!)
I usually start these reviews with a little non sequitur based on the game. That’s true of Creature Keeper too, but it’ll be a little weirder than normal. When I see a creature collecting game, all I can think about is my plan to train an army of crows. See, crows are wicked smart. They can remember faces, and attack people they don’t like. There’s also a regular murder that hang out in a park that’s on my route to work. So, through regular application of corn, maybe I can begin to form a crow army.
The plan falls apart a bit when I realise that I’m far too absent-minded to remember to bring corn, and that I’d have nothing to do with my army. Not unless they can be trained to steal sausage rolls and cider. Anyway, that’s why I’ll stick to collecting animals in games. To its credit, Creature Keeper has a lot of promise in the field of collecting creatures and throwing them at each other. It even has a decent world to put things in. Unfortunately, much like my crow army, Creature Keeper doesn’t really know what to do with what it’s got.
Gotta Keep ‘Em All
Our story centres around an unassuming guy named Blank. No, I didn’t forget to enter in a name. That’s what he’s called. Just roll with it. Blank is a brand new member of the Sodland guard, who have to undergo a year of Creature Keeper training. It’s mostly pulling up weeds. Anyway, this intense training is soon interrupted when corrupted creatures spill into Sodland, and Blank gets pushed into sorting it all out. So begins a journey across Thera to try and find someone who knows what the heck is going on.
As fantasy plots go, it’s fairly routine, but Creature Keeper puts in the work to build the world. There are little snippets of lore all over the place that establish the history of the towns and their people. The different regions feel nicely distinct, which is good. Writing all around isn’t too bad. It’s very deliberately comical, and most of the jokes landed for me. It can sometimes be a little grating, but I’ve a weakness for puns and Creature Keeper has a love for bread puns. The humour isn’t exactly upper crust, but it doughs the job well enough.
Alright, let’s forget I typed that and move on to the gameplay. It all revolves around the titular creatures. Cute little buggers, that range from giant toads, to big Venus fly traps, to giant, fluffy owls. Or zombies, I guess. Anyway, shove enough berries down their throats and they’ll join you. You can then summon them to help you in battle. Fights play out in a Zelda-esque way, where you madly swing at enemies, with the added bonus of your creatures getting a few good hits in.
Falling Apart
Problem is, Creature Keeper struggles to make the most of this potential. The gimmick of setting creatures on your enemies requires a few things, but the biggest is sensible AI. Creature Keeper‘s is a bit… dense. When creatures aren’t just getting stuck, they’re wandering off or only attacking once in a blue moon, even when commanded to. When things go right, clearing a room does feel satisfying. But roughly 75 percent of the time, I did the heavy lifting while I waited for them to get the message. Though it’s balanced out by the other issue: Creature Keeper is way too easy.
The basic boomerang weapon can stun all enemies, and your fists punch as fast as you can tap. So there wasn’t much reason to use anything else. It’s the first in a rather big list of strange issues with Creature Keeper. Creatures level up through battle, for example, and can unlock perks. These are buried in menus and come with an intense drawback in addition to a positive. So I just didn’t use them. It’s also pretty buggy. In addition to graphical glitches, I had to repeat the final level three times. At one point, people start repeating their very first lines of dialogue to me. Thought I’d gone back in time for a second.
Another, somewhat bigger, issue is that Creature Keeper‘s world feels a touch bare. There are a few sidequests throughout, but the vast majority of the world is just elongated dungeons full of the already threadbare combat. What characters we do have are quite interesting, like a old keeper whose mind’s been addled by a strange fruit, but Creature Keeper needed a little bit more reason to poke around in the corners, beyond more weapons to clutter up the bottom of my bag. It also has a big world, but no real world map outside of fast travel, which I’m pretty sure is some form of sin.
Creature Keeper – Promising, But Loosely Held Together
Still, there are points where Creature Keeper hits on good ideas. The bestiary, for instance, is cleverly done. You gain bestiary points for capturing and training creatures, which can improve your stats and make it easier to fight them in the future. All the creatures have a little lore snippet too, which is a big plus in my book. It also had promise in its garden mechanic, where you plant seeds to give your creatures bonuses. Somewhat undercut by the lack of difficulty, but a nice idea. Coupled with the light-hearted dialogue and quite lovely pixel art and animation, it makes Creature Keeper hard to dislike.
My final feeling towards Creature Keeper is that it had a good idea at its core – throwing creatures at each other is rarely a bad idea in video games – but the end result feels held together with string. Even excluding the general bugginess, the wildly unbalanced and somewhat repetitive combat that makes up most of the game feels quite frustrating. Throwing a giant, fluffy owl at enemies should be a wonderful experience. Creature Keeper tries its best to hold things together, but I can’t shake the feeling that it’s all fallen apart by the end.
The Precinct is a nod to 90s/80s cop movies. Moreover, it has an early GTA edge that is brilliantly nostalgic. The blend of gritty drama and sandbox action is wonderfully captivating. Furthermore, a pleasant, albeit easy-to-climb skill tree ensures that you improve at a comfortable rate.
This sandbox police simulation was developed by Fallen Tree Games and published by Kwalee. It is an isometric single-player game with a free-flowing camera. Additionally, you can pound the streets, fly helicopters, and tackle criminals from an array of official vehicles. If this isn’t enough, you can relieve the public of their ride as you chase thugs, gangsters, and other low life scum.
The Precinct is gritty, grim, and brilliantly addictive.
The 80s were an amazing decade. The music is fantastic, the clothes are eye-catching, and the world is evolving. However, where there are opportunities, there are criminals wishing to take advantage. This is exactly what happens in The Precinct! A rookie cop loses his heroic dad in a mysterious crime. His father was a much-loved police officer, and you must fill his shoes and walk his beat.
You control officer Nick Cordell Jr. This rookie cop is fresh out of the academy, but this matters not. He has his dad’s street smarts and a desire to do good. The local criminals of Averno have their work cut out for them. Armed with a sidearm and a desire for the truth, this rookie cop will arrest anyone who breaks the law.
Get your cop fill.
Exploring a dark and crime-filled world is fascinating. The Precinct gets the balance just right. Its day/night cycle and dynamic weather add drama and intrigue to every shift. What’s more, there are plenty of tasks to enjoy during every shift. Whether you are ticketing cars, stopping vandals, preventing robberies, or punishing littering idiots, your day is never quiet.
You are free to take on any callout that comes your way. Moreover, you can call for backup if things get out of hand. Riot vans, roadblocks, helicopter units, ground cops, and more come to your assistance. This support isn’t free, though. You must execute a perfect chase to earn credits to call in reinforcements.
This approach was great as it prevents you from jumping to incorrect decisions. Maybe you want to chase a car until it makes a mistake. Alternatively, you may be allowed to use lethal force and shoot their tyres or kill them as they escape. Either way, you must make the tough calls.
The Precinct looks great.
The sprawling city expands as you increase your police rank. This opens up different areas filled with new crimes. Additionally, it adds fun side quests such as racing, jumps, and other events to your shift. As the world expands, it makes chasing criminals much harder. They can cross bridges, enter new areas, and increase the risk of failure.
The isometric viewpoint was a great choice. Exploring the winding streets could have been a nightmare, but the free-flowing camera makes it a joy to explore. Furthermore, there were no frame rate issues, and I encountered minimal bugs and issues. The gritty colour palette enhances the seedy atmosphere, and I love the character models and each vehicle.
The audio is dramatic and exciting. Each car engine is loud, and the police siren screams as you give chase. There are some nice ambient sounds, and I loved the thunder and lightning. The result is an energetic game with a tough but fun edge.
The controls are questionable.
The Precinct was surprisingly easy to play. Though the controls are occasionally questionable, the UI is excellent. Selecting new weapons, requesting backup, or a fresh car is a cinch. However, driving the car at speed can be tough, and the shooting mechanics take some getting used to. Once you nail each element, you’ll adore tackling each criminal and becoming a renowned police officer.
The core story revolves around gang activity and finding evidence. Once you plough through this, you are left with an enjoyable sandbox mode. Though this may not appeal to everyone, I liked pounding the streets and trying new tactics. Moreover, the roster of vehicles and arsenal of guns keeps things fresh.
The Precinct is a great indie game.
I’ve been waiting for this since EGX a few years ago. It has evolved nicely, and the overall concept is fantastic. I’d love to see the developer add some online action, but I don’t think this will happen. As such, I’ll have to enjoy my solo patrols and taking down every scumbag on my own. The Precinct is a great indie game, and I recommend buying it here! Can you avenge your father and find the truth? Bust the gangs, pound the streets, and uphold the law.
I’ve reviewed many great keyboards. DROP, Epomaker, SteelSeries, Mechlands, and more have crossed my desk. Thankfully, I can now add KiiBOOM to that list. The Moonshadow V2 keyboard is a special peripheral that looks and feels great. Moreover, it is versatile as the switches are hot-swappable, and it has tri-mode connectivity.
This user-friendly design eliminates the need for soldering. Furthermore, you can use this keyboard on the move if you so wish. I’d advise against this, however, as it weighs around 1.6 kg. Now, this isn’t massively heavy, but there are lighter alternatives that may be better suited to commuters. If you love to play wirelessly, you’ll enjoy responsive polling rates. These drop when using Bluetooth, so I’d stick to the USB dongle for the best performance.
What’s in the box of the Moonshadow V2 keyboard?
The packaging is alluring and strong. The contents are well protected, and it can be recycled.
The Moonshadow V2 keyboard comes in 3 colourways. I picked the silver option, but pink and monochromatic liveries are available.
Remove the keycaps with the pulling tool.
Charge the device with the braided USB-C to USB-A cable.
Learn the basics with the user manual.
Technical aspects.
The Moonshadow V2 keyboard is perfect for gamers and office workers. Though I don’t believe it is ideal for commuting, it can be used with your phone, tablet, or any compatible Bluetooth device. The 1000 Hz polling rate is fantastic. If you opt for a Bluetooth connection, this drops to 125 Hz. This is still impressive, but is best suited for office tasks. Accordingly, wired and USB connectivity are advised.
This keyboard comes with KiiBOOM’s Flick Switch. This linear switch is comfortable to use and complements the cherry profile keycaps. The actuation distance is superb, and I enjoyed typing and gaming with this semi-compact device. The NKRO feature is particularly impressive. During the heat of battle, I appreciated the lack of ghosting. This delivers a match-winning edge and is ideal for racing and FPS titles.
I tend to play wired as I can forget about battery life and charging. However, if you hate wires, you’ll enjoy 4000 mAh battery life. This was good as the keyboard lasted for hours before running out of juice. If you do run low, you can turn off the RGB or take advantage of the quick charging facilities.
Usability.
Unlike other keyboards, this one focuses on a user-friendly approach. The hot-swappable switches are suitable for any 3 or 5-pin options. This is ideal if you have a favourite style and wish to create the perfect keyboard. The same applies to the cherry profile keycaps. These can be swapped with any compatible alternatives.
I rarely customise my inputs. I’m happy with a standard set-up and don’t require macros for the games I play. However, if you love MMOs or certain survival/FPS games, you’ll be keen to use VIA or QMK to map your inputs. Luckily, this device is compatible and allows you to change practically every aspect with ease.
Build quality.
The 6063 aluminium case is wonderfully substantial. The silver anodised colourway is great to look at. Additionally, the south-facing RGB delivers a range of vibrant and soft colour hues. The mixture of grey and baby blue keycaps looks amazing, and the 5-sided dye-sub PBT finish ensures longevity and a reduction in shiny wear and tear.
This 75% layout has 81 keys and is the perfect starting point if you are moving to a smaller keyboard. The Moonshadow V2 keyboard has every essential key without requiring macros or FN input.
The gasket structure and sound-improving materials create a beautiful soundscape and lush typing experience. You enjoy that rich clack of a mechanical input during every stroke. Yet, it is not overbearing. Furthermore, the gasket-mounted structure has a nice spongy feeling that reduces fatigue as you type.
Is the Moonshadow V2 keyboard worth it?
I love affordable keyboards, but if you wish to up the ante and look at a premium device, this should pique your interest. Every aspect is fantastic, and I adored the usability and build quality. Moreover, the RGB and VIA programmable features will appeal to a large array of gamers. Accordingly, this is an amazing device and I recommend buying it here!
The late 90s to early 2010s was a golden era for online childhood whimsy. To never be bored again it seemed, allowing for limitless access to the world and creative visions within it. MMOs and simulation games blossomed during this period. Individuals could hop online and become an entirely new persona, putting themselves in situations they may never find themselves in. Children, teens, and PC-loving adults could temporarily become fast food workers in Papa’s Pizzeria; become wizards in Wizards 101; or become literal deities in the tycoon genre of games.
Perhaps you were too little, too afraid, or maybe too broke to attend a real-life theme park. Or maybe you were a curious child or natural-born engineer fascinated at the concept and design of coasters. In the midst of the simulator craze, the first RollerCoaster Tycoon was born in 1999. Hoards of people who had PCs in their homes flocked to this game. It became one of the bestselling games of its release year, establishing a gold standard for management simulators. RCT left a strong mark on young minds. Something about the game’s boundless possibilities, onslaught of visuals and sounds, and both creative brilliance and morbidity hit just right.
Fortunately for us all, Origin8 Technologies, with the help of the original developer Chris Sawyer, released RollerCoaster Tycoon Classic – a nostalgic, faithful culmination of the original two games. This remaster includes the Toolkit, and the Time Twister and Wacky Worlds expansion packs.
RollerCoaster Tycoon Classic was released in 2016 and can be played on PC, Steam, iOS, Android, and the Nintendo Switch.
The thrill of the ride
Like the good old days, the player’s main objective is to maintain the health and happiness of the theme park and maintain a profit margin. The game offers 95 preset park scenarios, all of which requiring an x amount of guests, a park rating of xxx, and/or x amount of revenue within a certain time frame.
In the main game, players can build a wide assortment of themed rides. Each ride falls under the category of “gentle” rides, roller coasters, thrill rides, water attractions, and transport rides. To name a few, gentle rides include observation towers, minigolf, and slides. Thrills have drop towers, fast spinning rides, and rapids, while transportation rides include chairlifts and monorails.
Players will also need to build pathways for guests to walk on, as well as food and drink stalls and restrooms to support their needs. You can manually set the prices for these stalls. However, unlike the original games, for some reason players cannot set an admission fee for the park. How unfortunate. This is a big miss for RCTC, and it makes it more difficult to accrue revenue.
Players must also keep an eye on both guests and hired staff members. You can hire mechanics to repair broken rides, handymen to clean and upkeep foliage, security guards, and wandering mascots. All hired staff must be paid and generally instructed. You can also check the number of guests currently attending your theme park, and their actions and thoughts. For example, one guest named Hilda N. was thinking “I’m hungry.” This could mean that either there are not enough food stalls, or the food is too pricey. Melody H. was thinking “This park is really tidy,” meaning that my staff is doing a great job and picking up litter. Overall, you want to make sure the attendees are happy, entertained, and well-fed. Also, uh, alive.
The adrenaline rush
Players can choose from various presets, but you are also able to craft your own coasters and scenarios. Building or altering a ride is quite tedious but very fun once you get somewhat of a handle on it. On custom builds, players can adjust the theme (e.g., wooden, classical Roman, and abstract), chain or cart speed, coloration, the amount of carts, and more. Each attraction will have an excitement, intensity, and nausea rating. This is all dependent upon the speed and length of the ride as well as the number of drops and lateral G’s. There is a sweet spot to ride enjoyment. You want to make sure all of your guests don’t throw up everywhere. Unless . . . that’s your goal.
Of course, it is no secret that while a big sector of RCT fans are potential mechanical geniuses, a morbidly huge portion of its long-term audience is more interested in the experimental side of things. If you are aware that some gamers love to trap, torture, or off their Sims, the same can be applied to RollerCoaster Tycoon. Yes, you can still destroy your guests in the Classic edition. As long as your roller coaster is a closed circuit, you are free to increase the deadliness of ride speed, lateral G’s, or just happen to miss a few pieces. However, unfortunately, this feature is significantly harder to do than in the originals. Anyways, I just had to call attention to the elephant in the room.
Classically crazy controls
Anyways, RollerCoaster Tycoon seems overwhelming at first . . . and it is. Building awesome, working coasters is difficult in my opinion, and managing hundreds or thousands of park guests is a hassle. You have to keep in mind the money you have available to spend, and you need to invest in other items like trash cans, benches, and plants. Also, players have access to terraforming where you can make divots, hills, and pools of water all up to your own discretion (as long as it is within park boundaries). As RCTC is grid-based, you terraform one square at a time. Or one corner of a square at a time. Mending the landscape is precise and finicky so you want to take advantage of camera zooming and rotation to make sure you are getting the results you want.
Players can pause time or increase the game’s speed up to trifold. You can also pick up and move people around, and you will want to do this with your staff. It seems that sometimes your workers are either incredibly confused, lost, or just lazy. However, pathfinding your staff is also a troublesome mechanic (at least on the Nintendo Switch). Overall, the game has a complicated and dense control scheme and requires a lot of button or keyboard and mouse combinations. There are only so many buttons you can press, but RCTC includes terraforming, ride construction, placement, navigation, menu selection, park management, and more – I had to pull up the control menu every 15 minutes.
Where dreams come to life!
RollerCoaster Tycoon Classic contains isometric sprite work and utilizes parallel projection, giving this 2D game a look of dimensionality. While the frame rate sinks occasionally, this pixelated art style makes movement look seamless and just plain cool. RCTC is also colorfully dynamic. Despite having so many controls and features, the UI is generally pleasant to look at. The cursor is styled after a 90s computer mouse.
The main issue with isometric pixel art is that depth perception can be thrown off when rotating the screen. You may try to place a tree on a specific square, or you might have chosen to specific square to dig down on; but, when you rotate the screen, your chosen location is actually three grid spaces further than you realized. It could be frustrating, but for some people this is all a part of the nostalgia and fun.
RCTC’s soundtrack is a mix of compositions by Allister Bramble with pre-existing public-domain tracks. You will hear classic organ-style fairground music on the Merry-Go-Round. There are some varying styles of tunes, like the fan favorite “Rock Style 2,” “Roman Fanfare,” or “Wild West.” It depends upon the theme of the attraction you built and placed in your park.
Around the world
RollerCoaster Tycoon Classic includes extra park scenarios ranging from beginner to expert difficulties. The Time Twisters expansion pack has 14 levels based on unique themes. For example, one scenario is called the “Roaring Twenties – Prison Island,” and is described as follows:
The infamous Prison Island – whose population once swelled with bootleggers and racketeers – is now up for sale. You’ve decided to convert it into a top tourist attraction, and money is no object.
Regardless of the scenario, it all plays the same and generally harbors the same type of goal, but each level looks unique and the context is fun to keep in mind. The Wacky Worlds expansion pack is perhaps even cooler, as each level is based on a real-life geographical location. There is a European Cultural Festival scenario, Six Flags Belgium, a Rain Forest Plateau in South America, an African Diamond Mine, just to name a few.
Oh! I cannot forget to mention “Panda World” – a scenario where the player’s park is solely panda themed!
Final thoughts
RollerCoaster Tycoon Classic edition is almost identical to the original two games with a slightly different UI and automatic inclusion of the expansion packs. Yet, it is missing some old features. It is upsetting that players cannot alter park admission prices. Also, RCTC seems to lack a complete sandbox mode. While players are allowed to build their own custom coasters and scenarios, there is no free space to build from the ground up and allow creativity to full-on explode onto the screen.
Otherwise, RCTC looks and sounds amazingly faithful to the originals. It is a blast from the past, reigniting our childhood creative energies and perhaps borderline sadist curiosities. Despite the overload of mechanics, confusing controls, and tedious coaster building, it is easy to spend countless hours in to the game. It is one of those titles, like The Sims or Animal Crossing, where you truly forget that time really exists.
For those who remember RollerCoaster Tycoon fondly, or for those intense fans of management sims, RCTC is absolutely worth playing.
Within Kira Kira Star Night, one of RIKI 8Bit Game Collection’s two gameplay offerings, the bottom of the instructions screen states, “Playing games is a serious business. Don’t leave halfway: please play it all the way through.” Even if the remark comes off as a cute, tongue-in-cheek gesture to the 8-bit package’s simple, pick-up-and-play nature, the ode to gaming represents the collection’s passionate philosophy. Published by Clear River Games and developed by CITY CONNECTION and RIKI, the RIKI 8Bit Game Collection celebrates gaming on multiple fronts, delivering a duo of addicting NES gameplay experiences, Kira Kira Star Night and Astro Ninja Man DX, alongside three different music players jam-packed with chiptune charm by all-time greats.
The Star of the Scoreboard
Kira Kira Star Night tasks the player with maneuvering a young girl through a series of stages outfitted in psychedelic colors and 8-bit earworms. The objective is elementary: collect as many shifting, evasive stars as possible as they fall from the sky. Instead of finding depth in controls or abilities, the game is resolute in its retro attitude, limiting the player to a small jump, big jump, and standard movement controls. With each level passed, increasingly challenging time limits and collection expectations ask the player to master these rudimentary controls. Achieving this proficiency is where Kira Kira Star Night shines. Like any game that expertly understands the importance of progression in difficulty, there was never a point where I could blame the game for a state of failure. Inadequate inputs and the inability of my fingers were the only guilty suspects, and in being forced to take ownership, my ambition to improve rebounded me into attempt after attempt until a state of success was mine.
The collection’s old-school outlook doesn’t compromise on modern features, however. While I tended to ignore the quick save, quick load, and practice mode features, their inclusion provides a nice answer for players seeking a more accessible path to see all that Kira Kira Star Night offers. After completing the game a few times, regardless of the difficulty option selected, two unlockable characters and musical albums await the player. The alternative characters add a nice shakeup to gameplay, tweaking how the jump mechanics work without waiving the significance of the fundamental simplicity. With only nine stages and two difficulty levels, going for the top of the leaderboard became the objective of each run through the game, leading me to appreciate how quickly I could familiarize myself with every character and return to outdoing my previously set high score.
Shuriken in Outer Space
The other half of the collection’s gameplay experience comes in the form of Astro Ninja Man DX. While Kira Kira Star Night has more immediate appeal than this shoot ’em up title, most prominently due to its more colorful style, Astro Ninja Man DX thrives on many of the same sentiments as its companion. Solid, streamlined gameplay let me quickly come to terms with what was expected of me while also containing a healthy expectation of improvement in progression. The controls consist of moving left and right across the bottom of the screen, where you constantly shoot upwards at the onslaught of enemies, and the “Ninja Sword” ability, a more effective, powerful attack. Outside of these inputs, adding fellow ninjas to your side by shooting at specific objects powers you up, providing greater firepower. I found Astro Ninja Man DX to be more challenging yet slightly less gripping than Kira Kira Star Night, but its soundtrack hit all the same, living rent-free in my mind long after I had stopped playing.
A Celebration of Chiptunes
Outside of these two games, music players full of chiptunes comprise more than half of the RIKI 8Bit Game Collection. These less interactive experiences may not seem of much worth to many, but to music lovers such as myself, incorporating such a significant facet of video games’ artistic merit with such care and adoration is a remarkable sign of dedication that others in the industry should follow the lead of. 8Bit Music Power, 8Bit Music Power Final, and 8Bit Music Power Encore are all more than just plain, thrown-together ways to access some incredible tunes. Each music player includes a feast of accompanying visuals, the ability to tinker and toy with the individual components of each track, and other secrets to find. Works included are composed by Manami Matsumae, Yuzo Koshiro, Manabu Namiki, Soichi Terada, Junya Nakano, and many more. Not only do I find myself revisiting this part of the package, but I also have explored outside works by these artists thanks to such an appealing introduction.
In the current era of gaming, straightforward mechanics paired with a linear gameplay loop combine to form a product often misinterpreted as only being able to amount to a shallow, uninteresting time investment. Devout gamers, who now wander an evergrowing market of sophisticated, expansive experiences, deserve the reminder that simple, refined games can be just as enticing, exciting, and artistic as big-budget, cutting-edge titles. This collection is a passionate reminder of such a fact, serving as a love letter to the NES era of colorful, addicting gameplay while also shining a glowing spotlight on how chiptunes fueled so many of those classic experiences.
Amerzone – The Explorer’s Legacy is as testing as it’s beautiful. This Riven-like game will energise your grey matter and push you all the way. However, it isn’t entirely cruel as a helpful hint system keeps you on track. Additionally, each chapter is large enough without being overbearing.
This mystery puzzle adventure was developed by Microids Studio Paris and published by Microids. It is a single-player point-and-click experience that uses a first-person perspective. This immersive approach can feel restrictive. Yet, I adored the personal nature and every detailed element.
Amerzone – The Explorer’s Legacy tells an outlandish tale.
Outlandish plots, crazy ideas, and tough puzzles await anyone brave enough to tackle Amerzone – The Explorer’s Legacy. This puzzle game drip feeds layers of lore for fun. Moreover, each chapter pushes you closer to redemption and an emotional finale. Though it was massively unrealistic, I didn’t care. The writing, characters, and pacing were brilliant. As such, the action thrives.
You play the role of a young journalist. A dying adventurer hand-picks you because of your zest for life. However, you could never guess what lies ahead. A tale of deceit, shame, and redemption awaits as you return the egg of the Great White Bird to its rightful country. En route, you discover obstacles, problems, and a rich and exciting culture. This dangerous journey isn’t for the faint of heart, but you cannot ignore a dying man’s wishes.
Lore-rich action.
It is hard to talk about Amerzone – The Explorer’s Legacy without giving anything away. As such, I won’t discuss key elements as it will ruin your experience. Instead, I’ll highlight essential moments that make this work. The lore-rich action is swimming with notes, hints, and handy pointers. Whether it is a disk to make your changeable craft progress, or the ability to find ingredients to make a neurotoxin, it is all fantastic.
Each chapter has wonderfully intertwined puzzles that block your progress. This can be slightly infuriating if you get stuck, but a glance at your journal and a calm, methodical approach usually helps. Alongside the game’s progressing elements are some nice but unnecessary moments.
The odd red hearing can occasionally be annoying, but it matters not. I was so absorbed in the moment that wasting time and unnecessary exploration became my new norm. Furthermore, piecing together clues and the glorious eureka moments was fantastic. As such, if you are a lover of puzzle games, this gets the balance just right.
Amerzone – The Explorer’s Legacy looks stunning.
Though the plot and puzzles may confuse you, aesthetically, Amerzone – The Explorer’s Legacy looks stunning. Every unique biome is a joy to explore. The incredible lighting and beautiful scenery add to the magical atmosphere. The first-person perspective is somewhat restrictive, but it works incredibly well.
The audio complements this strong foundation. The acting, sound effects, and dramatic music take you on a wonderful journey. Howling wind, crashing waves, and bird song create an unforgettable cacophony.
Restrictive controls.
Point-and-click games rely on smooth and easy-to-follow controls. Accordingly, this would be much better if I used a mouse and keyboard. Though the gamepad layout is intuitive, it doesn’t flow as well as it could. This issue doesn’t undermine the gameplay, it’s just not as comfortable as it could have been.
If you are a completionist, there are mountains of puzzles to solve and loads of lore to find. Additionally, you can lose hours when you explore every corner of each chapter. On the other hand, if you wish to stick to the core action, you can push through the game in a relatively short space of time. As such, replay value and longevity depend on your mindset, logical skills, and desire to see everything.
Amerzone – The Explorer’s Legacy is a great puzzle title.
This is a bit of a niche game. The slow action, mountains of lore, and testing puzzles will not appeal to everyone. However, if you love an atmospheric story and a phenomenal setting, you will not want to miss out on this remake. It impressed me from beginning to end, and I recommend buying it here! Can you fulfil a dying man’s wishes? Search for clues, explore the jungle, and return the Great White Birds to their home.
Puzzle games have always been and are one of the most entertaining video game genres.
Many of the games we play have puzzles in their various sections, and these puzzles play an important role in all of these games. Therefore, games in this genre are very important and have a great impact on other games.
I have played many indie games in the puzzle genre and I enjoy these games a lot, but many times I have been frustrated by the difficulty of the puzzles in these games and the enjoyment of the game was decreased. This is one of the problems with puzzle games that developers face.
If the puzzles in the game are too easy, the game has no challenge and many players will complain. If the puzzles are too hard, many will complain again. Therefore, creating a balance in the difficulty and ease of the puzzles or inventing a method that can help players has always been one of the challenges of this genre.
Botany Manor was developed by Balloon Studios and published by Whitethorn Games.
The game was released in April 2024 for Xbox, Nintendo Switch, and PC and was available for free to Game Pass subscribers. Botany Manor was released for PlayStation in January 2025.
STORY
You start the game as Arabella Greene, a botanist who has just returned from her trip to the botanical mansion located in Somerset, a county in England, to complete her botanical book, Forgotten Flora, and send it to the publisher.
This book wants to introduce exceptional and forgotten plants and teach its readers how to grow them, and now you, as Arabella, must find out how to plant and grow these special plants by finding the clues in the game and putting them together.
Throughout the game, you learn a lot about Arabella, one of the most basic of which is her family, which you learn is her sister named Elizabeth, and her father is Augustus Greene and her mother is Adelaide Pendleton.
The story of this game is simple but interesting and entertaining, and reading the letters is essential to understanding the story, and these letters are very well written and entertaining.
Sometimes, along the way of solving some puzzles, you will discover interesting stories and information, such as the priest holes that were built in England and Wales in the mid-1570s, and these stories and information are also very interesting and entertaining.
GAMEPLAY
The gameplay is simple, you have to find clues such as letters, newspapers, photos, etc. you have to explore the map and find the clues and connect them to the corresponding flower in the Forgotten Flora book according to the type of clues and find all the clues related to a flower and then grow that flower.
The way to grow each flower is different and you have to grow the flower yourself according to the clues.
Each flower has its own unique look and all the flowers that you grow during the game are very beautiful and are very well designed and make you want to stare at each flower you grow for a while.
It takes about four hours to complete the entire game and get all its trophies.
PUZZLES
The puzzles in this game are very interesting and after finding the clues and putting them together, it gives you a very good feeling and is very enjoyable.
The puzzles are neither too hard nor too easy and I think Balloon Studios has managed to establish a good balance between the difficulty and ease of the puzzles, although it would have been nice to include a hint system, but I don’t think its absence is a problem considering the puzzles are not too difficult.
MAP DESIGN
The botany manor is very large, in each chapter you will investigate new parts of this manor.
Different parts of the manor such as: garden, greenhouse, kitchen, library, etc. are very well placed in the manor and you will find good shortcuts throughout the game.
The map is so good that you can remember it by seeing it once or twice.
After finishing the game, in order to get some trophies, I had to find the flowers that I had grown in different places in the manor, and I could easily remember and find their location, and this shows the excellent design of the map.
VISUALS
Visually, it’s as if you’re looking at a painting.
All parts of the map in this game are very beautiful, the colors are very vivid, the colors are very beautiful and eye-catching, and they’re well placed together.
You’ll see beauty in this game by looking at every corner.
The resolution and performance are also completely problem-free.
CONCLUSION
Botany Manor is a fantastic game with an interesting story, great and balanced puzzles, pleasing soundtracks, visually it’s like a painting. it has about 4 hours of content. I definitely recommend trying this game even if you are not a fan of the puzzle genre.
Virtual reality headsets bring futuristic experiences into our homes, but storing your gear can become an afterthought when the game ends. That’s where the AMVR Universal VR Standcomes in, a simple yet functional accessory designed to keep your Meta Quest 2 / Quest 3 or PICO 4 headsets and controllers organised and protected. With a clean look and a surprisingly sturdy build, this stand promises to tidy up your VR corner. But does it deliver on practicality and durability? After several weeks of use, here’s what we found.
Design and Assembly
The AMVR Universal VR Stand arrives disassembled but includes everything needed for a quick and painless setup. Thanks to its modular, snap-fit design, assembly takes less than five minutes and doesn’t require any tools.
The stand is made of high-quality plastic, which feels solid in hand. Once assembled, it presents a minimalist and sleek aesthetic, suitable for desktop display, shelves, or entertainment centres. The base is wide enough to remain stable even when fully loaded, and rubber feet prevent sliding on smooth surfaces.
What sets this stand apart is its universal compatibility. It’s designed to accommodate most VR headsets on the market, including the Meta Quest 2, Quest 3, and PICO 4. The top hook cradles the headset securely, while the side arms hold the controllers with precise spacing to avoid scratching or unnecessary pressure on buttons or joysticks.
Everyday Usability with Meta Quest and PICO
The stand proved highly functional in daily use. Whether you’re switching between game sessions or storing your headset overnight, the stand offers a safe and accessible home base for your gear. The Meta Quest 2 and Quest 3 fit perfectly on the mount without shifting or sliding. The headset rests naturally on the centre post, with the strap hanging freely and without stress on the headband or face padding.
The stand is just as accommodating for PICO 4 users. The unique shape of the PICO headset fits securely, and the side arms hold its compact controllers snugly in place. This universality is a standout feature, especially for multi-headset households or VR developers working with multiple platforms. The stand also claims support for the Apple Vision Pro, however I have been unable to test that directly.
The design also encourages proper cable management. There’s enough clearance at the base to coil a link cable or charging cord, keeping everything tidy and off the floor.
Final Thoughts on the AMVR Universal VR Stand
The AMVR Universal VR Stand is a simple, effective storage solution that delivers exactly what most VR users need: a tidy, stable place to keep their gear safe between sessions. With universal compatibility for both Meta Quest and PICO headsets, it’s a smart buy for anyone looking to clean up their play area without breaking the bank.
While it lacks premium features, like integrated charging, its core functionality, sturdy construction, and ease of use make it a top-tier choice for casual and serious VR gamers.
As immersive and liberating as VR can be, cable clutter can quickly disrupt the experience, especially for PCVR setups that require tethering. That’s where a good VR cable management system comes in, and the AMVR Retractable VR Cable Management System offers a practical and affordable solution. Designed for users who connect via link cables, this accessory aims to keep your play area neat, reduce tripping hazards, and maintain immersion for various headsets being used for PCVR.
Setup and First Impressions
The AMVR retractable system is impressively simple to assemble out of the box. It comes with six ceiling pulley units, pre-attached retractable reels, adhesive hooks, and optional screw mounts for permanent setups.
Installation is intuitive, taking around 15–20 minutes. You can opt for a temporary setup using the adhesive pads, which held up well on smooth ceilings during our tests or go for a more permanent solution with the screw mounts. Once installed, the pulleys offered a smooth retracting motion, and the system felt stable and secure. Securing the link cable was even easier, with just one rubber strap on each pulley.
Performance in Daily Use
Using the system with a Quest 3, hooked up for some PCVR, the difference was immediate. The link cable-stayed lifted off the floor, reducing both the risk of stepping on it and the subtle drag you feel during play. The pulleys retracted smoothly with movement, maintaining just the right amount of tension to stay out of the way without pulling on the headset.
The setup helped maintain immersion during games that require turning and movement, like Beat Saber, Blade & Sorcery, or Half-Life: Alyx, by preventing the cable from brushing your shoulder or tangling around your legs.
Key Benefits of the AMVR Cable Management System
Enhanced freedom of movement: The system drastically reduces drag and tangling by lifting the cable off the floor.
Smooth, silent retraction: The spring-loaded reels retract effortlessly without making disruptive noise.
Modular and flexible: You can customise pulley placement based on your play space and headset cable route.
Non-permanent setup option: Adhesive mounts allow renters or casual users to enjoy benefits without drilling.
Works with multiple headsets: Fully compatible with headsets connected via USB-C link cables.
Limitations and Areas for Improvement
While the system works well overall, there are a few things to remember. The adhesive mounts, while convenient, may lose grip over time on textured or dusty ceilings. The screw-in method is more reliable for long-term use, especially in warm environments.
Additionally, users with low ceilings may find the default retraction length too short, resulting in some tension on the cable. This can usually be solved by adjusting the height of the cable route using extra hooks or extension lines (not included).
Lastly, the pulleys are not completely silent during rapid or aggressive movements. While the noise is minimal, perfectionists or those recording gameplay might notice occasional clicks or whirrs.
Final Thoughts on the AMVR Retractable VR Cable Management System
The AMVR Retractable VR Cable Management System is a simple yet highly effective upgrade for any PCVR setup. It reduces clutter, prevents cable damage, and adds a layer of immersion that wireless users take for granted, all at a reasonable price.
If you’re using a VR link cable for PCVR gaming and want a cleaner, safer, and more immersive environment, this cable management system is worth the investment.
On their website, you can learn more about the AMVR Retractable VR Cable Management System.
Maintaining a seamless connection between your headset and PC is crucial for an immersive experience. The AMVR Upgraded Link Cable with Separate Charging Port addresses common issues like battery drain and unstable connections during extended play sessions. Designed for Meta Quest and PICO headsets, this cable aims to enhance your PCVR experience.
Design and Build Quality
The AMVR Link Cable is 16 feet (5 meters) long, providing ample room for movement without feeling restricted. Its PVC construction ensures durability while maintaining flexibility, reducing the risk of tangling or damage over time.
A standout feature is the reinforced L-shaped USB-C connector, which fits snugly into the headset, minimising strain on the port and preventing accidental disconnections. The cable also includes head strap ties, offering additional security during intense gaming sessions.
Separate Charging Port: Continuous Power Supply
One of the most significant advantages of this cable is its separate charging port. Unlike traditional link cables that rely solely on the PC’s USB port for power, which often leads to battery drain during gameplay, this design allows you to connect an external power source (18w or higher recommended) to keep your headset charged throughout your session.
This feature ensures that your Meta Quest or PICO headset maintains sufficient power, even during extended play, eliminating the need to pause and recharge.
High-Speed Data Transmission
Equipped with a USB 3.0/3.1 interface, the AMVR Link Cable supports data transfer speeds up to 5 Gbps, ensuring a smooth and responsive VR experience. During our tests, games loaded quickly, and there was no noticeable lag or latency, even in graphically intensive titles.
This high-speed data transmission is crucial for maintaining immersion, particularly in fast-paced games where split-second reactions are essential.
What the AMVR Link Cable Gets Right
Separate charging port ensures continuous power during extended play sessions.
High-speed data transfer up to 5 Gbps for smooth gameplay.
Durable and flexible design with a 16-foot length for unrestricted movement.
L-shaped connector reduces strain on the headset’s USB-C port.
Areas for Improvement
No included power adapter, requiring users to provide their own 18w or higher charger and a long enough cable not to restrict the link cable’s movement.
PVC material, while durable, may not offer the same premium feel as braided alternatives.
Final Verdict on the AMVR Upgraded Link Cable
The AMVR Upgraded Link Cable with Separate Charging Port addresses common pain points for VR users, offering a reliable solution for maintaining power and connectivity during extended PCVR sessions. Its thoughtful design, intelligent charging features, and broad compatibility make it a valuable accessory for PCVR users.
While the absence of an included power adapter is a minor drawback, the cable’s overall performance and convenience make it a worthwhile investment for those seeking to enhance their VR experience.
Steredenn: Binary Stars has built a cult following since its original release, thanks to its stylish pixel art, ferocious gameplay, and endlessly replayable structure. While not a native PS5 title, it finds new life on Sony’s powerhouse console. If you’re a fan of roguelikes, retro shoot ’em ups, or chaotic space battles, you may wonder: Is this fast-paced space fighter worth your time in 2025?
Frantic Gameplay That Captures Arcade Nostalgia
Steredenn: Binary Stars is a side-scrolling shoot ’em up that drops players into the cockpit of a lone starfighter battling through waves of enemy ships, bosses, and environmental hazards. Its gameplay is relentless. From the very first second, you’re dodging bullets, upgrading your weapons, and making split-second decisions that determine whether you survive or get blasted into stardust.
What sets Steredenn apart is how it blends bullet hell mechanics with roguelike elements. Each run is procedurally generated, meaning no two sessions are identical. Enemy formations, wave patterns, item drops, and even boss encounters change dynamically. This results in high replayability and constant tension, since memorisation will only take you so far. You must learn how to adapt.
The shooting mechanics are sharp and responsive. Dodging feels snappy, and each weapon has a unique feel, from rapid-fire cannons to massive laser beams that cleave through multiple enemies and even a giant boomerang. On PS5, the DualSense controller feels right in the hand, even if the game doesn’t use the advanced haptics or adaptive triggers. The sticks and button inputs are responsive, which is essential for a game where twitch reflexes often determine your survival.
Deep Weapon and Ship Variety Keeps Things Fresh
One of Steredenn: Binary Stars’ strongest features is its rich arsenal of over 40 unique weapons. From staple classics like homing missiles to quirky but powerful gear like the saw launcher or flame thrower, the game continually surprises you with new loadouts and combinations. Weapon pickups appear mid-run, allowing you to experiment with builds on the fly. Some offer raw damage output, while others emphasise crowd control or defensive utility.
This weapon diversity is complemented by a selection of different ships, each with its stats and abilities. One ship may have a faster speed but lower health; another might sacrifice mobility for increased firepower or defensive perks. Unlocking new ships adds depth to the gameplay and incentivises players to experiment, especially since different strategies work better depending on what the procedural RNG throws your way.
While the game doesn’t have a persistent progression system in the same way as modern roguelites, the satisfaction of mastering new builds and discovering new weapons makes each run rewarding. It’s a system built on variety and surprise rather than grind and accumulation.
Boss Battles Are Intense, Rewarding, and Brutal
Boss fights in Steredenn: Binary Stars are a standout feature but represent one of the game’s most significant hurdles for new players. These colossal enemies have multi-phase attack patterns, environmental tricks, and randomised behaviours that can catch even experienced players off guard. Whether you’re dodging homing lasers, avoiding asteroid storms, or navigating tight spaces with little room for error, the bosses feel like true gatekeepers to progress.
The variety is impressive, each boss feels distinct, and their designs are creative despite the pixel-art limitations. However, the difficulty curve is steep. If you’re unfamiliar with bullet hell patterns or roguelike mechanics, these encounters can feel punishingly unfair. The challenge is a draw for genre fans, but casual players might quit after repeated defeats.
On the plus side, the quick restarts on PS5 mean you’re never more than a few seconds away from another attempt, which helps offset the frustration of failure.
Steredenn: Binary StarsPerformance on PS5
Steredenn: Binary Stars was never a graphically intensive game, but it still looks fantastic on modern displays thanks to its sharp pixel art, vivid colour palette, and explosive effects. On PS5, the game runs flawlessly. Frame rates are consistently smooth, even during the most chaotic moments when dozens of enemies and particle effects are on-screen. Input latency is minimal, which is crucial for a precision-based game.
However, managing expectations is important: this is not a remastered or enhanced PS5 version. The game does not offer any PS5-specific upgrades. There’s no native 4K support (the resolution is capped at 1080p), no use of the DualSense adaptive triggers or haptic feedback, and no UI or loading screens improvements beyond what the SSD naturally provides. What this version does deliver, however, is the core experience with all the extra gameplay content and gameplay improvements bundled into one package.
If you were hoping for a full PS5 version with visual polish and modern features, you won’t find it here. But if you’re looking for raw, retro-style action that benefits from the PS5’s horsepower in the background, Steredenn delivers.
Final Thoughts On Steredenn: Binary Stars
Steredenn: Binary Stars on PS5 is a love letter to classic arcade shooters. It’s infused with the unpredictability and depth of a modern roguelike. It’s fast, challenging, and endlessly replayable. If you enjoy games that reward skill and adaptation over time, this is an excellent addition to your PS5 library, especially if you missed it during its original release.
Steredenn doesn’t leverage any of the PS5’s unique features or offer modern amenities like multiplayer or enhanced visuals. Despite this, it remains a compelling experience. This is thanks to its tight gameplay loop, variety of weapons and enemies, and addictive structure. Hardcore fans will find hours of enjoyment here, while newcomers should be prepared for a steep but rewarding learning curve.
For more information about the game, visit their website.
Developed and published by The Planar Danse, The Fool’s Apprentice is a cosy 3d management Sim with Idle Elements.
It’s hard to describe a game in a mere phrase, but The Fool’s Apprentice has made it very easy. If I am allowed to use a metaphor, this Ornamental cow has been a very interesting experience. Not fun. Not memorable. Just interesting.
Beautifully corrupt, aimlessly gorgeous, attractively boring. There, a few more phrases to describe my experience. Nevertheless, let’s go into detail.
Idle School
I have not seen such a lack of depth since I lost my glasses. Fool’s Apprentice, on the surface, is a magic school management sim. However, underneath the hood, you will find that the engine is missing.
You have a large school, where students keep entering via the front door. Your job is to place objects around the school that these students use to study. After a few in-game hours, a student is allowed to take a test. If they pass the test, the student graduates; if they fail, they die.
You get points when students study, and you earn extra money if they pass their final test. These resources are then spent on placing additional objects and magical tools throughout the school. Each object slightly increases study efficiency, reducing the time it takes for students to graduate.
The entire system feeds into itself — study, earn, spend, repeat — with no real change in strategy or gameplay. It’s a loop of incremental upgrades rather than meaningful management decisions, encouraging passive play rather than active involvement.
So, not exactly a management sim, is it then?
Fool’s Gold
The Fool’s Apprentice presents itself as a management simulator, but peel back its gilded curtain and you’ll find something far more familiar. This is, at its core, an idle clicker dressed in the robes of simulation.
Its gameplay loop relies entirely on waiting: students arrive, they slowly accumulate knowledge from placed objects, and eventually take a test. You don’t manage people or make difficult choices. You just place more enhancers to reduce the time students need to graduate. That’s it.
Rather than requiring strategic foresight or dynamic problem-solving, hallmarks of true management sims, The Fool’s Apprentice mimics the feedback loop of something like Cookie Clicker. Place an object, watch the bar fill faster, repeat.
Your role is more akin to a passive caretaker than an active headmaster. There are no real consequences, no crises to resolve, no student personalities to manage. Just cold, clean numbers ticking upward.
Fool’s Game
In the end, The Fool’s Apprentice is not a test of wit, strategy, or management. It’s a test of patience. What promises to be an enchanting dive into magical academia reveals itself as a beautifully rendered progress bar, wrapped in whimsy but hollow in function. The game never truly asks anything of the player beyond endurance. No risks, no dilemmas, no sense of growth. Just the quiet, repetitive hum of efficiency tuning.
It’s easy to see how someone could be fooled. The art direction is inviting, the animations charming, and the tone suggests a warm, cosy experience. But much like a stage magician relying on sleight of hand, The Fool’s Apprentice dazzles with aesthetics while quietly keeping substance out of sight.
This isn’t a management sim; it’s a waiting room with spells. It scratches the surface of genre expectations but never commits to depth or consequence. For players seeking an actual challenge or meaningful engagement, this is not your class.
To put it simply: if you came looking to graduate from novice to master, you might want to transfer. In this school, the only lesson is how little a game can offer while still looking like it’s teaching something.
