Here we take a closer look at the Style 4 Ever Unicorn DIY Lava Lamp.
Create and decorate your own battery powered Lava Unicorn Lamp! Add beads, colour, decorations then add water to create your own personal lava lamp!
You can also decorate and personalise your Unicorn Lamp with the stickers provided.
Once you have added all your style components, just turn to activate and watch the water swirl and the colour changing lights create amazing effects!
Features
DIY LAVA LAMP: Create & decorate your own colourful, battery powered, light-up Lava Lamp!
CREATIVE FUN: Decorate, add water & turn to activate the battery powered Lava Lamp! Kit comes with beads, decorations, glitter, confetti, dioramas & colourant for you to add in step-by-step!
COOL EFFECTS: Colour changing lights & fun water swirl function
PERSONALISE: Add your own style to the Lava Lamp with the stickers provided!
Requires 3x AAA batteries
Contents
1 Unicorn Lava lamp
1 Bag of water beads
1 Bag of decorations
1 Bottle of colorant
3 Decoration sheets
1 Sticker sheet
1 Instruction sheet
The Style 4 Ever Unicorn DIY Lava Lamp is available now priced around £16.99.
Here we take a closer look at Gomatic’s Compression Packing Cubes.
Upgrade your travel game with Gomatic Compression Packing Cubes, the ultimate travel essential designed for efficiency, style, and convenience. Perfect for both business travelers and family adventurers, these compression travel cubes help you pack smarter and lighter, making your trips smoother from start to finish.
This product includes three versatile sizes—small, medium, and large—to fit all your packing needs. The small cube (19.7 x 19.7 cm) compresses from 4L down to a compact 1.5L, ideal for storing your toiletries and accessories. The medium cube (29.2 x 19.7 cm) holds up to 5.5L and compresses to 2.5L, perfect for shirts, pants, or other essentials. For bulkier items, the large cube (29.2 x 29.2 cm) offers 10L capacity, compressing neatly to 5L, freeing up space in your suitcase.
Made with premium nylon and polyester, these compression cubes for travel are built for durability, offering waterproof and water-resistant protection to keep your belongings safe from spills and weather. The zippered compression system works like magic to compress your clothes, minimizing wasted space and keeping everything securely in place. Plus, multiple closure options—zipper, magnetic, snap, buckle, and drawstring—add flexibility based on your preference.
Available in sleek colors like navy, black, and grey, these cubes blend effortlessly with any travel gear. Despite their sturdy build, they remain incredibly lightweight, ensuring they don’t add unnecessary bulk to your luggage. Whether you’re packing for a short work trip or a month-long getaway, these compressible packing cubes let you stay organized and prepared.
Buy the Gomatic Compression Packing Cubes today and revolutionize the way you travel! These versatile and durable cubes are a traveler’s best friend—shop now and experience the ease of efficient packing with a set designed to simplify every journey.
Gomatic’s Compression Packing Cubes are available now priced around £72.00 for the 3 pack and they come in either Gray or Navy. You can also buy the cubes individually.
As someone whose experience with the Dynasty Warriors series is limited to a few titles from the PlayStation 2 era, I approached Dynasty Warriors: Origins with a mix of nostalgia and curiosity. The franchise’s signature “one versus thousands” combat was always intriguing, but I often found the gameplay repetitive and the narratives hard to follow. However, Origins has revitalized the series in a way that not only captivated me but also made me appreciate the evolution of the musou genre.
A Fresh Narrative Approach
Unlike previous instalments that featured a sprawling cast of characters, Origins centres its story around a single, amnesiac protagonist known as the Wanderer. This narrative choice provides a more focused and personal storyline, allowing newcomers like myself to engage deeply without feeling overwhelmed by the extensive lore. As the Wanderer allies with various factions during the tumultuous Three Kingdoms period, the game offers a cohesive and immersive experience that is both accessible and compelling.
Engaging Combat Mechanics
The core of Dynasty Warriors has always been its large-scale battles, and Origins elevates this with refined combat mechanics. The introduction of parrying and dodging adds a strategic layer, making encounters more dynamic and less of a button-mashing affair. Each weapon type offers unique combos and abilities, encouraging experimentation and keeping the combat fresh throughout the campaign. The satisfaction of decimating hordes of enemies while executing well-timed counters cannot be overstated.
Stunning Visuals and Performance
Leveraging the power of modern hardware, Origins delivers impressive visuals that bring ancient Chinese battlefields to life. The sheer number of on-screen enemies is staggering, yet the game maintains smooth performance, ensuring that the action remains fluid even during the most chaotic skirmishes. The character models and environments are richly detailed, enhancing the overall immersion.
Accessibility for Newcomers
For players like me, who are essentially newcomers to the series, Dynasty Warriors: Origins serves as an excellent entry point. The streamlined narrative, combined with tutorials and adjustable difficulty settings, ensures that even those unfamiliar with musou games can jump in and enjoy the experience. The game strikes a balance between honouring its legacy and welcoming new players, making it a standout title in the franchise.
Conclusion
Dynasty Warriors: Origins has successfully reinvigorated a series that I had previously struggled to connect with. Its focused storytelling, enhanced combat mechanics, and impressive presentation have transformed it into a must-play experience. As someone who had only dabbled in the earlier titles, I found myself thoroughly impressed and eagerly invested in the battles and characters. I would confidently rate this game an 8 out of 10, recognizing it as a triumphant return that appeals to both veterans and newcomers alike.
For the first time ever in the United Kingdom & Europe, Minecraft fans will have their chance to experience a real-world, Minecraft immersive adventure. Experience MOD and Mojang Studios proudly present Minecraft Experience: Villager Rescue, opening on 4th April 2025 at Corner Corner—London’s newest multi-use venue in Canada Water. Just a 10-minute journey on the Jubilee line from central London, this exciting experience invites longtime Minecrafters, new players and families of all ages to step into the world of Minecraft and become real-life heroes on an interactive quest like no other.
In this action-packed experience, visitors will enter seven Minecraft rooms and help rescue the village under siege from a zombie attack. Taking on the role of heroes, they must work to rescue the villagers—much like players collaborating on Indifferent Broccoli server hosting—and gather the essential ingredients to cure them before time runs out. Armed with only your wit and a handheld Orb, known as the Orb of Interaction, players will embark on an epic journey through breathtaking biomes in search of the resources needed to craft a life-saving potion.
Minecraft is the best-selling game of all time with over 300 million copies sold, with players from around the world adventuring and creating together in their Minecraft worlds. Now, with Minecraft Experience: Villager Rescue spawning in London, they can take part in this epic rescue mission and story-based experience where iconic places and mobs from the game are brought to life before their eyes.
Visitors begin their 45-minute journey by entering the forest. Guided by two unique characters—Tobin and Dayo—they will learn to use the Orb of Interaction, a glowing interactive handheld device which guides the user from room to room. Moving into the village, they will receive their quest and embark on a rescue mission with a team of fellow Minecrafters. On this interactive scavenger hunt, adventurers will journey through multiple Minecraft biomes while collecting resources and interacting with iconic mobs – some more friendly than others. Minecrafters can gush over pandas and dolphins as well as face skeletons, spiders, and – of course – creepers. Once they complete their quest, they can celebrate their heroic feat at the Minecraft Experience Trading Post with a crafty memento from the adventure.
“After a successful debut in Dallas, TX this past autumn, we’re excited to bring our first-ever immersive touring Minecraft Experience to its next stop in London! We are thrilled to offer players and fans new ways to engage with the Minecraft brand starting this April,” says Kayleen Walters, Head of Franchise Development at Mojang Studios. “Finding ways for our community to express their love for Minecraft both in-game and out is always top of mind for us, and we can’t wait for more of our global community to attend the Minecraft Experience.”
Minecraft Experience: Villager Rescue is designed to welcome families, parents, children, players and non-players alike and no prior knowledge of Minecraft is required to enjoy the experience. New players, creators and longtime Minecrafters will love the opportunity to connect and reconnect with the game together in an entirely new and unforgettable way. It is the ultimate fun and nostalgic day out!
“Minecraft Experience is an adventure unlike anything we have ever created. The collaboration between our creative and producing team and the teams at Mojang and Microsoft has created an entirely new form of in-person experience at the crossroads of game design, experiential storytelling, and high-tech multimedia,” says Supply + Demand’s Founder and CEO Olivier Goulet.
The creative and producing team from Supply + Demand is led by Goulet, who is also an executive producer for Minecraft Experience: Villager Rescue. With decades of experience in live entertainment, theatre, live and broadcast productions, and multi-sensory multimedia experiences, they have developed and promoted successful exhibitions for international institutions, brands, and artists including Cirque Du Soleil, Universal Studios, Warner Bros., Justin Timberlake, Taylor Swift, Cher, and many more.
On 4th April 2025, Minecraft Experience: Villager Rescue will open its doors and spawn into Corner Corner in London’s Canada Water.
Minecraft fans who want to be first to attend can join the waitlist starting 5th February at www.minecraftexperience.com. The waitlist will offer access to the exclusive presale starting on 12th February, and tickets go on sale to the general public on 14th February, 10am.
Ticket prices start from £20 for children, and General Admission (16+) from £24.
If you are looking for some old-school challenge and happen to have downtime, give Rescue: The Beagles a shot. Initially released in 2008 by Whining Girl and Croatian freelancer Nenad Jalšovec, the developers re-released this 8-bit action game in 2024. It is a short and sweet platformer filled with adorable beagle pups and unique parallax gameplay, and like most retro titles, the main goal is to beat your own high score.
Rescue: The Beagles can be played on the Nintendo Switch, the PlayStation 5, the Xbox Series X/S, PC, and Steam.
Cruel and unusual
Rescue: The Beagles does not outright explain its lore when you hit play, so players will need to click the “story” option in the main menu to get the context.
A cargo airplane carrying a shipment of beagles crashes into the Amita mountain range Originally intended to be shipped off to CutLab animal testing facility, two animal rights activists named Nicole and Edwin set off to rescue the poor puppies. However, upset by the situation, CutLab deploys their biohazard division to “reclaim their property,” and in particular, salvage the healthy pups and exterminate the sick and injured.
The story is curt, and nothing further is added to it. Apparently, according to Nenad Jalšovec, the plot is loosely based on true events that happened near Zagreb, but it is definitely overexaggerated.
Game-wise, I do wonder . . . how did these activists know about the crash if CutLab was operating in secret? Why are they testing lip balm on beagles? Why is the biohazard division so vicious? Are the dogs now radioactive from that goopy, toxic balm?
Aim too high or falling short
What makes this title stand out is its parallax gameplay: within each level, there are 3-4 layered platforms players can walk on. You reach each layer by either climbing or falling down. Acquiring ropes will allow players to climb up greater heights quickly and safely, while parachutes will let players fall down further distances without dying. You do not want to fall too aggressively . . . and it is easy to do so. Players begin with 3 lives – and you can obtain more by leveling up – but most deaths will be due to fall damage in my experience.
The ultimate goal of the game is to gather all the beagles within a run. At the beginning, you will need to rescue 8 or 11 puppies, and as levels progress the rescue requirement will increase. Players will also lose a life if they fail to rescue a dog. As challenging as this game might be, you cannot sacrifice a single pup. Get all of them quickly!
Rescue: The Beagles is a side-scrolling platformer, so each level will automatically scroll and move the player forward. This mechanic makes it much easier to accidentally miss a beagle walking by. If the beagle moves off-screen, you are closer to a game over. The CutLab team are considered “enemies” and are there to thwart you. They might grab healthy pups and run away, follow you too closely, or block you from grabbing the sick and healthy.
Dogs before doods
Another item players can obtain are . . . owls? You accumulate these owls and launch them at CutLab vivisectors and to kill them, rescuing the beagles they tried to make off with. You can also use the owls, or their waste, to kill other enemies like the “doods” and lab executives, which they all have varying hit points. Honestly, for the first 15 minutes of my playthrough, I totally forgot the owls could be used for anything. I just hoarded them until my finger slipped on the analog trigger, viciously launching my owls forward.
To rescue the injured, players must acquire med kits, and they are available aplenty (at least initially). Most items are readily available at the beginning but slowly lessen in frequency the further you progress, so use your parachutes and med kits wisely.
Each level will begin to feature other types of hazards. For instance, some parts of the ground might be coated in this toxic cherry-flavored lip balm, which will instantly kill you (unless you upgrade your immunity). Other obstacles, like water, will slow you down unless you build up your character’s ability to swim. On the plus side, players might also run into goji berries. These grant the players temporary invincibility and instakill power, but they are a rare find.
Gotta go fast
With the increasing speed, rescue quota, obstacles and enemies, and having to platform across multiple layers, Rescue: The Beagles is definitely a brutal challenge. I am unsure of how many levels there actually are, or perhaps it is endless. I only made it to level 10 because I am atrociously horrible at the game. Complete user error on my part! Ultimately, this platformer will use 3-4 hours of your time, before either boredom or frustration fully sets in.
At the end of each level, players can choose an ability to upgrade: aerobics, owl recruiting, goji digestion, swimming, beagle magnetism, toxin resistance, and regeneration. I recommend choosing your own biggest weakness. Do you die a lot? Regenerate with more lives. Do you keep missing beagles? Upgrade your beagle magnetism. Do you have a problem with running into goop? Build up toxin resistance.
It takes two
Ultimately, the goal is to beat your own or another person’s high score. The game has a classic “high score” board available to see, and in order to rack up points, players must complete levels and perform certain skills. I am not quite sure how to do this or what they mean, but things like “placid flow,” “skyline flow” or “hoot flow” will grant extra points. I am assuming the first two regard how long players survive running straight a certain layer.
You do not have to play just solo. There is a couch co-op and versus mode, so find some friends or competitors and see how far you go. Each player has their own separate stock of lives, and playing with buddies is always more fun (or maybe not). These modes operate smoothly without bugs.
Green, green, and more green
Rescue: The Beagles features a blocky, 8-bit art style. Some people may adore this retro callback, but I am rather bored of it. Despite its charming color scheme, this game kind of looks like a two-dimensional Crossy Road.
Even though I enjoy the vivid blues and pinks and greens, there comes to be a struggle when each level only focuses on one color. For example, the “Rose Badlands” is fully pink, meaning each layer is a different tone or shade of this color. This makes it difficult to distinguish between layers, especially if you are someone with poor eyesight or colorblindness. There is a struggle with depth perception, in a 2D sense. It was hard to judge how violent my character’s falls would be especially if the middle layer is a forest green, and the bottom layer is, well, a more shaded forest green.
Players can toggle between two music styles: AESQE or DISASTERPEACE. The former sounds a bit more ominous, but both tracks are somewhat upbeat, retro-sounding; reminiscent of an arcade machine.
Final thoughts
Rescue: The Beagles is . . . fine. It is a slightly addictive platformer with a “twist,” which is fun for maybe an hour. There is not much else to the game beyond this point; the mechanics and visuals are rather dull.
Despite its influence from true events, it would have bene nice if there was a variety of dog breeds with different behaviors or something. Why just beagles? The game’s lore is okay, but I am filled with unanswered questions. To a certain degree, Rescue: The Beagles feels like a PETA-sponsored game on Bored.com.
I would not quite recommend this title, but it could be decent in short bursts, or if you are simply looking for an opportunity to drive yourself insane.
A Game About Digging a Hole is a minimalist experience. Though this makes it straightforward to play and easy to understand, it is sadly lacking in depth. This reduces replay value and longevity and will annoy hardcore gamers. However, this could be right up your street if you want a casual and simple game.
This digging simulation title was developed by Cyberwave and published by Drillhounds. Moreover, it is a single-player title that is perfectly refined. I hadn’t heard of this game before I reviewed it, but it instantly piqued my interest. The thought of exploring deep underground while finding hidden treasure was alluring.
A Game About Digging a Hole has no plot.
Maybe I should have had more reasonable expectations, but A Game About Digging a Hole has no plot. This lack of a story made it hard to lose myself in the action. Additionally, once you unlock every tool, it can be challenging to return for more. As such, though the developer wants their creation to be understated, I think they went too far.
The action focuses on a newly sold house. Hidden under its back garden are gold and other treasures. Accordingly, the protagonist buys the house and starts to dig into the soil with their trusty spade. First, you will uncover stones and basic resources. Yet, the further you travel, the more valuable the resources on offer. But with greater reward comes greater danger. Consequently, you must weigh up each trip underground.
Simple mechanics.
The gameplay loop is simple. Recharge your battery (otherwise you’ll die), refill your health, and start digging in the soil. You’ll collect an array of valuable resources and you will find items and hidden mines deep beneath the surface. As you earn more money, you can upgrade your equipment. This makes it easier to explore further and deeper in search of more valuable treasures.
Though this aspect was great, the upgrades are limited and you are restricted to your jetpack to navigate the world. I’d have loved the opportunity to build ladders and other key structures to traverse the depths. Alternatively, maybe more tools and some challenging hurdles would have made A Game About Digging a Hole more fun.
A Game About Digging a Hole doesn’t shine.
Indie games have come on leaps and bounds. However, A Game About Digging a Hole doesn’t follow this trend. Instead, it has some clunky graphics and a vibrant but sharp colour palette. This works well with the setting but it won’t blow you away. Moreover, navigating the world can be challenging as you catch the scenery and become stuck in the strangest of places.
The audio is pretty refined. The ambient sounds are calm and non-offensive and the sound effects are suitable but not mind-blowing. Subsequently, it does its job without being memorable.
Decent controls.
I played this with a mouse and keyboard and it was easy to master. The layout was basic but I couldn’t find a way to crouch. This was annoying when traversing tight tunnels or avoiding loose rocks.
Replay value and longevity are impacted by the lack of depth. A Game About Digging a Hole is great until you hit the platinum resource layer. Once you hit these depths, you risk running out of battery and dying. The balancing act between exploration and treasure hunting was too restrictive and this becomes frustrating.
A Game About Digging a Hole is fun in short bursts.
This is an addictive and fun indie title. However, you can only tackle it in short bursts. Moreover, the aforementioned issues hold it back. If the developer adds more content and balances the key mechanics, this will be an inexpensive and enjoyable casual game. Accordingly, despite its shortcomings, I recommend buying it here! Can you find the treasure? Grab your tools, dig a hole and hope to get rich.
Developed and Published by Duckosaurous Games, Dino-Duck Dash is a 2d- runner with ducks and a focus on fast-paced platforming.
A game does not need to have a lot on offer to be considered a good game. It just needs to be fun, good at least. That is what I get from Dino-Duck Dash: a fast-paced, somewhat challenging, good at least.
Good Quak
On the gameplay front, I don’t have many complaints. It is a simple yet enjoyable ride that keeps you engaged with its easy-to-understand mechanics.
You start by selecting the type of duck you want to play with. Each duck comes with its unique perk, allowing for a variety of playstyles (More on that in a bit).
Once you’ve made your selection, you are placed on a constantly moving 2D plane. Your goal is to travel to the right while eliminating enemies that appear in your path, racking up points as you go. The enemies are not overly difficult, but the challenge lies in how quickly you can dispatch them while avoiding obstacles and staying alive. At a certain point, you will face off against a large boss that’s meant to add a bit of excitement and variety to the usual gameplay loop. Ultimately, you get to fight a large boss but that is rarely the focus of the game.
It’s simple, yes, but it’s also quite satisfying.
Every step you take equals 1 point, every enemy you kill gets anywhere between dozens to hundreds of points, and collectable items on the field give you extra points as well. After each round, you are shown your total points and a live leaderboard showing points of other people playing this game.
It may seem simple but it is quite engaging. Especially with the types of characters and other pickups at your disposal.
Quack on
My biggest complaint with Dino-Duck Dash is more of a pet peeve. At the end of the character selection screen, it says more coming soon. Gives everything a very shovelware-android game feel and I don’t like it.
But I digress, let’s talk about what we do have and not dwell on what could be.
Each duck possesses a unique ability that can significantly impact your playstyle, such as faster running speed, double jump, super dash, and even the ability to dash in mid-air. While these abilities may seem simple, they offer a considerable influence on how you approach the game.
In addition to points, you can collect pickups throughout the game via the giant falling acorn, which grants you a weapon, such as an axe, saw, hammer, and more. Each weapon has its distinct function, providing you with a powerful way to plough through enemies and clear obstacles with ease.
Time to Quack Out!
Dino-Duck Dash. A game that’s… well, decent at best. Let’s be clear: it’s not a disaster, but it’s certainly not a standout title either. The core mechanics are simple and, admittedly, somewhat enjoyable. The gameplay is smooth, but there’s little here to captivate you beyond the first few rounds.
And then there’s the “more coming soon” message in the character selection menu, which doesn’t do the game any favours. It gives off the distinct impression of a rushed product, a hint that what you’re playing is unfinished and incomplete, which is hardly inspiring.
And with that, we wrap things up. Dino-Duck Dash may keep you entertained for a brief moment but don’t expect it to be a game you’ll be talking about next week.
If you’re looking for something more than just a simple, point-grabbing experience, you might want to look elsewhere. But hey, if you’re into ducks, dashes, and collecting points just for the sake of it, then, by all means, have at it.
Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’ll go review the next game. QUACK!!!
Ambulance Life: A Paramedic Simulator didn’t live up to the hype. I have been following this for a while and couldn’t wait to get started. However, strange dialogue and repetitive encounters prevent this from excelling. On top of this, there are unusual bugs and the gameplay feels uncomfortably slow. Accordingly, though it was playable and occasionally fun, it felt a little tedious.
This life-saving simulation title was developed by Aesir Interactive and published by Nacon. It is a single-player title that uses a third-person perspective. This will annoy gamers who love to drive from a first-person viewpoint. Luckily, I don’t mind the external driving camera and I enjoyed racing around each of the 3 districts.
Ambulance Life: A Paramedic Simulator chucks you into the action.
In typical genre style, you are a rookie who must prove themselves to the world. You are teamed up with an experienced crewmate and left to your own devices. This is the best thing that can happen as accidents and emergencies come in thick and fast.
The lack of a story was disappointing, but I overlooked it as you never stop helping people. As the game evolves and you gain more experience, you get to handle different equipment and drugs and you get to deal with new disasters. This drip-fed approach was nice as the game never felt overwhelming. Additionally, the use of mini-games to complete most tasks was great.
An array of problems and solutions.
The action revolves around a simple gameplay loop. You jump into your ambulance and await the emergency call. As you approach the scene, you must work out where to stop and who to help. Each situation has plenty of patients to tend to, but you can only take one in the ambulance. Consequently, you must triage each person and decide who needs urgent care.
In theory, this should make a difference, but it rarely did. This was a strange choice as the developer wants you to make the right choices. However, like many of the mechanics, it lacks that final layer of polish. As you examine each person you must ask them an array of questions. Annoyingly, there were limited responses and you must be prepared for the same conversation repeatedly. Moreover, some of the answers make no sense at all. Subsequently, I skipped through that section as it rarely made a difference.
The first aid section is where Ambulance Life: A Paramedic Simulator comes to life. Dealing with burns, cuts, breathing problems, anxiety, shot wounds, attempted suicides and more helps to keep things interesting. Yet, even this element becomes regrettably dull. This makes working through the levels and progressing the game a tedious task. As such, I’m not sure many people will make it to the third district or the end of the game.
Ambulance Life: A Paramedic Simulator looks great and appalling at the same time.
The developer cares about their project. Some elements look great and I love the eye for detail. However, there are so many glitches and bugs, that it undermines the little wow moments. Many of my patients clipped walls or their clothes didn’t fit them properly. Additionally, pedestrians would do whatever they wished and cars had a mind of their own. As such, the world lacks a layer of realism and that is a shame.
The audio, on the other hand, is great. The ambient sounds are wonderful and I love the shrill sound of the siren. Moreover, the acting is pretty good even if the dialogue is awful. Had the visual component been as good as the audio, then Ambulance Life: A Paramedic Simulator would have excelled as a game.
Decent controls.
This can be enjoyed with a mouse and keyboard or a gamepad. I chose the latter as it felt more intuitive and easier to play. Thankfully, the layout is easy to understand and mastering the basics takes little effort. Additionally, the UI is excellent and selecting the correct tool for the job was straightforward. Though the ambulance handles like a dog, it is realistic and you are forced to slow down and be mindful of your surroundings.
If I wasn’t reviewing Ambulance Life: A Paramedic Simulator, I’d have probably stopped playing it. I liked the core ideas and each emergency in small amounts. Yet, you have to play this a lot to work through the basic moments. There are some catastrophic scenarios to play through, and this is where it shines. Consequently, there is some longevity if you can work through the grind.
Ambulance Life: A Paramedic Simulator didn’t live up to the hype.
Ambulance Life: A Paramedic Simulator left me wanting. The gameplay is slow, and too much of it doesn’t make sense. On top of this, there are loads of bugs, and it is too much of a grind to get to the interesting elements. I know the developers are working on the issues, so maybe this is a game that requires a little more surgery before it is ready. Accordingly, it isn’t great, but I recommend buying it here if you can look past the shortcomings. Can you help each patient? Race to the emergency, assess the situation and prove that you are worthy of wearing the uniform.
The one question I kept returning to when playing Mark of the Deep was this: how do you become a pirate when you’re unable to swim? Every time the protagonist, Rookie, falls into water, he does a pathetic little flail before sinking like a stone. Surely this is like a pilot going up without knowing how to work a parachute? An astronaut not knowing how to use any of the many things required to not die a horrible death in space? Getting tossed around in the ocean is one thing, but I’d expect a pirate to at least be able to doggy-paddle their way through the shallow end of a pool.
Still, this was far from the only recurring thought that popped up during Mark of the Deep. It’s a game of many parts, all floating around together. Some of these parts, like the movement mechanics and general feel of the world, are great. Others feel out of place, and make the whole experience feel somewhat disjointed. It all smacks of game that’s had too many things thrown into it. While it has a stable core, somewhere along the line there’s been some definite turbulence.
Under The Sea
The stars of Mark of the Deep are the crew of the Angry Mermaid, a pirate vessel engaged in all sorts of pirate-y activities. The ocean, however, decides that it’s had enough of all that, and smashes it into driftwood. Things aren’t as simple as that, though, as a strange island rises from the waves and the crew finds themselves scattered around it. Worse still, they’re afflicted with a strange sickness that’s slowly changing them into mutant fish-people. Also, the island is full of angry skeletons, which never helps when you’re feeling a bit rough. Rookie, however, is not afflicted and sets off to rescue the crew, uncover the island’s history and send the affliction packing.
It’s an interesting premise. Unquestionably Lovecraftian, but where the fish people are more victims than crazed cultists. The setting in general is used rather well. There’s a big array of fish people, both sane and crazy, and all the sailors you meet are visibly afflicted. It flows nicely into the boss design too, where you learn about the heroics of past arrivals, before meeting their violent, fishy form. The writing is a bit of a light touch, though. Most sailors only talk in base exposition, blandly pointing out that they need to get off the island. They react to the fishy corruption the same way they might react to a stuffy nose heralding a cold.
Still, there’s a nice amount of backstory that keeps the world interesting. That’s good, as exploring is the number one pastime. It helps that movement feels rather good. Running and dodging around feels smooth, without any directional strangeness that sometimes accompanies isometric cameras. Being isometric, it can’t use the usual suite of metroidvania-esque movement upgrades, so instead we have things like a hookshot, and a range of different pirate pistols to help hit switches. A core part of the game is puzzles using these skills, which I quite enjoyed. Nothing that was a major headscratcher, but it helped get use out of all our skills.
Springing A Leak
The thing is, Mark of the Deep proudly lists two genres on its Steam blurb: metroidvania and soulslike. I take issue with both of these. The former stems from one big issue: there’s no map. Might not sound like a big issue, but remember: we spend the entire time looking at the floor. Outside of Wetherspoons, floors don’t really look unique. All the zones tend to blend together. One of the major quests is to rescue the entire Angry Mermaid crew, but trying to remember the location of every sailor I passed by was next to impossible. It doesn’t have to be a detailed map, but give us something we can put little marks on to aid us later.
As it stands, when I wanted to collect ores to upgrade my weapon, for instance, I was faced with just running back through the entire level. This was painful, largely thanks to the combat. Here we move on to Mark of the Deep‘s Soulslike label. On the surface, the combat isn’t too bad. We start with a big old hook as a weapon, and we can slash and dodge. Added to that, we get a suite of pistols. These work quite well together, as you can get in few quick slashes, fire a shot and roll away. It takes a little bit to get the hang of, as it definitely punishes recklessness.
Unfortunately, it’s plagued with a collection of small issues that bring it down. For one, I couldn’t cancel out of my attack animations half the time. This wasn’t too bad against melee enemies, who neatly telegraph their attacks, but a lot are ranged, splash-damage enemies. These are infuriating. Frequently we’ll be fighting a cluster of melee enemies, as an unreachable ranged enemy rains down splash damage. It’s repeated constantly, and is annoying every time. The combat never really evolves, either. I got through every single enemy, and boss, by hitting three times, blasting with blunderbuss, then rolling away.
Mark of the Deep – Overstuffed With Genres
Mark of the Deep is not without good points, mind. The levels are designed smartly, for instance. Completing a difficult section will usually open a gate back to a save point, so if you die then you can still push forward. That said, it does commit a metroidvania sin, as there’s no real reason to go back to older areas, other than to comb through for collectibles. It’s quite a linear trek through. Still, there is quite a lot here. After beating the game, I was poking back through areas and was still finding interesting new boss fights. Shame they have much too much health.
I can’t help but think I would’ve like Mark of the Deep more if it had specialised a bit. Chuck the metroidvania in the bin, and tone down the combat. There’s an interesting world here full of interesting fish people, but I struggled to find many interesting conversations. Instead, what I did like was the stream of little puzzles that put the hookshot, dash and grenade items into focus. As it stands, Mark of the Deep is a hodge-podge of different genres, but it doesn’t really excel at any of them.
I reviewed Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Splintered Fate in November 2024 and scored it 8.5 out of 10. Accordingly, when I was offered the Casey Jones and the Junkyard Jam DLC, I jumped at the chance. This fast-paced endeavour is tough but wonderfully addictive. Moreover, it is rewarding and you get to control your favourite turtle. This DLC builds on this amazing foundation while letting you control one of the most popular protagonists from the franchise.
Super Evil Megacorp developed and published this action rogue-like title. Additionally, it is both a single-player and cooperative experience. I didn’t test the latter option, but I can imagine it adds hours of fun as you team up with like-minded individuals. My experience as a lone warrior was phenomenal and I could play this new DLC and the base game for hours!
Casey Jones and The Junkyard Jam DLC tells a silly plot.
Casey Jones is a badass fighting machine who can mix it up with the toughest people. However, he has a soft spot for his beloved car. Consequently, if someone messes with his ride, he loses his cool, and all hell breaks loose. Unsurprisingly, this is exactly what happens as the Punk Frogs push their luck and your patience.
Casey Jones and The Junkyard Jam DLC utilise all of the core areas. Yet, once you defeat Karai, you may take a shortcut through the junkyard. This turns out to be a bad choice as meddlesome robots and The Foot try to ruin your day. Thankfully, some athletic skills and a mighty powerful hockey puck allow Casey Jones to hold his own.
Classic genre mechanics.
This game doesn’t break the mould. In atypical genre fashion, you will lose your temporary upgrades when death finally comes. However, you can collect resources and new artefacts to improve your chances and upgrade your hero. This isn’t a new idea and lovers of this genre will feel right at home.
This DLC includes more special portals and much tougher enemies. Additionally, the ability to add another fighter to your band of warriors was welcome. This gives me hope that the developers will keep returning to enhance the roster of characters and increase the routes you can explore.
Casey Jones and The Junkyard Jam DLC looks fantastic.
Visually, Casey Jones and The Junkyard Jam DLC is impressive. It doesn’t matter if you are playing this on PC, Steam Deck, or Nintendo Switch, it looks great. The dark sewers and grim locations are tight but great to explore. Furthermore, the junkyard is dirty but large. Subsequently, each crazy battle feels open and I like how this juxtaposes the other claustrophobic levels.
The audio is as loud and gruff as you’d expect. The music is aggressive and I liked the acting. Though the one-liners were a little annoying, they worked perfectly. If you do not like crass sound effects, this may not appeal. Every weapon is uncomfortably loud and your special powers add to the cacophony.
Incredible controls.
I used a controller and I tested this on my Steam Deck. Both impressed me as the controls were well-considered and extremely responsive. Moreover, the helpful UI keeps you on top of your special abilities. If you are new to the game, you will not struggle to master it.
There is so much replay value. The Casey Jones and The Junkyard Jam DLC adds new artefacts and plenty of challenges to overcome. Furthermore, you can return to each original boss and test your skills repeatedly. As such, this is great value for money.
Casey Jones and The Junkyard Jam DLC is a great addition to the base game.
If you love the base game, you will not want to miss this DLC. It adds hours of gameplay while complementing the exceptional action. Though Casey Jones isn’t my favourite character, I liked his slow attacks and his witty ways. Moreover, the inclusion of new core elements adds a fresh layer to an already amazing title. Accordingly, I love it and recommend buying it here! Can you tackle the new areas and save Splinter? Learn your skills, study your foes, and stay alive.
Smells Like a Mushroom is a game filled with dad jokes and horrendous one-liners. Though somedialogue made me chuckle, it soon outstayed its welcome. Furthermore, the repetitive gameplay loop and occasionally tough core mechanics made me grimace. As such, this is a game that’ll divide its audience.
This third-person adventure shooter was developed by Red Limb Studio and published by Fatal Error and Destructive Creations. It is both a single-player and cooperative experience. I didn’t test the latter feature, but I imagine it’ll make the action much easier. Additionally, it could reduce the layers of tedium that sadly set in pretty quickly.
Smells Like a Mushroom tells a stupid story.
If you adore a ridiculous story filled with puns and silly jokes, this will be right up your street. The story is stupid and though it was vaguely amusing, I often shut off to its childish ways. Yet, if you like outlandish sci-fi stories about mutated creatures and a hellish dictator, this will tick those boxes.
You control Carratado the vegetable protagonist who kicks ass. He must explore each planet in our solar system as he aims to take on Satanus Boletus. This cruel dictator has an army of mushrooms at his disposal. Furthermore, he is slightly crazy and doesn’t care if he kills everything in sight. Consequently, Carratado and his fellow vegetables must work together to save the day and avenge the death of his carrot wife.
Basic gameplay.
Smells Like a Mushroom isn’t a stellar gaming title. Instead, it relies on simple and well-trodden mechanics to get it through. Moreover, its refined and repetitive gameplay loop is simple to master. Each stage has unique weaponry that assists you in the following levels. As you annihilate your foes, you pick up scraps to improve your equipment.
The upgrades increase your weapon’s power, range, magazine size, and so forth. Alongside this, you can upgrade your health, life, and resource drop rate. Nothing about the upgrade system was impressive, but it worked well.
As you explore each level, you’ll smash boxes, kill walking and flying mushrooms, and take on bosses. Each encounter requires you to manipulate a weakness and dodge and strafe projectiles. This should have been great, but the solution was usually to pick the most recently unlocked gun and get to work. This was a shame as it reduced the challenge and made things a little understated.
Smells Like a Mushroom is vibrant but problematic.
I loved the crazy settings and the lively colours. However, the stage design takes a while to kick off. This was a shame as the opening moments have a definite deja vu feeling. Yet, once you break away from the initial format, each world comes to life. The stages expand and you must think 3 dimensionally. Moreover, the platforming elements evolve as the world flips and revolves. Though this could turn your stomach, it is the stuttering frame rate that brings this down. Hectic moments grind to a halt and this is not expected from a modern title.
The audio is equally problematic. Repetitive and obnoxious tracks drown every moment. The sound effects and one-liners jump in to make matters worse. Subsequently, you are deafened by never-ending noise and annoying attempts at humour.
Tight controls.
Aesthetically, Smells Like a Mushroom didn’t please me. However, the tight controls and excellent UI were impressive. Some tight parkour moments require pinpoint accuracy. Thankfully, the controls do not let you down. Additionally, shooting each mushroom requires skill and patience. As such, tight and responsive controls were a must.
There are loads of secrets to discover and plenty of stages to explore. Yet, once you get through these elements, there is little reason to return. Though you can play this with a friend via split screen, I don’t think this is enough to boost replay value and longevity.
Smells Like a Mushroom should have been better.
This review seems overly negative. However, like a mushroom in a darkened space, it slowly grew on me. Yes, I disliked the silly humour and the OTT audio, but this wasn’t the end of the world. At its core, Smells Like a Mushroom is a decent experience. It has its shortcomings, but these can be overlooked. Consequently, it won’t win any awards, but it does enough to keep you entertained. As such, I recommend buying it here! Can you thwart the mushroom invasion? Explore the planets, grab the artefacts, and become a hero.
In recent years, mobile gaming devices have gotten scarily powerful, so much so that even the latest iPhones can run AAA titles that only high-end consoles and PCs could a few years back. For many, the iPad has become a great choice given the power of the new Apple Silocone chip sets and a glorious Ultra Retina XDR display.
If you’ve just got yourself an iPad and want to use it as a primary gaming device, you’ll want to get yourself some quality accessories to take your experience to the next level, and this article has you covered. Here are five great bits of gear you should consider!
As far as the gaming experience on an iPad goes, your controller is going to be a major determining factor, so it’s a good idea to start there. Thankfully, you can use any of the most popular controllers used for console and PC gaming, including the Xbox Wireless Controller, Nintendo Switch Pro Controller, and PlayStation DualSense.
You’ll be happy with any of these options, but try to test each of them out in the hand to see which one feels best for you.
2. Decent Headphones
While the latest iPads do have great speakers, you’ll definitely want to get yourself a reliable pair of headphones. If you’re using the device out and about, these will be essential for an immersive experience.
Any high-quality pair will do, but over-ear as opposed to earbuds are generally considered better for gaming. Brands like Sony, AKG, Sennheiser, and Sound Magic are each solid bets.
3. Ipad Stands or Holders
Stands and holders come in a great many types and sizes: you have ones optimized for desk use, and there are even iPad holder for car which are ideal when you’re parked up on a road trip.
These pieces of equipment make a gaming station out of any available space, and they’re so handy that it can be a good idea to buy a couple of different types to cover separate scenarios.
4. Cooling Pads
If you intend to regularly game for long sessions on your iPad, it can be a good idea to get a cooling pad to help dissipate the heat from your device. While the new chips are incredibly efficient even at higher temperatures, games push the system’s graphical capabilities hard, so to maintain optimal performance, it’s important to keep things nice and cool.
5. Power Banks
And finally, get yourself a power bank – no one wants to run out of power deep into a session. Naturally, gaming has a propensity to drain batter quickly given its demanding nature, and a simple USB power bank is the perfect way to ensure your experience is never cut short.
You can get banks of varying different capacity, but if you have the cash, the Anker 737 is considered a great option that’ll keep you playing for hours. Cheaper options also work great, though, so consider how much time you plan to spend gaming and plan your purchase accordingly.
Here we take a closer look at the Canyon 6 Port USB-C Hub.
Experience unparalleled connectivity and productivity with our Ultimate USB Hub, designed to meet the demands of modern professionals and tech enthusiasts.
This compact hub features an input Type-C port and six versatile outputs, ensuring all your devices and peripherals are seamlessly connected.
Enjoy stunning visuals with the HDMI port that supports 4K Ultra HD at 60Hz. Transfer data at lightning-fast speeds with two USB-A 3.2 ports, each offering 10Gbps.
Additionally, the USB-C port provides 10Gbps for modern devices. Easily access files with the built-in microSD card reader.
Keep your devices powered up with PD 100W charging capability. Whether you’re working from home, in the office, or on the go, this USB hub is your all-in-one connectivity powerhouse.
Stunning 4K Display Support Connect your laptop or device to an external monitor with the HDMI port, supporting 4K Ultra HD at 60Hz. Enjoy crystal-clear visuals and vibrant colors, perfect for presentations, video editing, or simply extending your screen space.
High-Speed Data Transfer The hub features two USB-A 3.2 ports and one USB-C port, all offering data transfer speeds up to 10Gbps. Transfer large files, photos, and videos in seconds, and keep your workflow smooth and uninterrupted.
Convenient Card Reader Easily access and transfer files from your microSD card. Whether you’re a photographer, videographer, or just need to read files from your mobile devices, the built-in card reader makes it effortless.
Power Delivery Charging Keep your devices powered up with the PD 100W charging capability. Charge your laptop, smartphone, or tablet quickly and efficiently while you work, ensuring that you never run out of power during crucial moments.
Cross-Platform Compatibility This USB hub is compatible with Windows, MacOS, and Android operating systems, providing seamless integration with all your devices. Whether you’re using a laptop, desktop, or mobile device, this hub has you covered.
. HDMI 4K Ultra HD, 60 Hz . Two USB-A USB 3.2, 10Gbps . One USB-C, 10Gbps . MicroSD card reader . Charging – PD 100W . Compatibility: Windows, MacOS, Android . Aluminum case . Size – 113x31x11 mm . Weight – 49.2 g . Cable length – 15cm
The Canyon 6 Port USB-C Hub is available now priced around £29.99 and is available from Ryman.
We take a closer look at the Airbrush Plush Squish Pals from Canal Toys.
Airbrush Plush Hairrific Mini adorable plush toys come with long colourful hair you can customise again and again. Use the unique airbrush and washable markers to create vibrant and cute designs!
With over 15 reusable stencils and fun accessories you can decorate your plush and style crazy, creative hairstyles to match your mood. Want a fresh start? Simply wash and repeat. Wash your Hairrific Squish Pal with water and dive back into the fun!
Choose your favourite from two fabulous plush personalities: Princess and Precious!
PERSONALISE YOUR PLUSH: Each pack comes with one of 3 plush Hair’iffic characters for you to decorate in any style you choose
STYLE THEIR HAIR: Use the clips and hair acessories to create funky hair styles
WASH-OFF & REPEAT TECHNOLOGY: The amazing chalk pen ingredients mean you can easily wash off your designs with water, then let your Plush dry & start again!
REAL AIRBRUSH: Includes a cool battery powered airbrush that can be used as a hairdryer & 4 assorted colourful chalk marker pens!
The box contains the following:
1 Squishy plush
1 Airbrush tool
3 chalk Markers
2 Stick-on stencils Sheets
4 Mini Hair bands
2 Hair clips
1 Comb
1 Hair Beading Tool
1 Instruction manual
The Airbrush Plush Squish Pals from Canal Toys is available now priced around £16.99 from Very.
