A Tale of Friendship in the Frozen North

Riot Forge, in collaboration with Tequila Works, delivers a captivating narrative that draws players into the chilly expanse of Freljord. The buddy-movie-esque tale follows Nunu’s quest to find his missing mother, accompanied by the lovable Willump. The characters are constantly interacting from sharing food to friendly banter reinforcing their strong connection and love for each other. The amount of little animations giving the two character is amazing. The storytelling stands out as the game’s crown jewel, creating a cheery atmosphere peppered with somber moments. The Freljord, brought to life with Norse-inspired landscapes, serves as the perfect stage for this adorable duo’s escapades.

A Mixed Bag in Gameplay

As I navigated through “Song of Nunu,” it became evident that the gameplay is a mixed bag, with a distinct focus on storytelling. The platforming sequences, while forgiving, showcase the stunning environments and the seamless bond between Nunu and Willump. However, some may find the gameplay mechanics a bit basic. Nunu’s combat abilities, limited to snowball throws and a mystical flute, contribute more to puzzle-solving than intense battles. The transitions between Nunu and Willump, though commendably seamless, might leave some longing for more depth in the gameplay.

Finding Joy in Simplicity

While combat may feel redundant, the puzzles and platforming segments are where Song of Nunu truly shines. The game introduces mechanics progressively, allowing players to grasp new concepts seamlessly. The puzzles, although not overly challenging, provide a satisfying experience, especially when combining learned mechanics for more intricate challenges. The musical moments, accompanied by a beautiful soundtrack, add a layer of joy to the journey, proving that sometimes, simplicity is the key to enjoyment.

A Visual and Auditory Feast

The Freljord, with its varied landscapes, offers a visual feast that goes beyond the stereotypical frozen tundra. From invader ships trapped in a flash freeze to icy caves with rainbow beams, the environments showcase the developers’ commitment to detail. The gorgeous artwork, coupled with an enchanting soundtrack, and ‘too cute’ voice acting creates an immersive experience that gives you the warm and fuzzies.

Cuteness Overload

In the midst of the Freljord’s wonders, the adorable poros and hidden murals add an extra layer of charm. While the murals provide background insights into the game world, the poros steal the show. Offering players the chance to interact by sharing a cookie, these fluffy creatures are undoubtedly the stars of the show, contributing to the game’s cuteness factor.

Song of Nunu: A League of Legends Story may not break new ground in terms of gameplay mechanics, but it undeniably excels in crafting a heartwarming experience. The game’s strengths lie in its storytelling, characters, and the sheer joy of exploring the beautifully crafted Freljord. As I bid farewell to Nunu and Willump after a 5-7 hour adventure, it’s clear that this is indeed the cutest, most heart-warming game of 2024 so far. If you seek a day filled with whimsical characters, vibrant backdrops, and a dash of silliness, Song of Nunu is a journey worth embarking on.

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Concept and Presentation

Angry Mob Games plunges players into an industrialized multiverse, exploring various realms tailored for specific functions. These alternate worlds house parallel versions of oneself, each living different lives across realities. The rebellion brewing within these realities sets the stage for Trinity Fusion’s core gameplay.

Initially, the AI-driven introduction might raise concerns, but don’t let it deter you. While the initial impression may seem bleak with a rather generic sci-fi aesthetic, give it time; Trinity Fusion’s style and setting grow on you.

Captivating Gameplay

The surprise here lies in the gameplay – fast, fluid, and unexpectedly enjoyable. Set within the framework of a Metroidvania-style roguelite, Trinity Fusion breaks free from the genre’s repetitive norm, offering refreshing combat mechanics.

Combat, characterized by simplicity and fluidity, revolves around equipping diverse weapons, both melee and projectile, each with unique attack patterns and effects. The variety is commendable, allowing for personal favorites and strategic combinations. Power-ups and upgrades, essential in roguelikes, shine here, with diverse perks leading to intriguing and entertaining builds.

One noteworthy build involved becoming a near-invincible, gold-collecting force by combining perks and strategically leveraging damage mechanics. The game rewards commitment to complementary builds, creating a dynamic experience with synergistic possibilities.

Innovative Features

Fusing protagonists for stronger power-ups adds depth, allowing players to combine abilities and weapons from different characters. Each fusion unveils new character models, offering an extra layer of detail and distinction among the multiversal triplets.

The variety extends to the character roster; Naira, Kera, and Altara, each with distinct abilities and starting biomes, ensure unique gameplay experiences. The fusion mechanic adds another layer, encouraging experimentation and strategic blending of abilities to enhance combat effectiveness.

Challenge and Progression

Trinity Fusion excels in its robust combat, expansive levels, and solid meta-progression, offering a blend of familiar mechanics and fresh ideas. With echoes of titles like Dead Cells, the game introduces distinct characters, each with their unique movesets and equipment. The fluidity of movement and the option to fuse characters mid-run to create tailored playstyles further enrich the experience.

While the game’s narrative context is somewhat forgettable, its attempt to provide context amidst the action is commendable. The multiverse concept, while slightly overused, breathes life into the exploration and lore-gathering, making the world intriguing to delve into.

Trinity Fusion stands tall among its contemporaries, offering engaging combat, extensive gameplay possibilities, and innovative fusion mechanics. While it may not break entirely new ground, its blend of familiar mechanics with new ideas carves out a unique space in the crowded realm of action roguelikes.

For aficionados of 2D action games seeking a blend of familiar and innovative gameplay, Trinity Fusion beckons, inviting players into a multiverse ripe with strategic combat, dynamic progression, and unexpected surprises.

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A Beautiful World To Explore

Adore boasts a visually stunning presentation that immediately captures the imagination. The game’s hand-drawn art style creates a beautifully rendered world filled with vibrant colors, intricate character designs, and lush environments. Every detail is meticulously crafted, immersing players in a world that feels both fantastical and lived-in.

The diverse array of creatures you encounter in Adore is a testament to the creativity of the developers. Each fantastical creature is rendered with care and exhibits unique animations and behaviors. The world feels alive and teeming with personality, thanks to the attention to graphical detail.

Furthermore, the game’s dynamic lighting and weather effects add depth to the overall visual experience. Watching the world transform from day to night or witnessing the interplay of light and shadow during combat sequences enhances the game’s atmosphere.

An RPG Roguelike With Monster Collection

Adore offers a gameplay experience that defies easy categorization. At its core, it combines action RPG elements with roguelike progression and creature collection mechanics. Players assume the role of a young adventurer, exploring procedurally generated dungeons and battling an array of creatures.

The standout mechanic in Adore is the ability to “adopt” and evolve creatures you encounter. These creatures serve as both companions and weapons, each with unique abilities and attributes. Managing your creature collection, evolving them, and strategically choosing which ones to bring into battle add depth to the gameplay.

Combat in Adore is real-time and requires a combination of skill and strategy. Players must dodge enemy attacks, utilize their creatures’ abilities effectively, and make quick decisions during fast-paced encounters. The gameplay can be challenging, and mastering the intricacies of creature management is essential for success.

The progression system is roguelike in nature, meaning that death is not the end of your journey. Upon defeat, you lose your collected resources but retain experience points and creature levels, allowing for incremental progress. This design choice encourages repeated playthroughs, as each run offers the opportunity to experiment with different creature combinations and strategies.

A Subtle Narrative

Adore’s narrative is enigmatic and gradually unfolds as you explore the game world and interact with its inhabitants. The game’s storytelling is more subtle than overt, leaving much of the world’s lore and mysteries for players to uncover on their own. While this approach can be intriguing, some players may find themselves wanting a more explicit narrative structure.

The characters you meet in Adore are intriguing, and their dialogues provide hints about the world’s history and the nature of the creatures that inhabit it. However, the narrative might not be the primary draw for players, as the gameplay mechanics take center stage.

The soundtrack of Adore is hauntingly atmospheric, complementing the game’s mysterious and otherworldly setting. The music sets the tone for exploration, combat, and moments of introspection, enhancing the overall experience. The sound design is immersive, with creature sounds, ambient noise, and environmental audio all contributing to the game’s atmosphere.

Adore offers substantial replayability through its procedurally generated dungeons, creature collection mechanics, and roguelike progression system. Players can spend hours experimenting with different creature combinations, strategies, and playstyles. Each run feels distinct, and the sense of discovery remains intact even after multiple playthroughs.

In addition to the main campaign, Adore features side quests and challenges that provide additional content for those seeking to further explore the game world and test their skills.

Adore on the Xbox Series X is a visually stunning and complex adventure that pushes the boundaries of traditional genre classifications. Its hand-drawn art style, intricate creature design, and challenging gameplay mechanics make it a unique and engaging experience for those willing to embrace its complexities.

While Adore’s narrative may take a backseat to its gameplay, and some players may find the difficulty level steep, it offers a rewarding and thought-provoking journey through an enigmatic world.

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All Aboard the Gazzlers Express

Gazzlers transports you into a high-speed train journey across the lands of Ginkgo. Your mission is clear: protect your locomotive from the relentless onslaught of Gazzlers, a tribe of peculiar, red creatures bearing an uncanny resemblance to the infamous Raving Rabbids.

In terms of gameplay, it doesn’t get more straightforward than this. Armed with your trusty gun and a shield, your task is simple: annihilate the Gazzlers and their eccentric mechanical contraptions to keep your train hurtling towards the elusive Temple of the Machine God.

Chaos in Diesel-Fueled Form

This VR shooter immerses you in an arcade-style shooting gallery with a twist. The art style, reminiscent of Borderlands, combines with the zany behaviour of the Gazzlers to create a visual spectacle. Despite the over-the-top action and sheer craziness, Gazzlers retains a unique charm that sets it apart from the crowd.

As a gamer weary of immersive, slow-paced VR experiences, Gazzlers felt like a breath of fresh air. It’s one of those games you can pick up and play without any steep learning curve. Its straightforward mechanics allow you to focus on the pure enjoyment of blasting away those wild, red foes.

Gazzlers is as much about survival as it is about annihilation. The Gazzlers arrive in waves, each more chaotic and challenging than the last. You’ll find yourself juggling offensive firepower with the need to protect your train and yourself from a barrage of enemy projectiles.

Amidst the chaos, Gazzlers offers a stroke of strategy. After each wave, you’re presented with a choice between two random upgrades. These choices can significantly impact your chances of survival. Whether it’s increasing your ammo capacity, adding explosive effects, or boosting your resilience, these decisions will influence your journey.

The Addictive Factor

I admit, my first few runs were chaotic, and I fell to the relentless Gazzlers time and again. Yet, the desire to improve, the allure of higher scores, and the prospect of collecting scrap to purchase permanent upgrades drove me to persevere. The feeling of progression, knowing that your character is evolving with each run, adds a layer of addictiveness to Gazzlers.

Whether it’s additional health, more damage, or increased luck, these upgrades make each subsequent run feel more promising. It’s a game that encourages you to keep coming back, improving, and conquering the next challenge.

As I ventured through the varied biomes, each with its unique visual style and Gazzler threats, I was continuously wowed. While the game fundamentally remains a VR shooting gallery, it captures the essence of classic arcade titles like Point Blank and Time Crisis. With its eclectic mix of horrible red monsters and relentless action, Gazzlers keeps you coming back for more.

From the visual design to the pulsating soundtrack, Bolt Blast Games has created an electrifying world where the chaos reigns, and shooting Gazzlers is incredibly satisfying. The game doesn’t overcomplicate things; it’s here to offer pure, unadulterated fun.

The Verdict: Unmissable VR Thrills

Gazzlers on Meta Quest 2 is the epitome of arcade-style VR fun. Its accessible gameplay, paired with an addictive progression system and satisfying shooting mechanics, makes it a must-play for anyone seeking an adrenaline rush.

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A Tale of Two Eras

Sunshine Manor opens with a compelling narrative, throwing players into an eerie Halloween night in 1980. You step into the shoes of Ada, a young girl out trick-or-treating with her friends when they stumble upon the ominous Sunshine Manor. It’s a story rooted in both supernatural lore and ’80s nostalgia, set against the backdrop of the struggling actor Clement Aitkin’s attempt to resurrect his waning career by striking a Faustian deal. These intersecting narratives add depth to the game, and the compelling character interactions, while sometimes toeing the line between earnest and comedic, are a highlight of the experience.

Gameplay & Atmosphere

In terms of gameplay, Sunshine Manor departs from its predecessor, Camp Sunshine, opting for a more linear and puzzle-focused approach. The design includes a mix of item hunts, puzzles, and mini-dungeons, which break up the action nicely. It still features inventory-based puzzles, but there’s more variety here, with rudimentary combat added. Your stamina bar becomes crucial, creating tension as you navigate the mansion’s gloomy environs. The addition of combat brings a refreshing twist to the typical survival horror formula, adding some much-needed excitement.

What Sunshine Manor nails best is its atmosphere. The game is soaked in gothic horror themes, and the blood, skeletons, and gory visuals amplify the eerie ambiance. It’s unabashed in its use of unsettling elements, adding an extra layer of dread to the already creepy mansion. The lack of a continuous background score, combined with unnerving sound effects, makes you feel both alone and watched. The game’s pacing keeps you on edge, using silence to build tension before breaking it with sudden, heart-pounding musical cues.

Mixed Jump Scares

However, there are moments when jump scares can feel unfair due to the lack of reaction time. Encounters with the shadowy figure can be intense, but sometimes you find yourself captured in an instant with no room for evasion. These cheap deaths can be frustrating and diminish the game’s otherwise effective scares.

A Nostalgic Trip with a Few Hiccups

Sunshine Manor is like a VHS tape from the ’80s – it captures the nostalgia brilliantly but comes with some tracking issues. Its lack of a map can lead to aimless wandering and frustration. The point-and-click adventure game structure, while fitting for the genre, sometimes makes it hard to figure out what to do next. This ambiguity can test your patience, but for players who appreciate the genre’s quirks, it’s all part of the experience.

In the realm of nostalgia-driven horror, Sunshine Manor is a love letter to the ’80s. Its ambitious storytelling, mingling dark supernatural elements with a child’s curiosity, creates a compelling narrative. While it might struggle with a lack of guidance and occasionally unfair jump scares, the game embraces its retro charm. If you’re ready for a nostalgic romp through 80s-style horror, Sunshine Manor awaits your exploration on the Xbox Series X. Just remember to keep your wits about you and your flashlight batteries charged.

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A Familiar, Yet Endearing Tale

Potata: Fairy Flower introduces you to Potata, a young witch with a furry companion in need of help. While the premise might sound familiar, Potata’s journey takes a unique twist when she inadvertently upsets a slumbering fairy by plucking a magical flower. To make amends, she embarks on a quest to gather scattered petals and restore harmony.

Old-School Platforming with a Modern Touch

The gameplay in Potata is reminiscent of classic platformers. You’ll guide Potata through a series of challenging levels filled with enemies, obstacles, and hazards. Precision jumping and timing are key to survival. Thankfully, the controls are responsive and familiar, making it easy to pick up and play.

Puzzles and Exploration Add Depth

While platforming is at the heart of the game, Potata: Fairy Flower offers more than just jumps and dashes. Puzzles are sprinkled throughout your adventure, requiring clever thinking and exploration. These puzzles break up the action nicely, adding variety to the gameplay.

Stunning Hand-Drawn Artwork

One of the standout features of this game is its visual style. The hand-drawn artistry brings the world to life, with vibrant colours and charming character designs. The transition to Xbox Series X has done wonders for the game’s visual fidelity, and it’s a delight to explore this enchanting world.

The Challenge Factor

While Potata: Fairy Flower might appear family-friendly at first glance, don’t be fooled. This game can be genuinely challenging. Some platforming sections demand precision and can lead to frustrating moments, but they’re balanced by the satisfaction of overcoming them. Be prepared to hone your gaming skills.

A Few Hiccups

While the gameplay shines, the dialogue sections occasionally bog down the experience. Lengthy dialogues and grammatical errors can disrupt the flow. It’s clear that the game leans heavily on its narrative elements, but there’s room for refinement in this aspect.

A Whimsical Adventure Worth Exploring

Potata: Fairy Flower (Xbox Series X Edition) is a delightful blend of platforming and puzzle-solving, wrapped in a visually captivating world. The game retains the essence of classic platformers while offering modern conveniences. Its difficulty might not make it the ideal family-friendly title, but for those seeking a challenge and a dose of magical adventure, Potata’s journey is one worth taking.

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Embarking on a Cozy Journey

From the moment I started playing Fall of Porcupine, I couldn’t help but draw parallels with Night in the Woods. While the art styles and developers differ, both games share a captivating storytelling approach that pulls players into their respective worlds. The character design and animation in Fall of Porcupine are delightful, featuring anthropomorphic animals working human jobs, from a hippo receptionist to a cow medic co-worker.

A Heartfelt Tale of Healthcare and Friendship

Playing as Finley, the bright-eyed pigeon doctor, players dive into a captivating narrative that revolves around themes of healthcare and social issues. As I explored the picturesque town of Porcupine, I encountered various charming characters, each with their own stories and secrets. The game’s writing shines, bringing these characters to life and immersing players in their personal struggles and triumphs.

Challenges and Mini-Games

Throughout the game, players engage in a variety of mini-games and challenges as they tend to patients at St. Ursula’s Hospital. These moments offer a mix of fun and emotional depth, as players navigate puzzles and rhythm-based activities to provide care. While some mini-games could benefit from clearer instructions, the overall experience is enjoyable, especially when players explore the town with their friends and partake in delightful activities like shooting hoops or cooking dinner.

A Pacing Tale and a Few Bugs

As I progressed through Fall of Porcupine, I encountered a couple of minor bugs, such as floating in the air randomly. However, these issues didn’t significantly impact my overall experience. The pacing of the game, on the other hand, presented some challenges. The story starts strong and draws players in with its charming world and well-developed characters. However, in the later stages, the narrative can feel rushed, leaving players with unanswered questions. Nonetheless, the emotional impact and wholesome themes of the game remain intact, making it a memorable journey.

A Cozy and Impactful Experience

Despite a few bumps along the way, Fall of Porcupine delivers a heartfelt and meaningful adventure that beautifully blends realism and fantasy. Its charming art style and diverse cast of characters add a layer of joy to the narrative, while the healthcare-focused themes bring depth and relevance to the overall story. While pacing and minor bugs may be present, the emotional journey this game offers is worth every moment spent in the world of Porcupine. As a fan of cozy games on Xbox, I wholeheartedly recommend Fall of Porcupine for those seeking an emotional and unique gameplay journey.

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Small Town Mentality

In Killer Frequency, you step into the shoes of Forrest Nash, a once-renowned radio DJ now hosting the late-night show on KFAM 189.16 in the small town of Gallows Creek. The game takes a unique twist as you receive a call from the police, informing you of the Sheriff’s murder and the need for you to take over the dispatch line. It soon becomes clear that The Whistling Man, a notorious serial killer, is back on the prowl. Can your radio show help the townsfolk avoid becoming the next victim?

The game kicks off with a cleverly disguised tutorial, presented as a sound test before going live. Here, you learn to use all the equipment at the DJ booth and build rapport with your co-host throughout the night. Taking calls, playing records, and managing advertisements become crucial aspects of the gameplay.

First Time Caller, Long Time Listener

Answering the police call on-air introduces the core gameplay mechanic: taking calls and guiding the terrified residents of Gallows Creek over the phone to escape the killer. Additionally, you’ll encounter slight puzzle elements, such as finding important items like magazines, maps, or even blueprints of the buildings. These items play a vital role in helping the callers survive. However, it’s worth noting that these puzzles aren’t time-restricted, which detracted from the urgency of the situation at times.

While waiting for the next call, you’ll have the opportunity to play records and advertisements to pass the time and add some humor to the game. This lightens the mood when needed and pays homage to the tropes of 80s slasher movies, where cheesy punchlines are always welcome.

One visual style that I particularly appreciate in VR is cell-shaded graphics, and Killer Frequency nails it. The game looks fantastic inside the headset, with neon lights casting an atmospheric glow around the radio station. The cell-shaded design perfectly captures the 80s setting and immerses you in the created environment.

Moreover, Team17 excels in audio design. Despite taking place solely inside the radio station, the game creates an eerie atmosphere that builds tension as The Whistling Man draws closer. The voice acting for each call is impeccable, immersing you further into the narrative. The game’s 80s-inspired soundtrack, tailored specifically for the game, enhances the immersion, making you feel like you’re truly in a radio station from that era.

Move More, Control Less

While I’m unsure if Killer Frequency can be played seated, the lack of a crouch button and the constant crouching height when seated can be slightly discomforting. Regarding movement, snap-turning is the only option available, which may disappoint some players. However, with the tetherless design of the Meta Quest 2, physically turning became my preferred method, mitigating any issues with snap-turning.

Having played through the game once, it took me approximately five hours to complete. However, Killer Frequency offers three different endings, depending on the survival rate and your actions in the interview with The Whistling Man. If you’re inclined to replay and witness all the endings, it’s worth investing the time.

Overall, Killer Frequency is a fun and freaky experience that is more like an interactive movie than a game. It oozes 80’s nostalgia and balances DJ humour with tense situations. The cell-shaded graphics are fantastic and the custom 80’s music and radical voice acting make this game a killer app for the Meta Quest 2.

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Immersive Survival Horror at Its Best

From the moment I stepped into the muddy boots of the protagonist, I was captivated by the atmospheric and immersive world of The Bunker. Frictional Games has a reputation for creating terrifying experiences, and I thoroughly enjoyed Dark Descent, Machine for Pigs and SOMA (I haven’t played Rebirth yet) and was surprised to see this setting stray away from the previous Amnesia locales. Whilst The Bunker differs from a castle, a mansion, or caves, it still retains the claustrophobic nature of the previous titles. The game keeps you on your toes with cat-and-mouse chases and heart-pounding encounters with a relentless creature that hunts you throughout the labyrinthine bunker. Anyone who enjoyed Alien Isolation will feel a strong influence here and it’s truly fantastic.

Sound plays a crucial role in The Bunker, both as a harrowing signal of danger and a helpful tool for survival. Every growl, rumbling, and creaking of the walls serves as a warning that danger is lurking nearby. The tension builds as you cautiously navigate through the darkness, never knowing when the creature might strike. It took a while to catch my first glimpse of the monster, and the fleeting sight before it swiftly killed me left me shaken with fright.

Strategic Survival and Resource Management

The Bunker is structured around a safe room and a generator, which act as the central hub and starting point for your perilous trips into the depths of the concrete complex. Powering the generator with fuel keeps the monster at bay, but fuel is a precious resource that burns quickly. Scouring the bunker for fuel cans becomes a desperate race against time, as a stopwatch constantly reminds you of how long the lights will stay on. This mechanic injects a constant sense of urgency and anxiety into your decision-making process.

The bunker itself is a sprawling maze of subterranean areas, plagued by rats and tripwires. Memorizing layouts and gathering information from dog tags and soldier notes becomes essential for navigating through each trip. I learned the hard way that abandoning expeditions halfway through wasn’t always the best choice, as wasting fuel cans meant traveling farther to find more, risking being left in complete darkness.

Balancing Inventory and Stealth

Surviving in The Bunker requires careful inventory management. Your limited space forces you to make tough decisions about which items to bring and what to leave behind. While essential tools like the stopwatch can be stored in the safe room stash, sacrificing inventory space for valuable crafting materials or progression-related tools becomes a constant problem.

The game excels in creating tense stealth moments akin to the best in the genre. The slightest noise can mean revealing your position to the powerful creature lurking in the darkness. I found myself cautiously entering rooms, avoiding any unnecessary noise, and using the mechanical flashlight sparingly to avoid attracting unwanted attention. Every action I took, from removing vent covers to shooting off padlocks, had to be weighed against the potential risks and consequences.

A Nonlinear Sandbox of Terror

Frictional Games has crafted a wonderful nonlinear sandbox experience in The Bunker that constantly keeps you learning from your own mistakes and adapting your strategies. The attention to detail in the environment, coupled with the hostile setting, creates an incredibly immersive and terrifying atmosphere. Each mundane action, from avoiding knocking over a bottle to intermittently using the flashlight, adds to the thick ceiling of sound that envelops you as you explore the bunker.

It’ll Stay With You Long After Completion

Amnesia: The Bunker is a testament to Frictional Games’ mastery of the horror genre. The game delivers an intense and immersive experience that keeps you engaged from start to finish. The nonlinear sandbox structure, strategic survival mechanics, and spine-chilling encounters with the monster combine to create a truly unforgettable game.

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A Zany Gang of Misfit Animals

In Filthy Animals: Heist Simulator, you find yourself in the employ of Tony, the eccentric Filthy Animal Bossman Criminal Mastermind (who, let’s face it, probably chose his own name). Joined by a ragtag crew of animal misfits, you’ll embark on a series of daring heists that increase in scale and potential rewards. From stealing cold hard cash to securing nuclear materials, the action never stops.

Unleash Your Inner Animal

Play as one of four mutant creatures, each with their own quirky appearance. As you successfully complete heists, your characters will gain experience points, allowing them to level up and unlock new perks. Discover hidden collectibles and enjoy the satisfaction of leveling up to a modest cap of six, earning new perks like increased ammo drops and unique character skins.

Objectives, Mayhem, and Hidden Loot

Each heist presents various objectives, but you only need to complete three to successfully exit the level. Objectives range from collecting loot and smashing specific items to tracking down hidden letters spelling out “FILTHY” (Reminded me of Tony Hawks). The levels are filled with items waiting to be smashed or thrown around, providing a chaotic atmosphere. Additionally, hidden collectibles are scattered throughout the levels, offering extra challenges and rewards for adventurous players.

Weapons, Abilities, and Vending Machines

Engage in combat with the relentless guards trying to stop your heists. Utilize a variety of weapons, from rocket launchers to semi-automatic rifles, to fend them off. Your most valuable asset is your special ability, which can be charged by consuming tacos and other goodies scattered throughout the levels, granting you temporary superpowers. Vending machines also play a role, offering a range of beverages that can turn the tide of a heist, providing shields, speed boosts, and more.

Flaws in the Mayhem

While Filthy Animals brings an abundance of laughter and entertainment, it does suffer from a few flaws. The controls, intentionally adopting loose, unruly physics similar to Human Fall Flat, can be frustratingly imprecise, leading to inadvertent mishaps and challenges. Combat and item interaction can feel clunky, and grabbing the wrong objects or accidentally knocking yourself over can be a source of frustration. It’s a bit like being drunk. Some platforming sections also suffer from imprecise controls and delays.

A Riotous Co-op Experience

Filthy Animals truly shines when played with friends or loved ones. The game supports both local and online co-op for up to four players, amplifying the hilarity and fun. While multiplayer doesn’t alleviate all the issues, such as the imprecise controls, it offers a shared experience that can result in memorable and laughter-filled moments. Gather your crew and embark on this wacky adventure together.

Visuals, Sound, and Level Design

Visually, Filthy Animals impresses with its well-designed levels. The environments are filled with interactive objects and provide a visually engaging backdrop for your heists. Each level has its unique theme, ranging from a high-security bank to an underground laboratory, adding variety to the game’s visuals. The character designs are charming and quirky, capturing the essence of the misfit animals you control.

The sound design in Filthy Animals: Heist Simulator complements the chaotic gameplay perfectly. The wacky antics of the characters are accompanied by humorous sound effects, adding an extra layer of comedic value. The soundtrack, while occasionally repetitive, fits the heist theme and adds to the overall atmosphere of the game.

The level design is well thought out, offering a mix of open spaces and tight corridors to navigate. Each level has multiple paths and hidden areas, encouraging exploration and discovery. While the controls can sometimes make traversal a bit challenging, the level design provides opportunities for creative solutions and improvisation.

Replayability and Longevity

Filthy Animals offers a decent amount of replayability. With multiple objectives to complete in each heist, hidden collectibles to find, and character progression through leveling up, there are incentives to revisit levels and improve your performance. The cooperative multiplayer aspect further enhances replayability, as each heist can be approached differently with a group of friends.

However, the game’s longevity may be limited for some players. While the initial heists and chaos provide plenty of entertainment, the repetitive nature of the gameplay and the limited number of levels may lead to eventual weariness. Additional content updates or DLCs could help address this issue and provide more variety for long-term engagement.

Filthy Animals: Heist Simulator is a hilarious co-op romp that combines the chaos of Gang Beasts with the heist elements of Payday 2. With its zany characters, outrageous objectives, and unpredictable physics-based gameplay, it offers a unique and entertaining experience for players seeking lighthearted fun. While it has its flaws, such as imprecise controls and limited longevity, the game’s cooperative multiplayer and engaging visuals make it a worthwhile choice for a laughter-filled gaming session with friends.

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A Nod to Classic Horror Games

With a setting reminiscent of the iconic Resident Evil mansion, Propagation: Paradise Hotel embraces the slow-burn horror genre. The impeccable sound design and meticulously detailed environments, drenched in gruesome visuals, create an atmosphere that will send shivers down your spine. VR is the perfect platform to deliver a truly immersive horror experience.

Comparisons to its Predecessor:

Propagation: Paradise Hotel marks a departure from its standstill horde shooter predecessor, evolving into a true survival horror game reminiscent of Resident Evil. The game proudly embraces its inspirations while infusing its own unique style. The eerie hotel setting, intertwined with shortcuts and locked doors requiring intricate puzzles to unlock, provides a captivating backdrop for your heart-pounding journey.

Survival Horror at Its Finest

The challenging encounters with tough-to-kill zombies capture the essence of survival horror. Dispatching them temporarily is not enough, as they can rise again if you’re not careful. Only a well-placed headshot can ensure permanent elimination. Alternatively, you can employ a light stealth system to evade unnecessary confrontations, saving precious resources.

A Bite-Sized Adventure with a Cliffhanger:

Propagation: Paradise Hotel may not offer extensive playtime, with its 2-3 hour duration and a cliffhanger ending teasing a second chapter. However, considering its budget price tag, it provides ample value for your money. So, if you’re hungry for a thrilling VR horror experience, don’t hesitate to take the plunge.

VR Immersion & Controls:

As a VR title, Propagation: Paradise Hotel delivers an impressive level of immersion. Playing on the Meta Quest 2 the controls felt intuitive, with a brief tutorial easing me into the mechanics. The inventory system is massive and required a bit of adjustment, but it proved fair and functional. I did accidentally punch the ceiling trying to get the flashlight, so I must have been pretty immersed at the time. The movement is fluid and using the joystick to move worked really well I often found myself mimicking walking with my legs to really get into the experience.

Unleashing Terror in Virtual Reality:

My first foray into the realm of survival horror in VR was nothing short of astounding. Propagation: Paradise Hotel succeeded in keeping me on edge throughout the experience. The atmospheric environments, coupled with well-executed jump scares, heightened the suspense. I found myself gripping the Quest controllers tightly as I cautiously explored each darkened corner, always mindful of lurking threats. The game’s ability to evoke fear in VR takes horror to another level. Every door was a thrilling experience as you guessed if there were zombies in darkened room or toilet cubicles.

Immersive Environments & Charming Sound Design:

Propagation: Paradise Hotel excels at immersing players in its detailed environments. From scattered bodies to dimly lit hallways, it constantly evokes a sense of unease. While the voice acting may fall into the charmingly cheesy category, it adds to the campy nature reminiscent of early Resident Evil titles. The soundtrack and atmospheric sound effects further enhance the overall experience.

Propagation: Paradise Hotel offers a nostalgic puzzle-solving experience akin to old-school Resi games. The graphics and sound are top notch and the fluidity of movement feels natural and immersive. I did encounter a frustrating puzzle with a poorly signposted solution but these are rare. Additionally, the scarcity of zombies in the first half of the game left me craving more intense encounters. However, the game compensates for this with its unique mechanic of zombies reviving after a brief period of being downed, adding an element of tension and strategic gameplay. Overall, Propagation: Paradise Hotel is a strong template for survival horrors on the Meta Quest 2.

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Welcome to HallowTown

In Death or Treat, the narrative revolves around HallowTown, a town in distress due to the villainous Clark Fackerberg (Mark Zuckerburg) and his malevolent corporation, FaceBoo! The game cleverly reflects the real-world phenomenon of social media draining the joy out of life. During the course of the game, you will battle against the forces of DarkChat, RipTok, Deviltube, and DeathFlix! Not the first enemies you would expect to see in a Halloween-themed game but a nice    idea.

Visually, Death or Treat is nothing short of stunning with its gorgeous sprites and environments reminiscent of a 90’s cartoon. The fluid animations further enhance the game’s look and feel and I would definitely give the artists and animators a Netflix show to create this as a cartoon. Sadly, the masses of text to read and the occasional unreadable font will detract from the story and you’ll skip right past.

Meet Scary

In the game, you play as Scary, a candy manufacturer running Ghost Mart. Upon arriving in HallowTown, everyone has been replaced by monsters (the bad kind). The gameplay mechanics in Death or Treat follow the expected formula of a melee-focused 2D action game. Running, jumping, and unleashing attacks while dashing away from danger form the core gameplay loop. The controls are intuitive and responsive, allowing for smooth traversal. However, be prepared for a challenging experience, as the difficulty can become steep at times.

Fight Diverse Monsters

Death or Treat surprises with its engaging combat system, featuring a diverse range of enemies. From long-range bomb throwers to hammer-wielding foes, each encounter offers a unique challenge. Additionally, the game introduces flying creatures that can be defeated by redirecting their projectiles. Notably, weaker enemies can be juggled and slammed into the ground with satisfying uppercut attacks. Choosing abilities before each run adds strategic depth, with the boomerang ability standing out as a personal favorite, capable of devastating crowds of adversaries. The inclusion of puzzle elements in boss fights adds further variety and rewards strategic thinking.

Unlocking Progression

After each run, Death or Treat presents an opportunity to invest collected materials in rejuvenating HallowTown’s shops which act as the Hub World like in Hollow Knight. This progression system allows you to spend earned candies and collected ingredients to purchase upgrades. From new weapons to enhanced skills and expanded health, the rewards are satisfying. Unlocking a new weapon brings the joy of dispatching enemies with fewer hits. However, the cost of many upgrades can be high, requiring significant grinding, which can dampen the fun. The repetition of starting areas for shortcuts also becomes tedious over time.

A Few Scares Short of a Haunting

Although Death or Treat boasts procedurally generated stretches, the gameplay still falls victim to repetition, offering the same scenarios too frequently. This repetitiveness sets in early and can be disappointing for players seeking more variety. Furthermore, several glitches and performance issues mar the experience. These technical problems can cause unnecessary stress and detract from the overall immersion.

Death or Treat delivers a highly enjoyable 2D action roguelike experience, with immersive combat that will have you gleefully juggling Halloween monstrosities while they spew out candy like piñatas. The tight 2D action, diverse enemy types, and excellent visuals contribute to a satisfying gameplay experience. Death or Treat manages to capture the essence of Halloween in an entertaining way and it’s hard not to love the stunning visuals. However, the need for extensive grinding and the repetitive nature of scenarios may deter some players. Additionally, the presence of annoying bugs and performance issues is an unfortunate downside. Despite these shortcomings, fans of the genre will enjoy the 4+ hours of gameplay to beat the game, but few will return to the game once complete.

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A Deeper Dive into Bob’s World

Bob’s tale has grown taller and more emotionally complex in Another Fisherman’s Tale, weaving a narrative that delves into themes of love, loss, responsibility, and freedom. The sequel places a greater emphasis on storytelling, offering players a front-row seat to Bob’s angsty Dad drama and presenting a central narrative that takes centre stage. Alongside the captivating story, the game introduces innovative puzzle mechanics that push the boundaries of VR gaming.

The standout feature has to be the ability to detach, replace, and control your hands, allowing for a myriad of creative and rewarding puzzles. With the addition of detachable hands, players can navigate circuitous routes, manipulate objects, and even detach Bob’s head to gain a fresh perspective. It’s like having mind control over Thing from the Addams Family. These mechanics, though initially challenging to master, provide an engaging and immersive gameplay experience that keeps players guessing throughout the adventure.

Another Fisherman’s Tale offers a generous amount of content, with a playtime of nearly four hours, four times longer than its predecessor. The puzzles, while not overly difficult, are consistently creative and satisfying. The game strikes a delicate balance by providing hints without being overbearing, allowing players to experience the joy of discovery.

Bob’s Charming World Comes to Life

The star of the show, Bob, is brought to life by the delightful voice acting of French comedian Augustin Jacob, infusing the character with personality and charm. You will wish he was you’re dad by the end of the game. Another Fisherman’s Tale introduces a new cast of engaging characters, further enriching the immersive experience. The game’s linear, storybook-style adventure is accompanied by a sweeping soundtrack that perfectly complements the narrative, creating a truly immersive atmosphere.

The visual design of Another Fisherman’s Tale maintains the charming, cartoony nature of its predecessor while expanding into new and thoughtfully designed environments. The game’s simple yet cohesive art style translates well to the Meta Quest 2, ensuring a visually pleasing experience. Object interaction, although basic, serves its purpose in the context of the puzzles, and the absence of an inventory system streamlines gameplay.

Smooth Sailing in Virtual Reality

Another Fisherman’s Tale offers a range of different perspectives and you will find yourself as a head on the floor, a head in a bird’s nest or dangling from a hook. While there are occasional moments that may cause slight discomfort, these instances are infrequent and brief. Overall, the game provides a comfortable VR experience that can be enjoyed by anyone.

A Captivating and Heartwarming Voyage

Another Fisherman’s Tale delivers a compelling and innovative VR adventure. With its emotionally charged narrative, mind-bending puzzles, and charming visuals, the game surpasses its predecessor in terms of depth and content. While it may not reach the same mind-bending heights as the original, Another Fisherman’s Tale is a fantastic sequel that showcases Innerspace’s commitment to pushing the boundaries of virtual reality gaming. Whether you’re a fan of the first game or new to the series, Another Fisherman’s Tale is a voyage worth embarking on.

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Curse of the Sea Rats is a Visual Spectacle

The first aspect that immediately grabs your attention in Curse of the Sea Rats is its stunning presentation. The hand-drawn characters and environments are a visual feast for the eyes, immersing players in a vibrant and enchanting world. From the first moment, I was hit with nostalgic joy with cartoon visuals similar to that of ‘Secret of Nimh’ or ‘Pirates of Dark Water’. Petoons Studios have done a fantastic job at creating such an impressive visual style. From the animated characters to the intricately designed settings, every detail exudes a delightful and whimsical charm. Accompanied by a well-crafted soundtrack that complements the pirate theme, the presentation in Curse of the Sea Rats is a definite highlight.

Gameplay Challenges

While the presentation shines, the gameplay in Curse of the Sea Rats struggles to maintain the same level of excellence. The combat system, although engaging, falls short of expectations. Starting with standard attacks and blocks, players unlock magical abilities as they progress. However, the combat quickly becomes repetitive, lacking the depth and variety that would keep it engaging throughout the game. Unlocking new moves requires progressing through skill trees, which requires the collection of spiritual energy from defeated enemies. Thankfully, it’s relatively simple to build up your character and encourages you to change players between levels to build up each player’s abilities.

Multiplayer Metriodvania

A fantastic addition to Curse of the Sea Rats was the ability to have multiple players enjoy the adventure with you. Up to four players can jump in and play couch coop which I loved as both myself and my children could play together. Whilst the levels didn’t add more enemies the more players you had, you could feel the difference during boss battles as one could distract the boss allowing other players to deal out the damage.

Unbalanced For Experienced Players

One issue that plagued Curse of the Sea Rats is its unbalanced difficulty curve. Enemies and bosses do not scale with the player’s level, resulting in a situation where progress down the skill trees renders combat encounters too easy. This worked really well when my 9 & 12 years olds played as they felt like they were smashing through it. However, as an experienced player (and amateur game dev) I could see them using the standard attacks exclusively, ignoring the new moves and attack patterns that were intended to enhance the gameplay experience.

Great Exploration & Sidequests

Curse of the Sea Rats presents a vast and beautiful world to explore, with a variety of rooms to explore the world can sometimes feel somewhat sparse, with screens often housing only a couple of enemies, lacking variety. Despite this, the game offers plenty of sidequests and branching pathways to pursue, providing opportunities for additional challenges and rewards. There are a variety of enemies and encounters that enrich the exploration aspect and elevate the overall experience.

TL/DR

Curse of the Sea Rats delivers an entertaining and whimsical adventure that stirs up nostalgia, captures the imagination brings together players in a surprisingly enjoyable way. The game’s exceptional hand-drawn visuals, accompanied by a fitting soundtrack, create a captivating world brimming with charm. While the combat system and difficulty scaling could benefit from further refinement, the platforming elements, exploration and sidequests offer ample opportunities for additional challenges. Petoons Studios has laid a strong foundation with Curse of the Sea Rats, and with some fine-tuning and improvements, it has the potential to become a remarkable title in the rat-oidvania genre.

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What sets Gearshifters apart from other horizontally-scrolling shooters is that you’re driving a car rather than flying a ship like R-Type, helicopter in Cobra for Jet-packed soldier like Blood Brothers. The game offers a top-down viewpoint that lets you manoeuvre your car through streets while outmanoeuvring your opponents and shooting them to smithereens. The game starts with your vehicle equipped with just a forward-firing light machine gun, but as you complete jobs, you can upgrade it in various ways.

The graphics in Gearshifters are well-designed and add to the game’s overall futuristic and dystopian vibe. The game is presented from a top-down perspective, allowing for a clear view of the action, and the visuals are detailed and colourful. Each vehicle and boss is uniquely designed and the explosions and special effects are satisfyingly explosive. The sound design is also impressive, with a fitting electronic soundtrack and impactful sound effects for the weapons and explosions.

The game offers multiple primary weapons and a secondary weapon that can be purchased and attached to your vehicle. You can also improve your vehicle’s capabilities, making it faster, more manoeuvrable, and more resistant to damage. The game has a selection of charged abilities, and numerous skills that you pick up over the course of the game, adding depth to the gameplay and keeping it feeling fresh.

Gearshifters’ bosses are well-designed and require you to put all your skills and weapons to good use. They’re even tougher because you need to beat them before you run out of road. The game offers three difficulty levels, with the easiest giving you ample checkpoints, and the hardest turning it somewhat into a roguelike. There’s also a damage scaling option that allows you to adjust incoming damage between anywhere from 0-500% in small increments, enabling you to enable God Mode if you’d like.

One of the best things about Gearshifters is its fresh take on the side-scrolling shooter genre. It’s not only fun for shoot ’em up fans, but also for those into car combat games. The game offers a wealth of car upgrade and customisation options that make it fun to return to time and time again. The only downside is that there aren’t any additional modes offering quick doses of action, such as a score attack mode or an endless mode.

Gearshifters is an exciting, challenging, and fun game that has way more going for it than you might first expect. The bullet hell gameplay is cool, but the story trees, customisation and upgrades keep you playing.

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The game, set in an alternate history version of 1980s Britain, puts you in the shoes of Alex Winston, the unlikely hero who is tasked with controlling what the country sees on the news. From managing camera feeds to censoring profanity, you have to keep the show running smoothly, all while dealing with the chaos that ensues.

Who’s Running This Show?

At first glance, Not For Broadcast may seem like a straightforward game. You control the camera feeds and censor the profanity. But as you progress through the game, you’ll find that there’s much more to it than meets the eye. You’ll have to deal with government censorship, propaganda, and manipulation, all while keeping your own interests in mind.

The game is full of surprises, from a police chief caught in a compromising position to a fictional sport with confusing rules. The writing is clever and funny, with a healthy dose of satire that will keep you entertained throughout.

The gameplay mechanics are easy to pick up, your hands can press all the oversized buttons, which makes it easy to switch between camera feeds and bleep out profanity. You can grab and insert VHS cassettes to run adverts. A radio wave control is needed to be tweaked during the show which can be a little fiddly sometimes, but it doesn’t detract from the overall experience. But as you progress through the game, the challenges become more difficult, with thunderstorms and other obstacles thrown in to keep things interesting.

The shows range in their content and you will find yourself doing an investigative report on a supposed UFO sighting that quickly spirals out of control to a quiz show with questions that range from ridiculously easy to nearly impossible. These shows and segments are just a small sample of the absurdity and chaos you can expect to encounter in “Not For Broadcast”. The game is an absolute blast and it’s sure to keep you on your toes as you try to keep everything running smoothly.

The game also has a great visual style, with full-motion video that looks like it was taken straight out of the 1980s. The actors are great and the storylines are completely mental. Some of the segments feel like they used the local amateur dramatics group but the bad acting just adds to the madness. The attention to detail is seriously impressive, with the set and costumes all adding to the overall immersion of the game.

Everyone’s A Critic

After each day’s programming, players can see a review of their performance in a retro Teletext-style screen showing how you performed in the timing, delivery, and camera choices. For additional insights, you can go to the archive to actually see your show from a viewer’s point of view. Or for extra laughs see the footage you might have missed.

Not For Broadcast is a fun and engaging experience that will keep you entertained for hours. The VR version is the definitive version as you really feel the panic of juggling all the action. The writing is clever and funny, the gameplay mechanics are easy to pick up, and the visuals are impressive. If you’re a fan of satire, full-motion video games, or just want to experience what it’s like to run a nightly news show, then this game is definitely worth checking out.

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Cute Graphics

The pixel art design of Witchcrafty may be 2D, but they look stunning. The attention to detail in the pixelwork and character design is impressive, and the animations are smooth, and work well. The level design has all the recognisable elements including spikes, solid platforms, jump-through platforms, moving platforms, and crumbling platforms. There s nothing new here but that adds to the warm and fuzzy feeling of familiarity.

Simple Storyline

In Witchcrafty, you play as a witch who overslept and has to investigate the source of a malevolent other-worldly force located below the goblin caves. The world is divided into five realms, each with their own boss battle at the end, including castles, forests, caves and mountains. There’s also the freedom to hop on a broomstick later on and travel back to any of the previous realms, giving the game the outline of a true Metroidvania.

Standard Gameplay

The little witch starts with a limited toolset, but soon develops more as the game progresses. There are spells that are elemental and are tied to particular blocks and chests that require said spell to obliterate them. There’s limited mana, so you can’t use spells all the time. The controls are pretty good, making Witchcrafty a tight little action platformer. Sometimes the character gets stuck in a single animation frame but a quick jump puts your character on the straight and narrow. Outside of collecting mana for your elemental attacks, the other collectible is a gem, which accumulates enough quantities that you can afford to buy a quarter of health or additional mana.

Spikey Difficulty

The platforming and combat are mostly on the easy side, but Witchcrafty has a dark side and it spikes suddenly, making some parts of the game too difficult for the intended audience (little kids). The game also employs an extremely harsh save system. When you die, all your progress is rewound to the last save point, which is not uncommon, but very frustrating for the target audience. In the end, I would have to unlock a chest and backtrack to a save point to save the progress before tackling the next section.

A Charming But Fickle Witch

Witchcrafty looks lovely and is a fun and enjoyable Metroidvania. Yes, it comes with some issues that may hamper your enjoyment but it’s worth looking past them. The game’s difficulty level varies, with some sections and bosses being frustratingly intense and other sections being a breeze. The save system is harsh for newer players not used to the old mega-man days. However, the game is still fun, and I would recommend it to anyone who is looking for a simple yet enjoyable Metroidvania.

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Graphics and Sound Design – A Vibrant and Lively World

The graphics and sound design of Figment 2: Creed Valley are nothing short of exceptional. The game’s hand-drawn environments are bursting with colour and personality, and the attention to detail is impressive. From the trees grooving to the background music to the eclectic homes of the ‘opinions’, every location is beautifully crafted and full of life.

The game’s soundtrack is equally impressive, featuring a range of catchy and upbeat tracks that perfectly capture the game’s playful tone. Bosses sing as they attack and you respond in catchy lyrical quips. The voice acting is also top-notch, with each character bringing their own unique personality and charm to the game. Both Catty Donnelly and Yui Hisaishi reprise their roles as Rusty and Piper.

Gameplay – A Fun and Challenging Adventure

Figment 2: Creed Valley is a pseudo-3D adventure game that follows the story of Dusty and Piper, two heroes tasked with saving the mind from the fears and doubts that plague its inhabitants. The top-down isometric view works well and matches the original. The gameplay is a mix of puzzle-solving, exploration, and combat, and it all comes together to create a fun and challenging experience.

The puzzles are cleverly designed and often require a bit of creative thinking to solve, while the combat is simplistic but satisfying. One of the new additions to Figment 2 is the mindset switch that changes the world from a closed mind to an open mind. In a closed-mind state, the world has purpose and platforms move methodically, however, in an open-mind state, the world is brighter and barriers are removed. This change is also reflected in the characters with Rusty preferring the focus of a closed mind whereas Piper is more open to new ideas. This theme continues throughout the story. Figment 2 also allows for cooperative play with player two acting as the trusty sidekick Piper. Unbound from gravity, she is able to fly around the level and assist Rusty with battle. As her move set is very limited she mainly acts in a support role. However, my daughter and I enjoyed working through the story together, and she was able to learn from the lessons found within without having to worry about being the main player.

Story and Characters – A Heartwarming Tale

One of my favourite parts of Figment 2: Creed Valley is its heartwarming story and lovable cast of characters. I felt like I learned more about myself and my mindset throughout. The game tackles themes of self-doubt and fear in a thoughtful and engaging way, and the characters are all wonderfully written and memorable. Dusty and Piper are a charming duo, with their banter and personalities providing plenty of laughs throughout the game. The game’s villains are also intriguing, with each one representing a different fear or doubt that the heroes must overcome. The main ‘enemy’ in the game is a two-faced clown bent on free thought and childhood innocence who appeared after the breakdown of the moral compass and most of the game is spent chasing them through the mind.

A Short but Sweet Adventure

As much as I enjoyed Figment 2: Creed Valley, a minor criticism would be that the game is a bit on the short side. While the main story is engaging and entertaining, it can be completed in around 8-10 hours, which may disappoint some players.

Personally, I love self-contained games that can be completed in a week. However, the game’s side quests and hidden collectibles do offer some extra content, and the game’s replayability factor is high thanks to its engaging story and enjoyable gameplay.

Figment 2: Creed Valley is a delightful and charming sequel that improves upon the original game in almost every way. Its exceptional graphics and sound design, fun and challenging gameplay, and heartwarming story and characters make it a must-play for fans of the adventure and puzzle genre. The concepts that the game explores make you think about your own mindset and how experiences differ depending on your perspective. A fantastic lesson for any gamer.

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Premise and Gameplay

The game’s premise is simple yet engaging. The Spacefolk are stranded after their planets become uninhabitable, and they are in search of a lovely new home. However, instead of building a permanent structure, you are tasked with creating settlements that can safely move to new locations, should the need arise.

The game offers eight campaign levels, and in each level, you must factor in the Spacefolk’s needs while creating the settlement. If you prefer to build without objectives, there is a sandbox mode available.

Building in VR

Building in Spacefolk City is both fun and intuitive. You can create buildings without any gravitational constraint, as long as they are in range of a power generator. Scrap is required to create buildings, and it’s only available by grabbing asteroids that fly past your settlement with regular frequency. Once plucked from the ether, you simply pull them apart to release the scrap. It is strangely satisfying. The game also includes three different building types that boost worker productivity.

The beauty of Spacefolk is everything just works, moving the camera, grabbing objects and placing items all just work which just makes the whole game more lovable.

Charming Touches

What sets Spacefolk City apart from other city-building games is the charming touches that make it a delight to play. The Spacefolk are not mindless drones, and they gradually get fatigued, so it’s up to you to take care of them. You can decorate each home with specific items to cater to the Spacefolk’s specific interests, such as cakes, gardening, bananas, and more. This adds a layer of fun to the game that is sure to keep you engaged. Theres also a little floating radio and camera should you feel the need for music or a little photo opportunity, it’s very sweet and work well.

Graphics and Soundtrack

Spacefolk City features a vibrant and colorful visual presentation that brings some much-needed color to space. The game’s electronic-themed soundtrack complements your construction work nicely and adds to the game’s overall charm.

The Verdict

I really loved my time with all the little Spacefolk. It’s a charming and creative city-building game that offers a fun and engaging experience. If you’re a fan of the city-building genre, you should definitely give Spacefolk a try. It’s a game that is sure to delight both VR veterans and newcomers alike.

Check it out on the Meta Quest Store at https://lurk.ly/iW_GKr

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And yet Flashout 3 has it where it matters: the gameplay. Racing around the forests, volcanoes and space stations looks and feels fantastic.

Engaging Gameplay with Familiar Formula

The gameplay in Flashout 3 follows a tried-and-true formula established by iconic games like Wipeout. Players can choose between two characters that have little impact of the game apart from the final podium animations. The campaigns don’t really have any story but simply mix a handful of races together that include racing, destruction, elimination, and time trials. If you just want to jump into a particular event, races range from standard races with eight competitors to elimination and time trial events, with the standard races allowing the use of weapons to slow down or destroy opponents. While the gameplay is fun and challenging, the controls feel a bit stiff and not as fluid as they could be. The various vehicles or look and handle differently as expected from the small, speedy, and fragile to the hulking tanks that crawl along. I had to complete it on easy in order to work my way through the campaigns and cups. After over an hour on normal, I still wasn’t getting in the top three. Thankfully the easy mode was perfect for me working through the variety of tracks and challenges.

Surprisingly, the various camera angles that the players can choose not only offer a different perspective but also changes how you play the game. From the high distant camera, through to the cockpit camera and bumper cam all change how your craft reacts to the environment. The cockpit and bumper-cam seemed to be less affected by the side rails than the above view.

Inconsistencies in Presentation

Flashout 3’s graphics are inconsistent, with some tracks looking great and others looking quite bland and flat. The forest level looks fantastic with the contrasting grey and green but on the volcano track, the smoke felt very two-dimensional. The cover girl and boy look a little low-budget and may put some people off the actual game and the victory podium cinematic also looks a little clunky, contributing to the overall budget look and feel of the game. While the weapon sound effects are decent and the explosions sound powerful, the presentation as a whole is not going to blow you away.

Positive Elements

Despite its flaws, Flashout 3 has its positive elements. The various camera angles offer a different perspective and change how players approach the game. The racing is fast and fun and when weapons are unlocked, it’s great to send your missiles and magna-bombs flying at your competitors. The levels are different enough and you will find yourself flying off jumps, carving through caves, and even obliterating offices. The game also features split-screen co-op (both horizontal and vertical) which is ideal for this type of game.

The soundtrack is packed full of catchy techno music that fits the game perfectly and the neon-soaked visuals fit the theme. The game is not easy (on normal mode) so players seeking a challenge will enjoy honing their skills in order to beat the normal and hard classes. Achievements are given out at a steady pace and you will need to up your game to collect them all.

Final Verdict

Overall, Flashout 3 is a ‘good’ indie anti-gravity racing title that is worth considering given its rather cheap price point. It might not be groundbreaking, but it provides plenty of hours of enjoyment. The game supports split-screen co-op which is a plus point. The game has lots of tracks, vehicles and weapons and the difficulty levels mean plenty of challenge. However, it does not measure up to the greats in the genre such as Wipeout or Redout. While the gameplay is enjoyable, the game’s presentation could use some improvements. Ultimately, Flashout 3 is a tried-and-trusted formula that has room for improvement, but it is still worth considering for fans of the genre. Running at 60fps on the Xbox series X, I saw it in its best light, and I suspect that the Xbox one version may not have the same speed and graphical quality.

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Zombie Derby: Pixel Survival – A £5 Xbox Game

The game’s graphics are eye-catching, and the vibrant voxel art style makes it stand out more than you’d think. The music and soundtrack work well and add to the game’s overall atmosphere.

The gameplay involves driving your car through an obstacle course, jumping over holes, and crashing through obstacles. It’s like a trials game in that the player drives from right to left while balancing vehicle damage with limited ammo. The game has a good progression system, and as you progress, you can unlock new vehicles and upgrades for them. At first, the game seems too simple to be a real game, as you press the accelerator and drive through everything with ease. As the game continues, the enemies deal more damage, the ammo becomes more scarce, and the landscape gains more peaks and troughs. Sombos and tricks get added to the mix and by level five you are shooting, jumping, and flipping across the level.

One of the game’s highlights is the wide variety of enemies, obstacles and vehicles. You’ll encounter different types of zombies, including armoured and crawling zombies, as well as explosives that can cause severe damage. Obstacles range from vehicles, fences, gates, and holes that you need to navigate.

The Vehicles of Zombie Derby: Pixel Survival

While the game is not without its flaws, such as the grind element and the fact that it still feels like a mobile game, it’s a fun game that is worth playing. The price point is also an added advantage, as you rarely get a game of this quality for under £5 these days. The developers, Brinemedia, an indie game developer based in Ukraine made the right choice bringing it to consoles and I hope the sales help them survive through the difficult time, their country currently faces.

All in all, I was pleasantly surprised by this game. For the price, my expectations were low and I would say that if you go into this game with that expectation, you’ll enjoy that same feeling. Zombie Derby: Pixel Survival is a great game that is easy to pick up and play. The game’s graphics, sound, and gameplay make it an enjoyable experience, and the variety of enemies and obstacles keep the game interesting. While it’s not a perfect game, it’s a great addition to your gaming library, its packed full of easy achievements and you know that your £5 goes toward helping a game developer in Ukraine brave the storm and continue making games.

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A Plot With Multiple Directions

The story of Fight’n Rage revolves around three usual suspects, the Ninja Gal, street fighter Norris, and hulking Ricardo, who are present in a village when a band of marauders attacks. As the game progresses, the plot branches off in multiple directions, and players have the option to choose their preferred path, boss fights, and motivations. There are hidden options and level exits that lead to one of eight potential endings, which offers a lot of replay value. Tip: Try throwing a knife at the first Boss to save the girl…

The Combat System

The combat system is where Fight’n Rage really shines. It’s a simple and familiar system that can be instantly picked up by any seasoned gamer (or by anyone who has played a ’90s beat-’em-up before). The game starts with a tutorial that explains some of the finer points of the combat system but leaves the rest for the players to discover. The combat system is inspired by head-to-head fighting games, particularly Street Fighter 3, which means players can parry attacks, use special attacks, and dodge in different directions. Each basic move changes dramatically depending on the direction you’re pushing, and you can even combo into super attacks. With a lot going on, players will have a lot of fun experimenting with different moves.

Character Moves

The three initially playable characters have their own moves, which adds to the fun and excitement of the game. Norris has a slide kick, a barrage of punches, and the Izuna Drop, Gal has excellent aerial maneuverability and one of the best screen-clearing special attacks in the game, and Ricardo can destroy whatever he touches in a few big hits and has crowd control on tap. Each character is unique, and players will find themselves gravitating toward one character over another.

Endurance Test

Each stage of Fight’n Rage is designed to be an endurance test, meant to whittle players down bit by bit with a constant barrage of surprise attacks. Enemies come in gangs from every direction, springing ambushes and sudden attacks that are difficult to dodge unless you know they’re coming. The bosses are nearly impossible to beat the first time around, with various special moves, high damage output, and constant reinforcements, but once you get to know their patterns, they become a mere time sponge to slowly beat the crap out of.

Secrets, Unlockables & Options

In the beginning, you have Arcade Mode and that’s it, but as you play you can unlock new modes, new characters, and new character variations as well as uncover secrets, and new routes through the game. Your first play through is just the beginning.

Fight’n Rage also offers an extensive range of video options, which adds to the nostalgia factor. Players can keep the arcade machine look, complete with a CRT TV style bend in the glass or switch it to flat, pixel clear, blurred and so many more. It’s an excellent feature that allows players to customise the game according to their preferences.

Overall, Fight’n Rage is a nostalgic blast from the past with modern touches, offering an exciting plot, tonnes of unlockables, and an extensive range of fighting moves. The combat system is simple, familiar, and easy to pick up, and the characters have their own unique moves that add to the excitement. The arcade-style may be a slog for some, but for those who love the challenge, Fight’n Rage is a must-play. The game offers a lot of replay value, and players will find themselves going back to it again and again. If you’re a fan of retro-style arcade games, then Fight’n Rage is the perfect addition to your collection.

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Rooftop Renegade Review on Xbox

The game’s storyline is simple, but it sets the scene for the speedy gameplay that follows. Players must race across the city’s rooftops, over, under, and through various obstacles while avoiding being captured by Globacorp’s goons. Svetlana’s goal is to reach the endpoint on the right as quickly as possible while keeping the stolen crystals safe.

The gameplay of Rooftop Renegade is the driving force behind the game, offering gamers an enjoyable and engaging experience. Svetlana runs across various obstacles, jumping and ducking to keep her speed while using her hoverboots to boost her speed, height and other abilities. The controls are intuitive, and players can easily master them in no time, making the game easy to pick up and play for small amounts of time.

The game is a speedrunner’s paradise, and once players figure out the controls, the speedrunning can really ramp up. Some levels can be completed in mere minutes, but the game’s forgiving nature makes it fun rather than frustrating. Unlike similar titles, it is very rare that you will get caught by your pursuers, even when racing through a course at breakneck speeds.

The game’s visuals are vibrant, and the neon-lit cityscape serves as the perfect backdrop for the fast-paced chase. The strobing lights and neon visuals add another level of urgency and chaos to the race, making it an immersive experience that draws inspiration from the likes of Blade Runner and other neon, futuristic-styled movies and shows.

Is Rooftop Renegade Multiplayer?

One unique aspect of Rooftop Renegade is its local multiplayer mode, which is loads of fun. Up to four players can play, with one player taking control of Svetlana while the other three use weapons to try and slow her down. The user with the fastest time wins the round, making it a competitive and exciting feature.

While the single-player aspect of the game can be slightly repetitive, the chaotic local multiplayer feature more than makes up for it. The Seed Builder allows players to use words and phrases to generate random levels to play on and whilst this is a very cool feature, the backdrops seemed to be one of two (for me at least).

Overall, Rooftop Renegade offers up a fun, fast-paced experience that is sure to have players engaged, interested, and on the edge of their seats. With its exciting gameplay, colourful visuals, and chaotic local multiplayer feature, Rooftop Renegade is great fun for a short time in single-player but hours more fun in multiplayer. If you like your games short, simple, and fun Rooftop Renegade certainly delivers.

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An Uneasy Peace

Set on the continent of Valandis, Chained Echoes follows a group of nobles, thieves, and mercenaries who find their fates intertwined as they work together to prevent the outbreak of war. The story begins with a major event in the war between three kingdoms that results in an uneasy truce, and your party is formed to prevent further conflict. This setup sets the stage for a complex and multi-layered story that is both intriguing and emotionally impactful. The plot does sometimes get a little dry as there is a lot to read, but it’s easy to get invested in the story and the characters, who each bring something unique to the game.

One of the standout features of Chained Echoes is the lack of a designated main character. Instead, the emphasis is placed on the team as a whole, and the relationships that develop between each character. This makes every character feel equally important and creates plenty of room for interesting exchanges. For example, Lenne is the princess of a kingdom who has run away from her lavish lifestyle to better understand the life of the average citizen, and Glenn is a former prisoner who has become a mercenary thanks to his mechanical skills. Each character has a compelling backstory and personal stakes, making them all the more compelling.

On the gameplay front, Chained Echoes excels with its open environment design. The game world is vast, yet it’s easy to navigate, and there are many secrets to discover, such as treasure chests and hidden boss fights. The Reward Board is a highlight of the game, providing a wide array of objectives to chase in any order you choose. The board is laid out like a game board, with each box representing an achievement, such as finding a certain number of treasures in a specific zone or killing a specific enemy in an unconventional way. Fulfilling any of the spots on the board rewards you with a small prize, and any adjacent spots you can fulfill will start a chain. The longer the chain, the bigger the rewards, encouraging you to make the most of each area you visit.

Challenging Boss Battles

Chained Echoes also breaks away from the typical Town>Field>Dungeon loop that many JRPGs fall into. The pacing of the game is well-balanced, with moments of freedom and exploration, and moments of linear, plot-driven sequences. One standout sequence is an early boss fight on a minecart that takes you through a vast tunnel system, forcing you to keep an eye on the cart’s path and adjust the controls to keep everyone alive. Chained Echoes knows when to give the player control and when to take it away, and it never feels like it’s missing a step.

Combat in Chained Echoes is turn-based, with some clever twists that keep it feeling dynamic and interesting. For example, you can only have four characters on the field at once, but each character can be paired with a partner who can tag in with a button press and act on the same turn. This adds a new level of strategy, forcing you to consider who to switch out and how that will affect your team’s synergy. The Ultra Move meter is another fun addition, filling as you give and receive damage, and allowing you to trigger a powerful effect, such as a screen nuke that debuffs the enemy team or a powerful healing spell that also refills everyone’s TP.

A Living World

The exploration aspect of Chained Echoes is where the game truly shines. The vast world of Elonia is filled with various areas to visit, each offering unique environments and creatures to interact with. From the rolling hills of the Green Plains to the towering peaks of the Snowy Mountains, the game world is vast and filled with detail.

One of the standout features of Chained Echoes is the battle system. Battles take place in real-time, allowing players to chain together combos and special abilities in fast-paced combat. The game features a wide range of enemies, each with their own strengths, weaknesses, and attack patterns, and players will need to use strategy and quick reflexes to defeat them. The game also features boss battles, which are even more challenging and require players to think critically about the best ways to defeat the enemy.

The crafting system in Chained Echoes is also noteworthy. Players can gather materials from various areas in the game world and use them to craft weapons, armor, and other items. The crafting system is deep and allows players to create unique items that are tailored to their playstyle. For example, players can create weapons that deal extra damage to specific types of enemies, or armor that provides extra protection against certain elements.

Chained Echoes also has character progression system. As players progress through the game, they will gain experience points and level up their characters. This allows players to increase their stats and unlock new abilities. The game also features a skill tree, allowing players to further customize their characters and specialize in specific playstyles.

The game world of Chained Echoes is rich and immersive, and the soundtrack adds to this atmosphere. The game features an original score, and the music complements the action on the screen and sets the mood for each area in the game. The sound effects are also top-notch, and players will feel the impact of each attack and spell as they battle their way through the world.

The storyline of Chained Echoes is engaging and well-written, with a number of memorable characters. The game features cutscenes that advance the story, and the voice acting is top-notch. The game also features side-quests, which provide players with additional challenges and opportunities to explore the game world. These side-quests are also tied into the main storyline, making them feel more meaningful than in other RPGs.

In conclusion, Chained Echoes is a fantastic RPG that offers an immersive world, an engaging battle system, a deep crafting system, and a character progression system. The game is well-designed and well-executed, and the attention to detail is evident throughout the game. Whether you’re a fan of RPGs or just looking for a great game, Chained Echoes is definitely worth checking out.

**Update: Check out my RimWorld Guide here **

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The graphics in Trenches aren’t great but actually work. The repeated assets support the feeling of hopelessness with the ongoing trenches feeling repetitive and confusing. The fogging may get some complaints, but it keeps your focus on what’s right in front of you. Some objects and textures pop in from time to time but these are a minor niggle. Considering the game was created by a single developer, the weaknesses can be overlooked. Along the way, you will find messages scrawled on walls, mutilated bodies, and a selection of story-building artifacts that in many cases use real-world photography from the war adding to its harrowing nature.

The audio is really strong, with no music to distract the player, instead just the sound of raindrops and footsteps add to the atmosphere. The setting of the trenches, though monotonous, is still able to build suspense with limited vision and random jump scares. Some minor effects, such as slow blinking and blinding lights, feel intentional and I suspected that the blink was added to change the layout of the map without the player realizing. The limited vision only adds to the game’s eerie atmosphere.

In terms of gameplay, Trenches is a game of cat and mouse, with players exploring the trenches, collecting dolls, and avoiding the unknown creature that’s pursuing them. The mechanic of relying on your trench whistle to track down the dolls is a unique twist on the genre and the blend of stealth and survival creates a thrilling experience. SteelKrill Studio has done an impressive job in creating a game that’s both tense and creepy, with jump scares that will make your heart race.

Overall, Trenches is a simple yet well-crafted game that’s well worth your time, especially considering it was made by a single game developer. The game’s mix of jump scares, stealth, and survival, combined with its eerie atmosphere, makes it a horror game that will keep you on the edge of your seat. So, if you’re looking for a new game to play and are a fan of the horror genre, Trenches is definitely worth checking out.

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The visuals in Figment are nothing short of stunning, with each level and creature being uniquely hand-painted and colorful. The game’s sound design is equally impressive, with every trumpet flower and bug bridge having its own set of sounds and noises. The background music is ethereal and happy, fitting the game’s aesthetic perfectly. The game’s boss battles take it to a whole new level by turning into full-fledged musical numbers, with the bosses singing before battle.

As Dusty and Piper journey through the game, they explore both sides of the brain, solving puzzles along the way. The puzzles in Figment are a mix of logic and sequence-based puzzles that require the player to use objects to activate other objects and open areas. It’s best to play the game in large chunks, as taking extended breaks in the middle of a sequence may cause confusion.

While replayability may be limited, players can go back to collect various “Remembranes” and other collectibles. After a five-hour playtime, I was happy to have enjoyed the story and the game’s charm. Figment may not have the same level of action as other games in the genre, but its pace and gentleness make it a great experience for younger players.

Overall, Figment is a masterclass in subtlety and style, with its colorful characters, quirky puzzles, and surreal level design all supporting the game’s central theme of being inside a child’s mind. Another knockout game from Bedtime Games, Figment is a must-play for anyone looking for a unique and visually stunning experience.

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It is a standalone game that does not require any previous knowledge of the Dragon Quest series, making it perfect for newcomers. However, fans of the series will appreciate the references to past games throughout the adventure.

And if you’re excited to try out this game then read on for our review of Dragon Quest Treasures.

Gameplay

The Dragon Quest series has been at the forefront of JRPGs for over 35 years and its latest addition, Treasures, is a spin-off from the mainline games. Featuring plenty of nostalgic elements that many will recognize, this entry still manages to be one of the most simplistic JRPG experiences available.

It is obviously geared more towards younger players and those new to the franchise and genre than veterans who may find its lack of challenge disappointing. At the heart of the story are Erik and Mia, who appeared in Dragon Quest XI; here they have taken on a more child-friendly appearance to fit in with the lighter tone of their treasure-hunting adventure.

Erik and Mia’s aim is to obtain rare treasures, and rewards come with them. In addition, taming new creatures is a vital part of the game. It involves scouting them after any random battle and paying their fee; each one asks for different items or gold. After these steps have been fulfilled, they accompany the siblings on their quest for riches.

Through the Fortune Finder skill, the siblings can take advantage of their monster allies’ view and find loot scattered around Draconia. Each species has a distinct vision – for example, a restless armor may be hindered by its visor.

As to the combat, it takes an action-based approach, wherein Erik or Mia can attack with their equipped weapon, while the monsters that are part of the team will automatically fight against any enemies and rival treasure hunters that may appear on the field.

The gameplay is straightforward and easy to pick up, but there are some interesting mechanics that make it more unique than your average RPG. This makes Dragon Quest Treasures a great option with some fun additions, perfect for players who enjoy progressive jackpots or strategy games with an extra edge. So, whether you’re a lover of the genre, or if you’re just looking for a fun game to play, check it out.

Graphics and Sound

Dragon Quest Treasures features a beautiful design that looks great both when played on the handheld console and when ported to the big screen. It is clear that the Nintendo Switch’s capabilities are put to good use, making the world of Dragon Quest come to life, with impressive visuals along with colorful characters and environments.

The game’s audio is also top-notch, with a catchy soundtrack and sound effects that add to the immersion. Overall, Dragon Quest Treasures is shaping up to be one of the best-looking and sounding RPGs available on the Switch and is definitely worth picking up.

The Good and The Bad

There’s a lot to like about Dragon Quest Treasures. Especially, if you’re a young player looking for an introduction to the world of role-playing games or just something laid-back to pass the time with, then this entry will not disappoint.

The game is stripped down to its basics, however, it contains all the charming characters and monsters that have made the series famous. Not only that, it has some fun nods to other titles in the franchise too, providing a distinct treasure-hunting focus.

Despite these positives, this title won’t pose much of a challenge for experienced players. And some may find its kid-friendly focus offputting.

Overall, the Dragon Quest Treasures release on Nintendo Switch was a mixed bag. There were some good things and some bad things about it. It’s still a solid entry in the series, but it doesn’t live up to the high standards set by its predecessors.

Conclusion

Dragon Quest Treasures is an exciting and entertaining title that offers a compelling story, fun characters, great visuals, and plenty of content to enjoy. It is the perfect option for those who are looking for a lighter-paced game that provides something more than just mindless button-mashing.

Whether you’re new to this specific series or have been a fan of classic JRPGs for years, this title should be at the top of your cozy wish list. You’ll find yourself quickly becoming immersed in its wonderful world as you make progress through its rewarding content!

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My Fantastic Ranch Review on Xbox

Despite nearly completing the game in two days, I didn’t get much chance to actually play the game. My 10-year-old horse-obsessed daughter took control early on and we played it side by side for the next 48 hours. My Fantastic Ranch is a fantastic introduction to the management simulation genre with a generous starting budget and a clear tutorial walking you through your first key purchases from a Tack Room to a Staff Room. Within no time at all, we had a small working Ranch in which we taught visiting students Dressage in one arena and Target Practice in another. As managers, players have access to a variety of buildings, fields, arenas, decorative items, and landscaping options. As money/crystals come in, you place the different fields, add fences and paths and eventually add fountains and additional greenery. Some of the elements required updates, as you couldn’t have animals without tack rooms and stables, and you could do lessons without a staff room and enough staff. These elements were always the first priority and adding paths and trees simply fell by the wayside as there was no clear benefit or problem with not using them.

The gameplay is serene and one can move at three different speeds depending on the player. Control is easy to use and whilst the camera control could be a little forced at some points, most players will unlikely notice as they will not be trying to capture the perfect game footage for a review. Outside of the building, players must manage the various lessons, enter competitions (of varying levels) and host royal events. After each major event, the prince and princess unlock a new part of the land for you to grow into. The game moves in weeks, and at the end of each week, you get a report on your profits, expenditure, customer satisfaction, and various other metrics. When Monday comes around, the animal and staff markets are refreshed and you can get three new animals and people. In our case, we took everything as there were no ‘bad eggs’. The animals and staff all seemed great, so there was never a reason to pass on them or spend 500 crystals to ‘re roll’ and get different choices. There are a variety of micro-choices in the game that include matching staff and riders to animals, as well as putting the right duos forward in competitions and events, so there is always something to do. Similarly, a series of mini goals appear in the bottom left to keep you on track from starting a lesson with a fire dragon to running 8 circus skills lessons within a given time limit.

My daughter loves horses but has never really been into unicorns, which I thought might be an issue. However, she loved it and the fact it wasn’t horses didn’t phase her one bit. By the end of day two we had almost 30 animals, ran weekly competitions, had an on-site school of 26 enrolled students, and had successfully completed three royal events.

The reports were a nice break to mull over and discuss our progress but there were little to no major challenges to deal with. As an older gamer, I would have liked to see another level of challenges, the naughty animals and timed challenges were good, but a storm never damaged the arenas, the food was never ruined by blight and the staff never upped and quit. If I was to request additional features, I would like to see a Hack Track option to create a hacking option for students and additional buildings such as a cafe (for visitors and students) and even mucking out. Renaming the animals would have also been good as they ranged from Joy Sweet to Quizitle Benari (or something equally complicated to read). But my daughter and I smashed through the main game type on My Fantastic Ranch in 48 hours before starting the second game type of ‘Dreamer’. This creative mode unlocks all the items from the start and doesn’t require money to build/hire etc. in this mode, My daughter planned out the ranch more and finally got around to using the decorative and natural elements to create her perfect Ranch.

Overall, My Fantastic Ranch was amazing fun for my daughter and me and we enjoyed our time building and managing our little ranch. There are lots to do but also areas to expand. The game is short-lived for experienced gamers but a wonderful introduction to the genre. The graphics work well and the voice acting, despite being very enthusiastic, fitted the game. There is enough complexity to make it engaging and the various challenges to keep you playing until you max out, but there could have been more activities and buildings to further enhance the experience.

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The Entropy Centre Review on Xbox Series X

At first glance, you’d be forgiven to think this game is tied to the Half-Life universe. The graphics and light effects are fantastic as you wander the destroyed corridors and collapsing bridges. Whilst the game is very linear in its direction, you do get the feeling that the Centre is absolutely huge. Armed with the plucky AI gun called Astra, you weave your way through various puzzle rooms rewinding time and moving objects. The voice acting is superb with Chloe Taylor doing a wonderful performance for Aria, the amnesiac puzzle officer and Casey Miracle’s portrayal of the cute and friendly Entropy device is heartwarming. During the first half of the game, the puzzles are relatively simple only taking a few minutes to solve and once you have reversed the solution in your mind, it’s simply a matter of going through the motions. In between puzzles, you work your way through the centre reversing time to stop the building from falling apart, as well as using the falling ruble to access new areas.

A Game of Two Halves

The latter part of the game ramps up the difficulty with transformation fields that change the nature of the blocks and much bigger puzzles with many more steps to complete. This is where the game comes into its own and the 10-hour play time is enough to keep you interested without overstaying its welcome. I would have liked to see more elements being manipulated by the time gun, but understand how difficult it is to use time as a game mechanic. The story is slow to start, but during the second half, it comes to a satisfying conclusion and deals well be causality and time manipulation.

Thanks for Portal 3: Time Portal

Overall, The Entropy Centre is a fun see-saw of a puzzle game that starts easy but gets much more difficult later on. The graphics look great and the voice acting gives the two main characters life and personality. The story becomes more interesting later in the game so patience will be needed to reach its conclusion. Once completed, there is little to go back for and I would have liked to see a level editor to create my own puzzles. The team behind The Entropy Centre has done a fantastic job creating something that would not be out of place in Valve’s universe. Well done!

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Knock on the Coffin Lid introduces you to your first character named Percival. You meet Mortis, the suspicious hero, who resurrects you. Remember that when you die, you will return to the start of the game as if nothing ever happened. All the items you’ve earned will disappear, and opponents you’ve already defeated will be waiting for you again. The more we play, though, the more starting bonuses we get and the more powerful our character becomes at the beginning of the game.

Since we have three boxes for local talents, we can generate quite different starting characters, and the overall game strategy will change as a result. At the beginning of Knock on the Coffin Lid, we see a map with four possible directions. The map type is the same, and the events in the map are randomly generated. In addition to the standard fights, there are quest events – with options. Which option should be selected? The answer is not always easy to see. You’ll have to think about it. In each act of the game a different choice of quests, in addition to battles and quests, we can come to the merchant. The merchant can buy the necessary things and sell what we do not use. Also on the map, you can find a chest, which is always a good amount of gold and artifacts. You must visit a local idol from which you can update your deck of cards in several ways. Go to the fire to restore health and rest.

Now let’s talk about the deck of cards and card battles.

At the beginning of K.O.T.C.L. , we have 12 cards – for attack and defense. In each round of the fight, we get five random cards that we can play, depending on our energy. The played and unplayed cards in a round are discarded. And once you’ve played your entire deck of cards, the cards from the discard are returned to you. Each time this process begins anew. As Knock on the Coffin Lid progresses, we get new cards into the deck, with the option to discard them. You choose which cards you want. This feature allows us to create strong and effective combinations. And resting by the fire, we can strengthen our deck, remove unnecessary cards and improve those that we are going to play in the future. Some cards have several options for improvement. For example, the attacking card, we can improve for damage.

By default, the health of our hero between battles is not restored, in consequence of which it is necessary to plan the attacking and defensive actions. Health can be restored in several ways. The easiest way is to go to the end of the act. At the beginning of the new act, you will have full health. Health is restored by potions, some quests, and things. But it’s not so effective. In addition to the great variation of deck manipulation, we can change the characteristics of our hero with items. Things come in different qualities and of different usefulness. Properly chosen items can strengthen your deck of cards and the effectiveness of the fight.

Another nice thing about K.O.T.C.L. is the presence of sets in the equipment mechanics. Collecting a set is not too difficult, it is given as a reward for battles, and set items can also be bought from merchants. Try to plan your route to visit at least one merchant per act. Merchants can remove cards that you don’t need for gold. But more than one removal from each merchant is not an easy thing to do. So the cost of each card will increase. This is also worth thinking about.

In addition to equipment, you can give our hero various elixirs. One of the many potions is the Elixir of Indefatigability. This elixir reduces the cost of cards in your hand until the end of the fight, which is very useful against bosses and strong opponents.

If you are a fan of games like Darkest Dungeon, if you like hardcore and support indie developers, you should add this game to your wish list.

Knock on the Coffin Lid will easily draw you into its interesting world. The game delights with interesting dialogues, thought-out mechanics, atmospheric visuals, and music. RedBoon Studios has worked hard to create a fresh roguelike game, to bring in a bit of love and fear. Be prepared to fight for your character’s life, combat all difficulties and make difficult decisions. The way in the game K.O.T.C.L. is not easy, but definitely worth the emotions received. Join the game Knock on the Coffin Lid, sure you’ll love it.

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Trixfox is a twin-stick cartoon adventure game inspired by games such as Crash Bandicoot, Jak and Daxter, and Ratchet & Clank. The titular hero is obviously miffed by his missing remote and is out for revenge. Strangely, the Wiley fox seems to wear many hats as players can choose to be a Warrior, Mage, and Engineer (hence the name Tri-Fox). Each of the three variations has its own unique set of class-based abilities which can be mixed and matched. You can spend the first level using a melee skillset bashing the brains out of oncoming crabs before switching to the inventor fox with his helicopter backpack and machine gun. If it’s not for you then simply switch to the mage and teleport around your enemies whilst blasting them with slow-moving energy balls. There are a lot of different mechanics in Trifox and many ways to play.

The visuals are fantastic with coulourful cartoon style graphics throughout. The lush environments are filled with ‘Unity’ style walls and foliage similar to Super Lucky’s Tale. This is further emphasised by the cartoon smoke and fire effects alongside the cartoon numbers that leap from the enemies as you battle them down. The main character’s three styles all look very cool from the above view, but up close he is somewhere between low-poly and high-res which is a little odd. It’s not bad, it’s just odd. The levels do look great but due to being filled, it can sometimes become hard to see enemies behind walls.

The gameplay is really fun and uses a Crash Bandicoot style Camera position. The game is mainly a twin-stick shooter, however, some simple puzzles break up the action. As you progress players will find themselves in areas where a horde mode is activated and waves of enemies converge on your position. Once wiped out, new areas are unlocked. Other levels see you traverse obstacles to reach items or weave through the level killing or avoiding the mass of enemies. At the end of each stage, you can switch your player type or purchase upgrades using the in-game currency. The Warrior, Mage, and Engineer all have their own set of upgrades which can be purchased as you play. Should you have a fondness of one type you can fill a complete skill tree in a matter of levels. As I was eager to try the various styles, I tended to unlock a couple from each as I played. With 30 abilities to unlock from shields to guided missiles, there is something for everyone. This however could also be considered a negative as not only do players need to remember what button does what for each player type, but the button mapping is up to the player as well, so there is a chance that shooting bullets as an Engineer, might not be the same as shooting energy bolts as a mage leading to some confusion to old man gamers like myself.

However, various abilities increase replayability should you want to tackle the game a second or third time. The first level is pretty easy and a great introduction to the various skills, but as the game progresses, the difficulty starts to ramp up. Health vials come when you need them, but timing, when to use them, becomes a skill. Classic boss characters end each level from water squirting giant octopus to the muscle-bound wolf pirate himself.

Trifox is a great game for children as it starts off pretty easy but does require some patience and strategy for the later levels. Players can use might, magic, or marvelous gadgets to outfox the mysterious foes. With four danger-filled worlds all containing a variety of stages, there is a lot of fun to be had.

Overall, Trifox is great fun. It has polished graphics, a multitude of abilities, and the classic paper-thin story of the golden age of 3D platformers. I love the overall aesthetic and the game runs really smoothly. Close up, Trifox is a little ‘sharp’ looking but from above looks great. Unlocking abilities through the in-game currency is thoroughly satisfying, but the sheer number of options might be overwhelming for some younger players. Trifox doesn’t quite have the fluidness or finish of Crash Bandicoot or Super Lucky’s Tale, but it’s a two-man team, so in comparison, Trifox is an absolute triumph and worth every penny.

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Wayward Strand looks like it has leaped from the comic book pages of Tin Tin. Bold black lines and a cartoon colour palette give this game a vibrancy not seen in many new games. The boxed frame and hand-drawn speech bubbles further enhance this comic book style. The visual style is akin to 13, telltale games or the recently released Forgive Me Father, however, Wayward Strand is much more cheerful. The characters are beautifully designed and all convey their individual personalities and characteristics. Sadly, some clipping and alignment issues mean holding or moving items looks a little weird but it’s not too destructing. The wipe effect used when entering the rooms of the patients gives the player the feeling of uncovering a hidden truth which in some cases is true, as Casey can listen in at doors to achieve the same wipe effect. The graphics of the rooms are detailed enough but anything outside of the airship is vague and blurry so don’t expect to see any grand vistas from the airship’s balcony.

On the whole, it’s the dialogue that really drives this game as you will need to talk to a lot of people about a lot of things. Each person holds the conversational keys to unlock new dialogue options. If one person mentions a missing nurse, you can now ask about it to everyone, miss that prompt and you may find yourself going down a different path. Now in my second playthrough I was really happy (and surprised) to see it go in a different direction to the first. The first time I sat with a staff member at lunch to unlock the abandoned section of the airship, whereas, on the second play through I missed lunch and listened to music with the aging Mr Pruess. The general story is the same but the way you reach the conclusion was different.

The voice acting, on the whole, is fantastic, all the Australian parts such as Casey, Mr. Avery, and Esther are different enough and the characters they portray. However, the German Mr. Pruess sounded more Asian, than European. The story is well written and flows very well considering the number of dialogue options and routes the stories can take. The music is generally serene and unobtrusive and fits the late seventies time period.

Overall, Wayward Strand is a beautiful heart-warming story and a welcome break from the madness of the world and its current crop of the hack, slash, shoot and destroy games. Taking time to talk to the old and infirm has never been so much fun. The mix of 2D roaming and a plethora of dialogue options had me feeling like Nancy Drew discovering clues and pieces together the disparate lives of 10 very unique characters. For those looking for fast action, this is definitely not the game for you as it’s as slow as a slug trudging through peanut butter, but if you would like gaming pallet cleanser to refresh your mind and warm your soul then take the wayward path to find Wayward Strand.

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You Suck at Parking Review on Xbox Series X

You Suck at Parking is a cute but frantic parking game. You drive your car around the levels and park in the designated spots. The challenge, however, is that there is no reverse and if you stop, you park. As such, you buzz around the levels trying to stop in a single spot. At first, this is straightforward, but as the game progresses, the levels include superhot barriers that make you explode on impact, Wind machines that push you off target, and police cars that arrest you with one touch. The game is so much fun and incredibly addictive.

The joy of the game starts with the controls. Its twitch controls make it fantastic fun to drive and powerslide around the levels. Mistakes come thick and fast as you fly off the course or explode into a fireball. A tap of the D-pad instantly restarts the level which is useful as each level is timed. Then it’s the level design itself. Each level has two or three spots to park in and you need to park before the timer hits zero. The exhilaration of hitting that last spot is truly amazing and trying to complete all spots is massively addictive.

All the levels are accessed via an island overworld that you can drive around at your leisure. Car cannons fire you across to new areas and parking at different buildings access the main level. Each level has five stages and all can be completed either partially or completely. The more ‘hearts’ you earn, the more you can access.

The game’s difficulty fluctuates from being overly simple to incredibly hard, but with time and patience, it’s fun to master the different levels. When the game adds more cars and chasing police cars, the pressure ramps up even further. There are over 100 single-player levels in You Suck at Parking, some of them almost maze-like in their complexity. In an interview in Wireframe, designer and studio co-founder David Prinsmel discusses how they approach the level design more like a golf game than a racer.

Outside of the single-player game, the online multiplayer allows for 8 players to battle it out on a variety of multiplayer maps to become the ultimate parker. With only one parking spot and all eight players going for it, expect rushing, ramming, and explosions. It’s crazy fun and with it coming to Game Pass, you can expect lots of players from day one. 

For added personalisation, you can hit the garage to customise your vehicle. Players can change the vehicle type, the paint job, the exhaust effects and much more. A Fortnite-style store and battle pass system allows players to buy and unlock a huge amount of customisations but regular players still have a handful to unlock each season The simple polygon graphics and bright colour palette compliment the gameplay well and the UI enjoys lots of satisfying pops and bloops. The music can get a little weird sometimes but is easy to tune out in the heat of parking.

Overall, You Suck at Parking is pure unadulterated fun. Its precision controls, wacky level design and satisfying completion are hugely addictive. The game can be tough at times  (and sometimes feel impossible), but the gradual increase in the difficulty means that it is accessible for both younger gamers and those looking for a real challenge. The campaign is the most fun, but the online play and regularly added levels ensure that you can have new experiences long after completing the one-player adventure. With over 100 levels and a promise of many more being added post-launch, You Suck at Parking is a parking LOT of fun.

Check out the game on the box store or visit: https://www.xbox.com/en-us/games/store/You-Suck-at-Parking/9NCF3MRQ8480 

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But is this party fighting game a smash hit or crushing defeat, here’s my review of Brawlout on Xbox.

Brawlout on Xbox

Brawlout had always hoped to cater to the veteran platform fighters, the casual fans, and the newcomer looking to make their mark. Over the years the following has grown and there are now tournaments, leagues, and professional teams.

Each character in Brawlout has its own unique playstyle, catering to specific character archetypes seen in other fighters. Whether you’re a die-hard grappler or a rush-down fiend, there is a fighter for you in Brawlout. There are currently six original characters that can be personalised. More recently, Brawlout has embraced its indie status and added four popular indie characters that include:

• Dead Cells
• Yooka-Laylee
• Guacamelee
• Hyper Light Drifter

As well as cosmetic skins, each original Brawlout character has three Variants; alternative versions of the character with different stats, outfits, and even new moves. With these Variants, Brawlout’s cast numbers 25 individual fighters. Finding the right fighter (and Variant) that’s right for you can take some time but the patient player will eventually meet their match.

As for modes, Brawlout has all you’d expect from a normal platform fighter and then some. Up to four players can compete in either Timed, Stock, Team Battles, FFA, or Party Modes.

AI opponents are also available if you want to practice your team combos with a friend, or if you need to fill out a free-for-all. Players can train using various tutorials or jump into the challenging Arcade Towers and the new Trials mode.

Overall Brawlout is a gorgeous and colorful experience with fast paces and frantic battles. The game is best in a local multiplayer setting with real-life friends but online play is equally enjoyable. Brawlout is not quite Smash, but it certainly scratches that itch if you are on every other console except Nintendo. With its cult following, additional characters, and unique play style it is going from strength to strength.

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Voyage Review on Xbox

Voyage is a side-scrolling narrative adventure that is both peaceful and intriguing. I had no idea what was going on for the first hour as I ambled left to right climbing over things, crawling under things, and moving things about. Whilst this sounds mediocre at best, it’s the set pieces that make it worthwhile. Each scene is ethereal in its style and animation giving players a little nugget of story in each location. Soon, you realise that it’s not so much a game but an experience. You are the hands that push these two characters onward. It’s quite compelling.

The mechanic of having two players works well as one can help the other up difficult heights as well as flick switches whilst the other holds something open. You learn to use them as two arms of the same player similar to the game Brothers. There are also some sweet animations when you swap characters, call each other over or just have a hug. When you need a hint, a quick tap of the Y button will general piano tinking stars to point out what you need to do. As such the game is easy to complete and it should be enjoyed as a story experience rather than a game you will often return to.

The game’s sounds and music does all the talking as there is no dialogue to lay out the story for you. In order to avoid spoilers, I won’t outline the main narrative as it needs to be experienced firsthand.

The graphics have a beautiful hand-painted charm and the developers haven’t been afraid to keep some areas dark or covered in a sand storm to give the world a desolate and empty feel. The inhabitants of the world feel like voyeuristic ghosts that either go about their daily business to appear to help out. There are also some animals to help out every so often.

The gameplay is super simple, push right and solve the puzzles to traverse the different scenes. At a few points during the game, you will get to move left, but essentially you are there to move the characters through the narrative. The small part of agency you do have helps you connect to the players and ultimately care about the outcome.

Overall, Voyage is a beautiful and serene game that is generally pretty slow but tells a magical story not yet seen on the Xbox. The gameplay and puzzles are simplistic but help to keep the narrative moving and players within the experience. The two-character mechanic works well but it is the hand-painted set pieces that will keep you playing. For achievement hunters, there are lots of low-hanging fruits here and it’s worth sinking 2-3 hours in to enjoy this slow boat ride of a game and walk away with 1000 gamer points and the heartwarming tale of two siblings who might just save a world if they work together and have a cuddle.

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But is all this speed and action flipping fantastic or is it all action and no talk? Here’s my review of Severed Steel on Xbox.

Severed Steel follows the story of a woman called Steel who lost her arm in a work-related accident and she has since been ‘retired’. Instead of suing the evil corporation, she decides to go on an acrobatic rampage to destroy the company and any security professionals standing in her way. It’s as if John Wick had young Yoda’s gymnastic ability. You can slide, dive and wall jump your way around levels while killing dozens of enemies in real-time or slow-mo. Kills re-fill your bullet-time meter and your health, so as long as you keep a healthy body count you’re essentially invincible.

The levels are a mix of cold corporate offices, warehouses, and industrial units. Textures are flat and simple but all have a neon hue. The simplistic style means you can concentrate more on the action than on the realism. As you walk ride down a corridor, you won’t care if the offices have names or if there are branded coffee mugs on the long meeting tables. The simple shapes mean you slide under it, jump over it, run along it, or smash through it. At the beginning of each level, you are told the level objective in big bold text similar to super hot. Whether you are destroying samples or killing everyone, you don’t really care as bouncing around the levels is just fun.

The combat is pretty forgiving with acute accuracy not always needed, but you are rewarded if you get that coveted headshot. The weapons feel different enough for the seconds you hold them and there is a variety of weapon types to try out. There are no reloads which is jarring at first, instead, you throw your empty weapon to stun nearby enemies long enough to steal theirs. Early in the same you also get a Metroid-style arm blaster that easily puts holes in walls (as well as enemies) allowing you to traverse the levels differently as you can go through both floors and walls. But even with a shiny new arm cannon if you drop to the floor, slow down for a breather or find yourself stuck in a corner death comes swift… thankfully so does the restart screen.

Music is a heady mix of trance and electronic which suits both the frenetic speed and the slow-motion moments. Explosions and shooting feel meaty but it’s the voice acting that lets it down. Repetitive swearing and phrases from the enemy could have been better and you soon tune them out.

As for the other negatives, I did experience Some performance issues on my Xbox Series X, but only a couple of times, Xbox One may have more. Also, it would be great to see a more fleshed-out story and character development, as the comic-style panels and limited dialogue make it feel a little empty in the narrative department.

Severed Steel features a campaign mode, a game+ mode, and a firefight mode. Firefight mode is a challenge mode where you can play levels from the campaign. It also has a level-up system and plenty of unlocks to encourage you to spend time in it.

Overall, Severed Steel is an absolute banger. If you’re into FPS games heavy on bullet time, this has to be played. The mechanic makes the game and may set a new benchmark for action shooters. The neon-soaked graphics are simplistic but work and the pumping soundtrack keeps your heart thumping. Some slow-down issues and a paper-thin story are disappointing. Whilst the lack of any decent voice acting is a missed opportunity, the action movies that this game feels like could benefit from some epic one-liners. In short, play this game and feel like an absolute badass!

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No, I’ve not been hit in the head by something heavy, this truly is what Superola is all about. But is Superola al-paca crazy ideas that don’t work or is it a llama drama worth playing? Here’s my review of Superola on Xbox.

First things first… I had to use a wired controller to play as my wireless didn’t work and it seemed to be a game issue rather than a hardware issue. Looking at the comments, I wasn’t alone.

Superola Championship Edition feels like a game in which two Fiverr game developers were asked to make a llama game for $500 and then the buyer added more features to the one they liked the most. There are literally two games here, an endless runner with illustrated cartoon graphics and a pixel art puzzle platformer called Alpaca’s Redemption both staring the white llama.

The main game’s story is completely bonkers and you can see subtle nods to various video games throughout. “All your burgers belong to us”, and  “it’s dangerous to go alone, take this” are just two of the written throwbacks, but you will also beat up a car like in Street Fighter, jump over monkeys that look very similar to Toki, and skateboard in a very Wonderboy way. The creator obviously loved retro games of the 90s and crowbarred many references to give it an old-school feel.

As you work your way from point to point on the Mario World-style map the difficulty ramps up sharply and after a few easy levels you may find yourself trying levels over 100 times in order to complete it. I know this as the game tells you each time to start. The game gets very difficult, very quickly, and having only one hit means any mistake is punished with immediate death. Power-ups such as double jumps and double hits are useful but are earned way to sporadically to be useful. And if you activate the double jump and die on the second obstacle, it’s spent and gone.

Superola is SO frustrating and yet has an addictive quality that keeps you playing 10… 100 more times. Players need to learn the level, know the pressure difference between a quick jump and a high jump and eventually reach the checkered platform and be rewarded with wings or a poo.

The graphics have a cheap quality to them with animations being limited to a few frames but the whole game can also be played in a retro pixel style for those looking for a trip down memory lane.

Other game modes include an endless mode and a versus game that see multiple players riding in Minecraft carts and jumping Obstacles for as long as possible.

The Championship Edition does look better than the original game from 4+ years ago, but the frustrating difficulty curve, and the fact that sometimes you don’t jump when pressing a button or enemies not dying when in the line of your Lazer puke adds to the overall stress. I love the madness of the story, and all the nods to retro games but Superola needs some work to tighten up the controls on Xbox and create a difficulty curve that will mean levels don’t take over 100 attempts to complete. At $5 or £4 full price, you get what you paid for, short-lived fun with some nostalgic gaming references to smile at.

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Matchpoint – Tennis Championship Review on Xbox Series X

Matchpoint – Tennis Championships balance the fine line between realism and arcade, as it is easy to pick up and play without leaving you brow beaten and feeling worthless. I have often found that the more ‘real’ something is, the harder it is. You are unlikely to win your first 10 games, but once you have an eye for the landing spot, you’ll be able to rally with the best of them.

The tennis mechanics are where this game really shines. With a strong focus on tactical realism, positioning, and aiming. Each match requires skill to avoid the ball constantly going out. When using the position assistant, you can see exactly where the ball will land which makes it easier, but perhaps too easy for pro gamers. The training gives you all you need to know about the strokes and shots and offers advice on when to use topspin, flat, lob, or slice shots.

The player characters themselves have all the character animations you might expect including a couple that might surprise you. The ball physics seems accurate and the player control is responsive when you get the hang of it. There are a variety of courts to play on including grass, clay, and hard courts, and some are named venues for tennis aficionados.

The game is extended beyond the simple one-on-one matches which the introduction of a personal coach to hone your skills. The coaching side allows players to improve your player’s strengths and reduce their weaknesses with an in-game coaching system of individual training modules. The inclusion of a selection of mini-game is a nice touch and a welcome distraction if you find yourself on a losing streak.

If like me, you don’t know your Roger Federer from your Rafael Nadal, you won’t miss the bigger names on the roster. There are 16 licensed players from around the world that include the likes of Nick Kyrgios, Kei Nishikori, and Amanda Anisimova which I don’t really know, but for the casual gamer, this is fine. There is a detailed character creator that allows you to choose your look, fashion, and play style with an array of customization options. Once created you can also make them left-or right-handed and give them a onehanded or twohanded backhand. For me and my family, we enjoyed making ourselves and playing with each other. It was here that we came across its biggest issue – the lack of a doubles game. It was very strange to play a tennis game that didn’t include this and my family missed the fact that we couldn’t all play together. Despite this, you can play two players local or against other players online and be ranked on their online leaderboards.

Overall, Matchpoint – Tennis Championships is a welcome addition to the Xbox lineup after a long drought of tennis games. The fact it is included with Game Pass is also a nice surprise and will ensure that there are lots of people to play against online. The tennis mechanics are fantastic and you can tell that a lot of effort went into getting this right. The position of assistant is useful at first but hardcore tennis game fans may prefer to turn it off to keep the matches challenging. The lack of the ‘biggest’ names in tennis is a shame, but the extensive player creator tool makes up for it. The complete absence of the option of a double is bizarre but perhaps this might come later. Matchpoint – Tennis Championships are great fun and worth playing even if you are not an avid tennis fan. It’s easy to pick up and play and with it being included on Game Pass, you have no excuse to give it a shot.

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Best Month Ever! is all about the story and is more of an interactive movie than a game. This is no surprise considering that it was created by students, graduates, and employees of the “Video Game Development” program at The Warsaw Film School. You do have some agency in the game to move a character around a scene, click on certain elements and keep the story moving. However, it is more like a Telltale interactive story than a traditional game. There are sporadic mini-games throughout like throwing a stone to hit a target or lining up constellations but these are very simplistic and serve as a vehicle for you to connect with the characters and be part of the story. The biggest impact you have on the outcome fo the story is through the various decision options. Do you take the blame for a smashed window? Lie to your son? Stay in the car when asked? The developer says that all these decisions have an impact on the ending, of which there are a few.

The story itself is emotional, moving, and thought-provoking. Set in the 1960’s Louise, mother to Mitch, a black illegitimate son of a Jazz musician has it tough. Louise had a bad childhood experience which pushed her to leave her family behind. Now with only four weeks left to live she wants to help Mitch start a new life, meet her long-deserted family and perhaps even find Mitch’s father. The game is a rollercoaster of sentimental moments, action scenes, and revealing insights into Louise’s past. Thanks to the relatively fast pacing of the game, you will be burning the boss’s car one minute and catching fireflies with your mother the next. At only four hours long, it is easy to play through and during my time I did not see a death state although, during a driving section, I did wonder what would happen if I ran into an oncoming car?

The voice acting is fantastic and the script works really well to convey such a lot of complex topics. The music fits the period and helps with the melancholy ambiance of the story. The graphics are a mix of good and bad. The ‘scenes’ look amazing from the buzzing neon signs of the dinner to the waterfall in the forest, however, the character models are a little less professional. The Mitch character looks good but the animation feels too slow for his movement speed and the lighting on the Louise model sometimes makes her look like a PS2 Lara Croft. As you only see the characters from a distance, it doesn’t distract away from the story.

The game moves through time jumping to the past when exposition and using narration by an older Mitch to give insights into the young boy’s feelings at the time. For me, the journey was much better than the destination as the story and decisions really touched me whereas the end was a little bit of a letdown. However, it definitely made me think each time I had to either lie to my son or explain a very difficult situation to him. I wondered if I would do the same to my own children. I think we are quick to protect our children with lies in the real world, but when you know that your decisions will impact the final state of your in-game child, you tend to be more idealistic. But thankfully, I have not had to tell my children I used to be a stripper.

Overall. the game is a welcome respite from the action-packed adventures that dominate the gaming market. Best Month Ever! is an experience that connects with you on an emotional level and keeps you guessing throughout. As the game is more of an interactive story, it won’t be to everyone’s liking but fans of story-driven titles such as The Wolf Among Us, Gone Home, or The Vanishing of Ethan Carter might enjoy this quick emotional journey and who knows it might be the Best Evening Ever! playing a video game.

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Flat Kingdom came out on Xbox, Playstation and Nintendo almost five years after its original release on Steam and I am very glad it eventually made the leap. Flat Kingdom is a harmless puzzle platformer with nostalgic nods to Paper Mario and the Dizzy games. The story is the classic tale to save a princess and retrieve an all-powerful gem that has unbalanced the world and turned lovable creatures into angry little enemies. You must travel across six different levels, each consisting of three stages to collect coins, gain power-ups and beat bosses.

Whilst this might sound like the usual run and gun antics of Ghosts and Goblins or Strider, this is where Flat Kingdom differs. Our hero is unable to fire a weapon, swipe a sword, or even throw a punch. Instead, the fight mechanics follow a rock, paper, scissors style battle as the shapeshifting knight can change into a circle, square, or triangle. The circle form is the standard platformer character in terms of speed and a double jump, the square is stronger and heavier but is also the slowest form. The triangle is fast-moving with long jumps but lacks height. You use these forms to battle the various enemies. Your circle form beats square enemies, your square form beats triangle enemies and your triangle form beats circular enemies.

These forms are also used to solve various puzzles along the way, from smashing through platforms, floating in water and pressing various switches and levers.

The papercraft graphics are vibrant and rich and the 2.5D really helps the world pop. The different stages are the typical fare of a forest, fire, ice and so forth but all feel different enough to keep you playing.

The main character looks a little plain compared to the more detailed king and thief characters but it’s easy to see what shape you are in.

The bosses can be troublesome at first, but once you figure out the pattern to defeat them (usually jumping on a big flashing triangle) it’s just a matter of patience and trial and error.

The music for each level is top-notch with a fantastic score running throughout. The game would benefit from more voice acting and less reading but it’s understandable why the developer decided to keep it text-based.

Overall, Flat Kingdom is a fun, nostalgic puzzle platformer that is easy to pick up and play but has some challenging puzzles and old-school bosses. The rock, paper, scissors battle mechanic is fresh and new and the range of levels keeps it interesting during its short playtime. The simple cartoon graphics are beautifully simple and the soundtrack is particularly good. I would recommend trying to collect as many coins as possible as you will find yourself going back later on for additional content. Steam may have enjoyed Flat Kingdom five years ago but it was worth resurrecting it so console gamers can enjoy its retro charm.

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