Daniel Waite's Reviews
Though Freddy Spaghetti won’t push your abilities, and the world that you explore isn’t the most up to date looking environment, it all works well, and is a fun game to play. What I’ve learned during my time with this is that you never give food items the ability to think for themselves, it just ends up with issues. Do I recommend that you play this? I do. Your patience will be tested, as will your eye hand coordination. But what you will love is the storytelling, and the warmth of the narrator. Empower your spaghetti to evolve, after all, what is the worst that could happen?
I had to be careful when I reviewed this to ensure I wasn’t biased as I love the franchise. What I found was an enjoyable, nostalgia filled game, but it wasn’t perfect by any stretch. The graphics look great, yet the developers ripped out a part of its soul when they took away the shadows and reflections. The audio is fantastic, and the controls make this arcade game easy to play. Do I recommend that you play this? Yes! If you have played the original, then you will undoubtedly love it. If you are new to the franchise, then you will enjoy a fast-paced shooter that will transport you to one of the best 90s titles. Though it doesn’t keep all the heart and soul of the original, its new polished look does a darn good job at allowing new gamers to experience a classic Sega title.
Other than the obvious issues I had with the controller, I loved my time playing this game. Forever Entertainment SA have created an interesting and dark story that will keep you hooked from the beginning to the end. Do I recommend that you play this? Of course! Heed the developers’ advice; “play in a dark and quiet room with headphones on for the best experience.” Do this and you will be taken on a supernatural horror trip like no other. Find all the clues, and help Abigail answer the many questions she faces.
If you are looking for an interesting title that allows you to play at your own pace, and lose yourself in the beautiful world it’s set in, then look no further than this game. A wonderful story with great voice work awaits anybody that wishes to take this on. You won’t be surprised when I recommend that you give this a go! Can you help Norah overcome the variety of puzzles that block her progress? Will you be able rescue her “old pal”, and in the process save herself? Take on this adventure and see for yourself.
The overall tone of this review is one of disappointment and frustration, and unfortunately this is how I felt after my time with this game. I didn’t expect it to play, or feel like a modern day title, I just hoped that it would play a lot better than it did. If the developers worked on the control system, then you’d have a fun and simple sports title that oozes retro charm, opposed to a frustrating mess that makes you question your childhood gaming experiences. Do I recommend this? Yes, but only to avid fans of the sport, and the original game. Rose-tinted specs are a dangerous thing, and the only saving grace was that this was free to download as part of the Gamepass subscription service, meaning that reliving my youth was just about worth it.
If you fancy a title that shows the friendship between 3 strangers building as they undertake an adventure together, then Autumn’s Journey is the game for you. A short and lighthearted affair that allows you to explore the lore of this strange land while enjoying the fantasy setting it all unfolds in. Do I recommend you try this? Yes, if you want a quick read of something that doesn’t take itself too seriously. Will Auralee become the Knight she has always inspired to be? Can Kerr find his dragon form? Why not grab a drink, sit down, and enjoy how this tale unfolds.
If you love this genre, then I’m sure that you are already taken by the idea of a desert island survival game. If you are sitting on the fence, then I can confidently say that most gamers will enjoy their time with this classic take on a turn-based survival game. The graphics and audio won’t be for everyone, but the challenge of the gameplay, and the freedom of the sandbox mode more than make up for this. So, with all things considered, do I recommend you play this? I do! It ticks so many boxes, and though there are a few minor frustrations, these do not stand in the way of what is fundamentally a solid game with an excellent concept. Can you and your band of hapless survivors live off the land, and do enough to make it home? Only time will tell!
I’m not entirely sure who this is aimed at. It’s not challenging enough to be considered a puzzle game, nor is it graphically detailed enough to allow you to sort out your items by their category, so it’s not a resource management game either. It’s one of those games that fills a nondescript genre, and can only be thought of as a filler title. Something that can mindlessly absorb hours of your life, without you even knowing about it. So, do I recommend it? Strangely, I do. For all its faults, and my hatred for Wilmot, it’s still a fun little game. If you pick it up just to try it out, you’ll have a good time, and the little niggles won’t get to you too much. But if you start this with that completion in mind, then you have just opened Pandora’s box, my friend. Nights will be lost, and you’ll awaken from your gaming stupor, greyer and angrier than you’ve ever been! Take control of your little white square, after all, that stock will not organise itself.
Paw Paw Paw is a game that I have loved trying. It has a witty dialogue running through its story, interesting characters to encounter, some become friends but a lot are foes, and addictive gameplay. Its lack of balancing for solo gamers will be its downside, and if it wasn’t for the fact that I really enjoyed my time with it, I would have put it down a long time ago. So with all this being said, do I recommend that you try it? I do! I’ve had lots of fun with it, and I believe that anyone who buys it, will also. Can you and your fellow rebels overcome King Bunnylord III’s terrible plans, or like me, are you destined to be stuck right near the end?
Retro gaming is all the craze at the moment, and so many players are using these short, sharp titles to fill the void between big titles such as COD, AC Valhalla and Cyberpunk. I can see Habroxia doing this perfectly, especially if you are a fan of mindless space themed games. Do I recommend that you buy this? Absolutely! Jump in your cockpit, upgrade your vessel, and take down everything that flies in your path.
The Pillars: Puzzle escape is attempting to stand out in a crowded and niche market, where the leaders of the pack are extremely strong titles. A much simpler approach makes this an accessible game compare to the others, but I can’t ignore its graphical short comings. Had this element been spot on, it would have scored 7.5 out of 10, but it has to be marked down slightly for these issues. With this being said, do I recommend you try it? Yes. A great entry level title that can be played casually, with an excellent audio and nice graphics (if you don’t look closely at the details.) Can you unlock the mysteries of the pillars and escape this magical world?
Were losing hours of sleep and years of my life worth it? Probably not, but I had a fun time, mostly. Every class you select is enjoyable with a new and distinct way of approaching situations. The PVE/PVP argument is as predictable as ever, and you will sit comfortably on one side or the other. The sandbox and realism touches were an interesting concept, if a bit flawed. I liked how your effort met with in game reward, and this meant that every role that is taken has a meaning and a use. The fighting is good, even if you consider the annoyance of the combo system and the confusion with the skill tree. I recommend this, but it will consume your life. If you want to take on a unique MMORPG with beautiful audio and stunning graphics, then look no further than Black Desert.
This was one monochromatic journey that I adored. The stunning visuals, atmospheric audio, creepy imagery, and accessible puzzles make this a game that should be purchased. Yes, the game mechanics have been done to death, and the eerie concept is as old as the hills, yet the combined elements work in perfect harmony. It will not surprise you that I recommend that you should play Iris Fall, I just wish all indie developers could take a leaf out its book. Following a black cat into a weird world was a big mistake, but can you overcome all the puzzles and get to the other side? I’m pretty sure you can.
I enjoyed my time playing this, but I can’t say that I’m an avid fan of the genre. Monster Sanctuary does so much more than most of its peers, yet I still wasn’t sold on the concept. If you are a lover of these games, then playing this will be right up your street. But if you’re on the fence, now is the correct time to try it as part of your Gamepass subscription. Do I recommend that you give it a go? Absolutely. Hunting monsters is nothing new, but what this does so well is to build on many well loved mechanics, and enhance them to make for a much more polished and in-depth experience. Can you be the best Monster Keeper in the land? Can you beat everyone else and hatch the best beasts around? Choose your starting monster and begin your journey of discovery.
I have my demons whenever I play Roguelite or like games, but I’m glad I placed my concerns to one side and tried this one. The humour and many tasks heavily outweighed the annoyance of losing my gear and I enjoyed my time with it, mostly. Do I recommend it? Of course. It’s a; colourful, fun, fast-paced and enjoyable title that can be played casually. Can you make Jackie the best intern Fizzle Beverages has ever seen? Grab the nearest object and smash every monster in your path, your internship depends on it.
You know that you’re onto a winner when a game gets under your skin. Ravegan has successfully created that “just one more try” title that keeps you playing for hours. The simplicity of the premise, combined with the complexity of the game mechanics and approach, makes this a very addictive title to play. With an amazing combination of looks and sounds, easy and responsive controls and humour laced gameplay, it’s a modern day classic in the making. Do I recommend it? Yes, yes, yes! So buy it here! Can you help the 3 creatures take down the invaders and reclaim their homelands? Buy a copy, pick your favourite creature, and banish your red enemies for good!
Overall, despite not being a massive fan of its combat, Ocean’s Heart turned out to be quite a pleasant surprise. It can be as much of a soothing adventure as it can be challenging, as the peaceful exploration heavily contrasts with some of the boss encounters. It took me about 14 hours to complete the game, but I still have a couple of side-quests to finish. All in all, the game doesn’t overstay its welcome. It manages to stay and feel relatively fresh, by continuously introducing a few small mechanics throughout your adventure. In the end, this is an easy recommendation from me, especially if you’re a fan of games like Blossom Tales. I wouldn’t say that this is a MUST PLAY, as the game isn’t groundbreaking in any way, but it certainly can be fun, and that’s what matters in the end.
With a lack of online play, it will restrict its audience, but I believe it’s hit the market at the right time. A captive crowd will love to compete and beat each other in this fun title. Do I recommend it? I do. It’s fun, simple, and will make you all have an argument. Think Monopoly, but finished much quicker. Available for £9.99 it can be purchased here if you fancy the latest party game to land on the virtual shelves. Blend in, observe your surroundings, and punch the life out of each other. Hide and Seek has never been so brutal, or such fun!
I cannot stress enough how wonderful Projection: First Light looks. It’s a well-rounded piece that uses an unusual twist on an old concept. The style reinforces the history behind puppetry, and the graphics and audio create a lush and emotive landscape. However, its key mechanic is its main drawback, forcing it to plateaus early as a consequence, and this impacts the desire to play. Do I recommend it? I do. Only because it’s a masterpiece to look at and listen to. If you want a copy, it can be purchased here! Be warned though, you’ll be balancing beauty with frustration. Can you help Greta manipulate the light and travel the world? Patience and a glowing butterfly are all you need to succeed.
The joy of other titles within this market is the length of episodes that you get at each release. A fair amount of content is dropped in each instalment, so if No Code hadn’t taken the approach they had, then this would have been a failure. If you take this game on, you’ll get around 4 hours playtime, which isn’t bad value as it costs less than £9. A copy can be purchased here if you so desire! Do I recommend it? Other than its few shortcomings, it’s a great game and one you should have in your library. Will you be able to gather the clues to solve the puzzles? Play through each of the 4 episodes and link the bizarre plot together, one piece at a time.