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Bulwark: Falconeer Chronicles is the efforts of a single developer, Tomas Sala. We know his earlier work in ‘The Falconeer’ and it shares a same graphic style as well as the same universe. Both games take place over the Ursee, an archipelago that brings a feeling of isolation which matches the backstory perfectly. The skies are generally stormy, the seas are dark, ominous and the hues are beautifully kaleidoscopic. Bulwark: Falconeer chronicles is a gentle approach to the open world base builder, with total creative freedom its focus. Small towers link to wood mills and stone quarries via the use of walkways, which in turn allows your base to grow both outwards and upwards. Resource management and trade allow you to expand your horizons as well as your bases. If you want a bucket-sized dollop of chill, then this is your game. If you can riff constantly in a world that is essentially a blank canvas, you can grab a glass of whatever relaxes you and sit and chill for a few hours. Small niggles stop it from reaching really ‘must buy’ territory but it will go like hot cakes on Game Pass *hint-hint Xbox*
I really did enjoy the time I spent with Llamasoft: The Jeff Minter Story. Going back to some of the games from my youth put a massive smile on my face and brought memories flooding back. It is very hard to recommend to anyone but those looking to learn about a bit of gaming history or those who played these games when they first came out. The one thing I will say though, is that my personal opinion of these games hasn’t changed, I still find them entertaining. I also found the documentary style parts to be riveting. Jeff Minter was a pioneer, and has likely inspired many people to become developers. Without people like him going totally off piste with their ideas, I might not have been as interested in this hobby as I am now. This is an unabashed celebration of one of the greats, and I’m glad his legacy is being preserved for future generations even if the audience for these retro explorarions feels like it’s dwindling.
Pacman Chomp Champs is a game I’ve found incredibly addictive and moreish. One of those experiences where you have just that one more match, which then turns into another few hours of gameplay. It is nice to see this title revive from the dead after the demise of Google Stadia. My concerns are the entry cost and whether it has staying power. I couldn’t wait for a review copy so I invested £24.99 which is very steep for the base game with some fancy exclusive cosmetics. For me, it was about getting hands-on a week earlier than the official launch which is 9th May 2024. With the base copy being £15.99, it still feels a bit much for something with all the signs of a free-to-play game. The question is replayability in the long term. If the team can keep cosmetics coming, maybe some different spins on the Battle Royale experience and trickling content into the game then we are onto a winner. If it’s left to its own devices then it may get stale pretty quickly. That said, if you’re a hardcore Pacman fan or just love the BR genre then this will be your cup of tea.
I went into Top Spin 2K25 expecting a mediocre experience since we haven’t seen a Top Spin game in so long and nothing has come close to the glory days of the previous entries. My time with the game has been a really enjoyable and whilst I found there to be a fairly steep learning curve, my 30 or so hours have been addictively moreish. There is much more skill required than just pressing buttons and returning the ball. You have to gauge positioning, response, stamina and how to outwit your opponent. Whilst the monetisation aspect of the game bugs me a little, what we do have is a solid re-entry into the Top Spin catalogue. If they can build on the foundations of the fantastic gameplay loop and work on player animations and crowd integration then we would be sitting on one of the best sports games out there. Is it worth it though? If you love Tennis games then this takes the crown as the best one out there since Top Spin 4. The Grand Slam Edition asking price of 105 English pounds is a huge ask though unless you want everything the game has to offer. Future tennis star additions are coming for free though.
To be honest, when I saw Ratalaika Games pop up on screen, I tempered my expectations, but when I starting playing the game, I discovered one of the most boring, tedious, games I’ve ever played. The fact that you can’t control when you shoot is a giant red flag leaving no control to the player. Trying to kill bigger enemies or figuring how to complete certain objectives (such as the Meat tower thing) is borderline as possible. This is the pure definition of shovelware. Pass.
Overall, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Arcade: Wrath of the Mutants is a fun and enjoyable, albeit very short experience. Its budget price appeal makes it very tempting; given the length of it, it feels right. Kids and Nickelodeon fans will enjoy the hell out of this and it’s even better with friends. However, while it’s fun, it is very limited in appeal and repetitive in combat. In a world where we already have the excellent Shredder’s Revenge, it’s hard recommending this one as for a few bucks more, you get a longer experience and more playable characters. Unless you’re a die hard TMNT fan who needs to play everything or have kids at home, you can’t go wrong with Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Arcade: Wrath of the Mutants. But if you’re looking for something more substantial, this ain’t it chief
Avatar The Last Airbender: Quest for Balance is a decent game perfect for younger gamers who are fan of the TV series and want to experience the storylines themselves. For better or for worst, this is clearly a GameMill Entertainment game; decent, mildly enjoyable, slightly too easy but oh so close from being a must play experience. I can only image how much better this could’ve been in the hands of a AAA developer. It’s a fun experience as a whole; worth it’s $20 USD price tag.
It is said that the definition of madness is repeating the same actions and expecting different results. This is a perfect example of what Abriss delivers with puzzles based around creation of structures and the application of physics to use that structure to destroy your target. This is the essence of Abriss… A peculiar, yet captivating puzzle game that combines building and destruction. The game lacks a traditional story, although the path which you are lead along is comically referred to as a Campaign mode. This gives the game a great feel for a game to drop into for a couple of rounds, exit and forget it until you next have time on your hands.
Star Wars: Dark Forces Remaster is not for the impatient gamer. It’s a fun, mindless shooter set in the Star Wars universe that fans of the genre and the franchise will learn to appreciate. However, bland level color palettes makes it too easy to get lost and go around in circles; requiring to display the map in order to find doors otherwise blended in the decor. But at least cheat codes can alleviate the frustration a bit. Younger gamers used to Call of Duty’s hand-holding might find this FPS experience frustrating as they go around in circles, but older gamers will revel in re-expericing this classic N64 experience. If you’re played this in the past, this is a no-brainer. If you’re more used to the CoD series, you might find endless frustration instead of fun.
You play as Nicos, a character in the near future on a flooded Earth. Nicos spends their day scraping by outside of Alphaville—where the privileged live (and are planning to escape the dying planet). Your objective is getting to Alphaville and aboard the rocket—to a supposedly better life. I was disappointed by most aspects of the game, and if you jumped ahead, you might be wondering why I have recommended the game, albeit on sale. It’s because the turn-based combat is so dang good!
Dead End City provides a few hours of fun but its basic nature and not much in the way of progression regarding weaponry or special powers. Unfortunately, it doesn’t provide the replayability or memorable moments as some of the classics from the early 90’s. Those who are well into the genre will still have a good time here especially if you are competitive. The online leaderboards and different modes may just provide enough staying power for some.
I’d never have imagined seeing this game come to fruition on the Xbox family of consoles in all of its beautiful glory. This is no watered-down and rushed version of the game, it is the fully-fledged all-singing and all-dancing edition that you’d see on PC.
Rhythm Sprout is an absolute blast and whilst it is hard as nails in the later levels, I really enjoyed airing my frustrations at my personal ability and starting a run again when I got a note wrong. Being a perfectionist when it comes to this genre is what turns into an obsession and addiction for me.
Gunfire Reborn is one of those games I’d now recommend immediately if you’re looking for a co-op title to play with your friends. Its deep levelling and skill tree system with several options of difficulty keeps me returning for more. Replayability and longevity is a key point here and I’m talking about a potential of hundreds of hours. If you can grin and bear the occasional matchmaking issues and the odd disconnect then it’s an absolute blast almost all of the time.
It’s clear that Tango Gameworks took a gamble with a whole new project after Ghostwire Tokyo and The Evil Within, and they have absolutely smashed it out of the park. Hi-Fi Rush is hand on heart one of the most memorable and special adventures I’ve had on Xbox and the surprise element of the shadow drop straight onto Xbox Game Pass has thrust 2023 into a promising year for the brand.
Startup Company Console Edition can be a little daunting at first and I think that is because it is a unique game that I have never really experienced on consoles. With the complexity of number crunching and always keeping observations on the running and operations of your business, it may put some off from a gameplay perspective.
Let’s Build A Zoo is exactly the kind of game that is required to sit amongst some others in the genre such as Two Point Hospital and Campus along with Planet Coaster. 2013’s Zoo Tycoon was lacklustre when it came to the gameplay element and became more of an interactive simulation rather than the deep and intricate running of a business. The development team have done fantastically here with ensuring the game echoes those nostalgic Theme Park vibes whilst creating a potentially never-ending addictive gameplay loop.
Raptor Boyfriend: A High School Romance honestly surprised me as romance isn’t really my jam if I am honest, my partner will confirm that most probably. But between the three people who worked on this, they honestly have done an exceptional job across the board in a genre that won’t be loved by everyone.
Divine Knockout has incredible potential if they get the marketing and audience right. With cross-platform and cross-gen multiplayer, they are already halfway there at the moment. Whilst there have been some subtle stabs at Super Smash Bros clones on Xbox with Brawlhalla and Multiversus recently, there has never been a successful 3D version that I know of.
Accident is a rather unique experience and unlike anything I’ve played before. It is enjoyable trying to piece together who to assist first and what actions to prioritise. Whilst the controls are slightly frustrating and the visuals are a little underwhelming, it isn’t all bad.