Heads Up! Phones Down Edition had all the potential to be the next big thing in party games. The mobile version meant, going into the game, most knew roughly what they were getting. Unfortunately, they knew exactly what they were getting as this was just a port with a $40 price tag slapped on the front.
Tomb Raider I-III Remastered Starring Lara Croft is a faithful re-release of the original games, although it lacks a lot of care and attention that is part of what made the original games so loved. While the game runs well, the controls are poorly explains, and very poorly modernized. The graphics are upgraded but there are some odd textures and a lot of clipping issues in both the new and old graphics.
Unholy’s ending is yet another disappointment. The plot is simple, with a predictable ending in terms of story. The characters aren’t really likable enough to feel a sense of great sadness at any of their fates, and the whole ending section of the game is beyond disappointing. Not because, as it would be safe to assume, the combat is too weak to handle an end-game boss, but instead because the whole of the ending of the game is one uninterruptible cutscene with no input from the player.
Daymare: 1994 Sandcastle is a vast improvement on the original; there is no doubt about that at all. There are still many aspects of the game that are lacking, however, which can be hard to see past. The gameplay varies in quality, with much of the exploration and gunplay being on the dull side, but the Frost Grip adding some unique and exciting elements to it—ultimately, the biggest sin of Daymare: 1994 Sandcastle is in its lack of scares.
Shame Legacy is unfortunately just that. A shame. It is a shame that a game with so much potential was only a two to three hour experience that was ultimately let down. The sound design created a lot of tension and the opening is very effective in demonstrating the potential for an amazing survival horror experience. While some of the game play is frustrating there is definitely the seeds of a great game hidden beneath.
Lunacy: Saint Rhodes is far from an unenjoyable game, and if you can see past the inconsistencies in the sound effects and are willing to go through some moments of frustrating or boring gameplay, the surrounding elements are very good. The story is well told, and a lot of the gameplay elements can be extremely fun. I was particularly fond of the inclusion of the glasses and their need to be cleaned at various moments of the game. I felt it added a unique element and proved the creativity of the development team behind Lunacy: Saint Rhodes.
Layers of Fear is a very fun experience for fans of the survival horror genre. It is also an improvement from either of the two original games and the DLCs. Unfortunately, the game doesn’t quite live up to other remakes of late such as Resident Evil 4 Remake or Dead Space. Although, the addition of an entirely new story is a welcome one in the story. If you have never played the originals this version of the game is the version you should pick up. It is graphically fantastic and the combat adds a welcome change to the gameplay.
Crumbling VR is a fun, unique concept that is a new way of navigating the VR space. The combat is fun and has enough variety to keep you entertained with the perks and upgrades available from the very opening. There are a limited number of worlds, and Crumbling VR would certainly benefit from adding more to the roster, as well as making a few quality-of-life changes, such as allowing the narrator to reread sections of the comic book and possibly adapting the movement system to something that causes a little less whiplash. Despite this, Crumbling VR is a fantastic game and well worth trying out if only to see VR used in a unique and very interesting way.
Daydream: Forgotten Sorrow is a wonderful sidescroller that shows great potential from a clearly passionate and skilled new developer. While there are some teething problems with the 3D elements of the game and some object collision issues that can make puzzles frustrating, the game definitely demonstrates what it does right far more than what it does wrong. I thoroughly enjoyed my time playing and can’t wait to see what Frozen Line will be up to next. Daydream: Forgotten Sorrow comes out on June 14th and it well worth checking out.
Even those who are not fans of turn-based combat should check out Highwater. The combat uses the environment in a way that feels unique and like a puzzle to be solved rather than a strategy to be bogged down in. Exploring the environments is rewarding and fun, with a great radio to listen to as you travel and a very interesting world around you to explore.
Agatha Christie - Hercule Poirot: The London Case is a fun addition to the murder mystery genre and plays true to the source material with plenty of parlour room scenes that the player helps create. The gameplay is varied, with many interesting choices that add to the immersion. Linking clues and finding physical evidence are all done well and interact with each other in a way that proves the attention that went into these elements of the game.
Rauniot is a really good point-and-click adventure with a fantastic story it has to tell. Every aspect of the game exists intentionally to help tell the story at hand. This includes the rich and detailed settings, the excellent sound and voice acting that makes the characters all feel unique and stand out, and the amazing gameplay that allows for adaptation and invention as you explore the harsh world you are thrown into.
Saviorless is a fantastic game. Coming from a small studio, using a mixture of Midas that are not normally seen together, the success Saviorless has to its name is a wonderful underdog story. The gameplay is really fun with issues being minimal and none of which are truly frustrating or game-breaking. The story being told is complicated and intertwined perfectly with the merging narrative. The graphics are fun and show a great artistic eye from the devs with beautiful scenery and fun characters.
After Us is a very strong title that is visually beautiful with an amazing atmosphere created by the coordination of each element of the game put together. While some platform elements can be a little frustrating, the combat is a very fun part of the game that allows the size of the playable character to enhance the creepier aspects of the game.
Cookie Cutter is a fantastic game with excellent RPG elements, fighting mechanics that are a healthy mix of fun and challenging, and an artistic style that adds dimension and character to an already very well-made world. The sound does nothing but add to the equation, and the heart that is put into Cookie Cutter is immensely impressive.
Ereban: Shadow Legacy is a great addition to the stealth genre. Subverting expectations with a well-lit area being the most dangerous possible. The story is engaging and works as an excellent backdrop to the great gameplay. The movement is swift and exciting, and the combat is really well implemented. The world feels real and fleshed out, while also being fun and stylized with the cell shading graphics. Ereban: Shadow Legacy is well worth playing, being a great introduction to more stealthy games.
Agatha Christie - Murder on the Orient Express has an excellent mystery to be solved. The story is quirky and fun, with many gameplay elements that support this. There are some bits that need a little polish and some moments that bring any momentum to a grinding halt. There is enough fun between these moments to justify playing the game in its full and collecting all the golden moustaches is definitely an added bonus to this charming little mystery thriller.
It’s safe to say Don’t Nod haven’t lost their ability to make an audience cry. Harmony: The Fall of Reverie is a beautifully paced, amazingly acted, gorgeous game. There is enough replayability with the multiple endings to make it a lengthy and fun experience. The stunning artwork is wonderful to behold, and the game certainly has a powerful message about large corporations and the sanctity of one’s home.
The Universim is an amazing god sim that adds wit and humor into the genre, creating an addictive game that is so much fun. There are some teething issues that have mild quality of life problems, but with a team being so willing to listen to fans and work with them to make improvements and tweaks where needed. Beyond this, however, The Universim is an amazing game. The progression between eras feels natural and strong, the skill tree for the world is fun to move through, and each research section takes the perfect amount of time to not be too long and boring. It is 100% worth checking out to those who are fans of simulators.
Remnant II is a fantastic sequel to the original game and offers a varied and exciting world for the player to explore. The gameplay is interesting and the role-play elements are amazingly diverse, meaning every playthrough can feel like a unique and new experience. The combat is kept simple, with the weapons being standard for modern action games. This does not make them boring; however, the excitement comes from the various enemies and Archetypes spicing up the gameplay. The enemies are scaled well as the game progresses and upgrading was a joy, never a chore.