It’s been just over twenty years since the adventure game Beyond Good & Evil first graced our screens. It originally launched in 2003, so technically, they could have called this the 21st Anniversary Edition – but for marketing purposes, 20th just sounds better.

I first played Beyond Good & Evil not long after it was released on Nintendo GameCube. While some of my memories of that experience have been lost to time, the feeling I had when playing it has never left. Beyond Good & Evil was, and still is, a brilliant game, and well deserving of it’s cult classic status.

An evil group called the DomZ are threatening the world of Hillys. You play as Jade, a photojournalist who has been caring for children orphaned by the DomZ with your uncle Pey’j. The world is protected by the Alpha Sections, but this doesn’t stop the DomZ from launching attacks. During one of these attacks, Jade is thrust into the fight. Along her adventure, she is recruited by Iris, an underground group who believe there is something more sinister happening. You’ll need to uncover the dark secrets, photograph key conspiracies, and shine a light on the truth.

Combat and More

Beyond Good & Evil has a nice variety of gameplay styles spread throughout the game. When you first start of the game, you’ll be introduced to combat, with Jade utilizing her Daï-Jo – a staff-like weapon. Soon after, other elements come into play, such as photography and platforming. You’ll be able to pilot a vehicle in the game, giving you access to the various levels spread throughout the open-world. Of course, you won’t be able to access every area immediately – you’ll need to follow the mission structure pretty closely, but there are a few opportunities to explore.

Within missions, you’ll spend a good chunk of time utilizing stealth to complete objectives. You can attack enemies head-on, but, even with a companion, you’ll find they’re just too overpowered – so navigating by means of stealth is usually the best option. Stealth works quite well – crouching from point-to-point, staying out of the line-of-sight of the Alpha Section guards. Each section feels a bit like a puzzle to be completed, which makes completing each section so satisfying.

While the game does an okay job at providing players with in-game instructions, there were a few tidbits that weren’t immediately obvious to me until far later into my adventure. For example, pressing down on the D-Pad brings up the character screen. Within that screen, I had no idea I could actually select each characters in-game “backpack”, allowing me to share items between them. Turns out, I was hogging the power-ups that increase character health.

Treats for Returning Fans

The 20th Anniversary Edition brings a wealth of improvements that should make most fans happy. Visually, the game is relatively unchanged, just higher resolutions and everything looks smooth & sharp. The soundtrack received a huge upgrade, with over 15 pieces of music re-recorded with a live orchestra. Another huge improvement is the inclusion of autosaves. No longer will you need to use an in-game MDisk to save at specific points – the game will autosave quite frequently.

But wait, there’s more! For those looking for a challenge, a new Speedrun Mode has been included that will keep track of just how long it takes for you to complete the game in one sitting. This mode does not allow for saves, so you better have snacks readily available.

And another addition worth mentioning is the incredible collection of images and videos from the Ubisoft vault showing the development of Beyond Good & Evil. This includes everything from conceptual work to cut content. It’s an absolute treasure trove of information.

Please Wait

Despite how amazing Beyond Good & Evil is – both the original, and this 20th Anniversary Edition – it’s not without it’s issues. The first thing you’ll notice when loading the game for the first time is the excessively long load time between the health & safety warning and the game’s title screen. It’s damn near close to a minute wait! Fortunately, with Quick Resume, you might not experience this too often. This new edition still has load times between areas – but they’re pretty quick and barely impact flow too much.

Like most games of the era, you’ll often have to fight with unruly camera angles – and these don’t seem to have been improved much with this edition. And probably the most bizarre issue was when the game would completely freeze for anywhere between 5 and 10 seconds. This happened a few times and caused me to wonder if I would need to quit to the dashboard and restart the game – only for the game to start chugging along again.

Stupid AI

In terms of the actual game, there were only a handful of moments that made me shake my head in disbelieve, particularly during the last hour of the game. The companion AI is often quite dumb and will block your path or get in the way of your attacks. During one sequence, my companions and I had to run past an active cannon firing lasers. One companion just stopped and stood in one place. I had to run back past the shooting lasers, bump into him, just to trigger his running sequence again.

The final boss of the game is also as frustrating as ever – I must have blocked out memories of it from my previous playthrough 20 years ago. Once you figure out how to beat the final boss, you should be good, but there is zero indication on how to actually do this correctly. It just makes the final bit of the game more of an annoyance than a satisfying conclusion.

Could We See A Sequel Finally?

It’s been 20 years since Beyond Good & Evil was originally released. Of course, that means that it’s been 20 very long years without the much anticipated sequel. Despite a number of announcements over the past decade or so, we’re still in the dark as to when Beyond Good & Evil 2 will even be released. Fortunately, it does appear that Ubisoft is still plugging away at the sequel and it will see the light of day at some point. Included in Beyond Good & Evil – 20th Anniversary Edition is a brand new quest that ties this game to the eventual sequel, which will actually be a prequel. The new quest isn’t much more than another fetch quest – but it’s still a worthwhile scavenger hunt just to get a taste of what to expect in the new game, and I’m grateful Ubisoft took the effort to include it.

Beyond Good & Evil – 20th Anniversary Edition is the absolute best way to replay a cult classic of a game. It still retains the look and feel of the original, while providing some much needed improvements like resolution, frame rate, controls and more. Hopefully this edition will create a new generation of fans. It truly is a must-play game.

Finish that sequel, Ubisoft!

***Beyond Good & Evil – 20th Anniversary Edition Xbox Series X key provided by the publisher.***

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Developer ChaoticBrain Studio and publisher Meridiem have announced that Neon Blood is now available for pre-order and wishlist on all digital platforms. Players, eager to get their hands on the neo-noir action adventure can now wishlist it on Nintendo eShop, Xbox Store, Steam, and PlayStation Store.

Meridiem also announced that a boxed edition of the game will be available in specialist stores in the fourth quarter of 2024. This Limited Edition will be coming out on PlayStation 5 and Nintendo Switch. It includes a metallic-textured cover, an art book, a city guide, and a downloadable soundtrack.

Neon Blood is a 2.5D cyberpunk action-adventure game that takes in the year 2053, at Viridis. At this point, the world has come to an end due to a war lost in time. Now inequality is everywhere in Viridis, the great city encompasses the dangerous Blind City and the luxurious Bright City.

You will step inside the shoes of Axel McCoin, a detective from Blind City. Driven by your ideals, you must rebel against the injustices stemming from the social divide between the two cities and societal inequalities, and become a symbol of revolution. Along your journey, you will encounter powerful allies who aid him in his quest. As well as formidable enemies who oppose him, such as Ruby Emerald, determined to thwart his plans at any cost.

Key features:

– Elaborate and deep story with a cyberpunk theme combined with a turn-based combat style like old RPGs with a strong strategy factor
– Two different realities of the two cities with complete 2.5D aesthetic, merging cyberpunk and sci-fi
– A big macropolis full of secrets to be solved with a complete dialogue-based detective system
– A lot of neons

SOURCE

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Get ready for the ultimate horror experience! JanduSoft has officially released the console edition of their latest first-person horror game, Scholar’s Mate today. It is now available on Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, PlayStation 5, and PlayStation 4. Take a look at the official launch trailer below to catch a glimpse of the terrifying instances ahead.

Scholar’s Mate is a first-person horror escape room game. It takes place in a terrifying psychiatric hospital. Players will get a harrowing experience where their survival hinges solely on their wits. You will step inside the shoes of Judith, a victim trapped by Eddie, a deranged individual, in a chilling, abandoned psychiatric hospital.

You must solve a series of intricate puzzles to escape the dire situation. This task would be much simpler if the captor weren’t constantly lurking in every corner and corridor of this dismal place. Eddie, your captor can both see and hear you wherever you are. If you run, he’ll know your location. If you shine your torch, he’ll spot you and track you down. He is a relentless enemy with a single objective: to end your life.

Here are some key features:

– A first-person horror escape room.

– Explore and solve the hidden secrets of the hospital to escape.

– Relentless pursuit by Eddie.

– Experience the tension with an original soundtrack and immersive sound effects designed to create an eerie atmosphere.

SOURCE

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June 2024 was a unique month for video game reviews. Almost all of the games covered in The Three Best (and Worst) Video Games from June 2024 are releases mentioned in the Top 5 Video Games Arriving in June 2024. All three of the games from The Good section of this article were hotly anticipated. And one of the games from The Bad section of this article might be remembered a little too fondly by franchise fans. Without further ado, here are The Three Best (and Worst) Video Games from June 2024:

The Good

Destiny 2: The Final Shape DLC

***click here for our review***

Bungie nailed it with Destiny 2: The Final Shape! It’s the narrative conclusion to all the events of all the expansions. The story is much more linear and focused than past expansions. But it’s a conclusion that ties up everything, and packs an epic emotional punch. With some of Destiny 2’s expansions being less than stellar, Destiny 2: The Final Shape greatly exceeded our reviewer’s expectations. They wrote “it’s perhaps the closest Destiny has come to feeling like vintage, Halo-era Bungie”, which is the highest praise an FPS can get.

Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree DLC

***click here for our review***

There wasn’t any doubt in anyone’s mind that Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree was going to be excellent, and an obvious entry on The Three Best (and Worst) Video Games from June 2024. It continues the quality of Elden Ring, but adds a new endgame area the size of two areas. The only critiques our reviewer had were that a few bosses were repeated, and to access the DLC, you basically have to have beaten the main game. They mentioned “to see everything plan in 60+ hours of playtime”. This is DLC the size of a full game, and a must play for all Souls fans.

Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance

***click here for our review***

Shin Megami Tensei V is an excellent monster collecting JRPG. It brought open world exploration elements to the dark monster collecting franchise. On first glance, it seems almost perfect, but after beating the game, a lot of players found the story felt a little hollow. Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance corrects this by adding a new plotline that adds fullness to the narrative that compliments the base game’s gameplay. Our reviewer wrote the new plotline protagonist “Yoko is a very engaging heroine in all her bitter glory”, so people who have beaten the original version for the Switch have a great reason to play this upgraded version. Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance easily deserves to be on The Three Best (and Worst) Video Games from June 2024.

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July 2024 is such a cool month for video game releases. It seems like there’s something for everyone. There’s a few massive releases, several of which are new IPs. Similar to June 2024, our top spot is a major DLC drop. Our runner up this month is the long-awaited Earth Defense Force 6! For those who haven’t played an EDF game before, they’re dopey Japanese 3^rd person shooters that have more to do with spectacle than polish. Check out the trailer below. And without further ado, the Top 5 Video Games Arriving in July 2024 are:

5. Nintendo World Championships – July 18

The Nintendo World Championships took place in 1990. They were a series of events where players got a combined score in the NES games Super Mario Bros., Tetris, and Rad Racer. Finalists were given NES cartridges that had the games and scoring used in the competition. There are an estimated 350 of those cartridges in existence, and they are usually listed on eBay for around $25,000 USD. In honor of this most expensive and ridiculous NES game, Nintendo is releasing an official Nintendo World Championships game for the Switch! It will feature at least 13 different NES games, as opposed to the original 3. Expect lots of modern features, and an experience similar to the Wii U’s NES Remix games. Nintendo World Championships is kind of a goofy entry to the Top 5 Video Games Arriving in July 2024, but how could we not include it!?

4. The Legend of Heroes: Trails Through Daybreak – July 5

The Trails series is almost caught up in North America! We’re only one game behind Japan now! The Legend of Heroes: Trails Through Daybreak is the first game in the new Daybreak series. It’s the start of a new story arc that takes place in the Calvard Republic. This JRPG has been out in Japan for 3 years! Trails fans have been waiting for its release in North America for a long time, which makes it an obvious entry in the Top 5 Video Games Arriving in July 2024. The Legend of Heroes: Trails Through Daybreak will be available for everything expect Xbox.

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Xbox is always looking for ways to bring gaming to everyone. Of course, in order to bring a massive list of games to the public, Xbox employs their Game Pass. Now, the famed Game Pass is arriving to a brand new platform. Today, Xbox announced that Game Pass will be coming to the Amazon Firestick. Importantly, this means that hundreds of games will be available to Amazon Firestick users, no console required. A press release from Xbox details the ease with which players can take part in this new platform. 

The Xbox Game Pass will be a new app on the Amazon Firestick. Obviously, participants will need an active Game Pass. Yet, as soon as the subscription is active, it is a simple as downloading the app on the Firestick. The Game Pass itself will be available on both the Fire TV Stick 4K Max (2023) ($59.99) and Fire TV Stick 4K (2023) ($49.99). Additionally, a myriad of controllers are available for use with the Firestick. For instance, gamers can use controllers like the Xbox Wireless Controller, Xbox Adaptive Controller, PlayStation DualSense, or DualShock 4 controller.

Interestingly, the Xbox Game Pass on the Firestick grants users access to a huge library of games. From Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II to Starfield, and even Forza Horizon 5, the Game Pass crosses genres as easy as it does platforms.

Xbox is happy to bring its games to the Amazon Firestick through Xbox Cloud Gaming. Importantly, gamers can learn more about Cloud Gaming here.

SOURCE: PRESS RELEASE

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JanduSoft has announced that the console edition of Scholar’s Mate is coming out on July 4th, 2024. It will be available on Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, PlayStation 5, and PlayStation 4. Furthermore, the pre-orders on the Xbox are already open as well. So, make sure to check it if you are eager to get your hands on it.

Scholar’s Mate is a new first-person escape room game that takes place in a terrifying psychiatric hospital. Players will get a harrowing experience where their survival hinges solely on their wits. You will become Judith, a victim trapped by Eddie, a deranged individual, in a chilling, abandoned psychiatric hospital.

Along the way, you must solve a series of intricate puzzles to escape the dire situation. This task would be much simpler if the captor weren’t constantly lurking in every corner and corridor of this dismal place. Yes, Eddie can both see and hear you. If you run, he’ll know your location. If you shine your torch, he’ll spot you and track you down. He is a relentless enemy with a single objective: to end Judith’s life.

Key features:

– A first-person horror escape room.

– Explore and solve the hidden secrets of the hospital to escape.

– Relentless pursuit by Eddie.

– Experience the tension with an original soundtrack and immersive sound effects designed to create an eerie atmosphere.

Scholar’s Mate is already available on PC for those eager to try it out. Take a look at the official trailer below to get a glimpse of it.

SOURCE

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There are a lot of ways to make money in Grand Theft Auto Online. Most of these forms of currency acquisition are less than legal. Yet, that’s about to change. That’s right, it’s time to make a hero’s compensation. Today, Rockstar Games and Rockstar North are happy to announce the latest update coming to Grand Theft Auto Online this Summer, Bottom Dollar Bounties. Interestingly, the update allows players to join the law as a bounty hunter, tracking down notorious criminals around Lost Santos. Of course, the update will provide players with a whole new host of content. For instance, players can look forward to a new customizable bounty office, vehicles, missions, and more. A trailer teases what’s to come.

Bottom Dollar Bounties introduce players to the daughter of legendary Los Santos bounty hunter Maude Eccles. Helping her to clean up the streets of this crime ridden town, players will be able to set up their very own customizable bounty hunting office. Of course, to start making some money, there are going to need to be bounties. Have no fear, players can chase down low level crime scum as much as they want and once a day can take on a “most wanted” target. Importantly, to chase down these scumbags, players will have access to a trio of new law enforcement vehicles. In fact, these vehicles are available now if you complete  the Slush Fund mission in The Cluckin’ Bell Farm Raid. 

Of course, there is even more for Grand Theft Auto players to look forward to from vehicles, to cosmetics for their character, and more. Interestingly, the trailer shows off a small glimpse of what players can expect. Check it out below. 

Grand Theft Auto Online: Bottom Dollar Bounties is out now. Check out Rockstar Newswire for more information.

SOURCE: PRESS RELEASE

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Boris, the solo developer of Flocons Studio and publisher JanduSoft has announced the release date for their upcoming title, Prune & Milo. It will be available on Steam, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series, Xbox One, and Nintendo Switch on 11 July. Furthermore, Xbox users can pre-order the game a week before the official launch, so keep an eye out as well.

Prune & Milo is a charming 2D turn-based puzzle game. Players will join this awesome brother and sister duo on an enchanting journey during their vacation. Their adventure began when Milo accidentally fell into a mysterious cave. Soon after, Prune joins in and together they must navigate the puzzles in the cave, unravel its secrets, and prevent the end of the world as Christopher the Wise Owl forewarned.

The game offers an unforgettable experience with over 70 levels of turn-based puzzles with unique mechanics. You will travel across three different worlds, and encounter quirky characters while solving complex puzzles on the way.

Key features:

– Turn-based puzzle game: Strategically plan your moves and solve puzzles at your own pace.
– Three unique worlds: Explore diverse environments, each with its own challenges.
– 70+ levels: Engage in various puzzles with different mechanics in every world.
– Two playable characters: Switch between Prune and Milo to utilize their unique abilities.

Are you ready to immerse yourself in a vibrant pixel-art adventure, brimming with secrets, dangers, and unusual characters?

SOURCE

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The Dutch indie game developers Ewoud and Nils have finally announced the release date for their award-winning platformer, SCHiM. This awesome game will be coming out on 18 July on Steam Steam, Xbox One/Series X|S, PlayStation 4/5, and Nintendo Switch. The standard price will be $24.99, but it will vary according to the region.

The game enjoyed huge success in the Steam Next Fest, surpassing 200k Wishlists and with over 50k players trying the demo out. Rock Paper Shotgun praised the demo, calling it “pretty froggin’ delightful!”. Even IGN Benelux highlighted it, stating, “After playing SCHiM for only half an hour, I already realised it’s a very special game.”

SCHiM is a charming indie platformer about helping a lost shadow find its way back to its human by jumping from shadow to shadow. The game takes elements of light, shadow, and animation, and then adds them to the awesome 3D platformer gameplay, offering a unique take on the genre.

Here are some key features:

– Unique 3D platforming through shadows.
– Animated shadow platforms and environments.
– Each level has its scenery with small stories.
– A story of a person losing their shadow.
– A beautiful abstract world.

The free demo version is still available on Steam for everyone to get a first-hand experience. Nintendo Switch users can already pre-order the game on the Nintendo eShop.

SOURCE

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The Brazilian indie studio Wired Games has announced that Frogue is coming out on consoles on 27 June 2024. It will be available on Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, and Nintendo Switch. For those eager to try this stylish turn-based action platformer, the game is already out on PC, so make sure to check it out.

Frogue is a stylish 2D turn-base action platformer with roguelike, bullet hell, and time manipulation elements. It is the fifth game from developer Thiago Oliveira, the independent solo developer behind Wired Dreams Studio. It is the fourth game published for consoles in partnership with QUByte Interactive.

In the game, you will step inside the shoes of a brave frog and dash through your enemies. You can even freeze time and throw your sword to solve every obstacle in your way. Every stage demands agility and precision in every move. The character can stick to walls and use special powers as well, giving the game a three-dimensional feel. It also opens up many possibilities for coming up with a solution to any challenge.

Take a look at the official release date announcement trailer below to get a glimpse of the gameplay.

SOURCE

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Get ready for an epic adventure across the universe! Developer ImaginationOverflow has officially released their space rogue-like title, Stellar Interface on PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5. The game is also available on Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, and PC as well. So, make sure to check it out.

Stellar Interface is a 2D rogue-like space shooter where you ride and spacecraft and take down your enemies. Traverse through a randomly generated galaxy, discover new perks, shop in merchants, unlock more spacecraft, and more. You can also collect StellarNetES Cartridges, and checkmark your kills of the various galactic overlords while dying hundreds of times.

Here are some key features:

– Rogue-like Elements: With a randomly generated universe and randomized perks, no journey will ever be the same.

– Synergistic Perk System: Over 100 perks and consumables! Look out for the synergistic nature of the perks

– Galactic Bounties: ​​Complete over 100 missions to participate in the StellarNET Entertainment System lottery.

– Customize Your Start: Choose your spacecraft: there is one for every playstyle, as they have unique starting perks.

– Unlock Spacecrafts, View Your Progress: Check out your accomplishments in our in-game encyclopedia StellarNET. Unlock the spacecraft, and kill all the bosses to progress in StellarNET’s kill table.

– Explore the Universe: Some levels are more special than others: Merchants, Bosses, Spacecraft Factories.

– Controller Support: Plug-and-play with any controller!

SOURCE

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We have exciting news for everyone! Ukiyo studio has unveiled a short teaser of their first project titled Transhumance on transhumance.site. So, get ready for an epic adventure as you guide a flock of ewes and discover many magnificent landscapes. The game will be coming out on all the major platforms, so stay tuned for more updates. In the meantime, check out the teaser below to take a sneak peek of the game.

Transhumance is a narrative, poetic, and contemplative game in which you have to lead a herd of ewes during transhumance. It is the periodic migrations between winter pastures on the plains and summer pastures in the mountains. The route is purely fictional, though it draws inspiration from paths taken by shepherds in southern France, between Provence and the Alps.

You will be accompanied by one or more dogs to guide the sheep and direct them. These dogs can evolve and improve as well. The more experience the dogs get, the easier it will become to lead the flock. This is the main gameplay element: Controlling the dogs efficiently to guide the herd to its destination on time and in health.

Here are some key features:

– A poetic and original theme: the transhumance, listed as a world cultural heritage.
– Unique gameplay: lead dogs, with different characters, to move the herd with the constraints of a transhumance.
– Discover the mountain ecosystem with realistic and changing weather.
– Raising awareness of several related ecological issues: global warming, reintroduction of wolves and bears, human impact, etc.
– A strong narrative linked to grief, solitude, freedom, the mountains, their inhabitants, and their mysteries…
– It’s also a game that lets you contemplate nature, stroke your dog, talk to your sheep, and photograph marmots!

SOURCE

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A little over a year ago, I reviewed Warhammer 40K: Boltgun. Although built in a recent iteration of the Unreal engine, Boltgun hid its technical chops under a retro, classic Doom-style veneer. That wasn’t the only reference to old-school shooters. Everything from the flow of combat to the weapon effects felt like an homage. You could even adjust the level of pixelation from relatively smooth to super chunky. I had a great time. So I had high expectations for Forges of Corruption.

Forges of Corruption is the first DLC for Warhammer 40K: Boltgun, and if you enjoyed the base game, you’re in luck with the add-on. It bolts on (pun intended) a hefty new chapter and a handful of levels. Although it isn’t exactly standalone, Forges of Corruption is available after players have spent a fairly small amount of time in the main game.

Story Lite

No one comes to a Warhammer 40K shooter for the deep and nuanced narrative. There’s a little more to it, but the basics are: you’re a Space Marine named Malum Caedo, and your job is to stop Chaos from destroying the planet Graia. The DLC adds to the story but the objectives remain the same. Kill everything that moves.

To that straightforward end, most of the weapons from the main game reappear and there are two, beefy additions. The Missile Launcher’s name proves to be reliably accurate, with an impressive explosion when it hits the target. The Multi-Melta hits groups of enemies with a fiery, face-melting area-of-effect blast. Both weapons could be inheritors of Doom’s infamous BFG.

Enemies from the base game return in often overwhelming numbers. There are three new elite foes: the Terminator, the Helbrute, and the Havoc. As before, what Boltgun lacks in nuance it makes up for in crazy, chaotic battles that can — at the higher difficulties — be brutal. One of the base game’s minor flaws was its repetitive reliance on enemy counts to bolster the challenge. Unfortunately, Forges of Corruption hasn’t fixed this problem. The final battle is ridiculously long and borderline unfair.

Buttery

Forges of Corruption retains the same, smooth performance and fluid controls of the original. Once again it feels like classic shooters as we remember them, not as they actually ran. The soundtrack, weapon effects, and voice work are pure metal Warhammer 40K.

By popular demand, the developers have included a new Horde mode. It’s just the player against waves of beloved Warhammer 40K enemies, with each wave highlighting a new weapon. It’s a lot of fun for a while, but keeping the action in a confined space — no matter how well designed — and bound to a gameplay loop works against long-term enjoyment.

Everything that made Warhammer 40K: Boltgun a refreshing return to Doom-era shooter vibes is there in Forces of Corruption as well. The new weapons, enemies, and environments are seamless additions to the base game. A year later, a bit of the novelty has disappeared but like the base game, Forces of Corruption reminds us of simpler times when games had modest ambitions and a focus on fun above all.

***PC code provided by the publisher for review***

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On gamers’ radar for several years, Drova: Forsaken Kin is soon to be officially released. Fans of classic action RPGs are excited to get their hands on the final product. For the unfamiliar, Drova is a pixel art, isometric RPG with Souslike action mechanics and a fantasy setting that’s pure sword and sorcery. I had the opportunity to spend some time with a section of the game pre-release and came away intrigued.

Could It Be Magic

In the game’s opening cinematic, we learn that the Druids in our generally peace-loving land have found a magic crystal. It may or may not open a portal to another dimension, which goes by many names familiar to mythology, like Elysium. Your character follows a pair of Druids into the forest, where one of them is attacked by monsters and killed. After being attacked yourself, you find yourself in a mysterious new landscape.

What follows are the staples of ARPGs: exploration, combat, and crafting. While the slice I played didn’t contain the complete narrative, it’s clear that your goals are to help broker peace and understanding between different factions and even different dimensions. Along the way, you meet a very large cast of NPCs. Some want to help you, others need assistance, and more than a few are outright hostile.

Drova takes some inspiration from classic RPGs and games like Gothic, which brought together mysticism and sword-and-board combat. Drova doesn’t entirely escape Soulslike influences, either. Light and heavy attacks, blocking, parrying, and dodging are all in the mix. Ranged combat and magic are part of the formula, too.

Fog of War

Drova’s mechanics generally work as expected. You gather healing plants and crafting materials, pocket coins for later, and snag weapons from out in the wild. To learn spells and upgrade weapons, you need to find teachers and other NPCs, many of whom are not entirely neutral to the narrative. There’s a skill tree to unlock. In other words, players with even a passing familiarity with fantasy RPGs will feel comfortable and at home.

At least in the demo I played, the cinematic was still voiced in German (which actually perfectly fit the tone of the visuals), and there is no spoken dialogue in the game. There is, however, quite a bit of written dialogue and text. Most of it is pretty expository in the way games tend to be. That said, there’s a bit of profanity and a little color and personality here and there.

For many players, Drova’s pixel art will be a draw. For me, it was a slightly mixed bag. On one hand, the monster design and combat were both surprisingly effective, given their self-imposed graphical limitations. The world is by turn inviting, colorful and moody. On the other hand, the player character and NPCs were so blobby that real personalities couldn’t come through.

My last and biggest issue was the way the pixel art limitations impacted moving through the environment. It was often difficult to discern elevation changes or critical paths. While the game might be an “open world,” nearly every area is a maze of walls or other impediments. It creates a — perhaps intentional — feeling of claustrophobia.

On the Horizon

Despite a few negatives common to in-development games from smaller developers, Drova: Forsaken Kin manages to check several important boxes. As RPGs go, it’s appropriately deep and allows for a lot of variety in combat and character builds. Combat is fun and often very challenging. The intersection of ancient magic, bits of world mythology, and familiar fantasy adds texture to the narrative.

It’s clear that the developers have a clear vision for their game and have spent the last few years focused on refining the experience. I look forward to seeing what the complete game has to offer when it releases this year on PC, Switch, and consoles.

Thank you for keeping it locked on COGconnected.

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Destiny 2 is a complicated topic. People who love the game – raiding, doing daily bounties, and min-maxing armour mods – are also its biggest haters. Bungie can hardly breathe without getting Nova Bombed by the community. So the challenge in releasing an expansion like The Final Shape, and tying up 10 years of history, is stouter than a Titan’s Bubble Shield.

I’ve been playing Destiny on and off since the start. With the highs of Forsaken and The Witch Queen, and lows like last year’s Lightfall, I was very invested in seeing the story through. Where hopes were high, my expectations were low given their past … turbulence. But they did it. Not only is The Final Shape jam-packed with outstanding content, it’s perhaps the closest Destiny has come to feeling like vintage, Halo-era Bungie. Put another way: The Final Shape is Bungie at their finest.

The Last 10 Years

Unsurprisingly, countless expansions mean enough lore to fill 4-hour-long explainer videos on YouTube. So, here’s where The Final Shape kicks off from. The Traveler, the mysterious paracausal sphere responsible for Ghosts and the Light, has been infiltrated by The Witness, an even more mysterious entity using Traveler’s power to twist reality into its image.

Without spoiling anything, The Final Shape brings major characters from every chapter of the story back into play. From Ikora to Cayde 6, Empress Caitl to Savathun, the gang’s all here with a part to play. Miraculously, brilliantly, it all works.

That applies to Commander Zavala too, whose brilliant voice actor Lance Reddick passed away last year. Now voiced by the equally awesome Keith David, he takes Zavala in his own direction. In fleeting moments, his cadence and delivery are reminiscent of Reddick’s performance. But creative license is liberally taken, and this Zavala shows quite a range. Zavala’s backstory and relationships were an unexpected focus during the campaign, and it made the cosmic scale conflict feel immensely personal.

By the end, David and Zavala were one and the same. Though I’ll forever cherish being able to visit Reddick’s Zavala and hear his legendary “Hello, Guardian” in the Tower, I and (I’m sure) the Destiny community salute both versions of Zavala, especially Keith David’s excellent performance under such challenging circumstances.

Zavala’s arc is one of many that hit home in a deeply personal way. Crow, Ghost, and most especially Cayde 6 are treated with remarkable care and obvious love. One particularly beautiful and touching moment will have even the most battle-hardened Guardian feeling misty-eyed. Even though I saw it coming a mile away, it was absolutely perfect.

Mission Mastery

The Final Shape is built differently than the other Destiny adventures, and narratively it’s a huge upgrade. The Final Shape’s campaign is meant to be played linearly, as a single experience. Contrasted with the usual live service narrative, it jettisons all the filler. There’s no traveling to five other locations to pick up macguffins or shoot 1000 bad guys before heading to the next major plot beat.

Missions flow freely from one to the next, letting the phenomenal level and art design shine. The Pale Heart – The Final Shape’s new environment inside The Traveler – is more logical to explore, and also more interesting than what’s come before. The Witness is twisting The Traveler to its will, meaning the art department went wild. Rocky hand-shaped outcrops dot the landscape, and every imaginable biome is represented along the way. It’s gorgeous. I’ve long believed that Bungie has the best designers and artists in the industry, and The Final Shape is their masterpiece.

The missions themselves are far more elaborate than those featured in Lightfall. More importantly, they expose the more casual fanbase to some tasty morsels usually reserved for raids and dungeons. Interesting puzzles and mechanics requiring strategy are common, and on many occasions, NPC characters join the fray. I’ve long wanted to fight alongside the Vanguard, and friends, it feels fantastic.

The highest compliment I can possibly give is that The Final Shape reminds me a lot of Bungie’s entries in the Halo franchise. That perfect balance of interesting encounter design, fantastic level construction, and general badassery is alive and well. Bungie still knows how to get it done, folks.

Structural Considerations

Careful attention was paid to mission rollout too, and I feel closer to the Destiny community now than ever before. The Salvation’s Edge raid was released during the expansion’s first week, and I feared the campaign’s conclusion would be gatekept by it. Instead, the raid served as a gateway to that final assault on The Witness, unlocking the final mission “Excision” once the Raid had been completed.

That final mission, as a singular moment, is one of the best I’ve experienced in any game. I kid you not, I was jumping around like an 8-year-old hopped up on Red Bull at the end. It’s so f**king cool. If you’ve ever played or even slightly cared about Destiny, The Final Shape is a must-play.

Production quality is phenomenal in all areas. Attention to detail from the soundtrack to the cutscenes is in perfect celestial alignment. The extremely high-quality pre-rendered cutscenes don’t feature the guardian for obvious reasons, but bring much more gravitas to the events. 10 years of musical motifs are expertly woven into a harmonious tapestry. Destiny’s music has always been outstanding, but this is a magnum opus.

Become Prismatic

The Final Shape introduces a new subclass: Prismatic. And it changes everything. The Prismatic class takes the already engaging build crafting qualities of Destiny and breaks everything wide open. Becoming Prismatic means choosing your favorite pieces of the existing classes – Solar, Arc, Void, Stasis, and Strand – and becoming an absolute Demi-god.

With the right combination of perks, your Guardian can be nigh un-killable. Abilities recharge in seconds, enemies melt, and even the most devastating incoming attacks barely tickle. It’s incredibly fun to play with in the PvE setting. Slinging Arcane Needles before dropping a healing grenade and then becoming Emperor Palpatine is peak power fantasy. Being a pink god is fantastic, though It remains to be seen how relevant the other subclasses will remain over time.

There are new supers and aspects for each Class as well, highlighted by the Hunter super that both teleports and creates a giant whirlwind of death, and the Warlock aspect that launches flaming mortars.

Thankfully, collecting all the pieces of the subclass is more fun than pain, unlike the brutal grind for the Stasis subclass in Beyond Light. I’m not bitter though, really.

The Episodic Grind

But, the grind is a key part of Destiny 2 and all live service games. Where that can, and has, fallen apart is when there’s no variety. Holster your hand cannons, Guardians, The Final Shape has a lot going on. The most interesting, for my money, are the various Exotic item quests. Each class has 3 exotic armor pieces, and there are 5 exotic weapons. Not all of these have quests of course, but one in particular brings raid-style mechanics to the mainstream, much like the campaign did. In “Dual Destiny” a duo of players are treated to some of the best mechanics Bungie has ever cooked up. It’s challenging, fun, and satisfying. Bungie, if you’re reading this: more. please.

Immediately upon clearing the Final Shape campaign, there’s more episodic content to do over on Nessus. The seasonal activity “Breach Executable” is frantic and fun, and the return of the Failsafe AI from the Forsaken expansion is more than welcome. Of particular comedic value: Failsafe catching up on everything that’s happened since Forsaken.

There have been overhauls to other Destiny mainstays like Xur and Rahool too, though I’ll avoid getting into those here. Just know that there’s ample reason to seek out even classic activities like Vanguard Strikes and the Crucible, even if those modes haven’t seen much change.

Another new and welcome piece is the Pathfinder system, which replaces bounties (in a way). Like it sounds, Pathfinder has you navigating a path akin to Star Fox levels by completing mundane challenges. At the end of each path lies powerful rewards like gear and engrams. I’d like to see the pathfinder be more obvious in the UI though, perhaps as a tab next to quests. With all the, well, everything that’s going on in the UI, it would be easy to completely gloss over the Pathfinder challenges.

Eyes Up, Guardian

What Bungie has accomplished with The Final Shape in the face of tremendous hurdles and unreasonable expectations is nothing short of remarkable. It’s a powerful and satisfying story, with the mechanics, art, design, and polish to back it up. This is Bungie’s best work in the Destiny era, and sets a lofty new bar for live service expansions. In a challenging market, Bungie have proven they’re still among the best in the business. I can’t wait to see what’s next.

The post Destiny 2: The Final Shape Review – Bungie Sticks the Landing appeared first on COGconnected.

Attention vault-dwellers and soldiers of all kinds. It’s time to lock, load, and grab a crisp Nuka-Cola as you take the wasteland to the battlefield. Today, Call of Duty is happy to announce the release date for their upcoming Fallout crossover. Releasing on June 20th, for Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III, Call of Duty: Warzone, and Call of Duty: Warzone Mobile, the Call of Duty X Fallout crossover is introducing a host of new content. For instance, players can look forward to Fallout operator skins, weapon skins, loading screens, and more. Additionally, more is coming with the crossover to look forward to.

The Call of Duty X Fallout Crossover will allow players to live out their vault dwelling dreams in style. Of course, the crossover will feature a multitude of new cosmetics for players to explore. For instance, two Fallout themed weapon skins, four operator skins, six loading screens, and more. Additionally, players can look forward to an entire event centered around Fallout. The event will feature bonus XP, cosmetics like the Nuka-Cola Quantum weapon skin and New California Republic decal.

Importantly, a new trailer shows off the Call of Duty X Fallout crossover in all of its glory. Get a good look at what’s coming below. Check it out.

Call of Duty X Fallout will begin on June 20th. The event will continue until June 26th. Additionally, players will be able to use any of the vault-dweller skins while the event is active. For more info check out the Call of Duty blog post about the crossover.

SOURCE: PRESS RELEASE

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Cartoon Network and Saturday morning animations hold a dear place in the hearts of many. The iconic design and daring humor led to programming which is still considered a highlight of the medium. #Blud summons the spirit of the era to create a vampire-themed dungeon crawler that aims to be both a nostalgic trip and a fresh adventure. Will it satisfy your thirst for excitement, or will it just suck?

You play as Becky Brewster, a brash and boisterous high school girl who’s new to the neighborhood. With strange happenings occurring in the environment, you must dig deep into your vampire-hunting heritage to halt the demonic invasion. The world is packed with interesting characters and leads to amusing conversations. Each interaction is accompanied with polished animation which amplifies their personality. It’s clear that Exit 73 Studios has a lot of love for the world of toons as each chapter is presented as a new short. Title cards are reminiscent of classic Warner Bros and Hannah-Barbera shows and help to add authenticity to the experience. Although the story is straightforward, the elements surrounding it make it a fun and addictive adventure.

Let Me Just Update My Status

Anchoring the youthful premise, social media plays a large part of the game with all menus being integrated with the protagonist’s phone. Missions appear on your Facebook-style timeline with comments giving you extra tasks and hints to complete your objective. It’s a great way to manage all components of the game in a way that develops the narrative. You can even take selfies with enemies to analyze their weaknesses so that you can determine the best method of attack. While none of these elements are uncommon, they are implemented in a fresh manner.

With your hockey stick, you whack the crap out of any creature you encounter to ensure your safety. The game progresses developing the combat by allowing you to block projectiles, dig up enemies that burrow, throw pencils and more. This creates a fun but quite basic system that is easy to pick up and play. There are a strict number of foes each having distinct attack patterns that require you to strategize in battles. Although new enemies are periodically introduced, they never serve up a significant challenge but instead offer more variety.

Bosses culminate areas and are a highlight of the adventure. The incredible animation shines as nuances with their posture signal attacks and allows you to react and counter. These build to become more epic towards the latter segments of the game adding interesting twists to battles.

The Same Old Thing

Most missions tend to evolve around the collection of items which requires you to tediously search every nook and cranny of environments. Although some puzzles are included within, the simple, repetitive tasks can lead to frustration. These typical fetch quests lack the imagination that the visuals exude, resulting in some disappointing gameplay segments. Side missions are also by the book, often with collection-based tasks that you’ll most likely skip over. While missions are given context and maintain a pleasant pace, the lack of variety hinders the experience.

Each aspect of the presentation is wonderful. From the 90s-inspired visuals to the joyous soundtrack, #Blud is a delicious treat. Characters bounce across the environment and strikes include fun and exaggerated animations that add further character. For example, when killing the Dracula-esque character, he falls into the ground accompanied by a tombstone. It’s little things like this that add to the overall presentation elevating the entire experience.

An Endearing Journey with Unique Flair

#Blud is a fun adventure that carves its own niche due to its incredible art direction and presentation. Combat is straightforward but small additions that are periodically introduced help to keep it feeling fresh. Bosses are a joy and lead to some stand-out segments that are a highlight of the journey. The mission design is a little lackluster with a reliance on collectathon missions and fetch quests which can lead to some frustrating moments. While the game sticks to the conventions of the genre, it manages to deliver a charming and engaging experience that fans of classic cartoons and dungeon crawlers alike will appreciate.

***A Steam code provided by the publisher for review***

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Microsoft’s current ambiguity about the future of the Xbox has put the brand in an unusual position. While they’ve acquired a host of talented developers to produce exclusive titles aimed at elevating the system, they are also exploring partnerships to release games on both the Nintendo Switch and PlayStation. Regardless of the path they choose, many fantastic games would thrive if released on the PlayStation. So, here are ten titles that should make the leap.

Gears of War

A legendary release in the third-person shooter genre, Gears of War inspired a generation of games. With its visceral combat and heavy gunplay, it was an instant hit, bringing players together for intense warfare. Not only was the campaign a cinematic adventure with some incredible set pieces but it also features some of the best online modes. In addition to traditional PvP, the series includes arguably the best Horde Mode. The mix of iconic weapons, range of enemy types and huge bosses creates an intense co-op experience that would excel on the PlayStation.

Halo

There was a time when the very idea of Sonic being on a Nintendo console would have blown the minds of Sega fans. Now, there are even games that see the mascots team up in sporting events! Well, although a tough pill to swallow for Xbox fans, placing Master Chief’s odyssey on the rival platform would do wonders for the player base. With the latest title in the franchise underperforming, porting the exclusive to the PlayStation would be a great way to reignite interest and get the world talking about Halo.

Sunset Overdrive

Insomniac Games is a cornerstone of PlayStation Studios. With epic titles like Spider-Man and Rachet & Clank in their portfolio, they have proven on countless occasions that they are a formidable force in the industry. While most of their games were exclusive to the PlayStation, they did one for Microsoft and it’s an overlooked gem. Sunset Overdrive features an incredible parkour system which laid the foundation for their Spidey games. With its distinct art direction and patented humor, this deserves another shot on a different platform.

Fable

With its rich history, there is hype surrounding the release of the new Fable game. The latest trailer absolutely nails the humor and sets up an exciting-looking adventure that is sure to be a strange and hilarious journey. Although a flagship title on the platform and possibly one that entices players to the Xbox, releasing the original trilogy on the PlayStation would increase interest in the upcoming title. Let more people fall in love with Albion to help the success of the next release.

Quantum Break

Remedy Entertainment created an absolute masterpiece with Alan Wake 2. Its seamless implementation of live-action footage and gameplay helped to create a strange and wonderful experience like no other. While Quantum Break was their first foray into using live-action segments, it was disjointed compared to their latest effort. Nevertheless, it’s a wonderful adventure with a strong cast which more people deserve to play.

Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II

Given that the first title was available on PlayStation, it’s logical for the sequel to be released on the same platform. With its deep dive into the human psyche, Hellblade is an intense cinematic experience and one which PlayStation fans would lap up. Since Sony focuses on single-player titles, the platform would be a natural fit for the sequel to the critically acclaimed game.

Microsoft Flight Simulator

With its stunning visuals, this game would stand out on the PlayStation as there is no other game like this on the platform. Microsoft’s commitment to the IP with numerous updates and additions has helped to make this one of the best titles in the genre. While not for everyone, there is a definite market that would love to see this title fly over to the PlayStation.

Forza Horizon

Although Forza Motorsport and Gran Turismo are fierce rivals that compete for the top spot of the podium for the most realistic racer, Horizon drifts down a different path due to its focus on high thrills and the open world. With no other game in its sub-genre matching the quality of the series, releasing the game on PlayStation would make great business sense for Microsoft. Should they just cash in?

The Ori Series

Already released on the Nintendo Switch, the Metroidvania action platformers are renowned as some of the greatest titles in the genre. With its luscious art direction and responsive controls, each moment is an absolute joy. As the games are already in the wild, why not place them on the PlayStation so that more people can experience this amazing piece of art?

Starfield

Let’s face it, Starfield failed to meet expectations. Although Bethesda is still working on it, releasing patches to improve performance, many Xbox players have already checked out. So, what better way to re-establish itself than releasing on a new platform? Microsoft should let this be Sony’s big holiday game and then sit back and reap the benefits.

There you have it. Those are the Xbox exclusives that I believe deserve a PlayStation release. What are your thoughts? Should Killer Instinct replace one of these? How about a different game? What do you think the chances are of any of these getting a release on a Sony console? Let us know in the comments below or on Facebook or Twitter, and don’t forget to subscribe to us on YouTube for more great video game content.

Thank you for keeping it locked on COGconnected.

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The post 10 Xbox Exclusives That Deserve a PlayStation Release appeared first on COGconnected.

The iconic JRPG series is back with its fifth iteration. Whether you’re a long-time fan or a newcomer to the series, Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance aims to offer a unique adventure that will deliver thrills throughout. With its dark, post-apocalyptic setting, intricate gameplay mechanics, and thought-provoking themes, does this latest entry live up to the legacy of its predecessors?

Featuring a revamped combat system, the famed JRPG looks to be the ultimate entry in the series. The expansive open-world and stunning environments beckon you to explore and discover the many secrets that lie within. With branching storylines and deep, immersive narrative, is this the best title in the franchise’s celebrated history? Check out our video review below to find out!

Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance is out now on all major platforms and you can read our full review here. What would you like to see next from the franchise? Does this sound like it will live up to your expectations? Let us know in the comments below or on Facebook or Twitter, and don’t forget to subscribe to us on YouTube for more great video game content.

Thank you for keeping it locked on COGconnected.

• For amazing videos, head over to our YouTube page HERE.
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The post Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance Video Review – Apocalyptic Fantasy Redux appeared first on COGconnected.

KEMCO has officially released their awesome fantasy RPG title Astrune Academy on all the major platforms. This includes Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, and PC via Steam. The standard price of the game is $14.99, however, you can visit each storefront for additional discounts.

At Astrune Academy, you will embark on a thrilling journey with magical girls in an enchanting world. Unveil the story of budding sorcerers at this majestic academy in the Sternship region. Immerse yourself in the daily rhythm of life at the magic academy, tackle assignments, and work towards becoming a master sorcerer. The campus, featuring a school shop, courtyard, and enchanting vending machines, offers the pinnacle of student life.

In combat, you can use Almacation to confront mystical creatures. Master your chosen elemental magic to exploit enemy weaknesses. Unleash the power of Soul Source Magic to access unique character abilities, summoning Demon Friends for tactical battles.

As you traverse the ruined regions of this enigmatic world, uncover secrets and the truth behind the Lost Phenomenon that plagues the land. Astrune Academy offers a captivating blend of magic, growth, and adventure, ensuring an unforgettable experience for all.

SOURCE

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Mito Games and QUbyte Interactive have officially released Willy’s Wonderland on all the major platforms. This includes PC, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Playstation 4, Playstation 5 and Nintendo Switch. It draws inspiration from the suspense action film from 2021 with the same name and transforms it into a fighting game.

Willy’s Wonderland is a 2.5D beat ’em up game based on the film of the same name. In the game, a group of Animatronics come to life and slaughter people who dare visit the titular place. You will take control of either The Janitor or Liv and face hordes of evil Animatronics. They are all commanded by Tito Turtle, Siren Sara, Arty Alligator, Cammy Chameleon, Willy Weasel, and more.

The game features a cooperative mode that you can enjoy with another player. Try out different combinations of punches and kicks to perform different combos. Use special techniques and powerful abilities to take down Willy and his henchmen.

Key features:

– Fight against hordes of enemies in “2.5D retro beat ‘em up” style inspired by the classics of the genre;
– Go through Willy’s Wonderland-themed stages;
– Two characters to choose from;
– Make use of special techniques and powerful abilities;
– Defeat multiple waves of enemies, as well as threatening bosses in each level;
– Local cooperative mode for two players.

Take a look at the official trailer below to get a glimpse of the game.

SOURCE

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We’re so happy to once again bring you the weekly COGconnected cosplay feature. In previous iterations, we’ve showcased the brilliant Raisor Cosplay, the beautiful Sailor Virgo, and some incredible holiday-themed recreations. We’ve even posted coverage on the best cosplay couples! This week, we turn our attention to Feisty Vee.

Without further ado, here’s the work of this wonderful cosplayer!

Continue on to page 2 for more from Feisty Vee.

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Astor: Blade of the Monolith is the game equivalent of fast food. There are better, more satisfying, and original options out there, but it gets the job done. It’s an attractive, colorful, and pleasant enough action RPG, just don’t expect much more than surface-level enjoyment. 

Astor might not be a game you’ll obsessively return to, plumbing its depths and variety, but playing it is fun enough. Astor rings many nostalgic bells, especially for somewhat older gamers with fond memories of their PS2s. Its gameplay is a little basic, and its story is a little undercooked but that doesn’t translate into a bad time any more than it did back in the day. And it certainly looks worlds’ better than any PS2 or 3 game ever did. 

Another Day, Another World to Save

OK, enough prologue. Told through a well-voiced narrator but no spoken dialogue, Astor is about a hero trying to save one group of people from the threat of monsters while uncovering the mysteries surrounding why he has been chosen. If that sounds to you like the story setup for literally every action RPG ever, you’re right. The question is whether Astor (the game) spins the tale in a new way. 

Astor begins his journey exploring some archeological ruins on the planet Gliese before falling onto a newly discovered sword, a magical weapon that he uses to fight through the tutorial level, learn the game’s basic moves, and reach the open world. The tutorial teaches Astor some familiar ARPG mechanics like light and heavy attacks, blocks, parries, and roll dodges. Dark Souls it isn’t. There’s a bit of sluggishness to Astor’s movement, but landing a good hit or parry is pretty satisfying, and the Runic Swarm special abilities are fun to use. One thing players will want to change immediately is the weirdly atypical button assignment on controllers to another, more familiar option.

The player learns that the Diokek — the race of magical creatures to which Astor belongs — is under threat from creatures called the Hiltsik. The Diokek live in a cozy hub village and area called Crystal Haven. Overall, Astor’s art design is one of its strengths. The colorful, varied landscapes and masked creatures strike a balance between literal detail and cartoony cuteness. Some of the game is more open-world, allowing Astor to freely explore. Other sections are a bit more linear in design. There’s plenty of variety in the world. 

A Mechanic by Any Other Name

Nearly every action RPG uses narrative quests to guide the player to the next combat encounter or encourage exploration. For many players, the story takes a distant back seat to wailing on enemies. That’s certainly true of Astor, which guides the player on a series of pretty standard kill-and-fetch quests out in the world. Translation: don’t expect a ton of innovation in Astor’s quest design. While nearly all the environments are attractive to look at, some of them are pretty empty of content.

Astor: Blade of the Monolith doesn’t have a lot of original ideas. It borrows and refashions mechanics from other ARPGs, but mostly the grab-bag of systems work together well. Aside from the expected melee weapons, ranged weapons, and magic, Astor can use an ability to see the world through a magic lens. This allows Astor to see hidden paths, doors and solve environmental puzzles. It’s a cool idea, maybe not totally original, but implemented well.

Impatient or experienced ARPG players will balk at Astor’s deliberate pace, especially at the beginning. Following the tutorial, the game takes its sweet time in the narrative-heavy hub area before sending the player back out into the world. On one hand, it makes players attend to the story and lore. On the other hand, antsy players will be incentivized to just click through it.

Target Audience

I’ve focused a lot on the theme of Astor’s reliance on established tropes, but sometimes a comfortingly familiar game with pleasant aesthetics and appealing action totally fits the bill. Although I reviewed it on PC, I can see Astor: Blade of the Monolith being perfectly at home on the Switch.

Astor: Blade of the Monolith is a great introduction to the Soulslike mechanics that dominate ARPGs right now. I can see it appealing to younger or novice gamers. It’s family-friendly, colorful, and pretty satisfying to play. More hardcore action fans will probably find it too familiar and not quite as polished as their favorites. Overall, Astor: Blade of the Monolith brings together a collection of tried-and-true mechanics in a pretty satisfying way.

***PC code provided by the publisher for review***

The post Astor: Blade of the Monolith Review – Variations on a Theme appeared first on COGconnected.

Everyone wants to sip from the Dark Souls goblet, you know? But knowing what to swallow is a different matter altogether. Flintlock: The Siege of Dawn is an upcoming action-adventure title that takes a lot of Dark Souls cues to some interesting places. I had a chance to check out the demo on Steam. So far, it looks like they’ve got some good ideas. Although my tolerance for Soulslikes is pretty low, this one might prove an exception to the usual rule.

The game takes place amid a terrible war between a magical army of the undead and the human coalition. We’re fighting with melee weapons and black powder rifles. They’ve got sinister magic on their side. You play as a Sapper named Nor looking to murder the malevolent god who started this whole war. I was thrown into battle immediately, where I got the usual block/parry/dodge breakdown. It’s not long before you’re introduced to a bunch of extra skills that try and separate Flintlock from the usual pack of Fromsoft clones. Honestly, they do a pretty decent job. One major standout is traversal.

There’s a big focus on gunpowder all throughout this game. Gods, it turns out, are not immune to concussive/explosive damage when properly used in battle. So it’s all powder, all the way down. For example, you can use it to double jump and dodge. This absolutely rules. I moved in zero other ways as soon as this was unlocked. You can jump, second jump, and air dodge before you hit the ground, so I did so constantly. Black powder is also a major component in actual combat.

Powerful Black Powder Leaps

I found the battles more Soulsy than the setting and the traversal, but still somewhat distinct. You’ve got limited flintlock ammo, which is replenished by successful melee attacks. Well-timed shots, parries, and blocks are essential tools for your continued survival. You eventually get access to a musket as well, but that’s more for starting fights than anything else. Reloading said musket is a huge pain, which I actually sort of love? Those were some super unwieldy rifles. It’s only right that reloading them is slightly long and cumbersome process. Setting off the flintlock is impossibly fast, but that’s a necessary concession if you want it to be useful in battle.

Fights started out pretty easy, but they got a lot harder by the time I wrapped up the demo. I played through the whole thing on normal mode, but there are two other settings if you want to mix things up. Easy mode disables achievements, which was somehow enough to keep me from using it. I don’t care about achievements at all, but even so! I was utterly stuck on the demo boss, defeated and ready to give up. Hovering over the easy mode switch, that notice about achievements essentially pushed me to continue. It was a truly fascinating glimpse into rudimentary gamer psychology.

A Beautiful, War-Torn World

Belatedly I realize you probably want to know how Flintlock looks, sounds, and feels. The game is quite beautiful, in that seamless AAA fashion I’m quite familiar with. The audio design is crisp, the voice acting is decent, and the soundtrack feels perfectly suited to the setting. I appreciated the controls, in that they’re fluid and fully responsive. Part of this might be thanks to my familiarity with Soulslikes in general. You know what you’re getting into as soon as you pick up the controller. I’m curious about where the story is going to go from here, especially since the opening leaves you with several big questions. Time will tell whether they’re enough to keep me absorbed when the full game is released.

Although the demo for Flintlock is pretty short, I’ve seen enough to be intrigued. The Souls influences are strong, yes. But there are also several important distinctions carved into the core gameplay loop. The traversal system is great, and the shoot/slash/parry rhythm is a welcome adjustment. Plus, the setting is so much more vibrant and engaging than the usual grimdark Fromsoft clones out there. I’ve got high hopes for the release version of Flintlock: The Siege of Dawn. I suggest you keep an eye on it as well.

***A PC preview build was provided by the publisher***

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