Aug 12, 2018News
[dropcap]P[/dropcap]icontier is an upcoming pixel art-stylized miniscape RPG. The game’s retro 2D art style, alongside its life simulation elements, make it comparable to Stardew Valley and the original Harvest Moon games.
Picontier is designed by indie label SKIPMORE, who are best known for their Fairune and Drancia series titles. It is being published by Flyhigh Works Co., a company established in 2011 that specializes in localizing Japanese, English and Chinese titles.
It has recently been announced that the PC version of the game will be released via Steam this winter. Whilst FlyHigh works did not mention other platforms in their recent broadcast, the game has previously been announced for PS4, Switch, and 3DS.
Picontier is a mini RPG game that allows players to enjoy slow-living on a whimsical island after being washed ashore. Its life simulation elements include farming, crafting, fishing, and mining. Like Stardew Valley, the game also appeals to the more adventurous of gamers by offering excitement. In this instance, players can journey to the dungeons to fight monsters. Additionally, the game contains a charming story and a variety of strange island creatures to communicate with. The game therefore seems to tick all the boxes where depth is concerned.
Aug 4, 2018News
[dropcap]W[/dropcap]e recently wrote about the upcoming Steam release of Cartoon Network game Steven Universe: Save the Light. But Cartoon Network (CN) and Outright Games have announced that it will also be coming to Switch. The game will be ported to Nintendo Switch alongside OK K.O as part of a boxed retail CN bundle.
Join the Crystal Gems on the ultimate quest! A mysterious new Gem has stolen a powerful weapon. Only Steven and his friends have what it takes to stop her. “Save the Light” is a unique RPG hybrid that combines real-time and turn-based combat.
Based on Cartoon Network’s hit show, this game stars pint-sized K.O. as he fights Lord Boxman’s evil bots to save Lakewood Plaza Turbo. In this story-driven adventure meets cartoon-brawler, you’ll complete quests, unlock moves & collect cards of your Plaza pals as you fight to become a true hero.
The game bundle will be available for retail purchase on 30th October in North America and 2nd November in Europe. It will be available to purchase for the suggested retail price of $39.99 / £34.99 / €39.99.
Being the first time either game that the two games appear on Switch, they will also be available to purchase separately from the eShop. So those who wish to go digital can purchase Steven Universe: Save the Light for $24.99/£19.99/€24.99 and OK K.O.! Let’s Play Heroes for $19.99/£17.99/€19.99 from the 30th October.
Aug 2, 2018Feature
[dropcap]A[/dropcap]re you in want of some games to play during the summer holidays? Maybe you want some new casual games to play whilst waiting (impatiently) for Animal Crossing Switch? Look no further, as we have compiled a list of 4 great upcoming casual games coming to Steam this month.
Overcooked returns with a brand-new helping of chaotic cooking action! Journey back to the Onion Kingdom and assemble your team of chefs in classic couch co-op or online play for up to four players. Hold onto your aprons… it’s time to save the world again!
Deiland is a single-player adventure RPG with several sandbox elements, such as farming, crafting, and building. Put on the mantle of the Little Prince of Deiland and rule over your own planet!
Join the Crystal Gems on the ultimate quest! A mysterious new Gem has stolen a powerful weapon. Only Steven and his friends have what it takes to stop her. “Save the Light” is a unique RPG hybrid that combines real-time and turn-based combat.
DYSTOA is a surreal, poetic, and minimalistic first person exploration game. A homage to the beauty of life and death and thoughts from one or another world.
– Calm and surreal music and ambience.
– Very dense and isolated atmosphere to free your mind.
– A vast and openly shaped world.
– Beautiful scenery with intriguing aesthetics.
Jun 25, 2018News
Bit of a tongue-twister eh? Are you forever skint like myself? Or are you a thrifty person who feels guilty forking out on video games? Never fear, for the Steam summer sale is here! Lasting until the 5th July, you can now nab those games you’ve been wistfully browsing through and adding to your Steam wishlist. Here are 6 discounted great games that you should totally grab whilst they’re on offer.
1) Ni No Kuni II: Revenant Kingdom
Being a Level-5 BANDAI NAMCO game, this sequel is naturally of excellent quality, which unfortunately is reflected in its price. It’s original price of £49.99 was too steep for me to even consider. However, it’s current sale price of £29.99 (40% discount) makes it very tempting.
2) The Witness
Currently discounted by 70% (£29.99 to £8.99), this game is hands-down a bargain. However, there’s also a bundle available on sale, which includes The Witness + Braid for just £9.82. Their combined cost would be £40.98 when purchased individually at their normal price. ????
3) South Park: The Stick of Truth
South Park: The Stick of Truth is very highly regarded on Steam. It’s one of those games you’re always tempted by, but can’t justify forking out for. Well now you can! It is currently reduced by 75% from £26.99 to £6.74.
A bundle containing South Park: The Stick of Truth + South Park: The fractured but whole is also on sale. The bundle is massively discounted by 73% from £76.98 to £20.91! ????
4) Broken Age
This beautiful game (made by indie developers Double Fine) is still adored 4 years after its release. If you haven’t already had the opportunity to play it, you can currently nab it for just £2.99, which is an 80% reduction from it’s usual price of £14.99!
(Pssst! You can also get the Double Fine bundle, which contains 18 items, for 90% off. That’s £145.83 down to £15.01!) ????
5) Undertale
One of the most loved games of 2015, you probably already own this charming and interactive pixel-graphic game. If by the off chance you don’t, you can currently get it at half-price for only £3.49.
6) Firewatch
Firewatch is repeatedly praised for its narrative and interactivity. If you want to play a unique, story-rich game that bridges the gap between games and digital writing, you’re in luck. Firewatch is currently discounted by 75% from £14.99 to £3.74
If none of these games tickle your fancy, there are plenty more bargains to choose from in the Steam Summer Sale.
Just remember to get them before the 5th July!
Happy gaming!
May 24, 2018News
[dropcap]R[/dropcap]aft is a multiplayer survival adventure game. The early access version of the game was released on Steam on May 23rd 2018. The game was developed by Redbeet Interactive, and published by Axolot Games.
(Below is an axolotl Kirby meme for your enjoyment)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iQC7NWoO538
You’re welcome.
The developers have said that they released an early access version of Raft due to an overwhelmingly positive response to the game’s prototype.
The aim of the game is to survive at sea as you adventure across a vast and perilous ocean. You can either play by yourself, or with others, due to the game’s online co-op feature.
You start the game by awakening on a tiny raft in the middle of the ocean with only a plastic hook to your name. Survive by collecting any debris you come across with your hook, scavenging the reefs below and the islands above, expanding your raft in an attempt to make life easier, and facing whatever dangers the ocean may bring.
● Multiplayer – Survive with friends by using the game’s online co-op.
● Hook – Utilise your trusty hook in order to obtain debris necessary for survival.
● Crafting – Craft survival equipment, weapons, crop plots, plus more!
● Building – Transform your raft from a basic wreckage to a floating masterpiece.
● Researching – Using the research table, discover a plethora of new things to craft.
● Navigating – Navigate your floating home towards exciting new places.
● Diving – Anchor your raft and explore the reefs below, in order to scavenge more resources.
● Fighting – Defend your raft against any threats the ocean may bring.
The Early Access version can be purchased for a reasonable £14.99, which going by the game’s reviews, is good value for money. You can buy the game here.
May 20, 2018News
[dropcap]L[/dropcap]ittle Witch Academia and Harry Potter fans; Hold onto your broomsticks! The enchanting, Ghibli-esque world of Little Witch Academia now has its own video game!
Little Witch Academia: Chamber of Time is an action adventure RPG game. The game was initially released in Japan for PS4 on the 30th November 2017. In early 2018, it was announced that the release of the game’s PC version would coincide with it’s PS4 release in the west.
The game was finally published worldwide on Steam and PS4 by BANDAI NAMCO Entertainment on May 15th 2018. The game costs $49.99 to download on the PlayStation Store and $39.99 on Steam.
Chamber of Time is an addition to the popular Little Witch Academia franchise ‘witch’ contains films, manga and a TV series’. The franchise has become cult viewing all over the world, especially since the films and TV series became available on Netflix.
For those unfamiliar with Little Witch Academia, entries to the series take place at Luna Nova Academy, a school for witches in training. The protagonist of the franchise is Akko, an optimistic and energetic (albeit slightly impulsive) Japanese girl who comes from a non-magical background. In my opinion, this is similar to the various Harry Potter characters that come from a Muggle family.
Chamber of Time offers players the ability to uncover the various mysteries of Luna Nova Academy. The game features the lovable protagonist Akko, as well as a variety of her friends. Players can explore dungeons, cast spells and use various magic to discover the seven wonders, as well as to resolve the mysterious time-shit that has occurred.
The game features exclusive cut-scenes made directly by the franchise’s anime studio, Studio Trigger.
With elements of RPG, this side-scrolling action game offers fans the ability to level-up character as well as finding ‘drops’ whilst exploring, which help to enhance in-game builds.
Ultimately, the game adheres to the humorous and endearing Little Witch Academia storyline that we all know and love, as well as offering a unique and interactive perspective of the world through a fun video game.
Does the concept of magic school games excite you? Why not check out the two upcoming magic school games Ikenfell and Witchbrook (formerly known as Spellbound) here.
May 19, 2018News
[dropcap]C[/dropcap]at lovers of My Potato Games, here’s some news for you to sink your claws into!
Developer’s The Gentlebros, have recently made a Paw-some announcement. Their highly regarded RPG game Cat Quest is getting a Sequel!
The sequel will be entitled Cat Quest II: The Lupine Empire, and will be released on Nintendo Switch, PS4, Android, iOS, and Windows.
Whilst there isn’t currently a release date for the game, it has been hinted that a trailer will be released soon.
For those who haven’t heard of the original Cat Quest game, it is an open-world cat-themed action RPG, which contains a plethora of characters, stories and cat puns (yay!). Cat Quest was initially released on Steam on the 8th August 2017, with releases on iOS, Android, PS4, and Switch following shortly after.
The game has obtained a 10/10 rating on Steam, as well as receiving many ‘overwhelmingly positive’ reviews. Being a lighthearted game that combines cats, combat, loot, and stories, it’s unsurprising that Cat Quest was a hit! You can read more about the first game here.
Did you enjoy the first Cat Quest game? What are yours ‘felines’ about a sequel? Let us know in the comments
May 16, 2018News
For those with their head in the ‘clouds’, who have not yet played or heard of Yonder: The Cloud Catcher Chronicles, it is an aesthetic open-world adventure game. It was initially released for PC and PS4 on July 18th 2017. It will be released for Switch on 17th May 2018. The game can be purchased as a physical copy, or alternatively can be downloaded from the Nintendo eShop for a reasonable $26.99.
To any UK gamers, the game currently has a 10% discount and can be obtained for a reasonable £20.69 if pre-ordered today. You can pre-order it here. For players outside the UK, you can get the game on Amazon here.
Upon its release for PC last year, Yonder was praised for its beautiful graphics and amalgamation of different elements from popular game series’. It has been compared to Zelda, Harvest Moon, and Animal Crossing, as well as many other games.
Straight away I was able to see Zelda’s influence upon the game, with the beginning being suspiciously reminiscent of both Wind Waker and Breath of the Wild. (My boyfriend’s exact words upon watching my gameplay were “Oh look it’s Breath of The Wild!”). ????
A̶f̶t̶e̶r̶ ̶s̶p̶e̶n̶d̶i̶n̶g̶ ̶a̶n̶ ̶h̶o̶u̶r̶ ̶o̶n̶ ̶c̶h̶a̶r̶a̶c̶t̶e̶r̶ ̶c̶u̶s̶t̶o̶m̶i̶s̶a̶t̶i̶o̶n̶ you begin the game on a ship set sail for Gemea, a mysterious island full of Sprites, animals and Murk (that darn Murk!). Unfortunately, due to a disastrous combination of stormy weather and incompetent crew members, you arrive at Gemea via shipwreck (you had one job guys!????). Armed with a handy compass to (literally) light the way, you set off to explore the first part of Gemea. The Grasslands.
Similar to the game RiME, death in Yonder is apparently impossible. Jumping into deep water or off of cliff edges results in your character either re-spawning or whipping out an umbrella to float to safety?! So in this sense, in combination with no time constraints, no combat, and free reign to explore Gemea (aside from a few essential quests for story progression), the game is very relaxing and family-friendly.
Things I liked about the game ????
Things I disliked about the game ????
(Side note: Is it just me who thinks the cats look kinda creepy? With their vacant eyes and ability to stand like a human..)
Additionally, some cats can only be discovered during certain seasons. Therefore after collecting all 55, I reckon players should be rewarded with more than just a stinkin’ trophy. Maybe a cat (or six) of our own, because who needs 55 cats anyway..?! ????
Music and Cinematics ????
The game’s music and cinematics play a big part in making the game appealing. Beautiful mini cut scenes (such as when a player discovers a new area) as well as enchanting music, creates a soothing gaming experience and contributes to the game’s ‘Breath of The Wild’ feel. Even the little things have been thought of by developers. For example, the presence of pauses between music in order to lessen the likelihood of the player getting bored of the Soundtrack.
Relaxing, not taxing ????
Despite the murk casting a shadow over their homeland, the people of Gemea (mostly) remain welcoming, humble and charismatic.
This guy being an exception… With combat absent, the gameplay is calm, relaxing, and gentle, and focuses more on the player’s journey, as opposed to fixating on the destination.
Snow White’s 26 Sprites? ????
Finding Sprites is essential in Yonder in order to clear areas of Murk. Sprites can be found in many different locations, and each have their own unique personalities. They can range from forgetful, to grumpy, which kind of reminded me of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.
Although it can definitely be said that Gemea’s flittering inhabitants are a little more sprite-ly (heh) and helpful than their Disney counterparts.
Controls ????
The controls in the game are pretty straightforward, although players are given tutorials nonetheless.
Having Joy-Cons with joysticks makes the game more enjoyable and accessible for me personally. (Confession: I’m terrible at using WASD in PC games and will set the arrow keys as direction controls wherever possible). It is easy to use the compass (a useful tool) in the game by simply pressing the up arrow button (△) on the blue (left) Joy-Con.
I played the majority of the game in handheld mode, although graphics can definitely be appreciated more when the game is played on a larger screen.
Graphics ????
The graphics are hands-down the best aspect of the game for me. From twinkling sunsets over water, to luscious green breezy meadows, the varying utopia-esque landscapes are best described as eye-candy.
The attractive art-style is not dissimilar to My Time At Portia (MTAP). Both Yonder and MTAP are beautiful open-world RPG simulation games. They both allow players to craft items, manage a farm, and engage with a plethora of charismatic characters. They have also both earned a respectable 9/10 rating on Steam.
Bartering ????
Unlike many other games, Yonder utilises a bartering system. As opposed to just obtaining some of a currency and buying things, you barter with tradespeople instead. This is actually pretty useful as currency in games can sometimes be hard to accumulate.
Crafting ????
Some things can’t be purchased through bartering and will have to be crafted instead. An example being the Toy Cat (*whistles nonchalantly*). There are 8 different crafting classes (Guilds) in the game. Your character starts out as a Wayfarer, but can join different Guilds and become a:
Each class offers their own unique crafting recipes (not dissimilar to Level 5’s game Fantasy Life).
Farming ????
The game offers both crop and animal farming. Players can befriend exotic creatures such as the Groffle (by bribing them with their favourite foods). The creature will then follow the player. If lead to a farm with an animal pen, it can then be adopted.
You can also hire many characters in the game as farmhands (again, by bribing them with food). Farmhands will undertake a variety of tasks, and essentially help to keep your farm clean, tidy and running smoothly. Thus, maintaining its rating whilst you are away.
Exploration ????
There are eight different regions to explore in Yonder.
The Grasslands ???? – Grassy plains located in the center of Gemea
Crestfall Coast ???? – A coastal, temperate, tropical region
Dapplewood Forest ???? – A forest region crossed with creeks
Hearthwind Vale ???? – A region full of plateaus, valleys and swamps
Numino Peak ???? – A snow-covered mountain region
Radiant Sands ???? – A desert region
Sunderwind Wilds ???? – A prairie region
The Shivering Plains ❄ – A cold, snow-covered region
The different regions have their own unique climates, landscapes, characters, quests, guilds, wildlife and more.
Overall, I found Yonder to be an enigmatic game with lots of different features to keep players entertained. The variety of (sometimes kooky) quests, plethora of beautiful landscapes to explore, and the ability to farm, craft, mine etc, makes boredom unlikely, even for those with the shortest of attention spans.????
Whilst the vast landscapes may be overwhelming at first, you will become well acquainted with them over time. Having a large open-world isn’t necessarily a bad thing as it helps to make the game a little more challenging, as your compass doesn’t guide your character everywhere.
Put simply, if you are a fan of My Time At Portia, Stardew Valley or Fantasy Life, I would definitely recommend purchasing this game for Switch.
Yonder: The Cloud Catcher Chronicles will release on Nintendo Switch eShop May 17th, a physical version is set to release on June 12th, you can-pre-order it here.
Big thanks to Prideful Sloth for providing the review copy of Yonder: The Cloud Catcher Chronicles on Nintendo Switch.