Review By Jon Donnis
I was sent a copy of Castle Pals by Ratalaika Games S.L. to review.
You play as either Kylee or Owen in this simple platform game. With Kylee you jump, punch and kick your way through the levels and with Owen you fly above your enemies. Set in "Castle Pookapick" which is an awesome name for a Castle! The game play is pretty simple. Get from point A in the level to point B. Do it within a certain set time and you earn a gold medal.
Of course it is never just that simple, there are traps to stop you, doors you have to figure out how to open. And of course enemies that want to kill you.
In total there are 40 levels, you will find yourself getting through the first half relatively quickly, but then slowly things get tougher and you suddenly realise that the game is not as easy as you first thought.
For Gamerpoint collectors you will very quickly collect these, which is always satisfying.
The game has a great old school feel, from the retro style graphics to the music.
This is a fun game, it really is as simple as that, a fun easy to enjoy platform game, that relies on game play first. And for a fraction under £5/$5/€5 on all formats you cant really go wrong.
Castle Pals is out now, and I highly recommend it. And I score it a strong 8/10
LONDON, UK (May 28th, 2020)
SQUARE ENIX® debuted new gameplay footage from OUTRIDERS™, the highly anticipated upcoming RPG-Shooter from People Can Fly, the developers of Gears of War: Judgment and BULLETSTORM, and Square Enix External Studios, the minds behind SLEEPING DOGS® and JUST CAUSE®.
Seen through the lens of drop-in co-op, the First City gameplay reveals never-before-seen Pyromancer powers, brand-new, hyper-evolved creatures, information on the OUTRIDERS World Tier system, a look at an immersive new environment and more.
Watch the OUTRIDERS First City Gameplay:
Set in an all-new, dark sci-fi world, OUTRIDERS is a true genre hybrid that combines the depth and story of an RPG and the intensity of third-person shooter combat with awe-inspiring powers. Deep character progression and itemization allow for a wide variety of creative class builds, and evolve People Can Fly’s trademark over-the-top, skill-based gameplay to create a brutal RPG-shooter experience.
“We are making the game we always wanted to play. The team at PCF are all gamers and we love shooters. Shooters are in our DNA and we have been making them for decades. At the same time, we also love RPG’s,” said Bartek Kmita, Creative Director of OUTRIDERS at People Can Fly. “We always wanted to play a deep RPG, with an epic story and the flexibility to create lots of interesting character builds, but we also wanted a skill-based, challenging and intense real-time combat system in our RPG. When the opportunity to create it ourselves came along, it was like a dream come true.”
The OUTRIDERS First City gameplay video is just one of the segments in the OUTRIDERS Broadcast, a new monthly show that will dive deep into the various features of the dark and desperate world of OUTRIDERS. Discover all-new gameplay, environments, character class deep dives, and updates from the team.
OUTRIDERS will release on PlayStation 5®, PlayStation 4®, Xbox Series X, the Xbox One family of devices, and PC in Holiday 2020.
Review by Jon Donnis
Wired Productions sent me a copy of Those Who Remain on Xbox, and I was intrigued to see what all the fuss was about. After all when a game is described as an Unnervingly-Tense Psychological Adventure-Thriller, I almost see that as a challenge to my manliness! Well not really, but it still intrigued me.
Set in a town called Dormont, the first thing you will realise is that this is a dark game, and by dark, I mean turn all the lights off in the house if you want to be able to see anything in the game. This is a story driven first person game, and it relies on that dark atmosphere to really draw you in, and keep you on the edge of your seat.
You play as Edward, and you will find out pretty quick that he has travelled to Dormont to break up with his girlfriend. The problem is that Dormont is seemingly surrounded by darkness and within the dark, monsters await. And that is the main thrust of the game, you need to stay in the light to survive, as the monsters tend to hate the light, and along the way you need to solve various problems to get you to the next part of the game.
You will switch between realities in some cases and the actions of one reality will affect the other. You will see a ghost or two, and depending on certain choices you make, you will travel down different narratives of the story and have multiple endings depending on your choices.
As I have already mentioned, the game is dark, frustratingly so at times. And there is no handy torch to light the way, at some points you might have a lighter, but most of the time you have to figure out how to turn on static lights to light the way.
The game is pretty straight forward, and as it is story-driven, you wont find yourself hacking and slashing at a monster, instead you need to avoid them. A few hours into the game and I found myself massively stuck, what can I say, a huge monster with a big light for a head was blocking my way, and for the life of me I couldn't figure out how to get past it, I succumbed in the end and asked for some help, and I got past him. This is one thing you may find yourself doing, checking online for walk throughs to help. This may not necessarily be a bad thing for most people, but perhaps if there was an in game hint system, that would be a better option for players, than having to go hunt for help online, which then leaves the temptation of just using a walk through to get you through the entire game.
There is also a problem with the save feature, or lack of a manual one. The game will auto save at certain checkpoints, but if after a rather long bit of play, you die, you find yourself all the way back at the checkpoint, with that frustrated feeling of knowing that you just spent 20 minutes figuring something out, and partly with luck that you now have to repeat it all over. I think a manual save is always a better choice, especially in "safe" game play moments.
The game itself is quite unnerving at times, and although you will probably jump the first time you see a monster in the dark, you soon get used to them and pretty much ignore them.
With that said I did enjoy the game, and did find myself even when stuck, not wanting to give up, but instead trying to figure it out.
So let us summarise.
The Good
Very atmospheric game, really does drag you in to the narrative and keep you on the edge of your seat.
The Bad
Just so damn dark, I know it is the point of the game, but i'm a stickler for being able to see what I am doing. Even turning the brightness up didn't help much. And the game can be frustrating at times.
Overall
This is a decent game, if you like story driven horror games, then you should enjoy this. Obviously not for kids, or those of a weak disposition, but everyone else it will be fine. But be prepared to sit in the dark.
I score the game a solid 7/10 Review by Jon Donnis
Those Who Remain, OUT NOW! on PlayStation 4, Xbox One and PC.
Hamburg, Germany, May 28, 2020
Attention adventure fans: Daedalic Entertainment has announced the release of Edna & Harvey: The Breakout - Anniversary Edition for the current console generation.
From 17 June 2020, the award-winning adventure hit from Hamburg-based adventure game specialist can be played on PlayStation 4, Xbox One and Nintendo Switch.
Edna & Harvey: The Breakout - Anniversary Edition promises another crazy adventure, in which protagonist Edna plots her escape from a mental institution with the help of her sage advisor, a plush bunny called Harvey. The route out of incarceration is littered with devious puzzles, a liberal smattering of pop culture references and some truly fun times.
At the original launch in 2008 the adventure received wide acclaim and several awards. The quirkiest of cult adventures set new standards within the genre and is set to captivate a whole new generation of console gamers with its new edition. Existing fans and current adventure gamers will be able to enjoy a classic point-and-click adventure in an all-new guise.
For the anniversary edition, the iconic graphics have been redrawn from scratch and converted to HD without distorting the distinctive art style of the original and its successful sequel “Harvey’s New Eyes”. In addition, improvements to the interface and a control system adapted to consoles were implemented.
Features:
The award-winning story and puzzle design of the original for the first time for console players
20+ hours of adventurous gaming fun
Unique comic style, with beautiful cel-shaded visuals
Many funny characters and exciting dialogues
Switch between original and modern HD graphics at any time
Improved control mechanics and user interface for console
You can find further information at https://www.daedalic.com/edna-anniversary-10th
Leon, Spain - May 26th, 2020
If you discovered an old scary castle, would you try to uncover all of it’s secrets? Well, Kylee and Owen plan to!
One night, Kylee and Owen stumbled upon creepy Castle Pookapick and decide to uncover its secrets! Nothing could possibly go wrong, could it?
Play as two different characters! Punch your way through enemies with Kylee and fly above your enemies while avoiding traps as Owen!
Earn optional gold medals by completing levels from start to finish faster than the posted time for each level. Can you collect them all?
Features:
Guide the Pals through 40 action packed levels!
Smash bad guys with Kylee's powerful attacks!
Float around and explore using Owen's propeller hat!
Battle fearsome bosses!
Cute retro art and music!
Ratalaika Games & Brad Erkkilla are proud to announce that Castle Pals will be making its way onto Nintendo Switch, Xbox One, PlayStation 4 this week!
Castle Pals will be priced for 4.99$/€ for all platforms.
It will launch on:
PS4 America: May 26th
PS4 Europe: May 27th
Xbox One: May 27th
Nintendo Switch (NA & EU): May 29th
Check out the latest trailer for Skater XL which highlights features from the launch of Update 0.3.0.0B for the skateboarding game.
The update adds transition grinds that gives players a new way to hit the coping, a miniramp test map, and new board customizations to personalize their decks, trucks, wheels, and griptape, and more.
Update 0.3.0.0B is available now on the game's Public Beta on Steam.
Skater XL launches on July 7 on PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, and PC.
An epic dungeon-RPG roguelike
Enter the dungeons of King Thosgar and destroy his demonic minions! Combining the best elements from Xenon Valkyrie+ and Riddled Corpses EX, this is the latest game in the Diabolical Mind trilogy!
Features
Epic storyline
2 players local coop mode (on PS4™, Nintendo Switch and Xbox One)
8 heroes with different stats and abilities
Procedurally generated dungeons
Twin-stick shooting
Localized into 4 languages
Trophies (Platinum) and Achievements
Hangzhou, 20.05.2020
24Entertainment today unveiled a new trailer for its upcoming multiplayer combat game, NARAKA: BLADEPOINT. Announced in December at The Game Awards 2019, this new trailer reveals exciting characters and their weapons, with an additional glimpse of new maps.
We have seen characters Viper Ning, Takeda Nobutada, Tenkai before, but this new trailer shows new, unseen before character, Mehlika. Each character has their own unique power, see video for Mehlika’s sneaky attack from using her power of invisibility.
Each character has their own unique , which enhances gameplay and gives players a different feel for each character they choose. In this video, the action takes place in beautifully detailed maps. Enjoy the scenery, but watch out as the action as friends become foe in an epic battle to the death.
Game Features:
Unchained Combat System: Super free Map Interaction + Grappling Hook
Unique Block & Parry Mechanics: No Defence or Block button
Original multiplayer gameplay
Stunning Eastern Art Style
NARAKA: BLADEPOINT is set for release globally in 2020. To volunteer for the battle, go to https://store.steampowered.com/app/1203220 to begin your journey, as you look to become the hero or the villain, and raise your hands in victory as you celebrate as the champion.
For more information, visit http://www.narakathegame.com
The newly announced Definitive Editions of Mafia, Mafia II, and Mafia III invite you to live the life of a gangster across three distinct eras of organized crime in America. You can own them all as part of Mafia: Trilogy, which is available for purchase now on Xbox One, PlayStation 4, and PC via Steam, and will be coming to the Epic Games Store at a later date. Stadia versions of Mafia II: Definitive Edition and Mafia III: Definitive Edition are also planned.
The centerpiece of Mafia: Trilogy, Mafia: Definitive Edition, is a complete overhaul of the original game that was released to widespread critical acclaim in 2002, and improves on the beloved classic in every way imaginable. Rebuilt from the ground up by Hangar 13, it’s a faithful but expanded 4K- and HDR-ready remake that not only makes dramatic improvements to the original’s visuals and gameplay, but also builds upon its award-winning narrative and adds new features like motorcycles and collectibles to the 1930s city of Lost Heaven. Mafia: Definitive Edition will debut on August 28, 2020 and is now available for pre-order on its own and as part of Mafia: Trilogy.
SnowRunner launched April 28 to brilliant reviews from the press and players. See what the hype is all about in today’s Accolades Trailer!
Get ready for the next-generation off-road experience!
SnowRunner puts you in the driver's seat of powerful vehicles as you conquer extreme open environments with the most advanced terrain simulation ever. Drive 40 vehicles from brands such as Ford, Chevrolet, and Freightliner as you leave your mark on an untamed open world.
Overcome mud, torrential waters, snow, and frozen lakes while taking on perilous contracts and missions. Expand and customize your fleet with many upgrades and accessories including an exhaust snorkel for heavy waters or chain tired to battle the snow.
Ride solo or with other players in 4-player co-operative!.
A thrilling mix of dungeon defense and roguelike
Dungeon of the Endless is the award-winning Rogue-Like Dungeon-Defense game, in which you and your team of heroes must protect the generator of your crashed ship while exploring an ever-expanding dungeon, all while facing waves of monsters and special events as you try to find your way out...
WHAT’S BEHIND THE DOOR?
A few hundred condemned criminals were being shipped to the Auriga system on board the prison hulk “Success”. While this was presented as a chance to earn back their place in society by working hard for the common good, they understood that in fact they would be slave labour, sent to colonize an unexplored planet. All they knew about Auriga Prime was what the probes told them: it had water, temperate zones, plant life, and plenty of metals in the crust.
In fact, the planet Auriga once hosted a major settlement of the galaxy-travelling ancestors known as the Endless. In addition, the planet was still orbited by a functioning (and well cloaked) defensive system, which sprang eagerly to life upon the arrival of the Success. Within a few minutes, the ship was nothing but a few large chunks of metal falling toward the planet.
Luckily, every set of holding cells also functioned as an escape pod, so the ship let itself disintegrate and the surviving prisoners fell bruised but (temporarily) alive and (momentarily) safe to the planet below. Safe, that is, until they realized that they had crashed through some sort of Endless facility, all the way down to a sub-basement so deep and ancient it might as well be called a dungeon…
Gather A Team
• Form a team of heroes, each with their own strengths (and psychoses)
• Equip them, deploy them, and earn powerful abilities
• Manage the balance between ex-prison inmates and guards
Build Your Defenses
• Use the Dust you gather to power the rooms
• Use scarce resources to help your team survive
• Build minor and major modules to hold off waves of monsters
• Decode Endless ruins to discover life-saving technologies
Open the Door
• Each door is a danger; prepare yourself and your team for anything
• Explore and discover an infinity of levels and layouts
• Carry your crystal through waves of monsters to the exit of each level
• Fight your way to the surface to discover the truth about Auriga
Thy Sword is a retro inspired hack and slash roguelike with procedural generated levels. Pick from different hero types like the Barbarian and Valkyrie to break the tyranny of the Dark Overlord!
Pick from three different difficulty modes to suit your playstyle. New to adventuring? Then select apprentice mode to have infinite credits or if you’re a heroic veteran, choose hero mode where you only have one credit.
Unlock additional heroes throughout your journey! Bring along a friend in 2 player cooperative mode to save the land from the Dark Overlord. Can you collect all of the crystals?
Features
- Fast paced, strategic sword and bow combat
- Play solo or cooperatively locally
- Choose from multiple heroes and unlock new ones
- Pick from 3 different difficulty options to suit your playstyle
Explore a lush remote island amidst a devastating conflict in Skully, available August 4, 2020 on PlayStation 4!
Fate has bestowed Skully a second chance at life when an enigmatic deity reanimates a skull through the power of magical clay after it washes upon the shore of a secluded isle. Skully must hop, skip, and roll through this diverse island habitat teeming with obstacles and puzzles to intervene in a feud between the deity’s three siblings whose quarrel jeopardizes the place they call home.
LOS ANGELES – May 12, 2020 – Prepare for a thrilling ride as free-to-play mobile kart racer, KartRider Rush+, launches on iOS and Android devices today. Buckle up to experience a robust set of tracks, innovative and diverse game modes and countless kart customization options that redefine the world of kart racing games.
The latest iteration of the insanely popular KartRider franchise, KartRider Rush+ features over 50 race tracks and 20 karts at launch delivering unmatched kart and character customization options, ranging from decals, plates, skins and more.
KartRider Rush+ is built for bursts of gameplay on the go or longer durations played with fellow racers offering something for everyone with several modes including:
Story Mode: Story Mode allows players to fully immerse themselves in the game, learning about character backstories and showcasing various game modes. Speed Race Mode: This mode challenges racers to compete against each other and use their drifting skills to earn EXP that can unlock more challenging tracks. Arcade Mode: Whether playing solo or in teams, players can enjoy additional gameplay options within Arcade Mode, such as Item Race, Infini-Boost and Lucci Runner. Ranked Mode: From Bronze to Living Legend, players can rank up tiers and earn rewards such as K-Coins to purchase a variety of items in the Shop. Time Trial: This mode is all about beating the clock to become the fastest racer.
For players looking to achieve ultimate racing prowess, KartRider Rush+ introduces a Mentorship System, which allows racers to team up with mentors to improve their skills or sign up as mentors to guide other players. All players participating in this system will receive mentorship perks and rewards. The Club System also makes it easy for racers to join forces and work together to complete challenges, daily activities and earn rewards.
Additionally, all players will be able to claim the pre-registration milestone rewards until May 25th, 2020. Pre-registration rewards include Skelemech Kart, Slugger Dao Character, Angel Wing Headset, Star Driftmoji and Love Candy Balloon added as a bonus item after reaching 5 million pre-registrations ahead of launch.
To celebrate the launch, KartRider Rush+ has partnered with iconic peripheral manufacturer, HyperX. As part of the partnership, KartRider Rush+ will host giveaways of HyperX gaming peripherals including the HyperX Cloud MIX™ headset and the HyperX ChargePlay Clutch™ designed for longer, more comfortable gaming sessions.
KartRider Rush+ is available globally in multiple languages including English, Korean, Thai, and Traditional Chinese. Visit https://kartrush.nexon.com for the latest updates and information.
Awaken… begin a quiet journey of discovery and companionship after rousing the slumbering Spirit of the North.
Spirit of the North is a single-player 3rd-person adventure game inspired by the breathtaking and mysterious landscapes of Iceland. The story takes root from various pieces of Nordic folklore.
The game is unique in that it purposefully has no dialog or narrative. Players must breathe in their surroundings to solve various puzzles and speculate the meaning of a lost ancient civilization.
Play as an ordinary red fox who’s story becomes entwined with the guardian of the Northern Lights, a female spirit fox. As you journey over the mountains and under red-stained skies, you’ll discover more about your companion and land left in ruin.
Psychological adventure-thriller coming to PlayStation 4, Xbox One and Steam PC with retail-exclusive Deluxe Edition coming Summer 2020
Watford, UK – MAY 7, 2020 – Award-winning publisher, Wired Productions, and up-and-coming independent studio, Camel 101, today announced that the PlayStation®4, Xbox One, and Steam® for Windows PC version of their first-person psychological-thriller, Those Who Remain, is confirmed for digital release on May 28th, with a retail-exclusive Deluxe Edition set to launch globally later in the summer, alongside a Nintendo Switch™ edition.
Those Who Remain will be available in Standard and a retail-exclusive Deluxe Edition for PS4 and PC, which will include a digital download of the beautifully illustrated comic prequel story ‘Those Who Remain: Lights Out’.
Get a glimpse of the unique atmospheric horror awaiting players in Those Who Remain by checking out the new ‘Welcome to Dormont’ trailer:
“Those Who Remain is a game Camel 101 should be proud of,” said Leo Zullo, Managing Director, Wired Productions. “With the announcement of the digital release, we are set to offer fans of thrillers and adventure a unique supernatural experience. Later this summer, our offering expands with the retail-exclusive Deluxe Edition, and to compliment this, we’ll welcome Nintendo Switch owners to their own chilling adventure.”
Set in the sleepy town of Dormont, a town in a spiraling split from the fabric of reality, warped by darkness and the deeds of the citizens who reside, Those Who Remain is a story-driven, first-person adventure thriller combining a deeply atmospheric game world with tense psychological horror that delves deep into the human psyche.
Edward, a man who had previously enjoyed the perfect life, is attempting to break off an affair to put his life back on track by driving into the night, unaware of the darkness brewing below Dormont and the cause of recent disappearances. Players must confront the unknown horrors reflected by the darkness and survive the night as Edward is faced with a test of his sanity, morality and the shadows of evil that lurks below.
Those Who Remain is rated PEGI 16 and will release on digital stores for PlayStation®4, Xbox One, and Steam® for Windows PC on May 28th, 2020 with a launch SRP of £15.99 / €19.99 / $19.99. The retail-exclusive Deluxe Edition will be available for PS4 and PC and is open for pre-orders now via http://www.ThoseWhoRemain.com. Add the game to your Steam Wish List here.
For more information, visit http://www.ThoseWhoRemain.com
Skater XL is a head-first dive into the skateboarding world, where style, creativity and the perfect trick is yours to define.
Create, combine, and style tricks with unparalleled board control as you hit iconic California locations where street legends have left their mark.
Play as skating icons Tiago Lemos, Evan Smith, Tom Asta or Brandon Westgate on your way to becoming a skateboarding pro.
Dive into the digital skate subculture, with featured community created mods, brands, 'zines, and maps. Hit more than 60 real skate spots connected by block after block of plazas, schools, pools, buildings, car parks and corridors.
It’s not the first time she ran away. But you’re uneasy … this time feels so different. Long ago, you swore never to return here. And now, she has dragged you back. Your search leads deep into ancient Moravian forests and reveals secrets that should have stayed buried.
While your survival skills and quick wits might advance your search, malevolent forces rise up against you. There are nightmares you can’t fight and win. Some of them … could be yours.
Your character is Daniel, Stela’s father, who is forced by events to return to a place, he swore never to return. In the forest he will encounter peculiar people who will help him understand the true reason why Stela keeps running away. Someday You’ll Return deals with intimate concepts of fatherhood, fears, lies and refusal to accept one’s past. While the story contains strong horror elements it’s not always the most obvious monsters which are the most frightening.
Review by Jon Donnis
I was a sent a review copy of Potata by the good people at Sometimes You.
Potato is a side-scrolling fantasy game, you play as the character Potata, a witch that wants to explore the world. This is an Indie title, but comes across as very mainstream, with its incredible graphics and fun game play.
The game can be quite challenging, but not so much so that it would put anyone off.
Each level has things to collect, and puzzles to solve. You start off by heading off to search for ingredients for her mothers soup, which is to help Potato's pet fox who is sick, and of course as you head off that is where you get yourself into trouble and the adventures begin.
As you progress through the game, you get lovely cut scenes which help tell the story.
At no point does the game seem too repetitive, and although challenging, it never comes across as frustrating, which is always a hard balancing act for any game to walk.
The Good
Beautiful graphics, great sounds, fun smooth game play.
The Bad
Some of the puzzles are ridiculously hard, even the first one had me stumped, but you can spend tokens to get help, but you might find yourself looking for online guides for help more than perhaps you should.
Summary
A fun game, that although challenging is not one you will want to give up on.
Potata: fairy flower will be released on Xbox One and PlayStation®4 on May 13’th!
Price is £14.99/£14.99 everywhere!
This is the age of the Vikings. Assassin’s Creed Valhalla available Holiday, 2020 on Xbox Series X and Xbox One.
In Assassin’s Creed® Valhalla, you are Eivor, a fierce Viking warrior raised on tales of battle and glory. Explore a dynamic and beautiful open world set against the brutal backdrop of England’s Dark Ages. Raid your enemies, grow your settlement, and build your political power in your quest to earn your place among the gods in Valhalla.
Key Features WRITE YOUR VIKING SAGA
Advanced RPG mechanics allow you to shape the growth of your character and influence the world around you. With every choice you make, from political alliances and combat strategy to dialogue and gear progression, you will carve your own path to glory.
VISCERAL COMBAT SYSTEM
Dual-wield powerful weapons such as axes, swords, and even shields to relive the ruthless fighting style of the Viking warriors. Brutally decapitate your foes, vanquish them from afar, or stealthily assassinate targets with your hidden blade. Challenge yourself with the most varied collection of deadly enemies ever found in an Assassin’s Creed game.
A DARK AGE OPEN WORLD
Sail from the harsh and mysterious shores of Norway to the beautiful but forbidding kingdoms of England and beyond. Immerse yourself in the Viking way of life through fishing, hunting, drinking games, and more.
LEAD EPIC RAIDS
Launch massive assaults against Saxon troops and fortresses throughout England. Lead your clan in surprise attacks from your longship and pillage enemy territories to bring riches and resources back to your people.
GROW YOUR SETTLEMENT
Construct and upgrade buildings that allow for deep customization, including a barracks, blacksmith, tattoo parlor, and more. Recruit new members to your clan and personalize your Viking experience.
MERCENARY VIKINGS
Create and customize a unique Viking raider within your clan and share it online with friends to use during their own raids
