REVIEW: Dungeons & Bombs on Xbox One

Review by Jon Donnis

Dungeons & Bombs is billed as a challenging puzzle game, where by you need to save what I can only describe as a princess with a beard. I will avoid any trans jokes here as I don't want to be "cancelled" by the humourless mob.

So, I guess this game tries to be a bit Bomberman and a bit Qbert.  You need to get front point A to point B, reach point B and you save the Princess. You find monsters and traps in your way, and you have a set amount of moves to finish the level. If you encounter a monster you lose a move, if you stand on an active trap, you lose a move. I can see what they are trying to do here, and it is a good idea, the problem is, it doesn't work, like some levels are literally impossible to beat if you follow the rules of the game. 

Now that might sound like a strange thing to say, and it is, because purely by accident, I found a huge bug in the game, a bug that upon quickly checking with others who have played the game have also spotted, and this bug basically lets you finish every level. When you drop a bomb, you have 3 moves until it explodes, as long as you don't walk on a trap or touch an enemy. If the bomb goes off as your move counter reaches zero, you then have a few seconds whereby you can quickly run to the Princess, touch them and you pass the level. You only get a few seconds, but clearly this is cheating, but because some of the levels are simply impossible, you will find yourself doing this just to get past them.

It is such a shame as this could have been a much better game, if they removed the set move amounts and just let it be more of a Bomberman clone.

The Good

There is a cool CRT mode, whereby the screen has an effect like you are playing on an old school TV. The Princess with a Beard also made me laugh.

The Bad

The flawed gameplay and "cheat" that literally everyone will find out, even if by accident.

Overall

I really wanted to like this game, and perhaps the first 7 levels out of a potential 50 did interest me, and I did enjoy them, but the huge bug in the game as well as impossible levels just spoil it.

I score this game 3/10. Hopefully they will release a fix as well as improve the levels.

By Jon Donnis

Dungeons & Bombs will be released on PlayStation®5, PlayStation®4, Nintendo Switch™ and Xbox One on February 26'th! Price is 4.99 💵 everywhere!

 

REVIEW: Warhammer: Vermintide 2 on PC (Steam)

Review by Jon Donnis

I thought I was playing Left 4 Dead but no, this is Warhammer: Vermintide 2, a completely different game, with different characters, in a different world! Ok, it's basically Left 4 Dead, in a different world with different characters. So, for people who have no idea what I am on about, let us pretend that we have never played Left 4 Dead, Vermintide 2 is a 4 player, online co-op, FPS, whereby you fight your way through linear levels, fighting hordes of disgusting creatures. You see! Completely different! If first-person, multiplayer, melee combat is you thing, then you will love this.

As I mentioned this is an online game, I think there might be a way to play this single player with AI controlled friends, but I couldn't figure that out, so don't take my word on it.

You can choose between 5 characters, each character has various weapons to upgrade, abilities to masters and so on. As you win battles you win loot boxes with better weapons, and your character level goes up, it is all standard fare.

This is a bloody game, so not for the squeamish, you will swing an axe and destroy your enemies face, so be prepared for that. With that said, there isn't much skill to this game, it is simple, hack-n-slash gameplay, and if you are coordinating with your friends as you play, everything is very straight forward, that does not mean it isn't fun or satisfying, because it is, it is incredibly satisfying if slicing arms, and decapitating weird creatures is your thing. There are also ranged weapons you can use, which in many ways end up being much more effective, that may be a Blunderbuss gun, or a bow and arrow.

Each level will take roughly 25-35 minutes to complete, the enemies spawn in different locations, so if you replay a level it is never exactly the same. Different levels will need you to do different things, one level will have you escorting a cart through a darkened mine, another level might be more of a "get from point A to point B" type affair. There is simply a lot to do as well as a lot to upgrade on your characters.

The Good

This is a fun game, the characters are varied enough that there really is a difference depending which one you choose, the weapons are varied, and when you find one you like it really will make a difference. The graphics are awesome, and the audio, everything from the music to the banter is all top notch.

The Bad

The in-game menus are rubbish, waste of time. And there are huge issues with the multiplayer, players will get disconnected, if the person who created the party disconnects you lose all progress. All in all, it spoils the game. I think if there is a single player mode (which I can't find) then that is what I would prefer, just having AI controlled friends on mission would play better.

Overall

I enjoyed the game, but this really needs 4 people who all know each other, and who have great internet connections, then you can get the best out of the game, without that the game feels a let-down at time and frustrations will creep in.

With that said, I see that it is also available on Xbox Game Pass, so I might download it there and see if it plays better on console.

For the PC version however, I score this 7/10 - Fun game, but let down by poor menus and poor multiplayer.

Out now on PC (Steam) and Consoles. (Free as part of Xbox Game Pass)

Review By Jon Donnis

NieR Replicant ver.1.22474487139... The Barren Temple Gameplay

 

Pre-Order at - https://amzn.to/3jIHevr​

After being hidden by a sandstorm, the entrance to the Barren Temple has finally been revealed. Follow the Young Protagonist, who must navigate ancient puzzles, defeat Shades, and confront mysterious, sentient cubes in this extended gameplay look. 

NieR Replicant ver.1.22474487139…, the highly anticipated prequel to the breakout hit, NieR:Automata, and upgrade of the legendary action-RPG, NieR Replicant​, will launch for the PlayStation®4 computer entertainment system, the Xbox One family of devices including Xbox One X, and PC (Steam) on April 23, 2021.

Active Neurons 3 - Wonders of the World

 
Active Neurons 3 - Wonders Of The World will be released on PlayStation®5, PlayStation®4, Nintendo Switch™ and Xbox One on February 24’th! Price is 4.99 💵 everywhere!

Active Neurons - Wonders of the World is the third and final installment in the Active Neurons series.

In the game, you have to follow 3 simple steps:
1) Collect energy
2) Charge your brain
3) Explore Wonders of the World

But are these steps that easy? Try it yourself and you will find out everything!
Look for the right way to energy.
Avoid dangerous obstacles.
Teleport from one space to another to get closer to your goal.
Solve tasks on memory, logic and orientation in space to get to the blocked areas.
Destroy, move and combine objects on the levels to get to energy sources.

Main Features:
- A lot of levels;
- 20 types of unique mechanics;
- Ability to combine mechanics;
- Nice minimalistic style with beautiful graphic effects;
- Pleasant musical and audio accompaniment, improving immersion in the gameplay.

UltraGoodness 2 - Launch Trailer

UltraGoodness 2 is a bloody mess of dynamic and fun action, about the struggle between Good and Evil in the world. Dark Forces are ready to be torn to pieces in this bloody action game, but now it’s blended with the time manipulation, and availability of permanent companion cat.

Kill enemies and maneuver through a hurricane of fireballs! Can you take on gruesome enemy hordes, deadly traps and challenging bosses?

UltraGoodness is about having fun, so turn off your brain and show ‘em your rage!

Features:

Battle between Good and Evil

Fast-paced shooting action gameplay

Special time-motion mechanic

Fluffy white cat companion with powerful upgrades

Splatter blood all over the levels

UltraGoodness 2 will be priced for 4.99 $ / € for all platforms, and it will launch on:

SONY America: February 9th

SONY Europe: February 10th

XBOX: February 10th

Nintendo Switch (NA & EU): February 12th

* PS4 and PS5 version will be cross-buy.