REVIEW: Destropolis on PC (Steam)

Review by Jon Donnis

Destropolis is one of those rare finds, you start playing, thinking it will just be one of your run of the mill top-down shooters, and instead it is an awesome, nonstop punch in the face of awesomeness!

The main idea of the game is simple, you control a blue diamond shape cube, that can also fire weapons, you are surrounded by a fully destructible environment, and wave after way of red cuboid enemies. And that is it.

After reaching a score threshold, you pass the level, the game pauses and you can choose from upgrades, that may be an increase of your help, weapon cool down time, increase rate of drops and so on.

As you play you can collect up to 15 different weapons designated in a blue light, you pick up by pressing A on the controller, you can hold 2 weapons at a time and switch between them.

You will also be able to collect different power ups. From speed ups, to bullet time (which slows down time, giving you more time to think), to my favourite the NUKE! Which is exactly what you think it is. Airstrikes, Vortexes and so on.

Eventually and perhaps inevitably, you will be overwhelmed, and you will die. But then you just restart, and off you go again.

Played from an isometric/top-down view, with 6 main types of cube like enemies,

"Obelisks shoot lasers at you. Bomb spheres explode on contact. Pyramids shoot at you from a distance with artillery rounds. Wrecking balls smash everything on their path. Big, hexagonal bosses wreak havoc with their massive machine guns."

Although a minimalist type structure to the game, it gets hectic very very quick. Throw in some synth-wave music by LukHash, and you have a true diamond in the rough when it comes to top-down shooters.

The Good

The minimalist approach to the graphics, just works, and actually looks beautiful. Each time you play, you will be a bit better, and find yourself slowly climbing up the leader boards.

The Bad

Maybe some different areas to play in would be a nice addition to the game.

Overall

Destropolis was supposed to be a quick throw away type game, one I would play for ten minutes, get bored and forget about, instead it has entered my psyche and I absolutely love it.

A real surprise find, and one I really recommend.

Awesome game I score a strong 9/10

Review by Jon Donnis

Out now on Steam - https://store.steampowered.com/app/1316800/Destropolis/

REVIEW: Night Lights on Nintendo Switch

Review by GamingCouchPotato.co.uk Staff

I seem to be playing and reviewing a lot of innovative puzzle / platform games recently, and Night Lights from Ratalaika Games & Meridian4 is another platform game that you can firmly put in that "innovative" category.

You play as a tiny robot, your planet has been plunged into darkness, your job is to collect shards that will help resurrect a fallen star and restore light to the planet.

Night Lights' main mechanic is that of using light to manipulate the environment, mainly through the movement or activation of lamps. So, for example you need to get to an area that is blocked off, move a light source so that it lights up the area and a route will open up for you. Shadows and Lights have distinct effects on the environment, so you have to use both as a way to solve the puzzles of the level. You will also collect crystals that will activate various machines, tools and light sources.

There are 45 levels in total, which increase in difficulty, as you would expect.

The graphics are simple, but beautiful, and really put across the difference between the light and dark areas.

Gameplay is pretty straight forward once you understand the mechanics of the game, and although there isn't much help, or anything to guide you along if you get stuck, the puzzles are pretty straightforward, even if they take some thinking.

The Good

Really nice, simple graphics and engaging gameplay that never feels too hard, but still gives a challenge for any fan of the puzzle / platformer.

Just 91 mb download too which is great.

The Bad

I am not keen on the level select menu, it is a bit confusing as it uses stars in the sky, instead of a simple system of "Level 1, 2, 3, 4" etc.

Overall

An innovative concept, fun gameplay, and looks and plays great on a Nintendo Switch Lite.

I score Night Lights on Nintendo Switch a solid 8/10

Night Lights is out now on all formats and is priced for 4.99$ / € for all platforms.

https://www.nintendo.co.uk/Games/Nintendo-Switch-download-software/Night-Lights-2076086.html

Review by GamingCouchPotato.co.uk Staff

REVIEW: Minimalism on PC (Steam)

Review by Jon Donnis

Imagine a game that is less than 10mb to download in 2021, it can't exist surely?

Well, it does, and it is called Minimalism, and that truly is the perfect name for this game. At its base it is a platformer. 30 levels which get harder and harder.

You control a square, and your job is to collect keys and reach the end point of the level which is a door. Sounds easy right? But it is anything but easy.

The levels are maze like, with spikes to avoid, walls to bounce up, or slide down, there are weird letter things to collect as well, (giving lots of achievements), and that's it.

For what sounds like a very simple and boring game, it is in fact incredibly addictive, and not at all simple.

The Good

A game like this proves that graphics really aren't the most important thing in a game, instead it is the gameplay, and this has that in spades.

The Bad

The music is a bit "meh"

Overall

A surprisingly addictive, fun platformer, that is very challenging, if a tad frustrating at times.

For just 39p currently on Steam, this game really is value for money. 

I score Minimalism a truly impressive 9/10

Out Now on Steam at

https://store.steampowered.com/app/585690/Minimalism/

Review by Jon Donnis

REVIEW: Mage Drops on PC (Steam)

Review by Jon Donnis

Mage Drops is a Golf/Platform/Puzzle game from the good people at Orchid of Redemption.

In recent times we have seen quite a few of these Golf/Platform/Puzzle type games, but how does Mage Drops stack up against some of the previous releases in this ever-expanding genre.

As always when reviewing an "Early Access" game, it is worth pointing out that the game is not the finished article yet, the developers are still tweaking the game, listening to player feedback, adding or removing features to try and get the game as good as possible.

When loading up the game, the first thing you will notice is how pretty everything looks. And when things look really good, you instantly know that the developers have spent a lot of time and love on crafting a game, and with Mage Drops that is very apparent from the start.

Each course/level has the basics of golf, you start at the tee, and you need to get the ball in the cup. Aiming is done with a simple dotted line, which you can lengthen, lower, and so on until you get the desired shot. The cup itself is quite large, this instantly tells you that the platforming or puzzle elements are going to be more important than a millimetre precision shot.

You can use magic to control the ball in some circumstances after you have hit it, this allows you to influence the ball mid-flight and make that seemingly impossible shot, possible. You will be able to set fire to obstacles to clear the way, use magic rings to help you fly further. Use airstreams and even set off bombs to get you to your desired location.

The courses have your usual mini golf type obstacles, but they also have magical elements, barriers that you can control, to lift or move, or a hedge you can make appear or disappear, all things you need to consider when playing your shot. There are fans to shoot you up high, there are weird magical creatures that will get in your way. And plenty of other surprises along the way. There are even some interesting collectables.

Currently there are 7 worlds with over 80 levels to complete, the final game should have 8 worlds.

There is an easy and not so easy mode, so you can just play to explore, or you can play to beat scores. On first play through it is more fun to play the easy mode and just explore and not worry too much about getting PAR etc. Each world is unique and has different challenges and obstacles, which does make the game challenging, but never too frustrating.

The Good

Beautiful graphics and engaging gameplay really does make this game stand out. The interactive element of the levels is such a nice touch and really well thought through, using magic to slow the ball down, while you clear a path, is a really nice to addition to the game, and helps it stand out.

The Bad

Sometimes it is hard to know where the end point of the level is, you can of course click a button and have a good look around, but lazy people like me, tend to just want to get on with it, perhaps the addition of a little arrow to give you the general idea of where you are going would be a good idea?

I also don't like the name. Your average person is not going to know what a Mage is, or what it means, and Drops? Eye drops? Dropping a ball? To be fair I can't think of a better name, so I won't moan too loudly about the name.

Overall

Mage Drops is screaming out to be a console game, although it works well on PC, I could see this playing so well on a Nintendo Switch.

A fun addition to the Golf/Puzzle/Platform genre which is challenging but never frustrating.

I don't usually score Early Access games, but I am happy to give Mage Drops as solid 8/10/

Review by Jon Donnis

Out now on Steam

https://store.steampowered.com/app/1552600/Mage_Drops/

REVIEW: Valkyrie: Journey To Midgard on PC (Steam)

Review by GamingCouchPotato.co.uk Staff

Valkyrie: Journey To Midgard is a simple, old school RPG.

Here is the basic story

"A Dragon Orb has been stolen from Asgard. Valkyrie has been sent down to Midgard to retrieve the lost treasure. The goddess must not only overcome fierce monsters, but also to face a dark conspiracy that will affect all of nine realms."

For a start, it sounds way more exciting than it actually is. 

You play as "Valkyrie", and you find yourself in a dungeon, sadly a pretty basic looking dungeon. You will die a lot in this game, and when you do die, you have to start at the beginning, luckily you will come across Save Crystals, so if you do die, just exit the game, and continue from a save point. Because not to confuse the save crystals (clear in colour) with red ones, which are a boss fight.

Each room of the dungeon will contain multiple paths, and along the way you will find coffins that may contain helpful items, like armour or weapon upgrades. You will also find statues you can pray to; they may give you a positive benefit or a negative one. And you will also come across monsters. Battles are turn based, and pretty simple to figure out. There are boss fights that you can avoid for a while, and then when you think you are strong enough, the next time you come across one you can choose to take it on.

The graphics are simple but fine, most of the time you are in the dungeons which are dark.  The sound effects are ok for what they are.

The Good

Simple concept, easy to learn, fun to have a quick go on, and see if you can get further than you did previously.

The Bad

There's just not that much to the game. But for £1.69 what do you really expect.

Overall

Not the best RPG you will play, but also not the worst, perhaps a nice starter RPG for newbies to the genre.

I give Valkyrie: Journey To Midgard a fair 6/10

Out now at

https://store.steampowered.com/app/1724470/Valkyrie_Journey_To_Midgard/

Review by GamingCouchPotato.co.uk Staff