REVIEW: Dexter Stardust on Nintendo Switch

Review by Jon Donnis

Dexter Stardust is to be released on March 3rd on Nintendo Switch, and I was given a copy to review from the very good people at Flynn's Arcade.

Synopsis

"Space! Dexter Stardust barely escaped when the Vreesians, inhabitants of the menacing Planet X, sent a fleet of robots to destroy all life on Earth. Now, twenty years later, a mechanical man from the 10th planet seeks to communicate to Dexter a very important message - he is the key to saving both humans and Vreesians. Play the taco-loving Dexter Stardust as he, and his good friend Aurora, go on the greatest adventure of their lives and discover the mystery of the Robot from the Planet X!"

Dexter Stardust is your classic point and click adventure game, whereby you need to interact with your surroundings, solve puzzles, and move from scene to scene.

There are over 100 scenes in the game, and the game on Switch consists of all 5 episodes. Each episode acts as a new story that all connects to the main overriding story.

The game starts off with really well animated cartoon scenes, you play as Taco loving Dexter, a delivery driver in space who keeps getting himself into trouble, and once you get into the game proper, the first task will have you trying to get back to Aurora, and meet her at the house after you somehow end up in a ditch, you will then need to use your surroundings to help you navigate, and solve the puzzles, for example in the first area you find yourself in, you will notice some clay on the floor, so pick it up, in the next scene put the clay in a mould, to create the mould of a gun, then put clay mould in the sun to dry it, then fetch some wood for a handle, put mould in 3D printing type machine, switch machine on, and now you have a working gun, which will allow you to shoot a giant tentacle, and progress further.

As you can see, the puzzles are very logical, and nothing is too obscure, a bit of common sense, and straightforward thinking and you will find yourself able to solve the various problems.

The game itself is family friendly, and the controls are simple enough on a Nintendo Switch. The voice acting however is a bit rubbish. I hate to be harsh here, but at times it does feel like you have people whose English is their second language, are just sat in a small room, reading from a script. With that said, you will get used to it, and it is not really a big deal, nor will it stop you from enjoying the game. Plus, I tend to play with the sound off and read subtitles anyway, as I like to listen to music while i play video games. So, for me it wasn't a big deal.

The Good

The graphics, the animation is all brilliant, top quality, the puzzles are straightforward, which means that frustration is kept to a minimum. There will be no moments of throwing your Switch across the room as nothing makes sense, which has happened to me before in other point and click games, not mentioning any names, but Larry, I hate you.

The Bad

Some of the voice acting is a bit naff, but on a smaller budget I totally understand, and it really is the only complaint I have about the whole game.

Overall

This really is one of the better point and click adventures released in recent times. Very impressed.

I score Dexter Stardust on Nintendo Switch a strong 8/10

Release date: 03/03/2022 - £9.99

https://www.nintendo.co.uk/Games/Nintendo-Switch-download-software/Dexter-Stardust-Adventures-in-Outer-Space-2101513.html

REVIEW: Guntech 2 on Xbox

Review by Jon Donnis

Guntech 2 is a retro style twin stick top-down view shooter. Reminiscent of classic games Thrust, Oids, Geometry Wars, and Asteroids.

Synopsis:

Utopos Space Station was the new hope for humans. It failed. Never underestimate human greed.

Your job is to clean up the mess. Fight alien life forms, rescue scientists, deliver vaccines to combat a deadly pandemic. The asteroid belt is filled with wild space aliens, many of them results of failed human experiments to create life that survives in space. You will even find a dragon in space!

As is often the case in such games, you fly about, shoot the aliens, get to the end point and on you go. This game has that but also a nice little twist. There is a virus pandemic affecting the solar system, and giant viruses the same size as alien rockets are floating around, and you need to take them out.

In normal times such a twist in a game would seem silly or pointless, but in current times it fits in just about perfectly. The viruses can even attach to your ship and drain your power. Along with the giant viruses and aliens, there are also demons, dragons and all sorts to fight.

Designed mainly a single player game, control of the ship is with the left stick, this includes the engine thrust, something I am not keen on, I prefer engine thrust to be controlled with a separate button, this does make control at first a bit trick and hard to get used to, but stick with it and you will get there. And the right stick controls the rail gun. You also have two additional weapons, fired using the bumpers. Unfortunately, because of the control system, these additional weapons only fire in the direction that the ship is facing, so if you are using the rail gun to fire behind you or to the side, the extra weapons become pointless. 

5 worlds, Tutorial, Virus, The Dark Worlds, Space Jungle, and Cargo Hauler each with 8 levels to beat, so there is plenty to keep you going. Plus, the addition of some fun themed levels which I won't spoil for you now.

Each level has up to 3 stars to achieve for passing. Various things to achieve in a level to get the maximum stars. There is an arcade and adventure mode. Plenty of weapons to collect.

I imagine the levels with the giant virus will trigger some people, especially the boss fight with a giant virus that has a name similar to Dr Birx, one of the scientists in America who "controlled the narrative", and you need to destroy a lab from which the virus escaped. Disclaimer: Any similarities to real life events are purely coincidental. 

The Good

Super colourful graphics, excellent design, and well thought out levels, plus the whole virus angle is really fun. Trying to destroy the boss virus and watching it multiply and keep coming back did amuse me.

The Bad

Not a fan of this form of control, but it is what it is. If anything, it is close to the classic Asteroids game in control method, I just never liked it.

Overall

If you are a fan of top-down space shooters, this is another to add to your collection. Hardly ground breaking, but does have unique features that give it a level of interest.

Out now on Xbox

https://www.xbox.com/en-gb/games/store/guntech-2/9n90sbm11lk3

NEWS: Puzzle Bobble 3D: Vacation Odyssey (PS4/PS5) - Trailer

Stuttgart, Germany - April 5th, 2022 - ININ Games, in partnership with Survios and under licence from TAITO Corporation have announced the upcoming boxed retail release of Puzzle Bobble 3D: Vacation Odyssey. 

This new entry in the classic Japanese action, puzzle-game franchise brings bubble-popping puzzle fun to the third dimension for the first time and can optionally even be experienced in virtual reality via PlayStation VR (PSVR). The game is coming for PlayStation 4 (PS4) and PlayStation5 (PS5), marking ININ Games’ first release on the 9th generation of consoles, and will be available for pre-order at select retailers soon. Eager fans can already look forward to the imminent pre-order start for the Limited Edition and Collector’s Edition which contain additional collectible items. These editions will only be available at Strictly Limited Games and their partnered fan store Gamesrocket. Pre-orders kick off on Thursday, April 7th.

About the Game
Bubble dragon brothers Bub and Bob are in for a surprise when their island vacation takes an unexpected turn for an epic, bubble-popping adventure in Puzzle Bobble 3D: Vacation Odyssey. Explore lush tropical islands, peaceful lakesides and even the pyramids while solving 100 new puzzles in Puzzle Bobble's first-ever 3D and optional VR experience, the next evolution of the classic Japanese action, puzzle-game franchise! This game is positively bursting with its cheerful design, adorable characters, and timeless, fun gameplay for fans of the series and newcomers alike.

Features:
100 New Puzzles: Brand new 3D puzzles with special bubbles, fun power-ups and items add more depth and physics for a mind-bending challenge

Full PSVR Support [optional]: Virtual reality transforms players into a bubble-popping dragon with a first-person perspective, and even physicalized interactions when paired with PlayStation Move controllers. You can switch seamlessly between playing on TV and VR.

3 Distinct Puzzle Modes: Master the 100 progressively difficult puzzles in Story Mode, kick back and pop endless puzzles in Infinite Mode, or hop into online 1v1 Duel Mode, which supports matches across PS4, PS5 and PSVR.

Easy to Pick-Up-&-Play but Challenging to Master: Simple controls and intuitive game mechanics introduces puzzle popping in a fun, non-intimidating way

Fantastic tunes: Includes an all-new score by Zuntata, the composers for the original series!

Buy from - https://store.strictlylimitedgames.com/collections/puzzle-bobble-3d

REVIEW: The Ascent - (PS4)

Review by Jon Donnis

Are you a fan of isometric cyberpunk-themed action role-playing video games? If you answered yes, then you might be interested in taking a look at The Ascent, which has just been released on PS4/PS5. Originally released on Xbox and PC in the middle of last year, PlayStation owners have had to wait to get their hands on the game.

From Swedish indie game studio Neon Giant and published by Curve Digital developed using Unreal Engine 4, The Ascent is a twin stick shooter, and although the viewpoint is advertised as Isometric, it does change in some areas of the game, there is also the ability to shoot high and low, which is great when an enemy is on a higher level than you, or further away. Now you may wonder why they would develop a mechanic like this at all, well it is important as it gives you a new dimension of play, whereby you can take cover and then shoot at enemies over obstacles.

The game has the usual customization options for the character, appearance, armour, Cyberware, and so on. You also have something called a cyberdeck device, which allows you to "hack" into certain machines, for example to allow you to enter an area, or open loot chests.

As you kill enemies they will drop various items, which you can pick up, you can also destroy various environmental things, which may also drop items.

As for the story itself, you find yourself in a futuristic dystopian world called Veles, a megacorporation called "The Ascent Group" was in control. You play as a worker who had been enslaved, but now The Ascent Group has collapsed, and the world is a free for all. you have been hired by an alien called Poone. Districts now compete against each other, gangs and groups fight for control of areas, your job is to stop others from taking over your area, and find out what really happened to The Ascent Group.

You have main missions and side missions, directed by your boss Poone. Missions tend to involve your typical loot and shoot mechanics, the more you do, the better upgrades and equipment you can get, your level will grow and so on. Main missions tend to end in a typical boss fight. Shoot, run away, shoot, run away and so on. And finally, there are bounties which you can take up, to also earn extra points. You can change weapons as you play, different weapons will have different affects depending on the enemy you are trying to kill.

Weapons include your classic pistols, machine guns, and shotguns, as well as grenades. You can upgrade weapons at the various gun vendors, using points you earn through your missions.

There are also "augmentations". These are special attacks that deal extra damage. For example, a super punch that clears all around you.

Basically, there are a lot of customisations you can do to your character, weapons and armour, and all have a meaningful affect as you play.

As you play you will soon realise the scale of the game, once you get past the opening mission, you find yourself in this industrialised world, which is very impressive looking.

There are various ways to play, single player, online co-op or regular couch co-op.

The Good

Graphically the game is incredibly detailed, personally I liked the option to change the colours, this is mainly for people with various colour blindness issues, but even though I have perfect vision, I changed to a lighter scheme, as I just prefer that. It is nice the choice is there.

The game play is easy to pick up, and the game handles very well. The whole world feels very alive, with NPCs just going about their daily lives.

The Bad

The missions can get a bit repetitive, shoot, loot, collect, grind, repeat. And travelling can get tedious fast.

Overall

A fun action RPG shooter. Not very everyone, but for its genre, it is one of the better games I have played.

I score The Ascent a fair 7/10

Out Now at https://amzn.to/3qUccpv

REVIEW: A Memoir Blue - Playstation 5

Review by Jon Donnis

A Memoir Blue is the latest release on Playstation 5, a Visual Novel (don't roll your eyes, some people like them), about a superstar athlete, and the love between a mother and daughter.

Strangely for a visual novel, A Memoir Blue features no actual dialog, everything is told through visual cues. There are consequences to your decisions as you play, so choose wisely.

Completable in roughly an hour, this is a shortish experience, but worth it I would say. You start the game playing as Miriam, the daughter.

The opening scene of the game shows your character winning a medal at the Olympics, but not looking particularly happy for some reason, and flinching as the camera flashes go off, clearly not a fan of attention it seems.

The camera then retracts and we realise that Miriam is watching herself on the TV screen. The camera pans to her bag, and you get your first bit of interactivity with the game, you can click on a pair of goggles, press the top of some deodorant to make it spray out, but clearly you need to click on the mobile phone. Upen clicking around on the phone, straight away you realise there are no words, try to send a message and there is only a question mark and some dots to click on. Before you know it the phone rings, and next you have your first puzzle of sorts, which are ice cubes in a glass, and suddenly a fish appears. Already I am slightly lost at this point. Since there is no dialog, no real instruction of what to do.

From that point on you seem to go from one memory or dream to the next. Exploring the past, your relationship with your mother, as you move through childhood into adulthood.

The game plays very much as a tactile experience, and by that, I mean that everything revolves around you tapping on things on the screen, or moving through water, memory scenes play in 2D whereas current scenes play in 3D. Simple puzzles like stamping a ticket after adjusting the stamp. Nothing too tricky.

The whole game is a strange one, some odd interactions, especially in the first 30 minutes of play, can take you out of the experience, as the clickable area might be quite small, so you find yourself randomly clicking around with no real direction.

There is a nice story here, and told in a unique way, with beautiful music.

Everything looks and sounds great, but there is a missing element I feel.

I often ask the question, if a game is as enjoyable if you just watched someone else play it, as compared to if you play it, then what is the point?

And unfortunately, this becomes an issue in this game.

The Good

A short experience that will leave an impression on you.

The Bad

Can you justify spending £7.20 on something you will finish in under an hour and probably never play again?

Overall

A seemingly tactile type game, that doesn't translate to the screen that well for the people who perhaps would benefit from it the most.

I just need more to do. 

I score A Memoir Blue on Playstation 5 a 6/10

Out now at the Playstation Store for £7.20 - https://store.playstation.com/en-gb/concept/10003796