REVIEW: The Norwood Suite - Out now on Steam (PC)

Synopsis:
From Cosmo D, the creator of the freeware hit "Off-Peak", comes The Norwood Suite - a weird-adventure game that is both its spiritual and direct sequel.

The Norwood Suite is a first-person adventure game that takes players to the secluded Hotel Norwood on a simple and friendly errand that quickly unfolds into something much more involved. Filled with bizarre characters and objects, this mysterious resort is a dense, open-ended world teeming with hidden passages and secrets to discover.

Peer into the lives of the hotel’s guests and staff, explore and interact with surprises behind every door, and piece together a non-linear narrative that rewards your curiosity. The Norwood Suite features surreal art design, as well as an original atmospheric musical score, composed by Cosmo D, that integrates itself directly into the game world.

Review: By Jon Donnis
If you read the little synopsis above you will see that the score in this game is composed by Cosmo D, and damn it really is good, because I am an idiot, I started playing this game on mute as I assumed it would be your typical background sounds etc, and only after a few hours did I put the sound on and suddenly I am hearing this great music. So yeah when you play this, turn your speakers on, and prepare to have your senses tickled with such cool music.

Ok away from the awesome music, this game is a puzzle/errands game, once you get to the hotel of which the game is based, everything becomes about solving puzzles, whether that is how to use the computer, by changing plugs, finding a wifi router, resetting it, or finding the right costume to wear to enter a room you need to go, making people sandwiches, to finding key for a piano. This is the main crux of the game. So if you like this type of game then you should enjoy The Norwood Suite.

I had a few issues with the game, I felt the controls a little clunky, however I am much more of a console guy, so using keys to move with one hand, and the mouse with the other, does not come naturally to me. Give me an Xbox controller and I am at home. So although I thought the controls were a bit clunky, if you are used to playing games using a mouse and keyboard then I suspect you will be right at home here.

I also found the graphics to be a little dated, again spoiled by 2017 high end games with huge budgets and so on. And this game would easily feel "new" if released 10 or even 15 years ago.

This game is not for me, for various reasons, but that does not mean it is a bad game, but you do have to take into account the type of gamer you are, the type of games you enjoy, and the type of experience you like to get from a game.

If you like keyboard/mouse controls, a game whereby you enjoy the music, you pay attention to all the conversations the characters you interact with have, you like to feel immersed into the storyline, then I am sure you will enjoy this game.

I give this game a decent 7/10.

The Norwood Suite will be released on PC through Steam and Itch.io on October 2.

Hyper Mode is back for Dying Light

October 2017 – Wroclaw, Poland / Techland, a leading developer and publisher of videogames today announces the return of Hyper Mode, a community-led challenge, starting today at 12pm PDT (8pm BST) and ending on 8th October at 11:30pm PDT (3:30pm BST) to achieve a gib-soaked enemy kill count of six million. More details can be found here.

Hyper Mode will have a number of key gameplay changes that will imbue players with the additional physical power to send zombies flying throughout the event. Meanwhile for gamers who want to join the fun, there will be a sale of up to 60% on Steam.

“These community events are not only good excuses to bring together our loyal Dying Light community to reach a collective, challenging goal but also to reward them with unique items,” said CEO, Techland, Pawel Marchewka. “We can’t wait to kick off Hyper Mode again to see whether the kill count goal of six million can be achieved.”

Those taking part in the carnage will be rewarded with two extra Gold-Tier Weapon Dockets. Drop-kick ’til you… drop!

REVIEW: Cuphead - Xbox One

Cuphead is a classic run and gun action game heavily focused on boss battles. Inspired by cartoons of the 1930s, the visuals and audio are painstakingly created with the same techniques of the era, i.e. traditional hand drawn cel animation, watercolor backgrounds, and original jazz recordings.Play as Cuphead or Mugman (in single player or local co-op) as you traverse strange worlds, acquire new weapons, learn powerful super moves, and discover hidden secrets while you try to pay your debt back to the devil!

Buy from Amazon Here

FIFA 18 - Nintendo Switch Gameplay

Take a look at Real Madrid facing off against Barcelona in FIFA 18, running on a docked Nintendo Switch.

EA SPORTS FIFA 18 on Nintendo Switch is the most immersive, social, and authentic football game ever created for Nintendo players. Feature packed, you can now play the world’s game anytime, anywhere and in unique ways with FIFA 18 on Nintendo Switch.

BUILT FOR SWITCH

Your FIFA, Your Way: Brand-new ways to play single and multiplayer on the most social FIFA experience ever. With a variety of controller and display configurations available, as well as split Joy-Con support, FIFA 18 on the Nintendo Switch offers a responsive and engaging gaming experience – no matter how you play.

Your Favorite FIFA Modes, for Nintendo SWITCH: With FIFA Ultimate TeamTM, Career Mode, and Switch-tailored Kickoff, and Local Seasons, FIFA 18 on Nintendo Switch is the deepest portable FIFA ever.

Immersive Presentation and Gameplay: With advanced rendering technology, FIFA 18 on Nintendo Switch delivers an unparalleled experience. The product boasts a full 1080p on TV and 720p on handheld, delivering authentic football atmospheres, no matter where you play. Experience brand-new pitch environments, unique physically based rendering for all characters, and new gameplay mechanics.

Buy Fifa 18 on Nintendo Switch Here

REVIEW: Ticket to Ride: First Journey (Mobile Version)

Review by Jon Donnis:
Ticket to Ride First Journey is based on a board game called Days of Wonder, Now I have to admit I am not aware of this board game, as I don't really play them, so I come to this game from a position of complete ignorance. It is worth noting that this is a kids game, or a game that a parent can play with a  young child. So I am probably not the demographic they are aiming at.

With that said the game is enjoyable. You start on a map, with various landmarks, and you have to connect the land marks with train routes, and whoever scores the most routes first wins, and you then collect artifacts, its that simple.

I will admit that I started playing the game without reading anything about it, and even during the tutorial I didn't pay much attention, because.. you know... I'm a stupid man and all that. So once the game started proper I had no real idea what I was doing, but once I figured it out, it is a fun little game.

There is a solo mode whereby you play against AI opponents, and that's fine for what it is, but the fun here comes from playing against someone else. You just pass your phone to them when your turn is over, and so on.

I played the game with my 7 year old niece like this, and much like a physical board game, we had the same type of experience, which was basically me taking things way too seriously and her getting annoyed with me for not letting her win. As soon as we finished a game she demanded we play again. And that's really all you need to know.

It's a fun, simple, easy to play game, better playing against others.

I give this game a solid 7/10.

Synopsis:
Ticket to Ride: First Journey brings the popular kid and family version of Days of Wonder classic board game Ticket to Ride, to digital platforms. Perfect for all ages with quicker and easier gameplay for younger players, this adaptation is a must-have introduction to the award-winning and millions-selling game Ticket to Ride. Including both USA and European maps, Ticket to Ride: First Journey allows you to collect train cards, claim routes across the continent and connect major cities across the map.

Playable in solo mode against three AI of varying difficulties, or with up to three friends (or bots) with the ‘pass and play’ mode, each game of Ticket to Ride: First Journey will steer you through the wild landscapes of the USA or historical Europe, learning more about iconic monuments and collecting pictures of the cities as you go.

A digital adaptation for the masses, Ticket to Ride: First Journey has been simplified for younger audiences, so parents and children can experience the ride together. The game features a colourful, fully-animated 3D user experience, and user-friendly drag and drop mechanics to make the first Ticket to Ride journey easy and fun for all ages.

Ticket to Ride: First Journey features:
Two maps: Europe & North America
Family-friendly gameplay, including interactive, kid-focused tutorial
Solo mode: Easy, normal & difficult AI
Pass and play mode on a single device: Up to four players (or bots)

Unlockable rewards to build geographical knowledge

Links to Purchase
iPhone
Android
Steam
Mac OS: Coming soon