PREVIEW: Fling to the Finish on PC (Steam)

Preview by GamingCouchPotato.co.uk Staff

As always let me start by stating this game is Early Access, so it is not finished, so my opinions are based on that, and not any finished article.

Fling to the Finish is a co-op game, whereby you and a friend race through obstacle courses, the gimmick here is that you are connected to each other via a stretchy rope. Use the rope to your advantage and you will zoom through courses, but whereas the rope can be your greatest advantage, it can also be your biggest hinderance. 

There are over a dozen characters to choose from that fit your mood, lots of levels to complete.

So, the question is, in its early state, is it any good? Well, the answer to that is yes. Ok there are problems, the graphics can be a bit glitchy at times, the online matchmaking isn't the best, and the single player mode can be tricky to get the hang of. But the general idea is a good one, and hopefully as the game makers further develop the game and fix the bugs, the game can only improve.

The game has a frantic feel, which is great, the ball shaped characters are fun, if a tad bland looking at the moment. The leader board is a nice touch, and there is a feeling that you can pass a level quicker, or beat other people's times, so the replay ability is also there.

The Good

I like the cartoonish graphics and soundtrack, the game just feels fun to play, although can be tricky at times.

The Bad

The game is early access, so there will always be bugs and things that can be approved, so keep that in mind if you decide to play it.

Overall

The game is fun, even at this early stage, and that can only be a good thing, the potential is there is the game makers listen to the opinions of those who have played it, and try to address issues and improve things.

Preview by GamingCouchPotato.co.uk Staff

REVIEW: Orbibot on Xbox One

Review by GamingCouchPotato.co.uk Staff

Recently we seem to have been spoiled with the release of various ball-rolling physics puzzle type games.

The latest to make its way to the mainstream is Orbibot, you control a ball shaped robot, and you have to reach a certain point to complete a level.

Sounds simple right? Wrong! As you play you will have to hit buttons, switch on or off lazers, move barrels or metal balls and open doors to reach the end of the level, which is a teleportation device.

Reach the teleportation device, and you are unsurprisingly teleported to the next level.

So how does the game itself play, well here is the problem, for a physics-based ball rolling game, the physics seem a bit off at times, and the control system can be frustrating to say the least, when precision is needed, this is where the game can fall down. Now maybe this was built into the game on purpose, or maybe not. If the game worked as you would expect it to, then you would fly through the 15 or so levels pretty quickly, a few hours if that and you would be done. Instead, you will find yourself taking much longer to complete the game.

The Good

Everything looks really good. The game is very simple at the start, not a lot of direction needed, it is pretty clear what you need to do, and you just jump straight into it.

The Bad

The control of the ball, and the camera angle, sadly the two main parts of a game like this, and both just let the game down. A few tweaks to both of these would improve the game massively, but it would also perhaps make the game too easy. And 15 levels is not a lot.

Overall

A game full of potential, but just missed the mark on some of the most important aspects of what makes a good physics-based ball rolling game.

I score the game a fair 6/10

Review by GamingCouchPotato.co.uk Staff

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

SONY America: August 20th

SONY Europe: August 20th

XBOX: August 20th

Nintendo Switch (NA & EU): August 26th

* PS4 and PS5 version will be cross-buy.

* Xbox One and Xbox Series X version will have Smart Delivery.

REVIEW: Rolling Adventure on PC (Steam)

Review by GamingCouchPotato.co.uk Staff

Rolling Adventure is a game that has been out on Mobile for a while, although a more simplified version. Well now a full-fledged version of the game has been released on Steam. So, what is the game about, well you drive a monster truck, and you have to pass through tracks, sounds pretty simple, well here is the twist, the course is set on a procedurally generated conveyor belt. In other words, if you go to fast you will simply drive off the end and die, go to slow, and you will fall off the end and die.

You play on 30 levels, each level harder than the last. You must drive over obstacles, while collecting the all-important gold Stars, get 3 to "perfect" the level.

The part of the game that really grabs you, is the timing everything takes, you can't just floor it and hope your monster truck will clear everything, you need to time your movements, jumps and turbos, otherwise you might get stuck on an obstacle, which will then eventually leave you falling off the end of the conveyor belt.

As well as stars, you will collect "nuts" to help you unlock achievements.

Rolling Adventure although starting as a simple mobile game, on Steam it really is quite the challenging game. 

The Good

Graphically it is very sharp, the courses are well made, and there is a high level of re-playability, to get all the stars and nuts.

The Bad

Poorly optimized for older computers, which is just laziness, since the game is a small file size, and graphically not that much different to the mobile version. The controls are also not the best. And at roughly £10 it is way overpriced.

Overall

A fun idea for a game, it plays well and offers a challenge. There is a demo you can play first; I would advise checking that out first before purchasing. Also you can get the simpler mobile version for free, just search your app store.

I score Rolling Adventure a fair 6/10, Room for improvement.

Review by GamingCouchPotato.co.uk Staff

https://store.steampowered.com/app/1362650/Rolling_Adventure/

REVIEW: Hell Architect on PC (Steam)

Review by GamingCouchPotato.co.uk Staff

Today we are here to review the very interesting "Hell Architect" by Woodland Games, I will say, that wouldn't Hell's Architect be a better name? Just seems more grammatically correct. Oh well.

When I started playing Hell Architect, the first thing I noticed was the similarities to Hammerting, a game I reviewed back in October 2020, same viewpoint, same general gameplay, but luckily as I started playing through the tutorial of Hell Architect, I realised that Hell Architect was an infinitely better game. So, if you had a bad experience with Hammerting, then give Hell Architect a play, as it gets right, almost everything that Hammerting got wrong.

You play as the "Architect of Hell", you play from a 2D vertical side on view point, and like other vertical mining colony sim type games, your job is to dig, craft and build, but with the twist being that you are running hell. Instead of dwarves, you have sinners and lost souls, you need to make these evildoers suffer, you can build prisons and torture devices, all while keeping your hell running smoothly. 

You have 9 levels of hell to complete in single player mode, or you can just go to work creating your own perfect hell in sandbox mode. In single player mode you will try to gain the approval of demons and even the devil himself. But running hell is not an easy task, unfortunately there is more to hell than just punishing sinners, you have to build power stations, places for your sinners to eat food, and more and more intricate torture devices. You will need to harvest resources, the usual dirt, stone, coal and so on, but also if you dig far enough you can find ancient artifacts that will give you special powers.

At its core Hell Architect is a vertical 2D management sim, but with such a nice twist, that being you are running hell.

The Good

The graphics are crisp, well animated, and I need to give a special mention to how well this game is optimized, it ran perfectly on an old laptop of mine, as well as perfectly on my fancy desktop. This is so important, since many games are released that are so poorly optimized that unless you have a £2000 setup, you can't play them, but Hell Architect really is so well made, I was pleasantly surprised by the relatively low download size, and just how smooth everything is. 

The tutorial is perfect, really helps you learn the basics of the game, everything is easy to find and navigate, you can tell that the game makers have really spent time making sure the basics of the game are perfect, and I really appreciate that, especially considering the frustrations I had with similar games I have played in this genre.

The Bad

If you like Vertical 2D management sim type games, then there is no bad. This game is almost the perfect representation of the genre.

Overall

Can you tell I like this game yet? The true greatness of any game, especially for someone like me who is in general only playing it to review it, is if after I have finished my review, if I will keep playing it, it is that simple, if I never play it again, then the game is perhaps not that great, but with Hell Architect I will definitely keep playing it. It is just so damn good.

I score the game a near perfect 9/10 Absolutely loved it.

Review by GamingCouchPotato.co.uk Staff.

REVIEW: Mask of Mists - Nintendo Switch

Mask of Mists is the latest game released by Sometimes You on Nintendo Switch.

A first-person perspective game whereby you play as a mercenary, your job is a simple one, to find one of the Archmages of the Academy who has gone missing, while researching in the Infected Territory!

The Infected Territory is an interesting place, after being exposed to "monstrous amounts of magic", it has become overwhelmed with evil creatures from the abyss, as the barrier between the normal world and the world of evil and chaos has broken down.

You start the game looking at a book, that explains to you the story, and gives you the context of what you are about to do, and see.

As you play you will need to find notes left by the missing Archmage to help you progress, explaining to you things he did, what he failed at, as well as where he succeeded, his notes go into your notebook for future reference. You will face puzzles that need to be solved, as you solve them, they have a direct effect on the world, new parts of the map will be revealed, areas that were previously deadly, become harmless.

But it is not just exploration and puzzles, there is an action element to the game, you will have to fight the monsters from the abyss, you have a gun and a sword, and as you play, and inevitably lose health, you can drink potions to help you recover. Potions which you can create from various magic plants you will find.

Although the game is relatively short and you will most likely complete it in about 4 hours, it is a fun experience, and despite the ending feeling a bit flat since it goes back to the same book to explain things, as a whole the game is a rewarding experience. And there is definitely a feeling of wanting to replay the game, explore more, collect everything, and try to find every single secret.

The Good

Graphically the game is very good, everything plays smoothly and the controls are easy enough to learn.

The Bad

The beginning and end and the use of simple book to explain things, seems a bit lazy, and perhaps rushed to avoid spending time creating an animated open and close.

Overall

A fun, engaging game, that despite its flaws will definitely have me making another playthrough.

I score Mask of Mists a solid 7/10

Review by GamingCouchPotato.co.uk Staff

Out now on Nintendo Switch

https://www.nintendo.com/games/detail/mask-of-mists-switch/