REVIEW: Journey - PS4

Review by GamingCouchPotato.co.uk Staff

Journey is a hard to describe game, but "Indie-Adventure" seems to be the common description used. Co-developed by Thatgamecompany and Santa Monica Studio, it was originally released on PS3 back in March 2012, and then re-released in July 2015 for the PS4. It has since been ported to Windows and iOS in 2019.

You play as a mysterious robed figure, you find yourself in a huge desert, the only thing you know to do is head towards a mountain in the distance. You will see other players also on their own journey, but you can't communicate with them. As you play you will soon figure out that you need to "activate" seemingly dull pieces of cloth, into vibrant colourful ones. You will collect things that will allow you to jump, and almost fly for short periods, you will run along desert landscapes, and then find yourself almost surfing down the other side of a hill. When I say it is hard to describe, it really is.

You will explore ancient caves, as well as activate those aforementioned pieces of cloth, that will allow you to reach high up ancient structures, which in turn allow you to activate relics, that allow you to progress through the area.

Although the game is relatively short (a few hours at most), there is a feeling of wonder as you traverse through the landscapes, if anything this feels more like an emotional experience than a game. When you finally reach the mountain, it truly does give off a feeling of wonder and accomplishment.

I won't spoil the ending, and I have been careful not to give away too much, as this really is a game that you should experience.

The Good

The graphics are stunning, the soundtrack is beautiful. And if you were lucky enough to add this game to your account during Sony's "Play at Home" promotion, then you really do have a classic on your hands. I say this, as I did just that, back in July of 2020, Sony made a couple of games available for people to download and keep for free. I added the game to my account and then forgot about it, and only now have I started playing it. And I am happy I finally did, but annoyed I never played it sooner.

The Bad

The game is quite short.

Overall

Not many games can be sold on the experience it gives you to play, the emotion it provides, this is one of those games.

It has won countless awards for being great, and I will also lavish praise on the game, a true classic I score 9/10

I uploaded a few minutes of gameplay, check it out below.

Review by GamingCouchPotato.co.uk Staff

https://www.playstation.com/en-gb/games/journey/

REVIEW: Super Kickers League on PC (Steam)

Review by GamingCouchPotato.co.uk Staff

Super Kickers League is a fun, arcade style football game. This is about as far from FIFA as you can get, this is not in any way a simulation, this is an arcade game, there are no referees to give you a yellow card, there are virtually no rules, other than who scores the most goals wins. This is the kind of old-fashioned arcade football game you could imagine playing for 10 minutes in an airport, or in an arcade on the side street of your town, (when they still existed). These days you can download them off the internet in a few minutes.

The main gimmick of the game is that your "Captain" has a special power, that might be to a super jump, or stop time for opposing players, or cause a meteor strike. These special powers can be used for a set period of time, and can help make the difference between losing and winning.

There are ten teams to choose from, various modes to play, from the usual exhibition game, to cups and leagues. To play certain modes you need to have completed previous ones to unlock, and yes this can be a problem, as I will mention later.

"Kickers Mode : Play with 3 captains to get many powers while you play!

Team Mode : Play with your favourite team and use your captain's power to win the match!

Retro Mode : Pixel and Football are all together! Feel the 90's vibes in this retro mode!"

You can play alone and local or online multiplayer. There are a few different camera angles to play with.

The game itself can feel very frantic to play, you won't really be stringing together 20 passes before scoring a goal, and nor should you want to. This is an arcade game, so everything is quick and to the point. Whether that is sliding for the ball from kick-off and shooting and scoring within 3 seconds, or going on a mazey dribble and passing the ball into the goal.

The different modes are ok, although not really that different, and the special powers although fun, I actually didn't bother too much with them, preferring to play regular football the best I could.

Now I did mention a problem, that being that to play certain modes you need to unlock them by completing other modes, for example, to play the League you need to play and win the cup first, that is fine, however the game does not save your progress, so unless you want to sit down and play for a few hours to unlock everything, you are stuck with the basic modes if you just want to play for 10 or 15 minutes. This seems to be a problem that has existed for a while, and there is no sign of it being fixed unfortunately. Obviously, this mainly affects the single player mode. If you are playing against a friend, then this is less of an issue.

The Good

This is a fun game; graphics are bright and colourful, gameplay is easy to pick up, and does not take itself too seriously.

The Bad

The fact your progress is not saved is a big problem, fix that and the game is a pretty decent little arcade kick about. The play area is also a bit small, perhaps bigger pitches would improve things, but then we are going into a more standard footy game environment that is perhaps not what the game is about.

Overall

Despite the saving issue, I am enjoying the game, it is everything that you would expect from an arcade footy game, lots of fun arenas to play in, easy to pick up and play.

I score Super Kickers League on PC a solid 7/10

Available from the Steam store at

https://store.steampowered.com/app/1210850/Super_Kickers_League/

REVIEW: Effie on Nintendo Switch

Review by GamingCouchPotato.co.uk Staff

Loading up Effie I suddenly felt transported back to the time of the Nintendo 64, and some of the classic 3D action-Adventure games of the day. The kind of game that you could just play without needing to think too much, just a fun easy playing experience.

Now despite the game being called Effie, she is in fact your daughter (or granddaughter, not sure), and you are telling her the story of what happened to you. How you were cursed by a witch when you were young, cursed with old age, and all because you never helped the witch out, mainly because you were lazy and then how you went off on a quest to recover your youth, by getting rid of all the black magic.

 

You will travel through an area called Oblena, a city that is full of said black magic, which the witch conveniently cast everywhere, you have your magic shield, (strangely called the Runestone) a shield that is literally your only way of attack and defence, but it can also be used to surf on, to travel on the over ground! Well, it is a magic shield so needs to do more than just defend you.

Effie is played in full 3D, you control your character with the left stick, and your view point with the right stick. You will fight foes, solve puzzles, and explore various locations. As you play your shield will grow in power, as you collect magic and you have a few different special attacks. 

The boss fights always involve the Witch, but each time the challenge will be a bit different.

The game itself can be completed in a few hours, and is relatively easy.

The Good

A good old fashioned 3D action-adventure game, that does not take too much thought to play. Nice easy gameplay, for a younger crowd.

The Bad

There are quite a few graphical glitches, which I put down to this being a port from a PC game. Hopefully these can be fixed over time.

Overall

A fun game, perhaps lacking in challenge for the more experienced gamer, but perfect for the younger gamer.

I score Effie a fair 7/10

There is also a great limited edition physical release of Effie.

Available at Amazon - https://amzn.to/3lcZKP8

Also, out now on the Nintendo Shop

https://www.nintendo.co.uk/Games/Nintendo-Switch-download-software/Effie-1959110.html

REVIEW: Lake on Xbox One

Review by GamingCouchPotato.co.uk Staff

Lake is what I would call a pallet cleanser game. It is a story driven game, whereby you play as Meredith Weiss, a graduate from MIT who has come back to her hometown of Providence Oaks, Oregon in 1986 to help out her father while he is on vacation. And how do you help out? well, you take over his job for a few weeks as postman (Mailman/Mailwoman) to the town that surrounds the lake.

From working in the big city at a software company, to a sleepy town, driving a mail truck, and talking to the locals. That is the game.

And this is why I call the game a pallet cleanser. This game is not so much about delivering mail, or even driving a mail truck, it is about talking to people, old friends you knew growing up, as well as new people. Helping people out, doing favours for people, you can even start a romantic relationship. As you meet people you are given choices of how to answer, no right or wrong answers. But since the whole point of the game is the story, if you just avoid conversations, meetings, or helping people, then the game will be very short and very boring. And at the end of the game, you have to make a decision, to return to the city, or stay in the sleepy town you grew up in.

Driving the truck is nice and easy, you can't kill anyone, or be killed, you can't even drive into the lake. (I tried) You can even put the auto pilot on and just sit back and enjoy the view.

This really is a game that is you, just taking part in the life of someone over a two week period.

In many ways the game is boring, and it is supposed to be boring, but the word boring does have a lot of negative connotations to it. Sometimes just driving around a beautiful lake, with stunning views, is just fun to do. From playing games where you constantly feel either frustrated, stressed or exhilarated, here is a game you can just sit back and relax playing.

It is the ultimate pallet cleansing game. Whether you sit and complete it in one go, or just play it for a few minutes here and there, it doesn't really matter.

The Good

The graphics are stunning, such a beautiful game to play. Easy to play, great soundtrack. 

The Bad

I imagine people wanting more of an "gameplay" experience will be disappointed.

Overall

This is a tough one to score. If you know and understand what the game is about, what it is trying to give you, and that is something you want, then it is really quite a relaxing and enjoyable game. But if you just play it expecting it to be more of a "game" than a story, then you will be disappointed.

Personally I enjoyed it, I liked the change in pace, and sometimes I don't need to shoot zombies, or drive off a cliff to have fun while gaming.

I score Lake a solid 8/10

Out now on Xbox One

https://www.microsoft.com/en-gb/p/lake/9n5glftt40sn

PREVIEW: Moo Lander on PC (Steam)

Preview by GamingCouchPotato.co.uk Staff

I was asked to take a look at the new demo for Moo Lander, an upcoming action adventure "platform" game. I put quotes around the word platform as you play as The Lander and fly around in his spaceship. The story has you taming mighty ancient cows, fighting all manner of alien life forms, solving puzzles and exploring alien worlds.

Now here is the big gimmick. MILK! Yes milk! Milk is your main objective here; you are in search of the source for infinite milk. Milk powers everything, your spaceship's shield, your weapons, everything is milk related. After "The War", all milk has been lost, so you need to recover ancient devices that are capable of producing infinite amounts of it. 

The mighty ancient cows I mentioned earlier, well they are your "boss fights". Well, if you can reach them, you see each level will have you exploring and trying to unlock routes to get to the end. Did I mention milk? From early on you will see that you need milk to replenish your weapons, or even upgrade them. A milk saber not only sounds good, it is surprisingly efficient in destroying alien plants that are trying to kill you. Milk gun is also good, but I prefer the milk saber. And of course, a milk shield.

Since the full game is not out yet, I was not able to enjoy the full story, but from what I did play, I did enjoy.

Control of the space ship is easy, and the milk weapons are fun to use, especially the milk saber. You will find yourself needing to solve basic puzzles to open the path to progress further, as well as avoid aliens trying to kill you. All in all a fun game so far.

The graphics are all hand drawn, everything looks and sounds great.

As Demos go, this is worth a look, it is free, so what do you have to lose.

Give it a play. Let me know what you think.

https://store.steampowered.com/app/1080040/Moo_Lander/