REVIEW: Lone McLonegan: A Western Adventure on Nintendo Switch

Review by Jon Donnis

I was given a copy of Lone McLonegan on Nintendo Switch by the excellent PR team at Flynn's Arcade, and I do like me a 'point and click' adventure game, so I happily decided to check this one out. Now I have played plenty of these types of games over the decades, mainly on PC, and the odd one on Xbox, but I thought that I would see how such a game would work on Nintendo Switch, and a Switch Lite specifically.

Let's start out with the storyline.

"Lone McLonegan used to be "The Most Wanted Outlaw In The Wild West" but now he's a little rusty and out of shape. Bragg Badass, his arch nemesis, is now number one on the most wanted list and the new idol of the West.

When Lone learns of Badass' latest exploit, he finishes his mojito, jumps off his couch and decides to reclaim his spot back by robbing the Bank of Oldewell, which holds the most secure safe in the county. That will no doubt put the highest price on his head again and he will once again outdo Badass at last!

Halfway through the journey the stagecoach in which Lone is traveling is attacked by Badass' hitmen and Lone must walk to Oldewell to make history again."

The game plays like all Point and Click games, but with the Leisure Suit Larry games making a huge come back, and setting the bar very very high in this genre, does Lone McLonegan add anything to the genre?

Firstly the controls, for some reason, you have 5 different choices for the cursor, and these are switched by pressing a button on the controller, you have a pointy finger, which is pretty self-explanatory, a fist which picks things up, an eye which examines/looks at things, a mouth (I think???) that allows you to talk to people, and a cowboy boot that allows you to kick things. For a start this is too many options. In these types of games, you should have 3 options at most, examine, use, and move. Adding the extra options just makes play slightly more frustrating, as you scroll through the options to find the one you need.

Pretty early on in the game you will get hold of a map, now here is another big problem with the game, once you open the map, you have to choose a destination on the map, you cannot (as far as I can figure out) just exit out of the map. So, if you are in an area, where you speak to someone, and ultimately, they will add a location to your map, to do this you need to select the map and give it to them, the problem is that out of the 5 choices you may often find yourself accidentally opening the map, instead of selecting it, and unless you are in the opening area of the location on the map, you may find yourself back at the entrance of the area and not the place you just was, meaning you then have to go all the way back to find the person you was speaking to, to get them to add to the map. It is a small problem, but one I continually found myself doing. 

Also in nearly every modern P&C game I have ever played, there is always a button that allows you to highlight every interactive thing on the screen, this game does not have that, and especially using the small screen on a Switch lite, moving the little cursor around isn't the most accurate, so easy to miss things, and scanning the whole screen for things is a pain. And because you can't highlight everything you can interact with, you will sometimes completely miss locations, for example a side street, off screen. There is no indication of some locations at all, so unless you scan the whole screen with the cursor it is easy to miss things.

With those issues aside, there are plenty of things you need to do within the game, plenty of characters to interact with, conversation choices to have, which in turn will help you proceed in the game. As with most games like this, sometimes trial and error is needed to figure out what you are supposed to do next, and you will find yourself going back and forth a lot trying to figure things out. Luckily the NPC have poor memories, so if you go down the wrong route in a conversation you can just start again and choose a different reply, until you get the desired result.

The game makers are Spanish I believe, and as such some of the translated humour missed the mark slightly, but that is forgivable as this is their first game release. One thing to note is the graphics are all hand drawn and you can tell that a lot of care and time has been taken in making the game. Sadly, there are no voice acting, so all the dialog is via text on screen, but you can skip through dialog by pressing a button, which is great if you accidentally go down a conversation route you have already read.

There are also stars hidden in the game, in various locations, click on them to collect them, and try to collect them all.

There is no hint system in the game, so sadly when you become stuck, and you will, there is no way other than going to every location again and again, trying to combine inventory items over and over, and generally making yourself go mad with frustration. In the modern era you will find that you will either just give up, or find a walkthrough online, and the moment you do find that walkthrough you will find yourself repeatedly coming back to it the moment you get stuck.

The lack of a hint system is a major omission from the game makers.

The Good

Great graphics, some fun puzzles and mini games lift this game above some others in the genre.

The Bad

The controls, the lack of a hint system and no way to highlight interactive objects lets the game down hugely.

Overall

This game doesn't really work on a handheld system, and probably not on a console at all. It will work much better on a PC with a decent sized screen. You can find the game on Steam.

If you are a fan of point and click games, and want to add another to your collection, then Lone McLonegan is a perfectly decent one to add.

I score Lone McLonegan : A Western Adventure a generous 7/10

Out now on Nintendo Switch

https://www.nintendo.co.uk/Games/Nintendo-Switch-download-software/Lone-McLonegan-A-Western-Adventure-2032270.html

REVIEW: 10 Second Ninja X on Nintendo Switch

Review by GamingCouchPotato.co.uk Staff

10 Second Ninja X is a single screen platform game, that has you controlling a Ninja, and you have 10 seconds to complete the level. So yes, the title is pretty damn accurate!

Yes, the game really is that simple, but it is also very tricky, everything is about speed, when the level starts you can look around, you will see the enemies that you need to kill, and work out a route, and as soon as you start moving, the timer starts to tick down, if you have not killed all enemies within 10 seconds, you lose. The faster you complete a level, the more stars you get, the aim being 3 stars, but you can pass the level with 1 star if under 10 seconds.

There are 100 levels to beat, leader boards for each level, things to unlock and collect to add a bit more of a challenge too.

The controls are super simple, you run back and forth, you can jump, and of course the now obligatory double jump, you can slash your enemies with a Katana sword, or you can hit them from afar with Shurikens, (Ninja Throwing Stars) you only get 3 of them per level, so you need to use them wisely to hit enemies you can't reach by jumping, or ones protected with an electrical shield. As you progress through the game, some enemies you come across will be immune to the Throwing Stars too, just when you thought you had it mastered, the game throws a spanner in the works.

Some levels will have switches you need to activate, to move platforms, others will have surfaces you can bounce your ninja stars off, and even surfaces you can hold on to.

The more stars you collect, the more levels you unlock. There are also costumes you can unlock for your ninja. And in the pre-level area, if you find the hidden CD pieces, you can unlock an extra minigame, so that is worth looking for.

The Good

With the short time limit, and the leader boards, there is a strong "re-playability" to the levels. Trying to get 3 stars, trying to get as high on that leader board as possible, and just trying to do the perfect run, really is enjoyable, and a rewarding experience.

The graphics are decent, as are the sound effects.

The Bad

Although 100 levels sound a lot, once you get the hang of the game you will get through them relatively fast.

Overall

A great little addition to your puzzle game collection, that is perfect for quick bursts of gameplay, and to pass the time.

I score 10 Second Ninja X on Nintendo Switch a very strong 8/10. I very much enjoy the game.

Out Now on Nintendo Switch - 

https://www.nintendo.co.uk/Games/Nintendo-Switch-download-software/10-Second-Ninja-X-2010458.html

REVIEW: Ghosts and Apples on Nintendo Switch

Review by GamingCouchPotato.co.uk Staff

Ghosts and Apples is an "action-puzzle" game that will test your reaction times as well as memory.

Over 150 levels of hand drawn action. Are you hooked yet?

You find yourself in a house of magic, there are ghosts looking through windows, an octopus acting as a coat hanger, ravens, evil potions, a vampire, and so on. It is all very fantastical looking and as mentioned all hand drawn.

You play as a Puppet called Jack; your soul is trapped within him. You will soon find yourself looking up at paintings, which when you click will suck you into them, and that is how you access a level.

The main point of the game is to catch ghosts and turn them into apples, yes makes no sense to me either, but neither did the octopus as a coat hanger.

I am playing this on a Nintendo Switch Lite, and I found that playing using the touch screen was easier than using the controller, this is important as it really does affect the way you play.

As you catch a ghost you have to decide where to put it, on either side of the screen is a capture device, with an input on the top or the bottom, in essence you have 4 points to put the ghosts. If you play with a controller then pressing up and down on the controller will send the ghost to the top or bottom of the containment device on the left of the screen, and pressing X and B will send them to the top and bottom of the right-side containment. This means you need to have your hands doing 4 separate actions. However, if you play with the touch screen, you only need to do one or two actions at a time as you just press where you want the ghost to go. This makes a difference as each ghost is a different colour, and you need to have 3 ghosts contained in a row together to change them into apples. And as more and more ghosts are caught you need to think very quick with regards to which of the 4 points you want to put them. Just putting them in the containment alone is not enough, so you can find a lot going on very quickly, and touch screen is just easier in my opinion.

As you collect apples, this allows you to unlock further levels, a golden apple is given if you "perfect" a level, capturing and transforming all ghosts. These are the most important apples needed to progress to the later stages.

Completing certain things will award you trophies which you can view in a room, and the challenge to get them all is one that should keep you coming back.

I was unable to play multiplayer so can't comment on that aspect of the game

The Good

The graphics are really good, and the soundtrack is perfectly acceptable, the frantic gameplay will really test anyone, and I am sure over time would help anyone who wants to improve their hand eye coordination.

The Bad

Sometimes progress is stopped because you need more golden apples, and since they are relatively hard to get, I imagine this might put off some younger gamers when they get stuck.

Overall

A tough little puzzle game that has plenty of challenge, even for the most experienced of gamer.

I score Ghosts and Apples a solid 8/10, one of the best puzzlers on Switch right now

Out Now at

https://www.nintendo.com/games/detail/ghosts-and-apples-switch/

REVIEW: Gravewood High (Early Access) - PC (Steam)

Review by GamingCouchPotato.co.uk Staff

Before I start, as always with Early Access games, you must keep in mind that this is not the finished product. Game developers often will listen to feedback, update and change the game before a proper release, so any comments I give here are not on the finished game.

Gravewood High is a stealth horror game, set in a high school. Seemingly set in the 1980s/1990s.

The story goes that some students have gone missing at Gravewood High, but none of the teachers or parents have noticed. You are stuck within the school, and you need to escape, the problem is that the school is very much a maze that is constantly changing, and there is an evil teacher (Mr Hyde) looking for you.

Although this is a horror game, it is a game with very cartoony graphics, but the big twist is that every time you get caught by the teacher, when you replay, things have moved, locations of objects you need to solve puzzles have changed, the very puzzles themselves may need different ways to solve. Puzzles might include finding objects to open a gate, connecting or disconnecting electrical devices. Entering or exiting a certain area. Early on one puzzle you need to complete is to power up an elevator, the power coupling outside is damaged, so you need to find an alternative way. You find an electrostatic generator in the science room, and soon realize you need to find metal trophies and place them along a route to the elevator to give it power. Sounds simple, but when you have Mr Hyde (The Teacher) looking for you, that is where the stealth comes in, you need to watch him from afar, and if he sees you, run to safety. As panic sets in you will make mistakes, and before you know it you have to start again. Luckily you have a friend on the other end of a walkie talking who will help you as you play.

Each area of the school contains plenty of things you can pick up and move, things you might need to hold on to, spanners, bolt cutters, torches etc. And as you progress Mr Hyde gets smarter, transforms and develops new abilities as well as new ways to find you.

One of the ways to win is to outwit the teacher, set up traps for him, maybe connect a wire cable to a patch of water and lure him to you to electrify him. The game has a decent plot, and the story is worth following and paying attention to.

You will play for long periods without a checkpoint, so when you do get caught, the thought of playing a long area again, can be frustrating, more so because you know that the things you need will have changed location. Instead of this being a challenge, it just becomes an annoyance. Although you will lose things that were in your possession, you do keep hold of any keys picked up, so it is not all bad.

Finding secret paths and areas is also a big part of the game, they are a great way to avoid Mr Hyde, as well as progress further. The puzzles themselves are all pretty straight forward, so the hardest part of the game is staying away from the teacher, so as soon as you figure out what you need to do in a puzzle, you need to figure out how you will avoid Mr Hyde while you do it.

The Good

A nice-looking game, that does have some genuine moments of excitement as you rush to solve a puzzle while Mr Hyde is on the war path.

The Bad

Sometimes feels more like a game of chase than it does of a puzzle solving horror, the frustration felt sometimes overruns the challenge, meaning that when you do know exactly what you are supposed to do, but keep failing, you might just give up.

Overall

As an early access game, many issues can be forgiven, there is a lot of potential here. The various story elements need to be further investigated in the gameplay, and perhaps help lessen the frustration to challenge ratio.

For now, the game is worth checking out, won't be everyone's cup of tea, but it is decent.

Review by GamingCouchPotato.co.uk Staff

Out Now On Steam - https://store.steampowered.com/app/1239300/Gravewood_High/

REVIEW: Green Hell - PS4

Review by GamingCouchPotato.co.uk Staff

Green Hell is an open world survival game from developers Creepy Jar.

Played from a first-person perspective, you play as a researcher called Jake Higgins, you find yourself in the jungle in the amazon, your partner Mia left to visit a tribe in the jungle, she is a linguist and decided to make first contact with a tribe known as the Yabahuca. Now she is gone, you are alone, and you need to not only find her, but you need to survive.

And this is the main idea of the game, survival. You will start off by learning how to do simple things, like building and starting a camp fire. You will need to learn how to craft items by collecting the raw materials, and combining them. But of course, things are a bit more complicated than that, you need to keep an eye on your health, not just physical but mental. As the environment around you changes, so will your need to build camps, find places to sleep. Everything you do matters. Find yourself thirsty and you decide to drink some water from a river, great if the water is clean, not so great if it is dirty. You will only make yourself more ill.

Try and find and collect food, but what happens if you eat an unknown mushroom? Might be ok, might give you hallucinations, might make you sick. As you navigate through all of these problems, you will also need solutions, cut your arm and maybe use ants to close the wound, get an infection and use maggots to clean the wound. You see you will need to use such tricks, as bandages and medicine need to time to make. Luckily your notebook will help you keep track of things and you will slowly learn from your mistakes. And then there are the animals, think snakes, spiders and scorpions, as well as larger animals you can try to kill to eat. You might even find yourself in a fight with a native tribesman.

Your watch will be a major benefit to your survival, it helps you keep track of your vitals, as well as acting as a navigation tool, you will also make good use of a map that you will find.

As you do try to survive, trial and error really does become your friend. You will soon learn what does work and what doesn't. 

With all that, the question then remains, is the game any good?

As survival games go, Green Hell is very detailed, and very tough, there is no hand holding here. Don't waste your time with the tutorial, as it is the same as if you just start the story mode. Which seems very strange. There is also a major issue that you cannot easily save your progress. You can only save when in a camp. So, if you are playing and need to stop quickly, you can't, you have to build or find a camp, and then save. You will find yourself easily losing a lot of progress due to this.

There are 7 extra challenges you can attempt, these are away from the story mode, and are stand-alone challenges. When you have the main idea of how to play, it is worth playing the challenges to really help you figure out how to survive, the challenges include simple things like finding a camp and starting a fire, or building a raft, or killing and cooking an animal etc.

The difficulty is pretty high in the game, and you might find yourself putting the game on the easiest setting on a first playthrough, but as mentioned earlier there is no hand holding here, early help and instructions soon disappear, and you really do need to figure out much on your own, this will put off newbies to the genre. Finish the game on the easiest setting and you will want to replay on a harder setting using the knowledge you have gained.

The Good

The game is beautiful, and despite the odd graphical glitch, everything looks and plays wonderfully. Any experienced survival game fan should feel right at home.

The Bad

This is not a game for newbies to the genre, it is tough, the controls at time feel a bit clunky, especially navigating the backpack.

Overall

For experienced survival game players, you will find yourself enjoying this game, the story and the challenges are all very rewarding. For newbies, this game is tough, really tough, with the clunky controls, you might find yourself put off early on, which is a shame, because if you stick with it, the game has a lot to offer.

I score Green Hell on PS4 a fair 7/10

Review by GamingCouchPotato.co.uk Staff