REVIEW: Tip Top: Don't Fall! - Nintendo Switch

Review by Jon Donnis

I was asked to check out Tip Top: Don't Fall! on Nintendo Switch.

Tip Top is a simple climbing game, with procedurally generated routes, the idea is simple, climb from the bottom to the top, and once you reach the flag, you have completed the level. Sounds easy right? WRONG.

The game starts out with some surprisingly nice animation to set up the game. You will start off with the tutorial which should get you up to speed on how the controls work. Basically, you control each arm of the character, and using the bumper buttons one hand or the other will hold on to a surface, if that is available. You then need to position the character to reach the next ledge, switching between hands, and positioning the character in the best way is the key here. Before you know it, you will have to make strategically timed jumps, with just one mistake meaning death. You also have limited stamina in each arm, stamina runs out and you will fall, you can regain stamina by moving one hand over your chalk bag.

Luckily if you choose it in the settings, you can restart after a fall, if you clip on to conveniently placed hooks, that way if you do fall, you restart from what is the equivalent of a checkpoint, a massive help as you figure out the best route up these cliff faces.

There are of course various obstacles to overcome, as well as clouds that will get in the way, so you either have to guess, and risk falling, or wait for the cloud to pass, but waste valuable stamina.

This is an interesting game, but a very tough one, the controls will take a while to get used to, but the hardest thing to master of all is the jump, it feels very awkward to do successfully, especially as you are trying to remember which hands to hold on with, when to let go and so on. I understand that they want to make the game hard, but sometimes I feel like it is unnecessarily hard.

The Good

When you do get it right, climb to the top of a level and get past a trick spot, there is a great feeling of accomplishment, and that is a very important element in a game like this. I also liked the animations which set up the locations.

The Bad

I do not like the control system, as much as I played, I just couldn't get over the fact they could have simplified it without taking away the challenge.

Overall

A challenging and fun game, and if you like something a bit different then this is a game to check out.

I score Tip Top: Don't Fall! - Nintendo Switch a fair 7/10

Out on the 28^th September at https://www.nintendo.co.uk/Games/Nintendo-Switch-download-software/Tip-Top-Don-t-fall--2269168.html

REVIEW: NeverSynth on PC (Steam)

Review by Jon Donnis

From Whale Rock Games comes NeverSynth, a self described rhythm driving simulator.

The game itself is very simple, you control a vehicle on a never ending 4 lane highway, there are no other cars, no real obstacles, you just drive, pick up "beats" which is money, avoid pillars which slow you down, and that is about it. Once you have enough money you can drive in new locations and with different cars.

There are 6 locations to drive and 6 cars to drive. But forget about that, this is more about chilling out, listening to synth wave music. The graphics are pretty unique, and on the highest graphics settings are pretty damn cool to look at.

One cool feature is the ability to upload your own music to drive to. 

The Good

This is a super simple, chill out game, no real skill needed other than moving left and right to collect "beats", and that is it. If you want a break from the stress inducing games we constantly have thrown at us, then this might be just what you need.

The Bad

The lack of any real skill needed to play means some gamers will get bored quick.

Overall

For £3 this game is perhaps overpriced, but it is still worth checking out.

I think they could have done more with the game to make the music connection mean more, but if you just want to listen to some chill out synth music, and waste 20 minutes while thinking of nothing, then this is the game for you. For anyone looking for a challenge, then perhaps look elsewhere.

I score NeverSynth a simple 6/10

Out Now on PC (Steam)

https://store.steampowered.com/app/2131200/NeverSynth/

REVIEW: Kao the Kangaroo on Nintendo Switch

Review by Jon Donnis

I have been playing and enjoying Kao the Kangaroo on my Nintendo Switch Lite now for a few days, what a great little game here. What I didn't know was that Kao is part of a long running series of games going back over 20 years. Kao the Kangaroo (2000) - Dreamcast, Kao the Kangaroo: Round 2 (2003) - PS2, Xbox, Gamecube, Kao Challengers (2005) PSP and Kao the Kangaroo: Mystery of the Volcano (2005) - PC. So, there is a rich history right there across multiple consoles. But with any cute platform game, I think it is fair to say the Switch is the perfect home.

The story goes as follows, Kao's sister has gone missing, and it is up to Kao to not only find her, but also solve the mystery of what happened to his lone gone father. Kao needs to travel the world and confront various famous fighters who are influenced by the mysterious dark power.

Kao has his own Master in Walt who will help guide our hero. And along the way Kao will make new friends and strengthen old friendships.

Ultimately Kao needs to confront the Eternal Warrior and beat him to save the world! Classic platform story right there.

The game itself is easy to pick up, and has a great learning curve to introduce you into the mechanics. Everything looks great, and control of Kao is precise and easy to get used to. Fighting mainly involves punching your enemies with your fathers old magical boxing gloves, or throwing stones. You will collect coins and other secrets as you play, which will all help you in your quest.

Although the general gameplay is rather easy, the boss fights do throw up a challenge, and as you charge up your attack gauge, you can throw a finishing punch to destroy your enemies. You can also store elemental charges in your gloves, which will help you clear obstacles, as well as use a cool dodge roll attack.

All in all, this is a fun little 3D platformer, with enough content to please an experienced gamer as well as the younger gamer, of which this game is directed at.

The Good

Bright, colourful graphics, easy to pick up gameplay, fun story and characters.

The Bad

Perhaps a little too easy at times.

Overall

A really fun little game here, that is perfect for the younger gamer.

I score Kao the Kangaroo a solid 9/10

Out Now on Nintendo Switch - https://amzn.to/3sULk9F

TRAILER - Sonic Frontiers - Coming to Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Windows, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S on November 8, 2022.

Sonic Frontiers is an upcoming platform game developed by Sonic Team and published by Sega. As Sonic the Hedgehog, the player explores the mysterious Starfall Islands to collect the Chaos Emeralds after Sonic, Miles "Tails" Prower, and Amy Rose separate when falling through a wormhole. Frontiers integrates platforming and traditional Sonic elements—such as rings and grind rails—into the series' first open world, where the player solves puzzles to collect items and fights robot enemies.

Worlds are colliding in Sonic the Hedgehog’s newest high-speed adventure! In search of the missing Chaos emeralds, Sonic becomes stranded on an ancient island teeming with unusual creatures. Battle hordes of powerful enemies as you explore a breathtaking world of action, adventure, and mystery. Accelerate to new heights and experience the thrill of high-velocity, open-zone platforming freedom as you race across the five massive Starfall Islands. Jump into adventure, wield the power of the Ancients, and fight to stop these new mysterious foes.

Race across five massive overworld islands brimming with dense forests, overflowing waterfalls, and sizzling desert landscapes, each with their own unique action-platforming challenges and hidden secrets to uncover.

Adventure across the Starfall Islands and see what each has to offer at the speed that only Sonic can deliver. Blaze a trail as you see fit and discover side quests, solve puzzles, scale enormous structures, go fishing, and encounter a friendly face or two along the way...

Discover portals scattered across the island and venture into Cyber Space levels through portals scattered across the islands featuring signature 3D platforming at Sonic speeds, packed with challenges to put your skills to the test.

The Starfall Islands are home to strange creatures Sonic has never encountered before. Use the all-new battle system and skill tree upgrades to fight strategically, combining moves such as dodges, parries, counters, combos, and the new Cyloop ability to take down mysterious foes and colossal titans.

Become Sonic and journey to uncover the mysteries of the remains of an ancient civilization plagued by robotic hordes. With nothing but a handful of questions and a disembodied voice to guide you, set out to save your friends and the enigmatic inhabitants of the Starfall Islands from a colossal, mechanized threat.

Pre-Order now at https://amzn.to/3Sien10

@gamingcouchspud #SonicFrontiers - #TGS Trailer #PS5 & #PS4 #Gaming #Sonic ♬ original sound - Jon

REVIEW: Trail Out on PC (Steam)

Review by Jon Donnis

Very much in the style of the Flatout games, comes Trail Out. An arcade style racer with a whole host of gimmicks and modes to keep even the most experienced of gamer busy for a while.

"You're in for a mad race in different parts of the world, your main goal is to live to the finish line and take the main cup of the festival! Exploding cars, flying and screaming drivers, the hype from the fans, and unseen destruction around the entire track - it's all waiting for you here! Relive the story of racer Mihalych, a simple story where you'll try to take the main cup of the festival by defeating all the bosses in unique battles."

40 cars to choose from, in different classes and from different time periods, we have a nice collection here to play with, throw in 45 tracks, derby arenas, and all sorts of crazy courses and mini games, this is a game that I have enjoyed playing so far.

There is a nice selection of game modes which you can read about below.

Cross - Race on tracks where halfway through you might encounter opponents coming the other way

Rush - Race on larger tracks where you have to fight your way to the finish line

Derby Classic - Classic destruction derby - last one standing wins

Derby Domination - Fight opponents to score points where the winner is the one with the highest score

Hunter - Destroy as many cars as you can, defeating your opponent's high score

No Time - Drive on a difficult section in time with special vehicles

Stunts - Various mini-games, such as, bowling, darts

Escape - Escape the armed aircraft that destroys anyone in the last place

All pretty straightforward and instantly recognisable for people who are fans of the genre.

In the story mode you will be able to buy cars from a scrapyard, fix them up, upgrade them, buy nitros and eventually make them good as new. As you race and complete challenges you will gain fans, beat bosses to collect licenses which in turn will allow you to unlock more cars.

There are even boss fights to be had, for example you might need to destroy a Monster truck in an arena, while his minion cars try to ram you, a tall task to say the least. As well as your classic boss races. 

The main story with the Mihalych character is pretty generic stuff, but due to the terrible English translations, it becomes pretty fun and more enjoyable than it would be with a perfect translation, I am sure.

There are split screen modes, which I was unable to try.

The Good

This game really does have a classic arcade feel to it, everything is fun, the tracks are gorgeous to look at, just seeing helicopters flying about shooting at people, while you are trying to race against a boss is the kind of detail and added excitement that many games miss. Pretty easy to get enough money to unlock all of the cars, so you will quickly be able to experience all the game has to offer.

I loved the mini games too, giant darts board, bowling etc, all great fun, as was the ragdoll physics on the driver as he flies out of the window of the car. There is just a nice mixture of the crazy stuff, and more serious stuff, that should appeal to a wide section of gamers.

Stunning graphics all round, destructive environments, damage to the cars etc, all look great.

The Bad

The storyline is hilariously bad, the translations are terrible, but does add its own charm. The car damage physics need work, and some of the boss fights, especially the Monster Truck boss are way too hard, if not impossible.

Overall

This is a fun game, I really enjoyed it, and will come back to it regularly.

I score Trail Out a solid 8/10

Out now on Steam

https://store.steampowered.com/app/1664220/TRAIL_OUT/