REVIEW: The Legend of Gwen - Nintendo Switch

Review by Jon Donnis

Back again with our latest review, this time for The Legend of Gwen on Nintendo Switch, no this is not a game about the wife of the late Derek Acorah, but instead a game about a young Witch who is a newcomer to a wizardry school. She wants to become the best witch in the world.

"To her bad luck, her arrival came at a bad time because just when she arrived she couldn't have a welcome party because there was a surprise guest... "The Evil One!"

"Evil" didn't hesitate twice and began to absorb everything she could from the school! Now who will teach Gwen about sorcery! Will she be able to learn on her own? Will she be able to overcome the obstacles of "The Evil One" and get the school back? Help Gwen with this challenge and defeat "The Evil One" (if you can ....)."

At its base this is a hardcore platform game, and when I say hardcore, i mean it, as this game is tough, really tough, from the very first level it is tough, this is a precision platformer, with something of a fixed camera for a 3D environment.

As you play through the early levels you will gain a few new moves, jump, dash, and magic spell. And then after you have died countless times, and eventually got through a few levels, you then get the option to switch the camera angle 90 degrees, which then makes things so much easier. As now you can line up your jumps much better.

The learning curve on this game is way off, and unfortunately this means a lot of gamers will be put off almost from the first moment. However if you stick with it, there is a good and challenging game here. Yes there are plenty of problems other than what I have mentioned, the level select for example, is you walking around an open area, but as you move, you do not have the abilities you have within an actual level, it just feels wrong, not to mention the very slow pace of the character, the inertia of the character also feels way too heavy. 

The Good

A pretty game with well thought out and challenging levels.

The Bad

A 2D platformer in a 3D world, with a somewhat fixed camera is so hard to get used to. Steep learning curve will also put people off.

Overall

There is a very good game here, it is just hidden behind some terrible developer choices, get past the early problems, stick with it, and you will enjoy the game. But it really takes too much effort from the gamer to get there.

I score The Legend of Gwen on Nintendo Switch a disappointing 6/10. Sadly I think it is too late to fix the issues that will mean this game never reaches an audience that will appreciate it.

TRAILER: Zombieland: Headshot Fever Reloaded Coming to PlayStation®VR2 At Launch

 

The popular VR arcade light gun style shooter Zombieland: Headshot Fever will be released as a PlayStation®VR2 launch title, according to XR Games and Sony Pictures VR (SPVR).

The popular VR title, Zombieland: Headshot Fever Reloaded, has been redesigned to take full advantage of PlayStation®5 and PlayStation®VR2. With a brand new cel-shaded art style, new character models, new animations, new lighting, ragdoll physics, new music, completely redesigned progression system, new game hub, a tonne of brand-new gameplay content, and PlayStation®VR2-exclusive features, fans will be able to experience the action, characters, and humour from the popular film franchise.

PlayStation®VR2-exclusive features include:

Adaptive triggers: making every weapon feel different

Controller haptics: unique haptic feedback every time you fire a weapon

Headset rumble: feel the horde approaching in the headset

Eye-tracking: supports eye-tracking for foveated rendering

Additionally, players can also look forward to a new story level, three new remix levels, new Gun Range challenges, new guns, new perks and new gun skins to enhance the fast-paced, heart-pounding Zombie horde gameplay.

“Bringing a reimagined version of our award-winning game ‘Zombieland: Headshot Fever’ to a brand-new audience on PlayStation®VR2 was a no-brainer.” said Jake Zim, SVP, virtual reality, Sony Pictures Entertainment. “The new hardware features of PlayStation®VR2 enabled the team at XR Games to take ‘Zombieland: Headshot Fever’ to the next level of immersive entertainment. This truly is the ultimate version of the hit arcade-style shooter, and I can’t wait for players to experience the game, and new hardware features, in action.” 

“As soon as we saw the power and hardware features of PlayStation®VR2, we knew there was a huge opportunity to increase the immersion and build the best version of ‘Zombieland: Headshot Fever’ imaginable.” said Bobby Thandi, Founder and CEO of XR Games. “The team kept experimenting, and came back with a gorgeous new artstyle, new animations, lighting, physics, character models, progression system, as well as new levels, guns, challenges and trophies. This is essentially a remaster built to take advantage of PlayStation®VR2’s exciting new hardware features, delivering a more exciting, faster, more immersive experience. I couldn’t be prouder of what the team has accomplished.”

For $24.99/£19.99, Zombieland: Headshot Fever Reloaded will be released for PlayStation®VR2. Players can add the game to their wishlist on the PlayStation store as of right now by clicking the link below.

https://store.playstation.com/en-gb/concept/10005906

TRAILER - Rooftop Renegade - Released February 17, 2023 on PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One and Nintendo Switch.

 

ROOFTOP RENEGADE is an action-platformer all about speed & flow. Evade capture through futuristic skyscrapers channelling powerful abilities from your hoverblades.

Boost through levels under constant bombardment, avoid dangerous hazards, and make split-second decisions that mean the difference between a new personal best or total wipeout.

FAST AND FLUID GAMEPLAY

Master precise controls and smooth physics to get into the zone. Blast through levels at high speeds while chaining together abilities and making split-second pathway decisions. Pursued by the sinister Globacorp, avoid capture while avoiding hazards and traps caused by income fire from gunners.

EVERYBODY RUNS, EVERYBODY GUNS

Gear up to take on challenging levels alone or grab some controllers to disrupt your friends in chaotic offline multiplayer. Take turns in up to 3v1 asymmetric rounds to set your best time as the runner while your rivals disrupt you, then take control of a gunner to defend your record.

MIX IT UP

Create fresh challenges with the seed-based Generator Mode. Enter a keyword to dynamically generate a level from a variety of worlds, layouts, hazards, and enemy combinations. Pick your perfect loadout and dive into a new run to master.

Features

Fast-paced platforming with multiple pathways

Buttery-smooth gameplay with frame rate support

Local-multiplayer Party Mode to play as the Globacorp gunners

Neo-retro city landscapes with a dynamic soundtrack

Controllers are required for local multiplayer.

Released February 17, 2023 on PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One and Nintendo Switch.

NEWS: Jet Kave Adventure - Coming to Nintendo Switch - Pre-order from 12th of February

Strictly Limited Games, in partnership with 7Levels, has announced the pre-order start date for the exclusive and highly limited boxed editions of Jet Kave Adventure for Nintendo Switch. This exciting release of the 2019 platformer is scheduled to launch in autumn 2023 and eager collectors can pre-order their exclusive Limited Edition, starting on Sunday the 12th of February!

These editions will only be available at Strictly Limited Games and will be the only physical version of the game. https://www.strictlylimitedgames.com/products/jet-kave-adventure-nintendo-switch

About Jet Kave Adventure:

Take on the role of Kave, a caveman, in this action platformer featuring an exotic stone age setting. Disclaimer: 7Levels and SLG make no claims of historical accuracy. While it is proven dinosaurs and cavemen did not exist at the same time, the same can’t be said for aliens.

Kave used to be chief of his tribe, but was cast out for failing to provide food. But when aliens threaten to erupt a volcano to jumpstart their crashed spaceship, destroying everything in its vicinity, he doesn't hesitate to try putting a stop to them. Sounds crazy?

To help him on his quest, he can make use of the best of two worlds, primitive stone age tools and spaced-out sci-fi gadgets. What would a caveman be without his trusty club? Exactly. Bash away at dinosaurs, giant fireflies and other critters to your heart's content. Can’t or don’t want to get close up and personal? No worries, Kave also carries the most advanced ranged weapon technology of his time: the rock. Show those pesky fire breathing lizards who's boss. Finally, there’s the jetpack. This is what you are here for after all, isn’t it? Kave picked it up from the crashed alien spaceship, and it allows him unprecedented mobility for a caveman. Hover, fly and boost your way through varied, 2.5D environments ranging from jungles to caves, sandbanks and volcanos. All these tools, as well as your health, can be upgraded with shells at the shaman's shop. This gives you an edge over your enemies.

Features:

Crazy mix of distant past meets distant future. You heard of Cowboys vs. Aliens? Well, we have Cavemen vs. Aliens.

Fast and fluid 2.5D platform gameplay

Upgrade Kaves’ abilities between stages: Hover longer, take more hits, get a bigger club. It’s up to you.

Colorful and vibrant Stone Age graphics

Hidden collectibles and time trials with online leaderboards for additional replay value

In-game trophies! Can you get them all?

A caveman with a jetpack!

Limited Editions:

Infinite Beyond the Mind gets physical, powered by Strictly Limited Games. The Limited Editions for Nintendo Switch™ can only be found there.

The Limited Edition is limited to 3,000 individually numbered copies for Nintendo Switch, at a price of 29.99€ / $29.99.

This edition will be available for pre-order on Sunday the 12th of February, at 9 AM PDT / 12 AM EDT / 5 PM CEST. Shipping is expected for autumn 2023.

https://www.strictlylimitedgames.com/products/jet-kave-adventure-nintendo-switch

TRAILER: Kingdom Rush - Out Now on Xbox

 

It's time for Xbox players to join the fight! Kingdom Rush, the award-winning tower defence strategy game from Ironhide Game Studio, is now available on Xbox One for £7.99! The initial instalment of the studio's fan-acclaimed tower defence series has been loved by gamers for almost ten years, proving that good classics never lose their enchantment. The franchise's iconic sequels (Frontiers and Origins) will also be available on Xbox systems in the near future.

Xbox players can now visit every corner of the magical, fantastic kingdom of Linirea: a realm full of fun adventures and thrilling battles. Kingdom Rush invites players to set their strategic game plan on the battlefield, as they unfold their tactics to defend different lands and stages from the attack of threatening enemy hordes, led by a greedy dark lord: Vez’nan.

Using a vast arsenal of epic towers and spells, players will command the mightiest heroes and guide the greatest army to victory! Fight on castle outskirts, forests, mountains, and wastelands, customizing a defensive strategy with different tower tests and specializations. Rain fire upon enemies, summon reinforcements, command troops, recruit elven warriors and face legendary monsters on this adventure to save the Kingdom from the forces of darkness!

Key features include:

13 mighty heroes to lead troops to victory

18 tower abilities to maximize your army's power

Over 50 unique enemies from Goblins to Demons each with their own unique attributes

More than 60 achievements with easter eggs to discover and challenges to overcome

Extra game modes that will push players strategy to the limit

Intense boss fights with the Kingdom’s greatest threats, going head to head with your allies