REVIEW: Born of Bread on PC (Steam) - Out Now

Review by Jon Donnis

Born of Bread, a whimsical RPG adventure available on Steam, introduces players to Loaf, an unlikely hero who is a flour golem with a perpetual childlike wonder. Set against the backdrop of havoc caused by beings from another age, the game weaves a story thousands of years in the making.

The 2.5D adventure unfolds in a vibrant world brimming with mysteries. As players guide Loaf and his quirky buddies, they face off against menacing baddies through a turn-based combat system infused with a unique interactive twist. The game challenges players' reflexes, adding a layer of engagement to the traditional turn-based mechanics.

In terms of presentation, Born of Bread stands out with its clear and colorful graphics, contributing to the whimsical atmosphere. The characters, each possessing odd abilities and distinct personalities, bring humour and joy to the narrative. The game is filled with delightful bread puns and a fun sense of humor, creating a charming experience.

However, the 2.5D graphics pose challenges as characters and environmental elements may obstruct the main character, impacting visibility. Skipping dialogue could lead to missing crucial information for progression, emphasizing the importance of paying close attention. The in-game menu system, designed to be navigated with a mouse, doesn't work well with a gamepad and proves overly complicated, detracting from the overall user experience.

Despite its enjoyable style reminiscent of the original Paper Mario, Born of Bread lacks originality, and the turn-based combat may feel tedious for players who prefer real-time fights. The inclusion of numerous pop culture references adds an extra layer of entertainment, complemented by a well-crafted in-game soundtrack.

In conclusion, Born of Bread offers a cute and enjoyable experience with room for improvement. The game's strengths lie in its vibrant graphics, engaging characters, and a delightful blend of humour and pop culture references. However, issues with the 2.5D graphics and an overcomplicated menu system detract from the overall experience. While the turn-based combat may not resonate with all players, Born of Bread is still worth exploring for those seeking a lighthearted adventure.

Born of Bread on PC (Steam) has the potential for growth and refinement, and with some adjustments, it could reach greater heights.

Score: 7 out of 10

Out on PC, Switch, PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series S/X.

https://store.steampowered.com/app/1555140/Born_of_Bread/

REVIEW: Only Wish on PC (Steam)

Review by Jon Donnis

"Only Wish," the latest offering from the creators of "Broll," promised to take the "Only Up" genre to the next level with its captivating landscapes, innovative gameplay, and a plethora of unique features. Unfortunately, the game falls short of delivering on its potential due to persistent technical issues that hinder the overall experience.

The game opens with a sense of wonder, inviting players to explore mysterious doors concealing untold stories and secrets. The promise of diverse vehicles for exploration adds an extra layer to the traditional platforming genre, but this innovation is overshadowed by a critical flaw: the game consistently crashes for me after the initial opening, rendering it unplayable.

Despite reporting the issue to the developers, a fix has yet to be implemented. This raises concerns about the game's readiness for a proper release. It's evident that "Only Wish" has the potential to be an engaging and immersive experience, but the current state of persistent bugs undermines the player's ability to fully enjoy what the game has to offer.

One of the game's touted features is the intricate interactions with NPCs, promising to deepen immersion and provide a rich narrative experience. Unfortunately, my gameplay was cut short before I could fully appreciate these aspects due to the technical difficulties.

In conclusion, "Only Wish" has a promising concept with its groundbreaking gameplay elements and narrative potential. However, the presence of critical bugs prevents players from fully enjoying the experience. Until these technical issues are addressed and the game receives a stable release, it's challenging to recommend "Only Wish" to players seeking a seamless and enjoyable platforming exploration adventure.

Available on Steam.

https://store.steampowered.com/app/2542010/Only_Wish/

REVIEW: Make Way on PC (Steam) - A Thrilling Twist on Classic Racing with Endless Creativity

Review by Jon Donnis

Make Way brings a refreshing twist to the classic top-down multiplayer racing genre, providing an exhilarating and endlessly creative experience for players on the PC via Steam.

The game's standout feature is its unique track-building mechanic. Before each race, players contribute to constructing the course by selecting track pieces from an onscreen selection. This innovative approach ensures that every race is a new challenge, offering a dynamic and ever-changing gameplay experience. The ability to add new track pieces after each round adds an exciting layer of complexity, resulting in a final large course that keep players on their toes to the very end, all while earning points by reaching checkpoints and hopefully finishing first.

The gameplay itself is a chaotic rush to the finish line, filled with hazards, weaponry, and the constant threat of falling off the edge. The addition of wacky weapons, such as goo cannons and Tesla coils, adds a layer of unpredictability and strategy to the races. The balance between cooperation and competition is well-executed, as players can either work together to create challenging tracks or sabotage each other with barriers and boosts. And the more you play, the more you will unlock, including new track dynamics and traps.

The visual design of Make Way is vibrant and lively, capturing the essence of classic top-down racing games while introducing modern elements. The incorporation of loops, train crossings, and helter skelters adds a fun feel while not losing that nostalgic feeling for older gamers who enjoyed classics like Micro Machines.

The game's progression system, unlocking new track pieces, hazards, and vehicles, adds depth and replayability. The mix-and-match feature for track pieces allows for near-endless course configurations, ensuring that each race feels fresh and exciting.

The multiplayer aspect of the game, both local and online with cross-platform support, enhances the overall experience. The option to toggle traps and safety barriers provides players with customizable rulesets, allowing them to tailor the gameplay to their preferences.

For those who fondly remember the days of Micro Machines, Make Way is a nostalgic yet modernized take on the genre. It successfully captures the spirit of classic top down racing games while introducing innovative elements that make it stand out in the crowded gaming landscape.

In conclusion, Make Way is a great game for online play and friendly competitions. It combines endless fun with a hint of frustration, creating a captivating gaming experience. With its unique track-building mechanic, diverse gameplay elements, and near-endless track possibilities, Make Way earns a solid 8.5 out of 10. 

It's a must-play for racing game enthusiasts seeking a fresh and engaging experience.

Out Now on Steam at

https://store.steampowered.com/app/1445790/Make_Way/

REVIEW: Speed Or Death - Nintendo Switch - A Promising Concept with Room for Improvement

Review by Jon Donnis

Speed Or Death on Nintendo Switch offers a unique twist to the racing game genre, prioritizing survival over sheer speed. The game challenges players to navigate through apocalyptic scenarios, from monster-infested cities to dodging dragon breath and escaping alien invasions. Unlocking different cars adds variety to the gameplay, creating an unpredictable and thrilling experience.

The graphics, while not groundbreaking, provide a visually appealing backdrop to the chaotic landscapes. The concept of surviving the apocalypse while racing is undeniably fun and keeps players engaged. However, there are notable drawbacks. Some players may find the cars lacking in speed, impacting the sense of urgency and excitement. The menu layout is less than intuitive, particularly concerning car options and default settings like automatic gears.

Car handling leaves room for improvement, with a smoother and more responsive control system needed to enhance the overall gaming experience. Additionally, the game lacks clarity on its ultimate goal, whether it's reaching a finish line or driving until a time limit expires. The absence of an on-screen map makes navigating the apocalyptic landscapes challenging.

In summary, Speed Or Death presents an innovative concept that injects freshness into the racing game genre. Despite commendable graphics and a fun premise, the game falls short in execution. Increased speed, improved menu layouts, better car handling, and enhanced navigation clarity are necessary for it to reach its full potential. The game earns a generous score of 7 out of 10 on the Nintendo Switch, with the potential to become a cult classic racing game if refined and polished.

Out now on Nintendo Switch at

https://www.nintendo.com/us/store/products/speed-or-death-switch/

REVIEW: Pretty Girls Escape PLUS on PC (Steam)

Familiar readers of our site are likely aware of my track record with reviews from the "Pretty Girls" franchise, and today, I'm excited to delve into the 21st installment – Pretty Girls Escape PLUS. As is the tradition with these releases, the formula remains simple: take a classic game, give it a modern twist, introduce new gameplay elements, and sprinkle in some Japanese anime-style charm. It's a straightforward recipe that consistently delivers enjoyable experiences. Given my past positive reviews of Pretty Girls titles, the question remains: can Pretty Girls Escape PLUS uphold this trend? Read on to discover the answer.

Pretty Girls Escape PLUS serves as an enhanced edition of its predecessor, boasting new characters, stages, and revamped dressing room features.

The game itself, Pretty Girls Escape, falls into the escape block puzzle genre. Players navigate character blocks through challenges, aiming to clear stages by eliminating connected blocks of the same color. The strategic movement of blocks left and right guides the character blocks to the exit. Each stage introduces various obstacles, adding complexity to the puzzle-solving process. The goal? Achieve a high score by erasing as many blocks as possible with minimal moves.

Game Modes:

Stage Mode: Featuring 9 characters with 6 stages each, this mode progressively increases in difficulty. Completing stage-specific missions earns points, which can be exchanged for new costumes.

Challenge Mode: A highly demanding mode with 20 stages, each escalating in difficulty. The ultimate challenge is to conquer all levels.

The game boasts a diverse cast of 9 characters, each with unique traits. The dressing room allows players to freely change costumes, take snapshots, and utilize diorama mode to create and save scenes with multiple characters.

Characters:

Akiko: Calm and composed, she's the reliable older sister type with a touch of femininity.

Aoi: Reserved and modest, she excels at singing but struggles with dancing and improvisation.

Erisa: A beautiful and talented idol skilled in both singing and dancing.

Megumi: Motherly and kind-hearted, she balances kindness with firmness.

Risa: A bright and vivacious track and field coach well-liked by athletes.

Ami: Track and field team ace, a perfectionist dedicated to her sport.

Sakura: The beautiful manager of the track and field club who admires her coach.

Seira: Strong, serious, and responsible, she plays the role of everyone's big sister.

Ayari: Quiet and cool with a hardworking nature and a hint of tsundere.

Notably, the game maintains a "Bishoujo characters" aesthetic, ensuring no nudity or explicit content, aligning with the Japanese Manga and Anime style.

However, the game's challenge evolves beyond mere block manipulation. Tilt options, obstacle introduction (bombs, unmovable blocks), and the need to strategically move key blocks to unlock exits add layers of complexity. Each character's set of levels increases in difficulty, ensuring a progressively challenging experience. The challenge mode, with 20 stages of increasing difficulty, further enriches the gameplay experience.

The Good:

Zoo Corporation, true to form, elevates a simple game concept, enhancing visuals, and adding depth to what could be considered a straightforward game. It's a rare feat for a franchise to consistently deliver quality across diverse game types. As a puzzle enthusiast, I appreciated the initial ease of play, which later transformed into a tactical challenge with the introduction of "gimmick blocks." Time seems to fly by as you engage with the game.

The Bad:

Struggling to pinpoint any notable flaws, Pretty Girls Escape PLUS effectively executes its role as a block-falling puzzle game.

Overall:

Zoo Corporation continues its success streak with yet another flawlessly executed puzzle game. Priced competitively at around £5, with a launch discount, Pretty Girls Escape PLUS is a "no-brainer" for puzzle enthusiasts. I award Pretty Girls Escape PLUS a commendable 9 out of 10.

Out Now on Steam at

https://store.steampowered.com/app/2670340/Pretty_Girls_Escape_PLUS/