With Ghost Teen: Escape From Limbo, Dig or Die’s Console Edition and new DLC for My Time At Sandrock, we have a nice diverse selection of recent releases to discuss with you today – check out our reviews below.
Ghost Teen: Escape From Limbo review (PS5)
Ghost Teen: Escape From Limbo, developed by Derik D.F. and published by Eastasiasoft, offers a unique fun though somewhat generic blend of platforming puzzles in a striking black-and-white retro pixel art style. The game centers on a teenage protagonist trapped between life and death, who must harness ghostly abilities to navigate himself back to the world of the living. This premise adds a sense of urgency as players solve 50 increasingly challenging stages, but there’s little in the way of a narrative here.
The gameplay is front and center, blending traditional platforming with a twist that requires players to shift between life and ghost forms. This adds a puzzle layer to the game, as certain obstacles can only be overcome by dying and utilizing ghost abilities like floating and passing through barriers to proceed. While this element of the puzzles can feel counter-intuitive at first, the easy controls and short levels help mitigate this, as it’s easy to just try again.
Visually, the game stands out with its minimalist black-and-white pixel art, creating a nostalgic yet fresh aesthetic. The atmospheric soundtrack complements the visuals, enhancing the eerie setting of Ghost Teen. Despite its simple presentation, Ghost Teen: Escape From Limbo manages to create a compelling atmosphere that draws players in. Overall, it’s a well-crafted though short platformer that offers a robust challenge and a unique aesthetic, making it a solid and engaging experience for those who appreciate precision platforming.
Dig or Die: Console Edition review (PS5)
Dig or Die: Console Edition, developed by Gaddy Games and Blitworks Games, brings the successful PC survival sandbox experience (released in 2018) to the PlayStation 5. Working for CRAFT & Co, players find themselves stranded on a hostile planet, equipped only with fabrication tools and their wits to survive. A mashup of genres, the game blends action, strategy, and tower defense mechanics as you explore, craft, and defend yourself against alien threats.
The mixup of gameplay styles in Dig or Die is a standout feature. By day, players explore a detailed sci-fi world, gathering resources and crafting advanced defenses. The water physics add a layer of depth, allowing creative solutions to environmental challenges, whether diverting water to flood enemies or harnessing it for crafting purposes. As night falls, the game shifts to a tense survival mode where players must fortify their shelters against waves of monsters. This day-night cycle creates a constant feeling of discovery and urgency, keeping players engaged as they strive to build a rocket to blast off and escape the planet.
The controls on the PlayStation 5 are intuitive and responsive, translating well from the PC version. The visuals, though simplistic, effectively convey the hostile and mysterious atmosphere of the alien world. The audio design complements this with ambient sounds that heighten the tension, especially during nighttime assaults. However, some players may find the difficulty curve steep, particularly on higher settings, where the odds can start to feel overwhelming.
Overall, Dig or Die: Console Edition successfully brings the addictive and challenging survival gameplay to consoles, maintaining the core elements that made the PC version an indie hit. The blend of exploration, crafting, and strategic defense offers a rewarding experience for fans of the genre, despite the occasional difficulty spikes.
My Time At Sandrock – Monster Whisperer DLC review (PS5)
Monster Whisperer, the new DLC for My Time at Sandrock, brings a nice twist to the game by allowing players to capture and bond with a variety of adorable monsters. Developed by Pathea Games and published by Focus Entertainment, this expansion enhances the single-player experience with unique tools and engaging new content. For example, players can now add creatures like the Pensky and Thorny Jumper to their workshops, adding depth and enjoyment to the game.
The new gameplay mechanics are intuitive, making the monster-collecting process easy to dive into. Visually, the DLC maintains the vibrant and colorful aesthetic of My Time at Sandrock, with well-designed monsters that fit seamlessly into the game world. The sound design complements the visuals with pleasant audio cues, although some players might find them repetitive over time.
However, it’s worth pointing out that the DLC is limited to single-player mode, which might disappoint those hoping for new multiplayer content. And while the new tools and monsters add variety, they don’t significantly change the core gameplay loop, which may feel repetitive after a while. Despite these limitations, Monster Whisperer is a charming addition to My Time at Sandrock, offering fans a refreshing and enjoyable diversion in the world of Sandrock that should provide a few hours of fun.
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