DYNASTY WARRIORS 3: Complete Edition Remastered brings one of the most influential entries in Koei Tecmo’s long-running action franchise back to life, combining the original PlayStation 2 game with its Xtreme Legends expansion. Rather than attempting to reinvent a formula that has since become familiar to millions of players, this remastered edition aims to preserve the foundations of the musou genre while making the experience more comfortable for modern hardware. The results are impressive in several respects, particularly where the visual overhaul and additional combat options are concerned, but some of the limitations that come with revisiting a game from 2001 remain firmly in place. For returning fans, that familiarity is part of the appeal; for newcomers accustomed to the faster pace of more recent entries, it can be a mixed blessing. Continue reading “DYNASTY WARRIORS 3: Complete Edition Remastered review (PS5)”
Tiny Flock review (Quest)
No Brakes Games, the studio behind Human: Fall Flat, has built a reputation for finding entertainment in the unpredictable behavior of physics, and Tiny Flock takes that philosophy in a considerably more peaceful direction. Rather than controlling a floppy character through a series of increasingly chaotic environments, this Meta Quest puzzle game puts players in the role of a shepherd tasked with guiding five sheep towards their next patch of grass. The premise is simple, but the miniature worlds standing between the flock and its destination offer plenty of opportunities for experimentation. Tiny Flock is an appealing fit for virtual reality, even if its modest scope prevents it from becoming a particularly substantial puzzle adventure. Continue reading “Tiny Flock review (Quest)”
RetroSpace review (PS5)
RetroSpace is the kind of game that wears its influences on its sleeve, but there is more to The Wild Gentlemen’s sci-fi horror adventure than nostalgia for the immersive titles of yesteryear. Combining first-person shooting, environmental puzzles, exploration and survival mechanics with a distinctly offbeat sense of humor, the game takes players aboard a space station where practically everything that could go wrong has done so. Published by Kwalee, RetroSpace has plenty of interesting ideas and a setting that stands out from the crowd, although its ambitions are not always matched by its execution on PlayStation 5. Continue reading “RetroSpace review (PS5)”
Silver Palace preview (Gamescom)
Silver Palace is an upcoming free-to-play action RPG that combines fast-paced anime-inspired combat with a Victorian-inspired city full of mysteries, conspiracies and supernatural intrigue. Developed by Elementa Games, the game enters an increasingly crowded market, but its distinctive setting and emphasis on detective work could help it stand apart from its competitors. During Gamescom, we met with the developers and spent some hands-on time with the PC version, discovering a visually impressive adventure with plenty of potential, although some important questions remain unanswered. Continue reading “Silver Palace preview (Gamescom)”
Nivalis Nights review (PC)
ION LANDS has already demonstrated its ability to create an atmospheric cyberpunk world with Cloudpunk, but Nivalis Nights takes a different approach to the same dystopian setting. Instead of transporting packages through a sprawling futuristic city, players must navigate its social and economic landscape by building a restaurant business, getting to know its inhabitants and trying to stay out of trouble. What begins as a modest ramen bar gradually develops into a much larger life simulation, with new businesses to establish, mysteries to investigate and plenty of opportunities to get involved in the lives of the people around you. There is an appealing contrast between the mundane challenges of running a restaurant and the darker realities of a city plagued by corporate oppression, criminal activity and a mysterious serial killer. While the management mechanics have some rough edges, Nivalis Nights offers a surprisingly absorbing alternative to the more action-oriented cyberpunk adventures on the market. Continue reading “Nivalis Nights review (PC)”