With PlayStation versions of Nuclear Blaze and Smile for Me and the Android version of LEGO Bricktales, we’re checking out three excellent ports today – read on for our reviews below.
Nuclear Blaze review (PS4)
Nuclear Blaze is a 2D firefighting game developed by Deepnight Games and ported to consoles by Red Art Games after an earlier release on Steam. Players take on the role of a trained firefighter who is air-dropped into a blazing military facility to investigate and look for survivors. The game’s signature controls and gameplay are designed by the same developer who was in charge of Dead Cells, so this one had a lot to live up to.
One of the standout positives of Nuclear Blaze is its attention to detail. The game offers a range of firefighting mechanics, including backdrafts, exploding walls, and sprinklers, that make for a realistic and immersive experience. Players must use their fire hose carefully to keep the blaze under control and progress through the facility.
The game also offers a dedicated “Kid mode” designed for younger players, with specific level design, rules, and gameplay. This mode features specific levels that are easy to explore, infinite water, auto-aimed controls, and no chance of dying. Helicopters and trucks are also present in abundance, making for a fun and engaging experience for younger players. Another positive of the game is its fine-tuning of difficulty. While there is no Easy or Hard mode, players can adjust some of the game’s rules to their needs. This allows players to make the game easier or harder depending on their skill level, making for a more enjoyable experience overall.
But while the firefighting mechanics are well-designed, they can become repetitive over time as players face similar challenges throughout the game. The game’s story is also quite brief, which may disappoint players looking for a more narrative-driven experience.
Overall, Nuclear Blaze is a well-crafted action/adventure game that offers a unique firefighting experience. The game’s attention to detail, dedicated Kid mode, and fine-tuning of difficulty are standout positives. However, the lack of variety and short story may be a turnoff for some players. Nevertheless, if you’re a fan of action adventure games with a unique premise or looking for a fun and engaging game for younger players, Nuclear Blaze is definitely worth checking out.
Smile For Me review (PS4)
Smile For Me is a charming and offbeat adventure game developed by LimboLane and Serenity Forge. In this point-and-click game, players take on the role of an unnamed protagonist who has been sent to the Habitat, a bizarre and surreal commune filled with quirky characters who have all lost their smiles. It’s up to the player to help these residents regain their grins and uncover the secrets of the Habitat along the way.
The game’s unique art style, which is visually striking and adds to the overall feel of the game’s world, immediately stands out. The characters and environments are beautifully rendered, with a focus on bright colors and bold shapes that give the game a distinct personality for something that’s unlike any other adventure game you’ve ever played. In addition to its visual style, “Smile For Me” also incorporates clever game mechanics that add an extra layer of depth to the standard point-and-click adventure formula. The player’s ability to manipulate emotions is a particularly interesting aspect of the game, as it allows for some truly inventive and unexpected puzzle solutions.
The game’s story and characters are also a major highlight, with each character having their own distinct personality and backstory that adds to the world-building. The dialogue is witty and engaging, with plenty of humor and heartwarming moments to keep players invested in the game’s narrative. That being said, some players may find the game to be on the shorter side, as it can be completed in a single sitting. Some might also find the game’s puzzles to be a bit obtuse, which could frustrate players who are not familiar with the point-and-click adventure genre and its tendency to do that. This is one of the freshest takes on the genre we’ve seen in a while though, and an easy recommendation.
LEGO Bricktales review (Android)
LEGO Bricktales is a charming puzzle game that is now available on Android devices. Developed by ClockStone, it’s a game that will appeal to both LEGO fans and puzzle enthusiasts. The game is essentially a digital version of playing with LEGO bricks, and – like the console version we reviewed earlier – it’s a lot of fun.
The gameplay in LEGO Bricktales is straightforward and easy to understand. Players are tasked with building structures out of LEGO bricks to solve puzzles and progress through levels. The game features over 50 levels, each with its own unique challenge. The puzzles start off relatively easy, but they get more complex as you progress through the game.
One of the best things about LEGO Brick Tales is the attention to detail that has gone into creating the game. The graphics are bright and colorful, and the sound effects are satisfyingly chunky. One notable aspect of the Android version of LEGO Brick Tales is that it doesn’t try to go heavy on microtransactions or in-app purchases, which is a refreshing change from many mobile games. This means that players can enjoy the game for the initial purchase price, which is much lower than the price on other systems.
Compared to the previously released console versions, the Android version of LEGO Brick Tales offers the same fun and engaging gameplay experience. The touch-based controls in LEGO Bricktales are very intuitive and easy to use. Players can simply tap on the screen to move their character or interact with objects in the environment. Tapping and holding allows players to drag objects around and position them where they need to go, while swiping allows them to rotate the camera view to get a better look at their surroundings. Overall, they make the game easy to pick up and play for players of all ages – though some puzzles are more challenging than you’d expect by looking at the visual style.
Overall, LEGO Brick Tales is a well-made and enjoyable puzzle game that offers plenty of content and value for its price. If you’re a fan of LEGO or just looking for a fun puzzle game to play, LEGO Brick Tales is definitely worth checking out on Android.
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