What do Supraland: Six Inches Under, Gruta and Despot’s Game have in common? They were all recently ported over to (new) consoles. Here’s a trio of reviews to check them out.
Supraland: Six Inches Under review (PS5)
Supraland: Six Inches Under, developed by Supra Games and published by Humble Games on consoles, is a First-Person-Metroidvania game that offers a captivating and enjoyable experience on PlayStation after its initial PC release. As a standalone game, it doesn’t require prior knowledge of the Supraland series, making it accessible to new players even though it builds on the foundations of the first game. With a heavy dose exploration, quite a bit of puzzle-solving and a little bit of combat, this adventure-packed title offers a playtime of 10-16 hours, ensuring a substantial gaming experience.
The game introduces players to a gated world where acquiring new abilities grants access to previously unreachable areas, emphasizing the metroidvania-style gameplay. Compared to its predecessor, Six Inches Under features a blend of familiar and new player abilities, simpler main path puzzles with optional, more challenging puzzles, and an expanded range of enemy types. The soundtrack has been meticulously tailored for the game, elevating the immersive experience.
Supraland: Six Inches Under showcases a remarkable attention to detail and a wealth of optional content. After completing the main story, players can dive into a wealth of post-credits content, unlocking access to previously inaccessible areas. The game’s humor and well-written narrative, filled with satire and clever jokes, add an extra layer of enjoyment to the experience.
The gameplay mechanics in Supraland: Six Inches Under are both familiar and innovative. Armed with a pickaxe, players must navigate the world, solve puzzles, and defeat enemies. The combat has been refined, offering challenging encounters without overstaying its welcome. The game’s puzzles are well-designed and satisfying to solve, while exploration is highly rewarding, with numerous secrets, collectibles, and creative uses of abilities.
In conclusion, Supraland: Six Inches Under builds upon the success of its predecessor, delivering a high-quality and enjoyable experience. With its delightful humor, captivating puzzles, and excellent world design, it maintains the series’ reputation as a must-play for fans of puzzle games and metroidvania adventures. Despite its similarities to the original game, Six Inches Under offers enough new content and enhancements to make it a worthwhile addition to the franchise. Players can anticipate a delightful journey through the intricate world of Supraland, while eagerly awaiting the future release of Supraland 2.
Gruta review (PS4)
Gruta is an intriguing narrative-driven platformer for PlayStation, developed by Capi Capi and published by Ratalaika after it was first released on Steam. Set in a mysterious world, you assume the role of a child who sets out to confront a troubling monster affecting her family. The game’s hand-drawn cutscenes and stylized retro art create a unique visual style that immerses you in its atmosphere.
With its sword and shield combat mechanics, Gruta challenges you to overcome various enemies and obstacles as you progress through meticulously crafted levels. The difficulty curve is well-executed, gradually introducing new mechanics in an effective manner. The soundtrack, though unobtrusive, adds to the atmospheric experience, enhancing your immersion in the game.
The graphics, blending 2D and 3D elements, offer a distinct aesthetic, with monochromatic visuals that aptly contribute to the game’s ambiance. If you enjoy narrative-focused platformers with tight controls and a mysterious atmosphere, Gruta is well worth exploring. It succeeds in striking a delicate balance when it comes to difficulty too, with the level of challenge increasing progressively, introducing new mechanics in an effective and engaging manner.
Despot’s Game review (PS4)
Despot’s Game: Dystopian Army Builder by Konfa Games and tinyBuild is a humorous and strategic roguelike adventure for PlayStation. Set in a post-apocalyptic labyrinth, players awaken with no memories and must navigate through battles with a group of customizable humans. With its wide range of character classes and customization options, Despot’s Game offers countless strategic possibilities.
The game’s gameplay mechanics introduce an element of chance and randomness, making each battle a delicate balance of planning and luck. While players can strategically position their units, the actual battles are largely automated. This adds challenge and a sense of accomplishment when tactics align, but may frustrate those seeking more control. Console players may find certain functions cumbersome, but overall, Despot’s Game remains intuitive, allowing players to focus on strategic decision-making.
Visually, Despot’s Game impresses with its charming pixel art style and distinctive character designs. The colorful visuals make it easy to distinguish between units, and the enemy animations are well-crafted. The game’s dynamic audio enhances the lighthearted atmosphere, contributing to the overall enjoyment of the experience.
In conclusion, Despot’s Game: Dystopian Army Builder is a quirky and challenging roguelike adventure that combines strategic gameplay with humor. While battles rely on chance, the diverse range of character classes and customization options provides ample room for experimentation. With its catchy writing, engaging mechanics, and appealing visuals, Despot’s Game is a delightful addition to the genre. Whether you’re a fan of roguelikes or simply looking for a strategy game that doesn’t take itself too seriously, Despot’s Game is definitely worth a try on PlayStation.
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