With the new Arid Animals pack for Planet Zoo, Cat Souls and Danmaku Unlimited 3, we’re looking at three very different games today.
Planet Zoo: Arid Animals DLC review (PC)
The Arid Animal Pack DLC for Planet Zoo, developed by Frontier Developments, brings an assortment of eight new species to the game, all of which were inspired by the dunes, deserts, and dusty plains of the world. We took a look to see if the developers have once again been able to apply their ability to capture these animals through stunning designs and realistic behaviors.
One of the eye-catching additions in this pack is the inclusion of the Dromedary (one-humped) Camels. These majestic creatures are a joy to have in your zoo, and the developers have done an excellent job in recreating their essence. It’s worth noting that with the free update 1.14, spitting behavior has been added for Dromedary Camels, Bactrian Camels, and Llamas, adding an extra layer of realism – and let’s face it, fun.
The Arid Animal Pack introduces a diverse range of animals, including the Addax, Dama Gazelle, African Crested Porcupine, Sand Cat, Black Rhino, Somali Wild Ass, and the exhibit animal, Desert Horned Viper. Each species is brought to life with meticulous attention to detail, from the distinctive quills and silver hair on the African Crested Porcupine to the playful interactions of the Sand Cat with cardboard boxes. The Desert Horned Viper, being an exhibit animal, adds a unique element to the gameplay, requiring players to create a suitable environment with large yellow rocks.
In addition to the animal additions, the DLC features a new scenario set in the Arabian Desert, where players help Tiffany Summers establish an extraordinary new zoo. This scenario allows players to immerse themselves in the process of building and managing a zoo in the Middle East, incorporating several of the new animal species introduced in the pack.
While we generally prefer the packs that emphasize new animals, this DLC lacks additional decorative elements, which might disappoint those who enjoy expanding their building options as well. Furthermore, some players may feel that there’s a lack of variety, with all animals hailing from Africa and the presence of five ungulates limiting the overall appeal of the pack – though with over 160 animals now available for the game we’re running out of animals on our wishlist.
Overall, the Arid Animal Pack for Planet Zoo is a solid addition to the game, with its impressive lineup of animals and engaging scenario. Frontier continues to demonstrate their mastery in bringing species to life, and the DLC provides an opportunity to expand your zoo with remarkable creatures from arid regions. While it may not be the most diverse or groundbreaking DLC, it certainly offers a worthwhile experience for fans of Planet Zoo.
Cat Souls review (PS4)
Cat Souls, developed by 9Ratones and Angelo Gamedev and published by Ratlaika, is a 2D platformer that combines adorable kitties with unique gameplay mechanics. With 45 levels to conquer and a cute pixel art style, let’s dive into the world of Cat Souls and see if it scratches that platforming itch.
In Cat Souls, players take on the role of Ruby, an energetic cat with an extraordinary ability. Ruby embarks on an adventure with her friend and discovers the mythical Hourglass of time. However, their triumph quickly leads to new challenges as enemies appear out of nowhere, separating them. With seven lives at her disposal, Ruby sets out to rescue her friend and recover the Hourglass of Time. The premise sets the stage for a lighthearted and enjoyable journey through a series of platforming trials.
What’s interesting about Cat Souls is its unique soul game mechanic. Each level serves as a short trial, and whenever Ruby meets her unfortunate demise, she loses a life but leaves behind a platform where she perished. This adds a strategic element, allowing players to strategically plan their platform placements. The game introduces various obstacles, enemies, moving saws, platforms, buttons, keys, and turrets, adding variety and complexity to the gameplay. However, some inconsistencies and clunkiness in the rules detract from the overall experience. The game’s controls are responsive, but occasional inconsistencies in the mechanics may lead to moments of frustration.
Cat Souls features adorable pixel art, creating a charming and cute atmosphere. The graphics, though simple, effectively convey the game’s lighthearted nature and add to the casual feel. The different worlds within the game offer visual diversity, keeping the experience fresh as players progress through the levels. The audio complements the visuals, enhancing the overall immersion with catchy tunes and sound effects that suit the game’s light-hearted theme.
The introduction of a Rush mode for speedrunning with leaderboards adds replayability, but those who just want a quick boost to their trophy lists will enjoy this one too, as it’s a pretty short game. Cat Souls manages to offer an endearing and quirky platforming experience with its unique soul game mechanic, making for a worthwhile indie title for fans of precision platformers and feline-themed adventures.
Danmaku Unlimited 3 review (PS4)
Danmaku Unlimited 3, developed by Doragon Entertainment, is a vertically-scrolling shoot ’em up game that successfully captures the essence of the bullet hell genre while offering an exhilarating experience. Originally released on PC and later on the Nintendo Switch, the game has now arrived on the PlayStation 4, allowing a wider audience to enjoy its intense gameplay. Despite the years that have passed since its initial release, Danmaku Unlimited 3 remains a visually stunning and thrilling shooter.
The gameplay mechanics of Danmaku Unlimited 3 strike a perfect balance between accessibility and challenge. The core mechanics, such as the grazing system and the spirit/graze system, offer a unique twist to the bullet hell genre. The grazing mechanic rewards players for skillfully maneuvering through bullet patterns, providing both temporary firepower boosts and the ability to collect spirit bullets. The game cleverly turns enemy attacks into a potential advantage this way, enhancing the strategic depth with a risk/reward system. Furthermore, the game offers two modes: the main mode, which caters to a wide range of skill levels, and the graze mode, which offers a higher level of challenge. With up to 25 weapon combinations to unlock, players have the freedom to experiment and find their preferred playstyle.
Although the campaign consists of only five stages, the game’s replayability factor is high. Various in-game tasks unlock additional weapons, encouraging players to revisit the game and strive for higher scores. The addition of a boss rush mode and a practice mode further expands the game’s content, so while Danmaku Unlimited 3 may be relatively short and the spirit mode can be quite challenging, there’s a lot to enjoy here.
The colorful and dynamic visuals, combined with the sheer amount of on-screen action, create an immersive and exciting experience, which successfully delivers on its promise of being a thrilling and satisfying shoot ’em up experience. Whether you are a genre newcomer or a seasoned bullet hell enthusiast, Danmaku Unlimited 3 provides an excellent entry point into the world of bullet hell shooters without compromising on the intensity and excitement that defines the genre.
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