Top Hat Studios recently launched a trio of smaller games on consoles and dubbed it the “Top Hat Studios Indie Pack” – with a fourth title (Fires At Midnight) coming soon. Here’s a look at all three games that are available now – A Tale For Anna, The Lost and the Wicked and Vision Soft Reset.
A Tale For Anna review (PS4)
A Tale for Anna for PlayStation 4 takes players on an enchanting journey through colorful and captivating worlds. As Anna, a young sorceress raised by a talking cat named Tail, players must rescue their captured family and confront an evil queen seeking to steal Anna’s magic. The game’s fairytale-like narrative and the endearing bond between Anna and Tail add charm to the experience.
The gameplay, a mix of classic adventure gaming and puzzles, revolves around hidden object mechanics, requiring players to collect items through point-and-click interactions. Challenging and original puzzles, along with mini-games, enhance the gameplay further. The inclusion of a well-implemented hint system, represented by glowing blue leaves, also manages to strike a balance between guidance and player independence.
Visually, A Tale for Anna impresses with its detailed and delightful fantasy locations. The vibrant art style, accompanied by a delightful soundtrack, creates an immersive and whimsical atmosphere. The integrated hidden object scenes also blend seamlessly with the surroundings, providing an engaging and rewarding experience.
But while the game offers a delightful adventure, a few minor issues surface – as with a lot of adventure games, finding the right objects to progress can be challenging without hints. A Tale for Anna is a charming and well-crafted hidden object adventure though, and its captivating narrative, delightful visuals, and enjoyable gameplay make it a lovely indie adventure that should appeal to players of all ages.
The Lost and the Wicked review (PS4)
The Lost and The Wicked for PlayStation 4 delivers a unique and unsettling experience through its blend of twin-stick shooter gameplay and a dark, psychedelic horror narrative. Developed by Isaac Torres, this brutal psycho-thriller immerses players in a wicked world where they awaken after a shipwreck with no memory of their past. The game’s striking art style and atmospheric soundtrack contribute to its immersive and disturbing atmosphere.
In terms of gameplay, The Lost and The Wicked offers a straightforward twin-stick shooter mechanic. Players cycle through a variety of weapons to combat enemies and navigate the challenging levels. The inclusion of a dash ability adds tactical depth to the combat, and while the gameplay mechanics are relatively simple the game excels at creating a nightmarish ambience throughout its 3-4 hour duration.
The narrative, told through interactive cutscenes and boss encounters, presents a tragic and dark story. The protagonist’s journey gradually unveils a connection to a past filled with haunting memories, commanding officers, and the consequences of their actions. The game’s surreal episodes and unsettling set-pieces contribute to the immersive storytelling, for a much more thought-provoking experience than the visuals and gameplay initially suggest.
Despite its strengths, The Lost and The Wicked suffers from some shortcomings. The levels can feel repetitive, with limited variety in stage design. The game’s short duration and lack of replay value may also leave players wanting more content and additional unlockables. However, the immersion provided by the narrative and the gameplay’s simplicity, combined with a cheap price tag, make it a worthwhile experience.
In conclusion, The Lost and The Wicked offers unsettling moments, enjoyable twin-stick gameplay, and a compelling narrative. While it may not revolutionize the genre, its unique blend of psychological horror and accessible mechanics creates an experience that will stick with players. Fans of atmospheric games and those seeking a thought-provoking journey into darkness will find The Lost and The Wicked worth exploring.
Vision Soft Reset review (PS4)
The somewhat oddly titled Vision Soft Reset, developed by Seafloor Games and published by Top Hat Studios, presents a refreshing take on the crowded metroidvania genre. As Oracle, a clairvoyant cyborg, players embark on a mission to prevent a planetary disaster by utilizing time-traveling mechanics in this classic 2D action-adventure.
The game’s standout feature is its time-manipulation gameplay, allowing players to rewind time, undo damage, and gain an edge in combat. With the innovative Time Tree system, managing multiple timelines becomes a key element of the adventure, adding depth and complexity to the experience.
Vision Soft Reset’s premise of circling back and learning from past mistakes brings a strategic twist to the metroidvania formula. By utilizing the ability to see the future, players can forge new paths and solve puzzles with the knowledge gained from previous attempts. This time-travel mechanic, although not entirely groundbreaking, is competently realized and adds excitement and strategic depth to the game.
While the platforming and enemy designs may feel lackluster at times, Vision Soft Reset succeeds in creating an atmospheric and otherworldly environment. The washed-out blues and purples effectively convey a sense of loneliness and contribute to the game’s narrative. However, the visuals and music, while atmospheric, lack variety and feel a tad generic.
Overall, Vision Soft Reset offers a very enjoyable experience for fans of the metroidvania genre. Its unique time-travel mechanics, strategic gameplay, and well-executed metroidvania elements make it a worthwhile adventure. While the game has its limitations, its ambition and qualities are evident. We can’t wait to see what Seafloor Games does next.
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