Having been released on PC first, Life of Delta, From Space and Kingdom Eighties have all recently made the leap to consoles – we check them out here in our latest port roundup.
Life of Delta review (PS5)
Life of Delta, developed by Airo Games and published by Deadalic, takes players on a post-apocalyptic adventure through a desolate Japan inhabited by robots and anthropomorphic creatures. The story centers around Delta, a small service robot, on a mission to rescue his friend Joe from the clutches of lizardmen, in a narrative that showcases empathy and human-like emotions within the robotic characters.
The game effectively portrays the burden that these robots have taken on after humanity’s disappearance, making for a thought-provoking backdrop. Gameplay-wise, Life of Delta employs a point-and-click adventure style, requiring players to solve various puzzles to progress. While the puzzles offer a good amount of variety, some suffer from a lack of clear instructions, potentially leading to frustration when your progress stalls because of it.
The visuals are a real highlight, presenting a vividly depicted world in a state of transformation. The integration of modern and futuristic technology with remnants of human civilization adds depth to the post-apocalyptic setting. However, navigating the environment with a controller can be cumbersome, as it feels like a game that was designed for mouse input.
The game’s length is appropriate, not overstaying its welcome, but the story’s abrupt ending may leave players with lingering questions – one of them being whether or not this one was rushed out the door a little too soon. Despite these drawbacks, Life of Delta offers a solid experience for puzzle enthusiasts and those looking for a concise, engaging narrative in a unique post-apocalyptic setting.
From Space review (PS5)
From Space, developed by Triangle Studios and published by Curve Games, delivers an action-packed twin-stick shooter experience that pits players against a pink alien invasion in a post-apocalyptic world. Originally launched on PC in 2022, the game has now landed on PlayStation 5, offering stylized graphics and a vibrant, arcade-style atmosphere. Your mission is simple – to liberate Earth from the menacing pink alien horde, either solo or with up to three friends in a four-person squad (which is where the game is at its best).
From Space’s gameplay mechanics provide a satisfying blend of shooting, explosions, and strategic elements. The diverse arsenal, featuring weapons like rocket launchers and flamethrowers, offers players a plethora of tools for alien annihilation, while tactical items such as grenades, mines, and defensive measures like barbed wire and turrets enhance the depth of gameplay. Leveling up brings a sense of achievement, unlocking special perks that allow for fine-tuning of combat strategies, and the ability to swap perks among squad members encourages experimentation and teamwork when playing together with others.
Visually, the game strikes a balance between cute chibi-style characters and menacing pink aliens against a dark, abandoned cityscape backdrop. The introduction of new alien types over the course of the campaign adds an extra layer of immersion to the experience. But while From Space is fun to play, a few elements could use refinement. Some enemies and objectives end up being frustrating, with escort missions standing out as a good example where they AI doesn’t always behave like you want it to.
In conclusion, From Space offers a familiar yet enjoyable alien-slaying adventure, with engaging twin-stick shooting gameplay and a diverse cast of characters. It may not revolutionize the genre, but it provides a satisfying experience, especially in cooperative play. While the absence of local co-op is a huge missed opportunity for a game of this type, the online multiplayer option serves as a decent alternative. As such, From Space delivers a fun alien invasion escapade that’s worth consideration for fans of twin-stick shooters.
Kingdom 80s review (PS5)
Kingdom Eighties, the latest addition to the acclaimed Kingdom series, takes players on a nostalgic journey back to the 1980s. Developed by Fury Studios and published by Raw Fury, this standalone expansion offers a familiar blend of micro-strategy and base-building gameplay. As The Leader, your mission is to protect your camp from the menacing Greed, all while unraveling a compelling narrative through animated cutscenes and engaging quests.
During the day, you’ll strategically allocate resources, expand your base, and recruit workers to prepare for the night’s onslaught. The inclusion of followers adds depth, providing both companionship and unique abilities to enhance your defense. As night falls, the intensity heightens, requiring quick decisions to fortify your defenses or deploy your valiant defenders with the limited resources that you have. This dynamic gameplay loop keeps players engrossed and invested in the unfolding events.
Visually, Kingdom Eighties impresses with its exquisite pixel art, complemented by neon accents that pay homage to the ’80s aesthetic. The attention to detail, from warmly lit campfires to endearing Greed designs, brings the game world to life. The synthwave-infused soundtrack further immerses players in the retro/’80s atmosphere, providing a fitting backdrop for high-stakes battles and moments of exploration.
While Kingdom Eighties introduces commendable innovations, such as a more pronounced narrative and structured level progression, it may present an initial learning curve for newcomers who are not familiar with the Kingdom games. Balancing resource management and defense strategies can be demanding at first, and the constrained expansion options may leave players craving more freedom.
In summary, Kingdom Eighties seamlessly marries the signature Kingdom gameplay with the nostalgic allure of the 1980s. With its captivating narrative, delightful pixel art, and synth-infused score, it delivers a thrilling nostalgic adventure. While it may pose a slight learning curve for newcomers, the game ultimately provides an engrossing journey through the ’80s, including tons of pop culture references that should bring a smile to people’s faces.