Port roundup: Train Valley 2, Jagged Alliance 3, Alina of the Arena & ASTLIBRA Revision

With Train Valley 2, Jagged Alliance 3, Alina of the Arena and ASTLIBRA Revision, we’re checking out four games that were recently ported over to consoles.

Train Valley 2: Community Edition review (PS5)

Train Valley 2: Community Edition, now on PlayStation 5 from developers Flazm and publisher BlitWorks, is a comprehensive railroad tycoon game that first launched on Steam. With an impressive 278 levels, this brand new edition for consoles promises over 100 hours of gameplay. The low-poly graphics are beautifully designed, creating diverse landscapes with a pastel color palette, contributing to a visually appealing atmosphere.

The game features a mix of 50 Company Mode levels spanning different eras, from the Steam age to the Space age, with periods like the Industrial and Electrical age in between. Additional DLCs that have been included here bring 70 levels inspired by countries worldwide, as well as a few fantasy settings. This new Community Edition goes even further than that, with 158 levels that were created by the player community (on the PC version). Looking past content alone, it’s great that the controls generally work well and feel intuitive on consoles, though laying track can sometimes feel a bit imprecise when you’re using the (albeit prettier) isometric view.

But while the sheer number of levels might be overwhelming on paper, especially for newcomers, the game’s depth and strategic challenges shine through once you start playing. The occasional repetition in later stages is understandable when you look at the amount of content that’s here as well, so that’s easy to forgive. Train Valley 2: Community Edition stands out as a visually delightful, content-rich, and engaging railway management puzzler on the PlayStation 5, making it a top choice for fans of the genre and once you can easily lose weeks or even months with.

Jagged Alliance 3 review (PS5)

Jagged Alliance 3, developed by Haemimont Games and published by THQ Nordic, brings the latest entry in the iconic turn-based tactical series to consoles – where we tested the PS5 version. Plunging players into the tumultuous nation of Grand Chien, the game tasks mercenaries with rescuing the kidnapped president and restoring order. And while the central narrative may lack depth, the abundance of entertaining side quests compensates, crafting an immersive world teeming with diverse characters.

The game’s strategic gameplay unfolds through a seamless integration of tactical battles and larger-scale elements. Leveraging the strategic map, players oversee operations, manage mercenaries, and navigate conflicts against the formidable “Legion.” Tactical battles, the beating heart of Jagged Alliance 3, deliver engaging and challenging experiences. From diverse weapon options to a stealth system allowing players to deftly outmaneuver adversaries, the game caters to the strategic cravings of hardcore enthusiasts.

Jagged Alliance 3’s console-specific strengths shine on the PlayStation 5, offering a visually pleasing environment that complements the tactical depth. The performance is great, and the control scheme made the transition from the PC version comfortable. Jagged Alliance 3 successfully revitalizes the franchise, providing an enjoyable and immersive experience. The engaging gameplay and diverse cast of characters make it a worthy successor for fans of turn-based tactics, and it’s great to see it on consoles.

Alina of the Arena review (PS5)

Alina of the Arena, a new roguelike deckbuilding game developed by PINIX that recently launched on the PlayStation 5 after the PC version game out earlier, delivers a captivating experience that combines the strategic elements of ‘Slay the Spire’ with the tactical prowess of ‘Into the Breach’, as per the game description – a lofty goal indeed. As a gladiator fighting for survival in a bloodthirsty arena, players navigate through randomized levels, dynamically crafting their deck to face diverse challenges. One notable feature is the dual equipment system, allowing players to wield weapons in both hands for varied combat strategies, such as dual-wielding daggers or opting for a sword and shield combo.

The game’s core strength lies in its dynamic deckbuilding, offering an array of cards that players can strategically choose to form a unique deck. Hex-based tactics introduce a crucial element of positioning beyond traditional deckbuilding mechanics and the combat unfolds in a grid-based arena, emphasizing both precise positioning and strategic card play. The intuitive correlation between card colors and equipped weapons, coupled with a clear display of damage values, ensures a seamless combat experience. Audience engagement during battles adds another dynamic layer to gameplay, with the crowd reacting to impressive combos by showering the arena with gold or tossing weapons onto the field.

But despite its engaging combat mechanics, Alina of the Arena has its shortcomings. The game lacks depth in storytelling and world-building, and is visually rather simplistic. In summary, Alina of the Arena on the PlayStation 5 offers a compelling blend of dynamic deckbuilding, hex-based tactics, and engaging combat. And while improvements in storytelling could enhance the experience, the game stands out as a worthy addition to the roguelike genre, providing PlayStation 5 players with a fresh and strategic challenge.

ASTLIBRA Revision review (Switch)

ASTLIBRA Revision, a 2D action JRPG developed by KEIZO and published by WhisperGames for the Nintendo Switch, embarks players on a journey through a world filled with gods and fate. The narrative, despite some translation issues in the English language version, weaves an emotional and unpredictable tale, following the protagonist and their talking crow companion, Karon. The retro aesthetic, reminiscent of old-school MMOs, may not be universally appealing, but the consistent stylized artwork, especially in boss sprites, does add charm to the mix.

The game’s main strength lies in its engaging combat, offering a mix of fast-paced 2D movement, magical abilities, and extensive customization options. ASTLIBRA Revision encourages strategic play with its grind-heavy system, where players gather materials for crafting and leveling up. And despite occasional small frustrations with enemy choreography and a few tricky platforming sections, the diverse difficulty options and an arena for added challenges enhance replayability and alleviate some of that grind.

While some boss battles may feel unnecessarily prolonged, what helps is that the game features an outstanding soundtrack that sets the tone for the adventure. In conclusion, ASTLIBRA Revision delivers a unique and enjoyable 2D action RPG experience on the Nintendo Switch, combining a captivating story with refined gameplay mechanics and a memorable soundtrack. The visual style may not appeal to all players with its odd mix of crude platforms and detailed character models, and there are also occasional challenges with enemy choreography and platforming, but these issues are easily outweighed by the game’s strengths. This is a standout indie that Xbox and PlayStation owners should get jealous about.