In our port roundups, we shine the spotlight on games that are getting a new lease on life by launching on additional platforms. Today, it’s time to check out new console releases for PopSlinger, King Arthur: Knight’s Tale and Bio Inc. Redemption.
PopSlinger review (PS5)
PopSlinger, which launched on PC and Switch last year, offers a rather unique blend of beat-em-up action and rhythm gaming – set in a world that was inspired by the 80s and 90s. Players take on the role of Ria Carbon, who is armed with soda-powered guns, on a quest to save the world from forces from another dimension. Accompanied by her ally Gin, Ria battles against corrupted foes known as the “Corazones” in a quest filled with nostalgic charm and dynamic storytelling.
The gameplay mechanics of PopSlinger are innovative and challenging at the same time, requiring players to match colored enemies in chains to unlock power-ups and bonuses. This adds a bit of a strategic element to the fast-paced combat, rewarding players for precise timing and careful planning. However, some may find the difficulty spikes and lengthy boss battles to be daunting and overwhelming, leading to occasional frustration during gameplay.
Visually, PopSlinger captures the essence of ’80s and ’90s nostalgia with its colorful pixel art style and marker-infused aesthetics. The character designs and animations are expressive, while the background environments exude retro flair. But despite the charming visuals, the lack of indicators for offscreen attacks can sometimes hinder the gameplay, leading to unexpected hits and occasional frustration.
On the audio front, PopSlinger features a dynamic soundtrack inspired by a diverse mix of genres, including funk and new jack swing. The upbeat tracks complement the on-screen action, enhancing the audiovisual experience. Additionally, the voice acting adds personality to the characters.
In conclusion, PopSlinger offers a novel and entertaining gameplay experience that will appeal to fans of retro-inspired gaming. While it has its flaws, including occasional gameplay frustrations, the game’s unique premise and engaging blend of mechanics make it a worthwhile addition to the genre.
King Arthur: Knight’s Tale review (PS5)
In King Arthur: Knight’s Tale, NeocoreGames offers a dark twist on the legendary tale of King Arthur. Departing from tradition, the game immerses players in a dystopian realm where Arthur’s kingdom is besieged by darkness. Players assume the role of Mordred, tasked with stopping a corrupted King Arthur after the Battle of Camlann. We reviewed the game earlier on PC, and now it’s out on PlayStation 5 as well.
The game seamlessly blends turn-based strategy with narrative-driven gameplay, presenting players with choices and consequences that help you shape the story and give relevance and context to your battles. From recruiting allies to rebuilding Camelot and facing various threats, strategic decisions are crucial. The management mechanics outside of battle, including enhancing Camelot’s structures, add depth to the gameplay, requiring players to balance resources and tactics.
In combat, players command a diverse roster of heroes, each with unique abilities. Every decision influences character alignment and relationships, creating a dynamic role-playing experience. Combat mechanics are reminiscent of classic turn-based strategy games, but are enhanced with positional tactics and action points, adding depth to engagements even though – by themselves – these aren’t things you haven’t seen before.
King Arthur: Knight’s Tale delivers a visually striking experience with its dark aesthetics. The game’s interface is intuitive and has been ported well to consoles, and while there are minor shortcomings, NeocoreGames’ attention to detail and experience (they previously developed Warhammer 40,000: Inquisitor – Martyr) is evident. Overall, the game offers a compelling blend of strategic gameplay, narrative complexity, and dark fantasy elements, inviting players to rewrite the fate of Camelot in a novel way, and it’s great to see this on consoles.
Bio Inc. Redemption (PS5)
Bio Inc. Redemption, from DryGin Studios and Klabater, is a medical simulation and strategy game that challenges players to make life or death decisions. Whether assuming the role of a dedicated doctor striving to save lives or embracing the darker side in a campaign where you choose death, players navigate intricate scenarios where every choice counts. It came out years ago (in 2018) on PC, and has now launched on consoles.
The game’s mechanics delve into the complexities of diseases, treatments, and diagnostics, requiring players to carefully manage Bio Points to diagnose and treat patients effectively. With two distinct campaign modes and a Sandbox Mode, Bio Inc. Redemption offers a few different gameplay experiences to engage players.
And while Bio Inc. Redemption impresses visually with its detailed and visually striking portrayal of the human body’s systems, it does suffer from having a steep difficulty curve that can make it harder to enjoy. But despite this small drawback, the game’s immersive graphics certainly enhance the overall experience and provide interesting insights into medical scenarios and how they develop and progress.
In summary, Bio Inc. Redemption presents a compelling journey into the world of medical simulation, and its intriguing gameplay makes up for what it may lack in terms of traditional gameplay mechanics – offering almost documentary-type insights while you’re progressing through the scenarios.
Press Play Media 