Kingdoms and Castles, 10 Seconds to Win! and In Celebration of Violence were all well-received indie titles when they were released on PC, and they’ve now been ported over to consoles as well – here’s a closer look.
Kingdoms and Castles review (PS5)
Originally developed by Lion Shield and published by BlitWorks for consoles, Kingdoms and Castles offers a nice and accessible blend of city-building simulation and strategic defense. Set in a colorful, lively and dangerous world, players must oversee the growth and protection of their kingdom from raids and even dragon attacks – we tested it on a PlayStation 5.
The game’s premise revolves around strategically planning and expanding a growing town to ensure the safety, happiness and well-being of its citizens. With a minimalist approach to city-building, Kingdoms and Castles provides accessible gameplay suitable for players of all skill levels, complemented by a charming low-poly art style that adds to its vibrant atmosphere.
However, the game’s simplicity may be a drawback for those seeking deeper city-buidling gameplay experiences, as it offers a limited selection of structures and strategic options. Despite this, Kingdoms and Castles manages to captivate players with its addictive gameplay loop and delightful aesthetic – and we think its more accessible format makes it a great example of a game that works well on consoles, not needing an extensive UI or elaborate control scheme.
In conclusion, Kingdoms and Castles succeeds in delivering an enjoyable city-building and strategy experience, though it may lack the depth and longevity of some genre predecessors. Nevertheless, its accessible gameplay and charming visuals make it a worthwhile experience for fans of casual city-building and strategy games, and it’s a good fit for consoles.
10 Seconds To Win! review (PS5)
10 Seconds to Win!, which is being released on consoles by Eastasiasoft, presents a straightforward premise: conquer 100 levels within a strict 10-second timeframe per stage. As players navigate through spike-laden landscapes and spinning blades in this short but sweet platformer, the game’s responsive controls and intuitive mechanics ensure a smooth experience. Because the difficulty curve remains manageable and you’ll blast through many of these levels, the replayability factor is limited.
Visually, the game adopts a simplistic pixel-art style accompanied by an unbeat soundtrack, though both are fairly unremarkable. But despite its brevity, 10 Seconds to Win! offers a satisfying blend of challenge and enjoyment, making it suitable for a short play session. However, the lack of variety in gameplay and visuals may deter prolonged engagement, so it’s good that this one is being offered at a budget price point.
In conclusion, 10 Seconds to Win! provides a brief yet enjoyable platforming experience, offering a solid distraction, mostly for casual gamers looking for a mild challenge. While it may not offer groundbreaking innovation, its accessible mechanics and brisk pace make it a worthwhile budget platformer.
In Celebration of Violence review (PS5)
In Celebration of Violence launched way back in 2018 on PC, but has just made the leap to additional consoles as Dolores Entertainment is releasing it on PS5 now. It delivers a punishing yet satisfying experience, blending elements of Dark Souls and The Binding of Isaac – both visually and in terms of gameplay. This roguelike adventure, set in a mysterious fantasy world, challenges players to navigate procedurally generated landscapes fraught with danger and secrets. We hadn’t played it before, so we gave it a spin on the PS5.
Combat is the heart of In Celebration of Violence, demanding precision and strategy akin to the Souls-like games it draws inspiration from. Every encounter requires a degree of planning, with both players and enemies adhering to the same rules of engagement. And despite its punishing difficulty, the game’s mechanics offer a sense of fairness that rewards skillful play.
Visually, In Celebration of Violence adopts a pixel art style that effectively captures the game’s dark and oppressive atmosphere, complemented by an ominous soundtrack that heightens the sense of tension. However, its sometimes obtuse approach to gameplay and a steep learning curve may deter some players, requiring a significant time investment to fully grasp the game’s intricacies. This is certainly one that gets better with time.
Despite its challenges, In Celebration of Violence offers a rewarding experience for those willing to invest the effort. With its blend of hardcore gameplay and rich exploration, it stands as a testament to the allure of challenging indie gaming experiences, with a game that holds up six years after its original release.
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